This week has been a week of the most glorious, hot, sunshiney summer weather and I've love love love love LOVEd it. Oh hot summer sun, please say you'll stick around for at least the next six weeks?!
This week I put on my official (woolly) Yarndale hat and helped run a stand at our towns annual Sheep Day. I also wrote a blog post about it, with more pictures if you'd like to go look-see. Eleven weeks to go till the Big Event, eeeekkkkk!!
This week my friend managed to move her whole dining table out into her back yard so that our Monday night crochet group could do some al fresco hooky. It was warm, relaxed and rather lovely.
This week I bought a small round paddling pool (a bargainous £2.99 from a local shop) and enjoyed many afternoons of splashy water play in the back yard with Little B.
This week I pegged laundry out on the line almost every day, the weather was perfect for it. I especially loved pegging out my bedding, inhaling the scent of freshly laundered cotton and loving the anticipation of bedtime.
This week was most definitely a week for fruity icepops, as our temperatures soared up into the 80's.
This week I treated myself to a new little melamine cup which had me in raptures over it's pretty cuteness. Ok, truthfully, a weeny lie as I actually bought two cups. See, there was a summer sale on at Fig1, and I couldn't resist. I just adore the danish company Rice DK, don't you? I could bankrupt myself quite easily by buying every single item they produce. I want to live inside this book
This week I took little evening breaks in my back yard (usually in my pyjamas), savouring the beautiful feel of Summer. Still warm evenings, that particular smell that lingers after a day of hot sun, the sound of the neighbourhood going about it's outdoor summer business.
This week I pinched and squished these poor basil leaves every time I passed in and out of the back door, just so that I could inhale that heady scent.
This week I also plucked some of the above mentioned basil leaves and threw them into my dinner. I made a slow-cooked ratatouille sauce, then layered it into a dish with garlicky meatballs and chunks of mozzarella, baked in the oven until golden and bubbly. Served with pasta and lots of appreciative mmmm's from the family.
This week the Little People and I ate a shed load of luscious summer fruits. I visited the market often, and came back many times with my bag full of cherries, nectarines, strawberries and melon. Yes, I carried a whole watermelon all the way back from the market, it weighed a blinkin' tonne. Little B, you are very persuasive and next time I'm going to make you bring your rucksack and you can carry your own watermelon home.
This week (yesterday in fact) I took the Little People to the park after dinner, about 6pm or thereabouts, for an impromptu play. Little B ran all the way down this hill, whoooooping at full volume with sheer delight. I think he was happy to be there.
This week, at the above mentioned 6pm park outing, I dug my heels in and refused to enter the playpark, leaving my offspring entirely to their own devices. I had my old blanket spread out on the grass outside of the playpark and a magazine to browse. Love love love the summer mags, mmmm such delicious pages.
This week I treated my Little People to Proper ice creams from the Ice Cream Boat. Yes, we do have a rather jolly blue painted tug boat on the canal which sells ice cream, and it is located directly half way along our school run route. The Little People ask for ice cream at regular intervals when we pass by, but know the answer is usually no. Not so on Friday! Mum said Yes, whoop-whoop!
This week (today), I poured two rather large tumblers of Pimms and lemonade and sat in the heat of the afternoon sipping along with J. It was good, very good.
This week (also today) I finally remembered to go pick elderflowers before it's too late.
This week I realised that I only just made it in time as the elderflowers are already on their way over. Phew.
This week (today) I made a batch of fragrant elderflower cordial, much the same as I did last year. Only this year the weather was warm! And Sunny! And I wore a strappy little cotton vest top and sunglasses!! Yay for proper summer weather to accompany my elderflower cordial making!!
