Thursday Thoughts – By the Sea

/ Leya / 30 kommentarer

Yesterday we decided to drive to the sea, as the cold has kept us mostly indoors for some days, -20 at home. When we approached the sea, the snow had almost disappeared. But not the cold …

Then the sun came out! Not the warming kind of course – but the cheering up kind.

We went for a short walk in the icy wind. There were not many birds to be seen, a couple of ducks and a lonely swan in the silent seascape.

Cold puffs rising from the water, gratefully breathing in the first rays of sun.

The next morning offered a glorious start of the day. Clear, pink skies and a windless scenery, land and sea in harmony.

We are so fortunate, that winter time we don’t have to rise early for the colours…because the sun will not be up until late. Around 8.30 now. Time well spent.

Lens -Artists Challenge #281 – Favourite Images of 2023

/ Leya / 102 kommentarer

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)

Today, 04.27 – The Winter Solstice

/ Leya / 37 kommentarer

The Winter Solstice is here. Today, December 22, the sun is at its lowest elevation and stands in a position that does not vary for several days. That’s the reason for the term solstice, which combines the Latin words sol, for sun, with stit, from the word sistere—which means to stand still. And then, the life giving Light returns.

Happy Holidays!

/ Leya / 47 kommentarer

I too will enjoy a couple of holiday weeks, and celebrate Christmas with my family. Thank you for your lovely company and support throughout this year, 2023, and I wish, from the depths of my heart, that 2024 will be a more peaceful and loving New Year for our world.