Fresh

Hello, it's lovely to see you as always, thanks for stopping by. I am sat up in the Attic listening to the rain pitter patter onto the window, it's a truly Grim Day here weather wise today, cold and wet and grey. But as I am not needing to venture outside again until 3pm for the school run, I feel quite snug and cosy for the time being, it's quite lovely being up here under the eaves listening to the rain fall and having a little virtual chat with you all. I feel so fortunate that I am able to spend my days this way, that I have so very little stress and pressure in my life and such a lot of freedom to pass the days as I please. I always try every day to appreciate that fact, and not to take the luxury of Time and Freedom for granted.

So we are thirteen days into 2009 and I wanted to share a few thoughts with you. I no longer make any New Years Resolutions, I find them too stifling :: instead I like to choose a Word for the year.  A word which will hopefully serve to motivate and inspire me as we jog along through three hundred and sixty five days.
And after much deliberation and dictionary reading (hmm yes, I know), my chosen word for 2009 is 

:: F R E S H ::

Yes, that's it, Fresh. Doesn't that word just sound so delicious and optimistic? I used my thesaurus to explore the word "fresh", and oh! I was so excited by this (am I sad? mad? to get so excited by a list of words? Well no matter....) So maybe you could indulge me here, can I show you The List? Here it is...

...cool, refreshing, invigorating, bracing, brisk, crisp, pure, unpolluted, sweet, energetic, vigorous, lively, hearty, healthy, keen, alert, revived, refreshed, rested, strong, flourishing, blooming, glowing, fair, clean, spruce, bright, clear, exciting.

Now imagine if one applied those words to every aspect of ones life, doesn't that sound like a recipe for an exceedingly bloody good, amazing, happy, top-notch year? Yup, well that's what I thought.

So :: right now, this is how I am thinking and doing Fresh ::

Myself :: I am more or less free of that revolting bundle of germs which moved in on me at the end of last year, and being unwell made me realise that perhaps I should be taking better care of myself. Physically I mean. Mentally and emotionally and creatively yes, I believe I do a sterling job at taking care of that part of myself. But physically, well it often leaves a lot to be desired. So I am starting to take a fresh approach to my health and well being :: aiming to eat more fresh fruit, trying out some fresh new recipes and ingredients, and increasing my daily quota of fresh air and exercise. It's my hope that during the course of this year I will gradually be able to say that a lot of those above words apply to me and the way I feel. I want to feel energetic! And blooming, glowing, hearty, healthy!! Yes all of those things.

Flowers :: I continue to be hugely inspired by fresh flowers and I am aiming to have them in the house in one form or another every single day of the year. Right now I have this little bunch of daffodils which is giving me such a huge amount of pleasure. And I am really looking forward to spring when I can sow some seeds and make plans for growing my own fresh flowers in my little outdoor space.

Inspiration :: Always on the look out for fresh inspiration, and magazines and books and blogs continue to deliver huge dollops of it. I adore this months Country Living, the seasonal Spring pages especially make my heart skip, they are so uplifting.

Home :: Definitely a huge focus for us as a family this year, we will be transforming our house during 2009. Every room needs to be hauled out of it's rather tired sleep and freshened up. New colours, new furniture, a much needed new lease of life for this old place. Starting with the bathroom. On Monday, when Trevor the Bathroom Man arrives. I will not be sorry to say goodbye to the mouldy green streaky wood paneled walls. I absolutely can't wait for the arrival of fresh, clean, white, shiny tiles. Hooray!

Projects :: oooooooooo I am so excited about this one, even more than a new shiny white bathroom. I am positively thrilled at the prospect of starting a fresh new crochet project. This yarn sample card arrived just before Christmas, plans were drawn up for my next blanket, my local yarn shop consulted and an order placed. Delivery of yarn should come by the end of the week. I am really, really excited! A fresh new blanket to work on, and just feast your eyes on those colours! It's going to be such fun sharing it with you all.

Growth :: Fresh, new, vibrant, green growth. After only a short few days in their pots on the windowsill, my amaryllis shoots are beginning their journey skywards. And they do kind of make me want to squeal with excitement each morning when I come downstairs and check on them.

It's all so promising. A New Year, A Fresh Outlook. I for one am happy and excited by the promise of it all. Bring on the next 352 days, yeah, bring it on.

edited to add :: if you are planning a project using Rowan yarns, I can highly recommend ordering Shade Cards, available from here, I find them inspiring and exciting, kind of along the same lines as seed and bulb catalogues or paint shade charts. Pleasure in Little Things xx

Comments

[gardenymph]

Great word! Happy renovations!

[Marielle]

I like your colored universe !!!
Bravo !
I want to make more thing, always more thing.....

[Maddy]

Ahhh what a re'fresh'ing post hehehehe!

[Ellen]

such a refreshing top photo - especially since it's winter here

[Josie-Mary]

Great post.. never thought of 'fresh' that way!! :) x

[Cat]

What a lovely inspiring post. Cat x

[Janette]

HI Lucy.

