1. With the weather being a duck's perfect holiday, it's been so hard to get out (not that I can do too much yet anyway). It was ok for me to just look out of the rain spotted windows and look at the rich dark mud which you just knew would swallow you as soon as your foot set on it. Thank goodness I have lots of colourful things on windowsills and strewn about the house to keep my eyes focused on something bright! My crackle-glaze chicken in the kitchen has been doubling up as a prop for the extra heavy hyacinths, and how glorious it was when the sun came out today to highlight the blooms.
2. This week I have started de-cluttering and tidying. There's a lot I can do sitting down! Oh the feel of very old books, the sepia colours creeping into the pages and that unmistakable smell of aged paper. Books that have been on the shelves and safe places in boxes, waiting to have their pages turned again. It was a heart flutter moment when I opened one of them to see a note inside from my Grandad to me. Written many years ago and enjoyed again today.
3. One attempt at going out at the beginning of the week resulted in me trying to find wool for a new project which has colours that I love during summer, Canal/Narrow boat colours. I adore the sweet paintings on these vessels and, I'm afraid to say, rather quickly impulse bought gorgeous colours without taking a book of narrow boats with me (well the ankles were swelling and the left toe was complaining!). I love these colours but have since found an inspiring pattern at Sandra's on Cherry Heart's blog (here). I'll be buying the pattern today and getting the right colours to cheer me along for this year.
4. Today I look out of my study window and can see the most gorgeous deep blue, something that hasn't happened in these parts for oh so long. I have missed that crisp start in the morning with vapoured breath and cold finger tips, and then being brave enough to hang out washing without it coming back into the house wetter than it was when I hung it out to dry. I love the smell of cold, nearly dry laundry and the freshness that it brings to the whole house. I wish they could bottle up that smell.
5. At the beginning of the week a friend popped by with the most gorgeous tulips. If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen these little darlings earlier. My favourite colour combination of pink, white and green and the lacy edges were the icing on the cake. I couldn't not show you. Isn't it wonderful when they get to that droopy stage and frame things around them so perfectly.
Well, that's my five for this week. Please go over to Amy at Love Made My Home and Share my Cup to enjoy their link parties.
Happy Friday!!
Oh, and ps. after my post on Chatsworth House last week, guess who commented:
Oh, and ps. after my post on Chatsworth House last week, guess who commented:
Beautiful, Chel...beautiful. Thank you for brightening up my day. Blessings
ReplyDeleteYour hyacinths are exquisite. I had to move mine out from the sitting room as the scent was so intense!
ReplyDeleteI hope you continue to heal and feel better. I love the soft colors of that yarn! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see spring flowers again. I love how the flower shops and supermarkets sell flowering bulbs in pots in January. What a lovely surprise to find a message from your Granddad in one of those books!
ReplyDeleteLove old books too! Your hyacinths are just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Lovely pink! I love old books too and I have some treasures from my ancestors. Lots of people read primary on a Kindle but I would miss turning pages and holding a real book in my hand. Have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteStunning hyacinths and I too am a fan of old books, the musky smell is a treasure in itself. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI love the colour of your wool, it's goes particularly well with the hyacinths. I look forward to seeing the blanket when it's done, looks a good pattern. Keep warm this weekend. Barbara x
ReplyDeleteLovely colours - and I'm with you on the old books - unique smell. Hope you're all tickety-boo, Chel - have I wished you Happy New Year yet? Though what with Ed Stewart, Bowie and Alan Rickman going already it's not been a great start, has it?
ReplyDeleteSome beautiful flowers there. I love your tulips, so pretty! I bet your hyacinths smell gorgeous too
ReplyDeleteI love to see bare trees against lovely blue skies.
ReplyDeleteI love the soft pink of your hyacinth and the tulips. So springy looking. I bought my first fresh tulips at the grocery store this morning and bought white ones instead of coloured as they had the tightest blooms. I hope they last for a week at least. My decor still has some red in it for now so purple or pink didn't really go. :) Have a nice weekend Chel.
ReplyDeleteI used to live next to a paper mill, were I think my love of books started as we used to get plenty in to turn back into paper, I would bring them home. I still have many and one smell of the pages takes me straight back to living at home.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Don't be too hard on those feet. Beautiful photos. I love chickens and narrow boats. Now I have to go see what Amazon has for books on narrow boats. It's a pipe dream of mine to actually get on one of those someday. Enjoyed your bright colors. Stay away from the quicksand! Have a wonderful weekend, Chel.
