MM #156: Simple Pleasures - Home and Abroad

One of the joys of returning to the UK, or to a place often visited, is re-experiencing the simple things - foods, sites, memories.

I have written a similar post in the past (March 22, 2020), but you'll forgive me for celebrating these uncomplicated moments (again).

A visit to Greggs for baked goods.

Strolling Hardwick Park with Spousal Unit and my in-laws.

English candy.

English breakfast (but not quite a "full"). The traditional full English breakfast includes bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast or fried bread and sausages.  Black pudding and baked beans are also often included.

Mooching around Durham.

It was a few days before Halloween, and these costumed characters gave candy to kids and posed for pictures.

Lunch at Vennel's Cafe in Durham.

Over 30 years ago, Spousal Unit proposed to me on the grounds of Durham Cathedral.  This year, in light of the recent engagement of #1 Daughter and The Boyfriend, it was an especially poignant experience to re-enact our moment.  I said "yes", again!

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We have been back in Montana for 2 weeks, and life here has its treasures as well.

Dear Neighbor Friend was cleaning out a bookcase, and offered me some children's books - that was a no brainer.  When I was younger, I dreamed of writing children's books; I am entranced by the art work and amused by the content.  What better way to spend a Saturday morning than reading them, along with my stuffed animal friends?

Fresh eggs from Dear Neighbor Friend.  (Do you sense a theme here?)

Pumpkin roll that we purchased from her grandkids in support of school fundraising.  Does it get any sweeter than that?

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Also linking to Wandering Camera this week.  Check out these other photo and art/creative themed posts!  Wandering Camera – Nearby Adventures – InkTorrents Graphics

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.

The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain time).

Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.

Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.

As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.

Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.

Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Mosaic Monday #10 - Under the Tree

If you were expecting a post about our trip to Ohio and my Mother's 90th birthday, you are going to be (temporarily) disappointed.  I won't bore you with the technical details; suffice it to say I am having issues with my photos from the trip.  So, 2019 is already presenting me with an opportunity to exercise my flexibility.  Yippee!

Yes, our tree is still up and decorated!

What better time to show you my treasures from Christmas?  It's a win-win because it's surely time to move them from the under the tree, where most of them have been on display since Christmas Day.  Yes, Christmas Day.  I have good reasons … the day after Christmas we skied all day, and the very next day we traveled to Ohio.  See?

Oh, and yes, life has been chock-a-block since our return.  But you grow weary of the prologue - let's get on with the main event!

It seems appropriate to start with new tools - namely, a new wireless MOUSE!  Josie is not impressed but it sure makes my computer 'work' a breeze.  Thanks, #1 Son!

Does your family give out 'gift certificates' for Christmas?  We do.  A perfect example?  Spousal Unit presented me with a gift certificate good for several Adventures for 2019, dates to be scheduled.  Dog sled ride, dance lessons, Indian dancing event and a Grizzlies football game (that's University of Montana in Missoula, if you don't know).  You can bet you'll hear about our escapades in a future post!!!

Gift certificate, address plaque and spa gift card.  Ooh la la!

Window bird feeder, red sweater,

phone bracket and pillowcase 

with words to our Bruce Springsteen song

If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, you know that all of my pictures are taken with my phone.  And in some posts I might have complained a time or two about its limitations when capturing small objects at a distance.  Well, now I have another option - a bracket especially designed to pair with a spotting scope; I can take close-ups THROUGH the spotting scope.  Last year, we saw some spectacular grizzly bear photos taken in this manner.  I am very excited about the potential to share some stunning wildlife pictures with all of you - watch this space!

Window bird feeder installed outside our dining room

And where will I find said wildlife?  On hikes, of course.  The book "Day Hikes Around the Flathead" promises to point us to new terrain and heavenly vistas.  I put the book on my wish list because the author prides herself in writing about hikes she has actually completed, and recently.  I can't tell you how many times we have followed directions to or on a hike, only to find the information is wrong.  And this book contains pictures, such as confusing junctions, with helpful arrows and guidance to ensure you do not stray.  Sounds simple, right?  I call it brilliant.

Hiking book and Botanical Hand-lettering Workbook, with pens

A number of my fellow bloggers are talented artists, and you know that I have admired your creations.  This Christmas I took a miniscule step toward drawing with "The Botanical Hand-Lettering Workbook" from #1 Daughter.  We all start somewhere, right?

"Remember, there are no mistakes in hand lettering - find

BEAUTY in the IMPERFECTIONS."

The workbook provides examples on the left and a blank page for

practice on the right.  I am experimenting with various pens ..

Christmas would not be complete without something for your sweet tooth; in my case, it came in the form of two of my favorites - Licorice All Sorts and Classic Christmas Candies.  Who can resist those chunky ribbon candies or the miniature 'pillows' or the broken stick candy with a shape in the middle?  How it takes me back to my childhood!

What are your Christmas treasures, past and present?

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.  

An InLinkz Link-up