Where Did the Time Go?

It has been a long absence from blogging and I miss it, so a brief look at what we have been up to during this less than balmy holiday: Cooking and eating... lots.

Enjoying special times with the various members of our large and ever-expanding family.

Finally back to collecting freshly laid duck and hen eggs. Three very sweet new hens are now living in the hen pen - Flossie (named by me), Flower and Rose (named by Isabella). So much better than some of the previous names given to our poor hens: J.Lo, Chiquita, Fiddy....

Very tame these three (why do I keep writing as though Yoda had taken over my speech?!). The children can pick them up and feed them from their hands with no difficulty at all.

Much fruit picking from the Merryweather damson in our garden

to the bowlfulls of Victoria plums snapping the branches just outside the hen pen. So juicy and masses in the freezer for when we have more time. We have also collected Kea plums from the lanes around pretty Coombe.

It really is rather lovely isn't it?

Lucy has kept us supplied with endless dishes of cakes ...yum!

Ans there have been parties galore, days out with friends, much decorating of the house (yawn, but necessary) and much else besides. Oh, and best of all, autumn is on its way...Hurrah! Foraging and fires and leafy walks; wrapping up in scarves and mitts; glorious colours everywhere; knitting and jam making and stirring big pots of chutney and so much more that I associate with my favourite of seasons.

I'm quite excited; how about you? x