Can you hear that? That’s me audibly exhaling as we slide on our heels into the summer holidays. Just two weeks to go, but it’s two weeks full of book deadlines, finishing Home Ed projects and preparing for a summer of storytelling at Weald & Downland.
The hirundines have raised their young, the newly fledged corvids are arguing on the roof tiles opposite and the world feels exhausted with the heat and relentless days of work, eat, sleep, repeat. Our plans for the summer include museum outings, a trip to Brighton aquarium, quilt making ready for the winter, wildlife gardening, time to read books and plenty of craft projects. I for one desperately need a holiday and cannot wait for our blissful ten days booked in the Isles of Scilly again. But wait I will have to, for we have the whole of July yet!
The first two weeks of July require me to get my head down and write the end of my current manuscript. I will then start another one in September and a third in March 2027. I promise I will share more as soon as I can. They are all projects I know you are going to love. I hoping to be able to take some time to rest in between books.
This July I invite you to put on the brakes. Slow the juggernaut of life to a gentle roll. It’s going to take a while to stop so you are going to need some braking distance. Consider July time to hit the escape ramp and find a moment each day to slow down gradually.
Little Rituals
Each month I will share with you a little moment in my day that I look forward to. It may be something I like to eat, drink, read or do and it will always come in the form of a little ritual. It may include a product but I will never promote something I do not use myself or enjoy and it’s never sponsored, just a simple moment of magic shared between folks.
This month’s little ritual is Cold Brew Tea. Yes, my daughter thinks I have a problem as I am rarely without a cup of tea in my hand but with temperatures regularly rising above 30c, hot tea isn’t a great idea. I don’t want to buy plastic bottles of ‘iced tea’ pumped full of sugar or sugar alternatives and so I am cold brewing.
You can cold brew any tea, just place two or three heaped teaspoons (depending on how strong you want it) in a litre of cold water. Leave it on the kitchen side and wait (usually 30-60 minutes as a rule). You can brew it overnight in the fridge too but it takes longer for the leaves to steep the colder the water is.
Cold brew is a gentler way to steep the leaves, meaning you have less tanines and a softer taste. You can steep any leaves and I have been enjoying decaffeinated leaves from the UK Loose Leaf Tea Company. So far I’ve tried Decaffeinated Earl Grey and Decaffeinated Lemon Green. The Lemon Green is particularly nice on a hot day.
You can, of course, use fresh herbs from the garden such as Lemon Balm, which you can’t go wrong with, unless you’ve picked the wrong herb! You will, however, need a lot more leaves to brew the same strength tea.
Brewing tea is the perfect ritual for the end of a long day. Take your time, spoon the tea leaves into the glass jar with care, pour in the cold water and watch the leaves dance. Stir and steep. Then take your favourite glass, why not use a champagne flute if you have one, strain and pour your tea and add a little lemon, honey or the odd rose petal. Enjoy!
This Month’s Recommended Read:
This book is like a siren’s call with its beautiful illustrations, easily accessible information, split up into easily navigable chapters. We have reached the zenith of fairy season as we work our way from Beltane to Samhain and anyone wishing to work with the fae should have this book in their collection.
Full review coming later in the month.
Charlie Creed talks more about his book across on Bloom & Bewitch, Verbana Book’s Substack. Take a look to find out more.
Upcoming Events For July/August :
28th July - 27th August - (Various Dates) Summer Storytelling, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Weald & Downland Museum. Check their website for details of daily activities and for when I’m telling.
6th August - Blackthorn Moot - Baking Magic into the Everyday- This event is in Petersfield (UK). If you are interested in learning more please do contact me for more information. - NB// moved to 17th September.
Thank you for sharing The Faery Rules! We actually have a whole month of Faery Folklore lined up for our Substack, so stay tuned ✨