december 1...advent pockets to fill with love...

<b><br /></b><br /><b>morning lovely bloggy friends...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />we had a mid week teacher's strike here yesterday & therefore a house full of extra's...<br /><br />so not all my boxes were ticked- which i'm needing to do each & every day now that we are<b> *in*</b><br /><br />the month of our huge <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/going-homex.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">{move back}</span></a> to the beautiful beaches of sydney...<br /><br /><br />so...after a morning of balance (you know those mornings- & it wasn't the kids!)...<br /><br />the ever patient, every gorgeous husband took all the kids to school...<br /><br />& i'm sitting here, with a strong cup of tea...thinking bout filling advent pockets...<br /><br /><i>not life altering i realise ;) but about all i can manage this morning...one of <b>those </b>mornings people...!</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/AVvXsEhKH_nUxFbuOAFgeSZMDMEe-KMcPEotfF3Vh6kWOPpzmvTXUZZ_MxGCWGYy0RMjdnBIOeW2AWuyNiuZpkIpMxDft3-UKj8j8A8KSozMjhxnMvJ7bXx-Zw8Oz97pboIEn8GqVJ-tBBnEIZcK/s1600/advent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH_nUxFbuOAFgeSZMDMEe-KMcPEotfF3Vh6kWOPpzmvTXUZZ_MxGCWGYy0RMjdnBIOeW2AWuyNiuZpkIpMxDft3-UKj8j8A8KSozMjhxnMvJ7bXx-Zw8Oz97pboIEn8GqVJ-tBBnEIZcK/s640/advent1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><b>for our three kiddos, age irrelevant, the *advent calendar* is a special lead up to the big day...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />they've all gone off to school this morning anticipating the opening of the first advent goodies<br /><br />this afternoon...<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>some years we've had little fabric squares on string lines across the windows...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />some years we've done the <strike>desperate</strike> easy <i>quick-it's-the-flippin-first-of-december-store-bought </i><br /><br />chocolate calendar boxes, with the flip open windows...<br /><br />you know the ones...awful, loud, disney inspired {!!??}...yet do the job...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwXYH_0kCpjNd-MYB_zuxWoBBmdR3sgf8MEO416LV9QBD2htzhRm_zc002i08nNoiyb0WjWTb3kyzY3khFqUHTymjCqcVcVhgCbQpmBbhPJ-Jc25ikY1THpx_89QGt-zPnPeeytp-8xzK/s1600/advent2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwXYH_0kCpjNd-MYB_zuxWoBBmdR3sgf8MEO416LV9QBD2htzhRm_zc002i08nNoiyb0WjWTb3kyzY3khFqUHTymjCqcVcVhgCbQpmBbhPJ-Jc25ikY1THpx_89QGt-zPnPeeytp-8xzK/s640/advent2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>this year</b> we needed something simple...that could survive a mid-advent flight <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/going-homex.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">{home to Australia}</span></a>,<br /><br />whose daily pockets could be filled with more than chocolate coins...& that was made with love<br /><br />by me, for them, in the house we have loved in the english countryside, for so long...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7d1cac6gx1D_9REGY9phVZC2O6vriu0U-oZcbdPL8ht0eeumBy45DAXDbZaaKeMfeqCKj9TKDVTmd0-NMh-G8iSmkgrCgE73FiPt6tIOwSlDIZ5TYmOB3z66t6Lt6C6Gk-_olSdBHMam/s1600/advent3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7d1cac6gx1D_9REGY9phVZC2O6vriu0U-oZcbdPL8ht0eeumBy45DAXDbZaaKeMfeqCKj9TKDVTmd0-NMh-G8iSmkgrCgE73FiPt6tIOwSlDIZ5TYmOB3z66t6Lt6C6Gk-_olSdBHMam/s640/advent3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>so...the squares were cut...the french numbers stamped...the pieces sewn together...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />& this morning i am going for a quiet, simple wander to fill those pockets...<br /><br />english sweets...some little english souvenirs...little reminders of our time here together...<br /><br />by Christmas day we will be sitting in the sand, drinking smoothies & wondering what the cold<br /><br />felt like...<br /><br />so taking this advent calendar home on December 20 & opening one day in Dubai & the<br /><br />remaining days in the sunshine just makes <b>this year's calendar all the more special</b>...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMMpx8LD80pYzs1qwv9BxnEgDKqbYTuORCwB3RGysrOdFP70VFtyKgxeTKokitxnKsLAAyndJBa0pEMexmjK6gw6P6J-WzBa_1m3Jtda_CP7lh8NB3YMJMazlnIyf5AG8YOOP-kihf07d/s1600/advent6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMMpx8LD80pYzs1qwv9BxnEgDKqbYTuORCwB3RGysrOdFP70VFtyKgxeTKokitxnKsLAAyndJBa0pEMexmjK6gw6P6J-WzBa_1m3Jtda_CP7lh8NB3YMJMazlnIyf5AG8YOOP-kihf07d/s640/advent6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>at this time of year- life can be a tricky balance...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>remember the simple things are often the loveliest </b><b>memories...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZy-tPcRETB5WVVK8wxQolm5AG67KEvmeApJul0JoDZYGG-zVrCIuK3du7zNxH2NAgpPR8hL27QsuiSKZyssRzRDwOvwFWf5ftZa8Eo2oMmcB1lOv_HuJjiFDo-4pTP8HZnwh3bRdyaoT/s1600/advent4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZy-tPcRETB5WVVK8wxQolm5AG67KEvmeApJul0JoDZYGG-zVrCIuK3du7zNxH2NAgpPR8hL27QsuiSKZyssRzRDwOvwFWf5ftZa8Eo2oMmcB1lOv_HuJjiFDo-4pTP8HZnwh3bRdyaoT/s640/advent4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>~~~~~~~</b></div><b><br /></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a shared thought: yesterday an incredibly brave mother from our little school lost her long fight with cancer...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">her two beautiful children were blessed to have had her guide them for as long as she could...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">today please just take a moment to look at your children...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">& to love them that little bit more...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Karen will always be an inspiration in my mind & though there are many tears- her smile is what i will recall each & every time we passed with school bags, scooters & *good morning's*...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">thank you for the small *moment* of time in which i knew you Karen- your children will continue to be loved & watched over at school by their many gentle friends...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">xoxox</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;"><br /></span></div>

