Narnia

We could be mistaken for thinking that we are living in the land of Narnia at present. We seem to be trapped in this freezing cold, foggy but beautiful landscape. Until yesterday we still had snow on the ground and frost so thick you could shake a stick at it!

The last two weeks have seen us frozen everyday with temperatures as low as minus 6 and reaching the dizzying heights of minus 3 by lunch time, only to drop back down again by early afternoon. Everything is white and cold to the touch. The air freezes everything it touches, making our bones ache and our breath like wispy clouds as we shiver and shake.

We have seen some beautiful sunrises and skies the colour of pearly yellow, and sunsets that set the sky aglow with fuchsia pink as the sun retires behind the hills.

We have had days of freezing fog, silent and unerving as you walk the lanes. Birds appearing like spectres and then vanishing again in a wing beat. Horses in the field stock still like Narnian statues, huddled together for warmth and protection. Trees stiff like sentinels, branches rigid. Fingers numb, dewdrops on eyelashes, muffled footsteps.

Now what is a girl to do on a quiet Saturday afternoon when subjected to zero temperatures, a quiet house with a roaring log fire in the front room and yummy chocolate to tempt the taste buds? Well.....

I have been following several blogs written by very talented ladies who are handy with a crochet hook. See here and here check out the flowers and that fab cushion cover!! I taught myself to crochet thousands of years ago, but can honestly say that I haven't picked up a hook in the last 10 years or so and I am afraid to say that I am very rusty and seemingly unable to get back into the swing of it. So imagine the pleasure of receiving Nicky Epsteins book to go with the idiots guide that I already purchased. Then, of course I missed the wonderful Cranford, only to have it FREE in the Daily Mail. Add to that the choccy, and it was an afternoon of sheer pleasure!!

Now of course I like to recommend books and so without further ado, drool over the pages of Nicky's book:

I have so got to get to grips my crocheting and to that end am hoping to enlist the help of a fellow member of my craft group which meets reconvenes at the end of the month. I will of course update you on my progress.

For now though, the thermometer is showing an imperceptable rise and rain is forecast. The wind is roaring through the trees outside and I am away to my bed to dream of all things beautiful and made with wool!!

Dev X