September 2025 - A Seasonal Diary
A seasonal diary of nature spots and little moments
"By all these lovely tokens, September days are here. With summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer."
-Helen Hunt Jackson
Hello September
I am so relieved to be in Autumn, I think it's the novelty that comes with the change of seasons. Thereās nothing more inspiring to me than both spring and autumn, I feel alive, happy and excited to create. I fear I really do just exist through the summer and winter, living a sort of half life, waiting longingly for my energy returning with the equinox. Why when all of nature starts to shut down I find renewed energy I do not know, but I feel an impulse to create the moment the calendar flips into Autumns direction.
1st September
Everything is abit different. Today is the last official day of Teddy being a pre-schooler, tomorrow our mornings will be earlier than they've ever been as I drop two children off in two different areas. 5 days a week I will lose my best friend, 3 nursery days seemed too many. 5 seems criminal. Yet I am looking forward to the one on one time I will get with each of them.
7th September
It's actually not that bad, I feel I see both boys on their own and it's a magical gift that will only last for the two years before Tobes joins the school. I want to soak up every minute of it. Abject terror is how I felt about life as a school boy Mum, having to be organised and remembering all the events and things you need as well as the washing of the uniform. The whole concept filled me with dread because I am scatty on my good days, but so far, so good. I've managed a week and we haven't been late yet.
20th September - Bird Law
I went to a reading of Bird law at the Ryedale folk museum and had a lovely day, the weather was awful which is always a good thing for me, the farmer is home and I can swan off. Sally Coulthard is my absolute favourite and I've devoured so many of her books so to meet her in real life was a real fan girl moment. The folk museum I find so inspiring every time I visit. I love the old gardens and the shepherd's hut and the old fashioned cottage. I would love to remodel my house on a late 18th century farm cottage. Honestly even the basic 4 poster bed was beautiful.
21st September - The Magical Sunday
To make up for my abandonment of the boys the day before I took them on a bike ride and packed up hot chocolate and a very tasty brownie a lovely customer had made us. Now usually any sort of walk or bike ride would be met with moaning but on this day the boys were in good mood and willing and both managed the two miles, nobody complained, the weather was lovely all be it a little cold. Ted refused to wear a jumper when we left the house and i forgot to fetch it in the car so he had to pinch mine. He looked fairly ridiculous. But a great time was had and they played in the massive puddled for what felt like an hour and sat and had hot chocolates on the log pile. Wholesome day was it.
Garden Days
Neglect is all I can say, the wholesale orders have picked right up this month, (thank goodness) so days in the garden are getting few and far between as I pack and work most days. I miss her so much! My Dahlia is here though looking pretty, when am I supposed to pull her up? Do you know? Itās soon isnāt it? Seems a shame though sheās flowering so beautifully. Also the pumpkins, Iāve picked some and donated them to school, not before I painted them though! Love a pumpkin painting.
Nature Notes
I keep hearing the geese passing over. A sure sign of Autumn
The swallows have goneThe house Martins are getting ready to leave
We have a Moor hen that seems to walk across the garden fence, i think it's copying the little birds but it just seems unbalanced and clumsy, the sight makes me chuckle. We've had Moor hens for years, we often see their chicks crossing the road although i haven't a clue where they live but they arrive to pinch our chicken food daily.
Gathered some elderberry to make the last of my cordial and found a cheeky Angle Shades moth chilling. He's meant to look like a leaf and be invisible when hidden in the leaf litter but against the purple berries he was fairly conspicuous.
Its a great year for sloes! The Blackberries have been pants but the sloes are EVERYWHERE.
Oak gall, iāve researched this the best I can and itās a knopper gall? And then on top of it is some sort of white thing but I canāt find any information on that so if you know please comment!
The bind weed is still going strong, I love watching the bees on these, face first with their bottoms poking out. Cute.
September In Watercolour
Stories from the studio, a little glimpse into my watercolour creations from this monthā¦
What has August been like for you? Have you seen anything out in nature thatās made you smile or just peeked your interest? I would love to know, tell me in the comments below...
