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My gardens ... our movie backdrop

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Overhead, the skies have looked stunning …
… full of pretty patterns …

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The garden birds are very busy …
… nesting, bathing and feeding …
… and partying into the late evening …

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My back garden has grown well…
… but eventually it suffered from lack of rain …

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The clematis had plenty of flowers …

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… the roses are continuing to bloom …

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… and my front garden pebble stream is in full flow …

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We’ve continued to enter animal photo shows …
… this one was to help a pet rescue charity in Scotland

And Crocus won a huge special rosette … much larger than budgie size … because he is the choice of Cuddles … the cat owned by the show organiser !

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Recently, Conker’s photo was placed 1st in a Veteran class … judged by Veterinary Surgeons.
Conker won this super rosette and Treat Box …

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Truffle’s mower picture also had a 1st place in a photo show to help Border Collies.
This was a class called Outdoor Fun …
… mowing can be FUN

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I was allowed to choose the photo for this canvas …
… it is Conker’s first prize from another charity photo show. I like to have my gardens as the back-drop whenever possible.

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We also won a picture caption competition as part of a photo show was for a dog rescue in Romania.

And, again I based the theme on a photo of my garden. My picture came from here …
[ please click on underlined words ]

Terratoonie GoY blog. August 2011. The Queue for the Loo

The marvellous Mark61 had made the gnome loo, which is currently stored in my shed, as an indoor loo for the gnomes, but will eventually be back outdoors.

I created the caption to coincide with the general election !

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But despite Conker’s successes, he is 11 years old now, and I realise that 2015 is probably the last summer when he’ll be performing his tricks really well.

So, with that in mind, I’m devoting every spare minute this year, to filming his favourite routines …

I’m new to movie-making, but it is great fun for all of us. Anyone registered on Face Book, can hopefully use the link below … if you’d like to see our first dog tricks movie attempt. I’ve set that particular item to ‘public’ so it should work okay. And it seems that many folk not on Face Book can also see the movies .. that’s good to know !

I’ve added music, so please turn on your volume control. Movie quality on Face Book is not as clear as my original High Definition version, but it will give an idea of how we’ve been enjoying ourselves !

[ please click on underlined words ]

Supernanny : The Movie

My back garden is proving a useful backdrop for our movies, despite the very dry weeks when the grass suffered.
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The link below is the very first piece of filming I did … the robin singing in my back garden … this is Face Book again, so not as good definition as my original movie, but the sound of the robin is clear.

[ please click on underlined words ]

Robin singing

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I’m hoping to improve my filming techniques .. less camera shake perhaps ! Its quite a challenge for me, being responsible, all at once, for camera operation, dog training, catering, hair-dressing, direction, mowing, set design, gardening, screen story, film editing … !

… and we are now well into our second tricks theme movie which includes Truffle too !

I hope you’re all enjoying your gardens, whether for relaxing, for working, or for fun and games.

Happy summertime to everyone … x x x

More blog posts by terratoonie

Previous post: Maytime ... busy and happy ...

Next post: Gardening Club Summer Show



Comments

 

Lovely as usual Tt.......do you have the blue skies again today? We had black clouds and torrential rain since about 12 noon, but, I'm grateful as its been so dry here..everyone's grass is turning brown(except my neighbours who like the hose pipe) .So, I've not been doing much work as very little to do.This rain should get the grass growing and greening up again!!!!
Good work, Conker.......don't lose the baby.
Oh, nice hat ,by the way

24 Jul, 2015

 

Hi Paul ... thanks ... wet weather today, but we had many weeks without rain and the grass really suffered, and I was worried about losing shrubs too. My neighbour's Silver Birch is growing far too large and it sucks all the moisture from the soil everywhere... would be ideal next to your neighbours who could feed the birch's thirsty habits with their hosepipe. Lol.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Yes......you may have seen in my blog last weekend about the problem I'm having with the water sitting in my border and lifting my slabs.
I noticed some of one of my customers' shrubs were beginning to droop and dry up.What with the lack of rain, strong winds, sun and a heavy clay soil, the ground is like rock.Or, it was until today! It is forecast to rain most of the night too so that should soften the ground and give everything a good drink!

24 Jul, 2015

 

Yes... the ground was amazingly dry... we really need this rain... I've add a link to my blog for a little movie I made of a robin singing in my back garden, which was my first try at filming, just to see if it would work on facebook. Again, not as clear definition as my original, but the sound of the robin comes across well.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Hi Tt, another great blog, and very well done with all the prizes.
If you need it, you're welcome to some of our rain, no shortage up here, we're more waterlogged than dried up, Derek.

24 Jul, 2015

 

I'll have a look Tt.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Oh, Terra....it went to my favorites. What a talented team you have. Brilliant blog and love your garden.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Thanks Klahanie ...
we've been busy but happy ... I hope you are well.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Aaaaw what a great blog Tt Conker and Truffle really look to be enjoying themselves, well done on all the prizes! :-)
I want rain nothing here to speak of for ages there's only so much you can water :-(

24 Jul, 2015

 

Hello Kathy... thanks for visiting our blog ..

