New year, same stuff

Winter is here, cold and crisp, no snow and for a few days no rain, so it's hot chocolate time, we always have Butlers hot chocolate, which come as solid blocks of chocolate which you melt in the milk, rich and creamy. 

I did manage to read one more book last year, my 83rd book, and it was another brilliant read, simple plot, which twisted in the telling, I will add this author to my list to look out for. 

Hubby and I were so ill on boxing day, we ordered a test, we both hoped it was just a flu, but both became unwell quickly which included cough, no taste and smell, we know of loads of locals who have the virus, we are now both feeling better, but as yet have not been out anywhere, results expected in a couple of days. I am expecting a negative, but who knows these strange days. 

Both amaryllis are growing tall, neither was quick to bud, the cheaper bulb had leaves first, which normally means no blooms, the expensive bulb is much shorter. So flowers inside in January. 

 

Christmas to New Year was lost to us, not well enough to do anything, we had everything we needed, we ate very simple, it's hard to makes meals when you are unwell and can't taste anything. We were so tired all the time, we did not plan to stay up on new year's eve, but an interesting music show on channel 5, and then the taped Graham Norton show followed, so we were still up at 11.50pm and watched BBC2 for 15 minutes, so the new year came with a fizzle rather than a wizz and a bang. 

I have since managed a walk around our garden, it's still looking good, the side flowerbed is a bit bare, we both agreed we need a couple of shrubs to give winter colour and structure, I could do with an hour outside to tidy, but that won't happen this week. We are having heavy Frost most nights, I do go out and crack the ice on the birds water, and top up the rain chain which they love. 

I am starting to pack the dec's away, its going to be a mammoth job as hubby can't help with getting full boxes back into the attic, luckily the attic door is in our bedroom wall, I have packed all the silk flowers and hand made cushions away, I hope to do a box a day and then the tree, which is the biggest, I have 6 boxes in all. In previous years I have everything packed away by 31st of December, this year with low energy levels, things are later. The outside lights we will turn off, and leave until February, when hubby is more mobile. 

My tabletop computer power failed, I should get it back tomorrow, so just a few days in this new year and another expensive repair. 

Thank you for your comments on my previous post, so many bloggers have health issues and are waiting for treatment, these are horrible times, we have to wait for results and support our family member, the waiting is the worse part.