It is a joy to be here in north Brittany. The daily temperature rarely reaches above 25 degrees. This year we have had less rain than usual, (my poor hydrangeas are suffering) but we are comfortable and we are safe. I have felt saddened reading about the wild fires in southern France. We considered the Gironde whilst searching for our holiday home, but the houses we could afford were too far from the beach. North Finistere had beautiful beaches and more affordable homes. 24 years later I have never felt more grateful for the choice we made. I have seen devastating photographs from the Bordeaux region, from Spain, from Scotland and most recently Suffolk. I hope people and animals are safe, I am full of admiration for the Firefighters and volunteers helping these stricken people and places.

Debora Robertson has written a particularly insightful piece on the fires and the heroism of the firefighters.

I am looking forward to a quiet August. As with many places in Europe, during this far too hot year, everything is a little ahead. I gathered my wild fennel flowers in mid July. Once they had dried I stored them in a couple of jam jars, ready to flavour roast vegetables throughout the winter.

I’ll be checking the sloes next week, I don’t want to miss making my annual Sloe Gin.

The first plums are appearing in the shops and market stalls here in Brittany. I hope to buy Greengages (Reine-Claude) and Mirabelles to eat fresh, and maybe make one or two jars of my Small Batch Jam (you can find my recipe/method in my previous post: Summer Fruit Jam.

I have cut a few flowers from the lavender, to make Lavender Sugar. I noticed the bees were buzzing around the flowers. As everything is so parched, with many flowers fading, I have left most of the lavender for the bees to gather pollen.

I pick the lavender and leave it to dry, on a windowsill under a warm window for a day or two.

I remove the flower heads from the stalks, then simply layer them in sugar, in a couple of jars. Gorgeously scented sugar for autumnal baking.

We usually have our family staying over the summer. This year it has just been my husband, myself and the dog. Our daughter has returned to the Summer Camp she worked at last year, our younger son has work commitments, which mean that he, his wife and their children are unable to take a holiday this summer, our eldest son and his wife have a brand new baby. I am missing them all.

However there is something calm with it just being the two of us, we have adopted gentle routines. I walk the dog in the morning, whilst my husband swims in the sea. We have breakfast and plan the day, maybe we’ll go shopping or out to visit a local town. The weather has been so wonderful that we have eaten lunch outside everyday. We take an evening stroll along the dunes, looking at the sunlit sea is the very best tonic for the soul. There is time to read, to cook, to think and to plan, it is wonderful to have mental space.

Of course there can be minor problems! I find that French people are incredibly polite, greeting each other as they walk past. However, during our evening walks I will say Bonsoir to someone who immediately replies, Bonjour. Thinking that is the correct greeting, I say Bonjour to the next person, who responds with a Bonsoir. I’m really not sure of the evening greeting etiquette!

I continue to be disappointed with the turtle doves (see last month’s newsletter!), despite hearing turtle doves cooing (on three separate trees) most mornings, I have yet to see them. Pigeons and collared doves are plentiful, but those shy turtle doves remain elusive.

Did you watch the new Little House of the Prairie? As it was on Netflix, I was able to watch it on my iPad (we don’t have a television here in Brittany). I know it has had mixed reviews, I thought it good. The child actors were superb, the updated storyline was sensitively told. I first read the books when I was about eight, a natural progression from Anne of Green Gables and (a probably abridged version of) Little Women. I remember loving the details of the day-to-day pioneer life of Laura and Mary, the games, the few precious toys, and the food. In the early 1970s I watched the first, original series of Little House, I absolutely loved it. I can see some re-reading of these childhood classics ahead.

Both the original series and the new series have fabulously detailed costumes. I am sure that my love of Laura Ashley dresses in my late teens and early twenties was, at least subliminally, influenced by The Little House on the Prairie. At the time I thought the dresses and clothes were based on Victorian and Edwardian fashions, but have noticed that many of the dresses I loved are now called Prairie Dresses.

I had versions of these three dresses. The high-necked long corduroy dress was absolutely ideal, especially when I was a student living in chilly rented houses. I had this pink dress! Perfect for parties and dressing up events. The summer smock was lovely for floating about in a dreamy way (though the frill was constantly catching in my bicycle chain!)

As I may I have mentioned before I love listening to plays based on books. Especially those made by BBC Radio 4. Some can be found on the Sounds App, and there are lots of collections available on Audible.

Recently (on the Audible App) have listened to The Pallisers by Anthony Trollope, E M Forster, A BBC Collection (including A Passage to India, Where Angels Fear to Tread, Howard’s End and one of my favourite novels : A Room with a View) and for some serious detecting I listened to Volume 1 of Lord Peter Wimsey. All the productions were superb, some are quite old recordings, it’s lovely to hear well known actors at the beginning of their careers.

If you’ve been reading my Substack for any length of time, you will know I am a huge fan of Georgette Heyer. I have re-read her Regency novels innumerable times, they are light, full of great historical detail; beautiful heroines and handsome heroes, there is often a problem to surmount, fortunately a happy ending is usually guaranteed.

I was delighted to learn that Heyer’s estate has given permission for ‘new’ Georgette Heyer books to be written, I am looking forward to reading Henrietta, written by Sophie Irwin. I have read two of her regency set novels and thoroughly enjoyed them.

India Knight has the first chapter of the new book available on her Substack, do go over to read it, I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

What are your August plans? Will you be on holiday or at home? Will you make jam or forage for sloes or maybe blackberries, perhaps make some lavender sugar? Most importantly will you be reading Henrietta?

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Thank you for reading, See you in September.

Judith xxx

2. Take a dip in the ocean, maybe learn to stand-up paddle board or sail.

3. Have fun at low tide, fishing with nets, or gathering seaweed for cooking.

   

4. Look for pretty seashells and stunning sea glass.

   

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5. Visit beautiful little Breton towns, especially on market days, where you can buy gorgeous local produce.

   

6. Don’t forget to enjoy lots of fresh fruit, some grown locally in Brittany or coming from further afield in France.

   

7. Eat seafood: langoustines, lobsters, clams and mussels (if you don’t want to cook, or haven’t a well equipped kitchen, you will find plenty of seafood available in delightful restaurants and bistros along the coast).

   

8. Buy some ‘Palets et Galettes’, these scrumptious Breton shortbread biscuits are utterly buttery.

   

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9. Read some Breton recipes books, maybe even try to cook a recipe or two.

   

10. Wear Breton stripes; if you can’t cope with a shirt, maybe a bag? Don’t forget to buy a string bag, perfect for vegetable shopping, and easy to pop into the smallest overnight bag.

    

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11. Pick herbs and flowers from the garden and wild fennel from the dunes, they make the prettiest bunches of flowers for the table. A jam jar or empty yoghurt will make a perfect vase.

    

12. Buy lemonade in these wonderful old fashioned bottles. Once the lemonade is finished, the bottles can be washed, filled with water and chilled in the fridge. (The bottles can be used repeatedly, I think mine are probably about 15 years old - and the bonus is that the full lemonade bottles are usually slightly cheaper than similar empty water bottles!)

    

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    Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Summer, whether at home or away.

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When I published my last Substack on July 1st, I received a message from Amy, requesting clearer instructions for making my small batch jam. I am therefore writing this extra post detailing how I make my jars of summer fruit jam.

Before I start I would like to reference Vivien Lloyd and Miranda Gore-Browne, I attended a marmalade course they ran and it gave me greater confidence to make both marmalade and jams. (You can find them both on Instagram , they are really worth following).

However Marmalade and Jam are two different entities. The first requires a couple of days, there is copious cutting of peels, some time soaking, a few hours boiling before the addition of sugar. It is also a winter preserve as Seville Oranges, bitter (non eating) fruit from Southern Spain, which are the best citrus to make perfect Marmalade, are only available for a few weeks through January and the beginning of February.

Cherie Denham and Charlotte Pike also have superb jam and other preserve recipes in their lovely books. Again follow the links in their Instagram.

I used to come to France for the summer and buy 5km boxes of apricots, the jam was delicious, but rushed, I never really prepared the fruit properly as there was just so much of it. Then of course I had jars and jars to use up.

Now I prefer to buy a smaller quantity of fruit and prepare it without any pressure.

I tend to buy 600-700 grams of soft stoned fruit. I sit down, remove the stones or pips, cut up the fruit into small pieces and weigh it until I have 500grams prepared fruit.

This jam is simple to make, it doesn’t require a special preserving pan, or a jam thermometer (these can be useful if you decide to move onto larger batches of jam production). You don’t need a special stone removing device or a fruit peeler either, just a little time.

Equipment for making simple Summer Fruit Jam

A good sized saucepan

Accurate kitchen scales

Spoons (teaspoon, tablespoon, wooden spoon)

3 jam jars with lids (spotlessly clean and sterilised)

A good knife and chopping board

Several saucers - place in the freezer before you begin making your jam

NB I have made these jams with Strawberries, Cherries and Apricots this year, other fruits may vary, I am planning to make a small batch of both greengage and mirabelle jams, when the plums are available in late summer, I will let you know how they work.

*I usually start heating the fruit and sugar about 10 minutes before the dishwasher cycle is complete, as it’s important that hot jam should go into hot jam jars!

**Summer fruit jam is delicious, it distills the essence of the fruit, I think it’s best eaten within six months, though it will keep for a year.

Don’t forget to label your jars, little batches of different fruit jams can look similar.

If you are foraging over the next month or two, I have added my Wild Blackberry and Apple Jam recipe. This is a favourite taste of my childhood, my mother made it every year. We all scrambled around brambling, she would start making the jam when we got home and we would eat some on buttered scones at teatime the following day. (You could half the recipe to make a small batch!)

I use Le Parfait jars, they are readily found in French supermarkets and online in the UK. It is easy to purchase spare lids, which have the bonus of fitting Bonne Maman jars, which ensures they can be used again and again.

I hope this has been helpful.

Happy Summer Fruit Jam making.

Judith xx

(Many apologies if this is too long to read in your email, hop over to the App, where you can read it in it’s entirety. J x)

Heatwaves: on an Atlantic Coast:

We have been in Brittany for a couple of weeks, dodging the serious heat. Despite most of France being on Red Alert (indicating extreme, dangerous heat) we have managed to avoid the worst. We are so close to the sea, that each time it begins to warm up, the cold air from the Atlantic clashes with the warm air over the country, producing mini ‘air conditioning/cooling’ events, which ensure that those old fashioned methods such as open windows to allow movement of air, blinds and awnings preventing direct sunlight, and plenty of cool water to drink, have been hugely beneficial.

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Sea Swimming:

My husband is an advocate of swimming in the ocean. Since his childhood he, his mother and his siblings dipped into the ocean throughout the year, they had a holiday home on the coast in Northern Ireland, where summer swimming was virtually compulsory. During the rest of the year they swam wherever, whenever they could, usually from golden beaches in Donegal. He was ‘wild’ swimming for many years before it became so popular. ( My daughter-in-law’s family are similar, swimming, since childhood, on holidays in Scotland and throughout the year in Norfolk.) since they were tiny, my own children have all found sea swimming preferable to pools and lidos, I can see my grandsons will be the same, with Grandma (I am the only member of the family who does NOT favour cold water immersion) happy to cheer from the beach, complete with towels, dry robes and energy giving biscuits, throughout the year.

Summer Food in Brittany:

During the last few weeks I have not really been cooking much, however I did boil a couple of lobster, which fed us over two days. We had (for us) classic lobster and soda bread for lunch last Saturday, followed by an incredibly, quick and easy Lobster Tagliatelle for Sunday Lunch, both were utterly delicious.

I have been using Preserved lemon on repeat this summer, it’s perfect baked with capers on top of fish, and adds a subtle highlight to salads, fish pates and smoked fish. I am so grateful to Donna Hay’s book, which is full of (essential for me) easy ideas. There are absolutely super Preserved Lemons here in France, in the Supermarket they are usually to be found with the nuts etc, just beside the fresh fruit and vegetables. I think they are superior to those we get in London, so I will be adding them to my essential take home list.

Theo Randell’s The Italian Table is another perfect summer recipe book. His Orange cake is sublime, and I have made his chicken salad at least four times. Anchovy Croutons are life changing, though as it’s so hot, I tend to use a Free Range Rotisserie Chicken, cooked at the Market or Supermarket, rather than poaching a chicken from scratch.

And we are eating variations of Greek Salad virtually every day.

