Coloured Thursday - BRISTOL BLUE!

Now with BLUE being my colour, Doyle & Mollie thought this week would be a 'piece of cake' for me but not necessarily!
Having listed this vibrant BLUE shade by many different names, many times before, I was nearly driven to drink this week re Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry in it's iconic BRISTOL BLUE glass bottle...However it is a tad too sweet for my palette but the coloured glass I do of course love & collect.
Quoted from the BRISTOL BLUE Glass companies 's heritage page...
"Nobody is exactly sure when Bristol Blue Glass was first made but we do know that the dazzling combination of the fine cobalt oxide with the recently invented lead crystal in the late 1700's gave the most remarkable deep, rich blue – the like of which had never been seen before".
This is a favourite piece of mine & the ONLY wine glass that I process that I never ever use as it's one of a kind...
Vibrant BLUE glass doesn't only come from Bristol, Venetian Glass often features it too.
This is my special pendant, purchased on my very last visit to Rome with Little Buddy in 2000...By rights he should have bought/given me the piece as we always star gazed when together!

But, he didn't, so sentimental me couldn't resist spending all her Italian Lira, as the design of the Stars & quarter Moon had another significance re our relationship @ the time.

It's summed up by this time quote from the final scene in the classic 1942 Black & White movie 'Now Voyager' starring Bette Davis... "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars".

Enough nostalgia, moving on to this ballerina in her tutu - she is Christmas Tree decoration of mine... And finally bears Woodstock & Master Bruge' wanted in on the act...

For my cake courtesy of the Celebration Cake Shop 's window I have Grandad in his BRISTOL BLUE jumper...
My original meme 'True Colours Thursday' is now hosted by friends, the fun pups Doyle & Mollie @ Blue's Coloured Thursday, with me as Colour Consultant :)
Please do join in again!

True Colours Thursday - RAINBOW!

Since my self inflicted 'exile / time out' from ALL things blogging, blog life has moved on as it does without me, even my own meme has! :( ...
It's now 'Blues Coloured Thursday' and hosted by pup friends Mollie & Doyle.
In truth, I have no problem with this, as they were loyal TCT participants, and since they did not want my Colours to run out started their own meme.
It is sweet they dedicated it to me, & have included a cake announcing the following weeks colour.
What better tribute to my time spent blogging/making friends can there be than that?

For those who don't know why I suddenly stopped blogging - all I can say is that as after 3 +++ years in Blogland, scattered over many blogs, I've quite literally run out of things to write about, even photograph as my life has become very futile.
Am I back blogging again - probably NOT, but I am here today to play my 'True Colours' one more time because the 'Wizard of Oz' was a fav. magical film and Dorothy's song wistfully conjures up how I feel as want to be able to dream even though I nolonger have any...

"Somewhere over the RAINBOW, way up high,
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the RAINBOW, bluebirds fly.
Why then, oh why can't I?"

From my RAINBOW archives, have chosen old images as not taken a new photograph in months!
I'm not religious however love Stained Glass windows in churches.
Christ Church, the city Cathedral, small it may be, has wonderful ones whose reflections create a RAINBOW spectrum...And there is my colourful Hug of bears, all who will soon need new homes - if you can help, please email me...And from my favourite diner in Brighton aka Bills, where J1 and I have met on my visits there..Sadly, I have no cake as not been cake window shopping.

True Colours Thursday - AZURE!

AZURE is simply another name for BLUE.
And to be BLUE is to be sad.
So, it certainly is a doubly appropriate colour for me this week, since it was with an over whelming sense of sadness, still with me, that I learnt that my favourite, much loved WFT Jackson had passed away on of all days this Monday - my birthday & whilst I was in Brighton in the hope of seeing him one last time.
Now AZURE wasn't necessarily his favourite colour, like his J1, I suspect he preferred Greens & Reds, but I like to believe I, Blue was one of his favourite people and as I want to start this post with a photogragh of Jackson, here he is peaking out of his AZURE chariot...May he be running, rather than riding, pain free, over @ the Rainbow Bridge with all his friends that went there before him like Oscar, Charlie & Miss Snickers and may he meet my Hero too!

