Weekend delights

Helloooooo!! Ahh Monday again, hopping and skipping into a new week and all is well.

I like Mondays :: typical of me to go against the norm eh, as so many people commonly complain about this particular point in the week. I enjoy the calm that greets me at 9.30am on a Monday morning when I walk back through the front door after the school run/market/shops. I like the space and solitude after the weekends which are often chockerblock rammed full of, of...of? Well of kids and toys and mess and noise, music and television and shouting and singing, laundry, cooking, outings, demands. You know, all that stuff-of-family-life, the stuff that needs to be done when one is a Mum-of-two and a Wife-of-one.

We just had a great weekend as it happens, really top notch. One of the best things about it was that it started early (Friday night as opposed to the usual Saturday morning), and as a result the weekend felt enoooorrrrrrrmously lengthy. And slightly disorientating in a very pleasurable way. You know that feeling when you wake up with a start on Sunday morning convinced that it is in fact Monday, then chuckle to yourself heehee when you realise that it's still the weekend...Love that feeling.

Yeah we drove to the coast on Friday night. Packed a small bag of overnight essentials, and off we went to Blackpool. It was all very spontaneous and quite exciting really. J was going there anyways to attend a 40th birthday bash of an old school friend, it had all been arranged and booked weeks ago. But right at the last minute, we decided I could perhaps telephone the little hotel and alter his booking from a lonely single room to a fun-filled family room. And so it was that on Friday night we all found ourselves on Blackpool's North Shore, in a small, neat little hotel, feeling quite holidaysish. J went off to his party, leaving me and the highly excitable Little People in the hotel lounge drinking wine/lemonade respectively and having a jolly good time together in unfamiliar surroundings.

I love taking the Little People away for the weekend, there is something so joyful about sharing their excitement in new experiences. Watching them explore, seeing them delight in running up and down stairs, in and out of doors, bouncing on unfamiliar beds, climbing up onto deep windowsills behind curtains to make "dens". I was more than happy that night to let J go out and party with his old school buddies, while I stayed in the hotel watching a little tv, sipping my wine and letting the Little People do their thing.

We had an early start to Saturday morning (err, 5.05am, yes, thats quite early isn't it?)..but no matter, it was OK. We were out in the freeeeeeeezing cold shortly after 8am, being blown along the deserted promenade of the North Shore in a ferocious wind. Bracing is the word. The sky was blue, the sea was grey (it always is here abouts) and the air was sharp. And it was fun! J, feeling a little delicate, stood and watched as the Little People and I raced along the prom (no gentle strolling for us, we go with Pace), slowing down to skip and catch breath then more running....I am not athletic you understand, no, not accustomed to running normally, but oh I do love to dash about like a big kid when I am beside the sea.

Back to the hotel at 9am for a scrumptious breakfast, then straight back out again and into the depths of Blackpool we go. It's not a place I care for a great deal, it has to be said. Blackpool is  a typical old fashioned English seaside resort. Tacky, bad taste, shabby, garish. Huge amusement arcades, rundown tourist attractions, neglected shops. It lacks charm in my opinion, but hey, the sea is there (even if it is a dirty shade of grey) and I try not to let myself feel disappointed at the ugliness of the place.

The morning was spent at Blackpool Sealife Centre, which was great fun actually. Something wonderful about observing fish (some very big fish there were too), sharks, seahorses, coral reefs and our favourite rays....the Little People really did enjoy every minute of it. Afterwards we drove out of Blackpool, further down the coast to Lytham St Annes , which is altogether more genteel and picturesque than neighbouring Blackpool. Here we strolled along the prom and then settled ourselves in a cosy pub with a sea view for a late lunch.

Then finally towards the end of the afternoon when we were all tired out, we set off  homewards...oh such a fun day being beside the sea!

 

Sunday was altogether more run-of-the-mill, more leisurely, more homely, more predictable. And I was so happy with that. Love love spending time at home, pottering about, enjoying the pleasure of nothing-in-particular.....

