We are just back from a few days in the lovely lake district amongst the rolling hills and lush meadows....such a peaceful and relaxing time.......
...........i picked wild flowers and grasses from the abundant fields around the little country cottage to enjoy inside and to draw sometimes too....i am planning a flowery design so a little research is always a good thing..............
..........the gate to the lane...........stone steps and cobbles......all the cottages here are built from grey stone, some are rendered with white........and all the walls are drystone walls, mossy and old and rather beautiful....
...........the cottage kitchen is bright with a big window at the back.....most of the cottage is dark and cosy...
...out and about every day we visited our favourite places and some new ones too.....the little lakeland towns and villages were all bedecked with bunting for both the jubilee and the olympics (the olympic torch came through while we were there)......last time we were here it was daffodil time but this time it was foxglove time, growing all down the lane and in great drifts of pinky purple spires across the fields.......
............we visited some beautiful gardens....i haven't sorted out the pictures for these yet but will do so soon....and yes, that really is blue sky you are seeing .....we had three sunny days without any rain.......how amazing ;)......
.....................................perfect for picnics and for using the stripy jubilee blanket................
..........lovely inspiring flowers made for a little bit of artwork in my on-going scrapbook style sketchpad....
............bunches of wildflowers in simple jars on the wide window sills look perfect to me.....i love the light frothy effect of the foliage and grasses compared to the usual garden flowers i like to make posies with................now we're home and our garden has grown a lot in the last few days, with lots of roses flowering and the first sweet peas opening....i have a few here in a glass jar on my desk to enjoy as i type........now i am off to visit your blogs and to catch up with everyone.....we had no internet or phone signal at all last week.....so i have truly been out of touch.....thanks for dropping by today to see me....wishing you a wonderful weekend..............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Looks like a dream place! Beautiful, pieceful, perfect for the best holidays! Your summer flowers remind me our summer place in Finland! x Teje
ReplyDeleteHi Helen! Welcome home! Your vacation spot was so lovely and full of inspiration! I love the photos of the bunting banners!!! xoxo Debbie
ReplyDeleteOh sigh......we are a season away from our sweet peas opening but your posts make me more excited about their presence in the garden and the patting of my back for having the foresight to plant them this year! (we have to plant our sweet peas by 17 march !)
ReplyDeleteso glad you had the chance to have a lovely holiday in the lake district during foxglove time, helen. your pictures are beautiful, i especially love the one of the jar of wildflowers.
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see your pictures of the gardens you visited...
xo
molly
Sounds like the perfect get away to me! My dream is to is to go to England and the Lake District is on my list. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds perfect Helen, especially as the sun shone too - you were very lucky with that (rained here most of week!) The peace and quiet and slower pace of holiday life sounds blissful, what a lovely escape from 'normalness'. That garden is beautiful too, so typically English cottage, love the wild flowers that you picked :) Enjoy the rest of your weekend xx
ReplyDeleteWild flowers in a vase are the best, such lovely paintings from them too.It looks like a very restful place for a holiday, glad you had the sun join you as well. And thanks for voting for me today :)
ReplyDeleteSue Xxx
Hi, Helen! it is an honor for me your comment! I'm very excited that you have stopped for a moment in my world of wool. I'll be forever grateful. I am a learner and people like you inspire me. Million thanks for visiting me! very nice this post... I love flowers!
ReplyDeleteJust perfect x
ReplyDeleteThe lake district is a very special place isn't it? We've had lovely holidays there too,but never with blue skies like those!
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed walking round the lakes of Grasmere and Buttermere,stunning scenery and so peaceful.
Have a happy weekend! :0)
Lucky you! Glad the weather wasn't all wet and I love those little wildflower posies.
ReplyDeleteThe Lake District is just the perfect place to relax - and that blue sky is wonderful, considering all the rainy days we're having.
ReplyDeleteLove the pretty bunch of flowers too!
Oh it looks so beautiful there Helen, it's one of the places I'd love to visit! Your jubilee blanket looks like the perfect picnic rug! Loving the simple flowers too, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
such a sweet cottage- i love wild flowers too- i loved my market flowers this week as they look more wild to me less formal ;0)
ReplyDeletelove your painting xx
What a wonderful place to stay! And wild flowers and blue skies. Perfect!! But it's always nice to be home isn't it :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helen, for these enchanting June photos from the Lakes. It's a part of England that I have yet to visit, and your reporting is surely encouraging me.
