Preparing For A Warm Summer 2024

Image Credit: Unsplash

{This is a collaborative post} 

As we anticipate the arrival of summer 2024, many of us wonder: will the UK experience a scorching heatwave? The good news is that weather experts expect the summer to be nice, but not uncomfortably hot. 

According to weather forecast experts, while it's expected to be warm, the likelihood of extreme heatwaves is low based on the current weather pattern. So, for anyone who remembers the heatwaves of 2022, this year isn’t expected to repeat the same phenomenon! That being said, temperatures are projected to reach the mid-30s from time to time, so you should still be looking at some heat. Yet, the word of the summer is warm and not hot, and this is precisely what we want!

So, while we may not need to brace ourselves for record-breaking heat, it's still wise to prepare for the warmth and to consider the best activities to make the most of it. Let's explore how we can get ready for a summer filled with sunny days and balmy evenings without feeling overwhelmed.

A refreshing bucket list

While the temperatures may rise, summer in the UK promises to be enjoyable without being overwhelmingly hot. It's the perfect time to create a refreshing bucket list filled with activities that celebrate the season. From family outings to pic-nics in the park to leisurely days at the seaside, there's no shortage of ways to embrace the outdoors. You can even consider planning a day of fruit picking with your loved ones, if we believe the weather forecast. 

Indulging in the simple pleasure of harvesting nature's bounty while soaking up the warm sun. Isn’t it what summer is all about? 

Super Hot Reasons to be Cheerful

I have to admit that I don't much like the heat. I'm really not built for it and unless I am on a sun lounger, under a parasol, reading a book, by the pool then I'm not interested. If I had my way, I'd just stay in and be cool, but of course with kids and especially being away from home I had to head out and make the best of it. Usually, I'd slip into a supermarket for a bit to enjoy the air-conditioning but right now with Covid and masks, I'm staying away from those as much as possible.

Despite the crazy heat here in East Sussex, it has been a great month and here are some of the things that have been making me super happy.

My Mum and Dad came to stay in the cottage we have on-site here and it was lovely to spend a whole week with them, visiting lots of open spaces.

I've had a few trips to Bodiam Castle recently as it is super close to my home. Here is Miss E feeding the ducks, they do seem to love her.

Summertime Reasons to be Cheerful #R2BC

Time just seems to have been escaping me recently. The easing of lockdown has meant that the centre where I live is slowly re-opening and this means I've been busy helping my husband get things ready and also doing the social media. Add that to my regular work, looking after the house and trying to keep the kids interested in their education and I've been a busy girl. Here is my home looking really beautiful as I drove back in at sunset the other day -

I've had some great walks out in our grounds with my kids over the last few months. Sunset is a popular time, once dinner and tidying up is done, we head off and wander. The girls go on the swing, they teach me tik tok dances and they laugh at me, it's bliss!

Hooray for Summer - 2019 Bucket List

I'm very excited that summer has finally arrived. There are only three weeks until the kids break up from school and then all the real fun can begin!

As I was thinking about summer I thought it might be fun to do a bucket list, I think its been a few years since I last did one. I'm working in my new job two days a week this summer, so I'll have to be creative how I fit in all the fun that I want to have, as there will still be my freelance work to do as well. Luckily the girls have various church camps that they'll get involved with over 3 or 4 weeks of the summer, so they won't have time to be bored.

Here's a few things I really want to do over the summer holiday -

Understanding Sun Protection Products - What Does it all Mean?

Summer Beach Set Image by Africa Photo, thanks to Shutterstock

After spending a week away in the South of France where we had mixed weather but still some horrid sunburn I’ve been prompted to write a post about sun protection products available here in the U.K. It’s a bit of a minefield really, you choose a well-known brand name like Ambre Solaire or Nivea and you assume that all is good and you have chosen well for your family but it might not be the case! Read on for a low down on what all the different terms on your packaging mean and how to make an informed choice this summer. Skin care is important for all ages.

UV Rays

There is so much information out there about the ultraviolet rays that come from the sun and it can get a bit confusing but I’ll just share the basics in layman’s terms. UV radiation from the sun comes in three wavelengths - UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC does not penetrate our ozone and thus we’re only concerned with the other two.

UVA (Ultraviolet A - long-wave)

Most of us are exposed to large amounts of UVA rays in our lifetimes and it has long been established as a cause of premature ageing and wrinkling but was less associated with damage to the epidermis (the outer layers of the skin) which is commonly associated with skin cancer.  However this is changing as newer research shows that UVA damages skin cells in the base layer of the epidermis as well as penetrating deeply.

