Hi, how are you? Welcome to my new series ‘Pull up a Chair’ where I am bringing back the chatty blog. Earlier this week I came across some of my old blogs dating back to 2011, they were much more chatty and relaxed, and I enjoyed reading them. After all, it is what blogging was originally intended for.
On My Dining Table was originally a lockdown project, to share my love of baking, cooking, crafting and learning to be witchy. Which, to be honest, is what most of my previous blogs have been about. Over the last few years having read countless books and blogs about ‘how to grow a blog’ this website started to become something different. I was thinking more about SEO and backlinks, optimal word count, and less about what I wanted to write and who I was writing for. And I started finding it harder and harder to sit down and get writing.
This week I remembered that this is my blog. My website. My mini corner of the Internet. I pay for this space, and it’s time I start owning it.
‘Pull up a Chair’ is your invitation to join me at my table. I’ll let you know what’s going on in my world – what I’m reading and cooking, my latest Netflix binge or You Tube obsession, my current craft fixation, what I’m learning, my glimmers and whatever else I feel like sharing.
Introduction & explanation done. Let’s get on, shall we?
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What I am Reading…
I am on the “A Court of Thorns & Roses” series by Sarah J. Maas. Have you read it? I know I am a little late to the party on this one, but I am completely hooked. I started book three last night, having read books 1 and 2 in two weeks. I had seen many mixed reviews on them and couldn’t decide if they were for me as I wouldn’t say I am much of a Fantasy reader. But I found the first book in a charity shop for 50p, and after a nudge from a couple of friends I thought I’d give it a go. I now know I have to read them all, and apparently the Crescent City series, by the end of October ready for the new release.
What I am Watching….
I had a bit of a lazy weekend last week, Matthew was away on a stag do, and I took advantage of having absolutely no plans to just rest after a busy couple of weeks. I discovered ‘Off Campus’ on Netflix and watched it all in one day. And then started a rewatch the next day (oh, and downloaded the book to my Kindle.) I am also in the middle of a Supernatural re-watch, maybe my third or fourth time. If you haven’t yet been aquainted with the Winchester brothers, I definitely recommend.
What I am Crafting & Creating…
My current mindful craft is a Painting by Numbers I have been working on for a while. To be honest, I haven’t been as crafty as I’d like over the last few months. Although I did make myself a bracelet with my word of the year on as a reminder to be more audacious for the next 5 months. Maybe that’s where this blog post has come from? I mean, the audacity of thinking you may be interested in reading about what I’ve been up to…
What we’ve been Cooking…
We have had some lovely weather in Swansea, so it’s been mostly salads and lighter food. We had a lovely salmon fillet earlier this week, and Harissa burgers with wedges are always a winner. I made a big batch of my magic tomato sauce for pasta as it’s one of Evie’s favourites and it’s great for lunchboxes the next day. Plus my snack box has been working really well as it’s been too hot for a full meal but also steers me away from the biscuit tin.
I made a cake yesterday, for the first time in ages! Just a really simple vanilla sponge, split and filled with jam and topped with sugar. Then shared with friends over a cup of tea. I beat 100g of margerine with 100g of sugar, then added 2 eggs and beat that together, 1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract and 100g self raising flour. Beat it until smooth, then poured it into a 6″ cake tin and baked for around 35 minutes at 160 degrees C in a fan assisted oven. Leave it cool for 10 minutes in the tin, turn it out and leave it cool completely. Cut it in half to fill with jam and then dust the top with a mix of icing sugar and caster sugar. Let me know if you try it.
What I’ve been planning…
There are 5 whole months left of 2026, and I am determined to make them count. I have set myself 3 goals, one is fitness related to be able to touch the ground with my knees straight to work on flexibility. One is to grow this website to be an online grimoire, recipe book and useful resource for anyone looking to slow down and add some magic to your days. And the third has been on my goals list for far too long – to actually declutter and organise our home and make it a magical, cosy haven where I can work, craft and relax.
I feel like the house thing is one that causes the most friction, we just have too much stuff. We are not a minimalist family and we like colour and trinkets and memories on display. I just want it to feel more meaningful and intentional than dumped and chaotic. The plan is to dedicate the next 5 months to getting it all sorted, fixing all the niggly things that we’ve left (think peeling wallpaper, the broken dishwasher) and create the rituals to keep on top of it all.
So, that’s me at the moment. There will definitely be more life updates and general chattiness, and if you want to make sure you don’t miss out, sign up to the newsletter to get them delivered to your inbox.
How about you? What are you reading or watching or making that I need to add to my list? Let’s chat.
