"With Pomp, Power & Glory the world beckons vainly, In chase of such vanities why should I roam?While Peace & Content bless my little thatched cottage,And warm my own hearth with the Treasures of Home."*Beatrix Potter

Thursday 25 June 2015

Days in Our English Cottage Garden


June is the noisiest month of the year in the garden, from the first light birdsong fills the air giving a true sense of the garden being alive. Thrushes & young Blackbirds are abundant especially after a heavy shower of rain, they scratch about beneath bushes & the large Magnolia tree looking to see what may be found there.
Sweet little Sparrows & young Starlings are everywhere too, along with the young rabbits they give George many hours of amusement at the windows.
The sun barely seems to sleep in June & all through the short nights there is a deep shine to the sky.
We have been in the garden, this time of year there are many tasks to keep us all busy, we feel blessed to have worked a full day & are ready for our beds by the end of the day.
The Gooseberry bushes are doing so well & we have just harvested our first of the year.
Life is wonderfully full at the cottage & I give thanks each day for it.
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A shady spot under the Old English Walnut Tree.
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One corner of the vegetable garden.
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This beautiful climbing rose weaves it's way through one of our apple trees.
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A beautiful day spent gardening & playing in the garden.
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Our special Arthur Bell rose bush.
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The Lupins in full bloom.
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Foxgloves so remind me of Jemima Puddleduck.
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Beautiful sunshine.
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Playing ball, I love how they all play together.
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Sweet Lilly of the Valley.
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Fresh Wholemeal Bread.
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We harvested our first gooseberries from the garden.
Over 7lbs of them from three heavy loaded bushes.
6lbs have gone in to the freezer until I get time to make jam.
Rhubarb as well has been going in to the freezer ready for warm puddings over the Winter.
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The other gooseberries went in to a lovely oaty crumble for tea.
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The Peonies are blooming.
So much is flowering in the garden at this time.
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Ox Eye Daisies flowering around a purple rose I planted last Summer.
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The scent of garden roses.
The yellow rose is called Arthur Bell, everywhere we live we plant one of these roses as both our Grandfathers were called Arthur.
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Mary stirring Date Bread.
The twins love to have a wooden spoon in their hands.
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Date bread ready for Sunday tea.
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Sponge cake with fresh cream & English Strawberries for tea.
This is the basic sponge recipe I use all the time, it is so versatile.
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Special gifts.
Our sweet daughter Amy made this beautiful cross stitch for our wedding anniversary, I am looking for an antique frame to put it in, it is such a special handmade gift.
Another special heart I received was my first Susan Branch book.
Cathy from Morning Musings entered me in her give away & I was so happy to have won this beautiful book.
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I finally finished this 1940's jumper, with being unwell it had been put aside for a few weeks.
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Two little vintage buttons used for each shoulder.
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Thank you my dear readers for your lovely comments.
Fondly Michelle
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60 comments:

  1. Michelle...what a beautiful garden you have :0) and your cakes for tea, they look just delicious! Thank you so much for inviting me to your garden today :0) mari

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    1. Thank you Mari, our garden is such a peaceful place to be in, each days new flowers are opening.
      Fondly Michelle

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  2. Your blog is so inspiring, Your beautiful garden , Vintage knitting , Baking mouth watering bakes and your beautiful children make this blog a joy to visit xxx

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    1. Thank you very much, I am so glad you enjoy the blog.
      Fondly Michelle

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  3. That piece of cross stitch work looks jolly difficult, well done to your daughter and the book looks intriguing. Lovely to see your children enjoying the garden and the sunshine.

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    1. It is a beautiful cross stitch, something to treasure.
      Fondly Michelle

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  4. All of this post is very nice!

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  5. A beautiful post as always. I love visiting this little spot for refreshment and joy.
    You are a blessing,

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    1. Thank you Shirley for your kind words.
      Fondly Michelle

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  6. Your cottage and life always look so idyllic though I know that a lot of hard work is involved. Your daughter's cross stitch gift is beautiful and I love the 1940s jumper. I must get my knitting needles out again -time to start knitting for my grandchildren ready for autumn and winter.

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  7. Thank you Rowan for your kind words.
    Yes we are always working, we love to be out in the garden.
    Fondly Michelle

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  8. Dearest Michelle, your garden is so beautiful! I think I could spend all my hours among the lovely flowers :)

    Your blog is always a wonderful place to visit, my friend. Hugs to you!

