- Gathering up the fallen plums from our tree to make jam and enjoying eating it on toast for breakfast.
- Crocheting little supports for the squash which are getting heavy now.
- Waving to the Dakota plane which flew directly over our house on it's way to the VJ day commemorations in central London and thinking about everything faced by a generation we've come to view as the bravest and most selfless in our history.
- Re-homing hydrangea heads bent by the heavy rain.
- Rainy days wet enough to make a frog frolic and balmy August afternoons perfect for basking butterflies.
Summer is passing quickly and we're trying to make the most of the long days. Hope the days are enjoyable with you too.
little cotton rabbits 
What a lovely post Julie!
Your jam looks amazing and I must admire that beautiful spoon. You definitely have the best dressed squashes around! 😉 I would love a white hydrangea, I had a lovely blue one which is now purple and a pink one but white is definitely on the list. How cute is that little froggy!
And of course respect to all our wartime heroes.
Hope this week is just as lovely for you.
V x
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wonderful snippets x
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When I start buying yogurt with September “best before” dates I get sad. Two of my sons will head back to University and Jack will go back to High School. The house will deflate 😕 melancholy me.
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crocheted slings for the squash!!! That’s the best idea e-v-e-r!!! How clever!!! 🙂
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This is my first visit to your blog and it was a pleasure. 🙂
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Gorgeous photos of your snippets from last week ~ lovely jam and I have spoon envy!
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Love the jam jars – did you buy them or recycle?
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The jam looks delicious and I love your frog 🙂 The squash holder is a great idea, I shall have to think about making some for Josh’s gourds. x
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what a beautiful series of photos! that photo fo the frog is spectacular, and as a total sucker for jam, I bet your jewel-like plum jam is amazing! Looks like you are having beautiful moments in August.
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I think those squash supports are the best! And there’s something about jam making that makes my heart jump… beautiful pictures!
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Beautiful post!
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Your photos are so beautiful. I love the look of your jam, the color is gorgeous. I’m glad you’re making the most of summer.
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That frog is smiling isn’t it? It’s not my imagination….
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I never thought of crocheting little suspenders for my squash! How clever. I’m using those orange net things that oranges come in and I’ve pegged them to the supporting net. My squash are about the same size….when will they be ready? x
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That frog made me laugh – how cute! I love those squash supports, they are fab. Beautiful photos as always Julie – thanks.
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So sad. All of my natives head back to school tomorrow. Summer went by way too fast this year! It does every year but this year it seemed to go by particularly fast.
Lovely photos. As always. Your H isn’t the only one who is talented with the camera!
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Lovely photos but I REALLY covert your spoon…………….
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Oh the country life…Love it!
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I love your photos and your activities, you definitely have the talent for making everything beautiful. The crocheted squash support is so artistic, your jam in these beautiful jars and on your incredible spoon, your little happy frog everybody wants to tame…. Like you, I “save” the flowers after the wind and rain, and I keep them inside if they are too wounded to survive on the plant… Anne
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Here in Ontario, Canada the temps continue to remain summer swelter (my hair continues to frizz) while the maple leaves start to turn Crimson…so confusing! Our school goes back next Tuesday…my Jack is not happy & continues to insist he is finished when anyone suggests otherwise. So…grumpy Jack, shorter days, changing leaves, frizzy hair & the melancholy of a finished summer. Your blog lets me just focus on something beautiful, imagine the taste & escape. I thank you for that. Gentle days to you!
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Thanks Vivienne. The spoon belonged to my Gangan and is one of my treasures 🙂 x
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Thanks Tess x
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Summer seems to have gone too quickly this year (though I think I probably say that every year!) Hope your September isn’t too melancholy Lori x
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Thanks Steph, it seemed like a good solution to them getting a bit heavy for the plant, though I only managed to make 2 (crocheting that garden twine is hard work) so the poor 3rd squash has had to make do with just string!
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Thanks for visiting with me Kate x
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I do feel lucky to have the spoon in my possession, thanks Jenny x
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They are lovely jars which I was so happy to find in Lakeland:
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/70511/Ball-Quilted-Crystal-Jam-Jars-240ml-x-6
I think they’re from America and Lakeland now have a whole range of preserving jars and notions:
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/brands/ball/
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Thanks Sharon – watch your fingers though as crocheting that garden twine is heavy on the hands!
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Thanks so much Julie. Sadly the jam is down to half a precious jar and I’m wishing I’d picked more plums before they dropped, went squishy and were consigned to the compost bin – next year I’ll know better!
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I love jam making too Elvira and I’m already hoping for a good plum crop for next year with grand plans for lots more jamming 🙂
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Thank you Laura
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Thanks Jennifer. The jam worked really well this year – just set and light in colour. I was so pleased as in previous years I’ve had a tendency to boil the jam for too long which makes it dense and darker. Now I just have to remember exactly what I did this year and get it right again next year!
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He does look very happy – it’s probably froggy joy at a downpour after weeks of dry weather 🙂
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Good question. The lack of sun seems to have delayed my squash and I’m sure they’re quite a lot smaller than last year. Hopefully they’ll grow a little more. You just need to watch out for any brown spots and cut them right away as those spots spread quickly and the squash decays.
You could make some stunning squash supports – you a much better crocheter than I am x
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We’e so lucky to have lots of frogs in our garden. Toby thinks they’re hilarious when they hop. Thanks Alison x
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Thanks Rachel. Summer has gone too quickly and I hope you get an Indian summer to top you up before the cold days of winter set in xxx
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It is a sweet spoon and I’m very lucky to have it, thanks Deborah x
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Thanks Carolina
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We sound very alike Anna – it’s a shame you aren’t closer then we could swap wounded flowers x
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I hope Jack’s return to school goes smoothly – these changes in routine are so hard aren’t they? Here’s wishing you lots of gentle days too Lori and less frizz in your hair xxx
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