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!!)

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Comments

[Carine07]

Glad to read you feel better and you are back; I have missed your colorful pictures and your stories. Lovely flowers and sheep.

[Doreen]

Hi Lucy I am so happy to read that you are getting better. Please take care of yourself and don't hurry or do too much. And I think the Lymes Regis beach huts are ideal for your photo shoot for your Spring blanket. I love your blog, colours of your blankets, and although I missed reading of your adventures I knew you weren't well and thought of you often. So welcome back.

[Teegan]

Yay! So glad you're on the mend and back to posting your colourful thoughts. I'm in Australia and am (not very) patiently waiting for bulbs to come into the shops. They are usually here around mother's day, so I have at least a month of waiting ahead of me I think, but I very much enjoyed seeing yours again!

[Teresa Kasner]

I was wondering where you were off too.. welcome back! Do you remember how frantic we all were when you disappeared when you had Little B? LOL! Now I know you're taking care of yourself when you take a break and I don't worry.. too much. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Denise]

Welcome back! Am glad you're feeling a bit better. I've had pernicious anemia and boy, does it drag a person down. Also, understand what it's like to only want to sit and crochet (or knit) in the evenings, especially in winter.
I appreciate your honesty. It's so easy to portray an ideal image to the public via a blog or facebook and it's much healthier to be real. For all of us.
Your mantle looks darling, cheerful and bright. Hope you continue to feel better and better!

[cristina]

Really working on a stripes blanket is a great happiness! all thanks to you, Lucy! I have completed a new granny stripes blanket! I leave here the link if you have time and want to visit. I will always be immensely grateful! and I also believe that all crocheters of the world! thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank yooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuu!
http://www.myworldofwool.com/2016/03/grannys-stripe-blanket-and.html

[Shirley]

So glad you are back, I would check every couple of days....

[Leslie Leon-Cremeens]

Welcome back, sweetie!! I too have dealt with major Anemia issues. I was so tired, I couldn't do anything---when I went to the doctor and they figured out it was anemia, they said they were surprised I even made it out of bed, LOL! I sure can relate----I'm glad you are starting to feel better, it's almost like being reborn, to have energy to do things again, it's amazing! Keep getting well(er) and we'll look forward to seeing more of your beautiful stuff!

[Jenny]

Welcome back Lucy you are doing a great job keeping us all inspired hope you continue to get well love Jenny xx

[Ann]

I was wondering if you would recover enough to continue with your blog. I've been watching for and missing your blog with the colorful yarns and covers. I'm really loving the cupcake colors. They are so filled with spring. Take good care of yourself but please know that we miss your blogs when you are not up to par. Love from Wisconsin USA

[C French]

I've missed you.

[Miriam]

Hello! I'm so please you are feeling more like your lovely self, here's hoping it won't be much longer until toy are feeling tip top again! Big hugs and lots of sunshine xxx

[Linden]

Glad you're back, Lucy, and starting to feel better. Sometimes these things take longer than you can imagine. Love the cupcake blanket colours.

[Kathy]

Well done - on so many levels! For putting yourself first and doing what you need to do; for being real; for getting another lovely blanket done!!!! I honestly believe that crochet and meditation are very simular! Kept me sane while my Mum was very ill in hospital, and she had a gorgeous rug to take to the nursing home! 😳. X

[Chris Royal]

Missed your posts so much! I'm so glad you are recovering. Take care. Hugs from Australia.

[crafty mema]

welcome back-take care of yourself
we can wait
xooxoxox crafty mema

[kate]

Welcome back, I've missed your colourful cheerfulness on my computer. I've been anemic and had a vit D deficiency so I'm feeling your pain.

[Tracy🤗]

I have been feeling a bit flat today, but that all ended when I saw your blog. I have been checking daily and thinking of you whilst hooking your cosy blanket. I m glad you made time for you and that you are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. These things sometimes take time and you just have to try and remain positive and patient however frustrated you feel about not feeling like you want to.
Take care

[Anita walters]

I was only thinking about you today on my way home from work,so glad to see you back and that you are recovering well xx

[pat]

Yay! So happy your feeling better and well enough to be blogging again! I've checked and rechecked waiting to read about attic 24 land. I know the feeling of poor health. Hubby and I took turns in hospital in January and February we plodded slowly back to health. It's glorious to feel back on track! Cheers!

[Colleen]

I'm SO happy to see you're back and you've been taking care of yourself these past weeks. As women, we are natural caregivers and our needs are sometimes at the bottom of the list. If you don't take care of yourself, who will...right? (((HUGS)))

[Erica]

So glad you're feeling better. Lovely to have you back in the Attic. Take care Erica X

[Angela-Southern USA]

So lovely to have your sunny self back in blogland Lucy! Wishing you continued rising energy levels. What a gorgeous sheep made all the prettier with the floral additions. We all have "warts" from time to time, after all, we're only human. Spring is in the air here and it's inspired me to start a pastel blanket(near 152cm already), in shells for my porch swing. Oh, and I've started my first knitted sock, wish me luck!(Near the heel now)I look forward to seeing the beach huts photo shoot.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Diane Benjamin]

Just wanted to say, I have been sending you many healthy happy wishes, Lucy. I am glad to know that you are taking the time & space you need to step back and recoup - wise woman! Be well my colorful e-friend! (And thank you for sharing the beautiful springy snaps!)

[Judith Pearson]

Glad you are feeling well enough to post again-eat lots of liver !