Autumn is..

..apples.

Lots and lots of apples. It's a good thing we like apple pie! 

Our trees have been full of fruit this year and although we've shared quite a few with the local cockatoos,

we still have lots left. Our lovely neighbours are making cider, their hallway full of boxes of apples. Maybe we will make some too!

Autumn is quinces. Big, fat, golden quinces.

I love everything about this beautiful ancient fruit. The tree it grows on with it's wide green leaves, that shade our ducks from the warm autumn sun. I love collecting the fruit after a windy day, storing it inside where it gives off it's distinctive quincy smell. I love cutting into each piece, it's such a satisfying feeling. Cubing, boiling, straining. Adding, watching, waiting.

Then suddenly!

Magical jars of ruby goodness. I love quince jelly on sour dough toast with a cup of hot, hot tea. 

I love autumn.

Autumn is Sports Day! A day of red, yellow and blue.

A day of friends, and fun.

And trying hard, of ribbons and family.

And smiles! lots of lovely smiles.

Autumn is potato season. It's brown fields, blue skies, tractors and crates.

Autumn is a time of birthdays - one tomorrow! 

Although it's sad to say goodbye to summer, and although the thought of a long cold winter ahead makes me a little anxious..I really do love autumn. So I'm celebrating being in the now,

I'm loving the cool nights and warm days. Although there is some sadness in my life too right now, I'm embracing all the beauty, the colour and life of this season, of this time. Maybe even more so.

I hope you are too, lovely ones,

see you soon xo

ps: If you haven't entered my giveway yet it's not too late! I'll be drawing out a winner in the next couple of days. It might be you! xo

Friday

Yesterday we woke to a heavy fog, a thick cloud of mist that covered the whole town in a soft blanket of cloud.

Everything became muted and quiet.

The lake was other worldly, the only movement were ducks floating, gliding through the mist.

I could have stayed at the lake forever but I had to fly, I had an important date in Melbourne with Charlotte!

I met her at school where I also got to meet her dear Enid. I have to say Enid was even more adorable in real life, she is my kind of lamb. Have you visited Jess's blog lately? She has some lovely things for sale in her shop too.

Although we were overdue for some time together our mission was really to buy a dress for Charlotte to wear to her school formal. She had something in mind, a flowing, almost Grecian style dress which she thought would be hard to find.

We found it! It was the first dress she saw and she looks like an angel in it. Yay!

Another wonderful part of yesterday's trip was visiting my mum who I haven't seen since she returned from the US. Mum has been sick which is hard as she is in Melbourne and I am in Daylesford, so I feel a bit useless. I wish I was nearer to her so I could look after her at times like this. But anyway we had a fun time together and look what she has been making!! I was so excited to see these gorgeous cardi's. Can't wait to make some bunnies to match these gelati colours. Thanks Mum!

After dinner I drove home and am pretty weary today having also been in to Ballarat...lots of driving. This is our little house that I love to come home to. Every year since we have lived in Daylesford I have been meaning to plant some trees on our nature strip (probably highly illegal). Ok, I finally did it! Yes, above you will see, if you look very carefully, two apple trees, and I'm so excited about them! They probably don't look to exciting right now but wait till they grow up a bit and provide us with delicious apples!

We have two great old apple trees in the back yard but the space out the front seemed to be begging for some fruit action of it's own. I planted one Pink Lady & one Fuji, and now I'm wondering if I should also put in a grafted tree and have three in row. I love the idea of having a mini orchard out the front.

On the home front we have Rosie's party on the weekend with her actual birthday on Tuesday. I have just picked her up early from kinder as she is feeling unwell so fingers crossed she will be ok for her party. There has been a lot of gastro going around...bit of a worry.

What are you up to on the weekend? Hope you have a happy one with the ones you love.

See you soon xo