Post holiday reflections...

It's been just over 2 weeks since we came back from our holiday jaunts and we were very fortunate to have been to not one but 2 destinations this year - Barbados and Menorca.

In Barbados we spent 3 weeks lapping up the sun, sea and sand and sights.

We visited family and friends and got all the vitamin D, and fresh food we needed.  For those who have had Barbados on their lists of destinations, I definitely recommend you get there if you can it is a lovely island.

Three weeks was just enough time to unwind and go to many places that we missed on previous visits.  The beaches are beautiful and we made visiting the beach and swimming an essential part of our trip.

Miami Beach

Dover Beach

We went along the Fish fry at Oystins - sampling the freshly caught fish and even took part in the Sunday night Karaoke at Dover Beach organised by Mr Mayer's and his wife (another really lovely couple who have a beach cafe there).  Me and Alan did what became one of our signature tunes - Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.

As flowers and plants are my thing I made sure I visited the Andromeda gardens, the Wildlife Reserve

and Flower forest and was able to feast my eyes on some beautiful plants and breath taking views.

I also used the opportunity to catch up with some of the local artists on the island and it was great to see them at work and also visit some galleries as well such as The Bridgetown Gallery at Sheraton Mall and NuEdge Gallery

We came back to England for a week to catch up and then flew out for a week in Menorca.

Ahisha and Malakai came with us and he was a joy to have on holiday - his first!  

We met some amazing people who made our stay even more than the blessing it was and we went on many of the excursions around the island....

Mike our representative from our resort showed us around Mahon and a visit to the local gin distillery where we sampled Pomada and a range of other liqueurs.  We visited Modas leather factory and were treated to a fashion show seeing many of their lovely designs.

Mike and Alan as we relaxed by the port

Mike proved to be a font of knowledge about the island, with his generous nature he went out of his way to ensure everyone had a good time.  We accompanied him on the Es Grau Nature walk, which backed onto a beautiful beach, in which the water was not only shallow but extremely warm.

Malakai enjoyed all the attention he got on holiday

with Uncle Sekani and his mum having a swim with his special ring

As in Barbados, Karaoke is popular, Ahisha and Sekani doing a duet

Alan and Sekani taking it in on the Yellow Catamaran - Mahon

breath taking views at Cala Galdana

A visit to Ciutadella and the caves at Cala Morell and a tour of Cala Galdana on Thursday which was our last day was rounded off by a visit Ferreries to see the Fiestas of Sant Bartomeu and the riders as they rode through the village, it was very exciting and was a lovely end to a fun pack break.

I have felt very fortunate to have been able to go away and my mind is now focused on working hard and developing the many ideas that I have been thinking about with my art, it has been great to be back in my studio.....

and getting acquainted with my supplies.  Over the coming weeks will be sharing what I am doing on the 21 Secrets course and also catch up with my contribution to Creating in Faith over at Motley Soul.

 Sekani is now back at school and attending the 6th form - a new adventure and one that awaits many young people who embark on the next stage of their learning, and for all those who have decided to return to study and our prayers continue to cover them for a sound mind and focus on all they have to do.

Blessings always!

52 Weeks of Colour - Growth

Reflection

Do not accept other people’s definition of happiness; carve out your own truth.

Quote

What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. ...Jewish Proverb

Scripture

"God is not a man, that He should lie". Has He said, and will He not do it? Numbers 23:19.......

Gratitudes - Laughter

Laughter

Laughter can be infectious and can lighten and lift your mood...

What are you grateful for this week?

Gratitudes - Weeding

Weeding

Weeding in the garden can be quite therapeutic - making room for new shoots, that burst of colour and wildlife is really fulfilling.....

Gratitudes - Artist Community

Artist community

I have met some lovely people online who share my passion and excitement for creativity, looking forward to future collaborations.....

Gratitudes - Relationships

Relationships

No man is an island and maintaining relationships is important, so too is renewing old acquaintances...

52 Weeks of Colour - Shine

Reflection 

Let your light shine 

Quote

The most important thing is that you love what you are doing, and the second that you are not afraid of where your next idea will lead..... Charles Eames

Scripture

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.  Isaiah 32:17

Gratitudes - Books

I love to read, sometimes there doesn’t seem like there is enough time to fit in all the books, I often end up reading more than one book at a time..

