Tuesday 19 October 2010

T'is the Season ..

To be cosy.. tra la la la la.. la la la la .. not to mention scared out of your wits and totally paranoid.

Here I was, sitting like not so little Miss Muffet.. upon her Laura Ashley velvet sofa, eating her Jordan's Country Cereal , this morning when there sat down beside her .. a slightly smaller version of Godzilla!


Yes it's spider season again.. and despite my liberal scattering of conkers around the home.. they have brazenly ignored the theory that they don't like Horse Chestnuts and marched into my home.. which it seems is not a castle! Maybe a moat and a few vats of boiling oil would have done the trick instead of a few wizened conkers ...



Ho hum.. at least Pickles has enjoyed some lively games of 'footie' around the place and nearly broken a few ankles with his carefully placed balls...

....... maybe I should rephrase that!

Despite our hirsute friends (not) I really do love.. this season. The way the light flirts in the early mornings and evenings.. that misty, watery 'Turner' like quality to the landscape.


It is also a time to cosy down and start the rituals of laying a fire.. yes.. rather like Downton ... I get to be a parlour maid and lady of the house all in one day! How's that for promotion!
There is something very satisfying and primeval, about putting some sticks together and creating fire.. warmth.. comfort.


It is also the season to add a few inches to the hips.. with all the temptations of comfort food so very hard to resist.. Sausages and Mash, Cauliflower Cheese, Apple Crumble and Custard..


Not exactly Weight Watcher's recommendations.. nonetheless.. very satisfying and of course essential eating as the temperatures drop. We need our fat layer to insulate us...don't we?

The garden is still hanging on to some flowers and the Nasturtiums have triumphed yet again.. to put on this grand finale of vibrant colour...

T'is also the season for the clocks to go forward (oops... I mean back.. thanks Green Twins Mummy for pointing out this faux pas) proper drama's on the box, Rugby League, bonfires and visitations from a horde of miniature ghouls and coven's at Halloween, kicking leaves, harvesting hazel nuts before the squirrels get to them, mugs of hot chocolate in front of the fire, hot water bottles, Clementines... the list goes on..
I love Autumn.. it's official!
What do you love about this mellow time of year?

25 comments:

Jee said...

I love these Autun mornings - some incredibly bright and golden and some really misty but clearing into silver layers. I've really been making good use of the camera!
I also love being able to have the heating on but not being too hot to knit (we have to have the heat high for elderly M-in-law and husband and I are often sweltering!).

Unknown said...

OMG! I so hate spiders - I am always on edge at this time of year!

Greentwinsmummy said...

put the clocks back you mean lol!
I adore this time of year, I have been outside with the sheep and the wind has tumbled leaves down on my head and made me grin!
as for those 8 legged things, I qont go there,shudder..outside fine, just stay out there!!!
GTM x x

Andi's English Attic said...

As I've got older I've grown more tolerant of spiders. I'm OK as long as they don't run, but it's always me that has to throw them out. I'm sure they home and it's the same ones coming back in again. From now on they're being released at the bottom of the garden after I've turned them round three times.
Autumn is my favourite time, the crisp mornings, the low sun in the early evenings and, as you say, the rituals of getting cosy and lighting fires. Wonderful. xx

Ragged Roses said...

I love it! Autumn walks and the smell of Autumn mornings, nothing finer.
Mx
Still trying to rid myself of image of Pickles and those carefully placed balls - I mean conkers...

Ivy Black said...

Top post...what a lovely read! I adore autumn and I'm fond of spiders....sorry....!

Vintage Tea Time said...

I don't mind spiders either! But I hate slugs! And we seem to have giant ones here that somehow get into the house! Bare feet / slugs - not a good combination! I adore autumn - such amazing colours. At the end of our garden are meadows and beyond them the river, and there's often a lovely mist in the mornings :)

jane and the happy crow said...

I love the fact that now all the tourists have gone home its nice and quiet and there is nothing like a walk on a windswept empty beach with only me and the dog mad enough to be out in lashing rain and winds that nearly wip off your knickers! And I love all the other things same as you and agree about spiders, eeek! Jane xxx

MelMel said...

