Spring Equinox: Day 4

Our fourth day of celebrating the upcoming Spring Equinox, and we decided to head out for a picnic.

Picnic at Haughton Dale

We went for a picnic in Haughton Dale today. It was nice to wander round, looking for signs of spring in the woods. We saw a lot of blossom, heard a lot of bird song, and then accidentally watched some frogs having sex. Spring is truly in the air!

Seasonal Tea

Took a slightly meditative moment to enjoy spring in the woods with a seasonal tea. This one was Cream Egg tea from Bird and Blend.

Spring Equinox: Day 2

Our second day of celebrating the Spring Equinox, and this one was a pretty important one. It was our tenth wedding anniversary!

Spring Cupcakes

I made some spring-themed cupcakes for a meeting I was running at work today. They were flavoured with white chocolate and Parma Violets, and decorated with daisies. And yes, the Parma Violets were leftover trick-or-treat sweets from last Halloween. I'm continuing my plan to use them all to decorate seasonal cakes before Halloween comes around again.

Wedding Cake Tea

As it was our anniversary, my tea break drink of choice was Wedding Cake by Bird and Blend.

Wedding Anniversary Dinner

We went out for dinner at Croma in Prestwich with our parents tonight to celebrate our anniversary. I took the personalized topper from our wedding cake as a little reminder of our day all those years ago.

Wedding Anniversary Gifts

It was our tin anniversary, so we both got each other tin gifts. Unsurprisingly, we both went with Cornish tin (as it's also ten years since our first lovely holiday to Lizard). As we were both thinking about Cornwall, I also got Rob a surprise delivery of his favourite pasties from Ann's Pasties (they're not on the picture as they were in the freezer by the time I got home).

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!

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!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 22

Back in Manchester after a wonderful pre-Christmas holiday! Lots to do over the next couple of days though.

More Mulling!

Time to mull some more apple juice.

Bailey’s Wood Winter Solstice Walk

I led a Winter Solstice Walk in the Woods for the Friends of Bailey's Wood today. We talked about seasonal folklore and I, as always, shared tales of Captain Christmas. We also saw some amazing mushrooms and stopped for some mulled apple juice under the silver birch trees.

Mulled Apple Juice

There was still some mulled apple juice left after the walk, so me and Rob had it with a mince pie!

Yule Candle

We lit our Yule candle from Chalice Creations tonight. Frankincense, cinnamon, orange and cedarwood to put us in a very festive mood.

Advent Tea

Behind Door No. 22 in my Bird and Blend tea calendar... Salted Caramel Lebkuchen!

Advent Jewellery

And behind Door No. 22 in my Avon jewellery calendar... a gold Christmas tree pendant!