Since moving from the outskirts of a city to a rural market town seven years ago, one of the many things I really appreciate is how I feel so much more aware of the seasons. I think there are several reasons for this, the first one being the beautiful view from my Attic window. Every single day I look out across the rooftops to the fields and hills beyond and observe the ever changing colours as the weather and seasons do their thing.
Where I used to live there were no hills. None-what-so-ever. The landscape was as flat as a pancake and as such it was hard impossible to really get a feel for what was going on around you. The compensation for this was Big Skies, but oh I do really love to be surrounded by hills and I don't miss that flattened out landscape one little bit. I also used to go almost everywhere by car when I lived on the outskirts of the city, as everything I needed to get to on a daily basis was so much further away. Living here I walk absolutely everywhere, which means I am very much more aware of the weather conditions/seasons as I am not riding around in a metal box.
Blogging my daily life is also a terrific help in reminding me of my connection to the land and the seasons. My blog gives me a precious little window to gaze through and gain access to my faded memory banks, and I am often surprised and delighted by the rhythmic and repetitive nature of my lifestyle. It tickles me that year after year we do the exact same things on more or less the exact days of each month!
For the past three years, June has been the month of the Elderflowers. There are a lot of trees in my neighbourhood, they sprout like giant overgrown weeds in the most unlikely of places - along roadsides and verges, in hedgerows, along paths and even out of walls. In early June as I go about my business to and fro, I keep an eye on the flowers, waiting patiently for the tight little green bobbles to open up and produce a froth of creamy white, teeny tiny flowers. Last year we made our first pickings right in the middle of the month, with a second batch a week later.
This year, the flowers have been late as we had a very long, cold Spring and Summer has been slow to get going. But during the last week in June I suddenly noticed creamy white flowers everywhere and knew it was finally cordial making time.
I went with the Little People on Monday evening after dinner to gather in the floral booty. It had been a very hot sunny day and the evening remained balmy and completely summery, it was a gorgeous time to be out and about.
This year I found a new place to go not far from home where there was an abundance of trees laden with flowers. So I was able to snip the stems freely, taking only a handful from each place as we strolled along. There was also the bonus of finding a great swathe of ox eye daisies growing wild along the road side, so I thought it would be ok to gather a few. We were walking along a quiet access road along the back of the railway track, not very picturesque but the flower bounty more than made up for the rather industrial feel of the location.
I filled my bag with flower heads, emptying them out onto the back yard table once I was home. I spent a little bit of time freeing up the critters and snipping off as much of the green stems as I could manage, counting the flower heads as I went. This year we had gathered 63 so enough for 2.5 batches of cordial - result!
I have adapted this Sarah Raven recipe, leaving out the limes and reducing the sugar. Elderflower cordial is a cinch to make, this is it in a nutshell....
Put 1.5L boiling water into a large pan on the hob with 1kg of white sugar. Bring to the boil, stirring as the sugar melts.
Add in 25 polleny elderflower heads (stalks removed), stir well and bring back to the boil. Take the pan off the heat.
Add in 30g citric acid (I buy from the local health food shop, but you can find it on Amazon
Stir well, cover and leave to cool. I leave mine to infuse for 48 hours, then strain using a jelly bag (this sort of thing
....ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, the very taste of Summer in a glass!
Elderflower cordial is diluted with water the same as you would dilute a fruit squash, but I have heard rumour that it is also very good added to a glass of prossecco. I may have to give that a whirl over the weekend (this recipe sounds delicious) as the idea of sitting around in the sunshine sipping a chilled Elderflower Bellini is very, very appealing indeed. Roll on Saturday.........
x
ps elderflower cordial also freezes well, I save up small 250ml water bottles to use for this purpose.
I always have elderflower cordial on hand, love it.
So enjoy your blogs
Posted by: Lynne | June 10, 2019 at 09:47 PM
Just yummy Thankyou x
Posted by: Jacqui | June 10, 2019 at 06:13 PM
I think it's so lovely to be where you are! I am here in Florida and it's just too hot to go outside so I spend my time indoors:(
Plus, You can get all those lovely hooks in sizes we can't get here like 3mm, 4.5mm etc.
I just can't wait for fall when the weather cools and our friends come for a visit with all their lovely tools and we can have a proper sit down and just crochet away to our hearts content!
We will think of you!!!
Thanks for all your beautiful inspiration.
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Farmer | September 11, 2015 at 12:02 AM
Hello Lucy,love your blog and follow it quite some time.
It is really great and very relaxing. Love all those beautifull places and creationes you make.
