This is a Mongolian Mary, a bloody Mary with a sheep's eye in it. The picture is a cup filled with dark liquid with a sheep's eye floating in the centre with a sprig of celery poking out the top. Great for hangovers, so it's said.

Just had a lovely chat with Katie Tyler on BBC Radio South about Twelvetide, New Year's Day traditions and some rather revolting hangover cures! #HouseholdLore #EverydayFolklore #Folklore #WatkinsWisdom

Pic by the wonderful Juraski Piliskine for Household Lore. You'll find it on p.151.

Household Lore Christmas Edition Should you be entertaining this Christmas and your silverware is looking less than lustrous, don’t panic! All you need is some potato water. Just drop your cutlery into water used to boil your spuds and they’ll shine up a treat! Just might take an hour or two... #HouseholdLore Liza Frank. In the top left corner is leaves and berries, in the bottom left, there are three potatoes and bottom right is an image of the book Household Lore.

Household Lore "A magical little book, both beautiful and fascinating, I loved it!" ~ Eleanor Morton, Writer and Comedian. Top right is some leaves and berries. Running along the bottom third of the frame is a pine spray with lights and bottom right is an image of the book Household Lore. #HouseholdLore Liza Frank

A picture of a tablet and a mobile phone with the cover of the book, Household Lore by Liza Frank on it, and the actual book on the righthand side, all three wrapped up in a black ribbon with a bow. Text reads: A Great Gift. Now available in Hardback, ebook and Audiobook format!

Ah, my favourite folklore demonstration! Tried and tested - potato vs tarnish is once again folklore for the win! Seven sleeps to go...🎄🥔 watkinspublishinglinks.com/householdlore
#HouseholdLore #WatkinsWisdom #Booksky #Witchsky #BookChatWeekly #FolkloreThursday #Christmasgift #Christmas #folklore

Household Lore: Thresholds and Protection Magic – Kindred Spirit Magazine

Feeling beleaguered from magical interference on these cold, dark winter nights? Well here is a handy home protection guide for all things horseshoe, Plutarch and First Footing... 🎄#Folklore #HouseholdLore #FolkloreThursday #WatkinsWisdom #Witchsky #Booksky #gift kindredspirit.co.uk/2025/11/16/h...

Household Lore Christmas Edition Today marks the start of Saturnalia, the ancient Roman festival that celebrated the god Saturn and ends on 25 December with Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or the Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun. If you want to do as the Roman’s did, decorate your home with bay leaves said to attract success (and keep your partner faithful). #HouseholdLore Liza Frank, with a small picture of the book bottom right.

Household Lore Full of her trademark stealth teaching and impeccable research, Liza Frank’s slightly-naughty and irrepressible humour shines through on every page. ~ Mark Norman, Creator of the Folklore Podcast and Founder of the Folklore Library and Archive #HouseholdLore Liza Frank with a small picture of the book on the bottom right.

A picture of a table and a mobile phone with the cover of the book, Household Lore by Liza Frank on it, and the actual book on the righthand side, all three wrapped up in a black ribbon with a bow. Text reads: A Great Gift. Now available in Hardback, ebook and Audiobook format!

Today's #Christmas #folklore 🎄 is all about Saturnalia, a Christmas precursor courtesy of ancient Rome, that falls today. Once just a day festival, it eventually extended to a week of carousing! #HouseholdLore #WatkinsWisdom #Booksky #Witchsky #BookChatWeekly watkinspublishinglinks.com/householdlore

Household Lore Christmas Edition If you wish to predict what the coming year has in store, each of the Twelve Days of Christmas is said to be a bellwether for its corresponding month, i.e. the 1st day = Jan, the 2nd Feb and so on. Common divinatory techniques include bibliomancy, tarot, the weather and your dreams. For example, a happy dream might foretell a good month, but a crappy one...😬 Just remember to write everything down! #HouseholdLore Liza Frank. With the book in the bottom right hand corner.

Household Lore "Household Lore is a delight to read. It should be the family bible for all supernaturally synched folk!" ~ Johnny Mains, Editor and Author. #Household Lore Liza Frank. With a small image of the book bottom right hand corner.

A picture of a tablet, mobile and book all tied up with a jaunty black ribbon. On the front of the tablet and mobile is the front cover of the book Household Lore by Liza Frank. Text reads: A Great Gift. Now available in Hardback, eBook and Audiobook format!

