May Delight

I think possibly the word "delight" doesn't wholly apply to the above photo, given that underneath that pile of colourful hooky is a stubborn eight year old boy, completely in the buff, refusing to get dressed and ready for school. This was Friday morning with ten minutes to go before we needed to leave the house. I seriously felt like yelling, could feel the annoyance and frustration bubbling up ready to explode forth, but instead I talked myself down, got out my camera and captured the moment, reminding myself how fleeting these childhood days really are. And in case you were wondering, we did eventually make it out the door - we were late but not disastrously so.

Friday afternoon, and I realise that J and I have adopted something of a little weekly woodland routine, which I rather like the idea of. This is the third Friday afternoon in a row that we've decided to walk through the woods during the gap of time we have after lunch and before the school run. It's such a beautiful way to spend an hour, kind of a gentle decompression after the ups and downs of the working/school week. The scent of the woodland makes me giddy with delight at this time of year, the garlic is powerful and intoxicating and I love it.

I really do appreciate the floralness of May - the bluebells, the blossom and then the wild garlic, and very soon we will enter buttercup and elderflower season. I am so thankful to live in a town where I can find all these flowers within a short walking distance.

Friday 5pm and I'm relaxing with a glass of wine and a spot of mandala finishing. The back of our house faces west and for a short time each day we are treated to a golden stream of sunshine pouring in through the dining room window. It doesn't last long as the sun quickly dips behind the rooftops, but it's beautiful while it lasts.

Another mandala hoop finished, and Tilly gives it the once over. I was playing with the hoop, trying to capture the shadow on the table, but naturally she assumed I was doing it all for her benefit. Diva kitty.

I love these dream catcher mandalas, they work up quickly and the colour play is gorgeous fun. You can find the free mandala pattern here.

I don't have any photos from Saturday except for a solitary bowl of salad. It was a day of laundry and errands and sweat and toil at the allotment plot. Later on there was chilled white wine and hoards of children coming and going, a barbecue dinner in the back yard and this rather yummy Greek salad thrown together to accompany the outdoor cooked meat. 

Sunday morning I decided to set myself up at the front of the house which faces East and gets a full blast of sunshine from early on. We have a teeny tiny front garden with very little level space, but it's a real sun trap when the sun is actually out and doing it's thing. We have a minuscule patch of grass and an equally minuscule patch of old stone paving outside our lower/cellar front door, so there I sat with a coffee and some hooky, listening to the bees buzzing and the birds chirping. The kitty came to join me, the Little People and J were also in and out, reading, playing, chatting, sitting for a while then moving on. I chatted to neighbours passing by, and all the while my hands and hook were busy making colourful stitches in the May sunshine. It was lovely, it really was.

I took this photo just when we came home from school this afternoon, as miraculously the sofa didn't look like a small tornado had swept through the house. People often ask me What Do You Do With All Your Crochet Blankets? Well, they are all here at number 24 keeping us warm and cosy when the weather is cold, and bringing lots of colourful homemade cheer to the furniture all year round. They are draped over sofas and chairs and beds and I can't imagine living in a home without them. It makes me profoundly happy to have them around the place and to see them being used and loved.

This weather we are continuing to have, my oh my, it is a sheer delight. Sunny and hot with glorious clear blue skies day after day after day. It's a rare gift for us to have this number of sunny days one after the other, and it's making this month feel very special indeed. Little B has changed his swimming group and his after school slot has been replaced with an early evening one. This means that we have a little bit more breathing space and can choose to walk to the pool instead of leaping in the car and racing against the clock. It's made a huge difference, and the walk up the hill and through the park this evening was just gorgeous.

Don't you just love this time of year? The long hours of daylight suit me so well, my soul is happy when there is golden light streaming across the grass at 7pm.

And now it's 9.24pm and I am suddenly very sleepy after a busy day dashing here, there and everywhere. The moon is out but the sky is still light and blue, gosh I love this time of year, these long, precious sunny days, did I day that already? I love it all, right down to the depths of my bones.

Wishing you moments of delight and tranquility wherever you are and whatever you're up to. Enjoy the little moments won't you?

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Comments

[قیمت میلگرد میانه]

Such a beautiful description of a beautiful day in your neck of the woods. If you scroll down to the BOTTOM of my Ravelry project page, you can see some of my neck of the woods - halfway around the globe from you.

[Rachel]

Very funny first photo and description!

[Charlotte.]

Is it possible to make the mandalas from Stylecraft Specia DK? Is there a reason for the cotton ?

[Helen Lightly]

So lovely, such a pleasure to read during my work day and my commute home, it cheers me up and makes me smile 😊 a beautiful read and making me forget about the rain x

[Charlotte.]

You have inspired me to make some mandalas in colors and place them in front of the window. We have tall ceilings and windows too high to do much with to dress up. Thanks for the idea.

[Fazendo Arte]

lindo....

