"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

Friday 14 August 2015

The Last Weeks of Summer

Summer is coming to an end here in the Lincolnshire Wolds, you can feel it in the air some days. Warm winds are gently blowing around the garden & leaves are slowly beginning to turn golden.
The wheat fields will very soon be harvested, a few more days of sun will turn the last few hints of green to yellow. The wheat ears sway in the breeze making a gentle sound as we walk over the fields.
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Summer days here have been filled with enjoying our garden, harvesting, family visiting us & days out with a picnic.
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Sweet little cheese biscuits for  tea using a wartime recipe.
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We took a trip down to Norfolk to view a pre war car & on the way back we stopped off at a National Trust property called Oxburgh Hall.
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The gardens were beautiful even in the English rain.
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A National Trust plant stall, they had a wonderful books shop too, the twins got some beautiful 1950's book's.
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The beautiful interior.
They had so many beautiful pieces of furniture.
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The girls looking at the moat around the hall.
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The beautiful dining room.
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The Library.
There were so many beautiful old books in here, I could have spent all day in this room.
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The wet vegetable gardens with lovely box hedging.
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Wonderful old potting shed & rhubarb forcer.
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We bought the car we went to look at.
Here she is just after being delivered with Andy, Dene & Ellie going for it's first drive.
She is a 1939 Wolseley 10, we plan to use her for shopping & trips locally after we have done a few bits to her.
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Lemon cake for tea.
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We went to a medieval village day at Tattershall Castle.
There were so many interesting things going on.
I love seeing candles being dipped.
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Preparing food.
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Cooking apple & raspberry pastries.
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Our last gooseberries harvested.
They made two crumbles, one went in the freezer for when Grandad visited, he does love Gooseberries.
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Andy's parent's visited from Scotland for five days.
Here they are on a beautiful walk past the farm pond & through the wheat fields.
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A beautiful summer's day.
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We saw this lovely family having a walk around the pond.
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Kitty looking towards the wheat fields.
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Glorious afternoon sunshine.
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We have never seen a lilac poppy before, the girls dresses matched.
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It was such a beautiful day, so peaceful & quiet.
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Kitty playing with a thistle head.
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The cottage garden has been giving us some beautiful blooms for inside.
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We had a beautiful day in Cambridge with Andy's parents & Dene & Ellie.
Dene & Ellie live quite near to Cambridge so we met them there.
The weather was beautiful.
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Punting on the river.
The old college buildings were beautiful.
This is Kings College, Andy's uncle studied here.
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Gazing in wonder.
There were so many beautiful shops, us girls treated ourselves at Cath Kidston.
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Historic streets.
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Beautiful bridges.
We had a lovely picnic on the green under the tree's.
It was such a special day spent with family, we were all tired when we arrived home.
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This is the first year we have grown onions, they are now drying in the sun.
We are so pleased with how they look, I hope they taste good too.
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Muffins made with our abundance of raspberries.
I treated myself to a new tablecloth & oven gloves while we were in Cambridge as mine had worn through .
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I hope everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of Summer.
It is a very busy time for us & this post has been a little late in coming.
I have started a Facebook page & an Instagram account too which I do update more often.
The buttons for these are at the top of the page.
Fondly Michelle
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62 comments:

  1. Hi Michelle, it looks like you had a lovely time. Your pictures are amazing. I always look forward to reading about the delicious cakes you make for tea. They look so good. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thank you, you are so kind
      So happy you enjoyed the post.
      Fondly Michelle

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  2. I do love reading your blog, it's so inspiring. I really love your vintage car as well, what a fabulous acquisition! Which wartime cookery book did the cheese biscuits come from? They look delicious.

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  3. Thank you for your kind words I love hearing from you.
    The cheese biscuits came from a McDougalls wartime leaflet.
    Fondly Michelle

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  4. Dear Michelle, your photos make me long for England! Oh dear, what's a gal to do? Your time with family must have been very special. So many lovely places to see near you.
    I showed your car to Grayden and he loved it. What a find for you. I hope you enjoy it.
    The girls looks so cute in their little dresses and pigtails. Your Cath Kidston finds are lovely! Enjoy your last days of summer, dear one. ♥

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen, lets hope you come back soon.
      Yes spending time with family is so special, we do not see Andy's parents that much with them living near the top of Scotland.
      Fondly Michelle

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  5. You have an Austin Wolseley ~ how exciting. Will you have to learn to double declutch now? I am in awe {not a word I use lightly}
    That certain feeling of Autumn has been in the air for several weeks now in the Shire, albeit prematurely, and although people have not wanted to hear it, it cannot be denied.
    I especially love your photograph of the single poppy in a ripening cornfield ~ evocative of so many things.

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    1. I do not drive, Andy will drive it. We did have a 1951 Splitscreen Morris Minor so are use to vintage cars, I can't wait to go out in her.
      I love that photo too
      Fondly Michelle

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  6. You have been to my part of the world, it seems! We love Oxburgh Hall and try to go there most years as it is a very serene and relaxing place. I went to school in Cambridge and it changes, and yet it doesn't! My girls are able to pop into Cambridge on the train occasionally for the shopping. I love the vintage car - looks lovely. Thank you for the peep into your lives x

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    1. Cambridge was beautiful, we had not been there for years.
      Glad you enjoyed the post
      Fondly Michelle

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  7. So many of your posts show places where I have been involved with English Civil War Re-enacting. Have done both Tattershall and Oxborough Hall. We used to do living history as camp followers and so had to cook on open fires. Strange how the smoke always blows on you no matter where you stand.

    We have those lilac poppies in our garden. If you wish I could save you some seed and send them to you as they are seedheads right now.

    Pat

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    1. How exciting, I love watching the stalls.
      That is so kind of you, I have never seen those poppies before but I can go up to the farm and take the seed heads.
      Fondly Michelle

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  8. How grand that you've gotten an old car! My husband owned a 1948 Pontiac when we were dating (1966-67). It wasn't all that old at the time, of course. But it was of a different era and was wonderful to ride around in. I enjoyed your photos and descriptions of your days--always takes me back in time!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed the post Cathy.
      Your old car sounded fun.
      Fondly Michelle

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  9. Lovely to see your family having fun together, lots of brilliant photos. Thank you for sharing

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the post, family is very important.
      Fondly Michelle

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  10. Love the car what a great find and such fun. You are certainly making the most of the summer despite the weather been a little disappointing this year. Great memories made.

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  11. You have to don,t you, it is bright today.
    I love family tree.
    Fondly Michelle

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  12. I wonder if is there something which isn't fascinating in your posts, they're alwys so very charming and interesting, they always amaze me because you let me jump back to the past !!!!
    Thank you from the deep of my heart, my darling friend !

    With sincere and dear love I wish you and your lovely family blessed weekend

    P.S. your 'new' car is gorgeous, I got married going to the Church on a car like that... such dear memories :)

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    1. So glad you enjoyed the post, Summer is always so busy.
      Enjoy your memories.
      Fondly Michelle

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  13. As always, such beautiful photos Michelle! Your family visits some of the most beautiful places! And your *new* car is absolutely fantastic!!! I love it! I hope you and your family are enjoying these last weeks of summer! :)

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    1. Thank you Katy.
      Summer is always full here as it must be for you, I am a little behind catching up on posts, soon I will have a little more time.
      Fondly Michelle

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  14. Ah - your picture produced a very deep longing to see he land of my birth again... Thank you for sharing.

    Love the old Wolesley.

    Please - won't you share your wartime biscuit remedy?

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    1. I will add the recipe in my next post.
      Glad you enjoyed the post Dan.
      Fondly Michelle

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  15. Such a beautiful posts! Your "new" car is terrific! I always enjoy seeing the lovely pictures of your home and what you have been up to. Your purchases from Cath Kidston's shop are so pretty. I love her fabrics!

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  16. Thank you Sarah, the shop was fun and a real treat.
    Enjoy your beautiful jam .
    Fondly Michelle

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  17. A lovely post as ever Michelle , we used to live near Cambridge it's lovely we visit every so often . We now live in Norfolk and love oxburgh hall it's one of my favourite . I love your new (old) car I could never convince my hubby to buy one but I love the past and feel society is so overloaded these days , I try to live a simpler life and get pleasure from simple things like reading ,picking and eating my homegrown produce ( jam and cakes are the family favourites) but tomatoes and potatoes are lovely too . Making things too are a great satisfaction to me rather than buying things. Your twins are gorgeous too. Best wishes in your new car !!
    Clare

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    1. Hello Clare,
      Lovely to read your comment this morning. Cambridge was full of things to see but so busy & so so hot. I think we will go back in the Winter when it is quieter.
      I love reading about what you love to do, we all love cakes.
      I wonder do you have a blog, I will have a look.
      Fondly Michelle

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    2. I have thought about a blog but I'm not sure I would find time Michelle . Along with my children ,garden , dog , chickens and home I do some volunteer work at the school and church but I do read yours and three other blogs along with reading books. I look forward to your next post. X

