(if only he would remember his gaeity when he is screaming in the car. Clearly, we have discovered, he does not like the car  ) 

Yesterday was promised fine, but ended up a very damp squib- a bit like our entire summer and autumn this year…

But inbetween torrential showers, we had moments of extraordinary light: colouring everything golden. I took a trip out to the newly weeded hen run, where Flash II, the Cockeral (offspring of the very handsome Flash I) presided over his ladies (apart from Mother Hen, who is a bit of a feminist and takes none of his guff- just does her own thing, with her chicks in tow)

I have been delighted with our Virginia Creeper that took off over Pebbles’ dog-run this year- it is so beautiful this time of year:

This is the time of year for apple tarts too; my friend Fiona brought out apples from her mothers garden (her mother, Mary, of “Marys Cake” fame), and when it came out of the oven, Michael noticed the cross in the centre had turned into…

a heart…

Hallowe’en is fast approaching

(I have to admit, I don’t like the Hallowe’en festivities at all, but love the pumpkin carving and baking)

The boys grew their own pumpkins this year (might try to make Erins pumpkin pie- yum) but they practiced on marrows this morning with pumpkin-faces the lady in the charity shop gave them yesterday (they were telling her about their pumpkin-growing and she was so impressed she gave them a bag of free Hallowe’en stuff)

At least we have found a use for all the overgrown marrows in the polytunnel

Yes… it looks like a massacre. And it was… in ways… (it being Hallowe’en, we have to keep to a theme) my middle son (8) has apparently wanted a hair cut for yonks, and I apparently was refusing him “permission” to do same… so after his (annual, ha ha) bath I brandished the scissors and comb and began to cut (butcher) with a heavy heart. His hair was gorgeous, wavy curling locks well past his shoulders (I have always yearned for curly hair!), and now (sob sob) it is… well, ultra cute, a la Pixie-ish, but SO much shorter. He wants a blade 1 or something (what’s that????) but I’ve said we’ll hold out on that for a bit (some googling on haircutting needed)

And keeping to the theme… we went trick or treating to my friend Ness’ house: as always her home was gorgeously decorated-

 I know the photo isn’t great, but when I took one with the flash on it looked cold and uninviting… this one has the ambiance) Isn’t it lovely?? There was a selection of delicious treats, sausages, rock buns and pots of tea… sounds like my kind of party!!

And then home to our house where friends came over, and despite the late hour, we stayed up until the wee hours drinking even more tea and eating “Fidelmas Biscuit Cake” (well, a version, not as DELICIOUS as the real thing, but I’m working on it…)(In honour of Fidelma who was really unwell last week, but thankfully, improving) and cupcakes, fruit, Barm Brack… it was great fun. And our little baby, who’s no longer a baby had her first dunking session (there was quite a puddle after this event let me tell you!!)