So I`ve Been Tagged ! ...

I was tagged yesterday by Sherry , for the MeMeMe that`s doing the rounds in blogland .
This is my first tag , so i`m quite excited by this , and thank you Sherry for including me in your chosen list !!
The rules are simple ..

Post the rules before you give your facts then ..
1 . The players must use the letters from their middle name , as facts that are relevant in your life . If you do not have a middle name , you can make one up . Or one which you would have liked .
2. When you are tagged you need to do a blogpost , containing your own middle name and the game facts .
3. At the end of your blogpost , you need to tag a person for every letter of your middle name .
As well as leaving them a comment , to let them know you have tagged them .


D - Distractions ..... All my life i seem to have had this . May be because i have so many things going on in my head and i cannot concentrate for too long on things i personally find " boring" . I `ll come across a disinterested and not say much and want to be away from that situation . . I can only seem to concentrate on things that really take a hold of me , and i have the attention span of a flea ! For eg . if i`m watching television , and i`m not into the programme , i`m doing something else while half watching it , either reading a magazine or i have a notebook i write in ..... Don`t get me wrong , i love to learn about new things and experience new to me things , but it has to have some good relevance in my life right now .



A- Appreciate . I appreciate now "the small things " in my life . A smile from a stranger , my partner who understands when i don`t have to say anything , yet he knows what i`m thinking. And my parents , for showing me that you do not need many material things in life , to enjoy it . To the new friends i that have come into my life , that i`ll treasure deep down in my heart .



W- Is writing . I have done this all my life . I have kept note books on good and bad situations that have happened , as i felt it was a way of getting the thoughts out of my head and keeping me from getting on with my life . And as a way to keep me sane ! A kind of therapy for me . Then i can look back on them as a reference , and see if anything , what have i learned from this experience .

N- Nature . It`s always been a big part of my life from a young age . From going out with the family on outings on a sunday for walks , to me being a big animal lover and wanting to be Vet at school , then finding out it was 6 years training , and thinking it was too long to do , and not being brainy enough to do it ! To the influence it has on my creative spirit , and noticing more what it is has to offer . Which would tie in with my appreciation .




So here`s a photo of me at my happiest , in a wood amoungst trees and flowers . And for Sherry , who requested a photo of me on here ! :o))









So now i tag ....

Amy , Rhonda , Pea and Meggie .

Come Take A Walk With Me ......

I thought that you all would like to take a walk with me in pictures today . As i`ve said before , i`m lucky to live near beautiful countryside by a short ride by car travel , but this is nearer to me , right on my doorstep ........

I live near to what they call a " Green Belt " . Which means , if the law does not change , no new houses / other buildings , can be built on the land at all . It would be such a shame if housing were built on the land , as we got walkers around here , and the locals living here appreciate the scenery that we have . I think some , more so than others , until it happened to be taken away from them ........

Just 2 doors up on my street , their hedge , from rich green leaves to lovely autumnal colours .....

And a couple more minutes walk along a road .... To a publicway footpath .....







To be met by a horse in the field at the top .........

Notice the dry stone walling , which is made from local stone , all done by hand . And must have taken many man hours to complete . All which separate fields around here .......








Travelling a little further along the path .........

To see views like these , with mist still on the distant fields , and the odd sprinkling of farm houses ......








Splashes of colour still growing through the trodden leaves .......

Another view of the rolling fields ..........










The journey back home ........

And just before i`m on my street home ........ I notice a spiders web , still with morning dew on , weaved on an entrance fence to a big farm house .......









And lastly , the side view of a field my home looks onto . A Horse way in the distance , as well as chickens roaming about ....... I have a better view from my bedroom window , which i frequently gaze upon ......

I hope you all enjoyed your little journey with me .....

Cracker Swap Draw ......

