Sunday, October 24, 2010

It's Only Words...

... and words are all I have to make a giveaway (apologies to the brothers Gibb).

Thank you everyone for playing along with my Favourite Word giveaway. You all had most interesting words which can be seen in the comments of the previous post.

Names of those who participated and qualified were numbered. I then asked Frank (who never saw the list) to select a number for me. It corresponded to one of my favourite bloggers and a really great guy.

Congratulations to... SULDOG whose favourite word was "SLOBBERKNOCKER." The $100 gift certificate for CSN Stores is yours. Jim, I'll be in touch to let you know how you and YOUR WIFE can claim your prize.

If you don't already visit Jim's wonderful blog, I suggest you add it to your must-read list. He's a fine writer, very funny and as kind a soul as you could ever want to know.

Thanks again to everyone for playing along. You folks are the best!

Below are a few images which were taken over the last few weeks. I hope you enjoy the quotes which accompany them.


"All mushrooms are edible - once" ~ Unknown




“Every path has its puddle” ~ Proverb





“Like dreams, small creeks grow into mighty rivers.” ~ Unknown





"If you keep your feathers well oiled the water of criticism will run off as from a duck's back. " ~ Ellen Henrietta Swallow Richards





"May your life be like a wildflower growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day" ~ Native American proverb




"Each flower is a soul blossoming out to nature." ~ Gerard De Nerval
(a closeup of the Jerusalem Artichokes seen in the previous image.)

58 comments:

ethelmaepotter! said...

Oh Hilary, you have simply outdone yourself in these photos! There are no adjectives great enough to describe them - every one is superb!

And congrats to Suldog - I hope his wife makes good use of that gift certificate!

Zuzana said...

Congratulations to the winner.;)
I love all the beuatiful seasonal imagery and I envy you your beuatiful foliage.;)
xoxo

Sueann said...

Congrats to Suldog! I am sure he will have something acidic to share about this win! Ha!
Love your photos and the quotes.
Hugs
SueAnn

Indrani said...

That was a nice contest you had, congrats to the winner.

I liked the lost shot very much, great POV in that.

Brian Miller said...

have spent many a day at the edge of a creek or river...nice shots...i really like the shroom shot...they can create some magnificent structures on teh side of a tree...

Cricket said...

I love Autumn. I really do. Wonderful light and colo(u)r in your pics. The puddle really looks like a passage through the looking glass, no? Where's the White Rabbit?

Aha! How about White Rabbit ? As good as I've got this early. Decaffeinated brain and all.

Congratulations to my swell pal Suldog. The man deserves truly good things to happen to him.

Steve Gravano said...

Nice collection of autumn photos and cations. Congratulations Suldog!

Pauline said...

The quotes are so apropos of the photos they accompany. Especially like the one for Benny - we should all live the way he does!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

congrats to suldog!

the flowers in your last image look like they are reaching heavenward in joyful praise...i love your photography!

Country Girl said...

Congratulations to the winner!
These photos are gorgeous, Hilary. I love the quotes you find.

Doris said...

Wonderful, wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing them and the captions are just right.
(Moments in Time)

Leah J. Utas said...

Ah, I feel myself relaxing when I see those pics. Thanks.
Love the fungus pic, and the attending quote.

Tabor said...

Stunning photos. You make me want to stop what I am doing (cooking for company) and run outside and take more photos. You have such a good eye, I cn learn from you.

ellen abbott said...

Beautiful photos as usual.

Lori said...

Congratulations to the winner!

As always your creativity and photo's are just amazing...I am so thankful you share them with us.

Happy Sunday! XX

Tammie Lee said...

so many lovely images~
Congratulations to the winner, and his wife ;-}

Anonymous said...

I love the smiley ducks! Great photos! The mountains here are all brown, grey and bare now, it seems fall is over, so soon!

Maggie May said...

Love the reflections in the puddle and those ducks almost kissing.
Well done Suldog for such an unusual word. Seems to suit him somehow.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Unknown said...

The brother Gibbs mention cracked me up. Love the photo of the dog on the road, but also the yellow flowers. Always a beautiful visit here, Hilary!! xo

Friko said...

Wonderful photos but then I have come to expect such marvels every time I call here.

messymimi said...

Or, if you are me, no mushrooms are edible, though some, like this one, are amazing to look at.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Suldog!

These photos are stunning!

Saz said...

beautiful pics as usual....

here is moannies new blog


http://apyramidofpiffle.blogspot.com/

saz x

lime said...

slobberknocker??? LOL i gotta say that is a fantastic word. congrats to suldog :)

as for the photos i am so impressed at how you made a puddle look beautiful! bravo!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Congratulations of Suldog. I think "SLOBBERKNOCKER" just became my favorite word too.

