MAY Squares #12

 Becky’s Square challenge,has me mostly documenting the arrival of spring, but who knows I might surprise you with something different too, but not today.

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

The joy of May green

New green

MAY Squares #9

 Becky’s Square challenge,has me mostly documenting the arrival of spring, but who knows I might surprise you with something different too, but not today.

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

wood sorrel

MAY Squares #8

Becky’s Squares photo challenge has a theme,  Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. 

I thought I would take another not so obvious choice, moving forward. they moved, stopped and moved forward in a circle. Sadly I only have these shots taken with my mobile and from rather long distance back, so they are not as crisp as I would prefer, but that’s life. Move one … 🙂

As I am going to post mostly photos of me documenting the spring, these are taken at early spring 🙂 in Australia.

MAY Squares #7

Becky’s Squares photo challenge has me mostly documenting the arrival of spring, but not today 🙂

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

When it comes to urban development, it’s a constant process in bustling cities. The skyline is often filled with cranes as new structures rise and old ones undergo renovations. It’s an ever-changing landscape, and the presence of construction cranes has almost become a symbol of progress and transformation. Even though the specific view may have changed over the years, the sight of cranes shaping the city’s skyline remains a familiar one. Helsinki reflects the continuous evolution and growth of the city, offering a blend of modernity and history for all of us to experience.

cranes

MAY Squares #6

Becky’s Squares photo challenge has me mostly documenting the arrival of spring, but who knows I might surprise you with something different too, but not today.

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

Sadly after a warm and lovely week, and for the most part of it I have stayed outside – and am I glad I did, because the forecast for the coming week is so depressing – temperatures dropping by 10 degrees at least. Yesterday it was +19 C to day 9C.

We are going to our summer house for an extended weekend before I start work on next Monday and the forecast is not promising. This spring is just depressing, come on. Enough of this cold weather.

Maple tree buds.

white framed windows

The charm of old windows is undeniable. Their intricate designs and timeless appeal add character to any space. However, when it comes to cleaning them, the story changes. The accumulation of dirt and grime in the nooks and crannies of these windows can turn the task of cleaning them into quite a chore, not fun I can say from experience.

I did not clean these, but gazing through them to see these a breathtaking view of lush green nature is a joy. The fusion of history and nature creates an enchanting scene that captivates the senses.

Window knob

Linked to Monday Window

Lens-Artists Challenge #298: to be young again

As we delve into the intriguing theme of childhood, we must acknowledge the profound impact it has on shaping our perspectives and aspirations. Childhood represents a time of innocence and wonder, where the world is viewed through untainted eyes, brimming with limitless possibilities. Tina invites us this week to share our photos of children–from our family, our neighbors or friends, or simply children that we’ve seen when we’re out with our cameras.

Whether through the mischievous laughter of siblings or the spontaneous antics of neighborhood friends, the presence of children infuses our lives with a vibrant energy that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Embracing the sentiment of the title, the yearning to relive certain aspects of youth is undeniable, yet it is accompanied by the wisdom and contentment that comes with adulthood. Reflecting on the simplicity of childhood, it becomes evident that finding joy in life’s modest pleasures can indeed lead to a fulfilling existence.

All photos in the galleries can be enlarged with a click.

As I delved into the older archives, I uncovered a treasure trove of cherished memories encapsulated within the timeless images of my boys in their youth. The nostalgia that emanates from these photographs has the power to transport me back in time, evoking a sense of warmth and sentimentality. Each image offers a glimpse into the past, capturing the essence of a bygone era and immortalizing fleeting moments that hold profound significance. These timeless snapshots are more than mere photographs; they are windows to the past, allowing me to reconnect with the essence of my own past and the cherished stories that have shaped my life.