UVA is the dominant tanning ray and whilst many of us love that brown glow our skin develops in the summer it is actually in response to our skins DNA being damaged and these imperfections can lead to skin cancer. UVA rays are present during daylight hours and they penetrate clouds and even glass.

UVB (Ultraviolet B - shortwave)

Are the rays that cause skin reddening and sunburn. They are just as damaging as UVA rays penetrating the outer layers of the skin and can significantly contribute to skin cancer.

8 Top Ideas for Sensational Summer Holidays Activities

Thanks to my husband for this fab photo

{This is a collaborative post}

The summer holidays are fabulous but they can also be a little challenging when thinking about how to entertain the kids for six (or more) long weeks.

It is great to go on holiday and have some days out but realistically you don't want to be spending tons of money every day, so some thrifty ways to enjoy time at home or locally are important.

1.  Go open air swimming -
We are super lucky to have a lake where we live but even in our old house there was a great stream where everyone met in the Summer months and as a kid I swam in the local Ford. If you google your local area you are bound to come up with some great places to go swimming or paddling with the kids but remember to play it safe.

2.  Cook with the Kids -
Are there any children that don't like to get messy in the kitchen and of course, they all love to taste their bakes afterwards? We love to use up overripe bananas by cooking Banana muffins or bread but sometimes it is just too hot and you need cooling down and this BFG-inspired Snoozecumber ice cream would hit the mark. My girls are pestering me to make these ice-cream cone cupcakes for their next birthday and I have to say they look amazing.

3.  Take a day out to a National Trust Property -
There are some great deals to be had on National Trust family membership and I'd seriously say don't knock it until you have tried it. My three kids are all of the hyper sorts and they adore running around the grounds and exploring the great play areas. Sites we have particularly loved have been Chartwell, Kent, Attingham Park, Shropshire and Dunster Castle, Somerset.

4.  Get Crafting -
Myself and the kids do enjoy crafting but we are not the image-perfect kind of crafters you see on Pinterest. We often love to just empty out the bag of recycling and do some junk modelling or sit with a floor full of papercrafts and make some greeting cards, It doesn't have to be complex to engage the kids. If you are one of those more crafty types then why not try out making a mosaic tray, I think this one is just stunning.

5.  Camp in your Back Garden -
I think all kids love camping outside, or at least the idea of it, so pitch your tent in the back garden and grab a good book and some snacks and have an outdoor sleepover. If your child can't face the great outdoors then have an indoor camp. My girls adore taking over the lounge and making it into a huge camp that I let them sleep the night in. For a different camping adventure, send them to a summer track and field camp. These camps offer structured programs where children can learn and develop skills in various track and field events, such as running, jumping, and throwing. It's a fantastic way for kids to stay active, make new friends, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Plus, the excitement of participating in track and field activities can be a refreshing change from more traditional summer pastimes.

6.  Travel further afield for a couple of days -
There have been some summers when we haven't been able to take a long family holiday for one reason or another but we have had many great 2 or 3-day breaks away. To help make these super affordable we normally book a long time in advance and go for one of the budget hotels like Premier Inn or Travelodge. We used to live in Herts and often go back up there to visit friends and family and it is great to re-visit our favourite days out like Willows Activity Farm or the Harry Potter Studios Tour. Somewhere that we never did visit when we were local as Hitchin Lavender, but I see so many people sharing photos from there that it is on my hit list for the next time we visit.

7.  Get their Imaginations Going in the Garden -
Your garden really can be a playground for your children. As long as you don't mind some clutter and a bit of a muddy mess then the kids will have a ball I assure you. At age 9 my girls still love to make mud pies with their little neighbours and I delight in watching them all run around together. Rope, old tyres, pallets, buckets and spades and plain old mud make for super fun times.

8.  Go out for a Photo Walk -
This is one of my girl's favourite things to do. Miss E opted for a good camera for her birthday but Miss M is happy with my old point-and-click. I adore watching them find all the little things in nature that make my heart sing. You don't need to live in the beautiful countryside like I do, town walks and even industrial walks can be fun if you set some challenges about what photos to capture.

Of course, the queen of fabulous ideas which won't break the bank is Cass at Diary of a Frugal Family and here she shares 100 fun and frugal ideas, go take a peek.

I bet you are feeling a bit more confident now and ready to tackle the rest of the summer, enjoy!

Looking forward to the summer...

As the summer holidays fast approach there is a palpable level of excitement rising in our house. This is the busiest time of the year for my dh so he is not so much excited as on high alert but the kids and I are on countdown. We have 13 days left at school as I write this and on the one hand it just feels too long, but on the other I need that time to complete my long to-do list and to be able to free myself up for six weeks of fun and laughter.

Last week JJ had his three transition days for secondary school and he loved it, him and his friend were convinced they could not go back to primary school for the last couple of weeks as they were 'just too big now!' However, we have a few key events left at school before they leave: last parents evening, last report, the school performance of the Wizard of Oz and the sure-to-be sad leavers assembly.

How does your garden grow - July

This months How Does Your Garden Grow post is all about the walled garden here at my home. Since late may we have been having a bumper crop of cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes and the like.  It all tastes so much better when it is grown organically and of course the fact that I don't actually have to tend to it is a big plus point from my point of view.  I get to do the best bit - eat it!

Linking up with Annie over at Manneskjur.

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What does a plus-size woman wear in the summer?

Photo by AllGo - An App For Plus Size People on Unsplash

The summer has well and truly arrived in the UK and if you are a plus-sized woman like me then this brings with it a whole new set of challenges! What on earth should I wear in such hot weather? How do I stay cool but not show off every lump and bump?

I have to be honest from the start and say it does not bother me what you wear, if you are an adult then you can make your own decisions and if you want to get all your flesh on show then go for it - enjoy! I'm not writing this post to make anyone feel bad, I was just generally musing how difficult I find it to dress in the hot weather.

For me, I have body hang-ups, lots of them and I know I'm not supposed to.  I'm either supposed to get tough on myself, do something about this blob I have become or I should embrace my figure and love myself. I do battle in this area constantly, especially as a Christian.  I have real guilt trips over being a fatty and I pray that I will be able to hand this issue over to the Lord and do the footwork so that I can be free of this bondage. For me, weight is a massive battle,  as you'll know if you have followed this blog for any length of time.

The bible tells me that God loves me just the way I am and that He knows everything about me but that does not stop me getting all confused and feeling like I have let Him down by allowing myself to become so overweight. It is good to remind myself what God said in His Word -

I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3)
For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27)
I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40)
For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39)

How to make sandcastle flags (for the non-crafty family)

If we are honest I am a little late getting this post up on my blog but seeing as we are having an Indian summer right now, I'll go for it.

Here is an easy crafty activity that I do with the kids each summer. I am not at all a crafting guru and this is super simple and hardly costs a penny, so any regular mum like me can have a go!

Every child I have met so far seems to love playing with sand and of course a trip to the beach is even more fun.  I recall wonderful times as a child going to the seaside with my family and I have very fond memories of making sandcastles with my Dad.  He is a bit of a sandcastle hero really and even now 30 years later he is still enjoying making them but with my kids now.

Whilst Dad mostly did the hard work digging moats and crafting the multi layer castles I always enjoyed the final decoration and would collect shells and stones and also place small flags on the sandcastles.  We used to buy a little pack of these flags and I recall they used to be pretty expensive.  When JJ was first old enough I knew I wanted him to have the fun of flags too but I did not want to spend out on them, so each year we sit down and make some flags. Here's how.....

The Summer that was.....

It feels like this summer has gone exceptionally fast and while I am now ready for the kids to go back to school (tomorrow morning, yay!) I want to acknowledge just how great it has been.  The children are now at a good age for having fun and once Miss M has grown out of this minxy stage (do we ever think that may happen?) things will be perfect.

So here we go - a post to look back over when I am 60 and I can say to my grandchildren, oh look what I did with your parents when I was 38/39.

This was the summer that -

*  we ventured up North on holiday for the first time and yes the journey was far too long and the kids did bicker and constantly ask 'are we nearly there yet!' but the lodge was divine and we had a great time. Ohh how the girls loved that kiddie disco each night.

*  my girls learnt to shop..... yay, partners in crime established! Most of it was in charity shops and the sales so we were thirfty but Miss M loves trying things on and wanting to pay with her own money.

*  involved lots of time for relaxing with my family and getting a nice tan, well on my top half anyway. The legs are still lilly white! I think I would be hard pushed to try and count the amount of parks I sat in this summer.