tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16866821057159676172024-02-18T18:18:00.452-08:00Evelyn-MayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-22857345284737679842013-03-29T13:21:00.001-07:002013-03-29T13:21:30.627-07:00A Weekend To Remember....Hello all, I'm sorry not to have visited the land of Blog very often during the last few weeks - I will have a proper catch up over the next few days, i've missed you all! The reason for my absence is that i've been completely absorbed in our office move. Yes, sadly the solicitors where I work are moving offices (for the third time)and today the removal company are busy carting the hundreds of boxes i've helped to pack and a huge van load of office furniture over to a smaller premises about 200 yards away. To say "smaller" is putting it mildy..it is miniscule compared to the beautiful 4 storey Victorian building we've inhabited for the last 4 years - we are all very sad to leave it - but, unfortunately, due to the economic climate, the only option is to downsize, at least I still have a job - sadly for two members of staff that is no longer the case. <br />
<br />
Anyway, over the last week my colleague Michelle and I have done TEN trips to the local tip/recycling plant with The Boss' car, something for which he was <i>very</i> grateful for (he is NOT a man to get his hands dirty and is quite happy for the women of the office to do all of the hard work!). We have taken car loads of old, broken printers, shredders, etc, etc, basically <i>years</i> worth of office junk. Now i'd better admit something here...I LOVE a trip to the tip, and was more than happy to volunteer! The husband has been in despair, as usually he tries to keep me away - the problem being that our local Tip/Recycling plant also sells (for a very nominal price) anything worth salvaging from the van or car boot before it is dumped in to the assortment of skips. It is all stored in an outbuilding, tempting you in with an eclectic mix of bikes, trikes, outdoor toys, garden furniture, etc, displayed outside. Oh lordy I am in heaven! During the past week I have come back with a lovely vintage corner unit, a huge Bi-orb fish tank (for a £1!) an assortment of garden ornaments (for Mia's little garden), 2 framed paintings, a tall-boy and a huge vintage wooden sledge - all crammed in to the back of the Boss' BMW! Oh how Michelle and I laughted til we cried on the way home imagining if we were to break down on the side of the road and have to phone The Boss - can you <i>imagine</i> how i'd explain the haul in the back of the car! (it was bad enough explaining it to The Husband!) So yes, safe to say, it is lethal to take me anywhere near a skip! <br />
<br />
So moving on the main topic of this post...Mia and I had a fantastic weekend in Manchester a fortnight ago when I took her on our long-awaited trip to see One Direction!! We had <i>amazing</i> seats, just 3 people between us and the boys - (I have to admit that Harry and Louis are a guilty-pleasure of mine!!), and they were brilliant! Mia was so extatic when they first appeared on stage that she burst in to tears! <br />
<br />
Here she is in our hotel just before leaving for the concert;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oH71zyPKvyrT9xotJ5xQcNmNpUComN1QnJHEptgMcBForeXnvD0rfTf3c2l6-Dw3sWvyP9fE1bcqkr1pa2wGeyWK35w9uDNm9X6DcieZHHnyjKFvU8QRpAmzWtlfeU1MlA9x43LXBFoc/s1600/DSC05151.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oH71zyPKvyrT9xotJ5xQcNmNpUComN1QnJHEptgMcBForeXnvD0rfTf3c2l6-Dw3sWvyP9fE1bcqkr1pa2wGeyWK35w9uDNm9X6DcieZHHnyjKFvU8QRpAmzWtlfeU1MlA9x43LXBFoc/s320/DSC05151.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-401kyX6Gx_gEUeAM86XhwpmWXxEj75XO_uTC5oyswee1eybaWajx-2hcjxA452Xu47sqdxNmdArCjqICRhWvI84MaDQf7sYvpY7fOzMbeHX1LnHfEPTy2Y-PyHfidKrrlmTWB-zKqGji/s1600/DSC05154.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-401kyX6Gx_gEUeAM86XhwpmWXxEj75XO_uTC5oyswee1eybaWajx-2hcjxA452Xu47sqdxNmdArCjqICRhWvI84MaDQf7sYvpY7fOzMbeHX1LnHfEPTy2Y-PyHfidKrrlmTWB-zKqGji/s320/DSC05154.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Mr Styles himself! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwXxJj6GaORxq6yc3ltCemjvflywi3FY7KUGeGSzLkOBpNraig0j_7mGfuJZl5vP_tlVz-gS1RL-cDCepw8qt2b5b4cXQgFfa4ZNgpvbAEARZqc0RFSXF7m8vv-kP9iFC3sbxw8ao5KbE/s1600/DSC05219.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwXxJj6GaORxq6yc3ltCemjvflywi3FY7KUGeGSzLkOBpNraig0j_7mGfuJZl5vP_tlVz-gS1RL-cDCepw8qt2b5b4cXQgFfa4ZNgpvbAEARZqc0RFSXF7m8vv-kP9iFC3sbxw8ao5KbE/s320/DSC05219.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPv6hwt0h4nO_MR0WqE845RyX7FRFbW6SAuy4Urtxivw9vUlCtU2DvSjEMR4uDxO90K_e0nCSDRISdrX8DiarXoLMhGaT2cH3wCvXqphbM3ia1MnHc06wMf_6v4v4497vynYy0s9UTyln/s1600/DSC05185.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPv6hwt0h4nO_MR0WqE845RyX7FRFbW6SAuy4Urtxivw9vUlCtU2DvSjEMR4uDxO90K_e0nCSDRISdrX8DiarXoLMhGaT2cH3wCvXqphbM3ia1MnHc06wMf_6v4v4497vynYy0s9UTyln/s320/DSC05185.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS5Rrv9X5saHuR1VG02KscK9Ce0ODIBEUCVCxFDJNKgY3CT_kqtXlr3Vn6RfR_LmasfWmx2qYHZGXS60smpeTIzo6_T4EsqG8kHENyFc7uzg5KcWYXT_XYhb0qYzfMVDDzH3peNOh_eLp/s1600/DSC05229.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS5Rrv9X5saHuR1VG02KscK9Ce0ODIBEUCVCxFDJNKgY3CT_kqtXlr3Vn6RfR_LmasfWmx2qYHZGXS60smpeTIzo6_T4EsqG8kHENyFc7uzg5KcWYXT_XYhb0qYzfMVDDzH3peNOh_eLp/s320/DSC05229.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjSds3YFI3wj9nVnhcVuApW4nm5apRwjhWyOOMDvQwZHFrbQLXkVM1cGrLFWTBGzFM7hahDx0suTyMUg1psCVhG8gGSZ2HFJnlcEsiKs8IEtK0kiyBNXClEUW5nu_e_obdU6Ah5XBXTBa/s1600/DSC05205.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjSds3YFI3wj9nVnhcVuApW4nm5apRwjhWyOOMDvQwZHFrbQLXkVM1cGrLFWTBGzFM7hahDx0suTyMUg1psCVhG8gGSZ2HFJnlcEsiKs8IEtK0kiyBNXClEUW5nu_e_obdU6Ah5XBXTBa/s320/DSC05205.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ9kKJZLGN20kSZJZgZD_A3_bkBc9ajRPhyphenhyphenG2H2UQMtdSrR_TN-D12I1poEs-FXAodaHbX1faGb0QxQGxDwly2kuikcAWHfYmHNQwHnNxOYVpWYTkceuTA05Zhag8uhlC36pDVvj27-3h/s1600/DSC05220.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ9kKJZLGN20kSZJZgZD_A3_bkBc9ajRPhyphenhyphenG2H2UQMtdSrR_TN-D12I1poEs-FXAodaHbX1faGb0QxQGxDwly2kuikcAWHfYmHNQwHnNxOYVpWYTkceuTA05Zhag8uhlC36pDVvj27-3h/s320/DSC05220.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WN7FlegI_HF4bCqOHgMifHTdF2N6D3qj_OvrkQpWnGS4TNrRSYtj8N2RYI96yyzeo1L0DfSn3_PI5NIrDhQMqWqhJsaD862KVK-PP33FqECKlZswk1P79OOjCstl4jW7qIAkN_0fmq3z/s1600/DSC05243.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WN7FlegI_HF4bCqOHgMifHTdF2N6D3qj_OvrkQpWnGS4TNrRSYtj8N2RYI96yyzeo1L0DfSn3_PI5NIrDhQMqWqhJsaD862KVK-PP33FqECKlZswk1P79OOjCstl4jW7qIAkN_0fmq3z/s320/DSC05243.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
And then after being deafened by the thousands of sreaming teenage girls (and fully grown women!) we went back to the hotel for a "girlie evening" Pj's on, tucked up in our huge bed watching a DVD and ordering room service!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEZUj2aU5CHYZFPMGiumwDzRfAZ-PhTCUuEbzcS3-ywDz78Ce9JsHqMkSKKZtkVOGF4AFhTTnf0pBw23tGvZQ7N5ZUV-a5Z8bATI7wzqQC8iaAYWLc7Vp56i4XwUZyIatRn7lPg4eauFX/s1600/DSC05250.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEZUj2aU5CHYZFPMGiumwDzRfAZ-PhTCUuEbzcS3-ywDz78Ce9JsHqMkSKKZtkVOGF4AFhTTnf0pBw23tGvZQ7N5ZUV-a5Z8bATI7wzqQC8iaAYWLc7Vp56i4XwUZyIatRn7lPg4eauFX/s320/DSC05250.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilGiCXoTHSBpY86xIpDEDYJLDYzAgJ9ZNRNT9Rx25G5uDcaQ_GiqPnnicDY5AMAa1aFAxun4TGiPxpOPHfWIKpqT4TofnoR8xTXFrmhjkFKpjf0QmKH5AM2Xk5ZgRyCZnovZc-3sDrfiQ/s1600/DSC05254.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilGiCXoTHSBpY86xIpDEDYJLDYzAgJ9ZNRNT9Rx25G5uDcaQ_GiqPnnicDY5AMAa1aFAxun4TGiPxpOPHfWIKpqT4TofnoR8xTXFrmhjkFKpjf0QmKH5AM2Xk5ZgRyCZnovZc-3sDrfiQ/s320/DSC05254.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2lc4Y5gCsqSlelN67uohmAiyAPxDJQM14YiGx_bSOjyWxWkdE6bJL5q69gntUchEwL40NgOzNIrtqwzATBp-XWCcxasK9eyTeYBahlVUA1JYItymEs2xSSu_aCNgZ6RaKR2_xd985zoF/s1600/DSC05253.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2lc4Y5gCsqSlelN67uohmAiyAPxDJQM14YiGx_bSOjyWxWkdE6bJL5q69gntUchEwL40NgOzNIrtqwzATBp-XWCcxasK9eyTeYBahlVUA1JYItymEs2xSSu_aCNgZ6RaKR2_xd985zoF/s320/DSC05253.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAvy3P1EojqByex7V6bSAcIygHidOHFap8XEVf4XsIeJNLytFFORsuyPGLcDR997smcRCrX3il0LFjVnTnIK2hoVAnrkGB-1qioymDtutZY-Pm38SjuJcjC-DmJjivvD4AkyDWSdpkQY-/s1600/DSC05255.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAvy3P1EojqByex7V6bSAcIygHidOHFap8XEVf4XsIeJNLytFFORsuyPGLcDR997smcRCrX3il0LFjVnTnIK2hoVAnrkGB-1qioymDtutZY-Pm38SjuJcjC-DmJjivvD4AkyDWSdpkQY-/s320/DSC05255.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
We had a fantastic weekend, the first time I have ever left Baby Boy for a night, although he didn't seem bothered at all and was more than happy to stay at home with his daddy. Mia and I really enjoyed some quality mum & daughter time, just seeing the look on her face when her beloved Harry first appeared on stage was simply priceless!<br />
<br />
Marina xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-63442275236985944482013-02-28T13:43:00.003-08:002013-02-28T13:43:40.403-08:00A glimpse back in time..I love to live in an old house, and I say “old” loosely because for many people it has a different meaning. To me, old is anything pre 1930, but I know for many, it has to have been built at least a century before that to be classified as really old! I am always really interested to find out the history and about the lives of the people who have lived in a house before us, and love to imagine a family from a hundred years ago carrying out their day-to-day lives in what is now our home. You may recall a television series which first aired in 2011 called<i> Marchlands</i>.* I loved that, not only because I really enjoy a good ghost story, but mainly because of the way the story would flip between 1968, 1987 and 2010 – 3 different, unconnected families but all living in the same house. The décor, fashion, etc was of course dramatically different during each period in time, and I enjoyed the way the story would interweave from the family sitting down to breakfast in 1968, then forward in time to 1987, a different family, again having breakfast in the same room, but changed somewhat to reflect the decade, 20 years on – it was also a great dollop of nostalgia of course, having been a child of the 80’s! Watching a repeat of this series recently, lead me to imagine what it must have been like to live in our own house throughout the last century. <br />
<br />
The husband it’s safe to say, does <i>not</i> share my interest and only slightly looked up from his laptop when I came in excitedly exclaiming that I’d not only found out <i>who</i> lived in our house, but that I’d also found photographs of some of the occupants from 100 years ago! Oh how excited was I!! (Hmmm note to self;…perhaps I should get out more!) I must get this interest from my mother, who loves nothing more than to delve in to the past, be it our family history, or indeed local history, so she was even more excited than I at my discovery, and over the last few weeks we have pieced together quite a substantial history of our house. * I’ve decided after writing this post to publish it in two parts as it’s quite long! This first post will concentrate on the people who lived here and their lives. The second one will focus more on the house itself, with some photographs, how it has changed over the years and what we hope to restore – an exciting project which we plan to do gradually (time and money permitting) over the next few years!<br />
<br />
In 1905 a Mr John Francis, builder, submitted the plans for a "pair of villas" each a mirror image of the other. These said plans now hang in our hallway (kindly left to us by the previous owner), and I have photographed them as best I can here;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXBOgmeOPVq4dOGC1juNAeetg7Y_mUgP9VA975LoTrtRCVjEPXgme3Ifzlr2mk4lxGzN_sX-jIuL65T9D6bZ5VZ2kcTCueC7fTwHBXim5V2dBX3An9yNxQwwKIZ0bzjFezvKW75zW5GpU/s1600/DSC00671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXBOgmeOPVq4dOGC1juNAeetg7Y_mUgP9VA975LoTrtRCVjEPXgme3Ifzlr2mk4lxGzN_sX-jIuL65T9D6bZ5VZ2kcTCueC7fTwHBXim5V2dBX3An9yNxQwwKIZ0bzjFezvKW75zW5GpU/s400/DSC00671.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQNnhFNmsf_5JVXOsmN7ULUKC2-_bUjliDHwSQ6aAGGjOzdkmiVGgDTY1w9enjzYwvHpkWusKoweegO7eNreT3ct72Zr3RAU2flIyw63pr5JVueaXNCV8ykELBBb6Xw5EyHgysSF9vnuc/s1600/DSC00673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQNnhFNmsf_5JVXOsmN7ULUKC2-_bUjliDHwSQ6aAGGjOzdkmiVGgDTY1w9enjzYwvHpkWusKoweegO7eNreT3ct72Zr3RAU2flIyw63pr5JVueaXNCV8ykELBBb6Xw5EyHgysSF9vnuc/s400/DSC00673.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87Ip3_2NQlzMgrNM-qkOm4NTzrLro6rMBuoGkAlB-Zchnkxo7TKpiTlVKfYH3lwpZv7IyTB1AN9eJsxKhlhzzZVyXFa1PaEValhdyoQD00a6-1acCG-FAK1F00CUaDetJuGfkRxm6Me2M/s1600/DSC00674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87Ip3_2NQlzMgrNM-qkOm4NTzrLro6rMBuoGkAlB-Zchnkxo7TKpiTlVKfYH3lwpZv7IyTB1AN9eJsxKhlhzzZVyXFa1PaEValhdyoQD00a6-1acCG-FAK1F00CUaDetJuGfkRxm6Me2M/s400/DSC00674.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOq-QetBgFW1x1IiY2bM6hdZogCtC-Vo1e2h83lkaaBEnYu-lSMhVeL3GCcZWdvQGxBNut3T3g9qmdwAzxOcPPaqfmcso4IgzV5WiL8mLkPeZdOLcefrDUrfQmtnEZRtMuGza-dQpiK7wO/s1600/DSC00675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOq-QetBgFW1x1IiY2bM6hdZogCtC-Vo1e2h83lkaaBEnYu-lSMhVeL3GCcZWdvQGxBNut3T3g9qmdwAzxOcPPaqfmcso4IgzV5WiL8mLkPeZdOLcefrDUrfQmtnEZRtMuGza-dQpiK7wO/s400/DSC00675.JPG" /></a></div><br />
You will see the house not only had an upstairs bathroom with WC, but also a downstairs WC - pretty unusual in those days, i'm sure that most houses still had an oustide loo! The first bedroom was listed on the plans as being downstairs,I wonder why this was? Making a total of 9 bedrooms,two of which are now no longer used as such. <br />
<br />
John planned to live in one of the houses and rent the other, our house, to his childhood friend James Bufton, his wife Mary, and their 3 sons Percy, James jnr and Vincent. The two men had grown up on neighbouring farms during the late 1800’s so had known one another from a very early age. James senior was a Ladies Tailor, and Mary a dressmaker, and together they worked from home until the early 20’s, when they expanded their business and opened up a shop in the town. They had a lodger who worked for James as an apprentice up until the War. Coincidentally, the family moved to this house from the very small street (just 10 houses) where we ourselves lived until we bought here - in fact they occupied number 8, just 4 doors away from our old house. <br />
<br />
In 1914 Percy, their youngest son, joined the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, and they are pictured here in the fields right behind our house, Percy being one of them, before they left for War;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHJT5rwoWhv0_-JGJO7GfJ6kKPXbfbns-cXE3iFnFGPDJVF8YQUhmRWl6sZqJtVJwdQIVcgRUx8Mjo8PsfApZoTE9kVj5s6-BTfCGo140mq64aygIefGJZX29d0pWjdsPVz0SZ5dCytfg/s1600/originalImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="253" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHJT5rwoWhv0_-JGJO7GfJ6kKPXbfbns-cXE3iFnFGPDJVF8YQUhmRWl6sZqJtVJwdQIVcgRUx8Mjo8PsfApZoTE9kVj5s6-BTfCGo140mq64aygIefGJZX29d0pWjdsPVz0SZ5dCytfg/s400/originalImage.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Can you imagine his mother Mary, perhaps sitting in the house at the moment that photograph was being taken, and the anxiety she must have felt at the thought of her son going off to War. I can’t even imagine it! We don't know if Vincent or James joined up, we haven't found any information to date. <br />
<br />
Percy came home on leave at Christmas 1915 and was photographed in the town wearing a German Spiked Helmet;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh4D4MMNXVYz6_eYwLxtw1WL3_ITHRapH9XxkSB75nYUBQKlrz-TMyGEC4voSP-1YE6iCBECZOB4oU5iBFalLdmg4Kes-mQMOQYwXvaELkH26ZWaKE89OO0aZvMdhBCcyfMFMs3p_IUBX/s1600/5301+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh4D4MMNXVYz6_eYwLxtw1WL3_ITHRapH9XxkSB75nYUBQKlrz-TMyGEC4voSP-1YE6iCBECZOB4oU5iBFalLdmg4Kes-mQMOQYwXvaELkH26ZWaKE89OO0aZvMdhBCcyfMFMs3p_IUBX/s320/5301+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />
A month before this James senior, obviously having prospered in his business, purchased the house from John for £700! Quite a sum in those days! <br />
<br />
During the War, Percy was photographed again home on leave with a young woman, which we must presume (from the amount of photographs she is in) was his fiancé, Eveline Lewis. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xCXGVjmm9UO2nCl99JOHQkfN8YzmcvH_dPCdTOFnyZAAvtCKE2wI38vjbMsq6vh6bpAEV6HIaZRHedwJvde2paz95_TxQ9V10aj802yf43mVgHQrFzJLJwYB2bTlmLEXODb2th_J8H0P/s1600/5303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xCXGVjmm9UO2nCl99JOHQkfN8YzmcvH_dPCdTOFnyZAAvtCKE2wI38vjbMsq6vh6bpAEV6HIaZRHedwJvde2paz95_TxQ9V10aj802yf43mVgHQrFzJLJwYB2bTlmLEXODb2th_J8H0P/s320/5303.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeowxCwZ7qkhA0JGU-_aUYUk9EONwqVkp2aRn9TIvkJCzao-XhgVJeAFEY9cedmPrK7W64fT4j7utx70ERFW_20iesTelPJBpP-vpTXVZNwS1qHpSVVw3ZCSAq8jFw_VzNqoKmlazRDykD/s1600/5302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="238" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeowxCwZ7qkhA0JGU-_aUYUk9EONwqVkp2aRn9TIvkJCzao-XhgVJeAFEY9cedmPrK7W64fT4j7utx70ERFW_20iesTelPJBpP-vpTXVZNwS1qHpSVVw3ZCSAq8jFw_VzNqoKmlazRDykD/s400/5302.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Percy and Eveline married in 1921 and had 3 children between 1922 and 1927. They all lived in the house until moving out to a neighbouring village at some point, from records we have found they were certainly living there as a family in 1924 with James and Mary. Percy served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. <br />
<br />
<br />
James died in 1950 age 86, and his widow Mary sold the house in 1952 to the Baptist Corporation, where the Minister of the local Baptist Church and his family lived until the mid 1960’s. Mary lived with Vincent and his his family until her death in 1955. <br />
<br />
Percy died just 6 years later aged 70, and he and Eveline are buried in a village churchyard in the parish of where they must have moved on to in later life, just a few miles away from here. <br />
<br />
They had occupied our house for almost half a century, through two Wold Wars and seen the world change dramatically in that time. All of the other families since, have stayed no more than 15 years. Hopefully we will stay for longer. I love it. It’s somewhere I feel I belong, and I hope that we will be as happy as obviously James and his family were! <br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-85200182718344754992013-02-15T14:01:00.000-08:002013-02-15T14:10:21.938-08:00The Pen-Pal Pairs!!! Hello all!<br />
<br />
Well finally here I am with the pen-pal pairs as promised! I've really enjoyed looking through everyone's blogs and trying to pair everyone up - I <i>hope</i> i've done a good job! <br />
<br />
Thank you again to everyone who has taken part, I was really thrilled with the amount of interest, and we actually ended up with 11 of us so I have paired myself with two of you - I hope you won't mind!! (I'm more than happy!)<br />
<br />
So here we are; <br />
<br />
Jill at Homespun Seasons; http://homespunseasons.blogspot.co.uk/<br />
and Jean at Rowan Trees and Bumblebees http://rowantreesandbumblebees.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/a-morning-walk_5921.html<br />
<br />
<br />
Tracey at Mad About Bags;http://madaboutbagsuk.blogspot.co.uk/ and Millie at New World; http://varsitygurl.blogspot.co.uk/<br />
<br />
Karen at Me, My Camera, Eye; http://memycameraeye.blogspot.co.uk/ and Joy at Welcome to Daisy Row; http://joyknitt.blogspot.co.uk/<br />
<br />
Busy Little Chicken;http://busylittlechicken.blogspot.co.uk/ and Miz-bag at Sidmouth Poppy; http://sidmouthpoppy.blogspot.co.uk/<br />
<br />
Sue from Vintage from the Village; http://vintagefromthevillage.blogspot.co.uk/ and me at Evelyn May<br />
<br />
Laura from Domestic Doris; http://domesticdoris.blogspot.co.uk/ me; at Evelyn May <br />
<br />
I've been through the list carefully but if i've forgotten anyone i'm so sorry and please let me know!!<br />
<br />
Now that i've announced the pairs it's down to you, I invite you to contact your pan-pal via their blog and arrange to swap addresses, etc, via e-mail and then you can get started! I will really look forward to hearing how everyone gets on - a year from now I will do a blogpost update :) As I said in my first post, it's up to you how often you write, and some of you might agree this with your pen-pal before you begin. <br />
<br />
Who knows...perhaps 20 years from now some of us will still be writing..isn't that a lovely thought! <br />
<br />
Good Luck xx <br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-31258506828911177442013-02-08T14:58:00.000-08:002013-02-08T14:58:26.549-08:00Penpal Pairing Update...Just a very quick post to thank all of you who have signed up to my pen-pal pairing, I had intended to announce the pairs tomorrow, but unfortunately i've come down with the flu and have spent the last couple of days in bed :( - i've therefore decided to keep it open until next Wednesday 13th Feb, this will give any last minute takers the opportunity to sign up, and hopefully i'll be on the mend by then too. It has been lovely to read your comments and enthusiasm as to begin with I hadn't been sure how popular the idea would be, i'm really looking forward to matching everybody up! For now though, if anyone else would like to sign up, just leave a comment here or on my previous "Pen Pal" post before the 13th February :)<br />
<br />
Marina xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-36125956063485776522013-02-02T14:55:00.000-08:002013-02-02T14:55:44.175-08:00A Sign of Spring...Just a quick post, I hope you are all having a nice weekend, unfortunately the husband and Mia have been ill most of the week with the flu, the husband in particular has been really ill and in bed most of the time. Baby Boy & I have (touch wood) so far escaped...lets hope it stays that way! <br />
<br />
Today the sun shone and was weather-wise the best day by far that we've had since moving to the new house, until now i'd never seen the garden draped in sunshine. I'm sure we haven't seen the worst of the wintery weather just yet, and only a week ago all was white with snow, however a sign that Spring is on it's way slowly..our first Snowdrops under the old apple tree in the garden;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo2Xrby6hvSd9T_wsLaZIMrQtIrUbq7tZAeLxiNm-TCzMmPKIZ6j7GWGHpbKYx4dtUiGVnNTLvVTvNDHZpEs24YMSvxV7End4elqGtyJlit6-5BT8dy9FEuRyJL99AsFe5s8igMRUV4UN/s1600/DSC00698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="301" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo2Xrby6hvSd9T_wsLaZIMrQtIrUbq7tZAeLxiNm-TCzMmPKIZ6j7GWGHpbKYx4dtUiGVnNTLvVTvNDHZpEs24YMSvxV7End4elqGtyJlit6-5BT8dy9FEuRyJL99AsFe5s8igMRUV4UN/s400/DSC00698.JPG" /></a></div><br />
