Firstly, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year!
My blog last year unintentionally languished without a single post, a situation that crept upon it unexpectedly as time flew by. I felt pulled away by the days, weeks and months. Never would I have expected to be AWOL for a whole twelve months and I’m thankful to break this hiatus at the start of this year. I plan to be back on a regular basis and look forward to reconnecting with friends and to meeting new bloggers as well.
There’s never been a Christmas where book presents did not feature and this year was no exception. I was kindly gifted two fascinating books (hints do help!😀) and already I treasure these tomes.
Like so many, I was captivated by Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Eat Pray Love’ book of 2006; her physical and spiritual journey of self-discovery and love resonated deeply within me. The book was complete, a wholesome ending … or so she and the readers thought. After an amicable divorce from José, Elizabeth Gilbert embarked on a new albeit destructive and addictive relationship with her hairdresser. The book is ‘about love and loss, addiction and recovery, grief and liberation’ and her ultimate search for peace and freedom. I look forward to delving into her story.
‘Words’ by Susie Dent promises to be an enjoyable and knowledgeable daily read, as for each day of 2026, a quirky and unusual word is explained in detail. The author is a renowned lexicographer and etymologist. As a human lexicon, she has been on the popular British TV word game ‘Countdown’ for over thirty years as well as being an author.
Her latest book describes the history of quirky and unusual words. After all, who knew the word Bluetooth stretched back to a tenth-century Scandinavian King! Furthermore, it introduces the reader to unknown words including, ‘depooperit’ and ‘whangdoodle’ as well as explaining foreign expressions such as the Norwegian ’gruglede’. Susie Dent will more than fulfil her promise to give the reader a daily ‘linguistic vitamin shot’! I will relish this medicine!
I’ve never excelled in any type of craft. My attempts at knitted scarves zigzagged to oblivion. One summer as a child I nagged my gifted grandmother to teach me to crochet before she finally caved in and agreed to give me a lesson. Bless, she knew me only too well and after a frustrating ten minutes, I thanked her before scuttling off to play. One Christmas to everyone’s surprise, including mine, I won the class award for best decorated Christmas hat. My invention of a mortar board ladened with colourful gift-wrapped parcels proved an instant hit. A success resoundingly obliterated by the worst ever Easter hat of garish yellow feathers flop!
Imagine then my wary excitement upon opening a present of a book nook. This miniature magical bookstore, complete with books, lighting, chairs, tables will rest between my normal books creating a warm and cosy addition to my literary world. There is only one issue — it is a craft kit!
I smiled hesitantly at my husband’s trust in my abilities in this speciality, tempting me into this world through my passion of books. Loath to read instructions and usually of the I’ll-work-it-out-along-the-way school, this time I am, for once, reading the detailed booklet followed by watching a couple of explanatory YouTube videos. This time, I feel prepared, this time I’m optimistic and I am keen to begin my journey into this craft. I will post progress of my build and hopefully it won’t be too long until the finalised project is in place, tucked and illuminated neatly between two precious books.
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Heading picture courtesy of Pixaby. Work art by FreeFunArt at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/oracleridge/everwitch
Annika Perry 
Welcome back, Annika! I’m looking forward to getting caught up. I hope 2026 brings you only the most magical things! Sending lots of love and hugs to you. xo
Tanya, it’s lovely to see your comment and thank you so much! I hope you’re keeping well and wondering if you’re still out on travels? I keep checking to see if you’ve sent any more posts … do you think you will at some stage? sending love & hugs back to you. xx 💕
Have a safe and prosperous 2026!
And to you too, Dawn, wishing you a year filled with joy and creativity! 😀
Annika, when I first saw this post in my reader, I was so excited and delighted to see you back in the blogging world. It sounded like life offline called and you answered the call. Very lovely to have you back, and I think a lot of us here feel the same way. Welcome back 😊
Elizabeth Glibert’s ‘Eat Pray Love’ captivated me and loved it from start to finish. Didn’t know she had All The Way to the River out, I must check that out sometime. I smiled when you wanted to learn how to crochet but turned out it only interested you for 10 minutes. Your grandmother must have been very amused. I crochet and I remember I enjoyed learning it, and I like to take my time crocheting little stuffed toys.
How thoughtful of your husband to gift you a book nook. Honestly I had no idea what that was and had to look it up. It seems intricate to build but with your creative side and as you said, reading the instructions and watching Youtube videos, I am sure this will be something you will pull off and love the final product. Good luck with it 😊
Aww … bless! Thank you so much, Mabel for the warm welcome back and that means so much to me! My unplanned year away just fell upon me and yes, instead of fighting it and sending out posts without the time for the warmth and sharing I love, I decided to step back fully. However, at no point was I ready to give up blogging!
The new Elizabeth Gilbert book is unlike anything she’s ever written. Such a raw personal and powerful memoir of her and her partners life. Shocking at times and I can see why it has received such mixed reviews. I’m glad I read it, the writing as always incredible and love shines through.
I’m in awe of your crocheted stuffed animals and they sound adorable. I’ve completed the book nook and it was a joy to build. Yes, definitely tricky and I had to pay close attention to the instructions (not my usual reaction to them) but the final Owl Bookstore is beautiful. A new hobby methinks.
Wishing you a wonderful and creative 2026, Mabel- May creativity flourish. Xx 😀❤️
How fantastic you completed your book nook and it was a joy for you to build. Now you might be up to build almost anything crafty after this 😄 Really a delight to have you back in blogging, Annika. Much love 💞
I was drawn to the music at the end of your post. Picture too. Well, my friend, I look forward to more posts in 2026. We have two more grandchildren on the way which will make a total of 4 by the end of July. Isabella is 3 now. I keep blogging away weekly, Annika. Come on over a visit. As ever, https://drniemczura.wordpress.com oxox
Wising you a very Happy New Year, Mary Ann and how wonderful that you will soon have four grandchildren. Congratulations. I bet they keep you busy and are such a blessing.
It’s lovely that you enjoyed my first post for over a year – a quiet introduction and of course, books! They are still such a central part of my life.
Thanks for including your blog and I’ve just left a comment there too. Wishing you well.
Thank you for the well wishes. And a Happy New Year to you and yours. Grandchildren are a blessing. Also, quite tiring too. Darlene Foster, author and blogger, lives in Spain. She and I communicate quite often. Husband is from the UK. She is originally from Canada. I love the Costa del Sol in Spain. Be well, lovely lady. oxox
Happy Belated New Year Annika! May this year be more FANtabulous than last year my friend. Cheers! 🤗🥂😘
Thank you, Kym and I’ll toast to that! Wishing you a wonderful creative 2026!
AMEN Annika! Cheers to great and beautiful strides ladybug! 🥰🙌🏼💖🥂😎
Hello Annika, so good to see you back 😊This felt really nice to read. Wishing you a 2026 full of good reads and moments that don’t need big resolutions to matter. Happy New Year to you ✨
Thank you so much, Ritish and glad you enjoyed my first post for over a year! 😀 My first read of the year was superb and I’m looking forward to many more. Wishing you a wonderful and harmonious 2026, may kindness shine bright. Warmest wishes, Annika
❤️🥂 Glad to hear that, Annika.