Household Notes: Scenting the Home, from Garden to Linen Cupboard

Perfumery takes on many different notes throughout the year, and whether travelling abroad or staying closer to home in search of a scent that suits, there is much to tempt the senses. You may have noticed Jo Malone’s curious yet veritable and verdant release of limited-edition scents firmly of the vegetable variety in 2026. It seems that scent and taste-makers alike are always keen to intrigue the nose with surprising and unexpected combinations...

Household Notes: A Scoop of Ice Cream History

A bowl, cup or cone of good ice cream in the summertime is a pleasure worth savouring whenever it’s available. Where better to turn for guidance (tried and tested!) on the subject than The Women’s Institute Book of Home Cooking? Its chapter on Ice-creams, Sorbets and Party Desserts urges readers that the matter of making your own ice cream is much simpler than imagined...