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...

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virtual coffee- i love you bloggy gals...

<b>if i could just reach out & hug all of you i would...</b><br /><br /><b>thank you for being so *there* for me when i shared our news <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/going-homex.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">{yesterday}</span> </a></b><br /><br /><b>i've bought you a coffee...an amaretto coffee no less for being just so wonderful & </b><br /><br /><b>supportive...</b><br /><br /><b> </b><br />a christmas coffee for you full of blog love & a good shot of italian amaretti...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/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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virtual coffee at my local food market...

<b>mooorning- ready for a virtual coffee...autumn style....vintage china...crisp air...chippy chairs...?</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>welcome to our little part of the english countryside...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>let's have a little wander with our coffee's today...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0tGKmpZidCGlNHNiHuShNuIwee2ZbU4fzfVqkyhW4HwWyz2A6TT1Em0DYQSjdJSpaMAh5uBWIjhYHGKrEMB_70Npf4ZAFm4tPRhG20Z0Bjy1ZtH2Jpe5CaCGgLBMGLwQX_voafyENqP3/s1600/marketvc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0tGKmpZidCGlNHNiHuShNuIwee2ZbU4fzfVqkyhW4HwWyz2A6TT1Em0DYQSjdJSpaMAh5uBWIjhYHGKrEMB_70Npf4ZAFm4tPRhG20Z0Bjy1ZtH2Jpe5CaCGgLBMGLwQX_voafyENqP3/s640/marketvc1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br />a market wander - you know that little local produce market i keep mentioning - well i think you should<br /><br />grab your hat & scarf & come take a lookie for yourselves...<br /><br />it's officially winter- we've had our first proper frost across the school playground, on car windows<br /><br />& the garden this week...i think it's pretty & signifies the seasons are changing yet again...<br /><br />so...with winter here, i don't want you to miss our local monthly market before it get's to cold...<br /><br />you gals from <b>*down under*</b> won't want to see it in a week when you're back at the beach every day!<br /><br /><b>come on...this is one of my fave bits...the cheese stall...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IPsxBtA1gZPxSkM9RY8LYHRPVinIOwyY3F0aVIWV9LxyCM5cMpe7QMCuGYL7nfEl9q_Cn5C9yJhl5-yUm7HARUP-9x0u0xc57Is0ggXhOhNRWWrgcBH-BuqsaMoYkT3L_Og9_uwxJP6g/s1600/marketvc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IPsxBtA1gZPxSkM9RY8LYHRPVinIOwyY3F0aVIWV9LxyCM5cMpe7QMCuGYL7nfEl9q_Cn5C9yJhl5-yUm7HARUP-9x0u0xc57Is0ggXhOhNRWWrgcBH-BuqsaMoYkT3L_Og9_uwxJP6g/s640/marketvc3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br />the produce here is gorgeous...you can pretty much taste test the entire haul here- the guys who run it<br /><br />are lovely...they know their stuff...& i can never come away empty handed...<br /><br />they still wrap butter the old way- <b>in paper</b>...<b>local farm butter in paper</b>...<br /><br />heaven for an aussie beach girl who'd only ever bought her butter in plastic containers till moving<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>*up here*</b>...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWX6t6XEmQAP7ohZoVRlWewtXpi93tlRSVihegHu6oUxnMlLVYi2yjLvtP8Nb98V3w-FCIKdvCDLTnEwXbiwX-Q6ohdtfvq_MrbnLLbXgxBULU-6lD63BN9vnxFmlUEx2aEt2cnZLgTD3P/s1600/marketvc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWX6t6XEmQAP7ohZoVRlWewtXpi93tlRSVihegHu6oUxnMlLVYi2yjLvtP8Nb98V3w-FCIKdvCDLTnEwXbiwX-Q6ohdtfvq_MrbnLLbXgxBULU-6lD63BN9vnxFmlUEx2aEt2cnZLgTD3P/s640/marketvc2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>if we were really having a coffee & a market wander this morning...i'd probably ask you </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>where </b><b>you are heading back to...as the goodies at this stall are going to tip your luggage quota </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>over just a </b><b>leeetle...