My Weekend & Post Of The Month Club

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hello, my chickadees!</b><br />{Chickadees are called 'tits' here,<br />but 'Hello, my tits!' just doesn't have the same ring :) }<br /><br />How are you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our weekend was filled with my daughter's birthday celebration</div><div style="text-align: center;">and participating in the <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2012/01/big-garden-birdwatch.html">Big Garden Birdwatch</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEhuwjyiNJiJUUM-YjHRTQunH2ys0vJiWloNW-WqFBA3p52KlkdrIjFg0SxdjqBP8ufMoJzOMahzKpneFgqWyJRbFKX3dsqmn5t8ehGEmMIFdinRVbhFlbRxy9W09vhFtSg5U_a6ZqqfKvw/s1600/DSC_0055-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwjyiNJiJUUM-YjHRTQunH2ys0vJiWloNW-WqFBA3p52KlkdrIjFg0SxdjqBP8ufMoJzOMahzKpneFgqWyJRbFKX3dsqmn5t8ehGEmMIFdinRVbhFlbRxy9W09vhFtSg5U_a6ZqqfKvw/s640/DSC_0055-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin in our garden during Big Garden Birdwatch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I grabbed a cup of tea and we played Yahtzee </div><div style="text-align: center;">but not for long</div><div style="text-align: center;">as we broke into 'Ooh! Did you see that one?! Look!'</div><div style="text-align: center;">and busily made checkmarks on our <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/">RSPB</a> birding sheet</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Robins, carrion crows, feral pigeons, jackdaw, nuthatch, wren, and ring-necked parakeets</div><div style="text-align: center;">were our counted feathered friends for the day</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was glad we were to count for only an hour, for we could have watched all day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It really was exciting :)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- plus a nice distraction from my daughter beating the pants off me in Yahtzee -</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/AVvXsEjRaTspTV8KI9uTDgPwMSOKcL9ANZ3IJtFTcYkLYDQPiR4CWInwKH-YkzVYf2LHbyQptUs_MqFDOd8fujVloWehmk4QwWsPsRqL4jR2-AGaenYxCkNYuiH97YtZfHzb_0bK_nDjDmdKrWc/s1600/DSC_0148-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaTspTV8KI9uTDgPwMSOKcL9ANZ3IJtFTcYkLYDQPiR4CWInwKH-YkzVYf2LHbyQptUs_MqFDOd8fujVloWehmk4QwWsPsRqL4jR2-AGaenYxCkNYuiH97YtZfHzb_0bK_nDjDmdKrWc/s640/DSC_0148-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from recent weekend walk</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although we are in the middle of winter,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it has been mild so far with just a few days of frost</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The grass is green, and the daffodils are already coming up!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">{ Shhh, don't tell anyone the winters are really mild here<br />or everyone will move here :) }<br /><br />Life for me is busy at the moment with school commitments and moving locally in a month(!)<br /><br />So it is nice to take a little time and journal part of my day here<br /><br />***<br /><br />Okay, now for <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/p/post-of-month-club.html">Post Of The Month Club</a><br />Every blogger is welcome to join :)<br /><br />Jump in with your favorite post from January<br />and link it in below<br /><br />If you have a chance, stop by a few others to say 'hello'<br />Such an excellent opportunity to meet other friendly folks in the blogsphere,<br />don't you think?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae214/HappyHomemakerUK/HappyHomemaker20111-39a-1.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; 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;" /></span></a></center><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be reading every single one :)<br /><br /><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;">Linking to: <a href="http://krisgal.blogspot.com/">January Photograph Club</a></span></div></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br /><br /><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=128449" type="text/javascript"></script>

My Weekend & Post Of The Month Club

Posted by Happy Homemaker UKHello, my chickadees!{Chickadees are called 'tits' here,but 'Hello, my tits!' just doesn't have the same ring :) }How are you?Our weekend was filled with my daughter's birthday celebrationand participating in the Big Garden BirdwatchRobin in our garden during Big Garden B…

Read more »

