Attic24

Out of Town

Yesterday morning I was out doing the usual thing with J, our early morning walk in the semi darkness. Although I'm generally happy enough pottering through my same old daily routine, yesterday I realised that I've not actually been out of town since I went to Dorset at the end of October, so it's been two weeks without a change of scene. We've not even driven into the countryside to walk, so all my photos from the past fortnight have been local walks and the same old views, and I suddenly felt a really strong urge to escape from it all. 

So I did!

On a whim I hopped onto the 10:25 train to the city, and it felt absolutely marvellous, I was so happy to just be in motion and to be somewhere with a totally different atmosphere. I had a few things which I wanted to look for (new bedding and towels) and a few things which I needed to buy (something to wear for a fairly posh weekend ahead) but other than that, all I really wanted to do was wander around the streets and shops and soak up the city vibe.

As you can see, the shopping arcades were already in full-on Christmas mode which caught me by surprise as I don't generally begin to think about Christmas until December.

I love this arcade which is a relatively new build and houses some lovely shops including John Lewis which is one of my favourite department stores to browse in. This flooring though, it gets me every time - it's sooooooooo shiny!! It has a very reflective surface and combined with the zigzags it makes me feel all off kilter and wobbly, it's the strangest sensation.

Anyhow, John Lewis was dreamy and I spent ages riding up and down the escalators and ummming and aaahhhhing over the household textiles, like you do. I didn't end up buying anything because I didn't want to have to carry it, but it was good to see and feel and make notes for a future online shop.

Leeds has some really stunning architecture which includes these historic shopping arcades, and I absolutely love them. They are so beautiful and atmospheric....

....I mean, just look how glamorous it all is!! You can read more about them ((here)), they really are quite special.

My shopping trip was a success, and I did manage to find something to wear for the weekend which I was relieved about. I'm not a great shopper and really don't enjoy trying things on or making decisions about outfits so I very rarely do it. I have a very small wardrobe and wear the same clothes over and over and over, for years, until they fall apart or look far too unkempt to be acceptable. So yeah, job done, and I'm even a teensy bit excited to wear my new dress on Saturday.

I loved being in the city for a short while and wandering around just immersing myself in the commercial world for half a day gave me a real energy buzz.

Today I was also out of town, and the contrast with yesterday really did make an impression when I looked at my photos this evening.

My good friend who I meet with every week for coffee is off work this week on holiday, so of course I offered up my services as Outing Companion and agreed to go anywhere that took her fancy. I admit I did quietly suggest that the seaside is wonderful at this time of year, but she obviously didn't get the hint and instead she suggested we drive ten miles out into the Yorkshire Dales to the picturesque village of Burnsall. 

We both know this riverside walk very well, and I've pootled along here countless times over the years with the family. It's beautiful in all weathers and seasons but is especially lovely in Autumn.

It's an easy, scenic walk and we had a very specific midway destination in mind....

....leaving the river behind and following the footpath through fields, we arrived.....

....at one of my favourite little watering holes. Doesn't it look welcoming? This is the Old School Tearoom and somewhere I am very fond of when I'm in need of a bit of brunch and a really good coffee.

On this quiet, misty grey Thursday morning in November, the café was quiet when we arrived which allowed us to nab the very coveted window seat. Oh, happy, happy day!! As you can see, the view out of the window is absolutely beautiful....

.....with the café's free range chickens wandering around on the grass below. It really is an idyllic spot to sit and rest for a while in the cosy warmth while waiting for food and drinks to come to the table.

We stayed in the café eating, drinking and chatting for almost two hours, long enough for the mist to eventually lift and the sun to make an appearance. Doesn't it look gorgeous out there? Anyhow, aside from the scenery and greenery, I know that what you're really interested in is my coffee of the day, so here you go, I photographed it especially for you......

.....ta-dah!!!! It's a beauty!! This was actually my second cup of the day, uh-huh, I did splash out and have two, sometimes one just isn't quite enough. Do you want to see my brunch too? I thought you might......

.....now doesn't that look like it would really hit the spot? It was scrumptious, it really was.

It was early afternoon by the time we started to make our way back across the fields.... 

.....and the sun made such a difference to the colours of the landscape, it was really beautiful.

The river Wharfe is quite wide and fast flowing along this stretch but there are spots close to the riverbank which are more shallow and still. 

I kept thinking about my day in the city yesterday, and how today couldn't have been more different. It was extremely tranquil, not an inkling of hustle or bustle to be found along the riverbank.

I read somewhere that the village of Burnsall (in particular this old stone bridge) is one of the most photographed villages in the Yorkshire Dales. I've no idea if this is true, but it certainly is very photogenic.

It was built in 1609, over four hundred years ago. Amazing history right there.

Well it's been lovely catching you up with my comings and goings, I've had a really happy few days doing different things and I do feel that it's done me good. This weekend promises to bring even more out-of-routine delights, because I'm off with Little Lady to look round another city University, and this time we've booked a hotel stay to make a weekend of it. I'm really excited actually, me and my new dress are ready for some city adventures. Bring it on!

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Sunday Photos

Some photos from Sunday - I meant to share these with you yesterday but I had to go out in the evening and was too tired to write when I got back. However, I didn't want to lose the memories of a pretty ordinary Sunday which nevertheless felt so nourishing and good. 

A lazy start with some crochet in bed, a lovely walk full of Autumn feel-good, then back for a snuggle in bed with a delicious frothy coffee topped with real chocolate flakes. After my coffee I spent a few hours writing up my last blog post before heading downstairs to cook our roast dinner. I don't often blog from my bed, but I have to say it was ever so cosy and I found my words felt like they flowed from a good place in my soul.

Some days just feel blissful in their ordinariness - this was one of those days and I want to remember how good simple weekends can be xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full Tilt Autumn

We are full tilt into the autumn season now and there is so much to love about it. This past week the weather has been cold and still, and the stillness was the biggest surprise after the high winds we experienced the week before. At first I couldn't quite place what felt different, but gradually I realised it was simply that there was no wind whipping the trees and mussing up my hair. It felt like a quiet sort of relief, the kind you don't know you need until it happens.

As is usual for me at this time of year, I find myself enchanted by the colours in nature and every day there are moments when I can't quite believe how beautiful it all is. It's an intense feeling and very distracting - J often says that I rudely interrupt our conversations because my attention is suddenly caught by some fallen leaves or the way a cloud looks as if it is lit up from the inside (I wish I'd been able to capture the cloud-light in a photograph, it was magnificent, and really did stop me in my tracks and bring a halt to the conversation).

We haven't been anywhere this week, so all my photos come from my walks around the town, either on my way to do something or meet someone, or sometimes just walking around for the pure pleasure of it.

 I know I'm very lucky to have some pretty scenic places to stroll within a few minutes of my front door, and I appreciate it very much. Mind you, even when I lived in very un-inspiring urban environments I still used to walk for pleasure - for most of my adult life, heading out for a walk has been my go-to solution when I need to clear my head, think things through, unwind, or just feel grounded in the moment. I think a simple walk around the local neighbourhood is a highly underrated pastime for pleasure, but also for mental health benefits.

The tourist season is beginning to slow down now that half term is over, although we do get visitors all year round here. In summer the canal is very busy with holiday rental boats coming and going, but now in early November there are mainly day-trip boats on the move.

Along certain parts of the canal the boats don't move at all as they are permanent moorings. Some of them are lived on all year round, and others like the one above are used like summer holiday cottages and get put to rest in the colder weather.

