Memories of London & a Christmas Ribbon winner...

<b><br /></b><br /><b>virtual coffee gals...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>london style...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>though today my lovelies it is tea...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>black tea as i have a <i>very yucky tummy</i>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>black tea in the most divine mug from a very special<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> <a href="http://thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">{friend}</span></a></span>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy82sLuwMZyk6ro7JXlErEed-DIKCh9evtjFrOFHIvq7ZWpxn8tLya_0O2jx0vH2L1U23TyuJn4rWyRFFH-3b3qx_UJlxoM1Xa_fiKtohreLQ4e61x-tK60AmAE-BE4aQYE_Gz9S7shbQU/s1600/teatime1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy82sLuwMZyk6ro7JXlErEed-DIKCh9evtjFrOFHIvq7ZWpxn8tLya_0O2jx0vH2L1U23TyuJn4rWyRFFH-3b3qx_UJlxoM1Xa_fiKtohreLQ4e61x-tK60AmAE-BE4aQYE_Gz9S7shbQU/s640/teatime1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>london was divinely perfect...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />the kids cruised round that city like it was home...<br /><br />it was another reminder for us that travel is one of <b>the best gifts</b> you can give a child...<br /><br />they embraced the ever-changing scenes of London life, with the thoughtfulness & enthusiasm that we<br /><br />have seen in them endlessly since we have brought them to live abroad...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNKYj9cT9erkWX3MshJxhO2VdLbeB3aueS0exYZuz5P427SfYrMPVAkodMIjrt4QLRIHH-RQmHrlsxNEoE_fw-7o8645a2N6l_89TU6zodu0C3QQ5ZGtaZhI8Vd9gxnwN7RhWiGX_7j9V/s1600/teatime3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNKYj9cT9erkWX3MshJxhO2VdLbeB3aueS0exYZuz5P427SfYrMPVAkodMIjrt4QLRIHH-RQmHrlsxNEoE_fw-7o8645a2N6l_89TU6zodu0C3QQ5ZGtaZhI8Vd9gxnwN7RhWiGX_7j9V/s640/teatime3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>this time- i didn't record every moment of our days in London...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />it was about making the kind of memories that fill your heart with friends & fave spots...<br /><br />taking it all in...wanting to hold the moment of a city we love for a little longer...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0VU-KGEigcMlygc1afg7fxeliGKL_OCodp5UW0u7E3Ai_Ifp5Yn1KGbIa9mbstcBWpaB_9zRwVWMhmo5mdEYnNtMgVXguIQS7lgTE1Sp3ozR_zahGryPZgeKBVb_4p6_ry8VRkiWdrPk/s1600/teatime4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0VU-KGEigcMlygc1afg7fxeliGKL_OCodp5UW0u7E3Ai_Ifp5Yn1KGbIa9mbstcBWpaB_9zRwVWMhmo5mdEYnNtMgVXguIQS7lgTE1Sp3ozR_zahGryPZgeKBVb_4p6_ry8VRkiWdrPk/s640/teatime4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b>St.Paul's made my heart sing...we saw the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/16/occupy-london-eviction-notices-tents"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">{tent city}</span></a> that has taken hold here- amazing...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />the kids learnt about the *realities* of big city life...<br /><br />they learnt about the frustrations that people face across the globe- they made us so proud...<br /><br />the questions later, the understanding...the compassion...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17tjSukopYSbyIHxXp4MPqKyEk-gACFJF0eBDqvJutjw_9EbPtzLG2P3a0Wd-ByKayW4N1LSYUUUi_WtPdeINFMYJCMoot0gmBaV5HQGeqOUnG_id6bwnokhg1Wa8-oDmRZ6i0OmenArr/s1600/teatime6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17tjSukopYSbyIHxXp4MPqKyEk-gACFJF0eBDqvJutjw_9EbPtzLG2P3a0Wd-ByKayW4N1LSYUUUi_WtPdeINFMYJCMoot0gmBaV5HQGeqOUnG_id6bwnokhg1Wa8-oDmRZ6i0OmenArr/s640/teatime6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>we loved the christmas lights...the traffic...the people...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd7QMvpPECu3uvF72l6vB48wkeWa3NXylJNycH5d26dS8I3xnwQJNc8RNkADIDh-iwwzA_88Kila86BQOnvD20WRKGB2-qu_UsOQZ56jx7x_zEwOkQd5SEDSU2Oxnr0SoiRd4lz_VMX0m/s1600/teatime7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd7QMvpPECu3uvF72l6vB48wkeWa3NXylJNycH5d26dS8I3xnwQJNc8RNkADIDh-iwwzA_88Kila86BQOnvD20WRKGB2-qu_UsOQZ56jx7x_zEwOkQd5SEDSU2Oxnr0SoiRd4lz_VMX0m/s640/teatime7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>we loved the air of excitement...the history...the shopping...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr49G3k4NBB-Qw0xjPigOk8Fxmidp2wk0XN8asHQvHSGe26wvJ_stEJIAU8LGqL86Q4MaT9Aiep6yW-cm7bfYz0Q3UNU9OSKl1GiFpKKC3_oKRbZl8PL3aebur9lg8WgJwUMnyrZYFhE8C/s1600/teatime8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr49G3k4NBB-Qw0xjPigOk8Fxmidp2wk0XN8asHQvHSGe26wvJ_stEJIAU8LGqL86Q4MaT9Aiep6yW-cm7bfYz0Q3UNU9OSKl1GiFpKKC3_oKRbZl8PL3aebur9lg8WgJwUMnyrZYFhE8C/s640/teatime8.jpg" width="598" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b>we walked through lanes...visited iconic landmarks...had our last fix...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIX0SQJ0IMpn7aYFKbY51Yl6bUfnM_HVLxL7lvoEZGJmZtOHJ5vHurTaRD15rrXxJgb_t0HSbu1g87EoApNILhGfmZ6BfeDKsklXfUta0K2Gs3OFFtGP1q08l_hv1U1NwsdDyZ3UzRpXo/s1600/teatime9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIX0SQJ0IMpn7aYFKbY51Yl6bUfnM_HVLxL7lvoEZGJmZtOHJ5vHurTaRD15rrXxJgb_t0HSbu1g87EoApNILhGfmZ6BfeDKsklXfUta0K2Gs3OFFtGP1q08l_hv1U1NwsdDyZ3UzRpXo/s640/teatime9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>& we looked at one another- for the last time in london during our wonderful four year </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>journey </b><b>to this side of the globe- & we smiled...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />we've lived it...we've loved every moment...we've made lasting memories & cherished friends...<br /><br />we've done it as a family- & we couldn't be prouder of what we've created...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml6-34soYUn0mCNxWFYCatxOYNZ39d2Zlf-G4iGif1J79ItuO-aM_0nm9n9nZS3CMxbTdEZpdxxYGQo9362RFu-gr05vP4D15tppRvhALik_O8l13sdO9w2KkQQGbEf3f0QelJPWJmCHG/s1600/teatime10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml6-34soYUn0mCNxWFYCatxOYNZ39d2Zlf-G4iGif1J79ItuO-aM_0nm9n9nZS3CMxbTdEZpdxxYGQo9362RFu-gr05vP4D15tppRvhALik_O8l13sdO9w2KkQQGbEf3f0QelJPWJmCHG/s640/teatime10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">if you ever get the chance to just sit on the banks of the Thames...with kiddos in tow...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">do it...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">it's one of life's small blessings...</span></b></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">&</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">onto the give away</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>...drum roll...</b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HrWNqIdmZ067OoqySa-lLp_ewKmK41K55h79cPdHTwemFf0q0LmJMszABr6F4nI0LLUUcMtzycVK0ePbLKunXUHSd-03Zdvtmko_soY3C6dg1IrD_PoXb8_qxHh3Hrx72e1x68mhZMLl/s1600/teatime11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HrWNqIdmZ067OoqySa-lLp_ewKmK41K55h79cPdHTwemFf0q0LmJMszABr6F4nI0LLUUcMtzycVK0ePbLKunXUHSd-03Zdvtmko_soY3C6dg1IrD_PoXb8_qxHh3Hrx72e1x68mhZMLl/s320/teatime11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><a href="http://sarah-redgingham.blogspot.com/">{sarah from Red Gingham}</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">xoxox</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><b><br /></b>

Memories of London & a Christmas Ribbon winner...

virtual coffee gals... london style... though today my lovelies it is tea... black tea as i have a very yucky tummy ... black tea in the mos...