They remind me of my Grandma, she used to love to find the first snowdrops, Spring was her favourite season.<br />
<br />
Baby Boy was <i>not</i> a happy bunny that i'd left him in the pushchair while I went to photograph the snowdrops, just look at the face!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMeYRU7fPERhXpawtE0wy2J6wnQRKeV_NESOKDMxS-BRZs7M2DHbp_bExqSKHRAlHdJyFCrLER7YuUO15IYsVYMmH3o8-f7uoedf3XzHWVVhP6PaLMKl_mMA2Z98mFeLMGdaEO1HRh2yj/s1600/DSC00695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="383" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMeYRU7fPERhXpawtE0wy2J6wnQRKeV_NESOKDMxS-BRZs7M2DHbp_bExqSKHRAlHdJyFCrLER7YuUO15IYsVYMmH3o8-f7uoedf3XzHWVVhP6PaLMKl_mMA2Z98mFeLMGdaEO1HRh2yj/s400/DSC00695.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Aah that's better...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OxWmkglC1-1syJ3RAYU-FLi46T9cI7O8-tkupTNZiJJEvR78YzuYed_ydbzzl5JVfrIC4K27Vk76tHxDU2jtbQ0AnnoAGHPcWBGfx1r08o6H090zXlQHACzXYeyH6o3xD0evBxovHsRR/s1600/DSC00696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="347" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OxWmkglC1-1syJ3RAYU-FLi46T9cI7O8-tkupTNZiJJEvR78YzuYed_ydbzzl5JVfrIC4K27Vk76tHxDU2jtbQ0AnnoAGHPcWBGfx1r08o6H090zXlQHACzXYeyH6o3xD0evBxovHsRR/s400/DSC00696.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It's been an unsettled week, I hope we get back to normal very soon when everyone is on the mend, I've kept busy researching the history of our house, many nights i've been up until the early hours searching the net, it can become totally addictive but i've found out so much in such a short time, i'm in the process of writing a blog post about the family who lived here 100 years ago, I find it facinating. <br />
<br />
Also a quick reminder that in my previous post I mentioned a pen-pal pairing, a few of you have left a comment to say that you'd like to take part so i've decided to go ahead! if anyone would be interested in taking part then here's the link to my last post with all the info; http://evelynmayvintage.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=4<br />
<br />
I will keep it open until Friday 8th February;<br />
<br />
Marina xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-42177633239359431412013-01-28T03:40:00.000-08:002013-01-28T03:40:33.136-08:00Would Anyone Like A Pen-Pal????I wonder who else, like me, has an old shoebox (or in my case, several!) squirreled away at the bottom of the wardrobe or perhaps in the loft, containing your life's memories. It was very recently when I was unpacking from the move, that I had a quick look through one of my many boxes and found bundles of my childhood pen-pal letters, kept together in date order and many of them even contained a copy of my reply! <br />
<br />
I've had lots of fun reading back through these letters, there are quite a few as I had pen-pals in the UK as well as abroad, but one thing which has struck me as being really sad is that children these days, or indeed adults (those that I know, anyway) just don't have these opportunities anymore, no one that I know has a pen-pal these days. Obviously social media has had a massive impact upon this, but an e-mail or a message via facebook just isn't the same, don't you agree, as coming downstairs in the morning to find a hand-written envelope in your letterbox, an update from the pen-pal you have gotten to know almost better than some of your friends through such detailed correspondence. <br />
<br />
As a child I can well remember the excitement and anticipation to get home, when my mum would tell me on the walk back from school "you've had a letter from Inverness" which would be from my Scottish pen-pal; Alison. <br />
<br />
There were so many opportunities back then to make it very easy to obtain a pen-pal, every club that I became a member of as a child seemed to offer the chance – I remember getting them through both the Stamp Bug Club (yes, I was a child stamp-collector) and the YOC (young ornithologists club, where I was paired with Alison from Inverness), and also recall a campaign via the Royal Mail in the late 80's which paired you with two pen-pal's from around the world – I had Marie-Louise from Denmark and Jo from Australia. There was also the French exchange student who I was paired with via the high school; Marie-Agnes, although we only exchanged a couple of letters before the language barrier become too much (we were only 12). I also had a boy pen-pal called Kristian (via the Stamp Bug Club!) and we kept in touch, and even met up a couple of times during our teenage years, and we remain "facebook friends" even now, 20 years on. The others, I'm sorry to say, gradually fizzled out as we grew up. <br />
<br />
Of course, before e-mail and social networking sites, hand-written letters were the only way to keep in touch, and so much more fun, I think. When I was 13, I went on a horse-riding holiday for a week, and made two friends from Essex; Lucy and Terri. We became so close during that week, (it was the best, most fun holiday I ever had, and boy did I cry when my parents came to collect me!) and wrote to one another religiously week after week for the following 5 or 6 years. Terri and I finally drifted apart and I think we last wrote when we were 19 or 20, before we lost touch. Lucy, however, has become a very close friend and in our 20's we visited one another often, and she was even one of my bridesmaids at our wedding! Pretty amazing don't you think that we have stayed such great friends, despite the distance, all because we kept in touch via our weekly letters from the age of 13; it meant such a great deal to me to have her there on my wedding day, 16 years later! <br />
<br />
I know that many people I have spoken to feel that it is such a shame that pen-pals have gone out of fashion, or rather been superseded by the social media. Therefore, I have decided to put the feelers out with this post to see if anyone would be interested in a "Pen-Pal Pairing"??? Basically, if enough of you comment or contact me to say that you would be interested in having a pen-pal, then I will put the names together in a hat and pair you up, then the rest is down to you. I know that having the time can be an issue these days so perhaps we could all agree to write once a month (or more often if you choose to). The Rules would be something like this, and if I decide to go ahead then I will create a "badge" for you to copy and post on your own blogs to spread the word;<br />
<br />
: <br />
Rules:<br />
1. Please comment below if you would like to be paired up; and state if you have any preference as to UK or abroad or whether you don't mind. Please spread the word and display the badge on your blog;<br />
<br />
2. To correspond the good old-fashioned way with letters only! <br />
<br />
3. To try to correspond at least once per month or as agreed with your pen-pal;<br />
<br />
4. Obviously as with the usual "blog swaps" I will be unable to take any responsibility after I have announced partners. Once I have done so please contact your pen-pal via their blog in order to arrange to swap addresses, etc. Whether or not you and your pen-pal continue to correspond will be of course down to you both. <br />
<br />
5. Pen-Pal pairing is only available to those of you with a current blog. <br />
<br />
6. Please comment on this post by Friday 8th February and I will announce partners on Saturday 9th February. <br />
<br />
As I say, this is just a post to see how many of you would be interested, depending on the response I will let you know if I've decided to go ahead in a couple of days time. Also if anyone has any ideas as to the rules or whatever, do let me know!<br />
<br />
Marina xx<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-38051921161040312132013-01-25T01:58:00.000-08:002013-01-25T01:58:08.964-08:00Dapple I thought I would share with you all these photos of our newly restored vintage rocking horse “Dapple”. He is very much at home here in our new house, having spent the last 20 years getting very damp in my mum and dads’ garden shed– a crime, I know! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmvPrulAnVKBp5HO3wKOL2_oA03o5g5rr7iCNogkUyritpThRJoVwYWk_0WVc4EVwdg6xKs6dfyxsb020k9JknKjzMDgP8_oX1X-IMuVygOPBmGODZmiFJrG2q4E9NEKKSzncCiYVdtIG/s1600/DSC00680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="367" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmvPrulAnVKBp5HO3wKOL2_oA03o5g5rr7iCNogkUyritpThRJoVwYWk_0WVc4EVwdg6xKs6dfyxsb020k9JknKjzMDgP8_oX1X-IMuVygOPBmGODZmiFJrG2q4E9NEKKSzncCiYVdtIG/s400/DSC00680.JPG" /></a></div><br />
He was mine as a child, my dad came home with him one day after coming across him in a local second-hand shop. I remember having lots of fun with him – I used to spend hours just plaiting his mane and tail. However as I grew up, it became “un-cool” to have a rocking horse in your bedroom, and he was replaced by a stars & moon sofa-bed for when friends came to stay! Poor old Dapple was relegated first to the garage, where he suffered some water damage and finally to a small outbuilding, covered with a blanket where he spent the last two decades being eaten by mice and getting very damp. <br />
<br />
I’d often thought about finding him and seeing what condition he was in now, but like my parents, we had never had the room for him at any of our previous houses – until now! My parents therefore decided to finally resurrect him from the shed and restore him to his former glory as a Christmas present for Mia and Baby Boy. <br />
<br />
It is fair to say that my mum and dad had a lovely time “doing him up”, they spent a lot of time - and money, his new mane and tail, being real horse hair,, the original hair being completely eaten away by mice. The result, I hope you’ll agree, has been worth it – he looks spectacular, and well at home in our Victorian house! <br />
They were very proud to carry him together along our street on Christmas morning to be greeted at the front door by Mia – who had a surprise as she had NO idea! <br />
<br />
Dapple is once again very much loved, and will stay in our family – he will certainly never be relegated to a garden shed ever again! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQF08JeXSWNKgOSSEQgQoLf8CtuvEbJjFu7CC0i2-BEj1db5nazIOhW-y3fasKq3EgIeHz6biqRr-qEf6pXOTnQOqoKZI6XilFLOyHjNCiwjsxv_kxolGspJKeaGLqiwSyFC7d9gS0cxo/s1600/DSC00679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQF08JeXSWNKgOSSEQgQoLf8CtuvEbJjFu7CC0i2-BEj1db5nazIOhW-y3fasKq3EgIeHz6biqRr-qEf6pXOTnQOqoKZI6XilFLOyHjNCiwjsxv_kxolGspJKeaGLqiwSyFC7d9gS0cxo/s400/DSC00679.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-67416212140079182222013-01-23T12:57:00.003-08:002013-01-23T12:57:25.421-08:00Little Things To Brighten Up A Cold Day.... Brrr although I love snow I have to admit that during the last few days i've found it really hard going to endure the freezing temperature in my office. You may or may not know that I work for a firm of solicitors, in a huge old Victorian building - very beautiful but also extremely cold at this time of year - the central heating packed up yonks ago and has never been fixed. Hence I am writing this with chilblained fingers and toes and very tired eyes from the electric heaters we keep on full blast all day long - which hardly take out the chil and any heat they produce is quickly dispersed through the old sash windows. <br />
<br />
Despite this, I took some lovely photographs from my office window today, I braved the cold - and to be honest, I couldn't get much colder anyway! - and stepped out on to the balcony to take these pictures; <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk9YktMHzQ1WLJdGg8yZwZ_D00-4rFZHdY0d1AWXAIbJyqYyOXksD2OPt8C8C-leDAIxbpzG7FWnSAzT_hRb5bSeQSUzgJP-HvJzY4bHE4SXmGKjlTOO6V12dfQ08f5IluJw31hXMU8Kl/s1600/DSC00685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk9YktMHzQ1WLJdGg8yZwZ_D00-4rFZHdY0d1AWXAIbJyqYyOXksD2OPt8C8C-leDAIxbpzG7FWnSAzT_hRb5bSeQSUzgJP-HvJzY4bHE4SXmGKjlTOO6V12dfQ08f5IluJw31hXMU8Kl/s400/DSC00685.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r9p-61AKQqEog1fNHx7bVUqLYMdhWrED4DMGcCU8KPjU7puOlgw_X6IsvFZkfJ54pVNQ_WfAglBXt2Cw7gflRkt0ITIlXf6i2BRy9nK7VsOyIRay_YRTCgEUCTu4GmkZjIW-j5NOkkxW/s1600/DSC00684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r9p-61AKQqEog1fNHx7bVUqLYMdhWrED4DMGcCU8KPjU7puOlgw_X6IsvFZkfJ54pVNQ_WfAglBXt2Cw7gflRkt0ITIlXf6i2BRy9nK7VsOyIRay_YRTCgEUCTu4GmkZjIW-j5NOkkxW/s400/DSC00684.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvL90iVzdb6dERtDE4jJE6oUsIUFyHT1Y0P6DWGkGQYWDG5wjyZkZfZaMsoejAzOm3r4QQY35MHvs-eJdsJAC96tSoyYLyXzJuipUMl18gKjJJWe5_ZMVpa4SyGDOKB-yZZldhPuCbKzO/s1600/DSC00683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvL90iVzdb6dERtDE4jJE6oUsIUFyHT1Y0P6DWGkGQYWDG5wjyZkZfZaMsoejAzOm3r4QQY35MHvs-eJdsJAC96tSoyYLyXzJuipUMl18gKjJJWe5_ZMVpa4SyGDOKB-yZZldhPuCbKzO/s400/DSC00683.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It's on days like today especially that it's always nice when something happens to brighten things up a little, no matter how small. Today two things happened which really cheered me up; the first being that I had to pop in to our local computer shop to purchase something for work, and while I was there I got chatting to the owner, a man who actually used to live in our house between the early 90's and 2004 and who sold it to the man we purchased it from. He was really pleased to hear that we bought it, and spent over 10 minutes telling me all about what he and his wife and done to the house and the condition it was in when they bought it, etc, including some really interesting facts which we hadn't known about. They did extensive renovation work and he has a lot of photographs which show it at various stages, including before and after and was more than happy for us borrow them sometime as I said that i'd be so interested to see them - he even asked if he and his wife might pop round with them as they would love to see the place again. <br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the conversation, i'm so interested in the history of my house and i'm currently in the process of writing a blog post all about it - including some photographs i've unearthed of the occupants from 100 years ago! I just find stuff like that so interesting. <br />
<br />
The second thing was at lunchtime when I popped in to my favourite vintage store and the owner said that she was glad i'd popped in as she'd been saving some old books for me as she knows I collect them and I always buy them from her whenever I find some in her shop. She sold me the Robinson Crusoe book for £1.00 and gave me the others for free! (These aren't the first "freebies" i've had in that shop either!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0T8W2F5Y_oYVO4GpIThqk83ZP4jFDzsZVbhB34Zx9ago3bt39DKnKefyJJs1HaaDDmxiD1cvsTyMpTsg7EzsUwk5FX44X29ItIipOjCZPPrBzEzaHO6FEViuSWe96r6oJdl69OaDMWRW/s1600/DSC00686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0T8W2F5Y_oYVO4GpIThqk83ZP4jFDzsZVbhB34Zx9ago3bt39DKnKefyJJs1HaaDDmxiD1cvsTyMpTsg7EzsUwk5FX44X29ItIipOjCZPPrBzEzaHO6FEViuSWe96r6oJdl69OaDMWRW/s400/DSC00686.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQfI2USRSSm75og7ATs302VrN1pF3DRCrOXmEowQYeEQBf1UjKHUOBltJAIoQpnRqV9cG8tBKP7GRSp-uSJhOkHIqxoHJvv-9I-t6Eop1oFU3HIYVSy7ju8B6cjtAo-K0kI2W-AEiCB5x/s1600/DSC00688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQfI2USRSSm75og7ATs302VrN1pF3DRCrOXmEowQYeEQBf1UjKHUOBltJAIoQpnRqV9cG8tBKP7GRSp-uSJhOkHIqxoHJvv-9I-t6Eop1oFU3HIYVSy7ju8B6cjtAo-K0kI2W-AEiCB5x/s400/DSC00688.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The Last of the Mohicans has a hand-written inscription and date; 1890 - I do love it when the old books have something written inside! Another has the Award sticker inside dating it back to Christmas 1905;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xC1OgckBIbFKfRGC9JzXbayVCdhxZRILH23Es1bYlaqXf7f7f-U5da9qNfCvQP3CHvd4tuGKRYX0Eiw2Tq-8r9GQ5DdWPNtFg7BDaS0DC9MMnS8T9xTQUMBo82COYK7twFr1moOjXi1b/s1600/DSC00687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xC1OgckBIbFKfRGC9JzXbayVCdhxZRILH23Es1bYlaqXf7f7f-U5da9qNfCvQP3CHvd4tuGKRYX0Eiw2Tq-8r9GQ5DdWPNtFg7BDaS0DC9MMnS8T9xTQUMBo82COYK7twFr1moOjXi1b/s400/DSC00687.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The other two freebies have lovely illustrations; though they have been a bit difficult to photograph; <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E47Kyb5Zj8eJsKTICYi1PyHFNTe2rgLnuXFEp8yDweNRvmby6gsnOdaQk6nuF2sjc6r6RTTNr1OJjNbJA-lPVWObhYGHNJV_PZQEOLFrrl2EtLKQtJEUuqt7hQMhc9B60vf0sKK_yHR4/s1600/DSC00689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E47Kyb5Zj8eJsKTICYi1PyHFNTe2rgLnuXFEp8yDweNRvmby6gsnOdaQk6nuF2sjc6r6RTTNr1OJjNbJA-lPVWObhYGHNJV_PZQEOLFrrl2EtLKQtJEUuqt7hQMhc9B60vf0sKK_yHR4/s400/DSC00689.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZKSh9POVN6Dh2948n5f5ASu-fd6-V5QhTKYrUuFgF48FY1YzkciwnHRz225l3X5za1gu2Ni08fGhlsCCV4m4VNkSOEjCbMhRll32reWka2VQeF98KtFC41eF4BcHaN7TlXM36WYAeqgv/s1600/DSC00690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZKSh9POVN6Dh2948n5f5ASu-fd6-V5QhTKYrUuFgF48FY1YzkciwnHRz225l3X5za1gu2Ni08fGhlsCCV4m4VNkSOEjCbMhRll32reWka2VQeF98KtFC41eF4BcHaN7TlXM36WYAeqgv/s400/DSC00690.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And finally I bought a sweet little wooden box of dominos circa 1900 - still in lovely condition and a bargain for £2, I love to put things like this in our playroom;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogXJDmp1lY3Db9-FX7x4xHxiEQm-KMBAyZN9KHpyY1ulV3nLI9Ujv5p9MQDqKWjX4Ychk-0GwiJY0SRZK1X6zc2Pe675gXGCFu4bgB-bXwjFsntSJcG4UC5aKzQ18IeKWSHpUDCc4EQvA/s1600/DSC00694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="346" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogXJDmp1lY3Db9-FX7x4xHxiEQm-KMBAyZN9KHpyY1ulV3nLI9Ujv5p9MQDqKWjX4Ychk-0GwiJY0SRZK1X6zc2Pe675gXGCFu4bgB-bXwjFsntSJcG4UC5aKzQ18IeKWSHpUDCc4EQvA/s400/DSC00694.JPG" /></a></div><br />
All of these things have made me smile today; it just shows that very often it can be the "little things" that really matter. I wonder what has made you smile today???<br />
<br />
Marina xx<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-87754647178616360102013-01-20T14:25:00.000-08:002013-01-20T14:25:58.636-08:00First Snow...This weekend Baby Boy experienced his First Snow!... (a little unsure to begin with);<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nnOxXD03sMfFgm77Dz5vTPrdZOl7IbksjfdI6FztAeDH7OcK1u0TDsLVziIoh-dk9ZraDkzSxtUu6cr-cvfA038LnozQPxIiD1pIx38NF0MCD07SWuTUgBmQ7aMp-hOhz6CBZn6L1VFP/s1600/DSC00634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nnOxXD03sMfFgm77Dz5vTPrdZOl7IbksjfdI6FztAeDH7OcK1u0TDsLVziIoh-dk9ZraDkzSxtUu6cr-cvfA038LnozQPxIiD1pIx38NF0MCD07SWuTUgBmQ7aMp-hOhz6CBZn6L1VFP/s320/DSC00634.JPG" /></a></div><br />
But soon loving the sledge with his big sister!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxFCEvQvzi5fsvueVwKt91oIleZnhJf-1pFND5y__FuaAG-6-D8GSUrz_5FWqgIXLWbxQozc4kp78YhRfDWPghlOmhzgUrwBhJZvPhQ-OYQztAjpBV0CPrp3RfM3Rxw8NlYBLCm7EfFmX/s1600/DSC00649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxFCEvQvzi5fsvueVwKt91oIleZnhJf-1pFND5y__FuaAG-6-D8GSUrz_5FWqgIXLWbxQozc4kp78YhRfDWPghlOmhzgUrwBhJZvPhQ-OYQztAjpBV0CPrp3RfM3Rxw8NlYBLCm7EfFmX/s400/DSC00649.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDotpDy_naSxR6XRrfzZmfUijx7KbxmlJPB6INJoFDEX2z6bORpjx0I3pDPIHfX5DkYLnByHRiEhN8zlyJUkYyXAchnuoagmMkK1loZKJr2KEaQzjmmUSdm74C5KTcVJOcMRY7pS_OGwW6/s1600/DSC00648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDotpDy_naSxR6XRrfzZmfUijx7KbxmlJPB6INJoFDEX2z6bORpjx0I3pDPIHfX5DkYLnByHRiEhN8zlyJUkYyXAchnuoagmMkK1loZKJr2KEaQzjmmUSdm74C5KTcVJOcMRY7pS_OGwW6/s320/DSC00648.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdEAmA6wu5OZR48c57cRxT9orw18057wYWGpmzPo537hZWoPh0K4jcEdos_TehBwv37pjoJGVQdSHWUZm1Y6MLHi_K_FU8aKcBtstUgUVfKLsNsZ1FxFcTqXzg2OEcilZaXfpsM0sCbdI/s1600/Benji+camara+2013+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdEAmA6wu5OZR48c57cRxT9orw18057wYWGpmzPo537hZWoPh0K4jcEdos_TehBwv37pjoJGVQdSHWUZm1Y6MLHi_K_FU8aKcBtstUgUVfKLsNsZ1FxFcTqXzg2OEcilZaXfpsM0sCbdI/s320/Benji+camara+2013+098.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-mydkM1AwH1jKRyGRuh-vS8lxhlBcQkyMVtBWzwlv7vQyPROjIfgDsDyNUH2Zf4m0X4sCtos_JILKlBLo6N2VaATGfd6z_s_-voFYTq8kmhpvZnNUWUA1UNWTCl7qxoUwxRo-tF8amN_/s1600/DSC00635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-mydkM1AwH1jKRyGRuh-vS8lxhlBcQkyMVtBWzwlv7vQyPROjIfgDsDyNUH2Zf4m0X4sCtos_JILKlBLo6N2VaATGfd6z_s_-voFYTq8kmhpvZnNUWUA1UNWTCl7qxoUwxRo-tF8amN_/s320/DSC00635.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It was also a time for "FIRST" wellies; <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43FGYzXhJNoRaRTPQdXaLTlwzJV_sOYBRwxx1G_xdwGOkHeMnYtQDVWJn69VK5FDhf6O444XFrGnpHoFbJnZyJ-5oc9A8QB4xG_Z-2AsggvaxFPxZF2jGVC7vMdpSBgL4ueJWH3LhERFO/s1600/DSC00647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43FGYzXhJNoRaRTPQdXaLTlwzJV_sOYBRwxx1G_xdwGOkHeMnYtQDVWJn69VK5FDhf6O444XFrGnpHoFbJnZyJ-5oc9A8QB4xG_Z-2AsggvaxFPxZF2jGVC7vMdpSBgL4ueJWH3LhERFO/s320/DSC00647.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvhCw0IsQNFo9hkqCjwzAFHVBBABdqLBp60u2k_OucIjM5HBMYjREqc4Pk-zF8PXhMcXh6x9qJR1A1OXXyVHE1Qv1jYLOa-JBsDAd5dFX8qa-K3YVaamgzNR3EQn0SOLzE3o1IDaIsnmL/s1600/Benji+camara+2013+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvhCw0IsQNFo9hkqCjwzAFHVBBABdqLBp60u2k_OucIjM5HBMYjREqc4Pk-zF8PXhMcXh6x9qJR1A1OXXyVHE1Qv1jYLOa-JBsDAd5dFX8qa-K3YVaamgzNR3EQn0SOLzE3o1IDaIsnmL/s320/Benji+camara+2013+121.JPG" /></a></div><br />
