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.