So there was big news in the CC household this last weekend; my sister and her partner got engaged! It also happened to be her birthday, so the day was spent at their lovely home with a gathering of family and friends from our village; it was altogether magical, and despite the weather being cooler than it has been of late, it really felt like a summer party. It got me thinking how sublime these seasonal celebrations can be, with only a little effort and prior planning.

So let's start with the most important thing: the food. If you get the food right, all else will follow; my mum's parties are notorious for their vast number of dishes and colourful presentation and this event was no exception! Bright pops of peppers combined with seasonal salad ingredients formed the basis of the scheme with deli meats, dips and olive breads adding to the mix. I didn't manage to snap the new potatoes or homemade quiches but add those and you've got a feast!

I always like to have lots of flowers at summer parties; they seem to capture the essence of the season better than any other decoration, perhaps because they're usually picked direct from the garden. You can see here we went for unconventional vases and used a watering can (lots of flowers and not enough jugs!) but it works so well in an informal setting.

Finally, if you want to add a little more decoration and don't have many florals in your back garden, why not try tissue paper pom poms? Once you get going they're actually really easy to make and there's a great tutorial here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfork_fpbWc

What do you like to include in a summer party? Are you hosting any this year? I'd love to hear about them!

P.S.

• If you're unsure what's good to eat now check out this post.
• Have you seen my Big Summer List?

I love lists. I might even be a list obsessive. I have notebooks full of them; lists for shopping, lists for holidays, lists for gifts, even lists for lists. So it will come as no surprise that each season I like to come up with a list of seasonal ideas of things to do, places to see and so on. It helps to direct my energies on those days when you want to do something but you really can't put your finger on what; it also enables me to plan ahead, which for a list-lover is of course a bonus too.

Here's what I'm hoping to do this summer...

1. Host a barbecue at least once.
2. Do some stargazing (Mr CC has a pretty fancy telescope...).
3. Eat more salads for evening meals.
4. Go for more walks - we have beautiful countryside right on our doorstep and I need to take advantage more often.
5. Make some more blackcurrant jam. We've just finished our last jar from last year (it's lasted quite a while!) and it was so delicious I'm definitely going to make some more.
6. Spend a wonderful weekend in London with friends (we're going to the wedding dress exhibition at the V&A and I can't wait!).
7. Read in the garden without feeling guilty that I have other more important things to be doing.
8. Dry all the petals I can to use as confetti for our wedding next year.
9. Document every week in the garden with as many photographs as possible (and also work on improving my photography skills).
10. Experiment with recipes so I don't always fall back to the same dishes each week.

What do you think; are you making any lists for summer? I'd love for you to share what you'll be doing over these next few months!

I've been a little quiet on social media and on this blog over the past few days, but I've been so busy I've barely had time to think about posting, never mind actually write anything. The weekend has been lovely though; my sister got engaged yesterday (and it was her birthday too!) and today Mr CC and I actually managed to squeeze a bit of time for each other and go out for brunch.

I've also managed to steal snippets of moments to read a few posts online and here's what's been keeping me occupied...

You know when you see a recipe and think, 'there is absolutely no way I won't like this'? This is that recipe.

If you're fed up of cordial but still want something to do with elderflowers try this interesting mix.

I'm trying to read more. If you are too, but need some inspiration, check out this list or past book posts here.

And finally, if you needed any excuse to have a good giggle, check out these benefits of laughing.

P.S. I've been so busy I even neglected Floral Friday, so I hope you enjoy the lovely florals in this post instead!

I've never been one of those people who say, 'I know exactly what I'm going to do with my life and how to get there.' Don't get me wrong, I've worked hard for things over the past few years; I've gained qualifications, changed jobs and formulated a whole host of new visions for my life, but they've always been in a state of constant evolution. I guess I've reached the stage now where people would argue I've achieved a lot of my goals and so should be satisfied and I suppose to an extent I am, but there is still this small part of me that longs for something else. Something more.

I've always loved the process of learning and I think it is the challenge of new things that keeps me going in life, and it is the challenges I present myself that motivate me the most. Like this blog, for example. Plenty of people question where I find time to blog, and why I push myself to do it, but it's another of those visions, it's something I really want to do, and why not? I suppose today is a moment to sit back and reflect that it's ok to have these new dreams. Who's to say I can't go out there and achieve whatever I set my mind too? You're never too old, or too settled, to change.

What do you think?

Hello lovelies, and happy Tuesday! So we're getting closer to the weekend and that means I'm starting to think about exciting dishes I can cook for Mr CC when I will actually have time in the kitchen. Those of you who have dropped by here before will know that Mr CC and I grow our own vegetables and try to eat what's in season each month; the reasons for this fall mainly into the taste category, but I do find that eating seasonally has economic advantages too - veg in season is so much cheaper than anything that has been exported.

