The First Days of Summer

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There are so many big things happening right now in our lives.

There is Christmas planning, end of year school activities, changes to schooling arrangements, changes to farming arrangements, school captain nomination speeches and the list goes on.

We have had wonderful rain and unpredictable weather, a quick trip away to visit family and for me personally a new one-off writing and photography project.

It is easy to become overwhelmed with the logistics and the planning at this time of year which is a perfect time to focus back on the small things.

Sunflowers, really can you ever grow too many sunflowers?

Sunflowers

The kids, a sheep dog and that special shiny afternoon light that only happens after a rain.

Bush kids

Alliums growing like towering sculptures in my veggie patch.

Allium

Artichoke flowers are heavy, prickly and pretty all at once.

Artichoke

My apricot tree is loaded and I currently have various containers of stewed apricots, dried apricots and fresh apricots stashed around the kitchen waiting to be dealt with.

Apricots

Sourdough loaves, because there is something raw and reassuring about lighting the wood oven and producing loaves like these with my hands.

Sourdough

As we all know the internet world is completely crowded with beautiful things but I am wondering if you have visited Creative Countryside? I adore the simplicity of these photos and stories.

How are you travelling?

Are you baking or making or growing?

Enjoying some rain?

Have a good week, friends x

16 Comments

  1. Reply

    Clémence

    December 3, 2017

    Oh this bread! Love the light from your pictures!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 11, 2017

      Thank you so much!

  2. Reply

    Anne

    December 3, 2017

    Looks wonderful Jane and sounds as though you have some exciting projects in hand. Seems funny reading about your first days of summer as our days get colder but it brings a very welcome ray of sunshine. We’re wrapping up warm and shaking glitter from our clothes after work each day!
    Enjoy those apricots.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 11, 2017

      Enjoy that glitter Anne!

  3. Reply

    Chookyblue

    December 3, 2017

    I’ve been making 2 quilts………loving the cooler summer………..feel like I really got spring this year……….
    enjoying that fact all our dams are now full for summer……….59mms of rain this weekend took some major headaches away………..

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 11, 2017

      Thank goodness for the rain. Thank you for calling in, happy quilting!

  4. Reply

    Francesca

    December 4, 2017

    Beautiful country shots with lovely light. Those arttichokes look gorgeous bunched up in their purple glory. Bread is looking delicious too. The rain was huge, but not damaging. Total 130mm which is great. Maybe if the sun shines gently, we might get some grass in the paddocks.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 11, 2017

      Sending you lovely summery Christmas vibes Francesca, thank you x

  5. Reply

    Kate

    December 4, 2017

    Apricots, in all their glory, and fresh bread. Even better, apricot jam and fresh toast. Mmmmm. I always get to this point in the year and want to run away from work and do non-routine, non-work, non-obligatory things. That beautiful sunlight doesn’t help. Bring on the post-Christmas lull, I say.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 11, 2017

      Wishing you a happy Christmas lull Kate!

  6. Reply

    dani

    December 5, 2017

    Your bread looks so good! I’ve been trying my hand at sourdough… think I’ve got the trick now but I still cross everything hoping it’ll rise in the oven 🙂 Only one issue is the size of our oven… It’s not big enough! When I do get a loaf that works, it so delicious we demolish it far too quickly!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 11, 2017

      Thank you Dani. Happy baking to you!

  7. Reply

    Marcellina

    December 5, 2017

    Your bread looks fantastic! I haven’t had much success baking bread in my wood fired oven. Any tips?

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 11, 2017

      Hi Marcellina, I am really not an expert! But, can I suggest using an infra-red digital thermometer to test the heat of your oven prior to baking? I think temperature is mostly the problem. I try to cook my bread at between 260-280 degrees Celsius. Thanks for calling in.

  8. Reply

    cityhippyfarmgirl

    December 7, 2017

    Baking and growing here too Jane. Our december season is looking similar… although no artichokes, I hadn’t even considered given them a crack.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      December 11, 2017

      My artichokes have taken on a purely ornamental role Brydie, I am yet to master actually cooking them!

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