Christmas in the City

Back in December (one day I would like to keep totally on top of my posts!), Amanda, Shannon and I met up one evening after work, primarily to hand over Christmas presents that we'd been working on for each other, but we decided to have a wander around the city and enjoy some festive spirit.

Basically, this meant larking around for an hour or so, acting like children!

Norwich had a tunnel of lights this Christmas which we got a wee bit over excited about, especially every time the colours changed!

In the Mall, an Elf deck chair had been set up and we were hysterical, trying to get in, but mainly out, of it! 

Obviously there was trying on of hats .....

And plenty of Christmas lights and light shows on City Hall  .....

A really funny evening - and we're so lucky to have this in our own home.

Winter Too Soon

Winter has gone on for ages - it did start quite early though at the end of November.  Finn and I stopped for a slippery icy walk along the River Wensum on the way over to visit Mum and Dad one day - blimey, it was cold.

The colours were so beautiful though - that sky!

Of course, the cold didn't stop Finn going in for a paddle.

And there were still some leaves on the trees too.

Bbbrrrrrrr!

Seeds and Stuff - January 2017

Not an awful lot going on in the garden at the moment - mostly ice!

And frost ...

I only have one indoor plant - not a great lover of them really - this hyacinth was given to me last year by Amanda and it's been sitting on my windowsill all year, and has just bloomed again.  Blooming lovely!

I've done a bit of tidying in the garden, but there's not much I can do at the moment truthfully. 

The irises are coming along nicely - these are Iris reticulata 'Joyce' which Amanda and I got for Mum to remember Auntie Joyce by.  On what would have been Auntie Joyce's 91st birthday, coincidentally also Remembrance Day last year, I planted up some of these bulbs for each of us.

As the weather's been not good, too wet and cold, it's a perfect time to be sitting indoors with seed catalogues, revision papers and the RHS Garden magazine which I now have monthly, as part of my RHS membership, a fabulous Christmas present from Mum and Dad.

Lucky girl!

Odds and Sods - January 2017

January has been all about hunkering down - weather, food, carrying on regardless, the usual for this time of year when we're getting over the excesses and busyness of December, but before the weather and daylight allow us to spend more time outdoors. 

We spent a lovely evening with Shannon, wishing her bon voyage and bonne chance as she makes a new temporary (we hope!) life for herself in New Zealand.

We've been cooking ..... lots!  And eating healthily - at time of writing, Andy and I have lost thirteen pounds between us since 1 January - may it continue!

This pig leg has taken up residence in our outhouse!

With bits of it chopped up and in our fridge too.

We had haggis with tatties, but minus neeps which we substituted with carrots, for Burns Night.

We've been nesting, buying some new furniture for Andy's collection of pie funnels, but also throwing other stuff out and trying to declutter.  We've even mentioned decorating this year!

We've got a new sofa too which Finn seems very attached to.

We've had lots of weather!  Which has rather put gardening on hold, although I have managed to get out and give everything a new haircut and I'm pleased to see lots of new things budding.  Spring's on its way!

We've been house sitting for friends who are in Australia and making ourselves at home there .....

Although I did sustain a nose injury which is too ridiculous and shaming to explain here!

Andy of course has been incredibly sympathetic .....

Finn and I have done some walking although it has been cold and very muddy .....

And I've bought some new boots for a wedding next weekend .....

So this month's post is all about domesticity and getting through!  Once upon a time, this would have made me anxious that I don't really do anything exciting with my life, but, nowadays, I find it comforting to know there are times in the year when we just muddle through without expending too much energy and I rather like it.