Pottering

Pottering ... I do like that word. The dictionary defines it as 'to move about without hurrying, and in a relaxed and pleasant way'. Doesn't that sound appealing? I've been making an effort to spend at least 5 minutes a day pottering around, and noticing what I do in a mindful way. Doing things like this:

Making myself a cup of tea to take into the garden for a few minutes. Here are my favourite mugs on the kitchen shelves. I've already admitted to having a thing for candles, lanterns and baskets - I think mugs could be added to that list. Which one today?

Remembering to look up. A couple of nights ago, I saw that the setting sun had illuminated the contrails across the sky, making a large 'X'. Looking at the sky is something I like to do, and I always make time to notice at least once in the day what it's doing.

Having British-grown seasonal flowers around the house. I love all flowers, but like it best when they are in season, and reflect what is growing in people's gardens at this time of year. These Sweet Williams were from the supermarket - just £1 a bunch!

As well as redcurrants, picking raspberries, blackcurrants and tiny wild strawberries from our garden, and freezing them. Once I've got enough, I plan to make some jam or jelly. Picking them is a task that cannot be rushed, but it's very calming after a day at work. Looking for the bright berries amongst the green foliage is like looking for treasure and is very engrossing.

Going for a short walk along the local cycle-path which has been built along the old railway line. On a summer's evening the setting sun lights up the leaves, making the vegetation look verdant and lush.

Smelling the flowers. In this post I mentioned that my parents had recently given us a William Shakespeare rose. It's blooming at last, and it's gorgeous. It's a deep crimson colour, cup-shaped, with a lovely rich scent. I've noticed in recent years how much rose perfumes differ between varieties.

And finally, Clover lying on the rug in a patch of warm sun. Her fur is incredibly warm and soft as she dozes. She really knows how to relax!

Walt Whitman stated that we can find “Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.” I think that's what being mindful is all about, and when I can manage it life is the richer for it.

June Evenings

This week I've been making sure to enjoy the lovely summer evenings we've been having. Life is busy, but there are moments here and there after work when I relish being outside in the light. June is such a gorgeous month, with the longest evenings of the year, so I've enjoyed watering the plants that I have in pots in the little area outside our kitchen door.

I listen to the house-martins screaming and swooping overhead as I fill the watering can, and the evening air is cool after a warm day. The sun's rays are still surprisingly bright and warm, even at 9 o'clock in the evening.

Yesterday after work I picked some roses and made some more rose-petal shortbread.

The petals looked gorgeous in the colander together in so many shades of pink, their perfume heady and sweet.

I've also started to pick the redcurrants which are ripe now. They really are one of the prettiest of fruits. The berries look like translucent glass beads, and I imagine making a necklace from them in my mind's eye. Instead I'm freezing them with a view to making some jam or jelly.

The raspberries are ripening too, but we're eating those straight from the canes, sweet and warm in the sunshine. Raspberry is one of my favourite colours, and I love it here against the soft green leaves.

When I do go indoors, it's fascinating to watch pairs of goldfinches coming to the bird-feeder for the niger seed. They're incredibly busy at this time of year feeding their young, making endless journeys to the feeder all day long. Their plumage glows with flashes of red and gold in the sunshine.

Life doesn't get much better than a warm evening in June x

This week

It's been half term here this week and it's been a busy one. The weather's been grey and drizzly for most of the week so there hasn't been a lot of gardening going on. I have been out to admire the roses and poppies which are blooming at the moment.

Those colours do stand out, even on a dingy day.

 However, there have been times when I've been able to squeeze in a bit of creativity.The blooming of the roses means that it's time for me to make rose petal shortbread, so I went out on a dryish day and collected some scented blooms. The darker colours tend to have a stronger perfume, and therefore taste better when cooked. They do look pretty together.

Once picked, I discarded the damaged petals and checked for any bugs which may be hiding in them. Before cooking you need to take out the bitter 'heel' of the petals. It's the lighter bit where they join the flower base. This bit can be quite time-consuming!

I then chopped them quite finely in a mini-chopper so that they look like this.

After trying several recipes, I always use this one. I add a teaspoon or two of rose water, but it depends on how strong you like the taste to be. You can buy it in most large supermarkets.

I roll the dough out and cut it into flowery shapes.

 Once baked, they don't last long in our house!

I also managed to have a creative afternoon with my friend Jane. We've known each other a long time, as well as working together. Now that our children are growing up, we take it in turns to go to each other's houses in the school holidays to spend an afternoon being creative, chatting and eating coffee and cake. It's very relaxing and we both come away feeling inspired. 

I've started a summery patchwork, and Jane's been making machine embroideries, below. You can see what she makes here and here. 

 It's been good to find moments to be creative and to stop and enjoy the season. Hope you've found time to do the same x