First of all , i would like to say a big " THANK YOU " to all who have commented so far on my interview with Sherry . Aside from me wanting to do it , i have highlighted more the need for support and recognition of these wonderful people , having had to go through such a traumatic experience , and all the others who are still " suffering " at this time . I have been deeply touched by it , in so many ways , and i had to do something about it , through my blog , and having a flash of inspiration to make the well deserved award for anybody that you or i feel should receive . Whether it is for cancer , or any other traumatic life experience they have , it doesn`t matter what they recieve it for . I have done it for EVERYBODY .......


Thank - you to Jo Anne , of paper cats page , for linking her blog to mine ... And another new friend i have just made .. Rhonda , who has also done a link , BUT has taken it upon herself to bestow me with the very award i have come up with !! Thank you so much Rhonda ! :o) I am very grateful , it being my very first award , thank you for thinking of me dear !!


Anyway Cracker Swap time !!!

We have an odd number so far .... So i nominate myself to take a back seat . I will still make one , and post pictures of it , and if i don`t get a swap partner , i`ll use it as my Pay It forward . Someone who was interested hasn`t got back to me just yet , but here are your partners ladies ......

Amy - http://rubymoonart.blogspot.com/ with



Amanda - http://ulixis.blogspot.com/



Pea - http://peascorner.blogspot.com/ with



Val - http://wanderlustnpixiedust.typepad.com/



Sherry - http://espritdart.blogspot.com/ with

Rhonda - http://rhondamum.blogspot.com/

So if you get in touch with each other for addresse`s etc , and see what they like on their blogs ..... Then the fun starts !!

Happy creating to everyone involved , and i`m so looking forward to what you come up with and receive !

I have also taken a creative step , in putting my tip toes in starting making collaged award banners . So if you would like one made , to give to someone . I will be glad to come up with a one of a kind , collaged award for you . If you cannot think of a title , i`m sure i can ! :o)

Please get in touch with me anytime .... Thank -you !

An " Award " Winning Interview ......

Today i would like to share an interview with you all ......

I first met Sherry of Esprit* d Art , at a Halloween Ball i took part in earlier this year . From getting her first comment ( along with many new friends i have found ) . I have felt a little string of attachment to her , as we have something in common -- cancer . Hers being diagnosed back in 2005 , and mine with my sisters cancer . Then finding out she has a breast cancer blog - ABreastintheworld.blogspot.com , i was hooked on reading it .

I am touched deeply that she has the time for me personally , and like so many others of her readers , i felt compelled to ask her if she would do an interview , and she was honoured , as she put it .

So here it is .........

Hello Sherry ! (( hugs )) and ( muah ) to you ! :-) Thanks so much for joining me and to do an interview with you ! I`m so glad you can share your personal world with us ...

Can you tell us , if there are readers out there , that are not familiar with your 3 blogs . Each one is important , but slightly different , with the main stay on your breast cancer one . How did you start and why ?

I resisted doing a blog for a long time. My best friend Lois, who lives in Belfast, suggested at one point at least a year ago, that I might be interested in blogging. She then kept directing me to read blogs that she liked. So in fact, Lois, lit the match but it took awhile for the "spark" to ignite. And then suddenly in August of this year, I just took the plunge. I was ready!! I started with "Sage and Thyme" and was combining everything into the one blog. I then realized that it was "too much" so I branched out with "ABreast in the World" to discuss issues that surround breast cancer, but also to encourage breast cancer survivors to keep living, to remember that the disease doesn't "own" us and we are still part of this world, making the transition back to "every day" life. From there I sequed into the art blog at "Esprit * d'Art" because it is something that is very much "me"..the need to express, not just through words but through visual art.

Despite all the " why me`s " and emotions you had to go through . Has it made you a better person ?

I would have to say "yes" to this question. I was at a difficult point in my life just prior to my diagnosis...confused, upset, questioning so much about my life. I had spent so much "wasted" time on emotions that didn't matter, on issues that were really of no consequence and the cancer centred me. It forced me to focus first and foremost on what matters...my life. That included my physical health, my emotional health and my spiritual health. There was a definite imbalance there and so in the process of realizing what really matters, what we need to do to be the best we can be, it has made me a better person.

