Well, I've been a little quiet on the blog this week, and apologies for that. I hope eveyone's had a good week! I've been busy doing lots of writing, among other things. My non-NaNo draft is steaming ahead - hit 30k earlier this week, which I was delighted with, although I'm not planning on getting to 50k by the end of November. I'm surprised by how much it's taken over - I have got rather into it, more than I thought, and thus editing has taken a back seat (more than I attended). I will get back to that when I've finished this draft. Sometimes its rather nice to just work on writing something new from scratch.
This week has turned very wet, and bit chillier, which has meant the big winter hats coming out! Today is a very wet and grey, which means hibernating inside and enjoying some comfort food.
Mockingjay came out this week, about which I was very excited and absolutely adored (despite a traumatic cinema experience). I am now addicted to the song, The Hanging Tree, from the film, which I can't stop singing.
And a trailer for Pitch Perfect 2 was released, and I am so excited!
So clearly, this week has been very fangirly.
Here are some things I've been grateful for:
Warm fires,
Old friends,
Memories,
Catching up,
Articulate,
Crafts,
Festive times,
Imagination,
Writing,
Books,
Fangirling,
Rainy days.
Have a good rest of the weekend everyone!
Showing posts with label autumn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autumn. Show all posts
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Friday, 7 November 2014
A cold chill
Well, I think winter is definitely here! This week was much colder than it has been up till now - hats, scarves, and gloves have been cracked out.
This was the deer I saw last week on my walk:
Beautiful!
This week has been a mix of weather - wet and dry, but also chilly! It's been a week of lots of layers, and hats and scarves. I spent one morning this week helping to rake up leaves, and also set up a bonfire! Sadly we had the bonfire during the day, rather than in the evening, but it was on Bonfire Night so I think it counts! That bonfire smell is wonderful isn't it? And it certainly lingers!
Also this week, I received my MA results (with Merit!), which I was delighted with - and very relieved. Time to crack on with the real world now I suppose though....
I've also been writing some short poems, so here's another autumn themed one (although I suppose it's nearly winter now!):
See you next week!
P.S. I've also been making some YouTube videos recently about books and things. Check them out!
This was the deer I saw last week on my walk:
This week has been a mix of weather - wet and dry, but also chilly! It's been a week of lots of layers, and hats and scarves. I spent one morning this week helping to rake up leaves, and also set up a bonfire! Sadly we had the bonfire during the day, rather than in the evening, but it was on Bonfire Night so I think it counts! That bonfire smell is wonderful isn't it? And it certainly lingers!
Also this week, I received my MA results (with Merit!), which I was delighted with - and very relieved. Time to crack on with the real world now I suppose though....
I've also been writing some short poems, so here's another autumn themed one (although I suppose it's nearly winter now!):
Autumn Morning
The ground is speckled with a thin
layer of white, which glistens
in the morning sun. Outside,
you can see your breath
form in the air and footprints
lie across the twinkling grass.
Webs hang between plants and branches,
lit up and shining
like twinkling lights
far away from here.
See you next week!
P.S. I've also been making some YouTube videos recently about books and things. Check them out!
Monday, 3 November 2014
Autumn (a poem)
Leaves are flying around,
Like confetti from a gun.
The sky is pale grey
and the tree tops are bare.
Wind rattles the window panes
and the air is a sea of orange
and brown. The leaves
Settle on the ground.
Crows dip and soar by,
Seek solace in the trees.
It is Autumn now, I think,
as the leaves swirl and fall.
Sophie,
November 2nd, 2014.
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Clocks, Pumpkins, sunshine, and birthdays
I've been a little lazy with my blog posting this week, and everything's got a bit out of sync. Anyway, this week has been a busy, with exciting birthday celebrations and big MuggleNet announcements, among other things.
It's November now, and yet, yesterday, Halloween, I was able to sit outside, in the sunshine, and go on a long walk - in a t-shirt! I also saw one lone deer on my walk,which was quite striking really. The weather was quite unseasonal, and bizarre, and yet, wonderful. you know? Today, is a little autumnal, but then again, it is November now. I can't believe that it's November already. It doesn't feel like it should be yet! And yet, here we are.
At the beginning of last week, the clocks went back, which means that it gets dark very early in the evening now. I don't really like it getting dark so early - it's very disorienting and not very nice! I hate the long, dark evenings. And you forget just how quickly it gets dark. It's different in the country too. You notice it more I suppose. There are no street lights after all!