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />this is the stall where i <strike>lunged upon</strike> found<b> <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/10/coastal-farming-inspireda-beach-gal.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">{this}</span></a> hessian farm sack... </b>& <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/08/vintage-potato-basket-love-my-thrift.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">{these}</span></a> <b>vintage </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>potato baskets</b>...<br /><b><br /></b><br />it is an ever changing inspiring little stall that i could pretty much buy from every month...<br /><br />perfect for <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/10/coastal-farming-inspireda-beach-gal.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">{coastal farming}</span></a> inspiration...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4UXHGhgskotVyT6Gw9e2MKlm66djX-VnqhlJOK1n7UWowjtjRE1-3dI__5pHjX2st9_kG6Xq-TpqzuSWdQWe7i1XYF20iJzifyKkbmwio5F00EAQYSWF4KytdOQGvu8vipqcPWklGebH/s1600/marketvc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4UXHGhgskotVyT6Gw9e2MKlm66djX-VnqhlJOK1n7UWowjtjRE1-3dI__5pHjX2st9_kG6Xq-TpqzuSWdQWe7i1XYF20iJzifyKkbmwio5F00EAQYSWF4KytdOQGvu8vipqcPWklGebH/s640/marketvc4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>now...if we were really rugged up, arms linked, wandering round our village square i would buy </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>you an old oar...some quail eggs...some local meat...& lend you my hunter wellies...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i would want you to know for a day- what it's like for a beach reared gal from Australia, to wander up<br /><br />the road in her village, to a local produce market & to shop for her family...<br /><br /><b>it's not too bad is it....!?</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />so i'm going to leave you to keep wandering...i'm going home to put on a casserole...& to find you<br /><br />another case for all your excess luggage...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0tGKmpZidCGlNHNiHuShNuIwee2ZbU4fzfVqkyhW4HwWyz2A6TT1Em0DYQSjdJSpaMAh5uBWIjhYHGKrEMB_70Npf4ZAFm4tPRhG20Z0Bjy1ZtH2Jpe5CaCGgLBMGLwQX_voafyENqP3/s1600/marketvc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0tGKmpZidCGlNHNiHuShNuIwee2ZbU4fzfVqkyhW4HwWyz2A6TT1Em0DYQSjdJSpaMAh5uBWIjhYHGKrEMB_70Npf4ZAFm4tPRhG20Z0Bjy1ZtH2Jpe5CaCGgLBMGLwQX_voafyENqP3/s640/marketvc1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">...thanks for dropping by....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">&</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sharing a coffee round my little part of the globe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">happy tuesday</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">xxx</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">there's some more coffee's & gossip to be shared </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-coffee.html">{here with the lovely miss.amy}</a></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">& some reflecting on the good life </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/2011/11/beach-cottage-vintage-door-good-life-weds-does-spring.html">{here with the inspiring beach loving miss.sarah}</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b>

