Summer Days

The last week has passed us by in a warm haze of home days, paddling pools and ice cream. I can't really account for our time, but it has been glorious. I've had moments when the clock turned back slightly and my ten year old and twelve year old seemed so much younger as they sprayed each other with the hose or splashed in the paddling pool. We haven't gone far, only to see friends and family locally, and haven't even made it to the beach, although I did regret that decision last Thursday when the temperatures reached record highs here. The children have been outside so much, in and out of the garden more than I can keep track of, going out on their bikes in the warm, light evenings, playing out with friends. I love to see the towels and swim stuff pegged up on the washing line at the end of a hot day, dripping in the setting sun.

I've been cooking a lot and enjoying it so much, just loving having the time to plan meals and potter in an unhurried fashion. I've been eating yogurt and rhubarb compote for breakfast every day, drinking a lot of iced coffee, making halloumi salad, pasta with peas and goats cheese, stuffed peppers. Eating the blackcurrant and liquorice ice cream with my friend in the back garden on her birthday while all the kids were in the paddling pool.

When it cooled down enough I tackled some cleaning jobs that I always put off until the school holidays; thoroughly scrubbing the kitchen, cleaning windows, rugs and cushion covers, mopping and washing and turning out cupboards and drawers. A summery Spring Clean. I've been busy planning projects too, ordering yarn and fabric, buying and downloading patterns to keep me quiet over the summer holidays.

More Drops Paris cotton yarn for my blanket...

...and I spent the last of some birthday vouchers on three balls of Scheepjes Whirl for another blanket I want to make in the autumn. (I chose the colourways Slice 'o' Cherry Pie, Caramel Core Blimey and Liquorice Yumyum.)

I also ordered two balls of Bobbiny cord to make this bag. I use my moon bag a lot, but it is quite small, so I was really excited when Emily brought out a pattern for a larger version, and I'm going to add a buckle to this one to make it a little more secure. 

The fabric I ordered from Seasalt arrived (in a package totally without plastic, well done Seasalt) and it's even lovelier than I thought it would be. Three metres for £20, I'm still pleased at what good value that is, and I'm wobbling over whether to make a skirt or dress from it. 

I hope you're all well and staying cool. It's overcast and breezy here today so I think we might go down to the beach for a walk/paddle this afternoon and let Ziggy stretch his legs. We have another quiet-ish week ahead of us here; I have lots of errands and shopping to do tomorrow, we're seeing friends on Tuesday and next weekend, and there are a few play dates planned for the children but nothing too taxing.