Cold May

Here in Munich, we have had a really cold May so far. Nonetheless, it's a joy to see the flowers blooming in the garden.

Everything grows.

White little beauties.

The fern uncurls more and more.

Forget-me-nots.

Blooming bush.

Have a wonderful spring!

This'n that

I have meant to blog about this and that for a while, so now that's what this post is about for once -- this'n that!

A while ago The Wizardess Epi tagged me to open my first photo file, scroll down to the 10th photo, post the image, and tell the story behind it. She chose me because I were "sure to have something wonderful." Thanks for the compliment! Believe it or not -- I had shared all 10th photos in my photo folders (from January to April), but now in May I can show you something new.

I took this photo outside the Waldfriedhof. How often do you get to park in front of a car with such an illustration? Of course, I had to take a photo right way. Anyway, normally I am supposed to tag five bloggers myself, but I will leave it to you to play along if you feel like sharing the 10th photo in your first photo file.

The Wizardess Epi thought me also worthy of receiving the Sunshine Award. Thanks so much! I am touched by The Wizardess Epi's words: "She inspires me to get really good at taking pics, and I might even learn to do fancy computer stuffs just like she does." Wow -- it's great to hear that my photography and digital images inspire others! Instead of choosing bloggers for that award, I offer you to take this award as I am sure you all positively and creatively inspire others in one way or another.

Last Monday I got a lovely note from Sally, informing me that I had won rubber stamps in one of her giveaways. Yeah! I received the stamps in the mail yesterday. Thanks Sally -- I definitely enjoy the stamps.

It seems The Wizardess Epi really likes my blog. She also gave me the Beautiful Blogger Award -- thanks so much! I am supposed to list seven favorite things. I will combine this with thanking four lovely people for sending me goodies that I had won in giveaways and one creative challenge.

1. Earrings -- After my first vacation in the American West, I had my earlobes pierced. All these beautiful silver and turquoise earrings helped me to finally make up my mind. Ever since I have enjoyed wearing earrings, so I was very happy to win Holly's giveaway. I knew I was in for a treat because I had won earrings from her before in Mrs. B.'s 31 Days of Halloween. Holly was kind enough to let me choose my favorite pair of earrings from her Etsy store. I chose these beautiful pearl earrings with a pink stone -- I hadn't had anything like them before.

So very elegant -- thanks so much, Holly! I wear the earrings very often -- in fact, I am wearing them today.

2. Halloween -- While Halloween isn't all that big in Germany, I am still excited when October comes near. A couple of years ago I joined a Yahoo Halloween group, getting to know other Halloween fans and artists. Great folks for sure! I also love to read Halloween blogs, and one of my very favorite ones is Kris Dickinson's A Nostalgic Halloween. Last year I was one of the lucky winners of Kris's Halloween blog candy. Can you imagine my excitement seeing this in the mail?

Oh, here you can read it black on brown:

And now see those goodies -- pure Halloween & crafting heaven!

3. Crafting supplies -- Last year in February, I got the most votes in Gail's Mind Wide Open creative challenge for my collage titled "My dreams have wings." That was such a surprise and honor -- and a real treat, too, as I could spend $ 20 in her online store, the Shabby Cottage Studio. Thanks Gail! Here's what I ended up choosing:

I hadn't seen such eyelets before -- I love the pastel colors.

The stickers are simply beautiful.

Some frames to work with -- I plan to make Halloween and/or Christmas ornaments with them.

Colorful fibres.

The most wonderful charm ever -- CREATE!

4. Ancient cultures -- I enjoy reading or watching TV documentaries about ancient cultures. So I was happy that I won Marie's wonderful mummy giveaway last year which included a poster of Tutankhamun among other goodies. Thanks Marie!

5. Animals -- While I don't have a pet at the moment, animals are very important to me. Below you see another prize which was included in Marie's giveaway -- a cute crow which now lives in my ficus.

6. Mexican food -- I like to cook Mexican food once in while. My favorite two dishes are chili con carne and enchiladas. Last Thursday it was time for enchiladas again -- yummy!

7. Tomb Raider -- You already know that I love ancient cultures. Indiana Jones and Lara Croft are no strangers to me. I have played all Tomb Raider games and enjoy exploring temples and searching for artifacts worldwide -- at least in virtual surroundings.

Now that I have listed seven favorite things, please feel free to snag the Beautiful Blogger Award and tell about your seven favorite things.

