Normal Service Will Be Resumed... I Promise

It's been one of those weeks where you never know what is around the next corner.  I've been all happy as I have a week off work with lots of catching up to do with the autumn transformation in the house and a second visit to the Beamish Museum coming up (next post will be a bit picture heavy once again).  However what I wasn't planning was on my lovely hubby having a bit of a health scare on Thursday evening.  I will quickly say all is well, but those brief sickening moments on deciding whether to call for an ambulance were particularly hard.  They were called, came very quickly and spent an hour with him checking all sorts.  After the hour his vital signs were all normal and he had picked up again.  More tests next week, but for now he is taking it easy.  For a rural area we are particularly lucky to have an ambulance station so near - wonderful people.  But, this is a positive blog, and you don't need me rambling on about health scares! and as my hubby reads this, he doesn't want to read doom and gloom!  So, this week is just an itsy bitsy post with a bit of sunshine in the form of flowers.

Our living room will be our retreat this weekend with the pumpkins on display and the gradual appearance of more autumnal colours to warm the home.

Next week is going to be a busy one, along with taking hubby to the hospital, there will be the trip to Durham to the Beamish Museum for part 2 of our trip around there, Burghley House to see their Autumn colours, work on my Grandad's book and hopefully some time putting some beautiful papers on the walls of the Curiosity Shop.  My blog reading has also been a little out of kilter this week, so will be catching up with what you have been doing too.  Life occasionally blows in different directions, this week we feel like a weather vane being blown from a good wind to a bad one.

Normal service will be resumed I promise next week, but as I hope you will understand, my mind is a little all over the place at the moment.  Thank you for sticking with me, it's funny how typing things out and looking at the shots that will be put on the blog concentrates the mind.  Bless you all for reading.

Take care. 

 ♥Chel♥ 

Having the Time to Enjoy

I have been looking forward to a peaceful autumnal walk for quite a while.  Somewhere to replenish the calmness that I occasionally need to balance my life.  Recharging the 'happy, happy'' cells.  I wanted to do this last week but with the warm weather it just didn't seem 'right',  so with the rain and the howling wind that the week subsequently brought, it was time to head off to one of our favourite walks at the Deeping Lakes.  There were branches down, squidgy pathways but the beauty and stillness of this place makes my heart swell and my mind calm down to the certainty that Mother Nature always sorts things out.

Walking slowly around the tunneled pathways of natural foliage, the only sound was from the birds and the occasional wind blowing the crispy leaves.

We had the time to take our time and this was even more sweeter.  We could stop, look, imagine and hear our own thoughts.  I sat with this mushroom/toadstool for a while.  I know that sounds a little mad, but this was for the simple reason that I could.  I imagined the insects that may have made this home for a while, protecting them from the elements of the harshness of the weather from the past week.  The colours that were now appearing both on its flesh and also its surroundings.  I had time.

Its neighbours were also looking beautiful against the autumnal backdrop and now had the empty space above them to capture any sunshine that may come their way.

Occasionally there were the man made elements along the walk.  But again, there for people to take time to see nature at its best.

The gateway that just leads to a beautiful view, no where else.  Giving you the time to rest against it and enjoy the moment.

Walking along one of the rivers, the teasles with their many spikes looked wonderful against the backdrop of the feeding swans.

Some were a little curious as to why I was standing there for so long, but that was because I could.

Looking through the trees at the different lakes with the different colours of green with their hints of autumnal yellow.  Having the time to go through that process.

And the occasional capture of a hubby taking time to enjoy the scenery.

Having the time to reflect as the trees do in the almost still waters.

Having the time to enjoy watching Mother Nature carry on her process of the decay of those who have fallen to nourish the soil beneath it, starting the growth of new.

The decay of the old oak ramp providing the food and shelter for the insects.  Their time busy with the hibernation process starting.

The larger animals also hurrying to get their larders full.  This little cutie seems to be following me and my posts.

He certainly seemed to be taking time enjoying the Hawthorn.

While hubby and Mr Teenager were also enjoying the time to enjoy now ripening blackberries

Occasionally the sun came out for a brief appearance to coat the reserve in a golden glow.  The lichens sparkled their beautiful greens in satisfaction.

And the honeysuckle's hair grows in anticipation for next summer.

Time wasn't against us but the pull to a cosy house and a nice cup of tea was.  So after having time to have a sticky seed fight, the short drive home awaited.

Old Father Time keeps us all ticking along but sometimes it is nice to slow this down, stop, think, reflect and sort out our own time management for a little while.

Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings and a huge welcome to my new followers, you are all welcome and I'm looking forward to catching up with you in blog land.

Have a wonderful weekend and week, and don't forget to take some time out for you.

Take care. 

 ♥Chel♥ 

 (Remember that if you want to see a larger version of my photos just click on one and a slide will appear)

Autumn Happiness

The Autumn season is now in full swing and I for one am skipping about with a big smile on my face.  Even the dreaded cold virus fairy could not dampen my spirits when I started to see the gorgeous chocolate brown appear on the horse chestnut trees.  Conkers scream the Autumn season to me along with the delicious apples that are falling all around us.

This little one wouldn't have been too pleased if he knew what I was collecting, after all, he has his Winter meals to hide away.

The Autumn low level sunlight cast welcome shadows on my happy walk around the Cathedral

And my favourite door enjoyed the dappled shade on its ancient wood and stone.

My smiles continued as I carried on my walk and looked up to the sun light sparkling on the windows.

The golden berries were showing off against the wonderful medieval background.

But this was to be just a short break in my work day so I headed past one of the fantastic 'Narnia' type lamp posts.  I do love these so much, especially during the snowy season and this particular one has been in my snow posts before.  I can just imagine Mr Tumnus appearing from the trunk of one of the trees with his parcels.

After my week's work, I drove home and this time, instead of getting out of my car and then quickly going inside to my happy home, I noticed the rosehips that were next to my drive.

And the additional red berries that are appearing in my side garden.

The grapes that are all over my garage - goodness apart from wine, what can I make with all of them?  There are tonnes of them!

The lacy climbing hydrangea around my front door has taken on a beautiful antique lace look.  This actually makes me get butterflies in my stomach it is so gorgeous.

Then up against the back of the house, my climbing Boston Ivy is starting to get a red blush.

And the regular hydrangea has a red and orange skeleton beginning to form.

The seed pods are forming everywhere.

The gnarled wood of the climbing plants around my pergola have taken on their own beauty in the dying and decaying certainty of the garden.

And the greenhouse has given me a final happy piece of fire to play with.  The chilies and the peppers have warmed to a hot red.

The kitchen window baskets have been emptied and re-filled with red roses and ivy.  I am so pleased with how they turned out this year.  The herbs that were originally planted were all beautifully healthy and became HUGE!  So they have been transplanted to my front garden in a new herb bed.

My mischievous Coco has been trying to get into all the shots today!  She makes me smile all the time.

Yes you! (her fur is gradually coming back after that awful grooming she had last time - the long ears may be back to normal this time next year).

Another huge smile came with this little fellow.

Mr Teenager found this house martin (or is it a swallow?) in our hedge.  It hopped into his hand and stayed there for about 10 minutes.  Once he checked there were no cats around, he took it to the front of the house and held his hand up high.  The beautiful bird then just flew down the street, picking up its parents as it went and soared high into the sky.  A nice warm, safe, rest was all he needed.

And lastly my Autumn happiness carried on today when I received my parcel from Blueberry Heart's Autumn Swap.

These lovely little printed packages were full of Autumnal delights.  The heart is now hanging from my spice rack, the pot holder fits in with my kitchen perfectly, the candle smells gorgeous, the hand made pumpkin picture now lives over my front door handle...everything was just perfect and thank you so much Kerry for hosting this.  You can see what I sent Kerry by clicking here.

So, lots and lots of happiness in my house with the onset of Autumn.  Just one thing though, when will summer stop peeping in?!  Back in a T shirt today... what's that all about?

Have a wonderful, happy, Autumnal/Spring week.

Take care.

