HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

I thought I had survived the lurgies that were all around me, but it didn't last.  For the past 2 weeks I have been dragging myself through the day and trying to prepare for Christmas.  And truth is, much of the time has been spent snuggled up on the sofa watching seasonal films and hoping that next day I would have more energy.    Thankfully today is finally the day.  It has been one of much present wrapping, cushion making or should I say the start of?  Whether my son gets the finished cushions on Boxing Day will be another thing, but I know he will understand if he has to wait another week.  After all, they were promised back in the summer, so he has learnt to be patient! 

 Wishing you a VERY happy Christmas and hoping yours is a healthy one, filled with family, friends and everything you wish for yourself.

ZIZO - PERRY'S POT

The other day I took advantage of an unplanned walk in the park and discovered this wood carving.  It seemed a perfect photo for Helena's Zoom in Zoom out.

 

I've not seen it before and was interested to learn it is part of a  totem tree.

 

I understood what inspired most of the carvings as these relate to exhibits in a museum that stands in the grounds.  We have spent much time over the years watching bees flying in and out of a small hole in the window frame leading into a glass sided hive. You can see the honeycomb and watch the bees do their waggle dance as they communicate to each other where to find pollen. But Perry's Pot? 

I didn't have a clue.

And so I did a Google search.  It seems Grayson Perry, 2003 Turner Prize Winner and a artist well known for his ceramic vases, was born in Chelmsford and one of his pieces is part of the museum display.  I must check it out next time I visit and see what else I have missed!

5 in 5 - December 2014 - MELANIE

Melanie is my friend who lives in Australia and she loves photography. Every month Melanie has taken part in this monthly neme and we managed to find a way round her not having a blog by posting here. I love that we have found a way for her to take part so once again Melanie, a big thank you, and over to you:

December 5th already and just 20 days until Christmas. A busy time for everyone on this lead up to Christmas. Although my cards are in the post I still have a heap of Christmas e-mails to write to friends who only ever hear from me by e-mail at Christmas. I have set myself a deadline to get these written before the end of next week as next weekend we have two friends arriving on a visit from the UK so my time will be fully occupied doing fun things with them. When they leave I shall just have a few cooking days before Christmas Eve when our daughter who lives in the UK arrives so with heaps to do and although I thought about taking a day out somewhere away from home to take photos I decided no. I had food shopping to do today as we have friends coming for brunch on Sunday so I decided to take my camera to the supermarket, something I have not done before. So here are my 5 in 5 photos with Christmas as a theme. 

Top left photo as I entered the store the door had a bauble wreath. 
The middle left photo as I walked through the door was a white Christmas tree. 
The middle photo with the candy cane was taken nearby the white tree with the fruit and veg, there were several more candy canes around the place. 
The large tree in the left hand photo was by the information desk, also near the fruit and veg.
 Then at the end of an isle was the ‘Everyone loves music’ display with its Merry Christmas sign, this is my bottom photo on the left. Incidentally I did get the shopping done as well as take photos and as I walked around with my camera taking photos not a single person asked me why.
             

As always, a big thank you to Melanie and I really enjoyed seeing this different take on 5 in 5.  It just goes to show you don't need to plan a special location - just grab your opportunity and see what happens!  This links with my own post this month, and if this has inspired you to take part in this challenge you have until 25th before this months link closes. It's great fun and this post should answer any questions or give other information that you need.

Links for this months posts are here and hopefully I'll be back with more photos from Melanie and myself next month. I hope you will join us!

5 in 5 - December 2014 - A WALK IN THE PARK

                                         Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

 each month I post 5 photos that I have
 

taken in 5 minutes. 

 

 

This week I went to the dentist.  I arrived early and rather than read a magazine in the waiting room I decided to take this opportunity and my camera and go for a short walk in the park.  As always when taking my 5 in 5 photos I set the alarm on my mobile as this keeps me focused and to time, besides, I didn't want to be late for my appointment!

 

I was so glad I made this choice over how to spend my time.  I would have missed this lovely fungi

 

these bright holly berries

and this lovely seat.

There were lots of leaves on the ground

 
but some trees still held their colour and brightened my day.

 

When I got home and downloaded these photos I saw a similarity from photos that I took last year at the end of December. '5 in 5' photos of a walk, with a bench and my feet planted on the ground. The heavy frost in those photos makes me appreciate how mild it has been so far this year although we are warned things are to change. And while finding the link I also saw this post where I had written about the importance of taking opportunities as they arise.  A reminder to myself, and maybe you too.

 

If you are inspired to get out your camera and join in the '5 in 5' photo challenge here is the plan:

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone).

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool below.
     You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos.

There are more details here.
And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.

And don't forget, you have until 25th to post your link!

 

Thank you for popping by.  Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.