Routine Feels Good

Following on from yesterdays chat about my new-found Springtime lockdown routine, today followed a similar pattern and I felt really good about making it happen. I didn't manage to get out quite so early this morning as I didn't set an alarm and woke naturally at 6.30. But I tell you, it felt wonderful to wake up and know that I already had a plan in place, and that there was no need to ponder on things. I can't tell you what a difference it made, it was quite remarkable how much more settled I felt when I woke up. I was striding out the door at 7.20, and it was a truly beautiful day to be out and about. 

I appreciate the feeling of stillness that hangs in the air this early in the morning, there is something very calming and tranquil about the day being still in it's early waking hours.

It must've rained in the night as everything was damp this morning and the hedges were still holding onto the raindrops.

I love to see the signs of spring slowly appearing and the fresh zing of newly unfurled leaves never fails to make me happy. It's a magical time of year and I can see why so many people are spring lovers. 

J and I set out to walk early again this morning, around 8.45 I think it was when we left the house. The sunshine was glorious, and it was just about warm enough to ditch the coat and manage with a warm hoodie. It felt so good after many months of woolly layers and wellie boots.

We walked home through town so that we could pick up our coffee, and on a whim I stopped to buy a loaf of bread from the veggie stall on the market. I figured that fresh crusty bread would go well with my homemade soup for lunch so I bought a brown sourdough loaf made here in Skipton by a local chef who started up his own micro bakery last year. It's hands down the best sourdough I've ever tasted, the flavour is so so so good. Of course it really didn't help me with my quest to kick the toast and sugar cravings to the curb, but that's a burden I'm willing to deal with. Everything in moderation.

It was a happy delivery day here today as not one but two parcels arrived in the post this morning. I bought myself a new dress (this one) from one of my favourite clothing companies, it's a really soft cotton material and I can't wait to wear it on days when it's warm enough for bare legs and flip flops.

I also purchased some of my most favourite chocolate (again, NOT helping with the clean eating mission, but I ordered it at the weekend when I was in full self indulgence mode). Lime and Sea Salt dark chocolate, honestly the flavour combos in this chocolate are like heaven to me.

Hmmm....I'm seeing a seasalty theme appearing here......guess I must really be missing the sea?!

This afternoon I felt the pull to crochet and it felt really good to sit for a few hours to quietly work with hook and yarn. Do you like the look of the yarn? Isn't it a feast?! This is a brand new product from Stylecraft and I've been lucky enough to get my hands on all of the colours available - there are 38 in total. This is a DK weight organic cotton which comes in 50g balls, and I absolutely love it. It's soft and smooth with a matt finish (it's not a mercerised yarn) and it's a delight to crochet with. I was worried that my hands might not like it as cotton doesn't have any elasticity and can quite often be tough to work with. But I haven't had any difficulty with this yarn and I think it's going to become a firm favourite. 

I spent the whole afternoon lost in the bliss of these soft, spring like colours, crocheting up a pile of flowers and leaves. It's been ages since I felt inspired to dive into some decorative making, and it felt so good! Happy, happy me!!

So I have a bare twiggy branch that is waiting for Spring to arrive - tomorrow I'll show you when these flowers find their twiggy place. See you then xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

  

 

Comments

[lewis]

I too take to my bed, to crochet, chat on the phone and generally relax- it’s my little haven too ( mum of 3 boys!) and I’m enjoying filling my home with pretty crochet since finding you last summer - all my very best wishes 🌞nice

[Wendy Rance]

Love, love, love your new dress. The new cotton yarn looks interesting. I too find crocheting with cotton difficult, might have to get some balls of this and have a try. Thanks for the inspiration Lucy.

[April]

Ya know, when I'm trying to be good a little square of dark chocolate helps keep me on track. Just enough to satisfy that craving. Lovely new dress!

[Chris]

Lucy - I am so glad you have resumed blogging. I was worried about you when you didn't post anything for a while! I must tell you I am a knitter, not a crocheter, but I love your blog for the beautiful English scenes in your photos and your reflections on family and nature. I enjoy seeing your crochet projects, also, especially for the colorways you use. It's good to read you again after a few weeks of absence

[Noelle Sweeney]

Lovely post Lucy! Love all of your photos and your writing, it makes me feel hopeful! Finished my first Cosy Blanket, I'm thrilled, now on to the Meadow.. And I do like routine as well.

