Time To Light The Lamps And Snuggle In ....

In a couple of weeks,  the clocks will be falling back an hour, and it’s time, once again,  to make our homes as cosy as we can, so that we don’t start to feel ‘down’ with the onset of the shorter days.  Summer is now becoming a distant memory, with the exception of certain people!  Daughter number 1 who lives in Ibiza, keeps sending me photos of sandy beaches, hot sun, and stunning sunsets. I am starting to go off her! 😉. This is the latest photo she’s been teasing me with. No wonder she loves it so much over on that beautiful Island. 

But, meanwhile, I shall be lighting the lamps and the candles (although I tend to use wax melts more these days) and getting through some lovely books from  my bookshelf.  With all that’s going on, I certainly don’t want anything too heavy at the moment. Something to lift the spirits is the order of the day I think.  Although I’ll never say no to a good thriller! 

Have you heard of the word ...Hygge?  It’s pronounced hue-gah, and comes from a Norwegian word meaning “well-being.”  In other words, enjoying life’s simple pleasures, often achieved with good food, drink, comfy surroundings, warm blankets and candlelight. So, as you will see, Autumn and Winter are just made for us all to practice some Hygge. Colourful throws on the armchairs, potpourri scented with smells of orange and cinnamon - anything to bring us cheer whilst these darker days are with us. Of course, I’m aware that in many parts  of the world, you are approaching Springtime. Forgive me, but I have to write as it is with the Seasons in my homeland! 

Most of the colours are fading in the garden at the moment, but I took this photo of a wilting rose earlier today. I think it still looks quite beautiful. 

I love this photo with my youngest grandchildren enjoying playing in the Autumn leaves 🍁 

Just came across this little quote, which I thought I would include in my Post today. It’s so true ...

So my friends, may your lives be filled with Hygge during the coming Season. See you again soon. 

Image courtesy of Pinterest.com

Beautiful Autumn Colours....and Pumpkins

Hallo everyone. A Happy Thursday to you. 

The above image is  courtesy of Pinterest.com
I don’t usually write another Post so quickly, but, on a Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for all the Autumn colours around at the moment, and I feel blessed to be able to get out and see the beauty of nature. I thought I would share a few photos that I’ve taken this week, and I hope you enjoy the colours as much as I did. Of course, with the sunny weather and blue skies that we are experiencing in heavenly Devon at the moment, everything seems so much more vibrant. 

One thing, certainly for me, which has really added to the Season this year, is that we finally seem to be getting into decorating for Fall and Halloween, and I’ve really enjoyed seeing so many pumpkins around!  I don’t know why, but they just make me feel happy, and bring a smile to my face. 

On Saturday over here, the clocks will be going back an hour, so it will be dark at around 5.30pm. My goodness me, isn’t this year just hurtling by?!  Next week it will be Halloween, and the children will be looking forward to trick and treating. Here is a photo of my grandchildren from four years ago. They’ve grown rather a lot since then 😳.

Well, I’ll close my ramblings again for now. Enjoy the rest of your week, wherever you are 🍁🍂🍁🎃.

Photos of Autumn...

October is fast drawing to an end, and I've seen so many wonderful photos of Autumn colours. This season must surely be one of the best for capturing images with the camera, and I thought I would just share a few of my own photographs with you today. 

This first one was taken at the Green Bay Botanical Gardens in America. 

 

This is another photo taken in America. The  pond is right behind my friend's garden, again in Green Bay. 

 

At this time of the year, the Farmer always puts his sheep back in the fields....

 

I love the October mornings when the sun is rising and the mist rolls across the fields next to my garden. It reminds me to be thankful for another day, and that I have blessings in abundance. 

 

 

 

I love this next photo, but I have to confess that it isn't one of mine!  It was actually taken by my dear friend, another Diane, just a stone's throw from her home in Green Bay. I just love the composition here, with the seat taking centre stage, the reflection in the water, the old tree on the right of the photo, and, of course, the colours! This, then, is Autumn at Duck Creek....

 

So then, I will leave you once again, but I'll be back on Sunday with another edition of Sunday Solace. Bye for now ...

Time For Those Cosy Nights....

I love Summer.... Long, lazy days, eating outdoors, glasses of chilled Rosè, walking along the beach, feeling the sun on your face.... But those longer days are behind us once again and the days are getting shorter with each passing week.  

What do you like about the season of Autumn?  I confess that the child is still inside me, and I love kicking up the leaves when I'm out for a walk.

 

 

The evenings are starting to get a little chilly now, so I've been making up the wood burner and lighting the candles to make the house look nice and cosy 

 

For the past three years, I've been lucky enough to have been visiting friends in America at this time of year and let me tell you .... They're into pumpkins in a BIG way! Drive along any road, and the houses are all decorated with displays of pumpkins and brightly coloured 'mum's'.  They use pumpkin in all sorts of things....pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, marshmallows, soup, candles, cookies, ice cream, and, of course, latte. They even have pumpkin dog treats!

 

 

Did you know that Starbucks introduced their Pumpkin Spiced Latte in 2003?  It is Starbucks' most popular seasonal beverage, and they have sold over 200 million since it was first introduced. Gosh! 

Over here in the UK, the pumpkin is mainly used at Halloween, when the insides are carved out to make a face, and a candle put inside. 

This morning it was quite dreary here, so I decided to make a batch of home made soup. Tomorrow I will make another batch, using the last of the tomatoes from the garden. 

 

 

Well, it's getting late as I write this, so I will close for now, and I'm sure I'll see you again soon. 

(All photos are taken by me unless otherwise stated).