Whitewash

I'm sitting here, writing this post in what should be a hot, steamy Queensland summer, and instead it's been cold and raining for days. And to make matters worse, there have been next to no fabulous white beach houses to ogle - totally depressing. So I was very excited to find this gem. It would make the perfect beach getaway, and although it's a little sparsely furnished for my taste, the bones are very nice indeed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwrIRjQK9iRaiyIYprPuWW-qGFR6XJpWIPphgyAtO0d_KJdi5RTro94x2JZ98ScikzboyhzN0G7RVifpLhe6l79uLOAd9yKDltqKKnO5yAgwAS7GaLn3tFPJ8dJdqqNdyS9U23FMiUhlu/s1600/image5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwrIRjQK9iRaiyIYprPuWW-qGFR6XJpWIPphgyAtO0d_KJdi5RTro94x2JZ98ScikzboyhzN0G7RVifpLhe6l79uLOAd9yKDltqKKnO5yAgwAS7GaLn3tFPJ8dJdqqNdyS9U23FMiUhlu/s640/image5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"> Sandstone...my favourite</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGiHIF18hb7eq80srRr-bdtmMmtWZqK_cNMLG1yYthpuzxj4GMggsh7oyvg8mFZvfoqP2VDWedvfSsab7FPo1tgbBzh0TVtdLdVtf876gdXyB4aHlzK8_jEuCSqALbOTS31jhORU1MI_4/s1600/image4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGiHIF18hb7eq80srRr-bdtmMmtWZqK_cNMLG1yYthpuzxj4GMggsh7oyvg8mFZvfoqP2VDWedvfSsab7FPo1tgbBzh0TVtdLdVtf876gdXyB4aHlzK8_jEuCSqALbOTS31jhORU1MI_4/s640/image4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Love the exposed beams and vj boards</span></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/AVvXsEgSWOlLdUGsJRFxcD8vLYMwmUG9orudjeiaKW-Zsm5Y1pArhSL6Mof32I8DrvXve1HrxPZB21GXFqq73ghTmUZvEnp2OWRMBv7HysUA1ipTIGoxhar4qIqcJpB4S_2aL1yKQn_MjNLRfnKp/s1600/image6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWOlLdUGsJRFxcD8vLYMwmUG9orudjeiaKW-Zsm5Y1pArhSL6Mof32I8DrvXve1HrxPZB21GXFqq73ghTmUZvEnp2OWRMBv7HysUA1ipTIGoxhar4qIqcJpB4S_2aL1yKQn_MjNLRfnKp/s640/image6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDtJT8g3CuUwFnjSf-n47EwpqSEATyP5MwEz1FrPIrLWBEANtlrnbZ3YiEJdCvOY69V09GQdvyiDda0c17xVtsbQ9cLRBKuuFqxOiRkKK3heuFxcWUdJp-yGcfkLwXl72oMCtDFLFUJ-N/s1600/main1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDtJT8g3CuUwFnjSf-n47EwpqSEATyP5MwEz1FrPIrLWBEANtlrnbZ3YiEJdCvOY69V09GQdvyiDda0c17xVtsbQ9cLRBKuuFqxOiRkKK3heuFxcWUdJp-yGcfkLwXl72oMCtDFLFUJ-N/s640/main1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Simply elegant</span></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/AVvXsEggg5KTiZT2pNODSd9uxAOx1utf-Dbd4TIfp4Hfy1tu9xpbK1uA8bx9GYLa_I1ODllNS0328Cfbi7BllEOcM78hyOMfaB1AmWzeUENNHjq0FLnlgxAyqJ-1LCL7j5Q88n1QhH59fyxYOHwt/s1600/image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggg5KTiZT2pNODSd9uxAOx1utf-Dbd4TIfp4Hfy1tu9xpbK1uA8bx9GYLa_I1ODllNS0328Cfbi7BllEOcM78hyOMfaB1AmWzeUENNHjq0FLnlgxAyqJ-1LCL7j5Q88n1QhH59fyxYOHwt/s640/image2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUu1zyuetuh0tpLUAWLwXBp7C_1kQkdGb-yTkzanSD6Xuenq3j0t6-O8cOop-e4n8cfLfL_MRJ2zsmA5V8QAbtS4QOcQ3w03aCsL3AyxWezIy5eIzIX-Liz7RJuEEvSJqPOlxSVHvntz2/s1600/image7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUu1zyuetuh0tpLUAWLwXBp7C_1kQkdGb-yTkzanSD6Xuenq3j0t6-O8cOop-e4n8cfLfL_MRJ2zsmA5V8QAbtS4QOcQ3w03aCsL3AyxWezIy5eIzIX-Liz7RJuEEvSJqPOlxSVHvntz2/s640/image7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'd love to get my hands on this and really zhush it up - I think some accessories and artwork (no surprises there) would take this from good to great. What do you think - maybe you like it clean and completely clutter free, or do you think it could benefit from a few well-placed pretties?<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-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="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">images courtesy realestate.com.au</span>

Whitewash

I'm sitting here, writing this post in what should be a hot, steamy Queensland summer, and instead it's been cold and raining for days. And to make matters worse, there have been next to no fabulous white beach houses to ogle - totally depressing. So I was very excited to find this gem. It would mak…

Read more »