Today's #Christmas #folklore is all about forward planning. Before everything kicks off proper, start preparing what your Twelvetide divinations are to be & how you will record them...🎄https://watkinspublishinglinks.com/householdlore #HouseholdLore #WatkinsWisdom #Booksky #Witchsky #BookChatWeekly

Household Lore Christmas Tradition. Many say you shouldn’t bring evergreens into the home before Christmas Eve. But if you’ve already snuck in the mistletoe, secreting a freshly plucked sprig under your pillow will help you dream of your future (plus it’s a good evil spirit repellent). #HouseholdLore Liza Frank. Plus there is a small copy of the book at the bottom.

Household Lore “Household Lore is a delightful exploration of the folklore hidden in your home. Entertaining and charming, it is a rich cornucopia of useful information.” ~ Jenifer Toksvig, Author and Playwright. #Household Lore Liza Frank and a small version of the book on the right hand side.

A wonderful gift. Now available in Hardback, eBook and Audiobook format - Household Lore. The picture is of a tablet with the front cover, a phone with the front cover and the book with the front cover - a spooky looking house - all tied up with a ribbon.

More Christmas #folklore, this time about greenery! BTW, decorating your home with evergreens is a remnant of ancient Roman Saturnalian folklore (amongst others). As is present giving, time off, excess and being very merry!🎄 #HouseholdLore #WatkinsWisdom #Booksky #Witchsky #BookChatWeekly #Christmas

Household Lore Christmas Edition. If making a wreath for your front door, make sure it contains rosemary to protect your home from any grumpy ghosts that might be lurking. Liza Frank. Behind the writing are stars and a wreath (admittedly without rosemary!).

Household Lore. "I thought my house was just a standard semi till I read this book. Now I know it's a labyrinth of wonder" OJ Borg, BBC Radio 2. Liza Frank. Between the title and first line of the quote is a branch of holly.

A great gift. Now available in Hardback, eBook and Audiobook format - Household Lore. The picture is of a tablet with the front cover, a phone with the front cover and the book with the front cover - a spooky looking house - all tied up with a ribbon.

As we're now on the approach, I thought a little bit of practical Christmas folklore was in order. Today, it's what to include in your Christmas wreath...🎄🌿☃️🎁 #HouseholdLore #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Christmas #Booksky #Witchsky #Herbsky #FolkloreSunday #BookChatWeekly

The sign outside Broadcasting House - The British Broadcasting Corporation.

Inside the Woman's Hour studio - there is a big screen with Woman's Hour on it.

From the POV of the producers and studio managers, looking into the recording studio. Nuala and Anita are doing a social media promo.

Nuala McGovern, Liza Frank and Anita Rani.

Had a cracking time talking about Christmas folklore and traditions at Broadcasting House today while recording the Christmas Day episode of Woman's Hour!

Never has a sphincter been so clenched though...
#HouseholdLore #Christmas #WatkinsWisdom #BBCRadio4 #WomansHour

And so to the answers! Do make sure you've checked out the questions first, otherwise spoilers. I'm now off to celebrate Publication Day and Martinalia with some sausage, mash and wine! 🍇 #HouseholdLore is now on sale!🎉

#WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #PublicationDay #Quiz #Booksky #Witchsky #Martinalia

And so to the answers! Do make sure you've checked out the questions first, otherwise spoilers. I'm now off to celebrate Publication Day and Martinalia with some sausage, mash and wine! 🍇 #HouseholdLore is now on sale!🎉

#WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #PublicationDay #Quiz #Booksky #Witchsky #Martinalia

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Ten: The Library Which volume of Homer’s Iliad is said to cure a fever if tucked beneath your pillow and slept on?

And finally Question Ten of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! The Library. Bonus folklore: Should you suffer from silverfish, secrete some cedar shavings onto your shelves to repel them 📚 Answers up next!

#WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #PublicationDay #Quiz #Booksky #Witchsky #Librariansky

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Nine: Of Gardens and Gardnening Which tree is said to have a liking for uprooting itself nightly so it can look through your bedroom window to see if you’re getting up to any naughtiness in there?

Q. Nine of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Gardens and Gardening. Bonus folklore: Should you be cursed, it's said that agrimony will not only break the hex, but fling the curse back on the hexer 🌱

#WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #PublicationDay #Quiz #Booksky #Witchsky #Gardening

And finally Question Ten of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! The Library. Bonus folklore: Should you suffer from silverfish, secrete some cedar shavings onto your shelves to repel them 📚 Answers up next!

#WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #PublicationDay #Quiz #Booksky #Witchsky #Librariansky

Q. Nine of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Gardens and Gardening. Bonus folklore: Should you be cursed, it's said that agrimony will not only break the hex, but fling the curse back on the hexer 🌱

#WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #PublicationDay #Quiz #Booksky #Witchsky #Gardening

Q. Nine of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Gardens and Gardening. Bonus folklore: Should you be cursed, it's said that agrimony will not only break the hex, but fling the curse back on the hexer 🌱

#WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #PublicationDay #Quiz #Booksky #Witchsky #Gardening

Q. Eight of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Basements and Cellars. Bonus folklore: Should you encounter any fleeing rats in your crawlspace, you are advised to flee also, as rats don't just leave sinking ships! 🐀 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Eight: Of Basements and Cellars What might you be trying to cure if you applied a poultice of goat poo, wormwood oil and fig juice?

Q. Eight of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Basements and Cellars. Bonus folklore: Should you encounter any fleeing rats in your crawlspace, you are advised to flee also, as rats don't just leave sinking ships! 🐀 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Seven: Of Sitting Rooms and Sitting. If you want to attract love into your life, what might you sprinkle on your carpet before cleaning it?

Q. Seven of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Sitting Rooms & Sitting. Bonus folklore: An ideal housewarming gift is a coin as this represents good fortune. But slipping it under the carpet is said to amplify the luck🤞 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

Q. Seven of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Sitting Rooms & Sitting. Bonus folklore: An ideal housewarming gift is a coin as this represents good fortune. But slipping it under the carpet is said to amplify the luck🤞 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

Question Six of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Dining Rooms and Dining. Bonus folklore: If you should like to avoid acid reflux, it's said you should drink cabbage juice three times a day 🥬. #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Six: Of Dining Rooms and Dining. What might you be trying to avoid if you ate roasted pig lungs, or drank a beverage containing a live eel or some wolf’s liver?

Question Six of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Dining Rooms and Dining. Bonus folklore: If you should like to avoid acid reflux, it's said you should drink cabbage juice three times a day 🥬. #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

Question Five of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Kitchens and Laundries. Bonus folklore: when dabbed on the offending spot, cold parsley tea is said to take the itch off a mosquito bite 🦟 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Five: Of Kitchens and Laundries In Hertfordshire, what typical kitchen windowsill herb is said to visit the devil nine times in hell before sprouting?

Question Five of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Kitchens and Laundries. Bonus folklore: when dabbed on the offending spot, cold parsley tea is said to take the itch off a mosquito bite 🦟 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

Question Four of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Stairways and Thresholds. Bonus folklore: another way to protect your front door from vampire incursion is to smear the hinges with garlic 🧄 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Four Of Stairways and Thresholds. Why might a fishing net above your front door be a good deterrent against vampires?

Question Four of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Stairways and Thresholds. Bonus folklore: another way to protect your front door from vampire incursion is to smear the hinges with garlic 🧄 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Three Of Bathrooms and WCs Not that I’m advocating for it, but should you forego the convenience of the toilet, and wee in someone’s shoe, what might you be wishing for?

Question Three of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Bathrooms and WCs. Bonus folklore: in certain cultures, urine is considered a cure for dandruff... 💦 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

Question Three of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Bathrooms and WCs. Bonus folklore: in certain cultures, urine is considered a cure for dandruff... 💦 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

Question Two of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Bedrooms and Beds. Bonus folklore: It's said Casanova used half a squeezed lemon like a cap as his preferred method of contraception 😬🍋 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question Two Of Bedrooms and Beds. Which of the following has NOT been considered a reputable contraceptive at some point? A. Holding the hand of a male corpse for two minutes. B. Inserting a pessary made of crocodile dung. C. Applying poppy seeds to the penis. D. Sneezing at orgasm

Question Two of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Bedrooms and Beds. Bonus folklore: It's said Casanova used half a squeezed lemon like a cap as his preferred method of contraception 😬🍋 #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Witchsky #PublicationDay #Quiz

The Great Household Lore Publication Day Quiz. Question One - of Roofs and Attics Finials are said to deter flying witches from landing on your roof, due to their reputation for tearing the witches’ clothing. However, in California, there is a relatively new tradition of putting an ornamental owl up on the roof as finial. Other than detering other birds from landing up there, what else is the owl said to be a talisman against?

Question One of the Great #HouseholdLore Publication Day Quiz! Of Roofs and Attics. Bonus folklore: thatchers used to 'sign' their work with bespoke finials so everyone could see who'd thatched what. #WatkinsWisdom #Folklore #Booksky #Crafts #PublicationDay