“There are two times of year:
waiting for Autumn, and Autumn”
As we slide, softly, sometimes scorchingly, into mid summer, and July is over half way spent, my mind turns more and more to that most delicious season of them all ~ Autumn ~ when nature's paintbox goes into overdrive with one last Hurrah! of colour, fruits, and harvest.
I can wait no longer to sing out everything autumn! My Pinterest boards are burgeoning once more with many themed pins! Hygge tugs at my heart, and the nights are already coming earlier with promises of cosy nights, curled up in front of the fire, candles burning, stacks of books and magazines waiting to be read, and handmade quilts made just for snuggling under ~~~
To make Autumn even more delicious this year, my favourite author and illustrator, Susan Branch announced on her Twitter feed, just this very week, that her new range of art illustrated mugs will soon be available in the UK! Did you hear me squeaking with excitement and delight? Saving of pennies commences! I want them all, of course, but I have a particular favourite ~ can you guess?
There is a certain feeling in the air that my heart searches out in earnest every year, that day when the air quietly whispers that autumn is on her blissful way ~~~ and this magical morning I felt those first gentle words on the west wind as it whispers across my garden from the salt laden ocean ~~~
The wild field poppies are giving one final burst of summer colour ~~~
The apples are swelling with the sweet summer rainfall and ripening in the warmth of the summer sun ~~~
Rosehips which will feed the birds in the winter, encouraging them to continue foraging instead of pecking at the supplementary feeders ~~~
The blackberries on my two hundred year old stone wall are preparing for a generous pick, and soon there will be Blackberry and Apple Pie, a Cobbler or two, and jam ~ always jam for a sweet reminder of the summer and autumn months gone by, and a dose of Vitamin C!
Just the other day, I shared with you my excitement over the unexpected flowering of two of my succulents here. Each new day now brings a change, and here are the photographs I took yesterday as the sun started to slip into the evening and they are opening beautifully ~~~
There's not a lot of change this morning, but I'm hoping there will be some movement during the day, once the sun comes around and warms them up, maybe they'll open up some more, revealing their gorgeousness and contrasting colours ~~~
Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xo
So excited that you'll be able to get the Susan Branch mugs...they are worth every penny!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I know, I so look forward to seeing if we'll be able to buy the three that are sold out already!
DeleteBeautiful! I'm pretty sure it's the Autumn mug--right?
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, spot on! I hope you weren't expecting a prize for that ~lol~ Autumn, quickly followed by the rest!
DeleteNo No Not autumn yet please! Can we just have some more summer first. I need all the sunshine I can get before hibernation!
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd say that! You keep summer where you are, along with the hay fever, biting and stinging insects, sunburn, prickly heat, dripping sweat, endless mowing of growing grass and pulling of weeds! lol
DeleteI am not ready to consider the end of summer yet. I live for the moment.
ReplyDeleteAlways! I do wish I'd kept a proper weather diary, as you do, because our weather is so off kilter we barely get summer now. We had two blocks of a few days where we went into the 70's, which isn't really hot at all, and I've had the heating on often, and am still wearing my early spring layers!
DeleteI enjoy the summer (unless it gets too hot and humid - like now!!) but to me by August the countryside and garden can start to look "tired" and then I long for that sudden change in the quality of light that suggests autumn isn't too far away as it is my favourite season (after Spring!!) :)
ReplyDeleteLove those mugs by the way - such a creative artist.
Wonderful to see the flowers on your succulents and how they are opening more daily :)
I do come across as not liking summer, but, as you say, it's the heat and humidity which seems to be on the increase in the UK {along with biting insects, hay fever, and other uncomfortable things!} Yes, spring is a beautiful season with a different quality of light and air.
DeleteI am waiting patiently to get my hands on the collection of Susan Branch mugs, I love her books and calendars, and the mugs will be my birthday gift to me!
You can have summer....I used to love it and look forward to it....and then I moved to Texas! I got over that! And yes I heard you squeal at the news of Susan's cups. It didn't make any sense to me that they were being made in England and they couldn't be marketed there! So I am thrilled for you. I love the first 3, but I am yearning for that Autumn cup!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful as always.
Chris Wells
Thank you, Chris. Yes, I also used to yearn for summer, isn't it strange how we change? I know, you could probably hear me all the way in Texas and beyond, squealing in delight and joy! I'm hoping we'll be able to buy the ones that are out of stock in the States too, and like you, it's the Autumn cup I covet the most {two, one to use, one to keep!} Deb xo
DeleteSuch sweet words of Autumn waiting for all that hold it's loveliness in our hearts, Deb. I too hold it as a favorite. Your photos are just extraordinary! They are the icing on your lovely words. Enjoy every moment. xoxo ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Martha Ellen. We are sitting under delicious acid grey thunder clouds today, something completely different again, and the light it throws is sinister and menacing! Deb xoxo
DeleteI'm with you, Deb! Except for when I can get to my beloved New England in July or August, and breathe a whiff of Northshore sea air. But alas, that won't happen this year. Maybe next.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid we are in for a bit more heat here in the mid south before autumn comes, but I am looking forward to my Susan Branch mug. I'd love to have them all, but I'm beginning, at least, with the Martha's Vineyard one, because that reminds me the most of home. (Can you tell I'm a wee bit homesick??!! :-) It always happens in summer, but this too shall pass! We are comfy inside with A/C and doing our book. Always enjoy your blog and wonderful photography. Do take care. Jane xoxo
Thank you, dear Jane ~ yes, I detect what we in Wales call "hiraeth" or, as you say, homesickness, but it goes deeper than that. I know how high your heat gets, and you must be so thankful for air conditioning. As you will guess, I'll be starting with the Autumn mug, but hope I'll be able to get them all! Deb xoxo
DeleteI like it when you can smell autumn on the air. The change in the light around the solstice is when I can usually start to feel it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree! The seasons are changing, they are not the same now, and that feeling of Autumn does come earlier in the year than it ever used to.
DeleteI am keeping my fingers crossed that you get all of the mugs! I would love to feel a wisp of Autumn, today was 90 and I also got stung. I am tired of humidity and heat and sweating!
ReplyDeleteEnough whining, beautiful photos. I love seeing the succulents blooming, just lovely.
Love and hugs,
Darlene
Hello my Dear Friend! How I feel for you, knowing how hard you work in your own garden and in such heat ~ take care, I know you will keep hydrated, but it is so easy to overheat too.
DeleteLove and hugs right back at you! Deb xo