It's been a couple of weeks since we walked in the woods (Blogtober Day 2) and it was good to be back. I think a woodland walk may well become a new Saturday morning thing for J and me, a prequel to our market jaunt and café breakfast. I think I'd be pretty okay with that kind of weekend arrangement.
Signs of Autumn were plentiful....
...but it felt fresh and is still surprisingly green in the treetops.
It was beautifully quiet along the woodland paths this morning, and I appreciated the sounds of the little beck as it tumbled it's way over the rocks. No matter how many years I live here, it always comes as something of a surprise when you reach the end of the narrow walkway in the photo above and find yourself suddenly in the town centre.
Out of the woods and straight into town, how convenient is that? We finished our shopping not long after nine and right on cue my tummy made a really loud "feeeeeeed-me" type of a growl. Time to leave the town behind, head over that little hump backed bridge and into the warmth of the café for some outrageously good coffee and a bite to eat.
Ahhhhhhhhh, that's better!! Saturday morning coffee with J as we waited for our eggs on toast to arrive, and I felt overwhelmed with a feeling of deep gratitude. This simple lifestyle of mine is something I used to dream about when I lived a hectic city life, and I feel so, so lucky to be living it.
During the week we eat wholemeal brown bread, but as a treat on Saturdays I always bring home a traditional baguette from the bakers. Crusty bread always makes me crave soup....
....so today when I got home I decided to make some ready for lunch. I had some leeks which needed using up so I made a simple leek and potato soup (I loosely follow this Delia Smith recipe).
It was yummy, and I even managed to do a pretty drizzle and a garnish with chives from the yarden. All very wholesome I think you'll agree.
Despite my photos looking decidedly leisurely and weekendish, I did also manage to get a few jobs done. Two loads of laundry washed, dried and put away, the kitty's litter box and eating mat all cleaned and disinfected, bins emptied, a quick swish and swipe around the bathroom surfaces. I'm very slap dash when it comes to housework, and truthfully there is a lot more that I should really be doing on a more regular basis, but I try not to stress over it. I find that clean clothes and good homecooked food are priorities and everything else will get done as and when.
It's been cold today, so I lit the fire in the mid afternoon and settled down right beside the hearth to knit for a little while. It was a slow and pleasurable hour or so - the Little People were all doing their own thing, J was sat in the big chair reading, and I enjoyed those knitty stitches very much.
I finished the leg of sock one, then I cast on and knit the rib for sock two on the second needle. I have two identical small circular needles because I like to knit both socks at the same time. Actually, I've had a few questions lately about the needles I use for knitting socks, so I thought I'd show you what they look like.
After trying out the recommended 30cm short circular needle at the start of my sock making journey I found that it was just a bit too big for my knitting tension (it pulled my stitches too much and kept catching). A friend suggested I try a slightly shorter needle so I switched down to a 23cm length and found it suits me perfectly. They are much harder to find in this length - I would recommend looking for HiyaHiya or ChiaoGhoo brands (you can find HiyaHiya 23cm / 2.5mm short circulars at Wool Warehouse).
Right now I'm sat at the dining table and I've been trying to write this blog for the past three hours. Three HoUrs!! I've had approximately 249 interruptions from the Little People as well as the TV (a supernatural horror drama with lots of screaming), and so I've not got any idea if my writing even strings together properly. I hope it's not too jumbled because I'm too tired now to check through it. I'll just press Publish and hope for the best.
Hoping you've had a great day with lots of happy moments which have made you thankful.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Oh how I love to come home and read a new post from you!!! I think your socks are so pretty and coming along fast :) It never feels that fast when I knit socks, but I do love them. I am hoping to go kayaking later today, and enjoy some outdoors as well. Thank you for sharing your "simple life" and encouraging us all to see the beauty in our own lives.
Posted by: Jane Potthoff | October 17, 2021 at 05:02 PM
Thanks for this lovely blog post! I'm really enjoying all your Blogtober posts.
Posted by: Mary H | October 17, 2021 at 01:40 PM
Hi Lucy, I decided to give knitted socks a go recently. I tried one popular pattern but made a real hash of it using DPN’s. I found a afterthought heel pattern and switched to circular needles ( Knitpro 40cm 2.75 ) and have now knitted 3 pairs for my daughters. I think I might be hooked.
Posted by: Pam | October 17, 2021 at 11:03 AM
Lovely as ever !
I did my first pair of socks last year the winwick ones the pattern was easy to follow but took me ages to get used to the circular needle, but once you get the knack its great.
You walkies are so beautiful, love your photos.
Well today its roast and crochet pumpkins yay !
Posted by: Jacqui | October 17, 2021 at 09:10 AM
I use magic loop for socks, the best discovery ever, so easy!
Gabriella, check out crafternoon treats blog, she has loads of crochet bags…not trying to take you away from Lucy, but Lucy has posted masses of ‘how to’ recently, she sure deserves a break😂
Posted by: Mary | October 17, 2021 at 07:52 AM
Oh my goodness! I have caught up!!
