Journey through the Seasons

Edited by Dan LangeMusic - Reiki Healing from Purple Planet Music: https://www.purple-planet.com/homeOpening words: Sue reads Winter's Cloak by Joyce RuppSeasonal Living - you can find more info on Twelfth Night here: https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-and-about/twelfth-night-what-it-is-when-it-falls-and-why-its-the-biggest-celebration-we-no-longer-enjoy-251278/https://www.discoverbritain.com/history/traditions/british-twelfth-night-traditions/Seasonal Recipes: To make mulled apple - simply heat some good cloudy apple juice in a heavy bottomed pan with some mulling spices - cinnamon sticks, cardamon pods, star anise and cloves, for example.Nigel's Slater's new year's lentil soup recipe:  175g red lentils/ 3 tbsps oil/ 1 tsp yellow mustard seeds/ 1 tsp cumin seeds/ 8 cardamom pods/ 35g ginger/ 3 cloves garlic/ 1tsp turmeric powder/ 2 small chillies/ 1 tbsp tomato puree/ 250g chopped tomatoes/ 3 tsp tamarind pastes/ 750ml water/ 1/2tsp salt.  Make a start by rinsing lentils thoroughly.  Use a pestle and mortar to grind the cumin seeds and the seeds from the cardamon pods.  In a food processor, blitz the ginger and garlic (both peeled) with the turmeric and chillies and ground spices, plus 1 tbsp of the oil to make a smooth paste. Add the remaining oil to a heavy based pan and fry the mustard seeds for a minute or two, then add the spice paste and cook for a further minute until fragrant/  Stir in the tomato puree and the chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes to allow the tomatoes to soften and collapse a little.  Then add the drained lentils, tamarind paste, water and salt, bring to a simmer and allow to simmer gently for 25 minutes before serving (ideally with Nigel Slater's treacle and rye bread!)Seasonal Words: Sue read The Year's Midnight from Gillian Clarke (https://x.com/PoetryBookSoc/status/815278176196763648) and Surrounded by Treasure from Donna Ashworth's Wild Hope. What's on our Bookshelf ? - Sue is reading: Chill by Mark Harper, The Almanac by Lia Leendertz, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and Seas The Day by Rachael Boughton.  She mentions Twelve Poems, a poetry collection from Martin Jones based on the seasons at Old Rectory in Quinton (and available to buy from Emma!) She'll be watching the film The Voice of Hind Rajab.Emma recommended the film The Ballad of Wallace Island and podcasts From the Oasthouse (Steve Coogan) and Human Intelligence, presented by Naomi Alderman.  Over the festive period she watched Riot Women on BBC iPlayer.The blessing card was drawn from Pippa Best's Sea Soul Blessings cards.Thanks to Sue’s friend Alison for bank holiday babysitting so we could record this episode!Timings:  Opening Words -0.55/ Appreciate Chat - 3.30 /  Seasonal Living - 15.45/ Recipes - 22.12/ Seasonal Words - 27.45 / Seasonal Self Care - 31.15 What's on Our Bookshelf - 34.47 /Tasks - 39.50/ Blessing - 43.17/ Goodbyes - 44.09

