Slow Days

We are having such crazy-weird stuff happening with our weather this week, with rather an unwelcome amount of rain each day but then also some glorious snatches of incredible sunlight as well. It's been strange, sometimes weirdly warm, damp and humid, other times unseasonally cold. This amazing rainbow arced over the rooftops for about ten glorious minutes before it faded, it was so huge that I couldn't capture the whole of it on my camera.

The light that followed the rainbow made the landscape look so strange, like an illustration in an old, faded book. So where has our Summer gone then, what on earth has happened to the weather? Is it the same where you are? 

We have been indoors a lot this past week as a result of the non-summer happening outside. It's been kind of nice but kind of disappointing at the same time. I keep feeling overwhelmed by the feeling that we are wasting away the time, that these precious days are slip-sliding away in a boring blur of nothing-in-particular. It makes me feel restless and lethargic all at the same time. I keep dreaming up ideas for possible interesting outings to entertain the Little People, but my ideas flit away before I can make anything of them and so we stay home and do very little. Oh yes, we did make a trip to our local cinema to watch "Inside Out" on Tuesday afternoon when it rained for most of the day, the Little Peeps did enjoy that.

Thank goodness for my camera habit. My little old Canon Ixus is always to hand and throughout the day I point it around the place and press the button almost without thinking. The images tell a story of gentle activity and play that are making up these slow days.  There has been a steady stream of rather old fashioned play going on, which has delighted and surprised me. Blanket dens and cushion thrones have been designed and constructed, wrecked and rebuilt. The old Brio train track came down and did a sterling job of entertaining for a few hours.

This nostalgic wooden mosaic puzzle was a gift from me to Little B at Christmas, and I confess I brought it as much for my own pleasure as his. I had one exactly the same as this when I was little and absolutely loved it, and despite a few frustrated hissy fits, he has loved playing with it too.

There has been an origami revival, with many mornings spent at the dining table working on a stash of paper weaponry. These are called "Ninja Stars" or "Shurikens" and there are loads of easy to follow tutorials on YouTube if you have offspring fascinated with weapons. And paper. You just have to be prepared to step in when the wild throwing starts, I can tell you that it's actually quite painful when the pointy end stabs into a fleshy part of your body. These ninja stars have been confiscated more than once, even slung into the recycling bag after one particularly hurtful assault. Take heed.

We have baked quite a bit this week too, the Little People seem to be constantly hungry and it's a job and a half trying to keep it all healthy and nutritious. There is only so much fruit and salad you can feed them after all. We've been baking these Oaty Cookies for years now, they are very easy to make with Little Ones and taste really yummy. I did try out a healthy non-sugar version from the Deliciously Ella website, but sorry to say they just weren't all that nice. Too bananary.

I've tried to make sure that every day, no matter what the weather, that the Little People get out for some fresh air. Some days this has simply meant turfing them outside and instructing them to Go Play with neighbouring children on the street (scooters, bubbles, bikes, chalk etc) while I (guiltily) get some work done. Other days we have gone into town to run errands and visit the shops, as much for the getting-out bit as for the necessary re-stocking of dwindling food supplies and purchasing of new school stationary supplies.

Yesterday we had a lovely little jaunt into town, doing a few jobs first then stopping at the bakery to pick up some warm pasties for lunch, then calling at the market for a paper bag of beautifully juicy cherries. We took our fodder to a bench beside the beck and ate a spontaneous picnic, then carried on walking up to the woods and back down the leafy lane to visit the pigs and chickens (sadly, the pigs have gone :( to who-knows-where...). I know these outings aren't much, but it seems to be all I can manage at the moment.

Similar to last year, this week I have responded to requests to "make something out of felt". In a fit of extravagance, I decided to completely ignore my box of cheap acrylic felt and invest in some nice felt with wool in it. Oh the joy!!! Completely worth the splurge, we are now the proud owners of this yummy stack of good quality 40% wool content felt for all of our crafting and stitching needs. I bought it from the lovely Sarah who runs her felty empire entitled "Paper-and-String". Find her online shop here, also via Etsy. Her considerable wares are delicious and very tempting. Don't dare look at the buttons....you've been warned.....