The anticipation of welcoming a new addition to the family is a truly joyous occasion. The prospect of another grandchild, a baby boy no less, brings with it a sense of excitement and celebration. I am looking forward to the happiness of a new family member as the energetic presence of three grandsons is set to be complemented by the arrival of a fourth. The bond between siblings and cousins is such a precious thing, and it’s heartwarming to see the family growing with each new arrival. These shots are taken by a proud grandma 🙂

While I’m inclined towards landscape and cityscape photography when traveling, I also find joy in photographing people, especially the little ones. Children have an unparalleled ability to exude authenticity through their expressions, and this is what draws me to capture their real emotions in my photographs. I strive to immortalize their genuine expression, curiosity, and wonder without resorting to posed or contrived smiles. It’s these honest and candid moments that truly encapsulate the pure spirit of childhood, and I cherish the opportunity to freeze these fleeting instances in time.

The experience of enjoying music and photos inspired by music is a truly special one. It’s fascinating how these art forms can intertwine, evoking emotions and memories in a way that few other things can. The combinations and associations between music and visuals can create a truly captivating experience for the audience. Music, in particular, has an incredible power to evoke memories, transporting us back to specific moments in time. Whether it’s a song that played during a significant life event or an album that brings back nostalgic feelings, music has the ability to connect us to our past in a unique way. Furthermore, it also has the remarkable ability to inspire us to create new memories and experiences. Thank you Egídio for a great challenge.

Next week is Patti’s turn to host. Please visit her site Saturday 11th May for more information on the challenge, I am sure she will once agains surprise us with something inspirational.

Until then, keep smiling ☺


To participate in this challenge, you should link to or leave a comment on the week’s host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag in your own post, so the post is easily found in the Reader.

And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge,  please click here.

Cellpic Sunday – at the rapid of Kumia

We drove to our summer house to start the season and stopped at Kumia mylly to see how high the water level was this spring- and it was high

Kumian mylly

Cellpic Sunday

MAY Squares #5

Becky’s Squares photo challenge has returned. I sadly thought so some time back, but now it appears that it is really back.

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

Lesser celandine is a spring flower which shines in broad-leaved forests and on river banks – until midsummer it is lost, apart from the last remaining white, withered leaves.

Its splendid inflorescence is not just a burden for the species: it is attractive to the human eye and clergymen, farmers and the gentry have planted it in their yards to such an extent that it became a symbol of the better-off classes. Plants that were introduced to flowerbeds to provide some colour in the spring have spread to lawns and park-like nearby forests, where they would not have reached without human help.

As I am going to post mostly photos of me documenting the spring, here are two found yesterday. The bottom one I took because of the background of the photo.

MAY Squares #4

Becky’s Squares photo challenge has returned. I sadly thought so some time back, but now it appears that it is really back.

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

Wood Anemone , When Mothers’ Day arrives in Finland at the beginning of May, the broad-leaved forest floors in the south of the country are a sea of wood anemones as nature comes back to life in all her glory. The time when the anemones flower is called the ‘spring aspect’ of the forest, meaning the time when tree leaves don’t yet cast a shadow on the forest floor. 

As I am going to post mostly photos of me documenting the spring, here are two found yesterday. The bottom one I took because of the background of the photo.

MAY Squares #3

Becky’s Squares photo challenge has returned. I sadly thought so some time back, but now it appears that it is really back.

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

As I am going to post mostly photos of me documenting the spring, here are two found yesterday. The bottom one I took because of the background of the photo.

April’s last shots

These two shot are taken with my IPhone, the old newspaper clips can be seen on my patio table, the wood planks are from 1914. I have showed similar shots before, but I return them every now and then.

this carnation was the last on my Sony – shot with a macro lens 2.8/50

April moon

This is the last shot with my Olympus with 14-150mm lens of April moon

For Bushboy´s Last on the Card April.

MAY Squares #2

Becky’s Squares photo challenge has returned. I sadly thought so some time back, but now it appears that it is really back.

