Skiing In Europe

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">We found a good deal for a weekend in Switzerland,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so we hopped at the chance to go<br /><br />One reason we went<br />was to feel some sunshine at last!</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/AVvXsEiXQ2ToKWxWQZnKngkK_Ga_KCLckFrKb8LzFEpj6wRg29BMqfffx2h3mnpx8QJ7-VVgOpbIiiVCYlEcM3_ESsum2ftGwUT6ICEUBKAVtQ1nLN1GdvzJKQ3lUfUEx9TDw1dpmW5PWqUsh8ly/s1600/photo+2+(19)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ2ToKWxWQZnKngkK_Ga_KCLckFrKb8LzFEpj6wRg29BMqfffx2h3mnpx8QJ7-VVgOpbIiiVCYlEcM3_ESsum2ftGwUT6ICEUBKAVtQ1nLN1GdvzJKQ3lUfUEx9TDw1dpmW5PWqUsh8ly/s640/photo+2+(19)-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Still new to the whole 'skiing in Europe' thang,</div><div style="text-align: center;">here's a a few observations</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. You can ski in most European countries,</div><div style="text-align: center;">including Portugal, Poland, and Bulgaria</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/AVvXsEjjuSuTtO5a8hh5FpF7AyHDMPIFxpQn3DitfhQ_lbalQ2hA00ZNTUhXw1FlKrgc2591wy2h-JJ9VbH886whlh0zO0bYOYbXGTYE2icDX5MbQtFHpSk6DKj3YJ5HNeK2qn-vHBxWw6hHp-V1/s1600/photo+3+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuSuTtO5a8hh5FpF7AyHDMPIFxpQn3DitfhQ_lbalQ2hA00ZNTUhXw1FlKrgc2591wy2h-JJ9VbH886whlh0zO0bYOYbXGTYE2icDX5MbQtFHpSk6DKj3YJ5HNeK2qn-vHBxWw6hHp-V1/s640/photo+3+%252830%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. You can ski over country borders at some resorts (how cool is that?!)</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/AVvXsEhOWoqgBHXcILHsyUHSrI_4_DwNuAoZEHQI9_NvWrqpYl_x5BL-TUvXqeeVY31NZff_dC_iMCKOnXBUSwpmb_v5-2A8ziyQfaEnquW3TyFi1ghjIi8qeWVidE0UFyHg3E5EAkSpHDVJtnxx/s1600/photo+3+(13)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWoqgBHXcILHsyUHSrI_4_DwNuAoZEHQI9_NvWrqpYl_x5BL-TUvXqeeVY31NZff_dC_iMCKOnXBUSwpmb_v5-2A8ziyQfaEnquW3TyFi1ghjIi8qeWVidE0UFyHg3E5EAkSpHDVJtnxx/s640/photo+3+(13)-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Notice the key on the trail map,</div><div style="text-align: center;">as beginner runs may be marked blue in Switzerland and Austria</div><div style="text-align: center;">or green in Spain and Sweden</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/AVvXsEg5iqfww_8_lbeP14xu11Kg40LmrD4H8zMY9m3vwque4x6h8oYZjHGMTbLDiz-u6Ycd5Rayx99TruM5iOLVIAq8CxUGYOfCMQ0dQv1k_rmfOEVJJNyPlgpWXvNXrSgOOFBRUtgy5jTbH92Y/s1600/photo+2+(31)-012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iqfww_8_lbeP14xu11Kg40LmrD4H8zMY9m3vwque4x6h8oYZjHGMTbLDiz-u6Ycd5Rayx99TruM5iOLVIAq8CxUGYOfCMQ0dQv1k_rmfOEVJJNyPlgpWXvNXrSgOOFBRUtgy5jTbH92Y/s640/photo+2+(31)-012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Don't assume you can ski to the bottom of the mountain</div><div style="text-align: center;">You may need to take a train, tram, or gondola down</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/AVvXsEj9aWnfc1W74cxWZkTBZjVQjxqkYtAQS-HUaWxN8Sf_gjKRaHbxFAg13rgOu-nfDYGOk4jjkhMCpFDj893ymS5UQ8GsIJkEQkHLvoLpiIXX2aC1NuzRV8F-WcBnwl0nxHsygs0Pi_sSN5da/s1600/photo+1+(9)-0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aWnfc1W74cxWZkTBZjVQjxqkYtAQS-HUaWxN8Sf_gjKRaHbxFAg13rgOu-nfDYGOk4jjkhMCpFDj893ymS5UQ8GsIJkEQkHLvoLpiIXX2aC1NuzRV8F-WcBnwl0nxHsygs0Pi_sSN5da/s640/photo+1+(9)-0011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Europeans make more use of the mountain than Americans</div><div style="text-align: center;">such as chill out zones with hammocks, lounge chairs, and a tiki bar</div><div style="text-align: center;">and an extensive network of sledding runs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. At our resort, a computer checked our tickets, which opened the gates</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wiMu9AGo7NH2G_K2RUYHrZDQ-uCsccfOgTq8Upr3hs26geb2CXpUzUI0Qap3Tyk_WjQex6txD_iF8FeWrSBIlqZqrgJx92T0oYladulCwZn9M_qXsxKdviA43UjlBUsHz01BAj7zQ9w0/s1600/photo+%252811%2529-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wiMu9AGo7NH2G_K2RUYHrZDQ-uCsccfOgTq8Upr3hs26geb2CXpUzUI0Qap3Tyk_WjQex6txD_iF8FeWrSBIlqZqrgJx92T0oYladulCwZn9M_qXsxKdviA43UjlBUsHz01BAj7zQ9w0/s640/photo+%252811%2529-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Although I've never tried it,<br />did you know there is snow skiing in <a href="http://ski.visitscotland.com/">Scotland</a><br />and even in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/jan/19/skiing-snowbaording-england-pennines-lake-district">England's</a> Pennines and Lake District?<br /><br />8. And if you seek snow fun without the travel,<br />we found some indoors at an '<a href="http://www.xscape.co.uk/milton-keynes/concessions/sno-zone">adventure plaza</a>' in Milton Keynes<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDoDFjJytC640CsFi5wBhJ3ZrOoOO8skbFiTUqqpiV_E1Cu7mlFsH_b6TA99C75E39JYknYFFAnqKSWm2g1pzlGSeO91a0KReI0MF5RpM34WC4nEAznrGo2u90Lcuj1xqi9hx97LdqxPV/s1600/photo+2+(53).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDoDFjJytC640CsFi5wBhJ3ZrOoOO8skbFiTUqqpiV_E1Cu7mlFsH_b6TA99C75E39JYknYFFAnqKSWm2g1pzlGSeO91a0KReI0MF5RpM34WC4nEAznrGo2u90Lcuj1xqi9hx97LdqxPV/s640/photo+2+(53).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Trying to make the most of winter,<br />but I must admit I am ready for the sun to bust a move<br />and get those blooms going!<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S. Dots are appearing on my images once downloaded here, but not on the originals. Has anyone else had that problem?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post) </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div></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>

