If you go down to the woods today...

...You might find some Autumnal delights, like Toadstools, Mushrooms and a friendly robin by your side.

Well, After such a busy and quite full on first week back into routines like School, work and meetings It was a great sense of freedom and well needed 'time out' to visit a favourite nature park and woodlands called Stover Nature Reserve, Bovey Tracey, Devon. I have never liked mass crowds and cannot wait to escape busy, bustling places. I always prefer places out of season so to speak...Even our little country town can get ever so packed in July and August (I know its great for local businesses though!).  I'm getting used to new routines...Like I've said before I'm not great with 'change'...And its been such a fast paced week. Its a slow pace getting my head around new chapters, challenges and routines...I do get there eventually. So it was just lovely to escape for an afternoon!...

~~~~~~~~~~~~ * * * * ~~~~~~~~~~~~

The woodlands are that happy tonic for the soul.

A big 'Sigh..I can breathe' again...And face what ever the next week brings.
~~~~~  ~  *  ~  ~~~~~~

Sophia surprised me that she was so happy to embrace a good long walk without any moaning or negative reactions (You know how it can be sometimes). Maybe the conversation that we'd stop off at a favourite Gallery Cafe, 'Devon guild of craftsmen' and she could have a Hot choco and all the trimmings like whipped cream and marshmallow helped her make the right decision?!...When we parked up and Sophia had bread scraps in her hand, A very friendly Robin came right onto her hand to take some bread~ She was beyond frilled with that.  My partner Stevie enjoys a good walk too and escaping the crowds.  Actually, we had very similar childhoods where his and my parents never had  expensive holidays or  spending hours in shopping centres spending lots of money.  Instead it was cheap trips to the coast. And long walks in the Country...I used to love it on Saturday's and my Dads treat of Fish 'n' Chips in the car~ I loved that! Chips always tasted best parked up with a coastal view.  Aww! Memories.  Actually, I never remember us as a family having a meal out in a restaurant in my childhood or teenage years. I'm not complaining though. We do treat Sophia to meals out quite often ...I quite like packing pic-nics instead.

(Gallery at the Devon Guild Of Craftsmen)... Wonderful gallery, Craft area for children to make and create, Shop with the most beautiful artists work, prints, textiles, mix media,  sculptures and one of a kind cards.

And we had lunch upstairs in the attic Cafe which is set in an old Mill building over looking the stream...

On our walk through the Woodlands I noticed a sign on the post offering 'guided Toadstool/Mushroom walk'...but not until October. So with that I was not expecting to see any signs yet of Toadstools. But to our surprise the deeper we walked into the woods and off the beaten track we found quite a few varieties.
Sometimes I wish I was a good 'forager' for things like Mushrooms~ The ones that wont poison /kill you!.

(A family of swans were on the lake )

(home comforts...)

I picked up an Autumnal copy of  the 'Country Living' magazine ...and enjoyed it with a hot cuppa!.

I love the owl cushion!...

Stevie had walked to our local Farmer's Market and came back with a big bunch of 'home grown' Dahlia's, How beautiful and he's so thoughtful....Lucky me!.

The colours remind me of the 'change' from Summer's end to Autumn~ golden yellow's, shades of rust red and orange tangy and rich~ Such beauts!~ Must try and grow them next year...

I have been busy sorting more drawings & pen and ink illustrations to get some more cards and prints printed out...In my portfolio it is full to the top with drawings, I have been busy the last two years!. Sometimes I dont think Ive been that creative and then I look at my drawings and think 'oh' Ive produced quite a lot really over the years...Stevie and Sophia always support my artwork and having that appreciation keeps me going...One day, One day (I say this a lot!) I will produce a Children's book. So any budding Children's writer's 'Please send me a message' I'd love to do a collaboration with you....

I have two Autumn fairs coming up...and I think a Christmas Market fair but waiting to see if they have space...So I want to make sure I have a nice lot of stock for those... I am also updating my 'shared' etsy shop online, So once thats completed with new prints I will let you know the link.

I was quite happy with the 'new' line of fairies~ I have two more designs as well (not photographed yet).

I was thinking maybe a garland for Children's rooms or a card that Children could cut out and put on the Christmas tree.  I'm still busy needle felting, usually before I head to bed. I will finish sewing the brooch pins on and show you in the next few weeks. Its just been a whirlwind of projects, jobs, School and household chores...We even tackled the hill top garden grass with the strimmer! Oh' my like a jungle!...need to get the sheers out as well...Another  job for the weekend....

(I photographed this image on my phone So not best quality!)

My Father is still undergoing intensive Cancer treatments~ He's been home in between, But back in a week. Hopefully to trail a 'new' Drug as well .

He's coping...And keeping his strength up! and keeping his positivity going...And cracking his old jokes!,

I'm so very proud of him...Despite the tough road that lies a head he keeps smiling!.

Fingers, toes, everything that can be crossed is crossed for a happy, healthy outcome...

We are hoping to get him here for Christmas~ A long way from the East Coast to the West Coast, but we want him with us.  Thankyou for all the warming, heart felt and kind comments on my Instagram feed as well.

Anyway...for now I wish you a happy week.

Thanks for following and your lovely messages!.

x   K a z z y  x