Different to other parts of the world, we always celebrate Mother's Day during mid March in the UK. Here in the Attic household, it's generally a low-key affair and I am more than happy with that. I don't especially require cards and gifts or fancy meals to know that there is a lot of love and affection bubbling about within my precious family.
We had no set plans for our day, preferring to take it gently and make our decisions based mainly on the weather. I had prepared my leisure activity in advance, filling my yarn bag on Friday afternoon with eight squidgy balls of chunky yarn. I figured that even if we managed to venture into the great outdoors, there would still be plenty of time for hooky.
I crocheted for much of this morning, whilst drinking mugs of chocolate dusted coffee and eating chunks of Green&Blacks 85% dark chocolate. The chocolate was very sweetly handed to me this morning by my Little Man and it was the very first time he has bought me a gift with his own money, and of his own accord. I was so stunned I almost started crying. Sweet boy.
After many, many years of huge mixed floral bouquets from the supermarket (in pastel colours with loads of foliage, costing a blinking fortune, you know the ones, right?), these past few weeks I have been very gently saying T-u-l-i-p-s to my nearest and dearest. Tulips, they're the ones I love. Just one bunch would make me incredibly happy cos I absolutely love tulips, they are my favourite Supermarket Flower. Uh-huh, just tulips on their own, nothing fancy, just them, any colour will do. Oh the joy of coming downstairs still drowsy from sleep this morning to find our water jug stuffed full of tulips. YAY!!! Yay for stunning floral simplicity!!
Early afternoon, we rallied the Little People (cripes. not easy. At. All.) and drove out of town and into the cold Yorkshire Dales. We walked briskly along the riverside path, chatting, enjoying the fresh air and scenery, but seriously, fresh? Springlike? Nah - totally freezing and still winter here you know. Catkins dancing from bare branches, lambs in the fields, but not a whiff of warmth yet.
Thankfully this walk is quite short and although I lOvE this river beach very much we didn't linger long here today. I tucked a few smooth pebbles into my pocket with pebble-painting activities in mind and watched Little B heft a huge rock SPLASH into the water, then we were briskly on our way....
....we drove a little further up the road to park at Strid Wood, not to do any more walking but to visit the cutely named "Dusty Bluebells" cafe. As it happened, the sun decided to make an appearance just as we arrived which meant we could sit outside (there are also fleecy blankets provided here by the lovely cafe owners).
It was quite possibly the highlight of my day (actually, the gift from Little Man comes top, but this was a close second) - a superb cappuccino and a delicious slab of lemon cake, oh yeah. The Little Peeps had milkshakes and then ran off to play hide and seek which was rather amusing to watch as the only hiding places available on the patch of open green grass were six (rather slim) tree trunks.
Returning home in the late afternoon, happy but cold, we lit the fire and I settled down to finish stitching up my weekend crochet project. Ooooooo colourful chunky stripes, how happy you make me!!! I'll show you more when I can take some good photos.
As I got so carried away with my crochet I forgot to actually make dinner, which was a weeny bit inconvenient to say the least. So we made a family decision and declared it appropriate to dispatch J with two Little Helpers to go forth and gather in some Fish & Chips. Oh happy day, no cooking and a really rather naughty, lazy dinner eaten on our laps in front of the fire. And I might even have had a cheeky little glass of something chilled to wash it all down with.
A Happy Mummy indeed.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Lucy, I love your blog page! I just wish I could have it sent to my Comcast email tho' I always have trouble with "Window's Live Mail"
your web page makes one feel like one is right near you visiting. keep up the good work of Crocheting. Flo H. from Pennsylvania.
Posted by: Flo Harrington | March 30, 2015 at 02:47 PM
Is there going to be another Lucy's CAL 2015? I do so want to
Posted by: Pamela Lawson | March 22, 2015 at 10:35 AM
It sounds like you had a fabulous day. I would say the best job in the world is being a mother. The lemon cake sounds divine. I love lemon anything. :)
Posted by: Robin Summers | March 19, 2015 at 03:49 PM
Hi Lucy. Mother's Day (or Mothering Sunday) is always the 4th Sunday in lent. Traditionally it gave a break to house servants to go home and see their mothers. It gave a welcome respite to the austerity of Lenten fasting (being midway between shrove Tuesday and Easter) and they often took gifts of flowers. It is also a respite in the church's most sombre period and one of only two days in the year when the priest (in the Catholic Church at any rate) wears glorious rose pink vestments as a sign of celebration. And obviously an excuse to eat chocolate for 1 day only for those who may have given it up for lent!
I'm glad you had chocolate. You deserve it.
Claire x
Posted by: Claire | March 17, 2015 at 08:59 PM
My Mother's Day involved cake, coffee and a chilly walk too - it was lovely! Looks like you had a very relaxing day, which is what we mums need, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you've been crocheting :)
Cathy x
Posted by: Cathy | March 17, 2015 at 06:19 PM
What a perfect day! Thankyou for sharing it. You always remind me of what's really important in life. Thankyou!
