Happy New Year readers.

I’m fairly sure, with the country all in some form of lockdown (North Yorkshire moved into Tier 3 on New Years Eve), that gentle domesticity is what many of us have enjoyed over the past few days. I’m quite at peace with that now, after months of working from home, drifting in and out of lockdowns and constantly waiting in anticipation for the time when we’re all vaccinated and can go about life again, I’m settled with the fact that these are the days to enjoy quiet time in the comfort of our homes, pottering.

New years day was just that. For the most part, I’ve been on the floor drawing (badly) pictures of Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy (if you know, you know), doing Peppa Pig jigsaws and playing with the dolls house with little Miss. We did also bake a cake, a delicious Victoria sponge cake filled with jam and buttercream.

I love baking with little Miss, she always approaches it with such enthusiasm, until the mixer goes on and the noise sends her running. In fairness, I think my old hand mixer is on its last legs, I really need to look at replacing it.

Then, I took the time to wash my makeup brushes. My friend H bought me this nifty silicone brush washing gizmo for Christmas, so I thought I would try it out. It made washing my brushes so much quicker, and although they are still drying, the clean seems more thorough on them. I only ever use baby shampoo to wash my makeup brushes, and I always have. I don’t think specialist detergents are necessary for them.

Aside from an exciting trip to the tip with all of the cardboard boxes we’d accumulated over Christmas, the rest of New Year has continued in much the same, low key way. Days spent playing with little Miss, watching films on TV and planning for the weeks/months and year ahead.

Happy 2021, who knows what it will bring?