:: Saturday morning breakfast outside ::
:: sunny morning playtime in the front garden ::
:: falling head over heels in love with my ripple all over again ::
:: saturday morning baking with Little B ::
:: eating lunch outside with pet dinosaur ::
:: a visit to the nursery to buy this years container plants ::
:: sunday morning baking :: blueberry muffins with streusel topping ::
:: first family barbecue of the year at Bolton Abbey (it was hOt!) ::
:: Little B loved having his play tent transported to Bolton Abbey ::
:: sunday afternoon bbq refreshment (Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc) ::
:: sunday evening supper outside :: griddled asparagus with goats cheese ::
:: love love loving my new geraniums ::
What a glorious weekend! So hot and sunny and fabulous! The days were packed full of good, happy, simple things made all the more enjoyable by the stunning weather. Such a pleasure to spend so many hours of the weekend outdoors, both at home and out and about. We ate almost every meal outside (the asparagus was especially divine) and enjoyed time spent with J's family (I am so blessed with my in-laws I have to say). I also really LOVED getting back to work with my ripple blanket again after quite a long break from it. Oh boy, I love it so much. Only seven more colours to go now. Oh, and the blueberry muffins? Fan-TAS-tic. I am going to make them again and again and again. I used the same basic recipe as for the apple/sultana muffins, but substituted fresh blueberries. I googled "streusel topping" and used this recipe to add a little bit of sweet crunchiness on top. Sooo good. My next muffiny experiment is going to be raspberry and white choc chips...holy moly, the very thought of it is sending my tastebuds into a spin of excitement. The weekend also contained some Connievan loving, we went and fetched her and gave her a bath, then joy of joys we took her to her new home, yippeee!! After two years of having her in storage 10 miles away we were finally offered a place to keep her just down the road. I am way beyond excited as I'll be able to walk to her and begin with the creative prettifying stuff. First job will involve these. Oh yeah. YEAH!!!!!!!!
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I love your blog , I love to kmow about the life in a country so far away from me, I am trying your recipes , and I love to knitt the same as you do. Iam from argentine,lots of kisses,congratulations for your blog
Posted by: patricia | May 30, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Hi again Lucy,
A little plea- I have been looking back at your blog archives and love the little keyrings you made for the school fair (July 2011). I love doing little things- less room to go wrong and so satisfying to finish. Any chance of having the pattern?
Thanks for all you share- because of your blog I am starting to learn how to crochet.
Hugs, Alison x
Posted by: Alison~ Tillymint | May 30, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Just lovely! LOVE that red jug. It sounds you had a gorgeous weekend. I had a good Sunday but then the weather has been wet since..oh well.
Posted by: Bonnie | May 30, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Muffin idea - grated lemon zest and good white choc chips.
Posted by: maggie | May 30, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Oh Lucy, you make me so homesick. AND, you drink my favourite wine (Marlborough Sav Blanc) from a minnie mouse tumber.....living is Aussieland, that is my favourite wine of the moment, such beautiful photos. thank you for such a wonderful blog.
Posted by: Linda M | May 30, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Really looking forward to seeing Connievan in all her sticker glory!!! How much fun will that be...I'd love to spend a few hours sticking flowers onto a caravan!
Oh what a lovely weekend you had, isn't it great to be able to spend all that time outdoors! Love your great disguise .... child's minnie mouse glass with a little tipple in it!! I'll have to try that one!
Have a super week enjoying the sun, fingers crossed it stays for the bank holidays.
Fleur xx
Posted by: Fleur Cotton | May 30, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Gorgeous photos Lucy. I, too, find that your blog puts a smile on my face.
Love Carole from Rossendale xxxx
Posted by: Carole | May 30, 2012 at 10:19 AM
I've been reading your blog for a couple of years now but I think this is the first time I've said anything. I always look forward to your posts. They always make me smile, and your idea for Connievan made me laugh out loud. I think she'll look beautiful! Lots of photographs please!
