I think I’ve made my peace with January. So often listed as a person’s least favourite month. It gets a hard press. Difficult to follow a glitzy and rocking month like December. January is filled with life changing motivations, that can feel like a stick rather than a carrot. The weather, for us at least, is either cold or cold/wet. Short days. Mud season.
Saying all that, I think I’m learning to appreciate January. Not my usual hide and hope it goes away.
This week, we headed out to a long barrow in Wiltshire. Blowing cobwebs away with a remarkable cold wind. Reminding ourselves how much a family walk, followed by a picnic huddled in the steadily steaming up but warm car, is worth all the effort. Plus it didn’t rain.
I’ll be honest. Days are one thing. Nights are another. Usually I avoid evenings out in January, if I can help it. It means a drive along dark, twisty, narrow lanes. We live in an area, as one friend so eloquently put it, where there are more trees than streetlights. My sister used to say that she knew she was getting close to the house as the trees and hedges began to close in on you as you drove.
This January, has been different. Every week, I have had some kind of evening meeting at school. I’ve had to go. Inevitably, I run into friends, which has been so good. All went well until this week. As I headed out one evening for a parents’ evening, my car wouldn’t move and then it went clunk. An ominous sound.
Turns out fate was on my side, although it did throw a spanner in the works for parent’s evening, which I’m still trying to sort out. Never have I been so grateful that I didn’t do my usual reverse into the spot on our drive. If I had, I’d have driven out and may have built up some speed just as the suspension coil punctured my front wheel. Goodness only knows where I would have landed. It’s going to be a big bill, but no one is hurt.
On a more cheerier note, eldest teen has been babysitting for the first time, this week. She’s been twice and has taken it on with confidence. Two lovely boys, with the added bonus of the family pets to fuss. She tells me she did get her homework done as well.
Monday’s lunar eclipse was cloud covered, but we did get a small glimpse of it just as it started. A hole in the billowing clouds, lit up by the reflected beams. That in itself was beautiful.
What else? As you might have guessed from the photos, I’ve been sewing. I’ve been busy cutting out and sewing a Cleo pinafore dress for eldest teen. Grabbing small pockets of time in the evenings. She’s really looking forward to me finishing it, which always warms my heart. I’m using fabric from my stash. That is as near as I get to a win, this week, for cutting down on waste and decluttering. All small steps help.
I also have a sewing project with middle teen this weekend, so I’ve been organizing the bits and pieces we need to get started. Youngest has already bagsied any leftovers of the fabric as the print is a fun one. He’d like to do some sewing too. Hopefully next week I’ll be including photos of the finished pieces.
So that is my week. Stops and starts. The snowdrops are appearing in our garden and that is always a welcome sign. Even the sparrows have been picking spots in our roof as they start to pair up. Spring is on it’s way. This year I’m not wishing January away. Interesting, and slightly unusual, walks have really helped.
Joining in with Anne’s word of the week linky. After much mulling, I’m going for splutter as it has been a week of stops and starts.
Raisie Bay – Word of the Week
oh dear, it’s never good when the car breaks down, but as you say, at least no-one was hurt. The sewing project sounds great, I can’t wait to see the end result. It’s always nice when you have someone eagerly awaiting it. Thanks for linking up to #wotw xx
Projects are almost ready.
Oooh the car sounds expensive but no one was hurt, cars can be mended. I can just about sew a button back on so I envy (nicely) anyone who can do it properly 🙂
Cars. What can I say?
Loving the old sewing machine… Mum used to have an old Singer, I’ll have to see if she’s still got it.
Cars… Mine needs a couple of new front tires, oh and to be taxed again too. It’s all money with cars!
My Singer has been passed down the generations. They last forever, if looked after. Hope you still have yours.
Boo to the car breaking down! Always an unwelcome event isn’t it?!
I was really pleased to see our snowdrops poking through, I am really looking forward to Spring, although January has been quite a pleasant month.
Looking forward to seeing your sewing projects complete. 🙂
Thanks for sharing with #MMBC. x
Spotted snowdrops this week in our garden. Lovely to see.
It sounds amazing where you live, the lack of streetlights must mean you all get a better nights sleep I know I would. Sorry to hear about the car, these things always seem to happen in the Winter don’t they. I’ve not been a fan of January this year but I’m enjoying spotting the first signs of Spring appearing. x #wotw
Always strange when we stay anywhere with lights or next to a busy road. The car is back. Suspect a pothole was the problem, which the winter weather does not help. Grr! Nice to see so many signs of spring round us too.
I don’t like January. I suffer with SAD and this is my worst time of the year. But I do try and get out as mush as possible. Yesterday we went for a nice family walk and a bit of geocaching #MMBC
I can imagine January is quite hard. I’ve heard that time outside helps. Not always so welcoming when the weather is less than good. Geocaching does sound fun.
Sorry about your car – hope it’s fixed now. Your sewing machine has beautiful details on it. Looking forward to seeing your projects soon. Have a lovely week! #MMBC
I love the detail on the Singer machine. Pure decoration.
Do you know, I think January this year has actually passed in the blink of an eye for a change. I am sorry about your car woes, hopefully the repairs won’t be too eye watering. I’m excited to see your Cleo, how do find TATB sizing? #mmbc
For me, I think the children going back a week after the start of the new year seems to have made January feel shorter. I have to say, I like it! Car is back, thank goodness. Made the Cleo pinafore twice now and two different sizes. I think the sizing is just right, but then again, the Cleo is a loose fit so maybe not best one to judge with.
Splutter is a good word to describe a week of stops and starts. I love your vintage sewing machine and that fabric is so pretty. Glad that no-one was hurt when your car went clunk and hope that it is fixed soon. Getting out for a walk always makes me feel better – I’ve tried to get out most days this month but January has still felt like a very long month. Looking forward to seeing photos of your finished projects. #WotW
Getting out at this time of year is even more important as it’s more challenging. Missed my car, but it is back now.