52 Weeks of Colour - Passion

Reflection

Passion - Look out for the miracles today

Quote

Work of sight is done. Now do heart work on the pictures within you. ....R.M. Rilke

Scripture

For He will give his angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways...Psalm 91:11

Creating in Faith - Faith

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

If you would like to see how I made the pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art this week. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Gratitudes - Piano

Piano – my son is very talented though doesn’t realise how much, when he plays it can be a very soothing and healing experience.

52 Weeks of Colour - Tranquility

Reflection

Take the time you need to work on you.

Quote

There will be times in life when impossibility is felt, but then there are dreams - and dreams allow us possibility.....Jeffrey David Lang

Scripture

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

Hello from Barbados!

As I write this I am relaxing in the sunnier climbs of Barbados.

Came away with family and friends to enjoy a few weeks in the sun, though in London at the moment I hear they are experiencing a heat wave.  We had a few days of thunder storms but those who know the rainy season in the Caribbean, one minute it pours then the sun comes right back out and its hot again.  We have been touring around, after hiring a car which just makes it so much easier, though the local transport buses are quite frequent depending on where you are going on the island.  Barbados is approx 22 miles at its length and 14 miles at its widest point and some of the beaches are spectacular.  

 

I have been taking lots of pictures and also can't resist photographs of my favourite subjects - flowers and plants, which are definitely a feast for the eyes.  One of my favourite flowers is the Frangipang (which is my current blog photograph), comes in a variety of colours and has a beautiful aroma. 

As this isn't our first time to the island we are trying to do some of the visits that we didn't catch when we were here a couple of years ago at Christmas - which was a lovely time to come by the way!  We have found lots of activities that are easy on the pocket and really informative. 

I have been slacking a bit with my art even though I brought some equipment with me, I'm still trying to get some sketches done...I have no excuse really as there are so many lovely subjects around me.  I've met up with a few artists and visited a couple of galleries which I will share in another post, so that has been great.  


Amongst some of the places we have visited are the Flower forest, Lime Grove - which has the more 'expensive' shops and boutiques among its mix, it also has some lovely courtyards and an art gallery called NuEdge, my favourite piece of work was by an artist called Terrance Piggott - check him out on the NuEdge site to see some of his recent work. Sekani took time out to play the piano, it would be lovely for him to regularly play on one of these!  This particular piano can also be programmed to play on its own!

 

We finished our day at Dover Beach for a swim and something to eat and met up again with a lovely man called Mr Mayers who has a food eatery near the beach and  is very hospitable.  When we visited Barbados on our last trip he very generously invited us and a few other guests into his home for lunch and his wife put on a lovely spread, her cooking is amazing! 

Friday was Fish Fry at Oistins and after catching up with some of my husbands family we went there to enjoy the freshly caught local fish and take in the cool breeze and entertaining music.  Sekani is enjoying his time in the water, and I am sure that he will grow another inch at least while we are here. 

 

Lots more adventures to be had in the coming week.  August marks the main Crop Over Celebrations, though there have been activities taking place from the start of July and people from all over Barbados and the rest of the world come down to celebrate.  We have been keeping ourselves updated with the Olympics and the teething problems with the roads taking place in London, we pick up coverage around 8 hours later here in Barbados.

It is another hot day today so I think a trip to the beach is on the cards, after I get some work done!  I have some mini videos to share, until then....Blessings.......

Gratitudes - Birdsong

Bird song – it sometimes seems as if the birds come out for me, chirping away, just when I need to hear them, makes me feel free and thankful for Gods miracles

52 Weeks of Colour - Progress

Reflection 

Live life to the full every day, don’t take anything for granted 

Quote

Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us....Roy Adzak

Scripture 

By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy...Hebrews 10:14

Gratitudes - Walking

Walking 

.......helps to clear my head and get new perspectives, it is also great to

see how the environment 

changes from one day to the next.

With everything we do we have the ability to touch others lives, 

a very special responsibility that we cannot take lightly.  

Whenever you can, take a moment to really appreciate 

the little things in the big picture.  

It would be great to hear about the things that you are grateful for, 

how they have changed your life and 

how they inspire you to change the lives of others....

52 Weeks of Colour - Peace

Reflection

God knows the desires of your heart, trust him in all your ways and he will make your path straight

Quote

For those who have the interest to look closely, life becomes art...Diane Mariechild 

Scripture

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us...1 John 5:14

Creating in Faith - Leap

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.  Psalm 28:7

If you would like to see how I made the pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder for that week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Gratitudes - Morning pages

.........Morning pages 

I love writing.  
Taking time to do my morning pages

allows me to be free with my writing
 and express 

any and every thought...

With everything we do we have the ability to touch others lives, 

a very special responsibility that we cannot take lightly.  

Whenever you can, take a moment to really appreciate 

the little things in the big picture.  

It would be great to hear about the things that you are grateful for, 

how they have changed your life and 

how they inspire you to change the lives of others....

Gratitudes

What is it that you are thankful for?  Where would you begin?

The Friday gratitude’s posts will be my way of taking a minute to be thankful, whether it be for a particular art material or that the sun came out today, being able to take a breath and smell the roses or that my mum had a restful sleep.  I was originally inspired by Ann Voskamp and her book 1000 gifts.  

With everything we do we have the ability to touch others lives, a very special responsibility that we cannot take lightly.  Whenever you can, take a moment to really appreciate the little things in the big picture.  

It would be great to hear about the things that you are grateful for, how they have changed your life and how they inspire you to change the lives of others. 

52 Weeks of Colour

Since completing the 365 days of colour I have missed posting the images.  I am still coming across some beautiful flowers and taking photographs.  I  wanted to try my hand at combining images and using photo-shop, and so I decided that I will continue with a weekly offering of an image with an inspired word added to the mix.


I will be posting on Mondays so you can carry the blessings with you throughout the week. I hope it does continue to bless you over the next year, and that we see much creative growth and development.  

Creating in Faith - Prayer bookmark holders

I have been asked by Mika from Motley Soul to contribute on a weekly basis to her Creating in Faith group.  Each Sunday I will be posting a word and sharing a reflection and scriptures, it would be great to have you join us in the group and share your faith filled insights and the creative activities that you get up to.

For my creative pieces for this project I am making a series of book mark holders for each week, decorated with the word for that week in what ever style speaks to me at that moment with an image or collage or both!  The bookmark holder has a space in the side that allows you to place your prayer requests, thoughts and what ever else comes to mind.

Here is how I went about making them

 I took card, cut to 35cm x 8cm, decorated with stamps and inks and folded in half

I then took some fabric, painted and stamped on it, then cut them into strips that I then sewed in between the  longest side of the book mark holder, the two shorter sides were also sewn together to form a pocket

.  The book mark inside the holder is cut from the same card and 

is 15cm x 8 cm 

 I decorated the sides of the book mark with Washi tape that I also had a go at making - will share the process in another post.  The book mark is where I will be writing my thoughts, prayers, achievements, and wow moments for the week.

The aim is to be able to look back at all the prayers and scriptures and see how God has truely been working in my life.  The bookmark holders will eventually be joined together to create a mini book

This is the holder for last week, with the word for the week being Hope come and see the scriptures shared

Growth is this weeks word.  When I look back on my journey I see how much I have grown as an artist, and the changes that continuously take place, also thinking about the steps that I have taken and have yet to take and the amazing creatives that I am meeting  and have yet to meet along the way.

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art. Each week I will be sharing the next word, insight or reflection, scriptures and the bookmark holder for that week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Tuesday Feeling - to be or not to be

We ended last week with some sunshine amidst the downpour which for July seems to be a common occurance.  Our summers have changed over the years, and we see the changes in the climate in other countries and the unusual weather they have been happening.  I have been spending more time in the garden, pottering around 'weather permitting' and decided to grow some cherries,  it would seem as if I have 3 growing strong, I'll do my best to protect them from the slugs and snails that frequent the garden.

After some lovely scented flowers, my young Honeysuckle plant seems a bit poorly, have to keep an eye on it, be grateful for any advice for the yellowing and, dropping leaves.

Every time I open a fruit or vegetable I have been saving the seeds to plant to see what will grow,  this is my latest - squash, I think this was meant to be...!

I've also tried to grow some, apples and pears - not sure that the weather is warm enough for these but worth a try, alongside some pulses that I sprouted - the black beans seem to be coming up quite well and I will transfer them in a few weeks.

I have made an effort to improve my diet and have been eating more pulses and salads.  I will be sharing some of the recipes   I did a butterbean casserole  and today I will be doing a recipe that uses aduke beans.  I have also brought some split peas, lentils, and a whole range of other beans to try.  If you make enough you can freeze them and be able to have a readymade snack as and when you want.  Let me know what your favourite recipe is.

My son went to his prom and here he is all done up in his suit and his patent leather black shoes!  He had a great time, there were all dressed up and polished as they danced the evening away.

Last but not least I forgot to share the biggest news, which actually happened on the 5^th May.

I became a Grandmother!  Say hello to Malakai Dominic William Springer.  I was initially not wanting to be called grandmother and searched for examples of words used in other cultures – maw maw, numa, nana, and the rest, feeling that the term was mostly associated with old people.  I felt I didn’t qualify!.....and so couldn’t embrace the word...... but with maturity comes understanding.  Grandparents should be elevated as there is so much wisdom that they have, many of the lessons that my mother taught me now have stood me in good stead as an adult, and I pass the wisdom down to my son.

 Malikai is definitely a bundle of joy!

The Week that was....

I have had a busy couple of weeks,  It is still wet and windy here in London,  but luckily every now and then the rays of sunshine continue to tease us of pastures filled with palm trees, the rushing back and forth of the waves and the soft sand between our toes....in the meantime its a toss up of deciding whether or not to dig out my winter wear and thick socks.  The garden is picking up and the Arboriculturist are trimming the trees outside the house which makes them look slightly bare at the moment.  

The neighbours cat still seems smitten with my garden and just comes over and sits on an old chair at the back of the garden sunning himself.  He still has an expression of disdain as if I have interrupted an important meeting.

I have been doing a mixed bag of things this week, alongside work. I love being in the studio, and  I have been working on some of the sessions in the 21 Secrets and will be sharing some of the art that I have been doing.  

After coming to the end of the 365 days of colour, I celebrated with having a massage.  I will be doing another challenge and be sharing some of the digital art work that I have been doing with my photography.  I will also be contributing to Motley Soul and Mika's Create in Faith Group we share our faith, our creativity and so much more!  Here is a page from my prayer journal.

Health wise, started doing some walking again, I also came across nutritionalist Daphne Cohn and I am taking part in her challenge.  She has a range of recipes that she will send you and they are delicious. I made one this week using the following:  

Handful of spinach, 5 x cabbage leaf, Half iceberg lettuce, Nob of ginger, Cup of water, 2 bananas, 1 pear, Fruit sweetener

All of this made 1.5 litres primarily because of the fruits and especially the lettuce is 70% water.  Daphne has got a 10 day challenge going where she sends you ideas and advice for a variety of green smoothies.  

Last week I gave a talk to a group of social workers about my role as a carer and was able to use some creative exercises to enable them to look at how they relate to different issues in their own life and the experiences that a carer can feel, it was interesting to be on the other side of the coin and get a different perspective of my role through their eyes and talk about the role in a positive light. I will be doing more talks and sharing some of the creative tools I have been using.

Our City of London Festival officially begins this weekend and there are over 100 events running until 27th July, I am hoping to go to a few and will share any pictures I take. The fun starts tomorrow with a tour of the Bank of England, and on Sunday running until 13th July - there will be 50 Street pianos just waiting to be played at a variety of locations around London.  

And finally, my son has finished his exams - a big WELL DONE goes out to him, routines have changed and there is now talk of learning to drive and A'Levels which he will be pursuing in September.  He has his Prom dance next week and went out and got a suit, he looks so mature in it, and has grown a bit bigger and currently towers over me at around 6ft 2.  Time has flown indeed.... 

Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Just Dance!

Every now and then .......  

Letting go of any insecurity that may be lurking in the dark and really see yourself for who you really can be, taking that leap and grab on to the opportunities that present themselves....and wave your hands in the air!