Blorange...Blue and Orange blended!

If anyone was to ask me what my favourite colour was, I'd instantly say 'cobalt blue'...but that's not strictly true because if I think about it a little more, I realise I like a wide range of blues such as aqua, turquoise, robin egg, sky, royal blue, sapphire, indigo, teal, baby blue, Persian blue, navy, peacock, electric blue...hmm the list grows the more I think about it. So maybe I should answer the question by just saying my favourite colour is 'blue'! 

On the other hand one of my least favourite colours happens to be orange. Now I really feel for orange because it's never done anything wrong or ever offended me...it's just we don't have that same connection that I have with blue. 

I'm afraid it's not only the colour...I don't like to eat oranges or drink orange juice!

Why? I cannot say...I just don't! Never have....

So when Jenn over at Just Add Water Silly chose 'BLORANGE' for this week's Artist Play Room  

I had mixed feeling. I mean my favourite colour mixed with my least?!?! 

How was this going to work?  

It's like asking my son to become friends with the hoover (vacuum)! It's a tough ask!

But who's going to refuse Jenn? Certainly not me...

So after a little procrastinating (I'm a natural) I dived right in to see where it would lead....

I'm aware I'm probably playing with your mind here (Mmmmwwwaaaahhhhhhaaaa) but I have to admit it it was rather fun. I thought I'd make the orange blue perhaps just a twist on the 'blood oranges' (with their red flesh) which by the way just happen to be my hubby's favourite.

I also took it one step further by mixing the blue actually with orange, for the leaves and the shadow. 

I'm not sure why but this photo is nothing like the original. 

The original has such an intensity that I prefer, but the above looks rather anaemic. :-( 

Maybe it's orange getting its own back on me for being so unkind.

I thought I might feel differently if an orange happened to be a blue colour, but I'm afraid I still don't like oranges no matter what colour they are....oh now I feel I've got a personal vendetta against the poor defenceless fruit. Shame on me!

Have a great day everyone and I hope to see you again soon...I'd miss you if you didn't pop by

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wanted to quickly mention Featuring magazine to you all...

It's a great mag for Mixed Media artists and it is starting a subscription service with the next issue... head on over to some of these links if you are interested in checking it out...

website

 http://www.featuringmagazine.com

you can buy issue 3 here

 http://www.featuringmagazine.com/archives/product/featuring-magazine-issue-3

or read what people have to say about it...

 http://www.featuringmagazine.com/testimonials

Tribute to Trees

Today I wanted to post a tribute to trees....

It's something I've been thinking about for some time now and I know there are many fellow tree huggers out there. The only trouble is how much I wanted to post...seriously I've chopped (oops...sorry no pun intended) this post from a 'War and Peace' type post.
So where to start...obviously trees provide us with two of life's essentials, food and oxygen but then there is so much more...as shelter, medicine, and tools. They can provide peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environments which we can all enjoy. They frame landscapes, create beautiful backgrounds and enhance building designs. Trees can provide privacy, emphasize beautiful views, and screen unsightly areas. 

They improve our quality of life by bringing natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban settings...in fact I'd better stop there because there's a risk I could go on and on....and there's a lot of photos to get through. Maybe you should pop the kettle on for a cuppa while you browse?

If you're a tree lover then you'll know just how special they are and how they can touch your very soul.

I hope you enjoy my little tree tribute.

The first photo on the left is the Crow Pine tree in Canada 

The middle tree was taken during our trip to New Zealand's North Island and the far right was taken on one of my morning walks here in Melbourne.

The exfoliating bark never ceases to amaze me...and also reminds me just how important moisturizing is and that I must step up my beauty regime!

The patterns and colours are stunning....especially when they have just had a shower!

I sometimes feel compelled to touch the tree trunk especially when it's stripped of bark...it looks like it should feel warm like a living limb...and I'm always surprised that it doesn't. 

(I know that this might sound odd...maybe I should move on swiftly?!?!)

 

Then of course there are the big blousey show offs that like a splash from the colour palette...you'd like purple? 

Not a problem.....

 Or would you prefer red?

And that's just a snippet of looking at trees but then there's all the other aspects...like who visits or uses a tree for shelter or survival.

Here are a few fellow tree huggers....precious birds eggs, the koala, a possom snoozing away during the day and a flock of local rainbow lorikeets enjoying breakfast.

 Sometimes an unexpected guest might arrive.... the tawny frogmouth owl that isn't really an owl at all...

click here if you'd like to see and hear The tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

 

And of course I couldn't miss out the majestic kookaburra

Or the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo...

Yet another serious tree hugger....literally!

