The surrounding countryside has taken on an unmistakable autumn vibe, so I decided to treat the blog to a touch of seasonal colour. 🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁
It's been quite a week. I've finally completed my studies but whereas I should be feeling happy and relieved, following some miserable days of persistent rain and Lily experiencing some difficulties at school, instead I've hit a bit of a slump. I'm throwing myself into the new season, however, and intend to embrace all things autumn. On the coffee table there is a gingerbread scented candle, some conkers I gathered whilst out running during the week, and some knitting, which is currently a work in progress.
This morning the temperature has dropped noticeably and, although we've been wearing our thin waterproofs up until now, I suspect we will be changing to our warmer jackets later this week.
At the weekend, on the one fine day we've had for a while, Lily and I went for a walk in the woods. It is one of our favourite walks and one we enjoy on a regular basis. It only takes us an hour from start to finish, that's with us bimbling along and includes the obligatory stops for stick collecting, puddle splashing and, of course, chocolate! The recent heavy rain meant that many of the pathways were wet and muddy and I was glad I'd decided we should wear our wellies. Leaves have begun falling from the trees and it wont be long until the woodland floor is a carpet of orange and yellow.
It is lovely and peaceful in the woods and more often than not we have it all to ourselves. This time, however, the ordinarily gently flowing stream was a noisy torrent of water but by sharp contrast, further into the woods where the sun shone through the canopy of the trees, it was quiet and still.
The change in the seasons is apparent now. The garden is looking a bit of a mess and I need to get out there on a fine day to clear it up. The raised bed needs turning over, sunflowers need pulling out and I should really get the garden furniture put away until the spring.
In the kitchen I'm cooking more wholesome, warming meals, which I love at this time of year. If I manage to get myself into more of a routine, I might even get back to baking my own bread.
J. X
Lovely post Jules. I love the smiley face in the mud. That lightens the mood considerably. Sorry to hear of Lily's difficulties - hope they can be resolved. As a retired teacher I know just how worrying these difficulties can be (particularly to parents who love their offspring and want them to have as carefree a childhood as is possible)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. As you can probably imagine, Lily was responsible for the smiley face! X
DeleteHope you feeling a bit less 'slumped' by the time you read this. I can definitely recommend the apple cake that I made to lift your spirits.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine you both singing 'mud, glorious mud' as you tramped through the wood - it looks like you enjoyed playing in it. Sorry to hear Lily has a few difficulties at school and hope these sort themselves out.
Congratulations on completing your studies - I am not sure if you ever said what they were as I have not read your blog from the very beginning -you must be relieved or will be when it hits home and you feel better.x
Thank you for your good wishes, Vivien. Haha! Lily is a huge fan of mud yet, surprisingly, her jeans somehow managed to stay clean on this walk.
DeleteI'm looking forward to baking the apple cake later this week, and will be sure to let you know how I get on. X
Congratulations on finishing your studies. I always feel a sense of anticlimax When things are done and dusted that have taken up a large amount of time and brain space. Hope you feel a bit brighter as the week goes on.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear Lily is having some difficulties, I hope it's something that can be sorted out for her.
That really is a muddy walk! I imagine Lily thoroughly enjoyed it though :) xx
I think you've hit the nail on the head, Suzanne. As well as the other issues I've been facing, it does feel a bit of an anti-climax. I also need to establish some sort of routine to my days now that the studying is out of the way.
DeleteLily is a HUGE fan of mud, so she enjoyed the walk very much. X
always such lovely, lovely photos. Very autumnal. Country Living should be knocking on your door, asking if they can publish your pics.
ReplyDeleteI hope Lily's school troubles are easily sortable. I've got to say that Violet had a miserable time at primary school, I was always having to talk to her teachers about something or other and it really does bring you down. We just want our children to go to school, learn, make friends, and have fun. It shouldn't be impossible, but sometimes it feels like it.
xx
Thank you so much, Sadie. I'm not sure they would want the muddy photographs, however :D
DeleteI'm so sorry Violet didn't get to enjoy primary school. What you say is exactly what we wish for our children and it shouldn't be so difficult to achieve. X
Mmmm - gingerbread candle - that sounds fab.
ReplyDeleteI hope Lily's difficulties sort themselves out quickly.
xx
Thank you, Joy. I've not had chance to light the candle yet, but it still smells amazing. X
DeleteYou are so lucky to have so many lovely areas to walk in, I wish there was a nice quiet wood around here. Baking bread on a cold day sounds wonderful to me. xx
ReplyDeleteThe woods are just down the road, and we are fortunate with so many other wonderful places to walk nearby.
