Blogtober 2020 :: Day 26

Daily blogging is such a strange thing to embark on, and if you've ever tried to describe your days in photos for any length of time you will recognise the slight craziness of the attempt. I was in the café this morning with J having my usual very-very-good cappuccino, and I had to force myself not to take a photo of my coffee to show you. Yet again. I mean, there is only so many times you would want to see evidence of me drinking coffee, surely?? Taking photos for a daily blog means that there is bound to be a slight obsessiveness creeping in, as I think about my blog content a huge amount throughout the day. But at the same time I'm mindful of living my life as normal and pointing my camera only when something really inspires me. Oddly enough, my daily coffee nearly always inspires me haha! There is something about the quiet familiarity of enjoying a favourite drink in a cosy environment which just feels a little bit magical to me. And even though it's something I do most days, it still feels special because I view it as a luxury (both having the money to indulge, and having the time too). I feel almost compelled to try and capture the feeling I get when I am there, to share it with you, to tell you how happy it makes me. But yeah, daily coffee reports are probably a bit unnecessary.

So today I'm showing you my £2 Very Large pumpkin instead of my coffee because it is seasonal and because I am thrilled to a) have the excitement of the upcoming carving fest on Saturday to look forward to and b) chuffed that I remembered to buy a pumpkin a whole five days in advance. That's something to be celebrated, especially after last year when we spent a ridiculous amount of time on the actual day of Halloween driving around various supermarkets and farm shops desperately trying to find one. You'll be pleased to know that I have decided on my design already, but I still need to buy a couple of smaller pumpkins for the effect I have in mind. I don't think trick or treat will be happening this year, but I know we have a few neighbours with young children who still plan on dressing up and going on a pumpkin-spotting trail without knocking on any doors. I'm all for that, and will do my bit.

Speaking of Halloween, I couldn't resist buying some spooky chocolates for my own Little People. I know they are way beyond an age where they get excited when Mummy buys them special seasonal treats, but I don't think you can ever be to old for chocolate.

Today we were back on familiar paths as we took to the woods this afternoon for our usual daily tramp. 

We had a slightly reluctant Little B with us, but he is of an age where he can recognise the benefits of taking some exercise and getting fresh air, especially as it does always feel really good to come back into a warm house afterwards.

It was beautiful in the woods and miraculously stayed dry for us right up to the point where we were about 5 minutes from home and then it absolutely lashed it down. So yeah, we got wet, but it made coming back into the house feel even sweeter.

After changing out of my wet clothes I decided to light the fire a bit earlier than usual.

I made myself a milky coffee and settled on a floor cushion right in front of the fire to soak up the warmth. Nothing beats the comfort of an open fire, I absolutely love love love it. It helps me cope with this long stretch of low-light months and I wouldn't be without it.

I sat there looking at the flames and thought about my yarny projects and pondered grafting the toes on J's socks or tackling the Naughty Granny bag, but I wasn't really in the mood. I am finding it ridiculously hard to concentrate at the moment, my brain feels like a big floofy thing with holes in it, incapable of any kind of decision making or anything that requires me to pay attention for longer than a few minutes. Thoughts and decisions kind of waft away before I can grasp them which makes life quite interesting. I'm looking forward to this crazy hormonal phase passing, I'd quite like to have my old self back again. Any time soon would be good.

So it's been a very average kind of a Monday, and honestly I am more than grateful for this fact. As the days, weeks and months slowly tick by and we are all still in the grips of Covid, I keep saying my quiet thanks for the fact that so far it hasn't troubled me too much. I had/have worries for friends who have been struck down with the virus, and of course like most of us I have been frustrated many times this year by the disruption to planned events and travel. But I am well and healthy and even during weeks like this past one when my sleep has gone haywire and I have felt bone tired, my wellness and health remains good. Like I say, I am grateful.

I hope you've had a tip-top day, and that your head isn't full of airy floof like mine! If you've had yarn in your hands, do tell me what you're working on, I'd love to know xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Nina C]

Welcome to the Sisterhood of Floofy heads. I went through that phase a couple of years ago only there were times I left the the room laughing over something only to return like something needing an exorcism. Enjoy your coffee, fireplace, and settling in. I look forward to your posts, they are never ho-hum!

[Tracy Bache]

Glad I'm not alone with brain fog.I sometimes feel very disconnected and soooo tired. Hormones,who would have them. I'm currently working on you beautiful mixed stripe Dalihia blanket. The lovely warm colours make me feel happy,as I sit on the sofa with my SAD lamp on.

