Wanted: Word Adopters!

Visiting Jonna's blog this morning I found she had adopted a word!

And, had the paperwork to prove it!!!

She's discovered this fascinating wordy site called Save the Words, it's a subsidiary of the Oxford University Press that publishes the Oxford Dictionaries.

"Each year hundreds of words are dropped from dictionaries.

Old words, wise words, hard working words.

Words that once lived meaningful lives, but now lie abandoned & forgotten."

The idea is to help save these lost words for future generations by bringing them back into currant usage.

There is a wealth of words literally crying out on the site for you to choose from.

Never doing things by halves me, I've adopted several, now I have to try & use them!

My first adoptee is bimarian, which is an adj. meaning relating to two seas.

It initially caught my attention because b stands for blue and Marian was my Mothers christian name.

And, with her love of the sea, upon reading its meaning, it seemed a very appropriate choice, so went ahead with the adoption process.

Here's my impressive looking certificate...I think it's a fine word, one I can attempt to save!

Well, on every visit to Brighton, I place flowers on the waters edge in my Mothers & Hero's memory, and watch them be washed away on their bimarian journey...

My next random selection was coquinate, and learnt it was a verb, meaning to behave as a cook!

Well, how could I not adopt it, there being two good reasons.

One being, I, for many years made my living coquinating!

I did suspect what adoptee No 3 - starrify, a verb, might mean, ie to decorate with stars.
So, I will starrify my sidebar with one of my favourite constellations the Severn Sisters!

And my final word to save for the time being, had to be, Blateration, noun meaning to bladder or chatter!
I suspect many of you will have by now, grown tired of my blatteration on this particular post!

But, I know one friend Sunshine, who will really enjoy this, because she thinks vocabulary rocks .

Saturday Photo Hunters - FURRY!

Now, I fought hard to escape from the obvious furry things in my life, that host tnchick's prompt brought to mind, ie Bears, furry Teddybears!

But, finding an alternative proved hard, very hard!

I should have listened to Sir Woodstock.

Have had, to resort to the unimposing furry edging to my Winter jackets hood...Sorry, but it is comforting!

And, according to the Met. Office I may need it, since the weather forecast for the weekend & beyond, is for Snow!

I'll believe it when I see it falling, as we often miss out here in Dreamingspires.

A Seriously Booky Tag Game!

To be honest, I'm now unsure, where this particular tag came from via Internet surfing!
But, loved the book theme, as was once an avid reader.
Am shamefully, a bit lapsed now, as have so many blogs to read!
However, I still have an extensive personal library, which I keep adding too.
The tag game goes like this...

List:-
Four childhood books read [& in my case, still owned]...
1. 'The Bunny Whiskers Find an Island' by Isobel Knight - a gift from a close school friend & still cherished, despite the lost connection.
2. 'Ragged Robin' by M.E.Ropes - belonged to my Mother - it was her Term Prize for Drawing & Painting in 1928!
3. 'A Winter Holiday' by Arthur Ransome, better known for writing 'Swallows & Amazons' - my school Form Prize in 1966!
4. 'Wind in the Willows' by Kenneth Grahame.

Four Classic books read & never forgotten [& re-read I'll add]...
1. 'Pride & Predudice' by Jane Austin
2. 'Our Mutual Friend' by Charles Dickens
3. 'The Women in White' by Wilkie Collins
4. 'Shirley' by Charlotte Bronte, far better than 'Jane Eyre'.

Four personal modern 'Classic' novels...
1.'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee
2.'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding
3.'Cider with Rosie' by Laurie Lee
4. 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' by John Fowles

Four authors I read again and again...
1. Charles Dickens
2. Barbara Vine
3. Margaret Attwood
4. Betty J Roan - she is my dearest 'virtual blog' friend & I want her to do well as a writer because she has talent.
Besides which, her first book "The Apple Tree", is the only published work of fiction in the whole wide world that's ever likely to give me, yes ME, an acknowledgement!

