Modern Design Home Decor

Halloween 2012

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last night</div><div style="text-align: center;">there was no question trick-or-treating</div><div style="text-align: center;">had a stronger foothold in our area</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm5fD9gqEgswrjW7B8yFfMsepOeDVbOvb1dHkTZYmbfz5hbVLNN0DP0A6mD7PFcLj7tcsOWYqQd22pyyux5UP24E70pjo406q0qJ4fVcz0v-UHetGELAgr1HIASq6ZE2HiZVg5RAjGeF7/s1600/IMG_2591-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm5fD9gqEgswrjW7B8yFfMsepOeDVbOvb1dHkTZYmbfz5hbVLNN0DP0A6mD7PFcLj7tcsOWYqQd22pyyux5UP24E70pjo406q0qJ4fVcz0v-UHetGELAgr1HIASq6ZE2HiZVg5RAjGeF7/s640/IMG_2591-004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whereas only a quarter of houses offered sweets two years ago,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd guess as many as half of the neighbors participated on the same street this year</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It feels magical to witness a new tradition in the making,</div><div style="text-align: center;">as it was the first time many of the residents had given away Halloween candy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ever</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">I heard a few children saying 'cheers' as they left with their goodies,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and neighbors oohed and aahed as to how scary costumes were</div><div style="text-align: center;">{ they don't do 'cute' costumes here }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The evening ended with a typical English rain</div><div style="text-align: center;">which made it easy to call it a night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a look at the goodies we received</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqFuk9B2E9z_x7TCBRW1vYKzKqAbTKnkSu3LO2zkIzr0u0hSFVU9o_XWTV9T-PUZVLID3YvFGWRIewxPUKpF3n73FuXCBbYJj4pDuxBvpBNCkfJu3UjGNfDlZQOFJA2SRe-8XedPybC2l/s1600/DSC03509-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqFuk9B2E9z_x7TCBRW1vYKzKqAbTKnkSu3LO2zkIzr0u0hSFVU9o_XWTV9T-PUZVLID3YvFGWRIewxPUKpF3n73FuXCBbYJj4pDuxBvpBNCkfJu3UjGNfDlZQOFJA2SRe-8XedPybC2l/s640/DSC03509-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I believe Parma Violets are a very old-fashioned sweet here,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I'm not sure the words 'foam' and 'candy' should ever meet on the same package :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Americans will be pleased to know those yummy Marathon braided bars of yesteryear</div><div style="text-align: center;">are alive and well in the UK as Curly Wurlies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How was your Halloween?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Halloween 2012

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK Last night there was no question trick-or-treating had a stronger foothold in our area Whereas only a quarter o...

11:09 PM

California cool

Back in 2006, there was a home featured in Home Beautiful magazine. It was a renovated California bungalow in Melbourne, and had the perfect classic contemporary style.Gorgeous windows, great layout, and if it was in Brisbane, it would be mine....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_jX4FN1ZPrkWkKh3WWhhrR7ewJAuRfEEEc5UwL0lUNS8QlBpZqoHscXxSGxgEIDa6M3eIEG7BqsiN9ZpUMW0ziORl26Le_HLecsNWv2gNlAztzcfxvS3A2iPVF3RLvdq8_rIHzp7qoZO/s1600/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_jX4FN1ZPrkWkKh3WWhhrR7ewJAuRfEEEc5UwL0lUNS8QlBpZqoHscXxSGxgEIDa6M3eIEG7BqsiN9ZpUMW0ziORl26Le_HLecsNWv2gNlAztzcfxvS3A2iPVF3RLvdq8_rIHzp7qoZO/s640/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEius3ZjUkYLkivZLWNRfX90lp_Fr0a9Zbei34wahAeZ9c8iF4fepdSWlKbxL2kyTXA0WlRajxHsQwGJP0oIScrFwK8B8jgNgVhy7s4ST8FYuzkOy1lzVBNi8SEp1D-baA9-4Votwf8NcqHx/s1600/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius3ZjUkYLkivZLWNRfX90lp_Fr0a9Zbei34wahAeZ9c8iF4fepdSWlKbxL2kyTXA0WlRajxHsQwGJP0oIScrFwK8B8jgNgVhy7s4ST8FYuzkOy1lzVBNi8SEp1D-baA9-4Votwf8NcqHx/s640/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CjcaXyAV_1OzwOHuM-7a0NX4O8XpILVbCVuYjTc3_BEYvbI6lY-bKIk9J5k3OaDG5Gx3gqtmYpEyF2MvpElByAqvaN8xqfEcVPsfkd8jqduP5N4Ke17moWH4YxpxWmLxUMVZD0fKWdoq/s1600/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CjcaXyAV_1OzwOHuM-7a0NX4O8XpILVbCVuYjTc3_BEYvbI6lY-bKIk9J5k3OaDG5Gx3gqtmYpEyF2MvpElByAqvaN8xqfEcVPsfkd8jqduP5N4Ke17moWH4YxpxWmLxUMVZD0fKWdoq/s640/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdVtkmwcNUOzbnFVGt-3f7_-gjFPQNCrj58oKSLoi86xCpVrEgtNJIZIFJtla7nY1aB2r0i4CmYjFWYnZY9HMGtSia37Q__aR_1zyNE76OKz_K8_q6pMm_qe79VY2uCPF0lvNAX6dRGuA/s1600/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdVtkmwcNUOzbnFVGt-3f7_-gjFPQNCrj58oKSLoi86xCpVrEgtNJIZIFJtla7nY1aB2r0i4CmYjFWYnZY9HMGtSia37Q__aR_1zyNE76OKz_K8_q6pMm_qe79VY2uCPF0lvNAX6dRGuA/s640/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt83iGQoYmhcjE35V5vczBgjKzF-SnlSeSpfmyQdqN18jfuZ_ktKuHqmOy3HRMV6p1KTgOIaNjnxfBItfUrF1G2RRuCgzUb10ZnkWxTBmHLmMH5xXQXeJlVaFOCqnwQ4de6ZJ0ZQH-8i4z/s1600/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt83iGQoYmhcjE35V5vczBgjKzF-SnlSeSpfmyQdqN18jfuZ_ktKuHqmOy3HRMV6p1KTgOIaNjnxfBItfUrF1G2RRuCgzUb10ZnkWxTBmHLmMH5xXQXeJlVaFOCqnwQ4de6ZJ0ZQH-8i4z/s640/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzEKFHR-cdIb5fX0L8gKAyyOH9lHdvZO-sviSFLkYmy2e_dltHHgrwVug6UhI6ON90MQk9YxlHWVOPA8G2ryvcUiL5vKGy_XlU9GLoOPpd-fCAciGy6pGr3y4bYxc9ojn-ri2pnepME59/s1600/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzEKFHR-cdIb5fX0L8gKAyyOH9lHdvZO-sviSFLkYmy2e_dltHHgrwVug6UhI6ON90MQk9YxlHWVOPA8G2ryvcUiL5vKGy_XlU9GLoOPpd-fCAciGy6pGr3y4bYxc9ojn-ri2pnepME59/s640/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGmY4ODVQgFmF7O_Y6DOsWtzzp01MLKnnewGf5FXzSkVxf5-we0RCToS37-6yIeavUMgsrBP4aoq02Vy2qMzihEbWMvrg3JQfjibcWmtvCUKqTAkeuYgQFGbfDMeyBKDhIpdwIhyphenhyphenPRkP0/s640/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZhF7Sq7g8cdeGfG3hZj2bqUloDOzIR-PEHKVw-vavQU0ChpIoFRK3UvHhfNmMiTarlmoJAXtGKqtC0bhHPLogII1CdmSvwIMqlkYFZqp6IIHqu3RZ2CdsmIbfaQ9HxkDjMDAb4FRJhKL/s1600/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZhF7Sq7g8cdeGfG3hZj2bqUloDOzIR-PEHKVw-vavQU0ChpIoFRK3UvHhfNmMiTarlmoJAXtGKqtC0bhHPLogII1CdmSvwIMqlkYFZqp6IIHqu3RZ2CdsmIbfaQ9HxkDjMDAb4FRJhKL/s640/139+wattle+valley+dr+camberwell15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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California cool