These photos were taken in the mid afternoon one day last week, Thursday I think it was. The weather was bright and clear and like I mentioned earlier there wasn't a wisp of wind in the air.

The still air and bright skies made for the most beautiful reflections in the water, I was absolutely enthralled by them. I've no idea why I find reflections in water so pleasing to look at, but I could honestly stand and stare for ages getting lost in the visual perfection of them.

J and I are still doing our early morning walks and on Friday we had the first frost of the season. It was certainly "crisp" out there at 6.45am, and I was glad I'd put on an extra fleece layer. It was very beautiful though, especially in the park where the grass was frosted to a pale minty green....

....and the fallen leaves were edged with delicate ice crystals.

Our woodland walks are now a weekend treat because it's too dark to walk amongst the trees during the week when we head out so early. 

With only walking this way once a week the seasonal changes are really noticeable, and it's a lovely feeling to observe nature doing her magnificent thing. I am very in tune with the seasonal rhythms of the year and always feel a sense of comfort when I see that all is on track and as it should be. Early November, Autumn is in full swing and all is well.

These woodland photos are from yesterday, J and I walked reasonably early for a Saturday (it was about 8.30am I think) so it was blissfully quiet along the leafy pathways. Strolling in the woods before pootling into town to buy groceries from the butcher, bakery and the market is such a wonderfully weekendish thing and I can't tell you how much I love it. Every single Saturday I get a little jolt of happiness when I realise that this is my life, and I get to do this every single weekend. I just can't seem to get over the happy surprise of it somehow. I think this must be a true definition of contentment, when you keep getting surprised by the routines of life and feeling delighted that they belong to you.

⇈ OK, I'm documenting this as an Autumn-in-full-tilt moment, because honestly it's just too good not to share. Some of you may recall that J and I recently started enjoying a coffee together a couple mornings a week in the teensy little coffee shop at the bottom of our street, it's the one with the William Morris wallpaper. Well, alongside the most yummy coffee they also sell a modest selection of sweet treats, and have recently introduced these traditional Portuguese tarts - "pastel de nata". I've eaten them in Portugal before but never here in England, and J had never tried them so I felt it was my duty to introduce him to the delight of them. Have you ever eaten one? Oh. My. Word. They are utterly delicious in every way, the perfect amount of sweetness and flaky pastryness, and they go ridiculously well with a cup of strong coffee. We are addicted, honestly.

I seem to be all about routine at the moment, and I'm really enjoying all the ordinary, repeating, familiar comforts that make up my weeks. And pastel de nata is a very, very welcome addition.

The little posy of geraniums is just about still going on my table, but they are well past their best and I'll need to think about buying in some fresh seasonal flowers this week. Last year I fell a bit in love with some tiny little yellow button chrysanths, do you remember them? I might see if I can find something similar tomorrow when I'm out and about.

I made a batch of fresh soup on Saturday, again this has become another of my weekly routines which grounds me and feeds my sense of domestic contentment. This week I made carrot and coriander and it was sooooo good. I toasted some pumpkin seeds to add to the top because I've been trying to add seeds into my diet every day for the healthy fats. They added a perfect little crunch and I'll definitely do them again as a soup topper.

In creative news, I've been thoroughly enjoying having woolly socks on my feet every day this week as it's been so cold and it inspired me to knit some more of my Cool Kaffe socks. I can't wait to actually have these beautiful stripes on my feet, so I'll try and get the heels turned this week if I can.

Thanks as always for the lovely, lovely comments you wrote about my Harbour blanket, thank you! I'm really enjoying crocheting this blanket ahead of my CAL, it has a very special rhythm to it which makes for some of the most relaxing crochet I've ever done. I can't wait to share more with you, especially more of the photos from my coastal jaunt earlier in the year. Such happy memories.

Well, I think that's about all my seasonal banter for now, I hope you're enjoying the autumn if you're on this side of the globe, and if you're down under, then I truly hope that Spring is bringing you joy.

Right now it's already starting to get dark (it's 4.30pm) and I'm going to go and light the fire and get on with making the dinner. We're having a roast today, for the first time in a long while and I'm really excited for it - we've got a stuffed pheasant parcel wrapped in bacon which we bought from the local game man who comes to the market. It's very Autumnal fodder I think you'll agree - can't wait!

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Last Days of Summer

Well there's no getting away from it now, the Autumn Equinox passed by on Wednesday and I've had to face up to the fact that summer is over for another year. Luckily, September has been a real treat in terms of the weather and I have been out and about drinking up every last drop of the season. The Little People returned to school and I'm now in a period of major adjustment as I try to get used to my new normal. I do miss the morning school run which was a pleasurable walk alongside the canal and a lovely way to start my day. However, I realised quite early on that of course I can still walk this route in the mornings if I want to as there is nothing to stop me, so quite often I do just that.  

The last week of summer time was really beautiful here in my patch with plenty of warmth and sunshine. 

I was even able to spend some time sat out in the overgrown yarden which is quite a sheltered little spot, and as you can see from the above photo it's pretty wild out there at the moment. 

I've had many neighbours stop and tell me how much they've enjoyed my flowering pots this summer, and to ask me what my secret is - the flowers really have been prolific (this post shows what they looked like when I planted them in June). The answer to the overgrowth is regular watering, and a weekly liquid feed. I've been using a Doff feed ((it's this one, although it's generally much cheaper if you can find it in a local shop)) and it makes a tremendous difference to flowering pots and tubs.

I spent a while out there earlier this week deadheading the geraniums and marguerites so that hopefully they will keep on flowering for another month or so. Some years when the weather has been mild, I've still had flowers in early December which sounds crazy, but it has happened.

A few weeks ago, J and I started a new routine together in the mornings - I can't quite remember how it came about but one day we were both up early and decided to take our usual daily walk while the Little People were still asleep instead of waiting until mid morning. Both J and I are "larks" and go to bed pretty early in the evenings (usually by 9.30pm) so we are often awake and up around 5.30 in the mornings. It gives us time to have a coffee and come into the day gently before getting ready to head out around an hour later.

We enjoyed it so much that we started to make it a regular thing, it really is a glorious time of day to be out and about. We tend to reach the top of the hill before the sun rises, but on a couple of mornings we've been slightly later and have had the sun beaming out at us. 

I can't describe how wonderful it is to feel the first rays of the sun warm on your face in the quiet still of a new morning. It's quite magical.

Just on the other side of that white building is the bakery so it's a very convenient kind of early morning walk when a loaf of fresh bread often comes home with us. So far I've managed to resist the baskets of freshly baked croissants and pastries which sit on the counter top, but I think it's only a matter of time before I cave. It's the smell that does it.

At the other end of the day I've been finding myself drawn outdoors as the sun starts to dip low in the sky. It's as if my soul knows that our days are rapidly shortening and I am compelled to make the very most of this late summer sunshine.

I don't go far, a slow meander around the park....

....then back along the canal towards home. It's just enough time for me to breathe deeply and mull over the day, to drink in the golden light and feel at ease.

On Saturday morning when J and I walked to the market, it suddenly felt like Summer had slipped away from us. It was chilly, and already leaves are beginning to fall from some of the trees, a reminder to make the most of every day and to appreciate each season we are in. I've been getting better in recent years with Autumn and don't feel nearly so full of melancholy as I once did, and for that I am thankful.

