As Autumn creeps around
Isn’t it strange how at the end of one season, you start longing for the next to begin? I’ve been pulling coats and boots out of storage and washing and airing my much-loved cashmere jumpers. On the home front, I might look for a new duvet to jazz up the bedroom and some furry cushions for a shot of warmth in the living room. What do you have planned?
Nice and natural
Naturals always seem appropriate when the leaves start falling and mornings become brisk. The good thing about this look in homeware is that it’s absolutely classic and timeless. Earthy textures such as terracotta, wicker, sisal, iron and wood can be set off beautifully with the addition of warm colours and cheering motifs, such as the apples that seem to be popping up everywhere this season. I much prefer them to the pumpkins that seem to captivate Americans in fall!
ADD SPICE
As well as bringing warmth into your home through colour and texture, it’s also nice to add an evocative autumn aroma. Cinnamon and nutmeg are two of my favourites.
KEEP WARM
You should start to think about your winter heating needs now. Attend to heat loss under doors by adding draught strips and throw around rugs for family to huddle under instead of turning heaters on early in the season.
- Louise Richardson
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Over the Teacups
My four-year-old grandson was at the supermarket with his mother when he exclaimed, “You’re buying something, Mummy, auntie is buying something – I want to buy something!” Mum replied, “You have to be big, have a wife, have a job, then you can buy things.” He replied, “I have a wife – Maia,” meaning his four-year-old friend. Mum said, “What about a job?” Master Four replied, “My job is having a wife!”
Robyn, Whangarei
Water you want?
I was in the car and asking Master Three what he wanted for Christmas. He said he was going to ask Santa for a water pistol. “And Nanny,” he added, “I’m going to ask for some water for our paddling pool.” Now that could be interesting!
Julie, by email
Bee gone
Master Three had his first bee sting recently. The incident broke his heart, but after many cuddles he came right. Later he said, “I never want to see another bee again. I don’t like bees any more, I only like flies.”
Gaileen, by email
Fraud with worry
My daughter warned me that “old people are being taken for a ride,” and that I shouldn’t engage in conversation with phone sales people. To this, Master Five piped up, “Nana can’t go on that ride, she’s old.”
Joseph’s Nana, Hamilton
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