Wednesday 15 October 2014

This week


I'm trying really hard to like autumn, but honestly sometimes it's a struggle.  The cold, the damp, the piles of rotting leaves everywhere.  People seem to stop picking up after their dogs.  Do they think there's so much stuff on the ground anyway it doesn't matter?  Makes me VERY cross.

I know some of you live in hot places where autumn is a delicious breath of fresh cool air.  But here I'm closing all the windows and living with piles of damp washing.  I'm missing the warmth and the sunshine and I just don't much like all of the dying plants.  I know it's part of the eternal cycle, and of course an important part, but right now I'm in that adjustment phase.  I do love winter, once everything is cleared away.  The cleansing cold, everything pared down and stark.  Maybe it's the messiness I don't get along with.  I like to pick things up when they drop on the ground, not leave them to rot.  I'll be okay in a week or two when I've acclimatised.

On Monday I dragged the children to the mall to buy a few essential winter things.  It was looking ever so slightly sparkly.


I treated myself to a new bread knife.  I know how to live.


The old one was so blunt that it was a major effort every day to slice the bread.  I always make my own in a bread machine, so a bread knife is something I use all the time.  The old one didn't even scratch my skin when I rubbed it on my hand.  When I pressed my thumb onto the new blade, it sank straight in.  Honestly, it's scarily sharp, it flies through the bread, even the crusty bits.  I've got a cut on my thumb now.  And also a few bruises from falling over in spectacular fashion on the Tesco petrol forecourt on the way home.  One minute I was walking up to the car, the next minute I slipped on some greasy tiles and vanished from view, much to the boys' surprise.

I gave in and bought apples today.  I've been trying to make everyone eat pears from the garden, but they tend to go without instead.  So I gave in and filled up the fruit bowl.  They're all mad apple eaters, this lot won't last long.


I've just dyed a rather blue jumper dark red (Burlesque Red as it happens), and now I have a deep purple jumper.  Much better.  Unfortunately I didn't realise there was a stray beige linen napkin and a pale honey coloured face flannel in the washing machine when I gave it a post-dyeing wash.  So now I have a mauve napkin that doesn't match the others and a face flannel ditto.  Never mind, it's no biggie.  Although it did make me wonder if I should avoid things that stain other things purple, I'm starting to sense a pattern emerging.

I'm enjoying the dark evenings, if not the sodden days.  A good book (recommended by Leanne when I met her in the summer) and a little sparkly knitting.


Okay, autumn might have its good points.  If you can think of any more, please feel free to share.

41 comments:

  1. Ouch.. don't test a sharp new knife on your thumb! LOL! I used to not be much of a fan of Autumn, but now with global warming, we had way too much sun and heat and I'm loving the cooler temps and the opportunity to put out my little pumpkin collections. Maybe you should crochet a few little orange pumpkins to place about your home to brighten it up? I need to get back into my book I'm reading.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. I am not much of an autumn-lover. Well, I do of course like those clear crisp days when the leaves have freshly fallen and the sun is warming up the air a little. But where I live, the leaves soon turn into mush.... and my washing doesn't even dry on those days. Nothing worse than sleeping in damp sheets! But I do like to have the fire on (it is a cheat gas fire) and knit in the evenings. I do hope your cut is not too deep and the bruises not too sore. My husband sharpened all our knives when I was away, it is amazing what a sharp knife can do! Love your sparkly wool! Cx
    P.S. Best not to listen to the weather forecast tonight!

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  3. What a great idea to dye your jumper a different color! I'm sure it looks wonderful (and the other things in the wash got a nice color update, too:) The yarn you picked is so fun. Are you making a scarf? It already looks lovely. Be careful with that new and sharp knife, but I bet it's a dream to be able to cut bread so easily. Hopefully the sun will come out today (and people will start picking up after their dogs:)

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  4. Hope you weren't hurt when you fell. YIKES!

