meadowpond-tearoom

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mood: winter.cozy

... a walk by the pond, crowds of sleeping cattails guarding the shores........ a soft knit dress and a next piece of work in hands......... Weave your story quietly through a winter day then tell it with a freshly baked pie ❄ x-x

↑ on the left: Winter Hazelnut Coffeecake by Christiann Koepke ↑ on the right: Mulled wine cranberry curd meringue pie by twiggstudios.com

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Grapes Dessert

This recipe has azerbaijani roots, and is easy and super fast to make. For me, the combination of ingredients is quite unusual, but it tastes really nice. I've stumbled upon this recipe in my photo archive a few days ago, and now think why not give it another try. ✎ Hᴇʀᴇ’s ʜᴏᴡ! --- Jᴜsᴛ ғʀʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇsɪʀᴇᴅ ᴏ̨ᴜᴀɴᴛɪᴛʏ ᴏғ sᴛᴏɴᴇʟᴇss ɢʀᴀᴘᴇs (ɪ ᴡᴀs ʟᴜᴄᴋʏ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɢᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ʙɪɢ ᴏɴᴇs!) ɪɴ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏɪʟ ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡᴀʀᴍ, ᴏʀ sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ ᴄʀᴀᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ sᴛᴀʀᴛ ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄɪɴɢ ʟɪᴏ̨ᴜɪᴅ. Tʜᴇɴ ᴀᴅᴅ sᴏᴍᴇ ᴄᴏʀɪᴀɴᴅᴇʀ sᴇᴇᴅs ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛᴀsᴛᴇ. Lᴏᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴀᴘᴇs ᴏɴᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴘʟᴀᴛᴇ ᴍɪxᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʙʀɪɴsᴇɴ ᴄʜᴇᴇsᴇ ᴄᴜᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʙᴇs, ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴇᴄᴏʀᴀᴛᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛᴀʀᴋʜᴜɴ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇs.

I believe that the perfect pair for this dessert would be simple water - still or carbonated, doesn't matter. Green or white tea should also be a fine accompaniment. Any other drink might probably overpower the original taste of the dish... But maybe it's just a matter of taste˚⊱🪷⊰˚

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shop with me: One winter day in a village

...right after I mentioned in my previous post that I was starting to feel the awakening of Spring here and there, Winter decided to show its face again. So I will take this chance to make another winter-related post while it looks a bit winterlike outside. With this moodboard I suggest a few nice ways to spend a cozy and inspiring time somewhere in a tiny rustic hut...

⭐ Winter Forest 12.75-oz. white mug from Crate & Barrel

⭐ book: MAKING WINTER by Emma Mitchell is all about creative activities - crafit projects and recipes - you can keep yourself busy during cold winter months

⭐ Hand knitted Lovikka mittens from Lapland .found on pinterest

⭐ Designer Celia Pym suggests an inspiring idea of mending your favorite sweater instead of just regretfully throwing it out. Here we can play with yarn and textured textile pieces.

⭐ H&M scented wax candle Pine Balsam .found on pinterest

⭐ White Forest perfume by björk and berries. Their website provides a vivid description of what we can expect from the fragrance:

"White Forest is inspired by the deep Swedish woods and captures the serene and mysterious aura of Nordic nature. It has an aromatic and woody scent that awakens the senses and evokes the feeling of being in a snow-covered forest of white birch and green pine."

---black currant, lemon, violet, and lily of the valley. Earthy vetiver and powdery-sweet tonka beans complete the scent, evoking the soul of the Swedish woods---

🧊☃️🧤❄️

Other pleasant pastimes could be:

a walk in the forest (camera on) - x

teatime with pancakes and berry jam - x

create a floral centerpiece with what you have at hand - x

make cute embroidery - x

hug a cat - x

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“𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝐼 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠, 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟.” - Albert Camus

According to the Gregorian calendar the vernal equinox marks the official start of the spring season which happens on March 20th or 22nd. So, on one hand we have to wait for about a month till real spring arrives. But I will gladly agree with the meteorological calendar that reports March 1 as the first day of Spring.

