Hello, and a very, very Happy New Year to you! *** Today (Monday) is the last day of our holidays before Little B returns to school in the morning and honestly I'm wishing that the relaxed pace of the holidays could continue for just a little bit longer. I don't feel ready to be dashing out the door at 8.30 in the morning, and yet I know that once I'm actually out there I'll love it, I always do. *** edit to add :: since writing this earlier today, we have just found out that a full lockdown starts tomorrow, so back to home schooling for us. No dashing out the door for the foreseeable future - I really don't know whether to be glad or sad?!
I de-Christmased the house on new years eve, it's the earliest I've ever done it but the time felt right. I needed to bring some clear breathing space back into our living room, and as I've still got twinkly lights and candles it doesn't feel too sparse or gloomy. As predicted, my hyacinth bloomed for the turn of the year and it is currently looking so fresh and pretty. I love the simplicity of it so much and it seems I'm craving the pared back look right now as I haven't wanted to faff either of my mantels just yet. Well, I stuck some dried eucalyptus into a bottle, but that doesn't really count as full faffery I don't think.
I've got an organza bag of wintery decorations ready and waiting to come out to play (including my winter balls garland), but I'm not quite ready to go there yet. Soon though.
We don't usually celebrate New Year in any major way, but that doesn't mean to say it isn't a day to be enjoyed to the full. We opened a bottle of champagne in the late afternoon, a very generous Christmas gift from my Big Teen who amazingly is now old enough to purchase (and drink) alcoholic beverages. Woah, that really gave me such a huge surge of Mumsy feels on Christmas morning I can tell you. I totally forget that he is now eighteen. Eighteen........but how?????????!
For the first time in aaaaaages, I decided not to bother getting dressed on New Years Day. It really has been a long while since I enjoyed a full pyjama day and it was all kinds of fabulous. I dug out some super-cosy fleecy pyjamas that are years old, pulled on some woolly socks and felt ridiculously snug and contented all day. I did manage to cook a full roast beef dinner mind you (popped a pinny on top of the pj's and all was good) so it wasn't all idle loafing, but mostly you could find me in various positions very close to the warmth of the fire. It was such a good day.
Over the festive period I enjoyed some really lovely sweet treats (most of my modest gifts were of the edible/drinkable variety this year which I was very, very happy with). Take the above offering - a salted caramel and dark chocolate acorn, wow, these were insanely good I can tell you. Mouthfuls of pure luxury!
All my festive chocolate has been consumed now, and the gold carat gin and sparkly champagne has become just a delicious Christmas memory. I am ready to embrace clean eating again, and to leave the sugar and alcohol behind for a while. It really does feel good I have to say. The past few days I've gone back to making oat pancakes for breakfast (recipe on my blog here) and I have love love loved eating them. So good.
I've ordered a new recipe book which should arrive tomorrow (it's this one) and I'm excited to try out some new family meals. Yesterday I sat down and menu-planned for the week ahead which is something I've slipped out of doing in the past month - January is such a good month for resetting all sorts of little routines and habits don't you think?
We took a walk into town on Saturday morning to get stocked up on fresh fruit and veggies from the market and I am so grateful that we get to do this on a regular basis. There is something really satisfying about returning home with bags full of fresh produce, knowing that we have supported a number of great local businesses (butcher, baker, deli, plus fruit/veg and cheese from the market). This routine is something we started in the summer when our first lockdown ended and our little shops and market re-opened and I'm happy to say we are still enjoying it.
Can you see the canal is frozen in the above photo? We've had such cold, cold temperatures here this past week and our boiler is still messing us about so it's been a bit tough on the home front. Some days it has worked fine (oh, deep joy) and other days (like today) we managed a few hours of heat before it packed in. We are still waiting on an engineer, they tell us it'll most likely be into next week before they can come out as they are so busy. All the layers are needed I can tell you. Today I'm wearing a sports bra, a vest, a long sleeve t-shirt, a thick hoodie, an oversized fleecy pyjama top, plus woolly socks and mitts, oh and a scarf too. And I have two crochet blankets wrapped around me and a hot water bottle. At least we are still able to shower (our electric shower is separate to the central heating) and we have our beloved fire so it's not too dire, we are managing OK for the time being.
