Grey.

Hello!

Even the special photographic lights I was given as a fourtieth birthday present this year, can't penetrate the dull day we are having today.

It's one of those days that makes you think of the word leaden, which is quite a beatiful word, especially when contrasted with the word pink. Or orange, or lipstick red. Leaden can be a word and a colour that makes other things sing when contrasted. Like a comedy double act, where the straight man or woman makes the funny partner shine and sparkle, setting off and showcasing their comedy.

I was given a deep bright pink Amaryllis flower yesterday, (by the florist because the flower was about to wilt and die, and I was admiring its beauty). And she wrapped it in a leaden grey coloured paper, and the flower's colour sang even more.

But my camera is not photographing well in the dim light today, so I can't show you the splendid Amaryllis unfortunately.

I did photograph a new Evangeline I have made, earlier, but the photographs are not good, hopefully we'll have sunlight tomorrow. Or even light.

So here I am, without photographs, except one I took last week of a rooster Hugo fashioned from pastry and placed on top of the steak and ale pie he made for supper. I'm working on a sculpture of a splendid cockerel at the moment, so that's why Hugo made the pastry rooster, it was rather wonderful, made me laugh.

The striped diamonds are progressing nicely. They are addictive to make, and I love seeing how the different colours knit up in to stripes.

Before I go, here's something you might like to listen to that may well make you smile, even laugh. 'In and out of the kitchen', comedy with Miles Jupp (from the superb, wonderful, fabulous series 'Rev'). If you do have thirty minutes where you can sit down and listen to the radio, perhaps curled up with your knitting or crochet and a nice beverage, please can I entice you to listen to 'in and out of the kitchen', link here. (unfortunately it's only available to listen to on i-player till 18th November). I'm sure you'll come away glad you listened, with a smile on your face.

A good way to start the weekend, with a smile, don't you think?

Cheerio!

Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Archie the wonder dog]

Love the rooster! We've also had a grey day down here but I suspect it's not as bad...lights on by 2pm though which wasn't nice! Enjoy the amaryllis and thanks for the programme link! P.S. Thanks also for your comment on my blog!

[Penelope]

Lovely Vanessa
Thank you for reminding me of this great word...leaden. It conjures up a heaviness and dullness like no other word. Someone remarked typical bleak November day today which I couldn't have agreed more with.
I have started using Picnik.com to enhance all my dull grey day photographs as it can be ever so frustrating when the desire to blog overcomes you and photo's are not being properly justified!

I am a huge radio fan and will hopefully get to listen to your link... always up for a smile.

Lovely Hugo supporting all your fab work!

[森]

hello dear Vanessa

what a clever, creative and sweet chap your hubby is. you must be mighty proud of him.

you are so right about leaden grey (rather like linen) setting off other colours. i love those kind of combinations and the red knitting in your photograph is beautiful!

i will indeed follow your links and have a listen to the show, it sounds like just my cup of tea :)

thank you so much for your lovely words and kind thoughts for buddy boo. he is quite ecstatic to be back with his family, getting a huge amount of attention in the way of love, hugs and treats. he is not very keen on having to wear a collar though. nor on having to 'rest' in his cage. he doesn't seem to know the meaning of the word. the collar can come off on tuesday next. but the rest alas, must be enforced for another six weeks! it's going to be a struggle. thankfully he doesn't seem to be in pain at all and my sister said the vet did a very neat job with his leg. apparanty the vet had a soft spot for buddy too, as he is such a gentle and sweet natured cat. it's such a joyous relief that he pulled through and is now on the mend.

how are your sweet doggies? i do so love seeing them here and hearing about them.

hope you all have a lovely weekend xxx

sumea

[Carol]

The skies are indeed leaden and it has gone so cold today.
Thank you for the radio programme link, (love Rev, glad it's back to make us smile).
Have a lovely weekend.
Carol xx

[Annie]

We have the same problem here with the light. Isn't it just so gloomy and dismal. I'm hosting a giveaway at the moment and have had to post without proper pictures of the book I'm giving away as it was just too dark to take any. I love winter but I like it much better when the sun shines.

