Take Three

#1. Taking advantage of later summer opening times, Mum and I treated ourselves to an ice cream at the new parlour in town, which sells local Yorkshire Wolds ice cream. Today, they were trialling a new flavour, pistachio. This has got to be my favourite ice cream flavour, but it isn't one that I come across often, so I was pretty pleased. I wasn't the only one, it seemed, as we got the very last scoop out from the box; so hopefully we should be seeing this flavour more often. It was the perfect antidote to the confusion of the stormy, humid weather that we've seen this week.

#2. Congratulations to my gorgeous Mum for graduating from a Master's degree of science with clinical research. I am so in awe of the fact that this is now her third degree... I have a lot to live up to! It was a busy day of cancelled flights down to Southampton, but I am so proud.

#3. Happy summer holidays! I am finally off for the next six weeks. I've ended up baking twice in two days -flapjacks and lemon drizzle traybakes -and I am looking forward to taking inspiration from my Flavour Thesaurus to start experimenting a little more, like in this post. Today's leisurely lunch was a wrap filled with turkey, cooked peppers, and guacamole (which I make with avocado, lemon juice, mango chutney and chopped chillies). Delish.

Take Three.

#1. This mysterious package arrived last week. I couldn't think what it was for a minute, then, with a suppressed squeal of excitement, I realised that it was my signed copy of The Little Paris Kitchen and original print from the lovely Rachel Khoo. As soon as I have a chance to get to our local framers, which annoyingly only runs 9-5 Monday-Friday, I will be displaying my print with a few other pieces above my desk to keep me inspired. So thank you again Rachel; I couldn't think of a nicer, more unique prize to celebrate The Little Paris Kitchen's first birthday.

#2. This weekend I visited an artisan food market. Saturday was the second market since it started running on a monthly basis, and it really was excellent. We picked up a few bits for the week ahead, including a lovely sourdough loaf, and a plethora of scones. I also discovered Butterflies Chocolates, a new company that produces beautiful chocolates, with lots of innovative flavours. The theme for this month was rhubarb, which I love and am craving. Actually, I think buying some for stewing may have just become a necessity...

I'm looking forward to trying a few rhubarb-based recipe's. Where I work the chefs make the most beautiful rhubarb Panna Cotta, and, more simply, I am awaiting summer with glee so that I can make a strawberry and rhubarb pie, inspired by Cupcakes and Cashmere. A family favourite pairing is rhubarb with ginger; whenever a crumble is knocked up in my household, a few chopped up pieces of crystallised ginger is an essential.

 #3. Commuting just got a whole lot nicer. Remember my new bike basket? Well it got it's first commuter outing today. It seemed to cope with the swap from flowers to folders quite happily, and cycling home from the station today, in the first proper bit of warmth and sun this year, was absolute bliss. While waiting for my train this afternoon, the relaxing spring picture was continued as I sat outside with a cup of real leaf green tea from Filmore and Union, flicking through a copy of Grand Designs magazine. It's the little things that count.

Take Three

#1. The sun finally came out and brought with it a little warmth to the wintry April air. Admittedly the briefly pleasant spell has blown over and away from our little island, but it was enough to bring some spring flowers out, including the Narcissus that I bought for in my room, and it is now too late for them to change their minds. So even if the sky looks rather gloomy once again the ground (and my window sill) look vaguely cheerful.

Image: soanthro .com/

#2. I was really excited to get Emily Schuman's book Cupcakes and Cashmere, inspired by her blog of the same name, especially as it arrived earlier than expected. Miriam and I enjoyed flicking through over morning coffee. I've also been reading Kate Mosse's Citadel, which was excellent.

#3. The Great British Sewing Bee (8pm on Tuesdays on BBC2). Specifically Tilly's gorgeous -and presumably handmade -vintage-style skirts and dresses, and Lauren's pretty tops. Actually, I've just been reading Lauren's 'about' page on the Sewing Bee page and I am feeling pretty inspired, so go have a look.