Shortlist 004: Spring/Summer

Since returning from San Francisco at the beginning of November I’ve been feeling like I have a cold and allergies at the same time. Unsurprisingly, the pollen count has been at an all-time high; it’s also been unseasonably cold. My symptoms are slowly retreating, yet persistent enough to be annoying on a daily basis.

When my energy reserves are draining faster than usual, I find focusing on the little things to be a balm for feeling frustrated and tired. Here’re some highlights from the turn of spring into summer.

People-watching with Ari at the farmers’ market. Our girl had surgery last month to fix a recurring skin issue, and she did so well post-op. She was on strong painkillers the first couple of nights, then tapered off the dose over a week. Recovery was smooth and rapid, and she’s back to normal in under a month.

Keeping up the weekend ritual of a big breakfast, usually accompanied by a few rounds of mid-fired oolong tea.

Anemones from the garden had a long flowering season this spring, thanks to the persistently cold mornings.

Experiencing autumn and spring in the same month: persimmons and late season strawberries in the Bay Area, cherries in the capital tablelands

White florals are my favourite part of this time of year, their intoxicating waxy scents perfuming the air. Two summers ago, we worked on encouraging the star jasmine at the corner of the front porch to climb, including cutting back old woody growth and twirling new shoots around a helper stake and up the pole. It’s done really well despite the colder mornings; in the afternoons I like to sit in the front with a cup of tea and soak in the golden light.

I’m looking forward to…

A little break over Christmas and New Year’s. There’re no plans except to read, paint a bathroom, fire up the little hibachi, and throw shapes on the wheel.

What are your plans for closing out the calendar year?