So Little Lady unearthed this super-cute book from the Shelves of Doom last week, hence the plea for felt crafting materials and assistance. And anything that Little Lady is doing, Little B also wants in, so they have each chosen an animal and we are working a little each day on it. I'll share the results with you when we have results to share! {this book can be found on Amazon UK and Amazon US }

I'm sorry there hasn't been much hooky to show you of late, I've been working behind the scenes on a number of projects which aren't yet ready to share. I made a brightly coloured flower garland last week, the pattern is for the Yarndale brochure. I'm also in the middle of another decorative project which is for the Yarndale calendar, so I am busy and working and doing stuff, but nothing much that is ready to show just yet.

My Harmony blanket is almost ready for it's grand Ta-dah moment though, and I am very excited about it! I need to take a few more photos when the light is good enough and finish up writing the pattern, but all should be good to go next week. Thanks to those of you waiting patiently for this, I am so sorry for the delay.

Right - sounds like I am needed to go referee a squabble breaking out, then looking at the time I need to hot-foot it to the kitchen and rustle up a speedy pasta dinner. These slow days aren't always so slow..............

xxx

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Susan Smith]

Weather is weird everywhere I think at the moment Lucy. We, here in Southern Victoria in Oz are having the coldest winter in 20 years and it has rained every day so far for the last 2 weeks. I love what you're doing for the holidays in the way of craft and little outings, baking and going slowly. When it's so inclement, there is little more you can do and you at least got away for a bit of sunshine down south. Love your new crochet bits and like me, once that sunshine comes out, photos of our crafts will be clicked. (Mine is a quilt that has been 7 years in the making!). Would love to be able to visit Yarndale again, but that's not going to happen, so look forward to your updates. Keep calm and take care.

[Sara]

Oh Lucy I still have that mosaic puzzle from my childhood. I may have to get it out just to play again. Wonderful memories

[Clareio]

that second photo...that light right there. that is my favourite, it never fails to take my breath away when we get days like that!

Your daily view beats my 'blinds and office buildings' view hands down!

[I Was Swallowed by a Hippo]

We are more than a wee bit over the rain in Kintyre, Scotland. Luckily the sun came back yesterday and is, miraculously, still shining. Might even get some beach crochet in. Lovely felt stack! Not sure I can risk a peek at that site though. :-)

[Carolyn Jackson]

Always love your homely blog, what a lovely pile of felt, I have that book too, and have made several of the animals,hope to make more but with lots of crochet on the go too and cross stitch, never enough time. I am eagerly waiting for the harmony pattern, cant wait to try that, you are so good to fit that in when you are so busy. I have 3 flowers ready to send off for Yandale too. Thank you.

[Helene]

Heer in Austria, is it. too hot for weeks: 36, 37, 38 degrees, too hot and humid to play outside or to cycle. The swimingpools, lakes are full, water is restricted, You cannot sleep in the hot nights... A Little Rain would be fine.. :)

[Pip]

Ooh Paper and String is looking great and, dare I say, a little bit Christmassy! I'm working my way around the shop making a list ... I'm also very excited about the flower garland. The cooler weather does encourage crafting with yarn, so that's a plus : ). So enjoying the comments from around the world from this post. What wonderful people out there! Pip x

[Jackie]

It's our Winter here in Perth Western Australia. Not enough rain, happens during this time. But when it comes my plants have this happy look on them. Soon enough it will be Summer again, not much happens in the garden at that time of year. Too hot to go outside. So a really enjoy, Autumn and Winter. Thank you for sharing your days with us. Love your photos. Look forward to seeing the Yarndale calendar. That's on my wish list. Also on my wish list is to be able to go to Yarndale. Maybe next year when have a 8 week holiday over there.

