Seasons

Ruby_Pudding

Following on from talk of proper winters in the 'posh' thread it got me thinking about how the year doesn't seem so defined anymore - if you know what I mean. In these days of all year round availability of food and climate change it's getting more difficult to pinpoint where one season ends and another one starts. When I was younger there were definitely four seperate parts of the year and we looked forward to each one as that brought different activities and different foods. This time of the year my nan and granddad would be stocking up on wood for the fires, knitting scarves, gloves and hats, picking wimberries and blackberries to make tarts and pies to freeze for the coming months, collecting as much produce as possible from the garden etc etc

It's only recently that I've come to appreciate how living OS may force me to become more aware of the seasons again - something I've lost over the years. I'm currently looking towards autumn and winter and would love to hear about any preparations others are making

maryb

I'm already looking out recipes for green tomato chutney as we have lots of tomatoes but they show no signs of turning colour

jazzyjustlaw

Ruby_Pudding wrote:

Following on from talk of proper winters in the 'posh' thread it got me thinking about how the year doesn't seem so defined anymore - if you know what I mean. In these days of all year round availability of food and climate change it's getting more difficult to pinpoint where one season ends and another one starts. When I was younger there were definitely four seperate parts of the year and we looked forward to each one as that brought different activities and different foods. This time of the year my nan and granddad would be stocking up on wood for the fires, knitting scarves, gloves and hats, picking wimberries and blackberries to make tarts and pies to freeze for the coming months, collecting as much produce as possible from the garden etc etc

It's only recently that I've come to appreciate how living OS may force me to become more aware of the seasons again - something I've lost over the years. I'm currently looking towards autumn and winter and would love to hear about any preparations others are making

I suppose it depends where you live. I live on the South coast. I am 33 and have seen snow half a dozen times if that. I feel that the seasons are still defined. Mind you when we venture up to Northumberland its cold whatever the season come Christmas, April or June (Other half is a Geordie lad) I remember it being 28 degrees here and we got to Scotch Corner and it was 18 felt really stupid in shorts.

The only thing is where I live near the Beach we have whats called Summer Breeze and thats where nearly every night on the Quay or at Sandbanks - which is a beach you have various things happening such as fireworks etc and that makes it a long summer but other than that its the same for me I feel.

Sandbanks is where I spent most of my childhood holidays and its the same now. Has anyone been there it is like Monaco in the UK?

Ticklemouse

I was asking the other day, where we used to go blackberry-ing when we were kids. I remember country lanes and woodlands, but they've probably done now Still,I shall ask my mum tomorrow. Even if the kids don't eat them, they may still want to come and pick them. I also remember Rose-hip syrup and collecting them in the wild too.

We used to bottle all our fruit as we didn't even have a fridge, never mind a freezer when I was young

apprentice_tycoon

I have to say that every September /October I have this irresistable urge to nest build, (it's a bit like in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind where everyone is drawn to the mountain)
I don't know if it was because the children were both winter babies but it's a very definate annual thing where I long for the weather to go cooler and all the things that go with it like russet leaves on the trees and cobwebs hung with hoare frost.
I know that I'll crave casseroles, dumplings, rice pudding, jacket potatoes and I'll stock my cupboards until they groan, the freezer will look fit to burst and I'll feel compelled to knit and make things that are useful.
I also like winter clothes, and the idea that if you are cold you can add more, whereas in the summer if you are too hot you are stuck with the heat
I will make mincemeat, mince pies and Christmas cakes

I love the autumn!

BWZN93

jazzyjustlaw wrote:

Sandbanks is where I spent most of my childhood holidays and its the same now. Has anyone been there it is like Monaco in the UK?

Yup! There is a rather fetching white house that is lit up with blue lights and makes me feel like im in Miami or something! Its lovely!!

