Sunday 14 July 2019

Welcoming Summer












The end of the school year is almost upon us and, as usual, I am fighting a constant struggle between structured days and winding down for the summer break. It really didn't help that Lily returned home last Friday with her P.E. bag, school report and wellies. My brain has already begun switching to holiday mode and yet we still have three more days of school to go!
As you can imagine, we've had a busy couple of weeks here with so much going on, but with the arrival of warmer weather and anticipation of the holidays, life has taken on a definite summer vibe.

In the garden the cabbages, kale and cauliflowers are growing at an alarming rate - they're huge! I didn't realise just how much growing room they required and I may need to remove one or two. The strawberries are all gone now, the last remaining few were used to make strawberry jam, but they were absolutely delicious while they lasted and the best crop I've managed to produce so far. The sunflowers are enjoying the warmer weather and I keep needing to fasten them higher up the canes to keep them steady and every time I step out of the back door I am greeted with the delightful sweet scent of the sweet peas.

Last week Lily took part in her school's summer show. She played the part of a bee and danced brilliantly. All the children put on an amazing performance, remembering all the songs and actions and, most importantly, appeared to really enjoy themselves.

Out and about our short walks are taking longer than usual. With raspberries beginning to ripen to the sides of the paths, Lily cannot resist helping herself to the small but deliciously sweet fruits. I'm sure she managed at least one of her five a day as we walked through the woods yesterday. The track through the wildflowers was home to so many butterflies and although she tried really hard, Lily didn't manage to catch one. As she runs off ahead of me it's clear to see she is getting so tall. Growing up fast, she now even has her first wobbly tooth!

J. X

62 comments:

  1. I've never really liked raspberries but those strawberries look delicious. Love the flowers (3rd shot) and the sweet peas look really pretty. I hope the two of you have some lovely times over the school holidays, I look forward to reading where you've been and what you've both been up to :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice. The flowers were given to me as a thank you and are lasting rather well.
      I've just tucked Lily into bed and we've been chatting about the adventures we have to look forward to this summer. Possibly a trip to that campsite you recommended. X

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    2. If you mean the site I've recently been to then I bet Lily will like it as they have big aviaries there with lots of different birds in, exotic ones as well as some of our own native owls. I took several photos but they won't be on my blog until the last post.

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    3. Yes, I think so. Oh, Lily would love the birds. I'll look forward to seeing them on your blog. X

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  2. Such a lovely time of year especially for young children. Bet you can’t wait to get to the school holidays and that wonderful slow pace of life, that it brings. Fingers crossed that the weather holds for a few weeks. B x

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    1. I'm loving this warmer weather and the outdoor opportunities it brings. We've been making plans and sharing ideas for the weeks ahead, so I do hope we have some more sunny days to look forward to. X

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  3. I love your photos of Lily (oh that beautiful hair too) and she is as you say always ahead of you your pictures - reminds me of that holiday advert where someone off camera is being pulled around delightful holiday places! I am sure she made the perfect bee.
    I know you will have a lovely adventurous summer together admiring your beautiful countryside and wildlife - I just wish I could join you on some of your walks. xx

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    1. Thank you Vivien. Lily does have lovely hair and it makes a nice change for her to be wearing it loose. Not so nice when I have to comb it through, however! I'm desperate for our summer break to start now, we have so much to look forward to. X

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  4. You've managed to capture summer so well in your photos. Fingers crossed that the good weather hangs around for the school holidays, I haven't seen a long range forecast but it would be good to have some nice sunny days whilst the children are off school.

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    1. Thank you, Jo. Yes, I do hope we get some long sunny days. It will be a long six weeks otherwise. X

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  5. Wild raspberries? How amazing is that. They must taste so sweet and delicious.
    xx

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    1. We get quite a lot of raspberries around here and Lily can spot them a mile off! X

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  6. Tooth fairy on standby! It sounds like you and Lily are having a wonderful time making lots of memories. I'm so jealous of your home grown produce.

