Chief Chook and a Sprout Loving Bambi... PPF

Happy New Year Everyone.

I hope all your wishes come true in 2018.

I didn't realise that I was going to have a blog break, but that appears to have happened.

So my apologies for not making any announcement before my disappearance.

I hope you'll forgive me.

As I type here this morning, I can't help but feel grateful that I can touch type. 

It is so dark, as the heavy clouds burst and send copious amounts of rain down upon us, but that doesn't stop my happy mood. 

Yes it's January and some say the most depressing time of year, but 

I thought I'd tell you about my enrolment into an online art course. 

It starts on Monday and is a Bootcamp with Lilla Rogers from Make Art That Sells

I thought as I'm nipping into the Paint Party Friday link today, fellow PPF's might be interested in hearing or reading all about it. Lilla is fantastic and such an inspiration... so friendly and encouraging too. There are live video links and discussions every week and assignments every Monday, plus access to a special Facebook meeting place for all fellow classmates.

I seriously lost my mojo last year and just couldn't find it... but Lilla has a way of making you think anything is possible.

So with that in mind here's my first piece of artwork for 2018.

I hope to improve and fly with my art as the year progresses.

Obviously, this first one had to include a chook (chicken).

Just a fun piece to hopefully give me a kick start!

Now that I'm back to blogging, I'd also like to share my sprout loving visitors.

I personally don't mind having them eat all the sprouts from our veg plot, as I've never eaten them nor do I intend to. But I do fear that our new seedlings and plants this coming spring might be on their menu!

But seriously how cute are these Roe Deer?

 The numbers have expanded this year from the odd one or two to five.

 Is that a guilty face or what???

So there's plenty for my first post of the year.

I hope to keep the momentum going.

Wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon.

Spot The Wildlife

As I enjoyed my morning cuppa whilst gazing out of the window, I became aware of one of our neighbours. Someone else was enjoying the beautiful warm morning sunshine. 

I'm not sure you'll immediately see the subject of My Sunday Photo in this photograph below, as he was quite a distance... even for my zoom lens. 

Right in the centre of the shot is Mr Fox!

His winter coat is quite spectacular and he's a handsome, healthy looking chap. 

He's obviously a very good hunter by the look of his physique... he's certainly not managing on scraps by the look of him.

Now I'm not saying that this particular fox is the one that nearly took our Annie away, as I have seen two foxes playing in the field, but I certainly hope this one keeps his distance... even if it means My Sunday Photo has to suffer.

I'd much rather that than losing one of my chooks! 

My elderly neighbour had mentioned that she'd got some more chickens (about 12 in total) but 'someone' had been taking them? I didn't have the heart to tell her that it probably wasn't a 'someone'... more a 'something'!

I have cropped the photo so that it'll make it easier to see him.

He certainly knew I was taking his picture as he looked directly at me.

The click of the camera travelled right across the field, blowing my cover!

I managed to take a few shots where he had his eyes closed, enjoying the rays.

It was the perfect perch for him... on the raised grassy mound. 

It enabled him to enjoy the sun, but also to see all around.

Well it was perfect until a dog came mooching along...then Mr Fox slunk away into the ferns and that was the last I saw of him for the rest of the day. 

If you'd like to see lots more photos, then click the link here to My Sunday Photo

and Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks for visiting my place and I hope to see you again soon.

Have a great weekend everyone

Meet my new bestie....the red squirrel

At last I've spotted a little critter! And Christmas has come early for him....

Up until this point the only animals that I've seen have been pet dogs and cats.

I hadn't even seen a bird or rodent since we arrived here and I must admit I was beginning to wonder if I would see any or where they'd all gone! 

(Maybe off to Australia for a little warm for their winter holiday? 

I believe it's rather toasty there just now...)

It's not until the little things like birds go missing from our lives that we realise how much we enjoy having them around and that we take them for granted. 

Take for instance their birdsong alone....it's not until it's gone that you miss it so much. 

The silence can be quite deafening here sometimes especially at night. 

Let me tell you, you have no idea how loud snoring can sound when there's no other sound around!!!

Listen to that.....no wonder I'm awake all hours...it's not jet lag after all!

Anyway, back to my little critter. As I mentioned in a previous post I always like to feed the wildlife especially the birds, so we have hung a feeder from a nearby tree. 

Expectantly we've waited....and waited...and waited.....in fact we're still waiting for a bird, but just as I was passing the window today something caught my attention and there balanced precariously on the feeder was a squirrel. A RED squirrel.

