Ahhhh hello one and all....I've been away from the Attic this past week, due to said Attic undergoing something of a miraculous transformation from rather messy hovel to simple guest accommodation, complete with Guests in residence.
The day my Dad and his Lady arrived (Weds of last week) it was hot and sultry and thundery. In the afternoon we experienced a terrific thunderstorm with huge great ploppy droplets of rain pouring from the skies, yet by evening time when it most mattered, it was balmy and summery and very thankfully suitable for my intended outdoor plans. We did indeed enjoy a lovely, simple al fresco supper, and stayed out till midnight chatting by candlelight. Oh I do love it when a a plan comes together, makes me feel quite accomplished (not a feeling I am used to).
Its been a lovely week actually :: relaxed and summery and outdoorsy for the most part, and having folk staying was really enjoyable. We did indeed spend a lot of time outside in our little back yard and most meals were eaten outdoors. My recently planted up pots of flowers looked beautiful, and during last week, the first of the lilies bloomed.
I have two lily plants, and they are planted in some troughs that sit on top of our boundary wall to give a little extra height and a minuscule amount of extra privacy. But although they are proving very effective up at this height, its not possible to get really up close and personal with the blooms, which I have found frustrating. So one day, on the spur of the moment I strode out with a pair of Little Man's craft scissors and snipped a flower off :: snip :: just like that. No hesitation. I'm confident like that sometimes. And popped into a little glass jar of water, this gorgeous flower could then be admired by all. It looked stunning against the blue of my outdoor table runner I thought.
I continue to adore my flowers, I step out each and every morning to check on them and marvel at their unfurling petals.
Such intense, saturated colours....
....and such summery prettiness!!
Talking of flowers, I made this little lot yesterday morning at the cafe during my weekly Knit and Natter get together. The patterns came from Lesley Stanfields book, but I ended up tweaking most of them to make them a little more compact. I'm using up my Rowan Cotton DK yarn, and have an idea to use these flowers for something....not a cushion, nor a bag or blanket, nor a garland. No, none of those usual things, but this is going to be something decorative and creative, which will be completely useless, but nevertheless very pretty I hope.
Yeah, you see I needed a new small and portable project to tote around with me cos BB quite frankly is getting too damn hefty to take out and about. In fact, BB is looking marvelously Blankety these days, very foldable and drapeable and stackable. I am three-quarters done with joining the blocks :: 28 joined in harmony, and only 8 remaining loose. It's really looking veeeeeeeeeeery handsome indeed. And yes, we are still in love, me and BB.
Ahhh but crocheting time has been limited to the odd hours of evening time of late, because when one has Guests in residence, one has to be out and about doing things you know. Can't sit around crocheting all day when family have traveled 300miles to visit!
However my lovely Dad and his Lady are the most undemanding of guests, content to potter, read and take it easy. But we did have a few outings, dodging between the thunder claps and lightening bolts :: we had a lovely day at Bolton Abbey, taking in the lush greenery and ancient scenery, and even paying a trip to The Money Tree (more about that soon).
And there was a trip to Salts Mill too, to take in the wonderful works of David Hockney. His paintings of the Yorkshire Landscape are stunning (postcard above is of an oil painting simply titled "North Yorkshire 1997", and I love it very much)
So my Dad and his Lady went home the day before yesterday and have left a bit of a gap and a distinct lack of routine in their wake. It's been difficult to get on and do the things that need doing, but this morning I donned my pinny and got stuck in to necessary domestic duties.
It's hardly been a chore mind you, as I've been joyfully zesting lemons and making a lemon drizzle cake as part of my contribution towards a PTA fundraising event that I'm involved with tomorrow. This afternoon, there will be carrot cake production, followed this evening by chocolate/caramel shortbread manufacture (I'll give you the recipe for that next week, you won't believe your luck, it's utterly divine I tell you).
Earlier this morning, before the zesting of lemons and the creaming of butter and sugar began, I sat outside to drink my morning coffee and agonise over the latest copy of Country Living magazine, which landed on the doormat yesterday. It is, quite frankly, driving me crazy with desire. I have had the quickest of necessary flick-throughs and oh-oh-oh, what an issue this looks to be! But for now, all I can do is stroke the cover, because, as you well know, I am not permitted to immerse myself in the pages Properly and Fully until the Perfect Moment presents itself. I have a busy and potentially stressful day ahead tomorrow, yet I am hoping the Perfect Moment might arrive smetime during tomorrow evening. Or possibly early Sunday morning....and I will be ready.
