My Week

It's been a mixed bag this week weather wise. We had some stormy days/nights with whipping winds and persistent rain, and then it all blew away for a while and left everything feeling clean and crisp and still. Do you see that one solitary last leaf hanging from the branch? It made me smile.

I love it when there is a stillness in the air because I am quite besotted by water reflections. There are many things in daily life that make my heart squeeze, and still water with perfect reflections is one of them.

I just love this photograph, taken as a quick snap on the way to school one morning.  I walk along the canal tow path multiple times a day on my way to and from school, nursery, the studio and town. I love that this sort of scene is part of my daily routine and I try hard not to take it for granted.

Some days this week have been incredibly dark and gloomy, and I have to admit I do struggle with the low light levels. But when the sun has been shining, it has been absolutely glorious.

Little B was unwell for a few days at the start of the week, so I was at home a lot more than usual looking after him. Even though I was dealing with that sort of nagging, low grade stress that arrives when a littl'n' is poorly, it was still rather lovely to spend time pottering about at home. And of course, this week has seen a lot of wreath-induced excitement on the home front. Oh I've had a wonderful time dancing about inside my own little creative bubble!

Because Little B was unwell, I was forced to bake a huge cake. I always bake when there are germs in the house, it is my reliable (and pleasurable) stress-buster. I was inspired by Jacquie and made a rather scrumdiddlyumptious banana and carrot cake. Oh my. It was wonderful. Moist and sweet, the perfect indulgent mid afternoon pick-me-up.

If you discount the slabs of cake (and the chocolate coins), I'm trying to keep my family healthy this Autumn by feeding them fresh, colourful foods. Lots of vitamin-rich fruit and veggies to strengthen our immune systems. I combined these blueberries with mango, kiwi and clementines to make a colourful and healthy fruit salad. The Little People wolfed it down, then promptly asked for carrot cake. Of course I obliged, well carrots are healthy, aren't they?

One of the highlights of my week has been the return of the cheapo pots of hyacinth bulbs in the supermarket. Happy day!! I've been keeping my eyes open for them lately, looking every day and hoping they would come soon. I've come to look forward to these winter months of indoor bulbs very much since living here in Atticland (and shopping at Morrisons), they bring me such a lot of pleasure for very little money.

As always, I bring them home in their brown plastic pot and replant them directly into an old Cornishware bowl. It's such a delight to have hyacinths growing in the house and I really, really love watching those shoots grow and waiting for the flowers to bloom.

Over on the other side of the room at the other fireplace, I took the cherry tree leaves that were strewn on the table and poked them into my heart garland for an impromptu Autumnal touch. They've gone a little bit shrively now, but I still like to see them.

When Little B was feeling better and went back to nursery, I was able to spend some time in the studio. It really is a very wonderful little room you know, especially lovely on sunny days when the light pours in through the windows. I took a lot of photos in the studio this week which I'll show you soon. Tracy and I are both preparing for our two open studio days next month (we're going to have a decorated Christmas tree!!) and I hope very much that some of you will be able to come and say hello. Sunday 8th and 15th December, 12-4.

Some days, I confess that I do find the constant to-ing and fro-ing across town a little draining. Some afternoons as the clock approaches 3pm, I really resent having to put hat, coat, gloves and  boots on to go out into the cold afternoon. I long to stay home. But the three treks across town each day to school and nursery are a part of my life right now, and there is no getting out of it. So best to try and enjoy the experience of walking (running, balancing, jumping, climbing) and talking my way through it all with Little B. The days are so short now that at 3pm the sun is already very low in the sky, lighting up the landscape and making it glow.

And there is always the bonus of being near to the water and drinking in those still reflections.

I can feel Winter is on it's way. The temperatures are dropping and Autumn has almost come to a close. I actually feel ready for it this year, and am looking forward to the change of seasons and the onset of the all things Christmassy.

This afternoon we drove up into the Yorkshire Dales to the beautiful campsite where we've spent the summer with Connievan. This is the view at the back of our pitch, looking out over the dry stone wall that runs along the boundary of the campsite. Beautiful, isn't it? There wasn't much time for scenery gazing though as we were there to tidy Connie up and prepare her for her winter sleep. After a bit of trauma (we got stuck in the mud and had to be towed out by a tractor), we made the journey down from the Dale and settled Connie back into her town plot for the winter. We're going to be touring with her again next year and are already planning some seaside jaunts. I remain a devoted caravanee.

Before I head off to sit by the fireside with a little glass of something, I want to mention two things...

Firstly, I do have a little bit of Special News to share, something rather toe-curlingly exciting, but I need to get a few things done before I can tell you all about it. Hoping early next week I can do my happy dance and all will be revealed.

Secondly, on Monday 25th I have a rather delicious Christmas Giveaway Competition to share with you here in the Attic. I'm very excited about the rather scrummy haul of Rice DK goodies I have been asked to give away, you're gonna love it. Serious eye candy, as you can see from the above picture. Monday afternoon then, come and see what's what!

