Another Monday, and another venture out into the cold depths of the Winter landscape. It was pretty fabulous actually, oh yes it was certainly very cold, but that smidge of watery sunshine was just beautiful.
J and I, wandering through the woodlands of Bolton Abbey, chattering and laughing the morning away. It's been six weeks since the start of the year and we are still adjusting to the fact that this is now the reality of our Mondays. It feels so much like we are playing truant from real life on these days, sneaking an extra dollop of leisure and pleasure onto the end of our weekend. We are so so lucky to have this time together, and I treasure and celebrate these precious Monday hours of ours.
Blue sky, blue sky!!! I celebrated that fact too, cos that colour up above my head made me feel so good, however fleeting it was.
I noticed catkins too, those little dingly, dangly reminders that there is seasonal growth happening and that we are edging closer to Spring each and every day.
But best of all, down at ground level, I jumped around with delight at the sight of these vibrant green shoots pushing up through the brown. These are bluebell shoots, the very very best kind of new growth to see in the depths of Winter. It's only three more months till we will see a glorious haze of purply-blue in the woodland, and I absolutely cannot wait. May is my most favourite month of the entire year.
On the home front, I'm really enjoying some seasonal growth on my mantel too. I made these little crochet tin covers back in 2012, and I bring them out every year especially for the task of holding small yellow pots of narcissus.
Aren't seasonal rituals wonderful? I love love love the many small acts of celebration that occur at the same times each year, and I love that through many years of blogging I can see these patterns and rhythms repeating. It's amazingly reassuring and I think really there is much to be said for celebrating life's small pleasures.
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ps the beautiful print on my mantel is by the talented Loretta Grayson, you can find her work on Etsy, with worldwide shipping from Australia. I bought this print six years ago now and love it more than ever. xx
I know exactly when it's in the air by visiting you. I'm off to revisit your crochet tin covers now; I remember when you made them, has it really been five years??!
Posted by: Hermina | September 20, 2018 at 10:02 PM
Nice work, thanks for sharing with us!
Posted by: Florina Borsan | June 12, 2018 at 01:02 PM
Hello, nice blog. So nice pictures.
Posted by: Florina Borsan | June 07, 2018 at 05:26 PM
Can't wait to see the spring blooming.
Posted by: Andreea | April 01, 2017 at 12:34 PM
Awesome blog, lovely pictures. Thanks for share this.
Posted by: Andreea | March 31, 2017 at 11:21 PM
I'm trying to learn to remember that the blue sky is always there even when the clouds get in the way - like in your post last week where you actually travelled above the clouds and saw the blue sky!
Posted by: Mary H | February 16, 2017 at 06:45 PM
I love that my daffodils are blooming now a reminder than spring is close, I so look forward to that!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | February 16, 2017 at 02:16 PM
Rituals and routines, the life's blood of blogging. And I love the covers coming out again and again.
I'm writing a post (or a series of posts: I haven't decided) on hyggely blogs (rather than hygge blogs) and would love to feature yours. Would you mind? Please contact me via the email that I think you get access to, don't you? It would just be a couple of simple questions about how and why, and how hygge you feel you are, and permission for a couple of photos. Plus copious links to Attic 24 all over the post!
Posted by: Angel Jem | February 16, 2017 at 12:19 PM
Oh my goodness! I can't believe you made those covers in 2012! I remember reading the post when you made them - how time flies! Oh by the way, I love your Bolton Abbey posts, I was fortunate to visit Bolton Abbey in 2012 ( there's that year again) and my mother used to visit there with her family when she was a Girl living in England. xxBrenda
Posted by: Brenda | February 16, 2017 at 11:01 AM
That would be a gorgeous Spring landscape here!! Lol! :)
Have a beautiful day!
Best wishes!
Posted by: helen | February 16, 2017 at 10:31 AM
Hi, looking forward to seeing your bluebells.I love your blog. So colourful and cheery!
Posted by: Cozzycrochet | February 16, 2017 at 08:24 AM
Spring might be springing!! Hooray, I love it too.
Posted by: Carol | February 16, 2017 at 07:44 AM
Your husband is working a 4 day week now? How nice for the 2 of you! I look forward to seeing your bluebells in bloom. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | February 16, 2017 at 06:13 AM
I love the pops of blue sky that come through when it rains. They just make me smile and remember that there's always blue sky's behind the clouds.
Posted by: Sierra | February 16, 2017 at 12:42 AM
So good to see those green shoots again and a little bit of blue sky, not to mention a familiar view of the woods at Bolton Abbey.
Posted by: AnnieOB | February 15, 2017 at 11:14 PM
It looks like such a beautiful spot. Lovely to see those spring shoots. You do spring so beautifully here at Attic 24. I know exactly when it's in the air by visiting you. I'm off to revisit your crochet tin covers now; I remember when you made them, has it really been five years??! CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | February 15, 2017 at 08:27 PM
I thought I recognised that view from up high! How lovely to see the blue sky again, we had a fleeting moment of sunshine today too :-) xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | February 15, 2017 at 07:39 PM
You are a true artist Lucy I wish i could see more of those awesome fabric pictures you do with the decorative stitching , they are truly amazing !! Izzy from NJ USA
Posted by: Izzy | February 15, 2017 at 06:52 PM
Enjoy those Mondays together😊
Posted by: Susan | February 15, 2017 at 06:17 PM
Hi Lucy!
I was wondering if you have ever tried to crochet a pair of socks? I have seen a few patterns for it.
Love your work and blog!
Thanks,
Karol
Posted by: Karol Hamilton | February 15, 2017 at 06:15 PM
I think it's the flowers that are getting me through these grey cold days. I've decided that Jan and Feb are months when I am allowed to indulge in flowers to keep colour and happiness flowing. The daffs and tete et tete's are cheap, and so are the hyacinths if you hunt around. I think they make ones soul very happy. It's also lovely seeing new growth out and about. Ahhhhhhhhh I cannot wait for longer, warmer days. Bring it on! Xxxxxx
Posted by: Vanessa | February 15, 2017 at 06:14 PM
Oh the English countryside, captured so beautifully in your picturesque posts! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Vaidehee | February 15, 2017 at 05:34 PM
It is a lovely reminder that spring is on the way, rhubarb sprouting in the garden too.☺
Posted by: Maggie | February 15, 2017 at 05:32 PM
How love,y. I adore your blog it's always so colourful.
Posted by: Tracy Sutton | February 15, 2017 at 04:56 PM