Have you run out of new books to read and missing your library? Take a look at Waterstones top books for March and go travelling without leaving your home.
Waterstones Books of the Month March
Waterstones Books of the Month
From pre-war Europe to modern-day Hong Kong, discover our top picks this month.
Power games and fast love in Hong Kong, a family history deftly recreated, suspicion and secrecy at the school gates and a hilarious tale of overcoming adversity – our Books of the Month are here to make your March.
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Yes, today we celebrate our mothers, and today I celebrate myself as a mother. I cannot visit my Mum due to the UK lockdown, but we plan to have a wonderful day out at our favourite craft village when we are allowed to socialise again. We look forward to it. I am glad that my mum is still with me, still on the end of the phone to talk to and waiting for a visit from her children and grandchildren.
I want to wish a bittersweet Happy Mother’s Day to my friends who are grieving. This is due to both the pandemic and other circumstances. I grieve with my friends and send my condolences to whoever reads this message and is missing their mum in death. Know that she will be watching over you, wherever she is.
For my friends with younger children who have battled through the lockdowns, let us stand proud in our achievements. We have managed to keep our families healthy, happy, educated, cared for and supported during this most difficult time, and we continue to do so. Happy Mother’s Day. We are Amazing!!!
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
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Treat the mums in your life to a unique gift that they won’t forget this Mother’s Day.
At English Heritage Shop we have a range of beautiful jewellery and trinkets, exclusive gifts inspired by our great heritage and much more; you’re sure to find the perfect present.
English Heritage Shop Best Mums in History Mother’s Day Gifts
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Sweet Citrus Natural Hand Balm: Make sure your hands are moisturised at all times with this sweet citrus hand balm. The softening and hydrating moisturiser is packed full of rich butters and oils and leaves your hands feeling soft without leaving a greasy residue. Our Price £12.00 – Click here.
The Victorian Way Slate Grey Apron: Cook, bake and create new dishes with this chef grade denim apron. It has an adjustable neck strap, a towel loop and is embroidered with ‘The Victorian Way Inspired by Avis Crocombe’. Avis Crocombe was the cook at Audley End House in the 1880s. Our Price £35.00 – Click here.
Union Flag Washbag: Stay organised while travelling with this Union Flag wash bag. The navy leather bag has a grab handle, a zip closure and has a Union Flag printed on the front. Our Price £40.00 – Click here.
English Heritage Plum Wine: Our carefully selected range of country wines is made in small batches with great care for English Heritage by the award-winning Lyme Bay Winery. Our Price £10.50 – Click here.
Sara Miller Hand Cream: Keep this hand cream in your toiletries cabinet to make sure your hands are soft and moisturised at all times. The beautifully designed hand cream features an Art Deco style design of flowers and lemurs with finishing touches of gold, making it a great gift for an animal lover. Our Price £15.00 – Click here.
The Norfolk – Lavender Fields Reed Diffuser: Bring the scent of the beautiful Norfolk lavender fields into your home with this reed diffuser. The vibrant and fragrant scent is crafted using pure lavender essential oil which will scent your home for around 3-4 months. Our Price £25.00 – Click here.
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The last 12 months and the coronavirus outbreak have completely turned our lives upside down. For many couples forced to isolate themselves at home together, working their normal office jobs on top of one another, this has caused some unrest and a bit of friction.
Only the strongest relationships can survive seemingly endless periods of lockdown, but one way to help your partner through the tail end of the pandemic is to simply be more kind. Here’s how!
4 Kind Things You Can Do For Your Partner To Help Them Through The Tail End Of The Pandemic
1. Book A Holiday
Nobody knows quite when we’ll be able to travel again but the promise of a holiday is the much-needed boost many people need to get them through the tail end of the pandemic. If you can afford to, then kindly treating your partner to a brief getaway once this is all over would be a brilliant gesture.
One of the best things about a surprise trip away is not having to plan, book, or worry about any of the stressful logistical parts of going abroad – so if you can take that all away from your partner and book a short break for you both, then they’re bound to be really grateful.
2. Surprise Them With A Gift
Another great way to surprise your other half is with a spontaneous present. This can be something as simple and easy as a bouquet of flowers – and you can even order flowers online nowadays! Alternatively, you might one to go a step further and purchase a designer bag or perhaps a classic sports jersey to really treat your partner.
Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s thoughtful. A surprise gift like this will really help your other half through the back end of this difficult time and get them smiling again.