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Summer Holiday Stone Fruit Jam:

I posted some Cherries I had prepared for jam making on my Instagram last week, someone asked wasn’t it too hot to cook here in Brittany? I explained, (as I mentioned above), that our tiny coastal strip here in North Finistere, is less hot than the rest of Brittany, and boiling a small batch of jam for less than ten minutes was fine.

This summer I have made small batches of Apricot, Strawberry and Cherry Jam. I prepare 500g of fruit, cutting it into small pieces, then adding the same amount of jam sugar, and leave it to macerate for several hours. As the batches are so small I am able to make the jam in an ordinary (largish) saucepan. I sterilise a couple of jars through the dishwasher, as it nears the end of it’s programme, I bring the fruit and sugar to a boil, (always ensuring that the sugar has completely dissolved!) I let the jam boil for 5 minutes and then use the wrinkle test to check for set. So far no batch had taken longer.

The jam is so fresh, it tastes like a distillation of the fruit, and is especially delicious on toast, or with muesli and yoghurt for breakfast.

I’d never eaten Cherry Jam, before, it’s a revelation. I’ll be making a further few jars to take home at the end of summer, and maybe try to bake a Black Forest Gateau in the autumn. (Now I wonder if I might need to purchase some Kirsch for that?)

Vases for Garden Flowers:

Last summer I bought these three little baskets from The White Company, in the sale. They are very sweet but didn’t really work at home. I felt that they might be more useful in a summery house, so brought them here to Brittany.

I thought they would be pretty on the table, but what to put in them? Fortuitously I had three empty Bonne Maman Chocolate jars, sitting on a shelf in the garage (they had held a chocolate/Hazelnut Spread not dissimilar to Nutella). I realised they would be ideal in the mini baskets, and voila: three pretty little vases for flowers. I think that they look especially lovely on this old tin tray, bought many years ago from Jerry’s Home Store. (Do you remember it? I bought my Warings Blender and my first Kitchen Aid mixer from there many years ago! Both the blender and mixer are still working well over 30 years later.)

Summer Reading:

I am following more and more readers here on Substack, (sometimes I feel like Alice, I’ve tumbled into Wonderland, there are so many interesting people writing here) I love hearing about the new or old books they are reading. However it does end up with a growing list of books I want to read. I have dutifully read my bookclub books, this month I enjoyed them, but the other novels I have been reading recently are a little depressing. I decided a tour around Europe was required to cheer me up and I’m now re-reading Mary Stewart’s (racy for the 1950s and 60s) novels.

I have started with Madam Will You Talk? Set in Provence with Charity dashing around in her Riley, smoking cigarettes before breakfast, drinking her lunchtime Apéros and wearing her very glamorous and up to date Nylon nightdress. (Can you imagine wearing nylon, in bed, in a Provençal summer?)

Next I am onto the Pyrenees, in Thunder on the Right, and then Savoy for Nine Coaches Waiting.

Vienna is calling, in Airs Above the Ground then I’ll visit Greece for The Moon-Spinners, My Brother Michael and This Rough Magic. The books are fun, and are also a very quick read, each one is possible to be read on a rainy day, or over two evenings.

(I’ll recommend some of Mary Stewart’s English and Scottish novels in an autumn post)

Birds in Finistere:

There is so much bird life here. Waders on the sea shore, rapters hovering over fields, sea gulls everywhere, as well as familiar garden birds and wonderful swifts darting hither and thither.

Despite regularly hearing Turtle Doves on my walks with the dog, I have yet to see one. I know they are lurking in the trees, and are very shy, however I would love to see at least one. Any ideas?

Magpies - help! There are a pair of constant visitors to our garden, they have developed a happy (for them) habit of hopping in through the open patio doors, or into the utility room when they want a change of scene. I know they are curious, but it is annoying, as they are both noisy and messy! ( Are they after the dog’s food, or do they think there is treasure to steal in the kitchen?) any ideas on how to discourage them?

Keeping things simple in July:

I am looking forward to July, despite a further predicted Heatwave.

I will be walking along the sand dunes with the dog, and hopefully at the end of the month gathering some wild fennel flowers.

I will definitely be making more small batches of Jam as the Strawberries, Apricots and Cherries continue to be wonderful for the next month or so. There are also plentiful Nectarines and Peaches, I am considering whether to try Jam or maybe a Compote with them, as they are already sweet and excess sugar may simply be too cloying.

I will be cooking more seafood, we haven’t had clams or langoustine yet, they are usually superb in July.

Of course I’ll be wearing lots of Breton stripes, no time to focus on them today, but maybe at the beginning of next month?

Thank you for reading, as I get to the end of this I suddenly find myself thinking about more things to write. I think I’ll buy a new notebook and start jotting down ideas for next month’s newsletter.

Have a wonderful July, if you are going away have a super time, if you are staying at home enjoy some quiet and peaceful days.

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Au revoir.

Judith xxx

I was listening to Add to Playlist on BBC Radio 4, the new series started with ‘Summer in the City’ by the Lovin’ Spoonful. It was the most appropriate song for the sweltering weather we’ve experienced here in London. (The programme is a super listen, I frequently discover music that is new to me, you can find the programme on the BBC Sounds app).

May was busy, full of excitement and joy. My eldest grandson celebrated his 4th birthday, his little brother his 2nd birthday, they are now joined by a baby cousin who is less than a week old.

We plan to take Champagne and Chocolate Cake to the new family once they were settled at home. (My parents started this family tradition when my younger son was born, it was such a fun way to welcome the baby into the family.)

Here’s my wrist tag, from my visit to the hospital ward earlier in the week. It’s so good to see that the baby and his parents are so well looked after.

I’m cooking from the three new recipe books I bought last month, it’s lovely to discover new flavour combinations. I was looking for something to watch on Disney+ (after the high drama and fun of Rivals!) and discovered Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations. It is a four episode series, where she cooks some of the recipes from her book Sunshine, Lemons and Sea Salt, with bonus recipes and some fabulous table settings. I am now determined to up my ‘tablescaping’ game.

How on earth did we sit exams in this heat? For me it was O’Levels, A Levels and yearly exams at University. I was thankful that for my PGCE, assessment was by essay and examiners visiting the schools to observe my teaching practice. I feel so very sorry for those people sitting examinations at the moment. Along with the government considering installing air conditioning in schools, I wonder if it’s time to look at the school year, and move exams to the winter?

Ham Fair is on 13th June, it is a lovely local ‘village’ occasion. I saw on Instagram the other day, a new prize for the dog show. Lady Annabel Goldsmith was often a judge, and awarded prizes, it’s lovely that her family want to remember her in this way.

I have jars of marmalade and bottles of Elderflower Cordial to donate to my parish stall (St Thomas Aquinas, Ham Common) . If you are visiting, pop along to say hello and buy some delicious homemade produce.

My ´middlebrow novels’ reading progresses. I read two novels by Barbara Pym this month: Excellent Women (my choice) and A Few Green Leaves (for my bookclub) They were both wonderful, I’d forgotten how much I enjoy her writing. I now intend to re-read her novels, starting with the ones I already have. I remember my mother loved them, I seem to be reading more and more novels that she enjoyed. The first three photographed are American editions, the only copies I could find at the time in 2008. She had really fallen out of favour her in the UK, in the early 2000s, I’m very glad there is a resurgence in reading Pym.

There are two super Substack posts about Barbara Pym which I have read recently: Eva Baker at Gathering Bones In Praise of the Middlebrow Novel and Anne Kennedy Smith at Cambridge Ladies’ Dining Society wrote The fascinating Miss Pym (4 May 2024).

I’m glad to say that Virago have published more of her books, there are several, new to me, books which I am looking forward to reading.

My darling dog, an elderly, retired from racing, greyhound, has found the heat difficult. I have put a desk fan in her room (aka the spare room!) Occasionally , a room with an elderly dog sleeping in it can have scent challenges, I have a solution. When I wash her duvet (and cover) I spritz the bed and bedding with perfume. Those little samples one gets, when one is buying makeup, are absolutely ideal. Her room now smells heavenly.

For various reasons we were unable to go to France at Easter, I am really looking forward to returning to Brittany in mid-June. Once our daughter is on her way to the summer camp, in Maine, where she is working this summer, we can head off to Brittany.

I am looking forward to walks on the Beach, to delicious seafood and ultra fresh, locally grown vegetables. There should be plenty of time to read, and maybe I’ll buy some Apricots to make jam and compote.

Have a lovely June, keep cool and take time to rest.

Judith x

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I saw these Lily of the Valley yesterday, as they are a traditional gift to Friends on May Day, in France, I thought I would share this snap with you. Happy May Day.

The scent of the lilacs as I walk past with the dog, is utterly intoxicating, I was saddened to note that they are gradually fading. Next April I’ll share my receipt for Lilac Sugar, it’s probably too late as we move into May.

There is still time to gather a few fronds of Three Cornered Leek, I love it chopped, like chives and sprinkled over potatoes or a tomato salad, the flowers look so pretty, they will enhance any savoury dish.

I love May, both my grandsons celebrate their birthdays, as do two of my dearest friends, whom I’ve known since those distant days of University. I have stocked up on cards and have sent good wishes to all.

Ham Open Gardens (Sunday 17th May) is a Biannual event (Petersham has the alternative year). I’ll be busy baking both Bundt and Loaf Cakes, for the Garden Teas. They are hosted in the St Thomas Aquinas Church Hall. Two years ago over 400 guests came for a cup of tea and slice of cake. The people organising are already working hard, with detailed planning, there will be a fabulous range of home-baked cakes with a cup of tea to be purchased in the Church Hall. Hopefully the weather will be fine and seating can be set up outside, as logistics become more challenging on a rainy day.

I have bought three new recipe books, each one full of wonderful ideas.

So many people on Substack and Instagram have mentioned Mark Diacano’s book Abundance, I’ve been tempted to buy it for a while. However, it was a recipe he published in The Times, Asparagus Mimosa, which I made and absolutely loved, that convinced me to buy the book. It is full of perfect seasonal dishes, this month I’m definitely making the Eldeflower Gin. His Elderflower Cordial recipe is very similar to the one I use, if you’ve not made your own cordial before, his method will ensure the perfect refreshing summer glass.

Last week I went to a talk by Helen Graham, at Honey & Co’s Studio, in Lamb Conduit Street. It was one of those delightful London spring evenings; pure Goldilocks, not too hot, not too cold, just right. I met Kate (The Cook’s Edit) and Angie (Changing Pages) (it was such a bonus to catch up with them both). Helen Graham was talking about her book Centre Piece, which is full of delicious vegetarian recipes, I have book marked at least ten that I intend to cook. One of the dishes that had been prepared for us to try, was the Beetroot, Olive and Date Tatin. I made it earlier in the week for lunch ( we ate it with a green salad and goat cheese) it was delicious.

My third summer cookery book is by a favourite chef of mine, Donna Hay. As we were unable to go to Brittany this Easter, I am missing the sea. I needed some Coastal cooking. The recipes in Sunshine, Lemons and Sea Salt, are full of fabulous flavours, everything I have made so far has been completely delicious, and I love her styling suggestions.

All three recipe books will accompany us to France next month.

I am still reading my three monthly books, one published by Virago, one Persephone and one Dean Street Press. In April I read Celia Buckmaster Village Story, Saplings by Noel Streatfield and the utterly wonderful The Diary of a Provincial Lady , by E M Delafield. (My copy was published by Virago, though the book is now available from Persephone!)

I had read the Provincial Lady before, I think I laughed even more this time. I had recently discovered Provincial Daughter, by R M Dashwood (Virago). Which I found extremely amusing. There were no more maids in the home, there were struggles with gardening and school fees, cooking was a challenge and the au pair (when she arrived) was very sweet, but really meant still more work for our beleaguered heroine.

There are so many interesting Substackers compiling wonderful lists of yet more books I haven’t read. A J Pearce often shares books, especially those written in, or about, mid - 20th century England and WW2. I thought it was one of her delightful posts that led me to these fabulous books: Henrietta’s War and Henrietta Sees it Through, by Joyce Dennys but possibly it was a link I followed from her writing. Anyway the books are really super, I loved the slightly quirky characters and the witty illustrations. I bought both books second hand, for less than £4 each, and if they had been read once by their previous owner I’d be surprised.

