Feather your nest

I've always been a bit of a collector. As a kid, I used to keep little white pebbles (or 'lucky stones' as we called them), leaf skeletons, coral and shells from our beach holidays (along with a few poor little hermit crabs that I used to stash in the car without my parents' knowledge )....and feathers. I always loved finding feathers, particularly white ones, as my Nan used to tell me they were good luck. The gorgeous patterns and colours always appealed to my artistic side, too. So here's a little feather study I did the other day:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVgWdg4vQHMAc_Le2hp6Wc2AKVYzCLaXcSNXuHaMQQAbrWq2i0pfpjIKnIDDAN3S7_8Alz4UNyH-GNK0paRq5a1ZdBKG2uljlysMw-qX1AS333yQwfRpJuY6JygEmKYeTCp67vRP227CE/s1600/feather+painting+may+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVgWdg4vQHMAc_Le2hp6Wc2AKVYzCLaXcSNXuHaMQQAbrWq2i0pfpjIKnIDDAN3S7_8Alz4UNyH-GNK0paRq5a1ZdBKG2uljlysMw-qX1AS333yQwfRpJuY6JygEmKYeTCp67vRP227CE/s640/feather+painting+may+2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">'Collected'</div><div style="text-align: center;">watercolour on paper </div><div style="text-align: center;">210mm x 297mm</div><div style="text-align: center;">prints available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75055615/collected-new-watercolour-painting">Etsy shop</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />I'm thinking I may start a series of feather paintings - and peacock feathers are next on my list.I found this pic the other day:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw4oceQaNQPq8lwaxU8gg-vvEWLP4sm6TKvD_MfgSMBrd14tvP0NSBO_eKKFppNuh9bpJWPMU_hF8wMcpEDL0trXAwWq4L8x52_D5LawoDqX3n_R0ayfPsX9Ag24LLNQQum8cni11OZzk/s1600/feathers+peacock-feather-centerpiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw4oceQaNQPq8lwaxU8gg-vvEWLP4sm6TKvD_MfgSMBrd14tvP0NSBO_eKKFppNuh9bpJWPMU_hF8wMcpEDL0trXAwWq4L8x52_D5LawoDqX3n_R0ayfPsX9Ag24LLNQQum8cni11OZzk/s640/feathers+peacock-feather-centerpiece.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.themeweddingboutique.com/">source</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">They are lovely, aren't they? I personally would never use feathers unless I found them myself - I hate the thought of how some of them are harvested, but they're undeniably beautiful. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know the ultimate bowerbird, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.thesocietyinc.com.au">Sibella Court</a>, is partial to the odd feather or twelve...</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIUEkEozU8GoYmBlE6gQIgH9zqHZqxPN6sdFKrnws7U9SlhVE5LVzO7FE73xNfLyuAadXmGCqU-o7NiYfBLpmOBdO0yTFaEDLHpHjOMSenXi4tcnpU65Rt9uArLC8x6l9aB1wpNjbEY3k/s1600/feathers+sibella6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIUEkEozU8GoYmBlE6gQIgH9zqHZqxPN6sdFKrnws7U9SlhVE5LVzO7FE73xNfLyuAadXmGCqU-o7NiYfBLpmOBdO0yTFaEDLHpHjOMSenXi4tcnpU65Rt9uArLC8x6l9aB1wpNjbEY3k/s640/feathers+sibella6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwJbCJDVedJSaZaGsnpA-6k-7zvxmhezPkp3KH5rT_7Upfd0W2iAOXQQoUY1uOQD_P_YkUEuFRBmyVFIi612gmRx6ew0DU5qQqzhxMI_fMeFYYPqaQEKWAtAPFnhZgCyY5OOdCXCtY1jI/s1600/feathers+DSC_3603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwJbCJDVedJSaZaGsnpA-6k-7zvxmhezPkp3KH5rT_7Upfd0W2iAOXQQoUY1uOQD_P_YkUEuFRBmyVFIi612gmRx6ew0DU5qQqzhxMI_fMeFYYPqaQEKWAtAPFnhZgCyY5OOdCXCtY1jI/s640/feathers+DSC_3603.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcIvut0eIa58fM238lwyyGVGLX6TK5bb-n2pOSQqWeWTKo4Af2bEanXbIPhK03vB_IOcQeKORIcfgnaLF_cPyzUhyOEtuUvTW_S84jjvx_jTODFQa817EWW59Qy3AlG5IfEhsZq2yXSla/s1600/feather+sibella+court+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcIvut0eIa58fM238lwyyGVGLX6TK5bb-n2pOSQqWeWTKo4Af2bEanXbIPhK03vB_IOcQeKORIcfgnaLF_cPyzUhyOEtuUvTW_S84jjvx_jTODFQa817EWW59Qy3AlG5IfEhsZq2yXSla/s640/feather+sibella+court+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">all images <a href="http://thesocietyinc.com/">The Society Inc</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...so I'm in fine company. What about you - are you collectors? Tell me everything.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Feather your nest

I've always been a bit of a collector. As a kid, I used to keep little white pebbles (or 'lucky stones' as we called them), leaf...

