Hello!! I can't explain how happy I feel to be back here in the Attic, sharing photos of this and that and sitting down to chat with you all. Life has been slightly strange for me of late in that quite a bit of what I'm up to can't be shared just yet, and the knock-on effect is that it's made it harder for me to blog. But I've really missed being here, my weeks just don't feel right without this precious outlet to share and chat about what's going on in my life, so I really want to make time to be here more.
Behind the scenes I'm working on Yarndale things and some exciting design commissions as well as two new blankets, so I'm busy busy but in a Secret Squirrel kind of a way which doesn't really suit me all that well to be honest. I'm so looking forward to the sharing bit of all this creativity, in fact I absolutely cannot wait to unzip myself and blurt it all out. Hmm...is blurt even a word? I think it absolutely should be, don't you?
This week the Little People returned back to school and J took himself back to his desk after a whopping 18 days of Easter holidays. It's felt like such a long break from routine but in a deliciously good way. As we did last year, we decided to stay home for this holiday, enjoying some much needed relaxation and family time on the home front. Little Man (who is really not very little any more) will sit his GCSE exams next month so we needed to give him time, space and encouragement to focus on some revision.
For the rest of us, the focus of the past two weeks has been mostly about lazy enjoyment of home comforts, with a little bit of out-and-about thrown into the mix when the weather was right. We also made a start sorting out Little B's bedroom, which included all sorts of juggling of furniture, a mass clear out of old toys, books and clothes and the building of a new High Sleeper bed. It's a work in progress still, but it feels wonderful to have finally made a start on sorting out this rather tired, cluttered, chaotic old house of ours.
As the Little People grow into themselves, it's becoming very much easier to find guilt-free time for myself during our stay-home holidays. The two Teens are both very independent young people with very active social lives, so much of their Easter holiday revolved around going out with friends. Or sitting in their bedrooms talking to their friends. And at eight years old, Little B is more easily able to please himself for longer periods which has opened up some rather delightful little windows of opportunity for Yours Truly. I've mostly filled the resulting me-time with obsessive stitching and hooking, and honestly I have love love loved it.
Continuing my adventures in cross stitch, I sat myself peacefully and stitched little crosses endlessly into black fabric to complete my second Zodiac hoop (Pisces design by Jody Rice of Satsuma Street on Etsy). I need to photograph it properly so that I can overshare the beauty of the design and colours with you all, I'm so so pleased with it and it was an absolute joy to stitch.
On a roll with the stitchin', as soon as I'd finished the Pisces hoop I couldn't help myself and immediately prepped a piece of Fiddler's Aida (yes, it really is called that) in a 7 inch hoop ready to create this super-sweet cross stitch by Zindagi Designs on Etsy. I fell in love with this design during one of my marathon searches to fuel my new found cross stitching obsession. I really like the sentiment as I'm quite the coffee addict, but truthfully it was the flowers that I was really itching to stitch. I made good progress during the two week Easter break - I'll show you very soon how it's turning out.
After a whole week of being pretty idle at home, we woke up one morning to blue skies and sunshine and decided it would be a good idea to head out and take in something of a watery view. I really wanted to go to the coast but I was outvoted in favour of a closer trip to inland waters. So I went with the flow and we set forth to wander around the perimeter of Grimwith Reservoir. I was relieved to see it looking pretty full of water after our visit there in August when the levels were worryingly low.
It was an interesting walk this one, mainly as it was just the three of us for a change. Oh I did miss my Little Lady very much (she was staying with friends at the time), and I think Little B did too. He was in a slightly whiny mood, deliberately dragging his feet and complaining that he was bored. Yeah - not a huge amount of fun to be honest, but we made the best of it and did what we could to cheer him along.
I love the above photo! It's hard to make out what's going on with the scale/perspective, but the gorgeous greenery in the foreground is actually the top of a wide mossy wall. I tell you, I find moss completely irresistible.
It's four and a half miles around this reservoir, and all I can say is I'm so glad I insisted on packing refreshments to bring with us. Thank goodness for flasks of hot beverages! Stopping at the half way point to rest a while and have a hot drink put an instant halt to Little B's whinging - I mean, cups of milky hot chocolate, what's not to like?