I have a busy midweek in May, both my bookclubs are meeting, and there is a birthday celebration inbetween. I will definitely be looking forward to relaxing in front of the television on May 15th to watch Rivals (If you missed it the first series is available on Disney).

It looks as though this series involves Polo. We have two Polo grounds near us, Ham Polo and the new Richmond Park Polo. Both easily accessed from central London if you are interested in learning more.

My daughter and I have re-watched The Devil Wears Prada, I have read the book (I found a great paperback copy in one of those lovely free libraries, just along the road) in preparation for seeing The Devil Wears Prada 2 at the weekend.

Wishing you a delightful May, hopefully not too many showers, just a little rain during the night would be ideal.

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The clocks may have changed, but not the weather. (Early morning Sunday 29 March.)

{This newsletter may be too long for email, you can read it on the App!}

Given the wintery weather, I’m expecting April showers, but really hoping for spring sunshine and warmth.

An A-BUN-DANCE of Bunnies 🐇🐇🐇🐇

We usually spend Easter in France, but decided on England this year. [If you are spending Easter at home Kate at The Cook’s Edit has some scrumptious ideas for a delicious feast.]

I’m keeping our Easter meal simple, some salads, with a little chicken, salmon and my favourite devilled eggs. There will be my go to carrot cake and brownies for pudding, followed by cheese and fresh fruit. I’m particularly looking forward to the brownies as I gave up chocolate for lent!

Rather than ice the brownies, I decorate them with the tiniest flecks of edible gold!

This month I will be swapping winter weight scarves and jumpers, for lighter, brighter options. I have plenty of silk scarves and really need to start wearing them in a more interesting way. I have several mini Hermes ‘how to books’ as well as a set of instructional cards. Over the spring and the summer I am challenging myself to do more than simply throw a scarf around my neck.

Did you watch Love Story on Disney? I kept reminding myself that had they lived, John Jr, Carolyn and her sister Lauren would all be in their sixties now, they were the same generation as me. Recently I’ve read several articles about fashion in the 90s, particularly Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style, I found myself digging out my tortoiseshell hairbands, slides and combs, I must wear them again.

I read my three (Virago, Persephone and Dean Street) books, for March.

So many of the novels that I have been reading during my challenge, are set either during, just before or shortly after the two World Wars. Both these periods in history were such important times for women, it gave them space to work outside the home and younger women the chance to be independent. Several of the novels are set in London during the Blitz, including Spam Tomorrow, I am going to go to see Beauty and Destruction: Wartime London in Art at the Imperial War Museum

There are two further exhibitions I intend to visit this month.

At the Serpentine Galleries in Hyde Park I want to see David Hockney’s A Year in Normandy. A few years ago I bought a set of postcards featuring some of the artwork, and would love to see everything full size in a gallery.

I especially love the Hay Bales, they remind me both of Monet and Constable.

When there are polls asking about favourite art works in the UK, Whistlejacket is usually in the top twenty.. it is a painting I absolutely love, I always go and look at it when I go to the National Gallery. I am definitely going to see Stubbs: Portrait of a Horse, which concentrates on Whistlejacket’s contemporary Scrub. (I hope there are postcards and posters!)

Whistlejacket and Scrub

For various reasons my aim to read the Brontes has faltered. It maybe because last month I found Wuthering Heights so dreadfully unpleasant , the wish to read all novels the sisters wrote has vanished.

I do love mystery/detective fiction (preferably without too much graphic detail)I absolutely loved Nancy Drew as a child. Childhood reading so often influences our adult choices, I’m always happy with detectives who puzzle out the answers (and with authors who ensure the detective will reach the correct conclusion!)

Two authors I have been reading over the last couple of years are Simon Mason and Bernard O’Keefe, a new book featuring their detectives is published annually. They have a tally of five each at present.

O’Keefe’s books are set in Barnes, which is quite local to me, his detective Garibaldi even went to the same school as my sons!

There really is only one biscuit choice when reading these books!

Mason’s novels (which are slightly darker) are set in Oxford and feature two police detectives. DI Ryan Wilkins and DI Ray Wilkins, despite the same surname, the two could not be more different. As a fan of Morse’s Oxford, I’m enjoying discovering a more modern Oxford.

I started this last night; shocking and relevant.

Of course I can’t sign off without mentioning the latest iteration of wonderful Jane Austen… my daughter and I are absolutely loving The Other Bennet Sister on the BBC, we have three more episodes to watch. Read the book and watch the TV series, a delightful Easter treat.

I’m rather hoping that we can eat outside on Easter Sunday. This was our table during the Covid Lockdown, we were so fortunate that we had a particularly warm spring that year.

Happy Easter, enjoy April, see you next month.

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February has been quiet. I managed to continue reading widely. As well as my self set challenge (see my January post for details) I read Wuthering Heights, but decided against the film. (I found the cruelty, which runs through the book, quite shocking, Laura Thompson writes about Emily Bronte’s cruelty to her dog, also shocking, in a recent post) I am going to continue reading a Bronte a month, and have Villette lined up next.

I read this article by Dominika who writes at Gathering Light, about Maura Laverty, I simply had to order the books. They are both wonderful, I think they’d be perfect for reading in March (as St Patrick’s Day ☘️ in on the 17th). Although the novels are set in early 20th Century Ireland and Spain, there were enough similarities of her experience boarding with Nuns, to remind me of my own convent schooling in the 1970s. We also wrote home once a week, and could not seal our letter until a nun had read it! The description of the food Delia’s Grandmother prepares is mouth wateringly wonderful, if you’re interested in Irish recipes then Cherie Denham’s two recipe books The Irish Bakery and The Irish Kitchen, are both worth reading and more importantly, cooking from.

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I mentioned my favourite Le Parfait preserving jars in my last post. They are widely available in French Supermarkets, I did buy some new ones in January for my marmalade marathon, but I do recycle them regularly. As they are made from a good quality glass they wash perfectly. For jams and other preserves (pickles, mincemeat etc) I buy new lids to ensure a good seal. However, I am very happy to reuse lids in my pantry cupboards.

A year’s supply of Seville Orange Marmalade.

I think the lids are perhaps the best thing - they can be purchased separately from the pots, which is extremely useful. Not only do they fit Le Parfait and Bonne Maman jars, I have found they fit the jars both of the fish soup and the chestnuts that I buy regularly in France. I now have fabulous recycled storage jars in my cupboards, I think the jars are perfect, looking both uniform and quite chic, with their pretty orange or green lids!

India Knight mentioned the recent radio adaptation of Gone With the Wind, which is available on the BBC Sounds App. I was uncertain about listening to it, but Rachel Joyce’s adaptation is thoughtful and considerate. I would recommend listening to it in conjunction with Opening Lines (also on the sounds App) which I have found useful.

I have also been listening to Shedunnit, a podcast about Golden Age Detective Fiction. It is available on various Podcast Apps and BBC Sounds, there is a vast backlog, which I am gradually working through. Caroline Crampton is particularly good on Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Josephine Tey, Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh, she has also introduced me to new authors and reminded me to go back to Georgette Heyer’s detective fiction. I’ve re-read four so far this year!

I am now reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, following a recommendation from Nancy Wallis . I’ve followed Nancy for ages on Instagram and love her posts here on Substack. I was delighted when she told me she has ordered Miss Pettigrew after my suggestion, I hope she enjoys it.

A few seasonal things to do in March:

If you haven’t yet tried forcing some blossom, it is a lovely thing to do. Remember to only take one or two branches, and not from a private garden or property. Pop the branch into some water and over the next week or so, watch the blossoms unfurl.

Early March: Bake a Simnel Cake.

March 15th: Mothering Sunday, a special day to enjoy with one’s children and grandchildren.

March 17th:: St Patrick’s Day baking , some of my favourites are a Guinness Bread, a Boiled Cake and pretty little Shamrock Pies.

A walk beside the river, enjoy the spring weather and more blossoms.

Later in the month start decorating for Easter.

(I do have some photos to illustrate this little list, but I can’t add them at the moment, as I’m already running late, I had better post without them, many apologies! I will see if I can make a small post tomorrow)

See you next month.

Judith x

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Stormy days in Brittany!

The end of each month creeps up on me. I read other people’s Substack posts throughout the month, thinking to myself, “I absolutely agree… I hadn’t thought of that… so fascinating… maybe not for me… I’m not so sure “

Whatever I think, I’m always impressed, they have sat down, they have put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), they have written. Whilst once again I have little idea what exactly to write in this little monthly missive.

The title of my Substack is Scrumptious Seasons, originally I perceived it as a continuation of my food blog, posting seasonal recipes. However I have wandered away from that, now I mention my monthly reading, exhibitions I’ve visited, flowers in vases, and so on.

I think I will continue with the reading notes, books are such an essential part of me. I was fortunate to go to university in the time of grants, and had to occasionally pinch myself, even then in the very early 1980s, I was getting ´paid’ to read (for a degree in English and History)…. for three years. My part of the bargain was to attend lectures, seminars and tutorials, submit essays and at the end of the year sit a few exams. I loved it, I read novels (or poetry and plays) every day, those that were set, everything else I could find that the author/poet/playwright had written, plus many, many novels written during the periods I was studying in History. It was such a privilege, something I appreciate even more, as my daughter studies for her degree with annual fees nearing £10,000 a year.

Flowers are simply joyful, something we all need at the moment, they’ll remain.

And I will endeavour, as far as possible, to write more about seasonal cooking and eating! (The ideas below should all be perfect for February).

Blinis: an indulgent treat

In a previous post I may have mentioned my family’s traditional Christmas starter: smoked salmon, quails eggs and caviar. Due to my long lasting flu virus this winter past, I decided to keep things simple and we ate canapés instead. I realised that the tin of Arenkha Caviar (purchased from Waitrose) had not been breached. We brought it with us to Brittany and have had several lovely light suppers: blinis with crème fraiche and Arenkha, and a glass of Crèment (a fabulous Champagne substitute, widely found in France, and becoming more popular in the UK!). I think this would be perfect for Valentine’s Day, maybe watching a gentle, fun romance on the TV, or listening to your favourite playlist at a candlelit supper table. *

*as blinis are mini pancakes, these might be fun for a Romantic Shrove Tuesday too!

Mont d’Or with Roasted Vegetables + Vegetables and Cheese Frittata

When shopping last week we were thrilled to see Mont d’Or cheese which is still available. I roasted some Breton Cauliflower, seasoned with spices including cumin, cardamon, coriander, ginger and ras el hanout , along with Sandy Carrots and New Potatoes, meanwhile I baked the cheese. It was utterly delicious, the very best Cauliflower Cheese.

At home I generally cook for three to four people, my daughter is home most evenings after university and she sometimes brings a friend, switching to cooking for two has been a challenge, we are often left with left overs. My husband suggested a Frittata, having recalled a food article by India Knight, (her Substack is wonderful, as is her new book: Home ) saying that anything could go into a frittata.

I gently fried an onion and some garlic, added the chopped vegetables. Once warmed through I added beaten eggs, with cubed Mont d’Or, grated Parmesan and some previously cooked lardons. This cooked on the stove top for a few minutes then into the oven for a further 12 minutes. It was superb with a wonderful, fresh green salad.

A simple midweek lunch (or supper)

Following the Frittata we now had left over lettuce! ( even in winter we can buy the most delicious, fresh lettuces in our local supermarket - so superior to the bagged salads in London - and with more crunch!) We decided our old favourite, Toasted Goat Cheese with Salad would make a delightful lunch. We were fortunate, the baguette for the toast was just the right size for the sliced cheese. This meal takes moments to make, it is a perfect midweek lunch or supper. For added flavour (and colour) we crush some red peppercorns in the pestle and mortar, then sprinkled as required over the toasted cheese. The salad dressing was simple: olive oil, cider vinegar, some bord de mer honey, a teaspoonful of mustard and a little crushed garlic. I made it in an empty honey pot, it can be stored in the fridge and refilled as and when required. I would have added parsley had we had some.

Making Marvellous Marmalade

One of the highlights of January and early February is making marmalade. It’s incredibly satisfying to produce jars of golden orange spread, and know that, if well stored, it will last for at least a year. There is plenty of advice about making marmalade, I thought Lucy Deedes Marmalade post, a week or so ago was very useful.

I take my time, allowing the fruit to soften over a day or two. The most intense, nerve racking part, is testing for the set, it has to be at the Goldilocks moment, not too set (orange toffee), not too runny (very sweet orange juice) but absolutely just right, it is worth it! *

Being away from home for a couple of weeks has meant plenty of time to read.

