Barbara McVeigh
@barbaramcveigh.bsky.social
Writer, teacher-librarian, ESL advocate & cycling ambassador. SSAC completist. ❤️ my Brompton.
https://barbaramcveigh.weebly.com/
https://barbaramcveigh.weebly.com/
Day 12: teawithtracie.ca
Merry & Bright black tea with pear, plum & ice wine flavours.
Needed a kick of sugar, ergo the sugar bowl in the picture.
Very nice tea. Also contains apple pieces, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, amaranth and safflower petals.
Merry & Bright black tea with pear, plum & ice wine flavours.
Needed a kick of sugar, ergo the sugar bowl in the picture.
Very nice tea. Also contains apple pieces, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, amaranth and safflower petals.
November 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Day 12: teawithtracie.ca
Merry & Bright black tea with pear, plum & ice wine flavours.
Needed a kick of sugar, ergo the sugar bowl in the picture.
Very nice tea. Also contains apple pieces, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, amaranth and safflower petals.
Merry & Bright black tea with pear, plum & ice wine flavours.
Needed a kick of sugar, ergo the sugar bowl in the picture.
Very nice tea. Also contains apple pieces, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, amaranth and safflower petals.
“Brief Scenes of a Noxious Nativity” in #TheGhostBoxIV from H&O
It’s a three-page excerpt of the eco-thriller Momma Durtt. I needed this excerpt to be longer.
It’s a three-page excerpt of the eco-thriller Momma Durtt. I needed this excerpt to be longer.
November 25, 2025 at 12:54 PM
“Brief Scenes of a Noxious Nativity” in #TheGhostBoxIV from H&O
It’s a three-page excerpt of the eco-thriller Momma Durtt. I needed this excerpt to be longer.
It’s a three-page excerpt of the eco-thriller Momma Durtt. I needed this excerpt to be longer.
Day 11: teawithtracie.ca
Irish cream - black tea, blackberry leaves, calendula petals, sunflower and cornflower. Served with milk!
It is very hot, being a black tea, even with the milk. I’m waiting for it to cool so I can take a sip…
It definitely has a creamy taste!
Irish cream - black tea, blackberry leaves, calendula petals, sunflower and cornflower. Served with milk!
It is very hot, being a black tea, even with the milk. I’m waiting for it to cool so I can take a sip…
It definitely has a creamy taste!
November 24, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Day 11: teawithtracie.ca
Irish cream - black tea, blackberry leaves, calendula petals, sunflower and cornflower. Served with milk!
It is very hot, being a black tea, even with the milk. I’m waiting for it to cool so I can take a sip…
It definitely has a creamy taste!
Irish cream - black tea, blackberry leaves, calendula petals, sunflower and cornflower. Served with milk!
It is very hot, being a black tea, even with the milk. I’m waiting for it to cool so I can take a sip…
It definitely has a creamy taste!
#TheGhostBoxIV from H&O
“The Three Infernal Jokes” by Lord Dunsany
A story told “on the lonely Highland road one autumn evening with winter coming on and the stags roaring.” And the devil sitting in the corner.
Make ’em laugh 🤣🤣🤣 - the eternal story.
“The Three Infernal Jokes” by Lord Dunsany
A story told “on the lonely Highland road one autumn evening with winter coming on and the stags roaring.” And the devil sitting in the corner.
Make ’em laugh 🤣🤣🤣 - the eternal story.
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
#TheGhostBoxIV from H&O
“The Three Infernal Jokes” by Lord Dunsany
A story told “on the lonely Highland road one autumn evening with winter coming on and the stags roaring.” And the devil sitting in the corner.
Make ’em laugh 🤣🤣🤣 - the eternal story.
“The Three Infernal Jokes” by Lord Dunsany
A story told “on the lonely Highland road one autumn evening with winter coming on and the stags roaring.” And the devil sitting in the corner.
Make ’em laugh 🤣🤣🤣 - the eternal story.
Day 10: teawithtracie.ca
Inner Glow herbal tea
Ah!!! This tea is nice! Not for my girl @ttbrader.bsky.social unfortunately - peppermint and spearmint leaves feature in this brew. However, the mints are tempered by rosehip pieces, ginger, hibiscus petals, rose, sunflower, calendula & osmathus.
Inner Glow herbal tea
Ah!!! This tea is nice! Not for my girl @ttbrader.bsky.social unfortunately - peppermint and spearmint leaves feature in this brew. However, the mints are tempered by rosehip pieces, ginger, hibiscus petals, rose, sunflower, calendula & osmathus.
