Autumn Moments {five}

🍁 Loving the low, low sun in the sky as we walk to school in the mornings, the very golden-ness of it is really uplifting. I've found that if I walk sloooowly down the hill instead of racing like a lunatic, I can stand and move my head around until I am gifted with the full force of all those golden sun rays right through the hedge and onto my face. It really is spectacular. And I love that I need to slow right down to a standstill in order to experience it (not easy when we are nearly always late leaving in the mornings). There must be all sorts of mega important analogies contained in that slowing-down realisation......I'll leave that with you!

🍁 The distinct lack of leafage in the treetops means that I am  very much more aware of the birds these days. I walk past hedges that contain huge flocks of chattering sparrows which would normally be hidden from view. I see all the jackdaws and rooks congregating for a morning meeting in some of the larger trees around town, and every so often I spy magpies hanging out right up there in the huge tree which grows at the bottom of my hill. Thank goodness there are often two. I'm not a superstitious person, but that childhood magpie rhyme is always right at the fore when I see these birds and I cannot bare to think that the day might contain a single magpie and a whole load of sorrow. I need joy, every time. Or possibly silver.

🍁 Four pee-em in the afternoon, coming out of the supermarket and I spy the moon already rising over the hill. So very beautiful. I think this was a few days before the Supermoon (which I'm peeved that I missed, as according to my neighbour it was spectacular here). I'm still counting down the days till Winter Solstice (8 more days to go), but truthfully, this Autumn season has been really pretty gorgeous and I'll be sorry to see it end.

🍁 Autumn mist at full tilt. Sometimes at this time of year, the weather is just a grey, damp mess and there is no getting away from it. Time to hunker down and enjoy the comforts of a warm home, with lots of coffee and possibly a bit of good chocolate just to assist with beating off the grey vibe.

 🍁 A stop up on the moor tops after a short walk at Bolton Abbey. It was just J and I (one of our Monday jaunts), we often like to stop up here on our way back home after a walk. We sat and watched the clouds moving across the sky and listened to a grouse calling. There is such tranquility in a beautiful long distance view, I never, ever tire of sitting quietly a-top a hill (or cliff) with a view over a gorgeous landscape (or seascape), it's one of life's true pleasures.

🍁 Alllll the blanket action happening in the Attic at this time of year, as we all make use of my crochet addiction on a daily basis. I cannot imagine a life without crochet blankets in it, they are just the most comforting and heart warming things ever, ever, ever. Mind you, the Teen has put in a request for a "Blanket with Sleeves" for Christmas instead of the usual onesie or pyjamas, and I am kind of aghast at the idea of actually purchasing a blanket. If I had a whole hoard of elves at my disposal I might consider designing a crochet version, but sadly I think the Snug Deluxe Fleece will have to be considered. At least the younger two still adore my crochet blankets, I'm holding that thought.

🍁 The hyacinths are growing oh-so-slowly but I am enjoying the gentle daily progress and very much looking forward to the eventual arrival of the blooms. At this rate, it's likely to be a New Year occurrence, but how lovely will that be?

🍁 Planning and list writing has featured heavily in my daily routine these past few weeks as I attempt to keep myself grounded and panic free. I've not been sleeping at all well so have felt tired and foggy recently, and the simple act of writing short to-do lists and making notes about the many things that are swirling in and out of my Creative Mind helps enormously. I tend to use my planner in two different ways - mostly it's all about the day-to-day practicalities, but I am also trying to get into the habit of more long-term planning. Thinking about the year ahead isn't easy for someone like me who much prefers to exist in the present moment, but I find more and more that having a slightly longer perspective on life is very useful. It's like zooming out into a landscape view instead of always looking at the blades of grass in macro mode. I'm excited for 2018, I've got some delicious and exciting plans for the next twelve months. Which reminds me, I must go and collect my new 2018 Life Planner which is currently waiting for me at the post office - can't wait to show you my new cover!

🍁 Oh, how I adore my precious studio space, most especially at this time of year when the temperatures drop and all is warm, colourful and cosy inside these four walls. There is a small, low radiator on one wall of my studio that packs out a surprising amount of heat and I find I work much better when my extremities are warm. I've been allowing myself the luxury of a "design day" each week where I grant myself time to play and experiment with new yarns, new colours and new pattern ideas.  Autumn seems to spark a flurry of new ideas, I think in part because my summer is always so darn busy and consumed by Yarndale that a good many things get shoved onto the back burner during the summer. 

🍁 Autumn has been wonderful at our weekly get-togethers at Coopers Cafe (where I have my studio), and I appreciate spending time with creative friends very much. I took this photo on Friday morning as I sat sipping my first latte of the day and waiting for the room to fill up with chatter and yarny folk. Our "Creative Coopers" sessions are popular all year round but in the colder months of the year it's especially lovely. There is something so comforting about being cosied up in the warmth of a cafe enjoying a delicious hot drink, a little bit of knit/stitch/crochet and a lot of chat and laughter. If you ever find yourself in my patch, consider yourself cordially invited to join us - we meet on Tuesday afternoons (1 - 3) and Friday mornings 9-11.30). During the school holidays we meet Friday mornings only, so during the Christmas hols we'll be meeting Friday 29th Dec and Friday 5th Jan (which is the first day of the Woodland CAL, yipppeeee!!!!). 

 🍁 Ahhh........my beloved view, such a gorgeous way to observe the seasons passing and changing each and every day. I prefer to celebrate our seasons by referring to the equinox and solstice days (that's the astronmical way rather than the meteorological way - more info here), so that means that technically we are still in Autumn until the Winter Solstice next week. However, this week has been so very wintry with snow and ice and sub zero temperatures that I've been forced into Winter thinking a bit early. I'm OK with that though - I've got candles and fairy lights and can light the fire (guilt free) in the middle of the afternoon. And I have crochet blankets and hand knit socks, early bedtimes with my hot water bottle and a good book, and slow, pyjama clad weekends which seem to last for ages. Yes, I'm OK with going into Winter, bring on all the cosy. 

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Previous Autumn Moments ::

❦ {one} ❦ {two} ❦ {three} ❦ {four} ❦

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Comments

[Vanessa]

Hi Lucy,

I'm stopping by to wish you the most super awesome Christmas for you and your family. I hope you'll get some lovely relaxing quality time to do what you love and I wish you all the happiness and creativity for the New Year!

Much love,

Ness xxxxxxx

[gina in alabama]

that's a gorgeous shade card on your table, whose yarn does it represent? i definitely need one! Happy Holidays!

[Angela-Southern USA]

Yes, bring on the cozy! We've already had snow as well (6 inches worth!) un heard of this early for us here in the southern US. I'm enjoying a cup of tea and the Christmas tree this morning catching up with you, always a pleasure.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[carolyn mary jackson]

Another lovely blog, always makes my day. Your times at coopers sound great, I would love to be there too, but I have 2 groups to go to each week too, where we knit, crochet or embroider, I have told many friends of your blog which they enjoy too. A cold Christmas would be lovely too, hope ours wont be too hot , we have been up to 33 o this week. Happy Christmas, Carolyn.

[Jacquie]

Such a lovely post Lucy. Oh how I wish I lived nearer and could join you at Coopers. Hope you have a good Christmas.
Lots of Love
Jacquie xxx

[Cheryl]

Oh my goodness, you live in an absolutely breathtaking part of the world! My knitty friend and I have dreams of visiting little corners of the UK and your posts give me inspiration to save my pennies!

[Paula]

Funny you should mention a blanket with sleeves as I made one for teenage son. He loves reading and with his new blanlet he can snuggle up and have his arms free to hold his book.

I followed the pattern from RedHeart and it's called Crochet Snuggle Up Throw with Sleeves.

Just thought I'd share.

[Reneelynn]

Very cold here this morning 9C . Snow on the ground to keep the summer flowers warm. Just beautiful to look at out the wondows......

