Wednesday 1st December 2021

December first, and the countdown starts. My friend and I decided to do an advent gift swap - 24 little parcels to open every morning. I absolutely loved putting it together and sending it off to her, and was so excited when mine arrived. I opened parcel number 1 before the boy went to school. It was a bottle of gingerbread scented hand wash. It’s so lovely - I put it by the bathroom sink and i’ve been using it all day. Funnily enough, my first gift to her was a gingerbread scented candle. I wonder how close our choices will be.

It was a nice day - sunny but cold. I got my housework done quickly and got out to the garden. I had a couple of bags of daffodils to plant. I want them to naturalise in the woodland area. I also had a few odd pots of things I hadn't got round to planting over the summer, so they went in too. I have quite a lot of small plants that I grew from seed, sitting over at the big polycrub, that I need to make decisions on - plant out now, overwinter, or grow on in bigger pots? I need to read up and see what's best.

It was really good to get outside and working again. I cut the last of the chrysanthemums that I had grown in the wee polycrub. They have been amazing and have filled the vases abundantly for months.

I hung a washing out too.

After lunch I lit the fire, worked on my secret knitting project and enjoyed a film and a hot chocolate. It is December after all.

I am finding the housework easier to keep on top of,after all that decluttering and cupboard organisation.

Dinner was tuna burgers with leftover rice and lentils, broccoli and a green salad.

I’m really tired tonight though - it must have been all the fresh air.

Tuesday 30th November 2021

It was St Andrew's Day today. Now a public holiday in Scotland, but I'm not sure who closes for it. The schools and shops were all open. I replaced the Saltire with a crisp new one. The old flag was no more than a tattered remnant clinging to the pole. I think it lasted about 6 months.

Originally Scotland's patron Saint was Columba, but apparently in the 9th Century, the King of Scots, Angus Macfergus, who was fighting against the Saxons at the Battle of Athelstaneford, prayed to St Andrew for victory. The white clouds miraculously formed into a Saltire against the blue sky and the Scots were victorious. Every since then he has been our Saint, and this has been our flag. It’s the oldest one in Europe.

I went into town again today - to Tesco this time. They seem to be renovating the shop and moving everything around. I had written my list based on the store plan that I knew, so it was quite confusing when entire aisles had disappeared and were replaced by something else. I spent a lot of time going back and forward, and asking assistants where I would find things. I wasn't the only one. But - I did get everything on my list, so that was a win.

Gym workout then home in the dark - so early these days. Dinner was smoked mackerel, rice and lentils with broccoli. It made a nice change.

Did a bit of knitting and watched the end of a film I had recorded.

December tomorrow.

Monday 29th November 2021

The schools here always have a long weekend at the end of November. It is called the Thanksgiving holiday, although not in the sense of the American equivalent. No turkeys are harmed. Its really a religious holiday of Thanksgiving services and local communions, but has morphed, over the years, into an opportunity to go to the mainland for the Christmas shopping.

We stayed home - probably most people did, as there was a storm forecast. It didn't really come to much here, but further East in Aberdeenshire there were trees down, and much of instagram appears to be covered in snow.

I'm trying to remember what we actually did, but its all a blur now. I did a bit of cooking and knitting, wrapped some presents for Canada and posted them off, took bags to the charity shop. It’s all such a whirl of excitement. Oh - there was a lovely zoom knit night, with lots of laughter.

I set some orange slices to dry and made a nice wee table decoration. Beginning to think about such things now. It will inevitably creep in to everything. I’ve given myself a challenge of posting a daily snap of something seasonal during December. No essay length captions, just a word or two. I’m calling it my #silentadvent.

Friday 26th November 2021

The storm is here but not as bad as other areas have it. That said, I've barely ventured outside the door, apart from emptying the bin.

I got quite a lot done today. I had some committee work to do, then I gutted out the hall cupboard and reorganised it all. It looks great - and it is going to work really well. There are a few bags for the charity shop, recycling and dump, but that can wait till next week.

Ready to start clearing the spare room now - I might make a wee start tomorrow.

I spent the best part of the day working on that, so there isn't much to report.

Dinner was steak in mushroom sauce with roast spiced pumpkin and potato wedges.

We didn't move far from the fire after that. Got quite a few rows of knitting done and had a hot chocolate with a glug of Tia Maria added to it. Very cosy.

Thursday 25th November 2021

It was very cold this morning, but I got myself togged up and outside, where I spent the morning battening down the hatches ready for the first big storm of the season. I still had the bean arches up, and there were bits and pieces lying around that could potentially become deadly missiles. I worked away for a good couple of hours and got everything put away or secured.

