Ahhh here we are again, Monday morning and another week rolling in. Is it just me or does 2009 seem to be made of extra super speedy whizzy days? I feel I can hardly keep up with this month.
As is often the case on Mondays, todays post has formed as a direct result of whats-on-the-camera after the weekend has been and gone. This is a tale of an ordinary, no-frills Simple January Saturday. A day typical of weekends spent at home when nothing has been planned and the weather outside is slightly off putting. When there is no particular need to hurry, and no particular need to do anything much. I find that these sorts of days, for me, often turn out to contain the most happy, relaxed, unexpectedly blissful little snippets of family life.
I expect there are several other remarkably similar posts in my archives...remember this post from the end of December? And this one from October? Oh and yes, hang on, I'm thinking also of this post, crikey, was that really as far back as April??? Lordy, there has been a lot of gas bagging in the Attic since way-back-then!
I spent a delightful few hours on Saturday morning sat in bed. Nesting. Snuggling. Tea-drinking and hooking. It was quite honestly a most delightful little bit of me-time (once husband was out of my "nest" and the Little People were engaged in various activities downstairs). I am continuing to love-love-love working my Summer Garden blanket, it has me totally blissed out. And just look how charming it looks next to the ripple! They are made from different yarns, but both being Rowan, the colours are so in tune don't you think? Oh, they are going to be such good buddies these two blankies.
At about 9am or thereabouts, I hear fast running footsteps coming up the stairs.
Little Man comes racing in.
He has wide, excited eyes, and is all flushed and full of that bursting sort of excited energy that is particular to six year olds.
He is trying to tell me something but is talking so fast his words tumble out all in a muddle.
I
eventually get the jist of what he is saying...he tells me he has been
busy in the kitchen and that he has made bun-mixture. Yes, Real
Bun-Mixture!
All. By. Himself. No Help!! Quick, quick, come see!! COME NOW!!!!
Truthfully I am enjoying my quiet hooky time in my nest, but slowly the words that I have heard reach my brain and I begin to compute the reality of what has been taking place downstairs. Little man, in the kitchen, concocting bun-mixture with no help? Sounds very ominous indeed, and potentially very very messy.....
I venture downstairs and yes, messy is right. Flour is everywhere.
I start to moan, a low, slow moan.
He tells me not to worry cos he has tidied away and put all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
I moan louder, because I realise that the dishwasher has not been emptied yet and he has dumped all his dirty bowls in on top of the clean ones.
Everything is floury and oily.
The moan becomes a loud shouty bellow. I am so cross.
Yet he stands and takes it, and says sorry, and he shows me the mixing bowl full of his very own bun-mixture.
It is lumpy and runny looking.
And I look at it, and look at his excited little face and suddenly
feel overwhelmed with love and pride as he tells me how he tried very
hard to remember how I make buns and put all the right ingredients in. He put flour, butter, sugar, an egg, some oil and a little water. My heart is almost bursting as he tells me all this.
He begs me to help him bake it.
How can I refuse?
He spoons the running, lumpy mixture into bun cases and in to the oven to see if by some miracle there will be buns.
And look!! He actually made buns! Can you imagine the excitement??!!
Oh, it was absolutely one of the most precious moments when those buns came out the oven.
He asks me to help him make icing and proceeds to select all his decorating ingredients. He is very familiar with my baking drawer I notice.
Later that morning, he has a friend come to call, and they eat all six buns between them.
Oh how I laughed!
1.37pm, after lunch and I quietly gather up my crochet, tea and bun (one of my own buns you notice) and tiptoe quietly out of the sitting room, up two flights of stairs and close myself in the Attic. J doesn't like it when I go up to the Attic at weekends, he thinks for some reason that I am up to no good when I am up here at weekends.
I settle in to the window seat and work quietly on my bathroom bunting.
It's beautifully peaceful, and I watch sunshine and shadows roll out over the hills.
The crochet bunting works out far better than I ever imagined it would. I am incredibly thrilled with it. It's jolly and fun and quirky and bright and happy looking.
And of course, completely useless. HA!! I just adore bunting for being so totally pointless, but unashamedly good all the same.
I feel as if I am six years old, I am all wide-eyed and flushed and excited as I run around the house with my string of useless crochet, exclaiming to myself (!!) and trying it out along shelf edges, along the top of windows, over mirrors, along my mantle. I am mentally planning at least a dozen more strings in various colours to go all over the house.
What fun!!!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Edited to add :: Bunting-lovers, the pattern/tutorial will be coming very soon xx
Oh what a lovely story.....it took me back twenty years. So nice that you didn't freak out and helped him finish his buns. He'll remember that when he's a big man. The bunting is amazing. I've hardly knitted since I got the link to your blog from facilececile. I've made three table mats and finally mastered the perfect circle technique.....so pleased with myself.
Posted by: Linda | January 27, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I would love a pattern for the bunting also - I know it is simple but just do not know how to begin. Do you work from the point and increase or do you work from the top downward and decrease. Don't laugh at my silly question!!
Posted by: Anne | January 27, 2009 at 01:17 AM
Hi have made some garlands and can now feel the need for some bunting as a second project to be done in conjunction with above. Fingers have this strange itchy sensation! Vision slightly glazed, silly grin on lips, man person not amused...oh joy! Need another tutorial...pretty please! Dev X
Posted by: The Fairy Glade | January 26, 2009 at 10:31 PM
How gorgeous that your boy made buns all on his own! If my girl attempted anything in the kitchen on her own I would know immediately that she had been possessed!
The bunting is gorgeous too!