Edited by Dan LangeMusic Credit: Purple Planet Music: Reiki Healing - https://www.purple-planet.com/homeOpening words - Sue reads words from Adam Maxwell MartinImmerse chat: Sue had been meditating at her local Buddhist centre: https://meditateinnorthants.com and Emma attended an Aga cooking demo at Aga Oundle: https://www.agaliving.com/store-locator/aga-oundleSeasonal Living: The moment of winter solstice 2025 is 3.03pm on 21 December.  Sue shares words from The Almanac 2026, by Lia LeendertzRecipes: To make fire honey, mix a small (225ml) jar of honey with the the finely chopped peel from a lemon and an orange, a c5cm chunk of ginger, grated,  one finely chopped red chilli, a teaspoon of turmeric and a teaspoon of cinnamon.  You'll need one teaspoon of fire honey in one cup of hot water for an immune boosting drink.  You can find the recipes for frangipane mincemeat squares here: http://www.daffodilkitchen.com/christmas-frangipane-mincemeat-squares/Self-Care: you can read more about Jolabokaflod here: https://jolabokaflod.org/about/founding-story/Seasonal words - Emma shares Robert Frost's Dust of Snow and reads words from Nina McLaughlin's Winter Solstice essay collectionWhat's on our Bookshelves:  Sue is reading The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan and This Way Up by Jay Forman and Mark Cooper Jones and watching videos by Ed Pratt, which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuNy42Y5egf07cSiHbF23wg .  Emma is reading Nancy Mitford's Christmas Pudding and about to read Freya North's Christmas at Flora's House.  She has been to see Nuremburg and was recently interviewed for the podcast Gathering Garden Ghosts, hosted by Melanie Hicks: https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniehick?r=1l6l79&utm_medium=iosThis month's blessing card was drawn from Pippa Best's Sea Soul Blessings pack.Timings:  Opening Words -0.55/ Immerse Chat - 01.58 /  Seasonal Living - 15.56/ Recipes - 21.06/ Self-Care - 27.54/ Seasonal Words - 30.43 / What's on Our Bookshelf - 35.36 /Tasks - 42.10/ Blessing - 46.07/ Goodbyes - 46.57

Edited by Dan LangeMusic Credit - Purple Planet - Reiki HealingOpening poem - Sue reads Winter Dark by Lilian MooreYou can read more about the micro-season of winter in Vermont here: https://www.boston.com/culture/wickedpedia/2023/12/01/noah-kahan-stick-season-vermont/Sue's Wrap around earphone headphone was bought from Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/d9aDfW3In Lunar Living, Sue references star gazing apps  - both Stellarium and Star Walk 2 are favourites of hers.  She talks about St Lucia’s Day - you can read more about it here: https://www.britannica.com/topic/St-Lucias-Day.  Sue shares some words about the Leonids meteor shower taken from Enchantment by Katherine May.  You can find out more about the Leonids meteor shower here: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/leonid-meteor-shower-when-and-where-see-it-uk  Harriet Powers story of stitching quilts can be found in Stitching Stars: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/851725.Stitching_StarsIn the Recipe section, Emma mentions Jolabokaflod which we will talk about in our next episode.  For a sneak preview check out this website: https://jolabokaflod.org/about/founding-story/This month's Quincemeat recipe is taken from Winter in the Highlands by Flora Shedden.  Ingredients: 1kg quince/ zest and juice of a lemon/ 500ml cider/ 350g light soft brown sugar/ 200g suet/ 200g raisins/ 100g golden raisins/ 200g sultanas/ 100g pitted prunes/ 100g dried apricots/ 100g dried mixed peel/ 75g flaked almonds/ 1/2tsp ground mixed spice/ 1/2tsp ground cinnamon/ 1/2 tsp ground ginger// 1/2 nutmeg finely grated / 100ml brandy// Method: 1. Sterilise jars 2. Put grated quince, lemon zest and juice, cider, sugar and suet into a large pan and cook over medium heat until simmering. 3. Add fruit and nuts and simmer gently for 15-20 mins until the fruit is swollen and the mixture thickened.  4. Take off the heat.  Stir in the brandy then spoon into jarsIn Seasonal Self Care, Emma talks about her daily morning practice based around A Course in Miracles:https://acim.org/acim/en.  Sue mentions her Mindfulness calendar - Wellbeing, Mindfulness, Creativity - Escape, Breathe and Make Time for Yourself .In Seasonal Words, Sue shares Nikita Gill's With Love from Midnight from her new poetry collection Wild Embers and an extract from The Christmas Chronicles by NigelSlater In What's on our Bookshelves, Emma is reading cookery books - A Little Bit Brilliant by Na Hansell, Winter in the Highlands from Flora Shedden and Lucy Brazier's Christmas at River Cottage.  She's been listening to Jilly Cooper's Riders and has now moved onto Rivals.  Emma's been to see the Bruce Springsteen biopic Rescue Me from Nowhere.  Finally, she recommends Beth Kemptons's podcast Calm Christmas (Sue has signed up for Beth Kempton's free midwinter writing retreat, which you can find out more about here: https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/?add-to-cart=184064)Sue has been listening to The Examiner by Janice Hallett and talks about the Jackson Brodie series of books by Kate Atkinson.  She's been dipping into her copy of 800 Years of Women’s Letters, edited by Olga Kenyon.  Sue will be venturing out to her Village Cinema to watch Thursday Murder Club .  Sue also mentions refreshing poetry in her local park.  You can follow Sue's adventures in poetry via the instagram account @findpoetryinplacesSue will be stocking up on dried fruit from at her local refill centre Market Harborough Eco Village.Sue will be making candles using beeswax obtained from Ali from Clipston Hives and Waxworks Our card pick is taken from Pippa Best's Sea Soul Blessings oracle packTo finish a reel on kindness https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOq25OjjY67/?igsh=cTJ0eWl5bG9vdmQ=You can follow the show and access bonus content on Substack: https://journeythroughtheseasons.substack.com - where you can also buy a subscription to help support the podcast, or you can buy us a coffee - at https://buymeacoffee.com/journeythroughtheseasonsTimings:Embrace Chat: 0.58/ Lunar Living: 14.28/ Recipe: 21.49/ Self Care: 27.07/ Seasonal Words: 31.24/ What's on our Bookshelf: 34.20/ Tasks: 43.37/ Blessing: 48.50/ Close: 49.55