So before I go and begin carrotty-bakey things in the kitchen, I leave you with another picture of my Beloved Blanket......ahhhhhh so scrumptious it makes me go weak at the knees ;o)
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and I'll see you next week.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Lucy,
Lovely to see you back again. I was eagerly checking this space everyday. Good day! :-)
Posted by: Resmi Ravi | July 10, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Lovely to see you back. Glad you've had a lovely week with your Dad. BB is indeed looking very scrumptious. My CL dropped through the letter box this morning and I have to say I couldn't save it so sat almost straight down with a chocolate bun and a cup of tea. You are right that it is a most fantastic issue. I am very envious of the first feature house. Just the kind of style I am longing for these days. Hope your PTA event goes well. Have a fab weekend. x
Posted by: Fiona | July 10, 2009 at 01:07 PM
What a great post to start my day before I head off to work. All that lovely color from your garden and those crochet flowers. . . indeed, I can't wait to see what they become. Cheers to you and yours.
Peace~
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | July 10, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Hi Lucy,
beautiful pictures so vibrant and bright you must have special 'Lucy Sunlight' where ever you go!
Have a lovely day (and weekend) I too received my copy CL this morning and am waiting for that perfet 'moment' to indulge possible with some chocolate at the same time.
take care,
Nina x
Posted by: Nina - Tabiboo | July 10, 2009 at 01:24 PM
glad you had a lovley week the flowers look fab
Posted by: valerie | July 10, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Colours and parfumes are always the best guests in your posts!!
happy week-end
AnnaP
Posted by: AnnaPaula | July 10, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Greetings from beautiful northeastern Pennsylvania...
Checked your blog daily...missed your cheeriness and "colorful" outlook.So, I took the time to read all of your past blogs...just wonderful! I must say, though, I do not like it when you put yourself down. You are a treasure!!! Stay just as you are!!!
Glad you're back...Emily V.
Posted by: Emily Valli | July 10, 2009 at 02:08 PM
I was wondering where you had got to :o) how popular you are in bloggie land x
your blanket is looking scrummy i have been busy crocheting on mine i worked out i have 120 blocks to do for it to fit my bed and i have only done 6 but i am loving working on it.
Lovely pics of your flowers what a pleasure it must be to watch them bloom.
Have a good weekend
Naomi
Posted by: Naomi Rainford | July 10, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Beautiful!!! Funnily enough i was just thinking about you today. On my way home on the train after work i'll be crocheting the last row, on the last square of my flowery granny square blanket!! Just need to join them together, sew the flowers on, put a row around the egde and it'll be done...yay!!!
Unfortunately for my blanket (but fortunately for us!) the weather in Yorkshire has been so fab so i won't be needing it for a while so i suspect i'll be placing it in a stategic location so i can admire and stroke from time to time. Thanks you very much for the inspiration to get hooky again!! B.x.
Posted by: flossyblossy | July 10, 2009 at 02:17 PM
Lucy - thanks so much for all your instructions...my Summer Garden Granny square blanket is coming along nicely! The squares are truly addictive and a sure stress-reliever whenever I need it!! Love your wonderful photos also of the gorgeous flowers!!Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Marianne McCament | July 10, 2009 at 02:17 PM
Lovely!....as always. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Angie | July 10, 2009 at 02:22 PM
Hi Lucy. Missed you but am happy to hear the absence was due to lovely house guests. I too have been crocheting away at what I hope will be my very own BB but my sense of color is poor so I fear it may not be my dream BB but it will be Mine nonetheless. Happy weekend.
Posted by: Giselle | July 10, 2009 at 02:29 PM
It looks like you have had a very lovely week Lucy ~ you always manage to capture things just right and make them beautifully bright. I also love your crocheted flowers and I have been busying myself making some Attic 24 crochet flowers this week too! Hope you have a great weekend :O)
Posted by: Jackie | July 10, 2009 at 02:31 PM
So glad you had a wonderful time with your guests and that you actually were able to transform the Attic into a guest room : )!! Looks like you had a great time. Enjoy your baking today!
