This And That

It is almost the end of January and I don't know where the time has gone, but I must admit to being quietly pleased to see the end of this month.  We have had some of the coldest days of winter so far, with the mercury dropping to the minus 20 range and a wind chill of minus 30 for the past few days.  On days like this, I have no desire to head out of the door in the morning and my car sounds like it isn't going to make it as we head down the road.  I can't say that I blame it: I wouldn't want to go either if I spent all night out in the cold!

On the occasions when I have ventured outdoors for reasons other than going to work, I've been bundled up like I'm going to the Arctic.  I've tried to avoid spending more than a few minutes outside. 

Cabin Fever can start to set in after a while and I long for the milder days of spring, so that I can get outside and breathe fresh air again.

At least the issues with Blogger seem to have resolved for now.  One of the reasons that I haven't posted for a while was my frustration with attempts to post photographs.  I will be trying to post more frequently and hopefully catching up with you all soon.

Everything Feels Better With Chocolate

 

One of my favourite seasonal recipes is the Yule Log from Nigella Christmas.  This book is a visual delight and there is little more pleasant than sitting down with a cup of tea and planning seasonal meals whilst browsing its pages. 

 

I know that Christmas is over now, but I find it difficult to hide this book away, so it sits on the bookshelf in my kitchen, where it is easily accessible and today I am going to try another recipe, Fully Loaded Potato Skins, which I thought would make a tasty winter lunch.

 

Incidentally, the Yule Log was delicious, as always and I thought that it looked sweet with its dusting of icing sugar snow and the deer.

Welcome to 2013

I've been slow in posting this New Year, but better late than never.  The year arrived with a period of extreme cold weather ~ we seem to be in a deep freeze, with temperatures down in minus 17 C and wind chills as cold as minus 25 C.  With those kinds of temperatures, the motivation to do anything seems to have gone and I could quite happily hibernate until the spring.

Oh well, life goes on.  I wish all of my readers and followers a Happy New Year and all best wishes for 2013.  Maybe some of you will come out of the shadows and leave a comment this year.  I know you are out there! 

Apologies for the lack of photographs, but there is an issue with Blogger again and I cannot attach any pictures to my posts at present.