July ...ing

Here we are again, at the end of a month. I have already shared our holidays, which were at the beginning of the month. This seems like half a life time ago. Life since has been good.

Spending 10 days with Alistair (and the pets) alone. Richard and James went off cycling the Tour de France and then travelled on to Switzerland for a bit of teaching (Richard) and chilling out by the side of granny's pool (James). It was (I hear) a successful and fun trip.

Meanwhile I was enjoying Alistair's company. We both like structure and routines and we created a daily routine that felt comfortable and manageable. For one week, he went off to outdoor camp (hillwalking, paddle-boarding, you name it) and I worked. He loved camp, made new friends and tired himself out. I got stuff done.

Envying Jack for his ability to relax anywhere and anytime. Oh to be a dog!

Making blueberry jam. Our blueberries are good croppers this year but neither Alistair nor I particularly like to eat them fresh from the bush. Rather than leaving them for the pigeons, I harvested them all and made three jars of jam. 

Eating vegetables from the garden. Courgettes, carrots cavolo nero, salad and artichokes just now.

Sewing a white Olyia Blouse by Paper Theory because a white blouse is a practical and pretty garment in any wardrobe. My usual approach is to sew a little every day, maybe 30 minutes. This is easier than fitting in a half day or so of sewing but it means it takes a while to finish something. Alas, no rush.

On the note of sewing: learning to sew on buttons with the sewing machine. I had been meaning to do that for ages. I am not sure yet how secure the stitching is but I will keep an eye on those buttons.

Being a bit heavy-handed with a large knife, cutting watermelon. It didn't offer as much resistance as I expected. I drove myself to minors to close the wound. It is healing fine

Taking a sneaky day off for a trip to Linlithgow with my friend Jo and our boys. We visited the palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born, had a picnic in outside in the sun, then walked around the loch and ended the day with ice cream and a spot of shopping. It was a lovely day.

While browsing a vintage shop in Linlithgow, I discovered a 1970s tea/coffee service I had one cup from already, bought years ago on a camping trip. I love this wee cup so much, I could not leave the vintage shop without the almost complete service. 

Going for a walk starting at the Hill House in Helensburgh with my friend Karen. The weather was mixed, hot and sunny and windy and rainy in short succession but the company was excellent and although we were too daft to find our way on the circular route, it was a lovely walk.

Foraging for wild raspberries. They are so sweet just now but there is heavy competition because the birds love them, too.

That's it I think. Thank you for visiting 😊