Jan 8th - My Time-Turner!

A Christmas present from my son, this "Time-Turner" (one of the many wonderful creations from the Harry Potter series of books) now hangs on the side of my computer screen ... it is there to remind me both that I cannot turn back the clock, to re-live times gone by, and that I will not be able to recapture any time I waste now!

There are words inscribed around the edges: "I mark the hours one by one, nor have I yet outrun the sun; my use and value unto you are gauged by what you have to do."

Jan 7th - Before & After Part 2 - Lounge/Diner

Another room rescued from the neglect of the festive season! This was our lounge/diner this morning:

... and this is our lounge/diner this evening:

Much better!

Jan 6th - First Brunch of the Year

We do like an occasional brunch on a Sunday morning, after a lie-in ... and today was our first one of the year. The great "English Breakfast" ... sets you up for the day, so you need nothing more than a light meal around 5.00 or 6.00pm. Lovely jubbly!

Jan 5th - Peace Lily Flower Coming!

It's past midnight and I nearly forgot to post a photo ... so, in desperation, I took a (very poor) shot of my peace lily. Having had this plant - unflowering - for almost five years (it was my late mother's and used to flower beautifully for her) it finally has a flower emerging ... hurrah!

Jan 4th - New Calendar

Birthdays duly entered onto this year's calendar and up on the wall ... hope I don't miss any, this year!

These lovely calendars (loads of different designs) have nice big squares for each date, for notes and appointments, etc, as well as birthday reminders ... and are only 99p from our lovely local card shop!

Jan 3rd - Before & After Part 1 - The Den

What a difference a day made! 

2013 is going to be a year of serious decluttering and organising of our house and garden, so this is the first in an occasional series of before & after photos. Today we tackled the glory hole that was our much-neglected and dumped-upon Den (part utility, part Warren's office, part drinking/smoking/belly dancing room!).

This was the before ... not a pretty sight, is it!

... and this is the after. Charming and welcoming, I think you'll agree! ;)

Jan 2nd - First Fast of the Year

Today, I shall mostly be eating this! Having started on an "intermittent fasting" regime before Christmas, I lost 13lb and felt very, very well on it! I stopped for a couple of weeks or so over the festive period (and ate and drank with gay abandon!) and put 5lb back on ... this didn't bother me at all, as I had half-expected to put back even more!

The 5:2 diet ("fasting" for two days a week, eating whatever I want the rest of the time) suits me very well, so I am quite happy to be back to it today. Many people are finding this a good way to lose weight, but the other health benefits of intermittent fasting (giving the body a day off from eating, so that it goes into "healing mode") are equally important to me.

For more information, try Kate Harrison's excellent book The 5:2 Diet (Paperback £6.99/Kindle Download £1.09) or join her Facebook group where you will find many others enjoying this way of eating and get lots of support and useful tips.