[Sue levings]

It's winter in Melbourne Australia. People are complaining about how cold it is, 9° in the day, 4° at night. Still able to get outside and garden though, & take the dog for a walk. I think the slow days are as important as the busy ones, although I'm glad I no longer have to entertain small children.

[Colleen Donnelly]

Here in Southern Arizona, we love a rainy summer day. We're always desperate for water anyway, and a good monsoon storm cools the temperatures from 100 to 85. A cloudy sky is also a relief from the relentless glare of the sun. And the desert smells delicious afterwards.

[Jo Kneale]

Sounds like a good time to me. And time spent as a family is never wasted, but is building up a future of happy memories.

[Avion]

Ah there is OUR rain and clouds- most wanted here, Slovakia, we re suffering hottest hot for most of the summer with no rain at all:( not much fun either especially when you re preggo with energy bursting toddler and not many places to go :/ your countryside looks bueatifully green, mostly yellow stuff here... Let s do some witching magic to swap wather;) we could burn eggs sunny side down or something:D

[Pom Pom]

You have real beauty happening there, good Lucy! I hope the sun shines soon.

[Sabine]

Lovely pictures! Enjoy your summertime with your familie.

[Hula Loop]

Lovely post! The weather where we are has been dreadful, wet and cold but with the occasional moment of summer sunshine. Lets hope it improves soon :0) Sarah xxx

[Kim]

The holidays can be hard for mum. I had so many plans that went poof June/July. They all revolved around me doing a lot of kon marie de-cluttering. We saw Inside Out too. I cried, I always cry in Disney movies.

I also wanted to tell you we have started a little crochet group to make beanies for homeless. I made a new friend and we share it, it's been ace. It's been lovely to be part of. Thank you for inspiring me Lucy.

Kim xx

[Angela]

Oh great I now have another favourite Etsy seller, Paper and String, looks like I'll have to take out a mortgage. What a lovely shop and I'm afraid I ooohed and aaaahed over her buttons before I read your 'don't dare look at the buttons' - I'm smitten, if one can say that about buttons and felt. Lovely little felt book too, your little ones must be enjoying making their felt animals. Please show us the finished results :) As far as the weather goes being August, here in NZ it means it's not far away from Spring time (yay), I'm already seeing daffodils, jonquils and freesias growing along the road sides :)

[CJ]

Weird weather here too. It seems to be raining regularly, and yet the soil isn't soaked properly so I still need to go and water things. I don't seem to be achieving much at all, and yet I still end up rushing around far too often. I'm going to try having a quieter time next week I think. Get the chores done first then see if there's time for anything else. Summer needs to be slow! I hope you have a good weekend. There's a little sunshine forecast here, so I hope some finds it's way to you too. CJ xx

[Teresa Kasner]

I really enjoyed your light and easy post.. it's really how life should be lived.. with ease and pleasantness. Enjoy the quiet as I know things will be heating up with YD coming up! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Claire]

You've made me itcy-fingered and itcy-footed. I have an urge to:
1. Play with that mosaic puzzle.
2. Walk across that bridge!

[Ariadne Skyrianidou]

I love Laura's felt animals, they are so so beautiful! I enjoy her blog too with all her crafts and days out! I get to know England better!AriadnefromGreece!

[Jo]

Forgot to say, your girl might like this project - you might not! but she will....
http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/all-her-own-idea.html

[Jo]

My girlie is crocheting at the moment but the weather is weird isn't it. We gave managed stilted trips to the park dodging showers but it is hard to make a plan. Jo x

[Sally Richmond]

The weather here has been hot and dry most of the time. The harvest is well on the way now and as soon as it is all in we can start wishing for rain rather urgently. The countryside around you looks so beautiful.

[Winwick Mum]

The weather in Winwick is no better and we haven't had any rainbows either. It's quite a task to find things to do when the weather is rubbish that isn't the easy opt-out of watching TV, but as you say, the alternative is the guilty feeling of holidays wasted. Hurry up and come back, sunshine! xx