Tuesday 22 June 2021

June

Lately, I feel as though I've lost my blogging voice. Misplaced, rather than lost, perhaps. Then again, day to day life has become hectic once more and, I suppose, I lose track of time, then I can't seem to find the words to pick up where I left off. Therefore, I'm going to use the advice of another blogger and let my photographs (hopefully) lead the way.


Much the same as last year, we've been spending a lot of time in the garden and I'm chuffed to bits at how it has changed in such a short space of time. Earlier in the month, the pea shoots which  Lily brought home from school were already growing quickly, as were the runner beans and the wildflowers. She even won another packet of seeds in a school competition, so we have since sown those as well. We are receiving a lot more feathered visitors this summer, including a friendly little robin who pops in regularly to sit on the swing and then onto the rotary drier. I put food out each morning while Mog is upstairs fast asleep.





Last week we enjoyed a walk from the village of Patterdale up over Arnison Crag, Birks and then on to Saint Sunday Crag. It was a beautiful day and not too warm - perfect for being up on the fells, especially as it was lovely and quiet there. There may have been some protestation from Lily, as the walk, although straightforward, was a little steep in parts, but she was perfectly happy once we'd  reached the summit. It must have slipped my mind as to quite how high we would be climbing :)   





The next day, a far more gentle walk along the lane and through the fields meant we could collect some elderflowers for making cordial. It's a favourite of mine and so simple to make, although it continues to frustrate me as to how the best flower heads are always just out of reach. Never the less, we collected enough to make the cordial, which was ready to drink the following afternoon. It tastes delicious, and this year, as well as bottling some of the cordial, I have also frozen some in ice cubes trays, so it will be more convenient to store and make it easier to use just the right amount for each drink. The link to the recipe is here.










Back into the garden. As you can see, many of the wildflowers have grown rapidly since the first photograph, which was taken two weeks ago, and just as we had hoped, there is a constant buzz from the bees as they go about their business. We've also got some peapods now, the cornflowers are just about ready to open  and, more importantly...


I can pick fresh strawberries to eat with my yoghurt 🍓🍓🍓

J. X





60 comments:

  1. It is sometimes difficult to find our voice in among all the business of life. Letting photos do the talking is a good idea. I love your idea of freezing elderflower cordial in ice cube trays. I hope to go for a wander and collect elderflower this coming weekend and shall freeze some of the cordial I make in portions. Maybe even do this with our shop bought cordial, the little ones always make theirs too strong. Have a lovely week x

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    1. You are wise to collect elderflower sooner rather than later. It has flowered all of a sudden here and will be past it's best before long. I'm curious to find out if freezing the cordial will affect the taste - I hope not. X

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  2. Hello! Your photos are so beautiful! They make me feel as if I am right there with you! Although truth be told, I am not sure I could keep up! Never worry about what you are posting. It is a pleasure to visit here every single time!

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    1. That's such a kind thing to say, Billie Jo. Thank you. Xx

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  3. Lily's hair is beautiful. Your garden looks do lush and healthy. I've lost my blogging mojo.

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    1. I suppose it's to be expected from time to time, especially when life becomes busy. I hope you get it back very soon. X

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  4. Your photos certainly do the talking. Always lovely to see your corner of the country. Your garden is looking good too. I must get round to making cordial. Hopefully the elder flowers will still be there. B x

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    1. I hope you enjoyed a safe journey home. I'm looking forward to seeing the remaining photographs from your time away. X

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  5. I don't think you need words when you have such beautiful photos. The wildflowers are amazing this year, I think it must be down to the wet May we had, there seems to be an abundance everywhere I look. I do miss the strawberries I used to grow on my allotment, it's the thing I've missed the most since giving it up. I really must find a patch in the garden to grow them.

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    1. Thank you, Jo. The wildflowers are looking beautiful just now and I can't wait until the cornflowers begin to open up, they are my favourite.
      Home grown strawberries taste delicious, I'm sure you'll find somewhere to grow them :)

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  6. your pictures are fabulous, thanks for sharing the cordial recipe I may well give it a go.

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    1. Thank you. The cordial is so simple to make, I hope you enjoy it. X

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  7. My compute* will print the lette*, only randomly.
    But I have read here, today.
    😏 💻 😏 💻 😏 💻 😏 💻 😏

    But I will add.... Oh he* hai* is so so so lovely....

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  8. It is lovely to see the pollinators on those wild flowers.I am trying not to be green with envy at those strawberries.

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    1. I am quite enjoying the change from growing some vegetables and it's wonderful to see the butterflies and bees already enjoying the wild flowers.
      I'm glad I still have my strawberries, however :)

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  9. Utterly stunning photo's Jules. It's an area we know well but haven't visited in ages. I can almost smell that elderflower cordial. The trees here are filled with the blossoms but I am aiming to try making elderberry wine in the Autumn

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    1. Thank you, Cherie. I have never tried elderberry wine before, but I will be gathering some of the berries to make compote later in the year. X

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  10. You can let your photos do all the blogging whenever you want, Jules! You take such great photos! Love how the garden has grown! Hope you continue to have a lovely summer!

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    1. Thank you, Bless. The wild flowers have grown so quickly these last two weeks. Summer seems to have disappeared today, but the garden will appreciate the rain. X

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  11. Last year I made elderflower cordial, but this year I was so busy that I missed the flowers. I made elderberry cordial though. There are more berries, I should pick them before the season is over.

