8.38pm and I just this minute legged it up two flights of stairs to go take in the evening light. GORgeous, isn't it just?? My June view is looking lush and green and typically mid-summer after rather a lot of mixed up sunshine-and-rain this month. We've had a lot of wet weather of late. Oodles of it. But today has been bright and golden and gorgeous and I've loved feeling the heat of the sun on my face as I went about my day.
My June calendar has a lot of scribbles on it. Mixed up dates (I keep getting things ludicrously wrong), cancelled appointments and re-scheduled visits, forgotten birthdays. But here we are almost at the end of the month and it's not been so bad really. We've muddled and we've scribbled and we're nearly through. Tweet-tweet-tweet, aren't those little fabric June birds sweet?
My Ideal Home calendar hangs by my desk and I find the images so restful and calming, such a pleasure to gaze at day after day. I look at that picture and I think to myself, oh yes, I remember our last house where we had an expanse of lawn dandelion infested grass, and how lovely it was to set the table for an al fresco Summer meal, to sit and eat whilst feeling the cool twiddle of grass between bare toes. I don't have a lawn any more to twiddle my toes in, but neither do I have to hold heated debates with J over who's turn it is to get the lawn mower out.
No lawn then, but oh I am enjoying my weeny walled back yard this year! My pots are looking fuller by the day, the wet weather has certainly been good for growth. I'd still like to have a lot more greenery out here (I'm fancying some big oversized tubs to grow small trees and bushy-leafy things), but for now it does very nicely. Morning coffee, a quick lunch, a glass of something chilled in the late afternoon, I'm really enjoying my time spent out here.
That funny old wall with it's chipped render and green mould has really grown on me this year. I was all for painting it and sprucing it up last year, but am glad now that I left it be.
I've got lots of geraniums on the go at the moment, a mixture of upright ones and trailing ones. The above flower has just bloomed for the first time this week (it's one of the trailers sitting in a pot on top of the wall), and oh my the colour is magnificent.
My sweet peas are a bit slow/late in getting going but that's ok. I'm really looking forward to them, I bought some old fashioned variety that supposedly has amazing scent.
This little blue bench thingy sits right outside my kitchen door and brings me a lot of pleasure I have to say. I've got mint, chives and flat leafed parsley growing here, and I absolutely love love love stepping out with a pair of scissors to snippety-snip a little something to go in the cooking. Today I made sweet potato and smoked mackerel fishcakes, with fresh parsley from right there. They were yum. I had to chuckle to myself, nipping to my desk, firing up my laptop and Googling "Attic24 Fishcakes" in order to find and recall my own recipe. Bloody marvelous thing this blogging you know.
In the sunny part of my back yard I've got thyme and rosemary growing, lovely little snips to go with garlic roasted veggies. I'm trying to eat as healthily as I can at the moment, trying to resist the (alarmingly powerful) urge to combat stress by comfort eating all manner of sickly sweet but hugely desirable foodstuffs. It's working to a point. I'm eating an awful lot of fruit. I really wanted to show you the amazing ripe cherries I bought from the market at the weekend (deep red glossy fruits in a beautiful blue-glazed mexican dish, a fantastic photo opportunity), but by the time I got my camera I realised that I'd eaten nearly all of them. There was rather more mexican bowl than fruit. Only six cherries left actually.
I've been keeping very busy this past week or so, busy doing the things that need doing around here. Taking pleasure in piling, hanging, pegging, un-pegging, folding and re-piling. And sniffing of course. Lots of laundry inhaling been going on, it calms my soul to inhale the scent of sun-dried and freshly laundered cotton articles.
Mid summer, and I dug out my snuggly winter socks last week. My feet have been feeling cold, especially in the early mornings. And when I say early I really do mean it :: Little B is waking up his bouncy little body shortly before five ay-em most mornings. I went through a spell last week of really wholeheartedly resenting this fact, my-my but I was getting my knickers in a twist over these enforced early starts. Not so this week. I'm taking a different approach this week and am embracing the 4.45am starts, bringing Little B downstairs for some lovely sofa snuggle/playtime before the rest of the family awakes. The ripple blanket has been such a comfort on these mornings, I love it's instant warmth and cosiness, it's quite the perfect blanket to have hanging around the place.
