Attic24

Comfort

Good morning my lovelies, and thanks for dropping by. You doin' OK? I wonder what the weather's like today where you are?
Here in my patch it is wet-wet-wet. Grey and wet. Rainy and wet. Puddly and wet. I made the school run wearing an old raincoat and (stubbornly) still wearing my crocs, and consequently returned home feeling a little damp and sodden. My raincoat leaked making my shoulders wet and soggy. My feet got wet (quite understandable really, as there are a lot of holes in Crocs), as did the bottom of my too-long jeans.

It's OK though, I do quite like summer rain providing I'm not expected to picnic/camp/party in it. But the lack of light levels and the heavy, misty greyness that has settled across the landscape is rather dismal. In fact, today I'm finding myself in real need of Comfort. I am not expecting to do a great deal today. I'm having a moochy stay-home day. I've taken my soggy outdoor clothes off and have put on some rather unattractive but supremely comfy baggy jersey bottoms and a soft (dry) cosy jumper. Pink fluffy slippers have been dragged out from under the bed.
Right-oh, I am Dressed for Comfort :: bring it on.
First up is a mug of frothy chocolate-dusted coffee.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

This morning my crochet is still in situ after last nights little hooky session, the blanket laid out on the floor like an elaborate rug. I need to lay it out like this so that I can check the colour choices as I complete and join each block. I'm part way through block number 31 (only 5 more to go after this one, yiipppeeeeeeeee!!) and although I very rarely crochet during the day (excepting on knit and natter cafe days) today I am allowing myself the pleasure.
I feel the need.
Don't try and stop me.

As I was waiting for my coffee machine to warm up this morning, and while I was still wearing wet, soggy school-run clothes, I grabbed some scissors and nipped outside to snip a few blooms to bring indoors.
Five to be precise.
Snip-snip-snip-snip-snip.

Such beautiful, vibrant flowers, laden with rain drops.
Cosmos, cape daisy, marigold, marguerite and verbena.
Pink, purple, orange, yellow red.



I popped them into my little old ink bottle and put them on the coffee table amongst all my crochet paraphernalia while I went to make coffee.
When I walked back into the room, it really struck me how beautifully these little summer flowers match the colours of my Summer Garden blanket. How I must have held the memory of just such a posy of flowers in my mind on that cold day in January when I drew up the design and purchased the yarn for this project.
Love that.

Ok, so :: comfy clothes, frothy coffee, fresh flowers, crochet....what else is missing from my Day of Comfort??
Ahh yes, of course.....reading material and edible material....

I wonder how many of you have had your hands on this months divine copy of Country Living magazine (the UK version)?? Its the August issue, and Oh, My. Goodness, WHAT an issue this is!!!!!! I finally found my Perfect CL Moment on Sunday morning and I practically hyperventilated my way through the whole thing. It's the most gorgeous, inspiring, colourful, mood-enhancing collection of pages I've had the pleasure of gazing at in quite a while. Total happiness from cover to cover. As you can see by my copy above, it has been very well thumbed through, I have looked at it over and over and over again.
And will be inside those pages again in a very short while I expect.

Finally, the edible element of today.....chocolate, sweeeeeeeeeet chocolate!

I was not intending to actually eat this chocolate you understand, rather I bought it as an essential ingredient in the Caramel Shortbread recipe I mentioned to you on Friday.
I was thinking that if I had time amongst my intended crocheting, flower-gazing, magazine strolling activities, I might do a spot of baking this afternoon.
For you.
Because I promised you the recipe and I cannot possibly give you the recipe without some accompanying photographs.
Which means I need to bake in order to photograph the baking.
And needing to bake, meant the necessary purchase of ingredients.
Silly thing is though, that I've just realised that the recipe calls for 140g of chocolate and I had a bit of a memory lapse in the supermarket this morning (must have been the sogginess in my trousers that did it) and bought a 230g bar by mistake.
Damn and blast.
That means I've got 90g of spare chocolate hanging around.
Ah well, guess I'll just have to deal with it, all part of a days work eh?

Enjoy the little Comforts of your own day my friends, whether rain or shine.
Treat yourself kindly.
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Easy Countryside Appreciation

Here in my part of the world, we are extremely lucky to live on the doorstep of some amazing countryside, being only a hop and a skip away from the magnificent Yorkshire Dales National Park. There are wild and rugged bits, beautiful bits and charming bits. Gorgeous villages and sweeping vistas. High hills and low valleys. Rivers and gorges and  tarns. And it's right there to enjoy, and mostly for free :: park the car, put on some walking boots and stride right out into the thick of it.

But sometimes, getting out into the wilds of the countryside can seem like quite hard work. And when you get to feeling like that, like you really want to be out amongst nature, but don't necessarily wish to prepare or work at it, then you choose the Easy Countryside.