virtual coffee at my local food market...

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

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a virtual coffee -& loving christmas...

<b>morning everyone...& welcome to all those lovely new people who have just jumped in here...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i think it's time for a <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/10/virtual-coffee_31.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{virtual coffee}</span></a>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />for those who've not had a virtual coffee round at mine before...it is pretty lovely if i may say so myself...<br /><br />i always let you have my gorgeous faded old pink chair...if the fire's on...you're in front of it...<br /><br />yep...<i>you always</i> get prime posie here...<br /><br />mostly tea...sometimes coffee & on the rare night *virtual coffee* becomes a *virtual vino*...all very<br /><br />civilised & lovely i assure you ;)...you get the <i>biggest </i>glass...<br /><br />so...<b>welcome to my home</b>...i love having you here today because one of my gorgeous blogging<br /><br /><a href="http://mrsainthecove.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{friends}</span></a> has asked me to talk about some christmas thoughts...memories...things you may not have<br /><br />heard me *prattle on* about here before...<br /><br />i can <b>prattle</b> believe me... :)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/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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a virtual coffee in the english playroom...

<b>morning sweet bloggy friends..time for a virtual coffee....?!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />it has been too long since the last...<br /><br />summer kept me outdoors...travelling...kiddo organising...thinking...creating...<br />so it's now time to take stock of what is a new school year here in ol'Blighty...& to share with you a long awaited virtual coffee....<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvz8A0rsVsyIsbsNPFMl_2dY6S7USgCqAR3iiupAwMD4EVB8Wo0BqvTKLrEO1TU7mtWgxst2MXwou_FMxpKM8bXXNNizXr-Z0bZ91bbihixINWTqITV-j6tZnYaufqLgoVw_Up-4jtWhc/s1600/playroom11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvz8A0rsVsyIsbsNPFMl_2dY6S7USgCqAR3iiupAwMD4EVB8Wo0BqvTKLrEO1TU7mtWgxst2MXwou_FMxpKM8bXXNNizXr-Z0bZ91bbihixINWTqITV-j6tZnYaufqLgoVw_Up-4jtWhc/s640/playroom11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><b>i've been struck with the spring cleaning bug...so grab your coffee & head with me, if you will, to the kiddos domain...the playroom...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />not the season to clear out...i realise...but for me, having grown up <i><b>down under</b></i> where the start of a new school year is january...clearing out is what i do when they all go back to school!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEhBTOBssM5xgw6-IKKWMWA6PzYCdC_u4dGBtLMMah3nez55NCMkSGEqu_e3nxtBxYjpONdthUcQ5IkhxZYqvBx01gxwnH_ICgY3b0AXQ9j4c7_QcbE_7iFEONsFrgIzGbZXfA6p6K6Xo/s1600/playroom8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEhBTOBssM5xgw6-IKKWMWA6PzYCdC_u4dGBtLMMah3nez55NCMkSGEqu_e3nxtBxYjpONdthUcQ5IkhxZYqvBx01gxwnH_ICgY3b0AXQ9j4c7_QcbE_7iFEONsFrgIzGbZXfA6p6K6Xo/s640/playroom8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">(a gorgeous gift from the lovely </span><a href="http://lonadeanna.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966;">anna</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> to our little vegemites)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />i'm starting a fresh new school year with organised cupboards...clear under beds & a full re-cycling bin...<br />just as i would in january living on the beaches back home...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_0CD_H19w3PxyFhZ4VyPV-qzPbUCJf93XnDGLueKPEKRij5yqFjtaMwWLtThOsqJmgh2gFq0qabFRIziosy7aUuGleZmC8zKtCUeAUmTo5f8m1BIuatd2God1Fj50PvSMYimjBuQYIbe/s1600/playroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_0CD_H19w3PxyFhZ4VyPV-qzPbUCJf93XnDGLueKPEKRij5yqFjtaMwWLtThOsqJmgh2gFq0qabFRIziosy7aUuGleZmC8zKtCUeAUmTo5f8m1BIuatd2God1Fj50PvSMYimjBuQYIbe/s640/playroom1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>you can sit in the sunny bay window whilst i tell you about this playroom...