Imbolc: Day 6

It's the penultimate day of our Imbolc celebrations... and it's a very busy today! Lots of festivities planned to mark the season!

Winter in the Woods

This morning, I was at a Winter in the Woods celebration, run by Natalie Rossiter. We had a forest bathing session, then a delicious soup around the fire and marshmallows for toasting. Afterwards, we burned the last of the Yuletide greenery, and Natalie gave us all a little token from her garden to remind us that spring is on the way.

Hannah’s Bookshelf Imbolc Special

My Hannah's Bookshelf Imbolc Special aired on North Manchester FM this afternoon. As I was out and about a lot today, I had to pre-record the show, but there was seasonal flash fiction and Imbolc-themed music.

Wassailing at Chorlton Park

Later in the afternoon, I went to Chorlton Park for the Friends of Chorlton Park's annual wassailing. We had parkin, mulled wine and flapjacks, and we all went to sing and bang our pots and pans to wake the apple trees up in the community orchard for another year. I also bought a little crocheted forget-me-not as another reminder that spring will come again.

Imbolc Lanterns

Imbolc is a festival of light, so Rob made some little Imbolc candle holders for us, decorated with snowdrops and bonfire flames.

Imbolc Dinner

And then we had our traditional Imbolc dinner of meatloaf and spring onion mash.

Imbolc Gifts

We exchanged our traditional Imbolc gifts tonight... little seasonal-inspired whiskies that will start off our tasting sets that we'll enjoy at Christmas.

Groundhog Day

We ended the evening watching the traditional film of the season... it's Groundhog Day!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 27

Another day of celebrating our Halloween month. It was a bit more relaxed than yesterday's craziness, but still very enjoyable and super-seasonal.

Samhain Nature Walkshop

I went on Natalie Rossiter's annual Samhain Nature Walkshop this afternoon, which has become a really special part of my Halloween celebrations. We did forest bathing, searching for beauty in decay, looking for messages in the woods, and then reflection around the fire with homemade biscuits, mulled apple juice and magical flames.

Pumpkin Lantern

When I got home from the woods, Rob had carved our pumpkin lantern.

Halloween Dinner

Tonight, we had our traditional Halloween Dinner of Pumpkin and Sausage Casserole.

Halloween Gifts

And then after dinner, we swapped our traditional Halloween gifts - the last whiskies to add to the set that we'll drink in December.

N is for Night of the Living Dead

Our Horror A-Z continued tonight with Night of the Living Dead.

Midsummer: Day 6

It's the sixth day of our Midsummer celebrations. I was at work during the day, but then I had a festive event to go to, followed by our big seasonal celebration at home!

Summer Solstice Nature Celebration

I had a gorgeous time at a Summer Solstice Nature Celebration run by Natalie Rossiter this evening. Forest bathing, finding moments of joy, walking barefoot in a meadow, then food, conversation and toasted marshmallows in the woods.

Midsummer Dinner

Later on this evening, Rob cooked our traditional Midsummer Dinner of Gratinated Cabbage with potatoes and green beans.

Jaws

And with our dinner we watched the traditional Midsummer film, which is, of course, Jaws.

Midsummer Gifts

After dinner, we exchanged our traditional Midsummer gifts, seasonal whiskies that we'll put with our tasting set to enjoy in December.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 29

A slightly quieter day today, but still chock-full of Halloween goodness!

Samhain Forest Bathing

Just perfect Samhain forest bathing session this afternoon with Natalie Rossiter Wellbeing, finding beauty in decay, sycamore for protection and messages in the trees, then soul cakes, mulled apple juice and reflection by the fire.

Autumn Charm

One of the things we did on today's Samhain forest bathing was to make up our own plant folklore. The idea of let-go leaves and holly to prevent the holding of grudges seemed particularly apt, so I collected some up and made myself a little autumn charm.

Halloween Cupcakes

Halloween cupcakes!

31 Halloween Films: Resident Evil

Back to our film list this afternoon, and the random number generator has decreed that we are watching Resident Evil this evening!

Halloween Dinner

We had our traditional Halloween Dinner tonight... Pumpkin and Sausage Casserole!

Halloween Gifts

And after dinner, we exchanged our traditional Halloween gifts... the final two whiskies for our seasonal tasting sets that we'll have in December.

31 Halloween Films: Dracula: Prince of Darkness

There is a small chance we won't make it through all of our list by the end of October, but for tonight, we have Dracula: Prince of Darkness.