Yesterday, October first, was a lovely day here, where I spent most of my time outside. Sunny, blue skies and warm air wrapped around me as I sat on the patio and looked at the maple tree behind our barbecue, glowing in rich yellow. The leaves almost seemed to shimmer in the light, and I felt the need to go and take a photo.
Lately, I’ve been spending more time looking in that direction, as our yard is a total mess with all the log piles and construction going on. It’s a bit chaotic, so my eyes keep drifting toward the one calm, beautiful corner. Once again I got off the topic, rambling on, but that’s how my thoughts wander when I’m out there.
I took several directions to see which angle would be more favorable, moving a little closer, then stepping back to see how the light hit the leaves from different sides. Then I took a short stroll to find other spots of color in my yard, framing each scene so that the mess stayed invisible and only the quiet, bright parts showed through.
I liked this shot the best.
Golden autumn leaves glow among birch and evergreen trees beside a rustic log shed.
Golden autumn rowan tree leaves glow in the sunlight against field and a lush woodland backdrop.
An old log cabin with a bright roof emerges through birch trees and autumn foliage of ferns.
I took this photo of a fashion mannequin in a Louis Vuitton window display that celebrated 130 years of monogram design in Helsinki. This is not a new photo, but I thought it would work well in different edits. The image includes city reflections and artistic elements such as a red sculptural hotel boy. I did three versions of it: first is B&W with spots of color, photography style, an expressionist, and watercolor illustrations. One more thing, I enjoyed playing with this image.
A fashion mannequin stands in a Louis Vuitton-inspired window display celebrating 130 years of monogram design, framed city reflections.
A fashion mannequin stands in a Louis Vuitton-inspired window display, framed and city reflections. Using black and white edit with some chosen color effects
A fashion mannequin stands in a Louis Vuitton-inspired window display celebrating 130 years of monogram design, framed by a red sculptural shoe and city reflections. Done as a expressionist painting
A watercolor fashion illustration commemorating Louis Vuitton design, featuring a mannequin, travel bag, and vintage document.
Churches are always a treat to photograph – old ones are more interesting to me. This is the medieval church of Lammi was built between 1490 and 1510.
the medieval church of Lammi was built between 1490 and 1510.
A historic the medieval church of Lammi : a stone-and-brick church with an ornate arched entrance, round window, and steep tiled roof under a clear blue sky.
Here is so information to those who are interested.
According to current research, the medieval church of Lammi was built between 1490 and 1510. The church is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a learned virgin martyr who died in the year 307. Before this church, there were two older churches in Lammi, possibly built of wood.
Christianity has probably been known in Lammi already since the 11th century. This view is based on a burial find from the Honkaliini cemetery in Lammi. The first records of the church of Lammi date from the 1420s, and the Lammi administrative parish is mentioned as early as 1374. According to the history of the parish of Lammi, both of these references are based on the research of Väinö Voionmaa. It is likely that the ecclesiastical parish is just as old as Lammi as an administrative parish. The area of the ecclesiastical parish of Lammi was roughly the same as that of the administrative parish, and the parish boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. The only change has been that Koski HL (now Hämeenkoski), which from the Middle Ages onwards belonged to the parish of Lammi as a chapel congregation, became independent in 1870.
Until 1918 the church had a wooden interior, which was largely destroyed by fire during the Finnish Civil War on 29 April 1918, leaving only the grey stone walls and destroying the 1692 pulpit, part of the archives, the belfry and its medieval bell. The subsequent reconstruction of the church and belfry was designed by architect Usko Nyström, the wall and ceiling paintings were created by artist Bruno Tuukkanen with assistants B. Liukko and J. Grönvall, and the altar crucifix, pulpit sculptures of the evangelists, seven-branched candlesticks and triptych were carved by Austrian-born Ateneum sculpture teacher Johan Friedl.
