Autumn has arrived here in this little corner of Hertfordshire. Although the leaves are still mostly green, there’s a definite feeling of seasons shifting in the cooler, misty mornings and the lower slant of sunlight and it won’t be long before the leaves colour and fall.
A couple of weeks ago I went out to the orchard. It’s one of my favourite local places and is at it’s best in Spring, when the trees are bedecked with blossom, and in Autumn when fruit decorates every branch, shining out from between the leaves like glowing baubles. I’m always amazed at the wide variety of the humble apple, there are many shades of green from palest milky jade, to bright sunny lime and a range of reds from russet to a deep burgundy. Each one is a thing of beauty and sitting in the middle of this quiet place is a great delight to me and a balm for soothing away any worries to a background hum. I climbed the wooded hill at the back of the orchard where there’s a large badger sett, though they were all safely sleeping underfoot, and then headed back past the bee hives and geese to my car and drove home feeling peaceful and refreshed.
My knitting has taken on autumnal tones too. I’ve been trying to finish off a couple of little bears to giveaway but somehow time is still getting away from me and they still remain unfinished. I’m sure I’ll manage it soon, I’ll keep you posted and show some pictures of what I’m working on in the next post.
In other news, I’m no longer the mum of teenagers. Toby turned 20 yesterday – 20!! I can’t believe he’s now 20! And Amy was 22 at the beginning of the month. Time really does slip away doesn’t it?
And there’s sad news from the garden, it’s now been 5 weeks since we last saw Kit the fox, leading me to the unwelcome conclusion that something has happened to her and she’s no longer with us. I will miss her and treasure forever the memories of her visits and her trust in us, it was a great privilege to know her.
Rest in Peace sweet Kit xx
little cotton rabbits 
Julie, you have such a way with photos and words. Every time I read your blog posts, I’m left feeling blessed to witness your creativity. I’m so sorry to hear about Kit. 😦 I will miss seeing her on your blog.
Happy birthday to Toby. It’s an odd feeling to no longer have teens, right? 🙂
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….and Kit was very fortunate to have known you. I often wondered how a fox and hens (I have kept them too) survived together – obviously, thanks to you!
Time marches on – I can remember seeing a video of Amy singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and I knitted a trial version of your phone case (I think) many years ago and yet teenage years now gone. We have watched Toby too and I worried about him on a trampoline at some point – yet he is now a man.
I have watched you and your wonderful photography for a long time now and admire you greatly for everything you do. I have a son who was diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes when he was fourteen – he is now 49 and my admiration for him knows no bounds. Love to you all on this milestone – Kit included. xx
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Oh no Julie, I’m so sorry to hear about little Kit, she was such a beauty!
Your autumnal photos are so lovely!!
Happy birthday to both Amy and Toby, times goes by so fast!!
V x
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I always love seeing your inspiring pictures. Kit was such a beautiful animal. Happy birthday to Toby.
Looking forward to seeing your bears but do take time to enjoy autumn’s arrival too x
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What a beautiful or orchard with all the beautiful fruit. Must be wonderful to walk through.
It’s amazing how fast your children have grown up. Seems like yesterday Toby was just a wee child.
I m sorry to hear that kit has not returned. I hope she does come back.
I really enjoyed making the new dogs and koalas. Thank you for making such beautiful patterns.
I just shipped off 28 little animals to the cat shelter for their bazaar.
I hope life is treating you gentle and home life is going well.
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Happy birthday Amy & Toby, my 65th on Halloween, how time flies….. sad news about dear Kit, you were blessed to have her and her babies in your beautiful garden, testament to you that they came in the first place. Have a peaceful autumn xxx
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I am so sad to read about kit 😦 I’m sure you will treasure the beautiful moments you had with her. Animals are so amazing. I wish everybody could appreciate and respect the joy we get from nature.
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So sorry about Kit, I always loved seeing your amazing photos of her and her cubs as well. Maybe one of them will come to visit sometimes. I hope Toby had a good birthday, can’t believe he is twenty. I hope college is still going well for him and that he is feeling settled there. Those dark red apples look brilliant, I love the shape as well. Wonder if they tasted as good? Orchards are great aren’t they, and always full of wildlife. CJ xx
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Hope Toby’s new placement is going well x
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Happy Birthday to Toby!!! Maybe Kit is off exploring and will show back up, we can only hope. At our home we have a ground hog that we have named Henry hanging around and we are enjoying his antics!
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I will miss Kit, too :’-(.
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I’m so glad that I checked in. Your photos are lovely. I am so happy to hear that your children are well and grown. You should step back and really appreciate what you have accomplished. You are irreplaceable.
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Oh no more Kit 😯
Amazing Toby 20 and Amy 22 gosh.
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I so love your posts. Your photos are amazing, those burgundy apples – I was trying to determine if they were pears by the shape. So beautiful. Happy birthdays to your babes and condolences on Kit the marvelous fox.
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Thank you for the beautiful photos. I loved every single one and they made me feel happy. I hope Kit the Fox is just having an extended holiday somewhere.
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Beautiful post Julie. We set up cameras in the garden and saw a badger, along with a hedgehog and lots of foxes, but I’m sorry about Kit.x
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Thank you for the beautiful pictures, they always bring a sense of peace and joy. I am so sorry about Kit, but am glad she was always welcome in your garden. Sending hugs
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This is such a beautiful and uplifting post ☺️ So sad about Kit though 😢 I hope that another fox finds you to bring you more joy 🥰
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Amy and Toby were young children when you first started your blog! I can’t believe they are young adults now!
Happy Birthday and I wish them much happiness!. Hopefully Kit is okay and is just traipsing around the countryside and will return at some point.
Foxes are such beautiful animals!🦊 Happy Fall!🍁🍃🍂
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I don’t understand why your blog, always, touches me so much, but thank you, it’s always a special moment and a privilege to share with you how time flies! Sorry for Kit, your pictures from her were so beautiful……, and happy birthday for kids (because they’ll be always kids for us, their parents ;). )
Kisses from Corsica
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Thank you for the beautiful photos, they always make me wish I lived in the country. I’ve enjoyed your blog for many years, congratulations on 15 years!
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Awww, I was just thinking about Kit the other day. Maybe one day soon, one of her now grown pups will come visit? Your photos are beautiful and a feast for this season. Happy Halloween Sweet Julie!
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Awww sounds like you’ve been having fun walking through the woods . It does soothe the soul doesn’t it when the leaves are all beautiful colours days are with the sun shining through the orange,yellows and golds 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁
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