Home Safe :: Week Six

Hello my lovelies, thank you as ever for calling to see me, and for so many wonderful chatty comments which I have loved reading on my last post. I'm sorry I'm late in writing up this instalment of my weekly not-muchness, I've been feeling a weeny bit off kilter this week and not really in a chatty mood to be honest. I find that when I feel this way it's best to just stay low and quiet, keeping myself to myself until I feel my bounce return. 

Week six (as far as I can recall) passed by in a slow blur of familiar routines and sameyness. I went just once to visit the cherry trees and saw that they were already on the wane, shedding their delicate petals like snow. I was so glad that I made an almost daily pilgrimage to see them the previous week when they were absolutely at their peek, the floral beauty has been spectacular this year, a real mood lifter for sure.

The start of week six was sunny and lovely and like many of us in the UK who are used to very changeable and inclement weather, I was full of gratitude for the dry, sunshiny days we were gifted throughout April.

On days when J isn't working and we feel in the mood, we can make our daily walks a little longer than our usual woodland strolls. I like the feeling of striding out across open fields, soaking up the warmth of the sun and enjoying the miles pass by under my feet.

We see very few people on this walk and absolutely no traffic along these small lanes at the moment. It gives a  lovely sense of freedom to be able to stroll along in the middle of the road, admiring the views and taking in the details of the season.

I love seeing the bracken ferns gently beginning to unfurl in the hedgerows, another layer of fresh greenery to remind us that Spring is in full swing.

On this day last week we extended our route to make a big circular loop, walking the last two or three miles home along the canal towpath. 

It's been a long while since we walked this far along the canal and I had forgotten how tranquil it is to walk beside such still reflective waters. 

On Wednesday last week the rain finally came, after more than a month of exceptionally dry weather in April. It was really rather lovely to experience it after so long - the sight, sound, smell and feel of it was delightful. It wasn't especially heavy rain, more a series of light showers which continued on and off for a few days.

We still took our daily walk on the wet days and actually we didn't really get too wet walking under the leafy trees.

I absolutely loved being in the rainy woodland that afternoon, the scent of the warm, damp earth mixed with fresh wild garlic was magical. It's just unbelievably beautiful out there at the moment and I can't get enough of the bright light and colour that is flooding our days after what has felt like a long, grey winter. The woodland suddenly seemed to green up last week, with the beech leaves fully open but still soft and droopy and that amazing vibrant bright green.

Talking of greens, we have entered asparagus season and I am so delighted by this simple fact. Fresh, locally grown spears are in the supermarket now and I am eating as much of it as I can. Asparagus x 6 on the shopping list if I could get away with it, although it's still quite expensive as vegetables go. Gosh, I do love it so.

We've been muddling through with Little B and the whole business of home schooling, some days working better than others. Last week was a bit hit and miss to be honest, some days he seemed quite engaged and productive, working away in his bedroom and uploading his work to the online portal so that his teacher can see what he's up to. Other days the procrastination levels were sky high and he did everything possible to avoid sitting and actually doing anything. I had to keep my frustration in check (it's soooooo tiring trying to keep them going with it all), and we pretty much limped through the week.

Probably the most fun thing we did was the stuff about Healthy Eating (I'm sure this is on the curriculum every single year) - I took charge and suggested we could make soup from scratch, encouraging Little B to do most of the work. He did good, and we made a simple tomato and red pepper soup which he ate (at great speed) and then wrote up the recipe to share with his class online. 

When I'm not doing the Mummy/teacher things with the youngest offspring (which seems quite time consuming some days), you can usually find me sitting at the dining table. I'm continuing to put healthy food into my body and feel so good for it. My breakfast is usually oat pancakes, or a bowl of oats/seeds, greek yoghut, grated apple, banana and berries. I really love breakfast, it honestly gives me so much pleasure to make and eat that first meal of the day. 

Oh my gosh, do you see that??? That thing of utter beauty right there ↑↑↑ ???  That's my new mug which arrived in the post last week, and is most definitely one of my most favourite mugs ever ever ever. I am a long time huge fan of the ceramicist Ken Eardley and when I saw on Instagram that he had some fresh new mugs for sale, well my heart was invested within a nanosecond. Pink and turquoise is one of my all time favourite colour combinations and this mug honestly couldn't be more perfect for me. That beautifully excessive  handle is everything, and every coffee in this mug is an absolute pleasure. Sigh......so in love with my mug!

So yeah - lots of hours sat at the table, eating, drinking, pondering and hooking. Last week I worked a lot on my new Aria blanket, every day making the most delicious colour decisions, crocheting like the clappers and joining squares to make row upon row. Building a blanket from squares is huge fun, and although it's more stop-starty than working a striped design, I get such a kick from seeing it all come together. After a whole week of solid work I managed to join all one hundred and forty four squares. I am beyond excited by it and very proud of it too as it's been a major testing of my colour-design skills I have to say.

