Skywatch Friday

Findhorn Bay taken last Sunday afternoon after a gorgeous lunch sitting outside in the sunshine at The Kimberley.

See more skies from around the world here.

244/365+1 : Through A Window

Through my craft room window to be precise - a view across fields of barley (isn't that a song title??) to the hills beyond. I can even see some Highland Cows - but just have to ignore the road.

243/365+1 : Thriving

When we moved into this house 3 and a half years ago the garden was a rectangle of newly laid turf and that was it. We are novice gardeners and plant things we like the look of - and stuff that will come back year after year (as much as I love my garden I'm not into spending a fortune on flowers that look pretty for a couple of months and then die.)

I could have photographed any part of my garden for this prompt but the far corner is the most thriving by far - the clematis, lavatera and montbretia are all fighting for space and getting intertwined - but doing a stirling job of covering the fence panels.

242/365+1 : Slow

A tub of Mackie's honeycomb ice cream - has to be eaten real slow!

241/365+1 : Texture

It was a nice day today so during my lunch break I took a wander over to Cooper Park. I think I got a few strange looks as I photographed the bark on the trees!

240/365+1 : Free Choice

It's not a Bank Holiday up here today (boo hiss) so just another normal working day - but surely if it's not a Bank Holiday then that means we should have had sunshine?? But no - it's been a really dreich day.

So here is a photo I took for the photo scavenger hunt and thought it was perfect for today prompt. Did get some funny looks on the beach while I was making it. I have plans for this photo which hopefully I can share with you soon.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I finished White Wedding by Milly Johnson last night - a great read.

It's the day they've always dreamed about. But will it turn out to be a nightmare ...? Bel is in the midst of planning her perfect wedding when disaster strikes and everything she thought she knew is turned on its head. Can she hold it all together and, with the help of her friends, and a mysterious man she meets unexpectedly, turn disaster into triumph? Bel's friend, ice-cream parlour owner Violet, is engaged to Glyn, who is besotted by her although Violet fell out of love with him long ago. But however trapped she feels in the relationship, she can't quite say the words, 'I don't want to marry you anymore.' Then, just when she's about to give up and resign herself to married life, she finds love in the most surprising of places. Will duty rule her heart or will she allow herself to be swept off her feet? Max was planning a quick registry office do with her fiance Stuart until she sees a TV programme about traveller brides and becomes determined to have the most extravagantly glitzy wedding ever. But in all the excitement has she lost sight of what's really important? Does she want the wedding more than she wants the groom? And as all three friends find the dress of their dreams at the White Wedding bridal shop, its owner, the lovely Freya, guarantees that her gowns will bring them happiness - though maybe not quite in the way they expected ...

I'm afraid I have given in and started the first 50 Shades book - as it appears I am the only person in the office who hasn't read it - and I don't want to feel left out!!

Romantic, liberating and totally addictive, Fifty Shades of Grey is a novel that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you for ever.

When literature student Anastasia Steele interviews successful entrepreneur Christian Grey, she finds him very attractive and deeply intimidating. Convinced that their meeting went badly, she tries to put him out of her mind - until he turns up at the store where she works part-time, and invites her out.

Unworldly and innocent, Ana is shocked to find she wants this man. And, when he warns her to keep her distance, it only makes her want him more.

But Grey is tormented by inner demons, and consumed by the need to control. As they embark on a passionate love affair, Ana discovers more about her own desires, as well as the dark secrets Grey keeps hidden away from public view .

If that is rubbish I have The Greatest Love Story Of All Time by Lucy Robinson on standby.

It's Fran's thirtieth birthday and things are good . . .

She's bluffed her way into a Very Posh Job and her outlandishly handsome and talented boyfriend Michael is escorting her to the Ritz with a bulge the shape of a ring box in his pocket.

But something has gone wrong. Very wrong. By the end of the evening Fran is howling in bed with a bottle of cheap brandy and one of Michael's old socks.

In her quest to figure out why her life has suddenly gone down the pan, Fran comes up with a failsafe plan: live like a badger, stalk a stranger called Nellie and cancel her beloved Gin Thursdays in favour of drinking gin every night. But then Fran's friends force a very different plan on her and it's nowhere near as fun. How could eight dates possibly make her feel better?

But eventually she agrees. And so begins the greatest love story of all time . . .

