In December

❆ In December we had a lot of rain, but there were also some welcome sunny days to lift the spirits.

❆ In December I made the most of the good weather days and enjoyed the quiet, pared back stillness.

❆ In December I tried to remember to stop every so often and look up.

❆ In December our winter season well and truly arrived.

❆ In December I got a bit giddy over the wintry perfection of frosty moss (like you do).

❆ In December I felt grateful for my morning walks to school along the canal.

❆ In December I turned my face to the sun at every opportunity.

❆ In December I often walked home from the shops the Long Way, just for the pleasure of being out in the fresh air and stretching my legs.

❆ In December I enjoyed pottering around the familiar streets of my town.

❆ In December I constantly searched out bright spots of colour amongst the greyness.

❆ In December I enjoyed the arrival of seasonal produce - specifically nets of whole nuts and boxes of leafy clementines.

❆ In December I remembered how much I love eating fresh fruit every day, especially zesty citrus and the lush flavours of more exotic offers - mango, kiwi and passion fruit all in my belly!

❆ In December a small miracle occurred and I actually remembered to buy the candy canes in the first week of the month.

❆ In December, for the first time EVER, I listened to the Little People and we decorated the house for Christmas on the First Day of the month. It was the best decision, and I am now converted.

❆ In December I crocheted 24 Teeny Tiny Stars (pattern here) and 12 Tassel Baubles to make a Festive Garland. I also photographed a tutorial for the tassel baubles but completely ran out of mental energy when it came to editing the forty-plus photos and writing it all up. I'm so sorry. Running-out-of-energy seems to have been the general underlying theme of my life just lately.

❆ In December I did actually manage to complete my Festive Garland and hung it in place mid month. I absolutely adore it I have to say. I still fully intend to share the pattern and create the tutorial for you, once all Dahlia happenings are under way. I'm so sorry that I haven't been very good at keeping up this year.

❆ In December we had some truly beautiful skies to start and end our days.

❆ In December I embarked on something of a personal healthy eating crusade and I can already feel it doing me good. I've cut right back on caffeine and alcohol, upped my daily water intake and am making a conscious effort to give my body all the good stuff it needs. My general health and well being hasn't been great this year, but I am trying to do what I can to help myself.

❆ In December I spent a lot of time in cosy cafés, including some lovely outings with Little B. He seems to really enjoy coming along with me when I go shopping or run errands in town, especially when we squeeze in a quick refreshment stop along the way.

❆ In December we had our first snow day on the 15th. It wasn't a huge amount, just enough to give us some winter feel-good for a day without too much disruption.

❆ In December I shook off my natural desire to stay cosy indoors and ventured out to the park at first light to take in the snowy scene. The light was very weird indeed, with a pinky purple hue cast over everything. It was eerily beautiful.

❆ In December I took the train to The City to do some Christmas gift buying a week before the big day. I carried a mild dose of anxiety along with me, but despite my usual lateness with this kind of thing, all ended well. I am just a last minute person and no amount of mental resolve seems to change my natural patterns.

❆ In December I also very much enjoyed shopping locally, using our thriving high street and supporting small independent shops where I was able.

❆ In December I enjoyed the daily ritual of lighting the Advent candle when we sat down to our evening meal. Little B was in charge of lighting and extinguishing, and he carried this out with great ceremony.

❆ In December I walked in the woods with Little B on the shortest day of the year, gathering in some ivy as we went. Poor boy, my chopping made him nervous ("Mum, is it actually illegal to do this?") but I assured him that with the huge abundance of ivy growing along the pathways, we were OK to remove just a little bit here and there. I added in sprigs of rosemary and eucalyptus snipped from my back yard pots, and wove the whole lot around a wire wreath frame (this sort of thing) to make a simple Solstice wreath.

❆ In December I quietly celebrated the Winter Solstice, enjoying the scent of greenery and a new red berry candle.