Many of the trees are looking rather bare now, with the winds that have made them drop their leaves and the landscape is beginning to look quite different.
Also this week, we had a mini AGA crisis, when we ran out of fuel - but luckily it was resolved after only a few days, and we were able to go ahead and celebrate my wonderful little sister's twenty first birthday! We had a lovely dinner party, with lots of pink and princess themed things, which was perfect and it was a wonderful night.
I even successfully made a pink, heart cake, which I was very proud of as I'd never made anything like it (though I didn't make the beautiful flowers on it).
Happy November everyone (and to many of you happy noveling - and good luck!). See you next week!
It's November now, and yet, yesterday, Halloween, I was able to sit outside, in the sunshine, and go on a long walk - in a t-shirt! I also saw one lone deer on my walk,which was quite striking really. The weather was quite unseasonal, and bizarre, and yet, wonderful. you know? Today, is a little autumnal, but then again, it is November now. I can't believe that it's November already. It doesn't feel like it should be yet! And yet, here we are.
At the beginning of last week, the clocks went back, which means that it gets dark very early in the evening now. I don't really like it getting dark so early - it's very disorienting and not very nice! I hate the long, dark evenings. And you forget just how quickly it gets dark. It's different in the country too. You notice it more I suppose. There are no street lights after all!
Many of the trees are looking rather bare now, with the winds that have made them drop their leaves and the landscape is beginning to look quite different.
Also this week, we had a mini AGA crisis, when we ran out of fuel - but luckily it was resolved after only a few days, and we were able to go ahead and celebrate my wonderful little sister's twenty first birthday! We had a lovely dinner party, with lots of pink and princess themed things, which was perfect and it was a wonderful night.
I even successfully made a pink, heart cake, which I was very proud of as I'd never made anything like it (though I didn't make the beautiful flowers on it).
Happy November everyone (and to many of you happy noveling - and good luck!). See you next week!
Sunday, 19 October 2014
The Little Things (6)
Another week has flown by, and we are very much in autumn!
Here are some things from this week:
Autumn leaves,
Golden trees,
Bookshops,
The writing community,
Writing friends,
Stories,
Writing days,
Celebrations.
Here are some things from this week:
Autumn leaves,
Golden trees,
Bookshops,
The writing community,
Writing friends,
Stories,
Writing days,
Celebrations.
Sunday, 12 October 2014
The Little Things (5)
Following on from my post this week about autumn, thinking today about some autumn things.
That smell when you turn radiators on for the first time,
Raindrops on spiders webs,
Leaves crunching underfoot,
Autumn sunshine,
Warming foods, like bananas and custard, casserole, baked apples,
Snuggling down in a warm duvet,
Hot chocolate,
Cosy books,
Costume dramas,
Wellies and raincoats.
That smell when you turn radiators on for the first time,
Raindrops on spiders webs,
Leaves crunching underfoot,
Autumn sunshine,
Warming foods, like bananas and custard, casserole, baked apples,
Snuggling down in a warm duvet,
Hot chocolate,
Cosy books,
Costume dramas,
Wellies and raincoats.
Thursday, 9 October 2014
Autumn Notes
Wait, was yesterday Wednesday?
I’ve completely lost track of the days and time recently,
which perhaps is a luxury, but also rather disconcerting.
It's funny really, when you're in a town or a city, the seasons just change. It happens, and sure you notice it, but not in the same way. It's difficult to put my finger on just what it is that is different, but there's something.
It's the first autumn that I've been at home in six years? And before that it had been five years - except for the odd weekend here and there. It's different though, when you just come back for holidays, weekends, or "special occasions". Then everything is special, exciting, different, if you know what I mean. You just experience everything in a flash, a clip. Now, things are different - you see everything in a constant stream, like a panorama or something. It's nice to see it change slowly, and then all at once (I'm sounding like a quote from TIFOS now, sorry John Green. Oops).
But you see the gradual changes as well as the quick ones -such as the leaves all slowly turning brown, or all whizzing by the window on a particularly blustery day, or the continual rain falling down.
The evenings are getting darker now, the dark drawing in and even some of the afternoons are dark and gloomy. The wind is getting up too and from my window I can see it whipping through the trees.
It's welly weather, and dashing out in between rain showers, and huddling under duvets in the evening - although having said that, it's not all that cold yet - and bananas and custard, warming food eating weather.
Suddenly everything looks bare, like the facade of summer has been taken away, stripped away, leaving this,almost as if summer was nothing more than a shimmering illusion, just something to fool us for a while before it's gone again, and we're left waiting for it to come back. For now, we're going to have to find some autumn things to focus on.
