The Simple Life
Spring comes quietly and tentatively to Finland.
Not given to much fuss and ado, and perhaps just a tad like the good, silent folk of Finland, Spring is shy and hesitantly unfolds itself in these parts in delicate hues – mostly unassuming and always unobtrusive.
I go to the woods buried for so long under a white stillness like an eager friend. Shafts of milky sun filter through the damp, sodden trees.
The forest trails feel springy and moist underfoot. There is a scent of trees and wet wood in the air. Dappled sunlight play among the trees where pools of dark waters sit contentedly.
A few brave calls from small feathered friends ring out on the treetops. A flash of a bushy tail darts from the corner of my eye rustling the dark green spruce. Snakes slither lazily from their hidey-holes and warm themselves luxuriously in pools of sunshine on the forest floor.
Each day a new facet of Sping emerges. A bud. A nub. A tightly furled fist of baby leaves. Furry catkins. Fields of dainty white windflowers spring up overnight.
How magical it is to see the good Earth once again. How very good to welcome yet another season of promise.
To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life ~ John Burroughs
I loved these pics. Unique perspective, beautiful execution.
Thank you so much Mehmudah. I am so proud to be able to share with you a glimpse of my home country for the last 10 years. Remembering you this Mother’s Day with much love, Sharon
Calming with a sense of the Creator’s wonder, thank you.
Dear Josette, I’m so glad if the photos conveyed that sense of calm to you. These are some of my favourite spots and trails which I go to almost everyday to fill my soul with the Creator’s wonder. Hugs, Sharon
Amazing – the pictures capture the wonder of our Creator.
Thank you for sharing them.
Hello Josette! So lovely to hear from you! Thank you and I’m so glad you enjoyed the beauty of His creation. I wish you a wonderful weekend and keep in touch. Sharon
I love the way you describe the Spring in our country. As I live in Finland myself (though I’ve been away for nearly a decade), I “know” what the spring is here like, but it is still such an amazing experience when you live through it. Thanks for your post.
My dear Maarit! Tervetuloa! How very wonderful to connect with a fellow Finn! It makes me happy to know that I have done justice to this beautiful country even through these photos. Thank you so much for visiting and please let’s keep in touch. Your artwork is amazing and it must have been such an enriching experience living in Africa and Asia for the last decade. Welcome home world citizen! Sharon
Lovely images that help me re-live spring here in Virginia. Long awaited spring too soon fades into hot, humid weather here. Finland appears to take spring much slower. Enjoy!
Hello my dear Diane! You are so spot on – winter lingered a bit longer than usual this year and spring took a while to finally arrive. Everyday the landscape changes before my very eyes! Thank you for visiting! Sharon
Wonderful spring photos. I especially like the first 3, but all of them also.
Dear Bente, your comment just made my day 😀 Coming from you that means so much!! I am a great fan of your photography – it’s in a different league altogether! Thank you so much for visiting and do come again! Sharon
Beautiful. Those are fantastic photos.
Hello Monika! Thank you so much for visiiting this little nook of mine. Appreciate your time and your very kind comment! Happy Mother’s Day! Sharon
Lovely. I hope I get to Finland some day.
If you love the quiet and the calm and pristine nature, Finland is the place for you! I think you’ll like this Nordic gem. Guess what, we’re going to an Ethiopian restaurant next weekend for a family reunion!!! I’ll be sure to come back and let you know! Hugs and a very Happy Mother’s Day to you Karyl! Sharon
Thanks for sharing some of your world through your beautiful photographs. I love the simple life.
Dear Brenda, thank you for enjoying these photos with me! These are some of my favourite spots when I go out each day to meditate and refresh my soul. Many hugs to you dear one. Sharon
Beautiful pics 🙂 Thanks for following my blog and letting me know about yours 🙂
My dear Meghna, thank you for visiting! It is always great to have some young people in the house! 😀 Loving your photography. Sharon
Thank you so much for the encouragement Sharon 🙂 I look up to your blog.
Lovely message. It’s always a wonderful time when spring shakes off the dark of winter. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Barney, thank you so much for coming by. I always appreciate your kind words. We took 2 steps into Spring and then 10 steps firmly back into winter! 😀 But I think it’s safe to say that we’re marching steadily into Spring now! Sharon
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I have found that photography and walks go together very well. I liked your woodpecker shot.
Dear Claude, thank you so much for visiting! And thank you for being the first to mention my woodpecker shot because that is my pride and joy 😀 I have found bird shots to be the most tricky given the nature of our feathered friends. But I was so thrilled to have this woodpecker stop for just that instant to capture this angle. I admire your photography very much and it means so much for you to leave this very kind comment! Sharon
How very good indeed!
To the simple, good life! Hugs and a very Happy Mother’s Day to you. Sharon
Your photos are wonderful. You have made a great job when taking these photos and now presenting them to us. Thank You.
Happy week-end!
