Thursday, 27 March 2014

Logan in Vancouver

" The main practice of all major religions is love
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
'''(^_^)''...and to defend it against obstacles
'.._/l\_..we need tolerance and forgiveness.
(._/♥\_.)...Consequently, all major religions talk about compassion, tolerance, contentment, and self-discipline. 
The teachers of our various traditions have been realistic
in their advice. Because self-centredness often leads to greed,
they all advise cultivating contentment and simplicity in our lives.
~Dalai Lama















(✿◠‿◠)❀ .✫*


Be grateful for every second of every day that you get to spend with the people you love. Life is so very precious. ~Mandy Hale

Logan loving his good times in Vancouver with his family 
and everyone they are visiting with


Wednesday, 26 March 2014

I love Hummingbirds

HUMMINGBIRD EGGS

The smallest bird egg is from the living vervain hummingbird of Jamaica (Mellisuga minima) , which reaches a whopping size of 1 cm (0.39 in).




Both text and photograph from Facebook

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
 



"A walk with Mother Nature blossoms one's soul." ~ A.D. Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFSGeqXw0cI



Are you connected?


Logan in BC at lovely Chantelle's place
Family faces are magic mirrors








"Sadness gives depth. 
Happiness gives height. 
Sadness gives roots. 
Happiness gives branches. 
Happiness is like a tree going into the sky, 
and sadness is like the roots going down into the womb of the earth. Both are needed, and the higher a tree goes,
the deeper it goes, simultaneously.
The bigger the tree, the bigger will be its roots.
In fact, it is always in proportion.
That's its balance." ~ Osho



~☼~ It's a new day. Make it a good one! ~☼~


"When you find yourself in a position to help someone,
be happy and feel blessed because God is answering that person's prayer through you.
Remember: Our purpose on earth is not to get lost in the dark but to be a light to others,
so that they may find way through us."
~ Unknown


Each time you courageously allow yourself to heal, forgive and love, you seed molecules of goodness into the consciousness of mankind. It is not only through your actions that change happens. It is also through your beingness. 
Embrace your journey, because every moment has its own kind of beauty. 


may all beings be well, may all beings be free from suffering, may all beings be at peace. Peace is the only way....namaste...

as read on the beautiful blog BellaMuma  thank you 



DECIDE TO BE HAPPY ~ IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH...
The happiest people appreciate what they have, keep an open mind to new ideas and ventures, 
use their leisure time as a means of self development, and love good music, good books, good
pictures, good company and good conversation.
 In other words, they do small things every day to nurture their happiness. It’s a lot easier than it sounds. Anything that helps you feel more positive and joyful is self-nurturing. The result? A happier, healthier you. 

 Here are 50 simple ideas to get you started with nurturing your happiness. 

1.  Act like today is already an awesome day. – Do so, and it will be. Research shows that although we think that we act because of the way we feel, in fact we often feel because of the way we act. A great attitude always leads to great experiences.

2.  Make yourself smile first thing in the morning. – It’s difficult to feel down when your face is happy. Fill your bathroom or bedroom mirror with post-it notes of your favorite quotes, goals, mantras, photos, etc., and then reflect on them for a minute or two when you first wake up. 

3. Spend time with people who make you smile. – Who nourishes and supports you? Surround yourself with these people. Spend time with those who reflect the person you want to be – people who do good things and make your life a little brighter simply by being in it. 

4. Try something totally new. – Go somewhere you’ve never been. Do something you’ve never done. It will shake up your vision of what the world is like and give you a fresh new perspective on things. Variety truly is the spice of life. You can see or do something a million times, but you can only see or do it for the first time once. As a result, first time experiences usually leave a reflective mark in our minds for the rest of our lives. So spice it up! The more experiences you have, the richer your life will be. 

5. Work on something that’s meaningful to you. – Engage yourself in a meaningful personal project, or pull the trigger on doing something you’ve wanted to do for a long time, but haven’t yet had the resolve to do. Life is short. Today is the day to take action. 

