2026 New Year and New Diary - Management Plans and Notes and Projects

2026 a New Year, calls for a new Diary. Sometimes you have to focus on practical matters, ones that set you up with a sturdy foundation and using a Diary helps me do this.  I prefer a paper physical Diary one where I can see things clearly, and pick up and put down.  Even though for many years I was a Legal Secretary, I hated the computer Diary that I had to use.  I prefer something tactile something real that I can reach for easily.  However, in reality for many years I have kept a page a day Diary here at home.  It helps me keep track of things that I would like to do, and gives some guidelines as to when certain preserves are made or certain things are due  to be worked on seasonally.

In the latter days of 2025 I have hastily scribbled down on slips of paper ideas, things to do, things to plan to be added to the crisp new Page a Day diary that I purchased recently.  These file forward notes have been waiting in readiness to be inserted in the relevant month, date or season of this new Diary.  Nothing must go into the Diary before the 1st of the month. I was always led to believe that using a new Diary before the 1st January on any given year could lead to bad luck. Could and so I am not tempting providence.  

There are now several sheets of notes and papers already in a stack ready to be entered into what is for me my Household Management and Planning Diary for the year. I plan to start entering the contents into the Diary today. I use a large page a day Diary as it gives more space for adding items into.  It also cannot be mislaid easily.  It will contain notes on recipes to make or have the option of making and seasonal things to do throughout the year.  Preserves lists, Pantry lists etc. Gardening Bits and Bobs, flowers, wine making, home made liqueurs.  At the end of the day it is a mine of personal information for me to either make or not to make.  No one year is the same as another.  There is always room for pivoting or  adjustments.

I will also add in Public Holidays, special events, and things to do in the run up to holidays such as Christmas and planning or making of things to do well in advance.

The Diary is kept near my desk in the Study/Computer Room/Craft Room.  It is nearly always near to hand for me to add things when I find them or think of them.  This year I thought that I would share some of the possibilities to make or not to make. In reality, I do not make everything, just make the items that suit my household and each year is different depending what is available to you.  Take 2025 I wanted Peaches for making some Five Spiced Peaches and also a Peach Chutney.  However the availability for Peaches for me last year was literally non-existent and when I did eventually find some beautiful ones they were £5 for four peaches.  Therefore 2025 was a year without Peaches. 

I thought that by sharing my ideas and possibilities of things to do that it would give you a guideline or an option to have a go at making some things for yourself. It would also create an Aide Memoire to help create your own Check List of annual and seasonal work and always possibilities.  Some room always has to be allowed as sometimes seasons because of the weather fluctuate and happen sooner rather than later. If that happens in real life it can end up spanning over a couple of months which in itself can cause confusion.  I will also try and make notes of things to look out for both fresh from Farm shops or from the supermarket as I use both resources and even the Wild Larder.  This will also include natural items to be sourced from the countryside such as Larch Cones, Fir Cones, twigs etc. which can be gathered and then used in creating decorations and items for your homemade Christmas and other seasonal displays.  If  you have the materials ready to go, means  you can put something together fairly swiftly.

I intend, (although in reality may not always be able to accomplish) popping up a post relating to the possibilities and the variables for any specific month at the beginning of each month.  Thought that this might be a good reminder/pit date for each month.

I have therefore for this first day of 2026 been sat, adding in entries to my new Diary.  I still have a few more to go and will pop up a list of the items I am looking at for January or what I am thinking of making.  It has been a quiet start to the New Year graceful, and peaceful.

Here is to a positive New Year.

Catch you shortly.

Pattypan

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