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

Open and closed doors

I have taken these some years back in France finding these photos brought back a flood of memories. I found them on my phone yesterday, as I was looking for a certain photo, that I did not end up finding. It’s intriguing how a moment of searching for one thing can lead to the discovery of something entirely different yet equally appropriate for the moment. But these open and closed doors did. Given that it’s Dan’s Thursday Doors, it seems like the universe conspired to present you with a fitting tribute to the day.

In a way, this experience echoes the mysterious allure of doors, both literal and metaphorical. They invite curiosity, incite wonder, and beckon us to cross the threshold into the unknown.

The first really warm spring days are finally here, the joy of it is enormous – and for the life of me, I have not been able stay inside the house. After a very long winter the joy of sunshine, the nature slowly coming to life, watching the birds, seeing the first bumble bee this year.

Cut to the chase, I have not spent much time on my computer. I am so well behind in all comments, sorry!

I checked what does goulet means. French: nickname for a glutton or a topographic name for someone who lived by a narrow pass or defile, from Old French goulet ‘gullet’, a diminutive of goule ‘throat’ (from Latin gula). habitational name from (Le) Goulet, the name of several places in various parts of France.

MAY Squares #1

Becky’s Squares photo challenge has returned. I sadly thought so some time back, but now it appears that it is really back.

This month’s theme is Renew. Or Burgeoning. Or Moving Forward. Or Reconstructing. You get the idea

Monochrome – emotions

The human face is a canvas of emotions, a tapestry weaved with the threads of life’s experiences. Whether it’s the radiant smile of joy, the furrowed brows of curiosity, or the heavy veil of sadness, every emotion leaves its mark on our visage, a silent symphony playing across our features.

And as we journey through life, we encounter moments where the weather itself becomes the artist, painting our emotions with the subtle hues of mist-draped mornings, the golden warmth of sunshine filtering through the woods, or the contemplative serenity of a view from a quiet room. Emotions are the colors that tinge our existence, infusing each day with the rich palette of human experience. But they also can be seen in monochrome images with the contrast and light enhancing the mood

This post is for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness prompted this week by MRS. CLAIRE GUTKNECHT. Visit both sites for beautiful monochrome images.

Old school window

I really like how the old grass works it magic in photos, creating this wave effect, also the small camera movement might have something to do with it. There’s a certain timeless charm in the interplay of natural elements and photographic techniques, as they come together to produce an image that evokes a sense of nostalgia.

The old window glass create beautiful ripple

Scola is Källnäsudd’s old village school in Barösund, that has a new life as a lovely archipelago restaurant. Usually, once a summer we drive and take the ferry to the island to enjoy a lovely lunch on the patio overlooking the strait.

For Monday Window

Cellpic – a glass of cider

We went to have lunch and I decided to enjoy a cider while my husband chose a beer. We did also enjoy some good food 😂

For John’s Cellpic Sunday

Lens-Artists Challenge #297: Music to My Eyes

Egídio has a topic this week Music to My Eyes, my first thought was panic. Music, love it, inspired by it, absolutely. Do I remember what and when inspired me…not really, not so clearly.

He wrote; Do you use music as inspiration? YES A song’s mood or lyrics can spark ideas for a photoshoot’s theme or location. I AGREE Sometimes, it happens before you capture the image, and sometimes after. ABSOLUTELY Thus, this is my twist (pardon the pun) for this week’s lens-artists challenge. What is music to your eyes? CHECK BELOW

My music taste has changed over the years. It has evolved that is a fact. I am really drawn to artists like Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Nat King Cole. That style of music is so stylish – emotional, full of timeless classics and soulful tunes that resonate with me on a deep emotional level, takes me on a nostalgic journey, evoking powerful emotions and painting vivid pictures in my mind.

Well, a song shot is Stormy Weather by Etta James

I love the sea the power, the moodiness and strength of it. This is a song that always gets a strong reaction from me – I tear up nearly every time. I have shared this before in my Saturday Classic posts, but here I go again. Myrskyluodon Maija by composed by Lasse Mårtenson. I encourage you to listen to this even if you do not listen to any other song here.