One of the things that has not been happening much in recently weeks is The Tidying. Quite frankly, I simply cannot be bothered to do it at the moment, it's such a thankless task. When I stopped to think about how many times each day I was putting Little B's toys back in that basket there it was mind boggling. I seemed to be continuously stooped over tidying things up, only to find them slung back on the floor minutes later. So now I just leave it, and hope no one trips over and breaks any bones. The upside to this messy existence is that when Little B begins his toddling day at 4.45am, his toys are all ready and waiting for him right where he left them. What a Marvelous Mummy I am!!
Little Man is an early riser too, not quite in Little B's league, but usually around 6am or so. This morning he decided to bake and ice a batch of buns before breakfast. Uh-huh, before breakfast. I don't know if this is freaky-abnormal for an eight year old boy, but I don't much care, I love that it happens. Very much so.
It's been such a long time since any hooky business appeared here in the Attic, and for that I really am sorry. I have been hooking away quietly in the background, but haven't managed to find time to share all that I've been doing. Right now in my bag is a lovely stash of bamboo/cotton yarn and a few little animals. I'm making some crochet toys to sell at a summer fayre in a few weeks time, but so far the sum of my efforts amounts to two finished rabbits plus the head (minus ears) of a third so I'm not doing very well really. I promise I'll share more yarn and pattern details when I can find time to photograph and write, but at the moment I really do need to crack on with the actual making part.
Ahhhhhhhh my cherished Attic View (again)...see how green the hill looks now compared to the beginning of May!! Beautiful. And on that happy note I'm going to have to love you and leave you as my bed is a calling. It's not quite dark yet, but it is 10:10pm and waaaay past my bedtime.
Can I just say before I go that I am tremendously grateful for all the wonderful words and positive thoughts that you've sent my way about my Mum. I really, truly appreciate it. She's doing ok, we are doing ok. One day at a time and all that.
Lots of love....be back soon!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
SOOOOoooo pleased to hear your Mum is doing ok - and you too.
I have also recently given up on the tidying front - and to my amazement, nothing happened. It just lay there. It didn't matter. I'll clear it all up one day!
I've never met anyone with little people that got up as early as mine...until now! how well you've embraced it!
fee x
Posted by: fee | June 28, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Glad to hear your mum and your family are doing okay. Beautiful pictures. I really like your back porch area, so cozy.
Take care
René
Posted by: Rene | June 28, 2011 at 10:45 PM
A lovely bright and cheery post - and it seems like you are keeping very busy! Gorgeous photos too! I'm glad to here your family are 'doing ok' - I hope things turn from 'ok' to great over the next few weeks.
Posted by: louise | June 28, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Lovely post, a lovely glimpse into your world! Little rabbit looks cute, reminded me of Miffy. So glad your Mum is improving :) Take care xx
Posted by: One-oh-four | June 28, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Lovely post, a lovely glimpse into your world! Little rabbit looks cute, reminded me of Miffy. So glad your Mum is improving :) Take care xx
Posted by: One-oh-four | June 28, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Absolutely heaven and who what a big treat today. We have much the same going on, except no little one waking me at 6am, just Scoots leaving for work. And no fishcakes here...we are having a midwest Chicago Style Italian Peppers and Sausage in the crocker. You know an easie-peasie one... Since, this is the week we get hot, like near 100. And that means my blue pots need watering twice a day. By the way, I'm thinking Sweet Peas for mine already for next year. Great idea.
Well, gotta run for now. The sheet need to come in and the pillow cases need a quick iron.
As always a treat for the eyes to have a wee-little peek...
Later gator,
Kate - The G.B.
I have never doubted for a second that there wasn't some little project in that bag to stitch a few everynow and then.
Posted by: Kate - The Garden Bell | June 28, 2011 at 10:55 PM
I'm so pleased to hear that your mum is doing okay. How sweet that cakes were made before breakfast. The best kind of breakfast I can think of! X
Posted by: Rosiehearts | June 28, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Sooo glad to hear that your mom is doing better! Your little man must be a good cook :) Those cupcakes look great! And the rabbit is adorable!
Posted by: Elizabeth C. | June 28, 2011 at 11:04 PM
Great news that your mum is improving! Looking forward to seeing those little bunnies. :)
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | June 28, 2011 at 11:08 PM
Lovely to hear your cheery voice Lucy. All my love and thoughts are with you and the family. Take care.
