Bouncing Back

Monday morning and I am sat here smiling stupidly to myself. You would probably laugh if you could see me actually. I am sat at my desk, slurping hot coffee, grinning away at my laptop. The house is still and quiet, and for the first time in ages I am also feeling miraculously still and quiet. But more importantly, I feel content to be still and quiet and it feels like the most humongous relief. All of last week I felt like I was permanently on edge, wondering why I couldn't settle, wishing I could relax and unwind, feeling like I might burst into tears at any unexpected moment. I was sleeping like the dead, yet I was waking up each morning feeling exhausted. Not so today......hooray!!! Today I have finally bounced back, full of energy, happiness, zest for life.

I. Am. Back.

Ahhhhhh, thank goodness for that!!!

I have a new mug for my morning cup(s) of coffee and it is making me absurdly happy. I absolutely love these generously sized Cath Kidston mugs (this one is called the Kentish Rose stanley mug), they are a pleasure to use. I treated myself to this one on Friday, during a rare shopping trip to The City. I went by myself on the spur of the moment, hopped on the train and went to enjoy a few hours mooching around the Big Shops. It turned out to be great therapy. I soaked it all in, enjoyed being somewhere very different to my own cosy little home town and came home feeling happy.

I only bought a couple of things. The above mug, plus new oven gloves, and a much needed new duvet cover. We had literally worn out our previous white cotton duvet cover which we bought a good five years ago. The fibres had worn away to nothing and it was ripped beyond repair. We have still been sleeping in it (it's all we had), but kept getting all caught up in the ripped bits!

I adore pure cotton, plain white bedding, but it is surprisingly hard to come by. After doing the rounds of all the big department stores with no luck, I suddenly remembered about The White Company. Of course! I was in and out of there in about five minutes flat as they had exactly what I was looking for. This is the bottom of their bedding range...I think it's called their Basic Range. Plain white (no embroidery, ruching, pin tucks, pulled thread work, satin borders etc) 200 thread count Egyptian cotton. WOW. It really is the most beautiful bedding to sleep in and I can highly recommend it. I have slept a LOT this weekend (a twelve hour stretch on Saturday night!) and feel great for it.

My weekend was so nice. Nothing much on the agenda other than just being home and enjoying simple family time. It was mild and I wore short sleeves, propping the kitchen door open to let the fresh air into the house. Everything was still damp from the days of rain we had last week, and it smelt completely Autumnal. Damp wood and stone and earth, mixed with the smell of wood smoke in the air.

I went into town early on Saturday morning, leaving the rest of the family still in their pyjamas. I wanted to visit the butcher to buy meat, the market to buy veggies and flowers, and the baker to buy a crusty granary loaf. You probably wouldn't want to see the chicken, bread, spuds and parsnips in my bag, but thought you might appreciate some floral goodness.......

....oh yes, deep joy, it's dahlia season!

Aren't they amazing? They are locally grown and never fail to make me hugely happy each year when they arrive at the market. Love love love their exuberant and showy-offy nature.

I bought orange ones this time, which is unusual as I am usually suckered in by the hot pinks and reds. They are completely smile-inducing.

On my way home I found my feet heading towards my studio, almost of their own accord. I hadn't intended to call in there, but somehow I found myself stood in a daze outside the café door. I had been so busy smooching with my dahlias that I had sort of walked on auto-pilot and arrived there a bit by accident. So I took it as a sign that I was meant to be there and duly went in and sat myself down for a stunningly good coffee and a chat. It was lovely to be there as a customer, I feel as if I belong there.

Oh, orange dahlia.....stop it! Stop shouting for attention, you know I love you!

Love love love (and  then some) having a jug of fresh, vibrant flowers on the table.

And in the bathroom. Dahlias joined here by a single, hardy pot marigold, self seeded and discovered in amongst the weeds in my neglected back yard. What a joy it was to find.

Talking of joy, I picked up a little bit of colourful hooky at the weekend. No bunting. No yarn bombing. Just sweet, delicious, personal, indulgent all-for-me hooky. I came across a few of my experimental bits n bobs last week (in the fruit bowl). Some samples and half-worked ideas, projects that are sitting patiently in my Creative Mind waiting to be released. There are StAcKs of ideas up there you know, I am currently full to bursting with ideas. First to be let out is a little flowery project, and I'm really, really excited to get it off the starting blocks. More of that coming soon.

It's soooo good to be back, did I say that already?

Thanks as always for stopping by, I appreciate your visits more than I can say.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps Part 1 of my Yarndale story coming tomorrow x

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Jules Francis]

Hia Lucy
So glad your feelin back to your normal self again. I know it can take awhile to recover especially from such an overwhelming emotional event like Yarndale!
Love your pictures as always but it especially made me smile to see the one of the cannel and the crossing up to Brook St! This is near where we stayed when we came to Skipton and was our favourite route whenever we went out as its just so lovely to have a walk along by the cannel. Was such a treat and one I could get very use to!
Yes we saw your beautiful yarn bombing and the ducks, just lovely. They certainly put a smile on our faces and everyone who passed seem to stop to have a look. we even had to have our picture taken with them. Thankyou!
Loving the beautiful flowers. You have a lovely market in Skipton.
Lov Jules xx

[[email protected]]

I need a couple of skeins of the DK yarn that Lucy did one of her Granny Stripes in. Does anyone know where I can order them? I live in the U.S. Thanks!

