Saturday Photo Hunt - Framed!

tnchick's prompt for this week 'Framed' has two definitions...

"Nown - encasing of a painting/picture."

And...

"Slang - concocted false charge etc"

I've gone for easy traditional option, a framed image!

This is a much treasured, original oil painting, done by my late Mother's old school friend At Joan, framed in a Copper Gilt frame - sadly, my photograph does not do it justice...

The setting is the Highlands/Lochs of Scotland where she & husband Uncle G. holidayed regularly.

I, of course love it's depth of atmospheric blue shades.

But it's the fisherman & his dog that win my heart and make it special to me!

The former with his boat & rod, always reminds me of Uncle G who loved to fish.

This gentle man was the Father I would have wished for & was so grateful to have in my life since he showed me nothing but love & kindness, even to his own son's annoyance re preferring me over his daughter-in-law!

The Black & White pup in the painting looking to see what the catch was, is of course, in my mind, my beloved Spaniel Hero who adored freshly caught fish!!!

Monday Blues - Miss Peach's Blue Gifts!

To keep me blogging, as some long standing friends seem to want me to despite my blues re life issues, I need a new and easy peasy challenge, so have come up with 'Monday Blues', where anything goes as long as it has a blue connection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not asking anyone to play along with me - but if you want to, do!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While I was missing from Blogland, my concerned dear pusscat 'cousin' Miss Peach, knowing I was blue in every sence, sent me the following weeping blue roses and two delightful collages made especially for me...

They touched my heart and I send my love & thanks to her and Karla!

Once upon a time, I was creative too as did Art @ College & did well - guess I missed my way there as have in many things in my life - only Blogger has given me free expression, so maybe next Monday I'll post my own blue mosaic!

True Colours Thursday - CREAM!

I'm still away from home helping friends redecorate, unpack & garden!

Naturally two of the first items to find a place in their new home was this light CREAM mounted portrait of marvelous Miss Molly, my Airedale 'niece'...And this fun coaster...A brief shopping trip to the local market town provided me with a CREAM house...Plus this impressive clock tower which was presented to the town in 1878 by local draper, grocer & clothier James Scott; it was renovated in 2004...And the the country style kitchen gained these useful items from the shops...

While the verges by the local dykes are full of CREAM blossom...

As are a neighbours hedge rows...

The closest to actual CREAM I have to offer is on this cake from that shop...
To join True Colours Thursday, whose designated blog home is HERE, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment, on either blog so we know you are 'IN'!
Previous known participants are shown in the TCT Roll Call in that blogs side bar.
Next week is colour is RASPBERRY!
And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome.

True Colours Thursday - COFFEE!

This weeks colour sounded easy when I listed it but I confess to having struggled re posting, could find nothing new!

Okay, I drink COFFEE - like the real article made from good quality ground beans, no instant granules in my house.

I also enjoy that occasional Cappuccino when out in town - very bad image from early photo archives...

But defining COFFEE as a colour is difficult, as we all see/take this beverage differently!

Is garden ornament Peter Rabbit a Latte' shade...

Are these odd Art figurines a Black/Dark cuppa ...

What about Irish Terrier Shamus - is he a Milky Espresso & what about the WFT's prick ears being a really White COFFEE...At the least the Celebration Cake Shop's cake is definitely all shades of COFFEE - just wonder if the cake underneath the icing is a COFFEE flavoured sponge - it certainly should be...

To join True Colours Thursday, whose designated blog home is HERE, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment, on either blog so we know you are 'IN'!
Previous known participants are shown in the TCT Roll Call in that blogs side bar.
Next week is colour is AZURE aka BLUE by just another fancy name !
And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome!

I'm returning to Brighton today, so my visit's will be late!

Two fer Tuesday - Blue Mews!

My time in Brighton always includes a stroll through the funky North Lanes, usually after a lenghthy lunch @ nearby Bill's Produce Store cafe' with Jackson's J1.

This visit was no exception, windowed shop & looked for new street art and wasn't disappointed re this end terrace...Naturally a blue home appeals, but insure if this design is quite me!!!

True Colours Thursday - TURQUOISE!

Every time I re-list TURQUOISE, when I come to post I wonder why, why why, & not because I don't like the colour???

But, it does remind me that I should buy re-chargable camera batteries!

Thankfully, just learnt my local supermarket has a re-cyclying programe re these...

This oil painting of a Scottish Loch was done by Aunt J, my late Mother's school friend, now in her Ninties...

And, it's over a year now since I went to Las Vegas & on my British Columbia, CA road trip with Little Buddy; this silk purse holds my loose change from then, it's to go to charity - the Dollar notes were long cashed in...