    As for the odd napkin ---- we had an odd fork when Stephen was a kid. If you got the odd fork at supper, you got to pick something special for the evening....could be a special dessert or tv show, or the book that would be read that night. We made a damaged thing a special thing! LOL

    Is your mall actually decorated for Christmas already???? TOO EARLY!!! LOL

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  5. Maybe you could dye the other napkins.

    I don't like the sogginess at the moment.

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  6. I'm sorry it's so soggy there. I miss that kind of weather since I left the east, so I'd gladly take it off your hands. But even I can only take so much. I hope it clears up soon. Can you dye the other napkins to make a set? They might work for Christmas. I'm surprised to see the sparklies in the mall, it seems so early. Time is kicking my butt.

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  7. i do so like all your photos, the ducks, the sparkly shop decorations, and the pretty knitting. and i love th soudns of your 'new' jumper; purple is one of my favourite colours.
    autumn here in tas is usually my favourite time of the year, but right now, i can't imagine those days - the spring garden colour is just so overwhelmingly wonderful.

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  8. Your trip to the mall sounds at least amusing, if not productive. My mom always calls very fun, interesting, original people characters. I'm going to say you are a character. Be careful with the knife and enjoy the apples and knitting! You've reminded me to of some things I need to do myself in mentioning your experiences with those things.

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  9. I can't believe that mall is already decorated for winter / Christmas. NO NO NO. I hate Fall so I'm right there with you. All these people that are in love with it will soon be complaining of how cold they are and how they can't wait for Summer. It happens every year! And that bread has me so hungry now!

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  10. That's really impressive bread cutting! We use a bread maker too but, unless the bread is at least a day old, it always looks as though it's been mauled when I cut it - maybe a need a lovely, new bread knife?! Love the apples and the knitting and I must look out for that book - I enjoyed her 'Poisonwood Bible'. x

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  11. I always cut myself using new knives. It can happen so fast, you don't feel a thing and hey where's all that blood coming from! Ms Kingsolver is a terrific writer, I have enjoyed many of her books. And I do believe she is a knitter too!!

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  12. So sorry to hear that you are under such a grey blanket just now - all it takes though is a bright sunny day (remember those) with that wonderful blue sky we sometimes get in October to have you feeling more upbeat. Hope that you didn't injure more than your pride when you fell? Hope that you will soon feel better in every respect. Love De's idea for the napkin making it special rather than a disaster! I have read that book and enjoyed it too and your knitting is looking good - what is it to be. Think of the darker nights as a bonus liberation from all those things you meant to do but didn't get done, firesides and cosy evenings with books or knitting and hot chocolate with marshmallows or whatever is your idea of luxury. Underneath all those dead leaves and the mud new life is gradually awakening and will poke through before yu know it.

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  13. Ooh CJ, well, there's a big pot of homemade vegetable soup, a delicious stew and dumplings, slightly better telly on in the evenings, always knitting/crochet, a good cuppa after a walk .... is this helping ? Kate xxx

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  14. Yes - I'm struggling with the greenish - it seems to sap my energy. I can't work out if its just Autumn or my foot, or home rubbish too. Anyway, I need to adjust and get on with it!! I hope you didn't end up too bruised after your "trip". Watching Matt play rugby yesterday, I managed to get hit by the ball twice - yes twice!! So I am now sporting a fat lip and a huge bruise on my leg, and I don't think my camera was impressed either. Oh well - the sun is shining at the moment, so I'd best make the most of it.
    x

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  15. I'm not much of fan of soggy Autumn either. I like crisp Autumn, when it's actually nice to get out in the garden and clear and tidy (although NEVER prune, my Uncle Alan told me once). St Ives can't make up it's mind. It pours with rain for the school run and throughout the evening. And bestows glorious sunshine for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I have both my wellies and my flip flops on stand by at the front door.
    Oh and completely envious of your visit to John Lewis. I could live in that store, and the one at The Mall is rather fab. The Mall itself is hideous. But there is no place sweeter than the cookware/appliances/utensils/posh crockery floor in my book.
    Leanne xx

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  16. I'm very impressed by the bread cutting. My slices are normally very rustic especially if the bread not had a chance to cool down properly.

