buildersstudioFriday, 3 October 2008
StaroftheEast
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Sugar Feast
Yesterday was the first day of the Sugar Feast, the three days holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. So, while most of the population was having a serious sugar overdose, we went happily to have brunch to a for us new place.
I suppose that this is technically a swamp, stationary fresh water going over in the sea, but is very beautiful indeed.
It turned to be a delightful place, with lovely food. Somebody caring was clearly in charge, the menus were made with ‘ebru’, the paper marbling technique the Turks are masters in.
And the water seemed marbled as well!!
We were in good company …
After brunch we continued a bit along the coast.
To end the excursion with a beach walk. We are so lucky to have all this beauty within a short ride from our home!
I suppose that this is technically a swamp, stationary fresh water going over in the sea, but is very beautiful indeed.
It turned to be a delightful place, with lovely food. Somebody caring was clearly in charge, the menus were made with ‘ebru’, the paper marbling technique the Turks are masters in.
And the water seemed marbled as well!!
We were in good company …
After brunch we continued a bit along the coast.
To end the excursion with a beach walk. We are so lucky to have all this beauty within a short ride from our home!
Monday, 29 September 2008
Nature's Law
Sometimes a chameleon visits our garden. They are amazing animals, truly prehistoric in appearance.
This one, as you can see has turned black in terror. One of the dogs caught it and inflicted a deadly wound before Estella could rescue it. It won't last long. So sad...
This one, as you can see has turned black in terror. One of the dogs caught it and inflicted a deadly wound before Estella could rescue it. It won't last long. So sad...
Friday, 26 September 2008
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
The other country
This is not the sea shore. It is the shore of the lake of Köyceğiz, a big lake connected by a strait with the sea.
It is an hour drive from our home, and once in a while we go there to have dinner. The charm of the place is that it is totally devoid of tourists, just the locals around. It has a sleepy, relaxing feeling, added by the fact that instead of tables and chairs, sofas have been aligned to form what looks like living rooms, cozy and inviting to lounge by the sunset.
P.S. this is a small elaboration on the last post (Bundle of joy):
Although people who know us better can imagine the spirit in which it was written, we got an anonymous comment accusing us of cruelty, and I feel that I may have offended some.
No cruelty was intended, certainly not by the mother. Traditions are inspired by necessity. Do you know that the agriculture in Turkey is mostly very primitive, and that is mainly done by women? Young mothers bring their babies with them to the fields, tied to their backs in those cribs, what are than hung from a tree, while the mother works. For the mother, keeping her baby immobile is keeping hem safe. And do you know that thousands of villages in Turkey don’t have any form of running water, what has to be brought, again by women, in jerry cans, often from a great distance? As has to be done with wood to heat the water? Diapers are not to be taken for granted.
In this spirit, of taking in consideration the ‘other-ness’ of the country, and, yes, seeing the humor in it, was that post written.
P.S. this is a small elaboration on the last post (Bundle of joy):
Although people who know us better can imagine the spirit in which it was written, we got an anonymous comment accusing us of cruelty, and I feel that I may have offended some.
No cruelty was intended, certainly not by the mother. Traditions are inspired by necessity. Do you know that the agriculture in Turkey is mostly very primitive, and that is mainly done by women? Young mothers bring their babies with them to the fields, tied to their backs in those cribs, what are than hung from a tree, while the mother works. For the mother, keeping her baby immobile is keeping hem safe. And do you know that thousands of villages in Turkey don’t have any form of running water, what has to be brought, again by women, in jerry cans, often from a great distance? As has to be done with wood to heat the water? Diapers are not to be taken for granted.
In this spirit, of taking in consideration the ‘other-ness’ of the country, and, yes, seeing the humor in it, was that post written.
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Bundle of Joy
The custom of swaddling babies is a very old one. All kind of benefits are attributed to swaddling: babies cry less, they grow with nice straight limbs, etc. And it sure makes a nice, easy to carry, package.
This illustration, from 15th century England’s manuscript, is one of the oldest that remain.
This illustration, from 15th century England’s manuscript, is one of the oldest that remain.
These Tudor ladies, the twins Cholmondley sisters, married on the same day and gave birth on the same day. They appear stultified by the fact in this portrait, dating from 1610.
In the new world, the native Americans, like this Chippeway mother, carried their babies in much the same fashion.
This sweet doll in a glass cabinet is from 19th century Sicily.
In the Netherlands, where the custom of swaddling felt in disuse at the beginning of the 19th century, it became ‘in’ again the last fifteen years or so, along with the rest of the western world. Nowadays, a brisk trade in swaddle blankets, muslin's and such, can be found on the net. Also numerous sites give detailed information on how to convert your baby in a true bundle of joy.
The luckiest though, is this little guy in eastern Turkey. His mum knows how to combine century old traditions with the modern commodity of in-crib plumbing. Hurray!!
Photographer, alas, unknown.
In the Netherlands, where the custom of swaddling felt in disuse at the beginning of the 19th century, it became ‘in’ again the last fifteen years or so, along with the rest of the western world. Nowadays, a brisk trade in swaddle blankets, muslin's and such, can be found on the net. Also numerous sites give detailed information on how to convert your baby in a true bundle of joy.
The luckiest though, is this little guy in eastern Turkey. His mum knows how to combine century old traditions with the modern commodity of in-crib plumbing. Hurray!!
Photographer, alas, unknown.
Friday, 19 September 2008
Friday Findings: Jellyfish
Sometimes I find it hard to find a different subject for the friday findings, but after making our Jellyfishes for the giftshop and looking around at Etsy it was not difficult anymore.
GiftsandStars
JKphotography
zolboph
GiftsandStarsJKphotography
zolboph
kirayustak
jasonedwarddavis
frostindri
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