relaxation is here

From a work point of view this week has been insane. I find relaxation is becoming more difficult to achieve. All my thoughts last night, even after leaving work at a reasonable time, were mostly on things that still need doing. Only now, at almost 9 in the morning on a Saturday, am I starting to feel calm. Candles are burning, Christmas spirit starting to twinkle, the thought of new crochet projects and lovely soft yarn filling my thoughts. I love this time of year.

Last night, the beau and I took his parents food shopping. It's a strange dynamic as my parents in law had him late in life and so they remind me more of grandparents. My father in law (who is 80) had a stroke about 3 weeks ago. He finally got out of hospital on Tuesday. The difference in those three weeks is quite startling. He's talking fine now, walking fine. In fact if you didn't know he'd had a stroke, you would never know. There are no remaining physical manifestations. It's lovely to see him doing so well so soon.

Crochet update

In my crochet world, I am working on two special projects. All for Christmas of course. The first is a scarf for my mother in law. Using a vibrantly coloured autumnal yarn with a hint of sparkle running through it. The yarn is Moonlight Sonata It's not the easiest of yarns to crochet, pulling out mistakes trends to break the fine tinsle running through it. However it's very reasonably priced and is looking especially lovely as I work it up into a "Maureen's Scarf" pattern. I'll post pictures when it is completed. Hopefully only a couple of days!

The second project as a secret one for my beau. I'm using the most wonderfully coloured yarn. Very wintery and manly! I will post pictures of the final item but for now I'm keeping it under wraps in case he reads this!

Catching a fire

The first time a heard about The Hunger Games was by reading a blog about books imminently being turned into films. I have a huge soft spot for dystopian novels, and so this trilogy felt oh so appealing.

The beau and I were on a long weekend staying in a yurt in the Lake District when we nipped to a local town to visit the shops. There was a deal to buy all three books and so I greedily bought the lot and proceeded to spend the majority of the weekend tucked up in the yurt, with a wood burner firing and losing myself in the world of Katniss and Peeta.

Oh how I loved this series. Yes some of it is far fetched, but also for a young adult series, it felt very real and raw. I was engrossed.

Fast forward to the films. It's been awhile since I got so caught up in a film, i thought Jennifer Lawrence was a brilliant cast for Katniss. Less so for Gale and Peeta. But I stand corrected. I love the characters. I love how the story had been told. Who would think that a story about child torture and governmental oppression of the people would be so appealing.

In honesty the appeal in these books is the central love story and the belief in love conquering all.

What do I think of when I think back to these books? Low light, warm blankets and kisses with my beau in front of a fire. Perhaps these books are just personal nostalgia of my own private love story.

Blogging life

I had the insane notion that putting together a blog would be a cinch. Insane, because I've spent more time looking at images, colours and fonts than really coming to grasp with what beauty I plan on putting on these pages.

Today has been a tale of two extremes. My gorgeous husband didn't have to go into work today. I had the lovely experience of cuddles in bed this morning before going to work, and I come home to a clean house and tea being cooked for me. I am truly blessed.

Having moved roles in my 'real job' just a couple of months ago, I find myself so much happier if not a little overwhelmed. I find myself laughing throughout most of the day, likely through delirium vs anything else. I can see how this role could become stressful but I plan on appreciating all the good things and surrounding myself with  positivity. I spent a lot of time prior to my move deciding how I could decorate my cubicle. It sounds very superfluous but I wanted to feel differently about this role. Let's face it we all spend so much time at our place of work, I think sometimes it's important to find and pursue your own happiness. Anyway, I found these lovely images by Katie Daisy. I bought next year's calendar to have something pretty and new to look forward to every month.

Aren't they just divine? Oh such prettiness.

My latest beauty

This beauty took me two days to crochet up, though I spent plenty of time trying to decide on a pattern. This beautiful cowl, made with Rowan Big Wool, is a gorgeous hot pink colour that will suit my mother a treat. It is a gift for her upcoming birthday. We are wildly different in that way, hot pink is not a color I would contemplate often! 

This cowl had worked up to be bright, soft (thanks to the merino) and pretty darn lovely to look at. Very proud. 

I am atlaswood

And welcome to my blog.

I've considered a home for my thoughts and my love of craft for a while now. I feel a desire to make something beautiful, chronicling my life and that of my family.

atlaswood is me. A girl who grew up with two wishes. To go to university and to travel the world. University was the start of my life now, and for that I will always be grateful. It opened my mind, made me life long friends and enabled me to get a good job (read: well paid, but not necessarily good for the soul). Travel began in earnest at the age of 22. There is so much beauty in the world, but I'm also aware, as I get older, that beauty can also be found at home too. I want to find this beauty.

atlaswood is my family. We are a family of two, my new husband and I. He is the most loving and giving person, he is my sunshine. One day we would like little acorns, though we're aware it may not be easy for us. I still have hope.

atlaswood will also be the name of my business. Needless to say I don't have a business, but it's a gentle dream, full of potential and wildly different to my current career path. Hence, quite appealing! I'd like the business to be organic, made with hands and passion. My current passion is wool, or more specifically, crochet. I'm slowly getting better and finding inspiration everywhere.

Welcome. I look forward to getting to know you.