August 2011

Hello!!! It's really good to be back here at my desk catching up with a few things and being still and thoughtful for a while. We came back from our week down in Dorset late on Sunday and my feet don't feel as if they've touched the ground since. We had a lovely time away, a whole mixed bag of weather and activities, mixed emotions too if I'm honest...it wasn't the most relaxing or harmonious family holiday we've ever had!! But yes it was mostly good and I'll be sharing the story with you in a few days.

It suddenly occurred to me this morning that we've all of a sudden reached the last day of August and that tomorrow I'll be turning my calendar pages. I've soooooooooooo enjoyed August and feel like I want to stamp my flip-flopped feet and protest that it simply didn't last for long enough. I want it to be August for at least another three weeks!! Woooooaaaaaaaaaahhhh!! I'm not ready for September, for the onset of Autumn, I really am not ready!

I've LOVED this month. My time spent with the Little People at home this summer has been a true delight, as has time spent hanging about with friends and neighbours. It's been relaxed, easy going and fun. Lots of fun. It's hard to take photos to represent these times spent with friends, I must give that little challenge some thought for the future. The Little People do not remain still enough for photographs these days, they are so active and physical for so much of the time (which is nothing but Good). I was thinking back to a blog post I wrote three summers ago, documenting our summer holiday activities....ahhh how fabulous that I can now look back across Three Whole Years to recall and remember! Summer this year hasn't been very different really. The chalks and bubbles never came out, but scooters and water fights were still very much in evidence. The scootering is faster and more competitive these days,  the water pistol fights are bigger, louder and more strategic. Yes, I'd say the Little People have enjoyed a terrific summer holiday at home, full of play and laughter and activity and friends.

Thinking about bloggy archives has reminded me about this post written two years ago. One of the things that delights me about blogging is the evidence it throws up of Repeat Patterns in ones life. The rhythms and cycles of nature which become inextricably linked to home and family life. The past few weeks we've noticed that "Sugar Stealers" are dancing on the breeze again, and we in turn have been dancing about after them. Capturing, wishing and releasing. Just as we did last year, and the year before that. So precious.

We celebrated a ninth birthday yesterday. Nine. How??? How does nine years pass in the blink of an eye?? Little Man went with J and three of his best street buddies on a day trip out to do Boy Things. It involved gazing at weapons followed by eating spicy things. They returned home at tea time full of excitement, telling tales of samurai swords and hot chili sauces. I laid out a simple party tea for anyone who wanted to come and eat (it was suddenly very busy at number 24 yesterday!) and we had cake with nine candles to blow, it was lovely. We are blessed with a wonderful neighbourhood here, such lovely families, such friendly, good people.

There've been some quiet moments during August too, contented times that I've spent pottering and pootling about in my own little world. I've had such a huge amount of pleasure from my little back yard this summer, it's made me very happy to be able to pick flowers and bring some of the outside in. Some of my pots are looking decidedly past their best now, but the sweet peas are still flowering their sweet little hearts out. I don't want them to end.

Yes, I know. You do indeed see BROWN yarn on my table. Two new balls of Stylecraft have recently been purchased, and with much trepidation I might add. I find it incredibly hard going into a shop to purchase Brown Yarn. On the left you can see the colour Walnut (ehh??) and on the right is Parchment. Pfffffff. That walnut colour is not just mildly brown, but very incredibly brown I think you'll agree.

Want to know what I'm up to with the brown stuff?

Weeeeeellllllll, I'm making a baby blanket, a gift for a very good friend who's baby is due in less than six weeks. So I can't show you too much of it as I know she does peek in here from time to time. It's a ripple blankie, and as you can see the brown is only a small part of what I'm up to colourwise. It's been very, very interesting working the browns into my colour scheme, I can't wait to ta-dah it with you!

This month's Attic Views have been spectacular in their diversity. I've really been aware of the changing light during the past few weeks as summer slips gently towards Autumn.

We've had our share of bad weather this month.

Rain, mist, drizzle. Torrential downpours.

The temperature has dropped too (we had some thoughts of lighting the fire this week, although it never came to pass), and the days are noticeably shortening. Sadly I can really feel the summer slip-sliding away (waaah).

But there have been glorious days full of warmth and summer sunshine in August too. And I am hoping very much that as we move into September we'll be treated to just a little more of Summer. Here's hoping. If I mange to catch a sugar stealer anytime soon, you can guess what my wish will be.

