...more spectacular amaryllis flowers. This is 'Bolero', my first amaryllis of the winter; very pink and very lovely, and a perfect shade for toe-nails in summer 2009.
...painting my toe-nails similarly shocking colours when they come out of sock hibernation.
...knitting something other than socks. This is a definite as I have signed a contract to start writing a knitting book later in 2009.
...finishing the books I am writing: a book for Hodder and a quilting book for Anova (Collins & Brown).
...reading more 'domestic' literature using Nicola Beauman's brilliant book for guidance. I've been so busy with other things recently that I've missed true immersion and escapism in excellent writing.
...escaping into film, too. I have a large backlog of Cary Grant/Alfred Hitchcock/films noirs to watch again. Rear Window calls.
...looking through my study window in spring at the tulips we planted.
...planting more low-maintenance but beautiful plants. I feel 2009 will be the year of the hydrangea and the dogwood. Vibrant, wonderful habits, of interest most of the year.
...not competing with my new plants.
Happy New Year.
Wishing you a very happy new year!
Posted by: Ruth | December 31, 2008 at 13:10
Another gorgeous flower in the middle of winter. Thanks for the splash of color and inspiration.
Posted by: Shan | December 31, 2008 at 13:49
a joyous & interesting 09 to you & yours......
Posted by: jonquil | December 31, 2008 at 13:56
I'm very excited about the prospect of a knitting book! And I do love Hydrangeas - "the year of the Hydrangea" - I'll be on the look out for another floral quilt? Happy New Year!
Posted by: Helen | December 31, 2008 at 13:58
Have you thought of planting Hellebores? I've got about a dozen mixed in with ferns and some geraniums with a backdrop of iris. There are the wonderful flowers in the depths of winter, and then interesting leaf shapes all year. I was hoping that 2009 would be the year of the magnolia in my garden but deer (or maybe rabbits) have eaten the tops of all the branches and those on my BAY TREE!
2009 is going to be the year I knit my first pair of socks (probably on the X13 bus to work)- I'm just finishing the Fair Isle dress in the Debbie Bliss magazine for my 16 year old.
Posted by: Irene S | December 31, 2008 at 14:01
Oh, what lovely things to look forward to--and I can look forward to them too.
I also want to thank you for bringing such joy and pleasure to my life. I'll eagerly read the Nicola Beauman book, as this time period fascinates me. I've just finished Jacqueline Winspear's latest Maisie Dobbs book (a mystery series set between the two wars, featuring a woman who emerges from below stairs to become one of those women Beauman writes about).
Happy New Year, Jane!
Posted by: Laura A. | December 31, 2008 at 15:24
I look forward to seeing your new books. Love the other two. Thanks for the glorious pink today - it's icy grey here in Wiltshire - an antidote to what looks like permanent frost. Happy new year.
Posted by: Janice | December 31, 2008 at 15:26
Happy New Year. Looking forward to more lovely colour and your unique slant on life in 2009.
Posted by: Gina | December 31, 2008 at 15:38
I have desperately searched for some of the books you mention here in the states, to no avail!! So disappointing because they sound so good to me and I would love to read them. I will try to put in a request at my library and see if they might be able to locate at least a few of them.
I'm enjoying your blog so much, it is so relaxing yet gets me wanting to do so many things as you manage to fit into your day. I just love your book and have given it to one of my daughters, she also thinks it is wonderful. I cannot wait for the quilt book to come out!!!
Happy New Year!!
Posted by: marigold | December 31, 2008 at 16:53
I look forward to knitting socks for the first time in my life ... I've been so inspired by your photos that I just HAVE to knit them this next year! I figure if I start in January, then I can have a pair for each of my friends by Christmas ^_^
And looking forward to starting gardens in my new home: herbs, an asparagus patch, a salad garden, and lots of flowers.
And cooking a pot of something wonderful on a cold, snowy day, then inviting friends over to catch up on our lives as we dip warm bread into bowls to sop the gravy up.
And so much more ...
Have a lovely new year's eve, and a lazy, peaceful new year day!
Posted by: Journey | December 31, 2008 at 17:06
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you for the inspiration to pick up my knitting needles. I'm still knitting basic items, but I made some wonderful Christmas gifts that were Oohed a Aahed over.
Thank you for the colors you send, they brighten up my 3 feet of snow!
