Autumn Adventures with a Vintage Ladybird Book

This vintage Ladybird nature book from 1966 was always present in my home when I was growing up, but it's only been this year that I sat down with it and looked at it properly. Looking turned to admiration at the stunning artwork within its covers, evoking a longing within me to don my wellie boots and go out nature spotting.

So that's exactly what I did. Using this book as my own 'I Spy' guide (remember those?), I captured autumnal images over a period of several weeks. 

Our pre-Christian ancestors celebrated Autumn as the New Year, marking the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark. 

I have always loved getting out and about in nature, but this project made me really notice the little changes that happen as the seasons rotate, and appreciate everything from a hilltop scene changing colour to the arrival of a single mushroom.

As much as I adore Autumn and Winter I do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, so it's really important that I get out in the daylight during these months as much as possible. Using What to Look for in Autumn reminds me that we are all natural creatures, and that by living more by the seasons and less by the clock, the television schedule and the demands of working life we can feel more in tune with nature and get more out of each season. As the adage goes, 

"Those who never get outside cannot thrive."

I certainly feel much happier when I get outside and don't spend the entire week under electric lighting.

I think I need the other three books in the series, now! What do you love most about Autumn?

Wishing you a leaf-crunching Monday,

Snapshots of Life Recently

Clockwise: * First blackberries of the year (these went in a pie) * My cousin's lovely handmade wedding, complete with Zimbabwean bunting and Northumbrian tartan (and my first wedding) *  Poppies are so emotive yet delicate and vibrant * An ancient oak tree snapped on a dog walk *

Clockwise: * Fairytale-like mushrooms hiding in the undergrowth * A beautiful sunny tree avenue where I like to go to think and write * Amber with marigolds * Mint iced mocha and a good book *

Clockwise: * Alfie is always happy to pose * An embroidered Beatrix card I made for my parents' wedding anniversary (not cross stitch this time!) * Pressed flowers and washi tape - a fun combination * Making a game pie for Pretty Nostalgic magazine (and wearing a jumper in a vain attempt to pretend it was Autumn at the time) * 

Rhubarb Bread and Butter Pudding

The more blog posts I've read over the past week or so, the more it seems that autumn is creeping into our consciousness, rather earlier than usual, I suspect due to to the none too summery summer we've been having! While I adore autumn for bringing wellie socks, reading in front of the fire, crisp woodland walks and  well, Doctor Who (what?) I'm still hoping for a warm September because I don't feel I've had my full quota of sunshine before being plunged back into darkness.

I decided to share this Rhubarb Bread and Butter Pudding recipe with you because for me, it's the perfect way to celebrate the last of the summer rhubarb while looking forward to the warming comfort food of autumn. And it's divine with ice cream or custard, depending on which season you're currently leaning towards.

On family chalet holidays to Scotland during the summers of my childhood I used to be bought a bowl of bread and butter pudding from the onsite pub after a day of running around in the fresh air among the heather, and it was the ideal comforting end to the day, sometimes while watching a spot of Scottish singing and dancing. Great memories!

Serves 6 (or Anna three times)

6 slices white bread

1 oz butter

2 eggs

1/2 pint milk

The rind and juice of a small orange/satsuma

Pinch of ground cinnamon 

2 tablespoons brandy or rum

1 oz sugar

1/2 lb rhubarb, stewed

Remove the crusts from the bread and butter the slices on both sides before cutting each into two triangles. Grease a large dish, then arrange a layer of bread on the bottom and sides, followed by a layer of stewed rhubarb, then another layer of bread. Beat the eggs and milk together, then stir in the orange rind, juice, cinnamon and brandy or rum. Pour over the bread and leave to stand for an hour (this is really important because the soaking is the secret to a truly scrumptious b. and b. pud!). Sprinkle the sugar on top of the pudding just before going in the oven, then bake at 180C/ gas mark 4 for half an hour, or until the top is crusty and brown.

There are of course many variations of this pudding you can play with - I like raisins in mine but was sharing this with someone who doesn't, and who likes their pudding not too sweet (just call me Goldilocks) so instead of stewing the rhubarb with sugar I used the herb sweet cecily instead, which does the same job as sugar but isn't quite as saccharine. Sweet cecily is an ideal substitute for sugar if you're cooking for a diabetic, too. 

Whether your Wednesday is summery or autumnal, I wish you a happy one,