What little things make your life just a bit lovlier? Heatwave edition.

[Nangula]

Life is going on as normal here in rural Essex (except my Labradors apparently now live under the laurel hedge and only come out for food)

A few nice things we’ve done to make the heatwave a little more bearable:

Bought the nice ice lollies (Hackney Gelato strawberry from Waitrose)

Going for a swim at the gym in my lunch hour (wfh) but none of that actual gym nonsense beforehand

I don’t like to waste water and our trough has dried out but I’m putting the sprinkler on the new bed I planted up near our outdoor table to keep it looking good

Supper is fresh pasta, fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil and salad, which feels a bit holiday. DS’ food tech strawberry tart for after.

I don’t count buying extra fly papers and nipping into Boots for extra strong deodorant for teen boys as a treat- but life is definitely lovlier after that too!

What are we all doing to bring a bit of heatwave happiness?

I filled up the paddling pool and just went for a walk around in it during the day yesterday in my break from work
I’ve irrigated my veg garden with upturned wine bottles (google it) which feels very make do and mend and I love that
I’m sitting out on the patio in my pj’s thinking how nice my legs look with a tan, drinking my coffee in the breeze!
i sent dh to the spare room so i could sleep with all the windows open and the fan on, I’ve slept so well the last 2 nights!

I love the sun, this is a little too hot for me but I won’t moan about it, but I do always acknowledge and be thankful for the fact that I can clear my diary and work in a role that means I can take breaks and cool off.

It’s nothing I’ve done but it makes me so happy to get up in the morning and to see the sun shining every day. My walk to work is lovely too, beats the usual walk battling against wind and drizzle. And all the lovely customers who offer me sympathy for being on my feet all day in an oven keep me smiling whilst I’m melting at work!

I agree that it’s lovely to wake up and see the sun shining. I’ve been pottering about the garden in my pyjamas and the dogs came too (before the take refuge for the day in the hedge).

DD17 is sitting at the garden table eating a bowl of strawberries and yoghurt looking very happy with life.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I will google the wine bottle watering method for DS veg trug.

I had a full size caramel knock off magnum instead of the mini ones!

Had simple BBQ food 2 nights in a row - yesterday was lamb kebabs with halloumi, air fryer roasted veg and posh pittas with homemade tsatsiki it was lush

kids are camping downstairs as bedrooms too
hot and they are so excited with the novelty of it

Loving a frozen ‘hot’ water bottle as a cooling pad when WFH or trying to sleep.

Using my posh shower gel 4 times a day!

Paper fans and Aldi ice creams!

I'm currently eating my breakfast in the garden enjoying a breezy 20 degrees at 7.34.

Ice lollies
Cold showers
The cat hurtling through his catflap and flopping on the kitchen floor with his legs outstretched and his spine twice as long as usual, as if to say, 'It is SO hot out there.'
The proof we are going to get seriously good blackberry and apple crops this year. The hedgerows are brimming with berries
Shady woodland walks
Watermelon mint and feta salad
Pints of sparkling water filled with ice - and after work, a small glass of white wine tossed in to make a very weak refreshing spritzer

I bet your kids will always remember that summer when they camped downstairs because it was so hot.

I’ve been putting a wet tea towel in the fridge or freezer ( in a sandwich bag) and then wearing it around my neck.
Sitting with my feet in a bowl of cold water. Bliss!
Spraying a water mist on my face, head neck and feet then using my portable fan.
DH enjoying his favourite ice cream from the local family ice cream makers.

I have been lying on the lawn (it feels cool) reading a book. I normally never take the time to read during the day except on holiday. It felt a bit like a holiday.

Getting up at 6am, opening all the doors, blinds, windows and loft hatch to cool the house and feeling it happen.
Picked blackcurrants in the garden at 7am..watched the birds bathing and drinking in my topped up water bath.
Couscous and feta salad.
No cooking

Putting our feet in bug buckets of cold water at the end of the day
Mini tropical Twisters
Baguette, oil and vinegar with chopped fresh tomatoes for dinner
Iced water with mint and cucumber all day long
So much melon

I’ve been on some beautiful dawn dog walks.

@Nangulathe best thing about it is you need empty wine bottles 🤣

@thenewaveragebear1983 no shortage of empty wine bottles here!

Jumping in the sea at the end of the day and floating - just have to be careful of the initial shock - and then it is glorious!

What a lovely thread.

I’ve been all productive by getting up at 5/6am and exercising.
we have one of those massive stupid pools but it’s been lovely!
I have a neck fan to wear whilst wandering around the house.
Expectations are low in this house. Just keeping it all chill 😎

I’m loving the no-cook meal and refreshing drink ideas.

Am enjoying reading Jamie Oliver’s bbq book which I picked up yesterday. We’ll be cooking on the fire pit this weekend.

Air con units. Don’t know how the majority of the country haven’t caught on.

There’s been a right old drama locally on an estate where a few people had external
air con units fitted. Were assured planning not needed. Local resident complained. Legal battle ensued. Air con unit had to be removed. Absolutely shit for the family as those town houses get baking.

I had a portable one years ago but it was so bulky and noisy it didn’t get used much.

it’s just fans all the way here.

@DuchessedOrleans I have also been enjoying early morning dog walks. Yesterday I saw deer and a hare.
I also unusually enjoyed my supermarket shop. Everyone was smiling and appreciating the cool from their air conditioning.

Loving the cold foot baths too, with a small frozen bottle of water, aka giant ice cube.

Soaking then wringing out a Decathlon towel and draping it over my naked starfish body as I lie next to an open window at night. Tried it it for the first time last night and fell asleep before midnight for the first time in a week.

My colleague told me today that she puts a pillow case in the freezer then lies it over her pillow. Going to try it tonight.