Charm Bracelet.

My sister invited me recently to join an exclusive club. The charm club at Thomas Sabo. A club I am very honoured to belong to. A gift for my last birthday, she has added four appealing charms to my new charm bracelet and the collection will be only increasing by each year.

The charm bracelet is most likely my first encounter with jewelry. My mother used to wear one on her wrist and I recall how fascinated I was by the multitude of charms adoring the chain, playing with it as she cradled me in her arms, when I was a little girl. My sister, I recently realized, has exactly the same recollection, giving my new bracelet a special meaning as it bridges two generations and redefines the bond between sisters.

The wearing of charms is an ancient tradition and may have begun as a form of amulet to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. During the pre-historic period, jewelry charms would be made from shells, animal-bones and clay and there is evidence from Africa that shells where used for adornments around 75,000 years ago.
Thus wearing mine also connects me symbolically to all the prehistoric sisters of my past.

Poems, Pendants And Praise...

When I started to publicly express my thoughts online a few years back, I did not really know what to expect. The world of blogging was a completely unknown territory, and even though I enjoyed the idea of exploration, I also felt apprehensive and insecure.

What surprised me the most was the collective feeling of friendship, kindness, mutual respect and courteous conduct, that rules the blogging community. The genuine love and affection that all of you at all times express while you visit me - whether in your comments, your emails or just in the interest you take in reading what I have to say, sharing my pain and happiness.

I am way overdue acknowledging three ladies who have express their appreciation of my writing and our friendship.

The lovely Mimi whose giveaway I won - what feels like ages ago - and the book that was the prize has since become my most prized possession. The poems expressed within are as gentle as they are profound.
My absolutely first and oldest friend here, dearest Holly, a beautiful woman inside out, who send me a precious necklace with a plethora of symbolic pendants -  just like that, for no reason at all. Words fail me... so rarely do I get a gift out of the blue...
And last but not least -  the gorgeous Adrielle, a poet with a sensitive mind and soul, who honored me with a blog award - thank you so much.

I dedicate this post to all of you reading this, who have become my very dear friends and I would like to express my gratitude with help of Batcat below. He is my bellowed companion and best friend and a true symbol of unconditional love and devotion.

Batcat And His "Sleeping Bag".

Batcat is a cat of a very reserved nature. Perhaps it comes from the fact that he is an indoor cat. He just doesn't take well to strangers. He likes people, but any contact has to be done on his terms only. Anyone who just approaches him thinking to become his best friend has to think again. Batcat of course also chooses the objects of his affection carefully. Some visitors will be ignored and he will greet them with his absence. Some intrigues him and he will curiously wonder around, investigating the events as they unfold.

Batcat has always liked the Irishman, from the very beginning. He behaves very much the same when he is around as when I am alone with him in the house. Maybe it is because he instinctively knows that the Irishman understands cats, having been around them his whole life.
Recently, he even gave Batcat has most beloved (and best ever!) gift. A paper bag. Now, why have I never thought of that before? I have bought numerous fancy baskets and soft blankets in the pet stores, fun "cat" toys as well, all to be completely ignored and ending up discarded or given away to friends. Who knew that a simple paper bag would turn out to be the best place to sleep and play with? These days, Batcat has abandoned all the warm spots on sofas as chairs and happily rests in his new "sleeping bag". That is, when he is not investigating (relentlessly!) all its "bouncing back" corners, as seen in the short clip below.

Gifts From A Good Friend.

I never win anything. NEVER. I have of course not participated in many contests and I have bought lottery tickets only a few times in my life, but I have never won anything.
Until now.

Recently, my very talented blog friend Holly hosted a giveaway in honour of her one year blog anniversary. Holly is one of my oldest blog friends and she is so kind, generous and absolutely talented.
In any case, I seem to have become one of the winners! About a week ago as I returned from work, there was an envelope waiting for me in the mailbox, filled with small "treasures".

Thank you Holly, the gifts were a wonderful surprise.