A truly Winter Wonderland..a month too late for Christmas, but just as magical;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIiDh52YWtiARwrh3cURq4e09dGk9i4sXrC0zHi4pCV9AAT5hpJCt4vnDpizkk18_KvwixH4xNjw42FbQZ2TNScLsRcBjkUpKg9_QuFkDNpw-2VhHnlsKdSlhmQgsKsbT8iQuLvOr1NAF/s1600/Benji+camara+2013+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIiDh52YWtiARwrh3cURq4e09dGk9i4sXrC0zHi4pCV9AAT5hpJCt4vnDpizkk18_KvwixH4xNjw42FbQZ2TNScLsRcBjkUpKg9_QuFkDNpw-2VhHnlsKdSlhmQgsKsbT8iQuLvOr1NAF/s320/Benji+camara+2013+125.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-Q6ycsJpVBpU033StJ3G-taCLPNkxy2YO9YJJYdfLsRU9DBWxvyd3Qs8N0QVrtbK0xhajGUcsz7v06vkQeoSPXc8QNZpJYC8SJbHgaLdV9t4S0yDbHGIYGculuOnmbff00r-W9sUR41e/s1600/Benji+camara+2013+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-Q6ycsJpVBpU033StJ3G-taCLPNkxy2YO9YJJYdfLsRU9DBWxvyd3Qs8N0QVrtbK0xhajGUcsz7v06vkQeoSPXc8QNZpJYC8SJbHgaLdV9t4S0yDbHGIYGculuOnmbff00r-W9sUR41e/s320/Benji+camara+2013+118.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSyZRw9PqqGgvOyd6kSQUQdYXNryExdAPAL_OKiRgFUfZ3y28luFZCACepRaqlwBugWjg-fNWxYnP_RQlkITgwp4xXX_wH4aspMUUj81T62f2LxtOY9J63b3qr8RrdXbYHZ9F2vY0iuVp/s1600/Benji+camara+2013+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSyZRw9PqqGgvOyd6kSQUQdYXNryExdAPAL_OKiRgFUfZ3y28luFZCACepRaqlwBugWjg-fNWxYnP_RQlkITgwp4xXX_wH4aspMUUj81T62f2LxtOY9J63b3qr8RrdXbYHZ9F2vY0iuVp/s320/Benji+camara+2013+117.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It's been a lovely long-weekend, the husband and Mia both had a "snow-day" at home on Friday, and as well at the sledging and some snowy walks i've enjoyed endless cups of tea, candles lit and catching up on blogs. Mia has even decided to write her own blog about her favourite Sylvanian Families (I think in America you will know them as Calico Critters??). We've therefore had lots of fun creating her blog, which can be found on my blogger, and she is looking forward to writing stories and taking photos to accompany them. I've given her my old camera, and today she took some cute photographs of some of her beloved Sylvanian families out in the snow! I've obviously warned her of the dangers that can come with internet use such as this and that she should never share personal information, though saying that, anything she writes will always be checked and published by me, and any comments, etc, will come through to my blogger and I will approve them first of course. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlMbIjvC2JvoPgMrWEzKa4sTG0DJh0lHCJ949Tc8L_d9QtKlM7VNlFnqNMlFoac16wcY31h2eu9R4BVeMtckWOJuzl8Rny1qv42s0EePTao3P_swTr-0wB8WLJPwR7-pzKdRbmMdQ6mkq/s1600/DSC00661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="160" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlMbIjvC2JvoPgMrWEzKa4sTG0DJh0lHCJ949Tc8L_d9QtKlM7VNlFnqNMlFoac16wcY31h2eu9R4BVeMtckWOJuzl8Rny1qv42s0EePTao3P_swTr-0wB8WLJPwR7-pzKdRbmMdQ6mkq/s320/DSC00661.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We are still slowly unpacking the last few boxes from the move, and I am really enjoying our new home; it is still sometimes hard to believe that we are actually here!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIyTlBLSUFWQ6XIjMLQ8Lht6pHuEHLP3IripsqJG6EDsbDfDKLRn4DsmRSp_mEmSvpw5KvIVAdXIHHvZGZks11cwrPiH3NzxOG6lFCgX-PDcTdoQQu4G1wPHH2x0uQKB11HsL3i_vW6W8/s1600/Benji+camara+2013+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIyTlBLSUFWQ6XIjMLQ8Lht6pHuEHLP3IripsqJG6EDsbDfDKLRn4DsmRSp_mEmSvpw5KvIVAdXIHHvZGZks11cwrPiH3NzxOG6lFCgX-PDcTdoQQu4G1wPHH2x0uQKB11HsL3i_vW6W8/s320/Benji+camara+2013+140.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Like many we are forecast yet more snow this week, I hope you are all staying safe and warm; Marina xx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k-2Uzx0k1bz6skiXri7-FG9PjeTOL_NhcBZUBcefzAEdkUfuRajGSg13tTzebUAiu9OhybmhUV2myEGSd7AuO9v7HScMJkelxHQsMLixNB2bSJspKqUb24-yqzqCZHoh1rjibnTVvO-6/s1600/Benji+camara+2013+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="282" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k-2Uzx0k1bz6skiXri7-FG9PjeTOL_NhcBZUBcefzAEdkUfuRajGSg13tTzebUAiu9OhybmhUV2myEGSd7AuO9v7HScMJkelxHQsMLixNB2bSJspKqUb24-yqzqCZHoh1rjibnTVvO-6/s320/Benji+camara+2013+033.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-40014982514777620942012-12-31T15:18:00.000-08:002013-01-20T04:11:09.261-08:00A New Year In A New Home <div style="text-align: justify;">Hello All! I hope all of my lovely followers & readers had a wonderful Christmas, and I wish you all a very happy New Year!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">This will only be a quick post, but I didn't want to finish the year without updating my blog - something which I have truly missed over the last 6 weeks or so due to the house move and not having internet access for a little while! All is now sorted however, and I am so pleased so say that, after 6 months of uncertainty, we moved in to our beautiful new home just before Christmas! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will write a proper post in the week, but first just a quick catch up of our Christmas, somewhat rushed, but I managed to get most of my decorations up and we have had a lovely, cosy week, Mia and (a now very big!) Baby Boy had a lovely time and just love their new home!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSygzOxVHgR3ZenEf959CYKUnJZZkHh4OhrRC2ctRf_r-9HIB_EbTHUh4zFuR2T1_ooL8msAYQtFYZUcd8runLRiG7I-kw2243WluTCfXm0e1IqIk3WJrv-Jf23s6k8pgZ12zb-99xy2IE/s1600/DSC05146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSygzOxVHgR3ZenEf959CYKUnJZZkHh4OhrRC2ctRf_r-9HIB_EbTHUh4zFuR2T1_ooL8msAYQtFYZUcd8runLRiG7I-kw2243WluTCfXm0e1IqIk3WJrv-Jf23s6k8pgZ12zb-99xy2IE/s320/DSC05146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyupfi7Ix48WOcl750wHr1jjUeNMRVkeRNH0qmIlmlXhacFbOjwNMiaKTR0ciUEuJXU4RQDyHk5Pi-dYAgnBjdLgk-7mvhnvcjT_UV4XAM5dZOH5mSw4qf1z2bccqnRmIoSx9rEcuh1uh8/s1600/xmas2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyupfi7Ix48WOcl750wHr1jjUeNMRVkeRNH0qmIlmlXhacFbOjwNMiaKTR0ciUEuJXU4RQDyHk5Pi-dYAgnBjdLgk-7mvhnvcjT_UV4XAM5dZOH5mSw4qf1z2bccqnRmIoSx9rEcuh1uh8/s320/xmas2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYV5iMlkSAQjFewuL4AAnQ6PoXqPtSz_vxHlPWPtKxdKalWiHDX7Hkasa6KIX1rSTOYjvD5SoT00DsWwyTG7HYi4UJ_Xh8_YyUgDMxO8rTVvAZg8ClN2lgGDol0RVGYBZP3BICNN6z1_B/s1600/DSC05136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYV5iMlkSAQjFewuL4AAnQ6PoXqPtSz_vxHlPWPtKxdKalWiHDX7Hkasa6KIX1rSTOYjvD5SoT00DsWwyTG7HYi4UJ_Xh8_YyUgDMxO8rTVvAZg8ClN2lgGDol0RVGYBZP3BICNN6z1_B/s320/DSC05136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Happy New Year to you all xxx<br />
<span id="goog_2046941182"></span><span id="goog_2046941183"></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-14417610083906015422012-10-31T14:13:00.001-07:002012-10-31T14:14:59.658-07:00Family Halloween Fun! <div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Over the weekend we celebrated Halloween a little early, due to Mia going to spend some time with her dad this week over the half-term. </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As usual, we had our little family party on Saturday evening, we have a large fancy dress box which we add to now and again when I manage to find second-hand dressing up costumes in charity shops or at a very reduced price (50p in our local Tesco!!). These provide hours of entertainment, and Mia loves us to dress up and take photographs in the various costumes, wigs and masks! Saturday evening we had;</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRAp3oGcpcG36VwfE9DQZUReOuYyRtJwjO6ukqKfZMwp5vRKEQ7Ggz4DAVR0jnIh1if5XmR3ZERG_87Of1nrPkU0DUEs-NiK954mJ9CA8fvOrQrCyDQ2AEGzQEKc7zm2DfzXwBoSc_igF/s1600/DSC04866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRAp3oGcpcG36VwfE9DQZUReOuYyRtJwjO6ukqKfZMwp5vRKEQ7Ggz4DAVR0jnIh1if5XmR3ZERG_87Of1nrPkU0DUEs-NiK954mJ9CA8fvOrQrCyDQ2AEGzQEKc7zm2DfzXwBoSc_igF/s320/DSC04866.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pMfmTn3kX2zZShAg0Kst7aY0j9OXVTF6LXcb_leFJb8mCTWWAeXQPsnAbQW6r7xTJaME03UmtvdHjZZYc4qr5LVxHSDa3vhhOjOXIgzen0kkQjzterJ2sQXd-soi1AYduE9jck22e_08/s1600/DSC04869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pMfmTn3kX2zZShAg0Kst7aY0j9OXVTF6LXcb_leFJb8mCTWWAeXQPsnAbQW6r7xTJaME03UmtvdHjZZYc4qr5LVxHSDa3vhhOjOXIgzen0kkQjzterJ2sQXd-soi1AYduE9jck22e_08/s320/DSC04869.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDU_yr8sZtCmMne0EXZIoSd2udj2GlzueiZAMLjL6iN_3hyxs3pYaT4jPg8Rhg91gOxFJsieWInP12ITjmN2fR1TUmylykC_cOUwSy0A2bwmE9xJeh7wQIzmJeYR46lh_aHOsFBiZKURQB/s1600/DSC04868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDU_yr8sZtCmMne0EXZIoSd2udj2GlzueiZAMLjL6iN_3hyxs3pYaT4jPg8Rhg91gOxFJsieWInP12ITjmN2fR1TUmylykC_cOUwSy0A2bwmE9xJeh7wQIzmJeYR46lh_aHOsFBiZKURQB/s320/DSC04868.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkrNYmY7F_g5YjIFeBj6S6lmMDp9pLGhThINXWqQPGhRXoL1kqHN5A3pA-_A4cnd1Gmu7tFKu89joYThT52h1EzmAzC8FM30IfUtZ4crQxb4jTTYPMPfYbRzm7yo1sLKqK-7vwtaUAyAg/s1600/DSC04877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkrNYmY7F_g5YjIFeBj6S6lmMDp9pLGhThINXWqQPGhRXoL1kqHN5A3pA-_A4cnd1Gmu7tFKu89joYThT52h1EzmAzC8FM30IfUtZ4crQxb4jTTYPMPfYbRzm7yo1sLKqK-7vwtaUAyAg/s320/DSC04877.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalhM_lP15Yi08urHFFPv1iBkTKjrVRuxvGnnbnadLk8pdKUk6HweA6335kkw1KcubWAnFRv8ND2Wp_I96DHtaokc31GsG-c5O-ISAklBcYG5DfElS86cpvcici9X9NeU_o_5FRTSxyDIp/s1600/DSC04878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalhM_lP15Yi08urHFFPv1iBkTKjrVRuxvGnnbnadLk8pdKUk6HweA6335kkw1KcubWAnFRv8ND2Wp_I96DHtaokc31GsG-c5O-ISAklBcYG5DfElS86cpvcici9X9NeU_o_5FRTSxyDIp/s320/DSC04878.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjliNDvmmNwaeir_Y6Gzl31famMW_UFitpjzQzYFkHvVZR_F5KRvVs7bWTTYqWm55XZma0zAjbteKYM6LsvoF0WrCnKxl5wh-YnEvmdpoR6C0hxHgWkTH9ReyAfGAZ8nOu52BreSSwm3q/s1600/DSC04881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjliNDvmmNwaeir_Y6Gzl31famMW_UFitpjzQzYFkHvVZR_F5KRvVs7bWTTYqWm55XZma0zAjbteKYM6LsvoF0WrCnKxl5wh-YnEvmdpoR6C0hxHgWkTH9ReyAfGAZ8nOu52BreSSwm3q/s320/DSC04881.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60z0coVnOniViIv3IcT5U1coWJ2Yk1kT3YQAtbMSK9fLaCSh2ahjsBGpCqxN3U-KgKYQaYQbL87u6yxrQ4iGoFr-lY5qfwV1GlBUO6hQlx5Dv-z9cE7TrH8Zx_NRVbmMwMVR_0Dohuzp1/s1600/DSC04888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60z0coVnOniViIv3IcT5U1coWJ2Yk1kT3YQAtbMSK9fLaCSh2ahjsBGpCqxN3U-KgKYQaYQbL87u6yxrQ4iGoFr-lY5qfwV1GlBUO6hQlx5Dv-z9cE7TrH8Zx_NRVbmMwMVR_0Dohuzp1/s320/DSC04888.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4etB2AkzidlWjXWfhpSj51gJ9x7ycA2DIs7uoEopdU1yxZF3CPA1KC9UjJ5qOj2aX9iPjMQIYSwpgo9o79NWit64CGBp32NtCo3BJs2kcudNkuSLwsutFat_9Pmp05ps2fOGeaajbQNYW/s1600/DSC04892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4etB2AkzidlWjXWfhpSj51gJ9x7ycA2DIs7uoEopdU1yxZF3CPA1KC9UjJ5qOj2aX9iPjMQIYSwpgo9o79NWit64CGBp32NtCo3BJs2kcudNkuSLwsutFat_9Pmp05ps2fOGeaajbQNYW/s320/DSC04892.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBsMhV1CbLon3ddOh9DIuQnpMhPt0cqxTQO4NKs9k_tkDCICH8S40hfuGvIeZHMQUYl6eL2du3gnahxXrEL6kz_95BsxDVCHgVH020QPEvKT6xAkQQgOkVRjE0rLv6WREvz2ZwmgXeOPW/s1600/halloween1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBsMhV1CbLon3ddOh9DIuQnpMhPt0cqxTQO4NKs9k_tkDCICH8S40hfuGvIeZHMQUYl6eL2du3gnahxXrEL6kz_95BsxDVCHgVH020QPEvKT6xAkQQgOkVRjE0rLv6WREvz2ZwmgXeOPW/s320/halloween1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf0mB0L_zPLKEkVuL94kDbK1Lk2K9225dTrajz9J54gI99BKCC5ze388lDpqmrYWw7C_XypjEvxpGuJ8MR2EI02cd7TiAzweHsfijIrmWTYXWaQhBlPCZtMgO2J1qKbWfTMeetU8mWBeF/s1600/haloween+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf0mB0L_zPLKEkVuL94kDbK1Lk2K9225dTrajz9J54gI99BKCC5ze388lDpqmrYWw7C_XypjEvxpGuJ8MR2EI02cd7TiAzweHsfijIrmWTYXWaQhBlPCZtMgO2J1qKbWfTMeetU8mWBeF/s320/haloween+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We put up a few decorations and had a party-tea consisting of “Dead Man’s Finger” hot-dogs and “Zombi flesh and minced-brain” (pepperoni and chilli minced beef) pizza. The table decorations, plates, napkins & crackers were all bought at a very reduced price - 60p for the box of crackers after Halloween last year (Tesco), which i've worked out will last us for 2 more years to come! And the plates, cups & napkins were all sealed in their packets and in the local jumble sale at 10p a pack! (again, these will last us another few years yet!)</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5TzHhuZHLjT0Z2gf4PfHB5P-7pB2uzi5QrhislSR4Vgm22rLxMkIURe-d88Jw4BgLAfSSci40Uy9TvtPQlSYsupRyA30zxFdNUmFvjIoBl8Aq0mhvHJ4S1zu75UO5tUqc2X4iC8EmO_m/s1600/DSC04839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5TzHhuZHLjT0Z2gf4PfHB5P-7pB2uzi5QrhislSR4Vgm22rLxMkIURe-d88Jw4BgLAfSSci40Uy9TvtPQlSYsupRyA30zxFdNUmFvjIoBl8Aq0mhvHJ4S1zu75UO5tUqc2X4iC8EmO_m/s320/DSC04839.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EyjH0GNce9BTlF2_TuzgzTOfbZtWILGgofbLqaF1Xk2POaKILTz5TBfvd1SA1tderK5hrQp9qegxP5s-JsGZyUbDI4wy4I8FDJhqhRp4dDsLi6vPsE8gvrwudo6fJFbBNy903Cw5ZJRC/s1600/DSC04837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EyjH0GNce9BTlF2_TuzgzTOfbZtWILGgofbLqaF1Xk2POaKILTz5TBfvd1SA1tderK5hrQp9qegxP5s-JsGZyUbDI4wy4I8FDJhqhRp4dDsLi6vPsE8gvrwudo6fJFbBNy903Cw5ZJRC/s320/DSC04837.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFf0WHYLiWCJVg66dA1lIdfkFwbnfH_-eGK5dLnl7WNDyfFrK07u_S6_4Ozcp3atomSNS8DUphts0OWODxLN9qkFEy7AQ4OiNzFC6yPd6AOfjsQWWKLfUGxuT1cbCfYZ_TKMUlkIqj_QD/s1600/DSC04838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFf0WHYLiWCJVg66dA1lIdfkFwbnfH_-eGK5dLnl7WNDyfFrK07u_S6_4Ozcp3atomSNS8DUphts0OWODxLN9qkFEy7AQ4OiNzFC6yPd6AOfjsQWWKLfUGxuT1cbCfYZ_TKMUlkIqj_QD/s320/DSC04838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvfnWIe1SxeCArcgcw_ujzI2FGhWPJbu-t2a21VIgZLYG7xGTVpGXDT_zl0iJEP9Aw4pHbbxS_wKp9rn8cJENQ4jjX-rbW6TU7uxHG9SHmUKmK8Ql9uPHtjL70o2CjfkgLKJkKrMiU-iP/s1600/DSC04841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvfnWIe1SxeCArcgcw_ujzI2FGhWPJbu-t2a21VIgZLYG7xGTVpGXDT_zl0iJEP9Aw4pHbbxS_wKp9rn8cJENQ4jjX-rbW6TU7uxHG9SHmUKmK8Ql9uPHtjL70o2CjfkgLKJkKrMiU-iP/s320/DSC04841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Washed down with a “blood” drink, (red food colouring added to lemonade). Mia LOVES this, and the husband makes the horrible drink every year – which usually ends up being left in the jug after only a few sips because the lemonade is tainted by the taste of the “beetroot” red food-colouring! Still, it’s all good fun, and despite this Mia always insists that he make it.</span> </span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoKl7i0ZYi5qUFuYWdB0M0urS2dG-hpFVmUOQS-kO9KVnd_J6jVjkGysY2geQAyxpaAThXXL-Mf58-Wvrfv1IHN40mNISLy7AVMco3PkXIRv0r3qGlIf31wkHCVMwd2MQqWEOETOYVq5x/s1600/DSC04843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoKl7i0ZYi5qUFuYWdB0M0urS2dG-hpFVmUOQS-kO9KVnd_J6jVjkGysY2geQAyxpaAThXXL-Mf58-Wvrfv1IHN40mNISLy7AVMco3PkXIRv0r3qGlIf31wkHCVMwd2MQqWEOETOYVq5x/s320/DSC04843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We ate our gruesome tea whilst listening to a CD of horror music and by the light of a few lanterns. Baby Boy didn’t quite know what to make of it! He kept looking behind him at the huge spider!</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCBtqa0oCWZMxY3boWvXCXp0Fz8PQPWjgeVoaMeFuwaD2ZghO0EnRGT2iStJWfX8-fdV99k2nrP5zMDpk3TgEV5B4c9WnNs-QfRzm84gZ8CbVTrArA04h70Kf1tZ9Owdg0qZyJ6Z0tM-q/s1600/DSC04848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCBtqa0oCWZMxY3boWvXCXp0Fz8PQPWjgeVoaMeFuwaD2ZghO0EnRGT2iStJWfX8-fdV99k2nrP5zMDpk3TgEV5B4c9WnNs-QfRzm84gZ8CbVTrArA04h70Kf1tZ9Owdg0qZyJ6Z0tM-q/s320/DSC04848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Afterwards it was time to carve the pumpkins which the husband and Mia got stuck in to whilst I put Baby Boy to bed, and then it was time for Ghost Stories by the light of the pumpkins – which made for more fun than a DVD!</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlARhIzJv4ZjUEsFOhgstYJE_U_baIFpCFG0nWprNXl4-rEKzQDfeojpxobNpo7Tfv0W89tcCo-XzyDjTw4Pi-TxOo2hcoXb0AukWx7qILbwqcBzeLpxLw2EbE9K2an9nCHglqvrpC-PG/s1600/DSC04856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlARhIzJv4ZjUEsFOhgstYJE_U_baIFpCFG0nWprNXl4-rEKzQDfeojpxobNpo7Tfv0W89tcCo-XzyDjTw4Pi-TxOo2hcoXb0AukWx7qILbwqcBzeLpxLw2EbE9K2an9nCHglqvrpC-PG/s320/DSC04856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusebcj720Edi5v3KBME24ZQYlylqztZoLZ5RguezaBBiI1qS3v1CVwZClMmALTod5ojclt2si8Mq8pAE4SSAwtK_6A4GQOT2dfwWlLAnzFZDHtwzL5EQe7j3UYiTbHV-rCa5oMU1a9Zmh/s1600/DSC04898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusebcj720Edi5v3KBME24ZQYlylqztZoLZ5RguezaBBiI1qS3v1CVwZClMmALTod5ojclt2si8Mq8pAE4SSAwtK_6A4GQOT2dfwWlLAnzFZDHtwzL5EQe7j3UYiTbHV-rCa5oMU1a9Zmh/s320/DSC04898.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">H<span style="font-size: large;">owever it was perhaps <i>not </i>a good idea to have done this before bed, we’d hastily chosen a story from a book of ghost stories that I’d bought some time ago from a jumble sale and never read, so I’d asked the husband to choose a suitable one for Mia. Unfortunately as the story unfolded, it was becoming blatantly clear that it was not quite as suitable as he'd first thought - judging by Mia's wide-eyed look of horror as he began to describe the "mutilated body of poor little Tommy Tucker"! I quickly intervened, announced that I wanted to finish off the story, and pretended that it had all been a "joke" all along, and that Little Tommy Tucker was in fact alive and well, and had been hiding behind the door, as opposed to being killed by an unknown entity in the creepy cellar! Mia seemed satisfied with this explanation and told me as I was kissing her good-night "<em>i'm so glad that Tommy Tucker was OK</em>!" Hmm, mental note I think to put that book away for another few years, despite it stating "suitable for ages 8 years & up"!</span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will leave you with a photo of Baby Boy's bat picture which our child-minder bravely made with him and her 18 month old daughter last week - apparently there was glitter <em>everywhere!</em></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw8BH-24PIXWdYmkIyOINAfNTlgqc4WP2L6rcm2V3wZv6ree2lSaGg69zFp-Be62mFvZuk2uEw_Fbm4u-vJZdAbOpwjiYdPVa8mY0Cn2ONiSwzWJfEGH4hkcZN7TT-6PLRdfL8qplbRE3/s1600/DSC04899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw8BH-24PIXWdYmkIyOINAfNTlgqc4WP2L6rcm2V3wZv6ree2lSaGg69zFp-Be62mFvZuk2uEw_Fbm4u-vJZdAbOpwjiYdPVa8mY0Cn2ONiSwzWJfEGH4hkcZN7TT-6PLRdfL8qplbRE3/s320/DSC04899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Happy Halloween!</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Marina x</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-55992729065676403232012-10-26T04:39:00.000-07:002012-10-26T04:39:26.299-07:00Our Little Vampire Just a quick post today, to share a photo of Baby Boy in his Vampire costume ready for his first Halloween party yesterday morning at baby group! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq-OFWXuz9GSNTaTJoWMTup_xCf_Owri9JLZd5SG07M5_l_xewtDhPYmfj8nnkyOXi-o1a2xk4rJbFyKV5R0Ax7cAAnnTo2c1Ofn4v0698N3hu9b0Dw1AoD5xyRaEQXWSak3F7vz4dIRt/s1600/DSC04831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq-OFWXuz9GSNTaTJoWMTup_xCf_Owri9JLZd5SG07M5_l_xewtDhPYmfj8nnkyOXi-o1a2xk4rJbFyKV5R0Ax7cAAnnTo2c1Ofn4v0698N3hu9b0Dw1AoD5xyRaEQXWSak3F7vz4dIRt/s320/DSC04831.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
This was my BARGAIN buy back in the TESCO sale in January - they were selling lots of dressing up costumes for just 50p each so I stocked up! I refuse to buy new normally, but you can't go wrong when they're that cheap! It's actually slighly too small now as he's big for his age and it doesn't do up around the tummy, but no one could tell! He had a great time at the party crawling around like a mad thing with his cape flying out behind him. <br />
<br />
This weekend we are having our little family Halloween party - every year we dress up, have lots of yummy food, decorate the dresser and take lots of photos..Mia is very excited, especially as on the way home from school today we are going to buy our pumpkins :)<br />
<br />
Marina xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-27268482659438493882012-10-22T14:17:00.000-07:002012-10-22T14:19:38.174-07:00A Favourite Book & Memories of A Gypsy Wagon..<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mia & I are currently reading “Danny the Champion of the World” by Roald Dahl.</span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuxi9XX0G9ZY5PMSMkkVoEVxP1RUnWs8DKAg9CZRrNVCh7O_kx9l7v05FaAyFSVrkM0cohmrwDfsTNwiHsIuBCTizNOpcwPc8uRn-10VfBZfy_25L4JQQgaH48arxVoy8GCIEZjV-4Uji/s1600/DSC04823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuxi9XX0G9ZY5PMSMkkVoEVxP1RUnWs8DKAg9CZRrNVCh7O_kx9l7v05FaAyFSVrkM0cohmrwDfsTNwiHsIuBCTizNOpcwPc8uRn-10VfBZfy_25L4JQQgaH48arxVoy8GCIEZjV-4Uji/s320/DSC04823.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am really enjoying this book, having read it as a child and all but forgotten the story since, it has been wonderful to become familiar with the story once more and to share in Mia’s excitement as she looks forward to the next chapter. We read together every evening, usually a chapter at a time, and I like to introduce Mia to the classics that I enjoyed as a child by authors such as Roald Dahl, C. S. Lewis, Enid Blyton, the list goes on. </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Danny the Champion of the World" though, above all, has really captured Mia’s interest and imagination, she has begged every evening for more than the usual one chapter, and most nights we have ended up reading three at a time! Right from the start she was captivated by the thought of Danny and his father living in an old Gypsy caravan, just one little room, with bunk-beds and a little stove and oil lamp. She thinks that would be absolutely wonderful and has been day-dreaming as to what it might be like to sleep in one herself. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This thought, has brought back a lovely memory for me, from when I was in my early teens. It was the summer of 1994, (eighteen years ago, goodness me!) and sticks in my memory as I have always considered it as being the very best summer of my teenage years. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was the year that I got back in touch with an old friend, Poppy, with whom I’d played with when I was very little, but she had gone to a different primary school from me, and we’d lost touch after the age of 5 or 6. Her family lived not too far away however, and I’d never forgotten her, so that summer I decided to write to her (no e-mail or text messages back then!) and see if she remembered me. I got a reply within a few days, and much to my excitement she had invited me to visit her that coming weekend. I remember I used to walk to go and see her, which used to take me about half an hour, mainly through fields and country lanes. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The things which stick in my mind the most, and what really sum up Poppy and her family to me are; their huge, ramshackle old farmhouse, the renovation of which always “in progress” but never completed, piles upon piles of old books covered in thick layers of dust, faded black and white framed photographs of family members during the 20’s & 30’s (very glamorous!) sat on the piano (again covered in dust!), wind-chimes tinkling in the early evening summer breeze, Poppy’s mother, an actress, very "bohemian", slightly well-known for a short time back in the 70’s for her role in a popular soap-opera, and Poppy's father; an author of some sorts, an old typewriter & mounds of manuscripts piled on his desk which buckled under the weight of them. “Friends from London” would arrive on a weekend, with whom they had parties lasting until the very early hours, and an “ancient” great-grandma, long white hair in a bun, lived in one part of the vast house, who always sat in her rocking chair, staring out over the meadow, lost in her own thoughts of the past. And absolutely BEST of all... the old Gyspy bow-top wagon in the meadow behind the house!</span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just as Mia has been, with that in "<em>Danny The Champion of the World",</em> I was immediately taken with the beautiful wagon, and was jealous beyond words!</span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfdfObTY9sGglPC9O1qlmqS88Yp6-SmyzJMvro11s0hy-p120ygxWW9SDiZ3p3mxrCY5cLL6oKT3-O5LHgel0AwwRLm3MBohXYlHEdWfMeChYkKEd0SpjHy71_gsRjbbatTISsDmjPkeI/s1600/DSC00415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfdfObTY9sGglPC9O1qlmqS88Yp6-SmyzJMvro11s0hy-p120ygxWW9SDiZ3p3mxrCY5cLL6oKT3-O5LHgel0AwwRLm3MBohXYlHEdWfMeChYkKEd0SpjHy71_gsRjbbatTISsDmjPkeI/s320/DSC00415.jpg" width="224" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(This isn't the actual wagon belonging to Poppy & her family, but a photograph I took of one <em>extremely </em>similar!)