opening chapter six – hello june
Morning strolls. Dappled light. Bare legs promenade at dawn. Golden rays. Summer solstice. Don’t forget to look up. Tomatoes blush. Spinach sprouts. The kitchen garden gives back. Alfresco dinners and lunches. Breakfasts, too? Go on then! Country lanes bulge with cow parsley and wild flowers alike. Bright blue skies. Aeroplane trails - an intricate map of journeys been and gone. BBQs blaze. Mowers roar. Buttercups burst from below. Spring retreats. Curtains up. At long last, Summer’s here.
A few weeks ago I received an email from a subscriber (thank you Andrea) generously reminding me that whilst the astronomical take on seasons recognises the 21st of June as the start of summer this year (because its guided by the position of the sun and therefore waits for summer solstice) the meteorological account of summer always begins on the 1st of June…
Which means that if we want to celebrate summer’s arrival now, we can!
I feel as though the Spring sunshine we’ve come to expect played hard to get this year so I’m certainly ready to embrace summer’s arrival. That being said, the kitchen garden is bursting with fresh herbs and vegetables (it clearly didn’t mind the recent downpours!) The wildflower beds are thriving with wildlife and colour. And given that you’re supposed to stop cutting asparagus on summer solstice, I have three weeks to make the most of this year’s crop which I have absolutely no qualms about doing!
In other news, whilst it feels like I’ve blinked and it’s June (just me!?) chapter six marks the official half way point in the year. With that in mind, as I mentioned this time last year, as someone that uses key dates throughout the year to check in with myself and my goals, there’s nothing quite like the transition into the latter half of the year to well and truly motivate me to make sure that I make the most of my year.
Questions like:
What did I set out to accomplish this year and am I on track?
And if I’m not…
What steps can I take now to help me get back on track?
Or
How do I feel deep down right now?
And if I’m not feeling good…
What could be contributing to those feelings and what can I do to alleviate that?
All go a long way to help me feel confident stepping into the second half of the year and ensure that I have the opportunity to realign if I’m not quite where I wanted to be.
Without giving too much away (I promise I can reveal what I’ve been working on soon!) I’m so excited for the next few months and truly believe that the second half of the year has the potential to be special.
With that said, I wish you a wonderful summer ahead. At long last, sunshine is heading our way!
As always, I’d love to hear what you’re looking forward to this month. Let me know in the comments below!
I just wanted to comment to say how appreciative I am of your posts. My heart sings when I see a post from yourself; whether it be your beautiful outfits so perfectly styled or your fairy-tale garden! It’s almost like you’re living out every young girl dreams for us. Wandering around your wildflower garden with your dresses blowing in the breeze – ah, dreamy! Best Wishes, Sophy x
That means so much Sophy! Thank you so much x
As Marian said, I also truly value and appreciate your videos Lydia, thank you for the beautiful content you carefully create for your viewers. I have a business inquiry I sent via your contact form, however haven’t received a reply. Is there an alternative method of contact which you I may send through my inquiry?
Thank you Amy! Please feel free to email Carrie on carrie@lydiaelisemillen.com and she’ll get back to you soon! x
I adore you’re Chanel, what a wonderful life you and Ali have together, the outfits and home lifestyle are truly beautiful, I love you’re style and have been inspired to buy many outfits recommended by you, you’ve also inspired me to ….gardening although on a much smaller scale I’m tending to lovely plants and organising borders and enjoying it so much, Berkeley, Porter and Lumi are so cute to watch.
Keep being you, I look forward to new and exciting ventures ahead.
That means so much Marian. Thank you! Let me know how you get on in the garden! x
Summertime! It is always a favorite season, top four at least!
I am working this year on getting more foundations laid to build on later in the year, and for years to come. There is a two year program that I am beginning in the fall. I am SO looking forward to that!
There is also some fellowship groups that I am joining this summer to build relationships and grow in my local community. I am really looking forward to continuing to receive the guidance and surrendering everything to the best this year brings.
I am starting to be more interested in finding a life coach as well.
Well into my thirties I finally have an idea of what I want to give from my life!
Malinda, this was so beautiful to read. Good luck on your course! I can’t wait to hear how you get on x