November 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Day 10: teawithtracie.ca
Inner Glow herbal tea
Ah!!! This tea is nice! Not for my girl @ttbrader.bsky.social unfortunately - peppermint and spearmint leaves feature in this brew. However, the mints are tempered by rosehip pieces, ginger, hibiscus petals, rose, sunflower, calendula & osmathus.
Inner Glow herbal tea
Ah!!! This tea is nice! Not for my girl @ttbrader.bsky.social unfortunately - peppermint and spearmint leaves feature in this brew. However, the mints are tempered by rosehip pieces, ginger, hibiscus petals, rose, sunflower, calendula & osmathus.
#TheGhostBoxIV
“Flicker” by @ldlewiswrites.blacksky.app
Heartbreaking and ghastly.
“Simulation…or just capitalism”?
I thrilled to this story.
@ttbrader.bsky.social
“Flicker” by @ldlewiswrites.blacksky.app
Heartbreaking and ghastly.
“Simulation…or just capitalism”?
I thrilled to this story.
@ttbrader.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 12:03 PM
#TheGhostBoxIV
“Flicker” by @ldlewiswrites.blacksky.app
Heartbreaking and ghastly.
“Simulation…or just capitalism”?
I thrilled to this story.
@ttbrader.bsky.social
“Flicker” by @ldlewiswrites.blacksky.app
Heartbreaking and ghastly.
“Simulation…or just capitalism”?
I thrilled to this story.
@ttbrader.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
“That part of the city had been built up on the ruins of the ghetto, which you could tell if you took a good look—that the whole neighborhood stood about three feet higher than the rest of the town” (10)
These details reminded me of an office building in Warsaw
#Tokarczuk25 #OlgaTokarczuk #Flights
These details reminded me of an office building in Warsaw
#Tokarczuk25 #OlgaTokarczuk #Flights
November 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
“That part of the city had been built up on the ruins of the ghetto, which you could tell if you took a good look—that the whole neighborhood stood about three feet higher than the rest of the town” (10)
These details reminded me of an office building in Warsaw
#Tokarczuk25 #OlgaTokarczuk #Flights
These details reminded me of an office building in Warsaw
#Tokarczuk25 #OlgaTokarczuk #Flights
#TheGhostBoxIV
“Eliminate Toxins & Increase Blood Flow” by @rubycowling.bsky.social
Gotta love a long title & it kind of relates to the story…
Loved the ick!
The author’s name was familiar…She appeared in #ssac2022 with “Odam on Till”.
@ttbrader.bsky.social
“Eliminate Toxins & Increase Blood Flow” by @rubycowling.bsky.social
Gotta love a long title & it kind of relates to the story…
Loved the ick!
The author’s name was familiar…She appeared in #ssac2022 with “Odam on Till”.
@ttbrader.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
#TheGhostBoxIV
“Eliminate Toxins & Increase Blood Flow” by @rubycowling.bsky.social
Gotta love a long title & it kind of relates to the story…
Loved the ick!
The author’s name was familiar…She appeared in #ssac2022 with “Odam on Till”.
@ttbrader.bsky.social
“Eliminate Toxins & Increase Blood Flow” by @rubycowling.bsky.social
Gotta love a long title & it kind of relates to the story…
Loved the ick!
The author’s name was familiar…She appeared in #ssac2022 with “Odam on Till”.
@ttbrader.bsky.social
Day 8 teawithtracie.ca
I finally got out the grown-up kettle to make my advent calendar teas.
Grateful Dreams is an easy-going herbal blend with ”buttery notes of toffee and cream.”
Rooibos & chamomile. I added a touch of sugar to bring out the flavour. Heck, it’s Friday night & time to par-tea!
I finally got out the grown-up kettle to make my advent calendar teas.
Grateful Dreams is an easy-going herbal blend with ”buttery notes of toffee and cream.”
Rooibos & chamomile. I added a touch of sugar to bring out the flavour. Heck, it’s Friday night & time to par-tea!
November 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Day 8 teawithtracie.ca
I finally got out the grown-up kettle to make my advent calendar teas.
Grateful Dreams is an easy-going herbal blend with ”buttery notes of toffee and cream.”
Rooibos & chamomile. I added a touch of sugar to bring out the flavour. Heck, it’s Friday night & time to par-tea!
I finally got out the grown-up kettle to make my advent calendar teas.
Grateful Dreams is an easy-going herbal blend with ”buttery notes of toffee and cream.”
