Hi all autumn-fans and Nigel-adjacents
I've been following the thread but not posting much. I won't go into details (there are other threads for that) but I'm going through a very tough time at the moment and this thread is a good reminder of little moments of beauty and happiness and the importance of recognising these.
I really need to embrace the season; it's usually my favourite time of year but I haven't had the headspace to enjoy it and that knowledge in itself is getting me down. Last weekend, I set aside a day to take a long walk - 6 miles along the river with lots of bramble-picking opportunities along the way. I meandered along and filled four large tubs which are now in the freezer, waiting to be made into crumbles and cakes. That was a lovely day and I had planned to post about it at the time (but got sidetracked); just wandering on my own with a few episodes of my favourite podcasts (probably NVN), picking berries, talking to all the random dogs who wanted to know what I was doing, and just generally enjoying the season. Once I got home, I curled under a blanket with a book and a candle (a coastal pine and sea salt scent, which is lovely but doesn't feel seasonal enough so I need to look into some recommendations here) for a few hours. Perfect.
DH and I went for a walk a few evenings ago in one of our favourite spots. I had so much on my mind that evening that it wasn't until I was almost back at the carpark before I realised I'd been trudging along with head down and hadn't noticed the incredible golden sunset coming through the trees and dancing on the flat-calm reservoir, nor the copious amounts of vibrant fat red berries on trees, against a backdrop of just-turning leaves. I was so angry with myself for missing all that was good about the world so made a pact to enjoy these parts of life and try to compartmentalise, or at least balance, the difficult stuff.
The following morning, I was waiting for the 7am train and realised that it was a perfect autumnal morning - a proper fresh and crisp cold; not yet enough for a heavy winter coat but chilly hands and wisps of breath proving that we're nearly there.
Our apple tree has failed badly this year but a work colleague brought in a big box of apples from her tree, for us to help ourselves so I have brought enough to make a crumble, with some of the brambles, this weekend and will also make an apple cake to take to work as a thank you to her and to share with the rest of the team. I also spent last night reading though my Leon Happy Soups book, thinking and planning for all the hearty and healthy soups and broths to mkae over the coming weeks.
Tomorrow I'll go to the library - autumn and winter always put me in the mood for murder 😂, or at least twisty thrillers and mysteries, from classic Agatha Christie to modern thrillers.