124. 16.05.2012 Purple pineapples

124. 16.05.2012 Purple pineapples

Obviously they’re not really pineapples. Pineapples aren’t purple.  And pineapples are bigger. And they don’t grow on plants but come in rings in tins.

Throughout history, wherever there’s been an old lady, there’s been lavender. In fact, when God  had that spare week on his hands in which he created the world,  after creating Adam He stopped to eat  an apple and went on to create Eve, but being a wise old bean, He realised  that Eve would one day become an old lady.  So  He created lavender because, to be brutally frank, the thought of wee wee knocked him sick. Concerned that lavender might not be enough, He created highly scented roses,  and lilly of the valley spray scents. It’s also  a little known fact that  He also created highly scented roses and a little known fact is that He is also the patent owner of Tena Lady, although you have to read between the lines in the Bible to interpret that little fact. Not that anyone actually interprets the Bible to suit their own causes though.

These ones aren’t the ones that they stuff into little muslin bags though and they’re not as scented as the ones old ladies prefer.  They’re French lavender. English lavender is the one that smells nice. I could make a comment about the French not smelling nice, but shall resist the temptation. It’s just a fact of life and one that  has been addressed elsewhere.

Lavender, alongside daffodils, is my favourite flower. In a previous life in Holland, I had a roof terrace that was planted entirely with them.  I used to sleep outside in the summer amongst it. Perhaps odd by most people’s way of thinking, but to fall asleep under the stars with the hazy sweet  smell of lavender is one of the unique joys in life.

It’s also tasty, especially with salmon, or a sprinkling of the flowers in a salad or  in cheese and chocolate. Try it!