What February Looked Like

Well hello one and all, I am back in the Attic after an unintentional break and I'm really, really happy to be back. I've missed you! Thank you very kindly for all your well wishes of late, and I am very sorry to have been gone so long.

February seems to have passed by in a bit of a blur to be honest, a month of personal struggle for me on a few different levels, and truthfully I am glad it's now behind me. For those who have asked ((thank you, thank you)), my health is improving slowly but surely and for that simple fact I am immensely thankful. I went for some checks at the hospital, had some more blood tests done and everything appears to be "satisfactory", gosh I think my sigh of relief could have been heard for miles. I've another month or so of iron supplements to take, then more blood tests, so although I'm not quite 100% just yet I am very, very much better than I was a month ago.

These photos were taken at Bolton Abbey in the middle of February, a short walk with the youngest two Little Peeps (we left The Teen in bed). The day was cold and bright, and although I look at these images and remember that I was feeling really rather rubbish at the time (oh those hilly paths, my legs complained very loudly!), it was also a wonderful walk with the L-Peeps.

A morning of low winter sunshine and long shadows....

....of slow plodding and mindfulness.

There was a time back in mid February when I truly worried that I would never feel normal again, when there was a tinge of melancholy and fretting seeping into pretty much everything I did. It was so hard to shake off the exhaustion and keep myself cheery and positive, but hey - I muddled through and tried hard to listen to my body, treat myself kindly and allow myself time to recover gently.

Slowly, slowly over the past few weeks I have felt my energy begin to return, and I am so grateful for it. I am trying not to be too negative here, after all, I only have anaemia and a vitamin deficiency and I am well on my way to recovery from both. The struggles I've experienced have been oh so minor compared to the lives of others. So I have tried hard to balance the negativity with gratitude, to combat the exhaustion and low moods with early nights and gentle days and just get on with the business of living life. I hibernated a bit too I guess, tucked myself up at home and withdrew a little from putting myself out there, cos it felt like the right thing to do at the time. But oh it's GREAT to be back, I have seriously missed my normal, happy, share-everything self!!!!!

We had a welcome break from routine in February with a week off school/work for Half Term. We went away for a few days (more of that in a bit), but mostly the week comprised of slow and leisurely days spent quietly at home.

The Little People happily entertained themselves for hours on end, with visiting friends/neighbours adding to the fun. Just to keep it real, a rather extensive amount of screen time was indulged, I confess it's not all paper crafts and hama beads around here. To keep it even more real, I admit I actively encouraged the screen time. I even once or twice commanded Little B (in a slightly hysterical tone of voice) to Go-play-on-your-Play-Station!!! when I really didn't have the energy to deal with his boredom. There. It's all out now. Real life, warts and all.

One of the reasons I've not been blogging lately, (apart from the fact my brain felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool) is down to a timing issue. Often the only window of opportunity for me to sit at my desk and write is in the evenings once the kiddlets are in bed. But due to the tiredness I've been experiencing, I simply haven't had the stamina to do anything much in the evenings. Apart from crochet that is. I've found that crochet has really saved my evenings from being a blur of nothingness. Often I've retreated to bed at 8pm to cosy up and work on some colourful rows - crochet really is the perfect therapy and a very, very happy way to end a long tiring day. Particularly with the easy granny stripe pattern, I have found the repetitive stitches have often sent me into a kind of a trance which is soooooo relaxing and a down right lovely experience. Not only that, but you get a beautiful handmade blanket at the end of it all - win win!!

As a result of all the extra sofa time and early bedtimes last month, I managed to crochet and make this blanket (an updated version of my original granny stripe) in under six weeks, and it's now all finished. I'll be sharing a little ta-dah moment soon to show you the extra stripes I added, plus the slightly simplified Little Waves border. I've started work on writing up the printed pattern for the yarn packs so hoping to have that done and dusted in the next week or so. Thank you for your patience if you've been waiting for this.

I have also been busy working on new projects for Yarndale, we do lots of creative planning and scheming at this time of year, but my biggest job right now is to work with my friend Lovely C to hatch a new sheep for our yarny flock.

This will be our fifth sheep, we have named her Flora as she is particularly fond of flowers.

I've been crocheting a little flower meadow for Flora to frolic in which has been a lot of fun actually, I do really love making flowers. I created a new flower design for this project and I love the way they look. In fact I've had a lot of sparks flying in and out of my Creative Mind inspired by these flowers (made using Drops Karisma DK which is gorgeous 100% wool yarn). I love the buzz of inspiration when it strikes unexpectedly, it's such a wonderful feeling!

My new Cupcake blanket is coming on a treat too, I am over half way with the stripes now and trying really hard to get it finished in the next three weeks, cos I have an idea........

......we'll be heading down to Dorset for Easter and I've got it into my head that the pastel painted beach huts at Lyme Regis will make the most beautiful backdrop for a little blanket photo shoot. What do you think? Good idea?

Talking of the seaside, we took a little trip to the coast in the middle of February and it was absolutely beautiful. We had perfect winter weather (blinking freezing, but oh the sunshine and blue skies were delicious). I'll share some more seaside stuff very soon, can't wait to show you where we went.

Back soon (and I mean soon! I'm back in the Attic, yippeeee!!)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Emma Hargreaves]

Lovely to have you back and brightening up my train time

[Rosemary Dargan]

Hello Lucy,

I am so pleased that you are feeling sprightly again. I've missed you.
Can I pls ask, I am starting your sunny striped blanket, and last time I did a granny striped blanket I crocheted the stitches at the beginning but the blanket ended up being too tight and it sort of curved a bit at the beginning and was fine throug the rest of the blanket.
What size crochet hook should I use to start the blanket with?
I usually use a 4.00mm hook . Should I start with a 4.50mm hook and then change to a 4.00? I want to make this blanket perfect from beginning to end.
Many thanks for your kind assistance. Rosie

[curvywitch]

Ah yes the almost weeping relief when the doctor tells you that you only have an iron deficiency and an underactive thyroid and these are treatable and you will feel better. Thank the gods for the NHS. So glad you're back and on the road to recovery - the cloth-headedness and grey feeling will disappear as your iron levels return to normal - and the final arrival of spring will help a bit too I imagine.

