April 2012

April has been such a mixed bag weather wise, we've had pretty much every type of weather imaginable. Lots of scudding clouds, high winds, many varieties of rain (misty drizzle, squally showers, torrential downpours), sleet, hail, and even snow. We had many, many cold wet days where the rain never let up for a moment. Then we had very mixed days which started out quite promising but were full of unpredictable bursts of rain. Sun-rain-sun-rain, with an occasional token rainbow somewhere in between. Sigh. April has been very cold and un-Springlike much to my disappointment.

The calendar image which I gazed at from my desk throughout April was this Ideal Homes one. Almost every day I wished that it wasn't so brown. I wished for sweet, pretty Spring colours and wondered why on earth someone would choose brown ribbon when so many other gorgeous colours of ribbon exist?

My organising calendar was much more satisfactory, and even included my most favourite cake of all time (carrot cake, in case you didn't know). These colours are perfect for Spring, and I approve of the brown being limited to bun, cake and chocolate. Happy sugary thoughts are flooding my brain now, gosh I do soooo love cake. Such pleasure!

In amongst all the grim weather of April, there were little pockets of loveliness. The above photo was taken early one Sunday morning in the middle of the month. It was one of those glorious bright, clear mornings, the sort that makes it impossible to stay indoors. I recall that we were out in the exact same spot at almost the exact same time four years ago, and yet again I marvel at the repetitive rhythm of my life.

The morning jaunt was short and sweet, cos despite the sunshine it was really cold. We walked the familiar river path as far as our favourite little pebble beach and proceeded to spend the next half hour throwing stones into the water. Little B, oh Little B loves to plop-splash pebbles into water, he was so incredibly happy with it all. Me, I was freeeeeezing. Even a flask of hot coffee and some easter eggs did not hit the spot, but I was glad we ventured out, glad to see my Littlies have so much simple outdoor fun. Little Man gave me this lovely heart shaped stone that he found, it was a super sweet moment.

My brave little seedlings have thankfully survived the soggy conditions that April provided. They are a bit mud splattered, but not doing too bad all things considered. At least the resident slug/snail population hasn't discovered them (yet), hoping it stays that way.

I took some advice and made a cosy little bubble-wrap enclosure for my newly planted passion flower, protecting it's sweet tendrils from the chill. I keep having a little peek in to make sure all is well (it's looking beautifully healthy so far) and am really looking forward to seeing this plant make it's way up, up, up outside my kitchen door.

I thought April would see much more outdoor action after Spring arrived so warmly and sweetly in March. But no, it wasn't to be. April did not turn out to be a warm, sweet outdoor month at all. We kind of took a step backwards and fell into winter again, but it wasn't all bad. It made the business of draping super warm blankets-in-progress over one's knees rather appealing. I'm continuing my lovely pleasure ride with the ripples, coming into the home stretch now I guess. I'm a bit stuck now though as I've run out of yarn. Well that's to say I've got lots of small balls left but not enough of any one colour to make the four rows required, so am waiting for a chance to go yarn shopping. I'm savouring the gorgeous feeling of anticipation that builds prior to a yarn-buying mission, makes my heart go all fluttery just thinking about it.

The ripple may be on temporary hold but the circles have been a marvelous diversion throughout April. I've been really enjoying this yarn and these colours I have to say, and I'm already dreaming up more things to do with it (a new bag is in early sampling stages, something pretty and floral and easy to whip up). But.........must finish the ripple and this sweet round cushion first, must not get too ahead of myself. Cos I know that it does me no good to have too many fingers in too many creative pies all at once, I get all tangled if too much tries to happen at once.

April is always a sweet month for us here in the Attic cos it contains a birthday. Little Lady turned eight years old at the end of the month, and we celebrated with a shopping trip (a much longed for new desk for her bedroom, plus some much needed new clothes), a meal out and a girly sleepover with two of her school BFF's coming to spend the night here. The latter was lots of fun, despite the sleep deprivation. Eight year old girls, what can I say? It's such a tender age, the fashion, the hair styling, the tentative experiments with lip gloss and eye shadow, awww I find myself half fascinated and half horrified by it all. The speed at which they begin to hurtle out of childhood is quite scary. Cripes. It goes so fast. So fast.

April seemed like a long month to me, it didn't go fast at all. The days dragged by, long and wet and cold. It now seems like an incredible long age since Easter, yet that was less than three weeks ago? Doesn't seem possible, does it?

Less than three weeks ago we were in Dorset enjoying sunshine and sea breezes. Sigh. I miss it. That particular bit of April was such a lovely, enjoyable, fun, happy, relaxing bit for sure. And the pictures prove it.

I didn't take all that many snaps of the Attic view in April cos for much of the time it really didn't exist. The hills were blanked out by low rain clouds, and what we could see of the landscape looked bleak, washed out and grey.

This was during the first week of April when we had some freakish winter weather land on the hills...

....this was a mediocre cloud filled day....

...and this was an afternoon of after-rain brightness.

But this was what we mostly became accustomed to.... rain, rain and more rain. April, you will be remembered as being the month of Wet. April showers on a grand scale.

Which is one of the reasons I love to make my monthly mosaics. Cos it reminds me that despite the grim weather there was still creative colour, fun and happiness, that indoors remained cosy and bright, and that we made the very most of the few sunny days we had. The weather can only dampen our spirits if we let it.

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Comments

[Marlene]

Lucy, Lucy, Lucy, this is the first time I've commented on your blog, so first let me say thank you for sharing all of your beautiful work. Everything you do is so very special, as are you. Not only are you talented and very creative you are also a beautiful young woman. All I can say in closing is "I Love Lucy"!Best Regards and please keep blogging "cos" you ARE the best! xo Marlene

[Geeta Pillai]

hello Lucy,
I am a grandmother from India. I love your blog and must say that I am your fan. I do bit of crochet, and your blog inspires me to try for more. I am lucky to see your beautiful country thro' your blog.
Why don't you write a book with all these photographs?
All the best dear. May God bless you.

[DianeM]

Thank you for such a beautiful post Lucy - I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it here across the ocean :)
Smiles, DianeM

[Susan]

I just awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award!

[Lyn Z... Isle of Long, NY]

Slugs/snails will not cross copper so if you want to protect special plants cut small strips of copper sheets and make collars around the base of the plants, or circle the plants further from the base to keep them away arching stems/leaves.... here on this side of the pond sheet copper is easily found at the local hardware store :)

[Tammy]

Hi Lucy! I discovered your amazing blog about a month ago I think, and absolutely LOVE it! I LOVE all the color you use and as soon as I saw your Granny Stripe afghan I had to start one! Hubby is now claiming it because he loves it so much, even though it has many more "girly" colors in it, than guy colors.. I love your new rose pattern and cannot wait to try it out! Thank you so much for sharing your life, your talent and your love of color with all of us! It brings back wonderful memories from when I lived over sea's and makes me want to go back soooo badly!

[WoollyBudgie]

Another lovely post! Thank you! Happy belated birthday to Little Lady!

[Jenny]

Oh how I can relate to your feeling regarding Little Lady. My own little ladies are 11 and 13 now and the time seems to be slipping through my fingers. Watching them move through those transition years is a joy and also such a sorrow.

Happy May to you, Lucy! Thanks for the inspiration and bit o' English life you give me each week.

[Carol]

Yes, it may be murky outside but in our homes we can still find happiness and things to make us smile.
Happy belated Birthday greetings to Little Lady.
Let's hope May is a month of warmth and sunshine outside as well as in.
Carol xx

[Rose-Marguerite]

Hello! What a wonderful stone to make a sweet gift. Your pictures are so nice. Thank you for that positive message!
Regards from Brittany

[Shannon]

I love reading your monthly re-caps; such a nice way to remember the lovely, happy things that make the messy bits endurable! And I do agree about the kids growing up too fast. Our oldest is almost 20 and just ventured to your part of the world for a 7 week study abroad. It seems only yesterday she was just dipping her finger into the lip gloss pot...
Have a beautiful week!

[Rachell]

Lovely mosaics! I still haven't done one yet. It all seems a bit complicated but sometimes just doing a new thing is easier than it sounds, eh?

[grannytaughtmetocrochet]

You never cease to lift up my spirit!

The "window view" shot is brilliant where you show all the weathers! very clever,

x

[all8garden]

Here's hoping that all of those May flowers help make April's gloomy weather a distant memory. Wishing you bright and lovely things (and weather.)

Enjoy your coming weekend.

[Barbara]

I love how you see color in everything around you! I'm enjoying our short lived spring here and not looking forward to the heat that is just about upon us now. I too am trying to infuse more bright colors in my world and am inspired by all the color of your blog :)

Heres to a wonderful May! Cheers
Barbara
http://lightpinksugar.com

[Julie]

You've certainly brightened up my rain drenched Thursday with this lovely colourful post, a truly lovely April, roll on May ... and please i am begging the weatherman to tell us its going to be a tad sunnier!

[carla]

I wanted to write SUMMER LIGHT, sorry!!!

[carla]

lovely post!!
hope your May is more springlike.
Here in the East (Spain) it's been weard too, but now it's becoming REAL SPRINGTIME!!
Anyway, looking at your blog is always like SUMMER LIGTH!!!!

Carla from Spain

[tremedal]

thanks for your beautiful blog!. makes my world better.

[minimoek]

Wow what a nice post this is!!Thanks!

[Annabelloiuise]

It's not just the things you make that are beautiful and inspiring, but also your blog which fills me with energy to do something.

[Lily]

Hi Lucy - what a lovely post. The reminiscing reminds us all of the good bits life brings us. Lily. xxx

[Jennie]

Just popped in for my Bright Colours fix! I hope that the weather starts to improve now that May is here (have my fingers crossed though!) I bet your daughter will have a fabulous birthday sleepover - memories of such things here with my 2 girls (my son's sleepovers were always a bit more rackety.)

[Anna]

Hello! Liking your monthly mosaics, great idea to summon days of your life and and see what was great and what made you more philosophical:)
Have a nice May ahead, I am sure it is going to be bright and sunny! Hugs from India :)

[Meg]

Hi Lucy. I sat in bed this morning in rain drenched Norfolk with my cuppa and 'Lucy Living'. Just adore your inspirational blog thank you .meg