First things first - I want to thank you for the truly lovely comments that you've written to me recently when I've posted here in my precious Attic space, I've really enjoyed reading your words on my last couple of posts. I do so love to hear from you and I am grateful for the time you spend visiting with me and gifting me with your thoughts. Carving out quiet time to sit and write a coherent blog post during school holidays is actually quite the challenge for me, and it's really great to hear that you continue to enjoy my slightly random narrative. I am thankful for you!
I continue to keep my camera close, and pretty much every day I manage to capture a few images here and there which describe these August days. The randomness of the photos means that they don't always feel like they make sense together but I still really enjoy seeing the visual story unfold when I sit down and string them along in a blog post. These images create an honest narrative that's for sure - I guess that summer holidays are in themselves a collection of utter randomness with no two days ever being the same?!
We took a short stroll around the reservoir on Sunday morning which we've not done for far too long. Little B moaned like crazy about being dragged out of the house - it was half past nine so not a ridiculously early time, but still you'd think we were asking him to take an all day mountain hike in some remote, far away place rather than a short 30 minute walk a few miles away. As usual, as soon as we stepped out of the car and began to walk he was pulled immediately out of his funk and absolutely loved being outdoors with both J and I. I resisted the rather strong urge to yell "I-TOLD-YOU-SO!!!" although crikey, it hovered on the tip of my tongue for most of the walk as he was just so happy!! A shame we had to go through such angst to get him there, but it was totally worth it.
Short local walks seem to be the way to go for us at the moment. The weather is so unpredictable that even if you set out in bright sunshine, the likelihood of getting drenched in a sudden downpour is remarkably high. It suits me though, I really don't seem to crave new things or new places at the moment, content to tread familiar paths in well loved locations. I seriously love where I live, and I don't think a day goes by when I don't see the hills surrounding the Attic and give quiet thanks for the fact that I am so happy here.
I think I mentioned in my post last week about visiting the farm shop, we go once or twice a week during the holidays, partly for the amazing fresh produce but also for the chance to walk a couple of easy miles. Plus (and this is a big plus for me personally) you can get really good coffee there, either to drink in at the farm shop café or as a takeout.
I don't eat a lot of bread (although I do love a bit of sourdough occasionally, or some dark rye bread for my poached egg addiction) but the bakery at the farm shop is fabulous. The bakers make the dough and bake it right there behind the counter so you can watch them doing it and it always smells soooo good. We picked up a ciabatta loaf this time, freshly baked and still warm, gosh it was hard to resist!
If we decide not to spend time in the café then a takeout latté is the next best thing - strolling home through the park while sipping on a hot fresh milky coffee is pretty great - small daily pleasures, I'll take them. I try and remember to pack our bamboo cups in my bag if I think we might be getting a takeout (J has one as well, his is a manly black and red design). I love my cup, it works really well at keeping the coffee hot all the way to the bottom of the frothy deliciousness and best of all it can go straight into the dishwasher when I get home.
As you can see from the splodge of red child in the distance, our walk to the farm shop is very good for a certain nine year old with a shed load of energy humming inside his body. Sometimes he rides his bike, but on Monday he decided to walk, which actually meant he needed to run. And run and run. J and I strolled along with our coffees as Little B raced ahead - I've said this many times on my blog over the years but don't you think there is something so brilliant about the way that children run for the sheer joy of moving their bodies? It's just so lovely to witness.
I love coming home with brown paper bags filled with all the fresh stuff, it makes me feel all inspired for cooking and healthy eating. Those tomatoes......ohmygosh, the flavour, so so good.
Yesterday morning was a time for errands with my Little Buddy, and lookeeee.........the hand holding is back and I couldn't be more delighted (silent, internal happy mummy dancing). We set out early, first stop a haircut (for him, not me).....
....second stop was some mid morning refreshment for the both of us. We had a lovely little chat over our hot chocolate/cappuccino, about food and books and school and holidays, just the general stuff of life that sometimes needs talking over.
Third/fourth/fifth and sixth stops were a mish mash of essential shopping (drain unblocker, batteries, a birthday present) and non essential shopping which Little B somehow talked me into.
Do you want to know what two things he most wanted me to buy for him, with a heap load of begging and persuasive argument thrown in?
Number One........................
......a giant two foot long bubble wand.
As soon as we got home he was straight out onto the back street making the BIGgeSt bubbles you ever did see....
