Spring Equinox: Day 1

It's time to celebrate the start of spring! We've got a week of Spring Equinox-y fun planned before the big day next week, and (fingers crossed!) we're not hampered by horrible colds like we were at Imbolc.

Blossom Watch

Apparently blossom season has started quite early this year, as a result of a generally mild winter and a comparatively warm February. It's still pretty to see though. This pink cherry blossom is in the garden at the Pankhurst Centre (where I work).

Spring Tea Break

We were both at work all day today, so we didn't have any proper celebrations planned together. I made sure I had a spring-themed tea break though, with Candy Floss at the Fair tea (from Bird and Blend) and a mini egg cookie.

Dim Sum

I'm a bit in love with dim sum, and now I'm a bit in love with Ding Dong Dim Sum, who do a fantastic vegan selection. It's all colourful enough to sort of look like it's spring-themed, but the custard buns definitely look just right for the season!

Spring Equinox Stories Wanted for Hannah’s Bookshelf on North Manchester FM

Submit your seasonal flash fiction to be played on Hannah’s Bookshelf this March!

Can you tell a seasonal story in just 3 minutes? Want to have your work played on the radio? This month, I’m looking for seasonal (Spring) flash fiction from around the world for inclusion on Hannah’s Bookshelf, the weekly literature show on North Manchester FM.

On Saturday 16th March, I’ll be hosting the first Hannah’s Bookshelf Spring Equinox Special, and as part of my seasonal special, I’ll be playing a selection of my favourite 3-minute stories on the show (broadcast on FM and on digital). Want to be part of it? Submit a recording of your seasonally inflected story (maximum 3 minutes) by midnight on Monday 11th March.

All genres welcome – be they cosy, romantic, scary or sad. The only rules are that stories must be your own original work, have some connection to the season, and be in English (the language of the broadcast). And please ease off the swears – stories have to be radio friendly! All you need is a microphone and a story – once you’re ready to submit your story, click on the ‘Start Recording’ button on my website to record your story and submit it. Remember to enter your name and email address when submitting your story.

If you aren’t able to submit via a recording and would like another method of taking part, please message via my website for more information.

Please share this call with anyone who you think might be interested – I’d like to cast the net as wide as possible. My favourite seasonal stories will be broadcast on the Hannah’s Bookshelf Spring Equinox Special at 2pm on Saturday 16th March, on digital radio and 106.6FM.

Imbolc: Day 7

It's Groundhog Day! And the final day of our (slightly muted) Imbolc celebrations this year.

Imbolc Dinner

We had our traditional Imbolc dinner tonight... vegetarian meatloaf with spring onion mash, followed by winterberry crumble.

Imbolc Gifts

After dinner, we swapped our traditional Imbolc gifts. We'll save these whiskies up throughout the year, and then enjoy them in December.

Groundhog Day

Time for the seasonal film of choice. It is Groundhog Day after all.

And so the wheel of the year turns... we'll be celebrating again (fingers crossed) at the Spring Equinox.

Imbolc: Day 6

I was in London for a training session today, and while it was a very enjoyable and interesting session, it wasn't really very seasonal. I did make sure Rob and I had a seasonal treat afterwards though!

Imbolc Bun

This isn't technically marketed as an Imbolc treat, but whatever. Raspberry choux bun with added white chocolate winter people (from a reduced-to-clear Christmas selection box... 'tis the season).

Imbolc: Day 5

I think I've just accepted that I'm not going to recovered enough from the horror-cold for big celebrations (and poor Rob certainly isn't), so I guess this Imbolc is all about the little things. I can deal with that - the little things are meant to be the ones that matter anyway.

Castlerea Imbolc Stories

I was at Castlerea Care Home for a seasonal storytelling session with the residents this afternoon. We had some Imbolc-themed poetry, a lot of conversation, a bit of music, and snowballs, iced gems and cream soda! After the session finished, the staff and residents surprised me with a packet of sunflower seeds, so that I've got a project for when winter turns into spring.

Imbolc: Day 4

Another quiet day of recovering from the horror-cold. I was at work all day, so no time or energy for big celebrations.

Imbolc Tea Break

Even though I couldn't manage any big celebrations, I still had a bit of a (sort of) seasonal tea break at work by treating myself to a cinnamon bun.

Imbolc: Day 3

Another quiet Imbolc day, as I've still not shifted this cold properly. I'm a bit too tired to do a lot of celebrating, sadly.

Library and Lunch

I met up with a friend today for a trip to Beswick Library (which I combined with some recording for Hannah's Bookshelf). After we'd checked out some books, we went for lunch at Elnecot.

Imbolc: Day 2

Another day of our slightly muted Imbolc celebrations. My temperature's down again (hooray!), but Rob's still really ill. Fingers crossed we kick this into touch soon.

Bailey’s Wood Imbolc Walk

I ran a seasonal walk for Friends of Bailey's Wood today, sharing Imbolc stories and folklore. We had a huge turnout, and everyone was really up for hearing me talk about Jack Frost, the Green Man, winter lights and weather-forecasting badgers. I read a bit from Lia Leendertz's Almanac as well, when we paused at the site of an old hay meadow - 'The Painful Plough' seemed fitting for the location!

Imbolc: Day 1

It's Imbolc! But, sadly, a bit of a quiet one for us this year, as we've both come down with horrible colds that have completely derailed our plans for the season. I'm gutted, because I really love Imbolc, and we had to cancel a few of our seasonal celebrations last year for various reasons. Here's hoping this isn't a sign of things to come this year. Sigh.

Imbolc Litter-Pick

It was the monthly Friends of Bailey's Wood litter-pick today. Rob wasn't well enough to make it, but I limped on and enjoyed finding some seasonal things in the woods. I'm glad I did, because I found some Scarlet Elf Cups! First time I've ever seen these mushrooms in real life!

Hannah’s Bookshelf Imbolc Special

This afternoon was the Hannah's Bookshelf Imbolc Special on North Manchester FM. I shared some seasonal stories and folklore, and then we had some original seasonal flash fiction submitted by four writers. I also contributed a story this time - 'Two Player Mode', a light-hearted take on the Imbolc season. And there were Imbolc cakes too, which I shared with the volunteers at the community centre where the NMFM studio is based.

Imbolc Stories Wanted for Hannah’s Bookshelf on North Manchester FM

Submit your seasonal flash fiction to be played on Hannah’s Bookshelf this January!

Can you tell a seasonal story in just 3 minutes? Want to have your work played on the radio? This month, I’m looking for seasonal (winter, Imbolc, Candlemas, Groundhog Day) flash fiction from around the world for inclusion on Hannah’s Bookshelf, the weekly literature show on North Manchester FM.

On Saturday 27th January, I’ll be hosting the first Hannah’s Bookshelf Imbolc Special, and as part of my seasonal special, I’ll be playing a selection of my favourite 3-minute stories on the show (broadcast on FM and on digital). Want to be part of it? Submit a recording of your seasonally inflected story (maximum 3 minutes) by midnight on Monday 22nd January.

All genres welcome – be they cosy, romantic, scary or sad. The only rules are that stories must be your own original work, have some connection to the season, and be in English (the language of the broadcast). And please ease off the swears – stories have to be radio friendly! All you need is a microphone and a story – once you’re ready to submit your story, click on the ‘Start Recording’ button on my website to record your story and submit it. Remember to enter your name and email address when submitting your story.

If you aren’t able to submit via a recording and would like another method of taking part, please message via my website for more information.

Please share this call with anyone who you think might be interested – I’d like to cast the net as wide as possible. My favourite seasonal stories will be broadcast on the Hannah’s Bookshelf Imbolc Special at 2pm on Saturday 27th January, on digital radio and 106.6FM.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 24

Christmas Eve was an insanely busy day, not helped by the fact that I didn't get any sleep last night. But it was all very good festive stuff, and I had an amazing time. (I just wish I hadn't been so tired that I went out in odd shoes at one point, and then broke my glasses in the evening!)

Operation Turkey

First thing in the morning, I headed over to Bury for what me and my mother-in-law were calling Operation Turkey (i.e. I took her to the local farm shop to pick up the turkey she'd ordered). This was an odd mission for a vegetarian to undertake, but she did give me a cup of tea and some homemade mince pies afterwards.

Castlerea Christmas Party

Next stop, Castlerea Care Home for the Christmas Eve party. I took a bottle of Salted Caramel Bailey's and some mince pies, read 'A Visit from St Nicholas' (aka ''Twas the Night Before Christmas'), and then handed out presents for the residents and staff. They had a Christmas quiz after that, but I couldn't stay because I had to fly off to my next thing.

Christmas Drink With a Friend

Me and my friend Poppy met up in Bowker Bank Woods for a festive drink and a chat this afternoon. And yes... yes I did make more mulled apple juice for the occasion.

Walk in the Woods

I had an amazing twilight walk to my parents' house through Blackley Forest this evening, with The Nutcracker Suite in my ears and a rucksack full of presents on my back. Admittedly, all I'd had so far today was mince pies, a little bit of Bailey's and some mulled apple juice (on around 2 hours sleep), but it was a perfect walk all the same.

Salted Caramel Lebkuchen Tea

At my parents' house and enjoying a little bit of calm before the rest of my family arrive, with some Bird and Blend Salted Caramel Lebkuchen tea.

Advent Tea

Behind the final door in my Bird and Blend tea calendar... Peppermint Hot Cocoa!

Advent Jewellery

And behind the penultimate door in my Avon jewellery calendar (because it's got a renegade Door No. 25 for tomorrow)... a candy cane pendant!

And so, the countdown is over and I'm ready for Christmas with my family, and so that's where I'm ending this blog. The wheel of the year will turn again after New Year, when we'll be getting ready to celebrate Imbolc.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 23

Today was a very busy day. Lots to do before tomorrow (which is going to be even busier) and then Christmas Day (also Rob's birthday).

Christmas Rainbow

I spent a big chunk of this afternoon shopping in Cheetham Hill. It was pretty hectic at Manchester Fort today, but literally everyone stopped in their tracks when an already impressive sunset gave way to the most incredible rainbow I've ever seen. It was so vivid, you could make out every single colour, and it was massive as well. I celebrated afterwards with a vegan Turkey & Trimmings Toastie and a Hazelnut Mocha at Costa (because I am a sucker for a festive menu).

Hannah’s Bookshelf Christmas Special

This afternoon was the Hannah's Bookshelf Christmas Special on North Manchester FM, when I talked about a selection of festive books that were published this year.

Christmas Pie

We were able to do one of our Christmas traditions that we had to miss last year... Christmas Pie! It's Christmas, but in a pie. I was so tired from all the preparations that I couldn't be bothered cutting pastry leaves for the top, so I just stuck some holly leaves on there (we didn't eat them though). We watched It's a Wonderful Life and then had salted caramel chocolate tarts for pudding.

Advent Tea

Behind Door No. 23 in my Bird and Blend tea calendar... Mince Pie!

Advent Jewellery

And behind Door No. 23 in my Avon jewellery calendar... silver bow earrings!