February ...ing

Well hello February. I like February, it usually marks a turning point between winter and spring. It is also short and we don't pay Council tax.

Wondering what happened to winter. It has been wet and windy but not particularly cold. Of course the windchill makes it feel much colder than it is but we have had no more than a few days of frost since November.

Spotting birds I have not seen before in my necks of the wood. I saw a little goldcrest in my back garden the other morning when I really should have been writing a lecture. On my way home from work I spotted a dipper on the side of the canal. I also saw a treecreeper when cycling through the woods. I now carry my camera in my bike basket for any further sightings of unusual (for us) sightings. My office is at tree top height and there is a flock of green parakeets that visits the large sycamore from time to time.

Feeling excited about sewing clothes. I just finished my first top of the year, which I'll show you soon. I washed and pressed fabric, ready to be cut into shortly.

Recovering from my ear infection, finally after nearly two weeks of pain, one trip to the doctor and with treatment.

Baking flapjacks with dried strawberries. I bought a large bag of dried strawberries in Turkey and I am keeping it well hidden for special treats.

Procrastinating at work. I am finding all sorts of excuses and meetings to go to to avoid creating learning materials for my latest course. I just know I won't get it done in time.

Smiling because my employer has still got the Christmas lights up in the Cloisters.

Setting-up a fundraising page for James. He'll be doing the Glasgow Kiltwalk with his Connect youth group in April.

Listening to "The life we bury" by Allen Eskens. It is the kind of book where you can skip a page or two without missing much. Predictable, linear, uninspiring prose. What a contrast to Christopher Fowler's "Hall of mirrors", which I finished listening to earlier this week. Mr Fowler is one of my all time favourite crime writers.

Watching BBC Winterwatch. I do love their low tech props to explain complex problems, for example the impact of climate change on snow hares.

Running more comfortably with my beginner's group.

Wearing my felted extra warm socks because I get cold feet easily, even in a toasty warm house.

Making a new set of beeswax wraps and refreshing a couple of old ones. It is a bit messy but I do love my very own wraps made with fabrics that I chose. They are a fraction of the price of the sets you can buy in the shops.

Waiting for the storm to hit. Annie is out camping with the Scouts, I try not to worry too much, she is at a bit Scout meet and I am sure the organisers will keep an eye on the situation.

And that's it really, a bit on the boring side I am afraid but that's my life just now :-)

Thanks for visiting, it is good to see you here.