How Now Highland Cow

It appears that I’ve been on a unplanned break from blogging… who knew?
Well I certainly didn’t.
I’ve been enjoying the summer and keeping myself extremely busy, but the autumnal weather seems to have arrived, so I’m thinking it’s time to come indoors and indulge in my indoor pursuits… blogging being one of them.
The other pursuit that I can’t imagine ever giving up is producing and creating artwork.
This is my latest piece… the Highland Cow.

Yes, I know another Highland Cow... I virtually have my own herd now.
I really enjoyed playing with this one and in an effort to keep it loose, I even left my glasses off at times. I know... rather risky, but I feel that it did the trick. I've thought that this particular piece was finished at least three or four times, but kept returning to it to add a little here and there.
Finally, I've decided that's it!
He's done and I'm rather pleased with him.

I suppose he just needs a name now… I’m saying ‘He’ but I suppose it could be a ‘she’?

Great to chat once again... I've missed you.

Have a great day and don't forget... I’d love to hear if you have a suggestion for a name for the Highland Cow.

My Sunday Photo... Summer Sunset

Hello... oh my, it's been so long since I last blogged.
This summer, weather wise, has been one of the best I can remember since 1976
(Yes, I can remember that far back!... haha)
So a lot has been happening during the past few months, hence blogging slipped through the net.
The main event as some of you may already know, is that my daughter has relocated from Edinburgh to Mexico. (See photo in Instagram feed in my sidebar)
I can't help thinking how lucky we are living in these times of technology, as even a few years back the only way we would have been able to keep in touch would have been by handwritten letters and then the agonising wait for weeks for any news.
Now each day I can chat via Messenger, WhatsApp, email, Instagram etc. and even check her weather!
If you'd like to follow her adventures then click (here)

So what better way to return to blogging, then to post a photo of a summer sunset.

Over the last few weeks we've had some incredibly beautiful skies and cloud formations.
I'm hoping to be back to mid week blogging soon and would love you to visit.
So without further ado, I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo.
Have a great weekend

My Sunday Photo... One Shot!

When you read the title of my Sunday Photo... 'One Shot' you might think that I'm referring to my photography, but sadly in this case I'm not.

(Please if you can spare the time, read until the end of the post)

Yesterday, I was woken by an explosive gun shot and I immediately jumped out of bed. 

(This was quite a feat as it wasn't even 6am) 

It is incredibly light here at the moment with the summer solstice, so we can clearly see everything throughout the whole night. 

To my horror I saw two gunmen who had killed a deer.

They put on blue plastic gloves and gutted him there and then... slinging his limp dead body into the back of a truck!

They were quite a distance and my phone camera couldn't really capture this horror... which is probably for the best. 

As I watched through the binoculars a tear ran down my cheek.

This beautiful gentle beast was just minding his own business and then some mindless cretin decided to end his life. 

I'm sorry if I am going on here, but the day before I had taken so many photos of this buck and felt very privileged to have him visit.

To say this event spoilt my morning.
I felt sick and couldn't contemplate eating breakfast.

I can understand the need for culling where necessary, but there is absolutely no need here at the moment. The most deer I've ever seen together were four and that was only once.

As the truck drove away I snapped their photo, but once again it's blurred.

It was later in the morning that my son came to me whispering... "he's back"

I couldn't believe it... they hadn't killed this stag, but another deer. 

I'm still terribly sad for the loss, but thankful that this stunning buck escaped the gunmen (this time!)

At least it allowed me to celebrate my 39th Wedding Anniversary with a meal later in the day.

Thankfully venison wasn't on the menu!

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

My Sunday Photo... Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Even though I haven't been able to spend a quality day with my Dad (as he passed away when I was only 16 years old) never does this special day go by without me stopping and giving thanks for the few short years that I knew him.

He was my hero!

So today, I thought I'd share something a little different for you, but is kind of Father related.

This photo shows where a lot of activity has been happening over the last few weeks.

Bare with me...

Right in the centre of the ivy on this photo is a hole, which is where one of my Blue Tit bird boxes is situated.

It's always been a favourite, but this year we've been lucky to actually witness the coming and goings.

Here's Dad (or it might be Mum) and let me tell you, they have been incredible parents.

I wouldn't like to estimate just how many visits to and fro, that they've actually clocked up feeding their hungry brood.

I've been up since 4am (yes I know) just keeping an eye on the activities in the garden... trying to keep Magpies, Jays, Woodpeckers and Crows away. 

So far we seem to have success, although my hubby had a shock this morning wandering down to the chicken coup... a baby blue tit just dropped right down in front of him onto the path!

Oh how vulnerable is this little chap?

It must be a very scary place... just taking a leap of faith out of the nest box.

But then Dad comes to give reassurance and food to help complete his mission to safety.

I'm hoping they've reached their safe new home.

I'm sure with the incredible parents watching over them... they'll be fine.

One quick photo of another visitor who just ambled up to our place yesterday.

Our resident handsome stag!

Hello!

 I'm aware that there quite a few photos here today, but I couldn't decide which to choose to link up with Photalife

It's not every day that you see a nest fledge or have a stunning stag come to call.

Have a wonderful Father's Day and please go and hug your Dad if you're able, or give him a call and tell him that you love him, because it's not until they leave us that we wished we had done more.

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

My Sunday Photo... Garden Visitors

It's a crazy time of year for some of our garden visitors right now.