Back in 2006, there was a home featured in Home Beautiful magazine. It was a renovated California bungalow in Melbourne, and had the perfect...

9:07 PM

LIKE A LIGHTBULB

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br />BRIGHTER</div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq6Q4Li9qroMfPudCb71rrIt3-qqN8q0TE3DlygamtzeQmEn7MSPmGrXW5kHCRcvrN0Y3aSXzVjmSJpTKoYUnJrOOujm0Tr74RKNZBXxQz1_XN_6ULKOL274aBkF6X1ir84I_DdnyXaHa/s1600/ballard+lantern.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq6Q4Li9qroMfPudCb71rrIt3-qqN8q0TE3DlygamtzeQmEn7MSPmGrXW5kHCRcvrN0Y3aSXzVjmSJpTKoYUnJrOOujm0Tr74RKNZBXxQz1_XN_6ULKOL274aBkF6X1ir84I_DdnyXaHa/s1600/ballard+lantern.bmp"></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ballarddesign.com/"><em>Ballard Design</em></a></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Sometimes we forget to first look at the basics.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />We change fabrics, paint, flooring and accessories</div><br /><div align="center"><br />and sometimes fail to make sure </div><br /><div align="center"><br />we have the basics covered...<br><br />like lights!<br><br /></div></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2012/10/like-lightbulb.html#more">Read more »</a>

LIKE A LIGHTBULB

BRIGHTER Ballard Design Sometimes we forget to first look at the basics. We change fabrics, paint, flooring and accessories and sometime...