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Post Of The Month Club: May

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptMXRa-a312YE17YUpB0QYrcB8tGtHnlZdnaAC8I7xaTs4z2OXQjWDe5rCsJAkPJ8ZoQlhC8DfpVMJZ9hyy8GU65R84wcwwqcCYyIFNLSDdOYyyoaz3tq2Uqhz_tHe4AfMrik-l18b2Q/s1600/15018216_4KT8SoF1_c-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptMXRa-a312YE17YUpB0QYrcB8tGtHnlZdnaAC8I7xaTs4z2OXQjWDe5rCsJAkPJ8ZoQlhC8DfpVMJZ9hyy8GU65R84wcwwqcCYyIFNLSDdOYyyoaz3tq2Uqhz_tHe4AfMrik-l18b2Q/s640/15018216_4KT8SoF1_c-1.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/15018216/">image</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Admit it,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you were wondering where we would meet</div><div style="text-align: center;">for May's Post Of The Month Club, </div><div style="text-align: center;">weren't you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Well, nothing says summer like</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a lemonade stand</i> :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grab a frosty one</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Are you looking forward to summer?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Big plans?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to see what you have been up to in May</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just link-in below your best post in May</div><div style="text-align: center;">& don't forget to become a follower :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Could you visit at least 2 other participating bloggers too?<br />That would be * fab *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And if you are looking for my button to add to your sidebar or post,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you can find the HTML code on my sidebar</div><div style="text-align: center;">So sweet of you to ask</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for stopping by!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy June Blogging ;)</div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br /><br /><b>Powered by Linky Tools</b><br /><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=90308&type=thumbnail">Click here</a> to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...<br /><br /><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=90308" type="text/javascript"></script>

Post Of The Month Club: May

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK [ image ] Admit it, you were wondering where we would meet for May's Post Of The Month Club,  weren't y...

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Pavilion Style Beach House

<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.realestate.com.au"></a><br />I'm still in the planning stages for our new house design, and one style I keep coming back to over and over is a series of pavilions. It makes perfect sense for our climate - hot, humid summers, and mild winters. We have the space, and I'd love to wrap the house around the pool, so when I saw this house in Noosa, it ticked all the boxes.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5cPzgkPqPP7EuzxmmL_qDGL9OiivRwQjrn63-d2uEkOeylV5hd0VdLlAQLbSEkYc6ZsrtkA_rMwahZb-fvr59sGshc7OdA_ZNlJtHWEFA5_8rj56-VMjpN6ejjfsASzDij3OCMaW0XZU/s1600/20110505115154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5cPzgkPqPP7EuzxmmL_qDGL9OiivRwQjrn63-d2uEkOeylV5hd0VdLlAQLbSEkYc6ZsrtkA_rMwahZb-fvr59sGshc7OdA_ZNlJtHWEFA5_8rj56-VMjpN6ejjfsASzDij3OCMaW0XZU/s640/20110505115154.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYepZXzhgg1bBheFlwn4jU6RIZFhgWFqc0QQhJ9lXzISlSm9RfneADHTNjHtuB8f9TEeh0ofBumbwPMt9KFdZY3_rJjNCWzx_msWTAPOaMPNep-vUiamMDp9IKN9n-yIznRhmadFH9bav6/s1600/20110505115152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYepZXzhgg1bBheFlwn4jU6RIZFhgWFqc0QQhJ9lXzISlSm9RfneADHTNjHtuB8f9TEeh0ofBumbwPMt9KFdZY3_rJjNCWzx_msWTAPOaMPNep-vUiamMDp9IKN9n-yIznRhmadFH9bav6/s640/20110505115152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhk_gbpWOBkkAqvG0iBfzfmcFQP9U57A9w4akO1SFhW9Lku-Bq_vklZg31RwN7GUUilsi1-SdrSCns9tmd6nP2V6LfaV1hP2bdsrcXTOgDfMx1K7j7eOxTNfu-R5FPCe6IrzwE56Rn0JW/s1600/20110505115153.