When the roses die...

Moved out

This shop was definitely not going well. Not too bad, though, for only one store out of two was vacated, but not very cheerful either.

Cinema: view behind

That miracle of cinema 'backstage', if it can be called so, always fascinated me. Yesterday I sat near enough to the last row to catch an opportunity of taking photo there.

As you might know, Earth Hour took place yesterday. Moscow city participated this year, and I meant to take part in turning off lights myself (which I actually did by going out last night :)).

And today Russia switched to summer-saving time which means we had 1 hour less to sleep :) But, as a reward, we'll get later sunsets and, consequently, later nightfall, which mean longer days. Not bad, I should say.

In the kitchen

With sunlight warming the interior, my kitchen suddenly looks somewhat cozy and even inviting. What a difference the light can make!

P.S. Another version on my extension site.

Just more flowers

Sunset

This is the first time since I moved over here that I can see sunset through my kitchen window. In fact, this is the first time I see sun from my kitchen at all! You see, during late autumn and winter time, that I spent in this place, sun doesn't reach the section of sky noticable from the kitchen, but as days grow longer that shining ball goes farther west, finally appearing from behind the neighbour buildings and sinking into far woods.

P.S. Another version on my extension site. And thanks for your good wishes! I feel much better today.

Chocolat

Staying home on a sick leave, I entertain myself with my favourite movies, and 'Chocolat' is definitely on of the best! Have you seen that film? Do you like it? Oh, I'm so very fond of it! I've read the original novel, and I believe that story gained a lot by being screened so skilfully. I quess that even slight changes of the plot didn't spoil a thing but rather added some charm.

And here is 'home-made' illustration to the topic :)

Taking sun-bath by steps of Lenin's library.

Find a crow

Can you see the crow in this picture? I bet it was posing for me!

Another piece of Lenin's library decoration is a row of bas-relieves representing great scientists. This one is for Isaac Newton (well, you might recognize the face :)).

Russian State Library

This library began as a collection of books and scripts within Rumyancev's Museum exposition. Since 1862 it was provided with copies of every printed publication issued in Russia. After Revolution of 1917 the library was named after Lenin and remained the main library of the country. In 1930s a new complex of buildings was found; 19-layers storage was completed by 1941 and helped to save precious funds and collections during World war II. Step by step (or rather building by building) the new complex was built and assimilated till 1960s.
In 1992 the library was renamed to Russian State one. Nowadays it's the second largest library in the world; a lot of real tresures are stored there, including absolutely priceless documents. Great granite steps, leading to the entrance, are also very remarkable, as well as statues on the roof.

As a kind of my contribution to Skywatch Friday, I chose those statues from the roof of Russian State library(former Lenin's). The building was constructed in 1935, there are 22 figures total and all of them are supposed to represent 'Socialistic labour and Knowledge'.

Looking from the top

As a rule, I'm not very fond of pigeons. They're not so impudent as crows but still rather unpleasant neighbours. Once in a while, though, I enjoy watching them (this usually happens in spring-time :)) and even take pictures! Like this one. As you can see, someone treat them much better than myself and feed them when getting a chance.

P.S. More pigeons on my extension site.

Spring people

With spring showing up in Moscow, people's faces lost their gravity and occasional smiles began sparkling here and there. I grabbed my camera and ran out of the office to catch the weather. Oh, you can feel the spring in every movement of the city!

I hope those people didn't mind my taking their pictures :)

Here is more flowers for you. You see, March is usually so prolific for roses, tulips and other beautiful things that it's quite impossible not to photograph them. But honestly, I'm trying to restrain myself! Not always succeeding, though :)

More pictures on my extension site.

Kremlin. Alexandrovsky Garden

Looking east from Borovitskaya Square, you can see Kremlin and Alexandrovsky Sad (Alexander's Garden). I managed to catch a moment when there were very few cars crossing the square so nothing blocked my view.

P.S. Another version on my extension site.

