Frosty Warm

It appears that I have a fixation with the weather at the moment, and I sincerely hope this is not boring the pants off you. Actually, it's not so much the weather that is at the centre of my thoughts, but more the rapid change in seasons. Summer to Autumn was deliciously slow and leisurely this year and I loved that gentle transition so much. Autumn to Winter has been like BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In your face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I'm not liking that effect nearly so much, it has jolted my innards and I really wish for things to slooooow right down please. This morning we woke to sub zero temperatures and a chilly walk to school. The ducks were ice skating on the slippery surface of the frozen canal which made us laugh and made us late for school as we spent way too much time standing and watching it all unfold.

Despite the shock of the cold, there was an abundance of natural beauty out there in the world this morning.

Even a mundane trip to the supermarket to buy broccoli and Parmesan cheese was rewarded with these gorgeous frosty berries in the car park.

I got half way up the hill home, then decided on a whim to turn left instead of carrying straight on, just for the pleasure of walking a little longer in the cool frosty morning.

I wish you could lean in a little closer and put your nose to your screen to sniff at the air here - it's the smell of cold air mixed with wood smoke, as so many of the canal boats have their wood burning stoves lit to keep them cosy inside. I love love love this smell so much, and it will forever remind me of living here in this little town.

Ahhh.....I seem to be heading towards the park, I think my boots have walked this way of their own accord!

Frosty grass and icy leaves under foot as I walk......

.....even the dead leaves look rather beautiful with their delicate outline of ice crystals. Which has just reminded me of a hashtag on Instagram #lovelydeadcrap which makes me snort with laughter every time (thanks to Emma @silverpebble2 for that gem!)

I look at the above photo and I want to tell you how beautiful the light was (again), but I feel I might even be boring myself with this constant need to talk about the light levels. My inner dialogue is fixating, I swear I never used to be this way.

This has become my current uniform of choice - red boots (always, unless it's raining, in which case I put on my spotty ankle wellies), leggings (worn with a skirt/pinafore/dress of some sorts) and a pair of warm, cosy, beautiful hand knit socks on my feet (joy of absolute joys). I blinkin' love wearing hand knit socks, they give me nothing but utter pleasure for the whole day long. Which reminds me, I must give you a sock update soon. I've got hand dyed yarn to show you, and it is rather spesh.

OH!!!!!!!!!!!!! The LiGhT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See what I mean about that sunlight?? It moves me, truly.

Light-lit leaves, the last few still hanging on to the branches.....

.....it was really lovely to see little itty bits of bright green lit up amongst the brown.

The air was still and quiet today, the landscape muffled and muted by the frosty cold.

Back home now, and fresh coffee is top of my agenda before I can think about doing anything. I don't have a fancy milk frother gadget, but I do like to perform a bit of light whipping with a teeny tiny whisk to add some air bubbles to my hot milk. Life's little pleasures and all.

I enjoyed a mini mince pie with my morning coffee and planning, and rather delicious it was too. My hyacinths have grown so quickly in the warmth of home, and I'm hoping to see those sweet flowers bloom very soon. The kitty has not paid the slightest bit of attention to them by the way, which I am hugely grateful for, because honestly, she ate my geraniums which were on my table a few weeks back. Not just a small nibble or a bit of a curious investigation, but actual eating. 

I bought paper snowflakes yesterday, three for £1 from Poundland. I haven't done anything remotely Christmassy yet (not an inkling of any purchases at all which is slightly worrying), but ahh I did get suckered in by the flood of nostalgic memories which assaulted  me when I saw these paper decorations. 

Takes me right back to being Little B's age or there abouts. Talking of the B child, let me show you something......

.....this was on my floor this morning, the product of Little B getting up at 6.30 am and occupying himself by building dens/hideouts/lairs/camps and nests. The above is a nest apparently, and is pretty much a daily occurrence. He carefully constructs these things, then sits himself in the middle, snuggles himself right in, demands food (usually cherry tomatoes, I kid you not), then spends the next hour watching some insane cartoon (Teen Titans Go! which is mental).

Some days I leave his nest alone and spend the entire day stepping over and around it. Yesterday the tripping hazard became too much so I spent a while putting cushions back on sofas and folding and stacking my blankets.....

.....ooooo such a pretty pile, in a house where messy, unruly piles are generally unsightly and not in the least bit picturesque. This pile, I could happily sit and gaze at for long, lovely moments, it pleases me so much to take in all the colours, and ponder on the memories of time and place caught up in those thousands and thousands of yarny stitches. Makes me very happy.

This afternoon I toddled off to Coopers Cafe for a really pleasurable creative sesh with the most lovely ladies - I really do enjoy these hours in my week so so much. There was frothy, chocolate dusted coffee and a warm homemade scone (not the healthiest lunch, but hey-ho, it really did hit that comfort-needy spot). There was chatter and laughter and there were waves of yarny colour. I have to say, I'm finding these colour combos rather weird, they kind of make me feel simultaneously joyful and concerned. It's what happens when I go Rogue Random (instead of my usual Planned Random), I do like it but it also makes my toes curl a weeny bit. 

It's 8.30 pm now, and I am already ready for bed. Sad, but true. My energy levels are quite low at the moment so I'm treating myself kindly and making sure I get plenty of sleep. On these cold, dark nights I've started heading to my bed around about now, taking a hot water bottle and my bag of wacky yarn colours with me and hooking up some rows of rogue waves before my eyes start to droop. It's such a beautiful, peaceful, soothing way to end the day, I can highly recommend it.

