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...

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going home...from the countryside to the beach...

<b><br /></b><br /><b>after almost four incredible years in the English countryside</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>we're going home my friends...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />the emotions are running wild...<br /><br />our hearts are soaring & then stopping...<br /><br />our family together...the experiences so precious...<br /><br />the love for two countries so heartfelt...<br /><br /><b>the time is right...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>it just feels...<i>right</i>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i know i'll get on that plane shedding bucket loads of tears...<br /><br />i know that i'll have every emotion under the sun between <i>now</i> &<i> then</i>...<br /><br />BUT...<br /><br />i also know we wouldn't change a moment of <i>these emotions... </i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>they're all evidence that what we have done, has been so perfectly right for our family...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><b>it just feels right...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />there's so much to share here...<br /><br />i hope you'll be with me here...<i>for my daily fix</i>...<br /><br />& <i>for our friendship </i>all the way home...from this gorgeous english countryside to the beautiful beaches<br /><br />of australia...<br /><br />we've a long haul ahead of us...<br /><br />moving five people 15,000 miles across the world, with almost four years of life under one's roof<br /><br />is not a simple task...<br /><br />but we're serious list tickers...we're feeling good...<br /><br /><b>our focus...as always...is that the kiddos are happy...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>that our family is together...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>that we are doing </b><b>this together...tied up with a lot of love...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>wish us luck...& so happy you are with me on this journey <i>home</i>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>xxx</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>PS- & to my BB {british bestie} -blessed friendship every day no matter where we are...</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/AVvXsEhB8E7pYSOCQv-uEAqbBbJZdhcRU_3uudboE6z0SXmFyeHL7xRxoV1_ivByOscdDsvO8kMGIHeiDxX4v9ohXKE2h-WMR_yPsr8QiWfwI9K4UwXbtYnRpluFI40x_nPDhEy4AozwMWiwbAUL/s1600/home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8E7pYSOCQv-uEAqbBbJZdhcRU_3uudboE6z0SXmFyeHL7xRxoV1_ivByOscdDsvO8kMGIHeiDxX4v9ohXKE2h-WMR_yPsr8QiWfwI9K4UwXbtYnRpluFI40x_nPDhEy4AozwMWiwbAUL/s640/home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">all these images are from our beach life at home</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sigh</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; 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;">xox</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;"><br /></span></div><i><br /></i>

going home...from the countryside to the beach...

after almost four incredible years in the English countryside we're going home my friends... the emotions are running wild... our hearts...

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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/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}...

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re-discovering our beach life...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>morning lovelies...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>i can't tell you how much your messages yesterday made me smile...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ok...there were a few tears in there too...well maybe more than a few...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i feel like i've fallen back into the open arms of dear bloggy friends...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">without judgement...question...comment...just friendship & support...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i write here for myself...to recognise my thoughts...to record our times as a family living abroad...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BUT...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">you all have been the most delightful, blessed, wonderful extra to this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i truly can't tell you how much all your words mean to me...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">& i value these on-line friendships more than you could know...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">from Ritchie & I thankyou for recognising this friendship with your thoughts here...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>returning home to the beaches of beautiful sydney was like a hug...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it's what i know...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it's where we are from...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it's the beginning of our kiddos...our little family...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">so many memories came flooding back...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it was a blessing to be there, to be hit with the salty smell of the surf...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it was lovely to return to the beach boardwalk where i have pushed three beautiful babies in prams endlessly over the years...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">to see sydney in winter at it's best...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>yep...guys this is winter!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>does it get any better!!??</b></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/AVvXsEiXhpvzvw1l120zKcHkV1GFOQMhiGv1b_zem_GgfMcODV8lSOs2txRryaG0MFncWzhKndM4P8DzbnuAm8H2cI0smV9LuBQbaG1Fbs9fKqyJFy87_0itPB_soGyH8aWtdfd9vG5CIkGY1bl6/s1600/manly1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhpvzvw1l120zKcHkV1GFOQMhiGv1b_zem_GgfMcODV8lSOs2txRryaG0MFncWzhKndM4P8DzbnuAm8H2cI0smV9LuBQbaG1Fbs9fKqyJFy87_0itPB_soGyH8aWtdfd9vG5CIkGY1bl6/s640/manly1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>the hours we slipped away & spent re-discovering our beach life was lovely...</b><br />we all fell in love with sandy feet & salty skin all over again...<br />of course, three years in the english countryside has toughened our crew up to deal with the cold in a way that most Manly locals wouldn't understand...<br />we didn't...<br />but once you've swam in Scotland in spring...this is a piece of gorgeous cake!<br />so...in they all went...<br />no wetties...just boardies & bikinis...<br />their uncle wore a full length steamer...piker...<br />he needs to be thrown off a wharf in Scotland!<br />as i said...guys...<b>this is winter</b>...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPxLdJVbvwU_-GLr_0QJTCbLS-rp3M0QG0tU3YyYCJI7dGWfepte-yHr_t8-FpudhxFs5E2qhoyGS971G1gMEDYa7zhIcHa_U06NY9P7LPlqblkz1C6yWUVX3QenEA2ODbIe0kR5JaE2C/s1600/manly2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPxLdJVbvwU_-GLr_0QJTCbLS-rp3M0QG0tU3YyYCJI7dGWfepte-yHr_t8-FpudhxFs5E2qhoyGS971G1gMEDYa7zhIcHa_U06NY9P7LPlqblkz1C6yWUVX3QenEA2ODbIe0kR5JaE2C/s640/manly2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>so...sydney was a time to re-connect with family...</b><br /><b>with memories...</b><br />with favourite *moments* of our other life...<br />our beach life...<br />hibiscus...<br />sydney buildings...<br />salty air...<br />good coffee...<br />life on the other side of the planet...<br />the life that makes up the other part of us...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt-xSyArI504wbBoLUBFje-w678OzPHA3N47wGZLZRjI142dbfvIid_jPzCTT_lsmhvJhm8q0aJ1B6lYnvan496Nf82OWEhA_w9oxhbZ7hBRExR3DjJx8PGYdtTYZMwVHkilFCODgffvW/s1600/manly3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt-xSyArI504wbBoLUBFje-w678OzPHA3N47wGZLZRjI142dbfvIid_jPzCTT_lsmhvJhm8q0aJ1B6lYnvan496Nf82OWEhA_w9oxhbZ7hBRExR3DjJx8PGYdtTYZMwVHkilFCODgffvW/s640/manly3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQPc4x7UaYs6d-i70BiEEJIsEUHwchUivusoNCzHX1HzcbDaEWkuuC0nN2yhnwf0PO7M0hM18J_LZa0VC2XcEWfyAaRfH_0HaVA5IuaSqyaJ7w29drmQQp_8J3_TMScFc0Z7s_vhgf-Zw/s1600/manly4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQPc4x7UaYs6d-i70BiEEJIsEUHwchUivusoNCzHX1HzcbDaEWkuuC0nN2yhnwf0PO7M0hM18J_LZa0VC2XcEWfyAaRfH_0HaVA5IuaSqyaJ7w29drmQQp_8J3_TMScFc0Z7s_vhgf-Zw/s640/manly4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">it feels really good, really *right*,  to be back here writing again</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">i was struggling with the *reasons* for blogging after such an emotional difficult few weeks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">but your thoughts & words have me back on track</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">i need you guys</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">you make me smile</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">thanks for still being there for me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">xox</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">melissa </span></div>

re-discovering our beach life...

morning lovelies... i can't tell you how much your messages yesterday made me smile... ok...there were a few tears in there too...well m...

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