First Published on my Typepad blog, September 1st 2023……
Summer is drawing to a close here and we’re preparing for next week’s return to term-time routines. Looking back over the last 2 months I have to say that this has been a good summer. The weather has been perfect, not hot enough to frazzle tempers or cause restless nights, but warm enough to make being outside a joy. And, unlike last year, the frequent rains have kept the countryside green and bountiful. It’s been a wonderful growing season and the hedgerow harvest is going to be a bumper one, with masses of blackberries, rosehips, sloes and acorns.
We’ve walked every single day and, much as I have loved walking daily with Toby, it’s been necessary for his happiness to go at the pace he sets, so I am looking forward to being out and about on my own, with the luxury of the slower pace that brings, and the freedom to stop and notice small delightful things. Back at home Toby has had his inevitable meltdowns, but they’ve been less frequent than I expected and the good times have been more numerous than I’d dared to hope for.
I’m also looking forward to the peace of being on my own in the house and the quiet that allows for proper pattern writing concentration. I have fiddled with my new cows pattern over the summer, but it has been a half-hearted affair, and so full of interruptions that I suspect that my notes are full of errors. It will be good to be able to sit here and make some more meaningful progress over the coming weeks.
Well, I just wanted to say hello again, I look forward to being here a bit more frequently as the autumn arrives. Thanks as always for visiting me here, J x
Pictures above are from:
- my annual sun-rise solo walk at Waterford marsh where there had been a heavy dew which delicately decorated the silken strands of spiderwebs hanging from the fences. And where I saw geese, kingfishers, egrets, a kestrel, and deeply enjoyed munching a croissant whilst listening to the early morning birdsong from deep in the river-side willows. A heavenly start to the day;
- bubbles in the garden, so many bubbles, much to Toby’s delight;
- feathers (buzzard, owl, goldfinch, jay and greater spotted woodpecker) and snail shells, treasures found on our daily walks;
- beautiful new yarn from The Knitting Shed, at the moment I’m just admiring it, whilst pondering autumn knitting projects;
- summer sunsets in all their technicolour glory;
- the super blue moon on August 30th, slightly obscured by cloud but brightly beautiful all the same.
little cotton rabbits 
Good Morning from Lakeside, Arizona. Your posts I eagerly await .. the photos are beautiful, the spider webs intrigued me. Thank you for sharing your days with us. You have a lovely way of communicating so transparently. Looking forward to the next time you pop into my inbox! I’m enjoying working on my first bunny .. not an experienced knitter but working with a friend, who is. The next one will be easier!!
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What lovely photos. Thank you for sharing.
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Those spider webs are spectacular, Julie. You have such an eye for beauty everywhere. Thanks for sharing your photos. Enjoy your alone time this fall. I always loved having the house to myself, just for a break.
(from Ontario, Canada)
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It was a beautiful summer. Thanks as always for sharing. Looking forward to autumn too. May it be a peaceful one for you.
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Glad the summer has gone mostly well for you. The spider webs are so beautiful. I like having seasons and a change to look forward to. Thanks for a lovely start to the day!
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Beautiful photos. It feels like autumn here in Dorset and I have seen spider webs on my lawn sparkling in the wet grass.
I am pleased to hear that your summer was better than expected. You must feel less stressed and tired. I hope Toby settles back into his term time routine quickly.
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The spider webs are amazing. So much work for the little spider and so much beauty. I can only imagine what lovely things will be made from the luscious yarn.
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So beautiful, Julie. I always look forward to your photos and posts. Really happy that your summer was better than expected. Your early morning walk sounds perfect.
Hope Toby settles well back to college, and you can have some time to yourself to think, relax, knit and design.
That yarn is gorgeous!
Have a great weekend and beyond
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So enjoy seeing your beautiful photos – thank you.
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Love the polka dot feather!
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Beautiful pictures as usual!
Sorry to see summer go but love the seasons ahead.
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Awe I’m so glad you and Toby had a a lovely summer … your photos are beautiful, love your delicious yarn too. 🙂
Happy September Julie,
V x
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I’ve just returned to blogland, and it is so wonderful to find you are still blogging Julie. Toby has grown and I see your life has adjusted. Lovely to connect with you again and that yarn is yummy, really looking forward to seeing what you will make. Leanne NZ
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I’m glad you have had such a nice summer and that Toby has enjoyed his break. Thanks for the pictures.
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Beautiful photos. Thank you!
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Somewhere recently, I read “Hope is a discipline,” followed by the idea that you have to practice and work at it to grow hope like a muscle until it’s stronger.
I take comfort in that idea – and I feel like your posts are often an example of how peace is also a discipline that takes work, and you give yourself the gift of working for it as much as you can. I think that’s very beautiful.
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Such beautiful photos. So nice to see green after last years brown. I’m so glad for you and Toby that you’ve had a good summer and I hope the school year goes well for both of you as well.
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You take the most amazing photos Julie. The sunsets are stunning. I’m glad you had a great Summer with Toby and shared some special times together. Well done also to Amy for passing her driving test earlier in the year.
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Beautiful, beautiful pictures as always. I’m glad you had a good summer. I’m in the U.S. and I’ve gotten hooked on watching YouTube Vlogs of narrowboats. I’m in love with your country; it’s so lovely.
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It was a beautiful summer. Thanks as always for sharing. Looking forward to autumn too. May it be a peaceful one for you.
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Gorgeous photos as always. It is good to hear that Toby has been more settled than you thought he might. I hope you have had some time to focus on the things you want to get done. And I hope all is well with you all. I agree that the greenness of summer was glorious, I really enjoyed it. CJ xx
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Hope things are ok. I miss your posts.
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