6. Keep track of the things you’re grateful for. – You can’t help but feel good when you literally count your blessings. Start a gratitude journal and express your thanks on a daily basis. 

7. Dream big. – You can do anything you set your mind to. Visualise your dreams coming true and work at making them a reality. 

8. Listen to your inner voice. – Your instincts are good. It’s important to listen to your own head and heart. Don’t always listen to others. Do what you know in your heart is right, for you. 

9. Trust yourself. – You are kind. You are smart. You are important. Your choices are just as valid as anyone else’s. 

10. Truly appreciate those around you. – Tell your friends you adore them, say thank you and mean it, flash your biggest and most sincere smile at strangers on the street, hug people for longer than normal. The more love you give out, the more it builds inside of you and the more you’ll get back. 

11. Give out compliments. – Give sincere praise every chance you get. Compliment and cheer for those who deserve it. You’ll be hitting two birds with one stone, because when the person you compliment smiles, you’ll smile too. 

12. Call an old friend and reminisce. – There are few things more satisfying than recounting some of the greatest moments of your life with your closest friends who lived these moments alongside you. 

13. Be vibrant and colourful. – Express yourself. Inject energetic colors into the atmosphere at work and at home. If not in dress, then in words and deeds. The world has enough grey! Be the antidote! 

 14. Be silly. – Sometimes we take ourselves entirely too seriously. Let go. Be spontaneous and outrageous. Sometimes you just need a good laugh to lift your spirits. 

15. Slow down. – When you’re living your life at top speed, you’re missing most of it. Stop and take a breath. Look for ways to adopt a more humane pace. Pay close attention to what you’re doing. Don’t waste time juggling forgettable tasks. Instead, concentrate on a few things that really matter.
 Engage fully in each day. 

16. Be present. – Life is happening right now. Instead of dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, just practice being and living in the ‘now.’ You can’t learn something new or uncover a new opportunity that’s happening now if your mind is stuck in another time. Remember, right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. Don’t miss it. 

17. Disconnect from the world for a little while. – Shut off your electronics, phone, computer and television. So many of us use technology to distract ourselves and keep our minds busy when we would be far better served by just sitting still and learning to relax. It’s not healthy to be plugged in and accessible 24/7. 

18. Take a deep breathing break every hour. – Take a deep breath, and another, and another. It’s like a mini-break to reset yourself during the day. 

19. Move your body. – Run, jump, climb a tree, take a dancing class, power walk – anything that feels good that gets your blood moving. The only limitation: it has to be fun. Don’t get on a treadmill if you hate the treadmill. 

20. Stretch. – Take a few minutes for a good muscle stretch. It gets the blood moving, fires up your brain and it gives you a few moments to unwind and get grounded before you start the next task. Plus, it just feels good too. 

21. Take a walk without a destination. – A brisk walk is a great way to get some exercise and clear your mind. Enjoy the breeze, breathe the fresh air, and be mindful of what you see, hear and feel. 

22. At least once a week, do something that’s only for you. – Remember that hobby that you used to have time for, or that food that no one else in your house likes? Indulge in it. Reclaim it for yourself. 

23. Dress up and do something fun. – Get all dressed up and go out dancing, or to an event. It’s a good way to inject a little excitement into your routine and let loose. 

24. Listen to good music. – Listen to music that motivates you. Put on your favourite song, turn it up loud and sing. 

25. Do, watch, or listen to something that makes you laugh. – Laughter is the best medicine. And some of the most memorable moments in your life will be moments spent in laughter. 

26. Buy or pick fresh flowers every now and then. – Brighten up your place. The aroma and sight of flowers is comforting. 

27. Get more sunshine. – Go to the beach or park. Bask in the warming rays of the sun. 

28. Take a hot bath. – Add some bubbles. Sink into your tub for a long, luxurious soak at the
end of the day. 

29. Get enough sleep. – Everything is harder when you’re tired. An exhausted mind is rarely happy and productive. 

30. Stand tall. – Your spirit can’t soar when you slouch. You will feel much more powerful and capable when you stand up straight and look the world in the eye. 

31. Declutter your space. – Purge everything in your life, both physical and mental, that you don’t honestly need, use or love. The excess distracts you from your true intentions and bogs you down. 

32. Purge bad habits and negative influences. – Anything that doesn’t nourish or support you – unhealthy foods, cigarettes, a miserable work environment, toxic people – get these things under control and do what you have to do to set boundaries and demand the highest quality of life. You deserve it. 

33. Plan ahead. – With a few minutes of organizing your time and to-do’s, you will be better prepared to take on the day. 

34. Stop procrastinating. – Start taking action to tie loose ends. Putting something off instantly makes it harder and scarier. 

35. Allow yourself some private time each day. – Even if it’s only for a half hour, go on a fun excursion by yourself, read a book or spend time with your pet. 

36. Get things off your chest. – Bottling everything up indefinitely will end badly. Say what you need to say. Do what you need to do. Also, write in a journal. Write down anything that calls to you, ideas, experiences, dreams, frustrations – get them out of your head and down on paper. 

37. Be kind. – Be nice to someone else. Help them. Trust me, it will help you smile, and you will have made the world a better place. 

38. Tell someone you love them. – We often forget to say it out loud. It matters. 

39. Make a new friend. – People are interesting creatures, and no two people are exactly alike. So meet someone new today. Find out what makes them tick. They’ll likely open your eyes to fascinating ideas and perspectives. And you never know, they just might change your life. 

40. Spend quality time with children. – Children live by their instincts openly and without hesitation. They are enthusiastic about life, eager to learn, and curious about everything. Watch how they play, how they live, how they create, how they ask questions, how they daydream, etc. Play with them and admire their innocence. 

41. Cut yourself some slack. – We sometimes hold ourselves to impossible standards and then beat ourselves up when we don’t meet them. 

42. Take pride in the hard times that you have overcome. – What didn’t kill you made you stronger. It wasn’t easy, but you got through it. 

43. Keep your words positive. – Happiness and negativity cannot coexist. 

44. Make your home a haven. – Your home should be a place where you can take a breath and really relax. If it isn’t, you may have some work to do. 

45. Get your finances in order. – Manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you. Always live well below your means. 

46. Volunteer or make a donation. – Can you offer time, money, your voice or influence? In life, you get what you put in. Being reminded that the world is bigger than your bubble can inspire and uplift you. When you make a positive impact in someone else’s life, you also make a positive impact in your own life. Do something that’s greater than you, something that helps someone else to be happy or to suffer less. I promise, it will be an extremely rewarding experience – one you’ll likely remember forever. 

47. Say “yes” to a spontaneous opportunity. – Everything in life can’t be planned. Some of the greatest opportunities will knock on your door when you least expect them to. Be flexible, be spontaneous,
and just say “yes.” 

48. Forgive someone and reconnect with them. – Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. If there’s someone in your life who deserves another chance, give it to them. If you need to apologise, do it. Give your story together a happy ending. 

49. Read something that inspires and motivates you. – Would I be out of line if I recommended this blog. 

50. Smile and notice what’s right, right now. – Everything that happens in life is neither good or bad. It just depends on your perspective. And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should. Either you succeed or you learn something. So stay positive, appreciate the pleasant outcomes,
and learn from the rest. 

And remember, happiness is often found by enjoying the small things in life all while chasing after the big ones. Take life one step at a time, breathe, and enjoy the journey.

- See more at: http://www.bellamumma.com/2012/03/50-ways-to-nuture-your-happiness.html#more


Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Happy Spring

(¯`•♥•´¯)☆
*`•.¸(¯`•♥•´¯)¸.•♥♥•
☆ º ` `•.¸.•´ ` º ☆.¸.☆¸.•♥♥•¸.•♥♥•¸.•♥♥•
╔═.. ═════════════════════════╗
✿ ◠‿◠✿ HAPPY SPRING ✿ ◠‿◠✿
╚══════.. ════════════════════╝
Live your life from your heart.
Share from your heart.
And your story will touch
and heal people's souls.



☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿
Compassion...learn it, teach it, share it...




♥S░P░R░I░N░G░♥♥░B░L░E░S░S░I░N░G░S░♥

.♥☆.♥¸¸.•*¨*••.¸¸.♥☆.♥¸¸.•*¨*••.¸¸.♥☆¸.•*¨*.♥☆.
(¯`´♥(¯`´♥.¸________ღ☆ღ_________ ¸.♥´´¯)♥´´¯)
☆ ▓▒░ ☆♥ ☆♥☆ Life in full bloom! ♥☆ ♥☆ ░▒▓ ☆
(_¸.♥(_¸.♥´´ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ღ☆ღ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ `´♥.¸_)♥.¸_)
.♥☆.♥¸¸.•*¨*••.¸.♥☆.♥¸¸.•*¨*••.¸¸.♥☆¸.•*¨*.♥☆.


The lotus is the most beautiful flower, whose petals open one by one. But it will only grow in the mud. In order to grow and gain wisdom, first you must have the mud — the obstacles of life and its suffering. … The mud speaks of the common ground that humans share, no matter what our stations in life. … Whether we have it all or we have nothing, we are all faced with the same obstacles: sadness, loss, illness, dying and death. If we are to strive as human beings to gain more wisdom, more kindness and more compassion, we must have the intention to grow as a lotus and open each petal one by one.
~ Goldie Hawn 






all photographs courtesy of facebook


http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2014/03/21/dying-zoo-worker-gets-goodbye-kiss-from-giraffe/


"Grow flowers of gratitude in the soil of prayer." 
~ Terri Guillemets
“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...
"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain
falling on the sunshine...” ~ Frances Hodgson Burnett,



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rx3qS7B7FU

I love the Chinese Bamboo flute and this soft flowing music
So soothing to the soul



Attraction are a Hungarian shadow theatre group from Budapest, Hungary. This is an amazing performance!! Please watch.






✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..
"Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity."
~ John Ruskin


Flowers may not be able to solve your sorrows
but they are a great place to start to bring joy
to your heart
Flowers  are food for the soul




All flower photographs as seen on Facebook

You spread out a table before me,
provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies;
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
Psalms 23:5 The Voice  l.


New for 2014 is this RAINBOW BUTTERFLY BUSH, the first butterfly bush to offer different colors on one panicle. Butterflies and hummingbirds can't resist the fragrant honey-scented blooms. Does well in sun or partial shade and can grow up to 10 ft. Best for Zones 5 to 9.


Yesterday my husband and I seen our first robin of spring
now it is  snowing out 
Sigh
Is it spring yet?


Scott Neeson, former head of 20th Century Fox International left Hollywood to save children rooting in Cambodia's garbage dumps 

He sold his mansion, Porsche, and yacht and set off for Cambodia to provide food, shelter, and education to destitute children. Scott now cares for more than 1,000 Cambodian children and their families.

Respect !!

Monday, 24 March 2014

Think Pink I always Do








This colour represents compassion, nurturing and love. It relates to unconditional love and understanding, and the giving and receiving of nurturing.
A combination of red and white, pink contains the need for action of red, helping it to achieve the potential for success and insight offered by white. It is the passion and power of red softened with the purity, openness and completeness of white. The deeper the pink, the more passion and energy it exhibits.
Pink is feminine and romantic, affectionate and intimate, thoughtful and caring. It tones down the physical passion of red replacing it with a gentle loving energy.

Pink is intuitive and insightful, showing tenderness and kindness with its empathy and sensitivity.
In color psychology, pink is a sign of hope. It is a positive color inspiring warm and comforting feelings, a sense that everything will be okay.
Pink calms and reassures our emotional energies, alleviating feelings of anger, aggression, resentment, abandonment and neglect.
Pink is linked to ;
Nurture
Sensitivity
Intuition
Calm ~



☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿ ╰☆╮✿
Compassion...learn it, teach it, share it...


╔══════════....๑ ƸӜƷ ๑♥๑ ƸӜƷ ๑....═══════════╗
ღ♥ღƸӜƷღ♥ღ Have A Fabulous Monday. ღ♥ღƸӜƷღ♥ღ
╚══════════....๑ ƸӜƷ ๑♥๑ ƸӜƷ ๑....═══════════╝
Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home,
and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest.
~Henry Van Dyke~



Love is the most common of miracles, fashioned of fleecy clouds...a handful of stars tossed into the night sky.
Jim Bishop

Sunday, 23 March 2014

Oprah has her own tea blend


Oprah has her own tea blend

Oprah shared a big announcement at the Starbucks shareholders' meeting on Wednesday: She has collaborated with Starbucks and the tea experts at Teavana to create her own signature chai blend.
Teavana Oprah Chai will be sold in Starbucks and Teavana stores across the U.S. and Canada beginning April 29, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation to benefit educational opportunities for youth . The tea is described as a bold infusion of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves, blended with loose-leaf black tea and rooibos. Arriving at the perfect chi blend was a process -- one captured in the above behind-the-scenes videos of Oprah's visit to Starbucks headquarters in Seattle.
"I was a little nervous coming in today," Oprah admits in the video. "I woke up at 2:16 this morning thinking about choosing the best tea that would satisfy me and also satisfy all of our customers."
Standing at a table lined with different spices, Oprah begins the process of selecting the tea's flavor profile. Along with Teavana's director of tea development, Naoko Tsunoda, Oprah first gets a handle on the available spices, which include black pepper, chicory, cardamom, cloves, ginger and red rooibos, among many others.
"I like things really spicy," Oprah says. "I like things chai'd up."
As she smells and tastes the various blends of tea, Oprah hones in on the flavors she likes. One is "not robust enough," another is "more enticing."
"As this process was going on and on, I could tell that [the] tea needed to be a little more robust and fuller-bodied, because it was a little too soft," Oprah says. "I was thinking it needed a little more ginger and a little more pepper… I like things that have a little kick to them."
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz participated in the tea tasting and shares one of his favorite moments in the process. He says, "At the end, when she tasted that, watching her expression and her smile, saying, 'This is my tea!' -- [that] was fantastic."


═════════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═══════

¸.•*¨`*•..¸ ¸.•*¨`*•."God has not called us 
to see through each other,
but to see each other through."






Our beautiful family member and her love on vacation
How lovely indeed

"Spring is when life’s alive in everything."

~ Christina Rossetti


╚══════════....๑ ƸӜƷ ๑♥๑ ƸӜƷ ๑....═══════════╝
Beauty is whatever gives joy.
~Edna St. Vincent Millay~


═════════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════════ 

╭•⊰✿ღ May God bless you with peaceful weekend.╭•⊰✿ღ

═════════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════════

▀██▀───☆´ (¸✲•.¸.•´ ✰•*`*•.
─██╔╗╗╔▀██▀▀█(¯`•´¯) ★.¸¸.•*♥
─██╚╝╚╝─██▀.......*• ¸.•*☆ *♥

▄██▄▄█─▄██▄▄█ ✿•*´¯`✿✿•✿˜¨¨♥


Laughter is an instant vacation




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-OOEzHqV_E


Still on a search for my Japanese wind chimes Furin

I need delicate wind chimes for our balcony as the noise cannot be too loud
Furin (japanese wind chime) These are typically made from glass, metal or ceramics and when suspended in the breeze, a tongue dangling in the center of the bell strikes the sides of the bell and delivers a pleasant sound. The enjoyment of Furin sounds become popular among the general populace during Muromachi era (1336 - 1573) Furin hung under the eaves to provide a sense of cool in summer became the custom