Ten things to love about Autumn
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
I had a visit from a community midwife yesterday, who tested my blood pressure and pronounced it to be fine. As I am potentially a fortnight away from giving birth, this is a pleasing state of affairs, and one I would like to continue. So after spending the ensuing afternoon writing with some energy on the subject of Liz Jones's unhelpful attitude towards Ruth Kelly, I thought a discourse upon the many gorgeous things about Autumn would be a lovely antidote to all that ranting. It is, of course, the first day of October and I am delighted at the prospect of our baby having its birthday during this month. Something about the word alone conjures up for me an image of low sunlight shafts, golden trees and utter beauty. The cover of this month's issue of Country Living, decorated as it is with a nature table, brings joy to my heart. I know it's not a very English thing to say, but I don't particularly like summer and love that first day when it's cold enough to wear a polo neck and the merest hint of frost tinges the air. So, in case you're not a convert to this most amazing of seasons, here are some reasons to adore Autumn!
- It often stops raining
Whatever the reason, be it global warming or an unfortunate run of bad luck, the August weather was not great this year. A few nice weeks in July (during which we escaped to Tuscany where the sun shone almost all the time) gave way to almost constant rain throughout the rest of the summer, reducing our back garden to a marsh and my parents' lawn to a pond. Given that I spent much of the school holiday unpacking our new house, I wasn't unduly bothered by what was going on outside, but nonetheless I felt for those who had taken time off work to spend in the "sun" and were again confronted with grey instead of blue skies and an almost steady downpour of torrential rain rather than sunshine. However, as is so often the case, the minute September came and term started again, out came the sun! My absolutely favourite type of day is a sunny, cold one, with leaves dancing around a little if possible. Furthermore, our washing line has had far more use in the past fortnight than it did during the entire month of August, which means we have fresh, crisp and fragrant sheets on our bed and fluffy towels in the bathroom. Sheer bliss.
- Pumpkins are in season
Whilst I'm completely disinterested in the concept of Hallowe'en, I do get very excited about carving pumpkins, putting a little lit candle inside them, and making tasty soup from that which I have excavated. I am even currently harbouring a secret desire to dress my baby up in a pumpkin costume, just for cuteness value, if I can find one in the shops.
- Fluffy cardigans and jumpers are back in the shops
The English attitude of shops towards the weather is hilarious! The minute June arrives, totally irrespective of the weather, every item of knitwear disappears from sight and is replaced universally by vest tops and sandals, even if we would all be far better off wearing jumpers and boots throughout the whole summer. In the north-east, where I live, there is an additional compulsion to wear as little as possible when out for the evening, always without a coat (that particular cliche endures because it is completely true!), and I am often left open-mouthed in awe when driving through Newcastle or Durham and seeing the miniscule outfits people choose to wear, risking pneumonia in the process. Maternity wear is no exception, though it is thankfully almost always very modest, and I only managed to buy one jumper to see me through the cold summer months, amidst plenty of pretty short-sleeved tops and sun dresses. But hurrah! Now Autumn is well and truly here, there is a veritable array of woollens from which to choose. My favourites are my new grey cardigan from Sainsbury's, and a gorgeous soft brown jumper / vest which hugs my bump in a snuggly manner. So warm and soft to touch. No wonder Mandu likes to sleep on top of every woolly jumper she can find in Ben's floordrobe!
- Cosy nights at home in front of the fire, with hot chocolate, and the cat sitting on your lap
I love evenings spent outside, with a cold drink and good company and a barbecue, such as we enjoyed with Ben's family during the summer in Italy where the weather was warm late into the night. But there is also something really special about being inside on a cold, darkening evening, underneath a caramel-coloured throw on the sofa, with a mug of creamy hot chocolate and a little pussy cat purring on your lap, with cello music wafting through the house, a great book to read and candles lit around you...
- Candles
What a wonderful invention (as long as they are never left unattended, especially with the aforementioned cat on the loose). My favourites at the moment are spiced apple pillars from Ikea, and Autumn Leaves from Sainsbury's. Vanilla is also utterly gorgeous. The soft light cast over everything in the room, the romantic atmosphere they can't help but create, and the enchanting scent that spreads through the house are every bit as beautiful as late sunlight.
- Walking through leaves of assorted beautiful colours
I discovered today I'd left my wellingtons in school, and I may well have to make a special trip back to retrieve them, because of how much I love splashing through fallen leaves. We are fortunate enough to live on the outskirts of a fairly rural area, with country lanes and potential for lovely walks virtually on our doorstep. What could be nicer than breathing in lungfuls of cool air whilst wading through golden and red piles of leaves? Perhaps I shall buy Mandu a lead and let her take me for a walk.
- Mittens and hats and scarves and fur-lined boots
My lovely friend Charlotte knitted me a beautiful orange scarf last Christmas, and I can't wait to get it out again. I have a pair of striped mittens in beautiful autumnal colours to match, and a pretty jade-green hat which is waiting to be taken out of the wardrobe as soon as it is cold enough to do so. I also can't wait to get out of ballet flats and into my brown furry boots - why buy Uggs when Primark and Tesco make such lovely equivalents? Wrapping up warm is one of life's blessings.
- It might snow, and even if it doesn't, there is always ice-skating
It hasn't snowed much over the last few years, even in Durham, which used to benefit from inches of fluffy white snow even in April. I get incredibly excited over even a few snowflakes and love it when it's chilly enough for even the thought of snow. And Ben disagrees, but I maintain that ice-skating in the evening open air with friends is a gorgeous way to spend time, only made better by snow tumbling into your hair.
- Claypot cooking
Our lovely friend Danielle gave us a claypot last Christmas, and using it for cooking is both deeply satisfying and incredibly easy. Just throw diced meat (which is often very cheap into the bargain) into a soaked claypot with boiling stock and a pile of root vegetables and herbs, leave on a low heat while you go to church for the morning, and serve up at lunchtime with homemade rosemary and rock-salt bread. And a glass of red wine. Delicious and warming - and really healthy! And while we're on the subject of food, making apple muffins is a wonderful use of a frosty weekend at home spent in a cosy kitchen, and I recently found a recipe in Country Living for the most wonderful apple streusel cake - delicious with a pot of tea. Yum yum yum.
- Christmas is around the corner
Despite the fact that it annoys me intensely when shops display Christmas trees in August, that our lovely local pub has scrawled "Book now for Christmas!" with what I consider indecent haste on its outdoor blackboard, and that the Metro Centre already resembles hell on a bad day, I adore getting ready for Christmas when the time is right. Choosing and then writing Christmas cards, thinking about which gift would be just right for each member of the family, baking special food, going to candlelit carol services and remembering the true meaning of Christmas, and spending time travelling to visit family and friends - it's something I look forward to all year. And this is the cutest outfit I think I have ever seen!
Musing on this subject has made me very happy, and I am now going to go and light some candles, put on some music, pour myself a glass of sparkling apple crush and finish the lovely book my great friend Rachael sent me in the post - "The Cat That Came In From The Cold". Have a cosy evening!
posted by My name is Fiona, @ 16:56
