Never (ever) save it for best

A relatively quiet week at Keeper's, but still making sure we make time to cook those new recipes, light those candles, and get to the beach! The kettle's on, so come on in...

The magical qualities of winter skies in Scotland (and finding inspiration for paintings to come)

Happy Sunday. It’s been a relatively quiet week, as we’re both back in the swing of things with work, which has kept us busy. But, we have still managed to squeeze in a little time exploring locally. From snowy mountains, to moody, dramatic sunsets on the beach. It’s been a nice reminder of how special a place it is to live.

Argyll winters!

40 by 40

Last week I began with a bit of reflection to usher in the new year, and to start thinking about what I really want to spend my very precious days doing. I will turn 40 in May 2027, so I feel I still have time to create a thoughtful, considered and gentle list of 40 before 40.

And that is important. I know a few people reached out to remind me to be grateful for what I have (which I am, in abundance, and I do hope that comes through in my posts) and not to put too much pressure on myself.

And that’s true. If I don’t complete my 40 before 40, that’s absolutely fine. I really want it to be a bit of a North Star. A guiding light that serves as a reminder to fill my time with joy, and not just get bogged down with work and domestic tasks (that said, I am just on the cusp of ordering a new Lakeland mop, and for a short while my kitchen floor will not know what’s hit it).

I shan’t be offering up lofty ambitions such as swimming with dolphins. As exhilarating as I’m sure that would be, I firmly believe my list will consist of 40 things that keep me dry. Which also means a dook in an icy loch is unlikely to feature - I’m so sorry. I know it has many wonderful qualities, but the thought of being that cold. I don’t think I can.

I would love to bag a few Munros, as I mentioned last week. However, along with wishing to keep dry, I also won’t be camping out or doing anything too outdoorsy. Again, I admire those who do these wonderfully wild things in the countryside, I truly do. But years in the Boy Scouts, combined with a latter-day attempt at camping “for fun” (which involved getting stuck in a cheap, leaky Asda tent because the zip was too fast, eventually escaping to face the Trainspotting-esque horror of the shower block, and then making a swift drive home from the Lake District for a wee - because absolutely not on site, revolting), have confirmed that I am most certainly a cosy cottage, home-comforts, fire burning, wine poured type of person. And that’s fine. We’re all different, and I shall live my wild-side vicariously through friends and followers.

So no. My list shall consist of things that bring me comfort, joy and culture and not something that will prove onerous or excruciating. If you’ve ever done anything similar, please do drop me a note for inspiration – I’d love to hear what you all get up to.

A trip to the Med

Last week I also mentioned my new (to me) cookery book, Med: A Cookbook by Claudia Roden, and promised an update on how I got on. Well, so far, marvellously. Surprisingly simple recipes, but packed with flavour and goodness, which meant even I consumed my veggies heartily.

We had roasted peppers stuffed with breadcrumbs, anchovies, olives and capers. Remarkably, we actually had all the ingredients in and it was a coincidentally perfect way to use up a few open jars lingering in the fridge. I accompanied the peppers with a spicy, tomatoey bulgur wheat and nut dish.

I, for one, have never quite managed to get my head around the water-to-grain relationship, so I stuck very firmly to the recipe - which clearly stated it served six -because there was no way that 250g of bulgur wheat was going to fill us up. A week later, we have eventually worked our way through it. But both dishes will be firm favourites on the Keeper’s menu.

And while we’re on the subject of culinary curations, last night we enjoyed our ‘picky bits’ New Year’s Eve supper. Our actual New Year’s Eve plans were slightly derailed by what we suspect was a rogue oyster a few days earlier. Paul no longer eats oysters.

With him unable to think about food - let alone all the rich buffet bits we had bought - I took up the mantle and devoured the lot. I have to say, as delicious as M&S’s smoked salmon and cream cheese dip is, I have probably had my fill for 2026.

But last night, with us all in rude health, we treated ourselves to a few goodies for a slightly belated New Year’s do. So there we have it, the first couple of weeks can be classed as ‘practice weeks’, and now we’re ready to go.

But this did get me thinking. As I was bogged down with January work tasks that were playing on my mind and not quite going to plan, I was tempted to head to the Co-op and grab a quick, easy ready meal. Save the nice recipes for another time – for ‘best’. But then I thought, why? Why not make the most of everyday? I can’t just live for the weekend.

So, I cooked the different meals, surrounded by the pretty glow of candlelight, making the kitchen cosy and twinkly. I felt very Nigella Lawson. I wish I’d served everything up on the lovely vintage platters, but either way, I made sure I didn’t save the good recipes for best.

A little weekday cooking, channelling my inner Nigela

The new notebook

On that note, my annual purchase of a new notebook - you know the one. The one that will allow me to get all my ducks in a row and charge on with productivity, creativity, and whatever other powers these January notebooks promise.

That said, I’m returning to working with a Bullet Journal, which slipped a little last year. For anyone unfamiliar, I’d highly recommend having a look if lists are your thing. There are so many ideas out there, a lot of them very arty and creative. Mine is purely functional, and I stick quite closely to the original Bullet Journal method.

For me, when it’s set up and fully functioning, it’s a dream. I can jot everything down in one place, and I love that feeling of not having to keep reminding myself of things. It’s ideal with a couple of different roles at work, lots of community commitments, and projects like Keeper’s Renovations.

I can find myself easily overwhelmed with tasks - as you all probably know by now, I love to begin a job. But sometimes (often), they don’t quite make it over the finish line. Having dedicated pages for things like ‘bathroom makeover’ or ‘allotment’ means I can work through everything I need - materials, tools, and notes about the process - rather than having little lists everywhere or ideas flitting around in my head, but not knowing where to begin. I can slowly and steadily order my thoughts, work out a plan and tick things off. It does the heavy lifting, leaving me the headspace for other things.

Let’s see how it goes…

Recommendations

This week we began watching Patience on Channel 4. I’d not heard of it - it was just a recommendation based on our previous viewing - but we’re hooked. It’s brilliant, so I’d highly recommend checking it out.

Another easy but thoroughly enjoyable watch is Alan and Amanda’s Greek Job. If you’ve been watching - my days, that stonework. If we could get Keeper’s looking half that good, we’d be happy chappies. And that’s another job to add to the list. Alas, our poor walls have been cemented over time, and for anyone familiar with old stone cottages, this essentially suffocates them. So out with the cement, and in with the lime mortar!

But for now, I fully intend on pouring another cup of coffee, then taking the boys for a long walk before meeting friends at the pub for a Sunday roast.

Whatever you’re up to, I hope you enjoy it. And as ever, thank you for your support and for the chats, I really do love our little Sunday blether.

G xx