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhk_gbpWOBkkAqvG0iBfzfmcFQP9U57A9w4akO1SFhW9Lku-Bq_vklZg31RwN7GUUilsi1-SdrSCns9tmd6nP2V6LfaV1hP2bdsrcXTOgDfMx1K7j7eOxTNfu-R5FPCe6IrzwE56Rn0JW/s640/20110505115153.3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hmm, pity we've just given our pool an overhaul..I'm liking those steps - very clever<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnQLk7pLRYKxutLdq60PykP_ZSqeT3WJlAwIWo5lHV4B0_bLFz3X7T2O5YNcDMnbzI4kM5gUvCEdtDTYS2eHiUSgG-XefXS8QLZ2qx5WCKSkrOvRtTqWwwtAEZQpDsz5ltTeZjlvMUkxM/s1600/20110505115154.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnQLk7pLRYKxutLdq60PykP_ZSqeT3WJlAwIWo5lHV4B0_bLFz3X7T2O5YNcDMnbzI4kM5gUvCEdtDTYS2eHiUSgG-XefXS8QLZ2qx5WCKSkrOvRtTqWwwtAEZQpDsz5ltTeZjlvMUkxM/s640/20110505115154.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHH3IqrDDGQ02JoDuCJgwnPGZDdoP45WPa2FLlVTGaDsGfNffVrSy_sAcBlfHtHVRWR5sHOgbXDLjavWr-ZAGHHElcGH7vMaTQetdMIQPkN4FSshNT9nW25xh3zBUF-olfTeIVoGYZjHk/s1600/20110505115155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHH3IqrDDGQ02JoDuCJgwnPGZDdoP45WPa2FLlVTGaDsGfNffVrSy_sAcBlfHtHVRWR5sHOgbXDLjavWr-ZAGHHElcGH7vMaTQetdMIQPkN4FSshNT9nW25xh3zBUF-olfTeIVoGYZjHk/s640/20110505115155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Not exactly my style furnishing-wise, but the wide-plank timber floors are divine<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2MbD8pPbQmY1SnAK3ut6w6ALXq1-GwunHVBLd5dy2FGGod6eMFDlTYB21OeiN5D5J9wBgl-ZC_gSIsaMCTMLUCF-uPMPe6WaYfzgSYkpk_i02xSMAdM3Bth6fGW1CkgQBc1_6FojcdpB/s1600/20110505115155.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2MbD8pPbQmY1SnAK3ut6w6ALXq1-GwunHVBLd5dy2FGGod6eMFDlTYB21OeiN5D5J9wBgl-ZC_gSIsaMCTMLUCF-uPMPe6WaYfzgSYkpk_i02xSMAdM3Bth6fGW1CkgQBc1_6FojcdpB/s640/20110505115155.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> LOVE the pivot louvred doors...one for the files for sure<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpWm7Tv2CJ66mXfv1i1BLArqejgf2ZJhHcccxaCZ09r84i5KxwCIdARPbZExZDeOXT2s-eVkDesL5g25a0ryQbeRW_GPXeCJOG4URQINlh8-9c7AZfJj2RERQPtjrSysK5Wh6EEzQabOq/s1600/20110505133303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpWm7Tv2CJ66mXfv1i1BLArqejgf2ZJhHcccxaCZ09r84i5KxwCIdARPbZExZDeOXT2s-eVkDesL5g25a0ryQbeRW_GPXeCJOG4URQINlh8-9c7AZfJj2RERQPtjrSysK5Wh6EEzQabOq/s640/20110505133303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...and another must-have are those clerestory windows...perfect for Queenlsand summers<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTR9CASOCH2jBhuAhWDZB5nAh0JMCQWSOJ2aaWpk_dt4Zk8gkAH9puzew64idx7eDB8Ktaf990A77bKUg3lGISjlKSnBz07ZNoYzp79xaGa4EaRQf_lQ_tcIjGYyWs0kCazJWlBzcgyx_/s1600/20110505133303.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTR9CASOCH2jBhuAhWDZB5nAh0JMCQWSOJ2aaWpk_dt4Zk8gkAH9puzew64idx7eDB8Ktaf990A77bKUg3lGISjlKSnBz07ZNoYzp79xaGa4EaRQf_lQ_tcIjGYyWs0kCazJWlBzcgyx_/s640/20110505133303.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ok, so ignore the artwork, but I love the way the house wraps around the pool...and I love the Pandanus tree in the middle of the deck too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfSo4ikqgv3ffhjw8LF6ROnaDIiX2Tu44LawHQ5_3pm6rkxjVczdX1r4rTAYCO7U3bIggZkdC3ZTTiLAaSeNBjsxSO3MJgaaip9_fFvUF8M9drhW6kx1HjYrYclicaOHmJJcWGeSeLna2/s1600/20110505133303.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfSo4ikqgv3ffhjw8LF6ROnaDIiX2Tu44LawHQ5_3pm6rkxjVczdX1r4rTAYCO7U3bIggZkdC3ZTTiLAaSeNBjsxSO3MJgaaip9_fFvUF8M9drhW6kx1HjYrYclicaOHmJJcWGeSeLna2/s640/20110505133303.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />So, my plan is slowly but surely taking shape. I like quite a few different styles, and I'm aiming to blend some of them together into a cohesive design. It's like putting together a great big jigsaw puzzle, adding pieces as I go. My biggest dilemma - not being sidetracked by all the fantastic options out there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll be back tomorrow with a new painting that's just about to be listed in my <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.driftwoodinteriors.etsy.com">Etsy shop</a>. There'll be a little preview on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com/originalartbykerrishipp">Facebook</a> later today if you just can't wait until then..... :)</div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">all images courtesy <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.realestate.com.eu">realestate.com.au</a></span>

