August 2011

Hello!!! It's really good to be back here at my desk catching up with a few things and being still and thoughtful for a while. We came back from our week down in Dorset late on Sunday and my feet don't feel as if they've touched the ground since. We had a lovely time away, a whole mixed bag of weather and activities, mixed emotions too if I'm honest...it wasn't the most relaxing or harmonious family holiday we've ever had!! But yes it was mostly good and I'll be sharing the story with you in a few days.

It suddenly occurred to me this morning that we've all of a sudden reached the last day of August and that tomorrow I'll be turning my calendar pages. I've soooooooooooo enjoyed August and feel like I want to stamp my flip-flopped feet and protest that it simply didn't last for long enough. I want it to be August for at least another three weeks!! Woooooaaaaaaaaaahhhh!! I'm not ready for September, for the onset of Autumn, I really am not ready!

I've LOVED this month. My time spent with the Little People at home this summer has been a true delight, as has time spent hanging about with friends and neighbours. It's been relaxed, easy going and fun. Lots of fun. It's hard to take photos to represent these times spent with friends, I must give that little challenge some thought for the future. The Little People do not remain still enough for photographs these days, they are so active and physical for so much of the time (which is nothing but Good). I was thinking back to a blog post I wrote three summers ago, documenting our summer holiday activities....ahhh how fabulous that I can now look back across Three Whole Years to recall and remember! Summer this year hasn't been very different really. The chalks and bubbles never came out, but scooters and water fights were still very much in evidence. The scootering is faster and more competitive these days,  the water pistol fights are bigger, louder and more strategic. Yes, I'd say the Little People have enjoyed a terrific summer holiday at home, full of play and laughter and activity and friends.

Thinking about bloggy archives has reminded me about this post written two years ago. One of the things that delights me about blogging is the evidence it throws up of Repeat Patterns in ones life. The rhythms and cycles of nature which become inextricably linked to home and family life. The past few weeks we've noticed that "Sugar Stealers" are dancing on the breeze again, and we in turn have been dancing about after them. Capturing, wishing and releasing. Just as we did last year, and the year before that. So precious.

We celebrated a ninth birthday yesterday. Nine. How??? How does nine years pass in the blink of an eye?? Little Man went with J and three of his best street buddies on a day trip out to do Boy Things. It involved gazing at weapons followed by eating spicy things. They returned home at tea time full of excitement, telling tales of samurai swords and hot chili sauces. I laid out a simple party tea for anyone who wanted to come and eat (it was suddenly very busy at number 24 yesterday!) and we had cake with nine candles to blow, it was lovely. We are blessed with a wonderful neighbourhood here, such lovely families, such friendly, good people.

There've been some quiet moments during August too, contented times that I've spent pottering and pootling about in my own little world. I've had such a huge amount of pleasure from my little back yard this summer, it's made me very happy to be able to pick flowers and bring some of the outside in. Some of my pots are looking decidedly past their best now, but the sweet peas are still flowering their sweet little hearts out. I don't want them to end.

Yes, I know. You do indeed see BROWN yarn on my table. Two new balls of Stylecraft have recently been purchased, and with much trepidation I might add. I find it incredibly hard going into a shop to purchase Brown Yarn. On the left you can see the colour Walnut (ehh??) and on the right is Parchment. Pfffffff. That walnut colour is not just mildly brown, but very incredibly brown I think you'll agree.

Want to know what I'm up to with the brown stuff?

Weeeeeellllllll, I'm making a baby blanket, a gift for a very good friend who's baby is due in less than six weeks. So I can't show you too much of it as I know she does peek in here from time to time. It's a ripple blankie, and as you can see the brown is only a small part of what I'm up to colourwise. It's been very, very interesting working the browns into my colour scheme, I can't wait to ta-dah it with you!

This month's Attic Views have been spectacular in their diversity. I've really been aware of the changing light during the past few weeks as summer slips gently towards Autumn.

We've had our share of bad weather this month.

Rain, mist, drizzle. Torrential downpours.

The temperature has dropped too (we had some thoughts of lighting the fire this week, although it never came to pass), and the days are noticeably shortening. Sadly I can really feel the summer slip-sliding away (waaah).

But there have been glorious days full of warmth and summer sunshine in August too. And I am hoping very much that as we move into September we'll be treated to just a little more of Summer. Here's hoping. If I mange to catch a sugar stealer anytime soon, you can guess what my wish will be.

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Comments

[Kate]

Where has the year gone? Feels very much like Autumn here- hoping West Bay looks that good when I'm there in two weeks time!
But I shall pack my woollies,just in case.

[louise]

Sounds like you've had a wonderful time. The summer has gone so fast.

[Shelley]

Glad you had a lovely holiday.Love the colours in the baby blanket you are making (your friend will be very happy)can you please tell me what yarn you are using?

[Robin]

Hi Lucy, so nice to catch up with you. Yes, it's been a great summer and I hate to see it end. We are also getting fall like weather and not to mention hurricane Irene which we managed to do Ok, but many around us did not. We lost 2 shopping center and our only sewing shop. It's sad! I loved your post and all your summer goodness. Have a good rest of the week. xoRobin❤

[Liz]

It is feeling much cooler in Yorkshire now isn't it. I had to tell my OH a few days ago that we are not having the heating on until Oct! Just incase we have a bad winter where it's on almost 24/7 for 6mths!!!!

I've assured him that his granny stripe blanket will be ready soon (I decided sharing the 1st one was not an option - cos I didn't want to share!!)

