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LAST MONTHS HIGHLIGHTS

Candle Making Workshop April

Mindfulness Mondays 

Our first Mindfulness Monday was super. I learnt how to knit on a table with my fingers, someone was embroidering, someone crocheting, someone reading and someone doing macrame. The atmosphere was lovely, relaxing and serene, I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Women in Business Networking April

Women in Business Monthly meeting

Our monthly women’s networking event was again fully subscribed. The guest speaker was local artist Julie Rainford. Julie has always been interested in textiles and paintings so she was delighted to come along with her watercolours and show us how to paint.

Foraging in Spring

Dandelion Heads

I talked a bit about foraging in my March blog but in case you are not familiar with it, foraging is gathering wild food from nature, whether it be plants, mushrooms, or berries. It’s a lovely way to connect with the environment and learn about the natural world around us. Plus, it’s a sustainable and cost-effective way to source food that often contains more nutrients than those we buy from the shops.

What’s not to love?

5 foraging tips to be aware of

1. Know what you are picking!
2. Avoid polluted areas.
3. Don’t over-pick.
4. Respect the environment.
5. Ask for permission where required.

Spring (March- April) is the best time to forage for wild greens, such as nettles, dandelion leaves, and wild garlic.

May Recipe Ideas

My recipe for May had to include two of my personal favourites: dandelions, which are in full bloom and so full of goodness, and lilac, which smells so beautiful and makes the best jelly.

Every part of a dandelion can be eaten. The unopened buds can be pickled, the whole flowers can be made into tempura, and the petals can be made into cakes and pancakes.

Dandelion Cupcakes

30-40 dandelion heads, 75g softened butter, 75g caster sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 75g self-raising flour, 4 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (ground ivy or thyme. To decorate: 1 tbsp marmalade, 1 tbs icing sugar, few dandelion petals and ground ivy flowers.

1. Process your dandelion heads by picking off the petals and discarding the green part of the flower which can be bitter. You will need enough to fill half a cup.
2. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas4 and line a cupcake tin with six paper cases.
3. Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and creamy.
4. Add the egg, vanilla, flour and milk and mix into a smooth batter. Fold in the dandelion petals and chopped herbs.
5. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases, then bake for 20 minutes or until golden and springy to the touch. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
6. While the cakes are in the oven, make the icing by mixing the marmalade and icing sugar together until smooth.
7. Spread the icing over the cooled cupcakes, then decorate with extra dandelion petals and ground ivy flowers.

Lilac Honey

50g fresh lilac flowers, 1 jar of local honey

1. Take your fresh lilac flowers and pick them off the stem, ensuring you have only the colourful flower.
2. Take a sterilised jam jar, slightly larger than your honey jar and sprinkle around a quarter of the flowers into the jar. Top up a quarter of the way with the honey and repeat the process until the jar is full.
3. Leave the jar in a cool dark place for 1 week, stirring every few days or until the honey tastes fragrant.
4. Over time, your flowers will float to the top which is fine.
5. Your lilac honey is now ready to enjoy and will last for three months in a cool dark place.

COMING UP NEXT

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 (13^th – 19^th)

This year’s theme is “Moving more for our mental health” because being active is important for our mental health.

Many of us struggle to get enough exercise for many reasons, so Mental Health  want to help people to find moments for movement in their daily routines. Going for a walk in your neighbourhood, putting on your favourite music and dancing around the living room, chair exercises when you’re watching television – it all counts!

It’s important to give yourself some ‘me time, ‘ so why not join us for a Mindfulness Monday, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at The Granary for a relaxing morning of crafting, conversation, and a tasty cuppa with delicious homemade cake? Bring your craft project or just yourself and a book—everyone is welcome! All for just £5. There is no need to book; just come along.

May events and workshops at a glance

15^th Butter Beginner Buttercream Cupcake Workshop 

16^th Women in Business Networking Event

19^th May Cookie Decorating Workshop

21^st Monthly Book Club

Some of these events are brand new, and our regular ones are gaining popularity, so please book now to avoid disappointment.

Brand new: An Elderflower cordial workshop in early June. Places will be limited, so keep looking for that on my social media.

Have a good un.

Annie

Thanks to: Wild Magic: A seasonal guide to foraging with healing recipes