Monochrome Monday

Monochrome Monday is hosted by Aileni.

More can be found on the dedicated page.
Why not join us?

Saturday PhotoHunt - Metal.

This week's theme is
METAL

Part of the net handling gear on a trawler.

For a load more metal visit TNChick. Why not join the fun?

Happy Hunting!

Reflections Seven.

Rinli.

We've had a week of great reflections from JC of Castle Ruins. It's always worth calling in to see his photos!

A Seasonal Meme

I was tagged for this by Poopsie Blue over at My True Colours.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends!
Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, & try not to be a SCROOGE!!!
Just copy and paste into a new form.
Change all the answers so that they apply only to you.
Then post it!

And, do remember to tell, all you tag, that they are playing too!

Here goes...
'Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Whatever works best, but preferably gift-wrap, ribbons, and tags.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

I love the smell of a real tree, and I'd like a rooted one in a tub. Unfortunately, space decrees a small artificial tree.

3. When do you put up the tree?

No more than a week before Christmas.

4. Wreath on your door?

Yes, unless the winds blow it away!

5. Do you like eggnog?
No.

6. Favourite Xmas gift received as a child?
A very large teddy bear!

7. Easiest person to buy for?
Anyone kind enough to have a wishlist on Amazon!

8. Least easiest?
People who don't!

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
No.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Prefer to mail, but I also send e-cards - there are some lovely ones.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Milk chocolate covered toffees. I don't like milk chocolate or hard toffee.

12. Favourite Christmas Movie?
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Early November.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.

15. Open presents on Christmas eve or morning?
Morning.

16. Lights on the tree?
Of course.

17. Favourite Christmas song?
I don't like Christmas songs - but I sing along with the worst of them anyway!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
How many did he have? I can manage four and Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Always a bright star.

21. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas?
FOOD! Cake, mince pies, chocolate...

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

Crowded streets and shops, full of forced jollity.

23. Favourite Tree ornament, theme or colour?

Dark green tree, with red decorations and silver/white for ice and snow.

24. Favourite for Christmas dinner?

Roast turkey.

25. Brussels Sprouts - love or hate them?

Love them!

26. Favourite accompaniment to the Christmas Pud?

Custard.

27. Favourite Christmas Carol?

The Holly & the Ivy!

28. Your very Favourite Christmas Thing?

Messages from family.

29. A Christmas wish!

Safety and happiness for all my family and friends.

30. Tag a Seasonal Six!

I don't like tagging. I'd much rather leave it open. If any of you want to try this yourselves, please feel free to take it and enjoy!

Reflections Six

This, finally, is my reflection for today.

The reflection in the rear passenger window of our car.

There is a most beautiful reflection over at Castle Ruins. Do visit if you can.

True Colours Thursday - Blue.

I'm so late with this today - I don't know where the time went!
This is my late entry for True Colours Thursday, and the colour of the week is blue.

My first photo is of the first Periwinkle (Vinca Major) flower in our garden. The flowers keep blooming for a long period, and look like pieces of sky dropped down for a visit.

These next photos are of actual skies, the first taken on an April morning,

and the second on a July morning.

And yes, that post on the left really does lean like that!

I hope all my American friends are having a great Thanksgiving today- enjoy your celebrations.

Reflections Five

Another morning reflection.

I'm joining in with JC this week.
His reflections are beautiful.

ABC Wednesday - S

Septarian Nodules occur as spheres and egg shapes.
Once they were thought to be dinosaur eggs.
They can be very beautiful.

S
is for
SEPTARIAN EGG

This is one of my favourite possessions!

ABC Wednesday is the creation of Mrs Nesbitt.

For a sumptuous selection of S words, visit the ABC Anthology, or the Linky page.

Two Fer Tuesday, and Reflections Four

Today I'm offering two reflections for the price of one.
Two Fer Tuesday is Jonna's idea.
Visit her for the rules if you fancy joining in.

This is the window of my son's scooter shed. In it you can see the reflection of, amongst other things, a bird sitting in the leafless crab apple tree.

The second shows a close-up, with the focus on the reflection. Look - two birds, both male chaffinches.