december 1...advent pockets to fill with love...

morning lovely bloggy friends... we had a mid week teacher's strike here yesterday & therefore a house full of extra's... so not...

Read more »

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/AVvXsEgTPvJcEtBVGGWTDMjWa9p06CYai-llfOpjD5mppe8mmhhlIOpAdv2AzBsvHjK-D5wXvTT-IG72zRe4qPe-3cS0JYjsI1Gs5ZYKdGUebnTwT7kuEgK4CBFbXq16MVgHKfSoP1IjthjJ61Ik/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/AVvXsEgTPvJcEtBVGGWTDMjWa9p06CYai-llfOpjD5mppe8mmhhlIOpAdv2AzBsvHjK-D5wXvTT-IG72zRe4qPe-3cS0JYjsI1Gs5ZYKdGUebnTwT7kuEgK4CBFbXq16MVgHKfSoP1IjthjJ61Ik/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/AVvXsEgqvaIYLW8DcEK8rw9x0tO8RsEppiYzC6X7SPPT_U_R8atP3v64-ovJv6yhEmeDYyBBxih_ZhPNIe8p85behOJojuY_ynNi8Gt_lD6_DZR8anAw_H0Cnooa90pW0u7_-tYkJI0IBiQv8K7D/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/AVvXsEgqvaIYLW8DcEK8rw9x0tO8RsEppiYzC6X7SPPT_U_R8atP3v64-ovJv6yhEmeDYyBBxih_ZhPNIe8p85behOJojuY_ynNi8Gt_lD6_DZR8anAw_H0Cnooa90pW0u7_-tYkJI0IBiQv8K7D/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/AVvXsEgzfBd_xOyIXBiBl3oLTZ7DxSSDk54upZZdR-4bBmKt_AWPPHxWV8cub6wL0-wGxBNTqhsfGXRKfL3AZYkG5XkyKNsV0l4PSt2lyFtsXpZDX4s146sTIhOGooj9vPGqaWJyhy1OgNAR8Dmq/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/AVvXsEgzfBd_xOyIXBiBl3oLTZ7DxSSDk54upZZdR-4bBmKt_AWPPHxWV8cub6wL0-wGxBNTqhsfGXRKfL3AZYkG5XkyKNsV0l4PSt2lyFtsXpZDX4s146sTIhOGooj9vPGqaWJyhy1OgNAR8Dmq/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/AVvXsEjnmqmb1NES7IKaMyY5iEja1ANw0BoJM6vfkRehiK8MKEJRYNo6Krd6xAD7ERyceOtKkWAZhmp-WEK-729hpwJVdRxbuAiWnFChgSJdVpJNSCN5lGJbd1Iafchu-ItIhSGPcIZwKRFPvusk/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/AVvXsEjnmqmb1NES7IKaMyY5iEja1ANw0BoJM6vfkRehiK8MKEJRYNo6Krd6xAD7ERyceOtKkWAZhmp-WEK-729hpwJVdRxbuAiWnFChgSJdVpJNSCN5lGJbd1Iafchu-ItIhSGPcIZwKRFPvusk/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/AVvXsEjV4ltxeyhSzkGFfKUeUjEeXXy4Akk3QDfgJIzhR3InlCZQuns5JSYf-Q-G22AoCS475yYBv0xK-DUgtWCizLiCrPMhNSoYFtTNOynEtuEF_XMBagedenlb6FC8QKqqkLrD590SxITHgzw8/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/AVvXsEjV4ltxeyhSzkGFfKUeUjEeXXy4Akk3QDfgJIzhR3InlCZQuns5JSYf-Q-G22AoCS475yYBv0xK-DUgtWCizLiCrPMhNSoYFtTNOynEtuEF_XMBagedenlb6FC8QKqqkLrD590SxITHgzw8/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/AVvXsEh7MgBJvAadU2CXsldSj9r9xFIJBsnfXYmPNj-8UoF3eN7Z_U9tjTHuMnnoQIRGx-OJa_0vfsaa65a4VUJt7XERR2B8PZf9mChcAweEwACrNhRYiNiuy1Z7_ZrcEn7qUy71LQsBkIQqm-32/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/AVvXsEh7MgBJvAadU2CXsldSj9r9xFIJBsnfXYmPNj-8UoF3eN7Z_U9tjTHuMnnoQIRGx-OJa_0vfsaa65a4VUJt7XERR2B8PZf9mChcAweEwACrNhRYiNiuy1Z7_ZrcEn7qUy71LQsBkIQqm-32/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/AVvXsEizPnUyoPJLRrMF2qLbgsGc2jKwtVETt4EQ9R84v9_9rSwg3Iq-BPqtR0scIt6VexHacOG5Oh0dRycMcxirzQuumjElrmlPqWyKaHBjWiIKi4u5Rn1Cc6gspLLZUawpxvJMgVN3V8GVrfM6/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/AVvXsEizPnUyoPJLRrMF2qLbgsGc2jKwtVETt4EQ9R84v9_9rSwg3Iq-BPqtR0scIt6VexHacOG5Oh0dRycMcxirzQuumjElrmlPqWyKaHBjWiIKi4u5Rn1Cc6gspLLZUawpxvJMgVN3V8GVrfM6/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/AVvXsEgRgcpRt3mR0kwCkNvn5N5-MxYlJuzKRX930KdV4MBV59gJ2KvIfGGiUEhgDNYWX44ro4zGvFPfS2QbMmj6qPhNFkOTfbRsZAka27hOVd_SEy5PlK64d67IOH15JK99-9ivl6k8rEUzRSjl/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/AVvXsEgRgcpRt3mR0kwCkNvn5N5-MxYlJuzKRX930KdV4MBV59gJ2KvIfGGiUEhgDNYWX44ro4zGvFPfS2QbMmj6qPhNFkOTfbRsZAka27hOVd_SEy5PlK64d67IOH15JK99-9ivl6k8rEUzRSjl/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/AVvXsEg99hJwZZ1utwgNVQG1HmRqRnf748C7e2xP8M7-JIZb_gcdfjOcnlUn9tCicQlCrqGzkmHd-FqZDE1h8vRIkW5RKvUm6K9DD07L6KXQg5KHgOWQ6qx6juJHrEwezzYB_fiyZJpuuaMbNuEm/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/AVvXsEg99hJwZZ1utwgNVQG1HmRqRnf748C7e2xP8M7-JIZb_gcdfjOcnlUn9tCicQlCrqGzkmHd-FqZDE1h8vRIkW5RKvUm6K9DD07L6KXQg5KHgOWQ6qx6juJHrEwezzYB_fiyZJpuuaMbNuEm/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...

