Merry CHRISTMAS! In honour of the festive day, this month's Nom Nom theme is focusing on tasty seasonal noms of the very best kind! Whether you celebrate the season or not, these tasty treats are bound to have you licking your lips and breaking out the baking utensils!

The best things pop up in your newsfeed. And oh my gosh I've been getting to know my newsfeed again today. Things actually appear in there. I'm ashamed to say that when I was a CV a lot of the time it became a click and delete activity, because there was so much. I lost touch with people, I lost touch with a lot of what I wanted to do and what I was interested in. So with this in mind, I found Farand's latest journal really poignant as he shared this quote...

I love those few lines. They sum me up perfectly. Not for myself, but I can't acknowledge the goodness around me, the genuine people and the kind-hearted because there's been too much crap over the years. I'm suspicious, I'm tired, I hate my memory problems and how they impact on my ability to be a good friend, I'm angry, I'm sad, I'm positive, I'm upbeat... for a long time back there, I became an automatic machine, barely finding time to sign off my comments and notes with friendly's or casual acknowledgements. I hurt and offended people that didn't deserve it. But I'm learning. What happens when you become a machine, is that when you stop, you don't know how to be anymore and you lash out. Then things happen, they pile on top of you, people die, people let you down, people get ill...and before you know it every single thing the world throws at you is bad without any ounce of good. It's just not true. The sunset today was good, my end of year supervision at work was good, the welcome my dog gave me when I got home was amazing... what more could you want when there is at least one good thing a day? For those I have hurt, I'm sorry. I wasn't seeing the good. Let me try and get that back.

This time around, the Tasty Nom has been suggested by cookielover17 who suggested that I put together a feature of Childhood Nostalgia images. It's hard to do because we've all likely had so many different memories across the world, but here are just a few I found when I searched! What are your favourite childhood treats and recipes? 

I just love dramatic titles. I'm not leaving you though, but yes today is the day that things change after such a long time.

I started my Volunteer career on DeviantArt in July 2010. So that means I've been floating around your inboxes, DDing, writing articles and doing lots of photography related shenanigans for over half a decade. Of course, I started out long before that but offically and all that, it's been over five years.

Half a decade. A Demi-Decade. Five years. I have to say that it has flown by. From the day that I first pestered moonbeam13 into letting me oversee a gallery that technically wasn't vacant (Abstract and Surreal Photography), to today when I'm stepping down from my role co-overseeing General Photography - time has flown. I have worked with some incredible people, not least moonbeam13 who has taken on lots of my crazy ideas, contest themes, reccomendations for fellow volunteers and so much more. But there has also been kinipelahh who stepped up to over-see general photography alongside me many moons ago. And then 3wyl - but we were a partnership long before that, creating groups, projects and contests together since...well, years! And finally, there was Mrs-Durden. I absolutely never believed she could replace 3wyl but who has surprised me with her enthusiasm, dedication, unique thoughts and inspiration. (BTW 3wyl IS one of a kind that's for sure!) I leave general photography in the capable, often intoxicated hands of isthisthingstillon who will continue working with Mrs-Durden to keep things awesome. And who knows who will be joining them... I've worked with so many awesome people - too many to name and there is always the problem that my memory will leave out some of the vital ones. You know who are. Bad memory cop out..

Are you thinking of Volunteering on DeviantArt?  Do it. Apply today if there is an area open that interests you. You will learn so much not only from your position, but also from your 'colleagues'. It's an experience that you will value and you will create so many friendships and memories, it's just amazing.

So what's next?  For about a year, I've had a pretty intense full time job. Over a year now anyway, and I need to focus there and sort my brain out. But I'm continuing with my beloved CRPhotography and that is where you shall find me. I've left projecteducate and my intention is to completely focus my time and energy on what I want to do - photography and writing. Right now I'm working on the Photography Newsletter so keep your eyes peeled!

So here are some fun facts and figures, thanks to isthisthingstillon for pulling them for me! Since I started volunteering here, I have given a grand total of 2340 Daily Deviations.

In September we talked about Cheesecake. Many of you drooled, many complained that they were hungry (stop reading this blog at 2am people!) and some of you suggested some Noms for the next edition. So this time around please direct your moaning at Nobody who dared to suggest Lemon Meringue Pie.... Have a tasty Nom to suggest? Just comment or send me a note!