Welcome to Villa Emilia (My Woodland Garden), a photography blog with a slant towards gardening and nature. An amateur gardener and photographer, I hope to share beautiful moments with you through pictures. Let me know if you like them! ❤

Thank you for your visit.

30.5.2015

Jo joutui armas aika - Joyous summer days



NB The photos of this post have been taken in our garden in Italy, not in Finland.



The wilderness pastures drip with dew,
and the hills wrap themselves with joy.
The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
and the valleys are covered with grain.
They shout for joy;
yes, they burst out in song!


Psalm 65: 12 - 13 (International Standard Version)






I was recently telling to a Canadian friend how in this part of the world (Eastern Finland) spring usually reaches its maximum splendour in the last days of May, at the end of the school year...

There's a Swedish summertime hymn titled "Den blomstertid nu kommer" (literally: "Now the time of blossoming arrives", in Finnish simply "Suvivirsi") that is traditionally sung at the Spring Fete. Below there are the first three verses of the hymn in Finnish. I don't try to translate them in English, because my translation wouldn't do justice to the text.

Imagine that after a dark and cold winter summer bursts into bloom and the freedom of summer holidays is upon you. The world is full of fresh green foliage and flowers and sunlight and bird song. For many of us, "Suvivirsi" symbolizes the memory of those moments filled with joy and gratitude ... and few adults can listen to the hymn (especially when sung by a child choir) with dry eyes.






1. Jo joutui armas aika
ja suvi suloinen.
Kauniisti joka paikkaa
koristaa kukkanen.
Nyt siunaustaan suopi
taas lämpö auringon,
se luonnon uudeks' luopi,
sen kutsuu elohon.






2. Taas niityt vihannoivat
ja laiho laaksossa,
puut metsän huminoivat
taas lehtiverhossa.
Se meille muistuttaapi
hyvyyttäs', Jumala,
ihmeitäs' julistaapi
se vuosi vuodelta.






3. Taas linnut laulujansa
visertää kauniisti,
myös eikö Herran kansa
Luojaansa kiittäisi!
Mun sieluni, sä liitä
myös äänes' kuorohon
ja armon Herraa kiitä,
kun laupias hän on.








Participating in Mosaic Monday

at Judith's Lavender Cottage.








I am very happy to join Donna at Gardens Eye View


Visiting her blog you can read about summer serenity and childhood memories 
and, on June 22, find links to other lovely blogs celebrating summer.








Participating also in









Thank you all for your lovely comments on my posts. They make me very happy. 
I've had very busy days recently and haven't visited everyone yet, but I will do it as soon as I can.


Wishing you beautiful and happy summer days.

Hugs!



20 kommenttia:

  1. Kaunis postaus! Mukavaa viikonloppua!

    VastaaPoista
  2. Dear Sara,
    What did you put it nicely in the words of Psalm 65.
    As you describe especially in the spring months of May culminating I also often think of biblical texts that express this.
    To God the honor which he makes us so enjoy His creation!
    You made beautiful pictures!
    You have one month earlier than we vacation. With us it is spread over the months July and August.
    Good luck with your other activities and I wish you a very nice holiday, really enjoy it!

    Love, Gerry

    VastaaPoista
  3. I hope that you have a wonderful spring and summer! xx

    VastaaPoista
  4. Great pictures and great post. Have a blessed day. Madeline

    VastaaPoista
  5. Sara this is wonderful to see you are celebrating summer....our spring has turned into more of a summer now. This post would be wonderful to include in my Seasonal Celebrations meme that has just started as we celebrate summer. Let me know if you would like me to include it....the Seasonal Celebrations post was published yesterday.

    VastaaPoista
  6. Such beautiful perfection! Your first shot is just white splendour and gorgeous to look at and admire! Have a wonderful weekend xx

    VastaaPoista
  7. Suvivirsi on kaunis alku kesälle :)

    VastaaPoista
  8. Wonderful summer pictures and I do like Psalm 65. Thank you.
    Wishing you a lovely Sunday!

    VastaaPoista
  9. Sara, Such beautiful photos! Isn't it wonderful to finally welcome spring/summer and warmer weather. I am so enjoying the flowers in my garden right now, I LOVE late May and early June and the flowers they bring.

    VastaaPoista
  10. Hello Sara, lovely words and Psalm. Your flowers and images are simply beautiful. It is a gorgeous time of the year. Happy June! Enjoy your Monday and have a happy week ahead!

    VastaaPoista
  11. Very nice post.
    Spring peaks and Summer peeks.

    VastaaPoista
  12. How beautiful is your Italian garden. I hope that Finnish summer bursts upon the scene with equally lovely blossoms. After winter, yes, the celebration of life and light begins. The words of Psalm 65 are very true - God's world is an amazing place.
    I hope your busy times ease a little. Have a wonderful week.

    VastaaPoista
  13. Lovely photos. So nice to have a garden in Italy!

    VastaaPoista
  14. I think a song such as you've described (Suvivirsi) to celebrate the arrival of spring would be an emotional one after a long winter. Psalm 65 also praises this wonderful season.
    Hopefully you have some beautiful pink flowers in your Finnish garden as well Sara.
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

    VastaaPoista
  15. Beautiful shots. I love your mosaic. Nice job. Thanks for sharing.

    VastaaPoista
  16. How else do you describe beauty other than a Psalm? Spring is well earned in Finland, is it not? Gorgeous pink flowers are a wonderful reward and gift after a long, cold, dark winter. Love it.

    VastaaPoista
  17. You are surrounded by beauty! Enjoy your week dear one! Hugs, Diane

    VastaaPoista
  18. Drenched in absolute beauty!

    VastaaPoista
  19. Gorgeous blossoms, my friend. You are indeed surrounded by beauty :) Your post was so refreshing to my heart..... Thank you for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you!

    VastaaPoista


Thank you for your comment! It is very much appreciated.
It may take awhile, but I will always visit you back.

Kiitos kommentistasi!

Grazie del tuo commento!