Today has been perfectly Sundayish, a slow sort of a day which unfolded with ease. The weather has been very fickle with glorious blue skies, then sudden rain showers which seemed to come out of nowhere, and then back to sunshine again. We decided mid morning to take our chances with the skies and head out for a walk, and I'm so glad we did as it was lovely out there, all damp and fresh and mellow. We went to Bolton Abbey, a favourite place for us to visit at weekends as we have an annual season ticket and enjoy walking along the riverside in all seasons and all weathers.
We had Little B in tow today, however Little Lady could not be persuaded from her bed no matter how hard I tried. We walked a circular route which took about an hour and a half, and included a stop at the half way point to pick up some refreshments. I know I'm such a simple, predictable soul and my daily morning coffee makes me so stupidly happy with life, you have no idea. I stood there next to the river sipping my latté and felt the joy flowing right down to my toes. Pure happiness, right there.
The river was full and fast flowing after all the recent rain, and as you can see in the last photo there were quite a few folks taking in the Strid (oooh, do follow ((this link)) and watch the short video of the Strid, it's fabulous!). I was far too busy swooning over the mossy rocks - look how vibrant they are! I do so love a gloriously mossy rock.
This afternoon I spent some time dancing around taking photographs of the project I'm working on which has to remain a mystery for the time being. I'm at the stage where I need to involve J with graphic things so I'm glad I was able to get that done.
I also spent some time at the dining table working on an idea that pinged into my Creative Mind a few days ago. I wanted to try crocheting the Yuletide stitch pattern but making it in a circle instead of a square, which I thought would make a cute little festive table mat. Oh my word, this is crochet design at it's most challenging because it involves the dreaded Crochet Maths. There is a lot of faffing needed to get the circle to lie nice and flat (stitch increases) while also getting the numbers to work with the spike stitch pattern. I ended up with two partially made mandalas, lots of numbers scribbled and crossed out on bits of paper and a pile of yanked-out yarn, so I'm calling it a win for now. I'll come back to it tomorrow and hopefully blogtober day four will have a Yuletide Mandala in it, or at least the beginnings of one. Wish me luck xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am loving your October blogs! It's like having a happy chat with you.
Posted by: Eleanor MacLean | October 05, 2021 at 10:08 PM
I wanted to make your Meadow blanket but I'm working on a quilt and I want to finish it. So instead I made wash cloths using the Meadow pattern. Oh it makes a pretty wash cloth. When I saw your Yuletide blanket had to try the pattern so I used the leftover yarn and made pretty wash cloths using it. Thank you so much for blogging and making your patterns available for us all. Thanks for making me love crochet again.
Posted by: ann clawson | October 04, 2021 at 08:46 PM
I can’t explain how I am happy that you have decided to do a blogoctober,
:-))) Miriam
Posted by: Miriam | October 04, 2021 at 08:08 PM
Ooh circular mats , I was just going to make stripy ones but circular will be even better 😊
Posted by: Chris Rose | October 04, 2021 at 06:48 PM
I do love seeing your woodland photos, Lucy - thank you so much for sharing them. Coming from a woodland village but now living in coastal Blackpool (which is officially one of the towns in the UK with the least tree cover), I do miss walking under branches and looking up at the sky through leaves. Happily, I can come over to the Attic for my tree fix, and I am hugely grateful for that :-)
Posted by: Jools Morgan-Jones | October 04, 2021 at 04:31 PM
Ooh, the Strid properly gives me the creeps, especially when the river is in full flow although it really is something to see! Good luck with the Mandala maths! xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | October 04, 2021 at 03:42 PM
The idea of crochet maths has broken me out in a light sweat. I honestly marvel at pattern writers in both crochet and knitting, so I shall look forward to your Yuletide mat. I am joining you in a little Blogtober blogging, although I fear my pictures won't be nearly as inspiring as yours. I am hoping for inspiration though! CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | October 04, 2021 at 02:32 PM
Your Blogtober! Another reason October is my favorite month! Thank you so much for all the time, energy and love you put in this for us!!! Yippeee!
