Memorandum Monday

This is the second week that I have joined in with Sian's new Monday thoughts where we think about something new that we have done or learnt. Alongside that I am giving a big wave to Sian and all the other bloggers.

Thinking of something new takes some thought. Have I done anything new? Saturday was spent mainly cooking. Making batches of soup and updating my supply of marmalade with some Seville oranges I had in the freezer. It was when I was sorting out the jars on Sunday morning I remembered I had some lovely new labels that my niece had given me.

This led me on to think about the Winter Photography Scavenger Hunt where I need an entry for No. 20 My Own Handwriting. Handwriting is a very personal thing. I have never considered mine to be the best. I have been told it looks like a spider has crossed the page...... It is interesting that my sister and I have very different handwriting (hers is much neater!) I am not sure if that is dexterity or different schooling. Do you remember all that forming letters and handwriting practice?

So back to something new. On Sunday we have had a lovely family lunch cooked by my sister in law. She is a great cook and it was all equally delicious. Anything I hadn't had before? Yes a delicious chocolate torte.

Then it was time to make some new plans. A family brainstorming for a special 90th birthday later in the year drawing up a guest list and planning how we are going to celebrate it.

What is it?

What is this lurking in the garden? I popped out for some frosty pictures and spotted this. I love the way the frost glimmers on it but do you know what it is?

Six Words: Always

Six Words Friday is a meme that Miriam has just started. She will give a word each week for a picture and six word caption. You can find out more about it here. I am a day late starting.

                                     I always struggle at the end.

Sunrise Behind the Rooftops

In pursuit of pictures for the Winter Photography Scavenger Hunt I took these back last month. When the sun was rising behind the house it was an ideal opportunity for some silhouettes for No. 16. A Chimney.

The next two show how quickly the sky colour changes.

Then for something more modern. The chimney for our biomass boiler. It may not be attractive but it is essential as the boiler heats all three households with dead wood sourced from our own farm.

Those Early Signs of Spring

It may only be early January but there are more and more sneaky little signs of Spring. These tiny cyclamen whose heads are the size of a finger nail are in mum's garden.

Then there are a few primroses peeping through.

On her balcony which is a real sun trap the Iris Reticulata are in full bloom.

Snap: Leaf Pattern

It's the second week of Helena's new meme Snap. A plant that I saw in the Oxford University Botanical gardens prompted me to choose some leaves with interesting designs.

Firstly this plant that looks like someone has decorated it with a white paint brush.

The rest I found in my mum's garden.

All great examples of the diversity of nature.

Two Legs. Four Legs.

There is one item on the Winter Photography Scavenger Hunt that we are not short of on the farm. This is No. 6 A Puddle.  I managed to find two unwitting models to help me with this.

Two legs

Then four legs.

Most of the bridle ways have huge puddles.

This particular one has the telltale signs of being alongside the redding quarry. The red ochre colour reminds me somewhat of tinned tomato soup.

My second model was on this occasion not very keen to oblige.

Most unlike him as like most Labradors he loves getting in water. This time a bit of bribery with a dog biscuit was needed! Again like most of his breed he can't resist food.