Posted by: Yvette | December 31, 2008 at 17:08
Looking forward to looking for your new books on the bookshelves.
I have a tip on gardening - if it doesn't look after itself i.e self-seeding or spreading it is not allowed in the garden but I would love a tip on how to get rid of Welsh Leek as that is rampent in my garden! Happy and Healthy New Year.
Posted by: Julie | December 31, 2008 at 17:19
The amaryllis provides a lovely bolt of virtual color here in snowy New England. Thanks!
Posted by: Avice | December 31, 2008 at 17:35
Happy New Year Jane! I'm looking forward to any new books you write. I'm reading Ginger Beer and I just love it. It really brings back warm and happy childhood memories. I haven't had a chance to try the recipes yet, but will soon!
Posted by: Kristin | December 31, 2008 at 17:49
When you've done with Nicola Beauman you could consider another Nicola - Humble. Her "The Feminine Middlebrow Novel, 1920s-1950s: class, domesticity and bohemianism" is an excellent read and mentions lots of titles that sound worth tracking down, as well as old favourites. (Her book on cookery books is also well worth reading)
Posted by: Sara | December 31, 2008 at 17:58
A knitting book also. Now I know what I am looking forward to. Happy New Year. May the world become a better place in 2009.
Posted by: Candy Schultz | December 31, 2008 at 18:02
What a gorgeous flower! Happy, happy New Year, Jane. Thanks for your inspiration!
Posted by: Martha | December 31, 2008 at 18:06
A most beautiful picture of a flower. Love the color.
Happy New Year.
Posted by: Carla (from Alabama) | December 31, 2008 at 18:24
Happy new year to you and your family
Posted by: Karoline | December 31, 2008 at 18:47
Happy New Year - what a wonderful colour for the depths of winter. And so much book goodness to look forward to.
Speaking of which, I have one I saw which made me think of you: Women Who Read Are Dangerous - it has paintings and drawings of women in the act of reading and describes the context of each picture in a way I think you'd find interesting. Do have a peek next time you're in a bookshop.
Posted by: domesticali | December 31, 2008 at 19:15
I too just read your delightfully inspiring book, Gentle Art.. from the library and now must order one to have! I have trouble "explaining" you to people who don't know your blog. I've just finished Jane and Prudence. I look forward to more special moments with you in 2009! Wishing you happiness and health in the new year, dear Jane.
Posted by: Donna | December 31, 2008 at 19:48
A Happpy New Year to you all. Obviously it's going to be a busy one for you. May it be full of successes.
Sue x
Posted by: Sue | December 31, 2008 at 19:55
Happy New Year, Jane. Thanks for the past year of beautiful and thoughtful blogging.
Posted by: Ruth | December 31, 2008 at 20:01
You make me want to go out right now and purchase an amaryllis! Look forward to hear more about your knitting book. And I highly recommend the Endless Summer variety of hydrangea. It is my favorite.
Posted by: Katy | December 31, 2008 at 21:34
I'm looking forward to all these things too, doing them myself and reading about you doing them..Happy New Year!!
Posted by: Betsy | December 31, 2008 at 21:57
Very beautiful and very achievable.Wishing you the best for 2009.
Posted by: Irene | December 31, 2008 at 23:19
I'm a first-time commenter, but I wanted to say that your blog is always a wonderful splash of color in my day. You're inspiring, and i wish you all the best in 2009!
Posted by: Jane | December 31, 2008 at 23:52
Wishing you the happiest of New Years and with an amarylis that color it looks like you are off to a good start! I love having bulbs blooming in the winter. I strongly recommend Endless Summer hydrangea. It is very hardy and blooms all summer long. Cheers.
Posted by: Jeannie | January 01, 2009 at 00:28
all best wishes to you (and simon, tom, alice, and phoebe) in 2009!
xoxo
Posted by: irene | January 01, 2009 at 02:03
Oh, hurrah -- a knitting book!
Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family!
Posted by: janna | January 01, 2009 at 03:46
Wishing you a happy new year and I look forward to the knitting book. xx
Posted by: Lin | January 01, 2009 at 09:51
A very happy, vibrant New year to you Jane, that Amaryllis is so pretty and has reminded me that I clean forgot to buy my own annual amaryllis bulb this year. Looking forward to following your colourful projects throughout 2009
lots of love
Lx
Posted by: [email protected] | January 01, 2009 at 10:42
I dropped many hints about being given an Amaryllis for Christmas, which sadly fell on deaf ears. I feel sure yours will bring endless pleasure for a few weeks...this year I will plant my own in the Autumn, a resolution for this New Years Day. Do look at growing Hellebores as suggested in todays comments. I have a beauty in my garden- planted by birds I think, which gets better every year; quite stunning in this cold frosty weather. Happy New Year, and good luck with all the new projects.
