Summertime?

I keep trying to remind myself that we are in Summer. It's been so crazily un-summery here for so long now that it's easy to get muddled and forget what season we are in.

Last week I went to the park and picked elderflowers to make cordial. It's a beautiful, delicate drink that is the essence of summer. Strange to go and pick these sweet flowers wearing boots, tramping through soggy wet grass under leaden grey skies, wrapped up in a warm fleece jacket.  I should have been skipping across a sun dappled field, wearing flip flops and a vest top! What has happened to our seasons? It's all gone skewy! Resulting cordial was/is utterly delicious though, I will post more on that tomorrow.

Indoors I am holding on to those summertime dreams. I bought a most gorgeous bunch of summery roses last week, sort of whitish petals with a deep pink blush to them.

I popped them into the most cheerful jug I have and stuck in some bright acid green alchamilla from the front garden. They cheer the room up so much, create an instant summer feel-good right there on the table.

I continue to beat the wet-weather blues by hunkering down indoors and being Creative.

Current Creative News in brief.....

♥ I am a thrilling six rows away from completing my ripple blanket!!!!

♥ I am almost finished hooking a secret project that I can't show you till next week when it arrives at it's destination.

♥ I am sampling new flower designs to make a second generation summer flower scarf (first generation flower scarf fell apart after too much daily usage). Hoping to get that under way and write a tutorial for this in a week or two.

♥ I am knitting (Yes, KNITing, with sticks! Me, KnitTiNg!! cripes!)...squares. Knitted squares for yet another secret project that I'll be revealing in due course. It's all rather ridiculously exciting, can't wait to tell all!!

I picked the first sweet peas from my back yard at the weekend. Shook the rain drops off, inhaled deeply, smiled broadly, and scurried in out of the rain with them. Popped them in an old bottle and put them beside my bed.

It's unbelievably wonderful to fall asleep at night and wake in the morning with the delicious scent of sweet pea in the air. Another reminder that yes, it is indeed Summer, believe it or not.

ps This delightful book is my current bedtime reading matter. Counting down (eleven more sleeps!) until we go on holiday to the sea....

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Comments

[One-oh-four]

Yes, it's hard to believe it is summer, isn't it? Here in the Midlands it seems permanently overcast and grey. Love sweet peas, they always remind me of my grandad who grew hundreds of them in every possible colour. Excited to find out about the secret projects!!!

[Tangled Sweetpea]

Beautiful post Lucy! Looking forward to more on your cordial. I love elderflower!
Victoria xx

[Jo]

I love sweet peas, how lovely to have them at your bedside. Even if the weather is very unsummery at least going to sleep and waking up to that lovely smell reminds you what season it is meant to be. Can't wait to see the new secret projects. We could certainly do with something to inspire us all to be creative during this wet weather xx

[Jaclyn]

The flowers are so beautiful!! I love roses and the sweet peas...wait...I love them all..lol...Can't wait to see all that you have made! Your so very talented!!! Have a great day!

www.myhookonlife.blogspot.com

[Helen]

I think your weather is about the same as ours here in Brisbane. Lovely to combat it with bright colours - I'm doing it with bright socks on two circulars. The sweet peas are divine - sadly, none in my winter garden. Roll on spring. Hopefully some sun in Derbyshire by the time I get there in September!
Happy rippling:-)
Helen

[Spots and Stripes]

Lovely sweetpeas - my favourite flower. Couldn't help noticing the Little Grey Rabbit book! I love those books.

[Sophie]

Same in france, dont worry, we have colorful projects in hands that warms us!
I love your blog, sincerely, Sophie from France aroud Paris area

[Dot]

Yes it is a terrible summer lucy but your blog always brightens these rainy days hun. Lets hope this rain goes away soon and we can take our workout side again, seems ages since I sewed el fresco.

