Family time at Stourhead {Country Kids}

Family time is often precious in the hectic reality of modern life.
Some weekends go by without a good old proper family day out.
As part of my plans for fulfilment in 2015 I want more family time.
We started the year well with a trip out to the lovely Stourhead - no stranger to us here at 76sunflowers.

Kitted out with binoculars and welly boots we set off on our walk.
I turned around for a random family snap - always nice to get an unplanned photo and always nice to get Mr 76sunflowers in the frame too.

 

Our route took us past the obelisk and then down to the lakeside for soup from a flask - always the best way to eat it, the cold fresh air definitely makes it taste better.

We are never allowed to skip the grotto and this is an image I have taken umpteen times before - it took a while to get the camera settings sorted and it still wasn't right but the pressure was on with everyone behind us wanting a similar snap!

 

Then it was up to Apollo's Temple where the girl was fast turning into my mini-me having to snap away with her camera.

The door here has become a favourite of mine, odd I know but there is something so appealing about it.

 

So that was our first trip out of 2015.

Where was yours?

 

Linking up to the amazing Country Kids...

x x x



Fulfilment

I'm not one for resolutions as they are far too easy to break.
Every January I ramp up the exercising and healthier eating as every December I get lazy and over indulge.
So January becomes a month of focus to balance that one out.
Still not a resolution though - I don't go on a diet and I don't have a weight loss goal.
Instead I have a word.

And my word is fulfilment.

I want to find fulfilment in 2015.

Fulfilment in my family.
Fulfilment from yoga.
Fulfilment from exploring.
Fulfilment from happy mail.
Fulfilment from walking.
Fulfilment from adventures.

It's all rather open ended but that's fine by me.

Do you have a word for the year or do you make resolutions?

x x x

Project 365 2015 #1

So, we are onto another year of snapping a picture a day.
I loved the challenge last year, although some days proved more difficult than others.
I'm up for the challenge again though and will be linking up as usual with The Boy and Me.

Project 365 #1

Day 1
Happy New Year! A dreary day weather wise and after a late night we had a late escape for our regular walk from our doorstep. It was kind of ruined by an inconsiderate dog walker and my first snaps of the year weren't great - a combination of failing light and camera phone.
Day 2
Much better weather today and we headed out for a walk around Stourhead Lake and a quick trip into Frome. In the evening we headed to Bristol for the husband's and kiddos first ever Pantomime. It was a fantastic night and I'd forgotten what great fun Pantos are...oh yes they are!
Day 3
Today we had a lazy pub lunch for the MIL's birthday. The weather was dreary again so I didn't mind cosying up for a good couple of hours over indulging on food and playing - what is fast becoming a 76sunflowers family tradition - a few rounds of dominoes.

Linking up again with The Boy and Me...

 

x x x

Walking from our doorstep {Country Kids}

Sometimes it is just as easy to pop on your wellies, hats and coats and venture straight out from your own doorstep than pile into the car and drive somewhere new.
For two consecutive days in the period between Christmas and New Year the children wanted to walk to the nearby fields.
At the end of the lane we have lots of green space; playing fields, farmland, small holdings, all with many footpaths to explore.
Certain areas are in the pipeline to be built on.
This deeply saddens me as it will destroy the rural buffer we have here and also make our lane a dangerous rat run - emails have been written, but the impact they will have I don't know.
I just hope that the other green space is safe and left for children, dog walkers, everyone to enjoy.

Day 1
The weather was perfect - sunny and very cold.
We set out mid afternoon and the sun was already starting its descent down to sunset.
We walked hand in hand across the field - no cows to worry about this time - and found frozen puddles.
The girl had her dog spotters book and ticked off a Pug and a Border Terrier.
Then the sun did its thing - I just stood and watched it whilst the kiddos smashed ice.

Day 2
We retraced our steps as the children just wanted to smash more ice again!
Luckily the weather was super cold again and the sun was shining.
Huge chunks of ice were smashed out and some modern art was installed on the field floor.
I found beautiful frosted leaves.
The girl found a diamond!
Then my feet got really cold - why do they never feel the cold so much?!
We wandered back - again watching the sun do its thing.

Cold sunny days have long been a favourite of mine.

Linking up with the fabulous Country Kids...

x x x