Country Girl

When I was only eight years old, I told everyone that I was saving my pocket money for a house in the country. 

We lived in a town and it seemed really strange that someone so young should have such an idea. 

I had a piggy bank and later I progressed to a little pink bank book.

I don't remember if I ever saved very much, but I actually managed to make that purchase, although it was many, many years later.

After years of travelling across the globe, I now have my house in the country and I adore it.

It seems comforting to know that I obtained my childhood goal. 

I really am more of a country girl than a townie, but I have no idea where that idea came from.

I did find out when tracing my family tree, that my Great Grandmother was the daughter of a farmer in Scotland, so maybe it's where it comes from. 

Also my Grandmother was a great lover of nature too... so it must be in my genes. 

With that in mind, I thought I show you some country photo's today.

The following were taken whilst I was visiting some of my family down in Cheshire. 

I walked the country lanes with Muffin gazing out across the Cheshire plains to the Welsh hills.

Apparently, there was a Badger set nearby, but we never found it... which was probably a good thing.

The sky became heavy at times and we did experience bouts of thunder rain, but thankfully they disappeared quickly, leaving the ground grateful for a much needed drink.

Everything seems to have burst into life over the last week or so, now that the temperatures have started to rise.

This view is taken from across the cottage garden, where we were staying. 

It was the neighbours garden. 

I think they are into the wild nature reserve style, leaving it doing it's own thing for the local birds, bees and wildlife.

Here's a view of the cottage as the sun rose to warm us, whilst having an alfresco breakfast. 

The clematis is spectacular and reminded me of home and my own clematis, which is presently covering a fence with beautiful pink blooms.

Finally, some blossom because May is blossom month and it will fade away soon for this year.

Especially if we have a wind whistles through. 

I'm linking up today with Mersad over at Through my lens

Why not take a visit to see some wonderful photography.

Thanks for visiting my place and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Have fun! 

My Sunday Photo... Summer's arrived.

Today felt like the first day of summer. 

Herons flying overhead towards the river, the swallows have returned and best of all, there's new life in some of our bird boxes, all accompanied by the sound of buzzing from busy bees going about their business. 

We enjoyed warm sunshine, appreciated the perfumed blooms and even enjoyed sitting outdoors eating an ice-cream.

Sometimes there's even a reward at the end of the day of a beautiful sunset. 

Now it's time to link up 'My Sunday Photo' with Photoalife once again.
Thanks for popping into my place. I hope you have a great Sunday.

Home and Away... PPF

Did you miss me?

I bet you never even noticed I was missing.

We had to make a quick getaway to visit a sick relative, but we arrived back home yesterday. 

There's masses to catch up on here... washing, weeding and wondering where to start first, so unfortunately I haven't any of my own art to share this week. 

But I did say that I'd post a photo of the window that my daughter was painting whilst on holiday in Berlin.

The reflection in the window above is the artist at work... so intent and concentrating. 

(If you'd like to see more artwork then click here) 

I love to see an artist's desk. 

There's something very comforting about it... I just wish it was mine.

Still now I'm back I hope I can find my mojo. 

It must be in one of my bags because I've unpacked and haven't come across it yet. 

I hope I haven't left it behind! (gulp)

So to finish up today I thought I'd add some photo's from my time away.

One delight was coming across a little Jenny Wren nest in a garden shed. 

I've tweaked the photo in order to make it lighter, so that you can see the baby birds.

They are nearly ready to fledge and there twittering noises were quite loud from Mum trying to entice them out of the nest.

I couldn't resist capturing this view. 

The Welsh hill's are off far in the distance. 

This was an apple blossom tree. 

Blossom tree's are nearly always photographed with beautiful pink or white blooms, but I liked the idea of capturing it in a different light.

We were visiting someone who was quite sick at the time, so maybe that was just the feeling at the time. 

On a lighter note here's a photo of Muffy on her holidays.

I think she liked soaking up the warmer weather.

She's in serious need of a grooming session which thankfully if booked for next week.

I'm actually carrying her here because she refused to walk on the gritty country lane. 

It was quite difficult to do... but I like the end result. 

I'll leave you here now and link up with Eva and Kristin as usual over at PPF

Hopefully I'll visit lots of desks and artwork this week. 

Plus I hope to make up for lost time and manage to produce some art.

Have fun and thanks for stopping by my place. 

I wish you a wonderful creative week ahead. 

My Sunday Photos... My Sister's Garden

  I'm away visiting family at the moment, so I've not had much time to write blog posts, but here's a few photo's from my sister's garden. 

There are actually three squirrels that visit the garden regularly.

The top quality birdseed might have something to do with it!

Both my sister and I haven't got a clue as to what the above plant is called, but if you know then please put us out of our misery and let us know in the comments below. 

 The orchid is on it's second flowering. 

It obviously likes the kitchen windowsill.

 Here's the beautiful pink ballerina ... the fuchsia.

And finally the bluebells. 

Don't you just love spring?

Muffin's certainly enjoying her holiday... she's even had a brief holiday romance with Dexter!

But she's sworn me to secrecy.

