All treats no tricks. It's half term and we've been having a such a fun time. Before school broke up for the holiday we made a 'might do' list for Autumn and we've actually managed to tick off loads of them already!
With Halloween just around the corner, much of our might-do list has a spooky theme. The disposable nature the Halloween that we seem to have adopted from the USA doesn't sit well with us, our family, our small business or the message I hope we are impressing upon our child Eva, waste is not cool and neither is frivorously spending on things that are just going to be thrown away. So I was careful to ensure we only added Halloween activities into our Autumn list that were slow activities, requiring minimal spend, but a bit more effort and not costing the earth.
Creating lasting family memories for us all. Far more rewarding than a polystyrene pumpkin.
Crafting and creating together instead of buying things destined for landfill, sits far better with us! Most of the things on the list like the scrumpcious homemade honeycomb can be made from things we have in the cupboard at home, it's super simple to make and is actually a bit sciencey, but don't tell Eva! I used a recipe from a library book, but here's Nigella's version.
Woodland walks to see the Autumn leaves is on the list and this weekend we made the most of the amazing weather (and our National Trust membership) by visiting Trelissick Gardens and Penrose Estate.
Both were the breath of fresh air we needed after a pretty full-on few weeks.
On Sunday we walked the coastal path from Penrose estate to Porthleven. There's nothing better than discovering new hidden gems and this part of coast definitely falls into that category.
Eva (and I) skimmed stones for the first time and we rewarded our achy legs with a pub dinner in the harbour when we finally reached Porthleven.
We made a banana bread, using this recipe, it's a great way to fill the house with amazing cakey smells whilst using up banana's that are past their best! Just the thing for having with a klys cup of tea while you make your own yarny pumpkin bunting!
Or carve your pumpkin! We made this one together at Trelissick but have bought one locally for our actual Halloween carving that we will make next week.
We are excited to have tickets to see the amazing Rogue Theatre, Dead of night dance production in the woods. This immersive theatre in the woods, is completely captivating! Scary, emotive, hilarious and everything in between. You can't easily put it in to words. If you are ever in Cornwall and there is a show on, just go.
We are obviously working hard in preparation for the busy festive season ahead too. There's no such thing as an actual day off when you run your own business but it is good to be able to have the freedom to arrange our days so we can fit in so many lovely family days.
Our solid wood personalised chopping boards have a beautifully carved handle, that we designed and make here in Cornwall from local oak. You won't find one like it anywhere else. Just the thing for sharing an Autumn picnic. Click here to buy.
At Wood Paper Scissors we are advocates of the slow and simple movement. Believing we should Buy once and buy well. Don't get drawn in to buying plastic rubbish because it only costs a pound. Do something or make something more meaningful, memorable and wholehearted, even if it's watching a scary family movie and making cinnamon popcorn. It's not difficult and is far more rewarding than anything you can buy in a pound shop.
