Splish Splash... PPF and Sunday Sketches.

Splish splash is certainly an appropriate title for this weeks Paint Party Friday artwork, because it has been seriously wet and even foggy here these last few days. 

That in itself is bad enough, but the rest of the UK has been basking in temperatures of near the 30 degree mark!

That just seems so unjust in my book.

So yesterday, we decided to leave fog bound Aberdeen and head inland... which worked a treat.

It's a well known fact, that the fog can be thick here near the North Sea coast, but if you drive a few miles inland, there's a good chance that the sky will clear and out pops the sun!

Which in fact it did.

We visited another Scottish National Trust property that I will post about at a later date. 

I've still got Pitmedden Gardens (part 2) to edit.

I thought I would let you see what I was talking about on my PPF post last week, when I mentioned my visiting doves watching me through the window, whilst I work. 

(For anyone that missed my PPF post last week here is the link... click here)

It's time to join the Paint Party Link, where Kristin and Eva host lots of talented artists to come together to share their work and inspiration.
I'm also linking up with Alexandra's Sunday Sketches. 
Alexandra is staying in the UK for a few months and is hosting Sunday Sketches from this side of the pond. If you'd like to see her illustrations, plus lots more through the link then you can use the button in my sidebar. 

So I'll love and leave you for now.

Thanks for popping by and I hope to see you again soon.

I wish you a wonderful weekend.

Wildflower Meadow and Doves...PPF and Sunday Sketches

Morning everyone... or whatever salutation is appropriate for you at this particular moment.

It's Friday once again which means it's time to party! 

Yesterday I decided as well as working on my other 'project' (to be revealed at a later date) I'd have a play on a new canvas. 

Firstly, I need to explain that I haven't really used acrylic paints before... so as the photos show... I need help!

As you can see from the view from the studio window, it was a great day for playing indoors.

I decided to revisit the wildflower meadow experiment that I'd had fun with a few weeks back.

Perhaps it's my last attempt to cling on to summer, because I distinctly heard the robins twittering and felt a rather chilly feel to this mornings air.

Needless to say I dashed straight away for a thick warm cozy jumper.

I'm taking no chances.

Who knows I could self-combust by lunchtime... with any luck!

So on to the painting...

Now in my defence it isn't finished and I intend to knock back the sky and yellow later. 

I'm not sure that 'knock back' is the correct term, but I think it's too bright and needs to be toned down.

I like the grass and flowers, although I will have a further fiddle with these no doubt before I'm done.

If you have any tips or advice I'd certainly love to hear from you.

My quick sketch today was inspired after visiting Alexandra's blog post over at Bluechairdiary.

I had a good chuckle reading about the pigeon cooing away every morning and it reminded me of the doves that come to visit me each day. I have no idea where they come from, but they seem very happy to stay, resting on our chimney pots. 

I know when they arrive, because they coo loudly which reverberates down the chimney!

They know me so well now that they have actually started to come onto the decking and peer in the patio window where I am working. 

It's we're here, waiting and why aren't you feeding us!

I will be linking up with Alexandra for the Sunday Sketch on Sunday, but if you would like to visit her before then just click on the Sunday Sketch logo in my sidebar.

Before I leave you this morning, I would like to say that I really would love to visit each and every entry for the Paint Party Friday and Sunday Sketches, but unfortunately, I have only managed that for one week...so far. I have the best intentions, but time is just whipped away from me. 

If you visit and comment here, I always try to return the compliment.

I also answer your comment here and try to copy it to your email account, but many have a no-reply comment address... so in that case the reply is only on my blog. 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I hope to see you again soon.

xoxo

Let the Cock Crow - PPF

Let the cock crow! Morning everyone

Although I'd loved to keep some chooks (chickens) I don't think I could have a cockerel. 

For instance, I was visiting an agricultural show a few weeks ago and went into the poultry marquee. Unaware that I was standing right in front of a prize cockerel taking in a cute chook opposite, he let out a cry. 

Oh my goodness did I jump... he gave me such a fright that I nearly laid an egg!

I did try to take a video of him but he went all camera shy and wouldn't so much as cluck!

Ever since that day, I've had a mind to paint a cockerel using the loose style that I'm trying to adopt as my own. 

So here he is...

I'm not convinced that he's finished yet. 

I haven't used any white highlights or finalized his tail feathers, but I'm actually being prolific this week for me. I'm actually painting two pieces at once!

(You can tell that the weather hasn't been the best if that's the case)

I started My Week On A Page #3

There's still a long way to go with this, but I'm pleased that it's well underway. 

I think I should rename 'my week' to 'my fortnight' (two weeks) because I can't seem to complete them in just one week. 

Anyway, here it is so far.

