Autumnal

♥ We've had such a mild start to Autumn this year that I've been able to wear my old lime green coat for the past month and not feel the chill at all (this coat isn't very substantial and so I only get to wear it when the weather is still warmish). I love this coat sooooo much, I wonder if any of you remember me lusting after it for a whole year before finally snaffling it up in the sale with a whopping 70% discount?? That was a happy day indeed! I've been alternating my Heatwave and Springtime Weekend bags and delighting in the way the colourful stripes look so good against that lush lime green. Simple pleasures.

♥ We had the first lighting of our open fire at the very end of October, more perhaps for the comfort and cheer than for the need of extra heat. We'd come home from Dorset and we all felt a little bit in need of some extra cosyness on the home front. Lighting the fire brings such a lot of emotional and spiritual warmth, and I love it dearly.

♥ The Autumn season crept in gently here in my town this year, bringing a slow change which I have truly appreciated. I've enjoyed walking around my neighbourhood a lot more than usual during the past few weeks, breathing it all in, the colours (the leaves have been glorious), the smells (wood smoke from the canal boat chimneys), and the almost tangible feel of something very Autumnal in the air.

♥ I had a hard time disposing of the six carved pumpkins on our front steps, it made me sad to say goodbye to them after they were on display for such a short time. To cope with the loss, I decided to replace them with some seasonal colour and purchased some heather plants. The sweet potted viola was given to me by Christine when she last came to visit, oh those flowers are just ridiculously pretty....

♥ ....look! See what I mean? Such delightful little flowery faces greeting me each and every day

♥ Woodland walking is lovely at any time of the year and although bluebell and wild garlic time is my favourite of all, the Autumn Leaf Display comes a close second. J had a day off work a little while back and we took the opportunity to walk at Bolton Abbey. I took a shed load of photos actually, but I am storing them away in a file marked "Woodland Blanket Inspiration".

♥ Autumn sunlight is quite magical I think - the sun is often quite low in the sky at this time of year I guess, so we are often treated to shafts of it slanting in through the treetops as we walk.

♥ I am officially a devoted leaf-kicker at this time of year, and I consider it one of the great pleasures of still having a small child's hand to hold. Little B makes it perfectly acceptable for me to swirl through these leaves on a daily basis, kicking them high into the air, cos of course I do it for him. I do!! He loves it!! Haha.

♥ I haven't taken any photos of the view from the Attic window for ages, but every day when we walk to school, I stop at the very end of our street and look out across to the hills and make a mental note of the colours, the light and the weather playing out across the landscape. We've been living in this house for almost nine years now, and I love this view more than ever.

♥ I divide my day time between home and the studio, although I am mostly at the studio these days as I find it easier to work there. The hours that I'm home alone during the week are incredibly precious, I relish the peace and solitude very much. I plan and think and potter and day dream, and although I don't tend to get a whole lot done, I always, always feel refreshed for just having granted myself some time, space and freedom.

♥ Lemon Drizzle cake has been on my mind a lot this past week, how I love the taste of zesty lemons in Autumn when the summer suddenly seems to be far behind us.

♥ I picked the last of the geranium flowers from my back yard before the frosts got them - I remember last year we didn't have any real frosty mornings until December. Not so this year - November has already  given us some very cold mornings indeed, brrrrrr. 

♥ Autumn cooking and eating is being embraced, and I am currently loving anything with melted cheese on top. J makes up a huge batch of Bolognese sauce in the slow cooker every few weeks, something which he brags about continuously due to the fact that the Little People claim it's their most favourite of all meals. So we eat some with spaghetti, and I make some of it into a hearty lasagne. What is it about melted cheese that is so comforting? 

♥ My crochet blankets are in full swing here each and every day and I have given up trying to straighten them out or fold them neatly. Little B is particularly fond of them and is always making dens/nests to snuggle himself up in. 

♥ Last Wednesday Autumn suddenly abandoned us and Winter took an unexpected icy grip, it was a real shock to the system! By the way, look how rich and lovely those hydrangea flowers are, what a stunning colour (way nicer than the Dorset offerings in my opinion).

♥ In the nine years we've been living here, I've never known it to snow this early before, and it makes me wonder what kind of Winter we will have this year? 

♥ Brrrrrrr, I feel chilly just remembering that walk to school, it was literally freeezing! Thank goodness for hand knitted socks and spotty boots.

♥ Ahhhh, here is six month old Tilly sat watching the snowflakes tumble from the sky......yes, this little kitty is ours, and yes I know it has been very remiss of me not to have introduced you to her before now. She is quite the character, and devilishly hard to photograph, but I will try and take some more pictures to share with you soon I promise.

♥ This was me and Tilly this morning, having a little quiet time before the rest of the family came downstairs. Wrapped in crochet blankets, pyjamas on, hand knitted socks on my feet, a mug of fresh coffee and a book just off to the right, and a sleepy, warm purring kitty on my lap - it was pure bliss I can tell you.

