Day 1 of 2013, and all is well. We enjoyed a really lovely end to the Old Year last night, celebrating with friends and neighbours a little further up the street. Delicious food, mulled wine, happy children, lots of chat and laughter. Our Little People amazed us with their stamina, most especially Little B who took centre stage right through to the midnight hour.
We were all feeling a little tired and sleep deprived this morning, but we decided on the spur of the moment to head out into the countryside. We drove a few miles out of town to one of our most favourite go-to places when fresh air and sweeping vistas are required.
Just as we arrived, a beautiful rainbow appeared as if by magic, oh such joy! I took it as a supremely good omen that 2013 is indeed set to be bright and cheerful with a little dusting of good fortune.
I love walking in winter, even if it is just a swift, cold, wild and windy stroll. I love being immersed in the landscape, and I love nature's little details that spring out and grab attention.
It was actually bitterly cold up on the moor, too cold for the Little
People really, so after a short and bracing walk, we drove down into the
valley to one of our favourite picturesque villages for a stroll along
the riverside.
A short way along there is a small river beach that the Little People
love. It's sandy but has lovely pebbles to throw into the water.
There is much fun to be had from plopping large, smooth round stones into the river. Such a satisfying noise! Such childish pleasure that never fails to make me laugh out loud.
Little Man found an amazing river fossil, he was sooo pleased with his discovered treasure I wish you could have seen his sweet face.
The Winter countryside can sometimes appear very grey and bleak, and I find I really, really miss the leaves.
But there are still some small, colourful details to be found if you look for them.
I think the little itty-bits of living winter green are even more vibrant when surrounded by so much grey and brown.
Back home and all is cosy and peaceful here at number 24. Little B, exhausted by all the fresh air and pebble throwing, is snuggled up in blankets and sound asleep on the sofa. Little Lady is snuggled in the big chair watching pop videos on tv. J and Little Man are up in the Attic doing boy-things together (not exactly sure what that entails, but they've been up there for quite some time).
And me....well I have created a colourful snuggle nest for myself and am about to settle down for a spell of happy hooky.
This is my first crochet task of 2013 - to finish the Granny Patchwork Blanket I started in September. I've got four more rows (48 squares) to make, then a nice wide border to finish. I'm enjoying this blanket very much and it's a warm and comforting way to begin the New Year.
In the next few days I'm going to be continuing with my Year End Reviews. I've been having lots of fun trawling through twelve months of photo archives, putting together some visual collections to celebrate 2012. First up we'll be immersing ourselves in some Floral Loveliness, it's going to be a complete overload of colour and natural beauty.
See you tomorrow xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Happy New Year to you, Lucy! Just wanted you to know how much I look forward to your blog every day. Your hooky loveliness has inspired me to crochet some colorful blankets. Your descriptions of yarns used, your absolutely GREAT tutorials, etc. are THE BEST. I really appreciate your efforts... All my best from frigid Southern California...USA! Angie
Posted by: Angela Rueb | January 01, 2013 at 06:16 PM
Happy New Year! What a lovely outdoorsy way to spend the first day of 2013. We've not had a drop of rain here in London today - hoorah! x
Posted by: PinkCatJo | January 01, 2013 at 06:24 PM
Lucy, love your blog! You have probably answered this question a zillion times, so just point me to your answer if so ;-) I want to try crochet but have no idea where to start. Kits? Blogs? HELP. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Faith McLellan | January 01, 2013 at 06:40 PM
Happy New Year Lucy! It's rainy and cold here in SC, USA. Our NewYears traditions include pork roast, black eyed peas, and collard greens! You must eat the greens for money and the peas for luck throughout the year! It smells yummy in my house as I snuggle up, crochet of course, and wait for our meal to slow cook its way to supper time! Wishing you a apply and healthy 2013!
Kristina
Posted by: Kristina Kyle | January 01, 2013 at 06:58 PM
Beautiful photos as always! And always inspirational. Hope you and your family have an amazing 2013!
Helen xx
Posted by: Belmont Yarns | January 01, 2013 at 07:00 PM
Happy New Year Lucy! I can't believe I didn't know how to crochet this time last year, but my old friend who now lives in Queensland pointed me in the direction of your blog and I've had so much enjoyment from seeing your ideas and following you for the last seven or eight months. Hope you and your family have a lovely 2013 with lots of fun and laughter. xx
Posted by: Emma | January 01, 2013 at 07:17 PM
Happy New Year dear Lucy! Wishing you and your family everything the best! Many more colourful adventures !!!! We are also very happy and cheerful here in purple land :)
Many thanks and hugs from NYC
:))))
Posted by: Sandra | January 01, 2013 at 07:17 PM
Happy New Year to you and yours, Lucy. Today has been very bright and sunny here in West Norfolk, but a bit on the chilly side. I wish I had dragged myself and Himself out for a good walk , yours looks wonderful...mind you, so much more fun with Littlies along as well
I always feel the urge to crochet after reading your posts, but I am in the mdst of a flet frenzy at the moment - SO easy to applique with felt/wool, and I've just covered the top hat I wear when playing for the Molly Dancers...I think I miight have a few commissions on the way! But really, it's all about the colour. Which brings me back to your blankets and bags. Hope to see much more of your fab work, and hope 2013 is a great creative year for you. Lxxx
Posted by: Lynne Gill | January 01, 2013 at 07:37 PM
Looks beautiful - love all the moss/lichen, nature is truely amamzing!
Posted by: Miriam | January 01, 2013 at 07:54 PM
Happy New Year to you all! I'm sure it will be a lovely one! xx
Posted by: Tina | January 01, 2013 at 07:55 PM
Happy New Year! I love that you saw a rainbow too! It makes me happy to see all the rainbows on New Years day. A good sign for the year ahead, and I think everybody needs a good year!
Posted by: AngelJem | January 01, 2013 at 08:05 PM
A very happy cosy and crafty new year to you and your family ... just love your posts they are just fab thank you x
Posted by: sandra | January 01, 2013 at 08:24 PM
Hi Lucy, it looks lovely and cold where you are. We have had LOTS of rain and it is very hot and humid. I also have projects left over from 2012 ( your lovely bag as well as two felt ornaments) that I promised I would finish before starting anything new. Good luck with your balnket and Happy New year
Posted by: Lauren | January 01, 2013 at 08:32 PM
Thanks for your blog, Lucy, your photos delight the senses. Your prose is charming and educated, whimsical and enchanting.
It's been a hooky time for me here in the SF Bay area where we've had bracing cold windy days. I love snuggling in and finding you come up when I click Next on my Bookmark Bar.
Happy 2013, may each step we take lead the way to Peace.
Posted by: Lynda M O | January 01, 2013 at 08:32 PM
Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family, Lucy! I am looking forward to following your blog for another year. :)
Posted by: Serena | January 01, 2013 at 09:06 PM
Happy New Year! Your little corner of England looks absolutely engrossing, and (as a crafter who myself lived for several years in Scotland) I wish I could walk to that little pebbled beach and pick myself out a fossil, then return home to a warm cuppa and a cozy nest to crochet from... a wonderful first day of this new year!
Posted by: Leisa | January 01, 2013 at 09:09 PM
Happy New Year ! Enjoyed your trip to the countryside...lovely pictures.
Posted by: Claudia | January 01, 2013 at 09:43 PM
Lucy, you are just lovely. I fully appreciate that you are a glass half full girl....and all the color you bring into our lives. I smiled when I saw those colorful rain boots! It's the little things that add up lot lots of joyful moments. Happy new year!
Posted by: Paula | January 01, 2013 at 09:49 PM
Happy new year Lucy.
Thanks for all your inspiration and amazing tutorials. I love seeing what you've been up to
Xxx
Posted by: Jaynicknitknacks | January 01, 2013 at 09:50 PM
That rainbow is definitely a good omen for you Lucy.
Posted by: Rose | January 01, 2013 at 09:54 PM
Wishing you and your family a happy New Year. I too am crocheting projects started last year. You seem to have a wonderful knack of working things out. I love the ripple afghans and am trying to figure out to to add baubles or popcorn stitches to it. Would you have any suggestions for me? This is my project for 2013. I have to admit I am a little confused. Being that the ripple consists of decreases and multiples, I'm not sure where to begin. Trial and error I guess. Thanks! I love your blog!
Posted by: Jamie Brown | January 01, 2013 at 10:39 PM
Happy New Year Lucy I hope it brings you and your loved ones bountiful blessings. We walked today too, a beautiful warm, sunny summers day here in Melbourne. My youngest also enjoyed throwing pebbles into the water and the resultant splashing. We stopped for ice-creams at the beach cafe and finished it off with a tryout of the newly renovated playground. Perfect.
Posted by: jamsandwich | January 01, 2013 at 10:51 PM
What a beautiful day you had! Thank you for sharing it with us. Happy New Year to you and your family, Lucy!
Posted by: Sheery | January 01, 2013 at 10:53 PM
Hi Lucy. I would really like to crochet a blanket this year. I can crochet although I haven't done for about 30 years - yikes! I don't really fancy doing a granny one, but do fancy the ripple blanket. Is it a good one to me to attempt.or am jumping the gun a little?what would you recommend.
Mandy Adams . Grimsby,
Posted by: Mandy Adams | January 01, 2013 at 10:54 PM
What a great fossil find from little man :) He must be so proud!
I love your blog and I look forward to visiting it often in the new year of 2013. I have just recently joined blogland and I am having a blast.
You have inspired me to make my very own "first" ripple blanket and I am making it my creative goal for 2013. Wish me luck!
Happy New Year and may it be all that you wish for!
-Birgitta, Iceland
Posted by: Birgitta | January 01, 2013 at 11:00 PM