Pavilion Style Beach House

I'm still in the planning stages for our new house design, and one style I keep coming back to over and over is a series of pavilions. I...

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RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I had no idea what to expect from the <i>ultimate</i> flower show</div><div style="text-align: center;">aka The 98th RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQQuJiji2A0yWyfXrJemYHQUI3376S-l5yjDi2chmS33xqAIzwAWPzgV3lM-73P8echIv7IiaIrFq_D-WR_twdFxM3jABaafHmCsobwpC-qz_0k1drrKJGA2LrIOxj8sQEFvYIdeGtZw/s1600/DSC_890156-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQQuJiji2A0yWyfXrJemYHQUI3376S-l5yjDi2chmS33xqAIzwAWPzgV3lM-73P8echIv7IiaIrFq_D-WR_twdFxM3jABaafHmCsobwpC-qz_0k1drrKJGA2LrIOxj8sQEFvYIdeGtZw/s640/DSC_890156-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peony</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such a feast for the eyes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amazing vignettes </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">where you would love to just bring a book and linger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Forever</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yW35xrAVzY0kTcZuXTB0p0hz-4X9Jj3cEoZ2O5QfjXYY6b6-LAATBDUU2wtZfiLrdwjd_IjhA6-QEeg8jQFeGvDhLq9c1fapiFWHOp02WZaAZ9VKpvxkjnkCGJGS4rd5ELs6YlCD4zg/s1600/DSC_90063-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yW35xrAVzY0kTcZuXTB0p0hz-4X9Jj3cEoZ2O5QfjXYY6b6-LAATBDUU2wtZfiLrdwjd_IjhA6-QEeg8jQFeGvDhLq9c1fapiFWHOp02WZaAZ9VKpvxkjnkCGJGS4rd5ELs6YlCD4zg/s640/DSC_90063-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fever-Tree's 'Tree House Garden'<br />Silver Medal</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The designers were very approachable </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">& happy to discuss their area</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with take-home plant lists</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKanBfswHSbRFpvqIrnkPHdeVP6mBmMpMikfZ4EZcP7Q8-XD4pw5sMQyt1ttaeJEHgKIH3fk2qveN7sNbZkZz9WL_G9Ca_Lfa-OsAagjQjNfeo4hDpNaC3tFzmOJKaT8VlymzmOAQCLXU/s1600/DSC_90043-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKanBfswHSbRFpvqIrnkPHdeVP6mBmMpMikfZ4EZcP7Q8-XD4pw5sMQyt1ttaeJEHgKIH3fk2qveN7sNbZkZz9WL_G9Ca_Lfa-OsAagjQjNfeo4hDpNaC3tFzmOJKaT8VlymzmOAQCLXU/s640/DSC_90043-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'A Postcard From Wales' by Kati Crome & Maggie Hughes<br />Gold Medal</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were many displays of 'living' walls and roofs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is just one example</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p6Dqb3puvG7kVxBl9Re-SDyJYqlJLQB1jlQP9m2Pdf8yP5sbKIL-9O_ehy0Rr1YsQFAsTFbcEJ4wsqotRLcmmK242-SJdysitYuychEWJeQvkc3CCMTsh5NssiYyN2PMpRSfhcA9ndo/s1600/DSC_90079-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p6Dqb3puvG7kVxBl9Re-SDyJYqlJLQB1jlQP9m2Pdf8yP5sbKIL-9O_ehy0Rr1YsQFAsTFbcEJ4wsqotRLcmmK242-SJdysitYuychEWJeQvkc3CCMTsh5NssiYyN2PMpRSfhcA9ndo/s640/DSC_90079-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved the creativity</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and pushing of boundaries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxFQTrLKaHZrxJoTkJY3rdAy9S4cJodkpNFImNtQbm_6U1uQ9ksNWc8F2eesXfwJZCBFlVXO7JF0rc1is8U4Rb2SQ9NhB7HEzGbv5Cq4g-YsLV_7TS6OipwLY64l7RIbz-lELHJdLlGY/s1600/DSC_90257-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxFQTrLKaHZrxJoTkJY3rdAy9S4cJodkpNFImNtQbm_6U1uQ9ksNWc8F2eesXfwJZCBFlVXO7JF0rc1is8U4Rb2SQ9NhB7HEzGbv5Cq4g-YsLV_7TS6OipwLY64l7RIbz-lELHJdLlGY/s640/DSC_90257-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Irish Sky Garden<br />Gold Award</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">According to the BBC, designer Diarmuid Gavin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">was inspired by the film <i>Avatar</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and <a href="http://www.dinnerinthesky.com/">Dinner In The Sky</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to create this aerial garden</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It moved by crane and gave VIPs a ride</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This annual flower show is known for being 'over-the-top'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{which it was}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and for being hoity-toity</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{which it was <i>not}</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGRDt8Z9agjxX3zX1-oTPSqTw8wE1y0QUucxGsk9NOKC4DjT0iZLhYw1qycv6e5XSejLM-7sGTZ59O0TUlbETmyTydBDfzLCvW6YLZ_Y8Sjwfeh2beURVuA34P8Ez8N5J6oG7-Rc5Sqc/s1600/DSC_90168-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGRDt8Z9agjxX3zX1-oTPSqTw8wE1y0QUucxGsk9NOKC4DjT0iZLhYw1qycv6e5XSejLM-7sGTZ59O0TUlbETmyTydBDfzLCvW6YLZ_Y8Sjwfeh2beURVuA34P8Ez8N5J6oG7-Rc5Sqc/s640/DSC_90168-2.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden<br />Gold Award</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-blICy83Am48GFYj1kpX_NIU_SvTWl8iVSao2285iapMCzjF0wknS3ZUKaKH1AGOmdg2wxbbIy_H2ptIYSlKF9NIkJAlDhFGvL25xDeYzIh_LWQeQne1uGj-W9nrY6E8V8j180-927o/s1600/DSC_90164-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-blICy83Am48GFYj1kpX_NIU_SvTWl8iVSao2285iapMCzjF0wknS3ZUKaKH1AGOmdg2wxbbIy_H2ptIYSlKF9NIkJAlDhFGvL25xDeYzIh_LWQeQne1uGj-W9nrY6E8V8j180-927o/s640/DSC_90164-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible craftsmanship & detail</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">This STUNNING display was covered in dried flowers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">and the entire floor was draped in <i>fresh orchids</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Inside the Great Pavilion were exhibitors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">specializing in</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">every flower