July

 

It's a lovely summery day here in my little patch, and right now rather than sitting in my usual little attic room up under the eaves (which is rather hot and stuffy even with both windows open), I've decided to decamp outside. Lucky for me that J doesn't read my blog cos I'm typing away on his precious Macbook and he might get a bit antsy if he only knew. I'm typing very delicately mind you, very respectfully tip-taping on the immaculate white keyboard and resisiting the temptation to eat strawberries at the same time.

Here in North Yorkshire we're not experiencing the scorchingly hot weather like much of the UK, more a warm, hazy, muggy type of midsummer day with a very pale bluey-grey sky, and the slight whiff of possible thundery rain in the air. But oh, it is undeniably summery all the same, and I am really enjoying being outside and feeling warm air on my skin.

This morning, as soon as I came home from the school run, I took some scissors and went around my pots outside, snipping a few stems to pop into one of my little old ink bottles. Ahhhhhhhhh, you know, I just LOVE to do that simple little thing, the ritual of snipping and popping and creating a small posie of flowers to gaze at provides untold pleasure. Would measure exCEPtionally high on my own personal Pleasure-o-meter without doubt.

 

At the moment I don't have a great many blooms to spare as my pots have only just been planted up. The flowers have yet to fill out but I am really loving the sight of them all, and since the weekend when the bulk of the planting and rearranging work was done, I've been coming out to admire them a great deal. My first cup of tea of the day, which is usually ceremoniously brought to me in bed by my early-to-rise other half, is now taken outside. I love to potter around in my pyjamas in the cool of the early morning before the neighbours are up (this morning I was out before 6am, yes, you read that right, before six ay-em). 

There is still some work to be done outside, a wall that I'd like to paint, some troughs to be planted with salad crops....so at some point in the next week or two, when I've done some more inspirational book-browsing and when things are finally coming together,  I'll take some more photographs and do a bit of an outside ta-dah for you all to see.

 

Ahhhh so June has now been and gone and flip-flip-flip the pages of my three calenders were turned this morning to welcome in July. A busy old month this one, with lots of things-to-remember already written in. School trips, sports days, a PTA fundraiser cake sale, Sheep Day (yes, our town celebrates Sheep Day this weekend, I kid you not), the end of term and the beginning of the long summer holidays to look forward to. Busy busy busy. But enjoyably so I hope.

 

The Bossy Calender has a splendid page for July and a marvelous Order to be obeyed too...Entertain in the garden!!! Fresh flowers and a pretty cloth, quick smart! Although admittedly I'm still falling slightly behind as have not yet purchased new pillowcases as per the June instructions. So this month will have to be pillowcases and floral tablecloths, but at least I've already had  a stab at the Fresh Flowers bit.

 

The gorgeous Ideal Homes calendar has another amazing photograph for July :: I know I say it every month but I really love each and every one of the twelve images in this calendar. They are so evocative of the seasons, so beautiful in their simplicity.

In fact, this mornings image inspired me to think about a little bit of simple outdoor lighting for my own back yard....I don't exactly have a tree with available branches to use, but tealights and empty jam jars, yes yes yes, I have those a-plenty.

 

So down to the cellar to the collection of Bonne Maman jam jars I went, then up three flights of stairs to the Attic to the collection of ribbons, then back down two flights of stairs to the collection of candles.

I had a busy-bustly upstairs-downstairs moment there for a while!

I like the simple approach :: snipped ribbon tied around the jar in a knot, and to finish a few sprigs of fragrant lemon-thyme from my own back yard.

Pop a candle in eh voila!!!!

 

I think they look very pretty, and as I have house guests arriving this evening for a week-long stay, I am anticipating sitting outside in the warmth of the evening, a simple supper of bread and cheeses, marinated olives, greek salad and ripe strawberries, and some gentle candlelight as the daylight fades.

Oh, and knowing my guests very well, I fully expect there to be more of this too. They are the same guests after all, and I am really looking forward to their arrival.

Excepting that they will be sleeping in the Attic, which currently looks like a small but very mean spirited tornado has blown through and thrown everything into complete disarray. 

I've got my work cut out for me this afternoon, that's for sure.

But just before I go back up two flights of stairs and begin the task of clearing the decks, let me show you July's view from the Attic, taken today around mid morning...

 

...it looks a bit dull and colourless, but thats just the warm haze of the day still hanging low over the hills.

I have high hopes for July, for fresh cut flowers and outdoor living. Warm summer air and evenings by candlelight.

