Hello! How are things in your corner of the world? These are certainly strange times we are going through, and I hope that wherever you are, you are safe and well. Life seems to get busier and busier, so today I have some recipes to help you answer the 'what's for dinner?' question more easily. I'm also sharing things that are making me smile - in the hope they will make you smile too - as well as an explanation of how I managed to get to Canada from the UK without getting on a plane. But...
29 days ago • 3 min read
Hello! Here in the south of England, spring has truly arrived and I am making the most of that fresh seasonal energy at home, in the kitchen and as we get ready for our next family travel adventure. How are things going in your corner of the world? If you'd like to share, please just tap reply. I love hearing from you all. Fresh Spring Energy I always like to refresh my home a little for spring with a good spring clean and a few spring decorating updates. Since our 2023 home renovation, my...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hello! How are you doing? Spring has definitely sprung here in the south of England. Flowers are blooming, the mornings are brighter, and the clocks sprang forward this weekend, so we should be enjoying much longer days very soon. Behind The Scenes My husband Guy and I took a little trip to Vienna last week - 24 hours in an unforgettable city we both hope to return to very soon. We walked over 20 km in just 24 hours through beautiful streets, toured the Vienna Opera House, enjoyed authentic...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
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...
2 months 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...
2 months 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...
3 months 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...
3 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...
3 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...
4 months ago • 4 min read