Saturday 18 August 2018

August Days


Once again August is upon us in the blink of an eye. Around here some subtle hints of autumn are beginning to creep in, along with some blustery winds and wetter weather. The garden is looking a bit worse for wear and the grass which has barely needed cutting over the last few months has suddenly shot up. This week our days at the beach have been exchanged for walks through the fields and the woods, and instead of summer footwear we find ourselves in need of our boots.





I've recently had a little look back through some earlier blog posts and have noticed a gentle repetitiveness to our lives. The rhythm of the seasons, days out, general day to day happenings. In ever changing times I find this pattern very grounding and reassuring.
The hours of daylight are getting shorter and I find I'm closing the blinds earlier each evening. There is no escaping the fact that the year is marching on and the colder days will soon be upon us. We are already looking ahead to the start of the new school year, with the purchase of new uniform and during the next two weeks there will be appointments for a hair cut and shoe fitting.




For us, the middle of August is usually when the blackberries begin to ripen in the hedgerows. I can't decide if there are more than usual this year, or if it's just because I know exactly where to look for the best ones. Last Thursday morning I went out with the intention of collecting just enough to make some blackberry vodka, but as there was such an abundance within easy reach, I gathered a few more and made some extra pots of jam using the same recipe as for my raspberry jam.
In the last few years the flavoured vodka has become a firm favourite and is so easy to make.

For the Blackberry vodka you will need...

A 70cl bottle of vodka
Approx 300g of blackberries
3 rounded tablespoons of sugar
10 cloves
1 cinnamon stick broken in half

Rinse the blackberries and put in a large air tight glass jar with the sugar, cloves and cinnamon stick.
Pour over the vodka, close the lid and shake gently until the sugar is dissolved.
Keep the jar stored in a cool dark place and give it a gentle shake every few days.
After around twelve weeks strain through a muslin, bottle and enjoy.

It's delicious served up after cold winter walks when cosying up and warming your toes in front of the fire.
J. X

52 comments:

  1. I can't believe how quickly the summer is going, the weather has certainly cooled off a little this week, hopefully we will get some more nice weather before the end of the summer. I am hoping to go foraging tomorrow if I get time, I always make damson gin, or either blackberry vodka, lovely having a shot of a winters evening, we actually had a shot of raspberry vodka last night and it was lovely. xx

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    1. It's funny isn't it. It feels like Summer has flown by, and yet we have been able to enjoy some beautiful weather for much longer than usual. I hope we get some more sunshine before school starts again. Good luck with the foraging. X

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  2. I'm closing my eyes to any sign of autumn just yet, I love summer and never want it to end, but especially so this year with the beautiful weather we've had. There's still no need for wellies around here, we've had very little rain and though we've had some cooler days, the weather has still been good on the whole. I have noticed the darker evenings though, a sure sign that school will recommence again soon. I've never made any flavoured alcohol, I know sloe gin is a favourite of many but I do like the sound of blackberry vodka.

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    1. I used to feel that way Jo, yet I now find I can really appreciate all of the seasons. That said, Summer will always be my favourite, and we've really been blessed with some gorgeous weather this year.
      I don't drink much and I don't like gin at all, but a small shot of this vodka is a great Winter warmer. X

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  3. Hi Jules, lovely photos of your walks and fruit. You're right, the seasons do fly past so quickly. I need to purchase school shoes and another pair of trousers as well as a haircut for teen 2 before school returns - yr 11. He's just off for a week away with the youth group so it'll be a mad rush when he gets back.
    Take care and enjoy August. Cathy x

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    1. It's such a shame that we have to consider the return to school when they're busy enjoying the Summer break. X

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  4. Ooh, that vodka does sound warming! Lovely pictures of the land around you and I especially love the one of Lily with the cows. Reassuring and grounding is good x

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    1. It is delicious CT, especially on a cold Winter's evening. Lily loves the cows, particularly the younger ones that allow us to stroke them. X

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  5. Repetition with the seasons is wonderful and truly reassuring. I’m enjoying the return of big white puffy clouds that are very autumnal. I bet your walks in wellies have been lovely looking out for berries. I too like blackberry vodka. Must remember to start some. B x

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    1. The repetitiveness of the seasons is quite reassuring isn't it. I've never really picked up on how grounding it feels, until recently. The berries are in abundance and I'm sure there will be many around for a few more weeks. X

