January things

January is a month for clear surfaces, for enjoying that feeling of space and light after the decorations come down.

But definitely a month for leaving a bit of sparkle here and there in the form of stars and candles. 

It is a month for bitterly cold mornings and heavy, crunching frosts. 

For beds covered with patchwork quilts and blankets.

A month for spotting the first bunches of daffodils in the shops...

and green shoots popping up in the garden. 

For watching slants of low, winter sunshine illuminate dusty corners.....

...and for watching whippets live their best life.

January is definitely a month for crocheting jumpers. 

....and for finishing the last of 2022's marmalade.

It is a month for celebrating the winter landscape and enjoying walks in the woods...

....and on the beach, where the spindrift dances on the tops of the waves.

It is a month for dreaming of spring, buying the first tulips of the year.....

....and spotting the first catkins hanging on the trees.

It was a month when I mostly stayed home and local, but did go up to London once to meet a friend. 

It is a month in which self care comes in the form of early nights, walks, cake, good tv, manicures and reading. 

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Talking of reading, I am currently loving Wintering by Katherine May, an exploration of embracing winter as a time to retreat, recuperate and take stock before spring. I've also just finished Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen (long, very good, about a family at a "crossroads" in their life), and The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman. His books are joyful. They should be prescribed. 

I use an app called "Goodreads" to track my books. You can set challenges (I aim to read two a month, one book club book and one of my own choosing), note down what you want to read and what you are currently reading. It's a really good way for me to remember what I've read. If I see a book I like the look of on social media or in a bookshop or library, I try to add it to my "want to read" list. It doesn't mean I'll read it, but at least I won't forget the title. 

This was my challenge at the end of 2022:

And these are the 27 books I read.

You can see I like a festive book or two in December! I also have an Audible account, which allows you to download books to listen to. I never listened to audiobooks until very recently, but now I love them. I often put my headphones in while I am doing housework or walking the dog at the weekend on my own. It's often the only way I can get through a long book in time for book club. 

So that's January, and my current reading situation. Wishing you a happy and restful February.