Moving Day

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As I pack up to move with misty eyes,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to share a little about what we are saying goodbye 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/AVvXsEiTtGGqyBsA90WCLhmEZjQTnjQQOESOXedylODXyxf6lusoze3_mYdTwEuicMI63oFVTlgogCzTfFTk494cFZfmyh0V78wIE8UjEV-A7q6K5A2U1wCSxExTUfSXg-HuhzP3hjswel9lZ6M/s1600/DSC_0001-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtGGqyBsA90WCLhmEZjQTnjQQOESOXedylODXyxf6lusoze3_mYdTwEuicMI63oFVTlgogCzTfFTk494cFZfmyh0V78wIE8UjEV-A7q6K5A2U1wCSxExTUfSXg-HuhzP3hjswel9lZ6M/s640/DSC_0001-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the Victorian tiles and chimney pots</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Great Neighbors</i><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">...providing baking soda when one of my kids was stung by a hornet on our second day here</div><div style="text-align: center;">...including us in Guy Fawkes celebrations, the Royal Wedding block party, Girls Night Out</div><div style="text-align: center;">...running kids across the street for playdates</div><div style="text-align: center;">...catching my dog on the loose while I was stuck in traffic</div><div style="text-align: center;">...sharing local tips</div><div style="text-align: center;">...unraveling cultural mysteries and cockney sayings<br /><br /><div>We will miss you! </div><div>Thank you for being my gateway to understanding England</div><div>and foraging meaningful friendships :)</div></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/AVvXsEi27L0ROrfpvn_zc6ipBLJ0m50uPes7aLpE7DDQv8EhpsRFFhPXRweqcR67MaGwbFRd3bKI3n_1x8Goz0DExDBXN3d_m-zf6TQ_wWaZSslhzXeezrjNeVrim0cniEE_TSa89puUUSav0ys/s1600/DSC_0007-212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27L0ROrfpvn_zc6ipBLJ0m50uPes7aLpE7DDQv8EhpsRFFhPXRweqcR67MaGwbFRd3bKI3n_1x8Goz0DExDBXN3d_m-zf6TQ_wWaZSslhzXeezrjNeVrim0cniEE_TSa89puUUSav0ys/s400/DSC_0007-212.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victorian tiled walkway</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A Charming Neighborhood</i><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">A London suburb built during the Victorian era,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the houses share wonderful architecture</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/AVvXsEjJfiIs96lDW1Qi2qYUHiR7PN5fiWS0xu1I_Dyi94uqgI5Id78dTphzWTQnJbQpZGq_BgFZiCyCeYZhmXuEqIoifmidCfSkNYbaaFdavrxBMjjtSt-rGsE3mXHEy76l9iIKHtKsVgdVB_k/s1600/DSC_0006-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfiIs96lDW1Qi2qYUHiR7PN5fiWS0xu1I_Dyi94uqgI5Id78dTphzWTQnJbQpZGq_BgFZiCyCeYZhmXuEqIoifmidCfSkNYbaaFdavrxBMjjtSt-rGsE3mXHEy76l9iIKHtKsVgdVB_k/s400/DSC_0006-22.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the Victorian doorbells</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lovely Home</i><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Built in 1898, our amazing house just oozes character</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I won't miss our tiny freezer</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/AVvXsEjSOqiZ3AatBgA0HXLNxy5jS-hFh7P-8jwxRj1AfduZFnERWwQ_yMCHHRYeNnjMb8ler0VrJADqXD9ky7J8npIcIePqJOHJupZuoXVq2QMBgNsp_BJ5rsGNU_VAT_XeC-URyZQyB_wHMc0/s1600/DSCN7006-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOqiZ3AatBgA0HXLNxy5jS-hFh7P-8jwxRj1AfduZFnERWwQ_yMCHHRYeNnjMb8ler0VrJADqXD9ky7J8npIcIePqJOHJupZuoXVq2QMBgNsp_BJ5rsGNU_VAT_XeC-URyZQyB_wHMc0/s320/DSCN7006-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Search For A New Home</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our house is on the market to be sold, so we did not renew our lease</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With two moves in two years, we looked for a new home with mixed feelings</div><div style="text-align: center;">- while we love our current neighborhood, we look forward to getting to knowing a new area -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unlike in the US, you have no real estate agent to represent the buyer/renter</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I called an agent for each house 'viewing'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While looking at houses in the country, I encountered a few adventures</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such as getting my car stuck in the mud for an hour on a farm road</div><div style="text-align: center;">and roadside assistance suggesting I find a tractor to help pull me out (really?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With stinging nettle burns on my legs,</div><div style="text-align: center;">one realtor and 3 farmers/pheasant hunters later, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the mud doth relinquished its powerful suckage</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were a day away from putting in a rental contract on a 17th century farmhouse</div><div style="text-align: center;">with a snug and AGA, but someone beat us to it</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The New Home</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But it all worked out for the best</div><div style="text-align: center;">for we are moving to a semi-rural village that I can't wait to putter around</div><div style="text-align: center;">And we still can manage with just one car, thinking my bicycle will get most of my errands done</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our house will not have a number, just a cottage name (love that!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">with a field of horses and a forest down the lane</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our broadband service tells me it will be working sometime between now and eleven days</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I don't know when I will be up and running again</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But until we meet again, be well</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next time I'll be posting from the cottage :)<br /><br />Post Of The Month Club:<br />We will skip this month for an exciting announcement next month - Stay Tuned :)<br /><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i>- all photos by me -</i></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-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

Moving Day

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK As I pack up to move with misty eyes, I want to share a little about what we are saying goodbye to Love the Vic...

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Blue bouquet

Just popping in with a little bouquet to brighten your day.....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQqNl1hitIf036mjriOgihjh_56WO48IKOAStHobXSf45Ikvstf3T6MiomU_89TG_563Fsu3hWvHDX74e1_E0igFVKujNeko24zlv_sDcRci9C-U8V95qrOxh7-lHsbVZxDAzyWocu_K8/s1600/blue+roses+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQqNl1hitIf036mjriOgihjh_56WO48IKOAStHobXSf45Ikvstf3T6MiomU_89TG_563Fsu3hWvHDX74e1_E0igFVKujNeko24zlv_sDcRci9C-U8V95qrOxh7-lHsbVZxDAzyWocu_K8/s640/blue+roses+watermarked.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><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 bouquet

Just popping in with a little bouquet to brighten your day.....

