For Monday Window, our Veikka was such a cute and cuddly big white cat, with fur so soft and eyes the color of caramel brown. I have a special place in my heart for him. I have so many photos of our cats; these also include windows.
All through 2025, Jude of Travel Words fame has invited us to give our Sunday posts over to benches. I’ve seen many of the post, participate once or twice. But here is one for the last bench post of the year. Boy, did I take myself on a search, I found lots of images of chairs, but a bench. I have to notice them differently, now I look for a place to sit, but also notice them as photography topics.
This one I found after a couple of hours, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover it buried among many others. During that time, I did edit some photos that I came across, which I found to be quite worthwhile, though they had gone unnoticed before. There is a treasure trove of images in my collection that I should look more carefully at, as many I’ve just ignored in the past because I felt I had nothing relevant to post at the time. As I sift through my archives, I found few that deserves to be shared, and it inspires me to revisit these moments and potentially share them with others. Taking the time to explore these overlooked images might reveal hidden gems that could spark joy of discovery or nostalgia.
While my son was busy with last-minute Christmas shopping at the mall, I took the opportunity to do some people-watching. I was searching for shots that might fit an upcoming challenge and ended up capturing these. Although they didn’t meet the challenge criteria, I felt I should share them now. During the editing process, I aimed to highlight different aspects of the images—after all, John’s Cellpic Sunday provides a wonderful platform to showcase these everyday moments.
I sought to express the reasons behind my choice to take these photos – I really didn’t, but what the heck – I took them, and now I am sharing them with a sense of both no reason and trepidation. Each image captures a fleeting moment as all photos do, even if I can’t pinpoint exactly why. The moment may not be very important or significant as is the case with these.
If you have an opinion on whether I should have or should not have shared them, I am open to your thoughts and can take it whichever way you think about them, knowing that it is subjective. Your perspectives ,understanding of these images may even inspire me 😀
It has been ages since I participated in Saturday Classics, so as it is the last Saturday of the year, I thought I might join with a tune that I like. I happy to share this particular piece, which has always resonated deeply with me. Teddy Swims – Lose Control
This is one of the songs from him that I’ve listened to a lot over the past year; I really like this voice, as it resonates with me on so many levels. His unique tone and expressive delivery captivate my attention every time I listen. I often find myself lost in the melodies, reflecting on my own experiences while his lyrics play in the background. I don’t think I need to explain this any further, as music often speaks for itself through the feelings it instills. I truly hope you enjoy it too; perhaps it will resonate with you.
I don’t know if the photo is a great match to the song, but you tell me :-D. I have to add an image as this is a photography blog.
The hill behind our house looks as if it’s October instead of December but it is what it is. Just accept it, be content with it as there is nothing you can do about it. Complaining won’t make a difference.
Darkness is slowly turning into light, slowly is the thing. But come February it will be better . You can see how the day grows longer in March 21st the sunset is 18:36 and it was 15:13 on December 21st . Something to look forward to 😁
Red apples and Christmas seem to go together. So that reason no other one am I posting these pictures.
Red apples have long been a symbol of peace, tradition, and abundance during the Christmas season
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me ....
Five gold rings
I must admit, this challenge was quite difficult, but fortunately, I have plenty of rings to work with. On short notice, this is what I managed to capture. With family visiting, I haven’t had much time to dedicate to photography, so I quickly took these shots with my iPhone at my desk. I placed the rings on a cream jar, using a festive paper as a backdrop, while the other photo features a dark pen holder.
Leannes Monochrome Madness #50: 12 days of Christmas
Guest host from From Pyrenees to Pennines Margarets Monochrome Madness #50: 12 Days of Christmas
Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day
For John’s Cellpic Sunday without any explanation, the picture says it all 🎄🎄
Monday Window: 22 December 2025
The festive spirit of Christmas,our decorated tree with lights and colorful ornaments. Key decorations include a blue ornament with silver snowflakes, a red holly-adorned ornament, a wooden skate, and a rocking horse, and a snowman all creating a holiday atmosphere.
