We have finally reached the end of Lily's first week comprising of full days at school and thankfully all is still going well.
Following some employment changes over the Summer months, as a family we have now settled into a new pattern which works for us and I am slowly realising that dealing with school paperwork, requests for my time and sudden changes to term dates etc. amounts to a full time job! It is never ending.
Lily appears to be keeping the teaching staff busy (there was a running rogue on to the school field incident!) and although she is thoroughly enjoying her days at school I can tell she misses the freedom of being outdoors, so I am keen to make up for this at the weekends to enable her to burn off some of her endless energy.
We've been out for some shorter, although lovely walks recently. The light is beautiful in the woods at this time of the year, the trees are beginning to shed their leaves now and it won't be long before we will be walking on a carpet of red and gold.
The Autumn Equinox (over a week ago now) brought with it some wetter weather, yet it is still fairly mild here. I have some gardening jobs which need completing once the weather decides to co-operate and the grass might need cutting back one last time.
I'm finding that I'm spending more time in the kitchen, which Autumn lends itself to so very well, filling the stores in anticipation of the Winter months. I finally got around to making my blackberry jam - five jars and enough blackberries left in the freezer for five more. I've made various soups and the daily packed lunch box always contains some delicious homemade flapjack or ginger biscuit.
I have started running again. Hurray! After several months of inactivity I decided (once I knew Lily was settled at school) to make a huge effort and went out for a short run every morning last week to give myself a kick start. It gave me such a boost and my plan is to go out running on only three days this week but to increase the distance slightly. I'm enjoying it so much and I didn't realise how much I had missed that time spent just for myself. So important, but easily overlooked.
As much as I am always so very ready for the Summer months to arrive, along with the freedom and unpredictability they seem to bring, I do find I'm now craving the routine and steadiness of these Autumn months.
J.X
Good to her things are going well for Lily.
ReplyDeleteWell done for starting running again. I also need to sort out a routine, completely understand your comment about craving steadiness; the last four months have been great (and busy) settling into M's retirement but it is definitely now time to get back on the fells.
Thank you Jayne. I'm so pleased you're beginning to find your retirement feet. Getting back on the fells sounds like a good plan and I'm sure Daisy would agree. X
DeleteI don't think it takes long really, once a child starts school, to get into a routine. I thought I'd have hours to myself but it's amazing how quickly the time gets eaten up once you get used to those hours by yourself. I'm glad Lily's still enjoying school, long may it last.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, the time does fly by, although I am managing to accomplish so much more in my day. A few issues for Lily this week but I'm sure things will settle soon. X
DeleteA lovely post to read. It sounds as though Lily will settle well into school. Once friends are established she should be very happy to go eachmorning knowing that school routine is in store for her. Throughtou my long teaching career I never taught very young children but I love to read of those early years when important patterns of behaviour are learned - patterns which so help with study in the later years and help in the growing up process.
ReplyDeleteI also love your woodland pictures. Lily sounds to me to have a lovely life.
Thank you Pat. There is so much for Lily to take in at the moment but when she finds her feet I'm sure she'll thrive. They are like sponges at that age and learn so much. X
DeleteLily sounds like a real character...
ReplyDelete...good on her for keeping the teachers on their toes :)
Ha ha! You have no idea. :-)
DeleteGlad to hear Lily is still enjoying school and is settling well into the routine. Daisy has settled OK but Wilbur continues his dislike of it, hopefully a little more time will see him settle. Well done you for starting to run again, so good that you should have time for yourself.
ReplyDeleteOh, poor Wilbur. It can take a while for them to settle in. Lily has had a few issues this week but I'm confident they will be resolved very soon. X
DeleteChildren are such sponges for learning new things, its lovely to hear when a child enjoys the challenges school brings.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your peaceful quiet running time... nice view you captured, that that's your route I can fully understand why you enjoy the experience.
Thank you Julie. It's not my running route but one of Lily's favourite walks. The peace is good and much appreciated. X
DeleteI'm pleased to hear Lily is settling well into school life. You have the weekends to look forward to and time for yourself on the weekdays. My children's school days are a distant memory now but I remember there were always demands on our time and money!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen. I really do need to make the most of the weekends and holidays now, I am missing our afternoon walks. X
DeleteI am so jealous of people who can run, I can't to save my life! Enjoy your personal time, you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tania. I keep trying. X
DeleteI'm glad Lily is settling well at school.
ReplyDeleteYour woods look so nice. I find ours a little bit creepy so don't go very often.
I too love the time spent in the kitchen at this time of year.
Happy Autumn Hugs-x-
Thank you Sheila. There are plenty of woods to choose from around here but that is one of our favourite walks and, thankfully, not at all creepy. Autumn hugs right back at you. X
DeleteGood news about Lily and school, the start of an exciting adventure. I welcome autumn and the back to school routine, and of course the run up to Christmas xx
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Definitely the run up to Christmas. ;-)
DeleteJules...were you that running rogue? Don't be scared now! Some amazingly beautiful photos as always...I do hope you use some as artwork at home. x
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Jackie. Yes, I probably would have been the rogue runner at Lily's age but it's so long ago now I can hardly remember.
DeleteI don't really use the photographs at home as they are only quick snaps taken on my phone. I have one on display which was taken at Lily Tarn (of course!)
It's good to hear that Lily is enjoying school. Blackyjam sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteXX
Nil
Thank you Nil. I had some of the jam on my toast this morning. X
DeleteI so agree about autumn routine and steadiness, I enjoy them too. So pleased all
ReplyDeleteIs going well with school and that you're enjoying running. Parkrun plans?? Xx
A bit of routine is quite reassuring isn't it? I looked into doing a Parkrun but the nearest one to me is over ten miles away so I will look at doing something else instead. X
DeleteLovely pictures! Glad to hear that Lily is settling in at school and you are managing to find a new routine. Good of you to start running again. I can't run, but I'm hoping to make walking a routine. Enjoy your fall routines. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Bless. A walking routine is good. I did the 1000 miles in a year challenge last year and it's amazing the difference it makes. X
DeleteSo glad that Lily has settled into school. Summer holidays are lovely but even with the bonus of lazy days, no uniform to iron and no sandwiches to make, there is definitely more structure to life when there is school.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to be able to carve out a bit of time for ourselves isn't it. I can't run for toffee, I just walk quicker than usual with bended knees! xx
Thank you Suzanne. There's been a little bit of a blip but she's had a positive day today. Yes, I do so love the Summer months and especially the holidays but I find a bit of structure helps me to make the most of my days.
DeleteYour running comment made me giggle. The very first time I tried to go for a run I went for about half a mile downhill and thought I was going to pass out. I'm trying to keep at it. X
I went for a little jog this am and was nearly sick! The hills here are a killer!
ReplyDeleteOh dear! I hope you're OK now Sol. It's fairly hilly around here too. X
Deleteglad Lily is happy at school. As mums we forget that to take care of other people, we need to take care of ourselves too. Good for you for making time to jog. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Sadie. She is one of the younger ones in the class and I know it can often take a bit longer for them to settle in.
DeleteYes, it is so important to look after ourselves but it can get overlooked in our desire to care for our families. Just taking a bit of time for ourselves can make such a difference to our own wellbeing. X
Three beautiful photographs that accompany your writing here ...
ReplyDeleteSo good to read that Lily is settling into her new school routine, and brilliant to read that you have started back running.
Enjoy this wonderful Autumn season
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan. The first two photographs were taken on one of our regular walks through the woods and the last one was taken from the cottage where 'Withnail and I' was filmed.
DeleteI am enjoying the start of the Autumn season here and looking forward to the sights it has to offer us. X
Your blog is lovely and I wanted to follow you but could not figure out how to do it since ther was nothing on the right hand side to allow me. Am I missing something?
ReplyDeleteThank you. That's a really kind thing to say. I've now added a followers gadget. I hope I've done it right. X
DeleteOh, good. I shall hunt for it!
DeleteJ x
Sounds like you are in a happy place, Autumn is a lovely time for fresh air but also time spent in the kitchen. Photos are lovely.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Thank you. It's a beautiful time of year which I've only recently begun to really appreciate. X
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