Tuesday 3 July 2018

Summer

 Summer days......summer sunshine......gardens and cool drinks and stitching in the shade....washing all the things because every day is a good drying day.............and perfect for visiting beautiful places like the lavender fields below.....
 ...........this was taken at snowshill lavender..........so lovely to wander the fields and enjoy the scent and colour on a sunny day...........
 ..............admiring the delphiniums at snowshill.....wishing i could grow them here but they are devoured by slugs and snails the moment i plant them and none of the recommended tricks deter them :(......
 ..............i loved this board at hidcote...such a good idea for those who see flowers they love in the gardens there and want to buy the same.....
 ................one of the highlights of our cotswold trip was seeing the peonies at kiftsgate.....they were huge and gorgeous....the roses there are amazing too.....
 ..............summer view across the fields from the cottage window where we stayed...........
 .............and a bit of summer antique hunting at station mill antique centre at chipping norton.....so many lovely things and i wished we had room in our car to put in some of the larger items......
 ...................summer days and strawberries............to eat and to stitch they are always sweet....
 .................we enjoyed a lovely outdoor party at the weekend with dearest family and friends....
 .............each of us was given a posy to take home with us.......
 ...............this is mine :) ........my daughter sarah made these sweet posies.......
...............and here is my shady spot in our garden, under the eleagnus tree...perfect for stitching, reading and dreaming on these beautiful summer days......this summer is now being likened to the summer of 1976......that summer i was drawing and painting surface pattern designs for an upcoming exhibition .... the hot weather then brought lots of ladybirds and i painted one somewhere in each of my floral designs.......

..............thank you for visiting me here in my bit of blogland dear readers and thank you so much for the kind comments you leave me i love to read them......wishing you happy days and crafty inspirations.......back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

30 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

I too remember the summer of 1976 - I was working my first job in the West End of London just off Oxford Street, and travelling on the train and underground to and from work.

Now I relax and patchwork!

Julie xxxxxxx

Betty said...

Beautiful post. I would love to walk through the lavender field.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Everything looks so lovely. I wish summer was as enjoyable here. I forced myself out for a walk after sitting around for days, but 108 degrees is just too hot and literally makes me feel sick. :/ Your shady garden spot is beautiful!

Little Quiltsong said...

Your backyard is so lovely! Sitting under the tree and stitching away sounds delicious. Strawberries to eat and stitch - both bring joy. You have a special way with pictures - each is so pretty - love the posies and lavender fields.

Louise Marie said...

I don’t often comment, but your post today is exceptionally lovely. Your photos and words are an Heavenly way to start my day. God bless you.

Jacky H said...

I think your pictures sum the summer up, its gorgeous. The lavender field I have seen them your pictures really do them justice. I'm lucky enough to live in that part of the country. I to can remember the summer of 1976.
It's been a long time coming.

Kay said...

Just beautiful, happy summer. x

Simply Shelley said...

Such a lovely and sunny post. I enjoyed your words and the pictures..... Blessings

Simply Shelley said...

Such a lovely and sunny post. I enjoyed your words and the pictures..... Blessings

Marta said...

Meravigliose sempre le tue fotografie. Bellissimo l'angolo in cui puoi cucire all'aperto, oppure leggere. Buona estate anche a te.

Rhona said...

That lavender field looks like heaven! There's nothing better than an English summer day (well maybe a Scottish summer day!!!) Enjoy the glorious weather.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Happy Summer Helen!

ellie said...

Sarah's posies are just beautiful...she's talented. It's always so calming to read your comments. (Of course, this post was very timely and special to me, with the arrival of my newest grandchild....."Summer" Grace). Enjoy the rest of the beautiful week, Helen.

Jane said...

Such lovely photos Helen..your stay was beautiful and you little party had my favourite Pims and flowers..perfect. Yes this gorgeous weather is amazing but it is going to take something to beat the summer of 1976,..that went on for about 6 weeks if I remember rightly..the only thing that doesn't like this weather is my lawn! Keep cool and enjoy the shade, hugs xxx

Pom Pom said...