Normally I would be at home all day, but the schools have a long weekend, so I did shopping and gym this afternoon. I also got a couple of advent parcels off in the post, and filled up with diesel.

I ordered pizza to pick up on the way home, (I do like a night off from the kitchen.) It was very dark and the road was busier than normal. We were glad to get home.

And that was basically it - fire lit, pizzas scoffed and tv on. Nothing really worth watching though.

The storm has to come in tomorrow, gales and snow, apparently. I don’t think we have to get it as bad as other areas - it was more east and central Highlands. Snow doesn't really lie here for long. We've no plans anyway. The ferries won’t be running, and the airport warned that flights may be cancelled, so it’s just as well.

So, it’ll be another cosy weekend by the fire then - suits me fine. I should make progress with my secret knitting project and I might check out what the fairy light situation is, in preparation for the imminent decking of the halls.

The boy might go into town and meet up with a friend, but that depends on the weather and public transport situation.

The wind is already picking up as I write this, and the dog is a bit unsettled, so I’ll leave it there for now.

Wednesday 24th November 2021

It’s definitely darker in the mornings now. Sunrise was around 8.30 am today and by the end of next week it will be nearly 9. I tend to get a bit obsessed with sunrise and setting times around the solstice.

Nice morning, pottering around. I had a bit of a disturbed night and woke up with a stiff neck, so took things easier. Made another pot of soup and marinaded some lamb chops to cook for dinner. I made some hummus too - and pumpkin flat breads, which were a great hit. I just steamed and mashed half a pumpkin that needed used up, seasoned with salt, pepper and some Italian herbs and then added a cup of plain flour and kneaded it a bit. Cooked flattened out pieces in a hot dry pan. Seemed to work and the boy asked for more.

Had a lovely video chat with a good friend I met back in the old blogging days. We each had our coffee and knitting and we chatted for ages. Was great to catch up with her.

This evening I had a community council meeting - our first in person one since March 2020. I went down early to set up and make sure it was all covid compliant. It went OK. Not many turned up, but enough to work with. It was a pretty wild night, weather wise, so that might have kept some away.

Tuesday 23rd November 2021

It was a nice morning here but turned cold and rainy later on. Apparently we're in for snow at the weekend - we'll see what happens.

I had a really quite productive morning, usual house chores, made soup for lunch and got dinner underway early. I also started off drying orange slices for decorating next month.

Bit of knitting after lunch then into town for my work out session. Wasn't up to my usual level on the bike. I tried really hard but just struggled to keep the speed going. Might be the after effects of the booster. That arm is still a bit sore.

I had to go right into town to catch a shop that was closed yesterday. The electricians were testing out the new Christmas Tree. It’s very avant garde and opinion is divided. I think it is nice - I like the lobster creels round the bottom.

Back home and I had a parent council zoom meeting as soon as we got in. Interesting and very civilised.

Dinner was vegetable tortilla and green salad from the polycrub.

I didn't light a fire as it was quite late by then. Watched the Bake Off final, but no spoilers for anyone outside the UK. Its been a good series with lovely people.

Monday 22nd November 2021

The wedding was good - I felt safe and it was great to see everyone again. Everything went well - the bride was beautiful and the guests had a good time. There's another one in a fortnight.

I ended up going for my booster and flu shot on Saturday morning. The queue on Friday was snaking out the door, and I didn't have time to wait. I didn't have to wait on Saturday and was in and out within half an hour. I expected to feel off colour the next day but in fact I was fine. My arms are still sore around the injection sites though.

Sunday was my birthday so I had a nice relaxed day planned - a lie in with a pile of Christmas magazines and several cups of tea. I had calls from my other children and Dad, and celebrated with birthday cake and a cocktail. A very pleasant day.

Today was the usual Monday - housework then town. I'm beginning to feel a bit more Christmasy now that our birthdays are over, so I made a wee start with some seasonal purchases.

Dinner was leftover roast chicken with a quinoa salad and coleslaw. I wasn't keen on the coleslaw - I never seem to get it right. Happily I received a copy of Nigel Slater's Cook Book for my birthday so inspiration may be at hand.

Tired tonight and my arms are still sore. I’m listening to The Pickwick Papers on audible.

Thursday 18th November 2021

Start of my busy period today. Into town early - car loaded up with boxes for the charity shop. It's not the easiest place to park and unload, but we got there. The boy was with me, because he had a dental appointment and we stopped at the shop on the way back to school. One or two things out of Tesco then a couple of lovely bits of cod from the fish shop. Home, quick lunch and cup of tea then down to the community hall to help with preparations for a local wedding being held there tomorrow.

