World Cocktail Day

I think there is a World Day for almost everything now! World Cocktail Day is celebrated annually on May 13th to mark the anniversary of the first 1806 definition of a cocktail. The New York tabloid The Balance and Columbian Repository defined a cocktail as "a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters". It's a global celebration of mixology, creativity, and the history of mixed drinks, encouraging people to visit bars or craft their own cocktails. 

I like cocktails and over the years have tried a few.

The Cherry Bakewell has been a firm favourite since first tasting it

celebrating my birthday five years ago.

That is now joined by the Toffee Fudge Espresso Martini

first tasted last week at the Ivy.

I craft these at home now!

Cheers 

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you lovely mums in Australia, America

and maybe a few other countries

These gorgeous flowers arrived yesterday

from my darling Aussie daughter and her partner.

Note the pretty bow at the back

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

St George's Day

 

Happy St George's Day

St George, the patron saint of England is known as a heroic knight 

in shining armour slaying a ferocious, fire-breathing dragon.

∼ Be safe and well ∼ 

Polly x

Easter

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

to all us wonderful, loving, caring Mums.

My daughter and I are being taken out to lunch

by my son-in-law and grandson.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14th, is a widely recognised day for expressing love and affection through gifts, cards, and romantic gestures. While rooted in ancient Roman fertility festivals and Christian traditions, it has evolved into a global, modern celebration of romance and companionship. It's also a huge money spinner for Hallmark cards and red rose sellers! 

A Morrisons heart shaped crumpet was delicious with fruit, yoghurt, orange curd and a sprinkling of chopped hazlenuts.

And yesterday there was a heart shaped crisp in my cheese and onion packet! 

💘

I read this below online somewhere which I thought was lovely, and if I had a significant other half I would love to do this for them:

Make or buy some paper hearts. On each one write something that is special about your partner. Put them in a nice box and present it to your loved one on Valentine's day. Tell them to pull out a heart anytime they need reminding just how special they are.

💘 Happy Valentine's Day 💘 

A Round Up of 2025

 

Burns Night                Happy Birthday               Brisbane Art Gallery

Arlo & Lenny               Wallingford                Open For Business

A Midsummer Night's Dream        Morris Dancers        A (Fairly) Nice Day Out

Rayleigh                Poppies on the Pier                Christmas Tree Festival

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x

Dear reader, I wish you a happy and healthy 2026

✶ Polly ✶

Christmas

Seasons Greetings

Happy Holidays

Dear reader, however you spend the festive season I hope it will be full of cheer.

🎄 Be warm and well 🎄 

Polly x

Christmas Tree Festival

The Christmas Tree Festival in a nearby village was, as expected, a resounding success with more beautiful, imaginative displays.

Jingle Bells by

Riding For The Disabled was my joint favourite with 

The Starry Night inspired by the Vincent van Gogh painting

by The Sewing and Craft Club

Catch-Up-Cafe Christmas Kitchen

When Santa is Away

I think some of the elves were misbehaving!

Hearts by The Link Club

A joyful heart is good medicine - how true

How clever is this

Austeritree

by The Guides

and this one

Fire & Ice

by The brownies

Robin Hood's Archer Tree with a casket of gold

The inscription reads

In Sherwood's shade where legends are told

Robin Hood smiles on the shimmering gold

"Be fair and be kind"  the brave hero would say

"Take JUST ONE treasure and skip on your way

one keeps it merry - more isn't ok".

The 'gold' was chocolate coins.

Come Dasher Come Dancer Sensory Arts

was lovely

Cymru by Chelmsford & District Welsh Society

Chelmsford Men's Shed showing images of days gone by, workshop things,

items of interest, cups of tea and custard creams! Great stuff.

This was adorable

Teddy Bear's Christmas

And this was very clever, The Fallen Tree by 1st Beavers

The cute beaver has felled the tree!

Bee Merry by 1st Guides

it's a shame I couldn't get a better view. It has little bees on it, bee sayings and bee homes, and the little packets of seeds say "scatter me to help a bee"

Fab..Yule..Ous

by Vanessa Brett Millinery

Girls Can Do Anything by 2nd Brownies

displayed women of influence throughout history

from Marie Curie to Taylor Swift. 

Our WI tree was similar but most of our women were from older generations, although we did include Dolly Parton and Michelle Obama

Trauma Teddies from our neighbouring village WI. They are donated to emergency services to give comfort to young children and help to distract them from emergencies happening around them. 

Cracking Tree Gromit

I'm a huge fan of Wallace & Gromit

unlike the Grinch, I hate it but I think this was very good

Come Fly With Me

How cute is the little balloon

100 Years of the Shipping Forcast

the photograph is Vice Admiral Robert Fitzroy. He 

was an English officer of the Royal Navy, politician and scientist.

and finally

It's a Wrap

rolls of paper attached to a white board, simple and very effective.

I hope you have enjoyed the Trees.

🎄 Be safe and well🎄

Polly x 

Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving

Another Year Older

No one wants to get old, there aren't many consolations associated with old age, but I have stopped bemoaning the passing years and instead I celebrate getting this far intact - 77, yes I know I don't look it 😄 

My daughter treated me to breakfast at a lovely local tea room

followed by a bit of retail therapy

and back home these gorgeous flowers and chocs had arrived from my Aussie daughter. Another lovely birthday.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Football

I have never been interested in football and what little I know about the game could be printed on a postage stamp, with room to spare. So it came as quite a surprise to find myself in the pub watching the Lionesses play Spain in the Euro 2025 final. 

Along with some friends and lots of ardent football fans we cheered the girls to victory after a penalty shootout. Occasionally a friend had to explain what was happening!  

Whilst I did enjoy the match and felt tremendous pride for the team I don't think I will become a fan, but might watch key matches in future.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Aussie Mother's Day

These flowers arrived today from my darling Aussie daughter and her partner.

They are beautiful and the stocks smell divine.

And inside the box are scrumptious marbled ruby and white chocolate blondies

😋

   

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x