Skiing In Europe

We found a good deal for a weekend in Switzerland, so we hopped at the chance to go One reason we went was to feel some sunshine at last! St...

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DECOR TO GO

<br><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">LONG DISTANCE DECORATING</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEirVbmZ9YBtSXmJnEcpVH0bchfc49eXbLi96kOpv9lbRB1gC3djia1t66PkYn0X0YtMouxUJqbVVT6PpLarsSPp1rWb-cNS5KW1JbTyoxIZGTCwwuGn0SzCyamoZ63c0dcyAoRx388zPzI/s1600/houseofturquoise+bs+com1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVbmZ9YBtSXmJnEcpVH0bchfc49eXbLi96kOpv9lbRB1gC3djia1t66PkYn0X0YtMouxUJqbVVT6PpLarsSPp1rWb-cNS5KW1JbTyoxIZGTCwwuGn0SzCyamoZ63c0dcyAoRx388zPzI/s640/houseofturquoise+bs+com1.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houseofturquoise.blogspot.com/">via</a></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I love my job.  I love meeting all of you, as well.  When I can combine the two, I'm a happy camper.  So long distance decorating just makes sense for me.  If I can help with one little question on my blog, I can help with a lot more via long distance decorating.   I can guide the do-it-yourself client, or provide a plan for help with contractors.  With the help of face-time and skype I can actually walk through the room and get a feel for your space.  I've been working with some really great people.  Would you like to meet them? </div><br /></div></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/decor-to-go.html#more">Read more »</a>

DECOR TO GO

LONG DISTANCE DECORATING via I love my job.  I love meeting all of you, as well.  When I can combine the two, I'm a happy camper.  So lo...

