Sunday 16 August 2015

In Raiment Bright She Comes Again ~~~

Gentle Reader ~~~ do you feel it? Do you see it? Autumn is slowly seeping into the world once more.  For the last four years, she seems to be sweeping in, wearing her golden cloak with highlights of orange, red, and rust, earlier and earlier. For weeks now, I have sensed her magical presence.  Having been deprived {thankfully} of the searing heat of Summer, I welcome her with open arms {although some small vestige of Summer would have been both useful and welcomed}

Across the Shire, farmers are bringing in the crops; ancient farmsteads stand with full fields of baled hay awaiting Winter storage ~~~

Across the Fields to Farmsteads and Baled Hay

The sun is noticeably lower in the sky, and although Autumn is not officially meant to arrive for a few more weeks, we are now eight weeks past the Summer Solstice and the changes are felt. The nights are drawing in and the days are shorter, the evenings longer. Curtains are drawn across the west facing window of my cottage earlier than a few short weeks ago, closing out the darkening skies and sealing in the cosiness.  More books are being read and already I feel the need to eat more hearty soups and stews than the lighter salads of Summer. The clouds that scatter and scud occasionally give glorious sunsets at which I marvel in their diversity ~~~


how quickly they shift and change in colour ~~~

Red Sky At Night ~~~ Shepherd's Delight

and in a moment, the blaze is quenched as the sun sinks into the wide Atlantic deep.

The bounty of the garden and the hedgerows is shifting up a gear ~~~

Ruby Red Apples Ripen in the Warm Sunshine of Late Summer Days

and we are all out foraging and feeding from the bounty we are given ~~~

My Fierce Competition!

Soon there will be blackberries, for the brambles are sprawling and bursting forth ~ the flowers nearly spent and green berries waiting to turn to those juicy, deep purple berries of deliciousness ~~~

Tight buds taken a few weeks ago

How delicate the petals and the colours.

Each sprig of blooms promises of many berries to come.

I'm ready for my close up now.

Gorgeous colours!

The "Arty" Shot!

A lone berry ripens, but soon many more will follow.

Earlier, I forgot to share the Angel's Fishing Rod Dierama pulcherrimum
photographs, so here is one now ~~~ gently bobbing in the breeze and all dripping with early morning dew ~~~


One of my favourite flowers in the garden are the Japanese Wind Anemones. This is the time of year they begin to fill the borders where the Summer flowers are faded past their best and the ruby red hips of roses have not yet reached their glory ~~~ Here are some of the early flowers {this year I have observed that there are, sadly, not as many blooms as normal, but the plants are nearly six feet in height. They have never been so tall, so I wonder what is going on?} ~~~





The Whirling Dervish

So, Dear Friends, I sign off this lovely, gently sunny Sunday morning, for there are things to be done today that I must not put off ~~~ and it is such a lovely day it will be hard to put my mind to tasks at hand ~~~ oh! fiddle~dee~dee! ~~~ the weather is too fine to spend indoors, so the garden wins today ~~~

Until next time ~~~
Sincerely yours
Deborah 

30 comments:

  1. Deb, what a lovely post! I agree, if the weather is fine, let the garden win! Your photos are beautiful as your writing is today. I especially love your thoughts on approaching Autumn. I see the changes in the angles of the sun in my home also, but as far as the air---it's still quite warm here! The black gums are dropping red leaves on our lawn already. As far as your height issues with flowers--are they getting enough sun? I know all too well about that! Enjoy your beautiful skies and lovely days, dear Deb. xo ♥
    P.S. I see you have those beautiful stone barns! Be still my heart!

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    1. Thank you, Martha Ellen ~ but now, the best laid plans! Suddenly, we have company coming by way of the parish vicar, and I really should not be on here at all! Thank goodness I baked a Victoria sponge and another Madeira cake yesterday! Victoria sponge to be served with a cup of tea, and he will be sent home with the Madeira cake! I think he will be happy with that arrangement.
      As to my anemones, they are getting plenty of light, nothing has changed in their aspect at all. A puzzle to be investigated.
      ~~~Deb~~~

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  2. Deb,
    My granddaughter Aria (who is 3) were just oohing and aahing over your beautiful flowers:-) Such lovely looking apples too. Here, in New England , ours are not quite ripe enough yet, but getting close. I am still firmly planted in Summer , for it was far too short! One more trip to the shore at Cape Cod this week will usher the season out for me. Today , another 90 degree day with high humidity-menopause is not my friend, so I stay close to the pool. LOL! Enjoy your visit with your vicar!
    Blessings,
    Suzanne

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    1. Oh, how I long to visit Cape Cod! When I lived in Virginia, we used to travel south in the Summer and ventured only as far as Colonial Williamsburg or DC in the Winter. Yes, stay close to the pool! The apples are ripe, but tiny as can be this year.
      I think it is wonderful that Aria is enjoying sharing with you. I believe that one can never start the gardening bug too early!
      ~~~Deb~~~

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  3. Hi Deb, another lovely post. I so enjoy your gardens! We have had a mild summer here in New York, and although it is in 80s today, it is overcast and breezy. It certainly is feeling like autumn (my favorite time of year). Oh by the way, I have been nosy (as you suggested) and cruised throughout your blog (and Celtic Heart) - beautiful beautiful Wales! I can't wait to get back there and touch my feet to the soil. Such a feeling. Enjoy your Sunday!

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    1. I'm glad you found time to wander away from the Garden into the countryside. One day, I must share some of my more recent images again, for although little has changed it is long overdue for a freshening up.
      Enjoy your day ~~~Deb~~~

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  4. I live in the south of England and I can see these changes too. Especially the evening falling earlier and the change of colours in the trees. And the air cooling down, almost imperceptibly.

