Christmas impressions

It is almost x-mas. I have to be honest to say I am not really a big fan of the holidays myself. I don't really like the family gatherings and such. They all seem so fake to me. Having that said, one aspect I do enjoy of x-mas are the lights everywhere and the trees. They just make the world seem a little bit nicer in the dark winter time. Therefore I am posting some pretty, magical or funny x-mas pictures to enjoy :)


By: Mikolaj Kamienski



Disney castle :)

Mushrooms

The Smurfs are little blue people who live in magic mushrooms. Think about it.


By Aleksandr Batura


By Hakki Yesillik


All mushrooms are edible - once.



As the rain sputters
into winter, mushrooms
pop their umbrellas.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2009

Flowers for cheering up

I haven't had the best day today, so I am a bit down. However this is the time when I need inspiration and comfort the most. I mostly find it in nature. The beauty that is found there almost instantly calms me down. So today I post pictures from Lotus flowers and waterlilies.






“You must be a Lotus, unfolding its petals when the Sun rises in the sky, unaffected by the slush where it is born or even the water which sustains it!” - Sri Sathya

“You are the pool, and You are the soul-swan. You are the lotus flower of the day and You are the water-lily of the night. You Yourself behold them, and blossom forth in bliss.” - Sri Guru Granth Sahib






The Lily by William Blake
The modest Rose puts forth a thorn:
The humble Sheep. a threatning horn:
While the Lily white, shall in Love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright

Rainspiration

By Carina Sirbu

I really don't like the rain. I can enjoy a summer shower, but in autumn and winter I'd rather stay in.
I hate getting all cold and wet. Chelsea shares my opinion about this but the clients she work with have another perspective on rainy days.
This really inspired me to try and find the beauty of rainy days.

Some people actually do get inspired by the rain. Like Sheree who made a rain bento.


To see more of her bento's go here
Or this funny piece of cat art by Eric Barclay


Todays lesson:




Some beautiful nature caps:


By Dormik


By Don Paulson


By Irina Savkina

Live with the seasons: enjoy autumn!

Here are some ways to enjoy the autumn days making use of the beauty that nature brings us this season. Make sure you spend some time outdoors before it gets too cold. Winter will be there before you know it, so make sure you make use of this pretty time of year :)

Help the animals and put up strings with nuts, food for the birds or take your old bread to the pond to feed the ducks.


Try homemade soup:
Grab some of your favorite veggies, like sweet potatoes, corn, broccoli, pumpkin, peas, spinach and so on.
Mix it with a tasty stock and you are all set up. If you mix in some beans or pasta you have a very balanced meal which you can eat for lunch, dinner or freeze for later. You can also try to cook with the veggies and fruits from the season. There are tons of delicious autumn recipes out there.


Collect autumn leaves and other souveniers and get creative! Make a fall table, paint with leaves, make funny men from chestnuts, remember what you liked to do when you were a child!

Look here for some more ideas.

Enjoy a walk in a nearby forest and photograph everything around you! For some free fun rake up a pile of leaves and jump in it! Throw leaves at your friends. Search for other free autumn related activities in your neighborhood.


Make your home more cozy:
Buy some cute lamps and fall decorations! Decorate your house in style. Also get a few fleece blankets to wrap yourself in when you are cold. It is also a great time to stock up on candles again.
Like this autumn themed kitchen here or a livingroom.


Make a list of books you still want to read or movies you want to watch. Those long fall nights are perfect for quiet indoor activities.


Go apple picking and bake apple pie. Then eat it warm from the oven.

Some autumn captures

I don't really like the Autumn weather but I love the colors! Before the season turns to winter I really wanted to share some autumn captures, because it is the most beautiful time of the year! After some detours (which you can see the results of in yesterdays posts) I finally managed to not get distracted :) So here are some details of autumn by Harris Hui.








I really love his animal photos. I think they are brilliant. Squirrels are definitely one of the cutest animals around! And an autumn icon. Toadstools is another aspect of autumn I really enjoy. I am always looking for them when I go out for walks since I think they are so beautiful.

Like a fairytale

This mind teasing structure that you are viewing in pictures below was designed and developed by organic architect Javier Senosiain.






Read more: Desi Colours, the blog where I found this.

I find this an extraordinary concept. I just looks stunning and cozy. I am not sure it would be all that practical, but the architect really did his best to also solve some of those problems by building in the furniture which would be the main problem if you are living in such an unusual house. I do think that living in such a house could increase your happiness greatly. I think waking up in such surroundings should really give you great feeling. Even when your day wouldn't be so good, having something like this to come home to, must be so magical, like living in a fairy tale house.

Also visit Javiers website for more organic houses.