Simply Red currants

So fresh

Becky’s Square challenge


It is so nice to pick these from the bush and enjoy them with ice cream and caramel- sweet and sour 😋 and they are ripe now.

Simply Red- blueberry picking


Simply red square 🟥

I was encouraged to stay in my hammock in the comments of my last post. So I did as recommended 😀 Now I can point out how hard work it is to pick blueberries 🫐… 😂

Hard at work. He picked about 5 liters from our own yard.

For Simply Red

Simply Red Thursday doors

Becky’s Squares: Simply Red
Dan’s Thursday Doors

A rustic entrance featuring vintage doors, a patterned curtain, and a decorative barrel, showcasing a charm of old barn items.

We went to have look at this place that sells old stuff from barns. We left empty handed, except for these photos.

Top of the barn
Exterior view of a quaint barn building selling vintage items,

What’s behind this door
Entrance to a rustic shop filled with antiques and vintage items.
The barn doors open inviting you in
Do you like old dishes?
Turquoise dress maybe from fifties?
How about this orange frock?
The 🧢 cap ?

I apologize if this post is not very well worded or organized, I am posting this as l am lazy in the hammock and doing it with my phone.

Simply Red – jump suit

Sunday morning I went to have coffee in the city and by the sea and what did I see, a lady in red. Just a girl, but lady in red sounded so much better ♥️😀

Linked to Simply Red at Becky’s here

Lady in red

monday window Reflections

Reflections captured in a window with plants, artwork, and decorative elements.

This is for Monday Window hosted by Ludwig. It is a bit of a different window I usually post, but a window, with lots of reflections.

A window reflection of plants, framed artwork, and a charming doll, emphasizing the warmth of a home.

Simply red – decoration

A decorative wire vase displaying red spheres, set against a lush green background.

Posted as part of Becky’s SimplyRed

I tried different edits to this decoration I have in my garden; originally, it is a candle holder – decoration. However, over time, I noticed I don’t burn candles so often, so I use its visual appeal and blend it more harmoniously with the surrounding plants. Now the candle holder is a focal point on the table under the oak tree. Here are some edits of the same subject, sharing them just because I took and edited them 🙂

Lens-Artists Challenge #357: Into the Woods

Egídio mentioned this in his post, I had not heard the term, but I was aware of the benefits of woods. The Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” in English, emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a heartfelt response to stress relief. This beautiful practice encourages you to immerse yourself in the natural world, inviting your mind and body to fully cherish the experience through all five senses.

A family enjoying a peaceful walk through a lush forest

Have you noticed how wandering through a forest can soothe your soul and bring you back to a place of calm? It’s understandable that some may prefer the calming embrace of the woods over the beach when feeling anxious or troubled. Spending time in forests has a remarkable ability to quickly reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, easing muscular tension, too. One of the most profound influences of being surrounded by trees is how it lifts your spirit, promoting serenity and aiding in stress recovery. The uplifting benefits of nature can be felt in as little as fifteen minutes, and these feelings of peace deepen the longer you spend in these tranquil spaces.

A forest scene pine and spruce trees

I have lived most of my life in places where the woods are just behind our home from childhood to my adult homes. Even now, I have woods just meters away from my backyard, just as I did when I was a child. I spent hours with my friends playing in the woods and also by the sea as a child. One thing that still brings back memories to this day is the enchanting scent of the woods by the sea, a unique mix of pine, damp earth, and a hint of salt from the ocean breeze. The woods area had been sea before, so the soil had a recognizable scent, rich and earthy, that I always associate with childhood adventures and the whispers of nature.

No more memories. In this post I am keeping it simple. We went to the woods with our grandkids and here are some photos from that walk in the woods.

Few words about the place we at least once a year visit. Porkkala truly captivates the heart with its stunning natural landscapes, where the serene blend of coastal beauty and lush forests invites you to experience tranquility. The region’s rocky shorelines and calm waters gift you with breathtaking views of the Baltic Sea, perfect for moments of reflection. As you wander through the woodlands, you’ll find solace among the towering coniferous trees, like pine and spruce, intertwined with broadleaf species that paint the changing seasons with vibrant colors. This rich ecosystem nurtures a variety of wildlife, including lovely bird species that thrive in this peaceful haven. There are many beautiful hiking trails that meander through the woods, offering you endless opportunities to embrace the beauty of nature and reconnect with your inner self.


the woods in Porkkala

Hopefully you can see my appreciation for the simple joys of the woods. Thank you Egidio for this trip down memory lane and an opportunity to share a new memory created few days ago. When you post your response, please remember to link back to Egidio’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Next week, look for Tina’s post since she will be leading the challenge.

