June

It seems like a bus-load of insects arrived here last night — just in case we hadn’t realised that summer was here.

There is the hum of bees and those dratted mosquitoes, along with the beginnings of citronella-smelling creams in attempts to remain un-bitten. Everyone is suddenly outdoors and wearing only one layer. No more just-in-case socks stuffed into car cubby holes.

Time to start eating outside with quick antipasti and foods at room temperature. This is a time for picnics. Pine nuts are drying and can be heard dropping to the ground near basil-scented verandas. Things are beginning to look colourful. There are green beans, burnished purple eggplants, apricots, garlic, sweet red onions, capers, green radicchio, nectarines and zucchini with their beautiful yellow flowers.