Try it January

BEER
Whilst some of the country are detoxifying from over indulgence throughout the festive period, with strange concoctions of Kale, Carrots, Blueberries and Apple juice all blitzed in that NutriBullet you got for Christmas, or, the Smoothie Maker you got last year and used only once, a part of the country are giving up alcohol for a month. Dry January is under way and those who have given alcohol up for a month have signed up in a bid to raise funds for Alcohol Concern. This is obviously a much needed service to help bring awareness to the masses and help those out that are in need of it. I hope you all are successful and a lot of money is raised.

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The beer folk have a #tryanuary going off in tandem with the above idea where their money raised goes towards Macmillian Nurses which is too a worthy cause. Are you in two minds “Do I stop, or, do I try?” because Tryanuary is a good idea too. Well how about this idea I had.

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As you are aware Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and parts of Scotland have all suffered badly from the recent floods and many pubs/restaurants (along with other business) will struggle to get back on their feet. Many pubs are already struggling to stay afloat (pardon the pun) throughout the country, and January/February can make or break a small micro brewery. So still go to your “local” and instead of ordering a swift pint, get a soft drink to go with a meal. And before you leave have a gander in the fridge behind the bar and buy that bottle of beer you've been wondering about for a while, then drink it in February! If you don't frequent a pub instead drinking in the comfort of your home still buy a bottle at your local beer/wine merchant, and do the same, try it in February.
Tell me what you bought and maybe we can try it together in February.

ART

So I'm staying with the theme of Try It January throughout the blog. I love to paint, when I find the time to sit still for a good hour. When it comes to Christmas more recently over the past couple of years spending time making my Christmas cards. In 2015 I tried something new, something I'd dabbled in when I was a 14years old. Lino cutting! Yes I did stab myself on three occasions and yes I took out bits I shouldn't have by slipping through pressing on too hard. Yes for me it's the most frustrating thing I've done, but, whilst the prints aren't clean it was the most satisfying thing I have done, and a nice change.

I'm not sure what new activity I will try this year, but over the next couple of weeks I will bring you some ideas that you can try from beginner to expert.

Did you try anything new in 2015? Will you be trying a new activity in 2016?

 Are you a crafter, an artist, a knitter or someone who just wants to start being creative? To those already doing an activity and, those brave enough, why not try what Paper Panda does for a living. Mrs Panda has some starter kits to help you along your way. 
Here's a blog I did about Paper Panda. "Dorothy is too sexy"

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Those who want to be creative but haven't quite got the time because the children are running round like loons why not be creative with your children. Buy them a colouring book and a nice one for yourself (check out Johanna's adult colouring books) and spend half an hour of an evening before bedtime to chill them (and yourself) down. Guess what my Brother, my Sister-in-law, my Nephew and Niece got for Christmas as part of a family present for those exact moments and rainy miserable days. LOL
Here's a blog I did about Johanna
"How many ways to kill a slug in a secret garden?!"

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COVERED IN WEEDS

Over the years I have always bought plants that are near as damn it fully grown or on it's way. With the exception of spring bulbs and a couple of other bulbs appearing throughout the year in various pots.
So in 2016 I am attempting to grow these seeds I purchased from a visit to the Isle of White (blog coming soon). However I learnt my many lessons from last years haul I bought. Don't put them all in at once (save some for next year) and don't put the seeds in bone dry soil especially when in a pot. Because you all know what happens when it comes to watering bone dry soil! The seeds drain out at the bottom! Yes I did that!

The next lot of seeds I dabbled with Sugar snap peas I was given to encourage me to grow my own veg. Which we are already attempting to do. I managed not to kill the plant in 2015 (2014 I did) and got a few peas from it. Those have been saved and ready to sow, although I did recently buy a packet “Just in-case”. I did in 2014 accidentally grow a tomato plant. A random plant popped up in the garden towards the end of the summer and grew to about 4ft tall with a couple of flowers on, but nothing ever fruited, I mean would you in October - not in a glass house for protection?! In that little lot are stones from the Turkish cherries we used for the beer "Cherry Bomb".

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I bought a white Aquilegia last year and loved it! I collected the seeds and hopefully this year I may grow some more.

Tell me what you are going to grow this year for the first time, or, are you planning a small area in your garden for vegetables?

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Tunes of the week
Elvis Costello – “Can't stand up for falling down” (by request)
The Lumineers - "Flowers In Your Hair"
Flowers growing song – Found on You Tube but a good one for your little ones to learn lol

You are always welcome to leave a comment, even if to say "Hello". 
Thank you for reading my blog.
See you again next week at the same time.