Monday, February 28, 2011

February Collage I DID IT!


February Collage I DID IT!, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Totally inspired by Geekheartsaday, I wasn't sure I would manage to stick to the theme of a heart for every day of February. And I did. And it was a hard month as my heart was shattered and I'm still grieving.

Having this focus was brilliant. I'm still learning every day on PAD and the first month I could be free to just play. This month was brilliant.

So I'm almost decided on the flower theme for March. Though I might take it week to week - have a theme for a week and then maybe free for a week and so on.

I think I am starting to develop a style, as Rebekah commented - it might not be the most original but I like numbering each day, and having a little caption. And I love the filters - especially Lomo and HDR.

I'm still having fun with it. And this is the LONGEST I've ever kept a New Years Resolution. Thank you everyone for inspiring me, for commenting, for helping and teaching me along my way to photography.

59/365


59/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

I love Amber. My husband always buys me amber jewellery and this is the biggest piece he's ever bought me - I love looking at the seeds trapped inside - from the prehistoric era....and imagining how different their world was.

My world has been rocked this month. So it seemed a fitting final heart for my month of hearts. And the ultimate love in my life is my husband and he gave it to me.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

58/365


58/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Ok so on the penultimate day of my heart a day challenge for February I'm cheating a little...but I love this picture!

It's still a rare and precious thing for me to have my Dad around - he only retired late last year after spending a lot of my childhood and life abroad. He and Mum came to Sunday lunch today and it was lovely to use the self timer and grab a family shot. Of course Toby is pulling a silly face....no idea WHAT Oscar is doing...but I love my family all together (well some of it - Kirsti you were missed).

So I cheated with the heart frame....promise to do better on my final pic for tomorrow....

Saturday, February 26, 2011

57/365


57/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Today I met my friend Julie's baby Leah - Leah was born on the 1st of the 1st...2011 - cool birthdate or what! But she unfortunately was very poorly for the first few weeks of life and has only just recently come home from hospital.

It was SO nice to be able to meet her, see her big sister Mya (who is the same age as my eldest) and see Julie being so amazing and positive and looking so fantastic. So glad the family is all together under the same roof and so happy to spend an hour cuddling little Leah as she slept on my chest.

I explained how I wished Leah cold be my picture of the day, but I had to stick to my heart theme.... Mya jumped up and suggested this picture - those are her fingers making the heart - and I love it - thank you Mya!

Friday, February 25, 2011

56/365


56/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

My lovely friend Pearl took me to Royal China, Canary Wharf today for lunch. It's the best dim sum I've ever had - and I've eaten a LOT of dim sum in quite a few countries. I was snapping away and this was an accidental capture - I was taking pictures of the teapot spout trying to make a heart out of it and snapped my Jasmine tea too - and when I looked closely at the pic - a heart.....perfect.....

Thursday, February 24, 2011

55/365


55/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Quite a few of my hearts have been made
a) out of food and
b) At Sapporo (my favourite Japanese restaurant)

So here is another. Cucumber from the green salad plus a stray carrot strand for artistic effect. Enjoy.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

54/365


54/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

The beautiful lilies my friend Lesley sent in condolence have finally faded today, shedding their petals as they did. So I made today's heart with some - they were sent with love and they made me feel loved and strengthened me when I needed it. Thank you Lesley...xxx

53/365


53/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

This hangs in my kitchen. Wish I could say I stitched it but I didn't. It reminds me of my yayas - a group of women who are my online sisterhood/family. And they are good words to live by. I understand that more than ever now.

Monday, February 21, 2011

52/365


52/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Half term this week...which means the sproglets are off school and I have to entertain them.....today this has involved Jammie Dodgers - biscuit of childhood joy - from when I was a kid and for my kids now (those and party rings but they ain't heart shaped).

NO idea how I'm going to survive this week......horrid weather, too cold for parks, soft play centres are insane (though I was there today)...this is my least favourite half term because of the weather. Roll on Spring!