DeleteI must get to baking some bread this week. X
Morning Jules!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely photos of some beautiful nature this time of year.
I also enjoy changing our meals to match the season.
Cozy!
Have a lovely day.
Autumn is such a beautiful time of year. X
DeleteSo sorry to hear that you have hit a bit of a slump Jules. I hope things right themselves for you and for Lily too.
ReplyDeleteLots of signs of Autumn here now. The farm shop has the most glorious display of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colours and in some places the leaves are starting to fall...although some of the trees remain stubbornly green. The nights are drawing in and I need to get myself some Autumn/Winter candles for cosy nights in.
Oh I do love Autumn.
Hugs-x-
I'm surprised that I haven't seen any pumpkins in the shops yet. In fact, even the supermarket has only today put out the first of it's Hallowe'en goodies. I'm not complaining, it's a pleasant change from them being available at the very beginning of September. The pumpkin image on the sidebar is from our local farm shop last year. They always shave a lovely display. X
DeleteYour blog is looking marvelous!!!! Very large photos! Nice size font! Delightful! -happy dance-
ReplyDeleteBeauty surrounds you. Good to drink it in. In hope that it will make the not-nice things, seem a bit more manageable. So sorry about the school problems for Lily. But so wonderful, that you have completed your studies!!!!!!
You should be happy. She is not. That's life. And Mommies tend to feel, they can not _be_ happy, if children are not. But that's a fallacy. You have every right to be happy/proud of your accomplishment.
Her issues are a Life Lesson. Children have to have small problems, in childhood. Else, how will they ever learn, to handle all the big problems, which adulthood will absolutely bring???
You have the best attitude though! Immerse in Autumn. Yes...
🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁
I am enjoying the change of the seasons. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year, although I would much prefer some bright sunny days instead of the dark wet ones we've been experiencing lately. X
DeleteIt only takes one fine day which enables you to get out to the places you love to act as a bit of a pick me up. I always find that miserable days make for miserable moods but that changes as soon as I'm able to get outside for a bit of fresh air. Well done on completing your studies, is it something that's over and done with now or are you awaiting results? I hope Lily's difficulties at school are soon resolved.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Jo. My mood can be easily lifted with a bright sunny day, when I can get outdoors. It can make all the difference.
DeleteAnd I'm happy to say I don't need to wait on any results. My studying is now complete and out of the way. Can you sense my relief :D
So sorry to read of the slumps, and of Lily's back-to-school problems, I do hope you are able to sort things out soon. 👩👧 xx. Jo is absolutely right about getting out being a huge tonic.
ReplyDeleteLooks like your leaves are further ahead into their Autumn-ness than up here. If the weather forecast holds good I am going to take my camera off to Sizergh on Wednesday.
Wednesday looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. I'll look forward to seeing your photographs. X
DeleteI am sorry to hear that Lily has been finding school difficult, I hope that whatever is causing that is sorted out soon for her. Glad to hear that you have finished your studies but sorry to hear that you had a slump. Miserable weather is draining isn't it, particularly if you are not feeling positive. It sounds like your walk was a good pick me up, hope you all have a good week this week.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is rotten at the moment, we're definitely not experiencing the glorious autumn days I look forward to. Hopefully it will start to pick up soon. X
DeleteI like your hint of seasonal colour very much, thank you. So far, autumn here has been very wet and tonight I actually feel cold so I'm looking forward to some sunny autumn days at some point. I'm sorry to read about Lily's difficulties but pleased to read that you have reached the end of your studies (for now?) so that you can relax a bit and enjoy the season. I love autumn. x
ReplyDeleteI'm so relieved my studies are over with. It did begin to feel as though they were hanging over me towards the end. X
DeleteCongratulations on finishing the studies you were doing! I always find that once something end, I feel a sense of let down. I'm sure the rainy weather and Lily's school troubles just added to it. I hope the school troubles get sorted out, soon. Your walk and the photos look as lovely as ever! I loved the photo of the smiley face drawn in the mud. Made me smile! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bless. It's funny how it feels like an anti-climax. I guess I wasn't expecting that. The smiley face is cute isn't it? X
DeleteHope your homely moments are helping to raise your spirits. Sometimes when we have worked so hard on something and then it comes to an end it can be a bit of an anti climax. Hope you have a good week. B x
ReplyDeleteHomely moments. I love that expression.
