March 2012

Ahh March, you are no longer with us and I miss you! April so far is being completely vile, we're in the grips of an icy storm, the wind is howling and it is s-n-o-w-i-n-g, blasted weather. I look through these deliciously springlike photos and I want it to be March again, March was soooo beautiful. The sky was often blue, and we had warm sunshine for the first time this year. It was quite glorious for much of the time, yes March, you were lovely.

My organiser calendar went all green, sophisticated and Continental for March. Made me think of a carefree time in my past when many moons ago J and I flew to Paris for a romantic March weekend. Searching through my memory banks.......oh cripes.....yeah, waaaay back in my youth....March 1995,  seventeen years ago. Would love to go back sometime.

My ever lovely Ideal Homes calendar had this stunning image for March, it's been a true delight having this next to my desk to gaze at for a month. So beautiful, I find the sight of pink blossom really uplifting and good for the soul.

In my mind I associate blossom with May, as that's when the cherry trees in my neighbourhood flower. But in the past month I've noticed such a lot of early blossom flowering on trees all over the place, and it really is delightful. I don't have much blossom-knowledge so have no idea what sort of trees produce these gorgeous early blooms, but I love them very much. They are more delicate than the flouncy, frilly cherry blooms that come in May, I love their sweet simplicity.

My front patch crocus bloomed their little hearts out through early March, they were such a welcoming sight at the front of the house.

Forsythia sprang into action around here a few weeks ago too, there is lots of it around and about in my neighbourhood. I'm not mad keen on it to be honest (that particular yellow is a bit too shouty and acidic for me), but it's undoubtedly a real sign that Spring is well on the way.

In complete contrast to the indoorsyness of February, March was all about reconnecting with Outside. I love March for that very reason. I love stepping out of stuffy, cooped-up February and breathing in the fresh air of March, it's delicious. Lovely to start pegging out again too, it's a sweet domestic job that always fills me with gladness. Hooray for stripy garments flapping in the breeze!

Outdoor tea breaks also began again last month, oh the joy! I generally stop my outdoor pitstops sometime in October when my hands start turning purple with the cold. It's been lovely having enough warmth in the air to have the kitchen door propped open and a quick breather in the outdoors. In fact, I've really, really enjoyed all the domestic outdoorsyness these past few weeks :: the pegging out, the sunshine tea sipping, the seed planting, and the general feel-good brought on by warm air, blue skies and spring sunshine. I feel really excited about spending more time outdoors as the year progresses, about making my back yard into a haven of floral colour and greenery.

Floral colour has ben happening in abundance inside too, just look! Every Friday I stop by the market after picking up Little B from playgroup and treat myself to a modest bunch of fresh flowers. The tulips and narcissi that fill the pavement buckets at this time of year are brilliant, and represent great value for money. I can get quite a few bunches now for just a few ££, enough for me to fill a small jug for the table, pop four into my bathroom windowsill bottles, and have a few in a jar beside my bed. The roses above came from a surprise Mothers day bouquet. I don't wish to sound ungrateful, but I confess I am not a fan of commercial "mixed bouquets". If I am on the recieving end of one (not often), I tend to split them up, chop the stems short and arrange them into various small jugs instead of one over-the-top vase. Much more my style.

My photo album for March was full to bursting with pictures you know, it seemed like a very full-to-bursting kind of a month. When I'm putting my monthly round up posts together I like to try and capture the general feel of the months activities :: it was hard for March as there was so much! Lovely looking back and remembering the various outings we made :: local strolls, simple jaunts and proper full blown outings, it's been liberating to stretch our horizons beyond our four walls again.

Mind you, March also saw me get to grips with the Four Walls a bit, and I am so happy the Shelves of Doom were finally banished. It remains a highpoint of my year so far, truly it does. And that surprises me a bit, but it's true. I think it was as much about the way I was able to mentally and emotionally pull myself together to tackle this task as it was about the end results. A real Personal Achievement for a rather slovenly procrastinator. I really did it, didn't I? Still wearing ridiculous proud smile over that one, although my two crates are still there waiting, as is the pile of 51 books destined for the charity shop, so can't be too smug.