So what should you be eating in June?

eating seasonally june

Lettuces, peas, broad beans and strawberries are the best of the bunch at this time of year. If you grow your own, peas and broad beans are often among the first produce to be ripe for the picking and it is such a delight to go from plant to plate in less than half an hour. Lettuce and strawberries are available year round but are so much fresher in the summer months, and June is the perfect moment to bottle up that strawberry goodness into jam if you have a glut (or your local farm shop is selling them cheaply).

The lovely folks over at Eat Seasonably have compiled a handy calendar should you want to investigate further.

The BBC (always a good port of call for recipes) also have a category dedicated to seasonal recipes - you can find those for June here.

What foods do you enjoy in June? Have you got any recipes that would fit for these foods?

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Good morning and happy Monday! I hope you've had a wonderful weekend; mine was spent enjoying an indulgent brunch with friends on Saturday, helping my mum in her garden yesterday and getting bits and pieces completed for work in the spaces in between. It's strange how easy it has become for me to switch off from the toils of weekly work when I have time off; in a way it's a good thing because I can truly become immersed in what I enjoy doing, but it does make Monday mornings that bit more difficult!

I can't quite believe it's time for The Year in Books once again; this last month I have been reading in little snippets here and there and I've actually got through some of June's choice already (a first for me!), but let's not got ahead of ourselves; what did I think of last month's choice?

Quite simply, I loved it. 'Burial Rites' (Hannah Kent)  is not only a well crafted piece of writing, it also houses a profusion of intertwining lives, lies and hidden thoughts set in early nineteenth century Iceland. It is based on the true story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir who was condemned to death for her part in the murder of her lover, and the form varies from first person narrative to letters documenting official responses and plans; it is this deviation from one form to another that allows the narrative to emerge slowly, giving the reader time to form a response. Kent is an impressive story-teller and forces perceptions to change, ideas to formulate and characters to inspire right from the first few pages. Typical first-time novelist she is not.

I'm not one to normally reach for historical fiction (that's more Mr CC's domain)  but I have experienced a pleasant conversion upon reading this novel and would recommend you drift from your comfort zone if, like me, it's not normally what you would pick up in the bookshop.

For June I've chosen something different; a collection of short stories (why don't we read these more often?!) by Joanne Harris (author of the brilliant Chocolat); 'A Cat, a Hat and a Piece of String'.

Offering a variety of stories - from the house where it is always Christmas Day (sounds good to me!) to online ghosts - this book has received high praise. I'm looking forward to delving back into short stories; they're perfect for dipping in and out of so will fit perfectly with my current reading style.

If you want more reading inspiration, check out The Year in Books link-up from Circle of Pine Trees here (she also has a wonderful blog that you must explore if you haven't already - beautiful images too).

What have you been reading this month lovelies? Have any of you read Harris' short stories before?

P.S. Want to see what else I've been reading this year?

The Year in Books: May

The Year in Books: April

The Year in Books: March

Happy Sunday! How are you all this morning? Let's begin the first ever Lovely List with a bit of a pep talk, just in case you've had a bit of a rubbish week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o

...and if you still need some motivation this nifty flow-chart will set you right.

Luckily my week hasn't been too bad! I've had quite a lot on at work but have managed to keep the house pretty tidy (a monumental achievement) and catch up with friends. Today I'm hoping to get in the garden so I can take more lovely images like the ones here and here.

Love Paris as much as I do? Then you'll be lusting over these beautiful images.

It's early summer now, and that can only mean one thing: strawberries. Want to know how to make them last longer?

Creating an inspiring work space can sometimes be a challenge, but this pin-board is so easy to make that the job's half done already.

Finally the blog you really should be following this week (if you aren't already) is Made in Hunters - another lifestyle blog from the English countryside, and in particular this post on living in your own world. Emma's dog Grizzle is also extremely cute and features (happily) in lots of her images.

What have you loved this week?

DSCF5287

The luminous quality of these translucent petals in the warm summer sunshine is quite ethereal; quite magical.

Flower: Aquilegia

How to Grow: Direct sow in Autumn / Winter in partial shade. More advice here.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

CC x

May and June are the months when our garden really comes to life; colours pop in every border and vegetables start to thrust out from the soil in earnest. The colour palette is formed from candyfloss pinks, vintage lace creams and soft yellows and is a delight to return home to after a hard day at work.

These images were taken right at the end of May and reflect the cusp of changing seasons:

may in the garden

(From top left) sunlight filtering through the newly formed ash leaves; potato plants about to flower; the bud of a deep red rose; a half formed blast of pink; an explosion of cow parsley; lettuces and radishes tempt; the tendrils of a young pea plant; a haze of pink; a tiny yellow rose on the patio.

Things to be doing in the garden this month:

• Sow seeds for late carrots and kale. [More advice here.]
• Plant out courgettes and runner beans. [Video advice on courgettes here.]
• Harvest lettuces, radishes and early potatoes. [How to grow potatoes here.]

