Phew- 2013 was busy!

I was planning a quieter year but then took on writing another book and managed from nowhere to move house (the thought of which had filled me with terror for years- all that packing to do!).

Looking back at all my blog posts for 2013 I can see that some things never change- I still once or twice a year go through my 'let's try knitting phase' and my crochet bedspread is still unfinished but lots of new things also came into my life. Somehow I managed to fit in beading over 70 things (yikes) and I think I did more beading in 2013 than I have in years and I really enjoyed it. I also got to travel to new places and meet or reconnect with people who had a huge impact on my life. Their friendship, openness and reassurance helped me in so many ways and my life has been greatly improved by that.

I have lots of exciting plans for 2014, both bead and non-bead related, so am excited to get started.

Tonight we had a quiet night in with one of my sisters and one of my nieces. My sister made this delicious Yotam Ottolenghi salad accompanied by perfectly cooked steaks and afterwards we enjoyed my Brown Bread ice-cream which turned out to be delicious (if you fancy having a go I have added the recipe).

P.S. Just for fun here's a competition: over Christmas I bought myself an unusual kitchen tool and last night my sister used one. Both are pictured in the second photo. The first person to contact me and correctly guess what both are will win a beady prize!