❆ In December we thoroughly enjoyed our before-Christmas time. The Little People finished school on the 20th, and the fours days that followed were spent gift wrapping (I wish, wish, wish I could manage to do this earlier, but alas, old habits die hard), gathering in food and drink supplies and generally idling about. We completed our two "Christmas Eve" jigsaws which is a Christmas tradition that I love, and I enjoyed the relaxed pace of holiday days spent at home.

❆ In December we enjoyed a quiet, happy Christmas day at home just the five of us. It was bloomin' lovely too. Little B (who is almost ten) still believes in the Big Fella in Red (possibly for the last year?) so we made the very most of the magic. And for the first time EVER, our day started at the late hour of seven o'clock which was hugely appreciated, we've had so so many years of very early starts on Christmas morning.

❆ In December we managed a walk through the woods on Christmas morning. We left The Big Teen in bed, but Little B and Little Lady came with J and me, and I enjoyed it very much. There was weak winter sunshine and lots of mud, oh, and chocolate too.

❆ In December we also went for a walk on Boxing day, venturing out in the cold winter to stroll along the riverside at Bolton Abbey. It was a tad bleak if I'm honest, a biting wind and low murky cloud, but nevertheless it felt good.

❆ In December we faced some tough times with family. J's beloved Dad was in and out of hospital, and we were beyond grateful when he was able to come home on Christmas Eve. He's slowly recovering and we are awaiting test results which are a very real concern to be honest, but not much to do at the moment except remain positive.

We also lost my Mum's partner Grandpa B unexpectedly, he took a fall a few weeks before Christmas and died shortly afterwards. He and my Mum were never married but they did share thirty years together and I've felt very sad saying goodbye to that part of my Dorset family life. 

❆ In December I worked on my upcoming Crochet-A-Long, which starts tomorrow! Yay!!!! It's such a blessing to have this to look forward to as we start the New Year, and I'm very excited to see it all finally unfold. I work on my CAL projects for much of the year (I start around May time) so they are a big part of my life, even though most of the planning and creative work goes on quietly behind the scenes. This will be my sixth annual blanket CAL (previous blankets were Cosy, Sunny, Moorland, Woodland and Sweet Pea, 2014-2019) and I absolutely love the crochet community that has grown around it. It makes me so happy, and a teensy bit proud too.

Well that pretty much brings us right up to date, and I'm so happy that I was able to chisel out time to make a December catch up post to share with you. Waking up at 4.30 am does have it's advantages sometimes!

I've got some things on my mind that I'd like to chat about, but today isn't the day for that. Today it's full-steam Dahlia prep, so I'd better get back to it......I'll be here in the morning to fling some floral colour at you!!! Haha!

Wishing you all a fantastically happy New Year and New Decade, may 2020 be filled with joy and sparkle, colour and creativity, love and kindness. 

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Comments

[Helen]

Amazing. I bought some of these cards to help with blanket pla ning and they have been AMAZING!!!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153846304163

[Marili Bezerra]

Eu, aqui do Brasil, sinto muito por sua perda, preocupações e momentos de desânimo e falta de energia.
Espero que tudo fique bem, que a vida tome um rumo de Luz, Alegria, Amor Paz, União e Aconchego.
Amo suas postagens e tudo que vc faz. Vc enche meu coração de alegria e calor. Gratidão. Feliz 2020 para todos nós. Um beijão.

[Sara Johnson]

So sorry to hear about your loss and ongoing worry. I hope that 2020 brings you and your lovely family better times. xx

[Geri]

Hello

I am trying to subscribe to your blog but the Subscribe button won't work for me. Could you please subscribe me? Thanks!