I agree with everyone who has already commented - Fresh what a fantastic word and a great attitude to have. I think if I had to choose a word it would have to be 'energise' and be a gentle prompt to make me get on and do the so many thing running around in my head. Looking forward to seeing your next spot of crocheting.

xx

[cathleen]

Lucy...you inspiring little angel, you!! Luscious strawberries, lemons, yarn, and words...lovely, lovely words. Your fresh outlook on life is always a joy. How come every time you post you always make me want to do this:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, I know why....you are full of so much positive energy, you bounce it across the sea to little old me!!!!!!!!!!!

[susan]

oh yay! a new blanket! i just love your blankets :)

[Lucy Locket-Pocket]

Hi Lucy,

A brilliant choice of word! I forgot to mention yesterday that I blame you for my need to buy lots of bulbs and daffodils and tulips yesterday! I would normally start to buy them at this time of year but you were definitely the prompt yesterday!!!

Your blog is costing me rather a lot of money! I'm so glad!!!

Lucy x

[hen]

Hi Luce,

Glad to hear you're on the mend. Looking forward to all your freshness" this year! Was just lookig at the Rowan website this morning and considering ordering some shade cards and now I see they have real little tufty bits of yarn on, well it's too exciting for words! Roll on the new Attic 24 blanket...
Hen x

[Nicola]

Lucy what a wonderfully inspiring post! When I read your blog I can almost hear you singing along with excitement at what lies ahead. I can't wait to read the changes throughout 2009 for Attic24.
Nicola x

[Lisa]

Great choice of word Lucy.
Lots of those defintion words could be used to describe your photos!
Good luck with the bathroom overhaul, hope all goes smoothly and I look forward to seeing your new project take shape.
Thanks for kind words regarding my op.
Take care.
Lisa x

[elizabeth of course]

Where do you get such a perfect little thign as a yarn sample card!? It's beautiful! haha!
I think Fresh is a perfect word to start a new year with. I too have a thing for fresh flowers. I'm lucky that me Nana's crocuses are usually the first up, but they're abouta month away still. It's market flowrs until then!

[kathy]

Hi Lucy, great word for 2009, lovely inspiring post (yet again!). I look forward to seeing your new project, I adored the cushion. Fresh this time of year means ideas for my jewellery, new colours, designs etc. And the tax. Not so fresh...! Kathyx

[Sara]

Fresh is a great word - I will try and think of one too - though at the moment the only one that comes to mind is knackered so maybe I will wait till tomorrow.

Cant wait to see your new crochet - its you thats inspired me to learn - I'm about 12 inches down a very basic blanket but cant wait to try some flowers.

Sara
XX

[Julie]

What a great word to choose, and a wonderful outlook for 2009. As ever, think the photographs you have selected are fabulous - it's so lovely to check in with you each day and receive a gorgeous boost of colourful loveliness through my screen. xx

[A Thrifty Mrs]

Fresh is such a great word to use for a new year. It is very uplifting and a great word to fix in your mind. I would always have summed your blog up as fresh as it is.
So glad that you're feeling better.
Wishing you the best for a fresh 2009!

[Kar]

The word FRESH sums it up well Lucy. Love it! I think I will use it, if you don't mind, to keep a bit of optimism going each day here in my little world. What wonderful colors on the sample card. Makes me want to get my current project done even more so I can move on to bigger and brighter ones. Have a Fabulous day! :)

[simone]

I think you have chosen a great word Lucy. I find the word inspiring and uplifting. It may become my daily mantra!

[Gem]

The word "fresh" sums up your blog perfectly :) Hope you are feeling better and make sure you do take the time to look after yourself!!
xx

[Lesley]

Lovely Lucy you have a fantastic way with words and manage to make me feel motivated just by reading your posts some days!!!
I did a version of the flowers thing last yaer but on a weekly basis - nothing nicer than a splash of colour to greet you in a morning!this post had me singing that song "Fresh, fresh exciting so exciting and new" was it Kool and the gang or someone similar?? hmmmm showing my age i think!
Lesley x

[Helen McGrath]

Hi Lucy,
Yes you have just summed it all up what a great way to look at the year ahead, treating everything new as Fresh, I do feel totally inspired by your outlook and energy and look forward to reading your blog so much.
kindest regards
Helen in dull and cloudy Manchester.

[Potiron]

How optimistic of you and refreshing, we should all take example on you!!! Like you I don't make any New Year's resolution, but choosing a word and applying to adhere to it all year round is a great stimulant and view on life.

You do end up having some kind of resolution, yours being to take better care of yourself!!!

Please do!!! don't want to miss out on all your wonderful posts and projects!!!!

I love the color scheme you chose...... very inspiring.

You have inspired me to take part in a Crochet along for the Babette Blanket in France, here : http://grannymania.canalblog.com/
It all begins on January 15th. I haven't posted my colors yet... but will soon, and you'll see, it would fit well in your attic, but this one I'll keep, if I finish it!!!!

I'll keep visiting you....

MMMmmmm Fresh.... something to ponder.....

Thanks so much, it's grey and very wet and cold here too!!!!

[Bertie Meadows]

Hi Lucy, FRESH I like it, that word is so you. Bright and blooming - as Attic24 is everyday.
Bertie x.

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