Seller with fresh food & herbs on the streets of the souks Jerusalem
I took this photo & many more, as this place is so vibrant & fascinating. I loved my time of pilgrimage in the Holy Land & some of the memories are still vivid over three years on.
Some of the many fresh spices for sale
The transport for the Pilgrimage of this group of 29 pilgrims was a very comfy coach – so a luxury pilgrimage!
McCabe Pilgrimages coach & driverBedouins near JerichoThe Israeli flag at the fortress of Masada site ~ the Herodian
This fortress is magnificent in size and there is a cable car to get to the top. Stunning views, as far as the eye can see. Desert area in the vicinity of the Dead Sea.
View of Lake Galilee from my bedroom window of the Ron Beech HotelYours truly overlooking Jerusalem, city wall and the church of the Holy SepulchreThe Wailing WallMy dear friend taking in the view
This is just a selection of photographs with a small amount of information, to give a flavour of how magnificent the Holy Land is, despite all it’s horrific troubles, a place of worship and peace.
I am starting this blog with a little show & tell, followed by photos & Bible verses I would also like to share.
First attempt with my tripod & camera – Wildlife Photography 💚Inspirational photo, free from PexelsToday’s Bible verse
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 NIV https://galatians.bible/galatians-6-10
A passage from Isaiah
The above passage, Isaiah Chapter 41, verses 8 to 20, is very powerful and give hope in our present state of being in the grips of a Covid pandemic.
One of my first wildlife photos, taken with my camera & tripod 💚
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/col.3.23-24.NIV
This is where the old freezer – that packed up – was tipped. I went on-line, to Leicestershire County Council’s website, to book a time slot to visit Kibworth tip. One of those jobs that needs doing from time to time. And very grateful to this excellent facility.
But when the freezer stopped working, it had been limping along for ages, it had a selection of food in the drawers – all at different stages, from frozen, needs cooking now to needed chucking. So a bit of cooking was done & transferring of the frozen to the other freezer. The thawed yucky stuff went in the bin.
Bible app verse
That was Wednesday, now rolled over into Thursday. Mince pies to bake, bedding to tumble dry. Cards to make & finish. Birthday cards to write. On & on really! So enjoying listening to
Harborough FM are playing some cracking songs – ‘Solsbury hill’ is now playing, sung by Peter Gabriel. So I will get a move on & get the frozen Puff Do pastry from the remaining single working freezer which is down the garage.
Brrrr 🥶 it’s freezing outside today, but I’ve put plenty of food out for the birds ❤🐦❤
In 2017, I was privileged to be able to go on a pilgrimage to The Holy Land. What a fabulous experience it was! I took loads of photos & over the years have been able to share via slide shows/PowerPoint and various media.
Lake Galilee
This once in a lifetime experience has fortified me on many occasions & I pray it will continue to sustain me. Especially as the world is in uncharted territories with Covid and global warming.
Reference to Jesus silencing the storm, for His disciples in the boat. Matthew chapter 8 verses 23 to 27 in the BibleRoadside cattle and a verse from the Bible App.
Parked our car in a village and then we walked to a public footpath for a walk across a few styles, gates, fields and along roads. Wearing my red wellies, a comfy and warm pair from my daughter as a present, a few years ago.
Where the Bookbus used to stop
The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful on a pleasant, sunny day. Ideal for a country stroll. Our first obstacle was a rather large bull in the route of the footpath!
Mr Bull
Undaunted, we walked along way down the field we were in, before attempting to cross the field with the bull in. We got from gate to gate & the other side, without incident and carried on along the road. The road I used to ride Brandy along, a gorgeous bay mare belonging to Eileen, who also owned Sting. A grey cross Andalusian, Brandy’s son.
A little wood of Oak trees
This is the hill I rode Brandy up, it was grassy with sheep grazing at the time, about 25 years ago.
Our walk took us through fields of sheep and we also spotted a Woodpecker.
Sheep at Stonton WyvilleSheep at Tur LangtonGreen Woodpecker
Then when we had got back to the car, we went to Mint Ginger, a little café doing take-away, to buy cappuccinos and a sausage roll for Dave. I had the brie, bacon & cranberry panini. Our approximately one hour walk, had taken us from 11.15am until 13.15pm and we were ready for a snack, which we ate in the car, whilst watching a Wagtail on the fence and a Red Kite circling in the distance.
On getting home, we had a warmed mince pie each. Which was marvelous!
A person & place close to my heart. The above photograph shows the mug that my son gave me. I loved the bike rides in Jersey, past the Lavender owned shop, tea room & gardens (with plants for sale) all the way to Corbiére and the lighthouse, where the views are stunning.
