:: coming downstairs early on Saturday morning and loving that I still feel completely bowled over by the happy sight of my Shelves. Also loving that I can now photograph the flowers on my table without being overwhelmed by horrendous backdrop of visual doom ::
:: these are Fridays Fresh Flowers, the most beautiful, highly scented narcissi. The smell of them fills the room and is indescribably beautiful. Not every member of my family shares the same thought, but I care not ::
:: pottering. Happy happy. Watering the growing things on my mantel and loving them so very much. Lost count of how many successive yellow pots have filled these hooky tins this year, I will keep buying them week after week until they are no longer available ::
:: same goes for the hyacinths, think this is possibly the 4th or 5th batch. Pink this time, I'm really looking forward to them ::
:: pottering some more. Happy happy. Notice with a lurch of my heart that my new book is still sitting looking gorgeous in my newly acquired funky red wire In-Tray. Must make it top priority to find a Window of Opportunity for it ::
:: the urge to bake strikes, I immediately think Lemon Drizzle cake. Start to assemble ingredients but realise I've not enough sugar. Send Little Man running down to the little shop at the bottom of the road to purchase required sugar, then spend happy time making it happen. The resulting smell that fills the air is quite divine ::
:: suddenly remember that on Friday I bought the Little People new things from the discount bookshop in town and get them out. Am unsure as to whether sticker books involving animals, fairies, princesses, dinosaurs and lego people will still cut the mustard with 7 and 9 year olds, but I am pleasantly surprised by their enthusiasm ::
:: ahhh just like old times. I lovelovelove watching them become so engrossed with these simple books, just as I often did when they were much smaller. Sticker books are ace. Children busy with sticker books are ace ::
:: busy busy now, jobs to do. Dash upstairs to strip bedding off two beds and one cot. Big smile when I go into Little B's bedroom to see that he's managed to build the train track all-by-himself. My heart expands as I imagine his happy play ::
:: beds are stripped, washing machine sets to work, then a little spot of happy Pegging Out. It's not especially sunny, but there is a breeze and I am sure they will pretty much dry outside. I look up and down my back street and see there are many back yard washing lines full of laundry flapping in the breeze. It reminds me of a book illustration, so I go search it out and read it to Little B ::
:: this is a really delightful childrens book with the most heart warming illustrations. My Mum bought it for Little B's first birthday. It's called Peepo! by Janet & Allan Ahlberg. Little B is not yet at the stage where he'll sit still and be read to, but he does like doing the "peepo" bit of this book very much. And instead of reading the verse (which is wonderful but lengthy for a 2yr old), we do a sort of spotting game with the illustrations ::
:: 1 o'clock, and miraculously I am All Alone in the house. Children are out with friends, J has taken Little B to visit grandparents, and so it's just me by myself. I ponder over what to do with this precious window of time, and decide on something a little unusual for the time of day....a bath. A deep, hot, luxurious bubble bath. It is absurdly lovely to sink into the hot foamy, scented water in broad daylight, feels very decadent and naughty ::
:: post bath time now, and I am on a roll. I am continuing the naughty/decadent theme and feeling jolly happy with myself. I bring up to the bedroom a steaming hot cup of tea, a slice of still-warm lemon drizzle cake, and the Urgent Item from the top of my in-tray to deal with. I am in my pyjamas fresh from the bath, and into bed I creep ::
:: getting back into bed in the middle of the day feels kind of guiltily wrong but beautifully right all at the same time. As did the middle of the day bubble bath. And my friends, I can very, very, very highly recommend it. My pleasure-o-meter soared off the scale ::
:: this book, oh this book is fan-TAS-tic. I've read it all, cover to cover, devoured it, lapped it up. I'll be chatting more about it very soon, but for now, let me just say it's one of the bestest books I've ever bought ::
:: out of bed now, tea and cake in tummy, precious book on bedside table, back downstairs to real life. Bath and bed in the middle of the day!! HA!!!! yeah, I did that, and it was oh so GOOD! Pootling about and I spy my basket of ripple. Think to myself that it's been a while since I got it out and gave it an appraisal ::
:: it's looking very bright and joyful. I notice that the last six or seven colours have run through quite a rainbowy phase, so I decide that my next set of colour combos will shake it up a little. A few sparks need to fly I think. Still having a ball with this blanket, I don't think I really want it to end. Which is why I'm working on it oh-so-very-slowly. Eeeking out the pleasure of it ::
♥ What a gloriously simple, Happy Saturday for yours truly. So happy. So blessed. ♥
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I bought Peepo the other week for my future nephew (he's due on Jan 2nd and I'm not marrying his Uncle until November so it kind of counts right) purely due to the fact that I had it when I was a child and made the decision that, along with Each Peach Pear Plum it is THE most essential childrens book!