I should just add a little note here to say that in the UK the red squirrel was virtually wiped out by the grey squirrel so I was thrilled to see this little guy. There are programmes now that are trying to reintroduce them but it'll take some time. The grey squirrels are quite a lot larger than the red and not as cute in fact they can be quite aggressive. 

I apologise that the photo is slightly out of focus but that's because he was in such a great hurry. 

Stocking up with bulging jowls, then just a flick of the tail and he was away again....puff gone!

But now I'd seen him I wanted to see more...I knew he would be hungry because there's been heavy snow on the ground for four days now. That has obvioulsy meant slim pickings and so with that in mind I produced a culinary delight for my new little furry friend. I chopped up some apple, nuts, and even sacreficed my blueberries. No expense spared for the little guy.

These were obviously too tempting and as you can see below he came running over to add to his daily five!!! By the way, the snow he's running over just happens to be well over my knees....I know this for a fact because I lost my boot whilst trying to fill the feeder!

After freezing my behooky off and finally locating my boot once more, I decided to retreat to the warmth of the fire to watch his antics...and look who wasn't camera shy after all.

Now this photo below I think is the cutest I've seen for quite some time. What do you think?

I think someone else must have been feeding him too because he certainly looks healthy don't you think?

I just need to name him now? Any idea's anyone?

I'm not sure if he's a he or a she...but I don't think either way that'll bother my new bestie, 

just so long as I keep up the peanut run! 

I've just heard that the weather forecast is for 40cms of fresh snow fall tomorrow! Whoohoo!

 

Santa's nearly on his way peeps...are you ready?

Just remember to enjoy. Catch you later...

The Melbourne Show....roll up...roll up...

Maybe it's the fact that I have the house to myself for the first time in over three weeks...or maybe it's a hormonal thing (nah) or maybe it's just because...? 

Whatever the reason...I'm in a carnival mood...the music's turned up loud (can you still hear me?) 

I'm dancing around...well not quite at the moment obviously...that would be a little tricky whilst typing...

but you get the gist...I'm a happy bunny to have my space and time back even if it is only for a few hours! 

So let's have some fun....

Let me show you the Melbourne Show that was one of our day trip visits....

I did intend to post this whilst the Melbourne Show was actually still running but hey things happen and when you are high tailing it all over the state...time and internet don't always allow.
So here we are a little late but my second name is tail-end Charlie after all...

  (just a little interlude here...are you impressed with my photos?...see how I think of you

I thought I'd use picmonkey to create a collage so that you won't have to wade through tons of pics ~ thanks Tracey for the idea and hey it was peesers!)

I have to confess right up front here that I don't particularly like fun fairs...call me weird but that's the way it is...I never even liked balloons at birthday party's when I was a tot. 

But first let me explain why we decided to visit the Melbourne Show if I didn't like fairgrounds...

Well when we lived in Cheshire, England way back...we would visit the annual 'Cheshire Show' and it was fantastic. I have such wonderful memories of brilliant days out. It was more of an agricultural event and would only cover a few days (not like Melbourne which covers 10 days)

...so upon hearing that Melbourne had a similar show we decided to pay a visit. 

Immediately upon arrival I knew this particular show was going to be different than what I had expected...hearing the music blasting (no problem there I can cope with that) stall holders shouting through microphones trying to drag in punters, squeals of delight from on high as people where flung every which way...I knew that it wasn't really going to be my cup of tea.

I mean seriously...I just don't get the idea of flinging myself upside down and inside out until my last meal reappears...because let me tell you it would!!!

I remember when I went on a school trip once which included a big dipper ride as part of the so called 'fun'...anyway I remember the teacher accompanying the group wasn't too keen on going on the ride either but for some reason that has always escaped me we decided that we should face our fear and just do it together anyway!

WRONG!!! 

When I was finally still although I use that term loosely because I don't think my stomach landed for a few days...I had to prize my finger nails out of the teachers arm....

I'd make a bet that that particular teacher has never ever been back on a roller coaster again...likewise! 

So let's move away from the fair rides to another kind of ride that I imaged to be at the show...

Then of course there has to be a dog show that I obviously had to check out...

From the unbelieveably large to the tiniest...

The St Bernard wore a very fetching dribble bid (yuk) but obviously out of necessity...
one shake and you'd dripping from head to foot.
Then the hairy kind...who would have far too much grooming sessions for my liking...
I have enough trouble putting the comb through my own hair!

