Distractions & Inspirations - May

May always feels like a bit of a turning point, longer evenings, more things happening locally, and the sudden realisation that lunch outside might actually be an option again.

 

So here’s this month’s distractions and inspirations, a few things we’ve enjoyed, recommended to one another, or added to our own plans for the weeks ahead. Enjoy!

Did you know Pallant House runs regular Thursday Late evenings? They’re such a lovely way to experience the gallery a little differently. The June edition is celebrating Pride in collaboration with Chichester Pride. It looks like a particularly good one, so worth booking ahead! July’s Late includes a special talk with artist Haroun Hayward alongside life drawing, curator tours and behind-the-scenes sessions. A lovely local gem. 

For the Kitchen
 
A very new addition to our shelves! We’ve really enjoyed flicking through Ben Lippett's How I Cook. It’s one of those cookbooks that feels genuinely useful, less intimidating chef-y perfection, more helping you properly understand what you’re doing in the kitchen and why. The sort of book that makes you want to cook more, not less.

Seasonal Tweets
 
We came across this recently and it felt like such a gentle reminder to notice the small seasonal things happening around us. George McGavin speaking about swifts, their return, and the joy of the first sighting each year. A nice little rabbit hole to disappear down if you fancy adding a bit more nature to your day.

A Thoughtful Documentary

This documentary following PJ Harvey and photographer Seamus Murphy has been recommended to us a few times lately. It follows the travels and experiences that inspired The Hope Six Demolition Project, and feels much more like an artistic collaboration and observation of place than a traditional music documentary. One for a slower evening when you want something thoughtful to settle into.

Midsummer at West Dean
 
This sounds like a rather dreamy way to spend a June evening. West Dean is opening the gardens after hours for a midsummer tour with Head Gardener Tom Brown and the garden team, including drinks and canapés under the pergola before wandering through the gardens as the evening light starts to soften. 

 

Salad Season has arrived!

We’ve officially moved on from soup season and into the stage of the year where lunch starts needing to be a bit fresher, ideally something you can pack up and take outside if the weather behaves. This crispy harissa rice salad stopped us in our tracks recently. Smoky harissa rice, chicken, feta and a honey tahini dressing that we don't think we'll get bored of! Lunchtime gets delicious!

Have a very lovely day ahead, 

Until next time, 

Julia xx