11:39 PM

An Autumn Canvas

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><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/AVvXsEg6cZrD2yRzZTrWDuxveZzLqYZSfIX1YRn2GNkgKv_R25G_Q1-9ImWmogTGKVbh269hJ4hHCYQ3WZQXRAw2b9bl12FXNbK3UrII488R-vYK59EO_0DJ1FKAWf3P8fPqXWZ_DgwkxzL-FXPQ/s1600/DSC03202-0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cZrD2yRzZTrWDuxveZzLqYZSfIX1YRn2GNkgKv_R25G_Q1-9ImWmogTGKVbh269hJ4hHCYQ3WZQXRAw2b9bl12FXNbK3UrII488R-vYK59EO_0DJ1FKAWf3P8fPqXWZ_DgwkxzL-FXPQ/s400/DSC03202-0022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Celebrating my third autumn in England,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this year has been the most beautiful by far</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7zij9ofH24Fh3chHxka9QBWnfFq9-JJEcnJqrYIzu_-xbnFo2ByaXvKCATe3jV0bQfdLMwKJGz4U83bE5jtaNL2IMOlnAHsUUSyThvkx1FDkndKFboP28s_E3F9AO1tuGil0zUSX4bGY/s1600/DSC03327-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7zij9ofH24Fh3chHxka9QBWnfFq9-JJEcnJqrYIzu_-xbnFo2ByaXvKCATe3jV0bQfdLMwKJGz4U83bE5jtaNL2IMOlnAHsUUSyThvkx1FDkndKFboP28s_E3F9AO1tuGil0zUSX4bGY/s640/DSC03327-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Maples (acers) and virginia creepers are clothed in crimson</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beech trees dot the landscape in copper</div><div style="text-align: center;">while birch's paintbrush is dipped in amber</div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa5Tjz4-I2hojmILTSicxTXawh-xg_EM6ZnFW1GtVwdBbHoDM114_gPQifXmVrYMs3EW1WxbukjZumayoV73vK41567984C5pS0_F5VrzJMmiACqY3CMJNW2Ng-AsZT_Wr3-AO5oUi5qR/s1600/DSC03352-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa5Tjz4-I2hojmILTSicxTXawh-xg_EM6ZnFW1GtVwdBbHoDM114_gPQifXmVrYMs3EW1WxbukjZumayoV73vK41567984C5pS0_F5VrzJMmiACqY3CMJNW2Ng-AsZT_Wr3-AO5oUi5qR/s640/DSC03352-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am told Canadian soldiers from WWII planted many of the maples</div><div style="text-align: center;">in southeast England to remind them of home</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAqJe3F6ToHSn6m5zhLVIAvmhxtswBe6xdc7co12VI7mjEIa6bxawrS1NXEgqnL2TdSslZYAMB-FGPW5TjE-enyk96J8Ac-hQkv0Xiq4JGlC-f2dNTMy07SLKLDQ51ihi8GlZ-w-dTGG-/s1600/IMG_2709-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAqJe3F6ToHSn6m5zhLVIAvmhxtswBe6xdc7co12VI7mjEIa6bxawrS1NXEgqnL2TdSslZYAMB-FGPW5TjE-enyk96J8Ac-hQkv0Xiq4JGlC-f2dNTMy07SLKLDQ51ihi8GlZ-w-dTGG-/s640/IMG_2709-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel the trees giving a last yawn of color</div><div style="text-align: center;">before they cozy-down for bed, </div><div style="text-align: center;">preparing for their awakening in Spring</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">{ sending the love to my friends and readers impacted by Sandy }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

An Autumn Canvas

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK Celebrating my third autumn in England, this year has been the most beautiful by far Maples (acers) and virgini...

11:58 PM

London: Ceremony Of The Keys

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEj8fFv2foEjh6xc27XXB6a4HUqWmzAiPVurZO50klNIleByeiPco8uBBIbIOtf1PuU0HntLP6AWl_1s3gwNiCgbzcdtK-5kwTOuSA4iGWiYRFChHxbWGSk6m4X9VxYxf4uWMjtzWPUhGjGw/s1600/DSC03433-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fFv2foEjh6xc27XXB6a4HUqWmzAiPVurZO50klNIleByeiPco8uBBIbIOtf1PuU0HntLP6AWl_1s3gwNiCgbzcdtK-5kwTOuSA4iGWiYRFChHxbWGSk6m4X9VxYxf4uWMjtzWPUhGjGw/s640/DSC03433-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower Of London</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Last weekend</div><div style="text-align: center;">we attended the Ceremony Of The Keys,</div><div style="text-align: center;">one of the oldest ceremonies in England</div><div style="text-align: center;">and definitely the shortest</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lasting only seven minutes,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we witnessed the official 9:30p lock up of this national fortress</div><div style="text-align: center;">which holds the Crown Jewels</div><div style="text-align: center;">as well as many stories of beheadings and WWII spies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Built by William The Conqueror</div><div style="text-align: center;">and used as a palace until James I,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the Tower Of London became a well known prison thereafter</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apply <a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon/WhatsOn/theceremonyofthekeys">here</a> for free tickets to observe this 760 year old tradition</div><div style="text-align: center;">of passing the Queen's keys</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- photo by me -</span></i></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

London: Ceremony Of The Keys

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK Tower Of London Last weekend we attended the Ceremony Of The Keys, one of the oldest ceremonies in England and ...

11:21 PM

Lunch in London, Dinner In Sydney

Posted By HappyHomemakerUK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">One day it could come true</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Four hours from London to Sydney</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the newest Concorde-inspired jet</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao7cdn0haa8HkZQTAta0rK5iudt8PdMuI1GM5uwzPv_JN72M0rpgG4wKbDbbGthmQqI8bpZmzLmM-SMffBzCje5Vhm7zamYiTiGzbz3y1vRCUTaRR_Agm2_5EChn-p-2InPTztvOP3Zsa/s1600/il_570xN.298281493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao7cdn0haa8HkZQTAta0rK5iudt8PdMuI1GM5uwzPv_JN72M0rpgG4wKbDbbGthmQqI8bpZmzLmM-SMffBzCje5Vhm7zamYiTiGzbz3y1vRCUTaRR_Agm2_5EChn-p-2InPTztvOP3Zsa/s400/il_570xN.298281493.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pendant available via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/peahenLee?ref=seller_info">Etsy</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Boeing, Gulfstream and NASA have teamed together</div><div style="text-align: center;">to reduce the sonic boom</div><div style="text-align: center;">and to make a lighter aircraft</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't imagine life in 2020,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I love seeing glimpses of the possibilities</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2163953/Nasa-joins-race-build-successor-Corncorde-capable-flying-London-Sydney-FOUR-HOURS.html">Daily Mail</a>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/son-of-concorde-jet-to-fly-from-london-to-sydney-in-four-hours_n_1623770.html">Huffington Post</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Lunch in London, Dinner In Sydney

Posted By HappyHomemakerUK One day it could come true Four hours from London to Sydney in the newest Concorde-inspired jet Pendant available...

