Discover our Autumn and Pumpkin Candle Collection

Slow Living in the English Countryside: Cosy Autumn Days, Pumpkin Cake & The Cotswolds

And all at once, Summer collapsed into Autumn. Oscar Wilde's quote feels so true this year. Even the still warm, stuffy days feel different. Shadows grow longer as the sun sinks lower on the horizon, its power waning with each passing day, not long until the Autumn Equinox, when the Oak King will finally give way to the Holly King, who rules the night. The year will tip toward darkness once again, and cold and rain will usher us back indoors. For some it might sound drab, but for me? Just wonderful. 

I'm writing to you from my bed after what has been a pretty much perfect Autumn day. On the very first day both children returned to school/college, we visited Sherborne Park Estate in the Cotswolds, wore wellies, drank a Pumpkin Spice Latte, and ate homemade Pumpkin Cake (more below). 

The little, quiet village of Sherborne is simply charming - the honey coloured cottages, woodland walks, open fields and, importantly, fallen leaves everywhere. And to think that it's only a start to our beloved BER months, the tender beginning. We parked at Ewe Pen Car Park and followed the route through the village (I think it was pink on the map in the car park), and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to go back later in the season.

Now, let's talk about the pumpkin cake, because once the vlog goes live on Sunday on YouTube, I expect a lot of questions, haha. Ok, so:

1. The cake recipe: Gemma's Best Ever Pumpkin Bread. My blog reader Steph shared it with me, and it's been my favourite ever since. I doubled the ingredients and baked them in two round springform pans. Instead of all the spices listed, I used pumpkin spice. Now, WARNING: the cake is huge. Like mahoosive. My usual mixing bowl is too small for all the ingredients, so I recommend getting a bigger bowl to mix it all comfortably. 

2. The cream. To make it, add (roughly) one cup of good-quality double cream (I use Elmlea 270ml), a standard tube of full-fat Philadelphia cheese (165 grams), and a sprinkle of sugar. Don't add too much, as the cake is already sweet and the cream cheese balances it nicely. Mix with a hand-held mixer until stiff. Spread on the cake only once it has fully cooled (or it will melt). Keep in the fridge, and it actually gets better the next day. 

3. Edible Autumn leaves - I got mine from Amazon. They are made from wafer paper, and honestly they look better than I expected. After a few minutes on the cake, they soften slightly, so it doesn't feel like you're eating a piece of paper. WARNING: They look best for a few hours after you place them on the cake, so ideally decorate the cake just before serving. See above how the leaves look fresh vs the next day. Not terrible, just duller. 

Let me know if you will bake the pumpkin bread, or share your favourite autumn recipes.

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I haven't gone overboard with decorating for Autumn this year. I think it's because "cosy" is my decorating style year-round anyway. I've added a few lovely pieces like fabric pumpkins or pumpkin tea light holders; you'll find many of them in our country home decor collection. I'm honestly so pleased with how the home feels.

I think the "feel," as opposed to the "look," is the key to true cosiness. You might buy all the "viral" decor (if you read my book, you know I'm very sceptical of what's truly viral these days), make your home all orange and Pinterest-perfect, but what truly matters is how you feel in there when you are sitting on your sofa or favourite armchair, curled up with a book, reading lamp on, and your loved one next to you. Does it feel comforting? Does it feel calm? Do you feel like you belong here? That's all that matters. 

Discover our Autumn and Pumpkin candles crafted in our Somerset studio, inspired by the seasons of the English countryside

I certainly feel this way in my home, but it seems to deepen with each passing season. It's probably because a house becomes a home when it's filled with memories. Over the last year and a half, we've created lots! First Christmas, weekly Sunday roast, burst pipe, flooded Somerset levels, writing my first book and then launching it, neighbours having a row (hehe) and so on. We have settled well in our little home in the countryside, and I'm certain this autumn and winter will be wonderful. 

Before I wrap up this post, I want to share some huge news with you. As planned, I started writing book number two! I dwelled all summer and decided to go on and write my British crime mystery I outlined a while ago. As expected, the story is deeply rooted in the English countryside, with the main character being a specialist in British and Celtic folklore. As of today, when this post is published, I have written 3300 words. I aim for 80K, so only 76700 words to go, haha. Wish me persistence!

And just like that, it's September again, the heatwaves are gone, the grass in my garden is almost green again, and life has returned to what I know and cherish. School runs, walks in the woods, pumpkin spice in every cake for the foreseeable future, writing in the mornings at the table and in the evening on the sofa or bed. 

Next week on the blog, we're diving into my new story. "Hollowing" will be published in four parts, with the last part falling in the first week of October - just a perfect entry into the spooky season. I hope you'll enjoy it! Happy September!

Adriana x