Rain and strong winds have kept me indoors this week – so my activities have changed somewhat. I have been doing a lot of sky-watching. Seeing the sunrise and sunset come and go.
Reflection of the sunset making the house and greenhouse windows seem aflame
When being outdoors and gardening isn’t an option I turn my creativity elsewhere. Each winter I aim to complete a needlepoint cushion – last year I finished two crocheted knee blankets and a cushion. This is what I have chosen for this year, something to while away the long dark evenings.
A lot more reading goes on too – I have a stash of books waiting to be read – the one I am reading at present is not the type of book I would normally go for but I am finding it fascinating – it is a novel about the thirteenth-century Sufi poet Rumi and Shams of Tabriz and his forty rules of life and love. In the present day Ella reads a manuscript about these people and she embarks on a journey to meet the mysterious author. It is a quest infused with Sufi mysticism and verse, taking Ella into an exotic world where faith and love are heartbreakingly explored.
I have to say it is a very special book which I am sure will stay with me long after I have finished reading it.
Taking a daily walk around the village is on the agenda too – there is so much to do in the garden in the summer months that I don’t seem to have time, but in autumn and winter, if I don’t get out each day I begin to feel imprisoned. Below are a couple of pictures of autumnal finds whilst on my nature walks.
A few plants in the garden have decided to flower for a second time which is an added bonus.
And a morning session in the kitchen produced a couple of jars of carrot chutney to use up some carrots that were on the turn.
Whilst I sit typing I can hear a couple of Wagtails cheeping from the roof tops – they love to run along the ridges and call to one another – you never seem to see them other than at this time of year.
The weekend will see more tidying in the garden, weather permitting, and a lot of leaf collecting, the high winds have brought loads down, especially the willow which seems particularly vulnerable.
So that’s it – my week in a nutshell. Have a good weekend and don’t forget to turn the clocks back – personally I hate the dark mornings and short days. See you next week.
This time last year we were in Konya, Turkey, visiting the centre founded by Rumi and where the whirling dervish dance developed as a result of Rumi's teachings, poetry and thoughts. I also saw his tomb which is sacred to the Sufi and a place of pilgrimage for them.
ReplyDeleteI shall get the book - thank you
I am almost at the end of the story which has been very enlightening to say the least - I am sure you will enjoy it Rosemary.
DeleteI do believe you've managed to include all the traditional lifestyle blogging topics in one post, all the while sounding like kind, genuine you. It's quite a triumph.
ReplyDeleteI know it is a blogging rule to stick to one subject but as I only post once a week there is so much to fit in - who cares about rules anyway.
DeleteYou've been busy and have more projects to come! I like the Foxglove you have blooming.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was surprised that it began blooming again - but it has been quite mild here encouraging everything to stay in flower - which is a bonus.
DeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteI only have a studio apartment but what redeems it is a large window taking up the northern wall and I can also sit here in my chair and watch the sunsets. I'm afraid the brilliant ones may be gone for the winter but the rain and clouds on the western hills is gorgeous in its own right.
I do spend an inordinate amount of time watching the sky - funnily enough I think the winter sunrises are even more spectacular than usual.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your post ~ as usual stirring the senses with spoonfuls of colour, taste, texture, birdsong, and the leafy scent of autumn. Although the days are much shorter, you seem to have found a balance of comforting endeavours to fill your time. Thanks so much for sharing snippets of your warm and wonderful world :)
ReplyDeleteOh - I like that - spoonfuls of colour. Glad you enjoyed the post Glo.
DeletePS I will be looking out for that book, as well :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it as much as I am.
DeleteI can see that you need a flower press. Wouldn't those two Autumnal pictures look great if permanently preserved.
ReplyDeleteI used to have one but it got thrown out in the last de-clutter - wish I'd kept it now.
DeleteLovely blooms you have in your garden still. I like the look of your chutney too. I'm hoping to go for a long walk around the water meadows here next week, whilst we still have autumn sun!
ReplyDeleteI seem to do most of my walking in winter - I like the openness of the countryside when all the leaves have gone - you seem to notice things that you didn't realise were there before.
DeleteAfter watching the Outlander series on TV, I gave into to my friend to read the series of 8 books, very long 6 and 700 pages books. Claire, and English nurse in WWII reunites with her husband Frank at the end of war. They take their second honeymoon in Scotland, where her adventure begins as she falls through a whole in time, back to 1
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. Ipad froze. As I was writing, she falls through a hole in time to 1744 where her adventures with the Scottish Higlanders take her in. The weather has been unseasonably warm with rain predicted for the coming week. I am most jealous of your fox glove blooming--in fall or anytime of the year. Mums are about the only bloomers still hanging on here. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this series Ann - sounds good. I don't know why the foxglove has decided to send out another flower spike, not that I mind they are rather lovely whatever the time of year.
DeleteA lovely post and pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have plenty to do when we can't do much gardening. Flighty xx
I really must get down to some hard reading - I am determined to finish all the books that have accumulated before buying any more.
DeleteSuch a lovely post Elaine and your photos are stunning. I always love a good sunrise/sunset. These cold wet days always make me take stock of any new projects I want to get my teeth into during the winter months. Have a good weekend. P x
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia - we all need some projects to keep us going during the next few months - I bet you haven't had much time for anything whilst you have been out and about so much.
DeleteThere are benefits to being indoors! I love the autumnal flora you've collected - it looks like a botanical painting - very creative x
ReplyDeleteIt is a delight when out walking just to see how many different coloured leaves you can find. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteSuch lovely ways to spend long dark evenings, Elaine. Mine are usually spent reading.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos - your house always looks lovely. xxx
Thank you Isabelle nice of you to say so. Reading definitely comes to the fore in winter and I have so many books piled up ready to feast on.
