5 in 5 - December 2019 - Unwrapping Christmas

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th
of each month I post 5 photos that I have
taken in 5 minutes.

It's that time of year where we climb into the loft and lift down all the Christmas boxes and paraphernalia.  I love Christmas but in recent years I am never organised or prepared, despite the year's notice that it is coming round again.

A few years ago I invested in some large good quality storage boxes. I have got into the habit of sorting while I pack the boxes and a large list under the lid shows what is in there: lights, tree decorations and so on. It is a big help.

I love opening the lids because it is a time of memories.

Some of the things are new.  
This glitter globe is planned as a gift to a very special friend. I  have the perfect photo to put inside and I hope it will bring  special memories. Then, be carefully packed away so it that in Christmas's to come it is unwrapped and remembered with love.

Just like this hand cut reindeer bunting.  Made by a friend some years ago it is carefully wrapped each year, and appreciated time and time again. 

And this fairy that was made by my granddaughter when she was a toddler.  She is now 15 and it still makes me smile. 

Of course there are plenty of shiny baubles in the boxes with other decorations that will adorn the tree and the home. But they will have to wait for now, along with putting up the tree. I've not even handmade my cards yet, let alone written and posted then. But I am enjoying the first days of December as cards arrive from friends and family and at least the boxes have been taken out of the loft. They are ready and waiting, giving me a nudge, and I'm looking forward to spending time preparing for this festive time. 

There's nothing more I love than making handmade gifts, decorations, and cooking. And I'm determined to do it mindfully, to enjoy the experience without feeling pressure. Because it's about finding a balance, and doing what I can. All expectation has been put aside, and it's the little things I will savour and look forward to. Evenings with friends, sharing food and happy times. Taking my (nearly) 90 year old Mum for a drive to see Christmas lights, and wreaths and flowers to the cemetery. Slow and simple is the way for me. And that's just how I like it.

I hope you enjoy your own Christmas preparations and festive time.... unwrapping your decorations and remembering all the happy memories past and present. Thank you for visiting ad especially to those who have joined me in sharing their own 5in5 photos throughout the year.  

As always, I invite you to join in this 5in5 monthly challenge and I hope some of you will do that. Trying a new way of doing things can spark new ideas and add interest, so here's how it works: 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

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 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are 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.

5 in 5 - November 2019 - A parade of pumkins

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th
of each month I post 5 photos that I have
taken in 5 minutes.

During the month I often hold this challenge in mind so that I can take photo opportunities as they come.  It is nice to have ideas ready and not have a last minute panic and photo shoot, and after a road trip to Scotland I had a choice of photos to use for this month.    

However, last night I was invited to meet a friend for lunch and I have decided to share the photos that I took on our visit to a local garden. There is always something of interest to see there, whatever time of year, and I expected the trees to catch my attention because their colours are glorious right now.  But instead I was fascinated by these pumpkins, with their different colours and textures.

 This one made us laugh, it is called 'Red Warty Thing'!  How apt!

 

I bought a small pumpkin after Halloween for a bargain 20p. I haven’t decided whether to roast it or make a pumpkin pie. Either way I will enjoy the season while it lasts, and the memory of my allotment when I grew my own pumpkins.  I was so proud of the size and we had a lot of fun carving faces into them. As much as I enjoy the warmth of summer there is something special about the warm colours of this time of year, I hope you are enjoying them too. Thank you for dropping by and this monthly challenge is open to all so if you would like to take part, you'd be so welcome.....  

As always, I invite you to join in this 5in5 monthly challenge and I hope some of you will do that. Trying a new way of doing things can spark new ideas and add interest, so here's how it works: 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

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 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are 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.

5 in 5 - October 2019 - An Oasis in London

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th
of each month I post 5 photos that I have
taken in 5 minutes.

Recently I was in London for a 5 day training.  I like to book AirB&B’s when I stay away and am usually lucky in my choice. This time was no exception, a beautiful Victorian house with a long garden that wound its way down to a river. The planting was very mature, and some might describe it as overgrown, but I love the way nature embraces space when left to its own devices, and this garden was a pure delight. 

 
Towards the bottom was a small pond with a stone foot bridge, leading to a small clearing and a beautiful seat made from sticks. From here steps led down to the river, and although the resident kingfisher was elusive on my visits there was always the company of a squirrel.

It was a blissful space and my room itself was perfect too. Add a beautiful roll topped bath, and long leisurely soak in a bath of bubbles, and you can say that I had a wonderful stay. Who'd have thought I was in the middle of London, staying in such an oasis?

As always, I invite you to join in this 5in5 monthly challenge and I hope some of you will do that. Trying a new way of doing things can spark new ideas and add interest, so here's how it works: 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

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 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are 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.