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  17. I'm not an autumn lover either. I try really hard to remember how it was so hot in the summer but it feels like a lifetime ago. At least it's not raining today. Yet.
    Jillxo

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  18. I don't mind the crisp, sunny autumn days but I'm definitely not a fan of the soggy, dull ones. I don't like winter either, I'm a summer girl. I can't believe that everywhere's gearing up for Christmas already, it gets earlier every year.

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  19. I think we have the exact same knife, only ours is a slightly older version bought some years ago after we ruined a bread knife cutting off the bottom branches of a Christmas tree-don't ask! It's still going strong. I'm definitely into Autumn, this half of the year is always my favourite, I never quite get into summer. That said, I could do with a little less rain as of late. Xx

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  20. The fantastic colours in foliage are the only things I like about autumn, otherwise my feelings are identical to yours. If I ever win the lottery a house in the southern hemisphere will be first on my list. Spring and summer forever..

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  21. I suppose that we want autumn to be really nice but all too often we get the reality which is rather different. I don't like the cold, damp or wind at any time of year.
    Do be careful with that new bread knife! I'm with the boys on the apple front as I like them and usually eat one every day.
    Autumn does provide some spectacular colour in nature. Flighty xx

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  22. I love the honesty of this post. I loathe it when people do not pick up after their animals (human or 4 legged, ha!) I notice this new thing in the city where people will put poop in a bag, but leave it. Or leave it on top of the garbage can. What is that? I don't understand this. I don't have a dog. but I don't understand.

    I think the bread knife and the knitting and reading will help balance out your Autumn adjustments, and the knowledge that your family is eating fruit. I admit, I put away apples easier, faster than pears, even though I like both. I always want cheese with pears, hmm and maybe some almonds ...

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  23. I'm sure that you'll like this - http://www.sunnydayphotography.co.uk/15-reasons-why-i-love-autumn/
    Flighty xx

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  24. Spring and summer are my favourite months. I prefer Autumn to Winter. I love the colours, the produce, the smells and the mist much better than the cold and ice of winter! Maybe this is the end of your purple dying epsiodes! Sarah x

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  25. I do enjoy autumn or what passes for it here in Southern California. Cooler nights but still warm days. No rain as yet. Maybe next month. Some of the trees are turning yellow and red but I'm not sure if it is fall colors or just leaves dying after the heat and are glad for a rest. Think dead leaves/mush as good compost and that will make things grow nicer in the spring. Not sure about the dog waste though, that is awful. I always carry bags for those little surprises.

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  26. I totally get how a new knife can take a finger off, last Christmas I bought a new knife and nearly lost half my hand while cutting a turnip! I actually never used it again as it was scarily sharp! Good heavens, you poor thing falling like that....hope the bruises have gone.
    I have enjoyed browsing old posts here, you have a lovely blog. I shall follow. Thanks for visiting.xxx

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  27. I do love Autumn except when the rains begin way too early...which they did, tho. today is lovely. I definitely have a difficult time with the dying of the light and the masses of pesky fruit flies who find their way into the kitchen. It's a challenge to keep them out of my wine glass! I guess I could consider that I am getting extra protein with each sip.
    Your photos are lovely, each one and that knitting is gorgeous. I just started reading All the Light We Cannot See and it is wonderful...one of those books that almost makes me weep at the beauty of the author's words.

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  28. I much prefer crunchy dry leaves to soggy wet ones. sadly we seem to be having a soggy autumn............

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  29. Hi,
    Thank you for visiting The River. :-)
    How fun to find your blog.
    I do not like Spring, because of much of why you do not like Autumn. Wet, cold and messy mud!!
    Autumn is my second favorite season. I love the cooler temps, all the color we are blessed with in Wisconsin. Our trees leaves turn red, yellow, orange, purple.
    I love Winter and I am so excited for it to come.
    Have a blessed day, Carla

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  30. Well living in Central Florida USA it's hot a LOT! We just had 151 days of 90F+ weather (sorry I don't know what it converts to in C but trust me, its HOT!) and we are FINALLY hitting cooler days. When I lived in New York, spring was my favorite season since we were coming out of extreme weather. I love the Fall for the same reasons now that I'm in the south.

