019/2011 warm, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
Fourth day without any sun, and not much light either. Wet and icy, and getting dark by the time I get out of school. Very poor photo opportunities outdoors.
I find myself looking for soft, warm shades to photograph at home. What I learned tonight is that trying to catch the steam circling above a coffee cup in the dark is very difficult.
Note to self: finally, do get that small flexi tripod!
018/2011 teacher’s pets, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
What is the first thing you do when you get home from school/work? I always change into something comfortable, and strech out on the couch. These days I always put on my my lovely new exotic furry ‘pets’, which my darling daughter gave me for Xmas. They are the warmest and cutest things I’ve ever had!
Kicking back and relaxing for a while is essential for me to unwind after all the hullabaloo at school, especially in this dark time of the year, which seems to eat up all my energy very quickly.
005/2011 late christmas baking, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
As we spent Christmas in England , I’ve baked just a few Finnish Christmas goodies after coming home. Today it was my favourites – puff pastry made into a star shape, with prune jam in the middle. Sprinkling the icing sugar on top always makes me think that it’s snowing.
This is what they look like before putting them in the oven. So thin and pale.
I remember how my mum used to even make the pastry herself. These days it’s so much easier to buy rolled-out pastry squares frozen. They taste just as good, but you still get the pleasure of baking a little, and most of all the lovely smell circling round the house.
364/365 home is where the heart is, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
Nice to be home again. But I thoroughly enjoyed the different celebrations in our other home, England. Living in a bi-cultural family certainly adds an extra dimension to life.
332/365 first advent, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
The count-down for Christmas began today. It’s the first advent. For us, advent (from Latin meaning ‘coming’) time starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day.
The tradition in my family is to get out our old, battered wooden candle stick, for four candles. One candle is lit on the first advent Sunday, two on the second and so on. Our neighbours also put their Christmas lights up today – that’s the bokeh in the background.
325/365 home sweet home, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
Quite a shock to be back in dark and cold Finland after 10 days in India. But so cosy, too, to be back in my familiar surroundings, which are reflected against the darkness outside the window here.
Daily Shoot:
Find or make a reflection in a window today and shoot through it to create a layered composition.
299/365 candlelit evening, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
Make a photograph today where vertical elements or lines dominate the scene.
Focusing on vertical lines, made me remember these old candlesticks, and rummage through the drawers for some left-over taper candles from last winter. These purple ones gave a lovely, warming glow, and created another vertical line – the shadow on the wall.
This time of the year, we always look for special candle offers, to stock up for Christmas time, when we practically have lots of candles burning all through the holidays. Got to start the candle bargain hunt again soon. Like bouquets of flowers, I never get tired of candle light!
297/365 squash collection, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
It’s the last day of the autumn break – back to school tomorrow. So, today out came the course books and papers again. Never ending! Inspiration eluded me all day – maybe partly because fo the miserably grey weather.
Luckily, my husband ventured out to the riverside market again today, despite the rain, and got back with a bag full of squashes of different colours and shapes. They make a nice centrepiece on the dining table – and provided the topic for my photo.
295/365 around the fire, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
A biting northerly wind has brought winter in the air. What nicer way to forget the cold and misery of the weather than invite some friends over, and spend the night around a warming fire with chat and some goodies to eat!
The crackle of the fire has a natural calming effect. It is also very inspirational, with its power and constantly changing form. No wonder, people all through the ages have gathered around different types of fires, to exchange stories and experiences. Staring at a fire is good for the soul of busy modern people, who are too glued to screens all the time.
281/365 welcome friends!, originally uploaded by rosipaw.
Finally it’s weekend. I thought the working week would never end. It was simply too busy.
Friday evening I was still getting ready for Saturday seminar presentation, but also clearing the home for weekend visitors. Our autumn welcome flag went up, too.
