Spring Flowers

This is just a sample of the beautiful blossoms & flowers that I'm enjoying this spring. Which is, as most of  you know, 

my favorite season. 

Delicate

From the Passenger Seat...

"What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that's gone forever, impossible to reproduce."

~ Karl Lagerfeld ~ 

When I'm a passenger, I'm usually quiet and I keep busy.  My camera is always on my lap. I captured this beautiful moment while riding along the seafront in Thessaloniki. 

Bird & Clouds

Look up, take a deep breath and never stop dreaming. 

~ 

Frost

Winter has been mild this year but most mornings everything is covered in frost. Sometimes everything is so white that the kids try to convince me that it had snowed during the night. I say the same thing with every frost, "Looks like Jack Frost has been busy"...and then I explain the difference between snow and frost and they're  still thrilled. One by one they make trails in the frosty grass- the same way that they would in snow. 

I knelt down on my knees to take these photos while Foti stood patiently watching. The kids are very patient with me and my camera. The most wonderful part of my obsession with photography is that they're learning by watching. From uploading to editing and then posting on my blog- one (or all of them) is always near. When I started this post Foti was anxious for his turn on the computer. After he saw me upload the photos of the frosty leaves and blades of grass he asked if they were from the morning that he stood by my side. When I told him that they were, he wanted to look closer, enlarging them so that he could inspect the frozen images of the frost.  As soon as I finished showing him the photos, I talked about Jack Frost and read a few poems to him.

 Here's one classic that he enjoyed listening to me read. 

***

Jack Frost Poem 

~ Hannah F. Gould~ 

The Frost looked forth one still, clear night,

And whispered, “Now I shall be out of sight;

So, through the valley, and over the height,

In silence I’ll take my way.

I will not go on like that blustering train,

The wind and the snow, the hail and the rain,

That make such a bustle and noise in vain,

But I’ll be as busy as they!”

So he flew to the mountain, and powdered its crest;

He lit on the trees, and their boughs he drest

With diamonds and pearls; and over the breast

Of the quivering lake he spread

A coat of mail, that it need not fear

The downward point of many a spear

That he hung on its margin, far and near,

Where a rock could rear its head.

He went to the windows of those who slept,

And over each pane, like a fairy, crept;

Wherever he breathed, wherever he stepped,

By the light of the morn were seen

Most beautiful things; there were flowers and trees;

There were bevies of birds and swarms of bees;

There were cities with temples and towers; and these

All pictured in silvery sheen!

But he did one thing that was hardly fair–

He peeped in the cupboard, and finding there

That all had forgotten for him to prepare–

“Now, just to set them a-thinking,

I’ll bite this basket of fruit,” said he,

“This costly pitcher I’ll burst in three;

And the glass of water they’ve left for me

Shall ‘tchick’ to tell them I’m drinking!”

***

Snow Day

Freezing temperatures and snow on Thursday meant school was closed. I wasn't aware of it until I attempted to drop the kids off, a lot of us parents were surprised. Given that I grew up in the state of Wisconsin, this wasn't a lot of snow in my opinion. But, it doesn't snow here very often and the roads were very icy so I understand why things had to be shut down. Before going home I took the kids for a scenic drive in our warm & toasty car because I had to take photos, you know. 

Enjoy. 

~~~

Have a nice weekend.

Καλό Σαββατοκύριακο!

Street Musician I

Walking along Wabash Ave. in Chicago I came across several street musicians.  I took photos of most of the musicians I encountered, but this man was one of my favorites - he was an amazing saxophone player. 

~~~

Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music
~Sergi Rachmaninov

~~~

Last Day at the Beach

I believe we've spent our last our last day at the beach. Last Sunday the weather was absolutely beautiful so we took advantage of the opportunity to squeeze in another swim as well as quiet time exploring our nearly deserted beach. 

Cat Nap

I love cats, always have. In fact, most of my friends still can't believe that I have three dogs and  not a single cat in my life.  Living in Greece provides me with ample opportunity to photograph cats and I've photographed hundreds but I haven't posted any on this blog. I'm not sure why.

One of my favorite coffee table books is The Mediterranean Cat by Hans Silvester. I've had this book for years and to this day, I find myself flipping through the pages, admiring his beautiful photos of cats...many similar to some I've taken. Cats are great subjects and usually cooperative in front of the lens.

Alexandra & I met this cat while were were taking a walk the other day and she suggested that I take some photos of it. He was napping under a table at a seaside taverna, it was midday (μεσημέρι) and very few people were out taking walks. No one was at the taverna and it was open. A perfect opportunity and place for this cat to have a nap. 

Buckingham Fountain

I've been away from the blog for one month, probably my longest absence ever. I've been extremely busy this summer and I've also had the chance to travel to the U.S. to visit my friends and family. It's been an amazing summer, to say the least. Before I get back to my regular posting I'd like to share a  few photos of one of my absolute favorite fountains located in my absolute favorite city in the world...the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, IL. Whenever I visit downtown Chicago, I always make time to stop there.

I really love this place, could sit there for hours...

~

Enjoy what remains of summer!

Little Feet...

We attended a baptism recently & I captured these little feet just after being handed into the arms of their new  Nonos/Νονός. (Godfather)  

The Quintessential Donkey

To carry his load without resting, not to be bothered by heat or cold and always be content: these three things we can learn from a donkey. 

~Indian Proverb~

Early morning, my view...

Early one morning I saw a flock of seagulls along the beach so  I stopped to take some photos.

This is what they were so excited about. 

It was noisy and exciting near the shore,  I ended up spontaneously taking a great walk. 

~Enjoy the week ahead~

Beach in Spring...

There are days when we have time to kill and our favorite place to pass the time is the beach, no matter the season.  One afternoon we had about an hour to spare before it was time to pick Foti up from school, so the girls and I enjoyed some fresh air at a local beach. 

As we approached the beach we spotted a dog sleeping. At first we thought it was dead, as it's not uncommon to come across dead dogs here. I know it sounds grim, but it's reality.  This one woke up a few minutes later and we were relieved. He was extremely friendly and lovable. 

Exploring...

We saw some brave swimmers. The temperature this day was about 60 F/ 15.5 C...so not technically warm enough for most people to take a dip. I applaud this couple for their enthusiasm because I won't go in yet.

A strange find on the beach...

Alexandra fell and Izabella was taking photos...

and caught the moment when I went to help her up. She was using my camera, she's already great at photography, especially given she's only 7 yrs old. She won't be satisfied with a point & shoot, I'm afraid. 

Izabella posing on the life guard station. 

Alexandra loves the sand...just loves it. 

That's how we kill time. I love living near the sea. 

Have a nice week! 

Spring...My Favorite Season

Spring is my absolute favorite season. It means that my birthday is near, days will be longer, the weather is getting warmer, I spend more time outside and I can start planting my garden. Most of all,  I love how colors- greens, yellows, purples and pinks emerge from beneath the brown and grey hues of winter. 

Even flowers that some may consider weeds are beautiful and vibrant. 

Our property turns into a spring wonderland that our children love exploring. Butterflies, hawk-moths and tadpoles keep them intrigued as they spend hours outside looking for them. 

Even cold, cloud covered days offer rich green views. 

The children love their independence- free of the cold, damp winter and not having to bundle up every day. 

As I look up through the blossoming trees the sky seems much brighter and  a bit more blue. 

Purple is my favorite color...

especially when it blankets the fields near our home. 

Wishing everyone in the northern hemisphere a beautiful Spring!