I've really been enjoying the freedom of my days during the past few weeks, heading out to meet friends for coffee or just walking into town to run errands as and when I've needed to. I really do appreciate that I can choose how to spend my child free hours and never take it for granted. I'm unbelievably thankful for my freedom.

My friend surprised me with this bunch of berries last week, and I absolutely love them.

The colour of the berries is so pretty and it's been a lovely change from having flowers on my table. I've been working a lot at the dining table just recently so it's all been a bit of a mess to be honest. I'm still needing to use the dining room like a studio as I've got nowhere else to go at the moment - it's a bit frustrating but I'm muddling through as best as I can. Yarn everywhere, creative chaos which gets push aside in order to eat family meals each day. Ah well, I am happy at least, yes, happy and free, and I am so thankful for all of it. 

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Early September

Early September is here and as much as I don't want to admit it, I can most definitely feel the slip-slide of summer as it gently  begins to make way for Autumn. This past week we've had the most wonderous warm sunny weather though, a real gift for souls like me who hang onto the summer till the very last moment. I'm still picking sweet peas even though the plants themselves are looking rather dead, I know, how lucky am I? Every time I think it'll be the last bunch, somehow more magically appear and it feels like some sort of summer miracle. The flowers are just so beautifully painterly, like little watercolour studies on each petal. I love them so bloomin' much.

Last weekend when the weather was joyous, we took off across the fields for a walk and made the most of the wide open views. Little B did an awful lot of moaning about the temperature (he's a winter lover and really dislikes any kind of warm weather), but I'm learning how to tune him out when he goes off on an extended negative rant. I loved the sunshine, of course I did, it was hot and wonderful, and the little fluffy clouds and lush green fields made me stupidly happy.

I live for these beautiful sunshiny days in September (well all year round to be honest), and my gratitude was sky high. Leafy tree tops and dappled sunshine - yes please, always and forever.

A few mornings this past week we've started the day under a blanket of grey mist - a little reminder that the seasons will be changing very soon. The above photo was taken just after 9am on Thursday which was the day that Little Lady and Little B were both back in school. I'm still adjusting to this new season of school routines, in particular the fact that I no longer need to leave the house to deliver or collect a child. After 15 years spent walking back and forth with primary school children it still feels very surreal watching Little B set off down the road without me. 

As I'm dressed and ready to start my day when the Little Peeps head out to school, I've found myself also desperately wanting to leave the house at the same time. The routine is so deeply ingrained that it feels wrong not to be out and about by 9am and so I've just allowed myself to do what feels right. Instead of walking to school I walk to the bakery, or to the supermarket, and as soon as I set off I feel my sense of equilibrium settling in place.

The afternoon school run however, oh, I am absolutely thrilled not to be doing that one any more. I am greatly appreciating the luxury of waiting for the offspring to walk in the door by themselves without any physical exertion from me. 

Little B had three whole days of secondary school last week and so far so good. Every day he brought home new exercise books and delivered a verdict on the subjects he'd studied. It's been interesting to hear him chat about his new experiences, and I hope his enthusiasm continues as we trundle through the next six weeks of this half term.

Little Lady is in her final year of school and says she's enjoying being back into a routine and getting organised for what is going to be a busy year of study and decision making. September is always such an important month when you have school age children, it's like breathing out a huge sigh of relief when you didn't even realise you were holding your breath.

Yesterday morning J and I went into town as we usually do every Saturday, to visit the local shops and the street market. During the past year this routine of ours has very firmly set itself in place and I absolutely love it. 

I really enjoy being able to walk into the centre of our little town, taking in the picturesque canal and old buildings and feeling that sense of belonging. Once we've gathered in all the produce and groceries we head to the café to have breakfast, and every week without fail it feels like the biggest treat. I am so grateful for our gentle lifestyle and simple pleasures, for the easy routines that keep us grounded and the happiness that it brings. I consider myself very, very lucky.

Sunday is often a day when we go for a walk if the weather is dry, and this morning I'm delighted to say that we walked as a family of four which hasn't happened in a while. 

We didn't drive far, just a few miles to a neighbouring village to do a circular walk which involved climbing to the top of that craggy hill in the photo above. We do this walk a few times a year and it's not for the faint hearted - the climb is rocky and steep....

....but the view from the top is well worth the physical effort. It feels so good when you reach the top and get to sit down and rest, a mixture of exhilaration and deep relief. We each had flasks with us (hot chocolate for Little B, milky coffee for the rest of us) and some chocolate for revival purposes. Morning coffee with a view, it was mighty fine I have to say.

I've been feeling a bit under the weather this past week, and I admit I found the climb quite challenging as my fitness levels have dropped off over the summer months.

I've made a promise to myself that as from tomorrow (Monday) I'm going to start doing my morning workouts again - they only take 7-10 minutes so really there is absolutely no excuse not to do them. Although it's been pretty nice to skip them over the summer holidays and give my body a rest, I like the way they make me feel and September seems like a grand month to reinstate some healthy routines. It's a reset kind of a month I think.

Tall, tall summer grasses are everywhere in the countryside at this time of year, wafting in the breeze and bringing with them an unmistakable end-of-season vibe. Autumn is around the corner - it's not here yet mind you, so hold onto your pumpkins for a while longer! As you probably know, I like to follow the astronomical seasons which means I celebrate the solstices and equinoxes rather than the first of the month dates set by the weather people. Autumn equinox falls on the 22nd September this year, so still another nine days left to appreciate late summer.

It's been cloudy but mild today and I spent a while sat out in the back yard this afternoon, very aware that my al fresco days are numbered now. The yarden is looking wild and a smidge unkempt I have to say, but I am always so overjoyed to be able to sit surrounded by flowers and greenery that I can easily overlook the straggliness.

I brought in my blankets from outdoor storage today, the ones that have been well used in my back yard and on picnics and outings all summer. They need a wash and a freshen up, so that's on my to-do list this week.

Did I tell you I finished my Yuletide blanket? I think last time I was here chatting I was almost finished but not quite, well, tis done and dusted now and I couldn't be happier. It's such a wonderful blanket, different to anything I've ever made before with it's own unique colour palette and slightly vintage retro feel.

Even thought the blanket is finished, I haven't finished with the colours just yet - I made some little stars to use for photographs....

.....and also the beginnings of a Yuletide Garland for my fireplace. I've wanted to make a winter garland for a while now, and this seemed like a good time to get creative with ideas whilst my head is still so full of these colours. I've been working on some new little designs this weekend - an ivy leaf, orange slices and the beginnings of some eucalyptus leaves (they still need more work). I've LOVED the creativity that has flowed in abundance this past week, I've felt really inspired in lots of different ways.

I've been working on a tutorial for the Yuletide blanket which is my usual full-on photo heavy affair, and I'm confident that I can help newbie crocheters feel like they can tackle this design. I also created an 8 page colour pattern which will be included in the Yuletide yarn pack, so yeah, I've been quietly busy here in the Attic doing my hooky thing.

My friends at Wool Warehouse have also been busy and we are all set for the Yuletide blanket kit to be ready on Tuesday 14th. I'm writing a Ta-dah blog post to share the finished blanket with you, so all links for the pattern and the yarn pack will be included in that post. I think the aim is for everything to be online at 8am on Tuesday - of course I'm ridiculously excited, and nervous and elated and apprehensive, the usual mixed pot of emotions. I really hope you like it as much as I do.

