Reappearing with Pastries & Poetry

December Field Notes

Welcome to my first newsletter in two months! Apologies for the silence. Between the festive build up and multiple illnesses, work has taken a back seat. In the last month alone the kids have had hand, foot and mouth, chickenpox, impetigo, a cough and a cold. Such joy, such fun. But other than this, we are feeling festive and enjoying the end of year energy! I’ve been finishing off a few projects so I can start the new year by working on my novel and kids’ books, with a plan to send it all off to agents in the spring. That’s right friends, eleven books into my career and I’m finally going to try and get an agent. I’m very excited about it but there is a lot that goes into the process, so for now I’m just trying to tie off a few loose ends so I can begin 2025 with a fairly clear plate. I’ll also be trying to get back into my newsletter in the new year, but for now, here are some updates from the last couple of months in picture format:

In September, I was one of the judges of the South Downs Open exhibition at the Petersfield Museum, with nearly 150 artworks celebrating the beauty of the South Downs with paintings, drawings, prints, photography, sculpture, textiles and ceramics.

In November, we went on an amazing family weekend to Copenhagen for Dave’s birthday! Between all the pastries, coffee and mulled gløgg, we visited the Danish Design Museum and found this corridor of cool mid-century chairs.

The Design Museum was my highlight, particularly the exhibition on future societies. Plus the lighting was flattering.

Another highlight from the trip was this cube croissant from Anderson & Maillard, full of sweet pistachio cream. It sells out really quickly so I enjoyed a little early morning solo trip across the city to fetch a couple for Dave’s birthday.

Lastly, I was commissioned to write and record a poem for the Eco Light Festival at Gilbert White’s House (tickets available here!) I chose to write a villanelle, a poetry form traditionally used to explore pastoral subjects with a tight rhythm and rhyme structure to celebrate the cyclical nature of the swifts’ migration and the rhythm of the turning seasons.

Swifts

A cloud of sparks erupts, embarks alone,
And screams against the sable night,
To find a paradise all of their own,
On desert peaks by salted tempests blown,
Following the southern stars, offshore light,
The sparks erupt and vanish alone.
But what remains behind when they have flown?
Flames fade to embers, glowing copper bright,
Revealing a paradise of their own.
Gentle treasures bloom on bare winter’s bone,
Spindle pink, apple gold, mistletoe white,
Jewels in the clouded earth, sparkling alone.
How tender the new leaves of old seeds sown,
Bursting from the earth in verdant delight
To grow a paradise all of their own.
The spring sun returns to a world regrown,
Pursued by dizzy screams in feathered flight,
A cloud of sparks erupts, alighting alone,
To find paradise had been waiting at home.

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Something I Made - Ebb & Flow: A Guide to Seasonal Living

My newest book might be the Christmas gift you’ve been looking for, particularly if you know someone who loves the natural world, slowing down and being mindful, crafting, cooking, gardening, being outdoors or just flicking through something pretty on a cosy winter evening. Ebb and Flow is an illustrated guide to slowing down and tuning into the rhythm of the year. I’ve poured many happy hours into it, illustrating every page and writing essays, poems, crafts, recipes and other tidbits, all designed to help you embrace each season and find peace, mindfulness and joy throughout the year. I really feel like there’s a little piece of my soul in this book! The hardback can be ordered anywhere you buy your books, including Bloomsbury, Bookshop, Amazon and Waterstones.

Something I Like - The Solent Seascape Artist Residency

This opportunity popped up on my Instagram and I was very close to applying before immediately realising there was no way I could commit to it. But I wanted to share it on here because the deadline is THIS WEEK on Wednesday 11 December and if you’re a creative local to the South Coast, or if you have any connection to the Solent, I think this looks like a lovely residency focused on nature restoration and community engagement. It also has a tasty £4,000 artist fee. Apply here!

Recipe of the Month - Apple Caramel Layer Cake

Not a particularly festive recipe for December, but I made this for Dave’s birthday and oh. my. god. what an absolute banger. Eight whole apples went into this bad boy, including a dollop of salty, caramelised slices on top. It was moist, buttery and very pretty to look at. Highly recommend if you’re looking to impress.