I've come to really like this walk - I think this might have been our fourth or fifth walk here in the past year or so and it grows on me a little more each time.
There is a peacefulness to the open landscape/waterscape and a reassuring sense of calm that comes from walking along a very clearly defined circular route where you can see exactly where you are headed at all times.
I really love this time of year for the absolutely gorgeous floral joy it delivers. My table hasn't been without flowers upon it since the New Year when cheap and cheerful daffodils and narcissus began appearing in supermarket buckets. Just recently I've opted to pay out a few more pennies so that I can snag the "fancy" varieties of daffies on offer, oh they are so worth it! Sometimes these will be beautiful pale, creamy white flowers, and sometimes (like the above ones) there are bright orange petals tucked up inside each flower.
I always buy the bunches with the buds tightly closed up so there is an element of surprise when they finally unfurl and show their petals. The sight of a jug of daffodils sitting on the table makes me feel so happy, especially when I first come downstairs in the early morning.
I've got some pots of bulbs flowering away on my mantel too, and I love to watch their daily progress as they grow, bloom and then gently fade.
The hyacinths have grown a lot since I took the above photo and right now are in full floral swing, oh they are spectacular! Four flower stems grew and produced the most beautiful bright pink flowers. Our days are really long and light now since the clocks changed at the end of March and put us forward into British Summer Time, but I do still enjoy my fairy lights and candles in the evenings. I've got a green candle burning right now which is "bergamot & green tea" - the scent is gorgeously fresh and uplifting for this time of year.
I did a little bit of baking during the Easter holidays, partly for the pleasure of pottering in a warm kitchen and getting to inhale the aroma of cookie dough and mixed spice, and partly for the pleasure of having a sneaky homemade biscuit with my afternoon cup of tea. I love these biscuit cutters and every time I use them I think to myself that I really should make many, many more biscuits just so that I get to use them more often.
I made Easter biscuits for the first time, and they came out OK although they were a little bit on the dry/soft side. I thought they would come out a little crisper somehow, and with a bit more flavour too. Although it could well be that my jar of mixed spice was a little on the ancient side and perhaps needs to be replaced. I should maybe check the sell by date.......
We had a lot of chocolate in the house over Easter which was to be expected - the Little People certainly weren't complaining but it did make me feel like I needed to put my Mummy hat on and provide some healthy stuff to balance out all the sugar. We always have a big bowl full of fruit in the house which I'm happy for the Little People to dip into whenever they like, but there is something really extra yummy about a plate of fresh fruit prepared and chopped up into bite sized pieces. I really need to do this more often. I mean, it's not that hard to peel and slice kiwi/mango/pineapple or chop up some strawberries but it's surprising how often I tend to feel like I just can't be bothered. Bad Mummy.
I also made some batches of baked kale crisps last week, oh my word this stuff is blinking good! J and I devoured it fresh out of the oven - I found myself absolutely shoveling great handfuls of it into my mouth as if I'd been starved for a week, quite ridiculous behaviour really. I can highly recommend making some if you are partial to salty, savoury snacking material, it'such a good way to eat green veg, it really is.
In other green related news, the woodland is looking mighty fine right now with its carpet of wild garlic looking and smelling divine.
We took a short walk through our local woods one Sunday morning, it was quite early and we pretty much had the place to ourselves with only one or two dog walkers out and about. I do really love this time of year - the early greenery is such a welcome sight after what has felt like a very long drawn out winter.
It'll still be a while before the treetops burst into leaf - that'll happen in May and I absolutely cannot wait of for that.
I've really, really enjoyed my hooky time during the holidays, it's been the perfect cosy thing to occupy my lazy self during the cold days we had at the start of the month. We had the fire lit for a while when it still felt very much like winter and it was all so very hygge with the flames flickering and my toes all warm inside my hand knit socks and the kitty draped across my lap as I hooked up some beautiful ripple rows. I know I haven't told you much about the blanket I'm currently making, but I was trying to wait a bit as there will be a new Summer yarn pack coming but not until late July/early August. I'm wary of peaking too soon with my blanket induced giddiness so was trying to wait until Summer felt a bit closer, but what the heck, a sneak peek just needed to happen at some point so why not now?! The colours I'm using are extremely light and full of summer freshness, I'm so enjoying the playfulness of it all.
