new camera on a new day

I had a little fun this morning and ended up being a bit late for work (again).  Got the camera set up - quite a lot to learn as it has a pretty hectic zoom.   Thought I must just let you see a few pictures which are hot off the press.

 This morning's fruit salad

out of papino so mango, banana, blueberries and grapes

with lemon juice

(aren't the mangoes great at the moment?)

 Benjamin Bunny

You heard all about him 

and he stands proudly on my table in the courtyard

 I turn him around every second day so that he does not get bored and

can view life from all angles

 How lucky am I?

Dinner with my mom and Rob last night and she mentioned the white elephant store

at her bowls fundraiser and that she was "giving away" this old bone handled carving set.

My eyes lit up and I claimed it immediately

(now she just has to recover the grandfather clock that she has already marked

for the sale - or I will have to be there when they open (with my R50))

 The cocktail cabinet that I inherited from Margaret.  Still not sure of the right place for it, but I love it.

 The "desk" (also inherited) - works well in my study.  It is a little bit low but I have found a

ball and claw small table which works as a chair

Screen saver at work

 and at home

(Nicky is never too far away)

 More courtyard stuff

The 3 wire stands with the birds were a bargain at Mr Price on the sale

(from R199 to R29.99)

I am using them for candles but am not sure what they were really meant for

(maybe that is why nobody (except me) bought them)

 The ice cream bushes (Phallanthus (as Michael always reminds me)) are looking particularly good this year

  and the white Plectranthus bushes which, for the first time in three years, are flowering in abundance

Bees going crazy on the Guara at the front door

Michael and I going away with Jan and Ellen to Noetzie next week

Ellen is a pretty jacked up photographer so will be able to teach me all about zoom lenses

(cos I promise when I zoomed in I could see the bees (where are they now?))

I was also up late again last night (and very early this morning).  I have signed up to this interactive poetry site and had my first attempt at putting words to a picture.  What do you think?  I know you know me well enough and will realise that it is not a poem about a personal battle that I am facing but about what thoughts came into my head when I first saw the photograph.