Monday 25 August 2008

Change in the air

It's been in the air for a few days, small things like the odd golden leaf and the wind blowing warm but harder. Today even the birds noticed; the swifts are long gone and all afternoon the swallows and housemartins swooped around the house then took turns lining up on the wires, waiting for some unseen signal when they'll leave as one.
In the field I can see from the kitchen window, the tractor is back, mowing the last of the grass for winter hay. We drove to one of our favourite villages over the weekend and on the way home I noticed barns full of bales already safely gathered in and the first field of freshly ploughed, warm, brown earth.
Summer, well what bit we had, is on the slide and inside I can feel the excitement and anticipation building. At home the few recipe books, of this very reluctant cook, are out and plans for hearty suppers, warming casseroles and maybe a chutney or two being made. We're drawing the curtains earlier and earlier and my hunt for thermal linings for this house of huge windows has begun.
There's nothing I like more than preparing for winter and I try to do the odd thing every week from late summer onwards. I know huge snowfalls or ice storms are really unlikely to cut us off from the world but I love the feeling of cosying up our burrow and being ready to batten down the hatches just in case.
So imagine how chuffed I was when I spied this beautiful, beautiful eiderdown at the Collector's Market on Saturday, the perfect thing for my sitting room on chilly evenings. It's in such perfect nick I think it might be a newly made one in a vintage pattern, either that or it's been wrapped up in an attic for years. And it was an absolute bargain, I've seen one this beautiful go on ebay for more than £100 - this was mine for £12!
It makes me happy just to see it in our home. An eiderdown for autumn, I can't wait.

24 comments:

Tinyholder said...

Amazing! I can't believe you got that for £12! I love winter 5 must admit, there's nothing like a walk in the crisp air and blue skies. I also love snuggling up at home.

Schotzy said...

How lovely, and I really enjoy your blog! we won't be battening down anything around here in Virginia until January. But I am keeping my sweatshirts and sweatpants handy with the threat of huge heating fuel bills! Beautiful find, wonderful blog! Thanks for sharing! Carolyn

Leisa said...

What a beautiful eiderdown, such a great find. Of course we are feeling just the opposite here - looking forward to Spring and the lovely warm weather it will bring.

our shabby cottage said...

Wow, what a lovely find! It's amazing what people are willing to pay on ebay when they could just fossick around at markets etc...! We are gearing up for spring here - the cherry blossom and Wattle are out - a sure sign of Spring to come.

our shabby cottage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Gosh what a bargain Steph! That's going to be wonderful to snuggle under on a dark evening with a good book.
Rosie x

Joanne said...

Wow what a wonderful find, I love the colours it would so go well on my sofa LOL. Looks like we're all going to need somthing to snuggle up under with the rising heating bills.

Pipany said...

Oh Steph, that was such a lovely post. I am with you on the whole readying for autumn and have been rambling on about the hedgerow harvests on my blog, ready for chutney making, etc. I particularly love the autumn sunshine and will be desperate if we don't get any! Gorgeous eiderdown too xx

prettyshabby said...

I was feeling sad that summer was slipping away before our eyes, the dark nights were drawing in and that we hadn't had many good summer days, but reading this post and the thought of lighting the fires,getting the eiderdowns out again and the smell of fallen leaves and being able to have a good cut back and tidy up in the garden..reminds me that..oh yes!... Autumn isn't that bad really! (gorgeous bargainous eidy too!)

mollycupcakes said...

Gorgeous eiderdown Steph just the ticket for all those cosy nights in front of the fire.
Winter is most defiantly on it's way, our thicker quilt is back on our bed and the girls have been snuggling under the eiderdown on the sofa.
This time of year is so very magical, a time for wishing and fairies.
With the big C well on it's way it is just so exciting.
Hope you've had a lovely bank holiday.
Many hugs.
Catherine x

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

I think I am definitely going to have to move to your part of the world...
All these lovely paisley eiderdowns are 10 times that price in these parts..!
I am looking forward to cosy nights snuggled together on the sofa and what with rising fuel prices.. we will make sure our fireplaces are working this winter..
I love the autumn and welcome the colder days and nights.
Michele x

periwinkle said...

An absolute bargain - well done you, its gorgeous I know what you mean about summer on the slide - i've noticed it too .
lisa x

French Knots said...

What a brilliant find, such a lovely pattern.
I have been buying old blankets to line the door curatins and try to keep the heating bill down.

Shakespere said...

Interesting blog. I enjoyed reading. Thanks

The Fairy Glade said...

Hi I cannot believe that quilt, things like that just do not happen in my part of the world. You would be lucky to get it for less than it sold on ebay! They say that our area is affluent, being close to Canterbury etc, well all I can say is that it must all belong to someone else. Any thoughts on the Miss Read books I told you about? Am happy to post one to you and let you see if you like them. DevX

alice c said...

Such a pretty paisley pattern. The nice part of me is thrilled that you got such a bargain but the naughty part of me is just a tiny bit jealous. Well, OK , more than a tiny bit.

Cottage1945 said...

What a bargain and it's beautiful too. We are getting into the Autumn mood around our house too.

Clover Yard said...

What a bargain Steph! - it's gorgeous. I used to lament for summer at this time of year but I know that as long as I have lovely blogs like yours to inspire me it will be a much more enjoyable winter this year.
Carolx

Emily said...

Oh delicious autumn! I can't wait! What a lovely find - it is gorgeous and so absolutely cozy looking.

Sal said...

I can hardly believe that you got such a bargain! It is lovely!
Well done you ;-)

Funkymonkey said...

I really enjoyed reading this post. Reading it and all the comments made it's nice to know that I am not weird and looking forward to snuggling up in the house is quite normal. I would have said snuggling up in front of the fire but who can afford to do that now? The eiderdown is beautiful. I think we all need to come shopping with you if you find such lovely things.

dragonfly said...

What a bargain! I love snuggling up under quilts and blankets too.
It seems wrong that I spent an August day sweeping up leaves in the garden... But I do like autumn too.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful find that eiderdown was, lucky you! I was looking at some smallish vintage ones a few weeks ago, they were single size and being sold for 38pounds, which was too expensive for me to afford. And they weren't as nice as yours :: I am quite jealous actually lol!
Your description of Autumn coming was soo beautiful Steph, although made me very sad, I am one of those who clings to summer till the bitter end, Autumn make me slightly melancholy, although I do eventually get over it by October.

Nice to catch up with you
xxxxxxxxx

Hen said...

Oooh, I have serious eiderdown envy, well done you, what a great find.
Your blog is lovely, I can see I'm not going to get much done for the next few hours while I catch up...

Best wishes
Hen x