Wednesday 20 November 2013

#OneWeek Autumn

one week

For us, Autumn has meant getting out in the great outdoors.  In fact we have been on some truly spectacular walks.

It is the first time, I haven't seen Autumn as the mere pre-season to a long dark Winter.  Instead we have been blessed with plenty of mild days where we have walked for hours (no hat, gloves or scarf needed).

Today, when the heating has been on for FOUR HOURS and the cold snap has begun in earnest, it seems a perfect time to reflect on the Autumn that was.  I look forward to Winter Solstice on 21st December - as it is the shortest day of the year, from that point on we can slowly watch the evenings stretch.  You wouldn't in reality think it gets better from that point on, considering snow can come as late as February, as it has for the last 4-5 years.  Actually we are predicted snow for this week...

This Autumn I have appreciated every leaf that has fallen, and have studied the trees and leaves with Aaron.  We have marveled at the spectacle of Autumn colours that the season brings:


The leaves form a sort of carpet (as shown above) which is at first crunchy, and rustly underfoot yet can just as easily be a pile of mulch that looks like something from the Gruffalo.  That carpet of leaves above stopped me in my tracks due to the colours and texture.  It was just leaves on what was a puddle, by a zebra crossing, but once your 3 year old turns your awareness to nature on, the world suddenly appears incredibly beautiful.  Even better when you have time to go slow and enjoy it; really soak it up.

On a recent walk, I was so happy with the scenery, and my photos when I got home, that I turned them into a slideshow with the help of You Tube:



For me, Winter Solstice is the best time to make New Year resolutions.  It is the darkest day, so truly the point from which things dawn again anew.  If you want to make intentions, enjoy these last few weeks of Autumn, and then set your intent for the coming energetic "year".  The energy will support you, and people have seen profound changes in their lives when they have done this.  Way better energetically than the tacky media hyped New Year New You that you see on 1st January when some of us are shattered from Xmas and have a hangover anyway!

#OneWeek is happening Monday Tuesday Wednesday this week, so sadly I have only caught the tail end of it.  I think I may do a few more seasonal reflections now though.

A few weeks ago, a friend moved house.  While I was helping, I had to keep Aaron busy.  One of the ways I did so, was to thread Autumn leaves onto a twig.  We meticulously did so, on and off, for hours.  When I got home, the hubby thought it looked so arty he put it in one of those test tube vases (that I bought years ago in Ikea).  It looks rather stylish on my matelpiece.  I guess it means I stole a bit of Autumn :-) LOOK:


I have no idea what that plastic in the other vase is, but I can see it from here (right now on the laptop) and it is still there so I will investigate.  I am no domestic goddess me!

I will be adding another collage to this post!

It's the Autumn where we had a storm and lost some roof tiles and the Autumn of incredibly blue skies:

 

Liska xx

16 comments:

  1. Such beautiful autumn imagery. You painted such a lovely picture, really seeing things and taking in their beauty. xxx

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  2. It is so lovely to just stop and look isn't it? We have had a beautiful autumn, and I think I have truly appreciated it as a season for the first time. Lovely post Liska. #OneWeek

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  3. Lovely, lovely, lovely post.... beautiful pictures - it looks so still. And I couldn't agree more, now is the time to dream your life in preparation for the new energetic year - totally get where you are coming from. Thank you for linking up lovely! X

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  4. Autumn drew us outside too. Some really glorious walks you have been on! I think a lot of mums found autumn leaves in their home at this time. #Oneweek

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    1. we've been truly blessed with the blue skies and the mild weather but wow it is cold now though - yikes!
      x

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  5. Beautiful post and gorgeous photos! I hope we might get a few more mild days to enjoy before the cold sets in, Brrrrr.

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    1. Sadly I think the cold is here to stay now. We're promised snow this week but not seen it yet. Took 2 hours to warm the flat this morning where normally it'd take 30 minutes. Aaron insists on getting on my knee with a blanket now. At least we might get a white Xmas ;-) xx

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  6. Aww don't wish your life away - that is a whole month away - a twelfth of a year. I love autumn. Fab pictures.

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  7. Such fab Autumnal colours - always great to get outdoors. I wish we had a canal nearby to walk along! x

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  8. Beautiful photos you have a great camera - it really captures the essence of Autumn

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  9. Lovely account of Autumn, the variety and colours blow me away every year. I like your idea of reflection on the winter solstice.

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  10. I really like your collages Liska.I've been really rubbish writing up about the Celtic festivals.I really, really must remedy that soon.I got your message the other day, I'll read it over the weekend so don't think I'm ignoring you.

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  11. these pictures are so beautiful! I love the leaf stack! xx

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