Long hot summer

The sudden heatwave (which has so pleasingly coincided with the purchase of a new lafuma recliner chair) has made me forget the wet and windy days of summer and solely concentrate on all the good things that have occurred which have clearly precluded me from adding to my blog.

In no particular order:-

• Bracelets made = 2
• Cupcake recipes tried from "Humingbird Bakery" cook book = 3 (not really loving the lavender ones)
• Crochet projects rediscovered and still not finished = 3
• New crochet projects started = 1
• Tops fashioned out of Liberty cotton lawn = 2
• Bunches of flowers artfully arranged = 10+
• Driving tests passed = 1
• Driving tests failed = 1
• Family holidays in sunny France = 1
• Weddings attended = 4
• Landmark Trust weekenders = 1
• Pedicures = 4
• Afternoon teas dans la garden = 2
• Afternoon teas dans la kitchen = 1
• Linen presses painted = 1
• Dodgy roman blind made = 2
• Number of decisions made for new kitchen = countless
• Trips to Detling antiques fair = 2
• Books started and finished = 5
• Books started and not finished = 3

It is frightening when you write a list and realise just what you can remember doing but it then also makes me wonder about all the things that I cannot remember doing. I think that for me some of the highlights of this summer have to come from the weddings that we have been to.

First there was the amazing one out in Chalfont St Something, in an amazingly huge village hall type building festooned with metres of homemade bunting, trestle tables covered in homemade table cloths, squat vases of fantastic fresh garden flowers. The bride was stunning in a dress made by a family friend that made her look all sublime and ethereal, and wine that flowed all night long (and that came from the Burgundy vineyard of another friend at the wedding).

Then number two was completely different and in a church in Hillingdon followed by a very glamourous reception at Pinewood Studios. A wonderfully sunny Saturday afternoon catching up with friends old and new whilst guzzling as much Pimms as possible and marvelling at the hat of the mother of the bride (the most amazing creation).

Number three was just up the A2 in Canterbury, trad church wedding with fantastic hymns - I'm still humming "One More Step Along the World I go", then a short amble to the grounds of the King's School at St Augustines for the most brilliant English themed reception ever. Galloons of Chapeldown sparkling English Rose wine, fresh Whitstable Bay oysters, Morelli's ice cream and great fun before the rains came down and it was time to retreat into the huge marquee. Cue more lovely bunting, little handmade hearts on the backs of chairs and a delicious feast of pie (chicken and ham, game, and pork) with salads and all good things. Then cometh the hour cometh the disco, it seems that the bride had exercised her bridely perogative and it was strictly 80s and 90s only and what a wise wise woman she is. Floor filled all night long.

As for number 4, we've had the first event and amazing sangeet 'party' thrown by the bride's family. Neither of us knew what to expect but we were met with nothing but warmth on arrival (and amazing fruit juices) and had the most amazing night, eating incredible food, dancing like Banghra demons and getting more and more excited about the upcoming events this week - Thursday night reception and dinner hosted by the groom's parents and then the wedding on Saturday.

Pweh, what a summer.