Countdown to Christmas: Day 2

It's the second day of our Yuletide celebrations. Today was more of an outdoor kinda day (for me - Rob was at work all day).

Walk in the Woods

I had a lovely walk in Blackley Forest today, listening to Christmas music and looking out for all the signs that the Holly King's reign has truly begun. There's a beautiful glade of silver birch trees in the forest, and I've fallen into the tradition of visiting it each December, standing in the middle of it and listening to 'Carol of the Bells'.

Stollen

Tonight, I had a bit of a difficult thing to do, as it was the monthly Friends of Crumpsall Park committee meeting, and sadly the meeting when I resigned as treasurer. I've been treasurer for eight years, and I still love the park a lot, but it's time for me to hand over to someone else now. I took some stollen for the committee so that it wasn't all doom and gloom!

Advent Tea

Today's tea in my Bird and Blend advent calendar was Earl Grey Creme!

Advent Model

Today's model in our other advent calendar was a little Christmas wreath!

Spring Equinox: Day 5

Rob was on a long shift today, so I decided to spend the day mostly wandering around (sometimes by myself, sometimes with others).

A Walk in Crumpsall Park

First up, I had a meeting in the park with Friends of Crumpsall Park. And I spotted the first of the daisies!

Milk Cake and Chai

After the park meeting, I walked over to You, Me and Tea in Crumpsall for some Pistachio Milk Cake and Pink Chai (which both looked suitably seasonal).

A Walk in Blackley Forest

Then after the cake, I wandered through Blackley Forest for a bit, enjoying some springtime peace and quiet.

A Walk in Heaton Park

Later on in the afternoon, me and my mum went for a little walk in Heaton Park.

Bailey’s Wood Spring Equinox Walk

Finally, I led a community Spring Equinox Walk in the Woods for the Friends of Bailey's Wood, sharing stories and folklore of 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.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 17

Another slightly late post... and another day of lowkey seasonal celebrations. I've come out of my sickbed now, but I still haven't got the energy for full-on festive frolics.

Today's Tea

Yesterday's tea was Dried Mummy's Brains from Monster Mash Teas. It's part of a gift set, so I have a different cup for this one as well. It's my first foray into corpse medicine this month! Only joking... it's Egyptian Camomile flowers.

Today's Story

And yesterday's classic tale of horror was 'The Room in the Tower' by E.F. Benson (one of my favourites so far, got to admit).

Halloween Earrings

Yesterday's Halloween earrings were little skeletons.

A Walk in the Forest

I had an autumn walk in Blackley Forest yesterday to blow the last of the cobwebs away (or at least to try).

Live and Spooky Campfire Stories (Christi Nogle)

Yesterday's Flame Tree Press Campfire Stories video was from Christi Nogle, reading her short story 'You Will Make Me Strong Again'.

Autumnal Equinox: Day 3

It was a bit of a quiet one yesterday, as it was the day of the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Not really a day for celebrating, so instead it was bit more about reflecting on the season and spending time with my family.

Autumn Equinox Earrings

As I was going to the woods yesterday, my Autumn Equinox earrings were squirrels and acorns.

Blackley Forest

I went for a walk in Blackley Forest yesterday. The woods were quiet and peaceful, with just a little touch of autumn colour.

Flavours of Manchester Chocolates

I bought some Flavours of Manchester (Manchester tart, Vimto, Uncle Joe's Mint Balls and honey) chocolates from The Chocolate Cafe in Ramsbottom to share with my parents yesterday. And they were glorious!

Tiny Birthday No. 19

Shhhh... secret tiny birthday in the woods. (That's a tiny birthday cake and some Birthday Cake tea from Bird and Blend Tea Co. in Blackley Forest!)

(This is how I'm celebrating my birthday this year - see here for the reasons why.)

Vernal Equinox: Day 1

It's time for the second event in our Year of Celebrating the Seasons this week. The Vernal (Spring) Equinox (aka Ostara) is coming up on Sunday, so we're going to be celebrating all week, enjoying the beginnings of spring. We already started some new traditions at Imbolc, but who knows? we might start some more this week as well.

A Walk in the Woods

I started off my Vernal Equinox celebrations with a walk in the woods with my dad. We met in Blackley Forest and spent a nice hour or so just enjoying nature.

Daffodils

It's daffodil season! And that's a sure sign that spring is here. I'm determined to make this week as daffodil-tastic as I can, so I started off by spotting some in the woods.

Blackthorn

Daffodils aren't the only spring flowers though. The blackthorn is also in blossom in the woods this month.

Daffodil: Biography of a Flower

Since I'm going for a daffodil-tastic week, my holiday reading is Daffodil: Biography of a Flower by Helen O'Neill.

Ostara Earrings

I've got a good collection of seasonal earrings lined up for this holiday. Today's were daffodils and bunny rabbits.