</span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">One week during that Summer, it would have been in the August because I distinctly remember that Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose” had been released a few weeks earlier, and Poppy <i>loved</i> it! She played it all the time, and whenever I hear that song, it too, brings back these lovely memories. </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCindAHrw0Kj0QT49XVEa_lIqQiVv6RYIwo9E5c4q8MPbjWINVtEHWq1q5jSTAQ3MgAKSkZzPWdgcPWU1amtD3dbKrBXHMpAjNv6pzj2whyphenhyphenCCpPEBKFxcXW2ElQg5VwauavxsKu-zzshM/s1600/imagesCA3O4GQE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCindAHrw0Kj0QT49XVEa_lIqQiVv6RYIwo9E5c4q8MPbjWINVtEHWq1q5jSTAQ3MgAKSkZzPWdgcPWU1amtD3dbKrBXHMpAjNv6pzj2whyphenhyphenCCpPEBKFxcXW2ElQg5VwauavxsKu-zzshM/s1600/imagesCA3O4GQE.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One weekend Poppy’s parents went away, I forget where, but Poppy was left behind to “<i>keep an eye on Grandma</i>”, and to feed the dogs. I was permitted to stay and keep her company - and the best part - we were to camp out in the Gypsy wagon!! I remember being so, so excited! It was one of those summer evenings which we just don’t seem to have these days, dry, hot and muggy, when it stays light until gone 10pm. We took Poppy’s two dogs (for company) who slept on the floor of the caravan, and Poppy & I slept in the bunks – I was on the top. The interior of the wagon was much as it had originally been, and I remember the little tassels on the curtains around the bunk. We lit candle lamps and had a camp fire in the field where we tried to cook our dinner, although I do recall that it didn’t quite turn out as planned and Poppy had had to go back to the house to finish it off in the oven! We were joined by a little girl called Jenny. She would only have been around 8 or 9 at that time, had the most beautiful blue eyes and long, dark curly hair, and lived in a caravan a few fields away. I don’t remember much about Jenny, though I do recall that she followed Poppy everywhere, never said much, but loved the dogs. She was from a travelling family I think, and her parents never seemed to mind where she went, I remember we were a little annoyed at the time that she had invited herself along, probably because she was so much younger than us, but she was never any trouble. I remember she slept on the floor with the two dogs and became very frightened when we began telling ghost stories during the early hours of the morning – looking back I think we were being a bit cruel to be doing so! I’d brought with me a book of supposedly true ghost stories that I’d recently bought at a bootsale, (I still have it now!), and at the time it was the most scariest thing I’d ever read – I remember little Jenny’s face going pale with fright at the mention of the “Black Hell-Dog Shuck” roaming the countryside looking for it’s next victim! Though even Poppy and I scared ourselves silly after reading that – we screamed and hid under the covers at every rustle in the hedge! </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn7O1fxpg2R1F_y9QEXpT2rVWUllNsmqpb1PWXut9sjZ06Ctnf9h-1W4b0736la3L8Vh66_sW2x_cpVRr4HZQDR6HWYTt-CzaoEHcoILJzHen86JDkv-TCVn2wjVZc1oGTdiseEfgsYen/s1600/imagesCAMF8AG0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn7O1fxpg2R1F_y9QEXpT2rVWUllNsmqpb1PWXut9sjZ06Ctnf9h-1W4b0736la3L8Vh66_sW2x_cpVRr4HZQDR6HWYTt-CzaoEHcoILJzHen86JDkv-TCVn2wjVZc1oGTdiseEfgsYen/s1600/imagesCAMF8AG0.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">(image from Google)</span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t remember much about "keeping an eye" on Grandma, though we did go to check up on her one morning – she was in her rocking chair as usual, and little Jenny hid behind it so she could hear, but not see her. Old Grandma went mad and I remember her saying in a very posh voice, “<i>who are you!? Come out! Who’s that behind there?! Elizabeth is that you</i>??!!” I never asked who “Elizabeth” was, perhaps Poppy’s grandma, (who would have been her daughter), she was very confused by then, and well in to her 90’s. Jenny thought it was hilarious and ran off home then across the fields, to return later that evening for a second night in the wagon – obviously not perturbed too much by the thought of the Black Shuck!</span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reading that back now it really does sound like something from a novel! <span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: black;">My only regret is that I didn’t take any photographs, of course we didn’t have digital cameras or mobile phones, but I always usually had a camera with me – unfortunately though just not at that time, which is such a shame now.</span></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t remember seeing Jenny again after that Summer, and as we grew older Poppy and I lost touch once more. Her family emigrated in the end, and goodness knows what ever happened to the Gypsy wagon. The farmhouse has now been modernised, and the meadow where the wagon once stood has been built upon. I will never forget those lovely surreal few nights we spent in it though – it really was one of the best summers of my childhood – memories which were brought back recently after reading the book with Mia. She has LOVED hearing about them, and I hope you have enjoyed me sharing them too, </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Marina x</span> </span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-61009331270087540102012-10-08T13:13:00.000-07:002012-10-08T13:15:37.814-07:00Some Good News <div style="text-align: justify;">
Hello all, and thank you for the lovely comments as usual on my last post - Mia was thrilled to read how so many of you mentioned her beloved "Alf" be it bad or good! She was especially pleased to note <a href="http://melzaelf.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/yesterday-i-turned-31.html">Vintage Coconut's</a> comment in that we <em>were</em> right, he was a 70's/80/s cartoon character, and she told us to check out You Tube where some old episodes can be found - Mia loves Alf all the more now..oh dear!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well we <em>finally </em>had an answer on the house and our offer has been accepted!! We have therefore agreed to the offer on ours, and things are moving along smoothly so far...fingers well & truly crossed!! Whilst trying not to get too excited at this early stage, we are relieved to finally have an answer and all being well, we should move at the end of November/early December - in time for Christmas! Ohhh trying not to think yet at how wonderful the new house will be to decorate for the festive season!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And now that I mention Christmas, I know i'm not the only one of us who has been busy planning and perhaps buying a few little gifts already. I found these most gorgeous Scandinavian girl & boy decorations yesterday in Hobbycraft at just £1.29 each;</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnLvlZUC4_wNdDY-e_9Yncvt2edgZqiwGgWstmRY1cfsPqYeqyAJoIfe7STNO6n57554gzfjX862ZuUMJxDgstH-GzVK9WpEWhiMNHr4lmMkUbzR4SRdtkn4lP2aoCcqkBmU91quVNRuV/s1600/DSC04798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnLvlZUC4_wNdDY-e_9Yncvt2edgZqiwGgWstmRY1cfsPqYeqyAJoIfe7STNO6n57554gzfjX862ZuUMJxDgstH-GzVK9WpEWhiMNHr4lmMkUbzR4SRdtkn4lP2aoCcqkBmU91quVNRuV/s320/DSC04798.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was actually my first EVER trip to Hobbycraft!! I've always wanted to go, but living in remote Mid-Wales i've never had the opportunity, so I was so pleased to find that when we went to Hereford on Saturday to buy Baby Boy a new car seat (he's already grown out of his first one, <em>where has </em>the time gone!?) a new Hobbycraft store has opened right next door to Halfords where we were going to buy the seat! I'd just spent hours in the town waiting with Baby Boy whilst the husband chose some new work shirts and trousers - I did <em>not </em>expect it to take as long as it did, and certainly wasn't aware at how many different sizes men's shirts come in, e.g. neck size, width, etc, not just plain old small, medium or large then!! Hmmm not much time to browse the charity shops afterwards, so I wasn't in the best of moods when we went out of town to Halfords..that is, until I spied Hobbycraft! The husband had no choice but wait why I had a browse! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also came away with some lanterns for Halloween, we always decorate the dresser and have a little family party with lots of scary costumes and party food, so these will be great;</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9yjSgvDLa8YsEKCm69V_yTYG3EMLMbsfNO-2T9_xV5z4wX_1k6J41TYCxhGsAC8OgKty6ExSAKxUgNg87Bbo6Xr_91tkBRK7Aqi_Cyf6ZsEfksRoaeWVYaiRhSs9MhLBgYvwuXJxsaDs/s1600/DSC04800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9yjSgvDLa8YsEKCm69V_yTYG3EMLMbsfNO-2T9_xV5z4wX_1k6J41TYCxhGsAC8OgKty6ExSAKxUgNg87Bbo6Xr_91tkBRK7Aqi_Cyf6ZsEfksRoaeWVYaiRhSs9MhLBgYvwuXJxsaDs/s320/DSC04800.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iuuYf2U2LEM2o_4R1zJcFiL2LXIfoTxAnLs58BfrD-9ebll5d5a_bjsYXsaKutwQEUMrr8ODcXlRpY8KyRYbK-SM9wptC3YSwtxje1YRDX3MdAbew4Cp6Bcqqbwb8ktcFiJYRL6tPNZA/s1600/DSC04799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iuuYf2U2LEM2o_4R1zJcFiL2LXIfoTxAnLs58BfrD-9ebll5d5a_bjsYXsaKutwQEUMrr8ODcXlRpY8KyRYbK-SM9wptC3YSwtxje1YRDX3MdAbew4Cp6Bcqqbwb8ktcFiJYRL6tPNZA/s320/DSC04799.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hope you all had a lovely weekend, the weather is certainly getting nippy now, definitely time for a cup of tea and perhaps a sneaky bun whilst browsing the new Prima Christmas Makes 2012 magazine!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OKPmLH27UqQL-LZFbmrHil-3LrBVp1LRvbAsKLqxYa9D0QF6vOcLrp9fCQ-00NZRNG5REzXyA9TfwbjtB48DR-yUMzay4M2-djaHloZXGF7Qh5a4R8fqIIJMRAXcl8yJF3V5gMq_ozl3/s1600/DSC04796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OKPmLH27UqQL-LZFbmrHil-3LrBVp1LRvbAsKLqxYa9D0QF6vOcLrp9fCQ-00NZRNG5REzXyA9TfwbjtB48DR-yUMzay4M2-djaHloZXGF7Qh5a4R8fqIIJMRAXcl8yJF3V5gMq_ozl3/s320/DSC04796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxLAsS00HPkzYOGvlm9b7muW1uZNKy6LukrM_s4EnyCxrX6lvMW7WkKlliW2U0SxqY1As6lm363SuRpd07Y4KfigHi0SlrIwRwpfjTA0X-94fa22CFD-edrXc1eWxzZ2yDGKlyxOEJPB9/s1600/Prima-Specials_2012_11_November-300x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxLAsS00HPkzYOGvlm9b7muW1uZNKy6LukrM_s4EnyCxrX6lvMW7WkKlliW2U0SxqY1As6lm363SuRpd07Y4KfigHi0SlrIwRwpfjTA0X-94fa22CFD-edrXc1eWxzZ2yDGKlyxOEJPB9/s320/Prima-Specials_2012_11_November-300x400.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
(image google) </div>
<br />
Marina xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-35616811311937305062012-09-30T08:42:00.000-07:002012-09-30T08:42:17.544-07:00A Great Charity Shop Haul and a Monster Thrown In For Free!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well thank goodness it's the weekend! We've had a very stressful week unfortunately, and would you believe we are STILL waiting for our answer as to whether our offer will be accepted on the new house. It feels like we have been going around in circles with the whole thing lately, you will recall from my last post that we were waiting to hear whether a "very interested" couple were going to put in the offer they had promised the estate agent they would. They viewed our house on Monday, again on Tuesday, told her they "LOVED" it and even wanted to put in an offer <em>higher</em> than the asking price to secure it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway, to cut a very long story short, they decided after all that, that they didn't like the house anyway. Hmm..moving on,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> we still have the lower offer which is still on the table from the first couple that viewed, but of course now we are still waiting for our answer from the seller...he has today promised us we will get that answer next Tuesday afternoon (after he has seen his financial advisor, apparently), though we have of cousre been promised that before, twice already.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So as you can imagine, after the events of this week, I was in need of a little something to cheer me up, so we headed up to the local school charity shop which opened back in the Summer. For this week they have sub-let the shop to another local charity, and today was their last day. Now we often pop here on a Friday, especially when it's the final day before another good cause takes over, as there is almost always an absolute bargain to be had! Though I have to say, i've never experienced anything quite like this afternoon - I was in heaven!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Baby Boy and I first went in on the way up to collecting Mia from school, so didn't have long, but much to my absolute joy, every item of clothing was just 50p...and so was this gorgeous silk MONSOON dress, which came complete with the original £150.00 price tag!!! And to top it off - it was in my size and absolutely immaculate, obvioulsy still having the price tag on, it had never been worn, and was pristine!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML5fnZYWDbK9LqbN2hEJ1kPURf6WKNUTZrqslaZrXnLcwniiJY1LrkyMfR6G6n2vIFDK0Yohfhur-JbsxXUjL2B4F07lvyjKkB3ywijb_EUyp5WOJxvHuKtQ_XBvYSkVucjUT8ee1AcN7/s1600/DSC04775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML5fnZYWDbK9LqbN2hEJ1kPURf6WKNUTZrqslaZrXnLcwniiJY1LrkyMfR6G6n2vIFDK0Yohfhur-JbsxXUjL2B4F07lvyjKkB3ywijb_EUyp5WOJxvHuKtQ_XBvYSkVucjUT8ee1AcN7/s320/DSC04775.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've found it a bit hard to photograph so I've found these other two images of the very same dress on Google images</span>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHpewJROLRqDfYoxM1yrPU0_Y_gk6CzDNFYeMXMdN-iyWcgEY9duBeQbHffVVj-zuRGQ65c0jRYplZJThUsinVwLxh7jU38ezCubcltkVV_RZuU5S1bGyC_NLK0f0hVkT3elDgk5YLHRx/s1600/$T2eC16ZHJIYE9qUcOuG0BQDbefWggg~~60_35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHpewJROLRqDfYoxM1yrPU0_Y_gk6CzDNFYeMXMdN-iyWcgEY9duBeQbHffVVj-zuRGQ65c0jRYplZJThUsinVwLxh7jU38ezCubcltkVV_RZuU5S1bGyC_NLK0f0hVkT3elDgk5YLHRx/s1600/$T2eC16ZHJIYE9qUcOuG0BQDbefWggg~~60_35.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzzr06CJtMorgOsjy5cHdGmWaCzJDxc45XgVlKvCaO_ExfrRNZIRxx0dCYe2_c-Heddb2GEEnKKRacP7wT5d2cjeV4-T0rvuh3WVGCkMRzYalHIyDevRnCFBwmEh_nJutevogZfZA6R4n/s1600/$T2eC16J,!yUE9s6NEGZoBQQ4lZ,8pw~~60_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzzr06CJtMorgOsjy5cHdGmWaCzJDxc45XgVlKvCaO_ExfrRNZIRxx0dCYe2_c-Heddb2GEEnKKRacP7wT5d2cjeV4-T0rvuh3WVGCkMRzYalHIyDevRnCFBwmEh_nJutevogZfZA6R4n/s320/$T2eC16J,!yUE9s6NEGZoBQQ4lZ,8pw~~60_12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I tried it on when I got home and fits perfectly, though unless I decide to wear a very high pair of heels, I will probably need to have it taken up a few inches, though there is a local lady who does this and her prices are very reasonable. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I just can't get over that i've found a new with tags silk Monsoon dress worth £150.00 for just FIFTY PENCE! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We may have at least a couple of weddings to attend next year so this will be perfect, and I already have a pair of shoes and facinator that will match very well indeedy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Next I nabbed this vintage hand-crocheted shawl, again worth it for just 50p! Perfect simply for snuggling up on the sofa with a good book in the Autumn/Winter months;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTMVleGlueQ6F-UemglbGwKbrga6S1U0m5HiHgXU3WhLMTDCkJMGvWFCFww_9GHEi-Ttg9fVo1GU66e9ctgYx_4BeX24BTfItiI4YGXqP6nlxOk2u8D4xQ2_FO58GZFG225UeP7bNIbK1/s1600/DSC04773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTMVleGlueQ6F-UemglbGwKbrga6S1U0m5HiHgXU3WhLMTDCkJMGvWFCFww_9GHEi-Ttg9fVo1GU66e9ctgYx_4BeX24BTfItiI4YGXqP6nlxOk2u8D4xQ2_FO58GZFG225UeP7bNIbK1/s320/DSC04773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIuh6EFJXqabu6l6cwGdUcAD3hqBNVOt4hBK7heB1lPkCsrk6jcQ3d5FtS4vtCMiVKfpyeJ2MKTEhUOT2xIc-oIIpQ11VztJFtqIlfUVKTXbVAom3iVKZFqqBb02iIgPS1ZYAYkiLvjUS/s1600/DSC04774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIuh6EFJXqabu6l6cwGdUcAD3hqBNVOt4hBK7heB1lPkCsrk6jcQ3d5FtS4vtCMiVKfpyeJ2MKTEhUOT2xIc-oIIpQ11VztJFtqIlfUVKTXbVAom3iVKZFqqBb02iIgPS1ZYAYkiLvjUS/s320/DSC04774.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I could have bought a whole lot more - but I abstained, my wardrobe is crammed as it is, and I was more than happy to settle with what i've got. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now for the books - again I could have gone mad, but I held back and settled for a couple of vintage Enid Blyton's and a total bargain as ALL books were just 10p each! Funny enough I've just been catching up on Lucy's blog "<a href="http://talesfromthefarawaytree.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/oh-your-hair-is-beautiful.html">Tales From The Faraway Tree</a>", and she too found the exact same " Adventurous Four" book this week at the charity shop! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY95dYdOKy-JdQ4ZH6Gf3Fj6Sewdf9OBzonmMyg-AeLRzoPrlU78HCS-SFHMAMheRJIybe_jrU2gbgiFiPH7dPc-WQ5BiaMxlCH7416iLd__ehpgBmbGzbk2CXHFb_vbeQye8uDiot-CY4/s1600/DSC04785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY95dYdOKy-JdQ4ZH6Gf3Fj6Sewdf9OBzonmMyg-AeLRzoPrlU78HCS-SFHMAMheRJIybe_jrU2gbgiFiPH7dPc-WQ5BiaMxlCH7416iLd__ehpgBmbGzbk2CXHFb_vbeQye8uDiot-CY4/s320/DSC04785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg4r9E-Sb5BCwx7xvnaf4HDdJsN0sEzXvK2kZiOJSFjo9tqddL5BAUc4VxSzIttknHKAa8rIRnYif6wVciEBOIOv6DECY-oVBliPiyc7avbPG3Tw4QU4HoN6p4HkO6xAGhliNUi_9aW1u/s1600/DSC04786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg4r9E-Sb5BCwx7xvnaf4HDdJsN0sEzXvK2kZiOJSFjo9tqddL5BAUc4VxSzIttknHKAa8rIRnYif6wVciEBOIOv6DECY-oVBliPiyc7avbPG3Tw4QU4HoN6p4HkO6xAGhliNUi_9aW1u/s320/DSC04786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">While I was browsing and trying to hide my utter joy at the bargain Monsoon dress, Baby boy was getting very grouchy, and the lovely old ladies running the shop were trying to cheer him up - without success i'm afraid, as he's a little under the weather today, his teeth I think, but his blue eyes won them both over and they GAVE him two little teddies to "cheer him up" bless. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgXOV71Ah69JJ9qxbZtI5vnj3IcVEqNAIV0WbBCZKYC5BD40y_1j_hv1xu5kupSbR8p0gbOiYkcZpBxCr3nBzYbi0Ya-YG-IfNEjr4kMlgA-YeEIMeWugL1M71WBfEDFtqFlUuY9U1ELC/s1600/DSC04788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgXOV71Ah69JJ9qxbZtI5vnj3IcVEqNAIV0WbBCZKYC5BD40y_1j_hv1xu5kupSbR8p0gbOiYkcZpBxCr3nBzYbi0Ya-YG-IfNEjr4kMlgA-YeEIMeWugL1M71WBfEDFtqFlUuY9U1ELC/s320/DSC04788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now this leads me to the "Monster" mentioned in the title of this post. Upon seeing Baby Boy's "free" teddy bears on the way back from school, Mia was more than a little miffed, especially as once upon a time it had always been <em>her </em>who had managed to bag a freebie at many a charity shop or jumble sale - usually from a lovely elderly lady. I told her that as a special treat, we could pop back to the shop and I would buy her one little thing as she'd been good and because Baby Boy already had something. Oh how I regret that now...!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We went in for another browse, and upon looking over Mia, I noticed the she was doing a <em>very </em>convincing job of looking extremely sad at the teddy bears, whilst making a fuss of Baby Boy at the same time and glancing over at the old ladies. The little monkey's ploy worked - one of the ladies said "<em>oh dear is this your little brother? I didn't know he had such a pretty big sister and I gave him a little something earlier, now I must make it fair - would you like to choose something?"</em> And Mia immediately beams and points to the most HIDEOUS monster on the top shelf - I hadn't noticed it earlier. The ladies seemed more than happy to hand the thing over, and insisted she take him, despite my polite attempts at "<em>oh you don't need to do that</em>" and I of course because of their generosity simply couldn't tell her to "put it back!" like I normally would, and even popped 50p in to their collection box for their kindess.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> So, home with us came..."ALF"!:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSkdKRNIAWo4LiLkE6IZbPXxV7OEE96vYn6CvtPs5u7LOLD3sBdw59dK0SzX1HOOCAlcmzjXjlYZigwlX7gqc6P0idQbcPWbV7vg1qdZJxKt7WFlD0TEqHFTW2B7Bb_nKDnhQ1QfpkX8u/s1600/DSC04776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSkdKRNIAWo4LiLkE6IZbPXxV7OEE96vYn6CvtPs5u7LOLD3sBdw59dK0SzX1HOOCAlcmzjXjlYZigwlX7gqc6P0idQbcPWbV7vg1qdZJxKt7WFlD0TEqHFTW2B7Bb_nKDnhQ1QfpkX8u/s320/DSC04776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozn6FcBB7P2SasfZ-i86w7AJcbxAjgHSlFxbIcBikcnbIIF7SU9579hsuNstOxvCB3R6uDtemusl-0CHm_XVrVNX9kX-aKUUMZ2lxiUtKil0xKldaGokndXNMdDYsZqwgj8ZsLfLNBwIE/s1600/DSC04777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozn6FcBB7P2SasfZ-i86w7AJcbxAjgHSlFxbIcBikcnbIIF7SU9579hsuNstOxvCB3R6uDtemusl-0CHm_XVrVNX9kX-aKUUMZ2lxiUtKil0xKldaGokndXNMdDYsZqwgj8ZsLfLNBwIE/s320/DSC04777.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mia carried him all the way home on her shoulders, and even around our local TESCO when we called in for a Friday evening treat - a bag of gingerbread men. She was CHUFFED, Baby Boy is SCARED of him, and I spent the whole way home trying not to think how awful he'd look in her lovely room against the Cath Kidston boat print duvet cover!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">She is tucked up in bed with him now as I write this...his ugly face beaming in the light of her lamp...the free Monster..out of all the things she could have chosen it had to be ALF!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKHf6ps7wL3__DxpI7W7vm9RLcBLIEXsO0Ea0NJPp069kZDTsor-nDB4VDT-c9Zwrc3GcXHWVp1Am10eJIBa-MH3WwvL9_BwOwwKKO3DsqbizH3ZIQFwvaHqFpnIHRSgBRsdMjfLM0jWk/s1600/DSC04781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKHf6ps7wL3__DxpI7W7vm9RLcBLIEXsO0Ea0NJPp069kZDTsor-nDB4VDT-c9Zwrc3GcXHWVp1Am10eJIBa-MH3WwvL9_BwOwwKKO3DsqbizH3ZIQFwvaHqFpnIHRSgBRsdMjfLM0jWk/s320/DSC04781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Wishing you all a lovely weekend xx</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-3009138142920836792012-09-24T12:01:00.000-07:002012-09-24T12:01:04.249-07:00And Still Waiting...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just a quick post, to update all of my lovely blogging friends on the “house move” situation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so much for all of the positive comments and wishes of good luck for my previous post “<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1686682105715967617#editor/target=post;postID=3042211641034240249">A Waiting Game</a>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As you know we were told that we would have an answer last Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though since I wrote that post, we had a further development in that the owner of the house that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we </i>want to buy decided he wanted to see our house!