The post-holiday come down has not been nearly so bad this time as it was after our stay in the Cotswolds. It helps that next week the schools go back and I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I have a to-do list as long as my arm. Looking at this photo of Bella makes me inordinately happy and I am holding on to those memories of family time and sea air.
Today has been spent doing chores - washing, sorting, more washing - settling back into our home. Quiet play inside and out, cooking, eating. I think I've just about caught up with emails and blogs.
I've loved seeing how many of you are already feeling inspired by Autumn, or Fall. I know it doesn't officially start until 22 September but, for me, as soon as the new school term starts my thoughts turn to all things Autumnal. Quilts, apples, jam, falling leaves, darkening evenings, the smell of bonfires, planting bulbs, woolen scarves, blackberry picking, chutneys, making my Christmas cake, Harvest Festivals, pumpkins, Halloween, Bonfire Night, soups, lighting the fire, collecting conkers for nature displays, new school kit, crisp sunny mornings, the slow build up to Winter and Christmas. I love it. What makes you feel autumnal?
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Have you seen this limited edition Lyle's Golden Syrup tin? Isn't it great? I will wash it out when it's empty and use it to store pens or buttons or cutlery - or maybe flowers. It sums up rather neatly how I have felt this summer, and especially this week while watching the Paralympics. I am in awe of those athletes. To live with a life-changing injury or disability must be so challenging, the constant struggles and hurdles, day in day out; that in itself deserves more recognition than we give it. But to train for and compete in the Paralympics as well ...they have my respect.
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A few weeks ago the lovely Bee from the linen cloud blog nominated me for a Liebster award, given to blogs of less than 200 followers. Bee, thank you. I have been a little too relaxed in my response and now see that all the blogs I would have nominated have already been chosen by others, such is the interconnectedness of the blogging world! So, bending the rules slightly, can I say that if you visit here and take the time to leave a comment then I would choose you, you are all my Liebster, or dearest blogging friends. You know who your are.
such a cute photo of Bella!
ReplyDeleteI like dressing up warm in snuggly scarves and big blankets. Not so keen on the darkness though.
Congrats on the award!
Snuggly scarves are a must. I have quite a lot of scarves. Is more than twenty too many do you think? x
DeleteLove, love, love that pic of Bella! Happiness personified! What a great note to start the autumn on! E x
ReplyDeleteIt was a happy day. And the sun is shining today - more cause for smiling! x
DeleteOh your autumnal list ... poetry .. I love it ... my favourite season ... can't wait for all the lovely things you listed ... thanks for the mention .. you really deserve the award ... Bee xx
ReplyDeletePS I saw a row of three syrup tins with herbs in on a windowsill in blogland ... sorry just can't remember where :) ... another idea for your limited tin maybe ... xx
I think Autumn is a lot of people's favourite season. You'd think it would be summer but I guess our summers are so unreliable we are always disappointed!
DeleteLove the idea of using syrup tins as herb pots, thanks for that. x
Such a cute photo of Bella. I love those tins and will be doing something with mine as soon as it is empty - i have been proudly British this summer which is wierd!
ReplyDeleteSeptember is going to be fab I can feel it in my bones. Congrats on the award it is richly deserved xxx
It is weird for me to feel so proud - I am not a particulalry patriotic person. Especially where our government is concerned. But this summer felt different, just focusing on people. It's been nice! x
DeleteI LOVE a good nature display!! I think working with primary school children has done this to me. :) x
ReplyDeleteYes - Bella's classroom always had an impressive conker display and it was all I could do not to shove a handful in my pocket. Apparently they are a good spider deterrent too...not idea how or why.
DeleteWhat a lovely smiley photo! And what a colourful list. I can feel the days getting cooler here. Also, in answer to your question - yes bolsters are still everywhere :)
ReplyDeleteP.s. Congrats on your award x
Oh good, I'm glad to know attractive but uncomfortable cylindrical pillows are still being used in French hotels - that makes me ridiculously happy! :-) I hope they give you lots of fluffy pillows too though.
Deleteoh Bella looks a joy in that photo, no wonder it makes your heart skippy.
ReplyDeleteLove the tin, its been a good summer for celbration tins in the larder, although it will be a while before I've finished my ma'amite...
Thankyou for your lovely comment - the red shoes are scrumtpious, trying to get my size 8's into her size 1's...
Lx
Yes, i still have my Ma'amite jar, it makes me smile when I use it. And those fantastic 1950's Frosties cereal packets - they were great too. x
DeleteGoodness Bella looks like you in that pic ... maybe it's the shades :D
ReplyDeleteGillian you've won a prize in the knitsofacto giveaway. If you could email me your address and contact details please I'll get it you asap :D
Small child in grown up shades = endlessly entertaining.
DeleteAnnie, thank you very, very much, I am delighted! I have emailed you my address. x
That's a gorgeous pic of Bella! Love all the things you wrote about Autumn. It's Spring time for me in Australia, though and I'm really happy about the warmer and longer days
ReplyDeleteSpring time has to be my other favourite season - the blossoms and signs of warmth always make me happy.
