Recently, there has been a gentle shift in my outlook. I have found myself placing fewer demands on my time outside of work and any other necessary day to day happenings, and I am beginning to feel much more relaxed for it. A weekend without set plans, household chores that need doing, those DIY tasks which keep getting overlooked, well, I am trying not to worry too much about any of it. I'm not sure how long this feeling will last, but as someone who has always been a bit of a worrier and a list maker (I do still love a good list!) I find it strange that for some reason I no longer feel the need to put pressure on myself to complete certain tasks within a set time frame, besides the essentials, of course. Perhaps it's an 'almost summertime' thing :) Whatever the reason, I am here for it.
The wildflowers are growing apace around here, and at the weekend we took part in a survey of Cowslips and Yellow Rattle along with our local wildlife group. It's surprising just how many more varieties you discover when you are actively looking for them. It is also surprising how important you can feel while carrying a clipboard! ;)
In the garden, the Welsh Poppies are currently in charge of catering for pollinators, with our bed of wildflowers almost ready to take over the task. It looks like there are some of my favourite Cornflowers in this year's mix and they have grown significantly in the few days since this photograph was taken.
There are an abundance of blackcurrants just waiting to ripen and even the neglected strawberry plants have provided us with a very small harvest, although I suspect the birds may have had a part to play in the lack of fruit this year.
As the hedgerows and verges begin to spill over, our pathways become narrower and more tricky to navigate. The Cow Parsley tickles but the nettles sting!
During the week I gathered in some Elderflowers and made up several bottles of cordial. It is such a delicious and refreshing summer drink and it smells wonderful, but I still haven't tried it yet. Perhaps at the weekend I might enjoy some in a glass of prosecco, as hopefully I will have a small accomplishment to celebrate. The recipe is on the sidebar if you would like it.
And I finally got around to baking this Bakewell cake, from a recipe I came across earlier in the year. If you have been here a while, you will know how I prefer simple recipes that don't need too many ingredients, and this cake definitely ticks that box. It has all the delicious flavour of a Bakewell tart but without the faff. Perfect!
J. X
It certainly looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt quickly disappeared! X
DeleteHello! I know exactly what you are saying, my friend. It is a wonderful feeling, I will attest! I too suddenly felt less pressure on myself to accomplish my lists of things. I don't know how old you are, but with me, I think it is a gift of aging! Thank you for the cake recipe! Your cake looks AMAZING! Have a cozy day!
ReplyDeleteI think my new outlook is a combination of things just now. I hope it will last. X
DeleteGood to know you are feeling more relaxed and not putting pressure on yourself, I'm much the same now especially where household chores are concerned. Enjoy your elderflower cordial in a glass of prosecco, as you celebrate your accomplishment, I'm sure it's no small thing! Your cake looks delicious, I do like Bakewell tart.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely recommend the cake, Eileen, and it is so simple to make. X
DeleteYour Bakewell cake looks lovely and moist, I can almost taste it. I like your first photo, those daisies look really pretty :)
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely to see daisies blowing in the breeze. X
DeleteI am always in awe when I see people have actually made Elderflower Cordial. Enjoy with your prosecco, sounds heavenly. :)
ReplyDeleteElderflower cordial is so simple to make, I wouldn't bother otherwise :)
DeleteI am so glad to hear that you are managing to find a little more balance in your life Jules. It is so hard to find isn't it and like you say it can be different in different seasons. Letting go and not pushing ourselves is not easy but so much more manageable if we can make it work. I do hope it feels ok to be doing that for some time to come.
ReplyDeleteYour Bakewell cake sounds delicious, I shall be heading over via your link to check it out, thank you for sharing. I think I might just have to make elderberry cordial this year, my daughter loves it, the flowers are not quite out here yet but I don't suppose they will be long.
Taking pressure off ourselves is usually easier said than done. There always seems to be something which needs our attention and it isn't easy to just switch off. I will try to enjoy this balance while it lasts. :)
DeleteI hope those elderflowers will be out very soon. X
Yes, sounds like you are in summer mode, Jules! Time to kick back and enjoy! :)
ReplyDeleteJust another four weeks before I can completely relax. X
DeleteMy mouth is watering looking at that cake and elderflower cordial sounds wonderful with sparkling water just right to watch the tennis!
