I was asked the other day, to chose 12 of my pictures in order to illustrate a 2023 calendar. The assignment is from the cultural association of the village I am living in, the past 3 years. And although I'll offer my pictures free of charge, as a small sample of my appreciation of the work of that association, I am very happy that they asked me, in the first place. Someone said that applause is food for an artist and this assignment is a kind of applause for my work, or at least I think so.
The village is at a rural area of Crete, the largest Greek island and all the pictures are meant to be a portrait of our life in this small part of the earth.
For January I have chosen a picture of the spring that provide us fresh water right in the middle of the village! Actually the village was built around this spring and I consider it as a huge privilege that I can drink every day pure water, coming straight from the depths of the mountain!
February is dedicated to the bloom of the almond trees. I couldn't have done any different. No matter how cold it is, almond trees are always the first to remind us that spring is on its way and every year I feel my heart lighter when I see that first bloom of the season!
Winter anemones are also a favorite flower that blooms way before the explosion of colors and scents that spring is bringing and I have chosen them for March.
Nature is fully awaken by April and I chose a few humble wild flowers, that I like so much watching, as they cover all the fields around me.
In the first day of May, there is a tradition to make a hoop with flowers and hang it at the front door of our house. I think that a picture of a hoop like that is the most appropriate for this month!
June is the month of the thyme blooming and a very important time for the bee-keepers of our area. Plus that this picture has a special sentimental value for me :)
The village is full with flower pots and the basil is the most iconic summerish one. So onε pic from our own house for July!
August is the month of the figs and I love them so much that I couldn't not include at least one!
The first rain of September is always a special moment and I tried to capture it with a macro shot of a rose with a few rain drops on it.
The yellowish leaves of the plane trees are definitely an iconic autumn picture and it was my choice for October.
The production of olive oil is a big part of our life in Crete and November is the best month for the harvesting of the fresh olives.
For the last month of the year I picked a photograph that I took from my balcony. So for December the most extraordinary, the most breathtaking sunset of my life!
Those pictures have been used in 12 different posts that I have written the last few years with the same or slightly different editing.
All the pictures and the words are mine.
Thank you for reading and if you want to know more about me you can check out my introduction post.
Commenting, upvoting and rebloging are highly appreciated!