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A Visit To Bath

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many Americans will be surprised to read the Romans </div><div style="text-align: center;">controlled Great Britain from <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">43 AD until 410 AD</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoUzV4i09hSI4ytnYy49V1a1vxl8Kws-dtjDQXroGXr2ALdE2woDjE1xwxe_lQ8qh8DCX_tJSIAq-tPMA5fbEebRgfUvg-x_EWp7inxCYq_X7GyLsJZuPwZ3Rw0nCYl4VhyphenhyphendaCRcOqWg/s1600/DSC_0061-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoUzV4i09hSI4ytnYy49V1a1vxl8Kws-dtjDQXroGXr2ALdE2woDjE1xwxe_lQ8qh8DCX_tJSIAq-tPMA5fbEebRgfUvg-x_EWp7inxCYq_X7GyLsJZuPwZ3Rw0nCYl4VhyphenhyphendaCRcOqWg/s640/DSC_0061-2.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Romans named their Great Britain province <i>Britannia</i>,</span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">which now refers to a female helmeted warrior carrying a trident,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">personifying Great Britain or the British Empir</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">e</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-indent: -11px;"><span direction="target" style="cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto;"><span class="nbsp1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; height: 12px; padding-left: 4px; width: 4px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; text-indent: -11px;"><span direction="target" id="ID0EUB" style="cursor: auto;"><span class="nbsp1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: auto; height: 12px; padding-left: 4px; width: 4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is shocking to me how large the Roman Empire was,</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; text-indent: -11px;"><span direction="target" style="cursor: auto;"><span class="nbsp1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: auto; height: 12px; padding-left: 4px; width: 4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">with remnants still prevalent around this island</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; text-indent: -11px;"><span direction="target" style="cursor: auto;"><span class="nbsp1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: auto; height: 12px; padding-left: 4px; width: 4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; text-indent: -11px;"><span direction="target" style="cursor: auto;"><span class="nbsp1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: auto; height: 12px; padding-left: 4px; width: 4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt3UuREwDjPJjUe_MtDviFawVnqKZwiSXpkEksCv-a7cNu0XneYRR-WRkvnGcMI57BIfrux-ZQ2daPf-oyMLSjrlum03Aa4-rEYvgWwPHZtufwu-YTYr3w1ZajfomcbR-rFPnOCl5eQk/s1600/DSC_0093-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt3UuREwDjPJjUe_MtDviFawVnqKZwiSXpkEksCv-a7cNu0XneYRR-WRkvnGcMI57BIfrux-ZQ2daPf-oyMLSjrlum03Aa4-rEYvgWwPHZtufwu-YTYr3w1ZajfomcbR-rFPnOCl5eQk/s640/DSC_0093-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; text-indent: -11px;"><span direction="target" style="cursor: auto;"><span class="nbsp1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: auto; height: 12px; padding-left: 4px; width: 4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; text-indent: -11px;"><span direction="target" style="cursor: auto;"><span class="nbsp1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: auto; height: 12px; padding-left: 4px; width: 4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: url(http://dictionary.reverso.net/v1.4.6/static/img/CM.cur), auto; text-indent: -11px;"><span direction="target" style="cursor: auto;"><span class="nbsp1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: auto; height: 12px; padding-left: 4px; width: 4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One fine example is in the beautiful town of Bath,</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;">approximately 100 miles west of London</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;">The city was first established as a spa town by the Romans</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;">and popular again during the Georgian era (1714 - 1837)</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><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/AVvXsEiO0Ka9gWI4GcyacN0V2W0W_4pfVIeOCqtUsLOp8cy_lBCmNrr9R8Bp02WoY79QEM_oKUVlEP5-pNOllyG_B2bekBHTlSuhYBB8q-TkyHgeSMd34JkwftRjVWLLyg_ubs_VVSMiHBkxbiU/s1600/DSC_0088-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Ka9gWI4GcyacN0V2W0W_4pfVIeOCqtUsLOp8cy_lBCmNrr9R8Bp02WoY79QEM_oKUVlEP5-pNOllyG_B2bekBHTlSuhYBB8q-TkyHgeSMd34JkwftRjVWLLyg_ubs_VVSMiHBkxbiU/s640/DSC_0088-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healing spring captured in a Roman bath</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;">Another historical tidbit-</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;">the first king of a united England, King Edgar, was crowned here in 973 AD</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhkwFj1X0raQycr0XNiiwta60iXm0qQEzCgLFC46ERQlYi1xkZmWzj-wzQaohmm8JelJgpSSUOv2XpHUq3o_ADj-jynTwcI6DdhugnQn28Ht2Az22VO-lUVYltrF_mhiDr_FGoiNonOdj0/s1600/Collages5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwFj1X0raQycr0XNiiwta60iXm0qQEzCgLFC46ERQlYi1xkZmWzj-wzQaohmm8JelJgpSSUOv2XpHUq3o_ADj-jynTwcI6DdhugnQn28Ht2Az22VO-lUVYltrF_mhiDr_FGoiNonOdj0/s640/Collages5-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath Abbey</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;">Novelist Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">using it as a setting for two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></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; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OaNLWZ7WLwvLUYt7MuJo5M_AT138T9cx7WgVFxQDt4MBHQgJcGpBO4f58GGNuDnc1elStVneskDxjmi-grPbp3ZLRjl2K3ItTobisfCcLgO7NeHANkeWsokG-sgngBE5RLGa2Vmdud8/s1600/DSC_0187-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OaNLWZ7WLwvLUYt7MuJo5M_AT138T9cx7WgVFxQDt4MBHQgJcGpBO4f58GGNuDnc1elStVneskDxjmi-grPbp3ZLRjl2K3ItTobisfCcLgO7NeHANkeWsokG-sgngBE5RLGa2Vmdud8/s640/DSC_0187-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">A <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">UNESCO</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> </span>World Heritage Site since 1987,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bath has secured itself as a popular tourist destination for years to come</div><div style="text-align: center;">with its protected beauty and history</div><br /><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWmnC-ALUNi_-UyYlT_ZL9tY53DRblIOKm9qNqO47rYGZFxCVhLkcNhZrjvux6WFlIXIEy36SIX6qk9BIcttKN8M6uNVA2YDvLPNaSkU6lNqu0dPU9jP0-GLdG7Xw1DZnLmj2Apo9uDw/s1600/DSC_0142-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWmnC-ALUNi_-UyYlT_ZL9tY53DRblIOKm9qNqO47rYGZFxCVhLkcNhZrjvux6WFlIXIEy36SIX6qk9BIcttKN8M6uNVA2YDvLPNaSkU6lNqu0dPU9jP0-GLdG7Xw1DZnLmj2Apo9uDw/s640/DSC_0142-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;">The countryside isn't too shabby either :)</div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: -11px;"><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/AVvXsEj6MbXBaYO7SyezfX5oterbCtvuYYt8W7p4S8GvtGPjsheivNMPjxGQVAp2tZc1I923Q-1oQulRElawhGWDhbB8BsMlKMhMjQ7t2bCg91U0aUERJhKIptui63FtbKEsht-ulQnq1sQAoR8/s1600/DSC_0021-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MbXBaYO7SyezfX5oterbCtvuYYt8W7p4S8GvtGPjsheivNMPjxGQVAp2tZc1I923Q-1oQulRElawhGWDhbB8BsMlKMhMjQ7t2bCg91U0aUERJhKIptui63FtbKEsht-ulQnq1sQAoR8/s640/DSC_0021-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Spring :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wishing you a wonderful weekend! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Post Of The Month Club: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We will skip this month for an exciting announcement next month - </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Stay Tuned :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i>- all photos by me -</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Tourist information: <a href="http://visitbath.co.uk/">Bath</a><br />Source: <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Britannia">Dictionary</a>, Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannia">1</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_england">2</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_the_Peaceful">3</a><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>

A Visit To Bath

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK Many Americans will be surprised to read the Romans  controlled Great Britain from  43 AD until 410 AD The Roma...

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More On The NHS

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />While 16% of Americans are medically uninsured,<br />should America abandon their awesome medical care<br />to look more like the UK's National Health Service?<br /><br />Or should the focus be on getting care to those <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-09-17-uninsured17_ST_N.htm">16%</a><br />instead of changing the entire system?<br />Are we throwing out the baby with the bathwater?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Very controversially,<br />President Barack Obama pushed the approval of Universal Healthcare</div><div style="text-align: center;">to look more like the NHS<br /><br />:: A side note on pronouncing 'Barack' ::<br />English: BEAR-ick<br />American: b'ROCK</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/AVvXsEgfKC-SqJdBr6t1OhlMuB69GWg9zZ8YsTQjeyg467SjBiQiy72jKRWZlRKFuK4rFqdLR76youbZJIrfj86oRVkKq9STYIGFJcGtTQ4P2v0S1nCjrQ_CzVzNYM6d2D-jHrgV2U7FLqjelQk/s1600/normal_Faux_Fur_Hot_Water_Bottle_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKC-SqJdBr6t1OhlMuB69GWg9zZ8YsTQjeyg467SjBiQiy72jKRWZlRKFuK4rFqdLR76youbZJIrfj86oRVkKq9STYIGFJcGtTQ4P2v0S1nCjrQ_CzVzNYM6d2D-jHrgV2U7FLqjelQk/s320/normal_Faux_Fur_Hot_Water_Bottle_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faux Fur Hot Bottle Covers sold by <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/thisispretty/product/luxurious-and-soft-faux-fur-hot-water-bottle">This Is Pretty</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like many American expats here,<br />we have the option of seeing private doctors through our company's insurance plan<br />or using the UK's 'free' healthcare system, the NHS<br /><br />The NHS is one of the world's <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1260657/Number-NHS-bureaucrats-increases-SIX-TIMES-fast-number-nurses.html">largest employers</a>,<br />behind the likes of the Chinese Army<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our family has used private insurance so far</div><div style="text-align: center;">because it is a system I understand</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although I like that our private doctor provides house calls, </div><div style="text-align: center;">his primary practice is out of his home, which kind of creeps me out<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However, I can get an appointment the day I call<br />and I have been satisfied with the care he has provided thus far</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pay for the visit up front (£60/$100)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and our private insurance company reimburses us with a check in the mail<br />It is a bit of a hassle, but that's okay</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjEw8O0SKn5Fmn7781kUBfsB87_QWwOfSsdl6Md6EIZNJ5lRO6sFBFasaaejln2DtqGK1rQ4tSL0m5rnl1E0EGM_uUTIJYkdEguiSH5peq3Lr0xeOSrOvOZibINfM5FDwtUx3NqX98Wq7U/s1600/amazon-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw8O0SKn5Fmn7781kUBfsB87_QWwOfSsdl6Md6EIZNJ5lRO6sFBFasaaejln2DtqGK1rQ4tSL0m5rnl1E0EGM_uUTIJYkdEguiSH5peq3Lr0xeOSrOvOZibINfM5FDwtUx3NqX98Wq7U/s320/amazon-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get Well Soon Chamomile Kit sold via <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Get-Well-Soon-Camomile/dp/B004R28COS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328945256&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few months ago</div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided I should register with the NHS in case of an emergency</div><div style="text-align: center;">or due to some mystery disease (they see so many cases of everything)</div><div style="text-align: center;">plus visits are free (prescriptions too, for kids)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I went to register at the medical center my neighbor said I HAD to go to,</div><div style="text-align: center;">for they have the BEST doctor</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I walk in and let me just say</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>'Greyhound Bus Station'</i><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">...meaning cement floors, plastic bucket chairs affixed to the floor,</div><div style="text-align: center;">dim lighting, a long row of 'ticket windows' with receptionists,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and even a light up board that displays your last name once it is your turn</div><div style="text-align: center;">I. Kid. You. Not.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I grabbed my kids' hands and walked a speedy u-turn (or should I say 'roundabout'?)<br />before you could say 'ah-choo',</div><div style="text-align: center;">and off we went to another location that hadn't been recommended,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but at least was another option</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We drove up to an old Victorian home, with bedrooms as examining rooms</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the living room served as a waiting room</div><div style="text-align: center;">It seemed much more civilized, maybe even quaint<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I registered, the receptionist asked if I wanted to give </div><div style="text-align: center;">a urine sample today (uh, no thanks)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEigVzx2MQanRa7Kh-t9QzplyrMxOk0eT-Wmd5YZDPuDXQGXrWM8GEaa9VPk0zybgx-_xX9RokFg8dG428ESEqVXBk56ddDQKP5Dmj9F_BDaGCO5dmyYywV5wEd_WBH_CVUoOBcyRvUOnkc/s1600/etsy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVzx2MQanRa7Kh-t9QzplyrMxOk0eT-Wmd5YZDPuDXQGXrWM8GEaa9VPk0zybgx-_xX9RokFg8dG428ESEqVXBk56ddDQKP5Dmj9F_BDaGCO5dmyYywV5wEd_WBH_CVUoOBcyRvUOnkc/s400/etsy+1.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TShirt available via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91882686/classic-stethoscope-bodysuitstot-tees?ref=sr_gallery_13&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=doctor&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">My Cow Dazy</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so now that our registration has been processed</div><div style="text-align: center;">look what came in the mail last week...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the seeds of a blog post...</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/AVvXsEjQprVNKWlzcP2zeaWv2pn3nxtM3NjcIcORiQwKBqPRpFaiymkYYBCm70WdKVdfAJaAs1q9qnzshSDxkNI8Sopomrs2zOCxOl9EHMJaKciVhZQ4wZvR_r5K5V5MEKoCPuYT5Gg-SkCS5F4/s1600/HappyHomemakerUK013-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQprVNKWlzcP2zeaWv2pn3nxtM3NjcIcORiQwKBqPRpFaiymkYYBCm70WdKVdfAJaAs1q9qnzshSDxkNI8Sopomrs2zOCxOl9EHMJaKciVhZQ4wZvR_r5K5V5MEKoCPuYT5Gg-SkCS5F4/s640/HappyHomemakerUK013-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first PAP Smear 'Invitation'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You are allotted a 'smear' every three years in the UK,</div><div style="text-align: center;">whereas in the US, women receive one annually<br /><br />'The Facts' brochure said I could stay dressed from the waist down<br />if I wore a full skirt<br />And I would lay down 'on a couch' for the smear test<br />- so interesting! -<br /><br />Well, I almost got a chance to test-drive the NHS system<br />when I called to make an appointment for a rash on one of us<br /><br />It is a good thing the rash disappeared in a few days and was not contagious<br />for I called on a Monday and they could not see us until Saturday(!)<br /><br />Now that we are moving to a semi-rural village,<br />my catchment area is small and I only will have one NHS GP possibility<br /><br />This means I won't be able to choose my doctor's office,<br />so I hope it is a good one<br /><br />I hesitate to post this, for I know the NHS is something many Brits are very proud of<br />But I push 'publish' because it is something Americans are very keen to read about as<br />we march in this direction...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">More medical posts:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2012/01/dentist.html">The Dentist</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2012/01/womans-right-to-choose.html">Giving Birth In The UK</a></div><br /></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-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

More On The NHS

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK While 16% of Americans are medically uninsured, should America abandon their awesome medical care to look more ...

