Autumn ...

... Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.

Of dew soaked dandelions,

And of blue skies and winter berries.

Of fantastic fungi

and prickly sweet chestnuts.

Of acorn strewn paths and benches.

Of journeys through the air

and on the land.

The season of our pumpkin harvest

and our wedding anniversary.

♥ 23 wonderful years ♥

Is it summer?

Is it autumn? The weather here doesn't seem to be able to make up its mind! Autumn had began and then at the end of September we had a mini heatwave with record temperatures for this time of year. The 1st October was the hottest on record, locally reaching 29'C.

We had a BBQ in the evening and then one again at lunchtime the next day. That is probably more than we have had all summer! We made Jamie Oliver's Jalapeno Flatbreads, which were very easy to make using 250g SR flour, a pinch of salt, 0.5tsp baking powder and 250g yogurt. Mix to a soft dough and roll out to 2mm thick. Oil BBQ and cook for 2-3 minutes turning once. I also made some using sliced red onion as our homegrown chilli peppers are not for the faint-hearted! :) It was so yummy that I almost forgot to take a photo. This is the last piece disappearing!

Maurice even tried to join in by bring a mouse to the BBQ!! Luckily it escaped, so Maurice had to settle for some burger and cheese. :)

We also BBQ'd some of our homegrown sweetcorn. Freshly picked and soaked in the husks for a short while before cooking - they are so sweet; quite unlike any shop bought corn.

I have been doing a lot of baking in the kitchen too. Amongst other things I have made several sponges,

cheese scones,

baby fruitcakes,

and some beetroot pickle.

Also in readiness for winter I have been bringing the geraniums indoors and replanting the patio pots with ferns, grasses and pansies.

Sadly the heatwave is now over and I am planning for winter! I have just bought some new boots and I am breaking them in indoors. My son asked me why was I wearing my wellies!!

I also have to confess to buying my first Christmas magazine! :)

And I couldn't resist rescuing these embroidered table cloths from the local charity shop,

as well as this half pint mug. I love the vintage feel of this mug, but I'm firmly on the fox's side when it comes to hunting.

Craft wise I recently painted and distressed this terracotta pot to sit on my new pot saucer

and I have made a couple of flower ball necklaces for myself.

I'm still knitting; I've almost finished the white matinee jacket now.

The weeks seem to be flying by; never mind summer or autumn it will soon be winter!!

September 2011 and Photo Scavenger Hunt

Another month has passed and it is time for the monthly mosaics again! September has flown by for me; I have been busy at the allotment weeding, planting, harvesting vegetables, freezing rhubarb and pickling the beetroot. At home I started the month with painting our bedroom and making curtains and after taking part in OhSewBeautiful's Cupcake Swap I have started to knit premature baby clothes for the charity that Jodi supports. "Jay" started college and that meant packed lunches again, which in turn meant lots of baking and I am back at work now that the summer holidays are over.

The garden has continued to look beautiful. At the end of September I started sorting out my hanging baskets and pots ready for their winter flowers and suddenly we are having a heat wave!

I have been a little hit and miss in my photography this month for the Photo Scavenger Hunt that is being hosted by Postcards from the P.P., so I have had to cheat with a couple of them!

1. Back to school

That would be me then!

I'm the only one in the family that goes to school now! ;)

2. The football/soccer season

A football that belongs to my son. You can see that it is hardly used! We aren't really into football.

3. What's in your bag?

The contents of my handbag.

4. Relaxation

A cat, because no one does relaxation like a cat!

5. Harvest

Some beetroot harvested for pickling.

6. A pile of things

A pile of magazines or to be exact a pile of Woman's Weeklys. Ever since my Mum first went out to work she has bought the WW and her sister shared the WWs while they both lived at home. They both married and the WWs travelled between their homes; some returned back to my Mum if she wanted to cut out a recipe or knitting pattern. As I grew up I started reading them at home before they travelled to my Aunt's and since I have been married the magazines have travelled in bulk from my Mum - to my Aunt - and on to me (via my Mum). It has become a family tradition. :)

7. Your desk/workspace

Okay, so this is the cheat! The photo of my desk is the same as the photo for number 1!!

8. A public telephone box

I don't like the modern boxes - "Bring back the old ones" I say! The local telephone box is a modern one, so here is a photo that I took during a visit to London in May 2009.

9. Something taller than you

An autumnal tree in the school grounds. Simply beautiful.

10. Apples

These Bramley apples are growing in my friend's back garden.

11. A road sign

We spotted this road sign whilst on holiday in Turkey this year. It looked like it had been used for target practice!

12. A view from above

Our back garden as seen from "Fay's" bedroom window.

October's list looks like it is going to be fun to photograph:-

• a black cat
• candlelit
• crunchy leaves
• fog/mist
• golden
• graffiti
• heritage
• pumpkin
• river
• something eerie
• sunset
• witch's hat/broomstick