12:35 PM

Trick Or Treating In England

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In Ireland and Britain<br />during the Middle Ages on Hallowmas { November 1 }<br /> people went door-to-door in costume<br />receiving food in return for prayers for the dead<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BhFERo1ZGGhHXeZGtLC2ed831KKtYCQHkPFgN3lM3uPNgHCBoieQ8NVqvk97UvHQqdcNheW8Pogp5UfW7a5CsTfIjNjmASdgbdbCTaRyZo0cOY_Y9NW6EHg48SRPWY6V8BgqmgRIsTg/s1600/DSCN5788-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BhFERo1ZGGhHXeZGtLC2ed831KKtYCQHkPFgN3lM3uPNgHCBoieQ8NVqvk97UvHQqdcNheW8Pogp5UfW7a5CsTfIjNjmASdgbdbCTaRyZo0cOY_Y9NW6EHg48SRPWY6V8BgqmgRIsTg/s640/DSCN5788-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Fast-forward to 1895<br />for the first record of '<i>guising</i>' in Scotland,<br />where children in disguise visited neighbors<br /><br />performing a poem, song, or joke<br />to receive cake, fruit or money for their efforts<br />{ practiced later in Ireland too }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />They carried lanterns made of scooped-out turnips<br />{ which was on the menu the following day }<br /><br />First record of guising in North America was in<br />1911<br /><br />Some point before 1940, guising evolved to 'trick-or-treating'<br />on Halloween night in the western US and Canada<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifLwaTwffo07ni_m6gc_OLUa18NcOQQFkDR_yWsRJ3SlrEordr-h_nrH0hR-S67fcBk4K16Pb9k4rj4BnGfup8T7W_vXZUJLFjWVX7Y7rYQF3yg0_dmfe3Ldr2M0a21L2eAWdukhAPG0/s1600/DSCN5729-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifLwaTwffo07ni_m6gc_OLUa18NcOQQFkDR_yWsRJ3SlrEordr-h_nrH0hR-S67fcBk4K16Pb9k4rj4BnGfup8T7W_vXZUJLFjWVX7Y7rYQF3yg0_dmfe3Ldr2M0a21L2eAWdukhAPG0/s640/DSCN5729-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Although this annual US event of<br />asking for candy without a performance was stalled<br />by sugar rationing from 1942-1947 due to World War II,<br /><br />trick-or-treating picked up steam<br />with the mass production of costumes<br />and attention given to it in children's magazines and radio shows<br /><br />firmly establishing it in American pop culture by 1952<br /><br />Today<br /><span style="text-align: start;">Halloween has a really fun vibe to it </span><br /><span style="text-align: start;">and is generally loved by everyone</span><br /><span style="text-align: start;">in the US</span><br /><br />It's a time<br />for parties in classrooms and among adults,<br />for catching up with neighbors,<br />for giggly teenagers to scare themselves at staged haunted houses<br />{ I haven't seen those here }<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmqxtrvo6RqjGmYox9byHT5qnuWbxnKbbYIWnDjwGj6JRYkjB8o72kE_70-CO0MJw0PuGvpjJsTcV0jvjS0GGtVA2YF2GJ0uuZ4VFGWM__6CRg2HPWGw8ueBkAk6EnaEsSkp0YnFwyFc/s1600/DSCN1145-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmqxtrvo6RqjGmYox9byHT5qnuWbxnKbbYIWnDjwGj6JRYkjB8o72kE_70-CO0MJw0PuGvpjJsTcV0jvjS0GGtVA2YF2GJ0uuZ4VFGWM__6CRg2HPWGw8ueBkAk6EnaEsSkp0YnFwyFc/s640/DSCN1145-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Carving pumpkins is an American tradition, as pumpkins are native to America</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{ and bigger than turnips }</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Trick-or-treating' in England is viewed as an American export<br />and not necessarily a welcome one</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2007 the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7067804.stm">BBC News</a> wrote<br />the 'authentically ancient festival' of Halloween<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">has been hijacked by trick or treating' </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">and cited</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">the 1986 House of Lords debate about</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #464646; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">trick-or-treating being not a tradition, </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">but American for begging</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">{ Yikes! }</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seasonal decorations displayed on house exteriors is considered 'in bad taste'<br />so we have festive window stickers at the back of the house<br />{ plus some spooky fake [and real] cobwebs hanging inside }<br /><br />Therefore<br />a giant blow up ghost popping out of a pumpkin<br />would never be seen in front of someone's home here as<br />1) electricity is too expensive<br />2) you would be calling attention to yourself</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxkyffOa4xunMKFyTLHMDYeFKvgcRycm5skfGTzOEBIEKj6hqwSY6Ut5hq2yIGDWAMk97_hm1s3cTrxwWcP6JoP2z3yL554SXUmSeCK4prBRVImZphASyhPY27pf5HIMOzQOkb1Y3j_4/s1600/DSC_0535-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxkyffOa4xunMKFyTLHMDYeFKvgcRycm5skfGTzOEBIEKj6hqwSY6Ut5hq2yIGDWAMk97_hm1s3cTrxwWcP6JoP2z3yL554SXUmSeCK4prBRVImZphASyhPY27pf5HIMOzQOkb1Y3j_4/s640/DSC_0535-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Halloween is more of a dark occasion here,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which makes the older generations nervous about bad behavior<br />in a society that closely guards its privacy<br /><br />My first year I saw 'No Trick Or Treaters Here' fliers distributed for posting on doors<br /><br />To indicate trick-or-treaters are welcome at a home,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a pumpkin or lit candle will be outside the front door</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />However each year there seems to be<br />increased lightening and acceptance of this event<br /><br />evidenced by more Halloween displays in store windows<br />and more aisle space dedicated to bagged candy, costumes, and knickknacks<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcJVB3COJJmbdtQuTNfitbcV5HqMbl9K7wXIfN3XrLNM5uS6w2j6uyjlK65viwUjkbFF03ThJBq9OHu9Sid7FhvH535IKn_FqShdBdB6BdG58CsTYQw2VoNHW37uS79lYTKHceGOl5KI/s1600/DSC_0004-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcJVB3COJJmbdtQuTNfitbcV5HqMbl9K7wXIfN3XrLNM5uS6w2j6uyjlK65viwUjkbFF03ThJBq9OHu9Sid7FhvH535IKn_FqShdBdB6BdG58CsTYQw2VoNHW37uS79lYTKHceGOl5KI/s640/DSC_0004-37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Although most English parents never trick-or-treated as children,<br />it is catching on and their children are enthusiastic about it</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Children's costumes are scary or gory</div><div style="text-align: center;">- skeletons, witches, ghouls -<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">never 'cute' like a puppy dog<br />or Disney characters<br />{ that would be seen as bizarre }<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><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxI23xNnOD6CD-HzWnTkj5qxjZwSVlEJK8RVMPzHhxkh8Or1cZkHShFCZhuSn7-B11E8sxQS__YTRjLOqFdaMTQpWLQ6XNrv5KrG0YkSVIOcuPeKNbPIRLBu7SaSMkbkBzvrD3KQvRS1w/s1600/DSCN5795-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxI23xNnOD6CD-HzWnTkj5qxjZwSVlEJK8RVMPzHhxkh8Or1cZkHShFCZhuSn7-B11E8sxQS__YTRjLOqFdaMTQpWLQ6XNrv5KrG0YkSVIOcuPeKNbPIRLBu7SaSMkbkBzvrD3KQvRS1w/s640/DSCN5795-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Many houses have spooky 'fog machines'</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ well, ventilation for boilers, actually }</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I noticed trick-or-treat bags are quite small,<br />humbly not wanting to seem greedy<br />{ some Americans bring pillowcases to fill in the US }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />English neighbors typically give one piece of candy or one coin<br /><br />Our street is filled with elderly neighbors,<br />so I expect none of them will be participating<br /><br />We will seek a street with more family homes<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5amOgRLQlYuH4Ol9db1jQwLSIVYM9vJKYtzeDujOOf2973g86syERUgDAJSpjvXSgOq2dpR-lkytE6YtVqcuuzyR0vZTKzrTkhHSJY97iwf41_DO_yYI8C3DOaqTvC7R3PyhXU95qO8/s1600/DSCN5212-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5amOgRLQlYuH4Ol9db1jQwLSIVYM9vJKYtzeDujOOf2973g86syERUgDAJSpjvXSgOq2dpR-lkytE6YtVqcuuzyR0vZTKzrTkhHSJY97iwf41_DO_yYI8C3DOaqTvC7R3PyhXU95qO8/s640/DSCN5212-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />American readers are probably thinking<br />how nice it must be to avoid the heavy commercialization of Halloween,<br /><br />but with no Thanksgiving in England<br />you can bet Christmas paraphernalia has been for sale since the beginning of October!<br /><br />Happy Halloween, y'all :)<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick_or_treat">1</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween">2</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_costume">3</a>. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7067804.stm">BBC</a>, <a href="http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/blknow_halloween.htm">Rampants Scotland</a></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Trick Or Treating In England