In the meantime, enjoy the nature and summer joys.

Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

Simply red and delicious

Here a toast to Becky´s July Squares – #SimplyRed.

I enjoyed a day with a long time friend by the sea.

Cheers

The geese were polite to towards the drivers as they used the crossing to get to the other side of the road

We’ll taught geese

Grandson’s Joyful Moments enjoying the Blueberries

In the midst of the lush greenery, the vibrant red cap pops out, drawing the eye like a beacon against the backdrop of woods greens. This is a joint post for Six-Word Saturday 7.19.25 and #SimplyRed19 . Hopefully it is just enough red.

My grandson with a red cap enjoying blueberries in lush greenery and trees at Porkkala

In the quiet of the night

Yesterday was a hot and humid day which was slightly cooler after a thunderstorm that hit us in the late afternoon.

The night was cooler only +20 Celsius so I took my camera for a walk to capture the beauty of summer nights.

The southern sky


Then I walk to the north side of my house and the sky was in totally different tones of color




Lens-artists challenge – quiet hours

When you feel the need for a spiritual renewal, adopt the captivating practice of going to bed early and waking with the sun. Picture the gentle embrace of morning light as it touches your skin, granting you a tranquil moment while the world stirs to life around you. This calm ‘connected’ sensation is akin to enchanting stardust that can brighten your whole day, regardless of how chaotic it may turn.

This week, we’re excited to have SH join us as our Guest Host and are reflecting on the importance of our cherished quiet moments.

I fondly recall summers spent at our summer house when my boys were young; those warm mornings were pure joy! I would sneak out before anyone else, relishing my little slice of paradise on the patio with a steaming cup of coffee. The birds would fill the air with their uplifting melodies, and the leaves would sway gently in the sweet breeze. It truly became a beautiful oasis of tranquility, where I could enjoy my thoughts, free from demands—just me and a blissful silence before my three preteen whirlwinds burst onto the scene, ready for adventure. Those precious quiet hours were my secret strength, and let me tell you, finding joy in the delightful chaos was essential. After all, if you can embrace a morning of refreshing solitude, you can conquer anything those boys decide to throw your way!”

A serene lakeside view with a wooden walkway leading to calm waters and lush greenery, perfect for quiet reflection.

Quiet hours, often represented through serene photographs, capture the essence of stillness and peace in various environments. An image of a tranquil sunset over a quiet neighborhood can evoke feelings of calm,

A serene moment by the water as dawn breaks, evoking tranquility and reflection.
A serene misty landscape showcases hay bales resting peacefully in a tranquil field, evoking a sense of calm and solitude at dawn.

In libraries, the focused expressions of individuals deeply immersed in their studies highlight the importance of silence for creative and intellectual pursuits.

A serene library space showcasing individuals engaged in quiet study, highlighting the importance of tranquility for academic pursuits.

So important to grasp the special moments in life. Sitting on the grass with my husband and listening to the Bag Pipes as they pronounce the ending of a great day was one that I plan to hold on to forever.

Churches can be depicted with sunlit rooms and soft shadows, conveying a sense of hope and recovery,

A serene moment of reflection in an empty church, embodying the tranquility of quiet hours.

While empty parks at dawn invite viewers to appreciate the beauty of solitude.

A peaceful park scene at dawn, showcasing a serene atmosphere under the canopy of trees with a bench nestled among the leaves.

illustrating empty street

A solitary figure braves a heavy downpour on a quiet, rain-soaked street, evoking a moment of stillness amidst the chaos of nature.

Each photograph can tell a story of tranquility, inviting onlookers to reflect on the significance of quiet hours in fostering community harmony and personal well-being.

To wrap up this week’s post, I want to extend my gratitude to SH for being our Guest Host and for introducing such a beautiful topic that will surely provide us all with moments of tranquility. Don’t forget to check out his original post here and use the Lens-Artists Tag so we can find your contributions. I appreciate Ann-Christine for her lovely post and everyone who participated in it.. Lastly, I hope you to join us next week as Egidio once again guides us through his Through Brazilian Eyes site. Until then keep on smiling.

By the way, it is vacation time for us! For the next four weeks, I am looking forward to spending my days in the hammock, savoring the warm summer days that have finally arrived in Finland. I can’t wait to soak up every moment of this blissful summer escape!

