What do you love about this time of year?:D

[di]

Yep!It's getting colder & darker but what are the things you look forward to at this time of year?
We have a tradition with some friends that they come to us the w/e before or of the 31st for a huge "pumpkinfest",(where we eat everything pumpkin!),washed down with lots of warming mulled cider!
Then the following week,we go to them for chilli by a huge warming bonfire & the kiddies get sparklers!(& if we're lucky the grown-ups get more mulled cider!!)
I also love the way the sun catches the changing leaves on the trees & regardless of what damage it may cause the way the frost glistens in the morning!
Wrapping up warm for a busy day at the lottie,beginning the clearing process for next spring,knowing we'll probably still get cold,but there'll be a warming stew & dumplings waiting in the slowcooker for as soon as we set foot in the warm!
I'll stop now so there's something left for others!!!~So....What do you love about Autumn/winter?

[Flummery]

Parkin! Wonderfully moist and gingery. Goes well with bonfires and following baked potatoes.

[bobleponge]

Parkin?? Tell all Flummery.
I love cold mornings, wrapped up warm, walking the dog with less foiliage on the trees so see more wildlife. Get deer and wild boar here fairly regularly, and its wonderful to see them.

[tootles]

Chestnuts, getting the woodburner going, soup, going to bed early and wierd clouds that hover over the house until lunchtime and then bright blue cold sky.
This year I am particularly looking forward to having a roof that actually works too

[lynda66]

i'm trying to think, but actually can't think of anything good about cold and rain though i'm looking forward to cleo's first outing in the snow.

[Flummery]

I'll put me parkin recipe on the food threads Bob.

[Rhona]

Oooohhh...everything! I love the smoky, peppery smell of the woods in Autumn; lighting the fire; cold weather food, getting excited about snuggly nights in whilst the snow falls outside; Bonfire Night, fireworks, my Birthday; DH's Birthday; our wedding anniversary is the weekend before Christmas (we had joyful carols instead of hymns); and CHRISTMAS!!! And then baby girl's 1st Birthday in January!

I'm giddy at this time of year - totally love Autumn. I even love wearing nice woolen gloves and scarves and things!

[bobleponge]

Thanks Flummery
Yum yum I love anything gingery

[Rhona]

A parkin recipe would be brilliant! I love it and could take some to little sis's housewarming (not literally I hope) bonfire!

[HayleyB]

I am not a fan of winter. The only days I like are when it is cold and still - no wind - and blue skies. If it stayed like that all winter I would become more of a fan

[squashysu]

well, i like autumn, when the leaves fall from the trees and you can see more around you, i dont mind the chill in the air, and it makes me think of spring that i love as well. I dont like the idea of the clocks going back tonight (i think ha ha ), but when you all snug and cosy after a hot bath with the tv on and the fire, i like a warm milky coffee and the kids in bed! (wonder if that will really happen lol!!)

[digthatchick]

I love the smell of woodsmoke on an autumn evening coming from a cosy fire, the great array of the seasons root veg that's available and the prospect of seeing the fieldfares and redwings in the garden.

I think this sums up my thoughts of autumn:

When the white eagle of the north is flying overhead and the browns, reds and gold’s of autumn lie in the gutter , dead.
Remember then the summer birds, wings of fire flaying.
Born of love of springs new hope, born from leaves decaying.
As new life will come from death, love will come at leisure.
Love of love, love of life and giving, without measure.
Seeks in return the wonderous yearn of a promise, almost seen.
Live hand in hand, and tomorrow you'll stand, on the threshold of a dream.

Justin Hayward

[nelliegemini]

Justin Hayward, now he's someone I forgot for the 'cold shower' thread.

I think it's the warm stews, roaring fire, woodsmoke, snuggly evenings, not feeling guilty at sitting in front of the telly at 6.00 (still avoiding the news).

At this time of year I tend to think 'only ?? days to the shortest day' and then spring starts! In fact I think I'll set up a counting thingy on the Google gadgets bar. Christmas doesn't bother me either way - no kids, but a good excuse to eat goose, and since I'm on Weightwatchers, a good excuse to eat chocolate and cheese and stop counting for a few days. (not very spiritual I know).

And early morning crisp frosts, I forgot frosts. And walking on the heath admiring gorse flowers in the snow/frost (we don't usually get much snow).

Cup half full, cup half empty - I'm actually sadder in June, knowing the nights are pulling in, this time of year I have spring to look forward to.

Oh dear, waffled on again.

[Marthaclematis]

I love cold crisp mornings when I walk along the Thames to get to work, I can walk as quick as I like and not got too hot. And as the nights get dark, walking back the same way with all the bridges and St Paul's all lit up. By Thursday Borough Market is on and the smell of the cooking sausages and chestnuts is lovely, and all the pubs with their inviting lights and chatter.
I like evening walks at the weekend, in that hour when people have their lights on and the curtains open - I am an awful snoop, once I walked into a lampost whilst rubber necking someones supper party; I REALLY hurt my nose.
I love stews too. And bangers and mash and fireworks and the smell of woodsmoke - which is rare in the city but a real treat when you come across it. Golden leaves in the park, the afternoon sun. And planning for Christmas - getting the first BBC Food Magazine with all the recipes and deciding what to buy and when to cook it and what to eat on Christmas day. I sit in bed with my books and magazines (and hot water bottle) and plan it all. LOADS of things.
And then later the promise of spring bulbs and wondering how many of the 130 odd I planted this year will be left after the squirells have done with the digging.

[Marthaclematis]

Nell... there's something from a website which I have printed off as a little table and stuck to my computer screen. Its a calendar showing the times of Sunrise and Sunset for each day of the year. I too get excited as we approach 21st December (the shortest day) and get a big thrill knowing that from then on the days are getting longer again. And like you, I too am sad when the longest day is past.....its like "its all down hill from here".