Before I launch into my witterings for today, I'd first like to gift you this beautiful bunch of sweet peas by way of a heart felt thank you. Thank you all so very much for your comments on my last post, for your unwavering kindness, empathy and understanding, I am unbelievably grateful. The morning after I'd written, I read back over my words and truthfully I was a microsecond away from deleting it all, feeling rather embarrassed to be honest. It's not my style to wallow, and I was kind of surprised by what had tumbled out of my head and into that blog post. I don't generally plan my posts, nor do I edit or mess around with my words - what you read is pretty much what spontaneously enters into my head at the time, it's my weird inner dialogue and you can be sure that it is honest and genuine. So.....I can't really find it in me to delete that entry, as much as it makes me cringe to read it. It is what it is. But thank you again, for taking time to gift me your thoughts and allow me to see things from a different perspective, and for lifting my spirits. I bet you wish you could lean in to your screen and smell those sweet peas, they smell soooooo good I can tell you!
On Saturday we took a trip to visit the RHS gardens at Harlow Carr in Harrogate. I realised last week that it was the annual Sweet Pea Society show, and remembering how much I had loved it last year I asked the fam if they fancied going. The Teens were both busy with work and friends, but Little B seems to have very vivid memories attached from his few visits to Harlow Carr and was mega keen on the idea of being back there. I don't know exactly what it is that he loves so much about it - oh hang on, why don't I ask him......? Well, he says that he can't really explain it, but he just likes the feeling of it there. He says he enjoys smelling the flowers (that is so true, we did a lot of sniffing!), and he likes the way it always feels fresh (not sure what he means, maybe the air smells fresh? There is a lot of open green space). It really is a lovely place to explore with lots of different areas within the gardens, and as you would expect from a top class RHS garden, it is immaculately kept.
The beautiful eco-building in the photo above is the Learning Centre (it has a living sedum roof, how cool is that?!) and is where the Sweet Pea show was held. I couldn't wait to get inside, and it was the first place we went to as soon as we were in the gardens (even before coffee, that's how excited I was).
You might remember me talking about this flower show when I introduced you to my Sweet Pea blanket last year? This year I knew what to expect so the shock of the rigid formality wasn't quite so great. J and Little B (who had waited for me outside last year) came in with me this time, and it was very funny to see their expressions - wide eyes and shocked faces!
Despite the seriousness of the show, it was still a breathtaking sight, and wowsers, the scent in this room was unreal. Being a warm, humid day they had a big fan blowing and the highly fragrant air wafting around was absolutely delightful.
It wasn't overly busy, but it was lovely seeing visitors enjoying the show and admiring the painstaking perfection of each little display of blooms. You could feel the passion in the air (the competitiveness too) - competition flower growing is such a weird and wonderful hobby.
I just had to show you these flowers, they looked as if they had been spray painted, aren't they amazing?
The thing I love best about visiting this show is the opportunity to buy flowers to take home. These are gorgeously large, blowsy sweet peas, a mixture of colours and varieties grown by experts and they are stunning. At only £2 a bunch I snaffled up three and donated a bit of extra money to the Sweet Pea society in gratitude for the inspiration and joy that they've given me.
I mean, just look at them - so, so beautiful, and the colours make me weak at the knees.
After the sweet pea excitement we continued to explore the gardens, following the many pathways past vast flower beds, around lily ponds, through modern show gardens and humble teaching gardens.
Being mid summer, the flowers were in abundance and absolutely stunning.
Even the pathways through the woodland areas were floral - I've no idea what these flowers are but the hot tropical mix of colours was really lovely.
Little B, nine and a half years old and possibly a tad too big for children's playgrounds these days. However, we spent an aaaaaage in the woodland visiting the various wooden play areas and waiting patiently while he clambered around. He really was the oldest child by far, but he didn't mind in the slightest. I have to say it was delicious being able to relax casually on a bench and wait for him to do his thing without having to hover around ready to rescue or offer assistance. I watched all the mummies and daddies with their toddlers and felt a deep sense of relief that those days are now behind me.
One of my most favourite areas of Harlow Carr (well of any garden really) is the kitchen garden. This one is large and immaculately kept with lots of different shaped raised beds and neat, bark covered paths. The beds were made from recycled plastic instead of wood which I thought was brilliant, and something I would love to investigate for our allotment. The mixture of vegetables, fruit and flowers was so visually appealing and very inspiring....
...you can guess where I was drawn to can't you?
..
..
..
...of course, how predictable! These towers of sweet peas were gloriously unruly and in such contrast to the stiffness of the formal Sweet Pea show.
I found it hard to tear myself away from sniffing them. Beautiful.
We took a fragrant stroll around the scented garden which was mostly roses, honeysuckle and lavender....
....we loved this secluded rustic bench which was designed with a lavender back rest. Little B was enchanted by it, in fact his delight in all the flowers was unexpected and really made the day extra special somehow.
