Craigs lovely Photos

So in my last post I mentioned the beautiful hour I spent waiting for him in a cafe gorging on carrot cake.

For Christmas I brought him a super duper DSLR camera and along side it brought him an experience at a wildlife sancturay where he would get the chance to photograph birds of prey (another passion of his).

The results were hundreds of lovely photos.

I hope you don't mind but I wanted to share a few of my favourites. I hope you like them too.


Before we set off he had a mini rehersal with our own chickens. I just love the rich colours of this photos. Its so warm and clear.

You'll have to forgive me but I am not sure of the names of the birds but this photo caught my eye as the owl just sinks into the tree. It's so camaflauge and with a little bit of cropping I think this would be a lovely print.

A close up of the own above. This time with a bit of gree moss and ivy to help him stand out a bit.

Although not a bird of prey, craig likes all birds! I love this shot. Somehow it makes me feel full of freedom. I love the empty sky the little bird is just about to adventure into.

Another Owl. This time a gremlin looking Owl. Grey body, bright yellow eyes and a lush green backdrop. Wait until you see the next one .......

Wow - what a close up. I don't know whether its cute, or scary ..... still it's such a good photo!

Another lovely close up, this time with some brilliant shadows and light bits. I really love this one. I think the little bits of straw give the picture some depth as well.

I hope you liked them too. It's not bad I think for a starter. I was so proud of him!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Four things that have made me happy #5

 

1. A precious hour in a cafe. Just me, a pot of tea, delicious carrot cake and my new book. Total recharged batteries and the perfect way to spend an hour waiting for my husband (I will do a special post to let you know what he was up to while I was waiting!).

2. Freshly painted, glossed, tiled and carpeted hall/landing/stairs. My dad has been so kind to us spending time helping. I am so happy with the results. But it isn't half stressful when there is decorating going on. We don't even have that much "stuff" in the hall but it seems to still effect every room. I finished work early yesterday and spent a good three hours spring cleaning the home and getting it back to normal. Today I feel so nice about my house again! I am sure you all know what I mean!

3. A thrifty book find. After enjoying Starter for Ten and One Day I couldn't resist another David Nicholls book. I am already at the point of not being able to put it down.

4. Some bargains in Aldi for the garden. An apple, peach and cherry tree (Craig is currently planting them) and some seeds for when it gets a bit less chilly. I brought a few mixed packets as I love the surprise. I can't wait to see what comes up from the nostalgic Cottage Garden packet, or the bright Summer Long mix. I have treated myself to some primrose plugs, hollyhock seeds and some Chinese Lantern bulbs things week.

Week 3 & 4 (52 Weeks of Happy)

I missed a week …. Not because I wasn’t happy …. I was ….. just busy.

 

Week 3; No photos .... just some love for my friends!

1. Having encouraging texts from a sunshine of a work friend .... Lisa! And a precious and stolen half an hour coffee with a friend I don't see very often.
2. My Dad sparing the time to paint and gloss my hallway.
3. Working on a project with my Mum. We are a great team .... a dream team!
4. A husband who is full of kind words and empowerment!

Now onto the less soppy and more interesting (for you I mean!) week 4 .....

1. A lovely box of chocolates from my hubby, with a treasured note inside! We have shared one a night before bed. They are scrummy yummy! Mmmmmm.

2. Using up some left over sock yarn for a shopping bag (taken from the Granny Chic book). I keep teasing Craig that I making it him as a man bag ... obviously I am not, it's just funny! I think I am going to keep it to collect all the plastic bags in. I love a bit of organising!

3. Practising the ripple technique thanks Attic24 for a planned housewarming present! My sister has just brought a house .... about 10 mins walk from me. And I want to make her something special. So I am trying different things out to make sure I get it "just right".

4. A new book! Yippppppeeeeee! I am now going to love you and leave you while I enjoy a coffee and some lovely browsing through each page of this delightful book.

xxxxxxx

Swimathon

In an effort to become a better and fitter person I have signed up Swimathon 2013.

The last three weeks at the gym and pool have been brilliant. I have left feeling healthier and full of good little endorphins. All I needed was a challenge other than to be thinner. One that I couldn't get out of. One that needed a bit of commitment.

In a bid to challenge myself I decided it would have to be something swimming related. I am good at endurance, but a bit of a water baby .... better in the water than on land. I saw Swimathon adverts going up last week and decided this was the one.

So, on April the 28th at 1200 I will be doing a 2.5k marathon .... 100 lengths to be precise. All for a fantastic cause ... Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Today was my first proper session with the Swimathon in mind. I had 45 minutes and thought it best to just see how much I could do. I managed 50 lengths in that time. I was certainly most pleased! That means I am already half way there all by myself. I just need to now get up to 60, then 70, then 80 and so on ....

I don't really want to bore you with all of the little updates every time I get back from the pool. But just wanted to let you know I am doing it. And if at all you feel like you would like to sponsor me, then here is the link.

Also if anyone has any good ideas to help raise that little bit extra I would love to her them.

Kate xxx

3/52

Four things that have made me happy this week.....

1. Making decopage hearts for next weeks craft fair.
2. Finally being able to make snow prediction forcasts with my Michael Fish magnets.
3. Spring inside, winter outside.
4. Hooking hearts whilst watching Little Women.

Chickens in the Snow

They didn't like it, one bit.

I think they are still missing the black chicken.

But as for the snow. They were most horrified!

It took almost ten minutes to encourage them out of their home and out for a little exercise.

Ten minutes encouragement and lots of treats!

Its funny just having three again. Don't they look like a gang! Such posers!

  I couldn't miss the opportunity to also take a shot of Derek who also looked most unhappy.

And as for my bedroom view .... wow.

I just had to go up and explore the fields.

Slight snowdrift issue ....but we soon got over it!

Up the hills we went. Like kids again.

  A beautiful chance to take some lovely photographs.

Underneath the branches.

We finally reached the hills. After getting quite lost in the woods.

Two cows out in the field. Looking a lot braver than my three little chickens at home.
  
 

Lovely Books

I know most of us have already got this book ..... but it is delightful so!

 
 I am enjoying a snow day .... with lots of cups of tea.

 
I was going to treat myself to this book last year. But knew that the person who knew me the most would get it me as a Christmas gift.

My sister brought it me.


Sadly one of our chickens died yesterday. He couldn't with stand the drop in temperature.


My friend Jill gave me the powers to move the body out of the cage but standing and holding my hand.


Another perfect book.


This time from my husband.


So many ideas and all achievable!


I love my husband. I love my sister. I love my friend. R.I.P Black Chicken.

xxxxxxxxxxx