Pre Dog Sunday Medley

We had such a lovely day in perfect weather with friends and dogs and good food yesterday. It was quite an action-packed event and most of the hundreds of pictures I took turned out like a complete blur dog-style. However a few of them showed reasonably serene dogs, here are some samples -

More to come...

The Dog, The Cat And The Neighbour's Rat

I have a brand new doormat, sporting a welcome committee of one dog, one cat and one rat. Which is actually more befitting than one might think, even if my neighbour might not find it quite as am(o)using.

I once wrote about a more than annoying sound emanating from one of my neighbour's house, travelling oh too well through the walls. When I finally had enough, and let them know, it turned out they had attached some kind of electrical device to the wall - not too clever... - in order to discourage rats and mice. Which they claimed to have had problems with. Something I very obviously haven't had any problems with whatsoever. Pets are good for a whole lot of reasons, especially a bunch of cats. Woofed on by dog.

The medium-pitched, completely tiresome sound hasn't been heard since, grateful for that, touch wood, thank you neighbour. And hopefully the only rat roaming this neighbourhood is the welcoming one on my doormat. If he tries to move out of mat, I'm sure my little residents soon will put him back in place.

This Is Not The Pom-Pom Sea

When you rely on free (Internet) service it's always a dilemma when things don't work like they're supposed to, boosted too. On the one hand it is free of charge which limits the justification of demands we might have when things do not work as they should. On the other hand it really bugs most of us when there's no easy way to get in touch with *those in charge* and get *instant* support - and even if you're actually paying for a support service it's difficult to get that instant as well as helpful service - instead you're forced to all this time consuming - and rarely very efficient or problem-solving - detours like DIY "help"centers or discussion groups... Sigh.

Since I have neither the inclination, energy nor time to play in one of those DIY "help" groups - which will be just as useful as playing in the IKEA pom-pom sea, the only difference is that in pom-pom sea you get a laughter fit instead of a borderline apoplectic one - I'm just going to whine a bit here.

I did something really stupid yesterday, and yes I have learnt my lesson the hard and unforgiving way. Please note that I'm completely aware of the fact that this is a luxury problem indeed, I have a roof over my head, vegetarian food on my table, clean water from the tap, a toilet that flushes, a shower, a good bed to sleep in and more handbags than I - honestly - need.

However, this is still annoying. I did the fatal - as in look of blog fatal - mistake of trusting what a small Blogger information box promised. It went something like this; "you will be able to return to the current look of your blog, we will save a backup of your current template, blah, blah, blah". Okay, then I will press the button and feel comfortable with the fact that all will not be lost. In Blogger box I trust.

The only, silly, reason for me switching to the classic template was the fact that I was going to do some minor changes and I personally felt that the classic one was easier to overlook. So. I was stupid, stupid. Stupid. Because obviously the truth isn't out there. None such backup available, at least not for me. No matter what that annoying box promised. And a whole lot of thought, work and time is lost. Computers, Internet and free services. Ain't life grand.

If one, me, tries to look at it from a slighter brighter side it wasn't my regular blog, bless, which was affected by my ill thought through press-the-button-decision. And perhaps the only way to try and learn new thingies and play around a bit is to do, however involuntary and regretful, a bit of spring-blog-cleaning. Even if it's late summer.

So. Okay. Let's move on then, solve the issue the best, and least time-consuming, way. Let's play if not with pom-poms, but a bit with New Blogger Layout Features. The only problem is that no matter how much I try and "customize design" (back to new blogger with that neat drag and drop edit that it was before all this... displeasure began) there is just no darn way "upgrade your template" button appears. Major. Bummer.

Sigh. Big time. Free service vs my time, energy, ideas and work. Please, even if the truth isn't out there, I do hope the fix is. Better soon than never. Please?

Morning Sheep & Evening Calf

~ Have a good Friday ~

How Much Are Those Shoes There In The Window

Since I began writing this blog I can't help but feel that my shoe quantum has semi skyrocket. So far I count to 18 shoe-posts - which is, granted, only 2% of all the posts up to date - but since I once did blog-confess shoes don't make me all woozy and happy like handbags have been known to I really truly wonder how I have managed to buy, at least, humph, cough, hrm, mmm... 11 pair of shoes since last summer.

It can very well be the case of me actually being in badly need of more shoes *ha, ha* since I have been known to do some closet cleaning *yes, really* from time to time. It truly can be that reason. Yes. It. Can. Actually, come to think of it, that's really the only plausible reason there is. Since I'm no shoe addict going all giddy at the sight of a shoe store. Period.