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Frazzled

I'm feeling a little like this at the moment.....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LsBFdJ9zsiXGitnIqgXBVnoccnN4-imbTRf_FzdRjRHVsW5CVw_vrLIKMQe0qvvbBmGMUzwjVaqDZPrtxgUYTTd-uwMYj-5p3ViDZD2qi0-YId5fGutwE06U0j7rCr3r8bsoktjsyKn6/s1600/frazzled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LsBFdJ9zsiXGitnIqgXBVnoccnN4-imbTRf_FzdRjRHVsW5CVw_vrLIKMQe0qvvbBmGMUzwjVaqDZPrtxgUYTTd-uwMYj-5p3ViDZD2qi0-YId5fGutwE06U0j7rCr3r8bsoktjsyKn6/s640/frazzled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I'm frazzled. Too much to do and too little time. Which means no-one gets the best of me. I know I'm by no means alone, and we all have the same issues. So I'm taking a little blog break....to refresh, recharge and renew. And hopefully sort out that hair situation :)<br /><br />See you soon,<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>

Frazzled

I'm feeling a little like this at the moment..... I'm frazzled. Too much to do and too little time. Which means no-one gets the best...

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Dirty, Beautiful Windows

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A few months ago</div><div style="text-align: center;">this was drawn in the condensation on a kitchen window</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With the sun out today, it is really noticeable</div><div style="text-align: center;">and makes my heart sing</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/AVvXsEgT2jmcJ3ZfFyXAMw-tOfjTd2x2lJ1EqgGGgmrBE-RvYXPX-IO0slKjtlnHPB9NZx-RIZYghabeXKD4vmtuLB-KdjMiWQ0AsIk0ghZYRw70fDIOC_Wd-me1SwGFLzTHVKVtSjA3_3W4XpQ/s1600/DSC_0010-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2jmcJ3ZfFyXAMw-tOfjTd2x2lJ1EqgGGgmrBE-RvYXPX-IO0slKjtlnHPB9NZx-RIZYghabeXKD4vmtuLB-KdjMiWQ0AsIk0ghZYRw70fDIOC_Wd-me1SwGFLzTHVKVtSjA3_3W4XpQ/s640/DSC_0010-4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Have a wonderful week!</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>

Dirty, Beautiful Windows

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK A few months ago this was drawn in the condensation on a kitchen window With the sun out today, it is really no...

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Gold fever

My taste in interiors usually tends towards the natural, but lately I'm in the middle of a full-blown affair with gold. Not too much, mind; just a smattering here and there is all it takes. I'm loving the combination of coral and gold in particular, but just about any hue can benefit from a little glitz and glamour. I've even started a <a href="http://pinterest.com/driftinteriors/glitz-glam/">Pinterest board</a> dedicated to all things shiny and pretty - here are but a few:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuOn7ztnlG5dgm1rQkG7Y9EU_6qY5tobCEABhAB2dRvpKokD-v0nvucfDJ5dmBk6oHm-sVv2O7YzrE7JhDa0W62dauJsUO3s0thBsMZqZ0hQFP2iH8GBvnxmdQzrWE5hQ3ks-RTI3jPrC/s1600/92534967313114985_EOySV0H5_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuOn7ztnlG5dgm1rQkG7Y9EU_6qY5tobCEABhAB2dRvpKokD-v0nvucfDJ5dmBk6oHm-sVv2O7YzrE7JhDa0W62dauJsUO3s0thBsMZqZ0hQFP2iH8GBvnxmdQzrWE5hQ3ks-RTI3jPrC/s640/92534967313114985_EOySV0H5_f.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Such an unexpected combination...lashings of white, a touch of france, a little wishbone, and a statement piece in gold. Love it</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIluEv6GV3ubL-wZ_U1M1rZGUNdkvSV4SZgOnmqox9qWBFzf3Oi9-8YvChHPJCYS_uiyWzhyu22sU61UBkCqdcNxMXoCY-i8QH7aFzT0_xknNLUQCLhwgl7jq7-7bgWgj1FnCsffugW6g/s1600/10-mbr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIluEv6GV3ubL-wZ_U1M1rZGUNdkvSV4SZgOnmqox9qWBFzf3Oi9-8YvChHPJCYS_uiyWzhyu22sU61UBkCqdcNxMXoCY-i8QH7aFzT0_xknNLUQCLhwgl7jq7-7bgWgj1FnCsffugW6g/s640/10-mbr.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://massuccowarnermiller.com/">Massucco Warner Miller</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/57280226480106767_Zw2ftbrm_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/57280226480106767_Zw2ftbrm_b.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/63613413456212620_bFz8m1FG_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/63613413456212620_bFz8m1FG_f.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Florence + pink + gold = winning!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/197173289905746870_d9CRlW1u_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/197173289905746870_d9CRlW1u_f.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/213428469810346378_BHMjdAtw_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/213428469810346378_BHMjdAtw_f.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm so smitten that more than a couple of my new paintings feature one of my very favourite materials - gold leaf. So much fun, and always eye-catching. Gold fever has taken hold.</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/AVvXsEhx3xO-a6znGDy2KdJc8BAvA1kyDU7QFAX1F9T9Szu9R7hFmvxxAJu3g8gwShNiMpWBG9Y0HTpfG38ipNguSjEgTsx-HpzWXWMC_Vn4DC4cnZjBeMKmUvEwY5usv0Vsgfeklqd4Mwhyb5le/s1600/light+in+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3xO-a6znGDy2KdJc8BAvA1kyDU7QFAX1F9T9Szu9R7hFmvxxAJu3g8gwShNiMpWBG9Y0HTpfG38ipNguSjEgTsx-HpzWXWMC_Vn4DC4cnZjBeMKmUvEwY5usv0Vsgfeklqd4Mwhyb5le/s640/light+in+progress.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope your weekend is golden. Catch you soon,</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-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: 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;">for image sources please visit my <a href="http://pinterest.com/driftinteriors/glitz-glam/">Pinterest page</a>. </span>

Gold fever

My taste in interiors usually tends towards the natural, but lately I'm in the middle of a full-blown affair with gold. Not too much, mi...