But I did pop into my local library during my lunch break today and pick up a pile of new paperbacks (there is something about being the first person to read a library book) and there just happened to be a sale of old library books - so I came away with even more books - all for 20 pence each!!

Pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Mojo - where art thou?

I haven't done any scrapbooking in ages (although I do think if I sorted my room out a bit then I might feel slightly more inspired. I have done lots of pages for last years holiday to the US but still seem to have tons of photos left over - not sure what to do with them. And haven't even made a start on the photos from this summers 2 trips away.

The only time I seem to scrap is at my local crop which is just one Sunday a month - although this months was an extra long one - but I am yet to actually finish any of the pages I started.

Here is one from July's crop which I have just finished. For the life of me I cannot remember what the papers are without pulling them out of my crop bag - but I do know they were from the last kit I ever bought from Gottacraft before Sandra closed the doors for good. Her kits were great value for money with plenty of inspiration on the blog.

Here is Callum from our camping trip to the Isle of Lewis in July 2010.

So now the kids have gone back to school it is my mission to clean up my craft room and finish off the pile of half finished pages that are starting to pile up.

239/365+1 : Edible

We spent this morning looking at cars again and before we knew it it was lunchtime. As we were close by we went into Findhorn - it was a glorious afternoon so there were plenty of people out and about enjoying the sunshine.

We popped into a little pub we like and managed to bag a table outside in the sun. I ordered haddock and chips and almost fell off my chair when the waiter brought it out. It was huge! We only went in for a light lunch - not Moby Dick!!! But it was absolutely delicious - the bear batter was perfect and crispy just how it should be.

Afterwards we went for a short walk in an attempt to walk off the food - but somehow I don't think I will be needing any tea tonight (and was quite glad I skipped breakfast too!)

Here are some shots of Findhorn harbour in the sunshine.

238/365+1: Purple

A thistle - not a Scottish one though as this was taken at The Eden Project in Cornwall.

237/365+1 : Footwear

The most appropriate footwear for today would have been wellies (or flippers!) But then I thought of this photo from our summer holidays - it is of a giant red stiletto shoe at the Broomhill Sculpture Gardens designed by Greta Berlin.

Skywatch Friday

Sunset over Covesea lighthouse and a couple of canoeists at Lossiemouth West Beach.

See more skies from around the world here.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Time for another few photos from this years Photo Scavenger Hunt.

Number 14 was someone playing with a ball. Whilst on holiday in north Devon the boys bought a beach volleyball and as you can see it got plenty of use. On Croyde Beach there were actually beach volleyball nets already set up.

Number 18 is a movie poster. Thankfully the boys are now old enough to go to the cinema on their own so I no longer have to endure kids films on the large screen. Seen on the wall on the old cinema in Barnstaple.

1. A pier
2. A clothesline
3. A border
4. A roadside stand selling something
5. A train
6. A historical landmark
7. A person playing a musical instrument
8. A person dressed as an angel or a statue of an angel

9. A fountain

10. A horse

11. A shadow

12. A maze, labyrinth, or trail.

13. A library

14. A person playing with a ball.

15. Someone dancing.

16. A bride.

17. A church, chapel, cathedral, mosque or temple.

18. A movie poster

19. An outdoor stairway

20. A swing hanging from a tree (or a hammock)
21. A picture of you standing with something that symbolizes your nation.

236/365+1 : Irregular

It's not everyday you get to have your photo taken with a giant fish!! At Keith County Show the other weekend - did feel a bit sorry for the old boy inside the costume.

235/365+1 : Star

I have been racking my brains while I was at work as to what I could take a photo of - thought I was going to have to resort to a bag of chocolate Magic Stars.

then while I was cooking tea I had a brainwave and remembered the packet of Star Anise in the cupboard (bought for one recipe and never used again!) I could let you think I was having something exotic for tea using said spice - but I would be lying - because it's scampi and chips and salad for us tonight!!

Moving on

Today was Callum's first day at high school - not sure who was more nervous about it all - me or him!!

But it all went well and his favourite lesson was home economics!

He looked very smart (except for the half mast tie) and very grown up this morning before he set off - Sam let the side down by refusing for the traditional first day of term photos.

234/365+1 : Straight

I have never grown Gladioli before but I can remember my Dad growing them in the garden in Widney Road when we were kids so I thought I would give them a go. But it is a running battle trying to keep them upright and straight - hence the bamboo sticks.

