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@dailyshoot: #ds67: Quirky things often catch your eye and make for interesting art. Make a photo of something that makes you go "Hmmm" today.

tu tu ... doi ...ti nao``

Maybe not so normal, but its above the city of Normal, as a thunderstorm approaches ISU.

Another beautiful clear blue day, Easter Saturday and a plan in place, a 12.30pm visit to Ascott NT to see the daffodils with Jane. A normal morning with a slow rising, Jane up before. I made a big batch of apple and plum before my muesli but left the other Bramley for a crumble for supper. Around 11.30am I get out the Golf from the garage and check the trap for more mice but for a change nothing today. I got some vegetables out for supper and around 11.50am we set off. It was already very busy at Ascott and as usual Jane wanted a coffee and sausage roll to get her digestion moving etc. We chat with a couple who share our table. They have an energetic nearly 2 year old called Kaydon?

Setting off round the garden we go over to say hello to several horses and see a Red Kite on the ground just behind. Magnificent bird looking very Aquiline as it strutted about. I think we had timed out visit a few days later than before as many of the daffs were over so the overall effect was not quite as staggering but still enough to please. Although sunny there was a cool edge to it and there were very few insects but several birds calling, notably an army of Chiff Chaffs. The star of the gardens were the numerous Magnolia and cherry blossom but the big bare trees, gaunt and tall were impressive in this equinal light against a blue sky. We went down into the daffodil arboretum and along westwards to the far boundary then through the sheltered formal garden with beds and fountain where the display of hyacinths was stunning. Just before that in a quiet dead end full of Narcissus poeticus Jane had to have a cigarette. At the end of the formal area the steps out were too tricky for Jane so we used the wheelchair route but in so doing came on a gap in the yew hedge through was another view of the magnolias etc. Here I saw a couple from Hong Kong who I used their iPhone to take their photo against a magnolia backdrop. Jane in her usual impatient manner had wandered off back to our earlier path and I had to retrieve her to the gap and then via the long path along behind the magnificent main house where I just had to make a final panoramic shot. Back at the cafe, after selecting our drinks and sponge cakes ( chocolate Jane.zucchini & lime me) that I collected etc Jane found a table to sit that this time we had to ourselves. As we left the car park there was still a steady queue coming in and it was tricky exiting onto the main road but eventually a driver from Wing direction let us out.

 

Ascott House and Gardens is the historic rural retreat of the de Rothschild family.

 

The 30-acre Gardens have dramatic landscaping and sweeping lawns. Plus, beds bursting with flowers, hidden enclaves and wildflower meadows where you can laze away a summer’s day.

 

Enjoy al fresco theatre. Watch a classic English cricket match. Try a homemade cake in the Tea Room.

 

Inside Ascott House, Leighton Buzzard, visitors can tour rooms packed with priceless art, burnished wood and fragrant flower displays.

 

Feed your curiosity. Experience adventure. Visit Ascott Estate today.

Missed this stunner!

 

Model: Kim Torres

Canon Powershot S5 IS

performs at Paramount Studios during the rehearsals for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards on September 6, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

Not your normal view of the enormous elephant, but it just seemed like photo opportunity at the moment, now with a quote

 

Alphabet Photo Swap for Sharp Shooters group

views bring sometimes joy . The joy of simple and beautiful life. I sometimes miss that . Have a fantastic Weekend.

try normal On Black

the sprawling downtown of Normal Illinois.

Portobello Rd London

Fiz de improviso pra janta, e ficou ótimo!

Peguei 2 peitos de frango (filé né, um grossão e um fininho que sobraram), temperei com sal e pimenta e deixei reservado.

Enquanto isso, dourei meia cebola roxa, deixando um pouco em fogo baixo, no azeite, com a panela tampada, pra ela dar uma cozidinha também.

Aí coloquei meu frango pra dar uma dourada.

Fucei a geladeira e taquei umas gotinhas de shoyu pra deixar o molho escurinho e dourar o frango. Aí inventei e taquei (taquei é ótimo, super delicada ahhaha) 1 colher de chá de açúcar pra caramelar as cebolas (fingi que caramelizei) e dar uma cor.

Joguei sal pra temperar o molho e coloquei 1 colher de sopa de extrato de tomate.

Ah, e tinha colocado os pimentões cortados em tiras.

Juntei 1 copo de água pra fazer o caldo e coloquei o milho. Deixei fervendo, panela tapada, para apurar os sabores.

Enquanto isso, cozinhava 2 batatas grandes cortadas em pedaços generosos. Quando estavam macias, mas sem desmanchar, juntei ao frango, misturei para pegar o gosto do molho, deixei cozinhar mais um pouco e pronto.

Fiz um arroz branco e cest fini!

Ui, cansei de escrever ahhahahah

Beijos!

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