Let's talk about the darker days before Christmas

A village near the sea, grey and rainy days, an old renovated fishing cottage, ancestral furniture, dogs, candles. All topped with a fluffy mist....
This is my well being in the darker days before Christmas.

Of course I love light and sunshine, it makes the world so much brighter and we need it, but these darker days...... Every year again I am looking forward to them. I can't wait to lit my candles. To embrace the soft glowing light creating comfortable shadows and giving a warm glow to my furniture, maintained and loved by many generations before me. To listen to Bach, to read a book. To drink hot chocolate or Winter tea.

No, I do not live with ghosts from the pasts. Maybe it has to do with not always feeling comfortable in this modern world although I benefit from technology and improved health care too!
Often I crave for a more quiet world, less distractions, more simple. With more simple I mean more quiet, alone with your thoughts, less white noise. There is so much noise: traffic, plains, machines, radios.....  Living in a quiet village near the sea, is a blessing.

My former house, a renovated small farmhouse, was far more isolated although situated near a drive trough country road. At the back and the front no neighbours, just country views. I loved the house, it was comfortable and cosy. Still... in my new house I feel even more comfortable. More at home.
Last week I talked to my lovely neighbour about our mutual feelings for this village and the beautiful Wadden Sea. She and her husband moved here 35 years ago, she originates from Germany.
Even now she can get emotional talking about how wonderful it is to live here, which caused me 'wet eyes' when I agreed.

One of my ancestors owned a plot of land in a nearby fishing village. With my huge amount of Scandinavian DNA (the Vikings did not only ravaged the Friesian coast but also 'mingled' with members of the local population) it is not surprising that I feel so rooted here.
The current exhibition 'We Vikings' in the Friesian Musem in Leeuwarden is a 'must see' and on top of my list.

My DNA is used to long dark winters full of fires and stories to pass the time. I can imagine myself listening in front of a fire. My fantasy at work about elves, trolls, giant birds...... I love standing in the middle of nature, inhaling the cold air, watching the many stars we still see here, my feet guided by the night when walking the wet lands.
Genetic memories and reality.

Soon the Christmas tree will be up again. I respect our Dutch Sinterklaas but the very first Saturday after this wonderful festivity for children, the tree goes up. And already I am planning which changes I have to make to my sitting room to give it a prominent place. It will stay there for at least 4 weeks, spreading it's soft light. Adding to my home feeling.

Photo: Ike Roelfsema

I am also looking forward to the Christmas illumination of the village. There are so many old and beautiful cottages here. Often built close to the next one to shelter each other for the fierce cold wind from sea.
To hear the church bells in the 800 year old tower, wishing it could speak. Wishing it tells stories about all those Christmases it witnessed. In mostly hard times where people struggled to survive, but also happy times of new marriages, new born children.

The darker days before Christmas: simplicity and soft glows.....

Love,

Helen

Let's talk about settling

It has been a while since my move from one little village to another.
In my previous blog post I was still sorting all my belongings and packing numerous removal boxes.

I was surprised how many things one can gather over the years. It was a mix of more then one household and what wasn't needed or 'to sort out on short term but it never happened' was boxed and stored in the garage.
Anyone who moved more than once will admit that it is the best opportunity to get rid of what you never missed over the past years, or what you probably will not use in the future. Or more realistic, what does not fit in the new home which is considerably smaller then the previous home.

Apart from taking much to the skip and the charity shop, I was also able to provide friends with nice things. Giving is so much nicer than selling, particularly when a happy face says "Thank you!"
I could not have done otherwise than giving warm hearted because I was surrounded by wonderful people who took the time to help me shifting. One couple even cooked meals for me! And not to forget the moral support from friends all over the world. I know, what ever I gave them, it will never be enough to express how thankful I was and still am.

I will not go deeper into the move other than that it was a logistic nightmare but I survived. The weeks or even months around the move can best be described as a 'tough job with lots of over time'  and a 'full time work out'. And yes, my physical condition definitely improved! (There is always a good side to everything!)

I loved my previous house, I lived there for over 10 years without one day of regret and I felt so sorry for the house that I was not able to maintain it anymore. It deserved new caring owners and that is what it got.
But I also love my new home, a small rental cottage in a fishing village close to the Wadden Sea.
From day one I felt comfortable and at ease. Of course, decorated with precious items which have been in the family for many generations, I had to feel at home. But it is not just that. It is the home it self. Built in 1890 and gently renovated over the past century, it is now up to the modern standards but still with originally features such as beams and wooden floors.

