Chiara
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Chiara
@light-n-shade.bsky.social
160 followers 140 following 900 posts
Lover of art, historic objects, dance, textiles, and churches.
Artist, sewist, photographer & crafter.
Parish Administrator.
Mum to four grown-ups including twins. Cat lady.
Add tea or gin for maximum effect.
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This is a Chestnut Turinois. It's made with puréed chestnuts, chocolate and orange. I've made this at Christmas for 30+ years - a family institution! #SundayPixMemorableFood
A loaf shaped chocolate pudding with twisted orange slices on top.
December 7, 2025 at 11:58 AM
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Here are my #SundayPixBelovedCritters My Mum's enormous gentleman and my dainty princess.
A large back cat lying on a carpet, looking to his left with one paw outstretched. A tiny tabby and white cat curled up on a cushion with her head upside down.
November 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
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A copper mirror at NT Standen House. The words around the edge are from Robert Burns' To a Louse: "O wad some Power the giftie gie us, / To see oursels as ithers see us." #SundayPixMirror
A circular, convex mirror surounded by a deep, circular frame in dull copper. The copper has been decorated with repoussé work with fruits, leaves and peacocks. Around the outer edge are the words in translation: O would some Power the gift give us, / To see ourselves as others see us,"
November 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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Having another long weekend to use up leave. Today I achieved 32 handmade bread rolls. Despite them smelling soooo good, they are destined for the freezer as I have all the Jnrs descending for Christmas. #HomeBaking #Breadmaking
Photo taken from above of 32 bread rolls made with malted flour, sitting on cooling racks on my kitchen work surface.
November 7, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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I really thought these were over, and yet, here we are, 28th of October and I've just picked some Sweetpeas. 🤷🏼‍♀️ #TinyJoys
A small posie of pink Sweetpea flowers held in a white person's hand against a pale grey background.
October 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
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I've had mine for a little while now. I keep adding to it, put some quinces in recently so it has a lovely scent. Glad there are others that do this!
Some Autumn goodies including leaves in red, green and orange, fir cones, acorns, conkers and chestnuts.
October 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
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Here's my Wombat to wish @wombat37.bsky.social a happy birthday, filled with favourite things.
My Wombat is called 'Top' in best Pre-Raphaelite tradition and so realistic, the cat hisses at him. #SundayPixWombie #SundayPixWombat #SundayPixWombat37
A realistic soft toy Wombat with fur in shades of grey with a beefy black eye and whiskers.
October 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
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Out for a meal last night and encountered this display of speakers #SundayPixStack
An interior wall, painted black, against which are around 30 hi-fi speakers, some are highlighted in blue, red, yellow or green paint.
October 19, 2025 at 1:43 PM
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The Great Apple Harvest of 2025 is complete. We only have one small tree! Happily there is a community sharing and juicing event this weekend so we can offload some.
A large yellow builder's rubble tub and a black builder's bucket full of Bramley apples, sitting on the grass with foliage behind and a few Autumn leaves scattered about.
October 15, 2025 at 1:46 PM
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Going through my images from yesterday's trip to the Marie Antoinette exhibition at the V&A, I realise that I've seen the John Galliano ball gown before - at Chatsworth in 2017. It is utterly fabulous though.
My photos then and now.
Pale green ballgown with huge skirts filling a room and standing in front of a portrait of Georgiana, Duchess to the 5th Duke of Devonshire. The same pale green ballgown with huge skirts set on a royal blue plinth. More costumes are arranged behind.
October 1, 2025 at 7:08 AM
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There was no ice mould in the apartment, so I used the egg tray from the fridge. Genius or what?!
A clear plastic egg tray filled with ice and one ice hemisphere on the side.
September 30, 2025 at 10:06 AM
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Very excited!!! Up in the gods, but I can see the whole stage. Only my second opera ever, I'm more of a ballet girl, but I'm promised three hours of drama, so bring it on! #Tosca #Opera
The red and gold interior of the Royal Opera House.
September 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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I've done The Edwardians exhibition at The King's Gallery. Lots of trumpeting of Empire - as you would expect. Loved Queen Mary's Dehli Durbar tiara though.
A crown shaped tiara with scrollwork covered in diamonds and an ivory velvet trim.
September 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
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The modern stained glass by Nicholas Mynheer.
Modern stained glass window Modern stained glass window.
September 28, 2025 at 4:37 PM
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The Chancel arch
Inside a church with a modern altar table in the foreground. Behind is an ancient carved stone archway with high altar beyond.
September 28, 2025 at 4:35 PM
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St Andrew's Old Headington taken today in the sunshine. Beautiful Norman Chancel arch and some interesting modern stained glass #SundayPixWorship
An old Cotswold stone church with a path to the door, churchyard to either side and against a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
September 28, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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Here's another one, York Railway Station for #SundayPixRailway
A n elevated view of part of York Railway Station. Arched girders hold up the roof over the platform which bends left into the distance. A train on the left tracks also curves into the distance.
September 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
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Tram tracks for #SundayPixRailway
A black and white photo of several tramlines running between cobblestones. The photo is taken from a low angle and you can see the rails stretch off into the distance. Taken at Critch Tramway Museum.
September 21, 2025 at 8:16 AM
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Aurora Borealis from my garden for #SundayPixNight
A dark sky with a flare of bright pink and purple lights. Some stars can be seen and the top of a tree in shadow.
September 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM
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Well I must admit I was sceptical, but behold, bread rolls made from SR flour and Greek yoghurt. Yum!
Squarish white bread rolls on a cooling rack. One is split open revealing a pleasing soft texture.
September 7, 2025 at 11:41 AM
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A slipper! Let's hope the mood to knit lasts whilst I make a second one ...
My foot wearing a knitted slipper and a spotty sock. The slipper is in shades of white and pale green with a hint of sparkle.
September 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
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Love me some red velvet. One I made earlier. #SewingBee
Me, in a red velvet sleeveless dress with a wrapped top and a side gathered asymmetric tulip skirt.
September 2, 2025 at 8:41 PM
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Sting, singing 'Shape of My Heart' for #SundayPixEntertainment
A photo of Sting on stage with red, black and white background. Sting is wearing a dark grey T-shirt and black trousers. He's playing a black bass guitar with a wooden fretboard.
August 31, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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Mr Mean popped into the office... guilty conscience much! Whatever, I shall enjoy them. There's bound to be a next time, it's just the way he is.
A bouquet of cream and pink flowers and green lily buds surrounded by white and buff paper standing in a box on the floor.
August 28, 2025 at 2:55 PM
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Today has been the 99th birthday of my Mum. Four foot six of down to earth wisdom, encyclopedic knowledge and endless love and understanding. Happy Birthday Mum xx
A chocolate cake decorated with gold sprinkles, gold 99 candles and a bunch of pink Sweetpeas in the foreground.
August 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM