As much as I adore the summer and hold on to the season for as long as I possibly can, even I must concede that this last week has brought with it some much cooler mornings and it has become noticeable that the nights are drawing in.
The air feels damp. Those long, hot sunny days, which seemed to go on forever, are behind us now and there are little signs of autumn creeping in everywhere I look. Rowan berries are putting on a colourful display, the hedgerows are providing an abundance of blackberries and elderberries are changing colour by the day.
Our raised bed has provided us with some kale, cauliflower and brocolli and although we have shared much of our produce with some rather hungry caterpillars, we've not minded as it has been a delight to see so many butterflies around this summer.
At this time of year my thoughts naturally turn to the colder months and the pattern of our days becomes more apparent, as I discover them echoing those of past years. Gathering blackberries, beginning to make preparations for the beginning of a new school year and finding ourselves enjoying the same walks on the exact same day we'd enjoyed them twelve months earlier. Funny how that happens, but there is a comfort in this familiar constancy to our lives.
So far our Summer break this year has been much quieter than I originally anticipated. I had planned for lots of adventures and, of course, we have been dictated to by the unpredictable weather to an extent, but in all honesty, aside from our holiday, we've been quite happy to spend much of our time close to home and possibly enjoyed a far more relaxed time as a result. It has also enabled me to keep on with the decluttering and tidying, which is still very much a work in progress, but I'm beginning to see results now, which feels very satisfying.
In the kitchen I've been making soup, pickling beetroot, preparing blackberry vodka and cooking up home grown cauliflower cheese. It's a time of year when I am quite happy to be spending my time cooking. Anticipating dishes of wholesome, comfort food. Quite a contrast from the light and simple meals we've been enjoying lately.
We are still waiting for Lily's birthday sunflowers 🌻 to open up but I'm sure they will be out to delight us any day now. And as the forecast appears to be promising us some warm sunny weather this weekend, perhaps summer is not over for us just yet.
J. X
J. X
All that produce and food looks so tempting. We were all badly flooded over in Wensleydale but things are beginning to return to normal and the forecast this coming weekend is for much warmer weather. Can't come too soon.
ReplyDeleteIt is terrible for those who have been flooded. Sadly there is no quick fix for dealing with the aftermath. X
DeleteOh, everything looks so delicious. I can feel the change of seasons here in California, too. I love this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. I hope all goes well with your house purchase. X
DeleteYou have a lot of gems in your garden.
ReplyDeleteI do love my vegetables and it has been nice to be able to grow some in our own garden. X
DeleteGreat photos and I just love autumn; it's my favourite season. Summer's to hot, winter's to cold, spring is nice, but autumn is the best. We've had a much better harvest than we initially thought. The caterpillars got the cabbages, but the butterflies have been wonderful! That cauliflower cheese looks scrumptious! Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane. I do love autumn, I just wish summer could last for a little while longer. X
DeleteAh, yes, the end of summer. Sounds like you are quite busy and how lovely to enjoy the harvest from your garden! I hope there will be many more relaxed days before school starts and life becomes busy, again.
ReplyDeleteI think we are going to have some lovely weather this weekend but it is obvious now summer is winding down. Just under two weeks until the new school term! Summer has flown by. X
DeleteDelightful post.....
ReplyDeleteThank you for the good wishes...
💛🌻💛
Thank you, WoW. I hope you're beginning to feel a bit better now. X
DeleteDearest Jules,
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed visiting today.
Your photos are beautiful, and I so agree with your lovely words about staying close to home and enjoying the constancy of routine. I also look forward to the cozy autumn meals in our future. Have a cozy evening, my friend!
Thank you, Billie Jo. It has been a change for us to have spent so much of our time at home this year, although we have enjoyed it. X
DeleteMmmm cauliflower cheese looks so delicious. How nice to have home grown veggies.
ReplyDeleteI don’t have any vegetables in the backyard at the moment. Only several types of greens and peppers. I should start preparing raised beds for new plants, but it’s been raining nonstop here.
I hope you are having a great week Jules.
XX
There is something very satisfying about eating home grown produce. We haven't grown a lot this year, but it still tastes delicious. X
DeleteI agreem autumn is peeking around the corner and trying to get a foot in the door. It's a lovely time of yeare, is late summer/early autumn, so fruitful and so generous. You have reminded me that I must go on my first bramble picking walk soon and get some of that lovely fruit into the freezer or into gin/vodka. I wonder what blackberry vinegar would be like?
ReplyDeletexx
It is a lovely time of year, although I wish summer would last just a little while longer. There are ripe blackberries aplenty here and the elderberries wont be far behind. I've never tried blackberry vinegar. X
DeleteNooo, I'm not letting go of summer just yet, especially with a heatwave forecast for this coming weekend. I think it's nice to spend days pottering at home, I know my kids always enjoyed time to themselves in the holidays with nothing planned so we always slotted some of these days in between planned excursions. Yum. the beetroot looks absolutely delicious, I love it both roasted or pickled, though no one else in the house enjoys it so it's rare that I buy it fresh now but I used to grow it when I had the allotment.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to let go of summer either, but I think this coming weekend will probably see the last of it here.
DeleteIt has felt relaxing to have spent more time at home this year. No rushing around and just pleasing ourselves when we wanted to go out for the day. X
What a lovely post. Your garden produce looks amazing, we have lots of kale but no broccoli yet, it is so satisfying to eat your own home grown food isn't it. I had also heard that we are in for some warm weather this weekend too, I am not quite ready for summer to be over and am looking forward to that especially as we are helping friends to move house which would be so much easier in the dry! Hope those sunflowers open soon x
ReplyDeleteThank you. We don't have much space here, but we've enjoyed trying to grow our own over the last few years and it's been fun to try different things. Next year I'm thinking potatoes! X
DeleteLovely to see your kitchen creations, all looks wonderfully delicious.
ReplyDeleteMay I ask what camera you have Jules? your photos are always amazing, with such clarity. xx
Hi Jules hope you got the comment about the name change and address ok?
DeleteMarlene x
Thank you, Marlene. I don't use a camera for my photographs, just my phone. X
DeleteYes, I think I'm following the right one. X
DeleteBeautiful photos from using a phone, wish mine were as good. x
DeleteSometimes having a relaxing stretch of holidays is the best!
ReplyDeleteYour broccoli and kale look amazing. I left my beetroot in too long this year and they went woody (lesson learnt)
There's definitely a slight change happening, slightly chillier mornings and evenings. Looking forward to seeing Lily's sunflowers soon, Jules! X
I have felt much more relaxed about it this year, although it seems to have gone by a little too quicly for my liking.
DeleteFingers crossed those sunflowers will be out this weekend. X
I love beetroot and yours look delicious, as does the rest of your home produce. Great photos as always, my favourite just has to be the first one, it looks so lovely there :)
ReplyDeleteThe beetroot, although home grown, was not grown by us. The pickling, however was all my own work :)
DeleteI was so sorry to read of your news this morning and I really hope there is the chance of a positive outcome. Sending hugs. Xx
You've been very industrious in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteYes it is starting to feel autumnal, but I read today that the bank holiday could bring temperatures of 90 degrees in some parts of the country!
I'm hoping for one last blast of summer, Eloise. X
DeleteFabulous today...long may it last
DeleteSounds like a perfect summer holiday. I’m envious of all your produce, you have very green fingers. Enjoy the last few days of the holidays.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about green, but after gathering the blackberries and pickling the beetroot my fingers were definitely purple! X
DeleteYes! Bring on autumn please! Your cool-weather veggies are looking happy. :)
ReplyDeleteAutumn can wait just a tiny bit longer. I'm going to enjoy the last of the summer first. X
DeleteI just love people that run towards Autumn. The past week or so I've heard so many times something along the lines of - summer is great but the nights are starting to draw in, with a smile on their face.
