February 23, 2010

My Favourite Summer Picture(s).

The lovely Kat at Kat's Corner recently invited us to a very simple challenge; to post our favourite summer picture.

I love this challenge.
It makes for a nice break between all the winter pictures that I keep sharing (and will be sharing for a few weeks more). In fact I loved it so much, I went further than that. I found two summer pictures. All right, to be honest, I simply could not decide which one I loved best, so I am posting both.
And to complicate matters even further (as I am not very good with simple), I posted recent winter pictures as well. Not my favourite, but pictures of the same spot, some eight months later, for comparison.

Why are these two my absolute favorite? Because they show my favourite spot in my summer garden. Or terrace. Both taken last June, a few days apart, they depict that same spot at two different times of the day.
They were taken during the beautiful early summer, when my caprifolium (honeysuckle) and jasmine were both in full bloom, making that part of my terrace a heavenly place. A tranquil, scented hideaway, that offers moments of serenity and contemplation during the day. And comes evening, my outdoor fireplace (chiminea) spreads a beautiful wooden aroma in the air, making the same spot cosy and relaxing.

This is the enchanted time of the year, the season of the Scandinavian white nights that keep the evenings light, with sunsets occurring on the other side of midnight.

These June pictures symbolize my favorite part of the year - I simply can not wait for its return.

(Please click the image to enlarge)

32 comments:

Lisa said...

Wow! How God has created the world for our convenience and pleasure.

Thank you. I enjoyed all the pictures. and I love your fireplace. Would love to have one in my yard:) Maybe to put on at night!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous photos and what a huge seasonal contrast!!

Anonymous said...

Zuzana,
I think we all are longing for Spring to spring. In your photos June is busting out all over! :)
The Bach

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Wonderful!!! I really like the contrast! The pictures spell "HOPE" to me!!! Cathy

Nessa said...

I love comparison photos. They are so dramatic. And I certainly see why you love that spot.

RnPB Update

Brian Miller said...

looks like a beautiful place to sit and read and soak up the warmth...

Lynne said...

What a lovely idea to cheer us up. I was looking through some sunny photos the other evening. Love your first one. And what a lovely place to sit you have there.

Kath said...

Fab idea, may I take this idea for my Blog? I am fed up with the snow, cold and dark and long for summer!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

such a beautiful spot to enjoy warm summer days and those wonderful 'white nights' - the fragrance of your plants must be delightful in the evenings!

Jeanne x

A Friendly Stranger said...

wow! what a contrast... Somehow I see beauty in both the before and the after pictures..... The spot must be really cozy in summer's.... and in winter though dull... is picturesque...

As always lovely:)
cheers
seema

Julie Hibbard said...

My favorite post ever!! It doesn't even seem real...
Your yard is OH so beautiful and these photos are a great incentive to keep hope for brighter (and warmer!) days!
Again, you are always welcomed at my home in Southern California. I LONG to be in a home where there is snow on the ground once in a while!
You brighten SO many people's days with your posts and your constant optimism and hope!

Claus said...

What a difference!!! Both beautiful in their own way, I think, but naturally you, and probably all of us avid readers of your blog, will prefer the summery one!! Your terrace in summer is simply beautiful and inviting. Magazine-photograph worthy!

Have a great day!
*hugs*

steviewren said...

I'd love a cozy little outdoor hideaway like yours. I can't think of anything nicer. I can see why you are longing for its return.

Our Springish weather here is gone. Winter has returned. Tomorrow we may have snow flurries again.

Kat_RN said...

Zuzana,
Great job, no, it is not too late. What a beautiful spot. I can see why it is your favorite. Comparing them with now is a good idea. Think warm thoughts.
Thank you for joining my challenge.
Kat

Hilary said...

What a great idea. And I'm so with you on longing for summer. We had our first snowfall since December. Now I'm off to shovel snow... and dream of July.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I LOVE the February/June comparison! And, at this point PREFER the June ones...WOULD LOVE to be sitting on your terrace with a cup of coffee or glass of wine basking in the sun!

Anonymous said...

Hi Zuzana!
Your terrace is wonderful! I can see why you love spending lazy summer days there!
All this extra snow you are getting will just make this Spring and Summer seem that much better this year! :)
Hugs,
Zuzu

G said...

Oh Zuzana, I'm so with you here. I can't wait for the return of the warm months. I love all your side-by-side comparison pictures you take... of trees, of your sunsets, of your wonderful patio.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

what an incredible touch of spring your top photo offers us! oh, and jasmine and honeysuckle! what could possibly be better!!! divine! i love the contrast winter/spring-summer shots - great to see from both seasons!

Donna said...

Quite a contrast! I'd have to say the summer ones appeal to me more. Lovely spot.

Hugs,
Donna

Rajesh said...

It is always difficult to choose the favorite. These are truly beautiful.

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful garden and patio. Hope they emerge from the snow soon.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Nice and interesting contrasts!

Brenda Pruitt said...

That chiminea makes your terrace seem ever so cozy. But won't you be glad when the weather warms up and you won't need it for awhile!
Brenda

sprinkles said...

I can definitely see why that is your favorite place to be! I think it woujld probably be mine too. It looks like the perfect place to sit back and relax with a good book and a cool drink.

Thank you for your kind words on my blog. I had a really bad day yesterday but your comments really cheered me up today.

Margie said...

Oh, what a beautful summer place you have to enjoy those lovely summer days and nights!
It looks so perfect, lucky you!
Amazing contrast in the photos!

So enjoyed this post!
Thanks for sharing Zuzana and I hope you are having a great day!
It's the most beautiful sunny day here and I am enjoying every moment of the wonderful sunshine!

Margie :)
xo

Diane said...

I have to admit, I'm partial to the summer ones at the moment. I'm so sick of snow, it's not funny!

Sorry I've been absent lately... going to try to keep up with all my reading!! Hope you're well, dear friend!! xo

Shelly's Style Shop said...

Great photos! I like them all, but I really love the summer photos. All that green is BEAUTIFUL!

I hope your doing great and staying warm.

xoxo, Shelly

Jeannette StG said...

Love the lower pic - cozy and warm!

Zuzana said...

Ocean Girl, Eternally Distracted, The Bach, Cathy, Nessa, Brian, Lynne, Kath, Jeanne, seema, Julie, Claudia, Stevie, Kat, Hilary, Jill, Zuzu, BPG, Gypsywoman, Donna, Rajesh, LadyCat, Philip, Brenda, sprinkles, Margie, Diane, Shelly and jeannette - I can read from your great responses that the majority of us are so ready for spring.
Thank you all for those lovely words about my summer terrace, yes indeed, it is my favourite place to be and I am delighted to know that you like it too.

And as always, thank you so much everyone for stopping by and thank you Kat for a great idea.;)

Xoxo
Zuzana

Gal Friday said...

What a contrast you show in the snowy and blossoming garden photos!
I love how in the warm months, your back garden becomes an extension of your living space--a place to sit and read and eat.
Your entry(and Kat's, too) have inspired me to post some of my favorite summer vacation photos, as well. I am really longing for summer, going into the grey, blustery month of March.

Zuzana said...

Tina, so right you are; in the summer months I spend most of my free time outside.;) Thank you for your lovely words,
xo