Crab apples lay scattered around their parent tree. I have plans to makee crab apple cordial next year. It sounds like a quirky tipple.



So far all the sweet chestnuts we have found are too small or unripe.





So much to tell you and share from the last few days... It's funny how things cluster up around the weekend. I always have so much in mind to write about but before I get round to it, the next weekend is here and new things present themselves and so the cycle continues.
Sophie

Stop and stare, I think I'm moving but I go nowhere

I've yet to meet a grown adult who thinks life goes too slow. Days race past in a blur, weeks rattling round (why is it always Monday?) with opportunities missed and it's so easy to get swept up in trivialities. My penchant for the countryside is perfect for drawing out free time; whilst out with my camera I make a point of slowing down, taking the chance to take in all the little details, breathe in the fresh air and think about precious little for a while.

The changing of the seasons means that even the most familiar of places can offer new sights if you look closely. Nature never fails to inspire me; the magic of plants growing from tiny seeds is still something that amazes me despite understanding the science behind it. The cycle of the seasons provides an evolving landscape and even though you can't always see anything happening you know that millions of microscopic reactions are happening every nanosecond.

In a world where things are so easily taken for granted and overlooked it's fulfilling to remind myself of the wonderful things that happen all the time under our noses.

Sophie

Lyrics by One Republic

Dressing nice for winter is much more of a faff than at any other time of the year if you ask me; the temptation is to reach for jeans and a massive jumper and be done with it but that's not much fun for me. The answer is always to start with a thermal vest and tights then just wear whatever you feel like! On this occasion I decided that these acid wash scallop edged shorts were exactly what I wanted along with this quite masculine jumper and my now treasured tartan scarf. It's become a mission to find another tartan scarf in a charity shop, ideally in another colour wave but not the Burberry stylie kind, though you wouldn't believe how blinkin' hard to find what I want. Seriously, it's like some swine has nipped in everywhere ahead of me and snuffled out exactly what I want and rendering my visits entirely fruitless.

Wearing most of the jewellery I own, including gorgeous bracelet from Alice , which I'm loving!

Sophie

Sometimes you just happen to be in the right place at the same time. Sometimes you happen to be in the right mood at the same time.

The light was little short of phenomenal last Sunday evening and I just-so-happened to see this beautiful backdrop which was lit up a treat. I am veering towards autumnal prints and materials at the moment; this dress is a recent £1 charity shop buy, which caught my eye with it's almost dull but floral print. The floaty sleeves are a real departure from my usual style but the nature of the dress caught my eye, so who was I to fight my instincts? Anyway, I love this dreamy print so it's staying in my wardrobe regardless.


The rings are my favourites both charity shop finds, the teardrops of fire pendant necklace and cobalt glass bracelet both c/o Pia. Aren't they gorgeous? The simplicity of the necklace works with the open neckline of this dress and the pendant colour is an absolute beauty. Bangles are the usual array.


A huge thank you to Chris for taking these pictures and indeed all the other out-n-about outfit pictures except for the two I shot myself, with a tripod, awkwardly. He is doing a great job and I never heap enough credit on him when it's clearly due.

Sophie

I regard this dress as a summer classic; one I'll wear year in year out regardless of what's currently on trend. It's one of those practical ones with a good weight of fabric, sensible length and flattering cut. In fact it was the first one I posted just about a year ago when I relaunched as Sophie in the Sticks, hasn't time flown by? Of course it does feel like SITS has been precisely what this blog was all along and I've had a brilliant twelve months of blogging with so much wonderful support and brilliant opportunities. It's a good time to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to drop by and read; you have no idea just how much it means to me and I appreciate it so much. There have been over one thousand posts now and over ten thousand comments over the years, with so many tweets and retweets; the numbers are quite staggering to little old me really. Despite numerous wobbles and crashes in confidence (they seem temporary, touch wood) I have no plans to slow down and look forward to bringing you more posts sharing all my loves and discoveries. I'd love to have another little re-design, somebody stop me! Stick around wont you, things are looking bright.

Hugs,

Sophie

If there is one thing my boho/festival summer wardrobe has been missing it's a good bit of fringing.
This monochrome fringed crop top ticks both the fun, festival box and also the grungey one that should last me into winter. I don't think I've ever owned acid wash denim shorts before but they caught my eye and look that little bit different with the cute scalloped edging. The outfit was feeling a little sombre and called for an injection of colour, namely in the form of accessories (my new best friends); daisy floral headband, bright sunglasses and this rather unusual neon bag within it's transparent clutch is brilliantly practical – rainshower? No problemo. Wearing my Iced Rainbow Daisy necklace again. Love it.


It's been a hideously gusty weekend all round – a real pain in the backside for taking photographs as my hair will insist on getting in my face and sticking to any residual lip product that I haven't managed to consume with food. Plus I am still craving a beach day which simply refuses to materialise to my increasing frustration, please say that it happens soon, I can't face the prospect that summer is fading.

At the weekend we ventured along to Strumpshaw Fen Nature Reserve in the Yare valley in the Norfolk Broads. The fen is an RSPB run reserve with hides overlooking the water, giving bird watchers a good seat for spying a diverse array of wildlife. Personally, I'd prefer to walk miles and miles seeing gorgeous views and little insects and pretty plants over sitting on my behind for an hour waiting to see something any day of the week. The best thing about Strumpshaw Fen was that there are three way marked trails to keep people with itchy feet busy. The Fen, Meadow & Woodland trails offer the chance to see a variety of different wildlife. In order to make the longest circular walk we took the Woodland trail then joined the Fen trail at the furthest point, the map they give you is a help although the paths were easy to follow anyway. I'd guess the total distance was around 5k taking us a couple of hours to complete (we stopped a lot!). There is an entry fee of £3.50 per adult which I feel is a touch high, maybe £2 would be more in line with what is offered but then I'm not an eager bird watcher so wasn't making the most of the facilities.

We did see a good lot of lovely things; the swallowtail caterpillars were striking, the woodland trail was quite literally buzzing with life. I wasn't fast enough to capture most of the magical dragonflies and have to say I did get a little shrieky when butterflies fluttered too close. The paths were in excellent order, good underfoot.

Strumpshaw Fen was a delightful place to visit and I'd definitely recommend for fellow wildlife enthusiasts.

Sophie