The Community Association organises a few weddings a year - mostly for local people. All the work is carried out by volunteers and the profits go towards community projects. It’s a very slick operation, and the events are very highly regarded .

This is the first one since covid, and everyone is a bit anxious. There were certainly fewer people around, and everyone was being safety aware. It will be interesting to see how it works tomorrow.

Today I peeled and sliced 2 full sacks of carrots, then I had to do the school run. I’ll be back down tomorrow afternoon and evening for the finishing touches and the serving of the meal. The boy is on dishwasher duty.

It’s going to be a busy day and I’m also getting my vaccinations in the morning I’ve heard from friends that they have definitely felt a bit fluey the day afterwards, so I'll try and be organised in case that happens. I probably won’t post again until the start of the week.

Wednesday 17th November 2021

Not much to write about today. I’m about to embark on a very busy couple of weeks, with various projects and commitments coming up, not to mention my flu and covid booster vaccinations on Friday - so the plan was for an easy day.

I did all my housework in the morning, made a wee start at clearing out the entrance hall, which is a bit of a dumping ground, but didn't go too mad. Had a nice lunch, lit the fire, then sat down with a mug of tea, my secret knitting project, and put on a film. It was a romantic Christmas one that I had seen before, but still, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Picked the boy up from bus - it’s really getting dark at 4.30 now. We had lentil dahl, rice and pitta bread, with some cucumber raita. I managed to find enough mint leaves in the garden, still clinging on to their bedraggled stalks, to add to the dip.

Later on I helped the boy research for a report he is doing for his Latin class. They've been studying Pompeii and the volcanic eruption. We went there in 2019 and really enjoyed it, so it was nice to remember the trip. Fascinating place - I'd love to go back. The photo is of the entrance to a posh house.

Tuesday 16th November 2021

A weird thing happened in the night. I was awakened by the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. Found that the toilet was running - the water from the cistern was overflowing into the bowl. But modern flush mechanisms are so much more complicated than I remember, and it was the middle of the night, so I just turned the water off and went back to bed. In the morning it still seemed to be happening - everytime the toilet was flushed, it kept on going. My neighbour's nephew is a plumber, so I sent him a video of what was happening and he agreed to pop in. Then the thing settled down a bit, although water was still trickling constantly into the bowl. Apparently I need a new mechanism, so that’s now in hand.

Later I read that there had been an Earthquake in Argyll. 3.2 on the scale with tremors felt far and wide. Maybe that’s what set it off, although I suspect not.

Kind of caught up with the worry of that most of the morning. Into town later - very quick shop, then gym and home.

Dinner was lemon, garlic and ginger seabass with salad and a baked potato - delicious

I finished a secret knitting project and cast on another, so that’s going well.

Watched the Bake off semi- final - very tense.

I’m tired now after my broken night's sleep. The moon is growing big again. Apparently its a lunar eclipse on Friday and we have to get a good view here if the weather is clear.

Monday 15th November 2021

Nice weekend. Quiet, as usual, and very restful. Mostly pottering around doing bits here and there. Watched the UFC fights on Saturday with the boy, then caught up with post fight analysis on Sunday afternoon. Its amazing the knowledge you acquire as a parent.

I had a very pleasant lie in with a couple of home interior magazines and several cups of tea on Sunday. Haven't done that for ages, and now I have another 10 ideas added to my home projects list.

Continued with the kitchen clear-out this morning and really blitzed the gas hob and cupboard doors. It’s all looking fabulous. I made up a cleaning playlist on Spotify to get me in the mood - it definitely helped.

Set out to take the boy to his boxing training, but 10 minutes into the journey, realised I had left his kitbag behind, so had to double back. Still made it in time.

Home - dinner was left over roast pork, cabbage and a lentil side that I saw on a Nigel Slater TV programme at the weekend. Very nice indeed.

Minute taking for a zoom community meeting this evening. Fortunately it wasn't too long. I’ll type the minutes up tomorrow - get them out of the way.

Friday 12th November 2021

I'm really tired tonight - dozing off in front of the TV. Fridays are like that. It’s normally a busy day for me as I drive into the big town, go to the gym, do any shopping and catch up on anything else pick, pick up the boy, ordering pizza on the way home. Almost exactly the same as last week.

I bought a few wee trays and baskets to help organise drawers and cupboards more effectively, so hopefully will get more of that done tomorrow.

The dog seems very agitated about something tonight and it’s quite annoying because I don't know what it is. Hopefully he'll settle down when I put the light out

Thursday 11th November 2021

Not much to report today. Bright day but bitterly cold.

