Off to a good start

A week into the new year and I'm finding my feet again.  Getting back into familiar routines (homework Monday morning, voluntary work Friday, for a start) gives shape to the week rather than the vague drifting we've done over the festive break.  We're trying to fit in a walk each day, although it's been pretty wet this week and very muddy underfoot.  Trying to come up with a varied route of between 3 and 4 miles when the footpaths are almost impassable has proved quite a challenge.  More often than not we stick to pavements; boring but drier.  Never mind, at least we are getting out and about, and yesterday we saw our first squirrel of the year, running across the road right in front of us.  It's colouring was much darker than the usual russety-red (no grey squirrels here) - dark brown fur, which was quite unusual.

January will see us eating down the freezer and store-cupboards.  We emptied the freezer earlier this week, gave it a quick scrape to remove the ice build-up then repacked it, listing the contents as we went.  As usual, one or two surprises lurking in the depths, but all those lovely vegetables from our garden will provide some lovely meals.  With that list, and tins and packets in the kitchen, we will draw up a menu plan to get us through this month and probably well into the next.  I need to make  a veggie stew and a lentil loaf (to be portioned out and frozen) so I have some meals when N has the sausages and meat pies that I don't eat.  A quick (and cheap) shop at Tesco today, and we're set to go.  

There's been a lot of sewing and dressmaking going on, too.  Clothes being altered, new ones being made (to replace clothes that no longer fit), bags being repaired.  I find that I'm achieving more if I sew for short lengths of time, rather than the whole day.  In between, odd bits of tidying up or sorting cupboards, decluttering - any one of those odd jobs that keep being put off for a rainy day - well, we've had plenty of those, so perhaps it's not surprising that things are getting done.   I spent one evening this week sorting through papers, filing and shredding.  Goodness knows how I manage to accumulate so many bits of paper, most of which aren't necessary.  It's something I need to be more vigilant over, and get into the habit of dealing with paperwork straightaway.  Clutter builds up so easily and quickly and it's something I'm determined to keep under control.  

Springtime in January

I've managed to get out for a walk every day this year (lol, so that's all 3 days!), dodging the rain and sometimes getting wet - that's what waterproofs and walking boots are for.  It's very wet everywhere, water running off fields and along roads, ditches overflowing and storm drains inundated.  Not on the scale of the flooding further north, and I try to remember that when I'm dashing outside, yet again, to retrieve the washing from the line.  And it hasn't been anywhere as cold as it should be; this winter has been very mild indeed (I think we've had one frost so far).  We haven't needed the heating on in the morning more than a handful of times - gas consumption is a lot lower than this time last year which is a bonus.  But this 'warm' weather is playing havoc with nature.  Out walking yesterday I spotted narcissi, primroses and celandines all in flower. And magnolia buds just about to open.  There's a clump of snowdrops we pass regularly that have been flowering since mid-December.  Signs of Spring all around, just a bit too early!  

We took the Christmas decs down today but have left the tree (and it's lights) simply because we like it, and that's a good enough reason.  Now the holidays are over, I can settle back into routines that work well for me.  Several things were abandoned in the run-up to Christmas and I have spent some time this weekend sorting through paperwork and files, getting some order back and tidying end-of-year accounts.  Keeping close order on expenditure, energy consumption etc is so useful.  Although we shopped carefully for Christmas food, we have been somewhat surprised that we still have so much left over (and we certainly didn't starve at all!), so what we have in the house - in the freezer and store cupboards - will keep us going through January and beyond.  This time last year we ran the freezer down, and we intend to do the same again this year.  We'll write down exactly what we have, food-wise, and meal-plan accordingly.  Hopefully we should only need to buy things like milk and fruit.  

I have consciously drastically cut down the time I spend waste playing Solitare on the iPad.  Instead, I'm spending a lot of time watching cricket on TV!  Test matches, Big Bash - I'm becoming hooked!  But at least I can sew/knit/write while I watch so clearly a far better use of my time.  That's my excuse ;)

Full of good intentions

For the first time in several years we actually saw the New Year in - from the comfort and warmth of our lounge.  The midnight chimes of Big Ben, and a fantastic firework display from the London Eye -  stunning!  Texts to and fro, followed up with phone calls and visits today.  

We took ourselves off for a walk early this morning (before the rain set in yet again), our regular jaunt to see the pigs at Quarr.  Plenty of people out walking their dogs or, like us, simply taking the opportunity to get outside.  The temperature had certainly dropped today but nothing a couple of extra layers couldn't deal with.  We kept up a brisk pace and by the time we had returned home I felt really energised.  A great start to the day, and the year.

Whilst I have not given any thought to resolutions this year, one thing I continually struggle with is time-management.  I've had to admit to myself just how much time I waste every day.  Time which could be put to far better and more productive use.  I dither and procrastinate, get distracted from the task in hand and end up annoyed because something hasn't got done or has taken far too long.  Much gnashing of teeth ensues!  So this is something I fully intend getting to grips with; it's up to me to make the best use of my time and really it's not that difficult, it just requires a little discipline and organisation.  And less time spent playing cards on the iPad (gosh, that is such a time-waster!)

However, I didn't waste all of last year.  I ticked three things off my 'bucket list' (I don't really have a list as such, but these were things I have been wanting to do for a long time).  I walked the Wight, all 26 miles of it (I was really chuffed with myself for achieving that), I was a litter-picker after the Festival (and was horrified to see first-hand just how much 'stuff' is left behind), and in August we did the fort walk.  And 2015 also saw a new addition to our family, a very precious little grandson.  

We had a very productive growing season, turned our hands to all manner of crafty makes and continued pottering along, keeping things as simple as felt right for us.  


And now a new year has started.  There are plans - some definite and some needing quite a bit of work - and several hopes.   I always get such a sense of new beginnings at the start of every year, a time to start afresh with the best of intentions, and perhaps it's just as well I feel energised today with all the plans and hopes running through my mind.  One day at a time, with purpose.  

Year end

A few minutes before midnight and the start of a new year.  Where December has gone, I have no idea, but it went mighty quickly.  In the end I gave up spinning plates and gave myself permission to let them all drop.  There was a bit of a crash but looking back, everything that needed to get done, got done.  Best of all, we got to spend time with family (baby grandson right at the top of that list ;) ).  I managed to finish the quilt just in time and other handmade goodies were also completed for the festive season.

There are plans afoot for next year, lists have already been started and I have already ticked something off that list!  Starting as I mean to go on.  

I'm now off to refill my glass, wait for the chimes of Big Ben and listen out for the fireworks outside.  Here's to 2016, whatever it may bring.

Catching up

There has been rather a lot of 'life' going on these past few weeks and I've not got around to blogging as often as before.  There's quite a bit happening behind the scenes at the moment, and the old brain is struggling to keep up with it all, let alone forge ahead!  I'm back to the "just do the next thing" strategy, and finally I'm seeing some progress being made.  

We have spent quite a bit of time recently contemplating old age - ours (in years to come) and others - and the impact that has on those around us.  We try to learn and take note.  It's an on-going lesson and worth our time.  

November came and went all too quickly, and today someone enquired if I was ready for Christmas yet!  The answer is 'no'.  I will be, I usually am, but not at the moment.  However, I certainly won't be bullied into believing I need to go on a massive spending spree - Black Friday and Cyber Monday passed me by completely.  Present-buying is kept to a sensible level, even if that puts me at odds with mainstream consumerism.  

So, rather than getting caught up in the hype, here's a few things that have gladdened my heart recently:

the sun's rays picking out some yellow and brown leaves in the hedgerow, turning them a burnished golden colour;

deciding on a pattern for a quilt, and piecing some blocks together;

buying a large sack of locally grown potatoes and so being able to support local farmers;

seeing photos of my grandson smiling;

hyacinth bulbs growing on the window sill;

finally completing a knitted jumper for myself, after numerous attempts (it's been unpicked and knitted up again four times!)

homemade soup on a cold winter's day.

Sometimes I just need to stop for a minute to appreciate the simple things, especially when life seems to be getting a little complicated.  And when it's busy and I can't always see the way ahead too clearly, just doing the next thing means there is one less thing to worry about.  And it always surprises me how other things begin to fall into place by just taking that first step.

Foghorns and fireworks

We began the week being serenaded by fog-horns, and have ended it to the sound of fireworks, as Guy Fawkes Night was traditionally celebrated yesterday.  There was plenty to see and hear without having to leave the house!  It's been typical November weather, damp (pouring with rain, actually) and dreary, with very persistent low cloud shrouding everything.  Not the sort of weather conducive to drying clothes!  

We spotted a few long-tailed tits flying over the garden earlier in the week, the first we've seen this year.  The green woodpecker was busy digging for worms on the back lawn yesterday, and on my one and only walk into town this week (I got wet!) I was delighted to see a red squirrel scamper across the road right in front of me, dash up a nearby tree and then stare me out from his vantage point.  It's always a treat to see these little creatures up close, it never fails to lift my spirits for the day.  I'm really hoping there's a bit of a break in the weather soon as I dislike being cooped up for so long.  A good brisk walk is required.  

There's something in the water . . .

A foggy day for the beginning of November.  Very little wind; the dampness just hung around.  However, this weather does make for some atmospheric photo opportunities, and we were out in the garden early to capture a few autumnal images.

The last few days have been damp and grey and dismal and we've not found much motivation to do a great deal.  Today, despite the fog, it was actually not too cold so we wrapped up and took ourselves off for a walk.  It was good to get out and about.

Very atmospheric ruins

We ended up at the ferry terminal, and watched the car ferry coming in.  As we watched, a movement in the water caught our attention.  It disappeared, then reappeared shortly after.  We looked at each other, fairly certain, but pretty surprised, at what we were seeing, and made our way along the shoreline in the hope of getting a better look.  And soon after, we did.  To our amazement, there was a seal bobbing around off-shore.  We have seen enough seals in Orkney to be very sure of this sighting.  It was an unexpected but delightful surprise.

We're looking at the 'blob' in the middle!

With the clocks going back last week, the mornings are lighter again and consequently we're waking up earlier.  The temperatures drop off quickly during the afternoons, though, and it's dark before we have dinner.  Winter is just around the corner.