Picture post for Wednesday

Tissington....

....on a glorious sunny day....

......beautiful trees....

....in all their glory....

.......nature's jewels....

......treats for your garden....

.....sweet treats for you...

....

........

.....and when the sun begins to set...

....and everything has a golden hue....

....it's time to head home....until the next time.

Winter green

I love the countryside in winter. Many people think it's so boring and dull, but I just love it. On Monday we took a trip up to Milldale, one of our favourite spots.

...it was a mild day, and a very quiet one as everyone was back at work.
We stopped for a while for a nice cuppa and a snack, and to enjoy the view and the wildlife...

Once we'd had our snack ( and the ducks had had theirs too) we walked along the riverside to the old mill...

......I would love to step back in time and see how it was when it was a working mill.
It's such a beautiful walk along here....

......I have photographed this bridge many times and never tire of it. To the left is Shining Tor....

....in front of us is this view....

....I'd rather be here than in a shopping centre any day.....

....as we were walking along we noticed this little chap. But he must have spotted us before we saw him, so the picture isn't great...

....I had to be really quick. I think we disturbed him from catching his lunch!
There is still some colour to be found...

.......

It was so nice to get out into the open where it was so clear and so quiet.
When we did get home I was lucky enough to snap this cheeky devil sitting on the fence....

He was eyeing up the bird feeders in the garden, and no doubt the little birds too!

The page turns!

Happy New Year!

...now the festivities are over, we now turn the page to the start of another year. I hope it's a good one, for everyone!
Everyone seems to be making New Year resolutions, but not me, they wouldn't last very long. But I will be trying to "make adjustments" in one or two ways.
There have been a couple of days over the holidays where we were able to get out in the winter sunshine. I always take my camera with me when we go out as I'm always looking for that one spectacluar shot. ( I haven't found it yet, but I shall keep trying!)
We took a walk on the Calke Abbey estate.....

.....naked trees on a backdrop of blue sky......

....simple beauty. The abbey, wrapped up until springtime....

...you can just see the Christmas trees in the entrance.
Even the church is adorned.....

......the long winter shadows......

...the air was so crisp, and so clean.
The reservoir is (very) slowly beginning to fill up.....

...at last!
I'm hoping that my photographic skills will greatly improve this year. I've treated myself to an A3 printer.....

.....I already have many pictures which I want to print out. Some floral...

.....some landscape and wildlife....

....and with five grandchildren, I have plenty of opportunities to try for that magic moment.....

.....learning is so much fun.....

.....I'll snap it, whether it moves or not. In the case of the last picture, they disappeared, quite quickly!
I am looking forward to all my crafting adventures this year too. You can read about them here.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Have a good one!

Winter soltice

Today is that special, the shortest day. After this we know the nights, very slowly, begin to pull out again. What a glorious day it's been.
Blue sky.....

....washing on the line....

...and with the mild weather we have geraniums.....

......and these sweet little pansies...

.....there's plenty of berries......

.... there are little violets....

....petunias, yes, I kid you not...

....the best of all are these....

....the name of this rose is Tequila Sunrise. According to Mr Titchmarsh says we should cut them off. No way.....

....I want to enjoy them for just a little longer. After all, it could be snowing before long!

Oooops!

I've been trying to sort out my blog background as it was messed up. Not sorted it yet, so, I'm back to a simple one, for now. Hopefully I can get it to how I want it again, when I've finished my other jobs for the day. Normal service will be resumed.... as they used to say! In the meantime.....

......this is my " test card"!!!!

Time for the real ones!

After making so many of these.....

.....it was time to make some of these.....

....I've only made two dozen for now. There's already one missing!
The house now smells of Christmas. It may be something to do with the brandy in the mincemeat!