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....

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

Save

Save

Save

Comments

[Karen Carter]

Oh my gosh a cute kitty!! And the other pics are lovely too lol.
Please can I be nosey and ask where you got your stripy rug from (first pic)? Ta xx

[Jacqui]

Oh my snow we haven't had snow yet but by the look of today might be a contender. Think I will stay here in my fleecy jim jams and knitted socks under my crochet blanket all your influence! sorting out my unfinished projects out of this huge bucket!!!

[Marijke]

This seems to me the Scandinavian concept of 'Hygge' in a nutshell. Cosying up at home after a breath of fresh air, enjoying the little things in life. Thanks for another lovely and inspiring post.

[Leah]

Lucy I too would be interested in your sweeties recipe for the slow cooker sauce!
Thank you for another wonderful nature filled post. You are inspiring me to get up off me duff and start walking to see for myself first-hand the glories of creation!😀

[Rowena Corlett]

Hi Lucy really looking forward to the new blanket - just in time for someone to give me the pack for Christmas! Looking at the colours I think 2 packs would be better so I can make it big enough to go on our kingsize bed!I have come to appreciate the cosyness of winter and having more time to snuggle up with my crochet! I do so enjoy your blog - thanks a million xxxxxx

[Marijke]

What a beautiful crocheted items. Also beautiful pictures!
Greetings Marijke!

[Susan]

Wow, a kitten. DD & family got 2 little ones in mid October & oh, they are so cute. The walk above Bolton Abbey is possibly the one I enjoyed back in late August, so looking quite different now. I occasionally make my Bolognese in the slow cooker & then do the same as you do. Look forward to seeing this new blanket. I also make lemon drizzle, but we are lucky enough to have our own lemon tree. Must give you an easy recipe for Lemon Delicious if you like lemon flavour. Have a great week, stay warm & take care.

[Carol]

I do enjoy reading your blog especially since I came to Skipton for Yarndale and now know the places you are talking about. Always lovely colours. I have finished your 3 weekend bags, one each for my granddaughters for Christmas. I love the colours.

[Rachael]

Wow a little 🐱.
She deserves a post of her own lol.

[Sue]

Beautiful cosy post as always x

[Julie]

Sorry another thought - Your other half wouldn't be prepared to share his slow cooker sauce recipe would he or is it a family secret.

[Julie]

Your post almost makes me wish for snow and cooler days - almost. We are heading into summer here and already have had quite a few hot days but thankfully most nights are still cool (so easy to sleep). Love all your pictures and am looking forward to starting my springtime bag soon. Enjoy autumn before your winter really sets in.

[Kathy, FRANCE]

Find it really strange you didn't mention getting a cat........when you tell us about every flower, plant, pen, candle, leaf, pebble, shell, book and ball of wool that enters the house.......?????

[Rose from the Happy Ramblings blog]

I love reading your blog with all the things that you are doing and the amazing colours in your photographs. It brings back fond memories of my childhood in England. The Autumn leaves and snow! It is late Spring now in New Zealand, warm but windy and very green. Looking forward to your next post. Hugs, Rose x

[Janette Surtees]

Arh - yes the joy of colours and comfy clothes. I too have a lime green coat. Not the same as yours but it brings me ALOT of pleasure to wear it. Said coat has a spotty lining which I love equally. Have made a matching crochet scarf in blackberry salad stitch. Just need to order one of your bag packs - and I'll be set! My Acer tree in the front garden which is 30 years old is ablaze of colour. Rich reds, oranges and copper were dazzling from it's leaves this afternoon here. Love it.

[Teresa Kasner]

I also remember how happy you were when you got that pretty pea green coat.. I love it too. It was fun to see your pretty fall leaves in the canal and forest and trails. Tilly is very cute! Have fun with your new yarn! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Penny]

What a precious little girl Tilly is! How could you get a cat and not tell the world? :-)

I am anxiously awaiting the 16th when your latest color pack will be available so I can snatch one up and be waiting for the CAL come January!

[Clare]

Hello Lucy - we have been away from our little house since Easter, whilst it is being mended, but now the nights are closing in, and getting colder, we are all looking forward to getting back and snuggling down amongst the blankets and socks, wherever they have been packed up. Two barrow loads of crow's nests have been removed from the chimney - so it should be safe to light a fire at long last! I've done no crafting in all this time. High time my hooks and needles came out again. Glad you are back too xxxx

[heidijo]

My poor cupcake blanket is sat in its bag feeling lonely, I have a sock fetishism going on 2 pairs down sock 5 done 6 at the heel and 7 on the leg, yes I have two on the go that way can be on a easy bit for TV watching at all times! Lucy all your doing no time to crochet as well.

[Jenny]

Hi Lucy lovely blog love Jenny xx

[Margit kidd]

Oh, Lucy, just when I have decided on my Christmas gift from my daughter in the midlands you offer another yarn pack. what is a person to do. I know ask for it as a present for my January birthday. Lol. So much to crochet and so little time. Our fall has been dry and hot up to the upper 70s here in the southern USA. this weekend is the first cool to cold days we have had.

[Linden]

Love the new kitty! She is the same colour as my cat who is also called Tilly, but she is longhaired and 16 years old now. Hope your Tilly doesn't tangle up too much of your yarn!
I also wonder what the winter will be like. Never seen snow on the ground so early before.
Have a good week!

[Helen]

Your Tilly is the double of my Corelli, although my kitty is 17 now and loves toasting herself by the fire. I don't think she enjoys the furious petting my 14 month old daughter Lucy gives her though!

[Kitty]

I can't agree at all that a cat comes second in any way to a bag of inanimate yarn. Cats give back according to the love they receive and are much much more lovely than any wool, no matter how nice it is.

[Lyn lewis]

Glorious pictures and sentiments :)
Brindle torties I found in my many years of cat rescue, to be frequently loving and fussy whereas the patches kind of torties could often be less so!
lol
There's always joy in kicking leaves and having littlies are indeed a great excuse lol