Never thought the cake shop would do the business but yes, a Christening Cake was sitting there waiting for me to photo...

And whilst in the Covered Market found these TURQUOISE leather Radley purses - no link as they seem to have issues...

To join True Colours Thursday, whose designated blog home is HERE, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment on either site, so we know you are 'IN'!
Previous known participants are shown in the TCT Roll Call in that blogs side bar.
Next week is colour PRIMROSE yellow!
And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome!

True Colours Thursday - PEWTER!

This weeks colour is really just another take on Grey, Silver; the very shades seen in this digital artwork entitled 'Two Moons of Saturn' - designed by Angie, it's one of the cards she recently sent me [photo does not do it justice]...

Now per Wikipedia real PEWTER is...
"A malleable metal alloy, traditionally between 85 and 99 percent tin, with the remainder consisting of copper, antimony, bismuth and lead.
But it is a ancient component, used for cutlery and jewellery too - the earliest piece was found in an Egyptian tomb from 1450 BC."

I've nothing that old but I do have several pieces of this Grey/Silver coloured metal.

There's these two small PEWTER photo frames enclosing magical memories - a rare shot of my beloved Hero & I together, and my Mother looking so happy pottering in the garden in the Summer sunshine she loved...

Despite how young we all look, it's hard to believe they are taken nearly twenty years ago.

I still miss them both sooo much, as nothing ever quite replaces ones Mother & that special pup!

Polish Proverb...

"The greatest love is a Mothers; Then comes a Dogs..."

How true!

Quickly, moving on - amongst my jewellery, these pieces are all PEWTER - the top two broaches both feature Celtic designs - their symbolism via never ending knots represents the the circle of life; the pendants stone is metallic grey Hematite, believed in 'crystal magic' to enhance mental awareness, reduce stress, dispel negativity & encourage optimism - much needed@ the moment; and the lower Goose pin is from the days of Canadian Airlines, it was their logo...

Also, have the perfect bookmark for a dog lover - a gift from doggy 'family' Molly & Taffy...On my visit to the Covered Market, found these PEWTER looking Herrings - don't their glassy eyes follow you...But, the Celebration Cake Shop there failed me again!!!

However, this photo of a [Silver] Wedding Anniversary cake, was sent to me by a past TCT player because of my regular cake image feature here, so only seems right to share it today when I need help...

To join True Colours Thursday, whose dedicated home is HERE, all you need, is to post with photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt', as I do now, with many memes, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment so we know you are 'IN'!
Previous known participants are shown in the Roll Call on TCT blogs side bar.

Next weeks colour is CINNAMON, a spicy suggestion from humorous & loyal participants Doyle & Mollie!
And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome!

Two fer Tuesday - A Happy Australia Day Connection!

I was @ a loss re what to post today, then, I had mail yesterday!

Friend Angie in Oz, had sent me another personally hand crafted card featuring Australian Christmas postage stamps.

But, it never arrived - I suspect stolen en route after being spotted by a zealous Stamp Collector!!!

Anyway, to make up for its loss, she sent to me again...

This time, a a copy of her digital imaged calender...

Wow - am I so glad the postcard didn't make it!

January is now up on my desk...

And, it came with a batch of colourful postcards too...Am so impressed with designs.
Thanks again Angie!

And, a Happy Australia Day too!

Saturday Photo Hunt - Undesirable & Color Carnival!

Brighton's North Lanes have lots of crazy Art on display, as previous posts of mine have shown.

Some, may consider this Graffitti, undesirable [tnchick's prompt] but it's not to me...Even wild designs, like the above, brighten the area.
And, one never knows what colourful image the next corner may display...

Martha is the creator of Color Carnival, that simply requires a colourful photo!
She's taking a break for December but me being me, I'm still playing!

Camera Critters Sunday - The Night Singer!

This is my post intended for last Sunday!
But put on hold re a single photo because I wanted to do the 'right thing' re an image not mine!
However, since my polite email request re using this 'Copyright' photo has still recieved no reply, & having checked throughly the website of the photographer concerned, I can't find my Robin card anywhere, because it is maybe 10 years old, I'm using it anyway!

