May End

Last week it was half term and I tell you we were all so ready for a change of pace and a break from routine. I'm sure it's the same in every household with school age children, that deep-down need for some respite from the clock watching and the nagging that comes with trying to get the offspring ready for the day and out the door on time.

On top of the usual school stuff we're in the midst of GCSE exams with The Teen, so the slight ease up last week was especially welcome for him, and for me too. I'm trying really hard to trust in his very laid back approach, trying my level best not to keep questioning his commitment or the amount of time he's spent revising. 

All will be well, I'm sure. 

So last week was all about laid back relaxation, which I'm happy to say that we all rather excel at here. However for me personally, I would have dearly loved a trip to the coast in amongst all the laid-backness, I'm feeling a strong emotional pull to be beside the sea at the moment. But when I put the idea forward to the family I was met with a complete lack of interest or understanding. I even offered to down-grade my expectations to a day trip to the West coast instead of an overnight stay on my favourite East coast, but nobody wanted to go and I have to be honest, it broke my heart a little. My Little People are growing up so fast, and most of the time I absolutely love to see their independent and strong spirits thriving. But every so often, oh I do so long to have them little again, when trips to the seaside would be met with such joy and enthusiasm.

Once I got over my disappointment and realised that we wouldn't be going anywhere at all, I settled down into our home space and made the most of the warm sunny days. We did some more to Little B's bedroom which is still an ongoing thing, and we had a bit of a clear out of rubbish in the cellar and the back yard which was very therapeutic. We bought bags of compost and I refilled all my back yard pots before planting them up with some colourful annuals. We worked at the allotment, cutting back overgrown pathways, weeding the main growing beds and preparing to plant out various little pots of veggies and herbs that we've collected from kinds friends and the garden centre. I saw an idea on Pinterest for creating a trellis for sweet peas out of bamboo canes and twine, and that's going to be my next project. I've already got the seedlings waiting patiently to put down their roots into deeper soil - gosh my to-do list really is humongous. 

As well as all the Doing, there was plenty of idling for us all and I guess that's the whole point of these short one week holidays at home. To rest, recharge, and to seek out the little things that make us deep-down happy. I spent lots of time in my back yard, either crocheting or reading, or sometimes (especially first thing in the morning) just sipping coffee and listening to the birds.  My reading was all about drinking in the May and June magazine issues which I had been saving especially for this week of down-time. These are my most favourite issues of the whole year (well this it my favourite time of year in general) and they did not disappoint. Such a lot of visual happiness in those pages, all light, fresh, summery colours to inspire and bring on the happy vibes. Just lovely in a dreamy, slightly unreal kind of a way.

Although I had hoped for some days out last week, in the end we didn't venture further than where we could walk. We walked in the woods, walked to the farm shop and we spent quite a lot of time at the park. 

One evening I took Little B with me on one of my regular buttercup appreciation walks, and on the way there he'd asked me how many buttercups there were in the meadow. I told him to guess how many he thought, to which he answered "maybe around two hundred?" His face was a picture when he saw the true scale of the meadow, it really is breathtaking and his wide astonished eyes reflected it perfectly.

I love the light at this time of year, most especially at the end of the day. I love that a walk in the park at 8pm feels so special when the sun is low and golden and night time still feels a long way off.

Last week I picked my crochet banner back up, and after a few weeks break from it I know straight away what I needed to do for the border. During the school holidays we try and keep our Creative Coopers group going on a Friday morning at the cafe, and I think I appreciate those happy hours even more during the holidays than I do during term time. It's just a fabulous way to round up the week and I dearly love spending time with my creative friends and any visitors who happen to drop in to join us. 

Once I'd finished the 6 border rounds it was time to stitch on the letters. This didn't go smoothly, in fact, it was probably the hardest part of the whole project and took for EVER to complete. My fingers protested at all that stitching (I used back stitch around the outer edge of each letter, so it was very labour intensive), but I stuck with it and am so so happy with the outcome. I'm crocheting an additional piece all along the top now so that I can insert a piece of wooden dowel for hanging purposes, but I promise to show you very soon when it's all done.

