Wouldn't it be fabulous if you could put your nose close to your computer screen and take a deep long sniff of the above picture??? Well I suppose you could sniff your screen if you wanted to but sadly you wouldn't be able to actually inhale the amazing scent. That is my little personal luxury and it really is amazing, take my word for it.
Actually, I don't need to go anywhere near these flowers to get a whiff of them, their scent fills the whole room. Open the door, walk in, breathe in, ahhhh happy, happy, happy! I don't think I would ever go without hyacinths now, I will have them in my life year after year after year for as long as I live. I know lots of you feel the same and I've been enjoying yours too here and here and here...marvellous little things aren't they?? I usually pick mine up from the supermarket, a pot of three bulbs for £2 or so, and they never fail to deliver. Wonderful.
Anyhow, hyacinths aside, lets talk monthly things shall we? January has been and gone, and already I'm loving that it's February. Cos February contains hearts and pancakes, both of which I am quite potty about. My calendar pages for February are lovely...hearts and lovey-dovey things....
....and pretty utilitarian things. Smashing. Gosh I would love a utility room. Seriously I would. I don't do an awful lot of ironing, but I love the idea of having somewhere pretty and orderly and purposeful to do it in (I actually iron on my bed, which is far from ideal). I'm really looking forward to getting my laundry flapping outside on the line again too, it seems like an age since I last pegged out. As you probably know I am not a very good housekeeper, my methods are very sporadic and slapdash. But I do take a pleasure in getting our clothes clean and dry and I love folding and stacking clean laundry, especially when it's been line dried outdoors. I do a lot of sniffing when I fold and stack laundry. I use eco products to clean our clothes and as they're not overly scented they leave the fabric smelling clean and natural. Mmmmm laundry sniffing :: another one of my secret little pleasures revealed!
February so far has been veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery breezy and very changeable here in my patch. Scudding clouds, gusty winds, at times incredibly wet and stormy, at other times surprisingly sunny and lovely. I took the above photo from the attic window on 1st february around 4pm in the afternoon. The light and colours of the landscape were so lovely that day, very soft and pretty for wintertime I thought.
February is still very much a winter month, and indoor activities are firmly on the agenda. Lots of baking, indoor games, cosy fireside pursuits and reading. The Little People both requested some new reading matter last week and so we treated them to their very own Amazon order. They were SO excited about the idea of having their very own books sent to them through the post, the anticipation was huge. It was very sweet. The parcel arrived yesterday morning, and it was a delight watching them open it together (hooozah, no squabbling over it either which was a minor miracle!) I would love to boast about them being avid little readers, but truthfully neither of them really are. So yes, it was wonderful yesterday to observe them curled up on the sofas amongst crochet cushions and blankies, noses in their books and seemingly enjoying the experience.
Postal delights all round yesterday cos there was also a sturdy flat package that arrived for me, all the way from the other side of the world. The excitement of the Little People over their package was quite huge, but mine was even Huge-er I can tell you!! My purchase came beautifully wrapped in an old map of Australia secured with blue and white string and a paper crane.....oh my, the LP were mega impressed by the paper crane, they could not believe their little eyes. I'm afraid you will have to wait to see what was contained inside the mappage, I'm saving that for another post. It'll be worth the wait I promise.
I've also been occupied with reading these past few days, curled up with blankets and busying myself inside the pages of my favourite magazines. I've had fun! Just had to share the above image with you, gosh my heart went whhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee when I turned onto that page!! It shows the interior of a shop (a strong candidate for The Shop Of My Dreams) called Home Sweet Home, absolutely wonderful. I would love to go there some day, I think I'd make myself right at home beside that fabulous rack of ribbons and refuse to leave.
My blankets are receiving a lot of use and appreciation at the moment, stormy February weather is just made for snuggling. I wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU for all your wonderful comments about my sweet flower granny, I've had a fantastic time reading them all (and yes I promise you I read every single word of every comment, I really do). You are so generous with your words, I appreciate it very very much, thank you.