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK In Ireland and Britain during the Middle Ages on Hallowmas { November 1 } people went door-to-door in costume ...

11:49 PM

Road Trip: Normandy

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Much anticipated,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we spent a long weekend in</div><div style="text-align: center;">France</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKayUSNMHZhKpmo5XwZSUaW5nARA2VWiCTFvZLOSjXVWpCvztP2ThDpHasTxpIyRsrazNURgxK0r3oSMaFCUL2rOv_nIlV5KY1-tA-4C3CTqMY0528KfVuH907ExLV4CLoAq9L0WMshwZe/s1600/DSC03044-0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKayUSNMHZhKpmo5XwZSUaW5nARA2VWiCTFvZLOSjXVWpCvztP2ThDpHasTxpIyRsrazNURgxK0r3oSMaFCUL2rOv_nIlV5KY1-tA-4C3CTqMY0528KfVuH907ExLV4CLoAq9L0WMshwZe/s640/DSC03044-0024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonjour, Miss Dreamy :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took the Eurostar train to Calais</div><div style="text-align: center;">and drove south to Normandy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><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/AVvXsEj8rS-UbAQW-DGyOduxlpcTHL50loR44Q_8Y1pIKShKVl7RondHSq0TcCHcY2b85KFAg8s85aPWnGP3U2eRvkE6t8GSZLcLkkJWf53sZSfNB2dxcI19TdoDJZCt9YdKrRB-9vErVmnvaxAF/s1600/DSC03020-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rS-UbAQW-DGyOduxlpcTHL50loR44Q_8Y1pIKShKVl7RondHSq0TcCHcY2b85KFAg8s85aPWnGP3U2eRvkE6t8GSZLcLkkJWf53sZSfNB2dxcI19TdoDJZCt9YdKrRB-9vErVmnvaxAF/s640/DSC03020-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honfleur</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">France and England have a long history in this region</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All English schoolchildren know that in 1066<span style="font-size: xx-small;">AD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">William The Conqueror (Duke of Normandy)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> invaded England,</div><div style="text-align: center;">creating a huge turning point in English history</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't it a wonder why he left?</div><div style="text-align: center;">So gorgeous :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; 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/AVvXsEh2veIFymo48LuCKSJziy8r7l6WILRoF31CpFtMOn7BMVhdl62X8XAYqbeRpI6PVzCpXwbx2SfsfvhAC4RPtxF0PPUavvW3ODy6dHvxjT-OiC6c4feF4RWEFWYPtB8dGnu07XVOBBXPKXRI/s1600/DSC03258-017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2veIFymo48LuCKSJziy8r7l6WILRoF31CpFtMOn7BMVhdl62X8XAYqbeRpI6PVzCpXwbx2SfsfvhAC4RPtxF0PPUavvW3ODy6dHvxjT-OiC6c4feF4RWEFWYPtB8dGnu07XVOBBXPKXRI/s640/DSC03258-017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bayeux</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Centuries later</div><div style="text-align: center;">French Normandy was occupied by England forces</div><div style="text-align: center;">during the Hundred Years' War (1345 - 1360)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and then again 1415 - 1450</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lnXJQkTrGFh9HfP0ifkdifGkZIbPpz0TPuslJ06vX3zAUp3YlxOiocY0m9FKBKq9IvYXhLapUPna6hC0wNvgEBZ7nvoDmMHstojUsdpcV9hoDuiUZydkWoxhiytklHXAzsDzssV8lRrV/s1600/DSC03228-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lnXJQkTrGFh9HfP0ifkdifGkZIbPpz0TPuslJ06vX3zAUp3YlxOiocY0m9FKBKq9IvYXhLapUPna6hC0wNvgEBZ7nvoDmMHstojUsdpcV9hoDuiUZydkWoxhiytklHXAzsDzssV8lRrV/s640/DSC03228-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bayeux</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another major turning point in history -</div><div style="text-align: center;">Normandy is famous for the D-Day landings</div><div style="text-align: center;">on June 6, 1944</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took a guided tour of the area</div><div style="text-align: center;">{ fascinating and moving }</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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/AVvXsEhdfunc0ocpyZbNJGMdREjef6zS3VCydoarwCJ3Ujyhi6DtVWPdS6fY3lBPsf-oGcYXwipuCKYYKXqKThXpHv-FdoMRLlu78ksNIk2_Q0QeRmJzp-c-n6Vg71mMqNbtg4kVecAG1TTN9Lv4/s1600/Normandy+Collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfunc0ocpyZbNJGMdREjef6zS3VCydoarwCJ3Ujyhi6DtVWPdS6fY3lBPsf-oGcYXwipuCKYYKXqKThXpHv-FdoMRLlu78ksNIk2_Q0QeRmJzp-c-n6Vg71mMqNbtg4kVecAG1TTN9Lv4/s640/Normandy+Collage1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D-Day landing site<br />Normandy American Cemetery<br />Craters from bombings</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">'g</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">î</span><span style="text-align: center;">tes' are popular accommodations in France</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">They are self-catering cottages</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some include breakfast</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1LvlVBIYch0JHpMvJ37xx_pvFflwBWXXXMkX2c7eQerw9HFLjcANUfANeCPEuPejIK5pFrA9Qva2a8OrVzjLX4LgD6xv6tn94l1pxffUenhXJKsR3Ui7L1v5S-WVCHm-oUpBNLiE4wB1/s1600/DSC03184-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1LvlVBIYch0JHpMvJ37xx_pvFflwBWXXXMkX2c7eQerw9HFLjcANUfANeCPEuPejIK5pFrA9Qva2a8OrVzjLX4LgD6xv6tn94l1pxffUenhXJKsR3Ui7L1v5S-WVCHm-oUpBNLiE4wB1/s640/DSC03184-002.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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The few times we've traveled to France,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I liked it but I didn't really 'get' it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But since our recent trip to Normandy,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've pulled out the guidebook</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to hatch a plan...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv5RiFt-PhPWYL0FnUzr6vBQse6gVBp1mS8OCX-PMhyphenhyphenTNvm30EReQaofktcM4CXHeNhn2bQtmWGtoYuQMLEANTRthsZUQk9pVD-6zbVeQUAeUHE32dA1MWqOEsVT3nzAISDcM2lA_TNnF/s1600/DSC03135-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv5RiFt-PhPWYL0FnUzr6vBQse6gVBp1mS8OCX-PMhyphenhyphenTNvm30EReQaofktcM4CXHeNhn2bQtmWGtoYuQMLEANTRthsZUQk9pVD-6zbVeQUAeUHE32dA1MWqOEsVT3nzAISDcM2lA_TNnF/s640/DSC03135-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...for adding more photos to my French collection :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i>- all photos by moi -</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy">Wikipedia</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Road Trip: Normandy

Much anticipated, we spent a long weekend in France Bonjour, Miss Dreamy :) We took the Eurostar train to Calais and drove south to Normandy...

