Snow, what is all the fuss about?

I thought I would post a few pics of the snow we have been having.  It has snowed steadily for 3 days but today is the first day when it has been dry.  They do say there will be a slight thaw over the next couple of days.  This will be good for the grocery shops who are now depleted of stock.

A picture showing our drive!  It is there, honest!

 

Another view up our road.  The big white shape to the left is a snow covered bush.

 

The roads have been wonderfully quiet!  Sledges are the preferred mode of transport for little ones especially as the snow turns to ice.

Don’t think we will be using the picnic table and bench for a while!!!

The air is filled with romance!

When I offered to write a post for our blog I was scratching my head for a subject matter when …….

Yesterday, Clarence House (Prince Charles' residence and office) made an official announcement, Prince William and Kate Middleton had become engaged….. and …… William had given his mother’s engagement ring which was very special to him, and wanted to share it with his ‘someone’ very special. He said, "It is my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on the day and the excitement and the fact that we're going to spend the rest of our lives together."  Aaaaah.

During these days of stories of hardship and austerity it is so wonderful to have good news and something lovely to look forward to!  Well, I am a romantic at heart after all.

It is amazing how a story such as this spreads across the world to quickly!  Perhaps it might have something to do with who William is and his family history?  Would the media etc have the same interest otherwise?  Mind you, it is a royal story, we all like to dream and imagine.  So, let’s just wallow and then we can get on with our lives.

Talking about getting on with our lives, following on loosely in the theme of blue which is the colour of the sapphire in the ring, happiness and celebrations take a look at the following examples of the amazing talent that can be found in the BBEST team.

Happiness by Chauncey

Fabric and Lace Bracelet by Libertybelle

Blue Day Lily by Heronkate

Diamond white bridal bracelet by Bridal Jewelry

Two Feathers by VanFleetStreetDesign

… and there is more to come!

Simply Fascinating by Imaginuity

Green and Blue Flower ring by Zudagay

But, hey!  Why just go with my choices when there are sooooooooooooo many many more items to view and choose.  Just click on the following link to the BBEST team and have fun!

Here’s to next year and the happy couple!

Technorati Tags: bbest team,royal,engagement,happiness,blue,bridal,celebration

Autumn colours!

  I know I have been absent for so long but I have been really busy!  So, today I was able to take some time out to explore some public gardens nearby.  We even managed a quick picnic snack!

These are some of the views we saw.  OOops, nearly forgot to mention I have a new toy to play with!  A new camera and I am loving it!  L0ts to learn but I am very pleased so far.  What do you think?

  

 

 

 

 

 

I even managed these shots with any people in them!  Who says patience is a virtue?

The Feeling of Joy!

I guess there has to be a story, or rather, THE story that is foremost in peoples’ minds that gives the participants and onlookers the most amazing feeling of joy.  The story I am talking about is the successful rescue of 33 Chilean miners.  A truly remarkable feat.  The endurance of the miners having to survive below the surface for all that time as well as all the experts above ground who developed the means of rescuing the miners.  In addition the hardships encountered by the families who ‘camped’ out near the mine opening and can now pack up and go home in the wonderful warm feeling of joy that their loved ones are once again safe.

The feeling of joy can conjure up many visions; all very different depending on the circumstances of the people who are en’joy’ing!  Generally it is the feeling of real happiness about something unfolding.  The joy of watching as each miner was successfully brought to the surface; the joy of watching a newborn entering our wide world; the joy of a feeling or warmth; joy as a feeling of success surrounds us; just plain joy at experiencing some of the amazing adventures nature can throw at us.  The list simply goes on and is so diverse for each one of us.

Now…. I can feel immense joy and pride when I look through the items the BBEST team have produced.  This team doesn’t need to be told how talented they are, each and everyone of them!  Check out some of these diverse items which I hope will bring joy to the creator as well as the viewer.

 

Flight original watercolour goose by Yankeegirl

Sketchbook Journal by Paper Patches

Wild flowers by PFD Original Artworks

Handmade refillable notebook cover by Circle in the Sand

Yellow brown eyed Susan by Zudagay

Hibiscus by Sixsisters

Carnival tonight by Heron Kate

Black glass fused pendant by Chris1

Genuine pearl earrings by Bridal Jewelry

Flying Witch fused glass pendant by Chauncey

I do hope the selection I have included here will bring you joy!  What sort of things/items bring you joy?

