Colours for two photo challenges.

“Why do two colors, put one next to the other, sing? Can one really explain this? No. Just as one can never learn how to paint.”  ~ Pablo Picasso

The WordPress challenge this week is ‘Color’ and Marianne’s CBBH Photo Challenge for this month is ‘Multi-Coloured’, so however you want to spell the word, you can’t get away from brightly colo(u)red photos on bloggers’ posts. I decided to combine the two challenges, just to save time and effort.

The world would be a much less interesting place to live in if everything was black and white, so here are a few bright colours to cheer your day. This one taken at Machu Picchu, whilst the stallholder was having a little nap, is probably the most multi-coloured photo I have.

This cute Rainbow Lorikeet seen at the Kurumba Bird Park in Australia, surely qualifies for the theme.

Here where I live in South Africa, this beach vendor cuts a very colourful figure as, on her way to work, she wears all her wares at the same time.

In Mauritius, the room at our resort was beautifully and colourfully welcoming when we arrived.

In Bangkok, it was really difficult to choose between all the brightly coloured sandals for sale, at the floating market, so in the end, I chose black. 🙂

Their long-tail boats were just as colourful.

In Singapore, this temple was a wonderful blaze of colour,

as was the Medina in Morocco.

Of course one doesn’t really have to hop on a plane in order to see bright colours. Just go down to your local supermarket,

or  flower shop.

If all else fails, buy some balloons and have a party.

To see more interpretations of both challenges, just click on the links above.

The CBBH Challenge requires me to give you links to two blogs which I enjoy. First up is my Swedish friend Viveka, at “My guilty pleasures” blog. You’ll always find something interesting and entertaining when you visit her.

Secondly, I’d like to introduce you to Gilly, the “Lucid Gypsy.” She writes poetry, stories, and shares wonderful pics from a really lovely part of England.

English weather report in pictures.

We Brits do love to talk about the weather, which isn’t really surprising, considering how awful it can be at times. It’s a hot topic, or should that be ‘a cold topic’ at this time of year? 😕 Today is ‘Red Nose Day’ in England, and I must say in this cold weather, there are lots of people around with ‘real’ red noses. 🙂 Coughs, colds and sneezes seem to abound, but thankfully hubby and I are fine for now, at least.

You may be pleased to know that the temperatures here have risen a few degrees, and the angel on the plant pot, has thawed out. I’m sure she’s smiling  just a little. 🙂 We could even get up to 10 degrees today. Luxury!

The bunny rabbit who was looking decidedly frozen on Wednesday,

is now frolicking happily with the bright-eyed black cats on the lawn.

The pond still had a layer of ice yesterday morning, but it soon melted.

The crocuses are bloomin’ lovely, and the pigeon looks very well fed.

I did see a squirrel, but he was far too quick for me. Today it’s raining, and we’re going out with hubby’s sister for the day. MiL is feeling much better, well enough to bake her famous ‘Victoria Sandwich’ cake this afternoon. Things are really looking up and warmer weather is definitely on the way. I’ll leave you with these gorgeous flowers we got dear MiL for Mothering Sunday. The Freesias have all opened up, and smell just like Spring.

We have more family coming to stay tomorrow, so I’ll be busy catching up with all their news, and most probably, cooking, eating too much, and then of course there’s the inevitable washing up. I may find the odd moment to pop in on some of you, but if I don’t, do have a wonderful weekend. 🙂

AD is celebrating Mothers’ Day

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”  ~ Elizabeth Stone

Sidey’s weekend theme, “A hug or a kiss,” seemed to me very appropriate for Mother’s Day weekend. What can be more wonderful than getting a hug and a kiss from those you love?

Some people deride the ‘commercialisation’ of Mother’s Day, saying that you should just show your love and appreciation every day, not only on one special day of the year. For those mothers and their children who live far away from one another, and have to make do most of the time with phone calls, Skype calls, and photos on FaceBook etc, I believe that this day is really wonderful. Of course I know that my son and daughter love me to bits every day of the year, but on Mother’s Day there’s an extra special bond of cherishing one another. It’s a celebration of being a mother and having a mother. Most of the year when we’re apart, our virtual hugs and kisses are made up of OXO, and as tasty as Oxo might be, it’s not nearly as delicious as chocolates, or as pretty as flowers.

So, I’m really blessed to have such loving offspring, and they’ve really spoilt me from afar, this weekend.

Hubby, not to be left out of the celebrations, gave me a lovely card and this stunning orchid. How lucky am I?

I don’t have either of my children here today, but we’re off up the hill this morning, to take my dear Mom some flowers and chocs, and then out for a special lunch.  Wishing all you mothers out there, lots of hugs and kisses, whatever form they come in, as your families show you how much they treasure and appreciate you. I would also like to say a special ‘thankyou’ to my daughter and daughter-in-law, who by becoming mothers, have made me a very proud and happy granny.

Have a great Mother’s Day. Chat again soon.