through train windows on our way to Lancaster – first leg of the journey to the Isle of Man.

Tagged with: christmas, mentalhealth, relaxing, travel | Add a comment

and some other stuff. But the woolly socks were the funnest. A bit splurgey but everyone says both the Isle of Man and Blackpool will be bitterly cold this time of year – and I just discovered that my new (very ugly but ankle-supportive) sneakers are ‘breathable’ = freezing wet feet in rain or snow!

Tagged with: shopping | Add a comment

Our houseguests’ last day so I felt blueberry muffins might be appropriate breakfast fare.

Tagged with: baking, cooking | Add a comment

to knit a hat and scarf for djelibeybi. Sage green hat and the scarf is going to be sage with a sort of pale silvery-wheaty colour stripe. Should be fun!

Tagged with: knitting, shopping | Add a comment

OK, so I wasn’t really supposed to do any walking, but it was SNOWING and the air so crisp and fresh and people were out in it and there were shops and stuff going on and I’ve been cooped up at home for three weeks now. Ankle hurts now but good grief it was lovely.

Tagged with: artist date, walking | Add a comment

to take to the hard-working and lovely colleagues at work.

Tagged with: baking, cooking | Add a comment

Am now halfway up the flip-top of my convertible mittens. Coming along nicely. I think there’s a reasonable chance the first paw could be finished tomorrow.

Tagged with: knitting | Add a comment

then started and frogged and started and frogged and started (possibly to frog) the mitten-top that joins on to it

Tagged with: knitting | Add a comment

I know, not very inspirational subject matter – or execution, but it was good to get back to some drawing again – it’s been a long time.

Tagged with: drawing | Add a comment

Nigella Lawson spiced turkey (fabulous recipe) with allspice gravy, roast potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions and garlic, River Cottage Brussels sprouts done in garlic butter (very fine but perhaps not the best match with the spiced turkey – I think the Nigella pecan sprouts might have worked better in context), Nigella soy and sweet chilli chipolatas, followed by ris a l’amande with hot cherry sauce and the chocolate chip and cranberry biscuits I made yesterday. We also made an awesome mulled wine and a fantastic non-alcoholic drink called a Xmas Xinger, containing pomegranate juice and ginger ale (both from Nigella’s Christmas – yes, it was very much a Nigella year – I did get the book for last Christmas!). Guests seemed to be happily stuffed by the end of it, so a good result all round.

Tagged with: christmas, cooking, friends | Add a comment