Winter Words on Wednesday – Because sometimes words are just as beautiful as images. This is my attempt to bring the magic of words back into seasonal changes along with atmospheric photos and associated recipes.

Embrace the Seasons

Words for Winter

A week ago I shared a photo on my Instagram feed, it was a simple, seasonal image of our country lane. The lane that meanders past our home here in North Wales and which is the lifeline to the outside world, as we are very rural here. I added some seasonal words of just how I felt at the time – poetic words I suppose, but they dripped quickly and tantalisingly from my mind at the time.  The response from my followers was amazing, and very heartwarming, and it was at that moment that I realised that sometimes words paint a more accurate and atmospheric picture than a photo. The photo and words are shared below……

“Our silver gilded country lane…..early morning on a cold winter’s day, sparkling with the anticipation of a frosty ramble, the cold steals my breath before it hovers in the air like plumes of scented wood smoke. The trees stark against the skyline, still slumbering in the greyness of January. The sky yawns on forever until it reaches snow-capped mountains over the other side of the valley, where crags and crevasses are covered in silver icing sugar. There is the anticipation of spring in the tufty catkins and burgeoning buds on my magnolia tree, and snowdrops gently sway in the gentle but icy breeze….and then it’s time to return to the cushioning warmth of a bright and bubbling kitchen with its copper lid clad walls and a jolly whistling kettle”

…..and so today, I’d like to share more of my “Words for Winter” along with the images that accompanied them, as well as some seasonal recipes which seem wholly appropriate for this time of year. All of the images in this post (that were posted on Instagram) were taken on my iPhone 7 and were shared on Instagram in the moment, as it used to be before people shared images from their cameras via WiFi, artfully styled and beautiful they may be, but they are not in the “moment”. There is something lyrical about a spontaneous photo, an image taken in a limited time frame just because you were “there”, and I hope today’s post “Winter Words on Wednesday” will inspire you to embrace the season with my words for winter, as well as enjoy the photos and recipes. Karen 

“So whilst I slumbered last night, the old lady in the sky came by, plucking goose feathers that pirouetted down like frosty pillow-like down. The leaden grey sky lowering over iced cake countryside, with trees bedecked in glistening sparkles of sugar coated ice. Roofs labour under the newly dumped weight of gleaming white blankets which erase mossy slates. Gone are the voluptuous curves of green sprigged hills, and in their place is a smoothness of crystalline whiteness. Everything feels fresh and new, muddy-caked bridle ways have disappeared along with ribbons of asphalt grey lanes and there’s a stillness that envelops the landscape. My feet crunch and crack over the duvet of white as I make my way back towards the golden swathed light of the kitchen, where the jolly red kettle whistles and the waft of toasted bread brings the promise of breakfasting by a wood scented fire”

“And here it is served, Norfolk Plough Pudding, a traditional recipe that was served on Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth Night, which was once a very important date in the agricultural calendar. Made with a suet crust and steamed for 4hrs, the filling comprises pork (sausage meat), smoked streaky bacon (or lardons), onions and fresh sage. That’s it, made with delicious British produce that’s ethically sourced and reared with passion and care. The pudding is served on a gorgeous charity shop find, an old 19th century blue and white “compote dish” with matching dinner plates, the whole set (with 3 dinner plates) was a mere £3:20! The cruet set is mid-century, another charity shop find and I use these all the time. I served the steamed pudding with mashed potatoes, steamed sweetheart cabbage and gravy. Perfect for a very cold day after chopping wood….there’s half the pudding left for tomorrow’s lunch and once steamed, you can reheat it in the microwave. A quick note about the suet crust, as the filling is quite rich, we like a thicker suet crust, all the more for soaking up all the gravy”

“Top of the word at Nebo, which is just across the valley from us…we went meandering yesterday on our way to Caernarfon, and I’m mesmerised by the colours, hues and textures of this stunning landscape here in North Wales where I live now. Here’s a landscape that never bores me, filled with granite, green hills, towering mountains and luminescent sky….misty it may be in this photo, but that’s just its winter attire, that changes regularly”

