Sorry to have been absent for so long but it's been a bit of a peculiar start to the year here. January is the month when most of Toby's annual review meetings take place and so it's a time to focus on where he is making progress and where he needs more help. It's always uncomfortable to measure his progress as it's extremely subtle and gradual and sometimes he seems to go backwards instead of forwards. He is so very different from most 12 year old boys, being completely without speech and preferring his lego to any other activity and Maisy mouse, Richard Scarry and Baby Einstein videos to any other kind of TV. Still the paperwork and meetings are completed now and we'll see what this year brings in terms of his development.

It's also been a bit unsettling health-wise for me. I've had 2 potentially serious health issues recently, resulting in a few hospital appointments. Happily a series of tests have revealed that the first thing was nothing to worry about but the tests for the second thing have shown that I do have a problem with my eyes. I've been diagnosed with pigment dispersion syndrome which means I need to have my eyes regularly monitored as there's a significant risk of developing glaucoma. I'm in the process of reading up about this and I've been told it's best to avoid strenuous activity and exercise (which is not much of a problem for me!) but if anyone out there has any personal experience of the condition that they'd be prepared to share I'd love to hear from them. The positive side of this is that now I'm aware of the problem hopefully it means that I can take steps to minimise further damage to my sight. Anyway, that's the naff bit of January out of the way. There have been plenty of good bits too…

There's been lots of woolly stuff going on including knitting a bunch of animals which I hope to have ready for Easter, working on 2 new patterns which I hope to have ready for testing soon and lots of other bits of knitting and crochet including my frothy scarf which is getting quite long and the tiled blanket which is growing nicely. The lovely yarn above is from Jamieson and Smith and I'm playing about with some ideas for new bunny clothing – but more of that another time.

With all of the mild weather we've also been enjoying the woods and Amy has come with me on quite a few walks recently – it's been lovely to spend some time with her as these days I don't see much of her as she is usually in her room listening to music or on the computer.

And happily Toby did remember how to open presents this Christmas and he is having lots of fun building very tall towers from his new lego

Thanks for dropping in. I'll be back soon with some proper news of knitty stuff x

Just popping in very briefly to wish everyone a very happy and healthy start to the new year.

It's a little tradition for me to remember some of the best bits of the last year in pictures. These are the things that made me happy and as in previous years it is always the same mix: home, family, making woolly things, growing stuff, nature, peace and quiet 🙂

Here's wishing you a year full of the things that make you smile

J xxx

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PS: we're still in the school holidays here and as we've also been away with family for a few days I've fallen very behind with answering emails. I'll reply as soon as I can x