A while ago I had a poll on the sidebar of my blog -- thanks to everyone who gave their input. I asked if I should add a second column to the right side of my blog. My pro argument was that there would be more space for fun things, announcements and more. A wonderful blog using my blog's template but featuring two columns is the blog of the lovely and talented Johanna Parker. If you haven't visited her blog yet, you are in for a treat! Anyway, my contra argument was that the second column would divert from the actual blog posts. The third option I gave in the poll was "Either way is fine with me." 18 kind souls voted -- and the result was very even:

• 6 (33%) -- Yes, more space for fun things, announcements and more.

• 6 (33%) -- No, it would divert from the actual blog posts.

• 6 (33%) -- Either way is fine with me.

So for the time-being I am sticking with the layout as it is -- and once again thanks for your feedback.

So what's with hugs you wonder. Well, what is a hug after all? According to the Free Dictionary, a hug is a "close, affectionate embrace" or a "tight or fond embrace." Interacting mainly with Americans, I learned that "hugs" is an appropriate signature in letters or emails if you like the recipient. Recently, an Australian woman in her 70s surprised quite a few members of a Yahoo group for graphics when she stated that hugs was "just a horrible expression." She further explained: "As I'm not a touchy feely person any of the trite terms of endearment ruffle my feathers." Somehow, that made me think. Should I stop signing emails or blog comments with hugs which I do once in a while? Maybe there are more people out there who think that hugs are horrible. In the meantime, I decided to keep on signing with hugs when I feel like doing so. Why? Very easy...

• "A hug is a handshake from the heart." ~Author Unknown
• "Hugs are the universal medicine." ~Author Unknown
• "Happiness is an unexpected hug." ~Author Unknown
• "A hug is worth a thousand words." ~Author Unknown
• "Hugs grease the wheels of the world." ~Author Unknown
• "A hug is the shortest distance between friends." ~Author Unknown

All quotes and some more can be found at the Quote Garden. Oh, and if you want to watch a really good video clip, check out the official home of the Free Hugs Campaign. Hugs to you all!

Pink flowers and blossoms

Once again it's time for Beverly's Pink Saturday! I took a couple of photos of flowers and blossoms this week which are perfect to share because they are mainly pink. The roses below are from Mother's Day last Sunday.

Pink carnations.

Pink tree blossoms...

... and more pink tree blossoms.

Cape daisies -- pink beauties...

... all close up and personal.

Pink geraniums.

A new pink-yellow rose bush.

Light pink fuchsias...

... a bit closer...

... and very close.

Happy Pink Saturday!

PS: If you have a minute, please hop over to Mind Wide Open and vote for your favorite creation (voting ends at midnight this Saturday). I worked about three hours to get my digital collage just right.

Sphinx & Munich's Waldfriedhof

At Munich's Waldfriedhof, which according to Wikipedia is considered to be the first woodland cemetery, two sphinx statues are guarding the main entrance. The collage above is a combination of two photos -- one of them was a happy accident, as Bob Ross might have said ("We don't have mistakes here, we just have happy accidents.") I wanted to take a photo of these tree blossoms, ...

... but first forgot to shut off the flash, ending up with the image below, my "happy accident."

In combination with the sphinx photo I created the collage at the top of the post -- and I really like the result. Conclusion: Never delete a "bad" photo right away -- you never know if it might prove to be a happy accident.

Here's another photo of the sphinx statue...

... and a close-up of her head.

Naturally, there are many trees in a woodland cemetery. I especially like this one with the eye.

The cemetery has an enchanted atmosphere with its many old tombstones and monuments.

You even find whimsical statues which make you curious about the lives of those resting in the grave. I googled Clarita Bernhard -- she was part of Munich's town council, mainly devoting her work to school issues and problems of the handicapped as well as single parents. I took the photos below last year in August.

I like how St. Mary infolds the people with her cape which is hold by angels.

The Waldfriedhof (forest cemetery) is really a woodland cemetery resembling a park. The light falling through the trees is magical and gives a sense of peace and serenity.

The Eye of Providence on a tombstone.

This statue of St. Mary and baby Jesus is very detailled and hauntingly beautiful.

An eagle.

One of the most interesting graves at Munich's Waldfriedhof is the one of author Michael Ende. His probably best-known book is The Neverending Story ("Die unendliche Geschichte"). Another great book is Momo -- and a character from Momo is the turtoise Cassiopeia on whose shell words appear to communicate with the girl Momo. Habe keine Angst -- have no fear.

If you know the book (or movie) The Neverending Story, you also know how the book's fictional world somehow becomes reality -- and this unicorn tombstone perfectly translates that.

Another view of Cassiopeia walking over the book with Michael Ende's birth and death dates.

The memorial candle holder is special, too -- stone books form a shelter to hold the candle. The book cover shows AURYN, the mystical talisman from The Neverending Story.

Here's a view of the grave as a whole. It so well represents this man who brought so much joy into the life of readers worldwide.