Three Word Thursday

Opening new doors.

Hedgerow Ramblings // Crows

I have always had a soft spot for crows.

For the past few years I have felt like they turn up whenever something significant is going on in my life - particularly big changes. 

Furthermore, I often see a crow in my 'mind's eye' - it is a symbol which I believe guides me. 

Whenever crows appear, I am reminded to focus upon the spiritual as well as the practical goings-on around me - something which I too often allow myself to be swept away with, forgetting to nourish my soul. It also reminds me that change is inevitable, natural - good even - and there is a bigger picture to look towards.

Many people fear crows and other dark birds - they have a reputation for being harbingers of death, omens of bad times. In legend and myth they are one of the prophetic symbols of war and the shape-shifting tricksters associated with the Morrigan - a goddess of war and strife.

However, the crows also have a great many positive facets in legend - most of which seem to have been buried beneath all this negativity. They have long symbolised resourcefulness, the law, a watchful eye, a link to the magick around us, change, justice, integrity and divination. 

Do any of you have any animals you feel a strong affinity with? 

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

You can really tell my focus hasn't been here over the last couple of weeks, can't you?

In part this is due to snow and frost - there have been no trips down to the allotment as it's been too cold.

But mostly it has been due to...the other blog!

I completed my first Scavenger Hunt Sunday, today. 

I'd love for you to pop over and take a look at my efforts!

Through Amy's Eyes

Wheel of the Year // Imbolc

Brightest Imbolc blessings everyone!

As I have written about in the past, Imbolc - which falls at the beginning of February - is an important date in the pagan calendar. It is at this turn of the wheel that we call for the return of the sun, our warmth and light - often personified in the Goddess Brigid. You can read more information about the origins and traditions of Imbolc here and here.

In the Northern hemisphere, this is a really difficult time of year: dark and bitter cold in many places. Historically it would be the time of year when food supplies which had lasted through the winter would have been getting low. Fires would be lit to energise folk and call on the gods and goddesses who, it would be hoped, would bring warmth and life back to the Earth. 

Nowadays, as most of us have central heating and a supermarket down the road, these concerns have melted away. Some of us still feel the bite of this time of year, however, with a sense of sadness and low energy which lingers from our ancestral roots. That is why I light a fire - or even a simple candle - for Imbolc. I invite Brigid to return to us, not because I need food or literal warmth, but because I need light and the internal warmth which will come from tending new growth as Spring arrives. 

Love and light.

Allotment Tales // Winter Jobs

Several people have asked me lately how much time we spend down at the allotment. During the summer we are there several evenings a week, but during winter, when it is dark before I return from work, it is really only at weekends that we get chance to visit and potter. 

There is far less to do during the winter, as so much has died back and been tidied away. However, a few jobs remain.

January is the time for pruning back summer soft-fruit bushes such as raspberries. B has done a fabulous job here, training them along the wire to make our lives a little less 'tangled' next summer!

Several vegetables are still proving us with food: winter kale, cabbages, turnips, swedes and sprouting broccoli, for example. I love how purple this one is!

One of the biggest tasks we need to do at this time of the year is clearing debris, digging the plot over and digging in compost to provide nutrients for future crops. 

I've had a wonderful Sunday, chipping away at some of these tasks, planning where things will go when we start planting and saying 'hello' to our little visitors.

Happy gardening, everyone!

Three Word Thursday

New favourite thing...

Kitchen Magick // Prawn Laksa

This recipe was experimental - but I really enjoyed it and it felt very healthy too. It would be perfect for anyone following a low-carb or low-GI diet and for vegans out there, simply substitute the prawns for more veggies (I think aubergine would work well), use red curry paste instead of laksa paste and replace fish-sauce with soy sauce. 

You will need: 

2-3 tbsp red curry or laksa paste (if you want to make your own from scratch there's a recipe here)

400 ml coconut milk (I used half-fat)

50g rice noodles

500 ml vegetable stock

1 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)

A handful of beansprouts

4 chopped tomatoes

150 grams large, uncooked, king prawns

A small bunch of corriander, chopped

8 fresh mint leaves, chopped

2 tsp rapeseed / groundnut oil

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the curry or laksa paste - allow to heat for 2 minutes, until the spice vapours are being released. (If you are using vegetable alternatives, such as aubergines, carrots or pumpkin, add these now so they absorb the spice mix). 

2. Add the tomatoes, beansprouts, coconut milk, stock and fish sauce as well as half the herbs. Bring to the boil and then turn down to a simmer.

3. Add the prawns and noodles to the pan - within around 3 minutes the noodles will be tender and the prawns cooked through. When they are thoroughly pink you know they are done. 

4. Serve in a generous bowl, with the remaining herbs sprinkled over the top.