June 8, 2019 • 193

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #49: Favorite Things

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.~Oscar Hammerstein II

I’ve followed this little ritual for years.  I like to start the day with a cup of tea–the stronger the better.  It’s my favorite way to edge into the morning.  I even pack a favorite teacup, so I can continue this tradition on the road.   These favorite things give my days some consistency and structure, and give me a feeling of harmony.

Favorite Teacup, Notebook and Pencil.

We don’t need to have just one favorite. We keep adding favorites. Our favorite book is always the book that speaks most directly to us at a particular stage in our lives. And our lives change. We have other favorites that give us what we most need at that particular time. But we never lose the old favorites. They’re always with us. We just sort of accumulate them.” ― Lloyd Alexander

We all have our favorite things.  Some of them last for a long time.  Others are new.  This week, you have the chance to showcase your favorites–people, places, activities, animals, food, hobbies–just about anything that brings you happiness.  It’s entirely up to you.

To get your creative wheels spinning, I’ll continue my list of favorites:

Exploring New Places

My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.~Diane Arbus

I love the element of surprise when we explore new places–like Sintra, Portugal.  The beauty of this Moorish-style mansion absolutely astounded me.

Exploring Sintra, Portugal

Spending Time with My Animal Friends

Animals are born who they are, accept it, and that is that. They live with greater peace than people do.” ― Gregory Maguire

When we finally settle down in one place, I’d love to have a pet again.  Right now, I content myself with taking photographs of animals–like this cat in a store window in Florence.

The Cat Polka. Florence, Italy.

Spending Time in My Favorite Cities

The Palazzo Vecchio rises before me, oppressive in its abrupt compact bulk, and I can feel upon me its heavy grey shadow. From the building’s crenellated shoulders soars the bell tower; stretching out its muscular neck into the nightfall. It is so high that I am seized by dizziness as I lift my eyes towards its helmeted head.~ Rainer Maria Rilke, Florentine Diary 1898

Many of you know that I’m in love with cities.  Nothing gives me greater pleasure than spending time in the ones I love–like Florence and Rome.

Il Palazzo Vecchio Aerial, Florence, Italy

But a city is more than a place in space, it is a drama in time.~Patrick Geddes
This shot of Vatican City was taken a few weeks ago when our son, Alex, visited us in Italy.  We love taking road trips together, so we boarded the high speed train to Rome and spent some time exploring this marvelous city.

Exploring Vatican City with Alex, Rome, Italy.

Eating Wonderful Food with Friends and Family

Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.― Ruth Reichl

It can’t get much better than this–sipping a glass of wine and sharing dinner with friends and family.  Here we are contemplating the magnificent pizza at Pizzauolo–one of our favorite restaurants.

Pizza at Pizzauolo, Florence

A special thanks to Tina who led our photographic exploration of what “Wild” means to us.  As always, there was a wonderful variety of responses.

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE?

We look forward to seeing your unique and varied responses to this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #49: Favorite Things.

If you’re new to the challenges, click here to learn how to join us.  Remember to link your post here and tag it Lens-Artists to help us find your post in the WP Reader.

Next week, it’s Ann Christine’s turn to lead the challenge, so be sure to visit her blog.  As always, Amy, Tina, Ann-Christine, and I are delighted that you’re joining our challenges!

Categories: Photography

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193 replies »

  1. Just brightens my first read of the day, Patti. My favourite thing to do on Saturday reading what the challenge of the week. Love that cup.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Believe me, Sandy. We’ve been going to that pizzeria every Friday night for our entire visit!! I can’t think of a better way to start the weekend…except maybe some gelato. I’ll look at your post next. Great timing!

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  7. Nice selection! I will start digging into the memory and photo banks forthwith. A good introspective exercise. What ARE my favorite things? (When I first saw your title, what came to mind was your first line following. “…these are a few of my favorite things…” or however it goes.)

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  9. A good variety of favorites, Patti! A great topic – and I do believe we have some things in common…Even favorite cities! But I would change the tea for coffee – though the feeling I guess, is about the same. Love the Vatican shot, but Sintra is a colourful gem!

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  11. Loved this one Patti – if you watch MasterChef you’ll know what I mean by “It’s you on a plate!” Speaking of which that pizza looks amazingly good! And of course your city views are perfection. Excellent challenge

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    • Hi, Shelley. Wonderful to hear from you! I’m always hungry for pizza, to be honest! I guess we feel the same way! Thank you for your kind words too. I’ll take a look at your post next. 🙂

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  41. Ahhh / I need to have a travel tea cup- I still have one cup of
    coffee in morning but my tea is close behind it – I might even say if I had to choose one I’d choose – well I don’t know which one right now –
    And enjoyed your post and theme for the LAPC this week

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hi, SH. Glad you joined us! I’m happy that you enjoyed the shots–especially the cat. He/She looked so adorable in the store window. I’ll check out your shots next. 🙂 🙂

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  52. Thank you for hosting this weeks challenge, Patti.
    It wound up being a lot more difficult then I thought.
    I have so many favorite things I enjoy. There would have been pages of photos
    had I not stopped. FUN … to see what puts a smile on our faces.
    I love all of your photos but the pizza made my mouth water. YUMMY !!!!
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Hi, Isadora. It is hard to narrow down the favorites. I have so many too.. But the favorites you selected are great. We share some of the same ones–great husbands, a love of animals, the beach…And yes, you’re right about the pizza. It’s incredible! Glad you joined the fun this week.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • I haven’t had pizza in about 6 years. Once I became gluten intolerant I had to give it up. It was a favorite on-the-run food. Gluten-free pizza is NOT pizza despite what they say. Some things, you just miss. If I was given a last meal before I pass, it would have to be pizza. OK … I can say no more or I will dream about pizza tonight. LOLOL

        Liked by 1 person

      • My cardiologist just said the same thing. The things they’re putting in our foods is causing us a great deal of damage to our health. Even on a fresh food diet the sprays and chemicals to grow bigger veggies is destroying our systems. SAD … !!!

        Liked by 1 person

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    • Hi, Jo. I’m so glad you joined us! The shots of the Azores are fabulous. I’m so glad you had a great time. And thanks too for the kind words about the challenge. 🙂 Welcome back home!

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      • Thanks darlin! Hard to think that this time last week I was there 😍. Now I’m swinging in my Algarve hammock seat, trying to catch up on here 😥🍒 and eating cherries xx

        Liked by 1 person

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