I started the month with my (self imposed) reading challenge (see January’s post for details.) I found Chelsea Concerto incredibly moving, there was no self pity, despite the dreadful losses suffered during the blitz. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, is utterly wonderful, clever and witty as well as full of romance (it would be a perfect read over Valentines weekend.) And Black Narcissus, well that was something else, I found the characters quite unsympathetic, it was atmospheric and fascinating. Definitely of it’s time.

My daughter had brought me a beautiful Penguin Clothbound edition of Jane Eyre for Christmas , I realised I hadn’t read it since my mid-teens. There were whole sections I had completely forgotten, it was far more gothic than I had recalled. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This month I’m going to dip into these two John Sutherland books, I really do want to know if Jane Eyre Can be Happy and was Heathcliff a Murder? then I’ll reread Wuthering Heights, before my daughter and I go to see the new film in the cinema.

Aren’t the cover photos fabulous? Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff, Joan Fontaine and Orson Wells as Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester.

I watched the new Netflix film of The Seven Dials Mystery, the period was so well portrayed and the acting was superb, but the changes to the story I found disappointing. I re-read both the novel and its predecessor The Secret of Chimneys, which were both light, but good fun.

Did you watch Hamnet? I went with my daughter and my husband and absolutely howled. The only time I cried more was as a four year old watching Lady and the Tramp, My poor mother was mortified, we had just moved house, a new neighbour with a daughter of a similar age suggested a trip to the cinema. My lovely mother had arranged a babysitter for my younger sister and baby brother and set off looking forward to a couple of hours with her eldest child. I proceeded to cry within five minutes of the film starting and continued until the end. Nearly 60 years later I did the same thing at Hamnet, fortunately my husband and daughter had anticipated the floods of tears and were far less embarrassed than my mother had been. (It is another book I intend to re-read.)

In February a little romance is required, I will undoubtedly read one or two of my favourite Georgette Heyers maybe a Mary Stewart. I’m also going to read this super sounding book In Love with Love by Ella Risbridger. We can be a little dismissive about Romantic Literature, however romantic novels, both old and new, often have truths within them, and should there be a happy ending, how much better for both the heroine and the reader.

I have just finished a delightful novel, No Oil Painting, by first time author Genevieve Merenghi. It’s set in our local national trust property : Ham House. An amusing story about a 70 year old volunteer who plans to steal a painting. I really enjoyed the setting and once I’m home, I am going to visit the House to view ´the scene of the crime’.

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When I’m back in Richmond, I will be filling the kitchen with herbs and flowers. Last year I started using my copper conserving pots as flower containers, they look especially lovely with such seasonal beauties as daffodils.

Recently, in The Times, Caitlin Moran wrote about fish kettles; how many of us have them lurking, no longer used, stored in a box in the garage, under the stairs or in the shed. She said she had turned her’s into a plant container! What a brilliant idea. I bought several pots of herbs from the supermarket, they sit on the lift out fish shelf and the new ‘Herb Container’ looks fabulous.

This month I’ll be replenishing my herb containers, filling the house with daffodils. I will read my monthly Virago, Persephone and Dean Street Press Novels, some Romance, the John Sutherland books and Wuthering Heights. I’ll be helping at a local St Valentine’s Day celebration, baking (and helping to eat) a birthday cake. Making my favourite drop scones for Shrove Tuesday and appreciating the days becoming slightly lighter.

Have a wonderful February, thank you for reading.

*I’ve run out of time, next month I’ll write about my favourite jam/marmalade pots: Le Parfait, which I buy here in France.

A Bientôt

Judith xxx

I hope you have had the loveliest Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I love the Twelve Days of Christmas, carrying us through into the New Year. Each day should be relished and fully enjoyed. I find myself envying Europeans who continue to celebrate Christmas until Candlemas (The Presentation of Our Lord) at the beginning of February.

The crib in the Cathedral of St Pol de Leon, Brittany. It is on display until Candlemas. I particularly love the Ox and Ass, though I think the real star is the Camel.

One highlight from December was a weekend away, with my bookclub, for our Jane Austen 250th Birthday celebrations. We visited her grave in Winchester Cathedral and the home she shared with her mother, her sister Cassandra and their friend Martha Lloyd, in Chawton. It is incredible to see the little table where she sat and wrote, with a quill pen, producing six of the most wonderful and influential novels in the English Language.

Most of the month passed in a blur. Despite having had my Covid and Flu vaccines in October, I still succumbed to two bouts of the Flu during December. I completely understand how the hospitals were filling up, without the vaccination I’m sure I would have been far more poorly and possibly have had to visit the local A & E! I have sipped so much lemon and honey over the last few weeks!

Laetitia in her wonderful Substack ‘Nothing Important’ has written an incredibly useful (and important) guide to keeping coughs and sneezes away. I am definitely going to follow much of her advice!

By Christmas itself I was beginning to feel better, I made a few short cuts to my usual food preparations, for instance I bought a Marks and Spencer Yule Log, rather than making my own Buche de Noel. (A sprinkling of icing sugar, my traditional robin and three mini Colin the Caterpillars, made it absolutely acceptable!)

We had a fabulous couple of days over Christmas. I organised the Nativity at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve. The children who participated were wonderful , beautiful clear voices, and despite diminished numbers, we had full representation: The Holy Family, The Angel Gabriel, The Shepherds, A Star and the Three Kings. I was able to sneak my grandsons in as extra, very tiny shepherds. It was a wonderful celebration and our little Church was packed to overflowing.

Christmas Day itself was lovely, with the whole family gathered. Lots of lovely gifts, delicious food and the very best of company!

Due to my on going battles with the flu and the resulting exhaustion, (I’m writing this at mid-day with a hot water bottle, warming cashmere socks and a wrap,) I have revisited my Twentieth Century (middlebrow - with some highbrow and maybe one or two lowbrow) Reading Challenge for next year, I have reduced my list from 60 Twentieth Century Woman Authors, to a (slightly less challenging, more manageable) 46 Female Novelists.

I have chosen 12 novels published by Virago, 12 published by Persephone Books and a further 12 published by Dean Street Press. (Furrowed Middlebrow). I am planning to read one from each publisher per month, allowing time in between for reading my Bookclub books, newly published novels I might see reviewed (in the Newspaper or here on Substack) and really wish to read, and of course some Classics. After a year of reading Jane Austen I thought I might re-read the Brontes, which I last read in my early twenties at university. My daughter gave me a beautiful Penguin Clothbound copy of Jane Eyre for Christmas, I will start with it.

These are the novels I have chosen :

Virago Novels:

Rumer Godden Black Narcissus

Antonia White Frost in May

Winifred Holtby The Crowded Street

Elizabeth Taylor A View of the Harbour

E M Delafield The Diary of a Provincial Lady

Mollie Panter-Downes One Fine Day

Rebecca West Harriet Hume

Jan Struther Mrs Miniver

Rosamond Lehmann The Weather in the Streets

Barbara Pym Excellent Women

Monica Dickens My Turn to Make Tea

Angela Thirkell High Rising

Persephone Books:

Winifred Watson: Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day

Dorothy Whipple: Someone at a Distance

Lucy H Yates: The Country Housewife’s Book

Kay Smallshaw: How to Run Your Home Without Help

Virginia Woolf: Flush: A Biography

Ruby Ferguson: Lady Rose and Mrs Memmary

Richmal Crompton: Family Roundabout

D E Stevenson: Miss Buncle’s Book

Noel Streatfield: Saplings

Julia Strachey: Cheerful Weather for a Wedding

Lettice Cooper: The New House

F M Mayor: The Rector’s Daughter

Dean Street Press:

Frances Faviell: A Chelsea Concerto

E H Young: Miss Mole

Celia Buckmaster: Village Story

E Nesbit: The Lark

Winifred Peck: Bewildering Cares

Molly Clavering: Mrs Lorimer’s Quiet Summer

Elizabeth Fair: Seaview House

Verily Anderson: Spam Tomorrow

Miss Read: Fresh From the Country

Susan Scarlett: Murder While You Work

Eleanor Farjeon: Miss Granby’s Secret

Ruth Adam: A House in the Country

I’m not sure in which order I will read the books, but for January these are the three I have chosen, Black Narcissus, A Chelsea Concerto and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

A couple of the Virago books that I have selected, have been sitting on my bookshelves for over forty years. My first job, after university, was Hamper Clerk at Fortnum and Mason. I usually read travelling to work on the train, picked up my book again at lunchtime, (in Green Park if the sun shone, at my desk if not) then again on my journey home. Most books were from my local library, but once in a while I would walk along to Hatchards and buy a book, often a Virago book. Although I leant many to friends, I have hung onto a few and I am looking forward to re- reading them, after all this time!

There are also several well known children’s authors within this list, I am fascinated to read their adult fiction!

Before I start, I am going to re-read Nicola Beauman’s A Very Great Profession. (Originally published by Virago and now by Persephone) it is about mid-20th century women novelists, it is useful back ground to reading these novels, along with Nicola Humble’s The Feminine Middlebrow Novel 1920s to 1950s. Both books are really useful for references which may pass us by, in the second quarter of the Twenty-First Century.

To really set the mood, I am go in to rewatch both Mrs Miniver and Brief Encounter (I will ensure I have a pile of freshly laundered handkerchiefs, as I know both films will reduce me to tears!) Perfect viewing during those quiet few days at the beginning of the New Year!

This month I am looking forward to beautiful Narcissi and Seville Oranges for Marmalade.

Burn’s Night is January 25th. I always celebrate as my parents were from Glasgow, which I think makes me Scottish! We’ll be in Brittany, I think a Haggis might be difficult to find, but we could have something with ‘mashed neeps’ and ‘cranachan’ for pudding. I’ve bought tartan paper napkins from Sainsbury’s to take with me!

A Burn’s Day Gingerbread House that my daughter and I made when she was six! I love the curtains (tartan ribbons) the kilt (also ribbon) and the animals.

Have a wonderful January and do let me know if my 2026 reading list appeals, maybe you would like to read along with me?

Happy New Year!

Judith xx

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My winter simmer pot will be on the stovetop throughout December, filling the house with delightful scents. NB I always add a few drops of vanilla essence to this cornucopia of fruit, herbs and spices!

Snow in November! I thought the snow delightful, though I know for many, it was incredibly trying. On the morning of the snow, my daughter, who was staying at home, missed her bus, I drove her to Richmond station. As I turned the key in the ignition, great, soft flakes of snow began to fall. Driving through Petersham the snow gradually became heavier, by the time we were at the Star and Garter, there was definitely more, the windscreen wipers were working over time (I wondered if it was it because we were at a higher altitude at the top of Richmond Hill?) Of course the snow was both too light and the temperature not cold enough, for the snow to settle in London, it was enchanting.

I rather hope there is some snow in December, a few years ago the fountain froze at The Petersham Nurseries, it was so very beautiful. ( And a great excuse for a glass of Mulled Wine, rather than morning coffee!)

Isn’t it magical?

Have you ever had a quiet December? I have no recollections of one. My eldest son was born on December 11th, it has always been a busy, but joyful month.

Next weekend I’m going to Winchester, with a few friends from one of my bookclubs, we’re on a ‘Jane Austen Pilgrimage’ visiting the cathedral to see Austen’s tomb (as we read Tracey Chevalier’s A Single Thread, a few years ago we plan to look at the kneelers too!)

I believe there is a Christmas Market, we’ll take a mooch around, in the afternoon we’re off to a hotel for a fun filled evening challenging each other with The Jane Austen Quiz book. The following day we’re visiting Jane Austen’s House, in Chawton.

Somehow or other, I have found myself organising the Nativity Tableau on Christmas Eve at my church. My raison d’être is to ensure my little grandsons can be the sweetest, tiniest shepherds ( they are aged 3 and 1) any other role would be too much, but I love the idea of them walking down the aisle with sheep tucked under their arms. We have a traditional script and an extremely talented lady who plays the organ and guitar, there will be many of the favourite carols.

I’m excited to have the whole family together for Christmas. The Thanksgiving meal we have just had was the perfect dress rehearsal. My Turkey from Suffolk was utterly delicious, the meal, although different from Christmas, was super. Like Christmas there are plenty of left overs, a few Turkey Pies, plus a gloriously rich stock for warming soups and sumptuous risottos which I’m planning for the week ahead.

