Project 52: Week 32

Yesterday we ventured out for a trip with Millie and headed for the beach. One of our nearest beaches, although still a bit of a distance away, is home to Antony Gormley's Another Place. It is somewhere we go once or twice a year, having taken Millie there on her first journey out as a puppy, and I love being by the sea. We timed it well, arriving to blue skies and a gentle breeze, as the tide was ebbing. We spent a happy hour gently chasing it out along the sand. The statues are always eye-catching, and this barnacled one had emerged from the water.

Project 52: Week 31

This week I spent a lovely few hours with my mum and Grandad, wandering around a local art exhibition and going for lunch. The entrance to the building includes a reconstructed industrial tower, and this was the view upwards as we left.

Project 52: Week 29 and 30

I know I keep promising pictures of something other than Millie, but after the disastrous deletion of all my photographs, I had to use one of the pictures I had sent to The Husband so that I could rescue it from his phone! This is a good representation of my early mornings of maternity leave, The Husband heads to work and Millie takes his place, keeping me company as we listen to the radio and I get ready for the day.

Then yesterday I made a start on replenishing my photo collection, and took this as we walked Millie across the fields. She loves to go bouncing through the crops, which is a very welcome sight after she was poorly last weekend, and a clear sign she is back to her normal self.

Project 52: Week 27 and 28

Week 27 was another Millie photo, this time of her cuddled up in The Husband's arms, and slowly drifting off to sleep.

Something a little different for week 28, we went away for a few days for our anniversary and had a look around the beautiful Chester Cathedral.

Project 52: Week 26

I must try and take a better variety pictures, Millie seems to be the dominant subject these days, but with a face like that can you really blame me?! 

Project 52: Week 25

As you may know, I have been taking part in Penny's fabulous Cookery Calendar Challenge this year. Over the weekend I cooked up both of this month's recipes, and loved the look of these tomatoes, scorched under the grill and ready for roasting. I was a little disappointed that the fancy chef's blowtorch we own doesn't actually have any gas in it, as that would have been the perfect chance to use it, but the grill did a good job (once I remembered to turn it on!). Pop back at the start of June to see what I rustled up with them, and which book I chose this month, 

Project 52: Week 23 and 24

Having been away on holiday and thoroughly enjoying getting away from it all, I didn't post last week's photo. This was taken in the orchard that was attached to our holiday cottage. It was lovely to wander there for a walk each day, to sit on the bench looking out over the greenery, and most enjoyable was the fact that it was fully enclosed so Millie could enjoy running around off her lead to her heart's content. If you look very closely you may well be able to spot the beagle shaped blur dashing towards us.

As part of our trip we visited Stratford races this week, and although the weather wasn't the best, we had a brilliant day. The centre enclosure allows you to drive on and also to take dogs, so we could shelter in the car with our picnic and walk Millie between races as we went to place our bets. We had a great view, just near the finishing post, and even won on one or two races, the fact that we only ever wagered one or two pounds doing nothing to dampen our excitement!

Project 52: Week 22

Bank Holiday Monday included a wander through the craft and food fair that was held in our local town, luckily right on our doorstep. Amongst the wicker baskets, paintings, and ferret walks (!) there was a falconry display. We didn't get too close as we had Millie with us, but I did manage a few snaps, and this was my favourite.

Project 52: Week 21

The highlight of this week had to be a family trip to see Bruce Springsteen live. My step-dad has been a life-long fan, and has seen him lots of times over the years. This was my first concert of his though and after three hours of non-stop performance I could definitely see the appeal, and we all had a really great night.

Project 52: Week 20

After a lovely Sunday with family and friends, I returned home to The Husband, Millie and a gentle Sunday evening. The fading sunlight was painting rainbows in the hallway, and scattered a spectrum of colours across the edge of the white roses on the table. I couldn't quite get a picture where you could see them in their full glory, but there is a hint of it here.

Project 52: Week 19

This week's Sunday photo is actually from Saturday night, and a lovely late evening walk with The Husband and Millie. It was quiet, with no-one else about despite the good weather, and I enjoyed being out and spending some time together, wandering in the sunshine.

Project 52: Week 17 and 18

The main project for the Bank Holiday weekend was the nursery, and after lots of DIY I am absolutely thrilled with it. We keep going having a little peep around the door in the mornings, and it feels very exciting to have the room ready. Millie, however, was less pleased with being banned from the room, and particularly when the construction process meant that she was physically unable to join us she made for a very sorry sight indeed. I loved this picture of her peering in as we put together the changing unit!

This weekend we have done lots of travelling, and I took this picture in my cousin's garden during our visit to see them. It was a lovely trip, and there was fabulous sunshine. It was great to be able to sit out in the garden, enjoying the weather, and the company. 

Project 52: Week 16

Back to Millie for this week's photo, after our Sunday walk was perfectly timed with a major downpour, just as we were half way round a rather lengthy route. The Husband, having seen the weather turn, decided to take a quick drive to some of our favourite haunts, and I must admit the sight of his car sat waiting for us as we trudged across a field was a particularly welcome one. We got home and dry, but not before taking a few pictures of our rather fluffy looking beagle.

Project 52: Week 15

The sun was shining through the trees as we took a walk to the local park with Millie, these fallen trunks contrasting with the signs of spring blooming all around.

Project 52: Week 14

As part of our family trip to the Lake District on Friday we spent a happy hour wandering around Brockhole Visitor Centre. Beautiful views and the perfect place to take Millie too. We did look at the archery, the horse riding, the treetop adventure course and all of the other activities and think that it was definitely a place to revisit in the future, though for this week, a gentle stroll taking in the scenery was an ideal way to spend our time.

Project 52: Week 12 and 13

Over the Easter weekend, we made use of the one good day of sunshine to take Millie for a walk. I took lots of pictures of her running around the fields, and I think this one is easily my favourite, there's something about those ears billowing in the breeze that makes me grin every time I look at it.

This weekend has been a lovely one, especially today spent with relatives visiting from Australia and a celebratory lunch at the place where The Husband and I got married. Dessert was this incredible apple crumble inspired dish, the apple was made from a white chocolate shell, and we later found out it was based on last week's episode of Great British Bake Off Creme de la Creme. It was a superb end to an incredibly special meal.

Project 52: Week 11

I didn't take many pictures this week, but here is my first attempt at a still life from Monday's art class. 

Project 52: Week 10

After a busy and lovely weekend, calmness has descended, and an early night beckons.