August thoughts

I always really enjoy Jo's ...ing posts and every now and then, I write my own. Jo has just published her August ...ing post, you must go and read it. Here's my own.

Admiring our wilderness meadow, which is in front of the house. It was a bit heavy on grasses but there is plenty of yellow rattle and hopefully, next year the balance will shift once more to flowering plants. It is never the same, and surprises me year after year. 

Enjoying the late summer moments. There is a faint whiff of autumn in the air, there is no denying it. Already the colours are toned down, less vibrant and more saturated.

Our wilderness meadow front garden.

Our new quince tree!
Yellow rattle seeds, very welcome for keeping grasses at bay!


Looking forward to eating apples and pears straight from the tree. It is a good year for both. Sadly, only a few plums. I have no idea what varieties either are!




Loving the intense blue of the borage in our front garden. It is pretty and prickly (just like me).


Eating a simple oven cooked dish of red rice with chicken, accompanied by a leafy green salad with shavings of carrot. It is a favourite recipe of mine (from Simply Nigella) because it is thrown together quickly and cooked in the oven.

Listening to old and long forgotten favourites on Spotify. It was nice to share my love for Italian singer and songwriter legends with my friend Ursula.



Smiling about Annie's latest attempt to keep James and Alistair on their toes. She tidied and cleaned their bedroom and together they sorted through their toy cupboard. There are now labels on each box. I never managed this in nearly 18 years of having children.... I like the note on their bunkbed, reminding them of the nighttime essential routine.

Sorting through school uniforms. Both boys are still the same size but there are a few items that were too worn out or stained and needed replacing. I have a large box of jumpers and polo shirts from Sam and Annie and also donations from friends and no shopping was involved (except the shoes of course). Both boys now have a full set of school clothes in acceptable condition, labelled and ready to go.

Realising that James is starting his last year at primary school. Where did the last six years go?? The kids are back at school tomorrow.

Remembering the heatwave that was. It is business as usual now, the Scottish "summer" has returned about about three weeks ago.



Adoring Jack. We just love him to bits. He has no recollection of ever falling of the garden wall... as we witnessed the other day over dinner, when he jumped off at maximum speed. There was a collective sharp intake of breath and a moment of panic until Jack collected himself, slightly puzzled. He then sauntered off into the depth of the back garden. We have now blocked easy access to the wall and at the very least, Jack has to stop and think before throwing himself off the wall.

Sewing my hexagon quilt, one hexagon at a time. It is slow and relaxing and an excellent opportunity for me to exercise patience.

Regretting buying flannel chequered fabrics for Alistair's quilt. It seemed like a good idea at the time but I just don't think the fabric is for him. Going back to the drawing board with this one. The flannels will make a nice camping quilt - one day.

Making an appointment to renew my Italian passport. The earliest appointment I could get was December! Just as well I have two passports. At least I won't have to worry needlessly about the dreaded settled status application as I need to do this with my Italian passport. Maybe by December, we'll know more.

Sampling Sam's baked goods. He made croissants, Pain au Raisin (with creme Anglaise and all) and Pain au Chocolat. They taste as good as the ones you buy in France. It is a shame he didn't focus as much energy on studying for exams as he did on improving his baking skills.... still, he is off to university in a few weeks time and all will be forgiven.

Receiving good news at work. No, I have not got a permanent post, nor have I been promoted but I think I am moving in the right direction, ever so slowly.

Looking at my collection of black t-shirts and wondering how long I can get away with wearing t-shirts with lots of tiny holes. I have to wear black vests so the holes are not noticeable....

Procrastinating at work in (other words, writing this post!)... Have a wonderful day. Thanks for visiting and saying hello.

Comments

  1. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Love that photo of Jack (and Annie?). Just adorable. Good news about work- well done you, and well done to Sam for his baking. I always thought croissants were a complete labour of love so have shied away from them. You could just dot the skin that's glimpsed through the holes with black pen (my FIL used to do this with his dinner jacket!) xx

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  2. I’m impressed with Annie’s organising skills. That girl will go far. Seems strange to hear you talk about going back to school when we are only in the middle of school holidays. Hope your permanent job gets nearer every day and Sam enjoys his university days. Continue procrastinating, it’s the way to go lol. B x

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  3. I love these posts! My kids went back to school today. It was a good summer but it felt a bit long these last few weeks, when all the activities wound down and we just stayed home for lack of anything fun to do. I think we're all glad to be back in the routine now. Annie looks so much like you in that photo, especially her eyes and forehead area. I hope you're having a good week!

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  4. Enjoyed this post and Jo's. Great photo of Annie and Jack, got to admire her organizing skills, hope it works. We have a cat that sleeps so hard she frequently falls off of whatever she's sleeping on and as a consequence fell from the second story half wall to the living room 20 feet below. We had to find something to put on the wall because she tried to go and sleep there again.
    Congratulations on your progress at work.

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  5. I've never tried making croissants because I think it's too difficult. Good for Sam!
    Those apples and pears already look delicious.

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  6. I'm glad work is going well. Holes in everything here, I am keeping you company. Love those red apples, they look amazing, and wonderful to see your new quince tree, I hope it does well for you. The picture of Jack and Annie is lovely, I'm glad no damage was done in flying off the wall again. You have reminded me that I have to sew labels into things. I may have already mentioned that my two eldest had to have an entire new uniform each. Hope your week is going well. CJ xx

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  7. Love this post. I put on a black tee shirt this week and found it was full of holes. It will feel like big changes for you this year with Sam going off to university.

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  8. I loved your ..ing post. We're the opposite here and just starting to feel summer in the air. Not that it ever gets that cold where we are and spring is usually a brief fling before the heat really hits. I'm glad Jack is okay from his latest superdog adventure and those apples and pears look delicious. Enjoy! xx Susan

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  9. That's very ambitious baking from Sam. Kate's cooking skills are very basic and she'll have to fend for herself when she goes off to university. Cooler here now too - not really too bothered nod pleased to see the garden greener now after the rain we had. Have a good week. Xx

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  10. What a fun post, Christina, and your ings sure took in a lot going on in your mpfamily. Glad to read that your weather has also cooled down.

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  11. I enjoyed this post too, such fun. The organisational skills are to be admired of Annie's sorting out the boys. Hope all goes well for you with your passport.

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  12. Those apples look so delicious, I bet they'll be fresh and crunch and so apple-y! Meg:)

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  13. I really enjoy reading these type of posts. That's a lovely photo of Annie and Jack and I'm very impressed at how Annie organises James and Alistair, a skill which will stand her in good stead in later life, I'm sure. The apples look very appetising, my own little trees haven't done so well this year.

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  14. Hi there.Loving this post.Adore that photo of Annie and the Gorgeous Jack.We have had The Mist here all day but it has been warm.xx

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  15. Wow.. your fruit looks amazing! I enjoyed your "ings"! :-) Loved the photo of your daughter loving your dog. I'm back from the lake!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  16. oh my goodness all those garden photos are delicious looking.

    good luck for school - this is our first year of homeschooling, so I do remember those first day back days and week - our new school year always starts in January.

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  17. Thanks for the link up. I love these posts they are great for sharing random phone photos and quick thoughts, you know a moment in time. I read your post on holiday and couldn't comment for some reason. I love that message from Annie - Go get 'em. Jo x

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  18. I saw the photos of Sam's pastries on instagram - they looked amazing!

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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