A Woman's Right To Choose

<div style="text-align: left;">Posted by Happy Homemaker UK</div><div style="text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEisiH1xI72fnl5jXRovecKT7vBgjH7uaU1lEhKlceDXr4wn8vCoiI7BBj2PUpjZnRQQtjTX4A2kY2BsOpnhpIaY8tt-u0gjZMdnuSr4BhpP30T8Gzu447BhTKykKHbaZA3Y2Sjw1ueSKNU/s1600/il_570xN.272377671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiH1xI72fnl5jXRovecKT7vBgjH7uaU1lEhKlceDXr4wn8vCoiI7BBj2PUpjZnRQQtjTX4A2kY2BsOpnhpIaY8tt-u0gjZMdnuSr4BhpP30T8Gzu447BhTKykKHbaZA3Y2Sjw1ueSKNU/s400/il_570xN.272377671.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Birth Announcements by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScriptivaPaper?ref=seller_info">Scriptiva Paper Studio</a></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In October last year, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it was announced that in the UK </div><div style="text-align: center;">women will be able to choose whether to deliver their baby</div><div style="text-align: center;">vaginally or by Cesarean section</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Through my American eyes, I just could not wrap my head around this one</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Generally speaking,</div><div style="text-align: center;">American women would not opt for this surgical procedure unless recommended by an OBGYN -</div><div style="text-align: center;">with its longer recovery and inherent risks as with any surgery</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />In the US</div><div style="text-align: center;">it would seem irresponsible to completely leave it up to the woman to choose</div><div style="text-align: center;">to have an elective cesarean if it was not medically indicated</div><div style="text-align: center;">(excluding subsequent births after a C-section)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But talking to English women, </div><div style="text-align: center;">100% of them in my little poll are supportive of the availability of this choice<br />But why?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been chewing on this one for a while...<br />Hmm...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEidNY0g2SXCy1Yi5J8RWinrnk7sfzI6QeWxo_fM000rvnIPK-UCHFWTEb_PgM90Py9hYL_PmYqhnZlqmFLZJTAWSVh316Wg1aEfeJq5HfBor57rvrphzCK2dBESMbzuxBRTXUY6wsa88ss/s1600/il_570xN.287502908-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNY0g2SXCy1Yi5J8RWinrnk7sfzI6QeWxo_fM000rvnIPK-UCHFWTEb_PgM90Py9hYL_PmYqhnZlqmFLZJTAWSVh316Wg1aEfeJq5HfBor57rvrphzCK2dBESMbzuxBRTXUY6wsa88ss/s400/il_570xN.287502908-1.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For sale by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/byebyebirdieengland?ref=seller_info">Bye Bye Birdie England</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. FEAR & CONTROL</div><div style="text-align: left;">Having not delivered a baby in the UK, I am no expert on the NHS system. But it appears the only 'known' on your birth plan is your hospital (which may be assigned, but at least known ahead of time). You are unlikely to have met your midwife previously. And naturally the looming unknown of each childbirth can create a fair amount of fear. So I can see having a planned C-Section could bring some comfort and would help organize your life around the birth. I get that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. 'TOO POSH TO PUSH'</div><div style="text-align: left;">...a mantra becoming popular among the affluent</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. MAKE IT OFFICIAL</div><div style="text-align: left;">A quarter of births here are delivered via Cesarean section (I'm not sure how many of those are elective), so now they are officially creating an option for what doctors have been quietly persuaded to do by patients anyway.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. WHY NOT?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Is it any different from other elective surgery, including a knee replacement or cosmetic surgery? It is the woman's body after all, and she should ultimately make the decision once she knows the facts and risks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5. TOO NATURAL</div><div style="text-align: left;">Most births are delivered by midwives. Some mums feel the natural and holistic methods of midwives are forced upon them. (i.e. might not induce until 42 weeks)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEgwbVTm3jdsSwtK7J77RTlbRlqjexzrnmLSGk845IpnWTJDUsu6p2NeX9P3poXT5-93t1GLYYNJUxbjvBCjd10FzXYb4rQD9B6uPvFn9qYgvgcN_o7qwQkslzEoG4X98oMzuSPKDGHZNMg/s1600/il_570xN.302908980-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbVTm3jdsSwtK7J77RTlbRlqjexzrnmLSGk845IpnWTJDUsu6p2NeX9P3poXT5-93t1GLYYNJUxbjvBCjd10FzXYb4rQD9B6uPvFn9qYgvgcN_o7qwQkslzEoG4X98oMzuSPKDGHZNMg/s400/il_570xN.302908980-11.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retro Luggage available via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisVintageGirl?ref=seller_info">This Vintage Girl</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As an aside, items listed below always are provided for labor and delivery patients in US hospitals. UK patients are advised to pack the following for their stay in the NHS hospital:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- 2-3 gowns/clothes to wear during labor/delivery</div><div style="text-align: left;">- towels and soap</div><div style="text-align: left;">- 24 super absorbent sanitary napkins</div><div style="text-align: left;">- 5 or 6 pairs of underwear/'pants'</div><div style="text-align: left;">- diapers/nappies</div><div style="text-align: left;">- baby blanket and hat</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is also worth noting that toilets and bathrooms are often down the hall to be shared with other patients. And don't be surprised when your recovery is in a postnatal ward room shared with 5 other moms with newborns.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another interesting difference is if you have a doctor, he is likely to be referred to as a 'Mister [Last Name]', not 'Doctor'. 'Mr.' is used for highly specialized doctors, so it is a good sign if that is his title. If he is a 'Dr.', he is not as highly trained. Women specialists are referred to as 'Miss [Maiden Name]' even if they are married.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And lastly, the hospital can provide a gas mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (Entonox) through a mask or nose piece to laboring patients to make pain more bearable. This would have been a great option for me (and for my husband!) during my labor. I think this is similar to 'laughing gas' in the US. Reportedly there are no side effects to the baby, while the mother may feel lightheaded, nauseous, and/or a loss of concentration (in which case discontinue use). Anyone else vote for this during labor in US hospitals? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm curious as to your thoughts on this topic :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I find it fascinating<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Post Script:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- Thank you Meg, for adding husbands can't stay overnight in the hospital with postpartum wives in the UK</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- Unlike the US, babies are not granted UK citizenship just for being born in England. A baby will be given American citizenship, not UK citizenship, if born to American parents in the UK.<br /><br />More medical posts:<br /><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2012/01/dentist.html">The Dentist</a><br /><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2012/02/more-on-nhs.html">More On The NHS</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Sources: <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/Pages/PregnancyHome.aspx">NHS</a>, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8858147/All-women-to-be-given-right-to-caesarean.html">The Telegraph</a> </span><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div></div></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

A Woman's Right To Choose

Posted by Happy Homemaker UKBirth Announcements by Scriptiva Paper StudioIn October last year, it was announced that in the UK women will be able to choose whether to deliver their babyvaginally or by Cesarean sectionThrough my American eyes, I just could not wrap my head around this oneGenerally sp…

Read more »