Rooibos & chamomile. I added a touch of sugar to bring out the flavour. Heck, it’s Friday night & time to par-tea!
“Kushtuka” by @mathildazeller.bsky.social in H&O’s #TheGhostBoxIV
How you hoped it would end.
Indeed @ttbrader.bsky.social similar in the devouring, but this time it’s for revenge/justice and not, um, supper.
I need to pay more attention to the graphics on the cover of the stories…
How you hoped it would end.
Indeed @ttbrader.bsky.social similar in the devouring, but this time it’s for revenge/justice and not, um, supper.
I need to pay more attention to the graphics on the cover of the stories…
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
“Kushtuka” by @mathildazeller.bsky.social in H&O’s #TheGhostBoxIV
How you hoped it would end.
Indeed @ttbrader.bsky.social similar in the devouring, but this time it’s for revenge/justice and not, um, supper.
I need to pay more attention to the graphics on the cover of the stories…
How you hoped it would end.
Indeed @ttbrader.bsky.social similar in the devouring, but this time it’s for revenge/justice and not, um, supper.
I need to pay more attention to the graphics on the cover of the stories…
Day 7 teawithtracie.ca
Goddess Chai ~ black tea
Let’s just call this the kitchen sink tea. It’s got everything in it: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, b&w pepper, clove, nutmeg, coriander & petals of jasmine, rose and lavender.
I did add a touch of sugar because I needed it today.
Goddess Chai ~ black tea
Let’s just call this the kitchen sink tea. It’s got everything in it: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, b&w pepper, clove, nutmeg, coriander & petals of jasmine, rose and lavender.
I did add a touch of sugar because I needed it today.
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Day 7 teawithtracie.ca
Goddess Chai ~ black tea
Let’s just call this the kitchen sink tea. It’s got everything in it: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, b&w pepper, clove, nutmeg, coriander & petals of jasmine, rose and lavender.
I did add a touch of sugar because I needed it today.
Goddess Chai ~ black tea
Let’s just call this the kitchen sink tea. It’s got everything in it: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, b&w pepper, clove, nutmeg, coriander & petals of jasmine, rose and lavender.
I did add a touch of sugar because I needed it today.
We’ll follow that with the #12DaysOfStories (pictured below). Stories have been selected by Kevin Wilson.
Previous editions of the SSAC and/or this year’s 12 Days of Stories are available at: www.hingstonandolsen.com
2/2
Previous editions of the SSAC and/or this year’s 12 Days of Stories are available at: www.hingstonandolsen.com
2/2
November 20, 2025 at 1:56 PM
We’ll follow that with the #12DaysOfStories (pictured below). Stories have been selected by Kevin Wilson.
Previous editions of the SSAC and/or this year’s 12 Days of Stories are available at: www.hingstonandolsen.com
2/2
Previous editions of the SSAC and/or this year’s 12 Days of Stories are available at: www.hingstonandolsen.com
2/2
Twelve more days until we start the unofficial #ssac2025!
=Short Story Advent Calendar 2025
For the first 12 days of December, we’ll revisit previous editions of the SSAC by spinning two wheels to pick a random story. I’ll post the year and date on Bluesky. 1/2
=Short Story Advent Calendar 2025
For the first 12 days of December, we’ll revisit previous editions of the SSAC by spinning two wheels to pick a random story. I’ll post the year and date on Bluesky. 1/2
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Twelve more days until we start the unofficial #ssac2025!
=Short Story Advent Calendar 2025
For the first 12 days of December, we’ll revisit previous editions of the SSAC by spinning two wheels to pick a random story. I’ll post the year and date on Bluesky. 1/2
=Short Story Advent Calendar 2025
For the first 12 days of December, we’ll revisit previous editions of the SSAC by spinning two wheels to pick a random story. I’ll post the year and date on Bluesky. 1/2
Day 6: teawithtracie.ca
Festive Eggnog
Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste at all like creamy eggs. This tea has warm notes of rum, caramel and cinnamon. But it’s the flavour of delicious clove that comes through.
Perfect after a walk looking at neighbourhood Christmas lights.
Festive Eggnog
Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste at all like creamy eggs. This tea has warm notes of rum, caramel and cinnamon. But it’s the flavour of delicious clove that comes through.
Perfect after a walk looking at neighbourhood Christmas lights.
November 19, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Day 6: teawithtracie.ca
Festive Eggnog
Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste at all like creamy eggs. This tea has warm notes of rum, caramel and cinnamon. But it’s the flavour of delicious clove that comes through.
