Thursday 13 May 2010

Here we are, back in England again

We got back from France on Tuesday evening, but it has taken me this long to get up to date with all the posts from my blog reading list! Well, that, plus I had to do a little bit of clearing up, and another town walk with a bunch of German kids on Wednesday, and cooking dinner, and going shopping........ But honestly, I have read and thoroughly enjoyed hundreds of your posts from the last 10 days or so, but I just didn't have the time to comment on all of them. Am I forgiven?

Leaving the cottage seems to get harder and harder each time we return to England. The weather was pretty grotty for most of the time ( seemed to be the same all over Europe though ), but it really doesn't matter, because we light the fire, snuggle down with the doggies, watch a film, play games, do bits and pieces inside the cottage rather than in the garden. Hmmm, we call it a garden, but really at the moment it is more of a field, lol.

I managed to finish the granny square wrap in that lovely Manos del Uruguay yarn, which I started such a long time ago. Remember it? This post from February shows what it looked like then.

And here it is, finished, yippee, although I haven't steamed it yet to make it all nice and flat. Probably not going to either, lol, because every time I pick it up, I just snuggle with it, it is so lovely and soft and cosy -


And yes, Sarah, I sat by the roaring fire, in my Lloyd Loom chair,with my slippers on and did my best crocheting-granny impression! Quite coincidently, while I was out and about today looking for a certain thingy for somebody's birthday, I found a gorgeous Monsoon summer dress in lovely soft shades of lilacs and purple, which goes so perfectly with the wrap.

On our first morning at the cottage we found ourselves in the clouds again. Because we are on top of a hill, we often find ourselves totally cut off from the rest of the world, in low thick clouds, first thing in the mornings. We do love proper sunrises with clear skies, but having said that, these cloud filled, misty early mornings are just as fabulous. The dogs don't care either way, they are just so happy that I can just open the door and go for a walk with them down the little country lane which runs past our cottage. No fussing about with getting in the car, and driving for 20 mins to get them to a place where they can run around. They chomp on dewy grass, they drink from muddy puddles, and they run and play like crazy -


I was delighted to find lilacs growing wild along the lanes. I always pick something on the first morning, and this time I was able to pick some lilac! Bliss. Lilac blossom always reminds me of sitting in my grandmother's garden, breathing in the lovely scent of the lilac tree next to the little wooden garden house my grandfather had built


AND......... the little lilac tree in our, ahem, garden/field was also showing off this year. Last year it wasn't really doing very much but this year, weyhey!


Much lighter colour than the ones growing along the lane.

Oops, where is the afternoon gone again? I had better get myself off the computer and get started on dinner. More France photos tomorrow, including some of the vide greniers finds! YES, I managed to get to a couple of vide greniers!! Lineny, booky, papery treasures, lol.

Toodlepip, xxx

15 comments:

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time there despite the weather. Relaxation and vide greniers are a perfect combination.

I picked some lilac this morning and its scent fills the air in the lounge. It is such a shame that the lilac season is such a short one.

Look forward to seeing the other photos.

Take care
Isabelle x

Floss said...

Hell, I've missed you! Funny to think that I miss you when you're in my country, and hear from you when you're abroad...

It's very rainy here, too, and I've cleaned out the fire and set it up for summer... boo-hoo.

Finds? Yes please!!!

I have a day to myself on Saturday. VGs here I come...

marylin & poussy said...

It is magnificent! Your dogs are very beautiful! Best regards

Elizabethd said...

Lovely lilac, so nice to find things flowering when you arrive. I look forward to seeing the finds!

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Your lilacs are so beautiful! I love the lighter shade and the scent must fill up your cottage. You must get a lot of low cloud because those photos look so familiar! You sure you're not tricking us Lizzie?!!

Lululiz said...

LOL, yes Sarah, we do get a lot of low flying clouds, tehehehee. We are about, errmm, 500m up on top of a hill, and during wet weather periods, the world around us just disappears until the sun burns through. When you drive down into the valley, then you can see the clouds hugging the tops of the hills.

Dorthe said...

Hi dear Liz,
Good to see you back home, I would certainly miss you if you dissapered to France !!!!
But I can see how beautifull a place it is, and understand you missing it.So lovely photoes of the dogs, having fun, and how you displayed the wonderfull lilacs.
Will take long here, before they bloom.
Welcome to blogland again, and hugs
from me.
Dorthe

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

That wrap is absolutely stunning! I love the colors! What an amazing job you've done creating it. =)

Helsie said...

So that is what that plant is! We saw it growing and flowering everywhere while we were in Burgundy and wondered what it was. When you live in the tropics you read about all these plants all your life ( buttercups, forget-me-nots, bluelells.......)and it is lovely to actually see them. I try to identify the trees too and I'm gradually learning what oaks, limes, chestnuts and beech trees look like though I often forget from visit to visit.
Will just have to visit more often !!!
Cheers
Helen

Createology said...

Welcome home. Wild lilacs? Wow. Happy catching up...

Debra@CommonGround said...

So glad you came by, your cottage is just enchanting, love seeing the photos of your pups and all the gorgeous lilacs. The granny square afghan is just beautiful. Love the "lilac colors" in it!
hugs and blessings,
Debra

Twiglet said...

Fab wrap and beautiful lilac. We just need sunshine so that you can wear that new frock!!

Holly Loves Art said...

Your pictures are gorgoeus. I LOVE the misty pictures of the pups. They are just dreamy. Your handmade throw is just beautiful too. What an accomplishment! I've never tried anything like that. Have a great day.
Cheers,
Holly

Anne Lorys said...

Your lilacs are just gorgeous, and your photos make me long for the countryside, so pretty.

Have a great weekend!
Anne

Andi's English Attic said...

Like you, I'm busy catching up with my blog reading.
Love the colour of the wrap. xx