My girl and my best friend – Pixie

I very recently met Lara and it was instant friendship.  It feels like I have known her forever.  Susie is the first friend I made when I started writing here.  So it is specially wonderful to be selected by both a new AND an old friend for the One Lovely Blog Award.  Susie and Lara are friends with each other as well, isn’t that wonderful?

I love visiting Lara at Buzzing Bumble and Susie at Susie’s Sunroom.  If you don’t know them already, you must really pay them a visit.  I promise you will not regret it!

For the seven things about me that I need to share for this blog hop,  I decided to pick seven words and pair them up with photos I’ve taken.

Ink

A Very Small Subset Of My Ink And Paper Collection

I grew up on top of my grandfather’s large printing business which printed books, among other items.  I learned about different stocks of paper, various types of ink, book binding techniques, etc. at a very early age.  The sounds and smells of the large printing machines, ink, paper, glue, typesets – it was magical.  I was hooked for life to the world made of ink and paper which turned into a passion for art.

Books

Advertisement At A London Tube Station

I have always lived mainly within the pages of books, away from the world around me.  I walk around glumly for days when a book disappoints me.  I stay in a haze every time I say goodbye to my ink-and-paper friends at the end of a book.  It all started with my aunt telling me stories when I was too young to read.  Then it continued on with my mother taking me to large annual book fairs and with reading from my grandmother’s book collection.

Camera

Winter in Yosemite National Park, California

Lenses are an old hobby of mine.  I see the world through the camera lens.  My camera is my security blanket and the source of my confidence.  I wake up at wee hours to catch the first sunlight,  I even hike up the sides of mountains despite my severe acrophobia, all for that one perfect shot!  ( My husband has the yawns and the droopy eyes to prove it! )

To see the world in a grain of sand,
And heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

                                   – William Blake

Rocks

John Muir Trail, Yosemite National Park, California

I study rocks and I collect them.  So, if I get a bag of coal, that is a very good thing.  Although it feels a bit nightmarish for me to ever settle down in one place, the diversity of California’s geology has kept me here, camping, hiking and exploring. I specially love the Sierra Mountains.

This picture was taken from the John Muir trail.  Towards the end of the hike, instead of checking the map, we decided to follow our instinct.  So, a 6-mile hike turned into …. wait for it… a whopping 7-mile hike!!!

Stars

Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

It’s a love affair.  When it’s dark outside with clear skies and my nose is not stuck in a book, you will most probably find me peering through my telescopes, with a little help from my husband because of their weight.  Currently I am in the process of building a radio telescope at home.

Travel

Heading Into Gairangerfjord, Norway

I have to travel, or I fall apart.  Before a trip I read, I do research and I pore over maps.  It’s a ritual for me.  Then I whisk my husband away on an exhausting trip.  I want to soak in everything about the new place without wasting a single moment.

Cold

Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

I was born in January, and I have a feeling Old Man Winter must have made me using a little piece of himself.  I have been in the icy arctic rain with an ear-to-ear smile on my face.  Winter is when I am outside the most.  Those of you who abhor winter, don’t judge me, I was born this way.

Now it’s my turn to pass the torch.  Not only do I love the diverse art these ladies create, I also feel very comfortable nominating them because of their encouraging personalities and their eagerness to share and help.  I know you will love them too.

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs
Esther @ I Patch And Quilt
Kris @ Kris Loves Fabric
Mary @ Needlemom

 Also please remember to visit Lara at Buzzing Bumble and Susie at Susie’s Sunroom.

It is to their credit that I am ready to try Free Motion Quilting on this angel block. Wish me luck!!

And have fun visiting my friends,
-Soma