Love all your Fall photos, the colors are so rich.

Have a great week Hilary!
jj

Mental P Mama said...

Congrats Suldog! Love Benny in those huge daisies!

Hilary said...

• EthelMae, thank you so kindly. You never fail to evoke a huge smile. You're such a sweetie. :)

• Zuzana, my friend. Thank you so much. :)

• SueAnn, thanks so much. :)

• Indrani, thanks kindly. Much appreciated. :)

• Brian, you've spent some fine days, indeed. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Cricket, White Rabbit works just fine for me. And I totally agree with you about Sully. :) Your comment about the puddle reminded me of a quote from the opening of a book I read a number of years back. Here it is:
"When I was small, I never wanted to step in puddles. Not because of fear of drowned worms or wet stockings, I was by and large a grubby child, with a blissful disregard for filth of any kind.
It was because I couldn't bring myself to believe that the perfect smooth expanse was no more than a thin film of water over solid earth. I believe it was an opening into some fathomless space. Sometimes, seeing the tiny ripples caused by my approach, I throught the puddle impossibly deep, a bottomless sea in which the lazy coil of tentacle and gleam of scale lay hidden, with the threat of huge bodies and sharp teeth adrift and silent in the far-down dephts.
And then, looking down into reflection, I would see my own round face and frizzled hair against a featurless blue seep, and think instead that the puddle was the entrance to another sky. If I stepped in there, I would drop at once, and keeep on falling, on and on, into blue space.
The only time I would dare to walk through a puddle was at twilight, when the evening stars came out. If I looked in the water and saw one lighted pinprick there, I could splash through unafraid-for if I should fall into the puddle and on into space, I could grab hold of the star as I passed, and be safe.
Even now, when I see a puddle in my path, my mind half-halts-though my feet do not-then hurries on, with only the echo of the thought left behind.
What if, this time, you fall?" -Diana Gabaldon (Voyager)

• Steve, thanks kindly. :)

• Pauline, thanks so much. Benny could teach us all a few things for sure. ;)

• Bonnie, thank you very much. I'm so glad you like the photos. :)

• Thank you, Kate. That means a lot to me. :)

• Welcome, Doris and thanks for the kind words. :)

• Thank you, Leah. I'm glad you find these pics relaxing. That's a fine compliment. :)

• Tabor, thank you so much. Such a lovely thing to say. Very much appreciated. :)

• Thank you kindly, Ellen. :)

• Lori, you're too kind. Thanks so much for that. It means a lot to me. :)

• Tammie Lee, thank you very much. :)

• Rain, thank you. The season seemed to last (and continues to, somewhat) quite a while here. I was noticing changes in August, and here we are in late October and only about 2/3 done, I'd say. At least until a big wind comes along. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Maggie May, you're right those ducks do look like they're about to kiss. And you're so right about Suldog's word suiting him. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Michael, I'm glad you got a kick out of the Bee Gees comment. ;) And thanks always for your kind words. :)

• Thank you kindly, Friko. That's such a lovely thing to say. :)

• Messymimi, quite the opposite. I love mushrooms - both the edible kind and the visuals. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Jillsy, thanks so much. :)

• Thank you, Saz. I so appreciate your stopping by to give me Moannie's new blog address. :)

• Lime, it sure is a cool word. Much like the guy who submitted it. Thank you always for your kind comments. You never fail to make me feel good about my photos. :)

• Joanna, it's such a fun word, isn't it? Thanks so much for the kind words and greeting. I hope you have a great week your own self. :)

• MPM, thanks for stopping by. :)

SandyCarlson said...

Looks to me like the ducks are about to kiss.

Beautiful images.

Slamdunk said...

Congrats to Suldog, and as always, great photos--lots of puddles like the one in your shot here lately.

VM Sehy Photography said...

Awesome shots. Those ducks are adorable. And the sunlight coming down through the pedals of the flowers, precious.

Scott Law said...

This is a lovely collection. The reflection in the puddle really caught my eye, but they were all very nice to view.

Gennaro said...

Love the mushroom shot. Such vivid earthly colors. An that dog is too cute.

Suldog said...

Woo-Hoo!!!!!

What an excellent way to start my week!

Thank you, Hilary! And thank YOU, Frank!

Unknown said...

Congrats to Suldog!

Outstanding photos Hilary, and the quotations are perfect.

Unknown said...

congrats to Suldog.

these photos , these words,
you rock Hilary.

thank you .

Bossy Betty said...

Loved the mud puddle story and the pictures knocked me out! The trees!

Anonymous said...

What fabulous shots and quotes. And congrats to Suldog.. but what on earth does his word mean?

Daryl said...