Read more »

Spruce Up Your Interior For Christmas – 10 Point Planning

<a href="http://blog.styleestate.com/storage/contemporary-christmas-interior-decorating-ideas.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1259880104850" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://blog.styleestate.com/storage/contemporary-christmas-interior-decorating-ideas.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1259880104850" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 250px;" /></a><br />It's that time of year again and as 1st December (the day many people put up their decorations) is only a week away you need to start planning ready to spruce up your interior for Christmas!<br /><br />So over the next few posts I thought I'd share some great interior design trends to add a magical festive feel to your interior.<br /><br />I'm going to start with a the all important planning.<br /><br />1. Choose a theme and colour scheme which compliments your décor and your interior design style.<br /><br />2. Try not to over complicate things and opt for quality over quantity. <br /><br />3. Decide which room or rooms you're going to spruce up and which ones don't need any real attention.<br /><br />4. Focus on the room where your tree is going to be placed as this is the room that people will gravitate towards.<br /><br />5. Don't forget 1st impressions count so try not to neglect your front door, entrance and hall.<br /><br />6. Think of new and innovative ways to make your decorations stand out from the crowd.<br /><br />7. Be realistic! There's no point in having a tree so large that nobody can sit down. If you want a large tree consider an alternative place for it such as the hallway or dining room.<br /><br />8. If you have small rooms look for trendy alternatives to a tree.<br /><br />9. If you really want a specific colour and it doesn't coordinate with your soft furnishings use <a href="http://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/cat/rugs/">cheap rugs</a>, cushions and throws to temporarily change your colour scheme.<br /><br />10. As we know up-cycling and home-made is bang on-trend within the world of interior design and what better way to show case your creative skills than creating a stunning interior to wow your family and friends!<br /><br />In the next post I'm going to share some wonderful colour schemes to get your interior design juices going! Join me and share your thoughts and ideas.<br /><br />Image: Styleestate blog

Spruce Up Your Interior For Christmas – 10 Point Planning

It's that time of year again and as 1st December (the day many people put up their decorations) is only a week away you need to start pl...