[Marguerite]

I'm really sorry about your mum's partner, love and prayers to you all. x

[Anita Forster]

Hello Lucy

[Jacqui]

Happy New Year and decade Lucy. Lose is so hard at any time of year and I feel for you as you must be missing your mum as Christmas approaches already without the sadness of loosing her partner too!. I lost both my mum and dad in 2019 and can understand why you are especially struggling this autumn/winter. Keep looking up and out but also inwards so you can look after yourself xxx Hoping there is some good news for Js dad. I am a knitter but always love the visual feast your crochet gives and am making 2020 the year of crochet, maybe not a blanket yet but am going to work through some of your smaller projects, thank you xxx

[Angela-Southern -USA]

The end of a decade, and the start of a new. May the new one be filled with all that's good and joyful for you and yours! So wonderful Santa still visits your house, He does bring the magic for sure. Sorry for your loss, sending warm thoughts and hugs your way, and hoping all goes well for J's Dad. The blanket is so cheerful, well done! I'm starting a blanket and just gathering supplies now. xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Lynne Stankard]

Happy New Year to you and the family Lucy - hoping things go well for John's Dad. Thoughts of your Mum losing Grandpa B., how hard it must be for her - and you all. Your post was beautiful , so many glorious pics too - thank you. So pleased you finished the Christmas garland - it looks amazing. Take care of yourself Lucy and every good wish for the coming year. Lynne xxx

[kate]

This is such an enjoyable post and your photos are beautiful! So sorry about Grandpa B and wish J's father improved health. Hugs.

[Mary W]

This was a beautiful post that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm sorry for your Loss of Grandpa B and hope your Mom's new year will bring beautiful memories and joy along with energy to face new challenges. I had completely forgotten about the beautiful bag of yarn that is waiting for me to dig into. Today is a wonderful day - thank you for making it special.

[Jo Murphey]

Lucy,
Popping in for the first time.
Sorry for your loss. Rain drops are tears of those departed showing they miss you too.

The weather has been the same for us and still continuing in the NE GA foothills. Rain, rain, rain.

[CJ]

Sorry for your loss Lucy, and that J's dad has been unwell, I am sending you my best wishes. I'm attempting some healthier eating as well, and you have reminded me that I should drink more water. Caffeine is a new thing for me this year, and I probably never should have started on it. But sometimes I am oh, so tired. I am wishing you and yours a very happy 2020. CJ xx

[Miss Daisy]

Sorry for your mom's lost , 3o years. I know all of you will miss him. I miss your posts but understand the joys of daily life should always come first. Happy New Year to you and your family.

[Elizabeth Sawyer]

My deepest sympathy for your loss Lucy. Good luck with your New Year projects and plans and thank you for such a lovely blog💕

[Evi]

Lucy, happy new year to you and your family! Thank you for sharing these moments of yours... It was really lovely reading them and inspiring at the same time. Wishing you the best for what is to come. xx

[Nadine Bell]

Lucy, I just wanted to share with you some simple advice that was given to me that I am really going to follow this year. “Be kind to yourself because you deserve it”. Nobody is harder on you than you and you don’t need to apologise for not having the energy to do everything. It is clear that we all think you’re pretty amazing.

[Ariadne Desarro]

My heart aches for you. Holidays seem difficult when you lose a loved one at this time of the year. Sending many huggs for you and your family. Huggibg seems to lessen the pain if only briefly. Thank you for all you do and who you are!!!xoxo

[Laurie]

Such a beautiful post, I enjoyed every word,

[Shirley]

Such a pleasure to read your blog, and the breathtaking photos. Australia is burning, so I took myself through your photos, which gave me much pleasure. Keep up the good work.

[Meredirge]

December was such a mixed bag for you. Do hope the start to the new year is much better. Hugs

[Jools Morgan-Jones]

Sending you love and hugs, Lucy. Grieving at this time of year is so hard xxx

[Ruth]

Best wishes Lucy. Life is hard sometimes x

[Teresa Kasner]

Hello from Oregon, USA, dear Lucy! I enjoyed the catch-up and the great winter photos, especially your colorful and cozy home. I have my Dahlia yarn at the ready for tomorrow. It will go very well with the colors in my beloved Sweet Pea blanket. The colors will add joy to a gloomy winter as I work on it. I'm sorry to hear of family illness and loss. Sending a big warm hug your way. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Pat Hibbs]

Lovely blog and beautiful photos. You and your work are inspirational and I especially love the colours you use. By the way, your Christmas garland is gorgeous and I would keep it up all year, not just for Christmas!!
Happy New Year xx