Four authors &/or books I'll never read again [I won't go into why, because it would take too long here!]...
1. Sebastian Faulks
2. John Saul
3. Joanne Harris
4. The Bible

Four books on my 'To-Be-Read' list...
1. 'Run' by Ann Patchett - loved 'Bel Canto' her 'Orange' prize winning novel
2. 'The Last King of Scotland' by Giles Foden - it's been sitting there a while now.
3. 'Little Dorrit' by Charles Dickens - the recent BBC TV adaptation has inspired my interest.
4. 'Lonely Bones' by Alice Sebold - because BJ rates it highly - still have to buy my copy!

The four books I'd take to a desert island...
1. 'Rebecca' by Daphine du Maurier - am a romantic!
2. 'The Apple Tree' by Betty J Roan - think I've explained partly, why earlier!
3. 'The Monthly Sky Guide' by Ian Ridpath & Wil Tirion, as would so enjoy the star gazing & need the information to recognise the constellations from a new location!
4. A large blank Notebook for personal scribbles - I might write my own novel!

Four books recommendations you have followed:-
1. 'The Ballard and the Source' by Rosamond Lehmann, from BBC Radio 4's Womans Hour's serial.
2. 'Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow' by Peter Hoeg, suggested by my cousin Headmistress after watching the movie adaptation together.
3. 'Angel & Demons' by Dan Brown, from Little Buddy as he said I'd recognise the stories locations and I did!
4. 'The Handsmaids Tale' by Margaret Attwood - it's my friend Wilma's all time favourite book.
Will add, I enjoyed all four reads; and each now, has a permanent home on my bookshelves!

The last lines of one of my favourite books:
'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
"Soon afterwards, like figures made of mist, father & son disappear into the crowd of the Rambles, their steps lost forever in the shadow of the wind"

Now, who to tag???
1. BJ - Well, she is a writer!
2. Nonizamboni, my fellow blue lover, because I think this is her sort of thing.
3. Aileni - now, I know he usually, graciously declines participating in Tags, but am hoping to tempt him in with this one as know he's a fellow book lover!
4. Wilma, because she's a avid reader!
And, as a bonus, so to include my DWB friends - Marvin, he's a scholarly hound given to prose and his Jeannie is sure to have input, if she's not to busy reading books on Australia!

Sky Watch Friday - Puddle Watch!

After days & nights of rain, it really was a case yesterday, of watching out for the puddles, as the only thing the leaden grey skies of an English Winter promised was more of the same...

To join or see brighter views, the dedicated Sky Watch blog can be found HERE!

True Colours Thursday - PINK!

"PINK, PINK, makes the boys wink!'
Or, maybe not, in my case.
I do wear PINK but...

For my PINK, I'm looking @ my Crystals & Jewellery!
I'm particularly found of Rose Quartz, the pretty PINK feminine gemstone, whose beauty & 'mystery', I only discovered this Century - doesn't that sound weird?
Anyway, back in the year 2000, I accidentally fell into an intriguing job!
Manageress of the Celtic/New Age shop called 'Otherworld'.
The Wiccan owner, Carmen having moved back to Spain, left me in sole charge, till the business was regrettably dissolved.
Amongst the amazing array of merchandise were Crystals!
From a child, I'd collected different & fancy pebbles/stones and moved on to the delights of cut Quartz.
But, learning about the actual healing, mystical, ritual world of Crystals was new & fascinating.
I lapped it up.
My existing collection, took on a whole new importance.
I'd already plenty of Amethyst, the protective amulet.
However, Rose Quartz, was completely new to me.
Old belief has it, that Rose Quartz Crystals are the gemstones of the heart, for emotional release & balancing.
The PINK colour being symbolic of warmth & love.
And, in the Chakra scheme of things, it works on the heart.
So, it's all about 'Self Love & Acceptance'.
"Rose Quartz is a good stone for someone who has trouble loving themselves or accepting love from another because they do not believe that they are worthy of being loved.
It slowly eases childhood traumas, neglect, lack of love, low self-esteem.
Rose Quartz also has healing qualities for the mind, releasing bottled up emotions & dispelling negative thoughts.
It loves soft running river water to clean & recharge and moonlight"
In other words, a near perfect talisman for me!

