Goodbye February

February is usually a month that I'm happy to see the back of, skipping into March and leaving all dark and dismal wintry thoughts firmly behind me. This year feels different and I'm not sure how to explain it - very unusually I have really enjoyed February and I'm about as shocked as you would expect! I think a good part of my enjoyment came from my addictive blanket making, I love having my crochet-a-long at this time of year because it helps massively with my overall mood. The colours in the Harbour blanket were so unapologetically bright and cheery that I couldn't help but feel uplifted every time I picked it up. Now that the blankets are finished they're in use every day and continue to make me very happy, you just can't go wrong with the kind of project that keeps on giving. Blanket obsessed, and proud of it.

I'm sure many of you were aware that last Tuesday was a very special day indeed, the 22nd of the 2nd month, 2022. I find this kind of thing impossible to ignore and was convinced that the whole day was full of magic from start to finish. I didn't stop going on about it allllll day which gave the family plenty of eye-rolling moments I'm sure. There was an especially momentous minute at 20:22 in the evening {22:02:2022@20:22} when I sat and made some wishes for the year ahead, so we'll see in time what comes of it I guess. There was a weeny part of me that hoped I could perhaps see 22:22 on the clock as that would have been an even more magical minute, but it just wasn't happening. I'm far too sleepy in the evenings to schedule anything past 9pm.

Last week it was half term here, a chance for us all to relax a little and take a break from work and school. I find that half term provides a great chance to prioritise rest and recharging and we don't usually make too many plans for these weeks in February, May and October. The weather wasn't especially good (yet another storm which brought lots and lots of rain and local flooding) but we did manage a few short walks here and there.

I noticed in the woods that the very first shoots of wild garlic are beginning to peek up through the soil....

....and despite spending half a day covered in snow, the crocus in my front garden are now blooming and looking fabulous. I needn't have worried so much about their welfare, I'll try and remember that for future.

More cheap and cheerful daffies on the table to round out February and lead us beautifully into March...

....a really lovely mix of bright, cheery yellow and the palest creamy white this week. They are such a pleasure to bring home with my groceries and two bunches for £2 is money well spent. Food for the soul.

Talking of flowers and groceries, Morrisons has some really beautiful plants for sale at the moment - just look at this  Hellebore, isn't it a beauty?? I photographed it as I was passing by on my way to get yoghurt because I'm going to crochet some for my Winter-Spring garland and wanted to take note of the subtle colours. In case you ever have the pressing need to crochet yourself a hellebore, I have a pattern all ready and waiting, which is kind of ridiculous and brilliant at the same time. It's ((here)) if you're curious.

It was J's birthday last week so we are now the same age again until the autumn. He didn't want any fuss or to do anything out of the ordinary, but we did manage to go out for dinner - all FIVE of us. It was quite the occasion, it's literally been years since we all went out for a meal together as the Big Teen currently works most evenings. I took the above photo as we walked our way into town (it was 5.30), so happy to observe that the daylight is now extending into the early evening once again. So hApPy about it!

I fell a little bit in love with that cute little pink-tinged cloud, so sweet and pretty reflected in the canal as we strolled past. The meal we had out was at an Indian restaurant (J's favourite) and was extremely good I have to say. It was a lovely treat for me to sit on my behind with a glass of wine in hand and wait for somebody else to bring dinner to the table. 

On Sunday, we woke up to the promise of sunshine and decided to head out of town to walk at Bolton Abbey. The Little People could not be persuaded (last day of the holidays, they really wanted to stay cosy in pjs and I understood).

We were there as soon as it opened so it was very quiet, just the way I like it. We walked past the money tree, and as always I remembered all the times we've stopped to make wishes with the Little People when they were very much littler. 

I am very happy to report that I managed to persuade the sand-hating Husbundo to come down onto the river beach with me for a little pootle. It was so scenic there at that time, very cold, and I don't know if you can tell from the above photo, but there was frost on the sand which made it sparkle.

The river is unbelievably clear and fresh looking - you can barely see the water in the above photo but I'm stood right next to the gently lapping edge of it.

B-e-a-u-tiful.

It was a super morning, so peaceful and restorative and I'm really glad we got out there to breathe it in.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention one other thing about last week...............

..............the seaside!!!!!!!!! Yup, Saltburn called us yet again, and we jollied over for a very short but sweet little mini break and it was absolutely wonderful. Of course I took far too many photos, way too many to shoehorn into this post, so I'll save those for another time.

And that's February all done and dusted for another year, I wonder what delights March will bring? There is the Spring Equinox on the 20th which is always a highlight of the seasonal calendar for me. And there's also another short jolly to the coast......well the stars aligned and there were a lot of two's in the month so I took a chance and booked it a few weeks ago. Hoping you won't mind that March blogging will have a dash of sea salt sprinkled here and there? I'm really looking forward to it. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Donna Marie Anderson]

The beauty I love in winter is in the shape and structure Of things around me. In the other 3 seasons so much of the beauty involves the colors.

[Niamh]

My birthday was on 22/2/2022! It's also International Cat Day in Japan because two ('ni') sounds like meow in Japanese ('nya').
I love your blog and all the beautiful nature photos, and I look forward to making the Harbour blanket later in the year :)

[Kay]

My husband and I discovered Saltburn last summer when spending a couple of days at Whitby, we absolutely loved it and can’t wait to go back.

[Susan Berry]

Im not seeing links to the projects in the photos? Where is the pattern for the daffodil coaster and the blue yatn shades throw next to the Harbour throw?

[Susan]

Lovely post Lucy & seeing Bolton Abbey in winter mode is different for me as I've only my photos of it in summer with lots of greenery. I said lots of silly things too on the 22nd about twos & both hubby & I were quoting Richie Benaud's (choo, choo), same as Louise above. It was nice to see that someone else has a warped sense of humour. A beach huts coloured rug would be a lovely bright rug & we saw beach huts yesterday at Dromana & I'd forgotten to take my camera with me. Enjoy March and thanks for this post. Take care & hugs.

[Barwitzki]

February - great month. I love it, if only because it's my birthday month :-)) And because there's often snow for skiing. And because spring is about to come.
Thank you for your wonderful photos. I enjoyed them. All. And especially, the one by the canal with the canal boats and pink sky and the one by the sea with the colorful beach houses... Inspiration for the next blanket :-))) Anyway, you crocheted your blankets great. I'm at the sewing machine now :-))) People need relaxation.
I wish you a happy March. Viola

[Clare]

Hi Lucy. The colours of those beach huts at Saltburn are *amazing*...

And you have a "sand-hating Husbundo", (love that term) too? I thought I was the only one...

Thanks once again for a page full of colour and joy-hope you have a lovely week.

Clare

[CJ]

Saltburn looks lovely. Beach hut blanket..? And the water in the river is beautiful, so clear. I rather like eating out and having someone else bring me the food as well, it certainly doesn't happen at home very often. I really love the exposed tree roots on your Bolton Abbey walk. There is place not too far from here called Puzzle Wood where there are lots of sunken paths so you walk below the level of the trees, it's so atmospheric. It's caused by old mines falling in I think. Loads of things are filmed there because it's so striking. Hope you have a good week. CJ xx

[Linda]

Beautiful post Lucy, I'm glad your February was a good one.xx

[Esme]

Felt I was there with you, very peaceful. Not sure way a little tearful too. One of those days xb

[Jan Wolfe]

I love this - thank you. Full of peace and optimism - and light. Like others, I noticed the heart-shaped stone to the left of your feet in the photo by the water. Can't wait to do the harbour blanket, but I am mid-Dune at the moment.... May March be a Merry Month for you.

[Becki]

Thank you so much Lucy for your colourful, uplifting posts, they remind me of better things to come and am really looking forward to hopefully getting away a little more ourselves this year. We are lucky enough to have beautiful places around where we live to walk and visit but it’s always exciting to see your posts. Can’t wait to come back up and visit again. We have a lot of roadworks around us in all directions at the moment so it can get a bit frustrating and long winded if you do have to go any where by car! Never mind, we’ve also had lots of sunny days interspersed with the rainy ones and the lighter evenings are fabulous. I’ve nearly finished my Yuletide blanket so am looking forward to starting the Harbour one soon. Hope you are all keeping well, take care. Love and hugs, Becki xxx 🥰☺️

[Christine Summerhill]

So peaceful and calm.....and colourful! Gorgeous! ❤

[Carol]

Thank you for another lovely, gentle bog, it was a joy to read, as always. In the picture of your feet at the waters edge i spotted a big heart-shaped stone to your left ... clearly you were in exactly the right place at the right time. Here's to a happy, bright and creative March 😊

[Libby Parker]

Delightful photos and the trip back to 2008 was so much fun! Thanks for the return visit to one of your favorite places (and one of mine by extension). If I could teleport to your part of the world, I would love to see all of your favorite places with you as guide!

[Lynda Campbell]

I just want to say how much I've enjoyed your post. Your pictures are truly amazing ❤ Bless you.

[Liz Hasle]

Thank you so much for sharing bits of your lovely life. I really enjoy hearing about your family and love your pictures.

[Sue Hockley]

My husband and I will be the same age again on his birthday in April.... until the end of August, when I have my birthday!
Loving the blogs, and the Harbour blanket. I'm just coming to the end of week 3 colours!

[Louise]

Wow those beach huts are so happy! I want to drink in their colour! Last week on 22/02/2022 at 2.22pm here in Melbourne it was 22 degrees. I thought you might like that little quirk of numerology and date magic! We made lots of Richie Benaut cricket jokes (twoo for twenty twooo). xox

[Maypole]

That was a lovely read. Aren't the light nights wonderful. X

[Ruthie]

Lovely post, Lucy., I’m glad you enjoyed February - . do you think yourSAD light has helped?
I have really enjoyed making the Harbour blanket.. I had lost my crojo and then had a knee replacement at the end of the year, and I found the colourful stripes perfect for my mood., I’m just finishing off the border now, and am so pleased with it. Thank you for the CAL.

[Susie]

What a lovely little recap. So picturesque. Living in the southern hemisphere I long for your colder days and whish we could all experience together. Sure as I know soon enough, I'll be back wishing for warmer weather again.