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    1. Lily is VERY excited for a visit from the Tooth Fairy. X

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  7. Enjoy the summer holidays together, children do grow so quickly, I know your precious Lily will have special memories. x

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    1. I love the opportunities the six week break brings and I hope we will make the most of every moment. X

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  8. It all looks and sounds idyllic. Enjoy the hazy lazy days of summer together for as long as you can. They grow so quickly.

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    1. I hope we have many more long, sunny days ahead of us. We are going to try to make the most of our summer. X

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  9. Lovely photos! I bet Lily is so excited the summer holiday is almost here! When I was young it used to seem like an eternity until it arrived. I hope you have lots of lovely things planned. Best, Jane x

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    1. Thank you, Jane. The run up to our summer break has been so busy that it actually seems to have flown by. We've been making some plans but will mainly take each day as it comes. X

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  10. Gorgeous photos, as usual. You sound so happy. Your garden is amazing.

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I am happy, and I will be even happier still in a few days time. :)

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  11. Sounds delightful. And looks delightful, in photos. Except for the constant struggle, you seem to have. Your words, not mine. :-)

    Enjoy! Life is short. So is summer. Enjoy! Relax! Enjoy!

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    1. I hope you didn't read my words as being serious. My 'struggle' is only that I feel like our break has already begun - I'm in holiday mode already and yet we still have three days of school left to go! There is so much to look forward to this summer and I intend to enjoy every moment. X

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  12. I do so wish I could love the Summer Jules but the heat just slaughters me. I spend most of my time indoors with the curtains closed trying to keep cool.

    Ruby's play is this next week and I can't wait to see it. Once that is done she has one day left at her old school and six glorious weeks of freedom before she starts her new one. I am hoping she comes to stay for a week during the holidays.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. I read on your blog that you have been struggling with the heat, I hope it's not been too unbearable for you.
      I bet you're excited to watch Ruby this week. It will be a very proud Ganma moment. X

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  13. Lovely, summery photos, Jules. (Sorry, I've tried to write something sensible and lucid but it didn't make sense at all so I've deleted it. My brain is definitely frazzled!). Roll on Thursday. x

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    1. Thank you. This comment made me giggle. Not long now. X

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  14. You've captured lots of lovely summer things in your pictures.
    I bet your jam tastes delicious.
    Have a wonderful summer school holiday

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I hope we have many more sunny days to look forward to this summer. X

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  15. I'm delighted to see the summer photos. My grandmother grew raspberries (and gooseberries amongst other things) and I will eat a punnet and be in heaven. I prefer them to strawberries on the whole although today with my afternoon breaks from wallpapering I ate a large punnet of Scottish strawberries with a piece of dark chocolate and black coffee. I have been trying for years now to get the perfect picture of the round hay bales which, for some reason, fascinate me when they are lying in the fields. I do hope that your holiday fills both your hearts with happiness and joy.

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    1. I love both raspberries and strawberries when they are in season and at their best. Scottish strawberries are delicious and we often treat ourselves to a punnet (or two).
      There is a small window of opportunity to catch the round hay bales before they get wrapped. They are not as photogenic when covered in black plastic. X

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  16. Lovely summer photos! You and Lily are both lucky girls! Raspberries...hmmm.

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    1. Thank you, Susan. Summer is my favourite time of year. X

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  17. I hope the last few days of school go by quickly so you and Lily can enjoy your summer! Lovely photos, as always! How wonderful that you are able to find raspberries growing along the paths for you and Lily to pick!

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    1. Only two left to go now, Bless. It's a fun, but exhausting, time.
      We even pass some raspberries on our way to school, although as they are directly by the roadside we don't pick those. X

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  18. Love your cheerful photos!! It indeed looks like Summer is going well! Strawberries at this time of the year. Have fun and enjoy Summer!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. Summer is my favourite time of year and I hope we have many more sunny days to look forward to. X

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  19. Such beautiful summary photos, I love the 3rd photo (a Gerbera?) the pink one with delicate close up detail. Holidays are so exciting for little ones aren't they. My youngest (16) is on holiday on Thursday at 3:25 pm precisely lol. His Mum (me) 'encouraged' him to help in the local primary school - Reception wanted him. He's done 4 weeks of 3 afternoons, stupidly I asked him if any of the kids remembered him from when he was there. No he said, they weren't even born then! Anyway, a bit of work experience will be a good talking point at future interviews after his 2 years at sixth form. Enjoy your summer together, Cx

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    1. Thank you, Cathy. Yes, it's a Gerbera. I received this lovely bunch of flowers as a thank you.
      I love the precision in your son's timing. I imagine it would have been quite exhausting working in reception class. I hope he enjoys his summer. Only two days to go for me! X

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  20. I love this happy, summery post so much! Your bunting is so pretty - did you make it? I bet Lily was an adorable little bee in the school summer show. And how exciting that she has her first wobbly tooth! Your strawberry jam looks really yummy, too!

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    1. Thank you, Julia. Haha! No, I didn't make the bunting - I'd be dangerous let loose with a sewing machine! I've had it for a number of years now, and Lily also has some hung in her bedroom.
      The school show was such fun to watch, and fortunately the bees were all very friendly. I have some great photographs of Lily in her costume.
      Lily is very excited about her tooth and takes great delight in wobbling it in front of me. X

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  21. What a beautiful post Jules, your collection of photos are absolutely the epitome of 'a proper summer'.

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  22. no one writes about summer as beautifully as you. On a side note, I think I've just bought that exact same bunting!
    It's both wonderful and a little sad to see our children grow up. It seems to happen so quickly.
    I bet Lily was a wonderful bee! xx

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    1. It's easy to see its my favourite time of the year. 😆
      The bunting is great isn't it. I ordered mine online for just a few pounds and it's such good quality. The fabrics are really pretty. X

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  23. Love the idea of playing the part of a bee! X

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    1. They all looked great in their costumes and learned a lot about pollination as well as putting on a show. X

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  24. I have just returned from the UK and enjoyed the most wonderful summer. The picture you have chosen are all things that are dear to my heart too - you have captured things perfectly. As I left the summer was warming up nicely for you. Enjoy!
    Wren x

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    1. Thank you. The weather has been lovely just recently, and I'm so glad you got to enjoy your time here. X

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  25. Beautiful photographs.
    The end of term shows are always so good, and so much work goes into them. It must have been wonderful watching Lily.

    Enjoy the summer days.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. The children and staff put a lot of effort into rehearsing the show and it really paid off. Every performance was wonderful. X

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  26. You capture Summer beautifully, Jules. I love the field with the bales of hay scattered about, we have fields like that here and they always make do a little happy sigh.
    By my reckoning Lily must have broken up by now, so hope you have a splendid summer!

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    1. Thank you, Ann. I love to see the bales of hay in the fields, as they don't stay like that for long around here. They usually get wrapped pretty quickly.
      Yes, school is finally out for summer now and we are celebrating by having a lazy day today. X

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  27. Hi haven't commented on your blog before but I went to see my daughter's leavers concert today which was about bees-wonder if it was the same play? Your photos are lovely Anna

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    1. It's lovely to see you here, Anna. It's possible it was the same play. I think it's because it's a relevant topic at the moment. I hope your daughter enjoyed her concert. X

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  28. She did thank you x

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    1. That's great. It's lovely to see them relaxed and enjoying themselves. X

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  29. I love your summery pictures. Well done to Lily for having the confidence to buzz! My sons were in various school performances (reluctantly) but my daughter feigned illness in her only one at primary school. She said it was 'disgusting' being made to be a witch and wear wellies!

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    1. Thank you, Eloise. All the children played their parts brilliantly and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I don't remember being expected to take part in any performances when I was at school, although I suspect I would have been like your daughter if I had. X

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  30. Beautiful photos.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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