Summer is here!

That picture above illustrates reason no. 357 why I love Berlin - my terrace.  I have never had an outdoor space anywhere I have lived and I can't possibly describe how happy it makes me.

A week ago it was like 10 degrees Celcius (50 F) and it was grey as can be - then like one day later we woke up and the sun was shining, it was 27 degrees (80 F) and it was like summer suddenly and dramatically arrived.   My garden sure is happy about it too  (though birds keep trying to destroy those flowers above). 

I love to sit out on my terrace in the warm sun with a good book... pausing every now and again to tend to flowers or plants...or maybe sneak a strawberry or cherry tomato or two (they are like little snack trees!).

 I am excited to see my tomatoes and peppers grow through the season.  I am loving learning how to take care of these plants, even with their little problems. I have already had to play with the fertilzer because the peppers weren't getting enough nitrogen (I think...they seem to be perking up now);  and the aphids (grrr) seem to like my tomatoes so I sprayed them with a mix of olive oil, hot pepper and water which supposedly will get rid of them and deter them.

I think right now I am going to quit blogging and got study for German class outside :)

Happy Earth Day!

This year I am starting my very first garden, to which I hope to start a compost bin for soon.

I am making a better effort at recycling so that we no longer throw any plastics away.

I am making a pledge to buy more of our goods used or handmade, when possible.

Transition

I kind of have a thing for chairs. Don't know what thats about. I found this beautiful scene at an abandoned hospital outside of Berlin. Its like a playground for photographers. Movie directors love it too, I believe its been used in a multitude of films.

I have been trying to focus lately on where I draw my inspiration and trying to find my "eye". It has been a frustrating enterprise - but it must have something to do with the changing season. I am having a hard time letting go of summer. I feel like every year at this time I have to go through a grieving process.



I am also a busy little bee this week working on getting some cool stuff off the ground that I can't wait to tell you about.

Look for an announcement soon!

September

...Summer is sadly slipping away....

(Soup recipe can be found HERE on my food blog)

I heart Berlin

I am so in love with the city lately. Maybe its all the sunshine mixed with thunderstorms, I don't know. But lately, I have been enjoying beautiful Berlin more than I have in months. In the past few weeks I have gone to Wannsee and taken a boat ride, explored an abandoned hospital, taken my dog on a picnic to the park, visited KaDaWe and discovered there is a place to get Diet Dr. Pepper in this city, attended a wedding of a good friend, eaten copious amounts of Asparagus and Strawberries, and had a birthday party where I heard a really frickin awesome cool new band (who also happened to just be the coolest people ever). Tomorrow I have a friend from the states coming to visit (yay!) and I can't wait to get out and explore even more!

It's almost here....