I have lots of fun with my pets and garden.
yes.. this rain is so very welcome ... the ground has been completely dried up !

24 Jul, 2015

 

Well,words escape me,TT......what a video....so very clever,both of you!! Enjoyed watching it.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Thanks J ...
I'm self-taught with the movie program on my laptop, and working that out has been great fun ... there's still a lot I don't understand about the editing, but I've learnt enough to crop footage, and add music and captions !

24 Jul, 2015

 

I am laughing my surgical socks off here Terra, I got sidetracked halfway through as I followed your instructions and revisited the Gnome Loo blog, then of course I had to start again on here, lol, very entertaining as always, you do put a lot into your blogs and it sounds as though you have been busy with the shows as well, congratulations are in order for all the prizewinners who once again have done you proud. Now off to facebook to see if I can watch your movies...

24 Jul, 2015

 

Hi Sue .. Thank you ...
Yes... we've been very busy, but happy too ...
I'm glad the Gnome Loo link works...
I hope the facebook links work well too ...

24 Jul, 2015

 

Aww wow he's amazing, just watched the first video, and the second :))

24 Jul, 2015

 

Thanks Jane ...
I'm planning to record most of Conker's favourite trick routines over the coming weeks... weather permitting ! :o)

24 Jul, 2015

 

Lovely blog of course too, ah yes the weather what's happened to it, its like Autumn here :)

24 Jul, 2015

 

Thank you ... but I'm grateful for the rain for my gardens ... last week I was filming dog tricks on very dried up lawns !

24 Jul, 2015

 

True, the gardens do need the rain don't they :)

24 Jul, 2015

 

Lovely as ever TT such an enjoyable blog.

Yes I aon FB but cant open the link.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Can't belive Conker is 15...he looks fabulous...no plastic surgery either! :)) Well done Terra.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Terra you are a wonder. I'm just lost in admiration...

24 Jul, 2015

 

Well done Conker.....what a clever dog. A movie star no less. He is so well groomed Terra you must spend ages brushing him.
I would like to say however that my garden is in no need of rain and my roses are suffering because of too much rain. I would be very happy to swop a bit of the liquid Terra in fact quite a lot of it if I could have some warm sunshine.

24 Jul, 2015

 

Terra I am all choked up here watching Conker in the movie, I've always wished I could see him perform, it was absolutely lovely, thankyou for sharing and I hope you show us some more.
I forgot to say earlier how nice your gardens are looking...

24 Jul, 2015

 

Fabulous blog as ever TT, congratulations on your success with the all the competitions your hard work with your lovely boys well rewarded, I will try to watch the videos I'm sure they are fantastic :o)

24 Jul, 2015

 

I add my congratulations to all these. Well done !

25 Jul, 2015

 

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words ...

Kath ... that's strange the facebook link doesn't work for you. Perhaps you could access another way by going into facebook and then writing Terra Toonie in your search box.

Hi Karen ... Conker was 11 years old in March, so he has now been in remission from his naso/pharynx cancer for 6 years. His throat is weak from the operation and year of chemo, but thankfully he continues to enjoy life. I hope your dogs are well.

Thank you Stera, Linda, and Diane ...
Conker loves having his coat groomed. A little rain on a Sheltie improves the quality and look of the hair. It gleams from the benefit of the soft water !

Sue ... we are working hard on editing of our second tricks movie. Hopefully ready around mid August !

Hi Neena ... I hope you are able to watch the movies on the facebook link. :o) x x x

25 Jul, 2015

 

Oh Terra how wonderful. ........Conker is so lovely and is canvas is very special indeed.....
I came across this last night, I'll try the fb link later.....we have guests coming for the weekend so will have a go when I can......this tablet has a fb app but I haven't ever used it......I'll let you know xxx

25 Jul, 2015

 

Snuck a few minutes over breakfast.....oh its beautiful....Conkers beautiful and so clever.....sniff.. think I need a tissue ?

25 Jul, 2015

 

Hi Pam
I'm so glad you're able to connect your tablet to the facebook links. Did you see the pink car with the doll and teddy, wearing the lovely hat and scarf you made ? Enjoy your weekend. We can catch up with news next week. :o) x x x

25 Jul, 2015

 

Super Tt, well done to Conker and Truffle and you of course for you part.

25 Jul, 2015

 

Thanks Terra x.....

yes I did! you set such fun challenges ?

25 Jul, 2015

 

Nice to hear from you again Terra and will look on face book for your first movie ! x

25 Jul, 2015

 

Thanks, Rose.. I hope you're able to watch the Supernanny movie... there's a link above to the little robin movie too.
That's a super climbing rose on your recent blog. I've added it to GoYpedia :o) x

Thanks Siris for your kind comments :o)

25 Jul, 2015

 

Hi TT, I am well impressed!
I love your pebble stream & I went to the link for the gnome loo - so funny, you have a great imagination & a great way with words, lol.
As for rain, well, here in the dry region of E Anglia, we're soaked thru, so enoughs enough & please send the sunny days to me ;)
I also saw your video's & am always amazed at how such a little bird has such a strong clear song.
As for Conker, well, those awards are very well deserved, such a bright happy sheltie. My little pooch can "do the pots & dishes" in reverse, lol.
Doubly impressed with negotiating around the flowers, however did you teach those tricks?
I wasn't able to leave a comment on FB, prob cos we're not "friends".
I couldn't hear Conker singing or playing the piano, I suppose you have to choose between music or not. All the same very well done & looking forward to seeing more of them.

