The Floral Hook

Tadaaa...I'm back, Lovelies! Happy, healthy, and prosperous 2023 to you!

 Last year, is so...last year, right? It whizzed by incredibly quickly. Even two young friends who live on our road remarked, "bro, what's with this year just flying by, like, yoh!". We must have all, in unison, laced up our running shoes at the beginning of 2022, on our marks, ready to GO as soon as that clock struck 12. Were we trying to catch up, or maybe forget what we'd collectively experienced by cramming as much 'living life' into each day after so many dreary, scary and confusing lockdowns? Not to mention recuperating from the bug? In 2022 many have shared stories of a grueling year. "Emotionally, mentally, physically and financially exhausting" is what I have heard over and over. It's no surprise considering what the planets were/are doing. Those/these darn Retrogrades! We've also sadly waved goodbye to some stellar human beings, some personal connections, and many others in the wider world: The Queen (the one and only), Angela Lansbury, Dame Vivienne Westwood, and Jean-Luc Godard. And Julie Powell, who inspired an entire generation to blog about absolutely anything in the hopes their story would become a famous movie, was sadly among many other notables to reluctantly wiggle free from their mortal baggage. I've watched Julie-Julia so many times the CD disk eventually gave up the ghost. Furiously frustrating though, those creating havoc, misery, and suffering and who continue to fuel hatred, division, and chaos ...are still with us. Ce la vie.

 Anywhooo, the reason I have turned to blogging again is that I seem to have dropped a very useful and mentally healthy habit, which was journaling (the pen-to-paper kind). Not because I didn't have anything to write about but because my journals turned into scrapbooks (bits of bark, pressed flowers, fabric scraps, paint colour swatches, you name it!). Not intentionally, mind you. You'll know if you're already a scrapbook journalist exactly what I mean. It pulls you in, it's incredibly time-consuming and it's tres addictive!  The crochet life took a sulky second place. I had to cold turkey or else start a scrapbook journaling channel on Youtube, change my name and emigrate to Iceland...or something. Which felt like an awful lot of work and upheaval. 

 I'm a 'lists' person, I mean literally genetically (I cannot BUT make lists) not only shopping lists (those too) but rather thinky thought lists about colours, seasons, fabrics, design, kitchenalia, birds, flowers, crochet, fashion trends, interesting people, quotes, poems, books, buildings, cultures, travel, homes, paint, upcycle or repurpose ideas...ideas, ideas, ideas...and ideas (and sometimes OPINIONS) about those ideas. Well, in short, I'm gonna dump them ALL here, 'kay? I thought it would be fun (probably only to me) to do this 'dump' on a monthly basis (possibly with some bits between one month and the next). This gives you an entire month to avoid this blog and read someone else's less lengthy and more flashy posts. OR...you'd have an entire month to wade through my lists and perhaps pick up a useful takeaway? Heads up... in an article recently, I read about how people very seldom read text these days. Especially on social media. Commonly, we lazily consume bite-sized information through short Instagram or TikTok reels, memes, and quote posters. This is messing with our ability to concentrate for longer periods or absorb or even know ALL the information presented in these 'flash cards'. The Age of Misinformation is here...hopefully it won't be a long stay! Right, now on to my random list for January. In a nutshell. This post won't contain distracting images (to make a point...lol), however, I have added lots of links if you'd like to explore further.

JANUARY 

1. The January Birthstone is a Garnet. I've been following a lovely and very interesting account on Instagram which delves into gems. It's absolutely fascinating. The January Flower is the Carnation. If you'd like to know how, where, and when to grow gorgeous, fragrant Carnations, find out more HERE.

2. This January, use your Microwave. I recently bought a Microwave after giving mine up to a neighbour many years ago believing it was basically the spawn of something nasty or the other. However, Jamie Oliver (bless that wonderful man's good, generous, creative, and kind heart) recently made an ENTIRE Butternut and Chickpea Curry, from start to finish...in the microwave! Now I'm sold. Also, use frozen veg from a reputable company (maybe your organic shop?). Good quality frozen veggies are every bit as fresh as, well fresh...and also a lot more economical. Times are tough, people. Veggie snobs, look away. 

3. A gorgeous, uplifting selection of essential oils for January: Rosemary, Peppermint, Orange, and Lemon. Add a few drops to your diffuser, to your bath water, or to your air purifier. Use a small glass spray bottle, add 50ml of vodka then add a few drops of each essential oil, and top up with 50ml of water. Shake well before use, then store in a cool dark place. Bliss. HERE are another 20 recipes for essential oil blends.

4. Pantones Colour for 2023 is...Viva Magenta. Vogue did a whole article about Magentaverse HERE. It, the colour, reminds me of school uniforms. Should WE pick a January colour? Let me know your preference in the comments. Unless Magenta is your thing.

