This beautiful rose is sitting right in front of me as I sit at my rather messy dining table tap-tapping on my laptop, it's really beautiful (the rose, not the messy table) and I am happy to be starting the year with a jug of fresh flowers in the house.
I love this time of year. Love the feeling of optimism and excitement that comes over me when I ponder on a whooooooooole fresh-new-exciting Big Fat Year stretching ahead. So much time! So many possibilities! So much fun to be had! Lots of potential hooky time to be found in three hundred and sixty five days you know.
I tossed out my old calendars a few days ago and with much joy and anticipation I replaced them with my new ones. I'm back to just two (five was a bit excessive last year), and they are both wonderful. I'm really looking forward to sharing them with you as the year unfolds, they bring me such a lot of pleasure. Yes, I'm easily pleased as you well know by now.
So the above image is January from this year's Laura Ashley calendar, this is one amazing calendar folks, I love it! Each of the twelve images is completely made up from intricately cut and collaged fabrics, they are so clever. Makes me want to do careful and clever things with fabric, I do quite miss my sewing from time to time.
And here is January as seen in the ever lovely calendar that comes free each year with Ideal Homes magazine. Gosh, this calendar has never, ever failed to lift my spirits and every month of the past three years has been beeeeeeeutiful in IH-calendar land. The photographs are stunning they really are.
And of course I can't talk seasonal and calendar-ish things without also bringing in the current state of the weather, that would never do. I took the above photo on New Years day, and it's pretty much been like that ever since. The bitter cold, bright icy weather of last month has gone and we've been left with much warmer air but also a lot of dull grey/brown. It is January after all, and we do need to expect a certain kind of wintry dullness at this time of year I guess. My Attic view is still beautiful though, isn't it? It looks peaceful and sleepy to me.
So....today is day five of the New Year and I've already managed to clock up many, many hours of hooky time this year, hooorah! I've had such a happy time this past week or so, sitting in various places (at the dining table, on the sofa, on the other sofa, in the Big Chair, and best of all in bed) hooking my little heart out. My hook has been h*o*t, I've been working like the clappers on my sweet flower granny blanket trying to get somewhere near to The End of it. I really want to finish it so that I can move on to new things, my creative mind is going crazy with new ideas and the stack of Future Projects is worryingly high for the 5th day of the year.
Ok, we need to have some jug appreciation now if you don't mind. Isn't this one an absolute beauty?? A surprise Christmas gift from a good friend, I am very much in love with it. Smitten actually. It's such a happy little thing! Such good looks, such a colourful personality, bags of charm too. And it looks so at home here on my messy, colourful table.
Oooo what have we here?? A rare photo in my dim kitchen, this is the small area to the left of the sink which is given over to the coffee machine, dishwasher tablets and empty milk bottles. It's not very pretty here in this corner of my kitchen, but it is light because of the little kitchen window and the back door. I've put my newly purchased amaryllis bulb here for the time being, and I'm really excited to have one of these in the house again. It's a whole two years since the last ones were here. Have you ever grown an amaryllis?? The rate at which they shoot skywards is astonishing, a true natural marvel. And then there's the flowers, my goodness, such beauty. Wonderful stuff to start the year with, I can't wait.
Ahh yes, something else we've started the year with, a certain cheeky Little Monkey celebrated his very first birthday today.
We spent the morning with lovely friends and neighbours, a chaotic mixture of Mums, babes, toddlers and Little People, but it was such good fun. Little B being such a sociable wee fella, spent the entire morning crawling about the place with a big beaming grin on his face. He loves a good social gathering. At eleven o'clock we lit his candle and sang him happy birthday, then allowed him to sit and smother his entire face with slices of chocolate caterpillar cake. He was very, very happy with that arrangement.
He is very well loved our Little B, and many friends remembered that today was His Day. He seemed to be genuinely thrilled with all of his gifts, lots of new and delightful things to play with.
Awwwwwwwwwwwww, how wonderful it is to observe a sleeping baby, I never get over the huge lurch of my heart when I gaze at my Littlies as they sleep. This is a very tired Little Birthday Boy taking his afternoon nap, snuggled under his very own granny blanket, do you remember it?
Gosh, it's been an emotional day. I've been reminiscing a lot about the day Little B came into the world, it was not plain sailing I can tell you, and I still remember it as if it were yesterday. This first year has been long and difficult in many ways, but oh my, there has been such incredible joy and happiness along the way too. I'm looking forward to this next year enormously.
Right then, I think I've rambled on quite enough for one evening, there suddenly seemed a lot to say about the start of January didn't there?! I'm off to sit a while on the sofa now and get a little giddy over yarn and hook. I'm working on The Edge you know, and it's a very exciting place to be.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Simply beautiful post Lucy!!! Lovely attitude to the New Year (your enthusiasm is AWESOME!!!)
Posted by: Ren | January 05, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Oh my Gosh, THE EDGE!!! I can't wait for the tadah to follow.....!! Am loving that you are back, you know what I mean?? hugs xx
Posted by: Mandy M | January 05, 2011 at 09:58 PM
New Year is lovely, isn't it? You're absolutely right - all those opportunities and blessings just waiting to happen. Have a happy 2011.
