Friday 7th January 2022

It’s was a lovely day here. Cold and a wee bit frosty, but sunny and bright. It was a busy morning. I had an appointment with the dentist, food shopping and gym session. The boy was at school until lunchtime, had an appointment at the barbers, then his gym session.

We did the pizza pick up on the way home, and that was it.

When I got home a couple of packages had arrived - things I had ordered for my fermentation course, so I'm looking forward to getting them going over the weekend

We were much later getting back today and it was almost dark. Nothing else for it but to light the fire and settle in. We watched a thing about polar bears in Canada - it was quite unsettling in a way. Such powerful scary creatures, but they are so at risk.

The boy went to bed early and I watched Monty Don visiting Venetian gardens. No knitting for a few days. My arm has been sore and I think it's related to the position I sit in when I knit. Hopefully a wee rest will help.

I might be going swimming tomorrow - weather dependent, obviously. I’ll just be dipping in and out though.

Today's picture is the lunchtime ferry leaving Stornoway for Ullapool. I was parked waiting for the boy to come out the gym. I always like to see it. I find it reassuring somehow.

Thursday 6th January 2022

It was such a wet and windy day. School was back and it was dark when I dropped him off and dark when I picked him up. Some of his friends didn't make it in till lunchtime because some of the causeways were flooded.

I got a lot done in the house - a good clean and tidy, bathroom, floors, laundry - all that kind of stuff.

I'm getting quite alarmed at the amount of magazines I have amassed. Mostly home and gardening ones. It’s getting out of hand, so no more. I think I'll sort them into bundles and take them to the charity shops. There's really no need to be buying them now that we have so much inspiration online.

I never got round to decluttering spare room during my pre-Christmas clearout, so I want to start on that soon.

Because it was such a miserable dark day, I lit the fire early, and when I sat down after a late lunch, I found myself dozing off. I just went with it and enjoyed a delicious wee nap. I hope I still sleep tonight.

Wednesday 5th January 2022

Got a lot done today. Christmas is packed away in the loft again until December and the family photos, vases and ornaments are back in their accustomed places. The mantlepiece looks very bare, but I like it. I’ll get a good clean and scrub done tomorrow and then it will feel like a new year.

It was really quite a pleasant day outside, and fir once the boy was up and about in the morning. I got him to come outside with me as I needed his help with some heavy lifting. It was really good to get those things moved over to the croft where I needed them. It was nice to be working out in the fresh air again. It will be the last for a wee while, looking at the weather forecast, so I’m glad we took advantage of it.

Dinner was a kind of rice, stir fry and salad affair- I think you call it a rice bowl nowadays. I had made some lightly fermented hummus for my course, so added that too. It was actually delicious, even though I had some doubts beforehand.

The boy was tired and went off to bed at about 7.30. I guess the morning air tired him out. He has school tomorrow anyway, so probably a good idea.

I completed the heel and picked up the stitches on my second sock, while watching The Repair Shop. I was an emotional wreck by the end, as usual. Early alarm set for tomorrow.

Monday 3rd January 2022

Happy New Year. I hope 2022 is kind to you - and your world.

We had a good Christmas - very quiet, but nice and relaxed. Dinner was excellent, even if I say so myself, and it all passed in a pleasant blur. So close and yet so far.

It's still the school holidays, but we ventured out into the world today so the boy could resume his boxing training. I went to the co-op for a few bits and pieces.

I’m doing an introduction to fermented foods course online. It's really interesting and something I’ve dabbled in now and again. I lack confidence though. Not so much in the making, but in the eating. I am distrustful of food stored in jars - although, weirdly, jams and chutneys are acceptable. It’s a very gentle introduction by an extremely experienced tutor, so hopefully I can begin to incorporate more fermented food into our diet. Today I made a delicious miso based salad dressing and I have a fermented salsa starter on the go.

I see everyone rushing to take their decorations down, but I’m keeping mine up until Wednesday - 12th night. The schools go back on Thursday and I usually like to give the place a deep clean on that day, so getting everything stored away beforehand will be good. I might make some kind of twelfth night cake thing.

