Summer began to melt into Autumn at Bealtaine Cottage amidst a flurry of bees and butterflies, more than ever witnessed in the permaculture gardens.
Harvesting began and the kitchen was a place of jam jars and bottles, all waiting to be filled and labelled.
The glut of blackcurrants became wine, jam and chutney, with even more added to the freezer.
Open days and workshops seen a steady stream of visitors to the cottage and gardens.
Kindling for the winter stoves continued to be collected and stored in the barn.
And the Potager beds kept growing!
The recipe for Blackcurrant Chutney was added to a blog post that had runaway success!
Valerian flowered…
Roses bloomed…
And all around, flowers showed off with total abandon!
I collected seeds…
and more seeds…
Drying and labelling in every container I had to spare!
Seedheads were stored for winter flower arrangements.
As the boys played in the Fairy Wood.
It was a magical time for all!
Summer never really went away, for the wine of that season kept bubbling with life.
And the harvest continued…
As potatoes were lifted…
And misty mornings began to appear.
Cobwebs shimmied in the morning breeze…
As the light and shadows began to change.
My son got married and I designed and made the flower arrangements, on a lovely day with my new daughter’s mother, here at Bealtaine.
Everyone came to the west of Ireland for a three day wedding in a 500 year old castle. Here I am with my eldest daughter.
And when all was over, the harvest continued.
And the cottage fell silent…
But not for long, as friends delivered cardboard for mulching…
And helped with the harvest.
Lords and Ladies made an Autumn appearance in the Fairy Wood.
And the cottage and gardens were opened for a special fundraiser in aid of Leitrim Animal Welfare.
Raising a magnificent sum of money for a wonderful charity.
Autumn continued into Winter…
And logs were stacked in readiness for the stove.
The days darkened as Midwinter approached…
And candlelight illuminated the dark days.
Bringing cheer to the silent grey…
And soft light into the Midwinter Cottage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So few do, but if you choose to make a small donation, then Bless You!Â
Lovely to revisit. So inspiring! xx
Just to say how much I look forward to seeing new posts on both of your inspirational blogs,i really believe they are!I’ve learnt so much,thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do,and may you long continue to do it!have donated a tiny sum,wish it could be more,but the work you do is so dear to my heart I feel compelled to try and help albeit in a minute way xblessings to you,truly x
Thanks so very much Lizzie…it is most generous of you and very welcome here XXX Blessings to you
Reblogged this on Bealtaine Cottage ~ Home of Goddess Permaculture and Earth Healing and commented:
A little bit of Vintage Bealtaine for you…
Dear Colette,just wanted to share this with you https://youtu.be/6GJFL0MD9fc . People after your own heart.
I have watched this wonderful video before, but am enjoying it again. Thank you X
Your site is very interesting 🙂
Like your idea of using pegs as labels 🙂
A beautiful year in review, Colette. Thanks for letting us in! Mari
________________________________
Blessings for the year ahead XXX
Your beautiful photos and uplifting words are very welcome, as once again I sit and ride out the storms here. The garden is a quagmire of slippy, slidey clay. I think the hens are weary of this weather and take breaks in the hen house, which I haven’t seen them do before, I guess with age comes wisdom. My children all flew the nest many years ago, but being a bit of a hoarder, I kept all the all the old cotton sheets. Some of them were a bit thin and worn, so have been cutting and sewing to make serviceable sheets rather than buy new. I have to pluck up courage to use the sewing machine as I dislike it so much. I am definitely a knitter and not a sower!
Fantastic, Colette. Thanks again for letting us into your world. Here’s wishing you a very happy new year! Kind regards, jools
And abundant blessings to you, Jools in 2014 XXX Colette