On welcoming autumn.

We are back to my favourite time of year again...I adore the 'ber' months! Although this spring was more special than usual, I still always look forward to the autumn and winter months. I think my deepened love for it has a lot to do with the boys being born during these seasons which gave me reason to truly hibernate and to slow down (in some senses!), in way that I'd never done before. Before I moved to NI and met Tom, I was always on the go, always travelling somewhere. I don't think I would've called myself that much of a home bird. But life now is a very stark contrast to that. The early days of Finn were largely long, sleepy snuggles under blankets, with a quick walk to give us both fresh air and to help Finn's circadian rhythm. I loved those quiet, cosy days hidden away in our little bubble. Of course, Zach was then born in winter, and it although it was quite challenging to get them out on my own, I did it as often as I felt able. I think part of me longs to keep recreating that feeling of hibernation, of fairy lights, candles and blankets. Of making soups, stews and pies and all the other comforting meals to warm us up. To sit by the fire with a good book, and to enjoy precious, quiet days as a family in our safe space. 

One of the things I've been reflecting on that inevitably gains more traction this year, is how much consumerism is getting out of control. I watch a lot of YouTube commentary on social media trends and what is going on online, it is making me see how much pressure there is to buy certain things to feel like you aren't missing out. For me, this time of year isn't about 'things' as much as it is about slowing down, but all I keep seeing is 'hauls' of this and that, and people rushing out to buy as much as they possibly can to decorate their homes or update their wardrobes. I am as guilty as anyone for buying home decor (ask my long suffering husband), but the things I have are not particularly expensive, nor are they single use. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to make your home look and feel the way you want it to, but I can't help but think that the way things are going is very concerning. I saw a post on Facebook recently regarding a 'Gilmore Girls' themed blanket which is available in one retail chain and keeps selling out. The author said she had never watched a single episode of the show, but she had seen everyone else posting about the blanket, so she had to go and find it. I thought this was such a reflection of what social media can do. It makes you feel like you need to have certain things purely because they are going 'viral,' whether you like the item or not. I have seen other videos of back to school hauls where young people are showing off their new clothes and accessories after spending $1,000s, making it look like this is normal. I have seen commentary videos of 'pack my Stanley cup for a walk,' where when they break down the cost of all the accessories (for a cup..!), it adds up to $100s. People are constantly trying to sell you something, without making it look like they are, and it really worries me that so many children are seeing this type of stuff and then asking for it. So much of it is so unnecessary and is just throwaway - it doesn't add any value or meaning to anyone's life. I know that as soon as Christmas has been and gone, the internet will be awash with 'Christmas Hauls' that people will then compare themselves to. I find it bizarre that people are making so much money from creating content about absolute nonsense, but you can see how quickly it spreads and new trends emerge. 

I think you can also see such a decline in individuality, because everybody is seeking the same things to be a part of this 'viral' crowd. People are afraid to say they don't like things, or to have their own individual tastes, because then they aren't part of the movement. I saw a video recently of a Mum who bought her daughter an off-brand Stanley cup and everyone picked on her because it was fake, so she came home heartbroken begging for the real $60 version. Things are just going so far off track for what life is all about, and I want to protect our boys from this for as long as possible. I want this time of year especially to be about celebrating together, enjoying nature, giving and receiving thoughtful gifts, making yummy food together, reading good books, doing some crafts, snuggling up under blankets, warming up by the fire, watching movies and drinking hot chocolate. The simple things that create good memories. 

I wrote last time about how I'd been daydreaming of running my own book club, and I can now share that this dream is becoming a reality next month! I have been a member of my online 'Chapter' for almost a year, and they are now starting a new club in my area which I will be the host of. I am very excited to get going, and hope we can meet lots of new people and create a lovely bookish community. I have absolutely loved rediscovering my love of reading, and have now read 41 books to date this year. I love how much it helps my imagination, and allows me to escape to different worlds, new places, and to get to know new characters. My book club has been a special place for me to connect with people and make new friends, to share recommendations and to reflect on what we've read, as well as encouraging me to read things I wouldn't have chosen for myself. Hobbies are such a great way to meet like-minded people, and I'm so thankful that I decided to take the plunge, because it has now given me such an exciting opportunity for my own club, with all the support behind me. I set up my own Instagram page (more commonly known as Bookstagram!) which has been a fun creative outlet for me, and it has connected me with some wonderful people, including authors and publishers, and it feels like such a wholesome corner of the internet. I want to learn a bit more about social media and to create some good content that people enjoy looking at. 

This blog post is perhaps a little different to what I've written the last while, but I have been reflecting a lot on how I spend my time, and what is important to me. It is a very tiring stage of life, so our downtime is very precious, and I don't want to spend it consuming content that makes me feel like more 'stuff' would fix everything. You don't need a bunch of things to make the most of any season, just the things that mean the most to you. Watching the boys play every day has made me realise how little 'stuff' they really need, and how much they enjoy just having the freedom to explore. We live a pretty humble life; I still buy most of my clothes from Vinted, I trawl charity shops and often get very lucky with local groups offering free toys, I get books 2nd hand or use ebooks, and the main hobby Tom enjoys is gaming, so we allow ourselves treats relating to those, but otherwise we just get by and enjoy family days out as often as we can. My aim is always to be content with what we have, trying not to get caught up in the comparison trap, knowing how blessed we are to have everything we need. 

