Yes, summer is coming!

We have several friends planning to visit us throughout the summer and I realized I still have a snow picture on my last blog entry.  

Yes!  Summer is on it's way.  

We've had some absolutely gorgeous weather lately.  

And we've just returned from another trip.  

I have several blog posts to catch up, but for now here is a glimpse at the beginning of summer.  

Apparently I was mistaken

Winter still has a firm grip.  

Just wishful thinking I guess.

Winter Begins to Turn to Spring

I really had good intentions of checking back in at least once a month.  

Then I let February slip by me and here it is half way through March already.  

Here's another quick pictorial catch up on life in our world.

We had some beautiful snows in January and February.

None of them lasted too long.  

Just long enough for a day or two of hibernating.

And it didn't really keep us from getting out to walk the footpaths.

And of course the pups LOVE the snow.

But as much as he loves the snow and his big back yard, 

MacGyver also likes to keep a close eye on me.

Over President's Day weekend we made a trip to the Lake District. 

It was a great day away and a beautiful spot.

And we began to get a little hint of spring with the blooming of snowdrops.

I started feeding our neighborhood song birds.

And spying on the others...  

in the reservoir...  

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on the river bank...

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and in the farm yards.

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As the weather warmed a bit I took walks with the sheep.

Some are having babies.  

(more to come on this!)

I had an opportunity to visit Whitby Abbey.

Whitby is a lovely little seaside town.

And I made some new friends.

Every time I explore a new footpath, village, or historic site I learn something new.  

I'm loving seeing our new home through my camera's lens. 

As the weather warms up 

(And I'm hoping for dries up too.)

 I'd like to also do some sketching and watercolor. 

 (Don't hold me to that watercolor part.)

Excited to see what spring has in store!

Life is full

It's been awhile since I've posted.
I've been spending time getting settled and learning my way around.
There are so many things I need to catch up on, but I believe I'll begin with where we have been.
We did a lot of touring around through the holidays.
Here are a few of the places we have seen.

We toured Ripon Cathedral.

and visited Fountain's Abbey

 and Malham Cove.

We watched a lantern parade at the St. Nicholas Festival in Pateley Bridge.

We had our favorite of all visitors come to spend the holidays with us.

We explored new (to us) roads.

and had Christmas guests come from far away.

We took a walk around St. Mary's church ruins.

And with one more visitor the family was complete.

We explored Skipton Castle.

and we visited York Minster

and Fountain's Abbey again.

And more family came to visit.

We made a quick trip to Edinburgh, Scotland.

We strolled through Sherwood Forest.

And met Robin Hood in Nottingham.

Took a tour of Shakespeare's birthplace.

Had dinner at The Eagle and Child in Oxford.

We caught a glimpse of Stonehenge in the fog.

Took a stroll through Jane Austin's house.

Attended an organ recital at Westminster Abbey in London.

Strolled around the Thames taking in the sites.

Checked in on 221b Baker Street.

Rode the Tube all over (or under) London.

Explored The British Museum.

And the recreated Globe Theatre.

Toured the city and campuses of Oxford.

And wandered around the grounds of Bolton Abbey.  

And in between all the running around we had a wonderful time 

visiting with some of our very favorite people.  

We are truly blessed. 

For Alison...

My friend Alison asked if I would revisit the window picture from earlier.

Here's a start...

First for the context.  

The window is in the work building to the right.  

The house is attached to it through a courtyard.  

Supposedly the dam workers use the building, but it doesn't look like anyone has been in it for years.  

It's a fairly large building and adjoins to a large portion of the yard. 

The window I was focusing on is the bottom floor.  

Funny it's a work building but the bottles in the window are alcohol.  hmmm...

In my earlier picture I had avoided looking straight at the window because I caught my reflection. 

 This time with the sunlight so bright the reflection itself was interesting.

So I caught the angle showing the reflection of the house.  

There is also a window on the back of the building, but it just doesn't interest me as much. 

 ...and it's pretty creepy inside with spider webs.

While I was at it...  right next door is a small cottage that the water company fixed up and is selling.  

So if you're in the market for a little cottage on the water in North Yorkshire maybe this is for you.  

I hear the neighbors are great! 

It was a gorgeous day to be outside, but very nippy.  

So nippy my camera battery drained fast.  

Guess I'll get back to more pics later.
Every time I look at the pictures I've taken on my computer I wish I'd tried something different.
I don't think I'll run out of subject here for a long time.
But I love your input!