3. Check-in On Their Wellbeing
If your partner is having a particularly difficult week or is feeling a bit down in the dumps, then make sure you go to the effort of checking in with them. It’s important to look after your other half’s mental wellbeing as sometimes, we’re not all capable of handling our mental health problems on our own.
Ask twice if your partner says they are okay but you feel something might be up, you’ll be surprised by how much they may be willing to open up. Working through problems together is the key to a strong, healthy relationship and being kind enough to check-in and help your partner will help them get through this difficult period.
4. Keep The Romance Alive
Finally, do your best to keep the romance alive. It can be painful being stuck indoors with the same person 24/7 – no matter how much you love them – so be sure to assign at least one night of the week for date night.
You could do anything from watching a movie and enjoying some snacks together, preparing a three-course home cooked meal together, or even something more physical like a yoga class or going for a run together. Being kind enough to organise these little at-home dates will make a real difference and help you both get through these unprecedented times.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
This month’s Chronic Voice link-up feels like a breath of fresh air, or maybe that is just my mood. Here is how I use the monthly writing prompts to describe my life with chronic disease and parenting through the pandemic.
Chronic Voice blog link-up for March
Incorporating
My children returned to school this week and so I find myself incorporating new daily routines into my life. Where previously we would get up and log on to morning Zoom classes, now I look forward to dropping the children off at school and taking the dog for a walk before I start work. I have waited two months for this old routine to return, and I am incredibly happy about it. I missed my morning walks during lockdown!
Breathing
It might seem silly to remind people that breathing is important. We take it forgranted, this magical process that keeps us alive. That is, until wearing face masks became the law. Now I find that my breathing is restricted, and sometimes it makes me panic. Due to my chronic disease I don’t like having things near my eyes (my glasses are unfortunately essential), and even the most lightweight face mask that I can find causes discomfort. I only need to wear them for a short time on the school run and I rarely visit the shops as I have most supplies delivered, so I can handle this minor discomfort when I think of the bigger picture.
Smiling
My daughters and I have kept smiling throughout the lockdown. Last year we struggled when the pandemic began, and we didn’t know how to handle life at home with no routine. This time around we had a new routine, we made jokes about my role as mother/teacher/TA/dinner lady/janitor etc. and we had fun in between work. It was wonderful to see the huge smiles on my daughters’ faces when they came out of school after the first day back. I was smiling broadly having enjoyed a lovely long walk with my dog and a friend while they were at school.
Stopping
I thought I would throw myself back into work on the first day of school, but instead I stopped being busy with work and took some time out. The dog walk took a couple of hours and helped ease the backache that I have due to working in the garden over the weekend. I have all week to work without interruptions, and I look forward to being engrossed in my work and not stopping to deal with children and homeschooling.
Relishing
I am relishing the task of sprucing up my garden this Spring. Last year the garden became a chore and weighed me down. I had to employ gardeners to help regain control of the overgrown chaos. Now it feels much nicer, it looks better, and I have been clearing out rubbish, planting new bulbs and trees, and simply enjoying the space. We have been told that we can socialize in our gardens in small groups from the end of March, so my plan now is to make it an appealing, relaxing, peaceful space to entertain my friends and family.
Chronic Voice Link-Up
I joined the social network for A Chronic Voice because I needed to find people who understand what life is like with chronic illness, people like me. Today I have written a post using the February link-up prompts, to show my experience of living with a chronic pain disorder. Click here to find other blog posts from fellow chronic pain sufferers, or #spoonies as we call ourselves online.
#WitchyWednesday Nature walk Shakerley Mere lake
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Whether you are buying books for Mother’s Day or choosing other gifts and cards, here you will find everything you need to send them your love.
Waterstones Perfect Paperbacks
Mother’s Day Gifts at Waterstones
Hand-picked by our team of expert booksellers, our selection is packed with treats, including signed and exclusive editions, recommended new reading and gorgeously designed gifts. It is everything you need to make their Mother’s Day special. Click here to view the books.
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Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!
Yes, today is Back to School day here in England. It feels odd because our children have been learning from home for the past two months. They have still been at school, but not physically at school.
I’m not sure how I feel about them going back to the classroom today.
#MummyMonday Back to School
Back to School (Again)
You see, we have fallen into a new routine and for the past two months my girls have worked steadily from home fulfilling the daily schedule sent from school. There were a few hiccups and we did have phone calls from the teachers asking why they weren’t doing their work at one point, but it seemed to motivate them and since then they have done very well. It has been a challenge. I have had to supervise two children from two different classes (Year 3 and Year 5). Some of the subject matter is completely new to me and I’m sure I never learnt it at school. It left me wondering just what do they need to learn and what exactly does our school curriculum aim to teach?