The large altar table, the altar rail and the pulpit were made in Lammi at Nyberg’s carpentry workshop. The pews were also carved in Lammi. The blue wooden ornamental decoration at the east end of the altar and the hymn board in the chancel were carved by the Lammi artist Taimi Nyberg. The originally wooden belfry was rebuilt so that its lower part is now built of stone. The new bells were obtained from the military church in Papula, Viipuri. The post-fire restoration of the church was completed by Midsummer 1920.
Lately I have only used my IPhone and old Sony camera with the macro lens – I have not purchased one for my new camera.
I started out with my Sony and took a bunch of shots for Anne’s LAPC, “Move Yourself.” Since my macro lens doesn’t zoom, I was literally walking around, hunting for something interesting. I was drawn to this mix of brown fallen leaves, moss, and bright green wood sorrel. Wood sorrel has these delicate, three-lobed, heart-shaped leaves that look a bit like clover, only slimmer, and they often fold downward when it’s dark or rainy. I found these tiny plants in the woods, happily growing in shady, damp patches among the moss and fallen leaves.
Rain-speckled wood sorrel leaves and vibrant moss create a lush woodland scene among autumn leaves.
This was me having fun, I was looking at the water in a water barrel, the ripples on it as I slightly pushed it and as a occasional drop of water landing on it. I caught this expression 🙄.
A blue barrel of water creates a mesmerizing abstract reflection of the sky, trees, and photographer, me, now you know what I look like.
Sharing with Brian’s Last on the Card, it is unbelievable that one month has already passed. It does seem to be true to older you get the quicker time goes by
A week with no particular theme for Monochrome Madness. So I had two choices, totally different, other than that they are both in monochrome – or black and white. One of them you might remember from a recent post, and I wanted to let you see how it converted to B&W – I thought it worked really well and gained a slightly different mood.
This is how I would describe the first image: A quiet black-and-white scene opens onto a still lake, its surface edged by a rocky, forested shore. Tall pines and slender birches rise along the right, while the far woods soften and disappear into a pale, overcast mist. The water lies glassy and mute, holding the trees and sky in a dim reflection. To the left, a small dock and, nearer the viewer, a single fishing float offer the slightest trace of human presence. The pared-back tones and unhurried composition leave the image hanging in a contemplative, almost hushed mood.
The mood is different in them the other image shows a calm lake bordered by a rocky, forested shoreline of tall pine and birch trees. The glassy water reflects the dense woodland in long vertical patterns, while a small dock extends into the lake on the left and a floating marker sits in the foreground. Soft mist or haze lightens the distant trees and bright sky, creating a quiet, minimalist atmosphere.
The third photo is a set of stairs leading to an inviting porch in autumn, full of texture and gentle light. Which is your preference, and what draws you more: the familiar image transformed, or the quiet promise of that autumn porch, mayne with some candles in lovely lanterns?
A black-and-white view of a weathered wooden porch, framed by ornate columns and leading up to a quiet double do
This café I visited feels more like a home than a café. It is so inviting and cozy, filled with the warmth and character of a well-loved, lived-in home, the kind of place where you instantly want to sit down, relax, and stay a while.
Sharing these images from some time back with Monday Window: 28 September 2026. Hope you all have a great week.
A woman in a straw hat sits beside an open window of a weathered white house, with bookshelves visible inside.
A cozy, book-filled dining room glows with warm pendant light beside an open window and a tea-set table. I did too edits of this photo the other is set as a header.
A warmly lit Cafe interior opens onto a cozy dining room filled with books, glassware, and vintage furnishings.
I took these this morning, first sunny day in a week, it was so welcome sight. This path leads to my summer house, sharing them with Johns Cellpic Sunday
A sunlit autumn path winds through a colorful birch and evergreen forest.
As Autumn approaches in the Northern Hemisphere and Spring arrives in the Southern, it is the perfect time to celebrate fresh blossoms and new foliage—and I am here to capture them in photographs.
Delicate dried wildflower umbels glow in warm sunlight against a softly blurred green and golden woodland background.