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  18. Lovely pictures, full of lovely Summer memories. Pam in Norway

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    1. Thank you Pam in Norway.
      Enjoy your day
      Fondly Michelle

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  19. Love the car. Looks like you had a great summer
    Julie xxxxx

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  20. I am a fairly new reader of your blog and find your words and pictures very inspiring. Recently, I began reading the first book of the diaries by Nella Last and have been enjoying it so very much. My husband and I watched the Victorian, Edwardian, and Wartime Farm series which we found very interesting. The simple pleasures in life are wonderful. Have a lovely day ~ Lynnea

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    1. Thank you so much Lynnea for your beautiful comment, yes the simple things in life are wonderful.
      Enjoy your reading, I am making my way through the Miss Read books.
      Fondly Michelle

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    2. Dear Michelle, I have a question about your dish cloths. I recently began crocheting my very first dish cloth using 100% cotton yarn, which I have not used before. It seems to be splitting some and has a somewhat rough texture. Your dish cloths look soft and lovely ~ do you use cotton yarn or another type? I almost bought a cotton/wool mixture but wasn't sure how that would do for a dish cloth. With kind regards ~ Lynnea

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    3. I just use cotton Lynnea, it is sold for making dishcloths.
      Sorry yours are splitting.
      Fondly Michelle

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    4. Thank you Michelle. I have found a cotton yarn for dishcloths that is working very nicely now, and am enjoying using snippets of time to crochet these.
      Have a lovely day ~ Lynnea

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  21. Oh Michelle, What a goldmine of of beautiful images!! I enjoyed each and every one!! Thank you for sharing!! Sending warmth and
    many joyful blessings , xx oo Linnie

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    1. Thank you dear Linnie for your kind words.
      Fondly Michelle

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  22. Ahhhhh, the photo of the little girl on the gate...perfection! Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable visit and photos; last week I churned 10 pounds of butter and enjoy the old ways as well.

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    1. Welcome.
      I have never churned butter and would love to.
      Enjoy the rest of your day
      Fondly Michelle

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  23. Late on parade, as I have our eldest daughter and her partner here. What a wonderful roundup of the month. I love your new car and she will attract a lot of admiration and comments I am sure.

    That Medieval Fair is just up my street - I'd have loved to go to that. This autumn I will try making my own candles - I have bought the wax and linen wicks, it's just waiting for me to stop procrastinating.

    Cheese scones have been asked for here today.

    That photo of Kitty on the gate is magical. It seems to capture childhood (and a childhood I remember).

    Cambridge is stunning and I would love to go back there but we are definitely too far away for a day trip!

    Enjoy your baking.

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    1. Lovely to hear from you, we have had guests too, time is something I am not finding at the moment.
      Thank you for your kind words, I love that photo of Kitty. At some point they will grow up so I am making the most of these times.
      Fondly Michelle

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  24. Such a lovely post, I always enjoy my visits here.

    I love the new car you bought, lots of fun to be had driving that beauty around.

    xTania

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    1. Thank you Tania,
      The car is fun & we will use her often.
      Enjoy your weekend.
      Fondly Michelle

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  25. Your posts are so lovely and pleasant, Michelle.

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  26. What a cute car, how fun for you! Thank you for the wonderful post!

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  27. dear michelle,
    wow.....what a great car......i love old cars! i wish i had a old car like yours. your post is always a pleausure for me. thanks for sharing all the wonderful beauties of your life.
    have a nice week,
    love and hugs regina

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    1. Thank you Regina,
      So glad you enjoyed the post
      Fondly Michelle

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  28. These photos are absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Such a beautiful post! The new car is awesome! I love Cath Kidson's fabrics.
    Enjoy your weekend! ♥

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  30. Hi Michelle :-)
    Such lovely food! This post is making me hungry lol,
    I love seeing photos of the places you visit! I do love a nice day trip, we have another trip to Beamish planned soon.
    Yip, last days of summer, it'll soon be autumn, not that I'm complaining, I love autumn!
    Take care,
    Melanie x

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    1. Thank you Melanie,
      We hope to get back to Beamish next year, enjoy your time there.
      Are you on Instagram.
      Fondly Michelle

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  31. That open fire cooking of pastries really piqued my interest.

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  32. Hello Michelle, this is Ann (my ordinary days), I am following you on Instagram and now your blog. I love your blog!! Your posts are so interesting and your photos are lovely. Your twins are adorable. Ann

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  33. Hello Ann,
    Thank you for your lovely comment.
    Enjoy the rest of your day.
    Fondly Michelle

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