We noticed this recently, an ivy bush covered in bees. The sound was fantastic! I feel like pollinators emerged later this year, so maybe even more important than usual?
I live in the U.S.A. and admittedly, things have felt turned inside out in my world. I decided that in order to reclaim my “right to life”, to keep myself, myself, I had to take action. And so, this week I reconnected with friends, made some new ones, redevoted myself to my passion of keeping a food pantry, made soup, baked bread, looked at the gorgeous leaves, a final burst of roses in my garden, read. During times of stress there is always a feeling that values, hopes and dreams are being stripped away and a feeling of powerlessness. I decided that I did have power. I am still here. I am still in control of myself. I am still hopeful.
The sounds of blackbirds by the mist covered river, the silhouette of tree branches in the fog, and a thicket of brown fern fronds under a stand of silver birch, picking purple field blewits and making a mushroom sauce with gnocchi
Kicking through the leaves as i walk to work on cold starlit mornings. Bare trees appearing to huddle around a low sun. A female squirrel, high in our silver birch, sending out a mating call. Cake made with toffee apple curd, and a succession of rib sticker dinners.
Standing in the middle of the garden, quietly, listening to the leaves pitter patter down all around me. It’s like watching leaf ‘snow’. Very calming and peaceful and relaxing.
So many squirrels! Busily collecting and burying nuts for the winter. I'm especially noticing those that run across the telephone wire above our front garden to collect supplies from a chestnut tree which they take back to the huge oak that they live in. It drives our little dog nuts (excuse the pun!)
The owl is back. 1 am it calls out to me from the tree out yonder. The big moon rose at dusk yesterday floating on hazy pink and muted grey skies. I walked the long way home so I could watch the sunset with no clue she was behind me the whole time. I turned to survey the land and there she was big and beautiful, glowing and promising mischief and magic perhaps. The birds are back in their droves at the table, screeching and squabbling over the feast. Winter is nearly here now. I'm ready to coorie down.
Oh yes - beech trees! As I drive to and fro to my daily radio therapy treatment we pass through beautiful beech woods and they are just glorious at the moment. Something about the shape too - the way they hold their branches out low down. Each one bedecked with golden, coppery separate 🍂 leaves. Truly magical - and then the ground all carpeted with the leaves as in Lia’s picture! And finally single leaves floating down constantly as you pass underneath- it’s a feast for the senses to be sure!
The Fenwicks Christmas window unveiled here in Newcastle - but there are still abundant roses in bloom in our gardens, while the bare trees against blue skies open up familiar views. Glowing dawns and sunsets, clear skies and a full bright moon.
I totally agree it is beech week - they are so beautiful especially glinting in the sun. Driving down to Wiltshire at the weekend was llike driving through a golden tunnel that was pure joy. The hazels seem to be the most reluctant to lose their leaves as they hang onto green for as long as they can
Pink skies and then two days of fog, blackbirds darting under the hedge and sparrows backwards and forwards making a racket. I’ve slightly got into the Christmas spirit early by watching a Hallmark movie about romance in a Scottish castle, which was brilliantly terrible.
Window dressers with baubles aplenty and the installation of the Christmas tree in its usual place outside Bath Abbey. A saunter around the lanes near the chur h after dark when choir practice was taking place. Town and country preparations for Christmas.
Yesterday the coastline was in thick fog which was rolling up the valley. As we walked up the lane the sun broke through the trees above the stream
Can't work out if I should be able to send a pic?
You can’t hear but can in the chat part of the app. We do a ‘weekly seasonal snaps’ chat on a Sunday morning if you’d like to save it for then.
I think just words in this post and send a pic on the Sunday ‘usual spot’. I am all over the place so usually a bit free and easy with my pics 🙂
Ivy flowers buzzing with insects. It made me realise what an important plant this is at this time of the year.
We noticed this recently, an ivy bush covered in bees. The sound was fantastic! I feel like pollinators emerged later this year, so maybe even more important than usual?
