A - Z Challenge: D

D is for Drop.

Where I live there are no shortage of drops at this time of year. 

Maybe I should just be honest and call them drips.

No matter, still working on D here.  The drops gather...

And, having gathered...well, they drop, you see.

Get enough drops and you have a puddle.  Another thing we have lots of right now.

A - Z Challenge: C

C is for Cup. 

This is a cup. 

This is not a cup...it is a mug.  But how do you tell the difference?  Back to the top photo.  Notice that there's a saucer that goes with this kind of cup.  Is that what makes it not a mug?  It has a cow on it so it can stay for C-day. 

If you were "in your cups" this is the kind of cup we might be talking about.  But is it a cup?  Apparently not...it has neither a saucer nor a handle.  But it does have a leg.  Now that's handy because too many of these and you'd be 'legless', for sure. 

These are cups, too.  But they don't have saucers and they have funny-looking handles.  Why are they cups and not mugs?  Oh, yeah.  These are one-cup measures.  If you compare what each holds - as I have - you will find that they are not the same.  Which one is accurate?  I have no idea.  I usually figure the glass one is right because it has more lines.  Now is that a scientific conclusion?  Probably not.  In fact there is about a tablespoon  of difference when I fill them up.  Don't  get me started on tablespoons.

Oh, my... I think I need a cuppa.

A-Z Challenge: B

B is for Blossoms 

In the spring, there is one plant that has masses of blossoms.  It flowers like mad when everything else stubbornly remains asleep.  And that is the heather.  We have two varieties that bloom in the spring.  One light pink which makes a lovely border to one of the garden beds.  That would be the light one above.  Aren't the little blossoms intricate?

Then, we have a second, solitary plant out under the fir tree.  It seems to have had a good winter because it's showing off right now.  I liked the color when I saw it in the nursery and so, we have one.

But do you see the bonus B-word?  Yes!  An intrepid early bee has come to explore.  I think having your back against a rock, sitting in the spring sunshine is likely to entice anyone to linger a while with you.  This bee spent many minutes sampling each tiny pink blossom.

And, then!  just as I was taking my camera inside, I spied my favorite blossom of all time.  The first one of spring for me is always the most special.  A brilliant pop of blossom-y sunshine.  Oh, I do love dandelions.

A - Z Challenge: A

A is for Allsorts.

When I was a little girl, these were my favorite candy.  They were a very rare treat.  Partly, I think because the grown-ups wanted to keep them for themselves and considered them an adult confection.  Children weren't supposed to like licorice.  And, partly, because being made in England they weren't as readily available then as they have become.  And candies were always quite special...not an every day - or even weekly - treat.

I loved the sweet fondant - I had an enormous capacity for sugar - that contrasted so well with the bitter and chewy licorice  parts.  Mmm...I can imagine them now.  And that's all I'll do.  My capacity for sugar has disappeared.

This big yellow one was the shape which made me root around in the bag until I found as many as I thought I dared.  The fondant was mixed with coconut which was another flavor that always made me want more.  The ones that I wouldn't bother with, though, were the ones with tiny little licorice balls stuck all around a jelly.  They were that icky girl-boy blue and pink and I loathed them.  I was quite happy to leave them for the younger kids.

This is the beginning of the A-Z Challenge.  My mother always said:  "Start as you mean to go on" and with this post I've given you my theme.  Exactly.  I have no theme...it will be whatever strikes me each morning.  My flighty mind has difficulty with that kind of firmness of purpose.  So, fasten your seat belts...we're off!