Posted by: Annie | October 04, 2021 at 01:40 PM
Love having your daily blogs again. Wondering how Little B is enjoying his new school? Lovely that he was able to walk with you, precious times.
Posted by: Penny | October 04, 2021 at 09:24 AM
Hi Lucy I absolutely love your pictures of Bolton Abbey. My husband and I have fished there many times and we have really missed not being able to visit the last couple of years! We mainly stay up at Kilnsey/Coniston and fish on the river Wharfe but sadly we have not been able to due to the pandemic and we have missed meeting up with the local people. Hopefully next year we will be able to. W also love visiting Grassington and Skipton and love the market there. Well done on the October Blog and keep those photos coming.
Christine
Posted by: Christine | October 04, 2021 at 08:10 AM
Everything looks so beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Maria | October 04, 2021 at 07:55 AM
It's so lovely to reading your blog Lucy and see all your photos. I am off to Wales this morning with some friends for a few days, I'm sure we'll see lots of lovely greens and rushing water.
Posted by: Sue Walton | October 04, 2021 at 07:46 AM
Thank you dear Lucy! What a joy to have your daily blogs for a whole month again.
It’s soooo nice to look forward to reading and devouring your photos every day 🤗
Posted by: Lauren | October 04, 2021 at 04:39 AM
What a treat, to be able to read your blog every Day for a whole month! Thank you so much, Lucy!
I really enjoy the combination crochet + nature + coffee and co.
It's been a really rainy spring here these last days (though we really needed it). Your blog is like a cosy place to go to.
I hope you have fun and wish you a wonderful October!
Posted by: Juliana | October 04, 2021 at 01:19 AM
I’m here for the mossy rocks.
Posted by: Sarah Cooley | October 04, 2021 at 12:40 AM
I love seeing your posts every day, tho I appreciate its a lot of work for you. Pre Covid I went to a quiz where the question was, what is the river that runs through Skipton, I remembered Lucy! Bolton Abbey! and I forgot about the Wharfe and said it was the Strid!
Posted by: Ruthie | October 03, 2021 at 11:39 PM
I hate crochet math. Like quilting math. The fun of the project is sucked out of it in numbers!! I have faith in you and a table mat sounds lovely. Good luck! 👍
Posted by: Linda from Boston | October 03, 2021 at 10:35 PM
Nature is so beautiful! I ❤️ your photo’s of your walk! And I really enjoy Reading about your creative adventures. It gets my creativity flowing! Thank you for your blog-writing .
Posted by: Marjolein | October 03, 2021 at 10:11 PM
Those greens are so peaceful. Perfect antidote to a hectic week. Looking forward to hearing about your new projects. B x
Posted by: Barbara | October 03, 2021 at 10:10 PM
It looks like we had matching Sunday mornings! We also went for a lazy Sunday morning jaunt along a river flowing fast and heavy from recent rains. No coffee though as it was very warm and muggy.
Posted by: Louise | October 03, 2021 at 10:02 PM
Bolton Abbey is such a beautiful part of the world. The combination of nature, old, and culture is just about right. It's been 4 years ago and I need to go again. This time alone, without my two boys.New ways to travel. I know the feeling. The little joys, a fresh espresso, strong and dark. The scent in my nose. Oh dear, math with a mandala. I am soooo curious. I know you will show us.
Posted by: Tineke | October 03, 2021 at 09:51 PM
I absolutely love a coffee each day too, such a simple pleasure, but such a joy. Love your October blog.
Posted by: Katherine Godfrey | October 03, 2021 at 09:46 PM
Thank you so much Lucy for taking part in Blogtober. Appreciate the commitment involved. Isn’t it great to share the simple but important pleasures in life. Have been enjoying the relaxed yet engaging pattern of the Yuletide blanket, after just finishing a challenging Carousel blanket in time for a first birthday..
Looking forward to more variations of the Yuletide pattern, and wondering how many I can finish in time for Christmas presents …… or shall I keep them all?!
Thanks again,
Posted by: Dawn | October 03, 2021 at 09:21 PM
The art of a happy life is enjoying simple pleasures...you have cracked it , Lucy!
Posted by: Charlotte Pountney | October 03, 2021 at 08:53 PM