The Journey Home #BEDM

The Journey Home - A photographic essay by Maisie Ryan aged 7. 

Living Autumn Vicariously

On this the Winter Solstice I normally feel sorry to leave Autumn behind, as a season I love it; the change from hazy Summer to glowing Autumn colours is just beautiful. This year in Britain was no exception, the months have been crisp and the turning of the leaves exceptional.  However with starting a new business, and trying to juggle a job and home life as well this year I've lived Autumn vicariously through the blogs of others. Here are some of my favourites:  Sallytangle  - With stunning photography and Sally's unique take on beauty around her, which joyfully happens to be my home town too, her wonderful bloggings keep me glowing for hours later.  As well as wanting a Walnut Whip.

Kat Goldin - Not only is Kat's photography inspirational (she runs courses on Capturing the best from from Childhood photography) for me she is a great blogging roll model. As a mother, struggling with business, family life and every day household dramas, it's lovely to read a blog that covers similar subjects, it gives me hope that I can succeed in my future endeavours. 

Having followed her blog for a couple of years now I've seen her business grow into something amazing, and with Blogtacular coming next year this is certainly a lady to keep and eye on. 

Cider with Rosie - Okay I'll admit it, I am totally jealous of this lady's beautiful life. Her photographs are glorious, and her blog a constant happy place to retreat to, her fashion pieces are especially nice as they are all actual wearable outfits which I feel would fit all shapes and sizes.

It's a blog I love to delve into, and has not helped with my broodiness for a puppy. 

I hope if you don't follow these great blogs already you'll take some time to peruse them, maybe like me unable to enjoy the escaping season you're living vicariously through others. 

Autumn this year may have been a missed season for me, but Winter and I are going to be best friends. 

Joyful Winter Solstice to you all, 

Blowing Off The Cobwebs

 Stuart and I had the chance to go for a long walk to Wreay Woods, without the children, we had a lovely morning meandering along the river bank and seeing all the signs that Spring is not far away.

 Stu got a great camera for Christmas, a Canon EOS 550D which means we got some beautiful shots of the new growth.  I especially loved the Fungi pictures the one below being my favourite.

He managed to sneak a couple of me too, but this one is not too bad.

Take some time out this week to look around, the world around you is waking up from it's Winter snooze a little early, let's hope the mild weather stays.
Amanda.x.

Wordless Wednesday-The little things.

Photograph courtesy of Stuart Ryan Photography

Love Amanda.x. 

The Blue Pool - Dorset

There are some places we visited in Dorset that need a special mention, so I'll do some separate posts on them, one of those is The Blue Pool and Tearooms in Wareham.

The tearooms have been open since 1935, the pool varies in colour sometimes green, sometimes blue, it's actually a huge clay bowl which has filled with rainwater.

The site has 25 acres of woodland surrounding the Pool full of various wildlife and flora. 

It was an amazing tranquil place, even with our 4 children and 2 dogs added to it.

They have trails for different abilities through the woodland, and a wildlife trail for he children. Hidden in the trees near markers were ceramic owls, red/grey squirrels and woodpeckers for them to spot, they were very hard to spot as we had some difficulty and only Ben(aged 6) completed the task, with the rest giving up to run through the woodland, Lucas was very excited just to find the markers.

I was amazed at every turn, finding smaller ponds teaming of frogs, fish, and dragonfly's, the latter were huge and a beautiful array of colours.

 Oh look can you see an Owl?

Entry to the site costs £5.30 per adult, £3.20 per child between 5-14 or £13.80 per family of 4, making it a very reasonable day trip out.

The park also boasts 3 play parks hidden in the woodlands, which even with my kamikaze son flinging himself from the roundabout, were a great addition to this old but glorious beauty spot.

Happy Holidays,

Amanda.x.

Ready for my close up...

I've been doing very badly at my photographic diary lately, and although taking photos mostly every day have been very slow to get them uploaded. Hopefully May will be a less hurried,
less stressful and more creative month.

 Until then, I've had fun in April taking pictures close up.  I'd like to say they're amazing but I have quite a basic digital camera and limited knowledge, but some are good are others just fun. 

 If you want to see more you can look at all my pictures on Flickr by clicking the widget at the right hand side.

Sometimes the beauty is found close up.

Amanda.x.

New Beginnings

Every new beginning comes from some beginnings end.

I think it's a fitting start to my 100th blog post that we celebrate the dawning of a new year, I hope that 2011 will bring inspiration, joy and meaning to everyone I know.

Thank you for all your lovely support in the last year, Happy New Year.

Amanda.x.

On the Sixth, Seventh, Eight, Ninth and Tenth day of of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A bloody chest and sinus infection, making me feel yuck and spewy.


Hence me not really keeping up with the advent, but after a huge dose of nasty antibiotics (which my Doctor described as bleach for the body) I'm starting to feel a whole lot better, although I also fell on the ice we had meaning I also have a sore back. Grr, enough of this blah humbug.
Here are some beautiful photographs my lovely Husband brought me back when I was too ill to leave the house, he has a really good eye and I really wish I could afford to get him a fancy camera for Xmas.

 Happy Winter Days 

Amanda.x.