1 + 2

Number 1 - boring picture

I sorted out the airing cupboard, which houses the bedding and did a bit of a cull. These are to go to the CS for sale or rags and some old towels have gone down to the garage. There's a lot more room in the cupboard now.

Number 2 - pleasing (to me) picture

A well spotted find at the CS were these Eye Key Ah jars which I've filled with various goodies. I couldn't pass them up at a pound each. £4.50 was paid for the chopping block which also houses a set of knives. Win, win.

On our next trip to EKA I might purchase some more to house my baking goods. Anyone else keep pantry goods in glass jars?

xx

Here and now

Just had a bath and now settling down in the loft room with To Do list to sort and crocheting to hand.

The Best Bit Book is open for today. It's already been filled in for the last 3 years - doesn't time just fly by. Must make a New Year's Resolution to neaten up my handwriting.

The computer's on ready to go playing and YT-ing.

Hair is wet and I'm dressed in my kimono for lazing about.

This is here and this is now - normal routines resuming for early evening de-stressing. I'll go downstairs later and finish off with a bit of TV viewing with DH.

xx

Leftovers

Where's my food?

Steve is wading his way through New Year leftovers. 

Cocktail sausage, Sir?

xx

Kitchen in action

And what's taking place in this picture?

What about this one?

Now you've had your guesses, let me tell you. There's always plenty going on throughout the day. I don't know about Fly Lady but my sink never stays still long enough to show off its shine. 

First picture working backwards.

Top of stepladder which is needed for people of small stature to reach the top cupboards.

Cotton bag holding the homemade bread.

Food in Eye Key Ah containers, handy for breakfasts and suppers.

Red candle on its way to be put away in the dresser drawer.

Bread proving on the worktop covered by a tea towel.

Toaster

Flour still out.

Books brought home from the LWL outing. (Ladies Who Lunch). We tend to take and swap items as well as natter away.

Bananas hanging out of the way of the other fruit.

Fairy lights still out to light up January.

Cat on floor deciding what to eat. As usual 2 plates to choose from as she tends to turn up her nose at some offerings.

Plates out on the grill door to warm up when the grill is on for the chop that is under there. 

Second picture

Cat still deciding which plate to eat. 

Veggies ready to chop for a stir fry.

Dishcloth hanging about.

Karcher at the ready for the steamed up windows.

Mixer bowl full of soapy water in the sink soaking away and catching anything to wash.

I think that's all. Did you get everything?

xx

Mum, can you just ...

So and so asked if you would crochet another one as she's expecting again. 

I said, yes, as you do and here's the beginning of the cot blanket done in a zigzag pattern which can be found here.

Fiddly to start off at first but easy as the work progresses. I'm a bit fed up of counting 7 up the hill and 7 down the hill but all is going smoothly and I should be finished before the baby's due. When I've finished this one I'll probably start another just in case I hear those words again.

"Mum, can you just ...."

xx

Murmuring

Trip to the tip today (He knows how to treat a lady!) with wood from old fences. Just had to visit the tip shop and just happened to purchase a brand new children's tent for £3. That's summer sorted. Looking forward to a meal out using a Christmas voucher and fulfilling a wish to see the Murmuration at the pier. Here's a video from YT.

xx

edited

Went out, ate and went to the pier. There were starlings but mostly saw seagulls soaring. Too cold to wait for the spectacular show. Will view when it's warmer.

xx

Normal?

Celebrations are over, left overs in the process of being eaten up, visitors on their way home and we are gradually getting back to 'normal'. Just need to clear Christmas away as it's all been dumped on the dining room table. I think I'll sort the cards out first and as most of them are homemade ones that travel backwards and forwards each year. I can envelope them all up this month and just have to sign and address them in December. 

The decorations will be boxed up and labelled and put in the loft for another year and the presents used, displayed or eaten!

We ate, drank and made merry with birthdays, Christmas, New Year and more birthdays and are now eating the minimum so we can feel healthy again. 

My 'normal' will be dancing, swimming, walking. reading and looking after the home and garden plus going out for a meal every now and again. I did make a resolution to post a picture every day but that's gone by the board already. 

I wish you all best wishes for a year of health and happiness with friends and family.

xx

PS The resolution has been reinstated and here are the first 6 days of the year.

1st

Spot the son and grandchild

2nd

Bracing walk along the prom

3rd

Bracing walk in the park

4th

Family Chinese evening

5th

Jigsaw completed. Just the crossword left to do

6th

Decs down - bye bye tree

xx