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

[Liz]

Love the photos from the attic! The one after the rain is so clear and lovely!
Have a wonderful May!

[Jeanet Jaffari]

Hi Lucy,
It wasn't better here in Holland, just rain, rain,rain!But I love the way you write about it :-)
Happy Birthday to your Little Lady!

["M"]

We've had the same sort of weather here. (Pacific Northwest-Oregon-USA.) I agree with your sentiments and love your spirit!
Your mosaics are beautiful and you have a lovely way with words...It reminds me of a poster I saw (I think on pinterest); that said "if I had a British accent, I would never shut up!" You use such delightful, descriptive phrases. Thank you!

[aishakenza]

Hi Lucy, There's nothing I like better during my early morning "me time" than popping on to my own blog and seeing that Attic 24 has been updated. It cheers me up no end to read about your family and fun before I set off to work. Thank you!

[Teresa Kasner]

Your sister city must be here as we're having similar rainy cold and grey days too. But the oddest thing is we have been having fairly nice weekends 4 in a row. Shock. I did a post on our Camas Lilies here, did you pop over and see? *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to Little Lady!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Sandra]

we really ARE on the same latitude! And I do adore the beautiful colors in your yarn...

[Seaweedandraine]

April showers indeed - but look at all the lovely things that you did during that time. I really enjoyed your April wrap up (and speaking of wrap - I think the bubble wrap around your passion flower is a splendid idea!). Enjoy your moments of hookey - I look forward to seeing the ripples all done! :)

[Alma]

I saw this was one of your monthly "wrap-ups" and I had to go grab my pint of ice cream and a spoon. Make sure the kids are asleep . Curl up in my favorite spot... ok i'm ready.
Oh so worth it.
i hope your May is sunnier and colorful.
Thanks for my few minutes of bliss and a window into your month!

[Brenda]

Happy birthday little lady! It does go sooo quickly, seems like only yesterday my baby girl was turning 8, she turns 17 this year! The passion flower looks great, I am also planting one in a few months, when our warmer weather is due, have just planted raspberries and thornless blackberry and have a blueberry waiting patiently xxBrenda

[SpecialK]

Happy Birthday to your Little Lady. The Special One is 4 this month. Love your circles, they are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

[Alessandra]

thank you for sharing this "April moment" : so nice!
xxxx Alessandra

[Julie Earle]

Hi again Lucy. Just forgot to tell you my son has arrived home after his holiday in London and he got my Button Jug!! It been to Paris, Venice and Rome and is now living happily in Oz. Its gorgeous and already filled with flowers.. Dont you just love pretty jugs!! ?Thanks so much for locating it for me! :) xx Julie

[Lizzie]

Hello! I've just discovered your blog (i'm very late when it comes to this sort of thing!) and just wanted to say how fab it is. Love all the colour - a tonic after this rubbish weather. Thank you!

[Julie Earle]

Hi Lucy. We have lots in common! Hate grey days, worship sunshine and flowers, love to create and adore cake! If you get a chance can you tell me how you make your photo mosiacs..? Happy Birthday to your Little Lady! My Little Ladies are grown up ladies now and my best friends. :) love from Julie in Oz xx

[London Roofer]

I agree, April is indeed a wet and cold month. But as long as you have a warm and cozy home, it doesn't matter since cold days are good times to stay home and read a book with a little something warm to eat or drink.

[Lee]

I LOVE everything about your blog,really cheers me up.xx

[Mags]

I love the first picture in particular...and your cushions. Working with fabric is my first love...I have only just started to crochet. Maybe we could swap tips as I really find some of the stitches really hard.
Thank you for brightening up a really gloomy month. xxx

[Kate]

That reminds me, really, really MUST get my seeds planted!
I think the Spring colours of the trees this year are quite the best I've ever seen- wet, but glorious.

[idiosyncratic eye]

The weather has been totally crazy this month for sure. I love that very first photo. :)

[Maggie Cawthorn]

Agree completely about the colours and your photo-collages are just right to cheer you up. Despite the weather in Cumbria this month it has been a month of the most amazing colour - but why does the wind come to blow the blossom away so quickly? Loving also the Dorset light.

[Laura]

Lovely post. Made me smile thinking of April back in Blighty. I was chatting to my mum on the phone this morning and told her to hold tight... I think you'll be in for a hot summer come July. The past few years have seen a warm spring and dreary summer, so lets hope this year it is the other way around for you! But what do I know? I'm a housewife not a weather women! Lx

[pippa]

another lovely post from the attic, have a lovely may
happy wednesday
pippax

[Ellie]

Lovely pics Lucy! I am trying hard to remember what it was like before the rain came... although dry but grey today here in Dorset.
Ellie
x

[Adaliza]

What a lovely review of your month. We had a birthday yesterday too - our eldest son is now 24! He arrived home, a day late and his eyes still lit up at the sight of his birthday cake and bundle of new clothes & super sized chocolate bar! Thank goodness he's grown out of sleepovers! Let's hope May brings some lovely sunshine - it tried yesterday afternoon and it was wonderful to sit out with my Ripple - it's pouring again now though - and cold. Definitely the answer, is more cake!

[Chris]

Love your blog Lucy and the pictures are gorgeous, glad little lady had a lovely 8th birthday, my babies are 25 and 20 now, how I wish I could revisit some of the lovely childhood times and I envy you your lovely blog diary to look back on. Finished one granny ripple with you're colour pack and am now in the second so that both if my caravan seats has one. Can't wait to see the bag x