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Island style in Greenwich Village

What do you get when you mix David Flint Wood's island style with Brooke Shields' refined tastes? A richly-layered blend of island luxe, traditional style and modern sensibilities...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU3ZDYndiTv0ghyphenhyphenkWS32OSBvBYeNt8Mla6SV00VP4H9c9LGWfhQA7JF3HfU_yKrJT0IBn8NSG_-6lIfdwzFZWFmh18HnOdbCkgwuh9aG9RU7MCwbrSFlpybmpVEfSjpBomt0-AfmgaNL0/s1600/brooke+shields2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU3ZDYndiTv0ghyphenhyphenkWS32OSBvBYeNt8Mla6SV00VP4H9c9LGWfhQA7JF3HfU_yKrJT0IBn8NSG_-6lIfdwzFZWFmh18HnOdbCkgwuh9aG9RU7MCwbrSFlpybmpVEfSjpBomt0-AfmgaNL0/s640/brooke+shields2.jpg" width="528" /></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/AVvXsEgKVD2VWdC18REgJn3WCw0VzPhM59RBGe3au-oee0Oro56AGgSZT1BvXZ9ch0V566Mtu7H4_PHNQ8eQ6qrdqWdgKlB7I_Gxn1wZZ-gke2ZB5eRgDRx78orQd-O_8Riej9CPmxkinXyC46BT/s1600/brooke+shields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVD2VWdC18REgJn3WCw0VzPhM59RBGe3au-oee0Oro56AGgSZT1BvXZ9ch0V566Mtu7H4_PHNQ8eQ6qrdqWdgKlB7I_Gxn1wZZ-gke2ZB5eRgDRx78orQd-O_8Riej9CPmxkinXyC46BT/s640/brooke+shields.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYBRaamjnNrEPwRniiZCdxaBuB2Q7g_AIFxFtzMZLeZEA6FB0eadXv2t5kEn0oH9ZMeXdtv-xYsPmV700sNTGZEhhfHTk4VFvRd-iGjgDCqe2AsET6ITLtiPXaSlUlg3VwFIWWP0EqGQo/s1600/brooke+shields1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYBRaamjnNrEPwRniiZCdxaBuB2Q7g_AIFxFtzMZLeZEA6FB0eadXv2t5kEn0oH9ZMeXdtv-xYsPmV700sNTGZEhhfHTk4VFvRd-iGjgDCqe2AsET6ITLtiPXaSlUlg3VwFIWWP0EqGQo/s640/brooke+shields1.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcnERp6AcbazPGiHhg9TeGzSRrs16pZyseOeHZLikrkg6BD7gauQC-_96BCbjm2G87h21R7UiiqOvo57yRHL1loEdGS6UcRjzp0UodkkE-gUqtAxdxsPJzJVd54uPO_pIsDB4MLhlJXBa/s1600/brooke-shields-new-york-home-05-bath-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcnERp6AcbazPGiHhg9TeGzSRrs16pZyseOeHZLikrkg6BD7gauQC-_96BCbjm2G87h21R7UiiqOvo57yRHL1loEdGS6UcRjzp0UodkkE-gUqtAxdxsPJzJVd54uPO_pIsDB4MLhlJXBa/s640/brooke-shields-new-york-home-05-bath-lg.jpg" width="534" /></a></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/AVvXsEgkJlV9FIJhrdNgvzhDRsgQ8QUM1keqsaS5ijbnsYfGYby4yUTBHgac7uW5SbdHSEQwGyiw_sXsAWlDEmRNWT6LTyBnFSsyqgyplkeYBM-0_-oos_39x42F_eEGR9-BSDOWgIPgZvijJn9q/s1600/brooke-shields-new-york-home-02-living-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJlV9FIJhrdNgvzhDRsgQ8QUM1keqsaS5ijbnsYfGYby4yUTBHgac7uW5SbdHSEQwGyiw_sXsAWlDEmRNWT6LTyBnFSsyqgyplkeYBM-0_-oos_39x42F_eEGR9-BSDOWgIPgZvijJn9q/s640/brooke-shields-new-york-home-02-living-room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Over to you - what do you think? Discuss.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><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-image: 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 style="font-size: x-small;">images courtesy <a href="http://architecturaldigest.com/">Architectural Digest</a> and <a href="http://www.indiahicks.com/journal/2012/2/9/the-brooke-shields-project.html">India Hicks</a></span>

Island style in Greenwich Village

What do you get when you mix David Flint Wood's island style with Brooke Shields' refined tastes? A richly-layered blend of island l...

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♥ Happy Valentine's Day ♥

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBnyRpj3ZeQTR0lTVftYvreLdrONA0ZiD2WPjg0VJHu0elzJw-PPpujz36RW5HjUjnANxcvQS-3adss8DbGZVH9KU7mXy58hyGdkIa-rv1xhzHizlXI22kg1v8QZWO20HrAHMgOmLuDxW/s1600/valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBnyRpj3ZeQTR0lTVftYvreLdrONA0ZiD2WPjg0VJHu0elzJw-PPpujz36RW5HjUjnANxcvQS-3adss8DbGZVH9KU7mXy58hyGdkIa-rv1xhzHizlXI22kg1v8QZWO20HrAHMgOmLuDxW/s640/valentine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />With <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">❤ </span>from me to you. Hope you all have a great day!<br /><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>

♥ Happy Valentine's Day ♥

With ❤ from me to you. Hope you all have a great day!

