Happy 2012

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0A5UgoDZ4Zg/Tv2TVhf8weI/AAAAAAABVSc/L8UrrEII0h0/s1600/DSCN6692-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0A5UgoDZ4Zg/Tv2TVhf8weI/AAAAAAABVSc/L8UrrEII0h0/s640/DSCN6692-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing you a wonderful one!!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><i>photo by me</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/p/post-of-month-club.html">Post Of The Month Club</a> returns January 31st :)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></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>

Happy 2012

Posted by Happy Homemaker UKWishing you a wonderful one!!photo by mePost Of The Month Club returns January 31st :)…

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The European Union Today

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The European Union has been a grand experiment</div><div style="text-align: center;">originating in 1958 but solidifying in 1993</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhtXfEHyU38/Tvrp6cWCdfI/AAAAAAABVRg/vbRhAgc4o-0/s1600/1_May_2004_enlargement_celebration_in_Parc_du_Cinquantenaire-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhtXfEHyU38/Tvrp6cWCdfI/AAAAAAABVRg/vbRhAgc4o-0/s400/1_May_2004_enlargement_celebration_in_Parc_du_Cinquantenaire-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;">Take 27 European countries with diverse histories, cultures, locations, and economies </div><div style="text-align: center;">and bind them with laws and a single currency, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the euro</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The European Union aims to <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">provide free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within Europe</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">A dreamy idea, but can it work? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">National borders relax </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">as many from poorer EU countries flood wealthier EU countries for work,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">for no work visa is required </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px;"> with a few exceptions } </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Unfortunately, it has created another layer of big government</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">My babysitter says her fees are dictated by the EU in <span style="background-color: white;">Brussels</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Sounds a little crazy, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6bIoH53VQo/TvrqWLg2jBI/AAAAAAABVRs/jFupJcTMC5c/s1600/EU.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="104" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6bIoH53VQo/TvrqWLg2jBI/AAAAAAABVRs/jFupJcTMC5c/s640/EU.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Countries in the European Union<br />Switzerland and Norway are among the few who did <u>not</u> join</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Due to the current economic crisis in Greece and Italy,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">a recent UK newspaper headline read</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">'EU Demands £25bn Lifeline From UK'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">That doesn't feel fair to the British who have their own economic woes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">and decided to keep its currency { Pound Sterling } from the beginning</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">as a way to hold on to their </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">sovereignty</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulqMetJY5L0/Tvrqz8dcgQI/AAAAAAABVR4/ucZNW-cZvLI/s1600/EU+map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulqMetJY5L0/Tvrqz8dcgQI/AAAAAAABVR4/ucZNW-cZvLI/s320/EU+map.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of the European Union</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">The demands and threats toward the British to financially help with the euro crisis</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">has led </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">59% of those surveyed wanting to leave the EU,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">25% wanting to stay, and 16% not sure,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">according to a UK newspaper, The Sunday Telegraph</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">In a country where NO ONE has bumper stickers on his/her car</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">{ it is tacky to display your opinions so publicly },</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">I actually have seen a few promoting the UK to leave the EU</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">{ or maybe it is just the same car I see over and over again }</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9y4Fy7AFyY/TvrrSqUxWiI/AAAAAAABVSE/vmP8_b0yQ5k/s1600/Euro_banknotes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9y4Fy7AFyY/TvrrSqUxWiI/AAAAAAABVSE/vmP8_b0yQ5k/s320/Euro_banknotes.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Euro notes replaced many national currencies in 2002<br />Not used by all EU countries, including UK and Denmark</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><span style="line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">What has the EU meant to me?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Aside from taxes, new laws I'm not aware of, and a great variety of imports in the stores,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">I can't help but be a little envious of EU citizens buzzing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">through passport control as I stand in the long non-EU citizen line</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">I see cars and big lorries on the highways with licenses plates from all over Europe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">When we travel through Europe, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">it is convenient to use </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">the same currency when we cross borders</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">{ But I must say the bland artwork on the euro makes me sad </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">for the countries </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">who lost their beautiful, meaningful depictions of their culture on their own currency }</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">2012 could be an interesting year for the EU </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Will the European Union break up?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Will a few countries be forced to abandon the euro?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Will the UK decide to leave?</span></div><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Stay tuned...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">P.S. <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/p/post-of-month-club.html">Post Of The Month Club</a> will resume January 31 :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sources: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_union">Wikipedia</a>, <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j8GyOBtj-MgXE0_LYpHNJu-nloIw?docId=CNG.f20b4240ddfb7fb679fc13254a5dadcb.2d1">AFP</a>, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8964734/EU-demands-25bn-lifeline-from-the-UK.html">The Daily Telegraph</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Images: Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:European_Union">1</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union">2</a></span></span></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>

The European Union Today

Posted by Happy Homemaker UKThe European Union has been a grand experimentoriginating in 1958 but solidifying in 1993Take 27 European countries with diverse histories, cultures, locations, and economies and bind them with laws and a single currency, the euroThe European Union aims to provide free mo…

