I think we all now know what the colours yellow and blue represent.
They make us think of sunshine and blue skies
but right now, they remind us of the Ukrainian flag
and what the Ukrainian people are going through.
Whatever we are doing in our own daily lives,
our thoughts turn, irrevocably and with empathy, to all the suffering experienced
by innocent people as they are forced to flee their beloved country.
This is the yellow and blue mandala I made.
I have not posted for a while as I have been very busy doing important crochet projects
for gifts, and they have been taking up a great deal of my time.
When they are completely finished, I will post them on my blog.
I love going down to the big market on Saturdays
to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and farm eggs.
There are often musicians playing and this young musician was playing his
cello very beautifully to earn some money for his musical studies.
I gave him something, of course!
As I passed one street, I looked up to see the elegant tower of Lausanne Cathedral
which looked so lovely against the blue sky.
I've received an early birthday gift of a book on photography
on the work and life of Vivian Maier.
She has become famous for her clever street photography and self-portraits.
Since I am still doing my self-portrait class. I was inspired to try out a similar style.
This shot was taken in a richly decorated shop window where there were also mirrors.
The reflections have given a double self-portrait!
One of the exercises given was to take a picture of our hands,
so I held up a glass ball to try and capture my garland of hearts!
I finally got the ball centred after several tries!
I did receive some beautiful red roses and decided to make a collage of different details
of the lovely petals.
My pink Amaryllis grew a second stem with stunning and photogenic blooms
The back views are beautiful too.
A few petal details in this collage.
There have been visits down to the lake in Ouchy
and our weather has been so beautifully sunny - even if the March winds
have made it feel colder.
Both these photos are taken from Ouchy looking over to the French side and mountains
and the town of Evian.
One day, I took the train to the lakeside town of Vevey. It's not far at all from where I live.
I did love the sparkles on the water.
It was a little tricky to take the photo as I was almost facing the sun.
This is from the same town, but with a closer view on the majestic Dents du Midi.
They are a three-kilometre long mountain range in the Chablais Alps
in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
Closer to home, and in my neighbourhood, I saw these charming snowdrops.
On one of my daily walks, I noticed this tiny Harlequin Ladybird nestled
in the leaves of a flowering Viburnum bush.
Some of the south-facing Magnolia trees have started to bloom.
This particular one had such beautiful petals.
A yellow and blue collage for Ukraine.
The pansies are on my balcony
and I crocheted the yellow hearts set in a blue granny square.
It was also time to put a spring wreath on my front door.
I chose pastel colours and a flower pattern
from Apple Blossom Dreams
where you will see many beautiful flowery patterns.
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I hope that spring is waking up where you live and that the sunshine
and blue skies are uplifting your thoughts during these troubled times.
We can help those in need by donating to the charities that are suggested in the media.
I like to use La Chaîne du Bonheur
which is a well-known and trusted Swiss organization
and also Doctors Without Borders.
