Slow Sunday, raindrops & a recipe

Sweet potato masala

We’ve had a lot of rain. I read we have only had 5% of the sun we usually get in the UK in March and, that is why this morning was so special. It was too special to take a picture but here are some words.

Warm words for tired brains

I woke to a cloudless sky and full sun during hushed early morning hours. Earlier there must have been cloud and rain because so many raindrops were still on the branches and leaves. In the early morning sun those raindrops were moving this way and that, as the sun lit them up; a kaleidoscope of shimmering clear crystal sparkles. Diamonds were keeping me company again. This time, a whole world of them. The diamond world had a seagull in it, far away, gliding through the sky; and I noticed the lilac tree had new green leaves.

I opened a window. Everything was silent, more diamonds on that bush that didn’t get cut back. I could almost reach out and touch them. Wild garlic below in damp dark earth; rich, wet and green.

It’s as if I live in a street where no one else lives. My neighbours, secluded by fences and walls, windows and gates. People, get into their cars and move between the different areas of their lives. And then they are at home, hidden. It is rare to see anyone in the street.

I did see a bumblebee on the sunny sandstone wall that juts out from my sitting room window. And just at that moment, a small privately owned aeroplane chuffed through the sky overhead; reminded me of my childhood it did.

I remembered, summer skies with little privately owned 60’s planes humming overhead, to the sound of lawn mowers and the smell of freshly cut grass. Sometimes to the sound of leather on bat as men played their cricket and women, made cucumber sandwiches and poured tea. I decided when I was about 6 that I would get married in Blackheath church to someone who played cricket and I that I would make, cucumber sandwiches, and I would pour steamy tea from a giant teapot. I thought this as I sat in the back of a little green Morris minor without a seatbelt licking a raspberry lollipop.

Those twinkling raindrops are everywhere this morning, and there is one very big one not quite ready to drop on the black wrought iron gate next door. The skies are staying blue and, the worms are be waking up.

It is, a beautiful morning.

Joy dots

Raindrop world sparkling like diamonds

Raspberry lollipops

The sound of tea sloshing into a cup

The sound of a cricket ball on bat

Wood pigeon in tree out front

New leaves

Humanity

Warm soft sea

Golden sand

Doing nothing

Basking

Bright yellow daffodils

The smell of roses

Worms in rich soil

Recipe

Sweet potato masala

This was a warming, cheerful masala on a thick cloudy day. I sautéd onion and garlic in ghee then added some cardamon, cloves, cinnamon, coriander and fresh ginger. Next I added sweet potato and carrot. Then a tin of tomatoes, a little tomato paste, coconut cream, stock and black pepper. Towards the end of cooking I seasoned with salt and maple syrup and added fresh lime juice and fresh herbs. It was warm, cosy, rich and sweet.

It’s a short Slow Sunday this week because I’m already meant to be out. I’ll be out until tonight when the skies turn dark and everybody in my road, is fast asleep. Perhaps I’ll see a fox, or a badger. Or maybe a hedgehog, owl, or other nighttime creature.

Wishing you the warmest, as I gaze out of the window at one little bird in the tree out front. I’d love to hear about the simple things in your life, and your joy dots. Perhaps you’ll share them in the comments.

Lucy x