Saturday, November 02, 2013

Almost There!

Well, it's week 44 already of the '52 weeks of happy' challenge I first saw on Louise's blog. We are almost there, getting to the end, only 8 weeks to go!  I've missed a week here and there due to holidays and the virus I had in October but mostly I've kept it going. This week it seems that the things that have made me smile the most have all been to do with nature and the seasons so here goes.............


1. Pumpkins and Hallow e'en - I wasn't going to buy a pumpkin this year but couldn't resist.  It was carved on Wednesday and first lit as it went dark on Thursday.  We had lots of little 'trick or treaters' knocking at the door and we had sweets ready in a witch's hat for them to take away.  The flesh of the pumpkin was used to make a couple of jars of chutney.  The decorations in the window I bought whilst we were in Wales at the beginning of October from a little shop in Beddgelert, I took the photo of their shop window at the time.  The display of pumpkins we saw in the nearby village of Caverswall.  The whole of the centre of the village, even the bus stop, had been decorated with cobwebs, spiders and other ghoulish delights.

An extra photo - Chloe and the pumpkin

2. Autumn Leaves - photos taken in and around Trentham Gardens and The Brampton, Newcastle-under-Lyme - isn't it a wonderful time of year for colour?

3. Geese - on the lake at the JCB factory, Rocester, including Egyptian and bar-headed geese and a few I can't identify.  I love geese, I love their shape.  We've been watching them flying in skeins over the lake at Trentham gardens - I love the sound they make as they fly overhead.  I find it quite magical and it reminds me of when we lived on the Fens in South Lincolnshire.

4. Toadstools - Fly Agaric - photos taken at Trentham Gardens.  This season has been tremendous for fungi - we've seen loads of different kinds on our walks.

 Linking up with  Little Birdie  where  '52 weeks of Happy' started. Each week you find just four things that have made you happy to share.
 

36 comments:

  1. That's quite an achievement being happy for so long! I love the sound of geese overhead too x

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    1. Ah, if only that were the case but I've managed to find some happy moments in each week which is good:)

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  2. What lovely photos Rosie. Your window decorations are very seasonal and love the toadstools. Hope you have a great weekend.
    Patricia x

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    1. Thanks, Patricia - I wish I'd bought more of the decorations now as they are so cheerful:)

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  3. I remember when you started your 52 weeks of happy - seems only like yesterday! Your pumpkin looks rather menacing but I bet its chutney will taste delicious. The toadstools add a lovely splash of colour anong the grass. x

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    1. It has gone very quickly hasn't it? The pumpkin has got quite a sinister face but the 'trick or treaters' thought it was 'cool'. I'm looking forward to trying the chutney in a couple of weeks or so:)

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  4. Oh the geese. I do love them! Looks like the one bottom left is in a real strop about something, or maybe just having a stretch!
    Gorgeous autumn colour too.

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    1. What is it about geese? The Egyptian goose bottom left was having a good stretch - it looked as if it was doing ballet exercises and slightly reminded me of that Scottish painting of the vicar skating:)

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  5. Lovely autumny photos Rosie - you can't beat it when the sun shines. Love the fly agarics they really are direct from fairyland.

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    1. It was wonderful to see so many fly agarics all together and there is a fairy trail around the garden too! A bit of sunshine makes a world of difference:)

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  6. I'm glad that added the extra photo of Chloe and the pumpkin. It's so funny how cats are completely unimpressed by anything out of the ordinary! Jx

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    1. I know - they are such cool customers - she just gave it a cursory sniff and settled down at the side of it:)

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  7. Love your Halloween photos - really spooky. We were all prepared for Trick or Treaters but ended up with just one! Now we have a mountainous supply of Haribo and Celebrations! x

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    1. We had quite a few sweets left too so gave some to a neighbour and have eaten what was left over the weekend - we bought ones we wouldn't mind eating if they got left over:)

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  8. I noticed that you cat got into the picture with the pumpkin. I've never seen such colorful mushrooms - wow!

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    1. The mushrooms are great aren't they? I had finished taking photos when she got on the table so I couldn't resist the photo opportunity:)

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  9. What a lovely set of photos x

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  10. Great autumnal photos, I love the funghi ones, such beautiful colours.

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    1. It certainly is a colourful time of year:)

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  11. I'm very fond of geese, too and love your photos of them. I love the pumpkin and Chloe looking very unconcerned by its frightening expression. The autumn colours are coming slowly here, although I'm not sure if we'll have any great display as the strong winds seem to be blowing the leaves off the trees.

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    1. I think the auntumn colours have been quite muted this year and most of the leaves are gone from the trees in our garden already. Chloe was only attracted to the pumpkin when the tea light was lit - I expect the smell of it attracted her:)

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  12. It is a clever idea, and well done for keeping up with your happiness posts. I love the autumn photos of the Halloween. Xxx

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    1. Thanks, Lyn - it is such a colourful time of year for taking photos:)

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  13. I can't believe we've nearly done the whole year! These are lovely seasonal happy things, I love the sound of geese flying over too.

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    1. Thanks, Louise. I always think there is something special about geese flying overhead. I don't know where those weeks have gone!:)

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  14. I'm glad you did a pumpkin, and I bet you are now that you have the chutney too. xxxx

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    1. So am I! We were going to make pumpkin pie but decided to make chutney instead:)

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  15. A lovely happy post.Just what is needed.

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    1. Thanks, busybeejay - glad you enjoyed it:)

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  16. The weeks are flying by! Happy November, Rosie!

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    1. And you too, Linda - I feel as if we are now hurtling towards Christmas:)

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  17. Some beautiful happy things! I'm with you on the geese flying over in South Lincolnshire, as I live here now, it was lovely seeing and hearing loads at Burghley House last weekend. xx

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    1. Thanks, Chel - there is something special about the geese flying over the flat landscape and wide skies of the fens. I loved your post on Burghley House:)

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  18. Hi Rosie,

    Another great post. I love your little Hallowe'en decorations. We had quite a few visitors this year ~ the little ones are the sweetest. A little fairy princess came to call and she gave us a twirl to show off her wings ~ she even had sparkling lights on her shoes.

    You found quite a variety of toadstools on your walk. I love the red ones with the spots. Isn't it a great time of year for a walk? I love to get out and see the changing season when I have a chance.

    Marie x

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    1. Thanks, Marie - yes the little ones are the sweetest - one boy appeared at the door and said my friend is just fetching his nephew - he arrived with a little child in a buggy who was so cute - and the older boys were only about 8 or 9:)

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