My October garden...& a cosy afternoon

I haven't posted in a while...first, as you know, I had the wonderful visit of my sister & her children to enjoy. And then, a week ago, they left again. I always need a little time to recover afterwards...this will sound dramatic, but it's a little mourning period for me. If you don't have people you love so much, living so far away...it's a little hard to explain. All I can say is that there's an emptiness, an ache...and when you are apart, however good and full life is, in the back of your mind and in your heart there's always something missing. It gets to the stage where it's almost easier not to see them, because I start to miss them before they've even arrived....and it gets harder every time. But there's nothing to be done - it's a fact of our lives - and I count myself so lucky to have the closeness and love that transcends the miles. C'est la vie!

And now it's October - can you believe it? My most favourite of months, and already a week old...
It's a difficult time in the garden, I find. Messy and fading....too early to really clear up, too late for most of the beauty....but there are  still pockets of gorgeous colour here and there...

and there's something so beautiful about the plants setting seed ....getting ready for their hibernation but making plans for Spring too!

The last of the mini-harvest is gathered...

the odd strawberry still ripening (I'm leaving them for the birds, though...although on some sunny days I can't resist pinching one!)
and I am so proud of my tomatoes this year...all grown totally outdoors! I made this bowlful into a fragrant soup yesterday...

There's no denying though that winter is on the way....the greens are fading into browns and the leaves are dying off, ready for the big sleep...

Some afternoons are warm enough, still, to sit outside and enjoy the last golden moments. But not today. I have some work to do...and Paul has to go to the office. But later, I will be sitting here...

in my very favourite chair....and trying to catch up on the huge pile of magazines that have accumulated over the summer (I buy a new one and it goes on the stack!)

with some beloved Mozart in the background...as always....and this little companion somewhere near...

tired after her long run with her 'dad' this morning. The perfect, cosy, Sunday afternoon...in my world, anyway!
It's good to be back - I've missed you! Have a great week xoxo