When I post the finished piece I'll explain why the objects have been chosen, otherwise this post will take a week to get through and I know you'll be wanting to visit so many other artists work today as part of the Paint Party Friday link.

Here's a view of my desk that many of you might not have seen... with my Quality Control Manager keeping a close eye on the proceedings. 

Well, maybe one eye as she enjoyed getting all roasty toasty in the sun.

But don't get carried away thinking we are having glorious summer weather here... 

...because just look up at the sky.

We certainly have had a mixed bag of goodies, weather wise this summer... but not enough warmth in my book.

Average temperature over the summer months for this part of Scotland have been around 12 degree's (that would be approx 53 degree's Fahrenheit)

Yes... for summer! 

Another view to show my feathered friends are still visiting me daily. 

The seven white doves sit waiting patiently to be fed.

They arrive early in the morning and spend most of the day here.

It's a good game for Muffin to chase them when they land on the patio, but they seem unperturbed. 

I think they have sussed out that she's all fluff and flounce and not fierce or ferocious in any way.

And finally, I wanted to share this morning's view from my bedroom window.

This was about 6.00am.

Now unfortunately the picture would be a grey blanket of cloud once more. 

The sun's disappeared.

I think I may have to be an early riser (which thankfully I am) to make sure I get enough light before winter comes to call.

Is it me or does this picture look autumnal to you?

Eek... I hope not because I'm still waiting for summer! 

(I think that might have to be 2016 now)

Have a great Friday and don't forget to pop across to the Paint Party Friday gang... 

they'd love to see you

Thanks for your visit... I love to see you and even more so if you leave a comment. 

Toodleloo for now

Tuesday's treasures

If I told you that today I did a little gardening you'd probably think I was a little crazy... 

(maybe just a little more than usual) but I did! 

Even with a snow flurry forecast I still went out into the garden.

I was dressed up like a Michelin man with so many layers on that I could hardly move... but I went out.

(For those of you that are of a certain young age, you'll probably not know about the Michelin man or what on earth I'm on about, but suffice to say I was well wrapped up).  

But it was all worthwhile... because look what I found...

A brave rose blooming in January!

There were a few more brave blooms which made me smile.

The photo below shows one of the two flower pots that are on my doorstep. 

It's also full of bulbs in layers that will appear from spring through to summer which I also can't wait to see. 

Talking of which...(bulbs I mean) I've finally put the last few into the ground... 

These particular one's are tulips as shown on the packet.

Thankfully the ground wasn't too frozen for me.

It's wonderful to see new growth with the promise that spring will be coming soon (she says hopefully)

even though we'll probably have a few more snow flurries and gales before we're done.

Here's some daffodils putting on a brave face... 

Buds and shoots sprouting everywhere...

Even plants that have only been in the garden from last summer seem to approve of their new home and are coming along nicely.

I've a dilemma though... I've been thinking it over for some time now...

Do I leave the ivy growing over the wall which has become so thick there's a possibility of it could pull some of the wall down? 

It definitely needs sorting in some way, but I think it's sanctuary for lots of birds. 

I'm thinking that I will cut it back now, but they need shelter from the winter weather... but before long they'll be nesting in it too...hmm what to do?

I also found something else which I didn't expect to find... this huge nail...

Looking at the photo below it doesn't really show how big it actually is. 

It's over six inches long! 

Thinking about it now I should have perhaps held the nail, so that it would give a better indication of it's size. 

I think it must have come from one of the old cow barns that are in and along side our garden.

And who do you think lives here?

And finally three of my favourite daily visitors.

They appear each morning and land on the roof waiting for me to feed them. 

I've actually had them feed out of my hand, but it's difficult taking a selfie (in focus) whilst feeding them.

If I manage it one day I'll be sure to post it.
So there we are... that's Tuesday done and dusted.
I hope you're having a great week and possibly find some treasures too.

The birds and the bees....

Remember back in April, I added a bee mat at the edge of my garden to help create a bee haven. 

Well I thought you might like an update. 

Was it a success or not? 

(click here if you want to see the first post about the mat)

Here's the outcome....I think it's a BIG hit don't you?

I'm not sure that our bee population has increased because we've always had good numbers, especially with all of the blooms that are available around here. But I'm happy not only doing my bit with the current reports of the declining bee population but also growing new plants that I haven't tried before. 

I'm not entirely sure that my hubby and especially my son are in agreement with me as they both suffer with hayfever. 

My son is particularly bad but I'm telling myself it's more of the grasses that irritate him (other than me obviously) and not the wild flowers. 

Yeah I know...
We are surrounded by wild flowers, hedgerows and grasses where we are located, so other than moving to the sea (and I'm NOT moving anywhere for the foreseeable future) 

we'll keep trying different products and take medical advice for now. 

Talking of my son and hubby has reminded me of an amazing... nay... in fact shocking outcome this week. 