Another day of carry on in the cupboards. I cleared out most of the kitchen ones - just two left to go through. I already have 4 big boxes for the charity shop. Feeling good letting stuff go, and finding the right place for what stays.

Made a big Spanish tortilla and salad or dinner. I needed to use up half a cauliflower, so substituted that for potatoes, and it worked really well.

I had to type up the minutes for one of my meetings later, but it didn't take too long.

Tuesday 9th November 2021

Nice day, although I wasn't out in it too much. I had written a list and wanted to get some things ticked off. Nothing very exciting or interesting in a bloggable sense. I deep cleaned the bathroom and then turned out the linen cupboard. I’m being really ruthless with my decluttering. I have an urge to really pare back, and i’m enjoying that feeling.

On the way back from the school bus, we noticed several photographers setting up at the stone circle, hoping to catch the sunset. We wondered how many million photos there are of the sunset at Callanish. I think I have probably taken a fair few of them. This photo was snapped as I drove past last week. Obviously I stopped the car.

Dinner was OK- salmon, roast vegetables and quinoa. I was still distracted with my linen decluttering so my heart wasn't in it.

Later watched Bake off and helped the boy with a book report for school. He's 15 tomorrow. Imagine that…

Monday 8th November 2021

I'm tired tonight, as I often am on a Monday.

It rained practically all day. I was expecting it to be quite difficult, as I had a logistical problem; the car was due to be in the garage when the boy was coming out of the gym. In the end it worked out fine and we drove home through the dark and stormy night to dinner all ready to heat up and the fire just needing a match to it.

I think, because I am on my own, I tend to overthink things and build them up into something bigger than they are.

Two of my friends have covid and one is waiting on a test result. There was to be a talk on tweed weaving down at the community hall tomorrow but its been cancelled because of the rise in cases. It's very worrying.

Friday 5th November 2021

Bonfire night. There was a community display down at the quarry, but we stayed home with the dog. We have new neighbours and they set off their own fireworks, so we did see some in the end. The dog was fine.

It was a busy day today. Friday is my main day to go into town. I have a workout session, then shopping and any business that needs attending to.

The boy finishes school at lunchtime on a Friday and goes to the gym afterwards. When I pick him up, we normally order pizza and collect it on the way home. That's exactly how it played out today.

I did some work for one of my committees when we got back, then it was just really downtime after that.

It doesn't sound a lot, but it takes out most of the day and uses up a lot of my energy.

The weather is supposed to be stormy over the weekend, so we won't be moving far. There's plenty to be getting on with in the house.

I think i’ll have a screen break over the next couple of days. Yes, that seems like a good plan.

Thursday 4th November 2021

The day started off bright and sunny. Despite what I said the other day, I decided I would hang out some laundry. Rain was forecast but not till the afternoon. As I was pegging up the last of it, one of the crows flapped overhead, cawing loudly, and, I thought, rather mockingly.

Sure enough, as I walked back to the house, the rain began to fall. It was that fine smirring rain that soaks right into everything. The wisdom of crows…

I spent the morning in the big polycrub, cutting down the autumn raspberries and trying in the summer ones. There were just a few berries left - a final treat for the gardener. It was good to get that job done. I gave everything else a really good watering.

It was after midday when I got back in, so I had a quick lunch - sardines and salad, tidied round and sorted out my wet washing.

Dinner was Chana Dahl, roast buttercup squash with chilli, and pitta bread. It was very yellow, but superb nonetheless.

We watched more Parks and Recreation and I caught up with my knitting. The festive edition of The English Home magazine arrived but I'll save it for the weekend.

Wednesday 3rd November 2021

It was bitterly cold today - icy winds and rain. We knew this, of course, as it was forecast.

I have two days when I can be completely at home - no trips in to town. That should mean I can really get stuck into something- practical or creative, depending on what's on the list. Today I ended up skipping from one thing to another.

But when I looked back at the end of the day, I had managed to do achieve quite a lot. And I had a few ideas for some projects that I’m planning. Never imagine that pottering and pootling are not constructive uses of time.

Annoyingly I caught the end of a Christmas film today, while I was lighting the fire. Of course I watched it, but that is the last until the very end of the month.

Nice salad for lunch and a delicious chicken and vegetable stir fry for dinner. I got the recipe from one of those Korean mindful homemaker videos on YouTube. Lovely wee film - Hamamama I think she was called.

The Aurora is dancing tonight. Took a couple of snaps on my phone then watched for a while. Not too long though, as the energy is too much for me just before bed.