2:29 AM

Driving In France

Posted By Happy Homemaker<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Imagine my surprise<br />when I learned we needed a <i>driving kit</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">to legally drive in France</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Europeans know,<br />but American readers may be asking themselves<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What</div><div style="text-align: center;">is<br />a<br /> 'driving kit'<br />exactly?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQGviUwMZXjXhBZcefwxk3ApPOahIQdavnay7KtAt0z0XDNcPavQHvKLycA2p6FDVbBSoO5CIY9r9-jHZ_8y0TLYcnDccdxgNXpp0sBhE25Lol66XObKfdiBoaRsSkcr_m6gLKrnIvsNH/s1600/41tn7XXCs1L._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQGviUwMZXjXhBZcefwxk3ApPOahIQdavnay7KtAt0z0XDNcPavQHvKLycA2p6FDVbBSoO5CIY9r9-jHZ_8y0TLYcnDccdxgNXpp0sBhE25Lol66XObKfdiBoaRsSkcr_m6gLKrnIvsNH/s320/41tn7XXCs1L._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Driving-France-Approved-Alcohol-Detectors/dp/B00857P6WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350387952&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Safety vest (inside car, not in trunk)<br />Warning triangle</div><div style="text-align: center;">Extra lightbulbs for lamps</div><div style="text-align: center;">First aid kit<br />Fire extinguisher</div><div style="text-align: center;">GB sticker for plates not already indicating British registration<br /><br />Headlamp Converters<br />(something about driving on the other side of the road<br />requires that you change out the lights<br />as it may 'dazzle' oncoming traffic?)<br /><br />And required as of July 2012, <b style="font-style: italic;">two breathalyzer test kits</b><br /><br />If you wear corrective lenses,<br />it's the law to carry <i>a spare pair of glasses</i><br /><i> </i>even if you wear contact lenses</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i>Penalty for not having these items if stopped by police?<br />On the spot fine (cash only) or suffer your car being impounded<br /><br />Thank goodness I now have the common European signs under my belt<br />but I quickly learned there were a few French road signs omitted<br />in the extra credit section of my UK driver's test<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdWaLd-aCf96ozTfwll_6NWfPU6PXw3nGhO4iOyIzjtKCLAB3bn8g8_4UBNpJ8rjm4lvBTi-eS6Y6ux9RT6SXgkuyRuqjpQiMYYybWu0wFMn9O-glQHLDL5CORQvYn8z9Lu2rpnvd00Qg/s1600/Happy+Homemaker+20123-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdWaLd-aCf96ozTfwll_6NWfPU6PXw3nGhO4iOyIzjtKCLAB3bn8g8_4UBNpJ8rjm4lvBTi-eS6Y6ux9RT6SXgkuyRuqjpQiMYYybWu0wFMn9O-glQHLDL5CORQvYn8z9Lu2rpnvd00Qg/s320/Happy+Homemaker+20123-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This mysterious 'x marks the spot' </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">indicates you are either nearing buried treasure or </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">you are coming to a junction and the right has the right of way</div><div><br /></div>The diamond indicates the main road has priority<br />The crossed out priority means the traffic on the right has priority<br />(or a seatbelt is hugging the sign)<br /><br />Shouldn't this get some kind of violence rating?<br />Yikes!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRLQwBIWhQn5CGV9C-zh3Ubvv_Ap8lXQaErH5-X59zRbNhHXKx7V1z4GoTw5bF7dWJ6Q7MZ_KTCpmpydBO8ytaY7KyrUD6s81WULjFZw7-gXO3ur7IcE0ODMaomY83XyKi0lM_HT_r9RF/s1600/Happy+Homemaker+20122-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRLQwBIWhQn5CGV9C-zh3Ubvv_Ap8lXQaErH5-X59zRbNhHXKx7V1z4GoTw5bF7dWJ6Q7MZ_KTCpmpydBO8ytaY7KyrUD6s81WULjFZw7-gXO3ur7IcE0ODMaomY83XyKi0lM_HT_r9RF/s320/Happy+Homemaker+20122-002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You can imagine when I saw all these goodies<br />it just sang<br /><i>blog post </i><br />;)<br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: <a href="http://conversation.which.co.uk/transport-travel/car-safety-abroad-driving-europe/">Which?</a>, <a href="http://www.brittany-internet.com/BrittanyNews/DrivingFrance/tabid/155/Default.aspx">Brittany Internet</a>, <a href="http://www.giteinbrittany.com/documents/LesSignauxRoutiers-2.pdf">Gite In Brittany</a>, <a href="http://www.normandie-chambres.co.uk/bikers_motorbikes.html">Normandy B&B</a></span></div></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Driving In France

Posted By Happy Homemaker Imagine my surprise when I learned we needed a driving kit to legally drive in France Europeans know, but American...

