Resting

Well hello my lovelies, I'm really happy to be back here in the Attic after two whole weeks of feeling like somebody hijacked all my coherent thoughts and replaced them with a thick layer of grey fluff. I've had one of those stubborn, heavy head colds which took up residence and is proving  hard to evict - I'm feeling loads better this week and almost back to full bean thank goodness. I've tried a few times in the past week to sit here and string some words together, but today is the first time when I feel like my thoughts might actually make some sense - no guarantees of course, but I'll give it a good go!

During the first week of being unwell I was forced to take my resting seriously and spent quite a few afternoons/evenings in bed. I've got the Dune blanket in residence on my bed at the moment and the gentle colours and happy coastal memories really do seem to have a healing effect. I tried not to resent the "wasted" time I spent in bed, and instead tried to embrace the cosy vibes and dig deep for gratitude (not easy when you feel like sh*te). I'm lucky that my days generally have a lot of flexibility in them and I'm at liberty to take time for myself when I need it. J stepped in and cooked dinner for us on a few evenings so that I could stay horizontal - I  seemed to feel my worst towards the tail end of the day so I was very grateful for his help.

Close to my bed I have an old painted cupboard which I re-homed when a friend of mine was moving house and having a clear out. It's painted a gorgeous soft duck egg blue, and although it's obviously old and chipped (delightfully vintage) I absolutely love it. I keep my precious handknit socks here as I can't bring myself to hide them away in a drawer and love to see all that colourful stripyness on display.

I've also got a framed print propped up so that it's right there where I can see it from my bed - it's such a beautiful reminder of the importance of rest and embracing the Dark Season. The illustration is by artist Jessica Boehman and after falling in love with the image online many years ago I treated myself to the print. I can't tell you how much it has helped me through the last four winters, there is something about it which makes me believe that the dark months of hibernation deserve to be cherished and not simply endured. 

The past few weeks have been a bit of a grey blur to be honest, but I did still try to keep some important routines going. I walked into town when I felt up to it, taking my time and appreciating the fact that I wasn't completely out of action. I didn't feel at all well, but getting some gentle exercise and fresh air into my body felt like it did me good.

I went to the market on Saturday mornings and bought home fresh veggies to make soup....

...and on one or two mornings I even felt up to taking an early morning walk with J. We've let this habit slip a little through the dark winter months but now that we've got daylight again at 7am I feel more motivated to get up and get out there. It definitely improves my mood and energy levels and I always feel good for doing it.

I spent many hours sat beside the fire drinking tea or mugs of Lemsip and keeping warm and cosy. It's such a simple pleasure, but honestly this fireplace makes me soooo stupidly happy. 

I found a bag of special pine cones which I'd completely forgotten about, they're the ones that have something on them which create blue and green coloured flames in open fires. They're called Northern Lights cones and I bought them two Christmases ago, they're pretty expensive and a bit of an indulgence but oh, they do make my fire-loving heart happy. The Little People love them too and as a family we've spent lots of time in the evenings gathered around the fireside just enjoying the light and warmth.

A few weeks ago we were looking back at summer photos from last year and got talking about barbecues and making s'mores. It made me think that we could try doing them on our open fire - no idea why that had never occurred to me before?? It was a huge success and Little B in particular got super excited for making his own after dinner "pudding" over the hot coals. I don't have any photographic evidence of s'more making to show you, you'll just have to imagine the marshmallows on a skewer and the skilled act of toasting them without setting them on fire. It was tense!

Dealing with germs hasn't left me much energy for creativity, but after I completed the border on the Springfrost blanket a couple weeks ago I dug out my Fireside cushion and managed to bring it over the finishing line. You might remember that I started making this large circular cushion in October when I was on my retreat in Carcasonne so the ta-dah was well overdue. It was really satisfying using up the yarn leftover from making my Fireside blanket and I'm happy with how it turned out, even if it is a bit of a giant beast. I'll show you the finished cushion in my next post, I know it's not all that exciting really, but hopefully you'll enjoy the colours.

Thanks as always for visiting, I do so appreciate it. I hope you are managing to keep germ free and if you've been resting like me, then I hope it's been nurturing. Stay cosy!

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Comments

[Jane Potthoff]

Just checking in, sorry to hear that you have had a bug :( I'm hoping that you are getting back to yourself! This is the first winter blanket CAL that I did not participate in many years, and I missed it so! But I have been concentrating on using up some of my Lucy Leftovers, using the Harmony pattern to keep myself busy. I have found that I much prefer to use your color guidance than tweaking it on my own, LOL! So glad I found your blog, all those years ago :) You have brought crochet back to me, and a crafty "friend" and community I didn't know I was missing. Thank you, Lucy <3

[Jill Davidson]

Sorry you've been unwell, but glad you are on the mend. I had a really bad cold last week, which turned out to be covid - again! I'm starting to feel a bit better now though. In other news I finished my Springfrost blanket a couple of days ago, love it so much! Also I have a new vlog out, only a year after my first one!
Jillxo

[Lynn]

Glad your feeling so much better, it always seems winter viruses linger longest for some reason. My fibromyalgia has been torture, I think its the varying temperatures no 2 days are the same, and my poor body is at 6s and 7s lol. But spring is on the way lighter days and nights and lovely nature waking up it'll be lovely 😍

[noelle sweeney]

Oh Glad to hear you are feeling better!

[Becki]

So sorry to hear you’ve been unwell Lucy and felt so poorly. There are so many vicious bugs going around at the moment but I’m really glad you’re starting to feel more like yourself again. Take care and please don’t try and do too much too soon. Love and hugs Becki xxxx 🥰🤗

[Vicky]

Having recently discovered your pages as recommended by a friend I must thank you for such a heart warming and inspiration little site!

You are everything I would like to be and I am hoping to commit my ideas into action this year!

I too fall in love every time I'm out in nature whatever the weather. The colours, the shapes I want to bring then all home and recreate into something arty.

Do you have anything to do with kingfishers or foxes? I spotted a KF recently for the first time and am obsessed!

[Elizabeth]

Glad to hear you are feeling better. Take care!

[Beverley]

Sorry to hear you have been unwell Lucy and really hope you are on the mend now.
Those chillies and tomatoes look wonderful and I can almost taste the soup. Yummy.
Have a great week.

[Helen]

I love that print. The pure white mount and frame set it off perfectly. Glad you're feeling better :) x

[CJ]

Sorry you've been unwell, I hope you're back to full strength very soon. I remember how much my boys loved toasting marshmallows at a holiday property with a woodburner one year. I love the lavender photo of the early morning canal, stunning. I really love the winter months now, although I didn't used to. I like marching about in the wild weather then the lovely feeling of coming home to a cosy house. Hope you have a good week, CJ xx

[My creative life]

I'm glad that you are feeling better Lucy. Take care, Cathy x

[Emily]

Glad to hear you’re feeling better! When I was a kid, one of our special meals was hot dogs roasted in the fireplace in the winter, then s’mores. Have you ever tried burning driftwood? I seem to remember the salts give different colors?? I live far from the ocean, so not a lot of chances to try it.

[Linda]

We have both had a COVID mimicking virus which wiped us out. Himself is still coughing at multi decibel loudness which does my nerves no good at all.
You rest up and keep warm. Hibernating is definitely the way to go. You can emerge from your burrow when you see the sun is warm enough to warm your bones!
I’ve just finished the borders on my two Springfrost lap blankets. The winter is still here so my sister will appreciate them!

[Miriam]

Big hug,
Miriam from Italy

[Nell Fitzsimmons]

This was lovely to read with my morning cuppa. Glad you are on the mend xx

[Kate]

I have learned to love the long winters especially as i can do more knitting and quilting in the colder seasons than I do in the sunny ones. Being a sun lover myself, I have found I enjoy the Summers so much more when I have also enjoyed the winters. A time to take it slower and make things.

[Kristine S]

Love & gentle hugs from Sydney - hope your well-being continues. Feel sorry for me - colon/gastroscopy next week! As always, the lead-up will be the worst! Love your blogs & pix.🥰👌👋😘

[Sarah Kindon]

So glad you’re on the mend, with spring just around the corner to look forward to. I’m glad you took time to look after you. Just remember not to overdo things for a while!! Love from Scarborough, Queensland, Australia

[Louise]

I'm sorry to hear you've been sick. Sick sucks. That's all there is to it. I had a cold last year, and it knocked me over worse than covid! Sometimes we have to sink back into the pillows and just rest. Which is really hard to do, yeah? Love all the photos of your beautiful region. We're going to be up in your part of the world in a couple of months so I've told my husband that we must go and visit Yorkshire. It's always been a 'must see' if ever I went to the UK. Take care and soak up the healing vibes. Xox

[Bonnie]

So glad you're feeling better!

[Susan]

Sorry to hear you've been unwell, but hopefully now on the mend. Loved hearing about your dealing with it and funny you mentioned your Dune blanket, as that is the one I'm doing now. Please take care, stay warm & big hugs from down under.

[Linda from Boston]

Glad you’re on the mend. It’s no fun being sick. I finished the Springfrost blanket and started a Dune lap throw …….. cuz I need SOMETHING for my hands to do!!! Using up my yarn stash …… but (you know where this is going),
I need MORE colors. So, I placed an order Monday night with our friends at Wool Warehouse. Well, it’s with the courier today and will be here this afternoon. I just don’t know how they do it!! Love that Dune pattern. Be well. ♥️

[Kathy Kraetsch]

Hello Lucy from Northern California! Thank you for sharing your journey and reminding me that the winter months are more than grit-my-teeth and endure it! Here we are so tired of the snow and the damage winter storms have caused. But I can see signs of spring which gives me hope! Best Wishes to you and your family ❤️

[Sarah]

Glad you are on the mend. The colours on the circular cushion look so lovely and rich - totally pleasing 😊

[gina in alabama]

So glad you are feeling better! Spring is less than two weeks away so its coming. Blossoms and sunshine are on the way for you! Remember to be kind to you!