Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
Like River I usually run with a theme. I am continuing the 'home and away' theme this week.
Starting with home.
The sky has been a joy.
A moody sunset.
And a gentle dawn.
The garden continues to shine - particularly after some blissful rain.
For Joanne Noragon.
Peruvian Lily or Alstromeria
Double Delight.
While the garden and I loved the rain, a small group of corellas didn't fare so well. They look as if they had mud baths, and some days later are still severely grubby.
And to 'the away' part of this photo heavy post.
The smaller portion caught a very fast train from Moscow to St Peterburg. And my request, and for Andrew, he took a few photos of said train, and I am assured that there are more. And better.
St Peterburg is also big on cathedrals...
A river cruise.
And he has spend days and days at the Hermitage Museum, and I expect could spend weeks there and not see it all.
Some of these photos lead me to believe that the very best and most ornate fairy stories are set in Russia.
Even the public seating, and I gather that is what is was, is very, very ornate.
He has a few more days in St Peterburg, and then heads off to the Netherlands...
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
Like River I usually run with a theme. I am continuing the 'home and away' theme this week.
Starting with home.
The sky has been a joy.
A moody sunset.
And a gentle dawn.
The garden continues to shine - particularly after some blissful rain.
For Joanne Noragon.
Peruvian Lily or Alstromeria
Double Delight.
While the garden and I loved the rain, a small group of corellas didn't fare so well. They look as if they had mud baths, and some days later are still severely grubby.
And to 'the away' part of this photo heavy post.
The smaller portion caught a very fast train from Moscow to St Peterburg. And my request, and for Andrew, he took a few photos of said train, and I am assured that there are more. And better.
St Peterburg is also big on cathedrals...
A river cruise.
And he has spend days and days at the Hermitage Museum, and I expect could spend weeks there and not see it all.
Some of these photos lead me to believe that the very best and most ornate fairy stories are set in Russia.
Even the public seating, and I gather that is what is was, is very, very ornate.
He has a few more days in St Peterburg, and then heads off to the Netherlands...
The away photos are amazing. But your photos always draw me in. The beautiful sky photos make me want to stop and just marvel for awhile The flowers are also beautiful. The rose was the one this week that captured my attention the most.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: That rose is deliciously scented too. Which I insist on. A rose without a scent is a travesty in my eyes.
DeleteOh yes, they are some beautriful set of photos, but, I loved the number 7, it is superb EC.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: I am glad you found something to like.
DeleteHow marvelous your impressionistic 'home' photos; and the 'away' portion is dream material for sure! My people were so persecuted by the damned czar, and so glad to come to America, that it feels disloyal to approve their tormentor's culture. . . . .
ReplyDeleteALOHA
ComfortSpiral
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Cloudia: I am more than a bit amazed at how much of the Czar's culture has been preserved. I had thought that history would have buried more of it than seems to be the case.
DeleteAt every anenome I said Oooo, Oooo, Oooo, and then saw they were for me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful St. Petersburg pictures, too. My mind cannot grasp the opulence. I am sorry the Romanov sisters saw so lilttle of it.
Joanne Noragon: The opulence does my head in too. Himself just sent me a photo of a restaurant where he had his 'cheap' dinner. It looks more up market than any five star hotel here.
DeleteI wonder whether the Romanov sisters would even have noticed the opulence which was part and parcel of their brief lives.
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos. Since I don't get to see such birds at all I thought they were beautiful even in their scruffy state!
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: I love the corellas too - even muddy. I was a tad surprised they got so dirty though.
DeleteIt is wonderful that you had some rain. As always, your photos are a delight - beautiful sunrises, spectacular & colourful flowers, and the abroad photos certainly add a new dimension to your Sunday Selection. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: His travels are making me feel a bit small and insular. Particularly because I am loving it at home - probably as much as he is 'away'.
DeleteAnother wonderful array of photos from you both. I imagine you're still enjoying your "alone" time, EC. :)
ReplyDeleteWe had a few drops of rain from a storm during the week; a storm that promised much but delivered very little. However, it's still only early days!
I hope you and your two rascals have a good week ahead. :)
Lee: The weather boffins promised a LOT more than we received. As always. I am hoping that we get the rain that is also promised for next week. Hoping, but not holding my breath.
DeleteI am still loving my alone time. It has been busier than I anticipated, but so very welcome.
I hope that you, Remy and Sharma have a wonderful week too.
Wow and wow again! All those pictures of the garden with raindrops gracing the flowers, and then all those Russia pictures! What a great time he's having, from the looks of it. I know you have loved your alone time, I am the same way when I get it. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Life has been conspiring against me and my alone time hasn't been quite alone enough. Hopefully the next couple of weeks will be calmer. He is having a great time - which is wonderful.
DeleteWhat a lucky man he is - fro being able to travel as far and as wide as he is and also for having a lovely lady that lets (and encourages) him to do so.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos as usual EC - the ones from the museum are tempting me to look at travel to that part of the world. And then I look at his previous ones and fancy those places as well. Never satisfied are we lol
Cathy
ps I've got some Sunday Selections as well this week :)
Cathy: I have seen, and enjoyed your Sunday Selections. I do love ducks. And water.
DeleteI wouldn't dream of trying to stop him travelling. It is part of who he is. He needs time away - and I need him to be away. Win/win. And he is having a wonderful time. I don't think I am going to receive my Faberge egg though. Sigh.
I love clouds...and critters :O)
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: I know. I do too.
DeleteNow if we could only smell your flowers as we marvel at their beauty! Poor corellas, you should present them with a bird bath. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAh Russia, one of the places I've always wanted to visit, now even more so.
Jaquelineand...: It looks amazing doesn't it? He went to the Bolshoi theatre too. He said it cost an arm and a leg, and he doesn't regret it.
DeleteSplendid collection of photos I must say. Well done and greetings!
ReplyDeleteBlogoratti: Thank you. I will be over to visit you shortly.
DeleteI do like a good sky picture, pretty flowers and interesting buildings you have it all covered.
ReplyDeleteMerle.......
Merlesworld: I like all those things too. It is really only people I rarely photograph. I wonder what that says about me (and don't think I want to know).
DeleteAt least the Bolsheviks didn't wreck it all
ReplyDeletedinahmow: It is quite surprising isn't it? Didn't wreck it all - despite their best/worst efforts.
DeleteWhat gorgeous, gorgeous photos - both of home and away! Love the purple sky on the first one! St. Peterburg looks awesome. So much opulence everywhere. Those corellas don't look too happy. Of course, I wouldn't be either. :)
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: Some days later there are still some filthy corellas about. The cockatoos stayed white, but the corellas didn't. Hopefully they will find a bath (the cats prohibit me putting one up).
DeleteYou are right about the opulence. He has been sending me photos of the restaurants he has been frequenting. Coming home will feel like slumming.
How interesting that those corellas look so grubby when wet? I wonder why?
ReplyDeleteGreat pics from abroad ~ love the size and proportion of those statues. You could imagine them in Athens instead of St Petersburg.
carol: Apparently the statues are made from a single block of granite and took ten years to make - and three to hand polish. They are incredible aren't they?
DeleteThe corellas don't just look grubby - they are. I assume they were feeding on the grass and got mud smeared across their bellies. Or perhaps were splashed by passing cars. They are dry now, and still filthy.
The photo above the cat, how brilliant is that!
ReplyDeleteThe Australian sky, wonderful plus the parrots, they do show up dirty after the rain...
Margaret-whiteangel: Incredible isn't it? I think I would dislocate my jaw marvelling.
DeleteI do like our skies - and our birds, clean or dirty.
You get better sunsets than we do--& the smaller portion gets to see more gorgeous cathedrals!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: It is hard to imagine that anywhere has much more gorgeous cathedrals.
DeleteI like your sky and garden photos, but the Russian decorative work just takes my breath away. And it is all so well maintained!
ReplyDeleteYou may be right about the fairy tales.
River: It is incredible isn't it? He sent me some photos of parquet flooring this morning. I was filled with awe.
Deleteevery photo is a delight, except those poor bedraggled corellas!
ReplyDeleteenjoy the rest of the weekend
xo
kylie: They retained their cheeky character, even wet, and continued to throw pigeons off the feeder. I think (I hope) it was all appearances. I am about to clean the bathrooms (necessary but not my favourite job) and will then vedge out. Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon/evening yourself.
DeleteThese photos are magnificent EC. Love the flowers, but the St Petersburg pics won my heart. Please thank your husband very much for sharing them. I hope he gets to see all he wants while there, but there's never enough time when we travel, is there?
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks so much for downloading my book, Under the Tuscan Moon. I so appreciate that. If it ever gets to the top of your TBR list, let me know what you think. (((hugs)))
Denise :-)
Denise Covey: I suspect from what he has said (and not said) that he will go back. And cannot blame him. I am looking forward to your book but don't know when I will get to it. I will definitely let you know what I think. And, judging by the rest of your writing. expect to love it.
DeleteSome people in this country need to learn to leave the history in place, even if the past was painful.
ReplyDeleteI had some white chickens that looked awful after a rain. I still find it amazing that anyone has those birds in the yard like we do robins or jays. You do an amazing job with the flower pictures.
Practical Parsimony: Lots of history is painful. If we dismantle it we cannot learn from it. Or I don't think we can.
DeleteI would like to see jays. They are picture book birds for me, and I cannot imagine actually 'seeing them'. How long did your white chooks continue to look awful? It is some days after our rain (which was never particularly heavy) and the corellas still look grubby. Very grubby.
The Corellas must have been dust bathing in the heat - like Practical Parsimony mentions, I had a white chicken who would always look dirty when it rained. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous flower pics! I just picked up a cream nasturtium at the garden centre today, I am always on the look out for new varieties. :)
Snoskred: A cream nasturtium? I don't think I have ever seen one, and would certain have weakend if I did.
DeleteBoth home and away shots are terrific!
ReplyDeleteKaren: Thank you. Very different though.
DeleteLove the sky shots! I think the evening sky is romantic, with its pretty pink/mauve hues – just lovely.
ReplyDeleteAnd, the dawn looks rather moody, with those particularly nice rain bringers. A welcome sight.
Happy to see more of your gorgeous garden goodies.
Osteospermums are such sweet, hardy plants. I have my eye on some deep red ones at Bunnings.
Poor corellas – they’ll be grooming feathers for days, by the looks of it.
Oh those cathedrals! Truly glorious!
And yes, some the best folk tales are Russian.
I adore that moody canal shot. Sigh, just magical.
All those huge marble men! What a feat of carving. Sigh ~ in this throw away age, I’m so glad there is still such magnificence to see.
Gilt rooms, formal courtyard glimpses, calico cats and massive oil paintings…
Lucky, lucky SP!
Vicki: He is revelling in St Peterburg and I gather that all of that maginificence is within walking distance. The canal trip was just a bonus (and what a bonus it was). The osteospermums have colonised parts of the garden. I have white, pink, purple and yellow but no red ones. Yet.
DeleteThere is so much to see! Either they are tricking us by putting a high speed nose on the front of the train or it really is a high speed train.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: There seems to be a phenomenal amount to see. Room after room of magnificence. I thought that about the nose of the train - but you can't trust the ruskies...
DeleteI gather it was very comfortable too. And had wi-fi.
I could spend hours in your garden and I think you are right about fairy tales in Russia the ornateness is so captivating, what wonderful trip the sknny one is having I am traveling vicariously
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: He is seeing some incredible things isn't he? I too am travelling vicariously.
DeleteThese photos are simply luxurious. Even the birds. No matter about the mud. They are absolutely stunning. Your garden makes me think of the Secret Garden. You have sent my mind into a sudden vacation and I don't want to leave. Thank you. :-)
ReplyDeleteRobyn Campbell. What a lovely thing to say. I have always wanted a Secret Garden. Some day...
DeleteI would love the Hermitage. Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I think he went back three times - and still only saw a fraction of what there was.
DeleteWhat interesting pictures! I don't think I have ever seen anything as splendid as the Russian buildings. They are really full of corners and colors, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteBookie: Corners, colours, curves. And rather a lot of beauty and whimsy.
DeleteWhat is that stunningly beautiful white flower? I think it may be one of the prettiest flowers I have ever seen.
ReplyDeletemshatch: It is delightful isn't it? An anenome. A flower I think is often sadly underrated. They come in a wide range of colours too.
DeleteI love how the sky can bring us such joy and oh those flowers...seeing them again keeps me going as we have a hard winter of cold and snow ahead of us until late March. What a gorgeous place St. Petersburg...such a beautiful place with ornate and stunning views.
ReplyDeleteDonna@LivingFromHappiness: I hope your winter is gentler than you expect. (I hope our summer is gentler than I expect.) The seasons will change. Fortunately.
DeleteSt Peterburg is amazing isn't it. History and beauty in the one package.
Oh goodness, your home captures are most charming, sorry about their mud baths, but the rain was surely necessary. Your garden area is so lovely too, as are your lovely critter friends, such a blessing to have them. I feel as if I stepped into a journey myself viewing the away photos, ( I hope you do get more to share) it's been a cheerful visit here today, thank you. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: Rain was definitely needed, and welcome. We could do with some more too - which might perhaps clean the grubby corellas. I am hoping to get some more photos from his trip too. A preview of the viewing orgy when he gets home.
DeleteThe SP is having some kind of fabulous vacation experience. Those photos are beautiful. And your photos of the flowers,daisies are they, those first ones, splendid!
ReplyDeleteStrayer: His holiday has been incredible. Such a change from his years of medical madness. They are indeed daisies in the first photos - they come in a range of colour and are set and forget plants. Always a winner.
DeleteHi Sue Love all your flowers and these birds certainly do look dirty. The 'away' photographs are amazing.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: I don't think I have ever seen quite such grubby birds. The contrast between my home and his away is dramatic again this week isn't it?
DeleteOh my gosh. So many pictures so little time. The pictures of Russia are breathtaking. I think you're right about the fairy tales.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: As I looked, and marvelled at his photos, fairy tales just kept popping into my head. Magic castles and princess type tales. The Russians also produced Baba Yaga, the witch with iron teeth whose hut was on chicken legs so you couldn't sneak up on her. I haven't (yet) seen any sign of her in his photos.
DeleteSTUNNING photos Sue!
ReplyDeleteThe "Door Knocker" reminds me of the Christmas Carol!
Superb.
Love from MN. xx
My Inner Chick: That 'door knocker' was somewhere to tie boats up along the canals. Loved the detail - and the fact that himself noticed it and took a photo to share. Hugs.
Deletelove love love the home flowers and skies, and the away buildings. exquisite!
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: I am glad. Very different, but both have charm.
DeleteExceptional beauty, from the garden to Russia. I love the lacy look of the branches in the third photo, and the white flower in number seven - it's about as perfect as a flower can be, in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteAll the SP's travel photos are full of things I have never seen and probably never will except in photos, so I am grateful you and he are sharing those. I do have to say that the huge statues of men holding the buildings up have given me a slight crick in my neck, though ...
jenny_o: Mad woman with camera dances were involved in the dawn for that third photo - and I too revelled in the lacy tracery. The seventh is an anenome and I am so glad to hear that others love it as I do.
DeleteHis trip? I agree with you. Think of the crick in the neck that those statues would have...
City and field....such beauty in both:) Thanks for sharing the loveliness and lines from your world. Always puts me in a mind of wonder at how both big and small the world:)
ReplyDeleteSo much love and joy to you, friend,
Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: Isn't it wonderful the way this big world has become pocket sized? Hooray for your courageous colourful heart.
DeleteHey EC:)
ReplyDeleteWow! I was happy with the summer flowers and the birds and then I kept scrolling down...
That's great that Small Portion (!!) is off travelling... I thought the Cathedral at Cordoba was amazing, but wow to St. Petes!
PS: IF Small Portion finds himself anywhere near Belgium - and he likes a good beer... tell him he *MUST* stop off at Antwerp for a day...
It's the beer cathedral of the world :)
Mark Koopmans: I have sent you an email. You are one of the people that my internet server has refusing to release messages from.
DeleteThe smaller portion hasn't ventured into Europe before, but I suspect this first trip will demand that he takes others. I don't 'think' that Belgium is on this trip - but won't be entirely surprised.
Based on their diets, wouldn't a bird being grubby mean it's well-fed? :)
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Since the corellas are vegetarian their grubby state is wrong on so many levels...
DeleteWow. The St. Petersburg photos take my breath away.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week, EC.
Rawknrobyn: He has been having a wonderful, wonderful time. In Holland now.
DeleteI've been trying to take more nature pictures. See you inspire me! I should probably just stick to visiting your blog and looking at your pictures. Mine aren't so hot.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: I do love digital cameras. Most of my photos get deleted. Very quickly. Remember when you had to pay to have even the dud ones printed?
DeleteThat is quite a trip he is on - I'm glad he send photos. I'm enjoying them very much.
ReplyDeleteBut I love your sky and flowers the most!
Lynn: What a lovely thing to say. I am enjoying the photos he sends - but am also perfectly happy at home.
DeleteAnother lovely Sunday Selection here today and please thank Smaller Portion for his contribution. What a great trip!
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you - I will pass your compliment on.
DeleteAlways lovely! Flowers and birds always please. And the faraway places photos lately are quite enjoyable as well! Safe journeys.
ReplyDeleteHBF: I am glad to hear that my 'duller' home photos are pleasing people. His trip has been amazing, but home has charm too. For me anyway.
DeleteSt Peterberg really speaks for itself. These ornate buildings are such historic memorable showpieces to marvel over. I can't help but wonder who built these magnificent structures.
ReplyDeleteSpacerguy: I often wonder whether we COULD recreate them now. I suspect not. The smaller portion also went to a Faberge museum - which filled me with lust.
DeleteThe sunrise and sunset pictures are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Thank you.
DeleteLove all the pictures. I can look at sky pictures forever. So beautiful! The flowers are stunning and the birds are fascinating. I am enjoying getting to see St. Petersburg through the photos you are sharing. It is like we all get to join in "the smaller portion's" journey. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: My wimpy self enjoys travelling from the comfort of home. I marvel at the sights, and have none of the travel irritations and dscomfort.
DeleteWhat a variety! Your pics are the best. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: His were all taken with his phone. I expect that the ones on his camera are better.
DeleteLovely skies and feathered friends. And wow! Love those shots of St. Petersburg.
ReplyDeleteladyfi: It looks like an amazing place. Have you been there?
DeleteI'm glad we cannot overdose on beauty. Thank you for this wonderful treat of flowers, birds and travels. What fun!
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: As a beauty addict I am also very glad that we can't overdose on it. Or that if we can it is healthy rather than the opposite.
DeleteYour flowers are a joy to see! I did not expect to see those ornate buildings in Russia.....a neat looking train too!
ReplyDeleteKim @ Stuff could...: I was surprised at how MANY ornate buildings have not only survived but been preserved. And would like to see a very fast train here.
DeleteYour flowers are so clear I could smell their fragrance - isn't imagination a wonderful thing - thank you.
ReplyDeleteKim: Thank you. My imagination has run riot since I was a very young thing - and I am grateful to it. Very.
DeleteYour comment about a scentless rose being a travesty reminded me, for some reason, of something Eleanor Roosevelt said, "I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: 'No good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.' " (Now, THAT'S a travesty! HA!)
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures, as always. I hope your poor dirty birds are all clean again.
All I can say about your hubby's pictures is some of the Russian architecture is simply breath-taking.
Have a super weekend!
Susan: I had seen that Eleanor Roosevelt quote before. She strikes me as a woman I would have loved to spend time with.
DeleteThe dirty birds are still dirty. Russia was magnificent - and the skinny one is now in Amsterdam. Or at least I think he is.
I simply LOVE the yellow and pink rose.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: Double Delight is a honey isn't it? Scneted and beautiful.
DeleteSo much beauty...nature and man, this is what we should be doing, creating, planting, instead of fighting.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the original Starry Night would be amazing.
ReplyDelete