I spent a good chunk of Christmas week immersed in the world of the Old Ones, slipping in and out of time. I read The Dark is Rising, by Susan Cooper, in real time, until Boxing Day, then I just had to finish. And then I completely devoured the remaining three books in the series. It was wonderful. I just sat by the fire, or lay in bed and lost myself in the tale.

I haven't picked up a book since - I don't feel ready.

I didn't really watch much on TV either. The Worzel Gummidge shows were really all, and a couple of documentaries. I'm knitting a pair of socks, but I may have already mentioned them. I’m on the heel flap for both of them.

And so that’s been Christmas- not much done, or achieved on the surface, but that's the point of Hibernation.

Friday 24th December 2021

Christmas Eve was a nice day. I did some baking, made the cheesecake for tomorrow and gave the house a good clean up. I had a funky Christmas playlist going, which kept things moving along.

We had monkfish medallions in tomato sauce with pasta and salad for dinner, and I made warm eggnog for later. I lit all the candles and fairy lights and the room looked so Christmassy.

So everything is ready and I’m looking forward to the next few days to come. I hope everyone has a good Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes.

Thursday 23rd December 2021

I got all my shopping done this morning. It all went pretty smoothly - no big queues, and I got everything on my list. I was home by lunchtime and shouldn't need to go away again for at least a week - maybe longer.

Once I sat down for lunch, though, it was hard to make myself get up again, but a couple of cups of tea later and I was up and about. Shopping all put away, place tidied up and dinner sorted. It was tuna steak with chilli and lime, rice and salad. Quite a hot chilli sauce, but nice.

I also made a cocktail and did a video for my Instagram. It’s ages since I did that and it was good fun. The drink was delicious too - bit strong, so only the one.

Bit of a busy day tomorrow- couple of things to bake and some presents to wrap. No big stress about it.

I’m at the Christmas chapter of the Pickwick Papers so i’m going to listen to that tonight. I’ll catch up with the Dark is Rising tomorrow, as i’m up to date with that timeline.

Wednesday 22nd December 2021

Really not much to report at all today. I did a lot of housework - cleaned the kitchen and bathroom, straightened up everywhere else. Did three loads of washing and folded up a big basket of clean laundry that had been sitting for a few days. There’s only the two of us yet I never seem to catch up - one of life's mysteries…

I had a gorgeous knitting themed tree decoration in my advent calendar this morning (see picture). There are only 2 packages left to open now. Hard to believe. I've really enjoyed this advent - such a lovely thing to do - especially when the person putting it together really knows what you like.

Made my to do and shopping lists, ready for a trip to town tomorrow.

Dinner was a special request of meatballs like the ones in Ikea. They turned out OK- nothing to write home about though.

Watched Scotland's Christmas Home of the Year. Beautifully decorated houses, but the winner was my least favourite - too curated and not very Christmassy.

Off to find out what's happening in my book now.

Tuesday 21st December 2021

The shortest day is here. All of social media is full of pictures and explanatory captions, as if it was a completely new phenomenon. Still, in a few weeks the change in the daylight will be suddenly noticeable and before we know it we'll, we'll be spinning towards the summer once again.

I didn't sleep well last night - tossed and turned, and woke every couple of hours. I threw in the towel at 6 am, got up, made a cup of tea and read some of my book.

Went for a shower and faffed around with skincare products and when I picked up my phone later, there were two messages. One from a friend in the village wanting to arrange a walk at lunchtime and one from my dearest friend saying she had badly injured her hand and was going for emergency surgery that day

Poignantly I then received two parcels from her - one was the Christmas presents I had been expecting but the other was a gorgeous Santa mug for my hot chocolate- a complete surprise.

I was very worried about her as it sounded bad, and as a former surgical ward nurse, my mind was going into overdrive (she is back home and doing ok. )

So a walk was a nice distraction. There are 3 of us who meet up randomly and walk around the villages. The other 2 ladies work from home and try and get out when they can. I am usually able to fit in most times. It was a good hike today and enjoyable chat on the way. - weather was lovely and we were warm by the end. The dog was exhausted when we got back, and I was pretty tired too. The lack of sleep catching up with me.

After lunch, I just kind of flopped on the couch, drank tea and chatted to the boy who's now off school. I lit the fire and then he put on some silly youtube videos where 3 grown men were ranking various celebrities into different categories. It was completely and utterly banal but quite amusing and it was just the level I was at, at that point.

Dinner was Spanish chickpeas, quinoa and salad, and I opened the chocolate bombs to christen my new mug.

Good to hear from my friend that she was home. Wish I wasn't so far away.

Hopefully i’ll sleep better tonight.

Monday 20th December 2021

It was a nice weekend. Usual tidy up, made some lists for the coming days and went for a couple of walks. I’m determined to get more walking done over the holidays. It will help with the dogs nails too. He usually just runs around the garden and the croft, but that's all soft ground. A good trot along the metalled road will keep them in check.

I had a really lovely zoom knit night on Sunday. I'm working on a pair of socks -concurrently, and also finally got round to casting on the front of my son's Saddler sweater. It calls for an Italian tubular cast on, and while it’s not difficult, it is a bit of a faff and I just wasn't in the mood. Anyway it’s done now, so plenty good tv knitting ahead. This is not a Christmas gift, so there's no pressure.

I went swimming this lunchtime. I met up with a couple of friends at a nearby beach. It was glorious - the sea was beautifully calm and a couple of seals were bobbing around too. It was cold, but for me, the whole point of swimming in winter is to embrace the feeling. I stayed (within my depth) for about 15 minutes, half swimming, half floating. It was magical.

Then, after a hot drink, it was back home, wee bite to eat, then off to pick up the boy and take him to his training. I dropped in to visit a friend to exchange presents and have a quick cup of tea.

Home again. That’s all the gym and training sessions done for the year, so a rest from driving home in the dark.

I’m starting to read The Dark is Rising, by Susan Cooper tonight - Midwinter Eve. I’m planning to read it in time with the events in the story.

Friday 17th December 2021

It was a lovely morning - as I stood outside, I could smell the sea. Friday is my day for town, although i’ve been in every day this week, they were specific trips. Today I went to the gym and had a really good arm workout. The gym is closing early for the holidays, due to covid, so it will be after the new year before I'm back. Hopefully I can keep some exercise going until then - probably walking more.

Bit of food shopping next. The coop was really busy - lots of trolleys rattling with bottles. I think I only need to make sure I get milk and potatoes next week when I go to pick up the turkey.

Not much else to report. Home mid afternoon, put the shopping away and watched the news channel for a bit. The boy had a bit of cod and I had salmon, both roasted with lemon, bay, peppers and red onion. I served it with salad and a wee scoop of pasta.

Not sure what i’m doing over the weekend. Some food planning for the coming couple of weeks. I picked up some fruit and kale to make smoothie mixes to put in the freezer. That kind of thing.

Thursday 16th December 2021

I got a call around mid morning from the car repair shop to say the car was ready. I was very surprised as he said it would be in for a couple of days. However he said he knew I was hiring a car so he had worked late on mine so I could get it back. How thoughtful was that? And the car hire company said because it was i was returning the car within 24 hours, I would be refunded the unused days hire. Sometimes it all works out.

I drove over and dropped off the rental and picked up my own car - looking very sleek and shiny again. It’s lovely driving around in a brand new motor, but there's a real comfort in the familiarity of your own vehicle. It’s like pulling on your comfy slippers.

I was in good time to pick the boy up for his dental appointment after school. We decided in the dentist's car park to order the weekly pizza tonight instead of tomorrow, and luckily there was an available slot online. It was a good decision.

Not much happened once we got home. Pizza and cups of tea, knitting of socks and TV. A poem of an evening.

Both elder son and daughter in law have tested positive for Covid. I think they are not too bad so far. All being well they will be out of quarantine on Christmas Eve, but that's a busy time to be under the weather. Things are being cancelled everywhere here now. It feels so relentless.