Stephxxx
Posted by: Steph | June 28, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Nice to hear from you, glad all OK for you and yours. You're right tidying is over rated. If I can clear the debris for a path to our 2 yr old pinkie pie's bed, my job is done! C
Posted by: caroline | June 28, 2011 at 11:17 PM
So glad that your mom is okay and that you are okay! Have been checking in daily and twice daily hoping for good updates...and so glad to hear it!
Posted by: Marian | June 28, 2011 at 11:19 PM
It is good to see you posting and being so very positive about everything. I am afraid I cannot be positive about early starts so I have my little ones well trained and they get up between 7-8am most days. I have a right shouty shout when they get up any earlier - basically the tiredness and lack of sleep drives me half mad! No need to apologise for lack of crochet posts. Just pics of your everyday stuff really brightens my day. You have a knack of making one want to be more positive so thank you and big hugs. xxx
Posted by: Hazel | June 28, 2011 at 11:25 PM
So lovely to hear from you Lucy. I've been wondering and thinking about you hoping all was well. You have given us a lovely update about the happenings in the "Attic", with lovely, lovely photos of your garden area.
How wonderful to have an eight year old boy who loves to bake. He must be such a help to you.
Early mornings with little people can be so very tiring and I think little B might just be waking early so he can spend some special time with his mummy. :)
I've enjoyed seeing your lovely crochet blankets draped on you sofa, they must give you great pleasure knowing you have put so many hours into them and loving every moment.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the sunshine,
Anne xx
Posted by: Anne | June 28, 2011 at 11:37 PM
How lovely to see colour and brightness again. Not that I'm complaining, you've had alot on your plate and I know things will be far from wonderful still but fingers and toes are still crossed as always. We too have been having early starts though ours are caused by a cat that has learnt to let itself out of one room and get into our bedroom. These 4am meanderings have been due to the bright mornings though hopefully once these begin to slide she'll get bored of cosying and tummy-rubs at such an ungodly hour!
Love and stuff xx
Posted by: Gill | June 28, 2011 at 11:38 PM
One day at a time is a good way to live--even when you aren't dealing with worries and stresses of an extraordinary nature. I am encouraged to see all the beauty you are surrounding yourself with too. Your little garden is a delight. Take care of yourself!
Posted by: Melissa P | June 28, 2011 at 11:39 PM
Hey A24...Glad to hear all is well.
Baby B. sure gets up early...Yes ..leave the toys. No use putting them up, because as he gets them all out in the AM.....he wil wake the whole house tossing things from his basket.
Things seem peaceful at your place...Hope your mom gets well
Posted by: Reality Jayne | June 28, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Yes, one day at a time, Lucy. So pleased to read your Mum is doing ok.
Your early mornings with the little ones sound like they are suiting you at the moment, you are embracing the time spent together.
Love the little rabbit.
A very happy and colourful post, good to sense you are doing ok too.
Carol xx
Posted by: Carol | June 28, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Great news about your Mum, Luce. Have been thinking of you lots. LOL, Katie B x
PS: can't believe you have the time to be SO productive, AND then photograph it AND write / blog it all so beautifully .... X
PPS: Did you get the update from Char re Stew? Think she might need an email if you have a mo sometime x x x
Posted by: Katie B | June 28, 2011 at 11:44 PM
Great to hear that your Mum is doing OK. Thanks for your beautiful blog. It really inspires me.
Posted by: Lindy | June 29, 2011 at 12:40 AM
I'm so glad your mum is getting better little by little!! That is great news.
This has been a great post, your photos always make me feel cheerful when I look at them and you have a way of stringing words together that makes even the most "everyday" occurrences feel special.
Its great to have you back a little more like your "normal" self. Give your mum a cuddle next time you see her from the blogging world to let her know that there are people all over the world thinking of her and wishing her well.
Posted by: Colleen | June 29, 2011 at 12:49 AM
Why not send little B to bed at 10 pm after you wear him out ?? keep him up on purpose ??
Posted by: reindeerislandquilts | June 29, 2011 at 01:56 AM
I'm so glad to hear your Mum is doing ok. I check in a few times a day to see if you've blogged to see how she's going. Great news!!!!! :-) Now I can enjoy your new post after quickly skimming through to get an update on her.
Posted by: Jan Quigley | June 29, 2011 at 02:04 AM
so happy to see you..love the view and your garden is fab..
continued prayers for your mom..
take care,
Posted by: lulu | June 29, 2011 at 02:10 AM
I love the bird quilt. very whimiscal.
Posted by: Beth Whiting | June 29, 2011 at 03:38 AM