DeleteWith my studying coming to an end, I feel a little bit at a loss, which I wasn't execting. Now I just need to adjust to a different routine. X
Once again Jules great photography. Studying can be all consuming and when its over although it's a relief it can leave a void. I'm positive you'll get through ok. I hope Lily's problems are sorted, it's not easy being a parent watching your children deal with the ups and downs of school, friendships and life in general.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tania. I think I just need time to accept a new routine to my days. My problem is that I'm very impatient. X
DeleteWhat is it with kids and mud - they just love it don't they? :) Well done on completing your studies, it must be a hug relief to get them over with. Your photos are lovely as always, I love the little ladybird :)
ReplyDeleteWalking with Lily is a lot like taking a dog out. Mud, puddles and the guarantee of returning home with yet another stick! X
DeleteThat's just made me laugh :)
Delete😆
DeleteYour lovely photos have cheered me up! Even the mud photos look appealing compared to the grim weather outside my window today.
ReplyDeleteWell done on completing your studies. That must be a big relief for you. We've got the accounts looming over us and IO keep finding other things to do to distract me from reality (blog reading, charity shopping, flight hunting!!)
I'm sorry Lily is having problems at school. I hope they be sorted out. xxx
It's been a dark and miserable day hasn't it? A far cry from your beautiful time away on Corfu. I don't blame you for checking out flights.
DeleteProblems are in hand. Thank you, Vix. X
I have commented before... But I am asking you to please read my my latest blog post...
ReplyDeletePlease and thank you...
Will do. X
DeleteYour photos are beautiful and capture autumn so wonderfully. I just love autumn and the smiley face in the mud adds a bit of whimsy. I hope Lily is OK. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane. Lily does love a smiley face. X
DeleteI've just read this and your previous post. I was very pleased to read the last paragraph of your previous post. I always enjoy your photos and seeing your walks. I've even managed some walks in the woods during the last week. Why is it that your woods always look more appealing than mine? I rarely, if ever, at this time of year walk without seeing other people. there are a lot of regular walkers in our Castle Grounds.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Graham. These woods are usually very quiet, aside from ourselves and the wildlife. X
DeleteWell done on completing your studies, but I was sorry to read that Lily is having problems at school...I feel sure they can be sorted out, I certainly hope so.
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are glorious to see, but my, that does look muddy! Our near neighbours had their young grandson visit at the weekend and I did enjoy seeing him splash in the many puddles we had around … yes, it certainly has turned rather wet! I'm looking forward to more sunny Autumn days and lovely autumnal walks.
Have a good week, and a happy October.
All the best Jan
It has rained so much here recently, I was in no doubt we would need our wellies that day.
DeleteDifficulties seem to be getting sorted. Thank you, Jan. X
What lovely photos. The smiley face in the mud made me smile too. I hope all will be well for Lily and she'll be OK. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane. Lily seems to be doing fine now but I'm keeping an eye on things, just in case. X
DeleteI realised I commented twice! Must be this cold fogging my brain :/ xx
DeleteI just assumed that you really enjoyed the post. :D x
DeleteBeautiful collection of photos. Congratulations on completing your studies.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louise. It felt good to get out and enjoy our one fine day. X
DeleteThere's nothing like a good old tramp through woods with your wellies on to make you feel better and 'your' woods looks so pretty in their Autumn hues. Well done on completing your studies, Jules! I'm sorry Lily is having some difficulties at school, hope they can be easily resolved. Loving the muddy smiley, by the way :)
ReplyDeleteI could quite happily live in my wellies at this time of year! Sometimes it feels as though I do.
DeleteEverything appears to be in hand now, thank you, Ann. X,
Such a beautiful place to walk and I love the happy mud face. Congratulations on completing your studies. xx Susan
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. it's one of our favourite walks. X
DeleteWow, those photos are gorgeous! I just went for a walk in the woods with Lula this morning. There's nothing like it. I hope your challenges are met with strength and confidence. You always sound so positive and uplifting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. I love spending time in the woods. X
Deletelovely pictures, I went for a woodland walk today,so muddy but great to be out with some trees!
ReplyDeleteIt's sooooo muddy everywhere at the moment. I didn't realise you had started blogging again!☺
DeleteGlad to read in your later post that Lily's school problems are not looking so bad. With three children and several grandchildren I've seen a few school problems and sometimes we feel very helpless. I hope things remain ok
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eloise. I will be keeping a eye on things. X
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