Oh good on Jim and HIS WIFE ... and thanks for sharing these lovely images

Sarah Knight said...

Congratulations to the winner!
Lovely shots & sentiments : )

Cheryl Kohan said...

First of all, congratulations to Suldog. I'll stop by to tell him myself, actually. That's a great word...wonder what it means?

The photos are fab...especially the one with Bennie in it. So that's a Jerusalem Artichoke blossom? I'd have never guessed. It's really pretty...looks like a Black-eyed Susan, sort of.

Debbie said...

Well, good for ole Suldog! Couldn't go to a nicer guy.
And great photos and quotes!

Bimbimbie said...

Love those first two quotes and images
and congrats to Suldog*!*

Shammickite said...

More great pictures from you, Hilary! I'm just catching up on blogs, I have been so busy these past few weeks, house hunting, and finally finding a house, then changing my mind after a house inspection, and then house hunting again. I've finally bought a house and will be moving in November, meanwhile I'm packing, de-cluttering even more, giving stuff away, selling stuff on kijiji and craigs list, and generally getting in a tizzy. Plus performing in the Scottish Show last w/e at Richmond Hill theatre and rehearsing for our local Christmas Show. And don't forget babysitting too.

Rosaria Williams said...

My goodness! These are gorgeous and so inviting.

SandyCarlson said...

Yes, again. Good to see Benny and to enjoy again your persepctive on autumn beauty.

Anonymous said...

The mushroom quote made me LOL, but your photos made me feel like going on a poetry binge.

Congratulations to Suldog. :)

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Suldog is a deserving winner, for sure; but, if the competition had been based on the favorite-word submissions, I would have voted for Frank's "volumptuous." That might be my new favorite word. Love the pictures, especially the mushroom.

Grayquill said...

I don't know if there is a definition for Slobberknocker but the mental picture is not pretty. :) I like it.

Dave said...

Sorry I missed your word game Hilary. It looked like fun. Great pictures with great captions again. Specially liked the caption about eating mushrooms! - Dave

CiCi said...

Congrats to Suldog! This was a very fun giveaway.

Dianne said...

congrats Suldog :)

love sweet Benny on the long road, he looks so small yet fearless

Sharon Wagner said...

Yes, we've all jumped some puddles in life.

SandyCarlson said...

Thanks for your kind words, Hilary.

(It's always good to come back here for the beauty and wisdom. Thank you.)

Kelly H-Y said...

Fabulous word! And, gorgeous pics as always!

Christine said...

love the mushroom photo & quote :-)

L. D. said...

The photos are wonderful. Your little dog is a winner. Very sweet.

Hilary said...

• Sandy, you're right. They do indeed appear to be about to share a kiss. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Slamdunk, thank you. That puddle was still there this morning.. full of leaves, though. Thanks for the visit. :)

• VM, thanks kindly. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. :)

• Scott, thanks very much. Your kind words are appreciated. :)

• Gennaro, welcome. And thank you so much for the kind words. :)

• Suldog, I'm glad it was a good start for your week. :)

• Jane, thank you kindly. :)

• Deb, thank you so much. :)

• Betty, I'm glad you enjoyed. Thanks. :)

• LadyFi, you'll just have to Google it, like I did. Thanks for the kind words. :)

• Daryl, thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thank you, Sarah. :)

• Cheryl, they do look like the Black-eyed Susans but they grow much taller. Thanks for the always-kind words. :)

• Thanks, Debbie. And I quite agree about Suldog. :)

• Bimbimbie, thanks kindly. :)

• Shammie, thanks. It sounds like you've got quite the busy schedule. Congrats on your house purchase. I'm sure everything will settle down somewhat shortly after you move in.. until Christmas, that is. ;)

• Lakeviewer, thank you kindly. :)

• Sandy, always lovely to see you back with another kind comment. Thank you for that. :)

• KC.. a poetry binge sounds like it could be fun. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Linda, thanks kindly. Frank was pleased to know that you liked his word. :)

• Grayquill, I'm sure Suldog wouldn't mind sharing it with you. :)

• Dave, thanks very much. I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)

• TechnoBabe, I'm glad you think so. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Dianne, he's anything but fearless sometimes, but always fun. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• True, Sharon. Thanks for the visit. :)

• Sandy, you always make me smile. Thanks for that. :)

• Thanks kindly, Kelly. Much appreciated. :)

• Christine, thanks very much. Glad to know it. :)

• Larry, thanks kindly. :)

Suldog said...

Hilary:

I just used the certificate to order a wok, a roasting rack, a coffee grinder, and a blender. Looks like great value (I had to pay a couple of bucks myself; that's all.)

As soon as the stuff arrives, I'll write a blog about it. Thanks again!