Winter/Spring

It is still unbelievably wintry here in my patch. It remains very cold, only just above freezing, and jeez there is still snow sitting on the hills. I keep looking out at the view and willing it to start greening up a little, to look at least a smidge as if Spring is round the corner.

On Sunday the air was all of a sudden very slightly warmer. Still grey and wintry looking, but just about possible to shed an outer layer and stride out without shivering. After some tremendous effort, all five of us made it out the door on Sunday morning, all at the same time, to go and do the same thing together. Increasingly hard to make this happen these days, as the Little People have their own social agenda and tend to dig their heels in re Family Outings. I was glad I dug my own heels in on Sunday and forced The Walk, for it was a good one. We walked up a steep grassy field to take in the view. Always a good thing to get up high and remember where you live. There's the Attic Window look....fourth one down! You see it? That's home!

After the steep, grassy up hill climb, there is a steep, grassy downhill run, then a stile, then a track into the woods.

It's a lovely, simple circular walk (well technically it is lollipop shaped), providing greenery, gentle exercise and fresh air. The greenery was a bit thin where the trees are concerned, but look.......

...the banks of wild garlic have started to sprout fresh, vibrant greenery! Yippeeee!! That surely must mean that we have entered early spring!

I think we walked for about two hours. It was slow going due to Little B only having Little Legs, but he walked the whole way round with enthusiasm and happiness radiating out of him. He is such a sweet outdoor boy.

The relative warmth of Sunday was short lived, and the past couple of days have seen us back to shivery cold. The heating is permanently on and we are wishing we hadn't run out of coal and logs. The blankets are still in full swing, hot water bottles still warming the beds at night. Hasn't this been the longest winter?

I am glad for my colourful, cosy home, as despite the current messiness it is a warm, happy place to be when the weather is cold. I'm still going with the Spring bulbs indoors, I love having them on the mantel. My lovely mother-in-law bought me this latest pot of hyacinths on Saturday and I'm looking forward to the pink flowers and heady scent.

I have been adopting my usual slapdash method of parenting this week with the Little People being home from school, particularly with foodie stuff. We tend to graze in the holidays, although after all the indulgence of Easter last week, I am making a conscious effort to provide healthy grazing fodder for us all. No more chocolate, crisps or sugar laden bakery products for a while....I've replaced them with a large selection of fruit, wholemeal bagels for toasting, and hummus with crudités and breadsticks.

I've been having a bit of en egg fest of the healthier variety this week too and treated myself to these pale blue beauties. They are an extravagance really (£1.99 for six eggs), but oh they are wonderful. They are made by very clever chickens called Old Cotswold Legbars, and I adore the soft colours of the shells.

Inside, the yolks are a magnificent orange colour and taste divine. The past few days I've been up early with Little B for tea and toast, then making myself a brunch around 11.30. Poached eggs on toasted wholemeal bagel. Deeeeelish. If this has picture has made you long for a poached egg, you can read more about my poaching exploits here.

I've had plenty of hooky time these past few days as the Little Peeps have been very good playing amongst themselves. As is usual for us in school holidays, we've had small hoards of visiting children in and out all day, and I just count the pairs of shoes in the hallway to see how many are in (total of 8 yesterday, although not all at the same time). I'm finishing up a new project which I started whilst on holiday, and it's giving me a huge amount of pleasure and satisfaction. I managed to work out the mathematics for the design yesterday by drawing it all out on paper, so there will be a new pattern to offer you very soon....I hope you're going to like it. Yellow tulips too this week, they look lovely in my button jug.

Haha....I had to include this picture, kind of a visual confession! I found half a bottle of sloe gin in the cupboard left over from Christmas, and for some obscure reason yesterday (around 4pm) I just fancied myself a wee tipple. It felt incredibly naughty.....drinking gin in the afternoon with a house full of children, what irresponsible behaviour?!!! But oh my, it was absolutely wonderful. I only had that one weeny glass and I sipped it slowly over the space of about 45mins while I did a bit of crochet before cooking dinner. I had this blissful warm glow afterwards, I felt like I was radiating warmth. Which was pretty good considering how cold it is at the moment. Never mind layering up with clothing, just crack open the gin bottle! Eh-hem. Well, it was just a one-off spontaneous thingy, so don't be worried.

Right then....on that naughty note I will love you and leave you for now, and go make a stack of buttery toast for my hungry children. Back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

Comments

[David]

Stunning photos. The bulbs are blooming great.

[Hannah@HomeBaked]

We usually do that walk in the opposite direction - starting in the woods. It's a beautiful view, though.
Your poached eggs look yummy (I often find cheaper duck eggs in the butchers shop).
I hope the work going on in your house isn't too painful. I bet you're glad you have your studio space to escape to!

[Katherine]

Seeing the primroses in your previous post reminds me of a lovely Spring ritual - primrose tea. 4 freshly picked flowers in a cup with boiling water poured over. It's a delicate flavour that somehow feels like Spring in a mug with its sunny yellow colour. And Spring is very very welcome right now!

