The British weather is doing what it is best known for and being ever so unpredictable. We have had a few gloriously sunny and warm days, but we have had far more days of dark, stormy skies and torrential downpours. The one good thing that can be said for the latter is that is has brought many stunning rainbows into our days too :)
Despite the crazy weather, we have been enjoying as much time out doors as possible, not wanting to miss a single moment of Summer. One of our favourite pass times is to walk through our surrounding forest and fill our lungs with warm country air.
I just love discovering new places to go and wander about and we have found a few hidden gems along the way.
The forestry centre down the road from us is the perfect place to go when the sun comes out and Little T wants to have a bit of a run around. It offers both big open spaces and lots of little winding paths through gorgeous woodlands, it really is a wonderful place to spend a day.
I have of course been hard at work with my yarns and hooks, finishing my latest blanket. It has been a long time in the making as it was still very cold when I started this project, but there never really was any rush to finish it. I would pick it up and work a few colourful rows as and when the fancy took me and that had always been the plan, to just enjoy the process of making it.
It is a big, bold and beautiful blanket, destined to cover our bed when the weather turns cold again and made entirely from my new favourite "cheapy" yarn, Stylecraft Special DK.
At the moment it is doing a brilliant job of being a picnic blanket and Little T has given it his approval too :)
It took me a very long time to choose the right border for this blanket as I wanted it to be perfect. Something plain and simple, yet pretty and decorative. I spent many (happy) hours looking at patterns on the internet and finding inspiration from all corners of the globe, and in the end I am very happy with what I came up with.
Finally, I have a my very own rainbow in my home!
The rainy days have also provided me with lots of time to potter about in my kitchen and many a sweet and lovely treat have been made and devoured over these past weeks. But the one thing that I am most pleased with making is my very first batch of Elderflower Cordial.
I simply adore elderflower and was extremely happy when I spotted the first few flowers making their appearance last week.
Within days the trees all around us burst into bloom and there seemed to be an absolute abundance of delicate white flowers everywhere I looked.
I braved the rain one late afternoon last week and gathered as many of the sweetly fragrant flower heads as I could fit into my bag. I used the ever knowledgeable Pam from River Cottage's recipe and even though I left mine to steep for 24 hours (work got in the way), it still came out wonderfully. This really is the quintessential summery drink. Nothing beats it on a warm summers day.
I will leave you now with a few of my favourite photos from some enjoyable moments of the past few weeks, while I go and enjoy the last few rays of this Mid Summer's Eve :)
A full scale LEGO ambush from Little T :)
Finding beauty in texture.
Nature and man collides.