ReplyDeleteI think that it might be wonderful in early June, but also quite lovely at other times of the year as well.
Your scrap-booked sketchbook is a joy. Thank you also letting us have a peek.
xo
What a lovely break you've had ... and it doesn't look as though it's been spoilt by all the rainy weather.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy catching up with lovely memeories of our break away.
Have a happy week.
Fleur xx
Oh Helen, my favorite place on Earth. I just was sad when this post ended!
ReplyDeleteThat deep window sill, with the vase of wildflowers is perfection;
Your sketchbook looks very intriging!
xx
julie
You always provide that little spot of color I need, Helen! So it's a real treat to come visit you.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
That looks like a dream spot! :-)
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a good Saturday!
Carly
x
Wow Helen you found some sunshine in the UK!! Glad to hear you had a super break and gotlots of flowery inspiration. I love your flower water colour. Good to have you back,
ReplyDeleteJane x
Look at that weather! No wonder you were inspired to paint in your journal! Welcome back! x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for creating your lovely blog, Helen. I enjoy visiting you and especially treasure the glimpse of your scrapbook/sketchpad. I am particularly fond of botanical sketches/paintings/prints. I want to spend more focused time practicing...exploring how to create such myself. Now at the age of 61 I have the opportunity to hone my creative desires and meet gifted folk like you through blogging...exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had a good holiday and I appreciate your sharing some glimpses of it with us :)
Gracie <3
Oh, recently I figured out to set up a blogroll on my blog and managed to add your blog there so that I can better enjoy visiting with you:)
Dear Helen,
ReplyDeleteYour trip to the Lake District sounds lovely. Never been there myself, but hopefully one day.....
The bouquet you picked with wildflowers looks enchanting. So do the sketches you made. You are such a talented lady!!!
Have a lovely weekend!
Madelief x
Helen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a magical post and a wonderful time you must have had. The simple things really do bring so much joy!
Abbie x
Oh that looks so idyllic Helen. :)Just living the Beatrix Potter life sounds wonderful to me.
ReplyDeleteYour little posy is so pretty, no wonder you were inspired to paint.
And the weather too!! You must have had all the UK sunshine!! ;)
Lovely to have you back,
Vivienne x
Lovely Lake District (esp at this time)- and lovely paintings already. Simple pots / vases with wild flowers in are just the best, aren't they? x
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great time and you are so lucky to have had the sun -its been terrible this week round Kendal. The cottage certainly has a look of Beatrix Potter's cottage! The wild flowers are so beautiful at the moment and really enjoyed seeing your arrangement.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place you've been, Helen! No wonder it has inspired you to paint too, it seems like a perfect holiday spot!
ReplyDeleteI wish you wonderful last days of June, and there's an award for you in my blog!
Yours,
Mia
This is a part of England that I'd dearly like to visit. Thank you for sharing your photos, Helen.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, dear Helen! Thanks for sharing glimpses of the lake district with us.. I don't think I shall ever get to go there myself, so I appreciate you taking me with you via the photos. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.. I'm glad you enjoyed my trip to DC and Gettysburg. I will post tomorrow about our visit to George Washington's home, a highlight for me. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness helen this is like a dream, i hope to go there someday myself, but until then your blog is the next best thing. and you are an incredible artist!
ReplyDeletebeautiful beautiful post.
xxx lori
Welcome home Helen! It is so beautiful and dreamy there! I would have a hard time leaving. ;) Wishing you a lovely weekend! xo Heather
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Looks like it was a very enjoyable few days away with perfect weather to boot! Absolutely glorious surroundings. Your sketchbook is ever so lovely too. Have a beautiful day! Tammy
ReplyDeleteLove your photos and inspiring moments, thank you for that :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Janine
Such a lovely and inspiring post Helen...perfect to read on a lazy Sunday morning!...My family originate from Grasmere and you have made me feel that I need to go back very soon!
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are all so pretty and the wild flowers are beautiful in the simple glass jar...
You were so lucky to have the sun shining for you too but it's such a beautiful place it never really matters does it?
