From The Pumpkin Patch

Late summer, when August begins to melt into autumn.

This week brought much-needed rain and chilly winds to my little corner of the UK, and it seems as though the sweltering temperatures have finally relented.

As I do my best to live seasonally, harvesting fresh produce according to the time of year and shaping my activities around the weather, these changes have prompted me to adjust my routine a little.

Now that the border of autumn is on the horizon, it’s time to make the most of the late summer season and undertake some of my favourite activities.

Go plum picking

On a recent trip to Hewitt’s Farm I noticed that the trees were absolutely laden with plums. I could almost hear the branches groaning under their weight, so it only seemed fair to relieve their burden a little by filling my bags with those sweet juicy fruits.

After arriving home with more plums than I knew what to do with, I set about finding the perfect recipe to make the most of this bountiful harvest.

As soon as I came across this Asian plum sauce recipe, I knew it was the one. The sauce turned out delicious and is the perfect companion to noodle dishes, stir fries, chicken marinades and crispy spring rolls.

If I’m not too late in the season, I’d love to fill a few more bags to make plum jam and plum cake!

Go apple picking

It may be a little early in the season for apple picking, but I couldn’t resist filling a bag on my latest trip to Hewitt’s Farm.

I’m planning to make some little blackberry and apple hand pies using some of the blackberries from our garden as a way to celebrate the changing season, as well as giving me an excuse to start looking forward to autumn.

These early apples may be a little more tart and tangy than usual, but I think they’ll add a depth of flavour to my homemade pies. We also spotted two deer frolicking in the apple orchards, which can only be a good sign!

Bake bread

Now that the temperatures have dropped, what better time to craft a loaf of fresh bread straight from the oven?

Waking up early to knead dough and watch it rise is one of my favourite ways to spend a late summer morning. The blazing sun has been replaced with cool grey skies, and I’m praying that we’ve seen the last of the heatwaves this year.

I usually use my bread maker to whip up basic loaves, but I decided to make something a little more special as summer draws to a close. This recipe for kalamata olive bread is perfect – it’s salty, savoury and absolutely delicious. Plus, it will make your home smell extra cosy and inviting!

Cook cosy meals

My favourite meals to cook are always warm, nourishing and cosy. I love whipping up a bowl of kabocha soup, Japanese curry, spicy ramen noodles…

Delicious.

During the summer months, it’s usually too hot to even think about switching on the oven. As soon as the nights start to draw in, however, my kitchen comes alive with seasonal vegetables and hearty stews.

Of course, we’re still experiencing warmer weather along the border of summer and autumn. But I’m making sure to take full advantage of the occasional chilly night with my favourite cold-weather recipes.

Go blackberry picking

I’ve lived in my current apartment for the past six years, and I’ve only just realised that we have a huge blackberry bush in our communal garden. What a waste!

I’ve been making up for lost time recently, blackberrying away to my heart’s content. I’ve managed to fill a huge freezer bag full of these sweet late summer fruits, and the harvest is showing no signs of slowing down.

If you’re dealing with a similar surplus of blackberries in your kitchen, I’ve also rounded up a collection of blackberry recipes to provide a little inspiration this season.

Start knitting

Is there anything better than wearing something that you created with your own two hands?

I’m determined to knit myself a cosy scarf this autumn, so I’m getting an early start while my summer dresses are still in rotation. I took a much longer break from knitting than I intended, so I’ve been refreshing my skills these past few weeks and finally feel confident enough to begin my project.

If I’m successful, I’ll share the fruits of my labour in a dedicated blog post!

Buy something seasonal

In our home, it’s never too early to start preparing for autumn.

I’m trying not to shop too much, as we are hoping to move into our new home in a few months (fingers crossed! But when I saw a pair of adorable mushroom-shaped soup pots (now sold out, sorry!) I just couldn’t resist.

They’re perfect for serving up my traditional kabocha soup throughout the colder months, but for now they’re happy to simply add a rustic touch to my kitchen.

I’ve already started to update my wardrobe for my favourite season, with this pretty cardigan given to me as a gift on my birthday recently. You really can’t have too many cosy jumpers and cardigans, can you?

My mind seems to come alive as the temperatures fall, so I’ll be posting more regularly throughout the coming months. Bring on the cold and the rain!