Hello from the sunny south of England!

May always feels like a month of gentle contrasts to me — warm, sunny days interspersed with rainy, cool ones, new beginnings as well as recollections of days gone by. From a treasured family memory of VE Day to a visit steeped in royal history, fresh spring recipes and a rediscovered love of handwritten pages, here are a few musings and inspirations I’d love to share with you as the month begins – along with a few surprises I have been working away at behind the scenes.

A Memory Worth Sharing

My late mother-in-law was just nine years old on VE Day, and I will be forever grateful that she shared this memory with me many years ago. I hope her words will help you get a taste of what it was really like to be there, as they did for me. (And yes, my mother-in-law and I share not only a very similar name, but also identical initials.)

"My name is Avril Joy Harris and I am typing this on 8^th May 2005, exactly 60 years since the Second World War ended.

I remember VE day in 1945 when the BBC announced that the war had ended. Everyone rushed out into the streets and talked to their neighbours very excited that at last the terrible bombing would stop and all their husbands and sons would sooner or later return home to them. Of course many would never come back.

Because my Mother could not walk well my Father and I took the number 33 tram to Westminster bridge and then walked up to Trafalgar Square because we wanted to get near to Buckingham Palace to see King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with their two children (our Queen, then Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret) come onto the balcony and wave to the people.

Don’t forget there was no TV in those days, only the “wireless” as it was called, not radio as we know it now.

We found hundreds of people all doing the same thing, but it was all very good natured and everyone talked to one another smiling and laughing. We arrived in Trafalgar Square and turned left to pass through Admiralty Arch. By now the Mall was full to overflowing and it was unfortunate that whilst we were under the Arch the whole flow of traffic stopped. As I was only nine, I was too short to see what was going on and was completely engulfed by bodies which shut out all the daylight.

I remember being absolutely terrified with everyone pushing trying to get on to the Mall. After what seemed like a very long time with my father trying to protect me from the crush, he shouted for help to get me up onto his shoulders. A great big burley man, a cockney from his accent, pushed people away with his arms, hauled me up on to his shoulders and turned around and eventually went back towards Trafalgar Square.

Although I was there alright it was not a pleasant experience! There must have been many more people who had the same problem as there were just too many people and there was no sort of crowd control. It would not happen today; it was just the exuberance of the moment. We recovered ourselves and everyone sang and danced where they were, even though we could not get on to the Mall. So, all was not lost, and we had a some fun before returning home again by the number 33 tram to Herne Hill, only 4 miles from Buckingham Palace. "

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I think it is important honour the courage and resilience of ordinary people - those who lived through the war and those who served at home and abroad - many who made the ultimate sacrifice. It's also a chance to be grateful for the peace that followed, and the relationships built in the decades since, even between countries that once faced each other on the battlefield.

Recipes for Spring and VE Day Celebrations

I love cooking and baking in the spring! It's generally warm, but cool enough to still get stuck into some baking as well as enjoying the flavours of fresh spring produce.

Easy Crab Pate My Easy Crab Pate is a fantastic go-to starter or appetizer, an easy lunch, a sandwich filling and the perfect canapé topper all in one. Go to the recipe

Spaghetti Primavera Spaghetti Primavera al Limone is full of fresh spring flavours. Switch up the veggies depending on what you have on hand. Recipe here

Lemon Drizzle Cake Lemon Drizzle Cake is a classic British cake, a moist, sweet lemon- syrup soaked delight that's perfect for afternoon tea and picnics - or anytime really! Get the recipe

Easy Scones Recipe Don't miss my Grandma's quick and easy scones recipe, plus my tips for how to make the best scones. Just put the kettle on and you'll be all set! Here's the recipe!

A Visit to Hampton Court Palace

Whenever I visit a historic building like Hampton Court Palace, I am always taken by how places can hold echoes. The worn stone steps, the soft hush in the chapel, even the once-busy kitchens - they all speak of lives once lived, and the beauty of being present in a space where time feels so layered.

There is so much to see and do at Hampton Court. If you fancy a checking it out, I'm offering a glimpse into this beautiful castle, along with a comprehensive guide to visiting in real life.

A Commonplace Book and Other Beautiful Pages

I participated in a workshop about commonplace books recently - and it really got me thinking about starting one! Traditionally, commonplace books were used to collect quotes, passages from books, and bits of information—like a personal reference book before the days of spreadsheets. But I love the idea of making it something a little broader - something like a collection of things worth remembering with space for clippings, snippets of conversations as well as quotes from books, handwritten recipes, even a pressed flower or two. I haven’t quite started mine yet, but there’s something lovely about the thought of keeping one—a place to gather the beautiful and the useful, side by side.

Maybe you’ve already got something like this on the go — a favourite notebook filled with saved ideas, or a journal that’s slowly turned into more? I’d love to know if you keep a commonplace book, or something like it? Please hit reply and let me know!

As promised - a peek behind the scenes!

As many of you already know, I’m a real bookworm, and from your kind replies to my newsletters and our lovely chats over email and social media, I know many of you are too. I’m excited to share that I’ll be announcing some new offerings very soon, starting with a Summer Book List with some of my favourite comfort reads, hidden gems, and stories to savour. There may even be a shared reading experience or two in the works — something gentle and companionable for those of us who love to spend time with a good book. More soon… but for now, watch this space, and consider this your official invitation to get a new bookmark ready!

Links marked with an asterix (*) are affiliate links - If you purchase using these links I make a small commission. Your purchase price is unaffected.

Reading - Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
available on Bookshop.org* and Amazon* (affiliate links)

Listening to - The Style and Substance Podcast Episode 90 - How to Keep Moving Forwards When The World Is Going Mad with Fiona Humberstone and Elizabeth Cairns

Inspired By - This quote from Vicky Tsai "The only difference between a ritual and routine is intention."

That's all for now. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Thank you so much again for being a subscriber. Remember you can reply to this email with any questions, comments, suggestions or just to say hi. I love to hear from you. Warmly, April x April J Harris | Helping you make the most of life at home and away. ​Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest​