One summer evening

We have another proper summer this year. You know, the kind that makes you sweat while sitting and crave icy cold watermelon chunks and a lot of water. Oh, also lots of turning in the middle of the night trying to find a cooler side. Yup.

I bought my first whole watermelon this year, first ever since I came to this country. It doesn't taste as good as I remember when I was a child but anything cold and hydrating is welcomed these days.

And I think I am having my third cucumber this month? It's a record considering I used to have like one per year. My favorite way of having cucumber is with yogurt, Tzatziki. There are lots of recipes on the web. I like to make mine by starting lightly salting the cucumber dices (seeds removed first). This step not only removes excess water which makes final product thicker, but also it removes the "raw/grassy" flavor of cucumber which I don't like. Rinse away excess salt by plunging the cucumber dices into water for a few seconds and pat dry. Place cucumber dices in a bowl, mix in plain yogurt, puree from half of a garlic clove and dill, dry or fresh, the more the better. No oil is required. 

Another thing which instantly imparts fresh feeling is coriander/cilantro. A simple salad of tomato, cucumber and coriander enhances any meal anytime. Tonight we had tomato, white beans and coriander salad. I also made aubergine in garlicky yogurt sauce topped with lots of coriander. We then had more yogurt for dessert. It's a summery night.

Hats off to Emmeline Pankhurst

Today is Emmeline Pankhurst's birthday. Thanks to her and those who joined her, British women can vote today. All is more special is because Church of England is still debating for women bishop in 2014, nearly 100 years after women's right to vote being granted.

You can read about her in her own words, My Own Story, free kindle version from Amazon. It's the least I could do, to salute to a character who helps shape my life.

I smell of thee

Summer is officially here. The sun is shining and the day is preciously long. The mother nature is very eager and not shy to show what she's got. Red, blue, green, yellow and white and all shades in between and in all possible mixing. It's such a joy to walk among nature's creation. I like thee.

The air smells perfumed where I work these days. I've been wondering where the scent comes from. I think I found the answer today, lime tree flowers. Not to be confused with the citrus fruit one, lime trees (or linden) are native to UK. It produces tiny yellow flower clusters in summer with a scent so irresistible that it kept me wondering for weeks. It's heady but not aggressive. It's also soothing, reminding me of a sunny afternoon when most mammals could do with a cool shade and a nap while only butterflies or bees busy themselves around any flowers they could find.

Now I know you, I adore thee.