Posted by: Debbie, Essex | March 17, 2015 at 09:55 AM
Sounds like a perfectly wonderful Mother's Day!!
Posted by: Susan M | March 17, 2015 at 12:48 AM
Forgetting to cook dinner is a very good sign of being 'in the flow' (which is a key ingredient of happiness apparently!). Good for you and thank god for fish and chips!
Posted by: Claire | March 16, 2015 at 07:20 PM
happy lazy hooky Mother's Day Lucy :-) loving the look of the chunky bag!! Xx lots of love Joy Xx
Posted by: Joy | March 16, 2015 at 07:02 PM
We too wandered river banks in the Dales and I can thoroughly recommend Elaine's tearoom near Austwick for homemade cake, milkshakes and pots of tea.
Posted by: Rachel | March 16, 2015 at 06:32 PM
What a beautiful Lucy's Day. Yesterday it was really cold here in the Ostalb Area (East of Stuttgart). But today warm weather arrived and we spent our day in the forest. W. did a lot of woodwork and I assisted a little. The rest of time I spent with crocheting cute little baskets for the Easter Market next Weekend. And had a stroll to our meadow with our dog and we enjoyed the sun and the warm air. Perfect start into the new week.
Thank you for your blog. It makes me enjoy the simple every day life more and more!
Posted by: Sabine | March 16, 2015 at 05:23 PM
That just sounds like the best. day. ever.
Posted by: Lizy Tish | March 16, 2015 at 04:38 PM
What a lovely day. Love your blog, thanks for sharing. Louise x
Posted by: Louise Miller | March 16, 2015 at 04:16 PM
I loved reading your blog. Sounds like you had a wonderful day.
Posted by: Yvonne Dunmore | March 16, 2015 at 02:42 PM
Sounds like heaven..... xxxx
Posted by: Laura | March 16, 2015 at 01:59 PM
Love to read of your adventures . Here is Florida it's already getting to warm for me. So I'm happy sitting in AC crocheting baby gifts for mt 9th g-grand baby due in May.
I think I have to do one of yours yarn bags next.
Your Mother's Day sounded to special. We are all very lucky women to children who love us.
Posted by: Carol | March 16, 2015 at 01:45 PM
Sounds like a truly beautiful mothers day :)
Posted by: Janine | March 16, 2015 at 01:05 PM
Sounds like a perfect Mother's Day! Beautiful tulips, a wonderful moment indeed with the chocolate from L.M. I can just see the challenging hide and seek now! lol Those chunky yarns made for quick projects. I'm currently working in sock yarn (not so quick).
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | March 16, 2015 at 12:38 PM
Hi Lucy. I enjoy your blog. I so much identify with your love of crochet and color and life's simple pleasures. I am in Columbia, South Carolina. Like you, I spent most of Sunday morning crocheting and the afternoon hiking in the woods in a nearby state park, but it was 80 degrees (F) here and early spring blooms are well in progress!
Posted by: Ilene King | March 16, 2015 at 12:10 PM
Oh what a lovely day! Of course you are raising generous, thoughtful children as you are yourself! I agree re: YouTube video! Would be fun!,
Posted by: Maggie | March 16, 2015 at 11:55 AM
I will have to take a leaf out of your book next year. My eldest presented me with a huge floral arrangement, I could not say to him, but lots of the flowers were past their best.
My Kitchen windowsill, has for the last many weeks, has been host to at least 2 vases of Narcissus. I have even washed out a couple of D E coffee jars to accommodate them. I would crochet a little band to go round the jars but have no idea where to start ;0)
Hugs
Posted by: Cally Yates | March 16, 2015 at 11:50 AM
sounds like a lovely day was had by all, I had a lovely day as well, surrounded by family with flowers and chocolates, I had a beautiful bunch of pink tulips from my daughter and a bunch of mixed flowers from my son, both beautiful, and got on with the crochet owl I'm doing for my youngest granddaughter's 2nd birthday until they arrived, so I had a lovely day as well
Posted by: Rona Griffiths | March 16, 2015 at 11:01 AM
What a great day. It was freezing in Sussex yesterday too. It felt like winter had returned as I stood (with lots of other mums) watching rugby for hours! Wishing you a happy week. x
Posted by: Sara Jenkins | March 16, 2015 at 10:56 AM
Perfect!
Posted by: Kath | March 16, 2015 at 10:35 AM
wow, what a fab cafe- blankets and cake, perfect. Child number 3 gave me a mug from my favourite shop (Cath K) but the extra gift of a treasured seashell from a past family walk pulled at my heartstrings. Child 1 & 2 had strong hints off me for their present gathering. No meal out either as can't don't enjoy the obligatory nature of it. looking forward to your crochet reveal, reckon it is a bag and we ladies always need plenty of those. loving your posts, lucy. thanks for sharing x
Posted by: Wendy | March 16, 2015 at 10:13 AM