Winter Blessings 2024

On these short days of winter, I've been out and about soaking up every morsel of sunlight when the weather has been clear and bright. We've had a lot of grey days during the past week (including some snow flurries), but it's all part of the season we are in and on the whole I've been enjoying the variety.

On Friday I paid a visit to the local florist and treated myself to a lovely bunch of festive foliage with some red berries and one singular stem of an amaryllis. I did the same thing last year and so began a gentle new Winter Solstice tradition which means a lot to me. It looks gorgeous on my table, I'll take a photo of it in situ over the next few days to share with you.

I gave up a long time ago with trying to involve the family in my seasonal celebrations, although I do like to fill them in on it all, just on the vague off chance that they might one day be interested. I think these quarter points in the year are absolutely magical and there is no way I ever let them pass by without some gentle rituals and pause for thought.

On Saturday it was the Winter Solstice and in the afternoon I went out and gathered in some fresh greenery from the canal side footpath, as well as from my own back yard. I always like to make an evergreen wreath to celebrate Winter Solstice, but first a walk in the woods.....

After a very cold, grey start to the day, it brightened up in the early afternoon and the woodland was beautifully peaceful and still.

A very brief appearance from the low sun through the trees felt like a Solstice gift, a gentle reminder that we'll be welcoming back the light as the days slowly lengthen again.

I made my simple wreath using ivy, eucalyptus and some random leafy foliage held together with a few wiry stems of faux berries. It's all a bit homespun but I like the slightly wild look.

My solstice candle this year is appropriately called "winter nights" and smells of eucalyptus, it's absolutely fabulous. 

On the shortest day of the year as it was starting to get dark outside, I lit my candle and settled down by the hearth. Time to reflect and count my blessings.

A glass of prosecco and time shared with J, such a sweet day of simple pleasures. And yaaaaayyyyyy for brighter days to come, I'm so happy we've turned the corner now towards the light!

I thought you might enjoy a little bit of Solstice inspiration that found it's way to me over the weekend (via Instagram). The above illustration is called "Return of the Light" by Rachel Grant. I am a big fan of her work and love the seasonal inspiration she shares in her instagram page. You can find out more about her on her website ((here))

The painting above is by a wonderful artist called Loré Pemberton. If you're on Instagram, her account is well worth a follow as she shares some fantastic videos of her painting in progress as well as her family life in the wilds of Vermont which directly inspires her work. The above painting is called "Welcoming the Light".

Before I sign off, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your lovely comments to me in the Attic this past month, I do so appreciate you taking the time to write. I've been having laptop troubles this past week and my faithful piece of technology had to undergo open heart surgery (luckily J is a very good tech surgeon). Once all was closed back up again, the first thing I did was boot up Typepad to make sure it was working OK (sadly Typepad continues to be very difficult, but hey ho, not a lot I can do about it). I posted a random test photo which I totally meant to delete but somehow it published as a post......oh my goodness.....I can only imagine you must've thought I'd lost the plot??!! A random image, no title, no dialogue...and yet many of you still took the trouble to comment. I am so thankful for you all, you've no idea. Thank you. Thankyou, thank you.

Wishing you all a wonderful festive time, I'll pop back to share some more photos very soon, my home is looking beautifully colourful and I've been crocheting something decorative which Id like to show you too.....here is a little peek....

....more soon.....Merry Yuletide!

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Comments

[CJ]

I love your winter solstice rituals, it's such a lovely day, it always seems like a quiet moment among the festive storm. Wishing you a very wonderful 2025 my friend. CJ xx

[Kate]

Happy Christmas to you too and a magical, happy and healthy 2025!!
Looking forward to the canal crochet along too 😁

[Charly]

Your reflections on the small joys of winter really warmed my heart. The way you capture the coziness of this season—the twinkling lights, the crisp air, and the comfort of crafting—is truly inspiring. It’s a lovely reminder to savor the little blessings all around us. Thank you for sharing your winter magic!

[Sabine]

All the best in 2025! It is so fantastic what you
do and write. Wish you Good health and happy moments through the complete year. Best wishes from Germany Sabine 🤗

[Judeth]

I am a beginner. Do you use a yarn winder?

[Elizabeth]

Well, you know what they say: A picture is worth 1,000 words! So many delightful things in this post. Love your mantel. One of these days, I'm actually going to make a garland of those ornaments you designed. They're so pretty and, along with your garlands of stars and fairy lights, and the red & white striped hyacinth pots, and all the wonderful touches you've added, it looks quite homey and cozy, especially with that fire blazing. Then, of course, there's the canalboat and the swans. Swans are such beautiful creatures; mean as sin, but beautiful. I really enjoyed the art work you shared — I firmly believe the world needs more far more whimsey and far less stuff to worry about. Finally, I'm intrigued about what you've got going on in that last picture. Do share. Inquiring minds want to know. Christmas is past, and the new year will soon be here. All-in-all, not a bad year. My resolutions are made. How about you?

[Joy Wilson]

Merry Christmas and thank you for your heartwarming blogs. Reading them is a delight. Very best wishes for 2025!

[Penny]

Hope you had a Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. I love your photos of the canal. I used to live in Cheshire and the canal ran through the village. (Now reside in Aus).
Look forward to all your posts. Take care. X Penny

[Veronica]

Merry Christmas and happy New Year wishes to you and your family.
Thank you for your lovely blog and as usual beautiful pictures. Enjoy

[Jennie]

Happy Boxing Day, Lucy! I thought the photo that you accidentally posted was a delight! Your home and rituals always inspire me and I would like to thank you for all that you share. It’s lovely that you enjoy the smell of eucalyptus, it has such a soothing aroma. With much love from Jennie,from a very hot New South Wales❤️❤️

[Becki]

I’m a bit late Lucy, so I’ll wish you a very happy Boxing Day, and I really hope you and your family were able to enjoy a relaxing, peaceful Christmas Day together. Thank you so much for all your wonderful photos and posts this year they really are a joy to look at and read. Take care and enjoy the rest of the Christmas holidays, with love and hugs to you all, Becki xxxx 🥂🎄🥰

[Peggy]

Merry Christmas Lucy. We have an abundance of snow here in Canada this year. Today we are going down to our local legion to serve Christmas dinner. It gives me such a sense of joy and purpose.

[April]

I like your homemade wreath! This year we lit a fire in our outdoor fire pit and had a special yule log tied up with Western Red Cedar to burn in honor of the solstice. Having a ritual to shift the focus of this time of year away from consumption and in the direction of treating the seasonal change as sacred was true magic. That said I got the kit for the Flowerpress blanket for Christmas and that is also magical 😍! Happy holidays to all!

[Carine]

Good Morning Lucy,

Merry Christmas!

Greetings,
Carine

[Jools]

Blessed be at this turn of the year, Lucy xxx Thank you for your posts, you never fail to lift my spirits with your colours, your observations and your delight in life's simple pleasures. We should all be more Lucy, the world would be a better place xx

[Ruthie]

Happy Christmas Lucy, to you and your family. Thank you for all your posts, your beautiful pictures, your crochet and your enjoyment of the small things.
About your random post, I just assumed there was some sort of technical problem!
Festive greetings! X

[Crafty Cath]

Happy Christmas Lucy. Thanks for all your lovely posts and crochet ideas. I can't wait to make the canal boat inspired blanket having had holidays on canal boats on the L&L and other waterways. Best wishes to you and your family for 2025, from Catherine (in Winchester).

[Alison]

Merry Christmas, Lucy! And take a look at these granny square ornaments - free pattern with both UK and US terms: https://www.anniedesigncrochet.com/easy-granny-crochet-christmas-baubles-free-pattern/

[Gill]

Love your photos and posts Lucy. Have a wonderful Christmas, from Gill in The Midlands xx

[Lee]

Dear Lucy,
All the best in this holiday season and throughout the coming year to you and your family, as well as the rest of the community here in your Attic!

[Pam]

Like you I welcome the lengthening days, I am definitely a summer person. Our three daughters all live away but come home for Christmas so we have a house full for about a week. It’s chaotic but lovely. We all muck in with food prep, have neighbours over on Christmas Eve and enjoy board games and cards. Thoroughly enjoyable but breathe a sigh of relief in the New Year. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[Marjorie Sanderson]

Wishing you and your family a very happy and peaceful Christmas and roll on the lighter days ahead very best wishes Marjorie xx

[Janice]

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

[Deb]

Happy Christmas to you and yours, Lucy, and thank you for all your wonderful pictures, thought provoking words, and amazing crochet work throughout the year. Lightens many a life, certainly this one. X

[Claire]

Winter Blessings to you dear Lucy. Thank you for for your generosity of sharing not only your creativity but your capacity for delight and celebration of the joys of what is around you whether it’s the passing beauty of the seasons, the company of loved ones or a cup of coffee and cake.
Joy, peace and health to you and yours.