As I was reading your elderberry gin recipe, I was reminded of my first encounter with something elderberryesque when I first landed in Europe. I don’t know why, but elderberries were never a thing in America...or at least my corner of America. Anyway...back to Europe. In the first restaurant I worked in, we would dip elderberry flowers briefly in gin, then properly in a beer batter before getting deep-fried. The elderberry-gin eventually turned into jelly pieces that would be placed on the plate. Thanks for guiding me back to that memory—it’s been awhile.
Speaking of Bond songs...I am very much looking forward to seeing Garbage perform live in a few weeks. Sometimes the world is not enough...
The Harriot Webster podcast was an absolute delight—thanks for that!
That elderflower gin & batter sounds amazing Jack! I shall try it. Happy gig to you - so great seeing a band from a while ago and all the memories that go with. And thank you, Harriet is one of the loveliest and so great at what she does
A bumper crop of brilliant books this month. It was also lovely to see you at The GFW Awards evening celebrating the very best of last year’s food writing. I adore Roy Orbison’s In Dreams, possibly one of my favourite artists, and we’re big fans of Burt Bacharach in this house and all the James Bond themes, in general. That’s my Sunday listening sorted, thank you!
I haven't done any elderflowering. FAIL! Do you think the blooms will still be okay at the weekend or too overblown? I'm remembering your advice about picking in the morning when they're warm from the sun…
The scent will tell you…and if no hint of discolouring etc. There are some here in the south west that are still excellent to use so I’d imagine with you too
I admire a playlist that can segue from Jaws to Vangelis' Love Theme. I do feel our great white friend might have been looked on far more kindly and feared less if Williams had just thrown in a deep heavy sax. Will be listening in to missed Rachel Khoo session later today. x
So much to love here Mark, but I especially like that elderflower gin. Now to find the elderflowers....
Today is day one in a temporary shared workplace while our head office undergoes a summer renovation. I am especially grateful to download one of your most excellent play lists to make being literally cheek by jowl next to some of my co workers more tolerable (shhh...don't tell them).
Also just caught the Paul McCartney photo exhibit here in Toronto before it leaves town. He captured a surreal nine weeks at the height of Beatlemania when the lads came to America. Glorious photos, well worth seeing.
I’d love to see that McCartney exhibition - I got it’s coming here. I shall investigate. And of course I shall keep your workplace secret! I hope you enjoy the playlist
Happy June to you Mark. I have spent the opening of the month in Paris. Came back to Kerry today and it is still raining. No need to water the vegetable patch. But the silage cutting is looking very shaky. As is the hubbie who is panicking about it at this stage 😢
I always feel better affter reading your posts. And hungry and working out how to get the bottle of gin and the elderflower while the ice cooks and I can make myself your fine suggestion. Thank you for your generosity and fine things. Makes my day.
I think that about Blackfriars Bridge - hands down the best view of London from a train station, and always makes me sigh with delight. Never met a Beatle there, mind.
As I was reading your elderberry gin recipe, I was reminded of my first encounter with something elderberryesque when I first landed in Europe. I don’t know why, but elderberries were never a thing in America...or at least my corner of America. Anyway...back to Europe. In the first restaurant I worked in, we would dip elderberry flowers briefly in gin, then properly in a beer batter before getting deep-fried. The elderberry-gin eventually turned into jelly pieces that would be placed on the plate. Thanks for guiding me back to that memory—it’s been awhile.
Speaking of Bond songs...I am very much looking forward to seeing Garbage perform live in a few weeks. Sometimes the world is not enough...
The Harriot Webster podcast was an absolute delight—thanks for that!
Happy June to you, as well...
That elderflower gin & batter sounds amazing Jack! I shall try it. Happy gig to you - so great seeing a band from a while ago and all the memories that go with. And thank you, Harriet is one of the loveliest and so great at what she does
As I recall, it was rather good…
I take the upstream side too but tend to look downstream... But going back, it's usually head down and speed walking to make my train
🤜🏽🤛🏼
I would like Paul McCartney to ask me the time.
Me too!!
I think he’d like it too VB
Probably. Or he could just look at his phone.
A bumper crop of brilliant books this month. It was also lovely to see you at The GFW Awards evening celebrating the very best of last year’s food writing. I adore Roy Orbison’s In Dreams, possibly one of my favourite artists, and we’re big fans of Burt Bacharach in this house and all the James Bond themes, in general. That’s my Sunday listening sorted, thank you!
I do love The Comedians by Roy Orb (as we call him), too!
PS Uplifting collection of good things, as always
I haven't done any elderflowering. FAIL! Do you think the blooms will still be okay at the weekend or too overblown? I'm remembering your advice about picking in the morning when they're warm from the sun…
The scent will tell you…and if no hint of discolouring etc. There are some here in the south west that are still excellent to use so I’d imagine with you too
Mission accepted
I admire a playlist that can segue from Jaws to Vangelis' Love Theme. I do feel our great white friend might have been looked on far more kindly and feared less if Williams had just thrown in a deep heavy sax. Will be listening in to missed Rachel Khoo session later today. x
There’s no time when my legs are in the briney that a little of my mind isn’t playing that theme tune
So much to love here Mark, but I especially like that elderflower gin. Now to find the elderflowers....
Today is day one in a temporary shared workplace while our head office undergoes a summer renovation. I am especially grateful to download one of your most excellent play lists to make being literally cheek by jowl next to some of my co workers more tolerable (shhh...don't tell them).
Also just caught the Paul McCartney photo exhibit here in Toronto before it leaves town. He captured a surreal nine weeks at the height of Beatlemania when the lads came to America. Glorious photos, well worth seeing.
I’d love to see that McCartney exhibition - I got it’s coming here. I shall investigate. And of course I shall keep your workplace secret! I hope you enjoy the playlist
The scented geranium has been a gamechanger here, custard and rice puddings have been transformed
That’s so great to hear Sue
Hmmm yummm - I might use the elder nigra flowers for this gin. I hope the colour will infuse as a blush pink
It will! Though the scent/flavour is weaker than the familiar elder so perhaps try a mix of both
Another really interesting,not to say amazing post. So much to read, think about ,listen to.
I've not made elderflower gin but if I can get my hands on some flowers I definitely will xx
Thank you Thane, lovely to have your company
My scented geraniums are delicious, and such sturdy plants. They are now in pots by the door door to squeeze as I go in and out.
Happy June to you Mark. I have spent the opening of the month in Paris. Came back to Kerry today and it is still raining. No need to water the vegetable patch. But the silage cutting is looking very shaky. As is the hubbie who is panicking about it at this stage 😢
Water so often turns up at the wrong time doesn’t it. Wishing you both a dry spell to suit
I always feel better affter reading your posts. And hungry and working out how to get the bottle of gin and the elderflower while the ice cooks and I can make myself your fine suggestion. Thank you for your generosity and fine things. Makes my day.
You are very kind, thank you Jemima. Likewise your amazingness
A marvellous collection here Mark. Love the mix tape, and that martini sounds divine.
Thank you JP
Hope you had a great weekend.
I think that about Blackfriars Bridge - hands down the best view of London from a train station, and always makes me sigh with delight. Never met a Beatle there, mind.
One day, you and Ringo
One can but dream...