Life here has been passing in a glorious summer blur of sweet peas, blueberries, sun, watering cans, bees on herb flowers, green beans, raspberries, ice-cream, skies of every colour, long golden evenings, cricket, snatched moments lost in a good book, butterflies, clover flowering in the lawn and puppy dogs' tails.
Did I mention cricket? Six games in seven days the other week, with training on the seventh. But it's been lovely, a deckchair in the evening sunshine, you know the sort of thing. It's a short but intense season, all but over now. People are talking about the start of football training. I'm holding on to the summer for the next few weeks.
On the hottest day we went to the outdoor pool which was lovely.
In the garden I've been press-ganging the children into blueberry picking. The biggest boy was horrified to find once you've done it, it all needs doing again three days later. I've been making Nigel Slater's blueberry "muffins". The quotes are all important apparently - they're cakier than muffins, although to be honest I can't tell the difference. I might try this one next, I'm a big fan of almonds in cakes.
The biggest boy and I did our bird survey down by the river the other day. I spotted a common scoter all by myself which has elevated my status no end. I also found one of those helium balloons in the hedgerow. They're such a menace, especially the ones that are released deliberately and end up causing trouble for animals and wildlife. It's just littering.
Rant over. How is your summer going? We have another week of school here, but then we're free. We can't wait.
My summer is going pretty well, thank you. I loved seeing all the plants and flowers. We just made a small batch of refrigerator pickles this afternoon with a few of our cucumbers. Last time we used a recipe that called for way too much sugar so we tried something else this time. I don't like them to be so sweet. I hope the last week of school goes well. Happy summer break!
ReplyDeleteI get really angry about balloons too. I think they should be banned! I know some councils now ban those silly lanterns and balloon releases but I - misery that I am - would love to see all balloons eradicated complete - no more produced! Such an unnecessary waste and they cause so much damage. Ooh now you've set me off ranting!
ReplyDeleteLovely scenes from your garden and those "muffins" look so good!
Your summer sounds like bliss, enough activity to keep everyone happy but still moments of calm and peace. My summer is all work, work, work...well some swimming with Little B, a few hours here and there to crochet and of course cleaning. That will be my Fall too! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYour summer is sounding blissful. I haven't a clue about cricket, but feel it's a spectator sport that I could get behind - a nice seat, a cool drink, possibly a picnic and maybe a bit of accompanying sock knitting - perfect. Your 'muffins' look absolutely delicious and your biggest boy's horror at the repetitiveness of the picking made me laugh - I feel a bit like that about housework! xx
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteYes one more week (and two days) here until the long jolly. I always get twitchy about it. Olly seems incapable of entertaining himself at the moment. Your garden is looking bounteous and colourful. Mine is it's usual mixed bag; success with runner beans, failure with courgettes this year. I quite like the idea of slumping into a deck chair, politely clapping every so often.
Have a great week. Hope the cold is gone before the holidays.
Leanne xx
Meant to add my grrr at the balloon thing. They get released a lot here, for weddings and memorials. I guess it's kind of poignant watching them sail up and over Porthmeor, but oh the havoc they reap. It's all about awareness I guess.
DeleteGassssp.. no dog photos? What? How's that darling boy doing? Your muffins look delish. It's been all about painting our house and outbuildings here. Have a super week. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteThe summer is going too fast with not enough time spent in the garden. But it is different without children around that's for sure. Totally with you on the balloons... fine if people want them but dispose of them responsibly.
ReplyDeletemmmm muffins x yum x
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good rest of the summer and can enjoy lots more blueberries and relaxing watching cricket, or not watching it if you prefer!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks and sounds perfectly summery. After first coming across your blog, I plonked a blueberry plant in a pot and this year there are actual berries on it. Now, what to do with the 12 of them?! Another fan of almonds in cake. I'm currently trying to work out how I can incorporate a bar of Ritter Sport marzipan into a bake of some sorts. Hope the last week of term goes well (and quickly!).
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous summery photos! And lots of summery activities too! We seem to be having a 'proper' summer, weather-wise this year. Hope your school hols continue in a similar jolly fashion :)
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your balloon rant. You can see how my mind works - I see cricket and think insect. The sport doesn't enter my mind unless Martyn mentions it.
ReplyDeleteAgree about the balloons :o(. Lovely summery photos. We've been on summer hols here for weeks after the exams finished- it'll be about 3 months by the time sept arrives! Xx
ReplyDeleteA nice post and lovely pictures, but where's Bertie? I agree with what you say about those wretched balloons.
ReplyDeleteI'm not keen on summer and will be happier when autumn arrives.
Your summer sounds like it's going by like a blur...you never slow down! I wish I had your energy! I adore blueberries and you have me craving a good muffin. I'm going to check out that recipe. Leaving to go home in an hour or so--I'll have to make a trip to the grocery store as I'm sure hubby has been living on cereal alone!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about your school schedule. Our kids are getting ready to go back in mid August after an eight week break. How long do your children have summer vacation?
Have a wonderful week, CJ!
Jane x
Summer is passing by too quickly. Could I order half a dozen blueberry "muffins" please?
ReplyDeleteBalloons - can't stand them. I do love your summer photos, just so lovely and I am envious of your outdoor pool. We have one at the local gym but it is for members only and the basic membership is £60/month (who would pay that?). I should probably check our blueberry bushes and pick the fruit.... instead I am sitting here enjoying the breeze and the lovely summer weather. Hope the last week of term goes well. We're half way through our holidays. Well, the kids are, I am back at work. Have a lovely week. Oh, and could I please also get half a dozen of blueberry muffins, the variety with almonds preferentially. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to catch up with blogs I've missed and must say this is a very summery post. Your plot looks so abundant and the sweet peas are lovely. I've been thinking of buying a blueberry bush lately, but am now alone in picking the raspberries, strawberries and currants in our garden. All my grown-up children are home but picking things has lost its appeal it seems. Eating them, however, has not. Must try the 'muffins' recipe x
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're having a wonderful summer. The blueberry farm just down the road from me opened this week, so blueberries are going to be appearing in all sorts of things in the next few weeks. Those muffins look yummy. I'm going to Google and see if I can find the recipe.
ReplyDeleteballoons are tools of the devil. true story. i find myself being the world's biggest party pooper on most occasions when i mutter malevolently about the apparent need for balloons.
ReplyDeleteanyway.
hallloooooooo!!!
gorgeous photos...summer has been a mixed bag here; trials, tribulations and other good stuff. lovely to *see* you...hope all is superbly brilliant. xoxo
Your summer garden is looking wonderful. We are being over run by cucumbers - we have never had that problem before! Your blueberry muffins look delicious. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteA buggeration of balloons as more plastic crap pollutes our environments - cue grumpy face. :-(
ReplyDeleteSome lovely images of summer here CJ, I haven't seen any sweet peas this year, and I can't believe you're talking of football training already! Please hang onto summer, and those cakey muffins look great!
ReplyDeleteDo keep sharing with us.
Such beautiful words and images CJ - I look back on summer wisfully as I sit here in my slippers watching the rain and wind batter the garden. Still, we're going to Brittany on Sunday where, according to my phone, the weather is about one degree warmer. Hmm. You sound like you're having a lovely summer though. Do you listen to the Archers? It's all cricket on there and it always makes feel summery.
ReplyDelete(Oh, btw - we're going to look at a puppy tomorrow!) x
Beautiful photos once again. x
ReplyDelete