The more boring facts about PINK Rose Quartz are:-
It was mainly mined in Madagascar, India, Germany, South Africa & @ several localities in the USA, including a famous site near Custer, South Dakota.
However, now adays, most of the worlds supply of good carvable stone comes from Brazil.
The translucent to clear PINK colour is thought to be caused by iron & titanium impurities, while others say amounts of phosphate or aluminium!
It can't be cut as a gemstone as too cloudy; so most gemmy Rose Quartz is used as Cabochons where the clarity is not as important as the colour.

My personal, collection of this particular precious PINK, includes a Crystal Point & a Tumble stone, that normally lives in my handbag...And, two wonderful bracelets - both have come via, my Peachy cousin <(^:^)> ...Other PINK jewellery items, fondly held include, my favourite, much worn Rhodonite earrings, from BC, Canada...And, this rather over the top, PINK Zircon & Silver broach, another CA acquisition, that looks surprisingly stunning on a black dress...To participate in True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs or text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
Then, leave a me a 'Comment' here, to say you are playing along this week.
Two friends who have already commented, that they are 'in' are Rinkly Rhymes - a must read & my birthday 'twinny' Snowball.
NB - To help visiting - everyone, who is or has previously participated, is named & linked in my side bar.
Next weeks colour is ORANGE!
If, anyone has a suggestion for a 'Guest Colour', please feel free to say.

Postscript:-
Am posting unusually early for me, via Bloggers 'Scheduled Posts' function to aid any early players!

A Bitter Thought!

This evening, I'm MAD & distressed!
I've just listened to a BBC - TV programme that contained a section on death!
It featured a once favoured film star Hugh Grant.
But, his comments re dying @ home - made me SO angry !!!
His fame/money obviously bought a very different experience to mine.
He talked about Macmillan Cancer Support with warmth.
Then, praised the care of Marie Curie Nurses!
Having handled as a consequence of their lack of support, my dear Mother dying pitifully in the middle of the night @ home with just me; despite a desperate plea, to both these charities for assistance because I was a lone carer, I won't give either of them the time off day!
It was a known fact, help was needed.
We were just not worthy of the extra care.

And, to ALL who promote the concept of dying in ones own home surrounded by family & friends, or wish to do so - think first, of the ones who watch you die!
The experience may well scar them for life, as it did in my case.

Wheelie Wednesday - Bailey has the Grumps!

"Hallo Everyone, Bailey here!

And, very disgruntled I am too.

You're NOT going to guess what's happened since I last posted???

Now, it was BAD enough, that, that little minx Sis of mine - she's keeping well out of my way @ the mo - allowed a bear, yes a BEAR to blog in her place last Wheelie Wednesday!

But, I've now discovered, the blighter has got his very own blog, Sir Woodstock's World.

Can you credit it???

I've been blogging away for months now, even making do with alternative weeks since that Judy arrived, and he - a real snotty snob too; does one 'Guest Post' and then steals my thunder.

And, it's got worse, Mistress Blue has been that busy helping him, she hasn't had to me to help me!

Then, have also, had to restrain my buddy Skipper too...I explained to him, intimidation wasn't the way to go.

It would only spell BIG trouble for us all, especially him.

Mistress would send him back to the builders skip if she caught him threatening Woodstock!

Besides which, I'm a basically a peace loving guy @ heart

So, I'm taking matters into my own wheels.

Found a book on on blogging for novices & am studying it hard...We'll see whose the best Blogger around here.

Till next time, keep paw happy!

Bye-de-Bye,

x"

ABC Wednesday - B is for...!

This weeks letter throw up a variety of idea's based around food & drink, my chosen theme for this round - Bacon, Beef, Beer, Beetroot, Biscuits, Blackberries, Broad Beans & Bread being just a few.

But, I've finally settled for a take on the latter one.

B is for Baguette, I usually buy one when the French Food Market's Bakery comes to town...

However, it wasn't till enjoying a coffee in a cafe', that sold a tempting array of filled Baguettes, that I learnt this breads origin.

