Sunday 1 January 2017

Beautiful Light!

Hello Friends!

Happy New Year!
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

During the month of December I did not want to swamp you with my usual posts but I did keep writing, so let's start a little catch up, shall we?

December has generally been an unusually warm and calm month, and early in December I felt particularly blessed for there were some outstandingly lovely days for the time of year, and the light that cast it's golden glow over the Shire was magical. We saw a couple of mornings with a light ground frost and that always makes a delicious subject for me to capture.  Here are some of the photographs I took when December was young ~~~

On a beautiful, clear and crisp afternoon, the sun slowly lowering and casting a warm glow as I was looking out over the red roof ridge tiled converted chapel towards Carn Llidi ~~~ the smoke billowing from the chimney making the elephant of the rock's trunk look even longer ~~~


We had some beautiful sunsets throughout the month.  I always marvel at the diversity, the colours, the intensities of each new sunset and as each one shifts and changes as the twilight falls ~~~ I look at this and see a secret faerie village emerging from the gloaming ~~~ do you see it too?


A bare Sycamore tree, long divested of leaves and seeds, but with an evergreen Privet wreathing it's feet, it stands stunning, a skeletal form against the brilliant, bright blue sky of a cold winter's morning ~~~


On a cold and frosty morning ~~~ yes, one day I awoke to a silvery, frost kissed garden ~~~ it did not last long so I scurried about catching a few pretty, silvery frosty pictures while the day was young ~~~



A certain light, as the evening sun slips slowly into the west, casts a golden glow across all it touches, brings gleaming spires to the Shire ~~~


One pretty morning while I was in my laundry room I felt as if I was being watched ~~~ and I was!  I scurried off to fetch my camera hoping the pair of eyes would still be there, and they were!  Isn't this the most beautiful cat? The photos do not do justice to it's beautiful deep green eyes ~~~



It is a very well looked after and cared for cat, but if there was any shadow of doubt over this I would be looking to adopt it! He, or she, is a beauty.

Here are a few photos that I've shared before but I am rather fond of these so am sharing again ~~~

Autumn leaves captured in ice


even the compost bin log takes on an original twist in the frost

Alchemilla Mollis in heavy fros 
Alchemilla Mollis in heavy frost
Over the Christmas period I was looking for something, what that was is not important, but in my search I came across some long forgotten photographs, you remember those? Old, grainy, 35mm film that fades away with time, that we had to hand over the spool of film to get printed out by a specialist in photographic printing? Well, I've done a little experiment and taken photographs of the photographs! Here they are ~~~ they are from the rural area around the Somerset county town of Taunton, where I lived for six months in 2000~01. Every Sunday I would take a long walk out into the surrounding countryside, past tiny villages and through hamlets, surrounded by deep red freshly ploughed fields, sheep grazing in pastures lush and green, and bare trees standing tall against the winter sky that were full of big balls of magical mistletoe ~~~ I had no idea where I was, just wandering and meandering along using the rising sun as my compass and guide ~~~ oh, how I wish I'd had a digital camera back then ~~~






Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

22 comments:

  1. Lovely Photos, even the photos of photos have come out well - Leaves trapped in ice......brilliant
    The cat has one of those cross faces that some cats have, hope he isn't!

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    1. Hello Sue ~ yes, the cat does look a tad irate, but I can assure you it is generally of the most friendly nature ~ maybe a little too friendly! Happy New Year!

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  2. Thanks for stopping by - your photos are lovely! And that cat - oh how I could kidnap him!! Happy New Year!

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    1. Hello Patti ~ thank you! I know, I could just take the cat in and keep it too. Happy New Year!

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  3. Thought you might be interested in reading this post about Susan Branch!
    http://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/2016/09/stalking-susan-branch.html

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    1. Thank you, yes, I shall take a look later today.

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  4. Oh dear Deb, what a delightful post! You have captured your area so beautifully with your camera. Your words always delight me! You photographed the old photos of Somerset beautifully. I love each and every one. The icy frosty ones are just delicious! And the sweet kitty in the garden is charming. Happy New Year, my friend! xoxo ♥

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    1. Happy New Year Martha Ellen, to you and your family. Thank you. I shall now be taking a lot more photographs of photos! A new challenge for a new year.
      ~~~Deb xoxo

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  5. I love frosty pictures, I have been out snapping away in the garden when it is frosty.
    I wish you well for 2017.
    Best Wishes
    Marlene x

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    1. Thank you Marlene, the best to you and yours in 2017 also.
      Frost is a magical blessing indeed! Deb xo

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  6. Your photos are always a balm to my soul. They are beautiful and transport me to faraway places. Tom is still playing the lottery so one day I may show up on your door step. Then you can show me all these lovely places in person. What a thrill that would be.

    May this New Year bring you all your desires.
    Love and hugs,
    Darlene

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    1. How I wish I could send for you! Tell Tom to keep playing, you never know and someone has to win! One day ~~~
      Much love and many blessings for a Happy, Healthy New Year ~~~Deb xoxo

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  7. I too wish digital photography had come along earlier. Frost and raindrops do make for beautiful photos. I love the shapes trees create in winter especially against a clear blue sky.

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    1. I love the freedom of digital, especially the cost, but greatly miss the control of a proper 35mm SLR that you just can't find on any digital camera I've come across. It's just not quite the same.

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  8. lovely photos and yes, that is a beautiful cat. looks similar to my Mr. Molly...a terror if ever there was one! spires and first photo are favorites...so beautiful.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

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    1. Thank you, and a Happy New Year to all at Thistle Cove Farm too!

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  9. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too!!! I always liked the picture of Autumn leaves in the frozen puddle. What a beautiful cat indeed! My son would love it. He loves cats and he is 32 today! Sadly, while on deployment his cat got loose from the Army friend who was watching it. He is not ready for a new one yet.
    Warm hugs for cold weather,
    Margot

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    1. Happy New Year to you too Margot! Happy Birthday to your son and thank you both for his service. I'm sorry to hear about his cat, but I feel a new one will chose him soon.
      Hugs, Deb xo

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  10. Happy new year. Gorgeous pictures, gorgeous cat.

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    1. Thank you, yes the cat is rather lovely. Happy New Year!

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  11. Beautiful cat and lovely photos...I'd want to adopt her too! The new year will find me in Birmingham in February for a trade show. I'm looking forward to visiting the UK and seeing friends I work with. Happy New Year, my friend, XOXO

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    1. As many who love the kitty want her, I think I'll have to say "I saw her first!"
      What an exciting start to the New Year for you!
      Happy New Year to you too xoxo

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