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virtual coffee- i love you bloggy gals...

<b>if i could just reach out & hug all of you i would...</b><br /><br /><b>thank you for being so *there* for me when i shared our news <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/going-homex.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">{yesterday}</span> </a></b><br /><br /><b>i've bought you a coffee...an amaretto coffee no less for being just so wonderful & </b><br /><br /><b>supportive...</b><br /><br /><b> </b><br />a christmas coffee for you full of blog love & a good shot of italian amaretti...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZeYApa1I0lCXCJBbliZ092fboISM84C2TpBkLwCgvShrxfut7ALyo41HAqcmAi9jFgd3tVM6F3MhBqeOd0OYTLsd-GODm-CB-32KFIr5VCfOGy4U_g-jzDHG3xn4UlgAxyrxOTZc7_91/s1600/xmascoffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZeYApa1I0lCXCJBbliZ092fboISM84C2TpBkLwCgvShrxfut7ALyo41HAqcmAi9jFgd3tVM6F3MhBqeOd0OYTLsd-GODm-CB-32KFIr5VCfOGy4U_g-jzDHG3xn4UlgAxyrxOTZc7_91/s640/xmascoffee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>sharing that huge, life changing {again} move back to the gorgeous beaches of sydney, australia</b><br /><br /><b>has just got me back on track here...</b><br /><br />i love you guys- & i love to share my life here in the english countyside with you daily...<br /><br />for the last little while i feel like i've not been <i>acknowledging </i>this massive decision with you gals that<br /><br />are so much a part of my day to day here...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYlVWbnjZ8MkyNu8NRk8KiHLQrV7-tCBcDtULdgJ0ot4CfnHuyR277-Z3FGt-c1BNv8rlaXzFUGXnNRiTBxybsQwznaAoEc-8KnUHws39nMcPNrGK7zrTiu3NF3Sz35_QtpF1N313KSoX/s1600/xmascoffee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYlVWbnjZ8MkyNu8NRk8KiHLQrV7-tCBcDtULdgJ0ot4CfnHuyR277-Z3FGt-c1BNv8rlaXzFUGXnNRiTBxybsQwznaAoEc-8KnUHws39nMcPNrGK7zrTiu3NF3Sz35_QtpF1N313KSoX/s640/xmascoffee1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><b> </b> <br /><br /><b>i just feel like we are now all on the same page of my crazy <i>book</i> & that we can all do this </b><br /><br /><b>together...blogging all the way!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />so...if you're happy to be along for the ride, grab that coffee for our weekly virtual catch up & i'll<br /><b><br /></b><br />share a few things...<br /><br />i know so many of you have loved daily visit to my little piece of the english countryside for a looong<br /><br />time now & i know there are some of you i've just met...<br /><br />i want to take <b>all of you</b> on the journey from this life here in the <b>countryside of england</b> ...<br /><br />back to our life on the <b>beaches of australia</b> together...<br /><br />we're working like crazy people here, as you may well imagine...<br /><br />we fly home to <b>Oz</b> december 20- yep 5 days before the big man himself arrives...<br /><br />mad i know- swig that coffee gals- there's more...<br /><br />so...i'm planning packing, crating, last minute collecting ;) , kiddo-ing, school sorting on two sides of<br /><br />the globe, christmas gifting....& massive emotion dealing each & every day at the moment...<br /><br />this little spot of mine is going to carry me through it all...<br /><br />you'll all help carry me through it all...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUGX_eaPHkM3tNbAhjPcV3epojsrPJZFTY31ys2bGYRfw0zgxuVZBQL0BAdSiRz2h4x2uw6zo2JrSfRNgOlCuIgB2jnHH25EpzkgOADzsIHLV8wRt-5BvYOEo5JqONEEOgd2oflwKqxm9/s1600/xmascoffee6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUGX_eaPHkM3tNbAhjPcV3epojsrPJZFTY31ys2bGYRfw0zgxuVZBQL0BAdSiRz2h4x2uw6zo2JrSfRNgOlCuIgB2jnHH25EpzkgOADzsIHLV8wRt-5BvYOEo5JqONEEOgd2oflwKqxm9/s640/xmascoffee6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinH3FZ_qVpuFnKeO6fH1INzq13nsGWyuzO5QP_tn_-JtK-h5DbKhvQpMoilEKm7aPwkaTryN1NVnOBbrhnc-pV94kLYeOTS10fndGZVhzaDUautPqJe57ZdjNb68WkxXRFk2_aR-G6J_GQ/s1600/xmascoffee4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><b>i have endless idea's for christmas still swimming round in my head, though in reality this year, </b><br /><br /><b>all the moments i love are going to really be left up to someone else {thanks mum!}...</b><br /><b> </b><br /><b> </b><br />so i figure...this little ol'blog here is going to allow me to still indulge in all the things i love whilst<br /><br /><b></b><br />still <b>ticking off that <strike>flippin massive</strike> pretty long moving list</b>...<br /><br />i've left my christmas deco's from the last few years, collected here in england, in their boxes &<br /><br />i'm just going to have the simplest of things around us...<br /><br />the kiddos are still gonna want some <b>festive</b> in their days-& to be honest i need it as much as they<br /><br />do...<br /><br />so you & i can still share all out christmas crafting & present thoughts...<br /><br />&<b> </b>i can attempt to<i> not</i> go overboard...<br /><br />the last thing we need is yet another crate of goodies to lug home!<br /><br /><b>{see my sweet, patient man- your words really do sink in...}</b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQo0A8sv9wsEt4upJk3JgQjoMDEVZnOpHTv5s65OK5D03cjpNXjZU0KZiTmM_I6GHuv5wzKEZOv-auFpKx7mTnNZ3DNyTWosJ_AkuKDroJ0rAyLA99GOx16ARVjKmDNNqbOoA1O5BEQqv/s1600/xmascoffee7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQo0A8sv9wsEt4upJk3JgQjoMDEVZnOpHTv5s65OK5D03cjpNXjZU0KZiTmM_I6GHuv5wzKEZOv-auFpKx7mTnNZ3DNyTWosJ_AkuKDroJ0rAyLA99GOx16ARVjKmDNNqbOoA1O5BEQqv/s640/xmascoffee7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b> </b><br /><br /><br /><b>so...if we were really sharing italian cookies & an amaretto coffee dear bloggy friends...</b><br /><br />i would let you have a leetle go of my stamping set...<br /><br /><b> </b><br />courier type face is one of my fave style of lettering...<br /><br />i use these stamps <strike>constantly</strike> pretty regularly...these are the start of my christmas tags...<br /><br />i bought the fab little library-card-pocket-bags from my very inspiring, table decorating wiz of a blog<br /><br />friend leanne- who's shop & blog is <a href="http://www.sweetstyle.com.au/" style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">{here}</a><br /><br />i have had these month- in anticipation of christmas tagging...<br /><br />i'll show you the finished tags this week with some christmas wrapping to get us all off my list ticking!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8phAbcwTUWSBx7pDG6vIDDq6DefIJMaDJAS5kUg0gbMH48SKpAqDM4QjmpcMVCUnWgAZ0ZpSrJf6IpX6tWdp6AKXHdKwyQnusRlYlh8fkJ0TNbaIvpnhroxmEPgCNUjExss3nqY3gVy5a/s1600/xmascoffee6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8phAbcwTUWSBx7pDG6vIDDq6DefIJMaDJAS5kUg0gbMH48SKpAqDM4QjmpcMVCUnWgAZ0ZpSrJf6IpX6tWdp6AKXHdKwyQnusRlYlh8fkJ0TNbaIvpnhroxmEPgCNUjExss3nqY3gVy5a/s640/xmascoffee6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>& 'cause the amoretti has gone to my head- man those italians do it strong- i would also let </b><br /><br /><b>you have a bit of a stamp with my french numeral stamps...</b><br /><br /><b> </b><br />these are on hessian for my advent calender...the one i'm desperate to make amongst the list ticking<br /><br />& endless-do-we-need-this-on-the-beaches-of-sydney decision making...<br /><br />that's gonna have to wait till the end of the week...as i'm learning the serious art of prioritising ladies...<br /><br />{yep heard that *at last* sweet man o'mine!}<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcxD_TJvcDkBub7bPrE1KbOVpNFcdx19c-_65CSaadG7uAfh79lhKwadTJ8FRa9C0UiuENNW5SJthQSy19kyHsQHsy5IT6ZW_fokOFev9id-zvwDVh7qxQFLHCivp5RwiZDk210eqBBCe/s1600/xmascoffee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcxD_TJvcDkBub7bPrE1KbOVpNFcdx19c-_65CSaadG7uAfh79lhKwadTJ8FRa9C0UiuENNW5SJthQSy19kyHsQHsy5IT6ZW_fokOFev9id-zvwDVh7qxQFLHCivp5RwiZDk210eqBBCe/s640/xmascoffee2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>so...if we were really meeting for our weekly virtual coffee i would hug you tight again - just in </b><br /><br /><b>case you missed the first one...</b><br /><b> </b><br /><br />i'd take you for a walk up our village high street together...just 'cause we can & soon we can't...<br /><b></b><br /><br /><b>&</b><br /><br />i'd ask you to take this big journey home with me...'cause the thought of doing it together sounds so<br /><b> </b><br /><br />much more lovely than doing it without you...<br /><br />happy tuesday from the english countryside gals...<br /><br />x o x o x<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eoiEzK3xceJHC2ZREqYftTH5wsJV0tgv8L8i869LdGHqQNtijj1gyPdn853ALU0nCErcdGqne1ApvkUL5LTv_9BiGmch9UYnTxzpGYLrCelJTl9nKJJhfYa9A-EqtiSoykjM_8m_tDYt/s1600/xmascoffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eoiEzK3xceJHC2ZREqYftTH5wsJV0tgv8L8i869LdGHqQNtijj1gyPdn853ALU0nCErcdGqne1ApvkUL5LTv_9BiGmch9UYnTxzpGYLrCelJTl9nKJJhfYa9A-EqtiSoykjM_8m_tDYt/s640/xmascoffee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">for more swilling coffee's & goss</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">head over to see my lovely friend amy <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-coffee_14.html">{here}</a></span></span><br /><br /></div>

