Oh my goodness me, I've been so unwell! Such a wicked virus, it took hold of me very fast and for forty eight hours I was held in it's mean, unforgiving grip. I woke up this morning, moved myself ever so very, very gently and realised with a huge sigh of relief that I wasn't hurting anywhere much. Thank goodness. I still feel quite drained, but I am SO glad to be able to move about normally and not be either shivering or sweating or hurting anywhere. It was pretty wonderful to emerge out of the house this morning, breathe in the fresh, still air and realise with a leap of my heart that March is here.
Hello, March, how good to see you again!
How lovely to walk under your fresh blue skies and feel a little bit of warmth from the sun at last. It's been far too long.
This glorious crocus patch is planted just to the side of a main road leading in to the town centre. It stopped me in my tracks this morning and as I suddenly felt in need of a breather, I took the opportunity to sit myself quietly on a sun warmed wooden bench to rest and gaze.
The stripy purples are my favourites, although the juicy yellows are pretty wonderful too.
Back home, and all was quiet. Ahhhh, I have so needed this little bit of quiet time, it's quite tricky being poorly across a weekend when you have three Little People (with visiting neighbours children added) and your hubby is out for the day. Not that I did much childcare as I pretty much spent the entire weekend laid on the sofa shivering under a blanket. But oh I did wish for silence from time to time!
Inside the warmth of home, my pink tulips are beginning to flounce and dance. Lovely, sweet things.
I snipped some marigolds from my back yard pots today to bring inside. March marigolds, how unexpected! They are lighting up my desk in such a simple, wonderful way, I really love that particular bold shade of orange.
The sun has shone all day and it's been such a treat. I keep telling myself that Spring isn't officially declared sprung until the Spring Equinox on the 20th, so not to get too excited just yet. I remember last year only too well.....but ooooooo it really did feel more than a smidge springlike today, it really did.
My daily routine is so much more pleasurable when the sun shines, as I do a lot of walking throughout the day. Today the air was also very still, which made for beautiful reflections in the canal.
This isn't my back street, but it's one I stroll along each day with Little B and is typical of the many back streets here in my town. I love rows of Victorian terraced houses with their wonderful old cobbled back streets. A place for rubbish bins and back-yard-access, but I really love their charm and character all the same. When I next have a spare sunshiny morning I'll take a walk around my neighbourhood and show you some more streets, there is lots to love about them.
I haven't had much appetite these past few days, but today I craved something fresh, tasty and healthy. Colourful too, yes it does you the power of good to eat colourful food you know. Avocado, tomatoes, cucumber and sweet red peppers with a splash of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Lots of salt and pepper. It was really good.
I finished up my Rainbow Raindrops cushion late this afternoon. Stitched it and buttoned it and plumped it and tossed it on the sofa for approval. Little B road tested it straight away and said it was Nice. Little Lady said it's very You, Mum. Not sure if that means it's good or not, but the important thing is that I like it. I like it a LoT in fact. The colours are happy, the stitches sort of dance a little jig and the buttons....ooommmm, the buttons really do give me heart flutters. It was too late in the day to photograph it as the light was already fading when I finished it, but tomorrow I will. I've made a start with the Raindrops tutorial too, so that'll come tomorrow as well, all being well.
Bouncing back, see? No stinkin' virus is going to keep me from my happy hooky work for long!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ps so happy that March is here, aren't you?!
So pleased you're feeling better! And there's nothing like a beautiful day to speed up the recovery process! xAx
Posted by: Ashley-anne | March 04, 2014 at 01:12 PM
Sorry to hear you have been poorly, hope you are feeling much better soon x
Posted by: Naomi | March 04, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Oh poor you there is nothing worse than having that type of virus when everything hurts including your own skin. Glad you are feeling better.
Posted by: Mitzi | March 04, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Such lovely pictures of early Spring - it gives us hope that we might actually have some good weather! I love seeing all the flowers bloom at this time of year :)
Posted by: Ashlie | March 04, 2014 at 12:40 PM
Glad you are feeling better, its sunny and just a little bit spring like down south too. You take such wonderful photographs, making the ordinary look georgeous. Thank you!
Posted by: Su Bishop | March 04, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Glad to hear your feeling better, I've had a bad chest for three weeks. I feel it's just coming to an end.
I love reading your blog, just nosy really. I busy with my hook making a cardigan for myself, I bought far too much yarn for the project so that means more than one item for me yes!
Posted by: Christine Gregory | March 04, 2014 at 12:26 PM
Glad you're feeling better. It is so so good to see some spring sunshine and how robust those little spring bulbs must be to still burst up and into colour after all that horrid rain we've had.
Posted by: Jacqueline | March 04, 2014 at 11:27 AM
What a lovely bright happy post Lucy. I love your photos of the town and countryside. My mum was born not far from you, as were generations of her family. When she was a girl the whole family came to Australia. I was lucky enough to visit England and more specifically Yorkshire two years ago and loved it. I truly believe my English heritage is a genetic imprint that pulls me there, i love love love england. Although I may never get back to the uk again, I'm glad I have seen it once and love reliving it through your photos. Just wish my mum was still here to share it with her too. XxBrenda
Posted by: Brenda | March 04, 2014 at 11:23 AM
I find life so hard at times but reading your blog gives me such inspiration. I may even venture out for a walk! Thank you Lucy
PS. Glad to see your feeling better x
Posted by: Nicola | March 04, 2014 at 11:11 AM
Glad you feel better !