As well as the floral abundance, Harlow Carr has a pleasing amount of open green space and when you have children this really comes into it's own. Little B has a massive amount of energy fizzing inside his little nine year old body and the lure of the grass could not be ignored. After much running, he threw himself to the ground and rolled his whole body length down the grassy slopes, squealing as he went. It was joyful to watch!
In fact, I think Harlow Carr manages to very successfully mix formal, adult appeal with a wonderful childlike delight and I love it for that. I love the super-neat formal flower beds, but I also love the wilder more natural areas and the playful willow sculptures dotted around. It was such a lovely day out and if you're ever in the area here in North Yorkshire I can highly recommend it.
I was so thrilled to be coming home with my big bunch of sweet peas, gosh they did make me swoon.
I knew they would probably be at their best for just a few short days, so I decided to put them to good use........
.....awwwww!!!! Just look at how good the colours look!!
I couldn't resist taking some photos of my Sweet Pea blanket with the flowers that inspired its creation.
This photo makes me so happy!!!
The above photo was taken exactly a year ago, on the 17th July 2018 when I was finalising the colours for my Sweet Pea blanket. I remember the day so clearly, and how excited I was when the yarn palette finally came together and I just stood and stared at it and felt like I wanted to cry. That's usually how I know that I've got it right - colour-filled emotion is quite extreme for me! It means that every blanket of mine has ALL the feels right from the very beginning. There is heart and soul and passion in my yarny colour palettes and creating them brings me so much joy.
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Posted by: برنامه نویسی اختصاصی | July 08, 2020 at 08:59 AM
Thank you for the lovely photos...
Posted by: آهن آپ | June 01, 2020 at 08:42 AM
wow! it's really good. I will visit your garden.
Posted by: Tanvir | September 30, 2019 at 11:28 PM
Had a chuckle. What you called tropical flowers, I have ways thought of as typical 'English' flowers. I grew up with tropical flowers all around me as my parents were avid gardeners. 😀
Posted by: Pat | August 08, 2019 at 03:46 PM
Hi Lucy,
I have been reading your blog for years now. As I read you I always think, "What a beautiful mind, I am lucky to be able to feed on because of the internet." It always makes me so happy to read whatever you have to say. You say it so beautifully! Never mind the ups and downs that you sometimes talk about. It happens to all of us. What matters is that you are able to see how colorful life is. I love it that you love colors. I love colors too! Just looking at the pictures of the flowers you uploaded here made me very happy! As for your colorful crocheting, it is amazing! Thank you!
Best Wishes.
Posted by: Bhavani | August 06, 2019 at 12:51 PM
Beautiful post and pictures. In your last blog I appreciated your honesty and believe it helps us all when one in our midst can be open about struggles ....big and small and the reality of how overwhelming life can be.
I discovered your blog at a very bleak time in my life and you have over the years given me a great deal and I thank you for that...... yes crochet came back into my life but much more also. I shall be at my first Yarndale this year and will look forward to seeing you.
Ps as a Child Therapist I know Little B and the rest of your family will benefit forever from all that you give them ...... you were busy making beautiful memories at Harlow Carr and love matters far more than a broken toilet seat, flickery light or holey carpet xx
Posted by: Claire | August 05, 2019 at 07:11 PM
Thank you for the nice photos. Colors so beautiful.
Posted by: Netty | August 01, 2019 at 07:36 PM
Hi Lucy, I have been following your blog for many years and have enjoyed making many of your blankets. My husband has just treated me to a two night break in skipton as I found your description of the town and your photos very appealing. We had a wonderful visit and the girls in coopers cafe very kindly let me have a peek in your studio, woolly heaven. When you are struggling, please know there are many of us who sympathise and send you good thoughts, thankful for the colour you bring to our lives xx
Posted by: Veronica Bugh-Williams | July 28, 2019 at 08:00 PM
Thanks for making me smile at the end of a long workday with your gorgeous gift of pictures from your garden excursion!
Posted by: Jennifer K. | July 28, 2019 at 12:10 AM
Dear Lucy,
I love reading your posts its so wonderful to hear about your days and your wonderful family. You are a wonderful person and it shows in your writing about how much you care for your family. I also have a fun and lovable little boy of 9 and 2 older children but mine are both girls. I hope your days will be filled with happiness and love.
Helen
Posted by: Helen | July 27, 2019 at 11:40 PM
Lucy I love the reminder that you a real, live, lovely person with a real, live, lived in home & life. ;) You give, give, give to your happy band of hookers to your family of 5. (I include your cat of course in those who rely on you) Love the inspiration you have given me over the years. Take your rest when you can & know this is a safe space for you. :) xo jennifer
Posted by: jennifer w | July 26, 2019 at 07:25 PM
Love the sweetpeas .. my favourite flower! So jealous .. I can't make them grow in my world. I have been studying up on them and have hopes of them growing next summer.
