Thank you for your really, really nice comments about my embroidery. I appreciate your kind words a lot.
A day late, here is my usual weekly celebration of the small, everyday happy things that occurred over this week:
1. A wander into town this morning for nothing in particular; a newspaper, bread, flowers, plums from the greengrocer. Those purchases that are really small but very satisfying, for they contain the ingredients for a relaxed weekend.
2. Victoria plums. They will be tomorrow's crumble.
3. Cyclamens, inside and out. Everything in our garden appears to be dead, apart from the weeds. Our garden's been a bit of a disappointment this year, to be honest. I could never seem to sum up the necessary energy at the right time. Re-potting the pots by the front door always cheers me and makes me feel better about the mess in the back garden.
And I like a bit of cheer inside the house, too.
4. Small boys on scooters and big parks. We had a relaxed day on Wednesday at Roundhay Park, always a favourite. After a walk around the lake we sat outside the cafe and drank hot chocolate.
I thought this meadow area they'd planted was beautiful. Do you think if I just threw a load of seeds all over my garden something similar could be achieved?
Today we have done very little. Bella had a birthday party to attend. Angus and I baked a chocolate cake, his choice. John is cooking chilli for dinner later. I might have a beer soon.
We are gearing up for the return to school next Tuesday. Uniform and school shoes have been bought, labels need attaching. I feel quite mentally and physically tired, actually. The house is a complete tip, only the most essential of housework is being achieved as I can hardly move for the toys. Every. Single. Piece. of playmobil is out. I've just left it all there, occasionally making a path through it as necessary. I'm looking forward to some domestic busyness in an empty house next week, the opportunity to get some jobs done. I love the long summer holiday, but I love it when it comes to an end too.
It's nice just "being" sometimes with the ordinary things in life. A little garden tidying once the kids are back at school may be just what you need. Hmm, plum crumble sure sounds tempting. Enjoy the rest of the school holidays and take care.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more re summer hols. It's nice to have a more relaxed routine, lounging in pjs, no fixed bedtime etc but it will be very nice to have some peace and quiet and not be stepping on Lego every 5 mins! I am craving a routine!
ReplyDeleteI just love the way you find hapiness on the litlle things .
ReplyDeleteI always feel inpired when i read blog ;) and see the beautifull pictures ,i wonder if i ever will take pictures as you .
Just arrived from a boat trip and it feels so good ,nothing to do ,just read my blogs and chill out .
Have a great weekend
xoxo
Lulu
Hmmm yummy, plum crumble :-) !
ReplyDeleteI love that meadow filled with flowers ! I have tried several times to sow mixtures of wild flowers in my garden, but never have I seen 1 flower... Or the birds were having a feast with the seeds, or the rabbits ate all the new little plants as breakfast... Sigh...
I just stepped on a piece of playmobil, it is nearly as painful as a lego brick... but I am not complaining because my boys don't often play nicely with their toys. Victoria plums are at their best now, aren't they? We have a wildflower meadow and we found that the secret to a varied meadow is a really poor soil. Your garden topsoil might be too rich. You could dig up a small patch and maybe add some poor soil from a building site, or maybe they even sell that at the garden centre (probably not labelled "poor soil" but "wildflower soil"). Our meadow changes every year, we are never sure what will be flowering. Enjoy your plum crumble. Cx
ReplyDeleteLove that shopping bag!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the mess, I just give up in the holidays, pretty pointless trying to keep it in check!
You've reminded me to go and buy cyclamen too for the doorstep, thank you x have a lovely last few days of the hols xx
Play mobil and lego all over the floor brings back memories. Now it's sports kit and clothes that litter every spare inch of the floor.
ReplyDeleteI have tried many times just scattering seeds for a wild meadow effect - nothing. I think those wild flower displays take far more work than you think. My garden hasn't been at it's best this year either, but at least with gardening there is always another season.
Hope you enjoyed your beer, a glass of rose was appreciated here whilst Mark did the supper.
Have great Sunday. x
Oh gosh Gillian, I hear you. I like the laziness of the holidays but I'm ready now for the return to routine. Especially now the weather has turned. Enjoy the plum crumble x
ReplyDeletePretty pictures. I know what you mean about making a path through the toys!
ReplyDeletePlums and crumble here too. That park looks wonderful. I always think boys are like big dogs, you need to point them at a big open space and let them run madly at least once a day. I know we would all love it there. I know what you mean about restoring order. I have big plans for house cleaning on Tuesday. Oh how quiet it will be. Enjoy the last two days. CJ xx
ReplyDeletePlum crumble .....yum!! x
ReplyDeleteNice to know I'm not the only one with paths winding amongst the flotsam and jetsam of summer hols...we have lego, loom bands and all manner of children's craft junk to wade through...those plums look scrummy, lovely to see you enjoying the last few days of summer! Good luck to your young man next week! Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteGlad it's not just me that hasn't managed to do any housework the past 6 weeks, my two go back Tuesday, I have actually booked time off work to dig the house out and also have a little me time. Hope your crumble is yummy :-) x
ReplyDeleteThe wander into town sounds lovely - it does sound like you're having a relaxing, calm weekend.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that your home is a mess. It sounds a lot like my flat during term time. Perhaps parents should do a deal with teachers to provide tidy-uppers and cleaners at appropriate points during the term and school holidays so we're all happy. I'm certainly excited about going back to school but I don't like the constant scramble to have a tidy house and get everything done when there's so much else to juggle! x
Love the contents of your shopping bag. I really must make a plum crumble soon (still in blackberry picking and pie mode, here). That meadow planting is lovely. I emptied the contents of a box of wild flower seeds in a border here and, guess what grew? Nada. Nowt. Not one single flower.
