Gifts

Almost every day I am encountering a new face or page here in blogland and I am so touched that more and more like-minded people are stumbling over to Hearthwitch Cottage by chance, and sticking around to see what is happening. I know, I know...not much of late...but it is half-term so hopefully - hopefully - I will be here a with a little bit more regularity.

It is, however, with great cheer and gratitude that today I post of the wonderful gift of knowing that someone has read my humble little musings....and acknowledged them with a fantabulous award - or three!

Aine over at The Deepest Well and Aelwyn down at Hedgewitch Hollow (both beautifully named ladies with absolutely stunning blogs) have been kind enough to bestow these three thoughtful awards...

With these awards comes the challenge to list 7 things about oneself that other bloggers may not yet know.

Here goes...

1. I teach English to secondary school children (aged 11-18).

And, oh, I wish it was with a proper blackboard and chalk!

Doris Day in 'Teacher's Pet'

2. I love dystopian literature and film

(helps me feel marginally better about the world we live in today)

3. Currently, I can't get this off my record player...

Find them here...This is the Kit and watch their awesomeness on video here.

4. I have travelled all over the world but my favourite trip was when I journeyed through China, Mongolia and Siberia by train and stayed in a ger in the Mongolian desert.

(I'm getting itchy feet as we speak)

5. Over the years I have had several tattoos and piercings, which surprises a lot of people because I don't think I look the type!

6. I love drawing, but I haven't done any for a long time...this is starting to make me a little sad.

7. I am a currently a bit obsessed with cookery programmes, espeically Masterchef. In fact, B and I are going to the Masterchef Live Show in London next month, just to revel in our culinary geekiness!

The rules that came with these awards were...to link back to the bloggers who nominated me....Check.

To list 7 things about myself that other bloggers may not yet know....Check.

Pass these awards along to 15 other bloggers.... Hmmm. The way I feel about this is that I cannot possibly choose 15 blogs. I love following and reading the blogs that I follow and read because I think they are all stylish, versatile and lovely! So if you are reading this, please feel free to take these awards as directed to you and take part in the fun bit...sharing lots of cool facts about yourself with us all.

Blessings. 

Practical Magic Party 2010

A day late - and I sincerely apologise for my unpunctuality - but here is my tardy contribution to the Practical Magic Blog Party.

As I'm sure is the case for scores of the film's fans out there, this is one of my favourite scenes...

Eye of newt, toe of frog, wing of bat, tongue of dog.
Adder’s fork and blind worm’s sting…
Barbados lime is just the thing.
Fragias salt, like a sailors stubble…
Flip the switch, and let the cauldron bubble

Many a nights have been spent with my friends, squeezing countless limes to make batches of 'Midnight Margaritas' and dancing around to Harry Nilsson's 'Coconut' in fits of giggles. I think it is this scene from the film which best succeeds in capturing the wonder of 'family', whether that be the one you're born into, or the one you choose for yourself: the quirks, the in-jokes and traditions and the silliness that can only be truly shared when you just know each other that well. 

With this in mind, I give you a wonderful recipe, which captures that joyful naughtiness in an indulgent, creamy ice-cream, courtesy of Nigella Lawson...

Margarita Ice Cream

Ingredients

* 125ml lime juice

*2 tbsp Tequila

*3 tbsp orange liqueur (Cointreau or Gran Marnier)

* 150g icing sugar

*500ml double cream

Method

1. Pour the lime juice, Tequila and orange liqueur into a bowl and stir in the icing sugar until it dissolves.

2. Add the cream and whisk until the mixture is thick and smooth but not stiff - soft peaks should form.

3. Spoon the mixture into an airtight container and put into the freezer overnight.

You do not need to remove the ice cream from the freezer in advance of serving as it won't freeze too hard and melts pretty quickly. It really is a lovely, tangy treat and one which looks and tastes impressive without actually requiring much work. 

I hope you have fun trying this one out - perfect for a girl's night in with the Practical Magic DVD. 

Blessings.

Summer Bucket List

Inspired by the lovely Laura over at The Lola Letters and recent events in my life encouraging me to seize the day, I thought I would share with you my summer 'to-do' list.

Laura calls this her Summer Bucket List and it comprises of all the things one desires to do during the summer months, written down onto strips of paper and placed in a bucket, to be pulled out once or twice a week. I just LOVE the idea behind this - letting  whatever will be happen. 

So, when the days are long and the evenings light; when the Earth is warmed and the sun shines bright, what do you want to do with your time? I know I'll be enjoying some freedom this summer as, being a teacher, it will be my first long holiday. So, here goes...

My Summer 'Bucket' List

Spend the day in Oxford and have drinks by the river at The Trout

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Visit the seaside and eat fish and chips out of newspaper

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Go wild swimming

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Go strawberry picking

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Have an evening by the fire, toasting marshmallows

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Take photographs in a rapeseed or poppy field

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Share a seafood platter with B

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Paint and distress my desk chair

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Go for ice cream

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'Midnight Margaritas'

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Sew some owls just like these cuties from Alexandra at Moonstitches

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Go for a picnic

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Spend a whole 24 hours without technology - including watches - and just go where the wind takes us.

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Have a girls' pamper day with Mum

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A day trip to London to visit the art galleries with B

I'm sure I will think of many more to add to this list over the coming weeks!

How about you? What would be on your summer bucket lists?