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  6. I can't say that I'm sorry that we are seeing signs of Autumn to be honest. The last couple of evenings have been quite chilly here and I have had to snuggle up in my cardigan......sheer bliss.
    I do hope there are a few more nice days though for the children before they go back to school.
    Ruby got her new school shoes last weekend. She has been wishing for lace up shoes bless her and she now has some.
    The blackberry vodka looks delicious.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. A little bit more sunshine would be lovely Sheila, although it feels so good to have enjoyed a 'real' Summer for once.
      Ruby must be thrilled with her very grown up shoes. X

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  7. Isn't it fun walking through / splashing in puddles! We spent time with our youngest grandson earlier today and he'd come prepared bringing both shoes and his new Spiderman wellington boots! However, boots were not needed today … and we had a fun walk and spotted a good crop of blackberries growing, but not quite ripe.
    Your Blackberry vodka looks a great recipe.

    I always enjoy your photographs, and todays were lovely especially Lily with the cows.

    Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and the last few weeks of the school summer holidays.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I think Lily's favourite footwear are her wellies, because for her they mean walks with puddles. X

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  8. Blackberry vodka? That sounds delicious! But 12 weeks? Sigh... ;-)

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    1. It is delicious Sandi, and well worth the twelve week wait. X

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  9. Jules, it's so wonderful that you have an abundance of berries. I love both raspberry and blackberry jams. In fact I like all berries. 😊

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    1. I'm not a huge fan of blackberries, but I am more than happy to enjoy them in jam or vodka. X

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  10. I've noticed the nights are drawing in and keep reminding myself it's mid-August. We've needed to put our coats for our walks and got soaked in heavy downpours of rain a couple of times. This weekend is warm again and the electric fan went on last night. It's all very strange. Your blackberry vodka sounds very nice and I'm sure delicious.

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    1. I think the change came as a more of a surprise as we've enjoyed the bright sunshine for so long. It's a funny time of year, when you never really know which season each day might bring. X

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  11. Autumn is approaching faster than I wanted it to this year but you seem to be taking it all in your stride and going with the subtle changes. The blackberry vodka sounds delicious I now have a beautiful image of the stove ablaze, hand knitted socks and a glass in my hand.

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    1. That's a lovely image to have. I'm sure you'll be getting ready and making preparations for the colder months in your beautiful island home. X

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  12. Lovely post, you've summed up the gentle seasonal and weather changes perfectly.

    I too love the occasional wander through my old blog posts, always so interesting seeing which things change and which stay the same. xx

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    1. Thank you Jayne. It's still quite warm during the day here, but the nights have been much cooler of late.
      I sometimes take a photograph and think it looks familiar, only to find I've posted an almost identical one on a previous post. X

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  13. So funny that you should show wellies! I just bought a pair of short ones (but flowery nonetheless) for the moho as we were pitched on grass last week and my feet were soaking. My legs are quite short so my tall (flowery) wellies are best with trousers tucked in. The local children went back to school on Thursday and the weather has been very wet so I’m guessing their parents will be glad. This is the twelfth year I haven’t gone back. Autumn is definitely showing her colours here although grass and weeds are growing rampantly in the warm, wet conditions. Enjoy the rest of the holiday.

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    1. Your wellies sound fabulous Catriona, and a good idea for when you're pitched up on the wet grass. Have you thought about starting a blog to document your motorhome adventures? X

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  14. Thank you for the vodka recipe, my son and dil would love that, I shall endeavour to make them some. I’m not surprised to see wellies, there’s definitely an autumnal feeling in the air. The holidays always seem to pass so quickly, too quickly, but it is also good to get back into the usual routine when school begins again xx

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    1. The vodka is so easy to do Cheryl and it can be a great idea for a Christmas gift.
      The change in the weather is always a sign school will soon be starting again. I really enjoy the Summer break but I also welcome back the return to a daily routine. X

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  15. Beautiful photos, as always, Jules. Especially liked the picture of Lily wading through the puddle. It made me smile. Love how you enjoy each season in its turn. It's still hot, here, but the evenings are getting a little cooler.

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    1. Thank you Bless. Lily does love a puddle and can often forget she's not wearing her wellies!
      You must be relieved the weather is turning a little cooler for you now. X

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  16. I used to make blackberry vodka each year when we were on the farm - very warming after a day out in the cold I used to find.
    You ask if I will be going to the Show next Saturday. Sadly my lack of mobility makes it impossible for me to walk round the uneven field. I went for many years with the farmer.

