Lens-Artists Challenge #179 – Serene

Patti suggests Serene for the last challenge of the year. A timely choice, as that is what many of us need today, serenity. The hustle and bustle of December makes for contemplation – is this what we really want?

I hope my chosen images all speak for themselves as to what serene means to me.

Serenity is the birthplace for creativity, wisdom, and meaningful productivity.

– Jane Nelsen

He who loves nature loves peace.
― Michael Bassey Johnson

Serenity lies in solitude.
― Lailah Gifty Akita

Meditation takes you to the place inside you which is the most calm and serene place in the universe.
― Purvi Raniga

Like water, we are truest to our nature in repose.

– Cyril Connolly

And, we all strive to reach the light.

Thank you for treating us to a variety of choices last week – a true delight! This week we invite you to join us and show us what serene means to you. In your post, include a link to Patti’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. We’re looking forward to seeing your photos!

We have two important announcements as well: There will be no new challenge from us on Saturday, December 25th, but we will return on January 1st, 2022 for our annual Favorite Photos of 2021 challenge. The number of images is up to you.

Until then, I wish you Happy Holidays and a happy and healthy New Year!

Lens- Artists Challenge #178 You Choose

The very fact of snow is such an amazement. – Roger Ebert

This week Tina is inviting us to post on a subject of our own choosing. ”Feel free to use your imagination to take your post anywhere you’d like – we look forward to lots of variety!” I’ve chosen some of the winter sceneries we’ve been lucky enough to experience here for a couple of weeks. Too early to stay until Christmas though, but certainly putting myself, children and dogs into the spirit of the holidays!

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different. – J.B. Priestley

These images are all from a short drive yesterday, to visit friends.

Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill my heart with sweet clarity.
– Novala Takemoto

A glimpse of sun through thick skies.

Despite all I have seen and experienced, I still get the same simple thrill out of glimpsing a tiny patch of snow.
– Edmund Hillary

A short drive up the road we passed this house by a small pond. Happy to enjoy curtains of icicles!

To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.
– Aristotle

The snow lifted for a second, and the majestic trees showed off their soft duvet – a winter wonderland.

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.’
– Lewis Carrol

Winter forms our character and brings out our best.– Tim Allen

On our way home, the snow started falling again, and I loved every second of it. As Tina says – every day is indeed a gift. This snow will not last for many more days here, but I try to live in the moment – taking it in, loving the serenity.

We look forward to seeing what the week will bring as you gift us with posts that suit your own fancy. Please be sure to link them to Tina’s post, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you in the reader. Thank you for sharing your celebrations last week, and next week Patti will be back at the helm. Until then, stay safe, enjoy the holiday season – and remember: One kind word can warm three winter months. – Japanese Proverb.

Thursday Thoughts – In My Winter Garden

Winter is here –

Two days of heavy snowing –

And we all love it!

A glimpse of sun too – and Life is beautiful.

Wordless Wednesday

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #137 – Soft

Have a strong mind and a soft heart. – Anthony J. D’Angelo

In fact I consider being soft a virtue and an asset. Maybe not always…but almost always!

Now, after all the incredibly creative S’s from you for Patti’s alphabet challenge… we’ll continue with another S – Soft. (Hopefully you haven’t run out of images on Soft for Patti…) So many things are Soft…to look at, to touch, to listen to… we even have software for our technical devices. This challenge is all about how you want to interpret Soft – we are looking forward to seeing your choices! Please link to my post and add the Lens-Artists tag.

I just have to start with Snow – as we have had so much of it this year. Snow envelops you in a soft and silent world. It was many years since I did some serious skiing, but I am not afraid of falling in the soft and fluffy snow.

Soft, almost creamy snow on the old ship setting from the Viking Age.

Soft landscape with clouds, hills and autumn trees. A favourite dogwalk.

Have you ever touched a bumble bee? They ARE soft! Unless you get stung…

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My Totti is very soft – and not only his fur. Soft are also the dandelions sailing away to sit on his nose in the soft evening light.

I also have a spring ”softie” on my table every year – acacia, or mimosa, as we call it. Its yellow flower balls always make me smile and walk into that room as often as possible… I wonder if acacia will be possible to grow in my glass house? I certainly will give it a try!

Finally – thank you again for inspiring us every week! Next week, March 6, Amy will be hosting Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #138 and as promised, we reveal the theme already: Natural Light. Be sure to pay her a visit and hopefully join in.  In the meantime, have a lovely, creative week! And… please stay safe.

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday Thoughts – Hiking Vedema

I guess this was maybe the last lasting snow this year – a beautiful day for us and the dogs. Start in soft sun and finish in the cold of the evening. Put on your warmest clothes and come along!

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Thursday Thoughts – Winter Trees

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Can a windmill sail without wind…?

Six Word Saturday

After all this snow maybe you are hungry for a fresh Beach Walk with Frank? He’ll take you along with him every week, reflecting on life through what he sees and experiences: Moon, Dawn, Storm… and today it is Fog. I managed to find some fog and mist for him to illustrate his ponderings. His thoughts are peacefully reflective and refreshing: just the thing to brighten your morning.

Thursday Thoughts – Glory Days

I thought you might want to walk with me in an area I seldom walk. It is always very windy here, and the open waters make the wind chill you to the bones. But …

…not today! Several degrees below zero, but sunny and no wind. Absolutely still.

There were more than me walking here today…

I met some dogs too, but not many. Summertime this is a very popular area for walkers.

As I had anticipated, there were no birds in sight, but I knew where to find them…

Just follow the snow covered path…

…and you will reach the small pond with warmer waters. Here we find several species of ducks, swans and cormorants.

A very sunny, uplifting day for us all! Thank you for walking with me ♥