I'm delighted to be sharing these pictures with you today, it's made me so happy just looking back at them and remembering the wonderful evening they were taken. They provide a really sweet little window into the past, a snapshot of a sublime evening at the end of May. I remember this day so vividly! I remember how hot and busy the day had been (it was a Monday). I remember the happiness when my friend suggested that we move our evening pub hooky to her back yard to take advantage of the gorgeous weather. I remember the marvelous anticipation of a warm, relaxing evening spent outdoors in the company of good friends. I remember the excitement of going to the supermarket to purchase a bottle of Pimms and a punnet of strawberries for the occasion.
I've been to Tracy's house many times before (I showed you a snippet of her beautiful home a few months ago), but I had never been in her back yard before. Her yard is small like mine is, but it is very much fuller than mine is. Walking in through her back gate was like walking in to a perfect little oasis of verdant beauty and calm. So much greenery! Trees and shrubs, herbs, flowers and vegetables grow in abundance, spilling out of pots, growing up the walls and fences. It honestly took my breath away, it all looked so beautiful on that hot, early summers evening.
Tracy had created a beautiful table setting for our crochet evening. Her old garden table had been draped with a beautiful vintage table cloth, and was dotted with lots of little old glass bottles filled with pretty flowers from her patch.
This allium was particularly stunning, what a marvel of nature it is!
As well as the floral element, there was a scrumptious edible element to the table too. A plate of the sweetest sun warmed cherries, dishes of plump, shiny olives and fat little stuffed red peppers. Bowls of incredibly moreish handcooked crisps. It was all so lovely!
Now on a hot summer's night, there is a definite need for cooling liquid refreshment wouldn't you say? Pimms had been declared the liquid of choice, oh sweet joy as I adore this drink!
This was the first of many glasses that were poured that night, what a beautiful sight hahaha! Now just in case you don't know about Pimms, let me give you a little information. It's a very British drink, gin based with a secret mixture of herbs, invented in London in the 1850's. The traditional way to make it is in a large jug, 1 part Pimms to 3 parts lemonade. Add some crushed ice together with chopped strawberries, cucumber and orange and a few sprigs of fresh mint. Pour into glasses and enjoy.
I have such great memories attached to this drink. Because you make it in a jug, it begs to be shared with friends. It's easy to drink, summery, fruity, refreshing. And it has magical Laughing Properties. Oh yes indeed.
There were seven of us sat around Tracy's pretty summer table that night. With the exception of Heather, I taught all the others to crochet, and so my friendly little hooky group was formed. We've been meeting on a Monday night for over two years now, and I absolutely love the sociable mix of crochet and chatter, laughter and yarn, beer/wine/pimms/tea and creativity. We share a love of yarn and crochet, but also many other aspects of our life, particularly the precious Mothering jobs we all have. It's a fun group, lighthearted, warm and friendly. On this particular night when the air was so warm and the pimms flowed so freely, oh my goodness did we laugh! At one point I honestly thought I would turn inside out, my tummy was squiggled into impossible knots of laughter. It was five solid hours of absolute fun and merriment. And do you know what? I sat and rippled until gone midnight when the stars came out and I could no longer see the stitches in the dark.
I've been thinking a lot about sociable crochet recently, about the huge importance of it in my life. I marvel at how much the direction of my life changed when I was persuaded to go and purchase that 3.5mm stick of metal and start sticking into some loops of yarn!
Tomorrow I've got a very exciting story to share with you. Please come and join me for "Sociable Crochet : part II"??? I'll pour you a glass of Pimms!
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It sounds you had lovely time together. And that crocheted item looks awesome! It resembles a blanket.
Posted by: Lucinda Lynx | December 07, 2019 at 02:01 PM
That drink looks so delicious! That recipe of this?
Posted by: Aplinkos tvarkymas | July 10, 2012 at 07:58 PM
I would love to have a crochet group. Do you know if you can buy Pimms in the US?
Posted by: Joanna Burkett | July 10, 2012 at 02:03 AM
Hi Lucy. That looks simply delightful!
Posted by: Bonnie | July 09, 2012 at 03:09 PM
I wish I had a hooky group like that! And I'm a fan of anythIng that involves gin. That's another thing my granny gave me along with my love of yarn - a love of London Dry Gin!
Posted by: Christina | July 07, 2012 at 02:07 AM
It all sounds like a delightful evening! My husband and I have been sitting inside in insufferable Midwest American heat - 104 F. today - watching the games at Wimbledon and he has fixed us some of the best Pimms Cups. We will have to try your recipe, as well.
