There's been a fair bit of wet and stormy weather around lately but that's been good news for the garden where everything now has that early summer vibrancy and is growing vigorously. In some cases a little to vigorously as my little veg patch is getting swamped by the herb edging. This year I'm growing beetroot, broccoli, kale, french beans, peas, courgettes and lettuce and I'm looking forward to a green feast in another month or so.
Happily we've had a taste of summer too with a few days that have been warm and sunny enough to sit outside. There's something so very calming and relaxing about an afternoon outside with something nice to eat and drink, a little knitting and a good book (Knitlandia by Clara Parkes is a great read if you are a knitter, though my copy has already lost it's pretty dust-jacket to Toby's paper tearing obsession). Hopefully there are more sun-filled summer days to come.
My knitting has been very influenced by the colours of a summer garden too. I was so thrilled when I managed to buy this wonderful skein from Maya at The Wool Barn. Her yarns are exquisitely hand dyed so it's not surprising that they sell out so very quickly. This colour-way is called Rose Garden and I'm knitting a crescent shawl from it, Helen Stewart's Spindrift Shawl. I'm almost finished now and just need to choose between pink and green for the edge, as I fancy a contrasting border.
There have been some happy days working on this in the summer sunshine and it's been lovely to escape some of the stresses of exam time (Amy's GCSE's have spanned most of the last month) with a little gentle and undemanding knitting. We're all looking forward to next Tuesday when Amy has her last exam. She will be so relieved and it will be nice to have a more relaxed atmosphere here. It's been a bit exhausting trying to keep Toby quiet in his middle-of-the-night-awake periods but essential in order to make sure that Amy has had the sleep she needs to do well in her exams.
Sorry that I've not been around much recently, I've not felt like I've had much of interest to say or to share. Life has been full of ordinary family stuff with it's ups and downs and we live day to day, which is the best way to approach life with Toby, but so often the day seems to whizz by without much getting done. I do try to take photos when something interesting presents itself (like this wonderfully tender swan family encountered on a walk a few weeks back), but I seem to have lost my blog voice a little. Hopefully I'm just a little hoarse rather than completely voice-less and I'll be back soon with more words. 'Til then thanks for visiting x
little cotton rabbits 
Have missed your beautiful posts and so happy to see you back. What is ordinary and mundane becomes inspiring when you share with us your days.
Do hope you find your blog voice again…it brings little sunshine in our ordinary and mundane lives 🙂 x
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Nice to catch up with you Julie. Lovely pictures as always, the garden looks so lush and calming, a nice place to be. I hope the exams go well and I’m glad they are nearly over, these things are quite a strain for everyone aren’t they? I think a little boggy hoarseness is natural from time to time isn’t it? I hope so anyway as I had been feeling the same myself lately. I’m sure you’ll be shouting again when you are ready!
S x
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What a lovely photo of the swan family! You do bring a little sunshine to our days and even though I am sure you’re busy and focused on your family we do love to hear from you x Take care and very best of luck to Amy!
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A lovely, calming post Julie – and I hope you all enjoy the calm after the exams ! Have s lively weekend. Big hugs, Kate xx
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We’ll enjoy your lovely posts if and when you feel like writing them Julie!!
Your shawl is beautiful……gorgeous yarn.
Best wishes to Amy, I know the relief you’ll all feel when it’s over, I’m sure she will have done amazingly.
Have a love weekend,
V x
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So lovely to see you back on the blog. I do so look forward to your posts with your beautiful pictures. We are going through GCSEs here too and looking forward to the end of today when ours will be over. Wishing Amy all the best with hers. Your garden looks lovely unlike mine which has a few brambles which need dealing with – very much a wild garden this year! Take care and thanksfor bringing us sunshine in this very grey weather!
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Julie, please never. ever apologize for not blogging enough. You must realize that everyone of your posts , brief or far spaced may it be, is always a moment of pure delight . So don’t worry about not having a voice or not having interesting things to post : your photos and most of all, your eye for beauty are precious …so thankyou for all and hugs from Italy . Barbara
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Absolutely lovely to hear from you again, even if you feel you haven’t got much to say, your posts do brighten up my day. The swan photo is gorgeous. Very best of luck to Amy. I should be at the allotment weeding but I want to just be quiet and finish knitting a pleated flower brooch. Like you I feel the day rushes past and not much gets done. One day I will get the hang of writing a shorter list! Much love, Lauren
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So very glad to see your post today. I hope things continue on in a timely fashion for your daughter and soon all will be behind her. Your photos are lovely…thank you for sharing!
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Your post is as lovely as ever. Such beautifull pictures.
