Violet products

I was visiting friends in the country last week. It was a grey day and the autumn colours were rendered even more brilliant for having been washed by the rain. The rain let up just before I arrived and a quick tour of the garden before lunch had me lusting after the huge crop of violets peeking out from under heart shaped dark leaves.
Melancholy, cool days with the pigeon-breast skies and falling leaves that herald the arrival of winter winter have me  feeling like changing my summer fig perfume for Penhaligon’s Violetta and snuggle on the couch under a soft woolen throw with a good book and relaxing music. A little vase of fresh violets always makes me smile too.  It is a shame they have such a short vase life although I have found that, if they are sprayed with a light mist of water several times a day, they can last up to four or five days.
I keep a little tin of Violette flavoured “Les Anis de Flavigny” pastilles on the side table or in my handbag. These are violet flavoured sugar drops concealing a grain of  real aniseed… a wonderful pick me up and mouth freshener. (I prefer Orange Blossom and Rose flavours the rest of the year)

If a friend comes to visit, we may have an Aviation Cocktail made with Creme de Violette liqueur or, if that is too much trouble, a glass of sparkling white wine  or even plain water with a splash of Monin Violet syrup to set the mood.   This season, with all these wonderful violet products as well as a fresh supply of crystallised violets in the pantry, I may just try to make some violet icecream…. shall keep you posted.