I find it easier to crochet join-as-you-go squares sat at the table, but throughout the making of this blanket I've had to frequently use the floor to make layout and colour decisions. I think it's been interesting for the Little People to see me at work actually, and they've been commenting, encouraging and occasionally making suggestions as I've spent countless hours on my hands and knees trying to work everything out.

I took the above photo a week ago on the same day when we took that drippy wet walk in the woods. The day felt chilly and even though I thought we were finished with the fire for this season, I couldn't resist a few hours of cosy warmth and fireside comfort. I really love having the fire lit, but it IS Spring and I really hope that there won't be another fire in that grate until October. Well possibly September would be acceptable, if it really came to it.

I had a few more bluebells and cow parsley stems on my table last week, very modest pickings from the verges and allotment.

I keep thinking about Bolton Abbey as this is the exact time of year that I so love being there, but I'm trying to be content with what I can find close to home and not dwell too much on what I'm missing. A couple of little bluebell stems in a glass jar on my table has been making me absurdly happy, so there is that. Pleasure in the little things - always.

And even though I'm not able to feast my eyes on the glorious bluebell banks this year, I've certainly been having fun stitching them! Last week I put the final crosses into my Spring sampler from Cotton & Twine and have to say I was a bit sad when it was all over - I've LoVeD stitching this design so much. I need to make time to get it mounted now, the Aria blanket has really had me in it's creative grips this past week and I've not been able to think of anything else. 

Well I hope you're all keeping well and content out there in your own stay-home bubbles, and that life is giving you more ups than downs. Remember to seek out the little things that give you pleasure and I really hope you're having a peaceful, restful week.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

Comments

[مولتی کالا]

It was very beautiful and spectacular.

Visit our page my page is name مولتی کالا

[Victoria Reid]

Hi Lucy. I bought the pattern and wool for your aria blanket but I can’t master joining the squares :( do you have a video at all? Thank uou!!!

[Heather Milne]

Thank you for transporting me, I could almost smell the mulch and that intoxicating smell of green wood and the promise of wild garlic to come. Loving the oat pancakes and have made them two or three times now, a real joy!

[Namari]

Dear Lucy, as always I adore reading your blog. Your photos of your lovely part of your lovely country is a delight to see.
I have a question to ask and I am beginning with you because your blog was the first one I ever started reading so the others that I read might possibly originate from your blog. I am looking for the Thistlebear blog. It seems to have closed down although one may still read it if you are invited. But how does one get invited if the blog is closed? Do you know about this blog or can you tell me how to get invited to a closed blog? I read it for a long time and then just one day, zap!, it was closed. I miss it so!
Like your new blanket's colours!
Regards and sorry if I overstepped the comment mark, but you are the only place I could think of turning to. From Cape Town in South Africa...

[Trudi Partridge]

Thank you for taking me on a walk through the woods. always a highlight in the week x

[Carol Moran]

Hi Lucy! I have not ever posted before but have loved your posts and your work for several years now (so shame on me!). You have an incredible gift and I treasure the time I spend with you. Photography, stories and crochet are all heartfelt and real and I think that is why I love your site so much. Many days I read your feelings and feel right by your side, and tho I am many years your senior, I can understand the life balance you revere. (I have been a single parent for 22 years.) I am working on Polyanthus flowers for a wreath and will eventually make a blanket based on your moorland blanket. Keep safe. I hope to one day make a trip to England. Your photos draw me. Thank you for being you.

[Angela southern-USA]

The blanket is pure eye candy! I also LUV the mug, my favorite color combo too. I've been cross stitching more than crocheting of late (although I did hook up some new bunting for my garden bikes), and working in the veggie garden. I adore spring, with all the shades of green and the flowers waking from their long winters sleep. I hope you have plenty of sunshine during this stay at home time.xxxxxxxxxxx

[Jayme Morris-Hardeman]

Your blog brings me so much joy! I wanted to follow up on the dahlia yarn - early in the CAL, there was mention of a pattern someone was working up for using this yarn pack with the summer harmony pattern. Will that be available any time soon? Thanks for providing me with inspiration!

[Pam-J]

Greetings from Maryland! Just stopping by to say that your color sense is amazing. You know how to select colors that make my brain alive and always bring out a smile. I never knew that just seeing colors could be such a lift!

[steam_irons]

It was very beautiful and spectacular.