[Kate]

I listened to that this morning whilst sewing- love Rev too.
Too dull this week, just TOO DULL!But that is November for you and I almost,n.b. almost,enjoy it...partly as it does encourage that enjoyable snuggle down in an armchair feeling and partly as dull light does make certain colours really sing.

[Crafted by Carly]

What a poetic post! Your discussion of colour really made me think. You are totally right - grey really is fab for making bright colours stand out! Good old, unselfish grey!!! I'm going to be looking out for exciting colour combos thin weekend.....
Carly
x

[Jo Norman]

I live near Leaden Roding and when I drive through today will think of your Amaryllis.

Secondly I totally concur with you about In and Out of the Kitchen I heard it the other day whilst fiddling around in the kitchen and it is brilliant. :-)

[Kristina]

The rooster is brilliant, so well done Hugo! It seems that both of you are very gifted, even if Hugo can't knit... ;) Can he? (suddenly some doubts crept up)

I must agree that this was a very poetic post - you have master visual arts and hmm... literature?

Soon grey will turn into white, well, I hope so as I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

[Magic Cochin]

Hugo's pastry rooster is fabulous!

I've got 3 real ones in my garden... oh sorry, make that 3 and a half (yes, it looks like my dear little Cheep-the-chick is turning into another boy!)

You are absolutely right, to make a bright colour sing it needs a 'leaden' tone next to it.

I'll have to check out the radio show.

Celia
x

[Jessie]

I love the colour of the wool in the top picture! I've been waiting for sunshine to take pictures too. There seems to be a little in the morning if we're lucky but by the time I get my camera out (or find it because my daughter keeps borrowing it!) then the light has dimmed again.
Have a

[Jessie]

...some of my comment diappeared!!
I was saying..have a lovely weekend Vanessa! I'm seeing my own birthday girl on Sunday. :)
Jess x x

[harmony and rosie]

It's been so grey here lately too and I've been desperately trying to get photographs with no success.
Vanessa, you have a doppelganger here in London .. I approached a lady this week at my childrens' swimming club asking if she has a sister named Vanessa. Sadly she looked at me if though I was from another planet, so I made an ultra hasty escape thinking that would be a no then and relieved I didn't say "do you mind if I knit?"!
Glad to hear you're restored now
x

[Jenni at Baa-me Kniits]

He has hidden talents your Hugo :-)

[Donna]

The rooster is fab, what a clever man! Good luck with your photographs - we have got quite a nice day today (Sunday) in Wales. Will give the link a listen as well.

[Helen]

I love your red knitting and the little rooster! After a very grey end to the week we've actually had a sunny weekend here....I do hope you have too! Let's hope for a brighter week ahead so we can take lots of pictures, and maybe store up a few for the next dark days.
Hope you enjoy your week, Vanessa.
Helen x

[Planet Penny]

I know just what you mean about 'grey'. You've no doubt seen how much I've moaned about it on my blog, what a misery! But it's the inability to take photos which is really annoying. Once you've got into the bloggy habit of photographing everything it's like having your arm in a sling!
I'd much rather have it crisp and bright than this unseasonably warm murk, sorry ranting again! Have a lovely week Vanessa, here's to bright skies! xxx

[Stephanie]

So there are TWO artists living under your roof, then? Glorious. I suspected as much.

I hope you too have been blessed with the amazing sunlight and warmth we have had over the weekend.

I am giddy with excitement at the thought of clapping eyes on a new Evangeline!

[Liz in Missouri (with Lucy)]

I love gray days. They are the curl-up days that bring rest and quiet and make the brilliant sunny ones even more so.
I'm looking forward to Evangeline in what I'm sure is another happy encounter. Such a cheery little soul!
And of course - it goes without saying that Mr Hugo is a treasure to cherish.

[Bonnie]

Yes, yes, yes! I am often looked at askance when I tell people my favorite color is gray, but it is! Everything looks so beautiful when paired with it. Leaden is usually an unsung hero; thanks for singing its praises!