Looking back over 2020, I’ve realised that it wasn’t all bad. Far from it.
For me, the worst was not seeing Littl’urchin for three months. Young children simply don’t understand, so it was wonderful being able to see her again once that three month lockdown ended.
I’ve tried my hand at many things this year. Candle making was probably the most memorable. I’m still thankful that I didn’t burn the house down.
I’ve a far more efficient system for growing my own now. I have my mini allotment in the courtyard and a productive veggie patch in the front garden. Fresh food has been plentiful throughout the year and I still have potatoes, leeks, kale, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, garlic and parsnips in the ground.
Despite the odds, the rescue has remained open, continuing it’s vital work throughout the pandemic, due to the endless kindness of so many people.
I’m a far wiser forager now and am quickly becoming an obsessive herbalist.
After a few hiccups I’ve managed to finally master fermenting and pickling has been more of a thing this year.
Quite a few outings were managed, and summer trips to beer gardens were enjoyed and appreciated so much more than usual.
We have now acquired a full time house cat, but sadly lost Heidi and Peanut along with her chicks.
I’ve enjoyed re-growing a variety of food, it’s surprising what you can actually regrow from the roots of vegetables.
Herbs have been grown, dried and stored…
and a new herb station was built.
I’ve been able to safely meet up with friends and learnt how to zoom. I hadn’t even heard of zoom pre-plague!
Bug houses have been built…
and watching wildlife creep into human domains has been wonderful, along with the riotous birdsong we enjoyed through total lockdown, that human silence will be memorable!
Endless walks throughout the seasons have been a thing during 2020, although now it’s back to basic walks with the dogs.
And Finally…
everyone I know is safe, and I pray it stays that way. I’m so grateful to be privileged, to have a spacious home and garden and food that is readily available. So many have nothing, how much worse this plague has been for them.
So let’s raise a glass to a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year for us all. Here’s to us all getting a vaccine, and getting our lives back. xxx
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Thanks Anne, yes, haha, I won’t forget candle making in a hurry!!! I’m so pleased to see so many rescues surviving. Long may that continue.xxx
What a lovely year-end wrap up! The highlights are all terrific with a side of sad. May you continue in your resilient ways, my friend.
Was at a shop and saw a candle like your little round ones in the foreground — oh, it made me smile. I, too, and glad you didn’t burn the house down or injure yourself any worse than you did! And am amazed how the rescue were able to continue its vital work. Here’s to you and all the workers there who adapted and pressed on.
Belatedly wishing you a very happy new year, Dina. It looks as though you’ve made the best of last year – love your courtyard allotment and bug hotel! I really should get more into pickling, it’s so welcoming to have home produced food in the depths of winter. There’s a lot to be grateful for when family members (including pets!) have come through the year safely. Here’s hoping we’re all moving forward towards better healthier times. xxx
Thanks Caro. Here’s to us all remaining safe and getting that vaccine.xxx
I’m so glad you and your family are well and together! I’m teaching from home via Zoom and what a strange world that is. But the kids get to bring all their pets to class, which is fun. For the disaster that 2020 was, especially in the US, there were good moments, too, and in 17 days the idiot who’s been running our country will be gone. It can’t happen fast enough! :o)
Thanks Casa. Good to hear from you. Here’s to a little sanity returning!xxx
What a beautifully written, refreshing post! So many things that I’ve read about 2020 are totally negative. I like how you found many positives about the year. It reminds me of the old saying – You can look at a glass as either half empty or half full.
Thanks Sheryl. We do have much to be grateful for.xxx
Hey there you ! .. lovely upbeat post and you do so many wonderful things .. you have to be so pleased with each and every thing you do that is such a positive influence on this earth and it’s creatures.
2020 has been something else to deal with .. but perhaps it puts more of the everyday things we do in perspective ? We appreciate them more .. the normalcy ? .. the bits and pieces of pleasure we might have overlooked before the pandemic.
I want to hold on to better things to come in 2021 ! .. I wish you and your family of humans and creatures, the very best for this year !
Joy … in the land of the north 😉
PS .. love the header picture of the furry guys !
