Countdown to Christmas: Day 10

Day 10 of my Countdown to Christmas was a busy one (with an incredibly festive evening). Only two days left until our December holiday, so there's still a little bit of work stuff included in this one. But, as in previous blogs, it's work-but-make-it-festive.

Advent Tea

Today's advent tea from my Bird and Blend Tea calendar was Salted Caramel Lebkuchen!

Christmas Earrings

Today's earrings were my sparkly Christmas puddings!

Christmas Fayre at The Miners

I was at a Christmas fayre at the Miners Community Arts and Music Centre this afternoon.

Christmas Fair at St John Bosco’s Church

And then I was at the Christmas fair (spelt differently) at St John Bosco's RC Church after that. Work stuff, but at least no one can say it wasn't festive (and I did have a Gaelic coffee)!

Christmas Dinner on East Lancs Railway

We had Christmas Dinner on a steam train tonight! We've been looking forward to our annual trip on the East Lancashire Railway all year! Dinner tonight was Mushroom and Tarragon Pate, Roasted Chestnut and Parsnip Soup, Festive Wellington with Brie and Cranberry, and Christmas Pudding with Rum Sauce. Plus a glass of fizz, a glass or two of red, very fancy Cognac, and coffee (with a mince pie). Perfect.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 9

Another belated Countdown to Christmas post from me. I'm wondering if I'll get all of these up before the big day. I can but try!

Advent Tea

Today's advent tea from my Bird and Blend Tea calendar was Irish Cream!

Ninja Book Box Week 2

This week's Ninja Book Box advent parcels included A Bespoke Murder by Edward Marston and a lovely homemade paper decoration!

Castleton Literary and Scientific Society Talk

I gave a talk tonight to the Castleton Literary and Scientific Society (that's Castleton, Rochdale, not Castleton, Derbyshire) on one of the my favourite subjects: the Medieval Blackley Deer Park. Eagles! Boar! Unauthorized deer leaps! Bankrupt barons! It's got it all! And although it wasn't strictly speaking a festive talk, the drive there was amazingly Christmassy with all of Middleton and Castleton lit up and sparkling through the wintery mists. Just beautiful.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 8

The Countdown to Christmas (and the countdown to our December holiday!) continues. It was mostly work-but-make-it-festive today, though the very wintery weather certainly helped with the festive feel!

Advent Tea

Today's advent tea from my Bird and Blend Tea calendar was Cold Weather Warrior (much needed today)!

A Winter Walk

I had a very frosty estate walk with my colleague this morning. It was a wee bit nippy, but it didn't half look festive!

Boggart Hole Clough

The lake in Boggart Hole Clough looked absolutely stunning in the icy weather today! (And the mince pies at the Lakeside Cafe weren't half bad either!)

Dam Head and Crosslee Christmas Party

The Dam Head and Crosslee Tenants and Residents Association held a lovely Christmas party for older residents on the estates today. Hotpot, massive cakes (seriously, massive), music, a festive quiz and Christmas cards made by kids at the local school.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 7

Another somewhat belated Christmas post, and another rather short one, I'm afraid.

Advent Tea

Today's advent tea from my Bird and Blend Tea calendar was Milk Oolong Chai!

Ronald Hutton Lecture

Tonight I attended an online lecture by Ronald Hutton at Gresham College, on 'Paganism in Roman Britain'. (I know it wasn't actually seasonal, but I'm counting it as part of my seasonal celebrations anyway!) Really enjoyed this one (which is part of a lecture series that will run throughout the year).

Countdown to Christmas: Day 6

Today's post is late going up and very short. The only thing on today's list is my advent tea, and I didn't even get chance to drink that on the 6th. Hopefully, I'll get caught up a bit before the big day (though I'm not counting on it)!

Advent Tea

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

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

Countdown to Christmas: Day 5

Another belated Christmas blog for me, with some tea, some earrings and a delicious festive meal!

Advent Tea

Today's advent tea from my Bird and Blend Tea calendar was Piña Colada!

Christmas Earrings

Today's Christmas earrings were a pair of red jingle bells!

Dinner at Bundobust

I had such a lovely evening with a friend at Bundobust in Manchester tonight. We tried out Bundobust's festive menu, and I can confirm that sprout bhaji with cranberry chutney is the new taste of Christmas for me.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 4

Another Christmas Countdown blog post from me. It's not the longest post I've done, but that's because I was gearing up for a big week of work before our big December holiday!

Advent Tea

Today's advent tea from my Bird and Blend Tea calendar was Snowball Hot Cocoa!

Christmas Earrings

Today's Christmas earrings were these cheeky-looking Santas!

Litter-Pick in the Park

We were at the monthly Friends of Crumpsall Park litter-pick today. Not festive in itself, but it did give us the opportunity to enjoy a lot of seasonal greenery that definitely had a strong Christmas vibe.

Countdown to Christmas: Day 3

Another day of celebrating the Christmas season, and another blog post that's a little late! It really was a very busy start to December!

Advent Tea

Today's advent tea from my Bird and Blend Tea calendar was Rhubarb and Custard!

Elf Bath Bomb

A festive bathtime with an elf bath bomb from Bomb Cosmetics!

Ghost Stories at the Old Library

We had a fab night tonight at Levenshulme Old Library, listening to ghost stories by lantern-light, written and told by Richard V. Hirst, Adam Farrer, Melissa Wan and Marie Crook. Proper seasonal entertainment.