Day 1 of 2013, and all is well. We enjoyed a really lovely end to the Old Year last night, celebrating with friends and neighbours a little further up the street. Delicious food, mulled wine, happy children, lots of chat and laughter. Our Little People amazed us with their stamina, most especially Little B who took centre stage right through to the midnight hour.
We were all feeling a little tired and sleep deprived this morning, but we decided on the spur of the moment to head out into the countryside. We drove a few miles out of town to one of our most favourite go-to places when fresh air and sweeping vistas are required.
Just as we arrived, a beautiful rainbow appeared as if by magic, oh such joy! I took it as a supremely good omen that 2013 is indeed set to be bright and cheerful with a little dusting of good fortune.
I love walking in winter, even if it is just a swift, cold, wild and windy stroll. I love being immersed in the landscape, and I love nature's little details that spring out and grab attention.
It was actually bitterly cold up on the moor, too cold for the Little
People really, so after a short and bracing walk, we drove down into the
valley to one of our favourite picturesque villages for a stroll along
the riverside.
A short way along there is a small river beach that the Little People
love. It's sandy but has lovely pebbles to throw into the water.
There is much fun to be had from plopping large, smooth round stones into the river. Such a satisfying noise! Such childish pleasure that never fails to make me laugh out loud.
Little Man found an amazing river fossil, he was sooo pleased with his discovered treasure I wish you could have seen his sweet face.
The Winter countryside can sometimes appear very grey and bleak, and I find I really, really miss the leaves.
But there are still some small, colourful details to be found if you look for them.
I think the little itty-bits of living winter green are even more vibrant when surrounded by so much grey and brown.
Back home and all is cosy and peaceful here at number 24. Little B, exhausted by all the fresh air and pebble throwing, is snuggled up in blankets and sound asleep on the sofa. Little Lady is snuggled in the big chair watching pop videos on tv. J and Little Man are up in the Attic doing boy-things together (not exactly sure what that entails, but they've been up there for quite some time).
And me....well I have created a colourful snuggle nest for myself and am about to settle down for a spell of happy hooky.
This is my first crochet task of 2013 - to finish the Granny Patchwork Blanket I started in September. I've got four more rows (48 squares) to make, then a nice wide border to finish. I'm enjoying this blanket very much and it's a warm and comforting way to begin the New Year.
In the next few days I'm going to be continuing with my Year End Reviews. I've been having lots of fun trawling through twelve months of photo archives, putting together some visual collections to celebrate 2012. First up we'll be immersing ourselves in some Floral Loveliness, it's going to be a complete overload of colour and natural beauty.
See you tomorrow xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gosh you were lucky with your walk. I went up on the downs and got soaked to the skin, but the dog enjoyed it. I planned a beautiful blanket in blues for my little lady today using your ripple pattern as the basis. I have worked a trial piece with a variation of hooking only into the back loops to give an additional texture to the blanket. I'm hoping to get a flowing water effect.
Posted by: Liz | January 01, 2014 at 11:31 PM
MUY LINDAS FOTOS, TE FELICITO, VIVIS EN UN BELLO LUGAR Y TENES MUY LINDOS TRABAJOS!!!
NOS VEMOS
Posted by: MONICA | November 28, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Hi - I discovered your blog during 2012 and have really been enjoying it! I have made many of your projects and love the colorfulness of them all! Keep on doing what you are doing! Best for 2013.
Posted by: thealy | January 09, 2013 at 02:27 PM
Hi Lucy, last year you taught me to crochet,i made the blooming lovely cushion which i entered in our w.i.craft competition it received favorable comments which i was thrilled about, my four year old grandaughter claimed it for her bed so i am going to make another for myself also made a blanket and a hat like yours which i love.thanks Lucy heres to another happy years hooking with your help.Eileen.
Posted by: eileen | January 07, 2013 at 04:27 PM
I'm usually a very quiet reader of your blog but really do enjoy it a lot, and must congratulate you on managing to photograph so much sunshine in such a wet year! I would be very honoured if you or any of your readers would choose a colour for my social knitwork scarf: http://camberwellcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/social-knitwork-scarf-2013-please.html
Happy New Year Erin and family!
Posted by: Helen Pugh | January 05, 2013 at 11:19 PM
I've just discovered you and I love your website! After many years of not crocheting,I've recently started again-I got fed up of wasting evenings stuck in front of the TV!I'm still at 'granny square' stage and I'm in the process of making a blanket for our touring caravan.I'm definitely going to have a go at some of the things that you've made-I love the little Easter flowers,and I adore the ripple blanket but I think that's a bit out of my league at the moment!happy New year to you x
Posted by: Lisa Smith | January 04, 2013 at 08:33 AM
Happy new year. Looking forward to your new hooky tales. You r such an inspiration. I adore dropping by.
Posted by: Pameejo Stimpson | January 03, 2013 at 04:32 PM
Dear Lucy lovely blanket and amazing snaps..thanks for sharing and the inspiration daily..
http://diapermum.blogspot.hk/2013/01/gaint-granny-patch-blanket-ta-daah.html
Posted by: Rajeswari | January 03, 2013 at 12:33 AM
Dear Lucy,HAPPY 2013!
