Embracing January

Oh, wow, you lovely lot - thank you for your generous words about my blanket. When I saw it through your eyes I loved it a little bit more. I think we just need a break, blanket and I, and will be fine once we've spent some time apart. 

I am still remembering to notice and photograph one good thing a day about January and so far am finding there is much to celebrate. My photographs seem to involve either being outside buffeted by the wind or inside hiding from it. Well, that's January for you.

8/31: Empty, blustery beaches and the beautiful feeling of openness and space. Blue skies have been seldom in this wet and windy month and they are always a cause for a mini, silent celebration in my book.

9/31: A cup of tea and a new book. I'm one chapter in. So far so good. Do you like my new mug? It was a Christmas present from John. 

10/31: The beach, again, but on a more overcast day. Big winds and spray coming off the waves, the upside to the end of a January gale. It's so invigorating to be by the water in (mildly - I don't want to get swept away!) stormy weather. This beach is usually quite calm and so it was exciting to see some surf. There was even one lone surfer in the water! I hope none of you have been badly affected by the crazy wind, rain and snow we've had this week.

11/31: A roast chicken dinner on Sunday after a long walk in the woods, cooked by John, followed by sticky toffee pudding, also cooked by John. We are paying rent in cooking. 

12/31: The feeling of brand new pyjamas at the end of (another) cold, wet and windy day.

13/31: Hunkering down by my parent's wood burning stove and just enjoying the cosiness of it all. 

14/31: A run on Wednesday morning. It was bitingly cold but really bright and sunny and I went for my first run in months with my sister. I was surprised by how good it felt. Cold, dry weather is my favourite kind to run in, and this was exhilarating. I'd forgotten how good I feel after a run, how clear my head is. I went again this morning. Everything hurts now, that goes without saying, but in a satisfying way.

Enjoy your weekend everyone. I don't know what we have planned. Everything depends on the weather. It's very unusual to get snow this far south, and so close to the coast, but there might be sleet on Sunday apparently. I've nearly finished a scarf but I am faffing about whether it's long enough or not, and whether to add a fringe or not. It's a nice kind of dilemma to have.