'A Day In Autumn'

"It will not always be like this,
The air windless, a few last
Leaves adding their decoration
To the trees’ shoulders, braiding the cuffs
Of the boughs with gold; a bird preening
In the lawn’s mirror. Having looked up
From the day’s chores, pause a minute.
Let the mind take its photograph
Of the bright scene, something to wear
Against the heart in the long cold."

~ R.S. Thomas , 1913 - 2000

Slightly late in the day but continuing in the tradition established by Carolyn from 'Sweet Home and Garden Chicago' here is my November muse. There is a feel in the air today that the "long cold" is not so off. Yet earlier in the week it was hard to believe that we had entered November. It was sunny and warm enough to put washing out to dry, whilst at the allotment I picked the last courgettes and a bowlful of most delicious autumn fruiting 'Polka' raspberries.

It is dry for Bonfire Night celebrations - I will not be putting my head out of the door as I am an absolute wimp when it comes to loud noises. Luckily though we can catch glimpses of the local public display. I hope that all the children enjoy thmeselves, that both folk and creatures stay safe and that the crew on duty at our local fire station just down the road are not busy tonight.

P.S. It is not yet completely dark here so the photo was taken last year. I was brave enough to stand in the porch for a few minutes.
P.P.S. The 'long cold' may well have arrived - woke up to the first frost of the year the morning after the fireworks.

Picture Of The Day

 Photographer Anna Shakina

 I feel incredibly inspired. Is it the same for you? 

The Journey

 Going to a place filled with magic . . . Wish you a happy Eid and a lovley holiday.

The reality is…

I don’t style. I plunk.

and as far as careers for plunker’s….Nill.

Hell…I don’t even pick up most of the time.

so when I want to take a pic of a whole room….It is often hard. And not so pretty

Not to mention…this is the leftover room. Once dining room. Once library. Now office/junk collector room.

you have one. no?

The down loveseat never sold (for 35 clams!) at our garage sale...

so I slip covered it in linen…and threw it in the “room”

The arms have other material thrown on them ‘cause the big black dog sneaks up there…and yes…slobbers.

This is my reality. styled. HA!

This is a rug I pulled in from the kitchen….It’ll go back.

It is embarrassed being seen in this shot.

gulp.

Plunking. Not such a good thing.

The Queen Of Prints

Mary Katranzou's graphic print dresses have taken the fashion crowd by storm, so you can imagine the excitement when the designer announced a collaboration with Topshop. The collection doesn't drop in store until February. 

Freezing Tips

A standard tip for freezing ground foods or thick sauces in small portions is to first put the food into a large freezer bag and press it out as flat as possible, eliminating air pockets. (Making it thin speeds up defrost time due to the increased surface area, and pressing out excess air guards against freezer burn.) Use a long chopstick or ruler to create divisions within the food, forming individual portions. This way when you freeze the entire bag, you’ll be able to quickly break off just as much as you want to use, no more.

Quote Of The Day