imaginable</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiu107eDBxwOKVsOR4GGiRMzk6hCz_4kiCpJdQ-k4YIydSHjRabl4taVttCSo78_BG8Y77KuS3OflpAFTjGPaTQZMjklPnJCi7qTK5-rOWcgEKsiAu-7DeuZ-1TO0uyg1XeJyg443fnI/s1600/DSC_90159-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiu107eDBxwOKVsOR4GGiRMzk6hCz_4kiCpJdQ-k4YIydSHjRabl4taVttCSo78_BG8Y77KuS3OflpAFTjGPaTQZMjklPnJCi7qTK5-rOWcgEKsiAu-7DeuZ-1TO0uyg1XeJyg443fnI/s640/DSC_90159-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskMsrmPkIyn9SJ9FUC1YH2wABcw2C-mRoNXmr9sVOoe8L9vSIQiOrnRYO7gXX9P7CRm3jwfIbDsyO14Vpr5LbKuVqukHKGEHawBQEdONYodFsmfoY5sgKMBudnIz1nkbafzWx3lfHx2A/s1600/DSC_90212-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskMsrmPkIyn9SJ9FUC1YH2wABcw2C-mRoNXmr9sVOoe8L9vSIQiOrnRYO7gXX9P7CRm3jwfIbDsyO14Vpr5LbKuVqukHKGEHawBQEdONYodFsmfoY5sgKMBudnIz1nkbafzWx3lfHx2A/s640/DSC_90212-27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVnlbjCnI2x_iv8bALvcUiVLsVZ86WdYEQNrkzVE_OJD7s47aB7htp0AJwds2DrHtpkuSUwzbe9nJqOs20N1o7uXuadMPvCDgoPub4yEoiEijN_xEsluBRQ5bMEosxBv2vxwa9VmDsFI/s1600/DSC_90124-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVnlbjCnI2x_iv8bALvcUiVLsVZ86WdYEQNrkzVE_OJD7s47aB7htp0AJwds2DrHtpkuSUwzbe9nJqOs20N1o7uXuadMPvCDgoPub4yEoiEijN_xEsluBRQ5bMEosxBv2vxwa9VmDsFI/s640/DSC_90124-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Himalayan Blue Poppy<br />My first time to see this rare and difficult-to-grow flower</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently one of the biggest challenges this year was the weather</div><div style="text-align: center;">for it has been unusually warm and dry here</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you image the stress of having your blossoms peak on a particular day</div><div style="text-align: center;">(day of judging)?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Techniques included </div><div style="text-align: center;">refrigerating plants</div><div style="text-align: center;">wrapping buds in cotton wool</div><div style="text-align: center;">& a gentle blast of warmth from hairdryers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And this was the place to spy the petaled contestants for </div><div style="text-align: center;">'Plant Of The Year' Award</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHLV7opny0BN2qL2HdaizsNk-KLuE53WD1mIVRJY0HxsBjzzw0jfomAKVKqEY2ogB054MM52PxxZB8p6jcWRUNpnBtHIR-wX5i4_qfiGLEvIORYL8FrnoZPoKZqB8BG5PJwXfAoTs6w8/s1600/DSC_90132-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHLV7opny0BN2qL2HdaizsNk-KLuE53WD1mIVRJY0HxsBjzzw0jfomAKVKqEY2ogB054MM52PxxZB8p6jcWRUNpnBtHIR-wX5i4_qfiGLEvIORYL8FrnoZPoKZqB8BG5PJwXfAoTs6w8/s640/DSC_90132-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like a 'Best In Show' for flowers</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the 2011 RHS Chelsea Flower 'Plant Of The Year' Award went to...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHujeQaPpI2jaMVjrCv3mebWIURCOClK_rXeDdriPJkP3U0QfWwp4w7zUxx9Yc59UZo7BFVvBbpKyvsQLLuBWIWmPkkXcA56ZqArCTx2ssU8z9Fpri43sdY1DbDykiNHnLlvdvy541Kzg/s1600/DSC_90201-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHujeQaPpI2jaMVjrCv3mebWIURCOClK_rXeDdriPJkP3U0QfWwp4w7zUxx9Yc59UZo7BFVvBbpKyvsQLLuBWIWmPkkXcA56ZqArCTx2ssU8z9Fpri43sdY1DbDykiNHnLlvdvy541Kzg/s640/DSC_90201-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anemone 'Wild Swan' shown by Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants<br />'Plant Of The Year'</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...Anemone 'Wild Swan'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The typical problem with white flowers is that  </div><div style="text-align: center;">they rarely offer a pure white color</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yet this delicate-looking anemone was not only </div><div style="text-align: center;">yummy-cake-frosting white white,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but some of the undersides of the petals were a lovely purple</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you stand it?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">And I always know I am at the right place when I see the film crew</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">(like on the <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2011/04/royal-wedding-from-my-throne-part-3.html">Royal Wedding</a> route)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmujFC3ek7vvbjPZpjzE6asKgTtFo102Yw_oWmF35KZ2mFNJVi7L_82wjT-V2B09WVvoP0KVNmY1zrshgmpBTt4RjqrxcmpZLjhY8l6iZpZEYctTFP3cNsbrAPvdABtHyofX6xlUXPAE/s1600/DSC_90231-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmujFC3ek7vvbjPZpjzE6asKgTtFo102Yw_oWmF35KZ2mFNJVi7L_82wjT-V2B09WVvoP0KVNmY1zrshgmpBTt4RjqrxcmpZLjhY8l6iZpZEYctTFP3cNsbrAPvdABtHyofX6xlUXPAE/s400/DSC_90231-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More than 150,000 will visit this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show over 5 days</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are just a few of them ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1w4f09MzBWAijBvgQLNq9K1IM4U6nOPqIAqylUMq4e8msAgigjs983T4MVTjMv4E1RF4IcLQBaX7_qyqNF2f-dVt50UK2oTR9Y0tGymqlPuoGNzrhKZQXMaNlw4utAsuYaCuRZW2C15s/s1600/DSC_90261-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1w4f09MzBWAijBvgQLNq9K1IM4U6nOPqIAqylUMq4e8msAgigjs983T4MVTjMv4E1RF4IcLQBaX7_qyqNF2f-dVt50UK2oTR9Y0tGymqlPuoGNzrhKZQXMaNlw4utAsuYaCuRZW2C15s/s640/DSC_90261-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I was glad to see some of these guys in the</div><div style="text-align: center;">floral spirit</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-cabDeMCXNB4m-nRexUt3k2WhJT0NOox0jLRnwqaY4LhoCEYFp-ezjf14LqaHr3s_2zp2wUduAlgqMW-8ncThyphenhyphenU1L9ovZjg30kcUB_bd1435ANQq3OQ0eHr8MCWBwXeALhbfcGrzqms/s1600/DSC_90262-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-cabDeMCXNB4m-nRexUt3k2WhJT0NOox0jLRnwqaY4LhoCEYFp-ezjf14LqaHr3s_2zp2wUduAlgqMW-8ncThyphenhyphenU1L9ovZjg30kcUB_bd1435ANQq3OQ0eHr8MCWBwXeALhbfcGrzqms/s640/DSC_90262-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside RHS Chelsea Garden Flower Show</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Flittering between so many beautiful flowers and gardens, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was one happy butterfly by the end of the day</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;"><i>- all photos by me -</i></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: x-small; line-height: normal;">Sources: <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2011">RHS</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/chelsea/show-gardens/index.shtml">BBC</a></span></span></b></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></b></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;">Linking up to <a href="http://mcdougallphotography.blogspot.com/">Fabulous Friday</a>, <a href="http://arosynote.blogspot.com/">Photo Feature Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.momtriedit.net/">Foto Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingfrombolivia.com/">Macro Friday</a></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></b></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; 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RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011

