Noticing Trees

Hello Lovelies, 

yesterday morning dawned bright and chilly. As soon as I had taken youngest to work I headed out for a walk. I was so pleased there was still some frost to be seen after 9am.

I decided to leave the footpath a little to go and visit some favourite trees on the golf course as they are stunning at this time of year. 

 

I think I'd left it a bit late as most of the leaves have already fallen. Still, they made a stunning carpet.

And there were still a few gorgeous pink leaves catching the sunlight.

So many trees are totally bare now, but that doesn't make me sad. I love to be able to see the form of the branches and shadows they create.

Of course it's nice that some trees still have leaves, like this silver birch with wonderful golden cascades of foliage.

And the oaks are reaching their pinnacle of bronze beauty.

In my own garden our silver birch tree is glowing. This tree was here when we moved in 25 years ago, but we do prune it as our neighbour isn't keen on tall trees casting shade on her garden.

I'm more proud of the young trees I chose and planted myself. The youngest is this lovely Rowan  , chosen for it's benefits to wildlife as well as it's fab berries ( it's still too young to produce those) 

About 4 years ago I planted this Crab Apple and this is the first year it has a significant amount of fruit.

Isn't it lovely. Planting a tree is such a special thing I think

I keep looking around for a spot to add another tree but really I need to resist and give these chance to mature.

Finally, I'm happy to report this farmhouse apple and fruit cake I made at the weekend (link to recipe is in previous post) is yummy. I will certainly make this again.

Thank you apple trees!

I hope you have enjoyed what's turned out to be a tree appreciation post lovelies :0)

It's such a joy to me to notice trees in my local area as they change throughout the seasons. 

Look what I've just found! ...THIS post from almost a decade ago....I still love this tree and was pointing it out to eldest only yesterday 💚

Jacquie x

A Mixed Bag

Hello Lovelies, 

I hope you've had a good day. I'm back, sharing the random selection of pictures I captured on my camera today. Things that made me smile.

I love the early morning sun as it shines under our silver birch tree.

It's leaves are only just beginning to start getting their autumn colour, where as my little cherry tree is the most gorgeous orange already and positively glowed in the morning sunshine.

 Here's a bit of a rubbish photo, but I took it as I was so pleased I can finally recycle soft plastics locally. I know the most important change is to try and reduce buying plastic wrapped things in the first place, but in reality that's really tricky at the moment so THANK YOU CO-OP for having recycling bins in your stores.

Out and about with my mum in law this morning we loved this beautiful window display. I especially adored the painting of a winter scene on the glass.

It was Christmassy but overall just felt like a homage to winter and I love winter.

I'm not wishing autumn away though. We went around this beautiful square of grass and magnificent mature trees. I'm sure the residents of the bungalows and flats here must appreciate having this view. I know I would. Such a great way to keep in touch with the seasons and encourage wildlife.

It was a very short walk with mum in law and I was busy this afternoon so I headed out to do a couple of miles after dark. 

It's so mild out again at the moment it was very pleasant , even a bit too warm for my coat wearing self. 

Think I'll be regretting changing to the winter duvet tonight.

Is the weather strangely mild where you are lovelies? 

Jacquie x

Newstead in November

Hello Lovelies,

 for the first time in too long we had a trip to Newstead Abbey today. 

There's lots of different areas to explore. We started by walking through the woodland, until we came across this strange building.
 

It's a mock fort and you can read about it HERE

There were gorgeous views across the lake and I loved the autumn colours in the trees.

Up close there's still a lot of green in the leaves, unusual for November.

The large lake flows out over this pretty cascade.

And into a lower lake, populated by a good number of ducks and swans.

Lower still you come to the Japanese garden, this was my main reason for visiting today. I've never seen it in autumn and was hoping for good foliage colour.

Ooooh, I don't think I will be disappointed!

Oh my, this tree was out of this world!

Just look at these leaves. So stunning!

The amount of water in this garden is wonderful too. There's so many little bridges linking the paths.

Lets stand back and admire this wonderful Acer from a distance. The shape is outstanding I think.

I loved all the stepping stones too.

They gave a great view back towards the star tree.

This Japanese garden didn't have any gravel areas, but I preferred the water garden feel anyway. I loved these stone ornaments too.

A weeping cherry looking gorgeous framed another.

Beauty at every turn.

Just look at the amount of different ponds.

Truly magical in November. No mean feat.

There's so much more to Newstead Abbey, including beautiful Topiary.

But I'll stop there. The overcast weather didn't make of the best photos and the Japanese garden was truly the highlight on this occasion. I'm so glad I got to see it.

Jacquie x

My Advent Calendar ♥ 18th December

Hello Lovelies,

Today I bought a real Christmas tree.  It's only a tiny one, but I'm trying to make it feel bigger by surrounding it with even smaller trees and tiny houses :0)

 

It's rather bare at the moment, but I popped  it in a brightly coloured plant pot and added a ribbon. I also hung a tiny knitted fairy on top.

I may add some more decorations, but then again I think it looks rather sweet as it is.

I plan to plant my little tree in the front garden after Christmas. I hope it thrives and one year is big enough to string with lights.
Jacquie x

This post is part of the link up hosted by Julie HERE

Out and About :: Bluebell Time

Hello Lovelies,
one of my absolute favourite times of year is Bluebell time. It's another reason May delights me so.

Last week the walking group went on a "Bluebell Walk".....bliss.
It's a shame the weather was dull....and even more of a shame I managed to forget my Camera.....something I NEVER normally do!

Still, I do have a new phone and thankfully it takes reasonable pictures.

I loved wandering through the woodland, and I was so happy to see our first glimpse of intense blue........

the round thing you can see in the photo is a charcoal kiln.

Gosh I'm rubbish with a touch screen.... :0)

After a while we climbed steeply up through the trees and emerged at this beautiful view.......

It was a perfect place for our coffee stop

 Next the path  descended steeply down again. Into a place known locally as the "Hidden Valley". It was such a pretty spot...........

Then we were back in the most beautiful woodland....where the carpet of blue was truly magical........

And happily I managed to finally take some in focus shots with my phone camera.....



just in time :0)

I went home happy. How I love Bluebell time.

Jacquie x