virtual coffee- i love you bloggy gals...

if i could just reach out & hug all of you i would... thank you for being so *there* for me when i shared our news {yesterday} i've...

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virtual coffee at my local food market...

<b>mooorning- ready for a virtual coffee...autumn style....vintage china...crisp air...chippy chairs...?</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>welcome to our little part of the english countryside...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>let's have a little wander with our coffee's today...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaf9ZnzHJuaFFcu2B-KNbF_VA5lVwVxtuzd9_P2OCM2RkgFjifIUW7AtWWKxdWZSfuKHtAd2YKBiQkXUrUoXIqTKjhPC7W7-da-WGILGVRTEW9H57VS6U61w2rrhGfvZVpK2LPm7CJLOr/s1600/marketvc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaf9ZnzHJuaFFcu2B-KNbF_VA5lVwVxtuzd9_P2OCM2RkgFjifIUW7AtWWKxdWZSfuKHtAd2YKBiQkXUrUoXIqTKjhPC7W7-da-WGILGVRTEW9H57VS6U61w2rrhGfvZVpK2LPm7CJLOr/s640/marketvc1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br />a market wander - you know that little local produce market i keep mentioning - well i think you should<br /><br />grab your hat & scarf & come take a lookie for yourselves...<br /><br />it's officially winter- we've had our first proper frost across the school playground, on car windows<br /><br />& the garden this week...i think it's pretty & signifies the seasons are changing yet again...<br /><br />so...with winter here, i don't want you to miss our local monthly market before it get's to cold...<br /><br />you gals from <b>*down under*</b> won't want to see it in a week when you're back at the beach every day!<br /><br /><b>come on...this is one of my fave bits...the cheese stall...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoI1f1_INJYEVlpacHPNaOKoFFo34gDpej1VngIF0QNAmg7E5V14fbMVrMPkr-kgMuipkzqdMEYUJ4tSvBtrLLgvb53BrO3P9FbohzuyMwGRNBM9mNX2RokYlo66lP-4EwsMI-ijrelfb/s1600/marketvc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoI1f1_INJYEVlpacHPNaOKoFFo34gDpej1VngIF0QNAmg7E5V14fbMVrMPkr-kgMuipkzqdMEYUJ4tSvBtrLLgvb53BrO3P9FbohzuyMwGRNBM9mNX2RokYlo66lP-4EwsMI-ijrelfb/s640/marketvc3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br />the produce here is gorgeous...you can pretty much taste test the entire haul here- the guys who run it<br /><br />are lovely...they know their stuff...& i can never come away empty handed...<br /><br />they still wrap butter the old way- <b>in paper</b>...<b>local farm butter in paper</b>...<br /><br />heaven for an aussie beach girl who'd only ever bought her butter in plastic containers till moving<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>*up here*</b>...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u7y0vb0VC-GJjA1XO2krMB14gwqYx7DhwMfQgyGhx3TLGEWvuX5WifC9OfgzBek-d3yKIoeztNwwec_56ae-VsVkbVMoHtYeDqLvxRSkcG39coNSlKYPIe5GJyUpJaT0z0Q1WTWrAMh_/s1600/marketvc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u7y0vb0VC-GJjA1XO2krMB14gwqYx7DhwMfQgyGhx3TLGEWvuX5WifC9OfgzBek-d3yKIoeztNwwec_56ae-VsVkbVMoHtYeDqLvxRSkcG39coNSlKYPIe5GJyUpJaT0z0Q1WTWrAMh_/s640/marketvc2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>if we were really having a coffee & a market wander this morning...i'd probably ask you </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>where </b><b>you are heading back to...as the goodies at this stall are going to tip your luggage quota </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>over just a </b><b>leeetle...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />this is the stall where i <strike>lunged upon</strike> found<b> <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/10/coastal-farming-inspireda-beach-gal.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">{this}</span></a> hessian farm sack... </b>& <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/08/vintage-potato-basket-love-my-thrift.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">{these}</span></a> <b>vintage </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>potato baskets</b>...<br /><b><br /></b><br />it is an ever changing inspiring little stall that i could pretty much buy from every month...<br /><br />perfect for <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/10/coastal-farming-inspireda-beach-gal.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">{coastal farming}</span></a> inspiration...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MVCLwdcL668vrdcRhg3eCh8HjLS5-rlbxUqmjAVUIu5M7PiEVG2trOUkJHeIQOL2964opPlhC4qc1Y_TzO_nKfjxKdGuMjgwXLAL9wenD92YwWaN0vox_1hyiMeatAQp3b56a8_vzxzw/s1600/marketvc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MVCLwdcL668vrdcRhg3eCh8HjLS5-rlbxUqmjAVUIu5M7PiEVG2trOUkJHeIQOL2964opPlhC4qc1Y_TzO_nKfjxKdGuMjgwXLAL9wenD92YwWaN0vox_1hyiMeatAQp3b56a8_vzxzw/s640/marketvc4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>now...if we were really rugged up, arms linked, wandering round our village square i would buy </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>you an old oar...some quail eggs...some local meat...& lend you my hunter wellies...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i would want you to know for a day- what it's like for a beach reared gal from Australia, to wander up<br /><br />the road in her village, to a local produce market & to shop for her family...<br /><br /><b>it's not too bad is it....!?</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />so i'm going to leave you to keep wandering...i'm going home to put on a casserole...& to find you<br /><br />another case for all your excess luggage...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaf9ZnzHJuaFFcu2B-KNbF_VA5lVwVxtuzd9_P2OCM2RkgFjifIUW7AtWWKxdWZSfuKHtAd2YKBiQkXUrUoXIqTKjhPC7W7-da-WGILGVRTEW9H57VS6U61w2rrhGfvZVpK2LPm7CJLOr/s1600/marketvc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaf9ZnzHJuaFFcu2B-KNbF_VA5lVwVxtuzd9_P2OCM2RkgFjifIUW7AtWWKxdWZSfuKHtAd2YKBiQkXUrUoXIqTKjhPC7W7-da-WGILGVRTEW9H57VS6U61w2rrhGfvZVpK2LPm7CJLOr/s640/marketvc1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">...thanks for dropping by....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">&</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sharing a coffee round my little part of the globe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">happy tuesday</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">xxx</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">there's some more coffee's & gossip to be shared </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-coffee.html">{here with the lovely miss.amy}</a></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">& some reflecting on the good life </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/2011/11/beach-cottage-vintage-door-good-life-weds-does-spring.html">{here with the inspiring beach loving miss.sarah}</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b>

virtual coffee at my local food market...

mooorning- ready for a virtual coffee...autumn style....vintage china...crisp air...chippy chairs...? welcome to our little part of the engl...

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a virtual coffee -& loving christmas...