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  31. The river I know well, I can spy it from my hilltop eyrie - I love autumn, but only when the days are golden and the leaves crunchy under foot, not this damp, mouldy autumn. All is not lost though, there is the promise of sunshine on the horizon.

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  32. Worst thing for me about autumn is when the clocks go back at the end of this month - I don't like the dark evenings. I do like a nice log fire though. Hope the achey bruises have gone and have a good weekend.
    Jane x

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  33. Oh I love Autumn, cozy jumpers, leather boots, the colours, the nights in knitting and the new seasons of tv, bonfire night and halloween, and the food! Oh the food! Soup, stew, casserole, mash potatoes, crumble, yum! I hope you acclimatise soon and start to enjoy the beauty of the season! x

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  34. I'm not big on Autumn, especially rainy, damp Autumn. My house is getting mould patches already from drying jumpers inside and I've shrunk half the kids new uniforms in the tumble dryer! And then there's all the bugs - ugh!
    I love your sparkly knitting - very pretty. Have a good weekend. xx

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  35. I like autumn. I think it's a hangover from when the boys were at school, September meant a new year at school, which I remembered from MY school days. Also it meant the end of the holidays which was a little bit of a sigh of relief - I love them really! And I like the idea of getting ready to hunker down, making soups and stews, yes, even getting the black tights , leggings and sweaters out! One thing I DON'T like about autumn is the commercial and unsubtle approach -earlier every year it seems - of You Know When. No thank you, December is plenty early enough for me!
    Oh and I love your new knife. Shame about your thumb! Found your blog on Lucy's (Attic 24) blog roll and really glad I did!

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  36. I hope you are okay from your fall. Now my question is did the boys laugh at you or help you out? I love Autumn although we do not really have it here in Florida. The weather has changed slightly, high today was 82, with less humidity. I will take it as this past week it was up to 90, I am sick of the heat. And I wouldn't mind a few leaves changing colors either.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  37. CJ, LOVED Flight Behaviour, have just finished reading it for the second time. If you like it, Kingsolver's other novels are all fantastic too. Enjoy! And before you know it, Autumn will be over..

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  38. EVERYTHING about autumn is good CJ!! You can sit indoor knitting guilt free, everything smells damp and wonderful, the garden no longer needs so much attention, cosy evenings, misty mornings, fires... We need to go for a coffee together so I can lecture you on how autumn is The Best Season. Re the washing - I probably overuse my tumble dryer at this time of year. Naughty me. Your electricity bill is probably a lot less than mine! Enjoy the weekend lovely. x

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  39. I love Autumn...I love a good excuse to sit inside and cosy up with a book. I like wearing wellies to go for a walk and dredging out boots and tights :-) I love Barbara Kingsolver...and 'Flight Behaviour' is brilliant, Hope you enjoy it. PS I'm with you on the leaves and dog pooh thing...we live a 1 minute walk from BigRs school (yes opposite!) and I counted 3 poops on the way there the other day!!!

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  40. Ouch! I hope that you are recovered from your cut and fall by now CJ, not nice at all. I agree about the mess at this time of year - dog and otherwise - once it is all tidy and "done" it is OK that it is winter, it is the inbetween bit that I don't like. It is a bit like when you are in the middle of a big job and it is all in bits and nothing finished! Take care of yourself. xx

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  41. Oh bother, one of your commenters has just reminded me that the clocks are due to go back. That's the thing that I really hate about autumn (and spring), all the other stuff I just enjoy as it happens. Except torrential rain when I have to go out somewhere. I'm trying not to see all the hideously commercial christmassy stuff in the shops already - I want to think about lovely home-made presents with more emotional value to them. And I'm planting snowdrops and tulips so that I can think about spring already. Enjoy your knitting and book, CJ - an excellent remedy for autumn blues. Caro xx

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