Notes on Paper

Printing from a writer's perspective and the fun of re-purposing... When planning my projects for the next few years, I was aware that print books are still my format of choice (as a reader and writer). A love of nature and lifelong habits of re-using paper, where possible, impacts my purchasing and use of paper. …

Positive Education

I'm currently a home educator. As part of that, I'm using certain media as content for current and global news, citizenship and PSHE (physical, social and health education). On a weekly basis, we're reading, discussing and writing about 2-3 articles from Positive News. It's proving to be effective and inspiring. I'm following the National Curriculum; …

Launching SPIRALS!

Today I'm launching SPIRALS - a collection of poetry, featuring words devoted to science, love, nature, the abstract, the sacred and sublime. Read them aloud, in a whisper, to a friend or lover, into the wind, under a tree. Let the words carry you deeper within or towards the sky. Wherever your heart roams. These …

KMC Book Club – January

I began the Kiss Me Cupcakes Book Club with a flat white and chocolate brownie. Start as you mean to go on 🙂 The latest issue of Positive News - an uplifting current affairs magazine - and Satish Kumar's Soil, Soul, Society were my bring-a-longs. The latter is a great follow-on read to Earth Pilgrim; …

Begin with Joy (Letter 4)

We must crack open to see our joy. For humans, it is not enough to feel it. We bend until we break ourselves, so that we may then believe what we are, what we forgot. Gratitude is the most direct path to joy. It expands the interactions of the day. We feel it in the …

All We Do (Letter 3)

A new decade is embracing us! There are experiences ahead to celebrate, challenge and inspire us. The topics of impact and contribution have come up in various conversations recently, with my eldest, as they approach adulthood. With a climate in crisis and a rising population, their presence has grown into the social-sphere as buzzwords that …

Self-Care Soup

I have this soup a lot in Winter and created it by simply combining ingredients that have immunity-boosting, antibacterial, soothing or cleansing properties. It makes me feel good; especially when tired or unwell. Give it a go and adjust to suit 🙂   SELF-CARE SOUP (serves 1-2 small bowls or 4 mugs): 350-400ml of water …

SPIRALS – poetry collection

I'm happy to announce that the poetry collection I created last year is being released into the world early 2020! There are 100 featured poems, covering such topics as science, love, nature, the abstract, the sacred and sublime. I've written poetry for 3 decades and sifted through over 500 poems to choose those that best …

Choose Collaboration (Letter 2)

Namesake has held meaning for me, for a long time. I've been observing my reactions to it in meditations. It's another way to expand awareness and acceptance. Originally Ancient Hebrew, later European; the meaning of Louise appears in two forms: 'renowned warrior / battle maiden'. As inspiration, it is a teacher of courage and resilience. …

New Book Club

Coming in 2020 to Kiss Me Cupcakes, a Book Club that enables you to read (and talk about) whatever book you like! Open to people aged 16+, this book club is 90 minutes every other month. Pick up recommendations of great reads, talk about the books you love; whether it's a new purchase, old favourite …

Inspire Your Space – workshop

I've created a Springtime workshop, to Inspire Your Space. Refresh, release and renew, with uplifting chats and practical handouts. Growing up, my south-facing bedroom was a sun trap by day and a moon cave by night. Over the years, I read avidly about natural ways to cleanse, clear and honour places. Afer more than 20 …

Beauty in Breathing

Sunday is a great opportunity to sit for longer, meditating. There's less going on, people are occupied with their own hobbies and pursuits. I've been doing a breathing practise centred on repeating the same few phrases on rotation. What I love about this, is the expansiveness it produces mentally and at the same time, the …

Sharing

Time stretches to enable you, when intentions become actions, I've learned. Accommodating what we need or want in a schedule isn't an obstacle of time, but willingness. Self-care goes through phases and I've come to know when it slips, as the right time to shift into a new routine. Changes in life had motivated me …

Trees & Bees

I love when many people get involved in doing small, local actions to create a global impact. It's inspiring and exciting to be part of. I've ordered some trees (Beech, Elderberry and Silver Birch) from Woodland Trust, as part of their pledge for 1 million trees to be planted towards the global effort of reforestation. In …

Forager’s Fun

Blackberry picking in the low-slung warmth of early Autumn. A great way to end the week. Purple-stained fingers and dark fruit glistening in the sunshine, like jewels. Apple and blackberry crumble with custard for Sunday pud. Mmm! Fruit picking was part of my childhood; laughing and singing as we picked fruit from a lane (always leaving …