One house, three ways, two magazines and a painting

Confused by the blog title? Of course you are....let me explain.<br /><br />Ever since I started writing this blog, I've loved to post about beautiful homes. There is a gorgeous old Queenslander here in Brisbane that was listed for sale after a complete overhaul. A short time later, it was on the market again, with a completely different look (you can check out the full post <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/11/hamptons-style-comes-to-brisbane.html">here</a>). Well, as luck would have it, it's now the home of our very own Melinda Boundy, of <a href="http://lilygnew.blogspot.com/">Lily G</a>. Of course, it's looking better than ever now - so much so that it's just been featured in not one, but two magazines.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaqt4oupsT-ZJ35P66BjuBcM3wQlryM_p53Nn5DC6s4XUULqiQq_u57Lzk1-O3XdL3ugKWn1T15OaAJuuebLIkC5-qMKKzTc-HxDZZuNdX96DeS3kGp7m3czCqzNUQ0X04qiegqesJKbj/s1600/melinda+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaqt4oupsT-ZJ35P66BjuBcM3wQlryM_p53Nn5DC6s4XUULqiQq_u57Lzk1-O3XdL3ugKWn1T15OaAJuuebLIkC5-qMKKzTc-HxDZZuNdX96DeS3kGp7m3czCqzNUQ0X04qiegqesJKbj/s640/melinda+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></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/AVvXsEj09Az42bEJ9jpE5VekiZSOt8nJcyuakGOJOGpi1GsY_tE5y5NLl8r-GWHoa1Z_I3-hPGh1jv3uXrkBbNdYiFTODZeKsQP-bM_0ahV4qx7VqaPWnQ2WzLdNiD-pqlcdDd3tHXraiwgEhSsV/s1600/melinda2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09Az42bEJ9jpE5VekiZSOt8nJcyuakGOJOGpi1GsY_tE5y5NLl8r-GWHoa1Z_I3-hPGh1jv3uXrkBbNdYiFTODZeKsQP-bM_0ahV4qx7VqaPWnQ2WzLdNiD-pqlcdDd3tHXraiwgEhSsV/s640/melinda2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEiaf4eD_Vp1J1SZJ2tF6rjDEnRLnYT0tQIlIqotpss3x-NZZT7l6oDBC7PjI9K4utRWn6Pe9naZj2H4guIn9OHalJqtZUkQsOr1RRFjIB_imZAXORlTM8ZRAO2UrJ8vCNxl4aPe9FLCrhuL/s1600/melinda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf4eD_Vp1J1SZJ2tF6rjDEnRLnYT0tQIlIqotpss3x-NZZT7l6oDBC7PjI9K4utRWn6Pe9naZj2H4guIn9OHalJqtZUkQsOr1RRFjIB_imZAXORlTM8ZRAO2UrJ8vCNxl4aPe9FLCrhuL/s640/melinda.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">The above images are from the new <a href="http://www.queenslandhomes.com.au/?product=431">Queensland Homes Gold Annual 2012</a>, and were snapped by photographer <a href="http://www.johndowns.com.au/">John Downs</a> (a really nice guy who was kind enough to send me these pics - thanks so much John).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm thrilled to say that the lovely Melinda (who has been one of my biggest supporters, and was the very first to stock my original artwork) commissioned an original Butterfly painting to hang in her living room. It's similar to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78893582/butterfly-print-in-black-and-white-the">'The Monarchist'</a>, with some aqua accents to compliment her scheme. Here's a close-up...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf_seGB3FqAzGfFHWl5iXsC1XBkzC7Ctk8EuAsvSNfOWmNw7Svy9RnHB6DBxfYWvVE5pGeKccSlUtsoaQSQpMcb1QEkfSNHCPMPDhsVmb7jRucu-_aeydo7wOy9DcjDujvfhtn-pvPNwt/s1600/aqua+butterfly+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf_seGB3FqAzGfFHWl5iXsC1XBkzC7Ctk8EuAsvSNfOWmNw7Svy9RnHB6DBxfYWvVE5pGeKccSlUtsoaQSQpMcb1QEkfSNHCPMPDhsVmb7jRucu-_aeydo7wOy9DcjDujvfhtn-pvPNwt/s640/aqua+butterfly+2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;">How lovely is this frame Melinda chose? And by floating the paper on the mount, those lovely deckled edges were highlighted perfectly. </span></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: left;">Want to see more (and let's face it, who wouldn't?). Well, grab yourself a copy of this month's <a href="http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/">Australian Women's Weekly</a>:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI30aCj_ItMv00oCFW7xsbTrun0sUMFuwX0-hDTeo3YtmqY3R-Bys364xAlg3kfub0KgTKsw60Pshyphenhyphenw9Rh0neGMGqqJRfxPlD_AhM5dzjZ5fO0cONeOTyi9XRlWKX1qZjEbNh9jhrR41fm/s1600/melinda+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI30aCj_ItMv00oCFW7xsbTrun0sUMFuwX0-hDTeo3YtmqY3R-Bys364xAlg3kfub0KgTKsw60Pshyphenhyphenw9Rh0neGMGqqJRfxPlD_AhM5dzjZ5fO0cONeOTyi9XRlWKX1qZjEbNh9jhrR41fm/s640/melinda+2.jpg" width="494" /></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/AVvXsEgh2_NWiYIAXiNbNsO7CyrM3qPyRvzLnPo_qHE76AY-F6H3VcWr0Hxz1L3tFZnSO1Utf2_DNGIUR_dDBN8B4_dagFtjqEyfpKYzYVi_At_A35YpXuXxF72fjJPhMycZPqxuZt-pueXXR7zl/s1600/melinda3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2_NWiYIAXiNbNsO7CyrM3qPyRvzLnPo_qHE76AY-F6H3VcWr0Hxz1L3tFZnSO1Utf2_DNGIUR_dDBN8B4_dagFtjqEyfpKYzYVi_At_A35YpXuXxF72fjJPhMycZPqxuZt-pueXXR7zl/s640/melinda3.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;">photography by Simon Kenny, words by Catherine Shields</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looks great, doesn't it? No wonder the glossies are knocking her door down for a chance to feature it. And how great it is to see the same home, decorated so differently? I know which is my favourite, of course :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope you all had a great day yesterday - the sunshine was short-lived and we're back to rainy and miserable today. Oh, and for those who've asked - I've finished the <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-days.html">book</a> and it's a cracker. I'll be back next week with a little review, so pop back in for the full rundown.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a great weekend, </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>

