Bloomin' football world cup nonsense has meant that I was unsuccessful in prizing my hubby away from the television this evening. I had wanted to go forth into the glorious Yorkshire countryside on this special Summer's evening and do something happy and celebrationish with my family. Inexplicably, I adore both the Solstice days each year in June and December and it always feels really important to me that we celebrate them in some small way. I feel compelled to do it somehow, and am seriously miffed if it doens't pan out. Bah. I felt so very irritated earlier, stropping and harrumphing and deep sighing, but then I pulled myself together and set about arranging my very own personal celebration.
It's cloudy here but beautifully warm, so I took myself out to the back yard with a small jam jar of flowers and a couple of candles. I made myself a cup of tea in my rainbow mug, took my patchwork blanket to sit on and wrapped myself in my beautiful Home Poncho. And I rippled. Oh those soothing rows of sea and sky colours worked their magic and I felt a wave of calm wash over me as I sat there quietly and worked. I heard distant music, gentle adult chatter and the sound of children shouting and playing as my neighbourhood went about it's evening business. And I gave thanks for this life of mine, for the happy house that we live in on this friendly street, for these long summer days when the Little People can still play out at 9.30pm.
Happy Summer Solstice to those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, and happy Winter Sostice for those of you who are upsidedown! I hope your day has been wonderful wherever you are in the world ♥
ps the above photos were taken at 9.45pm x
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Edit to add :: thank you so much Laura in South Africa, for sharing these beautiful words, a Wiccan blessing for Summer........."As the sun spirals its longest dance - cleanse us, As nature shows bounty and fertility - bless us. Let all things live with loving intent and to fulfill their truest destiny."
I'm sorry you didn't get to properly celebrate Solstice. I thought it was today for some reason so I've missed it too!
Gah to football too!
Posted by: Nicole | June 22, 2014 at 11:26 AM
Dear Lucy, happy days and fast haak... I enjoy for your new blanket!!! I do now too it, but in lila colours. :-)
Posted by: Milena | June 22, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Our wedding anniversary on midsummer solstice Lucy. 24 years yesterday! And oh my how our lives have changed and grown, our plans a little scotched too, in the shape of a four year old grandson who wouldn't go to bed.............
Posted by: Lynn Hull | June 22, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Hi there Lucy :-)
We are "upside down" as you put it and feeling the wrath of winter cold tho lovely sunny winter days! Loving your blog -a must read for me! - and especially your colourful crochet! Keep up the good work and take good care.
Vicky (NZ) x
Posted by: Vicky | June 22, 2014 at 10:29 AM
We celebrated winter solstice with friends, having a lovely lunch with 10 little (and not so little anymore) people playing outside taking advantage of a sunny winter's day. Glad you enjoyed yours even if it was disturbed by the football x
Posted by: Katherine, NZ | June 22, 2014 at 09:17 AM
"As the sun spirals its longest dance - cleanse us, As nature shows bounty and fertility - bless us. Let all things live with loving intent and to fulfill their truest destiny." (Wiccan blessing for Summer)
xxx
Posted by: Laura | June 22, 2014 at 08:21 AM
Ah, maybe we are lucky to be out of the World Cup now then! Although being half German, I could start to support Germany! Cheerful photos:)
www.thequietstitcher.com
Posted by: Jacky Russell | June 22, 2014 at 08:12 AM
Happy Summer solstice to you too Lucy....I'm so lucky my lot aren't bothered about the football.
We went to the seaside...it was glorious.
Too often I want to go out and am stopped by the families unwillingness so I understand completely how you feel.
I do love Your crochet ripples, they are a little seaside in themselves, and I hope the kind comments you get here cheer you up too....I know they always make me happy.
Jacquie xxx
Posted by: Jacquie | June 22, 2014 at 07:57 AM
Happy Solstice to you too!