Turkey and Ham Pie - I use ready made Puff Pastry, plenty of egg wash and cookie cutters to decorate.

My mincemeat is ready, I’ll be baking a quantity of pies over the next few weeks. Obviously I love ensuring there are always some small pies, in a tin, ready for visitors, but I also love a large pie, warm from the oven. A slice, with either cream or ice cream is the best pre-Christmas pudding.

I’ve very nearly reached my goal of 150 books read this year, I was so thankful when Angie at Changing Pages, recently shared a list of ‘quick reads’ aka Novellas. I downloaded several onto my Kindle.

The Friend (you may need a handkerchief at the end!) and Sandwich are both fabulous, read in one evening novels.

Why did I not read any of these Jilly Cooper books as a teenager, they would have helped my so much? I can see the 17 year old me identifying with each of the heroines, I also dressed in Laura Ashley and brought Bronnely soap for friends birthdays. I rationed myself to four during November, I’m saving the rest for those quiet days at the end of December. (Each is easily read in an evening!)

In my kitchen the Christmas recipe books are out.

I have many, many more Christmas recipes books, but these four were the most used in my kitchen last December!

I listen to the news on Today and PM (BBC Radio Four), for the rest of the day the radio is usually tuned to Classic FM (I love the mixture of familiar classics and traditional carols that they play throughout December.) I have a few ancient Christmas playlists on my phone, which I will listen to as the month progresses. My favourite last year was Annie Lennox’s Christmas Cornucopia. I have happy memories of my daughter and I singing along to it when I picked her up from school.

I mentioned last month that I intend to read a selection of mid-20th Century women’s ‘middlebrow’ novels next year. I am slowly compiling a list. I am trying to read 60 different authors. I will share my list in January, and tell you which books I am reading each month. In preparation I’ll read some Christmassy Miss Reads. They’re already on my iPad and will be ideal for those occasional calm evenings one is able to grab during December.

Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Judith xx

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We’re spending a fortnight in Brittany at our little Beach House. It is so very quiet, the summer holiday makers have long departed, and many houses are locked up until the spring. We love to come here for a few off-season weeks. During the winter, on days without appointments, we have a simple routine; a dog walk, breakfast at 9amish, a little grocery shopping, then coffee at midday. We take a second walk on the beach, my husband may even choose a dip in the ocean, the dog and I, who are both more sensible do not! Once home again, I’ll start cooking - I’m never sure if it’s a very late lunch or an incredibly early supper! We do like to eat our meal while there is still daylight. Whilst I cook, my husband prepares the fire, the house does get chilly as the sunsets. After our meal, there’s plenty of time to sit beside the fire and read.

On other days we catch up with friends during the Aperitif Hour, or we may treat ourselves to lunch in our favourite Brasserie Le Surcouf in Roscoff. Occasionally, no more than once per visit to Brittany , we may really push the boat out and have a fabulous meal at the Michelin Starred Pomme d’Api in St Pol de Leon.

I am really enjoying buying seasonal French food. Vacherin Mont d’Or is one of my favourite winter cheeses. The other day I roasted an incredibly fresh, local cauliflower, some scrumptious sandy carrots and tiny Breton potatoes, I heated a Mont d’Or and we had the tastiest Cauliflower Cheese imaginable.

I wish I could take one of the large Mont d’Or back to Richmond, but there are still restrictions on importing a variety of foods, including meat and diary products. As it is a seasonal cheese, it isn’t always easy to find. ( I have bought it from Waitrose in the past, and having done a quick search, have found it in Marks and Spencer.)

I will buy plenty of soaps and Percarbonate, the very best thing for keeping laundry clean. I have bought a couple of new notebooks- a pink one for all things wintery/Christmasy and a black one for everything else. I’ve mentioned before that French Supermarket stationary is an absolute delight. Even our little local Super-U Express has a few of these delightful Moleskin type notebooks, with gorgeous French dotted paper, as well as the classic elastic band to keep the notebook together.

At the beginning of the year, I decided to keep a list of the books I read through the following twelve months, rather like the Reading Diaries I used for the infants I taught. I have no one to place stickers or stamp stars in my diary, I thought I would add my own various embellishments, I have included postcards, notes and various stickers. It’s been such a simple project, and brings me joy every time I open the notebook. I can look back at all the books I have enjoyed, as well as the one or two that were a struggle.

I recently read an academic book, ‘the Feminine Middlebrow Novel 1920s to 1950s’ by Nicola Humble. It is such a fascinating read, exploring novels aimed at women in the mid-twentieth century. Nicola Humble referenced many novelists whose books had gone out of print, fortunately many have since been republished, by either Virago Books, Persephone Books, the Dean Street Press or British Library Publishing.

Next year, to replace my 250th Anniversary focused Jane Austen reading, I’m going to spend part of each month reading a selection of ‘Feminine Middlebrow Novels’. Over the next two months I will compile a list (in my new black notebook!), I will try to include one novel per month from each of the publishers above. I’m moving from the Regency to the 20th Century- however I firmly believe, that as she was writing during this period, I can include 1 or 2 10 or 12 Georgette Heyer novels!

(If you are interested in reading mid-20th century novels A J Pearce published a useful list back in July, a great jumping off point, I think!)

My new Christmas notebook will now include my card and present lists. I’ve not really kept my address book up to date, as I write cards this year, I will endeavour to transfer the addresses from my ancient, falling apart, book to the Contacts list on my phone, and make sure I know who I have sent cards to.

We have four family birthdays around Christmas time, I am now going to keep more detailed notes on both Birthday and Christmas gifts, to ensure that my dear daughter-in-laws do not get fed up with mountains of cashmere socks (I think they get a pair every year!)

I’m also going to record more detailed planning for both Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Following last year’s success, I think that we will host an annual Thanksgiving meal. There is something wonderful about having a celebratory day without gifts, and I really believe that taking time to think about all the positive and joyful things that we have in our lives, is good for us all.

My lovely Turkey dish (for Cranberry Sauce), was bought on a trip to California many years ago. I love its Smokey-amber twin on the front of the Williams-Sonoma Thanksgiving Recipe Book!

As we’re not American, we have some flexibility and this year, we’re shifting our meal from Thursday 27th to Friday 28th, my daughter can then join us ( whilst at University, she has a part time nannying job and works on Thursday evenings). As with last November it will be a small family gathering, my older son, his wife, my daughter, my husband and me. I have had some time to plan this year, I therefore have a Turkey on order. Last year, with only a few days notice, we ate partridges - which were lovely, but not quite the thing.

One of the lovely things about Thanksgiving is decorating the house; the fairy lights, candles and wreaths can make an early appearance, indeed in many homes in the USA, families put up their trees for Thanksgiving, I’m very tempted!

Last month I made my Mincemeat, two Christmas Cakes and a Quincemas Cake, the Christmas Pudding is now top of my list when I return to Richmond.

November will, as always dash past in a rush, I have a few things planned. The most important being a couple of days in Norwich with my younger Son, his Wife and my Grandsons.

I will miss my monthly bookclub meeting as I’ll still be in France. The fabulous ladies who organise the bookclub also arrange a pre-Christmas lunch, towards the end of November, in a local restaurant, inviting many ex-staff from the school we worked at. It’s always a delight to see old friends, especially as we all taught each other’s children, I just love to hear how everyone is getting on.

I think this may well be becoming an annual reminder. Today, November 1st, is the day to open your copy of The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater. His writing and recipes are a perfect companion throughout the next couple of months. (As I’ve mentioned before the Podcast accompanying the book is worth listening too, it’s the perfect calming escape from the madness that can occasionally overwhelm during the next two months.)

Whilst you’re re-reading The Christmas Chronicles, don’t forget these four essential books. Using a selection of recipes from them all should ensure a successful and very happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year!

I hope your month is busy and full of fun, these next two months are, perhaps, my favourites of the year! Don’t forget to take some time to read a good book, sip some fortifying coffee and munch a mince pie - it is after all November!

See you on December 1st.

Judith xx

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As usual this post may be too long for email, I hope you’ll read on Substack’s website or on the App!

I really noticed the Autumn Equinox this year. The last Monday in September was bright and warm. However there was a transformation by Tuesday: a definite change in the early morning light, a dip in temperature and I had to put the car lights on I went to meet a friend in the early evening!

As we move into October the underfloor heating is on in the kitchen, hot water bottles are being filled and a couple of my favourite warm comfortable cashmere socks have been darned. (The moths got to two individual socks, sadly separate pairs.)

I loved the talk I attended at The Chiswick Book Festival. I thoroughly recommend The Elopement by Gill Hornby. Indeed, all three of her Austen themed novels are great reads. It’s always a relief when the third book of the Trilogy equals the first. (I am really looking forward to the book being adapted for Television.)

I was excited to read that Pottery Barn is opening in the UK, at the moment there are pop-ups in the two London West Elm stores, but soon some of their home furnishings and crockery should be available via John Lewis.

I bought my pretty seashell cushion covers, table runner and napkins 22 years ago (they’re in our little beach house in Brittany), at Pottery Barn, whilst on a trip to California. The quality is superb, they really are as lovely now as they were when new, I think I may be tempted to make an occasional purchase! I especially like the Fantastical Forest themed cushions and plates, though they are not inexpensive, I hope they have January Sales!

Ham House (our local National Trust property) is perfect for an autumnal visit. I went with my daughter, my son and my grandchildren. The little ones adored The Hungry Caterpillar Trail, it’s lovely to visit a place where children are encouraged to run.

I returned a few days later on my own, to see The Story Box Collective’s exhibition in The Still Room, there are some delightful modern works of art, interpreting the role of women in Stuart times. I especially loved the retelling of the still room for children, complete with Sylvanian characters working both in the Still Room and the surrounding kitchen garden.

For me, October is a month of preparation. I will be making Mincemeat and Christmas Pudding (Delia Smith’s recipes from her fabulous Christmas Book), a Christmas Cake (from my ancient Good housekeeping Recipe Book), as well as the River Cottage ‘Quincemas’ cake, which has become a great favourite. I’ll also start making Nigella’s Spiced Mixed Nuts (from Nigella’s Christmas), they’re perfect with a chilled glass of sherry or a G&T.

I’m not a great TV watcher, but there are some things I do enjoy. Slow Horses is wonderful, and with an episode a week, I feel as though I have stepped back in time. I love the cosy old fashioned goodness of All Creatures Great and Small. Both programmes, though wildly different, are one of October’s joys.

My daughter and I watched the second series of The Buccaneers, and loved it, despite the storyline becoming more and more incredible. However, we felt there were some questions of continuity, people were constantly setting off from London , to attend Parties and Balls, dressed in their finery, at the Castle of the Duke of Tintagel, arriving by Horse and Carriage within a few short hours!

I re-read my tattered old copy of Edith Wharton’s The Buccaneers, (I do wish the BBc would stream the original 1994 series, it would be fascinating to compare - especially seeing Greg Wise playing Guy Thwaite, as he is now in the Apple TV series, playing Hector’s father!) I also read My Last Duchess by By Daisy Goodwin, which is superb, I thought both Cora and Bertha were fascinatingly portrayed characters. Along with The Shuttle (see L July’s post) these novels give a fascinating insight to the tiny group of very wealthy, very young women, who were uprooted by their ambitious parents, from their comfortable lives in the United States and brought to Europe to marry into, the often penny pinched, British and European Aristocracy.

I’m really looking forward to reading Home by India Knight. Laetitia Maklouf wrote about the book here on her fabulous Substack, Nothing Important, one of my favourite reads, she always makes me smile!

India Knight herself recommended Clever Cleaning, which is all about natural household cleaning and stain removal. Like her I love my Marseille Soap, I couldn’t manage without Percarbonate of Soda and I’m also a fan of Purdy and Figg Counter Top Cleaner. indeed, I first discovered Purdy and Figg, when India Knight recommended their hand sanitizer, in the newspaper during Lockdown, it was such a relief to find something that both cleaned my hands and smelt pleasant! I have bought the book and I am looking forward to reading it and trying some of their ideas.

The final book that I’m looking forward to this month is , The Irish Kitchen with recipes from Cherie Denham. I have already made the Tomato Chutney, as several recipes have been pre-released in Country Living Magazine . I love her previous book, The Irish Bakery, I frequently turn to it for those delicious recipes which remind me of my Irish Grandmother’s baking.

