I love Autumn and this year the weather has been really good and I have been able to get out and about and enjoy the changing colours of the season.  I don't think I can remember an October when the weather has been so mild!

There is so much more pleasure going to the North Coast at this time of the year.  No sitting in queues and trouble finding a parking space.  It's a real bonus to sit outside having a coffee, taking in the sea view.

Loughgall Country Park is about a twenty minute drive from Manorview.  Set in the middle of orchard country there are lots of walks, fishing and golf.  A great way to spend a morning.

One of the lovely Autumn sunrises, showing off the changing colours of the leaves.

The Ulster American Folk Park is about half an hour from the B&B.  I absolutely love going to it.  It tells the story of the Mellon family who emigrated from outside Omagh to America, following their journey from here, on to the ship and creating a new life in America.

The beauty of Autumn.

The end of October, of course, brings Halloween.  For as long as I can remember we had Scotch Dumpling for tea on Halloween night.  My Grandmother used to make one for each of her sons and we usually had it fried with bacon.  I have carried on the tradition using Nana's recipe and it always brings back lovely memories of Halloween spent with her.

September has been another busy month in the B&B, with guests from all over the world. It feels so good to have business almost back to normal.  Now as we head into October, the pace of life in the B&B will slow a lilttle and there will be a little more time to catch up on all the little things that need done, time to embrace all things autumnal and time to be less rushed in the kitchen.

One thing that couldn't wait was marmalade making.  We use a lot of marmalade!!

I have used 'The Barefoot Contessa' recipe for a long time now.  It uses ordinary oranges rather than seville oranges.  It has a much more fruity taste and it can be made all year round.

Toast and marmalade (or a warm croissant with marmalade) is one of my favourite breakfasts.

My Mum turned 87 at the end of September.  She loves all things ginger and she also loves marmalade, so for her birthday I made her a sticky ginger and cinnamon cake and spread marmalade over the top of the cake when it was still warm.  It is a beautiful combination.  I also made a batch of 'pupcakes' for Penny, her dog. Four years ago, on her birthday, Mum decided to buy herself a golden retriever pup.  They now celebrate their birthdays together!

Penny is such good company for Mum but she is most definitely a diva!!