Hello!

As we enjoy the last golden stretch of summer, many of us wish we could hold on to the season forever. Others (like me!) are excited for the first signs of autumn. Of course, in the Southern Hemisphere, winter is changing to spring, but wherever you call home, this in-between season is a wonderful time to savour each moment and gather inspiration for the days to come.

Behind The Scenes - A Family Trip to Canada & A Weekend in a Castle!

Before I share some seasonal inspo and some delicious slow cooker magic, let me give you a little peak behind the scenes into our family trip to Canada – and my weekend in a castle!

We covered a lot of ground on our family trip to Canada, spending time in Toronto, on the shores of Lake Huron, in beautiful Niagara on the Lake and in Kitchener-Waterloo, my hometown. It was wonderful to see so many family and friends, including some from this side of the pond who just happened to be in the same place at the same time!

We couldn’t pass up a family visit to Niagara Falls. Although I grew up not too far from the Falls and have visited often, this natural wonder always takes my breath away.

Just after we returned home, my husband treated me to a fairytale weekend at Thornbury Castle, now a beautiful Relais and Chateaux hotel on the edge of the Cotswolds. We stayed in the Catherine of Aragon Suite, on the top floor of one of the castle towers. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend, full of history, delicious food, countryside drives and visits to National Trust stately homes.

I'll be sharing more on the website soon. In the meantime, if you would like to see more of our Canada adventure, our castle weekend and some of the other things I have been up to, please check out my Instagram.

Bringing The Season Home

As the seasons shift, I like to make small changes at home to echo them. Right now, I’m adding a few autumnal decorations like this cute acorn candle that I bought at Kiki and Bow in Pangbourne.

When the evenings turn cooler, I’ll layer in cosy throws on chairs and sofas, making them perfect for snuggling up with a good book. Small touches can bring a sense of cosiness without rushing headlong into autumn – something I’m mindful of as my husband dreads the end of summer. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll find more inspiration in my Fall Decorating Ideas. (Readers in the Southern Hemisphere may prefer my Spring Decorating Ideas!)

Easy Slow Cooker Suppers

I love my slow cooker all year round, but especially on these in-between days. It keeps things simple so I can really enjoy those best of late summer and makes busy autumn evenings so much easier.

Poor Man's Steak Diane

This easy recipe from Sarah Olsen's book The Magical Slow Cooker makes the most delicious stew.

Recipe here

Short Ribs in a Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Family friendly flavours make this comforting dish a real winner.

Recipe here

Honey Garlic & Ginger Chicken

This versatile recipe can be served over rice or noodles or in a bun or wrap with crispy veggies or coleslaw.

Recipe here

Whether it’s the retro charm of Poor Man’s Steak Diane, the bold flavours of Short Ribs in a Sweet and Spicy Sauce, or the gentle warmth of Honey Garlic & Ginger Chicken, these slow cooker recipes are true crowd-pleasers.

And why not enjoy this easy dessert, perfect for late summer evenings.

Turkish Delight Syllabub

I love serving syllabubs and cold fools or puddings in antique teacups. It makes the desserts look beautiful and is a great conversation-starter!

Recipe here

Links marked with an asterix (*) are affiliate links - As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This week I'm...

Reading - a galley proof of The Time Hop Coffee Shop* by Phaedra Patrick, due to be published in September, on NetGalley.

Watching - Thursday Murder Club on Netflix

Listening to - Music from Bridgerton on Apple Music

Curating - Lists of some of my favourite things on my new Amazon Store* I've just started a new list for Autumn decor.

Enjoying - Watching the landscape change with the season on my walks in the fields and forest near our home.

Looking forward to - Goodwood Revival, an annual celebration of motorsport, iconic cars and vintage fashion in September

That's all for now. Wherever this newsletter finds you, I hope these in-between days bring you joy. For me, it’s about holding on to summer’s light while welcoming autumn’s gentle comforts - and I’d love to know, are you someone who wishes summer would last forever, or are you ready to embrace autumn’s cosy charm? Please hit “reply” and let me know!

Thank you so much again for being a subscriber. Remember you can reply to this email with any questions, comments, suggestions or just to say hi. I love to hear from you.

Warmly,

April x