My daughter’s first week at university has been a success. She’s living in gorgeous, modern student accommodation in central London and was pleased that she’d walked everywhere last week, only getting a Tube on Saturday evening to go to a friend’s party near Kings Cross! I’m so pleased she’s settling in, and also pleased she can pop home whenever she likes.

I loved this gossamer thin spider’s web, which I spotted on the garden bench on a recent misty morning. Simply beautiful, it filled me with joy as it glinted in the emerging sunlight.

Wishing you a happy October, I hope there’s time for walks on Misty Mornings, time to, perhaps, get ahead with some Christmas prep, time to read. Keep warm and enjoy this cosy time.

Judith x

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We arrived back in London, yesterday evening. I little dreamt, 23 years ago , that we would regularly spend three summer months in Brittany. Our daughter, our sons and daughter-in-laws and our grandchildren were all able to spend time with us. Swimming in the sea, eating fresh seafood and plenty of tomatoes, and most importantly relaxing. This makes me so happy, after all what is the point of a little home near a beach, without family spending time there?

Sunset, last week in Brittany.

September is one of my favourite months, there are those magical days of warmth, which suddenly seem like a treat. There is often a slight chill in the early morning; a jumper, maybe even a scarf, may be required whilst walking the dog, it’s rather lovely to dig out my favourite cashmere from my Mother’s old Camphor Wood Chest. (It works a treat at keeping moths at bay!)

We have returned from France with a couple of ‘potirons’ and several kilos of Roscoff onions. I’ll be baking the pumpkins in a gratin, with the onions and some chestnuts that have also returned with us. I use a delicious recipe from Lickedspoon (Debora Robertson’s weekly posts from her home in France are well worth following, I especially love her recipes and the photograph of her market haul!) Having spent the summer eating tomatoes every day, I’m rather looking forward to pumpkin bakes, gratins, root vegetables and casseroles over the next few months.

As well as the pumpkins, chestnuts and onions. I have brought home some garlic, some dried mushrooms and several jars of Bonne Maman Fig Jam, which is utterly delicious with cheese.

I love spending time in France but do miss seeing my friends. Hopefully during September there will be a few mornings catching up over coffee and cake at the Petersham Nurseries. I’m so fortunate that it’s only half an hour’s walk away, ( I can always catch the 65 bus if the weather is inclement, or I’m feeling idle!)

I have a ticket for a wonderful event at the Chiswick Book Festival , in the Garden Pavilion of Chiswick House. I’m meeting Kate and Angie, we’re attending a talk by Gill Hornby about her book Miss Austen, as a bonus Phylis Logan and Kevin McNally (who played Mr and Mrs Austen in the BBC adaptation of the novel) and Aisling Walsh the director of the TV series , will be there.

As part of our own 250th Anniversary tribute this year, my friend Sara and I have now read all (six) Jane Austen’s novels, plus her shorter juvenile and unfinished writings. Wishing to continue the Austen theme we are going to read The Elopement (Gill Hornby’s latest novel inspired by events surrounding Austen’s family), this month.

I’m a member of two local book clubs, I’m looking forward to both meetings this month. one of my bookclubs choice was The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. (I intended to re-read it last autumn, but didn’t manage to.) I have now re-read it, I also read the two following books in the Trojan Trilogy and would recommend them, however, much of the story, as I’m sure you can imagine, is quite harrowing, they are most definitely not light reading but are certainly incredibly thought provoking.

On Thursday morning, Harriet Evan’s stories on Instagram showed photos from a book group she’d attended in Bath. It sounded absolutely perfect : The Bodice-Ripping Book Group, they met to discuss Georgette Heyer, in particular Bath Tangle, (one of my favourite Heyer novels). If I didn’t love the little London village of Ham, where I live, I might be tempted to pack my bags and move to Bath, simply to join such a super book group. Having completed the Trojan Trilogy, I think a week of Georgette Heyer is well deserved, I’m definitely going to read one or two of my favourites this week!

Last week I made my Sloe Gin. As I wrote in September 2023, I use my Mother-in-Law’s recipe. We made seven bottles this year, you can see from the photos that I use Spirit bottles, which I save during the year.

I’m hoping that the blackberries are still about. I’ll keep an eye open for them when I walk Lara, I’d love to make some Blackberry and Apple Jam. I love foraged blackberries, they are slightly bitter, astringent and work perfectly with apples and sugar to make the very best of jams. If I have trouble finding many I’ll mix them with some from the supermarket.

My daughter has had a wonderful Gap Year, travelling to New Zealand and Australia in January and February, a lovely nannying job when she returned, then 12 weeks working at a summer camp in the USA. She starts university in just over a fortnight, so we have some serious shopping to do. Bed linen and duvets, towels and cooking utensils, plus things to brighten her room. I’m so excited for her, less for me, after 39 years we’ll actually have an ‘empty nest’. However her University is in London, so I expect lots of visits home and I’m looking forward to lunches with her, maybe exploring parts of the city we are less familiar with.

This month, I’ll be looking out for our cheeky neighbour. Over the years we regularly have a fox visiting the garden, though it/ they never stays long.

I’ll pick some wild apples, maybe add them to a chutney. Quince will definitely be on the menu, probably roasted, as I find making Membrillo rather challenging. The mushrooms, though delightful to see in the autumn, will remain on the ground, I am not confident enough to recognise edible as opposed to poisonous!

I’m going to re-read this book, The Art of Coorie by Gabriella Bennett. I love the idea of Coorie, my parents and one of my Grandmothers were Scottish (the other was Irish), my childhood home was always cosy especially during the autumn and winter.

At the end of the month I will bake my annual Harvest Loaf.

What early autumnal plans do you have?

See you in October.

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Finistère is especially beautiful in the summer. I particularly love the peace and tranquillity of early morning walks; listening to the waves as I and the dog walk near the sea. Each morning, whatever the tide, whether the sky is ablaze with sunshine or darkened with thundery clouds, it is always delightful. I’m so grateful we have a further month of these special early hours beside the sea.

Simple Guest Room Prep:

Many French houses have a master bedroom on the ground floor, with further family bedrooms upstairs. When we first bought our house, we decided to use the downstairs room as a guest room. It gives our visitors a little privacy and comfort.

The room is simply furnished with a bed, bedside tables and lamps. I do like to ensure that the guest bathroom is equipped with basics, such as a toothbrush, shampoo, soap and shower gel.

Yoghurt Cake:

July has been wonderful, my son, his wife and my two grandsons stayed for ten days. It was an absolute joy to have them here. The simple fun of sandcastles and waves on the shore, seen through the eyes of small people is always illuminating. My three year old grandson and I baked a ‘Yoghurt Cake’ (apparently a traditional kitchen activity for French grandmothers and their grandchildren) we were both proud of our efforts.

Sand Free:

Our beach house is less than two minutes from the beach (thus my early morning seaside walks with the dog) and there are bathing parties most days. We have very few rules, but I am strict about endeavouring to keep sand out of the house. There is a (regular, blue plastic) bucket to rinse feet and a brush for toes (I bought a gentle brush, with soft bristles, perfect for every foot, no matter how delicate.) Bathing suits are rinsed and hung on the line along with towels, and that’s about it.

Seafood:

We have been eating so much seafood: lobster, crab, scallops and pétoncles, clams and langoustine. If you visit Brittany you’ll find a vast selection of seafood in restaurants and bistros in seaside towns such as Roscoff. There is a huge choice at fresh fish counters at ‘le poissonnier’ or in the supermarkets. Or you may purchase very fresh seafood from a market stall. (The artichokes and tomatoes are fabulous too!)

This lobster was caught in the morning (in my husband’s lobster pot), I baked a Wholemeal and Buckwheat Soda Bread, we ate the most scrumptious lunch, with an essential glass of Crèment de Bourgogne!

Seasonal Vegetables:

We’re fortunate to have some lovely French friends and neighbours who are incredibly generous, especially with garden produce. Last week we received a cornucopia of Aubergines and Courgettes. I have used them to make a delicious Ratatouille. Some of it is now frozen. It will be perfect, when my daughter arrives in mid August, I know a few quick vegetarian meals will come in handy.

Some Summer Reading:

I love a booklist and there are several super summer reading lists on various Substack accounts. India Knight has a really good, shortish list, which has introduced me to several new authors, during July I have read several of her recommendations. Her list took me to AJ Pearce, who has a superb list of ‘Very nearly 40 mid-20th Century Novels recommended by you.’ (I’ve read several already and I am saving the rest of the list for Autumn/Winter reading.)

Among her recommendations India Knight suggested AJ Pearce’s own novels, featuring an Agony Aunt in Second World War London. I read the first two in July and look forward to the next two this month.

I enjoyed Jill Paton Walsh’s Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane novels, I am now looking forward to this Imogen Quy quartet of Cambridge set novels, featuring a sleuthing nurse!

Not really a Recipe - Smoked Trout Pate:

I feel it is probably a cheat to call this a recipe, however this Smoked Trout Pate is delicious, a perfect supper for two, or starter for four and so completely easy.

You’ll need 125g Smoked Trout and 1 tsp Horseradish Sauce.

Simply mash the trout with a fork, removing any bones. Add the horseradish sauce and mix together.

We tend to eat it with a Tomato Salad. (Cocktail Tomatoes, sliced, a sprinkle of dried wild fennel* and basil leaves - [*dried oregano would also work]), soda bread and a boiled egg (finely chopped chives and capers are a scrumptious optional extra!)

Dried Wild Fennel Flowers - a delicious winter seasoning:

Yesterday morning I collected some Wild Fennel Flowers. (The flowers grow wild on the sand dunes, I forage some every summer.) The flower heads are now on a metal tray, under a sunny window, where they will dry for four or five days, before I put them into a sterile jar. I will use them to season food throughout the year. Dried Wild Fennel Flowers are especially good at improving dull, wintery tomatoes, I use them with other herbs on roasted vegetables! If you are near the coast there should still be time to gather some fennel to dry. (I am not a gardener, I am unsure if this would work with cultivated fennel, but imagine it would.) if you do have an opportunity to dry your own fennel I highly recommend it!

Thank you for reading, enjoy August. If you’re not going away, the I think India Knight’s ‘37 ways to feel like you are on holiday when you are not ⛱️’ is worth reading, after two months in France I’m so at home, I feel that some of these ideas will be useful for me!

See you in September,

A bientôt

Judith xx

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It feels incredibly luxurious to be spending three months in Brittany. Last year we arrived for the last week in June, which was wonderful, we celebrated our daughter’s 18th birthday. As a part of her GAP year, she’s now in Maine, working as a Camp Councillor, Paddle Board tutor and Lifeguard at a Girls’ Summer Camp. As soon as she left from Heathrow, we loaded the car, drove to Plymouth and came to enjoy June in France.

We managed to get to the Rose Granit Coast and see the puffins, I was delighted, though I think next year we need to go to Scotland to see more birds, closer up. There are so few puffins in Brittany, seeing them was an absolute treat, there was an intake of delighted breath from everyone on the boat, as we watched them swim and fly past, and manoeuvre on the rocky island. They are so very tiny, thank goodness my husband had a decent camera, as my phone recorded nothing but waves!

It’s been so warm we’ve lived on salads for the last couple of weeks. Fortunately Brittany has wonderful vegetables, we can buy delicious lettuces, tomates, carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, onions and artichokes, and as I mentioned last month the strawberries are completely perfect. I’m hoping the weather will persist and we can continue eating well throughout July.

My salads are so simple, I either wash and spin lettuce leaves or slice tomatoes and onions. Kate (The Cook’s Edit) has links to many delicious recipes for hot summer days.

My husband now has his boat moored just along the coast, the other morning there was a lobster in his lobster pot! He brought it home. As it was still early I had time to bake a soda bread, we sat down to a delightfully simple meal of ultra fresh lobster with brown bread. One of the best food combinations in the world.

I read Persuasion, it is still my favourite Jane Austen novel. There is something so very moving about the love of Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth, so simple, loyal and real. This month I am reading Lady Susan, The Watsons and Sanditon, all three are in one volume and are completely new to me.

I know there are many suggestions for summer reading, both in newspapers and in here in Substack. My Kindle is filling up with Samples. Here are a few books I have enjoyed in the last month.

These two novels by Frances Hodgson Burnett are published by Persephone books (I love the bookmarks.) I enjoyed both and felt there were echoes of The Buccaneers, the unfinished novel by Edith Wharton in The Shuttle.