“The view from the car window on the way home from shopping this morning…I really do live in the most stunning part of N Wales. I see part of this Snowdonia Mountain Range from my kitchen window too, so I’m doubly blessed. It’s nearly a year ago that we moved from SW France to N Wales, and I’m often asked if I miss France – well the answer is no, not yet. It’s been a funny old year, I lost my mum after she had a stroke, we went through the winter with no boiler or heating, we are still unpacking boxes….nearly finished, and I published my first solo book. I’ve travelled with some fabulous companies to some amazing far-flung places, and I’ve worked with some lovely brands…so no, no time to miss France and we can always go back for a holiday! There was snow on top of the mountains near our home this morning and it’s been very cold but crisp, bright and dry”

“A Northumbrian speciality tonight as the mercury plummets after a warm and sunny day, Steamed Leek & Bacon Suet Pudding. In a long line of British puddings, both sweet and savoury, this ranks in my top five favourites. Served with onion gravy for a delicious and homely tea. I’m not sure why steamed puddings aren’t more popular, as this pudding has been steaming away quite happily whilst I’ve been unpacking more boxes and cleaning”

“Got the old copper preserving pan out and I’m making marmalade today….found some fabulous Seville oranges at the greengrocer in Porthmadog”

“And there it was, nestled amongst many other books, my book for sale, Lavender & Lovage – A Culinary Notebook of Memories and Recipes from Home and Abroad” 

“The sun setting over Criccieth Castle and Beach on Boxing Day”

Seasonal Winter Recipes:

Norfolk Plough Pudding for Plough Monday

Baked “Cake Crumb” Mincemeat Pudding

Leek & Chicken Casserole with Baked Dumplings

Welsh Cawl (Lamb & Vegetable Stew)

“Snowy Day” Vegetarian Mulligatawny Soup

North Country Creamed Turkey & Celery Hash

January Comfort Food: Chicken and Pearl Barley Stew

Ski Chalet Supper:

Tartiflette Savoyarde with Reblochon Cheese

Traditional Lemon and Lime Marmalade Recipe

Duvet Apples & Frosty Mornings!

Festive Baked Apples with Mincemeat and Honey

Pink Grapefruit Marmalade

The Old Schoolhouse B & B

Hen Ysgol

You can come to stay with me here in North Wales now, as our Bed and Breakfast, The Old Schoolhouse – Hen Ysgol, is finally up and running, and we are taking bookings. We live in an 19th Century Welsh Schoolhouse that was opened in 1858 and is set in an acre of beautiful land and gardens. 

“A beautiful 19th century old school house set in stunning countryside just outside Snowdonia National Park. The Schoolhouse is close to the beaches on the Llyn Peninsula and has some wonderful walks right on the doorstep. Nearby attractions are Portmeirion, Beddgelert, Abersoch, Porthmadog, Snowdonia Mountain Railway and the castles at Caernarfon and Anglesey. The house is beautifully and eclectically furnished with French, English and Welsh antique furniture creating a warm and cosy atmosphere”

We have two rooms and a separate Garden Cottage annex for rent, and they are listed on Air B and B here:

Cosy Room in an Old Schoolhouse near Snowdonia

The large double twin room, the “French Fleurie Bedroom” which is in the main house and on the ground floor. This room is en-suite and is furnished with antique French furniture.

There is complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, ample storage and hanging space with comfortable easy chairs.

Private Garden Cottage Annex near Portmeirion

The Garden Cottage Annex is just behind the main school house and offers completely separate and private accommodation with a large sitting room with sofa bed, en-suite walk in shower & WC and a king size French sleigh bed. There is a small fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, TV and a work area. The sliding French windows open up onto a private patio with garden furniture and a BBQ. There is disabled access to this room and the shower is wheelchair accessible too.

There is complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, ample storage and hanging space with comfortable easy chairs.

Private Room in an Old Schoolhouse with Breakfast

The “Attic Bedroom” which is the only room that is upstairs. This bedroom is en-suite.

There is complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, ample storage and hanging space with comfortable easy chairs.