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Tuesday 24 February 2015

The North wind doth blow ...

Good morning, my lovelies! Well, it's a grey blustery Tuesday here on my little island ... but do you know, I quite like days like this nowadays. I always thought, that if I was asked, I would say that Winter was my least favourite season, but if it was forever Summer, we wouldn't be able to batten down the hatches, snuggle down and just potter about, would we?


I work from home, so am lucky that I don't have to brave the weather if I don't need to ... apart from a brisk walk with Ruby, I can put on my paint-splattered clothes, play my favourite music and just get on with it ... if the sun is shining though, it's very easy to get distracted! I bought a very dirty, forlorn dresser from a furniture warehouse for £30, brought it home with the intention of upcycling it, then selling it on ... somehow it found its way into my home ... the perfect fit for a wide alcove that I'd given up hope of ever filling ....


When I'm not working, I like nothing better than just faffing about, filling teacups and other containers with spring bulbs, they really make a difference to the 'feel' of a room, don't you think?


I've rediscovered my love of crochet ... I'm still a very basic crocheter, and even though I've been doing it since I was a child my grannies never seemed right! I've joined two lovely crochet classes and  after all these years I've mastered the art and started filling my home with granny squares galore ... however, some never make it to my sofa, my last two blankets were snatched up by two of my sons, so one blanket now resides in Leeds and the other in Salford!


My son's girlfriend gave us this lovely basket for Christmas, filled with lots of amazing presents for the whole family ... it really is huge and just the thing for all those projects ... most of the things I've made are practical, like blankets and cushion covers


but some are just for fun!


I made this little heart wreath one wet and windy Sunday afternoon ... all credit must be given to Lucy at Attic24 blog, her tutorials are amazingly easy to follow ... if I can do it, anyone can!

Our family has increased with the arrival of four new girls ... meet Nellie, Peggy, Dolly and Minnie, our lovely rescue hens! They have settled in really well, and knock on the kitchen door if their porridge is a bit slow to be delivered.


They pay for their keep by giving us the most amazing, sunflower-yolked eggs every day, and I'm so glad that we decided to have hens in our lives once again.  I really missed their reassuring clucking and manic running when a bag was rustled anywhere near them ...



Dotty has been earning her keep too ... while a little too cold just yet to sit in and crochet (and when the wind is blowing, it really does feel as though you are going to take off) she has been turned into a very beautiful shop, and held a few Sunday sales ...



It really won't be long until Spring blusters her way into our lives, with all her pretty colours and new beginnings ...


but until then, I'm going to enjoy a few more candlelit baths ...


and snuggle up on the sofa with a new magazine and a mug of hot chocolate ...


amidst dimmed lighting and warmth ...



safe in the knowledge that the best is yet to come ...




Enjoy the last few weeks of winter my lovelies, don't fight it, just give in to it ... embrace it, welcome it with open arms,  and most importantly,  make the most of it ...

With much love, Claire xxx

23 comments:

  1. Ohh, the dresser looks gorgeous - I love the bunting! Thanks for all the little reminders that spring is on the way, the crochet flower wreath is just lovely!

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  2. Hello Claire,

    Gosh, such a lot of news here.

    We love the idea of your caravan becoming a pop up shop. It looks so very pretty and is the perfect showplace for your handmade goodies. They suit it so perfectly. Perhaps you may next run a tearoom from inside the caravan? We are certain that this would be welcomed by your happy shoppers.

    Life is really too short not to like every season. And, we find, that each season has its own special offerings, one just has to go with the flow. Your house looks so very comfortable and welcoming, especially with the addition of the dresser, that we can imagine that it is so inviting to hibernate until spring. Although, how you ever manage to get any work done, we do not know. You must be exceedingly disciplined.

