Camera... Action - PPF

Hello everyone... can you believe that it's Friday! 

Woohoo and a long Bank Holiday weekend for some too.

Normally you'd expect good weather for the May Bank Holiday, but once again we had snow and hail storms today. 

Seriously will it ever warm up?

Can I just say please don't judge me... once you see the video below you'll know what I mean.

I thought I'd distract myself from the weather and have a little play by trying to make a video whilst drawing.

To say I got a little worked up about it, possibly was an understatement.

I really don't like any part of me to be in front of the camera. 

I'd much rather be behind the lens. 

The drawing will be used as a draft because basically it just isn't good enough. 

I think I was too conscious of the camera instead of enjoying the journey of creating. 

Usually my mind wanders to I know not where and I feel thoroughly de-stressed after finishing a drawing... but not today. 

Anyway here it is....

Because this video doesn't really show the sketch here's a photo of it.

But as I mentioned it isn't finished yet... there's still more work to be done. 

I've had two weeks of appointments, but finally I'm free now, so hopefully I'll be able to spend some time doing some serious painting soon. 

Especially if this weather continues, because quite frankly there's no way that I'll be spending any time in the garden until the temperature starts to rise.
I'll be linking up with the Paint Party Friday group if you'd like to see some stunning artwork then click here.

I'm also linking into Alexandra's Sunday Sketches

Thank you for visiting today.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you again soon.

Spring came to call

I just couldn't contain my excitement today because spring came to call. 

It was a total surprise. I didn't expect it, but you can be sure that I made the most of it... and so did Miss Mufftypup!

Whilst she had a fantastic workout in the woods and a good run home, I spent a few hours outside tidying up the garden.

As you can see here in this little video clip, the birds were in fine voice. 

I missed capturing the geese flying over...yet another good sign of spring. 

They're returning back North!

I tried desperately to obtain a close up photograph of a robin, who was keeping me company as I worked. He was so close at times, busily trying to see what I might unearth, but as soon as I reached for my camera he flew!

I'm sure he was toying with me. 

I even uprooted some carrots that I'd forgotten about.

I thought they might have rotted away due to all of the wet weather we've experienced over the winter months, but I was pleasantly surprised. 

I dubiously pulled one and it was a really good (straight) specimen. 

So I pulled another... and that too was perfect.

They looked fantastic... I just hope they taste the same.

I hope you had an enjoyable start to the week. 

What's on your work desk Wednesday (WOYWW 325)

Cuteness Alert!

As it's Wednesday I thought you might like to see what's on my desk this afternoon.

Just two things firstly.... make sure that you have the sound switched on and secondly... I can assure you that no animal was harmed in the making of this video.

So here she is... dah dah!!!

I am seriously working in the studio this week, but I thought I'd be super quick with today's post and let Miss Muffy do the talking.

She's fresh from the grooming salon and wanted to give you a wave and say 'Hi'.

Besides it's 'National Dog Day'

If you would like to see some artwork then take a trip across to Julia's WOYWW (What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday) and visit desks from all over the world.

I'll be sure to let you see my new project's soon.

Have fun 

and thanks for your visit

There was an old woman....

Do you know the song/nursery rhyme "There was an old woman..."?

Sing along with me if you do...

"There was an old woman who swallowed a fly

I don't know why she swallowed a fly

Perhaps she'll die"

Well thankfully I didn't die, although it was touch and go for a time.

I happened to be busy catching up with a few chores after yet again being away for a few days... 

pulling a few weeds as I passed I must have obviously been hyperventilating, because as I bent over 

a wee beastie decided to take a trip into my mouth! 

I tried desperately not to swallow it, but that little bugger was intent on his mission. 

Coughing and spluttering I staggered into the house and tried to drown him by gulping a glass of water, but alas he'd hidden in between somewhere... neither up nor down. 

(cough, cough, splutter splutter...)

Finally after a coughing fit of about half an hour, he must have decided to give in... 

adding to my protein intake for this last week. 

When I explained what had happened reliving my sorry tale to my hubby, he wasn't in the least bit as sympathetic as I thought he should be... 

but then he explained that's a constant occurrence when you're a cyclist.  

Eew!!!

My absence was to sadly attend my Uncle J's funeral.

A huge man who both delighted and frightened me.
I remember when he visited my childhood home... he would enter the room and fill the doorway with his frame. He always asked for a kiss from me knowing it would send me running to hide behind the sofa... 

well I was just a little toot back then.  

I'm so glad that upon our last meeting we laughed about this and I willingly volunteered to give him a little wee peck on the cheek after all these years. I remember his smile from that day.

I also remember he fell asleep once, in a deckchair on the beach with his socks on and later that night we all had such a giggle when he showed us the sock pattern in bright red sunburn on his feet.

I don't think his feet were right for at least a week.  

The sun had burnt right through the weave of the socks.

This was accompanied with white strips across his sun burnt tummy.

The sun hadn't reached between the creases on his stomach, as he sat in a deckchair, but all the rest of his middle glowed bright red.

I'll not dwell too long on all of my memories, but I just want to say what a wonderful family I have.

We all came together and shared our memories and bid him a sad final farewell. 

RIP Uncle J
x

Later, I had an opportunity over the remaining few days to visit aunts and cousins that I haven't seen for years... 

...oh the reminiscing, memories and tales we exchanged.

I'm very blessed with my family and appreciate them all because I know that this is special. 

Not everyone has such a great gift..

Keeping that theme... here's where I originate from....

I've often seen this map on my sister's wall but never stopped to appreciate it...

It's where my roots are and my family (as well as my hubby's) are all still located there. 

Here's a closer look...

I'm not sure you'll be able to read any of the fascinating details...apologies if you can't

So that's it for today,

I had lots of posts in my head from both trips, but as often happens I didn't know where to start... 

or what to say... there was just too much.

I think I'll just leave you with this video clip that I took of Mufftypup running across a field yesterday.

I won't say too much about it as it may spoil it, but I think there's a possibility you'll have a giggle.

Apologise for my high pitch voice but all the music I tried just didn't fit.

It's not my normal voice ~ honestly! 

Have fun and enjoy your weekend everyone...

I'll be back to natter soon

xoxo