I love this time of year. LOVE it.
As a child, the anticipation heading towards the big c-word (still can’t quite bring myself to mention December yet), Halloween, Bonfire Night, cosy Sunday afternoons in front of the fire with tea and crumpets and The Borrowers on the telly… all of these things are still with me now.
My sister and I used to enjoy spending Sundays hauling horse manure around a riding stables for free horseriding lessons, before our parents would collect us with hot soup in a thermos (inevitably to stop my sister blubbing from the cold, delicate flower that she is).
Despite the full-blown back to school drama of homework and dismal dark mornings, Autumn has always been a time of new beginnings and excitement for me. Looking ahead to the year to come.
It was on October 9th back in 2009 that I found out I was pregnant with Frog. That was my first Autumn in a good few years with no wine on a Friday night and no late night dancing on tables. I became a home bunny again, reverting to my childhood of tea and crumpets on a Sunday afternoon. And when we moved into the cottage in the following January, the tradition of a log fire was also reintroduced.
And now I’m a mum, I hope my toddler will start to see emerging yearly traditions, family patterns that remain the same as the seasons change. Even if we aren’t living in this house this time next year, I hope she continues to recognise the satisfaction of a new soft jumper, the enjoyment of a warm hat pulled over cold ears, the excitement of the first fire of the Autumn.
And I hope she continues to appreciate the reds of the leaves and the change in our weekend menus, as we swap salads for stews and barbecues for casseroles (on the subject of which, you should try out this delicious Fire Cracker Casserole at Mum of All Trades – very, VERY tasty).
I love Autumn. Do you?
I love Autumn and Spring, both are my favorite times of the year for differing reasons. I love that in the UK we have distinct seasons
I always take a while to accept that it’s autumn and summer is definitely over, but once I’ve got over the denial I love it: crisp, frosty mornings, cosy evenings in PJs, getting my woolly tights and boots out, and the electric blanket. However, I am *so* over getting drenched on the school run.
Lovely post, you’ve made me feel all warm inside (and I am diggin’ those jumpers!). Autumn is my favourite time of year by an absolute mile. Crisp air, pretty trees and snuggling up at home. Perfect. xx
October’s always been my favourite month – I married in it and produced my second child in it -and Autumn is definitely the best season of the year. Lovely pictures.
Delicate flower? Moi?! Also- what is in your casserole? It looks like a rabbit’s leg! x
I love Autumn! Both for the cosiness and tradition as for the back-to-school feel about it, when I start thinking about what I want to do and make plans for the year.
I too spent every weekend mucking out stables in return for free riding lessons, I think it was a rite of passage for our generation! Wonder if kids still do it now? I hope so
The jury is still out for me but you make a very convincing argument with lovely images too :0)
No doubt I’ll probably be saying the same thing in summer – I love a barbecue and some sunshine too!
I LOVE this time of year too! And I love those jumpers! Amazing! x
Bargain £10 each from TK Maxx!
Autumn is my MOST favourite of all the Seasons (though I am quite partial to Winter too…….)……..I feel I have A LOT to teach Big, Medium and Small mind you – this afternoon, as I shrieked with delight and set off at a gallop towards a MASSIVE pile of flame coloured leaves, they stood and watched with what can only be described as horror on their faces!!!! However, I was undetered and carried on leaping like a Woman possessed anyway!!! They will learn to join in – they’ll have to, as I’m pretty sure I’ll still be jumping in the leaf piles in 50 years time!!!
Your girls didn’t run to jump in the leaves? What’s going in with that?! Next time you’re planning a leaf jump let me know and I’ll be there!
I really struggle with the patterns of light and dark in the UK, being from a tropical climate, but there is something about the changing seasons that helps me appreciate the rhythms of life. I know I’d miss Autumn if we moved back to Trinidad.