Saturday 3 July 2010

Abundance


I have been wondering why I have felt the need to journal on paper again. I thought at first it was extremes of weather that prompted it as it's either a summer or deepest winter activity for me. This time though I realize that it's about capturing the moment as things happen so fast at this time of year.







The garden changes daily in response to this most glorious of summers. Sweet peas and strawberries need gathering every day and there are constant watering duties to be undertaken.
I have to try to make some time to sit and look. To notice the tiny beetles and frantically furious bees clambering amongst the blooms. To appreciate the speed of growth of the beautiful curling tendrils on the sweat peas and drink in the heady scent of the roses.



July is certainly bursting forth and I feel really energised. I've been on a diet for 9 days and lost half a stone and feel in control and relaxed. To spend so much time out of doors always does me good and eating all the produce from the allotment is very fulfilling (and filling!).

I am particularly looking forward to Jude Hill's Patchwork Beasts online workshop starting 15th July, but hope I can manage to participate reasonably fully whilst away with my family.

Tomorrow is the village fete and I will probably be inspired to make bunting after it! My mother-in-law has just made some fabulous bunting in pink and green for a friend who was having a party. I may make some for around my allotment shed ... or is that just a little too frivolous?



14 comments:

  1. I think your bunting will look wonderful by the allotment :)

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  2. What a lovely way to diarise your life. Very envious of your garden produce.

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  3. Bunting around your allotment? Absolutely!! My sweet peas have been a failure this year, which is very sad, but we are eating masses of strawberries :)

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  4. Beautiful journal pages, you've captured summer perfectly. Happy bunting making!

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  5. Congratulations on losing the weight. Your bunting sounds delightful and why not put some up on your allotment? It would look very colourful and cheery. I once knew a West Indian guy on the next allotment to mine, who went to town with his sheds painting all of them, including the water butts, the colour of the Jamaican flag. He installed a bathroom with bath and shower, had a kitchen and a bedroom (the buildings used to be pig sties) and he used to invite his friends round for drinkies and goat curry. There was even a conservatory made out of greenhouses, carpets, and a wood burning stove!

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  6. The dogs got into my peas and pulled down half the vines. They ate the peas right up to where the pea connects to the vine. Crazy! I'm at the stage where I need to pick raspberries every day.... Looking forward to the patchwork beast class too.

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  7. Bunting for your allotment is a great idea - and it'll probably help keep the birds from nicking your produce too. (You can buy the Liberty fabric from the V&A online, it really is gorgeous: http://www.vandashop.com/section.php?xSec=357)

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  8. Enjoyed your journal pages very much - bunting is the very thing for allotments, sheds and all other places it seems, I have just finished making several hundred yards of the stuff for daughter's wedding party...........

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  9. Hi,
    I have just come across your blog and have enjoyed the reading very much! I love the photographs of your orange cat ... very sweet.
    Best wishes,
    Barbara

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  10. Always enjoy your words and your journal is wonderful. I have thought of doing one of my garden times also. You have inspired me!

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  11. I love bunting. it is so dry this summer, perfect bunting weather and if nothing else will distract the eyes from our dry lawns!

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  12. I am enchanted with the idea of the "village fete" with pink and green buntings...so sweetly enlish and quaint. Maybe there will be pictures of the event soon? Thank you for sharing your garden's progress, I don't garden anym ore and I do miss all the little magical moments that only a garden can give. Carry on.

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  13. Your garden's produce is so colorful,it's a good idea to bunting around your allotment,
    we also plant plent of peas,but no strawberries.


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