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  3. I love to read your ramblings Claire, you are a very talented loving and caring person, if we had more people around like you we would live in a perfect world xxx

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  4. You've been making the most of the season. Love the crochet and the upcycled dresser!
    Jacqui x

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  5. Another lovely post. Your crochet looks perfect to me, beautiful colours, Never thought of putting bulbs in teacups and other pretty containers, guess what I'm going to do..........
    Julie xxxxxx

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  6. Dotty looks so inviting Claire - lots of lovely goodies. I'm so pleased you are enjoying crocheting...and it is obviously successful. Your heart wreath is gorgeous. Like you, I'm tucked up in front of my fire keeping warm while enjoying a bit of yarn therapy. Philippa x

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  7. I love that last picture; it brought back some happy memories.

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  8. You are a busy bee ! love the crochet cushion cover...I have always crocheted but only recently attempted a pattern for a scarf and yes winter definitely has its plus points ...love the new chucks...Gail x

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  9. I love dressers, your new one is beautiful. Nice to 'see' you again xx

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  10. Your home does look so cosy! I love your dresser and the crochet, especially the heart wreath it is so pretty! Sarah x

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  11. Oh your home looks so cosy and inviting! I love your dresser and the crochet heart it is so pretty, Sarah x

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  12. I wanted to ask you how you kept the foxes away from your lovely rescued girls? Then I checked to see where you live and thought to myself that there may not be many, if any, foxes on your island home.
    I would so love to rescue some hens (and let them share my porridge in the morning) but we have a large urban fox population. There was one sitting on my drive at 3pm this afternoon without a care in the world. They make me smile but I don't want to sacrifice live prey to them.

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  13. I'm really looking forward to spring, as that's when our adventures start in the home on wheels, the air shows will start and we can go away and sit in the sun sipping Pimms and watching the planes over head....sigh....

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  14. Morning Mrs Thriftwood..
    I rushed over to be the first to wish you a 'happy blog anniversary !!
    Yey three years really has gone fast.
    Cant't wait to see your chucks and ooh yes best china please and thank you kindly !!
    A lovely post, as always.
    See you next week ! :)
    Love Maria x

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  15. Hi Claire,

    It's good to hear you are enjoying winter! Crochet is one of my favourite pastimes too. Your pillow looks lovely and so does your floral heart! Great cupboard too!

    Before I forget. I see you had a blog anniversary. Congratulations!

    Madelief x

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  16. Lovely to catch up on your news! You look to be a very good crocheter to me!! If your blankets are being taken as soon as they are done that alone must be a good sign that you are a good crocheter!! xx

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  17. Love your little Lucy wreath. She's amazing, isn't she? Dotty looks beautiful turned out as a little shop. Very clever idea.
    Love the dresser.

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  18. Thank you for the tour, you have such a beautiful house. You are so right about winter, it is great to snuggle up in front of the log burner, with a hot chocolate and a book, a little bit of heaven xxxx

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  19. Hi Claire,it's so good to hear from you again and with such a lovely post,I just wish your pictures were clearer,I get them through as fuzzy! Pam

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  20. So nice to catch up here! Winter at your house looks so cosy. Your new dresser is wonderful, and perfect for that place.....I do love a nice dresser and arranging the shelves. Your crochet is gorgeous, love the pretty heart and how nice that your blankets are so well loved.
    Thank you for your sweet words about my book :)
    Wishing you a happy week ahead.
    Helen xox

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  21. It is all so lovely Claire....I have throughly enjoyed this virtual tour. That dresser looks wonderful and the bunting is perfect! How I do love spring and there are so many little hints here showing it is on its way ....it's delightful!!!. I think crochet is the perfect therapy ,don't you?
    Keep well!

    Amanda xx

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  22. Hello Claire ! I've just discovered your wonderful blog ! I think we have a lot in common. I hope you might like to follow mine too, Lucy's Cottage. Best wishes, Fiona

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  23. Hi,Claire,I am worried that we have not heard from you for ages,is all well with you? Do please excuse me if I am unwittingly intruding!Very Kind Regards Pam.(5th sept.)

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx