Blogtober 2021 :: Day 20

If today's blog post had a title other than Day 20, it would probably be something like "Unsettled" as that pretty much sums up my mood from start to finish. I've felt off kilter, still a little bit achy low down in my belly, and not really able to concentrate on anything. My morning followed a familiar routine which I was thankful for - our usual early morning walk, followed by a busy hour or so seeing to alllll the jobs that need doing to get the day started and the Little People ejected out the front door at the right time and with the right stuff in their bags. Make the bed, empty the dishwasher, feed the kitty, clear out her litter box, make packed lunches, get breakfast ready, put a load of laundry into the machine. Reminders for rugby kit, reading book and packed lunch, good luck wishes for an easy day, wave them off as they head down the street one after the other. And breathe.

Between nine and ten I used the time to get myself ready for the day. I had a shower and got dressed, then caught up on my blog post comments, replied to Facebook comments and had a quick pootle through my Instagram feed. I ate a healthy bowl of milky porridge with banana, raspberries, mango, grapes, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.

Just after ten o'clock J and I went out for coffee which has become our new midweek thing. I can't tell you how much I love it, it feels like such a treat. The little William Morris café had the fire lit for the first time this season and it was soooo cosy, we sat in old wooden high back chairs and enjoyed a seriously good cappuccino.

I then spent the next few hours faffing around achieving next to nothing. Pulled my heavy wheelie bin to the top of the back street so it could be emptied this afternoon. Pulled the laundry from the machine and shoved it in the drier. Messaged various friends on WhatsApp. Ate some left over couscous salad with avocado for lunch. Pulled the laundry from the drier, then folded it all and put it away. I felt restless but not sure what to do with myself, didn't feel like crocheting or knitting or stitching. 

It's two o'clock now, and all of a sudden I had an urge to bake, so I decided to make flapjacks. Realised I'd run out of golden syrup, so stood in front of the cupboard for a stupid amount of time trying to decide whether I could use honey and maple syrup instead. Would it work? Not sure, but eventually decided to try it and hope for the best.

I forgot to put my timer on and got distracted online (looking at beautiful seaside apartments to rent), only realising how much time had passed when a slight burning smell filtered into my brain. The flapjacks came out very "caramelized" around the edges, no, not burnt, just very, very well done.

Four o'clock now and I'm sat knitting and chatting to the Little People who are home from school and telling me about their day. Sodden wet muddy rugby kit to deal with, a tearful Little Lady who got her days muddled up and handed in the wrong piece of homework on the wrong day. I knit 7 rows of sock.

The kitty had the right idea....

.....so I allowed myself to be influenced by her and lit the fire so that I could loaf around in front of it warming my toes in the hearth. I didn't have to cook much tonight because we had a bit of a freezer disaster this morning. J came downstairs and found the door open and everything inside partially defrosted, so we had to throw some unsalvageable stuff away and put spaghetti bolognese on the menu for tonight. Luckily everything else in the freezer was either vegetables or bread products which are safe to re-freeze. The culprit was the Big Teen, foraging for an ice lolly in the middle of the night and not shutting the freezer door properly - he apologised and offered to replace the ice cream that had to be thrown out, so I guess it could have been worse. And the spag bol was delish.

At 4.47pm I stood on my front doorstep and took the above photo because it really felt like a minor miracle had occurred. After days of steady rain and glowering grey skies, all of a sudden the clouds were completely gone. Gone! Blue sky, blue sky!!

I did the only sensible thing I could do - pulled on my boots and a coat and ran out the back door and up to the trees at the top of the street.........

......chasing the sun......

......oh just look how glorious the light is!!

Ahhhhhhhh, it was so so so beautiful. Fresh and bright and so full of colour after days where everything has felt brown and grey.

I stood under this sycamore tree and gazed up through it's branches and felt so glad that I'd run up the hill to experience this perfect little slice of an October afternoon.

Utterly glorious.

I hope you've had a really wonderful day and that it has contained at least one utterly glorious moment in it, preferably more than one. Sometimes you've just got to get out there and chase those moments down.

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Comments

[Kathy nichols]

Love autumn! Just have to share a picture of our cat Boo. Ooh can’t ad one here so have emailed it to you.

[Sherril]

Hi Lucy!
I thoroughly enjoy your postings, projects and pictures. Although I’ve followed you for about 5 years & have given comments before, I especially wanted you to know how very much I enjoy the pics of Miss Kitty. She seems to always take part in your stitching, and having 3 of my own, I can totally relate to such “helpfulness”. Please give her a hug for me all the way from Texas and continue letting her have her glimpses of stardom on your blog!

[Lou]

I love the sentiment of chasing those glorious moments down. A timely reminder to me a bit overwhelmed by work and mothering combined. Thankyou!

[Carol Moran]

A frumpy start but beautiful finish to your day. I genuinely love your posts. Your honesty and warmth pervade and your photos are so lovely. I always feel very happy after browsing through your days.

[c]

Hi Lucy,

Looking at your pictures I can almost smell the wonderful autumn air. And I am happy that I’m just as blessed as you since I drive by such beautiful coloured trees as I go to work 😊.

Today storm & rain, real old fashioned autumn weather. Afterwards it is good to come into a warm and cosy home. This afternoon again greeted by Peruvian music from Agua Marina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-LNsji4iug.

Have a nice evening.
Carine

[Ellie Williams]

Lucy,
On day 20 our weather was miserable, cold with heavy rain, but we had two bright points, it was our daughter’s birthday so spent time with her and her family then when I was getting tea the sky cleared and we had the most beautiful sunset. I took a photo out of the back bedroom window, I wish I could show you. It was beautiful but over so soon.
Ellie.

[Tineke]

My Lion The Big Wild Cat could open doors, also fridge, and freezer doors. Everybody was alert on him not to enter the shed but for my holiday pet sitter. She got the chicken food out of the shed with Lion at her heels. And he opened the freezer while she went away. A big 6-foot freezer full of food. The pet sitter never noticed. That was a sad thing to come home to. Had a good talk with Lion The Wild Cat, he blinked, walked to the fridge, and opened the door, sitting next to it and looking at me. He was one proud cat. I miss him dearly. You really shouldn't be that harsh on yourself, you made the whole family work smoothly, from clothing, food, to flapjacks. The creative fluids need a day off now and then, they do. Big hug my dear.

[Mary Furey]

Just love reading your blog adventures I've been reading your bog for many years looking at how your beautiful work has developed and grown along with your family. I hope that you feel a little better tomorrow and that your sun and blue skies shine. Love all your beautiful work.

[Donna]

O, Lucy, I do love your photos & descriptions. It makes me long to live in England where everything is ancient & aged to perfection--Over here if anything gets a little age on it they tear it down & put up something bigger, uglier, & modern. I love your blog & am looking forward to reading it every day during Oct. Your appreciative friend, though you don't know me.....I am your appreciative friend, though you don't know me.

[Kim Eberhard]

Hi Lucy, Can't tell you how much I enjoy your blog posts - have done for many years now. Thanks for sharing your moments with us all, and for the inspiration you endlessly provide. Thank you!

[Sarah]

I think we all have days like those - glad you had some bright spots too - and that flapjack looks lovely! Hope that things calm down a bit for Little Lady soon xx

[Winwick Mum]

I'm glad you saw the sunshine today - and now I've seen it in your photos! xx

[Charlotte Pountney]

Lovely post, Lucy; it's great to share your days. Those flapjacks look perfect. My day could have been better...but I can still smile about most of it...now tossing up over having and early night or making flapjacks!

[Esther]

Just love the way you have described how your day evolved! And, that light never disappoints.
When it says sugar/syrup in a recipe, I often use honey or maple syrup or rice malt syrup or even date syrup which is rich and gorgeous. It probably isn't any more healthy but sounds like it is!!
My latest flapjack recipe used melted honey with almond nut butter - oh sooo good! XX

[Bex]

I'm really enjoying your blogtober posts. Thank you

[Louise]

Your end of the day when you have just published a blog post is my beginning of the day. My 'earlier rising' partner wakes me with a coffee, Im sitting up in bed checking out my FB feed and there's the latest post from you! And I have the delightful indulgence of enjoying lovely photos and musings from yourself as I sip and wake. Thank you! It's made my October mornings so much more enjoyable!

[Sue]

The blue sky is lovely Lucy, glad to hear you got out to enjoy it. We have had some of everything today, torrential rain, wind, thunder and some lovely sun to, my washing has been of and on the line a few times. Luckily in between a visit to the dentist I have also managed 3 rows of my Yuletide blanket. I love to read your blog every day.

[Frankie]

When I get a chance to pop in and read your blog I find it utterly beautiful and so uplifting. I don't know how you do it but your writing about an ordinary day is just so mesmerizing to read. Your photos are stunning and I just feel better for reading about your day. And that last Autumn leaf is so special..Thank YOU. for the time and energy you put into this blog..I wish I lived nearer so I could pop along and share a coffee and a natter. Your family are super lucky to have you making your home so cosy and wonderful..and crunchy flapjacks are the best.

[Barbara]

Glad you had that special golden moment. Your cooking made me smile. I will quite often get the urge to bake and often find I’m missing one ingredient. Grrrr. Often use maple syrup instead of golden. Always delicious in flapjacks. Fire lit here too. So cosy. B x

[JANE PENNICK]

ahhh , we've all had days where we've felt at sixes and sevens. Spag bol by the light of the fire sounds wonderful