Thank you for all the ideas! Yesterday evening I opened some windows, lit candles at sunset, and smoke purified each room in the house. I’ll have to ponder how to go topsy-turvy for Leap Day.
Loved this newsletter! Never knew to be wary of smowdrops. Thanks for sharing and for the inspiration 🙏I have yellow flowers in the house at the moment. So true about brightening things up and very gentle starting to welcome signs of spring
I think it possibly came about because they are so toxic - makes sense to weave stories of danger around them when they have the potential to be deadly. But they also crop up as a sign of rebirth and hope in folklore so you could interpret it either way! Yellow flowers are always a safe bet though! 🌼
Are they toxic because they have a chemical akin to anti freeze within them? I think I may have read this in Lia Leendertz almanac. I can imagine eating anti freeze is never a good idea 😂
We’ve got the candles lit tonight for Imbolc and I’m cooking a lovely meal for myself and my husband. Planning to make a poppyseed cake this weekend!
I’m horrified to say that the first thought I had for Feb 29th was to do a cold plunge (used to do it weekly but haven’t in years). Now I’ve said it I might just have to plan it in 🙈
Thank you for this lovely and very informative newsletter Vicky! I agree it is all about the light at this point in the year and the more I look, the more I see very subtle signs of spring that I’m not sure I noticed in the past. Also so happy to see Snowdrops and some Croci recently, so hopeful, I can’t wait to look at the seed catalogues in the coming days xx
For the first time in a few years I’ve really felt the stirring this Imbolc. I had my own celebration of ceremony on Thursday, but today I’m attending a ceremony. It’s a beautiful time. It feels as if anything is possible. The sunrises and sunsets this time of year are also spectacular so envisioning a cold dip in the sea at this time even if just for a few minutes!
I didn’t know snowdrops were so toxic! I love their mystery though. I’m excited to consider my bonus day on 29th… love the idea of no plans to see what happens! Thank you, as always, for your beautiful offering here xx
I leave the office most days around 5pm and have a 30 minute commute westward home. Every year, there is a day when I delighted and surprised to notice that it is still light out. I just had that day and it was wonderful. Lighter, brighter days are coming!
This was a lovely read, thank you. Having just researched snowdrops for a newsletter myself I think I might be becoming a Galanthophile! Fascinating things...
I've never heard of King Frost Day, going to do some further research now...
Yes, I saw and very much enjoyed your newsletter too! King Frost Day is pretty niche, I only found a couple of sources for it, but I really like the sound of it, and the idea behind it, so I vote we bring it back!
The lemon and orange cake sounds delicious, love all those zesty flavours. I've loved having a bunch of daffodils in the house this week, so bright and cheery!
Thank you for all the ideas! Yesterday evening I opened some windows, lit candles at sunset, and smoke purified each room in the house. I’ll have to ponder how to go topsy-turvy for Leap Day.
Sounds perfect. And the more topsy-turvy the better for leap day I say! 💫
Loved this newsletter! Never knew to be wary of smowdrops. Thanks for sharing and for the inspiration 🙏I have yellow flowers in the house at the moment. So true about brightening things up and very gentle starting to welcome signs of spring
I think it possibly came about because they are so toxic - makes sense to weave stories of danger around them when they have the potential to be deadly. But they also crop up as a sign of rebirth and hope in folklore so you could interpret it either way! Yellow flowers are always a safe bet though! 🌼
Are they toxic because they have a chemical akin to anti freeze within them? I think I may have read this in Lia Leendertz almanac. I can imagine eating anti freeze is never a good idea 😂
Could well be! I read the same about the anti-freeze in this lovely post https://naturenoticeboard.substack.com/p/nature-notebook-imbolc-snowdrop-facts
Yeah same, I didn’t realise they came with so much folklore surrounding them!
I learn something new every time I write one of these newsletters! 💫
This week I ve made lemon curd, blood orange curd and had fresh slices of lemon in hot water first drink of the day
Oh lemon curd! Absolutely love that and haven't had it for ages. Thanks for the reminder!
We’ve got the candles lit tonight for Imbolc and I’m cooking a lovely meal for myself and my husband. Planning to make a poppyseed cake this weekend!
I’m horrified to say that the first thought I had for Feb 29th was to do a cold plunge (used to do it weekly but haven’t in years). Now I’ve said it I might just have to plan it in 🙈
I have the same urge too! A cold dip just feels completely appropriate for leap day, and slightly terrifying at the same time.
Thank you for this lovely and very informative newsletter Vicky! I agree it is all about the light at this point in the year and the more I look, the more I see very subtle signs of spring that I’m not sure I noticed in the past. Also so happy to see Snowdrops and some Croci recently, so hopeful, I can’t wait to look at the seed catalogues in the coming days xx
Love a good seed catalogue at this time of year! 😀 🌱
It's always such a joy to find your letters in my inbox, Victoria! 🥰
That is very kind, thank you! 💫
For the first time in a few years I’ve really felt the stirring this Imbolc. I had my own celebration of ceremony on Thursday, but today I’m attending a ceremony. It’s a beautiful time. It feels as if anything is possible. The sunrises and sunsets this time of year are also spectacular so envisioning a cold dip in the sea at this time even if just for a few minutes!
You’re absolutely right.. everything feels full of potential right now. Wishing you a wonderful month! 🌱💫
I didn’t know snowdrops were so toxic! I love their mystery though. I’m excited to consider my bonus day on 29th… love the idea of no plans to see what happens! Thank you, as always, for your beautiful offering here xx
The idea of no plans on the 29th to see what happens sounds idyllic. So rare these days! 💫
I leave the office most days around 5pm and have a 30 minute commute westward home. Every year, there is a day when I delighted and surprised to notice that it is still light out. I just had that day and it was wonderful. Lighter, brighter days are coming!
They are indeed! ☀️
This was a lovely read, thank you. Having just researched snowdrops for a newsletter myself I think I might be becoming a Galanthophile! Fascinating things...
I've never heard of King Frost Day, going to do some further research now...
Yes, I saw and very much enjoyed your newsletter too! King Frost Day is pretty niche, I only found a couple of sources for it, but I really like the sound of it, and the idea behind it, so I vote we bring it back!
Oh thank you Victoria! Hell yes, though not sure I fancy racing horse and carts over an icy thames myself... ha!
Lemon and herb foccacia sounds so interesting! I just made ourselves some lemon poppy seed pancakes for Imbolc 😋
Ooh, lemon and poppy seed pancakes are a great shout!
The lemon and orange cake sounds delicious, love all those zesty flavours. I've loved having a bunch of daffodils in the house this week, so bright and cheery!
Me too! Sunshine in a vase ☀️
My goodness, you give us hope Vicky. A joy to read, particularly with the amount of rain we are having right now.