As we enter the New Year we are excited to announce the Lens-Artists team will be expanding with the addition of two new members. Ritva of Ritva Sillanmaki Photography and Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes will be joining us. We know they will bring their marvelous photography, extensive travel experiences, and fresh insight to our weekly challenges. We are very much looking forward to having them on our team. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to them. Click on the links to Ritva and Egídio’s blogs at the end of today’s post to follow them and receive all of our upcoming Lens Artists challenges.
Favourites can be favourites for different reasons. Some of mine are for their thought provoking aspect, some for loving memories and some for beauty and/or my admiration for the art created. And for Hope.
We went for some winter Exhibitions – Banksy among others. Shattered – maybe there is some hope still, for love and innocense…as the ripped artwork to the left becomes whole again. I like the way they are hung – in that order.
Prague in Spring, romantic places and romantic flowers bring hopes of yet another Spring to come.
Then summer arrives at home, with forest walks during soft nights. And, we had a wedding in June – bringing joy and laughter, hopes and dreams for the future.
Then, Autumn is coming …
with fruits and berries in our gardens. And before winter arrived, we travelled the Inside Passage to Alaska, starting in Seattle.
I liked Seattle – here some of Frank Gehry’s architecture and the train from the World Fair in 1963. Yes, it actually went in there…between the buildings.
Glaciers, forests, mountains, and beautiful mornings and evenings at sea – Alaska for me.
I will end my year with some beautiful and unforgettable gardens – Sofiero, Chihuly Glass and Butchart (in the opener/header). And books, and Milo, and a tiny clearing in the forest, with just enough room for a golden beech sapling.
I hope your new year has started out well, and that we’ll see you next Saturday when Patti leads!
Tina of https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com
Patti of https://pilotfishblog.com
Ann-Christine aka Leya of https://lagottocattleya.com
John of https://photobyjohnbo.wordpress.com
Anne of https://annegeephoto.com (aka Slow Shutter Speed)
Sofia of https://photographias.wordpress.com
Donna of https://windkisses.com
Egídio of https://egidio.photography (aka Through Brazilian Eyes)
Ritva of https://sillarit.com (aka Ritva Sillanmaki Photography)
Leya 
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A beautiful collection Leya, I especially love your second photo from Prague and the third from the wedding.
Here is my contribution to this week’s theme:
Thank you, Anita!
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A wonderful gallery Ann-Christine, I especially love the gardens – such magical places to spend some time 💚
Thank you so much, yes, magical gardens!
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Beautiful choices Ann-Christine. Tough to pick one but Prague in Spring gets my vote 🙂
Ah, thank you – and this seems to be the most appreciated picture this time.
All so beautiful! Especially love the magnolia and table setting
Thank you – the magnolia seems to be a favourite!
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Memorable photos indeed. Prague in spring looks beautiful! I’ve only seen it in winter, and I thought it looked interesting at night, but spring makes it much better.
Multi-hosting is a little confusing, so I’m leaving a link to my entry in this comment: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/a-few-special-photos-from-the-year-404-me/
Thank you so much! Yes, a bit confusing…maybe we will have to change that for next year!
hello a.c.,
that’s a great selection of images you’ve chosen for the challenge theme i really like them, especially the 1st and 2nd.
here is my entry for this week, https://wp.me/pfnz9O-3h.
many greetings robert
Prague in the Spring is breathtaking. I love the way you tightened the frame around the lantern without cutting off the branch that drifts to the right. That part adds to the romance.
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Your garden images are beautiful, Ann-Christine! My favorite, though, is the spring in Prague!
a wonderful collection, Ann-Christine. I love your image from Praha and certainly the Banksy! Thanks for reminding.
My review is here:
https://solaner.wordpress.com/2024/01/07/lens-artists-photo-challenge-281-my-favorites-of-2023/
Thank you so much!
You‘re welcome 😊
This is a wonderful collection! The beautiful shot from Prague has to be my absolute favourite but I’d also pick out the Seattle one and the clearing in the forest in your last gallery 🙂 As you’re all hosting I wasn’t sure who to link to so I opted for you as one of the first posts I’ve read 🙂 https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-your-favourites-of-2023/
Thank you, Sarah! Well, that Prague shot is the most popular, I can clearly see that. It was a bit of ”guess where” for the links this time – but we will find you all!