I had no idea what to expect from the ultimate flower show aka The 98th RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London Peony Such a feast for the eyes! ...

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Trip To Cornwall: Day Three

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We were already talking about returning to Cornwall next year</div><div style="text-align: center;">as we packed the car</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dense with so much more to do,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we will be back</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFvJqlcz6KBwrNYZiGJ5oVtMtfzh62pr-OlkUa6BRXbkMYgg4udfNvCN5_SD4HSBfEZP_EpsWp16zIaTgywng4PHVF48rzeaylK6GMiYPsEVJNYDbZr3WV9GeG3gDvOK7kWK7LvW48ZQ/s1600/DSC_0470-231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFvJqlcz6KBwrNYZiGJ5oVtMtfzh62pr-OlkUa6BRXbkMYgg4udfNvCN5_SD4HSBfEZP_EpsWp16zIaTgywng4PHVF48rzeaylK6GMiYPsEVJNYDbZr3WV9GeG3gDvOK7kWK7LvW48ZQ/s640/DSC_0470-231.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage In Hampshire</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our drive home would be 5 hours, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so we broke it up with a few stops along the way<br /><br />Our first destination: Plymouth, Devon<br /><br />In England,<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Plymouth is the town at the mouth of the River Ply</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The River Dart meets the sea at Dartmouth<br /><br />These same-named American cities now seem funny to me,<br />named out of context<br /><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2C-w0ZNniug3O3zAdrKwA41uuuOoguUwT6J8R1ftA-U8Mbm-kSlfqRDStRRVgskd0vAEn0sJRapOn0d2ROlbHqquqnmo-mJi_KL-c6G0laGr1GNmwvvC4RH2tf3hOxoTqX728P0A9Hk/s1600/DSC_0405-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2C-w0ZNniug3O3zAdrKwA41uuuOoguUwT6J8R1ftA-U8Mbm-kSlfqRDStRRVgskd0vAEn0sJRapOn0d2ROlbHqquqnmo-mJi_KL-c6G0laGr1GNmwvvC4RH2tf3hOxoTqX728P0A9Hk/s640/DSC_0405-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Flags fly over the Mayflower Steps</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Plymouth, Devon</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was interested in coming here because Plymouth is where the Mayflower departed in 1620<br />One of my ancestors was on that ship</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Mayflower brought the first settlers (the Pilgrims)<br />to America<br /><br />Equally significant to Australia,<br />Plymouth also sent off the first ships destined for its penal colony</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I was really amazed how two countries got their beginnings<br />from the same harbor!<br /><br />We're so interconnected :)<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC2pkSlrUZtx5OgweglzeJRPtr_PIHFk2klDyHaXaQWl49VfYX1lnIetNSJ-rW9BHvWKSLzjmj_DlnOLPBA4RPlnzN-dJGK0JX9kIiQNMKtNEz4KrzxQcLuvCL-ztVcVb6ytPBJl8lns/s1600/DSC_0400-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC2pkSlrUZtx5OgweglzeJRPtr_PIHFk2klDyHaXaQWl49VfYX1lnIetNSJ-rW9BHvWKSLzjmj_DlnOLPBA4RPlnzN-dJGK0JX9kIiQNMKtNEz4KrzxQcLuvCL-ztVcVb6ytPBJl8lns/s640/DSC_0400-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayflower Plaque<br />Plymouth, Devon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We visited the worthwhile <a href="http://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/site/attractions/plymouth-mayflower-exhibition-p928703">Plymouth Mayflower Exhibition</a><br />which was small and therefore quick (just what the doctor ordered)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ-HQXcyU0g4M2rKzOiQADcGuGEf-HmMq-j1ysKYo_yKvQ5Nomy8oZWu2lBNlrrnGqkn3fZ76gKaGV1WWL3dLoGhitnAg56ZPgTT0gg2lOB-GrxYNvtk_dmAbeqa7_IthiaFjQnnWGQk/s1600/DSC_0399-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ-HQXcyU0g4M2rKzOiQADcGuGEf-HmMq-j1ysKYo_yKvQ5Nomy8oZWu2lBNlrrnGqkn3fZ76gKaGV1WWL3dLoGhitnAg56ZPgTT0gg2lOB-GrxYNvtk_dmAbeqa7_IthiaFjQnnWGQk/s640/DSC_0399-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea House in Devon<br />(as in Devonshire cream)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lucky me, I was in the land of the 'Cream Tea'</div><div style="text-align: center;">which meant tea, scones, and clotted cream available everywhere</div><div style="text-align: center;">A specialty in this part of England<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next stop was the seaside town of Lyme Regis, Dorset<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXcZFq7ljmW0sHx2y3MN0NHiSarE1VAQRTNZFET1XdIsg1kJwwEuGPPHTdpY6WQcU2mPIdxZedKIS1VrAxI3TJNJA_KDOKQiJj0eA87E3GkPDiGJe_C-gq8H3D0hPM75ZM4iJ7WIhnfU/s1600/DSC_0414-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXcZFq7ljmW0sHx2y3MN0NHiSarE1VAQRTNZFET1XdIsg1kJwwEuGPPHTdpY6WQcU2mPIdxZedKIS1VrAxI3TJNJA_KDOKQiJj0eA87E3GkPDiGJe_C-gq8H3D0hPM75ZM4iJ7WIhnfU/s640/DSC_0414-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyme Regis, Dorset</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These colorfully painted houses were a surprise to me</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The French Lieutenant's Woman </i>(1981),</div><div style="text-align: center;">starring Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons, was filmed on location here<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAVmAgAdj-Snv4-Vc67Ib2017r8FeTDyvI1tdny_00zXDOeYHvpdjQkT1roMT3QYKNhLvJHzAbN4sgWdjNRZHTDASQs1-UjWLSg6onswgZ1Qjm6X-b_GunP8g61ZSKw8FeDJuMX3oot8/s1600/DSC_0423-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAVmAgAdj-Snv4-Vc67Ib2017r8FeTDyvI1tdny_00zXDOeYHvpdjQkT1roMT3QYKNhLvJHzAbN4sgWdjNRZHTDASQs1-UjWLSg6onswgZ1Qjm6X-b_GunP8g61ZSKw8FeDJuMX3oot8/s640/DSC_0423-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cobb<br />Made famous in film,  <i>A French Lieutenant's Woman</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Frequented by royalty, poets, writers, and painters during Tudor times,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this seaside town was also popular with Jane Austin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't it charming?