Winter Comforts

Hello my lovelies, how are you all doing? I didn't manage to create a blog post last week in between my Friday CAL posts and I found that I missed it. So yesterday when I was doing a little bit of planning for the week ahead, I decided that more effort is needed to make the time to do what makes me feel good. Writing and sharing photos from my ordinary days happens to be a most excellent activity for my soul, and luckily I never seem to run out of things to air out in public. It constantly baffles me that I continue to do this blogging thing year after year, and more importantly that I continue to get so much out of it. Who would have thought it??

I had a bit of a to-do list running yesterday, an actual real list written down in my planner which I ticked off with much satisfaction. One of my tasks was to pot up the next generation of hyacinth bulbs for my mantel to replace the worn out ones that finished flowering in the new year. At the moment I can pick up a plastic pot of hyacinths from the supermarket for just £2 which is a such a bargain and brings me so much pleasure. They can easily be removed from the brown plastic pot and popped into an old bowl, then finished off with some home-grown moss and a bit of a twiggy support system. Tick! Such a good feeling to work my way down a list that contained such worthwhile, cosy jobs.

I got a new candle at the weekend, a gift from J who waited patiently while I sniffed out a million different candles in the shop. I am very fussy with my taste in candle scents as I don't like anything too sweet, too floral, or too woodsy/musky - my preference is for fresh fragrances, often with a citrus undertone. Or anything containing eucalyptus. J picked this one out for me and I was a bit dubious when I read that it was lavender and cedarwood (which is usually a woodsy no-no for me), but I absolutely love love love it. It's named "time to be CALM" and my goodness it really does deliver on that score, the fragrance is incredibly soothing as it fills the room. Hyacinths in a stripy bowl and a new candle to enjoy - winter pleasures that go a long way.

Another thing on my to-do list this weekend was to hang my new picture from Janet Bell, I chatted about it in a post last month.

I really love the picture which is called "Morning Light", it's got a beautifully cool, wintry feel to it which perfect for the season and now completes my set of four. I have the others hung on walls around the house, with the idea that every 3 months I'll give one pride of place above my fireplace. How lovely to think that the next one to follow on will be this one, gosh I can hardly wait, although I am trying very hard not to wish the time away this year.

You may have noticed that my mantel is currently garlandless which is making me feel like something is majorly missing from my life. Four years ago I made a very simple Little Balls garland in wintry shades (pictured above, you can read more about it in this post) but every winter since then I always think to myself that I'd really like something more nature inspired. I've made an Autumn garland, and a Spring garland too, and now I would love to make a winter-inspired one. I'm just not sure what to include - perhaps snowdrops might be cute? Or the palest of pink winter blossom mixed with some frosty leaves and maybe a flurry of weeny snowflakes? I'm feeling very inspired to just dive in and gather together a winter yarn palette and see what flies out of my brain and onto my hook. Watch this space.

I received a really happy parcel in the post this week, a little purchase I made which has absolutely delighted me to no end. Isn't it just the cutest thing you ever did see?

I stumbled upon the happy world of Thimbleville on Instagram and fell instantly in love. Helen makes the sweetest little collectibles out of painted wood, buttons, polymer clay and vintage items - the bobbins are vintage wooden Dewhurst sylko cottons that still have the original label on the underside, just precious. I love my little bobbin house so so much! Helen's handmade items sell out very quickly in her online Folksy shop, so if you are interested my advice would be to follow Thimbleville on Instagram and keep an eye out for future shop update announcements. Then sit tight and get ready to shop like a ninja, you'll need to be stealthy and swift. Just saying. 

I've made a conscious decision this year to truly embrace the winter season and to appreciate all the good that comes from spending lots of hours indoors. I have to say I'm really enjoying winter this year, it's a revelation for me to feel this way and I am genuinely loving the feeling of cosy hibernation. At the weekend the weather was just terrible, the market was cancelled and yet I felt unusually delighted by it all!

Maybe it helps that I am now in a new phase of parenting where I have less demands and more child-free time for myself during the weekends which I've not had in almost two decades. It means I can happily settle down on a wild and wet February afternoon to enjoy some quiet crochet or gentle pottering around the house while the rest of the family is each doing their own thing. It's just marvellous, and is making a big difference to my wellbeing. 

I continue to nurture myself with healthy food and am really enjoying my meals, especially the ones that I prepare and eat by myself (breakfast and lunch). In wintertime there is often a craving for comforting carb-heavy foods (buttered toast is a particular weakness of mine), but for my lunches I'm trying to lean away from the carbs and focus on good proteins and healthy fats instead.