Edited by: Dan LangeMusic: Reiki Healing from Purple PlanetOpening Words: Sue reads from Anne of Green Gables, by LM MontgomeryPodcast Developments: You can now follow the show and access bonus content on Substack: https://journeythroughtheseasons.substack.com - where you can also buy a subscription to help support the podcast, or you can buy us a coffee - at https://buymeacoffee.com/journeythroughtheseasonsSeasonal Living: Sue and Emma discuss the Pagan festival of SamhainRecipes: Emma's Butternut Squash Galette is adapted from a recipe by Lazy Cat Kitchen: https://www.lazycatkitchen.com/vegan-pumpkin-galette/ and the mulled cider recipe is taken from BBC Good Foods: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/mulled-ciderSelf-Care: You can find information on Pratyahara and the breathwork practices Sue suggests at: https://ekotexyoga.co.uk/blogs/yoga/what-is-pratyaharahttps://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/pranayama/ujjayi-breathingSeasonal Words: Sue reads Rainbow Bridge by Donna Ashworth and Emma shares an article by Katherine May from the beginning October issue of the Ocado Magazine, Indoorphins BoostWhat's on Our Bookshelf: This month, Sue recommends poetry books The Works by Pam Ayres, Loss by Donna Ashworth and a collection of poetry from Radio 4's Poetry Please.  Sue is watching Married at First Sight and has plans to watch Put your Soul on your Hand and Walk and Emma Thompson's new film The Dead of Winter.  Emma mentions The Appeal by Janice Hallett, ( Sue mentions The Twyford Code by the same author), Ian McEwan's What We Can Know,  Netflix series' Mrs Biggs and The Escape Artist  and the podcast Strangers on a BenchCard: Sue draws a card from the Sea Soul Blessings pack by Pippa Best: https://seasoulblessings.comTimings:Prepare Chat: 0.55/ Lunar Living: 16.43/ Recipe: 21.10/ Self Care: 27.56/ Seasonal Words: 35.32/ What's on our Bookshelf: 42.44/ Tasks: 50.00/ Blessing: 55.16/ Close: 56.28