Very true, thanks Joy.xxx
2020 a year of unexpected experiences many of which, I, and lots of other people would not choose to experience again.
A write off? Your question is justified. The definition will depend on who you are, what hand you have been dealt. The leaps in applied sciences have been remarkable and hold our main global hope to restore us to a more relaxed and sociable way of life. As for the other less favourable aspects of the pandemic…….
xxxxxx
Thanks Menhir. Love and hugs.xxx
Happy birthday, dear Dina…
yes, and hope the new year is bringing back to us a better way of life.
I try, as Janet wrote, to keep in mind the positivity of the tormented year. With some more time to consider our future, grow veg in the garden, getting more and more interested into many things “out of normality”.
Now we’re using the old “fermentation’s pot” my granmama, capacity 1 liter, means we have to use it all in a short time… but nothing is gone wasted!
I love your insects house, it gave me a lovely idea for next winter.
Hugs and kisses to everybody :-)c
Thanks Claudine, love and hugs.xxx
Happy New Year to you and all the family….and thank you for reminding us all of the big positives in 2020.
Onwards my friend…one step in front of the other….and may your year be filled with love and creativity.
Sending lots of love
Janet XXX
Thanks my friend. Love and hugs.xxx
I always enjoy your posts, and admire the work you do with wildlife, not to mention all the busy projects you have on the boil at any one time… …so I hope you can keep it up in 2021. Having a grandchild at such a time gives hope for the future, and joy for the present.
Have a safe and healthy 2021.
Thanks Gerrie.xxx
A very nice look back 🙂
I too am raising a glass and wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan.xxx
That we’ve all come this far is an achievement in itself. Rainbows always leave me with a feeling of hope. Happy New Year, let’s hope it’s a good one!
Thanks Jess.xxx
Great post and images. Been a tough year for many people. Have a Happy New year.
Thanks Peter.xxx
I love your bug house! And you certainly have accomplished a remarkable amount for a year that was so constraining. Do you know I never once have zoomed? Part of the reason is that it hasn’t been necessary for work or meetings, and the family that I have prefers phone calls. So, I may get through this being just as technologically handicapped as before!
I do love that photo of Curly Cat, and it’s always good to be reminded that work at the rescue has been able to continue. Whether things will be much different after January 20th is hard to say, but there’s no question that a lot of us are just waiting for that date to pass, for new leadership to be installed, and for the real process of moving on to begin.
Thanks Linda. Yes, roll on January 20th!xxx
Love the post and you for this shot balance and joy, Dina!
Cannot believe how Littl’urchin has grown, and so very happy everyone you love is safe and well.
The pups and Curly could not look more content: they certainly know they’re loved!
Ah! Your candle-making…still makes me laugh, but what beautiful candles you managed to create, anyway.
And your gardening and pickling and fermenting: you are a wonder! SUCH a creative force in the world and lives of so many. I love that the Rescue is getting along and working its miracles. Hooray.
And as for Zooming: what a gift this year. All your zoom photos repeatedly show you and your friends looking so glamorous and beautifully dressed! What a gorgeous group you are! I hope you’ll all be able to get back to gathering in-person in 2021.
Blessings and then more blessings on our new year, as we carry the blessings salvaged from 2020 forward.
xxxxx
Thanks So much Kitty. Love and hugs My friend.xxx
And so say all of us, We do have to count our blessings don;t we, At least for us it shouldn’t be a forever situation. Love the three dogs on a sofa picture.
Thanks Sue.xxx
There’s always a bright side if we care to look for it. Wishing you and your lovely family all the very best for 2021.
Thanks Jo.xxx
Lovely post and pictures. The header showing the three dogs comfy on the sofa has me smiling, as does Curly the cat. Good to know that the rescue has remained open.
Take care, and Happy New Year. xx
Thanks Mr F.xxx
Oh, I’ll drink to that. I will happily bid farewell to 2020 tomorrow night; bring on 2021! You have achieved so much this year, despite (or maybe because of) the restrictions. Here’s to you spending more time with Littl’urchin – the photo with the matching pyjamas is adorable! Happy New Year, my friend. xx
Thanks my friend. xxx