Category: in the woods

countryside · in the woods · wildlife

October :: In the woods

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)20 Comments

It was my intention to pop this post on the blog in the last week of October but unfortunately my blog provider Typepad had some major problems that week and this blog was down for much of that time. It was a bit nerve-wracking, as the thought of losing 16 years worth blogging was not a happy one. Apologies if you were trying to view anything during that week, especially if you were trying to follow one of my tutorials without any of the pictures showing up. Fingers crossed they now have everything permanently fixed, it certainly all seems to be working properly again, so all is calm and well again here.

Above are some of my pictures of the huge variety of fungi I’ve found out in the woods this year. I’ve been four times since the beginning of October and every time have found something new and rather marvellous. Autumn is such a wonderful time to be out in the woods and I’m deeply grateful that we have such rich and varied woodlands around us which are full of so many different types of wildlife at all times of the year. I even encountered a small herd of lovely, gentle Red Poll cattle, who are there as part of a conservation grazing project. They were lovely company and seemed quite interested in watching me take photos, gradually grazing their way over to me to give me a sniff.

Out in the woods many of the trees are still in green leaf but then the autumn so far has been mild and rather wet. Not happy nut hunting weather for squirrels and back at home our resident friendly squirrel has been quite soggy looking.

Inside at home there is knitting and pattern writing going on, though at a slower pace than I’d hoped for. The other day I worked out that I only get 22 hours of Toby-free time a week in which to be able to fully concentrate on anything, the rest of the time my brain is mostly mush as it tries to juggle between family and work life – which is probably why I keep knitting samples only to find that I’ve already knitted that piece. I am holding on to the thought that moving at a snail’s pace is still actually moving, and that progress, however small it may seem, is being made.

Well, the weekend is beckoning, with lots of wood walks with Toby and hopefully some early morning tea, toast and knitting in bed for me whilst he sleeps in. I’ll be back soon with some more amazing fungi finds and hopefully a little knitting news, ’til then keep well and happy x

countryside · garden stuff · in the woods · wildlife

Snapshots from February

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)23 Comments

 

These are some pictures from my February, but words seem hard to find right now. What to say when the world has undergone such a monumental change? Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness abound and it seems unlikely that anyone in the world will be untouched by the ramifications of this horrific war in Ukraine.

It is hard to balance feeling both overwhelmed and distraught at world events with moments of contentment and happiness in our own individual existence, it creates an uncomfortable mix of emotions that are hard to accommodate. But it is human to feel both, and so I am sending the hope that you are finding some moments of peace and pleasure in your days. As always I turn to nature for solace and find it constant and steadfast in it’s ability to calm racing thoughts and soothe physical tension. There’s knitting going on too, but it seems so inconsequential at the moment and I don’t have anything finished to show.

I’m still trying to work out how best to help, for now I’ve donated to the British Red Cross Disaster Emergency Committee fundraising appeal but there are many many other charities raising funds to help. If you or your loved ones are directly affected you have my very deepest sympathies.

 

 

crafts & knitting · in the woods

Preparations

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)21 Comments

 

It always seems that early December is a time of mild panic, spent trying to remember things you’ve forgotten, making lists and losing them and trying to juggle far too many different tasks. Leastways, that’s what it’s like in our household. As usual I am woefully behind in ticking off things on my ‘to-do for Christmas’ list but I have made a little progress this week with finishing off some animals for family and friends. And as an antidote to my chaotic Christmas preparations I’ve been taking myself off to the woods regularly – just to have some time alone in this peaceful place is a precious thing and I always come home with more ordered thoughts in my head.

The first winter storms have already blown through, taking most of the remaining leaves from the trees and leaving rainbows in their wakes. Dramatic sunrises signal the arrival of the next bout of wet and windy weather, that old adage ‘red sky at morning, shepherds take warning’ really does work. With most of the trees bare the forest has a kind of stark, twiggy beauty and I love the way the low winter sunlight slants through the trunks, illuminating ferns with a golden glow and casting long shadows across the forest floor.

Next week I’m planning to work on an updated layout for my little free Christmas tree bears pattern. I’ll pop back with news of that once a new version is ready to download – they only take a couple of hours to make so hopefully there will still be time to make one or two if you wish.

J x