Edited by Dan Lange.Music credit: Purple Planet Music - Ambient (https://www.purple-planet.com)Opening Words: by Peggy Toney HortonSue shares tree wisdom from the book The Hidden Life of Trees by Fred Bernard and Peter WohllebenCyclical Living: Sue quotes from Lia Leendertz's The Almanac Self Care: You can do a mini-quiz to identify your Ayurvedic dosha at: https://www.pukkaherbs.com/uk/en/dosha-quiz.  The Pukka Herbs website also has general info about Ayurveda.  If you fancy booking an Ayurvedic massage with Sue's friend Kate, you can contact her via her website: www.samawithkate.co.ukEmma's favourite Apple and cinnamon cake recipe is from Fit Waffle Kitchen: https://fitwafflekitchen.com/cinnamon-apple-cake/Seasonal words: Sue shares the poem Gift of Presence Mary Anne Byrne (Spirit of a Hippy)On Our Bookshelves: Emma recommends Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively, Our Evenings from Alan Hollinghurst and Lucy Steed's The Artist as well as the BBC series Mixtape. Sue recommends Sarah Winman's Still Life, Robert McFarlane's Is a River Alive and is considering re-reading Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui. She will be binge listening to the latest Richard Osman Thursday Murder Clib mystery The Impossible Fortune.At the end of the podcast, Sue shares a card from the Sea Soul Blessings Oracle card pack, from Pippa Best: https://seasoulblessings.comEnjoy our Podcast?  We'd be so grateful for your support in leaving us a review, following the show, recommending it to your friends or helping with a small contribution towards our production costs at buymeacoffee.com/journeythroughtheseasonsTimings: 16.49 - Cyclical Living/ 21.25 - Seasonal Self Care/ 27.00 - Recipe/ 33.39 - Seasonal Words/ 36.12 - What’s on our Bookshelf/ 41.08 - Seasonal Tasks/ 44.06 - Sea Soul Blessing

Edited by Dan LangeMusic Credit: Purple Planet Music - Ambient (https://www.purple-planet.com)Sue opens the episode with the poem Blossom from Mary OliverSue quotes from the book A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh and from Lia Leendertz The AlmanacIn cyclical living Sue talks about the Lyrid meteor showers which will peak on 22nd April which stem from Comet Thatcher. At the same time the Eta Aquarius linked to Halley’s Comet begin their run from April 20 and continue into May. Emma's recipes: Rhubarb vodka, based on the recipe from Sarah Raven , Hazelnut and roasted asparagus recipe based on a recipe from Delicious Magazine and she mentions the recipe book Planet Friendly Baking from Honeywell Bakes, kindly gifted to Sue and Emma by the author Rebecca Honeywell. Emma shares poems from:   Ogden Nash's Always Marry an April Girl, April by Laurie Lee, The Swimmer in the Glass by Paul Henry from Ten poems about Swimming selected and introduced by Samantha Wynne and William Carlos Williams' This is Just to SaySue's Self Care, includes information from Kim Vopni’s  The Buff Muff MethodEmma's flower press was sourced from These Two HandsSue enjoyed a Soundbath led by Joanna Maroun at Optimum You yoga studio in Market Harborough Sue's Instagram account for her guerilla poetry initiative is @findpoetryinplacesSue draws a card from Louise Hay's wisdom cardsTimings: Cyclical living: 17.21/ Recipes: 22.29/ Self Care: 30.01/ Seasonal Words 40.53/ Monthly Tasks: 48.52/ Wisdom Card: 56.37

