Bread in Lent
I’ve been making a fair bit of bannock recently and, though it wasn’t a deliberate Lenten decision, it fits in well with the season. […]
The Messy Table
Slow Poems in Lent
Last week, I wrote about our family Lent book and this week, I want to open up the book that I will be reading […]
Make Room – a book review
Since living with small people, I’ve learned that books make very good place-holders. Some hold a feeling, a mood or a thought, keeping it […]
Market Day
Plum and I went to the market today. It looks like it’s going to be an inside-is-best week, so I thought that Monday should […]
Soul Boats and Lasting Prayers
This week, I read about beautiful things happening in Birmingham Cathedral. As part of the 300th anniversary celebrations, the cathedral community commissioned artist Jake […]
New Year Begun
We didn’t count down to midnight this year. The stars should have been aligned – my parents were staying with us and our youngest […]
There is no other game around – a guest post
The Spouse spoils me and here’s my Christmas present – a timely guest blog post from a reputable source. My parents have been staying […]
Gifted
These are Plum’s presents to his Granny. The one on the left is a keychain he made at the school’s Christmas fair. There was a police booth there – one of those friendly community outreach efforts – where kids could get fingerprinted and create a memento . Easy-peasy toddler present and he was over the moon about it.
Sisters Together
Today, I stood in the rainy school playground with a Bangladeshi mum. Like me, she stands there everyday, waiting with a small boy for her […]
Selling Candles
The first candle has been lit and Advent begins. On Sunday night, we set our own advent ring on the table at home and […]
The Oldest Doors in Europe
I propose a simple advent. For each week, I will offer one song and one image here on the Messy Table. May these be useful […]
Needing Advent
Beangirl came home from school today, talking about the moment of silence they held for the people of Paris. Blue said he knew something […]
Small coins
She held the coins in her hand all the way from home. Small coins in a closed hand. The day was warm and dry, […]
It Happens Anywhere
October is over and, with it, the tenth anniversary of our Spanish pilgrimage. Over the past month, The Spouse and I have told stories, […]
Love and Change
There’s been a little change around here this week. Nothing earth-shattering. Just a trip to the hairdresser for me. I hadn’t been in months […]
Under the Weather
I’ve been holding a sick kid today. Poor Plum has been poorly. Just a run-of-the-mill October cold, but he isn’t really sure what’s hit […]
The Strange Shapes of Life
In the morning, the street was misty and I worried that it might rain. I don’t know the weather here yet. I haven’t been here […]