Posted by: Alvean | May 30, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Thought you didn't like baking?? You are becoming a baking diva, mmmmmm yummy! I haven't got over poached eggs since the last time you posted about them lol! And I'm going to HAVE to get some asparagus now too. Might have to do asparagus with poached eggs.
Posted by: Trish | May 30, 2012 at 09:51 AM
Great weekendy post - looking forward to seeing how Connievan becomes 'Lucyfied' for your wonderful family trips away.
Have a lovely week.
Posted by: Julie | May 30, 2012 at 09:05 AM
What happy, colourful photos! And lovely to see you in what looks like a pretty summery top, I am envious as we head to winter in New Zealand. :-)
Posted by: melissa | May 30, 2012 at 08:29 AM
what a lovely sunshiney post! Great news about Connievan too :)
Posted by: Emma | May 30, 2012 at 07:53 AM
Hi Lucy Just read the latest installments of 'Lucy lLiving' it beats Conrty Living any day. I do so look forward to catching up with you. Thanks Lucy. Love meg.
Ps a new task will be to find out about Pay pals which I have never used so that i can treat you to coffee and cake.
Posted by: Meg | May 30, 2012 at 07:41 AM
Sunshine and outdoorsiness...loverly. I still have a way to go on my ripple, but was wondering if you plan on giving it any edging, or just leaving it as it? I am so glad that Connievan is coming to live nearby, it will make trips in her so much easier for all of you...and of course, make it much much easier for you to glam her up!
Keri
Posted by: Twolittleflowers | May 30, 2012 at 07:21 AM
Got to love a drop of Savignon Blanc on a hot day - any day in fact! I always check out your blog first - so bright and cheery and it always makes me smile :) :) :) :)
Posted by: Poppycleo | May 30, 2012 at 07:14 AM
I look forward to reading your blog each day. I enjoyed your photos, so colorful. The colors in your ripple are very pretty too!
Posted by: Diana | May 30, 2012 at 04:25 AM
Raspberry & white chocolate chip - I agree, this sounds really delicious!
Posted by: Jen Y | May 30, 2012 at 03:58 AM
Cupcakes AND blueberry muffins on one weekend?? Can I move in?
Posted by: SaraGL | May 30, 2012 at 02:27 AM
Outside is the best place to be on a lovely day. I am anxiously awaiting your ripple ta-day as I am following your colour pattern. Where did you end up hanging your cute caravan picture that you commissioned recently? Hope you continue to have sunny, warm weather.
Posted by: cate | May 30, 2012 at 01:53 AM
Hi Lucy-just to say I tried your way of cooking asparagus and my how tasty it was,everyone loved it so thanks for that great simple idea-
Have a look at my attempt here-
http://mommaandthebear.blogspot.co.uk/
Posted by: NeetieBee | May 30, 2012 at 01:11 AM
Oh my the sav ... a kiwi drop?? How wonderful
Posted by: Rose | May 30, 2012 at 12:59 AM
Oh you are SO ready for Summer!!! :) Loving the ripples lying on your red chair - they look so inviting.
Do you have to replace your geraniums every year because of the cold? I ask because I've never had to do that - living where I do. They just get a prune and off they go again.
It must be wonderful having the connie van close by! Looking forward to seeing more of the "prettying".
Posted by: Seaweedandraine | May 30, 2012 at 12:36 AM
The first thing I do when I log on to check facebook is to see if you have posted a blog....and yay, you have....I love your photo's and the way colour is always there....and also I have noticed also along with Lisa ( who posted above ) your red and white spotted crotchet hook ). In your next blog could you let us know where you bought it from....Val in Australia...x
ps...I am learning to crochet from your summer garden granny square....getting there!
Posted by: Val Johnson | May 30, 2012 at 12:35 AM
Looks like you had a lovely weekend too! Can't wait to see what all you do with Connievan :)
Posted by: Barbara | May 30, 2012 at 12:33 AM
If you can find it in the UK, you should try Geisen Marlborough Sauv Blanc - it's even better! In Australia it's not too expensive, although goodness knows if they export to your side of the world and, if so, how they price it. But definitely worth a try if you come past it!
Posted by: Emma | May 29, 2012 at 11:46 PM