 |
| Nothing like an Autumn Bonfire |
We've had a busy summer visiting new and old places and friends and gathering bright and shiny treasures along the way. Some will need a gentle hand to mend them before they can be sold and find new homes. And some will stay with us as we cannot bear to part with them!
 |
| A beautiful Moss Agate bracelet we found which reminds us of the season. |
 |
| Burleigh ware Harvest jug from the 1930s |
 |
| Carved oak Dragon panel |
The gardens around us and our small community have needed a lot of work and we have become the 'Godparents' to the ancient churchyard where we trim and nurture the hedges and trees and take a few moments to linger over the old headstones. Many churchyards near us have become nature reserves and we hope that ours can also be a little less manicured and more wild. There is something reassuring about living things dwelling amongst the spirits of the departed.
This is my favourite time of year. I never think of Autumn and Winter as being dark seasons. I see a different colour palette to Spring and Summer, but still fiercely bright. It's a time for richly coloured velvets and tapestry, calico cats and glass vases in jewel like hues.
 |
| Isabella |
I love the feel of the change in the air and the light, and relish the cooler weather. I was California born but I never fitted into the sun and sand lifestyle and it was one Autumn day a long time ago that I moved to England. It is a special season for me, with some happy and some sad anniversaries bringing out the nesting instinct as the days shorten and the nights become chill. I love the thought of stacks of blankets, hot chocolate with marshmallows, and the cats curled up by the fire. Grab a good book and relax after the activity of the warmer months. Or, like me, borrow a neighbour's dog and go for a long walk in the woods letting it channel it's inner Wolf.
We are going on one last trip before we settle in for the year, this time to France. When we return we will be decorating for the harvest and Halloween. And we will be sharing a sad but interesting ghost story we have with you.
* The luscious brights and darks shown in two of our photographs are from a magical visit we had with Hannah and Rachel of Velvet Eccentrics. Read about them HERE:
It is lovely to see you back again - the colours in the last two photos are absolutely stunning, I must watch out for Velvet Eccentrics next time I am passing through Stow on the Wold. I love the first photo too, it could be a painting which encompasses Autumn perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosemary. Definitely watch out for Velvet Eccentrics, they do some fairs as well as having a shop, and are amazing, I love their work. I'm glad you like the first photo, I snapped it on a magical day. Must catch up on your adventures too, I am so far behind!
DeleteOh I do so love your posts Mrs B. I felt cosy just reading about the magic of Autumn alongside those wonderful photographs. How fortunate to be the guardian of a graveyard - not everyone's cup of tea I'm sure but I bet it's magical! Intrigued about the ghost story x Jane
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you again! I've so missed your posts too. I hope all is well with you. x
DeleteSo good to "see" you! Lovely images. I adore Autumn ... my favorite season. The wonderful earthy colors (that we don't get down here), cooler temps -- good walking weather! Have a lovely trip and we'll see you soon!
ReplyDeleteSo good to have you stop by Snap. Catch up soon! x
DeleteI am a fall/winter person as well. Always always hated summer, and here in San Diego, I must stay in the A/C for my migraines.
ReplyDeleteAwait the ghost story.
Hello Susan, I did not realise you were an Autumn person too. San Diego seems to be the opposite of Narnia, always summer. I enjoy my visits there, but stay in the shade.
DeleteDearest Minerva,
ReplyDeleteAutumn and winter are great nesting times and for soothing our soul with fond memories and hot chocolate indeed! Enjoy your trips and welcome back home again.
Trying hard to get this season through the scanning of all our photos, to make them digital and sort them by year and by country.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
Mariette! Wonderful to chat to you again. Your photo project sounds really interesting my dear. Will pop over to see you! x
DeleteAnother beautiful post! This is my favourite season, too. The colours, smells, feeling of change in the air, darkening days. A beautiful time for reflection, some uplifting, some melancholy. Love the photos. Each one is a gem.
ReplyDeleteLynn.
xx
Thank you Lynn. So nice of you to visit us. Hope all is well, will catch up with you soon. x
DeleteLove the photo's with the rich colours! Beautiful combinations! I must admit that I am more a Spring girl, but I am learning to appreciate autumn more and more :-)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely time in France!
Madelief x
We are seasonal opposites dear Maddie. I love your photographs of soring and summer and the way that you capture the colours and textures - even the scents come through! x
DeleteI just love that rabbit jug! Looks like you had a wonderful bonfire--bonfire smoke is one of my favorite autumn aromas :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Fall!
Tilda, The rabbit jug is a favourite of mine. I love bonfire smoke too. And the smell of wood burning in a stove. This time of year is so magical. x
DeleteOh that's why you have been absent from blogging! Tendering the churchyard! I also like churches and graveyards. I enjoyed beautiful photos as always!
ReplyDeleteWe, the Japanese, like autumn because we have a long relentlessly hot and humid summer. But I like summer here because it is not hot! :D
Great to hear from you Midori. Must catch up with you soon! x
DeleteThat bonfire looks like a lovely event. And I adore the idea of walking a dog and letting it channel its inner wolf. I will await your ghost story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on my blog. I am very interested in knowing more about the Cornwall Tintagel pottery and dragon eyes.
Hi Minerva, lovely to see you blogging again! I couldn't agree with you more! I absolutely love the cooler months and I too lived in South Africa. The colours of Autumn are so beautiful and intense and it's so lovely to go for a long walk in the crisp air and hear the crackle of the leaves beneath one's feet! Stunning photos of the stairs wet with red leaves ...altogether lovely! Have a beautiful weekend! Sharon
ReplyDeleteI do love Autumn and the crisp air and colorful leaves that eventually float through the sky and twirl in the breeze.
ReplyDeleteI actually appreciate each season for the uniqueness it offers and here in New England each season is pretty defined.
Well that having been said , I must say we have been having a rather unseasonably mild October , flowers still abuzz no frost yet.
I am adoring the colorful decor in that lovely room of yours !