I wish your daugher all the succes of the word ,
And stay as you are, take care and enjoy your summer
With warm wishes Manon
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Always so joyous to see Little Cotton Rabbits come up on the screen. Thank you for another lovely post – your photographs are so happy making. Wishing you and yours a summer full of ease and warmth and, yes, green veggies! Fondly, Christie
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What a beautiful and serene pictures! I understand the way you are trying to balance your family life: I have a daughter (23) with bipolar disorder and she can be very disruptive. My other daughter (17) is very sweet and caring and she gets very upset when her sister has episodes of rage and sadness. Balancing their lives can be a hard task, but with patience and taking a day at a time I think it is possible! Good to see you again, have a great harvest and the best to your daughter!
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It’s always lovely to hear from you Julie xxBrenda
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Amazing photos of lovely greeness. Definitely not ordinary and mundane. Life brings lots of challenges every day. I have end of term emotions to deal with today. Never known anything like it! Glad the exams are over. Tough times. The swan photo is fantastic!
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Oh Wow — that Swan Family picture is beautiful Julie! Such devoted parents. We don’t see many swan families around here — do they typically just have one baby? Your knitting looks beautiful — as always. Good Luck to Amy as she finishes those exams!
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Hi Julie, lovely to receive your post today. Even when you don’t feel 100% you manage to post such beautiful photos. Your shawl is lovely too. I have just treated myself to Kate Davies’ new book of Haps. It has lovely designs for shawls/shetland haps and I will be starting one myself soon, just got to decide which one as they are all beautiful in their own way. I hope everything goes well for Amy and you and your family enjoy the rest of the summer. Sue x
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It’s so nice to see you and have a glimpse of things you’ve been doing. I hope Amy’s exams go well and that you all have a relaxing summer ahead.
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It was so good to see your post today. You’ve been missed here in blog land. Thie swan family is delightful. Thank you for sharing that with us. Your shawl. Oh my goodness. Your shawl. I love the yarn and I love the pattern and I can’t wait to see it finished. Thank you for sharing with us today.
Blessings, Betsy
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I always enjoy coming here and seeing all your lovely photos! I too have knitted Helen Stewart’s spindrift shawl and loved it! Yours is stunning and I love your yarn choice!!
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I love your blog posts and check very often for a new one. Even when you don’t feel like writing, please post photos. They always go straight to my heart. You are always a welcome addition to my day!
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Lovely to see a post from you. I hear many people saying the same things about their blogging voices being hard to find. Small wonder when life presents so many challenges. The blog can be a lovely place of retreat and reflection if only there is time to get to it.
I remember the exam stresses well. At present we only have a thesis to come off the blocks and a trip to New York for other son to end well. Then I will heave a sigh of relief until the next stress point comes along in late summer.
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Haven’t commented for a long time, but have always checked to see your posts. Your blog gave me focus through illness and pleasure in seeing (and subsequently knitting!) your creative and impeccable knits. I’m proud to own one. My granddaughter knows it’s mine, but “borrows” it regularly.
Enjoy the sunshine, the garden and know there are people out there thinking about you.
Jill
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Such lovely photographs Julie, you certainly have an eye for the pretty things in the everyday. Thanks for sharing these; as for the shawl border, my choice would be the green yarn because the colour has the same muted quality as the main yarn. Whatever your choice I hope you will share a picture of the completed shawl, it looks beautiful.
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Go for a pink border…Very pretty.
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So glad you are OK & that your days are manageable. I always check in…use your blog for my break…& will continue to be a fan no matter how active you are. Carry on.
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I absolutely swooned when I saw that swan family photo on your Instagram, it’s so beautiful! What a tender moment. Your garden sounds lovely, and I’m glad you are getting some time for yourself to do some reading and gardening. Take your time, we’ll all be here when you are ready.
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such beautiful photos Julie. Hurray for the end in sight of Amy’s exams, my daughter has her last one on Tuesday too, it is such a stressful time x take care and enjoy your garden xxx
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Thank you for posting such lovely photo’s. I am teaching myself to knit and I look at your work in awe!!! One day if I keep persevering
I may just be able to knit like you. Your blog inspires me and reminds me to look around me at the beauty of the Australian country-side.
It’s odd how sometimes you can forget to stop and take in the simple things.
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I agree that Maya’s yarns are to ‘dye’ for! I have a skein of Rose Garden waiting for a suitable project to come along. X
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Please don’t feel the need to apologise for not being around, I’m happy to see one of your posts whenever it appears. Your vegetable and herb garden is looking gorgeous, so verdant and fresh. I hope Amy’s exams are going well, I can imagine the relief when it’s all over. Good luck to her in the last ones. CJ xx
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I’ve missed your blog but understand you write at your pace and schedule. Your pictures are so beautiful and your words are too, no matter the frequency. Enjoy summer!
