Sunday 15 November 2015

November Days ~~~

Gentle Reader ~~~ I was shocked this morning when I came online to compose this entry to find I have not been here for more than a month! How quickly October flew by, blustering past in a flurry of falling leaves, tossed by the winds, and now November is already at the mid~point ~~~ we have celebrated Hallowe'en, and while I try hard to continue the celebration of Autumn that is always in my heart, the weather outside my cottage is a stern reminder that Winter cannot be far away ~~~ next week is Thanksgiving and then it will be Christmas; I find myself asking, in earnest, where has the year that we numbered two thousand and fifteen gone?

I feel a bit late to the party saying this, but ~~~


{I love the warm glow and bokeh effect of this image that was nearly dismissed, but even the most out of focus image can be used!}

We have had a mixed bag of weather, mostly quite kind, but now the Winter winds and wuthering weather descend. We are in the last throes of our first storm, Abigail, or A Big Gale as I saw fit to rename her!  As of this year, we now name all our storms in the same way as the hurricane system does, alphabetically. So, Welcome A Big Gale! Goodbye A Big Gale because the next big low, unnamed, is waiting ~~~ with another after that, and another one again ~~~ and the Jet Stream is keeping them well anchored above the British Isles ~~~

I turned another year older in October but we won't talk about that~~~but thank you all for your wishes that came in via the post {oh, I do love proper post} and also wishes on Facebook, Twitter, and by email ~~~

Here are a few photographs to remind us of the Autumn months just passed as everything winds down ~~~

The Rosemary is in full flower ~~~


It looks almost late Spring~like, don't you think?


but on the other end of the garden, the rose hips are turning orangey~red and tempting in the small birds to help themselves to a vitamin rich feast ~~~



As the Autumn sun drops lower and lower in the sky with each passing day, the evening skies offer up bejewelled magical sunsets ~~~


A surprise parcel in the post from a crafty friend ~ a talented lady ~ who made me this lovely Remembrance Day pop up Poppy Card and hand made felt Poppy pin to wear with pride as we remember the Fallen ~~~

"When you go home, tell them of us and say
For their tomorrow, we gave our today."
John Maxwell Edmonds



In the same envelope was some of my most favourite tea ~~~ and  Bigelow Tea are celebrating their 70th Anniversary and so they are foil wrapped in special commemorative envelopes, each with a vintage image from the Bigelow Tea archives ~~~


I took up a new hobby! These are the very first images of my Folk It! folk art painting projects ~~~ I really enjoy this method of creating something pretty ~~~



I won fifty pounds {£50.00} of Lakeland vouchers just by filling in an online survey from Crafts Beautiful magazine, and I'm treating myself to the Buttermere Hamper.  I have always wanted a luxury hamper for Christmas and this is just perfect.  I shall look forward to packing a delicious picnic in this hamper in the future ~~~ I do love a proper picnic, don't you?

To finish for today's little update, the December Country Living magazine is here, it has been for a few weeks now, and something to look forward to reading on a dark and dreary Autumn afternoon ~~~


Next time isn't so very far away, and there is a real treat in store for any Tasha Tudor followers coming ~~~

Sincerely yours
Deborah xoxo




20 comments:

  1. Deborah, this is the second time today I've seen the word "bokeh" --a new word to me. Hmmm, I wonder if there's a message in that word for me. I love your garden photos as always. I have yet to see my Rosemarys bloom (I end up having to get a new one each year). Your "Big Gale" for Abigail is quite clever. Your folk art is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Well, by now you probably realise what bokeh is and I think you will like it. My rosemary blooms twice a year and this one is what is left of a twenty year old shrub.

      Delete
  2. Nice to see you back, I have missed you x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deb, I was so happy to see a post from you today! I've missed your musings. I also wonder how it can be the middle of November. The weather here has been quite mild and we have yet to have a killing frost. Last night the light frost did nip at the impatiens that are still around--quite unusual for this late. I've never seen rosemary bloom so profusely this late--wow. Your bokeh effect photo is lovely and so perfect for November. What a lovely folk art heart you have created. The roses are beautiful and set against the black paper is stunning. Stay warm and cozy, my friend. xoxo ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh, thank you Martha Ellen! Yes, November {middle of} is frightening. No frost yet, but possibly in a few days as the end of Hurricane Kate blasts over us tonight ~ we are taking a pasting! Rosemary usually has two flowering periods a year, and this is one of them, so not to worry about it at all.

      Delete
  4. I woke up to the same realization yesterday. I'm working on my monthly Update via email, too! Gene's favorite is Constant Comment, too! I'll have to look for the commemorative packages! I always love your garden photos. Watch your post for "something". I wished I had done more with the packaging, but my time/energy ran out!! I love real post, too, especially from overseas! Thinking of you more than I mention! Must get back to work! Jane xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane, I know you have been busy. Your efforts are reaping rewards, I'm sure. Oh, how kind of you to write to me! I shall keep an eye out very soon.

      Delete
  5. It is very mild down here for November, although it most definitely looks like the end of autumn. I'd love to try that tea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mild, but Barney is storming in overnight! Batten the Hatches! Constant Comment is an orange spice black tea. Whittard of Chelsea have Imperial Spice, similar but not quite Constant Comment, and Twinings have an Orange Spice, again falls short of the mark for me.

      Delete
  6. Lovely photos. I always enjoy seeing your "part of the world". I wish the days would just slow down. They whiz by way too fast for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, aren't they just whizzing by? I do so wish, with all my heart, that I could give you a guided tour here, but then you know that. xoxo

      Delete
  7. Donna E @ The Cottage Magpie15 November 2015 at 23:23

    What a lovely post! I enjoyed your pics, as always, and it was a delight to see the rosemary flowering. Such a nice treat those rose hips will be for your garden friends! So very glad you enjoyed the poppy and tea package! It was a joy making them (the card and the pin) for you, my dear friend. And, so very glad you liked the tea, as well! Take care...Stay warm and dry! Hugs to you from across the sea ~ Donna E. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Cottage Magpie! Love that name. The poppy is well admired, thank you xoxo

      Delete
  8. So many of my blog friends have October birthdays along with myself. It is so wonderful. I wish I could have sent you a real post. I like writing letters. My father liked Bigelow tea. I never knew what flavor Constant Comment is??? I am sad to see some frost today and the garden shutting down. Mowed for the last time until Spring.
    A week ago I checked the bookstore for November Country Living and they still had October! I am surprised to see that you have December already.
    Get out your muffler! Cold is coming…❄❄❄
    Margot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, things slow down now all across the northern hemisphere, don't they. Our CLUK is always two months ahead of America. It won't be long, just a week to ten days, before January's copy is here! Of course, as a subscriber I do get it a week or so before it hits the shelves.
      Lovely to see you back, you have been missed!

      Delete
  9. Belated birthday wishes. Yes time is dashing by our October was full and bursting at the seams.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I meant to add I felt poppy. It's such a pity that they don't make slightly better poppies for remembrance day. I'm sure it would make them more money. I can remember something used to look a lot like some.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know they make much needed money with an annual sale of a fragile paper poppy, and maybe it is the fragile nature that adds to the symbolism with the fragility of peace. However, when wearing a more sturdy poppy I make a more substantial donation in the collection box.

      Delete