Sokolniki

Sokolniki is one of the oldest Moscow parks - it celebrated its 130th anniversary last year. Located in the north-east part of the city, it's one of the favourite people's places to spend their spare time. Beside great woods and alleys, there is amusement park (including huge observation wheel) and all kinds of seasonal entertainments, such as horse rides in summertime or ice-skating in winter.

This photo was taken from the main gates, looking toward central alley. You can notice trainie (on the left) and people heading to ice-ring.

Owl

I took this photo in Sokolniki park. Just look in these eyes - aren't they amazing?! Too dab the bird was barred.

P.S. Another version on my extension site.

Landscape with chimnies

This far from scenic view or its variety have to observe most residents of my neighbourhood. Those chimnies are nearly 250(!) meters high and belong to Heat and Power plane located nearby. That plant is one of the biggest in Europe, it provides with electricity and warmth the north-east part of the city and really is something to be proud of. But in the meantime the plant have a noticable negative effect on local ecology, and people living nearby suffer from everpresent dust and terrible humidity. It's great to have such a monster to supply all your needs but why not move it away from the people?

Skating

Further to my yesterday's post I'd like to present the photo of actual skating. As you can see, people of every age found their place on the ice and seem to enjoy it. No wonder!

P.S. More photos on my extension site.

Go skating

I hope these people didn't mind my taking photo of them :) But I loved the scene so much that I couldn't help using my camera! I went for a walk to Sokolniki park where the great ice-arena is kept during wintertime. As I paced through the park, I saw many people changing their boots for skates and back: the weather was wonderful, and they used the opportunity to have fun.

Do you know skating? I used to love it..

Motherland Defender's Day

Today Russia greets her defenders, but as a matter of fact 23rd of February is considered as Men's Day (as a counter to Women's Day on 8th of March) and it's celebrated accordingly. The best thing about this public holiday is that it provides an extension to always-too-short week-end.

Sunday afternoon

We are having long week-end over here, thanks to tomorrow's Defender's Day. The weather suddenly turned perfectly wintry: it's about -10C and sunny, and people use this rare chance to enjoy outside activities. I believe I should go for a walk as well, for it would be such a waste of great weather if I don't!

I hope you're having a nice week-end and enjoyinh yourself, too.

Rush hour

Just an ordinary Moscow street, away from city beauties. Unfortunately, major part of the city looks like this or worse.

A tram

Someone was asking me if there are any trams in Moscow nowadays. Well, there are :) I took that picture this morning to give you an example of what modern Moscow trams look like. To tell you the truth, I believe this particular type rather ugly (oh, those squarish forms!), and it make such a terrible clatter! Definitely, not my favourite one!

One more snowy photo

A Crock

What do you think of when you hear about a crock? I bet, even if your thoughts turn toward pottery you hardly mean the real, ceramic one. Well, nevertheless, that's what I'm going to present you today: stew in the crock. Although it seems a little old-fashioned, it's traditional food in Russia even now. Ceramic pots can be found in most kitchenware shops, but not too many households use them because cooking in crocks is a bit labourious. I tried my new ones yesterday, and I liked the result! It took time, though :)

We had heavy snowing this morning. It was so thick that we couldn't see a building in the neighbourhood! My husband was so kind as to take this picture for me, and now I can share it with you.

Happy Valentine's!

Even though I'm not going to celebrate Valentine's Day myself, I'd like to wish thouse who is to have a great day and get your hopes justified. And here is a little gift for you: neither red not heart-shaped, but beautiful still.

Another version on my extension site.

Birds

Kadeeae was so good as to gift me with Brillante Weblog Award. Thanks a lot!
I hope noone'll be offended if I skip further passing of it since I've got so many favourites and it's too hard to chose only 7 out of dozens! So please be aware that I consider every one of you worth Brillante Weblog Award, and with great pleasure I go on daily check for updates.

As I walk through Alexandrovsky Garden on my way from work, I always slow down to enjoy the silence and the beauty of the night (even though it's not late). A few days back I finally managed to photograph the view.

I've been reading a lot of Maugham lately, taking exquisite pleasure in his novels and stories. And, you know, I realised that all books by that writer bear, in fact, the same idea: let you be yourself. Being one's self requires one's suprime courage, doesn't it? But fearless will be rewarded with great happiness and richness of the lives.
This is one more photo from the children's art-studio. I believe, it provides little people with amazing opportunities to discover their talents and inclinations - poetically speaking, to explore their souls.

Studio

Twice a week I take dance classes, and the room rent for that is located in the children's library. The same library also hosts a learning center which includes a studio for little artists. I love coming there and look at their picture. Those children draw much better that I'll ever be able to! And I like the atmosphere of the place.

Heavy fog fell on Moscow last night. It was so thick that I could hardly see the opposite side of the street. Fog is a very rare guest in the city during winter-time so it usually means a spring-like turn of weather.

Roses

Another version on my extension site.

Still-life

Spring messanger

When my mother gave me this hiacinth several days back, it was but a crowd of buds. And look at it now! Sunlight and proper watering brought it to full bloom so, notwithstanding the outside temperature of -10C, I'm provided with the first message from upcoming spring!

Snowed

Sunny morning

The sky was gleaming of approaching sunrise when I got up this morning. In couple hours the sun itself showed from behind the buildings and lit my room with kind warmth. I hurried to catch my camera so I could take a picture of those beautiful roses, and I was just in time for in the afternoon the weather turned into snowy grayness.

Frosty night

Today is a little warmer - only -11C, but still it's far from comfortable temperature. Though, frosts are usual for late January/early February, so I hope it'll be over soon.

This piece of public art can be found in the backyard of our office - I took the picture on my lunch-time walk. In fact, the whole business center is decorated in that style.
It's been extremely cold in Moscow these last days: my outside thermometer read -19C this morning, and I really felt it as I went out! Thankfully, I don't have to stay outdoors for long, and my office is comfortable enough.

Theme day: Paths and Passages

Today is the 1st, and it means the Theme Day is here! February theme is 'Paths and Passages', and I chose this picture of an alley in the wintry wood.

Don't forget to visit others cities' paths and passages! Click here to view thumbnails for all participants