I know that the World Cup has finished and you were all probably sick of it by the time it came to an end, but let me tell you one more story. 
We had a family sweep for the World Cup and I won it...
I WON IT! 
Out of 25 people... I won!
(Some of the participants are keen football fans too... snigger) 

It wasn't just a question of picking out a team though as I had to think of scores for each match, at each stage and the highest scoring footballer and....and...etc etc (okay what I'm trying to say is that it wasn't just luck. Skill, football knowledge and okay maybe a little luck too was needed)
Now to say that my hubby and son have gone into shock over this is an understatement. But rightly so... how on earth can something like this happen?

How can a girlie know about football?
(A clue - maybe the thirty odd years of listening and watching has finally seeped in)

The look on their faces when I showed them the email containing the score table was priceless. I wish I'd have anticipated it to take a photo.
Now I don't want to gloat too much (HA just watch me!) especially to all of the other participants, but I'm going to milk this one...milk it big time...possibly for years to come! 
(cough) Sorry I just felt the urge to run around the room with my t-shirt pulled over my head singing the TV theme tune to Match of the Day (again)!  

(Here's a peek at one of my bird feeders with a greenfinch and goldfinches stopping to enjoy the sunflower hearts. I blame Brinvale bird food for providing such great seed that I'm having to reorder on a more frequent basis. 

But we have so many birds visiting our garden now and we're reaping the rewards. By the way, I'm not receiving any reimbursement for saying this, but I think if a product and service are good, then they should get the recognition for it)  

You may have heard reports that the UK is melting today with higher temperatures forecast for tomorrow? 

Well not quite melting but having incredible temperatures just now. 

Let me put the record straight and tell you those temperatures are in the south of the country. Here in Aberdeenshire (up on the North East coast of Scotland) then it's very much a different story. Yes its warmer, but wait for it Australian visitors...just 19C today which is one of the hottest days we've had so far. 

I know I can hear you laughing from here and it's nearly the end of July. 

Here above is one of my latest visitors and I'm so happy that he's come to call. 

Mr Bullfinch.

He brings his Misses for breakfast/lunch/dinner too, so we're feeling very privileged.

I think the most surprising visitors have been pure white doves shown below. 

We started off with just two, but then one morning three arrived and at one stage we had seven, but we're now back to three most days. I have no idea where they have come from or to whom they belong, but someone will be wondering where they go all day long and why they don't want feeding when they arrive back! 

Well today was a bit of a mixed bag wasn't it?

When I sat down to natter with you, I hadn't a clue what I was going to talk about. 

I've got lots of posts in the mysterious depths of my mind (a scary place even for me to delve) but no doubt they'll all see the light of day at some stage.

I'm off to water the garden now and maybe I'll water myself with a ice cold Gin an Tonic as a reward whilst watching the sunset put on yet another spectacular display. 

Wherever you are on the planet...stay either cool or cosy and I hope you'll pop by again soon. 

Toodleloo for now
xoxo

p.s. I've got visitors arriving this month and next so I want to try out a new recipe I've come across. It has a Scottish theme so I'll let you know how it goes.

Living in a cloud... or should that be cloud cuckoo land?

Sometimes the weekend can just take it out of you...

We've certainly had a busy time and there's no let up on the horizon yet but hey... that's what makes life interesting doesn't it? 

We had visitors come to stay... the first since we've been back here, so it was both lovely and terrifying all at once, especially when the dust was still landing from yet more rubbing down of paintwork the afternoon my guests were due to arrive. 

Seriously, where does that dust come from? I'm sure it's shipped in! 

Not only was the interior of the house covered in white... but also the outside was too due to fog. Or should I say 'Haar' which is a coastal fog that occurs in this part of the country. 
(Haar is typically formed over the sea and is brought to land by wind. This commonly occurs when warmer moist air moves over the relatively cooler North Sea causing the moisture in the air to condense, forming haar. 
Sea breezes and Easterly winds then bring the haar into the East coast of Scotland and North-East England where it can continue for several miles inland. This can be common in summer when heating of the land creates a sea breeze, bringing haar in from the sea and as a result can significantly reduce temperatures compared to those just a few miles inland)
So not only are you visibly impaired by this phenomenon...you're also freezing, whilst just a few miles down the road it can be glorious. 

It is amazing to see the haar come rolling up the hill.
We've been living in a cloud for nearly a week off and on. 
I really thought I'd done so well getting through the winter unscathed. 
I hadn't grumbled too much about the temperature and wet weather (had I?) but when further down the country they have a least 20+ degrees more heat than you...then I'm afraid I'm not such a happy bunny. 
Thankfully, just a few hours before my guests arrived the sky cleared and the sun shone, so at least their welcome was a little more cheery...but then it took a turn for the worst once again. Talk about Scotch Mist!