One Word Sunday 21 December: Festive
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but inside the car it’s so delightful; let it rain, let it rain. (No, really, please stop.)
I have these photos of some jewelry, I photographed before – and shared here! I got some close-ups of this vibrant beaded necklace with a colorful design and metal charms that are simply to my taste.
The peace symbol charm that I really appreciate, and the vintage coin which really pops. I even messed around with the bokeh in the background—I’m happy with how these turned out! During these dark days, you need to get the inspiration inside.
The delicate beauty of white orchids captivates all who encounter them, showcasing their ethereal elegance with every blossom. From their slender stems to the gentle curves of their petals, white orchids embody a tranquil essence. Furthermore, their significance in various cultures, often associated with love, fertility, and strength, enhances their allure, making them not just a visual delight but also a meaningful floral gift.
For Terri’s Flower Hour. See more responses here.
Today, I’m showcasing some doors and details from my archives that feature the enchanting beauty and intricate details of the Amalfi Cathedral (St. Andrew’s Cathedral), its architecture, and a rich history. This cathedral, one of the standout attractions of the Amalfi Coast and among Italy’s most magnificent churches, sits in Piazza del Duomo at the heart of Amalfi. The beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral is dedicated to the Apostle Saint Andrew, whose remains were brought to Amalfi from Constantinople in 1206 and are interred in the Crypt. In addition to being the patron saint of Scotland and Russia, Saint Andrew is also revered as the patron saint of Amalfi.
Click images to enlarge them.
I, for some reason, found it suitable for the season as I am listening to Christmas songs at the same time. Dan’s Thursday Doors
I took my lead from Leanne Monochrome Madness; I am showing photos from the Australian coastline, which are truly breathtaking and capture the essence of this stunning region. I stayed with my cousin at Casey’s Beach in NSW last February. Thanks to her hospitality we were able to stay in this beautiful place for a couple of weeks.
Casey’s Beach is a calm and east-facing beach located in Batehaven. Snapper Island can be seen from her house from a slightly different angle than these shots, adding a unique charm to the picturesque view. We drove to the Observation Point, located at the northern end of Casey’s Beach , this lookout provides elevated views over the 1 km stretch of beach, perfect for a great vantage point in both directions, allowing us to soak in the beauty of the coastline as the waves gently lapped at the shore. I have even painted it at one point, and it now hangs in her house, So I have been inspired by it before, and I hope to return again to experience its magic all over.
My art profile received a boost from NO MIDDLEMAN ART GALLERY which is always nice.
Art inspiring photography has a unique ability to captivate and draw us into a world of creativity and imagination. I saw this remarkable artwork and can genuinely say I spent more than a few moments lost in its beauty, taking multiple photos of the mesmerizing reflections it created.
The artist Keith Tyson has embedded fragments of meteorites collected from Antarctica into a polished steel sphere in his work titled “Field of Heaven.” The concept is to unite materials that have originated as far apart from each other as possible.
Each angle revealed something new, and I found myself striving to capture that one inspiring shot that would encapsulate the essence of the piece. One of the photographs I took appears to show a crow peeking out from the depths of the artwork, its silhouette forming a mysterious figure that invites curiosity. Another image conveys a sense of wonder, resembling a stone or a meteor hurtling forth from a brilliant star, as if it were a fragment of the universe capturing a fleeting moment in time.
Through these reflections, I felt a profound connection to the art, showcasing the hidden narratives and emotions that art often evokes in those who are open to its interpretation. What is your interpretation?
Today I am offering you a precisely cropped image of Artek Helsinki store window with a greeting: Hyvää Joulua, Got Jul, Merry Christmas
Monday Window: 15 December 2025
So far, December has been unseasonably warm, characterized by gray and rainy weather; we’ve only enjoyed one sunny day here in southern Finland. The dreariness of the skies affects my mood, it really does. However, we did go to Helsinki to see live music and on the way we saw the season’s festive lights in Helsinki, which I found to be quite tastefully arranged, stylish would be my word. I snapped a few iPhone photos to preserve the memories, but unfortunately, none turned out well in terms of quality—they’re all somewhat blurry. I’ll attribute this to the frigid weather; the biting wind was so cold it left me shivering, making it hard to hold the camera steady.