[Angela]

That salad looks delicious. It sounds like your son is as ready for summer as everyone else I know!

[Kathryn Campbell]

Thank you for sharing your days. Lovely!

[Juliana]

Hi Lucy! I
What a lovely post, and beautiful inspiration to start the day! Thank you!
Wishing you a good week...

[Sara]

I don't understand makers or designers who only allow their stuff to live in the craft room, almost like they are too ashamed off it to be seen in a proper everyday way. Plenty of reports of mean husbands 'putting their foot down' too. I wouldn't have a husband who sneered at what I did, but many seem to sadly.

What else would you make blankets and other stuff for but to use and/or display? Is there a law that says living areas must be beige? How dreary that that seems to be the UK's default and anything else (even the softest of colours) seems to be seen as so daring as to be braveness personified.

If designers don't seem to like what they make, then I don't either. It's surprising how often I get that vibe. Why make a jumper or bag that you dislike, but expect us to be excited about it and want the pattern? I think a lot of crochet and knitting just gets shut up in a cupboard.

My daughter often used to stay at home, I used to let her, as contrary to expectation not much goes on in school. At home she would read. Of course you get fined now. She ended up with a couple of degrees and the ability to motivate herself.

[Sue Floyd]

Hi Lucy!
Don't ever stop being you! I read your post and it always fills my heart with joy and brings a smile to my face. I really needed both today. Thanks so much.
Sue

[Winwick Mum]

These sunny days have been a real joy recently, haven't they? I have felt over recent years that May is our new summer time and try to make the effort to enjoy the good weather while it lasts. Here's to many more sunny days! xx

[Kimmy]

Such a beautiful description of a beautiful day in your neck of the woods. If you scroll down to the BOTTOM of my Ravelry project page, you can see some of my neck of the woods - halfway around the globe from you.

https://tinyurl.com/yb44nzqd

Hugs, Kimmy ♥

[Patti Forcier]

I have just pulled a strawberry-rhubarb crisp from the oven. Its aroma is filling the house. The weather has been glorious here too (Oregon) and has allowed me to finish planting the last of my vegetable garden. I am finding I must clip my nails before hooking or they snag my yarn endlessly. A small price to pay for garden fresh veggies and warm blankets come fall. I am lookong forward to learning to make the mandalas. They are beautiful! Have a wonderful summer.

[Angela-Southern USA]

Yes, the little moments are precious. I love this time of year the most for all the flowers blooming. I've spent the last month outside mostly working in the garden, prepping the vegetable garden then sowing/planting for the summer bounty to come. Love the mandala! Here's mine finally finished as well as my freshly revised yarn bombed bike.
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/angela8626/blooming-mandala

[CJ]

It's beautiful out there at the moment isn't it. It sounds as though Saturday was hard work but no doubt very satisfying. I am missing my allotment at the moment - all that rhubarb and asparagus and early salad. Glad to hears yours is going strong. We have mornings when people don't want to go to school as well, I know what it's like. Have a good week Lucy, and enjoy the sunshine. CJ xx

[Michelle B]

Terrible things are happening in my life at the moment and I feel very stressed and tearful. I just read your lovely post and it has given me zest for life. The sun is shining here too and I am going to get the lawnmower out while I’m feeling refreshed. Thank you Lucy xx

[Mitzi]

You did make me chuckle at the thought of a naked 8 year old hiding under the blankets.... glad to hear you did eventually make it to school. My teenager is on countdown to the end of the week and half term holidays. He has lots planned and his poor dad will be playing chauffeur as always, whilst I shall be languishing in the garden accompanied by the four furry paws well somebody has to keep an eye on them. I only have two of my blankets as all the others so far have been gifted but I really need to make some for our sofa's and the colder nights.

Mitzi

[tammy]

Sweet that you captured the moment with your son in the blankets. All the nature pictures are so beautiful & refreshing..my gosh, the green is so green!

[Susan Couves]

Your photos are always brilliant and they always give me a warm feeling of what a home should be like. And the countryside is stunning. I love making your crochet blankets and have made 4 to date. Which are dotted around the house for us to use and the grandchildren love them x

[Teresa Kasner]

I love all your blankets and enjoy seeing them around your house in your blog posts around the year. I think your little garden with all the sunshine would be a perfect place for a potted lilac! I hope you have more nice weather, we've got some sunny warm days coming to our little part of the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon this week! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Susan]

Sunshine city here in Uttoxeter like you.Took your cue and took my blanket squares outside.Definitely doing a dream catcher when this blanket finished😎

[Audrey]

We never hear about Connie van anymore

[Margaret Simpson]

Your home is a beautiful place, full of colours, stunning crochet and most of all love. Bless you Lucy for allowing us into your home, and walking with you as you take magical photo's of the wonderful countryside. 😊🦋

[Jenny]

Lovely post Lucy so enjoy a visit to Attic 24 love Jenny xx