Posted by: Lesley | January 05, 2011 at 09:58 PM
I do love your calendar and attic view posts! I have missed them! Happy Birthday Little B! I agree with Ren above about your attitude and enthusiasm.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Louise | January 05, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Happy Birthday Little B! Every time I wrote the date at work today I thought "oooh it's B's birthday!"
There may even be a little late birthday present for him on Saturday, if he is a very good boy :-)
lots of love to you xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Heather | January 05, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Happy birthday to Little B!
Posted by: Ali | January 05, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Now I have found you I avidly read your every posting. You are such an inspiration! I too love this time of the year. (We're a rare type of person BTW!).
Posted by: Sophia Roberts | January 05, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Happy Birthday, Little B! I can't believe it's been a whole year.
That jug so fits your colorful cheeriness, it's perfect!
Posted by: del | January 05, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Dear Lucy have had a bit of a rough evening so I was very cheered up when I checked your blog!! Yes you are right all those days stretching ahead of us
with lots of exciting crafting things to do!!
Happy Birthday to little man.
Look forward to seeing your completed blanket soon A big hug from me. xx
Posted by: Sarah west mids uk | January 05, 2011 at 10:01 PM
I'm happy to see so many wonderful things filling your New Year already! It bodes well for the rest of the year. Happy Birthday to the littlest one!
Posted by: Melissa P | January 05, 2011 at 10:02 PM
awwww....a Happy day to to the Birthday Boy and You sweet Lucy. I have been thinking of You and remembering this day last year. I was so Thrilled and relieved for You, and what a Wondeful year it has been too.
Many Thanks to You also for your kind words ♥xXx♥ I am so Happy to be getting back into the swing of things.
Lots and Lots of Love, Hugs and Birthday kisses ♥xXx♥
Millie
Posted by: amelie | January 05, 2011 at 10:03 PM
You are ever so slightly mad, which I love! Happy birthday little B. One to two is such a special year, so much to learn and much, much growing to do. Enjoy. Loving the jug.
Happy New Year,
L x
Posted by: Lesley | January 05, 2011 at 10:08 PM
How is it possible that your little man is One! as always I thank you for starting it all for me. I found your blog and a whole new world opened up for me. so Happy new Year and Happy birthday to the litte fella!
Posted by: miss holly | January 05, 2011 at 10:09 PM
Happy Happy Birthday Little B! A bright and uplifting start to January! Enjoy 2011! Cx
Posted by: Catherine | January 05, 2011 at 10:16 PM
1 today??...are you sure??....wow, i cant believe it!!
happy 1st birthdya little b x x x
Posted by: Jennifer | January 05, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Lucy what a lovely post. I was surprised that your little man is already one. Time has flown by. Sounds as if you've had the most perfect day. Happy Birthday to him and Happy New Year to you.
X
Posted by: Bobo Bun | January 05, 2011 at 10:29 PM
I always love your blog posts
Posted by: Tasha | January 05, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Lucy, I wish you and your family a very Happy and Blessed New Year! It will be an exciting one for sure, one that so many of us will be looking forward to. I can't wait to see what beautiful and creative things you will be coming up with this new year! You are a wonderful teacher my friend!!! :) Take good care and Happy Birthday to little B.
Posted by: Lika G. | January 05, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Happy Birthday Little B , sounds like you all had a great day.
Your blanket has come on sooo much now , can't wait to see the finished gorgeousness :0)
I love your Attic view picture, I think of all the pictures you've taken of this landscape this one really shows the Yorkshire hills like I remember them.
Great to see your amaryllis, mines gone floppy now but I've still got yours to look forward to :0). Thankyou so much for your comments over at mine .
Jacquie x
Posted by: Jacquie | January 05, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Happy Birthday Little B !
Vivienne x
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | January 05, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Happy birthday little B, from my birthday girl Isabelle - 5 Jan babe also but is now 6 (where did the time go!)
Posted by: Camilla | January 05, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Happy first birthday to Little B. I love that last picture of your afghan.
Posted by: Denise | January 05, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Oh Lucy!
How can Little B be one already?
Did I blink?
Posted by: Alice C | January 05, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Oooh what delight you must have had receiving that gorgeous colourful jug! Can't wait to see the various blooms in it over this next year. I'm also looking forward to more colourful postings and happy hooky happenings - I love coming to visit you in your little Attic, and hope you have a wonderful year to come.
Happy Birthday to Little B and a very Happy New Year to you,
xx
Posted by: Claire | January 05, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Hmmm...I went to take a gander at that Laura Ashley calander...pretty cute.
My Grandma used to make pictures of nursery rhyme characters out of fabric, felt, feathers, and paper.
I would love to start doing some to sell in my some day, funky crafty store....
Tell Baby B. Happy 1st . I cant wait to see your ideas and projects for 2011.
I have decided that my blog is to scandalous and trashy for some of the Crafties, but I dont care....I love my bad habits and being able to write about my boring life....for the most part. Happy New Year, Lucy.
Posted by: Queen of Whatever | January 05, 2011 at 10:51 PM