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Boxing Day

<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;">Posted by Happy Homemaker UK</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today is Boxing Day in the UK, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a secular holiday celebrated in many countries worldwide </div><div style="text-align: center;">{not in the US}</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;">Historically employers gave bonuses and 'boxed up' leftover food to employees on this day</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a time to give an 'Alms Box' to the poor</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It also has been the day for the Boxing Day Hunt</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fox hunting dates back to the 16th century in England</div><div style="text-align: center;">Controversially, fox hunting has been banned since 2004</div><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><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqxxLkwoE4mhoT3Xq59p701ySe85csn49ZnA-X9_C5OrkPSmriTXF14k7QNeAQjE2V4zzd1_895BpWI5GbLzwdVgoqy7a5mc6Xh47mYbMrN4UMQ9_wqpG_2R5u9EuvO_JzO8uB3jCSoI/s1600/dailymail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqxxLkwoE4mhoT3Xq59p701ySe85csn49ZnA-X9_C5OrkPSmriTXF14k7QNeAQjE2V4zzd1_895BpWI5GbLzwdVgoqy7a5mc6Xh47mYbMrN4UMQ9_wqpG_2R5u9EuvO_JzO8uB3jCSoI/s400/dailymail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">[image: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1101944/Record-300-000-traditional-Boxing-Day-hunts-making-mockery-ban.html">Daily Mail</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Today for many, it is the busiest retail day filled with shopping and sales</div><div style="text-align: center;">Think 'Black Friday' in the US after Thanksgiving</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is also another day of a Tube strike</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As much as I love Christmas,<br />it is a bit too messy for me around the house<br />So I am trying to convince the kids 'Boxing Day'<br />means putting Christmas decorations away into <i>boxes </i>:)<br /><br />Clever, no?<br />{ they aren't buying it }<br /><br />It is also a family day of relaxing by the fire</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPghxP_u23tEbKCiycx3DGrFk2llrxHBnQiicxgkin7XFqyt68Bfc-OpZBxhhqOAsttQpcs4djyD57kvZZA_xt3S2-hTIiKkcXbmIxhyphenhyphenJ5o3wJ_wmlUKY_liLBswGTEM0buB8mC8A5HX8/s1600/DSC_0045-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPghxP_u23tEbKCiycx3DGrFk2llrxHBnQiicxgkin7XFqyt68Bfc-OpZBxhhqOAsttQpcs4djyD57kvZZA_xt3S2-hTIiKkcXbmIxhyphenhyphenJ5o3wJ_wmlUKY_liLBswGTEM0buB8mC8A5HX8/s320/DSC_0045-43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Boxing Day!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. Next <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/p/post-of-month-club.html">Post Of The Month Club</a> will be January 31st :)</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Content: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_day">Wikipedia</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by me</span></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>

Boxing Day

Posted by Happy Homemaker UKToday is Boxing Day in the UK, a secular holiday celebrated in many countries worldwide {not in the US}Historically employers gave bonuses and 'boxed up' leftover food to employees on this dayIt was a time to give an 'Alms Box' to the poorIt also has been the day for the …

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Christmas wrap-up

I'm on the home stretch now....as of tomorrow, I'm officially on holidays. And I can't wait! It's been a huge year, albeit an exciting and enjoyable one, but now that it's drawing to a close I realise just how much I'm looking forward to kicking back and relaxing with my family. The pool is sparkling, the house is about to be cleaned top to bottom, and I'm sending the very last of my orders for the year. Just one last little bit of housekeeping: my Etsy store will remain open over the holidays, and orders are more than welcome, but any orders placed after today will not be sent until January 4th.<br /><br />Right, now that's out of the way, I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas, and I hope 2012 brings all you hope for. Thank you to everyone for making this year so memorable, and I'll be back in the new year with lots of new and exciting things to share. Until then, stay safe, enjoy your holidays, and I'll see you on the other side!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtMzZ5FdU2zAeuEe3w73ibDwukaxkdR_2RxcoTRbbV62Ja6ubxu03J6kz2J1_L1NGlyJGQznodzVsh3cxvLPIojVdc1_pKSW5TdN8dghk7DTvtScM7adVnXOyPEBHzqy6MWEkY7QGh-p4/s1600/2bb2c_christmas-tree-decorating-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtMzZ5FdU2zAeuEe3w73ibDwukaxkdR_2RxcoTRbbV62Ja6ubxu03J6kz2J1_L1NGlyJGQznodzVsh3cxvLPIojVdc1_pKSW5TdN8dghk7DTvtScM7adVnXOyPEBHzqy6MWEkY7QGh-p4/s640/2bb2c_christmas-tree-decorating-5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></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-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>

Christmas wrap-up

I'm on the home stretch now....as of tomorrow, I'm officially on holidays. And I can't wait! It's been a huge year, albeit an exciting and enjoyable one, but now that it's drawing to a close I realise just how much I'm looking forward to kicking back and relaxing with my family. The pool is sparklin…

