This week I've kept going with my healthy juicing and smoothie making... My digestive system is definitely adjusting now and I'm still enjoying the results! The other day, I made a smoothie with avocado in it. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out and was hoping it would be ok. Well, it really was - so smooth and velvety! The other added bonus to all this effort on my part is that my waistline is shrinking slowly but surely. Of course it's early days yet but so far so good! Smoothie - melon, cucumber, celery, yogurt, walnut On the artwork front, I've finished two new paintings and have really enjoyed the process! The one below is called 'Beauty surrounds us' and is now available in my etsy shop. The painting includes two of my favourite things - flowers (pink of course) and hummingbirds! This painting is called 'Count your blessings one by one'. I love the colours in this piece and the cute little nest with two eggs nestled in it. I'll be listing it soon. Today I went into some woods nearby and came across some beautiful bluebells... I just love them - they are so magical to me. bluebells Mia on our walk today Mia was very interested in the tadpoles... tadpoles I hope you have a wonderful weekend... Love Jane xo Related articles Spring Fever + 'Happy' Painting! What I've been up to... Continue reading

After enduring long-term issues associated with my digestive system, I have once again decided to go wheat free. I'm also juicing every day (once per day) using vegetables and fruit to aid weight loss. I think my body is doing a bit of a detox at the moment as my digestive system slowly gets used to the changes. I've also felt a bit tired at times and again have put that down to my body adjusting. Our boys have been interested in the 'goings on' too and decided to 'help' with the smoothie making. Here they are polishing off their scrumptious recipe... So, hopefully my digestive system will feel cleansed and refreshed this next week. Take care of yourself... Jane xo Related articles What I've been up to... Honouring the 'real' me... Continue reading

Had lunch with my Mum at the lovely Betty's restaurant in Harrogate. I had a watercress and cheshire cheese quiche with various salads. It was gorgeous! It's lovely being able to have an uninterrupted chat with Mum sometimes! I've started making smoothies again and am really relishing them. This one contains baby spinach, half a banana, one apple, some cucumber and natural yogurt. Just so refreshing! I'd forgotten how good they are. Here is my most recent painting which is just about finished. This one is called 'Sweet heart of mine' and will be available in my etsy shop shortly. So yesterday was May Day in the UK and our local village and school celebrates with maypole dancing, music, bouncy castles for the kids and lots of other activities. It was a gorgeous day and was such fun seeing our boys and the other children celebrating. The May Queen looked so pretty and so did the youngest children who were all dressed up too! This photo shows the procession at the beginning of the celebrations with the Mayor in attendance! Our boys mid-dance! (They are both in the middle). So, I hope you are having a good start to your week and take care. Love, Jane xo Related articles Golden Daffodils + Wordsworth Sent by an angel, I'm sure... Life's Distractions + Cherry Blossom Continue reading

Yesterday I had meant to carry on with a painting I'd started but instead found myself changing my website around (like you do!) and designing a new banner etc. I hope you like the new look! You'll notice under my name (on the new banner), the words 'seeing the world + ourselves with fresh eyes...'. So, you might be asking what am I speaking about? About seven or so years ago, I was diagnosed with depression and eventually got the help I so desperately needed. I had reached an all-time low and with two small children, I was finding life very challenging. I remember slumping to the floor whilst my two young children were playing in the kitchen whilst I was just crying my heart out! Instinctively and totally 'off the cuff', I said a prayer out loud asking for help. After that, things changed profoundly. I found myself (literally) at the doctor's and talking with someone who seemed to know exactly what I was going through. That all happened within a couple days of that first prayer and marked the beginning to my healing and transformation. It doesn't matter what anyone else's view is - I know God reached out because I called Him. The treatment I sought was just what I needed and I know this was at God's directive too! You might feel that the word 'transformation' is a bit 'over the top' but honestly, it's true. I'm not sure why I'm writing about this today but I feel called to share... Maybe it will help someone else out there who is feeling depressed, alone and scared like I was. Just ask for His help, He's waiting and longing to hear from you. Ever since then, I DO see with 'fresh eyes'. It's changed how I see the world, myself and others. That's why painting, writing, photography etc. are so important to me. Those practices remind me of how blessed I am and the miracle that took place on my kitchen floor all those years ago. I. was. saved. Of course, life throws it's challenges at me and I stumble and fall but I look around me and feel blessed to my core. I never thought that could happen for me but it has and YOU can feel that way too! Love and light, Jane xo PS. Click on the link if you would like to read about my journey with depression. Related articles It's not a comfortable process Let's take a walk of renewal together... Honouring the 'real' me... Sent by an angel, I'm sure... Spring Fever + 'Happy' Painting! Tulips speak of 'LOVE' Shared Stories of Hope (5) - Liz Lamoreux Continue reading

Thinking of YOU and hoping you are having a good start to the week... Jane xo Continue reading

Sometimes words aren't needed... In this space, I'd like to share with you the simple beauty of 'one moment' taken from my week... I'm hoping you will be inspired to do the same - just leave your link in the comments below for us all to see... Jane x Continue reading

Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's Spirit dwells in you? God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17 It's been a busy week and quite stressful. I'm feeling quite tired and drained. This morning I took the photo above, out in our garden using the timer function on my camera. I wouldn't have thought of doing this if it hadn't been for Liz Lamoreux and her ecourse Being Seen. I'm learning to really 'see' myself but not in a vain, self-centered way, rather in a loving, accepting, 'real' way. I'm trying to see beyond the signs of ageing, double chins, the 'having to wear glasses all the time because contact lenses irritate my eyes too much' etc. I know that I am more than my outward appearance and how society interprets that. No, I am a part of God and God is a part of me as the quote above reminds us. Are we not told to love our neighbours as ourselves? Yet, for so many of us, we take care of everyone else instead - it's what we are taught to do from a young age. Finally, by failing to see our own innate beauty we are shunning God's love for us... ------------- For those of you who want to know a little more about me, listen to this brief introduction: listen to ‘Time to introduce myself #1’ on Audioboo Continue reading

Sometimes it's easy to get distracted with life's problems don't you find? We can 'zone out' to the beauty around us and instead 'tune in' to our incessant internal chatter telling us to turn this way, that way and whichever way... It's exhausting when we get on this rollercoaster! I feel like that too sometimes when I forget that life is precious, even when it might not seem that way. I remembered to look up this morning and I'm so glad I did... I love the delicate pinks on the blooms - they have an innocence about them that touches me somehow. The sky was very 'moody', with some light rain falling. I love the 'softness' of light rain - I feel soothed by it... If you are feeling a little distracted today, I invite you to use your camera, sketchpad or journal and capture something you love today? Just the noticing makes a difference - promise! Take care YOU... Jane xo ------------- Find out about more about my Mentor - Let's Chat Sessions. Ideal for the topics listed below (+ others not mentioned): - self-care and how to implement a practice that is right for you - mid-life spiritual exploration - juggling the demands of being a Mamma without feeling you are losing yourself - birthing a creative project that is close to your heart - using journaling as a way of discovering the 'real' you - weaving creativity into your everyday - using art as a tool for self-expression - conversation about my take on 'intuitive eating' - connecting within to the 'little voice of the heart' Related articles It's not a comfortable process Continue reading

'Snapped' these beauties this morning whilst on my walk with Mia - thought I'd share them with you! Tulips are found in North Africa, Europe and China. They are part of the Lily family and were first brought to Europe by the Turkish in the 1500's. Their name means 'turban shaped' reminding us of their origins. Tulips (Liliaceae) represent 'love'. Red tulips - true love. Yellow tulips - hope. White - forgiveness. image courtesy of Moonbrains I would love to visit the Netherlands and see fields of tulips - what a beautiful sight it must be! Today, the flower is still celebrated in tulip festivals, especially in the Netherlands [source: The Romantic Language of Flowers]. image + article courtesy of Venere Travel Lastly, a beautiful impressionistic painting by Monet below. It must have been breathtaking with the dutch windmill and the vibrant colours all around... image courtesy of Claude Monet Paintings - A Field of Tulips. Spring 1886, Netherlands. I hope this day is finding you well and that you have liked this tulip theme today. I've enjoyed putting it together! Jane xo Related articles One Moment... - 'bouquet' of flowers Shared Stories of Hope (5) - Liz Lamoreux Continue reading

Golden Daffodils - Etsy Shop I have loved painting the daffodils shown above. To me they signify happiness, joy, laughter and hope! All really, really good things... After having recovered from a virus, I am trying to catch up with home and work stuff and it's felt a bit overwhelming so far... It's at these times, in particular, when I'm feeling a little 'wobbly' that I have to pay attention to my body, mind and spirit. These days I do that by taking a nap if I need to, reading a book or writing in my journal. The washing might have piled up (and other things) but it'll wait for me (oh, yes it will)! I also know that it will be taken care of but not as quickly as I might have liked - this is ok too... Painting these daffodils reminded me of the poem below by Wordsworth which so many of you will know. I took inspiration from his poem and called my painting 'Golden Daffodils'. I remember being about seven and bringing a daffodil into school. We were all to draw our daffodils and then write a poem of our own making below it. Even now, this memory is very fresh and makes me smile and think of the little girl me. Daffodils I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed--and gazed--but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. - Wordsworth Hope you are enjoying your week in your corner of the world... Jane xo Continue reading

Sometimes words aren't needed... In this space, I'd like to share with you the simple beauty of 'one moment' taken from my week... I'm hoping you will be inspired to do the same - just leave your link in the comments below for us all to see... Jane x 'A bouquet of flowers' picked for me this morning by our two boys.... (love) Related articles Words from this moment... Breathe in light... Shared Stories of Hope (5) - Liz Lamoreux Continue reading

It's been a long, long winter in the UK... It seems to have been that way for many people it seems. I think I've been so desperate for Spring to arrive that now the crocuses, daffodils and buds are starting to form, I have Spring Fever - basically, I. am. loving. it! This morning I saw five adorable fluffy ducklings with their mother... Lambs were frolicking (love that word...), buds are well, budding! Above is a painting I started today in a loose, happy, and expressive style. I love to paint this way... Here are some photos of daffodils that I picked from the garden to enjoy INSIDE! You'll probably notice where the inspiration came for the jug in my painting from this photo below? image courtesy of styleunveiled.com image courtesy of Famous Artists - Daffodils - Berthe Morisot What's inspiring you this Spring (or Autumn, depending where you live in the world)? Why don't you bring a bit of that 'sunshine' indoors and either pick some daffodils from your garden, buy a bunch or have a go at painting or snapping some photos? Have a great weekend... Jane xo Related articles Spring at last Shared Stories of Hope (5) - Liz Lamoreux Continue reading

So happy and excited to be able to introduce you to the lovely Mary Catherine Starr + my first video interview ever! Here are just a few of the questions I had for Mary Catherine and the Artist 'Up Close + Personal' interview. Can you share the evolution of one of your paintings? What would you love to paint but feel scared/hesitant to? How do you deal with your inner critic? Mary Catherine Starr's artwork (some are 'detail' shots) LINKS: -Blog -Paintings -Shop (Etsy) SOCIAL MEDIA: -Twitter -Facebook -Instagram -Pinterest Also mentioned: Kimberly Wilson - Tranquility du Jour Daybook by Kimberly Wilson with illustrations by Mary Catherine Starr. -------------- If you would like to be featured as an artist, either via video or traditional Q/A format, please get in touch: jane_hinchliffe@btinternet.com Continue reading

This moment.... Dappled sunshine and bouncing shadows Wind billowing, seeds swirling Brave yellow topped flowers nodding their heads Washing machine whirring and sloshing Dog peacefully sleeping Husband breathing deeply in concentration Fingers tapping over the keyboard Wouldn't want to be anywhere else... Thinking of you and wishing you blessings in your corner of the world... Jane xo Related articles Shared Stories of Hope (5) - Liz Lamoreux Let's take a walk of renewal together... Continue reading

At last it feels like Spring is here! To celebrate we spent plenty of time outdoors this weekend - it felt soooooo good! The boys went back to school today after the Easter hols, so hubby and I took a walk together this morning with Mia. Above is Gouthwaite Dam and Reservoir, together with a nature reserve (out of picture, to the right). Such a beautiful spot! I also painted this colourful watercolour sketch in my journal over the weekend - the colours make me happy! --------- Other News: I've also decided to offer Sponsorship Ad's on my blog for very reasonable prices - take a look! I'm looking for products or services with a creative or homespun feel to them...(per my approval). If you are interested in this, please email me: jane_hinchliffe@btinternet.com Jane xo Continue reading

From my art journal You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful. ― Amy Bloom This week I'm thinking about body image and how we put so much emphasis on how we 'should' look. Society dictates that only the young and slim are beautiful but I don't believe that's what Spirit thinks... -------- I randomly coloured my background and then intuitively painted myself. I've also wrote the words 'Love, Brave + Healing' as those were the words in my head whilst painting. I invite you to try and look at yourself with love and acceptance this weekend. Soften your gaze and look deep into your eyes and see your truth, your beauty staring back at you... Love, Jane xo Related articles Shared Stories of Hope (4) - Petrea Hansen Adamidis of ArtTherapist Make time for Soulful Self-Care because YOU matter - Ecourse Shared Stories of Hope (5) - Liz Lamoreux Honouring the 'real' me... Continue reading

This photo was taken a few days ago - it's the 'real' me taken within a minute or so of waking up. I'm taking part in Liz Lamoreux's Water Your Soul - Being Seen ecourse at the moment and self-portraits are an integral practice throughout. For so many women, looking in the mirror is a painful act - we often don't like what we see! Our eyes dart to the wrinkles, double chins, puffiness under the eyes and so on and that's just the face! It's really sad isn't it? How can we get around this and start to love ourselves unconditionally? Well, I've been putting a lot of thought into body image, self-care and self-love for quite a few years now. Before having children I was very slim and even after having my first child, Brandon (now 18yrs), I was back into my 'normal' clothes by just six weeks after he was born. Since then I have had two more boys - now aged nearly 10 and 8. Somehow, the weight didn't miraculously disappear with the last two boys and now in my 40's, weight is definitely harder to shift! So a bit of a predicament, no? I've tried to diet, exercise and all the usual stuff but it never lasts. More to the point, I just hate restricting myself and calorie counting - it feels like such a punishment and very negative. So, I've been trying other approaches and one is the taking of self-portraits as talked about above. I'm also having success with intuitive eating and making a conscious effort to listen out for my body's needs. Trying to discern between the 'I've just GOT to have that packet of crisps or chocolate bar or whatever' when maybe my body just needs a little rest, or I've grabbed my journal and ranted for 5 mins or I've just needed a simple glass of water! At the same time, I am looking at myself with a gentleness, acceptance and love that feels that I am honouring this body of mine. Instead of thinking: 'If I could just lose this weight, then I will feel better...', I am honouring who I am in the here and now... Take care, Jane xo --------------- Did you know that I offer Let's Chat - Mentoring Sessions? Please click here for more details. Related articles Make time for Soulful Self-Care because YOU matter - Ecourse Continue reading

Spring drew on . . . and a greenness grew over those brown [garden] beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps. ― Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre I love this quote above and signs of Spring are showing themselves more and more by the day. I hope you are enjoying Spring in your corner of the world just as much as I am... It's been a long time coming. Jane xo Oh and I would love it if you would share YOUR photos of Spring with me over here... Continue reading

I'm taking part in Liz Lamoreux's Water Your Soul - Being Seen ecourse at the moment (highly recommend any of Liz's offerings). One of the things we have been exploring is ourselves as children. I came across this photo of myself at about 13 and had a really good look at it. So many emotions washed over me and I found myself wanting to be able to 'go back' and give myself a big hug but to also say the following things to that girl on the threshold of becoming a woman: You have so many good things that you want to share with the world Sweetheart. Be kind to yourself, know I love you, know you are more than what the world sees, know you are enough and always will be... Jane x What would you want to say to yourself? If this feels right for you, give it a go - it's really quite remarkable. Jane xo Related articles Shared Stories of Hope (5) - Liz Lamoreux Make time for Soulful Self-Care because YOU matter - Ecourse Meditative Painting - self-expression for the weekend... I'm worth the time - self-expressive ideas for the weekend [series] I need... - self-expressive ideas for the weekend [series] Continue reading

Together at last.... - [new original painting] Just thought I would share with you my latest painting... It's speaks of love, relationships and caring for the ones we love. There's romance, Spring and nature all wrapped up together in this piece... I hope you like it... Jane xo Continue reading

- Had a lovely lunch with family today to celebrate Easter. - Enjoyed a rejuvenating and uplifting Easter service this morning. The cross below was decorated with the flowers during the service - breathtaking.... - I received a beautiful 'care package' from Liz Lamoreux and opened it this morning. What a treat! I will be starting the Water Your Soul - Being Seen ecourse tomorrow... Really looking forward to this! - Love Sarah Ahearn's artwork, blog and book (I have it, by the way!) - Attended two end of term assemblies and one 'medal ceremony' for our boys at school this week. - Walked Mia several times this week in freezing temperatures and snow. - Prepared for Easter. - Started a new painting (see below). Third 'work in progress' of my new painting... - Shared a little bit on the blog about my creative process and the 'highs and lows' that are part of that. - Yesterday I spent a couple of hours in a coffee shop writing whilst the boys attended a birthday party. {treat} - What could you do as an act of love for yourself? Self-expressive ideas on my blog. - One Moment from my week... Have a wonderful week ahead. Jane xo Related articles Shared Stories of Hope (5) - Liz Lamoreux It's a wrap! - My Week in Review... Continue reading

Sometimes words aren't needed... In this space, I'd like to share with you the simple beauty of 'one moment' taken from my week... I'm hoping you will be inspired to do the same - just leave your link in the comments below for us all to see... Jane x Continue reading