Wednesday 15th December 2021

It was one of those days that started slowly but was always building to a crescendo in the late afternoon.

I had a nice relaxed start - once I got back from dropping the boy at the school bus stop, I sat with a nice coffee, my favourite vlogs queued up and finished off my hat. I’m so pleased with it - I really like the shape and it will be very cosy. It's blocking now but I think it might take a couple of days to dry.

Once that was done, I did a quick tidy round and got dinner underway. It was a Thai chicken curry with broccoli - it’s one of our favourites.

I wanted to be organised because later in the afternoon I was dropping the car off at the repair centre then picking up a hire car for a couple of days. The timing wasn't very convenient as it was right at the time the school was finishing. The boy agreed that rather than go home on the bus, he would just wait in school for me.

It took ages to find a parking spot at the repair shop and then when I got to the car hire place, it was unmanned and I had to phone and let them know I was there. The girl arrived about 10 minutes later and eventually drove off in a nice corsa.

The car is in for repair because I had a mishap with the handbrake and it rolled into the corner of a stone wall. It didn't respond well to that… I was sure I had put the brake on, but I think there was a water bottle sitting in that wee section between the seats and it stopped the brake from engaging properly. It was quite a shock to come out and find my car missing then see it crashed into the wall. It was a good stone wall and there wasn't any damage to it, but the situation could have been much worse - a person, animal or other car. I feel so grateful that it was only a small part of the car that was damaged. I also felt a bit stupid, but i’ve stopped berating myself for it now.

So that’s my story. We came home, had our curry with brown rice - it was lovely. I did a bit of online shopping and cast on a pair of shortie socks. Had a nice phone call with my Dad and Stepmum. Less nice one with elder boy, telling me he has tested positive for covid. He's had both vaccinations so hopefully he'll be OK, but he's now in isolation until Christmas Eve.

Tuesday 14th December 2021

It was such a busy day today. It already was and then I heard there was a funeral this morning. A man from the next village, whom I didn't know other than to say hello to, but as I knew his wife and daughter well, I felt I wanted to go. It turned out that he was a very quiet almost shy man but he wrote beautiful poetry. I’m glad I went just to hear that alone.

Then I had to dash into town - it’s about a 30 - 35 minute drive. Viktor had a long awaited appointment at the new dog groomer who has recently opened up. He wasn't really needing a groom, but his nails badly needed trimmed. The boy and I try our best to keep on top of them but we panic a bit and are scared of hurting him. Daschunds are so wriggly and slippery that it all becomes quite traumatic for us all. I was glad to hand him over to the professional. In the end he behaved perfectly for her, and I picked him up an hour later, all soft, sweet smelling and beautifully manicured.

While he was in I went for my workout, and posted off the rest of the parcels. Then fitted in a quick food shop before picking the boy up and taking him to the gym. They had their Christmas lights up, as seen in the photo.

I usually wait for him and just knit in the car, but its too dark now. I need to get myself a head torch or something.

Rainy and dark drive home listening to news of more restrictions here. Back to shop queues and only 3 households mixing. I had kind of anticipated this and hadn't made big plans, so it's not going to affect us too much, but already a lunch I was looking forward to is cancelled.

We got back hungry so had a quick tasty dinner of turkey steaks and quinoa salad.

The boy watched a couple of you tube videos he likes then I caught up with some Vlogmasses and knitted a few rows, but I was too tired to concentrate for long. Early night - never a bad idea.

Monday 13th December 2021

Pleasant weekend. Quite relaxing actually. Got the other freezer cleaned out and now know what I have in store. Ordered a turkey crown and a nice piece of beef for the holidays. With that and what is already in the freezer, there is more than enough. Grateful for that.

Presents all wrapped and parcelled up for posting. I got a couple away today.

I think that’s basically all I need to organise now. Couple of makes and bakes, but Christmas is not the frantic rush it once was for me. There will only be the two of us again this year, and we're both quite laid back about these things. It will be nice.

