A Bit more play - Shining light

There is always room for a bit of creative play.  Where you can just put colors down without having an agenda, and then going with what you see. I have been trying to do that every day depending on my location, and I do have a travel kit that serves me well outside the studio.

Making my gelli plate was one of the best things I've made so far, and it provides a quick and easy method of placing color in a random way - you can see how I use it HERE. This is one of a selection of paintings that I have done.

This is how it began, after I had laid down some color on the plate, I continued with some stamps and also added some doilies that had been painted 

I started sketching a vague image using charcoal

Then she started to take on a life of her own,

I love using color

Remembering that it is just about play I continued to add color and she continued to emerge out of the paper.

Working in the studio

Once I had finished my play, she was ready to stand on her own two feet, I might leave it at that, use it for another piece of work, we'll see.

Shine your light - Mixed Media

For now she will continue to shine her light. and inspire and I will continue to play.  

Smoothie Love - Day 25

Smoothie Love

I shared yesterday the missing smoothies from the 30 days of change, one of the things that I have been benefiting from is the increased nutrients that I am getting each day.  I think that the smoothies are now going to be part of my way of life.

I was thinking that it would be great to have a light weight portable mini blender to be able to take with you when you go on holiday or away from home.  I am going to experiment with some of the more tropical Caribbean fruit in a smoothie such as Sweetsop, Soursop, and Jackfruit.  

What has been your favorite Smoothie so far?

Smoothie for today ingredients includes: Logan berries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries and Almond milk, 

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Missing Days 12 - 16, 18 & 19

Smoothie Love - Missing Days

I remembered that I hadn't posted the smoothies for days 12 - 16, 18 and 19, for those who have been following.  I explained what happened in my posts HERE and HERE.  I can't quite believe time has flown so quickly and there has been many lessons learnt that I have posted, and a few more besides. 

Only a few more days left for the postings for 30 days of Change and I will still continue to make smoothies, I will always be on the look out for some unusual ingredients and combinations, that help enhance and maintain health.  Looking after our health and well-being is key.  Everything we can do to enhance and increase our health will benefit us when we need it most.

If you have any questions about the recipes please let me know and I will be happy to answer them.

Here are the missing days and ingredients:

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 18

Day 19

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 24

Smoothie Love Day 24

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Got off to another good start had to leave out early this morning so I didn't have time to wash and cut up fruit. Used frozen in this recipe, and it will stay chilled until I get to my mums. She has the builders in so having something with me that can fill the gap and taste good is essential. Haven't yet had my water quota for the day, but will work on it. 

Here is today's smoothie: Mango Chunks, Banana, Almond milk, Grapes, Melon and Tangerine.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Quote Wednesday - Dale Carnegie

Your purpose is to make your audience see what you saw, hear what you heard and feel what you felt.  Dale Carnegie

Check out my wordpress weekly quotes..

Smoothie Love - Day 23

Smoothie Love Day 23

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Got off to a good start this morning, with a smoothie, slightly chilled because I used some frozen fruit, our weather is hotting up over here so it is a welcomed addition to the smoothie. I also managed to drink more water which is good for the system. 

My grandson Malakai and step daughter Ahisha came round to visit and it was a great excuse to make some more smoothie and get some more vitamins in.

More smoothie to go round!

Malakai is used to having smoothies - his parents make them regularly, so he knows when he is on to a good thing.  He really enjoyed it especially in this heat, it made a refreshing drink, though I think that he was expecting a bigger glass!

Malakai enjoying his smoothie

After he finished his Smoothie he was after more, I wonder what he would have made of yesterdays smoothie!

Here is today's smoothie: Mango, Banana, Apple, Melon, Cabbage, Almond Milk

It definitely hit the spot!

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 22

Smoothie Love Day 22

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Well, the start of the week brings with it something different, and thought I would play a little. I am quite proud of my smoothie and being able to get the two layers. You have to pour the top layer in slowly for it to sit on the bottom layer, garnish with some kiwi and you have yourself a delightful combination of flavors.

Here is today's smoothie: Blueberries, banana, dried cranberries, cashew nuts, mixed fruit. Bottom layer - Mango chunks, grapes, banana, and pear.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 21

Smoothie Love Day 21

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

I thought I would get this post up in time for you to follow the recipe if you wish. Smoothies are a great way to get your vitamins and minerals in your system. Depending what you put in them they can be a power house of goodness.

As with any smoothie you can adapt the recipes as you wish, adding or taking away an ingredient. The smoothies over the past few days you will notice don't have any cabbage in them, I have to get some more tomorrow. But you can chose from a wide variety - kale, spinage, red and green cabbage and loads more, just give them a try.

Here is today's smoothie: Pear, Banana, Mango chunks, Fruit Salad mix, Cashew nuts, Raisins, Almond Milk

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Word for the Week - Proverbs 18:10

Word for the Week

The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe..Proverbs 18:10

Smoothie Love - Day 20

Smoothie Love Day 20

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

I think that I am beginning to find my flow with the smoothies, and have learnt some lessons along the way - we are learning all the time!, especially with regards to helping me keep consistent. I have my staples which I work with, making sure that I have sufficient supply, and this has enabled me to keep going, whilst providing a nutritious smoothie each day.

The family have been joining in and as I make one for myself, I make one for them as well, knowing that we are all benefiting is keeping me going. It does also help to have an easy to use smoothie maker, and I will have to at some point do a review on the ones that we have brought and what has worked well for us. I am starting a new review site where I will be sharing my views on things that I have tried, hopefully it will help others make informed choices.

Smoothie Love

Here is today's smoothie: Pear, Grapes, Tangerine, Mango and Oat Milk, this one was quite nice, creamy and the frozen mango chunks were quite sweet.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 17

Smoothie Love Day 17

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Ok, so I missed a few days, stuff happens, and you have to go with the flow, walk round, jump over and a whole load of other things while you are at it. I made the smoothies, but didn't get to post for a whole host of reasons, some of which I shared in yesterdays post about Taking time out. The main thing is to make sure you take note of whatever lessons you are to learn, then as you move on you are able to see where the possible pitfalls may show their face again.

Here is today's smoothie: Grapes, kiwi, blueberries, raisins, cashew nuts, coconut milk, and spinage.

The kiwi wasn't very sweet and so there were slightly sharp undertones, but it still tastes good. I have stocked up on supplies so looking forward to the coming recipes.

Smoothie Love - Day 17

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Quote Wednesday - Thomas Edison

To have a great idea - have a lot of them - Thomas Edison

Check out my wordpress weekly quotes..

Taking time out

I've taken time out, so it seems, well, its pretty evident.  Not sure what happened, felt stuck, as if I were in a fog and could only see a hands width in front of me.  I didn't know when it started, but it felt like the moment that I had resolved to make changes that there would be some resistance.

I think I had taken to much on my plate, as well as posting I am taking part in the courses - Soul Food and Life book, as well as dealing with the day to day.  I think the challenge would have been fine if I didn't try and do a vlog and edit and post. Keeping it real via the video is what I wanted but it seem to take forever and a day to load a 15 minute ramble, and then the fog came, and I stopped.

On top of all this as a family we have mourned the loss of my brother - Robert, there is no preparation to how you will feel, or how to deal with it all, .  The year has gone quickly, it's weird, and then again feels like forever, the loss still raw in our hearts and minds.  We remember his joy, his sense of humor, his love, warmth, his strength.

I paint, I draw, I create, as a way through.  I remember my conversations with Robert and the things I said I would explore, so many things that I don't want to let anymore time pass before I get to do them, and so I change.  Change is good.  I am still going to make the healthy changes that I said I would, I just won't worry about giving you a blow by blow video update, because essentially I want to pour all of that time into creating. I want to paint, I need to paint, it has become as essential to my heart as breathing is to my lungs, and a way to allow the heart to heal from the loss of the past few years.  Perhaps this is another lesson learnt from the challenge.

I will share with you some of the pieces as I finish them, and I am quite excited by the some of them. This painting is called Together...it is about our relationships

Together - Mixed media

Together - Though time and dimensions may separate, you will always be in my heart. Came from the same source to lead different lives, you were a strength and a support from the start.

We have to invest in our relationships and make the most of every opportunity, and knowing our purpose live as if it were our last day on the earth. 

Blessings always!

We have raised £1530 for Myeloma UK, if you want to donate you can do so HERE

Word for the Week - Psalm 55:22

Word for the week

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.  He will never let the righteous fall..Psalm 55:22

Smoothie Love Day 11

Smoothie Love Day 11

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Keeping the smoothie light again today, 

and it contains the following:

Oat Milk

Banana

Melon

The Vlog for today will be uploaded soon.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 10

Smoothie Love Day 10

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Keeping the smoothie quite light today, 

and it contains the following:

Melon

Banana

Mango chunks

Strawberries

Grapes

Pear

Oat milk

Day 9 Vlog

if you haven't had a chance to see the vlog from yesterday I have attached it above.  

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Change

Change

I have been talking about change a bit over the year here on my blog, not trying to be someone else, but who you were really called to be.  More recently if you have glanced over my recent posts you would have seen the health changes that I have been pursuing.

I have been pressing in on my creativity, painting and doing something that makes another step, learning, trying to grow to be the artist that I want to become.  An artist that can through their work be a blessings, and through words inspire.  I still have a way to go, but wanted to share this piece I did recently.

 I love the colors and the vibrancy of this piece, she is full of life and excited about her tomorrow.  She has a strength and a purpose, knowing who she is and not being afraid to be all that she has been called to be.

 I hope to develop more of this style of work, but will continue to press in and explore techniques and materials.

Change - Mixed media on watercolor paper

If you would like to purchase a print I will be adding it to my other work on Society 6.  Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Quote Wednesday - John Quincy Adams

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish - John Quincy Adams

Check out my wordpress weekly quotes..

30 Days of Change - Day 9

Smoothie love - Day 9

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

For my smoothies this week I am feeling like adding something more substantial in the smoothie.  For this you can use oats, add nuts and a variety of different seeds.  I decided to add granola to my smoothie, which means that I can reduce the amount that I will eat at lunch time, well that's supposed to be the idea.  I know that I haven't quite done a vlog yet, but it is in the pipe line!

Smoothie love - 30 days of change

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of Change - Day 8

Smoothie Love

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

For this smoothie I used Red cabbage, greens, carrots, pear, apple, raisins, cucumber, seed mix and almond milk. Whilst there is quite a bit of vegetables, the fruit and raisins adds the sweetness, a great way to start the week.

Learning from the lessons of last week I plan to put them into action and see if I can have a more structured week, as we want to start feeling the benefits from the change.

What are you going to do today to work towards your change?

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.