Slow & Simple Moments | 03.24
As spring continues to unfurl, I look back on some of the beautiful and special slow and simple moments from the past month.
In the first of this new series, I share some of the things I’ve been getting up to, places I’ve been, and other beautiful and special slow and simple moments from the past month.
If I had to think of one word to describe March, I think it would be unfurl, a sense that slowly, but surely, life is beginning to open up once more. Nature slowly unfurls to reveal her spring glory, and as humans, so we emerge, open to the new life and possibilities of the first full season of the year
March 2024
As I type this, the sun is beating down offering us a warmth much-welcomed at this time of year. Easter, which falls on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox, is here. Suddenly, the world feels like it’s bursting forth into a season of new life. March is the month in which we see the start of both the meteorological spring (1st) and astronomical spring (20th). There is no denying that the season of spring is well and truly upon us, and what joy that brings.
Here are some of my slow and simple moments from March. I hope they might inspire and encourage you to seek out your own in the months to come.
Secret Places
We have lived in the City of Lichfield for nearly 14 years, yet there are still many hidden places waiting for us to discover. One of those was Monk’s Walk, a small, but beautiful garden hidden behind large modern buildings, but on what was part of the original friary. It is believed that as far back as 1237, Franciscan friars settling near St John’s Hospital, were growing food and herbs for both medicinal and culinary purposes. The garden has evolved over the years, and the land bequeathed to the City in 1920. It’s a beautiful, peaceful spot, secret amongst the modern flats and buildings which overshadow it on all sides.
Perhaps there are secret, hidden places you’ve yet to discover in your own local area?
Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge
As many of you will have seen, this was the month in which I launched my Substack, which of course, you’re now reading, Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge. In many respects, it’s a simple thing, and it’s been a slow journey to reach this point. What a joy it’s been to share it with you, as I take another step on my own journey towards a life lived slowly, simply and seasonally, A Life More Creative. You may enjoy catching up with my first two posts, especially the welcome post which you can read here:
I really hope you’ve enjoyed these first few posts. Remember, do share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. It’s always lovely to hear from you.
Chocolate
If you follow me on Instagram, you might be forgiven for thinking I have a sweet tooth, but this isn’t really true. The sickly sweet Easter eggs which bedeck the shops at this time of year don’t really appeal to me, so I was thrilled to come across Pump Street Chocolate who were featured in a recent edition of Country Living magazine. Pump Street Chocolate produce artisan, ethical, sustainable, and community-driven chocolates and bakery items, and as their website states:
‘Pump Street Chocolate is about real craft chocolate, made by hand from bean to bar using traditional methods, ethical sourcing, and all natural ingredients.’
We enjoyed three of their delicious chocolate chickens and eggs at Easter, and are looking forward to trying some of their innovative flavoured chocolate bars in the coming months. The packaging is also beautifully illustrated, and I was really taken with the company’s values. You can find out more about them on their website, and also follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
I do like good, dark chocolate, though not too dark. I once tried 100% dark and it was inedible! What type of chocolate do you enjoy most?
Wild Garlic
The heady aroma of wild garlic is quick to fill the churchyard at St Michael-on-Greenhill in Lichfield, where it grows in abundance. We also have a small amount in the garden, and have received some in our Riverford veg box. I love the subtlety of wild garlic, and it’s incredibly versatile. I think it’s a perfect pairing with stilton, so I made some stilton and wild garlic scones. Perfect with lashings of cold butter! Wild garlic is one of those special things which has but a short season, but one we can look forward to returning as the wheel of the year continues to turn.
I also made some cheese and herb scones pictured above. Again, I love the versatility in being able to use whichever herbs can be found growing in each season. I rummaged in the garden and found some sage, rosemary, chives and thyme to add to these, alongside some good, strong, Westcombe Cheddar.
If wonder, have you found any wild garlic growing near to where you live?
As we enter April, we look forward to spring continuing to unfurl. Our daffodils are still flourishing, and some of the tulips are just starting to bloom. The blossom is vibrant, and the trees are, once again, beginning to grow their new, delicate green leaves. April showers or not, even more so now the clocks have gone forward, this is a time to enjoy being outdoors, senses alert, and slowly enjoying all the simple and seasonal moments which nature brings forth for us to experience.
I look forward to seeing which slow and simple moments April will bring.
If you’re not already doing so, I’d love you to follow me over on Instagram. You can also visit the A Life More Creative website, where you can find out more about My Story, and read articles from my online Journal. Subscribe on Substack to receive new posts and to support my work:
Can I say… “Lashings of cold butter” is just a delightful phrase.