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Lovely to see some of my favourite photos from past posts but my absolute favourite is Prague in the spring. What a glorious photo, Ann-Christine!
Thank you, Sofia! That is an all time favourite here as well!
The fruits of your garden – really? Such a lovely display of goods and beautifully captured. Your Alaska trip was something I would love to experience .. inspired by your photos.
Haha, not my garden, no this was an exhibition at Sofiero with fruits from several gardens.
🙂
All your photos are my favourites. But I do like that street magnolia.
Margaret, thank you – I love that one too – simple but lovely.
Beautiful pictures! I remember Frank Gentry’s work at The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
Thank you – yes, The Guggenheim and this one is very much the same style.
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Gorgeous and memorable photos of 2023, Ann-Christine! I went to Chihuly Glass in Seattle.
Thank you, Miriam! Cheers to Chihuly!
You’re welcome, Ann-Christine.
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Beautiful images and memories Ann-Christine!
Thank you, Anne! Hard to pick – I guess you had the same problem!
😊
Lovely work.
Thank you so much, Sherry!
Beautiful selection of photos!!
Thank you, Nora!
These photos tell a story of a year well lived. May I also add that you are my favourite photographer. Your photos offer a window into a wonderful world and it’s always a pleasure to dive into your blog posts. Best wishes for another smashing year.
Sheetal, I am humbled and thankful for your great comment! We all have our own style, don’t we – and I am happy mine appeals to you! ♥ Happy New Year!
such beautiful captures – I especially liked the blossoms in Prague. what a handsome dog Milo is!
– Archer
Thank you, my friend. Those Prague blossoms I really loved from first sight. And I will give Milo a big hug from you, telling him how handsome he is!
These brought forth a warn smile . . . if one is allowed a favourite amongst favourites . . . the white wedding bouquet enchants . . . mine was too . . . of white lilies of the valley flowing down to my knees . . . be well, be happy . . .
Dearest Eha, thank you! But you are a mystery woman still… I wish I had known you better! ♥ Maybe in another life?
A remarkable gallery of photos from everywhere as always. Too many favourites to have a favourite as these are favourites 🙂
♥
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I recognized the Seattle photo. It’s wonderful. All your photos are wonderful as always 😀
Thank you, Cee, you are very kind. In fact I was very much in love with Seattle.
Your images are stunning, as always! If I had to pick a favorite it would be the pink flowers against the pink building in Prague. Thank you for a great year of challenges last year. I’m looking forward to see what this year brings.
Thank you so much, Beth, Those magnolias were so gorgeous – I too love magnolias – and I found this a lovely combination to photograph. I too look forward to seeing more beautiful things 2024.
I love that Alaskan seascape!
I agree, Dawn! To me it signals ”freedom” and a route into the wild.
As always Ann-Christine, your post is beautifully done and your images are amazing. I loved Prague in springtime especially as well as the wedding bouquet. The little golden tree against its bigger cousins is perfection! What a marvelous year of photography!
Thank you, Tina, for a lovely comment! When I think back, I think, well, a so so year of photography…but I managed to find favourites anyway, and in fact, they are the same as those you picked. Thank you again, and let’s hope this new year brings many great photo opportunities for us all!
Funny Ann-Christine, I felt the same way about my own year. Perhaps we are our own harshest critics 😊
We are!
Ha! This time I remembered that yours might be one of the blogs that won’t let me comment, saying I’m not logged in even when WP shows I am. So I hit copy before trying to post….
I really liked the way you set up your post, A-C, and as always, your photos and words resonate with me. You walked us through a year of beauty and then hit us again with the last gallery. I love the solitary tree and Chihuly is without peer as far as I’m concerned. Thanks for a year of beauty and thoughts translated into touching words. I look forward to see where you go and what you think in 2024. BTW, an Alaskan cruise, the only cruise I’m really interested in taking) is on my bucket list (which doesn’t really exist) because I want to go there and I know a number of people who took a cruise there and raved about it. A joy-filled and blessed 2024 to you and yours.