[Charlotte]

Your coffee always looks delicious but I cannot drink milk. Envy your fireplace. We have one and was enjoying it on the colder days but had a very windy day and discovered that because of roof angle and placement of chimney the wind came down the chimney and created a mess in most of the house. So no more fires in the fireplace. I am skipping from one project to another. Sewing, knitting socks and crocheting a blanket. Cannot stay focused so I just did an order with Woolwarehouse. Look forward to your post tomorrow. Thanks for sharing

[Diane Ruel]

So, I have days when I want to knit, crochet, make jams and chutneys with such enthusiasm and days when I can’t be asked. You learn to go with it. These gloomy, wet days don’t help. On the go I’m crocheting your beautiful Aria blanket and knitting Yarndale socks. Just go with the flow Lucy 🤗

[Nicky S]

Totally understand the floofy brain thing - that’s such a good description! I am using some delicious hand dyed yarn to knit Winwick mum’s Sanctuary socks - it’s the first time I’ve tried cables for socks and of course Christine’s pattern is written so well that it’s nothing like as hard as I thought it might be!

[spinningstreak]

Lucy - so many of us appreciate a touch of familiar routine, and I have really enjoyed the certainty of finding a post from you each evening.(I am seriously thinking of having a go at daily posting myself in November - as someone who currently manages about 2 posts a month that could be more than challenging!)
I forgot everyone's name during the menopause, even my close colleagues' - really uncomfortable at times. But since then - amazing! NO MORE hormonal migraines that could steal 48 hours of my life. Not to mention the other obvious advantage...!

[Miss Daisy]

You know I love your posts . I've tried several things for my brain fog and what I have found that works for me is a herb "Ashwaganda", not sure of the spelling but it's close. It calms my insides and I can focus big time for 8 to 10 hours. I don't like taking prescription meds.

[charlotte m.]

Currently I am doing a ripple blanket for my youngest grandson in his favorite colors. I seem to chug along at a row or two per day. It now covers my thighs, almost to my knees.

[Tineke]

Goodness, am I deprived of your daily coffee pic? XD If this is too much go talk with your GP, Lucy. As you got pre, full, and after menopause. It can take a while to come in a mode that is just fine. Not the same but just fine. Some count 18 years. You have a young family. Please think about it. Hugs.

[Carine]

Hello Lucy,
I'm following you for years already and finally 'getting in touch with you'. I love your blog very, very much. At the moment I'm working on a little bear, since the wife of my boss is pregnant. I made a little sleepy doll, but that was very much liked by my husband, so that he adopted it :).
Perhaps I can send you some pictures of my crocheting (is that English ? I'm Dutch living in Germany, therefore mixing-up several languages) results.
Have a lovely day and I looking forward to read about it tomorrow!

[steelbreeze]

I've not got the floofy head but any day now! :( Love your autumn garland, we have a fire but no mantelpiece and have yet to get around to putting up a shelf in lieu. I've felt like I'm bouncing around inside a large balloon, trying to figure out new routines for us both. We didn't want to get too used to it at the start, but seven months on and I need to get a grip on the exercise regime if we're stuck indoors more! I'm sewing more masks (weirdest xmas present EVER haha) and machine knitting a bit, when I can himself out of my craft room!

[Sarah K]

Your walk in the woods looks beautiful! I love that sculpture with the twigs/sticks.

[Donna]

I've had times in my life when my brain felt like yours. It was hard to get anything done because no thought would stick. I found it helpful to have a notecard and pen in my pocket to write everything down. Just make sure you have the date on it.

[Trudi]

I too am trying to persuade my youngest out on a walk as half term stretches out before us. I feel like the coast or river walk, but rain has stopped play so far. The weather should be better tomorrow. I am itching to light our fire but we only have one lot of coal at the mo so that will have to wait. I am keeping warm by sitting under the coastal blanket I am crocheting for my sister in law. It was for us but she fell in love with it! I shall just have to make another. I am well over half way, which is good as it's her Christmas present! Floof time will pass, enjoy being grounded in the moment and embrace the pleasure of just being x

[Cathy]

Knitting and sewing this week Lucy. Sewing has been a project bag for my friend in Australia which I will be posting tomorrow, weather permitting. I made one for her birthday and she asked for another so that's a gift problem solved. And I've had the fabric for ages with her in mind.