And on that note, I shall bid you farewell, and I'll be back on Tuesday morning with lots of blankety photos to share with you. Thanks as ever for visiting, I appreciate you muchly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Thoughts

I was sat in the café this morning waiting for my eggs on toast to arrive, and as I quietly sipped my Outrageously Good coffee I found myself thinking of you. And for the first time in a while I photographed my coffee to share with you as I realised I've missed you and wanted to say hello. HELLOOOOOO!!! I hope you're doing OK and enjoying  your days, whatever shape they are taking right now.

Here in Atticland life is bobbing along and our long six week summer holiday is rapidly coming to an end - only nine days left for Little B before he has to truss himself up in a shirt, tie and blazer for the first time and head off to a brand new school. I think it's safe to say that we've all enjoyed the relaxed pace of the summer, but I know I'll be more than ready for some new routines and structure once the school year begins again next month. 

After a bit of a cold snap this week, the weather finally got its act together today and it's been beeeeeeautiful. So so good to feel the warm sun on my face and drink in all that blue sky goodness up above. We decided to drive up to the moors and walk, well you've got to make the most of these sunshiny days when they roll around because they are precious indeed.

It's heather season right now and oh my word it was stunning up there on the tops today. I took a ridiculous number of photographs because the colours and the light and the utter summeryness of the views made me completely giddy. I'll show you some more images in another post, I think you'd enjoy them. Of course I cannot in any way walk up on the moors in late August without thinking of my Moorland blanket (photos of that can be found ((here)), the heather and the yarny stripes are so closely interlinked in my mind.

Talking of yarny stripes, The Yuletide blanket is almost finished and I've absolutely loved every moment of making it. I'm working on the final rounds of the border at the moment and I really can't wait to show you what it looks like when it's all laid out. 

It's funny because this time last year I was obsessing with the flowers and dried grasses in the meadow, drinking in that summery colour palette and planning out my Meadow Blanket stripes. This year, my colours are all about cosying up by the fireside and celebrating the winter season and the contrast between the two is quite something. Ahhh, isn't colour wonderful? I spend a good portion of every single day thinking about it, my Creative Mind never really sleeps I don't think.

Despite my creativity being winter-focused this week, I'm still very much enjoying the floral colours at my disposal. The sweet peas continue to give me blooms, even though the plants themselves are looking very straggly. I picked these stems two days ago....

....and am enjoying them enormously. The scent is pure summer perfection and I couldn't love it more.

Last week we were away from home, yes yes, we finally made it down to Dorset! We picked up our new car in the morning and in the afternoon we drove the three hundred miles south. We had mixed weather but it didn't stop us getting out and about every day enjoying much loved familiar places.

It was so so good to be there, I honestly can't tell you how much I've missed the sea and longed to be "home" again for a while where my soul is truly at peace. We stayed for five nights so quite a short trip really, but this year for the first time we left Little Lady behind so we didn't want to be gone all that long. As you might expect, I've got plenty of photos to share with you and I do really enjoy writing up my holiday posts so that future me can look back and read them. I'll make time to do that soon while the memories are still in full focus.

I've really noticed this week that the seasons are slowly beginning to change and our days are becoming shorter again. I've been lighting my wax burner beside my bed in the evenings - both the cosy candle light and the wafting scent makes me feel beautifully relaxed. I'm currently inhaling the gorgeous scent of "Sweet Orange and Geranium" and it's just so lovely, calming and uplifting.

Well on that sweet note I'll love you and leave you for now, I've just remembered I've got to go outside and water my pots before it gets dark so I best toddle off and see to that. I hope you've had the loveliest of days - back soon!

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Spring Bank Staycation

Before I launch into this next instalment of bloggy chit chat, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the time you take to write me comments. I enjoyed reading your words on my last blog post so much, your kindness and empathy really made my heart squeeze, and I am so grateful for you all. Thank you.

The past few weeks we've been back into the swing of our everyday school routine, but the week before that we enjoyed some wonderful holiday time. It already seems like a distant memory despite only being three weeks ago, but I wanted to write about it here on my blog because it was honestly one of the most enjoyable half terms weeks I can remember in a long while. It was the very end of May and into the start of June and after many weeks of unseasonably cold, grey weather, we were gifted with some very welcome warmth and sunshine for the holiday week.

As you can tell from the title of this post and the familiar woodland scenes, we weren't off galivanting anywhere for our holiday week but enjoying something of a homespun staycation* instead. The spring bank week is always a time when I crave an away-from-home holiday, preferably beside the sea if I can make it happen. In years gone by we would take the caravan away during this break, and there is a big part of me that really misses those simple family holidays. Ohhhh, I've just had a little jaunt down Memory Lane to our first Connievan trip at this time of year......awwww, tiny baby toes!! Little B was only 6 months old at the time, the sweetest of memories for sure.

*A staycation is a play on the word "vacation" and means spending time off in or near your own home, rather than traveling to another location.

So yes, as I was saying, in normal non-pandemic times I would do my utmost to plan a trip away for us during this week, but this year we felt that staying home was the best thing to do. And do you know what, it was absolutely brilliant. Having the word "staycation" inside my head meant that I really did approach the whole week in full blown holiday mode. I ditched all my carefully built routines - no alarm, no workouts, no real agenda other than to rest, relax and have fun.

I happen to live in a small town which is used to welcoming holidaymakers all year round, and so it's pretty easy to occasionally pretend that we are part of the holidaymaker crowd. We can stroll along the canal, pootle about the quirky old streets at leisure, pick up ingredients for an impromptu picnic or an evening barbecue, and settle ourselves down in the sunny garden of a little café to drink morning coffee in the sunshine. Relax, sit back and enjoy the moment because we are are on holiday, and doesn't it feel good?!

On the occasion that included the above ridiculously, outrageously good coffee, we were having a little morning refreshment on our way to the market, as is our usual Saturday routine. The weather was warm and sunny and we were able to sit out in the lovely little café garden which greatly assisted with the holiday vibe. Not long after we'd sat down, J took a phone call from Little Lady asking us if we were at the café and if so, could she come and join us? As we live a mere hop and a skip away, within ten minutes we were joined by both Little Lady and Little B, both freshly tumbled out of bed and in need of some refreshment to kick start their day.  Little B was still half asleep (he honestly had his eyes still half closed) but he made short shrift of a berry smoothie and some hot buttered toast and jam which perked him up no end. It was just such a lovely thing, to have their unexpected company on a sunny Saturday morning, and it made me so happy.

The sunny weather and holiday vibe put me in the mood for a holidayish drink, and I got it into my head that I would very much like to sit around in my back yard and sip a cocktail. Once this idea popped into my head I could not dislodge it, so off I went to purchase the ingredients for one of my all time favourite cocktails - a Mojito. Oh. My. Goodness. I can't tell you how much I adore this drink. It takes a fair bit of effort to make it as you need to squeeze a million fresh limes which is surprisingly hard work. I followed an online recipe and made my own sugar syrup (basically equal measures 1:1 of sugar and water, stirred until dissolved). Once the squeeeeeezing and syrup making is done, then creating the mojito is a breeze. Fresh mint leaves in the bottom of the glass, then add in roughly 1:1:2 of sugar syrup : fresh lime juice : white rum. Muddle the mint around with a spoon to release the flavour, then add in lots of crushed ice and a splash of soda water.

Ahhhhh, the smell of this drink is like the best of everything summery, and the taste is just the perfect combo of fresh, sweet and sharp. Love love love it. 

I made virgin mojitos for the Little People, and we thoroughly enjoyed our cocktail hour, sat out in the back yard with a blanket or two to take the evening chill off. We had music playing, and it was just the loveliest end to the day - I'll definitely be adding Make Cocktails to my summer holiday to-do list.

