We are delirious with happiness that the English sun has made her beautiful appearance at last. For a nation so obsessed by the weather we are remarkably patient and insanely grateful when the sun does shine.

 

  

 

Apart from the perfectly normal reaction of being more naked than we ought, the next thing on the sunny day agenda is to eat, drink , sleep and just sit al fresco – in parks, on terraces, balconies, kerb sides, on boats by canals, by pools and in gardens – happiness is taking advantage of summer sunshine just like making hay.

 

 

Heaven to me is dressing up our pergola with the best that Cabbages & Roses has to offer. Although we don’t sell made up tablecloths any more we do sell fabric from which I have ‘made' many tablecloths.

 

 

To make a tablecloth – measure the table, preferably to the floor, cut the cloth, wash in a cool wash and then hang out to dry for a deliciously crumpled linen table cover. The same method can be used for napkins. I find the more the linen is used and washed the better it gets.

 

 

We offer a cushion making service as well so your beautiful outside space can be made even more beautiful.

 

 

During the summer months we hope to entice our lovely Emily Ashworth to share some of her recipes for picnics and al fresco dining using produce from her very own allotment.