♥ Mind you, even a warm sleepy kitty can't quite compare to the joy of having a bag full of yarn and a new blanket just beginning on my hook. A brand new blanket is JOY to the max my friends!!! I've chosen a natural palette of colours to work with, inspired by the Yorkshire moors in late summertime when the heather is in full flush across the hills. Fresh greens, earthy browns, vibrant purples and soft sky blues.....this blanket is already taking me on the most delightful journey. I'll have lots more to show you here in a few days time when my new Moorland yarn pack launches on Wednesday 16th. I am very excited to share!!!

I hope that you are enjoying the season you're in, whether you are cosying up for Autumn or loving the return of Spring. Make sure you take it all in and appreciate the little things....

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Comments

[Jennifer McLachlan]

Loving Tilly! 💚 XXX

[Debbie, Essex]

You photos, as always, are beautiful.

Your blog inspires me and comforts me.

Kitty, craft and cake = perfect afternoon!!!

Debbie
x

[Robin W.]

Hi Lucy,
I enjoy reading your blog so much. So good to know that there are people who think like I do....drizzle cake, warm fire, kitty cat and crochet...how wonderful that all is.

[Holly]

This is such a joyful post! It was so inspiring. I love when everything gets cozy!

[Rowena]

I remember the coat well as I was one of those who noticed it was in the sale. Still reading your blog and using one of your tutorials to crochet my first blanket as I'm much more of a knitter really and needed a detailed step by step to guide me. Your love of colour inspires me. Best wishes x

[Gill]

HA! Be careful with your kitty, I have 4 and one of them likes nothing quite so much as curling up on my lap whilst I knit or crochet, and CHEWING on the yarn!! Suddenly Im left with a soggy shredded end in the middle of a row....grrr;)

[Brenda Cupryna]

i love reading your blog updates

[Cherie]

Love your cosy autumnal blog, such gorgeous colours both outside and indoors with all your blankets around. I'm enjoying the glowing colours of autumn especially when the sun shines.x

[Adrienne]

Beautiful photos as always! Excited to hear the suggestions of a woodland blanket - my daughter is waiting for that one! She's a real greens and browns and autumnal colours girl, and loves your ripple blankets, but I'm not so good at putting colours together. Hopefully I won't have to!!!

[Eleanor MacLean]

I love your posts, Lucy!

[Jenny B.]

Lucy, I really enjoy reading your blog. :) Whenever I see a new post from you, I know that it's going to cause me to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and think about taking in the beauty around me. You are a gifted writer, and I am thankful for the stories and photos you share. <3

[Elisabeth]

Love your post! So colourful and cosy...

[crafty mema]

love the walk
oxoxox cafty mema

[Zozie]

That's *love that* sorry- silly typo!

[Zozie]

Lover that lucy- so full of life and tilly is so cute- I was surprised you had SNOW! it is colder now...
My blog is full of life's cosy time too...maybe you will sign up to mine one day😊
www.whimsyandcosy.wordpress.com

[Sharon]

What a warm, cozy blog entry this was. I so enjoy your blog, and your beautiful photography. I love your kitty, and the gorgeous blankets you crochet. Thank you!

[Sarah]

What a lovely post! I feel all warm, cozy, and colourful just for having read it.

We haven't had any snow yet but the trees have been putting on an incredible display with their changing leaves.

[Natalie]

Such happy words come from you. Thank you.

[Jill]

I remember the green coat purchase! My thought at the time was, lucky you, a Boden coat! I also love your red boots and shoes... We've had an amazing autumn, as well. I'm about to hang clothes and towels out on the line to dry for possibly the last time until spring. A cold snap is forecast for tomorrow. Enjoy the beautiful weather, we're hoping for lots of snow soon!
Love the kitty and her name.

[Susan Sanders]

I don't knit or crochet or do any needlework of any kind, but I love your blog and enjoying READing about and SEEing all your projects. I do love nature walks, bright colors, English village life, flowers and gardening, morning coffee, coziness of any kind, old things, and good friends.

Thank you for spending your valuable time bringing pleasure to so many of us. I'm grateful for the glimpses you give us but recognize your need for some privacy, as well. Take care of yourself. Sending love to you...

[Angela-Southern USA]

It's all so lovely! Autumn has been odd here this year, as in super hot (in more than one way). The leaves have been glorious, but we still had to run the air conditioner into November (un heard of in these parts!)Your body is telling you it's still summer but the trees say it's autumn, very odd. We've been in a severe drought all year, and those conditions have lead to wildfires everywhere (six States in the south) thankfully no homes have been affected, but my heart breaks thinking of our wild areas and the wildlife there.

[ReadingScotland]

What lovely pictures of fall! I've made it a point to get out as much as possible here too since the weather has been nicer than normal. No snow for us yet -- can't believe that picture from the Attic toward the hills! Wow. So pretty, but a little too early!!!! Love all the color in your pictures!!!

[Shirley Sherratt]

Think I read somewhere that we are in for a very chilly winter. The snow certainly came early for you. In my part of Somerset we rarely get any. Lovely colourful post.

[Kath]

Very remiss of you not to mention Tilly! She's gorgeous. I agree there's nothing quite like snuggling up under a blanket with a sleepy cat. Cosiness personified!

[Winwick Mum]

Cats, blankets and snow. Does it get any better? With lemon cake as well? :-) xx