Friday 3 October 2014

Happiness is …

 

Just a few random pictures that have been taken over the last week - a photo journal of how I have occupied my time.

2014-10-01

Picking the last of the summers flowers

SDC12681

Sky-watching as the sun goes down

--00Ooo--

I think women just have a primeval instinct to make soup, which they will try to foist on anybody who looks like a likely candidate.~ Dylan Moran

SDC12617

Enjoying a bowl of home made tomato soup which was totally tomatoey and quite delicious.

--00Ooo--

A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in straight rows. ~Doug Larson

SDC12634

Spending every afternoon in the garden trying to make an impact on over-enthusiastic shrubs, over-enthusiastic weeds and planting bulbs in borders and containers.

--ooOoo--

It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.  The rich colours of grass and earth were intensified by the mellow light of a sun almost warm enough for spring. ~ P.D. James

SDC12655

Making the most of the last bit of colour before it disappears.

--ooOoo--

If thou tastest a crust of bread, thou tastest all the stars and all the heavens ~Robert Browning

SDC12657

Turning this delicious Sour Dough Boule into this

--ooOoo--

Happiness is … marmalade on toast

SDC12658

Breakfast toast – crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside - with rich Tawny Orange Marmalade.

--ooOoo--

It is a greater act of faith to plant a bulb than to plant a tree ~ Clare Leighton

SDC12665

Did I mention planting bulbs

SDC12664

still more to plant

SDC12661

Marvelling at the Primulas that have started to flower

--ooOoo--

I was drinking in the surroundings: air so crisp you could snap it with your fingers and greens in every lush shade imaginable offset by autumnal flashes of red and yellow  ~ Wendy Delsol

SDC12668

And watching the wonders of Autumn as the leaves start to change colour and fall silently to the ground.

SDC12662

And finally, gathering the last of the Blueberries – their best year ever.

--ooOoo--

Hope you enjoyed your week as much as I did.  And as an extra special treat I give you the colours of autumn.

SDC12791

SDC12789

SDC12792

SDC12794

SDC12788

See you next week – same time, same place.

--ooOoo--

66 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you. Not hard at this time of year.

      Delete
  2. Elaine such a lovable post, I could taste your tomatoe soup, enjoy with you the gorgeous sunset, the quotes, the flowers and the bread (I like to eat it plain, without anything on it) and as a bonus the beautiful autumn colours.
    Wish you a nice 'sunny' weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Janneke. We had some rain on Saturday but Sunday made up for it.

      Delete
  3. Soup, sunsets and bread. Autumn is on it's way, bring it on.

    Jean
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nights drawing in - chilly mornings - a touch of frost - yes, Autumn is here.

      Delete
  4. Lovely post and wonderful pictures. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Robert Browning yearned to be in England in the spring. I am thinking that Autumn would be a beautiful time to visit. You had a very productive week. I do adore the sweet panisies all in a row.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Each season has its merits - spring and autumn more than most.

      Delete
  6. Oooh! Love your blog - where have I been?? Gorgeous pictures and beautiful quotes - wonderful! Good bread is my downfall - even just with good butter - simple pleasures! We've certainly had a lot of those PD James autumn days this year, though. xCathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting and leaving a kind comment.

      Delete
  7. Autumn colours, warming soup and toast and marmalade exactly as you describe it - perfect:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely ~ your autumnal post hit all the senses ~ looks, smells, feels, sounds and tastes delicious and comforting ~ excuse me, I have to go and have some toast and marmalade ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely post Elaine.. your posy in the first photo is so pretty. I have lots of bulbs to plant and I'm still waiting for some to turn up.. when they arrive it'll be full steam a head bulb planting! :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have almost finished the bulb planting - not my favourite job I must admit.

      Delete
  10. I must say that your photo looking into the garden is so very grand!! As are those vases full of outstanding blooms! I bet they bring you pure happiness when passing by them! And the soup and bread!!!! Yummy!!! Nothing says autumn better than a hot bowl of soup!!! I have yet to get my bulbs....like you I would like to add more to containers this season. And your quotes are always the best!! You enjoy the magic of the season friend....you captured October so beautifully in those photos!! Nicole xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Nicole. Such a beautiful time of year I find it hard to stop taking photos.

      Delete
  11. Mmmmmm I can smell that bread from here Elaine! I've allotment tasted my plot neighbour's blueberries this summer and am now determined to get a few bushes. So much more tastier than blueberries from a supermarket and isn't the their autumn foliage most attractive too?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have two bushes that have been producing for weeks - they were new last year so am surprised at just how many fruits they have produced.

      Delete
  12. P.S. Fingers typing quicker than brain - the word allotment has appeared in completely the wrong place - you've probably gathered :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Replies
    1. There have been some wonderful sunsets just lately.

      Delete
  14. You still have oodles of colour in the garden Elaine, happy bulb planting. Love the Dylan Moran quote. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I have been a bit over-enthusiastic with my bulb buying this year I seem to have been planting bulbs for ever.