Can't wait for the tutorial :-)
Posted by: Anja | March 04, 2014 at 10:34 AM
Glad you're back on your feet again, it's no fun to be poorly. Just watch the temptation to do too much to catch up on those days when you did nothing but rest - your body needed to rest for a reason! :-) xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | March 04, 2014 at 10:32 AM
What an absolutely blog. I've been following your for about a year now and have never commented. You always manage to brighten my day when I read your blogs :) :) Thank you. I am currently working on my version of your Ripple Blanket and loving it. :) :)
Posted by: Nicola Turton | March 04, 2014 at 09:46 AM
What a lovely, colourful, cheerful post - obviously much better, and I'm sure the (hopefully not too temporary) return of the sun helps!
Posted by: Kate | March 04, 2014 at 09:09 AM
I am glad that you are feeling better, the sneaky peak at the cushion looks good. I will be reading the tutorial with pleasure, I have a delivery of wool to play with and my crochet is improving, I look forward to a tutorial for your lovely hat. I am really enjoying crochet, it is so easy to put down when something requires immediate attention, not like quilting. Pam
Posted by: Pamela | March 04, 2014 at 08:38 AM
So glad to see you up and about and out of the clutches of the nasty virus. They can sure grab ahold in an instant and hang around for a couple days without invitation. Wonderful to have a new pillow cover in the mix, too, to enliven the couch. Have a great week with your spring-like weather and grand reflections in the canals. They're delightful.
Posted by: Lynda M Otvos | March 04, 2014 at 08:04 AM
Great to have you back on road to good health. Love your blogs, creations and pics, Lucy! Keep hooking and blogging ...you inspire us! Have a great day!
Posted by: Corinne | March 04, 2014 at 07:34 AM
Lucy you are INDOMITABLE!
So glad you are back on your feet, even if a little wobbly.
Posted by: Gillian McM | March 04, 2014 at 07:22 AM
Being in the Southern Hemisphere, I'm sad to see March! As soon as the 1st flipped over, it seems that it suddenly was Autumn - only 6C this morning on my way to work and it's now gloomy, grey and wet....ah well, at last a chance to wear woollies!
Posted by: Darryl Nichols | March 04, 2014 at 04:27 AM
I'm sooo happy that March is here, because it means it's AuTuMn here in the Southern Part of the world!! Bring on the cool weather - I am craving it. Your picture of the crocus patch is just magical!
Posted by: Tina H | March 04, 2014 at 03:37 AM
Yes, I am finally looking forward to spring. I am tired of my cheeks hurting from the cold - I could stand it to be a bit milder. Since my birthday is on the first day of Spring, I have double goodness to look forward to!
Posted by: Katie | March 04, 2014 at 02:29 AM
So glad to read you are on the mend. I too have been unwell with a cold and have been feeling miserable. However, your beautiful photos brighten my day and make me realise I should not complain. We have a beautiful world. We have just gone into Autumn in Australia. Here in Perth we have been sweltering for quite a long time. It will go to 38 degrees C this week again. Not very pleasant. I sit inside with the airconditioner on and crochet. Can't wait for your Raindrops tutorial. What a beautiful stitch it is. Love your work and the happy colours you use.
Posted by: Anne Dearle | March 04, 2014 at 02:27 AM
A wonderful post, Lucy. All that delightful flowery colour. You really conveyed a sense of excited anticipation for Spring to be sprung. I am a little envious of that (being downunder as I am) but then I would have to survive your cold, cold Winter which, although looks wonderful through your eyes (and blog) might be a bit much for me in the flesh lol. This time of year where I am is wonderful too (the beginning of Autumn) - still warm enough for shorts and t-shirts but not so hot as to render one comatose... So pleased that you are over your bug- that feeling of being better after being crook simply sparkles between your words.
Posted by: Carolyn | March 04, 2014 at 01:51 AM
Oh Lucy! I remember those days when I was a young mother. I think I caught every thing my children brought home! We all (have to) bounce back thank goodness! Glad that you have too. Many many very happy thank you's for your sunshiny photos. It is so very friendly of you to share and help us all to understand just why you love your little home village so much. I think it is just divine!! More more more please!! Can hardly wait for your next post down here in Australia. xox
Posted by: Jenny | March 04, 2014 at 01:31 AM
happy you are faring well!
enjoyed this sweet post.
would like to see more photos of your town.
Posted by: annie | March 04, 2014 at 01:22 AM
Bless your heart, you were down hard weren't you? So glad to hear you are bouncing back, and out and about in those gorgeous crocuses (croci?)! They look like little Easter eggs that have popped up everywhere.
Dyyying to see the Raindrips cushion and tutorial, but I am sitting on my hands being patient, as I want you to be well more than I want the crochet stuff.
xx
Posted by: Andrina T | March 04, 2014 at 01:01 AM