 ♥ Chel ♥

 

Christmas Cake + BBQ = Random

No I haven't gone completely mad!  The first official day of Autumn to me means time to prepare.  Not cosying up the home, I've already done this.  Not putting warm snuggly throws everywhere, I've already done that.  Not pruning and digging in compost and bulbs, I'm nearly done.  No, it's time to calculate and prepare my Christmas cake!  Yes, I've said the C word, I am so sorry, but I always find that as soon as I hit this time of September, in a blink of an eye it is panic time with a week to go to the big day and I am NEVER ready!  So, at the beginning of the year my first blog post was saying it was time to be organised.  I have nearly achieved this, but I am determined that this year's festivities are going to be stress free and relaxed (urm, yes, that's the plan!).  So with watching the Great British Bake Off each week and being a huge fan along with visiting the local garden centre who are now all geared up for Christmas (photo above - and more photos at a more appropriate time), it was time to get out my cake tin, my favourite bowl, my Great Grandma's measuring jug, a wooden spoon and lots of booze! 

Can you see the Tala Cooks Measure?  Have you seen these in the shops? - well my one is the original and was used by my Great Grandma and passed to my Grandma.  This design hasn't changed through the years apart from the units of measurement.

So with everything prepared, it was time to put on my new pinny, isn't it just gorgeous!  Again I have been shopping at My Blethering Blog, I love the fabric designs Anne uses.  I had been looking for an appropriate pinny for so long and just thought I'd take look in her Etsy shop and there it was, a delicious patisserie to wear and very appropriate.

So, shall we start on this little kitchen journey?  Here we go then.  First of all for me to start on these cooking journeys it has to be a grey, dark, damp day outside so that the kitchen looks all cosy with the lights on.  With the first part of the cake making being the evening before, it was dark and cold outside, so perfect conditions to start soaking the fruit in some warming booze (and a little snifter for me to soak myself into too!).  The smells in the kitchen were already sending out the Christmas cheer.

(1lb currants, 6 oz sultanas, 6 oz raisins, 2oz glace cherries (chopped), 2 oz mixed candied peel (chopped) and 4tbsp Brandy and 4tbsp Rum - but this is purely my own taste).

Remember I said that the day has to be grey, dark, damp?  Well, it turned out that it was hot and humid, urgh!  The sun rose up and the heat was building.

After my drunken slumber peaceful sleep and now disappointed mood, it was time to start the main event.  I can't describe how heart warming the smells were that surrounded that well loved room.  It was time to set the temperature for my oven and set to work. (Gas mark 1, 257F) or 140C).  First in was the dry ingredients (8oz plain flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground mixed spice)

In they go, one at a time, each element bringing the cake together...and in another bowl the 8oz butter and 8oz of soft brown sugar were creamed together.  

Making a cake like this is certainly good for the 'bingo wings'!  But the sugar and butter mix had to be beautifully creamy.

Now the four eggs.  Beat them up and then added to the creamy butter mixture a spoonful at a time and mixed in.  Towards the end it may start to curdle so I added a little flour to stop this happening.

Then it was time to get my metal spoon and fold in the flour mixture, then the very drunk fruit mixture some chopped nuts (I always chop up 3oz of brazil nuts), a dessert spoon of black treacle and the grated rind of one lemon and one orange.

The smells of the kitchen start to fill the air with the anticipation of the rich food and treats of Christmas as I start to fill the carriage that this mixture is travelling in.  The 8 inch tin was greased and lined with greaseproof paper and then a double piece of greaseproof paper around the sides.

So, with a little dip in the middle of the cake so that when it rises it will all be the same height, it was time to put the final disc of greaseproof paper on the top with a little hole in the centre for the steam.  In it went to warmer climates on the bottom shelf for four hours and the smells start to get stronger.

All done and time to cool down! 

 Well, that was the plan, however outside it was time for the last BBQ of the summer in this unusual heat.

Yes, just felt a little random...Christmas cake and BBQ in one day!

The journey is at its half way stage.  Time for it to rest for a couple of months, with occasional drinks along the way of warming brandy and rum - just a little Christmas spirit to help it on its way.

I will pop in to the cake tin and unwrap the cake occasionally for an extra tipple of brandy and then see it properly again in a couple of months to start the next leg of its journey.

Who would have thought it.  Such a random day!

Take care.

 ♥ Chel ♥