This week (and last week too) we have enjoyed some most fabulous, gorgeous, happy, sunny times with Connievan.....but more of that next time.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ps, this week has also contained one official Yarndale meeting, two unofficial Yarndale meetings, one school open afternoon, two end of year school play costumes, three teddy bears picnics, one emotional last-day-at-playgroup, one toddler song time, some forgotten paperwork, some late payments, some late bedtimes, a fair few hissy fits and a couple o tantrums. We are ready for the summer holidays.
pps, just incase you skipped over the Rice DK link above, I am gently advising you to go take a look. Go right HERE and open up one of the catalogues. Seriously happy feel-good visuals, you will LoVe it xxxxxxxxxxx
I've got to have the recipe for your mouth-watering slow-cooked ratatouille sauce with garlicky meatballs and chunks of mozzarella, please!!!!!!
Posted by: Brenda H. | October 02, 2013 at 06:42 AM
Love your blog and the lovely photo's. Live about 15 miles from Skipton so its easy to visit.Went to Coopers for the 1st time today. Lovely place and staff. Will hopefully get over next time you have open day upstairs. Looking forward to Yarndale. Learning to crochet on my to do list. Busy knitting though. Enjoy the rest of the summer hols. Julie x
Posted by: Julie Doyle | July 31, 2013 at 06:29 PM
Soooo much fun to catch up on your blog. We were away for a whole week to the shore in North Carolina where it was hot and wonderful. Got to bring home my 2 year old granddaughter for the 2 day car trip home... WOW how I forgot how terrible car rides are for a 2 year old. Hissy fit city!!!!
Posted by: GretchenCantoni | July 23, 2013 at 06:52 PM
Your blog is such an inspiration! I dream of having a little caravan someday and getting away from everything now and then. *sigh*
I mentioned you on my blog today, I was showing off my granny stripe blanket that made following your tutorial and left a link to your blog so that anyone who hasn't already could come and see all your lovely goodies and tutorials.
I tried for a very long time to learn how to crochet and the only tutorial that made sense was yours so thank you!!! You have changed my life!
You are amazing, please keep doing all the lovely things you do and being your lovely self. It is so very much appreciated.
Much love, Jenny
magpieandhen.blogspot.co.uk
Posted by: Jenny Doherty | July 19, 2013 at 09:04 PM
Congratulations, you do the simple things a great festival.
Posted by: Elsa Milena Rosado | July 17, 2013 at 02:29 PM
Hi Lucy
A blog I visit quite often has some lovely
elderflower-cordial labels on her blog to print out. I thought you might like them.
http://eskimorose.blogspot.com/2013/07/printables-elderflower-cordial-labels.html
Posted by: Bonnie | July 17, 2013 at 01:15 PM
What fun and colorful things in that RICE catalogue---no wonder you love it! It's always so interesting to read about all of your family activities---so much energy and fun!
Posted by: Carol | July 17, 2013 at 07:06 AM
I love this summery post! Also it reminds me of when my own little boy (he was about five) decided we needed a watermelon and he attempted to get one out of a big crate at the market and bring it over to me. Well. He learned. I'll never forget the surprise on his face when it cracked open on the floor. It was even funny at the time.
Posted by: Neighborhood Watch | July 16, 2013 at 11:24 PM
I have a saying in work on a Friday afternoon when it is time to pack everything up..."It's Pimms o'clock". The perfect end to a busy week. Your week looked so perfect doing such enjoyable things and such colour to come along with you along the way. We are ready for the summer holidays too - mind you, two teenagers - maybe I need a separate holiday! Have a wonderful week. Chel
Posted by: Chel | July 16, 2013 at 08:39 PM
Long time reader, first time comment - love that you get to spend so much time outside during this lovely weather but can't help but wonder about the bugs. Here in the USA, tons of bug spray would be needed to be outside, especially in the evening. Don't you have flying bugs in England? Mosquitoes, hornets, and even the lowly housefly would make an outdoor evening very short for us on this side of the pond.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 16, 2013 at 07:33 PM
THIS week (here not there) was the EXACTLY the OPPOSITE of your week. No Pimms (Dry July - a hospital fundraising event that I'm taking part in) No sun (we need the rain though so that's Ok) No laundry outside (rain) No basil (snails got to mine) No caravan jaunts (teeny weeny bit jealous) No alfresco crochet fest .... but a healthy does of knitting on the couch... with tea... and cake.. so I suppose all is not lost :-) xx
Posted by: Angy Braine | July 16, 2013 at 03:42 PM
Lucy I'm supposed to be getting a bit of housework done and you send me to the Rice catalogue!! OH-MY-GOODNESS!!!! I know their stuff but never realised you could look at their catalogues on line. And what gorgeous catalogues they are!! I want so so much. Also now got the link to the facebook and pinterest pages so going to check them out too. Pegging out the washing and hoovering can wait!! Fiona x
Posted by: Fiona | July 16, 2013 at 11:27 AM
At a crafty sale in Port Adeladie,South Australia I met someone who is going to Yarndale. So I gave her one of my crotchet flower badges to wear. I hope she does....
