Wednesday 15 October 2014

Midweek miscellany



I have actually started to organise myself a bit better of late and that includes some sort of blog planning - you know, where I actually schedule specific posts and jot down ideas for future ones. It helps. Particularly when you get involved in link-ups and the like.

But sometimes I like to do these tying-up of the proverbial loose ends posts. A bit of this, a bit of that. Maybe what we've been up to and what I'm hoping to do in terms of new little projects.

Firstly - for those of you who were concerned about the pony in my previous post: I did make a phone call and it was followed up. The pony is 30 years old (which is pretty ancient in equine terms) and does suffer from various health issues but is well cared-for by both his owners and the local vet.


Now, onto other things.

Joe and I have been out walking again. It's feeling decidedly cold now and the leaves are whirling when the wind blows. We still need to figure the central heating out in this house. It'll come on for a (very) short while then we're back to Shiverville. So I'm all about vests, jumpers, thick socks and scarves right now.

The hosta outside is an incredible yellow colour and I'm looking forward to dividing it into smaller plants. And whilst I'm on the subject of growing, I bought some hyacinth bulbs yesterday. They're the indoor ones which have been treated to make them think winter's been and gone and they're currently residing in a dark cupboard in bulb vases. It'll be fun for Joe to see the roots reaching down for the water.


Projects: well, we're going to a Halloween party in a few weeks so I need to think up a costume fit for a toddler. He seems quite taken with pirates at the moment so that could be the way to go. Although his red and white striped T shirt disappeared at nursery several weeks ago and has never resurfaced.

While we're on the subject of losing things, Joe apparently decided to take my big wooden spoon out with him for a walk on Sunday. His grandparents were looking after him for a few hours while Jay and I had lunch on the steam train (very lovely by the way). Joe was waving the spoon about at the ducks and accidentally dropped it. So now it's sitting lodged between the stones in the River Irwell for all to see. I was quite attached to that spoon.

Another thing I'm getting into is improving my photography. It's all very well playing around with editing programmes but I'm keen to master my camera and get better shots - particularly indoors - by doing things properly (shutter speed, ISO, aperture). Oh, and using the tripod. That's going to be vital at this time of year when the light levels are low.

This time around I won't be signing up to a course. I've found so much inspirational and easy-to-follow stuff online and it's got me feeling very motivated.

I'm excited about the weekend too. I'm meeting up with a friend in Manchester for coffee and later on we have visitors, so we're cooking for them. I bought Jay this book as one of his birthday presents and he's already curing his own bacon... I suspect he'll be butcher bothering on Saturday morning. I'll do dessert so am leafing through recipe books and I definitely feel a cake coming on...

23 comments:

  1. I rather enjoy this type of post! They are a bit like life, aren't they? My husband loves to make his own bacon and I am definitely going to get him this pork book for Christmas. It will be a great success. Richard also makes fab sausages, has Jay tried that yet? I am hungry now.... I hope you find a lovely pudding recipe for your dinner party. I like the planning of dinners most of all, I am not that bothered about the actual cooking. Cx

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    1. I'm the same - although I do often agonise over what I'd go for if I was ever on 'Come Dine With Me'!
      I suspect sausages will be featuring on the list of porky projects... Glad you like the look of the cookery book. I can confirm it's a good one!
      S x

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  2. Hey Sarah,
    I've just spent some time scribbling down some blog ideas , but I rather enjoy reading this type of meandering post. Snippets of a normal life. As for the photography, I'd be interested to know which sites you've found that are helpful as you go about mastering the specifics of your camera. I was looking at courses, but none of them seem to cater to my needs. Oh and puddings really are the best bit of a dinner party.
    Leanne xx

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    1. I agree! I could probably manage three courses of sweet things actually...
      I'll email you some links to the photography stuff.
      S x

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  3. Love post like this, it's a potter through someone's life. The little things. I love your photos very much.

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    1. Thank you! I like reading 'this and that' posts on other blogs - a bit of a nosey and often I get some good ideas for places to visit, things to read and stuff to make :)

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  4. I love these roundup posts Sarah. I view my blog a little like a journal and love recording the little details of life. Looking forward to seeing where your photography fun takes you. Your pictures are already very beautiful. Lunxh on a steam train sounds idyllic. We're heading to Dublin at the weekend. A night away without the littles to celebrate our anniversary. I can't wait! Hope you have fun with your friends. Bee xx

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    1. Thanks, Bee - and I hope you enjoy Dublin. Wrap up warm!
      S x

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  5. lovely images!
    just found your blog this evening ... looking forward to stopping by again.

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    1. Nice to meet you - and I'm glad you like the photos... hopefully they should get better once I start using my camera properly!

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  6. A lovely post. I'd like to be organised in some way (any way!) but I sometimes think all of my posts are nothing but loose ends. I shall look forward to seeing your photos. I really struggle in the winter with low light, and I'm always in too much of a hurry for a tripod. I hope you have a good weekend. CJ xx

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    1. You too!
      The tripod really needs using - it's a good one and was a gift a few years ago. It's even set up in here ready to go!
      As for the 'loose ends' thing, I do enjoy reading those types of posts. Although I occasionally write lengthy posts on one subject I must admit when visiting other blogs it's the whole pick 'n' mix approach I like reading best. x

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  7. Oooh, I feature in your blog post - can't wait to see you on Saturday for a good natter too! I like your 'bitty' posts especially, to catch up the little things that you are up to. Gorgeous photos, as usual!

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    1. Oops, I got a bit mixed up there... that's what happens when I plan more than one thing for the weekend!
      Thank you. I've been reading up on photography this afternoon and am ready to get technical - sort of.
      Looking forward to Saturday too :)

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  8. I think these are the best kinds of posts, but I often worry that I'm writing them too often. But so much of life revolves around the small stuff, it should have a spotlight too. I'm glad you're excited about photography. I have so much fun with it. I wouldn't say I'm especially good, but it's very enjoyable to play with the camera and make it do interesting things.

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  9. I bought a wooden spoon years ago and couldn't find it. Right from when I got back home from the shop I couldn't find that spoon. Until eventually, months later, it turned up in the freezer!

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  10. I like these kind of posts too, bits of this and that! I'm trying to use manual on my camera more, its so easy to just stick it on Auto - especially of the kids, but I really need to make a little more effort to play around! I've been doing a short photography course but its a bit basic really, it doesn't cover much technical stuff. I should probably have a look around online too. xx

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    1. If you need any links, let me know. I found some really good stuff, much of which is aimed at bloggers. And by the way - I think your photos of the children are fantastic and could easily pass as those taken by a professional.
      S x

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  11. I recently discovered your blog and I'm enjoying the words and the photographs. I"m inspired.

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    1. Thank you - it's always good to meet new people! I had a peek at your blog and am looking forward to spending some time reading it :)

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  12. Good luck with the photography - I am still pretty clueless in the technical department but I know you'll crack it, you have a knack with the camera. Your weekend sounds lovely - enjoy. x

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    1. Thanks! I'm determined to master my camera :)

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  13. I love blog posts that meander through people's minds. Hope you had a good weekend. There's a wealth of information available online for almost anything - hope you find something inspirational for your photography. The ABO has a DSLR which he's yet to take out of auto mode! We don't make enough use of it really as it's not easy to carry about along with all the other child paraphernalia we seem to accumulate! I'm well known for blurring and cutting heads off in photos! x

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