Boyf and I (his parents lived near Blandford forum for a while) used to take drives down to Bournemouth as Blandford really is that - Bland - and we'd take drive around the posh houses imagining ourselves being rich and living in one of them.... Ahhh... those were the Days!! (thinking we would actually be rich at some point!)

As for the seasons, I love it when it gets colder, as soon as the season turns I know it, as my mum would say "I can feel it in me waters...", I wake up and get ready to leave the house, and can feel the 'turn' immediately. There is a very slight 'bite' in the air and (I apologise for all the 'turn', 'bite' I cant describe it any other way!) the morning air is a little hazy. I love the first frost, I love seeing the robins, and I love collecting holly and stuff.

I love having to put an extra blanket on the bed and the feeling of being indoors when its dark and cold outside, hence loving proper coal/wood fires and making my own quilt! Ive never been really fond of spring or summer, I was born in January so maybe its the whole new school year, xmas and birthday approaching so thats probably why I love that time of year.

Im currently building up a stock of xmas decorations and nectar card money for xmas, as this will be the first xmas I havent gone home so need to plan xmas dinner, and am also making my own patchwork quilt, and intend to have it finished in advance so that I can pull it out once I get the inkling that the seasons are changing!

One thing I am looking forward to is wrapping up warm in my newly knitted scarf and going for walks. In Stoke (for those that are interested) there is a place called 'Bathpool Park' in Kidsgrove, and has loads of holly and misletoe bushes, and every year we used to walk around it and collect some holly and make some xmas decorations, so I will have to find myself a park down here to go for walks in. I find spring and summer too annoying as its too hot and sweaty ( yuck ) so I like autumn and winter for this.

Finally, Im getting a pin savings together so I can buy a slowcooker and a few other things, so I can make autumn stews and soups, and need to learn how to make proper dumplings....

We must be quite the same Ruby Pudding, I noticed on the other thread that you seemed to be as excited as I was at the impending change of seasons, and I recommend the christmas thread, there are loads of ideas on there if you want to start planning and getting more excited!

Jo xx

EDIT: Ive just decided where my new walking ground will be - Westonbirt Arboretum apparently is amazing during the autumn, so I'll be off there wrapped up warm!

Apprentice - I agree with your thoughts on winter babies, Im a january baby and Ive always preferred the colder months!

jazzyjustlaw

jo

mmmmm dumplings yum yum mind you I make them whatever the time of year. The recipe is on the back of a suet packet whether beef or vegetable.

chrislee765

I live in a nice sea side town as you can see by my location:
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competitionscafe

jw1096 wrote:

Apprentice - I agree with your thoughts on winter babies, Im a january baby and Ive always preferred the colder months!

Hmmmm, me too - born in January and I definately prefer the colder months too. (People think that's strange). Only thing is I was born in Africa - so January was midsummer!?

BWZN93

competitionscafe wrote:

Hmmmm, me too - born in January and I definately prefer the colder months too. (People think that's strange). Only thing is I was born in Africa - so January was midsummer!?

Lol! Maybe you always knew you would end up here and took an early liking to the cold??!!

Chrislee - ive been to Hayling Island with a freind of mine whose grandparents live there - its great, like being in France on the beach! Some really nice houses there too!

Thanks for the dumpling tip Jazzy, I shall be scouting round sainsburys tomorrow methinks!

Ive just had another look at the two glass angels I bought for the xmas tree and got all excited again. Only 3 weeks before I can treat myself to a few more! YEY!!

Jo xx

exlibris

I am an October baby and have SAD so Winters are for getting through wiith the least effort. Unfortunately, I don't like very hot weather either. As our summers seem to be getting warmer in the hot bits, I am hoping I will gradually acclimatise with them. Our foreign holiday are taken in February as the Med heat is just about right and I need the sun to recover from the winter.

I suppose Spring is my best time as it heralds longer nights. Autumn just reminds me that winter is coming and I am a miserable old so -and -so.


I must look on the bright side - I must look on the bright side - I must look etc