And just like that January is over…

Monday

We usually close in January. The weather can be challenging. Bookings weren’t frequent and we needed an extended break. This season however, the combo of a drop in bookings from coming off Airbnb and BDC plus the New Year cancellation put us under a bit of pressure. So we said yes to a retreat in the first weekend of Jan. Of course the heating stopped heating and the toilets stopped flushing in the week before. And the ice and snow came. The retreat was a huge success though. A PROPER winter retreat. Soft snow settling on the ground, but not enough to cause any issues. Just enough to encourage everyone to stay put and really slow down, rather than drive to visit nearby places. An enforced rest if you will. The weekend went so well the leader has already booked her next one for October.

Tuesday

Putting labels on jars is a much bigger job than it sounds. The labels need a logo, a setting out of where different things go. A decision on how much information you want to share let alone colours, pictures etc. And usually there is quite a lag between me making whatever is in the jar to the label being printed and affixed to said jar. I thought I would be a bit ahead of myself this year and get all the decisions out of the way, now in winter, for the summer and autumn jar filling frenzy. Then I moved some boxes in the utility room and found an entire BOX of already made jams and chutneys from autumn 2025 sans labels. Great. Luckily it seems I did write a note on my phone so fingers crossed these jars will be presents and for sale both in the Wee Black Shed at the end of the road and in the Barn. I’ve decided the labels will be standard - Gluttony Chutney, Orchard Jam, perhaps Courtyard Mincemeat if a pear is involved. Then the ingredients list can change depending on the contents. Easier to format I am hoping.

Wednesday

Puppy training tonight. It’s taken precedence over my yoga classes. I’m at that stage of wondering why we got a puppy. I remember the same stage when I had children. Said children ignore the puppy now or drive it mental. He chews everything. The old dog HATES him. And he really loves being on my bed when I am in it. I’ve always been a ‘no dogs on furniture’ type. Always. Until now. I like the cuddles, he makes me laugh and genuinely seems to love me when all others in the household are watching their individual screens. But , when given instructions, he seems to have learnt THAT look from the 8 year old. And the complete lack of understanding as to acceptable behaviour when clean or converted in wet mud. My dream of a dog to help with the sheep and be a friend to the old dog is no longer a memory.

Thursday

Our freezer needed emptying for the next lot of lamb (lots available for you to buy!). So I have been cooking lamb tagine, lamb curry and lamb bolonez (Turkish variant) as frozen ready meals. These are now for sale, cooked using the best ingredients including Burmieston lamb and herbs. Looks like the work on labels has been very worthwhile. If you do fancy anything, please call or email us or DM or send smoke signals. We don’t have a fax machine. Or telex.

Friday

I made a new basket - this time a large one for logs. Amazing to see mere willow ‘twigs’ move and dance into something useful and beautiful through my hands. Under the excellent tutelage of Anna Liebmann, anyone will produce something lovely. We had complete beginners as well as practiced leaners on our weekend course. The Silo worked really well - turns out circular spaces reduce people banging into other people’s willow. We hope to hold another course this year. Let us know if you fancy joining us.

Upcoming events at Burmieston

March - Our Spring Day Retreat with Susan and Rachel

March - Wet felting weekend with yoga and sauna time

April - Make your Mark weekend - reveal your imagination through drawing

Book at Burmieston events and please share so more people can join and find a moment to rest, to laugh, to stretch, to learn, to be.