Hope you have a happy week,
Susan x
P.S Love your pretty sketches!
your paintings are adorable. What a lovely way to spend some precious time.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for adding my button to your beautiful sidebar...I feel the pressure when making it as I know it needs to be pretty to find itself amoungst such lovliness!!
Happy rest of sunday...fee x
So pleased to see the photos of your lovely break. I think there's a lot to be said for no internet/phone signal occasionally. My sweetpeas show no sign of flowering yet
ReplyDelete- I think they will be beaten to it by some of the wild everlasting variety which have found their way into my garden- and soon into my house!! I love wild flowers & become increasingly disappointed by supermarket bunches which have such strange combinations, to say nothing of added glitter:(
Good to have you back & look forward to more pics.
PS I had an unexpected thank you letter from Battersea for the Kitty Cushions.
Hi Sweet Helen, So lovely to see your holiday spot! It all looks so green and lush and relaxing. Love the fact that you did some watercolors! I used to do a little of that, I think it is one of the most beautiful mediums to work in and the most difficult! Thanks for sharing your time with us, I always enjoy your visits.
ReplyDeletexoRobin❤
Lovely pictures. i used to live in Kendal when I was a child and know the Lakes well. I'm so glad you had some rainless days too.
ReplyDeleteHi, Helen! What a gorgeous pictures! Glad you had a lovely time in a cottage full of relax and sunshine :o) Your bouquet of wild flowers looks divine in that jar.
ReplyDeleteLove your Bun-bun Candy rabbit too! Well done, Helen! And so sweet little hands!!! All best wishes for little Miss :o) Love your candy roses in greengate jags as well.
Have a lovely rest of the weekend
love
Natasha
Hello Helen and thank you for sharing those pretty pictures. I do love the Lakes but haven't been for years. Makes me want to go back! xx
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds idyllic Helen - glad you had a wonderful time and some good weather!
ReplyDeleteGill xx
What a lovely little time away you had...your images are beautiful. I love wildflowers...I need to go pick the ones that are around us.
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you I sent your magazine out to you at the beginning of last week....it will get to you sometime...hopefully sooner than the last one. xoxox Hugs.
Looks like you had a great time Helen. I love you images xxx
ReplyDeleteThe cottage looks and sounds wonderful im so glad the weather was kind to you 3 days of sunshine you lukcy thing ;-) Your flowers look beautiful in the jar so much more natural than brought super market flowers. Your scrap book flower is very lovely. dee xx
ReplyDeleteOhhh Helen sounds and looks like you've had à wonderful time.Ron and I are still in Scotland and are enjoying it so much ...
ReplyDeleteHugs
Erna xx
Hi Helen, looks like you had a lovely holiday, the cottage and surrounds look so pretty, and I'm glad the weather was good for your stay.
ReplyDeleteLove your jar of wild flowers, my sweet peas are just flowering, don't you just love sweet peas!!
Your sketches/paintings are wonderful, I am totally in awe of anyone who can draw/paint, you make it look so easy, but I am truly hopeless at it, lol!!!!
Look forward to seeing your photos of the gardens you visited.
Love Linda O xxx
The cottage looks so gorgeous as does the lake district,My hubby and Me are dying to visit there,it always looks heavenly on the tv.I'm so glad you had fine weather,too! The wild flowers are beautiful,have a lovely week,Helen,xxx
ReplyDeleteWow those pics are just lovely. I love the LAke District ... I think I might just watch Miss Potter tonight :O)
ReplyDeleteOh your crochet blanket is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures - thank you for showing us!Sound that you have had a wonderful time. Have a nice week! Nicole
ReplyDeleteHi. WHat a lovely place to be. I love everything about this post. Especially your collections of flowers in jars. And your rose hip artwork is fragile and very very pretty. Wish I could paint like that...
ReplyDeleteSo I am relatively new to your world. I have visited many times before being in a rush. This time I am staying. Like your place. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place. :D
♥ Annette ♥
How dreamy. I just found your blog through a friend. I have fallen and can not get up. Your blog is beautiful. Full of inspiration. I am your newest follower and I will visit often. You can find me at http://donnaslavendernest.blogspot.com/ hope you will pay me a visit.
ReplyDeleteHugs
donna
What a lovely cottage! You are a true artist..your paintings look like the real thing!
ReplyDelete