I do like winter. I like cosy nights in, being warmed by a fire, scarves, Christmas, hot soups, and mug after mug of hot chocolate, but I'm glad it's come to an end. I'm ready for spring!

My winter to-do list wasn't  a long one.

Read three books - Done

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. I have to be honest and say I didn't like it. I found it so  hard to follow. I couldn't get into the rhythm of it and so I stopped reading about a third of the way in. Perhaps it's because I read it at night when I was tired? I just couldn't wrap my brain around it.

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.
Enjoyed this a lot. I loved the TV series and enjoyed the book even more. And the best bit? I have 4 others on my to-be-read shelf. There is a central story running through the book but most chapters are a mini story in themselves, which makes for a very easy read. The book has a chatty friendly style, with the main character being instantly likable.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed.
Really enjoyed this one, reading it in less than a week. I haven't been as captivated by a book like this for a long time. This is Cheryl's true story of how her life went off track when her Mum died suddenly. At her lowest point she was compelled to walk 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest trail alone - an epic journey, and one that I was very intrigued by.

I read the book at every opportunity, it made me want to dig out my walking boots, go camping and spend time away from everything.

I was scared for her, I willed her on, was elated by her triumphs, and strangely felt a sense of pride when she completed both her physical and emotional journey. This is staying on my bookshelf to be read again.


Progress my patchwork quilt - Done with bells on!

At the start of the year I had 241 hexi flowers sewn together. I now have 378 and the patchwork portion of the quilt is finished!! That's 2,646 individual hexagons sewn together.

One of my tasks for spring is to back it and edge it - in other words make it into and actual quilt. And I have to admit I'm a little daunted by the prospect.

Make home improvements - Not at all done, not even a little bit.

I'm disappointed in my progress here, I'm not going to go into all the things I haven't done. I seem to be stuck in the planning stages of so many little projects. I'm hoping the arrival of spring will spur me on. I'm hoping spring will see a flurry of DIY activity!

Make dumplings - Done

I made a vegetable broth with bacon dumplings which where so nice! Although I wanted less of the veg and a lot more of the dumplings, so I think it would be a mistake to make this too often. Why is it that all the really yummy foods are bad for you?


Make Jaffa Cakes - Done

Finally! These have been on my to-do list since last spring. They were delicious and not a bad match for the real thing. The recipe was pretty easy really, much easier than I thought it would be. I did learn that you can't have the chocolate too hot as it'll melt the jelly when you put it on top (oops), and if you try this recipe make the jelly first so it can be setting whilst the sponge cooks and then cools.

What were your favourite winter activities? Tell me your favourite spring pastimes...?