january pastels, 8

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The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise.
 It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us. 

- Ashley Montagu

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Husum - Storm's "graue Stadt am Meer"

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Die Stadt 

Am grauen Strand, am grauen Meer

Und seitab liegt die Stadt;

Der Nebel drückt die Dächer schwer,

Und durch die Stille braust das Meer

Eintönig um die Stadt.

Es rauscht kein Wald, es schlägt im Mai

Kein Vogel ohne Unterlass;

Die Wandergans mit hartem Schrei

Nur fliegt in Herbstesnacht vorbei,

Am Strande weht das Gras.

Doch hängt mein ganzes Herz an dir,

Du graue Stadt am Meer;

Der Jugend Zauber für und für

Ruht lächelnd doch auf dir, auf dir,

Du graue Stadt am Meer.


The shore is gray, the sea is gray,   
And there the city stands;   
The mists upon the houses weigh,   
And through the calm the ocean gray   
Roars dully on the strands.           

There are no rustling woods, there fly   
No singing birds in May;   
The wild goose with its callous cry   
Alone on autumn nights soars by;   
The wind-blown grasses sway.           

And yet my whole heart clings to thee,   
Gray city by the sea;   
And e’er the spell of youth for me   
Doth smiling rest on thee, on thee   
Gray city by the sea.


By Theodor Storm (1817–1888)

Margarete Münsterberg, ed., trans.  A Harvest of German Verse.  1916

... these photographs I've taken with my iPhone and using the APP #Hipstamatic at Husum, Schleswig-Holstein, North Germany. This is the gray city by the sea where Theodor Storm has lived .

Skywatch Friday - Our World Tuesday - Weekend Reflection - My Sunday Photo 

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january pastels, 7

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When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. 

- Tecumseh




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be kind

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One kind word can warm three winter months. 

~ Japanese Proverb

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delighted surprise

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"The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer.  Minute by minute they lengthen out.  It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change.  It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day, until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise we realize that we can stay out of doors in a
twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour."

- Vita Sackville-West

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My North - a January Poem

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When one reads a poem in January, 
it is as lovely as when one goes to walk in June. 

- Jean Paul Friedrich Richter

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my North - the lesson of beauty

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"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, 
if there were no winter in our year!"

--Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Outdoor Wednesday - Wordless Wednesday - Image-In-Inq - Our World Tuesday 

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study the past 2016

- January 2016 


The first snow of the year, so inviting for a lovely walk.

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

- Confucius

- February 2016 


The Snowdrops arrived, lovely sweet and hopeful moments in a cold and grey month.

- March 2016 


Garden inspection with my two girls. We love enjoying the first warm sunrise and to discover the tiny signs of Nature's awakening in March.

- April 2016 


The grand opening at our own garden. Every Spring I'm so happy that I've set in Autumn so much flowers bulbs. This April garden view is any work worth, isn't it.

- May 2016 


An absolutely highlight in 2016 were our Tuscany holidays, visiting Lucca, Viareggio and on our way way we make a beautiful stop over at Ascona, Lago Maggiore.

- June 2016 


June is month of Roses and our garden is over and over filled with her smell and beauty.
Like every year I created a new Snail Fine Art calendar for the year ahead. I love these little relaxing moments with my camera very much.

- July 2016 


Enjoying the #WorldWatercolorMonth on Facebook in July 2017. This was such a gorgeous creative impulse.
I can't believe it, but I've painted over 120 watercolor paintings and joined two marvelous workshops with Jean Haines and Viktoria Prischedko during 2016 and I've learned so much.

- August 2016 


Spending a dreamy time at St. Peter-Ording

- September 2016 


Visiting the famous old city of Magdeburg.

 - October 2016 


Colorful Autumn day at Berlin.

- November 2016 


Nature calm down and the first signs of Winter unmistakable.

- December 2016 


Lovely discovery - a Chocolate Museum quite near to us. I would say, perfect timing in December.

I'm so grateful for this marvelous year full of unforgettable moments and I hope that you enjoy 

this review as much as I do. 

All my best wishes for 2017 dear friend. 

Hugs and Kisses

yours isabella 

Skywatch Friday - MySundayPhoto - Sunday in my City - Scenic Weekend - Macro Monday II

 - Our World Tuesday - Image-in-Inq - Wordless Wednesday 

- Wednesday Waters

Open your eyes !!!

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Open your eyes, look at the bright day awaiting you, 

forget all bad dreams and start afresh. 

Wishing you a wonderful New Year!


Cordially yours, Isabella 

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