Perfect after a walk looking at neighbourhood Christmas lights.
Festive Eggnog
Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste at all like creamy eggs. This tea has warm notes of rum, caramel and cinnamon. But it’s the flavour of delicious clove that comes through.
Perfect after a walk looking at neighbourhood Christmas lights.
Yeah, I took this picture before I finished reading the story so it reflects the idyllic, sci-fi first half before it turned horrifically gruesome. Bwahahaha.
“Window” by Bob Leman in #GhostBoxIV edited by @pattonoswalt.bsky.social & published by www.hingstonandolsen.com/ghost-box-iv
“Window” by Bob Leman in #GhostBoxIV edited by @pattonoswalt.bsky.social & published by www.hingstonandolsen.com/ghost-box-iv
November 19, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Yeah, I took this picture before I finished reading the story so it reflects the idyllic, sci-fi first half before it turned horrifically gruesome. Bwahahaha.
“Window” by Bob Leman in #GhostBoxIV edited by @pattonoswalt.bsky.social & published by www.hingstonandolsen.com/ghost-box-iv
“Window” by Bob Leman in #GhostBoxIV edited by @pattonoswalt.bsky.social & published by www.hingstonandolsen.com/ghost-box-iv
Day 5 teawithtracie.ca
Chakra Gold Herbal Tea
I’ve heard about the health benefits of turmeric, but I’ve never tried it in a tea before. Would’ve liked more kick with the ginger ingredient but this is still an easy drinking herbal blend. Beet, carrot and pineapple round out the flavours.
Chakra Gold Herbal Tea
I’ve heard about the health benefits of turmeric, but I’ve never tried it in a tea before. Would’ve liked more kick with the ginger ingredient but this is still an easy drinking herbal blend. Beet, carrot and pineapple round out the flavours.
November 18, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Day 5 teawithtracie.ca
Chakra Gold Herbal Tea
I’ve heard about the health benefits of turmeric, but I’ve never tried it in a tea before. Would’ve liked more kick with the ginger ingredient but this is still an easy drinking herbal blend. Beet, carrot and pineapple round out the flavours.
Chakra Gold Herbal Tea
I’ve heard about the health benefits of turmeric, but I’ve never tried it in a tea before. Would’ve liked more kick with the ginger ingredient but this is still an easy drinking herbal blend. Beet, carrot and pineapple round out the flavours.
Day 4 teawithtracie.ca
“Chai-licious” - a black tea with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black and white pepper, clove, and nutmeg.
Needed a bit of sugar to bring out the flavour. I didn’t think I would like it, but the tea brightened up my day! Literally, the clouds parted and the sun came out.
“Chai-licious” - a black tea with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black and white pepper, clove, and nutmeg.
Needed a bit of sugar to bring out the flavour. I didn’t think I would like it, but the tea brightened up my day! Literally, the clouds parted and the sun came out.
November 17, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Day 4 teawithtracie.ca
“Chai-licious” - a black tea with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black and white pepper, clove, and nutmeg.
Needed a bit of sugar to bring out the flavour. I didn’t think I would like it, but the tea brightened up my day! Literally, the clouds parted and the sun came out.
“Chai-licious” - a black tea with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black and white pepper, clove, and nutmeg.
Needed a bit of sugar to bring out the flavour. I didn’t think I would like it, but the tea brightened up my day! Literally, the clouds parted and the sun came out.
The #12DaysOfStories have arrived!!!
Plus a pay-it-forward…
And #TheGhostBox IV ;)
I’m so excited I can barely breathe!
@ttbrader.bsky.social @mkcanuck.bsky.social @mrmuleman.bsky.social
Plus a pay-it-forward…
And #TheGhostBox IV ;)
I’m so excited I can barely breathe!
@ttbrader.bsky.social @mkcanuck.bsky.social @mrmuleman.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The #12DaysOfStories have arrived!!!
Plus a pay-it-forward…
And #TheGhostBox IV ;)
I’m so excited I can barely breathe!
@ttbrader.bsky.social @mkcanuck.bsky.social @mrmuleman.bsky.social
Plus a pay-it-forward…
And #TheGhostBox IV ;)
I’m so excited I can barely breathe!
@ttbrader.bsky.social @mkcanuck.bsky.social @mrmuleman.bsky.social
Day 3 Blushing Berry
From teawithtracie.ca
My pre-advent advent calendar.
Notes of strawberry and papaya lift this green tea out of the dryness I sometimes get with green tea. Enjoyed without sugar or milk.
