This evening we are drinking to the health of our apple trees and hoping that this year's harvest will be a good one! For hot mulled cider, or warm mulled apple juice for little ones, you can make a sachet of the following: cinnamon, star anise, cardamom pods, fresh ginger, dried orange peel, nutmeg. Add honey to sweeten.

Finally this morning, this winter's first frost!

For the novice knitter this gorgeous pattern from Karen Wright at Middle Campscott Farm down the road in Lee is perfect for a cold winter night.

We haven't had so much as a frost this winter but we're keeping our fingers crossed for snow at Christmas.

We still have so many apples left over from the apple pressing and we love this spiced apple sauce: stewed apples, cinnamon and honey.

There are occasional perks to getting out on cold mornings to let the chickens out.

Delicious and terrifying all at the same time.

It is so warm, can it really be November 1st?