May update in English

Sorry about being a bit late with the May update in English. There’s no excuse – I’ve probably just been so busy watching spring turn into early summer. Things happen so quickly now that I’m afraid to blink in case I might miss something.

Beautiful May had a lot to offer – even though it was the coldest and most rainy May in 150 years. They say. I don’t know. I wasn’t there to check up on it 150 years ago…

There really was a lot of rain – one day we got 55 mm in one go – but the rain softened the buds, and millions of leaves unfolded in record time. Practically overnight. A green explosion. At the beginning of May, the anemones covered the ground in the wild part of the woodland garden and the trees were still mainly bare.

Two weeks later, birdsong echoed under the green canopy. As I said, a green explosion.

The weeds grew too, of course. That goes without saying. And in no way can I keep up. Ground elder is the arch enemy and will probably always be.

In the hedgerows around our fields, bird cherries flowered , filling the air with the spicy scent of early summer.

In May it is no hardship to walk the dogs. Every day brings new wonders.

The white nights began on May 5. Daylight lasts until around 10 pm in May and even later in June. This is what we have been waiting for through all the dark winter months. Late spring/early summer is simply joyful – it almost makes your heart ache.

Coronawise, restrictions are being lifted and most places are open again. Restaurants, museums… You just have to show a fresh negative test or proof of vaccination to go there. I had my first shot two weeks ago and just got my EU corona pass, an app on the phone. I still work from home most days, which feels like a gift. Breaks by the coffee machine are replaced with a walk through the garden or the grass fields. I’m not complaining.

I didn’t try out many new recipes in May. Just a few like this tarragon sauce. It is a great boost to a weeknight or weekend dinner, great with steak or chicken, and so easy to make. You should try it.

And this salsa with tomatoes and capers is absolutely worth trying, too. It is so fresh and tart and works really well with smoked trout.

Thinking back on May, it was there and then suddenly gone. I don’t know how it happened. Making a new website for our church while fighting ground elder, working, keeping house, and slowly reopening the B&B may have something to do with it…

I promise to be back on the last day of June with another update on all the good stuff happening here in Skivholme.

Until then, have a wonderful June!