Airs and Graces in the Garden

Gardens are works of art in motion and they come into their own in the Summer. They exhale their airs and graces, flowers bursting open to liberate enchanting aromas and riots of colours, long grasses swaying gently to a lukewarm breeze, butterflies delicately fluttering about, busy bees minding their own business, while the sun casts its indulgent glow like a gloss-over that enshrines beauty captured in the moment...
 

Sources: (1) Bee House, via Decoclico. (2) 'Verbena bonariensis', photography by LiamLondon (Liam Donnelly), via Flickr. (3) Colaptes auratus, 'Northern Flicker (Yellow Shafted) on a Tree Limb', photography by Lee Hunter via IBC (The Internet Bird Collection). (4) 'How To Make a Basil Mojito', via Drizzle & Dip. (5) 'A Cricket Playing Hide-and-Seek', via our sister blog La Baguette Magique.(6) Natural Rattan Garden Chair and Footstool by Sika Design, via Decoclico.

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Easy, leisurely, cosy, comfy, homely... Now this is one part of the week that we wish we could suspend in timelessness and keep it there so we may linger in it at our leisure. A day that sounds like sundae and tastes just as sweet and lovely, a legitimate duvet day where we take a breather from the pressures of the week, charge up our batteries, indulge breakfast in bed and maybe watch a film too, treat our taste buds to what reason forbids, give in to temptation of gâteau, open that doomed box of chocolates, whatever tickles our fancy.

Sink into a deliciously-fragrant bubble bath to the mellow sounds of music and take stock of life, enjoy a few snatched moments of our own company, muse over with those we share our life with, explore feelings, jot down ideas, discuss a project, plan a holiday, pick up the phone to catch up with friends and family. Step out the front door to pay a museum a long-overdue visit, or take a stroll down the park that will take us down the country pub on our way back to warm up over a hot beverage, or if the weather is balmy, lounge on the patio to enjoy a sun ray or two, and idle chat some more over a drink and a nibble, and before we know it, Sunday's closing down until next week and it's time to head home...

Source: (1) Rhubarb Fennel Fizz Cocktail, by Society South. (2) 'Finding Time and Losing It' blogpost by Melina Hammer, from her blog Licking the Plate. (3) This is Tickle (that's his name!), who is both Mirabelle and La Baguette's cheeky Jack Russell Terrier mascot, one darling of a little pet rescue adopted from Manchester Dogs Home (UK) in August 2006. (4) Pouf Square Plait (Detail) by Patricia Urquiola for Gan Rugs, via Etoffe. (5) Jasmine Lip Butter by Korres.

Calling the Shots!

It's not difficult to understand why Spring is our favourite season: nature wakes up, temperatures warm up, daylight stretches up and, wahey, Summer's the next best thing around! So what better way to celebrate such an upbeat time of year than with our selection of colourful aromatic drinks and appetisers that make up a wonderful excuse for impromptu alfresco entertaining!

Sources: Forget those savoury herby appetisers, and pop garden herbs in your drinks instead! Wow your friends and get the party started! (1) The 'Blackberry Sage Cooler' from Scaling Back Blog is cool, refreshing, alcohol-free and child-friendly although you could always add a splosh of sloe gin within reason to make it an adult's drink, should the occasion lend itself to it. (2) You've heard of (and maybe even sampled) the standard Mojito: fresh mint added to Cuban rhum, cane sugar, lime juice and soda. Now how about the 'Basil Raspberry Mojito' from A Spicy Perspective? This is a case, ladies, of bringing sexy back to your glasses with the perfect colour combination of passionate pinks and deep greens, tchin tchin! (3) Meanwhile thyme kicks off a winner in this 'Iced Tea with Plums and Thyme' by Real Simple. Peaches are not in season right now but when they are, remember us! (4) Meanwhile anything more refreshing than this 'Lemon Verbena and Orange Blossom Fizz' by The Kitchn will be hard to come by! (5) If you are fortunate enough to live in Mediterranean climates, elderflowers are now right for the picking! 'Elderflower Cordial' is with Pimm's Cocktails what British Summers are meant to taste like: sweet, light and floral, almost like orange blossoms. The cordial is so easy to make, there is no need to bother with the shop-bought varieties. Just follow the foolproof recipe from Delicooks, surprise your friends in the process and get ready for the encores! (6) If the herbs in your drink are not enough, munch your way through a plate of those appetising Swiss Chard Tarlets with Aniseed ('Tartelettes de Blettes à l'Anis, en Croûte de Millet') from (French) Marie Claire.