This Month through my Lens #3
Dogs, Friends, Coffee | Political Tomfuckery | Gorging on Cherries | The Language of Food
Hello! And welcome back to the monthly newsletter from Lens Soup.
My aim with these is to share the things that have caught my eye in the world of Food and Photography, and occasionally other random things that I think this Lens Soup community might love.
Well, June is challenging so far isn’t it? Raincoats. Suncream. Jumpers. Sunglasses. The joy of Summer Solstice, but a General Election looming. Hope, but smeared in political lies and tomfuckery.
Some days feel like I’m just reaching for an exciting looking envelope on the doormat, when someone opens the door and punches me square in the face.
But there is always dogs, and friends and coffee, and this morning I managed the wonderful triumvirate of all three, so all is well.
©Kirstie Young
The commissions this month have so far been brilliantly diverse, which is something to be celebrated. If you saw my post last week you will be up to speed with my epic 4 day walk in Cornwall, which is still resonating in my day to day life.
How to take Photographs on the hoof
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu There are so many inspirational quotes around enjoying ‘the Journey’, so when I got a phonecall to ask if I would be interested in going along to a 4 day Women’s Walking retreat, taking photographs of the experience of walking and camping along the SW Coastal path, I just couldn’t say no.
I’m taking longer walks with my 4 legged friend, and finding time to stretch body and mind a little with some Yoga. None of this is groundbreaking
NEWSFLASH: “Woman finds happiness in the great outdoors and downward dog”,
but good to be reminded of it sometimes.
I’m also knee deep in a Cookbook shoot, which has to stay a secret a little longer until it’s nearer to the publication date, but basically means I am spending long days in a beautiful studio near Bath, shooting delicious food then scoffing it for lunch. The very best kind of hard work.
“Waiting for the star to arrive”
Five things that grabbed my attention this month
Event
Festival season is very much up and running, with the big daddy of them all, Glastonbury, happening at the end of June. My Glasto days are (probably) behind me, and these days I like my festivals on the smaller side. One of my favourites was happening in Kent last weekend - the mighty festival of Americana - Black Deer. Worth a visit for the food alone.
And if you are a fan of BBQ, then do up your game this year by taking a masterclass with Sam and Shauna from Hangfire, Genevieve Taylor from Bristol Fire School or Marcus Bawdon from CountryWoodSmoke
Recipe.
©Kirstie Young
Breakfast this morning was a big greedy bowlful of Cherries with full fat yoghurt, chopped almonds and coconut shards. The massive boxes of cherries that are going for a fiver in Supermarkets at the moment make me so happy, and here are some of the ways I plan to devour them over the next few weeks
Cherry Clafoutis - classic French dessert, cherries, butter, cream, all the yum.
Cherry Trifle - this year I’m going with incredible Ottolenghi version with Pistachio and Rosemary Crumble.
I’m planning to Pickle a handful, to eat with Burrata.
And finally, I will pit and half a boxful of them, add them to Vodka, to drink in a sunny spot at the end of July. Maybe in a cherry Vodka version of the classic Americano Cocktail. https://gattertopdrinks.com/blogs/cocktails/americano
Book
On a friends recommendation I recently read the historical novel, The Language of Food, about the life of the woman credited with writing one of the first Cookery books, Eliza Acton. Full of poetry and a fight against the patriarchy - loved it.
Any minute now the new cookbook “Vegetables” from Mark Diacono will be delivered to my door.
I can’t believe there are many foodies or gardeners (the absolute best types of people) on Substack who don’t already know Mark’s writing, so I am very aware I’m preaching to the converted, but if by any chance he isn’t on your Radar then you are in for a massive treat. As he said in a recent podcast with Gilly Smith, he writes about “all the things that occur to me sideways when I’m making an omelette” and his are the only cookbooks that have ever made me cry.
Podcast
I know there is possibly too much Political chatter at the moment, but if you are keen to hear something a little more insightful then I really recommend the new podcast from Author, Broadcaster and Professor Gary Younge, called Over the Top, Under the Radar where he chats every week with Carys Afoko about poorly researched news stories that are over-reported and also important new stories that slip under the radar. For full disclosure, Gary is a friend of mine, but even if he wasn’t I would be recommending this smart, funny, perceptive and occasionally sweary half hour of thoughtful chatter.
That's a month with a lot of lovely variety in it. Must give the podcast a listen: I bookmarked a while back when I saw Gary promote it, but then clean forgot to go and listen. Thanks for the reminder. And amen to the lovely Vegetables book -- on the strength of this evening's Toppings event, I can wholeheartedly recommend the caponata, salmorejo and cucumber mojito granita!
Well, I was enjoying this marvellous read plenty…and then your lovely words about my book and writing. Thank you thank you, so very appreciated xx