A year in photos (Washington DC with ONE #AYASummit)

Stunning colours in DC

My life has been a whirlwind the last couple of weeks but in the best way. The first week I was away in the USA at the #AYASumit with ONE Girls and Women and I heard and learnt so much that I want to share it all with you but I need some quite time to process. The kids go back to school on Tuesday and from then I can imagine is when I will be able to start writing some posts about all the different panels that we listened to and engaged with.

For now I’ll share some photos from my time in America.

 I arrived into DC early evening and was collected by my friend and ONE Strategic Relationships Manager Jeannine. We had travelled together to Ethiopia in 2012 and she had kindly agreed to put me up for a couple of nights before we checked into the hotel for the formal start of the conference. I was blown away by her hospitality, she was so busy preparing for what would be an amazing conference but still she found time to make a divine veggie lasagne, enjoy a glass of wine with me and we got to spend some time catching up and enjoying each other’s company.

As Jeannine headed off to work the next day I went into central DC for to explore and found it a really nice city. The streets are wide and clean and the buildings reminded me of being in Europe, as they were very elegant, square and symmetrical. I particularly enjoyed the Museum of American History and of course got the obligatory White House selfie. I didn’t actually see quite as much as I hoped as it started to pour with rain in the afternoon but I figured my hubby and I would come back here someday.

Wednesday was a chilled morning catching up with work and then the afternoon was a decadent one as I checked into the hotel and had a luxurious bath, read a good book and explored the local area enjoying a traditional Afghan kabob for lunch.

The evening was the start of our conference and all the delegates met at the Mansion on O Street, the agenda was jam packed drinks and nibbles. This is the most unusual and interesting venue, it is open for private events but is also a hotel and literally everything in the place is for sale (at a price). You are encouraged to walk around and explore the four floors and look for the secret doors. It was fascinating to see what treasures there were across the property. You can stay in the bedrooms and the bathrooms are boast things like a telephone box shower, a glass chess set in the middle of the room and a wooden bath. You can buy a second hand novel for about a dollar right through to guitars played by and signed by music stars that cost thousands of dollars.

One of the hats you could buy at the O Street Mansion

I didn’t know many people at this reception and felt a little like an outsider but it only takes a few really friendly people to pull you in and make you welcome.  On this occasion those people were Jen Burden of World Moms Blog, Cindy Levin from Results and Aliza Sherman, entrepreneur and freelance writer/ speaker. We enjoyed a few drinks and a great chat all around the topic of international development and what we could do to make a difference.

The conference really got into full swing on Thursday and the agenda was jam packed, on the one hand I would say too much so but on the other it was all so brilliant I just can’t fault it.

Chelsea of Do a Little Good. I certainly want to get to know this passionate lady better

Amazing women doing amazing things - more to be shared....

The awesome Ginny Wolfe, Director at ONE, who invited me to America and to an amazing steak dinner!

After Friday lunch the summit finished and I had a wonderful time in Georgetown with Kristie which I have shared already.

Goodbye America, the view as I flew off

I’m liking this post up with The Boy and Me for the 365 project. Why don’t you go and visit some of the other linkers and see what they have been up to?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!

A year in photos (weeks 40-41)

Oh I have got all behind again with my year in photos posts, so here is another catch up.  I hope you find something you feel is a visual delight!

OK, so this one is not really a visual delight but it makes me smile and that's important, so here is JJ enjoying his extra long McCain chip!

My little man turned 11 at the beginning of October and he still loves his cuddlies. These were probably his favourite presents!

We went away for JJ's birthday to the beautiful Camber Sands

I had a wonderful walk along this amazing beach with Miss M and as we strolled with our arms around each other we chatted and joked. This little one knows how to make me feel loved.

I've been playing with my close ups again!

My little forager is growing out her fringe at the moment and we have hit that messy stage!

I've been out enjoying where I live again

Not a great photo as this was taken on my iPhone in very dim light but I want to remember the wonderful fun we had bowling with our pastoral group.

I joined some friends in Bexhill for a coffee and chat about what Domesticity means to us . It was a great time and as result I'll be embroidering a duster, yes really!  The sea was pretty scary that day as my friend lives right on the beach front.

I'll be joining this post up with the 365 project over at The Boy and Me.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!

A year in photos - Weeks 37 - 39

Hello all, I hope you are well as you read this post. Life is good here, I'm feeling immensely grateful for time with my parents and aunt a couple of weeks ago, the kids settling back in at school and new volunteering projects. Oh yes and it is under a month until I head off to America, that is of course very exciting and I've bagged a few bargain clothes to take with me!

I've been surprised just how much has gone on over the last couple of weeks as I looked back at my photos.

Apple picking here and now the apples are off being made into Ashburnham apple juice.

I know you must be bored of it by now,but I never tire of living here and I'm so grateful for the joy that Gods precious creation brings me.

Some friends had their children dedicated here and the kids all played afterwards. All of mine love the large hula hoop!

Bexhill beach on one of the amazing days we have had recently, I was feeling all patriotic with the flag!

The sunsets have been just wonderful recently. This is the view from my door and it looks this good most days.

We took a trip to Scotney Castle, which is a National Trust site and had a good few hours there. I really liked this simple white flower that I captured.

And a great photo of my mum with my kids.

Each month we have a special get together for all the kids to enjoy Jesus and each other. This picture captured Miss M's more nurturing side, which is not always evident.

A good iPhone snap taken on Birling Gap beach when we took some volunteers there last weekend.

Another sunset but this one was captured in Bexhill, when about 70 of us descended onto the beach for a fish and chip supper. Of course the girls had a dip in the sea too.

And that's it for another week. This is such a great linky for making you stop and look at what you have done and reflect on just how lucky you are. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!

A year in photos - Macro flowers (week 37)

A real love I have developed over the last few months is using my macro filters to take flower photos and it makes me smile to think that these photoes will act as memories for me of the places I have visited.

This first one is at the Bournemouth holiday house we stay in each year with my parents -

Then these next three were all taken at Kingston Lacy National Trust site in Dorset.

This one was spotted at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London

Then lastly a couple taken at my home -

It has been a really wonderful summer and thankfullyt he sun is still shining. I must get back outside with my camera more.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!

A year in photos (week 31 - 36)

I don't know where the time is going this year but it is just flying by.  It has been an age since I properly joined in with the weekly photo linky, so I thought I better get caught up and then I'm at least in with a chance of getting back on track and completing this year.

I can't possibly show all the photos I want to, so I'll just pick a few from the summer.

Here is Miss E sitting in Bournemouth Gardens, we had a great evening with my brother just wandering around and enjoying hot doughnuts. Just look at her face such joy, this is the kind of photo I need to look at when I need cheering up.

On the same holiday we visited Kingston Lacy and had a great day with my parents.

This is my home, I'll never ever tire of this view.

There was some wonderful opportunities to moon and star spot over the summer, real clear skies -

We had a lovely time in London to celebrate my birthday.

And wonderful beach days at Bexhill on Sea

Then we went away and celebrated dh's birthday at the zoo. The highlight of the day for dh and JJ was hand feeding the lorikeets.

We then spend a few days at Potters Resort in Norfolk and Miss M showed her confidence by going up on the main stage two nights in a row, one night to sing a solo. You'll also see Miss E in the background too as she went up there too and chatted to the host.

On the way back we stopped in Herts and visited the Warner Bros. studio tour. Recognise this house?

And I've had a look through Septembers photos so far and I have to say it is a poor show. I've not taken anything good in the last couple of weeks, I need to sort that out!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!