Wednesday 30 January 2019

SNOW TIME LIKE THE PRESENT!

There's something about snow... it brings a special kind of magic to the greyest of winter days! We asked readers of all ages to tell us their favourite snow memories...

Anna Bella says:
I remember one winter with epic snow - we had so much that in our back garden we built a snow slide against the garden wall. We literally piled it up and even made snow steps at the side of the slide. We spent hours playing on it! Best snow memory of my entire life!

Katie says:
We hit the slopes with a toboggan when I was eight on a holiday in the Swiss Alps. I remember the croquettes afterwards being amazing. When I was even younger than that, five maybe, we went to the Grand Canyon and Mum thought she saw a dog in the trees... but it was a reindeer!

Rowan says:
I remember many snowy winters as a child in Hertfordshire. I remember tobogganing down a hill with my brother and my dad, and I remember long icicles hanging from the drainpipes. Every morning there'd be a hole in the milk bottle tops where birds had pecked at them to get to the milk. My brother, sister and I used to trek to the local shop with the sledge to get basic supplies!

Jodie says:
I remember a few years ago in London, where I live, we had a snow day and all the schools were closed. This hardly ever happened so it was very exciting! My brother and I went outside to go sledging - just one problem, we didn't have a sledge! We used binbags and they worked quite well. We built a snowman on the corner of the street, and when we looked out next day someone had built a snow woman next to it!

Mairi says:
I live in Scotland and we get snow every winter really, sometimes the school has to close early so everyone can get home safely and sometimes it doesn't open at all. We always make slides in the playground (even though we're not supposed to) and we have snowball fights on the way home, with gangs against each other. Once my friend and I tried to make an igloo, which was good. There's a hill on the edge of my village where everyone goes sledging - snow days are the best days ever!

Janelle says:
I live by the coast and we rarely get snow, or if we do, it doesn't settle for long. When I was small we lived in Derbyshire and we did get brilliant snow there, so it represents magic to me and I miss it a lot. Last week, we had a rare flurry of snow after dark and I ran outside in scarf and mittens and twirled around in it, and snowflakes landed on my hair, my eyelashes, even on my tongue. You're never too old for magic, are you?

Cathy says:
I have some great snow stories which I'll share with you one day... and I totally agree with Janelle, you are never too old for magic! What are YOUR fave snow stories? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

Saturday 19 January 2019

YOUR STARS FOR 2019!

Skye Tanberry is here with some mystical predictions and advice for a MAGICAL year ahead!

CAPRICORN: Dec 22 - Jan 19
You are super ambitious and work towards your goals no matter what cost. This bodes well for you in 2019, you will see great change. Some will be good and some bad - take it all in your stride, for the best things in life are never easy and it's all a learning curve. A stable house first must have solid foundations... and 2019 will see you take the first steps towards building an awesome future!

AQUARIUS: Jan 20 - Feb 18
Artistic and spiritual guidance will be at the forefront this year. You will meet someone new, someone important who will help you realise a part of yourself you haven’t discovered yet... and you'll learn things about yourself which will help to shape and cement your future hopes and dreams. You like to respect tradition and can be very set in your ways but this is a good year to be adventurous!

PISCES: Feb 19 - Mar 20
You are a sensitive and trusting soul and you care for others sometimes more than you do for yourself, no matter the cost. Well, this year is a chance for you to focus on what makes YOU happy! Whilst being there for those you love is undeniably admirable, it's essential to look after yourself too so that you can go on being the kind, caring person you are.

ARIES: Mar 21 - Apr 20
You are bold and spontaneous, full of life and vigour! Show the world your true colours this year - adventure will find you, and all you really have to do is relax and go with the flow. Let go of your need to plan and control and see where 2019 takes you - there will be a few surprises! You are naturally competitive so use this to your favour by being the best version of YOU!

TAURUS: Apr 21 - May 20
For all your ambition and goals for this year, never underestimate the value in philosophical reflection. Where do you really want to be? What is the best way to get there? Ask questions! Be inquisitive! Try things out! By questioning your path you will find a greater understanding of the things that really make you tick... and suddenly the way forward will be clear.

GEMINI: May 21 - Jun 20
Step outside your comfort zone this year, go with your gut instincts. You are naturally very intuitive,
so let this guide you forward. For Geminis, logic isn't always what is needed... your extra perceptive people skills and communication talents stem from a much more emotional place. Follow your heart - it may take you to places you never even dreamed!

CANCER: Jun 21 - Jul 21
You are naturally a bit of an introvert, retreating to your shell when things get hard... just be sure you don't allow this trait to send you into hibernation mode! 2019 brings great opportunities and unexpected joy, but only if you dare to live life to the full. Though crowds and parties aren’t your thing, keeping a select few trusted loved ones around you will keep you right!

LEO: Jul 22 - Aug 21
You will experience great changes this year. You may have been sitting a bit too comfortably recently, so try to welcome this change with open arms... what may seem confusing too others is actually just your way of taking ownership of your true hopes, dreams and wishes. You're doing great, so keep the faith. Show everyone who you are and who you can be - many chances are there for the taking this year.

VIRGO: Aug 22 - Sept 21
Ever practical, Virgo! This year is no change, you methodically create your own path in life. You have many new projects to embark on in 2019… scope out those around you, see who will help you succeed and don't be afraid to put the work in to make those dreams happen. Be open to surprises, too - there may be a blessing in disguise from someone you wouldn’t expect!

LIBRA: Sept 22 - Oct 22
Improving your personal relationships may be your focus this year. Friends and family are important and may make your already powerful self unstoppable! There may be some challenges to negotiate, and perhaps you'll have to bite the bullet and stay quiet when you would like to speak out, but put yourself in the other person's shoes and tread carefully. Sometimes small sacrifices can result in large rewards.

SCORPIO: Oct 23 - Nov 21
Health in mind and body will bring about real benefits to you this year. It can be hard to shrug off the January blues, but eating well and exercising has untold rewards to your mental health. Once you're feeling balanced and content, there's nothing you can't do this year - expect friendship, fun, adventure and newfound respect from others for a new skill! Look out 2019!!

SAGITTARIUS: Nov 22 - Dec 21
2019 is all about expanding your knowledge! You are naturally inquisitive and fascinated with the world around you, so why not share that fascination? Start debates, ask a stranger how their day is, be inspired to make new connections! Lessons are everywhere... and this is a learning year, but it will also bring new and unexpected friendships which will broaden your horizons. Cool!

Cathy says:
2019 is shaping up to be something special! Do Skye's predictions ring true for YOU? COMMENT BELOW to let us know!

EMILY: INSPIRED TO HELP REFUGEES

Reader Emily, aged ten, explains how a Cathy Cassidy book inspired her to raise money for a refugee charity... Emily says: The Cathy Cassidy...