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Christmas, English Style

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As my daughter will remind you in her daily countdown,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas is only 10 days away!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I believe today is '10 Lords A-Leaping' Day :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas in England is very similar to the US</div><div style="text-align: center;">with Christmas trees, stockings, carolers, and Christmas cards</div><div style="text-align: center;">{ generic ones only - a photocard of your family is considered self-absorbed }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Outdoor decorations are kept to a minimum with just a few 'fairy lights', if anything at all</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Children leave mince pies and milk for Santa, instead of cookies</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/AVvXsEgBRp1p3LqT2nF0YErvrcHvBiwDhh-2j_H3_MhVNKkO5lT9F4Fvul-yjLka1S8PmO5zIrzWCqdUKBF_TaO59t9-iOuvPNVA797MI5k7akAfSZiS-Wf7LC66mV16kR3Lz6Attfm7FDF9FCA/s1600/DSC_0009-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRp1p3LqT2nF0YErvrcHvBiwDhh-2j_H3_MhVNKkO5lT9F4Fvul-yjLka1S8PmO5zIrzWCqdUKBF_TaO59t9-iOuvPNVA797MI5k7akAfSZiS-Wf7LC66mV16kR3Lz6Attfm7FDF9FCA/s640/DSC_0009-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mince pies filled with fruit, spices, and sugary syrup</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hot alcoholic drinks are in great variety</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just tried my first not-so-favorite Hot Toddy today</div><div style="text-align: center;">{ whiskey, honey, spices, hot water }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But thumbs up on the warm Mulled Wine :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Absolutely no eggnog to be found - that's American { & Canadian }</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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipimQv8e4EWrvlBBWZGZjRLR0SjD-5Bj3cNVUEVVnyam_ak0xIbteZGnroo8Qz1sVxx6wHHx9x9q_aI1Ald_ffwuDfD6nM6gvL9K0rkvjYDcDoQ65lC3XD7AHyHK9AvU3fwN6JCNsWg-k/s1600/DSCN6281-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipimQv8e4EWrvlBBWZGZjRLR0SjD-5Bj3cNVUEVVnyam_ak0xIbteZGnroo8Qz1sVxx6wHHx9x9q_aI1Ald_ffwuDfD6nM6gvL9K0rkvjYDcDoQ65lC3XD7AHyHK9AvU3fwN6JCNsWg-k/s640/DSCN6281-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Traditional Christmas dinners will include turkey, stuffing & Christmas pudding in England</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas Crackers are pulled open between two people<br />with little surprises falling out<br />- a paper crown, trinket, or something written on a piece of paper -</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/AVvXsEikCWCadSo_1SFC-varckqDOtRyHoCJFKLbYXd_F3_d8Yq9Rgjzxri4SsGsxlSsDUvYgnZKCqkJwu4WKqk1j1DWwLlXKcbKTMcSszc_yc820Rh3foVSuYfk1RNx2dCpesc4W5w3FlzQpU0/s1600/DSC_0231-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCWCadSo_1SFC-varckqDOtRyHoCJFKLbYXd_F3_d8Yq9Rgjzxri4SsGsxlSsDUvYgnZKCqkJwu4WKqk1j1DWwLlXKcbKTMcSszc_yc820Rh3foVSuYfk1RNx2dCpesc4W5w3FlzQpU0/s640/DSC_0231-1.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;">Christmas trees are placed in flagpole holders on the village high streets</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/AVvXsEhChBsv6RtEEvdhQtqezTZjcxVbpPqw3v6SuoNnSGPqlqvqEl2WW5tE4jaj27So4Nns_hPtGMw0N8Up50PVAh-Tct8fGKFg_JPBe3hvzyEFukAxLqrGt758VIQKkOf5TeLb_m0g9WZ59ag/s1600/DSC_0228-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChBsv6RtEEvdhQtqezTZjcxVbpPqw3v6SuoNnSGPqlqvqEl2WW5tE4jaj27So4Nns_hPtGMw0N8Up50PVAh-Tct8fGKFg_JPBe3hvzyEFukAxLqrGt758VIQKkOf5TeLb_m0g9WZ59ag/s640/DSC_0228-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are some outdoor skating rinks in winter</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below, Henry VIII's Hampton Court serves as a beautiful background with an Ice Marshal (?!) on hand</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/AVvXsEg_IipMozwLAJAxF5jB_DNXXdi3WHB-9V-vM9fcrQnwMO0r78eySR5-Rmk_4QEbh01B1hsUuN9l98rc4aVohqdnX7syA8Yda3SS9ik8zKjjkWB6ng1VjjxWD3gNtOdQJHdWFogpGLAlDME/s1600/DSCN6296-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IipMozwLAJAxF5jB_DNXXdi3WHB-9V-vM9fcrQnwMO0r78eySR5-Rmk_4QEbh01B1hsUuN9l98rc4aVohqdnX7syA8Yda3SS9ik8zKjjkWB6ng1VjjxWD3gNtOdQJHdWFogpGLAlDME/s640/DSCN6296-1.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;">Nature provides some of the quintessential Christmas decor,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">such as holly</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/AVvXsEgFrlH229IhSEJBpbo4ZGwZT4HR-GBkOm8fKMTvHHoqhPWZB-e8iAH6YWlxzBh5sRClJAu00WoCgvPtGpcJx5x4_ZKA3DwC06kT6Vsm7N9dC5j9gvLbGboWXfgyQV1gPhE0lbefJdLC9GE/s1600/DSCN5854-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrlH229IhSEJBpbo4ZGwZT4HR-GBkOm8fKMTvHHoqhPWZB-e8iAH6YWlxzBh5sRClJAu00WoCgvPtGpcJx5x4_ZKA3DwC06kT6Vsm7N9dC5j9gvLbGboWXfgyQV1gPhE0lbefJdLC9GE/s640/DSCN5854-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and parasitic mistletoe in the trees</div><div style="text-align: center;">{ original idea for Christmas ornaments? }</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/AVvXsEgeEuQnHdbmXeOyEzt5MIC-KMo_GpVUur8sV7MBQVntcbunKuIN22k-3CRy0SclghZdyN2m107_pmoqmHlmu1hsuT6p1y5tbtu1DycUASRIUTDN0GY6sJF6YQPtTMOJ7N_zdSglVe83Otg/s1600/DSC_0219-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEuQnHdbmXeOyEzt5MIC-KMo_GpVUur8sV7MBQVntcbunKuIN22k-3CRy0SclghZdyN2m107_pmoqmHlmu1hsuT6p1y5tbtu1DycUASRIUTDN0GY6sJF6YQPtTMOJ7N_zdSglVe83Otg/s640/DSC_0219-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As they say in England,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Christmas!</div><div style="text-align: center;">to you this holiday season</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">May it be cheery and bright :)<br /><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;"><i>all photos by me</i></span></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>