This time of year calls to my light-loving soul and the looooong days feel absolutely magical to me. The fact that it doesn't get dark until after 10pm in June makes me insanely delighted with life, and evening walks become not only possible but a truly wonderful thing indeed.

I took these photos one evening when it was the three of us spending time in the park - myself, Little Lady and Little B. The time stamp is 9:02pm and as you can see it was utterly beautiful out there with the sun just in the process of dropping behind the trees. It was a very spontaneous outing, the Little People came to me and said they wanted to go to the park for a while, so I grabbed my beloved granny stripe blanket and the Little Peeps grabbed a frisbee and off we went right there and then. I think this was one of the nicest things about this particular holiday, that I got to spend some really great time with the Little People...actually, more to the point, the Little People seemed to really want to spend time with their Mum and Dad haha!! At ages 17 and 11, they are becoming increasingly independent in how they choose to spend their time. 

Believe it or not, I actually wrote myself a to-do list for my Staycation week which is very unusual for me. To be fair, it did include things like "go on a picnic" and "mojitos" so it wasn't all that arduous to tick things off. Top of my list was to tidy up the back yard, and this also included a trip to buy flowers and compost, and possibly some new garden furniture. Last year my back yard space remained in a state of hibernation and gentle decay and I think the only thing I planted were a few petunias that a friend gifted to me. So this year I wanted to make more of an effort because even though this outside space of ours is teeny tiny, it's still a place that I enjoy sitting in and it makes me happy when my pots have colourful flowers in them instead of straggly weeds.

I absolutely love the process of choosing and buying a collection of summer annuals to fill my pots with, especially as we always go to the same place each year. You may remember in past years me talking about "the plant man" who had a stall on the market selling pots of growing flowers as well as buckets of cut flowers (dahlias in particular were one of my favourite things to buy from him every week)? Well sadly he no longer brings his cheery flowers to the market but he does run a beautiful little garden nursery with his wife and I love to support this kind of small local business. It's about 8 miles away in nearby town across the border in Lancashire (somehow feels very liberating to Cross The Border these days), so it's necessary to involve J as he's in charge of transport around here. This year we also had the Little People with us, so it was even more fun than usual - I might have mentioned before that Little B absolutely loves flowers and bless him, he was so excited to help me choose. As you can see in the above photo, I went for a hot palette of pinks, purples and reds and stuck to my tried and tested favourites - geraniums, daisies, verbena, little petunia-type trailing flowers, snapdragons and lavender. I also always buy a few trays of trailing lobelia too, as I LOVE the way this looks when it flowers - I chose the deep blue sapphire colour which should look amazing alongside all the hot pinks, reds and purples of the other flowers.

J helped me to give the back yard a good tidy up and a sweep - I decluttered all of my "gardening" paraphernalia and we got rid of a fair bit of accumulated rubbish and broken things. It felt good to have a bit of a clear out and we decided to move the table and chairs into the corner this year to give us a little bit more space for flowers. We really desperately need some new furniture (I've been saying this for years and years) as our chairs are now very unsafe to sit on, but I'm still trying to decide what I want out here. I'm thinking maybe some slightly more substantial chairs which are more loungey, with a low coffee table instead of normal height table? Not sure - garden furniture is so ridiculously expensive isn't it, and as usual I'm in a spin of indecision with it.

Anyhow, after two whole days of working out here, I'm really happy with what I've done and how it looks without spending too much money and making use of what I already had. I've taken quite a few photos of my pots and the back yard in general, but I want to share that in a separate post I think. Also....aren't snapdragons just the most enchanting flowers?? I don't think I've ever had them before, but I'm thinking I've been missing out, they are delightful. 

Although our staycation week was mostly spent at home, we did manage to take a day trip (ticking off the "picnic" on my to-do list). Just recently I've been really hankering after a trip to the west coast, to visit Silverdale and Arnside. Sometimes the memories of old, familiar places call to me so strongly that I get a little obsessed about wanting to revisit. We haven't been to this coastline since 2015 which was our last caravan trip (sadly I didn't manage to document that trip on my blog, but I do still have all the photos on my laptop). If you've been visiting with me for a while then you may remember how much we used to love staying at the Youth Hostel in Arnside when the Little People were small (post from waaaaaay back in 2008, and also in 2013). Silverdale is also a really special kind of a place, well the whole area is very unique and so unlike anywhere else I've ever been, kind of sleepy and quaint and old fashioned and completely unspoilt. I absolutely love it there and couldn't wait to be back. 

The day we picked to go, the weather was grey and overcast with the threat of rain hanging in the air, but it turned out to be pretty good weather for walking. We parked the car in Silverdale and set off to walk a 6.5 mile circular route, planning to stop half way round to eat our picnic lunch.

It's a lovely walk and involves quite a bit of steep woodland climbing in the beginning, but after a while you emerge from the trees and can take in the sweeping views of the coastline. 

This is a tidal estuary coastline (the river Kent which runs into the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay) so it's not the sea as such....

...., but there are beaches with vast sandy mudflats and wide open watery views.

It's a curious mixture of beach and riverside, with grass and flowers growing on the huge expanse of sand. It always feels and smells so good here, like damp, salty, earthy, grassy mud? I wonder if you can imagine it?!

We stopped to eat our picnic lunch on a little wooden bench overlooking the water and it was just the nicest thing, I do love picnic lunches very, very much and want to have lots of them as we head into the summer season. I'm putting it firmly on my summer to-do list.

The walk continues to follow the line of the water....

....with the pathway climbing up above the shore onto low cliffs, twisting through ancient looking trees. It's so tranquil somehow, and I love the combination of woodland with coastal views. 

We walked through some beautiful meadows too, and at this time of year the wild flowers are looking so, so pretty.

Almost at the end of our walk and we were all feeling a little weary by this point- 6.5 miles isn't that far really, but with the steep climbing in the beginning I could certainly feel it in my muscles. Only one thing for it - head off in search of refreshment!

We drove the few miles from Silverdale to Arnside and it was exactly as I had remembered it in my mind. It's a very unspoilt little place that doesn't change from year to year, and I love it for that. It's perfectly suited for some very slow-paced pottering which really should include a combination of coffee/cake/ice cream while you breathe in the expansive views.

There's a very small stone jetty with wooden benches which make the perfect refreshment spot. I really enjoyed my coffee (but you knew that already, right?) and it was just a relaxing time to sit and appreciate the moment with J and the Little People. It was late afternoon by this point and the weather had gotten quite cold, so we took a short walk along the shoreline before jumping back in the care and heading homewards. 

It was such a good day out, and I really enjoyed the company of the Little People, who really aren't all that little any more. I especially treasure the time spent with my gorgeous Little Lady, because at age 17 she could quite easily have chosen to stay at home or gone out with friends instead of walking and picnicing with us. I love her company, she is such an easy young person to get along with and I do know I'm very lucky to have such a close friendship with her.

I'm very aware that if you are reading this blog without knowing my back story, you would assume that I only had two children. My eldest will turn 19 at the end of the summer and so technically is no longer a child, which blows my mind on a regular basis. He's still living at home right now but leads a very independent life - he comes and goes as he pleases, goes to work, to the gym, to his driving lessons and out with his mates, and every so often we'll have a passing conversation or two. I'm hoping that soon enough things will fall into place for him and he'll be ready to get going with the next phase of his life. 

Awww, just look at this sweet, sleepy kitty, I do really love having her around and I think she likes having us around too.

Early June turned out to be be so, so beautiful and being outside for a lot of the time felt amazingly good. I'd almost forgotten the joy of outdoor living (May was really a huge disappointment in the weather department) and love love loved every minute of breathing it in.

Well, this has turned out to be a much longer post than I originally anticipated, I hope I haven't bored you. I uploaded the photos about ten days ago and have been writing in stops and starts over the course of the past week or so. I'm keeping fingers crossed that there is at least some sort of story-flow because I'm not editing or going back over anything - what you've just read is the spontaneous blurb that my mind deposited onto the page. I will be back again soon I promise, hopefully with a bit more clarity and togetherness. I would really like to show you more of my back yard (now named the Yarden after I discovered the hashtag on insta) and some of my recent decluttering success moments. You've no idea how proud I am to actually have decluttering moments to talk about...major life win.

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Life Lately

I've been on Blossom Watch during the past few weeks which is pretty normal for me at this time of year. I tend to get these seasonally induced obsessions throughout the year and they occupy my thoughts on the daily. I know from past experience that May will be a busy month inside my head because there is so much to obsess over - blossom, wild garlic flowers, bluebells, cow parsley, buttercups, asparagus season, tree leaves....oh my seasonal cup positively overflows in May!

Being that I live in the northern part of the UK where temperatures are cooler, I'd say we are about three weeks behind those in the south. Blossom is just starting to reach full froth this week and I am absolutely delighted by it as always.

I honestly don't think I could keep away from these beautiful trees if you paid me, they call to me so loudly each and every morning. Sometimes I'm content to admire them from across the grassy expanse of the park, but often times I find myself walking to them even before I've made the conscious decision. Standing underneath a blossom tree when it's in full tilt against the bluest of morning skies is one of life's great pleasures. 

On of my other favourite trees at this time of year is the Whitebeam, and I only found out it's name last year after being in love with it for a long, long time. The new leaves are a beautiful pale silvery green colour when they first emerge and I just love them so much. 

As I wrote in my blog post last week, I'm still keeping up with my morning wake-up-walk at 7am and I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying it. I guess it's like walking a dog every morning, except without the actual dog.

The cold weather continues, and when I say cold, I really do mean it. We are into early May now, but most days it's literally freezing out there when I walk in the mornings.

These bluebells were frozen solid this morning, stiff and icy but still looking very beautiful.

We've actually had a fair bit of rain during the past week, but this morning the sky had cleared and the air felt clean and crisp. It was zero degrees out there. Zero!! What is going on with our Spring this year?? I'd really, really like it to warm up now please. 

Walking back towards home along the side of the canal, there is often a blackbird perched high in the tree singing his heart out. Can you see him in the above photo? And do you know the song of a blackbird? It's so melodic - and loud too, I always forget how loud birdsong can be at times. It fills the air as I walk.

I'm back to my daily morning workouts this week after an enforced rest last week. I've been having leg trouble, it's something that comes and goes and is most definitely hormone/peri-menopause related so I'm not worried about it, but my goodness me it is super irritating. It's like a deep, dragging ache within the depths of my thigh, painful enough to keep me awake at night which is the worst part of it. Anyhow, I generally try to ignore it although I do make an effort to rest up a bit when it comes on, and after a week or two it slowly begins to fade away again, until the next time.

Been feeling much stronger again this week though, so I started out on a four week exercise challenge with my fave Lucy Wyndham-Read on YouTube. The programme is completely free, with short workouts all on the Tube (find all the info and links HERE) and I'm really enjoying it. I can highly recommend starting the day with a quick ten minute blast of outdoor fresh air walking, followed by twenty minutes of home workouts - half an hour is all it takes, and honestly it'll make you feel soooo good. 

Life continues to be very same-samey here, as I'm sure it is with most of you too. We haven't been anywhere much at all, preferring to stay very close to home for all of our leisure, pleasure and work time. At the start of last week we drove out into the Dales to walk around Grimwith Reservoir which we've not done for a long while.

It was a beautiful walk, and yes you guessed it, it was bloomin' freeeeezing! I enjoyed all the blues of water and sky so much, gosh I miss the sea something chronic. It's been nine months now and not a day goes by when I don't think about being beside the waves. Rivers, waterfalls and reservoirs are a pretty good second best though, especially on a clear sunny day.

After a very dry period of weather throughout March and April (not counting the snow of course), the start of May has given us some much needed rain. The first day that it rained after many dry weeks, the scent of petrichor was really intense. Ooooh, I've just been on a little petrichor search, and found an interesting article about it ((here)). 

Rain made the bank holiday weekend a bit of a wash out, but we still managed to visit the market and then sit outside our favourite café for an al fresco breakfast (huddled up and wearing allllll the layers). But mostly it was a time for relaxation and lazing about indoors keeping warm.

Tilly obviously got the memo about the importance of lazing about, it's one of her favourite pastimes. And yup, we lit fire. I was in two minds about it, mostly because I'd taken the time last week to Spring clean the hearth and put it to bed for the season. But the lure of having some cosy warmth on a holiday weekend when the rain did not stop falling was too much to resist. I honestly don't think we've ever had a May fire before, except for the very first fire we ever lit when we had the chimney repaired and the open grate installed in May 2008. Ah well, it was unexpected and unseasonal, but lovely all the same.

Firelight and candle light, this is all sounding very depressingly autumnal don't you think?! But whatever season we're in, I'm still enjoying the heck out of my little ceramic candle burner, and light it next to my bed most evenings. I was gifted this burner by a lovely friend for Christmas, but they are easy to find online and come in all different shapes and sizes (the one I have can be found on Amazon HERE)

I bought myself some eco friendly tea lights which have compostable cups (instead of aluminium ones) and are made from vegetable wax with no nasties in it.

But the stars of the show are the scented wax melts, and I just love swapping these depending on the season we're in. My current obsession is Orange Blossom, and Oh. My. Goodness. I am absolutely besotted by the smell of these. I buy my melts from the Botanical Candle Co who are a fabulous small business based down in Dorset and I can highly recommend them for all your seasonal scented candle needs. 

As soon as I sniffed these little waxy stars I was instantly transported back to two years ago when I was lucky enough to visit Portugal for the first time. It was springtime back then too, and I enjoyed a truly wonderful long weekend in Faro with Christine.  I'd always wanted to visit Portugal, and a few nights in Faro seemed like it would be just the thing in March when we didn't want a beach jolly, but didn't want a hectic sight seeing city break either.

I absolutely adored Faro, it was everything I had dreamed of and so much more, oh it's such a beautiful place! But the thing I remember the most about being there in March were the orange trees, they were utterly, utterly enchanting. Yes they had a tonne of very beautiful fruits in the branches, but the blossom....oh, the blossom!!!! The scent!!! the air was filled with the most ridiculously beautiful, intoxicating sweet perfume and I won't ever forget the joy of it.

Having this scent in the home is like taking a mini holiday and I couldn't love it more.

So, what else to tell you? This week I've enjoyed some lovely spring blooms on my table, although as you can see they are past their best now and starting to droop.