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A Wintry Week

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here I was bragging about how winter missed our island this year</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ha!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few images from the week</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/AVvXsEjwRrxncd2FJQylpBXthV1UXM1KPFuw4yy-8JBh0guu4AKLqpmW_rVEzZqjiWgg2LEerjWU98X7W7rsFsqazJyWe4-WAYy8FMRJXSOhdf-whWCQUAU1c9mbyfdCeCGSntYtTMHPSYZaTIU/s1600/DSCN6989-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRrxncd2FJQylpBXthV1UXM1KPFuw4yy-8JBh0guu4AKLqpmW_rVEzZqjiWgg2LEerjWU98X7W7rsFsqazJyWe4-WAYy8FMRJXSOhdf-whWCQUAU1c9mbyfdCeCGSntYtTMHPSYZaTIU/s640/DSCN6989-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEiAAGVFMjJAk34px4oMNSoToQ-vy7PdbrTUqORaE0kQJdnLHlHQxOvp-O3Sxx2e-tGoaU3HA0EqIJ3kmbHhOLynPq5_uTh6BLXD3Dc9tbK9YK8kbzkGnDAxXA6EwcV-ROTTOsgp4_7bhhg/s1600/DSCN7000-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAGVFMjJAk34px4oMNSoToQ-vy7PdbrTUqORaE0kQJdnLHlHQxOvp-O3Sxx2e-tGoaU3HA0EqIJ3kmbHhOLynPq5_uTh6BLXD3Dc9tbK9YK8kbzkGnDAxXA6EwcV-ROTTOsgp4_7bhhg/s640/DSCN7000-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And look what cutie-pie visited our backyard!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These rose-ringed parakeets (aka ring-necked parakeets)</div><div style="text-align: center;">usually stay in the treetops, so seeing one up close was a real treat :)</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/AVvXsEig7Y53Tc1_JA-yeX397yBXYKc_NwcggW9jDLMTk-pIhpNPiH5OC8YcrVJ02Ujwtz4ZxB_Ed9R_vqsnloRHDPsfNYdPTQ33r9n1LzJrb6xQXp4g1ieisjkZaoqM2v2sLeGQYHfmHQGmfVA/s1600/DSC_0043-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7Y53Tc1_JA-yeX397yBXYKc_NwcggW9jDLMTk-pIhpNPiH5OC8YcrVJ02Ujwtz4ZxB_Ed9R_vqsnloRHDPsfNYdPTQ33r9n1LzJrb6xQXp4g1ieisjkZaoqM2v2sLeGQYHfmHQGmfVA/s640/DSC_0043-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been intrigued by these noisy exotic birds,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the UK's only naturalized parrot often seen in South East England</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent,</div><div style="text-align: center;">these green beauties are the most widely introduced parrot species in the world</div><div style="text-align: center;">found in 35 countries</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Theories explaining the 1969 arrival of ring-necked parakeets</div><div style="text-align: center;">range from flying from the European continent,</div><div style="text-align: center;">escaping from the Chessington Zoo</div><div style="text-align: center;">to released as a former pets</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another interesting non-native species living in England includes</div><div style="text-align: center;">the mink</div><div style="text-align: center;">which escaped from local fur farms in 1929</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure the ferret-like mink is on my 'must see' list,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but the hedgehog and cuckoo certainly are</div><div style="text-align: center;">:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i>- all photos by me -</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Sources: </span><a href="http://www.europe-aliens.org/speciesFactsheet.do?speciesId=50460#" style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;">DAISIE</a>, <a href="http://biology.uco.edu/">Biology.uco.edu</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Related post: </span><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2010/12/impact-of-snow.html" style="font-size: small;">The Impact Of Snow</a></span><br /><br /><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-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

A Wintry Week

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK And here I was bragging about how winter missed our island this year Ha! Here are a few images from the week An...

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Plumes, paintings.. and Interlopers

I'm always on the lookout for a pretty feather. Living in a rural area, there are often lots to be found. My chicky babes are starting to moult, which means feathers galore. And our spectacularly coloured wild birds - rainbow lorikeets, galahs, cockatoos, and rosellas to name a few - often leave behind a lovely gift.<br /><br />Lately, a little kingfisher has taken up residency in one of our gum trees. For those who aren't familiar with them, kingfishers are similar to mini kookaburras, but with lovely blue plumage. I'm hoping to find a feather left for me, but until then I've taken some artistic licence and painted my own version:<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/AVvXsEhaFXWI63fWqCp7v1Dpuq9IH0tGjOGJPwZVYhiKb94bkK3c3ofGIgXk-V-m3PHw3SN_F95fIc5N18Thp_k37YqZ3OXBqgKwcPPv33yFnpXPyqnBqrIi3VWo9jurSnWAIQhI-XZsh5bDvFj3/s1600/blue+feather+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFXWI63fWqCp7v1Dpuq9IH0tGjOGJPwZVYhiKb94bkK3c3ofGIgXk-V-m3PHw3SN_F95fIc5N18Thp_k37YqZ3OXBqgKwcPPv33yFnpXPyqnBqrIi3VWo9jurSnWAIQhI-XZsh5bDvFj3/s640/blue+feather+watermarked.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">'Kingfisher'</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;">210mm x 297mm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">original sold, prints available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92647593/feather-print-kingfisher-8x10">Etsy store</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Speaking of artistic licence, sometimes paintings seem to take on a life of their own. One of my goals for the year is to leave some time each week just for creating - no set plan, no set ideas, just playing around. I'd been asked to paint some peacock feathers, and I have quite a few on the go, but this one took an unexpected turn. Instead of the usual brilliant blues and greens like the others I've done, this one is a study in white. Black & white is always a winner in my book, so why not white peacock feathers with a twist? This one is painted using gouache and ink for something different:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0ELSGK4Q_a1XD8aTy_bf0Rl2eBUR0YP8lA6AbRjWP9wUvBxRRWEEfsg1LoLGEZeN9slGxfb6R3VkmqLEt0IGZsdg3xehocfq3eYUMuLsb5AwU-PY40eefpCX5Fbrx4xZGIlbDt5ly0OH/s1600/white+feather+b&w+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0ELSGK4Q_a1XD8aTy_bf0Rl2eBUR0YP8lA6AbRjWP9wUvBxRRWEEfsg1LoLGEZeN9slGxfb6R3VkmqLEt0IGZsdg3xehocfq3eYUMuLsb5AwU-PY40eefpCX5Fbrx4xZGIlbDt5ly0OH/s640/white+feather+b&w+watermarked.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Plume'</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gouache and ink on paper</div><div style="text-align: center;">210mm x 297mm</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've decided to release a limited number of original watercolours over the next few months, as well as more limited edition prints. As a rule, I tend to sell prints only, unless they're commissions. As I've had so many enquiries, please feel free to send me an email if you'd like to know when these are released, and I'll add you to my mailing list. I'm also planning on some regular newletters, so drop me a line if that interests you as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a few of my collection of feathers that are likely to make an appearance in a painting over the next few months. The white feathers (with the lovely yellow tint) are from our white cockatoos. They nest in a massive gum tree (commonly known around here as the Nursery Tree, as it seems every critter sets up shop in its many hollow branches), and every day I find feathers on the ground. So pretty. The darkest ones are from my hen, Gladys, who, along with her cronies, sits outside my studio while I paint:</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/AVvXsEhEYsDsQo6yONiixaa2xzmu6C6ROf_NVix6OkgESnVlY-5K3G5dTCcpqwqHb8_-L9SIezcZrbt_jI8FLDPYVi2yELm3sCXdPTcRMHZ_e5nytjlGPzoJzgPXPQyAFnROkC6rnewvLWSH3XuQ/s1600/feather+collection+resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYsDsQo6yONiixaa2xzmu6C6ROf_NVix6OkgESnVlY-5K3G5dTCcpqwqHb8_-L9SIezcZrbt_jI8FLDPYVi2yELm3sCXdPTcRMHZ_e5nytjlGPzoJzgPXPQyAFnROkC6rnewvLWSH3XuQ/s640/feather+collection+resize.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly, we're down to only three chooks nowdays. The Mr calls the henhouse the retirement village, as our guys seem to live longer than any others I've ever known. Our oldest (and sweetest) girl, Doris, died last year at the ripe old age of 13, which is pretty good going in chook years. Only one of the girls still lays, bless her, but I wouldn't be without them - their entertainment value alone is well worth 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/AVvXsEgrkFyDJmtfVmBUcSH3ynCS1hUI0YVPqvZ-DmZmxH3HqiIHRgd2O5GY0Zaojr7o5tGu7sQ5hjkoXI5jKlPMtP_0E4qld0QYmrVhEQ-mZU8ItKPUwaIAqEZkeUNy7pNdPOd6Rquypvlm0_47/s1600/chooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkFyDJmtfVmBUcSH3ynCS1hUI0YVPqvZ-DmZmxH3HqiIHRgd2O5GY0Zaojr7o5tGu7sQ5hjkoXI5jKlPMtP_0E4qld0QYmrVhEQ-mZU8ItKPUwaIAqEZkeUNy7pNdPOd6Rquypvlm0_47/s640/chooks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">our sweet Doris on the right, along with Hot & Spicy (the black and gold Wyandottes) and Gladys. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We seem to have a bit of mexican stand-off happening atm. The Interlopers (the newbies from next door) have taken to visiting our place, which is not taken too kindly by our lot. Don't need a chicken whisperer to know what they're thinking - the body language speaks volumes. Will try to get a good shot if I can - priceless.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So after a terribly rambling post, that's it for me. I'm off to finish a commission for a lovely lady, so I'll see you next week with all the deets. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a good one,</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>