This week of reflections is JC's idea. Go and look at his wonderful photography, you'll love it!

Reflections Three

Today's reflection photo is Dungloe Lake - taken in much better weather than we have right now!

JC at Castle Ruins is posting reflections all week. Please go over and see his photographs - you'll be glad you did.

Odd Shots On Monday

Recently we drove to the "Big City" in pouring rain. My new camera has an anti-shake component, so I tried it out on the journey - I was in the passenger seat!
The anti-shake is a geat help, but it can't cope with the way I bounced up and down on some of the roads.
Still, I managed to practise.
I also managed to take this shot through the wet windscreen. I like the way all the lines are broken up by the rain.

Odd Shots is hosted by Katney. See her blogroll or comments for more participants.

Monochrome Monday

I know it's still Sunday, but I've a lot to get posted so I thought I'd start early.
This shot was taken a few weeks ago.
On the left is the corner of Dungloe fire station and the hose tower.
In the centre is the original radio-telephone tower, with the new large one on the right.
The pole at the far right is a lamp post!

Aileni is the originator of Monochrome Monday.
More participants can be found on the Monochrome Maniacs Linky page.
Have a good week.

Reflections Two

Yesterday JC of Castle Ruins invited us to join him in a week of reflections. I can't hope to match his quality, but neither can I resist that sort of challenge.
So this is my offering for today, taken last September as I sat at the breakfast table in front of the window into the hallway. The morning was bright.

The windows into the garden reflect sky and houses, while the hallway and the arched door window can be seen through the glass.
Oh, and that's part of my head you can see!

Go and have a look at JC's reflections, his photos are always worth seeing.

Saturday PhotoHunt - Reflection

This week the theme is Reflection.

My pretty new dragon box.

For more reflections visit TNChick.

Happy Hunting.

Morning Sky

Yesterday morning I took these photos from the bedroom window before finishing making the bed.

The jackdaw had a gull for company, but it flew away.

Never mind, a couple of friends dropped in, to stop him being lonely.

This was actually the best part of the day. It clouded over, and ended in rain. It was a beautiful start though.

Vocabulary Test.

Your Vocabulary Score: A+

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person.

How's Your Vocabulary?


I was tagged with this by Earthlingorgeous. It's fun. I'm supposed to link back to her (yes, done that) and then tag other people.
Now that's where I have problems.
I think I'll leave it open for anyone who fancies to pick up.
Enjoy!

Dragonny Day

I've had such a dragonny day.

First, Debbie over at Tiny Treasures posted some beautiful dragons for me to see. Her blog is well worth visiting. She makes the loveliest things.

Then the postman came, bringing a small parcel. In it was a postcard from Harlech in North Wales, and the loveliest little trinket box.

The box had the Welsh Dragon inlaid on the lid!

This unexpected and very thoughtful gift came from dear friend and fellow dragon-raiser Poopsie-Blue. Isn't it lovely?

And to complete my day, I have another dragon hatchling. I've named this one Harlech, for obvious reasons.

I've had a great day.

True Colours Thursday - Red

This bright and cheerful new idea came from Poopsie Blue. Each week brings a post of a different colour. This week's colour is RED.
Now at this time of year red speaks to me of autumn colours. I found this leaf by my door, and had to take a photo.

Then there's the beauty of honeysuckle berries against a blue sky.

And the glory of cotoneaster berries.

For more red posts, visit My True Colours, and come and join the fun!

ABC Wednesday - R

The third round of ABC Wednesday, hosted by Mrs Nesbitt, has reached the letter R

R
is for
RUTILATED QUARTZ

The photo below shows tumble-polished pieces of clear quartz crystals, but they look rather different from the ones I showed last week. These crystals are filled with golden or brown needles of rutile, and they look as if they're full of hair.
In fact, they have been known as Angel Hair quartz.

Now this one I've put in for Nonizamboni, who told me last week she particularly likes ROSE quartz. This is another tumble-polished piece. It's a lovely delicate pink.

For a lot more R words, visit the ABC Anthology or the Linky page.

