All we really need to make our homes cosy in winter, and to make any seasonal gathering special, is a little bit of care and attention, some light, some kindness, perhaps a twinkling tree or a scattering of greenery, and maybe a pretty tablecloth. But it doesn’t have to be fancy, and it definitely doesn’t have to be perfect or all matching.

Episode 3: Holly, Ivy & Evergreen is all about simplifying, beautifying and cosifying our homes for the winter, making them welcoming for us and for others. It includes:

* Birth month herbs (Which one are you, I wonder?)

* The symbolism and uses of some of our favourite evergreens

* Christmas dinner table musings

* Tips for simplifying, beautifying and cosifying your home this holiday season

* Decorating traditions from listeners around the world

* Talk of advent candles

* How to make a winter flower garland with Bex Partridge

* A simply delicious recipe from Jess Elliot Dennison

* A thoughtful journalling invitation

* Get ahead tips and dates for your diary this week

With inspiration from @homesandgardensofficial @shegrowsveg @countrylivinguk @danuforest @laura_weir @annes.universe @botanical_tales @rossandrossgifts @jess_elliot_dennison @fogchaser @sarahravenperchhill @danninichollsmusic

You can listen on Substack, Spotify or iTunes.

Happy cosifying, friends!

Beth Xx

GOOD THINGS FOR YOU

This week’s festive book giveaway is @bethkempton with a prize including:

* How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz

* The Joy of Wintering by Erin Niimi Longhurst

* Joy Chose You by Donna Ashworth

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton

* A complimentary place on one of my writing courses, Excavate Your Life

Also:

* You can join the Winter Writing Sanctuary for FREE at dowhatyouloveforlife.com (runs Dec 29 – Jan 4)

* You can get my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year for just £3.99 on Audible here (read by me) or just 99p on Kindle here (from Dec 1 - Dec 23)

* You can get up to 50% off all my courses in my annual gratitude sale, on now at dowhatyouloveforlife.com including live writing and Substack immersion Ink + Flame, live writing + career development immersion Life+Time and the Book Proposal Masterclass.

* You can join my beautiful private writing community SoulCircle at bethkempton.substack.com/subscribe (choose Monthly to try it out or Annual to get a lovely discount)

BOOKS

(no affiliate links)

* The Magical Year by Danu Forest

* Cosy by Laura Weir

* Midweek Recipes by Jess Elliot Dennison

OTHER LINKS

(no affiliate links)

* O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) sung by Andrea Bocelli

* Lola Houghton on birth month herbs in Homes & Gardens Magazine

* Seed crackers from Shegrowsveg.com

* Country Living Christmas Magazine

* Buttermilk window pictures by Anne S Olson @annes.universe

* The River sung by Danni Nicholls cowritten by Beth Kempton and Danni Nicholls

* Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for Making Moves by Danni Nicholls

INGREDIENTS

for Jess Elliot Dennison’s Dill Scrambled Eggs on Toast with Lemon and Feta.

(Serves 2)

* 2 slices sourdough bread

* 3 tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed or olive oil

* 1 large handful dill (approx 15g)

* 4 free-range eggs

* Sea salt flakes

* 50g feta cheese

* 1 small lemon

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit calmchristmas.substack.com