Tea for two

If you have nothing to do on a hot day in İstanbul, the best thing to do is to go to a small cafe at the Bosphorus ( İstanbul strait), wait patiently for an empty table right by the sea, drink lots of tea, watch the passing boats and dream lazily and that's exactly what we did yesterday.

Less is more ????

I like the idea of less is more and trying to adopt it to many areas of my life, but when it comes to books, paintings and beautiful pieces I want more and more...

The latest addition to my paintings was a gift from a dear friend in İran...Sara and I first met thru our blogs then I have the chance to meet with her on my trip to İran this past April. So Sara's Khatoon found its place among other paintings I collected from my trips to Cuba, Mexico,Bolivia, Mexico, Cambodia, Holland and Bolivia. This is the entrance of my house where I like to display colorful paintings for a colorful welcome..

You could visit Sara's blog at www.day2daypictures.blogspot.com

A Decluttering Miracle

Ara Güler is the first name that comes to almost everybody's mind when you think of the word photographer in Turkey. His documentation of İstanbul in the 50s are just magnificent. Even before I interested in photography, I bought some books of him just to enjoy his images, but never had the chance to acquire a photograph signed by him...

Well, guess what happened two weeks ago. I started a decluttering mission at home mainly targeting the boxes full of old documents. After half an hour, first I found my missing university diploma which was proudly received once upon a time and still a great mystery how it ended in a lousy box with paid bills from 20 years ago.

Then I found the great treasure. It was sleeping in a dusty file from my banking days. A signed photograph from Ara Güler taken in 1950. After the initial shock, I vaguely remember that it was a gift from a client. It was framed immediately and found its proud place among other black and white photes.

So all I can say decluttering is great. Who knows what you will find among your long forgotten stuff.

Today you could still see the great master and glance some of his photograps in his lovely cafe in the Beyoglu district of İstanbul.

Algeria Street

Yesterday we were at the European side of the city. Algeria street or otherwise known as French street is a very nice area where you could find nice shades, small restaurants and good food. When we stopped for lunch, there was also a fashion shoot. So here is the photo shoot of the photo shoot...

My little tomato farm...

So what if my piece of land is really really small and my rooster is fake...... I have big imagination... Have a nice day...

Farmer's market

Monday is the day to go to farmer's market for weekly fresh fruits and vegetables. It is located very close to my house and it is always a delight to walk, look and shop around the stalls. Today I took my camera with me.

Favorites of the season are artichoke and fig. Here people say that if you eat 40 artichokes in the season, you will have a very health liver. I am almost on the half way.. I like to serve it with fresh dill, garlic and walnut.

Unripe little figs to make jam are a special delicacy of this season and it is usually the Turkish Roma women who peel and sell them.And if your packages are heavy you can always hire a young and nice porter to bring your goods to your house.

Lazy Weekend

Although the weather in İstanbul is excellent I spent the whole weekend at my home. The reason: my still swollen face from the teeth operation. I did not want to shock the world with my beauty :))

My balcony was the main attraction area of lots of reading, writing, eating and drinking...Sometimes I need times like this. It refreshes me.