See you then xx

 

♥.....more snippets from the Attic.....♥

This Week's Highlights

Comfort Seeking

Comments

[Mumtaz Sheikh]

I find this blog very inspirational ,love the colourful pictures and also useful links.

[Amanda]

Wowzer! Have so admired your Rice cups Lucy. I am sure these Rice products with their happy colours will help my family get through our winter blues!
Xx

[Peta Cowan]

I am living way South in Bolivia at the moment. It is like popping home to the UK when I visit your site. I have a lot of time for craft here so love all the ideas, it was looking for a way to joins granny squares that I found you!!! Thanks for everything, Peta Cowan

[TempestKnits]

Beautiful photo's of your week, Lucy! I am so excited about your announcement - please let it be a book! :)

[Jo Navin]

So glad little B is feeling better after all your tlc. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures of Skipton, especially the reflections in the water. I've been popping back lots of times since you mentioned that you have exciting news, ooh the anticipation! :-) xxx

[Penny P]

I love your blogs. The beautiful colourful photos always bring a smile to my face. xx

[Tonia]

I just wanted to stop by and say how much your blog has inspired me to start noticing the colourful in my own day too. Thank you!

[Kari]

One of the best parts of your blog is all those heart-squeezing moments you share. I hope you never stop having those moments, because that's what makes life worth living. And I hope you never stop sharing those moments, because you help us to pause and notice life in all its richness, too. Thank you.

[Jac]

Ooh I hope it's a crochet book. Your beautiful designs deserve to be published in all their glory!

[Anna Maria Q.]

Beautiful photos and kindly words. I love your blog.!

[Beth]

Sorry the little one was ill. Glad B is better.
And that cake looks sooo good!!! And of course carrots are healthy.

[Lizzie]

Oh, Lucy! Your blog is simply spectacular - it's not only visually stunning, it's so beautifully written. The colours, the photos and your stories make me so happy to have found you. Your blog is appointment viewing for me. Thank you for sharing your life with us - we love it so.

[Tanya Miller]

Lovely pictures as usual. Can't wait to hear your news. Love your wreath and the earlier post about its formation. Look forward to reading your blog posts all the time. They really cheer me up. In fact I think I may have to have a go at making a wreath myself

[Debbie]

I always enjoy checking in on your blog!

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy first things first. I think I left a comment during the week about your remarkable wreath. Just in case I didn't let me say that I must make one for next year! Like you I have been enjoying the landscape. Pitch dark as I leave for work shortly before 7am (this is on a Monday so I can sit on an uncrowded bus and gather my thoughts)and a 15mins journey into the city centre the view of the newly opened library, the lights around the trees
and view of the canal were stunning. There was golden sunshine later in the day,followed for the next couple of days by howling wind, rain and hailstones
and it was dark by 4.30pm. Saturday here was frosty but that did not stop me from going out to the garden in warm cardigan&PJ's to breathe in the cold air. WINTER!!
Saturday afternoon I was hunting out my Christmas copies of Country
Living mag and thinking Christmas is just around the corner.
Look forward to your exciting news next week. Love Sarahx

[Sheryl]

Beautiful photos Lucy, I especially liked the duck in the pond of leaves. Looking forward to your news, if it's what I think it is it will make my day!!

[Annie]

What a lovely blog and so many images that are dear to my Northern heart, despite living in sunnier climes now. I shall enjoy following you. Axxx

[marion]

Love reading your posts, they always make me feel as thou I'm sat there with you. Thank you so much. xx

[Jane Colledge]

Hi Lucy,

Thanks for your lovely blog! As others have said your lovely photographs and talented style and colours light up a dull day! I love to visit here, enjoy the rest of the weekend,

Best wishes, Jane C.

[Pam Roach]

Love love love your blog!!! Delightful!!! You have taught me so much!!! I'm in Michigan- the mitten state. We had snow yesterday and it is crisp!!!!

Have a nice weekend!

[ketty]

Las imagenes preciosas, amo el campo, no entiendo todo, pero me quedo con la esencia, gracias por compartir.

[Jane]

I do like that leaf - it's saying 'look at me I'm still here!' Lovely post Lucy x Jane

[Maria]

You make such FAB things and the colours are amazing, thanks for sharing. And your week looked pretty colourful also.

[Katie]

I'm glad that you make an effort to appreciate the beauty in your life. I try to do that also. I am lucky to have a nice neighborhood to walk through, with a wooded bike trail and then acres of woods with hiking trails. We have a view of the mountain (really a hill) in our town and some days the sunrise is beautiful when we take our morning runs. It is easy to get caught up in the daily stresses, to and fro, errands, etc, but there really is so much beauty in this world. And I am a strong support of "healthy" desserts also - of course carrots make the cake good for you, just like chocolate chip banana muffins or peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies (getting that protein)!

[Slizzy Greensleeves]

What a wonderful colourful and inspiring blog. I was in Skipton back in June and am looking forward to popping over for the Christmas Fair/Guitar Festival in December. Your lovely photos and descriptions are making me Skiptonsick (like homesick but worse) :)
Hope your little one is much better now. I look forward to trying the banana/carrot cake too.