Hello! How are things in your corner of the world? My husband and I are just settling in at home after three weeks away in the US - but I'm delighted to announce there's more travel on the horizon soon! There's more on that below, as well as three books I hope will inspire you as much as they have inspired me over the years. Plus I've got some delicious treats - including a brand new recipe on the blog. But first, a little peak behind the scenes. Behind The Scenes My family and I took a road...
12 days ago • 3 min read
Hello! How are things in your corner of the world? My husband Guy and I arrived home yesterday after whirlwind 3 weeks away in the US, a trip that combined work meetings for Guy and catching up with friends along with some time together to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. The grey weather here in England may be a sharp contrast to the sunshine we've been enjoying in Arizona, California and Hawaii, but I have come home to a garden in full bloom. My flowering cherry tree is heavy with...
19 days ago • 2 min read
Hello! When I was a little girl, afternoon tea meant those wonderful occasions when Mom would get out her Brown Betty teapot, let me choose one of the vintage china teacups from her collection and we would sit down and spend some time together. Mom showed me how to warm the teapot and pour the just boiled water carefully over the teabags. Then we would add just a bit of milk to the china teacups so that the tea didn't cause them to crack. After stirring in just a sprinkle of sugar, we would...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hello! How are things in your corner of the world? I read recently that it has rained every day in the UK since 1 January. I'm not sure if this is entirely true but it certainly feels like it might be! In books and movies, the weather often suits the mood of the characters or what might be about to happen. It is pretty rare for something amazing to happen in a rainstorm. However, in my experience, some of the best days can be days when the weather is less than perfect. Although my heart sank...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hello! Happy February! I like to think of this month as the time for celebrating all kinds of love - love for our friends, families, partners if we have them, our pets and fellow humans. I also think we need to include love for ourselves - so many of us hold ourselves to standards that are much higher than those to which we hold others. Then we are unkind to ourselves when we inevitably fall short of our unrealistic expectations. Let's take some time to give ourselves a little love, holding...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hello! Have you noticed a lot of people talking about the fact that 'we are half way through January already' and sharing that they are 'incredibly behind' too? It's hard not to feel unsettled by their musings. And honestly, I have had similar thoughts myself. Yet, as I write this, sitting in my cosy study with a warming cup of tea beside me, looking out at a grey and rainy day, I'm feeling encouraged by the beauty of this in-between time of year. Yesterday I discovered a small clump of early...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Hello and Happy New Year! Every January, we are encouraged to reset everything, start over and become a new version of ourselves. But this year I have been considering the idea of beginning things a little more gently - building on what already works and feels good, rather than focusing on the negative and trying to change everything all at once. We don’t necessarily need grand plans or sweeping changes. Sometimes it is enough to step forward with intention - just as we are. Care to join me?...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Hello! It’s Christmas week, and if you are anything like me, you may have opened this newsletter during a quick pause between baking, writing and wrapping. I hope there’s a lovely hot drink in your hand, and that you can relax for just a few moments while we catch up. I also hope this newsletter finds you well, and excited for Christmas as well as the fresh start the New Year brings. I’m so looking forward to the celebrations to come, and yet, as much as I love Christmas, I know it can also...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hello December! There's always something so magical about this time of year - even the rainy, grey days seem to hold a little extra promise. Kitchens begin to warm with the scent of cinnamon and ginger, strangers greet each other in the streets like in days gone by, and the bright lights and sparkle bring a little bit of excitement to each day. Whether you are getting ready to celebrate Christmas, St Nicholas Day (6 December) or celebrating Hanukkah, I hope that this month is bringing some...
4 months ago • 3 min read