Funny isn't it, that even though February is the shortest month of the year, it very much feels like the longest? I try not to struggle with this funny second month, try to remain immune to the sneaky, wintry blues that often descend like a damp cloud. But truthfully, it isn't always doable. Sometimes February days just suck, and that's all there is to it.
My February calendar pages were certainly not gloomy though, they told me to remember the good things about this time of year. The celebration of Love by way of disgraceful quantities of chocolate, and the celebration of Pancake, by way of errm, lots of pancake-eating. Both were good, sweet, edible events in our house this year, enjoyed by all five of us.
This is February Ideal-Home-style, beautiful and inspiring as ever. I love that the February image is content and creative and indoorsy, it does certainly make me want to go away and plan something stitchy. It's been an age since my old Bernina came out to play. Ooooooo, which reminds me, I do need to apply myself to finishing off Connievan's curtains which were started last year and not completed (re-making ten curtains was a far bigger job than I originally thought). Right then, that will be my March challenge, remind me in a week or two will you?
February here in the Attic was beautifully floral, oh I've had such a tremendous amount of pleasure and good value out of February's blooms. I mean, just look at them! True spirit lifters, that's for sure.
My Amaryllis burst into flower in February too, I watched day after day as the green shoots made their usual speedy ascent. This year, for the first time, I placed it on the windowsill behind my desk, so I really was very aware of it's daily progress. It's been lovely watching the first bud unfold......
.....the light shining through the petals has made them almost appear to be glowing. Such beauty and such intense, glorious colour. When I chose the amaryllis (I bought it when I was in Ilkley in January sometime), I really did deliberate over which colour to go for. In fact, at first I picked up one that was the palest pinky white with delicate pink stripes running through the petals. I thought perhaps it would be good to go with something a little different for a change. But I just couldn't bring myself to go through with it in the end. I put the pale pink variety back and predictably plumped for good ol' Amaryllis Red Lion, always guaranteed to pack a punch with the colour. Pale pink? Whatever was I thinking?!!
The focus of February has been very much on indoors, keeping warm and occupying our time with cosy, feel-good pursuits. Baking, crocheting and fireside pleasure. Early nights tucked up in bed, good, wholesome home cooked food. Keeping the Little People happy indoors whilst allowing time for my own creativity. When I look at these pictures I think cor! What a lovely, happy, homely, cosy, warm month February was! Yet I recall that there was often an underlying feeling of discontent. Bad weather. Restlessness. Gloom. Germs. I guess that if you jumble up all the good things with the not-so-good things, then overall the month evened itself out. It was just right. It was a slow, winter month spent doing indoorsy, winter things.
Some good things certainly came my way last month though, and the above is one of them. I was incredibly chuffed to pick up a copy of Inside Crochet magazine (the March issue) to see the results of the Blog Awards in print. Such lovely words were written, so complimentary and flattering. I slurped my latte as I read (I was in a cafe with Heather at the time) and felt like my cheeks had gone pink and my insides had gone all tickly. Thank you SO MUCH, all of you lovely people who took the trouble to vote for me back in November. You really made me feel super-duper, if a little flushed and tickled.
Do you recognise the photo above? Know where it is?
It's the little village of Craster in Northumberland where we've had numerous summer holidays staying in the white house at the very end of the row. We were last there in August 2009 when I was carrying Little B around inside my rather large, round bumpy tummy. Last week, I booked the same cottage for us to re-visit for a holiday this summer, and I am soooooooooooooooooo happy about that fact! As soon as I had made the booking and paid the deposit, I went straight into my photo archives and pulled out this image to make a print. It's sitting on my desk like a postcard from the past, reminding me that in less than six months time we will be back there again. I think planning and booking a summer holiday in February is ace, I can highly recommend it.
Weather wise, February here in Atticland has been pretty dire on the whole. It's mostly been a month of wet grey yuckiness. Of course, there have been some good weather bits here and there. The snow was good fun. And the odd bit of sun and blue sky that peeked through the gloom was incredible and very memorable.