[Lu Douglas]

As mothers, we learn, or we should learn, that there are the highs and lows of life, both as a mother and wife, and as a private person. You go through these undulations all the time. You will hopefully get used to this and not feel so gutted when you are depleted. You KNOW why you are-you've been running on adrenalin for weeks! what you've experienced is a normal coming-back-to-earth after a very busy time. And it will happen again, so be more prepared. Instead, expect it and then you won't be wondering why you are so flat and agitated and out of sorts. Having the little shop upstairs was the beginning of a new life for you, a time when you branched out of the home comfort area. It's been great and opened up a new world, but of COURSE it was going to be different and hard to juggle at times. You're doing fine and you're normal. :-) So glad you have found your equilibrium again. Yarndale news tomorrow, yayyy xxxx

[Rachell]

Nice post to read tonight. Glad you're not strung out anymore. Xx

[Violetsrose]

John Lewis is the best for plain white cotton bedding

[Unn]

Your wonderful home, Lucy! I am happy when I getting a look from your cozy rooms...Have a nice week! Unn :)

[Dorothy Griffiths]

Hi Lucy a lovely post - glad that you are refreshed - you needed that rest after all the hectic weeks of hard work. I love your flowers, the colours are just stunning - I adore white bedlinen and agree that there is nothing like it as it makes such a wonderful backdrop for all the other colours in the rainbow. A great post as always Lucy, big hugs
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Dianne Davis]

Love your blog and after three trains loved Skipton and Yarndale. What a day. Fantastic. Looking forward to your pics.
Many thanks.
Dianne - Hereford

ps love the bright orange dahlias.

[Annalisa]

Welcome back, dear Lucy!
On such a rainy and cold day here in Italy your lovely post brings a sunbeam in my morning routine. I'm happy you took your time to be "our Lucy" again. It's so good once in a while to stay in your cosy nest and recover slowly .
I can't wait to see the new ideas you'll kindly share with us. Thanks so much for your colourful hooky world!

[Lynn]

I'm Happy your Happy! Your Dahlias are so Orange! It's my favorite color! I am going to see if my grocery store here in So Cal have any. I have Dahlia envy. All smiles.

[elizabeth]

You do live in such a pretty part of England, it's always lovely to see the surrounding countryside and towns of your home. The colours you choose are always so cheerful too.

[Jacqui Galloway (livingwithethel)]

Love your blog. Glad you're feeling rested and are bouncing back. what a triumph Yarndale was.

[Carine07]

Just to tell you that I have just seen some Cath Kidston umbrellas on asos web site.

[Joanne Retzler]

So glad you are recovered. Your day on your own sounded wonderful! I love to do that once in awhile. It really regenerates me. And we all need that. Love all your work, and your posts. Keep up the good work. xxoo

[Trisch]

I so enjoy your blog! Thanks for sharing your daily adventures with us.

[Pam in Texas]

Lovely post Lucy, thank you.
Glad that you are feeling good, looking forward to your Yarndale posts.
Pam in Texas. xx

[Carolyn]

What a wonderfully uplifting post.Clearly you are feeling very on top of things. All that colour has given me a lift too - thanks.

[Loretta Little]

Dear Lucy,
Just an all around, Thank you! Thank you for you. Visiting with for me is like you taking a sweet morning walk to buy your flowers.

[Stephanie Haworth]

Hi Lucy!
So glad your back and feeling like yourself.....congrats on the success of Yarndale that I'm reading about !!!
Enjoy the week, flowers and hooky time:))
Stephanie :))

[DaCraftyLady]

All those lovely colors are so pretty to look at almost matching your projects...can't wait to read about your yarn story.....

[Sharon Braxton]

So glad you are rested and having some time to yourself. The dahlias are so pretty. I've never really paid much attention to them but those made me sit up and take notice. Glad to have you back, dear Lucy!!! Can't wait to hear your take on Yarndale.

Hugs,
Sharon

[Susan]

Lucy
Try Dawson's bedding online , think it is called justlinen, they are fantastic lots of very good quality bedding, including many famous names and in my opinion cheaper than the White company I have always ordered pure cotton bedding in white/cream. They are based in Clitheroe UK. I always use them, delivery £5 for whole order however many things, often with discounts and special clearance offers , towels as well . They offer a very reliable quick service , often by the next day.I really enjoy your blog ,and very well done with your recent yarn bombing event I am counting down to leaving work next Feb, can't wait to learn to crochet,
Sue x

[Kim]

So glad you are feeling on top of it all. Sounded like the 12 hours on Sat night were exactly what you needed! Love your blog. Thanks for sharing. xx

[SOL]

Can't wait to hear all about Yarndale, but love it that you have 'switched off' for a moment and you can still enjoy your own usual small pleasures. I'll bet your family are all so proud of you and your achievements.

[Ali Honey]

I really like your photo of the reflections in the water and of course I love your orange dahlias. They look to be in such healthy condition - hope they last for many days.
What is it about flower stalls ? - has to be the colour but also the fragrance. All those beautiful heads of flower in close contact with each other - such a delight.