Northern (Irish) Lights

© Inishowen Photography

I just read over my last post and had a wee chuckle to myself. What a difference a week makes! So much for laid back summer evenings, I think this is the first night I’ve actually been in my house since I posted that.  It’s been hectic, but in a really good way; I’ve some exciting plans for the weekend ahead but I’ll tell you about them on Saturday. Which, incidentally, will be the next evening there’s even a hope of getting back on here.

Since I’m long overdue a nosy round all your blogs I’m not going to waste anymore time rambling on with my usual inane drivel. Instead I’m going to share some pictures of fair Inishowen at her majestic best. I came across these photos by accident on Flickr the other day and presumed they were taken in Scandinavia or somewhere, not just down the road! We do get to see the Northern Lights sometimes round here, but only every so often and then only if the clouds allow it.

Which, if you ask me, is what makes these images all the more fantastic. They were captured in March this year in Ballyliffin by photographer Mark Nolan. For many, many more of Mark’s beautiful images of the area check out is Flickr and webpage.

p.s. While I’m here I want to say a big thank-you-very-much to two amazingly generous bloggers - Evelyn at Through The Looking Glass and Carolyn at Littlegretel Dolls. I’ll explain more when I get back to proper blogging on Saturday but for now I just wanted to acknowledge their loveliness :)

Shades of Summer

By Theatre Clouds on Etsy.

Hello boys and girls. How’s everyone doing this evening then? It’s been a while, hasn’t it. Too long really. I think I needed a bit of a break after last week’s blog hopping siege; I don’t know about you lot but that carry on really took it out of me! Great fun though, well worth it. Anyhoo…

So it seems summer has finally arrived on these blustery shores. I’ve been spending my afternoons dandering and daydreaming, taking pictures and collecting sea shells - basically just making the most of the fine weather and my free time while I still have some (finally got myself a new job, woo hoo!). It’s been really rather lovely. I would share some snaps but I feel like I’ve been saturating this blog with my mediocre photos recently. Plus, there’s simply no way any of my own pictures could ever convey my present mood as beautifully as these:

The work of Canadian artist Elly MacKay, the images you see before you were created using hand cut painted paper and photographed in a miniature theatre. I just adore the light, airy feel to these fairytale-esque scenes. So fitting for how I feel right now, like walking on clouds made of marshmallows. Incidentally, you can find many more instances of Ms MacKay’s heart warming work at her aptly named Etsy shop, Theatre Clouds. Eye candy for little girls of all ages :)

p.s. I’ve only just discovered she has a Flickr page and a blog too, where you can find even more dreamy delights! Check them out here and here respectively.

Time For the Madness

I kept getting interrupted all afternoon so this post has taken much longer preparing than I anticipated. No matter, I’m here now and ready to party on down (dude)…

I have to give a big shout out in gratitude to my sister for sitting for the photos here. Hosting a tea party outside in the middle of the Irish summer wasn’t one of my most inspired ideas ever. There were other guests invited, but I could hardly fault them for not turning up considering the weather. Put very simply, it was raining. It’s always raining here. Even now when it’s not raining, it really is raining. It’s just not as noticeable.  Anyway, thanks so much missus! 

 

 

 We started off in the garden and later, when it looked like there might be a little respite from the rain gods, decided to move the shenanigans to the park. Sadly said rain gods were enjoying toying with us a little too much and gave us just enough time to sit down and poor a brew before opening the heavens on us.  Charlie was really starting to enjoy himself too!

All in all it was a brief but enjoyable sort of do. Definitely worth getting a little soggy for the sake of all those tasty treats! Mmm, Jammy Dodgers… I’d forgotten how nice these are dipped in tea so that the biscuit goes soggy and the jam is all chewy. I hope I have some left in the cupboard actually, I could do with a cuppa to accompany me on my imminent trip around the mayhem.

Well my friends, now that’s done I’m off to join in the rest of the festivities. Can’t wait to see what everyone’s come up with! First thing first, however. Kettle, on, now. 

Oh, and I almost forgot, thank you so much to Vanessa for being such a fantastic host!