...also because you're just feeling it in the air already, aren't you? Warm winds, daily sunshines, and even that special, subtle yet heady scent coming from soil and trees gradually waking up to a new life. I'm all in foretaste of the first light-green foliage covering in giant waves the awakening landscapes. However... mentally, I am mostly in the Summer already, the culmination of colors, textures and scents!

I wanna fall into the fragrant colorfullness, and in there, hidden from the hurry-scurry of the outside world, find myself in a completely new magical world full of mysteries and unwordable beauty. I want lush translucent inflorescences gently swaying above my head - as if I were under a whipped cloud mousse of light. I want hypnotic buzzing of bumblebees. I wish there was an eternal Summer, at least up until next Christmas season;) So, let it be summer today, even if it's only on my blog page... for now.

... found on pinterest

"I never promised you a rose garden" art piece by Lisa Timmerman

...painting by David Dunlop via pinterest

...found on pinterest

"Warm Afternoon" by Stephen Yardley .via getthechance.wales

Jennifer L Mohr art ...found on pinterest

Well, these were some charming paintings I recently came across. But next time we'll be back to winter for a little while - will come in handy next season ☕🧣🧺🧸

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Winter Bucket List

Though it's already mid-February, we still can make use of the many ideas from this list, especially those of us living in snowy areas ❄️

...or anyway, none of these activities is a one-time thing, so we can easily refer to this list every winter and make the most out of the chilly season! ----- found on pinterest

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Listen/purchase: Nothing But Whispers And White Horizons by Winter Isle

Through a Winter Window...

Why is it always like that? Summer flies by so unfairly fast, whereas winter seems to never end. For those like me, no fan of winter, there are still many ways to make the most out of the inevitable cold season, among which, music - our all-time saving grace! 

And it is probably such↑ kind of music to listen to while spending time in observation of the white stillness behind the window. When only the monotonous swirling of snow, like you’ve just shaked up a glass snowdome, might serve as a little consoling reminder that this silent winter scenery in front of your eyes is not just a view randomly destined to be forever hopelessly captured in time... While nature’s having her beauty sleep, it’s also our opportunity for deep rest (not a reason to feel depressed :) before we can burst into bloom again!⋆˚✿˖°

Which one of these windows could be your today’s story? I like all of them actually, but number 3, 4 and 5, speak to me the most somehow... :)

1. ...artist: Igor Pugach (1963)   .via pinterest

2. ... artist: Р.Иванова. Скоро весна!   .via levkonoe.livejournal.com 

3. ...artist unknown:/   .via pinterest

4. ...artist unknown:/   .via pinterest 

5. ‘Teddy in the Snow’ by Christiane Kubrick (yes, the famous American film director, Stanley Kubrick was her spouse).  Be sure to visit her website, there’re lots of amazing artworks! Her still life and nature art is just so cute - many details to pore over, and a sense of kindness and lightness you inevitably get from her every painting. I wish there was a book fully illustrated by Christiane Kubrick -- a book where you could get lost not only in the plot but also in the captivating illustrations!

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my fashion set: travel.diaries✈ - Split . Croatia

...This is my recent set I created on Fashmates the other day. Strangely enough, the site isn't working for a couple of days already, it just won't open! :[ - just a blank page with a symbol of a broken image... I'm starting to have a slight panicky feeling (remember that epic dissapearance of Polyvore?). Yet, I do hope it's just some maintainance works and the site's gonna be back soon!

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It's been a long, long time since I made fashion or interior sets, maybe more than a year or so. As I really missed this activity, I decided to come back on track with this new holiday BEARy set. Only, it feels like I've lost some skills a bit... Anyway, as always, practice makes perfect :)

Coffee color 𝗌𝗅𝖾𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝖺𝗍 • cream 𝗌𝗐𝖾𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗋 + 𝗌𝗈𝖿𝗍 𝗉𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗌 • 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗅𝖾𝗌 & 𝖪𝖾𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗁𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖻𝖺𝗀 • TOUS 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝖿𝗎𝗆𝖾

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...and this album is very special, my new Christmas gem!  I was just browsing through bandcamp the other day for any new Christmas songs to add into my ever-growing personal collection, and I’m so happy to have discovered this one! 

I really couldn’t imagine that Christmas classics might be remastered in such an unusually beautiful way! A truly unique rendering and the peculiar voice of the soloist immerse you in the atmosphere of sweet melancholy;  it’s not about those bright, gleeful celebrations, but rather a quiet time with yourself, a deep inner travel when you’re feeling safe, moved and inspired, all at once...

