My Sunday Photo... The Gilded Season

For this weeks My Sunday Photo I wanted to concentrate on the fleeting of our gilded season, before the amazing colours and light fade as winter makes it's entrance. 

We really have had a spectacular week with amazing sunlight from sunrise until sunset.  

The sun hangs very low in the sky at this time of year.

The shadow in the field is actually our house.

Everything has long shadows.  

I managed to cut the lawn (hoping that this will be the last cut of the season) and sat back to look at my handy work, when the dappled light shone and danced through the trees.

Finally we were treated to a spectacular sunset! 

Wow... it lasted for quite some time and was a joy to watch.

I know I've included these images on my Instagram, but I wanted to share these pics with my blogger followers who might not have access to an Instagram account.

We're about to put back our clocks tonight so that's a sure indication that winter is definitely on its way. Bring it on I say... and let's get it done with, so that we can say "Hello Spring"!!!

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

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

Have a great weekend everyone

My Sunday Photo...Autumn Sunlight

We've been living in a cloud over the last three days, so it was such a wonderful sight to see the sun cast it's amazing autumnal light on everything this morning.

All the changing colours of the leaves as they twist and twirl down to the ground on the crisp breeze.

The last of the summer blooms popped with vibrant colours once more...putting one last performance in before they disappear until next year. 

Brave bees and butterflies are busy making the most of the day... as did I. 

I transplanted many tender plants into pots to bring indoors before the chilly night air shocks their delicate leaves.

I worked until my back reminded me that it was time to call it a day.

There's rain forecast for tomorrow so I'm glad I seized the day and made the most of the beautiful warm sunshine.

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com

and Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk

Have a great weekend and thanks for popping over to my place.

Summer Slips Away and Autumn Arrives

Summer has slipped quietly away and I for one will miss it, even though it wasn't a particularly good one for us up here in the North East of Scotland.

I'm hopeful that our Autumn will be spectacular... and so far it's not doing too badly. 

I thought I'd highlight just a snippet of what's happening around our place.

The fields of gold have been harvested with this beast!

It doesn't look particularly large on this photo but this was captured on my zoom lens... the machine is approx 250 metres away!

Trust me it's huge.

It must be a terrifying thing to see and hear if you're a little wee beast.

With all of the various changes with autumns arrival, our little elegant resident roe deer is in the process of changing his summer coat of reddish brown to grey.

I've done a little research and I believe he might be between two and three years old.

He appears regularly near our house and settles down to rest, which is a huge honour. 

He must feel safe.

I think it's pretty special having such a majestic neighbour.

 I'm not sure if I've mentioned in previous posts, but I've been trying to photograph one of the few wren's that frequent our garden. 

Yesterday I had a chance but oh my word he's a flighty little critter!

The photo below was taken from my kitchen window across to the decking steps... as you can see it was also raining, so not the best conditions for a photographic shoot.

But I'm happy that it's not just a blur.

The blackbirds are enjoying this time of year too with lots of goodies available.

This particular blackbird is enjoying the berry bonanza.

If I'm showing you some of our visitors, then how could I not include our new robin.

He's looking mighty handsome in his new red waistcoat and is still friendly.

Everyone knows I love to take photos of the busy bees and I'm including this one because who knows it might be the last visit of the year!

Oh how I'll miss them.

But there'll be lots of other wonderful sights to capture with the coming seasons.

I'll hopefully have my camera at the ready and be snapping away, so feel free to pop back anytime.

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com

and Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk

Have a great weekend and thanks for popping over to my place.

My Sunday Photo... Autumn Synopsis

This may not be the best photo, but in my defence it was such a dull grey day, so I suppose the result is not surprising.

I thought I'd show you a synopsis of where we are at this moment in time.

Autumn is just getting into full swing after a very mild start, so the trees are only just putting on their colourful display and as you can see here some plants are still flowering. 

I've started to take the tender plants inside, just in case a sneaky frost creeps in to visit during the night, but it's such a shame whilst they are looking so healthy.

Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

The Virginia Creeper has been virtually changing colour right before our eyes.