Per a boldly written board, on the wall, the Baguettes history began with Napoleon Bonaparte.

During the invasion of Russia in the Napoleonic War [1812], the traditional bulky French bread took up a lot of valuable space in the solders backpack, which in the bitter climate was needed for carrying warm battle attire.

Napoleon thus decided a new shaped bread should be baked, one that could be transported more practically ie down the trouser leg of the soldiers!!!

The Baguette was born.

B also, has to be for Bananas...Brillant instant energy food, good for all, especially tennis players, for example - Ms Sharapova..And, Nadal...

Personally, I enjoy mine @ breakfast time with All-Bran & Muesli.

But, when busy baking for a living, one of my best selling cakes continued Bananas!

I, of course therefore, have a cake recipe...

Banana [and Walnut Loaf ]
4 medium Bananas

6 oz (175 g) Walnut pieces

pinch of salt

1 rounded teaspoon Baking Powder

1 level tsp Ground Cinnamin

4 oz (110 g) Plain Flour

4 oz (110 g) Brown Wholewheat flour

Grated rind & zest of one Lenom & Orange

4 oz (110 g) Butter @ room tempertature.

6 oz (175 g) soft dark Brown sugar

2 large Eggs

For the topping:
1 level tablespoon Demerara Sugar

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C).
Lightly buttered a 2 lb (900 g) loaf tin, .
In a bowl, peel & mash 3 of the Bananas to a purée with a fork, and peel & chop the other one into ½ inch (1 cm) chunks.
Sift the Salt, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and both the Flours together into a large mixing bowl, afterwards add the bran that's left in the sieve.

Then add all the remaining ingredients [except the chopped Banana and nuts]

Beat well till thoroughly mixed and smoothly.

Then lightly fold in the chopped Banana & Walnuts.

Add a drop of milk to give a mixture that drops easily off a spoon

Pile the mixture into the tin, level the top with the back of a spoon and sprinkle on the Demerara Sugar.

Bake in the centre of the oven for 1¼-1½ hours, until the cake feels springy in the centre.

Allow to cool in tin for about 5 minutes before turning it out on to a wire tray.

It produces a lovely, moist cake that keeps well!

ABC's bright host is Denise; dedicated blog HERE!

Awards & Awards with a tag!

In Blogland, unlike the film industry, the Award Season never ends.

I have been much honoured recently.

Firstly, by fairly new friends the Dughallmor Beagles who gave me this friendship award...

Secondly, by my favourite Green Dragon, Dilly who passed on this...The award states:

"This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY -- nearness in space, time & relationships!

In other words, blogs that receive this award are exceedingly charming, as these kind bloggers aim to find & be friends.

They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement.

Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.

Please, give more attention to these writers"

Err, not sure I really qualify, being the reknowned lousy commentor that I am!

But, never the less, I accept graciously!

Then, from my good friend BJ, I've also recieved further recognition...This *** Award is apparentlely bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog's content is, in the giver's opinion Brilliant.
Wow!

Thank-you BJ!

The rules:
"When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul wh o thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real.
Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.

Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends.

Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.”

Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.

List at least ten honest things about yourself.

Then, pass it on! "

Okay, now, let me do the business - here are ten [honest] random things about me:

1. The Salt is winning the battle against the Pepper in my hair!

2. Despite blogging continuously, I can NOT type!

3. I prefer sleeping in a looong Nightdress to PJ's.

4. My middle name is the same as a Bronte heroine.

5. Surprise, surprise, I'm addicted to blogging!

6. My favourite American TV show is 'House' starring Hugh Laurie

7. The only dog that really scares me is a Boxer; having been pinned to the wall by one, aged maybe 4!

8. I HATE Peanut Butter! Sorry, pups!

9. I LOVE pasta! Spag. Bol. especially!

10. My last wish is to die by the sea be 'ash' scattered there.

Choosing who to pass Awards onto is impossible.

If you have a place in my Blog Roll, consider your self Awarded & Tagged

Two fer Tuesday - A late Gong Xi Fa Cai!

This was originally intended as 'Happy New Year' post for yesterday; hence the fun guy above, as according to the Chinese Zodiac, 2009 is the Year of the Ox or the Buffalo!