Christmas, English Style

Posted by Happy Homemaker UKAs my daughter will remind you in her daily countdown,Christmas is only 10 days away!I believe today is '10 Lords A-Leaping' Day :)Christmas in England is very similar to the USwith Christmas trees, stockings, carolers, and Christmas cards{ generic ones only - a photocard…

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FREE shipping! My last hurrah for the year

As 2011 draws to a close, I'm busily packaging and posting my last orders for the year. So I thought I'd offer one last freebie before I take a break and close up shop for the holidays -<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span><a href="http://www.driftwoodinteriors.etsy.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">FREE shipping</span> on all orders</a> - worldwide!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.driftwoodinteriors.etsy.com/"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.driftwoodinteriors.etsy.com/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfOGdMxX6irZ0T7O4F13DVbG2AualbLUc9By4KDYluuh0AVI-aed2NCryGgqonvTuDbbfuM-zfEHzx2qV3LowBegR2phY4cogR8NfID7mLPOeg99SoucOXh2OgaDn5bvwVJN9dPH0FZ04/s640/free+shipping+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.driftwoodinteriors.etsy.com/"></a></div><br />Now, while I can't guarantee international orders will arrive in time for Christmas, I can guarantee all orders - both local and international - will be sent by the next business day. So if, like me, you still have <i><b>waayy</b></i> too much shopping to finish (at last count I'd managed to buy four presents - oops), then head on over to my <a href="http://www.driftwoodinteriors.etsy.com/">Etsy store</a>. And if you're buying a gift, just leave me a message at checkout or convo me and I'll be more than happy to send your parcel <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">direct to the recipient</span>...complete with pretty packaging and a greeting from you!<br /><br />Take it easy, and I'll see you soon,<br /><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />

FREE shipping! My last hurrah for the year

As 2011 draws to a close, I'm busily packaging and posting my last orders for the year. So I thought I'd offer one last freebie before I take a break and close up shop for the holidays - FREE shipping on all orders - worldwide!Now, while I can't guarantee international orders will arrive in time for…

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Tangerine Tango...and friends