The above bowl is a typical kind of lunch for me at the moment, and is so tasty and nutritious, a real pleasure to savour. In essence it's a good protein (a sweet chilli salmon fillet in the case), some kind of healthy wholegrains (a brown rice and quinoa mix in this case), then plenty of veg/salad (baby leaves, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and edamame beans here). I added a bit of crumbled feta cheese which needed eating up and a drizzle of homemade honey/mustard dressing. Yummmmmmmmmm!

With all the cosy hibernation happening at the moment, I'm not tending to be out and about all that much. I do have a pretty solid routine of meeting up with friends regularly each week, and J and I often sneak out for a quick coffee in the mornings, but other than that I'm surprisingly content to simply stay at home. I don't tend to go to the shops unless I really need to (for food mostly) and I'm not feeling the need to leave the familiarity of this little town either. My life feels quite small and safe and repetitive right now, and I am absolutely embracing the comfort of that fact.

We usually try and get out and about with the Little People for a weekend walk, even if the weather isn't especially inspiring. I know I always feel really good afterwards, even if at the time there is a reluctance to leave the warmth of home and venture out into the cold. The landscape is very drab right now, the fields and woodlands seeming bleached of all colour with the exception of the moss which is having a fiesta all of it's own. I LOVE seeing so much beautiful, bright green moss in winter, it really makes me absurdly happy. The colour of it is so uplifting, a vivid brightness that I am very drawn to.

A rather majestic stag appeared amongst the trees at the end of last year, another stunning work by artist Anna and the Willow. We've had quite a bit of rain recently, so the poor thing looks like he's stuck in a sea of mud, but hopefully things will improve as the weeks move on and better weather comes. Another few months and the wild garlic will be growing, I'm excited to see some fresh green shoots again.

I took this photo of my hill view at the start of last week (yes there is a hill out there) - you can see that when I say we've had very heavy grey skies I really do mean it. I don't think I can ever remember such a dull, grey winter as this one.

The light is slowly changing though, and our days are noticeably lengthening so there is much to look forward to.

J and I are still taking our early morning walk together, I can't recall when we started this habit but it has really become an essential part of my morning routine. We set out at 6.45am, and for a good many months we've been doing the whole 45 minute walk in the dark. 

This morning though - wow - it was a crisp, freezing cold frosty morning with clear skies and for the first time we got to see actual daylight and the birds were singing!! Such a beautiful change to our walk, and very, very much appreciated. Its magical to observe the seasons each and every day, such a wonderful aspect of daily life.

Well I think that's about all for now, After chatting to you I feel inspired to go and pull out some yarn oddments in delicate winter shades and start hooking up some pretties for a new garland. I'm excited!

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Comments

[Kampus terkemuka]

Thanks for the article would u mind to visit our website on Kampus terkemuka

[Anita]

Hi Lucy, I may not be looking in the right place, but where is the list of colours for the stripes in the Harbour cal? I have got to the sixth row at the end of the lipstick colour and have realised i dint know what’s next. Thanks in advance, Anita xx

[Lynn]

As always your post are enjoyable. Like the others I’m patiently waiting for a winter garland Ta Da! Keep sharing your everyday posts. You have a gift for words about sharing life’s moments. And you recognize how important it is to savor them. Thank you for sharing! I hope you realize how vital you are to all of us in blog world. You inspire, brighten, encourage, teach and enrich our lives. It’s hard for me to put it all into words. I see how your blog and words have contributed to my life. From spying nature pretties on my walks to crocheting beautiful blankets in winter. Thank you!

[Meredithe]

What a stunning sunrise! I’m so glad you’re able to enjoy your Winter months (it’s my fav time of year although we don’t get Winters as cold, dark and miserable as yours). How are your Little People? What are they all up to now? Don’t want to pry but a general overview/update? Thank you for your lovely posts. Hugs x

[tierneycreates]

I just wanted to mention I read every one of your lovely posts, I just rarely comment because you are on a different blogging platform than me (I am on Wordpress) and it is tedious to comment. I just wanted to mention I think your blog posts and images are so wonderful!

[Sheila leadley]

Great read, thank you x

[Jan]

I love your new print, so pretty! Thank you for filling your blog with colour! Always inspirational ❤️💜🧡💛💚💙

[carolyn Jackson.]