Enjoy your day xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Comments

[melissa]

oh my gosh, where do you live and can I come visit???!!!???

[Lucy]

Every time you refer to the Bossy Calender it makes me laugh...lovely candle holders.
Lucy x

[Meagan S.]

Dear Dear Lucy,
Now I finally know what I will do with all of the jam jars I have been saving! You always know how to inspire me. Have fun with your house guests. I'm sure you are the perfect Hostess!

[Leah]

its all lovely as always. love your tea lights. You would love paper bag tealights amongst your flowers. Paper bag, brown or white, 1/4 filled with sand, tealight candle plopped into the sand, roll the top of the bag down a little like you roll up your sleeves, light it, that's it! We put them all around the garden, they don't catch on fire, and the wax drips into the sand! Very cute.

[Claire]

Hello Lucy, I love your blog, and read it very regularly. Your sense of colour, and humour is fantastic. Which leads to my question, would you consider joining a quilting bee I'm thinking of setting up? Info here: http://clairesmakeanddo.blogspot.com/2009/07/quilt-front.html
I know you'd be a great member!
Thank you for your time, Claire

[topcat]

Your relationship with your Bossy calendar makes me giggle every month!
You're right though, it does have a point this month ...and joy of joys we finally have a table AND chairs for outside ...better get off and invite some friends round... hope you have a great time with yours too

[Alexandra]

Beautiful pictures! I love your idea with the jars, I save those too; now I can use them for something!

[donna childree gotlib]

Lovely and inspiring. This is such a beautiful collection of ideas. It was a pleasure to visit and view. I don't want to leave you.

[jane]

i live in southern california, usa. i am having house guests in august. i WILL COPY your candles and menu to use while they are here. many thanks for the tips. my garden is already colorful, and i have fairy lights up, but i cannot wait to make my jar candles. and the yummy menu after a hike to the beach or in the canyon will be perfect. many thanks! jkj

[Rebekah]

I just adore all the pretty photos you have on your site! :)

One thing I love about summer is all the beautiful flowers in bloom!

Rebekah
http://www.bekahjan.com

[lisapeaceandlove]

Dear Lucie! You just gave me several wonderful ideas for Summertime decorating in my living room and I thank you so much!! Your blog is just the best; I was in such a gloomy funk and now I'm so much cheerier. Thank you for being a bright light!!

[chantal]

I really do appreciate reading your blog ! It is always a quite relaxing time, bringing me optimistic thoughts...
I wish you a nice time with your guests and a sweet summer time.
Best regards...

[June]

I love the way you look at life Lucy. Have a lovely time with your guests, they are so lucky to be visiting you.

[fleur]

Oooh love your candle jars- just right for a lazy, balmy summer's eve!

Fleur
xxx

[Nina - Tabiboo]

Hi Lucy,

this year feels like it is rushing past!

Lovely posie and what a great buy if only to brighten up your home with little pots of flowers.

take care,

Nina x

[Ali]

I always read and look at those inspiring things and think 'that'd be really good'. I love that you actually DO them.

[French Knots]

I always have plans to eat outside with a pretty table setting like yours, but with our unpredictable weather they often get scuppered!
July will whizz by with all the end of term fun.

[michelle]

Have been on a very busy and very hot school trip to the seaside today and it has been lovely to read your blog again (before i rush to drop off at cubs!)It has given me a lovely 5 minutes to chill and relax.

[Christine]

The little table candles you made are brilliant! I love that you tied the wisps of lemon-thyme with the ribbon! I will have to give this a try. Thanks so much for the inspiration :)

[Simo]

Deliziose le piccole lanterne, brava Lucy!

[Michaela]

love this one! those jars made me think of a project i saw on craftster the other day. take a peek, you'll LOVE these: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=297863.0

aren't they lovely? i've got to get my hands on more jars!

[Jackie]

Lucy ~ I love those little jam jar tea lights they are so very pretty ~ simple but very, very effective. You always share such beautiful ideas with us and give me lots of inspiration ~ Thank you :O)

[ellouise88]

Beautifully inspiring post as usual. Out to do some snippity snipping myself now!

[michela]

Hi Lucy!
Your new project is so lovely and romantic...your guests are very lucky!
If you like courgette flowers...please have a look at my recipe!

[Patti]

I just love your blog! Love all the pictures and the delightful way you describe where you live. I have always wanted to visit England and until I can do that, I am there by just reading of your day to day activities! Thank you for that.
Patti
USA