Enjoy your week.

Odd Shots On Monday

I love chimneys. I love the different shapes against the sky. I was taking photos early on a clear sunny morning, and I liked the way this one turned out.
The wisps of cloud look like smoke coming from the chimney.

Katney hosts Odd Shots. See her for more oddities.

Monochrome Monday

An old sluice, no longer active.

Monochrome Monday was started by Aileni.
More can be found through the Monochrome Maniacs Linky.
Enjoy your week!

My Dragons

This small scroll shows my dragons - adults, hatchling, and eggs.
The females are, from the right, Seren Ddu (black), Lleuad Fioled (lilac), and Gloywbrim (pink).
The males are Tan Gwyllt (orange), Glaswelltyn (with plants), Tan Coch (red), and Tarian Las (blue-grey).
The black hatchling is the child of Seren Ddu and Tan Gwyllt.
The green egg is from Lleuad Fioled and Glaswelltyn.
The white egg was rescued from the Dragon Cave.

So that's how things are at the moment.

I really want to thank Jonna for starting me on this, and Poopsie-Blue for keeping me company.
And of course, I want to thank all of you, my friends, who have clicked to strengthen my babies and keep them healthy.

Saturday PhotoHunt - Ruin(ed).

This week's theme for Saturday PhotoHunt is RUIN(ED)

I went walking along a lovely new stretch of pavement (sidewalk). It had recently been widened by taking in a bit of the adjoining properties, and was now smoothe and safe to walk on.
Or was it?

It has already been ruined by slippage!

This is a close-up of the dreadful crack. You'd need to take care not to catch your foot!

For more "ruined" photos, visit TNChick.

Happy Hunting!

Award and Tag from Nydia

My sweet friend Nydia has sent me this award, linked with an easy tag.

I must answer all these questions with just one word - wonder if I can do that. I'll try, anyway. Here goes!

1. Where is your cell phone? Here
2. Where is your significant other? Here
3. Your hair colour? Grey
4. Your mother? Dead
5. Your father? Dead
6. Your favourite thing? Computer
7. Your dream last night? None
8. Your dream/goal? Peace
9. The room you're in? Lounge
10. Your hobby? Blogging
11. Your fear? Spiders
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Here
13. Where were you last night? Bed
14. What you're not? Young
15. One of your wish list items? Dragons
16. Where you grew up? Llanelli
17. The last thing you did? Type
18. What are you wearing? Clothes
19. Your TV? Off
20. Your pet? Cats
21. Your computer? Vital
22. Your mood? Tired
23. Missing someone? No
24. Your car? Red
25. Something you're not wearing? Dress
26. Favourite store? Jewellery
27. Your summer? Fun
28. Love someone? Yes
29. Your favourite colour? Silver
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Today

Now comes the hard part - I'm supposed to pass this on to seven other people. I'm chickening out of this, but I'll leave it open for any of my friends who fancies this. It's fun choosing just one word as an answer! Remember to pick up the award that goes with it, because if you read this you almost certainly have a blog that I *heart*!

ABC Wednesday - Q

This week ABC Wednesday has reached the letter Q.

In keeping with my attempt to post rocks and minerals,
Q
is for
QUARTZ

Quartz is one of the commonest minerals in the Earth's crust. Anything you want to know about quartz (and probably a lot more than you want to know!) can be found here. Clear quartz is often known as rock crystal.

This first photo is of three natural quartz crystals, about 2 inches long.

Quartz crystals can be bought in many sizes and forms. Often, broken pieces are tumble-polished, and end up looking like perfect, solid water.
Quartz can also be carved - by those with sufficient skill! - into various shapes. The one below, naturally, is a dragon.

ABC Wednesday is the brainchild of Mrs Nesbitt.
Many more entries can be found on the Anthology site, or through the dedicated Linky page.
Enjoy!

Monochrome Monday

This was taken at the same time as the photo in my earlier post. It is the top of that same wall, showing the join between two lengths of the cage wire.

Monochrome Monday is hosted by Aileni, and you can find even more entries at the dedicated Monochrome Maniacs site.
Have a good week.