Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Blue skies have been seen above number 24, thank goodness! I took the above picture early on Saturday morning when I bobbed out into the back yard to carry out some Deep Breathing. I'm having a bit of a job coping with life on the home front this week, I feel like I've been expending a huge amount of energy just keeping a check on my emotions. But really, when I step back and look at things objectively, all is well. Of course it is. I'm just a little worn is all, and in truth I think I'm in need of a break. Time Out. I'm working on that one, an idea for a weekend away is brewing.
J continued to battle with illness over the weekend, he has really been up against it and I've felt very sorry for him, truly I have. Often I find I am shockingly short of sympathy for other people's ailments, but with J, well he is so very rarely ill that he does get my full sympathy when it happens.
I spent some time on Saturday trying to pull things together a little on the domestic front, cos what with one thing an another, my weekly Home Blessing sessions have not happened in recent weeks. And it was showing. I had to laugh when I came downstairs on Saturday morning and saw my poor overgrown flowers in sad decline on the mantel...I thought it just about summed up how I was feeling. Sort of wilty and all out of oomph!
So to cheer myself up, I cleared the outgrown pots away and replaced them with new. I really adore these little yellow pots of narcissi, and as they aren't always in the supermarket when I need them I've been snapping them up when they do appear. I find I can keep them downstairs in the cool, dark of the cellar to grow veeeeeeeeery slowly, and they can then be brought upstairs when needed.
The same with the hyacinths. These also came up from the cellar on Saturday to replace the faded Bridal Crowns and are just at the perfect Point Of Growth to bring out. There's not too much waiting to be done before the flowers open and the room takes on that gorgeous scent.
I find that having fresh flowers in the house is such an amazing tonic, the sight of them really does induce an instantaneous feeling of pure happiness. I feel that happiness jolt straight through from my eyes to my heart.
It's especially true when I place a small jar/jug/bottle of flowers in an unexpected place, like this little glass jar of daffies in my kitchen. They got left there on Friday when I bought them home from the market as I kept forgetting to move them (they were destined for my bedside). But then each time I walked into the kitchen during the weekend, wham! They hit me that happy-jolt straight to my heart. That lovely visual surprise made me smile so much that I've left them right there.
They really are the sweetest little daffies, their petals are sort of star-like, and their little frilly trumpets are the most glorious orange colour. I am quite in love with them.
Sometime during Saturday afternoon, I took a sudden spur of the moment decision to Go Out. I just all of a sudden HAD to get out of the house, out into the fresh air to walk and spend time by myself. One thing I really love about where I live is that it is very simple to take oneself out the door and walk to somewhere. Within ten minutes I can be at the park, or along the canal, or into woodland or straight into the heart of the town.
Or maybe for a change I can walk up past the Castle......
.....turn left along this beautifully green stone wall, and YES!!!!!!!
I've arrived!
Destination Snowdrop!
WoW. Do you remember me showing you this patch of floral delight last year?
Isn't this a truly breathtaking sight?
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
After the snowdrop experience, I wandered down into the town to mingle with the tourists and stroll around the market. As I had my camera in my pocket I was able to snap a picture of the plant stall for you, isn't it looking glorious? You can see the buckets of Spring flowers which stopped me in my tracks on Friday, oh those orangey tulips, mwah!!! Lovely.
I pootled in and out of shops on Saturday afternoon, just allowing the hustle and bustle of it all to wash over me. I flicked through magazines, smelt handmade soaps, fondled little cups and jugs, browsed through pages of books, stroked knitwear and scarves. I just walked and browsed, walked and browsed until I was suddenly very weary and ready to head home.
Saturday happened to be J's birthday. Poor guy. He felt so unwell on Saturday morning, with a body full of aches and shakes and chills and sweats, he hardly had the strength to open his cards and pressies. The Little People had made him combined Birthday and Get Well Soon cards, covered in ♥'s and xxx's. He said that he couldn't quite face a birthday cake, so instead I bought some little bite-sized rocky roads. I spent a happy while making weeny flags to stick into them by way of making them celebrationish. The Little People thought this idea quite funny and ridiculous. They kept asking where the candles were going to go. I really liked the effect though, it pleased me enormously when I placed this plate of flagged sweet-treats on the table after dinner.
When all the bite-sized edibles had vanished, I rescued the flaglets and stuck them into my pots. Just like that.
I'm liking my daft flags very much, the sight of them amongst the flowers is really making me happy.
One last bit of floral weekend activity for you...my first succesful mini crochet rose. I made the design up myself after failing to find anything online that was small enough or simple enough for my liking. I think it could maybe do with a few more outer petals so I'm going to tweak it a little more, but I'll gladly give you the pattern when I've got it right, if you'd like to join me in my forthcoming hooky-rose-fest. I'm thinking bunting and a wreath. A rosy wreath! Oooooooo!!
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ps today has been much better all round. J is finally on the mend and we even managed a short Outing today. I'll share Outing pictures tomorrow, prepare for a dose of picturesque Winter Secenery xx
Love all your pictures,sorry your not feeling up to snuff,I guess we all have those days, nothing like a little sunshine and some pretty spring flowers won't help to cure,first time I've read your blog, linked your wave pattern,that's how I got to you. Well,happy spring and I hope everything works out for you.
Posted by: Diane thomas | March 20, 2012 at 07:59 AM
Oooh! I love the idea of the rose wreath, can't wait to see it and read the rose pattern. Love EVERYTHING you do, you are so inspiring!
Posted by: Stacie M. | March 04, 2012 at 12:20 PM
What a lovely market. You must get some of that pussy willow! It lasts for ever and is easy to bend round if you want to make a garland or heart.
Posted by: Trickster | March 02, 2012 at 08:20 PM
Love the rose!! Will be looking at the site often so I don't miss the pattern.