For us, the easy option of choice is without question Bolton Abbey. It's easy as you can possibly get. A way to enjoy some magnificent scenery without having to really exert oneself. And crucially for the likes of me, there is no map reading involved and no danger of getting lost either.

 

So when my Dad and his Lady were staying last week, I decided on a simple jaunt to Bolton Abbey, to share the delights of the Yorkshire Dales and our local countryside without  the need for maps, rucksacks or clonky footwear.

It was great. We rolled up mid morning last Monday and found only a handful of other folk about, stepped out the car and followed a beautiful wide and easy to negotiate pathway through lush, damp and very green woodland along the banks of the River Wharfe. We were headed for The Strid, to sit a while on the mossy rocks and be wowed by the forces of nature and the power of water.

 

After the noise and rushyness of the Strid waters, it was delightful to stroll back again and take in the calm reflections in the slow moving water further down river.

It was maybe an hours walk all told, nothing remotely strenuous, yet very good for the soul nevertheless. And at the end of the walk, a stop at the Cavendish Pavillion for my favourite spot of elevenses :: frothy cappuccino and a maple/pecan slice.

Between mouthfuls of maple and pecan slice, I was telling my folks the story of The Little People and The Money Tree. They found the whole thing intriguing, and asked to be taken to this magical place. So off we set, over the bridge and along the opposite side of the river to climb through the lush woodland....

 

...until we reached the Magic Tree.

 

We payed our respects, and shamelessly Wished Hard for Money.

 

I am still waiting for my wish to come true, but hey, I am patient.

 

After all that hard Wishing work, we set off to have a little explore of the ruins of the ancient Priory.

 

It was really beautiful, and quite peaceful even given the large party of school children  who were visiting at the same time as us.

 

I'm not much of a one for history :: I can appreciate that these wall are pretty damn old, but I do not really need to know details. I prefer to wander round absorbing the views and atmosphere without needing to know the exact date of construction.

We emerged out of the small church to find the sky had darkened and a rather menacing storm was rolling our way. The quality of light was incredible, as was the speed at which the storm was approaching.

We turned our backs on the Abbey and walked rather speedily back to the car, arriving just as the first huge drops of rain were beginning to fall.

I was rather glad that we were not on top of a remote hill.

I was rather glad to climb back into my warm dry car and feel smug.

Sometimes, Easy Countryside Appreciation has it's definite advantages, most especially when thunder and lightening are involved.

xxx

Summery Days

 

Ahhhh hello one and all....I've been away from the Attic this past week, due to said Attic undergoing something of a miraculous transformation from rather messy hovel to simple guest accommodation, complete with Guests in residence.

The day my Dad and his Lady arrived (Weds of last week) it was hot and sultry and thundery. In the afternoon we experienced a terrific thunderstorm with huge great ploppy droplets of rain pouring from the skies, yet by evening time when it most mattered, it was balmy and summery and very thankfully suitable for my intended outdoor plans. We did indeed enjoy a lovely, simple al fresco supper, and stayed out till midnight chatting by candlelight. Oh I do love it when a a plan comes together, makes me feel quite accomplished (not a feeling I am used to).

 

Its been a lovely week actually :: relaxed and summery and outdoorsy for the most part, and having folk staying was really enjoyable. We did indeed spend a lot of time outside in our little back yard and most meals were eaten outdoors. My recently planted up pots of flowers looked  beautiful, and during last week, the first of the lilies bloomed.

I have two lily plants, and they are planted in some troughs that sit on top of our boundary wall to give a little extra height and a minuscule amount of extra privacy. But although they are proving very effective up at this height, its not possible to get really up close and personal with the blooms, which I have found frustrating. So one day, on the spur of the moment I strode out with a pair of Little Man's craft scissors and snipped a flower off :: snip :: just like that. No hesitation. I'm confident like that sometimes. And popped into a little glass jar of water, this gorgeous flower could then be admired by all. It looked stunning against the blue of my outdoor table runner I thought.

 

I continue to adore my flowers, I step out each and every morning to check on them and marvel at their unfurling petals.

 

Such intense, saturated colours....

 

....and such summery prettiness!!

 Talking of flowers, I made this little lot yesterday morning at the cafe during my weekly Knit and Natter get together. The patterns came from Lesley Stanfields book, but I ended up tweaking most of them to make them a little more compact. I'm using up my Rowan Cotton DK yarn, and  have an idea to use these flowers for something....not a cushion, nor a bag or blanket, nor a garland. No, none of those usual things, but this is going to be something decorative and creative, which will be completely useless, but nevertheless very pretty I hope.

Yeah, you see I needed a new small and portable project to tote around with me cos BB quite frankly is getting too damn hefty to take out and about. In fact, BB is looking marvelously Blankety these days, very foldable and drapeable and stackable. I am three-quarters done with joining the blocks :: 28 joined in harmony, and only 8 remaining loose. It's really looking veeeeeeeeeeery handsome indeed. And yes, we are still in love, me and BB.