What a lovely post Lucy, nothing cheers me like you do !!
Many thanks. Always love your fire and mantle. I will do some cheering myself today now. Cheers Caro.

[Linda from Boston]

Hi Lucy! I agree with the others, your posts are a respite from these stressful times we live in. They transport me to a calm, beautiful place. Thank you.

[kelil]

good article

ITTELKOM JAKARTA

[Emma]

Your lunch bowl looks amazing - I need to make more effort with my lunches. I can never think of something I fancy that doesn't involve bread but now you've given me ideas! The coffee looks good too - I'm off to meet a friend for coffee this morning who for one reason and another I haven't seen in person for three years so lots to catch up on.

[BillieJo]

Hello! What a cozy post! I share your love of hibernation during these winter months. I homeschool our youngest, so I rarely have to leave the comfort of our little home. We just returned from a little trip to the shore, and I enjoyed it but could not wait to get home. Love your views. Thank you for sharing!

[Susan]

Thanks Lucy for another lovely post. I so enjoy reading them & seeing some of you gorgeous photos. I usually see these first thing in the morning, so it's a great forerunner to my day. Keep warm, stay safe & hugs from down under.

[Dawn DeMulling]

reading your blog makes me happy. And your blankets are my therapy. Thank you

[Kerridwen Niner]

I love reading your posts and you sound like a hygge fan, cosy and comforting and i do agree we need to find things in the seasons we can enjoy. The speed off which folk are happy to remove christmas decorations and whilst i agree i feel that twinkly lights and candles, even if they are battery operated are things we need to brighten our days/evenings, crochet blankets included :)

[Miriam]

I love winter too. Summers have become too long and hot ( here in the South of Italy) since some years.
Thank you Lucy, I can’t explain how posts like this one make me feel very good.
Miriam

[Lee]

Dear Lucy, several years ago (long after it was published) I discovered your White Hooky Snowflakes pattern when I was looking for something different to put in my Christmas cards. Everyone loved them, and I thought you might enjoy including some in your winter garland.

I've followed you ever since, and really enjoy your posts; that little bit of a glimpse into your daily life and thoughts is so charming! And the photos bring it all to life for me. Thank you for continuing to see the goodness even in darkness and cold, and for sharing it with us ~

[Elisabeth]

I made a wintry garland last year all inspired by your other garlands and wreaths. Maybe I can give back some inspiration: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Agameda/winterdeko
Greetings from Germany where it's also very dull and grey.

[Birgit Stampfer]

Sorry Lucy natürlich...

[Birgit Stampfer]

Liebe Lucy

Das ist mein erster Kommentar ever den ich schreibe! Jetzt muss es sein!
Das Morgen Bild in deinem letzten Beitrag
Ist so besonders😌
Ich liebe die Bäume wenn sie ohne Blätter stehen und im Hintergrund so ein fantastischer Himmel... Vielen Dank dafür dass du mich teilhaben lässt an der wunderschönen Landschaft in der du lebst!
Ich nehme auch alle derartigen augenscheinlichen Geschenke immer wahr wenn ich unterwegs bin!
Deine Kamindeko ist immer eine Freude in
den roten Kerzenhalter mit den birds bin ich verliebt hätte ich auch gerne... LG Birgit

[Linda]

I love to change my space with the seasons too, this year I bought two beautiful winter snow scene photos from a very talented local artist and have them on my wall at the moment, my garland is hearts as it's approaching valentines, I too need one for winter so I will be watching this space to see what you come up with Lucy. Enjoy your week. xx

[CJ]

I was just thinking yesterday how much I love and value the normal days. They have been in short supply here lately and I am missing them. I love your pile of Observer's books, the Birds' Eggs one is absolutely brilliant, my eldest has it (the birdwatcher) and the life-size colour egg pictures are fantastic. He bought me the British Grasses, Sedges and Rushes for my birthday once as well, which I love. Glad you are enjoying winter, it really is a lovely season, and plays its part in making summer feel all the more glorious I think. CJ xx

[Jacqui]

Ahhh beautiful as ever 😁
Cant wait to see your garland and glad to see you embracing winter.

[Muriel]

Oooh, yes please to some hookey snowdrops! My favourite flower - it shows me that even if not quite spring yet, we're in the second half of winter, and spring *is* coming!
Love your pace of life, so happy that you have that and enjoy it.

[Val]

Oh that picture 'Morning Light' would be a superb embroidery project. As a long term crocheter, I'm looking forward to your future imaginings come to life. Best wishes, Val