My dear Sartenada, kiitos kovasti! Coming from the man with the biggest collection of photographs from Finland, I am truly honoured. I still think you should get your works published! Thank you so much once again for your kind encouragement! Happy weekend and I hope you and your family enjoy a lovely day celebrating Mother’s Day tomorrow! Sharon
Beautiful photos! 🙂
Thanks so much Carol! Now that spring is here I look forward to trying out my hand in some flower shots that will make you proud too (hopefully!) 😀 Happy Mother’s Day – may your family pamper you for the day! Sharon
Thank you for a lovely, meditative walk. Interesting that a walk in Finland could be a walk in Oregon, US (although your spring is a bit behind us this year).
Dear Life Student, you are indeed right on both counts. This is the trail that I take when I go out each day for my walks. My favourite sights and spots! And yes, our Spring came late this year. I will think of you in Oregon when I go for my walk afterwards. It’s raining now and everything is turning a lovely green! Happy weekend to you, Sharon
Just beautiful! Spring got here to us, and left again suddenly – I hope she comes back this weekend 😉 Scrolling through these photos makes me want to hop on a plane and come see you! BIG HUGS, and LOTS OF LOVE! Donna ❤
My dearest Donna, I hear the New England is simply gorgeous – I want to hop on a plane and come see you!! 😀 You are most warmly welcomed and Finland awaits thee 😀 Sharon
I just need a passport….. lol
PS A Happy and Joyous Mother’s Day to you my dear! (I’m not sure when International Mother’s Day is – so I’m including you in the US celebrations!) ❤
Finland celebrates Mother’s Day tomorrow too!! All the flags are up at full mast and all the shops are closed too for the day – that’s how much Finland remembers Mothers! I want to wish you a wonderful and Happy Mother’s Day my dear Donna! May the fruits of your labour bring you joy for years to come! Sharon
Lovely! I too go to the woods to find signs of spring. Thanks for including some Finnish birds too!
Thank you for mentioning the birds!!! 😀 Precision, patience and humility – a very good practice indeed to cultivate photographing birds! Thank you so much for coming by and I look forward to your Spring unfolding in Oregon too. Sharon
As always, you words are a breath of fresh air and your photography so so beautiful x
Dear Helsinkibabe! Thank you so much. It’s always such a great feeling when my friends come by and check what I’ve been up to! 😀 Time for our next date with the 158ers? Hugs xx Shaz
The photos are lovely, and I enjoyed reading the text! Thanks for this.
Thank you so much! It’s been a pleasure to visit your wonderful photo and journal blog. Looking forward to more! Sharon
Beautiful. How lovely to go a wandering and spy on nature’s secret unravelling of itself. I miss and yearn for Spring. Thanks for sharing through your pictures . Happy mother’s day 🙂
My dear Martha, thank you for always popping by and cheering me on! I was blown away by some of your recent pix! Amazing shots. I tried leaving a comment on your page – did it succeed? And thank you so much for this Mother’s Day wish. It means so much coming from you – a friend, woman and mother I admire deeply. Thank you for all that you do, for all that you are, my dear friend. Much love, Sharon
Beautiful words and photos! Spring is “shy” and “unassuming.” Our seasons are less pronounced where we live, so I enjoyed seeing spring emerge through your lens!
Thank you Mark for your kind encouragement which truly warms my heart. I am always blessed visiting yours. Take care and greetings to Dallis! Sharon
Love your pictures! I so enjoy Spring, listening to the birds, planting my flowers. I just love ‘pussy willows’. 🙂 Renee
My dearest Renee! I would love to see pictures of your garden and how beautiful the things that grow under your care! Much love as always, Shaz
Hello Shaz. I have been planting and making up some baskets. I still have some more to do and when they are more in bloom I will make a post of my garden. I love it!! Have a wonderful day. I hope the sun is shining in your world too. hugs. 🙂
My dear Shaz,
Your mesmerizing photos reveal the secrets of a world As magical as an elvish woodland…
Your Finland is a geography of my dreams as a result of what you share through your lens and perspective. Oh, how I would love to share a few hours with you walking through your beloved countryside as each season slowly wakens…
Love and sisterhood,
Angela
Dearest Angela, in these enchanting woods Bilbo and Gandalf have had many a fine adventure! My husband and son – the legendary Hobbit and the great Wizard think the same way too 😀 I hope you will one day have the chance to visit our fair shores and you can be sure I will take you to all my favourite spots that you see here in these photos. Warmest thoughts sending your way today, Shaz
Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for sharing these stunning photographs. What an excellent piece.
It was such a pleasure for me revisiting my favourite trees and forest trails after the long winter and the deep snow. Thank you so much for enjoying this piece with me! Sharon
Beautiful! Very reflective…
…And vivid
Dear Blazing Trail, thank you so much for visiting and for leaving me such a warm review! I really appreciate it. You write very well and I enjoyed reading your piece “Alone With the Man Eaters”. Please do come by again! Sharon
Thanks for the kind words Sharon.Welcome for another visit.
oh! One more thing Sharon,i hope the man eaters did not frighten you a lot!
Love what you do with the plentiful and simple subject matter. Most would just walk past, yet, you make it art. I really dig the use of light and depth of field in some of these pics. Many others are stronger statements of composition and inspire me to look harder, deeper and let the simple show me the mother lode of its beauty.
Your words filled me with such a great sense of gratefulness. Thank you for taking the time to visit and for leaving such a nice gift for me. I am so touched. I have enjoyed your poems immensely. It is always a pleasure to meet good people like you all around the world. My warmest greetings to you and your lovely family. Sharon
Your gratitude is contagious as it inevitably should be. Thanks for getting to my sight and reading also. I am equally grateful for your words.
Oh God…what NOT to appreciate…the reflection of the tree stumps in water, the catkins, the light effects in your pictures, seems spring is yawning and stretching lazily after waking up.Tell me one think, how were you able to capture the birds?
We humans do no appreciate the beauty of this simple life as the birds do….
Brilliant as ever…5/5 🙂
Oh you really made me jump for joy with the 5/5 rating!!! 😀 Thanks my dear pal! Thank you so much for noticing the birds (my little pride and joy in my early days of photography!!) Birds are such tricky subject matters and now I really respect those who specialise only in bird shots. I think they must have the patience of a saint and skills I can only dream of!! 😀 But you’re right – the lesson to learn from these little feathered creatures. No worries, happy days flying and calling out confidently without a care in the world! Many hugs my dear one. Sharon
Your blogs and pictures always have a calming effect on me in my insanely busy life. I see you have posted but wait for a quiet time to read it. You make me happy when you post a blog, Shaz! Thank you for that! Love!
I too come by your place when I want to sit down for a good read. I’m so thankful for you and often find your posts an echo of myself. Say hi to S & R and tell them that Aunty Sharon thinks they’re very lucky to have a Mommy like you! Much love, Shaz
What a beautiful post! Thank you so much.Enjoy your Spring 🙂
Always great to hear from you! Thank you so much and enjoy your Summer! 😀
It’s facinating to see your Spring happening so long after ours! You’ve captured a lovely selection of images to illustrate it.
Thank you so much for dropping by and checking out our Spring! You must be well into summer now 😀 I always imagine the rest of the world already in flower shorts, straw hats and flip flops while we’re still up in our rubber boots 😀 I really appreciate your kind feedback and I always look forward to your latest endeavours and forays into Nature! I learn so much everytime. Have a great summer! Sharon
Really pretty shots, I love all the details!
So great to hear from you and thank you for the warm review! Made my day! 😀 Sharon
Your lovely images bring my mind to such a serene and peaceful state, where i can just sit back and enjoy the best of natures joys!
A very warm welcome here! Thank you for visiting and for such a beautiful comment. I am most happy if you are able to find rest even from these photos. I have really enjoyed reading your works. They are inspiring and very pure. Do keep in touch and have a really great day! Warmest greetings from Finland, Sharon
My dearest Shaz,
Ha! You have just been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award (see http://erranttranscendentalist.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/liebster-blog-award/).
xoxoxoxo,
Angela
Ho! Ho! Ho! You fill my life with good things! Thank you so much my Zen! xxx Shaz
I have similar feelings about your posts, Shaz. How your photographs help me see with new eyes, that is. The third one up above reminds me of lace. I see Angela nominated you for a Liebster. Good for you!
Dear Dave, oh that means so much seeing how much I admire your work! Thank you for coming by to visit! Have a wonderful holiday and hope you’ll be posting during the hols too! Shaz
Plan to, but the photographs won’t look quite the same.
Sharon, the photos are gorgeous. I am thinking of you as spring slowly, “quietly and tentatively” unfolds also here in New England (USA). 🙂 Carolina
Dear Carolina!! I had no idea you are in New England! It’s simply gorgeous there! I always thought you were writing from a little charming village near the woods in Italy. Thank you for enjoying these photos – you made me feel so happy. Many hugs to you! Sharon
Hi, I enjoy your blog, and so I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. http://highheelgourmet.com/2012/05/15/versatile-blogger-award/
You can read about what you need to do here: http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/vba-rules/
Congratulations!!! A Londonder from Afar Please note, the award is completely optional and you do not have to accept.
Ahhhhh I was trying to mention that A Londoner from Afar nominated me, then I changed my mind and didn’t completely delete her name. Sorry about that!
Thank you so much Miranti for this lovely gesture! I appreciate it very much and more so the thought behind it! Enjoying your holiday photos immensely – it looked like you had a very good one! Hugs, Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Just to let you know that I have passed the “One Lovely Blog” award on to you.
Oh wow – that’s really great! Thank you so much for thinking of me – I am touched. And congratulations – yours is indeed One Very Lovely Blog indeed!! xx
Beautiful!
These are amazingly beautiful. You really have an eye for how to capture simple beauty.
Beautiful images, Sharon! 😉
Wow I love these photos! Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂
I have always wondered about how beautiful Spring can become in Finland and the neighboring countries. I won’t rest till I get to experience it, and your photos just energized my interest, Sharon. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing glimpses of your world, Sharon. In a way, I can see it through your eyes. Thank you for that special gift.
Russ
Love your post, love the philosophy! Thanks for liking my post too!
So delicate….beautiful work…
Dear Sharon,
Loveliest of lovelies.
Viv