Positively Inspirational Round-up: Autumn Alley

I love this time of year. The hot sun has cooled and in its place we have speckled spots of warm sunshine dripping down on to the crispy autumn reds and oranges of fallen leaves beneath our winter boots. I always feel inspired during Autumn. I usually want to re-decorate or start up something new. I don’t really know why this time of year makes me feel that way, but I have lots of plans for completely changing the color scheme in my living room to red, brown and orange to add some warmth ready for the colder months ahead. I love the garden too at the moment, everything looks so dewy even spiderwebs look picturesque.

Jo from A Frumpy Mum gives us a autumnal tour of her garden and I just can’t help but feel inspired as I wander around her gorgeous garden. There is something so special about an autumn garden with fallen apples scattered around its base. Lizzie from Marmalade Pie shows us how to bring the autumn garden into our homes by making a decorative wreath full of berries, leaves and dried poppy heads. I love how simple she makes it look and it has inspired me to go out on a nature hunt for pretty items to bring into my home.

Talking of going on a nature walk, Sam from Happy Homebird shares some lovely photos of a pumpkin patch with a stunning view, that she stumbled across while out searching for a pumpkin for Halloween. I love how she describes her discovery , so delightfully;

“At weekend I came across a pumpkin patch with amazing views, a little hazy as the sun was starting to set but very magical. I heard a frog croaking somewhere and I thought to myself, I’m really living a fairytale now – I’ve got my froggy prince and any number of Cinderella stagecoaches to choose from.”

I love reading about what bloggers have been doing to get out and about and when I read Darren’s post from OneDad3Girls about enjoying the fresh air this month I just had to include it in my round-up. I do love a woodland walk and Darren’s post got me thinking about how lucky we are to be surrounded by such beautiful countryside.

Someone else who has really inspired me this month is Donna from Ordinary Cycling Girl. Donna is such a brave lady, travelling to Spain on a cycling holiday around Catalunya all alone. I admire how gutsy she is as she tells us;

“Filled with trepidation and huge excitement, I started packing for five days away from my family – the longest I’ve been away from my husband and my two children (four and eight). The itinerary said ‘pack comfy clothes for cycling’. Having never been to Catalunya before, never mind in September, this didn’t help much. I wasn’t sure of the terrain, the roads, the weather, the bikes we’d be riding or the fitness of the other people who would be travelling with me.”

Reading about Donna’s experience made me realize that I never actually do anything alone and that maybe I should explore more of the things I enjoy. I could start with that soap making course that I’ve always fancied signing up for. I think of autumn as a time for fresh starts and committing myself to new dreams and aspirations. I’ll leave you with this lovely extract from a poem called ‘Every Season’ by Nichole Nordeman. It sums up this time of year so perfectly.

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time.
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside.
Still I notice You when change begins,
And I am braced for colder winds.
I will offer thanks for what has been & what’s to come.
You are autumn.

Lots of Love,

Mama Syder x

About Emma Syder

Mama Syder is a 45 year old married Mum and Nan from Essex, who has been blogging over at 'The syders' for eight years. A thrifty Mama, she lives a simple lifestyle while growing her own vegetables, homeschooling, sewing, crocheting and enjoying the small things in life.