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    1. Thank you Stephanie, we do love to spend time out there.
      So happy you enjoyed your visit.
      Fondly Michelle

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  9. Michelle, everything in your world is lovely. It looks like the weather is cooperating---I'm enjoying seeing all of your activities involving home arts. You have what looks to be a much longer spring-like weather than we have. It's quite hot here now, but we are getting evening storms that bring rain to my garden. ♥

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    1. Yes Martha Ellen the weather has cheered up a bit. Summer in England is like a warm Spring then all of a sudden we get a week of really hot weather.
      Fondly Michelle

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  10. I've never had gooseberries, nor have I ever seen a purpose rose! Your garden is lovely and a wonderful spot to enjoy family life together. As always your baked goods look yummy. How do you and your family stay so trim?! Amy's cross-stitch is worthy of framing and I'm so glad you're enjoying Susan's book. In America a jumper is a dress that is worn over a blouse or sweater. Your version is so pretty with the different "stitches", or whatever you call it. As you can see, I am not a knitter.

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    1. Hello Cathy,
      Gooseberries are lovely, one of my favourite's. You need to cook them though as they are quite tart.
      I have jumper patterns for the twins, I remember when an American friend visited us a couple of years ago saying that a dress is a jumper in the US.
      Fondly Michelle

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  11. I love your prose and your garden.We've just put our farmhouse on the market and I cannot believe it is so beautiful,many years of hard work have gone into it !!

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    1. Thank you Rosemary.
      I would love to see your farmhouse.
      Fondly Michelle

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  12. Your gardens (veggie and flower) are absolutely gorgeous!!! I look at the photos and imagine I am walking through it!!! Just beautiful! :) The gooseberries are neat. I have never actually eaten any before! The sweater you knit is wonderful! I have knit baby sweaters but not adult ones. It looks as though you used small needles as well, the stitches look small and intricate! It is just lovely! :) I always enjoy your posts! I hope you are having a great week Michelle!
    Warmly,
    Katy

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    1. Oh Gooseberries are lovely Katy, a real treat from the garden, they are so expensive in shops.
      Have a lovely weekend.
      Fondly Michelle

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  13. What a lovely garden you have! I love the color of the jumper. I just love Susan Branch's books. I only have "A Fine Romance" so far which I adore. Happy belated Anniversary.

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    1. Thank you Melanie, we do love our garden, some of the trees & plants are so old.
      Fondly Michelle

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  14. Such a great selection of things going on, from beautiful blooms to homemade bread. The date bread looks mouthwatering and the strawberry cake looks delicious. The knitted sweater is great, a real achievement to finish. I always lose interest about 3/4k of the way through.

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    1. Thank you for your lovely words, we are always busy here, life is full.
      Have a lovely weekend.
      Fondly Michelle

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  15. Replies
    1. Thank you, I do love roses.
      Fondly Michelle

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  16. Such a lovely post, you have a beautiful garden and I love the knitted jumper, it looks just gorgeous. I see you have some cute little homemakers in the making there :)

    Wishing you a Blessed weekend,

    xTania

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    1. Thank you Tania,
      We do love our garden & enjoy being out there.
      Fondly Michelle

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  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. Lovely post as usual. I always enjoy visiting your gardens and seeing what is blooming. My foxgloves are starting to bloom as well. They are so pretty. Amy did a wonderful job on her cross stitch-such a treasure to have and cherish. Enjoy these summer days in your garden.
    Mary

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    1. Thank you Mary, Our garden is a special place for us, there are so many birds & other animals out there.
      Amy's cross stitch is wonderful.
      Fondly Michelle

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  19. The gooseberries are a real delight and looks like a very tasty topping on the crumble, a favourite of ours. A beautiful garden to relax and enjoy in.

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    1. I do love Gooseberries so, a fool is nice too.
      Fondly Michelle

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  20. Hi Michelle, your garden is absolutely gorgeous! Just beautiful, such an abundance of lovely plants!
    I love your jumper, the colour goes perfectly with the vintage style.
    I hope you are having a lovely day,
    Take care,
    Melanie x

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    1. Hello Melanie,
      Thank you for your kind words, we are so lucky to have such mature plants in the garden.
      Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
      Fondly Michelle

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  21. Your pictures and words of your garden bring me such joy as my own garden languishes as I am not able to tend to it at present. Oh! boy! the weeds are having fun in The Shire. Slowly making a return to reading all the lovely things you {and others} are sharing. Thank you for your words and pictures. Deb

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    1. Oh the weeds are having fun here too Deborah, there is not enough time in the day.
      So happy to hear from you.
      Fondly Michelle

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  22. Love your photographs and your date bread looks fab! Thanks for visiting my blog.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. Thank you Liz, your tea cosies are great.
      Fondly Michelle

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  23. Tell me, how couldn't I follow you with the same enthusiasm you decided to follow me, your blog is truly cozy and you know how much I do love everything talking about the past ... maybe that's one thing we've in common ...
    I wish you a lovely day and continuation of the week and of this Summer,
    with all my heart
    Daniela

