November 30, 2014 by Cynthia

The tree I photograph most often through the rippled window is dead. The greenery and blooms captured throughout the seasons are mostly from vines like forsythia, ivy and something holly-like. With each storm, more of the tree falls to the ground, whole branches and bits of bark.

For safety’s sake, at some point soon, whoever owns that particular piece of ground will have to chop that tree down. The woodpeckers will certainly miss their perch and the insects that they dine upon will miss their home. The vines I suspect will continue to thrive.

Even cut off at the base, they always seem to come back, finding new objects to drape upon. And the moss is ever present.

Adjacent is the neighbor’s garden. He did quite well his first season with a multi-tiered, lush affair of eggplant and kale, tomatoes and cauliflower.

I expect he grew potatoes, too, like me. And I know for sure I saw the green beans climbing up their strings.


As December looms, all that’s left are the relics of dark greens and tomatoes that I guess the city rabbits and city squirrels couldn’t figure out how to get.

There is the chain link fence but that doesn’t prevent his cat from getting out so I’d think that wouldn’t prevent other animals from getting in. If I do my local Open Studios next year, perhaps I will focus on prints of scenes through the rippled glass.

One window, many views. We’ll see. Ideas are easy. It is the follow-through that’s hard. FYI, these are untouched photos of views in this early morning’s light.
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes | Tagged abstract, beauty, city gardening, colors, gardening, glass, impressions, Inspiration, musings, nature, Photography, reflection, Somerville, storytelling, trees, urban landscape, windows | Leave a Comment »
November 28, 2014 by Cynthia

I returned from Ireland to my potted plant of potatoes. A second crop. Sitting in the bay window, with so much sun, the greenery was still vibrant but I figured it was time to look beneath the soil. Eventually the little potatoes were gently scrubbed and tossed into a frying pan with some meat drippings. After a fork full, my dinner companion uttered, “Mmmmm. Creamy.” Next year, I’m going to work with a bigger pot. 😉 Have a good Friday.
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations | Tagged food, gardening, Inspiration, Photography, potatoes, potted plant | 1 Comment »
November 27, 2014 by Cynthia

I have three little shops and there’s one Black Friday. If you’ve visited my shops and seen something you liked for yourself or someone else, now’s a great time to revisit and take advantage of these discounts. Links for the shops are below. New items have been added in them all. Enjoy. 😉
http://www.zazzle.com/imagesbycynthia
http://www.zazzle.com/justfood
http://www.zazzle.com/stationeryworks
Posted in Inspiration | Tagged art, Black Friday, creativity, entertaining, food photography, Inspiration, interior design, nature photography, Photography, shopping, stocking stuffers, unique gifts | Leave a Comment »
November 27, 2014 by Cynthia
Well said, I think. Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are in the world. 😉
Bob Schwartz

The Shaker dance song Simple Gifts (Joseph Brackett, 1848) is the ultimate Thanksgiving song. It is also the ultimate American song, provided we recognize that in America, the most religious and richest nation on earth, simplicity and humility are ideals worth aspiring to and striving for.
Ken Burns writes this about his documentary The Shakers:
They called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, but because of their ecstatic dancing, the world called them Shakers. Though they were celibate, they are the most enduring religious experiment in American history. They believed in pacifism, natural health and hygiene, and for more than 200 years insisted that their followers should strive for simplicity and perfection in everything they did.
Shaker design, including furniture and baskets, may be familiar to you. So may the melody of Simple Gifts. It is frequently used in pop culture, and is most famous…
View original post 129 more words
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
November 26, 2014 by Cynthia

Through the rippled window in black and white.

Where’s the beauty?

I’m not sure.

I just know I find it all mesmerizing.

And I hope you enjoy.

Here’s the view in spring.
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes | Tagged abstract, artwork, beauty, colors, glass, gray, Inspiration, monotype, nature, patterns, perspective, rippled, urban landscape | 3 Comments »
November 25, 2014 by Cynthia
New postage stamps have been approved in one of my Zazzle shops. Colorful vintage images celebrating nature, reading and fashion. Enjoy!
* Parasol Stamp available via this link.

* Joy of Reading Stamp available via this link.

* Parrot Stamp available via this link.

Posted in Inspiration | Tagged art, color, decoration, fun, gifts, Inspiration, parasol, parrot, postage stamps, reading, shopping, stamps, stationeryworks shop, vintage | 1 Comment »
November 24, 2014 by Cynthia

A steady rain falls this day and as the light shifts and the wind blows, beautiful patterns are created upon the kitchen windows. In the foreground are the raindrops and in the distance are the branches of the towering oak tree, its leaves now dark russet and falling to the ground.



Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes | Tagged abstract, beauty, colors, Inspiration, nature, patterns, perspective, Photography, rain, trees, water, weather, windows | 3 Comments »
November 24, 2014 by Cynthia

I could hear her voice the whole time as I settled myself on the kitchen floor and peered beneath the oven. And I can hear her voice every time I look at this photo of what I captured in that moment, of what caught my attention in the morning sun. I hear my mother saying to my father, “Yes, the web is beautiful, but why can’t that child dust a bit more?”
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations | Tagged abstract, family, Inspiration, Photography, sunlight, webs | 1 Comment »
November 23, 2014 by Cynthia

There’s always a tension in creating a product online. Will the tangible reality be as nice? Dublin Green exceeded all expectations. You can read more in this prior post about why I created the book, the second in what may become a series. You never know what a year will hold. 😉



Dublin Green
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes | Tagged books, colors, Dublin Green, gifts, gratitude, Inspiration, ireland, nature, photo book, Photography, travel | 4 Comments »
November 22, 2014 by Cynthia
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes | Tagged abstract, beauty, color, flowers, Inspiration, nature, opportunity, petals, Photography, roses, water | 1 Comment »
« Newer Posts - Older Posts »