Welcoming Autumn in our Woods

Although it's almost the end of September, and the leaves are showing the start of their beautiful autumnal colours, the weather has continued so mild lately that it hardly seems like conker season is really here.

We almost didn't think of going looking for some yet, but when we went for our Sunday afternoon walk to the woods yesterday we found them in plenteous supply. Perhaps everyone else is also fooled by the weather and hasn't been gathering them up yet!

Going on a conker hunt always ushers in the start of the proper autumn season for me and boys 2, 3, 4, and even 5 enjoyed hunting them down.

There is still a lot more green around the woods than browns, reds and yellows.

Calum (11), being part of the selfie generation, always likes to take a few whenever we are out anywhere!

I love how he captured their eye colour so well in this one!

Did you know that our local wood is home to some magical people?

What?

Don't believe me?

Then who else lives in here then?

Just down from where the little people live is the duck pond, which I've shared many times before. It always looks so pretty no matter what time of year it is.

Time for another selfie by the duck pond.

(As a complete aside, do you see David's chipped front tooth? It's been fixed three times since he broke it in the Spring and then it's broken again! Sums that boy up really!)

Now, at the narrowest point of the duck pond is a bridge. But crossing over it normally is no fun, is it?

Look, another magical house!

When Calum (11) was hunting for conkers he came across this unusual thing growing but we don't know what it is.

Anyone able to help us identify it?

I love all of autumn's red berries and their contrast with the greens.

Back home it was time to check out the spoils.

These were the conkers David (8) collected.

We took home a bag full of pine cones for crafting with. I've seen a tutorial for making those beautiful cinnamon scented pine cones we see every year in the garden centre, but that I can never justify buying as they are so expensive! If we have success I will share it here soon.

And here is Alasdair (5) with his collection.

We will be kept busy the next few days stringing up these conkers!

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Recipe of the Week - Gingerbread Pancakes (Gluten & Dairy free)

I wonder how many blog posts now begin with the words, 'I saw this recipe/craft project on Pinterest.....'?

Quite a few, I would imagine.

Anyway, I came across a recipe on Pinterest for Gingerbread Pancakes. Rather than making the recipe that was there though, I took it as my inspiration and adapted my own gluten & dairy free pancake recipe.

I'm pleased to say that it was a big hit with everyone in our house and so I though it only fair to share the recipe!

Maple syrup is optional, but we certainly can't eat breakfast pancakes without it, although you can just see a tin of Golden Syrup in the background. That's James' preference.

For the pancakes you will need:

400ml soya milk

2 eggs

2oz brown sugar

8oz Doves farm gluten free self rasing flour

1tsp cinnamon

1tsp mixed spice
1tsp ground ginger
1tbsp vegetable oil

~ Put your griddle or large non-stick frying pan on to heat while you get started on the mixture. That way, it will be nice and hot when you are finished mixing.

~Whisk the eggs and milk together in large bowl, preferably a big batter jug with a pouring lip. Just do all the mixing by hand. No need for a fancy mixer!

~Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk together until you have a smooth, pourable batter.

~Pour dollops onto your griddle/pan and cook for a couple of minutes before turning over and cooking the other side, again for a couple of minutes.

~Keep the cooked pancakes warm under a clean tea towel while you make the rest of the batch.

~Serve with syrup and maybe a few sliced bananas too.

OK, so they look just like normal pancakes but they taste like a cosy autumn morning.

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