I couldn't help thinking that this next photo looks like a string of hearts.

I love those little love hearts on the top right of the photo.

As you can imagine with the weather turning chillier and a wood fanatic on the premises, there's a fair amount of wood management going on. 

Sourcing, stacking, sawing and standing back to admire your handy work.

I did wonder when I saw this pile, if my hubby was expecting rain... a lot of rain.

It looks like a raft! 

These logs haven't seen the chainsaw yet.

They have just been raised off the ground for now, so that they don't rot over winter.

We have a full wood store with prepared logs and we're not afraid to use them... daily!

Our wood burner is doing a grand job of keeping the house cosy and there's nothing more homely than having a fire flickering away on such a dull day.

And finally here's a shot of the sky to show you just what I meant when I said we have had a grey day!

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo

Thanks for visiting

Autumnal scenes

Autumn has been spectacular this year. 

It has highlighted what I already knew... that it's my favourite season. 

Maybe it's the fact that summer very often is a disappointment here in Bonnie Scotland, so when the temperature rises to 15 degrees (in October!) I'm right there to appreciate it as much as I can.

The photo above was taken whilst on a dog walk.

Who wouldn't love nature's palette?

Everywhere you look there's something to catch the eye.

Berry's, leaves, sunsets and sunrises to name but a few. 

This Canna Lily which I planted into a large pot along with fuschias, ivy and lobelia (which is hidden under all that foliage) hasn't flowered this year, but I'm not too sad about that because just look at the colour of those leaves.

I just have to try to save it from frost and the plummeting temperatures over night with our clear skies. 

I'm thinking about wrapping it with bubble wrap, but if anyone has any tips... I'm all ears!

The floating leaves caught my attention the other day on another dog walk.

The windy conditions caused them to float and congregate at one end of the lake.

There's nothing better than when a chore becomes fun don't you think?

Here's my son initially helping me to collect some of the fallen leaves from the trees in our garden... but as often happens... things took a turn for to the fun side with a game of hide and seek.

Muffin had to find him when he had buried himself in the leaves. 

She's never played this game before so it was fun to see her reaction.

You may have to look closely to find Muffin... she was nearly buried too.

And finally just when I thought Halloween is over... I got a big scare this afternoon, but thankfully it turned into delight very quickly.
The fog which has been visiting most of the country (mainly further down south) arrived here today.
I looked out of the window to check on the density of the fog this afternoon, when I suddenly noticed white shapes moving in the adjacent field.
Straining my eyes and doing extremely excessive blinks with my eyes were on stalks, I realised that the farmer had brought sheep into the field.
I'm delighted and have wanted the sheep to come nearer to the house since we returned from Australia (they used to be right up to our garden when we last lived here... which was so much fun when the lambs appeared)
I'm not sure what Muffin will make of them... she's never been close to one before.
In fact I don't think she's even seen one.
This'll be fun!
I couldn't take a photo because it's a pea souper out there now, but you know me... I won't be able to resist!

I'm linking to My World Tuesday today.

I hope you are having fun this week and enjoying autumn too.

Happy Autumn to you all.

My Week On A Page #4 (Autumn arrives) PPF

It appears that spring has finally slipped quietly away and autumn has taken it's place.

I'm afraid I couldn't hang on to it any longer. 

All the signs are blatantly obvious now... the geese have flown over in their perfect V formations... chatting excitedly on heading south to warmer parts. 

The squirrels are busy evading my camera lens in their frenzied activity of preparing their winter food stores.

The leaves are just beginning to put on their autumn colourful display... with the odd leaf gently floating down to the ground. Many others will follow soon, but for now they're like gentle confetti. 

September is one of my favourite months, but one thing that I'm not happy about is the invasion of spiders coming into the house. No matter how often I sweep through with the feather duster... as soon as I turn my back... they're back and the web reappears.

Last Monday started out to be a very wet day, so it gave me the perfect excuse to head into the studio to create my week on a page painting.

Initially I sketched out the design 

The autumnal theme is prevalent with spiders and their webs, evasive squirrels and autumn leaves cascading down the page. I've also added into the sketch, packets used for collecting seeds. 