 

Ahhh but crocheting time has been limited to the odd hours of evening time of late, because when one has Guests in residence, one has to be out and about doing things you know. Can't sit around crocheting all day when family have traveled 300miles to visit!

However my lovely Dad and his Lady are the most undemanding of guests, content to potter, read and take it easy. But we did have a few outings, dodging between the thunder claps and lightening bolts :: we had a lovely day at Bolton Abbey, taking in the lush greenery and ancient scenery, and even paying a trip to The Money Tree (more about that soon).

And there was a trip to Salts Mill too, to take in the wonderful works of David Hockney. His paintings of the Yorkshire Landscape are stunning (postcard above is of an oil painting simply titled "North Yorkshire 1997", and I love it very much)

So my Dad and his Lady went home the day before yesterday and have left a bit of a gap and a distinct lack of routine in their wake. It's been difficult to get on and do the things that need doing, but this morning I donned my pinny and got stuck in to necessary domestic duties.

It's hardly been a chore mind you, as I've been joyfully zesting lemons and making a lemon drizzle cake as part of my contribution towards a PTA fundraising event that I'm involved with tomorrow. This afternoon, there will be carrot cake production, followed this evening by chocolate/caramel shortbread manufacture (I'll give you the recipe for that next week, you won't believe your luck, it's utterly divine I tell you).

 

Earlier this morning, before the zesting of lemons and the creaming of butter and sugar began,  I sat outside to drink my morning coffee and agonise over the latest copy of Country Living magazine, which landed on the doormat yesterday. It is, quite frankly, driving me crazy with desire. I have had the quickest of necessary flick-throughs and oh-oh-oh, what an issue this looks to be! But for now, all I can do is stroke the cover, because, as you well know, I am not permitted to immerse myself in the pages Properly and Fully until the Perfect Moment presents itself. I have a busy and potentially stressful day ahead tomorrow, yet I am hoping the Perfect Moment might arrive smetime during tomorrow evening. Or possibly early Sunday morning....and I will be ready.

So before I go and begin carrotty-bakey things in the kitchen, I leave you with another picture of my Beloved Blanket......ahhhhhh so scrumptious it makes me go weak at the knees ;o)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and I'll see you next week.

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Early Start

This morning I woke up at 3.35am needing to go take a pee, and was suddenly and frustratingly very wide awake. So after lying in bed staring at the ceiling for about forty minutes, I decided I may as well get up and make the most of what is quite a special and usually unseen time of day.

Daylight was arriving, soft and golden, and all was quiet and peaceful. 

I came downstairs and made myself some steaming hot tea in my huuuuuuge morning mug, with some toast and jam (Bonne Maman "Berries and Cherries", now what a mighty fine preserve that is) and wondered for a while what to do with my wide awake self.
J's MacBook was on the dining table so I decided on an inspiring little stroll through two of my absolute favourite Flickr group pools (this one and this one)....

....and then I knew just what to do.
Of course.
The most relaxing, soothing, enjoyable thing to do with a spare hour or two :: some gentle blanket-making.

So there we were, five am, just the two of us.
Me and BB.
And it was quite blissful.

I hooked and drank tea as the sun rose in the sky and the light began to stream in through the front window.
For an hour and a half I was alone, then one by one my family came to join me.
J first at 6.30am, drinking his morning coffee and reading yesterdays papers.
Then a sleepy Little Lady tiptoed in at 7am and tucked herself cosily at the other end of the sofa where she could snuggle her feet under BB and watch as I worked.
And finally at 7.30am, Little Man joined us, thundering down the stairs and bounding in like an over excited puppy.

Ahhhhhh I Love Love LOVE weekends!
Even the ones with an Early Start.

Happy Saturday everyone!
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Reasons to be Cheerful # 16 :: Mummy Sweets

I love sweets. I mean, I really, really love them. I love pretty much all sweets with the exception of liquorice which is the devils work.
I love the colours, the flavours, the ritual of choosing and buying, and the pleasure of owning a bag all-to-myself :: such acute reminders of childhood.

Yesterday I was in Marks and Spencers buying a jar of pickle (about all I can afford in M&S) and when queuing at the checkout I was suddenly overcome with a huge, undeniable need for some of these sweets. There were others that might have tempted me, but these Fruit Sherbets looked so summery and pretty and fruity that before I could ponder the why's and wherefore's, they had jumped off the hook and into my hand.

And oh! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!! They are delicious! SO fruity! And so fizzy too! I tried all five flavours and have to tell you that the blackcurrant comes out tops.