The cacophony of birdsong that starts at an unearthly hour and continues to grow to a crescendo.

You are wide awake now... only to realise that it's 3.30AM!

Then as quickly as it began, everything starts to calm down and what seemed like a marching brass band marching around the premises dies to a soft melody.

Meanwhile, you are left wide away and wonder how you're going to get back to sleep, or whether you might as well start the day!

 You've a lot to do so an early start might be a bonus (yawn)

But I wouldn't change this time of year for anything.

Here's one visitor that arrived with his Misses this morning.

The Yellowhammer.

He's quite stunning, but unfortunately I was only able to capture his image through my kitchen window. As you can see he was well aware that I was there.

Here's another cute visitor... the female siskin.

I hope you like seeing some of my visitors.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

My Sunday Photo... Peepo

Peepo...

This is cheeky Winnie, hiding in the flower border. 

She was just checking if I had any treats before blowing her cover! 

I never knew that chickens had such different characteristics and personalities.

There's never a dull moment.

I also couldn't resist showing you this gorgeous bumble bee.

I saw him on the ground (I've read that if you see a bee on the ground, it's probably in need of help) 

I put some water near him and then lifted him only my strawberry flowers. 

At first, he didn't do well... and virtually fell off the flower, but slowly as I transferred him from flower to flower he improved.

Finally, he flew off... hopefully home.

I've also taken 11 (what I think are drones) out of our house over the last few days.

That's what happens when you leave the door to the garden open.

I just hope that they haven't settled in here somewhere.

My hubby wants to start beekeeping at some stage... but I think I'm already doing my bit!

Have fun this Sunday.

Apologies if I never visited you last week. 

I'll try to do better this coming week.

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

Paint Party Friday... How Now Brown Cow

Hellooo...

I haven't been partying with the PPF gang lately, but I thought it was time to get my act together and link up. 

I've been very busy, but I have managed to produce some art.

This highland cow has been evolving for quite some time now.

He/she has highlights, so I thought he/she should join in the Paint Party Friday too.

It's a practice piece before I start a serious commission.

I've bought new paints and been having a great time getting to know them.

I've had music blasting out and dancing whilst splashing about with a paintbrush. 

It's been very liberating! 

I've also been working away on my @Makeartthatsells assignment.

We are currently completing the final month of Bootcamp.

I will really be sorry to finish this class.

I think I'll be signing up for more, as there are lots to chose from throughout the year.

The sketch below was a personal one.

It's 'Ernest' my Great Granddad who was born in 1867.

As I sketched, I was lost in my thoughts about my family and it's history... 

a little like 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

For those who might not be familiar with that tv programme... it's where a celebrity traces their family roots back through the years.

I find it fascinating.

I also thought I'd use this sketch to practice my very weak lettering.

I fear now that I've plastered poor 'Ernest' on a 'WANTED' poster!

One fact that I did come across from my research notes, was that he was a 'Tole Dealer'

I had no idea what this might be... so after more delving, I found that it involves ornately decorated trays or chandeliers etc!

Who knew?

How strange especially after painting precisely that in last months assignment. 

Who knows, Ernest might have been a painter too!

I had many thoughts on how his life might had been back then. 

He actually married Mary, the daughter of a Scottish farmer, when they were both 31 years old.

I'm thinking that this was rather old for marriage back then.
Maybe that's why he is wearing a tartan tie... to impress Mary?

I also wonder why this photo was taken... was it for some special occasion?

I haven't done much lettering, but now I know that I've obviously got a lot more practising to do!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll join my over at the Paint Party Friday.

Eva and Kristin do an amazing job of sharing everyone's great artwork.

Have a great weekend.

My Sunday Photo... Flower and Fauna

I can't believe it's Sunday already! 

Does anyone else have to consult the calendar or phone to check what day it is?

I've just snapped a few new arrivals into the garden this week.

It's been a very misty morning and we've had quite a good downpour. 

The first for a good few weeks... so I mustn't complain and I'm sure the plants are happier for it.

 The raspberry canes are sprouting. 

We'll hopefully be tasting our first raspberries soon.

Here's a little sunshine or as near as we will get today by the look of it.

A gorgeous tulip

I hope you have a great Sunday.

I'll linking up as usual with My Sunday Photo

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon.

My Sunday Photo... Sunset

It's that time once again, when spring brings beautiful sunsets.

It's been quite a busy week... so to take a few minutes to stop and appreciate an amazing sunset was perfect. 

I thought I'd also include the obligatory blossom photo for this time of year too.

Have a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon... when I'm not so busy hopefully!

I'm linking up once again to Photalife with My Sunday Photo.

My Sunday Photo... The Greater Spotted Woodpecker

The weather has taken a dip during this last week, which has probably come as a sharp shock to all the wild birds who have been preparing to rear their young. 

I've seen many birds visiting our bird boxes and fear that if any of them have produced eggs already then they may well be an added difficulties in rearing their young.

With this in mind, I've made sure that all the feeders and various food have been replenished daily.

This handsome chap (Greater Spotted Woodpecker) is a frequent visitor to the peanut feeder, as well as the suet and mealworm coconut.

 The great spotted woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with pied black and white plumage and a red patch on the lower belly. Males and young birds also have red markings on the neck or head.

It was very kind of him to unfold his wings in order to show you his impressive plumage.

I'm linking up once again to Photalife with My Sunday Photo.

Have a great weekend and thanks for your visit.