February 2012

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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Comments

[Rachael]

Congrats on the award!

[Toñi G.]

Hola Lucy, me encanta tu blog, y todos tus trabajos, son espectaculares, un abrazo

[Julie]

February pics look splendid, we always forget what good times we've had until we are reminded. I often retread my older blog psts to see what I was doing.
Your summer hols destination looks lovely.
Good luck with the curtains for your little travelling home.
A well deserved win, you are an inspiration to all and give so much of your time to help and encourage everyone, I thank you very much for that, without you I would never have dared try to crochet and it's become another crafting love for me.

[Ailsa]

Thanks for the reminder of home - as a Northumbrian I spent many youthful days in Craster. And thanks too for the reminder that I also have a set of camper van curtains to make this month!

[Saskia]

Thanks again for a beautiful blogpost :)

[Caroline]

You certainly know how to put some colour into a dull and dreary month! Congrats on the award :-)

[Unn]

Lovely photos and beautiful things!

Unn :)

[Opal]

It is so awesome to me to have a found a blog written by someone who loves the exact same things I do.The colors--the crochet--the beach--the sea--the water--the nature walks---the baking--home--family---flowers. Love it. Love it. Love it all!!!!!! Hope you are having a wonderful break--but hurry back. I need my latest Lucy fix. I am so totally addicted to this blog.

[Vicky]

How do you manage to take beautiful pictures of grey, dreary skies? I wish I had half your creative skills! Love, love, love your blog!! xxx

[Dana]

I can't figure out how to email you so I am sending you this link:
http://blu-shed.blogspot.com/2012/03/friday-morning.html

Her super colorful quilt seems like something that you would LOVE.
Hope you like it!

[Jeanne]

I just love your month-end wrap-up posts! So full of fun!

[Willow]

fabulous colourful blog as usual Lucy. lovely :-)

with blessings, Willow x

[Anneliese]

Pretty good indeed! Congratulations on the award and on making the most of a tired, wintry month.

[Lisa]

You deserve the blog awards!! Your blog is beautiful! I hope mine wins an award someday too! You are an inspiration!!
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

[Crystal]

Congratulations Lucy! I love reading your blog and seeing what new things you are crocheting.

[Kelly]

Kelly again...lol...forgot to tell you which one but I am sure you can figure it out. The one with the colorful houses and trees and says Let's all take care of each other. ♥

[Kelly]

Lucy, found this in the CrossStitcher magazine and thought you would like it. It screams "Lucy"! Here is the link...http://crossstitcher.themakingspot.com/node/875
Hugs,
Kelly ♥

[Mrs C]

So jealous about your planned trip to Craster - I love it up there! My Godmother lives in Embleton and most of my childhood holidays were up there exploring castles and beaches and making the most of my parents' National Trust membership.

We were last up there in June last year and I love the place so much - in fact just writing this I can taste the crab soup that I always have in the pub in Craster every time we visit!

[Vicki]

Congratulations Lucy...we have something in common. Your blog was featured in a magazine and a little piece of my crochet work was also featured in a magazine here in Australia. I must say it's a lovely feeling. So well done to you and well done to me. Vicki x

[Carol Juniper]

Congratulations Lucy on the blog award.
Great to see Craster - I love the walk from there to Dunstanbrugh. Northumberland is beautiful - my Dad came from Newbiggin - last time we were there we stayed at Warkworth. I live in Cornwall so it's a long way to go but always worth the effort.

[Anna]

February indeed looks nice in your pictures! Waiting for March now :)Thanks for inspiring me to create too!

[jeannette]

the different shades of silver and green in your view are beautiful.

[Meg]

Not related to your post sorry Lucy, but I just saw this project (on the right) from the latest Cross stitcher Magazine and thought of you: http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/blog/mothering-sunday-treat-your-mum

[Trudy McLauchlan]

Hi Lucy, congrats on your award, so deserved! How lovely to have a holiday booked for later in the year; makes grey days all the more easy to bear! Looking forward to seeing your sewing endeavours .. how 'bout a snuggly quilt for your van?

[Grace]

you post on this past month cheered me up- even though i live across the pond near Boston, i've had much the same sort of month. gray and depressing and just rather blah.... so thanks for reminding me of the color and joy that was hidden between the days of ick!
-Grace