On my belated Birthday lunch with Jackson's J1, she delighted me with this 'Forever Foxed' greetings card... And this great bag - both images are based on the Jax...
After our lunch together, I as usual strolled the North Lanes looking for inspiration for TCT - they never fail me!
A pretty sun dress in all shades of AZURE - if only my figure would do it justice now...And an upper shop front...
Then walking back via the sea front found the pebble beach so loved by Jackson was decked with BLUE chairs blowing in the breeze... While by Brighton Pier, there was lots of bouncing action...And, even my hotel's restaurants tables that evening were laid with AZURE napkins for me to photo...
I've no cake, birthday or other wise to finish off with as normal.
However, pup friends Doyle & Mollie told me to buy myself a Birthday treat in Jackson's memory aka a Stuffie as he was 'the Master' when it came to their destruction, so I did...
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 RED & WHITE together!
And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome.

Saturday Photo Hunt - Cuddly!

As a teddybear collector & lover, I'm taking the most obvious route re tnchick prompt this week, as came upon this sad pile of cuddly, but rejected bears after Valentine's Day...Hopefully they'll quickly receive a bright new coloured ribbon & tag, and have a second chance of finding that 'forever' home for cuddles as it is Mothering Sunday here on the 14th March!

True Colours Thursday - SHOCKING PINK, AND Happy Birthday Queen of Halloween!

I suspect this weeks colour is going to throw up a variety of PINK shades, as Googling SHOCKING PINK, it very rarely showed up as matching my personal interpretation - to me it's a bright pink but with a touch of orange as seen here...Why? It's based on these - 1930'S chiffon hankerchiefs & a scarf of my late Mothers...I also recall her wearing a fetching cropped top in the brighter of the tones too - she loved colour!

Me, I think my nightdress is SHOCKING PINK..My fancy umbrella has certain elements too...As do these napkins...

And certainly this briar Rose is SHOCKING PINK...

Now, my cake from the Celebration Cake Shop, may look rather out of Season & you may also ask where's the PINK too...BUT, today is my friend Queen of Halloween's birthday. Greetings to you, enjoy your special day. And, just check out the veins in the eyeballs bubbling away in the witches Halloween cauldron - I rest my case!

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 blogs side bar. Next weeks colour is ORANGE & LEMONS, say the bells of St Clements, a combination of both colours please

And, remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome!

True Colours Thursday - CINNAMON!

I'd never really considered CINNAMON as a colour, til suggested by humorous & loyal TCT participants Doyle & Mollie.
To me CINNAMON's, Spice Sticks, as used in making Mulled Wine & Hot Spiced Cider, hence in my larder...And then there's the nice warming ground variety, used on Baked Apples & in Christmas Cake.

Little Buddy also alerted me to it, being a good tasting alternative 'sprinkle topping' to Chocolate or Nutmeg on Cappichino's & Latte Coffees; as one with Type 2 diabetes, he believes it has a beneficial effect on his blood sugar!

It's also thought to help lower Cholesterol, boost cognitive function & memory and give significant relief to Arthritis pain, which is why this Nestle' whole grain cereal is probably very healthy, I was given several free samples last year, but it isn't really to my liking - very tasty but far too sweet; hence fortuitously still having a packet lying around...

A bit more fun Web research brought me to 18 Facts About CINNAMON, well worth a read - love the idea of there being a CINNAMON Bird, sadly couldn't find one to photograph!

So, will make do with this cheeky little critter, part of my small collection of pottery animals...

Plus, a CINNAMON looking Valentines Bear - hope he finds a 'Forever' home this weekend...

And on my way to that cake shop found these wicker baskets hanging around - love baskets, own several...

As for this weeks cake, I think this Baked/Jacket Potato's skin is a fair colour match - do note the greeting...

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 SHOCKING PINK as popular in the 1930's!

And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome!

True Colours Thursday - A Very Merry COLOURFUL Christmas to Everyone!

To me personally, one of THE pleasures of Christmas is seeing delightfully decorated, fairy lit trees glimpsed through windows in homes, but as I'm not voyeuristic enough to photo those, here's three captured whilst shopping instead...Re my own tree - artificial these years despite the love of that real pine fragrance in a warm room, I don't have a favourite, particular colour scheme, as my decorations are a treasured COLOURFUL mishmash of the old & new - some dating back years...Others, more recent Seasonal Gifts from close friends like Maggie & Mitch and BJ...However, this year, things are a bit different.

I finally put up my tree on Monday, the latest ever, ever, ever!

And, it is the barest/bear affair too!

