A rose by any other name

A peculiar day of endless tepid drizzle under a leaden sky. Where has the summer gone?

I struggled with work, feeling uninspired, and eventually gave up and did some cooking instead. Chopping, slicing and stirring can be very therapeutic. I do it most days, and for some reason nearly always end up making things that start with garlic and shallots. Its critics say there is no such thing as a little garlic, but I'm gradually becoming of the opinion that you can't really do without it.

Today it's just part of a simple tomato sauce for pasta, but yesterday it was roasted with chicken and tomorrow it's going in a stir-fry along with ginger and spring onions. Delicious. And I won't be bothered by vampires any time soon.