Read of the Month: September

It's been a long long time since I last read such a delightful book. I knew it from the very beginning, a book called "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" couldn't be anything but good.

It is an extraordinary story of a nine-year-old girl - Rose, who discovers that she can taste emotion in food. The lemon cake her mother bakes on the eve of Rosie's birthday tastes like bitterness and loneliness and this changes the life of the little girl all of a sudden. Somehow, without wanting it, Rose knows way too much about the ones she love, but as she grows up, she learns that there are some secrets that will remain hidden forever.

The book is funny, witty, mysterious and sad at the same time. Goes really well with a slice of lemon cake (couldn't taste any emotions, hope you won't, either!) and a cup of earl grey latte.

~

Back in Vienna!

When I was in Vienna for the first time I knew I wanted to come back. I fell in love with this city the moment I saw it. So I made a promise, to Vienna and to myself, that someday I would be back.

Well, I did keep my promise. It's been more than a week since me and my boy arrived and we are beyond happy. We both enrolled at a local University and now we are trying to find a decent place to live. It's been hard, since we barely know German, but it is also thrilling to know you're making a dream come true. We will attend a German language course first and we are so eager to start! But until then, we have a thousand other things to do, so we keep ourselves busy.

Only thing missing right now is Dexter, who is staying with my parents in Bulgaria. I miss him so much and I can't wait for us to finally settle and take him here with us. But... one step at a time, they say.

So, I don't think I will be able to post regularly this month, but I'll do my best. Do check from time to time to learn a new German word, ha! Have a wonderful rest of the week and never be scared to start from scratch. It feels delightful!

Bis bald!

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Super Dexter

Believe it or not, in a land far far away (from where I am at the moment, anyways) there is a dog that has super powers. I cannot be sure of it, but that's what they say.

I've heard his name is Dexter.

He has those big brown eyes that can enchant you pretty easily. He can look you in the eye and make you do just about anything, they say. Like, give him your last (and most delicious) piece of pizza, for example. Or play hide and seek. Or run around the house, screaming "You can't catch me!", which he, eventually, does.

I've heard that his most special ability is to make people happy. People he knows or total strangers - it doesn't matter. He has all those hidden tricks that can make you laugh at any time. They say you fall in love with him the moment you meet him...

What a magician!

~

Northern Cardinal

I drew another little birdie for my set. My collection is slowly growing. :)

Praha

After visiting Germany, the Czech Republic was a must. It was way too close not to pay it a visit.

It wasn't easy getting there, though. We spent a couple of hours trying to find a parking spot and a place to stay. I wasn't feeling very well and I was this close to staying in the room for the rest of the day. But I couldn't. I knew I would feel sorry for the rest of my life for being in Prague and not seeing the famous Orloj, so I got over myself. I grabbed my camera and one little map of the city, and, leaning on my boy for support, we went treasure hunting.

Prague was just my kind of city. We only took a tour round Staromestske - the Old Town Square, but I loved every single detail. Long narrow streets, colourful renaissance buildings and beautiful gothic churches. And yes - I tasted the famous Czech beer. And although I don't like beer at all, I really enjoyed a cold glass of Pilsner Urquell.

We saw the great astronomical clock, attended an open Alfons Mucha exhibition and got to the top of the clock tower and I almost forgot I wasn't feeling well. I left Prague with severe cold and had the most unpleasant flight back home.

It was absolutely worth it.

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September.

I can't believe it's already September! This summer went by so quickly, like every good summer does.

Everything changes in September. It gets more chilly and rainy and this means more hot tea and cuddles. There are some drastic changes going on in my life this and the following months and, honestly, I couldn't have picked more suitable time. I am nervous, I am frightened and I am definitely excited. You will see very soon what I am talking about.

Until then, enjoy the last days of summer and welcome autumn with all that it brings. I am sure there are some nice surprises waiting round the corner.

~

Little bits of Germany

Hallo to everyone from Germany!

That trip was unexpected and definitely not well planned (I wish I had packed more warm clothes!) but I am enjoying every minute of it. I am basically driving from town to town so I don't have enough time for sightseeing or taking pictures, but it still feels good to explore new places and meet native people.

I have only been in small peaceful towns so far and I am really looking forward to visiting one of the bigger cities to get the full picture of Germany. What really makes it special here are the people. Everyone is so kind, so helpful and nice, that all I want to do is talk talk talk. I only wish my German was better...

~

Honeycreeper

While searching the internet for different types of little birdies I could draw, I realised there are just so many and all of them look gorgeous. I was so fascinated by all the pictures I saw that now I'm considering the idea of creating a huge set of little birds illustrations.
Wouldn't that make the coolest art wall there is? I really think so... :)
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Read of the month: August

When I saw the last Harry Potter movie I decided to start from book one and experience the magical story once again, from the very beginning. Reading all the books one after another, without waiting and guessing when would the next one come out (ah, but it was so much fun!) made it easier for me to understand little details and spot all the hints J.K.Rowling had left.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was the only book of the series that I'd read once and I didn't really remember much, so it was like reading it for the first time.

I will definitely miss the books. I will miss the suspension before another one was published. I will miss lining for tickets for another movie. But you know what - I'm glad I was a part of it. From the very beginning.

Girls just wanna have fun

Sweet colourful cocktails, cheesy romantic movies, cute night talks under the stars and endless toasts "To us!" - this is how me and my favourite girls spend a night out together. As we study in different cities, we cannot see one another as often as we'd like, but that makes it even more special when we reunite. There's a saying that goes like this "The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart" and that is exactly how I feel when I am with my girls. We have grown, we have changed, but we still share our secrets, take goofy pictures and sing silly songs together, just like we used to.
Sometimes what you have is more than enough.
~

Sparrow

How is your August going?

Mine is sunny and rainy at the same time, which I think is the ideal weather for sipping raspberry ice-tea and drawing little birdies. I'm currently pretty obsessed with sets so I think there's another one coming. Little birds on the way! :)

Oh! I am very happy to tell you that the e-course I took part in is now open for registration! You can read more about it here. I am sure you'll find a lot of interesting stuff there, especially if you're an art lover!

Have a wonderful day!

~

A walk back in time

My attempts to get to know my country Bulgaria and its history better led me to a beautiful stronghold just a few kilometers away from my hometown.
The remains of medieval Cherven date back to the XIV century, when the town grew to become a centre of craftsmanship and a key centre to trade and culture. Cherven (which in Bulgarian means "red") had a fortified inner city on rock ground in one of the near river's bends and an outer city on the hills that surround the area.
The town is now a national archaeological reserve with remains of 13 churches, tall defensive walls, a well-preserved keep from the XIV century (photo #4), residential buildings and workshops.
Breathing the air of this place, touching the solid rock walls my predecessors had built to defend the town and walking on the same paths they used to walk made me realize that history isn't that far away after all. I felt, for a moment, like I was a part of it.

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Catch My Dreams

Wouldn't it be great if we could magically keep our most dearest dreams somewhere and relive them whenever we want? Sometimes I just wish my dreams were stuck in my dreamcatcher, waiting for me to release them and see them once again.

This illustration is a part of a bedroom set I am working on and although it certainly cannot replace the real thing, I am sure it has enough energy to keep the nightmares away.

Happy weekend!

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