'Happy New Year MMXI' by ~ Maria ~

Happy New Year MMXI, originally uploaded by ~ Maria ~.

Happy new year to you all. I hope 2011 brings you much joy and happiness. I shall keep this short and sweet and leave you with this beautiful New Year's Eve photo. I think the colours are just beautiful and a bit unusual for a champagne glass shot. I really like all the blurry candles in the background as they give it a bit of extra sparkle. I'm also thinking just how much I fancy a glass of bubbly myself right now.

'Ireland kitchen view' by kaysare

Ireland kitchen view, originally uploaded by kaysare.

When I saw this photo I knew straight away that this is the image I'd be sharing with you tonight. It's a really well composed photo with great colours and light. I am also loving that beautiful view from the window. If I could see that out of my kitchen window I know I would never complain about having to do the washing up. This picture was taken in Kerry in Ireland. I've only been to Ireland once. We spent a couple of days in Dublin and I absolutely loved it there and would love to go back. I'd also like to experience the Irish countryside as I just know it is stunning and I'd fill a whole memory card with photos. Actually thinking about it, I could do with booking a holiday!

'Untitled (365/306)' by JenniPenni

Untitled (365/306), originally uploaded by JenniPenni.

Right folks, I'm back properly now. I actually rather enjoyed a really short blogging break and now I'm very excited about finding some fantastic photos to show you in 2011.

As I said yesterday I hope you all had a great Christmas and have something nice planned for New Year's Eve. I must admit I had a fab Christmas. It was made extra special this year because my daughter was so excited by the whole thing. I think her favourite bit was the presents! I got some cool gifts too. My lovely husband got me a new compact camera as the one I carry around with me EVERYWHERE in my handbag is sadly getting worn out from serious over use. I've not really had much of a play with it yet as I've been using my larger camera over the holidays. I'm also feeling a bit sad for my old camera which has done me so proud over the past few years. However, I'm sure my guilt will wear off and I'll be showing you the results soon!

In the mean time here is a rather wonderful snowy photo I found today. It's so simple yet so effective. It's definitely another one of those images that seems to be silent and peaceful. I would love to know if the bike was that deep in snow or whether it was just taken at a clever angle. Great shot that's making me almost miss the snow.

'Flowers in the sun' by Me

Flowers in the sun, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

Hope you all had a fantstic Christmas. I'm just stopping by to say hello as I've been neclecting my blog for the past few days. There just seem to have been so many other things keeping me busy but that's not surprising considering it's Christmas time. Don't worry more beautiful photos will follow shortly so don't go anywhere!

Oh and this is one of mine. My favourite thing about it is the light as you can see it was a gorgeous summer day. I can't wait to be taking sunny flower photos again!

'this is my winter song, december never felt so wrong.' by emma jayne D.

this is my winter song, december never felt so wrong., originally uploaded by emma jayne D. {busy with school}.

Well Christmas Eve has arrived so it's time to properly kick off the festivities and also show you one final festive photo. This one really is so precious and beautiful. I love the soft tone of this, I think candy canes are great and I love the child's cardigan. And you know what I love the most, the little touch of the sleeves being turned out because that is just so realistic when it comes to little one's clothes.

So it's time now to say a very Merry Christmas from me. Hope you all have a totally fantastic time and Santa brings you everything you wish for!

'Bauble' by me

Bauble, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

I have been snapping away at my Christmas tree the last few days as I really wanted to show you a nice Christmassy pictures of my own this week. I must admit I've not found it easy to get the shot I was after but I am pretty pleased with this one. I think it has a Christmas evening glow about it. I hope you like it.

Oh and three more sleeps 'til Christmas.... Woohoo! I really am such a big kid!!

'Making it Sparkle!' by Blossom Tree Photography

Making it Sparkle!, originally uploaded by Blossom Tree Photography.

Only four sleeps until Christmas so I really need to use these next few days to show you some beautiful festive photos.

I think this one is adorable and I wish I had taken one like this of my little girl. This child really looks like she enjoying decorating the tree and at this young age every Christmas becomes brand new adventure. This photo really captures that Christmas magic. And the tree is so pretty. I love the assortment of decorations. I think our tree looks great but I think I'd really like to start collecting some different ornaments along the way now. I hung up two wooden decorations that my daughter had coloured in yesterday and I must say even though they are so different to everything else on the tree they really make me smile every time I see them!