I had a hair chop in March, it was long overdue as I'd not been since the Blooming Flower cushion photos. That's eight months. I've got more grey hairs now, but I'm remaining true to my natural colour which is still pretty good. It feels lovely to have air on my neck again, I was looking quite shaggy and unkempt with my raggedy grown-out shoulder length do.

Hooky wise, not a lot to report for March, it was a quiet month on the hooky front. I kind of lost the will a little, I just didn't seem to want to do it for a while. I worked a little on my ripple through last month, but not a lot. I've got many, many ideas brewing for new projects though, it's quite tangled again up in my Creative Mind. I'll keep you posted.

So how's the Attic view been in March? Terrific, that's how. The light levels have risen dramatically, especially with the arrival of British Summer Time a few weeks ago, and I am so, so thankful for the extra daylight in my life again. Yeah, the view has been light-filled and lovely, take a look.................

I especially love that last photo, it was taken on 27 March at 18:20 after a day of the most glorious sunshine. I love the golden glow of the landscape at that time of day, I remember it made me want to rush out and frolic around in it (which I actually did, I took myself out for an early evening walk to watch the sun set and the moon rise, it was beautiful)

March was altogether a beautiful month. It was light and bright and upbeat, both indoors and outdoors. In March it became Springtime, and I was so ready for that change of season, was so over the winter.

Do you ever think of the year in terms of fractions? I do. I keep thinking wow, we are one quarter the way into the year now. Can't quite believe we're in the second quarter of the year already, but as this is my most favouritist quarter of all (April-May-June), I am more than happy with the progress. Bring it on, I'm ready to give it my all.

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Edit to add :: A Question.......do you think I go on too much? Should I make my posts shorter/less wordy? Interested to hear what you think as I never give much thought to my posts in terms of how they read, I just write what I feel like writing regardless. ♥ oh that's ok then, thanks so much for the feedback and reassurance...will carry on with my ramblin' ways. Not sure I could do any different anyways?! ♥

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Mrs Marina Wilkinson]

Hello Lucy. I have only just found your Site and have been transfixed for a couple of hours, reading. Please don't change the way you write, it's perfect and it's YOU! You're inspiring, funny, colourful, creative and SO full of life. What a lovely Blog to have found. I will pop in often to see what you're making. p.s. Like you, I have lots of UFOs but it does not matter. I enjoyed the time making them and one day I might finish them. The journey to completion of anything can take as long as we choose. Thanks again for a fabulous Blog. Marina in Peterborough, Cambs xxx

[katie]

I'll be honest - I normal despise rambly blogs - but not yours, not at all! You are so sweet and cheerful and charming and your pictures and hooky-happiness so bright, I truly enjoy them! I think what really gets me is that even when you are down or sharing something that wasn't so nice - you are never complainy - you don't dwell, which is the downfall of most rambly writing. You keep it real though and your posts read like a conversation over a cuppa with my mum. Keep it up, please!

[Jemima]

How do you manage to look so young?! With every passing year, you just get younger and younger! What's your secret? A colourful life of crochet???!!

[Vanessa]

Love the new hair style! gorgeous!

[Kathy Welsh]

I LOVE the way you write your posts and do not think you go on too much. I enjoy reading your posts as much as looking at the lovely photos. Don't change a thing!

[Jandre Sherwood]

I found your blog about a month ago. I must tell you I love it! I'm super jealous of all the fun crochetted things you have in your beautiful home! You're my crochet hero! It's also wonderful to see the English countryside! I visited (from the US) London last year and it was amazing. It seems so laid back over there! I love it! And no, you don't ramble on. I enjoy it, and all the pictures!