I also thoroughly cleaned and decluttered my dining room mantel which had gathered a lot of miscellaneous objects during the past year or two, as well as a good insulating layer of dust. In fact I've been doing a lot of decluttering here lately, working hard on the task of sorting, clearing and organising in areas of the house which had gotten completely out of hand over the years. It's been eye wateringly hard at times, but also extremely therapeutic. I'm still neck deep in the clutter zone mind you, with a long way to go.....the Cupboards of Doom are currently spilling their guts out onto the dining room floor and everything is in tremendous disarray. I've taken some photos to share with you at some point, but only once I'm safely out the other side and can offer up some satisfying "after" photos to be proud of. Right now, the mess is a bit overwhelming and I'm only just managing to maintain my equilibrium. It'll be worth it when it's done though, I keep telling myself this as I dig deep into years of accumulated stuff. So. Much. Stuff. 

More on that journey another day......for now I'm going to love you and leave you as I need to be horizontal now, cosied up in my bed with the scent of orange blossom doing it's thing. I hope you're doing OK  and that you're enjoying the season you're in, whether it's Spring or Autumn depending where you are.

Tell me how your days are feeling, and what's making you happy, I'd love to know xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

April Ordinariness

Hello my lovelies, it's me, the one who's been ruminating in her little Attic nook of late, keeping quiet because there has been a lot to think about and some changes afoot. I find that when I have these very introverted, overly-thinky kind of times, there is always a point when I know for sure that I need to snap myself out of it. And the best way I know to do that is to come here,  open my Attic window and reconnect with the world (that means you).

So....here I am. Helloooooooo!!!!!!!!!! 

Truthfully, the past few weeks have been really good for me, if a bit on the ordinary side. I've not got a huge amount to share with you, but as always I've continued to take photographs every day and practice gratitude for life's small pleasures and simple daily routines.

I'm really enjoying my morning routine at the moment and absolutely loving the return of the school run. My gosh, I sure did miss it for the three and a half months at the start of this year when it was removed from my life.

I think I mentioned in a post recently that I listened to a podcast about the benefits of getting outside as soon as possible after first waking in order to set our circadian rhythm and help us sleep better. Ideally within the first hour of waking, we would all benefit from allowing some daylight to enter our brains, and I am all for this idea. I've been trying it out for about a month now and absolutely LOVE the way it makes me feel. My alarm wakes me at 6am, and after a ten minute sleepy drift I am usually pretty awake and ready to get up at 6.10. I head downstairs, do a few jobs (feed the kitty, empty the dishwasher, straighten up the downstairs living room if it needs it) and then make myself a small mug of coffee to bring back to bed. After about half an hour of gentle wake up with my coffee I get up for a second time, pull on my workout clothes and get myself out of the door and into the fresh air at 7am.

It's a truly wonderful time of day to be out and about, especially at this time of year. The sun has already risen above the hill and those first slants of soft sunlight and shadow are really beautiful.

Can you see me standing there, in the frosty cold early start of the day? April has been dry, bright and devilishly cold, and many mornings I've been walking over crisp, still-frozen grass as the temperatures sit just around zero degrees. 

It's been breathtakingly beautiful at times, literally stopping me in my tracks and stealing my breath clean away. The stillness in the air is so acute at this time in the morning, it's like the very day is holding it's breath and waiting to begin. 

In the chill of the morning there is a mist that swirls over the surface of the canal, and I find it absolutely mesmerising to watch. I literally crouch down and just stare at it, drinking in my fill, delighting in the extraordinary ordinariness of it all.

A couple mornings a week I turn the other way out of my door and take my walk down the street and along the canal to the bakery to pick up a loaf of fresh bread. It's a five minute brisk walk each way, and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to do this. It's one of the many, many things I enjoy about living in a small rural market town. 

The bakery sourdough isn't quite as good as the artisan bread we buy from the market on a Saturday, but it's not half bad. And now I'm just showing off with all the bread purchasing options at my disposal, so I shall stop with the bread bragging.

I'm aware that this post is not showing you anything new or exciting, as we are still living a very restrictive locked down life and daily routines are extremely repetitive after more than a year in place. J and I continue to take our daily mid morning walk together, mostly around the woods but every so often we do stride out a bit further afield.

We walked out to a neighbouring village last week, strolling the narrow lanes until we eventually reached the canal. The walk home is along the tow path and takes about an hour or so - I sometimes find this walk a bit of a drag if I'm perfectly honest, is it ok to admit that to you? I prefer footpaths and field tracks, or winding woodland pathways, although I do get a kick out of the endless possibilities for gazing at reflections which I think might be a hobby of mine. 

One of the most exciting things to happen last week was the reopening of one of our favourite little local cafes. Its doors have been closed since December so it was absolutely lovely to walk past one morning and see the little wooden tables and chairs outside on the pavement and the coffee garden all spruced up and open for business. If you followed along with my Blogtober posts, this is the café that I often talked about, the one that serves the "outrageously good coffee". Oh, it was SO GOOD to be back with that cup of deliciousness in my hands and the sun on my face, chatting to J about how happy I was to be there.

We have another couple weeks until we'll be able to sit inside again - it's outdoor seating only at the moment at cafés, pubs and restaurants, which of course is extremely weather dependent. And as I mentioned earlier, it's been very cold this past week or two with a return to very wintry temperatures, which isn't ideal for al fresco dining. Soon though....hopefully soon we'll have some true Spring warmth and all will feel right and good again.

When the sun shone last week, I took myself out into the sheltered warmth of my little back yard and enjoyed some quiet afternoon crochet time. Hooking al fresco is one of my all time favourite pleasures and it's been lovely to have that back in my life again. It reminded me of last year when we were first in this lockdown crisis and I was working on my Aria blanket then. What a blessing it is to have yarn and colour running through my hands and quieting my emotions. I honestly don't know what I would do without the therapeutic benefits of blanket making, I love it to the moon and back.

By the way, thank you so much for all the delightful comments you wrote for me on my last post where I introduced you to the ideas behind my Yuletide blanket. Thank you, thank you! I appreciate your enthusiasm and support more than I can put into words, it really is something special.

I have to confess it is a little strange working with these particular colours in Spring, but despite the oddness of thinking winter thoughts in springtime, I'm enjoying it very much. The pattern, the richness of the colours, the way the rows are now becoming delightfully long and engaging. It's all so joyful I have to say. I've had a few hiccups along the way as I'm learning about how the colours like to work together and the contrasts that are needed to make the pattern work its magic, but a bit of ripping out from time to time never hurts. It's all part of the journey, and like I say, I'm enjoying it massively. 

It's a funny thing, but even though I'm madly into my Yueltide blanket, there is still a near constant pull to start something new. I keep looking at my overflowing tubs of scrap yarn and fighting the uprising urge to make another happy scrappy picnic blanket. Just simple granny squares joined in a delicious patchwork of colour that will make my heart sing when I see it slung on a bench, or on the beach later in the summer. Maybe it's because I'm craving a holiday (rather badly) that I'm dreaming about summer picnics and all. Remember the colourwash granny? And the patchwork granny? I do have a history of this sort of thing......what do you think the odds are of me resisting this temptation?? Slim to no chance?!

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Wintry Springtime

Last week was the second half of our stay-at-home Easter holiday and honestly it's been the nicest time. I can't get over the difference in the general ambience of the house when the Little People are home and on holiday as opposed to home but home schooling. The reality is that they're spending the vast majority of the time in their bedrooms absorbed in their own pursuits whether it's school work or leisure time, but somehow the air feels lighter around here when it's the latter. I am definitely waaaaaaay more relaxed when we are officially in holiday mode that's for sure.