Then, I downloaded my weekend photo's & promptly changed my mind.

Well, I was stuck re Jonna's meme today where I need two or pairs of photo's.

But, I did leave personal 'Greetings' to my blogger friends celebrating Chinese New Year like by birthday twinny Snowball!

Anyway, celebrations for the Year Ox, symbolising prosperity through fortitude & hard work, were as was to be expected in Dreamingspires low key to non exixtant.

On a walk around my city, only found this lantern and it was outside an Anglican Church too...It seems the local Chinese community don't get to celebrate 'til next Sunday, when an event's being held in the Town Hall... So, what can we look forward to:-

"We will feel the yoke of responsibility coming down on us this year.
No success can be achieved without conscientious efforts.
The trials & tribulations the Ox year brings will be mainly on the home front.
It is a good time to settle domestic affairs & put your house in order."

Whatever; may it be a positive 12 months for all.

Belated it maybe but Gong Xi Fa Cai.

A Happy Chinese New Year!

Odd Shot Monday & Todays Flowers - A Bird of Paradise!

In the gloom of another grey Winters day, I went in search of some colour in my photographic archives.
Maybe it's just me, but the Bird of Paradise flower [Strelitzia reginae], or Crane Flower as it is sometimes known, always strikes me as an oddity, even when seen growing in the warmth of Hawaii.
But, so much more so, when viewed indoors, in a period English house.
This shot was taken during my visit to Restoration House in Kent last year...
The house is so called because of a visit to Rochester by the future King Charles II, in the Seventeen Century.
When travelling from Dover to London for his restoration, after 15 years of exile in France, he stayed over night @ the house, as a guest.
It's owner, was subsequently knighted for his hospitality!
It is also, well known as the 'Satis House'...This is due to the author Charles Dickens detailed description of it, in his novel 'Great Expectations', where he made it, the home of the reclusive Mrs Havisham.
Hence, my reasons for finding an exotic Bird of Paradise flourishing there odd!

Odd Shots is hosted by Katney @ her Kaboodle.
And, Todays Flowers dedicated blog, can be found HERE!

Monochrome Monday - Queens College!

For Aileni's Monochrome Maniac's this week - Blog HERE - I thought I'd try a college adaptation.

This is Queen's in the High...

The original colour photographs I posted for ABC Wednesday - Q is for...!

Sunday Scenery - The Boat Houses!

Liking photo memes as I do, can't resist this one!
A walk beside the Isis, as the River Thames is called, as it run through Dreamingspires is always a pleasure even in Winter, especially when you can see reflections like this...With rowing being a very important University sport, each individual college has its own private boat house in its own colours...

Come a few weeks time, they will be a hive of competitive activity, re Torpids, the Hilary Term rowing event, when each college will field crews, take to the river & race against each other over four days.

As usual, I'll be there to watch the action.

Sunday Scenery is the idea of Tarheel Ramblings.

Camera Critters Sunday - Seeing Things Differently!

Now, coming across one handsome guy with amazingly different coloured eyes is one thing...

A pair is something else...

Unfortunately, the one lying down on the left - whose eyes were the opposite Blue/Brown combination, was not that friendly - low growls emanated from him when I approached - so regrettably, no close up!

But, they were beautiful Hounds waiting patiently for their owner to finish his coffee.

Camera Critters is hosted by Misty Dawn, in its own blog HERE!

The Big Garden Birdwatch 2009!

