Thinking about this month's theme

For this months theme we have to "find our inner child" and throw off the shackles of adult life. We can do something that takes 10 minutes or 10 hours - we just have to make sure that we document it ready for the next meeting.

I thought that I would find an old photo of me as a little girl just to remind myself. So here I am sporting a gorgeous little orange number and carrying it off with real style.

Amanda xxx

Sainsbury's Magazine

The wait is over as this months Sainsbury’s magazine is now out, and we are in there. Our club is featured in an article that looks at a new wave of inspirational and modern women’s clubs, so be sure to go and get yourself a copy.

As followers of our blog will know, the photo shoot for the article took place at The Three Acres and we would all like to say a massive thank you to the staff there for making the day so special.

The magazine came out on Wednesday and our local branch of Sainsbury’s must have been rather bemused as we each excitedly went in and purchased multiple copies of the magazine. That evening we decided to celebrate in style when Caroline invited us all round to her place for ‘fish & chips and champagne’. We may have had a taste of fame but we won’t forget our roots.

July's Meeting

It had been a hot and sunny day and as we drove to tonight’s destination it was still very warm although the grey, cloud-covered sky seemed to be threatening rain. We were headed to a pub that none of us had ever been to before, but we’d heard good things on the culinary grapevine so there was much excitement about the evening ahead.

I was this month’s designated driver and had prepared thoroughly by writing down my list of Google directions – despite leaving these at home on the sideboard this didn’t hinder us at all, and the four of us arrived bang on time with not a single wrong turn. (Danielle was meeting us there). The Gray Ox is set back on a country road with far reaching views over Hartshead Moor. Through an ivy-laced entrance the thing that caught everyone’s attention was a rather large stuffed animal head mounted on the wall. We couldn’t quite decide what it was but settled on buffalo. On reflection, and given where we were, it was of course an Ox. 

A Symphony in Blue



We headed to the bar for drinks and to let them know we had arrived. The place was busy with diners and drinkers (we’d only just managed to squeeze in our booking). The waitress showed us where our table was, said she’d left menus on it, and then left us to make our own way over to the large rectangular wooden table. After a little difficulty we managed a seating arrangement that everyone was happy with, we opened our menus and then reminded each other that this time next week our faces will be gracing the pages of Sainsbury’s magazine. A ripple of excitement and sheer terror worked its way around the table.

The conversation touched on many subjects including our first witches spell when Danielle, upon discovering what she concluded to be a wart on her elbow, sold it to Catherine for 5p to make it disappear. All of this meant that when the waitress came we hadn’t got beyond opening our menus.

After sharing a pre-starter bread board we did manage to concentrate long enough to place our orders and Danielle, the only one to order a starter, was soon happily tucking in to her chicken liver pâté. We all had a taste and agreed that it was delicious. By the time our mains arrived we were more than ready. Catherine and Caroline both had ‘Pan Roast Duck Breast’ which they were advised would be served pink. However, upon tasting, it proved to be well done and dry; Danielle had ‘Fish and Chips; Phoebe had ‘Pan Fried Salmon Fillet’ which was sadly missing its asparagus; and I had ‘Pork Fillet’, which I inspected thoroughly after realising Phoebe was missing a part of her meal. My apple puree was nowhere to be seen! At this point we realised that things were not going as well as expected. We all expect a certain level of service and tonight’s’ seemed to be falling short. The mistakes would have barely mattered if they’d been dealt with in a polite and courteous manner but we felt that we were causing too much trouble as waitresses huddled together and threw us furtive glances. Phoebe did receive a dish of asparagus and I a dish of apple sauce, but both were handed over with sullen expressions and insincere apologies. This was a real shame as I enjoyed my meal and the belly pork that accompanied my fillet had the perfect crispy skin. Then when a tray of drinks was brought to the table the waitress pushed my glass down as far as she could reach, instead of walking round to me with it, and Phoebe had to hand it the rest of the way. I might have awarded points for style if she’d made that extra effort and slid it saloon style down the length of the table. But we were getting the distinct impression that we weren’t welcome; and we noticed that other people were getting a far more pleasant service so it wasn’t a general attitude.