'Snowy avenue' by ZedBee | Zoë Power

Snowy avenue, originally uploaded by ZedBee | Zoë Power.

Well it's still all snowy outside. I did think it was starting to melt earlier today but then it snowed again this evening. Ah well, at least it means I have a great excuse for another snowy picture. This one is beautiful. It's also another one which I think would have made a great picture even without the snow as the line of trees is just fantastic. However, contrast of the bright snow against the branches just finishes this off perfectly. This is the kind of photo that helps me to think about how pretty the snow can be and not how much inconvenience it causes.

'Bench Monday~Practicing Our Carols Edition~ 25 Days of Christmas~Day 7' by fullofbliss

Bench Monday~Practicing Our Carols Edition~ 25 Days of Christmas~Day 7, originally uploaded by fullofbliss.

Just think, this time next week it will be Christmas day. By this point in the evening I'm sure I'll probably be sitting in front of the telly with a glass of wine in one hand and a turkey sandwich in the other! It's actually quite weird because to me it almost feels like Christmas should be sooner than a whole week away. A week is ages! Plenty of time for all the annoying snow to go away but I'll save that rant for another post!

Anyway, on to today's festive photograph. I have been looking at so many lovely sparkly Christmassy images and I really do like bauble photos but this is the one that really caught my eye today. There's not a shiny decoration or piece of tinsel in sight but I love it's traditional feel. I love the thought of gathering round the piano at Christmas time to sing a few carols. And this really captures the that kind of Christmas spirit. And of course it goes without saying that I think the girl's shoes and tights are just fabulous!

'Parachute' by Me

Parachute, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

Thought I'd go for something a bit abstract today. Can you guess what it is? You probably did as as you saw the title of this photo but just in case you didn't see, it's the inside of a parachute. And by parachute I don't mean I've been jumping out of planes - it's a big colourful one children use for playing games with. I took this at my daughter's toddler group Christmas party. I was of course taking pictures of her but with such a colourful photo opportunity in front of me I just had to point the camera upwards!

I think bright multicoloured photos are great but it's amazing how hard it is to find fantastic colours like this to take pictures of. Considering I didn't have much time to take this I think it worked out pretty well.

'.stayin cool.' by *miss*leah*

.stayin cool., originally uploaded by *miss*leah*.

I have been very much looking forward to Christmas so I was really disappointed to learn that more snow has been forecast for the next couple of weeks. As the UK is just so rubbish at dealing with snow I fear that it although a white Christmas would be pretty it would really spoil things. Luckily we are not going away anywhere but we have still got lots of plans in the next few weeks to be out and about seeing people and having people come over to visit.

Therefore I am posting the beautiful summery photo to try and keep the snow away! I love it. I feel warm just looking at it. You can tell it was a sunny day because of all the light bouncing off the water. You can also tell it was really hot and I bet it wasn't long after this picture was taken that the child jumped into the pool. Beautiful summer photo. Definitely one to go back to when it's all cold and snowy outside.

'Merry Christmas' by Me

Merry Christmas, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

I have just realised that the Christmas tree has now been up for two whole days and I've not even pointed the camera at it once! That will definitely be rectified very soon and the results will (hopefully) be shared with you!

And do you remember I said I was very unprepared in this post well just to update you, we now have lots of food bought, most of the presents are wrapped and cards are all written and ready to be sent! I think the Christmas tree must have spurred me on to get things done.

Anyway, will leave you with this photo I took last year. I really like it because it's simple but still rather festive. I love the shine on the bow, the light must have been just right when I took this. And of course red and white are always a great basis for a photo.

'stourhead ice 3' by tamsyng

stourhead ice 3, originally uploaded by tamsyng.

If you are not feeling cold already then this photo is sure to make you shiver. I think this is a lovely photo. The composition is just right and I bet this would have made a beautiful photo even if it had been taken on a hot and sunny day. This is great though because the photographer has managed to capture every bit of the coldness. In fact I'm off to get my hat and scarf right now.

'First Christmas Ornaments' by ·meisi·

First Christmas Ornaments - Explored #8 Thanks!, originally uploaded by ·meisi·.

Another suggestion for photos was made by Kelly from A place of my own. She suggested a few festive photos in the run up to Christmas. I think this is a great suggestion and have featured a few already. However, I've now realised that there are only two weeks until the big day now so if I want to show you some lovely Christmassy shots then I'd better get on with it before it's all over for another year.