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You have such an eye for beautiful things. Thanks for sharing.
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I love to follow your blog, and it’s always such a refreshing moment when I receive my mail with your blog new posts !
Thanks for creating these moments. Happiness is on the small little “nothings”: but they make our worlds!
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Your voice is beautiful. Your blog in my inbox is always a treat that I don’t open until I have time to relax with a favorite cup of tea. Thank you for sharing your lovely space with us. You inspire both my knitting and my gardens!
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I always love to read your posts, Julie. Ordinary family stuff is lovely – and your photos are anything but ordinary. Your beautiful garden is looking so lush and green and your knitting is inspirational. I vote green for the shawl edging, btw!!
Julie :o)
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Lovely to hear your voice however infrequently you feel like posting, and your pictures alone speak volumes. Sometimes it’s enough to just get through each day quietly and peacefully without any drama or events happening. Love the yarn for your shawl, so pretty!
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I lost my blog voice nearly 2 years ago… life just kept getting too busy and I found when I did have spare time, possible “blog time”, I wanted to spend it sitting quietly knitting, or reading or such. I understand. With that, I did want to tell you that it is wonderful to read each and every post of yours. Even with a space/time gap between each. No pressure necessary. Your creations are incredible and I feel lucky to have seen what you have been so generous to share. 🙂 You would be missed xoxo
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Love reading your posts and looking at your beautiful pictures. Wish I could sit a while with you in your garden. Know I’m with you in spirit!!
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Blogging is hard work day in and day out. We’ll still be here and look forward to anything you have to share. The swan pic should hold over for quite some time. Fabulous!
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When a notice that you’ve blogged pops into my email, I savor every word. Please continue–you and your photos add so much to my life here in Vermont.
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That wool is such a yummy color
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Please, keep writting,
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We dont always have exciting things/ ground breaking news/ stunning insights.
Sometimes sharing the little things with friends is calming and relaxing and thoughtful. I am happy to hear you and your family are well.
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Your photos are amazing! You have a way of making everything look beautiful. Like the torn off cover of Knitlandia. I have that book too, (but haven’t read it yet), and before I read your explanation of the cover, I thought how pretty your copy looked with the blue cover. And the swan family is priceless! Hope things are a little more relaxed for your family now. And may your “sore throat” go away! 🙂
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Aw, gorgeous photos, always lovely to hear your updates and see snippets of your life, hope Amy is relaxing now that her exams are over.
Hope you get your ‘voice’ back soon, 🙂
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Julie, your photography is as beautiful as your knitting. I can smell the earth and the herbs! Exam time is always stressful, but the relief at the end is special. Thank you for taking time out to tell us of your good and bad times. X
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Hi Julie, you don’t really need to say very much because your beautiful photos tend to say it all for you, however, your gentle words on every day life are much appreciated by this reader – we have an A level reviser, so hard for them, good luck to Amy and more peaceful times for you, best wishes Susan x
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nice photos julie,lovely garden.
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I love your blog and the beautiful things you make. Your “Me Old China Blanket” inspired me to make a blanket in similar colours for my partner’s Mother hoping it will cheer her up. I’m just finishing off a picot edge. it’s taken me 3 months and cost over £100 but it’s been worth every minute. Thanks to you and your lovely blog otherwise I wouldn’t have done it!
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. We all understand that you don’t always want to write posts, and although we miss your articles when you keep silent, we know that you have priorities and a lot to do at home. I hope you are fine! Anne
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It’s always lovely to hear from you! Sometimes life just takes over and you do what you need to do. No need to apologize. I’ve followed you for ten years now and I hope that Amy does well on her exams. I love the swan family. Your photos always have such a serene feeling to them. I hope you are doing ok as well. Take care my friend,
LauraT
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Friendship. I work in a busy office, there is always someone to talk things through and share experiences. Children, illness, education, we have all been there in one way or another. I hope you find strength and support from your friends here, posting encouragement and genuine sympathy which we all need at times in our lives. We care about you.
Time – goes by in a flash and today’s worries disappear and if we are lucky are replaced by fun, laughter and appreciation of simple, beautiful things.
Treasured moments. My daughter, first baby due in September, specifically asking me to make the baby a Little Cotton Bear for him as she loved the Little Cotton Rabbit I made for her friend’s little girl. Lots of love, we are always here for you x
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