One house, three ways, two magazines and a painting

Confused by the blog title? Of course you are....let me explain.Ever since I started writing this blog, I've loved to post about beautiful homes. There is a gorgeous old Queenslander here in Brisbane that was listed for sale after a complete overhaul. A short time later, it was on the market again, …

Read more »

Happy days

The sun is shining (finally!), the prawns are chilling, the barbie is ready to go, and I'm taking five minutes to just sit. And relax. Nice. I've got a latte in my favourite Pantone mug, a slice of carrot cake, and a lovely new book to read:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMU-VnYy7Q2G6pBseiS9cxhbDOxiIgiTNL_rOl2FQv4P34hNABjQJluz0HTJDhdCXJD65PAAupsO0Y3-7z-UDKTZUgcH12U6PKr0fK0OfSpE_nyaOYlsAQt4ZjfHGUXdp4WYR7YQJkDHF/s1600/oz+day+2012_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMU-VnYy7Q2G6pBseiS9cxhbDOxiIgiTNL_rOl2FQv4P34hNABjQJluz0HTJDhdCXJD65PAAupsO0Y3-7z-UDKTZUgcH12U6PKr0fK0OfSpE_nyaOYlsAQt4ZjfHGUXdp4WYR7YQJkDHF/s640/oz+day+2012_edited-2.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Doesn't get much better than this. And the book? <a href="http://www.creativewomenscircle.com.au/p/conversations-with-creative-women.html">'Conversations with Creative Women' by Tess McCabe</a>;<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfFLxxZD4P6s_yvmOz_oXcyHcCBilwmdpr8cv7kum1jG8N7bQeD2WdujTmoTx4OblxftDXbWuB-1ch5jczFcLXmqAQ2fdLsifKt0YUbo9L5JdklE4317Sh4PbzHSmF1evKxNaxQ34iX8E/s1600/ozday1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfFLxxZD4P6s_yvmOz_oXcyHcCBilwmdpr8cv7kum1jG8N7bQeD2WdujTmoTx4OblxftDXbWuB-1ch5jczFcLXmqAQ2fdLsifKt0YUbo9L5JdklE4317Sh4PbzHSmF1evKxNaxQ34iX8E/s640/ozday1+copy.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I'll let you know all about it once I've finished, but so far it's fabulous. It's an insight into the world of the creative blogger/designer/crafter/artist - and the interviewees are all Australian. You can find out more by visiting the website<a href="http://www.creativewomenscircle.com.au/p/conversations-with-creative-women.html"> here</a>.<br /><br />Happy Australia Day to all my Aussie friends - I'm off to make the most of the sunshine while it lasts!<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-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>

Happy days

The sun is shining (finally!), the prawns are chilling, the barbie is ready to go, and I'm taking five minutes to just sit. And relax. Nice. I've got a latte in my favourite Pantone mug, a slice of carrot cake, and a lovely new book to read:Doesn't get much better than this. And the book? 'Conversat…

Read more »

Kate + Flo

Great design really does stand the test of time, and Australia's very own Florence Broadhurst is a perfect example. Flo is recognised for her use of bold, vibrant colour and graphic prints, and local company <a href="http://signatureprints.com.au/">Signature Prints</a> has been instrumental in bringing her work to the forefront. Now, thanks to a collaboration with <a href="http://katespade.com/">Kate Spade</a>, the rest of the world will soon know what a talent she was:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCoJRoEwDAvM7s5pvhW5jxAXSb1bJSNtQsmBzByqKTiAQLOyywyWSoM4Sv3yYzVmxmEiG1z756pG_4w_x8qnZd2k_KfHXYBjBqBgvIY7L_dY_adiCbO3wn2gZ0-j5s6fxyBxHOjVyq1Zf/s1600/402377_356025384408815_150845711593451_1539506_1895976590_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCoJRoEwDAvM7s5pvhW5jxAXSb1bJSNtQsmBzByqKTiAQLOyywyWSoM4Sv3yYzVmxmEiG1z756pG_4w_x8qnZd2k_KfHXYBjBqBgvIY7L_dY_adiCbO3wn2gZ0-j5s6fxyBxHOjVyq1Zf/s640/402377_356025384408815_150845711593451_1539506_1895976590_n.jpg" width="424" /></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/AVvXsEj8ngp2myUtcQaCHCwoXAxu7mtT_M5f9TpczcfxUq65nulVopCxLZkvfJ1TJ_mViFr888qHxidIigCn_sIS_6ftiwUtkAavoVwPHXUEzNZZz-hKNzdHZHTBnnhQXNJNu_bJWydNohTJ1-9m/s1600/401011_353164461361574_150845711593451_1530291_550654231_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ngp2myUtcQaCHCwoXAxu7mtT_M5f9TpczcfxUq65nulVopCxLZkvfJ1TJ_mViFr888qHxidIigCn_sIS_6ftiwUtkAavoVwPHXUEzNZZz-hKNzdHZHTBnnhQXNJNu_bJWydNohTJ1-9m/s640/401011_353164461361574_150845711593451_1530291_550654231_n.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"> I particularly love the jewellery - my lovely sister bought me some Kate Spade goodies on a recent trip to New York, and I'd love to add these babies to my new collection :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniK3S7lf4wDKY5matIG78OcP1p67RAnAk-EYW2t7uG3zb0hWHL7jWwd70V2lW-LnIlGdmMXmsZd9RRbg6CCOIeYOQdnf-7fju1CT4BOgQPoqQmJKaf2GUHjMWVm59yhi0MHW_vgbCphnw/s1600/406175_353706147974072_150845711593451_1531333_1654879839_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniK3S7lf4wDKY5matIG78OcP1p67RAnAk-EYW2t7uG3zb0hWHL7jWwd70V2lW-LnIlGdmMXmsZd9RRbg6CCOIeYOQdnf-7fju1CT4BOgQPoqQmJKaf2GUHjMWVm59yhi0MHW_vgbCphnw/s640/406175_353706147974072_150845711593451_1531333_1654879839_n.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Brad Goreski is on the Kate Spade team too - love him</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; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">One of my dearest friends has just ordered a Florence Broadhurst rug from Cardry's. She chose 'Japanese Floral' (as seen below) in a custom colour combination of red and tangerine - a striking combination and definite statement piece.</div><div><br /></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjuG_7FaquSgEP2oqwN_JfuZebJempyTap4bFlwMGyOp0UquXNWJxzD8ID1A4dq2sM8XTaP1P4Mb4J11lE3NToUvD9I6jJwJFAKOT5BZV8z0bckqrBOyM3Ga6uF0VmF9Tg6pALmiF4yHgUl/s1600/fb2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG_7FaquSgEP2oqwN_JfuZebJempyTap4bFlwMGyOp0UquXNWJxzD8ID1A4dq2sM8XTaP1P4Mb4J11lE3NToUvD9I6jJwJFAKOT5BZV8z0bckqrBOyM3Ga6uF0VmF9Tg6pALmiF4yHgUl/s640/fb2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">I love the 'Cranes' design, and how beautiful is it in pink? Drop-dead gorgeous.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZvdkg1tp9yLfZH-fUGBy9kYy7SAZee1JedYnN7ieXdvL6HQLFOelgJcbYZJ4z-h78dv5FWYJ5IXInrrHC7sVpUnfRa_dILNsSDKATBp0Q594pGcDlDv_NHEQoyfGY_z9Bb4485ywlm6m/s1600/cadrys-contemporary-showroom0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZvdkg1tp9yLfZH-fUGBy9kYy7SAZee1JedYnN7ieXdvL6HQLFOelgJcbYZJ4z-h78dv5FWYJ5IXInrrHC7sVpUnfRa_dILNsSDKATBp0Q594pGcDlDv_NHEQoyfGY_z9Bb4485ywlm6m/s640/cadrys-contemporary-showroom0165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And don't think it's all bright and bold - pale and pretty is equally gorgeous:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxlDLIRQBNufLm63EmNOgO0UHo1N1RUBc2x4xLHatbrYyxF8U1dyUGlhDe2CCEaEtUPtKPkt8O2G51jtea0OcSEXzHE4HtFeV2K-GrERZkKwxEnaj-y3EnIO8QWJ47iug-gKGn29iAcFQ/s1600/FEA42CB6D0716C07E87397245251EA4F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxlDLIRQBNufLm63EmNOgO0UHo1N1RUBc2x4xLHatbrYyxF8U1dyUGlhDe2CCEaEtUPtKPkt8O2G51jtea0OcSEXzHE4HtFeV2K-GrERZkKwxEnaj-y3EnIO8QWJ47iug-gKGn29iAcFQ/s640/FEA42CB6D0716C07E87397245251EA4F.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMxG1IbSFvxIefBlZiNjxF6yAj02swNs2xM4idLerwIldqg0qFkb0JiPS5rJsIGR6iHHNKrNV4mQTkpgL6KxFL8h7Twde32gctTOOj6ZyPgaU9IKiJanOJ35P4sfyYJpca33JoS1ahbN_/s1600/227055_218078251536863_150845711593451_973919_6527540_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMxG1IbSFvxIefBlZiNjxF6yAj02swNs2xM4idLerwIldqg0qFkb0JiPS5rJsIGR6iHHNKrNV4mQTkpgL6KxFL8h7Twde32gctTOOj6ZyPgaU9IKiJanOJ35P4sfyYJpca33JoS1ahbN_/s640/227055_218078251536863_150845711593451_973919_6527540_n.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Two of my all-time favourite designers, working together. What's not to love about that?</div></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>

Kate + Flo

Great design really does stand the test of time, and Australia's very own Florence Broadhurst is a perfect example. Flo is recognised for her use of bold, vibrant colour and graphic prints, and local company Signature Prints has been instrumental in bringing her work to the forefront. Now, thanks to…

Read more »

