A Relaxing Weekend and Garden Envy

This weekend, JJ and I spent a relaxing weekend with his parents and Granny for his Granny's 85th birthday! They have a gorgeous house in the countryside about an hour outside of London and it's always such a pleasure visiting (thank you very much for having us if you're reading, Mrs J!). Eating afternoon tea in their garden is just the best way to spend a sunny sunday afternoon - the victoria sponge was filled with bramble jelly which I managed to snaffle a jar of as we were leaving. Thinking it'll be the perfect accompaniment to macaroons that I'll be whipping up later in the week!

The weather really was stunning which always helps when enjoying a weekend in the country! We did lots of terribly English things, such as picking wild blackberries...

(shortly after this was taken I had to be rescued by JJ's Dad after becoming thoroughly entangled in the brambles. Why are the juciest looking berries always just out of reach? It's true of blackberries and it's true of life) ... barbequeing....A very serious business, as you can see!
... and developing MAJOR garden envy.

I'm always so jealous of their beautiful garden filled with fresh, homegrown produce, especially as I returned to our little plot to find that our lovingly grown butternut squash that were just starting to develop had been eaten by something (rats or foxes are the top of the list of suspects). So disappointed! They were doing so well!! Here's their pumpkin patch and a pumpkin which is apparently supposed to be a bluey colour. Very unusual.

Here are a few more snaps of the garden - just a sample of how much incredible produce they have growing! We walked away with a bag brimming with lovely fruit and veg and now thinking up all kinds of exciting things to do with it all!These are damsons, in case you haven't come across them before. They're lovely made into jams and chutneys.

I have no idea what these pods are but I thought they were interesting. I hope everyone had a lovely weekend - I'd love to know what exciting things everyone got up to! Pop something in the comments box - will help to cheer up Monday morning!

Rosy x