I can see by my choice of crochet projects that my thoughts are turning to Spring. And indeed it is March so it is officially Spring! Although there was a brief moment of snow this morning as I ran out to get some milk.
These little crocheted bunting flags are making me very happy. The colours, the simplicity of it all - what more could you want?
They consist of three rounds of your basic granny square and then edged with a chain stitch border and a couple of loops in the corners. All strung together with a bit more crochet - although I am tempted to try a bit of ribbon here as an alternative.
I seem to be making lots of bunting lately and I think it has taken over my tea cosy obsession. Maybe tea cosies are a winter project and bunting is for spring? I did see a nice tea cosy on 'Call the Midwife' last night (which I have to say was deeply traumatic - I thought Sunday night drama was meant to be nice and cosy and gentle not a whole hour of me saying "Oh my God!").
We went to visit Highcliffe Castle at the weekend. There wasn't a lot to see inside the castle particularly as they were filming "Don't Tell The Bride" there at the time. But it was interesting non the less and so good to get out and about.
You can easily walk down to the beach there and the sea was quite dramatic. Very quickly there were wet feet. Not too long ago that would have been disastrous for everyone and would have signaled the end of the day I'm sure. But now they just get on with it and were still up for going into Bournemouth afterwards for some Ben & Jerry's and a go on the Tuppenny Drops in the Arcade on Bournemouth Pier.
These long winter days still feel as though they are upon us although yes there are signs of Spring all around now it cannot come quickly enough. Today I am full of cold and my wisdom tooth is coming through just to add insult to injury! I feel cold and shivery and wish I was in Barbados. I think a cup of tea and a hot water bottle might have to suffice.
Early February - it's the beginning of the end of the winter. Thankfully. But it's always darkest just before the light and I'm feeling that right now. I need to be warm. I need some sun.
I realised I had been stuck inside for days and days and really needed to get out for some fresh air and a bit of meandering to blow away the cobwebs. My son is still poorly with tonsilitis (which is a real grot bag) so he stayed home with his Dad whilst me and my daughter took ourselves on a walk, with the lovely Crumble of course who decided it wasn't too cold for a dip!
Crumble will always take to the water if there is the slightest chance of it. He was taught this when he was a puppy by his Great Aunt Rosie who was an elderly Golden Retriever who also loved the water and would come and stay with us from time to time. He plunged in without even a gasp, the river was quite high and I always worry that he will be washed away and I will have to be one of those dog owners that you read about who gets swept away to their doom because they foolishly went in the water to rescue their dog. But how do you not?
There were real signs of life outside too. Patches of lovely snowdrops just beginning to bloom confirming that it's all ok, it will be warm again soon and spring flowers will be on their way. A return of some colour when everything is so stick brown, although there were some amazing Dogwoods in red and lime green to break up the "stickyness".
I am thinking of New York today and the snowstorm they are having. When we were there in October we had the most amazing weather but I have also been there in February when it was the coldest place I have ever been on this earth! Sadly we are not due to have any snow down in Wiltshire which is a shame for this northern lass. Growing up in Cumbria, snow was an annual event and not at all newsworthy. Now it seems as soon as anywhere has any snow it becomes a news item.
Well January has been a long slow month and I shall be glad to move on from it and pick up a bit of pace with life again. Get out more, do more, see more things. I'm done with the Winter.
The New Year is well and truly here. Today both of the children are back at school and it feels as if January is definately underway. It was so dark and damp here this morning that I feel in need of sharing my recently made Snowdrop inspired garland.
Having seen the first signs of Snowdrops on our Stourhead walk it made me yearn for a little of that fresh spring green colour, that first glimmer of hope that we are moving forward into the year. Also, it was a great use of my ribbon which I have had for ages (I think from Hobbycraft) but couldn't find the right thing to do with it.
So here is the pattern:
The large flower
Round 1
Ch 4, join with a sl st to form a ring.
3ch (counts as a tr), 11tr into the ring. Join with a sl st to top of beginning 3ch. 12 tr.
Fasten off.
Round 2
Join new colour in any st.
3ch (counts as a tr) 1tr in same sp.
1ch, 3tr in each st around.
Sl st to join the round.
Round 3
Join new colour in any 1ch sp.
3ch (counts as tr), 2tr in same sp.
1ch, 3tr in each 1ch sp around.
Sl st to join the round.
Fasten off.
Round 4
Join new colour in any 1ch sp.
4ch, sl st to next 1 ch sp around.
Sl st to join the round.
Do not fasten off.
Round 5
5ch, sl st to first sl st around.
Sl st to join the round.
Fasten off and sew in the ends.
The colours I am using are Stylecraft Special DK in Parchment and the aptly named Spring Green. I am also using a white which is not Stylecraft but something I already had lying around.
So now the smaller flower:
Round 1
Ch 8. Sl st to join the ring.
Ch3 (counts as a tr), 17 tr into the ring.
Sl st to top of ch3 to join.
Fasten off. 18 tr.
Round 2
Join new colour in any tr.
Ch3 (counts as tr), 1tr in the same st, ch2, skip 1tr.
2tr in next st, ch2, skip 1 tr around.
Sl st in the first tr to join.
Fasten off.
Round 3
Join new colour in any ch2 sp.
Ch1 (does not count as a st),
1dc, 3tr, 1dc in each ch2 sp around.
Sl st in the first dc to join.
Fasten off and sew in the ends.
I then threaded mine onto ribbon which I love the effect of but of course you could crochet a chain to attach the flowers to.
I hope that all makes sense. It is such a contrast to be looking at these simple colours after all the vibrancy of Christmas. It's like a clean slate.
Of couse no photo opportunity is complete without one of the animals sneaking in there for a bit of attention. If I'm looking at something, Crumble likes to make sure that it's him!
Christmas was wonderful. So calm, so relaxed. It was the best one I can ever remember. It was just the four of us for most of it but lovely friends dropped by along the way and shared a meal and a glass of wine.
Christmas Eve is always my favorite and this year we went to the Christingle service at the local Church. We had dropped by in the morning to help make the Christingles - all 120 of them! It was a lovely morning, everyone finding their place in the production line without any amount of organising and the job was done in no time. There was coffee and biscuits and all the left over sweets you could eat.
We returned at 4pm for the service which was very beautiful. All the lights in the Church were turned off as we lit the Christingles and sang Away in a Manger - it always makes me cry. We finished with the very jolly 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' and we were on our way. It was just getting dark as we left the Church and the streets of our town were all sparkly with Christmas lights.
Christmas morning was joyful and laid back. Presents were opened at leisure with cups of tea and warm pastries. Ron here did not enjoy his Christmas collar and it had to be removed shortly after this was taken!
We eventually ventured out some time after Boxing Day to Stourhead for a bracing walk. It was freezing and a bit wet but we stopped for a warm by the fire and some mulled wine, hot chocolate and a four finger Kit Kat and were soon restored.
There were signs of Snowdrops along the way. The promise of something green and new - an unknown adventure ahead for all of us.
We often don't end the year in the same way that we began and we can never foresee what the year ahead will hold. Each year leaves its mark in some way, sometimes felt deeply, other times barely noticed, but all together they add up to a whole lifetime.
So many hopes and dreams are conjured up for today and tomorrow as we put one year to bed and meet the next with great expectation. I wish you all a Happy New Year.
dappled shade and the bubbling brook, splashing dog, a hole in the net, disappointments and successes, just too slippery, leaps for freedom, empty bucket...
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