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_voVljFAtqRdMPmNl40EsM7Q_tSs7pv4qSnWQLz7YWz8dm7x1c2Km1DVeoGvd8yQk-Er_w8763SkBEMtZhwF6-OK66d-fuVl_fHFtMQTWmebgQ2iOTx5HcC1PQSpDaaXClaheOf0-3I/s1600/DSC_0415-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_voVljFAtqRdMPmNl40EsM7Q_tSs7pv4qSnWQLz7YWz8dm7x1c2Km1DVeoGvd8yQk-Er_w8763SkBEMtZhwF6-OK66d-fuVl_fHFtMQTWmebgQ2iOTx5HcC1PQSpDaaXClaheOf0-3I/s640/DSC_0415-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyme Regis, Dorset</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is part of the Jurassic Coast,<br />famous for international fossil hunting expeditions<br />and quality geology (so I hear)<br /><br />My son will just tell you it was 'cool!'<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkdKsgpylX6qq3tQj4uzLby4cYiMNE_VOErHEP1TfCB_Dg0935O09NYQiWqK1sa4fXqenBxDT9D4kI1ezVVDTc-oAzMFABAWt97szDWhJ62miaXOyLL_cpxHTtX0tjF68wgR7A5FHumc/s1600/DSC_0417-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkdKsgpylX6qq3tQj4uzLby4cYiMNE_VOErHEP1TfCB_Dg0935O09NYQiWqK1sa4fXqenBxDT9D4kI1ezVVDTc-oAzMFABAWt97szDWhJ62miaXOyLL_cpxHTtX0tjF68wgR7A5FHumc/s640/DSC_0417-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fossil imprints on the rocky beach<br />Lyme Regis, Dorset</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />So after an ice cream top-up<br />We got back in the car to head home and saw this<br /><br />Yellow fields of rapeseed!<br />{be still my floral heart}<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGNLK9zWt2veWYmwiMTBjUX3wbYbXYMUVKRf-cTJcGvplItKNj3CfWDn4EHrvqgZr_zucdsGcxtBx5tTIpXjYMmZ6CjizA9R3eTwdREazi-vOCe26L_btySrLWHa5jYjsq3cCP6hIzIk/s1600/DSC_0462-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGNLK9zWt2veWYmwiMTBjUX3wbYbXYMUVKRf-cTJcGvplItKNj3CfWDn4EHrvqgZr_zucdsGcxtBx5tTIpXjYMmZ6CjizA9R3eTwdREazi-vOCe26L_btySrLWHa5jYjsq3cCP6hIzIk/s640/DSC_0462-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fields of Yellow Rapeseed<br />(think Canola oil)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And more quaint villages along the <i>carriageway</i> ('highway')</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCNjizyEJ9ySfw0_AWoeXmT9NgFfbA3yQW7t_WCIkf8gxGeSqsGEKD2rytg6R8JFAnupwjPsW3tD0PjX-_jdBWgHBRPpIsIxGU9I0XGwEa-Lkz4pRxE5SnJssyXHj70NTPAOPvh8rwyM/s1600/DSC_0459-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCNjizyEJ9ySfw0_AWoeXmT9NgFfbA3yQW7t_WCIkf8gxGeSqsGEKD2rytg6R8JFAnupwjPsW3tD0PjX-_jdBWgHBRPpIsIxGU9I0XGwEa-Lkz4pRxE5SnJssyXHj70NTPAOPvh8rwyM/s640/DSC_0459-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere in Dorset</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so here was the end of our rainbow</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The most delicious and quaint country pub <i>ON THE PLANET</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(a tip from TripAdvisor)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5cnc7fYolBBQ6tV4NxqmlM1Vzmpv3npggvf0-96qAERExYXzmmJpdu4reYrFhBZuyfH6oOYFeY6rB3SoW95hyphenhyphenBNs99KkhlM9mGipOg8FtYL_k26b_sZnEdp00gafViTiBsz96rtPD3w/s1600/DSC_0473-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5cnc7fYolBBQ6tV4NxqmlM1Vzmpv3npggvf0-96qAERExYXzmmJpdu4reYrFhBZuyfH6oOYFeY6rB3SoW95hyphenhyphenBNs99KkhlM9mGipOg8FtYL_k26b_sZnEdp00gafViTiBsz96rtPD3w/s640/DSC_0473-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chestnut Horse<br />Easton, Hampshire</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not only was the food FANTASTIC</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but we kept talking about how we could live</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in this hamlet and commute to school & work</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But for now, we just have to settle with the possibility of this being our best family vacation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><i>- all photos by moi -</i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Trip To Cornwall</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Day One (<a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2011/05/trip-to-cornwall-day-one.html">here</a>)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Day Two (<a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2011/05/trip-to-cornwall-day-two.html">here</a>)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>***</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Psst, Are you still there? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bloggers, please join the next monthly <i>linky party</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;">next Tues & Wed</div><div style="text-align: center;">- May 31 to June 1st -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep, right here :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGJWtIiCNqdPO2Ag5usLFb12dLxvH4lpRr8GSKB1xMK0ff02gKXvI1x1u7QokDgN7gNrBmc5k3Nl3fBMiu_r19VPBYwoqfjH_g-o7FnRAWucMD1lRCW5oCAuaT0MbtpNDHARgNB778gQ/s1600/Happy+Homemaker+20111-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGJWtIiCNqdPO2Ag5usLFb12dLxvH4lpRr8GSKB1xMK0ff02gKXvI1x1u7QokDgN7gNrBmc5k3Nl3fBMiu_r19VPBYwoqfjH_g-o7FnRAWucMD1lRCW5oCAuaT0MbtpNDHARgNB778gQ/s200/Happy+Homemaker+20111-39.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ooh, wouldn't this button look lovely on your sidebar?<br />You can grab the code from my sidebar<br />(more details <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2011/03/post-of-month-club-linky-party.html">here</a>)<br /><br />But before then,<br />I will be reporting from the Chelsea Flower Show<br /><br />Major peeing-in-my-pants moments around here!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Link Ups: <a href="http://my3boybarians.com/">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.laughuntilyoucryblog.com/">Photo Tales Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://leighvslaundry.blogspot.com/">52 Weeks of Happiness</a>, <a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/">Outdoor Wednesdays</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Trip To Cornwall: Day Three