My February attic views are mainly shades of grey..........
Oh! Not so grey! That last picture above was 24th February, a time when the sky finally cleared after the rain and for a wee while there was some colour back in the landscape. I'm hoping March is going to be very much more along these lines, I've SO had enough of the wet grey stuff. So over it. Need Spring to come now. Anytime as from tomorrow would be good.
So that sums up February 2012. Not really so bad after all. In fact, it looks pretty good I'd say.
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Beautiful photos! It tells everything that is happening! I love it.
Posted by: Wedding Flowers Melbourne | April 01, 2012 at 11:19 PM
trés jolie blog pleins de jolies choses a regarder merci beaucoup
Posted by: jocelyne | March 20, 2012 at 01:23 PM
I feel such an eejit! I got my mum to send over Inside Crochet but I told her the April Issue so I got the wrong flipping one! Losing it big time here! But I'll stay Calm and Crochet on!
Posted by: Sue Webber | March 13, 2012 at 10:41 PM
Congratulations!!
You absolutely deserve the award...!!
You are have no idea how inspiring you are!!!!
p.s. I voted 5 times for you :D
Posted by: Jhumki | March 09, 2012 at 08:53 PM
I totally sympathise with your feelings ( I would use exactly the same words myself) and guilt for having them. Like you I'm a stay at home Mum and I craft too (but have just stopped blogging - it's still up though if you want to take a look at a Attic 24 inspired blanket!). Anyway, I too look around my lovely house, wonderful family (three teens) but something is missing. It's almost as if I gave up my life to be Mum and wife and homemaker which I have done with great aplomb like you. Sadly in the process I forgot to nurture myself and forgot what my needs were. There's a restlesness in me but I don't know for what. So I'm having to start afresh to get to know myself and what makes my heart sing as it were (blogging did for a number of years but then it became a pressure).
I can't offer any advice but if you feel like 'talking' I'm very happy to listen, share or sympathise.
xx
Posted by: Simmyb | March 09, 2012 at 01:22 PM
Dear Lucy
Maria from Australia here. Just wanted to thank-you for sharing your creativity. The colors you use are breathtaking and your writing is just as inspiring.
You have encouraged me to pursue and honor my creativity and for this I thank you.
Have tried to send you a few emails but perhaps I have an incorrect email address?
Have made a humble donation ...enjoy.
Many thanks again dear Lucy
Maria Kirchner
Posted by: Maria Kirchner | March 09, 2012 at 02:43 AM
Hey award-winning Luce, you still say "ace"!!
Dig out your ole Bernina - I'm sure the old magic's still there.
LOL Katie B x x x
Posted by: Katie B | March 07, 2012 at 08:08 PM
Congratulations on the award, well deserved! Have a lovely time in Craster. I have spent many a happy holiday in the Northumberland area (Alnwick Music Festival in particular!)and know and love it well.
Posted by: Miaou | March 07, 2012 at 03:55 PM
I thought you might be interested in this Lucy... last night I went to make your curry paste and started putting the ingredients into the bowl, then I discovered I did not have any natural or greek yogurt. The only yogurt in the fridge was strawberry... so I used that instead. As my husband was eating his chicken curry, he said it was the best one I had made and had I done anything different! Yes, I replied, used strawberry yogurt! So there you go, a new "make do and mend" curry recipe. Congratulations on your magazine award - very well deserved x
Posted by: MeMeRose | March 07, 2012 at 12:07 PM
I always find February a tough month. Just feels a bit like nothing. Has been helped with a visit from my mum and some serious granny square making!
Posted by: Cat_G | March 07, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Hi Lucy, its really wet and gloomy here, hope its better where you are. looking forward to your next post, hope all is ok, as we have missed you this week. xxxx
Posted by: Sarah | March 07, 2012 at 09:09 AM
Miss you, Lucy, and all your colorful posts. Praying all is well with you and your family! Let the sun shine in!!! :D
Posted by: Vicki James | March 07, 2012 at 06:23 AM
Ditto of what Kim wrote...but no pressure, hope you are feeling okay!
Posted by: Rebecca | March 07, 2012 at 01:55 AM
I hope you are doing ok and cheering up a little. I have missed your posts over the last few days...sending you warm and sunny thoughts:O)
Posted by: kim grabowski | March 06, 2012 at 10:53 PM
You and your post have been on my mind so I came back, reread the post, and am writing just to remind you that you are well loved by so many. Certainly appreciated beyond the regular kind of appreciation for al the color and cheer you bring into our lives by sharing your creativity and know how AND pictorial records of your travels through the English countryside.
There will be sun.
x.o.
Posted by: LIz | March 06, 2012 at 05:15 PM
Lucy- even in the dead of winter you continue to inspire. I love the "wrap" up pictures. They look so lovely togther. All that colour makes my heart happy. It is in part because of your inspiring colour that I created an afghan to make my heart happy with colour. I put it up on my blog. In my teaser the days before I mentioned how you continue to inspire me with your craft, your heart and your story. Thanks for sharing your story always.
Posted by: Megan | March 06, 2012 at 03:05 PM
Appreciate all your sentiments on February and I whole heartedly agree. We love holidaying in Northumberland too, we normally fit in some fishing from Craster Harbour in the evenings. My sister and her family live in nearby Alnwick, my Brother in Law was born and brought up in Craster xx
Posted by: louise fortune | March 06, 2012 at 08:17 AM
Congrats and I love the mosaic. My fave is the photo of baby hands. I just love baby hands. They make you want to eat um up...they're so cute:D
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 05, 2012 at 11:18 PM
De-lurking to say Congratulations on the blog award! Your blog is such a pleasure, with its bright colors and your attention to simple delights. :) It's brought a ray of sunshine to my February! I heartily agree about booking a vacation in February- I'm completely overcome with wanderlust right now, most of it directed at getting back to the British Isles.
Posted by: Txtingmrdarcy | March 05, 2012 at 07:03 PM
Lucy, Congrats on the award- --well deserved! Your blog brings sunshine and hapiness into many lives! And your projects- -soooo inspiriring! Thank you for sharing with all of us!
-ps- -miss your postings the past few days- -hope all is well in the Attic!!
Posted by: Penny | March 05, 2012 at 03:52 PM
We've booked our holiday in North Yorkshire and, yes, can recommend early booking so you can enjoy the anticipation.
February is one of my favourite months, love how the days lengthen and the spring flowers start to fill our lives with colour.
Carol xx
Posted by: Carol | March 05, 2012 at 02:32 PM
Hi Lucy, I have only recently discovered you and your blog, but will certainly follow you in the future. I love all the colour and photos and being a yorkshire lass myself I know how lovely it is up there. You are very lucky. Take care, Val x
Posted by: Val | March 05, 2012 at 01:41 PM
I've got the Ideal Home calendar too and I love it. I've also got the Mollie Makes one which is another 'I want to live there' visual. Next time you're choosing amaryllis bulbs look out for a Double Dragon - its like a red lion but even more!
Posted by: Carie | March 05, 2012 at 08:09 AM
Congratulations on your award-winning blog. I enjoy.
From the Phony Farm in Tennessee, USA
Posted by: Rural Tennessee, USA | March 05, 2012 at 02:43 AM
Thanks for taking the time to remind us of so many 'Reasons to be Cheerful' in drab old February. By chance I also came across the crochet 'Pretty Spring Birdy' by Daniela (similar in style to your lovely Happy Flower) on http://danielasneedleart.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/pretty-spring-birdy/
These really made me smile and think about making a twiggy, birdy, tiny hearts and flowers decoration to brighten my kitchen window-sill.
Posted by: Val E | March 05, 2012 at 12:08 AM