Laura Thompson discussed Lord Peter and Harriet Vane recently. Like many readers I am particularly found of Gaudy Night. I have read and re-read Dorothy L Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey books and was therefore delighted to find these continuation novels by Jill Paton Walsh.

Daisy Goodwin has a good, six book, list for holiday reading. I have Miss Buncle’s Book back in Richmond, so she’ll have to wait until September for a re-read. I have seen several good reports of Small Bomb at Dimperley by Lissa Evans. Having read both Crooked Heart and V for Victory last month, I’m looking forward to it this month.

Our beach house is very close to the sea, to do any shopping I pop into the car and head off (up a hill) to the local town. Driving back this morning I saw a most magical sight. A large hare was running through a field, it jumped into the road in front of me, leaping across to the next field. It was like watching a prima ballerina, so lithe and light and elegant. The leap was incredible, just landing once in the road, before it disappeared, at high speed, into the next field. I slowed right down to watch it, so very, very beautiful. If you haven’t yet read it you must read Chloe Dalton’s Raising Hare.

On our morning walks Lara (my ten year old ex-racing greyhound) see hundreds of rabbits, fortunately for them her eyesight is not what it was. There is a little one who visits our garden every evening. I have to clap my hands to scare it away, before the Lara goes outside!

I am looking forward to visitors during July. My son will be here, with his wife and my two grandchildren. I have sorted out toys, that my daughter had when she was small and books suitable for three year olds and one year olds. We have wetsuits and life jackets ready for sea faring adventures. I’m beyond excited to have them all stay for ten days, I just wish it were longer. I have also bought some enamel plates and dishes, wonderful for eating out on the terrace, as they won’t break if dropped and perfect for small children, so much lovelier than the plastic dishes we had when our children were small!

The pasta/rice/pudding bowls are from Falcon Enamel. The dinner and side plates from Argon. Both easy to find online!

June has been quiet, many local holiday houses are still closed up, the holiday season starts on July 1st (the Lifeguards certainly start work then). I love the beach here, and the maritime weather. This morning in the Times there was an article about the Heatwave in Europe, it said that with the exception of ‘one sliver of North West France’ most of Europe was experiencing extreme heat. I am most definitely in the ‘sliver’. Here,

beside the Atlantic, we experience true celtic weather. Should the temperature rise above about 24 degrees, a rain shower may arrive, or an over night sea mist will role in, my husband says it’s ’Outdoor Air-Conditioning’! It reminds me of my childhood holidays in Scotland. If you’re coming here don’t forget to bring a jumper and waterproof jacket, even in July and August!

Every day is different on a Breton beach!

And finally: in my email box yesterday, from John Lewis:-

Really?

We bought our Little Breton Beach House just over twenty years ago. It has been a constant source of joy. This year we are looking forward to spending nearly three wonderful summer months there. For the first time in over 32 years we no longer have our time in France dictated by school holidays, it feels wonderful, time is a true luxury.

I’m looking forward to June in Brittany, the beach will be busier than it was at Easter, but quieter than the summer break. We’re hoping to eat out in Roscoff, before the July/August challenges of finding a spot to park the car. There will be early morning walks on the dunes, foraging for early fennel fronds, (which I use when I cook locally sourced fish.) I’m hoping that Breton strawberries will be available, they’re utterly delicious eaten fresh with a dollop of creme fraiche. If I buy too many I’ll make delicious Strawberry Compote (my version is very similar to last month’s jam recipe, but as I’m less concerned with a set, I use less sugar, I don’t anticipate it lasting for long!)

My husband has a day sailing boat, during the summer he keeps it on a mooring nearby. Whilst I walk the dog in the morning, he sets out to fish for mackerel and check his lobster pots. As a “Plaisanciere” he is licensed to have two pots, each summer we have the best of Breton lobster, sustainably caught.

Before summer visitors arrive we’ll take a few jaunts out. I’m really hoping to get to ‘Les Sept-Iles’ just off the coast of the Côte de Granit Rose to see the only group of Puffins in Brittany. We tried a few years ago, but early July was too late, they had returned to the ocean, fingers crossed they’ll be there this June.

I have just bought this beautiful book, full of the most glorious photographs of Puffins. Highly recommended, if like me you love Puffins.

One of the loveliest things about our little house, is it’s simplicity. We have a log burning stove, and no television. On a cool summer’s evening it is delightful to sit by the fire and read a book.

During May I re-read Northanger Abbey, I still remember loving Catherine when I first read the novel as a 15 year old. The enchantment of going away from home; on an adventure, meeting new friends, discovering love; all appealed. Of course in the late ‘70s, I knew that when I was 18 rather than adventures in Bath and a Gothic Abbey, I would be going to university, which was in itself exciting. I would have loved to attend a ball or two (not being either a Debutante or Oxbridge material, they were rather out of my sphere), however wonderful Laura Ashley ( vintage dresses are for sale, at vast prices here, on Etsy 1970s Laura Ashley) ensured I could happily spend my late teens dressed as a ‘Romantic Heroine’ in fine lawn and frothy lace petticoats. As well as Jane Austen I immersed myself in Georgette Heyer happily indulging in wonderful Regency adventures and romance.

Throughout this celebratory 250th Jane Austen Anniversary Year the BBC are re-playing many old favourites. These are all superb and available on the iPlayer.

I’m also keen to watch this new series Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius. As May has been incredibly busy I haven’t yet had time to watch it. It is now downloaded onto my iPad and I hope to catch up on a rainy day this month.

My Agatha Christie this month was Cards on the Table. I find Poirot less appealing than either Miss Marple or Tommy and Tuppence. However, I did enjoy a selection of short stores by Agatha Christie: Capital Christie (12 stories set in London) they’re perfect for busy days, easy to dip in and out of, I think particularly good on travelling days, when I find it more difficult to concentrate. (A second book, of Devonshire set short stories will be published in September.)

We do eat differently in France, our little house is close to the sea, (a two minute walk to the beach!). We love the summer market, where one often has to wait for the fisherman to arrive with his day’s catch. Larger catches are taken to Roscoff and the supermarket fish counters groan with beautiful fresh fish and seafood . I have always tried to ensure that I buy sustainably caught fish. Having recently watched David Attenborough’s film ‘Ocean’ I am even more determined not to buy fish from those huge trawlers that scrape the bottom of the ocean, destroying marine life in their wake.

Everything, but the grapes, are grown locally in Finistere!

In Brittany there is an abundance of delicious vegetables, we try to have several vegetarian days each week. It’s such a joy to eat food that you have seen grown in the fields. Obviously the markets are a joy to visit, but the supermarkets also have local produce proudly displayed. I love occasional glimpses of local farmers delivering produce directly to Super-U or E LeClerc.

Heritage Tomatoes can be simply transformed into a delicious salad. (finely slice the Tomatoes , garnish with Basil and Wild Fennel Flowers, drizzle with olive oil.)

These multi coloured Heritage Radishes are almost too beautiful to eat, I love them dipped in Breton Sea Salt. I also make a simple salad with finally sliced Fennel and Radishes, for extra flavour I add some thin slices of Preserved Lemons, making a simple dressing with a tablespoon of the Preserved Lemon liquid and four tablespoons of Olive Oil, it has a super crunch. This salad is a great mid week lunch on its own, or as part of a larger meal, shared with family and friends.

I managed to watch some coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show on the BBC. I’m not a gardener, by any stretch of the imagination, but I love beautiful places. The BBC coverage is available for 11 months on the iPlayer. I particularly enjoy watching my old school friend Sue Kent presenting daily, she is such a superb role model for older women, she has developed a new career, through submitting some gardening videos to Gardeners World, during lockdown. She is so knowledgeable, watching her I think she could have worked on Television when we left school in 1980, she really is a very talented woman.

Laetitia Maklouf has written a delightful piece about pretty gardens at Chelsea, find it on her lovely Substack Nothing Important, and follow her whilst you are there, her writing is always a joy.

What are your plans for June? Will you be attending Royal Ascot or Wimbledon? I usually love looking at the clothes and especially the hats on Ladies Day at Ascot. (The Style Guide for Royal Ascot is such fun!)

Simple June days, eating in the garden, sitting in the shade reading a favourite book and eating Strawberries, what could be better?

A Bientôt

Judith

PS

I usually write these ‘newsletters’ a day or two before the end of the month!

When I was checking the Jane Austen programmes available on the iPlayer (see above ^) I noticed this 1971 BBC Classic Serial of Sense and Sensibility, has been added to the BBC iPlayer. I’m really looking forward to watching this, it’s completely new to me! I was 9 years old when it was first shown on the BBC. I can just imagine my mother, sitting down to watch it, after a hectic day. My mother loved Jane Austen, BBC dramatisations were always a delightful treat for her, I do hope they will re-run more adaptations from the ‘70s and 80s. ( For my mother - and her friends - these programmes were a real treat, it was important to have some space, once a week, for the hour that the programme ran. Remember there were… no videos, no DVDs, no streaming in the 70s, if you were really lucky a series may have been repeated, at some odd hour, several years.)

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Deborah Robinson recently asked Who’s eating all the butter? , apparently more butter is eaten per head in France, then elsewhere in Europe! I absolutely love butter and eat it daily (I wonder, am I single handedly pushing up the number of kilograms per head?) I found this utterly (butterly) Spring butter, it tasted fabulous and is made in Finistere!

Sadly there are newly introduced restrictions on food that can be brought from Europe to the UK ( There is Foot and Mouth in several European countries and the measures are to protect British Livestock.) I was unable to bring back any Breton butter, I know my family will be disappointed. It’s back to the Kitchen Aid and pots of double cream, I’ll have to make my own butter (I wrote about homemade butter n February 2023 - I can’t work out how to imbed the link as I’m using an iPad rather than Laptop!)

I still have plenty of marmalade, but a jar or two of strawberry jam will be both delicious and useful. This month and next, strawberries are at their best. Strawberry Jam can be eaten on warm scones for a scrumptious afternoon tea, or it works well in a Victoria Sandwich Cake.

Strawberry Jam

Strawberry Jam is probably the simplest jam to make, it’s good to have a few jars n the pantry and it makes a splendid gift!

You will need equal quantities of fruit and sugar. For a quick jam I tend to use a jam sugar, though cane sugar will work as well.

Clean, de-stalk and slice the strawberries, place them in a large bowl, add the sugar. Cover with a tea towel, leave overnight.

Make sure you sterilise some jars, there are plenty of instructions available, though I tend to run mine through a hot dishwasher cycle, just before I boil the jam, to ensure they are still hot for the jam.

You also need to pop a few saucers into the freezer so you can test for a set. I use the wrinkle test.

The following day put the fruit and sugar in a large pan and bring to the boil. Boil for five minutes, remove from the heat and test for a set.

Take a saucer from the freezer, put a small spoonful of the fruit/sugar mixture onto the cold saucer. Leave for thirty seconds. Push your finger through the jam, if it wrinkles it’s ready, if not boil for a further three minutes, and retest. It can take a while to reach setting point, I have had jam set at 8 minutes and occasionally it has taken nearly quarter of an hour.

Once the jam has ‘wrinkled,’ it’s ready to go into the hot, sterile pots. It will set in the pots as it cools. leave it to cool for ten minutes then put the lids on the pots. Once the jars are completely cool check the lids to ensure they are secure.

We had a very quiet Easter, our first in 38 years without any of our children. I’ve already checked the dates for next Easter, as it’s early in April, we’ll come to Brittany after time with the family. I managed to read a lot. April’s Agatha Christie: The Seven Dials Mystery was far better than March’s book. I think it helped that I read the introduction by Val McDermid, reading it as a PG Wodehouse pastiche, rather than a pure murder mystery brought out much of the humour. May’s novel is Cards on the Table, a Hercule Poirot story.

Emma was my Jane Austen for the month. I’d forgotten how funny it is.

I also read Jane Austen in 41 Objects and A Jane Austen Year. Both are very beautiful books, crammed with gorgeous photographs. The more scholarly 41 Objects compliments the Year perfectly. I think they’d be an ideal gift for someone just discovering Jane Austen, who may be initially daunted at reading the novels, but is enchanted with the various film, tv and radio adaptations that abound and wants to learn more both about the novels and the author.

