Salve

There is something I really like about this doorway - actually many things! The arches, the details surrounding the door, the small oval window... but especially the built in Latin welcome mat! 

Happy Friday! Hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead.

Marbles

A collection of marble sculptures inside the newly refurbished wing of the Schloss Charlottenburg. I recently saw a performance of Mozart's greatest hits in one of the upper rooms. It was a real treat to see the palace "after hours" and the musicians were really talented, especially the soprano. Hopefully there will be other performances to enjoy in the future!

November theme day: Out of focus

This was a tough theme day for me as I usually delete all my out-of-focus shots right away! I thought it would be fun to play with the idea of focus, so I focused on the window frame and left the beautiful, fall-colored trees outside a bit blurry. Hope you enjoy my take on the theme and you'll find more examples from all over the world here.

Natural frame

My boat tour around the lakes had very interesting windows. They were perfect for capturing other boats passing by!

Reflecting on ice cream

I actually took a picture of this window so I would remember this shop the next time I'm craving ice cream. But it turned out to be a good reflection too! You'll find more of them at Weekend Reflections.

Happy Friday! Hope you've got big plans for the weekend ahead. I can't believe it's September already, time really does fly.

Confidential to my brother: happy birthday!!!

Living together in perfect harmony

If tea and coffee drinkers can come together, that's already a step towards world peace. I must admit, I love a good paper shop and this one looked very intriguing. It was just closing the evening when I happened past, but I will have to come back for a look inside. Don't forget to stop by Signs, Signs.

The Prussian Eagle and other things

The Zitadelle Spandau has become a repository for relics from the Prussian days. Before Germany was a federal republic, it was divided into kingdoms and duchies. Prussia was one of the bigger and more powerful of them. The Prussians rulers were known for their political savvy and built their empire over the years through both marriage and military means.

Unfortunately, the Prussian history is linked with military aggression and a monarchy who was out of touch with the people. For this reason, many of the old busts and statues of Prussian rulers were removed from their public places. You can see some of them here at the Citadel along with many other historical items, like this Eagle of the Prussian empire.

I don't recall the historical significance of this desk, but I like the way the light is hitting it, making the wood seem to glow.

This gun and the accompanying papers reveal the fate of military deserters.

Lastly, it's hard for me to resist a shot through a doorway, especially when the light is so perfect. Hope you've enjoyed the tour so far, I'll show some of the Heimatmuseum of Spandau tomorrow. Until then, there are more signs at Signs, Signs.

Reflections on the Spree

You can see Angie's washing machine reflected in the steel and glass government buildings that line the Spree in the Regierungsviertel. Not such a bad place to work, eh? You'll find more reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections.

I'm so glad Friday is finally here, this week seems to have dragged on forever. If the weather is nice this weekend, I plan to play a few holes of golf. If not, maybe I'll take in a movie. What exciting plans are on your agenda?

Reflective rump

A quick look back at yesterday's window. I couldn't resist this rather naughty view of one of the mannequins! Hope you enjoy the myriad reflections in his bum. You'll find more of them at Weekend Reflections.

It's been an interesting first week at the new job. Working really wears you out, but it makes the weekends even sweeter. After almost a year in our apartment, we're also finally having our housewarming party this weekend. I'm cooking a Thanksgiving feast, so that's going to be a lot of work, but a lot of fun too!

Another window

Originally, this was my choice for the December theme day, but I liked that pink bench so much, I changed my mind. These black and white mannequins grace the window of a store on the Ku'damm that's going out of business. It's a little sad actually, as I have been shopping there ever since my first trip to Berlin back in 2005.

PS: Don't forget to take a look at Halcyon Travels for more from my trip to Israel.

Holiday windows

 To be fair, the Käthe Wohlfahrt shop is a year-round Christmas shop, but they still put in an extra effort at this time of year.

I especially loved this display of all sorts of Santas, Father Christmases and Weihnachtsmanner. I could take them all home! For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

December theme day: Shop window

Berlin has so many wonderful shops and most windows are decorated for the season now. Despite that, I couldn't resist showing this unique tailor-made jeans shop window. The combination of the funny shop name, the bright colors inside, the reflection and most of all that bright pink bench makes for a perfect shot. Hope you enjoy it!

Today is my first day on the job. I hope working won't cut into my blogging time too much! Don't forget to check here for other variations on this month's theme.

Wasserturm

This lovely old water tower in Prenzlauerberg is a well-known landmark that most locals would recognize. The tower had good beginnings as a place for water to be stored and distributed to residents of the area, but later darker things happened here. It was used as a prison under the nazis and it is said prisoners were often tortured within the tower's walls.

 

Today the structure has been renovated and the floors are divided into apartments. The building is owned by the state, so there's a long wait-list to live inside the building. However, there have been reports of strange happenings and hauntings in some of the units. I'd love to take a look inside, haunted or not!

PS: Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! Please eat a slice of pumpkin pie for me. 

Shadow shapes

Those big windows right above the museum entrance let in so much wonderful light! I love the lines and shapes they created here on the floor, though I found it almost hard to keep my eyes open.

This is the end of our tour of the Kunstgewerbemuseum, I hope you've enjoyed it. We've been having good museum weather here in Berlin - cold and rainy - but I think I'll take a break from the galleries for awhile and show some city shots. Don't forget to stop by Shadow Shot Sunday for more shadows.

Kunstgewerbemuseum

This week I'm going to take you on a little tour of the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts). This was my last stop on my Museum Tour before my yearly card expired. They have a large and varied collection from porcelain vases to fancy ball gowns from the 17th century. I hope you enjoy the tour!

PS: Don't forget to stop by Halcyon Travels for a look at my recent trip to Israel.

Windows and bench

I was traveling through Schlesisches Tor station recently and just had to stop for a photo. The windows and the bench made for such a perfect scene. Hope you agree! For more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

PS: Don't forget to stop by Halcyon Travels for a look at my recent trip to Israel.

Looking out

I somehow like the unfocused frame I got from looking out onto the Köllnischer Park at the Märkisches Museum. I've been searching through my recent photos and archives to come up with something suitable for tomorrow's theme. Hope you'll stop by to take a look. Until then, enjoy your weekend!

Meet Sam

This is a bust of the famed law reformer, Samuel von Cocceji. Under the Prussian King Frederick the Great, he made reforms to the law and judicial process which helped lay the foundations for modern German law. The museum finds him so cool, he got this special place of honor under one of the rose-style windows. You can read more about Sam here.

Take a seat

Remember the fire brigade station from last week? These benches are just to the right of all the garage doors. There was also a third bench, but it was occupied by some firefighters and I didn't dare to photograph them.

Fire brigade

I love the bright red garage doors on this firehouse, but the cyclist crossing my path really makes the shot. Hope you are having a great weekend so far!