May Newsletter

🌿 A Note From May

May felt like a month of transition. I've been enjoying some time away from work, getting outdoors and following wherever my interests take me. Beneath the surface it feels like life has been shifting. A series of medical tests and appointments that have occupied much of 2026 are finally coming to an end, and some unexpected career opportunities have also presented themselves. It's been a good month and for the first time in a while I have a growing sense that I may finally be moving into a calmer chapter.

📚 On My Bookshelf

This month’s reading has been a nice mix of book club picks, comfort reads, and audiobooks. I’ve spent most of this year in a terrible reading slump so it feels good to be getting my mojo back.

For book club, I read Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshananthan (5 stars) — an absolutely outstanding read that will stay with me. Through Sashi’s eyes, this powerful novel takes you into the horrors of the Sri Lankan Civil war with such intimacy it feels almost like a memoir. It educated me and took me to places I have never been. A tough but important read

Seemingly like everyone else online this month, I also read Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (4 stars), and listened to Remarkably Bright Creatures on audiobook (4 stars). I’m really looking forward to watching the film adaptation of that one.

I’m currently reading Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree, a cosy fantasy set in the same world as Legends and Lattes — its lighthearted and sweet, I’m enjoying it.

Looking ahead to June, I’m looking forward to hearing the winner of the Women’s Prize, I have The Correspondent by Virginia Evans lined up as my next audio book and I’d like to read Emma by Jane Austen. I’m also very much coveting The Make-Believe - Hannah Murray’s new memoir.

🎨 Creative Pursuits

On the easel in May, I worked on a small fox study at the start of the month. I was really pleased with how this turned out and plan to add another layer to finish it. It’s made me wonder if this could be the start of a wildlife oil painting series.

On the needles, I’m still working away on my Stripe Overload cardigan. After a mishap with the bind off that took two days to correct, I’ve put that part on hold for now and I’m focusing on the sleeves instead. My original aim was to have this finished and ready to wear by spring, but it’s taken much longer than I anticipated. That said, I’ve learnt some new techniques throughout the process, and I’ve also noticed that I’m able to spot errors sooner and instinctively know how to fix them - this has felt like a real turning point with this craft.

🌾 Field Notes

May was an outstanding month for connecting with the natural world. At the start of the month, we spent almost every day out enjoying the bluebells. I was watching a show last night where someone described them as “flaming like Bunsen burners in the woods” and it made me smile - it’s such a perfect image for them.

We were also lucky enough to share a quiet moment in the bluebell woods with two gentle roe deer, which was a real highlight.

We had a day trip to the Yorkshire Dales and visited the Red Squirrel Trail at Snaizeholme. I’ll be doing a full post on this soon, but let’s just say it was an unforgettable experience getting to see these little cuties in their natural habitat.

We finished May with another visit to Rodley Nature Reserve - a hidden gem that is fast becoming one of our favourite spots. As we were leaving we bumped into a tiny fox cub, not much bigger than a cat. It was a magical encounter and I cannot describe how adorable this little one was.

A notable mention has to go to the Jungle Experience at Manor Heath - a nostalgic haunt I’ve visited since childhood. The greenhouse is home to a wide range of plants as well as terrapins and beautiful butterflies.

🌙 Inspirations & Musings

I’ve felt very creatively inspired this month. I ordered wool to attempt my first pair of Norwegian Selbu mittens, inspired by Florence Miller one of my favourite knitting YouTubers.

I’ve also been drawn deeper into sacred symbolism and my tarot practice. Ediya ASMR on YouTube is my favourite tarot reader and she really inspired me to dig out my Wild Unknown Oracle deck again.

Alongside this, I’ve been using my “bible” - Taschen’s The Book of Symbols — to explore meanings more deeply. Rabbits, hares, the moon, keys, and hands continue to feel especially close to me. I’m also continuously inspired by one of my favourite artists, Tessa Perlow, whose stunning work is full of symbolic magic.

I’ve finally started gathering some of my supplies together for a commonplace book and I’m currently deciding whether to keep everything in one place or separate it into general learnings and then a more esoteric tarot-focused journal. I’d also love to incorporate some gothic lettering, inspired by an incredible WordLayout video I watched on YouTube. I don’t need an excuse to order another fountain pen!

Pulling together these threads of symbolism and tarot, I’ve also been inspired by sacred Catholic oratories and modern interpretations of these as fabric altars to hold tarot decks. These kinds of sacred objects really speak to me, and I’d like to try sewing my own this month using materials I already have in my stash.

Looking ahead, I’m also planning a couple of paintings in June. I’ve been really inspired recently by the magic of trompe l’oeil painting and visual illusions in art. I don’t want to give too much away just yet, but I hope to share more next month. I also continue to research and plan my series of hand paintings in response to the rise of AI art — I almost have too many ideas for this particular series and need to focus on actually getting them onto canvas.

🍓 Small Delights

A long-overdue lunch with my friend Laura - pizza at Salts Diner was wonderful.

Board game night and lasagne with family - the Wyrmspan game was so much fun. I’ve been really enjoying getting into more in-depth board games lately; they’re such a great way to stay fully present with friends and family.

A new hoover - the ultimate grown up purchase. Nothing makes you feel more like you’ve got your life together than that first satisfying run around with a new vac.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Madonna this month - always a good time and such a varied back catalogue.

Sudoku - I started learning how to do them at the start of the year and completed my first “hard” one this month, this felt like a small but very satisfying victory.

🌱 Looking Ahead

In June, I’m looking forward to celebrating the Summer Solstice / Litha (keep an eye out for my seasonal living blog post all about it).

We’re also planning to celebrate our one year engagement anniversary with a night away back at the place we got engaged, Chatsworth House - and then some time exploring Bakewell while we’re there.

There may also be a possible trip to see the puffins at Bempton before they leave for the season.

Alongside all of that, I’m looking forward to continuing my creative projects and seeing where they take me over the month ahead.

Wishing you a soft, sunlit start to June, full of creativity and peaceful days ahead.