Well no mistaking, it is most definitely, completely and utterly mid Winter here. Last week we were hit with the the most horrendous weather with day after day of howling winds and lashing rain. It was just horrid, and going about our daily routine was pretty hard going. When the weather gets mean, I always try and adopt the same attitude that Little People are blessed with, as it constantly amazes me how unfazed they are by Bad Weather. Not sure that I managed to fully embrace the layers of soggy clothing, the shivery bone-deep cold, and the bedraggled wet-hat-induced hairstyling. But I tried, really I did.
Our first snow of the season landed on Wednesday too, in a whirl of freezing icy white winds. Here in town, it only amounted to slushy wet pavements but the surrounding hills looked beautiful. The Little People were high with excitement then low with disappointment all in the space of an hour, when it became apparent that this was not going to be sledging snow after all.
I've had a busy week out and about doing Yarndale stuff and Studio stuff, but I have really relished the little bits of time I've had at home. Coming in the door and stripping off layers of wet clothing, getting some warm fluffy socks onto my feet and making myself a hot cup of frothy coffee has felt wonderful. I just love the aroma of fresh coffee, it has become such a familiar and comforting smell both at home and out and about. So much of my life seems to revolve around cafés these days, not that I would ever complain about that!
I've been immersing myself in the comforting routines of domestic home life, which I am ThRiLlEd to tell you still includes making bread. Since the beginning of the year, I've been making three or four loaves of this wonderful no-knead bread each week, and I just love it so much. I use 300g white bread flour, mixed with 100g of a very seedy flour and the resulting bread is just the best stuff for making toast. Add a poached egg on top and oh-mmmmm, you have a very wonderful lunch indeed.
Mid February, and as you would expect for this time of year there is absolutely no whiff of Spring in the air yet. Not a whiff. It is still 100% winter out there, but indoors my sweet little narcissi are blooming their gorgeous sunny little hearts out and reminding me that it won't be long.
Pure sweetness, how I love these little flowers!
Today has been altogether different on the weather front, the calm after the storm. Still air and blue skies, with shafts of welcome sunshine streaming in and alighting on my dusty surfaces. I've been cleaning today actually, but not in a general dust-the-surfaces kind of way. No, today has been more the intense sort of extreme cleaning that I associate with my hormonal cycles, where I tend to scrub things with vigour. Like the side of the toaster. And the inside of the grocery cupboard. And the draining board. I think that possibly my very next purchase will be a new feather duster (my old one was broken by a naughty visiting child who used it much as you would a jousting pole). I noticed this morning that I have an alarming number of dusty cobwebs dangling about the place, and I think I would rather enjoy swooshing them away with some brightly coloured feathers. I can feel a deep Spring Clean coming on.
I know this post is probably a bit random, from feather dusters to crochet in the blink of an eye, but that's kind of how mid February is feeling. Sort of busy but slow, flitting here and there between projects and commitments. This week I had such a hugely strong urge to create, to make time in my days (and evenings) to sit with paper and pen and do crochet-maths, to work out a pattern for something that has been swimming around in my Creative Mind for a very long time. I began on Wednesday (possibly, but it could have been Tuesday) and this morning, done. Well that's to say, my first prototype is off the hook and making me veeeeery fidgety with happy excitement.
This is the first time I have ever used Chunky Yarn. Yeah, six years a hooker, and my first time with chunky. It's been a fun experiment! This yarn was pretty pants though (King Cole Big Value Chunky, a cheap acrylic) but it was there in my local shop when I just HAD to get started so I went with it. I've ordered a couple other brands of chunky yarns to try out, so looking forward to them arriving in the post this week. Then I can get started on my second sample (it needs to be bigger, with moderation's to the attachments and finishing). By the way, it's a bag, I'm working on a new bag design. More of that coming soon. I'm resisting the urge to squeeee at you, but the thought of a great new design coming out into the open is making my insides feel rather squiggly and I really do want to squeal!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ps. I reached 150,000 "likes" on my Attic24 Facebook page yesterday, quite the milestone. Thank you so much to all of you who visit me there, truly appreciated ♥
Very curious!!!!!!!! Can´t wait to see what you are coming up with now!!
Posted by: Suzana Behmer | February 17, 2014 at 11:15 AM
Beautiful pictures both outdoors and indoors! Now I am craving some pouched egg and colourful crochet.
Posted by: Alhana | February 17, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Yesterday and today the sun is very strong,and shows is nearing Spring.I hope to continue like this!Many kisses from Greece.
Posted by: Mitsa Perry Xida | February 17, 2014 at 10:32 AM
Lovely sunny day yesterday in Cornwall and the fields of daffodils are now showing signs of yellow. My favourite flower as it heralds spring. Today back to awful rain and wind. So your blog was nice and cheery. Going on to sew more bags as I have so many March birthdays. Have a good hooky/dewing day everyone.
Posted by: Elaine hocking | February 17, 2014 at 10:18 AM
I'm loving seeing those cold pictures - quite the exact opposite weather here 'down under'. And random seems just about right for extreme cold (or hot) exactly how I'm feeling - going from one thing to the next and trying out some new sewing projects, some which will get posted on my blog and some which won't! Enjoy the last bit of winter and before you know it all the spring flowers will be in bloom (I remember Yorkshire in spring with such fond memories....)...
Posted by: Fungsi | February 17, 2014 at 09:46 AM
The weather has been horrendous hasn't it! At some points I thought my house was going to take off 0_o
I've crocheted with the Stylecraft Chunky (the cheap one) and it's really nice to work with. I would definitely recommend it.
Posted by: Karen C | February 17, 2014 at 09:38 AM
Yep, it's certainly been horrible weather although I guess we're lucky because we haven't had snow yet. The only good thing about it, is getting back into the warm again I think! Congrats on the Facebook likes - that amazing!
S x
Posted by: Sandra (Cherry Heart) | February 17, 2014 at 09:15 AM
Dear Annie Epps, Wishing you lots of fun with crochet. I had a relative with vascular dementia & it was an exhausting experience. I send you a huge hug and wish you well. I too sat crocheting in between all the caring- it helps a little. Take care and enjoy the 'lift' that Lucy brings. Xx
Posted by: Wendy | February 17, 2014 at 08:13 AM
Well done on 150,000 likes Lucy, although I am not at all surprised. I'm liking the idea of a bag, can't wait to see. Hope you have a good half term, despite the rain, which I am sure there is to be more of. No doubt we will all be a little soggy by the end of it.
Posted by: CJ | February 17, 2014 at 07:09 AM
I was JUST today thinking about that bread you'd talked about a while back and what luck that you reposted the link!
Coming from sunny Southern California, I must say, I would enjoy a bit of the blustery weather from your part of the world. As nice as it was to people watch down by the beach today and smell suntan lotion in the middle of February, I really would enjoy a good blast of terrible weather. :)
Posted by: Emily Olszowy | February 17, 2014 at 03:26 AM
Hi Lucy, I love this post. So cozy! :)
Posted by: Jenny B. | February 17, 2014 at 03:06 AM
Hi Lucy, enjoy your blog every time, cant wait to see the bag pattern and love the bunny. Weve heard all about the weather on TV hope it passes very quickly. We have warm days at present, enjoying it while we can. Cheers Caro NZ
Posted by: Carolyn Jackson | February 17, 2014 at 02:57 AM
Lucy, that egg on toast makes my mouth water!
I love your teeny heart pattern!
I made your hearts and then, I found another pattern that connected hearts and I made a heart bunting! I am having a heart bunting giveaway on my blog just now, and I linked to your blog for your Teeny Tiny Heart pattern. It is such a good pattern, love the picot point. Thank you!
Love,
Kay
Posted by: Kay Guest | February 17, 2014 at 02:30 AM
We have the same weather her in our mountain town in California USA... I love Chunky yarn and can't wait to see what you end up with for your bag!!
Posted by: Elena Hunt | February 17, 2014 at 12:55 AM
I just love following you. You are turning me on to colour, I think I must need it.
My home is ALL white and many neutrals with much texture.
BUT your colours make my heart sing. I've got a lovely basket full of autumn colours tapestry woos and have crotcheted about a dozen small leaves, I love them. Your autumn wreath just inspired me, I just HAD to make some. Now MUST do a hedgehog .?
AND I've just seen the little rabbit on today's blog.
Just the inspiration I have needed this long wet cold dark miserable winter.
I am a full time unpaid carer for my long term partner who is in his 4 th year of Alzheimer's and only 57 now. it's a. Challenging boring existence and lonely so thank you for raising my spirits, interest in crotchetin again and for the COLOUR. Xxxx
Posted by: Annie epps | February 17, 2014 at 12:03 AM
Oh, I'm loving seeing those cold pictures - quite the exact opposite weather here 'down under'. And random seems just about right for extreme cold (or hot) exactly how I'm feeling - going from one thing to the next and trying out some new sewing projects, some which will get posted on my blog and some which won't! Enjoy the last bit of winter and before you know it all the spring flowers will be in bloom (I remember Yorkshire in spring with such fond memories....).
Posted by: Corinna | February 17, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Spring feels like it's so far away! I love using chunky yarns in my knitting projects, but I haven't used any yarns bigger than a worsted for my crochet projects. I can't wait to see your new design!
Posted by: Autumn | February 16, 2014 at 11:42 PM
The weather has been truly awful and the hurricane force winds were what really made me miserable, so much destruction! Today was a beautiful respite of blue skies. So glad to see the colourful stripes on your post to brighten the day. Keep warm and safe x
Posted by: Chel C | February 16, 2014 at 11:38 PM
Big cleaning and tidy up day for me too tomorrow Lucy. Once it's done then no guilt feelings when I spend time crocheting and sewing.
Have a good week xx
Posted by: Anne Holt | February 16, 2014 at 11:34 PM
I am going quite slow with my ripple blanket as I get pains in my hands if I do too much crochet :( It is keeping me lovely and warm now but if the weather gets warmer I will be too hot to make it! I like James C brett chunky variegated wool for some things too, as Jean above said.
Posted by: Patchwork Fairy | February 16, 2014 at 11:18 PM
I know just what you mean about cobwebs - maybe it's that time of year! I whizzed around yesterday and twirled them all away - so satisfying! Good luck with your cleaning and new bag project. I'm still quilting like a fiend - just can't stop - just can't wait till Spring!
Posted by: Adaliza | February 16, 2014 at 10:50 PM
I don't do facebook but here's a thousand virtual LIKES for you anyway. I'm squealing with you on all your excitement. \=D
Posted by: Roxie | February 16, 2014 at 10:45 PM
I have been following your blog for a few months now. I can honestly say that you brighten my day!! Thank you for the glimpse into your lovely life and family.
Posted by: Melissia Barron | February 16, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Sad :-( that your snow only stayed on the hills and the little people could not sledge .. beautiful day here today and we spent the afternoon walking around the grounds of Osborne House and a guided tour inside ... there were daffodils out in the grounds and the starts of rhubarb peaking out of the ground in the amazing walled garden. Looking forward to the ta-dah on the new chunky bag :-) lots of love Joy xx
Posted by: Joy | February 16, 2014 at 10:28 PM
It seem to be the common feel for a lot of people, me included, this non settling feeling, wanting to deep clean, and make something, all at the same time it seems. lol We've had a colder than normal winter, with several snows(not the norm for southern US.)The kids were out of school most of the week due to snow, then today it reached 60F, one day it feels like winter, the next spring. I vote for spring to stay!:) With the chunky yarn, I thought maybe a rug was in the works. I've been hunting some chunky yarn in neutrals, for a basket idea that's been bouncing around in mine. Happy hooking!
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | February 16, 2014 at 10:27 PM