Tulip. Looking inwards

Pashkov's House

This house was built in 1784-1786 for Petr Pashkov, a lifequard officer of Semenov's regiment. Soon classic beauty and admirable elegance of the building made it a show-place of the city. Pashkov's house is located on Vagankovsky hill and faces Borovitskaya Square (the one I showed you yesterday). It was the first secular building from where one could look down upon Kremlin and see its inner squares.

Later Pashkov's house was bought by goverment for Moscow University, then it hosted a museum, and after Revolution of 1917 the bulding was entirely occupied by national library (now known as Lenin's).

P.S. The photo is bluish because I took it in twilights.

It's been a while since I posted a photo of Kremlin, so I thought of doing that today. Here you are: north wall of Kremlin and Alexandrovky Garden, the picture taken from Borovitskaya Square. That person in the middle is a traffic policeman, and he just blocked the traffic so that VIP cars could pass freely.

In the supermarket

I guess, supermarkets are rather the same all over the world, though some minor details might be peculiar. I really don't know what can attract your attention but I'd like to learn about anything you find strange in this picture.

Melting

With temperature about 0C dirty Moscow snow is melting leisurely. Can it mean spring settling over here? Can it really be true? I can't believe but can not wait to welcome it! Oh, spring, may you be quick this year!

P.S. Another photo on my extension site.

Striped cake

This cake, named 'zebra', was considered as a traditional one in my family. When I was a child, my parents used to bake it every Saturday. We didn't have an electric mixer then, and my farther used his drill with hand-made attachment to beat eggs. Ah, those sweet days of childhood!..

I decided to restore the recipe some time ago and to try making 'zebra' myself. Well, it's not quite as I remember it, but still not bad! And it looks funny.

Women's Day

As I tolf you before, on 8th of March Russia has a public holiday: today we celebrate the Women's Day. On this occasion we get all the attention just for being females, and flowers along with chocolates are the most usual gifts today. Tulips are probably the most popular flowers for 8th of March because they mean spring and make such a bright spot in one's place!
I've got my share of tulips, too :)

We are about another long week-end - thanks to tomorrow's public holiday. But I'll tell you more tomorrow, and before just enjoy the view of marvelous spring flowers.

Fireguard tower

A fireguard tower in Sokolniki district is the oldest one in Moscow. It was build in 1863, reconstructed in 1900s and respored in 1999. If you take a closer view, you will notice helmet-shaped decorations on each conrner of the square base. Firequard towers were extremely important in the old days, they were built till late 1930s but lost their necessity as buildings grew higher and fire-proof. Several towers still can be found in Moscow even though they bear no function but historical and memorial one.

P.S. Another version on my extension site.

Church of the Resurrection in Sokolniki

This church, built in 1913, was functioning during the Soviet era, so many Holy relics were brought here from other places, such as churches to be destroyed or closed. The architecture, ascribed to Art Nouveau, is rather untypical for Russia.

In winter park (Sokolniki)

Well, it seems that spring is not in a hurry to settle in Moscow area. Although days are significantly longer now, no total snow melting has been noticed yet. I desperately hope for weather turning warm and spring-like soon.

Metro fastfood

To use the metro you pay for entrance only, so once you got in (in fact, enter any station) you can go as far and as many time as you wish. Moscow metro is a huge system, and you easily can spend hours roaming through its enormous facilities. That is why it sounds reasonable to have some eatery within the ticket barriers, though the idea wasn't realized till lately. Nevertheless, some year back fastfood spots were introduced at several metro stations (most popular ones, I believe). The one of them is presented in this picture. The quality of food is questionable, of course, but at least it's always within your grasp and you don't have to pay extra money for re-entering the station.

Snowgirl

Another snow figure on my extension site.

The Theme Day: Glass

Oh, spring has come! At least, the calendar one :)
And, as it's 1st, it means another Theme Day! March theme is glass, and I chose this photo of 'magic tea'. This tea-based hot beverage with cinamon, ginger, pieces of apple and orange is exactly what you need after a walk along the winter park! Its spicy warmth revives and recharges you. Absulutely right thing to have on a cold day!

Another version on my extension site.

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