New for 2023 ...

Hi there everyone 😀

There seems to be quite a lot of ‘new’ stuff happening over here at the moment … which actually feels just a little bit invigorating. I’m not talking mass scale change or exciting huge goals … I’m just talking tiny increments really … but each has given reason to smile or feel just a little bit of an achievement.

I guess the most unexpected is that Martin and I have actually been swimming once a week since the New Year … something that neither of us would have ever imagined us doing.

Our first swim was whilst we were at the lodge in North Wales … not in the outdoor pool I hasten to add. We actually tried out the pool at the leisure centre in Pwllheli and, whilst Martin did need more than a little encouragement, we were both surprised to find that we did actually quite enjoy it.

The pool was lovely and quiet and I found swimming up and down strangely relaxing. We couldn’t coax mum into the pool though she did say she regretted not coming in afterwards …

Once back home I did some research to try and find somewhere nicer than our most local leisure centre, which held nothing but bad memories of grotty changing rooms for me ... and we decided to try out an over 50s swimming session at the pool in Atherstone.

It did actually end up being quite busy with everyone getting back into it after the Christmas break but other than that it was great. This week we have been back to Atherstone to a general swim session early afternoon and it was just the job. We’ve booked again already for next week ...

At home I seem have revived my enthusiasm for houseplants and have decided to say good bye to a few sad looking specimens that have been struggling for years. These have been replaced with some new varieties which we are currently trying to get settled in … which has not been easy in our cold and draughty abode.

It’s very early days for the calathea which is looking good so far. It’s fascinating to watch its leaves all heading upwards at the end of the day, into its 'prayer plant' position, and to see them all spread outwards again during the day …

This is a syngonium arrow and seems to be quite happy in the first spot we placed it …

The same can’t be said of this delicate looking fern … I’m not sure of the variety … I have now moved it three times and am hoping it will finally settle. The ends of the leaves keep going all dry and brittle. I am not sure why but think it’s either a lack of humidity or it’s been in a spot that has been too cold. It is now on the kitchen windowsill and I am hoping for the best …

Also at home we have had a new addition to the kitchen. I’ve literally inherited an Instant Pot and we are currently building up to having a good play with it.

We’ve managed to find a home for it and so far we’ve used the air fryer function for crisping up jacket Potatoes and cooking oven chips. We are very much looking forward to seeing how we get on with the pressure cooking function as this should really save us in energy usage, as well as not totally trashing the kitchen when cooking in the hob …

Tonight it's a 'new' thing for us for dinner ... we are having gnocchi for the first time. Something we’ve been meaning to try for ages. I’m afraid we didn’t make our own… though the process doesn’t actually sound that difficult. We will see how it goes …

We are using this recipe for a creamy ham and mushroom gnocchi bake, with home cooked ham from the freezer.

These next new bits were really due to be done in December but got postponed. It does make me feel quite good though to have ticked something off the job list this early in the year … even though really they have been done late …

We had our annual gas fire and boiler service completed and, after years of saying that the coals on the fire were really shabby and not burning brilliantly, Martin had ordered a new set for about £30 and it now looks like new …

Whilst the plumber was here we also had a new tap fitted in the kitchen, which was long overdue as the old one was all corroded and leaking from all joints …

This next one wasn’t really new this year as I had my new coat for my birthday in November … though it didn’t have its first outing until January. Whilst it’s not quite as warm as my old one I do love it and it certainly stands out in photos …

Martin had a grow your own mushroom kit for Christmas and we currently have a good crop nearly ready for harvesting, which we are really looking forward to … though having watched the first of the new Sky series ... The Last of us ... I’m not too sure how I feel about anything fungi at the moment. I can't quite believe how quickly they grow though …

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

And last but not least … today was the first wear for my new socks I had for Christmas … I just love new socks and these are soooooo pretty 🌼🌼🌼

I think that's all for now. It feels like we've actually achieved quite a lot so far this year, even though they are only small things, considering it's not yet the end of January. Perhaps this is going to be the year we get all those 'things' that have been waiting for ages done ... we shall see 😀

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