February suits me better

Now that January is over I feel much happier.  Sunday morning bright sun was streaming into the kitchen and the nights are getting lighter.  Several other things have lifted my spirits lately.

Most importantly I discovered last week a box of 6 mince pies in the cupboard.  I thought we’d finished the many half price ones MrFF bought after Christmas.  Of course I take no notice of use by dates so this is special.

I am immersed in literature.  Last year I read Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall then Bring up the Bodies, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed once I became familiar with the many characters.   I wanted to read the third and final book, The Mirror and the Light, which in the paperback edition I borrowed from the library 3 weeks ago has 875 pages of small print.  I managed to get maybe a third of the way through before fortunately being able to renew for another 21 days.  I have to admit it’s hard going, I commit to reading for an hour or two in the afternoon then more when I go to bed, on both occasions I usually fall asleep. The Cromwell trilogy is such a wonderful work of literature recognised by 2 Man Booker prizes, I’ll feel like a winner myself when I finish, at present I am almost half way. However I had notification that a book I reserved a while back is ready for collection.  I have about 10 days to collect it then 21 to read it, I doubt I shall be able to renew it.  The pressure continues.

We were at a family Sunday lunch last week to celebrate my brother’s 75th birthday.  My lovely grand nieces were there and, I assume after the success of baby Jonas’s blanket and hat, I had a request from Isla to knit red wellingtons for her Paddington Bear.  I explained they would not be water proof which was accepted, in fact I knitted a pair of long red baby socks and posted them off to York.  I am now knitting from stock fingerless gloves for a friend who I noticed had holes in those he was wearing.

And my final lift was finding bargains in a charity shop half price sale.  I’ve been looking for some smart black trousers for ages and found them last week, not the greatest fabric but with a little stretch they are flattering yet comfy.  On a roll I also found a FatFace cotton tunic top with pockets.  Total cost of outfit £7.25, the socks are models own.  

The photo was taken in front of the new full length mirror, my friend says it makes me look fat and I should return it.  For clarity the trousers are size 10 the top 8.