Snow

Luke was rather curious about the cold, white stuff that arrived on our doorstep over the last couple of days...

It's been a little while since my last blog as Christmas plays and the weather have taken over... not quite; I have managed to do some craft activities, reading some very different books on loan from friends and family and I've been tracing the family tree (a bit of detective work keeps my mind working) but I'll have to save that for another installment! Hope to see you soon x

Autumn snapping

Thinking about the weeks ups and downs and the photos I have taken I want to think about the great, inspiring or interesting things that have happened...



A friend told me they were inspired by my blog :-). Thank you so much; that inspires me to continue.

My friend Jo has an amazing looking camera which I long for but out of the blue she said she wants a camera like mine because its lighter, smaller and can be taken anywhere.  My love for my camera is rejuvinated!

I love walking with my Mum and little Luke and we attracted the lovely squirrels in my photos. I apologised to my Mum for my snapping away with the camera and she said it made her look more carefully for a good picture.

I finally got the sewing machine out and made a little stocking for Luke. I am happy with my first attempt but its a bit traditional and there are definitely changes I'd make if I do it again but feels so good to be creative (despite the larger mess mountain I had to climb the next day!).

I was having a bit of a hard time with my tired toddler yesterday and it must have shown as a kind stranger came up to me and reassured me that things will get easier! Actually they are much easier than that most of the time (except when shopping is involved) but I was grateful for her kindness.

What a great time of year - Christmas show rehersals underway, bonfires and fireworks all around. The local display of fireworks were so awe inspiring; watching Luke and seeing the final rain of fire fill the sky above our heads filled me with emotion.

Half term

Out and about over the half term; didn't venture too far but Portland and Weymouth in the sunshine was worth a picture or two. Thanks Mum and Luke for some lovely walks and good to catch up with some other friends and family.

Luke made an interesting new friend...! This poor squirrel thought that Luke was going to feed him then saw his waving stick and ran up the tree.

Mess!

I was strangely inspired by a recent blog I read (which I can't find despite studying my history!)about photographing a messy house because it was more realistic than a staged one  and a book I read with the class this week called 'The Higgledy Piggledy Pigs' by Sally Crabtree where the family decide they prefer a messy house to a tidy one.  Eagerly I went forth armed with my camera and studied the mess in my house (of which there seemed to be plenty) to find an interesting picture...

I found it really hard!! I didn't want to look at my mess at all and instead found myself drawn mostly to the details of Matt and Luke's mess which wasn't really that messy!!

I want to look at beautiful pictures or interesting features that inspire me. When I crop a picture I am taking out the untidy background but I did want to focus on the finer details.

I needed something more theraputic after this and to clear my cluttered head I took Luke for a walk and found some wildlife...



Ahh, feeling better already!!

Sea and pebbles

On our local Dorset Coast chilling out and enjoying the gorgeous autumn weather.

Felt like I was abroad as the sun was out.  This tree was spectacular against the blue weekend sky.

Pebbles and sea; nothing seems to make Luke happier!

Matt and I enjoying our friends lovely pink wedding.

Reach for...a car!



An ancient dream

At school I am running a course with another teacher for parents on Family SEAL (Social Emotional Aspects of learning). I have worked with children for years and generally feel very at home there but working with adults is something fairly new. I've had mixed emotions - fear at facing adults; definitely out of my normal comfort zone and excitement at doing something new and interesting.

I was talking to the other teacher about doing a warm up session where adults share their goals as children would and it created a real debate between us about goal setting. I like having goals; ideas of where I would like to travel and what I would like to do, although they are very flexible. I like having a fun to do list as well as 'chores'. The other teacher thought that most adults don't have goals and that this would be a difficult task. After a lot of discussion and the inclusion of fun dreams such as a new car we have agreed to give it a go...

As I was doing the washing up I found Les Brown and Zig Ziglar on You Tube, both immensely inspiring and making me want to write down some goals for myself. Both could be a little preachy at first but quite entertaining and funny to listen to with great messages.

I've started reading Fit to Live by Dr Pam Peeke - I've been inspired to lose weight by reading a different book of hers and I'm hoping to break the yo-yo cycle that I have begun and continue to lose or sustain - here goes!

Also on channel five there's a programme How to take stunning pictures which I enjoyed watching this evening.  Another bonus is that Luke was quite happy to curl up and sleep cuddling up to me while I watched this, very relaxing.

Weekend!

Can't believe the weekend is almost over again. Reading The Wonderful Weekend Book by Elspeth Thompson (note at end of blog) and I am really enjoying it; there are so many great ideas in there and the way she writes makes everything seem so appealing! I tried to avoid the housework and shops as suggested but they managed to creep in but did some fun things..

The In-laws came around for a lovely chinese, thank you! We played a very silly but addictive game - miming words with the word door in them which drove Matt crazy before he joined in and then got the microphone out! We celebrated the fact my sister-in-laws website Tiara Heaven was in Vogue.


Oh dear, my sister in law was teaching my son how to take pictures on my camera and they took this specimen. I hate the camera at the best of times and unfortunately his height gets a great double chin, but I guess it's only fair (OK so I cropped it a little!!).

After finishing this blog I went to link to the blog by the author that I'm reading Elspeth Thompson and it was very sad to find that she has passed away.