First Skywatch Friday of 2010

Well - it's nearly 2010 so thought I would post my photo tonight.

A view from our walk this afternoon between the heavy snow showers - like something off a Christmas card.

See more Skywatch Friday photos here.



Happy new year to everyone who visits my blog.

Last walk of 2009

After a brief excursion into town this morning (which involved laughing at a family trying to push their car over the Asda bridge - unsuccessfully - and then having to push a woman off the Safeway roundabout where she was playing her part in creating total gridlock in the centre of Elgin, Callum and I went for a walk down the Linky behind our house.

It looked like something out of Narnia (minus the hobgoblins etc!) as it was beautiful even if some kind soul a has removed the small bridge so good job we were wearing wellies so we could paddle across.

It has been snowing here on and off all day (and is still snowing as I type) and I think we must of had about 6 inches of the white stuff now. Good job the fridge is fully stocked and we don't need to go anywhere as I'm not sure the car would manage to get to the top of our road at the moment.

One Little Word

I have been a follower of Ali Edwards blog for some time now and thought that this year I wouls play along with her One Little Word challenge.

Here is what she has to say:

I am a fan of welcoming the new year with open arms. I love fresh starts, new opportunities, clean slates, possibilities.
Back in January 2007, as a way to celebrate these beginnings, I started a public tradition of choosing a single word to focus on over the course of the year.
Many of you are familiar with this tradition and have been joining me in selecting a new word each year. If this is your first time reading about the idea of one little word I recommend taking a few minutes to read my original post here.
Here's a look at my words from the past three years with links to the original posts.
2007 : Peace [ read my post for 2007 ]
2008 : Vitality [ read my post for 2008 ]
2009 : Nurture [ read my post for 2009 ]
Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life.
Maybe you want to invite something or maybe you are hoping to subtract something. Maybe your word will be practical or hopeful or creative or fanciful. Maybe you need a big word, something in-your-face that will challenge you everyday. Maybe you need something smaller and quieter that will whisper gentle tidings as you make your way throughout the year.
Whatever word you end up with, make sure it is your word (not your sister's, mom's, partner's, child's, etc). You can share it publicly or keep it close to your heart.
My word for 2010 is STORY.
I'm planning to do a post with more details on my thoughts about this word on Wednesday (look for the finishing pages of my December Daily tomorrow). I am hoping to use my word as a springboard for a variety of different projects and inspirations, in my life and my scrapbooking, over the next 365 days.

Have you chosen your word yet?

After some thought and compiling a shortlist I have come up with the word CHALLENGE

It sort of covers everything I have been thinking about for 2010.
I have set myself some personal challenges.
And some photography challenges.
And some scrapping challenges (although with so many new ones about just at the moment I am going to have to be selective and not sign up for everything like I usually do.
And a reading challenge.

More about some of these challenges over the coming couple of weeks.

Final Project 365 photograph

With a rather large sigh of relief here is my final photo in this project. I have finished as I started - with our (not so new) house. I can't believe we have been in almost a year and listening to the news reports this morning about house prices increasing by 5.9% it looks as though we bought at the right time (something which worried us greatly at the time.)

We love it - even though there are still things to be finished off. We are now busy writing out our snagging list so Springfield cane come in the New Year and put everything right. Nothing major - just nails coming though the plasterboard, a squeaky floorboard and a few cracks due to the house settling.

The all we need is for the rest of the houses to be built (just 2 left to sell) then the roads can be tarmacked and the grounds landscaped.





I would like to say a huge thank you to the girls who have kept me motivated with this project: Karen, Deb, Dorothy, Linda, Although she has 3 months still to go) Minty, Vicki and Brenda. Can't believe I have kept up with this project and not missed a day (even if my numbering leaves something to be desired!!) - my track record on actually finishing things isn't good.

Will be seeing some of you girls on 52 walks.

Sledging #2 - penultimate 365 photo

The snow had all but gone from Duffus Castle yesterday so we came back to Elgin and the tried and tested hill next to the Glen Moray distillery.



























With a sledge each the boys (both big and small) had fun. That was until Andy attempted the jump on the small round sledge - afraid it was only a 2 out of 10 for artistic interpretation!!!!





Whereas a 10/10 for Callum for technical skill!!! As you can see Dad we are still putting your sledge to good use - although it needs a slight beit of attention after this outing.

Garden visitor

Looked out of the window this morning - mainly to check if it was still snowing - and saw this chap perched on the scaffolding at the end of the garden.

Maybe he was looking for is breakfast.

This would have been my POTD but seeing as today is the last day (even if my numbering has gone to pot!) and I already have a shot in mind I just thought I would share it with you.

Project 365 - day 364 - Sledging #1

The boys wanted to go sledging but with the big sledge up in the attic - and me not keen on getting the wobbly ladder out to retrieve it I popped out to get them a new one - it's red, round and super slippy!!