On Saturday I went to the Christmas Market but it was very disappointing. Most of the stallholders had pulled out because of the rise in Covid numbers. The schoolchildren were going to be having a table there, but obviously they didn't come either. I did have a nice chat with a couple of friends whom I met there, and enjoyed a gingerbread latte. I also took a home a couple of Christmas Dinner ciabattas home for lunch, so not all was lost.

Sunday was spent knitting and watching a recording of the UFC fights. Some exciting stuff and a couple of upsets. I’m getting quite knowledgeable about it all now.

Busy, busy week coming up. I am in town every single day for one thing or another. A lot of different errands and hassley things to be done. I’ll get there.

Friday 10th December 2021

I had a really busy day today. Off early into town by way of the recycling park. Couldn't get parked at Tesco so just went into the town centre and parked at the harbour. It was nice to get round the delicatessen before the lunchtime rush. Got a couple of presents and a few treats for us I went to the butchers and ordered our turkey and trimmings and by then I had to head off for workout session. Tough but good. Had to pick up a couple of bags of coal, as I forgot to phone and order a delivery last week, and got a new hook for my wreath. Tried Tesco again and got a space right away. Picked up the boy's Friday pizza on the way home.

After lunch I wanted to clean out the chest freezer, so the boy emptied it out for me. So much stuff I had forgotten about, so it’s good to know what’s there before Christmas

It took a lot longer than I thought, so I was glad to sit down with a cup of tea and a mince pie. Then a message from the plumber saying he would pop in to fit the new part to the toilet. No sooner had I seen it, when he pulled into the drive. Another job that took longer than expected. These new sealed toilets look very nice and tidy but they are not simple if anything goes wrong. The whole toilet had to come off the wall! Anyway, it’s fixed now.

I had a zoom AGM meeting at 7 - one I was taking minutes for, so it was a very rushed tea. I had some leftover bean chilli and pitta and the boy had a mushroom omelette.

The meeting went well and the invited speaker was really good and very inspiring. Everyone enjoyed it.

Afterwards I managed to sit and get a few rows of my hat done, but I felt absolutely drained after what felt like a frantic day. Its a busy week coming up too so i’m looking forward to the weekend. There's a craft fair on at the visitors centre tomorrow so I might pop down and have a wee browse.

Thursday 9th December 2021

Not much to say about today. Caught up with housework- kitchen cleaned, recycling sorted, laundry kept going. Made a wreath for the front door, but the hook came off and I can’t find any of the sticky strip things, so it’s sitting on the bench outside the door for now.

Did a fair bit of knitting on my hat. I am really enjoying it - the yarns held together feel so soft and the colour is beautiful I love the pattern too, although it’s miles of knitting round and round in 4 ply, it’s a really good mindless project. Or is it mindful… maybe both? I think so.

My younger daughter's dog had gone missing a couple of days ago. The gate had been left open and she wandered off. They were distraught and searched high and low for her. Happily she turned up today, hiding behind the bins in an elderly lady's back garden, not that far from their house. It had cast quite a cloud over these last few days, while she was missing, so it was a relief to hear the good news this afternoon.

Wednesday 8th December 2021

I completely forgot to blog last night. It just slipped my mind. Probably because the boy is still off with a bad cold, so I must have thought it was still the weekend.

He's not too bad, but i’ll probably keep him off the rest of the week, and he should be back to normal by then.

So yesterday was slow and quiet. I put up the other trees- small ones in the kitchen and porch, and we watched a film on Netflix. Now John Wick will always be a Christmassy film to us.

This morning, I had booked to go on what was called “Sanctuary and the Sea” - a yoga session, followed by a dip in the sea. As the boy was pretty comfortably ensconced under his duvet, I set off to the other side of the island with a clear conscience.

It was amazing. I hadn't done any yoga for about 20 years, but I remembered a lot of it. It was in a newly built studio, which was stunning.

Then we drove a few miles to a lovely sheltered bay that I hadn't been to before. There, wearing only our swimsuits, we walked calmly into the water, using the breathing techniques from the yoga. It was cold, but I honestly didn't find it too bad. I was immersed quite quickly and spent 15 glorious minutes floating in the North Atlantic. Its the kind of feeling you can conjure back up when required.

