NORTHBOUND

Summer, even cold so far, Northern magic at home in the East and in Lapland. Trees that get smaller and twisted on the way, people who get more relaxed. The sun that does not set. The visitors with antlers on greener blueberry patches. Secrets of the North.

Happy summer!

PATTERNS FOR SPRING WINTER

Patterns for skiing, skating, walking. For days with fox and bunny steps in the snow. For days with Great Grey Shrikes swinging on branches, hiding behind their black masks. For days when the sun makes everything to glimmer, stretches with its long yellow beam whiskers everywhere.

This week it seems to be snowy, but the sun remains above the clouds.

In January we started something new with Holmes. They will bring the spring.

Warm whispers in shape of hearts!

FEATHER ISLANDS, LAND OF DREAMS

Is it a tail of a lion which colors all these mornings golden? As quickly as it comes just after the sun reaches above the tree tops, as quickly it also turns to a more colder and brighter color. Just moments. All those yellow polka dots in the trees I would like to protect from the asphalt and a rake with a piece of tape. To make them hang and sway through the winter.

The article that I illustrated tells about sleeping and good dreams. "Sleeping is not about being lazy, but a responsibility." Enough, but not too much while being in the feather islands.

Michael and Neil sent me a wonderful postcard, an original painting by them. Thank you so much!

Lunchtime. Clinking and clanking while a parsnip soup boils,

Anna Emilia

P.s. Edit: The first image was forgotten.

UNPLANNED FOREST POND

Good morning dear you,

Last night I was painting till very late. When I woke up this morning again, a forest surrounded pond with a big rock in the middle had appeared on my table. I just needed to shovel some snow away to show also the tree trunks.

It surely looks like spring here now, the sun appeared too. Small birds sing a happy melody. A perfect timing, I am packing my small bag to have a walk in the sun, step in to a train for a weekend trip through even more snowy forests to my parents in the East. I think there might be many landscapes like this unplanned forest pond on the way. Eager to see what the weather paints on my way.

Have a lovely weekend dear all of you!

LAUANTAINA, Á LAUGARDAGINN, ON SATURDAY

Hello Saturday,

How are you?

It is sunny, but very windy here. I put all the blankets and pillows to the balcony to get a fresh scent, now the wind does not allow me to take them back. I cannot open the door as the wind pushes it back. Feels like strong wind storms of Iceland.

Saturday is laugardagur in Icelandic and it means a laundry day. The washing machine is humming. Iceland I will think a bit more as this girl walking towards the Vattarnes lighthouse comes for a visit to the town today.

Layers to hide from the coldness. The cherry branches are growing lime green leaves. Storms are signs of spring. Green tea with sage.

Have a warm weekend!

MORNING GREETINGS WITH A HINT OF LAVENDER

Straight from bed for a long morning walk in sunrise. Wind´s nests, magpies and crows, rabbit feet patterns on snow, narrow well pounded paths. Clouds of breathing in -17°C. Singing from nearby school, two men swearing on the roofs of allotment garden huts, shoveling snow away.

At home a long breakfast with strawberry-melon-goji-ginger smoothie with seeds and bread. On the table painting series to be continued.

Thank you thousands and twenty-seven times for all your dear and kind wishes for my birthday. It was such a lovely day and evening. Long dinner (I baked also these, but vegan version, very very delicious!) with friends and a surprise of boys playing guitar and singing heart-warming melodies. A few poems and many smiles. A wonderful year began.

Please add a hint of lavender in your green tea today!

Love,

Anna Emilia