October Calendar Free Download

We are slowly moving into autumn, savouring these last warm days, spending time outdoor as much as we can, changing our weekly menu to add more soups and comfort food, enrolling into after school activities and attending birthday parties. It’s almost time to bring out jumpers and blankets, time for afternoon teas and apple cakes, time for slowing down after a fast going summer and a hectic back to school. I’m starting to like this season, even if it means shorter days and cool mornings.
What are your plans for this month? Hope something exciting!
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September Calendar Free Download

September is like a new beginning. We had a long summer this year and getting back into a routine feels like an hopeless task. The new school year is just around the corner with Vale starting kindergarten and Olivia primary school; needless to say their approach to school is completely different, if not the opposite. I’m back at work this week, but I feel as I would need a few extra days to reconnect with myself and my home, which are both upside down at the moment.
Endless to-do lists are in order, as well as strategic planning.
Hope you are having a slow “back to school” time and enjoying the last of these long days.

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August Calendar Free Download + some photos

We are in the midst of summer, along with school holidays, high temperatures, afternoon naps, al fresco dining, water games and biking rides. Yet, we have to wait a few more days for our family holidays to begin.
In the meantime, we start the month celebrating my 3 year old birthday and savoring the memories July has brought.

Happy August!
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July Calendar Free Download

July is the middle month. It sits between the excitement of June, with the beginning of summer and the end of the school year, and the freedom of August, with the family holidays and lazy days on the beach. It’s the month with lots of plans, weekends away, holidays prep and anticipation. It’s the month where the usual family routine feels a distant memory and the unscheduled holidays activities are still  far away. It’s the start of the second half of the year, and Christmas feels already around the corner.

Wishing you a wonderful month; hoping the weather will be temperate and not too hot!

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Monthly News and June Calendar Free Download

Summer is around the corner, and although we are eagerly waiting for beach days and mountains hikes, the holiday season is still far away.

We are slowly changing our daily routine, adding more outdoor activities, lots of ice creams, pic nics and, much to our dismay, a later bedtime (it’s difficult for the kids to go to bed when there’s still light outside!).

 I’m carrying on with my #100daysofwildflowers project on Instagram, even though I’m a bit behind. I’m learning a lot about wild plants, to take notes and to identify different species.

My perpetual nature journal is being filled every week, slowly transitioning from wildflowers to wild grasses as the temperatures become higher and the rain disappears.

Our balcony garden is slowly, very slowly, growing. Unfortunately we have a north facing balcony, so the plants don’t get much direct sun, and are in the shade for most of the day. Nonetheless, the kids are excited to check on the plants and water them every day after school.

I’ve finally made an attempt at making elderflowers syrup. I’ve discovered it about two years ago, somewhere on the internet, and have been obsessed ever since. This year I finally picked the right time for harvesting the flower heads. 
This is the recipe I used, which was adapted from an infinite amount of online recipes:
50 flower heads
3 lemons (sliced)
2 litres hot water
2 tbsp white vinegar
2 kg white sugar
Pour the hot water into a bowl (I used an alluminium pan with lid) with the elderflower blossoms, the lemon slices, the vinegar and 200g of sugar. Stir gently, cover and leave it for 3 days.
Strain the syrup, add the remaining sugar and bring back to a boil. Pour the hot syrup into sterilized jars or bottles, and carefully close the lid.
The syrup can be stored in a dry cool place up to a year, or in the freezer. Once opened, it can be stored in the refrigerator for about a month. 
I’m planning popsicles, aromatic cold teas and fizzy drinks!

How are you getting ready for the coming summer months?


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