[Rachel F]

great to see you are back again! I am not sorry its the end of Summer - I love Autumn the most and summer has been so dull anyway in the big city - just overcast, 'nothing' most of the time - there have been a few good days so mustnt be a 'grumpy old woman' too much! Look forward to your posts about the holiday . x

[Lynda M O]

Wonderful to see your lovely views, Lucy; autumn arrived here in northern California as well. Leaves replacing summer’s verdancy with fall’s vermillion.

[Sarah]

I would like to see Summer slip slide away here. We have had a very hot and dry Summer. We are in a terrible drought and have to ration our water and the temps have been over 100 degrees every day for the whole month of August. Goodby Summer and come on Autumn, please. I am glad you have enjoyed your Summer so much, maybe ours will be better next year....................Thank goodness, nothing ever stays the same for long.

Sarah from Texas USA

[Cindy]

I'm loving your baby blanket so far. I rather like the stylecraft browns, having used them recently and I'm rather fond of the Mocha, have u seen it? I like the mocha with pink at the moment! Fab holiday pics!

[Noelia]

Love your pictures and crochet!!!!

[greenrabbitdesigns]

I too am sad to see summer go but I am thinking of autumn colours, speaking of which I have Stylecraft Walnut, I do like brown though!

[Pattygloria]

Hola Amiga Lucy, good to have you back. I love fall but I'm still savouring those last weeks of summer and waiting to move in our new home in South Surrey BC, settle down and hopefully finish some of my WIPs. I really like to see aquas and browns together. :o)
Cuidate mucho! Hasta pronto,
Gloria x

[Miss Kitten]

I can't wait to see the finished blanket brown and all! Summer seems to have flown by but with that horrible nightmarish heatwave (Canada) in July I'm fully ready for my woolies and fall lovelies.

[Donna]

Lovely photos, especially that 1st one. Stunning and colorful.

Your little part of the world is just so interesting. A place to vacation. And the great part is... you get to live there.

I always look forward to your posts. So full of life. Thank you. And never stop blogging.

We love you!!

[krista - Poppyprint]

What nice photos to gaze at Lucy. How wonderful that you enjoyed summer with your children so much. I did, too. I'm also allergic to brown and was absolutely surprised to see it there on your table, for sure!

[Frances]

Lucy, this year does seem to be speeding along. I so agree.

Brown yarn? Isn't it interesting to add a new twist to your familiar colorways and see what happens?

Let me also tell you again how much I do enjoy seeing these occasional photos of the view from your Attic. Every season is lovely!

xo

[Teresa Kasner]

Welcome back.. I'm with you on thinking that summer was just too fleeting. It's been grey for 3 days here in Oregon.. it's supposed to be 90 degrees next week though, and we're off on vacation in our trailer to an Indian hot springs resort in the high desert of Oregon that has a HUGE blue pool! I look forward to seeing your next project. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Erin Adkins]

Wonderful pictures as always, Lucy. I can feel summer slipping away here in Ohio USA as well. Days shorter, evenings cooler, high school football season, kiddos back in school. I love those lazy summer days/evenings when there are no schedules to keep, no homework, just doing whatever comes to mind. *sigh*

Love the thought of brown next to your lovely color palate. Can't wait to see the finished project.

Erin

[Angy Braine]

Here in Oz we are feeling the warmer days creeping up on us and I must say it is nice to spend a day soaking in the sunshine. However my hubby and I are crazy rain and cold weather fans (i know, I know..weird!) and so we too shall mourn the passing of our favourite season. Good luck with the baby blanket - can't wait to see it finished!

[Shirley Flavell]

Lovely pictures Lucy, I do so enjoy seeing out of your attic window. Today is the 1st day of Spring for us and it sure has lived up to it's name. Lovely bursts of bright sun then cloud comes over and rains. Windy.Some coolness to the air but definitely changing, don't have to have the heating going as much as previous weeks.Lovely colour outside with the camellias, spring bulbs bursting out everywhere and the rhododendrons in full bright dressage.I have been crochet rippling away for the last few weeks and on a mission to finish before it gets too hot to have wool on the legs!!(Your pattern is great).Good luck with your brown wool . Shirley

[Taking Heart]

Top of the morning to ya A24... how are you? It has been a beautiful last part of August here in the states... we spent a family fun night with beautiful weather to watch an outdoor movie... Mary Poppins...

Happy Birthday to your little man... drink it up... My Middling recently turned ten, and he is struggling with still wanting to play with his guns and swords... and sometimes wanting to be cool like his bigger brother... time flies... 10 will sneak up on you!

Hope you are well, it's been a while... I'll try to pop in more often to your neck of the world!

Scribe

[Jess]

Well I am certainly looking forward to turning my calendar...as a matter of fact I turned it all ready:)I wish we had rain and drizzle and the temperature would drop it's been over 100 degrees where I'm from :( I personally don't like hot weather, but again your blog has made cheery and I wish you luck on that baby blanket:)

[Katie]

Sounds like a lovely summer. I hope the good weather continues over there into September :-)
But at the same time I am so excited it's spring here today!

[Rachel]

Hi Lucy,
I recently discovered your blog while searching for a Granny squares pattern and now I visit everyday for some much needed colour (it is the first day of spring here). I love hearing about all your projects and have started to make myself a crochet bag. Keep up the good work!

[Karen]

Hi Lucy, a lovely end of the summer post. Happy Birthday to your Little Man, 9 is such a fun age! We have had a similar summer here in the Pacific North West, and it seemed to go by too fast. Love your crochet and 'sugar stealer'. I don't think I have ever heard that term before, you will have to explain! xx