Now to do some crocheting. :-)
Posted by: PatriciaA | October 17, 2021 at 03:41 AM
I keep looking for walks like you have, but all I find are sports grounds. Boring places to walk.
Funny, you found the recommended size circular needle too big. I found it too fiddly. Then I saw a woman making socks on a long length circular needle and I was intrigued. She kindly shared how she used it. There are plenty of youtube videos on it too. I use a 100cm length circular knitting needle for all my in the round knitting now. Still have my double pointed needles.
Posted by: PatriciaA | October 17, 2021 at 03:39 AM
I’m really enjoying reading your Blogtober Lucy, it’s something I look forward to every morning while having my first cup of tea for the day. I really love all of the pictures you take and share with all of us who read your blog.
I have a question for you in regards to that cute little Granny Josephine bag that you made a while ago,will you be posting a tutorial on how to make it some time in the near future? As I think it would be a lovely project to do.
Looking forward to reading your next post.🙂
Posted by: Gabriella | October 17, 2021 at 03:26 AM
This sounded like such a satisfying Saturday. Mine was fairly similar but I was lucky enough to have my regular 'caffeine & crochet catch up with my crochet friends. But over Zoom! It's normally every month in person as many of the crew travel from places all over the western side of Melbourne, but during lockdown we've been enjoying it fortinghtly and even have some newer friends join us from Brisbane and Tasmania. You've reminded me of the sad looking leek in my fridge so there might be a soup in my future today...
Posted by: Louise | October 17, 2021 at 02:01 AM
Your daily missives are so heart-warming and fill me with such a special, loving joy that I don't want October to end! It is indeed a pleasure to be as a little bird on your shoulder, moving about your day, seeing what you see.
I know what time this writing craft takes, and I am so appreciative of what you are doing. As someone who has only recently discovered the blogosphere, and doesn't subscribe to any of the "social" sites, I guess I'm quite late to the party! As such, I hope you will continue to share your days with us for a long time to come.
I must also thank you (and Wool Warehouse) for making your exquisite Aria Blanket Yarn Kit so easily had. I have mine at the ready (I swear it arrived within days of my order, and all the way to the US Pacific Northwest!) to begin and brighten the first cold, wintry days ahead.
My very best to you.
Posted by: Debbi Robertson | October 16, 2021 at 11:31 PM
It is so lovely where you live, I enjoy your pictures so much. I am not a fan of cleaning the house, it has to be done. Oh well. Who cares eh? I had a lovely day, my bonus daughter married, 12 weeks pregnant. Felt great to see her happy. Driving over pitch-black country roads back home.
Posted by: Tineke | October 16, 2021 at 10:50 PM
Looks like you have had a pretty perfect Saturday :). I have finished my day off with someYuletide time and a cuddle from the kitty whilst I drink my final cup of tea. I love your blogs they make me feel restful and relaxed. Living in rural areas certainly is a blessing to be cherished.
Posted by: Margeruite Jepson | October 16, 2021 at 10:49 PM
Envy your walks and small village living and also the cooler temperature. It is 90 Fahrenheit here today and very humid. I am ready for cooler temperatures and would really enjoy living where I could walk to stores and cafe and just a pleasant woodland walk. I am reading Christine’s blog which is very enjoyable also. My grandchildren are going through the problems that you have with Little Lady. Somehow it all works out. You are doing a great job at mothering. Love and support is what it takes.
Posted by: Charlotte | October 16, 2021 at 10:39 PM
You really do live in such a lovely spot, I love how close the countryside is to the town. Lots of beautiful old buildings too. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | October 16, 2021 at 09:59 PM
Nothing to warm you as autumn draws in better than leek and potato...I had some last night.
My grateful moment of the day started as a disaster! Having just had a new kitchen fitted (pale oak doors), I came home with 2.5l of quick drying white satinwood, and dropped it. Oh...OH NO! Paint everywhere! Quickly changing out of my best paint streaked trousers, I spied my neighbours in their garden, and called for help. Tim and Lindsay shot round with old towels and other useful items. 'Got a dustpan?' asked Tim, and promptly scooped up the worst of it into my washing up bowl, while I scrubbed my new cupboards with hot soapy water and a washing up brush. 2hrs later, you'd have to look closely to see anything had happened. Tin of paint £36...wonderful neighbours, priceless!
Posted by: Charlotte Pountney | October 16, 2021 at 09:49 PM
We walked that same route through the woods at the beginning of the week when we were in skipton for a couple of days. First time we've been there. What a beautiful place you live in.
Posted by: Hilary | October 16, 2021 at 09:47 PM
Sounds like a lovely day! The yarn colors in your socks are so cheerful, and I find myself searching for the brand...Thanks for sharing your weekend.
Posted by: Vicki B. | October 16, 2021 at 09:46 PM