Thank you, Janet, for staying with me 2023 too! I always appreciate your comments, and I know I am not that good at commenting myself…but I try. I don’t have a bucket list either, I just wanted to go, and have wanted to go for a long time. There is something about Alaska…that calls and kept calling me to go. And then my father’s best friend lives there too, so there is a connection somewhere. You will like it, I am sure – because you should go, I know. I have been to one cruise before, on the Yang-tse-kiang in China – and that was no hit. Mostly because of the weather. Alaska brought rain too, but we were more prepared for that.
Looking forward to seeing you in 2024!
All absolutely stunning photographs. But the magnolia steals my heart.
Thank you, Jude, I quite thought it might… And finally all these holidays are over, and we’ll be back to ”normal”. In fact, I am starting to long for Spring already. We have got aroun -15-20 wvery day, and I cannot walk as much as I would have liked to. And needed to after all parties and good food. Hope you have had a good holiday season too!
Wow, that is cold. I would be staying indoors around a warm stove. In fact that’s what I am doing, despite temps of only – 1
I’ve been doing some spring cleaning to keep active! 😂
Oh, you efficient lady. I am taking down Christmas decorations…then there will be a lot of cleaning!
I find the sunlight at this time of year (the little that we have) shows up all the cobwebs 😧
Haha, I agree – and I have many!
Such beautiful favourites. And welcome to all your new hosts.
Thank you, Karina! And we are all happy to welcome our new hosts!
There’s something so endearing and innocent about your photos, Ann-Christine. Love that first slip shot of Banksy, and the blossom sends a shiver. Warm, balmy days.. it just gets better. I will always follow you, hon. You take photos from the heart.
Not so good on the home front. Our UK Christmas was great, but New Year plans didn’t happen and we’re still wiped out now. Happily our family all seem to be ok. The next door neighbour went to Penang and has been ill for 3 weeks since coming back, but she was very careful not to make contact. Who knows? Next week must be better.
Thank you, You – but now I was a bt worried about you – wiped out? How bad is it? I too hope your next week will be a better one. We have a lot of flue around here, and covid. So far we have been lucky in our family though.
Shivers and shakes, headache, neuralgia, and conjunctivitis. Struggle to eat and body feels like a rag doll. Expect it can last 2-3 weeks. We have meds and a food drop from the neighbours 🤗🩵
Oh dear, that sounds just terrible! Good to have good neighbours and friends. And to be two💞 Wishing you a speedy recovery and sunny days 💛
Thanks, darlin. The weather is cool and grey today so no incentive to venture forth. I retreat to my blog in peace 🩷🩷
♥
Such beautiful images!
Thank you – happy you liked them!
Oh, yes! I’m sitting here nodding my head in agreement. So many of the photos you brought us were a grand recollection of your year. The Bansky art is powerful. I agree with your words, hope for love and innocence. Prague in Spring…whoa. Bright and beautiful wall you found with the magnolia. Loved all this, AC. Keep bringing us the sunshiny world you always do!!! Love it. And your hands. WE were just talking about the ”hand” photo a few weeks ago.
♥ Thank you for a lovely comment, Donna! The ”hand” photo, this one? I do try to send beauty and joy around – just like you do. We all feel the importance of positive things right now. ♥
Yes, the swirl of the books. Its hands, right? Kind of abstract.
Wonderful variety and collection. I hope to travel more and join some of the challenges this year.
You are so welcome – but you don’t have to travel to join in!
I know, but I’m tired of the local scenery and want some new vistas as well as the joy of travel.
Sounds good!
First class selection…. but I guess its memories that also makes memories. Happy New Year 😄
Thank you, David, for a lovely comment – much appreciated. Happy New Year to you as well!
All fabulous
Thank you!
A pleasure
Colorful and oh so beautiful, Ann-Christine! Your photos will brighten everyone’s day.
Thank you, I would have loved it to be so!
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Nice to see Ritva again!
It really is.