In blizzard conditions we set out for Duffus Castle which boasts some of the finest sledging slopes for miles around. The small car park was full so we left the car at the farm and walked on up.

The boys had a whale of a time - getting wet and freezing cold into the bargain (Sam relented to the wellies but refused point blank to put on a pair of waterproof trousers!)

I was in my element with lots of action and scenery to photograph.
























The castle and surrounding countryside takes on such a magical atmosphere in the snow.

Blog Candy

I don't often post about givaways on other peoples blogs but saw this one the other day and it's stunning.

I have been a follower of Tracies blog for quite a while. She is an extremely talented crafty person and I love seeing her photos of North Devon.

Pop on over and have a look @ Life and Times of a 12 x 12 Addict.

Loving Facebook

Found this fab application on Facebook - you can compile a photo montage using any of your photos on Facebook.

I have to admit Facebook is probably the site I viait most (not least because of the all too addictive FarmVille!!) I am now in contact with family members I haven't seen for years along with old friends from school and college.

Project 365 - day 363

Today I tried something new - making marmalade.

My mum always used to make her own and after finding a recipe for a pink grapefruit one in my trusty WI cookbook I thought I would have a go. First problem was no muslin so thanks to my mum some duly arrived in the post all the way from Prices in Knighton. Second problem was not being able to find my preserving pan. I cannot remember what happened to it when we moved. Andy says he couldn't see it in the attic - and I'm too scared of going up there to double check!!

All the cutting was a bit time consuming and I think I started getting lazy - so the finished result could be described as thick cut marmalade. I was worried it wouldn't set too as each time I did a test it was still quite runny. In the end I thought sod it and poured it into the jars.

Proof is in the eating as they say and I have to say it was delicious on my toast this morning - and it had set - result!!!!

Shame there is only me who likes marmalade in this house.

Project 365 - day 362 - one of my favourite books of the year.

I have read quite a few books this year - on my 58th to be exact - but this book is up there in my top ten books of 2009.

I had seen Michael Morpurgos books in the library but not really looked closely at them until I spotted Private Peaceful and took it out for Sam to read.

But he hasn't had chance to read it yet as I got there first. What a fantastic book - it left me with the same feeling as the end of 'The Boy In Striped Pyjamas'. I smiled and I cried and I wont forget this for a very long time - if ever.

The story begins with Private Tommo Peaceful reflecting life from the battlefields of the First World War. He thinks back to his childhood fondly - memories of his late father, his loving mother, his much respected older brother Charlie, his slow but gentle brother Big Joe and not least his childhood love - Molly. His memories are those of innocence and friendship, hard-luck and love.

As his story progresses, Tommo and Charlie join up to fight in the Great War - Tommo is only 15. They fight side by side and look after each other all the way. Each chapter is full of Tommo's memories, but each chapter also brings the reader closer to the present time - and to the life-changing moment that leaves you breathless.

The ending of the story is stark, brutal, heart-rending and tragic. The tenderness of the writing and the loss felt by the reader is stunning.

Although a book that is aimed at children and young adults - I would recommend that every adult read this - it's not a long story, but the message of the almost forgotten heroes of the First World War is vitally important - especially as the young men of our country are still giving their lives on a daily basis.

There is a postscript at the back of the book to say that between 1914 and 1918 almost 300 soldiers of British and Commonwealth armies were executed by firing squad, some for desertion and cowardice, two for simply sleeping at their posts. To this day the injustice they suffered has never been officially recognised and the British Government continues to refuse to grant posthumous pardons.

Maybe not the best book to finish reading on Christmas Day (through my tears) but I would recommend it to everyone (and yes I will be getting Sam to read it now.)

Boxing Day - day 361

The days between Christmas and New Year are like no mans land to me - I am never sure what the date is or even what day of the week we are on!

So it was another day and another chilly walk - this time around a very icy Millbuies. The lane up to the carpark was very icy - something I hadn't really thought about before we set off!

Christmas Day walk

Some more photos from our walk across Hopeman Beach on Christmas morning.

It was bitterly cold but that didn't stop Callum from picking up the ice in the frozen rock pools!!





We all had a turn with the camera - notice some of the odd angles! We had to keep hold of Sam to make sure we had some photos with him actually in them. For most of the time he was firmly plugged into his new ipod - so not much conversation there.







I wanted some photos of the waves crashing onto the rocks but wasn't prepared to risk life and limb (and camera!) so Andy offered instead. He got some cracking shots.

Skywatch Friday

Happy Christmas to all my fellow bloggers over on Skywatch Friday - I am really enjoying playing along.

Here is my festive offering - a chilly Hopeman Beach (minus 2 but it felt colder) on Christmas morning. Can't stand being indoors all day on Christmas Day so as soon as the meat went in the oven we wrapped ourselves up and headed off out.

The Black Isle was completely white across the Moray Firth.