<b>morning everyone...& welcome to all those lovely new people who have just jumped in here...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i think it's time for a <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/10/virtual-coffee_31.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{virtual coffee}</span></a>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />for those who've not had a virtual coffee round at mine before...it is pretty lovely if i may say so myself...<br /><br />i always let you have my gorgeous faded old pink chair...if the fire's on...you're in front of it...<br /><br />yep...<i>you always</i> get prime posie here...<br /><br />mostly tea...sometimes coffee & on the rare night *virtual coffee* becomes a *virtual vino*...all very<br /><br />civilised & lovely i assure you ;)...you get the <i>biggest </i>glass...<br /><br />so...<b>welcome to my home</b>...i love having you here today because one of my gorgeous blogging<br /><br /><a href="http://mrsainthecove.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{friends}</span></a> has asked me to talk about some christmas thoughts...memories...things you may not have<br /><br />heard me *prattle on* about here before...<br /><br />i can <b>prattle</b> believe me... :)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ8m9gHaAqmGLwFL_yZw01yrfUZaF1K9hHFnJox70Zrue0oW3FB5g5q7e_icoYnkwUaauU-3cx6aBMjbWl9p0owfZP4QlqeN5dINmIBjarcfRictVernejZIFQACxH5SqEP4CgfV8bpIM/s1600/mugchristmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ8m9gHaAqmGLwFL_yZw01yrfUZaF1K9hHFnJox70Zrue0oW3FB5g5q7e_icoYnkwUaauU-3cx6aBMjbWl9p0owfZP4QlqeN5dINmIBjarcfRictVernejZIFQACxH5SqEP4CgfV8bpIM/s640/mugchristmas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so...sit down...have a mince pie...err bakery bought i can assure you...& let's chat christmas...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />before we start- how cool is that mug there!!<br /><br />i know that the world has been over-run with *keep calm & ...* bits & pieces...but that mug up there<br /><br />was bought for me by my gorgeous, thoughtful husband last week- because it is <b>tin</b>...tin folks...proper<br /><br />old picnic ware <b>tin</b>...<br /><br />and <b>i love tin picnic ware</b>...just as i adore french enamel ware...<br /><br />i got me a pretty pile of that too i have to say...<b>{yep prattling- just like a real catch-up}</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so...getting past the tin mug & our obsession for french enamel ware...hmmmm</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />let's get back to christmas...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8dlkmvGEk650Se3ngBqNLf1tgV9iPndKnn82tn_ivh3s50omel2Dxw9zKTLsvLUi5_FxP7f-654Wt8NhJwkhpG5i6cNQVRkt7YKINYgU-LrIc30KrEloyjNUI-9NyyQimQd0O8TRVG-C/s1600/mugchristmas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8dlkmvGEk650Se3ngBqNLf1tgV9iPndKnn82tn_ivh3s50omel2Dxw9zKTLsvLUi5_FxP7f-654Wt8NhJwkhpG5i6cNQVRkt7YKINYgU-LrIc30KrEloyjNUI-9NyyQimQd0O8TRVG-C/s640/mugchristmas2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>most of you that normally pop in for a virtual coffee know that we are aussies...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />yep...all the way up here in the english countryside from waaaay *down under*...<br /><br />so christmas for us usually consists of a morning beach visit, sand, salt air, mango cocktails<br /><br />& sun frocks...<br /><br /><i>yes- pretty sweet way to recall christmas i must say...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br />so...in moving to the english countryside we had our<b> very first cold & storybook christmas</b>...<br /><br />it was <b>magical</b>...<br /><br />we cut our own tree from a forest a half hour from our house...<br /><br />we had dark evening of endless log fires & we took to cooking with a crazed lovely christmas frenzy...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCemBGMe2spnh5HzlX_TsAJxNYGl9whwHVLU2e0mvU6GQBqN9r6Z4TWW7zduc8XL_sKchHxrq8G4Bp4cVyF33r6XUVA5hHtqpfKCRMWWpd94SxwvEw8k1JpIcefT_vIox5hqtOrj54A5b/s1600/mugchristmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCemBGMe2spnh5HzlX_TsAJxNYGl9whwHVLU2e0mvU6GQBqN9r6Z4TWW7zduc8XL_sKchHxrq8G4Bp4cVyF33r6XUVA5hHtqpfKCRMWWpd94SxwvEw8k1JpIcefT_vIox5hqtOrj54A5b/s640/mugchristmas3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>our kids had never even seen snow!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />so for us...this move has given us endless christmas memories of a snow laden garden & what it truly<br /><br />feels like to dance down your very own garden path under falling snow...<br /><br /><i>yes we have danced in falling snow- in our garden...now that is not a memory from my childhood in Oz!</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><b>so, each year, as the christmas season approaches we have loved our little rituals...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />tree hunting in wellies....<br /><br />open fires <b>every night</b>...<br /><br />house decorating with as many tiny teeny fairy lights as possible...<br /><br />all very english & done in the dark, warm, cosy nights of winter in the northern hemisphere...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO11O2xAThPReguDgQKYgjZyt5fqOTF41OOdsy1oAJ8qOSSPoqFA_7Dn4fLQa2lUMoo5clhDhRvQNpqBuI5Sw6Lu-WGA64XRhIr55A7jr01S1QN-GE7LqK2dgqZgHwhAVXWHiEqSBD2NO/s1600/mugchristmas4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO11O2xAThPReguDgQKYgjZyt5fqOTF41OOdsy1oAJ8qOSSPoqFA_7Dn4fLQa2lUMoo5clhDhRvQNpqBuI5Sw6Lu-WGA64XRhIr55A7jr01S1QN-GE7LqK2dgqZgHwhAVXWHiEqSBD2NO/s640/mugchristmas4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>if we were really having a virtual coffee together- </b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i'd know that you'd leap in now with all your stories of christmas snow & beloved new sleds...<br /><br />or of long seafood lunches on the water....watching your kids on their new boards...<br /><br />whatever rocks you christmas day...<br /><br /><br />i love it both *down under* on the beaches of oz...& *up here* in the english countryside...<br /><br />& i just feel so blessed that we've given our three kids a wonderful dose of both...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRXbBbiBoUnp5QeD_ECJhc7raVqc2gcjgYBSL-ysb028CuYon-shLIDSMYumWdH7p-FW5YdYh0NiHQzjx6webnpzD5KXEIebUzwEjZ3CI_7w2o6Q56GiXrE-agDfjrneMIZlcxYbDmlkX/s1600/mugchristmas5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRXbBbiBoUnp5QeD_ECJhc7raVqc2gcjgYBSL-ysb028CuYon-shLIDSMYumWdH7p-FW5YdYh0NiHQzjx6webnpzD5KXEIebUzwEjZ3CI_7w2o6Q56GiXrE-agDfjrneMIZlcxYbDmlkX/s640/mugchristmas5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>if we were really having a virtual coffee together- you snuggled up in the bay window looking out </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>at our autumn garden <i>from the best spot, mince pie on lap</i>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i would ask you to tell me a story...a memory from your childhood christmas...<br /><br />i could talk about christmas and kids stories all morning long...<br /><br />i know we all have a vice or two...i'm happy to have this on my list...<br /><br />some people think it's too early in the year for christmas banter <b>- not for me honey</b>!<br /><br /><b>my parents have this fabulous old super 8 footage of me about three opening my christmas </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>pressies...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />they were young, lovely, pretty alternate & it was the early 70's...<br /><br />i'm sure they had visions of raising an independent world traveller...<br /><br />all i'd asked santa for was a <b>*wedding doll* </b>in her full kit- white, lacey & plastic...<br /><br />bless them it came...against their grain i'm so sure...<br /><br />but the brilliant moment came on the super 8 when at 3, i checked instantly for the all essential wedding<br /><br />band...<br /><br />ahhh the sigh of relief when i spotted the wire ring my darling father had made & attached to this<br /><br />whopping big blonde plastic doll...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_tYPOtix6RRfm_46zaQnZ8ytsM8dKYpvSIZGIn7FmvB7GHBrSLoeuMWNkAsuUq2zxaANLzhk9afPysM6rDUnk1tRam-g9zTRRd4ZUMlfQRta5y87fU9nptf-4Z9KCaOAiaxll_MfZSKQ/s1600/mugchristmas6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_tYPOtix6RRfm_46zaQnZ8ytsM8dKYpvSIZGIn7FmvB7GHBrSLoeuMWNkAsuUq2zxaANLzhk9afPysM6rDUnk1tRam-g9zTRRd4ZUMlfQRta5y87fU9nptf-4Z9KCaOAiaxll_MfZSKQ/s640/mugchristmas6.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>the memories of christmas- simple in the good old days ;)</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />no computer games, long lists of electronic toys & gadgets...<br /><br />just a simple doll & a ring of some promise...<br /><br />followed by a run on the beach & relatives...<br /><br /><b>our kids get a healthy dose of both...keeping them connected to the world indoors & out...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT8LuHeiruRY0v8TCUD0r2pOXf7O07TD_kJ7xoP6E-My0-Q5hae1n43aVL6HbW-u_BHgAmuUCM6GgKeCdX-VhXhRpyrPP7h0KY8Jwk9siSAwhYcQN7D91ZIukFylpb-_6VOWCHfI8iM9B/s1600/mugchristmas7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT8LuHeiruRY0v8TCUD0r2pOXf7O07TD_kJ7xoP6E-My0-Q5hae1n43aVL6HbW-u_BHgAmuUCM6GgKeCdX-VhXhRpyrPP7h0KY8Jwk9siSAwhYcQN7D91ZIukFylpb-_6VOWCHfI8iM9B/s640/mugchristmas7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so...as autumn rolls on here in the english countryside...heading into the dark, early nights of </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>winter...i am beginning to plan for our lead up to christmas...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />the gift wrapping...<br /><br />the list making...<br /><br />the calender marking...<br /><br />the kiddos excitement mounting...<br /><br /><b>you're more than welcome to come for virtual coffee & a christmas catch up every week...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>or just the virtual coffee & the natter...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i'm feeling all inspired now...i've got some christmas wrapping thoughts to share this coming week...<br /><br />so i'm going to shove you out into the autumn weather with a little box of mince pies for inspiration...<br /><br />& the promise of another virtual coffee together next week...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ8m9gHaAqmGLwFL_yZw01yrfUZaF1K9hHFnJox70Zrue0oW3FB5g5q7e_icoYnkwUaauU-3cx6aBMjbWl9p0owfZP4QlqeN5dINmIBjarcfRictVernejZIFQACxH5SqEP4CgfV8bpIM/s1600/mugchristmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ8m9gHaAqmGLwFL_yZw01yrfUZaF1K9hHFnJox70Zrue0oW3FB5g5q7e_icoYnkwUaauU-3cx6aBMjbWl9p0owfZP4QlqeN5dINmIBjarcfRictVernejZIFQACxH5SqEP4CgfV8bpIM/s640/mugchristmas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">happy holiday planning</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">hope the mince pies inspire some early list making</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">melissa</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">xox</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">for more christmas inspiration have a lookie </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-just-around-corner.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">{here}</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-trees-marrakech.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">{here}</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">&</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2010/12/virtual-coffee-much-needed-catch-up.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">{here}</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></b></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b>

