I think Valentines would be a lovely time of year if it weren’t for the hopes and disappointments that it has invariably sprung upon me throughout my entire life. Hubby was hopeless, bless him, and unfortunately before him I never seemed to attract the right sort of boy who would, (as we watched from the pub yesterday) stride down the town, with the most glorious bouquet of flowers for their beloved.

So this year I choose me and wish to share with you all the things I have loved over the last month or so.

Firstly, I think I can share, we have a baby on the way and I will then come by the name of Nanny. Or Nan, or Naaaaaan as they grow older. And… it’s a girl! So there will be lots of lovely dresses and skirts and ruffly ballet skirts and ra ra dresses and oh the worlds my oyster, it will be lovely.

But first there had to be a Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman in yarn that had been carefully put in my stash at least 15 years ago with the sole intention of becoming the first garment that I ever knit for my first grandchild. Knit in Regia Square Colour 6 ply (dk) in colour way 1125 (still available on Amazon as Square Circus!) And next I carefully hunted down the exact shade of red ladybird buttons that I had imagined for years. It came out perfectly, exactly as I had imagined.

Next on the list was looking through Vinted and finding a big stash of baby wear for 0 – 3 months, which i bought and carefully washed. And this image made me happier than you can ever imagine.

Is that not the cutest pile of clothing you ever did see? Hopes and dreams are wrapped up right there, it makes me very happy.

What else has made me happy this year? Well we now have a wedding and for a week or so, dresses were flying in and out of the mandycharlie household. I’ve settled on two, one in dark green the other dark teal so both on the same palette, to be chosen the day before the wedding as to which I feel most confident in, being a woman who barely shows her legs these days. Although I have intentions to change that a little this year. We have just a few weeks to go so the “motherofthegroomdiet” is in full swing, wish me luck, another half a stone would be nice.

I tried my luck at growing some tulips in water, basically because I didn’t fancy my chances planting them while Noah was rushing to finish his ark because of all the rain. They were very pretty, I don’t think I would plant so many in the same container next time but I loved them.

Not one to blow my own trumpet, but others do it for me occasionally most notably by my friend Mary at knitting this week 🙂 so I’d better mention it. I won Greatest Loser of the year award at Slimming World for the 2nd year running. Just so’s you know, I’ve lost 6 stone 5 lbs now. Still a way to go but feeling so much lighter, stronger and healthier. It’s all good.

There has been food. Of course there has been food and one of my favourite dishes this month has been this Ramen inspired Slimming World Food for the Soul inspired dish I made which was very good.

And lastly there have been lovely people. A night out and an afternoon in the pub, theatre trip, knitting group and slimming group, line dancing group, a lovely friend who picks me up to go swimming, another who takes me to the gym, just enough to break the monotony of the continual rain, I am grateful for them all. 

So happy Valentines to you all. Have fun. x