I have to confess that buying these sweets did make me feel a weeny bit guilty. It's a bit of an indulgence buying a whole packet of sweets without the intention of sharing a single one with anyone. They are mine all mine.
The Little People gazed longingly at this bowl and asked in polite, hopeful voices if they might try one.
No, I'm very sorry but you may not.
They are far too big for Little Mouths, you may choke.
And besides, they are mine-all-mine.
They are Mummy Sweets.

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July

 

It's a lovely summery day here in my little patch, and right now rather than sitting in my usual little attic room up under the eaves (which is rather hot and stuffy even with both windows open), I've decided to decamp outside. Lucky for me that J doesn't read my blog cos I'm typing away on his precious Macbook and he might get a bit antsy if he only knew. I'm typing very delicately mind you, very respectfully tip-taping on the immaculate white keyboard and resisiting the temptation to eat strawberries at the same time.

Here in North Yorkshire we're not experiencing the scorchingly hot weather like much of the UK, more a warm, hazy, muggy type of midsummer day with a very pale bluey-grey sky, and the slight whiff of possible thundery rain in the air. But oh, it is undeniably summery all the same, and I am really enjoying being outside and feeling warm air on my skin.

This morning, as soon as I came home from the school run, I took some scissors and went around my pots outside, snipping a few stems to pop into one of my little old ink bottles. Ahhhhhhhhh, you know, I just LOVE to do that simple little thing, the ritual of snipping and popping and creating a small posie of flowers to gaze at provides untold pleasure. Would measure exCEPtionally high on my own personal Pleasure-o-meter without doubt.

 

At the moment I don't have a great many blooms to spare as my pots have only just been planted up. The flowers have yet to fill out but I am really loving the sight of them all, and since the weekend when the bulk of the planting and rearranging work was done, I've been coming out to admire them a great deal. My first cup of tea of the day, which is usually ceremoniously brought to me in bed by my early-to-rise other half, is now taken outside. I love to potter around in my pyjamas in the cool of the early morning before the neighbours are up (this morning I was out before 6am, yes, you read that right, before six ay-em). 

There is still some work to be done outside, a wall that I'd like to paint, some troughs to be planted with salad crops....so at some point in the next week or two, when I've done some more inspirational book-browsing and when things are finally coming together,  I'll take some more photographs and do a bit of an outside ta-dah for you all to see.

 

Ahhhh so June has now been and gone and flip-flip-flip the pages of my three calenders were turned this morning to welcome in July. A busy old month this one, with lots of things-to-remember already written in. School trips, sports days, a PTA fundraiser cake sale, Sheep Day (yes, our town celebrates Sheep Day this weekend, I kid you not), the end of term and the beginning of the long summer holidays to look forward to. Busy busy busy. But enjoyably so I hope.

 

The Bossy Calender has a splendid page for July and a marvelous Order to be obeyed too...Entertain in the garden!!! Fresh flowers and a pretty cloth, quick smart! Although admittedly I'm still falling slightly behind as have not yet purchased new pillowcases as per the June instructions. So this month will have to be pillowcases and floral tablecloths, but at least I've already had  a stab at the Fresh Flowers bit.

 

The gorgeous Ideal Homes calendar has another amazing photograph for July :: I know I say it every month but I really love each and every one of the twelve images in this calendar. They are so evocative of the seasons, so beautiful in their simplicity.

In fact, this mornings image inspired me to think about a little bit of simple outdoor lighting for my own back yard....I don't exactly have a tree with available branches to use, but tealights and empty jam jars, yes yes yes, I have those a-plenty.

 

So down to the cellar to the collection of Bonne Maman jam jars I went, then up three flights of stairs to the Attic to the collection of ribbons, then back down two flights of stairs to the collection of candles.

I had a busy-bustly upstairs-downstairs moment there for a while!

I like the simple approach :: snipped ribbon tied around the jar in a knot, and to finish a few sprigs of fragrant lemon-thyme from my own back yard.

Pop a candle in eh voila!!!!

 

I think they look very pretty, and as I have house guests arriving this evening for a week-long stay, I am anticipating sitting outside in the warmth of the evening, a simple supper of bread and cheeses, marinated olives, greek salad and ripe strawberries, and some gentle candlelight as the daylight fades.

Oh, and knowing my guests very well, I fully expect there to be more of this too. They are the same guests after all, and I am really looking forward to their arrival.

Excepting that they will be sleeping in the Attic, which currently looks like a small but very mean spirited tornado has blown through and thrown everything into complete disarray. 

I've got my work cut out for me this afternoon, that's for sure.

But just before I go back up two flights of stairs and begin the task of clearing the decks, let me show you July's view from the Attic, taken today around mid morning...

 

...it looks a bit dull and colourless, but thats just the warm haze of the day still hanging low over the hills.

I have high hopes for July, for fresh cut flowers and outdoor living. Warm summer air and evenings by candlelight.

Enjoy your day xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx