With another week under our belts and the prospect of November round the corner the weather has seen fit to act with a little more seasonal decorum. Chilly drizzle and frosty mornings are heading our way. The dahlias in my garden have somehow dodged the previous frosts and I'm not wondering if they'll see their finale today before turning to mush by dawn. The zinnias at the allotment have been wiped out weeks ago, but they are very sensitive Mexican plants. The dahlia tubers will need to be lifted and stored for winter, which slightly worries me as there is always a risk they could go gammy and not grow again. Plus I have quite a few now. And with strong intentions of ordering more for next spring!
The artichoke flowers are huge and bold. I'm growing fond of these mighty plants.
Some of the residual annuals are still trying their best to put on a display, which is lovely to see. Thanks guys.
This tree has been utterly gorgeous to watch transform. Liquidamber is my best diagnosis. It is absolutely stunning.
Although this Bishop style dahlia grows in a sheepishly ramshackle way by the house I've let it come back each year on account of it's unabashed joyful red and yellow flowers which adds jolly colour for months on end. On a side note, as it's right by the house I don't lift the tuber as it isn't at much risk of freezing. However, several little offspring grew this summer and to my surprise one was flowering with yellow flowers. In my mind it would only produce more of itself but clearly this is not the case! Who knew? I didn't.
Take care,
Sophie 

 I saw these seeds popping out of their pods. The variety of seed styles is fascinating These look like tablets, or sweets in a pack like wine gums.


 Perfect little bittersweet berries. Very toxic.



 The green to yellowing of the leaves is a pretty transition in the sunshine

I have seen a few butterflies in the last couple of weeks. Nothing left for them on buddleias now but there are a few flowers in bloom.
Take care,
Sophie

Saturday dawned (eventually) in a misty, fog of low light. The sun valiantly burst forth after several hours of only achieving a diluted glow. If you can manage to get outdoors to explore in the beautiful dawns of October it really is worthwhile. I snapped away at a familiar landscape which was transformed by the magical mist and sunbeams.






I'd like to think that if nothing else, my blog is a starting point for an introduction to the countryside in East Anglia. If you live abroad or in a basement or just can't get outdoors yourself for any reason then I'd say there's a fair representation of the great outdoors here. I sometimes flick back through old posts and have no recollection of the photographs and find them quite interesting to look at. Things that happened a while ago. Plus I realise that there are endless shots of dead weeds, dead or alive (but aren't they so beautiful?).



 C saw a fox but I didn't manage to catch a glimpse myself sadly.



Always a pleasure to capture something different.
Take care,
Sophie

There's two months and two days until Christmas. I'm slightly alarmed at how this can be true.
In my mind the end of September would render time outdoor limited and the pouring rain and blustery wind would beat against the window pane as I merrily worked on Christmas makes. It hasn't been so and during the hours of work at the allotment last weekend* I was down to my vest top and wishing I'd worn shorts. Quite the hot sun, can we call it an Indian Summer yet? Sunday afternoon's stroll started in blue skies and blazing sunshine but the clouds rolled in and by the time we left it was much cooler. I wore this skirt which in mid summer I perceived to be flattering but in these pictures (and these were the best of a bad bunch) I feel like the whole outfit makes me look dumpy. Can't figure out why! Anyway, that's life.
*more to come on that soon
Usually I shy away from nudes and neutrals but this oatmeal cropped jumper is a reliable one for popping over a dress and layering up. 
Boots are for life, not just for winter.

The pattern on the skirt is small but identifiable on the dark background. My suspicions about this elastic belt are strongly implying it's going to give up after another few washes. I may need to make some kind of improvised support.
Having a rough patch with my skin; constantly finding a new enormous spot to take over my face.
Hair is also not playing ball lately. I popped it back and wore big earrings to make myself feel better.
Just got to roll with the punches.

Take care,
Sophie

One slice or two?










I think this might be my favourite; the emerging toadstool making it's entrance into the world.
PS Never touch or eat mushrooms.
Take care,
Sophie