Edited by Dan Lange Music credit: Ambient from Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com Sue opens the episode with some words from The Tempest by William Shakespeare  Here's a link to Emma's spring jacket: https://www.thewhitecompany.com/row/Linen-Cropped-Jacket/p/A15190?swatch=Alabaster Cyclical Living: Sue quotes from The Almanac by Lia Leendertz Recipes: Cleavers tea, add approx 2 tbsp cleavers, thoroughly washed, to a mug, top with boiling water and allow to steep for 15 minutes before drinking Wild Garlic Pesto:  Ingredients/ 100g wild garlic/ 50g parmesan/ vegan parmesan grated (although I omit this due to my cheese aversion)/50g nuts or seeds /Olive oil (rapeseed works too) – you’ll need about 150ml/ lemon juice, to taste/ salt and pepper   Method/ Add the washed wild garlic leaves to a food processor and blitz until fairly well broken up/ Add the Parmesan, if using, and process further/ Add the nuts or seeds, blitz again/ Slow down the processor and add the oil until you reach your desired consistency/ Add salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Sue mentions foraging with respect inspired by reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer  Seasonal Words: Emma reads words from The Pocket Encyclopedia of Garden Phenomena, by Thomas Furly Forster taken from the anthology Spring, An Anthology for the Changing Seasons edited by Melissa Harrison ,Today by Billy Collins, and Be Like the Bird by Victor Hugo. Emma's breakfast smoothie includes: Spinach, tahini, seeds, avocado, berries, banana and almond milk Sue mentions a new collagen supplement by Feel: https://wearefeel.com  In the Tasks section Sue quotes from Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui Sue reads a Sea soul Blessing by Pippa Best, from a deck of cards that can be ordered online at https://seasoulblessings.com Our monthly Wisdom card is drawn from Louise Hays Wisdom cards, a deck of 64 positive affirmations.  Timings 17.49 Cyclical living / 23.40 Recipes / 32.20 Seasonal Self Care / 41.41 Spring words / 47.20 Tasks / 53.58 Wisdom card 

Editing by Dan LangeMusic Credit: Ambient, by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.comSue opens the podcast with the poem This Moment by Eavan Boland from Earth Songs, edited by Peter Abbs Cyclical Living: Sue refers to The Almanac by Lia Leendertz in reference to Astroarcheology. More information about the major lunar standstill we are experiencing this year can be found on many websites including https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/918481-2024-2025-major-lunar-standstill/Tea recipes: Emma's fennel tea recipe - For each person, add 1tsp fennel seeds and one cup of water to a large pan.  Bring to the boil, simmer gently for 5 minutes then ladle into mugs.  Treats recipe: Lemon, Thyme and Ginger Shortbread recipe (taken from Emma Mitchell's Making Winter).  Ingredients: 1. Shortbread - 200g butter, softened/ 95g golden caster sugar/ 200g plain flour/ 60g cornflour/ 35g polenta and 2. Filling - 3 eggs/ 4 large lemons juiced and zested/ 180g golden caster sugar/ 25g plain flour/ 1tbsp grated ginger/ 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves Method: 1. Line a square baking tray (25cm*25cam) with baking parchment and heat oven to 180 degrees (fan)  2.  Make the shortbread by beating together the butter and sugar then adding the remaining ingredients and mixing to a coherent dough.  Press the shirtbread into the tin, leaving a lip around the edge to capture the filling which will be added later.  3.  Pop into the oven for 15 mins until golden.  4. Meanwhile, beat the eggs and lemon juice in a small bowl.  In a separate larger bowl, mix the lemon zest, sugar and flour then pour in the egg mixture, stirring continuously.  Add the ginger and half the thyme and mix on gently. 4. Pour the mix into the shortbread tin, pop back into your warmed oven and bake for 15 minutes or so until lightly set.  5. Remove from oven, sprinkle over remaining thyme leaves and cut into squares.Springtime words; Sue shares The Moon by Sappho/ The Fawn (After Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese) by Nikita Gill/ The Waking by Theodore Roethke taken from Poems for Every Day of the Year edited by Karen McCosker & Nicholas AlberySelf Care: Emma talks about the Ayurvedic practice of Abhyanga.  You can read more about it here:https://www.ayurvedainstitute.co.uk/abhyanga-massage-for-each-dosha/Competition: To enter this month's competition, please leave us a review on whatever platform you listen to the podcast. One entry per review, and the winner will be announced in next month's podcast!Cyclical Living - 8.30/ Recipes - 15.30/ Spring Words - 22.20/ Self Care - 26.29/ Tasks - 31.48/ 35.55 - Wisdom card/ 37.00 - Competition

