2017

I’m not sorry to see 2016 go, as I’m sure many people around the globe feel. So scary and so heartbreaking many times…

But for me personally many good things happened too, as much as it is possible to separate the general atmosphere of doom in the world from my own life. I had a productive year, I took some decisions that may create a safer future for me (still very uncertain that this will be the outcome, but at least I do my part), I took care of my health, I cultivated my friendships. Cici came into our family this year and our 3 dogs get along really nicely. Tonight, we will have our first New Years Eve with her :).

So, for 2017, I thought about a few simple goals (like read and write more, learn to sew, learn some embroidery techniques, use our DSLR more). But mainly I plan to stay grateful for my sheltered life, for being surrounded by human and non-human loved ones, for being able to do work that I feel it’s meaningful and fulfilling (most of the time). Worry less, do more.

Olympus IS2000

I received this nineties macro camera as a gift in October. I immediately put a film in it (a fresh Fuji 200), but I shot the last frame only a few days ago. So these photos were taken in the last 3 months. I expected sharper results from this quality camera (I think it used to be  expensive, at least my uncle, who gave it to me, remembers that he splurged on it). I’m not sure how often I’ll use this camera, as it is quite heavy to carry around, but definitely I’ll give it one more try, maybe in summer when the light is better.

 

Sleepy

She is preparing to take a nap in her comfy handmade bed, that my friend Rodica made for her.

2 years

It’s my blog anniversary today. I still enjoy posting here even if I don’t manage to do it so often.

These weird Christmas cards are from my childhood collection, from the eighties. The faceless Santa is really creepy and I also think the faceless child in the left is nice, too :).

I clearly remember the pink fluffy doll the child holds in the second card. I didn’t have one like it but many of my friends did. I also appreciate the very typical carpet in socialist homes and how the card was badly printed, with a lighter stripe in the left. So funny and also so nostalgic.

We have a peaceful day, it’s snowing outside, we have lots of delicious vegan food and the dogs are really happy that we are all at home.

Tired

I feel overwhelmed most of the time these days, by all the things I have to do and all the things I would want to do. But I really enjoy working on this in my free time.

Relax

I was thinking today (while I have a free day and most of my to do list items for the next days are ticked off already but I still can’t really just enjoy the moment and not worry) that my most important goal for 2017 is to relax. Learn how to stop my mind, stop thinking of all the things that I could/should do and just be. I used to be good at that.

This is a new embroidery I have started, using a beautiful knitted lace an unknown woman made many years ago. 

Pigeons

 

Finally some (almost) free days. It feels like winter and we are planning to make some decorations for the house.

These pigeons were spending time outside our bathroom window.