What does your garden look like in May? Do you have the same colour palette as we do?

CC x

Morning lovelies, I've been lusting after florals and bits for the garden this month, so I thought I'd share some inspiration for a summer shopping list.

1. Antique Rose Cushion  (John Lewis) | £30.00

2. Hanging Memory Candle (Nordic House) | £5.50

3. Ceramic Travel Mug (Matalan) | £4.00

4. Garden Deck Chair (Argos) | £29.99

5. The Vintage Tea Party Book (Amazon) | £18.00

6. Barbecue Tool Set (Not On The Highstreet) | £34.95

7. Oil and Vinegar Bottles (Lakeland) | £12.49

Do you have any other items on your summer shopping list? Which of these is your favourite? I'm wavering between the ceramic mug and the candles; surely enough the cheer up the gloomiest of days?!

CC x

To kick off today's post I want to say that although we now have a polytunnel and grow most things from seed in there, when we first moved to the country we had little more than a warm(ish) windowsill.  Our pea plants, lettuces and carrots all started life there - albeit with mixed results - and so I feel qualified to advise that although it can be difficult, if you have the right conditions you really can reap the rewards. So firstly - do you have the right windowsill?! Here are some general tips from the BBC on growing grub on your windowsill; particularly helpful before you get started to check that you have the right conditions.

So you've got your windowsill. Now what on earth should you plant? From my own experience I'd have to say that herbs are the easiest and most fruitful plants to start off with, and some can grow so quickly you could be flavouring your evening meals in no time.

Luckily the fabulous folks at Gardening After Five posted a few years ago, covering everything from how much water the herbs need to what containers to use; link here.

If you prefer visual tips try this YouTube tutorial here; I love the look of the mojito in this video! This is actually marketed as being for men, but I love the simple style and basic tips - definitely one for both genders.

Now if herbs aren't your bag (and if so - why on earth not?!) or you're looking to add to your current collection of windowsill plants, there are other choices. Lettuces are probably your next best option, simply for the fact that they grow quickly and if you grow the 'cut-and-come-again' varieties they will continue to crop throughout the summer months. Try these if you're unsure which variety to start with. Just be careful that you rotate the pot so that the lettuce doesn't just grow in one direction, and be careful it's not too hot as the lettuce will get leggy and wilt before growing leaves. Suttons give more great tips here.

So it's June. Already. How on earth are we almost half way through the year?! I had a lovely weekend planting peas, eating lunch with family and gorging on the first of the season's strawberries; I always wait for the British ones to appear in the shops as they always taste so much fresher and more - I don't know - strawberry like! They're great as a stop gap until my parents' crop starts to fruit.

As the weekend progressed I also looked back at my goals from last month, and I have to admit that I did pitifully little to achieve some of them.

maygoals

I tried to do number one, I really did. Some days I achieved this goal and others I spectacularly failed, but I knew this would be slow and steady progress rather than an instant effect. I am pleased to announce that goal number two - getting to grips with wedding stationery - has definitely been achieved.  Mr CC and I spent a Sunday morning playing around on photoshop creating a 'logo' of sorts for the wedding (a sycamore leaf with a small heart cut-out inside) and then created our Save the Dates - or should I say Bookmark the Dates (!). All will be revealed in another post another time...

The last three goals really came into their own over the last week or so. Mr CC and I went out for dinner, I made and froze some lovely looking meals and I took lots of photos in the dazzling sun that shone so beautifully over this past weekend in particular. I'm not sure why it took me all month to reach these goals, but nevertheless they have been attempted, and that's what setting them is all about really.

I'm quite excited about June. There's always lots going on, so I'm hoping it won't disappoint!

GoalsforJune

Here are this month's goals:

1. Spend evenings in the garden. I need to make a conscious effort to remember that when I get in from work there is usually an hour or so that could be spent quite happily in the dappled late sunshine (weather permitting) instead of settling down on the sofa straight away. There are only a few weeks left until the daylight hours begin to wane once more, and I intend to make the most of them.
2. Make elderflower cordial. If you've never tried making your own, you really should; it's so easy and tastes delicious - much better than anything you could buy. Keep an eye out this month for a 'How-To' blog post.
3. Be (almost) vegetarian. Now this isn't a choice to avoid meat because I don't like or agree with it - sausages and mash is my favourite meal and I don't see that changing any time soon - but rather a conscious effort to eat healthier and more frugally. So although we will be having meat and fish this month, it will only be from those meals that I made and froze last month, I don't intend to purchase anything more. Not sure how Mr CC will feel about this...
4. Write every day. Because why not?
5. Read every day. Because I'm getting into a lovely reading habit now and I want to cling to it for as long as possible.

Do you have anything you're going to focus on this month? I'd love to hear from you!

CC x

P.S. Check out previous monthly goals here:

Goals for April

Goals for May