Thank you for all of the beautiful things you show all of us and thank you for everything you share with us. I do agree with Liz in Missouri, the things you share with all of us are really lovely and so inspiring. You light up our lives!
And by the way, the village you live in is a very lovely village. Do take care when taking pictures of the village and the countryside and posting them on your blog. Because I know now where you live. I won't tell, do not worry.
Love for all of you!
Liesbeth, the Netherlands.
Posted by: Liesbeth | January 02, 2013 at 08:16 PM
Last year I came across your blog and settled into a very happy routine of watching the colors and the children and the views unfold from the Attic. While you go about your life and share the bits and pieces of it with us, I wonder sometimes if you realize what a wonderful inspiration you actually are. I find myself slowing down and paying more attention to all the little scenes about me. This year I have started buying little bunches of flowers to keep on my desk at work and on the table at home and they add such a brightness to the days. I have watched my grandchildren play with new interest and we have made a few little expeditions to the park with our peanut butter sandwiches and cold milk in a thermos. Your blog has been a wonderful reminder that simple joys are most times the best joys. Thank you for sharing - it matters.
Posted by: Liz in Missouri, USA | January 02, 2013 at 07:32 PM
You always find the color in life! Love this blog.
Posted by: Jennifer Dessert | January 02, 2013 at 05:07 PM
Happy New Year Lucy. Your walk looks really lovely. We're longing to get out for a good walk but Little F is recovering from cold and is being very unwilling to walk anywhere outside. We've tried a couple of times but it's ended up with which ever one of us isn't carrying the baby carrier, holding F! Longing for the warmth of Spring. F x
Posted by: Fiona | January 02, 2013 at 04:39 PM
And Happy New Year to you! I want to say thank-you for your wonderful blog. After finding your blog I began to search out more and I was so thrilled to find such a warm, creative group of people who think just like I do! Juggling being a Mom, a wife, a homemaker and a creative person can be difficult and it is so comforting to see how may other people out there are doing just that! Thanks again for sharing your world. You inspired me to start my own blog and I would love you to stop in an say hi! http://staceykokot.blogspot.ca/
Posted by: Stacey | January 02, 2013 at 04:21 PM
Hi Lucy,
I recently found your blog and love your photos. It is a pleasure to read and see what is going on in your life. I am in love with your crocheted items. I noticed in one photo you are were using Debbie Bliss cashmerino yarn. Is this your go to yarn or do you use others for your afghans? The reason for this inquiry - I love your sense of color and your color palette brings me such pleasure.
Posted by: robin | January 02, 2013 at 03:25 PM
Hello from France! Happy new year!
And thank you : you make me dream. All I see here is so lovely!
Posted by: Loutheo | January 02, 2013 at 03:16 PM
Happy New Year Lucy! I wish you a very colourful and creative year full of love, happiness and...well.....crochet:-)
Matt xxx
P.S I loved your Christmas wreath it was pure eye candy! Can't wait for next year to see it again!
Posted by: Matt | January 02, 2013 at 02:35 PM
Happy New Year Lucy, to you and your lovely little family! Thank you so much for all your lovely posts through the year and all the inspiration and cheerfulness that always picks me up when I have an attack of the blues. I am really looking forward to see what creative hops and skips you'll make through this year 2013. -raises her coffee mug in salute-
Posted by: Beate | January 02, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Happy New Year! It looks like you have had a lovely start to this year. I can't wait to see what you make in the new year.
Posted by: Cassandra | January 02, 2013 at 02:07 PM
Happy New Year, lovely Lucy.
Thanks for all the sunshine that you bring.
Best wishes for 2013
Posted by: Alice C | January 02, 2013 at 01:53 PM
I always love popping in for a blast of fresh color!!!! I love love love those crayon box colors you live with!!!!
Thanks for the little walk on the moor....and into the valley. I feel refreshed and ready to start my day!!!!
Posted by: steph | January 02, 2013 at 01:47 PM
Happy New Year and compliments for all your creations!
Posted by: Dreaming in a Hat | January 02, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Hi
Happy New Year to you and your lovely family.
Have just discovered your blog and really enjoy reading it and seeing all the lovely crochet. I've just taken up crocheting again after a lot of years - you've inspired me! Love your blankets and with the weather as it is think you'll be needing them.
Take care.
Posted by: Gloria | January 02, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Happy New Year to You and your Family. Lovely countryside photos and such gorgeous details. I too would have been very pleased to find such a treasure as Little B found. May it be the first of many he finds. Best wishes, Pj x
Posted by: Pj | January 02, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Happy new Year, Lucy! Enjoy your snug days in the Attic24:)
Warm hugs and best wishes,
Anna.
Posted by: Anna | January 02, 2013 at 07:37 AM
I'm fairly certain a rainbow on the first of the year has to be a great sign! Can't wait for your year-review-in-pictures! I'm going to be honest here, and have searched through your archives a few times, and love coming to the new years times because of all the photo-mosaics you have created! They are so colourful and lively! Happy New Year! xoxo, Jess
Posted by: Jess | January 02, 2013 at 06:25 AM