This year, it's the 30th Birthday of the RSPB [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds], annual Bird Watch Weekend.
The idea is, you take an Hour out & record the maximum number of each specis of birds seen together visiting in your garden or local park etc, during that period of time.
I've taken part over a number of years with mixed, very mixed results.
When I first moved into the neighbourhood, back in 1987 & was baking for a living from home, my garden bird population was HUGE & varied.
I could hardly produce enough cast-off cake crumbs & flapjack [granola bar] cuts off, to feed the Sparrow population alone.
They were so, cheeky, they'd come & feed off the inside of my kitchen window sill, as always had the window open!
In fact, I use to, have to order in bags & bags of Peanuts from my Wholesale Catering supplier just to feed the birds.
And, watching them, whilst baking away was a regular pleasure.
My Mother spent hours with binoculars, glued to her eyes.
Then, gradually the numbers & varieties declined till in recent years - 2000 onwards particularly; only the odd Blackbird, a pair of Robins & the occasional Blue-Tit remained; the House Sparrows & Starlings, once the most commonest of visitors, having became almost non-existent in my area.
Several Winters ago, in an attempt to recapture these moments, I invested in new Bird Feeders, all to NO avail.
They've hardly attracted any attention.
I ended up, throwing away, the damp rotted uneaten food.
However, this year things are looking up BIG time!
I've been going out regularly to refill the said hangers; the Sunflower Seed mix proving particularly popular.
It seems my bird population is growing again FAST.

This Autumn, there were, an awful lot of berries on my shrubs...The Blackbirds for one, l0ved them!
And, I was NOT that diligent re harvesting my Apples, fallings abounded.
Plus, my gardens certainly, become wilder due to neglect on my part - more like a Nature Reserve, ie better cover, more natural food - this has obviously encouraged the sparse local birdlife to visit me once more.
Hence, today, I've had my most successful Dusk Garden Birdwatch in 10 years.
My biggest regret!
Yes - moaning again, about not having a zoom camera lens - but, was unable to capture the visitors!
Therefore, have resorted to photo's courtesy of Flickr & this Mosaic maker, to show off, the birds I saw in MY hour in & around the Apples trees, where the Bird Feeders hang.
The list reads like this, going across from left to right...Blackcap, 1 rusty capped female; Robins, 2 & paired; Blackbirds, 5 - lots of courting maneuvers; Bullfinches, male & female, 5; Dunnock, aka Hedge Sparrow 1!
Starlings in bushes, 2; Blue Tits, flitting between hangers 5; Long Tailed Tits, 7 - na flock & so pretty & tweeting sweetly; Song Thrush, feeding on fallings, 1: Great Tits - 3!
'Jenny' Wren, a tiny but regular guest 1; Gold Finches, 3 - a welcome sight; House Sparrows, 2; Green Finches, 2 - a rarity; Magpie, 1 - not that welcome as scares off other birds!

Other 'Wildlife' sightings included, amazingly - a Grey Squirrel, a first - he was actually doing acrobatics on a feed hanger in a vain hope of grabbing nuts!
And, 2 Cats - Lola & Zoe, Pussycat Pauls Furkids, lurking slyly in shrubs; till sent off by me.

I am sooooooooooo delighted with this count!
It's such a major improvement in 12 months.
Will collate the details & send off the the RSBP, asap again with pride.

Saturday Photo Hunters - Chipped!

Host tnchick's prompt this week had me bemused.

For once, I've had to create an image to photograph...

But the chipped potato's didn't go the waste - supper last night.

And, as for the plate; chipped it may be, but I'm not throwing it away -it's blue!

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 312!

I haven't done Luna Nina's free word association meme for many, many months.
For those unfamiliar with it; each week she posts ten words.
The idea is you respond with the first thing that comes to mind.
There are no rules, no right or wrong answers & you don't have to limit yourself to one word responses; just everything that pops into your head related to0 them.
It is fun & rather interesting!

Arrival :: Departure - Airports and a certain ex-pilots comings & goings in my life!
Vomit :: Yuk - Sickness & always Carrots!
Fit :: Not, Not, Not!
Stutter :: Initially, Camera, as read the word incorrectly - Nervous Stammer.
Lifestream :: An Americanism! Otherwise, nothing as the word/term is new to me.
Tread :: Mill, as in exercise - Grapes, as in making wine.
Desire :: Want, what you can't have.
Freezing :: Bitterly Cold - A Saskatchewan Winter, that's not for me.
Permit :: Parking, glad I don't need one.
Crinkle :: Chips, you'll see why tomorrow!

Sky Watch Friday - A Silver Birch!