Sunday, 5 October 2014
The Little Things (4)
Autumn has really come now. The temperature has dropped quite a lot. But it's a gorgeous day.
Robins,
Sunsets,
Dew on the grass,
Sunshine,
Family,
Sitting outside in October,
Long autumn walks,
Fresh autumn days,
Cosy duvets,
Laughter.
Robins,
Sunsets,
Dew on the grass,
Sunshine,
Family,
Sitting outside in October,
Long autumn walks,
Fresh autumn days,
Cosy duvets,
Laughter.
Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Harvest Celebrations
This week saw the harvest festival celebrations take place. Having always been away over the last few years when it took place, I hadn't been to our local, village one in a while, so it was nice to go again. The service was followed by a lovely bring and share lunch.
It is now October and it is clear that the seasons are changing. It is still unseasonably warm, which means shorts are just about still an option, but it's definitely changing. Today is rainy and glum. The leaves on the trees are slowly changing, becoming golden and orange. While I bemoan the passing of summer, and wish that it could stay a little longer, the colours of autumn are something wonderful.
What else to say?
I can't believe that it is already October. I don't know where the time has gone - where did September disappear to? It is quite unbelievable.
The nights are already beginning to draw in much earlier, and later this month the clocks will change, and we will be cloaked in darkness from late afternoon.
You definitely notice, and I had forgotten quite how much, the seasons changing in the countryside more noticeably, and I like that. I like seeing it all change, much as I'm reluctant to admit that it's now Autumn!
It is now October and it is clear that the seasons are changing. It is still unseasonably warm, which means shorts are just about still an option, but it's definitely changing. Today is rainy and glum. The leaves on the trees are slowly changing, becoming golden and orange. While I bemoan the passing of summer, and wish that it could stay a little longer, the colours of autumn are something wonderful.
What else to say?
I can't believe that it is already October. I don't know where the time has gone - where did September disappear to? It is quite unbelievable.
The nights are already beginning to draw in much earlier, and later this month the clocks will change, and we will be cloaked in darkness from late afternoon.
You definitely notice, and I had forgotten quite how much, the seasons changing in the countryside more noticeably, and I like that. I like seeing it all change, much as I'm reluctant to admit that it's now Autumn!
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
An Autumn Chill
As autumn begins to creep in, I find myself beginning to think more about paints and crafts and getting my paint stuff out again to mess around. I am a summer girl, but there's something about the prospect of hiding away and being able to just write and create that appeals to me.
It has grown chilly over the last few days, and although it remains sunny, and pleasant to be outside, there is a chill that wasn't there before. A chill which requires jumpers and socks and all those sorts of things. I think that it might be time to retire the shorts away, sadly.
There's this smell, this feeling in the air - one that's difficult to describe and pin down. The smell of autumn - a crisp, freshness that has arrived in the air.
Meanwhile, there's lots still going on - including a bumper crop of apples - lots of cooking ones, so there'll be lots of stewed apples and crumbles coming up. Yum. There are still plenty of blackberries on the hedges as well, so I was trying to collect some of them as well. We also have a BUMPER crop of potatoes - about six sacks worth (at least), which is quite something! I think we're going to be living off potatoes for the next few months! And, the cows were all TB free, which was good!
I've been thinking about how this will be the first autumn in five/six years that I will have spent at home, and not in the city. It'll be strange, but I'm looking forward to it. It's nice to be in Sussex for an extended period of time - one that's not broken up by school/uni!
Today, the sun is shining, although there's quite a chill in the air. I'm enjoying walking down to the woods most days to see how the trees slowly become autumnal....
It has grown chilly over the last few days, and although it remains sunny, and pleasant to be outside, there is a chill that wasn't there before. A chill which requires jumpers and socks and all those sorts of things. I think that it might be time to retire the shorts away, sadly.
There's this smell, this feeling in the air - one that's difficult to describe and pin down. The smell of autumn - a crisp, freshness that has arrived in the air.
Meanwhile, there's lots still going on - including a bumper crop of apples - lots of cooking ones, so there'll be lots of stewed apples and crumbles coming up. Yum. There are still plenty of blackberries on the hedges as well, so I was trying to collect some of them as well. We also have a BUMPER crop of potatoes - about six sacks worth (at least), which is quite something! I think we're going to be living off potatoes for the next few months! And, the cows were all TB free, which was good!