Botanics In The Churchyard

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> 'I Spy' in a village churchyard:</div><div style="text-align: center;">A valuable ecosystem</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOltfIMFkoG9Tr8_aYC0udoRF8vxgWfENMv5nbfXxbzvS6LoDJJ1tlWiZ6XctLGSGDv2D0-QTw_iDW9bBd6CfeqfH4-srn-1uUp39J0n4ZuoOHUhyphenhyphenYvd3eoJRneTmf_7xAayS2B25WmL8/s1600/DSC_0125-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOltfIMFkoG9Tr8_aYC0udoRF8vxgWfENMv5nbfXxbzvS6LoDJJ1tlWiZ6XctLGSGDv2D0-QTw_iDW9bBd6CfeqfH4-srn-1uUp39J0n4ZuoOHUhyphenhyphenYvd3eoJRneTmf_7xAayS2B25WmL8/s400/DSC_0125-4.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is common to find old yew trees in old churchyards</div><div style="text-align: center;">in central and southeast England, the Lake District, and Wales</div><div style="text-align: center;">due to well-draining chalk and limestone soils</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Slow growing and long lived,</div><div style="text-align: center;">yews have been found to be older than the churches they protect</div><div style="text-align: center;">possibly because they were planted on old religious sites where churches were erected later</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The majority of the world's ancient yews is found in Britain,</div><div style="text-align: center;">some still growing after 1000 years</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">These evergreens were<br />sacred to the Druids and Celtics,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a common source of myths and legends, </div><div style="text-align: center;">used for making longbows during the Middle Ages,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and always a good food source for birds</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmedrP_Uj-ENwax8WXmOhdGC4XmhyrXgL0zFBsq3Gx4-cPytM2uyclS6X_3WdjKXFRq844svmkCy7OocjUkp7ERyTY2cG6V-xeK4ESfbI6ryAr530fBj9muCcOiXmCt8fetOQy9YC8JE4/s1600/DSC_0129-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmedrP_Uj-ENwax8WXmOhdGC4XmhyrXgL0zFBsq3Gx4-cPytM2uyclS6X_3WdjKXFRq844svmkCy7OocjUkp7ERyTY2cG6V-xeK4ESfbI6ryAr530fBj9muCcOiXmCt8fetOQy9YC8JE4/s640/DSC_0129-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the curious things about yews is they have an unusually small cone</div><div style="text-align: center;">surrounded by what looks like a red berry (an 'aril' to be exact)</div><div style="text-align: center;">which is the only part of the tree that is not poisonous</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another 'I Spy' is lichens on gravestones<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxtnbIH-ww7GoTOUaCyA3Jk9Kacvt9uWokJDWcoT1k7qjOeMfqWNX93SApBqIrEeLtpWRaWOQt-tqoaHhL025GvadsEvOb_Pewxu6qfZmAMs_JH3Vop0BmeQq85VcMpRIs7mlqFvgw6k/s1600/DSC_0049-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxtnbIH-ww7GoTOUaCyA3Jk9Kacvt9uWokJDWcoT1k7qjOeMfqWNX93SApBqIrEeLtpWRaWOQt-tqoaHhL025GvadsEvOb_Pewxu6qfZmAMs_JH3Vop0BmeQq85VcMpRIs7mlqFvgw6k/s640/DSC_0049-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lichens take water and nourishment not from soil, but from air</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As many gravestones are made of limestone,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they create an ideal habitat for these little cutie-pie plants </div><div style="text-align: center;">as limestone neutralizes acidic pollution</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because headstones are rarely cleaned and graves are rarely disturbed, </div><div style="text-align: center;">churchyards inadvertently protect some endangered lichens</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So much life in a village churchyard :)<br /><br /><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: <a href="http://ancientyew.org/">AncientYew.org</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxus">Wikipedia</a>, Country Living Magazine Dec 2011, <u>The Country Life Book of the Natural History of the British Isles</u> pub 1980</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">It's Back!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c8bd4; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/p/post-of-month-club.html" style="color: #0c8bd4; text-decoration: none;">Post Of The Month Club</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">January 31st</span></div><br /><br /><br /><center style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0c8bd4; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae214/HappyHomemakerUK/HappyHomemaker20111-39a-1.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 110, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; 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;" /></a></center><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Hope to see you there :)</div></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Botanics In The Churchyard

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK 'I Spy' in a village churchyard:A valuable ecosystemIt is common to find old yew trees in old churchyardsin central and southeast England, the Lake District, and Walesdue to well-draining chalk and limestone soilsSlow growing and long lived,yews have been found to be old…

Read more »

