Merry New Year

 Hi all,

It's been a ridiculously tough year. I know some bits haven't been so bad (I had quite a nice late July). I know the discovery of local green spaces, determined socialising, community support and such have sometimes been heartwarming. But all that has been in the context of what we know is grim, difficult news. Some months it's been easier than others to find the joy. This post-Christmas, sparkle-free time, with the worst of headlines telling us things are tough, it's very hard to find the joy. 

So, here are some efforts. Some stuff to look forward to and share in, despite all the reasons why it may seem like a time to fully hibernate till 2022.

Katharine has started our sister blog, Confined Crafting, because not everything we make can or should be consumed immediately. I don't have skillz, but I do like to get the emails of the January Challenge from 64 Million Artists, which gives you a creative prompt daily. Even Before All This I used to appreciate the positive impetus to think about something other than midwinter. Time to sign up - and perhaps blog some of your efforts if you feel like it.

I am personally doing #ConfinedCocktails tonight, with fizz as is proper, if only to see the back of this goddamn year. Not sure when I'm starting, but assume it'll be 6ish. Not sure when I'm ending, but staying up for midnight is not a core part of the plan. (I'll be there on Saturday too, possibly with a small and thoughtful digestivo. Or not.)

Statement of intent

 

For longer term fun, I think we need a new Confined Kitchen challenge, though several of you are ahead of me in this as Christmas has brought out the traditional recipes. Let's call it #HeritageKitchen (thanks Stef) - cooking from your own backlist, family favourites, or if you feel so moved, from actual historical records. There may also be a cookalong for this, if you'd like? Sometime in late January/February, when the armpit of winter is upon us and everything feels dark. 

(Although! A reminder it's getting less dark. Especially in the evenings, where we've clawed back minutes already.)

And, for something to while away some time, I'm also launching January's #ConfinedBookswap. The main idea is to send someone a book that you've been able to read this year - despite All This, it has snagged you, and hopefully it'll do the same job for them. If you'd like to join in, please fill in this Google form in the next week or so. I will probably close it after Confined Cocktails on 9th. Probably. If you can post out by the end of January, that would be ideal.

I've probably over-engineered the form, but I wanted to make it accessible to people who would rather send/receive only second-hand stuff, while not excluding people who are willing and able to buy new /support bookshops and authors, or who need to send directly from a vendor rather than get to the post office. (I for one have Too Much on my Shelves and would love a recipient who wants a pile of books I'd otherwise be chucking. But I also have an indie bookshop I want to support. So.) 

Also, because sharing is fun, I've added an optional photo element: photograph a bookstack or an ebook list of stuff you've enjoyed reading lately, in what has been an awful year for reading for a lot of us. Stuff that's been distracting and fun is *good*. A pic could function as a shop window for your gifter and recipient, but it would also be fun to share the lists on twitter, hashtagged for other people to get some ideas for certified distracting books. Even if you can't join in the swapping part, I reckon this is a sound idea. So mine is here - I will tweet it too. Not all these are available for rehoming, some are too beloved. But all have engaged me enough to pass the time in 2020. Some, admittedly, date to Before All This, but I still remember them kindly. Plus I read almost the complete works of KJ Charles in ebook, and several Barbara Cleverly library loans. And the Shedunnit book club picks from August onwards. All these have passed the My Brain Is Scattered test.

My inability to take a straight photo is compounded by my inability to create a straight stack. Apologies for any pain this causes.

At present this is UK posting only, I'm afraid. I don't want to overstretch finances this time of year. Otherwise, you don't have to be a close Confined Kitchener to join us - certainly anyone who's been on Unconfined Walks, Jacobin Day, Confined Crafting, friends of friends etc is more than welcome. Do join, and have fun. 

This is a lot of Positive Stuff to try and tide us over, frankly. The situation at present feels so bleak, and the winter has long to run. Some of you will be knackered at the thought of any of it, and that is also Absolutely Fine of course. But I hope you'll keep reading, keep cocktailing, keep getting the odd cooking idea, and keep in touch. Keeping on going is bloody amazing at the moment. You're doing great, however you're getting through. 

Happy new year, and much love to all of you,

Melinda