I'm sure you all know by now that <a href="http://pantone.com/">Pantone</a> has declared Tangerine Tango the colour of the year for 2012. Bold and bright, it's no shrinking violet (pardon the pun), and a little can go a long way. It works beautifully with pink and aqua, and it's found its way into quite a few of my paintings lately. I'm working on this piece at the moment, with more to come.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uA9rHVV1_V70gnSbkPbcF7cxlWeMIW96MrBrKPhPp8ksWjtiKKkeF4oVrTeC53h_scfq-F_4kCS2zIujGXSqnSkMUNuhmtCDfKpoYOp8omXjvy7Ui23D8dYKGXOPGvzkm0zkdaDfhr_G/s1600/sunset+strip+watermarked+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uA9rHVV1_V70gnSbkPbcF7cxlWeMIW96MrBrKPhPp8ksWjtiKKkeF4oVrTeC53h_scfq-F_4kCS2zIujGXSqnSkMUNuhmtCDfKpoYOp8omXjvy7Ui23D8dYKGXOPGvzkm0zkdaDfhr_G/s640/sunset+strip+watermarked+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">'Calypso I'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">mixed media on canvas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">tangerine and hot pink - always a killer combo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">SOLD</span></div><br />I'll be adding some smaller originals on canvas to my Etsy store in the new year, but if anyone is looking for pieces in time for Christmas, this and its friend (it's part of a small diptych, but is also designed to stand alone) are available now. Feel free to email me if you'd like more information.<br /><br />I've also just used this fabric for a client in the pink colourway, and paired it with shades of green and aqua - very fresh and summery. But it looks equally lovely in tangy tangerine...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxdqCmvmrzfruX8m19s3v0nzeJmdYsSdGP8xsUWh5v8Iny0uz9EC9T30k9KhTfZ3U3cXiZMJMrak4CwUaP-K1iS31tTSsYH5dUd1F7mir1_2Irvn8oWrYf8YoCpXwfCo4Zgtl-9qTeMXx/s1600/ThibautHotPink2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxdqCmvmrzfruX8m19s3v0nzeJmdYsSdGP8xsUWh5v8Iny0uz9EC9T30k9KhTfZ3U3cXiZMJMrak4CwUaP-K1iS31tTSsYH5dUd1F7mir1_2Irvn8oWrYf8YoCpXwfCo4Zgtl-9qTeMXx/s640/ThibautHotPink2.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Orange works wonderfully with turquoise too. You may remember how Lauren from <a href="http://porterdesigncompany.com/">Porter Design Company</a> framed my <a href="http://www.driftwoodinteriors.etsy.com/">turquoise sea plant paintings</a> with vivid tangerine orange mats for her room in the Stately Homes by the Sea Showhouse:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKDHgwSUlUfR9eOJrm6SOK2ppHfQyBfDgNhjcAAtygQQHx4Qmm0_Db7LXUs4l2LpGM9ON50mpKG_VZhjNsF0DbmudepoIbH9PkrKyGYO1ZTRfAreXY9zcvwn6crp5jQv6rtyYguOTfJ2E/s1600/Untitled+picture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKDHgwSUlUfR9eOJrm6SOK2ppHfQyBfDgNhjcAAtygQQHx4Qmm0_Db7LXUs4l2LpGM9ON50mpKG_VZhjNsF0DbmudepoIbH9PkrKyGYO1ZTRfAreXY9zcvwn6crp5jQv6rtyYguOTfJ2E/s640/Untitled+picture.png" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and maybe I was ahead of my time - earlier this year, I released a number of my prints in...wait, that's right....Tangerine!</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/AVvXsEjpwN-UFo6FmMW4DBrM_AEuzU10cABZsGEfcS-s7-iiqMrIk0zqHKd4B0zKkecfBfIHOJ60onqUsevgf5mRy0BEVWqmErKqaFCNWd3xmpzMiu0K9HuzERbU-Qoy4EoWIsv-ffsFM-mdbW8w/s1600/sea+plants+in+tangerine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwN-UFo6FmMW4DBrM_AEuzU10cABZsGEfcS-s7-iiqMrIk0zqHKd4B0zKkecfBfIHOJ60onqUsevgf5mRy0BEVWqmErKqaFCNWd3xmpzMiu0K9HuzERbU-Qoy4EoWIsv-ffsFM-mdbW8w/s640/sea+plants+in+tangerine.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Prints are all available here in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70875936/seaweed-in-tangerine-print">Etsy store</a>.</div><br /><br /><br />I think it would make a great addition to any holiday table - even this snippet really makes an impact:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDF614QSpZPKbJa6tsHufO0pWAzR3EOnHxpO4ys7FtspdpefVdemo1fRCTKyb2btXgJHEuEd9QuJr3ef4guyI9Tuy31y850T7QOeeVuvYYCbJ_RYRMrymvQMmSItJh-j37q_yvyhNnM3H/s1600/white-turquoise-orange-table-setting-decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDF614QSpZPKbJa6tsHufO0pWAzR3EOnHxpO4ys7FtspdpefVdemo1fRCTKyb2btXgJHEuEd9QuJr3ef4guyI9Tuy31y850T7QOeeVuvYYCbJ_RYRMrymvQMmSItJh-j37q_yvyhNnM3H/s640/white-turquoise-orange-table-setting-decor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelennoxx.com/">The Lennoxx</a></div><br />..and packs quite a punch in these vibrant bedrooms:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewtsq3Yw3cQKNH3K8w3zO-jn3tvW0c8jOgqRA9KNcKukU5RXdFKOWJj_Z2_Swb_S3gXfb_Zi-Ann9TWVHcaZ_rS26fT1CTNKshCDEoLMIzTmATuT9JPASP4eP0nhZMu_YHEKzvwzoeFsO/s1600/Bali_Bedroom_Architectural_Digest_June_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewtsq3Yw3cQKNH3K8w3zO-jn3tvW0c8jOgqRA9KNcKukU5RXdFKOWJj_Z2_Swb_S3gXfb_Zi-Ann9TWVHcaZ_rS26fT1CTNKshCDEoLMIzTmATuT9JPASP4eP0nhZMu_YHEKzvwzoeFsO/s640/Bali_Bedroom_Architectural_Digest_June_2011.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://architecturaldigest.com/"> Architectural Digest</a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0Fey8cVLR9VI3WTYUrJ09ALvpHkVOPQbreMFOpS4OtcyZHVgq7RoSZHt7S4RVtmpfCgFLQ1OuhbxGEZRdeOJ151ukLg61WwCe5xaIyT-iZwaVDQKwnL1qu9KvDSa4vaVi92eP5qI6rgV/s1600/orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0Fey8cVLR9VI3WTYUrJ09ALvpHkVOPQbreMFOpS4OtcyZHVgq7RoSZHt7S4RVtmpfCgFLQ1OuhbxGEZRdeOJ151ukLg61WwCe5xaIyT-iZwaVDQKwnL1qu9KvDSa4vaVi92eP5qI6rgV/s640/orange.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.insideoutcolouranddesign.com.au/">Via</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, are you loving Tangerine Tango, or, like my mum, do you absolutely hate it? Did Pantone get it right? Love to know what you think.</div><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>

Tangerine Tango...and friends

I'm sure you all know by now that Pantone has declared Tangerine Tango the colour of the year for 2012. Bold and bright, it's no shrinking violet (pardon the pun), and a little can go a long way. It works beautifully with pink and aqua, and it's found its way into quite a few of my paintings lately.…