Posted by: Donna | July 26, 2019 at 12:36 PM
The garden photos are lovely :) I think Britain has the best gardens and parks in the world!
Posted by: Tuula Maaria | July 26, 2019 at 09:53 AM
We went to Harlow Carr last year in March, shortly before the Beast From The East Mark 2.
We want to go back again, and again, but living on the South Coast it's a bit of a trek!
Love your pictures. And re: previous blog - we all have our stressed out off days, specially come end of school year. I know I did and we only had the two children.
Thanks for trusting us with your innermost feelings - they need to be let out occasionally. Just make sure Little B and Little Man know it's alright for boys/men to burst into tears when 'it all gets too much'. Even in Yorkshire.
So much healthier than doing the macho/Northern thing of bottling it all up, then maybe hitting something, or someone!
Posted by: Sharon | July 25, 2019 at 02:07 PM
Oh how I wish this was one of those scratch and sniff posts! lol To see the roll down the grassy hill, a fun time for L.B. He so takes after his mum with enjoying the moments, a precious thing. Thanks as always Lucy for sharing. xxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela- Southern USA | July 25, 2019 at 01:30 PM
Oooh! I guessed that your unknown flowers were primulas and Jen K said that they are. Lucy, I have followed you for years, since Little B was a baby. I love to see that he appreciates so much of what you love, too. I've read some of the excellent advice given here, so much of which you no doubt already know. Just remember to take time to breathe. Just sit and take lovely, luxurious breaths for a few minutes at a time. Your blogs have inspired me to crochet three blankets and countless afghans for us and for family. And your descriptions of your travels are the only way I will travel to England and the land of my ancestors. Thank you for all you do.
Posted by: Libby Parker | July 24, 2019 at 04:57 AM
Hi Lucy,
I started reading your blog many years ago (2011, maybe?), and over the years, life has gotten crazy, and blog-reading has gone mostly by the wayside. Aside from your patterns (I am getting ready to start my 5th Lucy blanket soon!), it's been a long time since I have just sat and read your regular non-crochet blog posts. But, inspired by someone on the Attic24 Facebook group, I went back a few weeks ago and started reading your blog from the very beginning. You had recently moved into your house, and your now-teenagers were little ones. I read several blog posts every evening before I go to bed, and I am just so enraptured by your love and enthusiasm for your home, for color, for flowers, for yummy recipes, and for crochet. I just want to be a fly on the wall in your colorful, cozy home!
All that to say, I want to encourage you! I know how overwhelming life can be. I encourage you to make a list of the things you want to fix in your home, and then choose just one to take care of. Once it's done, choose one more. Then one more. Before you know it, you'll have everything fixed. Putting things on paper is a sort of "brain dump," and I find it can help me feel less overwhelmed with everything going on.
Thank you for all the time and energy you put into your work. Your work creates an escape for others from the drudgery of their work. Your work injects life and comfort into the lives of others. And I am so grateful!
Posted by: Sarah Hunt | July 23, 2019 at 04:49 PM
I planted a bunch of sweatpeas for the first time this year because of your enthusiasm for them. I am eagerly anticipating their bloom! :-)
Posted by: Amy | July 22, 2019 at 08:30 PM
I haven't read your blog for a bit (my fault, not yours) and I clicked through to your last post and read it and I can say that the last few posts that I had read a while back seemed to be filled with the feeling that you were quite overwhelmed with all you had going on. You have a marvelous blog and like other commenters, we enjoy and adore your honesty. Hindsight is always 20-20 and sometimes we bite off more than we can chew comfortably. Do what you enjoy but, enjoy what you do too. Thanks for being here and thank you for not deleting that post - it is reassuring to know that you are just as human as we are. This too shall pass. Just remember to get your rest.
Posted by: Richard in Charlotte, NC, USA | July 22, 2019 at 07:06 AM
What beautiful pictures .....i expect the rooms were full of scents from the Sweet Peas..
Posted by: Trish Knitter | July 21, 2019 at 08:26 PM
I really enjoy reading your posts. They are so inspiring and down to earth. Your pictures are lovely and uplifts the soul. Thank you.
Posted by: Alison Beckett | July 21, 2019 at 06:50 AM
Thank you for the lovely photos the sweet peas are beautiful
Posted by: آهن سه | July 20, 2019 at 11:23 AM
I haven't blogged for a few years, so have missed seeing your posts on a regular basis. I did go back and check out your last one. Feeling the Overwhelm and acknowledging it is okay and the right thing to do. I feel so often that we trivialise our worries and moods because, in the West, we're in relative positions of privilege. But if we don't acknowledge them, they can grow out of control. It is not wallowing and you don't need to apologise for it.
Posted by: Tonia Collett | July 20, 2019 at 11:22 AM