*big raffia bag

Here are some close-ups of the big raffia bag that I made. As I mentioned in the last post, the pattern for the body of the bag is from the Etsy store "LanezDesignstore". The original has sewn-on leather handles, but I decided to crochet mine – and think they turned out nicely as well!

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*The end of fall & finishing a new bag

{Music: Otherside – Praam}

At the end of fall I finally finished my new crochet project, the pattern is from the Etsy "LanezDesignStore", but I changed it a bit, I made different handles in the end. Other than that I enjoyed the world of yellow leaves and floating clouds in the sky and the most fabulous sunsets! 

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*The last leaves

I'm not sure, but I think this is the last autumnal photo series for a while. I'm looking forward to showing you some of the magical winter days we had since the end of November, but we still have to be a little patient. Last week I finally filled my kiln with some of my ceramics that had been waiting in my shelves for quite a while now and on Saturday evening I had a four hour glazing session. I also glazed some of my sister's pieces and started the glaze firing yesterday in the early morning hours. I have worked on some ceramic decorations for our Christmas tree also, but I have to still glaze them and make one last firing for those. Hopefully in time to be able to hang them on the tree. Speaking of the tree, this weekend we managed to choose our future Christmas tree in the forest, but it was still a challenge, because of all the snow. It was hard to pick one this time, but I'm sure it will be a nice one in the end! And yesterday we managed to visit a Christmas fair at the beautiful Rosenburg castle. The atmosphere was amazing! There was a wind quartet playing live, bonfires and even snow owls and lot's of yummy food and hot drinks and craftspeople presenting their work. We really used our last chance, as it was the last day the fair was open. Today the snow is slowly melting and for a tiny moment the sun came out. I wish you a good start into the new week, see you soon again!

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*How to have hope

My sister shared this beautiful poem by Katy Luxem with me recently, and I want to share it with you as well here:

There must be something wrong with me.

In the fall, the neighbors spray their eaves,

with poison dripping like a soft rain. They’d kill

for a weedless lawn, a pest-free porch. 

But I sit outside thinking the light is honey

for us all. I’ll leave the sunflowers 

until they freeze, and let my many-legged 

thoughts go. Part of me is always hurting

for the smallest among the living. I can’t help

how I open, instead of shut before winter. 

I leave a crack. I invite the spiders in.

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*Light in the fog

{Music: Morgen – Praam}

This was still in November, when we had more misty days. The leaves had turned color and started to free themselves, traveling with the wind. It’s uplifting to witness all the little changes in nature. Every day is a little different – beautiful in its own way.

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*Tiny blue paper crane

We’re having the most wonderful first Advent weekend here! Yesterday it snowed all through the night and day, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time we had this much snow at this time of year! All that white filled my heart with peace, and I never got tired of looking out the window. Already in the morning, the deer came into my flower bed where I had planted some extra Swiss chard in spring. I never harvested it because all the flowers and herbs had grown so wildly that I couldn’t reach it anymore without stepping on the other plants, so I just let it grow. The deer were munching on it, and I couldn’t even be worried about the beds – it was so lovely to have them so close. I filmed them a bit, and later we went on a little trip to the castle ruins of Gars, where we had the most wonderful view over the wintry town and landscape! Of course, we also had to shovel a lot of snow and free our hedge, a few trees, and the greenhouse from the snow load. We also carried plenty of wood up the stairs – but that’s how it is, every season has its duties. Today the icy wind made the cold feel more like minus 25 degrees. We had originally planned to choose our Christmas tree in the forest, but the conditions and the heavy snow on the trees made it impossible, so we’ll try again next weekend. I’ll head to the kitchen now to bake a cake and wish you a cozy evening!

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*Thousands of rosehips

First of all: Happy first of December!

For the weekend, they’re predicting minus 16 degrees – I’m curious to see if it really gets that cold already! In any case, that means keeping an eye on the fire in the stove and getting some more bird food. We’ve been having gloomy days for a while now, and I try to get out into nature before the day starts so I don’t fall too early into a kind of winter torpor. My body wants to move, especially after finishing an intense painting commission where I spent way too many hours sitting on my bum. Hopefully this month won’t rush by too quickly and you’ll enjoy the first Advent weekend! I still haven’t prepared our Advent wreath and I’m not sure if I’ll make one this year, but I’ve been making candles from wax remnants I’ve collected over the years. I use my handmade ceramics as vessels, and so far it works wonderfully and looks really nice! Do you have any plans for the coming days? Maybe visiting a Christmas market or doing something cozy at home?

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*Free in your mind

{Music: Free – Ocie Elliott}

You're here feeling it all

You're here, big and small

You can do anything

You can do nothing

You are free

You're free in your mind

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*mist in a bubble

Soap bubbles, old roofs and mist are going so well together.

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*the light within | part 3

Some analogue pictures from the first frost – unfortunately, only a few turned out well because it was too cold for the camera. A typical Zenit issue! We’re having our first snowy weekend here. It’s lovely and sets the right mood for the coming month.

Stay warm and cozy!

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*Silver & Gold & the very first frost

{Music: Bright thoughts – Rasmus Højsgaard Thomsen}

In the middle of October when we had the first frost,  I took my bike in the early morning hours to drive up the hill to experience the sunrise and have a cup of tea in midst of the silver and gold shimmer of the frosty grasses and wildflowers. I thought it would be nice to take you with me.

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*the light within | part 2

No words today –

this is still after all primarily a visual diary.

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*the light within | part 1

When the daylight dissolves in mist, it's time to enhance your inner light and reflect it to the outer world to keep your life bright.

I'm in love with the contrasts this season holds for us.

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*Watercolor update

Three more new watercolor paintings.

On Sunday we had the very first snow. It changed into rain quite quickly, but still, it was so nice to see the hill tops and roofs covered in white.

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*a still life in a still life

When the weather turned cold, a bumblebee spent the whole day sleeping inside one of my dahlias. It was so sweet to watch. The morning sunlight was beautiful that day, and the mist was slowly crawling over the fields. I created a little still life with an earthen jug I have from the German ceramist and sculptor Joachim Lambrecht. Photography always calms me down, and I love the kind of focus it brings – it keeps me grounded in the moment. She’s my faithful companion through both light and heavy days.

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