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'The Holiday' With A Twist

<br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">'Tis the perfect time to confess that one of the reasons I moved to England was </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">I was hoping to <i>live in</i> or <i>next to </i>this...</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNp9ZilmJ_jv8Z-49GnYdFYIznskKE99vAcBT6r7a1llfu-vGBMQeewesMy7WHjv-znSB5XdPMxEdVZqx6mx5RgiSpG7UuWhLrwth8Rjhoz1KncaiNwT2pbzqXNEupflYoqQ0xCW__T0/s1600/Holiday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNp9ZilmJ_jv8Z-49GnYdFYIznskKE99vAcBT6r7a1llfu-vGBMQeewesMy7WHjv-znSB5XdPMxEdVZqx6mx5RgiSpG7UuWhLrwth8Rjhoz1KncaiNwT2pbzqXNEupflYoqQ0xCW__T0/s640/Holiday3.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px;">Iris's Cottage from 'The Holiday'<br />[from Chalk & Talk <a href="http://chalk-jenny.blogspot.com/2010/06/holiday.html" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;">Blog</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">Do you remember this cozy cottage from the film, 'The Holiday'? </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">I have visited Shere several times,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">where portions of the movie were filmed </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">but I've never been able to find this house</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">{ Otherwise I'd be writing from there now }</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">This delightful romantic comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">is a classic chick flick to put you in the holiday mood</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">In a nutshell, their characters swap homes for Christmas - </div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><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;">Diaz's contemporary Southern California home for </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">Winslet's English country cottage and vice versa</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">A few yummy scenes / eye candy of the English cottage from 'The Holiday' </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">Love, love, love!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">{ via</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2008/07/holiday-houses_15.html" style="color: #0c8bd4; font-size: x-small; text-decoration: none;">Cote de Texas</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">}</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap3kmrQNEi5wNQlCoCZdo3mV7Q7_JNVxVk2TT-EjHC4EN05DrtiYbVdHUG5kIBeZHOo1e1x25g0eIWh_tR0D5_c9H-nFqKhMD0FU0d6DRCfsuJ8XbO0js3pDvz6hJ0JqpucyHfaZwVgg/s1600/Holiday9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap3kmrQNEi5wNQlCoCZdo3mV7Q7_JNVxVk2TT-EjHC4EN05DrtiYbVdHUG5kIBeZHOo1e1x25g0eIWh_tR0D5_c9H-nFqKhMD0FU0d6DRCfsuJ8XbO0js3pDvz6hJ0JqpucyHfaZwVgg/s640/Holiday9.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ_Xd5T9w6Wrf63n5_Ku6GkvoI8QtPp2JshMRNqIYITQ85imWXkjXrBZGB1wrBD_RyS6hvTnVehvHWY91vZg-bAcPDWkvTN97Q-PVWVUtPDvDVjwYcf3bFD_6mP-EQUnWp0u2Bsr6FYQ/s1600/Holiday6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ_Xd5T9w6Wrf63n5_Ku6GkvoI8QtPp2JshMRNqIYITQ85imWXkjXrBZGB1wrBD_RyS6hvTnVehvHWY91vZg-bAcPDWkvTN97Q-PVWVUtPDvDVjwYcf3bFD_6mP-EQUnWp0u2Bsr6FYQ/s640/Holiday6.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQftI6lwNZvuwRsNCnBkYNekVhGLeZHIpwLRr2r-cPFzy7dpl8ZZWK109K3M4g2Kjf3oPJVZAMGLlqWOuRIOHn29I6nwgfIjSfihLNInDa0_O9TEvgSwjEJkCdprCmVUsujAXGn7UD-6Y/s1600/Holiday8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQftI6lwNZvuwRsNCnBkYNekVhGLeZHIpwLRr2r-cPFzy7dpl8ZZWK109K3M4g2Kjf3oPJVZAMGLlqWOuRIOHn29I6nwgfIjSfihLNInDa0_O9TEvgSwjEJkCdprCmVUsujAXGn7UD-6Y/s640/Holiday8.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY1vdsgcGYoHac4ZU8o4P7UKk6iXpfRdVFi2ZBCkCnhQ87GCSmuVsrHTHNyCGXN8BFH2qIeA2937j4ZBYU6ijHQZNQnyakYgR8vZ4ZMjsuceTUebCzpE_tlC8s3RZ18FUGfLQqMM1Gc4/s1600/Holiday30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY1vdsgcGYoHac4ZU8o4P7UKk6iXpfRdVFi2ZBCkCnhQ87GCSmuVsrHTHNyCGXN8BFH2qIeA2937j4ZBYU6ijHQZNQnyakYgR8vZ4ZMjsuceTUebCzpE_tlC8s3RZ18FUGfLQqMM1Gc4/s640/Holiday30.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcrcMFdKmbEv2XaLqezQf_dpT_zk7sN8M1f1mEb_bMiBZN-N4aE6s4WmAIBRyQetC7TCkYkX6W4jEtW6ogm9iF-yMYGdzF2x3xwGFAXdq8bj2lWr8MCsJVtkGYdN5M5h1U7HXpe5Sfsk/s1600/holiday4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcrcMFdKmbEv2XaLqezQf_dpT_zk7sN8M1f1mEb_bMiBZN-N4aE6s4WmAIBRyQetC7TCkYkX6W4jEtW6ogm9iF-yMYGdzF2x3xwGFAXdq8bj2lWr8MCsJVtkGYdN5M5h1U7HXpe5Sfsk/s640/holiday4.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">This last photo makes me laugh because </div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">I really did sleep in my big parka and scarf just last week! </div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">I live an old home that is cold and drafty</div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">If I could knit myself a nose hat, I would :)</div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Now for some photos from the movie set in England</div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">I believe a lot of these photos are from the DVD's Special Features</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">{ via <a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/2010/12/05/kate-winslets-english-cottage-in-the-holiday/" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;">Hooked On Houses</a> }</span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vYywXvKtWT9pNAWj4sPO2eANGuhBIByRKijZZglyprW69P2O7LG9ajO3FLDKP2L_cZuGxPU7_fb-UPAtliNcxneSB9a_Z5_qxLMly6uQIVMQSKJVnYK7NH9UQtagJnZXcjJekEe0DEo/s1600/Holiday10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vYywXvKtWT9pNAWj4sPO2eANGuhBIByRKijZZglyprW69P2O7LG9ajO3FLDKP2L_cZuGxPU7_fb-UPAtliNcxneSB9a_Z5_qxLMly6uQIVMQSKJVnYK7NH9UQtagJnZXcjJekEe0DEo/s640/Holiday10.