I love the idea of your cupcake blanket photo shoot against the beach huts - the colours look an almost perfect match - they remind me of making tissue paper blossom and chicks at primary school (as that was well over 45 years ago, that's no mean feat :-)).

Take care of yourself.
ps crocheting the gorgeous colours of the sunny granny stripe have really helped keep me sane this loooong grey winter - colour therapy! :-)

[Isis]

Happy to see you are back and feeling better.

[Vanessa]

So glad you are feeling more 'you' these days Lucy. I think I have been feeling similar. The last two times I have gone to donate blood, I have not been able as my Iron levels were too low, and I realised that I needed to up my intake. I have felt oddly flat these past couple of months, but I seem to be feeling better since I have been making a conscious effort to eat Iron rich foods and have suppliments etc.

I am always in awe of how much you manage to pack in! I just seem to procrastinate a lot and never get anywhere! My plan for this year was to sort out my house and have crochet take a back seat. I felt like the house was too cluttered, which in turn cluttered up my brain, and concentrating on working on something with a gazillion colours was just too much. Like you say though, crochet is soothing to the soul, so, as I type I am surrounded by balls of yarn. Ah well, Little by little shall we say.......

Always a joy to visit you Lucy, and always such an inspiration xxxxxx

[Jo Browning]

Yay! Lucy's back!! So happy you are feeling some better. Don't overdo it and enjoy the coming of spring. Love your new projects!!

[Elena]

So glad you're back! And I love the cupcake blanket :-)

[Feeblefingers]

Lucy! I really feel for you. Last year I had a horrible time with a dental issue - it took me four months FOUR MONTHS!!! to recover. I reached the stage of thinking I was never, ever going to get better. I started convincing myself there was something more serious afoot....especially when I had to go for an MRI. I had hardly any energy at all - listen to your body, don't be in a hurry and your kids will LOVE you for the extra PS time (my son certainly did). As women and mums we try to be all things to all people....it's exhausting isn't it. Rest, crochet and do the things that make you happy.

[Caroline]

So glad you are feeling better! The new blankets are lovely

[mamaSabina]

Yippeeee indeed, so good to see you back. You were missed a lot. Take care and don't overstrain yourself now you are better. xx

[Kath]

Good to see you back, Lucy - I, like many others, was getting worried. The rest has obviously done you good (if there is such a thing as rest, when you're a Mum!). Hopefully, each day you'll feel a bit better and be back to full strength by the time the sun is really here! Loving the colours of the cupcake blanket. x

[Estella]

Alas, you're back! I looked for you everyday. So glad to hear you are feeling better Lucy.

[Fides Heng]

So glad you are getting better. Wish you many healthy, happy and colorful days ahead :D

[CT]

Greetings from the state of Connecticut, USA. So glad you're back (in the attic), but most importantly that you're feeling better. Your work is so beautiful and has inspired me for quite some time....thank you!

[debbie de Spon]

Hope you're back to full fitness for the Spring Lucy....some crochet loveliness is just the incentive we all need. When you have time I hope you'll look at my new blog called sixtysomethingme.com

[Susan Smith]

Welcome back Lucy. DD only mentioned last week, that you'd gone awfully quiet. I'm loving Flora, especially her aran body. Are you going to put out a pattern for the flowers, which I've not tried yet and also one for the cupcake rug. Those colours are beautiful, so will look at Wool Warehouse and see if you've done a pack and get it sent out to Oz ready for wintry nights. Take it easy so that you are well for family and friends and we'll always be in blogland awaiting an updated post.

[Fran]

Glad to hear you are feeling so much better and can't wait to see your beach hut/blankets photo shoot with your beautiful colours. x

[Lynn]

Hurray! You're back :)
Glad to hear that you're feeling a bit better.

[Britta]

It's wonderful to read that you're getting better. It was the best you could do for your recovery taking that time away. We should all listen to needs of our bodies, they are the only ones we have.
I want you to know that your blogposts make my days brighter when I struggle with my own lovely (but sometimes nervewracking) brood of 4 and housekeeping and my love for wooly things. Have a bright day, dear Lucy!

[Jenny]

I'm so glad to see you back Lucy! I've missed your blogs and it's wonderful your health is so improved. Looking forward to seeing your completed Cupcake blanket [and getting the yarn pack :)] and it's a great idea for the photoshoot - your way with colours is very inspiring.

[Karen Culshaw]

Yes we have missed your 'warts and all' posts as I know I certainly love hearing about your creative journey and outside jaunts. However, your health and well being are FAR more important than anybody else's wants and I am delighted you thought of yourself first for a change. Glad you're back but more glad you are on the mend xx

[Jools]

It's good to have you back, Lucy :) I'm very glad you were wise enough to take the time out and let your body do it's "thing" until you felt better. I hope you're back to feeling like yourself very soon xxx

[Bronwyn]

Welcome back Lucy you were missed,looking forward to days of good health and happiness for you

[isabella]

Welcome back Lucy! I home you'll feel better! I wars waiting for the pics of your beautiful country!
Isabella

[Janet Tweedie]

So happy you're back and on the mend! We've missed you! I am so looking forward to the new Cupcake Blanket - yet another gorgeous creation! :) Do take very good care of you!! <3