Yesterday it was the longest day of the year and we were blessed with a very beautiful sunshiny evening to celebrate.
19.15 :: Dinner done and dusted, chilled glass of white wine in hand, sitting in my back yard doing nothing but look up at the sky. Appreciating the warmth and light of a mid summer evening, being in the moment with it all.
19.58 :: overcome by a mad craving for cake, I launch myself into action in the kitchen and bake a small batch of buns, top them with elderflower cordial icing and rice paper butterflies. Delish!
21.52 I decide to head out for a short walk to watch the last of the day fade away. Sadly nobody wants to come with me, so off I go on my own to celebrate a Solo Summer Solstice. I climb up to the foot of the steep grassy hill which leads to the woods and spend a while leaning over the wooden fence just breathing in the colour of the sky. Almost ten o'clock and still beautifully light and blue.
22.01 :: Walking slowly home along the canal, sounds of music and laughter coming from the outdoor pub terrace. Feeling mellow and so happy in the moment, me and myself enjoying the outdoor ambiance (who needs company anyway?!)
22.38 :: Back home again and it is still daylight.....seriously! I make myself a big mug of tea, grab a crochet blanket and a candle and snuggle myself up in the back yard to enjoy the very last of the longest day.
22.48 :: A bat flits around right overhead and I make a stupid number of attempts to photograph it. Most of them look like a streaky smudge in the sky, but the above one at least shows some blurry wings. I'm calling that a result.
22.57 :: suddenly yawning my head off, the day has finally caught up with me. The sky is still blue, but I feel the chill of the night descending and so I head indoors to the comfort of bed.
Happy Summer Solstice......!
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i love summer. i love beach and beer
Posted by: Gau Teddy | August 07, 2019 at 01:08 PM
Winter Solstice here. Sun is setting before 5 pm and not getting up until 7 am. And will stay that way a little bit longer.
Enjoy your longer days. :-)
Posted by: Patricia A | July 01, 2019 at 08:48 AM
I was reminded of you as a bought a couple new mugs. Since you like color, you might want to check out Fiestaware: plates, bowls, mugs, and serving bowls/platters that come in a variety of bright colors. They do change the colors occasionally. It's made in the USA so I'm not sure if it's available in England but you can google it and see! Thanks for your lovely posts and patterns. I'm working on my third Lucy ripple kit now! Made the Cottage one for my mom for Christmas and she loved it.
Posted by: Alison | June 29, 2019 at 08:41 PM
You had a beautiful evening. Sad when the kids grow up and don't need Mum as much. Generation after generation, it always works out that way. But you were not alone...we are with you in spirit, dear Lucy.
Posted by: Kathryn Ashe | June 29, 2019 at 12:13 PM
Wasn’t it fantastic?! We came back from Malham at 10.30 and were treated to two barn owls hunting in the fields near here. Perfect.
Posted by: Caroline Ray | June 28, 2019 at 08:35 PM
Thanks for some of your Summer, Lucy! It was WINTER solstice here - YAAAAYYYY!! Days will get longer now!! Have a WONDERFUL rest of your Summer! XxxxX
Posted by: Kristine Schipp | June 28, 2019 at 01:04 AM
Just north of NYC the bats are flapping, munching mosquitoes, and the fireflies are doing their flash dance in the trees. Other side of the ocean, beautiful life goes on. Thanks for reminding us--
Love,
Mary P
Posted by: Mary Sutton Pobedinsky | June 27, 2019 at 05:39 AM
Wow! Can't believe how long your sunlight is during the summer! Even our longest days here in North Carolina are several hours shorter. Looks so lovely where you are!
Posted by: Elise | June 27, 2019 at 04:43 AM
Happy Summer Solstice Lucy!
Posted by: Arlene | June 26, 2019 at 08:26 PM
Happy Summer Solstice! Wishing you heaps of warm sunny sunshine and a summer to remember x
Posted by: Joanna | June 26, 2019 at 02:12 PM
Happy Summer Solstice to you too Lucy! I enjoy reading about your personal yearly celebrations .... especially that it includes wine, cake & crochet (the best combination in my world). Enjoy the start of summer! XX Sue 🌼 🌞 🍷 🍰
Posted by: Sue | June 25, 2019 at 04:35 PM
Thanks for sharing - lovely post! x
Posted by: Julie Letton | June 24, 2019 at 09:49 PM
I think most Americans in the mid-Atlantic states have this vague sense that the UK is equivalent to us in terms of how far north it is. Then I read this post, went to a map, checked out everyone's latitude, and was surprised to realize that we're nowhere near you guys -- we're almost equivalent to Gibraltar for pete's sake!
Sunlight until 11pm sounds amazing to me, but wow I understand why you have a tough time in the winter now ...
Posted by: Janis | June 24, 2019 at 01:53 PM
The longest day of the year, how it's whizzing by! Glad you enjoyed celebrating Lucy, have a good week. Cathy x
Posted by: Hooks and Needles | June 23, 2019 at 10:19 PM
And just look at the colour combo of the Bat's night sky... just saying.
Posted by: Cathy | June 23, 2019 at 04:41 PM
Happy Summer Solstice! What a beautiful way to spend the day!
Posted by: Shasta | June 23, 2019 at 04:22 PM
If I find that I can grow elderberries, I plan to. But have never seen or bought or known anyone that has so I know only what I read - they are valuable in the diet. Can you give a brief summary of how you make your cordial? Do you eat them any other time? Your pictures and quiet celebration of our earth is beautiful.
Posted by: Mary W | June 23, 2019 at 03:29 PM
Friday evening was so glorious. Think I might try putting my Elderflower cordial in icing, sounds a nice idea. Why have I never thought of freezing it before!!! I hope you are having some sunshine today. Trudi x
Posted by: Trudi | June 23, 2019 at 02:08 PM
Thank you for taking the time to share , what a lovely evening . Always look forward to your posts.
Posted by: Miss Daisy | June 23, 2019 at 12:44 PM
There's NOTHING better at days end than to snuggle up with a cuppa and read one of your blog posts!!!! It doesn't even matter if it contains crochet... the photos and feelings they invokel make my spirits both soar and relax all at once!!! Thanx for yet another beautiful experience!!!
Posted by: Lyn Z... | June 23, 2019 at 12:23 PM
Just love it when there is a blog from Lucy. I did the same went a walk at 11pm myself!
Posted by: Heather Coady | June 23, 2019 at 08:27 AM
How beautifully you have described your midsummer's day, I love reading your blog! Thank you.
Posted by: Geraldine Stroud | June 23, 2019 at 07:56 AM
My favorite day, too! However, I do prefer the late light in the evening to the 3:30am light in our morning sky! I am also working on a Dune blanket and loving the color waves as they develop . . . Cheers and Happy Solstice!!!
Posted by: Annie Chermak | June 23, 2019 at 05:25 AM
Thanks for sharing...
Posted by: Nancy Valera-O'Keefe | June 23, 2019 at 02:48 AM
Sounds like a perfect day and a great start to summer!
Posted by: Julia | June 23, 2019 at 12:33 AM