Looks like a lovely evening despite the soccer madness! I watched the Germany game last night but crochted the whole time... a bit more bearable this way. :p
Take care,
Anne
http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de
Posted by: Anne | June 22, 2014 at 07:54 AM
Happy Summer Solstice to you! I didnt even notice what the date has been. Your celebration looks lovely, the football games are ruining many family evenings, I believe :) But we have to let the guys have a bit of fun, too :)
Posted by: Silly Little Sheep | June 22, 2014 at 07:53 AM
Happy Summer Solstice .... Our Winter Solstice was a typically warm-for-winter day with bright sunshine and a very clear night sky! xxx Pat in South Africa
Posted by: Pat | June 22, 2014 at 06:40 AM
Winter solstice here(South Africa) with sunny but chilly days and lots of frost in the mornings. Now the days get longer yay! My kids celebrated with a polar bear challenge at school. 1 length of the school pool with a cup of hot chocolate waiting on the other side.
Posted by: Andrea | June 22, 2014 at 05:48 AM
I thoroughly agree with you about the football! Congratulations for gathering your "Inner Goddess" together for a little celebration. We had a huge winter solstice celebration in the Blue Mountains here in NSW Australia. No less than 40,000 people mulling together in the main street of Katoomba! Glad I only watched it on the tv (whilst crocheting)! It was huge! Lovely to hear you are having some nice warm weather too.
Posted by: Jenny | June 22, 2014 at 04:01 AM
Happy Summer solstice to you Lucy. Here in the southern hemisphere I am looking forward to our days getting longer again. YAY!!!!!
Posted by: One Earlybird | June 22, 2014 at 03:57 AM
I always love your crochet work and your photos but I especially love the composition in the first image here. Beautiful!
Posted by: Kathryn Vercillo | June 22, 2014 at 03:47 AM
Happy solstice! I spent my day similarly - knitting while the menfolk did the footy thing!
Posted by: Holly Nelson | June 22, 2014 at 03:39 AM
Our winter solstice here in nz, we have the world cup and last night a rugby test england new zealand as well,,! I sat busy with my crochet while my man watched !! Nice sunny day today but nippy outside. _your back yard looked full of lovely colour lucy. Carolyn nz
Posted by: carolyn jackson | June 22, 2014 at 03:38 AM
Bon été ma chère Lucy,! Have a nice summer! Soccer is very popular in my house too. In Québec, soccer is in the morning and in the afternoon. The evening is for the "replay"... No break!,
Posted by: Soleillucie | June 22, 2014 at 03:27 AM
I spent my Solstice day watching my little granddaughter and then tonight I worked on your bunting pattern from Simply Crochet. It is very stormy tonight, so I didn't go outside and I really miss being out there. I am glad you found peace for yourself. Sometimes moms just need to find peace anywhere we can!
Posted by: Debbie P. | June 22, 2014 at 03:08 AM
I am so glad that my husband is not into sports. I always swore that I would never marry a man who owned a team jersey and I stuck to that! Glad you enjoyed your "me" time.
Posted by: Katie | June 22, 2014 at 02:53 AM
Just lovely photos of your back garden!!! Yes, I had plans to, which involved sitting on my back patio surrounded by my lovely flower garden, a bottle of wine, and my husband. But, somehow it is now dark (9:30pm) and there is still a haircut to give and 5 children to get into bed......I'm thinking my solstice enjoyment might be happening another evening......
Posted by: Heather L. | June 22, 2014 at 02:35 AM
Your summer solstice celebration sounded lovely, Lucy. I, too, find this a very special day to celebrate. Hubby and I sat on the porch and watched the sunset while the Littles enjoyed a small bonfire. Perfect evening.
Posted by: emily | June 22, 2014 at 02:26 AM
Thank you - we're having a little get-together tomorrow, because today was too busy. I also love this day - so much sun!
Posted by: Lisa G. | June 22, 2014 at 02:25 AM
you are so sweet! thanks for sharing this beautiful moment with us. we are happier when we learn to enjoy solitude <3
Posted by: Tatiana | June 22, 2014 at 01:53 AM
It has been lovely Lucy, thank you. Warm as toast here in the South West of France and loads of Trumpets of Jericho have blossomed in the last two days so I have a blaze of colour. The time difference means that my day feels even longer and this evening was just lovely. So pleased that yours was too. Bloomin' football.
Posted by: SOL | June 22, 2014 at 12:24 AM