But I am really please with the flowers - they are gorgeous.

224/365+1 : Gold

The gold postbox in Lossiemouth in honour of Heather Stannings gold meadal at London 2012 - team GBs first gold medal of the games.

223/365+1 : Higher

Callum underneath a very high Gunnera plant at Benmore Botanic Garden. 

222/365+1 : Determination

We cycled 16 miles along the banks of Loch Lomond - I can tell you that took some determination on my part - with a sore backside at the end of it!!

221/365+1 : Hope

The view from The Village Inn at Arrochar across to the other side of Loch Long - while we hope for another lovely day tomorrow.

220/365+1 : Relief

The look of relief on Callums face when we reached the viewpoint at Benmore Botanic Gardens - it was a hot day to walk to the top of a hill!

219/365+1 : Frustration

Nothing more frustrating than trying to pack the car to go away on holiday - a job a normally leave for hubby. But as he was staying at home the job fell to me.

233/365+1 : Triangular

My first thought was of Dairylea cheese triangles but luckily I spotted this roadside sign which was perfect.

It is back to school tomorrow for the boys and for Callum it is his first day at high school - not sure who is more nervous - me or him!! I can remember when he started primary school - I think I virtually skipped out of that playground - but tomorrow is going to be a bit different and I can't say I am looking forward to it - my baby is growing up. But as a treat on the last day of the holidays we went to Baxters for one of their famous pancakes with plenty of ice cream and toffee sauce.

I am off now to try and catch up with the prompts I missed while we were away in Loch Lomond - please pop back later.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I must admit going back to work full time at the start of the school summer holidays has slowed my reading down a bit - I am now 3 books behind in my goal of reading 100 books this year (according to Goodreads.)

I picked up Save Me by Lisa Scottoline from the library because of the blurb on the back from Jodi Picoult who is one of my favourite authors. She said "Are you a good mother if you save your child from disaster?  What if it means sacrificing another's child? In SAVE ME Lisa Scottoline walks readers into this charged moral dilemma and then takes them on a n intense, breathless ride. You won't be able to put this one down."

You always put your own child first, don't you? When an explosion rips through her daughter's school, Rose McKenna faces a horrifying choice. Does she go in search of her daughter, Melly, or save the children nearest to her first, one of whom is the bully who has been making her daughter's life a misery...It's a split-second decision which will cost one girl dearly and will see Rose's life transformed forever...This is an international bestseller from an award-winning author. "Save Me" is Sophie's Choice for the 21st Century.

I'm not sure I would totally agree with this as I have found it a bit slow. It started off well, has tailed off in the middle and now that I am nearing the end it has really picked up pace. Not sure I would pick up another book by this author.

Time for something lighter for my next read.

232/365+1 : Square

Why is it Sundays and DIY establishments go together?? Only wanted a couple of screwdriver "thingies" but saw the paint charts up on the wall - perfect for today's prompt.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

I am almost there with the 2012 summertime photo scavenger hunt and have really enjoyed tracking down all the items on the list. I still don't have a bride although a work colleague got married yesterday we decided it was too nice a day to go into town so headed down the beach instead. So I think I will be using one of Rinda's substitute items instead - watch this space.

The very first item on the list was a pier - not something you see much of here in the north east of Scotland. But on our journey down to Devon I made Andy turn off the M5 and head for Weston Super Mare - a place of many childhood day trips for me and usually called Weston Super Mud as the tide was usually so far out you couldn't see it. Andy and I had been back many years ago to watch the Weston Beach Race (in the rain!) But it has The Grand Pier which the boys seem to enjoy mainly down to the amusement arcade at the end!!

I just had to take a photo!!

Whilst promenading down the pier I spotted item number 5 which was a train!!

Here is my list so far - slowly crossing the items off as I blog them:

1. A pier
2. A clothesline
3. A border
4. A roadside stand selling something
5. A train
6. A historical landmark
7. A person playing a musical instrument
8. A person dressed as an angel or a statue of an angel

9. A fountain

10. A horse

11. A shadow

12. A maze, labyrinth, or trail.

13. A library

14. A person playing with a ball.

15. Someone dancing.

16. A bride.

17. A church, chapel, cathedral, mosque or temple.

18. A movie poster

19. An outdoor stairway

20. A swing hanging from a tree (or a hammock)
21. A picture of you standing with something that symbolizes your nation.