Year End

I really love love love this particular day in the year, I call it my "breathing" day. It's the day I breathe deeply outwards, exhaling away all the underlying tension that inevitably creeps in during the run up to Christmas. Phffffffffffffeeewwwwww. A sigh of relief and contentment, and a day dedicated to relaxation and slobbery. Pyjamas all day. Cosy, comforting pursuits. Yes, this particular day suits me very well indeed. Today has been made even better by the weather, gosh it's been (and still is) very stormy indeed. The wind has been howling down the chimney all day, and the rain has lashed against the house.

J returned to work today, and so I have been confined to home with the Little People. They are pretty adept at pleasing themselves these days, so long as there is a steady stream of foodstuff delivered to them. There has been lots of fun and games, and lots of chocolate consumption and they have been very happy.

Occasionally during the day they would break away from the screen and turn to their new Christmas toys. Duplo lego was unwrapped and built, puzzles were completed....

....and meticulous drawing, designing and colouring took place. It is at times like this when I am glad of our one-room living arrangement, when I am more than happy to sit quietly doing my own thing whilst they noisily do theirs alongside.

I've found some time to crochet today, nesting myself into the big chair which is currently rammed up against the raditator underneath my funky lamp. Although the Christmas tree has made our furniture arrangement look pretty crazy, the squished up chair next to the radiator is actually perfect for snuggly hooky. I am having a whale of a time with my poncho stripes, oh the pleasure! I am enjoying it hugely. The more it grows, the longer the rows get, so I am now into that particular soothing rhythm that comes with long rows of trebles. It sends me into a bit of a meditative trance, and has allowed me some fantastic thinking time. I have made many plans in my head today!

I've also spent time at my laptop immersing myself in many hundreds of photographs, composing my year-end reviews. I have enjoyed it so much, pootling through my archives, reliving all those hundreds of colourful moments that have made up my year. Above is my December mosaic, a seasonal memory of light and landscape, Christmas and Solstice, celebration and creativity. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you over the coming days, and would like to say thank you for your regular visits to the Attic during this year. It is really good to have you pop by.

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♥...more snippets from the attic...♥

Springtime Hooky

After Christmas Glow

Comments

[Peggy-Joyce]

I am so in love with all of your projects. They have been an inspriation to me. Have put down my knitting needles for a bit and doing some crocheting again.......which grandma taught me long before I took up knitting. Love your use of color and hope that the pattern for the poncho will appear on your blog one day soon. Here's to a wonderful 2014.

[Meredithe]

Sounds like the perfect day!

[Dane]

Le bonheur est dans la maison quand les enfants sont encore petits , profitez de ces instants, ils sont magiques, merci pour vos belles photos

[Jenny]

Thank you Lucy for all the magic, colour, inspiration and imagination and most of all for sharing. I always secretly hope that you have posted something every time I sit at my computer. You make my days brighter and happier! I have made many of your lovely patterns. Your tutorials are perfection. I'm currently very close to finishing a wreath. I will try rise above the situation when I have to sew all the flowers on! I'm also nearly bursting with excitement waiting for your 'Simply Crochet' reads in 2014. All the very best for the New Year!

[Karen]

Popping by your attic is one of my favorite parts of my day!

[J]

I am envious of whomever those markers belong to they look wonderful to draw with!

Loving your poncho and all of that colour, glorious!

- J

[Ellen]

I rarely, if ever, leave comments, but I love your blog and look forward to finding new posts. Happy New Year

[Patti]

Thank YOU, Lucy... for another year of wonderment!!! I don't just pop by... my sweet... You are definitely a very important part of my daily "FIX"!! I LOve your crochet, your photos, your stories, your home... and reading about your world... A HUGE THANK YOU for a Glorious 2013!! I gladly await spending 2014 at "The Attic"!! xxxx <3 xxxxx

[Gizrapka]

I found your blog by accident ... and I am very happy ... I delighted your crochet... I draw a lot of inspiration here and ideas, although I'm still learning crocheting ...
I greet warmth and affection from Poland

[Winwick Mum]

These are magic days, aren't they? All usual rules have been suspended - it's OK to eat chocolate for breakfast, to stay in PJs all day, to do not very much at all except what you want to. Bliss! These are days to recharge our batteries, to plan and reflect and be thankful xx

[Alejandra]

Gracias por hacer cosas tan bellas, desde Argentina siempre te visito. Feliz nuevo Año!! Un abrazo. Alejandra

[Jo]

Nice post, it is good to get some making time in the busy part of the year. The poncho is coming along a treat. I took so much joy in finishing my Noro Jumper on Christmas day night, it felt like a real present to myself. See here http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk

[Bobo Bun]

Hi Lucy
It looks so cosy there in your home. I think we've all been hunkering down trying to keep the real world out for a bit longer. A room where you can all be sounds perfect. The crochet wrap looks good, I love the pattern.
Happy New Year to you and your family. X

[Rhian McCarthy]

It is truly a joy to follow your blog Lucy. I'm sure I've mentioned previously that you have inspired me to pick up my crochet hooks after nearly twenty years. This year I've made baby bootees, a large granny square throw, a wool eater blanker, a summertime wreath some wrist warmers, two wip's to finish, crochet Easter eggs, and all thanks to you, your eye for colour is amazing,. All the best for 2014 to you and your family, I'm hoping to visit Yarndale this coming year. All the best from North Wales Rhian x

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy the winds have died down here today and there is a bright blue sky. How fast this year has flown by. Am crocheting snowflakes and hopefully
we might have a dusting of the real stuff!
Enjoy the rest of the break before we say goodbye to this year.xx

[Inge]

My children are also very fond of pyama's days.
It's very difficult to get them dressed these days.

[justpootling.blogspot.co.uk]

HI Lucy
You can never have too much pootling of any kind in my book !
Happy 'after' Christmas,
Kate x

[One-oh-four]

It's one of my favourite days too, visitors have gone home, next lot not due for a couple of days....time to relax! We've had no phone and very limited internet for 9 days now (due to the storms, and BT's incompetence) so it has been lovely and quiet. Kids have rediscovered non-electronic toys and read a lot.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year - hope it will be filled with colourful crochet and delightful occasions that you can share with us. Looking forward to your new venture with Simply Crochet, and Yarndale 2!!!!!!

[Trillian Locke]

Seasons greetings to you and yours dear Lucy. I have just caught up with 24th 26th and now 27th. What a wonderland! Your tree is so amazing as are all your decorations. It's lovely you had a fine day for a lovely walk. Blessings to all of you, Trills. Xx

[brendaintheboro]

Glad you kept safe . it was blowing a hoolie here too. I did some sorting of fabrics and yarns, then a bit of work on a quilt I am making. Wish I could crochet more but I have some hand pain at present.hope it clears soon.
Brenda in the Boro.

[corinna]

i enjoy your creativity, color, photographic perspectives all through the years
thank you for sharing
corinna- texas

[Carolyn Jackson]

Thank you Lucy, I too look each day, always a lovely surprise when there is a new blog, love hearing about your family and what you are doing, also enjoy the photos of holidays, along with all the great patterns. We are having a lazy few days too although here it is warm. My twigs with 12 lacy stars look lovely, thankyou for the pattern. I look forward to another lovely year with you.
Caro NZ.

[Marylin]

I ran smack into your blog this last spring and have been glued ever since. It was wonderful to run into a 'crazy crocheter' that loves hooking with color as much as I do. Thx for sharing your thoughts and creativity with us. Hugs, MO
http://moisbloggingit.blogspot.ca

[Brenda]

Hi Lucy,
Thank you to you for another amazing, magical year of posts. Your days sounds wonderfully wintery and relaxing. It's summer in Australia, 38 degrees here today, we are watching the cricket (England v Australia test) I have picked strawberries from my garden and made jam and am heading to friends house with the kids for a swim. Similar relaxing days to yours, just different seasons.
Happy new year,
XxBrenda

[Helen Wolf]

Lucy I so enjoy your blog! I feel like I am right there with you walking, stitching, decorating, baking, etc. Love reading about all your projects and activities and your family. All good wishes from the USA in Buckingham PA for a wonderful new year full of hooky events, good times, good health, and fun.