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    1. Ah, such a beautiful place! We live in a land of great contrast and diversity of landscape for such an island nation. I wonder, do you have Autumn colours on the trees?
      ~~~Deb~~~

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    2. Yes, some trees and bushes have started changing colours. Oh and you gave me an idea for a blog post tonight: http://vraiefiction.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/wild-geese-flying-south.html

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  5. Beautiful post and lovely photos. Oh how I wish I was there. 90's here and so very humid. You gave me a wonderful visit and I shall come back to these photos and visit again, they make me happy and peaceful.

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    1. I am delighted to hear, dear friend, that my photos make you happy and peaceful in all that high humid heat. Wish you were here too! ~~~Deb~~~

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  6. Well, you have outdone yourself with these beautiful photos, my dear! Each just a beautiful as the next! And, the fact that the searing heat of the Summer has eluded you, makes me green with envy, as I sit here, once again, with the whole house a/c and a window unit running. In all fairness, I do have the oven on doing a little baking. So, that is not helping. LOVE your "new" book haul!! And, for such fabulous bargains, too! Thank you for sharing your autumnal Shire with us! Fallish hugs my sweet friend ~ Donna E.

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    1. Hello my friend! Even though I am not sorry that Summer failed, a little more warmth, a lot less wind, would have been appreciated! As I still have not properly shed my Winter layers, I wonder how I will keep warm the coming seasons?
      ~~~Deb~~~

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  7. Pure poetry, dear Deb, in both words and images! The colors of the hay bales, the ripe apples on your tree, and the gorgeous sunsets are truly lovely. (I've always said, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight.") I always look forward to the dancing blooms of your Japanese Wind Anemones and dream of planting them in my garden one day. Stunning photography, sweet friend! Here is the Midwest, we are in the 'dog days' of August, hot and sticky, frequent afternoon storms, and the singing of the cicadas from late afternoon until nightfall. School has begun, so Autumn isn't too far off now. Many thanks for another beautiful post to savor and enjoy! ♡

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    1. Thank you, dear Dawn. Yes, I've used 'sailor' as well as 'shepherd' in the little adage. You simply *must* get Wind Anemones! Imagine them at the front of your house. I can. There are so many varieties and colours now, so plenty to select from, but white are my favourites.
      ~~~Deb~~~

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  8. Lovely post! So many unusual (to us) flowers and gorgeous colors. I love seeing them. I can almost taste those blackberries, and envision jams and pies to come! We have had a few days of cooler weather and I have cleaned up my gardens that languished in the extreme heat. Cooler days are coming when things will come back to life. Yes, autumn will be welcome. We have not suffered too much, though, as we've been busy inside painting and writing and seeking markets for our art. The cakes sound wonderful. Hope your visit with the vicar went well! Jane xo

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    1. Thank you Jane. Yes, diversity is a wonderful thing, and each of us has our own differences to share. Oh, it would be a boring old world if we were all the same! Hope the writing is going well, and that you manage to get out in the sunshine just a little bit?
      ~~~Deb~~~

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  9. I especially love your sky photos, but then the blackberry photos were exquisite, and then I got to the Anemone....well, I have to say I can't pick a favorite. I always enjoy your garden writing because you wax so eloquently! The Angel's Fishing Rod is a totally new flower to me. Do you know if it is specific to your side of the pond?

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    1. Hello Cathy ~ I've tried, quickly, to find out for you, but all my results come up British. Try Googling "Dierama" and see what you get. I'm sure I've read an American blog that had them featured, but it was a long time ago. Let me know what you find out, won't you?
      The blackberries will be even more exquisite when there are enough for a pie! Thank you for your kind words about my writing.
      ~~~Deb~~~

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    2. What I found out is it is hard to Zone 7. I'm on the cusp of Zone 6/7. This is probably why I've not seen them in any nursery locally. It is an African genus in the Iridaceae family. Here they're called Fairy Wand Flower.

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    3. Great! Thanks for the update. I hope you give them a try. Just remember, they take a little while to establish, love the damper ground, and don't like being disturbed once established.

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  10. I refuse to give up on summer yet so it's not autumn here, :)

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    1. We broke into the low 60's today!!! We don't know ourselves, people are actually sunbathing! Still, all change tomorrow with days of rain on the cards.

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  11. Yes I agree there has been an Autumnal feel, but we might be lucky and have a warm September, Stunning pictures as always, x

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    1. Oh, an Indian Summer is something I dream of, especially this year as the Summer {and Spring too} has been abysmal here. Not sure how I'll do on pictures now, my camera just went kaput!

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  12. I always enjoy all of your pictures, such a beautiful part of the world you live in!! The farmers fields around here look similar with their hay. I always look forward to fall, my favorite time of year, the change from summer to fall is always so fun to watch. Love your sunset pictures, that pink is stunning. :) I read your last post about the Great British Bake Off, that is one of my Mom's favorite shows, and I caught a few episodes last year on our local public television. I look forward to a new season starting here, I love baking, and seeing the different types of baked goods on that show is very inspiring. Hope you have a nice week! :)

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    1. Thank you April! I think GBBO is now well known in America because of its timed screening with Downton Abbey earlier this year. I've watched it from the very beginning, and now the high standard of the first week almost leaves the winners of earlier series behind! Last night's episode was amazing with a Bake Off first! I won't say any more.

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  13. Summer is winding down here in the Cove as well; today I must finish moving the round bales of hay and hang out some laundry while the sun is shining.

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    1. You cannot beat line dried laundry gently blowing in the breezes.

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  14. Beautiful post and lovely photos. You gave me a wonderful visit and I shall come back to these photos and visit again They make me happy and peaceful. Thanks for sharing!

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