I was on a quiet autumn lakeshore, hands stuffed in my pockets because the air’s a bit colder than I expected. The water is almost completely still, like it can’t decide whether to move or not. It looked so beautiful. Rocks and a wall of dark green pines wrap around the bay, and here and there the birch trees have turned this bright, gold that really stands out against the evergreens. The low sun is coming in from the side, turning parts of the lake into streaks of warm amber, but other patches just look flat and gray. The grasses along the edge have that same soft, rusty light in them. There’s a tiny red fishing float right in front of me, barely moving, and off to the left a small, plain dock sits there under a pale blue‑gray sky.
A tranquil autumn lakeshore reflects golden birch trees, evergreen pines, and a bright red fishing float in still water.
I am more bound to stay inside than go out in the rain, if I don’t have to. I am not a Brit who is so used to it. There was a pause from it and a moment of sunshine from behind the clouds. I took myself out to take photos of the few flowers left blooming this time of the year, mid-September. The black aronia berries were already dark and glossy, with raindrops clinging to them like tiny glass beads. The scrubby cinquefoil was still bravely holding on to a few small yellow blossoms, a bit battered but somehow charming in their stubbornness. Even the hostas, mostly past their best by now, looked refreshed, their broad leaves collecting little pools of water and reflecting the shy light. Raindrops on the ones I took after the rain are a nice added effect.
A bee gathers nectar from a rain-speckled white blossom surrounded by fresh green leaves.
Delicate white blossoms glisten with raindrops against a softly blurred green background.
Shrubby cinquefoil (botanical name Dasiphora fruticosa) formerly known as Potentilla fruticosa).
I googled these, a variety with creamy white or pale yellow flowers with a yellow center (such as the varieties ‘Primrose Beauty’ or ‘Limelight’)
Delicate white rose hips glisten with raindrops among lush green leaves.
Rosehips with droplets
A delicate pale rosebud glistens with raindrops amid lush green foliage and vivid red rosehip berries.
Raindrops glisten on delicate hostas against a lush green garden backdrop.
Aronia or Clusters of black chokeberries
Clusters of black chokeberries glisten with raindrops among vibrant green and pink-tinged leaves. Aronia.Aronia.
Vivid crimson and magenta aronia leaves cluster among dark berries and lush green foliage.
Just some dark clouds from yesterday, drifting in from the horizon like a slow-moving curtain. For a while it looked like they might swallow the whole sky. we watched them roll and build on themselves, a little in awe until they finally circled around us and moved on, leaving us with nothing but a moody sky and a big sigh of relief. Norain just amazing color in the sky against the sunlit trees
Sunlit trees frame a peaceful rural yard beneath a dramatic blue sky, with a red house nestled among the forest.
How enchanting is this vibrant northern forest scene, embraced by tall pine and birch trees beneath a breathtaking blue sky adorned with fluffy white clouds! The lush green undergrowth and young conifers harmoniously blend with Aavasaksan hill, celebrated for its strikingly rugged terrain. This unique landscape tells a story of ancient eroded beaches and rugged formations looming above. As you ascend to the higher elevations, the resilient vegetation mirrors the tenacity of harsh pine forests and rocky woodlands, filled with hardy dwarf shrubs like bilberry, lingonberry, and heather, alongside a rich variety of mosses and lichens—most notably, the delicate reindeer lichen. In the foreground, you’ll find exposed rocks and a narrow rocky path, while a prominent dead and bare tree stands in poignant contrast to the flourishing woodland that envelops it. The verticality of the composition and its vibrant, natural hues invoke a deep sense of connection to the wild, dramatic wilderness all around us.
A lush forest trail winds through pine trees and green undergrowth beneath a sky filled with clouds.
A striking dead tree rises through a lush forest beneath a sky filled with white clouds.
Several ducks lounge on a weathered wooden dock, Rippling reflections dance on the surface wide, scattered highlights whisper as they glide.
As summer fades, autumn’s arrival creates space Several ducks relax on a timeworn wooden dock, where tranquil, deep teal waters gently sway. Rippling reflections dance on the surface wide, scattered highlights whisper as they glide. In this serene domain, a warm green-blue hug, a drake gazes outward, a dignified brown visage. Nature’s silent moments, in the essence of peace, life flows with ease.