: a cup of coffee and time to stroll in Magazine-wonderland, oh it was lush!! I adore the Easter issue magazines soooo much, need to chatter to you about that in a separate post I think ::

:: the pleasure of hanging laundry out to dry on the line for the first time this year, followed by  the hugely enjoyable experience of getting into bed on Sunday night and sniffing and snorting the pillowcases, breathing in that freshly-laundered-air-dried-cotton scent ::

:: noticing the first fresh green shoots of chives re-appearing after their winter sleep, followed by a hugely enjoyable time spent browsing gardening books and dreaming up all sorts of gardeney floral/herbal plans for my little back yard this year ::

:: late afternoon, having worn crocs all day with bare feet, I begin to feel chilly. I go and find a pair of the most beautiful hand-knitted socks to pull on, made for me by a lovely, generous visitor to Attic24 called Susan. These socks give me so much pleasure, there's something simply wonderful about snuggling cold toes into warm socks and settling down on the sofa for a spot of crochet ::

:: crochet, yes, of course. how could my weekend not contain any hooky goodness? Yesterdays hooking was a little experimentation after this new book arrived on my doormat a few days ago. I'll write more about this book at another time, surfice to say for now that it's beautifully photographed and oh-so-tempting, but the patterns are oh-so-damn complicated! I almost gave up with it, but jeez I refuse to be beaten by a bunch of goobledeegook words! So with some serious concentration, a little bad language and a bit of perseverance, I eventually got the hang of it. Had to get my head round working Triple-treble stitches, Double-treble stitches, carrying stitches across, working out of the base of stitches, working up and down the stems of stitches, making chain bars, taking the hook behind petals and working from the back etc etc etc. But then again, I was in the Advanced Design section. And I did indeed manage to create not one but two Advanced Flowers ::

Not quite sure what to do with my advanced flowers yet? At the moment I am enjoying just fondling them, but might try and dream up some sort of floral something-or-another to make use of them. Perhaps with a little insect life thrown in too (there are patterns for crochet butterflies and a bumblebee in this book, too cute for words really).

Hope you all had a great weekend, whether you were home or away...I wonder what Weekend Delights you enjoyed?

xxxxxxxx

Comments

[Nicola/smilernpb]

As always, a wonderfully inspiring post...I am beginning to think that my life is so dull....or perhaps I need (like you) to look on the bright side of everything!

I see that there are lots of visitors to the Attic each day now, you must be having to clean up lots of muddly footprints on your carpet...it must be your new found fame...or perhaps the delicious baking?

Anyway, Lucy, take care and as always, I look forward to your next post.

[Deb]

y'know I think I will have a delicious Monday morning feeling when all of mine are at school. Although it probably won't last as will no doubt have to find Job.....

Mine love going away too but doesn't happen very often, poor loves. However, even getting air beds out can cause the same reaction.

[susan hall]

Love the weekend delights Lucy! You even manage to make dear old Blackpool look inviting and that is quite an achievement these days.
Love the crochet the colours just mmmmm- especially the pansy, I do love pansies..(why doesn't that sound quite right?)
My own weekend included a trawl round Bury market, you should go there some time it is HUGE. And on sunday to Manchester where we saw the St Patrick's day parade and I had half an hour in Paperchase cooing over the pretty easter goodies.
I do like the cosy picture of your feet in their beautifully fitting socks....well I would say that wouldn't I... love xx

[kim]

I am so happy you had a great weekend! I also love Monday's- they are full of possibilities and new chances. Monday's are the day I always begin new projects, diets, etc... Oh, and i really like your crochet flowers, i am tempted to try one myself.

[simone]

The last time I went to Blackpool I got food poisoning! I am glad that you enjoyed your little break. Sometimes it is just nice to get away isn't it? I bet the little people love going on all these mini adventures with you. Well done on tackling the 'advanced'! crochet flowers. That huge pansy is great. Do they have any sunflowers in the book? I bet you could make a lovely huge sunflower with a little bee sitting in the middle!

[Nina - Tabiboo]

Hi Lucy,

Sounds like you had an enjoyable, adventurous weekend!! I have never been to Blackpool, but the way you describe it, it sounds a lot like our neighboring town of Margate.

I love going away, but I think I love coming home even more!

Nina x

[Vivienne]

Hi Lucy
I too had "100 flowers to knit and crochet" arrive on my doormat just recently. It's such a lovely book. I also made a couple of daisies this weekend to decorate a bag with. So many more flowers I want to make from the book though.

[Kleinzonnetje]

I have that book too and am slowly working my way through it. I'm determined to do each and every one of the flowers, though like you, I'm not sure what they will be used for! YouTube has some fabulous video crochet tutorials on it to help with those tricky stitches. I can sit for ages trying to follow a written instruction for a stitch and then I go there and see it done and think 'Ohhhh!, that's what they mean!'

[jeane]

ooh, mondays have always been blue for me...
perhaps i should look to the opposite side on what mondays lay ahead for the week.

ladybird would like nice on ur flowers.

