Happy Springtime from all of us at Honeybuns Bakery, Dorset. As mentioned in our last blog, we’re gathering up ideas on how best to celebrate Mother’s Day this year. We all have to re think so many of our cherished traditions from Christmas to summer hols. What were once comforting and oh-so-familiar markers of the year are now up for a touch of re modelling. At the time of writing, we still need to stay home, either alone or with our modest bubble. We therefore need to get creative and seek out innovative ways to celebrate these important days safely and joyfully.

Valentine’s Day was an interesting case in point. With restaurants closed and meeting up with your amour being forbidden, there was a move towards creating a romantic cocoon at home instead. Candle and chocolate making friends here in Dorset reported a surge in demand for their wares. The emergence of ‘Palantines’ this February i.e. spoiling platonic friends as well as lovers, illustrated just such a re invention of tradition.

I think Mother’s Day will similarly evolve into a weekend where we can all take time to reach out and appreciate those at home, living away and ourselves. This time of year is wrought with sadness for many who have lost their mums and loved ones. I am going to celebrate my late mum by enjoying family, chocolate, candles, the dogs in front of the fire and-.a beautiful vintage tea cup of spring time flowers. Thus re-defining this day by inviting in some sunshine, thoughtful treats and fond memories.

I hope the following collage of ideas will inspire you to spoil whoever you want to, be that your mum, your partner, your friends, pets or your self. We all truly deserve it this year.

Honeybuns’ Guide to a gloriously indulgent Mothering Sunday

TIPS FOR A WONDERFUL BREAKFAST IN BED

This is non negotiable, especially because you can simply click here to get the recipe for our delicious gluten free fruity breakfast pots.

Done properly, you will need to plump up the recipient’s pillows and pop a jug/tea cup or recycled jam jar of flowers on the bedside table first.

Go all out and light a beautiful vegan candle. We source ours from Dorset based The Rhubarb Candle Company. Try hanging up some surprise fairy lights as well.

Secondly you will need a tray. These can be bought super cheap second hand on online auction sites like Ebay. Ours was a very dark brown & we prettified it with Annie Sloane’s chalky paint.

You’re then going to need a pot of tea or coffee. We’re loving Reads Coffee who are based just 5 miles from us. All the roasting is done in a beautiful old barn and it’s a true family, artisan business.

Mismatched vintage china and glassware will look pretty and informal. Charity shops are increasingly selling their stock on Ebay/Face book marketplace and the like. You can find lovely things, support a great cause and recycle. What’s not to love?

Sprinkle your tray with dried rose petals. You can make your own this summer for next year. Alternatively buy some on line – just search for dried flower petals; roses, cornflowers (the blue ones) and daisies all look gorgeous and they’re sustainable.

AT HOME SELF CARE SPA GUIDE

We’ve road tested some fun, relaxing and inexpensive treats including:

DIY foot spa. My (very energetic) seven year old son was the guinea pig for this and he stayed still for a whole 15 minutes! All you need is a washing up bowl or similar, warm water, a warm fluffy towel and something nice and smelly to put in the water plus some ‘carrier’ oil. I used some drops of pure essential lavender oil and a good slug of almond oil. I popped some lavender oil in the water. He then popped his tootises in the water- first checking the temperature was just right. Keep the bowl topped up with warm throughout the treatment. Allow feet to soak. You can simultaneously massage their hands with a mix of essential oil and your chosen carrier oil.

Carrier oils include: almond, olive, refined coconut-..you will need about 50-100ml of this; I spilt quite a lot of mine!

You then need to add a couple of drops of your chosen essential oil to the carrier oil to scent it.

Use this blended oil to massage hands. Once the feet are soaked (say 5-10 minutes) pat them dry with your fluffy towel and massage with the oil.

We did offer to paint Lorne’s toenails too, but 15 minutes of relaxation was enough for him and he was back to making mud pies.

AFTERNOON TEA

Set a table with a cloth. Linen, cotton or even pretty printed paper ones can all look lovely. Again, we’re great fans of vintage mismatched china. For a cleaner, more Scandi inspired look, then plain glass plates might suit better. Easy peasy cake stands can be made by upturning a cup and resting a plate on top of it – it’s that simple!

Fill jam jars with Springtime flowers and invest in some pretty, battery operated lights to adorn the table. Why not re use the dried petals you sprinkled over the breakfast tray earlier? Scatter petals over the table.

We love the non aerosol pump spray cake glitters you can now get. Check out Sugarflair and Rainbow dust brands. They’re gluten free and vegan and available online. You can spray cakes and flowers with them.

Try baking our gorgeous vegan, gluten free chocolate brownie ice cream cake. It’s a show stopper, especially when topped with fresh strawberries and hand picked flowers.

Alternatively, if you don’t fancy baking your own, head over to our online shop for delicious gluten free tray bake options. Gluten free cakes and Mother’s day gifts can all be delivered in time for Mother’s day – but please be aware, last orders are 9^th March.

Also take a look at Melanie’s fab finds for more gorgeous mother’s day gifts.

One of favourite blogs for year round gift inspiration is Bespoke Black Book.

We’d love to see any pictures from your Mothering Sunday. What did your breakfast in bed tray look like? Did you make any home made gifts? Were you treating your self, your mum or perhaps your beloved pug? We’d love to know!

Much love,

Emx

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