I remember when I was very little my Dad would sing me to sleep with a song (that I now sing to my own kids) and in the morning he’d wake me up with another:
Morning has come
Night is away
Rise with the sun
and welcome the day
I also sing this to Amy when I wake her in the morning (to a grumbled response) and this morning the words struck me as I pulled back the curtains on another dreary and dark, rainy January morning. Rising with the sun does make you feel good but what to do on mornings like this one where the sun seems so absent? There really is something about the lack of light at this time of year that makes it a depressing time. I’ve always liked winter (much prefering to be too cold than too hot) but the lack of light does sap my spirit. Summer seems a distant memory and all troubles seem to weigh heavier on a dull and overcast day.
It’s not all doom and gloom however because when all is dull, cold and damp outside, I feel completely justified in curling up in a soft, warm blanket and just knitting the day away.
With this in mind I’ve just treated myself to this new blanket – a pure lambswool Scottish crofters blanket from The Atlantic Blanket Company bought with some of the money which came to me following my
Gangan’s death last year. I’m planning to stitch a small memorial
patch to sew on it. I think of my Gangan and Gampy when I’m snuggled up and it seems so appropriate to be thinking of them
while enveloped in a warm hug.
So I am happy to be right here, right now, knitting and quietly waiting for spring to come.
Thanks so much for all of the comments on the previous post – reading them really helps and I’m really grateful for the support and kind words. Thanks people x
little cotton rabbits 
What a lovely idea to sew a patch on your beautiful blanket to remind you of your Gangan. I know what you mean about lack of light. I prefer too cold to too hot also but sometimes at this time of the year, I feel like I have cabin fever.
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I love the blanket. It looks warm and cosy. Wonderful idea to keep yourself warm with the blanket and memories and knit, knit, knit!
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A lovely way to remember, snuggled safe and warm under your blanket.I bought an old quilt at a textile fair with some money I got when my Grandma died and it holds memories of her.
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Your new blankie looks super snuggly, and what I great idea about the patch. I agree about the mornings, in December it’s not so bad because every day is one closer to Christmas, but dark mornings in January are just plain depressing! I’ll join you in wishing for Spring today I think. love M
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Wish I’d been snuggling up in a blanket knitting this morning instead of wading through inches of mud in a howling gale and horizontal rain! Remember me recommending you to get a dog? Stupid idea – roll on the Spring!
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the lack of light bothers me as well, although i’d bet we get more sun than you do at this time of year.
the blanket is lovely, and i think a little memorial patch on it is a great idea.
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These dark mornings are really getting to me too, I just can’t get out of bed when it is so dark.
I love that blanket and what a sweet thing to do sewing a little memorial patch on, that is such a lovely idea.
Love Alison x
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A lovely warm blanket and some great knitting, how inviting that picture looks on my monitor at work =)
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I like winter too – I also prefer being cold to being hot. I am heartened by the evenings getting lighter though, and shoots already coming through. I know we could still have a lot of freezing weather to come, but I am hopeful we’re halfway there now!
The memorial patch is a gorgeous idea. I hope you have many happy hours snuggled up there.
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I know what you mean about the light and the cold. I live in Australia (a quite cold part of Australia…yes they do exist!). I find that by the time the winter ends I am like a caged cat, prowling the house to get out. I crave the light, but not the heat.
I would rather the cold any day. I just wish there was more light!
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What a beautiful blanket- I love the idea that it is a hug from your past!
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Nice blanket. I too love having some hand work to do ESPECIALLY when it’s gloomy outside. We had a nice weekend but the clouds rolled in today and more rain is on the way.
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Oh Julie, that is exactly what I was searching for….something to have close to me to remember my Mum who passed suddenly, about 2 years ago (a month before my son was born).
I always think of her when it is cold, dark and about to snow. It reminds me of our time together at the lake in Connecticut. I still miss her desperately.
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Hello. I’ve just come across your blog and just wanted to drop you a note – it is lovely lovely lovely and I covet your knitted lovelies – looking forward to reading more!
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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I know just what you mean about winter, and the lack of light. I used to get so depressed in the winter. I would say knitting has been the best cure for seasonal depression ever. I put a cozy chair next to the biggest window where I can watch the snow. I curl up under this fantastic fuzzy blanket my husband brought from Korea, and knit all afternoon…or at least for as long as the kids will let me, which isn’t usually for very long.
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Oh lovely memories, why is it that nice memories always make you feel all warm and cosy. Talking of cosy, that blanket is lovely and if your spending the day knitting tomorrow can I come round?
I have to admit that I have spent a few hours over the last few days curled up, usually I feel too guilty for this but, with the weather just so horrid, I get a fire on and snuggle up…it makes the school run a little cold though…well untill I get my cuddles. Happy Knitting…
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Oh lack of light is a tough one. Although its considerably colder here in Canada, its often very sunny during the winter. I find the sun really helps keep me positive during the tough winter months.
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Thanks for sharing those inspiring thoughts!
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i love your blanket julie,stay snug,sending sunlight and love Kat
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What a great snuggle under blanket! Your knitting projects look so adorable!
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I’m feeling a bad weather funk as well right now, although mine comes in the form of below freezing temperatures and lots of white stuff.
The blanket is lovely as is the patch idea.
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I took a look at that website and the blankets are so beautiful. I think that we all need our comforts in winter and one of them is a blanket to snuggle under on the cold, dark nights.
Such a lovely idea to sew a patch onto your new blanket as a way of remembering your beloved Gangan.
Marie x
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I had to laugh when I read your post as I have just drawn the curtains back and praised the lord for the grey sky and rain rain rain… I do know how horrid no sun is though.
I love that you spent some of your grandparents inheritance money on a blanket to remember them by, that is soooo nice. But you’re such a nice person Julie, it really shouldn’t surprise me, should it?
I hope you have a wonderful weekend under your blanket knitting.
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