Circles of Sameyness

Here we are, two weeks into Lockdown 2.0, with two weeks still to go. Predictably my life is running in very small, samey circles of repetitive routine, but I find myself embracing it and feeling content for the most part. I am happy with my small life right now, because I am blessed with good health, my family are all safe at home (when 2/5th of them aren't at school) and we really have very little to worry about in our immediate day to day life. I appreciate how fortunate I am, I really do.

I am enjoying my walks to school in the morning with Little B, relishing our back and forth conversations as we make the half mile journey along the waters edge together.

Coming back into the warmth of the house after a very chilly school run this morning, I felt a rush of affection for the comfort of home. Blankets strewn across the sofa after Little B spent ten minutes snuggled up after eating his breakfast. Our house is never, ever tidy, in fact it's a downright mess most of the time, but there is always cheery colour and cosy comfort within these four walls.

This morning I folded and stacked some handknit socks which had been drying on the radiator, two pairs of J's and two of mine. I am so happy that I learnt to knit socks (five years ago), they bring a lot of pleasure into my life. I love the creative knitting part and I really love the fabulous wearing part, but also there is the extreme pleasure of the visuals they give me on the daily. I keep my socks in a small pile on a shelf next to my bed so that I can fully appreciate the sight of all those glorious woolly stripes. Eye candy, without a doubt.

I thought you might be missing pictures of my daily coffee, so here is today's offering.....a take away skinny latté from my wonderful little local indie coffee shop - needless to say I am a loyal customer and I couldn't appreciate them more. Luckily for me, I live within a very short walk of this wonderous place, so I get to enjoy my daily cup in the comfort of home.

J and are are still walking our daily walk each morning in all weathers. Sometimes I just enjoy it without taking photos but it's rare. I nearly always experience an overwhelming need to capture images, to preserve the memories.

I feel compelled to remember the day, the time, the weather, the colours, the wide vistas, the tiny details, and the feelings....

.....always the feelings. Walking gives me all the feels, it's an avalanche of emotions.

We had the most beautiful weather today, crisp, clear and oh-so-cold. It was glorious looking up above into the sunny, wide blue yonder!

More hours of work on my Meadow blanket design today, I'm currently on attempt number five and I think I might finally be there with my meadow meander. I want to get it just right, capturing that joyful feeling of being surrounded by so many beautiful flowers and tall grasses, but also the tranquillity that I experienced during my many walks in the meadow earlier this year. This colour story is very special I think, it has a calming, healing quality which feels really, really good. I can't wait to show you more next week.

More sameyness as I take off on my afternoon jaunt to collect Little B, pausing briefly to admire my hill view glowing in the low sun. No time to stop though, we only have minutes to get to the school gates, hurry down the hill and don't be late! It's the same every day.

The hyacinth scent has finally arrived and it is wonderful. It's not yet at the stage where it overpowers the room - you have to actively engage your face with the blooms to get a whiff, so all is peaceful on the home front. I just love love love having these flowers in the house at this time of year, they never fail to make November feel special.

Aside from the school runs and our daily woodland walk, I'm spending all day in our main living/dining room at the moment, sharing it with J as he works from home too. I move between the dining table, the sofa, the Big Chair and the fireside floor cushion, depending on what I'm doing and what time of day it is. It feels Ok I guess, we don't have much space and there is zero alone time but I am making the best of it because that's just the way it is.

Fairylights and flowers, snuggly socks and cosy blankets, favourite drinks and creative projects, gentle strolls and peaceful views. I hope you're doing OK in your own little circle, enjoying the small things that bring you pleasure. 

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Comments

[Kate]

We decided to get two Labrador puppies in the midst of all this and they certainly are keeping us busy. Wish I had a Little B to play with them as they take a lot of energy.

[Paula Dunne]

Hi Lucy greetings from Kilkenny Ireland. I cannot wait for Meadow. It will be my 7th Attic 24 blanket and this time this one is for me! I love your blog and photos. Thank you for being such an inspiration. Stay safe. Best wishes Paula

[a]

Sameyness is definitely reassuring.

[Beverley]

This year I started to learn crochet inspired by your lovely blog, next year maybe it will be socks! Looking forward to seeing your Meadow blanket too.

[SueP]

Lucy, it's occurred to me that your photography is so good, could you possibly consider making a calendar of your countryside photos interspersed with your craft pics.I get an Ideal Home calendar every year and I think your pics beat it hands down.I live just over the "border" in Pendle and love Skipton so much.It is a regular lunch time treat destination in "normal" times and I am missing it so much now and the kids/grandkids to!The local park does not quite do it for me!Have a happy,healthy week.

[J M Roberts]

Nothing wrong with sameyness - I love it also. Then every now and again we can all go bonkers. Jo x

[Mirka]

Hello Lucy.It is nice to read your post in this strange times.We are in lockdown until December the 12th in Czech Republic.On the one hand, it is difficult for us. My husband and I are home alone and we only have contact with our four children and three granddaughters via the internet.On the other hand, the slowdown is quite pleasant, my husband and I can spend more time together. It's like preparing for retirement :-))) .Stay safe,Mirka

[Nora McGrann]

Thank you Lucy for this recent blog..uplifting as usual with gorgeous photos..

Enjoy your weekend with your family..

Nora 🍁💕🍂

[Merry L Barfield]

Lucy, I save your blog for when I can sit down and enjoy another mug of steaming coffee. Your photos are wonderful and your description of daily life and the walks are so touching. We are all in the same boat, though separated by big waters. We live in a retirement community (in Alabama) and are restricted re: number of guests, travel limitations, and 14 day quarantines depending on where we go and how long we stay...which means that we just stay put and visit family by phone. This lock-down will help us appreciate everything so much more when it is over.

[Lauren]

Thanks again, Lucy, for your latest instalment! It’s like an opposite universe here in Melbourne coming out of our lockdown. I feel some trepidation that the easing of restrictions won’t last for long before another outbreak upset us here. Hopefully that won’t be the case. l feel empathy for you in the UK as it’s not always easy with the sameyness. It’s so nice to read your grateful posts as that’s definitely what helps us to cope in these times.
Sending you best wishes from down under xx

[Ameline]

Hello from Toulouse, south of France. Always impatient to read your post and discover the beatiful things you'r create.
Amicalement.
Ameline

[PJ Johnson]

Hello from Colorado! I LOVE THIS...my bubble is similar, but more alone (as kids are adults-one is in quarantine for 17 before a US Navy deployment in San Diego!) We are all in this same boat where ever we are! Your beautiful surroundings inside and out. Love when you say...'a rush for affection for comfort of home' I feel the same.

[Elise]

My house is never clean and tidy either. The older I get the less I care, lol! And I am determined to learn how to knit socks in 2021. I love the idea of a beautiful pile of cozy socks and the yarns for socks are all so gorgeous. Your new blanket colors look so gorgeous and calming. We are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving here in the US and I agree there is much to be thankful for.

[Teresa Kasner]

I love the bubble you've crafted for you and your family. Life is what you make of it and you've done a masterful job of making yours colorful and cozy and full of love. Thank you for sharing it with us. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[CJ]

Yes, a small happy circle here too. Love the shot of the sun through the trees, beautiful. CJ xx

[VickiB]

Thank you for sharing your sameyness, we all have our own and I love seeing yours. I am also a sock knitter and it is a great way to keep hands busy at the end of the day.

[Sarah F.]

Your posts are a breath of fresh air. I can relate to you on so many different levels and I appreciate your honesty and wisdom. Your area of the world looks so beautiful and I like to pretend I can smell the crisp November air. Have a wonderful weekend, Lucy!

[Mary W]

QUESTION: Every time I see one of your great pictures of a building with water up to their wall I wonder about mold. If it was in Florida, the house would be so filled with water in the basement and full of mold, inches thick, on all the walls above. How in the world do they keep mold from forming? I also can't wait to see your Meadow blanket - so exciting.

[Laurel Pries]

Lucy, it's Laurel here again from the foothills of beautiful Mt Rainier in Washington State, just letting you know how much I love your blog!! I never tire of reading it and jump right to it when it comes across my Facebook page...keep up the good work girl!!

[Carol Phelps]

I enjoy the thankful content of your blog and I enjoy crocheting your blanket designs. Thank you 😊 i

[Miss Daisy]

Your hyacinths are glorious ! I want some now , so so beautiful. Thank you for sharing and have a Blessed weekend.

[Julie]

Thanks for you lovely ideas - I really love the colours you use and I am working on the beautiful Xmas wreath (this is my third winter on it) - however, I am close to finishing it now thanks to lock-down. You may like to know that I am a GP and often use your website for inspiration to my patients who have MH problems and would enjoy crocheting. So thank you so much and keep the ideas coming.

[Lily Veenendaal]

I bought some hyacints yesterday, I denifitely need that scent in my house too

[Helen]

Looking forward to see what the meadow pattern is going to be. I think this year it will be even more needed to have an uplifting, soothing, healing blanket. Your blog is like an anchor to me at the moment to calm my 'topsy turvey' world. I have the 'same' daily walking need, even in the dark now, to just feel alive and to truly breathe. Sameness is definitely okay when it includes so much warmth and colour that oozes out of your blog xx

[Sandra]

Hi Lucy
Your home looks so cosy and snug with the fire and fairy lights.
I love hearing about your day.
I’m finding it a real struggle at the moment, this lockdown already feels so much longer than the first one, I think maybe the weather has something to do with it and the fact that we are no out and about much. So you beautiful walks cheer me up.
Stay safe x
Sandra