A Beautiful week in February '13

Another beautiful week - I know it's not going to last though, ever since the sun has been out and shining everyone has been promising it will be -5 at the weekend!! Although saying that there is a real bite to the wind today sooo........!?

Well anyway after I wrote and published last week, we had some really brilliant and fabulous news - our eldest passed her first year Uni exams with an "Assez Bien" we are really thrilled for her, as she and her friend spent 3 days swotting in the Christmas holidays, they are both very happy and seem to have taken in all in their stride and now working hard for next lot of exams! That same day Chloe also found out she and her friend have been selected to go to Italy with the musico class, how fab! Somewhere she has really wanted to go and now the lucky girl is going!

So what with the youngest of to Ireland and the eldest of to Italy, both in April and just before their 21st and 18th Birthdays in May, presents - sorted!  And what a fantastic way of celebrating. I remember celebrating (or should I say re-celebrating) my 18th with my best friend, who did turn 18 whilst we were in the States! We had a wonderful 2 weeks stay in Florida, Jacksonville and Orlando and the Keys - which is where Tina turned 18, the only problem - yes we had to be 21 to go out and have a drink and that is another story!

I have had a few chances to go outside with the camera over the weekend which was great, not only did I manage to capture some more Robin shots we had a lovely bonfire and a turn out in our sous sol all thanks to gaining a new (to us) Fridge Freezer! 

On the 15th after another warm and sunny day we went out for a lovely long walk - the first chance in a few weeks to do so without any rain! We went out just in time to enjoy the close of a lovely day and week!

Sun going down

Silhouettes

Fence Posts in Silhouette

Saturday more blue skies and although a tad frosty we had warmth in that sun by mid-morning, so warm in fact I actually broke my own rule and "cast a clout" although I did still have a jumper on so only last a light layer really ;) Two Robins seemed to be having a "sing off" in the garden so I couldn't resist becoming stalker and for the next 15 minutes these beautiful birds sang whilst I took their photos - perfect!

Robin One

Robin Two

Robin One singing

Robin Two being inquisitive 

Robin Two now posing!

I can sing louder than you.....

Yes! I can.....

After taking these (and many more) I read just the next day, "When a robin red breast constantly visits you or crosses your path, a loved one in heaven is trying to say 'hello! I'm with you!" Well I suppose it's a myth, superstition but it's also maybe what you want to believe and for me - actually I would like to think it true as my lovely Nana passed away 21 years ago in February and it was also a beautiful week and she truly loved good weather (she hated rain and the cold!)  I also read this.....

"The robin features prominently in British folklore, and that of northwestern France, but much less so in other parts of Europe. It was held to be a storm-cloud bird and sacred to Thor, the god of thunder, in Norse mythology. Robins also feature in the traditional children's tale, Babes in the Wood; the birds cover the dead bodies of the children. More recently, the robin has become strongly associated with Christmas, taking a starring role on many Christmas cards since the mid 19th century. The Robin has also appeared on many Christmas postage stamps. An old British folk tale seeks to explain the Robin's distinctive breast. Legend has it that when Jesus was dying on the cross, the Robin, then simply brown in colour, flew to his side and sang into his ear in order to comfort him in his pain. The blood from his wounds stained the Robin's breast, and thereafter all Robins got the mark of Christ's blood upon them.  An alternative legend has it that its breast was scorched fetching water for souls in Purgatory. The association with Christmas, however, more probably arises from the fact that postmen in Victorian Britain wore red uniforms and were nicknamed "Robin"; the Robin featured on the Christmas card is an emblem of the postman delivering the card. In the 1960s, in a vote publicised by The Times newspaper, the Robin was adopted as the unofficial national bird of the UK.^[34] The Robin was then used as a symbol of a Bird Protection Society." (Thank you Wiki)

But whatever myths and stories go with Robins they still have a special place in my heart along with Seagulls!

On Sunday we finally got to see Chloe and took our lunch up to her Appartement and had a long awaited catch up, after lunch we joined many other families and went for a 2 hour walk around the historic and lovely city of Poitiers..

Hôtel Fumé - one of the Fac's in the town - what a lovely place to study!

The Tower where Eleanor d'Aquaitaine lived

La Palais de Justice from the side view

l'Eglise Saint Pierre de Poitiers

l'Eglise de Sainte Radagonde

Interior of Sainte Radgonde

Nearly home!

This week I have helped an Artist Friend bring her work to Facebook with her own dedicated page to her fantastic Pencil Drawings, you can find Gill's page here; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gill-Latham-Artist/250106948458967 why not pop over and see what she does? She also sells at the Lemon Tree in Sauzé Vaussais!

Now I have to get my head into gear as I have realised that we are now nearer to the end of February and I have cards to make, which means selecting photos for the new season to choose for cards and Limited edition prints! It's the choosing which is always hard but so far I seem to be doing ok!

So what's next? who knows? Another weekend is soon to be upon us and we then have Chloe home for a week, so with any luck in between their social life and our working life we might get a chance to spend a day together out and about! 

So for now I bid you au revoir ...

The end of January

Well here we are the final day of January and we have had quite a month,  snow, rain a bit more snow - lots more rain and ooh about 3 days of "nice" weather! I haven't had much chance to get out and about with the camera as there always seems to be something else that needs to be done or the weather is against me!