In the midst of home-school I have continued to work on my freelance business and keep up with social media for my reiki therapy business, since that one is closed until mid-April and I need to keep customers aware of me. Then I have been ensuring the dog gets his daily exercise, the housework is done, groceries are ordered in good time, we stay clean and healthy, and we eat properly. Where we managed to fit fun activities and downtime in there I do not know. It is a struggle.
It’s almost Easter holiday
We have only three weeks left now until we finish for the school Easter holiday. Is it worth going back to school for three weeks when we are used to doing it at home? I suppose it is on the one hand, because I need some alone time to work on my business. On the other hand, shouldn’t we simply have a fresh start in the Summer term? Some people say this is a test for the spread of disease. If there is no sudden spike in Coronavirus cases during the Easter holiday, we can deduce that our schools are safe, and the virus is not being passed around in those organisations.
What if we do have a sudden increase in Coronavirus cases during the Easter holiday as a result of the return to school? Will it mean that our roadmap out of lockdown has to be rewritten? Will our businesses not reopen in mid-April as currently planned? Will we return to full lockdown regulations? There are far too many questions and while I am happy to send my children back to school, I still feel anxious about what lies ahead. We have a long way to go with this pandemic. We will get through it.
#MummyMonday Lockdown Fun
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Are you fed up with the same four walls of your home? Missing your usual city breaks, half-term excursions and Easter holiday plans? Yes, me too.
#MummyMonday Dog-friendly family holiday in the UK.
When can We Travel Again?
Lockdown has ravaged the UK hospitality industry, and our hotels, pubs and restaurants cannot wait to reopen under more normal conditions. We have been informed by UK government that here in England we can plan holidays within our country during the summer months. Now is a good time to look at hotel availability, small resorts and apartments in tourist towns.
If you like city breaks and you want to escape your small-town home and visit the city again, take a look at Travelodge. They have hotels in lots of locations, so find your preferred destination and book in. I can personally recommend their facilities, having used them in the past for overnight stays. They are clean, modern and offer good value for money. This year you can be reassured to know that bookings are flexible and can be cancelled up until noon on the date of arrival, accounting for the unpredictability of Covid-19. Let’s look on the bright side and plan our small holidays!
Holiday Cottages UK
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Today is World Book Day and Waterstones have a range of books from baby to teenagers all discounted for World Book Day.
Waterstones Perfect Paperbacks
World Book Day at Waterstones
With most children currently stuck at home, it is essential that they can escape into a good book – which is why World Book Day is more important than ever. As World Book Day vouchers cannot be used online, we will not be stocking the official World Book Day books this year – but we are still bursting with ideas and inspiration for finding stories that families can share and enjoy together.
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Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!
We are welcoming Spring and the season of growth and renewal, and today I share a Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Card Reading for daily guidance using my Gilded Tarot cards.
Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Reading by Catherine Green
Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Card Reading
1, Works – King of Cups
Be gentle with yourself but remember to be tough when required. Your work situation means you have responsibilities to yourself and your employer. Balance is key here. Perhaps you are putting more effort into the wrong areas? Maybe your heart is ruling your head when it should be the other way around. Think carefully about your situation and where you might end up.
2, Home – Queen of Swords
This is a woman who has everything under control. She has built a strong base; she is comfortable and confident in her position. On a personal level I am happy to see her in my reading. How do you feel about home? Do you recognise your power? You should do.
3, Unexpected – Ten of Swords
I feel a little nervous when I view this card in this placement on the reading. It suggests a person who is beaten down, a person that feels betrayed by someone they trusted. I feel it is connected to work, so be alert for a situation that may arise. It could be something minor that is blown out of proportion. Forewarned is forearmed, as the old saying goes.
4, Your Role – King of Swords
Take charge of the situation. You are the stronger mind and you know what needs to be done. It is a hard decision, and one you cannot take lightly. There is no time to waste and the sooner you act, the sooner everyone can move on. Be the leader they need.
5, Outcome – King of Wands
What a transformation! Look at what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. You made a tough decision, you stuck with it, you did the work, and now you are open to new ideas and experiences. Good things are coming your way and you can finally see the truth about where you were.
Summary
There is a lot of masculine energy in this reading, with three out of the four Kings showing up. This is a time of big change hidden amongst the mundane. It is your opportunity to embrace a new way of life. Are you ready?
March Tarot Reading by Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
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