December is upon us!

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
― Charles Dickens

Christmas is upon us! Or rather, it’s almost here. The Christmas feeling is just starting to creep in having done a few festive related bits this weekend and with just five days left of work, there is a definite feeling of the year coming to an end. Those who have been following the blog since it’s creation will have noticed that there was a distinct drop in activity this year. I can’t even explain why. I can only reason that I’ve picked up my phone to take a snap, more than I’ve picked up my actual camera. It’s not a bad thing, as at times I try and plan my shots a bit better, but I have missed the D-SLR. Lots has been going on however, so here here are a few previews…

Chocolate Oreo Balls – The Recipe

I’ve started having a bit more of a presence on Instagram lately and my photos of the classic Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake Balls appeared to be well received. I first found the recipe on Southern Living.

I’ve tweaked it a little bit, just a few short-cuts to make it easier. Firstly, chill the blended Oreo/cream cheese mixture before you roll the balls out otherwise there will just be a huge oreo coloured mess. Secondly, melt less chocolate! You honestly don’t need as much as they are suggesting. The end result seems to go down well with those who love sweet treats…

The Dog…

She’s had her twice yearly groom at the pooch parlour, and boy was she grumpy. But she came home a changed woman, having lost lost of her fluffy bits (elbows and trousers) and with less hairy ears. That’s the dog we’re talking about…

She has been very receptive towards wearing her festive bits and pieces and hasn’t moaned once (yet.)

The Decorations…

The tree is up, the festive bits are planted, the house is well and truly on its way to being full of festive cheer (hah!) and so is my parents, where we also worked hard to get everything ready for the season. Here are some snapshots…and that’s it for now, bring on annual leave and more time for photography!

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Mid-July

“I figured something out. The future is unpredictable.”
― John Green

My last post was about Grandad and was on Father’s day – so it’s only fitting my next post starts with him as well! It’s funny how priorities and outcomes change as time goes on. Last year, when he went into hospital, our end goal was for him to go home. Gradually we’ve had to refocus our targets and have learned that sometimes the next best thing will have to be acceptable. The good news is that Grandad is coming ‘home’ in some respects, to a local nursing home. I hope that nobody has to go through seven months of hospitals because it has been gruelling.

The weather has been great. June into July was warm and we’ve just had the occasional (much needed) bouts of rain. I don’t recall when the last ‘proper’ Summer like this was, but it was way too long ago! Maisy has been once again enjoying a quick spell with the hose pipe…

One of my closest friends gets married in a couple of weeks and I had my first experience of a Hen do! It was…hilarious…

That pretty much sums up the photographs from the last little while, I’ve mostly taken iPhone shots here and there and Wedding season is in full swing so there’s that to contend with as well!

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