[bigbucketgirl]

we had a weekend in blackpool before christmas and it was wet and very, very grey..but we loved it. it took almost 7 hours to get there so we couldn't say no to our little people when they insisted we went up the tower and saw the sights!

we also enjoyed the prom at pace with a husband and daddy who was...slower and not so keen on standing under the huge glitter ball sculpture ... looking up to make our heads spin!!

[Jane]

How funny is that! I bought that book on Thursday and was going to blog about it this week! We are all so alike aren't we, it never fails to make me smile!
Love to you, Luce
Jane
xx

[Trish]

We go to Blackpool every year for hubbys work Christmas do :) love the place loads of good fun and seaside tackiness LOL!!! not such a good weekend here, lots of family poorlyness, but did manage to lose my voice watching the rugby yesterday!!!! (while getting hooky I might add)

[sumea]

I really like your new flowers. particularly the delightful little pansy. I love pansies they remind me so much of my Nan. I loved how she grew them in a little cranny at the end of her tiny brick yard.
Shame about Blackpool's unprettyness, you wrote a lovely description of your day out though. I enjoy your days out lots and lots. Have been out in the sunshine myself today, it really perks you up, the sunshine, when it comes. Especially when you are not expecting it. Better move on now, or I'll be here chatting all day.
bfn
xx
Sumea

[frances]

Your seascape photos are quite beautiful, showing that nature always brings pleasure to the eye, even if some other Blackpool aspects are ... well, not so pretty. Still, I can imagine what fun it was for your children to go exploring.

I agree with prior comments that the crocheted pansy is very effective. I will have to investigate that book.

Happy Monday to you, Lucy!

[Hen]

Ah Lucy, looks like I will be paying Mr Amazon a visit later on. I've hummed and hahhed over that book but it looks rather pretty and I've been hankering after a crochet butterfly. Funnily enough, I made a pansy flower from the Nicky Epstein Crocheted Flowers book on Friday night. It is quite pretty but like you, I'm now wondering what to do with it! No doubt I shall find a use. Glad you had a good weekend. I agree, I love Mondays actually. I love the weekend and being with the gang but by Monday, I'm happy to be back to my den, Radio 2 and pottering about, and unadulterated non-stop crafting, of course!
Hen x

[Lucy]

Ahhh there's nothing like the seaside air to blow your cobwebs away - if you know what I mean! So glad you had a lovely time at the seaside. And how lovely to finish your weekend off with some peaceful pottering and crochet. Love the socks! Lucy xxxxx

[Jenny]

Wonderful post! I'm so thrilled to have been shown to your blog yesterday. I am looking so forward to many more posts!

[JacquiMcR]

I love mondays too because as a part-time worker (frid, sat, mon - 5hrs each day) because 2.00pm on a Mon sees my working week! finished. On a Saturday I work 8 - 1 and get home in time to have lunch (usually made for me by lovley hubby). Son has been to football training and daughter is preparing for dance class. I then get to read or catch up on some TV until she is collected and we decide what the evening will bring. Sunday is usually our going out day or staying in with a family movie depending on whats going on. Am loving the pansy, Lucy, however as I still haven't mastered the basics (I'm evening boring myself say this)yet, I wont be buying the book any time soon. Enjoy your Monday evening - jacqui x

[Steph]

Have you tried the daffodils yet Lucy ?
The pattern is a bit wordy but ok if you persist...just right for spring or St David's Day !
Off to the see soon too for a w/end of craft and beachcombing..I can't wait !
Steph x

[Lucy]

Love love loving the flowers x o x

[Judith]

Pleased you and the little people had a good time in Blackpool, it's not my cup of tea.

That book, I tried to order it last week but it was out of stock. I want to crochet the poppies. Is it really good?

[Kar]

Sounds like a most wonderful weekend dear! How fun frolicking around the beach out of breath, just being yourself. Beeeeauuuutiful!!!

Even at home you seemed to have had a grand time. What could be better with fresh sheets, home made socks, yarny business, mags, etc. Simply awesome. It makes me want to throw on my socks I've made. Cozy aren't they?

The flowers are lovely and that is one book I will have to put on my list to check out. How fun!

Have a grand day in the Attic! Frolic as you please!!! :)

xxxxxxx

[Julia]

What a lovely time you all had! I adore the new flowers you've crocheted-beautiful, especially the pansy!

Did I tell you Ive started my very own summer blanket, Im following the pattern you very kindly shared here and Im up to 14 squares!Hurrah for inspiration and beautiful blankets!!!

Love to you
Julia x

[Stacy]

What a nice weekend you had! The flowers are so bright and cheery. Love the photo of the laundry hanging on the line.

[Gina]

What a delightful weekend! But I have to confess I like Mondays too.