      Delete
  15. You have, obviously, had a great week. Love the autumn colours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it was a pretty good week - the lovely weather helped.

      Delete
  16. I still haven't attempted to make my own sourdough bread, but I do make a damn good pure-tomato soup (with just a little salt, pepper, and cream).

    Do I put daff bulbs in now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was surprised at just how tasty and easy the soup was - but it did take a mountain of tomatoes to make it.

      Yes daffs in any time now till December

      Delete
  17. Dear Elaine,
    What a delightful post.
    Your garden still is looking lovely.
    I love tomato soup..
    weeds, well, I have so many here.. i have to close my eyes to them.
    Wishing you a happy weekend in your garden.
    val xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am still tackling weeds which the warmer weather has encouraged to grow in abundance - only a cold snap will stop them now I think.

      Delete
  18. There's a whole population of children who think tomato soup is red! Love homemade soup

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny but I've never made it before as I usually turn all my tomatoes in to sauces etc. But I shall definitely be making it again from all the toms stored in the freezer.

      Delete
  19. Beautiful, inspiring photos, Elaine xxx

    ReplyDelete
  20. As I started reading this, I had to break off and google how to make tomato soup! Yours does look gorgeous. I love your pansies and primulas and envy you having a chance to plant your bulbs, mine have been sitting in the greenhouse for weeks....sighs...
    As always, such a delightful post, I just love your pics and quotes, they always leave me feeling mellow. I'm glad to hear you have had lots of blueberries, I had about three, from three bushes!!!xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't really do anything except cook the tomatoes down and press them through a sieve - nothing fancy. Just finished the bulb planting thank goodness I seem to have planted hundreds, well, come to think of it I probably have planted hundreds.

      Oh that's a shame about your blueberries - hope they do better for you next year.

      Delete
  21. I made a lot of tomato sauce this year. I'm not sure I could go back to the tast of store bought. A few tomatoes are hanging on, I think I'll give soup a try. Your autumn sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I have made loads of jars too but I don't think I've made enough to last me till next year - shame.

      Delete
  22. You know it's a good idea when you are craving toast and marmalade right after dinner. Maybe for breakie tomorrow.

    Your side garden is gorgeous...sigh.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am a big fan - you can never have enough in my opinion.

      Delete
  23. Lovely to see somebody's having a proper autumn!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm not sure how I would cope with a permanent summer.

      Delete
  24. What a gorgeous and colourful post, Elaine! Is it time to plant daffs already? I have tulip bulbs for planting but was going to leave those for a bit. Now you've got me thinking. I love the photo looking up into your garden; yes, that view would make me very happy too. Wishing you another satisfying week, Caro x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Caro. Maybe it's a little early but I wanted to get it done before the weather breaks - nothing worse than trying to plant in frozen soil.

      Delete
  25. Weeds in the cracks in paving slabs grow in straight lines (just a thought). Lovely photos, Elaine. D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay I'll give you that one Mr. Smarty Pants.

      Delete
  26. Elaine - your sky is absolutely gorgeous and those last bouquets of the season are beautiful. Your pictures and quotes make your blog the best place to visit. You are reminding me that I better place my bulb order this week. Hope the weather holds out until I get them in the ground. Take care and have a lovely week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie - so kind of you to say so. Thank goodness I finished planting my bulbs in time - the fine weather has broken - it rained all day today - I am so used to being outside all the time I hardly knew what to do with myself today - I shall have to get my winter mindset on I think. Not looking forward to being imprisoned for the next few months but will try to remain positive.

      Delete
  27. It makes me a little sad to think about the last flowers of this gardening season. I don't know if it is the cool nights or what, but I always find that flower colors are often their most intense and beautiful at this time of year. Lacking skill in the kitchen, I have never made homemade tomato soup. Your soup looks wonderful. Marmalade on toast is one of my favourites. I also love black currant jam on buttered toast. Yum!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Jennifer - day by day they are getting fewer - but maybe mine will last just a while longer as the rains have finally come - the garden needed it desperately. Personally, I love everything on toast, but I am definitely a marmalade connoisseur!

      Delete
  28. A busy week indeed with many lovely sights. Your garden is still flourishing - lucky you! I love orange marmalade!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The garden is gradually winding down now especially as it has turned a little colder and wetter! Nice to meet another marmalade lover.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your week looks wonderful, it made me smile! Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such a shame it has all changed this week - memories of a wonderful September will help get us through the dark days I hope.

      Delete
  31. Looks like a wonderful week indeed!! I love that garden path with still so much color! Happy bulb planting to you!! I am eager to get more in the ground soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Erin - I feel as though I have been planting bulbs forever - and still the front garden to tackle yet!

      Delete
  32. images and wonderful quotes here.

    Sorry about that ... a whippet leant on the keyboard!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Annie - that's a new one on me - I didn't know whippets were computer savvy!

      Delete
  33. Love your quote and photo combos. My bulbs have arrived. I can't even bring myself to open the box. Off to make toast and marmalade as a diversionary tactic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The thought of planting bulbs is a daunting task - good luck.

      Delete