Twig + Thistle

18/08/2022

If you're at a loose end tomorrow, this is going to be a great event at the Rugeley Community Centre! I'll be leading some mindful activities and have a few gifts available to buy. Plus, my good friend Claire Williams will be there with Smelly Wellies Outdoor Play! I can't wait to see her and catch up with one another.

10/07/2022

Time flying for anyone else at the moment?! Throwback to a slower day in March when my DayJob employer gave everyone a paid Wellbeing Day to take however we saw fit.

I spent the day with Sharon at Bridge 76 Alpacas sorting [a tiny bit of] Rosie's cria fleece, trying out a carding machine, pulling wool into slivers, and then spinning it. There's a lot of room for improvement (this is a generous way to put it 😅), but I was such an amazing day.

Finished product in the comments. I even got to ball it up on a wacky device. It was epic.

[ID Video clip of woman in wellies using a two pedalled spinning wheel. It's Sharon, and she's trying to put my project back on track after I made bit of a mess!]

19/06/2022

I'm going to share the best bits of wellbeing stuff I've been up to over the last few months. What have you lot been doing to keep well?

19/06/2022

Hey. How is everyone?! You know when you start a project and then need a break, and then the break lasts a bit longer than it should have? Yeaaah. That. 😅😘

03/04/2022

Less than a week to go - be there or be ⏹!

I'll have a few bits for sale to support future activities. I'll also share some breathing exercises and a self led activity, and some weaving with weeds. 🌾☘🌱🌿

I know it's been quiet, I n
Have some behind the scenes stuff yet to crack on with, and need to nail down what delivery I want to start with...

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5043560365722160&id=899420953469476&sfnsn=scwspmo

Only a week away now - over 20 local groups and organisations, lots to browse or interact with and stuff for kids.

Crafty Hoarders (sustainable wooden products)
Colin's Cribs (bird boxes, bug hotels)
Transforming the Trent Valley
Rugeley In Bloom
My Garden Is Your Garden 🌿
Brereton Million
Peak Health Food Ltd
Waste Savvy Staffordshire
Little Eco Sewing Shop
R.A.L.P.H
Twig + Thistle
The Globe Foundation
Engage Zero Carbon Rugeley
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Inspired Cannock Chase
Smelly Wellies Outdoor Play
Eco Rugeley (open group, for all to add, comment and share)
and more...!

15/03/2022

If you're looking for a way to express your own emotions and send light to those closest to the crisis in Ukraine and Russia, I highly recommend this online event.

I got my certificate in ecotherapy from the Tariki Trust (Ecotherapy with Tariki). They are a warm and supportive group of therapists, learners, and environmentalists.

All proceeds will go to Medecins Sans Frontieres to support their work with refugees and others in Ukraine. 💙💛

In these troubled times we ask ourselves, how can eco-therapy (nature therapy) be of service to the world?

14/03/2022

In 🇯🇵Japan, they have a beautiful tradition of congregating beneath cherry trees as they blossom, called hanami. They come together in mornings or at night to enjoy one another's company and the sakura (blossom). There are sometimes parties, sometimes a quiet cup of tea.

I invite all of you to find a tree in blossom 🌸 and celebrate. Whilst you're there, perhaps you could also submit the flowering stage to fruitwatch.org?

I'd also love you to fill up my feed with blossoming trees, please! Photos below. 👇🙏

19/02/2022

Hopefully, you guys were aware of RAOK Day which was on Thursday...fingers crossed 🤞 that you were recipients of some loving kindness! ❤

I decided to make a week of it, handing out some sample Lessons of the Land at work and to friends, with warm intentions (more on these later 👐). I also brought in biscuits to share at the office.

Kindnesses received (in no particular order)...
🍰 Colleague bought me a nice cake
👩‍👧‍👦 Angelic children offered endless gifts, drawings, and snot-infused cuddles
☕ Saturday morning pancakes and a lie in provided by Mr Twig + Thistle
🦸‍♀️ An unexpected late night of childminding by Rugeley Childminding Services
💬 Post-work chat therapy with Ste Turner
🎉 Belated birthday card and letters from my parents
🚉 Friend travelled up from Brum to meet me in Lichfield

Share below your own kindmesses given/received! Doesn't have to be from this week. Kindest thing anyone has ever done for you? When you've been surprised by your own generosity?

There's a reason that giving is one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing. It feels bloody good.

19/02/2022

Oh, hey! I forgot to share results of the RSPB England Big Garden Birdwatch/Big Schools Birdwatch from Bridge 76 Emporium last weekend.

It was cold and windy on the day, so was a pretty quiet event, but we had a nice time all the same! Plus, we got to bring home a box of leftover shortbread.

ID : RSPB certificate of completion, graph showing top 10 birds spotted, photos of OP's children drinking hot cocoa, eating biscuits, and making bird-related crafts.