w i n t e r y

A bracing Wintery afternoon for a family walk in Tredegar House was lovely today.

c a r d i g a n

One of this year's presents for my lovely niece. We wanted something the colour of a Ribena milkshake, so this yarn was perfect. And I loved these wooden buttons.

n e w l e n s

I was generously given a new lens for the camera that zooms. Still getting used to it, but it's allowed some nice close ups of the doglet on her walk. And finally, as she waits patiently for contraband (still supposed to be dieting).

c u t o u t s

Muji made us happy this year by including a French Bulldog in this cookie cutter set. It's brought much soothing pleasure, cutting into clay and into gingerbread. Merry Christmas from doglet!

w a s s a i l

For this year's festive season I wanted our front room to feel woodland-y and full of creatures and wassailers. I was going to paint some choir singers, but then realised that for our house it would be more appropriate to have singers ringing in the season of cider and mulling... I bought some wooden doll figures and painted them in a way that felt, to me anyway, a bit 18th/19th century. They're sitting on the mantlepiece amongst little lights, pine cones, leaves and stars, and butting up to mr minotaur, who is covered in twinkly-ness.

d i e t

Just as we are getting into the full swing of cooking season, and she's looking forward to her brandied Christmas cake, the vet has said that our poor (portly?) little doglet needs to go on a diet. Not convinced.

d a w n s

The sun has been rising at about 8.30am, but it takes its time. These are at 9am-ish a couple of weeks apart in November and December.

h o l i d a y s

Holiday season began last weekend with Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. Great turkey and a twinkly room, sloe gin brambles and a snow shaker dreidel. Next week moves on to Christmas and putting up the decorations on Tuesday. Finishing off some bits and pieces for that today. This week: one of the worst on record for work. So, very happy it's the weekend.