December

I can hardly believe that today we went into December, into the month that contains the C word. It just does not seem possible, and I feel unprepared and slightly, ever so mildly jittery  about the fact that it is now December and probably not possible (or wise) for me to ignore the C word for very much longer. I have begun some very unorganised, impulsive present shopping for the Little People, have immersed myself in some wonderful, inspirational seasonal magazines (more on that later in the week), and yes I even bought some red raffia ribbon a few weeks ago. But that is as far as I have got. I still have a long way to go. But hey, still twenty four days to go, right? Yeah, Pl-EN-ty of time yet, no need to worry. I refuse to be hurried, refuse to be stressy. It'll all be alright.

New pages on the calendars today then, I do so enjoy the first day of each month for this simple, pleasurable ritual of page turning and seasonal commentary. I made a category for calendars here on the Bloglett, and quite often I enjoy having a looky back through my calendar archives to see how the year has ticked along, to admire my Attic view in different weathers and different lights.

I've really enjoyed these three calendars of mine this year, and am excited about continuing my little calendar-appreciation posts at the beginning of each month through next year too, with new 2009 calendars already on standby.
I quite like the the bossiness of the Country Homes Calendar (above) :: I like the way that every month it tells me to go do something, no messing, there is my monthly order. Jump to it. This morning it got me to thinking about the way a home can smell. To be honest, I'm not sure I'd like my home to suddenly smell exotic, but festive is good. Yes, I think I can have a go at a festive scent.

This is something I like to do in Winter months. A bowl of water, half a lemon and half an orange (or clementine cos I forgot to buy oranges today), and some cloves. Pop into the microwave for 5 minutes, then take the bowl out and stand it in the kitchen. It does fill the place with a delightful, natural, zesty, festive scent. I've done this very thing this morning and when I popped down from the attic earlier to get myself a second cup of coffee, it did make me feel ever so slightly Chri hmm Festive. Can't say the C word yet, sorry.

And the weather today in my part of the world?? F-r-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-z-i-n-g. Literally. We woke up this morning to a white, frosty Winter Wonderland. Above pic was taken this morning about 8am, can you see the two jackdaws sitting on the chimney pot there? They've been over on my roof this morning too, caw-cawing down my chimney :: there's something about those two birds always being round on the rooftops that makes me feel so content.

Our walk to school was lovely this morning, the canal has frozen over, and a light dusting of powdery snow has settled on the ice.

And here are the ducks, slip-sliding across the top of the iced water...

...they don't seem to mind a bit of wintry ice-skating, and it certainly amused the Little People (no wonder we are always late for school, there are endless distractions/attractions en route).

I love love love this frosty, icy, wintry weather. I mean, I love observing the Weather in general, whatever it happens to be doing throughout the year. And I love it very much when the weather behaves itself and does what it's supposed to do. When it's properly, correctly Seasonal. And for the first day of December, the weather today could not be more Perfect.

I walk the long way home after school, via the park. I crunch in the frosty leaves and walk upwards through the icy grass.

It's peaceful. Wintry. Beautiful.

I stop at the top of the hill to look back down....

....then onwards through the little copse of trees at the top of the hill. I look upwards through the wintry branches and think to myself that it was only three weeks ago when I was here in the sunshine without a coat on, admiring the colourful Leafy Autumness. How suddenly the seasons seem to have changed.

My house was sooooo welcoming and warm when I walked back through the door, it was like being given a big, warm, affectionate hug. Hot coffee in a favaourite mug, warm and snug and up to the Attic I trot. Look out of my little Attic24 window and it's beginning to snow look....

...just little light flakes over the hills and rooftops, but snow nevertheless.
Its on days like today when I am so glad to be home, warm, cosy.

And on the subject of home-warm-cosy, can I say a huge ((thank you)) to all of you who took the time to leave a comment on Fridays post. It's been absolutely fantastic reading all about your homes, I have enjoyed it enormously. Thank you for all your generous Housiversary wishes, for the kind words about my little Stitched Giveaway gifts, and for the general all round niceness you always bring with you to the Attic.

Do you think you'll have time to stop by again tomorrow and see what the weather was like in the Lake District over the weekend? Share some Lakeland scenery with me? You will? Oh good-o, I'll bake something nice for us to have with morning coffee. You can't beat coffee+baking+scenery-viewing.
See you tomorrow
xxxxx

 

Comments

[rosepetaljam]

hello Lucy - I hope you are ok - I am not being one of those bossy commenters asking you to blog :-), just noticed that you hadn't for a couple of days (very like me, very unlike you!) and so just hoping you are ok and not sick or anything.

take care

Sarah x

[jkj]

i love your photos! the ice, the rooftops, the cobbles, ducks, iced greenery. all wonderful. i'm in southern california and we have none of what you show so i soak up your narrative and pictures. with tea. thank you for sharing your winter with me! jkj

[ginny]

wonderful wintery photos. just charming. love your festive textile too...very sweet.
cold here too today and feeling festive x

[Helen Lambert]

Hello...I just popped over via the lovely do you mind if I knit....I read your post with interest...I love your pictures which look oh so familiar..where are they? love from Helen at A time to Dance....

[g]

Lovely, beautiful photos, Lucy. I love your caw-y rooftop neighbors. :~)

[Toni]

What beautiful pictures...I just love your christmas quilt.

[moss stitch]

What beautiful scenery and what a fantastic walk you have to school. I wish mine as picturesque, just a boring road. It snowed briefly here but it didn't settle. Boo and hiss.
Looking forward to the Lakes tour tomorrow. I'll bring the hot chocolate with marshmallows.

M
xx

[Victoria]

Would you please advise who the artist is of your lovely calender? (The old one with the geese, chicken, and drummer boy for December). Many thanks!

[Alex]

Oh how I wish the little ones could witness some real snow, not just the slush and rain we get here in the Somerset, I loved the lake district when I visited many years ago, What beautiful scenery.....

and a beautifully written post

x

[Gem]

Lovely photos, it was snowing here too this morning but it's all melted now :( You're so lucky to have such a lovely walk to school, I miss having the time to stop and enjoy the sights around me :( x

[miss sew n sew]

What a lovely wintery post to start December your photos are wonderful and got me in the mood for the C word! I'll be here tommorrow I'll put the kettle on!

[Anna]

Brrr- hope the people living on those narrow boats are nice and toasty inside..lovely piccies as always Lucy, I do so love to catch up on what you have been up to. See you tomorrow, although I will probably miss morning coffee. Shall try and catch you in time for cocoa though.x

[Sal]

Fabulous photos! And I'll be back tomorrow to share the Lakeland scenery you mentioned ;-)

[Jo]

I'll pop by tomorrow and bring my mince pies. I sunk into your post today. All so very real!

[Cláudia - Guarujá - São Paulo - Brasil]

How beautiful Lucy! While you admire the arrival of winter, we here in Brazil we are already melting in the heat of that summer is approaching. These are two extremes, but they are part of our life, right?
Could a copy of these beautiful landscapes to appear on the screen of my computer? Please! They are so beautiful and contrasts with the atmosphere here. I feel cool looking at them. These and paintings of tissue, are wonderful. Today I was buying lines to start a job in croche and saw several colorful fabrics and reminded me of you. You allow me to make an equal to his? I am inspired by you to do so.
I love your blog!
May God bless you, your family and your beautiful home.
Kisses

[Josie-Mary]

Lovely photo's, I love the snow. I would love to come up & feel warm & cozy in your attic.... had a crap weekend but your blog cheered me up yet again :)

[Janneke]

I'll be there tomorrow :) I always enjoy my morningcoffee and with your stories and pictures it will be great !
Greetings, Janneke.

[Judy]

Your photos are like it is here in Columbus Indiana USA today. I don't have your cozy house with your attic room to work in though. But I have an offic with a window. I felt like I was there with you today!! Thanks Judy
http://judy-judysfabricaddiction.blogspot.com/

[Lisa]

What a beautiful selection of wintery photos!
Lisa x

[Danette Mitchell Scheller]

What a wonderful life.

[Lisa]

Iam late reading today as I spent all day decorating the house its very errrr tree up etc lol. Needed to say I am mega excited to see your photos tom the lakes hold a magic place in my heart very happy times they hold for me, and such a fab place for the camera.
lisa x

[Nicola]

A lovely wintry post, makes me want to go home though! The view from my office is over to the other side of the buildings but the frost we had across the top of the buildings below us hasn't thawed all day so looks lovely and wintry outside. I can't wait to get home tonight, get the candles on in my room and snuggle down with a book. The red berry picture is fantastic....it could be a Christmas card, I've seen some cards like that in town. I love the 8am view from the Attic so very Chr....sorry, very festive!

Nicola x

[simone]

Such a lovely, frosty, wintery post. It is so cold here but no snow or frost yet. Thank you for the views from the attic. I love your roof top views most of all.

[Maria]

Loved your pictures! Reminded me of how much I miss the British landscape. Have a lovely day!

[do you mind if i knit]

Sorry I'm having to send you a message by posting a comment Lucy............... your e-mail that comes with your comments is still returning my responses........... : ) ................... I'm so sorry the Pink Primula sold.............. a friend bought it to give to her sister for Christmas, I'm really sorry Lucy. I've been photographing loads of work for a shop refill, and I'm going to try and get them in my shop this week, I hope that makes you feel a bit better? : ) xxx