[Nicole]

I'm all thumbs up for the sloe gin! Although not a fan of gin myself, I'm quite pro the odd 'tipple' and I'm a big believer that if Mum's happy then the kids are happy!

[pelusa]

Hi Lucy! the eggs on the bagel looks so delicious. yummy!

[Jojo]

I have the same jug with buttons on it! I love it so much! Your knitted russian dolls are divine! Do you make yourself? Did you use a pattern? X

[Marylin]

Hello m'dear...enjoyed your photos of your holiday and looking forward to seeing your basket all 'dressed up' in new crochet. Here on the Westcoast of Canada spring has sprung, but it's not that warm yet. Robins are busy building their nest in our hedge...it seems like the female is working harder than the male---he's too busy looking at his reflection in the mirror of my car....silly bird!

[carole wheeler]

Love the photos Lucy..:) Our Camelias are only just coming out now because it's been so cold/wet/miserable for past few months. They normally come out in early March, but at least I can see some colour from my bedroom window at last!..Can't wait to see the pattern you are doing, all your crochet stuff is so inspirational....Keep up the good work...:)..xxx

[Helen]

Thank you for inspiring me to get out of the house and go for a walk - even though like your neck of the woods it's still a bit wintry here too. Think I might have poached eggs for lunch too! Helen

[TracyR (Australia)]

Another brilliant blog, gorgeous Lucy! You make me Laugh Out Loud so much!!! :)

[trixie lixie]

Stunning view's and your final picture reminded me thatI still have some sloe's in the freezer to make another batch of sloe gin! Have you ever tried Slider? Thats when you've made the sloe gin and remove the sloes, instead of discarding them add some cider and leave for a week or so before drinking, its yummy!

[Harriett Koedel]

WELCOME HOME!! I missed your happy posts!! Well I can empathize-last Thursday we broke the record low which was 19 Fahrenheit then yesterday we broke a record high of 80 Fahrenheit and now we hear there may be snow again on Monday!!!As we say, if you don't like the weather in Pittsburgh wait a few hours it will change!!!!!!!!

[Sew Create It - Jane]

Nothing wrong with a little tipple in the late afternoon :o) I think it's when you start straight after lunch that you have to worry :o)

[Claire]

Oops!! Sorry for the language, don't mean to offend anyone.

[Claire]

Bring on the sloe gin I say, it's bloody perishing outdoors!

[Sharon Braxton]

What a wonderful, happy, cozy blog post. You make me feel so welcome and comfortable when I see the photos of your home. I love the little dolls in the photo of the hyacinths. Looking forward to see what goodness you have been up to.

Hugs,
Sharon

[Lillibeth]

Lucy,
Do you know the book "Flotsam" by David Weisner?
Your last post made me think of it. It's a beautiful picture book for kids and all those who love picture books.
I am on that beach with you lying on the sand!!! Thanks for your beautiful travel pictures as always!!!!!!
We are just starting to get some warmer weather here in New England. It has been a chilly start to Spring, although invigorating at times.
I'm sending you some sun and warmth!!
Lilibeth

[margaret]

Great post - it's snowing here in Minnesota (5 inches of heavy wet snow - so wishing that winter was over like it's supposed to be!) I think that a wee drop of some kind of adult beverage might be in order for me this afternoon!

[Kris]

What a lovely post, beautiful pics and I'm in love with your blog. A friend posted a link to it on Facebook and now I'm hooked. Here in the states our weather has been indecisive. One day its 70 and the next it could be snowing. I'm so ready for spring.

I was wondering (and I may have missed it already) if you have a pattern for the adorable little crocheted people above? I'd love to make them! Please share.

[Sheila]

Oh my what a pretty fireplace picture, just wonderful. I love the smell of wild garlic!

[Joanne from Colorado]

Beautiful photos! I've never heard of that breed of chicken - I wish we could get them here! I just bought some Americana chicks - they are the only ones I can get here that lay these beautiful shades of blue green.

[julie]

I so enjoy your blog.... specially now I know that you are a fellow poached egg lover! Thanks for the vinegar tip...(since I'm a new follower, I just went back and read your poaching post... hilarious and helpful!) Thank you Lucy and have a great day!!

[maypole]

Just had some eggs from my friend's hens, they are gorgeous for poaching.

Spring has to arrive sometime, and the sun is peeping through the clouds today in the North East. Of course your blog keeps us cheery on the dullest of days x

[Hilary]

Where oh where is that beautiful button jug from?

[Anna-Marie Field]

Hi There, What is up with the weather??!! We also had a blitz of cold air and now it's back to being hot again!! I must confess though, the temp has come down to the 30's!! Cooler for sure!!! but still hot!!! I love those little naughty moments too!!! It's naughty but oh so nice!!!
Love
AMarie