I’m a slow eater and by the time I’d finished my meal it was getting quite late. Most importantly we still had our themes to present; usually this doesn’t happen until after dessert but tonight we were going to break with tradition. The theme I’d given out a month ago had seemed like a good idea at the time but most of us had struggled somewhat and my mind had been on other things so I felt I hadn’t done my best.

The title of the theme was ‘Nature Studies’ and as I hadn’t managed to get out there and truly connect with the earth I did a little study of my own patch of nature that I see every day from my window. I presented a photographic journey from the tiny lilac ivy-leaved toadflax that valiantly grow through cracks in the wall next to my front door to the clump of yellow welsh poppies that spring up next to my garage. Danielle went for a walk in the woods with her four dogs as it’s a relaxing pastime that she loves. She presented a little booklet with photographs and full biographies and character traits of each dog. Phoebe concluded that she hates “too much” nature thanks to a camping trip gone wrong. The fantasy of sitting amongst nature and happily painting was replaced by the reality of a small cold tent in the pouring rain and a desire to just go home. Once at home and seated comfortably in a friends garden with a glass of wine in hand she saw the beauty of a huge red poppy, its size and bold colour defying its tissue-paper frailty, and was inspired to continue a painting of poppies from a theme of a couple of years ago.

 Catherine set out rather intrepidly for a walk in the woods where she found herself stuck on a ridge, clinging onto a spiky tree and startled by some strange beast which she concluded must have been a wolf. But she made it safely home meeting a buzzing bee and a smiling duck along the way. The part of nature that really inspires Caroline is trees. When at home she loves to go upstairs and listen to the sounds they make. As well as doing a lovely picture with very creative use of an old wedding invitation, she showed us pictures of trees from a book about Japan. I think Caroline will one day live in Japan; she’ll be a compliant geisha by day and a fierce warrior by night.

Desserts had been consumed as we worked our way through the themes but they had failed to impress and a pervading smell of meat had been somewhat off-putting.

After discussing weird crushes (I don’t think I have one) and who is most likely to take a lover; and finding out that Catherine’s husband considers himself to be an earthy, sensual lover; the Ox was now almost empty. It was time to depart. Outside was dark. The rain had arrived so I hurried to my car, forgetting that Danielle would not be coming with us, and wondered what was taking everyone so long. They were saying their goodbyes – ‘sorry Dannie!’

The last month had its difficulties and I was really unhappy about the theme. This all contributed to me feeling like not going to the meeting tonight. And in terms of service, it wasn’t the best night ever, but I really loved being with the ladies and I’m so glad that we have our little group and I’m so glad that I was there.

Amanda xxx

Getting ready for tomorrow night!

Can't wait for tomorrow's Intellectual Dinner. It's been a long month and a difficult one too so it's going to be great to be back with the girls. We're going to the Grey Ox, we have no idea where that is but it's meant to be great...and Rosemary Shrager herself recommended it to us so it must be good, not too shabby for five witches!

The theme has been a difficult one and i've been frantically trying to put everything together in time for tomorrow night. I'm not happy with my work...I sat up until 11pm with one eye on Sex and the City and the other on trying to make my theme look presentable, it doesn't...maybe I can salvage it tonight! This is our last dinner before we 'come out' in Sainsbury's magazine...we're all getting really nervous. For now though I guess I'll just keep working on my theme and try and figure out what on earth I'm going to wear tomorrow night...if only I had Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe!

Catherine

July’s Theme

And already we’re into yet another month. Is everyone else’s year going superfast?

Last weekend I went on a fantastic art trail walk around Holme Styes reservoir and was captivated by the many shades of green on brilliant display across the landscape. The Christmas trees were looking lush under the blazing summer sun. Meanwhile, at home, all the plants that I potted a short while ago are now proudly showing of their colours. It’s looking really good out there and given me a timely heads-up that I really need to appreciate how beautiful our summers are and savour every moment of every precious day.

Which leads me on nicely to the theme I have chosen for the ladies to complete over the next few weeks:-

‘Nature Studies.’ We are to embark on our own exploration of the nature that surrounds us. We are then to produce whatever we feel inspired to do. It may be an essay about the role that nature takes in our lives; a photographic study of a well loved view or of a single flower; a record of a ramble through the woods; or notes of which birds are visiting the garden. It’s all out there to be discovered.