51/365


51/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

I'm making Sunday dinner...mashed potatoes...and my lovely friend Kelly sent me this picture as heartspiration earlier in the month....so I thought I'd use it for today! Double spud! Thanks Kelly!!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

50/365


50/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

This week has kind of been all about family... mine... husband's..... and so I chose this heart today - it's a $1 necklace I bought when I went to Detroit Pride with my lovely sis. I love it because it's sparkly. My sister is fab - she always rings me and looks after me from a distance so this one is for you K.....

Friday, February 18, 2011

49/365


49/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

After the long and emotional experience of the last two days...I'm so so happy to be home....

48/365


48/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

We said goodbye to my beautiful young brother in law today. Hundreds of people came to his funeral. I read a wonderful poem "A Child Loaned" and we cried and we smiled and we drank and we toasted and we mourned and we grieved and the family will never be the same. But in his passing, he has brought the fractures in the family together and that is a lifelong gift. Goodbye Mikey. Wish I'd had more time to know you. Rest In Peace little bruv.

This is the last mosaic heart in my collection - made by Wendy Arnold Dean - if you've liked them - check her website
www.mosaicsatheart.co.uk/

47/365


47/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

We left our two children today with my parents. I've been away from them before, as has Rob, but we've never left them to sleep somewhere without one of us with them. And although they are SO comfortable and familiar with my parents and their house, I was a bit worried about it. I needn't have been - Mum built them tents on the landing to sleep in. She fed them crispy fish and chips, Dad played with them, bathed them....they loved and cared for them while we had to go to a sorrow-filled funeral. And I love them for loving my kids as much as they love me. This is a leaf on a plant in their living room.....

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

46/365


46/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

We had a romantic night in last night - and I attempted to make a pretty setting - but I didn't iron the napkin....still it made a nice heart! Hope everyone had a good valentines day.....

Monday, February 14, 2011

45/365


45/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Love to the power of 3....For 20 years I've been yearning for a heart shaped box of chocolates on valentines day - you know , like they have in the movies or on TV shows (like the one Puckerman gave Lauren)....I've never got it - until this year I got three - little mini boxes, each containing three little truffles (which are scrumptious)...and in a week where his mind is on grief and sadness, my lovely husband still thought of me.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

44/365


44/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

It's Sunday...I'm thinking about starting the roast potatoes to go with the slow cooked chicken I'm making for Sunday dinner....and my mother sent me this picture of a love spud.....perfect for today....let's hope tomorrow I have a TON of hearts for valentines to photograph...

43/365


43/365 filtered, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Oscar trod on my toe...and felt very guilty so wrote me a heart note and cut it out himself. LOVE him....

Friday, February 11, 2011

42/365


42/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

I have had a cracking headache ALL day and it isn't ended yet - 4 minutes to kid bedtime - I was taking Aleve painkillers and spilled some on the counter and then decided to make them heart-ish!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

41/365


41/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Made for a school bake sale tomorrow....hard to resist...I LOVE cookies...

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

40/365


40/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

39/365


39/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Monday, February 07, 2011

38/365


38/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

37/365


37/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

Another mosaic heart made by my friend Wendy but this also symbolises today how my heart is broken with grief.

36/365


36/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

In memoriam. This is my beautiful brother in law - Mike Edwards - cruelly taken from us on the 5th February 2011, aged 19. There are no words. Rest in Peace....

35/365


35/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

A heart gyoza after a lovely meal to celebrate Chinese New Year

Thursday, February 03, 2011

34/365


34/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

I couldn't find a rabbit on a heart or a hearty rabbit....and it's been a mad busy knackering day so I cheated.....Happy Chinese New Year of the Rabbit anyway!

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

33/365


33/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

I was mooching at my parents' house today - hiding from the builders painting and fixing up my house -and I decided to look for some hearty inspiration....

I remember this mug from when I was very small - Mum says it's older than me (and I'm nearly 40)....I love that my Mum never throws anything away and could lay her hands on it straight away when I described it...

I remembered the bright red with the white hearts but couldn't remember whether they were on a bag or a mug....and here it is. Love it.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

32/365


32/365, originally uploaded by sally_re.

I'm going to try and upload a heart a day for February inspired by Geekheartaday...I've said TRY....not sure how easy it will be....but here's the first - a beautiful Mosaic my friend Wendy made....