The whole album is so relaxing as if you are being dandled in the arms of the universe itself! ..........ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝑜𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟  ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠!............𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝟨 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘣𝘶𝘮 (𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦, 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭!)⸝ 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭 ♥｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡♥

ᴬʳᵗⁱˢᵗ ⁻ ᴺᵃᵗᵃˢʰᵃ ᴾʳ���́ᵛᵒˢᵗ .ᵛᶦᵃ ᵖᶦⁿᵗᵉʳᵉˢᵗ 

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𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧❜𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐭❜𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠. - ᴱᵈⁿᵃ ᶠᵉʳᵇᵉʳ ⁽¹⁸⁸⁵ ⁻ ¹⁹⁶⁸⁾, ᵃⁿ ᴬᵐᵉʳᶦᶜᵃⁿ ⁿᵒᵛᵉˡᶦˢᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵒʳᵗ⁻ˢᵗᵒʳʸ ʷʳᶦᵗᵉʳ 

Christmas Tree ᶜ. ¹⁹³⁸ by Stephen Bone (1904-1958), British

Did you know?

[...The tradition of decorating fir trees at Christmas time was first introduced by German royalty.

“In  1800 Queen Charlotte, the German wife of George III, decorated the  first known English Christmas tree in Queen's Lodge, Windsor. Christmas trees were only seen in homes of the aristocracy until Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, imported spruce trees from Germany in 1840.” ] - ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵇᶜ.ᶜᵒ.ᵘᵏ

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Source: jlmproductionss.bandcamp.com

I wanted to make this post a couple of weeks ago, but that wasn’t possible due to multiple have-to-does piling upon me these days. Really, time keeps speeding up, have you noticed? Now it feels like there’re only, say, 5 hours in a day where I still need to fit all my usual activities! Wahnsinn! So, I’ve made this moodboard hastily, in one evening, with a few lovely images transmitting a bit of the holiday vibes. But not only this... ;)

ᶠᶦʳˢᵗ ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉ ᶦˢ ᵇʸ ᴷᵃʳᵒˡᶦⁿᵃ | @ᵇˡᵒˢˢᵒᵐˢˢ.ˢˢ ▲ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶦᵗ ᶦˢ ᵇʸ ᴷᵃʳᵃ ᴿᵒˢᵉⁿˡᵘⁿᵈ ᵛᶦᵃ ˢᵃᵇᵒⁿʰᵒᵐᵉᵇˡᵒᵍ.ᵗᵘᵐᵇˡʳ.ᶜᵒᵐ. ▲ ᵇᵒˣ ᵒᶠ ᶜʰᵒᶜᵒˡᵃᵗᵉ ᶦˢ  ᵛᶦᵃ  ᶜʰʳᶦˢᵗᵐᵃˢˣᵐᵃˢ   ᴬˡˡ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉˢ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾᶦⁿᵗᵉʳᵉˢᵗ ⁽ᵘⁿᶜʳᵉᵈᶦᵗᵉᵈ⁾, ᵉˣᶜᵉᵖᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉ ʷᶦᵗʰ ᵃ ᶜʰʳᶦˢᵗᵐᵃˢ ᶠˡᵒʳᵃˡ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᶜᵉⁿᵗᵉʳᵖᶦᵉᶜᵉ ʷʰᶦᶜʰ ᶦˢ ᵇʸ ᵇˡᵒᵒᵐˢ.ᵈᵉ. Yᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪɴᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ғɪɴᴅ ɪɴsᴛʀᴜᴄᴛɪᴏɴs ᴏɴ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇ ᴛʜɪs ʟᴏᴠᴇʟɪɴᴇss ʏᴏᴜʀsᴇʟғ. Aᴅᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ sɪᴛᴇ, sᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ɪɴᴄʀᴇᴅɪʙʟʏ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪғᴜʟ ɪᴅᴇᴀs ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ɪɴsᴘɪʀᴇᴅ!

And now I want to share a list of my most favorite Christmas movies (mostly by Hallmark). Hope it’s not too late though it’s almost Christmas Eve. You can watch some of them during these holidays and save the rest for the next season. Or, if you live in a snowy country, it’s really wonderful to continue watching such atmospheric pictures while it’s still white outside. Hope you’ll love my selection!