We mustn't forget that trees bare fruit too....here's a photo of my lemon tree last year and I'm happy to say I've noticed lots of flowers appearing again this year :D
I'm thinking it might be an idea to plant an apple tree in the place of the tree that had to be uprooted last week. I miss being able to just pick an apple off my own tree. It's been quite a while. 

And then of course all the various colour that appear with the different seasons...giving pleasure as we pass from one season to the other.

Spring positively bursting into life...with pungent fragrances to stop you right in your tracks in order to appreciate their effort!

Beautiful blossom....

But then fall comes to call....

I don't think I'd ever seen a pine cone this big before and thankfully it didn't fall on my head as I walked beneath the canopy.

From little things...big things grow!

Did you ever plant an acron as a child...I'm hoping to visit mine one day just to see how big it might be. 

I also had the priviledge of taking part in a local council organised Community Planting Day here a few years ago where I helped plant lots of trees and grasses along a nature reserve...but I took a special note of this one particular tree, so that I would remember...that's MY TREE!
I regularly check on its progress....it's now over 6ft tall and looking good...I'm so proud of it!

Everyone should plant at least one tree...it's incredibly satisfying.

The bottom right hand photo show's my hubby standing beneath his favourite oak tree which is in a local park back in the UK. The photo doesn't do it justice and its beautiful perfect shape...as you can see it's been there for quite some time...and must have some stories to tell.

 As the wonderfully warm summer days slowly leave us... trees compensate and console us with colourful displays. ❤

Finally the leaves fall...leaving bare branches but even so they can be spectacular on the landscape...oh and I mustn't forget we then have the most special tree of all...the Christmas Tree! 

I've searched my mess, unorganised, collection of photographs for my best Christmas Tree photo and I can't find it! 

Note to self...I really must take some time to reorganised my photo files...but that could take me years. 

I have quite a few :(

Even when sadly a tree has to be taken down....it can still enhance our lives, by keeping us warm and cosy throughout the winter months. There's something very special about a real fire.

I know I'm going to see so many things I should have included in this post but I think you get the point...trees mean a lot to me and I couldn't live without them. I hope you feel the same way.

Have a great week everyone and don't forget to take a look at the trees around you...there's sure to be something special. 

See you again soon

Artist Play Room....Books and Bookmarks!

Oh where do I start with this week's theme in the Artists Play Room.
They're something that make me feel all warm and fuzzy whenever I think about them! 

You could be forgiven for thinking I'm talking about chocolate here because as you know I'm a serious chocoholic and not afraid to admit it! But this time I'm talking about...BOOKS! 

Another passion of mine :D

I'm not sure how young I was when I first learnt to read, but I knew once I started I couldn't stop....nor do I ever intend to! I only feel comfortable when I have at least three books lined up and waiting for me. There have been occasions when my bedside cabinet has been so full, I couldn't even reach the lamp! 

I can also have the beginnings of a panic attack if I seriously think about how many books there are out there that I'll probably never get to ....(breath....breath....breath...) so I try not to think about that.

I have a serious compulsion to enter book shops whenever I see one, no matter what's on my plan, or timescale...everything pales into insignificance when I enter a book shop. I have also been known to hyperventilate too...although maybe I shouldn't divulge so much information here. But you get the jist.....

I LOVE BOOKS

Oh I know it should be shoes, handbags or clothes that sets me into a tizzy, but books win every time I'm afraid...no question about it.

I do love my kindle, but it's the feel, smell, turning of pages, bindings and their covers....in fact everything about a real physical book that can have me stroking it lovingly. 

Whoops....now that really is enough!

So onto Jenn's challenge....
Well having read the above (hopefully) you can imagine my quandary about what to do for this week challenge....so I decided to do some doodles, but also to include photographs from previous posts. I hope you forgive me for repeating myself if you are a regular visitor.

And so here's some book marks that I had fun with this week....I couldn't resist putting a few doodles together. Also I added some colour this time!!! SHOCK!
I know I shocked myself especially because I don't really like yellow, red and orange!
I'm more of a blue person.

We were heading for a thunderstorm last night when I took this photo...hence it doesn't show the white at it's best, but you get the idea I'm sure.

I was aware that there wasn't a tassle in sight...so I thought I'd let this little guy return to make an entrance....he appeared last year in the APR challenge, so I think he'll feel very at home.

I love this photo below...hence it's in my sidebar. 

I abore books, tea, and freesias so it ticks all of my boxes....how about you? 

What ticks your box? 

Oh I've just thought...it's not complete after all because there's not a chocolate bar in sight. 

