Not quite actually. My perfumery is, you've guessed, my garden. I was sitting in front of my pc yesterday evening, finishing a lesson, when from the dark outside, the sweetest most romantic scent wafted in on the night air....my Jasmin. When I went out this morning I didn't know which way to turn! An absolute… Continue reading Walking into the perfume shop…..
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Mum, Mama,Nonna,Grandma
I've always disliked being called by these names. Really I'm Anne. Once I was wife of...., daughter-in-law of....,then mother of...., then we progressed to inglesina. But I have always been Anne. For quite a long while my boyfriend called me littl'un, rather a nice fenland word meaning approximately, runt of the litter, but none of… Continue reading Mum, Mama,Nonna,Grandma
Winter Sweet-the joys and sorrows of gardening
When I worked in Milan I would sometimes walk past one of those high walls which people seem to love; Ive nevr quite understood why privacy is so protected. I'm thinking of the bungalows in Brianza surrounded by high walls and comparing them to English houses with (mostly) beautiul gardens ondisplay and a low wall… Continue reading Winter Sweet-the joys and sorrows of gardening
Pumpkins and Chestnuts
I had a great time Saturday. I went to my previous home town to meet up with the friends from the wine-tasting group fo a typically Brianzola (1) supper. I love all the hugging and joy at seeing old and a few new friends. They had given me very clear instructions on getting to the… Continue reading Pumpkins and Chestnuts
Happy New Year
....always! I'm getting on in years but New Year's Eve is still probably my favourite holiday. Quite unbelievably the moment the champagne cork pops I'm filled with a kind of unthinking joy.....I KNOW this new year will be better than the last......But of course I don't. So many of those happy new years have turned… Continue reading Happy New Year
Christmas Carols
Every year I try and send some carols to my students .Carols not songs. I really HATE Chrismas songs like that whine-y "Last Christmas" by George MichaeI. I try and send a good variety, not too churchey although we owe so much of our language and culture to the church, and I do have some… Continue reading Christmas Carols
CHELSEA flower show
You have to go don't you? Chelsea is unmissable really. The whole week they show programmes on t.v. with tantalising glimpses of the gardens and an awful lot of talk, most of which I, for one, could do without. I always enjoy the coach trip up, reflecting on the "marvels" of English Dress sense; mind… Continue reading CHELSEA flower show
The unexpected side effects of the Luganega di Monza!
Well here's a turn-up for the books! On Sunday I went to see a demonstration of how they make Luganega, a typical Brianzola sausage which has been rescued from oblivion by the butcher Viganò. We all sat with our chairs facing the stage to watch how it is done. Lean pork, bacon, Grana Padano cheese,… Continue reading The unexpected side effects of the Luganega di Monza!
Garden Blues
No, no, not those kind of blues! Quite the opposite in fact. At the very beginning of the year the tiny irises appeared, as they always do, surprisingly. You walk round the garden and there's nothing there; the very next day these miniature navy blue flowers are startlingly open. Next in line, well no, not… Continue reading Garden Blues
Wicca’s Diary, 10.
No intention whatsoever of being a Scrooge but I'm thoroughly fed up with you humans and your festivities. Just life isn't good enough for you is it? At least this year my human didn't have a houseful of noisy people trying to coax me out of my hiding place under the bed, They think they… Continue reading Wicca’s Diary, 10.
English that grows 