Me, with the Corbiére lighthouse in the background.
I have painted a similar view in watercolours. The framed (at On-the Edge Market Harborough Bespoke Framers) picture is hanging on my bedroom wall.
The cake slice next to the mug of coffee, in one of the above photographs, is one of Mr Kipling’s. Dave brought a box of them back, as a gift from his mum’s – as she knows we like fruit cake 😋
Yesterday, I got a few Christmas cards made & spent ages trying to set up a display. But I was quite pleased with the results and have included with today’s blog, see above photograph.
After a very wet night, of stormy type weather, I woke to virtual darkness as the sun was blocked by the rain & clouds. But I poddled downstairs anyway to make a pot of tea. This is how Dave & I start our day, with a nice, hot, cuppa (in a mug).
The croissants proving, made the kitchen smell lovely & after the tea was brewed & poured, there was a glimmer of morning light while I opened the curtains & blinds.
Fresh baked croissant with fruit, cranberry juice & gingerbread latte
Then after breakfast I watched a bit of the Sunday service, streamed from Lambeth Palace from 9am, I think, on Facebook. During this service there was an interesting talk by Sheran Harper who is the Worldwide President of Mothers’ Union. The Lord’s prayer was said by several people of different countries, in different languages. Beautiful.
After this, I tuned into Sunday@10! streamed by Leicester Diocese via YouTube. An excellent 10 or so minutes of prayer, drawing illustration, Bible reading and reflection. Today’s reflection was on the Three Talents story in the book of Matthew. New insights were gleaned of Jesus being the gold (talents) and the three people given money by the manager the three different ways we can respond to the message of Jesus. That Jesus wants us to share the Good News that God is all loving and we have hope.
Taken from the Bible app
About 10.15am I watched the service streamed from the Community of Leicester Cathedral. It was a good service & it was lovely to see some of my photographs used for the time of reflection, after the sermon.
Here are three of the photos used below.
A wistow field & woodland view from Fleckney Autumn coloursRouken Park Scotland UK
Then I went for a very enjoyable late afternoon walk. To reflect on the day and the coming week, with this beautiful sky.
Strange title, but this is what has happened, my Pastoral Assistant record has been deleted! Not quite the answer I was looking for, but hey ho, at least I know where I stand. So glad I saw the ‘house’ ladybird on the spider plant this morning – sort of keeps me buoyant 😊
Ladybird on spider plant
Then going too & from shopping, the glorious sunshine and Autumn colours in the trees, especially, gives me joy in my heart. Also I am watching the Crown on Netflix app on the TV at home with hubby. Such an eye opener to the conflicts & griefs that people have to bare & deal with. Stiff upper lip and all that. The family history of the monarchy of the UK. I’m sure other empires are not unblemished either & make for fascinating (albeit tinged with sadness) reading, I would imagine.
Countesthorpe Baptist church & Silver Birch tree Leicestershire
Soon I am meeting a dear friend for a socially distanced walk & natter. I feel so blessed by all my wonderful friends, family & the fact I am able to enjoy Art & Photography. I have prepped some artwork photocopies to be assembled with the blank cards & envelopes that came yesterday, so homemade Christmas cards are on track. Ideally I think it would have been nice to still be a PA on paper, but I know I am one in my heart & commissioned to God. So what more can a girl want? 😊
The view from the rooftop of the Golden Walls Hotel Jerusalem 2017
Just to add, going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a group of other pilgrims was an out of this world experience and eternally blessed for the opportunity ❤
On the rooftop with my dear friend Mrs D. Israel 2017
The other day, recently, I saw a ladybird on the kitchen work top.
Ladybird on the worktop
She seemed to keep to herself and liked the sprigs of mint I have in a small vase on the windowsill. Although I had had to keep cleaning the sticky stuff near the mint vase on the windowsill every so often. And on closer examination, quite a few aphids had also made their home in the mint. So that sorted out food for the ladybird.
Then yesterday evening the ladybird made a b-line for the hob. Running around and all over it like a crazy thing. I managed to move her away back onto the mint…….
But tonight, whilst preparing fajitas, I lit one of the burners to cook the chicken. Well, I saw the ladybird hightailing it like grease lightening, away from the burner!
My husband was about to cook the red pepper & onions on another burner, which he quickly switched off & tentatively got the ladybird to attach herself to a bit of kitchen roll he proffered, to get her out of a potentially life threatening situation. Gladly she let herself be rescued and I put her back on the mint.
After a tiny bit more research, I made a cosy nest for her out of an upturned paper jam jar top & dried mint leaves, which she seemed happy to go in. This makeshift home is tucked away in a corner, behind the knife block (and near the mint……) 🐞
Carole's Art and Photography 