ReplyDeleteThe heavy scent of hyacinths - delicious.
ReplyDeleteA bright and beautiful post Chel, thank you for such cheery images. I'm with you on number 4, the smell of fresh air dried (or even just blown about for a while) washing is uplifting.
ReplyDeleteYour tulips and hyacinths are so beautiful aren't they, such lovely colours! I did laugh about the holiday for ducks weather, that is so right!! Although it seems (fingers crossed) not to have rained at all here today. Hope that you enjoy your crochet, it is a beautiful pattern isn't it! Keep your feet up and keep getting them better. Thank you for joining Five On Friday! Happy Weekend! xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post, love the colours in your flowwers and the aromas your conjour up in your words:)
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty flowers and how exciting to read a note from your granddad. Enjoy your new crochet project. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Your hyacinths are so pretty! Glad you finally got some blue skies.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen prettier tulips! They're gorgeous! I hope you can stop by:
ReplyDeletehttp://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/01/tea-time-steelers-and-puppy-11516.html
Colletta
Simply soft, subtle, sweet blooms! The tulips are gorgeous & I love your chippy chicken! Lots to brighten up the rainy day!
ReplyDeleteI've planted some hyacinths and am looking forward to the powerful perfume when they bloom. Yummm! :o)
ReplyDeleteHello Chel, Lucky you to have these blooms to keep you company. The pinks and greens in your flowers and stems remind me of your yarns. I have amaryllis and narcissus budding, but it will be a few weeks until I can enjoy the blooms. However, each day I enjoy seeing the growth while snow piles up outside.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Our morning started out fit for a duck but it's bright and sunny now. Very lovely. I pray your foot / feet are heeled now and you're getting about unhampered.
ReplyDeleteHope your day is blessed. ~:)
Oh what beautiful flowers! Truly warms the heart! Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove that blue sky, a rare sight here these days.
ReplyDeleteLove the colors in your photos. I want to crochet something springy, but I have to finish a Christmas throw first.
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous flowers! Hope you're up and around very soon.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
These lovely flowers have brightened my evening. I am determined to get some hyacinths for my own windowsill. Since you do have to be quieter than usual, going through old books and papers is a good pastime.
ReplyDeleteYou have some lovely photos & your right about perfect weather for ducks. Looking forward to seeing your blanket & take care of yourself xx
ReplyDeleteYay for the sunshine! Glad you got the wool you need. Love those beautiful parrot tulips, and the hyacinths. Gorgeous sweet colors!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the color. I needed that. We are having a cold weekend! Negative temps for us in Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to ask you, do you have any movie or tv show recommendations for a good sharing of Winston Churchill's life? My boys are just going to start a study on Winston Churchill. They always enjoy a good move or tv show about a hero.
Thank you,
Carla
Such an evocative post, Chel - I LOVE the smell of old books, and of washing which has dried outside on the line. And those delicate pinks in the flowers and the yarn have set me thinking of warm, sunny summer days. Thank you. x
ReplyDeleteI have used Sandra's Painted Roses pattern several times. I made it in red/green and turned them into poinsettias for a Christmas pillow, in red and blue for a cushion for my mom and I have been working on my "French Hydrangea" blanket since the summer. I took tons of pictures of pink/purple/blue hydrangeas while we were in France in 2014 and I wanted to commit them to memory. So I have made nearly half of the squares needed to keep France alive in a blanket. I can't wait to see your chosen colours worked into a blanket. I adore those colours too and I am sure it will be pale, pastel-y and summery!
ReplyDeleteWill look forward to seeing your crochet. By the way, you take great photos.
ReplyDeletex
What wonderful and colorful images we do need so much during these short, cold, Winter days, my sweetest Chel, with them you've made my evening, darling !
ReplyDeleteI wonder the satisfaction you've felt when you read the comment you've received about the last post of yours ... you deserves such 'rewards', dearie !
Have a lovely remainder of your week,
blessed with joy and smiles
Dany
I love your flowers and yarn. It will be useful even if it's not the right colours for now.
ReplyDeleteThose tulips are lovely! The combination of white and pale pink is one of my favourite as well.
ReplyDeleteoh those hyacinths - I can almost smell them from here!
ReplyDeleteOh Chel, what sweet and soft photos! I just loved seeing the pastels and those tulips took my breath away! What a precious friend you have :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the remainder of your week. Love to you!