November

Cor, it really is Autumn now, isn't it? October turned out to be lovely, we had some fabulous weather up here in North Yorkshire, and now it's November already and less than eight weeks till Christmas. Can hardly believe it. We had our first frost last week and there has been such an unmistakable chill in the air, all very Autumnal indeed.

I am desperate for a new winter coat, I went out on Saturday wearing what I thought was an adequately warm fleece and was bloody freezing, you know the teeth-chattering type cold that goes right to the bones and turns extremities purple. Made me realise that yes, the season of wrapping up warm against the elements is definitely upon us. I've been wearing my flower scarf this past few weeks or so and I really fancy a nice new bright coat to replace my old faded shabby black one (maybe this? Extravagant? Yeah, 'tis rather, but oh I do love the look of it!)

New pages on my three calendars this week, I do like these November images. Yummy baking, falling leaves, frosty walks and cosy candlelight. Makes me feel all snuggly.

Incidentally, some lovely calendars coming free with magazines this month :: Ideal Home and Country Homes both generously giving us freebies. The Ideal Home one in particular has some stunning photography which really captures the changing English seasons. Looking forward to the beginning of 2009 already, I shall have at least 3 calendars ready to go!

Its been a while since I shared my Attic view :: this was taken on Saturday afternoon, the first day of November, and you can see what a glorious day we had here.

Bright and crisp and sunny and oh-so-cold.

The frost of last week has cruelly taken most of my remaining garden flowers, the majority of my nasturtiums are looking very dead indeed, the cosmos not far behind. Sweet peas are finished, a few brave geraniums hanging on in there, but really I don't think I'll get any more little bright jamjar garden posies. Boohoo! I am incredibly sad actually, I loved going out into the garden this summer to snip-snip some colourful little blooms to bring into the house.

So this weekend, for the first time in ages, I purchased some shop-bought flowers, a bunch of bright pink roses. As I had guests staying, I thought it'd be nice to put a few beside the bed in the Attic as well as having a large jug of them downstairs.

The buds were quite tight when I first brought them home, but are gradually easing their petals open and look fabulous. The colour is stunning. It almost makes up for frost-ridden dead nasturtiums (sob).

Talking of flowers, I noticed when I was at the market this morning that the flower/plant stall was selling big bunches of pussy willow and bunches of narcissi...whats going on? I wanted to shout at the man, tell him it wasn't spring yet and his display was making me feel all muddled and totally discombobulated. I had to walk on by shaking my head and muttering under my breath like some loopy mad mother. I refuse point blank to have daffodils/narcissi in the house before January, it's one of my rules. 

Ooo I got all hot and bothered just then! Do excuse me, I almost went off on a rant there.

I had the most wonderful weekend by the way. It was a great mix of partying, socialising, catching up with dear friends, and quiet, predictable weekendy me-stuff. I don't think my weekends feel quite right unless they contain tea, cake, a magazine or two and some crochet.

I made some carrot cake mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm oh it was even better than I had remembered it from last time. And I immersed myself in some pretty damn good magazines (Country Homes December issue, oH! Beautiful..more about that later in the week). And I made twenty seven hexagons, which was quite some crocheting marathon as it happens.

And just whilst I'm thinking of crochet, can I say to all of you who've been patiently awaiting patterns/info on the bag, I shall be posting that later in the week. Also I've been taking pictures of my hexagon-making in progress and will be sharing my pattern for them too. Its going to be a bit of a crochet week this one, hope you don't mind?

And just before I leave you in peace, can I tell you how much I love and adore roasted chestnuts? Aren't they just so very Novemberish?

The sight of them in a bowl by the fireside fills me with content.

We had our fire lit for much of the weekend, and I managed to do some fair toasting activities with very makeshift equipment (a flimsy shovel does not a good chestnut-toasting implement make). We managed to make a raging hot coal fire and the flimsy shovel blistered and almost melted, I kid you not. Yes, what I need is this. An essential bit of fireside kit (along with my two old toasting forks), whats the point of having a real fire if you can't play with food on it hmm? Still, despite the shovel disaster, it was a success of sorts and I did end up with the desired blackened roasted nuts and burnt fingers trying to peel them, I never ever learn on that one.

mmmmm hot roasted chestnuts and crunchy Maldon Sea salt, ooh I really know how to live life to the full, don't I just?

xx

Edited to add :: re the calendars, all three of them...

:: I only ever write on one, the others are pure seasonal eye candy, so no confusion.

:: And as a rule calendars only make one super-organised if one actually remembers to write relevant info on them and then check daily. Needless to say, it doesn't always happen in the Attic24 house.

Comments

[Marina Mychaskiw]

Thank you very much for sharing your crochet instructions. Being new to this art, you have helped me a lot. Your instructions are well written and the illustrations are very helpful.

[Crazyjane]

The coat is a definate yes!! an investment piece if ever there was one, and I cannot tell you how excited I am about the pattern for the bag!!!!sqeeeeeee!!!

[Claire-serendipitylovesnewyork]

Hi hun, I have last years Boden cord coat in a Rasberry colour, if the new style is anything like mine, its gorgeously warm!!!
The chestnuts look very yummy. I have various calanders around the house but do I check them for dates etc.....no of course not, they look nice though...lol.....Claire x

[cherrie]

I always love the photos you post of the view out of your attic. They always make feel calm. Most necessary here I can assure you. And yes calendars are only useful if one uses them. I have been adviced to use a diary but my reply was ' what good will it do if I can't remember to check it'! Cherrie

[Jen]

I know you have loads of comments today, Lucy, but I'm hoping you answer mine. I'm fascinated by your coal fire. I've only ever seen it in fireplaces in England and I was wondering why you don't use wood.

[inesn]

here in portugal we have people who sell them in the streets...they're just perfect!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/resolver/vendedor.jpg

[hannah]

wow that was one heck of a post! just been catching up with your blog, havent visited for a while (before?? not sure, but thanks for stopping by my blog recently) anyway, you have been making me smile, so thankyou, and you should definately get that yummy boden coat. You seem to buy as many magazines as me too, its an addiction we just can't help! Love the november view out of your attic.

[Tami]

Just found your blog today and am excited to find that you will be sharing your pattern for the bag and the hexagon blanket. I too am patiently waiting. Thanks so much!

[Sal]

What a fantastic view you have from your attic! And as for your crochet..superb! ;-)

[cathleen]

I can almost smell the aroma of that lovely rose. Glad you had a wonderful weekend...I was thinking of you. Another enjoyable visit to the colorful Attic24 and that view from your window...I want to sit there too. Will be sending you mail soon, Lucy.

[julia]

Needless to say I'm useless with a calender too, I have to write notes to remind me to look at the flipping thing!
Made one of your jam jar covers whilst at my parents, I was sooo pleased with myself (unnaturally so some might say!). I've also discovered that I can crochet in the car which made the 8 hour journey up to Scotland so much more bearable for me, sod everyone else!
Can't wait for the hexagon pattern, think the bag might be a bit beyond me just yet.
Julia xx

[mandy]

sounds like you had a lovely weekend, I am looking forward to the hexagon making lesson:)

[Anne]

Your crochet is so pretty - can't wait for the patterns. Is the pattern for the crochet flower scarf available? I have searched but maybe I am missing it. Thanks.

[Josie-Mary]

Great post as always which is why I've sent you an award - see my blog for info :)

[periwinkle]

I've got those 2 calendars also - most of the pics are just gorgeous. I totally agree , you can't be buying spring flowers in November it is just so wrong
lisa x

[Jennifer]

Hi Lucy - I was wondering if I could have your email address? I have a question for you about your tea - Imagine that!? Thanks alot! Jennifer in Boise, Idaho

[Fiona]

I definitely need to go out and get one of those freebie calendars. When I first moved in with Hubbie-to-be he had an Arsenal one on the wall in the Kitchen!!!! Need I say more. Next year there'll definitely be no men in red dangling on our kitchen wall but lots of prettiness instead. I think you definitely need that coat by the way.

[Fiona]

I definitely need to go out and get one of those freebie calendars. When I first moved in with Hubbie-to-be he had an Arsenal one on the wall in the Kitchen!!!! Need I say more. Next year there'll definitely be no men in dangling on our kitchen wall but lots of prettiness instead. I think you definitely need that coat by the way.

[Fiona]

I definitely need to go out and get one of those freebie calendars. When I first moved in with Hubbie-to-be he had an Arsenal one on the wall in the Kitchen!!!! Need I say more. Next year there'll definitely be no men in dangling on our kitchen wall but lots of prettiness instead. I think you definitely need that coat by the way.

[Debbie]

Dear Attic 24:
First must tell you your blog is great. I look forward to reading it every morning. I must tell you that I tried the lentil and peanut dish yesterday and it was devoured in no time. This will be a dish that I will do more of as it is full of lots of vegetables and protein and the kids don't even know it. After seeing your lovely ripple afghan I have started my own and we are lucky around here to be getting supper because it is so hard to put down. I love it!

[driftwood]

ohh, calendars - perfect excuse to go magazine shopping!
and I love the word discombobulated!!

[m]

Doesn't three calendars make life rather complicated?

[Hen]

Yes, you definitely need that coat, how can you be expected to brave Winter without it? There's also a discount offer on at Boden at the mo', what more reason do you need?! Loving the hexagons, they look fab and so bright and cheery. I too am sad at not being able to go-a-snipping in the garden. Still just about able to get asters in the shops but probably not for much longer. I must try your carrot cake recipe, essential fuel, methinks...
Hen x

[Kitschen Pink]

Fantastic post! I shall keep coming back to look at it if the grey weather gets me down! Glad to see you are very sensible and know that the only thing to do when one has been discobobulated is to drink tea and eat cake! We have the chestnut roaster and toasting forks, you're absolutely right - everything should revolve around food this time of year! But last year we were also given 'Northern Lights Fire Color Cones'. No idea where you get them but they are just wonderful fun! t.xxx (PS WANT that coat!)

[Funkymonkey]

I am so with you on the flowers. I look forward to daffodils in January to cheer the place up and add a fresh look after we've had all the wintry Christmassy sort of stuff. Daffs in November...it just aint on!