Going round in circles.

The last couple of evenings have been spent pleasantly occupied with consuming the last of the Christmas chocolates, ignoring the housework...

...and getting down to some crochet.

My cushion cover is now 16" in diameter. I originally planned to finish at this point but I've decided it could do with being an inch or so larger - an excuse for another couple of rounds tonight.

Also tonight I'm planning to make this cake...

... which is from River Cottage Everyday, one of the books I received for Christmas. It's a gorgeous book and I've already made Hugh's sausage stew (better than the one I normally make) and Artichoke & Nettle Gratin (except I used potatoes and spinach - still delicious). When first reading this book I developed a rather odd desire to move in with Hugh (breakfast at his house sounds fantastic) but this slightly worrying feeling has now passed!

My other Christmas books lingering around the sofa include Red Velvet & Chocolate Heartache which is supposed to be a way of making healthy cakes by using vegetables in many of the recipes. It's a nicer looking book than I expected - plenty of ideas for photographing cakes in your garden, but I'll reserve judgement on the recipes till I've actually made something from it. Lastly there's a Grow & Eat Your Own Veg effort from Delia & Gay Search - I've not looked much at this one at all yet, a pleasure for later.

Weatherwise we're now having a little bit of a thaw. Normally I'd be sad to see the snow go but it has been bitterly cold since Christmas and the warmer air (ie just above freezing!) is very welcome. Yesterday while nipping out to the Co-op and dragging A & N out for some fresh air I took a couple more photos of the village while it was still looking pretty with what snow was left.

Looking South from the railway bridge.

Looking North.

I started this post when I put N down for his afternoon nap which he declined to take. It's now evening and I'm wondering whether I really can be bothered to make the cake, the kitchen is such a tip - N likes to empty the cupboards and I've made a right mess while making tea, anyway, here he is...

...I do wonder what I'd do without bananas - he really is a Hungry Horace and a banana snack has saved us many a time!