25 Jul, 2015

 

Hi Greenfinger ... thanks for your detailed comments. I'm self taught with the movie program, and at the moment I only know how to make the whole movie with background music, of the whole movie without music. There's so much to learn on that program.

I laughed at the thought of your pooch doing the dishes in reverse... so it seems all we have to do is record that version, and then run the film backwards... and hey presto .. Lol.

Some of the tricks such as negotiating the flowers.. that's just Conker doing it himself.. he wasn't taught. Truffle isn't quite so selective with his toy mower ... he is ready to mow anything and everything !

Yes, I wondered whether GoYers would be able to comment or 'like' on my facebook movie, but, as you say, the facility is probably only for those who are facebook 'friends'. We are already well into the process of our next movie, and Truffle is more than excited that he is included this time.

25 Jul, 2015

 

Hi Tt, I'm not registered on facebook, but I clicked on the link anyway, no problem viewing the fantastic films, it must have taken quite a while to teach Conker those tricks, well done, Derek.

25 Jul, 2015

 

Hi Derek...
thanks for letting me know you can see the movies without being registered on facebook... that's good ! I really like teaching dogs ... it seems to come naturally... great fun.

25 Jul, 2015

 

Just watched the films, and then over again because I didn't want OH to miss them. Just amazing, especially the bit where Conker thought out how to steer round the edge of the border - that is one clever dog. . And you know how I love your robin Terra - what a joy to actually hear him singing at last!

25 Jul, 2015

 

I've seen them both now and so as my 10 year old grandaughter Maddison who is staying the weekend and we...including Rick, were very very impressed !
So...when is the next movie to be ! xx

25 Jul, 2015

 

Beautiful garden TT, and congratulations to all the filmstars and rosette winners ... and of course to you, without who none of it would have been achieved :o) xxx

Bella enjoyed the robin movie ... ears twitching and eyes looking up all through it !

25 Jul, 2015

 

All looks near perfect, Truffles and Conker are very lucky children.

25 Jul, 2015

 

Watched both movies now, how lovely TT - Conker is such a star lovely to see him in action! Looking forward to your next production x :o)

25 Jul, 2015

 

Stera and OH, Rose, Rick, Maddison, Hywel, Bella, Taurman and Neena ...
Thanks for letting me know you've enjoyed watching our first attempts at filming. I'm hoping our next movie will have its premiere in mid-August ... weather permitting !
x x x

26 Jul, 2015

 

Fantastic blog Terra ... definitely worthy of an Oscar! :o)

27 Jul, 2015

 

Thank you Shirley .. we have great fun :o)

27 Jul, 2015

 

Terratoonie:

Great photos! The babies are looking good! The garden looks great, also. I can't tell it's been dry there.

If you want to see dry come here. Lol! We were lucky to get a lot of rain on July 18th and 19th from Tropical Storm Delores. It was the most rain ever recorded in San Diego and around the county. It was much-needed rain to help our historic, extreme drought hitting California.

27 Jul, 2015

 

Hi Delonix ...
thanks... I've already started filming the next movie and in that film, it is even more evident how the ground became even drier. But this week... sudden change... downpours ! So I understand how dramatic it must be in CA when the weather swings from severe droughts to heavy storms !

27 Jul, 2015

 

Terratoonie:

It must be such a shock to have such dry weather there. I know you don't get the long-lasting droughts we get here which last for many years.(which isn't good for plants).

Many trees here are dying from this horrible drought.
In Balboa Park hundreds of trees are being cut down because they're dying. A whole pine grove in Balboa Park was cut down because the trees were all dead (I posted the dead trees on GoY about 3 months ago). It's really sad!
:>(

28 Jul, 2015

 

I JUST WANT TO SAY, ITS WONDERFUL, TERRA :-)))

2 Aug, 2015

 

Thanks, Junna, for sharing my movies on your facebook page. :o)))

Delonix ...
It is so sad when droughts kill trees which have stood proudly for many decades. My garden lawns are just beginning to recover from their thirsty summer, and looking green again. :o)

3 Aug, 2015

 

Yes, it's very sad to see so many old trees dying!

I'm glad to hear your garden lawn is recovering! :>)

Here virtually everyone's lawns are dead. I've kept my very small patch of lawn green with great difficulty. They keep on advertising to people that they should let their lawns die. I think it a very bad idea, because when the Santa Ana Winds come in fall and winter this could make us like a dust bowl! I think using grey water from all sinks and washing machines can make a huge difference in keeping the plants and grass alive until hopefully El Niño storms will bring us a lot of rain.

4 Aug, 2015

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