simply beautiful: visit Killarney National Park with me on a bright summer day

All of these photos were taken in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland, back in Summer 2010.

I loved how the light was coming through the trees right here.

Tall wildflowers along the trail

I wish national parks in the U.S. had castles.

One of my favorite photos-- I like the way the walls of the castle frame the lake and mountains.

Pretty light comes through the trees on a forested trail.

It was a looong walk to this stately manor home-- and well worth it.

Unbelievable view adjacent to the manor.

So beautiful here!

Approaching the ruins

In the nave...(ignore the eye infection).

This spot along the path was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

simple ways to de-stress and relax

The Orange Trees, by Caillebotte. 1878.

-in warm weather: sit outside in the sunshine
-in cold weather: take a long hot bath
-immerse myself in a book (or twelve)
-take a walk in the woods
-talk to a friend
-enjoy a piping hot cup of tea
-plan my next big trip
-clean (really-- a dirty or cluttered environment makes me feel overwhelmed)
-attack my to-do list
-eat (a little) chocolate

These are mine.  Yours may be totally different.

make meals more enjoyable, without spending more

It's wonderful to enjoy a meal al fresco whenever beautiful weather permits it.

There are a myriad of easy ways to become slightly more creative, artistic, and thoughtful in your meals that can greatly increase your (and your guests') enjoyment of them.  These are just a few very simple ideas that come to mind: 

-Use the nice dishes or silverware that you probably have stored somewhere and probably never use.  Any particular day that you happen to be alive is a special occasion.

-In the evening, especially in the darkest winter months, use candles.  In the summer, or whenever the weather permits, dine al fresco!  This is always my favorite place to eat, and whenever I can eat my meal outside, I do.

-Enjoy setting the table properly.  Use a tablecloth.  Enjoy the ritual of the occasion.  

-Display basic decorations for the season or holiday.  This can be as simple and natural as some small pumpkins and maize displayed in fall, a fresh bowl of seasonal fruit (in any season), some flowers clipped from the yard and displayed in an old jar in spring, etc.

-Be creative and try cooking something new, something you've never tried before.  It is so easy and fun to branch out and discover an unlimited array of flavors and tastes and combinations that are totally new to you.

-This may be the most important tip, and unfortunately may not be something that many of us here in the United States were taught.  Learn to eat slowly and savor it.  Put your utensil down between bites.  Actually chew your food.  Taste it.  Think about it, rather than mindlessly consume it.

-Personally, I think the best way to enjoy any meal is to use fresh herbs, fruit, or vegetables from your own garden-- there is nothing more satisfying than that.  It can be as easily done as growing a couple of potted herbs in your windowsill.  The two I use the most are parsley and rosemary.

-Add a little something special that complements the meal-- a glass of chardonnay, a slice of Brie or Camembert (or whatever your cheese preferences dictate), special chocolates for dessert, etc.  Remember that all days for which you are present are special days.

-Enjoy the conversation and company.

a beautiful painting you may not have seen before

Der Kindergarten, Johann Sperl, c. 1885

I discovered this painting two winters ago at the Neue Pinakothek (www.pinakothek.de) in Munich.  I love the lush colors, the peaceful bucolic setting, and the depiction of nature in this painting.  There were many far better known and more impressive works at the museum but this was by far my favorite.

take a tour through Reykjavik with me

This was the beautiful view of Mt. Esja from my bathroom window in the hostel.

The view from inside a little cafe where I would order hot tea or coffee to 

warm up before braving the outdoors again.  Not much snow in this picture.

A view in the downtown area

I like this mural next to our hostel, though I have no idea what it says.

A good view of the Hallgrimskirkja, the national cathedral, where I enjoyed a beautiful though incomprehensible Christmas Eve concert.

A further view of the Hallgrimskirkja

Just starting to trudge away from the hostel into the town

Reykjavik is a really charming and picturesque little city.  This was snapped during the ~4 hours of daylight.

I adore this little fountain with a bridge.

Still more snow

A square downtown

Walking down onto the main shopping street, catching the last few minutes of daylight

Quirky Cafe Babalu, where I enjoyed a Christmas dinner with other clueless travelers who didn't realize all the shops would be closed.

A view from the harbor

This is my favorite photo, a view of Harpa, the Concert Hall.

The view from inside Harpa

Good night, Reykjavik!

for free fun, seek out the beauty around you

A few months back I spent a lovely Autumn day enjoying Falls Lake Park.  Exploring the woods in fair weather is one of my absolute favorite ways to pass the time.  In Germany I did this most days, even in the snow-- I couldn't get enough of the natural beauty around me.  I also really love the simple, natural beauty of the woods, especially in contrast with the modern idea of "landscaping," which is so contrived and artificial in appearance-- twig-like trees spaced equidistant apart, manicured shrubs, mowed lawns.  There is no beauty in that.

 

The cost for the beautiful day spent at the lake was only that of driving there and back.  I brought with me an apple for a snack, my refillable water bottle, my camera, and of course, a book.

Other ways I enjoy spending my time without spending my money: going to the library, walking in the neighborhood or, better, on a trail somewhere, browsing the little shops downtown (I just leave my wallet at home-- literally), trading my old books in at the used bookstore, writing, creating simple meals using ingredients from my garden, and-- my absolute favorite-- sitting outside on the deck with a good book on a sunny day.  Nothing is better than that.