Only Santa knows why I heaved my well laden wicker Christmas Decoration hamper up into my loft last January!!!

Despite several attempts to retrieve it, I was forced to gave up for safeties sake, re being too unsteady on the ladder!

Grrr!
Thankfully, the Tree its-self, laughably called a 'Tall Canadian' - it looks nothing like Little Buddy; and it's Lights - new last year & regrettably, oh so white LED ones - how I miss that mellow candle glow, were stowed away downstairs!
So, I've decorated it with a few small teddybears, cats, an appropiate mini stocking, gift bows & a trace of tinsel...

However, as happy as I am with my result, I do miss my special ornaments!

Hence, if neighbour Pussycat Paul, calls in today, I'll probably push him up into my loft - not quite the Xmas Greeting he will be expecting - LOL, but he's a nice obliging guy, a good friend!

I leave you, with my favourite seasonal cake from the Celebration Cake Shop, which says what I wish you ALL...

To join True Colours Thursday, 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, 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 below, so we know you are 'IN'!
For this meme only, I lift my 'Comment Moderation' to help players connect with each other.
Everyone, who to my knowledge has participated recently, is named in the TCT Roll Call in my side bar.
Now, as next week is New Years Eve, and I imagine celebrations will abound.
But, in case you still have time to join me, the colour is PINE GREEN!
And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome!

Two fer Tuesday - Bears Galore!

On Sunday afternoon I went along to Hove's Town Hall for a special event that Woodstock would have loved...It included the finalists of the British Bear Artists Awards...A winning entry in everyones eye's, including mine was Michael Jackson & 'Bubbles' from J.C.W. Bars & Furry Friends...It was my first ever Teddybear fair and I lost my heart ten times over.
In total over 28 bear makers from around the country exhibited an incredible array of 'Collectible Bears' in every shape, size & style imaginable.
Prices ranged from the acceptable for that exclusive new friend £20 - £50, to the mind boggling hundreds of pounds.
Preferring somewhat traditional designs to the wacky, here's few from my favourite stands.
Hugs Unlimited - designed by a very chatty Dawn James...
Guardian Angel Bears... Brendon Bears from Oxford no less...
And finally, LorriBea Bears, from where my new companion originates from... Meet Othello, so named as his creator Lorraine's surname is Shakespeare - just look @ his sorrowful puppy eyes... He's hand made in dark brown German Mohair with Suede pads, is highly huggable & he's a 'Growler' Bear too.
Wonder what my existing Hug will make of him???

Jonna created Twofer, which simply requires two or pairs of photo's on your choice of subject.
But, her busy life prevents her from posting frequently now a days!

True Colours Thursday - CREAM!

This apart from the customary cake, is a calorific CREAM free post, as saving my calories for Christmas!

Sadly for some, I can't avoid the seasonal subject, as @ home found little CREAM.

My only offering, being this 1940's necklace of my late Mother's...

Being desperate, I even had Merry, try to model it...

I fared much better 'Window Shopping'!

This goes into over-drive in the Stores @ this time of year.

Being very much family-less, my actual Christmas shopping is minimal.

But, that doesn't spoil my pleasure, I can enjoy the 'Season' without the financial stress/worry.

Boswells in Dreamingspires, one of the very few remaining truly independent still family run Department Stores across England, is a treasure trove @ Christmas - though regrettably this year, I did quite literally, have to 'Beg' permission from the Staff re taking photographs - it seems it's become a security issue, I might be secretly 'casing the joint' - fair enough, I guess I must look highly suspicious in my long skirt carrying a wicker shopping basket!

But, I don't think I caught a single shop camera in these few snaps taken last week re CREAM...

Next seasonal stop, the Cover Market - THE best Christmas place in town!

From the two Florists there...

Inspired by them years ago, I started to make my own evergreen garlands for my front door!

This Wreath's all mine my own handywork & was years effort, the greenery was real, collected from the hedgerows, the Christmas Roses were silk...

And of course, I need a cake to finish off with, the first of many Xmas designs to come...

To join True Colours Thursday, 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, 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 below, so we know you are 'IN'!
For this meme only, I lift my 'Comment Moderation' to help players connect with each other.
Everyone, who to my knowledge has participated recently, is named in the TCT Roll Call in my side bar.
Next weeks colour is AQUA, another name for pale Turquoise!
And, please remember suggestions for colours would be very welcome!