Summer Moments {five}

☀ A short walk in the woods last week when the weather was warm and grey and we all just needed to be out of the house for a bit. We're so lucky to have this beautiful area of woodland within a short walking distance of home, I appreciate it very much. I loved the branches of this deceased tree which were completely covered in moss - the way the moss was back-lit somehow made the branches look like they were glowing.

☀ I was stunned to find these toadstools on our woodland walk, partly because I think this may be the first time I've ever seen picture-book red and white toadstools ever in my life, and partly because they screamed "AUTUMN" in a way that I am so not prepared for right now. It is still summer, and I am most definitely claiming this as a Summer Moment. 

☀ But seriously, no matter what the season, these toadstools were spectacular in their shouty red-ness. I've just made a Google search and discovered that this is most likely a russula emetica, also known as "The Sickener", so definitely not something that can be pan fried in a little butter then. The Little People were in awe of them, well, they did look pretty impressive as toadstools go.

☀ I realise that pretty much every one of my Summer Moment posts contains a sleepy kitty, she has been a big part of our family life this holiday. She isn't always an easy animal to interact with as she is rather fiesty and very strong willed, but we love her to bits and adore having her around. She is never very far away from us, choosing to cope with our noise and constant comings and goings rather than hide herself away, and I love that.

☀ Last year our buddleia went into a state of extreme shock and not one stem grew after I pruned it back hard at completely the wrong time the year before. I was so sad and really missed the flowers last year,  so it's been especially lovely to see it in full recovery this year with it's gorgeous purple flowers blooming in recent weeks. 

☀ A bit like the Sickener toadstools, this image is really rather worryingly autumnal, but I'm overlooking this fact and concentrating on how lovely the colours are. I picked these leaves up from the pavement at the bottom of the hill, a little dismayed to see the first signs of Summer coming to a close, but crushing on these beautiful Autumn shades.

-+*`    f7v........ [oh, that was a little cat message to you from Tilly as she walks across my keyboard!]

☀ Another day, and another moment of delight as not one but two butterflies were spotted dancing around on the buddleia bush. We don't see that many butterflies around our terraced streets, so it really is fab that our modest (and rather harshly treated) shrub can draw these beauties in.

☀ During this past week we've often had the best weather in the evenings. We are generally finished eating and clearing up around 6.30pm, so after I've done a few chores (laundry mostly) I've been heading up to the park around 7pm with the Little People. We are lucky to have a fabulous open space on our doorstep (well, five minutes walk away), and I am very thankful for it at all times of the year.  

☀ Often when I go to the park with the LP I opt to plant my backside on one of the wooden benches at the top of the hill and simply sit still and take in the view. Being physically still is something that doesn't happen all that often when you are a busy Mum, but I can highly recommend seeking out a few minutes each day to just sit. It relaxes the body and focuses the mind on being In The Moment - practicing this type of very simple mindfulness feels so good. I watch the play of light and shadows across the distant hills, breathe in the scent of freshly cut summer grass, feel the last of the day's warm sunshine on my face, listen to the sound of children playing, watch the swallows dip and dive low over the ground as they swoop in search of insects, make a quiet, silent wish on the sliver of crescent moon in sky.

☀ I don't always just sit still and observe when I go to the park though...sometimes I like to have my mind and hands busy. I took my Summer Harmony blanket up to the park for the first time this week, oh it looked completely glorious spread out on the grass in the early evening sun. I sat quietly on top of all that yarny colour and knit a few rows of my sock while the Little People kicked a ball around and expended some energy. It was a super-lovely way to gently unwind at the end of the day.

☀ Summer evenings are so precious with that beautiful, glowing golden light and those enticingly loooooooong shadows to play around with. Goodness only knows what the three of us must have looked like to anyone else, but we did have some fun with our shadowy selves. 

☀ Behold, our glorious allotment booty!! Oh we were so proud to harvest this modest handful of little tomatoes from our row of outdoor tomato plants. Little B was beside himself as tomatoes are his most favourite thing to eat, and he couldn't wait to try them. They were indeed utterly sweet and delicious and bursting with summer flavour. 

☀ More blackberries from the untamed wild bit at the allotment, and some little cooking apples from the single tree that grows in my in-laws front garden. Isn't it some kind of wonderful when fresh fruit comes into your hands for free? I'm thinking these are summer fruits, wouldn't you say? Nothing Autumnal here, nope, not at all.

☀ I made an apple and blackberry Oaty Crumble using this crumble recipe (but leaving out the golden syrup). We unearthed a rather old tin of Birds custard from the depths of the kitchen store cupboard and oh-my-word, it was sooooo good. So so so good. 

☀ 7.48pm....an early evening summer sky looking very lovely indeed as we made our way home from the park. I love being able to make the most of these summer days with the Little People, stretching them right out into the evenings whenever we can. Already our days are noticeably shortening and we are drawing our curtains at 8.30pm.

 ☀ The Little People go back to school next week, bringing our summer holiday to an end. We've had a very relaxing six weeks, it's been a pleasure to just mellow out and enjoy some quiet family time at home. Now, in my book it is still summer until 22nd September which is the Autumn Equinox, I had to have words with some of the ladies at the cafe who tried to tell me that it was the first day of Autumn today. We still have three more weeks of Summer my friends, and I intend to make the very most of it!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Comments

[Sara R]

Does your kitty's nails every get stuck on your blankets? My cats are not allowed near my crochet blankets for this reason! eeek!

[NORA McGRANN]

Another wonderful story, Lucy..and all those wonderful photographs..Bet you could make some fantastic calendars with the different seasons photos!

Thanks ALWAYS for sharing your part of the world with us all! xxx

[Elisa]

Mushrooms are so magical! I've been taking a lot of mushroom pictures around here too. And we also have first glimpses of Autumn. It's bittersweet because I love Autumn, but it means cold is coming! Lovely post!

[Libby Parker]

Lucy, I can empathize with you in your dismay of seeing Autumn colors so early. The same is happening here in the States in Northern Illinois. We are having a long dry spell and all of a sudden our temps dropped to the high 50s and low 60s Fahrenheit. The leaves are turning early and my veggie garden is shivering. Your photos are so very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[Debbie, Essex]

I'm still calling it Summer! Autumn doesn't start until the Autumn Equinox (otherwise, why is it called the Autumn Equinox!!)

Lovely pics!
x

[Reneelynn]

oh I am a summer girl too .... still in flip flops.... it's not over til it's over

[Ann]

Lovely to see kitty in your photos, we too have a feisty girl along with her sister who is a sweet little bear.

[Rae]

We met a couple a few years ago searching for fungi in our local woods and they called your red ones Disney toadstools. Im unsure if thats the name but thats what i call them now. Summer is still here until the 21st in my eyes and the weather is still warm here in Norfolk. Rae x

[Lindsay]

Wonderful photos!

[Lizy Tish]

What a lovely capture of summer! Sounds wonderful.

[Crafty Cath]

I love your photos again, the lush green of the field and browns/oranges of the Autumnal leaves. Maybe an Autumn blanket the colour of Tilly and the leaves with a bit of red toadstool could keep the Autumn blues away? Just a thought (like you don't have enough to do already!)

[Cathy]

Oh, I am with you, it is not Autumn until after the 22nd of September. Must hold on to summer as long as we can!

[Little Quiltsong]

Loved your post and all the summery pictures, with a few autumn 'post-notes' :)! I again, love my Fall, maybe because the cool days chase the summer humidity away. I thrive, and wish it would just stay and stay and maybe skip winter along its way - wouldn't that be nice :)! Thank you, for a lovely peek into your days. Enjoy the 3 weeks of summer - and hope everyone has a great start to the new school year. Our new school year starts next week here too!!

[mrs. smythe]

I love your tonal study with the leaves! Makes me want to do something similar with the leaves I'm finding here in Massachusetts, where it's been surprisingly cool for the past month. We are definitely seeing signs of fall - much sooner than expected. As I write, the radiators are on - something that usually doesn't happen until mid-September...at least!

[Kerry Lucas]

Hi Lucy, I love your blog and I have a question that I wanted to private message you. many thanks Kerry

[Carol]

Definitely three weeks to go to Autumn! Let's enjoy our Indian summer, if we have one and get out taking in the last of the summer sun and enjoying blackberries, apples and very soon SLOES!! There seems to be a good crop this year - must just buy the gin.

[Brenda]

In my mind, Autumn officially starts when you have to put your sandals away for the year and switch to shoes and socks. I live in Iowa, in the Midwestern part of the US, and that usually happens in the middle or end of September.

I like to knit socks too, so I'm looking a little bit forward to the weather change.

[Sharm]

Oh my word, I can't imagine actually finding one of those red and white toadstools in real life! Of course even less likely down here in Sustralia I'm guessing ....... but I DO have Buddlias growing in my garden too! Did you know they can easily be grown from cuttings? That bright pink one is rather pretty! ....by the way, I just mentioned you in my blogpost today after making Lemon Drizzle Cake lol ......it's become a hot favourite of ours when its citrus season here ( like now)

[Louise]

And as we pass the 1st of September down here in Kangarooland, I breathe a sigh of relief and an equally big breath of fragrant spring scented air! I love all the photos of your delicious part of the world!

[Maggie]

Great pics!

[Angela-Southern USA]

I hope it stays summery in your part of the world, but for us here in our part we are ready for Autumn.lolxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Heidi Rose]

Here in New Zealand after a long wet Winter the 1st of September definitely counts as Spring. Thanks for sharing your Summer, I've really enjoyed your posts.

[Margaret Simpson]

As always Lucy, beautiful blog and stunning photo's. 😊🇦🇺

[Maureen]

Autumn comes a few different times. 1) On the Autmnal Equnox, of course; and 2) near the beginning of August from a Chinese Medicine point of view (I'm an acupuncturist); but today is, indeed, the first day of 3) Meteorological Autumn from the point of view of those who study the weather.
Unless, of course you're in the southern hemisphere.

[Louise]

Thanks for another lovely post. I was tempted by the oaties recipe a couple of weeks ago and made it with a few changes based on what I had on hand (whole wheat pastry flour, dates). They were delicious. I grew up on the east coast of Canada where oat cakes were common when I was a child. I was happy to see that I have all of the ingredients needed for the crumble and I will follow your lead and not include the syrup. I noticed that someone wanted the volume (cups and tea-/tablespoons) measures for the oatie recipe. As someone who grew up cooking by volume, I think that cooking by weight is faster and there are fewer things to wash at the end. Here's to buying an inexpensive scale and enjoying Lucy's recipes!