But it never stopped us doing what we wanted and even managed an afternoon when the thermometer touched 34 degrees Celsius... I kid you not... but then it was in full sun. 

(this photo only shows 30 but believe me it did reach 34 and without a match involved as someone suggested!)
Well that's just typical of our British weather I suppose and it's what keeps us on our toes and constantly talking about it.  
So enough about our weather...

Now this part of the post is where the internet left me last night...it just went phew and disappeared, so this post is a little disjointed plus I've had a humdinger of a day today.
I will spare you all the gory details but one of the main factors is that I put the wrong fuel into my car! Now I wish I could blame someone...anyone...but I can't. I was very skilled and proficient in this action even ignoring the fact that the nozzle didn't fit correctly! 
I KNOW...you can't say anything more than I've said to myself already...plus I know you're possibly doubled up with laughter and at risk from falling off your chair, so I'll move on swiftly! 
I'd just like to say in my defence that apparently it's quite a common occurrence according to the nice chap in the garage... so there you go... I'm not alone. 

I'm being distracted by a tap, tap, tap on my new windows as I type. 
Is there no let up today? I seriously think I need to take myself off into a darkened room. I'm just not safe.
The tapping is from a 'willy wagtail' flinging himself at the window. 
He's working his way around the whole house leaving his little marks behind. 
On my new windows too! (deep breaths...in through the nose...out through the mouth!)

At first I thought he was catching insects but he's wearing himself ragged, so it must be a territorial thing and his reflection is a threat in his eyes.
I remember we used to have a robin constantly flapping and pecking at my wing mirror on my car when we lived here before. He spent days trying to defend his patch and so I decided to intervene in the end to save his sanity by putting some kitchen paper around the wing mirror every time I parked on the drive so he couldn't see his reflection. 
It worked thankfully but I can't do that for the wagtail with all the new windows! 
There's 36 of them for goodness sake! 
We've also had surprise visits from white doves over the last two days. 
Firstly only two arrived but this morning five landed. 
Obviously they've passed the word on that our five star bird feeders are a must! 

(the ladders are from the slater fixing our roof slates...so don't worry if you see a dodgy slate...he hasn't made it to this side yet)

Now what else has been happening...oh yes, we did visit a castle over the weekend, so if you'd like to come on a little tour then come back soon. I'm just editing later today...
In the meantime I'll sign out with yet another sunset... I just can't resist them.

I'm off to go to that darkened room!
At this rate I'll never get to do any artwork which reminds me... the studio is coming along nicely and there's even creative work being produced in there. 
My daughter has settled in well and at least she's creating which makes me very happy. Hopefully I'll be able to join in soon. 

(Psst...I've not forgotten that I've not got back to your emails and comments...I opened my inbox yesterday and there were 203 unopened waiting for me. 
I've seen everyone of them, but just haven't got to answer them yet...but I WILL!!!!

Have a great week and just a tip from me... take a second look at that petrol/gas gauge before you continue! Eek...
 xoxo

The chicks have hatched.....

There was a definite perfume wafting on the morning breeze today....sunscreen lotion in abundance. It was as powerful as any of the flora or fauna bursting in the competition to attract attention.
With the temperatures steadily making progress climbing up the thermometer, it only makes sense to lather liberally when venturing outdoors. It wasn't until I looked around to find where this aroma was coming from that I had to smile to myself. When you imagine a building/reno site you don't usually associate it with a pleasant pungent pong! But obviously these guys were not afraid of ridicule from fellow blokes or to tip they're caps to their more feminine side....sense prevailed. Sunscreen slapped on regardless. The old saying 'Slip, Slap, Slop' came back to me....how powerful advertising can be. That must have been years ago...

I have to say it was the nicest building site I've ever smelt....Not that I'm in the habit of smelling building sites I have to say....

Anyway, I digress somewhat from my main idea for today's post....

Whilst watering (from my rainwater tank I hasten to add) I became aware of being watched. No, not from the workmen but on closer inspection....this little chap or chap'ess? See that beady eye?

It's like one of those 'where's Waldo' pictures?

This is the nest I posted about a few weeks ago but now The Chicks have hatched.
I was balanced (as you do) on a lounger to take this photo, which is not the most stable of props....I can definitely clarify this now as it collapsed and whacked my across the shins and back as I tried to shy away discreetly. My shout and curse certainly wasn't really intended for tender innocent chicks to hear, but then it did hurt!

After all the kafuffle, I thought I'd better retreat and leave them in peace...plus Mum was looking on.

I'm not sure how many chicks there are...I think maybe two, but seriously even one in this little nest is a tight squeeze. I think they need to upgrade or renovate.

I must away and get busy.....

Whatever your up to today ~ Enjoy!

(:-))