Some memories

For Mind Wide Open's September challenge a lovely image of a woman was provided along with the word prompt "Memories." Somehow, my collage started to grow into dark art -- a reminder that some memories are too hard to bear.

Mail from Japan

Last week Anuan from New Worlds To Conquer surprised me with an email that I had won her giveaway. She had offered a cute cookie, asking for one's favorite cookie. While Anuan and her girls like chocolate chip cookies (always a great choice), anything with cinnamon is high on my list of favorite cookies. Anyway, a little package with the most colorful stamps and -- for me -- exotic looking stickers arrived at my place today.

Anuan's note is so sweet -- and the extra i in my name looks kind of neat, doesn't it?

Now here's the cookie in all its glory.

Doesn't it look just delicious?

That biscuit and cream and fruit topping -- yummy!

Anuan included a lovely Japanese greeting card, ...

... a wonderful bookmark, ...

... and some really awesome papers.

I am looking forward to using them for Artist Trading Cards and other projects.

What wonderful designs -- thanks for everything, Anuan!

Party

The challenge blog Challenge up your life is celebrating its first anniversary with the challenge theme celebrations. A party certainly is a celebration, and somehow I see a party coming in the near future:

Mysteries of Paris

Just a digital collage I recently made -- my mind went back to Paris and its mysteries.

Butterflies at Munich's Botanical Garden

Do you remember the post about my visit at Munich's Botanical Garden? I went there with my mom in March to see the tropical butterflies.

In the roomily greenhouse complex there is one greenhouse where the tropical butterflies live between December and March. You easily find it because a large butterfly banner hangs over the entrance.

It was very hot and humid inside -- not the ideal conditions to take photos. Nonetheless, I am pleased with the outcome of most photos. This little fellow seemed to pose for the camera. You also see the foggy air in the background.

Don't the marks on these butterfly wings look like a bit like eyes?

I am sure you recognize this specimen -- this butterfly has been the star of my blog header for quite some time.

Another "eye candidate."

A couple of these butterflies sat together on trees -- that looks a bit eerie, doesn't it? In the background there's a pond with fish.

Black and white is always elegant.

Green on pink -- so fresh, so springlike!

Such beautiful shades of blue.

If you were lucky, the butterflies landed on you. This one liked my mom's shoulder.

Only the best food for the butterflies -- fresh fruit.

This butterfly rested on a sign explaining about mangroves (I think). I like the old-fashioned letters.

Butterfly pupae pinned to a tree.

One of the beauties landed on my right hand and stayed for quite some time -- a magical moment!

August Sunday

Talk about a pleasant August Sunday -- yummy plum cake made by my mom.

Great twilight mood right before the rainstorm.

The grey storm sky.

Large raindrops hitting the water trough.

The sun coming out after the storm while it was still slightly raining -- rainbow!

An evening sky like a poem.

Dramatic clouds...

... adorning the sky.

Finally, a colorful sunset.

A pleasant August Sunday indeed.

August splendor & two awards

August started with lots of rain, and it has been by far too cool for the season. However, the flowers and plants are thriving, thus showing nature's special summer splendor. The yellow ones below belong to my favorites.

The yellow roses are true beauties.

The phlox is just gorgeous -- that luscious pink is a dream!

The pink lily just shines.

Herbs are also growing well -- here's Thai basil. It's perfect for Thai curry, adding that extra flavor to the dish.

Another variety of basil -- it tastes like cinnamon. Since I love cinnamon, it's definitely one of my favorite herbs.

This year I grew black-eyed Susan from seeds. I can only recommend this -- the plant has been growing very well and is by far healthier than the plants I had bought at garden centers in previous years.

Finally, I am glad to say that I received two awards from dear fellow bloggers. I won't pass them on, but feel free to snag them for your own blog if you feel like doing so. So without further ado, here's the Happy 101 Award from Janie from Mother Moon. Thanks Janie for passing on this award to me!

By accepting the award, I am supposed to share ten things which make me happy. So here are in no particular order ten things which add to my happiness:

The other award is from Jules from MoonCat Farms Meanderings -- thanks so much for such a special award. I am touched by your kind words that I brighten your day and the world around you. Wow!

By accepting this award, I am supposed to sum up my blogging motivation, philosophy, and experience in five words. After some consideration, I came up with this:

Lady Churchill

Mary from Green Paper has a new challenge and provided a challenge sheet with a photo of Lady Churchill. I wondered who that woman was before she became Lady Randolph Churchill. Jennie Jerome looks a like a woman with a free spirit which could soar like a bird. So here is now Jennie Jerome who became Lady Churchill: