A New Year Begins

Hello Lovelies,

2014...that's got a nice ring to it. I like even numbers and the whole "13" thing didn't sit too well...silly I know, but that's how I feel.

The Christmas decorations are now back in the loft and it's nice to enjoy a bit more space in our little home.

These lovely flowers were a present from my Mum on Christmas eve...........

As was this picture she painted especially for me ( it was an amazing coincidence that I got a Christmas card of the same view a couple of days earlier...which I shared at the end of this post). 

I love both versions and this one will be staying on display all year round.

One of the nicest things about starting a new year is being able to start a new calendar/calendars. 

I bought this one from the Lifeboat museum in Cromer back in August  and I've been looking forward to finally being able to use it.........

it features coastal watercolour paintings by a favourite artist of mine, Emma Ball. You can still purchase it HERE

Another lovely calendar I've been enjoying this week  is the delightful Katie Daisy calendar I won in Heathers give-away..........

 This one is now unavailable, but there's lots more of her beautiful work to see HERE

My next calendar is a photographic one. I've been inspired by Louise at Ramblings of a Roachling. Last year she visited twelve places depicted in a calendar of her local area, the beautiful Peak District  National Park ( THIS post is my favourite, but they are all interesting.

Well, I love where I live, but I'm not good at exploring new corners. This seemed like great way to discover a bit more about places that are easy to visit for a few hours without hours spent in the car.

I  love this photo.

I'm really looking forward to twelve days spent visiting somewhere new this year. Some of the places depicted will be great family outings ( I'm imagining warm sunshine and picnics on colourful crochet blankets) , others will suit just Mum  and I .
 I'm not going to try and visit each place on it's depicted month. For a start this Castle isn't open again till April , I'll just try and tick them all off by the end of the year. And , of course I'll take pictures to share with you lovelies. THIS is the calendar I bought.

This year I'm also keeping up with my local walks. Just a mile or so is enough to fill my lungs with fresh air and clear my head. When the sun shines I head out along my favourite footpaths which are looking properly wintry now..........



The highland cattle seem very glad of the additional fodder..........



And sunlight streams through bare tree branches.........

 On dull days , when it's windy and threatening rain I stick to local pavements, it's nice to see a bit of colour occasionally and I think this shows we haven't had much really cold weather yet........

It's chilly but not bitterly cold and I'm enjoying wearing a skirt with thick tights ( especially as my jeans are a bit tight at the moment ) It's not a fashionable ensemble, my comfy shoes probably look a bit odd but I'm not worried........

I'm not into making resolutions but  I'm trying to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. I was happy to see these British Braeburn apples in the shops.........

Buying British also makes me happy.

Today the day is dark and wet but the first bunch of happy Daffodils are cheering up my kitchen windowsill .........

I usually buy the little pots of tete-a-tete Morrisons sell at this time of year but last year they were a bit disappointing so I went for a small bunch of Daffodils instead and they are wonderful, delicate and a gorgeous mixture of shades......

With flowers in the kitchen and a warm fire in the hearth in feeling happy on this dark winter day......

Ha, just spotted a Christmas card I didn't take down yesterday, can you see it?

This has turned into a rather long post hasn't it. It does seem odd not writing a ♥Happy♥ post but I expect I'll get used to it soon.

I hope the weather is not being too extreme where you are and I hope you have escaped the dreadful floods if you are in the U.K.

Jacquie x

p.s. the card is on top of the painting reflected in the mirror :0)