Hi Helen!
I was thinking about going to an antique mall today, but it's much too hot here, too!
The lavender fields are so lovely! Wow!

Pat's Patch said...

Beautiful photos, and such a lovely spot at home to savour happy thoughts of holiday and family celebration xoxo

Anonymous said...

My ancestors are from England and Ireland. Though I was born in the US, my heart resonates seeing the photos of the countryside of the UK. I too wish I could sustain Delphiniums, I dearly love them. My climate is just too warm for them, and I gave up after a few tries. My hydrangeas are gorgeous though, and I’d love to know the name of those peonies!
Thanks again Helen for adding beauty to our days!
Your Far Northern California follower,
Claudia🌻

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I love the idea of a little ladybird painted on each design! :)
What a beautiful posy Helen, could there be a more perfect gift. :)
Love those pretty peonies...and gorgeous strawberries both stitched and real!!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

P.S. I meant to mention that I bought a new delphinium a couple of weeks ago and it had a round rough textured mat around it in the pot which I assume was there to protect it from pesky slugs and snails!! When I transferred it to the garden I put it around the bottom of the stem and to date I've not had any trouble, fingers crossed it stays like that.

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello my friend, such pretty photos and the pastel colors are so evocative of summer. Did you succumb to anything in the antique store? I rarely leave one without at least one treasure. I'm glad you're having such nice weather. We are having a perfect day today and I think tomorrow will be the same for our 4th of July of July parade and BBQ on our deck. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Mickie said...

Helen
What a beautiful summer post!! I love the cozy little spot where you stitch, read and dream. I could do a lot of dreaming under that tree.
I have had problems trying to grow delphiniums also, such a sweet flower, and I love that shade of blue.
I always look forward to seeing pictures of the amazing places you visit. Would love to wander through that lavender field and the antique center.
Thank you for sharing.
Mickie, Indiana USA

Christine B said...

What a glorious post full of colour and flowers! Just beautiful!! Glad you had such a wonderful time on your holiday! Christine x

Elderberry-Rob said...

There's so much creative inspiration in your post - I love your daughter's posies - would never have thought to use hydrangea - wouldn't they look wonderful for wedding flowers too! Your shady spot is lovely.

Jo said...

Always love your pictures. We are picking so many strawberries and raspberries at the moment. I was 3 in 1976 so I was probably a sweaty toddler covered in dust but playing outside no doubt. Jo x

Lorrie said...

Your summer days sound lovely. While the UK and the eastern parts of Canada are enduring extreme heat, we on the west coast have clouds and cooler temperatures. Perhaps we can switch things up a little soon. The lavender fields are lovely. I have several plants and the bees are so busy in them just now, which bodes well for lots of honey for those who keep hives.

Cream Linen said...

What a beautiful shady spot!! It is really inspiring only to look at it. You are so lucky to be surrounded by such beauty. I wish you all the best for the rest of summer vacations.
Tina xxx

Sam I Am...... said...

It's been way too long since I've visited you. What a lovely summer and photos. It's sounds delightful! My grands were her for 3 weeks and spent much of in the water (the lake is right across the street). Now I'm getting back to my crafting and gift making for Christmas...yes...I'm slow so I have to get a head start! LOL! Love the view from the cottage window....heaven!!! Hugs ~ Sam

Sam I Am...... said...

P.S. Speaking of 1976....my daughter who was here with the 2 grandboys was born in July 1976....it was a great year!

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Such a beautiful summery post Helen!...Happy weekend to you and yours ❤️ xx

Marilyn McLeod @ Pink Paper Cottage said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time on your trip.... antique stores and "second hand" stores, especially ones that are kind of a cottage feel are what I love. So many things I always want.. thank goodness I always have my car and no room for lots of things! Those lavender fields are gorgeous... we have a lavender farm right here in central Oregon... I've only visited once and it was "off season". I think the time to go she said is in August, so I must mark my calender! I can imagine how fragrant it would be. Your photos as always, are wonderful and so inviting.. I want to sit there in the shade and stitch along with you! Hugs.. Marilyn