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px;">Blowing Fake Snow For Wintry Scenes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">This is the High Street in Shere</div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Ah, I just love Shere</div><br /><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Now, ready for a little twisty? </div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Here are more photos of my <i>old, charming </i>17th Century cottage, <u>in the making</u>...</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4UmDuSg4f29G4JMnpT5AtOPCfLm5T_EKcAb2h6xKBJyKqqozZo0Nan2YfVRLR7fOtAYCU6rQIxHteFSietf9jd21GRx8gPZ4rNQDY9_s-ADme6PjNz7Avl6_JUQyFIhNo_hRu2lk9wE/s1600/Holiday11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4UmDuSg4f29G4JMnpT5AtOPCfLm5T_EKcAb2h6xKBJyKqqozZo0Nan2YfVRLR7fOtAYCU6rQIxHteFSietf9jd21GRx8gPZ4rNQDY9_s-ADme6PjNz7Avl6_JUQyFIhNo_hRu2lk9wE/s640/Holiday11.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WDokHjOImG13oB0XT29Tbty3l7UnvXWZHSaO6XYeMQZ9ES8Jgdj5ya3V-d2keDv5AP2BwQgBABmgHUY7TDP_24htMW64dJ2xHBF3ApxXT5-y_j1f5gemhY9hyDpFXuST1HbBpAZUO4M/s1600/Holiday12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WDokHjOImG13oB0XT29Tbty3l7UnvXWZHSaO6XYeMQZ9ES8Jgdj5ya3V-d2keDv5AP2BwQgBABmgHUY7TDP_24htMW64dJ2xHBF3ApxXT5-y_j1f5gemhY9hyDpFXuST1HbBpAZUO4M/s640/Holiday12.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM7yhbhETZtzv9Vp3AOZcBFf1XAYsfFqM31ZdxgMvpus8nTJonNf8UOz8AQuWr1Ul9HShtU30vQU009z98i3DzUFlMZtmJty8ZLMa2roMO8FsySkOrm7Q8BHFqdRv84elx2_aU_2ZPlQ/s1600/Holiday13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM7yhbhETZtzv9Vp3AOZcBFf1XAYsfFqM31ZdxgMvpus8nTJonNf8UOz8AQuWr1Ul9HShtU30vQU009z98i3DzUFlMZtmJty8ZLMa2roMO8FsySkOrm7Q8BHFqdRv84elx2_aU_2ZPlQ/s640/Holiday13.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNcsvrBIP1LVX6WcVwkImIhpo1YAYUtY5zbcACNwm7OqvSf57qTbMRCsBw8Oiujz3Y5krqV13tx__82yOkY1mXKDBCk1F2mV5sPAU15jQbP-gVA_0cJymtTOebp3WvsBKfCBZ87tHbxw/s1600/Holiday14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNcsvrBIP1LVX6WcVwkImIhpo1YAYUtY5zbcACNwm7OqvSf57qTbMRCsBw8Oiujz3Y5krqV13tx__82yOkY1mXKDBCk1F2mV5sPAU15jQbP-gVA_0cJymtTOebp3WvsBKfCBZ87tHbxw/s640/Holiday14.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGDLyS6-ZADPFSvY4IBjGZ_-ntigewnGLeOErfPriDiGhyphenhyphenyZGDszs6t0nWi59p-MQ30JIxzUiJojgRheLkvR6a5Lj0WA81QRbTYOrxewra883s10dTwMvlYwn6RVa4yXJD_3hKfRaT74/s1600/Holiday15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGDLyS6-ZADPFSvY4IBjGZ_-ntigewnGLeOErfPriDiGhyphenhyphenyZGDszs6t0nWi59p-MQ30JIxzUiJojgRheLkvR6a5Lj0WA81QRbTYOrxewra883s10dTwMvlYwn6RVa4yXJD_3hKfRaT74/s640/Holiday15.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Unbelievable, I know - a bit of a heartbreak</div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">The house was thrown up in just a few weeks in a field {and since torn down}</div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Now I know why I couldn't find that cottage! But here's the good news</div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">This cottage is for available to rent in the Cotswolds and looks like Iris's cozy home</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65AF1vE7fM3BTGwQ87MZBTmKZqI8m-o9SmCyxWgB5YEsN0ZyjI0LtxYysKHCA7ZsdWe-DuLGLekuNk_ne3KFpAIuX-R6wW_li3D7I9L3KgqiOVkPh4_Z8bhEK2DozFFk8aeipmj52lOw/s1600/Holiday20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65AF1vE7fM3BTGwQ87MZBTmKZqI8m-o9SmCyxWgB5YEsN0ZyjI0LtxYysKHCA7ZsdWe-DuLGLekuNk_ne3KFpAIuX-R6wW_li3D7I9L3KgqiOVkPh4_Z8bhEK2DozFFk8aeipmj52lOw/s640/Holiday20.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.slatters-cottage.co.uk/self-catering-cotswolds-luxury-cottage.htm" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;">Slatter's Cottage, Cotswolds</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">And the other good news is I now know I can hire a movie crew </div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">to build me a charming 17th Century English cottage one day :)</div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfK7GZvbegAplNXiacp3G_izjzcCZWt59aWRanb1qPh7yhW2wo5CNdkIcb0nIncwzLvXMDT8OQSsF6w39jLWxhmrHezuAg6PehYT3F_eVW3oer9IVcT0WpHOMh-8_qv-CpT6xEBExWks/s1600/Holiday16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c8bd4; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfK7GZvbegAplNXiacp3G_izjzcCZWt59aWRanb1qPh7yhW2wo5CNdkIcb0nIncwzLvXMDT8OQSsF6w39jLWxhmrHezuAg6PehYT3F_eVW3oer9IVcT0WpHOMh-8_qv-CpT6xEBExWks/s640/Holiday16.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px;">Iris's Cottage, 'The Holiday'</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Anywhere</div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Related Posts: <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2010/08/crazy-quaint-shere.html" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;">'Crazy Quaint' Shere</a>, <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2012/12/film-locations-holiday-bridget-jones.html">Film Locations: The Holiday & Bridget Jones</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Reposted from December 20, 2010</span></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>