How has the giving up of your thoughts / emotions in your need for writing, helped you through the process ?

There is no question that journalling and writing about our experiences, both good and bad is catharctic. Being able to express our innermost feelings and fears helps to put things into perspective. From the day I was told that my mammogram showed suspicious calicifications, I started keeping a gratitude journal. I would list 5 things each night that I was grateful for. Being able to say what I was grateful for, to remind myself of the simple things in life, helped me to keep cancer in the "box" I needed it to be in. It is still in a "box"...yes, it is a deadly disease. I don't take it lightly. But I also don't allow it to override everything else and take control of my life. There is so much more to life than any of the obstacles that we face and in rising above the obstacle we give ourselves the space to breathe.

I know that you have already said so , but do you think into the future or what you want to do , say in a years time ?

I do think about the future, but I do not dwell on the future. To me, the "future" is tomorrow. That said, I do plan ahead, I do think about activities and events that are on the horizon and I do make plans for those. How far ahead do I allow myself to plan? Well..I'm expecting to watch my youngest son graduate from University and that wouldn't be until 2012. I also plan to see both my children married and having children of their own. That's in my mental plan. Within a year's time, I certainly do look that far ahead. At that point I hope to be established as an artist, as a writer and selling both my visual art and my words. I hope to be healthy and more fully back into the mainstream of life on an every day basis ... what I used to call "normal life".

So do you have any more wise words which you can say , which would give some comfort to people who are diagnosed , or have been touched by it`s effects ?

If I could offer one word to anyone who has been newly diagnosed or is still struggling with their diagnosis it would be "hope". We can never abandon hope. It keeps us going day after day. Some diagnoses are very serious and it would seem there is little to hope for. However, hope isn't just saying "I want to beat this and live a long life and die in my old age". Hope is about being able to greet the day with a smile, to see something beautiful in a dull, dreary day. Hope is thinking that perhaps today will be a pain free day or at the very least a day that pain is kept to a minimum. Hope is knowing how much other people care. Hope is seeing a smile on the face of a child or a loved one. Hope comes in many different forms and packages. I offer hope to anyone who is faced with a life threatening disease or obstacle....the loss of a job, the loss of someone they are close to, any other grave illness or disease...life will continue on...our part is to find and keep that hope that tomorrow will arrive and bring with it new treasures and joys.

And lastly ....

Can you give us an " exclusive " on some of your lovelies that are going to be in your new boutique on Etsy ? :o)

An exclusive you say?!? I'm smiling here Carolyn..I need to get back into the studio to give you an exclusive!! :) Tell you what...I will go and make something that is specifically for those who read your blog to see before it is posted on Etsy...and I can tell you that I'm doing some Christmas items now...cards, gift tags, gift bags...I will be doing things for every day such as journals, altered books, cards...whatever whimsies strike my fancy. Most of what I offer will be paper related...aged, vintage, some of it newer and more traditional.




Whooo girl, you made me think!!! :) I'll send you a couple of photos of what I'm working on that won't be on my art blog or in etsy yet, so you'll have first "dibs" on those to share.

Thanks for taking time to do this for me !

Oh Carolyn, this was really my pleasure completely to do this. I told you earlier I am honoured that you would want to...it just makes me feel so loved and cared about that you would want to do this. I hope I didn't go on too long and I hope the answers are what you were looking for. You are truly a doll for doing this. If you need anything else, let me know.

I`m also kindly asking you all , if you could help Sherry raise more money for cancer . All you have to do is get in touch by email to her . In return she will send you a picture , of the one below . She took part in a National Women`s Show , called Rethink Breast Cancer , and she bared all for a " booby Wall " with many other breast cancer survivors ! This was the after photo , AND everyone that she sends the photo , gets just $1 for the cause . It will only take 2 minutes of your time , and you may think , only a dollar , BUT everyone counts ! Thank you so much , if you do decide to help out .....

