Who stole January?

Come on, who's got it. Where did it go? How on earth can it be the end of January so soon. Are you enjoying the lighter nights and the tips of the bulbs that are peeking up around the borders/in the park? Did you have a lovely festive period and coming to grips with writing 2014? Is it cold with you, or wet and squally like it is here. Are you wrapped up, cosy, warm, plenty to scoff and keeping busy? I've been busy and chopping logs, lets be honest, I'm not bonnie but safety first and all that. And, we've had to keep warm after all.

And, finally hello and how are you all?

It's only through writing and looking back that you realise the patterns that your own life wanders into. I've a confession to make. I'm an 'outdoor-a-holic'. Those who know me, probably have to come to terms with the squally walks and relentless tramps through wet and wind when around me. And, some may realise how much the general bounce in my life reduces when the nights are long, dark and the weather so squally it a baits even the more active of us and resolutely resigns us indoors, in a funk of grump I wander about groaning and generally being a pain in the derrier. I am pretty sure I have some kind of 'seasonal affection disorder'. I know its 'seasonal affected disorder' some kind of light deficiency, but lets face fact, affection is just more, fun. I need so much to smile when the winters at its depth of darkness. For me this normally subsides into the end of January, when the nights are noticeably longer, the mornings brighter and whilst the weather is bad, we are heartened by the signs of spring moving slowly towards us. Its a promise.

So its with an apology, I revisit the lands of blogging. I didn't forget you all. I did not slope off to the new life with the rock god husband polishing his guitars. I'm still here and getting out of my hibernation grump. So I promise to be around a bit more often, with a smile and some exciting plans for moving back to Fife, decluttering, cooking, living on a budget and so much more. 2014 is a big year for us all, I hope its good for you too.

I wish you only good things in 2014, including light and love and words. I've been cooking and trying my hand at some new stuff like Chinese food from leftovers, flat breads, oat cakes, bannocks and recycling haggis! All good!