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />when we first moved from our sandy-toed life in sydney, to our *horse-riding-football-mad-milk-from-the-local-farm-country-inspired-life* here in ol'Blighty...i had my check list in hand...<br /><br />my own personal *what-i-want-english-house* check list...<br />&<br />right up at the top was a <i>playroom...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7AWdq5_f8omchkqU_d2Bl5lfGpmUYJciSJ5U6_en3HplUiWPjRJPMIiYPpjzLFb7o67l5ztBn55-cHvNA2S24Niu1Y1SVh64igQVekcXfGd0JExsjK0D0IDJXbboCV8c01f8fX-V88tm/s1600/playroom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7AWdq5_f8omchkqU_d2Bl5lfGpmUYJciSJ5U6_en3HplUiWPjRJPMIiYPpjzLFb7o67l5ztBn55-cHvNA2S24Niu1Y1SVh64igQVekcXfGd0JExsjK0D0IDJXbboCV8c01f8fX-V88tm/s640/playroom4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br /></i><br /><br />not a rumpus room- as friends had had in australia when we were growing up...<br />not a family room- where the toys were dumped & everyone ate round a coffee table...<br /><br />i wanted a real <i>mary poppins</i> playroom...where the kids had their games...the girls had their doll houses...& there was a drawing desk...<br /><br />a playroom where they all snuggled down in winter to watch movies...<br />& where in summer, we opened the windows & let the air in...<br />& where kids could climb in & out from to the garden with their friends...<br /><br />so when we looked at big old english houses...i just held my breath for a playroom...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoThE7slqgvZVzNLCY_Ljea9BDwdj-T4aKihWM2idNuq8EOnaMsjQQJrItmqdDwnLMq5aPx1My1xivUyGSkmYWCt_mAeZ5LZpG360fgm80m4iI4S88s4eZ8xjSG0GK-tyQo_jjscQLfBWg/s1600/playroom7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoThE7slqgvZVzNLCY_Ljea9BDwdj-T4aKihWM2idNuq8EOnaMsjQQJrItmqdDwnLMq5aPx1My1xivUyGSkmYWCt_mAeZ5LZpG360fgm80m4iI4S88s4eZ8xjSG0GK-tyQo_jjscQLfBWg/s640/playroom7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />& we found...on the edge of our little market town...a perfect playroom...with a bay window...& high ceilings & lotsa light...<br /><br />aussie kids need a lot of light & a lot of space...suddenly our outdoor life was about to become indoors and this playroom was the perfect <i>mary poppins </i>inspired answer...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe3tpdL6b9KuGEc0VCUx5jB9RuJ3swiD96bOmrsvTKz_qo756N9iERODtlvbMYgXJKQusjrqURpqv2vG5gDuKGr_Q_jsoYDhdZj50_4X7s3CnS-GdRkByktoVh65B3UiZpqE0NoW8-lEc/s1600/playroom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe3tpdL6b9KuGEc0VCUx5jB9RuJ3swiD96bOmrsvTKz_qo756N9iERODtlvbMYgXJKQusjrqURpqv2vG5gDuKGr_Q_jsoYDhdZj50_4X7s3CnS-GdRkByktoVh65B3UiZpqE0NoW8-lEc/s640/playroom2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so for three & a half years we have lived in...& so loved this playroom...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />but just because i wanted it so desperately didn't mean it was my space...<br />chippy was not high on the kids list of decorating...<br />nor was a sense of calm white or jugs of flowers...<br /><br />this playroom was for kids...& toys & colour & dancing & wii & karaoke & lotsa fun...<br />so we met half way via<i><b> ikea</b></i> & some very special vintage car-boot, thrifted finds...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI-Hh87T4TA-FNstI42NU_gwNoB5w8IUeD_wSORVvuv1mF8E1G9KVrffFaFpPXcI_hb3aMP_xozEKc9pkfUWClJKKYVI2tBYe6mECdyq-HulA_Cp9nmyZrA69iR7_2PY5OktOdcMh40wU/s1600/playroom6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI-Hh87T4TA-FNstI42NU_gwNoB5w8IUeD_wSORVvuv1mF8E1G9KVrffFaFpPXcI_hb3aMP_xozEKc9pkfUWClJKKYVI2tBYe6mECdyq-HulA_Cp9nmyZrA69iR7_2PY5OktOdcMh40wU/s640/playroom6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i</b><b> must admit...i don't usually share a coffee in here...it's only cause i'm on this cleaning thing that i'm giving you the bay window seat...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />you've not had to side step any little animals living in castles...leggo scooter sets...i-pods...art supplies...drink bottles...tents...cubby houses, sweet rappers or soccer boots...<br /><br />the floor is clear...<br />the kids are at school...<br /><br />come 4 o'clock & i'm back on my chair in the sitting room...<br />pretending the floor hasn't been covered in up-ended baskets of <s>kid crapola</s> special bits...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yedftOStblQ30nB9kEKAHdX_HVp0jTEATM2D8ZulDi5rB1MiTBWitf-RxbpUv65BNsJYFVDoAetDmw2QBYL2T1nAXQ6oyYemSF2HmsrRY-7Jtkqf09rqTRkqjloEMkjmo4OUV5RTLpSb/s1600/playroom9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yedftOStblQ30nB9kEKAHdX_HVp0jTEATM2D8ZulDi5rB1MiTBWitf-RxbpUv65BNsJYFVDoAetDmw2QBYL2T1nAXQ6oyYemSF2HmsrRY-7Jtkqf09rqTRkqjloEMkjmo4OUV5RTLpSb/s640/playroom9.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so...if we were really having a coffee today...i would ask you if you've ever dreamed of a real life mary poppins playroom....</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i'm not into the singing birds...or the ordered shelves...or the links to a world of children seen but not heard that a playroom used to represent...<br /><br />but i do love me a space to hold all the kid stuff...<br /><br />everyone always harps on about the long nights, the broken sleep and the constancy of having and rearing kids...<br /><br />i just wish someone had told me about all the <b><i>stuff<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">!</span></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA48t_-T8o5Utg66n5eOWqt0NVkIaLzG4ejl92cBLrZizVk0fhWnPYYwCaqVbi3pWwAe9mNAFj6kpaBXWiVqmdMoSbHudmCgjikkWOgSPrPGQuyuiunAsUcSaRzHfVRsa-U0_qd4ftczJH/s1600/playroom15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA48t_-T8o5Utg66n5eOWqt0NVkIaLzG4ejl92cBLrZizVk0fhWnPYYwCaqVbi3pWwAe9mNAFj6kpaBXWiVqmdMoSbHudmCgjikkWOgSPrPGQuyuiunAsUcSaRzHfVRsa-U0_qd4ftczJH/s640/playroom15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">(the daunting after-summer-before-cleaning-out-very-used-playroom!)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">so...coffee drunk...playroom seen...i'm either pushing you back out into the wind with a bag of pre-loved toys under your arm...or you're coming with me to attack my sewing room & office space...</span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></b><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">totally up to you...</span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">but from here on in...it's pots of tea...garbage bags...a ruthless edge to the day...perhaps a little cursing thrown in for good measure and a promised sense of satisfaction at the end of the day...</span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgW6x5Bnd3X1gPoyF5vRY-cOE30fMGwcGzbrwx9gW23c1yDJnZOanfA1s9PU5B7LO7FdrFbOJKE9cViesPdEfV_YgXHpNWc-6SxVwgmAzHh1IftBzp7c93DFghkD9-STJsT_bcy2PdJNFC/s1600/playroom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgW6x5Bnd3X1gPoyF5vRY-cOE30fMGwcGzbrwx9gW23c1yDJnZOanfA1s9PU5B7LO7FdrFbOJKE9cViesPdEfV_YgXHpNWc-6SxVwgmAzHh1IftBzp7c93DFghkD9-STJsT_bcy2PdJNFC/s640/playroom3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">let me know if you're in...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">&</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">you can still take the bag of toys...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">&</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">we may even find you something special in the sewing pile...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">tempting i'm sure ;)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">~~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">yep...i thought you'd be away...thanks for the coffee...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b>(there's more coffees to share <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/09/virtual-coffee.html">here</a> with my sweeeeeet friend amy)</b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgGa6sr3D913Q9M2OhgQXYyg3aySMMZSzvWlCHhZxjUyGWxh-KR5vPZXwMAdBED6IW50b3Dg4evpWTKv8GPASoDAtI0sSG-uslwaSVdZSFgwseeIUsl_LKIez5HaFa92vBUF5ROqz33qE/s1600/playroom10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgGa6sr3D913Q9M2OhgQXYyg3aySMMZSzvWlCHhZxjUyGWxh-KR5vPZXwMAdBED6IW50b3Dg4evpWTKv8GPASoDAtI0sSG-uslwaSVdZSFgwseeIUsl_LKIez5HaFa92vBUF5ROqz33qE/s640/playroom10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWBptiDsBuTTvsIfY98_SmK960r9ORDgVkI7xjCioXVJGkdxlNWi_vGyWAqAWYOpFr0B74jhzprsIVrpKCQE7sIXjPVITCVC9g5zliTrocKe6fdESforBqL0hLzrMVTua_5cjUSHPfxHb/s1600/playroom11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWBptiDsBuTTvsIfY98_SmK960r9ORDgVkI7xjCioXVJGkdxlNWi_vGyWAqAWYOpFr0B74jhzprsIVrpKCQE7sIXjPVITCVC9g5zliTrocKe6fdESforBqL0hLzrMVTua_5cjUSHPfxHb/s640/playroom11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(disco ball + world globe + vintage map + doilie bunting = playroom heaven!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b>