Sherry also has an Etsy shop opening soon !!! Esprit *dArt Etsy Boutique .

And she kindly sent me this to show as an example , of some of the beautiful handmade things she will be selling ....

I have found Sherry to be a most giving , unselfish woman , with a big heart of gold .
I have called her " my Angel " in so much that she inspires me and has given me hope that i have not had before . Not only that , but i consider her now a very dear friend of mine . I can never repay that to her ..... BUT , i have the honour of giving you this award Sherry . One i did myself , collaged by my own fair hands and named for you and others who deserve it .....
" Angels Speaks " ...........
......... I will post this off to you soon , to keep for yourself , my dear Sherry .
You deserve it !!

The meaning behind it is the first few letters of the word ... Angel
Always , Nuturing , Giving , Endurance and Love ..... And because you " spoke " to me ....




If anyone out there would like to use this award .... Please do so , you are most welcome ! But please respect the fact , that i originally made this please ! And if you remember , let me know who else deserves this award . I would love to know who else gets this !!

Have a happy weekend everyone !!!

The Birds Song ......

The short video up above is my budgies , taken this morning . I did intend to put it on last , but having down loaded it for over half an hour , and not being able to move it down . It`s there !

It shows them singing their own song for the day , or to me it sounds like one is mad with the other ! This was a " quiet " sing , as the television is on in the background , and the more we turn up the TV to hear it , the louder they become ! And when i appeared to film them , they went quiet ! Just typical !! It amazes me , that 2 little birds can make soo much noise !! They also have what i call a "mad half hour" , when they go crazy flapping about , or making way too much noise , and no amount of saying to them to be quiet helps ... I`ve even had to move them to another room , just to have some peace !

I`d read this quote a few days ago , and decided to do another poem on it .......

A bird doesn`t sing because it has an answer - It sings because it has a song ......

Maya Angelou .

From the early morning sunrise ,

The birds are there to see .

That their songs they will sing ,

Shall be heard by you , and me .

Everyday they wait ,

For the morning sun to rise .

To sing their songs with pride ,

And not to question ... Why ?

Throughout the year long seasons ,

Come rain , shine or snow .

The bird sings it`s song ,

Just to let you know .

No matter what will happen ,

Somewhere you`ll hear his song .

So take note and listen ,

That your new day has begun .

I hope some of you will join me tomorrow sometime . As i have an interview to share with you all , on a special person , who i admire and get daily inspiration from . I hope you take a small amount of your time to read it through , and feel what i continue to feel .

There`s also a special announcement that i would like to make also at the end of tomorrows post . See you here !!!

Christmas ...... Pudding !! ......

First of all , i want to wish " Happy Thanks Giving " to all who celebrate it ! I hope you all have a wonderful day with your families !!

No doubt by now , all the shops you hit will have Christmas things galore . Some that are way out of my league to purchase , to the down right tacky !!

But i`ve been going to my usual charity shops , and found 2 more vintage baubles ......

This one is made in Wales , and a really garish pink , but it does not show up that bright on here ! It`s more like a fluorescent pink ! And all i got was " you`re not thinking of putting THAT on the tree are you " ! ? It was the first of the two , that i picked out . As i think they must have received the same sort of reaction from potential buyers ... But they " spoke to me " and i had to get them , whether i decide to use them or not !

The other depicts children`s nursery rhymes .. . I`m not sure if it`s appropriate , as either side has Hansel and Gretal and The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe ....

But i love the cute images on it !!

Here`s a Christmas ornament i did , an altered snowflake . Beads and tiny bells on a piece of ribbon , and a vintage earring piece stuck on the front . This is being included in , The Pay It Forward , i am participating in . So someone out there will receive this , when i do a post about it , and if you want to take part in it ! More on this , later in the week !!