Such cute mini plates!
i love this time of year....I'm also loving Downton....tis sunday night bliss!xx

VintageWantsNotNeeds said...

I am the official spider clearer in our home - you can hear the cries of "Mum....help there's a spider" and up I trot like St George with a glass rather than a sword to catch them in and I scoop them up and then chuck them out the door, only for them to come back in again later!!!!
We lit the fire last night - I just love the smell, also snuggling up under a blankie on the couch does it for me especially if I have chocolate in one hand and perhaps a hot toddie in the other.

Debbie

BusyLizzie said...

we have the delivery of logs arriving today, hooray! Like you I love this time of year. Luckily the spiders don't bother me.. as this old place is full of them! Lizzie x

Josie-Mary said...

I also love this time of year :)
Naughty Mr Pickles playing with the conkers! x

Clare said...

Its just so rude of them, spiders I mean! They creep in through tiny spaces and hide ready to jump out at me..yuk! Mr D had to dispose of one last night...it was on the curtains and as he said 'was as big as a dog!' I think he may have exaggerated somewhat!!

hens teeth said...

They are only scary 'cus there are hairy!
Lovely post M...your garden looks beautiful. The sunshine and blue skies, we have been having recently just makes this time of year even more special.x

Jennie said...

I just love Autumn! I've had lots of spiders in the house this last month, one ran up my shirt near my face, I screamed and leap about a bit. They don't bother me usually but this one used the art of surprise. ;) xx

Country Cottage Chic said...

Incy wincy spider......

;-)

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for Mr. Beam to get our first fire burning. I've always wanted a fireplace and now the time has come to sit cosy and comfy on the sofy, just watching the flames and feeling the warmth. Hurray! And as I'm German there will be a nice coffee and cookies or a hot chocolate.
King's daughter the youngest and me also can't bear having spiders in the house. Mr. Beam has to carry them out into the garden.
Looking forward to seeing you in Frome?
Warmest wishes, Gertie

OhSoVintage said...

I don't mind spiders; it's rats I have a phobia about, even the word makes me cringe! Have a wonderful time in Coverack - aaaah, fond memories. Re the Soup Bible - isn't it brilliant? I've only made two so far but both absolutely gorgeous (Thai Chicken Noodle and Mushroom with Tarragon).
xx

VINTAGE HEART said...

Hello , just want to say you made me feel all nostalgic and cosy with this post, really lovely you summed up autumn so well,hope incey wincey has climbed up the spout and left your house and you alone!!! I am off to make apple crumble this instant with apples from my tree, if you lived closer you could have some,well lots of them, bucket loads as we have so many.. loook forward to your next post,Linda x x

DEBBIE said...

Spiders?
We`ve got them too!
Comfort food?
It`s the best!
Your garden still looks lovely...
Mine is looking pretty much dead!Lol

DEBBIE MOSS

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Michele

I thought you'd been quiet, too!! Looking forward to seeing you at the V&H but as the Spring one is the day before the Dairy House Textile Fair I won't be doing that. Any particular reason why you changed from May to April?

Sue x

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Michele....
Sorry not to have emailed :(
But I WILL be in touch soon...glad you are enjoying the season...I love Autumn too...its the only time of year I actually enjoy 'yellow'...funny that, as its not a colour I like, but at this time of year 'it works' ...Good old mother nature eh?...

Have a great week,
Niki x

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Hi Michele - lovely to read you as ever!
The Boodle loves a bit of spider baiting, he pounces very theatrically always just missing and then spins around with happiness when they scurry off!

First fire for me last night too - and the end of Downton, nicely teed up for the next series though! Well done Mr. Fellowes.

I love walking in the Autumn, so much to admire, colours and textures......

Hope you have a great week,

Love Sarah x

Katie said...

I'm rather fond of Autumn too. I love the cosiness of being indoors on a cool day, snuggled up with a mug of steaming hot chocolate and a pile of inspirational crafty books (in preparation for maybe starting to make some treats for Christmas)! Katie x

THISNTHAT said...

Hi, Lovely Autumn pics and such tasty looking calorie free food!! A belated thank you to you for the piece on Nostalgic Mix :)
Lesley XX