Photo diary, week 5 (project 365)

Where did January go? It feels like we've just been back from Italy, and now we're already moving to February. What did we do in the last week of the first month of the year?
January 25 was Burns Night, and to celebrate the event, albeit on a very modest scale, I baked a marmalade cake with Scottish whisky, and cooked a batch of haggis sausage rolls. Both bakes were delicious.

Haggis sausage rolls

26.01 This ornamental cabbage (not sure of its proper name) outside one of the houses on the way to Eddie's school has been thriving in the cold. I love this splash of colour in the otherwise dull front garden.

27.01 I was delighted to find the first snowdrops in our garden, they are my favourite spring flowers.

28.01 On Wednesday I started doing a bit of spring-cleaning, and took out some of the cups and saucers from the shelves to give them a good wash. They are all mismatched, i.e. I don't have two of the same pattern or design. Some of them I bought in the vintage shops and on ebay, some I received as gifts. I believe tea always tastes nicer in a pretty delicate cup.

29.01
Popping into the local Waterstone's, I have noticed a competition poster. Children were invited to submit their drawings for Mother's day. We had just one day left to enter. Once Eddie came home, I asked him to do my portrait. He was happy to oblige. This is me, holding a cup of tea and two balloons. And what a beautiful smile, isn't it?!

30.01
I love soups, and the winter pho with carrots, leeks, mushrooms, ginger, tamarind, chilli and a whole lime was zingy and singing with zesty flavours. Wonderful on a cold day.

Winter pho

31.01.
The snow has covered the ground and hedges overnight, but it was spread rather sparingly. By the time we got out into town, the snow has melted, much to Eddie's disappointment. We visited the library, where Eddie picked a couple of books. His reading skills are improving.