![a cavapoo sitting on red leather armchair looking at the camera](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/taking-stock-3.png)
Here we are on the last day of 2022 and what a ride this year has been! It has certainly been a December to remember for all the right reasons, not least because it has been our first northern hemisphere Christmas and the first with family for 14 years!
It’s been a fun festive season with lots happening and much to be grateful for and here’s a whistlestop tour of the month that was.
Making: This Rocky Road wreath. If I’m lucky I might get around to posting the recipe by next Christmas!
![a milk chocolate rocky road wreath drizzled with white chocolate and topped with red and green M and Ms](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/rocky-road-wreath.jpg)
Baking: A persimmon, cranberry and walnut loaf – I can’t wait to share the recipe with you.
Eating: All the English Christmas food like these Pigs in Robes (a spin on Pigs in Blankets!)
![](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pigs-in-robes.jpg)
Cooking: In my Ninja 15-in-1 – it’s ace but a big learning curve.
Dehydrating: Teddy’s treats in the Ninja – so quick and easy!
Satisfying: My dumpling cravings with these Reindeer Bao from Marks and Spencer.
![reindeer bao on a plate](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/reindeer-bao.jpg)
Drinking: Lots of cups of hot tea, it’s the weather for it!
Hanging: A wreath on our front door. I’ve always wanted one!
![a snow dusted succulent wreath hanging on a blue front door with stained glass window panes](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/wreath.jpg)
Donating: To charity instead of sending paper Christmas cards this year.
Exploring: Lincoln Christmas Market.
![a man and woman wearing beanies and smiling in front of Lincoln cathedral](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Lincoln-xmas-market-1.jpg)
Watching: A combo of world cup action and Christmas movies.
Seeing: The local pantomime, Cinderella! Oh yes, I did!
Downloading: Some cracking Christmas reads on to my kindle and reading none of them. Oopsie!
Joining: The local library in an effort to kick start my reading mojo!
![](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/stamford-library.jpg)
Listening: To Christmas tunes – I just can’t get enough.
Failing: Dismally at building a gingerbread house. Note the icing on my glasses!
![woman wearing christmas jumper with hands in air looking shocked with a destroyed gingerbread house in front of her](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/failed-gingerbread-house.jpg)
Laughing: At my terrible efforts!
Marvelling: At Not Quite Nigella’s Charcuterie Chalet.
Enjoying: A fabulous few days in London catching up with family and friends.
Taking: Teddy on his first London bus and underground ride!
![cavapoo wearing a red jacket sitting on the seat on the tube](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Teddy-on-tube.jpg)
Liking: Our first snow.
Disliking: When the snow turns to ice!
![Dog wearing red onesie looking at camera in a street full of frost](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Teddy-in-frost-1.jpg)
Loving: Reuniting with some of our oldest friends for an early Friendmas Christmas Dinner.
Visiting: The beautiful market town of Ely. Fun fact – I used to work there many moons ago.
Counting: Down to Christmas… And Hanukkah.
![a cavapoo wearing a kippah and a blue bandana in front of a menorah](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hanukkah-2.jpg)
Lighting: The candles for Hanukkah.
Opening: The doors of my wine advent calendar.
Wearing: My December uniform of Christmas jumpers.
Stepping: In front of the camera for our annual Christmas family photo shoot!
Matching: Christmas jumpers on point!
Hosting: Friends and family.
Showing: Them around our beautiful town.
Realising: At the tender age of 51 that brussel sprouts grown on stalks!
Joining: The local pub quiz – we didn’t come last so I’m counting that as a win!
Feeling: Really happy.
Sleeping: On Christmas bedding. I’m a bit obsessed.
![](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-bedding.jpg)
Spending: Christmas with the outlaws in the North East but only got photos of food, not people!
Falling: Into a food coma.
Needing: To not eat for a while!
Being: Treated to a marvellous manicure by my talented niece.
Going: To the beach on Boxing Day.
![Dog on beach looking out to sea](https://www.theannoyedthyroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Teddy-at-beach.jpg)
Recovering: From my snot virus and then catching it again. Argh!
Testing: For Covid because I always like to err on the side of caution! Pleased to report results are negative!
Planning: To do a yearly review but just ran out of time.
Hoping: To get back to business as usual on the blog in the new year. Don’t hold your breath though…
Missing: My mum more than ever.
Looking: Forward to a 2023 full of all good things.
Now I’ve told you all about my month, I’d love to hear about yours. Spill the beans in the comments!