ReplyDeleteAutumn just is the best, still plenty of fresh fruit and veg to enjoy, food starts to be more comforting, the weather is still fairly good, lots good tv starts to build up to enjoy at the weekend, and here the illuminations are on so there's still a buzz around the place.
I do love autumn but I fully intend to hold on to the last of the summer while I can. I am, however, getting excited for our annual trip to the illuminations (and possibly fireworks) and fish and chips :)
DeleteThe drawing in of the nights and the cool mornings and evenings is my most favorite thing with the promise of home cooked comfort food for the cooler days.
ReplyDeleteOh yes bring on the Autumn for me :)
Hugs-x-
It's mainly the food that makes it for me, Sheila. I'm already looking forward to enjoying a delicious cottage pie served with some of the home pickled beetroot. 😆
DeleteLovely post again …
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your photographs and your home grown cauliflower cheese definitely have my taste buds drooling :)
Enjoy the Bank Holiday Weekend
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. The cauliflower cheese was delicious. I should really eat it more often. X
DeleteAll your makes look delicious Jules. Our summer holidays have been much quieter than in the past as well but somehow quiet just seems right this year. The nights are definitely drawing in but I'll have to believe you about the mornings being cooler - I'm getting up far too late to notice such a thing ;) xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne. I'm looking forward to tasting the beetroot and the blackberry vodka is a delicious winter warmer on those cold dark evenings. X
DeleteI hope the sunflowers have put in an appearance by now, they seems late this year?
ReplyDeleteA change here too - a few days ago I looked at the hornbeam hedge and realised it was no longer lush and verdant; the green leaves have taken on a slightly golden tinge. Sad, I wasn't ready to see that.
Just the one, so far. The rest are almost there.
DeleteWe've been for a walk through the woods today and it felt a little strange, as although there were many signs were of autumn, the temperatures were telling me it is still summer. X
Those blackberries look FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteThey taste fabulous too! I've been helping myself to more on our walk today. X
DeleteYour broccoli is beautiful! The cauliflower cheese looks really good, too. It sounds like you've had a nice, relaxing, and very enjoyable summer break. I'm sure Lily's birthday sunflowers will open in time. Happy early birthday to her!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julia. We've not tried the brocolli yet, but I'm looking forward to it as brocolli is my favourite.
DeleteThe sunflowers have grown from some of the seed packs we put in Lily's birthday party bags back in May. One of them opened up this week. The others are keeping us waiting. 🌻 X
Relaxing, near to home summers are the way I remember growing up. We took a short vacation away each year and the rest of the time was spent playing, exploring and just enjoying all the free time. Times like that make wonderful memories! Your food looks good enough to reach out and touch. Yum! We're canning tomatoes from our garden tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds pretty much how we have spent our summer break this year. We are very fortunate in that there are so many wonderful places to explore right on our doorstep and we prefer a slower pace of life.
DeleteHome grown tomatoes are delicious. X
Whoops nearly missed this post. Glad to hear you have had a restful summer - I wish I could say the same. We have a few days to ourselves now and it is heaven. My tomatoes are only just starting to change colour but the lettuce seeds Little L helped me to sow on Friday have already started to grow. Fingers crossed for the Sunflowers.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to read you've been having a stressful time lately and I hope life begins to settle for you soon.
DeleteOnly one sunflower, so far! 🌻
Beautiful harvest. Fall can’t come soon enough.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We are definitely seeing a change in the seasons now. X
DeleteHellooooo, I think I have had an issue with commenting here and on Thrift deluxe - I could just eat the cauliflower cheeeeese - it looks so delicious x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel. I'm going to make some more this next week. X
DeleteNow that blackberry I'm sure would have had my name on it were it growing near me! x
ReplyDeleteThere were quite a few with my name on! Walks are taking us longer at the moment, with all our stops for picking blackberries. X
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