As we enter this time of year, I hope we can all slow down and reflect on the beauty all around us, knowing we don't really need much to make life feel special. Sometimes, the most exciting thing that can happen in your day is seeing some ducks....

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On changing seasons.

Here we are again - as usual, time has flown and has brought us back to Autumn. Although it is my favourite time of year, it's hard to believe that we're sitting here again after another pandemic filled year. Until we had our holiday this year, I hadn't really appreciated how much change we have all faced and how much we have to process. I know I took that as a sign that I need to prioritise rest and allow myself time to deal with everything that has happened in the last (almost) 2 years.

I always do my best 'processing' by the sea.

For me, the transition to autumn brings permission to hibernate - to get cosy and enjoy being home. It's also a time to cook, bake and enjoy my favourite seasonal things; soups, stews, bread, pumpkin pie, parkin and hot chocolates. It's a reason to light all the candles, snuggle up in blankets, jumpers and wooly socks. To go on long walks in the crisp fresh air and take in all the autumn colours. I've also been sea-swimming regularly and in the colder months it is even more refreshing and awakening and I love getting wrapped up with a flask of something hot afterwards. This year I plan on swimming right through winter - wish me luck! 

Mount Stewart - my favourite place to walk in Autumn

I decided to mark the transition in our home this time and I love the decor I've managed to find, though the challenge is to stop adding to it! I made a very simple leaf garland and some Pumpkins from old jumpers that I got from our local Charity shop. They were a fun and easy make and are decorations I can use again! I plan on doing some foraging for pine cones and acorns to bring a bit more nature indoors. I have perhaps mentioned this before but a number of years ago I read The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking and it really changed my perspective on the autumn/winter months. I appreciate them so much more now! 

The shift in seasons for me is happening both literally and metaphorically. After a lot of hard work and the most stress I've ever experienced - I have recently changed from student to post-grad again. Although our graduation ceremony won't take place until spring 2022, I have officially passed my MA degree and my certificate and transcript is making its' way to me. I learnt so much through this degree, and so many life-changing things happened whilst I was trying to complete it. Job changes, house moves, country moves and new relationships to name a few. I enjoyed my final research piece and for once am proud of myself for achieving that milestone whilst the world was so influx. For those interested, my MA was in Theology, and studying it at this level totally changed my perspective on faith and religion, and although I won't go in to that here - I feel a greater sense of freedom on the other side of it than I did going into it - I had many, many questions and it was good to come across so many different perspectives. What I will say is that Church and I have a complicated relationship and I am taking a very deliberate break from it whilst I continue to explore my own spirituality and beliefs. I am happy to be in that place with it - for something like theology - there are of course no hard and fast answers, so I will see how it evolves for me. 

The next change on the very near horizon is my job. After just over 2.5 years, I am getting ready to move on from my first job in Northern Ireland. Whilst I do feel nervous about the transition, I know it will be a positive change for me. My head knows it is ready for a new challenge and to physically get back out into the world after working from home since March 2020. I hope to meet new people, try new things and find different opportunities. I have trusted my gut instinct for many of the big moves in my life and this one felt so right or "serendipitious" as a few people have called it. Everything fell into place to make my new role happen and I feel deeply grateful for it. 

It has been a difficult year for our family as we have navigated the loss of my Grandad and other challenges that are coming our way. Especially lately, I have been navigating feelings of guilt for not physically being there to support whilst also knowing that if I hadn't made the move, I wouldn't be in a position where I am truly living the life I'd always dreamed of. I am sure that some of us are just born with a "wanderlust" spirit and we feel compelled to carve out our own path in new places, but it always carries such sacrifice. Tom and I will soon be reaching our 2 year anniversary - he has been the best support I could ever have imagined. He has truly been a rock whilst I greived, met deadlines, agonised over big decisions and all that's in between. 

I'll conclude with this image, taken on our recent holiday to Donegal. A rainbow on Portnoo beach; a sign of hope. A reminder of the beauty we can find even when we're in the middle of a storm.

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The best socks in the whole dang town.

This is no secret, I am obsessed with Joules Clothing. I have been for quite some time now. When I was at University, I was unlucky enough to be in the same city as one of their stores, which is where most of my student loan soon found itself running along to. They had great sales, which is the only time I ever bought anything and out of that I got my ever so practical waterproof coat, wellies, umbrella and slippers, amongst wedding outfits, my stand out graduation dress and causal tops. But the BEST EVER buy has always been the fluffy socks. 

