Now that summer is officially, though not really, over I’m loathed to see it go because this is one of the best summers I’ve had in a long time possibly since the pandemic and it did not involve getting on a plane. I did, on occasion, but not as much as I’ve done in the past. I’m a wild summer child and an Autumn love child; my heart lays with autumn but flirts with the summer. I typically don’t care one way or another as long as the sun is shining and Mother Nature is doing what she ought to do in the season. Mother Nature? I’m a big fan of her getting to live as she ought to, and for the summer I simply want her to shine bright. Give us worm days and short nights. Barbecues in the garden and rosé for days.
This summer was just that and then some. I loved it, I loved it all.
I loved…
Pies: baking is my happy place, and I am forever on the hunt for a perfect blueberry pie. I don’t much like blueberries as fruit, but I love what they do trapped between layers of dough so this season I’ve been perfecting my lattice dough and playing with flavours. I’m cackhanded so the lattice will take a bit of practice but so far, the flavours are working.
Pecan pie! I am forever obsessed with a pecan pie; I love it so. Yes, it’s a winter staple but a pie ought to be for life. I’m the kind of person who has spreads in her pantry and her fridge pecans!! I have so many bags of pecans I would say flavour wise I’m there. Crust wise, so there. Knowing when the pecan pie is done, you know that jiggle test.. nearly there.
Garden hangs: I get to spend more time with my nephews in the back garden and it was pure bliss.
Barbecue: the above is always precipitated by the summer barbecue. This summer besides being good has been one that made me more cognisant of life’s good fortunes and the glory of God so whenever we can get together and do these things, I don’t take these moments for granted.
Cosy murders: I recently discovered the Madame Blanc mysteries on Netflix, and this is the perfect cosy crime series ever. A woman heads to the middle of France following her husband’s death only to find out that not all is as it seems; he’s been married to another woman whilst also being married to her. Her living in Manchester and him going back and forth to Saint Victoire was a convenient situation. She’s got an eye for art and antiques and a brain for solving murders. Si parfait.
Crime and Romance: two tropes besides romance I absolutely love, R.L. Killmore has been such a charming find. Listening to 26 Beauties by James Patterson is also perfect.
Mondays at the museum: on occasion I’ve taken a Monday or two off and popped into a museum to see an exhibition and I love it so much. Mondays are the worst, I don’t like them nor am I a morning person therefore me on a Monday is just the world’s worst nightmare so I’ve taken to switching things up taking the random Monday off work to see an exhibition or watch a movie and so far it’s working.
Paris: I have loved going to Paris on short jaunts this summer season, I was there for a hot 12 hours just last week to see Jay – Z in concert. Dare I say it, I am having a love affair with Paris and I love this for us.
Girl dinners: the art of whipping up something quick and easy has long been a dream of mine to stop ordering my favourite cheap Chinese look into my pantry and cook something for one. So far so good. Maybe most pastas and spaghetti but I’m loving it. See this golden spaghetti recipe for evidence. Perfection.
The Summer Cafe: What is the summer cafe you ask? I went on a baking spree and gathered my nieces and nephews and friends for pastries at home all baked by me. And some mimosas for adults too. And a summer cake. It was perfection.
Slow mornings: I’ve loved waking up with the sun; slow and lazy. As an insomniac my sleep pattern is off in the summer but lying in bed and watching the sun dance against my wall as she rises is something I can never take for granted in the summer. It’s the silver lining