Visit our page

https://www.moltikala.com/110-philips-steam-irons

[Corinna Mazzotta]

Loving your posts keeping me going through this strange time Lucy. I'm on the shielding list so haven't left the house for 6 weeks and I so miss getting out into nature. So thankful that I can watch the changing season via your lovely blog & take a virtual walk with you. Glad you and your lovely little family are safe and well. I'm keeping busy with baking, my hydrangea blanket and an embroidery from my Craftpod subscription that I'm making for my sister as well as keeping the house going and 2 hungry teen boys well fed while hubby still goes to work every day.
Take care & I look forward to my next virtual walk with you! 🥰 x

[Evelyn]

My son and his family live 'up the road' in Riddlesden and go to Bolton Abbey several times a month before the lock down. They both work in emergency departments of Leeds and Airedale hospitals and love taking oud granddaughter there when ever possible. Frequently in Skipton too.

[Heidi Clarke]

Thinking your fire might get used this week, the temperature has dropped this morning Sunday in Essex, I saw it was snowing in Aberdeen ❄️😱

[Daphne Goodenough]

Hi Lucy, you spread happiness every time you write another blog, your beautiful photos lift ones spirits, all that luscious green, so sorry you have felt a bit poorly hope all is well again now, your healthy food looks so delicious you are good to be eating so healthily, but you always have it seems to me. Your blanket is gorgeous, so glad it has given you so much joy. Take care of you and yours dear girl, I shall be so looking forward to the next blog, no pressure!!!!!!! just kidding happy days. Xxx Daphne

[Jan]

So much colour! Thanks Lucy. I love your new mug 💕

[Beverley]

Love the colours of your Aria blanket Lucy. I'm sure it will be just as lovely as all your other blankets when it is finished. Thanks for sharing all your pictures on your walks,they really are so uplifting at this time x

[kate bates]

Hi Lucy, I know a lot of people have found this week a difficult one. As you said, you have to look for the little pleasures and be kind to yourself. One day we will look back on this time and try and remember what it felt like!

[Linda from Boston]

Things are possibly going a bit better here in the Boston area. I actually found yeast at the supermarket (limit one). Limiting meat. Shelves somewhat bare. But found an abundance of vegetables. Very taxing this shopping. Weather tonight is record cold; possible snowflakes!! Have to bring my pansies and herbs in for the night. Hope it warms up soon. Boston Pops just announced that the 4th of July concert is cancelled!! Nothing to look forward to. The golf courses were allowed to open yesterday; maybe I should learn golf!!

[Maureen]

Hi Lucy,
I so enjoy my vicarious walks in the English countryside with you. And the remembrance of the smells you describe. Due to nerve damage, I have lost most of my sense of smell. Next to no flower smells get through. No candles, etc. On the other hand, I can't smell skunks either, so there is that! Ha!

[Pam]

Lucy, can I just say that those oat pancakes have me hooked too... love Love LOVE them, served with berries and natural yogurt also... although I have tried with crispy bacon and maple syrup... but not as good as berries.... I am truly saddened when my breakfast is over 🙂 thank you for sharing this fab low fat recipe. x

[Esther Bartlett]

Hello Lucy, it is such a blessing sitting down and reading your blog. You soooo capture the beauty around us. Also, I love your adapted/made up words and phrases, they make me laugh every time! I would have commented before but only just realized I could! My tech/social media skills have greatly improved with this lock down: case of having to!

[Esther Bartlett]

Hello Lucy, it is such a blessing to sit down and read your lovely posts. You sooo capture the simple beauty around us. I also love your made up words/phrases, they make me laugh every time! I would have commented before but only just realized I could! My tech/social media skills have improved immensely since this lock down: case of having to! Esther.

[Tonia]

Getting huge pleasure from my allotment and cycling along empty streets at the moment. For the first time in a long time, I feel safe on my bike! Small wobble when my boy (grown up!) was ill earlier in the week, but he's fine, we're fine. We're very lucky and I never stop being aware of that.

[Denise Fordyce]

I just feel like I'm in the movie, "Groundhog Day"! I've generally had to ask my husband what day it is...and he has to look at his watch to be certain. Great news here in Oz that we have a bit of a plan to open up, even if my home state (Victoria) will be a little behind some other states. We do still have too many new infections. There is light ahead, though

[CJ]

It's been so beautiful out there hasn't it. And the glorious weather has really helped. You really do live in a very pretty area, your local walks are lovely. I used to have asparagus at the allotment and it was amazing. Loads of it, every year. The children would get fed up with it and couldn't care less that it was a luxury thing. I could eat it every day at this time of year, quite happily. I've taught the littlest boy to make your oat pancakes and they're a real hit. I also tried Smitten Kitchen's carrot cake pancakes and they were good too, but involved a lot more preparation. Your new mug is a thing of beauty, and it's so good to support English craftspeople. I am rather in love with the light green one. CJ xx