It does not have a garden at the back but a nice cosy patio where I spend more time reading and enjoying the sun than I ever did before.
It is situated in a tiny but very hospitable fishing village with a church with an 800 year old tower where the church bells still ring every 30 minutes to announce the time. I love the sound!
There is a wonderful Pub 'De Kalkman' where they serve several local brewed beers and very tasty food for very reasonable prices.

I also love the sound of the seagulls, geese and all other Wadden birds. I love the smell of the Wad.
I love that special light near the coast which changes every other minute.
A day can not start better than standing on top of the dike watching the clouds, the sun, the tides, an occasional sailing boat spending the night and waiting for high tide to leave again.

A village is only hospitable by to the people living here. They made me feel very welcome, do not

Photo by Ike Roelfsema Photography

hesitate to introduce them selves and to take the time to talk to me. I already received home grown apples, plums and raspberries.
They asked me to participate in the Village Fair by creating an oil painting (first time in my life).
The Fair was so nice although I did not attend the big parties at night. All streets were decorated with colourful small flags and lights and home made artistic creations which have been photographed by the many tourists that enjoy the village and the Wadden Sea.

I love the sunshine but also the rain and are looking forward to the famous sea mist that suddenly appears to cover the village in a mysterious soft grey light. I love the spectacular sunsets and cloud formations.
I do not have to explain my camera being my loyal companion.....

Happiness my dear readers, is all around me and I realize how very fortunate I am.
I share this happiness with you and if you ever want to visit 'my' village drop me a message.

Lots of love,

Helen

Let's talk about photography

Camera's come in al sorts and sizes, brands and prices.


Who of my readers never held a camera (including a mobile phone)?
You do not need to be a professional photographer these day to take beautiful pictures. The quality often amazes me viewing the photo's on Instagram.
Not seldom I am pleasantly surprised to read in a user's Bio '15 year old amateur photographer'.
I know, there are so many apps and programs to improve a photo but still you need 'the eye' to see the beauty of sometimes a very simple situation, landscape, animal.... what ever.

Give someone who always forget to include a head in a photo the most advanced and expensive camera, and still the head is not visible.
Give someone who recognizes the beauty of a paper clip on a black background lit by the sun a simple camera and he or she comes up with a beautiful artistic photo.

Not everyone needs to be a professional photographer who needs to live from his/her skills.
The joy of photography is also very important and adds much to the the story in the photo.
It shows not only the love for photography but also what people think is important in life, or beautiful. Photo's tell so much about the person behind the camera. I find that intriguing and sometimes also amusing; humour is a lovely emotion to express in photo's.

Instagram offers you a journey around the world for free. You travel through almost every country, watching it's people, heritage, food, history..... you name it. Some allow you to sit at their table and to meet their family members. Or even become friends.
One beautiful aspect of Instagram is the support of users for photo's of others. Always happy to provide positive feedback. And yes, friends for life are found on Instagram.

Photography has always been one of my passions (the other one is writing). Ever since I can hold a camera, I take photo's. And as with most camera addicts, I definitely prefer to be behind the camera and never in front.
It was not until 1982 that I learned how to use a SRL and I was over the moon when I inherited one in 2000. Although it is replaced by a Digital RSL, I still have the old one. In fact, I still have all my camera's! Somehow I can not part from them.

The very best thing about a digital camera is that you can take endless photo's, experimenting as much as you want. Editing is a joy (even though I am not the type of person that edits beyond natural). And posting on Instagram is a true joy as well.
I am learning so much from other people's skills and enthusiasm. An 'Instameet' (photo shoot somewhere with other Instagrammers) is great. And more to come.
Joined to the hip with your camera is like having a good friend around with who you share the beautiful things in life. A friend who challenges you to wider your horizon and to expand your

Design: Ike Roelfsema ©

boundaries.

I love the Wadden Sea and have taken and will take numerous photo's of the ever changing scenes and colours.
I am exploring Monochrome (black and white) photography, Still Life and last but not least Vanitas (see my special Insta account for this).
The latter I find extremely interesting and challenging. I learn from the old paintings when it comes to light, colours and shadows.

To be able to share my photo's and and photographic happiness with other's, I created a small website which I would like to introduce to you: Ike Roelfsema Photography
I hope you will find the time to take a look. All feedback is very, very welcome!



Hug from this camera addict!