Slipping into Autumn ~~~

Gentle Reader ~~~ a very quick dip in and out today ~~~ and a warm welcome to all the new followers who have joined in the last two weeks! I hope you enjoy my ramblings, and help yourself to tea and cake ~of course, all cake is calorie free here~

Here in The Shire Summer simply has not happened, and is more like a damp squib. Until a fortnight or so ago it was more Spring~like, and even then not as warm as Spring should be. The truth is, I am still having the heating on very first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening ~~~ yes, it is that chilly!  Sturdy breezes and stiff winds have blown almost every day, so there has been no respite from my hair flying about my face each time I step outside my cottage door. One major benefit, though, is the winds dry lines full of laundry in record time! Hurrah!

Vintage Table Linens Blowing Dry on an Early Spring Day at the Cottage

Here is a video of the sounds of the relentless winds blowing around the shrubs trees in a neighbouring garden to the Cottage ~~~

{isn't that buddleia magnificent?}

So, for the past fortnight or so, as the sun now sinks noticeably lower in the sky, the evenings already draw in, and the lights are switched on an hour earlier now than a month ago, my thoughts turn to Autumn. Each morning, as I step outside, the air is cooler, the light is softer, and there is that certain feeling to the air that words cannot describe, but my heart knows that Autumn is a knocking at the door, gently reminding Summer that her days are nearly over for another year {but Summer went on holiday, didn't she? So, Autumn, come on in!}

The bees are buzzing lazily about the garden, flitting from bloom to bloom, gathering the pollen for the hive ~~~ and I find I cannot wait a moment longer to begin unpacking my Autumn boxes ~~~ so away to Spider Village I go {the attic} and bring down the first one, the one that contains the Autumn mugs.  I will hold off for another month before I decorate, for I know it is too much for some ~ and the mugs are a subtle introduction that make me happy, and few will realise that I'm slipping into Autumn mode today {~~~shhh! it is our little secret}

Here they are, I now have four Emma Bridgewater mugs of Autumn theme, so it was bye bye to Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny, and Rose and Bee, my Summer mugs, and welcome Autumn patterns ~~~

~~~ Pumpkins, Foliage, Sunflowers ~~~
and a limited edition {centre front} sold to raise funds for The Woodland Trust

While I was washing them, I thought I'd take a photo of some of the marks that are put on the base to identify them as by Emma Bridgewater.  Look how many different ones there are ~~~ apparently, she designs different ones for each collection, and changed them every year! My goodness ~ there must be hundreds of different ones to know ~~~

Potter's Marks over the years

Do you decorate for Autumn? Do you have any special things you use, recipes, ornaments, traditions?  It is a time for many things I love ~ pumpkins, hot chocolate, reading, bonfires on the beach {wrap up warm, Thermos of hot soup} but here is a bonfire on the beach in August on Martha's Vineyard, for this is the August image for my Susan Branch 2015 wall calendar.

Summer on Martha's Vineyard  ©Susan Branch 

Soon there will be a new book too, by Susan Branch, "The Fairy Tale Girl" available for pre~order here.  I hope to have my copy in time for Christmas.

Well, Dear Friends, I did say this was a quick dip in and out today, and I have already overstayed my time! Until the next time ~~~

Sincerely yours
Deborah