COMPETITION: A TRANQUIL WEEKEND AT URNATUR!

Photo from Urnatur.Hey everyone! The blog has been silent for a week or so, because I've had my mind elsewhere. I'm currently wrapped up in writing my bachelor thesis, and sometimes (believe it or not) food is not the primary thing that occupies my mind. I have actually cooked and photographed quite a lot, it's just that once I'm done studying, working out, cooking dinner and cleaning up, I'm so darn tired I can't produce a single word. I'm usually up and about from around 7am so I guess it's no wonder.Anyhow, the other day one of my favorite blogs Atilio by incredibly creative Sandra Lundin, launched this competition where one lucky person get's to spend a quiet weekend at an unbelievably beautiful place called Urnatur in Ödeshög, Sweden, along with a bunch of talented photographers just to hang out and take pictures basically. How amazing?! Of course I had to join. If you also want to join the competition, you find more information (in Swedish) about it here.The place is what they call an "Eremitage": basically a place for loners like myself. Remember I wrote in my last post about how I strive for tranquility in my photos? Well, this place is all about tranquility. That was the main reason why I felt like I had to take my chances on this competition. Both because I'd love to photograph the environment: gatherings around the camp fire, scattered, lonesome wooden cottages, early morning fog and the eerie twilight woods. But also because tranquility is where I find energy and strength. I've always been that kind of person who leaves a party, a meeting or a shopping round completely drained of energy, but when alone or with just a few people in a quite place without social demands I recharge my batteries. Deep one-on-one conversations intrigues me; small talk and mingling in large groups makes me tired.Photos from my wednesday walk in Vitabergsparken, captured with iPhone 5s.If I some weeks feel unusually tired, stressed, depressed and with low self esteem, it is 9 times out of 10 because I haven't spent any time in the woods that week. Once back and putting one foot in front of the other amongst the tall trees, damp moss under my feet, or just firmly situated on a rock with my picnic, I feel grounded again. I can feel my direction, my goals and ambitions and trust my abilities. These moments are almost sacred to me. I think that might be one reason why I wanted to study to become a human ecologist. So that I could actually work with developing tools and ideas for how to use the nature and resources around us in a sustainable way, and thereby securing access to nature's amazing powers for us, our children, and the rest of the biosphere, now and in the future. That is also where my fascination and appreciation for plant based foods comes from.Photo from my wednesday walk in Vitabergsparken, captured with iPhone 5s.Earlier today I practically ran outdoors when I saw the beautiful fog through the window from my desk. Took a quick walk in the park, snapped a couple of photos with my phone, and then back in again with renewed energy. In a couple of days I'll share the long awaited styling & photography post, promise! But for now: horizontal position and Donna Tarrt's The Goldfinch.Btw, I do realize that this park in the photos is not even near equivalent to "the woods", but that was all I had at hand at the moment : ) If you have tree abstinence you have tree abstinence ; )Fingers crossed that I get to go on that Eremitage and share the experience with all those amazing photographers! <3Photos from my wednesday walk in Vitabergsparken, captured with iPhone 5s.All photographs, recipes and content are Cashew Kitchen originals, unless otherwise indicated. Please link back to me when sharing.