I think one of the very, very, very bestest things that happened to me during the Easter holidays is being demonstrated in the above photo. Little B, begging me to teach him to crochet until I made space in my self indulgent day to give him my full attention. He is a very tenacious, determined and focused little boy and not one to give up easily once he sets his mind to doing something. The flip side to all this strength of mind is that he can often get very frustrated and upset if he can't manage to achieve what he has set his sights on. So with the whole crochet thing, I had a feeling it could either go brilliantly or end in an absolute melt down. In the end it was a bit of both. The meltdown happened quite swiftly when he quickly realised that crocheting was actually a lot harder than he had originally thought. However his determination won through and once he'd gathered himself together he came back to the table to try again. The second attempt went much better and it didn't take him long to master chain making. He was so happy!!
I let him choose what colours he wanted to use and he decided to make a rainbow.....
....it just made me so happy to see him sitting and crocheting, I can't tell you the depth of emotion that passed through me that day.
He was so proud of his rainbow chains - I ended up tying them all together at the top to make a tassel that he could hang on his school bag.
We had a little go at learning double crochet rows, but I think the excitement of actually being able to crochet had worn off a bit by then! Still, I think he did remarkably well for an 8 year old.
The sequel to this story is even sweeter - the very next morning, Little B woke me up, full of excitement, telling me that he'd taught his Dad to crochet. My poor sleepy brain didn't comprehend what he was telling me at first, but once it clicked into place and I figured out that Dad=J (J???? J is crocheting?????!!!!!) I couldn't get out of bed fast enough. I came downstairs to find that J was indeed sat in the Big Chair casually crocheting a chain, taught by Little B. Well I never. This would be the equivalent of me attempting to write some computer code, so yes, I was very impressed. I do love my sweet, crazy family.
The second bestest thing about the Easter holidays happened at the weekend, when in a fit of a spontaneity I booked us a very short holiday which required passports and sea travel. We set sail on Friday evening, returning on Sunday morning so less than 48 hours away but still, it was absolutely brilliant. BRILL-i-ant.
Holiday Tales coming soon................!
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Opps, sorry I got so confused, I was reading two blogs at once and I saw a new book by another blogger and I tohguht it was you! Anyway, love your stuff all the same! Jules :)
Posted by: Jules Madden | April 23, 2018 at 03:45 AM
What a grand read this has been!! I live in Wisconsin, USA & it is still pretty much winter. Bummer !! Still, I enjoyed seeing the beautiful crochet work you have done. Crocheting & embroidery are wonderful outlets for me. thanks for the peak into your British spring. wish I was there !!
Posted by: gale olson | April 22, 2018 at 11:06 PM
Another truly beautiful blog Lucy.
I can't decide which I love more, your views of your reservoir or the story about the crotchet chains! I think the chains have it!
I also posted a blog about a trip to Tewkesbury today, if you fancied a read.
Posted by: Sara | April 22, 2018 at 05:09 PM
What beautiful scenery for walking. So serene and picturesque. How wonderful that your family are taking an interest in your craft enough to even try it themselves. You'd better hide all your supplies now!
Posted by: Shasta | April 21, 2018 at 05:14 PM
I am loving those rainbow tassels, I can understand just how you felt when he made them!
Posted by: josiekitten | April 21, 2018 at 12:31 PM
It was great to catch up with your doings, Miss Lucy! I loved it all but the best was last, Little B learning to crochet.. and then teaching his dad! OMGoodness.. that' wonderful! I look forward to hearing if they keep up with it. And I'm excited to see where you went on your little holiday! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | April 21, 2018 at 07:48 AM
Love reading your posts Lucy, makes me want to write. Love daffodils, sadly went to buy some yesterday and there weren`t any. Going to Derby this morning so will look for some. How amazing your little 8 year old learning to crochet, my older children 34,31 and 21 have no interest at all in my woolly adventures, oh! but they do like me to make them things lol. Nearly finished the delightful woodland blanket, just the edging to do, hoping to sort that tomorrow : )
Posted by: Tanya | April 21, 2018 at 07:44 AM
Thank you so much for another lovely blog. I live in Huddersfield and can really relate to the places you go to. I thought my grandson to crochet one holiday and I felt the same pleasure as you did at his achievement. I look forward,to your future blogs.
