*more mushrooms

More mushroom analogues...

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*back then

Fitting with my last post, I found some old photos that my father took when we went mushrooming. In the last pictures, my mother is with me and my brother, along with some nice parasol mushrooms.

Yesterday, I finally started using the watercolor journal I got myself years ago. I want to make studies of leaves, mushrooms, and other autumnal finds to improve my watercolor skills. If I stay focused and don’t let my energy get scattered on other things again, I will definitely show my progress here sometime!

And to all the kind, patient people who are still waiting for a letter or e-mail from me: I’m doing my best to work through my list!

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*You will find me in the woods

The joy of being in the woods is endless for me. It’s the most wonderful playground there is – every season has its own charm and gifts to collect. Last time, I found giant puffballs, which I hadn’t seen anywhere for many years. I cooked them for dinner – a real delicacy! I’ve noticed that fewer and fewer people have knowledge about the edible treasures of the forest. I’m grateful that in my family it was always natural to go mushroom hunting when the season came, and that they planted in me the seed of longing for a life close to nature.

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*in the apple orchard

I always love it when a flight of swallows decides to rest on the wires in front of my workroom window. I could listen to their lively chatter all day long. They are so full of life and joy, especially when there are little ones among them.

This year there are so many rose hips – they’re starting to turn red now and glow from the bushes! Here in the countryside, autumn takes its time compared to the cities. In the cities, many trees are already losing their foliage, but here everything follows a slower rhythm.

I’m busy collecting seeds from the garden to send to friends, and yesterday I harvested the last carrots. The weather is perfect right now – not too hot and not too cold – it gives such good energy!

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*Ilford FP4

I had one more long-expired black-and-white film – this time a 34-year-old Ilford FP4. Fortunately, the pictures also turned out beautifully! I wish I had more of these old film rolls, but for now it was a wonderful experience, and maybe I’ll try a regular black-and-white film again sometime soon.

This time, I visited one of my favorite places near our home – a small piece of land with crookedly growing apple trees. I wore one of my linen dresses with a pinafore, the most comfortable outfit there is, and so practical for carrying freshly picked fruits in its big pockets. That day, I picked some wild little yellow plums and simply enjoyed the enveloping energy of nature.

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*women

Some of my latest illustrations – the last one I made for a honey label. It was really nice to drift away while drawing. Right now, I’m working on a floral winter pattern for the upcoming spoonflower challenge. Wishing you a lovely Friday!

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*you and me and sunflowers

In the meanwhile the sunflowers are withered,

but your soul remained strong.

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*summer finale

Sorry if anyone is waiting for an email reply, a letter, or a call – I’m having a hard time keeping up with communication at the moment. Please bear with me and be patient! Thank you so much. I hope you’re enjoying the change of the seasons.

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*August

We had so many blackberries this year – they were super tasty! Also lots of tomatoes, which I’ve been eating fresh every day. The cosmos flowers are in full bloom, but the last rain pushed many of them to the ground and broke their stems, so I’ve already had to remove quite a few – though some are still standing.

There’s a lot of garden work to do at the moment, and it’s also plum season, so I’ve already preserved many of them. In case you’d like to try my easy berry cake recipe, I’ve written it down for you! You can use any kind of berries you like – it will always turn out delicious.

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*moments

Oh, those pictures already feel so far away! The gentle summer wind has recently turned into fresh autumn air, and we even had some much-needed rain. Over the past days I’ve cocooned myself in my own little world – working around the house and garden and illustrating late into the night. It feels as if I haven’t really been there these past days, because there were hardly any “thoughts” – and yet, there was more presence than usual, a kind of floating, uninterrupted being. Hard to describe!

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*nature

Nature

She is always here for you,

listening,

enfolding,

answering through the singing of the wind,

rustling trees,

birdcalls

and humming bees.

Sheltering your soul,

indulging your senses

every anew.

{Claudia Voglhuber}

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