Snapshot Saturday

Wow, I haven't participated in a Snapshot Saturday in over a year! Glad to see it is still going strong over at Alyce's blog, At Home with Books. Visit her page if you would like to participate.

In celebration of my two cats surviving severe health woes in 2012, I'm posting their pictures. (Plus, I'm a writer - writer's love cats!) I was inspired by the joy in Alyce's pictures of her son playing so happily with dominoes. Here are my beasts at their happiest.

Saturday Snapshot

Great North Run 2011: Newcastle, UK

This year was supposed to be a year full of triumphant returns for me: a return to writing and a return to running. Unfortunately, though I managed to snag a spot to race in the Great North Run, I was waylaid by injury and forced to the sidelines.

Honestly, I didn't even want to go, but now I'm glad I did. We spent the weekend in Newcastle (fantastic city to spend a get-away weekend, btw), sight-seeing, eating in Chinatown and cheering on the runners of the Great North Run.

This shot is of the elite men - just after crossing the Tyne Bridge. I have to admit, I was glad I went and participated, even if only as a spectator. What a fun event. They really go all-out, and the atmosphere is fantastic and uplifting. The finish line by the sea was perfect - beautiful coastline as the backdrop with sunny skies and a performance by the Red Arrows.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

If you want to participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme, brought to you by Alyce at At Home with Books, here are the only requirements (from her site):

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

The photos are fun, inspirational and even educational, at times. Great group to participate with in a meme.

Posted by Jennifer B. at The Writing Cocoon.  

Snapshot Saturday

London: Hyde Park

It is Snapshot Saturday! This week I thought I'd post a few pictures of sculptures from around London. I love sculptures, but there is something about seeing them in public places, or outside of museums in general, that makes me very happy. Of course, the sculptures were commissioned for specific places and purposes, but I still think that seeing the pieces in their "natural" settings like this makes them so much more...spectacular, personal, moving, thought provoking, etc. I guess I'm a bit of a romantic.

Kensington Gardens, London: The Albert Memorial

 Looking at Alyce's pictures of Hawaii reminded me of my husband (Hawaii is where he proposed). That, in turn, reminded me of Prince Albert's memorial in London and the romance between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. What a great story about love and marriage (granted, I may be romanticizing again!).

London: William of Orange

 I just love this statue of William of Orange. His clothing is fantastic and something about the way he's posed - I just loved the way the statue brought to life another era.

London: British Museum, Greek Sculptures

The British Museum is a favorite of mine. I've been many times, and I'm sure I'll be back.

This is Alyce's Snapshot Saturday. To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky at Alyce's blog. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Posted by Jennifer B. at The Writing Cocoon.  

Snapshot Saturday

Some pictures from our recent trip to Scotland. I think I took nearly four-hundred pictures, and these are my favorites. Somehow, we had bright, sunny, and warm weather every day but the last. I can't wait to go back.

To participate in Snapshot Saturday, just follow the rules from Alyce's blog:

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken... Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online. 

Posted by Jennifer B. at The Writing Cocoon.  

Snapshot Saturday - Belgium

Bruges, Belgium. (Photo: The Writing Cocoon)

These are photos taken from a spring-time trip to Belgium.  It was just before Easter, so lots of amazing chocolate displays and tulips.

The above photo was off of an interesting fountain just off the main market square in Bruges.
 I just thought it was an unusual fountain and meant to get around to looking up the symbols, but I never did. I really love this photo, though. 

Mannekin Pis: Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: The Writing Cocoon)

 Quite a boisterous crowd around the tiny little man.  They were singing a song - if I remember correctly, the school song from their university.

Chocolates: Brussels, Belgium (Photo: The Writing Cocoon)

Belgian Beer: Brussels, Belgium (Photo: The Writing Cocoon)

My husband loves beer - this is some sort of traditional stein. 

Easter Chocolate Display: Bruges, Belgium. (Photo: The Writing Cocoon)

Tulips: Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: The Writing Cocoon)

To participate in Snapshot Saturday, just follow the rules from Alyce's blog:

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken... Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online. 

Posted by Jennifer B. at The Writing Cocoon. 

Snapshot Saturday - Swans

Swan at the Lake District, England - This guy chased me, trying to steal a chip.

I love birds, partly because I'd love to be able to fly, but mostly because my grandmother taught me to watch them. She always had a pair of field glasses in the kitchen window sill, ready for any visitors. We grew sunflowers and put up bird feeders and baths. Grandma had a beautiful, full-color bird guide that we would look through whenever we found a new bird in the garden.

Swans - Lake District, UK

 On my first visit to the Lake District, we had our lunch lakeside. The swans are very used to people and very greedy when it comes to the fish and chip stand.  This gave me the opportunity to get some close up shots - and be chased by a swan.

The little ones were so cute, and much less intimidating than their parents.

I took this picture of the smallest swanling, and the picture is one of my favorites. It looked like he was staring down at his reflection.

Swans are beautiful, but I've always loved them because of the story of the Ugly Duckling. My mother gave me an illustrated Ugly Duckling book as a child, and I loved its pictures. This picture reminds me of a scene from the story.

Swans are also really large and aggressive. Don't plan your picknick near a bunch of swans, they will invade your space and steal your chips (and pretty much whatever they want as you run away, trying to avoid being bitten).  


To participate in Snapshot Saturday, just follow the rules from Alyce's blog:

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken... Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online. 

Posted by Jennifer B. at The Writing Cocoon.