Autumn days

If you asked me what I have been doing so far this autumn I would probably only be able to think of one thing: work. I honestly would have struggled to think of anything else. I love teaching but during term time it can be are all-consuming. Days at school from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm are standard. I bring work home in the evenings and usually work a portion of the weekend too. 60 hour working weeks are the norm. I say this not for sympathy (I choose to do this job, and could probably do less at home) but because it gives an idea of how teaching dominates my life. The reason I am telling you this is because of how astonished I am that I managed to fit anything in on top of this. And so it is lovely to look back over the photos I took in September and October and see that we did so many nice things - so many! - and that life is not all work. 

Here is a random selection of everyday life and occasional treats, the stuff that keeps us all going when life is busy. 

Bella and I spent lovely afternoon shopping followed by a Wagamama, both of our number one choice for food. We both always have ramen. I often go for one of their juices. Bang bang cauliflower is my favourite side dish.

There have been gentle weekends pottering at home, especially when John and Angus are both at work (Angus has a weekend job now) and Bella is away seeing her boyfriend. I do jobs like swapping over the summer for winter clothes and getting out the blankets while listening to audiobooks.

Walks, always.

There was a fun weekend when my friend Abbie, her husband and children came to stay. We sat up drinking cocktails, went for long walks and out for burgers. 

I unexpectedly enjoyed Grounds Day at school, in which we spent a happy Saturday morning digging over flowerbeds and doing outdoor maintenance jobs. A mixture of staff and parents. Someone accidentally dug up this beautiful hydrangea so I rescued it. It may flower next year, who knows. I soaked it in water, pruned it then planted it. Crossing everything as the flowers are amazing, kind of conical in shape with a pinky-creamy colour.

There was a night in Dorset to meet up with my friend Kate who was over from Australia. The Friday night drive through wind and rain and traffic was worth it to go out for dinner with her and have a huge catch up.

Shopping and coffee dates with John, always fun.

There was a fabulous day in Brighton with my friend Abbie. This was an extra treat as it was a day off school (a day in lieu for the nights away from home for the Y6 residential) so I felt a bit naughty playing out, even though it was totally above board!

We had lunch in The Ivy where the loos are always splendid and the food and drinks also very nice.

We did a bit of shopping, walked around a lot, just enjoyed being in Brighton. 

We squeezed in some pho (delicious) before the main event.

I had been looking forward to this concert for months and was so excited when I managed to get tickets.

The concert was amazing, life-affirming stuff with the best atmosphere. Beautiful. 

And then we collapsed into half term. We have mainly been decorating but there was a flying visit to Durham to see John's family, eat a really quite good roast belly pork and crackling in the pub, watch John's face light up in the model shop, and try my first ever velvetiser hot chocolate.

Bella and I had our nails done. Mine are the short, red nails although I think my wrinkly hands are a giveaway. Bella's hands are so different to mine - she has John's hands I always think.

I bought this beautiful skirt from Vinted for £3. I have been selling lots on there over the last couple of months as I clear out unworn clothes. It has been pleasantly stress-free overall.

There was time with family planning Christmas. I know this will probably freak some people out but Christmas is heavily planned and anticipated in our family. It just always has been this way, none of us are last-minute types. I am one of three girls all of whom live locally to our parents so we can all get together at Christmas (and how lucky we are), but then sometimes it is a year for one family to go to in-laws, or to travel to see other family, or to get together with step-children in blended families. So there is some planning and turn-taking involved.  But it looks like this year it may be all of us together at my parents which will be lovely. Fourteen! And some vegetarians! Hence the meeting and organising and dividing up of labour/cooking. Last year my sister Anna hosted but we all brought various components of the meal with us. It was hectic, but meant she didn't have the labour of hosting and cooking. 

Autumn at home has involved lots of dried grasses, hydrangea heads and pumpkins.

With my parents help we have decorated the hall and landing since I took these photos. It is not vastly different, just different colour woodwork and stairs. I will take some photos. 

The garden (with huge help from my amazing mum) has been packed away for winter. Borders have been weeded, shrubs cut back, sofa cushions packed away, bulbs planted. I had to go into work a couple of times over half term so having their help was invaluable.

I have a new obsession and it is my printer's tray. I ordered it from Etsy and it arrived in pretty good condition but so dirty. 

I spent a very satisfying few hours vacuuming it, gently wiping out each recess with warm soapy water and polishing up the brass bits with bicarb of soda. Finally I gave it all a light sand and a few coats of beeswax. 

John hung it for me above the hall table.

And then I had a lot of fun filling it with bits and bobs. 

Lots of sections are empty as I add to it over time. I really love it.

Food is the same old autumn favourites I cook every year but there is so much comfort in the ritual of the familiar. Like pumpkin pancakes which I make maybe a couple of times in the autumn and we all really love.

Or the first crumbles, stewed plums, porridge or baked oats.

Of course these are not foods which are just for autumn, but I probably don't eat them much over the summer so it feels comforting to start cooking them again.

I tried a new to me recipe, malt loaf. I liked it. Angus said the one from the shop is nicer so you cannot please everyone.

I hope your autumn is full of some everyday joys too. So important to keep us going when life is a lot.