Still we have had a good month on the whole, our youngest had a concert in which she performed one of my favourite songs "With or Without You" she has normally sung this as a solo but this time 2 of her friends added to it with their vocals, it's always a pleasure watching talented youngsters!

 Ma Smith had her birthday celebrations (a day late) with us and we enjoyed a lovely meal and very nice Hairy Dieters Skinny lemon cupcakes with drizzly icing http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/skinny_lemon_cupcakes_15650 as a birthday cake which I can safely say went down an absolute storm!
The cakes........ah yes and Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday - saying it with Cupcakes

Skinny Birthday Cup Cakes

I think in a previous blog I mentioned that I have yet another hugely talented friend who makes the most beautiful pottery - I asked her if it would be possible to commission a couple of her pieces for MiL and although she went through freezing conditions in her studio, had kiln troubles (enforced powercut!) she made it through, the plate and jug were noticed at the Christmas market with Holly leaves - I sense more presents with this collection ;) Thank you to Linda!

Commissioned Jug and Dipping Plate from Les Céramiques de Linda

I haven't been blogging very long but I had a lovely surprise last week, I had been mentioned in another blog - that of French Village Diaries http://www.frenchvillagediaries.com/2013/01/the-versatile-blogger-award.html who honoured me with the "Versatile Blogger Award" needless to say I am thrilled by this and will make a concerted effort to pass it on.....Thank you JB :)

And now for more exciting news on the work front.....I have 3 bookings all taken this week, one is next Monday a commercial shoot of Hair Care products which I have to say I am really looking forward to as there is nothing quite like the client saying I can pretty much do what I want to do with the set up etc...so that will be something really to get my teeth into (and lens of course!).

I have a lovely family who want a portrait session coming up in the Half Term Holidays which again I cannot wait to do as there is one very precious baby included!

And yesterday whilst leaving a collection of Unique PhotoCards at a new shop opening near us Chez Tante Mabel https://www.facebook.com/ChezTanteMabel?fref=ts run by Bev and Paul - (doors open on Monday 4th February) whilst there they asked if I would be their Photographer at their Wedding Blessing in August - totally - will I? I love a wedding - I am now looking forward to sharing a cuppa with Bev and talking weddings, flowers and photos!

Tuesday we also had an enforced power cut - which meant I had to do housework the old fashioned way, sweeping with a broom and mopping and it is not fun when it's dark and cold I can tell you! We had hoped it would be just the morning but no they needed another 3 hours in the afternoon as well - so we decided to do that much needed recycling and maybe see what the sales had to offer - well the former was done no problem even Scooby came out with us to help with said task -

Car? Now? Yes??

and he does love the car, being as it was dark and radioless, he came along for the ride - could you resist that face? Although he does stay in the car whilst we are in the shops - we always have a giggle when you see little dogs in the Supermarkets (only en France) but we noticed that Leclerc now do not allow dogs at all except guide dogs! Laws a changing then!?

Well we are off to another Concert tonight this time held at Poitiers in conjunction with the FAC Musico and 3 Lycée's including youngest daughter's class - she will have spent the day with her elder sister - which is great for them as they are pretty passionate about music...tonight we have snuck in (standing room only) so camera is charging!

Hopefully the weather will now brighten up a bit as we have a weekend off and it would be lovely to get out for a day or even both days! Daughters are spending more time together and we are redundant - so it's a swim and probably the boring jobs that we don't like doing but need to be done!

January 2013

Well here we are in January 2013, many people have said that a blog is a great thing to have and that I really should give it a go! So here I am, willing to try and keep up some sort of blog! I think it will be easier this time of year as life quietens down somewhat! 

During the week in the winter months it's more about keeping my website and Facebook page running smoothly and creating new ideas for this years Photo Cards and Prints that I sell at the Summer-Christmas Markets! I suppose if I was that organised this years collection would be on the way to being made!

So I am going in with the attitude that there will be days less busy in Summer where I can update this blog and hopefully not bore the pants off everyone with my daily/weekly musings (of which there can be many!) 

I have quite a few friends that blog and do it very well so I shall probably be calling on one of the more experienced one that is also a friend of mine http://www.frenchvillagediaries.com/ - I read her blogs with interest and wonder how she fits so much in to life!!

Back to the wonderful world of Photography - well it's a bit dull and grey out today - and unfortunately due to "La Chasse" getting out for walks are few and far between, which means I get cabin fever! We do get some lovely winter days here though and everyone at this time is talking of the imminent arrival of snow!! Yes it's great and pretty for photos - but not so nice when it's slushy and icy - brrrrr sends shivers down my spine! I like a good frost it's pretty but doesn't last quite as long and you still get some extremely pretty photos! 


15th January 2011 around the garden at chez nous

Icy Lantern

Winter Chinese Lanterns

I do love taking photos of flowers and plants in all seasons but what I really love is going out with camera and just capturing moments that will be forever remembered! Maybe a bird in flight, or one of our daughters laughing or both being silly (that is often) or the lovely Rob pulling one of his faces all of these memories are there now!

Last summer I had a fabulous day out with 3 lovely ladies with their children capturing moments that now hang on their walls or those of their family!

You want me to pose?

I am passionate about photography and love sharing - so I hope you enjoy what you see either on my blog or indeed my Facebook Page and Website.