Plumes, paintings.. and Interlopers

I'm always on the lookout for a pretty feather. Living in a rural area, there are often lots to be found. My chicky babes are starting t...

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Queen Elizabeth II & Windsor Castle Tour

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Wow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Flat White' at <a href="http://www.costa.co.uk/">Costa</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This coffee with smooth, velvety milk lingered in my thoughts for the day,</div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks to smart ordering by Rona of <a href="http://flowerona.com/">Flowerona</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Besides introducing me to this new cozy beverage,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rona turned me on to a new BBC three-part series about Queen Elizabeth II, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01bzw4b/The_Diamond_Queen_Episode_1/">The Diamond Queen</a>,<br />during our recent coffee date</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I learned so much as I watched it with the kiddos...<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/AVvXsEgWECl2a4O9FFuxiA_yX7_apRjJtCs8Urzs8bjP-X8kXCDEszcV1a5hVuzSvefqXTgwlhQeYVIKQubiD-2GwdblcTApysxRJfMjf3GFi8cgstyZR_P3lu9mrU82EYZn7AqXS5EfA_TBLKU/s1600/DSCN4895-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWECl2a4O9FFuxiA_yX7_apRjJtCs8Urzs8bjP-X8kXCDEszcV1a5hVuzSvefqXTgwlhQeYVIKQubiD-2GwdblcTApysxRJfMjf3GFi8cgstyZR_P3lu9mrU82EYZn7AqXS5EfA_TBLKU/s640/DSCN4895-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Queen & Prince Philip at the <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2011/06/hat-that-dragged-me-to-royal-ascot.html">Royal Ascot</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Queen Elizabeth II became queen at age 25(!) after the sudden death of her father, George VI,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and is the second longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Queen Victoria the longest, reigning 63 years and 7 months)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sixty years ago Queen Elizabeth II was crowned </div><div style="text-align: center;">when Dwight D Eisenhower was US President</div><div style="text-align: center;">In fact, current UK Prime Minister David Cameron wasn't born yet!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And in all this time, Queen Elizabeth II has not been a controversial figure </div><div style="text-align: center;">(although the idea of a monarchy has)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her sixty year reign has provided stability and continuity to this country</div><div style="text-align: center;">in contrast to UK Prime Ministers (and US Presidents) which seem to be a blip in history</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Queen Elizabeth II belongs to the Windsor family</div><div style="text-align: center;">But did you know 'Windsor' is a fabricated name by her grandfather King George V</div><div style="text-align: center;">to sound more English than 'Saxe-Coburg and Gotha'</div><div style="text-align: center;">during a time of anti-German public sentiment in 1917?</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Last week I toured Windsor Castle,<br />Queen Elizabeth's home and principal weekend retreat in Windsor, Berkshire<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCehATchtZUYyIQN9_Y8nbUBdLNmBZrpmpguc0bblB8lLrkPvgpLzNrWZhkD1WEUgpkuRIy0HCyNiH8plgELt6V5rSGYwTLNdbMRcW0IybTdzzb6uDaDvl9SeQsN0pi7FmxEexwER4gPM/s1600/DSCN6948-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCehATchtZUYyIQN9_Y8nbUBdLNmBZrpmpguc0bblB8lLrkPvgpLzNrWZhkD1WEUgpkuRIy0HCyNiH8plgELt6V5rSGYwTLNdbMRcW0IybTdzzb6uDaDvl9SeQsN0pi7FmxEexwER4gPM/s640/DSCN6948-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you been there before?</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a quaint town with the impressive castle in view</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The original castle was built by William The Conquer in the 11th Century</div><div style="text-align: center;">and today is the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Historically, the castle only has been attacked in 2 sieges during the time of that unpopular King John</div><div style="text-align: center;">You know, the infamous 'baddie' in Robin Hood</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had forgotten that in 1992 a major fire occurred in a portion of the castle which lasted 15 hours<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwN7yw7nu2m3nJdh1RmjYnZOzdpFc3D1wJAdkAmA5Ti0Sr_ygN6U6VxST8kf_LgHDHUWSSXY438uSFppNrm-8lvaYwzi2o2lgoti8joPXClYtI9IQOaRbYlB4NdebTYlRDQuL0U_K3xiw/s1600/DSCN6937-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwN7yw7nu2m3nJdh1RmjYnZOzdpFc3D1wJAdkAmA5Ti0Sr_ygN6U6VxST8kf_LgHDHUWSSXY438uSFppNrm-8lvaYwzi2o2lgoti8joPXClYtI9IQOaRbYlB4NdebTYlRDQuL0U_K3xiw/s640/DSCN6937-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Queen Elizabeth termed that year her 'annus horribilis' ('horrible year') for besides the fire in her 'home',</div><div style="text-align: center;">Charles and Andrew separated from their wives and Anne divorced</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Yep, that sounds like a pretty sucky year to me too, sister!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Due to a halogen light too close to a curtain that caught fire,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the blaze quickly spread through the old, dry castle<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And once the roof burned away, there was a chimney-like draft whipping the fire through nine state rooms</div><div style="text-align: center;">Over a hundred rooms more were damaged by smoke, flames, and water</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fortunately no one was badly injured and artwork was untouched, </div><div style="text-align: center;">for it had been moved earlier due to a renovation in that part of the castle</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today they have smoke alarms, but still no fire sprinkler systems</div><div style="text-align: center;">thinking that a little smoke or fire would set off the sprinklers causing severe water damage everywhere</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whereas a flame could quickly be contained and extinguished, minimizing castle damage (hopefully)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyhoo, like other state buildings, Windsor Castle had no insurance </div><div style="text-align: center;">So who was to pay for the repairs? The crown or the government?</div><div style="text-align: center;">That was a great debate at the time</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The solution was to fund it by opening Buckingham Palace to the public for tours</div><div style="text-align: center;">(which I did and would highly recommend)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and charging for public access to parkland surrounding Windsor<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJLii4oe2npz1V_tZa782A5JusHQnrH3uAOYeaDFTsAOmhZ8VvmmxBrcLfi23UqZJFJZI7OJoVjAoRSwenRfjO8q9s5uxIl7kE2_NT75oXFfob4TdClwIWWO9yeB5qxZovwwHOJQ9vrE/s1600/DSCN6940-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJLii4oe2npz1V_tZa782A5JusHQnrH3uAOYeaDFTsAOmhZ8VvmmxBrcLfi23UqZJFJZI7OJoVjAoRSwenRfjO8q9s5uxIl7kE2_NT75oXFfob4TdClwIWWO9yeB5qxZovwwHOJQ9vrE/s640/DSCN6940-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The silver lining?