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has since been TWICE, and had the second viewing on Thursday afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other people who have put the offer in, are unfortunately still waiting, as we are waiting to know if this man will accept the offer we have made on his house – regardless of whether or not he decides to put a higher offer in on ours!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then decided that he wants more time, so asked for the weekend to think things over, and promised an answer today…though as yet, still nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However…to add another cat amongst the pigeons so to speak, we had a call from our estate agent this morning to ask if another lady could come and view our house this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have made her aware that we already have an offer, though we haven’t accepted it yet, and she is apparently “desperate” to see it, as has just sold her house over the weekend and had been waiting until she had done so, before making an appointment to view ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So it would seem our little house is popular all of a sudden! Though we desperately want to know if the offer we have put down on the house that we want will be accepted or not..it certainly is a waiting game!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I will be happy to know one way or another, the waiting is the hardest part for me, the husband's finding it hardest of all, and took the day off work today, which was a good thing as it turned out, as he has been around to spruce up the house ready for this afternoon's viewing. I've been trying to keep my mind off things and "Keep Calm and Carry On" in true Brit style making many pots of tea and a batch of fairy cakes!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNkmMi5Ri4tnuUc4-MCTNF0uDQOvW5zrXHPh5x6LID6wFUDfyIPiYBXfmFciimqRtrLBkJ2VgzgsM6UWw7v8gi-qcOINFOD1zpXBFfumKLI266WQJKUDVx-P5-du74Jwg6ysxfgRsPSrR/s1600/DSC04772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNkmMi5Ri4tnuUc4-MCTNF0uDQOvW5zrXHPh5x6LID6wFUDfyIPiYBXfmFciimqRtrLBkJ2VgzgsM6UWw7v8gi-qcOINFOD1zpXBFfumKLI266WQJKUDVx-P5-du74Jwg6ysxfgRsPSrR/s320/DSC04772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've kept myself busy with thoughts of Christmas, yes, perhaps many readers will recoil in horror at the utter mention of the festive season whilst we are still in September, but like many of us I'm trying to spread the cost a lot more this year, and it's also my <em>favourite </em>time of year! I've signed up for <a href="http://hookinwithlaalaa.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/advent-swap-2012.html">Laa Laa's</a> advent Swap, where i'm paired with Country Rabbit, i'm so excited about this and bought my first little prezzie for <a href="http://countryrabbit.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/llittle-finds-and-flowers.html">Kazzy</a> today - something which i'm pretty sure she'll love! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">i've also seen that the DVD for Kirstie Allsopp's "Handmade Christmas" series which I think first aired last year is soon to be released - I loved this!! And would highly recommend it for some great Christmas craft inspiration - definitely one to watch with a glass of mulled wine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE3QV_kC6YrxB6R4vgSMAs_o923wP1KDrhVrn6uTj-ZlGs0U7AV61agUDQU0e1rLtmai-qLynAOSr1z_IIOB7r7-C-J_pc732hqM1SQcqMlHlUJ4cu-BMJPyh6mdQ9ZIteHHb7UfB-D3_/s1600/819kjELNvIL__AA1438_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE3QV_kC6YrxB6R4vgSMAs_o923wP1KDrhVrn6uTj-ZlGs0U7AV61agUDQU0e1rLtmai-qLynAOSr1z_IIOB7r7-C-J_pc732hqM1SQcqMlHlUJ4cu-BMJPyh6mdQ9ZIteHHb7UfB-D3_/s320/819kjELNvIL__AA1438_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These lovely things have really helped to take my mind off the "possible" house move, and i'm really looking forward to the festive season :) Is anyone else preparing for Christmas already? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Marina xx</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-47224655925627510812012-09-22T15:10:00.000-07:002012-09-22T15:10:38.263-07:00In Search of Blackberrys...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, officially the first day of Autumn, Baby Boy & I went to my mum & dads' for the afternoon, while the husband stayed home for a well-deserved rest (he's gotten up early with Baby Boy on the last few weekends and let me have a lie-in which was bliss! So I thought he deserved some "me" time), and Mia is away with her dad for the weekend. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We went in search of blackberrys - my mum wanted to make a pie, and hadn't been very succesful in finding many this year, something which I also found last weekend and I think is down to the terrible wet weather we had over the Summer. We had a lovely walk, and <em>finally</em> managed to find some at last!! That is at least they weren't small & bitty and most of them were actually ripe - and tasted wonderful! There wasn't as near as many as there usually are at this time of year, but enough for my mum to make her pie!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm4hU_eckhqkmSihUggACM6qL68rBjEQ8vm8n55w2ZiRhIt_s0kYBaFTPIs9Ipwvod6z8J1rPfN5U5tiuuQmhdm-hOTX6-C2V-73cj5Oh3SkFOyZKJpxfxZ1ZyJpZK5fCKtbk7Clu0Xd4/s1600/DSC04757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm4hU_eckhqkmSihUggACM6qL68rBjEQ8vm8n55w2ZiRhIt_s0kYBaFTPIs9Ipwvod6z8J1rPfN5U5tiuuQmhdm-hOTX6-C2V-73cj5Oh3SkFOyZKJpxfxZ1ZyJpZK5fCKtbk7Clu0Xd4/s320/DSC04757.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Perhaps next year I will have more luck myself, and just maybe muster up something to resemble this!; (well, that is the wannabe Domestic Godess inside me can dream!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGB7HefSngMh9rY1L3PNRkDOzVFC-rOX5XZJtIPzllr99jsz8wxefR5PAR7Wfl-o9_bwgkG0LRJehEXJbg2ARRSBr3bTrBfzWOQtfYgfKqqkdJiFYU1G1KvwSflGXJW9ZVSK222-d654K/s1600/DSC04758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGB7HefSngMh9rY1L3PNRkDOzVFC-rOX5XZJtIPzllr99jsz8wxefR5PAR7Wfl-o9_bwgkG0LRJehEXJbg2ARRSBr3bTrBfzWOQtfYgfKqqkdJiFYU1G1KvwSflGXJW9ZVSK222-d654K/s320/DSC04758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
(image from my Ideal Home calendar)<br />
<br />
Or what about <em>this </em>which i've just come across on the "Delia online" webpage - it's literally made my mouth water;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiPKgYmZS2R9LptmoF86OhQ1eYfbnX90sDYr3S5WkEzWVkwtfEvdMsJXo2j0YKzGUcJFLer1kwSFa2RydlmMJHRt8PG3ioiSf0XbXELM63gQM5FAXIV30qnVgyDOo9xFBkaJc8eQqTjTL/s1600/cc444-apple-blackberry-pie-18775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiPKgYmZS2R9LptmoF86OhQ1eYfbnX90sDYr3S5WkEzWVkwtfEvdMsJXo2j0YKzGUcJFLer1kwSFa2RydlmMJHRt8PG3ioiSf0XbXELM63gQM5FAXIV30qnVgyDOo9xFBkaJc8eQqTjTL/s1600/cc444-apple-blackberry-pie-18775.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Something which <em>were</em> in abundance however were these lovely pine cones, they were everywhere in the lane, we collected a basket-full and i'm going to dry them out a little more and paint them with glitter for Christmas, something which Mia will love - as little girls' do she adores anything where glitter is involved!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1C4N83Ak-lNom4_WkQwwXoS6FYRxj2DzfFNncJjGkD-AsuZJ9YEIKiA86FR7A5x__QNT5hJzvXrbThZSlyCrmnqLncwhWjA8d6acYSbBCMcybHZlO9VVQaTnsvYMjbWNTdwmPXBl5IaY/s1600/DSC04766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1C4N83Ak-lNom4_WkQwwXoS6FYRxj2DzfFNncJjGkD-AsuZJ9YEIKiA86FR7A5x__QNT5hJzvXrbThZSlyCrmnqLncwhWjA8d6acYSbBCMcybHZlO9VVQaTnsvYMjbWNTdwmPXBl5IaY/s320/DSC04766.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm feeling very Autumnal this evening, the weather is very chilly out, i'm happy to be wrapped up warm indoors with a mug of tea and toast & marmite for supper. Definitely a night for digging out the crochet blankets and slippers I think! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wLDpfiYOMhYS61hbhrkAAORTrn1KPXd9eEUJJeEOrBXM0PaKgBd0k-dYXgH9XMdoCHXvNTb6FGqYUTip7R9DEc6RHbjqQrFF-bTOax4IALzarYpt-6P7TNshvfHX9iZZ_BE7Y2leq1qp/s1600/DSC04768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wLDpfiYOMhYS61hbhrkAAORTrn1KPXd9eEUJJeEOrBXM0PaKgBd0k-dYXgH9XMdoCHXvNTb6FGqYUTip7R9DEc6RHbjqQrFF-bTOax4IALzarYpt-6P7TNshvfHX9iZZ_BE7Y2leq1qp/s320/DSC04768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've just come to the end of my favourite Yankee Candle, "Cinnamon Stick", perfect for when the nights start drawing in. I must ask Santa for another one this year!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7p81sArw3B2IzYOQn46YYpXw-xVh41rpAGouhaU1cXvlGK3faszB4cR_ESyVV1NhNvV8eiFIs6uKL1vNmsavlRBBtwsXiw9fPvwNnWqDNG-7C5P5P2FJemsHoccKZEL5F1WnK11WKGjN/s1600/cinnamon-stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7p81sArw3B2IzYOQn46YYpXw-xVh41rpAGouhaU1cXvlGK3faszB4cR_ESyVV1NhNvV8eiFIs6uKL1vNmsavlRBBtwsXiw9fPvwNnWqDNG-7C5P5P2FJemsHoccKZEL5F1WnK11WKGjN/s320/cinnamon-stick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've given my dresser a bit of a change around as I do from time to time, usually to reflect the season, lots of reds and browns and this lovely wooden fox jigsaw I found in the local jumble sale for 50p;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQLF0dlj0vggq0TXgX4JQoeyS-9eLSQr2op_P3JA_3vXljWidEMzl5EolYAgyRqcztWzZnNAwu0qjQtjN5xIB1iNMo9DQ16fxwfJFMvVFj5EAgoJu1cvrI8V5H0GCGty572EMuSSI-Yq8/s1600/DSC04770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQLF0dlj0vggq0TXgX4JQoeyS-9eLSQr2op_P3JA_3vXljWidEMzl5EolYAgyRqcztWzZnNAwu0qjQtjN5xIB1iNMo9DQ16fxwfJFMvVFj5EAgoJu1cvrI8V5H0GCGty572EMuSSI-Yq8/s320/DSC04770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_se6s99XcieR8Zwx8QU6b4wu8S0B_TPSeks84fAREWjXAZTwZD8rK4AJzRTtemfOOiiGN9LZet214Wr-NwHaU8Ck_W_aLhta6KUos_QQAu3nc9CMWbK_w7ziJDgPWbj5ZHYNOR31aBDFh/s1600/DSC04771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_se6s99XcieR8Zwx8QU6b4wu8S0B_TPSeks84fAREWjXAZTwZD8rK4AJzRTtemfOOiiGN9LZet214Wr-NwHaU8Ck_W_aLhta6KUos_QQAu3nc9CMWbK_w7ziJDgPWbj5ZHYNOR31aBDFh/s320/DSC04771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And this vintage deer came home with me recently too, something about him caught my eye, another 50p find;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR4x_hqXf0uH00OfLuVN3GgeL_Qw1FNbwdaHXiv7ibRPcheWsfhBlSaET8EeyJo18ub9t5VSTVICyQ_ajy9AtGmNNvkf0aFxwR3py9WggDy_CYuCtGh20CTflFghBK-5XexdjrS2qvu1e/s1600/DSC04760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR4x_hqXf0uH00OfLuVN3GgeL_Qw1FNbwdaHXiv7ibRPcheWsfhBlSaET8EeyJo18ub9t5VSTVICyQ_ajy9AtGmNNvkf0aFxwR3py9WggDy_CYuCtGh20CTflFghBK-5XexdjrS2qvu1e/s320/DSC04760.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And finally a fantastic box of wooden counters, from my local vintage store, perfect for our old board games! This Autumn & Winter I would like to spend more time as a family playing games, and perhaps a jigsaw or two. I like Mia to take some time out from television and games such as the Wii whenever possible;</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKQA83axUTukVKshJEaHTE3_nV5LdySuw7Cov_A-XxkuElUIQa9i9taN8hGVMCraHLekIPHzH987bo5gcvdaqGaxkcm_wMyeBqr2CXe5ixf2b4UwC2aw-B82WnKApUgfQRvchbkp0xjIR/s1600/DSC04764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKQA83axUTukVKshJEaHTE3_nV5LdySuw7Cov_A-XxkuElUIQa9i9taN8hGVMCraHLekIPHzH987bo5gcvdaqGaxkcm_wMyeBqr2CXe5ixf2b4UwC2aw-B82WnKApUgfQRvchbkp0xjIR/s320/DSC04764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope you're all having a lovely weekend - maybe some of you will have had more luck with the blackberrys than we have! :)<br />
<br />
Marina xx<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-41294543292961880732012-09-20T13:29:00.000-07:002012-09-20T13:53:15.698-07:00Through The Key Hole..(What's On Your Bedside Table?)<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every time I see an image of Loyd Grossman it transports me straight back to the 80’s (albeit I was just Mia’s age at the time!) and the BBC series “<i>Through the Key Hole”. </i></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j7iCO5QgmS_7gyiM0GfCE_meXjZW5XbDb1yvfs3PtMnHzmqbK7SVu-EFjiIDK6NP4-7TzCSDLooHgc8JELXtfILtoLjKY8R6BRvm6telXyCnP4q3-fdMmS5wcwNDO96LKNVkKIOG7KlX/s1600/p00943wk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j7iCO5QgmS_7gyiM0GfCE_meXjZW5XbDb1yvfs3PtMnHzmqbK7SVu-EFjiIDK6NP4-7TzCSDLooHgc8JELXtfILtoLjKY8R6BRvm6telXyCnP4q3-fdMmS5wcwNDO96LKNVkKIOG7KlX/s320/p00943wk.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(image from google) <span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The nosey side of me was fascinated by that, and I have to confess I’m still a little like that today, I’m always interested to see other people’s homes! You may think I’m terrible but during the times when we’ve bought and sold our house, I have really enjoyed going on viewings – not just because I’m excited to find a potential new home, but also because I’m fascinated by how other people live. My lovely husband tells me I’m so nosey, especially after viewing one house, only to comment the minute we’d left <i>“did you SEE the 80’s boombox in the spare room!! Wow I had one just like that when I was a kid!!” </i>I’d then carry on to say how I wished we still had the said boombox as they go for a fortune on Ebay, etc. etc. and my husband had to stop me and say “<i>forget the boombox!..what about the house</i>?!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this, I just cannot resist having a good look around and musing to myself in the notorious voice of Loyd Grossman “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who lives in a house like this</i>?”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I’ve therefore decided for a bit of blogging fun, to do a “Through the Key Hole” post once a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel free to join me and post about your own homes, with a link back to me – I’d love to read them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first topic is “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s on your bedside table</i>?”</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6WaY4fF1B-ZgRIpLTcLMquB71YQey88ll2fyivhWbQtAXyryX55ypNJ34xT4dDpzEILzU22B5mwGItQ_VLuzWJUA4rDmrobnfT4bVN81hRgLE0TBCVkb3ja7oJADtFX-hJXhkHvhwaG0/s1600/DSC04741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6WaY4fF1B-ZgRIpLTcLMquB71YQey88ll2fyivhWbQtAXyryX55ypNJ34xT4dDpzEILzU22B5mwGItQ_VLuzWJUA4rDmrobnfT4bVN81hRgLE0TBCVkb3ja7oJADtFX-hJXhkHvhwaG0/s320/DSC04741.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We don't actually have tables, we have </span>bedside drawers in our bedroom, which were not our choice – we inherited them with the house when we moved in 3 years ago – and still haven’t gotten around to changing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we move again I plan to finally ditch them and buy something more “me”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Books:</span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDZQr1sqDFKrU44zPL9lXqYjBIt91QOEyKT9_9RGE4lOZxZ_6kjbEHrUpGtOpDo5RnWDL09f-IrSCW1QEOUy5SJYBfWJCcxWp4ensNnFxt0H3IkNkKpRfPT7gmb0EvRKReBkZVzK77cgH/s1600/DSC04743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDZQr1sqDFKrU44zPL9lXqYjBIt91QOEyKT9_9RGE4lOZxZ_6kjbEHrUpGtOpDo5RnWDL09f-IrSCW1QEOUy5SJYBfWJCcxWp4ensNnFxt0H3IkNkKpRfPT7gmb0EvRKReBkZVzK77cgH/s320/DSC04743.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can see, I have a lot of books, I am forever buying them from charity shops and vintage stores (very rarely do I buy new), and love to have a pile by the bed for browsing before I go to sleep or just relaxing whilst feeding Baby Boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The books currently on my bedside drawers are;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JZgXxKfT1bdCuEAi-x1HRqvi36m5x9YzaEO33h6kJrLCDdM1TtS9fSlgLUTeclTEoF-3XuJ6UaBza5A8lRqlQK1fOhUs0llTciwHNNFDW9guIbJCb8pJ0NIOHxkBYJA3aTOVV3h5tyoq/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JZgXxKfT1bdCuEAi-x1HRqvi36m5x9YzaEO33h6kJrLCDdM1TtS9fSlgLUTeclTEoF-3XuJ6UaBza5A8lRqlQK1fOhUs0llTciwHNNFDW9guIbJCb8pJ0NIOHxkBYJA3aTOVV3h5tyoq/s320/books.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cath Kidston “Make” (bought from Oxfam)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Homemade" by Ros Badger & Elspeth Thompson (Red Cross shop)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Victorian House" and "Victorian Hints and Tips on Household Taste"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- (both second hand book stall)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;">"The Proper Care of Guinea P</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;">igs" – Peter Gurney (oxfam)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Wuthering</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Heights</st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> – Emily Bronte (10p, jumble sale) </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">"The People Next Door" - Christopher Ransom - £1.00 from local "honesty box" book swap in Co-op foyer</span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teach Yourself – Freelance writing – (10p jumble sale)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the above books I would say sum me up pretty well, I like to browse through the Cath Kidston and “Homemade” book for inspiration and dream of having the time to actually make what’s inside! I love Victorian architecture, and the two books on this subject are great for dreaming of when (hopefully) I eventually get to live in a Victorian house and how I would go about restoring original features, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;">I love my 4 adopted rescue guinea-pigs, and find the Peter Gurney book invaluable, I’m forever referring to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I must have read it about 10 times since I had our first pair of piggies 12 months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m currently 3 quarters of the way through “Wuthering Heights”, this is the first time I’ve read it, and I’m really enjoying it, though typical for me, I never have just one book on the go, (It’s not unusual for me to have up to 5 at any one time!), so for something a bit different I picked up “The People Next Door” in our local charity honesty-box book sell/swap. I always love a good ghost story, but this one is much more of a horror, not quite my usual thing – if it were a film I’d have nightmares! But I’m actually pretty hooked on this, I’ve almost finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, the old 1950’s book on freelance writing was something I found recently in the local jumble sale – and for 10p thought it was worth a read – both the husband & I are wannabie-writers! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6sj_yo7Qmjb0rDn-vbpn1HGOZFujkqUWot4TWUuI7-HeBkIOVTTI1pBkMnEj0ijJ5nJMjYcCoLVW0wv29NNLp0D5Bz99041APguvmUU9yEcwWUgN0G0rNBykmZJEHZKLIzqYCdcX3XkQ/s1600/DSC04745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6sj_yo7Qmjb0rDn-vbpn1HGOZFujkqUWot4TWUuI7-HeBkIOVTTI1pBkMnEj0ijJ5nJMjYcCoLVW0wv29NNLp0D5Bz99041APguvmUU9yEcwWUgN0G0rNBykmZJEHZKLIzqYCdcX3XkQ/s320/DSC04745.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DVD – Cold Feet, from the box set of the entire series featuring every episode (which is in one of the drawers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought this whole set second hand recently for just £5.00 and as I used to love this series some 10/15 years ago, I thought it would be nice to watch it all again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far I’ve watched the first episode whilst feeding Baby Boy, and I really enjoyed it – the pilot episode which is the one i've recently watched, I see was first aired in 1996 - goodness I was 15 back then! </span></span></span></div>
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM2_mEg4mZmNynSD26wNMz_alW7k9KN54iA57RAjlwaVenNqJwGzC3sEeb62q4-bPU0Dzr2nAzgt0ncVyflBeUZtqcW8_VA_ZLQuXJtLG7uAfk2BtilyrV-LRPZJRNUOpmXxrAbp8oP1U/s1600/DSC04744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM2_mEg4mZmNynSD26wNMz_alW7k9KN54iA57RAjlwaVenNqJwGzC3sEeb62q4-bPU0Dzr2nAzgt0ncVyflBeUZtqcW8_VA_ZLQuXJtLG7uAfk2BtilyrV-LRPZJRNUOpmXxrAbp8oP1U/s320/DSC04744.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;">Glasses – I am supposed to wear glasses, but only do so when using the computer or watching TV (and driving, if I had a car). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is bad, I know, - very often someone has waved frantically at me from across the road and I’ve stared blankly wondering who on earth they are until they get up close! </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTWr03sYHuq0GW6BYTTHMvddgvaixf5U8Feeo4gy4JmfNyjysggDqmbu6WJyo8GTT2yrduRDKeH0vaO2x13QVRFiRgt_zd4Qd0sWbqCg0nnt55oM3IokMpQslu-7n4XIepjUOe5CsiXwi/s1600/DSC04746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTWr03sYHuq0GW6BYTTHMvddgvaixf5U8Feeo4gy4JmfNyjysggDqmbu6WJyo8GTT2yrduRDKeH0vaO2x13QVRFiRgt_zd4Qd0sWbqCg0nnt55oM3IokMpQslu-7n4XIepjUOe5CsiXwi/s320/DSC04746.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vintage glass dish with lid – I love this little trinket dish, I was given this by the owner of a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>vintage shop a couple of years ago whilst my best friend and I were buying vintage cut-glass vases and decanters for my wedding decorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend picked it up and suggested it, and I said that it was lovely, but that I was really only looking for vases and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bowls for our flowers, and decanters for the tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lovely lady in the shop then told me I could have it seeing as I was buying so many other things! It still reminds me of a very enjoyable afternoon, and I keep things like my wedding ring in there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOL-XAGwjblNFMMwlsRDjWQHeYmoQgddau5OeYaizmgkYD5q5BF1kDBGk8ey80D64KYpLJ91j2WKTSHtNgQZd3LYceB7qvneFzLJagEq5FPq02RVXyl2ys3oIvSBiuzPMUW5QVGXPuoQLQ/s1600/DSC04747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOL-XAGwjblNFMMwlsRDjWQHeYmoQgddau5OeYaizmgkYD5q5BF1kDBGk8ey80D64KYpLJ91j2WKTSHtNgQZd3LYceB7qvneFzLJagEq5FPq02RVXyl2ys3oIvSBiuzPMUW5QVGXPuoQLQ/s320/DSC04747.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lamp – This is one of a pair of lamps which I bought second-hand for just £2.00 each, from a friend from whom I was buying a pair of curtains for our bedroom (the lamps matched the curtains).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They aren’t “me” at all, but Mia wanted one for her room and instantly liked them – and after moving my previous lamp downstairs to the living room, I was in need of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do like the lovely cosy glow that it gives off whilst I’m reading! Not my sort of thing, but a £2.00 bargain-lamp that serves it’s purpose! </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSPG115UMJQvSOVhz6Isod9DNWnWW2tOezPsBYGum7F3S6JiPnmlPinFHlXGF206-ObdMDrVBV4GtGngGf5lAMfDT9Lv7B2L0cDPKlf-vBj47vvRq1eIytQpGeHSjfikl3MX4IDl8KopH/s1600/DSC04755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSPG115UMJQvSOVhz6Isod9DNWnWW2tOezPsBYGum7F3S6JiPnmlPinFHlXGF206-ObdMDrVBV4GtGngGf5lAMfDT9Lv7B2L0cDPKlf-vBj47vvRq1eIytQpGeHSjfikl3MX4IDl8KopH/s320/DSC04755.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heart-shaped post-it-note – My lovely husband <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wrote “I love you” on this and stuck it to my bedside cabinet on the eve of our wedding, for me to find before I went to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had also written 3 more with different messages and stuck them around the room – it was such a lovely gesture and reduced me to happy tears, that I still cannot bear to remove them, 2 years on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, as Loyd Grossman would say “who lives in a house like this?” I think the contents of my bedside table sum "me" up pretty well! I’ve really enjoyed writing this post, hope you've enjoyed it too - I've love to know "what's on your bedside table?" x</span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