ReplyDeletePlum crumble, yes I wouldn't mind tucking into a portion of that.
ReplyDeleteI've tried in the past to create a wildflower garden but it wasn't that successful. I think you probably need more than a packet of seeds by the time the birds have had their fill. Give it a try though, if they grow the garden will look a picture.
Plum crumble sounds delicious. I don't think we can buy plums like those here, the colors are really pretty. I hope you've enjoyed the weekend and that everyone has a good return to school this week.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree my dear friend. The kids need the relaxation of summer, but mine also do well with the structure that back to school provides to the. Love the plums. I'm also getting ready for the beginning of school on Tuesday. My daughter senior year in high school.
ReplyDeleteI have been making one washcloth every Friday ( for Christmas gifts) inspired by yours ... I'm proud of myself for starting Christmas early ... :) thanks for the inspiration.
Have a fabulous first day of school :)
OOh I am drooling - domestic busynes - that sounds like pure fun to me. i am starting my new job on Tuesday so I am trying to get stuff straight too. My time will be a bit more squeezed from now on. Jo x
ReplyDeleteSuch simple things make us happy out of all proportion sometimes, don't they? Love the glimpse into your basket - by the way, love that basket! What could be nicer than a stroll in that lovely park ... that is what we miss here in South Devon, a lovely large park. There are small parks in and around the area, but nothing spacious like yours.
ReplyDeleteThose cyclamen are beautiful, both for indoors and out. I might copy that idea, get some for the pots by the back door, cheer the place up a bit now just about everything is over. But we have our walnuts to look forward to (provided Nutter, the squirrel who comes every year - well, I like to think it's the same one! - doesn't polish them off first!)
That meadow is stunning.
Margaret P
Pretty cyclamens! Can't believe it's cyclamen time already and I can't wait to plant some bulbs too! I don't like this transition phase much and will be relieved when school and uni are underway and we can settle down to a new routine. Crumble is the perfect solution I guess xo
ReplyDeleteHey Gillian,
ReplyDeleteMy house is an utter tip. I am awash with lego, and haven't mopped the floors for three weeks. There really is no point until they return (or start - yikes) to school next week. In fact I think the house hasn't really been the same since Olly came on the scene. Loving you Donna Wilson cushion. I have her owl one. I don't let anyone lean against it though...
Leanne xx
Lovely relaxed happy things! I would have loved that meadow as well, the photograph is gorgeous. Our house was really untidy during the holidays too but to be honest I didn't really mind! When my daughter went back to school a couple of weeks ago I did a big tidy up, but I kind of miss the summer mess and toys everywhere (dragon toys in our house)! Chocolate cake sounds good.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed your weekend.
Marianne x
Unfortunately, I've learned that carefree looking wildflowers are not that easy to grow! Or at least, not with my brown thumb. (its not black because I can grow weeds)
ReplyDeleteIn your last paragraph you voice my sentiments exactly: love the summer holidays, but I also love for it to come to an end. This house could do with a good clean (up) too. And the less said about my garden, the better! xxx
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always so refreshing! And your house is always spotless!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great week!
Tammy x
It is Lego here! But I will miss them on Wednesday. Lucy x
ReplyDeleteWe have a wildflower border - it's amazing. Just clear a flower bed, and throw a load of seeds in, and it takes care of itself - and apparently will come back even better next year. I heartily recommend having one - it really made me so happy strolling out to see what new flowers had appeared!
ReplyDeletehttp://dinkidots.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/wildflowers.html
Maria x
The cyclamen looks so pretty there sitting on your table. We are organising uniforms kits and shoes too the summer holidays have flown by x
ReplyDeleteHope your plum crumble was nice. I've picked our plums and we have soooo many this year. I'm still trying to get them all preserved in some way. Quite a lot went to making crumbles to be stored in the freezer.
ReplyDeleteLovely happies once again. I bought some cyclamens too! I'm (being positive and ) looking forward to our new routine starting later this week. Our house has toys on very surface. We're trying to make our bedroom a toy free zone (it's sort of working). We have to contain the playmobil with a toddler but she's learning not to eat it so I expect that'll be everywhere soon as well!! Love crumble!!
ReplyDeleteOoooh a plum crumble! How very seasonal! I do love plums and our neighbour across the way has a huge tree, I wonder will she part with some in exchange for a crumble? When we got married my flowers came from a wild flower meadow that the nursery just dump seeds etc into every year! I just picked and choose what I wanted on the morning of the wedding and we made bouquets!
ReplyDeleteYour embroidery is looking amazing Gillian, well done to you and the kids. I'm only catching up with blogland due to my new life as wall paper/plaster stripper taking over!! Have a great week! Hazel x
Your lovely tote is filled with some wonderful things - flowers, bread, newspaper, plums, and I hope there was a nice bottle of wine hiding in there! I imagine your plum crumble was amazing. I've never made one of those before, but I know I would love it. Also, pretty new plants inside and out!
ReplyDeleteYum! Plum crumble! I used to live in Roundhay and loved going for walks in the park. Hope the back to school part went ok.
ReplyDelete