Today marks the last day of summer here in the southern Hemisphere….and you’ve no idea how sad that makes me feel!! I’m definitely not ready for Autumn yet (I can hear all of the residents of the Northern Hemisphere giving a big hip-hip-hooray for the coming Spring!). Thankfully, while the mornings may be getting darker, the temperatures are still somewhat mildly Summer-ish! There may be a few more beach days left yet! Just maybe! I do say that somewhat hopefully!
For the first time in a year, I didn’t participate in Fat Mum Slim’s photo a day challenge in February, or any other photo a day challenge. I still managed to post a picture or two each day, being inspired by the Summer weather, sunsets and spending more time outdoors! It’s been a really great month, and I can honestly say I’ve been feeling better than I have in a long time 
Below is a collage of my month of February, using the Collect app.
And, here are 5 of my favourite photos:
A beautiful frangipani flower. These are one of my all-time favourite flowers. They are so vibrant, fragrant and a true sign of warm weather! They are not particularly common in Adelaide, so when I saw this beauty in my travels last week, I had to take a picture of it.
As you can see in my collage above, I went a bit crazy over the sunsets…we witnessed some truly stunning sunsets. There is nothing quite like relaxing at the beach at the end of the day and watching the last glimpse of light disappear. I also find sunrises equally as magical….I’m rarely ever up in time to capture them though!
“Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under!” – C. Joybell C.
Slide film. How long is it since everyone has had a true slide night? For me, it had been ages. But a few weeks ago, we had a family gathering, aka “relly-bash” in Australia 
and after a swim, a BBQ, a photo taking session (with iPhones and other digital paraphernalia), we sat down in the lounge room and watched a slide show. The photos were of my mum’s family and were taken by my grandpa and great-aunty between 1960 and 1982. There were some classic photos there! It was also the first time in many years that my mum and all of her brothers and sisters had been together. It was a special night.
A c-shaped cloud One of my Instagram friends has started an alphabet-themed challenge, where we take a photo each fortnight for that fortnight’s letter. I had been waiting for nearly two weeks for the clouds to do the right thing so I could get this shot. Finally, on the last day, the clouds behaved and I got my C-shaped cloud
And, this is my goldfish, Sparky This was taken as part of a 5-shot challenge with the theme “Looking through.” Without having an actual magnifying glass handy, I was able to create this shot with the FotoRus app, and used Colorsplash to change the background to black and white.
I would now like to say a big THANK YOU to a few bloggers who have passed awards and some blog-love my way over the past couple of months. I truly appreciate it and feel quite humbled by the whole thing!
Fae from Fae’s Twist and Tango nominated me for a Sunshine Award.
and, Ruthanne from Easybaked recently nominated me for a Liebster Award!
THANK YOU
I would also like to say thank you to Barb at Profiteroles and Ponytails for trying my chicken tortilla soup and sharing it on your blog (a couple of times!!) and to Judy at Petit4Chocolatier for adding me to your Reblog Tastings list, most recently with my quinoa dishes!
I do feel like a little fish in the big blog pond at times, and I’m ok with that because I do not have enough time to nurture my blog and allow it to grow big. But, in saying that, it really means a lot to me that people are reading my blog and enjoying it enough to show me some love and share my blog with your readers I truly, truly appreciate it!
Thanks for the shout out. I meant to tell you that another one of my friends made your soup recently (the night of our BIG snow storm) and really loved it. I just made it again on Friday. It’s definitely a keeper recipe. I love your photos and always enjoy your posts. My blog isn’t in the big leagues either, but it is a fun way to meet people like yourself and to enjoy the friendship and inspiration. I must say that spring can’t come soon enough…we are having another snow storm today. But hey, fall is a great season! Have a good one!
Thanks Barb
Autumn (fall) is not bad, I guess! It often takes me awhile to get used to it not being summer anymore, though! Am so happy that your friend liked the recipe too….one thing I do like about Autumn and Winter is that it’s soup season…look forward to making my chicken tortilla soup again, it’s definitely a hearty soup! Hope the snow melts for you soon xx
Indeed Fabulous! Fabulous post with fabulous ‘fotos’, and fabulous awards! Congratulations for both awards, Ali!
Fae.
Thanks Fae! And, thanks for passing on one of the awards to me! I really appreciate it
Ah, slide film! It has such a terrific look. And boy, you really learn how to expose your pictures properly – if you’re off by more than half a stop, the slides don’t look that great. Anyway, yes, all of us up here in the north are certainly looking forward to spring! I hope you enjoy your fall. Fun post – thanks.
I haven’t played with slide film since I was first beginning to use an SLR about 10 years ago, I really enjoyed it, the photos (when you got them right) were amazing!
Absolutely LOVE a family slide show too Ali. Haven’t had one for years. You’ve inspired me! Love the Collect App – how great to have a snapshot of your year. Congrats on your awards.
Thank you Saskia
You should have a slide night! It was a lot of fun and a great trip down memory lane for my mum, aunties and uncles!
Ali, you are wonderful and incredible. I love your collages. So expressive and impressive! I love the slide show so much! What a wonderful treat for your family. The photo of Sparky is brilliant. Wow!!
Congratulations Ali on your award!! Thank you for nominating me with Barb. She is incredible too! Love her blog
You made my day!!!
You’re welcom and thank you
Sparky is an amazing goldfish…we have had him for over 5 years now! Still going against all odds…I will have to share a story about him one day, it’s quite amusing!
Gorgeous photos! I’m hoping that some of my extra time (new job!) will allow me to start taking more photos (with a real camera, not just my phone!) and actually editing them properly too … we’ll see
Well done on your new job! Hopefully, you will have more time….I dislike how work gets in the way of extracurricular activities!
Incredible pictures!!!!
Thanks so much Minnie!
Congratulations on your awards and you have been busy all month. Sorry to hear summer is gone at your end, we are still winter in Canada. Thanks for sharing.
Isn’t it strange how we in Australia always go by the end of the month for the change in seasons, when Canada goes by the solstices and equinox! It always confused me when I lived there!
I’m happy to have discovered your blog today with your lovely photos. Here in cold New England, your colorful pictures brightened by day.
Thank you for visiting my blog and your lovely comment
Hopefully, you’ll be getting some spring weather soon!
Congrats for the award
OMG Slide films definitely brings back memories!
Thank you Daisy
The slide night definitely bought back some memories (and images of bad fashion!)
Your photos are gorgeous my friend, love the pretty goldfish especially
And congrats on the awards!
Cheers
CCU
Thanks Uru! Sparky is a great goldfish!
Great to see/read how passionate you are about photography! It was really a delight to see all your summer pics. Since it’s been cold and snowy where I live, seeing your photos was like a little day dream/escape here and there. Now I’m looking forward to seeing your autumn/winter snaps. xo
LUXESSED
Awesome & lovely pictures, Ali! Waw, even!
Thank you Sophie