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Slow Days in York | Caroline

@carolineavnit

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A writer’s cozy corner ☕️🍂
Nurturing the soul through slow days, nourishing food & inspiring words.
- Bookshops, nature walks & quiet faith.

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There’s something about entering a beautiful old church and experiencing the peace of that sacred space, that I love and find gives rest to my soul. It is a welcome respite from the busyness of the city. I discovered this prayer tree while visiting this beautiful church, which is a lovely idea.
Another peaceful respite can be found in just sitting on a park bench and being present, resisting the urge to reach for my phone or fill the space with something other than the present moment.
November is the month of remembrance and bonfire smoke, autumn leaves still falling and crisp walks in wellies, in the mist. I’m looking forward to it all. I’ve enjoyed discovering a few interesting sights recently, such as the old car near the end of this gallery, as well as some more beautiful buildings and cafes. Comfort food starts to dominate my meals for the week - I was especially happy with this tasty and nourishing mushroom risotto.

Here’s to the first week of November. X 🍂

#november #risotto #autumnleaves #nature #slowliving by @carolineavnit

Happy 1st of November!
Here are some photos of the last of my October days exploring the city of York, finding quiet spots to sit or scenic paths to walk - the York beyond the shambles and ghost tours, where one can enjoy a slower pace and connect with this beautiful season. Historical pubs, cheese shops, beautiful buildings and staying warm and cosy at home with a bit of baking and comfort food cooking. This cooler weather really makes me crave different meals. I’m enjoying more soups and stews, as well as pasta and of course all the squash and pumpkin. This pumpkin cake is always a success.
I’m putting the recipe here as I can’t recommend it enough x

Spiced Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:
330g self-raising flour ( or use plain flour and double up the baking powder)
4 large eggs  90g(half cup) golden castor sugar  10ml(2tsp) baking powder 10ml(2tsp) ground cinnamon
2.5ml(half tsp) ground ginger 250 ml sunflower oil
510g pumpkin cooked and mashed ( or use tinned pumpkin from Waitrose)  
Icing:
100g butter, at room temperature 250ml (1cup) cream cheese ( use good quality) 240g icing sugar
5ml (1tsp) vanilla essence

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 190C. Lightly grease a 24cm round cake tin or I used two slightly smaller tins.  2. Using a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger. 3. Make a well in the centre and add the pumpkin, oil and eggs. 4. Beat on a low speed until smooth and pour batter into tin. 5. Bake until cake is cooked, about 30-40mins for large tin and around 20 if using two.  6. Allow to cool before icing it.
7. Icing: Combine all ingredients and mix well with a hand blender until smooth. Spread over cooled cake and decorate as you wish. I made sugar leaves and candied pecan nuts, but really anything goes.
7. Serve with cream on the side, if you wish.

#recipe #autumnrecipes #pumpkin #york
@bishbashpot by @carolineavnit

For all the autumn lovers out there…

#autumnvibes🍁 #fall #autumnleaves #october #nature by @carolineavnit

As we head towards the end of October and already sense Autumn’s last dance is upon us, let’s enjoy a few more walks among the leaves and the fruits of what this cinnamon sugar month has to offer.

As you can see from a couple of cottage photos, I ventured out of the city centre this week.
I also made some delicious poached pears, which I’ll share more about later.

Have a lovely Thursday x

#autumn #october #autumnleaves #uk #slowliving by @carolineavnit

I love all things Autumn, but the truth is I wasn’t really here for the pumpkins, I was here for time with my daughter.

Sometimes you find nourishment in unexpected places, with people that matter. 🍂

The day was all about:
* The crunch of leaves under our boots.
* Deep breaths of cold, fresh air.
* Wheelbarrow races and fooling around.
* Choosing the perfect imperfect pumpkin.
* Slowing down the mind
* Practicing patience - with queuing at the lovely restaurant and with each other.
* Good food, slow sipped tea.
* Long conversations and quality time.
* (Almost) getting lost on the way back
* Gratitude for the kindness of a stranger (the lovely bus driver)

I’m saving this feeling for the colder months ahead.