</div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; tab-stops: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-30422116410342402492012-09-19T13:48:00.000-07:002012-09-19T13:48:30.762-07:00A Waiting Game<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After receiving an offer on our house last week, this morning we made an offer on the house we would <i>really </i>like to buy. The answer, when we receive it, will determine whether or not we accept the (lower than hoped) offer on our own house, and will either mean that we are moving, or back to square one. Our potential purchasers, after a full week of deliberation, simply cannot offer us any more, not even a penny, and we, therefore in turn, have had to make a lower but not unrealistic offer on the house we like in return. The waiting game is the hardest don’t you think? </span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5QiD6w8gOOSi5RJZzXAa75Cw6bUu6wlnOL-Vii6Ko27rTwpyqjX6ixsCf8FlbLj6UbDcBkKy1IYuQl2_sZ7B_Ydwv_HVecPHWG8jaS1qwpsVvGY0Kr7XTxq24XXmfZ-sUnCgI3MwSCcO/s1600/DSC04693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5QiD6w8gOOSi5RJZzXAa75Cw6bUu6wlnOL-Vii6Ko27rTwpyqjX6ixsCf8FlbLj6UbDcBkKy1IYuQl2_sZ7B_Ydwv_HVecPHWG8jaS1qwpsVvGY0Kr7XTxq24XXmfZ-sUnCgI3MwSCcO/s320/DSC04693.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This past week has been a whirlwind of telephone calls with the estate agent (oh how we could do with the help of Phil & Kirstie!) and house viewings;</span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVQlehwCkGgKgFk5Dbpfo4GKusaWRdCK53LuCdzOkwROEnaMqyVmHG4rWmnE16aJDEycHymQSNYXiUs7PVfkxWMNuh8m1perO5efTEnQ4kBCMw132Gtymgwt6n93RGfLS2INL24cnUlHK/s1600/DSC04698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVQlehwCkGgKgFk5Dbpfo4GKusaWRdCK53LuCdzOkwROEnaMqyVmHG4rWmnE16aJDEycHymQSNYXiUs7PVfkxWMNuh8m1perO5efTEnQ4kBCMw132Gtymgwt6n93RGfLS2INL24cnUlHK/s320/DSC04698.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1AimcRqI9wPIobVPWiUO-3P3nHx_nMBK0qq-N12LX6D4xW4h-_pVSVr8afiXcfk0L6vuQebKACbZ9jX9G0Q5WsPVcyPjXfW0zg3Ogr_tNALebrS0JFSveNf5zm0vkwltM4I2aGtf3A_u/s1600/DSC04694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1AimcRqI9wPIobVPWiUO-3P3nHx_nMBK0qq-N12LX6D4xW4h-_pVSVr8afiXcfk0L6vuQebKACbZ9jX9G0Q5WsPVcyPjXfW0zg3Ogr_tNALebrS0JFSveNf5zm0vkwltM4I2aGtf3A_u/s320/DSC04694.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The search has been much harder that we had anticipated, initially we wanted something more rural, but everything we saw in this category was either simply too small for us, but had great views, gardens, and location, and those which would have been perfect in size were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">way </i>above budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have a dream of living in a large Victorian house, with lots of original features and perhaps scope to restore some of those which are missing, such as fireplaces, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Houses such as this, in our budget, simply do not exist in a very rural location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we have had to compromise slightly and have set our sights on a beautiful late Victorian 3 storey house, just a little more in town than we wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we feel the house is definitely worth the compromise – it is fantastic, and will give us all of the space (and more!) which we want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re already (but trying not to!!) dreaming of what we will do with each room, and Mia and Baby Boy will finally have their play-room and we will get our study. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It will be nice finally to really settle down in a home and draw a line under the house search over the last couple of years (for the foreseeable future anyway).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some ways though we have enjoyed it – oh the stories we could tell of the numerous houses we’ve viewed over the last few years! So far we’ve had the young, male estate agent who slipped down the garden path of one house, and then chose to pretend it never happened - much to the amusement of the husband and me, who had to try desperately to hide our sniggers as we walked behind him! And the more “mature” agent who, trying to appear younger than his years we suspect, insisted upon giving us the thumbs up after every conversation and shouting “cool!!”. As for houses, we have viewed them all – wonderful ones, terrible ones, and those in need of serious work but we could see had potential - if you had the money! Very recently we went to view a bungalow where I took my shoes off the minute I entered the property, as I always do, only to find that my tights instantly became wet from the extremely damp carpet! (The husband & I couldn’t get out of that one quick enough I can tell you!). </span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, the waiting game is certainly the hardest part, since I started writing this post I have been told that our offer is being "considered" and we will get our answer no later than Friday evening - so we will hopefully know in less than 48 hours! Of course even if we have our offer accepted, nothing is set in stone until we exchange contracts - we already have a bottle of Champagne waiting in our fridge, not to be opened until that day comes - whenever it may be! Fingers well and truly crossed :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope you're all having a lovely week, </span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Marina xx</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-48060573856846898732012-09-16T08:47:00.000-07:002012-09-16T08:47:03.734-07:00What To Look For In Autumn<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although perhaps a little premature in the season for a full on Autumn walk, inspired by a favourite vintage Ladybird book, in the "What To Look For" series, (my copy was obtained from my primary school jumble sale some 20 years ago, and still bares the school stamp and the date; 3rd November 1972!), Mia, Baby Boy & I put on our wellies and headed out in to the woods for a nature forage! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh31J0nbC3tUGlllqjOdDwQbo8mpfxqWWgQ6XBUSOpt3TAbXnczyS1myW8dZ9aBhbggmrg2Haa3niQGqnNiLXwsnja27xq006KCz72sH7UtRW8xIU40SZt9Z-40KAsjwuQlNARY2pHsebn/s1600/DSC04699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh31J0nbC3tUGlllqjOdDwQbo8mpfxqWWgQ6XBUSOpt3TAbXnczyS1myW8dZ9aBhbggmrg2Haa3niQGqnNiLXwsnja27xq006KCz72sH7UtRW8xIU40SZt9Z-40KAsjwuQlNARY2pHsebn/s320/DSC04699.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-ByMLxHW0qKfI-XpwKkLbQSE8Z4sStvnEYsImILyE4V1ntCX8iKzVBc3FXcvYmXwrjXklpiA9jAFk6ugANF4H2ISgIAj2Cr2DJSmmPujD_xXQ80nt2Q5qCjyvLP4NC7IzYtoBt_Y2JS4/s1600/DSC04701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-ByMLxHW0qKfI-XpwKkLbQSE8Z4sStvnEYsImILyE4V1ntCX8iKzVBc3FXcvYmXwrjXklpiA9jAFk6ugANF4H2ISgIAj2Cr2DJSmmPujD_xXQ80nt2Q5qCjyvLP4NC7IzYtoBt_Y2JS4/s320/DSC04701.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
What lovely illustrations in this book, although we didn't actually get to see the Woodpecker, we certainly heard him! We did however see the most gorgeous large green dragon-fly. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitq_BImQA8LGFsbq37Zllpvy-GonvoHXS14nph2BR925DpFppdz_0SrHsbOP0NNlii1XmO-2htqZOgx1fj6P9Of181ksne31hpPNBCL1CRX2NU8wiDHbB5djPKVqukJr0bEoJWqu74tG-/s1600/DSC04702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitq_BImQA8LGFsbq37Zllpvy-GonvoHXS14nph2BR925DpFppdz_0SrHsbOP0NNlii1XmO-2htqZOgx1fj6P9Of181ksne31hpPNBCL1CRX2NU8wiDHbB5djPKVqukJr0bEoJWqu74tG-/s320/DSC04702.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Vintage wicker basket to collect nature, plenty of fallen Autumn leaves, feathers and acorns. The blackberrys which we usually collect at this time of year were practically non-existent - perhaps due to the terrible summer, we didn't bother with the scrappy half-ripe ones that we <em>did </em>manage to find;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtu7qI2YUJ8HK3Zy3b-NZDzZ461llNHI_71PyQkURSX9ww6_uZhqM3i9lhxTXZhyHxyxAXWurbmnD0L5gKQyHMd9Cuag_5dJMCfJIdBGXJNY2q6g7oMwMUptSXmzkUU3tA3fhGzOhnPsOr/s1600/DSC04704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtu7qI2YUJ8HK3Zy3b-NZDzZ461llNHI_71PyQkURSX9ww6_uZhqM3i9lhxTXZhyHxyxAXWurbmnD0L5gKQyHMd9Cuag_5dJMCfJIdBGXJNY2q6g7oMwMUptSXmzkUU3tA3fhGzOhnPsOr/s320/DSC04704.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8HNWJP7istdn5xs6sCwBXCZk2jtPqQHm-CgzEVHpRWEr1ZIPdp0P1YI-kClBblsVXhdy5OOsTS5lOnOPUcsao4uYl94POJoPfRHKPUdGU7r8i7QufNgah4swOJ8mZ0ATpvWB6WFWcb9C/s1600/DSC04707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8HNWJP7istdn5xs6sCwBXCZk2jtPqQHm-CgzEVHpRWEr1ZIPdp0P1YI-kClBblsVXhdy5OOsTS5lOnOPUcsao4uYl94POJoPfRHKPUdGU7r8i7QufNgah4swOJ8mZ0ATpvWB6WFWcb9C/s320/DSC04707.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We found a wooden carving in the middle of the woods, these appear randomly around our town, though i've never come across one so far out before;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YUs8v2E1fPwraKy2s8xRKyy0ewClqz8k4yQoI2iPTDkIETvcmRdbqR010nWX4BwlKrKCgS6JuVR20mayEHCpy27tSZFFuGF24du3dz2Uks9z5d-V0KwV9oShMLrM3vBCtSN1nFVO8cmK/s1600/DSC04709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YUs8v2E1fPwraKy2s8xRKyy0ewClqz8k4yQoI2iPTDkIETvcmRdbqR010nWX4BwlKrKCgS6JuVR20mayEHCpy27tSZFFuGF24du3dz2Uks9z5d-V0KwV9oShMLrM3vBCtSN1nFVO8cmK/s320/DSC04709.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ww77L-QFhjopgzKly_WpWAG9uctkSroHwjt0jFimzLKKw_Vnms6a2ULqsR6EGqQtLibCYMpPPCgfj9XbPNGGlLrEtY_K5ssGN-syUIjUxaqsclkuECCpByFLbf9pkmNgcBnKrnnSlOX0/s1600/DSC04712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ww77L-QFhjopgzKly_WpWAG9uctkSroHwjt0jFimzLKKw_Vnms6a2ULqsR6EGqQtLibCYMpPPCgfj9XbPNGGlLrEtY_K5ssGN-syUIjUxaqsclkuECCpByFLbf9pkmNgcBnKrnnSlOX0/s320/DSC04712.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvzNmkwtUdn-9kjrBZaNLiYpYNeLmFy4gHznHWxwd9yOgKgyCB15jdxpzWoVZLDutZbct_D2_-RnRICPbmgbjJ7nitrU4fBZOtwfGhP1f4sp6KKqnM8GhKoNELnC07iIx-_8Lg1XgPAXh/s1600/DSC04713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvzNmkwtUdn-9kjrBZaNLiYpYNeLmFy4gHznHWxwd9yOgKgyCB15jdxpzWoVZLDutZbct_D2_-RnRICPbmgbjJ7nitrU4fBZOtwfGhP1f4sp6KKqnM8GhKoNELnC07iIx-_8Lg1XgPAXh/s320/DSC04713.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Making sure the feathers didn't blow away, Mia pinched Baby Boy's blanket to cover them from the breeze, Baby Boy glad to be rid of his blanket, after finding a way to ditch it over the side of the pushchair and every given chance! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmc-YIsxQVIUunJYXwjyTggQMTg-SlW1T9yRhbPtnrh-oLCEJz_woTJVAntmf756QkMkn43A0027zPieUYmdeONDygxZJcbP4hyz0i8m7wQ7t1sQOwtzTbyYZxWijXGlXKcLu6jDbVnEz/s1600/DSC04714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmc-YIsxQVIUunJYXwjyTggQMTg-SlW1T9yRhbPtnrh-oLCEJz_woTJVAntmf756QkMkn43A0027zPieUYmdeONDygxZJcbP4hyz0i8m7wQ7t1sQOwtzTbyYZxWijXGlXKcLu6jDbVnEz/s320/DSC04714.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb_DYrXr8JM8wVQ4AQ_V0byqg369r3ZN914h7RafBUa1KgcNBfN7fpnEBC_R5VxkHOP8QoiT7EaikTmp1t3LnNhmqkUmfPwmS4GmYFhxWWwa-0Mp-ij6dhEhkIcWQffXPYsLE_lHeROrw/s1600/DSC04726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb_DYrXr8JM8wVQ4AQ_V0byqg369r3ZN914h7RafBUa1KgcNBfN7fpnEBC_R5VxkHOP8QoiT7EaikTmp1t3LnNhmqkUmfPwmS4GmYFhxWWwa-0Mp-ij6dhEhkIcWQffXPYsLE_lHeROrw/s320/DSC04726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMUDJDmcriTqcvvmWn3wYUkyf7YP9koo8lZ_IiRv4xyvAYZxfnE8lH9UYyEIIpXynz0zKpXtPDEcNoKcR71Tf8o-2CZPlvCIM-6daKQgca7uS-Jy1SrfO6GcHMYFVOi0eOXjHqfPw3uKA/s1600/DSC04708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMUDJDmcriTqcvvmWn3wYUkyf7YP9koo8lZ_IiRv4xyvAYZxfnE8lH9UYyEIIpXynz0zKpXtPDEcNoKcR71Tf8o-2CZPlvCIM-6daKQgca7uS-Jy1SrfO6GcHMYFVOi0eOXjHqfPw3uKA/s320/DSC04708.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We walked back home through the town, past the old Victorian houses and lovely red phone box;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wKB9iCsAzgz07pylwdFI-YZGiivHJDTzqjkhjM6k1-zNokbeC4i9b7D-l2Wnn2jHd-_olGUImJbHhGPcz0Ko3CRzunqCLFZd5aMt68nxFkyfeIAnW8ds3wYV7URoM2Pn_HMaTscA8iJr/s1600/walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wKB9iCsAzgz07pylwdFI-YZGiivHJDTzqjkhjM6k1-zNokbeC4i9b7D-l2Wnn2jHd-_olGUImJbHhGPcz0Ko3CRzunqCLFZd5aMt68nxFkyfeIAnW8ds3wYV7URoM2Pn_HMaTscA8iJr/s320/walk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb_DYrXr8JM8wVQ4AQ_V0byqg369r3ZN914h7RafBUa1KgcNBfN7fpnEBC_R5VxkHOP8QoiT7EaikTmp1t3LnNhmqkUmfPwmS4GmYFhxWWwa-0Mp-ij6dhEhkIcWQffXPYsLE_lHeROrw/s1600/DSC04726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb_DYrXr8JM8wVQ4AQ_V0byqg369r3ZN914h7RafBUa1KgcNBfN7fpnEBC_R5VxkHOP8QoiT7EaikTmp1t3LnNhmqkUmfPwmS4GmYFhxWWwa-0Mp-ij6dhEhkIcWQffXPYsLE_lHeROrw/s320/DSC04726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Back home it was time for a sit down (we'd walked for hours!) and a very welcome cup of tea! At this time of year in particular I'm always drawn towards my 1970's retro mugs and kitchen jars;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-W6P-ut6kIEJ7ub3AlfWuWvP5rbsepYEpMUIi4ZD2ZrSd8cUbEeSk1Ef-yRoAiI8N-j3s0eWQqc7Zovyyq0EDjI03ZDTUYI_3p-5DO9QH-9QQSlLp8AGNFDfACIuNg10YOI-mTinmLFt/s1600/DSC04723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-W6P-ut6kIEJ7ub3AlfWuWvP5rbsepYEpMUIi4ZD2ZrSd8cUbEeSk1Ef-yRoAiI8N-j3s0eWQqc7Zovyyq0EDjI03ZDTUYI_3p-5DO9QH-9QQSlLp8AGNFDfACIuNg10YOI-mTinmLFt/s320/DSC04723.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpOWA0QHTHEykYSVpeeXz-946sNkVadUHPTqNei-kaDUk4qevIHOS6oToVzGIb-tHfMi3bnAXrLsMP8R8kqu18X_K90J7SEYt1CA1FgdH8-Gv7Q85H0DguXGzi71MU_63AP6s3_Z5XRrv/s1600/DSC04736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpOWA0QHTHEykYSVpeeXz-946sNkVadUHPTqNei-kaDUk4qevIHOS6oToVzGIb-tHfMi3bnAXrLsMP8R8kqu18X_K90J7SEYt1CA1FgdH8-Gv7Q85H0DguXGzi71MU_63AP6s3_Z5XRrv/s320/DSC04736.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
As the light faded it was nice to switch on the lamps and browse through some of the old books, a perfect Autumnal pastime;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdffq2T4NMR7ZBFOaCwgsAYY-eC_QMDpV9MThC2HlyUB49imI31wcIvZoWj4i4ya6cSk_PvsYetetjbJAuqqFrYdaoi4NEstcUpFvmdo0sKzcVSPRqP-k_lRotVlpvHSKQWf1Ugpc8wABy/s1600/DSC04722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdffq2T4NMR7ZBFOaCwgsAYY-eC_QMDpV9MThC2HlyUB49imI31wcIvZoWj4i4ya6cSk_PvsYetetjbJAuqqFrYdaoi4NEstcUpFvmdo0sKzcVSPRqP-k_lRotVlpvHSKQWf1Ugpc8wABy/s320/DSC04722.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik3zwuGvrdQN36sjmDtAAmspW4LYBwe_iSM0f_hpspvBvRlIS9WM7eXKiSssNzer1N16UnxvWTjCw138M7n4Z_YoOnqegP-OlTHt6V2Ezmak5M3UWUOl0CEvLNHoFFNGh0PmUWtvQ8bZZ/s1600/DSC04725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik3zwuGvrdQN36sjmDtAAmspW4LYBwe_iSM0f_hpspvBvRlIS9WM7eXKiSssNzer1N16UnxvWTjCw138M7n4Z_YoOnqegP-OlTHt6V2Ezmak5M3UWUOl0CEvLNHoFFNGh0PmUWtvQ8bZZ/s320/DSC04725.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And later a mooch through some seasonal cook books vintage and new, it would be lovely to actually have the time this Autumn to make something from them - lets hope! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lQ6FCwA1U9W4BiRj9xfdDI_z6T-gqGCW0OgtZXCImXovwqpUsifEdgYLLwtBNaIavdk-R-eS8pbMLNEKRkKJYjCY3YsuJUL_MH9c_HukflIkz3kfWV5nM0eUmpV-1_chQeHjZIwJDW0L/s1600/DSC04737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lQ6FCwA1U9W4BiRj9xfdDI_z6T-gqGCW0OgtZXCImXovwqpUsifEdgYLLwtBNaIavdk-R-eS8pbMLNEKRkKJYjCY3YsuJUL_MH9c_HukflIkz3kfWV5nM0eUmpV-1_chQeHjZIwJDW0L/s320/DSC04737.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Sophie Dahl's are new as they were on offer, but I usually buy my cookery books second-hand unless it's one of the River Cottage series at a reduced price - I just love Hugh! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI_02-tUaD2w8rABewr2UFaHfNKFOG3XC21zRPuAdlWgCiA508bQDI3MkyiPtZn6MeIQFKmaEgahnuHkNoDJ_Z9Qvqtpj_skaNUAfmkWNOpJXDE4GdAg_YdlA-imtVM8QXvJXRLIFupY7/s1600/DSC04739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI_02-tUaD2w8rABewr2UFaHfNKFOG3XC21zRPuAdlWgCiA508bQDI3MkyiPtZn6MeIQFKmaEgahnuHkNoDJ_Z9Qvqtpj_skaNUAfmkWNOpJXDE4GdAg_YdlA-imtVM8QXvJXRLIFupY7/s320/DSC04739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This early 1930's book is fantastic, complete with some WWII newspaper cuttings on wartime recipes saved between the pages - I'd certainly love to give some of those a go! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcQhJ0WKmDBGsb-BPYfXHlsFE6ofM6zr0IbViX_BAKv_CHhEMSysvhhn_i1D7eLIKMieMYRkHrSpyXEED0K7zZbzMGO8FR9Fsces1K1DPk2DmAjfMIdvgJK2sWhNHJBTo3rHnO31ZDaPe/s1600/DSC04740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcQhJ0WKmDBGsb-BPYfXHlsFE6ofM6zr0IbViX_BAKv_CHhEMSysvhhn_i1D7eLIKMieMYRkHrSpyXEED0K7zZbzMGO8FR9Fsces1K1DPk2DmAjfMIdvgJK2sWhNHJBTo3rHnO31ZDaPe/s320/DSC04740.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love days like this, I think it's so important to get out of the house every now and again and allow your mind to switch off from every day stresses and chores, it certainly did me the world of good! After a stressful week with the potential house move it seems that things may be all "up in the air" again, so it was great to enjoy the outdoors and simple things in life to take my mind from it. I'm looking forward to many more days like this during the months leading up to Christmas. I'll leave you with a collage of Mia's nature finds from the walk;</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj-A2ewvY9I7z5urKGDNPQiDj6eH7NMSX4tiLnDGoVqXddJgK7cwMuIaCLmEilWdxtv0JJ0VI3zxCI_ExE4pLQjFDQ_6bWIsZdKINJ4VbSqXevRVhJm7yZ6bsrqnXmM7SyjdQMlwRgZK-/s1600/leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj-A2ewvY9I7z5urKGDNPQiDj6eH7NMSX4tiLnDGoVqXddJgK7cwMuIaCLmEilWdxtv0JJ0VI3zxCI_ExE4pLQjFDQ_6bWIsZdKINJ4VbSqXevRVhJm7yZ6bsrqnXmM7SyjdQMlwRgZK-/s320/leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Have a lovely week xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-23864998773823718172012-09-14T05:14:00.000-07:002012-09-14T13:11:19.508-07:00The End of The Summer.. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Hello all, and thank you once again for the beautiful comments on my wedding anniversary post. We celebrated with our favourite Indian takeaway which we ate whilst sat out in the garden enjoying the last of the "summer" sun. Mia is now back at school, and we are looking forward to the Autumn/Winter - always my favourite time of year! For this post though, i'd thought i'd catch up on the last of the Summer holiday news; we spent a day at the Coast at the very end of August, which is about 50 minutes drive from where we live, and was Baby Boy's first ever trip to the seaside!;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz6qCNjWBHbpAC9KtcMK5SvuXoL4B4f08QcQN5sYPIq6rs11-1o9rRl_J2OyrCdDQWaeqEcO6xfUjHovzwuCKrOW3dVIlwe8qiQ0yEwuWNdN_CTVMPQoW9eM_fKnqYIQ1rC6ON0HWwGTH/s1600/DSC04614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz6qCNjWBHbpAC9KtcMK5SvuXoL4B4f08QcQN5sYPIq6rs11-1o9rRl_J2OyrCdDQWaeqEcO6xfUjHovzwuCKrOW3dVIlwe8qiQ0yEwuWNdN_CTVMPQoW9eM_fKnqYIQ1rC6ON0HWwGTH/s320/DSC04614.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Also his first trip to the zoo, or rather an animal park on the way; Mia really enjoyed showing him the animals; <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7t8zcYH7tlT-VLoWmxRRzrDzLUkZBhoeoKrsWE9Mv8X1aLThxJSTDVFcgz0ee1seq4Uss20qk-kzk8DwK9ow_IKXykUS9l_6OBbnw8tXn9SlbkW2EwGLc0XkM4A-smBy_H5UIbQZKxyf/s1600/animalpark1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7t8zcYH7tlT-VLoWmxRRzrDzLUkZBhoeoKrsWE9Mv8X1aLThxJSTDVFcgz0ee1seq4Uss20qk-kzk8DwK9ow_IKXykUS9l_6OBbnw8tXn9SlbkW2EwGLc0XkM4A-smBy_H5UIbQZKxyf/s320/animalpark1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82mEhQUp6qXpnI4qGn3Nvq5WViVsCRR3BX9DAFs16OMd-BY4gpuYIXTQIfGqWtLTx8kQ7qW0ftTRl8Acdd2gNXR6HOy920eOwqAS70K4L5KDZywtqB4hIq3XiL1bobS8-_397hm8S3JHj/s1600/animalpark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82mEhQUp6qXpnI4qGn3Nvq5WViVsCRR3BX9DAFs16OMd-BY4gpuYIXTQIfGqWtLTx8kQ7qW0ftTRl8Acdd2gNXR6HOy920eOwqAS70K4L5KDZywtqB4hIq3XiL1bobS8-_397hm8S3JHj/s320/animalpark2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And then on to the seaside town for a first glimpse of the sea;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJnY8B6LJeFLTjmNvnQ6JW_Qi5FFdSWNg59vRNUo0BDp4V3cb_gf48mZm5rKSMRjdNk9rPEsHSlBqtyjw5WBc6aCyxocul1H7OUz5s22t0Of_BkglHKIcWi0LEi9ZVsjwEbmEh47U9N7C/s1600/DSC04652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJnY8B6LJeFLTjmNvnQ6JW_Qi5FFdSWNg59vRNUo0BDp4V3cb_gf48mZm5rKSMRjdNk9rPEsHSlBqtyjw5WBc6aCyxocul1H7OUz5s22t0Of_BkglHKIcWi0LEi9ZVsjwEbmEh47U9N7C/s320/DSC04652.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
