Jersey Tiger Moth

My garden has suffered in this hot, dry spell.  The grass has died back and flowers shrivelled in the scorching sun.  What has been doing well however are the insects and wildlife!  I now think I like insects more than I do flowers - much less maintenance! 

In the past few weeks I have spotted stag beetles (so scary when they fly!), many types of bee, ants and the dreaded flying ants, loads of butterflies moving too quick to be properly identified, a huge dragonfly, a personable toad, swifts, blackbirds, magpies, robins, foxes all making more regular appearances than usual.

Today something caught my eye as it quickly fluttered past my head.  As it settled on a leaf, I managed to quickly get in the house and grab my camera.  It stayed very still whilst I captured its beauty and then the Jersey Tiger Moth departed up and away towards the sky until out of view.  Such a little moment but a treasured one.

Wash Out Wednesday

It is pouring with rain.  It is miserable.  It is grey.  It is summer in England!  While neighbours bask in warmer climes abroad I am here at home again without a holiday for 9 years!  I have just spent 2 weeks trying to get the house in order, deep cleaning and getting rid of  'stuff'.  I was hoping that I could spend the latter part of August having days out at the beach or countryside but if today is an insight of things to come that is unlikely.

Every year I dread the summer.  There are no picnics or fun days out.  Everyone else seems to be away and having a wonderful time - yet I know that is not a true picture and just one that the advertising agencies would have us to believe.

I will make the most of the day.  Home made American pancakes for a mid morning snack, a run up to the local shop once the rain subsides, a movie to watch later and three bags full of odd socks to match or throw!  Life is what you make it isn't it?

Where Do You Go To My Lovely?

Where do you go to when you are not reading blogs?  I am still an avid blog reader but so many people are dropping out of the blogging World.  Blogging is particularly lonely in the summer months when people go away on holiday or spend more time away from the computer.  Sometimes I think I am blogging to myself - but that's OK.  I enjoy writing and looking back over my old blog posts to see what my interests have been and how I was feeling at the time.

I have been building up a book collection to read over the next few months.  It takes me ages to read a book (so easily distracted) so this little lot should last me well into Christmas!  I have read a few pages of each but not enough to give a review on any of them. 

In a weeks time I will be on annual leave from my job.  Time to catch up on doing all the things I love to do.  Hopefully I will have some things of interest to report back on here.

I have a significant post coming up in a few posts time and it would be great if you could join me on that day!  Keep watching! :)

Hydrangea and Purple Hues

I was creating some 'Galaxy' ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) which are UFO's (unfinished objects!) at present and realised that I had seen the colours recently in my garden.  The hydrangeas have deep violet and rich indigo shades.  I think I was subliminally influenced when I got out my watercolour paints.

These cool shades appeal to me as I am finding the heat and humidity a struggle at the moment.  As I have said on here before - I am really not a fan of the summer months - unless I am on holiday with a cool breeze and fresh mountain air (not that I have ever had a holiday with a cool breeze and fresh mountain air!)

Life is whizzing by at hyper-speed at the moment.  I have limited time to post or read blogs.  Can you believe that I have been in my job for almost three months now?  My week days are busy and my weekends are precious.  I am still trying to find ways of having a good work/life balance and am slowly getting there.

Wishing you all a harmonious weekend and week ahead.

Baking in Not so Flaming June

I blew the sugar free diet out of the window a few weeks back.  I know I can lead a completely sugar free life if need be but I have chosen not to.  We all need a little sweetness in our lives right now without going overboard dipping into the cookie jar, but something sweet does help to satisfy a rather bitter feeling that has been present in the last week or so.

Today the sun popped by to say hello.  I went outside to greet him with the lawn mower and shortly after we parted ways the dark cloud brigade floated on in.  I got back inside the house before the rain troop and decided to bake a peanut butter chocolate brownie with white chocolate drizzle. Not a very seasonal dish but comforting none-the-less.

For many reasons this has been one of the strangest Junes I have ever encountered.  Let's hope the latter half of the month takes an upturn in fortune and the summer decides to pay us a visit.