10:16 AM

Stomping Around Pooh Country

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Having awaited a year to visit 'Pooh Country'</div><div style="text-align: center;">to capture the area as I've pictured it in my head</div><div style="text-align: center;">(aka leaves falling)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I now have images of </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ashdown Forest to share with you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the real backdrop to AA Milne's</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Winnie-The-Pooh</i> series</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yay!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5XdW_FnxL9ayF0TrafJeirONrqCPbe05_59zbHhM9CGuL_cvj1nO02TnCsPMZ8MIr-1uoXp_4pHooyAmiRTR5ErPrzK2Zg2x3M5USjgxs_s8uA2wc9FVutW2p2LqEQdEq_LUUkrEoggj/s1600/DSC02899-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5XdW_FnxL9ayF0TrafJeirONrqCPbe05_59zbHhM9CGuL_cvj1nO02TnCsPMZ8MIr-1uoXp_4pHooyAmiRTR5ErPrzK2Zg2x3M5USjgxs_s8uA2wc9FVutW2p2LqEQdEq_LUUkrEoggj/s640/DSC02899-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had tea and picked up a map <a href="http://www.pooh-country.co.uk/">here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Located in Sussex,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pooh's Bridge is a short distance from the forest parking lot</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u-Zsu_TbmahvCD8y0Ol2xbeYv8p3XSVk5SmmeeEP6TQugAdKC3gqM9wNPCacVaekpTKRTlv7NXq3W0lWiBKs_91fqAKeBUrbna1hhtyxq3OZ5Snn_N9YUL6fjx-n_ZoxsT30rhAdHEnT/s1600/DSC02992-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u-Zsu_TbmahvCD8y0Ol2xbeYv8p3XSVk5SmmeeEP6TQugAdKC3gqM9wNPCacVaekpTKRTlv7NXq3W0lWiBKs_91fqAKeBUrbna1hhtyxq3OZ5Snn_N9YUL6fjx-n_ZoxsT30rhAdHEnT/s640/DSC02992-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pooh Bridge, </div><div style="text-align: center;">where children race floating sticks down the stream</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQvi15T7TmTO_Y2WhVqhTub3Hs4AZTnv42v9k5sak0uKjzhB0xLRRBrNBPkOBcJrw9k49rWZZNrjB_J4dHOPILMg5Mr639Y_3VzXQKWdruevOiDDBD1msanRZFEGi_bSavbSIYfJUT6Vr/s1600/DSC02939-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQvi15T7TmTO_Y2WhVqhTub3Hs4AZTnv42v9k5sak0uKjzhB0xLRRBrNBPkOBcJrw9k49rWZZNrjB_J4dHOPILMg5Mr639Y_3VzXQKWdruevOiDDBD1msanRZFEGi_bSavbSIYfJUT6Vr/s640/DSC02939-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christopher Robin was the real son of the author</div><div style="text-align: center;">Together they tromped through this open space as a family in the 1920s</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christopher named his teddy bear 'Winnie' </div><div style="text-align: center;">after a bear he'd seen in the London Zoo</div><div style="text-align: center;">The real bear was from Winnipeg, Canada</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Pooh' was the name of a swan they saw on holiday</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first <i>Winnie-The-Pooh</i> collection of stories was published by AA Milne in 1926</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUeLFGOmzr678xIBLu-88dH4_wg7sHxrtR_dfJiIppbRlrpza7UjtxPF_F4LsPa9pMllx416Fs_WRFyg0XFl8BRSwxnse1UTGE5jKz9C5DKBp1tVOJpyBjzNVSR1wiqIhEqw3UhocwqRs/s1600/DSC02988-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUeLFGOmzr678xIBLu-88dH4_wg7sHxrtR_dfJiIppbRlrpza7UjtxPF_F4LsPa9pMllx416Fs_WRFyg0XFl8BRSwxnse1UTGE5jKz9C5DKBp1tVOJpyBjzNVSR1wiqIhEqw3UhocwqRs/s640/DSC02988-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Eeyore, and Piglet were other stuffed animals</div><div style="text-align: center;">belonging to young Christopher</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They now sit in the New York City Public Library</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interestingly, as an adult</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christopher founded</div><div style="text-align: center;">Harbour Bookshop in Dartmouth</div><div style="text-align: center;">(now closed)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWg-tD5e1HoT8keLzjyQ-Ylpsakx0nn7YqoKqDD3tD6fBRxvsRF4wnwrK6k9KrTSPvT54RoiQZ4Q0NMyEkXPqedZFIcwgmkYfn08sLACKKBBFVitKCkddRv-5zWn4OoTPEXBQ_-XG9Y6mk/s1600/DSC03017-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWg-tD5e1HoT8keLzjyQ-Ylpsakx0nn7YqoKqDD3tD6fBRxvsRF4wnwrK6k9KrTSPvT54RoiQZ4Q0NMyEkXPqedZFIcwgmkYfn08sLACKKBBFVitKCkddRv-5zWn4OoTPEXBQ_-XG9Y6mk/s640/DSC03017-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surrounded by gorse and heather, <br />we had a feeling we were nearing a Huffalump Trap</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we were pelted by rain</div><div style="text-align: center;">endured blustery winds </div><div style="text-align: center;">and experienced disorienting fog,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could just hear a sweet tubby bear exclaiming</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh, bother</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURJ3kmAryHEq0WckdSjcpNDMyJAfvA-w73fjEdao-ltlrOwUGZMgkBDWvMLbqu8u30erihYfHkRuLR64LG5yqkaxY8Bt0Wxr2GnTqxVNvqTVgZRTZE5JjqRG8iUQIt09xl1qU62X0_zQA/s1600/DSC03013-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURJ3kmAryHEq0WckdSjcpNDMyJAfvA-w73fjEdao-ltlrOwUGZMgkBDWvMLbqu8u30erihYfHkRuLR64LG5yqkaxY8Bt0Wxr2GnTqxVNvqTVgZRTZE5JjqRG8iUQIt09xl1qU62X0_zQA/s640/DSC03013-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“What day is it?" asked Pooh.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">''It's today," squeaked Piglet.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">''My favorite day," said Pooh.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81466.A_A_Milne" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">A.A. Milne</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing you a wonderful one :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all  photos by me -</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking to:<a href="http://www.lifeonplanetbaby.com/"> Life On Planet Baby</a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie-the-Pooh">1</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Robin">2</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/81466.A_A_Milne">quote</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Stomping Around Pooh Country

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK Having awaited a year to visit 'Pooh Country' to capture the area as I've pictured it in my head (a...

5:18 AM