Now for the pudding part !! I used to home bake quite alot , mainly because i love doing it , and being a qualified chef ! You would have thought i`d be jumping at the chance to get in the kitchen and create .... But alas that`s not the case !

So i decided to make my other half , a bread and butter pudding ! I do hope some readers out there will not have heard of this , and maybe have a go at making sometime !

Here`s what you need ...

A pint of milk

3 large eggs

sultanas

sugar

butter

2 / 3 day old bread

Preheat oven to 190 degrees Fahrenheiht .

Meanwhile , butter the bread thickly , and cut into triangles . Arrange a few pieces on the bottom of a baking dish , and sprinkle with some sugar and sultana`s over it . Add another layer , making a nice pattern as the final layer on the top . Then whisk into the milk , the eggs , and slowly pour over bread , to let it soak into the top , and come up nearly to meet the top layer .... Like this .........

Bake in the oven , for about 20 minutes , but check it , as you don`t want to over cook it . It still wants to have some moisture in the middle . I put a knife in the middle , and if it comes out just with some eggy mixture on , it`s ready ! As it still cooks when you bring it out and will go too rubbery !

Here`s the finished pudding ......

Doesn`t it look nice ? These were before photo`s as i had to put it back in the oven to cook some more , as my partner like things cremated ! So i had to take some quick pictures of this , as a certain someone was waiting to eat it !!

It`s a great way to use up any left over bread you have lying about . And you can also vary the ingredients , like .....

Add sweet mincemeat with a little butter , to make a Christmas style pudding ,
Lemon curd instead of the butter ,
Or use a bread that has fruits in !





Guess who`s been put in the good books last night ! ! :o)




Also a quick reminder about my Christmas Cracker swap ! You still have time to enter it !
Please say if you`d like to ... i only have 4 so far ! .........

Ignited Memories .........

You know when you have one of those days when you think of something you want to create ..... .. .. and then think , i have the perfect photo for it ?? BUT , you end up looking all over the house for it ? Sounds familiar doesn`t it ? This happened to me a few days ago .

And it`s always the case of finding say a picture , or an item , that distracts you , and you don`t end up doing what you had intended .

This got me thinking of my grandparents - all who of which have gone , sadly so many years ago now ..... And probably with Christmas not so far away , my family too , who i will not see over the christmas period , as they are in Australia .

That`s why i have a love / hate relationship with Christmas just now . I love it because i give gifts , and the joy it will give to people . Seeing relatives , when it`s a time when we can all meet up . But hate it because i feel , it`s a time for families to come and celebrate together .

So i thought i`d share some of my precious memories and valued items , i`d " forgot " i had ,

With you all ......

A christening card of mine , given to me by my mum , which she had kept along with so many other cards , for 39 years .... She past them onto me last year ......

Thank - you all , for holding me , and giving me unconditional love , and many happy memories to look back on , with fond affection ....

For going on holidays , to Cornwall , for many wonderful years , with me hanging onto my dad like a limpet .......

Helping them celebrate 60 years of marriage ..........

The one of many scarves worn by my mum`s , mum . She always wore a scarf to step outside .... I would always be drawn to these , which were kept in the kitchen , in an old wooden table that had side drawers in , try them all on , and just admire them ......

The cuddly toy elephant that i pestered for ....... And couldn`t bear to throw / give away .........

To an autograph , from 1977 ..........

To the last two items i got , a plastic cat , which was among a collection of brass items , which i used to help her clean , and sat near an old black wrought iron fire place . The one that had an oven beside it , and coal burning merrily away ...... And being devastated , at such a young age even back then , that they had it ripped out , to be replaced by a gas fire !

And a Royal Worcester ceramic perfume holder on a chain .......

I have so many other fond memories ..........


