January 2010

I was writing on my calendar today (doctors appointment, 10:40, Friday, Don't Forget) and realised with a bit of mild shock that there's less than a week left of January 2010 and it'll be February next week. So I thought that today rather than having my customary afternoon snooze on the sofa while Little B sleeps, that I'd pop in here to write my January Post whilst it still is January.

The above Attic view was taken on New Years Day, and the hills went on to become a lot whiter when we had quite a lot of heavy snowfall during the first week of the year. In fact, my view of the hills this month has been more often white than green, and very wintry-looking indeed. There has been such beauty in this view during January, and as I've spent most of the month indoors looking out the windows, I've really appreciated how lucky I am to have this view to gaze upon.

So :: a new month and a New Year, and I'd like to show you my new calendars that'll be taking me through the next twelve months. Heehee, I've got five of them on the go this year! Possibly a bit excessive, but hey, you can never have too much seasonal eye candy in my opinion, and really the pages of these calendars (for the most part) offer exceptional eye candy. Beautiful. Inspiring. Yummy.

The Laura Ashely calendar there on the left is my main writing-on calendar which lives in the hall and attempts to keep me on the straight and narrow path of Organisation. It has a hard job for sure, my memory really is shot to bits these days.

The other four calendars were all freebies which came with various magazines :: the glorious Ideal Homes calendar and the bossy Country Homes calendar are the same two that took us through last year, plus this year there are also calendars from Prima magazine and Homes&Antiques. Plenty to go at each month.

 

I do really love the Laura Ashely calendar, I've been buying it for a number of years now. The little stitched and collaged fabric images for each month are really charming I think.

 

This next one is the Ideal Homes calendar, and as we have come to expect is beautifully photographed. These images really do capture the essence of Seasonal England, and kind of make me breathe out with a big contented sigh and go aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Just lovely.

The Bossy Calendar has changed it's sponsorship this year :: in previous years it's been Laura Ashley, but this year its gone very woolly and is sponsored by British Wool. But it's still very pretty, and the Bossiness remains intact. Brisk winter walking :: chop chop!! Wrap up warm and get out doors! Well, yes, I possibly will make more of an effort to spend time walking outdoors this week, just as soon as I'm no longer exhausted by walking the school run. Baby steps for me right now, baby steps.

This rather brown-looking image is from the H&A calendar...can't say that January has got off to a flying start with this calendar, but it does get prettier and more inspiring (and less brown) as the months progress.

 

And lastly, this is the January page from the Prima calendar...pretty damn cute eh? We're in for a treat with this calendar, the images for each month are just gorgeous. Well ok, make that GORgeous, said with feeling.

So...a quick little summary of the month/year so far, quick whilst Little B is still asleep and I still have a snippet of day left to call my own....

Well January has completely rollocked by for me in a haze of sleep deprivation, recovery and adjustment, and has been one of the most personally challenging months I can remember in a long time. No two days (or nights) are the same and I'm living with the slightly disorientated feeling of Constant Muddlesomness that comes with getting to know a new baby. We don't really have any sort of routine going yet, and there's the constant flying-by-the-seat-of-ones-pants feeling that new babies generate. And then there's the Decisions :: ohhh so many, many little itty-bitty decisions to be made each day (and night) and so much guess work involved with babies! I would be lying (blatantly) if I told you that I'm loving every minute :: true there are some magical and delicious moments, but also a great deal of frustration and a good many stressy bits. 

But I know this :: it WILL. Get. Easier. This is my daily mantra.

This week I'm feeling considerably stronger than last week, and every day a little bit more of my Self returns. I'm walking a little easier, sleeping a little better, finding a little more balance. Still haven't managed any hooky time, but have decided to introduce Little B to the cafe this week and give him his first taste of Thursday morning knit-and-natter. I am excited (not been since before Christmas!) and nervous (it's a small cafe and a crying baby will be veeeeery stressy!), but overwhelmingly I'm looking forward to seeing my friends and attempting to regain a little teeny bit of space in my week for creativity. Oh, and cappuccino and chat, I can't tell you how much I've missed it. I don't ask for much, honestly I don't. Two hours a week, that's all. Actually, would settle happily for one hour a week. Just the one will do nicely for now.

Well.......better go now as it's Milk Tanker time, it's been lovely to catch up with you all and surprisingly reassuring to find that my brain can still just about string sentences together and hasn't turned completely to mush. Pheww.

See you all soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[cheap r4 ds]

Hello
I like that view of hills.I like all pictures very much specially that last one is fantastic.Thank you very much for this lovely post.

[Catherine]

Check my blog!

[Monique Elisabeth]

Hi Lucy,
New to this blog I read you have just given birth to a baby boy, CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!
I love, love, looooove your blog. Just looking at all the colourful pictures makes me so happy. I spent yesterday afternoon browsing through your site. It was such a treat and I will be a regular visitor from now on, being hooked on hooking myself ; ) Love to bake too and the things you make...... absolutely yummy !!!
Have a wonderful day.
Lots of warm hugs from The Netherlands.

[Kali @ Poppy Lane]

Hello sweetpea! Just checking in to say a quick hello. I know how precious your time is now.
I hope you guys are keeping nice and warm and things are slowly getting into some kind of routine.
Thinking of you and sending you lots of best wishes in the warm sunshine :)
Kali xoxoxoxox

[Adelina]

I like your blog!!!
What a beautiful explosion of colours.

