I admit to a state of semi-hibernation during winter. I often hide indoors, stuff my cheeks with cake like a slightly mopey hamster and long for March. Part of the aim of this wintry project is for me to get outside more. I live in a rural village – there’s a wood behind my house for goodness sake. I’ve got no excuse.
I have good intentions for this part of the project and this morning youngest, the dog and I pulled our wellies on and walked the 400 yards or so up the farm track into our village wood.
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I’m so glad we did.
In the last few days the leaves have turned.
The colours are astonishing.
It’s a cliche, but some of the trees look as though they’re on fire.
This walk was no chore – it left us feeling elated.
It will be tougher to take the same walk when January arrives. By then the predominant colours will be grey and brown, but I’ll know that under the soil there are seven or eight bee orchids and at least one pyramidal orchid. I’ll also know that a nightingale will return here in April. These are good thoughts.
I was excited to see Mrs TH’s Andy Goldsworthy-inspired woodland sculptures. I’m going to try a spot of this.
If you like to blog along with Making Winter week (continuing until Sunday 6th November) then pop your link in the list below – then we can all hop over to visit.
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Hello!
I do enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for the positivity injection. Here is the link to my making winter post: http://lifesjewelsonstring.blogspot.com/2011/11/making-winter-strawberries.html
🙂
Your hamster description made me giggle. I feel exactly the same way! I will be joining in!
Afternoon Mrs P…I've added my Andy Goldsworthy link (Autumnal Fun for Free)
Your photos are so vivid- I'm thrilled you're enjoying those autumn colour.
The conversion has begun!
P.S will post tomorrow from my mystery destination…
Yes, even if you don't like the cold, the glorious colours can't fail to lift the spirits!
Love those wonderful woodland photos. You're right that autumn is easy to love with it's gorgeous colours and that winter is a little less inspiring but your project will help keep us all feeling positive x
its such a joy, simple beauty- i adore your blog posts from family, country life and your beautiful jewellery- such inspirational delight, i will be back x
Oh my, those colours are just fab! Never seen those pinky/orangey buds before. Amazing. C.x
Hi Emma,
By some beautiful coincidence your first photograph has exactly the same autumnal colours as my first picture (in my last post). Damson purple and yellow go so very well together.
I shall be posting, hopefully, next week. Will it be possible to add my link next week? How does this work? (Goodness I'm hopeless.)
Lovely leaves – aren't they glorious colurs this week. I can enjoy weather like this, but Im not sure about January/February either!
The tree colours have just burst into life around these parts haven't they? Just lovely. I thought I'd add my link for an obvious but still spine-tingling source of winter colour…
What gorgeous Autumn colours. It was a beautiful day to be outside today. I hope you manage to keep up with the walks!
Beautiful photos – I know what you mean about January – I am already dreading its miseries! I am relying on you and Mrs TH to get me through it.
Pomona x
Your last two posts have been very inspiring and as a fellow winterphobe I have appreciated the uplifting experience. You photos are wonderful. I hope I can fit a post in this week to join in,
Love Penny xxx
Perhaps it's because I was born in January but I really love Autumn and Winter. We had a walk on Saturday and the trees are such wonderful colours and the hedgerows were crammed with red berries – just glorious.
twiggy
I spy spindle berries, a cute hat and a gorgeous floral mac…… Lovely photos Emma.
You are starting to feel the love Emma! :0)
Lou xxx
So beautiful. Our autumn colour is already fading so it's nice to see yours is just warming up.
Looking forward to Making Winter more fun! Thanks for the good start.
I love your idea of winter weeks and making things! Up here in Scotland we missed out on that Indian summer you had and it feels like winter has been here a while. Winters are long here, and help getting through it is most welcome! (It has its charms, but it's not my favourite season) So -Thank you!
Hi Emma, thanks for taking us for a walk with you in the colorful woods. We haven't had a good leaf color Autumn here in Oregon for some weird reason. Love your jewelry!
((hugs)), Teresa 🙂
I love this idea and hope you don't mind my joining in. Your autumnal walk has produced some beautiful pictures! Autumn seems to have arrived all at once doesn't it?
What wonderful colours. I'm lucky that I live in a beautiful rural area and if the weather is nice as in not bucketing down with rain I always try to make time for a walk to admire the landscape and the change in colour.
What beautiful photos, possibly inspiring for your work? such amazing colours this time of year…
Sue Xxx
Hi Emma,
The colours of the leaves look beautiful. Nature looks beautiful at the moment. A bit like Indian summer. I spent some time outside yesterday, sitting with my face in the sun. It felt really good!
Happy day,
Madelief x
I'm another winterphobe and, whilst I don't have a blog, I have bookmarked this page so that I can keep up with everyone's progress.
I have been making the effort to go out whilst I can, even though I have to drive to find a walk that is on level ground and the simple fact of being outside in sunlight is helping already. This time last year I was in the 'slough of despond'.
Perhaps I should start a blog just to concentrate on this effort?
Getting outside always raises my spirits – even without such spectacular walk colours.
It's so glorious out there at the moment, my heart soars every morning when I enter the woods, so much colour and good crunchy noises underfoot.
Wow, how lovely are those pics, the colours are stunning. I wish I had a wood near me, what a beautiful place to walk……….
Every season has it's own beauty, but sometimes we just have to look a little harder………..That's what I tell myself when it's stinking hot here and everything is crunchy and brown, hehehe……….
Enjoy your walks Emma, I am sure the beauty will reveal itself each time you pull on the wellies and head out.
Claire :}
Just added my Making Winter post url ~ may even have another post to share!
Karen
I love this idea – it made me get out to my allotment!
All those colours and such amazing warmth – considering it's November.
Have a fabulous weekend,
Nina x
I hope it's alright to add more than one link – I just posted a free pattern on Saturday, and autumn pictures on Sunday, and wanted to share them with anyone interested.
Thanks again for hosting!