A Biltmore Christmas • 2023 (incredible film with an unusual scenario and an unexpected, breathtaking happy-ending.) 

Hotel for the Holidays • 2022 starring my favorite actress, Madelaine Petsch

A Castle for Christmas • 2021 (My recent find from a few days ago; still under the impression! I could keep watching it further and further :)) Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes♡ in the lead roles.

Tis the Season to be Irish • 2024

Christmas She Wrote • 2020 with Dylan Neal♡

Good Morning Christmas! • 2020

Krampus • 2015  horror comedy

How The Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey • 2000

The Christmas Chronicles (part 1, part 2) • 2018  starring Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory • 2005 with Johnny Depp (not a specifically Christmas movie, yet perfect for a holiday movie night)

All I Want for Christmas: The Magic Time Machine • 2022 A Danish film starring Thomas Bo Larsen♡ as Von Ravn

Royally Wrapped for Christmas • 2021

A Timeless Christmas • 2020

A Cape Cod Christmas • 2021

One Royal Holiday • 2020

Christmas Detour • 2015

Christmas by Starlight • 2020

Dear Christmas • 2020

Christmas Love Letter • 2019

Christmas on the Menu • 2020

A Very Merry Mix-Up • 2013

Snowed-Inn Christmas • 2017

My Norwegian Holiday • 2023

A Novel Noel • 2024

Home Sweet Christmas 2024

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on my reading list: The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

I've been wanting to read something about vampires for a very long time already. And finally I could get 9 books at once from the famous Vampire Chronicles series (1976 - 2018) by an american writer, Anne Rice. I don't know yet what to expect from these readings, except that for sure it's a horror series (which is usually not to my liking), yet I do hope for dark Gothic atmosphere, a lot of mystery, maybe alchemy, ornate descriptions of vampire chic style, and a captivating romance, what it is like without it:). Let's see; I will write back when I finish. Meanwhile, it seems like I've stocked up on a fascinating reading, I believe, for the whole winter! :D

And here's my little collection of handsome vampires from pinterest. It was really tough to choose among so many incredibly beautiful art works. ........Blond or black, which type is yours?

all images via pinterest ... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

I wonder if it's still anime art, anyway I really like the drawing style here♡ ... x - x

And finally, I created a collage with all the books from the series in chronological order.

Interview with the Vampire (1976)

The Vampire Lestat (1985)

The Queen of the Damned (1988)

The Tale of the Body Thief (1992)

Memnoch the Devil (1995)

The Vampire Armand (1998)

Merrick (2000)

Blood and Gold (2001)

Blackwood Farm (2002)

Blood Canticle (2003)

Prince Lestat (2014)

Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis (2016)

Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat (2018)

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a lesson Rain taught me...

It's been raining cats and dogs zebras and hyenas for the whole past day and night. I don't like rain, at all; neither its quiet tapping behind the window, much less when it's thrashing down which always feels kind of depressing. Rain and strong winds is the type of weather that's been always beyond my tolerance. Yet autumn is back in town, and yesterday night I got it all. .....There was no way for me to wriggle out of going outside, so I called up all my sisu (no, I'm not finnish, but, I think, I have a pretty good deal of this invaluable quality in me 8), pushed the door open and went out into the street ready to fight the disaster...

.via pinterest

but ...strangely enough, I realized quite soon that I was taking such shameful weather calmly. It worked! The thing was I had decided to conduct an experiment and just try to not give that nasty meteorological event my attention! Because... well, because I really don't want to feel miserable every time bad weather happens. .....The very moment I spotted a budding sense of irritation rising inside of me, I reminded myself that I always have a choice to choose the way I feel myself. And I can choose my thoughts (feelings follow) instead of letting them happen with me. I don't want to keep primitively reacting to either unpleasant weather conditions or any other displeasing circumstances whatever they might appear in life. "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times,” said Aeschylus; and was so right!

Rain On A City Street by Katharina Valeeva (Germany) .via icanvas.com

With all this in mind, I did all my outdoor chores, and though I got drenched to the skin, I felt peaceful and inspired because I was all in my happy thoughts. So, now I can tell it by first-hand experience, it's definitely the focus of our attention that defines the way we feel and, subsequently, the reality we live in.

I came across this nice quote somewhere, - "𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗜𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹…"

Here I use weather as an example - it's obviously the simplest thing to start practicing with, but actually it's applicable to absolutely any kind of bothering situations - from daily trivial something to really challenging circumstances that might be full of stress and that is when one should be skilled enough in maintaining the right attitude to safely navigate turbulent waters...

Of course, there may be things in life that might call for cardinal changes other than just altering one's approach. Otherwise, "what you tolerate is what you end up with." But that's another story 8]

.via pinterest

It's true, negative reactions to undesirable situations make one feel even worse than the actual amount of bother one might get from a negative event itself. And it has a snowball effect - "what you focus on grows", more and more things to be irritated about start getting attracted without us even noticing.

Well, imagine an unpleasant situation was... a person that really drives you nuts. You grab them by the lapels, and start shaking them furiously, you go on and on, and you cannot stop. A never ending circle, only because you're holding it so tight - with your thoughts and emotions. But in fact, annoying experience dissapears when and only when you give it your ignorance.

.via pinterest

Well, successfully having passed the test, and here's how I came to the idea of this post - sharing my little story accompanied by paintings of rain... :), I was walking down the street, when, just out of the blue, a subtle scent of gouache paint suddenly drifted into my nose. There was no reasonable explanation where this smell could come from, only maybe from a stationary shop I was passing by, and it lasted for a few seconds only. But all at once I was transported back to my elementary school days when I used to walk by a room where painting classes were held. And it smelled exactly like that every time I slightly opened the door and breathlessly observed children painting. It's not that I had an irresistible desire to paint, but certainly it attracted me much more than the elective my parents signed me for... ;/

.via pinterest

Sure, there may be situations when blowing off steam would be a healthy choice, yet irritability is by and large an ill habit if it's happening on a regular basis and for no decent reason, even when it seems that we have all the rights to experience righteous anger. ........Moreover, annoyance makes us miserable both in and outside, no matter how powerful we might seem to ourselves at the very moment. Because all negative emotions = low vibrations are always a weakness that comes from the way of thinking that we are unable to get through the situation, or change anything, that we have no control over what's happening. ........Thus, by being irritated, you put outer circumstances above yourself, you agree that they are more powerful than you. But if you can keep your inner peace intact, and maintain focus on the reality you want to experience and the feelings it gives you, when you can keep being you in spite of the situations, now you are Big Boss and that's where the real power lies.

Telling the truth, I don't consider myself to be an irritable person, yet some certain situations might still be triggering. And that's why I decided to work on it.

Besides, what's the point of gaining knowledge if you don't use it? There's a fair statement - "Truth cannot be told, it can only be realized." Because really, nothing will ever change, even if we were given eons of years, until we make such conscious emotional alchemy a regular, natural practice.

I'm well aware of the fact that changing attitudes is not always easy, sometimes extremely challenging or even almost impossible, but that's how the universe works. And that's the skill we should master, for our own wellbeing. It's not a one-time thing, but the way of life, actually a never-ending journey. ........I like to think about the process of transmuting negative energies as weaving new wonderful realities with the invisible threads of Light from the fabric of the Universe itself. I'm in a poetic mood today :)) Really, it's a fancy work if you will, which starts in the invisible realm of energies and then, little by little, takes shape in the physical world.

I decided to have fun with it -- "what if I try to behave like that and let´s see what happens," -- small steps for profound changes and with fun, isn't that great?

.found at snipstock.com

I know, tons of books are written on this very topic and me, funny girl, trying to fit it all into one small post. But I just wanted to share the basics, some key shortcuts I always rely on when needed. So now, to sum up - 1. Every time you notice that you start getting annoyed about anything, just take a few long deep breaths from your diaphragm - that's important, because such type of breathing will gradually get you into a relaxed state and help you ground in the present moment.

2. Keep ignoring the negativity of a given circumstance by consciously focusing on your inner world - just think about something that fills your heart with joy, peace or inspiration. "Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think." - Benjamin Disraeli. You will soon realize that your emotions follow the new thought pattern, as emotions never come just by themselves, certain thoughts always precede.