a virtual coffee in the english playroom...

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

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a virtual coffee in france....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>g'day....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>i know this is a coffee catchup...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but the sun is out & i'm wishing we were in a little french town i looove...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">not for coffee...but for the afternoon...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">lunching on mussels...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sharing a bottle of french wine...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">legs in the sun...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sandals kicked to one side...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>want to join me?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>we can do coffee's later as we head towards the beach...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8XOv6P5nPH6PqiZoUl4XZhAJMEbF7S7Su69bs8una7YSNMo52j2Pm5eXab9PgJE6a6BNvv5cOQwipAuaWM1PXifmM8OzQ5lBIwNupvZEOr6uYRHK4tgvofszo3lBWEpvUFwW1QRK-cP_/s1600/castle6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8XOv6P5nPH6PqiZoUl4XZhAJMEbF7S7Su69bs8una7YSNMo52j2Pm5eXab9PgJE6a6BNvv5cOQwipAuaWM1PXifmM8OzQ5lBIwNupvZEOr6uYRHK4tgvofszo3lBWEpvUFwW1QRK-cP_/s640/castle6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>so...it's virtual french dining in a humble seaside cafe today...</b><br /><b>sounds like heaven non!</b><br />drink up...slurp up that mussel broth & tell me how your week's been?<br />holidays at your end?<br />reading any great summer books?<br />i'm feeling a little more myself this week...<br />having the kiddos home constantly on the go is helping no doubt...<br />still...there are moments when i think i'd feel so much better just losing myself for a while in a french village....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P23HdjRiQsviI6yaDVitwuMQ1B1_SPnvbWKLST9ctwLA4qPWoIeWTbAtJW_4m4sQ044hWcAxZFV8n9r_jMBygbHqkoiqLxbVK0YZQZ5ZczlSnrAFrcaQSq_AiRXYO-koBlNwScpqIaTc/s1600/tag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P23HdjRiQsviI6yaDVitwuMQ1B1_SPnvbWKLST9ctwLA4qPWoIeWTbAtJW_4m4sQ044hWcAxZFV8n9r_jMBygbHqkoiqLxbVK0YZQZ5ZczlSnrAFrcaQSq_AiRXYO-koBlNwScpqIaTc/s640/tag1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><b>if we were really having a lunch together...speaking <s>broken school book</s> french...</b><br />i'd be wearing my new summer sandals...<br />they make me feel all from another time...<br />they make me want to sit ankles in the sun...pouring wine with friends...<br />funny how shoes bought in england on an overcast, muggy summers day can transport me to another climate...another place where we can just sit & ponder our day together...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHAEJXFonP4HkHNkC2SaHPgxw4B7lo7jeRB2pdgAJ5og_N9DnC-yGy0x4x8J3CIbeY6XwCgHvDTg9LW_LNc-dX87GfcfP80ULOzyyHftxqLqz357-YRy5lY5ePLh3VIKPpVCkuAdcPnEi/s1600/shoes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHAEJXFonP4HkHNkC2SaHPgxw4B7lo7jeRB2pdgAJ5og_N9DnC-yGy0x4x8J3CIbeY6XwCgHvDTg9LW_LNc-dX87GfcfP80ULOzyyHftxqLqz357-YRy5lY5ePLh3VIKPpVCkuAdcPnEi/s400/shoes1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><b>and then after we've had that gorgeous french pot of seafood, finished our vino & gathered the kids...</b><br />we'll be lovely *yes*mums...*oui oui mama's*...& buy the gang an icecream & head down to the beach with them all in tow...<br />happy days...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQlpOZA7S__Ez7wdS9MRA0BdndM3dvqrkjrdR4ZMw9B__tAEKl-8ElQt8-n8hMwxCbrSxxDTYMa1x6n7ZNBhKo9CwkpQhoOwm-aw5eG4vazO89uDL8N9B1M6Jr6zB9_ifXvmsfQW_vxJr/s1600/france.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQlpOZA7S__Ez7wdS9MRA0BdndM3dvqrkjrdR4ZMw9B__tAEKl-8ElQt8-n8hMwxCbrSxxDTYMa1x6n7ZNBhKo9CwkpQhoOwm-aw5eG4vazO89uDL8N9B1M6Jr6zB9_ifXvmsfQW_vxJr/s640/france.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>what do you think?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>let's take our virtual coffee's to a french beach together...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">let's just hang out & put our faces in the sun...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">plan our brocante hop for the afternoon...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">organise how we fill my people mover with french chippy chairs that the husbands will thank us for...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">a bbq always tastes better when sitting on chippy french garden chairs- <i>i promise!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-XGwALvPg05eieoz6Q2zZWdq6rwVwNLRzIbLbz1yCdj91-OgUWk1UjX87C16WLz94IJp_WPe64acWuqS-oWVCQSPbaM_ZCtQ4E-K8eFweMtw4FzVzJha95BFIsBG9EejRCoJoXteJLbW/s1600/fr+coffee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-XGwALvPg05eieoz6Q2zZWdq6rwVwNLRzIbLbz1yCdj91-OgUWk1UjX87C16WLz94IJp_WPe64acWuqS-oWVCQSPbaM_ZCtQ4E-K8eFweMtw4FzVzJha95BFIsBG9EejRCoJoXteJLbW/s640/fr+coffee1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>and then we could head out for a little french culture...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>you know give the kids something to tell their teachers about ;)....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">an old monastry...in a village...near the seaside in france...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sounds like heaven...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i'll collect you after i sort out the car...the kids...the washing...the cat...the husband...& the villa....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI8Erefl3-_fs3lQBaV1DXnAb2ntLQriqAaDxVKKxepJPEch0LjMtnyVg9Wigrq8iNl-jkPM7PY6JVzoxa_H0yAuH5nS24pfGGOCy04L2lONr1yHlKSeIESU6uieFaQQrhM1PH2cJHz9R/s1600/tpot8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI8Erefl3-_fs3lQBaV1DXnAb2ntLQriqAaDxVKKxepJPEch0LjMtnyVg9Wigrq8iNl-jkPM7PY6JVzoxa_H0yAuH5nS24pfGGOCy04L2lONr1yHlKSeIESU6uieFaQQrhM1PH2cJHz9R/s640/tpot8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">happy days people...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">very happy french chippy, legs-in-the-sun kinda day....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">what time will i swing past for you....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">xox</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">~~~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">check out some more nattering over coffees at amy's <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/08/virtual-coffee.html">*here*</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

a virtual coffee in france....

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

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

<b><i>it is a gorgeous day here in the english countryside...</i></b><br /><b><i>the kinda day that gets you *up & into* it all first thing in the morning...</i></b><br />the stock for a chorizo stew is smelling fab on the stove...<br />the washing is out flapping in the sunshine...<br />the kids are at school in hats & sunscreen {at last!}...<br />&<br />i've had a lovely morning taking & sorting sewing orders for the coming weeks...<br />perfect for me...<br /><i>have i mentioned how simple my life abroad is some days...</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvfkjP-3xCl4jCbhZpHnKxw93dA0nUlqqJnX4gB-YMiSMYLZ-vn_oZN7GNWEdmNx0yq2wnTIDzp1PB4V1xinRDIf7JfXzlG3W0o4_j6j_qVDrjtiy1krjo6levPKQEOH-n3hcx7PvnBMY/s1600/coffeechair3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvfkjP-3xCl4jCbhZpHnKxw93dA0nUlqqJnX4gB-YMiSMYLZ-vn_oZN7GNWEdmNx0yq2wnTIDzp1PB4V1xinRDIf7JfXzlG3W0o4_j6j_qVDrjtiy1krjo6levPKQEOH-n3hcx7PvnBMY/s640/coffeechair3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><b><i>so  today...for our virtual coffee catch-up...i'm popping you here...</i></b><br /><b><i>facing the sun...</i></b><br /><b><i>you get your face *in it*...</i></b><br />i'll keep an eye on the stock & pour us drinks...<br />i have a english tale of floats & a village *club day* that will make you want to hang out & enjoy some good old fashioned entertainment...british style...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXZYX4ifPyb0iPz5a9eKyHF-gyToqGldVaH8HzPJcIOzzGFUOjife5jJ_q-24vloWYR9_oMpr7r2BylIUNs-I1oSSj4fKrLVi5NWrethvyFhyphenhyphenGfpBbU1qmC2mZIwCEZXN734-iel_ctty/s1600/clubday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXZYX4ifPyb0iPz5a9eKyHF-gyToqGldVaH8HzPJcIOzzGFUOjife5jJ_q-24vloWYR9_oMpr7r2BylIUNs-I1oSSj4fKrLVi5NWrethvyFhyphenhyphenGfpBbU1qmC2mZIwCEZXN734-iel_ctty/s400/clubday1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><b><i>the kiddos love this day...</i></b><br /><b><i>once a year our village is closed to cars & we go as far as our front sidewalk to watch the parade go by...</i></b><br />i make a pile of banana muffins & mucho pots of tea...<br />& friends wander past & have one with us as they make their way through the village...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRxFEOemPyAjvvI_c-zTJkgNSEtT9tSbDJM0bxADjqJ8kJOIj0MMZAaDjerEqTJWDbKCcYMu0hntHHoTQVN7J-UWs831rwn96DjG5btF1Ltptav4YAPXuRTcAi7KJsBep0BKpmLPhRlRp/s1600/clubday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRxFEOemPyAjvvI_c-zTJkgNSEtT9tSbDJM0bxADjqJ8kJOIj0MMZAaDjerEqTJWDbKCcYMu0hntHHoTQVN7J-UWs831rwn96DjG5btF1Ltptav4YAPXuRTcAi7KJsBep0BKpmLPhRlRp/s640/clubday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><i>kids come & go...</i></b><br /><b><i>parents drop by...</i></b><br />& all the while these brilliant moments of english life- past & present go by our front door...<br /><i>err...yeah...how cool is that...past our front door...</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzP7DudNGApBQogJJwVj6Td7qedC7tW3oGkQLszh2oGDnS5_U8STF_mZLak6qAko-3codNjEK5D98dMrlsmbn8a4ua8Nli_jvyfWMRb3weQ900mtzACqnDdAD4xrc9yeB-qRwaqOGif-j/s1600/clubday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzP7DudNGApBQogJJwVj6Td7qedC7tW3oGkQLszh2oGDnS5_U8STF_mZLak6qAko-3codNjEK5D98dMrlsmbn8a4ua8Nli_jvyfWMRb3weQ900mtzACqnDdAD4xrc9yeB-qRwaqOGif-j/s640/clubday2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n2Ux1mnOZYyUf3qdTzRZLoyJhUtWPq7UIo4j_sKqwp8ZKgzEmEq4kGPceeq5reSaJMy3ItvOepFEJbMptbSoUvnDlwSJBPEwQU-ShHHWb6J3oU4LOZDeV5M2sk16IO5ewOM_z4ekNYvx/s1600/clubday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n2Ux1mnOZYyUf3qdTzRZLoyJhUtWPq7UIo4j_sKqwp8ZKgzEmEq4kGPceeq5reSaJMy3ItvOepFEJbMptbSoUvnDlwSJBPEwQU-ShHHWb6J3oU4LOZDeV5M2sk16IO5ewOM_z4ekNYvx/s640/clubday3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFWZrXsqClycyL6eLk0sTA9WWUbs43csrYetPxw4u8O9QkBmkUT8y7TxQ6SsES7rFQTlQG4idvvfEjzAEvbYXgh8P_80hxLsp__EX4H1OXOROMH5ep9MpqBz4zyhOfIX0UwG-QG033uyq/s1600/clubday4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFWZrXsqClycyL6eLk0sTA9WWUbs43csrYetPxw4u8O9QkBmkUT8y7TxQ6SsES7rFQTlQG4idvvfEjzAEvbYXgh8P_80hxLsp__EX4H1OXOROMH5ep9MpqBz4zyhOfIX0UwG-QG033uyq/s640/clubday4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBhBv1zY2Z32i40JRaJHMuKD65Iy9jqbX3WBxu007V06k2bnjX_5BMuoF4FkicAg4FkKiQJJXxbQa3-YAForcWBb-6RLC46RQV46C3TdZLy5zx6PyupjWIq-WrxolrtD8onzYh1xY0bmx/s1600/clubday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBhBv1zY2Z32i40JRaJHMuKD65Iy9jqbX3WBxu007V06k2bnjX_5BMuoF4FkicAg4FkKiQJJXxbQa3-YAForcWBb-6RLC46RQV46C3TdZLy5zx6PyupjWIq-WrxolrtD8onzYh1xY0bmx/s640/clubday5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oroITYR43gwcPVyakBKBtkcXLSZ7umdvi7f_FOP23fHKtQC0A8V__WpN1bjq4Lj0X2AGJq4o0uET9dSBAlf5Sk582xKqZbZOMCxIrm8Eqf9bji-XRJ3BRUd53g1bY8XuLUHrDqkyA5qz/s1600/clubday8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oroITYR43gwcPVyakBKBtkcXLSZ7umdvi7f_FOP23fHKtQC0A8V__WpN1bjq4Lj0X2AGJq4o0uET9dSBAlf5Sk582xKqZbZOMCxIrm8Eqf9bji-XRJ3BRUd53g1bY8XuLUHrDqkyA5qz/s640/clubday8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69slRvPS4yBaZSvLJeubHBGH6KazM-vHaWskjDEBf0RPrtFyg3y1gJwMAyd7N2G_LOgXowKrJ2Bz0SvBj1LMT6yjYKTuRY803men52JjDvjIV3Ean9abBCJn-WB9pvprANPzFcu6qLn9l/s1600/clubday10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69slRvPS4yBaZSvLJeubHBGH6KazM-vHaWskjDEBf0RPrtFyg3y1gJwMAyd7N2G_LOgXowKrJ2Bz0SvBj1LMT6yjYKTuRY803men52JjDvjIV3Ean9abBCJn-WB9pvprANPzFcu6qLn9l/s640/clubday10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">horse drawn carriages</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">rose queens</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">vintage vans</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">marching bands</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">giant puppets</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">&</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">dancers</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxFGWx8rwNO4Yb5Ab_CXDkfO769dx6VCChqN2u8vgNj5ZR9qoIYgsMwsay0-mqhMq_Wba4C5_dEq31NSW7MpVy0EzHUHbS319LRsefAK_tUglhgKCZbJ7t3JlBIe3DyS9rvPNrPXS5Dz_/s1600/clubday11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxFGWx8rwNO4Yb5Ab_CXDkfO769dx6VCChqN2u8vgNj5ZR9qoIYgsMwsay0-mqhMq_Wba4C5_dEq31NSW7MpVy0EzHUHbS319LRsefAK_tUglhgKCZbJ7t3JlBIe3DyS9rvPNrPXS5Dz_/s640/clubday11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>it's village life at it's loveliest...</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>everyone is out...</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the fair parade is loud & long...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">did i mention it <i>goes past our front door...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">you gotta love entertainment that you don't have to do <i>a thing to see</i>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LtSqcfHS4xehtVE1UoaVj16McCeyiQPF7upXAwgjD9ZhjMDaSZqpe9l6DD2DQ2K57uF-8ZxOI8o0W_Xh2y7jj1e20C98F1K_f9kgyOYjDk2Oht_JPyP32Q_0pOM5y30ICVJ0AUU3fVdQ/s1600/coffeechair4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LtSqcfHS4xehtVE1UoaVj16McCeyiQPF7upXAwgjD9ZhjMDaSZqpe9l6DD2DQ2K57uF-8ZxOI8o0W_Xh2y7jj1e20C98F1K_f9kgyOYjDk2Oht_JPyP32Q_0pOM5y30ICVJ0AUU3fVdQ/s640/coffeechair4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so...if we were really catching up today...</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sitting here on chippy french chairs...</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">having our pot of tea in the sunshine...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">talking about life in an english village...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for three aussie kids & us big kids...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i think we'd both smile...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you never know where life will take you...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but an english countryside village parade, for this beach reared australian family is a pretty great place...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXZYX4ifPyb0iPz5a9eKyHF-gyToqGldVaH8HzPJcIOzzGFUOjife5jJ_q-24vloWYR9_oMpr7r2BylIUNs-I1oSSj4fKrLVi5NWrethvyFhyphenhyphenGfpBbU1qmC2mZIwCEZXN734-iel_ctty/s1600/clubday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXZYX4ifPyb0iPz5a9eKyHF-gyToqGldVaH8HzPJcIOzzGFUOjife5jJ_q-24vloWYR9_oMpr7r2BylIUNs-I1oSSj4fKrLVi5NWrethvyFhyphenhyphenGfpBbU1qmC2mZIwCEZXN734-iel_ctty/s640/clubday1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">happy tuesday</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">thanks for the catch-up</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">short but very sweet as always</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">i have sewing to do</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">chorizo to chop</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">&</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">sunshine to get my face *in*</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">xox</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thanks *amy* for the chinwag inspiration as usual</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">there's more chatting over <a href="http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">{here}</span></a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>

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

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

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