Anna recently ended her long-standing link-up called “Much Love Monday”, where writers were asked to create a post that included a photograph with a heart in it somewhere, and a write up of things that the person was recently loving. She had been doing it for a long time and understandably found that it was time to end the series. Unfortunately, I only found it toward the end of its run but really liked it. Upon summing up though, Anna invited writers to continue the tradition on their own if they wanted to.
I particularly found the challenge of finding photo ops that included a heart in the picture to be fun, and who doesn’t like to discuss things they love?! So I’ve decided to continue the series, however, since I can’t always ensure that my posts will be on a Monday, I am going to call them “Loving Lately”.
Here is the first one which includes the little things of summer that I am loving right now!
(1) Laundry dried outside! We rarely use our clothes dryer and rather hang things to dry year round, however, it’s such a pleasure to get this done outside so the rack is not something to be squeezed around.
(2 & 3) Evening drinks out on the patio. Nick and I have the best talks around this outdoor table, where plans are made and memories laughed over. It’s always nice when we are joined by our special guest.
(4) Speaking of this special guest, these two enjoying warm weather camaraderie is always treasured. I just wish every once in a while that Ed would chose me to sit on. Sad face.
(5) A lovely annual Fuschia plant ready to give us a second flush of blooms. I thought it was all done flowering, but then noticed new little buds forming!
(6) Nick setting an outdoor table with my newly thrifted plates. I love bringing new vintage treasures into our kitchen, putting them in the cupboards and then waiting to see how he chooses to use the different pieces when serving our meals.
(7) Reading a good book in the most comfortable chair in the house! I am giving serious thought to how I might get this inside for the winter. But no, it would never fit through the door. I’m not the biggest fan of having to share this chair though.
(8) Cute postage! I was happy to meet a friendly clerk at my local post office who appreciates the beauty of nice postage stamps. He actually overheard me discussing my desire for some nice stamps instead of a boring printed tape, with another employee, and came right over declaring “I will help with that!”. Turns out his sister is also a big fan so he knew why it mattered to me.
(9) Nick and my first apartment together was just down the street from this old building. It had looked quite run down and I was worried it would be demolished (like this beauty was in the spring. Click to see pictures of the actual demolition in progress). But instead of tearing it down, I was delighted to see that they are leaving the walls up and completely rebuilding the inside instead. The treatment is similar to that used in this recent renovation.
(10) Shortly after our home was built in the 80s, someone had the foresight to plant three flowering bushes along the side. There is a Forsythia, which is the first thing to bloom in the spring, with the most cheerful of bright yellow blossoms. Then in early summer, the second, a beautiful Lilac bursts into colour! Thirdly, this Hybiscus blooms … and blooms … and blooms! It must have had a thousand flowers this year, and is still going strong. Amazing. What makes these three bushes extra special is that throughout the years nobody pruned them, so these glorious, well-timed floral shows are all viewed from our favourite window, which is two stories up! Yes, these bushes are now brilliant flowering tall trees. My thanks go to that long-ago gardener. I’m sure they had no idea that close to three decades later someone would be singing their praises for such thoughtful planting!
With all these things to love right now I can’t leave this post here though, as I do have one complaint. It is the fact that a neighbour a few houses over doesn’t realize how very allergic I am to ragweed and has let his flourish as though he means it to be there! Oh my goodness, the sneezing and watery eyes. It’s driving me nuts! Should I go over an ask him to cut it down?
What are your simple joys of summer or things you are loving lately? Do tell! Have you posted a picture that has a heart in it lately. I’d love to see it.
Thank you for dropping by! Wishing you the best of Mondays and a great week ahead.
xo loulou
ps. I didn’t originally intend for this post to include so many pictures of our cat!
I love the second photo of your cat! He looks adorable. When the weather is nice I always enjoy drinks outside you can get the best chats on a beautiful night :)
I love the ‘Loving Lately’ idea – I miss Much Love too, as you can tell! I’m definitely with you on the stamp thing. They make such a difference. I bought a pack of ones with cute sayings on, and it always gives me a smile to post off my bills with a nice stamp on them. Maybe, someone somewhere is smiling as they open them!
Thanks Emma :) And of course, you and I met through the ‘Much Love Monday’ link up, making it all the more cherished :)
I like “loving lately!” How positive and fun. Your patio table with cocktails looks heavenly. We would be eaten alive by mosquitoes. Must wait for cooler weather. Have to tell you… because of your blog, my hubby, our favorite couple, and myself have all been into Pimm’s. What perfect timing just before the Olympics. Now we are fans!
Right on! That is so cool Jenny. Glad I could be of service :) Yes, we are so lucky about the mosquitoes, or lack thereof. So far, all season I have one single bite. It’s heavenly. I know that you already read about this but for the benefit of any other readers who may be seeing this … Toronto treats its sewer system (safely) so we don’t have a mosquito problem. I talked about it in this post, if you’re interested.