So here is a lovely festive photo! I love how pretty and light it is. And I really, really love the sparkly bokeh through the window. It looks like there is a shiny Christmas tree outside. And I love these handmade decorations. They look so nice but I can guarantee that if I made them they'd just look like dodgy bits of cardboard hanging on a peace of string. I guess I'll just have to admire this instead.

'~ Droplets ~' by Diиa ツ

~ Droplets ~, originally uploaded by Diиa ツ.

When I asked you what you wanted to see on this blog christinemosler said she loved macro photography. I love it too so I was very happy to oblige and find a gorgeous macro shot to post here. This one is fantastic. It's not so much the detail I love, because a lot of it is actually purposely burred, but the colour. The red and the green are just so bright and vibrant it really brings this photo to life. Although saying that the water droplets are captured rather beautifully too.

'Making Christmas cards' by Me

Making Christmas cards, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

I can't believe it's just two and a bit weeks until Christmas now. December always seems to go so fast. I was feeling rather smug as pretty much all my Christmas shopping is done now but then I remembered that I've not done anything else. I've not written any cards (or even dedcided needs to get one), not sorted food, not a single present wrapped and I am hoping that my little girl has got a nice stocking hiding up the loft somewhere. She had one last year so there must still be one up there somewhere. Anyway, today to get in the Christmas spirit my daughter and I had a go at making some cards. Not sure if any of these will actually get sent but it was rather fun! So how about you? Are you all ready for Christmas?

'The night before---' by tollen

The night before---, originally uploaded by tollen.

Now the snow has pretty much gone here I can start thinking about it in a romantic way again. I can focus on how pretty it looks and not all the chaos it tend to cause.

This is a fantastic snowy photo. I love that it shows off that orangey glow you get when it snows at night. Snowy nights are always rather magical because of that glow. I love sticking my head out of the window and taking in the freshness and silence.

It feels like the person who took this photo was going home. That they'd been out when the snow started to fall heavily and now they can see a cozy warm home just a short walk away. If you look carefully you can see the snow falling and it looks pretty heavy. I hope there was a huge mug of hot chocolate and a snuggly duvet waiting for them.

'chalk' by japhy2009

chalk, originally uploaded by japhy2009.

When I saw this photo I just smiled with delight as I think it's just so beautiful. It funny isn't it how one photo can sometimes really get you. I love the fact it's so random - chalk in an egg box on a bed. The photographer clearly thought this would work and it really did. What I love most though are the colours. So subtle and lovely and with the slight vintage tone that I adore. I could look at this photo all day.

'Bucket and spade' by Me

Bucket and spade, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

I hope those of you who've had snow have been enjoying it. It was fun for the first couple of days but I'm getting a bit bored of it now. I just want everything to get back to normal now. Although saying that I got a new pair practical boots for wearing in the snow today so if it's stays just a bit snowy then at least I'll be getting lots of use out of them. I must admit it was strange choosing shoes for their practicality rather than their prettiness. But hey, shoe shopping is still shoe shopping.

Here is a photo I took yesterday. My daughter thought it would be a great idea to use her bucket and spade in the snow. We even made snowcastles! This photo wasn't really set up, I just saw the bucket and spade in the snow and thought "Yay, that'll make a great photo. I'll be blogging that tomorrow!"

'Christmas baubles 1*' by Lee Ann L.

Christmas baubles 1*, originally uploaded by Lee Ann L..

I was rather disappointed last night as I really wanted to celebrate the first day of December with a Christmassy blog post. However, I found myself with a stinking headache so took myself off to bed early to feel sorry for myself there. Luckily the headache is all gone now so here is a fantastic photo to show you now the count down to Christmas has really begun.

I think baubles make a fantastic subject for a photo. In fact when ours come down from the loft ready to go on the tree I shall no doubt be snapping away. Really hope to get some nice festive photos this year.

In the meantime here is a great bauble picture taken by someone else. I love all the colours and I love that they are all lined up so neatly. I wonder how that was done as they usually do roll around quite a lot. Also the nosy part of me loves bauble photos as I like to try and see what is reflected in them. I can't see much going on in these ones unfortunately.

Anyway, hope the Christmas season has started well for you and you've enjoyed the first two choccies in your advent calendar!