Show Notes:Editing by Dan LangeMusic Credits: Purple Planet (Reiki Healing)Opening Poem: Sue reads the poem Good Hours by Robert FrostSue is immersing herself in a Wintry Writing Retreat with Beth Kempton.  You can sign up at https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com and she mentions reading The Almanac by Lia Leendertz Lunar Living - Sue quotes from Yasmin Boland's Moonology (https://www.yasminboland.com)Emma's Solstice Cacao Recipe - Per person, add: 1 cup of milk of your choice, 1 desert spoon of cacao powder and a pinch of your spices of choice (ginger/ cinnamon/ nutmeg for eg), plus a couple of cardamon pods and a star anise (you could add peppercorns and chilli flakes too if you like!) to a heavy bottomed pan.  Heat to high temperature just short of boiling and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 mins or so by which stage you should have a beautifully blended festive cacao.Emma's Vegan Sausage roll recipe: Ingredients - 1 sheet pre-rolled jus-roll vegan puff pastry /1/3 pack Merchant Gourmet Glorious Grains/ ½ pack Merchant Gourmet vacuum packed chestnuts/ a large onion/ 2 cloves garlic/ Celeriac – about 1.5 * the quantity of onion/ 100g of mushrooms/ 30g pine nuts/ Thyme, rosemary and sage/ A tablespoon (or more) of quince/ redcurrant jelly/ Hoi-sin sauce/ Oil for frying/ A beaten egg (if eggs ok for consumer), or plant milk, to glaze.  Method: 1. Begin by toasting the pine nuts in a dry frying pan for 2-3 minutes.  Set them aside for later/ 2. Chop the onion, garlic, celeriac and mushrooms into very small pieces/ 3. Blitz the chestnuts very briefly in a food processor (or crumble very finely)/ 4. Chop the herbs finely/ 5. Heat your oil and add the onions and celeriac to the pan, fry gently for at least 15 minutes until both have softened./ 6. Add garlic, mushrooms and chopped herbs and continue to fry gently for a further 5 minutes or so, then add the crumbled chestnuts for 1 minute or so/ 7. Take the pan off the heat, stir in the grains, along with the pine nuts and jelly. Mix well to combine and season to taste/ 8. Divide your pastry sheet in two, lengthways/ 9. Spread the long edge of each rectangle with hoi-sin sauce / 10. About 1 cm in from the edge of the longside each rectangle, make a long “sausage” with your filling/ 11. Brush the 1cm edge with plant milk and fold over the pastry so the two long sides meet.  Press the seam well/ 12. Cut the long rectangles into 12 (or so) pieces)/13. With a sharp knife, slash the tops of the rolls a couple of times, then brush the tops with egg/ plant milk/ 14. Pop on a lined baking sheet and cook in a pre-heated hot (220c) oven for about 20 minutes (keep an eye on them) until golden.Sue's Poetry Meditation is based on the poem Slip into Sleep by Mandy CoeWintry Words are taken from Mary Oliver's essay Winter Hours from her book of the same nameFestive Baking - Emma recommends frangipane and mincemeat squares: baking http://www.daffodilkitchen.com/christmas-frangipane-mincemeat-squares/recipes, festive tiffin: https://www.toa.st/blogs/magazine/christmas-at-river-cottage-with-lucy-brazier and recipes from Nigel Slater's Christmas Chronicles Candle meditation - Sue recommends https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OlrWyI0iSUoWinter Solstice yoga Nidra meditation - Sue recommends https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MrGQUwHeFR0Sue picks a card from Louise Hay's Wisdom CardsTimings:7.58 - Lunar Living/ 12.50 - Recipes/ 20.56 - Poetry Meditation/ 25.42 - Wintry Words/ 28.50 - This month's tasks/ 37.12 - Wisdom Card

Sue and Emma talk about what to expect from their monthly podcast series - and what encouraged them to start embark on their podcast journey. As Sue and Emma share some of their winter loves, get to know your hosts in this short but sweet trailer episode

In November’s podcast episode, Emma and Sue share some of the ways that they are embracing the arrival of winter, and offer seasonal inspiration and some gentle tasks to help you to connect more deeply with November

In their first full length podcast episode, Emma and Sue share some of the ways that they are preparing for the winter months, along with plenty of seasonal inspiration, and tasks to help you to begin your own journey through winter