Carole Palmer
Posted by: Carole Palmer | April 21, 2018 at 07:32 AM
very nice post post it reqularly
thank u for this
Posted by: Deepack gupta | April 21, 2018 at 07:01 AM
Hi Lucy! Loved the story about little B teaching J how to crochet! You make me smile...all the way to my heart. Thanks as always!
Sue
Posted by: Sue Floyd | April 21, 2018 at 12:14 AM
Hi Lucy, I had such a lovely time at Coopers this morning! Kind regards, Aussie Liz x
Posted by: Liz Turnbull | April 20, 2018 at 09:45 PM
Hola Lucy, que bueno ver tu post, siempre busco si has puesto algo nuevo. Buen regreso, saludos a tu familia, muy lindo conocer tu barrio por alla, aqui en Costa Rica solo tenemos dos estaciones, verano o invierno.
Saludos
Posted by: Geovanna Conejo | April 20, 2018 at 05:33 PM
Love all your pictures and memories as always. However, it was the part about Little B and J learning to crochet that made me smile the most.♥
Posted by: Kimmy | April 20, 2018 at 04:47 PM
I loved reading this. Easter does feel like a long time ago now, but just reading your post brought it all back again - and how happy we all were (ha!) for school to start again this week! :) xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | April 20, 2018 at 03:10 PM
I am always inspired after reading your blog and have picked up a very old crochet project and am actually getting close to finishing it. I love hearing about your family and your life in The Attic. Can't wait to hear about your special holiday. You are a special family!
Posted by: Clydene Duran | April 20, 2018 at 02:33 PM
Thank you for a warm cozy post filled with smiles.
Posted by: MotherOwl (Charlotte) | April 20, 2018 at 02:16 PM
Thank you for a warm cozy post filled with smiles.
Posted by: MotherOwl (Charlotte) | April 20, 2018 at 02:16 PM
Sounds like a fab holiday all around, AND having L.B. crocheting!!! Gorgeous daffodils, they are mostly spent here and now the irises are in bloom, the trees here are filling with leaves. I love spring! Have a wonderful weekend!xxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | April 20, 2018 at 01:44 PM
Cross stitching is very addictive. I did loads when my youngest was starting to get mobile. (He made knitting important.)
You're brave using black aida in the duller months.
Posted by: Jean Sharp | April 20, 2018 at 01:08 PM
C'est un plaisir de vous lire et d'avoir de vos nouvelles. De belles photos de vos vacances de Pâques, un beau projet de couverture à venir et l'enchantement de la dernière photo, la trace d'un bateau sur l'océan!-
Bon week end pour vous. Amitiés
Posted by: Nadine G | April 20, 2018 at 01:06 PM
Lovely post, as ever. Now that my children are older I enjoy hearing about your family life as much as seeing your crocheting. You have ‘sold’ Skipton to me. We are heading north east at the end of the week and your town is on the list of places we hope to visit.
Frances SW
Posted by: Frances Roberts | April 20, 2018 at 11:16 AM
I love that Little B taught J to crochet, and very well done J. I remember teaching my middle boy to crochet a chain for a school project ages ago, which similar results - first a meltdown, then he got the hang of it. You have reminded me how good cross stitch is, I have one that I need to finish, I really must dig it out. Have a lovely weekend Lucy. I shall look forward to seeing where you went for your break. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | April 20, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Best part of this lovely, long post... you taught your son, he taught his Dad. So sweet!
Posted by: Elsie | April 20, 2018 at 10:10 AM
Your posts are always brighten up my day. Enjoy your weekend away.
Posted by: Anorina Morris | April 20, 2018 at 09:50 AM
In these days of turmoil and uncertainty, it’s lovely to read your warm and friendly posts and know there’s a wonderful bright side to life! Can’t wait for the summer blanket!!! Xx
Posted by: Anni Ryan | April 20, 2018 at 09:02 AM