ReplyDeleteElderflower cordial is delicious, and so refreshing. I can't wait to try it. X
DeleteOh, that food (and drink). Wonderful. xx
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to enjoying the cordial tomorrow. Nothing to do with the prosecco, of course ;)
DeleteI used to be just like you with to do lists and I still make lists but not like before, I think you get to realise that it doesn't really matter if housework things don't get done as often, peace of mind is more important and taking the time to enjoy things when they come like good weather, enjoying the simple things makes all the difference. Your cake looks yummy I could just eat a piece with my coffee right now 😊 xx
ReplyDeleteIt is frustrating how we put unnecessary pressure on ourselves. I am my own worst enemy for doing this.
DeleteI would happily offer you a slice of cake, but it has all gone! X
That cake looks delicious, and I'm the same as you, I prefer recipes which don't have a long list of ingredients. I'm glad you're feeling a lot more relaxed at the moment, long may that last.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in spending hours in the kitchen. Delicious food shouldn't take ages to prepare. X
DeleteMay need to try that cake recipe...congratulations on whatever...!! x
ReplyDeleteI think you should. X
DeleteI love a good list Jules, but these days I'm more inclined to go with the flow. Some days I get loads done, other days not so much. It is what it is. I even limit social interactions as I can find them quite tiring. With our constantly busy lives and instant gratification I think sitting still and just being is becoming a lost art - although I must admit I'm pretty good at it :) xx
ReplyDeleteI'm still not great at the sitting still part, but my priorities are definitely shifting. I'm with you on social interaction, some people can be very wearing. X
DeleteEverything here, always looks delicious and/or delightful!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for the Mind Re-Set!
If we really think about life, why oh why do we put so many pressures on ourselves? In the long run, what matters more? The stuff-we-did? Or the life-we-enjoyed?
'Nuff said.... -smile-
Gentle hugs...
Thank you. Yes, it's funny how we put these pressure upon ourselves. Unnecessary, and yet often we continue to do so. X
DeleteThat cake looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteKeep that relaxed feeling ... as the song goes 'Summer Time and The Living Is Easy'
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. I intend to keep hold of this feeling for as long as I can. X
DeleteYour baking looks delicious! Such pretty photos...I love the green pathway.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. X
DeleteBoth your baking and your garden are looking lush!
ReplyDeleteI love Babbling Brook's comment about choosing between the stuff we did and the life we enjoyed! xxx
Thank you, Vix. I think we would all benefit from enjoying life a little more. X
DeleteWow, you’re doing so well. I have made Elderflower fizz a few times, so delicious, but not the cordial. Perhaps I’ll make some Elderflower berry syrup for the Winter instead.
ReplyDeleteI've never made the sparkling stuff before. I've always been too nervous after hearing tales of exploding bottles :) The berries, I like to use along with blackberries in a compote. X
DeleteHi Jules. Your cake looks wonderful! What flavor of jam did you use? Also, what gorgeous strawberries. I'm hoping to find some local ones at our Farmer's Market tomorrow. Hope you have a nice and relaxing weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julia. I used strawberry jam in my cake, just because that is what I had in my cupboard at the time. X
DeleteYour cake looks delicious, I make try baking it soon. Thanks for the inspiration x
ReplyDeleteIt is delicious, Cathy. And so simple to make. X
DeleteLoving the photos as always.Glad you are taking things a tad slower and feeling calm,is that right.I love that cake,must have a go at that one.I always feel calm when I read your lovely blog.Hope Mog is ok.xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee. Mog is presently fast asleep, stretched out on my bed. Xx
DeleteThat cake looks scrummy Jules and I love a nice easy recipe too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Beverley. X
DeleteThat post, if I may say so, was a very 'comfortable' one and it emanated good feelings. I particularly liked your sentence "In the garden, the Welsh Poppies are currently in charge of catering for pollinators..." That's the same in my garden although they took over from a mass of Ajuga and, before that, Lungwort.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Graham. I've been thinking about this a lot recently, and I'm sure my outlook is, in part, down to decluttering in all aspects of my life. Keeping things simple means there is much less to concern myself with.
DeleteI've learnt to embrace the Welsh Poppies these days. X