The other night & not for the first time either recently, I woke in small hours, to hear a bird singing away in the dark.
A Nightingale or Nightjar, sprang to mind but, they are only Summer visitors to Britain & should be in Africa by now.
My night-time singer is a Robin & he's probably in my garden's Apple trees.
Regrettably, this fine Robin Red Breast image is NOT mine...It's the work of a talented Oxfordshire photographer Craig Churchill.
I acquired 'Robin' as greetings card, a number of years ago - it was one, I couldn't bare to part with.
Anyway back to my songster - most days this month I've seen him with his fine red breast, which is @ it's brightest right now, flitting about the garden - he @ least appreciates it's over grown bushes & back to nature feel!
And, he's a friendly cheeky chappy too i.e. he doesn't fly off far, when I do venture down to the Apple trees, to refill my bird feeders that hang there; he's even learnt how to feed from them too - perching precariously on the one containing sunflower bird seed.
Sorry - I can't help myself - I have to say 'If only, if only I had a zoom'!
Robins are one of the few birds that hold a territory throughout the Winter, & mine is defending his bigtime!
The Tit family have regular daily run ins with him while trying to feed.
And, it's his aggressive defence of his domain that's causing him to sing @ night!
The street lamps ensure that it never gets completely dark & neighbours security lights that come on @ the slightest movement, are tricking him into thinking dawns come early, so he'd better start singing out to announce his presence.
I've also read, that unexpected loud noises @ night @ this time of year, will also disturb Robins & act as a trigger to sing out.
My 'Mr Robin Red-Breast', sings exceedingly well, and when his handsome chest's attracted a new mate, they will I imagine, nest in the rickety garden shed behind the Apple trees come Spring.

Purr-day Greetings to Ginger Jasper!

Now, I still have to personally encounter this friendly furball of a blogging pusscat, but having meet Ginger Jasper's great folks Carol & Barrie, the other month when they visted Dreamingspires, I feel we have a connection.

And, even more so because of this...

Yes, it could be a portrait of Jasper & I've lived with it for many, many happy years!

I gave up attempting to photograph 'him' in location, ie on my living rooms wall, due to the **** flash reflection on the Clip-Art glass frame, so the above is a scanned image of this delightful Birthday Card given to me by my Mother in 1988!

The work is by artist Patrick, copyright Gorden Fraser Cards.
My Mother & I, though both doggy people, loved the picture, hence framing the card all that time ago.

Happy Purr-day Jasper!

Photo courtesy of his 'Mum' Carol.

'October' by Tissot!

Following on from this morning's 'Two Fer' post - this is to me, is one of the most captivating of Autumnal artworks...
The oil painting, fittingly entitled 'October', of a Victorian Belle dressed in her black finery, against the golden leaves of my all time favourite tree, the Horsechestnut, captured my heart many years ago.

I've never ever forgotten seeing 'her' in person & would love to own a 'quality' print!

In 1984, London's Barbican Art Gallery, had an exhibition of French born painter James Jacques Joseph Tissot [1836-1902] paintings.

Not @ all familiar with his works, I went along out of 'arty curiosity', after having seen 'October' show-cased, on the exhibition's pre-publicity posters.

Painted by Tissot in 1877, 'she' was on loan from the Montreal Museum of Arts, Canada.

Nothing in my eyes, in what was an interesting array of paintings, many set in London, glowed as bright as her.

Two fer Tuesday & Color Carnival - Bills & Graffiti!

No stay in Brighton is complete without @ least one lunch date @ 'Bill's Produce Store' with Jackson's J1!

Bills unimposing exterior belies it's interior delights - renowned for great food served in a relaxed atmosphere, you are surrounded by it's visually tempting fresh & speciality produce...

I just wish Dreamingspires had a Bill's!

After a lenghty & throughly enjoyable lunch together, J1 returned to work & I checked out the North Lanes latest street art...This ever changing colourful graffiti is quite the feature of the area...

Two Fer Tuesday is Jonna's concept, just requiring two or pairs of images.
Martha is the creator & host of Color Carnival.

Wedding Anniversary Greetings to BJ & 'Hubby'!

It's hard to believe it's two years since my good friend BJ 'got' her good man & a companion worthy of her.

Here's wishing you & your Bob, a very Happy Anniversary!

Re my choice of Artwork - the Red Rose is in remembrance of BJ's bridal bouquet.

The actual stained glass piece is made by Glass Images & appropriately hails from Texas!

Saturday Photo Hunters - Artificial!

This weeks prompt from host tnchick is not me, I prefer natural!

Artificial, to me smacks of deceit, ie as in artificial colouring, artificial flavouring - it's all about fake enhancement.

But, sometimes the artificial is considered Art.

What about this imitation plate of Fish & Chips...

I found them in a private Art Gallery's window in Brighton's North Lanes this Spring, bemused I took the shot.

Personally, give me the real edible article any supper time, but minus the head & scales!