Simply red – traditionally

Buildings painted in traditional red ochre paint that is popular in the Nordics effectively embody the warmth and character of a community deeply rooted in its cultural heritage and appreciation for nature. This distinguished color, prominently displayed on structures in picturesque villages and tranquil landscapes, not only enhances the visual appeal but also evokes a profound sense of home for the residents. The historical significance of red ochre paint reflects the pride that Nordic individuals take in their craftsmanship and the narratives intertwined with their dwellings.

Linked to SimplyRed at Becky’s here

A scenic view of traditional red ochre houses lining a gravel path under a cloudy sky.

Traditional red ochre buildings reflected in calm water.

A child exploring a red wooden playhouse.

Charming row of houses painted in traditional red ochre, framed by lush greenery and a serene pathway.

A close-up of a sign on a traditional red ochre building.

Monochrome Madness – H

A musician playing a harp on the street, captured in monochrome.

Leannes Monochrome Madness #38
Guest host Sarah’s Monochrome Madness: Starting with an H

A monochromatic portrait of a person with their head lowered, hands covering their face, conveying a sense of contemplation or sorrow.

a simply Red Shed in Rain

A picturesque view of a red shed in a lush garden, seen through a rain-soaked window.

a red shed through a rain-soaked window.

I’m at my summer house, in the countryside, inside watching outside as the rain pours down the windows, creating a rhythm with the wind that makes everything feel peaceful. As I try to pass the time, I took a few photos, capturing the raindrops cascading down the glass, and had an ‘aha’ moment when I remembered that our shed, in the corner of the yard, is painted a red, which contrasts with the lush greenery surrounding it, just what I need for simply red today.

A cozy view from inside a summer house, looking through a rain-covered window to the lush greenery ..

Simply Red #8 and Monday Window, July 7, 2025

Apples, Simply red 7


Red apples are like the overachievers of the fruit world, flaunting their bright red jackets and screaming, “Look at me! I’m healthy!” They don’t just catch your eye; they practically do a little dance on the grocery shelf, coaxing you to munch on their juicy, crispy goodness. Legends say that these red beauties are the tempting fruit of choice, luring us in with their sweet charm—just try not to bite into one and imagine it’s forbidden! as A last thought, I for some reason associated red apples with Christmas.

A close-up of a shiny red apple, highlighting its vibrant color and texture.

Three shiny red apples against a dark background.

Granny Smith apples, those sassy little green gems, are like the zesty grandma who sneaks you cookies while insisting on a kale salad for health! With their vibrant skin glowing like an emerald on a sunny day, they practically shout, “Stop right there and savor this tangy delight!” Taking a bite is almost like receiving a playful pinch that jolts your taste buds awake; it’s so refreshingly sharp, you might just second-guess if a lemon moonlighted as your snack! I had to add something about my favorite apple 🍏

Linked to Simply Red at Becky’s here

red, Simply red

A vibrant red sculpture resembling abstract cacti, showcased in a reflective urban setting.

this art cacti is for One-Word Sunday: red

A striking red art sculpture displayed in a gallery.

and Simply Red #6

Simply red #4

A vibrant red rose in full bloom

A red rose, symbolizing love and beauty.

O my Luve’s like a red, red rose,
That’s newly sprung in June:
O my Luve’s like the melodie,
That’s sweetly play’d in tune.

That is a verse from a a song by Robert Burns. It was written in 1794.

Posted as part of Becky’s SimplyRed

Door to Loviisa’s Cafe of a Thousand Pains

Thursday Doors July 3, 2025 Visiting the Tuhannen Tuskan Cafe , translates to “a thousand pains” or “a thousand sorrows” The cafe in Loviisa is often referred to in a more casual way, such as the Cafe of a Thousand Pains.

A rustic wooden door with a decorative wreath, showcasing traditional architecture.

My sweet little tinka

I was softly observing Tinka grooming itself, a tender and instinctual behavior that truly resonates with the essence of what it means to be a cat. It fills my heart with warmth to realize that they invest so much of their day in maintaining their cleanliness and fur; this ritual is much more than a matter of hygiene—it offers them comfort and a profound connection to their environment. Cats are wonderfully clean animals, and in that quiet moment of watching Tinka, I felt a deep wave of appreciation for these simple acts that beautifully reflect the innate grace and tranquility these cherished companions bring into our lives. For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness.

Tinka the cat is self-grooming, showing the grace and tranquility of feline behavior.

A moment of Tinka grooming itself, capturing the essence of feline grace and tranquility in black and white.

A serene black and white portrait of Tinka, the cat, showcasing its graceful demeanor as it relaxes in a soft light.

A close-up of Tinka , capturing its serene expression and delicate features in black and white.