[Melinda]

Lucy, I'm reading your posts from Melbourne Australia. No way do you go on too much, or should you make your posts shorter. They're the highlight of my week. You have been such an inspiration to me- I used to think crochet was a bit boring, but you make it so much fun. I have so many projects on the go that I've discovered in your posts. Also love reading about your decorating ideas, the little people, and your excursions both near and far. Looking forward to reading more soon.

[wendy]

Belated comment but do love coming here when time allows and rambling on is what I love and do myself. Keep it all happening.
thankyou

[Sylvia]

I know you do not know me personally but I do love your newsy posts. Please keep them coming!

[jo]

No, no, no. no, not too long or rambling. I love your posts, the chatty nature, the observations, the joy you get from your family and what you do. I relish seeing you post and save till I have a break and a cup of coffee to sit and saviour jo xx

[mary]

Don't stop what you do xxMary

[sumea]

shorter/less wordy? don't even think of it - i adore your lovely long rambly posts! please carry on just as you are.
miss fleur is a darling and i love your pretty easter tree too ❤

warm easter hugs xxx

[Beverly]

Love,love,love your posts! Please don't change a thing!

[Pomme van Drie]

Thank you again for sharing your lovely colourful world with us! I was about to write a long rambling homage to your delightful blog, but I don't think I could improve on Maggie's lovely words. Your blog inspires me has kept me going through a dark & difficult winter and I can't thank you enough! Happy Spring to you & your all the peeps you love
Blue Skies
Pomme

[Kat]

Oh I love your blog, when I see there's a new post I settle down for a good read & to feast my eyes on the beautiful photos, just love it!

OMG at 1995 being 17 years ago.....feel sooooo old right now!!!!!!

[Crafty Mermaid]

Hi Lucy
I realise its already been said but please write for yourself. Its your blog. Though you write amazingly. I always check your blog manually (usually on my phone in the mornings) and try to sit with a cup of tea to have almost a meditative break. Your posts are such joys and I love hearing about your life and seeing the colour in your world. I'd love to emulate it but unfortunately my posts are never quite live up. You are creating a wonderful resource, not only for us in the blogging world, but also your children in the future. They'll have a real insight into your days and their importance! The vague recollections of early childhood will be supplemented by such caring and uplifting words and beautiful images. I hope this doesn't sound over the top :)

[Nicole]

Dear Lucy,
I am from Germany and reading your Blog ist my daily english lesson. So please go on writing much words and don`t start thinking about what or how to write something. In the way you write your heart speaks to us and that`s what makes your posts so individual. Have nice easter days with your lovely family.

[christine huijsmans]

lovely pictures
I like your hair !!
and I like your blog just the way it is
don't change is you are good with words

[Fleur Cotton]

I'm sure you've got the message by now ... don't stop...never stop....just go on writing as usual...we all love it!!

Fleur xx
Hope you haven't been snowed in this week.

[peli]

your posts are always perfect. beautifull photos and as wordy as they should be.
so glad that i have found you!!!
i used a link to your blog for the granny stripe blanket - i hope its ok with you.
have a beautiful month xxxx
(i love your hair, dont ever change the colour)

[Jill]

I have always thought that feng shui was just tidying up under another name. Getting oneself and one's home organised is great for clearing the mind and feeling liberated. Who needs a feng shui consultant? Your Shelves of Beauty and the effect they had on you speaks for itself. Great post as ever, don't worry about going on too much!

[Dominique from France]

Hello Lucy ! No, no, continue as you do for your blog. It's always a pleasure to read you. Nice haircut ...

[tinajo]

Beautiful pics - enjoy Easter! :-)

[Nelly]

NO!! never make your posts shorter. The length is perfect. Love your new hair cut, it is so cute. I think it would be nice to have more Lucy photos now and again, it's lovely to see the face behind the words! xx

[Jen]

I love your posts Lucy. Please don't ever change them.
You have summed March up so very well. Hopefully like me, you have blue skies today and some of that warmth will spread into April now.