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK We were already talking about returning to Cornwall next year as we packed the car Dense with so much more to d...

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Blue and white times two

I know my posts often feature blue and white, but what can I say, I love it. So here's the latest painting in my blue and white china series - "China Blue".<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q8VcDDBkqgR-SVvSebhqpB4HAMrWrZB2QfZD4vxZGE5vaJ_3yUKdSs8REr1UMGjpSYzSRjeugQeUc4Q9at9Lr99sEEuFhN7zEc_typeEbZy1IROBsRdCwNRWPgbmzmtSg7tQfzz6f4Rf/s1600/fuze+china+blue+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q8VcDDBkqgR-SVvSebhqpB4HAMrWrZB2QfZD4vxZGE5vaJ_3yUKdSs8REr1UMGjpSYzSRjeugQeUc4Q9at9Lr99sEEuFhN7zEc_typeEbZy1IROBsRdCwNRWPgbmzmtSg7tQfzz6f4Rf/s640/fuze+china+blue+watermarked.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">"China Blue"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">watercolour on paper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">8" x 11" (210mm x 297mm)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">original on hold, but prints are now available on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.etsy.com/listing/74635482/china-blue-new">Etsy</a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But this isn't the only new blue and white piece around here. On the weekend, I was shopping with Mum and stumbled across this beauty:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGafOva6-7D1goAGK0hMsWOqUOYaJJC5piDJrMVWg2Yspodes8_GynhrBB3U4MUj0KHCxZrGYJIoBP2-HxqCCP5RvSjnCtiBcIZVFvJhh7m17NbVLByw8yCeIGqPVfc5dm8wxuE2pZsNe0/s1600/blue+and+white+vase+resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGafOva6-7D1goAGK0hMsWOqUOYaJJC5piDJrMVWg2Yspodes8_GynhrBB3U4MUj0KHCxZrGYJIoBP2-HxqCCP5RvSjnCtiBcIZVFvJhh7m17NbVLByw8yCeIGqPVfc5dm8wxuE2pZsNe0/s640/blue+and+white+vase+resize.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure if you can tell from the pic, but this vase is pretty big...almost 60cm high. I spotted it in a market stall, and couldn't race across fast enough to snap it up. And even better, I paid the princely sum of $26 for it - total bargain. Of course, mum is trying to steal it off me, but for now I'm not parting with it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk27uFILN5dWZziRHONcCdlMyolZUIuEXmmCQnEXChBf3vKnrPk5WMxwXDJ6aTg3BJ2oJgYj6JoowWUJcYvnIBRFFrW57auMNuQ-eBTVwymdkVW43dtUZ4aPkN2YxAq6O_ZLuzaAR5rc3/s1600/blue+and+white+vase+detail+resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk27uFILN5dWZziRHONcCdlMyolZUIuEXmmCQnEXChBf3vKnrPk5WMxwXDJ6aTg3BJ2oJgYj6JoowWUJcYvnIBRFFrW57auMNuQ-eBTVwymdkVW43dtUZ4aPkN2YxAq6O_ZLuzaAR5rc3/s640/blue+and+white+vase+detail+resize.jpg" width="335" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">there are four panels around the vase, each with a different scene. Gorgeous.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, what do you think of my bargain buy? I used to go antiquing every weekend, visiting junk shops and garage sales, until my shed was full to the brim (actually, it still is). This was my first buy for quite a while, so maybe I should get out there again. Probably best if I don't mention that to the Mr, especially with a reno on the horizon.</div></div><br />That's it for me today, I have some serious work to do. Catch you soon,<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Blue and white times two

I know my posts often feature blue and white, but what can I say, I love it. So here's the latest painting in my blue and white china se...

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