The shortest day of the year today, and I've really enjoyed it. I cooked up a yummy batch of scotch pancakes for breakfast, and our morning unfolded gently and leisurely at home. After an early lunch we took a spur of the moment trip to Bolton Abbey to listen to the sound of rushing water and breathe in the fresh winter air. Woodland walking is really lovely in winter time I think. I took time to look up and down as I walked. Up through the wintry, twiggy canopy to the blue sky, and down to the beautifully vibrant mossy stones. So beautiful.
After our walk, we drove back to town via The Scenic Route up over the top of Barden moor. My my, the afternoon light was incredible today. And the clouds!!! WOW!! What weird and wonderful shapes the clouds were making! And the light, did I mention the incredible light on the hills? I absolutely love it when you get to actually see sun rays shafting down through the clouds (I photographed it in Autumn too, do you remember?) It seemed to me as if the sky was putting on a magical Winter Solstice show.
Before coming home, I stopped off at my friends front garden to gather some greenery. She seemed a little surprised when I turned up with secateurs, offering to "trim" her holly, ivy and other unknown red-berried bush for her.
I kept our Solstice celebrations simple this year :: a jug for the greenery to sit on the hearth, the fire burning brightly, and lots of candle light. A few secret wishes too. Tomorrow the day will be a little bit longer and the night will be a little bit shorter. Worth celebrating don't you think?
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Ps. Thank you all SO much for your well wishes re Little Man and his wibbly legs. I'm really happy to announce that he's finally managed to shrug the germs off and is very much better. He's not quite 100% yet, but pretty close. Pheww.
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Posted by: my website | November 26, 2013 at 01:34 PM
I have just discovered your site, it is marvelous!! I happened upon it when I was looking for a ripple pattern. Ripple patterns have always escaped my grasp, until your tutorial. Now I am rippling away, this pattern is addictive!!
Your pics are great, a trip to the UK is my dream trip!!
Aloha..from Hawaii!
Posted by: Rosie, Hawaii | December 29, 2011 at 02:12 AM
such lovely photos Lucy!
Posted by: Bonnie | December 27, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Lovely pictures Lucy! I'm glad your little man is getting better...hope he continues to do so!
Posted by: Taylor | December 27, 2011 at 04:01 PM
Beautiful!!
Posted by: Rosemary Dennis | December 24, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Gorgeous photos - thank you for sharing! I'm so glad Little Man is feeling so much better, what a relief that must be! Happy Christmas!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | December 24, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Merry Christmas Lucy. Thanks for giving me some crochet inspiration this year, I've had a bit of a knitting break recently but looking forward to getting back into some hooky in the new year!
Posted by: Liz Cumbo | December 24, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Thank you for your beautiful blog Lucy. And a happy Christmas to you and yours.
Posted by: Claire | December 24, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Just wanted to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas glad Little Man is feeling better in time for Christmas.
I also wanted to thank you for giving us an insight into attic 24. Your photographs are always lovely and I have bought more colour in our house after following your blog for the past 2 years.
Posted by: Sarah | December 24, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Even though there was no snow--you captured the crisp wintery day beautifully. Those birds made me shiver!!! (metal or not!) I wanted to knit them some longjohns!!!
Have a joyous holiday!!
Posted by: Steph @woolythyme | December 24, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Wishing you much happiness and precious memories this Christmas Lucy... I look forward to another year of reading your blog x
Posted by: MeMeRose | December 24, 2011 at 12:57 PM
CIAO LUCY
UNA NATURA INCREDIBILMENTE BELLA
BELLE LE TUE FOTO <3
TI AUGURO UN BUON NATALE E UN FELICE ANNO NUOVO
CRISTINA
Posted by: CRISTINA | December 24, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Merry Christmas Lucy have a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing your crochet creations with us and thank you for getting me started on my own crocheting adventures.
Posted by: Elaine | December 24, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Wishing all at the attic a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2012 - hope Santa is bringing lots of pressies.
Posted by: Sueal | December 24, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Your unknown red berry bush looks like a 'Cotoneaster'.
It's pronounced C'ton-E-asta (even tho it looks like cotton-easter.)
They pop up everywhere in Oz. The birds love them and you can't get a better red when looking for a bright vase arrangement in winter. If you trim all the leaves off, it makes the red berries stand out even more.
Lovely that everyone will be in full health for Christmas day.
Wishing you and yours every blessing for the holy season, Lucy, and thank you for your lovely bright,colorful and inspiring blog.
Posted by: Karen C | December 24, 2011 at 06:48 AM
Just stopped by to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas..
Posted by: izzy | December 24, 2011 at 06:32 AM
Happy happy Christmas all the way from sunny Australia - 34 degrees here on this lovely Christmas Eve.
Thank you for all your inspiration over the past few years xxx
Posted by: Suzannah | December 24, 2011 at 05:22 AM
Hi Lucy, What stunning photo's a truely beautiful way to start my day - thank you!
Glad your house is well for Christmas, may yours be beautiful.
xxBrenda
Posted by: Brenda | December 24, 2011 at 01:35 AM
I meant to add that my children and I have made two batches of gingerbread since reading your post (a Mary Berry recipe). I ate far too much of it and can really feel it round my middle! I am a bit piggy when it comes to cake. Thank you, Lucy. I blame you!
Posted by: Sarah | December 24, 2011 at 12:43 AM
So pleased to hear your little man is on the mend. What a relief.
Super, stunning photos. Cold, sunny, winter days, my favourite. And those clouds, what are they doing? Amazing.
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and 2012
Sarah, down south in Brighton xxx
Posted by: Sarah | December 24, 2011 at 12:37 AM
Happy Chrismas for you and your beautiful family!!
I love your blog!!
Posted by: Adriana | December 23, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Your clouds were on the news! Lenticular ones apparently. :)
Posted by: idiosyncratic eye | December 23, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Hi there. You don't know me, but I've read your lovely blog for a while now. I live in Seattle, WA in the NW corner of the US. I thought you might appreciate a news article one of our local TV stations had on their website about the clouds you noticed. They are called lenticular clouds, and are quite common here, but exceedingly rare in the UK. http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/Incredible----and-rare----lenticular-clouds-spotted-over-England-136149848.html
Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I so enjoy reading your blog.
Posted by: Sabrina | December 23, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Oh how I would love to live where you live. It looks like beautiful country. Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Leianna | December 23, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Good news little man is on the mend.
Super pics of our solstice day, thanks.
Posted by: Julie | December 23, 2011 at 09:58 PM