Besides feet are happiest when they get a change of scenery on a regular basis. And I have been known to fall victim to crazy, nasty blisters - and to tell the truth, I haven't had much encounter with blisters since I did get those 11 new pairs. I think that pretty much sums it up, buying new shoes, giving feet change of scenery make feet happy. And happy feet make entire human happy. And human get even more happy when shoes are on sale, which these shoes have been. Most of them. Or at least at a reasonably pleasing price.

Therefor, I have no problem whatsoever with the fact that I did get that 12th pair the other week. Shoes I have been admiring in the shop window all spring - because they're quirky, offbeat and me - I have even tried them on, but I wasn't sure neither of the size nor the prize. Besides, shop assistant that shows an unappealing mix of unhelpfulness and keenness to sell usually make me shy away from buy.

Passed the shop the other week, noticed there was a 50% sale on, and lo and behold, one pair of quirky-shoe-cuteness on display. Size fits. Must be a sign that change of feet scenery is essential. Weather permitted they might also go rather well with tweed hat. Tweed hat happy with new shoes, entire human happy.

One More Pendant In Place

With ten pretty, quirky pendants you really want them all to dangle from its very own, distinctive necklace. The second one, as opposed to the first rainy one, is perfect for those days when you're in a deep, red, garnet mood ~

Keeper of Great Gentle Giant

For many, many years I've been in awe of wind turbines, I think they're absolutely beautiful to look at, especially when in a group. Like some kind creatures from outer space, friendly buzzing and producing renewable energy. Of course there are, like with most (mechanical) things, drawbacks with them too - danger to birds, disturbing the eco-system when placed in sea, exploitation to mention some - but all in all there seem to be more pros than cons to these gentle, white giants.

I have absolutely no idea why some people think they spoil the landscape. Everything in moderation but I do think they add a special fairytailish, unexpected feeling whenever they show up. Phlegmatic, diligent and beautiful.

When I looked through my holiday pictures I could distinguish an abundance of certain motifs - sheep in many shapes and forms, castles, churches, flowers, gardens and ahem... wind turbines.

I think that the wind turbine photo extravaganza began, when I had the opportunity to finally meet one very up and personal on a field in Denmark. Oh my, was it just dreamy fantastic! Just little me and gorgeous humming, spinning giant Wind Turbine on a field one summery day under a bright blue sky. It was kind of surreal and rather mesmerizing indeed. To be quite honest I wouldn't mind being the Keeper of the Great Gentle Giant.

So, what if I went *slightly* overenthusiastic with the camera, wind turbines are not only fabulously great and hypnotic to look at, altogether they accomplish a lot of good, they ought to be photographically praised on a regular basis. In my humble, mesmerized opinion that is...

Go Your Own Way

Some days, the sensible thing to do is turn your back to the world and go your own way

I suppose, for some, having a bit of icecream might work wonders too

Having a brisk walk is often quite the thing

However, always remember to stop and smell the flowers

Tweed Hat & Sticky Toffee Cake

When you wake up to a gloomy, rainy Monday morning - and hey, it's most definitely still summer here! - it helps to look at holiday snaps and remembering another lovely moment on Skye. And sigh.

First I found this adorable little tweed hat at one of my favourite shops when in Scotland - one of my favourite all time shops come to think of it... -, Ragamuffin. This time I had the good fortune to be able to revisit the one at Armadale pier on Skye. More about the shop in a later post. For now let's just say I'm so going to treasure this pretty, quirky hat come autumn! Yes, real autumn and not just some silly summer excuse for autumn weather, hrmf...

Then we had this perfect moment post-shopping, a wee relax in the heat hazed sun on the tiny veranda of the equally tiny cafe The Shed at Armadale pier, just below the Ragamuffin shop. The cafe latte coffee was just nasty rubbish, but that piece of sticky toffee cake with ice cream was just. So. Incredibly. Good. Mmm. I think it just might have been the best sticky toffee thing I've ever had. And not just because it was a picture perfect sunny Scottish moment with a glorious view and I celebrated a brand new hat. I bet it would have tasted just as goody good had it rained...

Wedding Potpourri

Attended a wedding the other day. With me came camera. I was pleased with what we accomplished together - even if a natural part of me is to afterwards always analyze what could have been done better and differently... But if one didn't one would never progress and improve, so I consider it a good feature. Most of the times... - here are some of my favourite captures of the moment at that wedding ~

More can be seen in my Flickr album