the river at sunset

I, for one, am loving this scorchio weather on the first day of October. We made the most of this beautiful, warm autumn evening and headed down to the river for a stroll and spot of duck-feeding. It was so strange to see crimson leaves, shiny conkers and crispy teasels amongst the blazing sunset. Long may it last!

farewell purl cottage garden

Today Pearl and I made the most of the break in the storms and got stuck into a spot of gardening.

The first thing I did was pot up this beautiful Acer Atropurpureum that I sent off for on a free Gardener's World Magazine offer. I had been planning to buy one anyway for our new garden, as I just adore acers- they must be my very favourite plant. Something about the delicate structure bobbing about in the breeze and the way the leaves turn the most breathtaking crimson really gets me excited.

I do hope this one goes on to flourish into a superb potted tree that we can keep forever, wherever we're living...

I could tell you that the rest of the garden was looking stunning in all its Autumnal glory...

 but really, that would be a big fat lie.

It actually looks like this...

As you can see, the grim reality has kicked in. We are going to be leaving our beloved garden behind- the shed has been emptied, the strawberry plants lifted and, most painful of all, the faithful veg box has been cleared. 

I've had to harvest my Brussels sprouts rather prematurely- these emerald beauties were ear-marked for Christmas, but I don't really fancy frozen sprouts with my Christmas dinner, so I think they're now crying out to be pan-fried with pancetta... mmmmmm.

So, tonight I'm drowning my sorrows with some margaritas and a little extra help from some of my dad's finest...

Farewell Purl Cottage garden. 

You will be sorely missed.

remember remember

the 30th October?
 

It felt a bit strange that our local bonfire night took place when it was still October, but nonetheless we have had a super night. Plenty of whizzing, banging and flashing was enjoyed...

 and we threw some groovy shapes with our sparklers...

But the bit I liked best was the gigantic bonfire burning so fiercely- it was like a scene from the Wicker Man...

It really summed up some of the things I like best about living in our rather old-fashioned little community- the tendency to throw caution to the wind, where rather stuffy health and safety precautions would have won the day, when we lived in the city.

We finished off the night by snuggling up at home with generous helpings of hot spiced cider- the perfect evening!

good day sunshine

Nothing quite beats wrapping up warm to venture out into the chilly air to feel the leaves crunching under your wellies and the see the low Autumn sun casting its whimsical highlights and mysterious shadows everywhere.

Today we made the most of the sunshine and I took the girls out for some fun, leaving Steve at home to do some blokey jobs like cleaning out the shed ready for our move. I had planned to take them to Oxford University's Botanic Gardens, but after about an hour of getting thoroughly lost and stuck in Oxford's infamous one-way traffic, I gave up and took them to our trusty favourite thrifty destination Millet's Farm.

To Flora's delight, they had a spooky ghost-hunt set up in the maze

 as well as lots of other Halloween-themed fun.

In hindsight, it was probably a better place to take them anyway- I think I was setting myself up for a fall taking to the Botanic Gardens on my own. I'll save that trip for another day when I have another pair of adult hands about!

This weekend I also treated myself to a cheery charity shop find...

and brightened up the garden for the winter with some ornamental cabbages- I planted them up in pots so we can just bring them with us when we move. I'm no horticulture fashionista, although I suspect ornamental brassicas might be regarded as a bit 'naff' amongst those who care about these things, but I think they are just the thing to cheer up a tired autumnal garden and add a bit of unusual colour and texture.

I now have a few days off work, so we're going Christmas shopping in Bath tomorrow and I'm planning a few other ways to keep the girls entertained over the coming week.

Have a happy half term xx

brightest bulbs

Now that things are starting to die off in the garden, it's starting to look rather sad and sorry for itself and in great need of a tidy-up. For some Autumn garden inspiration I headed off to my favourite garden centre, where there were still plenty of beautiful seasonal flowers and plants on show. 

I've also started thinking about next Spring's garden and planning what preparations I will need to make over the coming weeks. I made a start by choosing some bulbs, which I'll be planting in containers, ready for a bright Spring floral show.

 

There were bulbs for every type and colour of Spring flower you could ever dream of- I felt like a child in a sweet-shop!

Within my selection, I picked up my favourite Spring flower of all- enormous scarlet tulips, similar to the ones I remember towering above my head as a toddler.

I hope everyone has been having a lovely weekend, despite today's rather wet weather. Mine has flown by unfortunately- work is manic at the moment and I feel entirely unready for tomorrow, bleck.

Anyway, thanks to all those who have entered the giveaway so far- keep the entries coming!

mist and mellow fruitfulness

So September is upon us, more quickly than I could have ever expected. Flora eagerly went back to school this week and the nip in the air, rusting foliage and ripening nuts and berries are all a definite sign that the summer days are numbered.

This weekend brought dear old friends to visit from Brighton and we made the most of the sunshine with some seasonal strolls.

There were blackberries to be foraged...

woods to explore...

huge rabbit warrens to investigate...


and hungry ducks to be fed...


We rewarded ourselves with a trip to the sweetshop and stocked up with penny sweets galore...

It will be no surprise to you that this is Flora's favourite shop and we frequent it far too often as, I'm ashamed to say, she had to have her first filling at the dentist last week.

Yet another thing to induce crippling Mummy-guilt...
oh well!

Hope you have all been having lovely weekends and hope all your little ones are settling in to school without too many hiccups xxx

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ps a huge thank you to Jacey over at Coffee & Crochet for passing a blog award on to me this week. Her delightful blog is full of inspirational thrifted finds and chirpy bright craft, so I feel honoured that she thought to mention me.

It's not my intention to be a spoilsport, but I'm going to be incredibly lazy and link back to a previous post for my random things and will be updating my list of favourite blogs over the coming week- so keep your eyes peeled for my choice of recommended blogs!