The year is flying by. November already. Here in the UK we celebrate on November 5th with fireworks and bonfires but on the 11th day we remember those who gave their lives in wartime. The field poppy is the emblem we wear to show that we still care.
It’s also my birthday month so it has special significance for me. Not getting any younger, as the saying goes!
This month Autumn is in full swing with the trees displaying fabulous colours. Here in the garden, I’m enjoying the brief show before leaf-fall.
Leaves are not just lovely to see. They’re a precious resource for the gardener. I store them to make precious leaf-mould. It’s so useful in the garden especially with our sandy soil. I also use it, mixed with home-made compost, to make a medium for sowing seeds and for potting. Years ago I tried storing leaves in plastic bags but I found it wasn’t an effective method for producing good leaf-mould. Instead, we have four poles stuck in the ground with wire netting wrapped around. The leaves are piled in and the rain, sun and frost break them down very quickly to a fine crumbly texture.
The big acer is a wonderful, glowing orange right now but the leaves are dropping daily so they’re being added to the heap. Such lovely shapes and mellow colour against the darker leaves from the fruit trees.
While the flowers are mostly over I’m appreciating other fascinating things in the garden such as seedheads, moss and fungi.
An overgrown clematis and a climbing rose were hiding a bird’s nest. You can just see it behind the woody stems.
A corner of the garden is what I call “the oriental garden”. Perhaps a bit pretentious but I feel the plants and ornaments have that kind of look. A Buddha, some lovely glazed pots with dwarf prostrate conifers and dragon heads give an oriental atmosphere.
I had orange lilies in a pot for a few years in the oriental garden but they’ve died so I decided to replant with something different. I found a lovely little golden juniper at my local nursery. I thought it was a bargain and I love it’s prostrate form. It fits in beautifully with the other conifers we have there.
In another part of the garden, two Box balls stood either side of an arch and looked good for a few years. However, everything comes to an end eventually. They needed replacing and I thought perhaps with something to reduce work. I bought two pineapple finials. Allan cemented them in to the posts and they look very nice.
Indoors, I’m getting on with Christmas planning. I’ve finished the scarf I was knitting and added a fringe. A fiddly job but it gives a nice edge. It will make a warm winter gift.
More knitting to do. Nice to have something on the go while I’m relaxing. I will make some little toys. I’ve bought a pack of yarn in lovely colours so I can get on with those now.
Also, with Christmas in mind I bought a new tablecloth for Christmas Day. A lovely cream one with a snowflake pattern woven in and four napkins with a Christmas tree design.
I will be baking the Christmas cake in a couple of weeks. My daughter Sam helps me. We’ve been doing it together since she was a teenager. It’s a lovely tradition which we both enjoy. For some reason I forgot to add the cake recipe to my cookbook. I have posted it on my blog before but I will include it again next time. By Christmas it’s full of flavour, boozy moistness and fruity goodness.
I hope your Christmas plans are going well and you’re enjoying every moment. With you again in a couple of weeks. Bye for now.
Living a contented creative life. 