I have to admit that I've never taken the time to collect seeds before, but I'm going to give it a go this year. The trouble will be to remember where I put them when spring comes to call. 

There's also a bottle of dog shampoo included on the page, because we're heading into the realms of the daily paw spa. 

Muffy has hair (as apposed to fur) and once she gets wet, which lets face it when you're that low to the ground, is quite often. Even the early morning dew can cause soggy paws and tummy.
She can take an age to dry out.
It's a good job that she likes the hairdryer and will come running whenever she hears it.
I think she just loves the warm air blowing on her. 

A reminder of her youth when living in hot climates.

The remaining item is a helinium. 

One of my daughter's favourite plants. 

I've never grown them before, but have been delighted with their fantastic vibrant colour, like mini sunflowers in my border. I can't believe that they are still producing flowers and look like they'll carry on for some time to come... with lots of buds still to open.

They are perfect to cut and bring into the house for floral arrangements.

They last for ages too.

So here's the finished page... My week on a page #4

I have such fun creating these pages. 

It's a great visual diary.

Perhaps you'd like to give it a try? 

Thanks for visiting and I'd love to hear what you'd include on your page.

Have fun and I hope to see you again soon.

Happy painting peeps!

Wonderful Workshops

I can't complain that I haven't had time to paint this week because I've seriously indulged not once, but twice! (GASP!)

Well for a start how could I clean the house when it's been so dark? 

At 3.00pm I've had to turn on lamps for goodness sake.

I dread to think what I'll see when the sun eventually does shine, but apparently that's not going to happen until at least next Tuesday... if we're lucky. 

So for now all my guilt is shut up tight into the broom cupboard. 

But can you guess what the subject matter was for my art group this week?

A Rainy Afternoon!!!! 

As you can imagine I was thrilled 

I have to say I struggled with this one, not only for the subject, but also trying to keep my piece loose.

I nearly freaked out trying to get a little precision on a building whilst using the palette knife.
I apologised to all my fellow desk mates but they seemed to think it was a giggle... so they're now off my Christmas card list!  

I definitely need more time to work on this... so I'm not going to show you it this week.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone never mind my arty friends. 

I'm still attempting to catch up after being away and had completely forgotten that I'd signed up for a workshop.

Thankfully I'd entered it into my phone diary so didn't miss it. 

I had a great time which was organised by the Jack Tierney Gallery in Cults, Aberdeenshire.

The very talented visiting Russian artist Sofia Perina-Miller gave incredible demo's (four in all) and her enthusiasm was infectious, so we all had a play too.

Her work is so incredibly vibrant and free flowing. 

No pencil in sight. 

Here she is painting a poinsettia. 

Sofia sees everything in intense colour and transfers that to her paintings.
If you'd like to see more of Sofia's work... click here or visit her Facebook page here

Her energy was tangible and listening to her talk about all of her projects, plans and future work left me feeling a little dizzy. She apparently only has about three to four hours sleep a night. 

(I knew that's were I would find some more time... now I just have to try sleep deprivation... although somehow I don't think it'll be for me... I'm a dizzy blonde already at times) 

I now have an extensive art supplies wish list for Christmas, but unfortunately I don't think I've been that good.... I'll have to work on it!

St.Petersburg White Nights Wooden Box Set
Shin-Gansai watercolour pan
600gsm cold pressed paper 
to name but three...

Here's a painting I managed to do within the time restraints.

I always like to outline in pen so was thrilled when Sofia said that we needed to do that on our finished paintings. 

Yay... I knew I liked her 

This second piece isn't finished but I'll maybe have a play with it using the paints I already have. 

It's so dark here so photographs lately leave a lot to be desired...soz!

I'll certainly be looking out for more workshops to attend and Sofia says she will return in the spring.
Roll on spring for so many reasons...

And finally and more appropriately my sincere apologies if you have visited me recently and I haven't returned the call.

I've been away twice in the last few weeks and there's still two little trips planned (although these aren't cast in stone) I will be revisiting my posts to catch up with replies as and when I can.

In the meantime why don't you nip over to Kristin and Eva's Paint Party Friday there's always lots to see.

I'm also linking to Dion Dior's Friday Sketches... click here to visit Dion

And the Artist's Play Room over at Jenn's Just Add Water Silly blog

Happy Friday everyone... have fun and hopefully I'll see you again soon
(I'll be concentrating on the Christmas festivities after this weekw)

xoxo

Turning back the time

That's it... we've put the clocks back an hour which means we're now on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) 

I just wish someone would explain how I get my dog to understand this.

Yesterday, she started gruffing and driving me mad for her dinner... which I chose to ignore, but it wasn't until the gentle gruffing reached annoying levels, that I suddenly realised that she wasn't being a pain or greedy... it was in her mind (and stomach) one hour later than the clock stated! 

Doggy dinner-time! 

So the summers passed and we're heading towards winter. 

There's nothing that can be done about it...so we just have to suck it up and embrace it... whatever it brings. 

I'll try not to dwell on the fact that I'm sitting writing this post at 5.00pm and it's nearly pitch black outside!

Anyway, I don't have to keep a check on the time, because I have my very own personal time keeper. 

I'm not one of those people that remember dates for when things have happened previously... other than the obvious birthdays, anniversary's and major dates etc but my hubby remembers the finer details.

He can suddenly announce "do you know that it's blah blah X years to the day that we moved into blah blah (insert address)" or "It was on this day last year that we ate that amazing meal in the blah blah ***** hotel"! 

His powers of retention never cease to amaze me especially for date related details. 

(Oh and especially if there's food involved).

Maybe it's his number favouring left-sided brain that gives him this freaky skill (he's left handed too) whilst I on the other hand (no pun intended... honest) am a right-sided brain (right handed too) who cannot for the life of me remember numbers! 

For example, I've had my mobile phone since I moved back here and I still don't know the number.

Maybe that's why we work so well for all of these years... it's all about balance.

(Digitalis... or commonly know as Foxglove from my garden) 

And so we're on the run up to Halloween, but I have a confession to make... I don't really like this particular holiday. As a child it used to frighten me, but thankfully it wasn't of the same degree that it is now.

I remember I was scared on this night. 

(just a wee woos really) 

But I do remember that we had one particular great Halloween night when we lived in Qatar. 

We lived on a compound with security guards and gates containing roughly 30 houses, each had it's own big perimeter wall of about 7 or 8 ft high.

So as the excitement mounted, the compound manager notified every house by letter that the outer gates would be locked at 6.pm and the compound lights switched off for one hour of high jinks.
It was great to know that all the little kiddiewinks would be safe to take part in trick or treating. 

All of the houses wishing to participate had a picture of a pumpkin placed strategically on their gate, so the children would know whether to ring the bell or not.
My son went out around the compound and came back with a huge stash of goodies and joked how he and his friends were playing tricks on some of the other older kids... jumping out of bushes etc. 

We had Harry Potter music playing loudly in our garden with lanterns and candles which set the scene. It was very dark, so we sat back on our veranda to listen to the giggles, squeals, and shouts...enjoying the fact that my son could participate without our help.

But my hubby decided that it was time for a little fun and payback. 

He climbed up on to our wall and waited...

When my son came back once again through the gate throughly excited with his goody bag bulging once more... my husband reached over and ruffled his hair! 

OH MY... I kid you not... I think my son must have leap three feet into the air and may even have squealed (although he'll certainly deny this part I'm sure) 

Once he realised who had played the joke on him and his heart rate had returned to a normal rate, he couldn't stop laughing.

He remembers it to this day. 

So have fun and enjoy whilst I pop some garlic around the place... just in case! 

I'm away for a few days for a quick get-away... woohoo... and I'm not sure if I'll have internet connections ... ... so I may be missing for a wee while. 

But I'll no doubt have lots to show you when I return.
There maybe the odd instagram photo just so you don't forget me. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to natter with you again soon.

Toodleloo for now 

xoxo

My Sunday Photo

Unexpected Visitor... My Sunday Photo