....and I was right there with him attempting to photograph the BIGgeSt bubbles you ever did see, which is much harder than you might imagine. It was windy and the giant bubbles went sailing up to the rooftops before I could even think about aiming my camera. I managed one very poor shot of a low-flying pair, aren't the colours pretty?
You want to know the Number Two purchase?
He was so desperate for these that I just didn't stand a chance, I had to allow the indulgent purchase......
......bath marbles. Of course! Just what any boy would want desperately?!
You can see the appeal mind you......they're little mini scented bath bombs and are set out a bit like a pick-and-mix sweet shop, with paper bags for you to select your own collection. You get to choose ten for £3, and well, I figured that if it helps make the whole bath-bed routine a little more fun and not such a grind then they would be worth it.
Life on the home front has been pretty easy this week to be honest. The Teens pretty much take care of themselves, both of them have been working extra holiday shifts at their weekend jobs (Little Lady waitresses in a café, Little Man works in a really lovely local pub in town). I'm so proud of them, they are saving up their money and seem to be enjoying their independence very much. Little B has perhaps been a bit bored at times, spending his time watching films and gaming a little, but also reading, dressing up and building dens as well, so I guess it all balances out one way and another.
Laughing now, remember at the start of this post I told you about the randomness? Well this is a case in point - here I present to you my breakfast.....crikey, how can you stand the excitement of all this???!!!!!
However....I have the same breakfast every day pretty much and I have to tell you I love it. LOVE it. I put 40g of oats in a bowl with a little splash of milk and some fat free vanilla yoghurt and leave it to soak overnight in the fridge. Then in the morning I add in half a sliced banana and some warm/smushed up berries (frozen "wonky" berries, defrosted/warmed in the microwave for a minute so they go all gloopy). OH my goodness, it's like eating pudding for breakfast, you really must try it.
A cute little posy of the brightest, sweetest summer flowers on my table too, cheering up my days no end. The mini dahlias are surviving the mollusks in the back yard and I am so in love with them.
There is crochet happening too of course - some things that I can't show you just yet which are making me giddy with excitement, and some things that I can show you and will gather together in a separate blog post. I finished off my third lamp post wrap for Yarndale this week, and I think I'm going to write up the little sheep pattern I designed for it. Would you like that? I'm not sure what use a little appliqué sheep will be to anyone, but maybe you would like to give it a go - let me know?
Last week we snook off for a few days for a short little family holiday beside the sea....it was absolutely blissful and I loved every minute of it. I took my usual stack of photos so will share with you in a few days while it's still fresh in my mind. We were so lucky with the weather, it rained of course (this is English summertime after all) but not ever enough to stop us in our tracks. We had such a good time, it was exactly what we all needed last week I think, a blast of fresh sea air and a little bit of somewhere different. Wonderful stuff.
I hope your week is shaping up nicely and that life's randomness is making you happy - tell me what you're eating for breakfast these days, I really would like to know. Honest!
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Would ove to have a gvo at the little lamb. Very appropriate for here we live in Wales.x
Posted by: Judith Thomas | October 30, 2019 at 03:54 PM
Overnight Oatmeal (as the first recipe I stumbled across called it) is my breakfast mainstay, too! Sometimes if I was too lazy to make it the night before, I have granola and yogurt instead, but Overnight Oatmeal is my favorite! --Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer K. | September 12, 2019 at 11:34 PM
Seeing the train station brings me such immense joy! My husband took me to England a couple of years ago for the first time for both of us. We stayed in London and did everything London but the highlight was taking a train from London to Kings Lynne and then going to my mothers home town Sutton Bridge. The train ride and seeing all the different stations was so wonderful!
Posted by: Sarah | September 06, 2019 at 05:32 PM
I haven’t followed in a while. This evening I read post after post, the projects and colors are beautiful and full of inspiration. The landscape is wonderful and the field of foxglove my favorite. It took my breath just looking at the pics. Thank you for sharing!!!
Posted by: Cindy | August 31, 2019 at 02:38 AM
I’ve been eating overnight oats once a week for the last few years, it’s good (I have 40g of oats with one pot of fruity yoghurt - strawberry preferably - and a bunch of frozen mixed berries, as they defrost in the fridge overnight the juice soaks into the oats too. Delicious.) However my top fave is very boring sounding, but so crunchy and sweet and yum: fresh sliced fruit....melon, nectarine, grapefruit, a Pink Lady apple fridge cold, a few red grapes, whatever combo with a few spoonfuls of Greek Style FF yoghurt and 40g of Fruit and Fibre cereal sprinkled on top. Breakfast of a Queen I tell you! xx
Posted by: Rachel | August 29, 2019 at 02:45 PM
Your Mr 9 sounds very like my Mr now 14. Enjoys a bubble bath, and making bubbles in the back yard, also regularly says to me 'mum I think its time you went clothes shopping and we should have a coffee too'. Our kids are all so different, its refreshing.
Also your random posts are wonderful, thank you for sharing :)
Posted by: Dini jones | August 29, 2019 at 04:41 AM
Hi Lucy,
Lovely post as usual. Just worried by the bamboo cup thing. I recently read this:
https://crumple.com.au/blogs/news/scary-truth-about-bamboo
and it is worrying. Take care,
May x
Posted by: May Corfield | August 28, 2019 at 09:42 AM
Lovely photos, I share your bittersweet feelings of little people growing up.
I heard recently that bamboo cups are not meant for hot drinks, the formaldehyde in the glue that holds the bamboo “dust” together leaches out...🙁 it certainly put me off!
Posted by: Gill | August 27, 2019 at 08:27 PM
They are definitely times when I miss the house being full of loud messy kids. My new routine has finally worked itself out nicely and sometimes I wonder how I survived those loud messy days. haha I must try your breakfast routine soon, mine is more often than not a piece of wheat bread with a smear of peanut butter and a banana to top it off. We have a mix of seasons here at the moment, hot summer temps with leaves changing on the trees, I hope we're not going to be short changed out of a autumn this year. The sheep is super cute! I've started a granny stripe blanket with my leftover sock yarn, I've toned down the colors a bit by holding an off white strand with them, it definitely helps with harmonizing all those colors. Have a fab week! xxxxxx
Posted by: Angela- Southern USA | August 27, 2019 at 01:31 PM
Oh the colours of bath marbles look like blanket colour inspiration!
Love you blog so much
Posted by: Elizabeth Wittig | August 26, 2019 at 02:22 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed this post with all the different things. I'm glad you had a nice little holiday. I had a cinnamon sticky bun with nuts with my coffee this morning. Baked and brought to me yesterday by an old friend.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | August 24, 2019 at 09:11 PM
Your breakfast sounds delicious!! I have never tried overnight oats but I think I will have to now!. And your little sheep is sooooo adorable! I can just see a little pin made of him to wear with a beautiful hand knit shawl!
Posted by: Elise | August 24, 2019 at 02:07 PM
Oh my! I have been an empty nester for 20 years but suddenly felt a stab of loss for all the fun my family and I had when the children were all at home. Love your family tales!
Posted by: Kathy | August 24, 2019 at 12:52 AM
I so love reading your posts and I envy your proximity to such beautiful country, canal and cobblestone walks! Hubby and I just took our 2nd and last child off to college last week and I'm in mourning for losing my shopping/coffee buddy! Our son is a year gone to college as well, but since my husband just retired, we're kinda free to do whatever and that's what we're doing (happy-dance!) My breakfast (late morning after exercise) is usually half-a-muffin or peanut butter on sourdough and a frothy coffee inspired by you, my friend! I bought a Nespresso machine and a milk frother because of a post you made quite a few years back and I've been in cappuccino heaven ever since -- thank you! Cheers, Lucy!
Posted by: Annie Chermak | August 23, 2019 at 11:58 PM
I love reading your blog so much! It's a very happy place. I'm eating a lot of oatmeal, bagels, sometimes muffins, and fruit these days.
Posted by: Julia | August 23, 2019 at 07:28 PM
A lovely post Lucy & your photos as usual are lovely. Your breakfast is similar to mine, though I've never tried the cold method for porridge & do mine in the microwave & splodge on whatever fruit maybe in season. Your dahlias look good & hopefully the molluscs wll stay away. Thank you for a lovely chat this morning, but the photo didn't come out.😥 Take care & huggles.
Posted by: Susan. | August 23, 2019 at 06:09 PM
I absolutely LOVE reading your blog. It's like sitting down in front of a cozy fire, with a blanket and a cup of coffee and my knitting.
I enjoy it so very much!