Summer Nights

Just before dusk last night, I took this photo out in the garden.  A hot and sticky end to a hot and tiring sticky day.  As much as I have tried to embrace summer this year I really can't wait for it to be over.  I am jealous- yes jealous of people who manage to 'escape' their normal routine by going on holiday and doing 'fun' things.  A staycation means that I feel guilty doing 'nothing' and my husband sees it as a chance to catch up on boring but necessary D.I.Y around the home.  It has been like this for years.  The house is so full of tension you could almost pierce it with a knife and let the scream out.  Each year I tell my son 'it will be different next year' but it never is.  It just gets more intense.

Today is predicted to be another hot and humid day.  I think I just might dig myself a garden cave so I can hide away inside.

Herkimer Quartz

I have been struggling with knowing what to post about having completed the 'savor summer' blog posts that I had scheduled previously.  My social life has turned around in the last few weeks and I have hardly had time to think let alone make anything to blog about!  It's all good!

As it is a no news kind of a day, I thought I would share a photo of some Herkimer Quartz from the USA that I recently purchased.  They are beautiful and look like rough diamonds.  I can't wait to use them in a piece of jewellery.  Any ideas on how I can incorporate them?

I am looking forward to having some down time this week.  I really want to get stuck in to some jewellery designing and making but the stars have made sure that I have been kept on my toes these last few weeks.  Summer is gradually waning but I am determined to get every last drop out of it until the September Equinox!.  Summer is a long time coming and winters outstay their welcome.  I have never been a 'summer' person but this year decided to embrace it as I will do for all the coming seasons.

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A Summer Vision

I am struggling at the moment.  I don't think I remember a time when we had so much rain for so many months.  The house is full of damp and I even think it has reached my bones!  Anyway, I gave myself a bit of a pep talk about looking forward to better days and came up with a poem that I thought I would share with you.

When you're down, and feeling glum

And it feels like spring has never sprung

Just hold on tight and through the rain

Imagine summer days again

Flower heads bobbing in the breeze

Bright blue skies and honey bees

Do not fret but look ahead

To garden days - a picnic spread

The photo above was taken at Myddleton House Gardens in August 2013.  It was a glorious day and a wonderful memory.

Fading

..........and just like that summer began to fade.  The elderflowers had turned to elderberries and the collared doves pecked at them freely.  Goodbye summer of 2013.  You have been most welcome.

~ For those of you that wish to hold on to summer just that little bit longer ~ autumn does not officially start until 22 September, according to my diary.  You still have a few weeks left to savour the season.

Summer Checklist

Before the summer runs away with me I thought I would make a 'to do' list so I don't miss out on anything!

• Make herbal teas in the tisaniere that has sat in its box for over a year.
• Stock up on good quality wines whilst they are on special offer in the supermarkets.
• Make freezer strawberry jam before the strawberry season finishes.
• Have at least one afternoon tea in the garden with tiny cakes and cucumber sandwiches.
• Buy a bottle of Pimm's limited edition Blackberry and Elderflower.
• Make homemade lemonade.
• Buy some new ice cube trays and freeze borage flowers for decorating drinks.
• Sow lettuce leaves in succession.
• Get in the garden at every opportunity.
• Take lots of photos to look back on in the cold and dreary winter months.

Do you have a summer checklist?

Summer Loving?

I don't know if I have mentioned it on here before but: I am not a great lover of the summer season. For most people they look towards summer with eager anticipation but I dread it!!! I dislike the humidity, the heat, the flying ants, neighbours burning rubbish when you have your windows open, the tennis, the cricket, the dried up lawn, itchy eyes, heat rash etc etc!!!!!!! I much prefer the freshness of the spring and the coolness of autumn. Thank goodness for the shady places like the woods above.

In fact, I could make a never ending list of all the things I dislike about the summer, but I won't. Instead I am going to focus on the good things about summer such as the vibrant colours of the flowers that I grew from tiny plug plants..............................

........................and the home grown fruit and veg that we have been feasting on this last week....

............. and the delicately scented roses that have been giving an ongoing display this year.....

the jasmine flowers that give out their heady evening perfume

sitting in the garden until dusk

drinking a chilled glass of wine

eating simple salads

watching the swifts fly over in the early evening

longer days that mean more time for crafting

hanging the bed linen out to dry on the washing line and putting it back on the bed that same day

the lighter mornings............

What do you enjoy about the summer months?