Wednesday 14 September 2011

Visit to Kew Gardens


Went on a trip to Kew Gardens recently for my birthday, we were blessed with a hot and sunny day, with a cool breeze attached. It’s a place that I always wanted to visit, but for some reason known only to the dark corners of my mind I chose not to, giving up some reason that doesn’t make sense.

Anyway, my son agreed to come along with me, which was a shock and I waited as we walked through the grounds for him to tell me how bored he was and when were we going to leave..... He is at the age where going out with your parents for some reason isn’t ‘cool’ ‘Do you have to laugh so loud he pleads on occasion with me?’, there is an increased list of things parents do that embarrass them.

Sekani laughed at me as I went from plant to plant, showing my excitement, it was equally as enjoyable having him accompany me, and I threw smug glances at other adults who would look at him. He allowed his interest to remain throughout the long walks, my photograph taking and excitement at the close up pictures I was getting, I was proud to have him on the trip.

We went on the Xstrata Treetops Walkway the view from the tree top walks were amazing and looking down through the grating extremely scary, but if you don’t look down it’s fine we got an amazing view of the grounds.


We also visited the Palm House – and saw all the tropical plants, Princess of Wales Conservatory which had a variety of plants, the Japanese Gateway and Pagoda.
 
 

There were not as many flowers as I had expected, probably due to the season, but it was still a feast for the eyes and the rose garden and palm house held some delightful blooms. 


We stopped off for a snack, recharging our batteries and off we went again, there were some things that I thought could have been better thought out, like signage around the grounds, and the Marine life seemed a bit sad and poorly maintained.

There was so much to see, in the 4 hours we had (it closed at 6pm) we still only saw a fraction.  I think you need a whole day to get round everything and have the necessary stops in between.  All in all an enjoyable trip was had by all, and I would definitely go again. 

This is him at the end of the day all walked out just before the the park closed at 6pm.
If you have not yet been you should definitely put this on your ‘to do’ list.  If you have been what was your favourite part?

Monday 12 September 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 104 - 110

Day 104
Reflection
Let it be...

Quote
Grace fills empty spaces. ... Simone Weil

Scripture
I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you ...John 14:18


Day 105
Reflection
Do not settle for less than you know you are worth

Quote
Oh earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you. ... Thornton Wilder

Scripture
O gives thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting... 1 Chronicles 16:34

Day 106
Reflection
Know your worth

Quote
The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. ... T.S. Eliot

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

Day 107
Reflection
Let who you really are be present in this moment

Quote
The butterfly counts not the months, but the moments, and has time enough. ... Rabindranath Tagore

Scripture
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe ..Proverbs 18:10

Day 108
Reflection
Get into alignment with who you really are...

Quote
The important thing is this: to be able to sacrifice at any moment what we are for what we could become. ... Unknown

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


Day 109
Reflection
If you could glimpse just 10% of your ability that you are not sharing you would be overwhelmed

Quote
One hundred percent of the shots you don’t take don’t go in. ... Wayne Gretzky

Scripture
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God ..Matthew 5:9


Day 110
Reflection
You are never alone God will never leave you or forsake you....

Quote
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike. ... John Muir

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



Monday 5 September 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 97 - 103

Day 97
Reflection
Accept your blessings

Quote
If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s. ... Joseph Campbell

Scripture
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble... Psalm 46:1

Day 98
Reflection
Nurture that idea, help it to grown, give it enough time to flourish

Quote
The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice. George Eliot

Scripture
...We have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.. 1 John 3:21-22

Day 99
Reflection
Friendship comes in different packages and at unexpected times, be open

Quote
Really healthy soul of man/woman/artist has all colours; Healthy soul is as rainbow. ... Yaroslaw Rozputnyak

Scripture
...the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved .. Matthew 24:13

Day 100
Reflection
It is time to forgive and move on

Quote
Everything in the past died yesterday. Everything in the future was born today. ... Unknown

Scripture
My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness... 2 Corinthians 12:9

Day 101
Reflection
You have everything you need to make a start

Quote
One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ... Helen Keller

Scripture
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you... Isaiah 41:10

Day 102
Reflection
God wants more for you than you can ever imagine

Quote
All anybody needs to know about prizes is that Mozart never won one. ... Henry Mitchell

Scripture
...with God all things are possible.. Mark 10:27

Day 103
Reflection
Exercise patience

Quote
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet. ... Frederick Buechner

Scripture
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.. Psalm 18:30

Sunday 4 September 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 96

Reflection
Ideas have to start from somewhere

Quote
If a man is to be called a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well. ... Martin Luther King, Jr.

Scripture
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness... James 3:18

Saturday 3 September 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 95

Reflection
Invest in yourself, keep moving forward

Quote
Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. ... Carl Jung

Scripture
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting..Psalm 118:29

Friday 2 September 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 94

Reflection
Patience is the key

Quote
Fear makes us feel small and uncertain, uncomfortable and separate. Fearlessness expands and creates possibilities. ... Helena Tiainen

Scripture
The Lord will fulfil (His purpose) for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever.. Psalm 138:8

Thursday 1 September 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 93


Reflection
Do not hold on to negativity instead shine a new positive light in your life

Quote
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh, and the greatness which does not bow before children. ... Kahlil Gibran

Scripture
No longer will you have the sun for light by day, nor for brightness will the moon give you light; but you will have the Lord for an everlasting light..Isaiah 60:19


Wednesday 31 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 92

Reflection
Let your light shine

Quote
Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays. ... Ralph Waldo Emerson

Scripture
Because He himself suffered when he was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.. Hebrews 2:18

Tuesday 30 August 2011

Battery Recharged

You can't get to wonderful without passing through alright...Bill Withers

I feel like a mermaid....some retail therapy with my sister-in-law in Florida
 (thought I might as well try on!)

We came back from our holidays on Saturday 20th August, and its taken me this long to get back into some sort of routine.  I had hoped to keep updating of our journey and adventures while we were there, but without internet connection in some places and so much to see it became an 'I'll do it later' promise. 

I have hundreds of images to go through as well as emails, things that were put on hold and of course to refocus on creativity and direction.  The one thing that has been constant is the 365 days of colour, I was thinking of reworking it to post once a week starting from Monday 5th Sept, and you will get the weeks worth of colour, scriptures, quotes and reflections to dip in and out of - going to see how it goes whilst keeping in line with my original objective of injecting colour on a daily basis and less posts for your inbox!  I'm also thinking about other challenges to set myself as time goes on, but we'll see how it goes.

We had a blessed time on our holiday, which seems such a distant memory.  We travelled to Chatanooga,


Seeing many things along side, the Chatanooga choo choo, Ruby Falls,


The beautiful views at Look Out mountain....


We sailed on the Southern Bell along the river that you can see. We then pit-stopped in Huntsville which is where my sister-in-law lives along with her husband and Dexter the dog - who was actually quite sweet!


After flying down to Florida did the malls and the theme parks.... 


One that I would definitely go back to is Epcot, we spent 8 hours there and it still wasn't enough time and did not see everything.  
View at night just before the fireworks

There was a more educational slant to this theme park for those who haven't been, but using fun games, rides, and experiences, and learning about different cultures around the world....

Stopping by Morroco!

Advances in agriculture - Ginger plant

We took time out to rest and drove down to spend time on the beach in Sarasota. Sekani took part in a race that was happening on the beach with the locals..


I spent my time relaxing, reading and making sand sculptures, here is my futuristic city - along with its underground roads....


Overall spending time with family and not only doing the tourist thing but actually becoming part of their daily routine was a great stress free way of seeing a different part of the world, whilst recharging those batteries.  I also had my birthday when coming back, going to treat myself to a massage!  In the coming weeks I will share about creative projects that I am working on, reviews that I have been doing and much more.

Our prayers go out to those who are now in the throws of hurricane Irene and the massive amount of damage occuring through the floods, if your able to support any initiative of help for those affected please do.

Stay blessed!

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 91

Reflection
Some doors are meant to close

Quote
Passion should overwhelm reason time and again. ... Alvaro Castagnet

Scripture
Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest...Matthew 11:28

Monday 29 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 90

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

Quote
To control the fire is not to kill it, but to let passion thrive and be seen. There is a beautiful tension in all creation between letting go and forming, the pushing and pulling of colour and sound and everything imaginable. ... Janet Morgan

Scripture
In all labour there is profit.... Proverbs 14:23

Sunday 28 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 89

Reflection
The more you step out, the more You will understand...

Quote
We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way. ... Gloria Gaither

Scripture
Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because he always lives to intercede for them....Hebrews 7:25

Saturday 27 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 88

Reflection
Everything is unfolding perfectly

Quote
Our self-expression is meant to be a manifestation of the silence of our hearts. ... Matthew Fox

Scripture
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him I will trust... Psalm 91:2

Friday 26 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 87

Reflection
When you fall pick yourself up and start again

Quote
Just as certain selections of music will nourish your physical body and your emotional layer, so other musical works will bring greater health to your mind. ... Hal A. Lingerman

Scripture
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him: Matthew 7:11

Thursday 25 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 86

Reflection
It will get better

Quote
If you can dream it, you can DO it. ... Walt Disney

Scripture
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.... Isaiah 40:8

Tuesday 23 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 84

Reflection
You have everything you need for your journey

Quote
To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life. ... William Louden

Scripture
Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles.... Isaiah 40:31

 

Sunday 21 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 82

Reflection
Your life can be beautiful

Quote
The best way to predict your future is to create it. ... Unknown

Scripture
The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works... Psalm 145:17

Thursday 18 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 79

Reflection
You are a blessing to many...

Quote
Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. ... Dale E. Turner

Scripture
...Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance... James 1:2-3

Wednesday 17 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 78

Reflection
Keep going, your getting close, doors are opening..

Quote
I still need more healthy rest in order to work at my best. My health is the main capital I have and I want to administer it intelligently. ... Ernest Hemingway

Scripture
Your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him... Matthew 6:8

Tuesday 16 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 77

Reflection
You inspire others by being you...

Quote
I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. ... Jack London

Scripture
You too now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you... John 16:22


Monday 15 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 76

Reflection
Rejection is a part of life, don’t dwell in it, move on, don’t give up..

Quote
Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not. ... George Bernard Shaw

Scripture
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... and I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes... Ezekiel 36:26-27

Sunday 14 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 75

Reflection
The answers are there, you need to ask the right questions....

Quote
A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral. ... Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Scripture
Behold I sand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me... Revelation 3:20

Saturday 13 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 74

Reflection
Some friendships don’t last a lifetime

Quote
Stop the words now. Open the window in the centre of your chest, And let the spirits fly in and out. ... Rumi

Scripture
Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations; Thou didst establish the earth and it stands....Psalm 119:90

Friday 12 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 73

Reflection
All things are possible.....do you believe?

Quote
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ... Mahatma Gandhi

Scripture
The Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught... Proverbs 3:26

Thursday 11 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 72

Reflection
You are blessed more than you know...

Quote
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike. ... John Muir

Scripture
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them, if I should count them, they are more in number than the sand... Psalm 139:17-18

Wednesday 10 August 2011

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 71

Reflection
Everyone needs time to renew and recharge their batteries

Quote
This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind…. Let it be something good. ... Unknown

Scripture
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth... Hosea 6:3
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...