Blogtober 2020 :: Day 27

I had a lie in this morning and it was absolutely lush, I woke up around 6.30 but immediately gave myself permission to go back to sleep and my second wake up was around 8am I think. Getting a little extra morning shut-eye is one of the very best bits of the school holidays, especially when the weather isn't playing nice and there are no plans to speak of. As is my usual weekday routine I got up and did a workout this morning and actually really enjoyed it - I never thought this would be me as I've always been more of a lazy pyjama person than a lycra fitness person. But life is full of surprises and finding my way into an at-home exercise routine was one of the very best things that happened for me during Lockdown.

Seven months later and I am really feeling the benefits from regular exercising, not necessarily in the way I look (although this is certainly noticeable) but more to do with my energy levels, state of mind and ability to climb hills without feeling like I'm about to pass out. The latter advantage is a real bonus living in a place full of hills. I generally do five days a week (weekends are for slobbery) and only about 30 minutes maximum a day. If anyone is remotely interested I'll happily give you more details of the kind of things I do - it's all free YouTube stuff where you don't need any equipment, just a small amount of floor space, probably a decentish sports bra and the willpower to commit to it when you are only accountable to yourself. I always feel great afterwards, a bit of a red sweaty mess, but those endorphins are really super little things when they go swimming around in your brain. 

As it was raining this morning, I decided to enjoy my morning coffee treat in the comfort of home. It did mean a wet dash to the coffee shop to collect a take-out, but it's a very short dash which I'm very grateful for. When I came home I cosied up in the hydrangea and felt all kinds of happy just being home with J and the Little People and having nowhere I needed to be, and only the basic chores to get done. I changed over my bedding today, sorted out some recycling, cleaned around the bathroom a little and that was about the extent of today's housework.

Breakfast was a bowl of milky porridge topped with fresh fruit and seeds, my current fave. I ate it quite late this morning (10.45) and by then I was really ready for it. I try and practice some sort of mindfulness when I eat my meals so that I can savour the flavours and enjoy the pleasure of freshly prepared food, but I confess that sometimes I do just scoff the lot without a whole lot of mindful activity. I devoured the above bowl in a matter of minutes, but I'm pretty sure it was utterly delicious.

The weather has been wet, wet, wet all day long and as I sit and write this it is still raining. We were expecting it, the weather forecast for the whole of this week is pretty bad. J and I ventured out to the shops for a few groceries that got forgotten when I placed my online supermarket shop at the weekend. It was nice to get out for a bit of a leg stretch and some fresh air, but honestly it was pretty horrible walking with hoods up and heads down against the driving rain.

We walked along the wet canal, and I took the above photo as I was sheltering under one of the bridges. It was so gloomy and dark, even though it was just after midday.

The churchyard stopped me in my tracks though, all that glorious autumn colour looked spectacular in the gloom of the wet, grey afternoon.

When we got back, I set about making some soup for a late lunch, even though I was pretty sure that I would be the only one eating it. This was to be a green concoction made without a recipe but I was hopeful that the giant market celery would make the soup into something special. My green soup contained two leeks, two cloves of garlic, two ginormous celery sticks, a little bit of broccoli and a whole big handful of fresh green celery leaves. Oh, and a potato, and veggie stock.

It turned out green, but not the vibrant green I was expecting - maybe I needed spinach for that kind of colour and I didn't happen to have any. Taste wise it was very good - I think I overdid the celery leaves a bit but it was kind of like a leek and potato soup with a very strong hint of celery. I made rather a big batch of it, so I'm hoping Little Lady might be tempted to join me for a soup lunch tomorrow, otherwise I guess I'll be freezing it to have at a later date. 

The soup gave me an energy boost and afterwards I felt inspired to finish J's socks.

I have the magic kitchener stitch written out on a piece of paper so that I can chant it out loud as I work the needle, it's a bit like casting a magic spell.

I in no way understand how it works, but by meticulously following the chant with extreme concentration I can manage to make it happen. It really does feel like magic and when it's done properly you can't tell that the darned stitches weren't knitted as it makes a seamless graft. Clever eh?

As soon as I'd finished darning in the ends I asked J if he would like to try them on and he honestly couldn't get them on his feet fast enough....

.....Ta-dah!!!!! One pair of Man Socks complete and already in situ on size ten man feet. I asked him to take them off so that I could wash and block them (they always feel so much nicer to wear after they've been washed and blocked) but he point blank refused. I could not persuade him to remove them, so as far as I know they are still on and keeping his extremities cosy and warm.

I've had a few people on social media ask about the yarn, and I'm sorry to say that since I bought it I've found out that the range has been discontinued. It may still be possible to find it online if you search for it - it's Opal yarn ::

Opal Fairytale : shade 9797 "Heroic Deed"

So I think tomorrow may well be the day for the Naughty Granny Bag to be given a seeing to, I feel ready to get stuck in again and kick that WiP into shape. Wish me luck, and I'll keep you posted!

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Comments

[Amanda]

Also pouring rain here in Wirral. I would love to know more re youtube routines. Look forward to blog posts they always brighten my day xx

[Bev Drake]

Away in our caravan slightly outback in Australia & we too have had rain. My friend Judy & I plus husbands all had a great coffee with you & a look thru your studio about 2014 ? It was fantastic & we all thought Skipton was so beautiful. I am so enjoying your blogs & just love the photos. Although mainly a scrapbooker I did enjoy doing your hydrangea pattern but not in your lovely stylecraft wool. Thank you so much for these great posts & take care. Bev Drake.

[Kathryn Grimshaw]

I look forward to the blog every day Lucy. thank you so much for taking the time to post it!
I would also love to know more about the routine and how you manage to motivate yourself to engage in it.
I can’t seem to get myself going but would desperately like to feel fitter right now. Covid has restricted our movements somewhat and I feel that I am now paying the price for it!
Pendle is currently in tier three and I am missing my weekly visit over the border to Skipton. It’s only fifteen miles away, but we are advised not to travel right now!
Xxxx Take care xx

[Tracy Bache]

Socks look amazing. I wish I could knit.😟

[Kate]

I have to laugh about the naughty grannies - I wonder what they get up to!

[Tineke]

Rain, wind, and stormy indeed in the North. But the coming weekend was predicted 16/17 degrees and partly sunny! I will winterize the coop of my lavender Wyandottes. The girls need a bit warmer for the coming winter. The leaves of the trees to cover my Gunnera so she can have a warm winter too. Soaking in the light is good for me, out I go. Hope you and your loved ones get a chance to enjoy a bit better weather too.

[Linda Lemcke]

Good for you doing your 30 minutes a day. I would love to know more. I’m so inspired by your crochet. Just finished Sweet Pea and I think Hydrangea is next. Maybe you can get me workout inspired too. 😊

[Pauline McCarthy]

Love the socks, I have not tried socks before, can you recommend a pattern. Also any suggestions for starting to exercise, just getting mobile again since April, glad to say I can still knit and crochet (thank goodness). Love your site and admire your eye for colour, I'm on my second blanket kit. They are so beautiful. Keep well and stay safe.

[Val abrams]

Hi Lucy I too chant my Kitchener stitch always makes me laugh at myself!!!love the blog I am just knitting row 100 of the dune!!going to new Zealand for my granddaughter's 21st.i am in Cornwall also in the pouring rain.xxxx

[Susie]

I would love to know more about your workout routine. Thanks so much for sharing!