Posted by: Ulrika | August 23, 2019 at 12:21 PM
So love reading your posts Lucy - wish I could walk to my local farm shop! It's 20 minutes away in the car, but I do go there to shop every Thursday.
Your August days seem very chilled and relaxed, unlike mine which consist of being a taxi service to golf clubs, drama rehearsals, elder teen's work (the golf club and no other way to get there) etc. I always wonder if I'm the only Mum who has a busier summer holiday than term time!
My breakfast is almost always cornflakes with either sliced nectarine & 100% dark chocolate drops or hi-energy trail mix. On the occasional day that I treat myself to wheat (& I have the time) I have a French toast wrap (can't eat bread as I'm yeast intolerant) with sliced nectarines or raspberries and maple syrup.
Look forward to seeing the photos of your time by the sea. Enjoy the sunny bank holiday!
xx
Posted by: Corinna Mazzotta | August 23, 2019 at 12:02 PM
Hi Lucy, What a lovely long read - many thanks. Loved the photos and the talk of yummy breakfast - must admit I make my own Granola - keep a huge bag in the freezer, so that when I run out - I just take it from the freezer, spread some on a cooking sheet and put in the oven for about 20 mins - all done and then when cold I can refil my large storage box. It's full of yummy stuff oats, coconut slivers, hazelnut, loads of lovely seeds so it's great on it's own with milk or a bit like you a handful of frozen berries mushed in the microwave for minute then mixed through the granola - oh it's so gooood.
Got quite giddy with the pics of Little B's bubbles - don't know what it is - but I just adore blowing bubbles. No kids at home now, but kept my Grandson very busy for years - but at thirteen he now thinks he's above all that sillyness!!!!
Posted by: Lynne Stankard | August 23, 2019 at 10:33 AM
Loved visiting you Lucy and always do. Such wonderful photos of your days. We loved our 2 trips to the UK and plan more this time Ireland. I rememberwhen you let us know you were expecting little B so long ago now. Breakfast I love simple bacon and eggs done many ways ❤❤
Posted by: Wendy | August 23, 2019 at 02:22 AM
I always do a little yeah! to myself when I see that you’ve posted a new blog! I love reading them and they always make me smile
Absolutely live the little sheep appliqué, definitely write up the pattern, please! 🙂
Posted by: Sheelagh’s Franklin | August 22, 2019 at 11:59 PM
I don't usually eat breakfast which makes it much easier to get out the door in the morning for work! On weekends our 7 yr old usually wants pancakes or waffles and since my brother owns sugar maples we get real maple syrup from him. Truly amazing stuff! We just went back to school after our summer break so getting back into that schedule is taking a bit but I relax by crocheting of course and am trying to decide which one of your blankets to make next! I LOVE reading your posts and seeing all the "randomness" because it reminds me of a much simpler time in my life when we lived in Germany.. I LOVED all the little towns and farm shops and bakery's and wish that I lived that way now.. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us and taking such amazing pictures and creating such amazing crochet for us. You're a life saver!
Posted by: Tammy | August 22, 2019 at 11:32 PM
Hi Lucy
Breakfast weekdays is supermarket version of Weetabix (much cheaper lol) with blueberries, weekend upgrades to granola with fruit and yogurt. Toast if I'm really craving it.
We holidayed not far from you earlier in the year, some amazing cabins by the river Wharfe at Addingham. Also went to the farm shop for supplies, it's amazing, could shop there all the time, so much quality choice.
Sheep pattern would be appreciated as I'm planning to put some on my Moorland blanket when it's finished.
Hope to get to chat at Yarndale. Hope all the last minute build goes to plan. Julie xx
Posted by: Julie | August 22, 2019 at 09:54 PM
Yes, yes, yes to the crotchet tut for the darling little sheep. Xx
Posted by: Lenore | August 22, 2019 at 09:32 PM
Lucy, I really love reading your random blogs and my heart lifts when I notice a new blog on Facebook!
Like you, I absolutely love where I live (Stratford-upon-Avon) and I, like you, give grateful thanks for the fact I am so happy living here.
I would have loved to join you at Wool Warehouse last weekend but unfortunately I was away on holiday, but I am so lucky as it is only a few miles up the road from me - lucky but not so good for the bank balance!
Enjoy the rest of the school holidays ...don’t they go too quickly?
Posted by: Wendy Riggall | August 22, 2019 at 09:10 PM