Celebrating July
Well here we are – High Summer! As I think on where we are in the seasonal year I am all too aware that summer is a short season for us in the Northern Hemisphere. August is Late Summer and then we hit my favourite season of all in September – Autumn.
For us in England, July means the start of the summer holidays! We are all looking forward to that! We have worked hard this year and we are all feeling a little washed out. The thought of sleeping in a little longer in the mornings, having no agendas and having time to just think is like a little bit of heaven right now. So far 2014 had been wonderfully full and vibrant for us, and it will continue to be so what with more family coming out to visit later on in the year.
But for now, let’s see what July has to offer us.
Folklaw
Gemstone: Ruby
Flower: Larkspur or Waterlily
Moon: Full Buck Moon (12th)
Traditional Rhyme
July is now what our old poets loved to call ‘sweet summer-time, when the leaves are green and long,’ for in such brief word-painting did they picture this pleasant season of the year; and, during this hot month, we sigh while perusing the ancient ballad-lore, and wish we could recall the past, were it only to enjoy a week with Robin Hood and his merry men in the free old forests… We feel the harness chafe in which we have hitherto so willingly worked, amid the ‘fever and the fret’ of the busy city, and pine to get away to some place where we can hear the murmur of the sea, or what is nearest sound – the rustle of the summer leaves
~ Chambers Book of Days (1864)
Faith :: Liturgical Year
3rd – Thomas the Apostle
22nd – Mary Magdalene
25th – James the Apostle
Nature and Garden
The patchwork landscape of the countryside is transformed this month.
Crops ripen
haymaking
harvesting
soft fruits in abundance
balmy days
busy insects
birds morning chorus dies down
Life in July
Summer Holidays
Set time aside to journal
Ponder and Pray on the new school year
Chesterfield Medieval Market 29th
Summer Reading lists
Clean out my File Crate and restock with fresh folders
Choir breaks for the Summer
In the Kitchen
BBQ’s
Homemade Popsicle’s
Jam making
Fish and Salads
Create
Follow Shirley Ann’s board All Things Summer on Pinterest.
I have a few more ideas on my summer Pinterest board which you can check out 🙂
That’s about it for July, it seems to be a much slower month in the way of plans etc, perhaps that is the way it should be. Time to just relax and spend together as friends and family enjoying the warmer outdoor days and all that it has to offer.
Have a lovely Thursday all…