What was I thinking??!!?!?! (slapping forehead with back of the hand)

 ...I had fun with this idea below and as you can imagine it took quite a time to construct! 

I went through my whole book collection to find the right size of book for the tree...AND managed to resist stopping to read any during the process...wasn't I a good girl? :D

It is part of my Christmas card collection now and last year I sent it to my book club friends.

This next photo was a very special reading corner in our previous house and now that I look at it, I realise just how special it was.

I haven't allocated a special reading place in this house, but then I suppose my studio has taken that place.

I'm aware that I'm not reading as much as I would like to, but what can you do? There really isn't enough hours in the day for me to fit everything in as it is...sigh!

So don't forget to hop over to Jenn's place (click here) and see what all the other artists have created for this fantastic theme.

This seems a good place to finish...in my comfy corner, so I'll leave you in peace and please let me know if you've a book recommendation that you think I should know about. I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Reading Everyone 

Liebster Award....not once but twice!!!

Well whose the lucky one? Nope I didn't win the lotto but I've been lucky enough to have been nominated today for the Liebster Blog Award...not once but twice this week by seperate bloggers! 

So what does this award mean....The Liebster Blog Award originated in Germany. Liebster means dearest or beloved, and Liebe is love. So I feel very thrilled that people feel I deserve this award. I love blogging but it wouldn't mean anything without followers and people taking time out of their busy lives to stop awhile and read what I'm nattering about. So thank you all for being there....

I'm going to incorporate the two kind people who have decided to pass this award on to me in the same post....instead of doing it seperately. I hope they won't mind?

Firstly there's Cynthia at Cottage Remnant who has a lovely blog with lots of beautiful artwork (oh and she loves pink...no she REALLY loves pink) and in fact she's a whiz on blog designs. She kindly helped produce my new button on my sidebar and she'd love to have you visit.

 And then there's VonnyK who will have you laughing at her tales, but also blown away at her artistic talent. 

If you have a pet...she does amazing pet portraits...but then she does so much more too...just take a look.

ABOUT THE AWARD 
This award was designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion. Once you've been nominated, you award it to five blogs that you like that have fewer than 200 followers, to encourage new visitors to visit these blogs. 
RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE
Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog. Post the award onto your blog. Give the award to five bloggers who you appreciate that have fewer than 200 followers. Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that you have given them this awesome award!
PAY IT FORWARD
There are so many bloggers who have inspired and helped me to date and to find just five was very hard.     Here are my five choices of blogs ( in no particular order, as I love them all...
1.Darla from sea to mountains
2.Stefanie Stark
3.Gloria Zucaro
4.Stamp Laugh Play
5.Arnoldo Romero


It’s been incredibly difficult to chose only 5 blogs, because I would like to include so many more, but they are already so successful having over 200 followers (...I can only dream....) Anyway take a peek at the blogs listed above and see what you find....I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised and possibly meet a new friend :D

A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Friday 15th February 2013

Outside my window...today is a restricted view because I've had to pull all of the outside blinds down to cover the windows whilst the sun is at its hottest. Currently the temperature is 30 degrees celcius, which isn't too bad and thankfully the peak for today. In sitting in the dining room for no particular reason than my laptop was here and so I thought I'd sit with it for a while to keep it company. 

I can see the plants all looking decidedly thirsty, but they are going to have to wait until it cools down a little before I venture with the hose. Thankfully we've had a wet winter here (well for these parts anyway) and the 11,000 litre water tank is keeping them alive and of course my patience. The trouble being how long I have to stand  to make my way around everything. I can virtually hear them slurp and gulp as I go, so I do feel I'm a ministering angel...on my own personal mission. I've brushed and cleaned the al-fresco area (YET AGAIN) but unfortunately my blackbirds have developed a drinking problem (hic) and are constantly visiting the vine. This wouldn't be a problem but for the mess that falls through the lattice canopy! I'd like for them to come down to collect the grapes that have fallen before they get squooshed and the wasps appear for the juice, but they don't seem to have received that particular memo!

After the tree removal and hedge trimming earlier in the week, the pool now has a thin floaty layer of conifer bits! I was hoping that they would miraculously make their way into the filter box, but that doesn't appear to be happening....ho hum! The birds and plants seem to be working against me.

I'm going to have to scoop across the top to collect them before anyone can go for a dip. Although I'm trying to come up with ingenious games and devices so that anyone entering the pool has either a drag net attached to their person...or they push a net along with their nose. So far no-one has taken up my idea...I can't think why?

