A Post Christmas Post

Today is my "breathing out" day, the day when post Christmas life slides into an easy, lazy blur of nothing-in-particular. I never really allow myself to get stressed over the whole Christmas thing, despite my very slap dash, last minute approach to it all. I've come to realise that everything always comes together somehow, even on those frantic few days before the twenty-fifth when the to-do list is rather scary. Having said that, it still feels bloomin' great to land on the other side of Christmas and indulge in a quiet, personal bit of satisfied breathing out....pheeewwwwww.....another year, another happy few days with family, another gratefully received slice of Christmas delivered.

Little B was super-excited opening his Christmas presents this year, and at one point he dramatically threw himself full length on the floor, unable to find the words needed to express his immense delight with one of his gifts. We bought brand new fluffy onesies for our three (which they were allowed to open on Christmas Eve evening), plus books and some bits of clothing for each. Father Christmas delivered selected items from the handwritten Christmas Lists, including a game for each (as much as I personally can't stand the whole gaming thing, I can't deny the pleasure it seems to bring them, or the hours it can fill with ease). There was also a pleasing number of gifts not requiring batteries or electricity - Lego featured high on Little B's wish list and it really did hit the spot for this industrious five year old this year.

Little Man (age 13) was the hardest to buy for, although he did luck out when his Dad Father Christmas found an Xbox One at a bargain price and decided a true surprise would be the order of the day. Funny how teenagers express happiness and surprise isn't it? We witnessed kind of a warm half-smile, some self conscious fidgeting, some jokey banter and then a whole lot of technical talk. I think he was pleased as punch underneath all that cool.

Little Lady had put the following things on her list : Fine Liner pens (like Mum's), Notebook and Stationery (any), Sweets, Money for a shopping trip. So easy to deliver that little lot, truly it was a pleasure. The pens were such a big hit {Staedtler Triplus} and as a surprise, Father Christmas also delivered a really beautiful new colouring book {Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest and Colouring Book}. Oh what I would have given for something like this when I was eleven years old! We have been colouring it together actually, which has been super lovely. Clever Father Christmas :) And we still have the shopping trip to look forward to (with money to spend), all good stuff.

 

The weather here over the Christmas period has been cruel. The past two years we've had sunshine which tempted us to venture out for a Christmas morning walk - not so this year, no chance. It rained, and rained and rained. Rain poured from the sky for days on end and water levels in local rivers, becks and canals rose alarmingly fast....

....we took a short walk out on Boxing Day afternoon after trying and failing to drive to my lovely in-laws, their town cut off by flooded roads. The above picture shows the beck close to my Studio at Coopers Café, the water barely contained by the wall there. This is usually a low-lying, quietly babbling  little beck with a small grassy island in the middle where birds hoppity hop about. The water rose a staggering 2.9 metres here, gushing down in a raging torrent and flooding the road and shops a little further down. It's been heartbreaking to hear so many stories in the news of destruction and emergency in our local area, so many communities affected by the huge volume of water everywhere.

So when we woke to dry air and blue skies yesterday, my heart was filled with relief. Phewwww, at long last. No rain and sunshine, Happy Christmas to me!

We rounded up the Little People and drove to Bolton Abbey where the River Wharfe was huge, swollen and noisy.

Instead of our usual jaunt through the woodland to The Strid, we decided to walk the opposite way to the Money Tree.....

....oh I love this magical tree so much! It is rather strange and rather special and it fascinates children and adults alike.

The Little People used to love this tree when they were smaller (I wrote about it back in 2008), and yesterday Little B was in absolute raptures over it.

The pathway along this side of the river climbs quite steeply above the level of the river below, with beautiful views through the winter tree branches as you go.

Eventually, the path takes you down out of the trees, back down to the riverside opposite the Abbey ruins.

Due to the very high level of the river, the beach here was very much smaller than usual. But on this sunshiny morning there was only one other family here (a small boy running his grandparents ragged, quite literally. Poor Grandad, I did feel for him a bit).

We pootled about on the beach, writing our names and making drawings in the sand, skimming stones and searching for river treasure.

The unusual depth of the river meant that the water was rushing past really fast, which meant there were actually waves lapping onto the beach. Real waves, that looked and sounded just like they do at the seaside! I couldn't believe my good fortune, to be able to close my eyes and fill my mind with seasidey dreams, it was lush!

I was super lucky on the treasure finding front too, picking up some lovely pieces of river washed glass to add to my treasure collection (remember the glass bottle stopper found almost a year ago?)

Little Lady drew this in the sand for me - well actually, she drew it for you. She said "I've drawn something in the the sand, please come and take a picture and share it with your blog readers", so of course I am doing as I am told. Snapped and shared, from her via me to you xx

Winter Sky, how I love it when you dress up in blue! Please wear very many more shades of blue and ditch the shades of grey, thank you so much.

There is this bit of the return walk back towards the car where the footpath runs down a long grassy slope. It was quite muddy and slip-slidey due to all the rain, but the lure of this downward run was just too much for Little B to resist. Off he hurtled at full pelt, mud splattering everywhere as he went. Such simple joy in stretching ones legs and airing ones lungs, and being the first to reach the bottom!

Blue, blue, blue. Love, love love.

After the walk was ended, we took ourselves into the mighty fine café and ordered up some refreshments. Cappycheeenos for the grown ups, Coke (in old fashioned glass bottles) for the Big Little Peeps, and a cup of hot chocolate smothered in cream and marshmallows for Little B. A cookie bigger than your hand for Little-big Man, a swirly iced cupcake for Little Miss, a packet of crisps for Little  B  and a slab of dark chocolate millionaires shortbread for the Mister and me to share. A scrumptious end to a pleasurable walk, mud splatters and all.

J is back to work now for a few days until New Year arrives, he went off silently this morning whilst it was dark and we were all still asleep. When I woke and found him gone, I missed him very much, it's been wonderful having him home for two whole weeks. Me and the Offspring are hanging out at home today, passing the hours doing not a lot. Lots of play with friends is going on up above in the bedrooms, there was a very short spell outdoors on scooters this morning which ended with bumped knees and tears. There has been lots of blankety snuggles on the sofa watching weirdly noisy kids tv, the stuffing of Christmas selection box chocolate into appreciative little faces. All good post-Christmas stuff. Me - I've been seeing to the laundry, drinking coffee, sock knitting and darning in ends mostly. Oh those ends - I am trying to love the process but honestly? It sucks. No two ways around it, but the thought of getting to the Joining Bit is spurring me on. Back to it......

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Comments

[Margaret]

Here in Australia we have seen news reports of the flooding in Yorkshire. We have our share if floods, bushfires and other disasters so hope the recovery goes well. Thank you fir sharing your adventures with us all.

[shanti shanti]

Lucy, wish you with your lovely family the very best in 2016...healthy, wealthy, creative always! Thank you indeed for sharing your passion and talents with us. Many beautiful blessings!!!

[EL]

Thank you for the message, Little Lady - what neat sandwriting you have! Thank you for your luminous blog, Lucy, and Happy New Year to you all.

[Cintia - Sol de Noche {deco crochet}]

Lovely pictures as usual Lucy! Such a lovely place you live in :) I didn't know about that money tree...it's amazing! And the words written on the sand are great too!
Have a safe and wonderful New Year!
http://soldenochedecocrochet.blogspot.com.ar/

[CJ]

What a lovely laid back post. I very much like Little Lady's Christmas choices. We have the Enchanted Forest colouring book too, love it, and my littlest boy got a wondering big tin of colouring pencils from Father Christmas. We like to sit side by side and colour together. Love the "Attic 24" written in the sand, so beautifully lettered. More than a little artistic talent there I think! It's been lovely to see the sun and blue sky hasn't it. Although I think it will be in short supply tomorrow. I hope the water levels near you don't rise any higher. Glad you're having a good Christmas. CJ xx

[Margaret]

Wishing you and your family a safe, healthy and Happy New Year. Thank you for letting us into your life Lucy. 🎉 🍾 🎊 😃

[Ilona A Bergen]

Happy New Year to you and your family from a chilly Las Vegas Nevada USA. We are a bit cooler then normal but its wonderful. Also getting much needed rain and snow in the mountains to the north and west. So thankful for the water this will fill our reservoirs and should help are drought situation in the western half of the United States. Your blogs are a joy to read. Having been born in the Netherlands and raised in various parts of the world I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your family's adventures and seeing your lovely pictures.

Just to let you know I love addict 24, I am currently making three of your Afghans. I order the supplies and packages and they came in your yarns or rules as you call them are absolutely beautiful.

