Instagram is the place where imagination and creativity lives, breathes, grows. Everyday I am inspired by people eager to share their talent. At the moment, Christmas ideas abound … food, gifts, crafts. 

A few random shots from this week in my world. Plus I learnt a new trick … how to capture lightning. MLP gave me some advice. Mr Google told me more. 

Some other Christmas things happening. No, they're not cookies.

If you've been following me, stalking me maybe, on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook, then you'll know I've been in a bit of a crocheting frenzy. Little Christmas garlands have been zooming off my hook and through the post to family and friends. 

Why little crocheted Christmas garlands? 

Why not?

I continue to keep snapping away to see how this camera really works. This week I've been using my new set up, which you can read about here, and trying to learn what I can do in this mode. So, here are my happy snaps and an interesting photography link from this week.

Toulouse, on the Garonne in southern France, was not on our must-visit list. We ventured there to spend some time with our canal-boat-owning friends and I'm so glad we did. Of course the hospitality was superb and the canal boating sublime, but Toulouse, the city, is quietly beautiful.

Learning the ins and outs of my DSLR is a bit of a roller coaster ride. I don't want to be a professional photographer, but I do want to understand what I'm doing and I do want to be able to take better photos. So, when an email pinged last week from my brother with an idea to try, I thought … why not?

If you've watched any of Sir David Attenborough's documentaries (Is there anyone with access to technology who hasn't?), then a visit to the Natural History Museum while in London is a must, not only are the exhibits mind boggling, but also the building itself is fantastical.

Everything I read about improving photography, and I've been reading a fair bit, says just keep on shooting. Take photos of anything and everything. So that's what I'm doing. Trying to get to know my Canon a little better.

So here's a few shots from this week.

Geraldton wax on my kitchen bench. Keeping up the New Year's resolution to have flowers in the house each week. I've been good too, only missed a couple of weeks.