potd 30.6.

Sun and water

First things first though...
Laura, do you recognize the view?
I believe you sat here too ;)

This is the view over downtown from the ladies toilet in the bar up Torni hotel.
Oh yes...
To take these shots I sat on the toilet seat and simply turned my camera.
The justice?
The men don't get a view like this... heh.
Do click on the image to make it bigger.

Today the girls and I visited old friends.
With the kids it was all about water games.


It started with just the splash ball, but grew into bowls of water.
Why do you think Robin looks so pleased with himself?



Because he got a perfect hit on Saara from the upper deck.
She was not expecting it...


We are old neighbors. Saara and Robin were born just two months apart, Miranda is two years younger.

And even the smallest of the lot got into the water fun.

It didn't even get that hot today...

Tomorrow is supposed to be a scorcher.

I really want to go back to the botanical gardens, we'll have to see if the kids are in the mood.

potd 29.6.

A thunder storm rolled in...

...right after I hung laundry out on the line.

Well, I guess it really couldn't get any wetter..

..right?

The photo is of our garden umbrella getting soaked.

The light was just lovely.

potd 28.6.

A close up of the Queen's crown.

I picked through an old deck of cards, cut the cards in half, sewed together, cut the tops and added glitter.

I think I'll be the queen of hearts for Halloween at school this year.

I shall of course be needing a cape of smooth, shimmery velvet...

*grin*

The botanical gardens

When we reached the gardens I started kicking myself.
And kept kicking myself for the better part of the next two hours...
Why?

Because I had opted for my small point and shoot instead of my dear 50D.
All I'm saying is, that I'll be going back here very soon.
Carrying my big camera and my big zoom lens.
You can count on that.

Just look at this place...

And the flowers...

Peonys in full bloom.

And the waterlilies also...

Can you count the shades of green?

We (there were seven women all together) also visited the Worker Housing Museum (Työväenasuntomuseo, vapaa pääsy!) which shows how regular folk lived from the early 1900's on through the war years. I found it very interesting. I need to start visiting more museums in my own town.

We stopped at a lovely café called Salutorget.

This lamp caught my eye.

And not only was the Tuska (=agony... hehee) open air metal music festival making the city rock, it was also the day of the Gay Pride parade.

Even the trams were wearing rainbow flags :)

Made for some great people watching at the railway station I can tell you...

Damn I wish I had had my good camera...

potd 27.6.

Cheers!

I spent most of yesterday at my friends hen night.. well.. hen day really.

We started at the botanical gardens with champagne...

More pictures to come later.

Tea party of surprises and adventure (plus a give away!)

A beautiful day.
The sun is shining as brightly as sunflowers.



Under the sun, next to the lilacs and apple tree is a table set up for a tea party.



Tea cups brimming with sugared delights.



And teacups brimming with.. teacups.
Lovely mismatched teacups.
Not one alike.



It was a small teaparty for a Girl With Stripey Socks..




..carrying a sunbrella...



Who is she having tea with?
In stripey cups...



It is the Queen.
Why is she scowling so?
Is the tea too hot?
Or the sun in her eyes?
Or is her ruffle tickly?




The Girl is smiling though.



There is lovely cake.




Aaahhh.. good...
The cake makes the Queen smile.



But what is this..!?




A White Rabbit has appeared carrying a watch... muttering to himself how very late he is.




"Late late late... my wife will not be happy"




The Queen finds this very silly, as she has noticed the watch has no hands..
What is he late for?



The Queen decides to use her magic ring to follow the silly White Rabbit.


Three taps and she finds the watch again.

Perched on a sweet little house.

With the White Rabbit and his wife greeting them on the porch.

It seems we have been invited to a party!

Wishes of happiness are cast.

Lanterns adore the trees in bloom.

The guests have arrived.

What a delightful party it is.

Just look at these tables.

Cakes.

Donuts.

Cookies.

Pies.

Sweets.

Waffles.

Mrs Beagle with her best summer hat on...

..Mr. Fox has his party hat..

Miss Black Cat put on her best pearls and is discussing the price of geraniums with the Bunny girls.

The White Rabbit is offering Colorful Cat some chocolate cake.

Such laughter.

That magical sound has carried far...

..even more guests from far away are arriving.

How lucky there are picnic blankets set up, plenty of room for everyone.

Won't you sit down?

Have some cake and tea?

There is space next to Mr. Crocodile.

Don't worry he is a vegetarian.

Mrs. White Rabbit has been baking all week.

Aaahhh.. an empty blanket for us.

Let's rest our legs.

Prop up a pillow,

Smell the roses.

There will be fireworks later tonight.

Oh what fun we will have!

Mr. and Mrs. White Rabbit hope you have enjoyed the tea party as much as Girl With Stripey Socks and the Queen have.

In fact they have eaten so many goodies that they can barely move.

A nap might be a good idea on this soft grass... under the trees.. watching the clouds.. mmm...

I have... I mean Mrs. White Rabbit has two prizes to give away. Names will be drawn next Friday, July 3rd.

Both prizes are dollhouse size (1:12). One includes two mugs of coffee and blueberry puff pastries...

...and the other is a box of fruits.

Both have been handmade by me, the dishes have been handmade by a friend.

To enter the drawing, please leave a comment and your email.

And now that you've found me, do stop by again :D