[Amanda]

Hello Lucy, I have been following your blog for a while and I just wanted to tell you that I have been inspired by some of your lovely projects to pick up a crochet hook! I did learn as a child, but haven't done any for years, although I do lots of knitting and sewing. However, I saw your BB and LOVED it - and am doing my own, smaller version - now a whole crowd of ideas that I am desperate to get on with. THANK YOU! Your tutorials are fab - amazed that I have picked it up again so easily. Best wishes, Amanda

[Gwen (www.crochet-capers.blogspot.com)]

Knitting?!! Oh please dear Lucy don't abandon your hook. Actually, will look forward to your new projects with great interest. Love your pics. Noticed the Elspeth Thompson book (as well as the adorable Little Grey Rabbit) on your bedside table. Haven't read that book, but have her two gardening books. Such a tragedy that she left this life the way she did. Gwen xxx

[Rachell]

I told someone a month ago that it's nature. Rain is only water and I'm not going to let it affect my moods, BUT it's really feeling too much now, I've never experienced a rainy summer like this before. So so many wet and miserable looking tourists in London today.

Your knitting and crochet projects sound good. I've been hankering to knit recently again. Xxx

[Gillian]

I love having flowers on my bedside table, it feels like such a treat! I have been going into summer overload with strawberries and gardening and cooking and insisting on wearing sandals even though it's freezing, because it's JULY, dammit. x

[Alison]

Lucky you sweet peas. They look so pretty and next to your bed. I can just smell them now. I am so jealous, I checked mine out this afternoon and all I have it leaves. I am so praying for sun. I hope you have a sunny week. Ali x
PS Can't wait to see your new project.

[Linda]

I am trying to keep my mood lifted with lots of projects too Lucy, I can't wait to see what you have been up to and fantastic you are nearly finished the ripple blanket hope we can expect the big reveal soon. I love sweet peas too you can't beat their lovely scent but the rain has spoilt mine this year and my beautiful rose buds are getting soggy, surely all the rain should have been rained by now lol lets hope for better weather soon,xx

[Claire]

Love love love Sweetpeas! They are my absolute summer favourite. 11 days until a seaside holiday - bet you can't wait!
Claire

[Rachael Iddon]

Oh, I know what you mean about getting the weather for elderflower harvesting. I made my third batch tonight but it's been tricky getting a dry day to pick them. It is well worth it though isn't it? It's all about the elderflower in my kitchen at the moment. I even managed to make some elderflower flavoured jelly. Fingers crossed things improve in time for your holidays.

[Kat]

I am your newest fan and follower. I am working my way through all the blogs on Tots100 list and sooo glad I found yours! You are a very talented lady and have the kind of colourful house I long for. I have written a little post about your blog if you would like to read it http://katsighs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/attic-24-tots100-5.html
Thank you so much x

[eskimo*rose]

It really be quite hopeless hasn't it - well at least the rain means the drought is finally over, hayfever has subsided and I don't have kids moaning about how much they hate suncream - I can count on one hand the number of times I have coated them in suncream this year! ... all that aside we too have had similarly un-summery excursions to collect elderflower and I spent today at a rain-soak sports day - fun!
xx

[Izzy]

Ill trade you my summer for your summer anyday!!!We have hot 90s to 100 degrees everyday with humidity like the one you get after showering in the bathroom.:) yes Ill trade ...

[Janelle]

I just received sweet peas from my green thumb neighbour and they are delightful!! I have them in a crochet covered tin can!! http://instagram.com/p/M5qhXTKa2r/ I am new to your blog and can't believe I haven't come across it before! I love your creativity!!!

[Reneelynn]

Lucy, when you get a sunny day will you please show us how your back yard garden is doing?

[diana]

Can't wait to hear more about your elderflower cordial! Isn't that the cordial that got Anne of Green Gables into trouble? Or maybe that was elderberry? I'll have to look it up. LOL ;-)

[Vicki]

I'll pass on one of my knitting tips to you that I always pass on to new students. Always slip your first stitch knit wise of every new row even if it is a purl row....you'll end up with beautiful straight edges...perfect for sewing together, perfect for crocheting borders along and very neat if it's an exposed edge of the knitting ie a scarf....happy knitting with the big sticks.

[Kay Gu.]

DEar Lucy,
I didn't get a chance to say how happy that you will be going to France and seeing the area where the artists were inspired. Since YOU are an artist, I am happy that you will go there too!
Hope you have a good time at the sea.
Love,
KAY

[Lisa Ruff]

We have been having a crazy summer too!! We looked at the calendar to remind us what month it is. Seems more like fall!!

Sending happy smiles your way!