So that was the end of May, and although I'm a little sorry that my most favourite month is over for another year, it's been absolutely spectacular. I've never known a month to have so much continuous sunshine and so little rain and I've loved every minute of it. I've loved the abundant greenery and the flowers (how can you not love a month that contains blossom, bluebells, wild garlic, cow parsley and buttercups?!) and most of all I've loved the length of these warm golden days.

Here's hoping that June is just as lovely all round!

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Comments

[قیمت میلگرد زاگرس]

Thank you Lucy for a lovely post always enjoy my visit ! So n 've I found your site a few years ago. I have become hooked on blankets ! My 18 year old granddaughter told me when she has a friend over to watch a movie she gathers them up and makes a nest and they sit draped in crochet love ! The. Cupcake one she admits to wrapping it round her like a cocoon it's a double bed size cos I counted the foundation chain wrongly ! I now have a two month old granddaughter I made some little blankets and 5 metre string of granny square triangles in seaside colours for the nursery and now working a square version of the cupcake blanket for when she is older and a rainbow blanket similar yo Patchwork Heart design !Never a dull moment thank you again Lucy love Jenny from Cornwall !!

[قیمت میلگرد زاگرس]

Amazing banner! It will bring many people to your booth at the Yarndale – Festival. (Not sure if it is called "booth" but that is what the dictionary suggests)June started cold here but we hope for warmth (and rain) again. Summer passes by so quickly in my part of the world so every minute of sun and warmth is so appreciated.
Take care
Ida.

[قیمت میلگرد]

good

[قیمت میلگرد میانه]

Sorry you didn't get to the seaside in May Lucy, hopefully you'll persuade them on the next break. We always grow our sweet peas on a wigwam, but the trellis idea would work beautifully, it's how we plant our runner beans on the allotment. Can't wait to see your completed banner.

[Madelein Oosthuizen]

Hi Lucy, will you be doing a Cal in Jan 2019? When will wool packs
be availible and do you deliver to South Africa?
Love, love, love your blog!! Madelein xx

[Julia]

I absolutely love the first photo of your garden with all the pretty pots lined up along the ledge. It's so cozy and inviting... I'd spend hours out there!

[Joanne Roberts]

Your banner is going to be superb. Stick with that blanket stitch! Jo x

[Jackie]

I've been poping into the Attic for a few years now and love your site, the crochet, the rambles in the outdooors, the colours and everything....love it all. Thanks for sharing.

[JEANETTE PORTER]

I am crocheting different fruits and vegetables at the moment for th slimming world consultant, as she gives me so much support. Even when I am flagging.

[Corinna Mazzotta]

We too are in the throws of GCSE exams (only 1 more week to go now thank goodness) but our half term was definitely not restful due to multiple golf competitions and a trip to A&E while we were away in Dorset (at one of the comps).
Sadly our weather has also been more autumnal than spring-like (if you've seen any of Springwatch you'll know what our weather has been as we're only about 45 minutes away from Sherborne). So I've been loving seeing a much more beautiful Spring through your eyes - thank you for everything you share with us on your lovely blog!
I hope that June is a similarly special month for you, although if you are anything like me you're wondering what on earth you are going to do when you've got a teen home all day, every day! :-)

[Mitzi]

I don't know where this year is going Lucy it really is kicking up a pace and yarndale will soon be here. A busy time in your household for your teen but will all soon be over and they will move onto the next chapter in their lives. It is a shock to the system when suddenly all the things you did with them as children that bought such joy to all becomes only a joy to you but then you will something to fill this void I'm sure.

Mitzi

[Pam]

Hi Lucy, like you May is my favourite month. I just love the fresh greenery and everything coming to life. We live in a seaside town in East Devon, and while I wouldn’t want to be far away from the sea I much prefer the countryside - I think you get more of a sense of seasons. As for school holidays, between my eldest starting school and my youngest leaving, my life was dominated by school routine for 22 years! Now I look after my Grandson occasionally through the holidays - there’s no getting away from it.

[Carol]

Like you I love sitting outside and I have a bird table where I can watch the babies being fed by parents!! The poor parents never stop and the babies seem to be bigger than them.

