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

[Beth]

I have been in the sit around and try to relax mode as well. Doing a bit of hand stitching and day dreaming about projects to come. And projects to finish.
Happy New Year

[Lynda M Otvos]

Such a lovely way to spend a day. We have that garden in Duplo too-I love our apple tree and the furry brown goat !~! Many thanks or all the love, happiness and encouragement over the year. Yarndale was such a great success, too, and huge kudos on your new writing gigs for 2014. I look forward to reading much more of our Lucy at Attic 24.

Blessings on your entire family and may each step we take lead the way to Peace.

[Veronica Argus]

Thank you Lucy for your blog. I love to catch a bit of quiet time and read away.
We are expecting a VERY hot day here today, so enjoy listening to your cosy tales. You manage to motivate and inspire through your words and photos.
Enjoy the quiet moments and what they provide. xx

[Michele Boucher-Hines]

It's always so fun for me to read your blog - love your use of color and the creativity that you stir within me just by looking at your work. Currently working on the Little Lacy Stars to see what I can do for next year. During the holidays, I try to make snowflakes from the many online patterns using crochet thread, to insert into cards and on packages.

I do want to thank you for sharing your life, your home, your town, and your passions through the pictures you post on your blog. I feel blessed to have a little glimpse at your world a mere 2500 miles from my N.CA.home. Wishing you and your family God's continued blessings in 2014.

[Gail Batty]

Thank you Lucy, my sister-in-law Sue and her friend Debbie recommended your page to me. I saw their crocheting and fancied a go.
After a couple of trial dolly blankets for my grandchildren I progressed to the large Granny Stripe blanket.
It now lives in New York with my son and daughter-in-law, they love it!
My second one is nearly finished and will go yo my daughter and son-in-law.
I have loved making them and hope they will become cherished family heirlooms.
I also love the fact that at thirty and thirty-one they still love things made by their Mum.
My next will go to my 83 year old Mum.
Thank you once again xxx

[Chy]

Cozy day here too. A day to relax, stay in jammies and work on projects, while the wind howls outside and the temperatures drop as more snow arrives. My dh also went back to work today but is home now and helping me get ready to make some warm, homemade soup for dinner. Movie tonight and a sleep in tomorrow. Best way to survive winter!

[Katherine, NZ]

We have a lot of Lego and Duplo being built in our house at the moment too. Even though it is technically summer here we are on our third day of rain so those Christmas pressies are getting a lot of playing time (as is technology, but it is the holidays and it is wet so I don't mind too much). I'm currently hooking at the side of the pool as we needed to get out! Katherine x

[Faye]

Thank you Lucy for sharing so much of your thoughts coupled with beautiful and vibrant colours. Thanks to your blog and Facebook page we (my partner and I) are embarking on an interesting venture for 2014.
Have a great new year, Faye.

[Sabine]

Hey Lucy, a brief view over my this year shoulder shows a Lot of yarny tracks. Lil duckies, mandala flowers, tiny stars, flowers and hearts. And! Best of all! Yes, a blanket - bright colours, warm and all in all 1.65 to 1.35 m - and! WITH border.
Wow I forgot the flower hanging from my kitchen shelf.
I stumbled into your blog early this year and you speeded up my creativity in a very special way - Thanks a lot for that.
I am still unhappy that I couldn't visit the yarndale event - but I know I'm not alone with this particular unhappiness. A lot of people have been with me. ;-)
Thanks you for you continously sharing of all your activities!
Now my plans for next year, stay healthy, follow your blog and last but not least spend you a really big coffee. Please remind me in April if it didn't happen ;-)
Wish you and your family all the best for the next year.
Herzliche Gruesse
Sabine

[Fiona Marchant]

Not quite pj's, but comfy jeggings and Christmas jumper, watching films, playing with little grandson, and chatting with friends. Perfect times. Wishing you and yours a colourful and happy new year, when it comes, Lucy. Xx

[Joy]

THANK YOU Lucy for a FANTASTIC inspirational 2013 journey through knitting and crochet and making my world much more colourful than I could ever have imagined. I am totally in love with anything red and white these days preferably red with white spots! I visit you most days and also read your old blogs over and over and look forward to visiting you again every day in 2014. Wishing you, and thanking you once again, a very happy healthy 2014 xx lots of love Joy xx

[Anne Marie]

I can be a bit of a house slut but somehow can't keep in my pyjamas, I have to get dressed. It's nothing to do with Fly Lady or anything like that, just a habit. Probably also as my house is not that warm and cosy as yours.

I've thoroughly enjoyed following your blog and look forward to another year of reading it.

Loving your poncho and can't wait to see the finished version.

[Shannon]

Thank you for sharing you colorful world with us in blogland. I am looking forward to many more visits in the coming year!

[Aisha]

I envy your post-Christmas cosiness! This is always a travelling day for me as we spend Christmas at home but visit relatives afterwards. Meanwhile I'm trying to decide whether to make my current blanket 10 by 10 squares (in which case I have almost enough) or 12 by 12 which will cover the sofa but I need about another 50 squares. Decisions, decisions!

[CJ]

It's always such a pleasure to visit the Attic Lucy. I know what you mean about thinking while you make things. There's something about concentrating on stitches that frees up the mind.

[Clare]

Such awful weather perfect for hunkering down
great pics
Clare x

[Val]

How Lovely :o)

[Katie]

Enjoy the lazy days! Really looking forward to your end of year reviews...may have to do something similar myself I think :-)

[Laura]

Looks lovely, I also love this day and have been in PJs all day. It's wonderful to relax after the rush and fun!

[Angela-Southern USA]

Haven't manage a day of pj's, but it sounds lovely, maybe tomorrow.(dealing with leaky pipes.)It has been a joy this year to pop in and visit with you Lucy, thanks so much! Wishing you and yours a very happy and bright coming new year!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Dani]

Looks you had some really cosy days ;) I love pyama days !! thanks for sharing , love to read your blog and see all the great work you make, I just started to learn it, I manage to make a little flower now, through you want to learn more ...maybe one day I can make something more bigger :), have a happy cosy wonderful magical new year ! Greetings from Holland