Mariazell

One of our first stops on our two-day Styrian Alps road trip this past week (see previous posts) was the well-known old pilgrimage town of Mariazell.

I thought of James and his meme Weekend Reflections when I took this first photo; the town seen in a big red Christmas ball, with the basilica as an advent window on the building behind it. It's been a while since I joined this fun.

Austria, 2012

All the very best in 2013 to my blogging friends!
May only pleasant surprises come your way.
Thank you for the past year's fun 
and wonderful sharing.
 

[SkyWatch] Goodbye Winter. Looking Skyward.

I've said my hellos to spring (here and here). Today I salute and say goodbye to winter.

Walking through Kiseleff Park tonight, I joined the Roman poet Ovid in looking skyward. Soon the beauty of bare trees will be no more.

Bucharest, 2011

If you enjoy watching the sky as much as I do, check out the awesome skies around the world at SkyWatch Friday.