Posted by: Sew and Sews Too | July 16, 2013 at 08:07 AM
So great the cow !
Posted by: bluettine | July 16, 2013 at 07:55 AM
I am glad I am not the only one who happily sits outside in my pjs. I LOVE my pj pants and would live in them 24 hours a day if I could.
Posted by: Peggy | July 16, 2013 at 05:07 AM
Lucy, I loved your post. I love, love, love the warm sunny days of summer too.
Posted by: Emily Clark | July 16, 2013 at 03:03 AM
Oh dear, oh dear ...I see my bank balance diminish quickly now I've been introduced to rice! Absolutely beautiful. Love your blog! Have some bunting to wing across the sea to you shortly! X x
Posted by: emma from toadstool tales | July 15, 2013 at 08:43 PM
Looks like a wonderfully busy week.Alot of canning the gardens bounty going on here, and of course finishing up Yarndale bunting to be mailed.Hope the summertime weather sticks around this week for you as well.
Posted by: Angela-USA | July 15, 2013 at 08:04 PM
Oh you are very naughty! I seem to have some lovely melamine cups headed my way - I seemed unable NOT to order them - but at least I refrained from ordering every single one. :)
Have another fabulous week!
Posted by: Becky | July 15, 2013 at 07:43 PM
Sounds like you are enjoying summer to it's fullest. One thing though, I have never been able to handle yarn outside in the heat, at this age just thinking about it makes me sweat. I do my crocheting/knitting inside where it is cool and comfortable. It is hard to believe that the summer months are just about half over and school will be starting before ya know it. Time sure flies.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)
Posted by: Susanne | July 15, 2013 at 04:25 PM
Hi Lucy just letting you know bunting went in the post this morning (15th) hope you get them soon
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen | July 15, 2013 at 04:18 PM
Oo, thanks for the Rice link - will def be having a good look...love the dinner idea and might do that tonight! (with veggie 'meat'balls...)...and just to say, I'm planning to learn to crochet so I can send you a triangle (well some sort of shape, he he) Lovely sun, eh? Jen
Posted by: Jennifer Hill | July 15, 2013 at 10:59 AM
Only 11 weeks-yipee!! Carrievan is going for its annual service later today as it is now 2 years old. ( It was our Ruby Wedding gift to one another). Love the photos of Skipton as always but you are a bad influence showing us that beautiful catalogue of goodies-thinking new caravan mugs and plates?? Yarndale bag is currently full of yarn that somehow fell into it during a trip tp Clitheroe in June-could not persuade DH to drive that extra mile to Skipton as we had already come from St Anne's and he was a bit poorly with the man flu!!
Enjoysummer with your children-I'll hope the weather keeps fine for you all.
Posted by: Catriona | July 15, 2013 at 09:43 AM
Yum! That ratatouille with meatballs looks gorgeous. Do you have a particular recipe you use?
Posted by: Sam | July 15, 2013 at 09:01 AM
Such a busy week. Getting to the end of term is ways like it isn't it? I'm glad my sons school breaks up a couple of weeks earlier than most - but he's still shattered when he gets there. It's the only time of year he loses kit! Kept hold of it all year - and it disappears in the last week or so!
Fig1 looks great. I'll have a proper look when I'm home but feel I might need to treat myself!! Thank you! :)
Posted by: Sara Jenkins | July 15, 2013 at 08:44 AM