Instead of automatically reacting to outer irritants we may choose the way we respond to what's happening, and that's what is always under our control.

There now, stormy weather doesn't bother me anymore, yay!, though cold was always my weak spot, physically and thus mentally too. It was definitely a nice lesson to learn, especially because I could see immediate results; and the knowledge may be expanded further as needed to other areas of life.

Now, you who are reading this, never forget to check daily your inner weather forecast and may it keep reporting - 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝘀𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲! ❥

p.s. While I'm typing this, another storm is raging behind the window. And as you might guess, I need to go outside. Well, I'm gonna go re-test my new ability ✌

[meadowpond-tearoom]

Night city streets - paintings by Timo Tolonen

".. Let city lights guide you home! .."

Topeliuksenkatu 3 , Helsinki street  -  Timo Tolonen (1977), finnish, b . 1977- Oil on canvas .via huariqueje

Sturenkatu 2, Helsinki street  -  Timo Tolonen (1977), finnish. Oil on canvas .via huariqueje

Timo Tolonen (1977), finnish. Oil on canvas .via pinterest

Huoltoasema 3, Helsinki street -  Timo Tolonen (1977), finnish. Oil on canvas .from artfacts.net

Haapaniemenkatu, Helsinki street -  Timo Tolonen (1977), finnish. Oil on canvas .from galleria-a2.fi

Mannerheimintie 8, Helsinki street -  Timo Tolonen (1977), finnish. Oil on canvas .from galleria-a2.fi

Sturenkatu 4, Helsinki street  -  Timo Tolonen (1977), finnish. Oil on canvas .via kuvataiteilijamatrikkeli.fi

Topeliuksenkatu, Helsinki street  -  Timo Tolonen (1977), finnish. Oil on canvas .from timotolonen.blogspot.com

[meadowpond-tearoom]

INTERIORS of the day: fresh and smart

It's been quite a while since my last post here. It's just that I had a lot on my plate this summer, and even still I can't finish it all. :)) Time keeps speeding up whether we like it or not, have you noticed? Oftentimes I have a feeling like there is only maybe five hours in a day which I still have to pack with all my usual and some other extra activities popping-up every once in a while. I tried my best, sincerely I did, but the moment it all started to get exhausting I gave up and chose to simply go with the flow. Things are getting done little by little and nerves saved. :)

Well, as I'm finally back again :), I'd like to share some modern interiors with character that recently caught my eye. One thing they all have in common is the feeling of freshness plus the presence of unique decor objects and art works as accent pieces.

Hubert Zandberg interior

Retro apartment in Madrid __estudio Atelier HR

...from isuwannee.com

...via Pinterest | poppykalas.dk (floral design studio) for Ferm Living

[meadowpond-tearoom]

Dreamy art + ♫

Youtube recommended me this lovely album the other day, and when I clicked, I was like "Wow... that sounds cool!" It's a rare thing when I really like female voices, but these three ladies, each one of them, have very sweet, tender yet powerful vocals, and listening to them is indeed a pleasure. So, here we are - SAY SHE SHE, an amazing female trio, plus some dreamy art for a relaxing Saturday evening!

"𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢." - ᴹᵃʳˢʰᵃ ᴺᵒʳᵐᵃⁿ

↑ Claude Monet

↑ Enz River by Richard Mierniczak, Germany | Saatchi Art

↑ Nenuphars 5. painting by Richard Mierniczak, Germany | Saatchi Art "The water lilies in the pond, inspired by Claude Monet's famous painting, present an enchanting scene full of color variations and delicate reflections."

↑ [Water Lilies, 1914-17 by Claude Monet], here↑ is a 100% hand-painted oil painting reproduction on canvas painted by one of the professional artists at ipaintings.com

↑ .via happyheidi

↑ Lakeside View by Ruth McDonald, 2023 .via fravery

[meadowpond-tearoom]

today's art find: Albert Dürer Lucas (British, 1828-1918)

"𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑡, 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒." – Gary Snyder

"𝑀𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠, 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒." – Claude Monet

"𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑦, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛." – Frances Hodgson Burnett

"𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒." – Gretel Ehrlich

"𝐴𝑑𝑜𝑝𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒. 𝐻𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒." – Ralph Waldo Emerson