Getting Fresh...

Cherry Menlove is passionately dedicated to the lives of homemakers and in making life more simple and beautiful. Tune in weekly for her inspirational tips and advice that celebrate every aspect of the domestic arts, homemaking, cooking, crafting, gardening and decorating.

You’ll also find Cherry - the UK’s answer to Martha Stewart – online writing her blogs: Tales from Pixiewood, Cherrys English Kitchen and L’Influence.

This summer hasn’t been the warmest on record (by any stretch); in fact in some circles people (determined to stay in sandals) are putting their heating on for an hour or so simply to warm the toes.

I for one am far too British to be one of the radiator brigade and since returning from the warmer climes of LA, am determined to stay perky and make the most of these warmer (if wet) summer months, even if that means staying out of the sandals...

Give in to the heating and you may as well admit defeat. Now it may be wet but it’s not (quite) freezing so open your bedroom windows (fresh air will ensure a clearer night’s sleep) and doors and keep your home as fresh (and as summery) as possible for a bit of time during every day.

If you really can’t bear the chill then don’t reach for the thermostat - it’s not good for the environment and it’s certainly not good for your bills - reach instead for a delicious cashmere wrap. You’ll get far more warmth for your money and, you’ll look divine.

And where possible, don’t deter from doing summer season things. Make some fun out of all this misery.

If a picnic was in the diary then don't disappoint; arrange candle light for two or tell the friends it’s on. Push back the furniture, get out the picnic rug and all that new and used Vegware (THE answer to sustainable picnicking apparatus and cutlery) and lay out a wonderful spread, inside.

Decorate your picnic rug accordingly. Brave the rain and collect a posy of flowers from the garden for the centre piece and rustle up something yummy.

Conjure up a medley of seasonal salads: a Thai Beef Salad, a Greek Salad and some roasted vegetables mixed with cous cous and served with a little tzatziki.

And if you're entertaining little ones then add a finishing touch to pudding or even tea time picnics (the latter are far more fun for them too) with some of my Flying Fancies – food decoration with an undeniably summery feel.

Finally stock up on plenty of Pimms or, if fancy something a little more sophisticated (I’m really rather partial to bubbles) then St Germain, an elderflower liqueur is the cocktail ingredient du jour. Add a splash to a glass of fizz or to a jug of white wine, soda and ice and you’ll wonder how ever survived without it.

Prop the door open, wrap up in your cashmere and picnic to your heart’s content safe in the knowledge that there will be NO rain breaks.

And chin up, they’re plenty of people far worse off and there’s always the excitement of next year.

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