goodbye june

Another month gone, half way through the year.

We are on school holidays now and hoping against hope the sun does what it should in summer. Shine all day.

June was a good month.  Mild, fairly dry weather with a little sunshine most days.  Not to be sniffed at when remembering recent summers.

Our garden is thriving in the warm weather and when the rain comes the plants seem to appreciate the dampness, producing beautiful blooms and vibrant new growth.

Our lawn is lush, green and covered with red and white clover.  The bees are having a ball, buzzing busily from the lavender plants, to the flowerpots and on to the clover.

Roses are in flower and the elderflower blooms are scenting the air.  I love their scent.  It transports me back in time, to chatting my grandfather for hours in summer sitting on a lime washed stone wall underneath an elder tree. Precious memories.

Linking up with Karin and Asa.

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Thank you for the lovely words on my last nature in the home post.  I am not ignoring those of you who would like to know what the climber is but I do need to come clean.  I don't actually know but will endeavour to find out and let you know.

nature in the home

My contribution to Lou's nature in the home series this week are these tiny white flowers which grow in clusters on a climber in our garden.  They dangle delicately against the green leaves.

The little flowers are minute but beautiful.

Each one has a solid centre, bordered in green and surrounded by three tiny white petals.  There is a little pink cluster at the very tip of each frond.

I knew they were pretty in the garden but inside on my mantelpiece I think they are beautiful.

I love taking part in nature in the home, taking time to seek out garden treasures.

52 weeks of happy (37/52)

Week 37 and as always linking up with lovely Jen for 52 weeks of happy.

School's out for summer here at the end of next week.  I think I am more excited than the little ones. Breaking from routine.  Thoughts of lazy summer days, fun and sunshine are making me very happy indeed. Nine long weeks, I can't wait.

Like Gillian in her lovely post I am so proud of our two boys.  They both received excellent school reports and are thriving academically for which I am really grateful.

But what pleased me most were the comments regarding their behaviour, their positivity and helpfulness and the eldest setting a great example for others by being well behaved.  So lovely to hear.

This little plant arrived home from school this week with my littlest son.  A surprise for me.  He chose Sweet William and sowed the seeds at school a few weeks ago.  It is ready now to be transplanted to the garden. I am looking forward to seeing it bloom.

Receiving this thoughtful little gift reminded me how simple gestures can create much happiness.

Linking up with Lou for nature in the home this week.  A gift.

nature in the home

This week Lou asked us to choose our favourite plant to feature in this weeks nature in the home.

I adore plants and flowers of all kinds.  Narrowing it down to just one favourite would be impossible but this week I am enjoying this pretty clematis which is flowering either side of our garage door.

We planted them last summer, too late for flowers but the blooms were worth waiting for this year.

I have mislaid the plant information so don't know which variety they are. Maybe some of you know.

The blooms are large, as big as my hand and they vary in colour from a deep purple to a beautiful shade of faded blue.

So there it is.  My current favourite.  What's yours?

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Update: Thanks to Lou identifying it as a double variety I have discovered it is a clematis multi-blue.  Thanks to Lou and Google.

victoria sponge

To my lovely husband Mr F, wishing you a wonderful, happy 40th birthday today.

I have baked a cake, a favourite, Mary Berry's Victoria Sponge.  The recipe came from her book The Baking Bible but it is also available at the link above.  It is very moreish and the fresh cream really makes it.

My lovely man will be spoilt this weekend.  A special birthday and father's day. He has lucked out.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and try the cake.  It's gorgeous.

52 weeks of happy (35/52 and 36/52)

A double dose of 52 weeks of happy this week owing to the gorgeous sunny weather here and my need to spend every available second enjoying it.

As always linking up with the lovely Jen at little birdie.



A visitor to our garden.  A very curious pheasant who often wanders across our patio step although when I produce my camera he takes off at olympic speed.

My little fairy.  She is fascinated by insects, squealing with delight when she finds a ladybird or spider. Her love of nature is infectious.

A birthday gift from the little fairy, 'because you're lovely Mama'.

Fields of gold.  The meadow of buttercups over our hedge.  Apologies for the rather unfortunate view of the cow's rear.  It was so busy eating it didn't want to pose for my photo.

There were many more happies I could have chosen but these are a few I managed to get some pictures of.

Happiness is so easy to find in summer don't you think?

Wishing you all a very happy week.  The rain has returned here but hopefully not for long. 

nature in the home

Linking up with Lou for nature in the home.  This week's theme was hedgerow.

So a hedgerow posy.  Buttercups, tufted vetch, red clover and some grasses.

I really enjoyed collecting the flowers from the hedges along our lane, spending ages watching the bees buzzing and butterflies flitting amongst the gorgeous blooms.

I have cheated a little with my photo though.  Not strictly in the home but on our patio table.  Very close though, I promise.

The sun is still beaming down here and we are loving it.  I hope it is shining wherever you are too.

lovely things: our garden birds by matt sewell

Too good not to share.  One of my birthday presents received last week.  This book is really special.

via amazon

The illustrations in the book are gorgeous.  Each bird's characteristics have been described perfectly by the artist.  Matt Sewell obviously loves birds and describes them with humour and detail.

The watercolour illustrations are quirky and are useful for identification.  The descriptions are great fun however they may not be scientific enough for seasoned bird watchers.

However, it makes a beautiful gift for bird lovers who enjoy art and illustration too.  I am completely enamoured with the book and am delighted my family know me so well.

Take a look I promise you won't be disappointed.

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Lately I've been enjoying the gorgeous weather we've been gifted.  You've got to live in the moment here. Irish weather is often inclement so the wise among us take full advantage of sunshine when we can.

I've decided to leave 52 weeks of happy this week and double up next week.  Less screen time equals more sun time.

Thanks for all the lovely comments recently.  They make my day.