We’ve mostly been at the summer house lately, with so much happening there, and we’ve been driving back and forth to home. Because of this, sightseeing at home has been almost nonexistent. However, we did pass by this beautiful countryside view that I usually can’t resist photographing, and this time was no different. We also spotted some cows—another one of those things I love to pause and admire, maybe even snap a pic.
Golden harvested fields stretch beneath dramatic storm clouds, with green hills and autumn trees on the horizon.
Three Hereford cattle graze peacefully in a lush green pasture beneath a clear blue sky.
I photographed these yesterday as they grow in my yard! If you don’t know about them, lingonberries are packed with vitamins C and E, tons of dietary fiber, and some awesome antioxidants. Plus, they keep pretty well because they have natural benzoic acid, so I can smash them up and they’ll stay fresh for ages without needing sugar or freezing. To be honest, I usually don’t bother doing that since they’re not my favorite, and there aren’t enough of them to make it worthwhile.
Lingonberries from my yardBright red lingonberries nestle among green foliage and copper-toned autumn leaves. Edited version.
Driving home on Sunday, I couldn’t believe my eyes – there were so many planes landing! I’ve driven this road countless times, yet I had never seen anything like it in the 10 km stretch past the airport. One plane flew right over us, perfectly framed against the bright sunlight, and I just had to snap a photo. I could see a Finnair passenger plane gliding across the deep blue sky, its landing gear down, clearly heading for the airport. Below it was this blue building, topped with a tall white tower that had bold red bands and a cool shield emblem. With green trees and rooftops around, and fluffy clouds in the clear daylight, it was this awesome urban aviation scene!
A Finnair passenger jet descends over a commercial building and distinctive red-and-white tower under a clear blue sky.
After all these years of sharing my photographs and thoughts, it’s such a nice moment to have this post featured in Freshly Pressed—what a delightful achievement! All I needed to do was enjoy a stroll along the dirt road by the meadow, surrounded by little flowers, busy bees, and graceful butterflies, which reminded me of the incredible beauty that surrounds us in everyday life that we so often forget. I am hopeful this will attract attention from new readers who may notice the post alongside my regular supporters, who continue to like and comment on my posts for which I am very happy see.
One of the joys of being able to spend time in the countryside, at least for me, is witnessing the mist enveloping the fields and the beauty of sunsets. Since I’m not really a morning person, I often, well to be truthful, always miss the sunrise. I find tranquility in a forest meadow, where the low evening mist blankets the area, tall grasses sway in the foreground, and the dark, layered horizon is defined by dense trees. The sky morphs from a warm golden yellow at the horizon to soft shades of peach and pink, eventually giving way to a cool lavender-blue overhead. Silhouetted pines, birches, and leafy trees perfectly frame this scene, crafting a serene, atmospheric landscape with gentle, natural contrasts. It’s one of those moments that stays with you.
A misty meadow glows beneath a pastel sunrise, framed by a tranquil forest.
September has already started and finally the work on our summer house has begun, not so peaceful at the moment. We are adding a new kitchen and bathroom to our house. It will add more comfort to our
Sisävessan lisäys – esimerkiksi kesämökille tai vanhaan omakotitaloon – tuo huomattavaa arjen mukavuutta, nostaa kiinteistön arvoa ja helpottaa asumista ympäri vuoden.
Finally it is happening, the addition to our house has started So many changes have happened for us to do this We will have loads of logs to keep us warm in the coming years . Builder at work
Monochrome Madness and here I am with another free week, and you might have thought I’d wrapped it all up after my stroll down Meadow Road. But no, we’re back at it! This time, I’m excited to share two versions of the images I snapped along the road where I found those beautiful flower photos—my pathway to my joyful retreat, my summer oasis. I’ve also included two monochrome takes of the plants I saw there to jog your memory.
A quiet dirt path winds through dense woodland and sunlit grasses in a striking black-and-white landscape.
Which version do you prefer, the darker or the lighter one, and what’s the reason for it?
A winding forest path leads through tall grasses and birch trees beneath a dramatic sky in striking black and white.
