A Snow Day

Hello Lovelies,

After the exciting snowfall on the evening of Boxing day, Saturday dawned bright cold.....youngest and I were straight outside with our cameras.........

The world looked beautiful, blanketed in white. The red of the berries and the Robin's breast standing out prettily...........

How I LOVED having a photography companion on my walk. This photo of my baby ( he's twelve ) togged up in his bobble hat and walking boots with stripy socks makes me so happy.........

The horse field looked gorgeous in the low morning sunshine............

and the horses came straight over to see if we had anything for them to eat..........

Youngest was nervous of these big " scary equines" as he amusingly called them....but they were on the other side of an electric fence.....and having grown up with horses, I do love chatting to them.

 The snow had cleaned their hooves beautifully ( as it was cleaning our walking boots too) and this chap looked almost like he had got varnish on his contrasting hooves :0)............

Youngest was happy when they were distracted by a sound across the field....."could that be breakfast arriving?" you could almost hear them thinking............

Further along at the stables all the horses seemed to be still in their beds............

and there were just a couple of sheep in the field...........

who were equally as hungry as the horses..............this one dashed over bravely and sniffed my camera to see if it was edible...........

sorry chap....I'm sure your owner will arrive with some hay very soon.

By now we were were getting peckish too. There was just time to take in the view at sunrise corner........

before we walked back along the chilly lane, home for our own breakfast..........

At the back door I had to smile at this warning sign ...made by eldest..........

 it says "careful....very slippery" bless him.

Indoors it was lovely to thaw out a bit and enjoy the sunshine brightening our home. My second lot of Hyacinth bulbs are in flower..............



I love their heady scent and delicate colour.............

We weren't back indoors for long before the temptation to check out the sledging field became irrisistable........

It was very pleasant stood in the sunshine.....looking towards the hill.......



And watching my boys having fun......

This picture of middle son in very unsuitable footwear speaks to me about how quickly my teenagers are growing at the moment....it seems someone always needs replacement, bigger clothes or shoes at the moment. New wellies are next on middle sons list....then a larger school blazer.

The blue sky snow day was so pretty...........

And I did enjoy whizzing downhill too....just a couple of times.......

Back home again it was time for lunch and a mince pie............

My super thoughtful eldest gave me this lovely mug for Christmas......

he knows me so well.

It's such a treat to have bright, sunny snow days while the boys are on holiday. And so nice to finally have properly cold, seasonal weather .

But I am looking forward to spring :0)
Jacquie x

And then it Snowed...........

Hello Lovelies,

how was your Christmas? Around here things were good.

On Christmas eve I popped out for some last minute forgotten items...boring foodstuffs, then remembered that I hadn't got any red Tulips....the supermarket has let me down for two years running now.

But happily the local florist didn't and I was so pleased to buy these beauties to take  home with me just, before the shops closed........ 

In the evening, as usual, we welcomed the family and some friends  to a buffet supper. How I love the moment before everyone arrives....the house is tidy and we light candles on the mantle..........

Christmas day was cold and sunny.........here's me and two of my boys out for a morning walk........

The Ivy has fabulous deep purple berries...........perfect for photographing in the sunshine.........

and I wasn't the only person taking pictures on this walk....youngest was happily trying out his Christmas gift........

I was pleased when he asked for a camera this year.....It's bridge camera that looks expensive but was surprisingly reasonable....cheaper than my point and shoot.
 I'm hoping it will encourage him out on more walks with me.

It was a great morning to zoom in on the horses..........



and get up close to the flowers...........

 It's always special to see flowers in December.

The only reason I have the time to enjoy the outdoors on Christmas morning is because I don't have to cook the dinner. Once again the whole family were invited to my sister and brother in laws....where sixteen of us sat down and ate together............

 How we all appreciate the huge amount of effort and planning this takes....and how the children love the fun and games afterwards....bingo this year...with a game that kept falling to bits.....hilarious

Every year we plan to go for a walk...but never seem to find the time....happily this year we made it......just as twilight fell and the crescent moon rose...........

It was lovely to wander along noticing the prettily decorated houses ........

and the illuminated church............

We had a lovely day and I was very happy to add this years creation to my sister in laws growing collection of Bunny Mummy crochet decorations :0)........

The cute bunny is THIS variation of THIS lovely free pattern.

Today I've been at work, I drove home through sleety rain, which soon turned to snow.........

 Snow! on Boxing day! .....yipee.

By 9pm we all wanted to get outside, to crunch through it...making footprints and see the night time brightened by all that white.............

It was snowing quite heavily and bitterly cold. But how gorgeous the Christmas decorations on the homes we passed looked with added snow............

Snow is not an every year occurrence in these parts....so when we get some it's very exciting for the boys.

I'm just thankful not to be at work tomorrow....hopefully youngest and I will be out with our cameras :0)
Jacquie x

Happy Christmas

Just popping by to share this  lovely painting on my Christmas mantle.......a  kind gift from my talented Mum. 

 Wishing you all peace and joy this festive season.

Jacquie x

Sparkle and Shine II

Hello Lovelies,

yesterday we travelled into the city to pay a visit to the Christmas market. It's the second year of this new addition to our build up to Christmas and I'm happy we have at least found something we enjoy doing together, now the days of  happy primary school advent events are behind us.

The city was bustling and ( not having to shop) I loved the atmosphere.......

we waited until it was almost dark ( 4pm) to arrive as we simply love all the twinkling fairy lights......

It's set up near a posh arcade...so we popped in there too...........

It all looked lovely with the deep blue twilight sky above........

and in an expensive gallery this gorgeous print caught our eye.........it's such a dream like winter image....perfect for the shortest days..........

You can see it more clearly HERE...click on the picture in the link to enlarge.

Outside again the sky still had a tinge of pink...........

But it was dark enough for these delightful cabins, and the equally delightful surrounding buildings, to look their festive best........

Everything was pretty much identical to last year.....I was so happy to see the carousel again.........

and there was fun for the smaller children too............

My boys were happy to see the hot chocolate stall was exactly how they remembered it......



time for a treat....with all the trimmings...........

the traditional fairground "hook-a-duck" was transformed into "rescue rudolf".........

We don't actually do much here, except wander around soaking up the atmosphere. The boys are good ice skaters, but they are happy to simply watch the action on the outdoor rink. And I'm happy just taking photos ....it's such a feast for the eyes and a brilliant way to wake up your festive spirit......

I tried to get an arty shot, using the reflections in the fountains here, copying a man with a huge camera :0) but I'm not sure it came out that well..........

I think I'm best just snapping away at whatever catches my eye..........

And recording how it made me feel. That's what's great about blogging.

If you read last years post this will all be quiet familiar.
 And like last year my treat was a cup of Mushy peas from the Hot Pea House :0)

Last year I remember I got  lots of comments about this traditional Northern and Midlands  British food.....so here's a picture of mine with loads of mint sauce.........

Slightly odd looking.......but oh so yummy!

Happy Winter ( or Summer ) Solstice Lovelies.
Jacquie x