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  24. Tell me, how couldn't I follow you with the same enthusiasm you decided to follow me, your blog is truly cozy and you know how much I do love everything talking about the past ... maybe that's one thing we've in common ...
    I wish you a lovely day and continuation of the week and of this Summer,
    with all my heart
    Daniela

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    1. Thank you Daniela,
      Enjoy this beautiful Summer
      Fondly Michelle

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  25. Dear Michelle, this yellow rose is perfect, his garden is precious, they give desire of being going to live there. The jersey has remained precious and the gift of cross stitch is going to remain him very nice in an ancient frame, is the whole detail. I am charmed with the handmade gifts. An embrace. Mari Carmen

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    1. Thank you Mari for your lovely comment, you are more than welcome to come for tea.
      Fondly Michelle

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  26. Your garden is absolutely gorgeous! ...and your cakes look just delicious. :)

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  27. Good Afternoon Michelle, Well I never, goosegogs, now there's a blast from the past. I remember as a child, my Gramps used to grow goosegogs on his allotment and Ivy, my Nan, would turn them into jams and pies. I think they are a fruit which you either love or hate.... and I love them.
    I have to tell you your garden is beautiful.... I adore gardening as well as cooking.
    Funnily enough I am doing a post this week about my garden. Pop over and visit me, as you will be more than welcome.
    Best Wishes to you.
    Daphne

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    1. Oh I love Gooseberry's or another name I have heard of are Goosegars. I could eat them all the time in so many ways.
      Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  28. Michelle, I'm not sure why my post about Hilltop is not showing on your reading list ---but here it is
    http://thejoyofhomewithmarthaellen.blogspot.com/
    Have a wonderful day! ♥

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    1. Just popping over to try & view Hilltop now.
      Fondly Michelle

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  29. That sweater is so beautiful! I really have the goal of knitting vintage-style sweaters, but I don't think my skills will get me there. I love seeing what others are able to do though! Just lovely.

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    1. I never thought I would manage to knit from vintage patterns let alone any pattern. Give it a go, I bet you could do it, I get help from You Tube.
      Fondly Michelle

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  30. How beautiful - and how ENGLISH - your garden is. I love to see that sort of garden (mine is similar but not laid out as nicely as yours - we had to make do with the shape that we had here.)

    I love that sweater, and the colour. I am very drawn to a soft green at present - that 1930s soft jadey green - as you'll have seen on my blog lately.

    I've been picking some very ripe gooseberries off my young bushes this morning and stewed them up for desserts this week. I used to get 30 or 40 lbs off my old bushes but they were about 27 years old and needed to be hoiked out and replaced.

    How lovely your twins love to cook as you do, and that they all play so well together despite the age gaps.

    Such a nice peaceful post (just what I needed as I am FLAT OUT here!!!)

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  31. Oh, and I forgot to say what a lovely x-stitch picture - well done to your daughter. Home made gifts, made with love, are so lovely to receive.

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  32. I am finally getting a chance to visit my favorite blogs and enjoyed your gardens so much, Michelle. I do love to see what is flowering in England! Your daughter's gift is beautiful, I am keenly fond of any kind of redwork:-) What a lovely keepsake to have from her. Sadly, I have never had a gooseberry either. Not many grow them here in New England..Just returned from a lovely visit to Tasha Tudor's gardens and home and a gathering of kindred spirits. Truly lovely, you would have fit right in with us dear Michelle. I enjoyed my little visit with you:-)
    Blessings,
    Suzanne

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  33. Michelle,
    I forgot to compliment you on your knitting. Your doing fantastic! A friend recently gave me some Norwegian patterns that are stunning, but tricky. I will dip a toe in gradually :-)
    Actually, jumpers here in the States are just called sweaters, if they are waist or hip length. Dresses are usually above the knee or below. I know what the lady meant though. A "jumper" dress is one where you can wear a shirt underneath it. The dress part has a scooped collar and buttons on either side of the shoulder. It is usually gathered at the waist and they fall below the knee.
    Blessings,
    Suzanne

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  34. Hi Michelle, I have just popped over from another blog and I am so glad I did I have been blogging for the past 5 years and cant believe I have only just found you. What a beautiful home, garden and family you have. Your Sponge cake and bread looks yummy and I can imagine the wonderful smell while you were baking both. Love your 40's style jumper you made to. I am off now to read some of your past posts and will look forward to following your posts in the future. Best wishes, Delia :-)

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  35. Hello! If you like your Susan Branch book, you will love her other books too. She also blogs at susanbranch.com

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