</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Queen Elizabeth II has made her mark on this ancient castle, </div><div style="text-align: center;">reflecting her style through the renovations (which took 5 years to complete)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Archaeologists have been very excited about discovering hidden windows, doors, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and even a 150 ft deep water well revealed during the demolition/ restoration process</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sections of the castle I visited were very old, grand, and ornate as you would expect</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And for real</i>,</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I saw doors to hidden passageways (used for mistresses and servants)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I inquired about the whereabouts of a moat</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No moat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Water would have seeped into limestone leaving the moat, dragons, and crocodiles very parched<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOARRZOK6QQX6wPzKa_ZUrq5yPolvwlD3rdGXo03DtGmjXSGXbOZx3UVu06Nlm82Udn4zvtm1qerdPs-iCe_YC_qgU9vat5EiDlNfycEw6D7TudfbTH3xSY5d_upEpoU8bqbLEwIL1a14/s1600/DSCN6911-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOARRZOK6QQX6wPzKa_ZUrq5yPolvwlD3rdGXo03DtGmjXSGXbOZx3UVu06Nlm82Udn4zvtm1qerdPs-iCe_YC_qgU9vat5EiDlNfycEw6D7TudfbTH3xSY5d_upEpoU8bqbLEwIL1a14/s640/DSCN6911-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After spending two hours touring the castle and grounds (self-guided)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I scooted to the guided kitchen tour</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although the kitchen tour was brief (there's only so much to see in a kitchen)</div><div style="text-align: center;">it held some interesting facts and it was fun to see where all the action happens</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since interior photography was prohibited,<br />just picture a healthy mix of old and new<br /><br />I spied blackness on beams from the '92 fire</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I spied a large kitchen with wooden beams, retired copper pots, and an old spit</div><div style="text-align: center;">juxtaposed with modern industrial kitchen equipment</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Although no one was working in the kitchen at the time of our visit,<br />the guide told us the chefs bring their own copper pots and pans by the lorry-load<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KR6xVQun1h2_bYCqpMq8Q2b4jpWphbmGrWIWTw1tCDPm_vVJ-1rzq6PZNuCN8qFPM1wFh7vSijawl0LLNSNthuDVEDs2VFJqxcmoieWVWCe-dttzQfBNjhD4EU3BqGdb2s9jylkyqq4/s1600/DSCN6929-1.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KR6xVQun1h2_bYCqpMq8Q2b4jpWphbmGrWIWTw1tCDPm_vVJ-1rzq6PZNuCN8qFPM1wFh7vSijawl0LLNSNthuDVEDs2VFJqxcmoieWVWCe-dttzQfBNjhD4EU3BqGdb2s9jylkyqq4/s640/DSCN6929-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While I only saw the kitchen and cold food prep area,</div><div style="text-align: center;">there was a patisserie and a wine cellar just around the corner<br /><br />All royal kitchen clocks are set 5 minutes fast<br />(mine is 12 minutes fast; are you more royal-like?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently there are traffic lights at the top of the kitchen lift (elevator) </div><div style="text-align: center;">near the doors to the main dining area</div><div style="text-align: center;">This allows footman to enter from both sides of the dining room at the same time on cue</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Clever royals -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Queen is involved in selecting the menu two months in advance for state dinners</div><div style="text-align: center;">The menu tends to be quite simple</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Visitors can tour the State Apartments, Queen Mary's Doll House, and St George's Chapel</div><div style="text-align: center;">And with advance planning, you can tour the royal kitchen too</div><div style="text-align: center;">But be sure to check ahead of time, for the castle is closed when the Queen is home<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_szOIHfRY8Oq1M4TmfH4onQsS4LbMR1x689vZKQ96rbcvjcYM_9VY7OVTrwe-ZrVlr9KvhHU_-ysOcNPH2MecYyc44NFcrQGZzpLdK3YXSsa3F-eabpJ0g7KHU7kN40IxE_OKwg59co/s1600/DSCN6939-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_szOIHfRY8Oq1M4TmfH4onQsS4LbMR1x689vZKQ96rbcvjcYM_9VY7OVTrwe-ZrVlr9KvhHU_-ysOcNPH2MecYyc44NFcrQGZzpLdK3YXSsa3F-eabpJ0g7KHU7kN40IxE_OKwg59co/s640/DSCN6939-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This year marks the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (sixtieth year reigning)<br />which will be celebrated June 2nd - 5th by a national holiday, street parties,<br />loads of concerts, and other activities around the country<br /><br />To check out planned events, view the official website <a href="http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/">here</a><br /><br />I've already celebrated a little with this recent Emma Bridgewater tea towel purchase :)<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/AVvXsEhd6UE9WrYOfVwf0JoE4bc39-hmR2yXImLA-gMnkImMcgwzEBPxorI0rg3BcyispN-yyL3h5T31mZ18MmHHLYEifsyt-_GYjVZddb_1wjFqoHlwhss2vsxoFqSjNwLoOKXHYI9Gf4rYYpw/s1600/1JUB020914-teatowel-60-years-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6UE9WrYOfVwf0JoE4bc39-hmR2yXImLA-gMnkImMcgwzEBPxorI0rg3BcyispN-yyL3h5T31mZ18MmHHLYEifsyt-_GYjVZddb_1wjFqoHlwhss2vsxoFqSjNwLoOKXHYI9Gf4rYYpw/s1600/1JUB020914-teatowel-60-years-medium.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by <a href="http://emmabridgewater.co.uk/">EmmaBridgewater.co.uk</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Watch The Diamond Queen series on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01bzw4b/The_Diamond_Queen_Episode_1/">BBC iPlayer</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Diamond Jubilee Events <a href="http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/">here</a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Public Windsor Castle Tour info: <a href="http://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/windsor-castle-p43983">Windsor Castle</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_castle">1</a>,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_elizabeth_ii"> 2</a>, Windsor Castle guides</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Related posts: <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-birthday-queen-elizabeth.html">Happy Birthday Queen Elizabeth</a>, <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2011/04/royal-wedding-from-my-throne-part-2.html">The Royal Wedding (re: Street Parties)</a>, <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2011/06/hat-that-dragged-me-to-royal-ascot.html">The Hat That Dragged Me To The Royal Ascot</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking to <a href="http://my3boybarians.com/2012/02/p52-week-6-drink-up/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+my3boybarians%2FxIxQ+%28My+3+Boybarians+-+WP%29">Project 52</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></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-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

Queen Elizabeth II & Windsor Castle Tour

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