Livemusic, americana, mexicana? We went to see a top band assembled by Alejandro Escovedo and Sami Yaffa in Savoy in Helsinki. A long-time songwriter (74 years old), Escovedo was born to a family of Mexican immigrants, and he often sings stories about the experiences of immigrants in the United States, a musical family as only 8 out of the 13 children became musicians. Brothers Coke and Pete once played in a small Chicano band called Santana. Pete’s daughter is Sheila E.
This was a new artist from Texas to me; I loved how he told the stories about the songs. I can say I truly enjoyed this wonderful artist’s music there is something to be said about to listening to live music played by wonderful musicians.
The photos are nothing to brag about, but will be a reminder of nice evening. For John’s Cellpic Sunday
I enjoy these year-end moments to showcase some photos that didn’t make the cut or align with our themes. This year, I’ve taken fewer pictures than usual. My time in Singapore and Australia was when I truly captured a wealth of my images. There are still posts on that journey waiting to be crafted. Health challenges have hindered my enjoyment of photography as I once knew it, leading me to rely more on quick snaps from my phone. Additionally, like Ann-Christine, I’ve been dedicating more time to art projects, reigniting my passion for them. Aquarelle and Graphic Monotype are the art forms I’ve concentrated on, even though they often don’t turn out as I envision. I’ve realized that practice is key—at least it feels that way to me. The same holds true for photography. Hopefully next year will hold more inspiring photography opportunities.
This did not come together as I planned, but as I looked at the photos, this theme rose from the photos I took on our memorable trip. My plan was to share the most beautiful shots I have, ones that showed the beauty we saw, and instead, I give you this collection of people with their phones or posing for a photo, and two with no connection to the theme at all. But here they are, my final glimpses!
I was at the plaza in Marina Bay in Singapore, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and engaging in some casual people watching. As I sat on a bench and listened to the lively sound of chatter and commands about how to pose for the photo, I captured these images of people striking poses for their parents and friends.
The varied gathering, featuring both tourists and locals, brought a blend of languages and cultures to the space; yet, it was hard to ignore that many were absorbed in their phones, scrolling intently and often missing the vibrant life around them. It felt a bit sad, don’t you think? As I witnessed this scene, I found myself thinking about on the connections we make and those we inadvertently let slip away, realizing that while technology helps us stay connected in so many ways, it can also create an invisible wall that distances us from the rich, shared experiences that life has to offer.
In Australia, we traveled extensively through the breathtaking natural spots. Obviously, the beauty of the natural environment drew us in, providing countless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. However, we also noticed some people here with their phones, capturing their experiences on camera—posing against the backdrop of iconic landmarks and sharing their moments. When you look at these photos, it seems everyone has their hand on a phone, me included—or, in many cases, a camera.
Time to say thanks for this year; 2025 has passed so quickly. A big thank you to all the Lens-Artists team for their creativity and dedication. I really enjoy the community that Lens-Artists has created, the unity and kindness people have toward each other, the positivity, and the power of kind and thoughtful words and humor. The world needs it. Photography is a great way to share the beauty around us. I am ever so grateful for the new blog friends I’ve made, as well as those who have been with me for all the fourteen years I’ve been blogging.
As we pause for the final two weeks of December, let’s share kindness and embrace the spirit of the Holiday Season. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bless you with joy and good health! We’ll be back with our Favorite Photos of the Year challenge on January 3. Until then, remember to be kind, stay safe, and relish the journey.
We are Lens-Artists: Tina , Patti , Ann-Christine, John, Sofia , Anne , Egidio, Beth , and me Ritva,
To learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, click here.
Last night in Helsinki, we enjoyed a vibrant street scenes filled with festive lights, perfect for Debbies Six Word Saturday. The atmosphere was lively, highlighting the city’s charm and energy during the nighttime. It was a delightful experience amidst the festive ambiance of the bustling streets. The sign on the pavement was just great for For Debbies Six Word Saturday
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 