'The Holiday' With A Twist

'Tis the perfect time to confess that one of the reasons I moved to England was I was hoping to live in or next to this...Iris's Cottage from 'The Holiday'[from Chalk & Talk Blog]Do you remember this cozy cottage from the film, 'The Holiday'? I have visited Shere several times,where portions of the …

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Center Parcs

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Repeatedly, I heard from others that we MUST take our kids for a long weekend to Center Parcs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With four locations to choose from in England,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we packed our bags and headed to Longleat Village for a 'family camp' adventure</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/AVvXsEhEXey0FOLwKBECmFWF2EgRGlmrNtkcOjQIEP7_wBlm2q6dufH51EelbceDgmAfOjtcriSIRBz7WaFOJJLuqeSI8CapCMgAg-_ArGuf2aI_bQvGutUgDfDwBI52EukFVUdfEcYC2MdB8Pc/s1600/DSC_0378-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXey0FOLwKBECmFWF2EgRGlmrNtkcOjQIEP7_wBlm2q6dufH51EelbceDgmAfOjtcriSIRBz7WaFOJJLuqeSI8CapCMgAg-_ArGuf2aI_bQvGutUgDfDwBI52EukFVUdfEcYC2MdB8Pc/s640/DSC_0378-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many water slides</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Open year round, each location is situated on 400 acres of forest<br />and features a long list of indoor and outdoor activities, </div><div style="text-align: center;">including a subtropical indoor pool complex with a lazy river, wave pool, and water slides</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With so many options, we had difficulty narrowing down what to do</div><div style="text-align: center;">but ultimately we chose scuba diving instruction, aqua jetting, laser clay shooting, a treasure hunt on bicycles,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a chance to handle cutie-pie animals<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's just the tip of the iceberg of what they offered<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEgHFee-whyphenhyphenIZU17lh-NP73myoWhzv1ryIF9sABAXYErtckvZByr1zXGVIMUWdEtKYBPGrmKw31Xpg11siIcO0uGsF9Rj-gCm7Wok1CJPIQSVHcdNetpXp4ec_qGXIBv3pGreDQRBz73uQA/s1600/DSC_0367-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFee-whyphenhyphenIZU17lh-NP73myoWhzv1ryIF9sABAXYErtckvZByr1zXGVIMUWdEtKYBPGrmKw31Xpg11siIcO0uGsF9Rj-gCm7Wok1CJPIQSVHcdNetpXp4ec_qGXIBv3pGreDQRBz73uQA/s640/DSC_0367-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipline platform on left side of photo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cabins are fancy or not, depending on budget</div><div style="text-align: center;">We could eat in the various restaurants on campus or</div><div style="text-align: center;">cook meals in our cabin's kitchen</div><div style="text-align: center;">An impressive grocery store was on site as well</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></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/AVvXsEj6e_TOztc6jCQF7c9aU0gBG-sMfvLEF4TOf6_5otBiAJZpmfK4WxdfFcV3kTPuZoSwTx8e0U6csJsr8Y6KiXsZ72n-e89P6H3QMN1WLOucT7_rycv1_4-Qqsnl37gCPRcISSBxJwQ6b_c/s1600/DSC_0351-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e_TOztc6jCQF7c9aU0gBG-sMfvLEF4TOf6_5otBiAJZpmfK4WxdfFcV3kTPuZoSwTx8e0U6csJsr8Y6KiXsZ72n-e89P6H3QMN1WLOucT7_rycv1_4-Qqsnl37gCPRcISSBxJwQ6b_c/s640/DSC_0351-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row of cabins</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the great things about Center Parcs is<br />it's a great vacation for families with kids of multiple ages</div><div style="text-align: center;">There really is something for everybody<br /><br /><br /><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/AVvXsEgbzX2-IVcQsLk0N0UznnEAwXm3QM5TA-AudmjBpaOfBG7fKYVRx__V1w3cr9ROoMIkCmJK_Yl-uA-BCMR-eSSZ-CtpuqrmK5Dh9dD4aEY-aE4xjKvUKMGKD73k2kaewI3N0Y5jbZ1xmKM/s1600/DSC_0358-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzX2-IVcQsLk0N0UznnEAwXm3QM5TA-AudmjBpaOfBG7fKYVRx__V1w3cr9ROoMIkCmJK_Yl-uA-BCMR-eSSZ-CtpuqrmK5Dh9dD4aEY-aE4xjKvUKMGKD73k2kaewI3N0Y5jbZ1xmKM/s640/DSC_0358-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes are the main mode of transportation</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Will we be back? Well, with so many activities yet to do,<br />that answer is a no-brainer<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My kids would tell you, not soon enough :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">More info: <a href="http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/">Center Parcs</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I received nothing in return for this review)</span></div></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>

Center Parcs

Posted by Happy Homemaker UKRepeatedly, I heard from others that we MUST take our kids for a long weekend to Center ParcsWith four locations to choose from in England,we packed our bags and headed to Longleat Village for a 'family camp' adventureOne of many water slidesOpen year round, each location…

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