Righty-o, I shall shuffle off away from my desk now and go tuck up into my own nest. Thank you for indulging my seasonal fixations and reading my ramblings. It's always lovely to chat xxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Carol DeLater]

I always enjoy your pics of what you see on your walks. Our weather in Northern Indiana USA is just beginning to turn to winter...about a month past when we usually have our first snowfall. I seriously would be happy if we never had another flake. But then wouldn't THAT we scary!!
xx, Carol

[Kerrie]

What a lovely, lovely blog! I am enjoying it so much!

[Winwick Mum]

One of the best things about this weather is how much you appreciate being back in the warm, especially with a scone and a brew! xx

[Rachel]

Since we moved house to the edge of our town, we have the most incredible views over fields and woodland - and I've become obsessed with the light too! It's so beautiful to see the sunlight streaming through the trees and gently kissing the fields - the girls love going for a 10 minute walk after school too - and looking at the setting sun. So beautiful.

[CJ]

I'm always obsessed by the winter sunlight, everyone round here is used to me waxing lyrical about it all the livelong day. I really wished I took my camera on the school run this morning, as you say, the most ordinary things were utterly transformed. I haven't had a mince pie yet, but seeing yours I've suddenly realised the time is right. I shall hunt one down immediately. Look after yourself Lucy, and enjoy the rest of the week. CJ xx

[Carol]

So many blankets, but when I look round at home, I realise I have many of them as well!! Love your outdoor photos as I recognise some of the views since coming to Yarndale this year. Happy memories.

[Lavinia]

I can remember doing the school run a few years ago now in the snow, I was so busy watching the ducks and geese siding on the ice that I fell over myself ! Oh we did laugh, luckily I was unhurt

[Penny L]

It's that lovely spellcheck again! Should say scrummy post! Penny L

[Penny L]

Scrum my post xx PennyL

[Elena Photopoulou]

Dear Lucy,
I'm writing you from Greece. I always enjoy reading your posts and share your appreciation for little things. Your blog is an inspiration for me. Although I'm a starter in crochet,I have done three blankets,thanks to your very enlighting tutorials. Your photos make me to wand visit this beautiful little town.
Have a nice day
Elena

[Laurie Mowat]

I love hearing about your walks and going wherever
your feet take you and as always your photos are beautiful! The smell of smoke at this time of year always reminds me of visits to a pioneer village we have here in Indiana. It does make for a cozy feeling! Get all the rest you need. Your bed looks like the perfect way to end the day, so snuggly looking. Thanks for sharing your day.

[Teresa Kasner]

It looks like you're thoroughly enjoying life doing even the mundane in the most appreciative way. I admire that in you! Thank you for sharing the canal boat with smoke weaving it's way into the sky.. you're so lucky to get to spend time walking by them.

*********************************************
*H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Jayne]

So love your town tour of your lovely English village, winter sure is about to set in. Will it be a white Christmas for you ? Here in Australia its rapidly warming up again fast some areas have already hit 40C. Our Christmas will not doubt be a scorcher!
You made me chuckle Lucy with your cappucino fluff, I shake the long life milk container and make my friends the best cappuccinos,they love it! Who needs a fandangled machine. Really enjoyed your blog today.

[Angela-Southern USA]

I miss the fort/nest building my girls did when younger. Lovely seeing the frosty leaves and such. Have a good rest.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Kelley C]

Lucy, I myself snorted out loud at this post multiple times. So funny today! I do love your ramblings so, all the way across the pond over here in Michigan. :-)

[Jean Stein]

Thank you so so much for sharing your sunshine, as we've had clouds and rain for the last many days. I'm starting to think that sunny and cold is better than damp and cold-ish! November has disappeared for my family, even with the Thanksgiving long weekend, and Christmas is roaring closer and closer. Please take cozy care of yourself and your little ones, and thanks again!

[Clare]

Lovely pics, I do love a frosty morning, I too was out taking pics of the berries in the garden today, before the blackbird eat them all
Clare x

[Jenn Williamson]

Loving the frosty pictures and the beautiful light. I'm just down the road in Bradford and I took my nursery class outside this morning to explore our frosty playground. There was much oooing and ahhhhing as we discovered frozen puddles,icy condensation on the mirrors and sparkly frosty leaves!

[Eleonora from Coastal Crochet]

Fabulous post, what a lovey day you have had in beautiful surroundings... ☺ ❤💕

[Ellice]

Always wonderful to read your blog. You transform me to your world which is always the opposite weather wise to where I live. Love it 😍 I love to see your walks in the woods with the frosted leaves and misty atmosphere. Sounds like your Little B loves a snuggle in colour and softness. ❤️

[Brianna]

Your posts are always good for the soul. Such a beautiful reminder of color, simple pleasures, and familial warmth. Greetings stateside from Indiana. ❤️❤️

[Astrid]

It's good to take care of yourself.
Happy you are when you can enjoy light , coffee , colours and small things , it gives a peaceful feeling.

Nice to read about it.

[Kate]

I never tire of reading about your walks and looking at your glorious photos. Wish I could take those walks with you as where I walk isn't nearly as pretty. I want to thank you so much for hooking me onto stocking knitting last January. I have learned to knit socks and have knitted about twenty pair since then and family and friends will be getting some for Christmas. Thank you. Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family.

[heidijo]

Luckily I hadn't taken a sip of my hot cup of tea when I read the "lovelydeadcrap " otherwise it would have been all over my nice warm duvet cos it really tickled my fancy to , I was giggling away to my self it makes my chuckle think about it now. I wish all winter could be bright cold and stunning like the last couple of days.

[TracyBzz]

I love hearing about your weather, the light and the scenery. We had snow October 1st, which was deperessingly early, in northern Alberta Canada. It always snows in October but that was a bit much. Now we've had days and days of thick gorgeous hoarfrost, my favourite part of winter.