Hellebores

Hellebores in the garden.  Nikon D7000

3rd March 2013

This year we have had very few Hellebores in the garden flowering.   We have a number of plants, but the chickens figured out how to escape for much of the start of last year and thoroughly dug over the beds the plants are in.  The wet weather did not seem to help but the foliage is now starting to look good at least.

It is nice to have some flowers in the garden over the Winter months, even if they do look tatty most of the time after their battering from the wind and rain.

Liquid Soap

Soap ready for diluting.  Nikon D7000

2nd March 2013

After very many hours of cooking today, the current batch of 'cooker cleaner' is ready for diluting.

In the spirit of recycling, I made this batch of soap out of old chip fat; it smelled rather grim while it was cooking, but has just a feint 'soapy' smell now.

First tests suggest it should work a treat for cleaning the cooker!  It is odd though being able to clean up all the grease at the bottom of the oven really quickly, but without having to wear gloves (yes the soap is designed to be hand friendly)

Happy St David's Day

Xena.  Nikon D7000

1st March 2013

Really it should be "Happy Xena Day" as is approximately her birthday today (we are not 100% sure, so today is close enough).

I cannot believe she is 8 already.

I did manage to find a Daffodil to wear today.  The students I was teaching were a bit bemused to start with, but then after accepting that I was just plain mad, they were happy.

Colours: Golden and Shiny

Shiny golden table mat.  Nikon D7000

28th February 2013

I was looking for abstract images and noticed the patterns in the weaving of the table mats.   It was partly an excuse to use some of my manual lenses again too so that I could get a close focus.

I am a big fan of colour, as long as it is yellow :)

Gold is nearly yellow.

Well Heeled

Lego Shoe.  Fuji F11

27th February 2013

A trip to the local shopping centre today was rewarded with some rather spectacular footwear.

They often have a giant Lego item on display, and currently it is a rather large shoe.

I find wearing heels uncomfortable at the best of times, but when made from Lego, they would be really rough.

At least it would be easy to reattach the heel if it happened to break off.

The eyes have it

Potato peelings.  Nikon D7000

26th February 2013

In looking for more everyday objects, I thought that waste products may be worthy of study.  I was wrong today in that potato peelings do not make good images on their own (I may try again another day).

The chickens will have some fun with these though.

Smells: Decent Cheese

Rather nice local cheese.  Nikon D7000

25th February 2013

In continuing the theme of the senses, I thought I would consider smells and tastes that under many circumstances most would find repulsive (eg. if socks smell of cheese), yet in other conditions they relish.

Cheese fits the category well as we often actively encourage mould and decomposition in order to enhance the flavour.

This cheese will not get much opportunity to decompose further as it tastes way too nice :)