Imbolc: Day 3

Another day of celebrating Imbolc! And Sunday happened to be our monthly Date Day (a very strictly observed tradition), so we planned a very lovely day together today. Here's what we got up to...

Picnic in Sunnyhurst Wood

We went on a picnic in Sunnyhurst Wood in Darwen today. And as is tradition (i.e., we did it last year), we went looking for waterfalls!

Imbolc Tea in the Woods

While we were in Sunnyhurst Wood, we took a reflective moment to enjoy the season. (The tea was Apple Crumble from The Tea Crew.)

Dinner at Croma

We finished off our day with a dinner date at Croma in Prestwich... with Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, Tomato and Basil Soup, Melanzane Parmigiana, Toffee and Chocolate Sundae.

Imbolc: Day 2

It's the second day of our second year of celebrating Imbolc, so here's what we got up to on Saturday...

Bailey’s Wood Imbolc Litter-Pick

The Friends of Bailey's Wood litter-pick is a monthly event, so I can't pretend this was a specifically seasonal thing. But... the woods were very wintery, and there were hardly any signs of spring just yet, so it definitely felt very Imbolc-y!

Imbolc Chocolate

I got a little Imbolc present for me and Rob... Ginger and Lime chocolate (with snowdrops!) for him and Toasted Tea Cake chocolate for me, from Kernow Chocolate.

Imbolc Candle

We lit our Imbolc candle from Chalice Creations tonight. Myrrh, Roman Chamomile and Basil to scent our festive week.

Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight

I didn't expect Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight to become one of our annual traditions! We enjoyed a beautiful performance by The Piccadilly Sinfonietta tonight at St Ann's Church.

Imbolc: Day 1

The Wheel of the Year has turned full circle since we first started celebrating all the seasons. And that means it's time to celebrate Imbolc, and the last gasps of winter. We've got a week of celebrations planned again, including some of the traditions we started last year. Here's what we got up to on Friday...

Winter Cooking

I always try to make sure we don't waste the last few bits from our Groobarbs veg boxes before the next delivery, but I think I surpassed myself this time (if I do say so myself)... Leftover Veg Soup (with spring greens and red chilli), Cherry and Almond Banana Bread, and a sparkly Imbolc-themed Carrot Cake.

Imbolc Poetry at Castlerea

Today I ran an Imbolc-themed poetry and storytelling session at Castlerea care home. We talked about winter and shared our thoughts on the season. Plus we had poetry by Shakespeare and Shelley, music by Vivaldi and The Bangles, myths of Persephone, Blue Corn Maiden, Jack Frost and the Holly and Oak Kings!

Imbolc Gin Liqueur

I met up with a friend tonight for the traditional Imbolc libation of sparkly light-up sugar plum gin and iced gems!

Imbolc Lights

As is tradition (i.e. it's the second year we've done it), we're keeping some of our Christmas lights up till Imbolc... including the absolutely awesome pine forest snowstorm that Rob got us this year!

Events in January 2023

Here are the events I'm doing in January this year...

Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 15th January
10.30-5.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf
I'm hosting a online writing retreat for creative writers with writing exercises and structured writing sessions
Members Event

Penny Dreadfuls and the Gothic
Wednesday 25th January
7.30-8.30pm
Department of English Literature and Creative Writing, Lancaster University
I'm giving a short presentation and taking part in a panel discussion at an online event to introduce the new academic book Penny Dreadfuls and the Gothic, edited by Nicole Dittmer and Sophie Raine and to talk about my chapter in the book: ‘Your lot is wretched, old man’: Anxieties of Industry, Empire and England in George Reynolds’s Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf
Booking Link

Imbolc Poetry and Storytelling
Friday 27th January
2.00-4.00pm
Castlerea House
I'm running a seasonal poetry and storytelling workshop session for residents at Castlerea care home
Private Event

Interested in booking me for an event? Click here to find out more.