In fitting with our usual British Summer weather, it was very overcast and grey but luckily didn't rain! I'd been a little too hopeful in packing the car with my flip-flops and Mia's Crocs...though i'd also thankfully brought the wellies and boots - if definitely wasn't a flip-flop day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj1GspEHL36sYrIVgzBkrrcchdxexLaeXofgyzRgNBf9gURYZDmUfx4XzKIl3Q8mWEoZHAvw0i49mLR3kGrs3O6Kj-j1oOFo9JF0LhBYvZ_-zES6Hs-ASGm0V4mRt0f7yTaLv692ICGuf/s1600/aber1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj1GspEHL36sYrIVgzBkrrcchdxexLaeXofgyzRgNBf9gURYZDmUfx4XzKIl3Q8mWEoZHAvw0i49mLR3kGrs3O6Kj-j1oOFo9JF0LhBYvZ_-zES6Hs-ASGm0V4mRt0f7yTaLv692ICGuf/s320/aber1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We decided to park the car out of town, and take the "park & ride", something which we'd never done before. So it was also Baby Boy's first time on a bus, we waited in the bus shelter for 15 minutes, and then gladly boarded the bus when it arrived and sat down. We were just driving off when I noticed a changing bag <em>identical </em>to ours in the bus shelter which was fastly disappearing from sight - it was then that it dawned on me that this <em>was </em>our changing bag!! So embarassing - I had to shout at the bus driver to stop, run off the bus and grab it infront of everyone and then get back on board, nodding politely to the eldery lady who said "<em>never mind dear, at least you didn't forget the baby</em>!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We laughed about it the whole way in to town, and I was serioulsy wishing I hadn't brought the thing when next I managed to leave it in the middle of the seafront, just sat there whilst i'd walked off to take some photographs - luckily the husband realised what i'd done!;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOCM3kiuci04ZUs8NNgTDjwVNKb9WRKvn0Df9wV-50a5uPiWrL3QJEWEZu43XhFTJAKdatPFttcoN_0RnuIjQHqyQCPABAfegFpV-w6YiEYpPaRPo2b298vuLLgdO6CphxNXWr2awiz_9/s1600/DSC04665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOCM3kiuci04ZUs8NNgTDjwVNKb9WRKvn0Df9wV-50a5uPiWrL3QJEWEZu43XhFTJAKdatPFttcoN_0RnuIjQHqyQCPABAfegFpV-w6YiEYpPaRPo2b298vuLLgdO6CphxNXWr2awiz_9/s320/DSC04665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were very lucky it made it home with us - after the final near miss occured whilst we were just about to board the bus back to the car park - I couldn't find the thing anywhere, we were panicking looking everywhere, amongst the bemused people waiting to board the bus - only to find that because the husband was carrying Baby Boy, <em>i'd </em>put the changing bag in the pushchair! Duh! That's the last time I take such a large bag!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a lovely afternoon though, having lunch and mooching around the seaside town, Mia had a great time trying on some of the hilarious hats for sale in a basket outside the "hippy shop" - the very same one where, in our early teens, we'd make a bee-line for to buy incense sticks and tye-dye goodies, usually covered in stars, moons and sequins...this was 1993 and I was going through the "hippy" phase. The shop is still exactly the same - Mia loved it!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C7nN9SgTghhbCZKSGcUqFquHpiFX_rP4IbwG_ADjhRLNJoNmg_NDa-3biUwtBuXEMjupxsRo5Tzg_YHovtXjtNNDSq5Qxbb0tm5rwDJHuFZQEwzOaaXkmI1F6iNF5pDeifO0sX0UF8kf/s1600/DSC04669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C7nN9SgTghhbCZKSGcUqFquHpiFX_rP4IbwG_ADjhRLNJoNmg_NDa-3biUwtBuXEMjupxsRo5Tzg_YHovtXjtNNDSq5Qxbb0tm5rwDJHuFZQEwzOaaXkmI1F6iNF5pDeifO0sX0UF8kf/s320/DSC04669.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVHChD8baSUFC3CJGPuOoYnPEL-lS65yChHco2tnF7aSpGPJS5OqFJtgGuoGhg2nUYbzspbauWPE_EzKYzZrhMCfyAFvdt8hG29SGgdJRGlWDUfY5lLr3HvtgH6llFTLIy7UAZuTW9RR_/s1600/DSC04670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVHChD8baSUFC3CJGPuOoYnPEL-lS65yChHco2tnF7aSpGPJS5OqFJtgGuoGhg2nUYbzspbauWPE_EzKYzZrhMCfyAFvdt8hG29SGgdJRGlWDUfY5lLr3HvtgH6llFTLIy7UAZuTW9RR_/s320/DSC04670.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It's never too cold for an icecream, I can always make room for a 99!; <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY-geykQUJJU63RPaBYLxX6RKGz-urzayAK25vqHGJoOC_JdkI0-tRSItv2ERwDntutkIQypFm-DPSHMuh3fe4tuCGH3b2X2oCrqRLQiwYlyhnkgV1b8O154AwZJ1R7NK2DPR3yZqy-dk/s1600/DSC04672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY-geykQUJJU63RPaBYLxX6RKGz-urzayAK25vqHGJoOC_JdkI0-tRSItv2ERwDntutkIQypFm-DPSHMuh3fe4tuCGH3b2X2oCrqRLQiwYlyhnkgV1b8O154AwZJ1R7NK2DPR3yZqy-dk/s320/DSC04672.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I had quick mooch around the charity shops to see what treasures I could find...but as usual lately, not much! I did find a few vintage Ladybird books which, for 10p each I could <em>not </em>leave behind! (Yes that's just 10p each I can hear many of you gasp!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDg3oBo-3MmOrem1IIyyS-74Rtr1-RjCvbQGv3C_U6mfTEufLmrr8U68oqd7ob3iQddJtxgLsWivd5h839Nn-M3KZGomnQ88Cz_dNVGozCbrFOmCvxTiVltAzTpaZDeu5SdGR5y5eIHpb4/s1600/DSC04683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDg3oBo-3MmOrem1IIyyS-74Rtr1-RjCvbQGv3C_U6mfTEufLmrr8U68oqd7ob3iQddJtxgLsWivd5h839Nn-M3KZGomnQ88Cz_dNVGozCbrFOmCvxTiVltAzTpaZDeu5SdGR5y5eIHpb4/s320/DSC04683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sXDlpKN_gwsWvH65S1lWkJn9NdHEl089LOavQv9jbKQDk0lgTRFZYW1TeFW0eoY43kGR-WRBzme9G2-hNPGAxYe6VjAr4OncJP8flkYdtaYBh7gmfWbxxUAcfL5RKCCm4T9AZxAyWItC/s1600/DSC04684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sXDlpKN_gwsWvH65S1lWkJn9NdHEl089LOavQv9jbKQDk0lgTRFZYW1TeFW0eoY43kGR-WRBzme9G2-hNPGAxYe6VjAr4OncJP8flkYdtaYBh7gmfWbxxUAcfL5RKCCm4T9AZxAyWItC/s320/DSC04684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was a lovely day out, and a nice way to end the Summer! As i've said i'm really looking forward to the Autumn now, and this week we have had some (hopefully) serious interest in our house, which you may know from reading my previous posts, we currently have on the market. This week we have had endless calls with the Estate Agent and have gone to view some more properties, including two which we saw six weeks back. We are currently considering an offer on our own house, and have someone else coming for a viewing tomorrow - so fingers well and truly crossed! <br />
<br />
Marina xx<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-2290799188861788292012-09-04T15:59:00.002-07:002012-09-04T15:59:20.406-07:00Remembering A Very Special Day..Two years ago today I married my gorgeous husband! I really cannot get over how quickly the time has flown, it feels like yesterday! I thought i'd share some of my favourite photos of the special day;<br />
<br />
We had a 1930's Art Deco inspired wedding, I tried to make sure that as many things as possible were either homemade, second-hand or vintage!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaz6S9kgGyu0et741PO2T_iVxg29RghWh7QK0DL0NYSyh8StIWVCjXQSItsuQnHJteWmav3kJCega3kwE_Anpe1LXr82etHou-iw28FhHOH8FkCYICtgWUmtuJ1jtRi_qQTRxl3igX-yo/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1316nmm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaz6S9kgGyu0et741PO2T_iVxg29RghWh7QK0DL0NYSyh8StIWVCjXQSItsuQnHJteWmav3kJCega3kwE_Anpe1LXr82etHou-iw28FhHOH8FkCYICtgWUmtuJ1jtRi_qQTRxl3igX-yo/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1316nmm.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_97067774"></span><span id="goog_97067775"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiArD4SzLm65Buwrk56mo5esdfdg_z94swkmEviFGisFKeQHq6uvk_d3M5i_3gv1PhG3cgISrPenA7I_LgX4NwAqWM6-I8zCBe-zb35G6gexvsdPqLDyTM4jeI0HTpgdPUXqOJLR9DNG-3/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1225,,.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiArD4SzLm65Buwrk56mo5esdfdg_z94swkmEviFGisFKeQHq6uvk_d3M5i_3gv1PhG3cgISrPenA7I_LgX4NwAqWM6-I8zCBe-zb35G6gexvsdPqLDyTM4jeI0HTpgdPUXqOJLR9DNG-3/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1225,,.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvXN1zJbbcRJJipeAmv7GMjKo4hlqhmH-rDbrazfDQCNoXZ5vlFY45XcOYqCYuWoWzTHVeEH7CSiyaXQLnLuqaDTzc_JigIf0aYxzypo-GsMOwJsII3ncjj3d9NoYP3Q5VsLBHshm2-Ia/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1109mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvXN1zJbbcRJJipeAmv7GMjKo4hlqhmH-rDbrazfDQCNoXZ5vlFY45XcOYqCYuWoWzTHVeEH7CSiyaXQLnLuqaDTzc_JigIf0aYxzypo-GsMOwJsII3ncjj3d9NoYP3Q5VsLBHshm2-Ia/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1109mm.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tuDn6AVbMMuL8eVPiwuyHZGJQ6BQtVocqOfl7SxB7Tt_7X-xLYxh2RTT7kKOL6IjG8Xs5Y_sLSn01UjwnUgEdaUX3hJyUsCX7sOn58TRuB8PqT4kWbU0zFcveT37zRynVZqEizaLOiBJ/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1217mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tuDn6AVbMMuL8eVPiwuyHZGJQ6BQtVocqOfl7SxB7Tt_7X-xLYxh2RTT7kKOL6IjG8Xs5Y_sLSn01UjwnUgEdaUX3hJyUsCX7sOn58TRuB8PqT4kWbU0zFcveT37zRynVZqEizaLOiBJ/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1217mm.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tV9TzWA_YI4ZTc65Un_cn4EMnDrGsqdh2lUsQEiFft5-HtrEMKPeKtgoNunPwcz0f2EnWaO3xl4KqxHZKI_crjw0tgFRa9ZncyWBzsYSdkibOISzw-oSIupdznHRqwOCulkwzwyPIsR5/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1221nn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tV9TzWA_YI4ZTc65Un_cn4EMnDrGsqdh2lUsQEiFft5-HtrEMKPeKtgoNunPwcz0f2EnWaO3xl4KqxHZKI_crjw0tgFRa9ZncyWBzsYSdkibOISzw-oSIupdznHRqwOCulkwzwyPIsR5/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1221nn.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mia looking quite the little Princess! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpypucdCw8Rl779QtkCtEfjc1JoovA8WjsQq01dKm0MhuDGhaHAI7vCj_8OdCG2uKMPsJs5v2vro4qwnV92ny2DFZ9H6588rc2cM7zg-vyUM-dtCzuiOoc41HWuMuA2180lh6sab5QS72/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpypucdCw8Rl779QtkCtEfjc1JoovA8WjsQq01dKm0MhuDGhaHAI7vCj_8OdCG2uKMPsJs5v2vro4qwnV92ny2DFZ9H6588rc2cM7zg-vyUM-dtCzuiOoc41HWuMuA2180lh6sab5QS72/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1087.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYhCRDqIZZ0AbgyDiiK6tuPxu2reAoHau7tLPISf0YFBsyKDy9z76B814HCazQ2_VeJvPzJlC0Ee24jS-8UFIdM0KdmtYFOmTkCcYCHunQITn_vI_a2J_7jCcAzg46eQJWkdVjhtAWOyb/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYhCRDqIZZ0AbgyDiiK6tuPxu2reAoHau7tLPISf0YFBsyKDy9z76B814HCazQ2_VeJvPzJlC0Ee24jS-8UFIdM0KdmtYFOmTkCcYCHunQITn_vI_a2J_7jCcAzg46eQJWkdVjhtAWOyb/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1088.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRM6WEZBEzC3coeH9pxUPv_N3V3IBnUNALC1KjC8a4SL4flhYCgVfq6wJw2hXLVGGspxy2zMd6YO2PKsCVOoajZnG4W8uoh6oHOZo4e3rJHc-oLMpLLOcd5Eu0o7GoWmYGbbMjyYSCqRQ/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRM6WEZBEzC3coeH9pxUPv_N3V3IBnUNALC1KjC8a4SL4flhYCgVfq6wJw2hXLVGGspxy2zMd6YO2PKsCVOoajZnG4W8uoh6oHOZo4e3rJHc-oLMpLLOcd5Eu0o7GoWmYGbbMjyYSCqRQ/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1089.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our wedding colours were Hunter Green & Black; </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWih-3Ol2FEDiBLSYiiigIdMDatVnxnKiS9Ayx7l1pyhj-Ct5SBHKlLHJE9z7oszQO9FjZxYLlYAN6FZB2BP6uiDuvNN2UgOivHm75mXlsCsEbnHSVwdgGxwENoW_sdtpE77Vb-xm7knj/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWih-3Ol2FEDiBLSYiiigIdMDatVnxnKiS9Ayx7l1pyhj-Ct5SBHKlLHJE9z7oszQO9FjZxYLlYAN6FZB2BP6uiDuvNN2UgOivHm75mXlsCsEbnHSVwdgGxwENoW_sdtpE77Vb-xm7knj/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1097.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
1930's Beauford;</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoIUXfYbi2rWCPm0KSiqbLjeHBGJDZgmhFDpdKh4oZbZe-gFO_JX472hAJnrLKkwuWn4YDrzMrnvoGMnRmQn8KR5ykeMdFdeDUyp8hQLYAYOUnv14vWLw3-XWzOcMZk16NdMAzQt43akZ/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoIUXfYbi2rWCPm0KSiqbLjeHBGJDZgmhFDpdKh4oZbZe-gFO_JX472hAJnrLKkwuWn4YDrzMrnvoGMnRmQn8KR5ykeMdFdeDUyp8hQLYAYOUnv14vWLw3-XWzOcMZk16NdMAzQt43akZ/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m759DeJU-_KCk_vs7iFC0PFDOKsdhZJ1wWqKF-LxnavPMB8Bf83IZhF5imyDukNhMJmPjEGMlVOYqMQj89sh1GkG00k6zzXRvvVRGA1IkV5cwRb1MSY1Wy5y6-pqkMUqyAQN05o4eeIh/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m759DeJU-_KCk_vs7iFC0PFDOKsdhZJ1wWqKF-LxnavPMB8Bf83IZhF5imyDukNhMJmPjEGMlVOYqMQj89sh1GkG00k6zzXRvvVRGA1IkV5cwRb1MSY1Wy5y6-pqkMUqyAQN05o4eeIh/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1137.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
The Bridesmaids </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj009NJnCNNLwYUSDsL6H34IGTr3cbImTbddpVyNvql6HH4JkSoCpU8idorP_blvptKDegIz86smz1uSFJoriLRAfJJXtbdT9hLInkWuqF6opLN7cEJjpeyILpapGQe6Zwo_Nnytu6lZCHQ/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj009NJnCNNLwYUSDsL6H34IGTr3cbImTbddpVyNvql6HH4JkSoCpU8idorP_blvptKDegIz86smz1uSFJoriLRAfJJXtbdT9hLInkWuqF6opLN7cEJjpeyILpapGQe6Zwo_Nnytu6lZCHQ/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1178.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIx7YFI0ZzIg8dhQj8NmO5_aytHxTnwV6qRsc6JY_NKC_UqK83RjfkW532RjAioIXsp9Dm8UOc-cEKos2oiUW2x0fBrJzXIAYyOM6yRmgGydcQvpekUj_1YLbS8p21BtXP7I7RnvKRsSe/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIx7YFI0ZzIg8dhQj8NmO5_aytHxTnwV6qRsc6JY_NKC_UqK83RjfkW532RjAioIXsp9Dm8UOc-cEKos2oiUW2x0fBrJzXIAYyOM6yRmgGydcQvpekUj_1YLbS8p21BtXP7I7RnvKRsSe/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Vintage 1920's place-card holders; </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCguM59CMMVyf5GRjJUwO2xxfzlK48hgjmvMf5UhBfWdh83nWRr_Pd_VG1zD1mtWonJ9I_lE67sz25a0BygECtgztWvNh9PvSY3KgENpIsAuajifWTee-j7q2-76oGRjSrqT0FpBMXcuoJ/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCguM59CMMVyf5GRjJUwO2xxfzlK48hgjmvMf5UhBfWdh83nWRr_Pd_VG1zD1mtWonJ9I_lE67sz25a0BygECtgztWvNh9PvSY3KgENpIsAuajifWTee-j7q2-76oGRjSrqT0FpBMXcuoJ/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1189.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Art-Deco inspired cake;</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM01uzuL4FOMYt2yaz2g29ugWHFTNXkw7c2PxDJ2jxdwU8VX1GfIeWaUSQDf0oAuyaYysytuU_GVJBioaMRvGx1xZ13TYUJg0sLGej2Teuovf9OGLlXj_4FjjPgJ4YoQHg9cMUuy2R8jaG/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM01uzuL4FOMYt2yaz2g29ugWHFTNXkw7c2PxDJ2jxdwU8VX1GfIeWaUSQDf0oAuyaYysytuU_GVJBioaMRvGx1xZ13TYUJg0sLGej2Teuovf9OGLlXj_4FjjPgJ4YoQHg9cMUuy2R8jaG/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1192.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknKXCOXQ1Oq1zOV-kaPX_LIE9bvW_UKw6f1WO8QeWfyutlh7oJiUkQhVVK9LQcb18PFA4lY5G8xYBmgPKM8JI9iZgXxkB5OzuPkMGhrD8F6y_J9XY6w8a4SCScFDiRwDfF4aSSp-mGToR/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknKXCOXQ1Oq1zOV-kaPX_LIE9bvW_UKw6f1WO8QeWfyutlh7oJiUkQhVVK9LQcb18PFA4lY5G8xYBmgPKM8JI9iZgXxkB5OzuPkMGhrD8F6y_J9XY6w8a4SCScFDiRwDfF4aSSp-mGToR/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1251.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8geOBLQaHscDYIV8zoKosnTyaQqpxnWgqqVQZA-hnS2z3LIGTwPNSwz2q5W-2fC_IQvtVAzeiLjqTrvEFiCw9As0snBwP4TmxmGx6fgtclq1-YxkUsR0HRo7rG0B2_8iJwAgYZ7qZmH8/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8geOBLQaHscDYIV8zoKosnTyaQqpxnWgqqVQZA-hnS2z3LIGTwPNSwz2q5W-2fC_IQvtVAzeiLjqTrvEFiCw9As0snBwP4TmxmGx6fgtclq1-YxkUsR0HRo7rG0B2_8iJwAgYZ7qZmH8/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5I87wQqfYXQuaMHgO2kmP9e8b1Ir5brHHQXCjV79YQk15sy-V2jpfLqFBRPcvlHQlg_lfI7szP6bXCHbIuAN1hu0rIo0rLd3K0damtA3aCwAHqJBRuosuCDs4l_YoCxQqKQPO9viw1zP/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5I87wQqfYXQuaMHgO2kmP9e8b1Ir5brHHQXCjV79YQk15sy-V2jpfLqFBRPcvlHQlg_lfI7szP6bXCHbIuAN1hu0rIo0rLd3K0damtA3aCwAHqJBRuosuCDs4l_YoCxQqKQPO9viw1zP/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1015.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
My alternative-style bouquet, made from vintage beads & brooches;</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYSoNUcpXQzwrWD1AsxmDhguJWb8_DWSMW5vA8X5Th2DLgJSU6vYckoroargDnyp0hdSa7EnrMsGtu1_DHVriF2m_W3yUDKKqanqN-eV10p9ZKD1n48RNXPD5a0EKnEbjQEvyqYRJ6YEG/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYSoNUcpXQzwrWD1AsxmDhguJWb8_DWSMW5vA8X5Th2DLgJSU6vYckoroargDnyp0hdSa7EnrMsGtu1_DHVriF2m_W3yUDKKqanqN-eV10p9ZKD1n48RNXPD5a0EKnEbjQEvyqYRJ6YEG/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1031.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSja-z90fuNWny74yUfPRqVyXMyrlsizwvMchXqjgnh0h4kWZxAg3U-ARdB7CTSAssucvcglyKOe2CYylB6wtftvHoVTguMsiCy1Osj5FllRODlhq7AD424Et0GdSfvWzFtbGRGMzPATvB/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1332mmm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSja-z90fuNWny74yUfPRqVyXMyrlsizwvMchXqjgnh0h4kWZxAg3U-ARdB7CTSAssucvcglyKOe2CYylB6wtftvHoVTguMsiCy1Osj5FllRODlhq7AD424Et0GdSfvWzFtbGRGMzPATvB/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1332mmm.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLcEPSFJEmRixVYL7odv6t2YrIWt2t4RoX3hH8E7OcSnHb6Ebv6jZbn1ou1csBvDgfLKcZpRvsRgi-OP979K9HYerK_f-_QPPTZhn3uPxbs6BSW6FvGx3uuOxta3-aG6Upr-bDNRBIi-8/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1333m,m,.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLcEPSFJEmRixVYL7odv6t2YrIWt2t4RoX3hH8E7OcSnHb6Ebv6jZbn1ou1csBvDgfLKcZpRvsRgi-OP979K9HYerK_f-_QPPTZhn3uPxbs6BSW6FvGx3uuOxta3-aG6Upr-bDNRBIi-8/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1333m,m,.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6QsLo2WZm3fsoJVjm6qzuvsaqo6tBCUKbaDa6vGEL3Rc0o1EyDNul1-kvC8Sh3i8L6zz5K6gsOXyHxTv1gwdnCZwVQzedKr_GekIkYDpfcuDbTIH2wMF-5aMOLwt_nnyy_Q8agFVmncJ/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6QsLo2WZm3fsoJVjm6qzuvsaqo6tBCUKbaDa6vGEL3Rc0o1EyDNul1-kvC8Sh3i8L6zz5K6gsOXyHxTv1gwdnCZwVQzedKr_GekIkYDpfcuDbTIH2wMF-5aMOLwt_nnyy_Q8agFVmncJ/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHEU6ioevqtcT_Om6q0EdQIpZ9KGpc_zYXumL30LzcoPgTLoYO0alLPeuK9RGZM0Y4xD2rRa9VPxGxG1gOc7-dWBmPzjMFIeP9ht-WUjz5i9riAvd3157t0De9iRPGeRl4Z5Lr4ElA9w9/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1009mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHEU6ioevqtcT_Om6q0EdQIpZ9KGpc_zYXumL30LzcoPgTLoYO0alLPeuK9RGZM0Y4xD2rRa9VPxGxG1gOc7-dWBmPzjMFIeP9ht-WUjz5i9riAvd3157t0De9iRPGeRl4Z5Lr4ElA9w9/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1009mm.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNpccx_FvESiZSKYoYHaYlG5ODIIKDJ4UEPRm65dyIzuVwC9hpVXnNgq_Ywr69mMX_hvuAbDN_iMz1-rczRINFd_WLRU3Wogarxs0gu-o5ZblGmGaHH-DJfwcxdisXMGUgubY3CWA9DBg/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNpccx_FvESiZSKYoYHaYlG5ODIIKDJ4UEPRm65dyIzuVwC9hpVXnNgq_Ywr69mMX_hvuAbDN_iMz1-rczRINFd_WLRU3Wogarxs0gu-o5ZblGmGaHH-DJfwcxdisXMGUgubY3CWA9DBg/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1028.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bGrFU5_3M4j161gIaOfph06AhmVxUCsD8unWw39CI5EZzoYXkisex1eNzlD2qYg9DZgYBQi8a6lVJeSeDrXLaI06eo8LhrawPfiJF67VgEvbIN6v1KSzUHdDbsM3HSc5h9tGj-zJ_K_y/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bGrFU5_3M4j161gIaOfph06AhmVxUCsD8unWw39CI5EZzoYXkisex1eNzlD2qYg9DZgYBQi8a6lVJeSeDrXLaI06eo8LhrawPfiJF67VgEvbIN6v1KSzUHdDbsM3HSc5h9tGj-zJ_K_y/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
The Husband also arrived in style!;</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T40AGmHVZansXY4OpWB-RFj7ztOfzG3mj6O9aNXl3G14P35lyjkOaLSho19NfWS-VisKu0NUYscIcKXPvmUtWDGgO0TUDQtY4k7t7KJWHHlktq6WB2J84mkbzE1vC8p5YfLpcALhcKvT/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T40AGmHVZansXY4OpWB-RFj7ztOfzG3mj6O9aNXl3G14P35lyjkOaLSho19NfWS-VisKu0NUYscIcKXPvmUtWDGgO0TUDQtY4k7t7KJWHHlktq6WB2J84mkbzE1vC8p5YfLpcALhcKvT/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfSiapMAIRPE5kPCqW63Bz4Yn5GyRy-AsFGhjWop5ghSeGCPj1RPNGOjjMwAHb4JPjGZBCtvU2xrg9kpUxXCwedqih2wpGaC-FEOhUh01HDOB0_bcmze9P7CBA-0YhZi74auZvdwbk1gX/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfSiapMAIRPE5kPCqW63Bz4Yn5GyRy-AsFGhjWop5ghSeGCPj1RPNGOjjMwAHb4JPjGZBCtvU2xrg9kpUxXCwedqih2wpGaC-FEOhUh01HDOB0_bcmze9P7CBA-0YhZi74auZvdwbk1gX/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1098.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbzEstKn8NeSDr1KhyphenhyphenNgyhbnfdBvj1aGAeP1FqqRvRHznqxpQiHkqNXhSMLjAJpyKxM7WXU-bYGOM2WlSfxnqyAIMEosDTXNhiAj8z8i2wiZskI-s1aWeuxjhLPnDmH-3eoishWQ4Q0cs/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbzEstKn8NeSDr1KhyphenhyphenNgyhbnfdBvj1aGAeP1FqqRvRHznqxpQiHkqNXhSMLjAJpyKxM7WXU-bYGOM2WlSfxnqyAIMEosDTXNhiAj8z8i2wiZskI-s1aWeuxjhLPnDmH-3eoishWQ4Q0cs/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1099.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eEAx2ZELUUvn5lgH25XFrju8dEUu9COLtyPkvlBDB0ZZRA64EWJf1JUKL6kZ2ghO_jwyjHmGiNq1YDMROJ4pcPGe2WFeWprwwUT1xRkyAxNAUUr4Ks6fK7Qh4UL3b4t9QoUXxNney2TL/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eEAx2ZELUUvn5lgH25XFrju8dEUu9COLtyPkvlBDB0ZZRA64EWJf1JUKL6kZ2ghO_jwyjHmGiNq1YDMROJ4pcPGe2WFeWprwwUT1xRkyAxNAUUr4Ks6fK7Qh4UL3b4t9QoUXxNney2TL/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1156.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f2GwMlBKrAWHHgyOCOWG6R6cGhvMdYpj-aWxFg76jDl1QO_MEbZc3OYYtNjK6jA-3W7kkVK1i4E90RK6Ip3wxNAFj_EuAJNoqMAYGcXi8RSPJGknki01REvKLE0HJ9AM-s7SHMYvE7u0/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f2GwMlBKrAWHHgyOCOWG6R6cGhvMdYpj-aWxFg76jDl1QO_MEbZc3OYYtNjK6jA-3W7kkVK1i4E90RK6Ip3wxNAFj_EuAJNoqMAYGcXi8RSPJGknki01REvKLE0HJ9AM-s7SHMYvE7u0/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1195.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55N_jI6EuU-SWfWmninIMSpbJkBVfmyw0TmmrPh4FHSEaqRE8Vfs6h4kDyNoictIeeAx2u98SkdOCbfSuRu0xDmiSOH-B12bYM5-peiI0lQNgePybpHsWb37A8-JtI53GBLW9RDy7MaHq/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55N_jI6EuU-SWfWmninIMSpbJkBVfmyw0TmmrPh4FHSEaqRE8Vfs6h4kDyNoictIeeAx2u98SkdOCbfSuRu0xDmiSOH-B12bYM5-peiI0lQNgePybpHsWb37A8-JtI53GBLW9RDy7MaHq/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCLNM9R3mQbsik6mD4yPWy_aWpNfUudpIfFReXNTqitX4wuON5R211srfvTKgGVWUpnv9YtTszNFopjgYEBNwBbjGLMSjJs0SM3k5h6o_56KLUgt_PWOnqGmb2qyASC4rvAaeZzrMM-78/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCLNM9R3mQbsik6mD4yPWy_aWpNfUudpIfFReXNTqitX4wuON5R211srfvTKgGVWUpnv9YtTszNFopjgYEBNwBbjGLMSjJs0SM3k5h6o_56KLUgt_PWOnqGmb2qyASC4rvAaeZzrMM-78/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1212.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi1k-bs8icocFHkeszVvyBbTZMsa6AUemFsL8BbVKWQDTF73ZhrcNiTtzKo_G7zlyHsL_OKf_o0TIe3K-NUr1pbud62CZc1Yz-gIi9zh1tpvSekDBJ9tKlLuNZuIlPNKnpn1wAKlrX_a2/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi1k-bs8icocFHkeszVvyBbTZMsa6AUemFsL8BbVKWQDTF73ZhrcNiTtzKo_G7zlyHsL_OKf_o0TIe3K-NUr1pbud62CZc1Yz-gIi9zh1tpvSekDBJ9tKlLuNZuIlPNKnpn1wAKlrX_a2/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrTP9Tbg5dr7GdN04RCahXw8g6ai-vcqA5dX2S_bD61kp6SGI9ywpfunChDWwO_p7YdHeOXW5USZ0aDPmxE4AJFvVkrNcxI1a5hJfDmpdhPb1Rwsuo6fdMBelQMoOI0hc9GDr95eq71va/s1600/Marina&Benjijpg-1300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrTP9Tbg5dr7GdN04RCahXw8g6ai-vcqA5dX2S_bD61kp6SGI9ywpfunChDWwO_p7YdHeOXW5USZ0aDPmxE4AJFvVkrNcxI1a5hJfDmpdhPb1Rwsuo6fdMBelQMoOI0hc9GDr95eq71va/s320/Marina&Benjijpg-1300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I was lucky enough to have TWO wedding gowns - one for the day, by Eddy K - and was actually called "Marina"!! The bridal shop assistant didn't tell me this until <em>after </em>I had made my final choice - I was so surprised it actually brought tears to my eyes - the dress was obviously meant for me! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(image from Google) </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje13zlLsRvSqsoaPOmL2eLdTSXR_947WnsHEknb4KMw5h0oSm3lMLTNMv8VdxJ7EgagTr50JpP-K7o5NxJRMrR1rI87ous46U-RvflPtvvFiNHP3_pRslbusGRS_7nGSW1Sc92JusdtgZB/s1600/1333_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje13zlLsRvSqsoaPOmL2eLdTSXR_947WnsHEknb4KMw5h0oSm3lMLTNMv8VdxJ7EgagTr50JpP-K7o5NxJRMrR1rI87ous46U-RvflPtvvFiNHP3_pRslbusGRS_7nGSW1Sc92JusdtgZB/s320/1333_1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
For the evening I wore a fabulous dress by my favourite designer Jenny Packham, called "Elizabeth";<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(images from Google) </div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw1deaj-VW96qBwEX7LBKDpFSFk1fWkHMw7n0TyH9BxmWYVN7Ezs9miONQrKSWJ5nyXAwJA15bNsx_apiL4WwGs4HrgGwzqoJdRSQ56EOs71VLDSUnENhsjleP6CkHekzBD1x7ppw2eKb/s1600/102563_walking_jp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw1deaj-VW96qBwEX7LBKDpFSFk1fWkHMw7n0TyH9BxmWYVN7Ezs9miONQrKSWJ5nyXAwJA15bNsx_apiL4WwGs4HrgGwzqoJdRSQ56EOs71VLDSUnENhsjleP6CkHekzBD1x7ppw2eKb/s320/102563_walking_jp.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I felt quite the 1930's Hollywood Movie Star!;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR0XIxwNlhJV91j74gEcbgVaMoxct7bXCp0RqWylDLmN6zGlCU1OEVf9EvgFvlR5DZS_Rcf1FUrl_dtcwL9zk4Aw1CN5b0Bwp8FyJx8NkC0UmTg2Ce4Tpu5HUTLqGL7JIfl4KwcR1Dke2/s1600/102564_Jenny-Packham-Empire-Elizabeth-Ivory-2_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR0XIxwNlhJV91j74gEcbgVaMoxct7bXCp0RqWylDLmN6zGlCU1OEVf9EvgFvlR5DZS_Rcf1FUrl_dtcwL9zk4Aw1CN5b0Bwp8FyJx8NkC0UmTg2Ce4Tpu5HUTLqGL7JIfl4KwcR1Dke2/s320/102564_Jenny-Packham-Empire-Elizabeth-Ivory-2_jpg.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoAAyyhQF5WMUZVL2D-QCC-yUM2Mljy4BBy0ATlkidNZmnv7TX_L9pBJ-Y8pc9sSyMVQprTcHOvuN5nd7E94aZbuv3tpeE6CFU4N0k5ZwIwc1X5TYnpXEC4iaJ_9FfNvfQ8fXYElieABI/s1600/Jenny-Packham-Empire-Elizabeth-Ivory-2008-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoAAyyhQF5WMUZVL2D-QCC-yUM2Mljy4BBy0ATlkidNZmnv7TX_L9pBJ-Y8pc9sSyMVQprTcHOvuN5nd7E94aZbuv3tpeE6CFU4N0k5ZwIwc1X5TYnpXEC4iaJ_9FfNvfQ8fXYElieABI/s320/Jenny-Packham-Empire-Elizabeth-Ivory-2008-2.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv6gF9aKX5vdRjo1urvg8Mq69q7TTjwWDHD5XU1cTRWk6TeB34y3DAvHWo9kqJ2BVcWsckGAhShtdWPQ8_nJu3IaGZkhrnJ4FqdEZMHK3WjcCSbUp6sTZO3-8r5MdsEjKvEtRETZy7kfc/s1600/5801929-293m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv6gF9aKX5vdRjo1urvg8Mq69q7TTjwWDHD5XU1cTRWk6TeB34y3DAvHWo9kqJ2BVcWsckGAhShtdWPQ8_nJu3IaGZkhrnJ4FqdEZMHK3WjcCSbUp6sTZO3-8r5MdsEjKvEtRETZy7kfc/s320/5801929-293m.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
I hope you've enjoyed these photos...i've loved sharing them xx</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-77555037779725506282012-08-30T13:35:00.000-07:002012-08-30T13:35:09.208-07:00Camper Van, Caves & CandlesLast week we had our annual “holiday” – however this year due to Baby Boy being so young and therefore needing at least a double-decker bus to transport all his necessary baby paraphernalia, e.g.; highchair, travel-cot, pram, etc, and that’s not to mention our belongings on top, we opted to stay home and take day trips instead. <br />
<br />
This actually worked very well, there was no stress whatsoever, and Mia seemed more than happy to sleep in her own bed (relieved no doubt not to have to check her sleeping bag for earwigs as she had had to do last year every night in the caravan). We had a lovely day on the Monday at <a href="http://www.kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk/">King Arthur’s Labyrinth in Machynlleth</a>. On route we stopped off to admire the view of the Clewedog Dam, it was just after 9.am and the occupants of this fantastic VW camper van were evidently still asleep inside!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJNp4DQ3IfWcc5uVAUFWh0GeXkJgGwTNHLgMh78JaZDKbl9l5BbDi7MUVQrNg-ztzamVjrKFWhwIz50yKNOTF7XWEY175g6mVfGbPzLtmlT6U2Kk9_2Hrqe5ijB9RYlj-LBOaFOVEgvfm/s1600/DSC04591camper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="314" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJNp4DQ3IfWcc5uVAUFWh0GeXkJgGwTNHLgMh78JaZDKbl9l5BbDi7MUVQrNg-ztzamVjrKFWhwIz50yKNOTF7XWEY175g6mVfGbPzLtmlT6U2Kk9_2Hrqe5ijB9RYlj-LBOaFOVEgvfm/s400/DSC04591camper.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I LOVE these, and couldn’t resist taking some snaps – Mia said “lets pretend it’s ours” and leapt in front of the camera, you could almost believe it if it weren’t for the husband’s Mazda just in view from behind the VW! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshxD-N2Rn_hXg3FBG4QcZD8DtZbwdXqa8WCcw7KIziYczJLLfllkzJzsFX9kADX1rrU7QV05HebOIy80TB7PSuZHbFtrqOBeT6BlZVZbo9ZVVy9-bc40CBbUw9w-MhnKwVgKvZkcSjVty/s1600/DSC04590%252C%252C%252C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshxD-N2Rn_hXg3FBG4QcZD8DtZbwdXqa8WCcw7KIziYczJLLfllkzJzsFX9kADX1rrU7QV05HebOIy80TB7PSuZHbFtrqOBeT6BlZVZbo9ZVVy9-bc40CBbUw9w-MhnKwVgKvZkcSjVty/s400/DSC04590%252C%252C%252C.jpg" /></a></div><br />
How I would love to have spent the night in there, waking up to coffee and bacon sandwiches overlooking that wonderful view, even on a wet morning like that….maybe one day! I dreamt about this the rest of the way to Machynlleth! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKM2-3hqEfspWXgVWomEmeOrYN6t6yWg3Vpih2IyNBEknXXwPCdUykJeu5zVRfMHloDoGqwJwp6srYAJNnMddCaV3KIyf-YSbvddSXLDs9RwmpM46b4vFHl1YMoawY_TChFbB8jXdFVV2/s1600/DSC04559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKM2-3hqEfspWXgVWomEmeOrYN6t6yWg3Vpih2IyNBEknXXwPCdUykJeu5zVRfMHloDoGqwJwp6srYAJNnMddCaV3KIyf-YSbvddSXLDs9RwmpM46b4vFHl1YMoawY_TChFbB8jXdFVV2/s400/DSC04559.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTt1yboPCu4cQdx_CzLUOdaz8DY25lFPZJt2tv13-fgB9ypVxVZ62bSJnHnJ-4R5UhGaPAor1t3x8AzBTByjkA7qIDKezajgZ3qX5ho9XvwsYfR985GMyGtDG88Bp5NqqQVG4Xw26tFwS/s1600/DSC04558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTt1yboPCu4cQdx_CzLUOdaz8DY25lFPZJt2tv13-fgB9ypVxVZ62bSJnHnJ-4R5UhGaPAor1t3x8AzBTByjkA7qIDKezajgZ3qX5ho9XvwsYfR985GMyGtDG88Bp5NqqQVG4Xw26tFwS/s400/DSC04558.JPG" /></a></div><br />
King Arthur’s Labyrinth was great fun; a boat trip with a hooded Monk took you deep underground to ancient caves which told the story of King Arthur and Excalibur. Mia loved it;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZgKGdu5-z8wVZUwb2eywgeokv6ttLTbKY4R7TjiMc8IwaRRSea_scD6K6_HuLTP1QTKXRb2S23ZI0_MfA-s-FdLV3xuDUaIOH7ibX7dZLkvHtCc9_A21f7vOjWoEkI4PWZ4UDoqaOY5U/s1600/588_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZgKGdu5-z8wVZUwb2eywgeokv6ttLTbKY4R7TjiMc8IwaRRSea_scD6K6_HuLTP1QTKXRb2S23ZI0_MfA-s-FdLV3xuDUaIOH7ibX7dZLkvHtCc9_A21f7vOjWoEkI4PWZ4UDoqaOY5U/s400/588_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
(image from Google)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYvkyaQER3rnWFBLH9C1BwIerI_oYMaDXgpi6s4FsfFxaCDE4bLRL3-zgrH0hmJvPKEa-jzgL9cjvX30hB9hZwvpFhyWYf8KzZKVZjBA715Q8TbhPez7FbLno7E8fP56Lv8LZJ-qh-5ok/s1600/caves1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYvkyaQER3rnWFBLH9C1BwIerI_oYMaDXgpi6s4FsfFxaCDE4bLRL3-zgrH0hmJvPKEa-jzgL9cjvX30hB9hZwvpFhyWYf8KzZKVZjBA715Q8TbhPez7FbLno7E8fP56Lv8LZJ-qh-5ok/s400/caves1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj31ahe_IWLByhJMwyTuu35JP2AbAjLs1Sp_8hFwulOGUWNnPVoHD7e2FJg0CQjM4quw7aj4dbpPObJpCt4p4lobEpd-RtFb6Rrt8XZaJ731o2fyGNoLf6ojhA7S6KrXtPm92t1IQd55lb/s1600/caves2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj31ahe_IWLByhJMwyTuu35JP2AbAjLs1Sp_8hFwulOGUWNnPVoHD7e2FJg0CQjM4quw7aj4dbpPObJpCt4p4lobEpd-RtFb6Rrt8XZaJ731o2fyGNoLf6ojhA7S6KrXtPm92t1IQd55lb/s400/caves2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Afterwards we had some lunch and then had a browse around the craft centre, where Mia & I tried our hand at dipping candles; it was great fun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoS2RZXqaNabEy78FBgcXFviPIprkBZ31KVe5wNR54n65XV5UPbwKItHclH392QBs-39qz-5Vm7Tmj5utYE9s9ze_wWS-77q5ZETbzfweLEi7qijjQhb3VCFUodNBT2MBpE_ZWTiEJbWNl/s1600/DSC04592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoS2RZXqaNabEy78FBgcXFviPIprkBZ31KVe5wNR54n65XV5UPbwKItHclH392QBs-39qz-5Vm7Tmj5utYE9s9ze_wWS-77q5ZETbzfweLEi7qijjQhb3VCFUodNBT2MBpE_ZWTiEJbWNl/s400/DSC04592.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Some lovely candles for sale;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNhi2U_V8Epx-DFOPErLNi5SDR911Ls2cEBNcbaKlMUCJwnYZlWp-cQhO8YFnqrWfk7D9PIgdtkVpaA0aU69nGgZ7wiKxfFJcF-jhAEvgqi06-bP-GEotQ8roXrHPOJeMyYF3jEd1Q5qE/s1600/DSC04593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNhi2U_V8Epx-DFOPErLNi5SDR911Ls2cEBNcbaKlMUCJwnYZlWp-cQhO8YFnqrWfk7D9PIgdtkVpaA0aU69nGgZ7wiKxfFJcF-jhAEvgqi06-bP-GEotQ8roXrHPOJeMyYF3jEd1Q5qE/s400/DSC04593.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmoknT_8t89oG3cwFPzZ2esxH6sAeZemEWHe3-V5BD6yzkl-N_oQWjTFhFgYHbgN3PApgyTlmdxoE0VX5Q8WdZEZZkK6dJQ3pYd6NXrhlA-iyAe4nK-SGgr0n1K8Q7G5JDBTmuuYU6DFy/s1600/DSC04594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmoknT_8t89oG3cwFPzZ2esxH6sAeZemEWHe3-V5BD6yzkl-N_oQWjTFhFgYHbgN3PApgyTlmdxoE0VX5Q8WdZEZZkK6dJQ3pYd6NXrhlA-iyAe4nK-SGgr0n1K8Q7G5JDBTmuuYU6DFy/s400/DSC04594.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoBNEYEBzAIRhR1uJHbzs3BBS3wNJTT90gYAAgUjD3OMeYOPSVaYCYq-msKtAgFpI6HrUVvMedAVmNEAIHCv3fqFb9R00fAIZvIGWqynPB0NY70V2kXRDg5DdtOULRZN0i7OFnwl1sySB/s1600/candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoBNEYEBzAIRhR1uJHbzs3BBS3wNJTT90gYAAgUjD3OMeYOPSVaYCYq-msKtAgFpI6HrUVvMedAVmNEAIHCv3fqFb9R00fAIZvIGWqynPB0NY70V2kXRDg5DdtOULRZN0i7OFnwl1sySB/s400/candles.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiPuJCxhkzBOwhyINJ-LVhF-rRJ3-FDG2YOxBIFbRlYmOtWgxAkIRIaJu5stR1-OMWWnxMXJhRK7O6EKByG8-_nw0vCPxEiA9VBHr35MkBKSmYfevsYpQJNaNLxx9UY6m94qxerLO9qDW/s1600/DSC04599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiPuJCxhkzBOwhyINJ-LVhF-rRJ3-FDG2YOxBIFbRlYmOtWgxAkIRIaJu5stR1-OMWWnxMXJhRK7O6EKByG8-_nw0vCPxEiA9VBHr35MkBKSmYfevsYpQJNaNLxx9UY6m94qxerLO9qDW/s400/DSC04599.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5UQICXA1RlxeM3vRa34W5cf8bPZHJX_ZpOsnZKRuHqEAwcrhCcu1zVCC90Hu89vR-PI3JE8G_HwF2SzcWN5-5GkPeIKipKIHMFaw0Jk4uOeRvNMJ_dhcvVgVznh_oAo0hyphenhyphen8Z3E_LIVn0/s1600/DSC04603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5UQICXA1RlxeM3vRa34W5cf8bPZHJX_ZpOsnZKRuHqEAwcrhCcu1zVCC90Hu89vR-PI3JE8G_HwF2SzcWN5-5GkPeIKipKIHMFaw0Jk4uOeRvNMJ_dhcvVgVznh_oAo0hyphenhyphen8Z3E_LIVn0/s400/DSC04603.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Our candles; a bit wonky, (ok, quite a lot wonky!) but I love them because <i>we</i> made them and they remind me of such a lovely day out!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYc1sWVAATGLW3cbVaC640y27XHq58X72fnLnBikUt5igcPgT3MaTcnEXBe-e5ysIzyD-ledf_vkT9BYUg06ZUDQMqAduoCpi56Yh3W26t04w0dUSLNauyjkrScufSyahjtzbT8qV5Zft/s1600/DSC04675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYc1sWVAATGLW3cbVaC640y27XHq58X72fnLnBikUt5igcPgT3MaTcnEXBe-e5ysIzyD-ledf_vkT9BYUg06ZUDQMqAduoCpi56Yh3W26t04w0dUSLNauyjkrScufSyahjtzbT8qV5Zft/s400/DSC04675.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We got home in time to collect Baby Boy from his childminder, the caves were not suitable for children of his age, and we wanted to give Mia a good day out as she’s had to settle for fewer such days since I had him. Thursday, however, we all went to the coast, and a great time, I will post on that day very soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4bQwaFGkU-2mAuqIBdATNq6eNeEHc2Tc6C_yeby7A9LBWD52tEzRod97kOjqJucBhrOj2LkT44ipfW6cCQO6kzVeOWnDhIHgjzgYtfsyrewuplQ_qKnjj1FOQReH65L-cb_pz-MWOpLB/s1600/DSC04554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4bQwaFGkU-2mAuqIBdATNq6eNeEHc2Tc6C_yeby7A9LBWD52tEzRod97kOjqJucBhrOj2LkT44ipfW6cCQO6kzVeOWnDhIHgjzgYtfsyrewuplQ_qKnjj1FOQReH65L-cb_pz-MWOpLB/s400/DSC04554.JPG" /></a></div><br />
A lovely day out...and not an earwig in sight! :) <br />
<br />
Marina xx<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-65028468421575941722012-08-18T14:32:00.000-07:002012-08-18T14:36:14.674-07:00An Afternoon In The TeepeeHello all, I wanted to share with you some pictures of Mia <i>finally</i> being able to enjoy our new Cath Kidston teepee, purchased some time ago in the CK sale with a collection of "birthday money", it was the first time the weather had allowed us to put it up - though it was well worth the wait, isn't it fantastic!;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWY5Eo0_EWV7ROBgovexDEtmLrufCLifJWypS2n_KJ6a3OUbszf7SZxEaG0NkQJLLc9Zmrnjch0scYf0AVHT8e2RY6pfx4lEMceWMuNV_vWst1vr9dEbyJ3A-1EG1B8vximza-3qXri3W5/s1600/DSC04364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWY5Eo0_EWV7ROBgovexDEtmLrufCLifJWypS2n_KJ6a3OUbszf7SZxEaG0NkQJLLc9Zmrnjch0scYf0AVHT8e2RY6pfx4lEMceWMuNV_vWst1vr9dEbyJ3A-1EG1B8vximza-3qXri3W5/s400/DSC04364.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tZUnVJ3NeDsQwAfnyCzzXG9_Rp7SPg7LjUoNuOkEBlj3GDdGfT_S81z6XwWpu62BTrTNDxhLylWgN5IogbxhyYD4SFwHMjn2XlCBI9YtuTu5e2JwStfY7BnXkcol31FDwcyG3V-txqT1/s1600/DSC04368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tZUnVJ3NeDsQwAfnyCzzXG9_Rp7SPg7LjUoNuOkEBlj3GDdGfT_S81z6XwWpu62BTrTNDxhLylWgN5IogbxhyYD4SFwHMjn2XlCBI9YtuTu5e2JwStfY7BnXkcol31FDwcyG3V-txqT1/s400/DSC04368.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj5FA5epojnG0-qSF0fEdOkUfsagIJbYglvbjquJ1tprbOd9zzyk6Z_Rm9lUnVZHSB1JIY4tG_N5ovtuGca7wsPSB0crSSTgFsXH7T_wl_iG4Pv7dMrmSUzLsZuswbgfI7JGz0ZlVyD7T/s1600/DSC04365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj5FA5epojnG0-qSF0fEdOkUfsagIJbYglvbjquJ1tprbOd9zzyk6Z_Rm9lUnVZHSB1JIY4tG_N5ovtuGca7wsPSB0crSSTgFsXH7T_wl_iG4Pv7dMrmSUzLsZuswbgfI7JGz0ZlVyD7T/s400/DSC04365.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We spent a lovely, lazy afternoon reading vintage children's annuals;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGKSMJxRLpht0i5iatYlTlWHusI0XJnwW6Fh7qlezSPSQicP6z0d27JzIyPnDCSdRQfS6v9Zt5BC69zQG_towpumCLXBrUP4SXHH6MA7eIYJjGcE8YR2rnKk30ycSjlShzcqxR3PrvdJn/s1600/DSC04367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGKSMJxRLpht0i5iatYlTlWHusI0XJnwW6Fh7qlezSPSQicP6z0d27JzIyPnDCSdRQfS6v9Zt5BC69zQG_towpumCLXBrUP4SXHH6MA7eIYJjGcE8YR2rnKk30ycSjlShzcqxR3PrvdJn/s400/DSC04367.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And playing a board game, so much better than being stuck in front of the TV;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj1jNLwaokRZGpR87jYnksKiCVdWJvnWHobAIKy_M9Te5agmOwDLL1XQ-BVuVhnHKrTvypNKgrEXmcwsGkvIGyWUcO72PL8G3-2hHs9YDmS-9zlmKFW_W5iFWuSI2LdIVe1mrGAdsUMVZ/s1600/DSC04370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj1jNLwaokRZGpR87jYnksKiCVdWJvnWHobAIKy_M9Te5agmOwDLL1XQ-BVuVhnHKrTvypNKgrEXmcwsGkvIGyWUcO72PL8G3-2hHs9YDmS-9zlmKFW_W5iFWuSI2LdIVe1mrGAdsUMVZ/s400/DSC04370.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I'm hoping we shall have some more nice weather for next week, we've booked some time off work and have planned a few day trips. Usually this would be the week of our annual holiday, though we have decided that as Baby Boy is still so young it would be easier this year to stay at home and have some nice days out. We're also planning a trip to the river with our fishing nets followed by a picnic and perhaps some time to relax and read. I'm <i>really</i> enjoying Wuthering Heights at the moment, the first time i've read it, I purchased this 1970's Corgi copy for 10p at a local jumble sale;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18RZqvT740q7Izuh-g-w-vmuAwg9OL1af9LQ3s-lA-74NGvssVVGIwxMaN9dW76aLzpphXiRJEYBVdXAZZ0uWE1Tf1J_rxxk8BOBmnRu_Wzd29zdYfk4wx-Xd7lpMc27KHdhN3kKOnvaM/s1600/5204975842_5489bfa05b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18RZqvT740q7Izuh-g-w-vmuAwg9OL1af9LQ3s-lA-74NGvssVVGIwxMaN9dW76aLzpphXiRJEYBVdXAZZ0uWE1Tf1J_rxxk8BOBmnRu_Wzd29zdYfk4wx-Xd7lpMc27KHdhN3kKOnvaM/s400/5204975842_5489bfa05b_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Not really what you'd call a "Summer Read" I don't suppose, more suited to a bleak Winter evening curled up by the log fire, still, i'm enjoying it all the same. <br />
<br />
Have a lovely weekend all, <br />
<br />
Marina xx<br />
<br />
P.S. As always, thank you for the lovely comments on my last post, the chickens have settled in SO well, Mia has started up her own little egg business selling them by the dozen to my work colleagues and neighbours - she is very pleased! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1686682105715967617.post-12267056163783860412012-08-14T15:28:00.002-07:002012-08-15T11:46:03.366-07:00The New Additions Hello all, and thank you so much, as always, for the lovely comments you left on my previous post - much appreciated! I do feel more relaxed about putting our house up for sale this time, i'm finding easier to distance myself from other potential houses, and to enjoy where we are for the time being. <br />
<br />
Anyway, moving on, last week we had 5 new additions to the family of the feathered variety – “Pumpkin”, “Dumpling”, “Petal”, “Hazel” and “Penny” our ex-chicken farm hens, rescued from slaughter and enjoying life with us, and producing around 35 eggs per week! Omelette anyone?!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji5ZsJ02_6iGlYU7cSWf4FLi0T2pE3NO5Rw7a8WvkrolMVF6ymTbeex9Q_7xsRfLO1IaPlM9zqZv1apZUCtVxEhlsrK28p2ZFf7vsg4CwTWxOpjrz5FcIRFC-xo5y8UNZ2BQDOnBguSTD/s1600/DSC04542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji5ZsJ02_6iGlYU7cSWf4FLi0T2pE3NO5Rw7a8WvkrolMVF6ymTbeex9Q_7xsRfLO1IaPlM9zqZv1apZUCtVxEhlsrK28p2ZFf7vsg4CwTWxOpjrz5FcIRFC-xo5y8UNZ2BQDOnBguSTD/s400/DSC04542.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Mia is thrilled with them, her favourite being “Pumpkin”. She named them all, even before we had them, although we were originally going to have just 3. How we came to end up with two more is all down to Mia being able to get around her grandparents so easily! How she manages that, whereas I, as their only daughter, would not have had so much luck at that age, still baffles me! We’d arranged with Nan & Grandpa that we would keep our hens in their large enclosure surrounded by electric fencing. They only have 3 old bantam hens left, and hence there would be plenty of room. So 3 were agreed upon, names chosen, and an evening picked for Mia to go with Grandpa to choose and collect them. Then, 2 days before this, Mia wangles one more, simply by stating that if she were to have 4 instead, then if two were to die, she would still have 2 left – whereas if she only had 3, that would leave 1 lonely hen on her own – plus she’s already thought of a most perfect hen-name “Hazel”!. Grandpa relented. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO_GuXMlNIQgITViRRBaCU1xupttm0RDg8Fp3hTvi7b5QVUMJMz3XoTSg1p76we_4Wy2XJvPMUv1u_5F__G_uMrvtzrW3m9rs9Y_eIdKCQzFv5xDFWLRM2ZQMf8WYK1KaLlA9urmeRMNz/s1600/DSC04547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO_GuXMlNIQgITViRRBaCU1xupttm0RDg8Fp3hTvi7b5QVUMJMz3XoTSg1p76we_4Wy2XJvPMUv1u_5F__G_uMrvtzrW3m9rs9Y_eIdKCQzFv5xDFWLRM2ZQMf8WYK1KaLlA9urmeRMNz/s400/DSC04547.JPG" /></a></div><br />
So, two days later, off they go to the chicken farm, Mia waving goodbye to Baby Boy & I from the back of their 4x4 with a HUGE box beside her, pricked with breathing holes and tried with string ready for her 4 lucky hens, which unbeknown to them, were about to be saved from becoming chicken pies!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYfbrkbOyGwxvpQ-YDWPkDa5GZ9kquU_AHRTOHW1fnFYuItFCzgC7ika3gZgnr-gjQ8sZ6jyp5y57hY3na09FSudBdgGxqck0qfGuW7R2XX8eft5zJHGQ_MmAd__nAlMA5SsxDQWB4hUB/s1600/DSC04544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYfbrkbOyGwxvpQ-YDWPkDa5GZ9kquU_AHRTOHW1fnFYuItFCzgC7ika3gZgnr-gjQ8sZ6jyp5y57hY3na09FSudBdgGxqck0qfGuW7R2XX8eft5zJHGQ_MmAd__nAlMA5SsxDQWB4hUB/s400/DSC04544.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I was very excited too, but sadly couldn’t go as it was Baby Boy’s bedtime, and Mia was planning to stay with Nan and Grandpa to help settle her hens in. However, I did phone her when they got back later on that evening, and Mia was VERY excited;<br />
<br />
“Mum I’ve got FIVE!!!” <br />
<br />
“FIVE?????” I repeat though somehow not too surprised (I know Mia)<br />
<br />
I then reply “How have you got five?”<br />
<br />
“The lady GAVE me the 5th one for free! She said I could have her Mum and I’ve called her Penny” came the answer.<br />
<br />
“What did Nanny and Grandpa say??” I ask, knowing they probably didn’t have much choice;<br />
<br />
“Oh they didn’t mind!!!” came the confident answer - my poor parents! <br />
<br />
So that's the story of how we ended up with two more hens that I bargained for! Still, we were very pleased when Mia came home the next morning with a freshly laid egg;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GNbfzzKoVTIPuTFDMtpvXoxoBQGS7SMk35KqSpGQjLiSHKOPmbQ6_B5BKuiUUDbtVoNImcQunYoa_Xo-ZtkoM_CfbLXZCnQKzrnB4hJH5Pp87EvgkVqF4coQDVQWVqj7YyX8zJMb8iJb/s1600/DSC04436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GNbfzzKoVTIPuTFDMtpvXoxoBQGS7SMk35KqSpGQjLiSHKOPmbQ6_B5BKuiUUDbtVoNImcQunYoa_Xo-ZtkoM_CfbLXZCnQKzrnB4hJH5Pp87EvgkVqF4coQDVQWVqj7YyX8zJMb8iJb/s400/DSC04436.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Which we made in to lovely strawberry cupcakes;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVFz_GP9x0t87F9UETYFw-x2MF84nl_e__Yea0UUHv51uC2aAneT5pAaR_tmSYML4wr9971yOi1exoHZgct3BV6JxnwIk_tRM7gObk4oTsTuNMg9HM1I8sQ03f0QVfYkA6v6pNTsUEZRh/s1600/DSC04438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="381" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVFz_GP9x0t87F9UETYFw-x2MF84nl_e__Yea0UUHv51uC2aAneT5pAaR_tmSYML4wr9971yOi1exoHZgct3BV6JxnwIk_tRM7gObk4oTsTuNMg9HM1I8sQ03f0QVfYkA6v6pNTsUEZRh/s400/DSC04438.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We've also this week acquired another Guinea Pig! A local lady didn't want him as his mate had died, and she wasn't wanting to get another piggie. Guinea pigs shouldn't be kept alone, so she asked if we would take him. At the moment we are "fostering" him for the local Guinea Pig Rescue, run by a friend in a nearby town, from whom we had Dexter and Bracken. His best chance is to be bonded with a baby boar from the Rescue, so at the moment he is being kept on foster and in "quaranteen" by ourselves. I'm trying not to get too attached...it's very hard. Just look at that cute face;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VNmWPQQ0w_gXCjKufWkUAkJ8nhICU2J0SsnVqjSFJqRw43R-YFLqwrRcWkJbLtK6pKSclZZlfwiGexIYRWwALUK8LEc2IuzLGN5uSLu_JeDm9bQvXG2FjmE2dJtQEV7wYuV0JGwffWPB/s1600/DSC04504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VNmWPQQ0w_gXCjKufWkUAkJ8nhICU2J0SsnVqjSFJqRw43R-YFLqwrRcWkJbLtK6pKSclZZlfwiGexIYRWwALUK8LEc2IuzLGN5uSLu_JeDm9bQvXG2FjmE2dJtQEV7wYuV0JGwffWPB/s400/DSC04504.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5VXgfgCLBW7jk2mZr2-Wn5T11McreQW-_CBSHz3JZS2Asunk9ENuqA4-HHrOD2mXN9JGbYOGQLI7Jeu-kAk9BmVcXY3q_TVbM3nlC1iMs91ocx811LHQUySjl-Xa6jVJKNtOm5mOWB4P/s1600/DSC04516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5VXgfgCLBW7jk2mZr2-Wn5T11McreQW-_CBSHz3JZS2Asunk9ENuqA4-HHrOD2mXN9JGbYOGQLI7Jeu-kAk9BmVcXY3q_TVbM3nlC1iMs91ocx811LHQUySjl-Xa6jVJKNtOm5mOWB4P/s400/DSC04516.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I'll leave you with a picture of Baby Boy looking "oh so serious" whilst observing the new piggie in his run. Hope you're all having a lovely week xx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUbDCmNlcxzWFiqVVaEIH903CYbp1JRK3PbDuzXKWugFfiDCgtGd-WzVnSsOCTViHfxuEaoldvWsogoQKMQYDaz39f-mVLj_0jorEGQFex9YzmT-e8M1p230QBBZFe7C_GI7osT3cPweQ/s1600/DSC04517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUbDCmNlcxzWFiqVVaEIH903CYbp1JRK3PbDuzXKWugFfiDCgtGd-WzVnSsOCTViHfxuEaoldvWsogoQKMQYDaz39f-mVLj_0jorEGQFex9YzmT-e8M1p230QBBZFe7C_GI7osT3cPweQ/s400/DSC04517.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8