Like running down the back garden path , to see my grandad .. In his sanctuary as he called it , away from my grandma , to potter about with his tomato plants , and sweet pea plants . Oh how i love the smell of those now ..... Just that smell , always reminds me of the vision of him sat on a seat , looking into thin air and pondering life .....

Even though , there will be times when loved ones will be put back to the far corners of your mind , but never forgotten . We all have so many other " distractions " in life to deal with , but it only takes a little thing , to ignite the memories , and you`re back there with them ......

I did not intend this post to a depressing one .... Just a celebration of their lives and the happy memories they gave me .... And to share with you .........

Here`s My Christmas Swap Idea ! .......

HELLO AGAIN EVERYONE !!


Judging by all the wonderful emails i got , everyone was so HAPPY and surprised to win !! From MEGGIE - who has not won anything before , to a new dear friend of mine -SHERRY .


It gave me a warm fuzzy glow , to think i had made someone else`s day . To give something , with out expecting anything in return . That`s what part of life is all about - isn`t it ?


Anyway .... To my Christmas swap Idea ......


If you didn`t notice on my side bar already -- i have put a banner , ( which i did myself ! ;o)


I have thought about a CHRISTMAS CRACKER SWAP !


Ok ... So you maybe thinking ? I have seen an ornament swap and a snowman swap , but not this as of yet ..... If you have seen this ..... Just let me " think " for a while that i came up with this please ! LOL !


So the rules are pretty simple ....


1 . Make the cracker shape , either from a tube of cardboard or one from a kitchen roll innard , for eg . It`s up to you what diameter it is .... But remember .. it has to go on a tree !


2. The fun part is ....... DECORATION ! Use your imagination to decorate with what you wish , no holds barred . Anything goes !


3. THEN .... Fill with Christmas goodies ! Anything hand made or bought . Like craft supplies , or even chocolate ! It`s up to you , and what you can get in it ! Please do remember to look at what your swap partner does like though ! :o)


What better way to receive something handmade , to use the goodies in future projects AND then put the cracker on the tree !! ??

So what do you think ????

I`ll let everyone know their swap partners on - Sunday 25th Nov .

All be ready to post out by Monday 3rd Dec . Or if you get an overseas partner , you may want to post it earlier . I will try and keep USA / Canada participants together , but if anyone wants to swap with me ... Please let me know !!

So ... I am hoping to get you all involved in this idea , and we can all hop about to see what each other has received !! May be even inspire you to do something as well ...


So who`s in on this .... ???

The Day Has Arrived !! .......

HELLO EVERYONE !!

Are you ready for my celebration AND giveaway reveal ??? I hope so !! So no scrolling down to see who has won just yet !!

Grab yourself a drink , or two ! .......

If you`re feeling a little peckish .... Maybe a stop by my chocolate fountain .......

Or if you fancy something savoury .........

If your sat comfortably .... now it`s time for the winners !

Because of the fantastic response to my give away , i wasn`t expecting such a good response to it ! I`d like to say a special thanks to :

Pea - of Pea`s corner ...

Karen - of karen`s corner

And anyone else i may have forgotten , i apologise !

So to celebrate even more , with my 150th post , i`ve combined them together , BUT not with 2 winners ....... 6 in all !! Isn`t that fun !! ?

All the names are in my glass dish ready for me to dip in , and pick the lucky winners .........

Hang on a minute .... !! We have a late mystery guest arrival ........ Oh it`s my friend !! :-) THE RED GLOVED LADY !! Nice to see you , it`s a while since i last saw you , and your first appearance on here !! .....

Go on then ..... i`ll let you pick them !!

The first 2 winners are .......

The next 4 winners ..... Will receive a smaller version of my goodies with the bag of their choice or mine .......

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL !!

If you all could get in touch with me , i have added my email on my profile page .... I will post it off ASAP !!

And a heartfelt thank -you to all who took part in this .... I would so love to give you all something ... ....... I hate having " losers " . I have met some wonderful people on here ..... And i`ll add you all to my list , so i can keep in touch with all you lovely people ! :o)

I hope you`ll drop by again soon ....