Just after Christmas, our local area moved into a higher tier of Covid restrictions which meant that cafés and restaurants were forced to close. I am more than happy (delighted in fact) to support my local indie coffee shop which has stayed open to offer takeaways. Hot milky coffee and woolly layers have been making these freezing cold mornings at home feel special, and I am thankful for this luxury.
However, everything is about to change yet again as the whole of the UK moves into another full lockdown as from tomorrow. We will be back to home schooling, only going out for essential food supplies and for exercise. It's such a strange time, and yet oddly I feel comforted by the idea of simply staying at home. Staying home I can do, and I am determined to make the most of the coming days of slow living and simple comforts.
On Saturday soon after we came home from the market, the weather suddenly changed from icy to snowy with absolutely no warning. As far as I know we weren't expecting snow, so it caught us all by surprise. We watched as the flurries grew heavier and heavier and within an hour there were a couple of inches of perfect soft, powdery snow covering everything.
On the spur of the moment we decided to head out and enjoy the wintry whiteness, J and I, plus Little B and Little Lady.
We haven't been able to take this walk across the fields in a long while because the mud has been next level, so it was really enjoyable to be able to stride out across familiar footpaths frozen hard and covered in a layer of snow.
So different from our many summer walks across here!
It was absolutely beautiful....
....everything so still, quiet and tranquil.
This road looked like something out of a fairy tale, the scene looking like it was straight from Narnia. It was magical I thought.
In complete contrast to all the wintry whiteness outside our door right now, I am currently immersed in all things summery and floral. The Meadow Blanket CAL begins on Friday 8th and I am absolutely delighting in the total escapism of it......all the warm, sunny vibes are flowing here! I'm working with J making the stitch charts and printables this week, as well as the very full photo-heavy tutorial which will be released here on Friday. I am SO excited to take off on this journey across the meadow with you, it couldn't be happening at a better time. Slow, rhythmic, colourful hooky stripes are the very best kind of therapy when all is topsy turvy in the world.
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Ooh it looks very Narnia indeed! Such a contrast to our Summer heat. Do hope your boiler is fixed soon and that all goes well for lockdown. Thinking of you all xx
Posted by: Meredithe | January 09, 2021 at 08:13 PM
Thank goodness for the electric shower and open fire! Our boiler broke early 2018,and due to the 'beast from the East' took longer to be replaced than it should have. All our hot water including the shower, and all our heating comes from the boiler, so I was boiling kettles for washing up for a while.
The snow looks beautiful! We don't get much down in East Anglia.
Posted by: Lyanne | January 09, 2021 at 06:09 PM
Just joined your blog. Really enjoy it. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Posted by: Nancy Gafford | January 07, 2021 at 09:30 PM
Sounds like you are having a great beginning to the New Year. Now if this virus would just go away. Looking forward to seeing your blanket tomorrow. After crocheting several of your blankets I have developed an allergy to acrylic yarn. The last blanket that I did was the summer ripple that you had in cotton. I am hoping that I may be able to choose some wool or cotton yarn to make this blanket. Don’t know how the lockdown is effecting Woolwarehouse. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Charlotte | January 07, 2021 at 06:18 PM
Thank you so much Lucy! I was starting to get "down on the dumps", so I decided to check in with you. Your blog and photos are the best therapy around. I'm sure I'm not alone in this feeling.
Breathe deep, stay safe, keep a hook in your hand, (& a latte nearby!). This pandemic is testing everyone mettle. We all have to support each other. Thanks for your inspiration and we all appreciate you. Blessings for the New Year!
