A few years ago I did a photography course and practised taking photos using a 50mm lens to get closer and to work on composition and light conditions. I imagined a mood, a fragment of a story and created a tableau. These days I like to step back a bit sometimes; what we see every day is deeper and wider and the surprises are lovely like the curve of the stone circle, but my newly painted shed looked meh taken further back so I did a vignette with the table and some plants. Rainy days and dusk at this time of year give a soft luminous quality that makes everything look better.
June is the month for roses in the UK though my only rose Narrow Water has been in flower for a couple of weeks already. I like to have a few buds in a stone bottle on the kitchen table and collect petals to make rose water and infuse almond oil.
The recipe goes something like this: Put a handful of petals in a bowl and pour just enough boiling water to cover. Crush the petals with a fork and allow to cool. Pour the rose water into a bottle and use it to clean and soothe the skin. I love this in the morning straight from the fridge. For the oil, crush rose petals in a mortar and add almond oil this time. Pour into a jar or bottle and screw on the lid. Keep in a warm cupboard for at least 2 weeks swirling the oil from time to time. The petals will release their scent and infuse the oil. Use to cleanse and condition the skin. You can strain both the water and the oil but I prefer to keep the petals floating in suspension. The rose water will keep for a few days and the oil is good for months.
If you prefer vintage items over brand new you’ll like this month’s recommendations. I know some of you are queens of charity shops and on-line markets but I thought I’d share some haunts for when you’re feeling too tired for a rummage or you’re looking for something specific and beginning to doubt you’ll ever find it. The red café table is a good example, it needed to be small for my petite garden but I could only find 6 seaters or larger. This metal one is old but sturdy with some wear, and in a nice colour. We were delighted when we unpacked it.
The shop is the first link and I often look at the country vintage site which is the second one.
• vintage finds on ebay, love these little pots used to collect pine tree sap in western France,
• some treasure here too, I was tempted by this enamel coffee pot.
I’ve been reconsidering the voice over experiment for Letter from … and am thinking about something new, book recommendations on video perhaps. I’d like to talk about Sarah Winman’s Still Life next time so if you’ve read it please do tell me your thoughts.
Finishing with another from further back photo. This garden is on the site of the house Shakespeare bought in Stratford upon Avon with money from his theatre. It’s called New Place and has a lot to see and enjoy. This wilder part of the garden makes a great picnic spot too. We may look for another rose for next year, perhaps the one called William Shakespeare which some of my students gave me on Leavers’ Day. We left him in the old garden, lovely deep red, a little frill and a defining button.
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Until next time,
Francey
You’ve summed up June wonderfully . I always feel peaceful reading your posts, thank you.
Thanks Caroline.
Francey 🧡