*reading for trees

It's been nearly a year since I last used a black&white film, so I thought it would be a nice change to use one again. Especially in summer when the colors all around are so vivid and strong, I long for the calm tones of the colder seasons. So this is a way for me to get this calmness back, at least in photography and create this timeless atmosphere that I like so much.

August started pretty hot, in the early morning hours when the air was still a bit fresher I worked in the garden, later we went swimming with Sunny and in the evening we made a relaxing walk in the shade of old maple trees. A good start for the new month.

Reading in nature is something wonderful, nevertheless I love reading in bed the most. I have always a pile of books under my bed and am looking forward to the moment I can let go of the day and just read. I do have a kindle for the books that I do not get in book form anymore, but I prefer the good old paper book form and try to get rare books second hand first. I also have dreams of visiting old libraries where I'm looking through wonderful old books then. Those libraries are so different to the ones I know from "real" life. They are sometimes full of plants that are growing high up towards wonderful roof lights and the shelves are high and contorted. The light is magical and the overall atmosphere so pleasing. 

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*Elephant series

Elephants :)

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*watercolor update

A little watercolor painting update for you!

Enjoy your weekend!

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*gardening moments

Each garden year is different. This makes it on the one hand tricky, but on the other hand interesting. This gardening season I had to water my plants the least so far which is a nice relief and many plants do not care the moody skies, others develop much slower. At the moment the sunflowers are in full bloom and I was able to harvest first tomatoes. The cucumber plants are huge already and also some ripe zucchinis are waiting for me to be picked! This is truly a good time of the year, when there is so much edible to be found in the garden. Sometimes even overwhelming when it all starts to ripen at the same time! But the rain did also make the weeds grow enormously, and when you sit there on your knees pulling out those sometimes really big and rebellious weed parts, you feel like atoning all your sins. Often I struggle with my deficient strength. It's really physical hard work to maintain a garden. But it makes you grateful for every food you put into your mouth, no matter who had grown or prepared it. Enjoy your summer days!

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*simple things

Once again it are the simple things that fill my heart with joy:

the delicate pedals of wild roses,

a beautiful book that I got from a dear friend,

clover on the kitchen table

and last but not least

my little hairy friend that is keeping me company.

Life is friendly overall. 

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*light pink poppy

Light pink poppy fields and heavy skies. Not feeling very talkative lately, but I hope you are doing well and are able to enjoy the long summer days!

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*wanderlust

When borders become blurred.

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*simple things

Simple things that made me happy in the last month.

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*rose chafer

June was a very challenging month for me so far. It shook me heavily in nearly every area of my life. I'm looking forward to the silence after the storm. But in the hard times we seem to become aware the most where we really want to head in our lives.

But there have been also good moments, for example I found an alley with small leaved linden trees of at least 200 years that filled me with such great awe, that tears where running down my face. I felt instantly such a sublime energy that I just wanted to merge my whole being with one of those trees, to just step inside and never come out again.

Have you known that small leaved linden can become over 1000 years old and that they give protection from lightening stroke and evil spirits? I will surely visit that place every now and then if it's possible.

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*kidstricksweek

"Imaginary friend"

"Magic box"

"Super power"

"Secret place"

"Miracle shop"

"Forest treasures"

In the beginning of May I joined a drawing challenge called "Kidstricksweek". I did neither manage to finish all illustrations in time nor to do all prompts (one is missing), but nevertheless I really loved to challenge myself and create something nice and unique! Hope I could take you a step further into my world of imagination!

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