Has been quite the journey in the last 12 months. Last January I was very much new widow deep in grief but this New Year I feel very much that I am allowed to have fun and be happy. I have to say that I have had a lot of support along the way and I am very grateful for that, they know who they are.. to have been able to catch that spark of joy again, and have fun, has been an absolute blessing and I am very grateful.

So this Christmas I decided that I was going to do A lot. And at times I thought I had bitten off too much and was going to feel exhausted, but pacing myself when I needed to and doing what felt right at the time I was able to enjoy every aspect.

Firstly I put my Christmas tree up mid November, much to the horror and amusement of my closest friends. I asked on Facebook if they thought it was too early, and it was a very divisive question I have to tell you, but they knew, whatever they said… it was going up! So up it went and I felt better for seeing it in all its glory having not seen it for two years.

Next turkey thighs and drumsticks started to come into the supermarkets, so I started to play with them. You can always tell when I’m in happier times because my creative brain is either at the plot, kitchen, sewing machine or knitting, so I think I probably bored to death my Facebook friends with pictures of stuffed turkey thighs or drumsticks being dismantled and made into one concoction or another, all of which have proved delicious so I make no apologies for the forensic detailing.

And then over the last month I’ve basically been building one positive experience after another. Obviously those that know and love me understand I love good food and I relish the change in the seasons this time with an R in the month so bringing in good quality shell fish. (although apparently the French make no such distinction!) So I’ve enjoyed mussels and most recently half a dozen delicious oysters with a shallot vinaigrette and a couple of glasses of champagne. Who says us singletons can’t enjoy exquisite food on our own. Keith Floyd often extolled the virtue of a single supper, where the ingredients were either too costly or laborious for a dinner party or where it no longer fitted into the ideal of food fashion and I completely agree with him. I want to renew my acquaintance with a freshly grilled lobster (having previously bought your live lobster) with garlic butter to dip the tails and claws into with a glass or two of a chilled white burgundy is something on my to do list this winter. 

And sometimes the ingredients can be as cheap as chips or as in this case these wonderfully fresh sardines, this tasty supper was just pennies but oh so good.

There were theatre trips, Slimming World parties where I dressed as a Reindeer and along with my partner in crime won best Festive dress, most amusing it was, especially when trotting around Sainsburies still in full costume.

The Santa hat was found and worn on all excursions.

A wonderful evening spent with friends turned out brilliantly.

Along with a roasted turkey dinner for a good and supportive friend and meeting friends at the pub to while away a rainy afternoon.

There were Secret Santa’s at knitting and the smuggling in of the mince pies, along with a lovely evening Carol singing at St Johns Church and I nearly forgot another choral event I was invited to at the last minute at St Barnabus, the cutest church you ever saw, so tiny and adorable which was absolutely charming.

Christmas lunch at Son no.2’s was wonderful full of fun and laughter.

And so this has gone on. Dad’s 88th birthday… Where son no.2 and fiancee came over to see him as a surprise.

Ending with New Years Eve parties and an unplanned New Years Day party.

How lucky have I been, I feel very lucky indeed.

This year plans are already coming together, theatre trips have been booked and I must get to the cinema soon to see Wonka, I wouldn’t want to miss that. Gym memberships has been bought, swimming has been booked, knitting will restart. I must start a new quilt and start again on the allotment just as soon as it stops raining. Back to Slimming World next week, they’re basically my family now, they know more about my inner workings than my Dad! We laugh, we commiserate, we plan world domination!, or at least how not to get dragged down the crisp aisle, my nemesis.

It’s good, all good.

Happy New Year to you and yours,

much love, M x