Autumn Fruits

"Seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness..." - John Keats

There are two types of people at this time of year, those who are mourning the end of summer and those who are giddy with excitement at the autumnal chill in the air. I am definitely one of the latter. I love bright blue skies and the sun warming my bones but my ideal time is when I can wear shades and a scarf and the leaves start turning from green to a spectrum of oranges and reds. I love slippers and layers and blankets, stews and soups and roast dinners.

I spent Sunday morning embracing the change of the seasons, turning a punnet of plums and some leftover apples into compote and crumble. As always I looked up a few recipes and then made up my own, chopping the fruit and adding a splash of water, a couple of spoonfuls of light muscovado sugar, a dash of vanilla essence and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. The ingredients simmered for twenty minutes and filled the kitchen with the sweet smell of spices while I read passages from Nigel Slater cookbooks. The perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Spending Autumn Equinox With Ryan Adams

Makes me want to be a little stronger, still I see monsters... - Ryan Adams, I See Monsters

I've been thinking a lot about the power of the connection that comes from creativity lately. I spent a lot of my younger years wanting to feel completely free creatively but somehow holding myself back, believing it to be self-indulgent. As time goes by, I realise that expressing yourself creatively actually is far from self-indulgent as it allows people to connect with you, it brings joy and let's you know there is someone who sees things exactly the same way as you. How can you find this connection if you don't show yourself? When you find someone whose art, music, film, photography, words or way of seeing things resonates with you, it's like the world make sense. And all you want to say is thank you.

For me, Ryan Adams is one of those people. I've listened to his music for nearly 20 years and seen him play live nine times. This week's gig fell on the Autumn equinox which felt like perfect timing. Ryan has a way of making you feel like his heart and soul are laid out on the stage. His vocals come from deep inside, his voice resonating in the darkness. It's the purity of the connection he creates that strikes me every time, it's like opening a portal into it being ok to be completely honest about being creative and human. Magical.

Monday Movie - When Harry Met Sally

"But I'd like the pie heated and I don't want the ice cream on top, I want it on the side. And I'd like strawberry instead of vanilla if you have it. If not, then no ice cream, just whipped cream but only if it's real. If it's out of a can, then nothing." - Sally

Time Out listed their 10 best Autumn films a few days ago and When Harry Met Sally was number three on their list. It really is the perfect Autumn film, cosy, clever and cute. And every time I'm specific about my order in a restaurant I think of the quote above and imagine I'm Meg Ryan : )

Yay for Autumn!

I can't deny that I get a bit giddy when the temperature drops at the end of the summer. It signals time to dig out my favourite old winter coat and woollen mittens. Time to get ruddy cheeks from windswept strolls through crunchy leaves ending with a mulled cider in a cosy pub.

September for me is a perfect combination of summer skies with winter cosiness. Scarves and shades. The best possible pairing. It feels somehow like a new beginning and a chance to relax after the vibrance of summer.

I love this article from Lauren Laverne on wonderful website The Pool which talks about why September should be the new 'New Year'. I tend to agree.