This Month through my Lens #8
“January is the threshold to new possibilities; dare to step forward and embrace the unknown.” – A.D. Posey, Poems from an Insomniac (2014)
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 random things that I think this Lens Soup community might love.
©Kirstie Young
Does anyone else find packing all the trappings of Christmas away in January almost more satisfying that hanging all the baubles up in December? It’s not that I’m a Scrooge around the festive season, I really do revel in it, but there’s something so deliciously calming about the aftermath. A new diary, the feeling of clear space when the tree has been relocated to the tip, screwing the cap back on the Baileys for another year, having a stern word with yourself about the suitability of cake as a breakfast food (although my internalized Jury is still arguing about that one). It just all really appeals to me.
I’m going super gentle on making any resolutions this year - finally learning that I don’t need to reinvent myself every single time. Any plan to embark on tough challenges just isn’t calling to me this time around. Instead, I’m committing to adding things rather than taking them away. Really simple things, but often those things that can slip away if you don’t pin them down and declare them Resolutions. I want more “real” time with friends - not just a quick drink in the pub; more travel, including time to travel solo; and I’m taking on the challenge of learning Spanish alongside my teenager, God help me …
I have agreed to to a weekly Salsa class with a mate, booked a train to go to a friend’s book launch in London, and bought two tickets to see the Renaissance exhibition at the Royal Academy while I’m there.
And it’s only Thursday …
This Time Last Year
Is there anything as pleasing as looking back at photos of the previous year? A ritual that has a way of slowing down time that increasingly seems to whizz by.
This time last year I was about to head off to Sarlat in France to visit the annual Truffle Festival with a mate who makes her living making 1beautiful handmade pottery. We’d plotted this adventure as a way of us both doing the things we love, in the name of research - for me that was having 3 days to immerse myself in French food, wine and the brilliantly clandestine world of Truffle hunters.
©Kirstie Young
And for my friend Charlie, it was visiting the wonderful Sculptor, 2Pascal Peltier, in his studio. An experience that was absolute heaven for as a photographer, with half discarded sculptures and works in progress squeezed in alongside the tools of his trade and finished works.
The richness of being led by the hand to someone else’s passion is immense. There’s not a world where I would have contacted an artist in Europe and ask if I could pop in for a chat, and equally I don’t imagine my friend would have considered crossing Europe by train to watch an elderly man with a dog dig a Truffle out the ground. But we both got as much from the new experiences as the ones we planned the trip around for ourselves, which in itself is pretty wonderful.
THE BIG JANUARY DRINK DEBATE
I am SO uneasy with the “you must-ness” of January. The mad idea that the name of the month dictates your alcohol units is frankly baffling.
It’s all Poppycock.
Do as you see fit.
Next.
Film
If ever there was a month to put on a massive Jumper, hide a bag of popcorn in your pocket and head to your local Picturehouse, it’s January. And happily there are some great films to entice you there
If you can find a cinema that is still showing it (a lot of the Everyman Cinemas seem to still have it showing), I really recommend Conclave. A kind of “12 Angry Men” but for Cardinals. The pace is slow to start, but the attention to the detail of the Papal voting process was fascinating, Ralph Fiennes is at the top of his game in the lead role, and there is a beautiful twist in the tale that has kept me mulling over the story for a full week after seeing it.
I’m off to be thoroughly terrified this Friday at the new version of the gothic classic,“Nosferatu” with my teenager. Not something that would usually be my go to, but the cinematography is meant to be exquisite, and I can always hide behind the massive bag of smuggled in popcorn when it all gets too scary.
From the Web
Reading about Food Trends for the year ahead is always something that I find endlessly fascinating (and sometimes unsettling!). I have tiptoed past the more unsettling ones (Frozen Omlette Readymeals anyone?) to find the ones that appeal.
Tea - as an ingredient as well as infusion. Kombucha, Cold Brews and Sparkling are all becoming better and more available. I have a new 3Scoby sat in the kitchen ready to start making my own Kombucha again. My family are less than thrilled that the “Alien in the Jar” is back in their life, but hoping to convert them with the delicious brew.
Swalty! A portmanteau of "sweet" and "salty," a combination that is now so popular has it’s own made up name. I’m currently musing on the idea of rolling biscuit dough in Kettle crisps before baking … It would work, right?
Online and in person Cookbook Clubs. I am SO ON BOARD with this idea that I’m going to launch one for you lovely lot. The idea is that there will be a different Cookbook each month, with 3 recipes options highlighted for you to choose from to make and if you are so inclined, shoot and then post in the Subscriber only comments. I’ll drop this months choice on Notes by the end of today, and then on the 31st I will do a round up of everyone’s photos and/or comments. You in?
Mushrooms with benefits. Potent ingredients like Lions Mane, Reisha are now so mainstream as a wellness trend that they are now appearing in packaged drinks in M&S. I have to admit I’m slightly uneasy with this as there are some 4known side effects with these ingredients, so seeing them casually in the sandwich aisle doesn’t quite sit right. But potentially the amount that is actually in the drink will be so small to be negligible. Which begs the question - why bother?!
We have had 5Wine in a Can, step forward Wine in a Paper Bottle. Already used by companies such as “When in Rome”, and Umbrian winemakers, “Cantina Goccia” this looks like it is becoming “a thing”. I think both companies have made what could have been a really unappealing idea appear actually pretty sexy and modern. Sure, you can’t put them in the cellar to age, but for wine that you plan to drink now it’s an interesting way of making a smaller impact on the planet and still enjoying premium wine …
would love to hear your thoughts?
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If you are not offended by swearing, I fully recommend treating yourself to this hysterical comedy rant about the phenomenon of Wine in a Can!
love this Kirstie, I never make resolutions. - too depressing when I fail! I like to add nice things instead! also snorted tea out of my nose about the dry jan ! I could hear you saying " do as you see fit - next". !!!!!
the alien is back in my kitchen as well but as theres only me that seems to ever drink it I fear it will become the elderly unloved alien before long!! can you do cook book club in person, I am soooo in! see you soon I hope xxxx