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What are you waiting for?

Falling into Autumn – as Keat’s the poet wrote in ‘To Autumn’

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core.’

Although sometimes a melancholy befalls some at this time of year when they see the passing of the summer season of brightness fade into the possibility of chill winds of winter looming on the horizon, for others they see this season as the most colourful, exciting, abundant and vivid time of the year!

Personally, I find this the most amazing time of year.  The colours take your breath away and the abundance of the harvest promises tasty dishes for the long winter months ahead.  Gone are the days when we wish it could be a little cooler.  Now is the time to go for all those long lingering walks to discover nature’s palette, pick fruit off the hedgerows and see how the colours change in the light which in itself changes by the season.

Autumn is the time of year when nature offers us all her fruitful gifts to which we give thanks.

Whilst I lived in the Middle and Far East this is what I missed so much.  The changing of the seasons, the renewed hope to look forward to the next adventure.

Talking of adventures and walks I decided to look for autumnal subjects/items for sale within the BBEST group.  The wealth of talent available along with the choices offered leaves me speechless!  Take a look at some of the examples I found:

Butterscotch Flower Earrings by ZudaGay

Bring the warmth of this colour to match your autumn wardrobe.

Autumn Leaf Original Photograph by BethPeardonProds

‘This leaf looked lonely but also reminded me that fall is here'.’

Caramel Apple Candle by Aromafields

Apples are always associated with this time of year and these would be scrumptious, if they were to be eaten!

Maple Leaf Magnet by Chris1

A pretty reminder of autumn to have on your fridge to keep those important notes handy!

Autumn Leaves Mandala – window cling sun catcher by ClingingImages

Typical colours to glow in the sunlight and spread the warmth of autumn.

Pumpkin Patch Original by Pfd Original Artworks

What a wonderful example of the abundance of the autumn harvest!

Indian Corn Matchbook Notepads by Circle in the Sand

Such a handy item to remind us of harvests.

Bunches of Sunshine by Yankee Girl

Some of my favourite flowers that follow the sun as it moves through the day.

Jumbo Perle Medium with fall colours by Sassalynne

 

A true reflection of the variety of warm autumnal colours.

After the Harvest by HeronKate

There is nothing quite like a freshly harvested field with the promise of an abundance of crops to take us through the next season.

Autumn Rose felted coasters by J N Originals

Autumn being a wonderful time for long walks, the temperature cools down once the sun hides behind the watery clouds and it is time to settle down indoors with a welcome warm drink.  These coasters make it all seem so much more cosy, don’t they?

Well, my BBESTer friends, what do you think?  Above is a selection of inspired items in the autumn/fall theme.  All catching the warmth of the glow of the diminishing sunshine but still giving us a wonderful sense of wonder at how clever nature really is!

You’re late, you’re late!

Have you ever been so busy or wrapped up in what you are doing only to discover that something you were supposed to do….. got forgotten about until it was too late?  These days I always feel as if I am like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland’s tale, ‘you’re late, you’re late!’

I have no excuse other than it has been pretty hectic in our household lately.

So, I have to choose a theme to make amends!

How about………..

I know!  I shall choose items which are in my favourite colour!

Sterling Wire Wrap by  Kittyd

Cottage Lilacs by Yankee Girl

Multicolour Silk Scarf by AltheaP

  Tomorrow is Promised to No One by Heronkate

Little Girl’s Purple Flower Hat by Stitches by Julie

Crochet Scarflette and Hat by JNOriginals

Polymer Clay Flower by  Clay Center

Vintage Grandma’s Garden Trivet by Attack of the Vintage

Wild Flowers by PDF Original Artworks

Purple Imagination by Onawhimsey

Well, what about those items which all have the common theme of purple?  Yes, I know, I have been even more cheeky than normal by including one of On a Whimsey’s paintings but… it is purple, isn’t it?

If these items are not enough ‘purple’ for you, or too much ‘purple’ why not take a minute to browse through the BBEST Team’s amazing pool of talent?  Last time I looked there were over 5,000 items!!!!

Thanks for looking and I promise to do better next time!