Posted by: Clare | December 20, 2012 at 12:48 PM
hermosos trabajos!!!, admiro los colores y lo bello de tus trabajos...
Posted by: sandyteje | April 28, 2012 at 03:17 PM
I can hardly wait to see what you are up to since I discovered your blog. It has been an inspiration to me and how I do my life days:):)
Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Posted by: Jan honeycutt | April 14, 2012 at 02:36 PM
Lucy, your blog is AMAZING. I was told by a friend about it and she told me it was my sort of thing and I'd love it. I do. You are so talented. I'm a crochet person too. Its so relaxing. I've had a look at your friend Tracy's blog. Excellent. I live in OZ but am originally from Cumbria. I'm coming over soon and am furiously crocheting a blankie for my sisters baby.Keep up the excellent crochet and blogging!
Posted by: Karen | April 11, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Such a beautiful Ripple! Love the way you used your colors. What a talent for color you have! I assume you are using dk weight yarn and an f hook?
Posted by: Linda | April 03, 2012 at 01:48 PM
Sounds like a perfect day. We're massive fans of Peeop! here too. I found a copy in a charity shop when LMC was only a few weeks old and since then it's become a very firm favourite.
Posted by: Mrs C | April 01, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Hi. Im Julie from Australia. Found your blog by accident. Oh how i wish i could crochet!!!! Love all your blankets and things. Very cheerful!! I do want to learn!
Posted by: Julie Earle | March 31, 2012 at 04:35 PM
Love your colorful crochet blankets and the peacefulness of your cake and reading a book. I also love the narcissus' and daffodils. I make cakes for people and make the royal icing flowers and plan on making a batch of daffodil flowers. :)
Susan's Decorated Sweets-is my facebook page
Posted by: Susan E | March 24, 2012 at 02:43 PM
Just found your lovely blog. I keep buying those little pots of daffodils too, Mr Morrison? My dining room is overwhelmed with the heady scent too
Posted by: Deborah Lee (@ruralidyllic) | March 23, 2012 at 01:10 PM
Had to smile when I saw Peepo! by Janet & Allan Ahlberg. It was a favorite of my youngest daughter and she is now 20. We still have the book because it is just too sweet to pass on. Yours looks like a hard book. Ours is a soft one. :)
Posted by: ldh | March 22, 2012 at 11:36 PM
Absolutely DELIGHTFUL reading and happiness for my day. Thank you Lucy - again you have brighten my day.
Posted by: Maria | March 22, 2012 at 08:54 PM
I love all yours works, thanks for sharing . Have a nice day , and thank you again !!!!!!!
Posted by: Vane | March 22, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Brilliant! There is NOTHING like getting into bed in the middle of the day. Just about the best bit about working nights is getting into bed on a Monday morning as everyone else is just getting up :-D
Posted by: domesticlou | March 22, 2012 at 09:50 AM
I needed a crochet colour fix and this was just perfect. Thank you Lucy. Jo
Posted by: Jo | March 21, 2012 at 10:19 PM
I love all the colors and how cheerful your home looks. Please, is there anyway you could do a post on the color palette you use. I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one interested. Cheers!
Posted by: heather | March 20, 2012 at 08:45 PM
Oh lovely, so glad you had a nice day. I had a couple of hours to myself on Saturday too, and it was wonderful!
