This little display of flowers from the garden has warmed my heart since the weekend. There are quite a few plants in bloom at the moment, although I'm reluctant to harvest too many from any one in case I spoil the potential for continued flowering. Some of the stems are very short, like the marigold for example. It made sense to use these little glass vases (old oil reed diffuser bottles) and pop a single flower in each one, so I can enjoy the simplicity of each of the different ones.
As there are an abundance of these feathery asters, I didn't mind taking more of these and making a simple arrangement of alternating pale and bold pink flowers. They are lasting better than I had hoped which is heartening and even C has indicated he likes them.
Do you prefer to see your flowers outside or like to pop them in a vase instead? I have to say that for me it's a balance of the two, but I adore even the smallest little flowery frond in the kitchen.
Sophie

We sat in the long grass for hours, hidden from the world. That day, when the sun shone down like a beacon. The golden blades just swaying gently in the breeze from time to time with the ripening seeds jangling and jousting amongst one another. The buzz of grasshoppers creating a bassline on to which the caw of the crows layered clumsily. Do you remember the hours that slipped by? The time that snuck away, unaccounted for while we spoke? The depths we covered, lengths of time swam by while we remained oblivious to the sun making it's quotidian pilgrimage across the sky. Your eyes. My eyes. We laughed; mutual humour bringing us closer. Your palms under scrutiny, then mine. Lines traced down to our wrists.



Twirling my hair in my fingers, plaiting it to my right. Shielding our faces from the sun, eyes shut, words exchanged behind closed lids. Murmers. Lips barely moving, corner of my mouth twitching into a smile. Dimples revealing themselves in little moments to the sound of shy giggles.



Sitting on the river bank where the shallow waters ripple by, dipping toes into the cool clear stream. Wriggling feet, sweeping and splashing, paddling up to mid calves on the stony bed. Daring to go a little deeper, just a little further. Cold ankles, warm knees. Sprawling back out under the sun to warm up, we stretched and flexed our numbed joints. The dry, crispy grass crunching under shoulders and elbows. Did we ever leave completely? Part of me still lingers where the grass whispers.
Sophie

Just one little picture today as I dozed off when I had planned to get a little writing done. Taking a step back and realising when I'm too tired to do anything has been important to me in the last year. They say you can't burn the candle at both ends; I beg to differ. You can, but there will be repercussions at some point whether it will be right away or a long way down the road. I went through a few years of staying up too late and barely getting enough sleep. Even though much of the remainder of my lifestyle was healthy, the overall balance was wrong and it left me feeling tired all the time. These days I feel so much better for ensuring that I head to bed at the right time. Waking up feeling in a good mood and having plenty of energy to face the day with has been so much more rewarding. Evenings are always a bit of a compromise when juggling any kind of exercise, making dinner and maybe getting along to the allotment (often to pick things for dinner) and it's often gone 9 before we eat. Mostly it's just an hour of the tv on while I potter with blogging before turning in for the night, sometimes less. I started the year getting back into reading before bed but that has lapsed again for the moment. Maybe it will creep back into my routine once the dark evenings return and there is less draw to head outside.
I recognise the value of sleep.
Sophie

Clusters of berries are beginning to make themselves seen; I've no idea what this exciting red cluster is above but below is the easily recognisable blackberry. From the amount of brambles and flowers I've seen recently there could well be a bumper crop. My mind automatically jumps to making blackberry and apple crumble...

As I mentioned before, there were hundred of these damselflies (I stand corrected -  Thank you Simon, I always like to hear what exactly it is that I've photographed!).

The hot air wafted a variety of scents our way; from the ghastly dog waste, to hot straw and sweet honeysuckle.





The bright sunlight played pretty little games all over the scenery; from dancing over the gently rippling water to beaming in rays through the chinks in the canopy. The perfect pastel pink flowers thrived amongst the lily pads, which stretched further into the lake than ever before.



Oh yes, I'm loving the summer days alright.
Sophie

Much as I would love summer to last forever, I know it can't and won't. The season is streaking past at a frightening pace so this weekend more than ever it's important to take stock and appreciate. This electric blue little guy is one of hundreds I've seen lately; they hover patiently, streak past then hover and land. I've caught a few in photographs but most were long gone before the shutter closed. While it's rewarding to look at one picture of a sunbathing dragonfly, when I close my eyes I can see the hundreds of others flying around in the sunshine.
Sophie

I heard a quote once which I automatically assumed was one from Einstein (probably wasn't as I cannot find a trace of it) but may in fact have been something Derren Brown once said. It went something like this:

Virtually no ideas we have are unique. We pick up inspiration from all around us without even realising. 

It's true though. So many tiny little details get filed in our brains each day which all seep into the melting pot of our imagination, dance around before churning out ideas. Often, I can pinpoint things which directly send me off in a particular direction; overhearing a conversation, seeing a picture or headline, that sort of thing. It immediately triggers a little light bulb moment. Other times it's as if I've suddenly come up with a great idea unprompted.

The influences we expose ourselves to have much more of an impact than most of us realise. I'm fairly mindful of how powerful the media can be in twisting views and transmitting propaganda to support it's own objectives. Stop supporting the bad influences by spreading the word. Shut it down with silence.
I'm also now much more aware of how positivity can play a crucial role in how I go about daily life; hearing someone cheer you on really does give you that little lift to push yourself. C describes me as a pessimist. I prefer realist but I'm striving harder to be an optimist although quite honestly it feels most unnatural and unnerving.
Listening to people give motivational speeches, hearing inspiring stories, reading through people's passionate outflows make such a difference to my mood and mindset compared to hearing people whinge and complain. Just understanding how sentiments can be absorbed as if by osmosis is a big step for me in making changes for the better. I'm setting myself a mission to surround myself in positivity, with the right messages reaching the deepest, darkest corners of my mind. A 'can-do' attitude is surely a winning formula. The glass IS half full. I want to be inspired to think well of people, to admire their best qualities and to believe in the future. Innocent until proven guilty. Create and enjoy and sharing happiness. MORE. I want to laugh with joy and wear a smile all the time. There's another lovely quote that goes along the lines of

Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, then you're in trouble because that reason can be taken from you - Deepak Chopra

Waking up each morning is an absolute joy that should kick the day off to a good start. Smile, share that smile and spread a little joy.

Sophie