Autumnal Activities on a budget.

 

Autumn is my favourite season. Although Halloween is not celebrated in a commercial way here on Lefkada as it is in the UK or America, there is certainly no reason why you cannot embrace the colours the natural Autumn environment has to offer.

 

Take a walk.

Autumn is the perfect time to take a walk to view the wild cyclamen. You will find it growing in amongst stone walls and more woodland areas in varying shades of pink. The pink carpets of cyclamen are breathtaking. The crisp dewy mornings with hazy low clouds in the mountain valleys and over the waters, give way to the warm sunshine. 

Make a pumpkin floral display

I was a little shocked at the price of the pumpkins considering they are widely grown here. I paid 5€ for this one. (sold by weight). I will grow my own next year.

Cut off the top. Scrape out the seeds. (Dry the seeds and eat as a snack or use in a salad.) Place a jar of water inside the pumpkin.

Take a morning walk and collect foliage and berries or flowers from your garden to create a natural  seasonal display for indoors or outdoors.

Make fabric pumpkins

Using a scrap of material (old shirt of any colour) cut out a circle. Using double thread sew a running stitch all the way around the edge.

Draw up the thread and stuff the pumpkin shape. (I used old pillow stuffing.) 

Insert a stick and draw up the fabric around it tightly and sew secure. Using a contrasting wool (I used garden string) stitch and pull the pumpkin into sections.

Cut out a pumpkin leaf shape of material and stitch on. Add raffia for a finishing effect.

Make pumpkins in various colours and sizes to make a seasonal indoor window display.

Make an Autumn wreath

Fircones should be collected as soon as they have fallen at the end of the summer. 

Using an old wire coat hanger secure fircones around using garden wire or string. Add small bunches of dried wild herbs,

Add colour by using scraps of old material.

Hang your wreath on the front door to give your visitors a warm Autumnal welcome.

Autumn BBQ/ Bonfire Night (5th November)

After pruning the grapevine and clearing your garden throughout the summer months bonfires can be lit after 31st October. Make this into a little event. Wrap up warm, make a chilli dish with jacket potatoes or BBQ outside by candlelight. Mulled wine optional.