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Comments

[susan]

Such lovely pictures. I'm really anxious to see that ripple blanket done with *gasp* brown! I adore brown; I keep knitting brown sweaters even though I try for other colors. This should prove interesting!

[Jane]

Hi, the calendar photo caught my eye. Have you been to porthleven (the wrestling fields)? A beautiful place- nice walks, great pasties and on a lovely sunny winters day lots of crazy surfers to watch. A bit of a trek down there but if you're in the vicinity I highly recommend it.
Enjoy the walnut wool :-) Which reminds me I was going to make a coffee and walnut cake this week, yum.

[Maria João]

I loved to see you back. I was missing your posts. Love. Mj

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy have the Mocha yarn in stylecraft and have been thinking of combining autumn shades(as in leaves and Sarah Raven colour choices
re chrysanthemums) in a crocheted blanket). As to weather there is a real nip in the air first thing in the mornings. Heres to some warm sunny afternoons during September! xx

[Tickety-boo]

Happy 9th Birthday to your Littlie. My middle Littlie was 10 last week and I can't believe she is entering her final year at primary school!!!
It has been an odd Summer hasn't it? Not a lot of anything weather wise and just feel I need the sun warming my bones more often and a few times more before the leaves change to brown. Speaking of brown I have a suspicion I know what your up to with your blanket I maybe wrong I'll have to wait and see.
Love
Tickety-boo
xxxx

[Liz]

Welcome back from your hols! I agree with the 'how is it already September??' train of thought! Happy Birthday to Little Man.

[Nanita]

Woohoo! Happy 9th birthday, Little Man! 9 is such a FUN age! :-) And Lucy, I'd be making the same wish as you, we've had the worst summer in history here in Belgium (well, according to the weather bloke, the 3rd worst summer in history), and it feels a bit sad really, like we had to miss an entire season. Here we were, waiting patiently during two months, and now all of a sudden with the turning of the calender page the realisation it's really not going to come anymore. But on the happy side of it: I love autumn, especially the smell of it! :-) Looking forward to your blanket reveal! xxxx

[Helen]

I too am not ready for it to be September yet - so 3 weeks more of August? Yes please!
Love the colour of the pinky sky sunset over the hill, deeelish! I look forward to seeing the baby blanket reveal :) x

[jooles]

What a lovely post, it has uplifted me for the day :o)
It is amazing to see all the different weather and light conditions all from the same attic window view.

Happy belated 9th birthday to little man!

can't wait to see more of that gorgeous looking blanket
jooles x

[Linda]

Just doscovered your blog looking for crotchet blogs. Love love love your projects! Sounds like you had a lovely August. I loved reading about it!

[Jackie]

Glad to hear that you've had such a good time ~ the summer has whizzed by and our summer holidays ended 2 weeks ago with the much earlier return to school up here in Scotland. I've not had much time for blogging recently as we have moved house ~ back to my chilhood town but I'm looking forward to getting back to blogging really soon. Happy belated birthday to your not so little boy ~ it sounded like he had the pefect boy day out ( my little boy is the same age ). Lots of love Jackie :O)x

[karen]

Love all the pics as always, a sweet post with beautiful views. The ripple looks v nice, brown eh! it'll be a new trend soon, i do like the look of it:)
Karen X

[heidi]

ahhhhhh... there she is!
sounds like a turbulent week, lucy. can´t wait to read more but am content knowing you are all back, safe and sound.
pass on to the little man my happy belated birthday wishes please. 9 is such a wonderful age. my grandson had his 10th this year (ooops i am revealing my age with that one) his day with dad must have been a tickler - for guys anyway
; )
i can understand the reluctant feeling about seeing sommer ready to turn the job over to fall as i am going through very much the same sadness... i haven´t had much of my summer so it came and went without time to take much notice nor a vacation. as a matter of fact, it´s been YEARS with my husband´s illness that i have been going from day to day. one thing i have learned again, though with all this is to cherish and love little things. i think we tend to lose this in time. daily routine is surely at fault.
i have to admit, i AM an extreme-weather-fan and love the tingling in the air when it rumbles and flashes and rains like out of buckets...we have had that quite a few times this past month.
(you DO have a very special camera!) the view from the attic into the sundown is breathtaking! oh, before i forget... the first photo of dorset: is that house on the right really THAT PINK?
i am definitely doing sweet peas in pots next year. i think they would do well on my balcony railing next to all the other pretties...
i think the brown in you blanky is a harmonious touch to the pinks and blues... i will be patiently waiting for the ta-dah. to be honest i have stood in front of the browns in the shop before as well, creatively contemplating what it all could be hookied into...
`sugar stealer´ is new to me as well, quite cute! do you know where the term comes from?
well... gotta run. love `talking to you´... this did turn out quite looooong...
Xs and Os heidi