Bohemian Historical Glass.

Bohemia, or today's Czech Republic, has a long and famous history in glass making. Czech Crystal is renowned for its quality and beauty. The superb craftsmanship dates back to the Renaissance period, when abundant natural crystal was discovered throughout the Czech Republic. Bohemian glass workers early on realized, that mixing the crystal with potash gave rise to a glass ware of unusually high quality and the famous term Bohemian Glass was born.

Although I do own glass ware made out of the famous Czech crystal, my favorite two pieces are replicas of the Bohemian historical glass. Not many know that such glass can today be purchased in Czech republic, although the stores dealing with this interesting product are getting fewer by each year. This is a sad development, but also a subject for an entirely different discussion...

The pieces presented here were bought on my recent trip to Prague, in a small, beautiful and genuine store that specializes in selling this kind of art and are one of the most unique stem wares I own. Depicting wine glasses from the 16th century, they could be so very fitting to serve drinks from at a table in a Czech castle. Thus making me feel like a queen.

Stardust.

Ever so often I post beautiful images from an intriguing book, entitled Astronomy, 365 Days. This work contains 365 photographs, all linked to our universe. One for each day of the year. I received it as a gift and considering that this year is the International Year Of Astronomy, I find it fitting to share some of the most stunning images with you.

For the 20th of August, the image couldn't be more appropriate and appealing to the painter in me. Entitled "Elements Of The Swan Nebula", also called Omega Nebula, it depicts clouds and dust, the very elements from which new stars are born. The colours each represents known chemical components; red indicates emission from sulfur, green from hydrogen and blue from oxygen.
A talented painter could have not created a more formidable masterpiece...

Two Gifts - For No Reason At All.

Recently I have received two gifts that made me happy.

One was a gift from me to myself. Last week, while my mom was in town, I had an opportunity to go an a wild shopping spree, something I have not done for a long time. My mother and I are very similar when it comes to purchasing; we both enjoy it immensely and never walk away from anything we like. We both share an avid interest in fashion, perfumes and makeup and can spend hours in a cosmetic store. This time was no exception.

I stumbled upon a new fragrance and immediately found the scent extremely appealing. The perfume was just right, in every aspect. I have not had that experience since I found my favorite perfume of all, "Light Blue" from D&G, about 5 years ago. This one is now a very close second. With such an endearing name, "Funny" from Moschino is the best gift I have given myself recently.

The next gift came in a wonderfully wrapped package with Irish stamps all over it. And a very neat handwriting. It contained an incredibly beautiful necklace of colourful stones and beads, handmade and exclusive.

The best gifts are gifts given for no reason at all.

Stars In Motion.

I do not know if anyone recalls, that one of the lovely Christmas gifts I received this past year from the Irishman was a book filled with stunning pictures of the stars and other celestial objects. Entitled "Astronomy, 365 Days", it depicts a year with images from the endless universe.
I like to look through it once in a while and often get intrigued by the photographs of our earth and the skies above. Considering that this year is the "International Year Of Astronomy", I like to continue to share with you some of the images that move me.

For the 8th of July, the image in my book depicts the most famous constellation in night sky; Crux, the Southern Cross. Taken with a tripod positioned camera where the shutter is left open, the image created is a stunning one, depicting stars in motion. A true cosmic art, painted with natural colours on a canvas of black velvet, the night sky.

Two Bottles Of Wine.

Recently I have described how much I enjoy watching constructions. In that context I mentioned that the neighbouring house is being heavily renovated. There is noise and dust and of course we are all anxiously watching, whether the extra windows, which are being added, will be a nuisance to us, the neighbours.

One day last week, upon my return home from work, after I parked my car in the drive way, I paused for a few moments to scrutinize the work, realizing for the first time that the addition will interfere somewhat with the seclusion of my front terrace. I immediately thought about the fact that the bushes lining the parking lot might have to be kept higher to maintain my privacy.
In that moment I could feel a sting of aggravation, which was not there before. A slight irritation appeared, one that made me somewhat mad with this change. Overall, I am very bad when it comes to changes. I often watch changes with dislike and I inspect them with strong pessimism.

