I am celebrating mid winter with the wonderful sight of fresh green shoots in my home.
Three little pots of narcissi on the mantel, sitting in their colourful hooky tins....
....and a stripy bowl of hyacinth bulbs on the table.
A glass jar of daffodils too, just for extra good luck.
They make the grey, dismal weather seem slightly less grey and dismal.
The make my messy home seem slightly less messy.
They remind me that although we are in the depths of winter, today there is ever so slightly more daylight than there was yesterday.
Happy midwinter!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I do love your little pots decorations - I have never thought of doing that with plant pots. I think the scent of hyacinths in the winter is wonderful.
Posted by: OkeCrafter | January 15, 2014 at 01:38 PM
It's so nice to know that spring IS just around the corner, AND it is time to pick out some seeds to plant too, truly lifts up the spirit in the gray and gloomy.
Posted by: Kristin | January 15, 2014 at 08:48 AM
So cute , so colorful :) I love it!
Posted by: Havva Nur AYDIN | January 14, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Beautiful home as always Lucy, You always say such lovely thoughts.. you always bring a smile to my face, and motivation to my life.. ((hugs)) ...Enjoying the mid-winter days of crochet.. :)
Posted by: Patti | January 13, 2014 at 05:13 PM
Wonderful colors to see in January!
Posted by: Liz | January 13, 2014 at 12:28 AM
Dear dear dear Lucy!
Today I was able to get a copy of Simply Crochet nr. 14!!!!! And I am so happy to read your column! (And the other things, ofcourse.)
We had to travel for 1 1/2 hours to the shop.....
Because the magazine is not very often available in the regular bookshops overhere..... But I had to have it!
I wish you much luck with the next columns!
Love from me!
The Netherlands.
Posted by: Liesbeth Houtman | January 12, 2014 at 07:53 PM
Hi, I've been missing from blogland for quite a while but I'm so glad to see your colourful blogs are still here for me to drool over. Love all your bursts of colour, x
Posted by: Cockney Blonde | January 12, 2014 at 05:20 PM
Another great and easy bread recipe: Patio Herb Bread
2 cups warm water
2tablespoons dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons soft butter
1tablespoon dried rosemary
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Sprinkle yeast over water in large bowl. Stir. Add sugar, salt, butter, rosemary, and 3 cups of the flour. Beat low speed one minute, then medium speed two minutes. Beat in rest of flour with wooden spoon. Cover with waxed paper and towel. Let rise 45 minutes until double. Preheat oven 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 2-quart casserole dish. Stir down batter with wooden spoon. Beat hard with spoon for 1/2 minute. Pour into bowl. Bake 55-60 minutes until browned. Remove from dish onto wire rack. Cool. (If I have time, I stir it down, let it rise several times. Also, I let it sit in my microwave to rise, after I've heated a bowl of water in the microwave.)
Posted by: Jean Davis | January 11, 2014 at 07:43 PM
Lovely blog you have Lucy. Please can you recommend a crochet book for a complete beginner? Bev
Posted by: Beverley | January 11, 2014 at 05:36 PM
Nothing quite like the spring bulbs... I'm trying to hold off here a little longer, opting instead for white flowers to have a wintry feel. I'm sure I'm going to crack soon though, I'm a sucker for a daff!
Jones x
Posted by: Jones | January 11, 2014 at 02:24 PM
so springy and fun! Just what I need to rid myself of the January Blues!
Posted by: janis gonzalez | January 11, 2014 at 01:45 PM
Your little pots of bulbs certainly look bright and cheerful!
Posted by: Jacqueline | January 11, 2014 at 12:09 PM
On a completely unrelated note, how are your building plans going? We had an architect round to look at our house and give us ideas, but it looks like it would cost us so much to add the space we need t might be cheaper to just move :-(
Posted by: dottycookie | January 11, 2014 at 10:54 AM
It's still (just) light when my daughter gets off her schoolbus at 4.45! Spring is definitely coming!
Posted by: dottycookie | January 11, 2014 at 10:52 AM
That's what's missing.... bulbs! I was sitting in my living room last night and thinking how I missed all my Christmas decs. You've inspired me to go get some bulbs. Roll on spring when the garden comes to life too. Love your piece in SC. All this scrummy crochet is quite new to me. I picked up a shiny new hook this week, and for the first time properly sat and taught myself chain stitch. I've now taken out a subscription and really look forward to your next lovely column. Thank you :) PS I'd love any tips for beginners Lucy x
Posted by: janjan | January 11, 2014 at 09:37 AM
Your home looks so bright and colourful I can't imagine that it could be grey and cold outside …ever!
Posted by: trixi | January 11, 2014 at 06:56 AM
A week ago, we planted some into the garden. I did not plant any indoors, but I should have. I cannot wait for the ones outside to start growing! :) Yours are so pretty. They look healthy.
Posted by: Silly Little Sheep | January 10, 2014 at 06:31 PM
Lovely bright flowers. I've not seen daffodils in shops yet, although I've not looked I must admit, thought they are later.
I bought Simply Crochet to read your article and loved it. Which yarn did you use for the luxury circle scarf and your blanket with cashmere, was it Debbie Bliss (silly me, it will be on your blog).
No such thing as messy home, you mean CreAtiVe one!
Posted by: Anne Marie | January 10, 2014 at 05:37 PM
Cute! They give me hopes that warmer weather will be on its way soon! <3
Posted by: Samantha | January 10, 2014 at 03:02 PM
I love these pops of bright colour as an antidote to the grey skies we have at this time of year. Some days up here in Edinburgh, it seems like the daylight is never fully switched on.
Your blog never fails to bring me sunshine,
Prim xx
Posted by: Primrose Beresford | January 10, 2014 at 02:09 PM
Loving the hint that Spring will be here - & loving the buttony hen - where's she from please?
Posted by: Mady | January 10, 2014 at 01:38 PM
Ah it's funny to see the pot I sat next to crocheting at the lounge area during Yarndale! (2nd photo down, middle pot.)
Not a stalky message at all is it?!
Right, must go and shape my dough and heat my pot! Squeal!!!!! X
Posted by: Rachell | January 10, 2014 at 11:10 AM
Happy New Year Lucy & husband and little people. Thank you for the wonderful photos of your bulb arrangements and the one with jar of daffodils beside. Thanks too for the artisan bread photos and recipe, I am going to be trying that today or tomorrow. I have been baking bread for 37 years now (for around 32 years of that time with the help of my K chef dough hook). I very rarely buy bread as I make 5 x 1lb loaves at a time and freeze four. Occasionally, very occasionally, I will buy artisan type bread but now I have your recipe I will try my own. Oh, I keep asking, any chance of a tutorial for your circles scarf?
Posted by: Annette | January 10, 2014 at 09:59 AM
Hi Lucy,
Your house is not untidy it's a home not a show house. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Seeing all your bulbs shooting up makes spring feel that little nearer.
Posted by: Mitzi | January 10, 2014 at 09:38 AM
My hyacinths came out and flowered in a few days, I must get some more!
Posted by: Jenny Grant | January 10, 2014 at 09:16 AM