AUTUMN IN ENGLAND

It feels so cliché, and perhaps repetitive, to begin yet another post by reflecting on just how fast time is flying and apologizing for my absence. But with three busy (and always hungry) little ones underfoot, homeschool lessons to check off, and so much laundry it almost makes me dizzy it’s hard to find time to sit down and be still long enough to write. Now the weather has turned icy and I declared today a “pajama day”! We are having a much needed quiet day at home in our cozy clothes – oils and rosemary are diffusing on the stove-top, the girls are listening to the BFG audio-book (again), and I’m here compiling some photos to share from our recent adventures. We made the most of the almost summer-like weather in September, and the stunning fall crossover in October – I haven’t even included anything from November because I’m afraid my computer (and you, my readers) would have called it quits. I’m looking forward more sunny, frigid days at home in pajamas, and to more posts (and some recipes) this winter!

We spent most of September around home, with trips to our favorite parks, and the Jane Austen’s House Museum. Kyle was working like a mad-man the first three weeks of the month so we hardly saw him at all. We did alright on our own, although it’s so much better when he’s around.
PINPINPINPINPINPINPINSeptember was winding down and we had visitors – our first friend visit from home. We spent a week bouncing around with our friends and their two kids with a trip to The Cotswolds, and a visit to both Blenheim Palace and Stonehenge, and lunch at our favorite pub, The Beckford Arms.

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Just as our friends headed home, my mom and her partner arrived for a week long visit. It was decidedly quieter than with our previous guests; we spent most of our time puttering around close to home, although we did take them for a visit to the Jane Austen’s House Museum and the Chawton House Library so they could see and experience our favorite places. Their visit was lovely, and restorative after such a long-feeling month.

PINPINPINPINPINPINPINPINPINPINAs we headed well into October we took a weekend day trip to Brighton with one of the brewers Kyle works with. It was almost balmy at the beach and the light was beautiful. We didn’t get to spend much time wandering around the city itself, so we are planning another trip back soon.

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Our final trips of October were to Stratford-upon-Avon, and back to Stourhead Garden, which was just starting to change color – it was absolutely beautiful. Having such a lovely autumn here this year has made me so happy we’ll have another next year before moving back to the States.

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