Read more »

A Giveaway- Christmas Ribbon & Ikea love...

<b><br /></b><br /><b>morning from ol'Blighty- where it's getting chillier as the days roll on...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i've got my ikea stash all ready to show & tell...<br /><br />Christmas decor inspiration i hope...<br /><br />& also a Christmas *loving-red-&-white* ribbon giveaway...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1QhrAfScASWLTMxo8DXw8PULB1d2L2frVAiV0o6mqpURZ38b1VVdNEu_2rAZnH04Q-lQoEVa6rRols_8IVRec_mlS0UlpHFmUbnA8D_e1GyY2fM7kxrIQOWtIMETcSoozWBy6D-AkU4T/s1600/ikeaxmas10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1QhrAfScASWLTMxo8DXw8PULB1d2L2frVAiV0o6mqpURZ38b1VVdNEu_2rAZnH04Q-lQoEVa6rRols_8IVRec_mlS0UlpHFmUbnA8D_e1GyY2fM7kxrIQOWtIMETcSoozWBy6D-AkU4T/s640/ikeaxmas10.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>when i started <i>raving </i>about the BB & my visit to ikea <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-christmas-planning.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">{here}</span></a> i hadn't actually opened all</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>my ikea bits up & snapped them for you...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />all my pickies of gorgeous ribbon were not from ikea, but a shop in our village...<br /><br />they were the <b>start of my love affair</b> for all things red & white this Christmas...<br /><br /><b>but- since you were all so <i>in lust</i> with the ribbons- i've got a pack to give away this week along</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>with some other <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Sew-So/230143973690957"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">{Miss Sew & So}</span></a> Christmas bits...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><i>{be a blog friend here & on face book <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Sew-So/230143973690957"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">{here}</span></a> </span>& of course let me know what you think of my</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>ribbons...}</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><b>so...here's my swedish Christmas stash....</b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ML5-bQu0BaWbX00dxhdGgijWtzftLXs4frvMq3ZZRIBpWT6JC39KmQUFgz1vRVp9tEaM02W1mdnRaBoFGU3NyIe0QlQ35drB0VGlweWCXAi3ny4WJIbfKn-3zRHENBBOG-panWpi-m2s/s1600/ikeaxmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ML5-bQu0BaWbX00dxhdGgijWtzftLXs4frvMq3ZZRIBpWT6JC39KmQUFgz1vRVp9tEaM02W1mdnRaBoFGU3NyIe0QlQ35drB0VGlweWCXAi3ny4WJIbfKn-3zRHENBBOG-panWpi-m2s/s640/ikeaxmas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>the lead up to Christmas is always full of extra's...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />extra people dropping by...& inevitably extra meals thrown between the standard one's...<br /><br />these napkins are totally Christmas with <b>no</b> effort at all...<br /><b><br /></b><br />white tablecloth...greenery in jars up the middle of the table & these gorgeous paper napkins...<br /><br />& yep the BB & i bought a few...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wc2yDue3bpoSxOBwpIbzgleIkE0C5S6hIBgmLBVzUUPHbwSFA8_MjZwF3r89EFN_l8kPkQm6QaHm_NfFyxS6kUcFb2A48woSi3UuIFI9Hrr4qcluj8c5o5LZsfuyvm1MremojVFmznyn/s1600/ikeaxmas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wc2yDue3bpoSxOBwpIbzgleIkE0C5S6hIBgmLBVzUUPHbwSFA8_MjZwF3r89EFN_l8kPkQm6QaHm_NfFyxS6kUcFb2A48woSi3UuIFI9Hrr4qcluj8c5o5LZsfuyvm1MremojVFmznyn/s640/ikeaxmas2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunoQykcYVJgJh9TJxpW52SOjHfh13ugfcsEp2MjbG13zrxVzbmUNdls7H-0m7IKdQDwFnceYJdBf4kg1UDpQuL1y0Y1suy82zpWbec3oPkeqnmJbOaCeUZLTNtrs_bwuN7WwF1DuPny7N/s1600/ikeaxmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunoQykcYVJgJh9TJxpW52SOjHfh13ugfcsEp2MjbG13zrxVzbmUNdls7H-0m7IKdQDwFnceYJdBf4kg1UDpQuL1y0Y1suy82zpWbec3oPkeqnmJbOaCeUZLTNtrs_bwuN7WwF1DuPny7N/s640/ikeaxmas3.