Best wishes, much love, Ilona

[Sarah]

The water does look so high up your way and another storm is approaching.I do feel for all those who have been affected. West Bay has been on flood alerts most of this week. Your daughter has inherited your talent and interests. That was so thoughtful to write those words. Sarah x

[Susan Smith]

Lovely Lucy. The beck certainly looks scary that full, but glad you are OK. Making me very teary again with those pics of Bolton Abbey. The river certainly looks different to when we were there last year and were the stepping stones covered? At least there was a wee bit of beach with a lovely sign(giggle). Enjoy the home time with the little ones and take care.

[Pamela Cryer]

Hi I'm new to Attic24, I've just read your blog with regards to the weather. I live not far from Haworth which took a battering from the rain so much so one of our local pubs may have to be demolished after it took the wall out on one side. Bad weather is forecast again tomorrow, let's hope it's not as bad, bye to all and thank you for letting me join Attic24

[Lynn Butler]

I love and am so impressed with LL's artwork in the sand. Very precise letters. How thoughtful of her to think of all of us in blog land. Please tell her Thank You! You had a wonderful Christmas and I'm glad you stayed safe and dry with all the wet weather. Here's to a very Happy New Year!

[Joyce Stewart]

Wonderful that you got to get a walk at all with all the rain....sadly there is more on the way via Northern Ireland where our wind got up about 2 p.m and we've had a few showers....we are fortunate we are not on the coast where it is much worse. Trust you will not be affected by tonight's rain but hope and pray the damage is kept to an absolute minimum.
Can I also say that your daughter shows great promise in the art department...my goodness I think what she drew is magnificent....I would love to see her become a calligrapher in her later years, she certainly has the talent if she can come up freehand with that lettering. Well done Little Woman..
Take care.

[Lisa~Sammamish, WA]

Lovely blog post as usual Lucy. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely walk with us. Tell little lady her Attic24 in the sand was just perfect!!!!
Merry Christmas 🎄 and happy new year 😊 to you and yours!

[Leah]

Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year :) oh and lots of creativity and craft too xxxx

[Anne]

Another wonderful post Lucy, thank you. I love to see your photos of Bolton Abbey as it was a favourite place for our family when I was growing up. It's like a visual trip down memory lane. Glad you are safe from the flooding and hope the beck continues to be contained. My heart goes out to all those affected and hope there will be more dry, blue sky days to come.

[Susan]

What a lovely treat to read your post Xmas blog.feels like it's over already this year.So glad you're safe from floods.really feel for everyone affected sunny in Uttoxeter too.hoping for more sun over the new year.have a good one😊

[Teresa Kasner]

It sounds like you've had a wonderful Christmas and post-xmas. I loved that you found 3 new pieces of river glass! I'm glad the kids all got fun things for their gifts.. it's so neat when you hit the spot on that.
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
  *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Jen]

Happy Christmas Lucy. I'm happy to hear your family have enjoyed it despite the bleurgh weather ^_^

[Heather]

Your family always sounds so happy. I love the simple things you do together.
Thank you ,Little Lady, for writing in the sand for us!

[winifred]

What a lovely message from Little Miss, think it would make a great header! A designer in the making methinks.

[Martha]

I hear you are to get a bad storm today, stay safe and dry, love the Attc24 in the sand!

[carrie]

Very thoughtful of Little Lady to write a message for us! Thank you!
I love this bit of Christmas, lots of food still in the house, presents to enjoy, and knowing others are enjoying theirs, knowing that it's over for another year and we have had a happy peaceful time, and feeling so grateful for everything we have, and that our family is safe.
Thoughts and prayers for people affected by the floods x

[Katinka]

Thank you for your wonderful post, your pictures and your words, all the colours. Thank you for sharing all these things. It makes me feel good and happy. You are a wonderful woman,Lucy. Have a good time and a Happy New Year!
Katinka

[Angela-Southern USA]

A lovely post Christmas! Pretty much the same here, except (insert older interest for the kids). I always take a deep breath after it's over no matter the joy and fun had leading up to and on that special day. Feels so good, doesn't it?! Love the money tree and L.L.'s sand art. The weather seems to be the same here as well, except warmer temps to go with it. Here's to more sunny days and excuses to play hooky. ; )

[catherine maudsley]

Wow I didn't realise Skipton had been affected. loved the colouring book - I have the Secret Garden version and am having a go at it in the morning with my new blendable pencils. will have to investigate the fine liners though. Lets hope storm Frank doesn't do too much damage it must be awful waiting for it to come.