There's also Mufftypup's well loved ball sitting abandoned...she obviously wanted to play and then realised it was too hot! I really should throw it away but she's had this particular one since her puppy days. I'm sure I would be brought before some governing board or animal cruelty council if I posted a photo of this ball...(I do have one but then I decided I'd better not let anyone see it. But she LOVES it...and who am I to deny her?!?!

I am thinking...I've got so much blog visiting to do, which I hope to catch up on.......plus answering all you lovely people who have kindly taken time out to drop me a line. (I always try to reply quickly but I'm aware I'm behind at the moment. Apologies if I haven't go to you yet... but I will. 

I can't tell you how thrilled I am when I see a new follower, or have a comment waiting or even just to know you're out there. I know I do natter and sometimes I get carried away and go on and on...hence the blog name of Neesie Natters...so I thank you. The males in this house tend to zone out and switch off once I'm on a roll...typical males, although I shouldn't generalise ~ sorry! 

I am thankful...for friends. Even though I've travelled around the globe for many years, it's been wonderful to stay connected and in touch with friends that I've met along the way.

In the kitchen...well it's all very tidy...clear surfaces sweetie! There hasn't been any baking or any new recipes, or experiments for months (even with me watching Masterchef Professionals) because quite frankly when it gets hot, the last thing I want to do is put the oven on! Shameless I know but there you have it! 

I'd much rather sit and watch someone else hot under the collar being shouted out than me. 

Oops...I forgot there's a packet of hot cross buns. I saw them earlier when shopping and couldn't resist. So apparently Easter must be on it's way. I'll enjoy one with my afternoon cuppa.

I am wearing...apparently I'm having a grey day, although I have changed since this morning. I'm now wearing a grey t-shirt vest and grey capri shorts...all every exciting eh? Nothing on my feet as usual...I love to have bare feet and walk around the house and garden without thinking of putting something on, until that is I get a sharp reminder! Normally a seed pod or broken snail shell (yuk!)

I am creating...a silk painting. Well that is to say at least I'm creating it in my mind. I just need to dedicate some time to see if it comes to fruition now.

I am going...to tackle clipping Mufftypup as soon as I've finished here. It's going to be fun I'm sure :-$

She doesn't mind the clippers but just don't touch my paws! I've got visions of a well groomed body but with fluffy boots. A little like the old fur moon boots if anyone can remember that far back. 

I may well have to call for reinforcements when I get to the legs! I need at least two pairs of arms!   

I am wondering...if 10 people read this notice as it suggests, will I help save a life? It's too important not to share...so please take a moment to read. This is NOT a joke.

Stroke has a new indicator! They say if you forward this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you send this along? Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue:
During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ...she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.
Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. Chicken Soup)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue
NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is crooked' and goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
I have done my part. Will you?

I'm reading...although that's not strictly true...I haven't even started the book yet, but I'm very excited about it. I finished a book last night, so I've loaded this new one into my kindle...I think it will be a good read for late at night. Or by some reviews possibly all through the night!
A book club friend put this forward as a recommendation and I must say after seeing her face talking about it and after reading some reviews, I can't wait to start. It's been described as toxically brilliant.

 

Details taken from Gillian Flynn own website...

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick Dunne’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. ..

For more reviews click here

About the author: Gillian Flynn is an American author and former television critic for Entertainment Weekly. As of 2012, she has published three novels: Sharp Objects, Dark Places, and Gone Girl. 

Born: 1971 Kansas City

Education:  University of Kansas, Northwestern University

Awards: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, CWA New Blood Dagger, Black Quill for Dark Genre Novel Of The Year

Nominations: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger,

 

I am hoping...other than a little rain...that by some miracle eating chocolate wouldn't add to your daily calorie intake! No a lot a ask surely?

 

I am looking forward to...the weekend. Bring it on!

 

Around the house...I know there's a large hideous pile of ironing hiding in the laundry room trying desperately to hang on to the basket..but there's a good chance of an avalanche at any minute.

I'm trying to block it out...well it's Friday night after all. I don't want to cause anaphylaxis! 

  

A favourite quote for today...I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou

One of my favourite things...copious cups of tea, crisp bed linen fresh off the washing line, a good book, a glass of red, CHOCOLATE and more chocolate, blue sky with white fluffy clouds, stars, music playing wherever I am, the BBC for brilliant programmes that I'm able to watch over here....the list goes on and on....  
    

A few plans for the rest of the week:  At this point I normally say.....Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order...it still seems appropriate! : D

 

A peek into my day... or should that say at the end of my day?

A spectacular sunset show tonight...with the clouds positively dancing in their party pink!  

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit and if it's your first time reading my daybook entry, I hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have a fabulous week and hopefully the sun will shine for you 

I hope to see you again soon....