The week was lazy and we did very little of note other than our usual local pottering. We had a cold, breezy walk at Bolton Abbey one morning, ending with hot take-out drinks slurped in the car because it was just too chilly to actually sit outside. We had a trip to a nearby retail park to visit a DIY chain store for the first time in over a year, and my goodness it felt strange. I had almost forgotten what real out-and-about shopping feels like. The purpose of the trip was to purchase a tin of paint so that Little Lady could create one sage green wall in her all-white bedroom. She had a very clear idea about what she wanted and picked a particular shade of green from the two thousand shades that you can get specially mixed up by the magic paint-mixer machine. She was so sure about it we didn't bother with a tester or anything sensible like that, and fortunately it was a resounding success. She is now on a mission to amass a collection of houseplants for her bedroom, and I must say I'm really enjoying watching her find her own style and recognising so, so much of my younger self in her. 

One of the things I managed to do last week was to pop into Coopers Café (where I have my studio) to collect my mail. I've not been there since October, and I'd been meaning to go and collect a couple of packages that I knew were waiting for me as well as the monthly crochet magazines that get sent there. Of course the café is closed because of this never ending lockdown situation so it was a bit strange being there when it was so quiet and calm. I've not been able to use my studio since the first lockdown in March 2020, and I've really, really missed my precious space.

Anyhow, one of the packages was from a lovely lady who lives fairly local to me and reads my blog. As well as some beautiful and very thoughtful gifts, she had packaged me up a stack of old magazines to read and I was so happy to receive them. As you know I adore magazines and even better when they are passed on once they've been read so that the pleasure can be spread a little further. Do you know this magazine, "the simple things"? I've come across if before but it's not one that I've ever bought myself - oh, I've clearly been missing out! What an absolute delight this magazine is! You can take a little peek inside some previous issues online to get a feel for the content ((here)) - the photography and styling is stunning, and I really love the overall message which promotes slow living and celebrating life's simple pleasures. 

I spent some blissful hours across a few afternoons snuggled up with the kitty, drinking in the articles, recipes, musings, photographs and seasonal feel good in these pages and I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. If you are reading this Rosie, thank you SO MUCH for this gift which really did make me very happy. And....I've still got three magazines left to read, which I'm saving for this coming weekend, I can't wait (they are summer issues, my fave). Magazine heaven.

We continued to walk in the woods pretty much every day, and I was happy to see that the willow Huntress was wearing a new skirt. She's been looking a little unkempt over the winter with most of her bottom half missing, so Anna must've been called in to restore her dignity. Actually, as I was looking up Anna's website just now, I decided to write her a quick email telling her how much happiness her willow sculptures bring to my daily woodland walking experience. I think it's a wonderful thing to practice gratitude, but even better to express that gratitude to the people that contribute to the goodness of our days.

The woodland is very slowly beginning to wake after it's winter sleep and every day I search for signs of green things happening. 

The wild garlic carpet continues to grow, and I continue to observe it and love it just a bit more every day. That vibrant green is really uplifting when everything else around it is still so brown. I finally managed to collect some to bring home and cook with this week and made some pesto and also some soup which were both really good. I'll share my recipes here on my blog in the next day or so as I like to have a record of these things for future me, I know I'll be glad of it next year when wild garlic season comes round again.

It's been a cold start to April here in Atticland with temperatures remaining firmly in the single digits and falling to below freezing at night. On the positive side we've been treated to many bright clear days and I've really appreciated the undiluted amount of sunlight that has filtered through to my brain. I've spent quite a bit of time outdoors either walking, sitting and chatting with friends or pottering in my front gardening and I feel so good for it - I'm definitely happier outdoors than in at the moment.

On Sunday we woke up to an unexpected winter white out, and the shock was real. It's not unheard of for us to have a final snowy surprise around Easter time (my very first Easter here was spent making a snowman instead of the easter egg hunt I'd planned) but it was still a shock to the system. Every year I tell myself that the Spring Equinox does not actually mean spring weather for us here in the north of England so that I don't expect anything warm and springlike until May rolls around.

At around 8.30 I took myself off for a morning stroll through the park, just to experience the uniqueness of April Snow.

It really was beautiful out there.

The sky was an incredible, intense shade of blue, and the treetops looked gorgeous with their dusting of powdery snow.

The poor flowers though, oh my goodness, they looked so forlorn. The blackthorn blossom that I've been admiring in the meadow was literally encapsulated in ice.

Every time I walk in the winter meadow I think of my blanket and try and remember what the colours of summer look like. Some days, the meadow is so far from summery that I have trouble believing that the flowers will ever return. The buttercups should start to bloom golden at the end of May which is only six weeks away from now......nature honestly blows my mind sometimes.

Monday was the last day of the holidays for us here, and on Tuesday the two Littlest Peeps were finally back to school.

Yaaaayyyyy-hahahaaaahhhhhaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trying not to cheer too loudly when they are in ear shot, but you know it feels like so bloomin' long since we had any sort of normal school routine around here (Little B has only been in school for two weeks since the start of the year). For the first time in an age I set my alarm for a 6am wake-up on Tuesday, my goodness, that was a shock to the system. But it felt good, like a bit of a reset and I felt ready to embrace this new season of routine.

After a leisurely coffee and some quiet time to slowly come around to the day, I was out the door and into the park by 7:04 for my brisk wake-up walk. I recently listened to a podcast called "just one thing" with Michael Mosley which sets out to explore ways in which you can easily improve your health and wellbeing by adopting small daily habits. Episode two was all about the benefits of taking an early morning walk (I'm waaay ahead of the game there Michael), with the idea that getting out into the daylight within 2 hours of waking can have a very positive effect on our bodies. It strengthens our natural circadian rhythm (or something like that), and helps us to sleep well at night as well as boosting our mood. 

Well I can certainly say that this routine of taking a brisk 10-15 minute walk at around 7am feels marvellous and I am all for it. Having said that, I'm not one hundred percent sure if I would feel the same doing it in the rain....hmmm, most likely not. As I mentioned earlier, although the weather recently has mainly been blinkin' freezing, the crisp dry air and bright sunshine has made it feel very energising.

My walk takes me up the hill, down through the park, then a short stretch along the canal before the steep hill climb back to home. I deliberately walk at a fast pace to get my circulation going and warm my muscles up because I do a short 20 minute workout as soon as I get back home. I really do love the way it makes me feel to do this and can highly recommend it. 

Longer daylight hours have opened up the possibility for evening walks again, and last week I took a few evening strolls with Little Lady.

We mainly like to head through the woods then a slog up to the top of the huge grassy hill where we can catch the very last rays of sunshine. The above photo was taken at 7:46pm, such beautiful, golden glowy light at that time of day which really lifts the spirits.

Two other things of note last week - number one, I had my first covid vaccination on Friday which was something of a relief. I faired pretty well afterwards with just a bit of a headache and the overwhelming desire to lay down and sleep at a moments notice but other than that (and a very, very sore arm) I was fine. I know I'm really looking forward to the time when all this is behind us and life begins to return to some sort of normal again. I'm so tired of covid-19 taking up valuable brain space. 

Number two, I started my new blanket, oh, happy day! I will definitely be sharing it with you once it's well under way, but in the meantime, I figured you might enjoy a little bit of a teaser re the inspiration behind the colours. 

Greenery and pinecones, bright berries, orange slices and spices, also mulled wine and gingerbread cookies (why didn't I have those to hand when I needed them?) Winter solstice vibes and festive flavours - a celebration of the Yuletide season. Can't wait to show you more!

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