I have already gleefully moved on to my next project, oh yes. Already flying with it and having an amazing hooky time with myself. I wound my new alpaca/silk yarn into balls just over a week ago and have been busy with it ever since, I am so excited to show you what I'm doing.......
......there look, a sneaky peek before I go, more coming very soon I promise.
And on that warm and woolly note, I shall love you and leave you for now, I'm off to light the fire, make a cup of tea and settle down for a spot of Sunday afternoon hooky. Bliss.
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Hi, Lucy--
Would like to say thank you for all your hooky projects & wonderful photos. Alas, I hesitate to do too much "thanking" because I have done some horrific damage to my bank account buying & ordering yarn for some of your projects. My dd & granddaughter have expressed strong feelings about your pillow covers. My entire year will be filled crocheting Christmas gifts I fear! Love your work & please keep the patterns coming. I feel so hooky happy with each new post of yours!
Posted by: Dorothy Hermes | February 06, 2011 at 01:40 PM
you made my day (again) with your post! thank you, thank you, thank you, xo, jo
Posted by: jo | February 06, 2011 at 01:49 PM
I really can't out what the deal is with calendars having pictures with ironing boards in. I had one last year which was exactly the same. No matter how quite and vintage it looks it's still a horrible chore.
At least you have had so many nice things to enjoy. February looks very bright and breezy for you! x
Posted by: PinkCat | February 06, 2011 at 02:00 PM
cor blimey yes it's windy! Every morning that I wake up and the roof is still attached to the house I feel so grateful.
By the way I got me some old bottles, hurrah! Trying to drag Andy along later to buy me a wooden chest, hmmm, he's not convinced so far!
xxxxx
Posted by: Heather | February 06, 2011 at 02:01 PM
the new wool has got a nice little shine in it which makes it wonderful for a shawl or wrap(as you said before) its lovely!
best wishes from katja
Posted by: katja | February 06, 2011 at 02:25 PM
I say "Good Morning Lucy!" I can smell that hyacinth clear over here in the states. Yes, they do smell heavenly. Last year I bought one for my friend's birthday and treated myself to one as well. We both planted them outside. There is 3 feet of snow over those buried bulbs now. It may be till July before we even see the ground with all the snow we have. It is good that your children have a healthy interest in books. You can go anywhere you want in books. They say if the parents read, then so will the children. I use to love reading to my girls. They are readers, seldom without a book within their reach. I still want to thank you for "sparking" my interest in doing the bloggy thing. I have not forgotten that yours was the first blog that I set my eyes upon. I have several followers now and they are all so very lovely indeed! It has become a joy to come and see what these new friends have been up to. I hope they all think of me as a faithful friend :)
Posted by: Susanne Tyree | February 06, 2011 at 02:34 PM
cant wait to see what your new project produces :)
will you be sharing the pattern for the granny blanket with the sweet little flowers?
Posted by: Kimberly Roberts | February 06, 2011 at 02:42 PM
love the scents of hyacinths too :-) and the colors of your new project.. the yarn looks wonderful :-)
best regards from Tromsø, Norway :-)
Posted by: berit | February 06, 2011 at 02:43 PM
Hi Lucy, I usually have hyacinths each year but didn't this year for some reason and have really missed them. I can smell them now just by looking at your pics. Mr Gum is fantastic, by the way! xxx
Posted by: Andrea at Apples and Pears | February 06, 2011 at 02:43 PM
Aren't we all so different? I LOVE to iron and wash and hang my clothes to dry. In winter, they dry in front of our wood burning stove. I believe my love for these chores is the memories I have of helping both grandmothers and Mom doing the above. I loved it and still do.
Posted by: Sandee | February 06, 2011 at 03:13 PM
You just make life in the attic pop for us all. I would love to be there with you and the LP!
Love all of your colors, they all make me smile, and that is a good thing to start my day off with.
Have a wonderful day all snuggled up.