I was numb when I got out, but in a good way. There was hot chocolate, mince pies and chat afterwards.

I dropped in at the Co-op for a quick shop on the way home, and the boy was still under the duvet when I got back.

And that was it - but really - how can you top that morning?

Monday 6th December 2021

I didn't wake up until 10 o'clock on Saturday morning! By the time I had coffee and tidied round, the morning was over. I felt that I had lost the day by then, so I sat and finished my gift knitting, then made a bolognese sauce.

I got up earlier on Sunday and caught up on some Vlogmas videos on youtube, with my coffee. I love these wee snippets into other lives. They're all much the same scenes - coffee, opening yarn advents, some daily activity or walk. Lots of dogs and cats, pretty shops and hot chocolate. Nice ordinary women leading ordinary lives, but it looks so beautiful when it’s edited and set to music. It’s one of my favourite things about December.

The boy had been fighting a cold for a day or two and when he woke on Sunday, it had begun to take hold, so he mostly lay on the sofa and watched his UFC fights. He was off school today and likely will be tomorrow.

I cast on a new hat. The pattern is Musselburgh and I’m using a hand dyed sock yarn held double with a strand of mohair. I’m really excited about the pattern. It’s cast on from the top and you knit away until you have a tube, then decrease until it becomes a closed tube. You then fold one end inside the other to make a hat. It sounds very confusing but it does work. As the boy was home, there was no need to go into town, so I just got a load of house cleaning done and made some chicken stock. I had arranged to go for an early morning dip with a friend, but the weather was too windy, so that was that. I was half pleased, half disappointed.

And Christmas has been appearing in the house over the weekend. The tree in the living room is already up - much to its surprise, I’m sure. It's usually the very last item to be finished. I’ll just potter around putting the others up over the next few days.

Friday 3rd December 2021

I had a super busy day today, helping out at a wedding down at the community hall. I am one of the Smart Cookies - the team which does the catering for the events. It’s quite an operation, as I have mentioned before, but a real community enterprise. The boy is part of the dishwasher team. The bride from two weeks ago was one of the servers today, and some of our usual volunteers were guests at this one. Reciprocity in action.

Most of my day was taken up with the wedding, and we got home exhausted at 9.30 pm. It’s really hard work, but its great to see everyone and we have a good laugh.

I did have a wee hour to myself before work started so I sat and watched some Vlogmas videos and knitted. That’s going to be my morning routine during December.

Nothing really planned for the weekend. More Christmas will appear, no doubt. I have some gifts to parcel up ready to send, and my cards to write - not that there's many nowadays.

Picture is the hall all set up for the wedding meal, before the party arrived. It was perfect for December, and the bride was stunning.

Thursday 2nd December 2021

I didn't sleep well at all last might, despite feeling really tired. It was one of those nights where I felt I saw every hour but when the alarm went off I was fast asleep.

Despite that I did feel OK- energy levels were fine. I had a few plans for the day- going into town for some Christmas shopping and my workout in the afternoon, and in the morning make, make the Dundee cake - the fruit for which had been soaking in a puddle of 12 yr old malt whisky overnight. But the boy felt a bit under the weather when he got up. Nothing specific and he didn’t want to be off school. His class were spending the day making films for a Gaelic competition, and he was looking forward to it. He went off on the bus, but I was concerned I might get a call from the school nurse to pick him up at some point, so I decided against doing the cake. I just tidied up and did some laundry folding while watching a few Vlogmas videos.

In the end, he felt better and the rest of the day played out as planned. I went into town and did my things, picked the boy up after his gym session and we got pizza on the way home. I didn't get one this week. I had some chicken and pak choi stir fry instead. I did get a Black Forest hot chocolate at the pizza place though - delicious.

Noticing more and more houses with Christmas trees up and lights outside as we drove home.

I made the Dundee cake this evening. Really pleased with it. The recipe is on the BBC Good Food website.