Posted by: Sandy Kokaly | March 02, 2012 at 03:52 PM
I just love your roses, they are so pretty. Those roccky roads look so good, but I was wondering what the American equivelant is to the digestive bisquits are? I really want to make some for my family this weekend. Have a great weekend from my home to yours.....
Blessings,
Misty and Pets.
Posted by: misty | March 02, 2012 at 01:36 AM
Hello Lucy! I have been admiring your blog for quite a while but this is my first comment. Your cheery spirit and beautiful crochet work keep me inspired!! I wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your blog and love your work. You have inspired me to create a baby ripple blanket and a granny stripe baby blanket. Thank you for sharing your passion with the world. Your friend near Philadelphia (USA).
Posted by: Barb | March 01, 2012 at 08:46 PM
Have you seen this? http://gipsybazar.blogspot.com/ scroll down to see Brighton hotel room - you'll love it (link from Dutch Sisters blog featuring kaleidoscope blanket in Marie Claire Idees)
Posted by: marge | March 01, 2012 at 08:37 AM
Hi Lucy, you inspire and encourage me! Today I stopped by the garden centre and bought some Narcissi bulbs in pots ready to bloom. I love your ideas. Like you I am a Mum of 3 although older than yours but I know how much work it is.
God bless.
Liz
Posted by: Liz Bewell | February 29, 2012 at 03:47 PM
Beautiful little rose and awww, snowdrops! :)
Posted by: idiosyncratic eye | February 29, 2012 at 01:34 PM
Glad that J is starting to feel better. Thanks for the lovely pictures it certainly looks lovely where you are!
Love love the rose! yet another beautiful creation from you! will be lovely to see what you do with them.
I have a wreath made from foam rubber ( wicks ) just covered in wide ribbon have not made up my mind what to do with it so will be nice to see what you end up doing!
As usual thanks for sharing!
Its also nice to know that your life is not perfect ( I have always thought that..lol ) No offence meant!!
Ta rah!
Jilly x x
Posted by: Jill Farrell | February 29, 2012 at 12:29 PM
The snowdrops look breathtaking, i hope the walk helped to ease your stress levels.
Great idea for the little birthday cakes.
Homemade childrens cards are so special, i bet daddy was thrilled with their efforts.
Lovely rose, you are so clever!
Posted by: Julie | February 29, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Fabulous flowers and what a lovely walk and time to yourself you have had. Glad to hear that J is doing better. Bring on the sunshine. :)
Posted by: Seaweedandraine | February 29, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Loving your flowers Lucy - I've been feeling a bit frazzled the last few days and I think some flowers round the house will definitely help!
I know your home town well and must send my parents up the hill to see the snowdrop patch.
Posted by: Alison | February 29, 2012 at 09:16 AM
Ah Lucy hang in there, keep breathing and looking at the flowers and sky and very soon Spring will be upon us, when everything will feel a bit better! Loving your little rose!
Posted by: sue | February 29, 2012 at 08:26 AM
Ooooooh, I can't wait to learn how to make that rose! I was in the thrift store a few days ago and found forty skeins of fine cotton yarn in wonderful bright colors for a dollar apiece!
Posted by: cybercita | February 29, 2012 at 03:38 AM
Lovely flags Lucy. My daughter had her 21st last month and we had a tea party. She made some flags for the refreshments. Take a look http://julies-little-world.blogspot.com/ under 21st birthday.
Posted by: Julie | February 29, 2012 at 03:07 AM
I love your flowers. I wish I had a greeen thumb. Awesome rose!!!! Can't wait till the tutorial.
Posted by: Taylor | February 28, 2012 at 11:32 PM
Love the rose, I am working on your Blooming Flower Pillow, check it out on my blog,"Crochetoholic's Place" http://crochetoholic.blogspot.com
I love your flowers, my Daffodil's just started to bloom. :) Glad "J" is mending. :)
Posted by: DaCraftyLady | February 28, 2012 at 09:45 PM
Where do you get your crochet hooks? I would love to try ones with thandles but there are so many places I dont know where to look?????
Posted by: Halena | February 28, 2012 at 09:19 PM
My baby J was 5 on Sunday. I made a James train cake for him. I hope you are all on the mend soon. I have started on another blanket for a competition at our annual ekka in Brisbane for August. I will send you a pic when I finish. Keep looking after yourself. :-)
Posted by: Kim | February 28, 2012 at 08:41 PM
I hope things improve for you over the coming week. The snowdrop patch is amazing. Currently we have tulips and gerbras in jugs to make us happy.
Posted by: OhAbigail | February 28, 2012 at 08:04 PM
Hi Lucy, glad things are getting better - we none of us can cope at this time of year - it's normal,it was my husband's birthday on Saturday too!! his birthday 'cake' was an apple crumble - 'cos that's what everyone wanted!!so by definition it was the perfect 'cake'. Your blog cheers me up so much - I've ordered some of the stickers you received from Etsy and just the thought of them arriving has given me a lift - you make a lot of people happy you know!!
Kathy, FRANCE
Posted by: Kathy, FRANCE | February 28, 2012 at 07:52 PM
Oh bless you, you sound much brighter. We are awash with snowdrops at Rotten Towers too. I just love them. Great pics
Posted by: domesticlou | February 28, 2012 at 06:36 PM
You have such a lovely blog! Your village is beautiful. Come by and visit me at Home in Douglas!
Posted by: Paula | February 28, 2012 at 06:04 PM
i love looking at your landscape pics just as much as i love looking at your crochet! And i want to say how much i appreciate your tutorials--i made the happy flower decoration last week and i love it! you can see my version at www.iplaywithsticksandstring.blogspot.com
i hope you'll check it out--you're a great inspiration!
Posted by: Teri | February 28, 2012 at 06:04 PM