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

[Hula Loop]

We missed you!! So glad you're back and on the mend :0) Your half term sounded like mine. Lovely blog post as always xxx Sarah

[Mary]

Glad to hear you are on the mend, love your blankets.

[Les]

I'm very glad you are feeling better and happy to see the attic window open again! The blankets are beautiful!

[Barbara]

I feel for you I have suffered from ME for the last five years and have spells of total exhaustion.. I've just learnt to crochet so I have something to do on my weary days. After two lessons I've managed to crochet one of your blankets. Just a few rows to go till I've finished and I don't want it to end.
The colours are inspirational, it was looking at your wreaths that spurred me to learn in the first place
Keep up the pictures on your blog. I have spent many happy days in Grassington, Bolton Abbey, Malam and surrounding area I envy you.
Wish you a speedy recovery

[Susan]

Hurrah you're back.so missed all the colour news.must try snuggling up with my crochet blanket in bed.brilliant therapy.😊

[Me]

Good to have you back - hope you feel better each day !! Take care of yourself.

[Thistle]

I'm really glad you're feeling better, Lucy. I hope the trend continues. Take care.

[Julie]

Lovely to have you back, take time and look after yourself. The beach huts...beautiful setting for your photo shot, can't wait.

[Astrid]

Every day I checked attic 24 .
To feel tired is hard , I know that by own experience for years now.
Crochet is for me also a kind of therapy.
I can relax and slowly something comes out of my hands.
It's a real struggle not to fall in a negative mood after being tired so long.
To accept how it is and not to fight against it is a good manner to deal with it.
It has nothing to do with being lazy.
Fortunately there is still left a lot to enjoy.

[Mandy]

Lovely you're back and feeling better, love the cupcake colours and Lyme Regis looks like a wonderful place to visit x

[Julie simmons]

Hi Lucy, So happy to see you back. Hope you're feeling better, stronger & happier. Anaemia is awful- l was told dark chocolate, green veg, red meat -steak & red wine are all excellent sources of iron and a great pick me up.!!!
Love love love the cupcake colours- love Lyme regis as well, have many memories from years spent there.
If you get down to Dorset- mum tells me the cliffs at West Bay have been quite active so may be worth a nosey. Take care, much love xx

[Corinne]

Really pleased that you're receiving the right treatment and starting to feel better. Good to see you back. Take care. xx

[carolyn jackson]

Lovely to have you back lucy, i was hoping you were just taking it easy and not that something was wrong. So pleased quieter time has helped.your cupcake blanket looks lovely. I was excited to see skipton briefly on escape to the country last night, a treat for me in nz to see.take care, flora looks great, my calendar arrived yesterday too. C,

[Janet Chappell]

So good to see you posting again, sharing all your lovely creativity ! Love reading your blog and hope you're soon back to good health. X

[Liz]

I'm ever so pleased to hear that you're recovering well, I've really missed you on here. Another couple of weeks and hopefully I'll be able to join you at Coopers. Take it easy until you're fully recovered . Love Liz xx.

[Mady Shipton]

You were missed x

[Debby]

So glad to see you are back. I was hoping things were okay with you. It's good that you took the time you needed. Glad you are starting to feel better.

[Joan]

Welcome back! So pleased you are feeling better,love the idea of the beach hut as a backdrop for your new blankie, take care of yourself.

[Susan Fields]

So happy you're back! You
Inspire me so much. Take
good care.

[Odette Wells]

Glad you are feeling better and love the beach Hut background idea!🌼🌼

[carrie]

so glad you are feeling better and are back to blogging, you have been very much missed x

[pbach1]

nice to have you back. and, absolutely love the sorbet version of your blanket!

[Julia Williams]

Welcome back. We have missed you x

[Winwick Mum]

You're back :) xx

[Casey Carnall]

So glad that you are feeling better!!
And i completely cannot wait for your photos of Lyme Regis with the cupcake blanket! I live in Dorset too, and my hubby works in Lyme Regis so we go there quite often. Its so pretty.