DeleteCarrot chutney sounds good! Love the pictures of the leaves and berries they look like botanical prints. It is a good thing we have cold and warm seasons otherwise I should be outside all the time. I need the wet and cold season to clean and tidy my house first and then inlove reading in front of the fire.
ReplyDeleteWish you a happy new week!
I am hoping the chutney tastes as good as it looks - I will have to wait for a while to find out. My house needs attention to - there never seems enough time to look after it in the summer - I would much rather be gardening than indoors with a vacuum cleaner.
DeleteAh, this post made me smile, Elaine - you're my Yorkshire alter-ago! It seems we both appreciate the simple things of life, especially at this time of year. That book looks jolly good, I'll look out for it at my local library and I love the cushion cover you're making! I've got my crochet out and have set up my son's bedroom as a sewing room while he's away and am squeezing in an hour or two of garden tidying when weather permits. I saw some strong winds forecast, hitting the north more than the south, hope all will be well with you and your garden. Have a good week, Caro x
ReplyDeleteThe needlepoint is a slow process you can make much more progress with crochet, things seem to grow faster. I seem to spend more time in the kitchen in winter and try to allot my time during the day to fit all my projects in if I can. Enjoy your week too.
DeleteThere really have been some dramatic skies haven't there?
ReplyDeleteYes - I seem to spend my time rushing upstairs to take pictures - the sky changes so rapidly by the time I have found my camera it has changed again.
DeleteWhat a super week to have in a nutshell of lovely words and photos - there have been some magnificent skies over the last few days:)
ReplyDeleteEach day brings something different as long as you keep your eyes open and live in the moment.
DeleteGosh, you have so much going on in your garden! I particularly like the display of autumn leaves!
ReplyDeleteAll the best :)
Although there seems to be a lot going on the flowers are only small and spread throughout the garden offering no real display but I am happy to see what there is still flowering. You can't go wrong with a display of autumn leaves can you - so colourful.
DeleteSounds like a peaceful week. :o) It's wonderful you have so much still blooming! My Rozanne geraniums have been blooming non-stop for months. My weeks have been spent rushing out into the garden after work trying to get everything done before it gets too cold. Very serene post.
ReplyDeleteIt is a race against time now especially with the days getting shorter - I chopped some of my geraniums back as they were getting leggy and they have all come back into bloom - a nice surprise.
DeleteWow. That needlepoint is amazing! I love the pictures of the garden and house. You've transported me away for the day. =)
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
Thanks Crystal. Glad you enjoyed your visit.
DeleteFab photo collages and I like you needlepoint subject! Very eye catching.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelli.
DeleteElaine - such lovely pictures in spite of the wind and rain. Your needlepoint looks like it will be very lovely. The book sounds like it is keeping your interest as well. I enjoy turning the clocks back because daylight will come sooner. Although for the life of me I never understand why we have to mess with the time. It is what it is! There are only so many hours of daylight this time of the year no matter what one does with the time (LOL). Strange to see that you too have flowers re-blooming. My poppies are as well as my spring phlox. Been an amazing year for certain. Have a great week and I hope you see some sunshine soon! Hugs
ReplyDeleteWe had warmth and sunshine today so I set to putting the front garden to rights, weeding, planting, cutting back - I have been waiting for a bit of nice weather to get started - it's looking a little tidier now. It get's dark about 5.00 ish now - it makes for long evenings (sigh).
DeleteHey you!!! So glad to be back to visit you! I love all of your rebloomers up there! You have to teach me how to make a collage like that!!! And your fall finds out on your walks are so pretty and to me are the most beautiful gift of the season! I can't wait to see your handmade projects as we are forced back in for winter....all of your happenings are wonderful sweet friend! A glorious week to you!!! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteHello you! Nice to see you again - hope you had a nice break. I make my collages on Picasa where my photos are stored but I think you can do them on PicMonkey. I have begun my daily walking routine again and there is always something to attract my attention and the camera is always at the ready. Enjoy the rest of the week and make the most of what is left of autumn.
DeleteWhat a lovely week filled with wonderful autumn activities....leaf collecting, I must give that a go, I love your pictures, marvelous! The book sounds great, as does the chutney and I must say I'm jealous to see how much you still have in bloom. One of the good things about autumn and winter are the atmospheric sunsets and sunrises....but like you I loathe the dark evenings.xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Snowbird. I am always stopping to pick things up and putting them in plastic bags that I keep in my pocket - then I forget about them and later find piles of mouldy old stuff!
DeleteMy mind too has been turning to winter projects. I have a cat pillow needlepoint from last winter that needs still to be completed. I also have a long list of books I want to read. The one you have been reading sounds intriguing. I would love the recipe for the carrot chutney. I love carrots and would imagine that I would find the chutney to be delicious.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer - nice to hear from you. I remember you saying about your cat cushion before - hope you get it completed this winter. I will email the carrot chutney recipe.
DeleteThanks for sharing your creativity!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Laurie
DeleteMy reading also increases when the garden isn't an option Elaine. I love the sound of the book you've just read and shall add it to my list. You seem to have lots still blooming in the garden, this mild weather seems to be keeping everything going doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteThe weather has been pretty darn good considering its nearly November - hallelujah
DeleteRefreshing times, autumn. And good walks to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy walking more at this time of year then any other.
DeleteThat collection of colorful leaves -- so pretty. A good reason for going out on your walks!
ReplyDelete