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.
Ooh Lucy fab pictures and so like so like Nicky Nook on the other side of the Pennines (yes Lancs!). Have a lovely festive holiday and loads of crochety colour in the New Year. Your colour choices are inspired and scrummy. thanks
Posted by: Curvywitch | December 23, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Nice to see the light back, but it was a very stormy day here, so no outdoorsy stuff. Enjoyed seeing your walk though. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, and hope your boy is soon back to strength
Posted by: The Barefoot Crofter | December 23, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Oh my, I want those birds! They're a bit "Labyrinth" looking aren't they?! Love them!
Glad to hear he's on the mend too.
Oh, and I started my first Granny Stripe blanket day before yesterday :)
Posted by: Stacey | December 23, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Dear Lucy - Once again, lovely pictures, I feel like I have walked with you! Glad little man is on the mend. I wish you and your family Merry Christmas. I hope you all enjoy much happiness, love and good health! Thanks for letting me glimpse a litle slice of the English life style.
Posted by: Elaine Brown | December 23, 2011 at 08:41 PM
What wonderful photos, you have an amazing Solstics, it rained all day here, hardly seemed to get light.
You have my shopping bag!
Have a lovely Christmas.
Carol xx
Posted by: Carol | December 23, 2011 at 08:25 PM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16302606
Hi Lucy
just hoping you saw this on the BBC about your cloud. Familiar with them as they sometimes appear above Mt Fuji.
Liz x
Posted by: Liz | December 23, 2011 at 07:55 PM
Wow, I wish I could take a walk there too. Too far away I'm afraid and there's a big sea in the way. It's still nice looking at the pictures though.
Posted by: Marieke | December 23, 2011 at 07:26 PM
Those birds look a bit scary! Glad your boy is feeling better - these lurgies can last way too long. Looking foward to some crochet and ginger cake over next few days. I made the cake from the mag - its a bit dry so might have to ice it after all but it won't stop me from eating it!! Merry Christmas to the ATtic.
Posted by: greedy nan | December 23, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Dear Lucy,
What are the wonderful looking birds in your photo? They look very interesting. Never saw anything like them here in America. At least I don't think so.
LOVE THE HOLLY!!!I have a wreath on my door. sadly it is not real like yours, wish it was.
Glad Little Man is on the mend, just in time to celebrate! No fun being sick at Christmas. It is warm and sunny here in FL and from our home to yours...
Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Crafting,Happy Hearts, & Happy Homes! Donna
Posted by: Donna Kuhn | December 23, 2011 at 07:01 PM
Hello lovely! Some gorgeous photos here as always! Just reading about your little man - hope he's okay!!! Will be back for a nice long read over the holidays once the christmas madness has diminished! Just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas! Lots of Love xxx
Posted by: The Curious Cat | December 23, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Lovely pics in lovely countryside. I picked holly and berries early Dec and kept them in black plastic bag in the garage till I needed them, Glad I did because the birds have eaten ALL the berries now. Your other red berries look like cotoneaster. Happy christmas and thank you for all your crochet patterns this year.
Posted by: Doreen Ganley | December 23, 2011 at 06:17 PM
What a beautiful day you had, thank you for sharing it with us. And I'm really pleased to hear about Little Man's progress - just in time for the big day!
Lucy thank you for your soothing and inspiring blog. I wish you and yours a very blessed Christmas. I hope you get some time to put your feet up!
Posted by: Christine | December 23, 2011 at 05:42 PM
How wonderful photos, and so happy for you that 'little man' is better!!
Wishing you all A Merry Christmas, as we here in Norway starting our celebration tomorrow, dec.24.!! :-)
Posted by: Inger Pauline | December 23, 2011 at 05:40 PM
I have so enjoyed reading your blog this year, I hope you and your family have a very happy Christmas!
Posted by: Irene Porter | December 23, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Happy Christmas to you Lucy and your lovely family, so pleased Little Man is now on the mend. Thank you for all the lovely cheer you bring into our lives through your blog. You are an inspiration. Those photos are stunning, thanks for sharing
Heather x
Posted by: Heather Leal | December 23, 2011 at 05:33 PM
Wonderful photos! I've just been reading the Daily Mail website. You might be interested in this article - it's about the clouds you've taken photos of!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077873/Dazzling-picture-UFO-cloud-rarely-spotted-UK.html
Thanks for the fab inspiration :-)
It's always fun to pop by your awesome blog.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Carole
Posted by: carole | December 23, 2011 at 04:09 PM
WOW. Wow. those clouds... Wow!!!
Posted by: Lidar | December 23, 2011 at 03:00 PM
So glad Little Man is on the mend.Love the pics,I have one similar of the clouds I took over the mountains here as a screensaver.The birds! love'em they bring on a smile.Looks like a grand day.Ours was stormy,tornado warnings,heavy rain and wind,trees down.Your holly by the fire picture could be a Christmas card:)Thanks Lucy for the bright inspirations this year.Wishing You and Yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Posted by: angela-southern USA | December 23, 2011 at 02:56 PM
So glad Little Man is feeling better. That took a while, poor baby!
Love the bird piece of art! That's crazy!
Posted by: Louise | December 23, 2011 at 02:27 PM
As usual your pictures are so beautiful. It's always for me a pleasure to read your blog, you gave also the envy to crochet again.
So my dear Lucy, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Agnès
Posted by: Agnès | December 23, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for your blog, which has provided me over the last few years an abundance of delightful pictures and lovely writings. May your days be Merry and Bright!
Posted by: pbach1 | December 23, 2011 at 01:57 PM
Hi, I've recently found your blog and absolutely love it!!!! Why haven't I found it sooner. Love your descriptions, pictures and general descriptions. I'm relatively new to crochet, but find your patterns easy to follow. So pleased to hear your little man is on the mend and wish you and your family a very merry christmas and all the best for the new year. Long may you continue your good work. xx
Posted by: Jane Whalley | December 23, 2011 at 01:49 PM
Ha they were totally talking about those clouds on BBC Breakfast this morning!
(I'm sure someone's already told you but I don't have time to read through the eleventy billion comments that you get!)
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: The Girl | December 23, 2011 at 01:44 PM
Merry Christmas to you Lucy! 2011 turned out to be the year I developed an actual excitement about crocheting; all from your blog. I've crocheted since grade school but usually just to fill the time. Since finding you online last January I'm now on a mission....to crochet with as much color & "wow" as possible. What fun I've had!!
Posted by: Jill Saunders | December 23, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Here's the cloud you saw!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16302606
Posted by: Elaine | December 23, 2011 at 01:13 PM