Snapshots of Summer

It really has been a rollercoaster of a Summer.

Now that Autumn is steadily approaching I have been looking back over the last couple of months trying hard to maintain my focus on the positive.

It seems like an age (yes, it has been) since I last posted but in all honesty my heart wouldn't have been in it until now. Thankfully life has turned a corner, as it does, and things are finally looking up.

We were fortunate, with many sunny days spent walking or at the beach - Lily's new favourite place to be.

                           

We spent a wonderful week in a cabin on the shores of a loch in Scotland. Such a beautiful area to which we hope to return.

Last month my birthday was celebrated with a picnic lunch on top of Latrigg, a small fell which overlooks the town of Keswick. It couldn't have been more perfect. The views are fantastic up there and the weather was gorgeous. I felt so blessed in that moment as I sat and admired the view.

It's quite hard to believe we are now already halfway through September. As a family we are gently discovering our daily routine as the days become shorter and the nights grow longer. Lily has settled in brilliantly at her Pre-school, work is going well and everything seems to be slotting into place.

My walking miles are on track this month and I am tying to focus on maintaining my physical and mental wellbeing.

Unfortunately, my desire to do any crafting seems to have all but disappeared, for now at least. I am hoping to find some inspiration soon. In the meantime I intend to embrace this last week of Summer as it is going to be all cosy sweaters and gingerbread lattes before too long although, for once, I am quite looking forward to it.

J. X

Grasmere

Last Sunday found us in Grasmere, a beautiful little village famous for, amongst other things, William Wordsworth and gingerbread. It even has its own blog here.

Often we find ourselves in Grasmere at the beginning and end of a long walk (there being so many to choose from in the area) but on this day it was just for the simple joy of a bimble around.

We usually park a little way out of the village which lends itself to a gentle stroll alongside the river Rothay.

This is a view of Helm Crag which overlooks Grasmere.

It was so lovely to see all the bunting out following the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations.

In the centre of the village is the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden through which meanders a pathway of around 3000 slate paving stones sponsored by visitors from all over the world.

                          

It is such a beautiful place to sit for a while in quiet contemplation, stunning when the Daffodils are in full bloom and breathtaking in Autumn (my favourite time here) when the golden leaves carpet the ground.

These photographs are from October last year.

The garden was very quiet when we visited. Possibly because everyone was waiting for gingerbread.

We didn't buy any on this trip. Delicious as it is, there was a very long queue outside the shop as it is so very popular with visitors.

Grasmere holds fond memories for me as it is the start and finish for a walk up to Easdale Tarn, one of my favourites. A walk I hope to do again very soon.

J. X

Home Love

Thank you all so very much for your kind  words and good wishes on my last post. It was a lovely day and thoroughly enjoyed by all of us. Even though it was only just over two weeks ago Lily has already grown and changed so much in that short time, learning new things every day. She is such a sweetheart and brings us so much joy.

May seems to have gone by in a whirl. There has been so much I have wanted to achieve in so little time but I will need to be more patient.

The weather is still being incredibly kind to us and we have spent much of the week in the garden, at the park and enjoying some short walks, though never really straying too far from the house.

It is very true when they say 'Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans'.

Anyone who knows me knows I don't like our house. We are incredibly lucky to live in a lovely area surrounded by fields with the countryside on our doorstep but for my own reasons I don't like the house we live in.

The plan was that we were going to start looking at moving to a new area after July (Yikes that's next month!!!). A new home, new surroundings, a fresh start, but ha ha..... the universe has other plans. This last month there was the offer of a new job in our local town. The position is perfect, it's a big step up and yay!  for getting the job, we are so very happy about that. It just means our original plans are on hold for the time being and I now have to put on my big girl pants and get used to the idea of staying put, for now at least.

What this does also mean is that I really do need to start showing this house some tender loving care and turn it into our home.

The little jobs I have been putting off must get done and not begrudgingly just because it will help the house to sell. I need to inject a bit lot of colour, let the light flood in, add those personal touches and make it somewhere I look forward to returning to at the end of a day.

I expect it is going to take a lot of time and effort. Tempers will fray and occasionally I will give up on it all only to start over again. But it will all be worth it in the end to be able to create and learn to love what will be our HOME.

J.X

May Sunshine

                             

Days are longer, the windows are open wide and the air is heady with the scent of blossom.

Clothes are fewer, floatier and more colourful and life is suddenly being lived outside underneath a generous slick of sunscreen.

We've enjoyed picnics, met up with friends, woodland Bluebell walks, ice cream (lots), simple meals and refreshing cool drinks. Even the paddling pool has made an appearance.

                                         

I know it is probably going to be short lived which is why we are making the most of every sunny moment.

Housework has fallen by the wayside and been replaced with gardening, watering and tending to the plants which have suddenly sprung back to life.

(Please be reassured the arms that look quite pink in this photograph are really not).



Thanks to some recent job changes we have been managing to spend more time than ever together. Time we didn't realise just how much we were missing until now.

I love this time of year.

Life is good.

J. X