With an exhale I locked my car and while contemplating what I have just seen I walked over to my front door. Immediately I noticed that something was lying at my doorstep. It looked like a wrapped gift. When I came closer, I could see it was a transparent gift-wrapping that contained two bottles of red wine. The card disclosed it was from a very reputable retailer. I was thrown and immediately assumed this was delivered to my door in error. No one ever gives me wine without a reason.

When I came inside I turned the card over to realize it was indeed intended for me. It was from my neighbours, the ones that carry out the renovation. It contained words of thankfulness and apologies for the interference the construction was causing all of us living in the vicinity. I felt suddenly not just startled, but also ashamed.

But then I came to the conclusion that I should feel blessed that I live in such a wonderful neighbourhood and that people can still surprise me with their kindness and generosity. Shortly after I came to the realization that the change the construction will result in will affect my life in a very small way, if at all.

Precious Adornment.

I have a particular taste in jewellery. I do not care much for silver or gold, or precious stones. I will not crave diamonds nor pearls. To me, jewellery is much more than that.
I love when it tells a story, when the style is unique, when the occasion at which it is given is an unforgettable one. I enjoy wearing vintage jewellery, that I have inherited, as well as ornaments purchased at fairs and flea markets, at second hand stores or antique shops. I am always intrigued by historical jewellery, made to look as if made from times long gone. Celtic, Native American or Viking styles have always mesmerized me and I own many of these. This doesn’t mean that on every day bases, I will not buy inexpensive oversize plastic earrings, necklaces or bracelets. I have often been complimented on the accessories I wear and many are surprised when I disclose the source or the cost. To me, it has always been about mixing quality and beauty, meaning that often I wear something I really like despite the origins or the value. Anything we tend to wear with joy or pleasure will look stunning on us. In my humble opinion, one doesn’t have to wear expensive brands from top to toe, in order to look stylish and interesting.

Very few people in my family, if any, have ever given me jewellery as gifts. I think my style is so unique (and complicated), that no one ever dares to try. However, the Irishman seems to have certainly tapped in to what I like. He keeps giving me wonderful earrings and pendants, broaches, bangles and rings, all of which have become my favourite. The ones presented here have been the lovely gifts he brought on his last visit.

Astronomy Picture Of The Day.

I have always been fascinated by the night sky. At no time am I aware of the vastness of space more, then when looking at stars on a clear night. During the day, the blue atmosphere above us feels almost as a blanket, or a lid confiding us here. However, on a cloudless night, thousand of stars on the jet-black sky make me aware of the immense dimensions of the universe. In that moment it becomes very obvious that our planet is truly suspended in space.

This Christmas I received a fantastic book as a Christmas gift. It contains different pictures related to astronomy, one for each day in a year.
Today’s beautiful photograph is called "Big Dipper Castle". It depicts a castle in the Swabia Albs in Southern Germany, on a clear night, with the constellation of Big Dipper above on the velvet blue sky. I think that is the only constellation that almost everyone recognizes. It goes by many names, for example in Swedish and Danish it is called "Karl's Wagon" and in Slovak and Czech, "The Big Wagon".

On a warm summer night when I sit outside on my terrace, this well known assemblage of stars is clearly visible. It looks the same it has always looked, ever since I was a child. Gazing at it makes me feel as if time stands still.

Happy Pink Feet.

This was a Christmas gift from the Irishman and I simply had to post a picture of my new slippers.;) They are HUGE and VERY pink.
I look indeed dashing when I wear these around the house. They must be either female Hobbit feet or very fancy pink Ogre-girl feet. But, I do love them to bits, as they are so cozy and warm. Of course, it took a few days for Batcat (the cat) to get comfortable around them, but by now he and the "pink feet" have become best buddies. That after the terror of the initial encounter has passed.