[Tuula Maaria]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who finds it hard to plan for any longer time! I have found the 90-day year system very helpful even though I have only been learning those parts of it that you can get to free. I can plan for 3 months and that is enough for me :)

[Linne]

Love this, as all your posts, Lucy. That planner is so beautiful, as is your studio! I hope to have a chesterfield covered with blankets one day, too.

The Corvidae are my favourite birds and have always been bringers or harbingers of good luck in my life. I especially love the Ravens.

My Stylecraft order has not arrived yet, but with Christmas mail . . . I ordered a shade card, too, so if that's what is on your table, I'm very excited to see mine! I needed a different combination of colours from your packs, so ordered separately, but I did tell them that you recommended them and that I was ordering based on that.

Thanks for all the free patterns and inspiration in general. You have made a great difference to me and to my friend in Tacoma (she's back to working on her first Cosy Stripe Blanket now).

I did check the links you shared and that blanket with sleeves looks very cosy. You may want a Guppy Bag to wash it in, though. Google Guppy Bag and you will see what I mean. They keep the microfibre bits out of the ocean and will help save our fish.

Have a great weekend, Lucy. ~ Linne

[Teresa Kasner]

I'm always happy to see your blog pop to the top of my blog list! :-) I've got my yarn for the new blanket and am looking forward to joining in! I always enjoy seeing your collection of blankets. You will always inspire me to greater hooky heights! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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[Kate]

Oh, how I wish I could join you at Cooper's Café and knit socks alongside you. I would have never learned how to knit them if it were not for your blog and Minwick Mom. I will be forever indebted to you both for helping me learn a new craft in my old age! It sounds like so much fun to get together with like minded people and create and talk. Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas!

[Camcas]

Hygge!

[Deborah]

I am interested in celebrating the winter solstice this year. Would you please share with us what you do to celebrate? Many Thanks!

[CJ]

A little winter gloom is a good thing I think, all the better for being cosy inside. I've got myself a new planner, and I'm trying to make some long term goals and really get organised. Your studio is looking gorgeous, and I love the idea of a design day. CJ xx

[Kath Gale]

Dear Lucy
What an amazing world-we are in hot hot weather at present (40 Celsius), rushing about for Christmas.Able to knit and crochet with our cooling systems thank goodness.Cheers and Ho Ho Ho! to you and best wishes for a creative New Year.

Kath from Oz

[Margaret Simpson]

Thank you Lucy for once again sharing you beautiful photo's and thoughts with us.

[diana]

Lovely post!
The picture of your studio shows an 'empty' (undecorated) wreath on the wall. Are you planning another wreath? Not sure which season it would be though. :)
Happy holidays from Ottawa, Canada!

[Sue]

Hi Lucy! Like one of the other posts your column always calms me & brings a smile to my face. I hope you find joy & peace as the seasons change. Merry Christmas from snowy Akron, Ohio USA. P.s. love the notion of a "crafty cafe"

[Annie C]

Ohhhhh, I LOVE this post! Wishing for a cozy place for a monthly art get-together here state-side in the freezy Inland Northwest! I'm going to follow your lead and embrace the cozy indoors and try to limit slippy-sliding out on the road this winter! Happy Christmas! :-)

[Tracy Sutton]

Love your blog it brightens up my Facebook page, currently working on my first ever virus shawl.

[Janette Surtees]

Lovely lovely writing Lucy! Also that photo of your studio - the ginormous shade cards on the table with all those colours in! Wow! I want one, where, who, how do I purchase one from?
Thank you for brightening my dark afternoon.

[Jo Hyde]

Happy Christmas Lucy to you and yours! Thank you SOOOO.. much for another year of inspiration from your wonderful blogs. I hope you never let the weight of our expectation be a burden to you!!

[Rae]

I've lived in the moment most of my life and don't like planning too far ahead. When ever I did things would always fall by the wayside and not happen for some reason or another. So rather than be disappointed I do plan much. Loving your pictures.

[Vicki Wise Mason]

Lucy, how do you do it? Your blog post always calm me....yet also inspire me to "get creative!" Love the photo with your crochet wreaths!!
Also love the photo of the bare tree and birds. Birdsong in the morning is one of my favorite things!!
Happy Day to you dear!