At the end of last months meeting I gave everyone the new theme and can’t wait to see what they all produce. I wonder if I’ll manage to complete mine with time to spare or if I’ll have my usual fraught night-before panic.

Amanda xxx

June's Meeting

A summers evening, the birds were singing and a gentle breeze blew through the trees as we stood waiting for Danielle in the hilly car park at the Foxglove Pub in Kirkburton. The month had been a hectic one since our last dinner, for me so much had happened in such a short space of time...not all of it good either...I was ready for a big glass of wine, a relaxing evening and plenty of laughter with my four favourite Witches! Danielle's car sped over the top of the hill and descended at high speed into the car park. We giggled as she dumped her car at an angle in the tight space, slammed her door and wandered over to where we were stood. After dropping her Blackberry down the toilet and oversleeping during an afternoon nap, Dani had had quite an ordeal to get here on time but she was here...and in a good mood so I knew it was going to be another brilliant evening! The Foxglove Pub is a picture postcard...cosy, warm and welcoming and what an English country pub should be. We were shown into a small dining room and were seated in a corner next to a tiny dolls house type window. It was the perfect setting for our evening, the perfect little nook for Witches to hide.



James the Waiter

Our Waiter James impressed us from the start; attentive, friendly and most important of all patient...nothing was too much trouble for this guy...he was there when we needed him and left us alone when we didn't, could we take him home with us? It was the first time that we had all been together since the photo shoot and so much of our conversation was focused around that as we selected what we wanted to eat from the menu. Dani opted for a starter again so we sat and watched her delve into chicken liver pate and warm, crusty bread whilst I became slowly drunk with my big glass of wine...three mouthfuls...I'm such a lightweight! The food was impressive; Danielle and I had opted for big plates of Duck Leg Confit whilst Amanda and Phoebe chose the Summer Lamb Shank...which Caroline reminded Phoebe is actually just 'bum of lamb!' Caroline decided to try the Braised Pork Belly with chorizo, honey roasted apple and rosemary and as James whisked our food over to us we descended into an impressive silence as we savoured every mouthful of the wonderful food. Our expectations were exceeded...this was good eating! I have a separate stomach for pudding and I'm pleased to say that both Phoebe and Caroline do too so a treacle tart and two apple pies with rich vanilla custard later we were ready to start our themes...Amanda with her customary latté of course.

I was quite excited about the theme because for the first time in a while I had actually had time to put some effort in and had challenged myself by designing my own cake company...The Blue Butterfly Cake Company...taking my inspiration from Tiffany's, Chanel and of course Laduree. I knew the girls would expect cakes so I designed tiny cupcake wedding favours...each with the girls' symbol iced on the top. Why did Amanda have to choose a blue tit? Caroline impressed with her Japanese themed design and introduced us to banana skin drink cartons and barcode art...she designed a beautiful barcode decorated with pretty Japanese cherry blossom, and she says she's not creative! Phoebe had also selected cakes...focusing on her favourite cake designer Duff Goldman from Ace of Cakes. She guided us through his designs ending with a beautiful design of her own a 'Fantasy Fairy Garden Cake,' the wings of the fairies would be covered in glitter and fizz whizz! Amanda chose Interior Design choosing to re-design the space at the top of her stairs...who would have thought to take inspiration from a Barn Owl to select the colour scheme and design a beautiful haven for displaying books and chilling out. It was so creative, so Amanda.  Finally Dani and her ingenious make-up collection 'The Masters of Art Collection' Banksy eyeliner; Dali lipstick; the Vettriano smoky eye-shadow kit; Picasso foundation (in the shape of a dove); Piet Mondrian make-up kit; Klimt highlighter and my personal favourite the Frida Kahlo eyebrow pencil. And you read it here first folks...these designs are all ours!

It was time to go home and say goodbye to our new friend James the Waiter. After posing for a few pictures...taken by a kind lady who offered to take a picture of the five of us together (and almost sacrificed her own life in the process thanks to a speedy taxi) we wearily climbed into our car...waved goodbye to Danielle and laughed all the way home.  See you next month!                                         

                                                                          Catherine

                                                         

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