Posted by: Shelley in SC | July 10, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Sound like you had a great time with your Dad. So wonderful! Love how BB is coming along. Very pretty! Good luck with all the baking. Everything sounds yummy!
Have a great weekend Luce!
Toodles!
xxxx
Posted by: Kar | July 10, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Good to see you back. I made good use of your time away and fully introducted myself to your blog! Loving the BB!
melissa
ps...my nick name growing up was "lucy"....long story.. :)
Posted by: melissa | July 10, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Hi Lucy:
Not sure if you know about it, but Lion Brand Yarn has a newsletter (weekly) and they feature different "of the week" categories. For awhile, it was different crochet stitches, then knit stitches, and right now, which is right up your alley, they are featuring crocheted flowers of the week. This week it's a Lily of the Valley - see it here: http://www.lionbrand.com/faq/493.html?language=&service=801&letterId=54893
Anyway, BB is looking swell. Keep up the good work and enjoy your garden flowers!
Posted by: MissMellifluous | July 10, 2009 at 03:03 PM
It sounds like you had a lovely time with your Dad and his Lady. And I love seeing pictures of your blossoms. They are inspiring me to plant my own as I have 2 window seats in my new house that are quite lonely. Well, they have boxes and other unnecessary junk on them, but we'll have to take care of that in the name of pretty flowers. :)
Just came across your blog and I am in awe of your crocheted goodness! I took up knitting about 2 years ago (after crocheting for probably 15 years before that, off and on), fully immersed myself in it, and totally abandoned crochet. Your blog has inspired me to pick up my hooks again! I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant with my 3rd, but once all the chaos & adjustment that comes with a new baby and the projects that I started last year with the intention of gifting for Christmas presents (I am so bad, I know, but in my own defense, I was dead sick with pregnancy nausea) are finished, I am planning to start a ripple blanket using your pattern. I never really cared for the sharp points and ziggy zagginess of all the other free patterns I've found out there, but your pattern is just perfect and totally suits my tastes. Thank you so much for sharing!
Kristen =)
Posted by: Kristen | July 10, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Dear Lucy. Thank you for your inspirational words and wonderful, colourful photographs of your gorgeous flowers and amazing crocheting. They always cheer me up and I eagerly check this space everyday hoping for a new message. I'm sure all the ladies (and gents) who read your blog will agree with me that we will hold you to your promise of the chocolate/caramel shortbread recipe! Wishing you a gorgeous weekend.
Blessings,
Sarah Jane
Posted by: Sarah Jane | July 10, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Hi Lucy,
What a marvelous time we live in, to be able to visit you half a world away. I hail from the high desert of Albuquerque, NM USA. So your snappies (aka photos) of the country side and flowers and such are like a balm to my parched soul. Loved the train ride and watching BB grow. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Lori | July 10, 2009 at 04:04 PM
What a lovely colourful "Lucy Fix". Cannot wait to see that blanket finished. I had a lemon drizzle cake in the over at 6.45 this morning - then put washing out, organised breakfast, packed lunches ironed uniforms. Said cake is rather charred to say the least!
Posted by: lucy@theantidote | July 10, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Hi Lucy,
As always your post is beautiful and full of colour. I love, love, love your blanket and was just wondering how many balls of yarn it has taken? I saw your list of colours back in May but how many would it take to make a big old blanket like yours?
Sam x
Posted by: Sam Moss | July 10, 2009 at 05:05 PM
So glad to see you back. I missed you and looked in every day. Looking forward to seeing what you make with your lovely crocheted flowers. Have a great weekend Lucy. xx
Posted by: June | July 10, 2009 at 05:06 PM
It's been ages since we've been to Salts Mill (naughty cos it's only 10 mins drive away and our great auntie lives about 1 min walk away!). I feel the need to go when we next have a day off together!
Every July we have a big party at Bolton Abby for my neive and nephews bday....we'll be by the river on the 19th if you are in the area!!!!
Posted by: Liz | July 10, 2009 at 05:09 PM
These photos gave me the shot of color I needed. How beautiful. You have such an eye for photography. It's like eye candy. I missed you the last 5 days so it is great to read your new post. Have a lovely day Lucy!
Posted by: Meagan S. | July 10, 2009 at 05:09 PM