Taken earlier this week, when the sky was big time blue, unlike this mornings...I like these trees and remember this snippet from a childhood rhyme

"The Silver Birch is a dainty lady,

She wears a satin gown..."

Am sure it continues on about other trees.

Anyway, thought I'd have another Aileni monochrome moment & see if I could bring out the silver...Am gradually learning what does & doesn't work in B&W.

There is a tale to this particular Silver Birch too.
It was, planted as a sapling in the bottom of a near by garden.
I've watched it grew & grew into this fine specimen
But, it's presence has had consequences for the house you see in the photo's.
The trees roots have grown, deep & twisted into it's foundations; resulting in the nice lady who lives there, being unable sell her property!
She has, with amazing fortitude, resigned herself to this fact.
The neighbouring house, whose garden the offending tree is in, has changed hands many times, since the Birch was planted; so, she can seek no sort of recompense.
The present owners, have offered to chop it down, but she's said;
"Why? The damage is done. At least, let me enjoy the tree!"

The Sky Watch blog is to be found HERE !

True Colours Thursday - TURQUOISE

After randomly selecting this weeks colour, all I could initially think, was that, I didn't have a single piece of TURQUOISE in my crystal/rock collection.

Then, I started looking around me.

TURQUOISE is more common in our lives than we think.

Without, these batteries, I'd never take any photographs...

Beanz, that meanz Heinz, give me energy to blog...

Dreamingspires has lots of TURQUOISE cars too.

This is the shiny one that gave me my great Odd Shot of the church window reflection ...

And, 'window shopping' on the same day, throw up this striking silk dress - was very tempted...

Everyone is welcome to join in this weekly photo meme.

You can even, simply be wordy on the colour of the week, if photography isn't your thing.

Just, PLEASE leave me a Comment to say that you have participated, to aid visiting by my-self & others.

Rinkly Rimes, has already done so ie comment on an earlier post - only recently found out that she joined in last Thursday too; her verse on BLACK to be found HERE, is well worth a look, I particularly enjoyed reading it, because of course, know the pier mentioned & photo'd well.

Also, would like to welcome on board today, two of my favourite Airedales & long standing blog friends, Maggie & Mitch.

N.B.

A list [with links] of ALL previous 'True Colours Thursday' players can be found in my side bar.

And, next weeks colour is PINK - feel pretty!

Wheelie Wednesday - Woodstock has a Word!

"Good Afternoon everyone, Woodstock whispering here.

You see, that sweet, little WFT lass Judy said I could do a 'Guest Post', but 'Big Brother' Bailey mustn't know, that I'm blogging instead of her.
So, DO keep it to between ourselves!!!

It seems Mother is a 'honorary' DWB'er, hence Judy's declared me an 'honorary' Wheelie!!!

But, HE, it seems wouldn't approve, as for one thing, I'm a Bear & without wheels.

She @ least appreciates my superior quality,& thought I could improve the tone of things on Wednesdays!

I couldn't agree more.
Well, I do hail from Woodstock, possibly from THE big house there.
If this Palace, was good enough for Sir Winston Churchill's birthplace, it was certailny good enough for mine...

And, maybe, I had a fountain Christening...Old age means my past memories are vague, but I'm sure, I hailed from Bear-aristocracy!
Slipping on.
Life here in my new home is fine, apart from that Bailey & Skipper, needing to mind their P&Q's - Street foundlings.
At least, I was rescued from a high, quality Antiques Stall, not the pavement & a skip!
However, Ms Judy has pedigree, I can see it - that girl has very FINE felting!
And, Mother is a good, old sort too, gives me lots of cuddles.
Plus, there's a HUGE hug of Teddybears for company - some more refined than other's.
I am the only original Mohair here, I'll have you know.
So, I can Lord it over them - a bit @ least!
But, I have, already grown fond of this lassy - mawh...And, given time, will learn to tolerate the others.
Never let be said, I'm a Bear Snob!
It's just, that my age & creaky joints, tell on me sometimes, hence the Grumps!
Maybe, I need hand knitted mitts & socks like that lucky girl Autumn.
Now, do take care all.
Be good!
Hugs,
"

ABC Wednesday - A is for...!