I've been thinking about how this will be the first autumn in five/six years that I will have spent at home, and not in the city. It'll be strange, but I'm looking forward to it. It's nice to be in Sussex for an extended period of time - one that's not broken up by school/uni!
Today, the sun is shining, although there's quite a chill in the air. I'm enjoying walking down to the woods most days to see how the trees slowly become autumnal....
Friday, 19 September 2014
After the Rain
Another week has slipped by, and this time I've been in a cold induced state. It's so miserable having a cold and feeling so groggy and bunged up - especially when it is so warm outside! I'm feeling a little better today, and hoping to enjoy the weather a bit more, but still so frustrated at just feeling so unable to focus on anything.
Today, it remains warm, and there's that nice, after the rain feeling outside. Things feel a little fresher, but are already warming up. Clearly we're being treated to an Indian Summer (yay)!
Today we learnt that Scotland voted to stay with us (thank you, what a relief), but we're also waiting on another result here - the result of the cows' TB test. Fingers crossed.
So, the end of the summer and the beginning of the autumn means that things have to be wrapped up in the garden. My sweet peas, which are still producing flowers, are also beginning to produce seed pods.
After a little bit of research, I decided to pick these and hopefully store them until next spring, when I'll be able to plant them out again - and keep my fingers crossed that they will produce just as good sweet peas then!
Eurgh, I'm off to eat some Vitamin C and keep feeling sorry for myself.
Today, it remains warm, and there's that nice, after the rain feeling outside. Things feel a little fresher, but are already warming up. Clearly we're being treated to an Indian Summer (yay)!
Today we learnt that Scotland voted to stay with us (thank you, what a relief), but we're also waiting on another result here - the result of the cows' TB test. Fingers crossed.
So, the end of the summer and the beginning of the autumn means that things have to be wrapped up in the garden. My sweet peas, which are still producing flowers, are also beginning to produce seed pods.
After a little bit of research, I decided to pick these and hopefully store them until next spring, when I'll be able to plant them out again - and keep my fingers crossed that they will produce just as good sweet peas then!
Eurgh, I'm off to eat some Vitamin C and keep feeling sorry for myself.
Friday, 15 August 2014
That Autumn Feeling
Autumn seems to have already arrived, even though it's only the middle of August. I woke up this morning to a crisp chill in the air, which is suited more to October than August. It's already getting darker earlier, and it makes me sad to think that summer is over. I want to cling on and not let go. It was easy to believe in June, July, that the hot weather would go on and on forever. I feel like there are so many things I meant to do that I didn't, so many things I thought I'll leave that till later.
With the apparent early change in season, it means that the fruits and everything are early. I already picked some blackberries (!). And as I mentioned before, the plum tree this year is absolutely laden with plums - I don't think that I've ever seen so many on it before! Yesterday I made some jam and stewed fruit - the stewed fruit turned out okay, but I have yet to taste the jam. It seems to have set (major achievement), so I'm hoping that it tastes okay!
We are also inundated with courgettes, as well as tomatoes and cucumbers. After waiting for them to grow for months, there's always this momentary panic of what on earth do we do with all of this?! I am planning on making some courgette cakes, as well as some quiche (always yummy and something I have yet to do this summer, shock horror).
It is harvest time as well, and there is nothing nicer than walking through a field that has just been harvested, and smelling the straw and sitting on the straw bales. Plus, there are about ten deer that we keep seeing in one of the fields, which is lovely.
In other news, First Time Farmers has started again on Channel 4, which is always an entertaining watch.
I hope summer makes another brief appearance at some point.
With the apparent early change in season, it means that the fruits and everything are early. I already picked some blackberries (!). And as I mentioned before, the plum tree this year is absolutely laden with plums - I don't think that I've ever seen so many on it before! Yesterday I made some jam and stewed fruit - the stewed fruit turned out okay, but I have yet to taste the jam. It seems to have set (major achievement), so I'm hoping that it tastes okay!
We are also inundated with courgettes, as well as tomatoes and cucumbers. After waiting for them to grow for months, there's always this momentary panic of what on earth do we do with all of this?! I am planning on making some courgette cakes, as well as some quiche (always yummy and something I have yet to do this summer, shock horror).
It is harvest time as well, and there is nothing nicer than walking through a field that has just been harvested, and smelling the straw and sitting on the straw bales. Plus, there are about ten deer that we keep seeing in one of the fields, which is lovely.
In other news, First Time Farmers has started again on Channel 4, which is always an entertaining watch.