Big Garden Birdwatch

<div>Posted by Happy Homemaker UK</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD8hNwF3rOvKYGlyH-WpN0NWtrT3u4szAz3aGHdhgbU04MswSqbAJUPksgLddJj1zWw6McdWFZev6RIUJj_w6fVRao01ux6u9MThmYixWPA1l2aQ7ouYsW6AMslnw76RtgWE8pylGIRE/s1600/il_570xN.302666107-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD8hNwF3rOvKYGlyH-WpN0NWtrT3u4szAz3aGHdhgbU04MswSqbAJUPksgLddJj1zWw6McdWFZev6RIUJj_w6fVRao01ux6u9MThmYixWPA1l2aQ7ouYsW6AMslnw76RtgWE8pylGIRE/s400/il_570xN.302666107-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Binder for sale by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/90474171/mini-binder-series-the-refillable">Journal Junky</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so excited</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just registered to participate in the next RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch</div><div style="text-align: center;">over the weekend of January 28 and 29</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel just one dot more English :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm instructed to grab a pen, download the bird ID sheet, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and spend an hour watching the birds in my backyard</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And get this - </div><div style="text-align: center;">They invite me to grab a cup of tea, a favorite biscuit {cookie}, and put my feet up (!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">as I note how many bird species are seen in my garden {not flying over} within an hour</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids are enthusiastic, getting our bird feeder stocked and ready</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With the results, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds {RSPB}</div><div style="text-align: center;">gets a snapshot of bird numbers in each region</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year over 600,000 people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch in 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;">counting over 10 million birds</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/AVvXsEgBlsU1ceuiUA0t3_Aw0uq00CM2zjqyUAQ84CqdXVKWqdaKbmOPHroBRHfJulgHoUlAteMfj87l6fp4nx5lAhORG1b61rF1UW8hv_xT4Vy6R-rbDT3QsozLyZycxeLhyqNMcQMdJqfOui4/s1600/www.rspb.org.ukImagesbgbw_sheet_2012_tcm9-259825.pdf+-+Google+Chrome+1152012+71338+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlsU1ceuiUA0t3_Aw0uq00CM2zjqyUAQ84CqdXVKWqdaKbmOPHroBRHfJulgHoUlAteMfj87l6fp4nx5lAhORG1b61rF1UW8hv_xT4Vy6R-rbDT3QsozLyZycxeLhyqNMcQMdJqfOui4/s640/www.rspb.org.ukImagesbgbw_sheet_2012_tcm9-259825.pdf+-+Google+Chrome+1152012+71338+AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird Counting Sheet (partial)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">House sparrows have been the most counted bird for the last eight years, </div><div style="text-align: center;">with an average of four seen per garden</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2011, starlings were number two, and blackbirds took third place in participating gardens</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Want to join me? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Get more information on the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/">RSPB website</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fancy butterflies? </div><div style="text-align: center;">The public will participate again in the biggest butterfly count in the world this summer</div><div style="text-align: center;">See details of the Big Butterfly Count <a href="http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">{ tweet, tweet my birdies! }</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>

Big Garden Birdwatch

Posted by Happy Homemaker UKMini Binder for sale by Journal JunkyI'm so excitedI just registered to participate in the next RSPB Big Garden Birdwatchover the weekend of January 28 and 29I feel just one dot more English :)I'm instructed to grab a pen, download the bird ID sheet, and spend an hour wat…

Read more »

Rested, refreshed, and ready to go

Hi everyone, how are we all? Hope you had a wonderful holiday season - I've had a lovely break and now it's back into work mode and time to tackle all the projects I've been planning. Throughout the holidays, it's been busy as usual around here - a whirlwind of exam results, graduations, university applications, job interviews, birthdays....and that's just the kids. Exhausting! I'm looking forward to getting back to work - I really need the break.<br /><br />My first job is to completely redesign my studio space. As I've mentioned before, I'm very messy when I'm creating. Try as I might, I just can't seem to keep everything tidy and organized. So I'm kicking off the year with a plan - storage, storage, and more storage! Of course, that involves research, and I've been collecting ideas, images, and inspiration wherever I can.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEnqd8Khxj2Nq0c3gDS6z9d8yWdVCSrB9Hx_hQ4dgTv1yfUu0ITLbKrsrR4yHibtREZWGsoU8cw5DN0gVxwFrLNwVa19RmYD2ECiHTlXDClzuC2e6jzHfAXQm-KQL9Xnrb_yO1us3pE9c/s1600/studio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEnqd8Khxj2Nq0c3gDS6z9d8yWdVCSrB9Hx_hQ4dgTv1yfUu0ITLbKrsrR4yHibtREZWGsoU8cw5DN0gVxwFrLNwVa19RmYD2ECiHTlXDClzuC2e6jzHfAXQm-KQL9Xnrb_yO1us3pE9c/s640/studio1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">Look at that light! And I must find one of those trolleys - perfect.</span></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/61291244898351934_SDRLJVeh_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/61291244898351934_SDRLJVeh_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></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="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/133700682657161975_wmDreGc3_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/133700682657161975_wmDreGc3_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></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://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/146930006562568797_FEsQ9XMO_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/146930006562568797_FEsQ9XMO_c.jpg" width="496" /></a></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;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/147141112795101814_3rGoDkS0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/147141112795101814_3rGoDkS0_c.jpg" width="640" /></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/92323861080825269_HFuGrWbn_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/92323861080825269_HFuGrWbn_c.jpg" width="446" /></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/193232640231467614_y7b2Bcsf_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/193232640231467614_y7b2Bcsf_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/54817320434004361_577mP86Q_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/54817320434004361_577mP86Q_c.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">all images via <a href="http://pinterest.com/driftwoodi/">Pinterest</a></div><br />You can find these pics and more on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/driftwoodi/">'Studio Spaces' Pinterest board</a>. And if you find some fabulous examples of stylish (and organised) offices and studios, please send them my way! I'll be back soon with an update of my own studio, as soon as it's a little more photo-worthy.<br /><br />See you then,<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-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>

Rested, refreshed, and ready to go

Hi everyone, how are we all? Hope you had a wonderful holiday season - I've had a lovely break and now it's back into work mode and time to tackle all the projects I've been planning. Throughout the holidays, it's been busy as usual around here - a whirlwind of exam results, graduations, university …

Read more »