[Karen]

Hi Lucy, a lovely end of the summer post. Happy Birthday to your Little Man, 9 is such a fun age! We have had a similar summer here in the Pacific North West, and it seemed to go by too fast. Love your crochet and 'sugar stealer'. I don't think I have ever heard that term before, you will have to explain! xx

[Rachel]

Hi Lucy,
I recently discovered your blog while searching for a Granny squares pattern and now I visit everyday for some much needed colour (it is the first day of spring here). I love hearing about all your projects and have started to make myself a crochet bag. Keep up the good work!

[Katie]

Sounds like a lovely summer. I hope the good weather continues over there into September :-)
But at the same time I am so excited it's spring here today!

[Jess]

Well I am certainly looking forward to turning my calendar...as a matter of fact I turned it all ready:)I wish we had rain and drizzle and the temperature would drop it's been over 100 degrees where I'm from :( I personally don't like hot weather, but again your blog has made cheery and I wish you luck on that baby blanket:)

[Taking Heart]

Top of the morning to ya A24... how are you? It has been a beautiful last part of August here in the states... we spent a family fun night with beautiful weather to watch an outdoor movie... Mary Poppins...

Happy Birthday to your little man... drink it up... My Middling recently turned ten, and he is struggling with still wanting to play with his guns and swords... and sometimes wanting to be cool like his bigger brother... time flies... 10 will sneak up on you!

Hope you are well, it's been a while... I'll try to pop in more often to your neck of the world!

Scribe

[Shirley Flavell]

Lovely pictures Lucy, I do so enjoy seeing out of your attic window. Today is the 1st day of Spring for us and it sure has lived up to it's name. Lovely bursts of bright sun then cloud comes over and rains. Windy.Some coolness to the air but definitely changing, don't have to have the heating going as much as previous weeks.Lovely colour outside with the camellias, spring bulbs bursting out everywhere and the rhododendrons in full bright dressage.I have been crochet rippling away for the last few weeks and on a mission to finish before it gets too hot to have wool on the legs!!(Your pattern is great).Good luck with your brown wool . Shirley

[Angy Braine]

Here in Oz we are feeling the warmer days creeping up on us and I must say it is nice to spend a day soaking in the sunshine. However my hubby and I are crazy rain and cold weather fans (i know, I know..weird!) and so we too shall mourn the passing of our favourite season. Good luck with the baby blanket - can't wait to see it finished!

[Erin Adkins]

Wonderful pictures as always, Lucy. I can feel summer slipping away here in Ohio USA as well. Days shorter, evenings cooler, high school football season, kiddos back in school. I love those lazy summer days/evenings when there are no schedules to keep, no homework, just doing whatever comes to mind. *sigh*

Love the thought of brown next to your lovely color palate. Can't wait to see the finished project.

Erin

[Teresa Kasner]

Welcome back.. I'm with you on thinking that summer was just too fleeting. It's been grey for 3 days here in Oregon.. it's supposed to be 90 degrees next week though, and we're off on vacation in our trailer to an Indian hot springs resort in the high desert of Oregon that has a HUGE blue pool! I look forward to seeing your next project. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Frances]

Lucy, this year does seem to be speeding along. I so agree.

Brown yarn? Isn't it interesting to add a new twist to your familiar colorways and see what happens?

Let me also tell you again how much I do enjoy seeing these occasional photos of the view from your Attic. Every season is lovely!

xo

[krista - Poppyprint]

What nice photos to gaze at Lucy. How wonderful that you enjoyed summer with your children so much. I did, too. I'm also allergic to brown and was absolutely surprised to see it there on your table, for sure!

[Donna]

Lovely photos, especially that 1st one. Stunning and colorful.

Your little part of the world is just so interesting. A place to vacation. And the great part is... you get to live there.

I always look forward to your posts. So full of life. Thank you. And never stop blogging.

We love you!!