Imbolc: Day 7

It's the final day of our Imbolc celebrations. I'm a bit sad that we'll be taking the lights down tomorrow, but we've had a lovely time inventing new traditions and enjoying some festive fun.

Imbolc Lunch

I don't know if this counts as a seasonal celebration, but I had a lovely afternoon out with my mum today (including some very nice cake).

Groundhog Day

There's only really one film to wrap up our seasonal celebrations... it's Groundhog Day! (And I've also been enjoying learning a bit about the history of Groundhog Day and its European precedents.)

And so the wheel of the year turns... We'll be celebrating again at the Vernal Equinox.

Imbolc: Day 6

Tonight is the big night... the festival of Imbolc begins and it's the feast day of St Brigid. So we decided to mark the occasion with a new tradition... a candlelit Imbolc Dinner with some seasonal dishes.

Imbolc Dinner

Candlelight doesn't make for great food pics, but we had sweet potato, butternut squash and nut roast with colcannon and roast parsnips.

Imbolc Gifts

And another new tradition for the year... after dinner, Rob and I exchanged Imbolc gifts. We've decided that we're going to get each other seasonally-themed whisky drams throughout the year, and then we'll try them all when we're on holiday in December.

Imbolc: Day 5

I had a bit of a busy work day today, so there wasn't really time for any seasonal celebrations. So sadly, today's post will be a bit short.

Imbolc Earrings

All I have to share today is another new pair of seasonal earrings. Today's were little silver sheep, since sheep are a symbol of Imbolc.

Imbolc: Day 4

Another day of celebrating the end of winter! We only had a little bit of time to celebrate today, so we headed out for a lovely walk and a little picnic.

Imbolc Earrings

Today's earrings were Brigid's crosses (but made of silver, rather than rushes). Really, they should be worn on 1st February (as this is St Brigid's feast day), but they seemed appropriate for today's little outing.

Hatch Brook Waterfall

Apparently it's traditional (or good luck) to visit a waterfall at Imbolc. So today we headed over to Brinscall (near Chorley) to visit Hatch Brook waterfall. It was little bit tricky getting up close to the waterfall, but it was totally worth it.

Imbolc: Day 3

Our third day of celebrating Imbolc season was full of woodland, candlelight and music. And festive earrings, of course.

Imbolc Earrings (1)

Brooms (and spring-cleaning) are symbols of Imbolc, and we were doing a litter-pick this morning, so it seemed like a good time to wear my new silver broom earrings.

Bailey's Wood Litter-Pick

It was the monthly Friends of Bailey's Wood litter-pick this morning. Although this is a regular event (so I can't say we did it specifically for Imbolc), I took the opportunity to look out for any signs of seasonal change. The woods were still looking pretty wintery, though, so I didn't see many hints that spring is on its way!

Vivaldi by Candlelight

What better way to celebrate the seasons than with Vivaldi's Four Seasons? We spent a lovely evening listening to The Piccadilly Sinfonietta play at Manchester Cathedral.

Imbolc Earrings (2)

As we were going to see Vivaldi by Candlelight, and as Imbolc (which coincides with Candlemas) is a festival of light, I thought it would be appropriate to wear my new sparkly candle earrings tonight.

Imbolc: Day 2

It's the second day of our week of Imbolc celebrations. Mostly, today was about work, so I don't have a lot to share on here. But, given that Imbolc is (among other things) a festival of light, today's celebrations were about lighting things up.

Winter Berry Gin Liqueur

We enjoyed a little seasonal tipple tonight... winter berry gin liqueur with gold flakes in light-up baubles with wintery designs (by Gravity Drinks). Yes, I think they were actually intended to be Christmas favours, but I think they work even better for Imbolc.

Imbolc Candle

And for another bit of light in the winter darkness, today we lit our Imbolc candle (made by Chalice Creations). It's scented with myrrh, camomile and basil, and we're hoping it'll last through till next week.