Your banner is stunning and I am sorry I will not be at Yarndale to see it.

[Tracie Dexter]

I also feel that desperate need to be by the sea, it's so strange. I'm going through chemotherapy at the moment so I'm pretty much landlocked to the sanctuary of my lovely little garden but your posts help to bring the beauty of our countryside and the therapeutic benefits of crocheting to me and help cheer me up. Thank you x

[Margaret Simpson]

Glad your favourite month lived up to your expectations. Your banner is stunning, and I am sure there will be lots of requests for the patterns. Enjoy June Lucy, may it bring you many happy sunshine memories. 😊🦋🇦🇺

[Ida]

Amazing banner! It will bring many people to your booth at the Yarndale – Festival. (Not sure if it is called "booth" but that is what the dictionary suggests)June started cold here but we hope for warmth (and rain) again. Summer passes by so quickly in my part of the world so every minute of sun and warmth is so appreciated.
Take care
Ida.

[Kathryn Grimshaw]

Thank you for the uplifting post on your blog. I always look forward to reading them.
You always manage to be so busy even when you are relaxing! 😊
May has been an incredible month and it reminds us all what a beautiful part of the world we live on.
You have reminded me that we need to visit the park, the wood and the farm shop very soon!
Our little dog George loves tearing after the swallows on the park at this time of year. ( just so that you know if you see two adults tearing after a gorgeous cavalier cross be t to e you are walking through the park! Lol!
You havereminded me I need to get back to the crocheting! Thanks for your lovely posts. Xx

[Helen Lightly]

It’s such a joy to read your posts, I’ve started saving them for times I need something to brighten my day 😊 I’m sorry you missed out on your trip to the beach, at least you still had the buttercups in the meadow 🌼☀️ I look forward to seeing your banner completed, the snippets you have shown so far are wonderful 😊 xx

[Kathleen]

Lucy sorry to hear you didn’t get a few days away, but glad to see you have had a good week. My experience with two now grown up sons was the same re going away for a few years, however I’m pleased to say the family holidays have now come back, it must just have just have been a phase.😀

[Crafty Cath]

The banner looks fab! I really want to have a go at the solid granny squares for my next project as I have some yarn leftover from the granny stripe blanket (Stylecraft yearn is such good value). Good luck with your allotment. Home grown produce is always the best :) Maybe it will inspire your next blanket project!!

[CJ]

Gorgeous pots in your back garden, you have reminded me I want to get a couple of pelargoniums, they're just beautiful. Sorry no-one wanted to go to the seaside, I'd be disappointed too. But home is a lovely place to be and it's always satisfying to get to grips with the allotment. You'll reap the rewards in a few weeks no doubt. CJ xx

[Jenny]

Oops my spelling went bit wobbly sorry love Jenny ps I think you can get the gist !

[Jenny]

Thank you Lucy for a lovely post always enjoy my visit ! So n 've I found your site a few years ago. I have become hooked on blankets ! My 18 year old granddaughter told me when she has a friend over to watch a movie she gathers them up and makes a nest and they sit draped in crochet love ! The. Cupcake one she admits to wrapping it round her like a cocoon it's a double bed size cos I counted the foundation chain wrongly ! I now have a two month old granddaughter I made some little blankets and 5 metre string of granny square triangles in seaside colours for the nursery and now working a square version of the cupcake blanket for when she is older and a rainbow blanket similar yo Patchwork Heart design !Never a dull moment thank you again Lucy love Jenny from Cornwall !!

[Jacqui Fenner]

Sorry you didn't get to the seaside in May Lucy, hopefully you'll persuade them on the next break. We always grow our sweet peas on a wigwam, but the trellis idea would work beautifully, it's how we plant our runner beans on the allotment. Can't wait to see your completed banner.

[Angela - Southern USA]

YEs indeed, here's hoping June is just as lovely! So many flowers blooming, makes me a happier person. Good luck with the sweet peas. Bamboo staking is on my to do list for today, but for veggies not flowers. May both our gardens be lush this year! Can't wait to see the finished banner, have a fab day! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx