January; a slow month

 Overall, I don't mind January, although I always find it a contradictory month; a slow month when nothing much seems to happen, but one which slips by quickly.  It started with a bright sunny day, which always feels like a good omen, but one which didn't encourage me to dash about doing things. 

I like it this way. After the busy lead-up to Christmas and the bustle of the holiday period, there's a quiet dullness to the days immediately afterwards, and this year particularly I've tried to relax and just enjoy them. I've no work to return to. It's too early and cold to do much in the garden. So I've just taken things slowly; pottering in the garden, listening to the robin sing, watching the days lengthen, and the snowdrops emerge.

In contrast to my lazy start to the year, the weather's been pretty active with alternating clear cold (far too cold) days, and rainy blowy days. Either way it's made me want to stay inside.

It's a time of year for self care - which for me means achieving things with very little effort. Some jobs left over from last year were cleared out of the way - getting the hall carpet fitted (due before Christmas), and the fence replaced (damaged in December's storms). 

I haven't actually been totally idle but it's been a matter of low effort for maximum result. Instead of picking up my current knitting project (which has been dragging on forever), I tackled a quicker, more productive task. I have a couple of fair isle cardigans which instead of buttoning nicely up the front always flop open, so I took some matching yarn and sewed them up. Now I have two warm jumpers for very little effort.

I cleared a little of the freezer and made marmalade with the left-over lemon pieces I collect.  .

And in the interests of self care a few treats were necessary - from the sales and from my new favourite 'store', the online second-hand clothes outlet Vinted. I've been delighted with my first cautious purchases here and decided to be a little more adventurous, buying shoes, long skirts to keep me warm through the last of winter, and lightweight tops ready for spring.

Veganuary has now become a regular things for me. It forces me to slow down and take time over planning and cooking meals rather than dash around then grab a takeaway or ready meal from the freezer. 

Now February has arrived and the year seems to be really getting started - there are suddenly things in the diary - family birthdays, snowdrop walks to go on, and a short break booked for in a few weeks. Spring will be here before I know! 

and for making plans for the year ahead - booking a weekend away in the Lake district,