Roses......

in November......how can that be? But it is......the last day of November and I have two roses in my garden at present.....this unbelievably mild November weather, and the plants just can't decide if it's autumn or spring.


This yellow rose is usually a one-hit-wonder.....it blooms just once in spring, and then it's done it's dash for the year.....but here it is, firmly making a stance and putting out a second flush.....all of a single bloom......

or does it think it's spring already.....and this one single bloom is the best effort it can muster?


And this tiny little red bud is on a tiny little plant that always seems to have black spot......but it nevertheless always produces two or three of the most exquisite blooms of deep red, it's petals as deep and lustrous as  velvet....now it barely has a leaf on the plant, but here it is bravely offering up a tiny red bud.....

To be honest, I'm quite liking this mild weather too.....the heating doesn't have to be on full blast just to stay warm, so saving money (always a good thing)......the school runs are bearable without the freezing cold, snow, lashing rain, blustery gales....and it's only 22 days until the shortest day.....yes quite likeable indeed!

-xx-

Goodbye October...

After quite possibly the worst October in my life....it really was PANTS......a new month is finally here......Welcome November!


And what a good start so far.....the sun is shining, the autumn leaves are looking glorious...

...and my laptop is up and running again.....for the last two weeks I've had computer problems.....but a trip to the Apple store today (2nd in 4 days....their customer service is excellent though!).....and all problems are resolved and repaired, and my laptop is now running brill again....yay!!!!


But it really is quite shocking how dependent we have become on technology....I felt quite lost without a working computer in the house....I couldn't catch up on my favourite blogs, I couldn't write my own blog, I couldn't search the internet, my Angels couldn't do their homework.....but thankfully, all is restored to order once again.

The holly trees are absolutely loaded with bright, shiny red berries.....

I hope that doesn't mean a hard winter is in store for us again.....if so, it would be the third winter in a row.....think it might be time to think about escaping the winter for somewhere warm and sunny.....in my dreams anyway....he he he.

And even my marguerites are still flowering their sweet little hearts out....

But best of all, the super, duper, fabulicious news I received a few weeks ago is still on-track.....things are being organised, with lots of happy surprises and memories in the making.....I can't wait....but all good things come to those who wait....so I'm trying to be patient......while keeping busy getting things ready.

November IS going to be a good month!!!

-xx-

Ahhhh, Indian Summer.....

How wonderful.....the weather has turned back all summery, balmy, gentle.....like a last minute gift from the gods......sitting outside having lunch today in the glorious sunshine with the soft, warm wind gently wafting was just bliss....it felt like being draped lightly in a cosy blanket....just what the doctor ordered after the quite chilly last couple of weeks.....and may it last until the end of October....well, it's good for the soul to be hopeful!....to stay positive, think positive, act positive....so positive things come to us.

This year our vegetable garden hasn't been particularly productive unfortunately.....but what we didn't have in quantity, we certainly had in quality.....the most gorgeous tomatoes, not abundant, but thankfully not blighted like the last couple of years....the taste was out of this world......little green peas packed into little green pods..... just a few....and only eaten raw....far to good and sweet to cook.....and teeeny tiny sweetcorn......not quite perfectly formed, and again not abundant, as in previous years .....but the taste of just picked and quickly cooked sweetcorn is to die for.......

I know they don't look quite so small in this photo, but they are sitting on a small side plate......and they were very scrumptious for lunch......golden yellow kernels, smothered in soft, golden butter, eaten outside under the golden yellow sun.....what could be more sunshiny than that? Just don't tell my Angels I ate the very last three cobs without them......they were just so tiny, and not enough for everyone.....much easier to gobble them myself and save the arguments.....sorry Angels!

Our fruit has been a little better.....a rampant haul of hugely, thick rhubarb.....is rhubarb a vegetable of fruit?....a good crop of pleasing plums.....a few edible pears for the very first time......the tastiest strawberries I have ever eaten.....although sadly, not nearly enough of them......and more than enough sweet, juicy apples.....

And although not edible, we've had a reasonable crop of gourds.....especially considering we didn't actually plant any this year....they self-seeded themselves from our homemade compost.....from a couple of years ago!

All stand to attention!.....

The orange colours just seem to zing and glow under the autumn sunshine......I think they'll make pretty little jack-o-latterns for halloween.....

Long may our Indian summer last!!!!!

-xx-

Autumn Blooms.....

After a rather chilly start, it's been one of those glorious Indian summer afternoons ......gently warm and balmy. I was taking a stroll.....of the most amiable kind....... around the garden, and was delighted to find a few late blooms still giving it their all....

Verbena Bonariensis

Geranium

Sedum

Feverfew

A lone little cornflower in the middle of the veg patch.....

Cornflower

Globe Thistle (Echinops)

Strawberry

The most deliciously flavoured strawberries I have ever tasted......they are a French variety called Mara Des Bois.....said to contain the highest flavour and aroma of all strawberry varieties......of which I'd totally agree.....and, they start fruiting in early spring, and just continue throughout the summer.....last year we still had bright red berries dripping off the hanging baskets on 31 October......

Mara Des Bois

Garlic Chive

Verbena (Bedding)

These few little flowers, still blooming their socks off, really do lift my spirits on a wonderfully warm, late summer afternoon.....it feels like even nature is trying to hold onto summer just that little bit longer.

-xx-

Tidy up time.....

Yesterday was the first full day I've had at home since the Angels went back to school .....so it was time to start tidying....BIG time.....after everyone being home all holiday......tidying...hoovering...cleaning...and putting away......was the order of the day. I do so ♥ the feeling of getting everything all spic and span, and ship shape again, after the chaos of the holidays.


I really get the urge for this sort of spring cleaning.....well, at the start of spring ......but also now, on the cusp of autumn. It's time to wash, clean, hoover, and put away all the summery things......the light, floaty curtains, the light and bright coloured cushions, and the light cotton floor rugs.....and bring out the heavier, thicker curtains, cosier cushions, warm, thick floor rugs, fairy lights, candles, and cuddly, snuggly throws. It's so nice and comforting to ring the changes and welcome in each of the seasons.....well, the warm season, and the cold season. And having a quick scoot round my favs in blogland today, it seems I'm not the only one who feels like this, at this time of year.

However, I always try to hold onto summer for just as long as I possibly can..... and this year, the weather can't quite seem to decide on whether to give us a little extended Indian summer, or throw us headlong into autumn. When the weather turns colder and gets all blustery as it is has been, I really start to look forward to the cosying up, and hunkering down, but I still can't quite let go of the idea and hope of some more balmy Indian summer afternoons......it's such a bittersweet time for me.


So for now, I'm just sticking with the tidying and hoovering, in the hope that the weather will let us stretch the summer out just a little bit longer.....the curtains, cushions and throws can wait......hopefully......until the beginning of October.....

Although, if it stays as chilly as it is today, I might have to succumb and bring those throws out sooner!

-xx-