Wednesday 1 August 2018

Summertime Bliss





Our summer break is now in full swing and with this week having been a little less busy than the first, life has taken on a slower pace and I have finally managed to stop and catch my breath. 

Although the mornings are delightfully unhurried, especially if we have no set plans, my day still begins with a little face asking 'what are we going to do today?' and staring at me in anticipation.  No pressure then.

I am always grateful, therefore, that I find we are able to gain such enjoyment in simple pleasures. There is usually something to keep us occupied, whether at home or a short journey away. The beautiful sunny weather and being able to spend most of our days outside has been to our advantage. 

Our garden has been the setting for bubble blowing and cartwheel practise and Lily has decided the swing can also double as a climbing frame (I find it easier not to look at this point)! The lawn is still looking a bit worse for wear thanks to the dry weather and the raised bed is becoming more sparse as time goes on, with the vegetables gradually being put to good use. We are still waiting for the tomatoes to ripen and the last remaining sunflower to open up, but I am just so relieved they have all survived the blustery winds we've been having this week.



We've enjoyed  picnics, trips to the park and the woods, kite flying and a day spent at the beach. I find a sea breeze is the perfect way to keep cool during the hottest days, and for me it isn't summer until I feel the sand between my toes and I've been in the water. The toffee fudge ice-cream I had was pretty delicious too!  




We really have been spoiled with warm days, sunshine and blue sky this year. It has felt like a proper summer. And even though I am seeing the blackberries begin to ripen and the nights are  becoming darker just that little bit earlier, I really hope it lasts for a while longer.
J.X

44 comments:

  1. Your photos encapsulate Summer. This year has reminded me of the summers of my youth. Oh to be so carefree again, if only for a little while!

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    1. Thank you Scarlet. I was thinking exactly the same as you. This is the kind of Summer weather I remember. X

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  2. Lovely...I think you are providing that little girl with an awful lot of amazing happy memories which she will treasure forever x

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    1. I do hope so Jackie, and I'm having a lot of fun myself. X

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  3. Creating memories and simple pleasures, what more do we need than this.xx

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    1. So very true Marlene. Simple pleasures are the best. X

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  4. It sounds like you are having a really nice and sunny summer! Your sunflowers and sweet peas are so pretty. I grew sunflowers from seed this year for the first time and we have enjoyed them so much. I'll defenitly plant them again next summer.

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    1. We're really enjoying it so far Julia. The sunflowers have done really well and of course look so pretty. I can't take the credit for the sweet peas however, but I think I might have a try at growing my own next year. X

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  5. What a super collection of "proper" summer holiday photos. Glad you have now been able to slip into the slower pace of the school holidays. Sorry you're still waiting for tomatoes - I have more than we know what to do with, shame you are not nearer, I would be happy to offload a bag or two!

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    1. Thank you Jayne. It didn't take me long at all to get used to the slower pace, I just hope I can settle back into routine in September with just as little ease. We have plenty of tomatoes, which I'm surprised about as we've never grown them before, we just need them to ripen. X

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  6. Looks like Lily is having a wonderful summer break.
    What are those flowers in the second photo, Jules? They are gorgeous.

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    1. We are both having a great time, thank you Nil. The colourful flowers are sweet peas, and sadly not in my garden. X

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  7. Oh, look at those sweet peas. My favourite flowers and the colours are so cheering. Beautiful.
    xx

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    1. The are beautiful Joy. I'm going to try and grow my own next year. X

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  8. Mine and my husband's childhood memories are of days like these, enjoying the sunshine and being outdoors either on the beach, the park or in the woods. Lily will be enjoying whatever you decide to do with the lovely days, they sound wonderful. You're right, it's a proper Summer.

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    1. You must have some lovely memories Eileen. These kind of Summer days are the best and I feel so fortunate I am able to spend this time with Lily. X

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  9. I feel exactly the same. We haven't had such a good summer for ages so I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm glad things are less hectic for you now and that you're enjoying the simple things in life and making lots of memories with Lily, she looks to be enjoying herself.

