I have had some early starts this week but each morning as I have left the house the moon has been there to say hello. Maybe this is normal but the moon has had the most beautiful coloured halo around it, almost like a rainbow - it is not something I have noticed before hence me taking this photo at 5.45 yesterday morning.
I think I say this every year so it clearly is true! Autumn really is my favourite time of year and never ceases to fill me with joy - the colours are incredible - the wonderful patterns on the leaves as they change, the bright shiny conkers, the juicy apples on the trees, the last of the blackberries clinging on, and the absolutely amazing pumpkins which I love both for decoration as well as eating. And at the same time I spotted this little fig was happily ripening in the autumn sunshine in our garden this week. It is a wonderful world!
In Andalucia the Pedro Ximenez grape harvest is done and another year of balsamic production begins, and in Casarabonela olive picking will begin in a few weeks time - we have to be so grateful to the age old olive trees doing their stuff.
I'm busy with fairs now - Daisy Trust at The Hurlingham on Monday, The Gorgeous Gift Fair in Northamptonshire on Thursday and a lovely fair at Bosham Sailing Club in aid of St Winifred's Hospice on Friday ... and then The Essex Gift Fair at Chelmsford Racecourse the following Tuesday. If any of these happen to be in your neck of the woods please do come and see me if you can.
Talking autumn colours this Caramelised Red Cabbage, Carrot, Date, Quinoa and Lentil Salad, inspired by chef Elena Cove, is what we had for supper last night - we had it as a warm salad with yummy roast chicken, but I will also be having it cold for lunch today when I get back from walking my poor dogs who have been sitting here patiently waiting as I am writing this!
If you need any top ups to your Fino stocks and feel like ordering now, on all orders over £50 placed this weekend (no code needed) I will add in one of our new 250ml tins of The Village Oil as a little pressie from me - you will really love them - a great present for a friend, and brilliant as a stocking filler!
Have a happy weekend.
Susie x