I recently discovered that there actually is an ivy bee that relies on the ivy
I live in the U.S.A. and admittedly, things have felt turned inside out in my world. I decided that in order to reclaim my “right to life”, to keep myself, myself, I had to take action. And so, this week I reconnected with friends, made some new ones, redevoted myself to my passion of keeping a food pantry, made soup, baked bread, looked at the gorgeous leaves, a final burst of roses in my garden, read. During times of stress there is always a feeling that values, hopes and dreams are being stripped away and a feeling of powerlessness. I decided that I did have power. I am still here. I am still in control of myself. I am still hopeful.
well said!
The sounds of blackbirds by the mist covered river, the silhouette of tree branches in the fog, and a thicket of brown fern fronds under a stand of silver birch, picking purple field blewits and making a mushroom sauce with gnocchi
Kicking through the leaves as i walk to work on cold starlit mornings. Bare trees appearing to huddle around a low sun. A female squirrel, high in our silver birch, sending out a mating call. Cake made with toffee apple curd, and a succession of rib sticker dinners.
Standing in the middle of the garden, quietly, listening to the leaves pitter patter down all around me. It’s like watching leaf ‘snow’. Very calming and peaceful and relaxing.
Ooh, yes. Lovely. Silver birch are very obliging in this regard.
So many squirrels! Busily collecting and burying nuts for the winter. I'm especially noticing those that run across the telephone wire above our front garden to collect supplies from a chestnut tree which they take back to the huge oak that they live in. It drives our little dog nuts (excuse the pun!)
A definite turn in the air this week in South London. Crisp mornings and the need for a scarf.
I'm in the last weeks of pregnancy and down to 1 coat that sort-of fits, just in time for the cold...
Good luck with it all! xx
The owl is back. 1 am it calls out to me from the tree out yonder. The big moon rose at dusk yesterday floating on hazy pink and muted grey skies. I walked the long way home so I could watch the sunset with no clue she was behind me the whole time. I turned to survey the land and there she was big and beautiful, glowing and promising mischief and magic perhaps. The birds are back in their droves at the table, screeching and squabbling over the feast. Winter is nearly here now. I'm ready to coorie down.
Beautiful imagery and writing Kat!
that is so beautiful
Oh yes - beech trees! As I drive to and fro to my daily radio therapy treatment we pass through beautiful beech woods and they are just glorious at the moment. Something about the shape too - the way they hold their branches out low down. Each one bedecked with golden, coppery separate 🍂 leaves. Truly magical - and then the ground all carpeted with the leaves as in Lia’s picture! And finally single leaves floating down constantly as you pass underneath- it’s a feast for the senses to be sure!
And now I’m thinking about sausage casserole too!
The Fenwicks Christmas window unveiled here in Newcastle - but there are still abundant roses in bloom in our gardens, while the bare trees against blue skies open up familiar views. Glowing dawns and sunsets, clear skies and a full bright moon.
Oh the Fenwicks Christmas window! A cultural high every year growing up - and still! Everyone flocks to see it.
Fenwicks Christmas window, I remember that! (I grew up in Sunderland)
I was having a bit of Beech Appreciation too yesterday. It's definitely having it's moment
Remembrance Day parade with the Scouts in the mizzle and coming home to a roasted pork joint
I totally agree it is beech week - they are so beautiful especially glinting in the sun. Driving down to Wiltshire at the weekend was llike driving through a golden tunnel that was pure joy. The hazels seem to be the most reluctant to lose their leaves as they hang onto green for as long as they can
Pink skies and then two days of fog, blackbirds darting under the hedge and sparrows backwards and forwards making a racket. I’ve slightly got into the Christmas spirit early by watching a Hallmark movie about romance in a Scottish castle, which was brilliantly terrible.
So bad it was good!!
Brilliantly terrible 🤭😆😂
😁
Window dressers with baubles aplenty and the installation of the Christmas tree in its usual place outside Bath Abbey. A saunter around the lanes near the chur h after dark when choir practice was taking place. Town and country preparations for Christmas.