Posted by: Libby | July 07, 2012 at 12:45 AM
enjoyed todays blog you are totally barmy but you make me very happy: ) i will be back tomorrow for prt2
Posted by: jacqui | July 06, 2012 at 06:40 PM
Karen, it's an Angelica plant.
Posted by: Heather | July 05, 2012 at 09:08 PM
I have GOT to try Pimms when I visit the UK. It looks delicious!
What a beautiful post! Looking forward to reading part 2.
Posted by: Miss julep | July 05, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Can hardly wait!!
Posted by: Claire | July 05, 2012 at 08:22 PM
Can anyone from the author's area tell me what plant this is: in the second pic, it's a tall plant nearest the downspout, with roundish flower heads on it. The heads look similar in shape to the alium shown later, but they're green (and unlike alium, of which I have lots, it appears to be a tree/shrub)I'm not familiar with it here in the U.S. Thanks!
Posted by: karen | July 05, 2012 at 07:44 PM
What a great post Tracys yard looks perfect - ah so envious xxx
Posted by: ali.b. | July 05, 2012 at 06:59 PM
Sounds like a lot of my favourite things
Posted by: Eloise | July 05, 2012 at 06:34 PM
Is there any chance of you writting a pattern for the snake you did? I've tryed to get the book but cant find it anywhere :o(
Posted by: Rachel | July 05, 2012 at 06:11 PM
Pimms does indeed induce laughter,especially if my Other Half mixes it- he misread the instructions and got the lemonade and Pimms proportion the wrong way round...
Posted by: Kate | July 05, 2012 at 05:45 PM
This sounds like such a wonderful night! You are so lucky to have a group of ladies to share a mutual love of crochet and family with! I have been hoping for that in my town but have not been lucky enough to stumble upon the right people yet ... Can't wait to here more about your little group! <3
Posted by: Becca | July 05, 2012 at 05:42 PM
I've had Pimms (an ex-pat friend here in the states made it for a party a number of years ago) and it is delicious, so cool and refreshing. Definitely a good drink for sharing, especially on a hot day. I think I'm inspired to find a needlework group. . .thank you.
Posted by: Michelle | July 05, 2012 at 05:03 PM
I 100%agree with you Lucy. I believe that getting together with people you love and have so much in common enhances our lives and makes us "richer" :) I also looove to knit and crochet in public. I bring mine with me everywhere I go. It starts so many conversations and I have made so many friends and met so many people who would've not approached me if I was not crocheting or knitting. I am so happy you have your group and that it's so happy for you! :)
I have posted on my blog about my group about a month ago and we meet again tonight! So happy!
Posted by: Taciana Simmons | July 05, 2012 at 05:00 PM
i very very very very love your color
the color make me shock
confident ，vitality and warm
in my country like your style is very unusual
but i love it
and your garden too
Posted by: yeahsin | July 05, 2012 at 04:59 PM
Sounds perfect! I'm going to have to find some non-virtual people to crochet with! :-)
Posted by: rosyhill | July 05, 2012 at 04:47 PM
What a lovely memory. and such a lovely venue for your gathering.
thanks for the pimms 'recipe', never knew about putting oranges in. we usually do strawbs and mint...and we are certainly not brave enough for a 1:3 mix!!
right now, us 3 are still recovering from our 3 days in the office/nursery...knackered is an understatement! so, i look foward to my pimms o'clock time when you post part 2
Posted by: Twolittleflowers | July 05, 2012 at 04:19 PM
How lovely to join up regularly with a group of friends for some hooky and chats! It sounds wonderful. I feel like doing that here too. How did you all meet each other and start up your friendly get-togethers?
Swiss people are more reserved... so I'm not sure they would nibble an invitation. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained!
If you have any tips on how to get a group started, my gmail address is attached to my blog.
Best wishes, Sandra
Posted by: Sandra | July 05, 2012 at 04:19 PM
What fun! I wish I was able to get together with friends and crochet! Can't wait for part 2.
Posted by: Taylor | July 05, 2012 at 04:07 PM
sounds so nice...i always love all your pictures..
Posted by: Lulu | July 05, 2012 at 03:59 PM
Love love love Pimms, but last night I was rippling with a glass of pineau.......Pineau des Charentes to be precise, that is lovely stuff too!
Fiona (KnitKnatKnot)
PS I think I can guess what the next post is about? crochet and France, 2 of my favouritist things? Am I right?!
Posted by: Fiona Ridley | July 05, 2012 at 03:04 PM