I hope summer makes another brief appearance at some point.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Return to Exeter Again...
Back in Exeter again, for last year (??!) of uni, and all moved into new flat, finally with internet working! Took a few days to sort things out, and there are still things to sort out, but getting settled in again and getting going with everything again - seeing old friends, meeting new people, getting back to work, seminars and enjoying being back in Exeter again! It's good to get going with everything again. Some things have changed, and that's sad, but there we go. Good to get back to familiar places (BTP!).
Strange to get back though after a week's holiday in Fowey, which was of course amazing - with lots of walking, paddling, boating and just wonderful Fowey-ness. Love it so much, and was super sad to leave. Really didn't want to. Much as I love Exeter, it doesn't even compare to Fowey (of course). Kept a scrapbook while I was there, with lots of notes and drawings, so that consumed my writing time, and of course I was super absorbed in Daphne and visiting familiar places and rereading things, and reading new things and visiting places I'd never had the chance to visit. All in all, it was wonderful. Can't wait to go back again and get my Fowey fix again.
Sad too to get out of shorts and flipflops. Stayed determinedly in shorts until Sunday, and flipflops until today, but the cold really is settling in and Autumn seems to be here, which makes me sad. I miss the summer already and am super sad to see it over - both leaving Fowey, coupled with the summer being over is tough! I hate that it is getting darker already, and it's just depressing. On the plus side, however, autumn is better for windsurfing, so..... Hopefully joining the windsurf society, and can't wait to get out there again. After four years, crazy to think I'm finally joining an AU club! Madness.
Writing wise, I am working on a new story - having started it, I have almost completely changed what I want to do with and am writing lots of new bits and typing some of it up, trying to make sense of it! Hoping to crack on with some more editing sometime too - as well as get going on the new course this term! Should be doing a screenwriting one, which is rather nerve racking and intimidating, and will be a huge challenge.
Strange to get back though after a week's holiday in Fowey, which was of course amazing - with lots of walking, paddling, boating and just wonderful Fowey-ness. Love it so much, and was super sad to leave. Really didn't want to. Much as I love Exeter, it doesn't even compare to Fowey (of course). Kept a scrapbook while I was there, with lots of notes and drawings, so that consumed my writing time, and of course I was super absorbed in Daphne and visiting familiar places and rereading things, and reading new things and visiting places I'd never had the chance to visit. All in all, it was wonderful. Can't wait to go back again and get my Fowey fix again.
Sad too to get out of shorts and flipflops. Stayed determinedly in shorts until Sunday, and flipflops until today, but the cold really is settling in and Autumn seems to be here, which makes me sad. I miss the summer already and am super sad to see it over - both leaving Fowey, coupled with the summer being over is tough! I hate that it is getting darker already, and it's just depressing. On the plus side, however, autumn is better for windsurfing, so..... Hopefully joining the windsurf society, and can't wait to get out there again. After four years, crazy to think I'm finally joining an AU club! Madness.
Writing wise, I am working on a new story - having started it, I have almost completely changed what I want to do with and am writing lots of new bits and typing some of it up, trying to make sense of it! Hoping to crack on with some more editing sometime too - as well as get going on the new course this term! Should be doing a screenwriting one, which is rather nerve racking and intimidating, and will be a huge challenge.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
End of the Summer Feeling
The end of the summer is drawing closer.
And although I want to go back, now that I've confirmed the date, even though it was when I wanted to go back, I feel funny about it and don't want the summer to be over. It's always the way isn't it?
My brother went back to school yesterday, and the sense that I still get of back to school nerves is ever present. September is a funny time.
I already feel sad about the loss of the summer - although this week promises to be hot, that's just teasing you know?!
Does anyone else feel like this?
On the other hand - went to the Paralympics on Monday which was amaaaazing, and going to the HARRY POTTER STUDIOS TOMORROW. So excited! Going back to Hogwarts!!!!!!
And although I want to go back, now that I've confirmed the date, even though it was when I wanted to go back, I feel funny about it and don't want the summer to be over. It's always the way isn't it?
My brother went back to school yesterday, and the sense that I still get of back to school nerves is ever present. September is a funny time.
I already feel sad about the loss of the summer - although this week promises to be hot, that's just teasing you know?!
Does anyone else feel like this?
On the other hand - went to the Paralympics on Monday which was amaaaazing, and going to the HARRY POTTER STUDIOS TOMORROW. So excited! Going back to Hogwarts!!!!!!
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