And tomorrow there's to be a new puppy introduced to the family.

No doubt there'll be photo's soon.

Welcome 'Woody'

Now it's time to link up 'My Sunday Photo' with Photoalife once again.

I'm also linking up with Mersad over at Through my lens

Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to be back again soon.

My Sunday Photo... Clematis

Well here we are again... it's Sunday.

Time to link up 'My Sunday Photo' with Photoalife once again.

This week I couldn't resist posting this photo of a clematis flower which had broken off the main plant. I was sitting at my table when I noticed the sunlight shining on it. 

I'm afraid that the photo doesn't do it justice... it seemed to glow in the sunlight and I loved the reflection through the glass.

Thanks for visiting my place... it's always great to see you.
Today I'm also linking up with Mersad over at Through my lens

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. 

Have fun!

Friday 13th ... PPF

I haven't had much time for art this past week, so I thought I'd show you my daughter on holiday in Berlin! Doesn't everyone whilst having a coffee gain a commission to decorate the cafe shop window?

She's in her element and loving Berlin. 

I hope she remembers to show the window when it's finished so that I can show you. 

Thanks Black Sheep Cafe

If you'd like to see more of my daughters work then click here to visit her.

Her website is undergoing reconstruction at the moment. 

There aren't enough hours in the day apparently!

Now on to more serious issues...

I need your advice this week peeps... the momentous day has arrived. 

My hubby has finally decided to retire! 

ARGH!

He's been thinking about it for some months now, but today Friday 13th is the day! 

That date has an ominous ring to it in my opinion, don't you think? 

So, basically how do I survive?

Any tips, advice or general info would be appreciated. 

I did practice some lettering... on his cake.

I've never know such tricky icing though. 

The gold icing had a very weird consistency.

So that's about it for this week.

Thanks for popping into my place. 

I hope you have a wonderful creative weekend. 

Enjoy xoxo

My Sunday Photo... Sunset

It's been quite some time since we've seen a beautiful sunset here.

Yesterday was the first time, so to celebrate I thought I'd post it for my Sunday Photo and link up with Photalife.

The ruin you can see in this photo is part of an old barn that is actually situated in my garden. 

I love this reminder of days gone by, when the grounds were part of a working farm.
Today I'm also linking up with Mersad over at Through my lens,

Thanks for stopping by my place.

I hope you enjoy glorious sunrises and sunsets in this coming week. 

Caravaning Capers... PPF

Have you ever been stuck on a country road, going uphill behind a caravan?

Did you manage to keep calm or did you or the driver look like they were going to interally combust, because obviously you needed to get to that destination in the shortest time possible.

I remember when I was young that the caravans always seemed to struggle up hill or weaved slightly, which made all other drivers around rather nervous.

So imagine my disbelief when my sister announces that she and her husband are to become caravaners! 

It's something that I thought I'd never, ever hear, but apparently they are so excited.

I must admit listening to her talk about all of the pros, I'm 'slightly' in agreement that there maybe 'something' in this pursuit. 

But I hasten to add only 'slightly'!

 (I'm being generous here because after all she's my sister)

Remember I've never been camping in any shape or form... and I class caravans only just above a tent. 

But there you are... they're excited and are on the hunt for the right caravan for them, and then they will be taking to the open road. 

I've been informed that 

caravans are completely different these days and can travel at a reasonable speed... and up hill to boot!

So for this week's artwork I couldn't resist sending them a little congratulatory caravaning card.

I've never heard of this kind of card before... but then what do I know about caravaning? 

Diddlysquat apparently!

My son was rather bothered that I'd parked the caravan on an apparent sheer cliff face, but I told him he's being over cautious. It'll be fine! (gulp)

I've printed copies of my sister and her hubby's faces from a photograph, so that they can actually be in the caravan, but obviously I can't post their image here, as I haven't asked their permission. 

(Which is something that I always do... but this is to be a surprise) 

The card is on it's way to them today, so I hope that it arrives before she sees this post. 

I placed some kitchen paper over their faces for now, but I'm thinking it looks like net curtains.

Obviously, when she opens the envelope she'll get the full impact photo and all...and it hopefully will give her a good giggle.

I thought I'd use the opportunity to practice some more lettering on the inside of the card.

If you visited last week and saw my poor videoing skills sketching (click here if you'd like to see)

I did promise some readers that I'd show the sketch when it was finished. 

So that's it for this week folks...

I'd love to hear any of your caravaning cappers if you have had any... or what you've done recently to pass on a giggle. 

I'll be linking up with Eva and Kristin as usual over at PPF

If you'd like to see more art just click on the PPF link above.

I'm also linking to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches 

Until we meet again... have fun and keep smiling.

xoxo

My Sunday Photo... Tulip

Now how is that for a wonderful blast of spring?

I think that this particular tulip looks like it's been painted by an artist.

The splashes and sweeps of red coming from the artist flamboyant brush strokes.

I finally have been able to spend some time in the garden today and it was fantastic to feel the warmth of the spring sun and to see beautiful blooms putting on a show. 

As usual I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo
with Mersad over at Through my lens,
I heart Macro and Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)