I needed this tea today.
From teawithtracie.ca
My pre-advent advent calendar.
Notes of strawberry and papaya lift this green tea out of the dryness I sometimes get with green tea. Enjoyed without sugar or milk.
I needed this tea today.
November 16, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Day 3 Blushing Berry
From teawithtracie.ca
My pre-advent advent calendar.
Notes of strawberry and papaya lift this green tea out of the dryness I sometimes get with green tea. Enjoyed without sugar or milk.
I needed this tea today.
From teawithtracie.ca
My pre-advent advent calendar.
Notes of strawberry and papaya lift this green tea out of the dryness I sometimes get with green tea. Enjoyed without sugar or milk.
I needed this tea today.
Yesterday I had “Beauty & Brains” - green tea with a hint of mint. I liked it…but I think you wouldn’t be a fan.
Today’s tea had notes of vanilla & grenadine. It was also a black tea, which I tend to favour. The taste wasn’t strong enough, but I was chintzy with the tea leaves.
Today’s tea had notes of vanilla & grenadine. It was also a black tea, which I tend to favour. The taste wasn’t strong enough, but I was chintzy with the tea leaves.
November 15, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Yesterday I had “Beauty & Brains” - green tea with a hint of mint. I liked it…but I think you wouldn’t be a fan.
Today’s tea had notes of vanilla & grenadine. It was also a black tea, which I tend to favour. The taste wasn’t strong enough, but I was chintzy with the tea leaves.
Today’s tea had notes of vanilla & grenadine. It was also a black tea, which I tend to favour. The taste wasn’t strong enough, but I was chintzy with the tea leaves.
Book club read & a cuppa.
Because I’m a sucker for advent calendars, I’ve bought two for teas. My usual is David’s Tea, but recently I discovered a local tea sommelier teawithtracie.ca
So I’m cheating a bit and starting Tracie’s AC early. Very generous portions & very reasonably priced. And yum!
Because I’m a sucker for advent calendars, I’ve bought two for teas. My usual is David’s Tea, but recently I discovered a local tea sommelier teawithtracie.ca
So I’m cheating a bit and starting Tracie’s AC early. Very generous portions & very reasonably priced. And yum!
November 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Book club read & a cuppa.
Because I’m a sucker for advent calendars, I’ve bought two for teas. My usual is David’s Tea, but recently I discovered a local tea sommelier teawithtracie.ca
So I’m cheating a bit and starting Tracie’s AC early. Very generous portions & very reasonably priced. And yum!
Because I’m a sucker for advent calendars, I’ve bought two for teas. My usual is David’s Tea, but recently I discovered a local tea sommelier teawithtracie.ca
So I’m cheating a bit and starting Tracie’s AC early. Very generous portions & very reasonably priced. And yum!
Hi Todd! Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you on this. I made a list of ideas, but life has been preventing me from exploring them.
However, I re-discovered this app from CBC called Mauril. I’m liking it so for.
Who knew Kim Thùy had a food & culture show? I’d watch it!
However, I re-discovered this app from CBC called Mauril. I’m liking it so for.
Who knew Kim Thùy had a food & culture show? I’d watch it!
November 5, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Hi Todd! Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you on this. I made a list of ideas, but life has been preventing me from exploring them.
However, I re-discovered this app from CBC called Mauril. I’m liking it so for.
Who knew Kim Thùy had a food & culture show? I’d watch it!
However, I re-discovered this app from CBC called Mauril. I’m liking it so for.
Who knew Kim Thùy had a food & culture show? I’d watch it!
To honour the 10 years of our beloved ssac, why not use the first 12 days to revisit them?
I hope you’ll join me in a game of chance & a little spinning of the wheel.
For the first 12 days, I’ll spin two wheels: one will have the years 2016 to 2024; the other one will have the dates 1-25.
I hope you’ll join me in a game of chance & a little spinning of the wheel.
For the first 12 days, I’ll spin two wheels: one will have the years 2016 to 2024; the other one will have the dates 1-25.
November 1, 2025 at 11:35 PM
To honour the 10 years of our beloved ssac, why not use the first 12 days to revisit them?
I hope you’ll join me in a game of chance & a little spinning of the wheel.
For the first 12 days, I’ll spin two wheels: one will have the years 2016 to 2024; the other one will have the dates 1-25.
I hope you’ll join me in a game of chance & a little spinning of the wheel.
For the first 12 days, I’ll spin two wheels: one will have the years 2016 to 2024; the other one will have the dates 1-25.