Wildflower Moments (June 2025)

Things that make (or made) me happy: my favorite 6, a recipe for a Walnut Pie, a book update, and more...

Every month, I write about my Wildflower Moments, taking a moment to pause and appreciate the beauty of the past month (and season). Moments that brought me joy—and maybe might bring you joy too. The books I read, am reading, or plan to read… and sometimes a poem I wrote or a recipe I loved.

What Made Me Happy

• The Best Kept Secret Festival! I’ve been going to festivals for years, but this one is definitely my favorite. The location, the cozy vibe along the water and in the woods, the food trucks, the fairy lights, the (often unknown) music...

• So many lovely tips for a summer down memory lane.

• You’ll find beautiful Japanese words—or rather concepts—about slow living here. Definitely a Substack worth subscribing to!

• For me, summer is the perfect time to picnic—even in my own garden. You’ll find some tips for a Slow Picnic here.

• Bumblebees fallen asleep in flowers 😍

My Favorite Six...

Oohhh, it was so hard to choose this month! I saw and did so many wonderful things, I could’ve easily made it a favorite nine! 😄

1. I finally had the time, space, and energy to bring some summer vibes to my garden. I filled the pots with blooming annuals and hung up some lights here and there—so cozy… 😊

2. Near my front door, under a tree growing through the pavement, wild strawberries started growing years ago. Every year I’m amazed at how many there are. And they are truly delicious and sweet! 🥰

3. The scent of blooming elderflower… This year I made my first attempt at elderflower syrup. I’m not fully satisfied with the recipe I used, though. Next year I want to add more lemon.

4. One of the many food trucks at the Best Kept Secret festival I mentioned earlier. We had gorgeous weather and truly enjoyed every bit of it!

5. A perfect oak tree (right?), seen during a 17 km walk through a stunning nature reserve. 💗

6. Glamping in my own garden on the day of the summer solstice. It was a very hot day. We took it easy, cooked in the outdoor kitchen with homegrown vegetables, and spent the night sleeping outside.

Recipe

Maybe this recipe suits autumn better, but it was perfect for a few cooler days this past month. It’s pretty simple and really delicious! I’ll definitely make it again.

Walnut Pie – Serves 12

Filling:

• 150 g butter

• 200 g light brown sugar

• 2.5 eggs

• 5 tbsp cornstarch

• 5 tbsp flour

• 3 tbsp maple syrup

• 250 g walnuts (roughly chopped)

• 30 ml espresso or strong coffee

Crust:

• 230 g flour (+ extra for dusting)

• 125 g cold butter (+ extra for greasing)

• 70 g white caster sugar

• Pinch of salt

• ½ egg

Other essentials:

• 24–30 cm pie dish

• Baking paper

• Baking beans (blind baking)

• Mixer

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan).

• Grease your baking dish with a bit of butter.

• Brew the espresso or coffee and let it cool.

• For the crust, mix the sugar, flour, and salt.

• Cut the cold butter into pieces and add it with the half egg. Knead into a smooth ball.

• Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough until it’s slightly larger than your dish.

• Place it in the dish and press into the edges to form a rim.

• Cover with baking paper and fill with baking beans.

• Blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove the beans and paper.

• For the filling, mix the butter and brown sugar until smooth.

• Add the eggs, cornstarch, and flour and mix well.

• Stir in the coffee and maple syrup.

• Fold in the walnuts and pour the filling into the crust.

• Bake for 35 minutes and allow to cool completely.

Books...

I asked my daughter which book she would recommend with spring/summer vibes. Her pick? It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. It falls under the Romance category, and while it’s definitely romantic, the story also touches on domestic violence. It follows Lily, whose father abused her mother. Lily begins her adult life in a new city, chasing her dream of starting her own flower shop. And of course, love enters the picture…

Next, I read The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland. Coincidentally, this book also addresses the theme of domestic violence. I truly see Alice Hart, the main character, as a Wildflower—especially in the choices she makes. I loved the consistent presence of flowers throughout the book—not just in Alice’s life, but in the structure of the book itself, with each chapter linked to a flower. I might write a Wildflower Book Post about it…

This month I also finished Women Who Run with the Wolves. It dives into fairy tales through the lens of women’s themes like creativity, losing your way, being silenced, the importance of ancestors, and more. A thick book that deserves to be read slowly, chapter by chapter—perhaps in a book club, a women’s circle, or with a few close friends. Definitely worthy of a Wildflower Book Post too 😊

Poetry

This video I made in my own garden just calledc for a Haiku:

Soft pink journey drifts
Swaying ballerina light
Sweet pause in the breeze

From My Notebook

• Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there...

• Everyone seems to always be in a rush, annoyance and frustration riding in the back seat, breathing down your neck…

• Summer is for the sea, barefoot wandering along the waves as they lazily stretch across the shore…

• Where else has the oxygen I breathe been? And with whom?

It might be nice to look back at June too. What were your favourite moments? What did you read? Where have you been? What are you grateful for? I'd love to hear them!

I will definitely enjoy the summer, another festival and my holidays and will probably be a bit less active here... 😘

I also wish you, by choice, a wonderful summer/July/holiday (all 3 are allowed too!). Enjoy it to the fullest! 🌸☀🙏🏼