Just about my favourite day of the year. Sunrise at 4.53am, sunset at 9.31pm, and in between all of that beautiful warm summer light.
The nights are mild, too warm for a quilt.
The back door is open all day long.
Boys spent the morning playing World Cup football in the garden. At half time they had to go and forage in the rainforest for food. They found peas, beans, leaves and berries.
I spent some time staring at this lovely silk yarn that I won in Ellen's giveaway, and some more time staring at Ravelry. Did I mention I'm not very quick at making decisions? I think I'm almost there though. I'm wondering just how small the needles need to be for lace weight yarn. And just how slowly it will grow. But I'm looking forward to it, really looking forward to it. And the summer solstice feels like the right time to be thinking about it. It's a light, exquisite yarn with soul. Whatever I make it's going to be special. Silk has the magic of summer captured in its unique fibres.
I put this sweet hair clip in my hair this morning because today felt like that kind of day. Kari sent it to me a while back, and I love it. She asked me what colours I like, and came up with exactly the kind of palette I would choose myself.
I took it out after lunch though when we went swimming. There's a lovely little outdoor pool about half an hour from here, and it's blissful on a hot day. And really good value. Ice pops for 10p! It's not often you can buy anything for 10p any more. There are home made cakes and cookies for 40p. And all five of us can swim for £7. The boys always have a really good time there, it's so much nicer than an indoor pool. When it's not in use it's covered with a clear dome, and I think the sun must heat the water because it was deliciously warm. I'm not a fan of freezing cold water and I usually spend the first ten minutes of swimming tiptoeing round trying not to get wet and shrieking if I get splashed. (What, I'm a girl). But this pool on a warm day - wonderful. The littlest boy is wearing his birthday t-shirt as he eats his lolly. Did you know, every stripe is a different flavour? It doesn't get much better than that.
Afterwards we went for a wander to the little park in town. Everywhere I looked there were beautiful midsummer flowers, trailing over ancient walls, mingling prettily against a blue, blue sky, filling the air with intoxicating scents.
I do hope this most wonderful of days has been enchanting for you too.
It's a pretty magic time of the year, isn't it ? And I too love it best when the back door can be kept open and the border between indoors and outdoors blurs.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to seeing what develops on your teeny sized needles with that beautiful wool. And such a cute hairclip,
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the sunshine,
Kate x
Sunrise at 4:31 and sunset at 22:06 in Glasgow. It is just amazing the amount of light we get just now! I love love love outdoor swimming pools. There aren't really any nearby but when we visit my mum in Switzerland, we spend a lot of time in her pool and the public pools that are everywhere. I am feeling very nostalgic just now because we are not going this summer. Is that a wee fig tree in your garden? Does it carry fruit? We must move down South. Have a lovely weekend CJ. xx
ReplyDeleteThat blue sky is beautiful--we haven't seen much of that her this week (Saskatchewan, Canada). It has been overcast, misty, foggy, and wet. In fact, if you hadn't reminded me I might have forgotten it is the longest day of the year. Such beautiful photographs...I'm glad you are making the most of the nice weather!
ReplyDeleteIt looks very enchanting by you CJ! How wonderful that the boys can run out to the rainforest for yummy snacks after their ball game! And that yarn is exquisite! Please show us how it goes for you! And your day at the pool followed by those gorgeous trailing blooms is a petfect day indeed! Those blooms are gorgeous! Happy weekend to ya dear friend! Nicole xoxo. Oh and I yell too if I get splashed'
ReplyDeleteSounds like you all had a wonderful day... Isn't it great having snacks on tap in the garden, I can't go passed the peas or strawberries without sampling at least one! Great photos, I love to see flowers trailing over walls. Enjoy the rest of the weekend CJ xx
ReplyDeleteAs usual a lovely post and terrific photos. It sure was a glorious day, and today looks like being another one.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! Flighty xx
This is my most favourite time of year, especially when the weather's good, as it has been this weekend. The outdoor pool sounds fantastic and great value too. Another gorgeous day here again today, I've stripped the beds and the washing's on the line, I'm making the most of getting everything dried outdoors whilst I can.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that the summer is stretching ahead of us - I know wishful thinking. maybe the England team should be sent foraging in the rainforest.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so jealous of your red raspberries - they are fantastic looking! I have a lot of berries forming, so I hope they have good follow through! Last year they were infected with an insect that laid eggs in them that hatched little white worms right as they ripened. What an awful joke. The pool sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year, especially when we have this fabulous weather, it makes such a difference! It looks like you had a fabulous day.
ReplyDeleteJune is bustin' out all over
ReplyDeleteAll over the meadow and the hill!
Buds're bustin' outa bushes
And the rompin' river pushes
Ev'ry little wheel that wheels beside the mill!
June is bustin' out all over
The feelin' is gettin' so intense,
That the young Virginia creepers
Hev been huggin' the bejeepers
Outa all the mornin' glories on the fence!
Because it's June...
Sorry, just had to sing at the sight of ALL those flowers!
sunrise at 4.24 sunset at 21.52 in Alnwick, and yet your sun must be much warmer as the fruit and flowers are so much further ahead.
ReplyDeleteWe've just come back from the north east where the days are even longer up there at this time of the year. It was great to sit out by the river Tees and watch the swallows and then the bats :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful midsummer you have had! Outdoor swimming pools are wonderful aren't they. I haven't been to one in years, but I love swimming outdoors when I can. xx
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely blog discovery!
ReplyDeleteHasn't it been a heavenly weekend weather wise! I spent most of it bobbing in and out of the new garden show on Hampstead Heath, cherry picking the talks that I wanted to listen to. Was very grateful for light evenings to be able to garden after the show finished - it was still light at 10 o'clock on Saturday!! :) Your local pool looks wonderful, I love outdoor swimming but the Lido here is f-f-r-r-eeeeeeez-ing! Do tell which sort of raspberries you're growing in that fab photo above - I have loads of Autumn Bliss raspberries (out in June, hahaha!) but they're round, not like yours at all. Let's hope the weather holds like this for the forthcoming summer hols!
ReplyDeleteAhhh I want to go to the pool! I much more prefer outdoor pools. I've only been in indoor pools during the winter months when we stay in hotels while traveling. I always find that I'm freezing when I get out of the pool when it's inside!
ReplyDeleteThis post is a little like summer distilled. Essence of summer. On a couple of evenings lately we've chased the sun up and over the hills to watch it set. Isn't it wonderful when the solstice is actually sunny!
ReplyDeletePS That yarn is just gorgeous!!!
DeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. A happy one too. I am a total girl in cold water too. But now I have my wetsuit, there's no stopping me.
Leanne xx
I love that clip that Kari made. And the colors you chose, too. I like looking at pictures of summer. Probably more than pictures of any other season. I'm glad the boys are enjoying the World Cup and I hope your oldest has recovered from the loss the other night.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like the hair clip, CJ:) You made my day! All these pictures of summer outings and wanderings are just beautiful and make me want to run outside right now and eat a Popsicle:)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! Those berries in the bramble are just glowing. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day you all had. Ours was enchanting, camping in the woods, a celebration at a stone circle and a shared afternoon tea, then later on a fire by the beach, perfect :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful, just wonderful. A truly summery post. I'm so glad the weather cooperated and you had such a great weekend. That pool looks brilliant. x
ReplyDeleteI've only just seen this post, what a perfect day you had. Such good value, a swim for all 5 of you for £7, that's amazing - almost worth us driving to your neck of the woods from here! A family of 5 can't usually do anything for £7!
ReplyDeleteSummer solstice, the longest day, that's my Number 2 boy's birthday, he often makes other days feel incredibly long too.