10 Things Tuesday Resurrected

When I used to blog regularly I often had a '10 Things Tuesday', a weekly collection of 10 things. Sometimes they were, just like this week, 10 random things that made me smile, but then other times I was a little more creative. I often had themes such as 'Red', 'Green' or Black and White', I had '10 Deserts', '10 Souvenirs' or '10 Places to visit in America', a whole myriad of ideas that seemed to go together.

 I enjoyed doing 10 things, as not only did I enjoy thinking of ideas, but it also got me to post lots of photos from my thousands sitting on my computer. So here we are again, another regular feature to get me back into blogging.

This time though, I thought I might set up a task for those of you who would like to challenge me. If you have a minute, why don't you come up with a suggestion of what my 10 things may be, and post it in the comments. I shall certainly enjoy trying to find 10 things for each category and I shall give you the credit for coming up with my titles. :)

Anyway to start me off I've just listed 10 things that have made me smile recently. 

1

A 'Mother's Day / Auntie's Day card from Lizzie, my niece.

You might think it's a bit strange to receive a mother's day card when I'm not a mother but every year, from when she was very little, Lizzie has sent me a 'Happy Aunty' card to open the day after mother's day.

I have a lovely relationship with my favourite niece (Well she is the only one I have :)) and as I will never have the pleasure of having any of my own children, she's certainly special.

2

A little hare picture given to me by my sister, just to make me smile. I love hares. They seem very magical creatures and quite elusive. If I do see one out in the fields, it always makes my day.

3

My friend from work found this card, thought of me and then sent it. We both saw the funny side of my op and it's infuriating side affects. And for those out there who have experienced hot flushes, I'm sure you can relate too! :)

4

One of those books on my shelf that I'd never got round to reading! Luckily I did read it and I loved it. I loved the style of writing and of the tales of life in the field throughout the year. I'd certainly read it again and it's made me look at the hedges and fields around me in a whole different light. 

5

 Before Christmas I headed down to London to stay with a friend of mine for a few days. I was killing time waiting for the train and wandered into one of the shops at the station. I was totally smitten at first by this lovely packaging, but then got to smell it...and it was even better. I decided to treat myself and have been slathering on the hand cream ever since.:)

6

On one of my few days out over the last 5 weeks, I spotted this little pot at the Rheged shop, whilst visiting the Harris Exhibition. It's very fine and when a candle burns in side it glows beautifully. When I'm fit enough to move back into my house, I shall find a perfect spot for it.

7

 Another acquisition. A nice new tin for my kitchen. I'm not sure what to keep in it yet, but I just loved the turquoise colours and the retro feel to it.  

8

 Old second hand travel books. I've been watching a lot of tV recently (There's no surprise there, having been housebound for the last few weeks!) and seemed to have got hooked on 'Railway Journeys' and 'the Grand Tour of Scotland', both of which use old travel guides for their inspiration. I hunted out some of my own and am enjoying reading about some familiar and not so familiar places. Perhaps when I up and about and able to drive, I may just have to have a look and take up one of my own tours.

9

Two new scarves. A lovely turquoise knitted one and mittens that I had been admiring from afar for some time and a lovely green patterned one that just shouted 'Buy me!" as I walked past. Even better, both were half price. A serendipitous moment!

10.

A beautiful sunny day on the fells. The sun was shining, the air was crisp and mum was driving! Just lovely to get out and about. This is a view overlooking the Northern fells, looking towards a snow topped Skiddaw.

So there you are, 10 things on a Tuesday.

Hope you had a good Tuesday too.

 Amanda x

From the Hebrides to Rheged.

A few years ago, my mum and I headed off for a camping trip to the Outer Hebrides. We loved it! The scenery was fantastic, the weather erratic and the people were lovely. There was such a feeling of space and light and even on the rainiest of days, of which there were a few, it really was just beautiful.

One of the things I came home with, apart from about 1000 photos and a new respect for those who live there, were a few pieces of Harris Tweed. I had intentions of making it into something, but as yet it still sits in a box, waiting for inspiration to strike.

My photographs don’t do the colours, nor the lines of the landscape justice. However the photographs at the new exhibition certainly did. I was very envious and wish I had a fraction of the photographer’s talent.

The photos above are all my attempts to get the essence of the place!

 This exhibition is being held at Rheged, near Penrith, Cumbria and is celebrating the aforesaid Harris Tweed.. It was certainly worth a visit. The photographs were stunning.

‘Cumbrian landscape photographer Ian Lawson and the Harris Tweed Society present a new exhibition of large scale photography, words, film and objects from Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, home of the Harris Tweed cloth.’

Harris Tweed cloth must be made from 100 per cent pure virgin wool, dyed, spun and finished in the Outer Hebrides and hand woven by the Islanders at their own homes.

Only Tweed that has been handwoven in these islands can be stamped with an Orb Stamp of authenticity.

The exhibition had amazing photographs of the landscape that was mirrored in the different colours and weaves of the cloth.

It’s certainly worth a look at if you’re passing.

It might have even get me to hunt out that cloth and start making something.

Amanda x

Scavenger Hunt for February

Here are my Scavenger Hunt photos for February, joining in with Greenthumb at Made with Love. As you know I havent been able to get out and about much since my surgery, so I took the most of a day out (With mum driving) and snapped away. I managed to get them all in that one afternoon. But Boy, was I ready for a lie down once I'd got back home!

Where I've been

We went to the Rheghed Centre, nr Penrith. It was hosting a Harris Tweed exhibition, which was great. I've a full post to write about this as it was such a good visit.

2

I found this little number in the centre shop.

Cool

Cool colours of blue linking Harris Tweed wool to the Hebridean landscape

Frame

I liked how the frame of this window, framed the view of the countryside 

Green

Lots of Green moss on the local dry stone walls.

Inside

Inside the Centre shop, a whole host of locally made products 

Line

It had been a very frosty night and I loved the lines of frost on my windscreen

From a low angle

Roadside snowdrops 

On the shelf

Harris Tweed products on the shelf. They're not cheap!

Shape

On the drive back I spotted an old railway line post. I loved the mixtures of shapes that it was made up of. 

Up

 Looking up to the blue wintery sky

 Writing

I love these old Cumberland County County signs and thought it was quite apt to snap for 'writing'

I'll post again about my trip to Rheghed soon. I hope everyone has had a good weekend. Looking forward to the next Scavenger Hunt and maybe I might be able to get a little bit more out and about.

Until Next Time.

Amanda x

Six word Friday- Break

Taking a break from the diet!

Joining in with  Miriam, telling Stories in six words.

X