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i'm not a massive tinsel lover...our kiddos are...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i try- but it just doesn't ever <i>do it for me</i>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />too bit-sy...<br /><br />too shiny...<br /><br />too tinsel-ey...<br /><br />then we found this...<br /><br />white...sweet...perfect...<i>my kinda tinsel...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCVreHj5bCHwszXDNb2FH2KmpYiKf9OEx4jvGYBbLSnSdOqjDrWeuxMUq1-sOTpJW551U0DCxZB6mGPyGmd8tgchM6SLuffT9P-j-6iGQqtgzp9dAOPOavQnwTlITvLMNqt5El6AgiXiN/s1600/ikeaxmas4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCVreHj5bCHwszXDNb2FH2KmpYiKf9OEx4jvGYBbLSnSdOqjDrWeuxMUq1-sOTpJW551U0DCxZB6mGPyGmd8tgchM6SLuffT9P-j-6iGQqtgzp9dAOPOavQnwTlITvLMNqt5El6AgiXiN/s640/ikeaxmas4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyxDjpldau1AzeImidEXx9Jhpt_wd7BFLk2Q46dCtlBoVG08v24JfTA3TuvvjwoIVOpFjsrNT-kT4NyPLk7sSmmXaLXWmA5f2Wh1jy3YDhPont-VP_mGGHYMF7TyX8mhSsXGZ3G3ga2_k/s1600/ikeaxmas5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyxDjpldau1AzeImidEXx9Jhpt_wd7BFLk2Q46dCtlBoVG08v24JfTA3TuvvjwoIVOpFjsrNT-kT4NyPLk7sSmmXaLXWmA5f2Wh1jy3YDhPont-VP_mGGHYMF7TyX8mhSsXGZ3G3ga2_k/s640/ikeaxmas5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>the other thing the BB & i wanted was reindeer...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>they are <strike>huge</strike> pretty big in Christmas decor over here...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />since we moved here from Oz, we've seen plently of wild deer & stags in our trips to the Outer<br /><br />Hebrides off Scotland <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/06/island-life.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">{here}</span></a><br /><br />the kids truly fell in love with them in the wild...<br /><br />& i want to take that love home with us to the beaches of australia in all shapes & forms...<br /><br /><b>these are divine... & <i>the paper print is gorgeous</i>...</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/AVvXsEjG2VQ2-tKYQKVbJnb0R-tvXoCF4QLsyiVaWamEDv_5XdgJQFsZ-3xAOu5FH7LkzkxqzFVZysMk4HnGWonNBonFA4cPJtojHg2OfFrcWeQFE0d2lek8MzTB_5ATzz-akcBHD0al_J6OhiPs/s1600/ikeaxmas6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2VQ2-tKYQKVbJnb0R-tvXoCF4QLsyiVaWamEDv_5XdgJQFsZ-3xAOu5FH7LkzkxqzFVZysMk4HnGWonNBonFA4cPJtojHg2OfFrcWeQFE0d2lek8MzTB_5ATzz-akcBHD0al_J6OhiPs/s640/ikeaxmas6.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>now...as you know we are packing to head home to Oz after nearly 4 years here in the english </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>countryside...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />this means no more unnecessary purchases- i get that...<br /><br />but these Christmas glasses were soo flippin lovely & so <b><strike>cheap</strike> </b>inexpensive, that i figure we'll just use<br /><br />them to keep the kiddos feeling Christmas-ey here & then add them to the BB's stash later...!<br /><br /><b>the perfect 6-pack ;)</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA_CRC0P5FBMQyZCCmfrCYcVSOwogoWuhSwtlnrNNYLCkigaipSMaYe8PoIFe9ADlTAOkymlmAZR-JuTNHimLvaMcSexL-md8uClRU0uqlqu37cWTIebwMn2CR4BZ1fUR-rJz_zrJ5a1p/s1600/ikeaxmas7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA_CRC0P5FBMQyZCCmfrCYcVSOwogoWuhSwtlnrNNYLCkigaipSMaYe8PoIFe9ADlTAOkymlmAZR-JuTNHimLvaMcSexL-md8uClRU0uqlqu37cWTIebwMn2CR4BZ1fUR-rJz_zrJ5a1p/s640/ikeaxmas7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>&...lastly these little hanging peace doves that i've bought each year we've been here in </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>england...