[Kimmy]

Lucy, that dress is so cute. I'd love to see a picture of you modeling it with chocolate in hand! The Stylecraft cotton yarn is lovely. Cotton is my very favorite fiber due to our extremely hot weather, but I prefer fingering weight. Do you know if they make it in fingering weight. Sport weight is even too heavy for us 9 months out of the year now.

[Drusilla cleary]

Great to see you're feeling better. I buy all my clothes from Seasalt. Love them. Love colours of cotton you're now working on.

[Doris]

Hi Lucy,
so glad you're back and feeling better. Spring has arrived here in Munich, too. Last week we had snow, now it's 15°C and the birds are singing.

We've been in some kind of lockdown for five months now, and your blog really helped to keep up the spirit as it's such a cosy and warm corner of the internet to turn to when I need to escape it all.

Thank you for all your lovely posts, beautiful pictures and teaching me to enjoy the little details that make life enjoyable. :-)

[Laura]

Good to hear about the cotton yarn. Like you, I always find it very harsh on the hands.

[Emma]

The dress is lovely and I can't wait to see your decorated branch.

[Alice]

I can't wait to see your little tree, it's going to look lovely! And the yarn does look beautiful, I might have to treat myself too and get some once lent is over. I gave up sugar and buying yarn for lent as they're my too favourite things that I splurge on too much! But I miss buying yarn the most 😅 I love your sunny log cabin blanket and I think that's on the list of next purchases. X

[Amanda]

Ooo, I love Seasalt - I bought some fabric from them a little while ago & managed to crank up the sewing machine & make a skirt!! All those colours look fabulous from Stylecraft. Serious photo envy too :) xx

[Abby]

The crochet flowers in pastel shades look gorgeous. I too have difficulty keeping my sweet tooth under control

[Teresa Kasner]

I'm looking forward to seeing those sweet pastel flowers on your branch. What a brilliant idea! The bread also looks delish. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Kay]

Hi from midwest USA. I've followed your blog for many years and am delighted to see you blogging every day this month. Love seeing your pictures of the beautiful area where you live no matter the season. While I've had to give up crocheting and knitting for a while due to osteoarthritis in my thumb, I would love to get my hands on that swoon-worthy yarn. Sure wish they sold it here.

[Hana@vetvetribbon_sews]

Hi Lucy, I love reading your blog. Beautiful yarns and I look forward to seeing the final project.
Greeting from Macau 👋🏼

[Jenny]

I love reading your blog Lucy :-)

[Winwick Mum]

Those are such pretty crochet flowers - they look like the sugar ones that you can buy as cake decorations! xx

[DeLynn]

What a lovely post! The canal with the boats always fascinates me--it's just so different than anything in the world I live in!
Thank you for writing!

[Sue]

Another lovely blog - I do enjoy reading them.
Just looked up Stitchykate and realised she lives in the same town as I do !

[kathleenalice]

Another lovely uplifting post Lucy,thank you. I love the dress. 😃

[AnnieC]

I got the email from Sheepjes for Stylecraft’s beautiful new organic cotton yarn and my first thought was, “I wonder what Lucy will make with it?” :-)

[Helen Lou]

So lovely to be reading your blogs again Lucy and your comments about feeling unsettled with loss of routine have really resonated with me - I’m enjoying being back in routines, I need a purpose to get up and dressed and have enjoyed going to work instead of working at home, selfishly I’m not ready for the Easter break despite working in school (admin) and I know my teaching colleagues are more than ready, I too take to my bed, to crochet, chat on the phone and generally relax- it’s my little haven too ( mum of 3 boys!) and I’m enjoying filling my home with pretty crochet since finding you last summer - all my very best wishes 🌞

[Susan]

Thanks for another happy post & could you send a little of your enthusiasm my way too. Hope this comment appears as I seem to have trouble getting the comment to take so haven't been commenting lately. That new cotton yarn looks gorgeous. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Love seeing your walks along the canal as we may never be able to come across again & it scares me terribly. Take care, stay safe & hugs from down under.

[Kate McCurrach]

That sourdough looks really delicious. We have a similar bakery type place in Whistable that I haven't visited since Lockdown 1. I'm tempted to return there now. The Stylecraft yarn also looks perfect for some festival bunting I'm thinking....!xx