Let me know your favorite way to spend time with those you love, this season…
@theballoontree
@nina_mayyyyy
#CozyVibesOnly #FallAesthetic #pumpkin #motherdaughter
#autumn by @carolineavnit

Do you also struggle what to cook for dinner?
When I’m lacking in ideas or inspiration, I like to pull out a random recipe book and browse through.
Of course at times, there are just too many choices!
Let the weather decide, the rainy, cold weather we are having calls for a nourishing and healthy vegetable soup, in this case I chose a traditional minestrone soup. And of course you can’t have good soup without a freshly baked homemade bread.

Keep warm and enjoy preparing dinner this weekend x

#soup #bread #whatsfordinner #recipebooks #kitchen by @carolineavnit

It’s amazing what you can see when you adjust your gaze or look at life from a different perspective. While ghosts do not interest me, one cannot help but find the fun in spotting these ethereal sculptures that are scattered all over the city, often in unexpected places.

On a sunny day if you look up you may notice a hot air balloon in the sky, or perhaps spot an intricate detail of a building; or ornate window. I peer through archways, down narrow passageways and even through holes in the wall to see what lies beyond. On rainy autumn days, I can get lost in the romance of October - the way the light shines through a canopy of golden leaves, or radiates from a partially hidden lamppost in the early hours.

#perspectiveiseverything #photography #creativity #york #ghosts

Which of these 3 ghosts was your favourite? by @carolineavnit

When in Yorkshire….
There’s nothing better than homemade Yorkshire puddings, and I made some to go with our Sunday roast lunch today, which was brisket. After cooking on a really old gas oven for the last five years, I’m still actually getting used to my new ovens and I didn’t think this was possible, but they seem to cook too well! 😂
I’ve included some photos from this past week, from noticing pretty coloured doors; buying tulips from the flower stand and fresh rolls from @bluebirdbakeryyorkshire at the shambles; to wondering around town and exploring what’s down passageways; weird taxidermy in an antique shop and walks in the park amongst autumn leaves, with my dog. Sunday has been a fitting end to the week. I hope yours has too. X

Ps: oh, and for those who fancy the Yorkshire pudding recipe, here it is:

Yorkies
Ingredients:
vegetable oil
4 large free-range eggs
200g plain flour
200ml milk

Method:
Preheat the oven to 225°C/425°F/gas 9.
Get yourself a cupcake tin and add a tiny splash of vegetable oil into each of the 12 compartments.

Beat the eggs, flour, milk and a pinch of salt and pepper together in a jug until light and smooth.

Pop the muffin tray into the oven for a few minutes, until the oil gets really hot, then carefully remove it and add the mixture, confidently pouring the batter evenly into each compartment.

Place the tray back in the oven to cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until risen and golden in colour.

#recipe #yorkshire #sunday #exploreuk #traditionalfood
@goldeesbagels by @carolineavnit

Browsing the shops, sipping coffee, walking around town, watching the autumn leaves fall.

#york #yorklife #autumninyork #october #leaves by @carolineavnit

It’s an overcast moody Monday, so these photographs reflect the vibe.

Keep warm and cosy. Wishing you all a lovely week x

#york #cosy #autumn #moody #visityork
@yorkminsterofficial @mannettisyork @whamondjewellers by @carolineavnit

I hope you’re having a lovely weekend. I’m planning on making a nice curry for dinner this evening. The day has been good with a walk on the wall; many pretty views of the Minster; seeing more ghosts in the garden and wandering down new streets and lanes.

Xx

#york #yorkminster #visityork #quotes #buildings by @carolineavnit

I love Fridays, especially Fridays in October and what better city to enjoy one in, than the atmospheric city of York.
Join me in this glimpse of an early morning walk as York awakes.
The dim light of street lanterns; crunching of autumn leaves beneath one’s feet; moody churchyards; crispy pastries freshly baked and golden light radiating from the shops within the Shambles. A perfect start to the day.

Wishing you a wonderful Friday x

#york #shambles #discoveryork #october by @carolineavnit