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />they are beautifully simple...<b>light to take home</b>...& one little miss.6 loves making their wings for<br /><br />me...<br /><br />i don't really need any other reason to throw these in my hand luggage back to sydney...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXcsbO0Lhrpl2Equ6OiNAuYuD59hwL1BHCR0cBuZkc1m-UnIM1Pt-9ZIEwArI5MTg5zG4HdUiObmnJ01ZDo-mCN748BjoFMtXJKzeqJkx3eRaL-vxq7kcRSlovyg1MF1P0mpizgFkMb3n/s1600/ikeaxmas9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXcsbO0Lhrpl2Equ6OiNAuYuD59hwL1BHCR0cBuZkc1m-UnIM1Pt-9ZIEwArI5MTg5zG4HdUiObmnJ01ZDo-mCN748BjoFMtXJKzeqJkx3eRaL-vxq7kcRSlovyg1MF1P0mpizgFkMb3n/s640/ikeaxmas9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so...i'm hoping...thinking...that there may be some <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">ikea-love</span> from some of you here...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i'm gonna send out the ribbons below just to get you started...<br /><br />leave a comment...be a FB friend...& i'll draw the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas Ribbon Giveaway </span>at the end of the<br /><br />week...<br /><br />leave a comment each day for extra entries...every day counts...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2hMw_moVHosg_5dush19bV_HL7np-Kyzkb_R8p62N8KgRoT2MHmEvqW7VUoTa1ZABvEjQ09ilOpVpY0glbZs_d8HBmqu9MGo68WkFmJuXmM-PemL0WLXGUTJuuJkbc4y7KI2uMZ03dYr/s1600/ikeaxmas8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2hMw_moVHosg_5dush19bV_HL7np-Kyzkb_R8p62N8KgRoT2MHmEvqW7VUoTa1ZABvEjQ09ilOpVpY0glbZs_d8HBmqu9MGo68WkFmJuXmM-PemL0WLXGUTJuuJkbc4y7KI2uMZ03dYr/s640/ikeaxmas8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>little miss.6 & i spent an hour in front of the fire on sunday afternoon hanging & tying </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>& talking </b><b>Christmas as only kids can...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i felt inspired- bless her...</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/AVvXsEgtewpZVjFpCJoaeQG1Xn5QPakM7s1wzAo45uA_N2INA2743SZNUUel5JjptxSP1iylELmQnD14RFtQOSVmiVKJxmxJsGJQZ_NBreRr8uDKU2O8eoKjtgyqFOkeiHdv87IRtzq65TraXLQv/s1600/ikeaA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtewpZVjFpCJoaeQG1Xn5QPakM7s1wzAo45uA_N2INA2743SZNUUel5JjptxSP1iylELmQnD14RFtQOSVmiVKJxmxJsGJQZ_NBreRr8uDKU2O8eoKjtgyqFOkeiHdv87IRtzq65TraXLQv/s640/ikeaA.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;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>go get yourself to ikea if you can</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>&</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>if not...get into this giveaway to start your inspiration for christmas</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>...ikea is my *favourite & best* at Christmas...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>xox</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQrA2jFER5u4l-cbR_3lWOBfrQ1FzSA8PzoJIbkgIZ0zHqkZRjNB9GJ603chIVLZivTemEzMidKkXyf2I-4nxqbspnzm-ItOfSAe3UkXy93dAzsrDS0DuwDh5c-VcPqZtqBAvZFtl8C6Z/s1600/ikeaxmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQrA2jFER5u4l-cbR_3lWOBfrQ1FzSA8PzoJIbkgIZ0zHqkZRjNB9GJ603chIVLZivTemEzMidKkXyf2I-4nxqbspnzm-ItOfSAe3UkXy93dAzsrDS0DuwDh5c-VcPqZtqBAvZFtl8C6Z/s320/ikeaxmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>pop over to my gorgeous friend Maureen's <a href="http://daydreamliving.blogspot.com/2011/11/favourite-and-best-find-linky-party.html">{here}</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">she's got some more fave & best goodies she's sharing...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b>