a virtual coffee -& loving christmas...

morning everyone...& welcome to all those lovely new people who have just jumped in here... i think it's time for a {virtual coffee}...

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a virtual coffee in the english playroom...

<b>morning sweet bloggy friends..time for a virtual coffee....?!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />it has been too long since the last...<br /><br />summer kept me outdoors...travelling...kiddo organising...thinking...creating...<br />so it's now time to take stock of what is a new school year here in ol'Blighty...& to share with you a long awaited virtual coffee....<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqp7mk-_0AFPZyj5jr2yhrYUOIRUiHDq6xm3hxK3kwpP0RExirGFnkkiy-9FEDWgupC1Y3L7zgz64Mt0bZnpm2fufnnZfJniFOi9_-tuUnM6VBk9hejXUWCwVT0OPiKD9ow3uhrZiVQCV/s1600/playroom11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqp7mk-_0AFPZyj5jr2yhrYUOIRUiHDq6xm3hxK3kwpP0RExirGFnkkiy-9FEDWgupC1Y3L7zgz64Mt0bZnpm2fufnnZfJniFOi9_-tuUnM6VBk9hejXUWCwVT0OPiKD9ow3uhrZiVQCV/s640/playroom11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><b>i've been struck with the spring cleaning bug...so grab your coffee & head with me, if you will, to the kiddos domain...the playroom...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />not the season to clear out...i realise...but for me, having grown up <i><b>down under</b></i> where the start of a new school year is january...clearing out is what i do when they all go back to school!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGTBJjDMklyl6iEDL5PM4mXAOdCZtxpHI93W_Hxl9pNhwm7qbq_tp4i5kWfk6fFkictSYVRgTb_PmPPPawYJ5CSD5d7iTSvdCBy_LFOqVIeLxplJCRBxaG14W6z-COt7Hncah6NCKZlT1/s1600/playroom8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGTBJjDMklyl6iEDL5PM4mXAOdCZtxpHI93W_Hxl9pNhwm7qbq_tp4i5kWfk6fFkictSYVRgTb_PmPPPawYJ5CSD5d7iTSvdCBy_LFOqVIeLxplJCRBxaG14W6z-COt7Hncah6NCKZlT1/s640/playroom8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">(a gorgeous gift from the lovely </span><a href="http://lonadeanna.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966;">anna</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> to our little vegemites)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />i'm starting a fresh new school year with organised cupboards...clear under beds & a full re-cycling bin...<br />just as i would in january living on the beaches back home...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfAZaGnaCUvfP2BzIOnjVzmmnKhEqunnB-bGxega1L6CzdrMF4kCtfK_Th6cBQEX1qR1GgzFVks-Lls4aNbt7k6jFIkU3RloJck3LOwPuIcvkw-O7z-sZCHjtkXL3FswluLUmcbTIjV_o/s1600/playroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfAZaGnaCUvfP2BzIOnjVzmmnKhEqunnB-bGxega1L6CzdrMF4kCtfK_Th6cBQEX1qR1GgzFVks-Lls4aNbt7k6jFIkU3RloJck3LOwPuIcvkw-O7z-sZCHjtkXL3FswluLUmcbTIjV_o/s640/playroom1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>you can sit in the sunny bay window whilst i tell you about this playroom...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />when we first moved from our sandy-toed life in sydney, to our *horse-riding-football-mad-milk-from-the-local-farm-country-inspired-life* here in ol'Blighty...i had my check list in hand...<br /><br />my own personal *what-i-want-english-house* check list...<br />&<br />right up at the top was a <i>playroom...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYUAekHRNVSg1P4ACojSZcTQHA4awW2S7Ohyphenhyphenhf2XH7c-hRL0i4XT_D1XXgsrgLO4ar8evmggJPfaKI3MxQs64ohzQ5YtQpMMc1tAz6bQc8QSP9DGYCLQCqMes3cjhzFWiMTDYP9vLWoL_/s1600/playroom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYUAekHRNVSg1P4ACojSZcTQHA4awW2S7Ohyphenhyphenhf2XH7c-hRL0i4XT_D1XXgsrgLO4ar8evmggJPfaKI3MxQs64ohzQ5YtQpMMc1tAz6bQc8QSP9DGYCLQCqMes3cjhzFWiMTDYP9vLWoL_/s640/playroom4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br /></i><br /><br />not a rumpus room- as friends had had in australia when we were growing up...<br />not a family room- where the toys were dumped & everyone ate round a coffee table...<br /><br />i wanted a real <i>mary poppins</i> playroom...where the kids had their games...the girls had their doll houses...& there was a drawing desk...<br /><br />a playroom where they all snuggled down in winter to watch movies...<br />& where in summer, we opened the windows & let the air in...<br />& where kids could climb in & out from to the garden with their friends...<br /><br />so when we looked at big old english houses...i just held my breath for a playroom...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5Icwmb1oieMOoX3MuVgeBeCmviEQDB_nIEzVoXudSluc7wl6E9cnMpZAoHRwHzeUMDqh50lfkOgk6fuzSlC3kGBhYbW03iuDKjPATR1srj5h9OrFnfzh82Cpog3-APtN_1W__ayd_e8F/s1600/playroom7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5Icwmb1oieMOoX3MuVgeBeCmviEQDB_nIEzVoXudSluc7wl6E9cnMpZAoHRwHzeUMDqh50lfkOgk6fuzSlC3kGBhYbW03iuDKjPATR1srj5h9OrFnfzh82Cpog3-APtN_1W__ayd_e8F/s640/playroom7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />& we found...on the edge of our little market town...a perfect playroom...with a bay window...& high ceilings & lotsa light...<br /><br />aussie kids need a lot of light & a lot of space...suddenly our outdoor life was about to become indoors and this playroom was the perfect <i>mary poppins </i>inspired answer...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9teVtKWb0ndYqfBuU9XyyIk8gJThSsB4rQl4K2ATlUAr3GnCAmHxerdm6XCqtXPxPOoGMWkKiVQaa7zxn1T8uLY5DUIz3RhafvNOzCRWhnzWqDxiA_mNdsyili_Vfw-NJ7IX3oeSkaS0p/s1600/playroom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9teVtKWb0ndYqfBuU9XyyIk8gJThSsB4rQl4K2ATlUAr3GnCAmHxerdm6XCqtXPxPOoGMWkKiVQaa7zxn1T8uLY5DUIz3RhafvNOzCRWhnzWqDxiA_mNdsyili_Vfw-NJ7IX3oeSkaS0p/s640/playroom2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so for three & a half years we have lived in...& so loved this playroom...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />but just because i wanted it so desperately didn't mean it was my space...<br />chippy was not high on the kids list of decorating...<br />nor was a sense of calm white or jugs of flowers...<br /><br />this playroom was for kids...