Posted by: Frances Howard-Brown | January 01, 2009 at 12:48
Happy New Year!
Rear Window is a wonderful movie.
Posted by: Knittripps | January 01, 2009 at 14:23
Happy New Year Jane and also to your family! I have decided to knit/sew tea cosies this year! Straight ones as well as quirky ones!
Posted by: alisonb2 | January 01, 2009 at 14:44
Dear Jane,
Just wanting to say I was grateful for your commendation of "A Very Great Profession" last year; I bought it and have found it so informative and enjoyable as well as providing a valuable reading list. ( I am astonished that Nicola Beauman has had criticism for her 'approach' as not correct/kosher from a lit crit perspective! All the more silly, given the dearth of anything written on this topic and era... critics are on another planet aren't they?!)
I notice someone else has mentioned Nicola Humble's book "The Feminine Middlebrow Novel" and thought you would like to know I found that new on ebay for only ten pounds - they had a make an offer option. Elsewhere it sells for over 20 pounds - it has an 'academic text' pricetag! I recommend it if you are looking for more stimulus in the area of 20C English domestic fiction. Perhaps you already know of it though... Regards, Merenia
Posted by: Merenia | January 01, 2009 at 23:38
an excellent list. so lovely. a beautiful, beautiful flower!
Posted by: Norma | January 02, 2009 at 03:40
Happy new year Jane. I hope 2009 brings you all that you wish for.
Posted by: Mrs C | January 02, 2009 at 10:07
You've brightened my day and my new year Jane, many thanks, I love the new blog.
Posted by: Jayne | January 02, 2009 at 10:28
happy new year!! And I really look forward to see this new book about knitting you'll write. Best of luck!!
Posted by: fanny | January 02, 2009 at 11:19
What a lovely post. Looking forward to your new projects and inspiring posts. Happy new year!
Posted by: Cat | January 02, 2009 at 12:05
Dogwoods are one of my passionate favorites. So cool about all those new books; can't wait to see them.
Posted by: bethgem | January 02, 2009 at 20:02
The color of that amarylis is gorgeous -- and now I want to paint my toenails :)
Posted by: Junie | January 02, 2009 at 21:46
Oh my! How I admire bloggers who post their lists! Perhaps I should do it to ensure I am embarassed into doing something about my utterly unrealistic list! Or maybe I should just shorten my list. Or maybe I just post the list and hope everyone forgets! Somehow I think you'll have your list sorted by March and be adding to it! Looking forward to following another whirlwind year! (you forgot to add 'ignore negative commenters'! t.xx
Posted by: kitschen pink | January 03, 2009 at 00:00
Happy New Year Jane, and thank you for being there and sharing your thoughts and pictures with the rest of us!
Posted by: mathea | January 03, 2009 at 13:42
Happy New Year!
I love Amaryllis, I had one that lived in the kitchen (I won it in a raffle - one of the best raffle prizes I ever received :0). Mine has sadly passed on now, I must remember to get another.
I look forward to your new books.
Posted by: dottyspots | January 03, 2009 at 16:55
Congratulations on the new book contract. Excellent news. I'd like to suggest a film I enjoyed a lot, it's called "Easy Living" and it stars Jean Arthur (I don't think she gets enough notice as a great actress). Hydrangea and dogwood are two of my favorite blossoming plants--and I can't blame you for going for low-maintenance!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 03, 2009 at 17:20
Hi Jane,
Needed to let you know that your book has inspired a baby ripple quilt, fairy buns and Brocket Battenburg so far...
My friend Sam rang today and during our conversation she said 'Hey, did you email Jane Brocket...?'
You've inspired flapjacks in her house.
Jude
Posted by: Jude | January 04, 2009 at 14:22
It's great how we have 365 days to accomplish everything we want but sad that as we get older the days fly by faster and it seems nothing is ever accomplished at all.
Good luck to you and I hope that you check-off at least half your list this year.
Posted by: Taylor Bufkin | January 13, 2009 at 19:08