I grew up in the disco era, but it is not in no way my favorite style of music, it has few really great hits and I just saw an document of the beginning of disco and the death of it as it became commercialized. How about some Post-disco funk celebration by Kool & the Gang after all that stormy weather.

I listen often from all era’s and from many genre’s. Each musical style carries its own unique essence and can evoke such a range of emotions. Country music has a profound way of storytelling, capturing life’s experiences through its heartfelt lyrics and melodies. Alternative music, on the other hand, offers a diverse landscape of sounds and themes, constantly pushing boundaries and defying conventions. I could list many singers that inspire me and are meaningful to me, but then I would not have room for photos and that is what we are looking for.

I have many singers who inspire and hold special meaning for me. The impact of music on our lives is immeasurable, and the artists who create it often become an integral part of our own personal narratives.

Speaking of photos, they have a unique power to capture and encapsulate memories, just like music does. Combining the visual and auditory arts can create a truly immersive experience, allowing us to relive moments and emotions in a tangible way.

Sunsets often bring up vivid association with songs, John Hiatt was a singer I listened to at one point of time. Lipstick sunset often comes to mind when I see pink sunsets.

Lipsticks sunset

Or you could sail away with me by David Gray

Summer Breeze by Seals & Crofts was playing in the back of my mind when I went through what photos I could post for this challenge.

I listened to this song and this is what I was able to create Near Light an instrumental Ambient Music piece by Ólafur Arnalds. I tried to match the captivating image that rose to my mind. I tried to evoke a sense of mystery and contemplation. The smoky, abstract background combined with the central figure I hope creates an atmosphere that feels both ethereal and introspective.

Once again, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who dedicated your time and energy to participate in my abstract challenge. Your contributions have truly enriched the experience, providing me with a wealth of ideas and inspiration. It’s truly fascinating to consider the diverse perspectives through which we perceive things: the unique lenses through which we view the world. Despite these differences, it’s amazing to recognize the common threads that bind us – the way that certain elements and experiences can ignite a spark of creativity and passion within us all.

Next week is Tina’s turn to host. Please visit her site Saturday 4th May for more information on the challenge I am sure she will once agains surprise us with something inspirational.

Until then, keep smiling ☺


To participate in this challenge, you should link to or leave a comment on the week’s host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag in your own post, so the post is easily found in the Reader.

And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge,  please click here.

Saturday Classics –27042024

The Korgis – Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime

Dumb Waiters was The Korgis second album and one of the signature releases of 1980 in the UK, ushering in the New Romantic era. This was the peak of The Korgis success.

Change your heart, look around you , Change your heart, it will astound you, I need your loving like the sunshine , And everybody’s got to learn sometime

Warren has said the simple lyrics concealed big ideas. “At the time, I was very into Buddhist philosophy. He had his very individual philosophy, but it was basically a Buddhist approach to life.. the This thing about changing fundamentally the way we look at life, the way we look at other people. Change your heart and look at the world with completely fresh eyes, not with the eyes of our social conditioning. Break away from your social conditioning and look at the world as if you were looking at it for the first time without any preconceptions. All that kind of stuff. As simply as possible, I made that the lyric of the song.”

Lepis is hosting Saturday Classics, you can add your own link here Saturday Classics

On Her page she writes: This blog is back with hosting the Classics after few years break. This time we’ll be playing on Saturdays and you can link straight here on this own page. Rules: There are no rules, as long as the song you play is a classic in your mind. Linking open 8 am and closes 12 pm.

Nature’s brush paints delicately eccentric circles

Debbies Six Word Saturday

I used less clarity and texture in the image below and it turned out more like a painting.

FOTD -Pink Carnations

I can buy myself flowers as Miley Cyrus sang, and I have, I bought these pink and white carnations to brighten my kitchen. Carnations for the reason that they last long and well they also pretty. I edited few for Cee’s Flower of the Day.