Day 361 – 365 / December 27th 2015  This is a small glass Christmas decoration that my mother in law hangs in her window for the festivities. I rather like how it is illuminated by the daylight. It looks, to me, like a gingerbread house in an Alpine village, set deep in the forest. I can…

Day 360 – 365 / December 26th 2015  Boxing Day 2015. Or, the Day The Floods Hit West Yorkshire Torrential rain for days has followed on from near constant rainfall these past weeks and months. But, since Christmas Day afternoon the rain has been incessant, unrelenting and prolific. It has resulted in chaos throughout Lancashire and…

Day 359 – 365 / December 25th 2015  Christmas Day 2015. I was very lucky to get some smashing gifts from my family and friends this year. Sarah gave me a fabulous new “Brooklyn” cap in brown leather, an X-Box 360 game that she said will allow me to play but not shout at the TV as…

Day 358 – 365 / December 24th 2015  Feast your eyes on our Black Treacle Glazed Ham from Nigella’s latest book. Signed by the lovely Nigella herself. The book, not the ham. Beautiful isn’t she? The ham looks good too.

Day 357 – 365 / December 23rd 2015  A few days ago Sarah and I went on our annual trip to the cinema. Although the new Star Wars film had just come out we went to see the fab Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in “Sisters” – it was VERY funny. Go see it. I spotted…

Day 356 – 365 / December 22nd 2015  In getting the drinks ready ahead of Christmas, I am suspicious that I may be partial to a drop of bourbon. Namely that from Uncle Jack, but others are just as welcome!

Day 355 – 365 / December 21st 2015  Some time ago, around September, I was enticed to Valley Parade by my Turnstylewear business partners, Jeremy and Liz, on the pretence of being interviewed about our new venture by the local newspaper. The real purpose was to be part of the official Bradford City team photos that…

Day 354 – 365 / December 20th 2015  Just last year, Sarah and I started what I hope will be a long lived addition to the festive calendar and celebrations of our family and friends. We ask them to ours for a tasty buffet, drinks and a get together on the last Sunday before Christmas. Then,…

Day 353 – 365 / December 19th 2015  One of my favourite clients is a local musician named Roger Davies. I have designed the artwork (sleeves, booklets etc) for his last 4, maybe 5, CD releases. A few days ago he called by to drop me off the finished copies of his latest album. I am…

Day 352 – 365 / December 18th 2015  Today it is “National Wear A Christmas Sweater Day” or some similarly titled day. So, as I am (technically) finishing work today, I have taken the whole day off and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast out with Sarah, Bethany and Liam. We all wore our festive wooden wear.

Day 351 – 365 / December 17th 2015  I had a dental checkup yesterday. The result of which is I am booked in early in the New Year for some drilling and filling. £251.70 worth, in fact. Also, I have advised to use some super, duper, crazy strength toothpaste. So strong in floured content is it that…

Day 350 – 365 / December 16th 2015  Fresh from my success with Nigella yesterday – once again, I wish! – today I made her Chilli Jelly. It is delicious! Here you see the whole mixture bubbling away fiercely.

Day 349 – 365 / December 15th 2015  Today I have been delving into Nigella. I wish! I have, in fact, been making her Quick Pickled Beetroot and Quick Pickled  Carrot from her new book, “Simply Nigella” and following her TV programmes last night in which they were featured. The chopping board bears witness to the…

Day 348 – 365 / December 14th 2015  Every year, the local Rotary Club, light up a festive display on the rear of a flat back wagon, strap a pair of speakers behind the drivers’ cab, crank up the volume and play Christmas tunes as they tour the streets of Brighouse collecting money. I’m assuming the…