So, here we are again, @ the beginning of the Alphabet.
This is Take Four, but only No. Three for me.
The first time I took part in this clever, entertaining idea of Denise, aka Mrs Nesbitt, my posts were on a mishmash of topics.
Last round, apart from two, whilst away, I kept to within Dreamingspires; so, what now???
Having given the subject much thought & not wanting to be too ambitious, I've settled on a Food & Drink theme - well, I adore both.
Living alone, as I do now, I no-longer cook alot or create fancy meals; I prefer to keep things simple with lots of fresh Fruit, Salads & Vegetables.
The old fashioned girl in me says, I'd like to enjoy them ALL in their appropriate Seasons, rather than have them flown half way around the world, forced in hot-houses or genitally modified to keep for ever!
But, abstaining from them ALL out of principle, is I think only for the purist foodie, not me.

With two trees in my garden, my first A has to be for Apples...From August to December, I usually have an adequate supply...And, my garden birds can feast on my Apple fallings...When my crop of fruit is but a distant memory, I have to resort to the Supermarket, and the Apple harvest there is year round & I guess acceptable!

Aubergines - Eggplant, to my American friends - out of Season I have more of a problem with!
It's by far not, one of my top ten favourite vegetables that's actually a fruit!
But, come the Summer months when they are plentiful & cheap, along with Courgettes & Tomatoes, I will go along to the local, weekly outdoor market & buy...Then, head home to make Ratatouille for supper!
It's another Delia Smith recipe, but this time from her 'Summer Collection' book - my late Mother rated this lady highly & frequently gave me her cookery books as Birthday/Christmas gifts!
However, this is my favourite version; it is delicious & as Delia, her-self says "Once you've tried it roasted like this, you'll never go back to the usual method".
I never have for sure.
Oven-roasted Ratatouille
Serves 4 - I'm a greedy girl!
2 meduim Courgettes - the bigger the better in my eyes
2 med. Aubergines - like wise
1 rounded dessertspoon Salt - for once, I use it, as a must here!
1 lb (450g) ripe Italian/Plum - or in my case, any red Tomatoes going.
1 Red Pepper } de-seeded & cut into 1 in (2.5 cm) squares
1 Yellow Pepper} ditto
1 Red Onion, peeled & chopped similarly
2 large Garlic Cloves - crushed
1 handful fresh Basil leaves
1 heaped teaspoon Coriander seeds - crushed
3 tbsp Olive Oil - I use Virgin re everything!
Freshly milled Black Pepper
30 ml Red Wine - or White, never fuss me
1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar - I use what I have & abit more!
Prepare the Courgettes & Aubergine ahead of time by cutting them into 1 in (2.5 cm) dice, leaving the skins on.
Now place them in a colander & mix them with Salt.
Then place a plate on top of them & weigh it down with a heavy weight, making sure you have a plate underneath the colander to catch the drips.
Leave them like this for an hour so that any bitter juices can drain out.
Meanwhile, pour boiling water over the Tomatoes, leave them for one minute exactly, then drain, slip the skins off & quarter the flesh - I actually use the alternative method - ie holding over a Gas flame till the skin splits!
When the Aubergines & Courgettes have drained, squeeze out any excess juice, then dry them thoroughly in a clean cloth.
Pre-heat oven to it's highest setting - 450F/220C/Gas 8.
Now arrange the Tomatoes, Aubergines, Courgettes, Peppers & Onion on a Shallow roasting tray - 16 x 12 in (42 x 30.5 cm), sprinkle with the Garlic, torn-up Basil leaves, crushed Coriander seeds, Pepper, Wine & Balsamic Vinegar.
Drizzle the Olive oil over, then mix thoroughly to get a good coating of oil on all the ingredients.
Roast on the highest shelf of the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender & tinged brown at the edges.
Serve straight away.
I love it with fresh crispy French bread & soft ripe Brie or Camembert!
It is my only Aubergine dish as Moussaka, much as I like it, is too fiddly for one!

To access the full amazing aray of A's the ABC blog site can be found HERE!