DeleteYes soup, quilts and jam sounds perfect to me. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteAlthough it's a bit warm here today - that is the joy of September, there is still warmth to be enjoyed. But I did snuggle under the quilt in bed last night. x
DeleteThat's a great list! I'm looking forward to more blackberry picking and jam making. I also want to make sloe gin this year. For me though it's all about Christmas, I can't wait to make the cake and the pudding! x
ReplyDeleteI love blackberry picking, it's strangely soothing. Although i did scratch my hands to pieces, but that just made the bag of fruit feel all the more deserved!
DeleteI have never made my own Christmas pudding. I don't have a steamer and am terrified of the thought of making one!
Congratulations on your Award!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the Autumn thingy, although I'm STILL waiting for Summer to start properly, my heart is starting to flutter towards Autumn, it's so vibrant! Ada :)
There is still a bit of summer left here, and I am enjoying it as it's the last day of the holidays for us today, but i do welcome the soft signs of Autumn. x
DeleteYip love Autumn, and your list is spot on. Now I've got to go get me one of those golden syrup tins, so fantastic! I think I might plant some cyclamen in mine and pop it on the kitchen windowsill. x
ReplyDeleteI love cyclamens, with those gorgeous little hot pink flowers, good idea! x
DeleteCongratulations on your award ... very well-deserved for a lovely blog! Love the syrup tin ... will have to get one of those ... Autumn makes me very melancholy for some reason, must be remembering Back to School after weeks of freedom!
ReplyDeleteClaire xxx
Thank you Claire. I do have mixed feelings about the back to school thing - I welcome the routine but feel trapped by it too, if that makes sense! x
DeleteLovely picture of Bella! And well done on the Liebsterb too :-) x
ReplyDeleteThanks Col. :-) Kids in sunglasses, always fun. x
DeleteLovely pic of Bella! I love everything about Autumn - Bonfire night, blackberries, the crisp air, crunchy leaves, comfort food, prepping for Christmas, - the list goes on..
ReplyDeleteYes to all of those! I love how so many people get Autumn. Yay to comfort food. Mmm, pie and mash.
DeleteDear Gillian
ReplyDeleteBella's photo is lovely, as so many other people have commented. I really love the Golden Syrup tin - I need to look out for one of those, if I haven't left it too late. Wouldn't it look lovely with some native wildflowers in it? I love the blue skies and crisp mornings of Autumn, with the cruch of leaves underfoot. I also love all the late summer/early autumn plants: asters, echinacea, helenium, sedum, caryopteris, hibiscus, oh, and ornamental grasses! Gorgeous!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie, I love your idea of using the tin for native wildflowers (although I have to admit I wouldn't recognise one if it hit me around the head!). And I hadn't thought of Autumn flowers, what a good point, so much colour still to be seem outdoors. x
DeleteLove the photo of Bella! She is such a pretty little girl! Also, love your Autumn list. I cannot wait to buy my first pumpkin and start making lots of yummy stews and soups and I have already discovered my favorite new pumpkin ale for the season! It's almost here!!!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Julia. Pumpkin ale, that sounds interesting, I will have to look into that!
DeleteI must say, I too am not sad to see autumn arrive, after such a wonderful summer (not weather - think friends, family, outside fires, too much wine, trips, just making the most of what is there...). I did smell autumn on the wind Friday while walking the dog, after some rain under the horse chestnut and pine trees, a leafy sweet smell. Bring it on!!!
ReplyDeleteIvan :-)
I like the way you made your summer work for your even though the weather wasn't great. I hope we still have some warm days left though.
DeleteGorgeous picture of Bella. love the golden syrup tin and well done on the award. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline - I may have to stock up on the tins. I'll need lots of golden syrup to put on my morning porridge soon anyway! xx
DeleteI so feel it too and secretly I'm kind of happy - then again it is my favourite season. It's been blackberries all round this weekend and beetroot.
ReplyDeleteNina x
We are in full on blackberry mode this week - crumbles, jam - can you guess what my posts will be about this week?? xx
DeleteGreat autumn list. Welcoming the change of season here, too. Must look out for those tins as I wander the supermarket aisles. Totally agree with you about the Paralympians. Some amazing journeys.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed watching it, and I've been listening to some really good debates on the radio on how good it is/isn't for other disabled people.
DeleteOh I feel you! We felt very confused coming back from our holiday. I felt very down for a few days and then caught a big summer flu cause it was so cold back in London compared to Croatia.
ReplyDeleteGreat autum list though! I am excited for this fall!
It's always hard coming back from a holiday. It's the break from routine and washing as much as the nice weather. Never been to Croatia - I bet it's gorgeous. x
DeleteThat's a great autumn list, but I'm just not ready for it yet, summer has only just got going and I'm refusing to let go of it yet. What a gorgeous photo of Bella, she's such a cutie.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, I am really enjoying these warm sunny days we've been having this week. But I never have any trouble embracing autumn as our summers are always such a let down. Autumn never disappoints!
DeleteGreat pix, but just thought I'd mention that I have that syrup tin and an earlier one which celebrated the 125th anniversary of Tate & Lyle, and insted of Proudly British this one says Perfect in Puddings. I have it on my desk here as we speak!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P (and here's someone who doesn't collect vintage with a golden syrup tin on her desk, har, har!)
Ah, a tin which said perfect in puddings, I wish I'd seen that one. I've found that, if you stab holes in the bottom, they make excellent little outdoor plant pots.
DeleteWhat a cute picture! And congrats to be nominated for the award.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liv. She is currently obsessed with sunglasses. No idea where she gets that from...
Delete