Magical garden

 If I were a hedge witch or a kitchen witch gathering ingredients for potions to bring great wealth or turn my enemy into a toad, this might be my garden. I'd park up the broom by the garden gate, straighten my velvet dress and toss my pointed hat onto the bench, then scamper off and weave some magic in the dahlia patch. Maybe even nip out at midnight and stand skyclad by the climbing beans as the moonlight bathes over us. 

That's how this little garden that belongs to the lovely corn dolly man made me feel. Magical. My inner witch came out and wanted to practice spells and gather pumpkins. I did manage to gather some dahlias from a roadside seller on the way home and then started some Halloween decorating with them and some flora from my own little mystical garden. 

Christmas magic in Chester

 A tradition for us is to visit Chester for the Christmas markets and see the brilliantly dark yet entertaining Winter Watch parade.  We arrived with plenty of time to eat from one of the wooden chalets - LB and daddy enjoyed burgers sat on a bench where we could admire the pretty stalls.

Mulled wine and artisan crafts, beautiful chocolates and hand crafted gifts in the square in front of the town hall with its festive lights. A glorious array of sellers from across Europe and beyond selling such pretty wares and gorgeous food. The Dutch Flower Man was astounding with mini fir trees in wicker baskets (had to buy one!), the most beautiful door wreaths and rows of bird seed wreaths for the garden.

The drums started and we all followed the Winter Watch - a custom since Medieval times at mid winter of 'Setting the Watch' where after a procession around, the city leaders would hand over the keys to the city gates to the city watchmen.

LB was a little scared at times for ghouls played drums and towering skeletons moved sombrely over the cobbles. Phantom Roman soldiers marched and green dragons skipped to the beat of the Karamba Samba band. Gruesome Christmas cooks with black ravens following made this a spooky Tim Burton-esque spectacle that we ADORE! LB laughed at one of the dragons and it really was an amazing evening topped off with a bag full of colourful swirly, whirly fudge and a nosy in the quaint window of an old fashioned sweet shop.

I have made a litttle video of the parade for you to see this funny little custom.......

Hope you all had a great Christmas xx

Lantern Magic

This week was Lantern Magic at Chester Zoo. A fabulous first time event for us and a favourite place for Little Bird since buying zoo memberships this year. Upon entering you are greeted by elves with glowing dresses and then go to the restaurant to make a little cup lantern. Daddy Bird made this as it would have been too frustrating for LB to do as he was raring to stay outside among the pretty fairy lights. We then collected our big pyramid lantern to light our way across the zoo and special glasses that cause all sorts of animals to be projected from the lights - bats, giraffes....a great idea. 

Star wishes were collected from pretty Lady Christmas and we made them as we walked past all the beautiful animal lanterns and through the magic icicle forest. 

Wishes were then hung on the Cedar Wishing Tree by the jolly elf.

Perhaps I had a wish granted as we walked around when Little Bird started commenting on what he could see. He's usually so quiet and unable to talk when out and confronted with so much sensory information. He was naming the animals. He suddenly said ' I want ti-angle' which confused me for a second but then I realised it was - I want triangle and it was the pyramid lantern he wanted to hold! On so many levels this is amazing as he is applying the shapes that he learnt from a book into real life to help himself to get the object he wants. It completed a magical evening for me. 
Joining in with Country Kids from Coombe Mill and Ethan's Escapades.