Blenheim Palace
52 Weeks of Us

52 of Us: Thirty-Six

It was the last day of the summer, the last day before school started back up again.  And it was a nice day, the lovely British summer weather hanging on for just a little longer.  So I took us out for a day at one of our favorite haunts, Blenheim Palace.  And we did the things we always do there, rode the train, played in the adventure playground, sweated in the butterfly house.  We put our blanket down near the lake and enjoyed a picnic, and even shared a little with a pheasant who came to check us out.  And of course, there was ice cream.

Gask House Farm Scotland
Travels

10 on 10: Gask House Farm Scotland

Once again, I’ve been travelling.  So once again, my 10 on 10 features a few of my favorites from the trip, this time to the Scottish Highlands.  And while I captured LOADS of photos, I thought I’d make things easy for myself and just share some shots from the lovely Gask House Farm Cottages where we stayed for the week.

Gask House Farm Scotland

Gask House Farm is a working farm with sheep and a small group of Highland Cattle.  Don’t they just have the most amazing hair?

Gask House Farm Scotland Gask House Farm Scotland

There were chickens and a rooster (aka cockerel) that woke up way to early.  But on the positive side, we had fresh eggs every day.

Gask House Farm Scotland

Also on the property is the Gask Cairn, a stone circle dating back over 4000 years.  Take that Stonhenge!

Gask House Farm Scotland

A climbing frame with a slide and swings made for perfect afternoon entertainment.

Gask House Farm Scotland Gask House Farm Scotland

But nothing was more fun than watching him hang out with Misty, the dog.  He talked to her, he chased after her, she made him giggle and smile.  One day, I will have to break down and get him one of his own.

Gask House Farm Scotland Gask House Farm Scotland

Please follow the circle around to Crystal and see what her favorite 10 shots were this month.

Somewhere on the Road
Everyday Adventures

Weekending

really there was just a lot of driving + we did the math and decided we could have flown to California in the time it took to drive to Scotland + there are times when I’m really not a fan of the English motorways + they can test the patience of even the most patient people + there were a couple of days spent recovering from the driving + and getting back into the regular routines of our lives when we’re not on holiday + unpacking and laundry, lots of laundry + dinner out because the cupboard was bare + but a yummy gluttonous meal at the GBK full of burgers, fries, and milkshakes + we decided we were still on holiday + catching up with friends + and the return of the X Factor!

+++++

[WEEKENDING WITH AMANDA] – how was yours?

Oxfordshire Lifestyle Photographer
52 Weeks of Us

52 of Us: Thirty-Four

One of the reasons I started taking self portraits this year was that I had the same lightbulb moment that so many other photographers have, we’re hardly ever in any pictures.  And my passion for photography comes largely from my passion for documenting life and without photos of me, my stories were incomplete.

Then I had another lightbulb moment, there were hardly any photos of my son and I together doing all the things that we do.  So I started making a conscious effort to get us together in the frame much more often.  And this week, Thea Coughlin’s Across the Room Project inspired me.  Coughlin’s project is about capturing real life and the mundane things we do together every day.  Life’s not full of moments with beautiful backdrops and backlighting.  It’s full of mornings spent making LEGO robots before we’re dressed and showered.  Him still in his jim jams and with a little strawberry jam on his face.  Me wearing a sweater marked with a pattern of holes that mysteriously appear on all of my shirts just at my waist.

This is what our life is really like.