'Allo, 'Allo!

Apologies to my 'fan' (!) out there but I haven't been around much this week for posting. I also took the opportunity during the downtime to get my awfully slow laptop serviced; forgetting that along with it went all the photo processing software and files of photo's taken recently.

So anyway, I'm on the home computer and have just had a shufty through some old files. This one will be familiar to some and is not that old. Renee, as pictured above, is one of the most photogenic subjects and I love playing around with the colourways to bring out her features.

(Abi, if you are looking in, all is well here, if a little damp!)

And Smoo, I will dig out some v cute puppy pics for you later!

Rainy days and Mondays ...

It's been a busy few days. This blog was never intended as a diary, although I undoubtedly post things that relate to a time & place and thus it's a record of where I'm at. I've taken quite a few pics since last Wednesday (over 100) and had therefore quite a few to pick from today, but today's choice was easy. Lentil Soup!!!







Yep, I'm that obsessed with taking pictures, I am now taking pictures of meals! Actually, I'd like to think that I have now joined the ranks of the foodie bloggers out there, although they show more dedication (the step-by-step shots) and more organic principles (produce from their own gardens) than you will ever get from me. No, here is the world's simplest soup from a genius little book that has sat on my shelves for over 20 years (see picture of that too!!)




Actually, the picture is kind of indicative of the day. It's what they call, 'persistently' raining and it feels like February and I have the week off! Fortunately, everything I had planned for today, revolves around staying in, and so from my kitchen table, whilst waiting for a furniture delivery, I spied the book. And I can't tell you how scrummy it turned out.

Anyone after the recipe, please write - or better still, go out and find this great little book.

Duck for cover

Mother Nature is cruel. This Mummy duck had (we think) around seven ducklings at the start of the week, today we are down to one. Within 2 hours of taking the photo, this may actually be none. We'll keep looking.

Spectrum Stress

This is not a great picture. And I cheated way more than usual to try and improve it (loving all the little tricks of the photo software!) But I reeeeeally wanted to capture a rainbow; you only see maybe one or two a year and what says you're going to have a camera to hand? But it was a rush job. You see I was in the middle of downloading other pictures from my camera when the rainbow appeared, so I was frantically trying to download this:

and this:

so I could rush outside to get the rainbow before it faded away with the rumbles of thunder. Anyway, the poppies are adorable. I love the way their buds hang down all droopy as if you've somehow killed them and then, kaboom! Out they pop - perhaps that's where the name comes from. I'm hoping last year's seeds, that were sent all the way to Farmgirl Susan, have turned out the same. Susan, perhaps you can let me know when yours go boom!

Happy Birthday Boys!

Yes, today Newman (left) & Kramer (right) are three years old.

Those of you who know them will know there was a considerable effort made in order to get this shot. Yes, that is the sofa, (so what's new?) And your trusty photographer had a dog chew between her teeth in order to catch their attention.

Bleuugh! Dog chews are definitely not what they used to be. I wonder if they minded chewing something with my spit all over it?

The breakfast call

No going back

Mum called this evening. She's holidaying in Sconny Botland with Dad, in their caravan of love. Shame, she was a bit upset. Trouble is, she's done what all of us have done from time to time, and that's to revisit a place from our childhood, only to find, it's never, ever the same.

Great Grandma Lees lived in Stonehaven and Mum last went to the house some 50+ years ago. Today, by all accounts, it's been converted into 3 flats. She was lucky to be let in and shown round but found it a bit upsetting, nothing as it was, not even the garden. That's always the way. There is a different place from my childhood that lives on in my heart, that will never be the same again since it was pulled down some 20 years ago. I can't go back. It's a killer.

But there you go.

Zanne over at http://farmerwife.blogspot.com (eyes right) does a nice line in buildings/places past & present, do check her out.

Huh?

Sometimes, it's important to look at things from a new angle.

I've been skimping on content a bit lately. You know, there are times when nothing witty or prosaic come to mind, so I'm hoping the pictures speak for themselves. This one cracks me up as I recall lying on the floor staring up in danger of a serious licking. She certainly looks intrigued. And not a little mischievous.

The road to recovery ...

... is hopefully a short one. Good luck for tomorrow Smoo. X

Trio

Goodbye for a while ...

Whilst this horse takes time out to rediscover motherhood, the young girl is off to discover America!

Good luck Renee, will come and visit you (plus one!) Good luck Abi, go easy on those Yanks! Important Info: They think pants are trousers, bums are tramps and well ... just be careful, OK?!

See you in the Autumn. X