February - the month of hope?
New shoots, fluffy pancakes, love hearts and the arrival of spring.
Yesterday, my social media feeds were filled with praise, welcome and gratitude that February has arrived. The month of love, pancakes and lighter evenings.
It’s true. February seems to bring with it the feeling of fresh hope. The light at the end of the bleak tunnel that is winter. (But you know that I quite like winter don’t you?) The promise of a shorter month, we find ourselves skipping towards spring.
But there is still time for snow. I often think people underestimate February. We presume we are out of the woods and skipping towards spring, however have you noticed that our worst snows often visits us in this month? The mornings remain dark; that is the change I am waiting for.
I am waiting for the lighter mornings that will hopefully make our school runs a little easier. I find it hard to get going when it is still so dark outside. I love the cosiness of candles and a steaming mug of coffee, but I also want to stay in my pyjamas and not get dressed.
So this month, we are looking forward to the small things as we slowly tiptoe towards spring.
Pancakes. Do you like them? I’m on the fence to be honest but I recently wrote an article on the best places to go for pancakes in the north east and it made my mouth water, researching all the amazing places to go and the different toppings you can get inventive with.
What is your topping of choice? Mine is the classic lemon and sugar but I think this year I will go for chocolate spread and banana. But I have also recently discovered I quite like a bacon topping too. Oooh decisions, decisions….
Then there is Valentine’s Day of course. The marmite of the consumers year. Is it a case of going all out, foil balloons and flowers? Or simply an acknowledgment of “I love you” and a nice meal with a bottle of red perhaps?
My husband gently teases me that I like to get things for the kids on Valentine’s Day - but I love them. And I like to celebrate love. A lovely big breakfast with their favourite treats might be a nice, simple idea to try this year.
If you are romanticising about a trip to New York by the way, I have written a full 48 hour itinerary to help you plan your visit to the city of dreams. Read it on the Girl About Travel website.
I am off now to get the kids ready for school, Steve has already left the house for work so the battle to get the toddler into her socks and shoes, lies on my shoulders. Today is a work day but I have an exciting morning of networking planned.
And an apology for no Substack last week - the sickness bug took a hold of our family and the germs lingered around leaving a lethargic blanket over us all.
Normal service seems to be resumed now 🤞🏻
If you are in Northumberland, here are a few great places to try this Valentine’s Day:
The Bosk, Breamish Valley - offering a set menu for Valentine’s Day booking is required.
Alnwick Playhouse for an evening at the theatre or to see a film. There is a nice bar area if you arrive earlier and make an evening of it.
The Inn Collection Group short stays.
Afternoon Tea at The Running Fox.
Explore the Spanish City on Whitley Bay seafront. Loads of places to eat in a romantic setting on the coast.
Adam & Eve - Alnwick
The Cook and Barker - Newton on the Moor