Sue
Posted by: Sue Floyd | January 07, 2021 at 06:09 PM
Excited about the CAL. . . I am in the middle of the Cosy Stripe blanket and can't decide if I should put it on hold or finish it then jump over to the Meadow a bit behind! Decisions, decisions. I'm in the US and all this hooky fun is definitely a relaxing distraction from the current ridiculous political siuation. At least Covid restrictions in my area have lightened and the kids are potentially going back to school on the 19th.
Posted by: April | January 07, 2021 at 04:33 PM
I’m so excited for tomorrow! Thank you Lucy xx couldn’t crochet at all 2 years ago and thanks to you I’m ready to join my THIRD attic 24 crochet along. I think it may help keep me sane during our THIRD lockdown......all the best to you and your family
Sally
Posted by: Sally | January 07, 2021 at 04:10 PM
Happy New Year!!Glad you are all well. We are fine here in Dudley,although perhaps a tad bored. My Eldest is still doing an amazing job delivering shopping to folks. I was concerned but very proud of him when he managed it in the snow.Loved your pics and the one with the lamp definitely looked like Narnia. Shame you didn't bump into Mr Tumnus.Looking forward to Friday.My Hubby brought my yarn for my Christmas present.So excited.Thank you for all you do Lucy.We really appreciate it.Stay safe and if you can,warm.💖
Posted by: Tracy Bache | January 07, 2021 at 10:05 AM
Somehow I had missed that there was a CAL happening and saw it mentioned on Facebook so I hopped over to your blog. I was a better blog follower back in the days when I worked in an office based job. Anyway...how serendipitous and definitely a sign that it's time to follow along - the Wildflower Book you have in your last photo. My father had this book when I was growing up and eventually I 'stole' it and brought it to college where I studied botany. That book was definitely my introduction, so I'll take it as a sign, and pull out my wool today. Thanks for everything and Happy New Year to you and yours.
Posted by: CoCo | January 07, 2021 at 09:28 AM
Happy New Year Lucy. Your wintery pictures are lovely.
I am still new to crochet but have made progress in the last year and gained more confidence. I made a crocket hexagon blanket for my daughter at Christmas and I am trying your 'Jolly Chunky Bag' at the moment. Colours are beautiful and I am really enjoying working on it. Look forward to seeing the CAL for your Meadow blanket x
Posted by: Beverley | January 06, 2021 at 11:32 PM
Looking forward to Friday. This will be my third blanket from your patterns. The snowy pictures of where you live are so beautiful. Xx
Posted by: Sarah Stevens | January 06, 2021 at 04:43 PM
Happy new year Lucy. Your snowy pictures look wonderful.
Posted by: Femke | January 06, 2021 at 01:43 PM
A happy new year to you Lucy. Once again your blog has lifted my spirits. I was not looking forward to Christmas this year although in years past it has always been a joyous time in our household. but I lost my husband earlier in the year (non - Covid) and Christmas day was also his birthday. Soooo not much fun to be had. However it came and went with help from the kids and with the new year I am feeling more positive. Being retired I don't mind lockdown as selfishly, I love the slower pace it imposes on life in general. I looked at your photos with envy as the one thing I miss now that I live down in Devon is the snow!!!! To me it makes the winter just that little bit more special and reminds me that spring is just around the corner. Stay well Lucy.
Posted by: Diane Smith | January 06, 2021 at 10:19 AM
Happy New Year to you, Lucy...thank you for your lovely, colourful, view filled blog! And for the pancake recipe...I shall try them. Maybe they will work as a wheat free lasagne substitute...we'll see!
Posted by: Charlotte Pountney | January 06, 2021 at 09:20 AM
Thank you for your positivity, your beautiful photos and sharing your world and skills. Your blog never fails to lift my spirits and make me smile. Sending love and warmest wishes from Dorset x
Posted by: Dawn | January 05, 2021 at 11:22 PM
Hi Lucy...It IS beautifully quiet when it snows...the world is hushed for a moment. We did have some about a week ago, but it was gone in about 2 days. Our weather here on Vancouver Island, Canada is somewhat parallel to yours. At the moment we have fierce wind and buckets of rain, and looking out the window I notice that those silly wild rabbits don't seem to mind and are under the low branches of fir trees just munching on something or other.