I don't know about you, but once I find something I like I tend to buy it in multiple colours or patterns as if I am an old lady. I stick to what I know is comfortable and stock up on it. These socks have been an absolute winner every time. I have about 5 pairs, all of which I bought on sale for about £4 a pair. Especially since I have been walking the dogs, these things have been a life saver, the pugs also tend to nip at my feet in a morning due to their excitement and I found them quite protective for that too! They keep my feet cosy in my joules wellies or winter boots, they're warm when I'm walking about the house and I often wear them to bed if I'm cold at night. 

These are the ones i'm wearing right now, which were my first ever pair. I'd say I've had them for at least 4 years and they are surviving very well. They still have their fluffyness and the colours are the same as when I first bought them. Even at £7.95 a pair, they're worth the investment! 

What I love most about Joules is (other than the quality of their clothing) their colour combinations. They always put the nicest shades together. My favourite pair of these socks are a dark purple, navy and mustard stripe - they are so autumnal. 

I've felt like such a country bumpkin whilst walking the dogs everyday and I couldn't have done it so comfortably without ya, Joules! 

Much Love xxx

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Spring Forwards, Fall Back...

I'm finally excited about Autumn. I love seasons. As summer doesn't last very long in England, we tend to be forced into making the most of the other seasons i.e. winter and winter. It looks like the little bit of hope I was holding on to that we might just get a freak September heatwave again may have been shattered so it is time to accept that Autumn is upon us. Everyone is writing about it, Pintrest is full of it and my freezing cold toes and hands are proof of it. So this week I have felt inspired to do something to mark the turn of the season.

Soupa

Most of this came in the form of cooking. The first thing I did was to make soup. I hardly ever eat soup - it just never excites me but all I could think about one day this week was my burning desire to make an autumnal soup. I also got to use my blender attachement for my Kenwood mixer for the first time which of course, ended in absolute disaster. After I had prepared my butternut squash (which is not an enjoyable task, may I add) and sweet potato with my stock and various other spices and flavours, I had blended it to perfection and it tasted divine. As I unscrewed my blender to serve my piping hot soup whilst I was barefoot and apronless, instead of unscrewing the base of the blender, I opened the bit above which resulted in a sort of orange soup fountain that then covered the floor, walls, cupboards, unit, hob, my dress and my bare feet. I let out a yelp and used almost an entire roll of kitchen roll to clear it up but all was ok. I was more distressed that this soup, that I had tasted only minutes before, could not be enjoyed. I settled for a tin instead on that occassion. The next day, being the trooper that I am I decided to start again and this time used my hand blender. I added a little more chilli which gave it a kick and it made two nice lunches, which I enjoyed with fresh tiger bread:

Christmas

The second thing I did was start my Christmas Crafts. I tried out the salt dough and couldn't believe how easy it was. I am yet to paint them but for my first experiment, I thought they came out quite cute. I am going to finish them off with gingham ribbon and I was thinking of mixing gold glitter in with my paint to give them a bit of texture. As I am VERY traditional when it comes to Christmas - there are only three acceptable colours to use which are; red, gold and green. So that is what they shall be. I think if the gingerbread men come out nicely then I will make lots of these as gingerbread men make for my favourite type of decoration at Christmas time...they are just SO cute. I did a nice one that isn't on the picture that says 'Peace' - now I'm glad I bought all these cookie cutters! This is a really cheap and easy task to do with kids too - it probably cost me under £1 to make all these as I already had the cutters but I bought two packs of kiddie ones (the hearts and stars) which came 5 to a pack for £1 too and I've used them for biscuits as well.

Apples

A week or so ago, I made an apple, cinnamon and sultana cobbler and apple sauce. From that I had 3 apples left over. Another day this week, I couldn't get the apples out of my head and had to use them for something. So, apple crumble it was. One of my favourite hearty and easy peasy desserts ever. I liked this recipe though there did seem to be an excessive amount of crumble to fruit ratio but that was probably my fault. I used this recipe and would definitely recommend it :)

I also made this spiced Carrot cake which, for a cake is relatively low fat as it doesn't use butter but vegetable oil and low fat natural yoghurt. It smelt yummy. 

I do love the switching of clothes. I keep all my winter clothes in a separate place so that I can put away the summer dresses until next year, and switch them for winter woolies like woollen socks and oversized cardigans. I love fluffy warm tights and long boots. I also have an obsession with mittens, my favourite pair are my knitted ones with the long string which make me feel like a child. I have loads of massive winter scarves and cardigans. I love short nights where we can just shut ourselves in warmth and drink Christmassy drinks with good movies and blankets. The landscape (especially where I live) looks stunning when all the leaves are turning. I will get my camera out for that this year :) Sadly our coffee shops don't tend to brink out autumnal drinks but I love it when the Christmas ones get announced. I think Costa's were the best by FAR last year. I digress...

Soon, if not today I will be watching Elf. Every year I watch that movie over and over and over and as soon as I have watched it once it will mark the end of Autumn in my head and the start of Christmas. I will be thinking of cinnamon, mulling, jam making, spices, carols and gingerbread men. That will be my new focus. So autumn, if this is the last time I think of you this year - thank you for a great week. Alas, Christmas is around the corner (I tend to count Christmas as a season and not a holiday.)

Much Love xxx

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