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!
Click on the image below to download the monthly calendar
 

 

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!

Click on the image below to download the monthly calendar. 

 

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?


Click on the image below to download.

May Calendar Free Download

May has arrived in the blink of an eye, leaving behind April’s holidays, chicken pox and the initial stage of new projects. Summer is slowly making its way with warmer temperatures, short sleeves and longer days. I don’t have too many things planned for the month ahead, just keeping up with the things I’ve got on my table feels enough.  Enjoying the outdoors, caring for our balcony garden, carrying on with my #100daysofwildflowers, eating ice creams after school seem to be just right!
Have you got any exciting plans for this month?
Click on the image below to download.

 

April Calendar Free Download

    Welcome to April! It’s probably my favourite time of the year. It’s the first full month of spring, the days are longer, temperatures are just about right, nature is at its best. And is also my birthday month. My new day job is not leaving me with much time to paint, as I hoped, but I’m doing my best. My perpetual nature journal is being filled in every week, my current everyday sketchbook is coming to its last few pages and I’m a bout to embark on the “100 day project” (you can read about last year’s challenge here). 

Hope April brings you lots of beautiful and happy moments!
Click on the image below to download.