Peepo is my favourite ever children's book, my heart leapt when I saw your picture of it! I swear I will keep it forever :o)
Posted by: Miaou | March 20, 2012 at 07:40 PM
Your day sounds like heaven to me!(and the cake)
I was going to try blocking the new crochet blanket I have made but didn't have the room to!
http://mommaandthebear.blogspot.co.uk/
Look forward to your new posts
Posted by: NeetieBee | March 20, 2012 at 06:16 PM
Hi
My name is Linda and I live in Perth Western Australia, a girlfriend gave me your site to look at. I just love it, all the beautiful colors and your wonderful outlook on life. It is the small things in life that make you happy a bath in the middle of the day, beautiful flowers and sitting down to read a good book. My boys have left home now but I still remember reading Peepo to them when they were small and I can still remember by heart the words, such a lovely little book.
I was out with a friend the other day and bought a little tea pot which reminded me of your home it looks great on my sideboard with pretty flowers from my garden.
Keep up the good work on your site.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Hyland | March 20, 2012 at 05:24 PM
You are inspiring me to get my butt in gear and start getting more organized. Your home is so colorful and nice and I want to have that in my home. I feel that I could just come into your home and feel very cozy. Isn't that what we all want for our guests? Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Judy | March 20, 2012 at 03:16 PM
Slippy dippy do dar, sounds like a wonderful Saturday to me :))))
Posted by: Clare J | March 20, 2012 at 02:56 PM
Another yummy recipe from you! I loved your Mum-in-laws curry :)
'Peepo'! Oh, I adored that book. I can still recite it now and my boys are 9 and 11. It was delightful!
Posted by: Handmade in Israel | March 20, 2012 at 02:18 PM
Lovely post. Beautiful photos and colours. Maggie xx
http://prettyflowersinthewindow.blogspot.co.uk/
Posted by: Maggie Moore | March 20, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Sounds like a SUPER DUPER day was had! I love days like that. I love indulgent days, they are a very rare thing for us mums!
I need a big hot cup of tea and a few minutes to go over you last few posts as I have missed them. Thank you for your words on my post Lucy. I just needed a break away from it all. It's amazing how the internet can consume you and eat into precious family hours. It's a hard balance to find. Hopefully I will find one that works a little better!
I worked really hard in the house yesterday, so my little reward today is to sit down with a steaming hot drink and catch up with my favourite blogs! I cannot wait to see what you have been up to....i'm sure I will be completely inspired!
Take care my lovely
Vanessa xxxxxxxx
Posted by: vanessa | March 20, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Love, love, LOVE this post! Oooooh...I want an afternoon bath followed by tea and delicious cake with an even more delicious-looking book! What a lovely treat - I hope you have many more such Saturdays!
Posted by: Kate | March 20, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Oh Lucy, its been a while since i have visited your blog. Catching up and reminising with you today ahs had me smiling like a loon, teary like a sook, i can relate to your posts about feeling a bit melancholy and down, and for no particular reason, i found joy at your happiness in cleaning your shelves, you did an amamzing job by the way! I have felt your feelings of wanting to be more, do more go somewhere but finding your family happy to potter along on a day to day basis, is it bad of us to want more. Be more, do more. I dont know i never seem to have the time to do what i want, you know the dishes all need doing or the washing hung before i can sit down to enjoy my past times. I then go into my crafty room and am so overwhelmed with the things i could do, if only i knew where to start. I just want to say that i LOVE reading your blog and i adore the way you speak. I would LOVE to visit your part of the world one day. My husbands family came from Yorkshire. Some places they have spoken of that i remember are Stockon-on- Tees, Picton,North Riding of Yorkshire ( would that be right). I think the limestone rocks were amazing and i adore where you go for your picnics on the moors. I think your timy backyard is sensational and yep there is room to do all the gorgeous things you would love to do in there. I also think the little photo you have of Little B sleeping under your hooky rug and his little mouth is just showing is just so adorable. Thankyou for the smiles, grins and giggles you send out to the world when you can Lucy. Im sorry you were feeling down, i know that little grey blanket doesnt fit too well does it but im glad the sunshine has come along to visit youxxxxx Blessing from Australiaxxx
Posted by: charmaine | March 20, 2012 at 09:18 AM