homedays in autumn
Last week we had a little autumn teaser but these past few days have confirmed it; the golden season has arrived in all its rust and ochre beauty. It’s been a long time coming but crisp mornings and cool night are here to stay. Indeed, it’s most definitely time for flannelette, hot water bottles and toasty socks (or cold feet if you choose to ignore your mother and forgo the latter).
As a self-confessed homebody, there’s a lot to love about the cooler months. Sure, everyone needs a few extra layers but it’s a relief to go about our days without having to consider the bite of the sun. It was a harsh, long summer and I’m so grateful to be on the other side.
The sun and the sky at this time of year is clear and bright – renewed, almost. It’s warm enough to strip down to short sleeves come lunchtime but once we arrive home from school it’s time for afternoon tea (two cups for me!) and a cardigan.
Today has been a catch-up day after a busy week of in and out, round and about. There’s two loads of washing drying on the line, a clean stack of dishes and broth in the slow cooker. Each week we have a roast chicken for dinner and that night (or the following morning) I put the carcass in the slow cooker with onions, carrots, celery (stalks and leaves), peppercorns, garlic, flat-leaf parsley and a generous glug of apple cider vinegar. Tonight I’ll make chicken pie with the leftover meat and as the recipe calls for 1 cup of broth I’ll spoon it straight from the slow cooker into the saucepan. This style of continuous-cooking works on so many levels; it’s ideal when time isn’t in abundance and for perfect those wanting to cook in the most simple and frugal of ways.
As I write this Poet and Percy are playing in the back garden, still pyjama clad and missing one sock (each). But I’ve learned that when play is peppered with giggles it’s best to leave them be (I don’t even look at them for fear of disrupting the flow).
The weekend beckons with no plans (Today We Have No Plans!) but I think a bath (full of lavender and epsom salts and accompanied by beeswax candles), a bushwalk and some reading may be in order.
I just adore reading your posts, Jodi. Always feel so inspired by them…
Do you mind writing out the exact slow cooker recipe that you mentioned above? I would love to try it! Does it make a stew or soup dish?
Ronnie xo
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that doesn't want to disturb my kids when they are playing so well together. It's just such bliss when it happens.
Oh what stunning Autumn pictures! That bath sounds divine too, thanks for the inspiration, I am off to hunt down some lavender x
I adored Everywhere I Look. I got it for Mother's Day and am devastated now I've finished reading it. I saw her at the Sydney Writer's Festival last year. A living legend.
I love these posts – thank you. Would you mind sharing where you get Poet's tights from? My girl is the same age and I am finding it hard to buy some. I'm in the West so the shops here don't appear to stock them.
On the broth point, I'm vegetarian, so no bone broth here. BUT another good one is I keep all my veggie scraps in a big container in the fridge. At the end of the week I chuck them all in a pot, cover it with water and add herbs from the garden (thyme especially for immunuty), garlic, turmeric and some pink salt. My freezer is constantly full of veg stock for all our soups and stews! And it pretty much doesn't cost a thing!
Oh, a bath. We pulled ours out in a bathroom reno at the height of water restrictions. It's been regretted ever since, to the point that if I am travelling away, I ask for a room with a bath. Nuts, I know.