A Giveaway- Christmas Ribbon & Ikea love...

morning from ol'Blighty- where it's getting chillier as the days roll on... i've got my ikea stash all ready to show & tell....

Read more »

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/AVvXsEg514UKN1NRFMa6maaek5_nmRoWxRkIkWUPpkEzlmpCbMvn_mjSTjTpfTPOimNdEm9M3eHI39moxno8Bhx0ifohyVsUdgtGlbTHWARPzdlysGH7l008ZSd17YZ9FDI22hsv2QL5VZCGwn_8/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/AVvXsEg514UKN1NRFMa6maaek5_nmRoWxRkIkWUPpkEzlmpCbMvn_mjSTjTpfTPOimNdEm9M3eHI39moxno8Bhx0ifohyVsUdgtGlbTHWARPzdlysGH7l008ZSd17YZ9FDI22hsv2QL5VZCGwn_8/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/AVvXsEiY9dkh-g4lqUpqhyphenhyphenqB7ejNvKy4KjYEoXeepqmNQbjeoyNadK9linMs0POe4nqHz2QnNmipkri-tFGt0leMCXge2LSgcI0jr2GdoN1nTSABbaSHewXXP3Aqjn-slSNeRohhD5KH0DwQiZt0/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/AVvXsEiY9dkh-g4lqUpqhyphenhyphenqB7ejNvKy4KjYEoXeepqmNQbjeoyNadK9linMs0POe4nqHz2QnNmipkri-tFGt0leMCXge2LSgcI0jr2GdoN1nTSABbaSHewXXP3Aqjn-slSNeRohhD5KH0DwQiZt0/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/AVvXsEg3zfCWoLPu85YQgVfGoNOfgq3m9zKaawTYk-nCjswsC5aOfOl933UFQhO2HMiMw_nuAEAyT8V1p2SWbcasjVvqkfST7ROOTPkxrk2ZSpFosoSPnAmUSL132dGKolZaeuQBV-sb7Uwjhj9r/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/AVvXsEg3zfCWoLPu85YQgVfGoNOfgq3m9zKaawTYk-nCjswsC5aOfOl933UFQhO2HMiMw_nuAEAyT8V1p2SWbcasjVvqkfST7ROOTPkxrk2ZSpFosoSPnAmUSL132dGKolZaeuQBV-sb7Uwjhj9r/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/AVvXsEheNZea1zMMvAfJIQ_JgaH3zJpK8c1lcz7ckybvwLXmsOA6ukUMW1ruwciEp4ihRAUr9X_P-0wh5WR7EKHyr-o5VRelkvzUn8qrSWeFgnh7DcCp2FtRUIMCmJVSpgAFSrq79KufbNnOzmiQ/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/AVvXsEgb9GwVVsF3y5aob5Y9_4ZSB8F7LjmX30ZN4Jw1lZree1KyvvZ2Eh6XEuuGxfTgfLpstT6f34k47ds_clf1g12-LTZUNtY09BvzY2noCUFaQMayvdihRRnIxS_2PPElatc_eI0Q6wdkhq3W/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/AVvXsEgb9GwVVsF3y5aob5Y9_4ZSB8F7LjmX30ZN4Jw1lZree1KyvvZ2Eh6XEuuGxfTgfLpstT6f34k47ds_clf1g12-LTZUNtY09BvzY2noCUFaQMayvdihRRnIxS_2PPElatc_eI0Q6wdkhq3W/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/AVvXsEg05BWFckHhRdqVZJoH6gAfAmMHVaJ7lxjonSCyQcjxKOZkkU44fmnNPwj2T-PFkoFEx7pzD4ft-clBMOTgH8qGGsX4JbLe4gGO1O1EhKGvxfMX2TG9Sgt7kbwBecVELlNoNUoGXlS7Ey1l/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/AVvXsEg05BWFckHhRdqVZJoH6gAfAmMHVaJ7lxjonSCyQcjxKOZkkU44fmnNPwj2T-PFkoFEx7pzD4ft-clBMOTgH8qGGsX4JbLe4gGO1O1EhKGvxfMX2TG9Sgt7kbwBecVELlNoNUoGXlS7Ey1l/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/AVvXsEiAcc5mX3563MHGBP88ZZOqrJgsHbKDOPX0aYx2en5AxRBcasVROt9kgzHAA_kA7XRcCiDYcMIEsLg26MXutlSl98VKbUdUypBA_E_DJY2TDpgbQlnZR1l_Z2SFAdFWO46T9vAQnSXRGyxe/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/AVvXsEiAcc5mX3563MHGBP88ZZOqrJgsHbKDOPX0aYx2en5AxRBcasVROt9kgzHAA_kA7XRcCiDYcMIEsLg26MXutlSl98VKbUdUypBA_E_DJY2TDpgbQlnZR1l_Z2SFAdFWO46T9vAQnSXRGyxe/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/AVvXsEi6LC1N0HAi6TyJTN9-yxbJnMpCoB6FVLZuNaGCBDwVUdhzs8y7RXbXxrkYk_uOKkevfdTYhvk23_w2FuWJBb5NBVnrNk2R5IR3ZJ7tXb_gJgeRX9VX7BoGHIJfPG0x6eceU9kOOfuXTDWK/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/AVvXsEi6LC1N0HAi6TyJTN9-yxbJnMpCoB6FVLZuNaGCBDwVUdhzs8y7RXbXxrkYk_uOKkevfdTYhvk23_w2FuWJBb5NBVnrNk2R5IR3ZJ7tXb_gJgeRX9VX7BoGHIJfPG0x6eceU9kOOfuXTDWK/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...

Read more »

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/AVvXsEgMS7eLW7FVdEYqjsj8fCpQ2Ich7ousBsY5hOqfjU1j_x-Ru4-uDPMgMxFXfVqbUlzCw2QFMb3RdzAMd-VfyGMZwyNZyzn7RI0NDeBmgxAEI6OQFZuvnbwOJAscjsSe0FXGNtyUen84rOmF/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/AVvXsEgMS7eLW7FVdEYqjsj8fCpQ2Ich7ousBsY5hOqfjU1j_x-Ru4-uDPMgMxFXfVqbUlzCw2QFMb3RdzAMd-VfyGMZwyNZyzn7RI0NDeBmgxAEI6OQFZuvnbwOJAscjsSe0FXGNtyUen84rOmF/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/AVvXsEgYb65bsbLoLRg-C-LeFqDp5SnkB6AgldwOJnfTBhJJ_zMCnEsGDstzKMoOU-2Q7vom3J4wnHqKaRpkkfMlPdavkJs39QOMExwPJ-v3lfxssjK1ngpuVgHFg1qyffJgfwMVWiPDBVizoAeS/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/AVvXsEgYb65bsbLoLRg-C-LeFqDp5SnkB6AgldwOJnfTBhJJ_zMCnEsGDstzKMoOU-2Q7vom3J4wnHqKaRpkkfMlPdavkJs39QOMExwPJ-v3lfxssjK1ngpuVgHFg1qyffJgfwMVWiPDBVizoAeS/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/AVvXsEhzIL4U3AdLRygZ23hT3j2I14VHN7XJ-2k1GUrdafevFK2UkA6rIn4XlIo4760VZEZiYPhlK1Eg1gX1VVzBfsNWQQVavcErNtRYwoF_gO6NadCyTr8Y4_WFDbRpkVzPVxtzXagPNbPTAmP7/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/AVvXsEhzIL4U3AdLRygZ23hT3j2I14VHN7XJ-2k1GUrdafevFK2UkA6rIn4XlIo4760VZEZiYPhlK1Eg1gX1VVzBfsNWQQVavcErNtRYwoF_gO6NadCyTr8Y4_WFDbRpkVzPVxtzXagPNbPTAmP7/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/AVvXsEgJGLPFv78B7IItC1NQWViMJxcVkCEomcpHyimBwdcyqDRHY-FOPdMVb6NY60BmOzaU-tTaIxaYzxz101zfDnKn5Nkf6xNiYBrYbSxxMLt8J9U9O9CE8vnInTfe6ORAWHVKgYl3_T4-Gjs1/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/AVvXsEgJGLPFv78B7IItC1NQWViMJxcVkCEomcpHyimBwdcyqDRHY-FOPdMVb6NY60BmOzaU-tTaIxaYzxz101zfDnKn5Nkf6xNiYBrYbSxxMLt8J9U9O9CE8vnInTfe6ORAWHVKgYl3_T4-Gjs1/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/AVvXsEhgaApb_Kgh0sVrKjVb-Vx0ijfOmQiPJKF2WqdaGo_qsj9ps1UW8p0GCtx0CVbuKZzOLnS_aQTVZpGij_wk7OX-lt4z-Vi7u_8txkpUVTcTSpFXz5vWZw194Ijwn2w5EcH6YLuDqE0UJYeG/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/AVvXsEhgaApb_Kgh0sVrKjVb-Vx0ijfOmQiPJKF2WqdaGo_qsj9ps1UW8p0GCtx0CVbuKZzOLnS_aQTVZpGij_wk7OX-lt4z-Vi7u_8txkpUVTcTSpFXz5vWZw194Ijwn2w5EcH6YLuDqE0UJYeG/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/AVvXsEjDRxRraxh9dvJbPfd1p_4u7xyNQHWADzb71uFbEiISRKE9iTZjsVNXafYvk1lVcKWJDlspXst_2lADx-BE9SgoGf-LrSNQ2NCYD3E7lwHIAR2FLUNJzRXzO_WnAUaff1-3Hz28CACRXHnP/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/AVvXsEjDRxRraxh9dvJbPfd1p_4u7xyNQHWADzb71uFbEiISRKE9iTZjsVNXafYvk1lVcKWJDlspXst_2lADx-BE9SgoGf-LrSNQ2NCYD3E7lwHIAR2FLUNJzRXzO_WnAUaff1-3Hz28CACRXHnP/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/AVvXsEhmkVeMVkWueNicE3BFFW1Oouf55EE9XUFpaAp4Oq1Tp0RV6m-Pnd8qXOWFeFV9vMQmMQB1i_M596OqjMDWbMW2ruvVuQlFxHyZHEzA8B8wrZiEzgL5THiK58Y5Ziz0gr6xZbI8uPUBoCt5/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/AVvXsEhmkVeMVkWueNicE3BFFW1Oouf55EE9XUFpaAp4Oq1Tp0RV6m-Pnd8qXOWFeFV9vMQmMQB1i_M596OqjMDWbMW2ruvVuQlFxHyZHEzA8B8wrZiEzgL5THiK58Y5Ziz0gr6xZbI8uPUBoCt5/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/AVvXsEgMS7eLW7FVdEYqjsj8fCpQ2Ich7ousBsY5hOqfjU1j_x-Ru4-uDPMgMxFXfVqbUlzCw2QFMb3RdzAMd-VfyGMZwyNZyzn7RI0NDeBmgxAEI6OQFZuvnbwOJAscjsSe0FXGNtyUen84rOmF/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/AVvXsEgMS7eLW7FVdEYqjsj8fCpQ2Ich7ousBsY5hOqfjU1j_x-Ru4-uDPMgMxFXfVqbUlzCw2QFMb3RdzAMd-VfyGMZwyNZyzn7RI0NDeBmgxAEI6OQFZuvnbwOJAscjsSe0FXGNtyUen84rOmF/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}...

Read more »