Posted by: claudia w | February 06, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Another pretty and colourful post, just the job on a gloomy febuary afternoon!
xxx
Posted by: hayley | February 06, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Oooo I love that yarn...I want to dive in and brush it against my face to see how soft it is (does anyone else do that?!). I have recently found your blog and am a new follower but I love it already! I feel very inspired by it. I am also new to crochet but have made a few things. They will soon be appearing on my (also new!) blog, www.vintagejelly.blogspot.com
Posted by: Linzi - Vintage Jelly | February 06, 2011 at 03:29 PM
I love hyacinths too.
Good idea to tie them together with a wonderful ribbon!
Can't wait for more about your new project. Looks great!
~X~ Karin
Posted by: Karin | February 06, 2011 at 03:31 PM
That yarn looks really yummy, I can't wait to see what you are making with it! The sneek peak looks very promising though :) Have a wonderful evening, hope it brings you some nice hooky time!
Posted by: BodilE | February 06, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Because of you, Lucy, my home is now filled with hyacinth bulbs. My 4 year old daughter and i went 'second hand' shopping last week for pots and strolled to the market to find some bulbs. We had such a great time filling old jars and our 'new' pots with soil and burying our hyacinth bulbs inside! They are carefully watered and talked to everyday by my daughter, and her much older siblings daren't go anywhere near them from the fear that she is sooooo protective of them she would shout! I haven't long found your blog but i have enjoyed it so so much and have already conquered 2 projects of yours! Even my 16 year old sits and waits for your updates. Thank you Lucy!
Posted by: Toni-marie | February 06, 2011 at 03:49 PM
Wow my Dad lives near Sherbourne and we are due for a weekend visit soon :0)
I'm sure he would enjoy a trip to the shops while we are there.
Thanks for sharing and spreading smiles
Posted by: louise | February 06, 2011 at 03:49 PM
I discovered this week that, shockingly, Pancake Day isn't until 8th March!!! No pancakes in February this year, and a month to wait!
Posted by: Emma | February 06, 2011 at 03:54 PM
I loved hyacinths too, but in my mid 40s found that suddenly they made my eyes and nose run: instead I look for cheap tulips/daffs to buy to enjoy. Am enjoying looking at pictures of hyacinths instead!! I had great success with planting out my old indoor ones - some still flowering outdoors after 10 years.
Posted by: Adele | February 06, 2011 at 04:02 PM
I love hyacinths too Lucy, but in my home they all grow proper wonky, smell lovely though :-)
Ironing on the bed *gasps* how do you get a crease .....LOL !!
Thank you for sharing the link to Home Sweet Home, so many nice stuffies and thingys xxx
I love February cos it always promises a hint of spring xxxxxx
Hugs Fee xxx
Posted by: Fiona | February 06, 2011 at 04:09 PM
Hi Lucy , love the peak at your latest project. so pretty . I would love a utility room too, mega amounts of washing to sort here ( I don't actually iron anything !oooh the shame )
Boys love amazon orders , but I generally end up reading to them :0)
Jacquie x
Posted by: Jacquie | February 06, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Lucy,
Just for a minute I decided that I couldn't like you anymore when I saw that utility room! Then I realized it was from a calendar and was relieved to know that I could like you again :) Happy you are having a colorful and cozy winter! Enjoy!!
Posted by: debbie | February 06, 2011 at 04:12 PM
I just recently bought some hyacinth's from the grocery store as well, as it is nowhere near spring here, I needed a bit of cheering up. Beautiful bag that your yarn is in, very pretty.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 06, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Hyacinths...one of my favorite. They do smell wonderful. I love the laundry room pic. I have a laundry room but it certianly doesn't look like that! Can't wait to see what your package was you got in the mail. Isn't getting real mail fun! Your crocheted stuff is absolutely wonderful. You have a way with color. Love it.
Cindy Bee
Posted by: Cindy | February 06, 2011 at 04:14 PM
I have an idea who sent you the paper crane ;-) but have no idea what you have got! Love the new project. Pretttttyyyyy. xx
Posted by: Hazel | February 06, 2011 at 04:26 PM