Then the teeny tiny chap...I think he was checking that all his followers of his blog were getting all the gen about his latest awards and rosettes...he's very intent on the ipad! ^..^

Then onto the country fair...and all the animals on the farm...

I'll just attach the photos here because I have to warn you there's quite a few...

Seriously how cute are these critters....

The Alpaca family

I'm seriously taking far too much of your time so I'll just group the usual farmyard together....

I'm sure you've all seen sheep, ducks, goats, and cattle before....

 I can just see the caption on the top right photo here...

'Hey Gertie does my bum look big in this stall?'

 Now that's a serious hairdo for the show...and the turkey certainly knew when the camera was anywhere near...strutting his stuff in fine style 
(by the way Happy Canadian Thanksgiving this last weekend ~ I just remembered ;D)...
and obviously someone got very nervous on this last pic when the judges appeared...
they just couldn't help themselves! 

This chap seriously can chop wood...he chopped this log in half within what seemed a few seconds.

(No jokes or smutty inuendo's here please!)

And just a few more cuties to finish....

 Hmm...I think I really should have put a warning at the start of this post...it does go on doesn't it?

Oh well...so that was some of the fun at the fair....

I hope you'll visit your local country show next time there's one in your area....
they're a brilliant way for the town and country to mix.

Happy Monday everyone ~ let's hope this week is a good one...and if not just take a deep breath and smile

Catch you later

Man's Best Friend...

All shih tzu's should come with a warning.....

do not get too close, especially within reach of the tongue.

and Muffin is no exception....

Australia Day

Its Australia Day here today.....
On Australia Day the nation comes together to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what's been achieved and what Australian's can be proud of. Its the day for people to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

(Kangaroos belong to a group of marsupials called macropods, which means 'great footed animals'. Macropods have strong back legs with long feet. They hop on their back legs when travelling, using the muscular tail as a balance. Hopping in this way is an energy-efficient way of travelling long distances. Their front legs are small. When moving slowly, usually as they graze or to change position, the tail and front legs prop up the animal, and the back legs move forward.. this is called 'crawl walking'.
Kangaroos are good swimmers, and will sometimes escape a threat by going into water if it is nearby.
Kangaroos feed in the late afternoon and early morning, spending the day resting in shade. In hot weather they scrape the ground with their front paws and lie in the cooler earth they have exposed. Kangaroos do not sweat, so in the heat they lick their front paws and rub the moisture onto their chests to cool down).

(The koala gets its name from an ancient Aboriginal word meaning "no drink" because it receives over 90% of its hydration from the Eucalyptus leaves (also known as gum leaves) it eats, and only drinks when ill or times when there is not enough moisture in the leaves. ie during droughts etc.
The koala is the only mammal, other than the Greater Glider and Ringtail Possum, which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves).

Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.

(Echidnas also known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals )

Though 26 January marks this specific event, today Australia Day celebrations reflect contemporary Australia: the diverse society and landscape, remarkable achievements and bright future. It also is an opportunity to reflect on the nation's history, and to consider how to make Australia an even better place in future.

(Mitchell's Cockertoo - Cacatua leadbeateri. 35-40cm
One of the most beautiful Australian cockatoos, plumaged in delicate tints of pink and white with a display of fiery colour when the crest is raised; colour most effective in flight, showing pink underwings, or at landing, when the wings are lifted and the crest is spread to show the colour bands. Shallow, quick, erratic wingbeat action is interrupted by brief glides. Usually travels by brief low flights, often landing in trees to break the journey into shorter stages. In pairs, small family parties, rarely large flocks; at times intermingles with Galahs or Little Corellas).

On Australia Day, over half of the nation’s population of 21 million attend either an organised community event, or get together with family and friends with the intention of celebrating their national day. Many more spend the public holiday relaxing with family and friends.

(Tawny Frogmouth Scientific name: Podargus strigoides
An Australian variety of frogmouth, a type of bird found throughout the Australian mainland, Tasmania and southern New Guinea. The Tawny Frogmouth is often thought to be an owl but its neither an Owl or a Frogmouth, the Australian Owlet is in acutal fact a " Nightjar")

So whatever you are doing today.....have a great time.

(Kookaburras (genus Dacelo) are large to very large (total length 28–42 cm/11–17 in) terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter — good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the renowned Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra (D. leachii). They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily).

I'm away to enjoy the day, and this evening we're off to the Australian Tennis Open!
How cool is that?