Photographed with my own Jane Austen objects; a first day cover my father brought me at a fair in Steventon (1975) when I was a teenager celebrating the bi- centenary of Austen’s birth, and a second set of Stamps commemorating the bi-centenary of her death, (2017).

I read Paula Byrne’s The Genius of Jane Austen last year, and bought a (second hand) copy of The Real Jane Austen, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. There is always something new to learn, a fascinating nugget or reinterpretation of a book, character or event, in each book I read.

I read Bookish by Lucy Mangan, where she discusses her love of books. I envy her, her library in her garden in Norfolk. If you love books and reading then both Bookish and Bookworm will be balm to your soul. The irony that I read both on my Kindle is not lost.

Both books discuss her development of reading and her love of Children’s Literature. I’m a huge fan of re-reading childhood books, they have informed so much of our feelings and responses as we progress through adulthood. In my late thirties, I spent several happy, though busy years, studying Children’s Literature for an M A. I loved being able to re-read my own childhood favourites, revisiting Narnia and Green Gables, reminding myself just What Katie Did, experiencing frontier life in The Little House on the Prairie (I loved re-reading the subsequent books in the various series too) and of course rediscovering dear Jo in Little Women. There was also 1930s sleuthing with Nancy Drew!

Recently I discovered some essays Katherine Rundell had presented on BBC Radio 4, focusing on the wonder and importance of brilliantly written books for children. It’s available on the Sounds App for over year, you should listen.

This month I’m looking forward to the scent of lilacs and the glory of peonies.

Hopefully the elderflowers will be out so I can make some cordial.

I simply love a May meadow full of Queen Anne’s Lace.

I will be baking several Birthday cakes, both my grandsons birthdays are this month, and as my daughter is travelling in June, we’re celebrating her birthday earlier than usual.

Plenty of birthdays and cake for us! Plus two bank holidays, two bookclub meetings (for me), a Christening and lunches with friends. I do love May.

Have a lovely month, we’ll catch up in June.

Judith xx

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At the beginning of the month I said I would share some of the Substack Newsletters I enjoy. I subscribe to quite a few; both general and specific. Some are written by wonderfully experienced journalists and professional writers, others by people with developing interests and expertise, and others who are amateurs, such as myself, who simply want a small record of their thoughts, favourite recipes and ways to live a (slightly) more considered life.

Among the first Substacks I subscribed to was Kate’s The Cook’s Edit . Kate regularly writes about recipes and travel she summarises and links to articles in the British press, and her posts are always full of super ideas and suggestions. If you’re planning a seasonal meal, looking for a weekend away or a holiday somewhere new in Europe, then Kate’s archive is well worth exploring.

At the same time I started reading Angie’s Changing Pages. Angie has just published her first book, All Those Hands Held. I will be buying a copy in May and really look forward to reading it.

Charlotte Into the Kitchen with Charlotte Pike is a trained chef, a judge of The Good Food Awards, a member of the Guild of Food writers with several super recipe books. It was delightful to attend her most recent book launch for the super Quick Prep, Slow Cook . Do subscribe for seasonal recipes and suggestions for your pantry.

I love reading about people cooking in France, their adventures shopping, the delicious seasonal food from their regions, these are a few favourites.

Trish Deseine’s Substack

Licked Spoon by Debora Robertson

Letter from Nettle & Quince

A Table in France

Carolyn Boyd’s France Traveller is superb, as is her book Amuse Bouche .

There are also plenty of newsletters about living in France, Judy has a great digest of many of them, ‘le bulletin’ .

It’s Jane Austen’s 250th Anniversary this year, I’m really enjoying Daisy Goodwin’s The Pemberley Papers, the further adventures of some well known Austen characters.

Caroline writes fascinating pieces about animals, travel and France, Free-Styling@60.

Paola writes about Life in Ireland .

Francey’s newsletter is delightful, full of insight and lovely ideas, Letter from South Town .

I love reading India Knight, Home , she includes fascinating links, this weekend they included a BBC food programme about Ballymaloe, (my younger son studied there a while ago, completing their intensive 12 week course, he is the best chef/cook I know!) and what to buy in the M&S food hall.

I really enjoy Onwards and Sideways by Sophia Money-Coutts, this week I’m curious about the glass of water and pearls idea that the Sheik suggested to her, and loved what she wrote about long marriages. (My husband and I will be 40 years together on 5th November, there have occasionally been fireworks!)

I read Tania Kindersley’s book Backwards in High Heels: The Impossible Art of Being Female followed her blog for several years and recently rediscovered her writing and gorgeous photographs both here and on Instagram. She writes beautifully and passionately, especially about friendship, horses and dogs, do read Postcards from Scotland , take a look at The Place of Peace too.

Jessica Fellowes is another fascinating writer, Your Fellowes Reader is well worth reading. I’m going to read the Mitford Murders during the summer.

I think that’s probably enough for today. There are several writers I follow here, but they either publish infrequently or haven’t posted a newsletter for several months. I don’t wish for anyone to feel pressurised into writing!

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The photo at the top is our local beach here in Brittany, I’m really enjoying our quiet Easter break, I will be writing my usual monthly newsletter for May 1st. Wishing you a Happy Easter, enjoy the chocolate eggs!

We have a whole wonderful month ahead, with walks on the beach, shopping in gorgeous markets, eating in our favourite restaurants, and reading in the evening, whilst gently toasting by the fire. There will be some more mundane tasks such as house maintenance and gardening.

One of my regular spring cleaning tasks is to polish our dining table. We bought it from a little carpentry shop in Morlaix (sadly now closed) just after buying the house. It is a large, farmhouse style, kitchen table, we have managed to sit 14 people around it. I make my own furniture polish, which is also useful to ‘feed’ wooden kitchen equipment; chopping boards, spoons and other utensils.

I wanted to ensure that the polish was non toxic, after a great deal of research, I now have a simple, fail safe recipe.

Beeswax and Olive Oil Furniture Polish

Beeswax (food/cosmetic grade) 75g

Olive Oil 300g

In a Bain Marie gently melt the beeswax into the oil, (do not boil, nor allow water into the mixture)

Once fully mixed pour into a clean jar (it may look a little dull)

Allow to solidify and you will have a beautiful, golden furniture polish, which smells divine

*Bonus* you don’t need to wear rubber gloves whilst using this polish, it feels like a particularly rich, sumptuous hand cream!

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My reading during March was rather slow. It took me a week to read Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney. This wasn’t because it was a difficult read, but because it was so interesting. Each chapter dealt with a female author whom Austen, in all probability read (indeed in both her novels and her letters she references them.) Apart from Maria Edgeworth and Frances Burney I hadn’t heard of these female authors, which meant, of course, that I had to investigate them; discover more about their lives and their writing, and most importantly find out where I could buy (modern) copies of their novels. Most are published by the Oxford University Press. ( search for World Classics) I know that I’ll gradually build up my own small ‘Jane Austen Bookshelf’ as I attempt to read some of these novels over the next few years.

It then took me a week to read Mansfield Park (not helped by a recurrence of an awful winter cold!) . I have always found it the most difficult of Austen’s books, there are so few really sympathetic characters, I even find Fanny and Edmund annoying! I am now looking forward to reading Emma, the heroine can also be infuriating at times, but there is, I think, greater wit and humour within the book.

This April I’m really looking forward to eating seafood. Langostines are at their best in the Spring. They don’t need a long boil, just a minute or two in salted boiling water, then into a colander and run them under a cold tap. They simply need a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise.

You could go old school and make a Rose Marie Sauce. A traditional sauce has mayonnaise, tomato chutney, creamed horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce and Tabasco., it’s a bit of a palaver! I make a far simpler one by stirring a teaspoonful or two of tomato ketchup (Amora is good if you’re in France) into a small bowl of mayonnaise, once combined, I sprinkle some paprika on top, it’s absolutely perfect. Don’t forget a baguette and salted Breton butter on the side, and a glass of something pink!

I’m looking forward to spring foraging. Here in Brittany, at this time of the year, I can usually find Wild Garlic (Three-Cornered Leek rather than Ramps - gentler, milder but still garlicky) and Pennywort, which grows between the gaps in stone walls, it’s a delicious salad ingredient (don’t gather from a wall beside a busy road - a quiet country lane or pedestrian path in a town is far better.)

Last month I said I would share a list of things I find useful to bring to France, this time we are staying for a month, and we return for a further three months in the summer, my list is therefore quite long, we have driven and crossed the Channel by Ferry so could bring more in the car. I would definitely struggle to take any of this on an aeroplane! The majority of this list has been bought at local Richmond supermarkets, the hoisin sauce comes from an Asian supermarket, the tea is from Fortnum’s.

My ´Going to Brittany’ Shopping List (things I often pack for France*)

For the Kitchen:

Marmite /Crunchy Whole Earth Peanut Butter

Redcurrant Sauce/Creamed Horseradish

Belazu Rose Harissa/Hoisin Sauce

Zoug Paste/Chermoula Paste

Countess Grey Tea

For Baking:

Golden Syrup/Treacle

Stem Ginger/Crystalised Ginger

Baking Powder/Bicarbonate of Soda/Dried Yeast

Saltanas/Raisins/Mixed Vine Fruit

For Cleaning:

Large Cotton Dishcloths/Large Cotton Dusters/Microfibre Cloths (all machine washable, therefore reusable!)

For the Bathroom:

My preferred brands of deodorant/shampoo/conditioner

Mouthwash/Dental Floss/TePe picks

* most of the above list could be found in supermarkets or pharmacies in France. However I find taking some familiar store cupboard ingredients useful, sometimes I can’t find things as they are stocked in an unexpected (to me) places within a shop, for instance I used to bring a jar of anchovies, until I discovered that rather than being with other tinned/jarred fish, they are refrigerated in France.

(I have struggled to find the more specialist dental supplies.)

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I’ve been meaning to read ‘The Enchanted April’ by Elizabeth Von Arnim for years, but have never got round to it. Could there be a better titled book for this month?

I’m looking forward to the Easter Weekend, even though this will be the first in 38 years without any of our children, there will still be chocolate eggs! My daughter plans to visit her brother, sister-in-law and nephews, whilst my eldest son and his wife are spending time with friends.

I’m really pleased that getting to Finistere is easier. Since the demise of Flybe (Southampton to Brest) there were no direct flights for several years. Last year a European Airline called Volotea (Mondays and Wednesdays) introduced flights between Gatwick and Brest, and now Easy Jet (Wednesdays and Sundays) have joined them. It’s now far simpler (and quicker) for both our family and our friends to pop over for a few days.

I’m enjoying Substack more and more. There are so many fascinating writers here. I’ve realised that I’m treating my own Substack posts more an old fashioned monthly blog, I post so many photographs, however I think that’s okay, one can make it whatever one wishes.

The Substack newsletters that I follow are all fascinating, there’s an abundance of recipes, ideas on fashion, gardening, recycling, travel, bookshops and reading, as well as peacefulness, kindness and generosity. I think I’ll do a separate post mid month, with some of my favourites.

And I absolutely agree with India Knight, the BBC (or another company) should make Radio Plays, TV series and Films, based on Georgette Heyer’s novels (I’ve been reading them on repeat for the last fifty years!) I frequently switch over to Classic FM three minutes into the afternoon play on Radio Four. The news is dreadful enough without a sad, depressing, or utterly ridiculous radio play to follow .

(And there are more… enough for a year’s listening, without repeats!)

In the meantime, whilst we wait for a commissioning editor to have a brain wave and realise that Heyer’s Regency Novels would tie in with both Jane Austen’s 250th Anniversary and the popularity of Bridgerton, there are a few programmes on the BBC Radio archive which include discussions of Georgette Heyer’s novels (find them on the Sounds App) two editions of Women’s Hour and an edition of Books and Authors.

If you have not had the joy of reading Heyer, I would suggest you start with Venetia, The Talisman Ring or Friday’s Child.

Additionally her Golden Age Crime Fiction is, I think, as good as either Agatha Christie or Dorothy L Sayers.

I found this on Audible yesterday! In the past Radio Four, did make four radio plays based on four of Georgette Heyer’s Novels; three Regency Novels and one Crime Novel: Six hours of wonderful escapism (of the very best kind!) absolutely ideal in these gloomy times.

As well as Regency Buck, there is Friday’s Child, Faro’s Daughter and Envious Casca!

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Take care, I hope the Easter Bunny brings plenty of goodies, see you next month.

Judith xxx