[karen]

Lucy
Firstly congratulations on the newest addition to your family.
Secondly can you please tell us what camera you use. All your pictures are so clear and crisp...is it a normal digital or a proper DSLR you are using...please share with us!
Karen

[Nélia]

Olá Lucy!
Passo aqui pela 1ª vez e estou encantada com os seus trabalhos e com o colorido do seu blog...lindíssimo!!!
Parabéns pela chegada do seu bebé, pois são tempos de muita alegria.Felicidades!
Adorei a mala colorida e a explicação. Com a sua permissão gostaria de fazer este modelo, que está 5*, e mostrar no meu blog.
Tenha um óptimo fim de semana
bjs
Nélia

[Sarah west midlands]

Dear Lucy hope you enjoyed your knit and natter time! You are very honest in your
posts and reading others comments about life with a new baby it is good to see the
support network. It brought back a
memory of when my eldest son was 3
months old. I was downstairs(he fast asleep upstairs) when I heard loud bawling.
I raced upstairs in panic leant over the cot, he immediately stopped and gave
me the most enormous grin as though
to say," Where were you then?" Thats when I knew there was more to it than
feeding& changing etc...
Now he is 26 and on Sunday he is bringing his girlfriend for dinner to meet
us for the first time. I just hope she likes us!
Love Sarah west mids.

[Nancy Richards]

Hi ya there,
Have been reading your blog for the last 3 nights, totally loving your work. I'm a knitter but after looking at your beautiful crochet am going to knuckle down and start learning! I have 3 kids 5,3 and 1 year. So very busy also but feel that the touch of yarn is so relaxing after a day with them. Loving the boden coat, i have it in the red!! Thank for inspiring me. Love the wool you got sent by jill eaton such a shame you can't get it over here.
Thanks again, best be off to feed my mini 1
Nancy
Cornwall

[jooles]

Hi Lucy, this is the very first time that i have left you a comment! i LOVE your blog sooooo much. anyway back to the reason for my very first comment, guess what? i have just made my very first garden granny square, i learnt to hold the hook and yarn yesterday and today a granny square....amazing! and it is all thanks to you. i am soooo beside myself with excitement this evening...thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.
I have been enjoying your lovely colouful blog, and have been going back to read ALL your previous posts, you have inspired me no end.
i wish i had left a comment much sooner as you have given me much pleasure and inspiration but was a little shy.
by the way CONGRATULATIONS on your little baby boy, i loved the little photo of him, ahhh, makes me very broody.
hope knit and natter was fun and relaxing.
thankyou so much again for my new found hobby, if i wasn't for you i would never have tried crochet and i think i'm ganna love it.
kind wishes
jooles

[Kate]

Hello, I'm thrilled to have discovered your completely gorgeous blog via mumsnet. LOVE your sense of colour, apparently undimmed in the new baby haze! Will def be back as a frequent visitor. (Your mosaics are glorious, btw.) Blessings to you and yours.

[Stephanie]

I just have to say that you have the most beautiful view I've ever seen! What a great place to sit and crochet!

[O]

Found your blog shortly before giving birth to my 3rd child, on December 31... I love it! Thanks for sharing your creativity. . . I love reading your baby posts too -- I'm right there with you... All the way in Pennsylvania, USA -- but right there with you.

Hoping you get some sleep tonight!

[kitschen pink]

Hey honey! Thinking of you! Loving the calender review. Our fave this year is the Countryfile calender - another very cute squirrel in there too! t.x

[Miaou]

Oh I SO remember that utter muddledness and constant decision-making that goes with a new born ... and yes, my mantra too is "this too shall pass" ... it's the only way to stay sane sometimes! Enjoy your time at Knit and Knatter :o)

[Dar Kleinheksel]

Lucy, I am new to your site and already I'm "hooked"! My soon to be daughter in law told me to check your site out for your flowers and leaves pattern, as she's opening a baby store in Nashville, TN. (she's marrying my baby who's 24!) Your site is absolutely beautiful, full of vibrant colors, incredible photos and the easiest instructions I've ever come across. I really think you should publish a book! I'm a craft junkie and she's got me crocheting little hats with clip on flowers. Enjoy all your days with your new baby boy as I honestly have no idea where the last 24 years have gone!

[megan]

Hi. I love your work. Have you made a pattern for your circle and/or flower scarf? If y, I would love to know where to access it. I was up in the wee hours looking for it last night. I am going to try my hand at crocheting TODAY - - forget my chores list! Thank you!

[Jak]

Hope you enjoyed your crochet, coffee and chat. I don't think you should be worried about baby B, afterall, who can resist a new baby. Take care.
Jak x

[Mousy Brown]

Hope you get to have a lovely coffee, crafty time - I am sure there will be no shortage of people willing to have a cuddle! :D

[martine]

so lovely !!!

[Sarah]

I have just discovered your blog as I have developed a love for crochet too, my friend bought me a day course to learn and now I am addicted, loving your colourful work. My little boy has just turned one and clearly remember the hours of constant crying with colic, hard work but the best year of my life. Definatley take him to the coffee shop I am sure he will gets loads of cuddles and make you feel more normal again. I know it helped me to get out and about when he was small.

[Lori Daly]

Lucy,

Glad to see you are doing well. Everytime I have a cuppa tea, I think of you.

Cheers. xoxoxo

[Bridget]

Hi Lucy! I love the idea of many calendars - I always end up throwing out my freebies, but of course, why not just use them as eye-candy? Brilliant idea. By the way, I remember from ages ago that you might fancy making a patchwork quilt (although I realise you might be a tad busy at the moment!!). But if you do, can I recommend Alicia Paulson's Ollalieberry quilt pattern - I've just made it myself (have a look on my blog if you have a mo!) and it's a perfect 'starter' quilt with spectacular results. Just one for future ref!

[Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life]

I'm pretty sure Attic24 is my new obsession! Just did a post all about your blog over at SYL!

http://www.slipcoveryourlife.com/?p=4847

Can't wait to get started!!!

Also, just added Attic24 to my blogroll! Can't believe I hadn't discovered you until now!

[Heather]

Hope you enjoyed knit and knatter x