Looking Forward and Back

Another year has spun past and tomorrow the next opens up, all clean and new. 2011 has been full of great things, a few tricksy problems yes but nothing we couldn't cope with in the end and it's when you look back you can see best what a lot of blessings you had to count isn't it.

I've enjoyed so many things this past year, many are familiar and comforting but there were some new experiences and the joy of watching our little chaps grow bigger (a lot bigger!) and their lives and what they're interested in change and shift. So I thought I might make a list, well two actually because I can't resist a list. One looking back at some of the best things of 2011 and another looking into the year ahead and to get all excited about.

2011 highlights:

Growing in the garden - I grew much more from seed this year and it added another dimension to our little plot. Even though the summer was dreary the garden seemed full to the brim of colour.

A Cornish swim - On the last day of our holiday the sun shone all day and the north coast in the first days of September was utter paradise. While the boys demolished some ice creams I pinched one of their little body boards and had the best fun for half an hour making a prat out of myself in the waves. I handed it back then and spent ages swimming up and down watching the surfers and people enjoying a perfect summer's day back on the beach. I can still feel the water and hear the gulls and my boys laughing in the surf.

Kitchen tales - from somewhere I've learnt this year just to have a bash in the kitchen and see how it turns out and not worry so much. We've had new flavours, been a bit more adventurous and now I can't imagine how I cooked before. For the first time in years I've felt happy to have friends over for something simple to eat and a chance to catch up.

Vintage shop - I never thought I'd get around to it but I did this year and Curlew Vintage has been fantastic. Thank you everyone who's bought something, I really appreciate at it and you should hear the shouts of excitement from my house when a sale comes through!

Baving - a daft Woody phrase but I have completely got into holidaying in our little van. Tootling off to pastures new and setting up on a cheery site for a bit of exploring, cosy evenings under our blankets and tea in a tin mug adventures was fantastic.

That Wedding - oh it was such a great day. The party in my sister's street was just the business. Everything they'd hoped it to be, we had such a great time. There've been street barbeques, firework parties and all sorts since and plans for the Jubilee are coming along nicely. Ace.

For 2012:

• The Plimps - I've got no idea why this is Woody's names for the Olympic Games but we can't wait to get down the Smoke for the cycling road race. Like everyone else we got zero tickets so this is our best chance to see it up close (and our favourite sport too) but we'll be following everything from the water polo to the shot put at home too.

• Patio Produce - we're saying goodbye to the allotment now I'll be working full time but now we know what we love to grow I've been planning how to make the best use out of the space outside the kitchen door for beans, peas, salads, soft fruits, courgettes and lots more.

• Eggs, eggs, eggs - our girls are very at home in the garden these days and bless them they've kept laying all winter so far and don't seem to mind being out in the rain or even snow. Very tough our girls. Easter with our own eggs will be great.

• New family - best 'til last though...saving up all my good luck for my sister and her family who'll be welcoming a new little one at the end of next month. An auntie x2 - how great is that!

Happy, happy New Year. Hope it brings lots of lovely memories for you. Xxx