I believe I’m still holding out for an Indian Summer. I also believe I may be holding out for some time. It was COLD this morning. We put the fire on for the first time while the kids had their milk just to warm the room up a bit and all of us had our cosies on. This drop in temperature didn’t mean that it was grey and drizzly outside. On the contrary, as you can see the sun came up over the garden this morning and has yet to go away.
If Summer has indeed come to an end then I have to face this fact and turn my attention to the instinct that never fails to make an appearance at this time of year – nesting. I love to make the house all cosy and warm at this time of year, before the onset of the really cold weather, and before my thoughts turn to decorating for Halloween.
So before it all gets a bit orange and the house is invaded by Pumpkins I decorate using Dried Hydrangea heads.
I’m a huge fan of these flowers dried and prefer them to when they are out in the garden actually. The colours of the petals become more muted and chalky and depending on the variety you can achieve some beautiful tones.
These Hydrangea heads are from last year. So they’re durable too!
And when sitting in glass they are utterly charming and perfectly Autumnal.
I’ve taken the fresh flowers out of the mason jars and replaced them with more dried Hydrangeas and placed the jars in to the trug my Dad made.
I don’t have to worry about replacing the water, removing soggy petals from the floor or having to watch them die.
Low maintenance nesting. The best sort.
Lilac, pale green and putty are not shades that I would have ever associated with Autumn but I do now. In fact now I’ve been on the lookout I see them everywhere and appreciate not having to immediately fill the house with burnt oranges, chocolate shades and bright greens. I’ll do that anon.
But for now I’m happy with the paler shades. Brought to me for free from my garden and making the place all the more cosier.
Let the nesting commence.
Have a fantastic start to the week. I love you and thank you so much for reading.
Cherry x
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Cherry,
I always have the nesting urge when the Fall weather arrives. But, in Texas, the month of September is still considered summer. The high temperature today is 91 F (32 C ) but that doesn’t stop me from thinking ahead to cooler weather!
Your trug filled with hydrangeas looks so cozy and romantic and, you are so right, the tones are beautiful!
I think you and your father make a great decorating team.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Thank you I will be doing some drying soon! AND I had to laugh about your name and the adult content! eek!
The first Snow Geese flew over the valley, what a harbinger of fall and winter, all the way from the Arctic circle. Beautiful to hear them conversing and their wings making a distinct whooshing sound. Jupiter is so bright tonite, took out the telescope and looked at it’s 4 moons and it’s stripes. Only 4 moons were visible. The other night an owl and I were having quite a talk! He’d hoot and I would answer, he must have stayed for an hour-gave up my hooting. Have been putting up a few spiders and ghosties. So happy that you are all together and enjoying this new season!
What a beautiful comment. Thank you. Cx
Oh, that you could bottle some of that nesting! I’d be first in line.
Hi Cherry
I love your blog, and as I’ve just moved into my first house with a large garden I’m finding it such an inspiration. We tried to dry some flower heads this summer for a friends wedding but we didn’t have much luck so I would love to hear how you do it.
Looking forward to your book.
Beccy xx
Ps I can’t read your blog at work as it’s blocked due to adult content lol !
They think my name is a porn name. I get that sometimes. I’m sorry!
Cx
Hi Cherry
How do you dry Hydrangeas? Is it just a case of bringing them indoors or is there something you have to do to preserve them? Yours look lovely, by the way.
Gill x
Hello
All I do is hang them upside down in a dry warm place. I hope that helps. Cx
They look gorgeous. I love Hydrangeas, I have a few bushes in my garden. How do you dry them though?
Hello! I hang them upside down in a dry warm place. Usually my kitchen. Cx
lovely as always…..don’t have them myself, but! if I look across to my neighbours garden in the distance, guess what I see mmmmmmm can see a certain someone calling with cake to have with a chat over a cuppa..
love to all
jacqueline xxx
I saw a lovely variety over the weekend called ANTIQUE and they were a deep blue with shades of the sea as well- they are one of my favorite flowers to dry.
The trug looks fabulous with the hydrangeas. It’s funny, I just did an arrangement of daisys and a lovely rich burgundy/red chrysanthemum with a limey-green seedy looking filler and will fill out with some of the euonymus from the garden – I too love the rich colours of the fall! Currently the garden is full of clematis maximowicziana – sweet autumn clematis which I have just found out is considered to be a noxious weed! But I love its cloud like blossoms….so I am really torn about whether to pull it out
I will have to think about this…Have a great day and love to all the family from Canada!
Oh how I love, love, lovvve Hydrangeas! I, like you, bring them in at the first opportunity. I love the ones which turn very pale green too! (We are so alike in our ‘decorative techniques’ that I think we could be twins – apart from the twenty odd years’ age difference!!!
I agree with the comments about Christmas coming along far toooooo fast! Why, oh why can’t shops just ‘wait’ a bit and let us have Autumn first!!! A lovely season – and I know just what you mean Cherry,about the ‘nesting’ aspect of it. It makes me tingle when I see the gorgeous autumn-y colours in clothing in the shops… great sweaters, scarves, hats etc. Yeayy! I’ve already stocked up on logs
Thanks for sharing – as ever! Jennie
Lovely muted colours Cherry. I do like those mauvey tones.
Good wishes to you all from a windy, warm Melbourne.
I’m packing to move again so I’ll enjoy your autumnal displays for now. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Hugs
Mandy xxx
Lovely, hydrangeas are something I def want to grow next year
Gorgeous photos Cherry – what a beautiful shade they are.
We went for a walk at Sir Harold Hillier gardens yesterday in Romsey and although it showered frequently, this meant we had virtually the whole place to ourselves – we must only have seen about 5 other groups of visitors in the time we were there. It was beautifully autumnal – the leaves starting to change colour, a note of cold in the air, the smell of the damp earth and cuddling up to husband in a warm woolly jumper made me really look forward to the next few months. Spring and autumn are by far my favourite times of year.
It’s one of the greatest things about living in England I think – the distinctly different seasons that we are lucky enough to witness over and over again.
Hope you’re all well, take care,
Bex.x
they really do look gorgeous. And you have reminded me to go and cut some to dry, before it rains and spoils them.
I’m ready for cold weather. I was freezing this morning, I think that’s why I was so wide awake at 5.30! But yesterday we went to the park in town,and while chilly the sun was out and it was gorgeous.
I think Debbie-S is right, most shops seem to fast forward to Christmas. It is a shame, it’s nice to celebrate the seasons as they happen. But I’m one of those people who delight at finding things in stock early, so I can stock up and feel all super organised! I want to enjoy the season while planning ahead for the next one!
Have a lovely day. Hope Robert the Husband is well.
x
They look lovely Cherry. Like you the cold weather makes me instantly want to make the house all cosy and warm. I love Autumn and think that it is a shame that some of my local shops seem to have skipped the season and are already putting out the Christmas decoration!
Take care. Love to you and yours.
Debbie
xx