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    1. It's been wonderful Jo. The weather has been glorious, for once, and I'm making the most of this time as it won't be long before September will be here again. X

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  10. You are describing what summer should really be! Long days of sunshine, playing outdoors, fun, and ice cream! Beautiful photos as always and your words paint pictures, too. Hope summer lasts for a good long time for you and your little girl.

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    1. Thank you Bless. It has been like the Summers I remember from my childhood. I hope it lasts a while longer. X

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  11. I hope the weather holds up for a little while until Ruby comes to stay as we are planning a day at the seaside. I am so looking forward to it as I haven't been near the sea for years.
    Just look at your sweet peas.....so pretty.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. A day at the seaside will be lovely Sheila. I hope the weather holds for you. Sadly, not my sweet peas, but they're gorgeous aren't they? I'm hoping to grow some next year. X

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  12. Sounds idyllic Jules, long may the beautiful weather last for you and you manage to get out and about.

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    1. It's been so lovely. Fingers crossed it lasts a while longer. X

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  13. That sunflower made me smile on this damp and clammy day. Lily looks like she’s having fun.,

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    1. The sunflowers are so cheery, they really brighten up the garden. Lily is very good at having fun, she has lots of practise! X

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  14. Your sweet peas are magnificent. I've only had three flowers on mine! Theyve been watered in the strong heat but to no avail; they're really spindly and flower-less.
    I used to love the school holidays when mine were little - no pressure to get up and out early and lots of time to do interesting things.It's so nice when you're able to get out and about with them. rain does rather spoil it. Treasure this time together - they grow up in the blink of an eye.

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    1. I wish I could take the credit for the sweet peas, but the photograph was taken in some gardens we visited. They were so beautiful and had the most gorgeous scent. I'm going to try and grow my own next year. X

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    2. The first year we grew them we had loads but never so good since. And this year ..a disaster.

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    3. That's such a shame. I'm going to try and start mine off indoors, early next year. Watch this space. X

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  15. Such a lovely post, and your photographs are gorgeous.
    Summertime bliss … it really can't be beaten for happy days and precious memories.

    Happy August Wishes

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. We've been enjoying a long hot Summer this year. X

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  16. We have had a really good Summer so far :)

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    1. It's been lovely. I hope you and Evie enjoy the rest of your time off together. X

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  17. Beautiful, here's to unhurried mornings!

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    1. They're the best, although I'm always ready to get back into a routine once September arrives. X

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  18. Oh, for blonde hair like Lily's! It does look very dry and baked hard up there, as it is here. Blackberries being eaten already down here. I need to make more jam. I'm glad you're enjoying the hols and relaxing xx

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    1. I think Lily's hair has turned even lighter recently, thanks to all the sunshine. The blackberries are gradually ripening here but I will give them a couple more weeks before I pick any. I might make some jam but I really want some for my blackberry, cinnamon and clove vodka. X

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  19. It's been a lovely summer so far hasn't it. One that I'm sure everybody will look back on for a long time. Your days look idyllic and the settings perfect. The nights are definitely drawing in, I notice it more when we're at the van and having our last walk of the evening. There are elderberries on the bush in the lane and I keep thinking of you when I see them. It is you that makes elderberry syrup isn't it? xx

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    1. You must have really been able to make the most of the beautiful weather at the caravan Suzanne, and I do hope Wendy is OK now. The elderberries are beginning to ripen here too, but I don't think I will be making syrup this year - nice of you to think about me though :-D X

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  20. I love the first photo of the sunflower. They are my favorite flowers during the summertime. Thanks for the share, have a fantastic rest of your week. Keep up the posts. These are some great photos.
    World of Animals

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    1. Thank you. They are a lovely flower. Our tallest one has finally opened up this week. X

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