Only a couple of weeks ago, it was below freezing and I was crunching through icy puddles.

This morning, as I brushed my teeth, I looked out of the bathroom window and noticed that there was no frost. The leafless sycamore tree was glowing bright rusty orange in the morning sun. And then my eye fell to a scattering of snowdrops at the foot of the tree. I sensed a small but significant inner gasp of gratitude as the first sign of spring imbued me with the positivity and creativity that often eludes me in the short, cold days of winter.

Fortunately, I’ve been kept busier than ever this January with plenty of birthdays, among both new clients and ‘old’ regulars.

In Japan, there’s a festival to celebrate the start of spring, as you might expect! It is called Setsubun, falling on 3rd February this year. The rituals and traditions have changed as they have been handed down over the centuries, and have produced regional variations. The most common is to throw beans around while shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" to cast off the previous year's bad fortunes and evil spirits, while ushering in good fortune and happiness as a new year begins.

Here in Britain, we’re entering a funny period called ‘the hungry gap’. Root vegetables and brassicas are still around, but I’m looking forward to seeing my menus take on a lighter touch of spring.

So February is not too late to say Happy New Year! If you have a birthday or family event to celebrate in the coming months, please send me a message, or schedule a phone call with me.

And if anyone is fortunate enough to be in Japan at this time of year, please share your photos or videos!