& toys & colour & dancing & wii & karaoke & lotsa fun...<br />so we met half way via<i><b> ikea</b></i> & some very special vintage car-boot, thrifted finds...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqpR-gFHO7C3ww6rNRoz3mQzGIL0T5cGl-Ky14ckH9Gte_MFEpxXJMRxovp7bX85yC0U7U-Z-Ld2XwAqy0FQwe4JmzaCDHVaS9aGIr9qj6Vcabf8M5DsPesP4yLGdQLeeqdro8lrbYoT1/s1600/playroom6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqpR-gFHO7C3ww6rNRoz3mQzGIL0T5cGl-Ky14ckH9Gte_MFEpxXJMRxovp7bX85yC0U7U-Z-Ld2XwAqy0FQwe4JmzaCDHVaS9aGIr9qj6Vcabf8M5DsPesP4yLGdQLeeqdro8lrbYoT1/s640/playroom6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i</b><b> must admit...i don't usually share a coffee in here...it's only cause i'm on this cleaning thing that i'm giving you the bay window seat...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />you've not had to side step any little animals living in castles...leggo scooter sets...i-pods...art supplies...drink bottles...tents...cubby houses, sweet rappers or soccer boots...<br /><br />the floor is clear...<br />the kids are at school...<br /><br />come 4 o'clock & i'm back on my chair in the sitting room...<br />pretending the floor hasn't been covered in up-ended baskets of <s>kid crapola</s> special bits...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXDZ08njWj_YVVyMld9ZJ4Beqt2xuAIpeRb-jzxsNQeen9l8R1JG6SyURBV3XYnpT7DJg2RnB2F3D0JDYt1MaF__4jsS_lDcLY1B7LiqWmN6AlFbJcnsXWSQ9KPeiJrfdejtzu8Q_xUOE/s1600/playroom9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXDZ08njWj_YVVyMld9ZJ4Beqt2xuAIpeRb-jzxsNQeen9l8R1JG6SyURBV3XYnpT7DJg2RnB2F3D0JDYt1MaF__4jsS_lDcLY1B7LiqWmN6AlFbJcnsXWSQ9KPeiJrfdejtzu8Q_xUOE/s640/playroom9.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so...if we were really having a coffee today...i would ask you if you've ever dreamed of a real life mary poppins playroom....</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i'm not into the singing birds...or the ordered shelves...or the links to a world of children seen but not heard that a playroom used to represent...<br /><br />but i do love me a space to hold all the kid stuff...<br /><br />everyone always harps on about the long nights, the broken sleep and the constancy of having and rearing kids...<br /><br />i just wish someone had told me about all the <b><i>stuff<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">!</span></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b><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/AVvXsEgiiRLdmmYH0MQblPIoxsKnCVuDp3NnqGW0ZhN40kfubsAEDJdzs5U9ON_tcSY9VFGYOQNYJH6bmwA4VU81rP9ZUDNCZp8EcO5AfF0qgFOvzCrFi7p2JfqhGNSNuKc-N2IOCykolkgsGEDC/s1600/playroom15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiRLdmmYH0MQblPIoxsKnCVuDp3NnqGW0ZhN40kfubsAEDJdzs5U9ON_tcSY9VFGYOQNYJH6bmwA4VU81rP9ZUDNCZp8EcO5AfF0qgFOvzCrFi7p2JfqhGNSNuKc-N2IOCykolkgsGEDC/s640/playroom15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">(the daunting after-summer-before-cleaning-out-very-used-playroom!)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">so...coffee drunk...playroom seen...i'm either pushing you back out into the wind with a bag of pre-loved toys under your arm...or you're coming with me to attack my sewing room & office space...</span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></b><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">totally up to you...</span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">but from here on in...it's pots of tea...garbage bags...a ruthless edge to the day...perhaps a little cursing thrown in for good measure and a promised sense of satisfaction at the end of the day...</span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSMDe08BLEUTD4UZw4fPPMPXij6UVzryTfdf_czzuK1cYn_OW5AZBK-QvXogxYxpSyp2oT4TYcvV2iwZnGxa9su7cdq4r44RVuz7BeXkCXU6hbbemlVg77JQcYnstu_QT8T5vW5ms51US/s1600/playroom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSMDe08BLEUTD4UZw4fPPMPXij6UVzryTfdf_czzuK1cYn_OW5AZBK-QvXogxYxpSyp2oT4TYcvV2iwZnGxa9su7cdq4r44RVuz7BeXkCXU6hbbemlVg77JQcYnstu_QT8T5vW5ms51US/s640/playroom3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">let me know if you're in...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">&</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">you can still take the bag of toys...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">&</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">we may even find you something special in the sewing pile...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">tempting i'm sure ;)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">~~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">yep...i thought you'd be away...thanks for the coffee...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b>(there's more coffees to share <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/09/virtual-coffee.html">here</a> with my sweeeeeet friend amy)</b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAEJi8sfaETKrBlxfKDRsdDvD8EpYQIN5ei6Vtl0OIsmJbucjwxFL4xnZEDD8TnKzY_bLAZCu6uobiXBw3M0J96hSl7hNar6GWl34pjay5DhOLkVEDrZxnpHtpljcswX_XoHa9bOyK8FP/s1600/playroom10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAEJi8sfaETKrBlxfKDRsdDvD8EpYQIN5ei6Vtl0OIsmJbucjwxFL4xnZEDD8TnKzY_bLAZCu6uobiXBw3M0J96hSl7hNar6GWl34pjay5DhOLkVEDrZxnpHtpljcswX_XoHa9bOyK8FP/s640/playroom10.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEh3xcwGozEooaY8eNTAhyZzj69MDArdc96SBA2S7VEVPPgFL1YCoZ4dpBY5PR19sgxOqNYXcMCr0sUwDTC-_PCQsjnABiTMevOxtamGw6QiBKiTW7rEQuxUHF9_jocCGF0zcxJpHX_Pd2M3/s1600/playroom11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xcwGozEooaY8eNTAhyZzj69MDArdc96SBA2S7VEVPPgFL1YCoZ4dpBY5PR19sgxOqNYXcMCr0sUwDTC-_PCQsjnABiTMevOxtamGw6QiBKiTW7rEQuxUHF9_jocCGF0zcxJpHX_Pd2M3/s640/playroom11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(disco ball + world globe + vintage map + doilie bunting = playroom heaven!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b>

a virtual coffee in the english playroom...

morning sweet bloggy friends..time for a virtual coffee....?! it has been too long since the last... summer kept me outdoors...travelling......

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a virtual coffee in france....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>g'day....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>i know this is a coffee catchup...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but the sun is out & i'm wishing we were in a little french town i looove...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">not for coffee...but for the afternoon...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">lunching on mussels...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sharing a bottle of french wine...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">legs in the sun...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sandals kicked to one side...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>want to join me?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>we can do coffee's later as we head towards the beach...</i></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/AVvXsEin0A5w-fE1W66hIRseNqU4uViTzBfCt69G8wkr-eZG9_ivOojFZmk9MmBDBWbKWe3uVthWjypBKkBbfAOvi-4biuhfDQL-DYScM7MJtcbJ24xUzv0iE3dPkoLelXZM4lLDJBvfbfb30Zd_/s1600/castle6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0A5w-fE1W66hIRseNqU4uViTzBfCt69G8wkr-eZG9_ivOojFZmk9MmBDBWbKWe3uVthWjypBKkBbfAOvi-4biuhfDQL-DYScM7MJtcbJ24xUzv0iE3dPkoLelXZM4lLDJBvfbfb30Zd_/s640/castle6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>so...it's virtual french dining in a humble seaside cafe today...</b><br /><b>sounds like heaven non!</b><br />drink up...slurp up that mussel broth & tell me how your week's been?<br />holidays at your end?<br />reading any great summer books?<br />i'm feeling a little more myself this week...<br />having the kiddos home constantly on the go is helping no doubt...<br />still...there are moments when i think i'd feel so much better just losing myself for a while in a french village....<br /><br /><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/AVvXsEg96vBD9q8tHsqlZHBSPQZyCGDUMgX3QyrStGRDPkGU1oC9JRH2bCNiX9UnY-tGLkQOvXxrTyJ31Ap3FjiWxvB7_B-KP5f1mzSmWPL3Ue9idgPPmop83-D_ir-a8I1hyphenhyphenA5cSQJ8NCpB_Wnr/s1600/tag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96vBD9q8tHsqlZHBSPQZyCGDUMgX3QyrStGRDPkGU1oC9JRH2bCNiX9UnY-tGLkQOvXxrTyJ31Ap3FjiWxvB7_B-KP5f1mzSmWPL3Ue9idgPPmop83-D_ir-a8I1hyphenhyphenA5cSQJ8NCpB_Wnr/s640/tag1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><b>if we were really having a lunch together...speaking <s>broken school book</s> french...</b><br />i'd be wearing my new summer sandals...<br />they make me feel all from another time...<br />they make me want to sit ankles in the sun...pouring wine with friends...<br />funny how shoes bought in england on an overcast, muggy summers day can transport me to another climate...another place where we can just sit & ponder our day together...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMllzszJKbuyG8EvJXIZVwAIqDiLK2t2nleiHJ60ksT4yW8K7mYcMcvT-r0kR8d-BndaQauXtKg5ERsnK7LgyoP86WjLrlgMoMXI_aJnSzldAgBr43vdkHoNkZs1LeUHuGVZz_mp_XuM8/s1600/shoes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMllzszJKbuyG8EvJXIZVwAIqDiLK2t2nleiHJ60ksT4yW8K7mYcMcvT-r0kR8d-BndaQauXtKg5ERsnK7LgyoP86WjLrlgMoMXI_aJnSzldAgBr43vdkHoNkZs1LeUHuGVZz_mp_XuM8/s400/shoes1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><b>and then after we've had that gorgeous french pot of seafood, finished our vino & gathered the kids...</b><br />we'll be lovely *yes*mums...*oui oui mama's*...& buy the gang an icecream & head down to the beach with them all in tow...<br />happy days...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JH6pK5N4MQqAmi3G4Zh1GJCSfsEW0-uou1Jfxvq5PZ9KSEPx9uUyahyc-5q92dM65kIIp9FVZwQv-kNzJBU_TT4_3U1Jl6IO0rqYRtF-WliC-th-M5GWLn1_3RvhmupsHB8FQHn9yWIR/s1600/france.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JH6pK5N4MQqAmi3G4Zh1GJCSfsEW0-uou1Jfxvq5PZ9KSEPx9uUyahyc-5q92dM65kIIp9FVZwQv-kNzJBU_TT4_3U1Jl6IO0rqYRtF-WliC-th-M5GWLn1_3RvhmupsHB8FQHn9yWIR/s640/france.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>what do you think?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>let's take our virtual coffee's to a french beach together...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">let's just hang out & put our faces in the sun...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">plan our brocante hop for the afternoon...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">organise how we fill my people mover with french chippy chairs that the husbands will thank us for...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">a bbq always tastes better when sitting on chippy french garden chairs- <i>i promise!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ2XRMD1qgvI1hsjp6U8N40kZJAeNKHv_jBclnyBbYVv7JwQ6NTv0fX1qD8q8_YOdXcbkxQH826-PKPa0A1kR4_yGzpRnCHdwdeHF1NOmCO0lOFBGq-VZjYlDHC7VlAqSuV1Vmryuu0dP/s1600/fr+coffee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ2XRMD1qgvI1hsjp6U8N40kZJAeNKHv_jBclnyBbYVv7JwQ6NTv0fX1qD8q8_YOdXcbkxQH826-PKPa0A1kR4_yGzpRnCHdwdeHF1NOmCO0lOFBGq-VZjYlDHC7VlAqSuV1Vmryuu0dP/s640/fr+coffee1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>and then we could head out for a little french culture...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>you know give the kids something to tell their teachers about ;)....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">an old monastry...in a village...near the seaside in france...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sounds like heaven...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i'll collect you after i sort out the car...the kids...the washing...the cat...the husband...& the villa....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcERvpOR1ghGNmZpgM2oRNcRrQWWzdXFJgHSpvpmGTZrGLHapLU4ynFZxsNlz568wenRgdUPfRywv9xPdXb7wh1e3fsi7ptSdNIwl77EHzlESs2rM_dE3lg8ay7SIF7cVZl38uGA7GrEB/s1600/tpot8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcERvpOR1ghGNmZpgM2oRNcRrQWWzdXFJgHSpvpmGTZrGLHapLU4ynFZxsNlz568wenRgdUPfRywv9xPdXb7wh1e3fsi7ptSdNIwl77EHzlESs2rM_dE3lg8ay7SIF7cVZl38uGA7GrEB/s640/tpot8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">happy days people...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">very happy french chippy, legs-in-the-sun kinda day....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">what time will i swing past for you....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">xox</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">~~~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">check out some more nattering over coffees at amy's <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/08/virtual-coffee.html">*here*</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

a virtual coffee in france....

g'day.... i know this is a coffee catchup... but the sun is out & i'm wishing we were in a little french town i looove... not fo...

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a virtual coffee & a good old fashioned street parade...

<b><i>it is a gorgeous day here in the english countryside...</i></b><br /><b><i>the kinda day that gets you *up & into* it all first thing in the morning...</i></b><br />the stock for a chorizo stew is smelling fab on the stove...<br />the washing is out flapping in the sunshine...<br />the kids are at school in hats & sunscreen {at last!}...<br />&<br />i've had a lovely morning taking & sorting sewing orders for the coming weeks...<br />perfect for me...<br /><i>have i mentioned how simple my life abroad is some days...</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBRw2qQFmbsTEh_33U7Gk4u87clUMxmZh9BShBeQ75oCaoZ3wPTkM53cQBZMZS8JtaWXcImWB0eQBKyR1ejrS8sNuIY-etg-jyOm_HwAQlHrJXnZOqAZSyq0UJac28gNxERNVAqYHBjcd/s1600/coffeechair3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBRw2qQFmbsTEh_33U7Gk4u87clUMxmZh9BShBeQ75oCaoZ3wPTkM53cQBZMZS8JtaWXcImWB0eQBKyR1ejrS8sNuIY-etg-jyOm_HwAQlHrJXnZOqAZSyq0UJac28gNxERNVAqYHBjcd/s640/coffeechair3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><b><i>so  today...for our virtual coffee catch-up...i'm popping you here...</i></b><br /><b><i>facing the sun...</i></b><br /><b><i>you get your face *in it*...</i></b><br />i'll keep an eye on the stock & pour us drinks...<br />i have a english tale of floats & a village *club day* that will make you want to hang out & enjoy some good old fashioned entertainment...british style...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt89TnMdaERxtJhLQeTdF2gMdUBBD2zI4CL14EQAzqis82Asr2qWw8-W6AG0sd2xhf9Ha2QJ682_WPuN43qcBASpQfiJkDvW4_OJRLHUUGJF3HGLscXz6CAiRq2oQ4IITPl-VvofT6lkO/s1600/clubday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt89TnMdaERxtJhLQeTdF2gMdUBBD2zI4CL14EQAzqis82Asr2qWw8-W6AG0sd2xhf9Ha2QJ682_WPuN43qcBASpQfiJkDvW4_OJRLHUUGJF3HGLscXz6CAiRq2oQ4IITPl-VvofT6lkO/s400/clubday1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><b><i>the kiddos love this day...</i></b><br /><b><i>once a year our village is closed to cars & we go as far as our front sidewalk to watch the parade go by...</i></b><br />i make a pile of banana muffins & mucho pots of tea...<br />& friends wander past & have one with us as they make their way through the village...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMAPBffXHr6YL2BIrXT_0HyhH0bAU9uw0f_TnRnLYZV9HPkNP3-fAgEHLi8hmmosGBMru6YS_CAD24JTJzo835uVFsBacye1p9tNUAx89cLKKsyQNloASbBOOkCCUV9Ef3O3OhsQb6KQU/s1600/clubday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMAPBffXHr6YL2BIrXT_0HyhH0bAU9uw0f_TnRnLYZV9HPkNP3-fAgEHLi8hmmosGBMru6YS_CAD24JTJzo835uVFsBacye1p9tNUAx89cLKKsyQNloASbBOOkCCUV9Ef3O3OhsQb6KQU/s640/clubday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><i>kids come & go...</i></b><br /><b><i>parents drop by...</i></b><br />& all the while these brilliant moments of english life- past & present go by our front door...<br /><i>err...yeah...how cool is that...past our front door...</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvBJ0MnzIQofAZD-29fNtQeX06NcTdVm72P74zdEDnTvcDFuMOnq40U2UG6h99cOsjrPFQoQxWcEqFeDzKeZZg4tJj1mZMKvG3iwyBfl3e3ZdmK4uD0ICblksQSliOvVnP3CZ5unOTdaU/s1600/clubday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvBJ0MnzIQofAZD-29fNtQeX06NcTdVm72P74zdEDnTvcDFuMOnq40U2UG6h99cOsjrPFQoQxWcEqFeDzKeZZg4tJj1mZMKvG3iwyBfl3e3ZdmK4uD0ICblksQSliOvVnP3CZ5unOTdaU/s640/clubday2.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/AVvXsEjgiBGeTXY_1ExCH4BSkMzLqrSp2LChL6nS1f3DiZIiX_gzt5lOAFZ9RtIaUR1g5E68FE81QBT7Fe3FqdjnxkIAlPs4u6oK1zJhkZ4lT5gKkAN-iAgamocBfqtFYGvwxP5R8YPY6BBfzQIE/s1600/clubday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiBGeTXY_1ExCH4BSkMzLqrSp2LChL6nS1f3DiZIiX_gzt5lOAFZ9RtIaUR1g5E68FE81QBT7Fe3FqdjnxkIAlPs4u6oK1zJhkZ4lT5gKkAN-iAgamocBfqtFYGvwxP5R8YPY6BBfzQIE/s640/clubday3.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/AVvXsEhJGeNLI3846VFdDV93hCMO4xMKDX42GdO3gEoA5NVBlvEes9OKySRdA_oJWA7d1Bo7McmEUYDWseJMvwTocJF_Qekv_U7U9Ehaz6oSniQHnKLri2_KbOebH_e3VYrFp8B24u1WZQtK6u85/s1600/clubday4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGeNLI3846VFdDV93hCMO4xMKDX42GdO3gEoA5NVBlvEes9OKySRdA_oJWA7d1Bo7McmEUYDWseJMvwTocJF_Qekv_U7U9Ehaz6oSniQHnKLri2_KbOebH_e3VYrFp8B24u1WZQtK6u85/s640/clubday4.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/AVvXsEhKkYcCyW8Cujw8nR3qZy1-yF25RY9La_sgvvUb3XEmj2rZ58ufEixG1n-B7r-tnPEoYeQh1NzNVMq9I0sKlHr_edegPp2D-LrDFmf1XhM4WCay6II0KF4nH4d-qGIQaVeFnndjC1yijn9d/s1600/clubday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkYcCyW8Cujw8nR3qZy1-yF25RY9La_sgvvUb3XEmj2rZ58ufEixG1n-B7r-tnPEoYeQh1NzNVMq9I0sKlHr_edegPp2D-LrDFmf1XhM4WCay6II0KF4nH4d-qGIQaVeFnndjC1yijn9d/s640/clubday5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLG8UfeX0kZMOmz0hMimPChZBUtB5LwJ_Xnae7p61fhEQSwt-ygVYRDsOxKRr3wJcqdl3cqyS90ZDwVxPayU5uMSx9A0T8OSaF4jRkbllz8QPrHwwwkVtc5axCmVdjwe704VaDboB1Cfc/s1600/clubday8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLG8UfeX0kZMOmz0hMimPChZBUtB5LwJ_Xnae7p61fhEQSwt-ygVYRDsOxKRr3wJcqdl3cqyS90ZDwVxPayU5uMSx9A0T8OSaF4jRkbllz8QPrHwwwkVtc5axCmVdjwe704VaDboB1Cfc/s640/clubday8.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/AVvXsEh04d6RXPmC2gIbVcolZBC8Nx5l6bAEE16OUQU48CTMvH-0pBeXzQtoHeuyC5HmuJUKRqcIMC3OsB_FwvsiqyN1LKDTxEkPeiBTXZ0H3RhevFhTjTH7Tp0PmR5Vv6KilNhh-iDC09e_32cx/s1600/clubday10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04d6RXPmC2gIbVcolZBC8Nx5l6bAEE16OUQU48CTMvH-0pBeXzQtoHeuyC5HmuJUKRqcIMC3OsB_FwvsiqyN1LKDTxEkPeiBTXZ0H3RhevFhTjTH7Tp0PmR5Vv6KilNhh-iDC09e_32cx/s640/clubday10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">horse drawn carriages</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">rose queens</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">vintage vans</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">marching bands</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">giant puppets</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">&</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">dancers</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxINS5nAYe4-0gd-CvGIAbB7cfhvotVEhtZ6WMQfmPJYLl4PztaFjhKTBYZf5J0-jFjYMgFNDAXsxashJ8xi6jtknnxmuj8HdZboGL_Tu04x_ffm43NHJnANaF4LZ9gZzqWO6B-Fs9j1Jp/s1600/clubday11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxINS5nAYe4-0gd-CvGIAbB7cfhvotVEhtZ6WMQfmPJYLl4PztaFjhKTBYZf5J0-jFjYMgFNDAXsxashJ8xi6jtknnxmuj8HdZboGL_Tu04x_ffm43NHJnANaF4LZ9gZzqWO6B-Fs9j1Jp/s640/clubday11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>it's village life at it's loveliest...</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>everyone is out...</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the fair parade is loud & long...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">did i mention it <i>goes past our front door...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">you gotta love entertainment that you don't have to do <i>a thing to see</i>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSRMVXqWOKWFG5_gqgWT_Kr-z_MZTxNsrzAOWkXy8yApbfLFTG7zwWH7wXy7GOc6B6iXIY-E8BRv0YI-JHvv1TZ8G7uNYIPEGdFXlwRWK01QLS_qi8tvPOBXGUyJZlmsaqinydwsgsx7G/s1600/coffeechair4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSRMVXqWOKWFG5_gqgWT_Kr-z_MZTxNsrzAOWkXy8yApbfLFTG7zwWH7wXy7GOc6B6iXIY-E8BRv0YI-JHvv1TZ8G7uNYIPEGdFXlwRWK01QLS_qi8tvPOBXGUyJZlmsaqinydwsgsx7G/s640/coffeechair4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so...if we were really catching up today...</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sitting here on chippy french chairs...</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">having our pot of tea in the sunshine...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">talking about life in an english village...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for three aussie kids & us big kids...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i think we'd both smile...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you never know where life will take you...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but an english countryside village parade, for this beach reared australian family is a pretty great place...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt89TnMdaERxtJhLQeTdF2gMdUBBD2zI4CL14EQAzqis82Asr2qWw8-W6AG0sd2xhf9Ha2QJ682_WPuN43qcBASpQfiJkDvW4_OJRLHUUGJF3HGLscXz6CAiRq2oQ4IITPl-VvofT6lkO/s1600/clubday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt89TnMdaERxtJhLQeTdF2gMdUBBD2zI4CL14EQAzqis82Asr2qWw8-W6AG0sd2xhf9Ha2QJ682_WPuN43qcBASpQfiJkDvW4_OJRLHUUGJF3HGLscXz6CAiRq2oQ4IITPl-VvofT6lkO/s640/clubday1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">happy tuesday</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">thanks for the catch-up</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">short but very sweet as always</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">i have sewing to do</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">chorizo to chop</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">&</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">sunshine to get my face *in*</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">xox</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thanks *amy* for the chinwag inspiration as usual</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">there's more chatting over <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">{here}</span></a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>

a virtual coffee & a good old fashioned street parade...

it is a gorgeous day here in the english countryside... the kinda day that gets you *up & into* it all first thing in the morning... the...

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