There are times when I just can't be arsed to cook.

I didn't sleep too good last night and so I was stirring about 5am and lay wide awake listening to a strange soft pattering sound on my bedroom window. The light filtering through the bedroom curtains  looked unusually bright for such early hours so I got up and pulled the purple drapes back to reveal flurries of large snowflakes and the garden below was already deep in snow. Mr Tumnus, the faun, was nowhere to be seen.

I have a better view from the bathroom window and so I went to get my camera to capture the magical image above. Then I had my first cup of tea and a home-made cake and pottered around my chilly kitchen in my dressing gown and bare feet. Last night's washing up stared at me optimistically from the sink. I ignored its gently accusing gaze, put the radio on and plonked myself down on the settee. It is a delightfully cosy spot and the arm of the settee has a comfortingly worn aspect. My tea steamed by my side. My cake gave off its citrus delights and a few naughty crumbs fell on to my lap.

lemon madeleines

Outside, a continuous pair of hoof prints tracking along the empty village High Street were being covered by fresh snowfall. Their owner had previously paused by the single wan-yellow beamed old street light and quickly fled at the sound of distant sled. Was it the wicked Snow Queen or Katy the grumpy teenage paper girl? The elusive Mr Tumnus didn't wait to find out.

It must have been around 7am when, through my kitchen window, 

I saw my neighbour Jo grinning at me in the backyard. She was dressed like a glamorous Russian, albeit with pink spotty wellies, and was very excited about the snowfall.

I stood momentarily at the partly open back door, a cold draft licking my boney ankles and venturing up my legs. We talked for a few chilly minutes and then she went off for an early morning walk in the local park. Later this morning she told me that she had encounted a substantial, russet coloured hare, bounding energetically across the fields, flicking up snowy grass tufts with its unruly back feet as it went.

Waking up so stupidly early has left me in a bit of a 'can't be bothered' mood today. So much so that I haven't sat down to eat a proper breakfast. I've been grazing on lemon cakes, soft boiled eggs, cooked meats, a handful of sweet blueberries and several cups of tea. As much as I like cooking there are times when I just can't be arsed...