Looking forward to the CAL and hoping the yarn arrives soon, but no matter I can can catch up once it gets here.
We are not on full lockdown here so RJ and I went out for supper last evening. It was nice to eat out for a change. As we live where we work, we get that 'cooped up" feeling somedays, but for the most days we enjoy just feeling safe at home.
"Be Calm, Be Kind, Be Safe", is the motto here in BC.
Posted by: Marylin Ollivier | January 05, 2021 at 09:42 PM
Lovely photos so enjoy your blog Lucy makes me feel warm all over. I got that book for Xmas some good recipes made the Mexican Street Corn soup today yummy x
Posted by: Jane | January 05, 2021 at 06:11 PM
Happy New Year. I’m looking forward to Friday also and starting the CAL. Stay safe, healthy and warm. I live in sunny Florida - wish I could send you some of our sun and warmth.
Posted by: Patti | January 05, 2021 at 06:07 PM
Are heating was like that when we lived in Wales ,it might have something to do with the temperature,if I remember correctly a valve in your gas supply cupboard may have frozen .Great photos as usual and love your wintry scenes of the sheep .looking forward to Friday . Keep safe love Caroline xx
Posted by: Caroline King | January 05, 2021 at 04:30 PM
My first thought, Narnia, when I saw the snowy picture. Oh my, so happy your shower is electric, that fire at least keeps you warm downstairs. My central heating went down for a full week when I moved into my house. Minus 18 C and no hot shower is not a good combination. Thank goodness they repaired it fast enough for the pipes to survive. I've some huge Amaryllis, I own them for years, that came in bloom in bright pink, white and soon the white-pink to replace the Xmas decoration. What to do without flowers in these grey times.
Posted by: Tineke | January 05, 2021 at 04:04 PM
I love all the picture from around the neighborhood. The snow is beautiful and I especially love the sheep. I am looking forward to Friday and beginning the CAL. My yarn pack has been sitting here smiling and winking at me for the last few weeks. Such pretty colors. Stay warm, Lucy.
Posted by: charlotte m. | January 05, 2021 at 03:33 PM
Thanks to you, I now have the job of making your dried fruit flapjacks every week! OH would have me make them more often than that, but I have to draw the line somewhere......so thank you! Having lost a stone each last lockdown, we are now in danger of putting it back on again.....but oh my goodness, they are sooooo delicious....one isn't really enough!
Posted by: Barbara | January 05, 2021 at 02:13 PM
Love seeing those beautiful snow pictures! We haven't had snow in so many years that I have to enjoy it vicariously.
Posted by: Mary H | January 05, 2021 at 12:16 PM
How beautiful it all looks in the snow. We had a quarter of a centimetre here and the littlest boy and the dog were SO excited. My eldest will turn 18 this year, it is indeed an odd feeling/thought. I taught my youngest to make those oat pancakes and he regularly has them for breakfast now. They are so easy to make he does it all himself. I like the little bit of independence and cooking a thing for himself. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | January 05, 2021 at 09:45 AM
I am still having Christmas. It's very difficult when people clear it all away so early - probably a result of starting festivities in November. No Christmas here until Christmas Eve usually - possibly a couple of days earlier but then my 12 days of Christmas. It's meant to be a welcome break and not something you literally make yourself sick of.
Anyway,I still have my tree, and am still eating chocolates. The new year is a continuum of the old one, it is an arbitrary division of time, which many people pressurise themselves about. Goals etc can be tailored to times that suit individuals, rather than being a rush to kick start things when you might feel jaded and then feeling guilty if you fail.
Winter has just started, we have months left and I like to take this time for peace, relaxation and consolidation, just as the rest of nature does.
Posted by: Sandra | January 05, 2021 at 09:39 AM