But before i go .....

I have had an idea to host my first swap ! If any of you out there is willing ? !

All i can say for now is , it`s Christmas related , and i`m not sure if anyone has done this , they may well have , there`s so many crafty blogs out there !!

All will be revealed this weekend !!



Thanks so much for making my first swap a big hit out there in blogland !

Now i`ll have to think of another ........

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE !!!

Semi - Celebration ! .....

Well would you believe it ..... Today is my 150 th post !!! YIPPEEE !!

I certainly didn`t think i would still be doing this from starting way back in May this year ! I was one of those lurkers on just a few blogs and wishing i wanted to do something ..... I had restarted doing my craft work , so i thought it was an ideal opportunity to set one up ......... Then i happened to stumble across a magazine feature to set one up for free and who doesn`t like something for free ! ? :-) Over the months i have come to love showing my creations , finds , thoughts and words .... And of course meeting so many new to me , creative , wonderful people out there , like you who`s reading this !

So as in part celebration today , as i was going to celebrate on Friday with my give away and i could not wait 4 days to post at least something ....... I thought i would share my muses with you ..

It cannot be grasped from thin air ... It is something that speaks to you personally . Even though individuals will have the same muse , their aspect on the perception of it will differ . How they "see it " and perceive it ....

I had read about it on other blogs , and i`m not sure where it originated from ..... But ...

It didn`t take me that long to come up with just a small collection to show ....



ART :

This comes in such an array of different forms .... Some including nature , paintings , writing ... The list is endless . It was hard for me to choose a pictures , as i have my camera with me always .....

So i came up with just Two fantasy artists work i admire ......

Luis Royo ......

Gothic Angel holding a demon ....




And the extremely talented Boris Vallejo ...... Girls on Dragons ......

Both done with vivid imagination , stepping into a world of their own , and coming up with beautiful works of art .. In the human body form , which is another art form . The detail of the skin and muscle is magnificent ...... So real you could touch it ......

A picture captured on a ceramic plate ....

Image from Chatsworth House , Derbyshire ....

GOOD OLD MOTHER NATURE HERSELF :


Many of you out there will agree with me , this has to be included . From the rolling hills of the countryside , to flowers , and birds . All of which have been caught in paintings and inspired poets to write . Even i had a visit to write something ! Only when you take the time , which we have , and sometimes can be limited . Can we truly appreciate what she has to offer ....

A giant man , made from logs of wood at Grizdale Forest Park , Cumbria ......

WATER :

One of the life giving forces of Mother nature . We cannot survive with out it ........ The ocean is always a magnet for people . Whether it is to swim , walk along the shore , or watch a beautiful sunset .. Breathing in the clean sea air ... So revitalising ! It never ceases to amaze me , what abuse it takes , like an oil spill . It somehow recovers , if not back to a 100% it was originally . But that is mankind doing that , there is bound to be some change . We cannot stop that . But we can help to preserve what we do have left .....


From naturally made .... High Force , near Derbyshire .....

To be frozen in time .......

ARCHITECTURE :

One of my other passions .. Especially older type buildings , monuments , statues - another long list could be included ..... From artists having the vision to create something that would stand the test of time , to be loved and admired , and so others could see their beauty for all it`s worth .....

Do you look up ... to just see the sky ? Or see something else ??



Frontage of a registra building in Derby .......

Or wonder what this castle would have looked like in all it`s glory ? ......


Kennilworth Castle . Warwick ...

Or had the patience and gift to carve something as grand as this marble lion monument ?
Chatsworth House again ......

I do so hope that you enjoyed taking a tiny peak into what is my muse , at this point in my life ... And i wish to pass this on to you , if you want to do so . I would love to see what you come up with - Please let me know !!

I do also hope you will join me on friday , to help me celebrate , and to announce a little something extra special to go with the Christmas goodie give away !