The Changing Seasons, January 2021

/ Su Leslie

Image: Su Leslie 2021

January was a quiet month for me. An introspective month.

A largely stay-home time of tidying and organising and making.

Sewing days, and some new shopping bags. Image: Su Leslie 2021

… and the scraps from experimentation. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Alcohol ink experiments. Saving the “good bits”. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Alcohol ink experiments. Some pieces just work. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Alcohol ink experiments. Some pieces just work. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Scottish oatcakes; feeling pleased with my first attempt. Image: Su Leslie 2021

When I did venture out, my Covid-tracking app tells me that I travelled a narrow circuit between supermarket, DIY shop and library. Maybe that explains why there are so few photos this month?

But the last weekend in January marks Auckland’s Anniversary, so the Big T and I laid down tools and, on the last day of the month, went to the beach.

Port Waikato is a small settlement of mainly holiday homes at the mouth of the Waikato River. Even on a busy holiday weekend, it felt peaceful and uncrowded.

Estuary at Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Estuary at Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Fishermen, estuary at Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Slightly more exciting place to fish. Sunset Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Sunset, Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Sunset, Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Sunset, Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Sunset, Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Far from the madding crowd. Countryside inland of Port Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021

Far from the madding crowd. Countryside inland of Port Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.

For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different.

Others focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.

But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.

There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement. (1)

Tags and ping-backs

Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

Create a ping-back to this post, so that I can update it with links to all of yours.

Update

Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Marilyn at Serendipity, Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth

Natalie at Little Pieces of Me

Ladyleemanila

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Sarah from Art Expedition

Natalie the Explorer

Suzanne from Life at No. 22

Ju-Lyn from All Things Bright and Beautiful

Brian at Bushboy’s World

81 thoughts on “The Changing Seasons, January 2021”

  4. The alcohol ink images are are beautiful and fascinating, Su. It’s also a treat to see a different sort of photo from your usual in the beach shots. Not that they’re not good photos, but they’re more “of the moment” and less “artistic” if that makes sense. I also enjoyed the way the background in your first shot echoed and emphasized the colors in the flowers. As for the cakes…well, let’s just say it’s good I’m full and heading off to bed rather than drooling on my laptop keyboard.

    janet

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    • Thanks so much Janet. I know what you mean about the photos; I hadn’t thought about it, but it’s got me thinking about my “style.”

      I’m going to make another batch of oatcakes in the next couple of days, and once I’m happy with the recipe (which I modified a little from the original); I’ll email it to you.

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  5. I really like your ink and alcohol pictures. They are translucent. We are expecting more than foot of snow tomorrow and Tuesday, so looking at your beach pictures was lovely, but a bit jarring. Here we are, hoping we don’t get clobbered TOO badly … and there’s your gorgeous beach. I definitely felt really on the other side of the world!

    I put this together yesterday, but i always get your posts a day late. I did everything except actually post it and was thrilled when I realized I actually HAD a lead article already written. All I needed was to add a ping-back! Be still my heart!

    It’s going to get better. I keep saying that. Soon. I keep saying that, too. Maybe we won’t still be locked down when spring rolls around.

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  6. Pingback: The Changing Seasons, January 2021 – Ladyleemanila

  8. You do introspection very well Su. Those alcohol ink images are stunning, and I love the colour combinations…Port Waikato is so beauyiful, I know the area well as my son has a boat and we often go out there with him when we are visiting. Here’s what I have been up to (not much actually) during January. https://retiredfromgypsylife.wordpress.com/2021/01/31/changing-seasons-january-2021/ Pleased to see our travel bubble is back open again.

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    • Thank you Pauline.
      I’d forgotten your son is a local in that area. I’ve loved Port Waikato since I went there on a school trip aged 12. The camp we stayed in is still there and I had a little wave of nostalgia 🙂

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  12. Pingback: Changing Seasons: This Was January 2021 – Tish Farrell

  14. It certainly doesn’t look like you had a quiet month to me – on the contrary! You’re were incredibly creative! Love the soft pastel like butterfly photo and that you’ve framed your alcoholic inks paintings- they’re stunning and so beautiful!! Your new shopping bag is a dream! Perfect for summer. 😀
    Also love the stick throwing pics and the happy dog grinning in the camera. 😄 And can I please have one of your cookies? (Makes puppy eyes 😉)

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  16. Pingback: The Changing Seasons – January 2021 – Little Pieces Of Me

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    • Thanks Lois. The Big T will be pleased you like them. He bought one at an exhibition a couple of years ago, but we dithered about hanging it because it just didn’t look right. Totally by chance I saw the other on the artist’s Instagram and knew it was exactly what we needed!!! T and the artist have become friends which is a bonus.

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  20. I love your alcohol inks, and especially the grid you created with bits of all the variations.

    As always, your photography is gorgeous. I love, love, love the crashing surf photo with the fisherman on the rocks. What a great capture!

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  22. Your beaches look stunning Su. I wish ours were so quiet, but when the sun shines everyone heads to the beach! Your alcohol artwork is beautiful, like a Gaudi stained glass window in the Sagrada Familia.

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  23. Saw a movie last night on the TV. It was called “The Tracker”. It took place in New Zealand and the landscape was beautiful. There was a series called “The Sounds” which also took place there. Both the movie and series were really good.
    Leslie

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  25. oh su – the action shots are my favorite and the one of the fisherman with the huge splash! oh my goodness is that cool
    and the lady throwing for the dog – her physique and energy captured so well
    –
    could almost smell the oat cakes and i made some almond flour biscuits a few times this month and will ha e to share a pic later –
    lastly – the alcohol ink has mysterious explosion of beautiful color

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  28. It looks like it was a peaceful month with plenty of deep blue skies and artistic activities. Really love those alcohol ink experiments. The purple one is such a gorgeous color. And you made your own canvas bags! ❤

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  29. Loved this one Su – your alcohol ink art is incredible, I truly love it. The large piece with many squares is amazing. Also, I agree it’s lovely to see people enjoying warmth at the beach as we work our way through winter on this side of the world. Your opening image is spectacular. Happy February to you!

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    • Thank you Tracy. I’m a bit over the shopping bags (as a maker). I bought a lot of the fabric and it’s not great for anything else. I think I can get one more out of what’s left then I can move onto something else (YAY).

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  36. Pingback: The Changing Seasons: January 2021 – All things bright and beautiful

  37. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but I really look forward to The Changing Seasons!
    As a reader, I enjoy catching up with our regular contributor BlogFriends – to experience in this way highlights & challenges of the month.
    As a writer, it grounds me; to look back at my photos and to recap my highlights, then to decide what & how I would like to share.
    Thank you for hosting us, Su!

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    • Too quick to hit “RETURN”.
      Your first captures of Port Waikato are so surreal – the beach looks like desert dunes. And those mountains and that sky in the background – wow!
      Love your alcohol ink work – and how you’ve framed them.
      And those oatcakes look scrumptious! Did you have them with cheese?

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  40. Pingback: This is January 2021 – bushboys world

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