Helloooooooo! I'm back home again, giving you all a gentle little wave from the Attic window. We were away last week, off on our usual Summer trip down to Dorset to spend time with my folks. It was a much needed holiday in more ways than one, a break from routine, and a chance for me personally to rest and recharge my rather flat batteries. I made the decision to disconnect myself physically and mentally from the internet last week and took a complete break from technology (save for a few quick snaps shared to Instagram). It felt good (and necessary) I must say, and I feel much better for taking a good rest.
Dorset was as lovely as ever, such a tonic to be beside the sea and have nothing much of an agenda for the week. Easy, lazy days, outings taken on a whim according to the weather and also (unusually for us) a couple very low-key days where we did absolutely nothing at all. On those two days (which were wet and cold) we just stayed put indoors and chilled out. It felt strange to do this actually, but the Little People seemed happy with their electronics and J and I spent time chatting and reading. Sometimes it's surprisingly hard to slow right down and accept that it's perfectly ok to just take it gently every once in a while and do very little.
As you can see, the wet stay-in days were indeed balanced rather nicely by some gorgeous sunshiny days where we did get out and about and made the most of being outdoors. I'll share some more pictures with you in the next few days, I do really enjoy recording our holidays with words and pictures, preserving the memories for future pondering.
Now do you want to hear something surprising???
Weeellll...........for the first time in a very long time (talking years here)...........I am not (I repeat, NOT) suffering from any post holiday blues. EH???? How does that work then????!!! Not sure to be honest, but I am thankful. On our last day in Dorset I found myself all of a sudden really looking forward to being home again, which pretty much hasn't ever happened before. Even though our house is messy and chaotic, there is also rather a huge dollop of cosy, homely comfort within these four walls, and I was craving it. I am glad to be back home.
We are at the start of a three week period now where I will be home with the Little People whilst J is at work and as a result I am honing my multi tasking skillz. I am pretty good with the whole juggling thing though, and so far (half way through day three) all has been going well. I am making simple lists to keep me on track, balancing out basic housework (the bare minimum), laundry, food shopping, baking, cooking, de-cluttering (a little each day), child-led activities (a lot each day it seems, but that's ok), small outings (to buy art and craft supplies, which was rather enjoyable), and work (Yarndale stuff this week as we are working on the brochure).
I am enjoying the fact that the Little Peeps are on the whole pretty good at filling their days with stuff.
Little Man is almost 13 now, a taller-than-me, athletic, quietly confident young man. He divides his days between solo time in his bedroom and being out and about with his group of buddies (a bmx bike craze has landed here), so truthfully we don't see much of him day to day. We come together for evening meals, but everything else is flexible. He tried, for the first time, to skip evening meal on Monday and I laid it down loud and clear - absolutely no way, that precious 30 minutes of family time around the table is a non-negotiable slot in an otherwise pretty flexible day. He took it well, with a quiet, accepting shrug of the shoulders.
Little Lady is 11 and spends a fair bit of time in her bedroom these days, doing her own thing. But she is also a sociable little thing, prancing about downstairs, singing, dancing, chattering away, joining in with her Little Brother whenever there is some sort of activity going on. Sometimes it will be something simple like sitting to watch a film, other times it will involve painting, colouring, hama beads or crafting. Still a lot of creativity going on daily here it seems, and I love to see it all unfold across the table tops.
Little B is 5 and still very much needing my time and attention throughout the day. I am trying to balance out his needs by encouraging him to think of activities he would like to do rather than always looking to me to organise everything for him. Yesterday he asked for the paints to come out and proceeded to paint me a rainbow which made my very happy. We also took a trip out to the supermarket to buy some fresh craft supplies (oh the joy of coloured card and glitter glues!) so there has been much snipping and gluing going on.
As for me - not much me time at the moment, but I am trying. I bought this wonderful book a few weeks ago and have only managed to read the first article so far, but it is a lovely, gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate the good of these fleeting summer days. Talking of which.....here are a few Postcards from Dorset....
.....lovely reminders of a Summer week by the sea.
Oh, it feels really good to be back here, I've missed you all! More ramblings from me soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
PS Just remembered this post from seven years ago (SEVEN!). Gosh. things change a lot and then again not so much with children....
What size crochet hook do u use for the stripey blanket thks from Lizbeth lowe
Posted by: lizbeth lowe | November 17, 2015 at 06:26 PM
Lucy, you sound like your old self again and it's just lovely. Glad you have had a wonderful break and are feeling rested. I really enjoy reading about your family life as well as all of your wonderful colourful crochet. It makes me feel like I'm catching up with an old friend. Take care and warmest wishes from 'me' in New Zealand :)
Posted by: Angela | August 02, 2015 at 09:59 PM
Ah! how wonderful! No end of vacay blues!
Lucy - that means that you truly had a RESTFUL time - and unplugging from internet, etc. probably had a big part to play in that. It's important for someone as busy as you are to take that time with your family - unrushed, no outside "interference" - just rest and relaxation....so when you got back home you were truly ready to get back in the swing - without the usual blues.
Happy, happy for you....and your lucky family! I hope your Little Peeps realize how fortunate they are to have you for their Mum!
Don't try to overdo right away....and I'm looking forward to seeing what you are doing for Yarndale....I SO wish I could attend that....sounds like such a great event!
Posted by: Carol | August 02, 2015 at 06:45 AM
Welcome back. Isn't the sea a healing being? I too escaped, to Anglesey for a night and returned at peace.
Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Keith | August 01, 2015 at 09:43 PM
I enjoy reading your posts and seeing your photos----You are a great Mom!
Posted by: Linda | July 31, 2015 at 06:54 PM
I am glad to hear you are not having post-holiday blues this year!! The holiday you took looks amazing - i am sure you will carry the memories in your heart for a long time to come. :)
Take care
Anne
Crochet Between Worlds
Posted by: Anne | July 31, 2015 at 05:03 PM
I'm with you on the 13-year old and the family meal! My teenager is now 16 and the one thing I have insisted on throughout is eating dinner with us everyday. It is often the only time we see him - the one bit of the day where he connects with us (plus gets some proper food inside him!). You may like to read what I did with/for my son when he turned 13 to test - in fun way - whether he was ready for the new levels of freedom and independence he was pestering for!
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jul/28/modern-teenage-rite-of-passage
Posted by: Claire | July 31, 2015 at 09:46 AM
It is always nice to slow down and have a quiet vacation. One that will charge your batteries and bring you closer to your family. I have missed you. Lots of love to you and the family! xoxoxo
Robin
Posted by: Robin Summers | July 30, 2015 at 09:29 PM
Thank you. Just what I needed after a couple of traumatic weeks. A little bit of calm and normality. x
Posted by: Kath | July 30, 2015 at 08:40 PM
Thank you Lucy for posting those lovely photos of West Bay. I celebrated my 50th with lunch on the harbour there a couple of years ago. Although we live in rural North Wales close to the sea, Dorset is a favourite holiday place for us!
Posted by: Elaine | July 30, 2015 at 04:45 PM
Glad you had a good restful, non-technology, break.
Posted by: Gillian | July 30, 2015 at 03:05 PM
Lovely! I had the same feeling when we got home after our last holiday - it's nice to snuggle back in your own house sometimes! xx
Posted by: Elsie Pop | July 30, 2015 at 12:00 PM
Your pictures and words are inspiration for me - for craft work but also to rethink my own life - to slow down and enjoy every little moment. And that switch off from technology is something we all should do from time to time. Thank you!
Posted by: Anna | July 30, 2015 at 11:57 AM
Lovely Lovely Dorset Lucy so pleased you've had a great time there with all your family.....we are off to the Swanage area and the wonderful Purbeck Hills in September and am I so so looking forward to it. We all need to recharge our batteries and a few days away does that for me, I come home feeling refreshed and ready to carry on with every day things. Shall look forward to your next post and photos of Dorset.
Posted by: Rae | July 30, 2015 at 09:36 AM
Lovely post.
I enjoyed reading it.
Glad that you are happy to be back home as well, not so difficult with all this cosiness surrounding you.
Posted by: brigitte peetermans | July 30, 2015 at 09:20 AM
Loved the pictures, always glad that you share your lovely holidays with us..It feels like we're having a break with you. Glad to hear from you
Posted by: Pam Wilson | July 30, 2015 at 08:40 AM
So nice to have you back Lucy, you have been missed!
Posted by: Sue | July 30, 2015 at 08:23 AM
love your photos they are so evocative and the colours are always inspiring.
Posted by: sarah watkins | July 30, 2015 at 07:43 AM
Lovely photos as usual, Lucy. Treasure your memories as time passes so quickly and your children grow up so quickly.
Posted by: Carol | July 30, 2015 at 06:54 AM
Ah, it's always nice to come back home! Your own bed, chair, towels, kitchen, bathroom etc. grab a cuppa and sit if you want to. Lucy, do you take your photos on your phone or with a camera, they are lovely and clear.
Posted by: Kelly | July 30, 2015 at 06:10 AM
I love seeing your Dorset pics and hearing about your family's activities. Especially enjoyed the 7-years-ago link, it took me back to when my children were small -- hama beads, glue & glitter, Roger Hargreaves' books, Nanny McPhee. Precious memories!
Posted by: Susan Conklin | July 30, 2015 at 03:55 AM
Glad to hear you had a good get-a-way and are now rested and ready to tackle everything.
My eyes immediately focused on the beautiful bi-color rose in the 5th picture from the top!! So gorgeous.
Posted by: Darlene | July 30, 2015 at 12:17 AM
Love your posts from Dorset! We spent a few days of our honeymoon there in 1985. I would love to visit again. On the crochet front, I'm making a Neat Ripple baby blanket for our new great nephew, Leo. I'm doing uneven striped rows in gray, white, navy, and light blue. I hope they like it....I do!
Posted by: Sue Munn | July 29, 2015 at 11:55 PM
Love reading your 'ramblings' and really look forward to your posts. Glad you had a good break! Enjoy the rest of the Summer holidays xxx Sarah
Posted by: Hula Loop | July 29, 2015 at 11:46 PM
Hello there - my problem is that I don't like going away from home!! I have at last joined a class at our local garden centre and am finally crocheting. I have mastered two colour granny squares and am now using your pattern for the solid granny squares. Aiming for a 'teddy' blanket! sitting in the class today a lady leaned across and was watching us, we said come and join us. she wanted to learn to crochet cos she follows a blog - I said is it 'Attic24' and she said Yes!! So you are famous. I showed her your pattern I was following and then we got on to Yarndale and are in discussion about coming the 'do'! I hope to start my granny blanket soon and then the ultimate ripple blanket........all down to you x
Posted by: Catherine Maudsley | July 29, 2015 at 11:26 PM