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    1. The vodka is delicious to drink when the weather is chilly and it's making me yearn for those cold dark evenings.
      I'm sorry you won't be able to make it to the show Pat, and I hope I didn't come across as insensitive for asking. I just remember you writing about how the farmer enjoyed it so much. X

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  17. Hi,more Stunning photos.I really must get a phone with a camera on it.Being a Dog Walker,I am out in all weathers,had to dig out the wellies today as it is wet and misty.I sometimes think,I wish I had my camera with me,but I always forget it lol.xx

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    1. I don't have a camera so I take all my photographs on my phone. It's quite nice to be wearing my wellies again. X

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  18. Blackberry Vodka sounds delicious. I'm taking myself down the lane this afternoon to see if the elderberries are ready for picking and if so I'll be heading home with some and making syrup. There is a definite change in the air especially in the mornings and evenings and the nights do suddenly seem to be drawing in quickly. I've thoroughly enjoyed summer this year but I'm looking forward to the arrival of autumn. xx

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    1. The vodka is really good Suzanne and I'm looking forward to it being ready to drink.
      I hope you managed to get plenty of elderberries, the syrup is supposed to have anti-viral properties, but it can be a little messy to make (or maybe that's just me! 😆)
      As I write this I'm in Kent and it's very mild this morning. I know I will get a shock at the temperature when I return home, but I am looking forward to the arrival of Autumn, especially having enjoyed a wonderful long Summer this year. X

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  19. The summer really has flown by. My daughter started back to school today, so I know autumn is right around the corner. I think September through December is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler/cold weather, and just a sense of coziness in the air. The blackberry vodka sounds yummy!

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    1. School starts again for us in just over a week, so I need to arrange appointments for hair cuts and we will be getting Lily's new shoes on Tuesday.
      I have recently started looking forward to the colder weather and the change of the seasons. They all have something wonderful to offer and (like you) I do love the need for coziness it brings. X

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  20. Just testing as I tried to post three times and they've disappeared.

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    1. I've not received any at this end Eloise. It's frustrating when that happens, especially if you've spent a while typing a comment. X

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  21. I'm going to try to catch up with you backwards, I'm supposed to be following you by email but had no notifications for ages, nor do I show up in your list of followers. I've just re-subscribed so hoping it works now. I love the photo of Lily with the cows and the landscape one above it.

    Just over a month ago I was praying for rain to help put out the huge moorland fire which occurred not far from my home, but now we have rain I want the sunshine back! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some decent weather over the bank holiday weekend as there's a walk with the dogs and some photography I want to do :)

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    1. I wonder if email has changed because of the GDPR thing. I know I had to change my settings again to get notification of comments. I hope it gets sorted for you.
      The fire must have been quite scary for you. The long spell of dry weather has been unusual this year, although we are never happy are we? I'm not looking forward to dark, damp days. Cold and sunny I like and then being able to cosy up at night with the curtains drawn.
      I hope you manage to get your walk this weekend. X

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  22. I can't believe we are almost back at Autumn again - I have been busy all year but not necessarily on the projects I wanted to concentrate on. You always capture some lovely moments with your daughter.

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    1. The year seems to have flown by hasn't it. And yet when I look back through my photographs we have enjoyed some wonderful times. Hopefully you will have a bit more time available to spend on your projects now that you've finished work. X

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  23. Wishing we had hedgerows here to pick berries from and a pair of pink gumboots too to go splash in the puddles after the rain that finally came last night after a very dry Winter. Meg:)

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    1. You can't beat splashing in puddles, especially wearing pink wellies. I hope your rain was much welcome. X

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  24. we have a haircut at the beginning of next week and will take Evie to get feet measured in the week.

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    1. It always seems to mark the end of Summer break and the imminent return to school. X

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  25. We've had the first decent rain for weeks today, very welcome in the garden it was too. Dh only commented on the drawing in of the nights last night.
    School starts here next Thursday, my granddaughter is looking forward to meeting with her friends again.

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    1. It rained all day here too. The persistent kind that would soak you through, so we spent the day at home.
      Much as I love the Summer break, it must seem such a long time for little ones, it will be lovely for your granddaughter to see her friends again. X

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  26. Not sure how...but I have yet to pick a single blackberry this year. They seemed so early then nothing...then came the rain...maybe soon x

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    1. A lot of them have now gone here Jackie. I'm glad I managed to pick some when I did. Hopefully you'll get some soon. X

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