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Sally Ann's avatar

Have enjoyed walking in my local park, which I can see from my garden, tramping through the leaves, going to collect and string some across my window where I have collected seed heads and fire thorn. We visit a nature area regularly where my daughter and I climb to the highest point each time to notice the seasonal changes, the view is amazing at the moment with the autumn colours . As we left we spotted a dipper and stood watching for a long time, perfect end to a beautiful walk.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

What a brilliant tradition. I bet it’s at its peak now.

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Vanessa's avatar

Loving the misty trees. They are beautiful

Living in N London, not too many help-yourself boxes, lucky to have friends with fruit trees. For very seasonal crumble, I mix in 2 tablespoons of christmas fruit mincemeat into the fruit to replace the sugar.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Oh that is genius, particularly from now on. Thank you!

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Claire Lindow's avatar

I made quince jam because our 6 year old tree gave us a whopping 11kg of fruit. More quince cooking this weekend. I also went hunting mushrooms in my local nature reserve, not to eat because it’s a gap in my knowledge too but to marvel at how many mushrooms are popping up at the moment. One had a cap the same size as my hand span!

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

It’s really something isn’t it. Very jealous of your many quince, my tree is little and can’t quite muster enough for membrillo, boo…

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Claire Lindow's avatar

With the quince tree, it’s the first year we’ve had a proper quince crop. 3 years ago I had 7 fruit, the year after that my husband had a bonfire quite near the tree at blossom time and no fruit formed, the year after some beautiful blossom but all the baby fruit didn’t make it and then we had this year. So it’s the first year with a real crop. Maybe next year will be your tree’s year. I made a single jar of membrillo when I had 7 fruit.

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Tom & Kathy's avatar

These are such lovely autumnal observations. We’ve noticed the ‘help-yourself’ apple boxes (plus the odd, fragrant box of quinces) appearing around here too (we need to add our own to the neighbourhood offerings). We may have overdone the crumbles here this month (is it ok to have apple crumble for pudding 6 days in a row?!) - the latest one was made with rosehip syrup amongst the apples and a wholemeal spelt flour from our local bakery in the topping, plus lots and lots of cinnamon.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Oh I love that. Have never thought of adding rosehip syrup, and I suppose it acts as the sugar. Gorgeous. Will try.

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Tom & Kathy's avatar

It does! But it brings all of its lovely rosey, vanilla-y, flavours with it, which we love with the apples (the two are a good combo).

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Anne's avatar

Saw frost for the first time this year, up on the top of a roof I can see from my bathroom window. Felt like seeing an old friend. Enjoying welcoming the colder weather.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

What a very positive way to think of frost! I like that. None here yet but yes it can’t be long now.

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Katie's avatar

Loving apple crumble this year. I have individual portions in the freezer ready to go for when I need some cosiness

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Nov 4, 2022
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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Love the sound of that crumble. I imagine making the mandala is a wonderful way to have a little meditative autumnal moment. Gorgeous.

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