Autumn and cocoa at Hardcastle craggs

Making it cosy - George's room

Mum - Birthday Memoriam

You would have been 81 today. The very thought of it is mind boggling. You never wanted to live into your seventies, you or Dad, you both had the idea that 70 was ancient and decrepit. I think perhaps if you were still here you might have changed that opinion. Age is not what it once was and as I look at Jon's parents and the likes of Anne and Alec back home in Knock It seems like normality. Maybe it's also because I am 40 now too, I like to think I am still only half way through my life. 

I'll be thinking of you today, as I do so often, remembering all the best of you, the incredible giggle when watching or listening to comedy like Victoria Wood, Billy Connolly and I'm sorry I haven't a clue, the immaculate natural nails and the red lipstick, the smell of Chanel no.5, the incredible ability to cook anything and cook it well that i am thankful you passed on to me and something I use on a daily basis, the wit and sarcasm, generosity and kindness. To you I raise a strong coffee. 

Autumn coat

I can see autumn beginning to peek over the horizon now. The berries and fruits in the hedges are the brightest and plumpest I think I have ever seen. It's as though all those hours of glorious summer sunshine have been transmogrified into these jewels. The last flourish from the greenery; Here I am in my autumn coat, shining with berries, hips and haws, all in my pomp. Ready to hunker down and recharge over winter, then I will return in the spring. 

Rainbow jumper of joy

This gloriously colourful beast was sent to me by Claire and Wendy as a thank you gift. What an absolutely beautiful bright, warm, cosy jumper as the season begins to change. THANK YOU.

Autumn is coming

A walk in the woods...

Wonderful wednesday

Wednesday morning is coffee with Rach. and i'm so thankful to have a cornerstone to the middle of my week to look forward to. It's the getting out of the house to do something nice which is such a joy. I try and notice what is happening around me as I go..the brambles are my personal favourite, watching their bejewelled berries changing and ripening and the leaves changing. Ive been so lucky that both this week and last the sky has been blue as a cornflower and cool and dry. Long may it last. 

After the coffee I grab some veg from the market and walk home. This week i found these lovely little turnips and got more romanesque. I haven't seen either in the supermarket so am glad to have got them. 

Miriam and documentaries and being busy

Since George went back to school I have had a wonderfully busy week. I've had coffee out, I've had my nails done by Lennie who is practising her gel nails, I've had my roots done at the hairdresser, met Rachael and little Oscar, shopped for veg at the market, I've done yoga and I've caught up with a TONNE of TV documentaries. My favourite has been Miriam in America. Fascinating exploration of the meaning of the American dream, sometimes very shocking and other times very moving, i'm glad i got to see it. Have also enjoyed Ed Balls in Trumpland and Eight go rallying - road to Saigon.

Back to school