Wednesday 7 May 2008

Glorious May

Wasn't today just the most lovely, lovely day. After a crazy day yesterday spent haring to Sheffield and back, a busy day in the office then whizzing off to dancing for my jive class, today was just what I needed.
Nothing more hectic than strolling to school with the boys then a couple of hours pootling about the steam railway at the end of the road and the river and canal below it with Little A.


Sun beaming all day and a soft gentle breeze to accompany it, bliss.

May is probably my favourite month of the year (well outside November and December!). I love so many things about it, this beautiful month when nature truly seems to burst into life;

***The smell of garlicky ransoms down by the river

***The return of the swooping, diving swallows and house martins

***May blossom and horse chestnut candles

***Butterflies on the wing

***The first well dressings of the season

***Drifts of bluebells through the beechwood

Little A and I spent all day outside playing in water, racing up and down the slide and then a quiet half hour in the churchyard of St Edward's, me with my new Susan Hill book (thank you for all the recommendations, I got this in a charity shop for £1!)

and Little A taking a well-earned rest.

The boys bathed their dinosaurs together outside in the late afternoon sun and I've finally got around to mowing the lawn.
So here I sit, slightly sunburnt (oops!), cherishing a dream of a day, the joy of nature and the simple things in life. (Fingers crossed, maybe getting to sit outside our local to watch the barges slip by as the sun goes down).

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bless him , tired out from having such a fun day. Where you live looks idyllic - lucky you.

Lisa x

mollycupcakes said...

What a truely fabulous day sweetie.
I was reading it and with you there on the lawn. Fancy popping round to do ours? lol
Little cutie fast asleep, sweet dreams little man. enjoy the sun and time with Mummy.

Hugs.

Catherine x

Heidi said...

Hi Steph, After reading today's blog I feel like I've experienced a "mini vacation"!! I can't imagine living in such a quaint and charming area!....and what a sweet little boy!....Heidi :)

driftwood said...

looks like a perfect day to me!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Stunning Blog!
I just found it and think you must be related to Jane @ Posy
http://posy.typepad.com/
Your style including love for floral, pretty things, decorating, countryside, books and music are so similar!
I think you will both agree!
Thank you for allowing me to browse and to dream!
So lovely!
Joanne in Ontario

Anonymous said...

Well it looks like you had a fantastic day too... that train station is amazing. That book is good is it? I'm looking for a good read at the moment. Your little boy is just gorgeous x

Leisa said...

What a truly beautiful place you live in - so green and lovely. thank you so much for sharing your lovely day with us.

HAWTHORN HALL said...

Your sons is so sweet! Your photos were great and your blog is always such a cheerful place to visit. Thanks!

Gillian

prettyshabby said...

what a wonderful post...simple everyday events ...but beautifully illustrated! May is my favourite month too.
Savour every minute, little boys grow up far too quickly!
x

Carol said...

Hi Steph, you are in very high spirits...as are so many of us, marvelous what sunshine can do.
A lovely lovely post, the pictures are wonderful. Your little soldier is so scrumptious, bless him. I kiss Jude a million times a day, can't help it!
Your book looks very interesting, may have to check it out for myself, what is it about?
The sun is very strong. I was at the alloment by 8.30 yesterday for a couple of hours and could not believe the marks I had on my arms from my t shirt.
Carol xxx

Nonnie said...

Sounds like a perfect day. I love May too. Where you live looks so lovely. Like the look of that Pub!

Twiggy said...

your day was what I'd called a Halcyon Day, I've had one of those myself today, magic ;)
Twiggy

mommyholly said...

First of all, let me say how truly jealous I am that you live in such an ideal and beautiful place!! Southern California just doesn't have the same charming appeal! :) Secondly, your son is so darling! What a nice day to be able to spend with him! LOVE your blog!

julia said...

Sounds like the perfect day, isn't ife great when the sun comes out!
Julia x

Anonymous said...

I don't know about reading a story book, your town LOOKS like a story book, just beautiful.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

PERFECTION... in a word!
I have the same love affair with this beautiful month.. it is one of my favourites..so much to see and new life springing up everywhere.. How is your garden paradise growing Steph..?
I love the illustrator of the book you bought.. Angela Barrett. My son has a beautiful book illustrated by her called..The Hidden House.. I can recommend it to you..
Enjoy these golden days..

Love
Michelexx

dragonfly said...

Hi Steph
A perfect day indeed. May is my favourite month too.
Your canal photo brings back memories of the fun we had on a boating holiday in 2006 - a lovely way of life.
T x

Pipany said...

Oh what a gorgeous day and an equally gorgeous blog. We have rain again in Cornwall now and I'm already missing the sun xx

The Fairy Glade said...

Good morning Steph, lovely blog as usual. Glad it's not just me that likes the winter months...my friends all think I'm barmy especially as I like the rain too. I have a gazebo that I like to sit underneath and listen to the raindrops on the foliage. Spring and summer is better because it releases all the lovely earth smells and the flowers seem to smell sweeter too. Finally gave in and bought one of Kim's brooches in pink and cream..Beautiful.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Hi Steph..
Thank you for your visit!
I am a fearful traveller too but it is worth the terror of flying to be in Tuscany!
I can highly recommend Foxgloves for your shady bit.. they thrive in sun too!

Michelexxx

Funkymonkey said...

Love the photos of the railway station. I must say that pub looks very inviting.

Alchamillamolly said...

Now look my friend and I are sat at our desks knowing it was lovely this week - we have seen it through our windows!!! Must get the other Susan Hill as the Magic Apple Tree is read regularly in my house. Where you live looks idyllic you know never mind Richmond NY - this looks lovely especially the canal. You might be able to help actually - I want to go and stay in a cottage overlooking a canal but I dont want to stay on a boat. Are there any along your canal that you know are rented out? When you try and search on the the internet they are so hard to find. Can you think of anywhere??

Ragged Roses said...

What a wonderful day Steph, truly idyllic. You have such beautiful countryside where you live. May is definitely a very special month, hope you get to enjoy lots more wonderful May days
Kimx

Poppy Black said...

Dear Steph,
Reading your blog is like reading my favourite magazine- Country Living. Just gorgeous! XXX

Heidi said...

Happy Mother's Day Steph!...Loved hearing from you! It makes me feel much better to know that I am not the only one who purchases all my supplies for a project & then for whatever reason doesn't quite get it done!!!!...but we both will!!!...as soon as I find a basket, I will let you know & we will begin!... & then proudly post our results!!...Sounds like a plan??.....And I hope your party is a huge success this weekend!...You should know that my daughter Holly & I are both so envious of the lovely area in which you live! It looks like out of either a "fairytale" or a Jane Austin movie!!! Hope to hear from you soon!....Your friend, Heidi :)

jessica daisy said...

What a perfect day, sounds wonderful, I'm a bit sunburnt too, on my head (note to self, must get a sun hat)
Jessx

Rosie said...

I love your station and the one at Froghall. I love the bustle and excitement as the trains arrive and depart and the nostalgia when the steam engines are running. Looks like you had a lovely day.
Rosie

p.s. hope you and your boys get to see the Scarecrows :)

Summer by the sea said...

Sounds like a lovely day, and I really enjoyed looking at your lovely pictures - Natalie x

Niki Fretwell said...

What a dreamy day....and a little one dreaming too...how adorable.
We've been so lucky with the weather since then too.....

Deb said...

What a lovely post.
Precious photo of your sleeping little boy :-}