5. My book(s) recommendation for January is: The Story of Art without Men by Katy Hessel. Also, if you don't already have this gem on your bookshelf (or nightstand), Devotions by Mary Oliver. 

6. It's the Chinese Year of the Rabbit! What's in store for us? To be honest, I'm just happy to be here and I couldn't be bothered with worry or expectations for 2023. I hope you didn't make any New Year's Resolutions? It's more than enough that you are HERE, getting by each day, doing your thing. I'm proud of you. Keep doing what makes you feel good about yourself, inside and out.

7. Your Inner Artist Dates for January: Have you taken yourself on a weekend away? Do it! When last did you visit some FREE (or cheap) local treasures? For example, your local public Library, the nearest theatre or cinema, a botanical garden, a natural history museum, or a night-time market? Visit your local vintage or animal rescue thrift shops and antique shops. What about some simple daytime window shopping, or enjoying a packed lunch at a park? Sit on the grass. Discover, or rediscover your urban or suburban green spaces and use them. Your local council will spend more money on spaces they see people use frequently. Plant nurseries are lovely spaces too. You don't have to buy anything. Just look, and learn. When last, if ever, did you leave your phone in your bag and write a few pages in your journal at a fab coffee shop, or sip in peace and people gaze? I love stationery shops and always leave with a little bag of soul delights...small post-it pad shaped like a daisy, a pen that writes in gold, a bee eraser, and a pocket-sized watercolour visual diary. The idea is to find simple, inexpensive, enjoyable outings, items, or activities aimed at pleasing yourself. Make 2023 the year you finally decide to put yourself center and front in your life. You can't water anything from an empty watering can, right?

8. This January, get your personal spending and finances in order. It's important. Check on your Subscriptions and cancel those that are infrequently used. Just because you might sign-in is not a good enough reason to keep a sub. Toss it. The same goes for any clothes you absolutely don't adore, and those you haven't worn in months. Toss them too (animal charity shops will love your donations) While you're clearing out you may as well expand this action to your kitchen cupboards and the 'fridge. Now that you're well on the way to feeling lighter inside, wash those windows and curtains. You can do this, honey!

9. Dial down the news, quit doomscrolling. If you insist on making New Years' Resolutions let this be the first on your list. More than 90% of events (aka clickbait) you read, see or hear which make the news, are specifically there to target distracted mindsets and generate capital for the media outlets. If it's hateful, derogatory, misogynistic, insulting, degrading, demeaning, sexist, ageist, exclusionary, elitist, classist...or any of the other foul 'ists'...steer well away. Keep your mind free of these dirge pitfalls. Staring into the darkness will give you nightmares (at the very least). The world, our world, is filled with incredible beauty and many good and kind people. Look up. Look to those who inspire, strengthen and support our best selves. Look to The Helpers. They need us. Find your Muse. Aspire to be the best version of who you want to be. Nothing is written in stone. Reinvent yourself as and when necessary. Don't accept survival mode. Thrive!

10. This year, if you haven't done it yet, adopt an animal in need. Even if it's a Budgie. There is a very special, largely unexplored area of what we know as The Human Experience, which is the magical bond with other nations, other kingdoms...specifically The Animal Kingdom. Make the effort to truly connect with your animal companion... as equals, not owners, masters, or mistresses. I see my relationship with Nisha, Augusta, Lally, Roxy, Tweeny, and Carla as 'a Mother-and- her- children' but my aim is to develop our relationship to one of deeper mutual understanding, and to see them as individuals with personal agency. Wish me luck (they still widdle in the house! I won't name names) 

11. This is specifically for those of you who moan about all the tail ends on some of my patterns. You may not believe me but they're there for your own good. Hand sewing, the literal action itself not the end result as such, has been shown to be every bit as beneficial to your mental and physical health as meditation. There are many articles online to back me up. HERE is one for starters.

12. Lastly, don't forget that NO is a complete sentence. Stick to your healthy boundaries. It will get easier to enforce them. If you dissolved boundaries last year because you were moving too fast ( literally and figuratively ), became distracted, overworked, scattered, and frantic with trying to get your or your Fams life back on track to pre-covid times, don't stress. Make that Artists Date with yourself, take a deep breath when you are in a calm space, and very gently whisper back your boundaries. If you must, write them down. Do this mindfully. Remember, words are powerful, and you'll be casting your own personal protection spells. 

 And because this is a Crochet Blog (kinda) I'm back to gifting one lovely free crochet pattern from a talented designer, so don't forget to leave your Ravelry name with your comment.

May 2023 be all you hope for it to be.

Take excellent care of your dear selves. 

Chat soon!

Love,

Jen xx