    I love Lily's hair. So pretty. :)

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    1. I will be keeping a look out for some berries later in the year. I like to use them in a compote. X

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  12. Great photos as usual, I love the 2nd and 4th ones, the views are gorgeous. Lily's hair is a picture in itself and the strawberries look delicious :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice. The views over Ullswater are beautiful. X

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  13. This is such a lovely picture post, with plenty of words too. Your garden wildflowers make a beautiful display. Lily's hair looks very pretty in that first shot. :)

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    1. Thank you, Shazza. I'm looking forward to the cornflowers opening up. X

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  14. My sympathies re your loss of your blog voice - it happened to me recently and I am only just beginning to dip back in. Don't feel obliged - come and go as you wish, your blog your rules xx Lovely photos - thank you for sharing 💗

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    1. Thank you, Kate. It can be easy to get out of the habit of posting. Not that I find it an obligation or a chore in any way, it's just finding the opportunity. X

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  15. Is that a little pond you have - I have a large bowl with water in it and would like to put a plant in but there doesn't seem to be anywhere near us that sell water plants. Your strawberries look so tempting and I bet they have more flavour than the shop bought ones.

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    1. I call it a pond but that's probably being very generous :) The birds enjoy drinking from it though. I think you can order some online, but I am fortunate that there is a garden nursery not too far from here which specializes in pond plants. X

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  16. Your garden is looking fabulous and I know what you mean about the noise - there is always a low buzz coming from my 'meadow' lawns, and hearing it give me such a lift 🙂

    Your walking photos are, as always, quite brilliant. Ditto Kate's comment - don't worry about what you do (or do not) feel like saying when you blog. Don't feel you "have" to publish stuff, it's your blog, your ules, just do whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it. x

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    1. Thank you, Jayne. It's lovely to hear that buzzing in the background when I'm out in the garden. It helps me feel like I'm doing my bit for the bees. X

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  17. I can relate to what you're saying Jules. When I returned to blogging I promised myself I wouldn't force myself to write if I didn't want to and I haven't felt the inclination to do so for a few days now. Sometimes there's a definite case for very few words and your photos sum that up perfectly. Lily's hair, or should I say Rapunzel, is beautiful :) xx

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    1. Wise words, as ever. Thank you, Suzanne. I won't write if I don't feel like it. The trouble is that when I do, you can almost guarantee Rapunzel will be using my laptop :)

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  18. I love the idea of freezing the elderflower cordial, such a simple but effective idea. I have lost my voice of late too and have posted lots of photos. LOVE Lily's hair, simply gorgeous.

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    1. It's not something I've ever tried before, so I hope it won't affect the taste - I'll soon find out. I hope you find your voice again soon. X

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  19. Same here, as I haven't blogged in months. I hope to pop in and do an update soon. It's amazing how fast June is flying bye. The summer really is going way too quickly. Hope it slows down a bit. Lily's hair is just gorgeous by the way. Your phots are all so pretty. I'm reading a book by Zara Stoneley called the "The Dog Sitter" and it is set in the Lake District in England and it makes me think of your lovely Lake District photos as I'm reading. Happy summer!

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    1. I might just have a search for that book :)
      I'm looking forward to a post from you, Julia. Xx

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  20. I sympathise wholeheartedly...I cannot find the words just yet while life is so busy. x

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    1. I hope things slow down for you soon. Xx

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  21. A lovely post and your beautiful photographs were so nice to see.
    Yum, don't your fresh strawberries look delicious.

    Enjoy your days.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. I've just been out to pick some strawberries to eat for my breakfast. X

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  22. I love that photo of Lily!
    Your garden is looking fantastic, I've constantly checking my wildflowers for signs of growth. I bet today's rain will help. xxx

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    1. Thank you, Vix. It's rare to see Lily's hair looking like this, as she prefers to wear it in a plait.
      It's wonderful to see so much growth in the gardens isn't it. We are forecast some rain this evening. X

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  23. Beautiful photos and Lily's hair is gorgeous, your garden looks beautiful and your strawberries look delicious.

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. I've already eaten most of the strawberries :)

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  24. It's amazing how quickly things are growing right now, I always enjoy seeing your photos everything looks so beautiful. Lily's hair is so pretty! Have a great weekend. xx

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    1. Thank you Linda. The cornflowers have been somewhat flattened by the rain over the last two days, but I'm hoping some sunny weather will see them standing tall once again. X

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  25. Oh I just love everything about Elderflowers - their smell and taste are divine. Your Lilly just has the best mop of golden hair ever. Does she get that from you? A 'Buck's Piss' usually helps me with writers block ;) Wonderful photos. Lulu x

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    1. I love this time of year, when the scent of elderflower hangs in the air, and I intend to enjoy some cordial mixed with prosecco this evening :)
      As for the mop, Lily definitely gets it from me. The beautiful golden blonde, sadly, not so much. X

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  26. what beautiful hair your daughter has. Pictures speak 1000 words, yours are always beautiful. How do you make the elderberry cordial?

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    1. Thank you, Faith. The recipe for my elderflower cordial is on the sidebar. X

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  27. Your photos are mirroring my life this week! I made cordial and froze it too and our veggies are coming on a storm after the slow spring start. Have a good week. Jo x

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    1. Thank you, Jo. Some rain followed by warm sunny weather soon has everything springing to life.
      I hope you're enjoying the cordial. X

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  28. Wow, lovely. What a gorgeous head of hair on your daughter. Your garden looks amazing.

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. Lily is often complimented on her hair. X

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  29. Well done with the garden, one of my favourite sounds is the drone of buzzy bees as they go about their garden business and the taste of elderflowers and strawberries just sums up June to me. x

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    1. I'm so glad I chose to sow wildflower seeds this year. They look beautiful, and I've never seen as many bees and butterflies in the garden before. X

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  30. I really like your flower garden! I also love your coffee mugs! Super cute! How fun to ride your bike to work! That is very cool!! xx Mya www.keeperofthefarm.com

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    1. Thank you Mya. The wildflowers have really taken off this week and they are looking so pretty. X

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