The weather has helped of course. The glorious hot sunshine in July meant that we could throw open the patio doors and use our garden as another room, a much needed space to relax, play or simply potter about. This space has become important to us as we often feel on top of one another inside our house and that isn't always a good thing for my children who dislike being close to other people. And so our garden, all 100ft of it, has proven to be a much needed and welcome refuge.
For my children. the garden has given them an opportunity to enjoy their guinea pigs and the neighbours' rabbits who have found a way of escaping into our garden. They don't go beyond our garden and happily hop back to their home whenever they feel like it. We used to try and catch them but the task of trying to catch two very active (and very large) bunnies was too difficult, particularly when they would squeeze behind the dilapidated garden shed. And so these free-range bunnies, as I've come to call them, are delighting my children as they scamper around the lawn though I can't say I'm as delighted when I catch them nibbling my strawberries. Never mind though, the pleasure of seeing my children's smiles more than make up for some missing berries.
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| One of our much loved guinea pigs. They are only a few months old but they have already enchanted us with their antics. |
For me, my garden is a place to escape the house and the demands of parenting though I am never far away from my children and my ears are always tuned in to the slightest sounds of mischief making. Still I've been able to sneak in some 'me' time this holiday and enjoy a spot of reading and gardening (and even some crochet) but it's never for long because there's always something to sort out. Total relaxation just doesn't happen when there are people to look after and a ton of household tasks to do.
On the not so nice days we've spent inside either watching television, playing computer games or cooking. So far we've cooked cake (lots of cake) and summer fruit meringues. The meringues were a particular hit with my daughter. She loved the process of turning runny egg whites into stiff white peaks and cooking them until they emerged slightly bronzed and crispy from the oven. Even better was using the fruit from our garden to create a gorgeous summer pudding. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of these beauties as they didn't last long so you'll just have to imagine the combination of crunchy meringue, juicy berries, cream and a sweet raspberry sauce drizzled on top. .
With that delicious thought, I shall say goodbye for now but I'll pop back soon to share my latest crocheting project.
Deb x
