During our trip to Italy and France in 2011, I took hundreds of photos, the majority of which were daytime shots. Here are some favourite captures from two of France’s cities in late evening and night.
I still find them as inviting as ever.
Cannes
On to Paris:
As the last tranquil days of summer disappear, I am drawn to the warmth of the sandy beaches that encircle Perry’s Point.
For a few moments, I can almost forget colder days are approaching…
“To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower,
hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.”
~ William Blake
It’s good to see that the beach birds are still around.
The sandpipers and plovers seem to be in no hurry to wing their way south for the winter.
“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” ~ Charles Darwin
Thank you for stopping by to enjoy the beach with me, and Summer’s last hurrah. 🙂
Has Fall arrived where you live?
“If one really loves nature, one can find beauty everywhere.”
~ Vincent van Gogh
There is something about this time of year, before the advent of autumn, that I love about life on Perry’s Point.
Unconventional to say the least, my backyard here in Newfoundland has no fences, save for one side shared with our neighbour.
One day last week I got out early with my camera, hoping to capture the soft morning light.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
~ Albert Einstein
Join me next Monday for: My “Backyard”- Part 2: The Beach
Happy Monday, everyone. Here are a few images that made me smile with affection last week:
When she can’t be in her master’s lap, Vivian will take possession of an article of clothing or anything that smells like him – even his sandal. Nice fit.
My grandchildren, captured in slumber about six years ago.
Nico before his haircut…
…and after. He is like a different dog!
What endearing images have caught your attention recently?
Happy Weekend, everyone!
Hey, who doesn’t love food? I know not everyone loves cooking, but Andrea of Cooking with a Wallflower sure does, and she does it with style. Her easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes are a delight. I have been following Andrea for some time now, loving her recipe ideas and the gorgeous food photography that goes with it. In her own words:
I know that it’s sometimes difficult to find time to cook when you’re balancing so many other things in your life, but my hope is that you will find that cooking can be fun and relatively simple. I want my readers to be able to have fun cooking as well as enjoy what they eat. After all, what’s the point of eating if you don’t like what you eat? So just because I have certain ingredients in my recipe does not mean that you can’t substitute in some of your favorite ingredients. Have fun and enjoy yourselves.”
Summer in my province of Newfoundland and Labrador, compared to most of North America, is short but ever so sweet. What makes it so cherished, to my mind?
The following photos were all taken in Lead Cove, the little community where I raised my children.
I love my home for its natural beauty,
its refreshing, rugged and
unspoiled charm,
for its clear and wide blue skies
without a whisper of smog.
I love the clean, sparkling water
and the glistening rocks adorning the coastline
that beg to be traced
and trod upon by eager footsteps.
I love summer in Newfoundland
for its breathtaking views
of seascapes and landscapes
when I embark on a hike.
Whether I traverse
its beaches of sand or
climb its rocky windswept hills,
I know my camera will find its aim.
I embrace it because
the bushes and shrubs,
green and lush,
are heavy with fragrance
and of wild roses in bloom…
…while in the gardens,
the planted perennials are brilliant with colour,
delighted at last
to spread their bright petals to the sun.
I love the hardy trees of Newfoundland
in summer…
…as they stretch
their ripe foliage to the sky.
Shot through with rays of sunlight,
a shimmering haze settles over the treetops
like a warm summer veil.
After a long winter and dismal spring
of cold, naked branches,
they, as I do,
breathe a sigh of gratitude
at the return of this warm and golden season.
Are you filled with Summer Lovin’ where you live?
Last Friday, we took a trip to Lead Cove, the little outport community where my children grew up.
Time spent with fun-loving family…
…on a warm summer weekend, is high on my list of favourite things to do.
Around the bay, the pace slows down where time together is savoured and enjoyed.
(Our boy fell and skinned his knee after I took this one, but let’s not talk about that.)
Nico explores with Poppy, making the most of his freedom from the leash.
Our little girl spends a pensive moment beside the sea.
Nico joins her.
Perhaps they are watching the fishing boat near the horizon.
When we return to the summer-house, our chef checks on the roast he is smoking with maple chips.
Nico finds a shady spot.
Pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixin’s. Yum!
Everyone loves it. ❤
Nico is savouring every minute.
So nice to see the kids playing and spending quality time with their mom.
Later, we light a fire and serve up spider wieners.
Happy girl.
What fire would be complete without s’mores? My first one in decades. 🙂
Seeing the above World Heritage Sites, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain while in Rome, was unforgettable. Being able to get up close had an enormous impact on me. Have you ever been inspired by a work of art that is also a relic of the past?
See more here: Scenes from Italy: Rome
Happy Monday, my darling peeps!
Vivian here again, returning to guest host on Jennifer’s Journal.
Today’s update is actually in answer to the Photo Challenge: “Contrasts” over at the Daily Post. Yes, we know it’s a tad late, but Jennifer was busy blogging about other stuff.
Hmmm…which makes me wonder: what could be more important than CATS?
Particularly, Moi?
Even my sister Maisie is somewhat miffed that we were put on hold for other posts.
Never mind I was centre stage in three of the last seven journal entries; everybody would rather hear from Adorable Me than yet another post about boring writing, appreciation, and now, bouquets… blah, blah, blah. Am I right?
You’re nodding, aren’t you?
Now, on to the Challenge. Maisie and I are a study in contrasts, that is a given. Yes, we are cats, yes, we are sisters, and yes, we both love Perry’s Point. But our personalities differ greatly. I don’t like bananas, Maisie loves them. I stand on my hind legs to please my daddy master, Maisie wouldn’t dream of it. I love licking Maisie and cuddling with her, she merely tolerates me. If we were human, you would probably surmise that I’m an extrovert and Maisie is an introvert, and you would be correct.
But this is a “Photo Challenge”. I haven’t figured out how to use a camera – yet – so Jennifer took the following shots (and the shot above) and tweaked them a bit using lots of contrast in her photo editor to achieve these results.
Jennifer says she thinks she’s onto something with the heavy contrast. She says the greater definition may help her draw or paint images from photos done this way. I’m iffy about it, but what do you think?
That’s it for me today. Vivian here signing off, but I leave you with my favourite quote:
“Of all God’s creatures there is only one that
cannot be made the slave of the lash,
that one is the cat. If man could be crossed
with the cat, it would improve man, but it
would deteriorate the cat.”~ Mark Twain
One of the most valuable lessons we can teach our children is kindness and compassion for all living things, no matter how big or small.
This topic is on my mind because I was disturbed to read this morning of yet another local case of animal cruelty. How does a person exist, and sleep at night, who can commit such cruel acts against an innocent and defenseless animal?
I find it difficult to believe a child raised to respect and empathise with the feelings of all creatures can grow up into someone who can treat an animal with cruelty. My dad, in particular, taught us how to care for all living things. We grew up with pets, as many do, but it was more than that. He taught by example. He not only loved that little spider that he picked up and brought outdoors, he wished it well.
I wish every small child could experience that kind of lesson.
Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar. ~ Bradley Miller
Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion, to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. ~ Albert Einstein
It is widely believed that empathy training for children can prevent violence, against animals and human beings. What are you doing to teach children compassion?
Jennifer's Journal 