Posted by: Sue | January 26, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Sounds to me like that little boy is just a chip off the old block really :o)
Posted by: Anne Bebbington | January 26, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Hi, I discovered your lovely blog two weeks ago, and can't stop coming to see your new posts. I must say I'm a huge fan, I ran buy some cotton last week and began my own hexagon blanket (75 hexs now ^^), and now I am so thrilled by your new blanket that I have already bought some wool to begin a blooming cheerful granny blanket!! Every day Im looking forward to see the next post full of lovely stories. Thank you for sharing so well your love of crochet and making us want to learn!!
All my best!
Posted by: Florence | January 26, 2009 at 08:17 PM
I am just loving your blog, having learnt to crochet at xmas with a Rowan crochet book! Your blankets are so inspiring, I have today ordered a selection of bright colours from Debbie Bliss to start my own pieced blanket.
Love the buttoned bunting and the cakes look absolutely scrummy!
I will be back for more... thankyou!
Posted by: louise | January 26, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Hi
What a wonderful story.Those cupcakes looks
very delicious.And your bunting for the bad is fantastic.Really a great idea!!!!!!!!!
Your blog is wonderful!!!!
Greetings Regina
Posted by: Regina | January 26, 2009 at 07:07 PM
Thank you for your colour injection today. Those buns are just too precious. And the bunting - love it. The buttons are just perfect. I tried to have a go at crochet last night and had to admit defeat. Might have to make it my project of the week in order to get over my craft block!
Posted by: Cat | January 26, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Thx for sharing your lovely Saturday! Deborah at Webajeb
Posted by: DeborahW | January 26, 2009 at 06:36 PM
I remember 'baking' at about the same age as your 'little man'! Your crochet bunting is a delight! Rachaelxo
Posted by: Rachael | January 26, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Ooh, what a deightful surprise to pull up your blog on this grey, dreary Monday morning and be greeted by cheerful colors, adorable story of the dear son and a dreamy landscape of hills overlooking small town. I can now joyfully begin my day!!
Posted by: Shelley in SC | January 26, 2009 at 06:13 PM
What a great story, so so sweet, I have all this to look forward to. And yes, i too adore the finishing touches to the bunting, you clever thing! x
Posted by: Janet | January 26, 2009 at 05:52 PM
I loved the story of the buns and could just imagine it happening. Your bunting is beautiful. I posted about my hexagon blanket today, following your tutorial. Very clear, thank you!
Posted by: Gina | January 26, 2009 at 05:42 PM
what a priceless story about your son! one to share with his girlfriends when he starts to bring them home!
loving that bunting!
Posted by: driftwood | January 26, 2009 at 05:40 PM
A kinder gentler Gordon Ramsay in the making, perhaps? It's remarkable that he remembered all the key ingredients
Posted by: Vallen | January 26, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Well, once again, you've made my day. Your enthusiasm, sweet motherhood, photography and incredible color sense.....your lovely stories of children and your devotion to your yarns (both stories and crochet) are absolutely captivating and motivating. I live in the US in Southern Oregon. I'm 63 in body and 23 in mind and am trying to keep up with all your projects. I've made your bag and a zillion flowers, making scarves with them mostly. I've tried your hexes and am determined to make some throws out of them for watching TV and hooking up a storm. Thank you so much. You've supplied exactly what I've been needing to make it through this long, cold winter. I'd love to send you some pics of things you've inspired. Blessings, Moonie
Posted by: Moonie | January 26, 2009 at 04:43 PM
A fabulous, colourful post ...well done to the chef too ;-)
Posted by: Sal | January 26, 2009 at 04:42 PM
I think you must be the fastest crocheter EVER!!! The crochet bunting looks delightful as does the Summer Garden work in progress blanket. Oh I love the story of your little boy and his bun mixture. He so loves his Mum he wanted to make buns like Mum makes. You have a good un there!
Posted by: simone | January 26, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Oooh, what a delightful joy on this grey Monday morning to pull up your blog and find a new post!! Made my day . . . the funny story of the dear son, jolly bunting, dreamy green hills and small town. I made your Lemon Drizzle Cake yesterday, and the family LOVED it!! It was literally gone in 5 minutes!! Okay, there are 7 of us . . . maybe I'd better make two next time!!
Posted by: Shelley in SC | January 26, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Oh the bunting is adorable! Almost as sweet as a little boy tryign so darn hard. What a cute little thing he must be. And the blanket is coming together very nicely! All that colour is making me think I need to go pick up my hook!
Posted by: elizabeth of course | January 26, 2009 at 04:04 PM
HOW I adore your bunting!!! what a great idea!!! and it looks so easy when you do it!!!
I might steal your idea for when I redo my work-studio area (I keep meaning to..... but it's all such a mess!!!!!!!!)
Your Little Guy story sends me reminders of my own kids when they were so young, excited over what they create and so proud too!!!
What moments to treasure, and I see you do!!!!
All my best!!!
Potiron
PS yes, those two blankets will sit very nicely together!!!!!!
Posted by: Potiron | January 26, 2009 at 03:55 PM
I have just discovered your blog and absolutely love it! I love your use of colour and the bunting is fab!
Posted by: Kleinzonnetje | January 26, 2009 at 03:52 PM
What a sweet, sweet post, Lucy. I adore how you can take a simple weekend and weave it into a glorious little story....a Lucy 'yarn' so to speak. The buns, bunting, and blankies are yummy, colorful, and total eye candy. Thanks for your sunshine today.
Posted by: cathleen | January 26, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Okay Lucy, how about a bunting pattern for this Kansas Granny.........perhaps a link?
Suz
Posted by: Susie | January 26, 2009 at 03:46 PM