Posted by: linda van den hurk | August 03, 2015 at 02:31 PM
Gin, ice and elderflower cordial (no water!) is a great sommer drink... This year I tried to make marmalade using the left over lemons. It tastes great, like summer, but it only made half a jar.
I do love your blog! Thanks for all the inspiration and patterns!
Posted by: Heléne Fransson | August 03, 2015 at 12:10 PM
Hi Lucy
I've been reading you're blog for sometime now. I love all the colours you choose and wondered if you have ever thought about doing a Yorkshire moors blanket, you are so good with colours and often show pictures from your attic of the moors. it was just a thought.
Jasmine
😀
Posted by: Jasmine | July 23, 2015 at 04:35 PM
I wish I could live in a place like yours. So lovely the idea of peace it presents. XOXO
Posted by: Maria João | July 14, 2015 at 04:16 PM
Missing you in New Jersey! Hope all is well! Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | July 14, 2015 at 04:08 PM
Hope all well with you. Miss reading your posts.x
Posted by: Elisabeth Kane | July 14, 2015 at 08:17 AM
I never knew this was possible Lucy. Thanks so much for this post. I have missed the season here in Winnipeg but will try this next year.
Lovely pics too!
Posted by: Arlene | July 13, 2015 at 10:36 PM
Just echoing others, hope all is well with you and yours. Missing you! xx
Posted by: Kath | July 13, 2015 at 05:24 PM
Lucy, you've been quiet for nearly two weeks, is all well?
Posted by: Claire | July 12, 2015 at 10:46 PM
Here in Germany we drink Prosecco with Elderflower, Lime and Mint, it's called "Hugo" and is THE drink of the summer for a couple of years now. Must say tho, the homemade version is much better then the pre-bottled stuff, it's too sweet for my taste.
Posted by: Kathleen | July 12, 2015 at 04:56 PM
hope all is well at ur end...no posts after 2nd July....its 10 days...
Posted by: Ankita Vj | July 12, 2015 at 01:54 PM
Hi Lucy.. I have been a reader of your blog for almost two years now.. But have never left any comments..
Glad to see you enjoying summer with your family..
Was wondering if the inside of the bag was lined with the pretty fabric by you?
Love,Simple..
Posted by: Simple Joseph | July 10, 2015 at 11:21 AM
Checkout this yarn bombed tramway!
https://www.facebook.com/bendigotramways
Have a great day Lucy! <3
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | July 09, 2015 at 03:51 PM
Looks delicious! It's also yummy if you put a splash into a gin and tonic. Tastes like summer x
Posted by: Jill@NorthStarYarns | July 08, 2015 at 12:21 PM
New from Caroline Rose Art that has your name all over it! LOL
https://www.etsy.com/listing/239108527/she-took-her-garden-with-her-a3-fine-art?ref=shop_home_active_2
Posted by: Robin Summers | July 08, 2015 at 08:35 AM
That sounds amazing!! I have a random question for you Lucy. I've been looking for a crochet pattern for a shawl. Any ideas? I love all your stuff and thought you would be the gal to ask!!
Posted by: Kim Clark | July 07, 2015 at 09:39 PM
The recipes I've used (Swedish) always says that you should leave it for 6-7 days with a daily stir... :)
Posted by: Annika | July 07, 2015 at 04:22 PM
Sounds good 🍹
Posted by: Jean Parker | July 06, 2015 at 10:17 PM
Oh, you make me so homesick! Your lovely photos just remind me of my life in the attic at the top of Byron Street many years ago and foraging along the back of the rail line through the hen pens! Although I do live in lovely Eskdale (and have just gathered my Lake District elder flowers) I miss the old place and its , mostly, fabulous memories. Like walking to the Girls High School on the heady days of these last weeks of term- we were allowed to wear summer dresses and stuff our hated berets in the back of the cupboard. Mine is possibly still there.....
Posted by: Dawn | July 06, 2015 at 09:39 PM
Oh my Lucy! You've gone and made me thirsty! Save a bit and I'll be by for a sip...
oh how I wish!
Enjoy!
I feel like I'm able to enjoy your English countryside through your eyes - and your words are so descriptive and truly give us the full picture of what you are doing.
Thank you once more!
Posted by: Carol D | July 06, 2015 at 08:46 PM
Beautiful post, Lucy, brings back memories of childhood.
Love the blanket, Jessie.
Posted by: Jacqueline Ford | July 06, 2015 at 01:10 PM
I've found my next blanket project. Check it out!
http://jessieathome.com/retro-ornament-throw-videos/
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | July 06, 2015 at 12:05 AM