Knitting is socks. A local fishmonger asked me to knit him some warm thick socks because his feet get so cold on the stall, so the first pair are finished and blocked nicely. But the thick yarn, WYS Fleece 100% Blue Faced Leicester Aran, and bigger needles than I'm used to, made my hands a bit stiff and achey in the mornings. So I'm taking a break and knitting WYS 4ply in Peony and a pattern called Lovefool by Veera Välimäki for for my neighbour downstairs for Christmas.

I love knitting socks, my favourite thing. I'll be delivering Christine Perry's Seascape socks in her blues yarn to a nurse who was very kind to me recently in the Royal Free Hspl. She said she's never had someone knit anything for her, so I put that right and they're done, blocked and dry, ready to go.

No superb coffee, but lots of lovely brown tea and lovely Italian grandmas cabbage soup from YouTube! There, done a soup request at the same time!

[J]

Lucy, I've been lurking here ever since you taught me to crochet before my grandson was born (so 5 years now). Thank you for your honesty and your truly inspiring photographs, which are a joy to turn to every day this October. The floofy head (how well I remember it!) DOES pass - just be kind to yourself and go with the flow... My blanket obsession has now filled all available niches at home and family, so I'm now blanket-making for Project Linus (children in care), and it's getting me through these lockdown times brilliantly. There's nothing like some meditative, repetitive hooky occupying the hands, and some colour to delight the eyes, to make the day feel better.

[Linda]

I love your daily posts Lucy and will be quite sad when they end. I can totally relate to the coffee thing something so simple but so pleasurable at the same time. Your Autumn mantle is lovely, I have made the Autumn garland but I think I need to make some pumpkins now. I'm looking forward to seeing your carved pumpkin so show us please when it's done and yes you are never too old for chocolate treats. Have a lovely Tuesday. xx

[Doris]

How much I enjoy your daily posts. I said it here before, you are an excellent promoter of your country and I already told my husband that once travelling will be possible again, England is very high on our list.
Anyway, your posts are such a treat in this crazy time, it's like a peaceful haven for a couple of minutes while reading. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts, it really helps me to appreciate the small things in my own daily life as well.
Currently I'm working on a huuuuge granny square blanket which has been WIP for a long time. Colorful circles on a warm red background (...and so so many ends to yarn in - next will be one of your stripy blankets again :D).
Huge thank you from Germany, take care!

[Sal]

Hi Lucy, it’s good to know that mine is not the only life that seems to plod along the same well worn path every day.
I’m working on a Sophie’s Garden, which is taking forever but will be amazing when it’s done xx

[Dawn]

Know what you mean about trying to concentrate on things in this funny old world! Finished one of your charity bears (in doubled DK) today for 3rd grandchild due Christmas week. He now has matching blanket, poncho and teddy! Phew! The pattern has worked well (again) thank you.
Now looking forward to creating granny square cosy toes for the grandchildren’s camping sleeping bags. Lots of exciting colour planning..and 2 sizes of squares .... And probably more walks, puddle hunts, and coffee, over the next few days.Take care.

[Helen C]

Hi Lucy just loving your daily blogs, very comforting to read, definitely going to miss them when the daily blogs stop. Love the great photos and the daily ups and downs it grounds me as I recall memories' of my three growing up. I am knitting huge man socks too for my dad using the peacock colour way from WYS. Loving the colours unfolding, searching for the peacock in there! Post menopausal here too so well done you for discussing it, its still so poorly understood with such confusion out there to make head nor tail of what to 'take' to help.

[Winwick Mum]

We've got early pumpkins this year too, and have remembered not to carve them yet or they'll be a disgusting mush by Hallowe'en - although perhaps that would add to the smokiness! 🤣🎃

[Anna]

Apparently beer helps with the peri-and-menopausal hormones. I’m thinking of giving a daily glass a go. It’s can be as effective as prescribed hormones (apparently).

[Liz]

Can’t wait to see your pumpkin💕

[Caz]

Hi Lucy,
Floofy brain here too, along with hot flushes. It’s a joy isn’t it!
No crochet here yesterday as we were in Bournemouth dropping off and picking up son who was doing the autumn National Citizenship scheme. It was great to see the sea and watch the surfers, although we kept up on the quiet cliffs as the virus is rather too prevalent. We drove out to Kingston Lacy National Trust garden where the Japanese garden was looking amazing with all the different Acers in their autumn plumage. Second day today and it’s raining so I will have my temperature blanket to work on in the car. Enjoy your day.