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A GRAY HORSE

<br><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EtvopY4JirF4odN0E6UREFkXWrwygjy0_jjHBdZos_wccA4roy2sX_fPaWN0TEUckoWexs2xJeBq0h4eUD0NgbECZnRk_HGGFSOsIP10gGTEE5MDAdpP1G1o2ztnh-ZY7X9YHH31mCg/s1600/tumblr_lz9cx9biqn1r7sh7io1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EtvopY4JirF4odN0E6UREFkXWrwygjy0_jjHBdZos_wccA4roy2sX_fPaWN0TEUckoWexs2xJeBq0h4eUD0NgbECZnRk_HGGFSOsIP10gGTEE5MDAdpP1G1o2ztnh-ZY7X9YHH31mCg/s640/tumblr_lz9cx9biqn1r7sh7io1_500.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br /><br><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Benjamin Moore's paint color, Gray Horse,  is a light gray with a slight green undertone.  It is on my 'lovely colors' list.  [I really must get around to blogging about them some day soon.]<br><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-gray-horse.html#more">Read more »</a>

A GRAY HORSE

Benjamin Moore's paint color, Gray Horse,  is a light gray with a slight green undertone.  It is on my 'lovely colors' list.  [I...

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LIGHTENING A ROOM WITH PAINT

<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">JENNY</span></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf94G7tFz4Lnhu-qVQPYAnLImKExV8OkYEXE8anUhsbgxmRGz4Y642CZ-sef7NBRX_YS8WQj5fyNkt2ve8Z4JDWZ8598SDcyA7iB5YO3I7xYDF3fFAUXRQGdJxmyusfaD8z0QN-ChzuI/s1600/e747dc531d14e53b17d578d4aaa5b5b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf94G7tFz4Lnhu-qVQPYAnLImKExV8OkYEXE8anUhsbgxmRGz4Y642CZ-sef7NBRX_YS8WQj5fyNkt2ve8Z4JDWZ8598SDcyA7iB5YO3I7xYDF3fFAUXRQGdJxmyusfaD8z0QN-ChzuI/s640/e747dc531d14e53b17d578d4aaa5b5b9.jpg" width="428"></a></div><br /><br><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't be intimidated by gray.  Nearly all grays and greiges play well together.  Gray, cream, beige, greige and charcoal make a pleasing palette.</span></span><br><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/lightening-room-with-paint.html#more">Read more »</a>

LIGHTENING A ROOM WITH PAINT

JENNY Don't be intimidated by gray.  Nearly all grays and greiges play well together.  Gray, cream, beige, greige and charcoal make a pl...

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A Tricky Question: Where Are You From?

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">I learned early on that asking an expat</div><div style="text-align: center;">'Where are you from?'</div><div style="text-align: center;">can be a loaded question<br /><br />Does it mean<br />Where were you born?<br />Where did you last live?<br />Which country do you identify with most?<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/AVvXsEjfQzgoJDUC80YbxpSeVzUlyqnZARVW97DKjIGHfXmSebUMqhrEvK68gQkZFjA9KHsUXcSQsOB6qq4IYKhoIMpoBaMv2oNEdlfGrAEwyXbT1XFT_8Vs7pPR6HKXEfPcGfdLw8KZmDe4Nq1L/s1600/il_fullxfull.418190467_19ls-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQzgoJDUC80YbxpSeVzUlyqnZARVW97DKjIGHfXmSebUMqhrEvK68gQkZFjA9KHsUXcSQsOB6qq4IYKhoIMpoBaMv2oNEdlfGrAEwyXbT1XFT_8Vs7pPR6HKXEfPcGfdLw8KZmDe4Nq1L/s640/il_fullxfull.418190467_19ls-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage luggage via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FayeTravisVintage?ref=seller_info_count">Faye Travis Vintage</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are different kinds of expats I meet here<br />such as</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- foreigners who live here and will return home</div><div style="text-align: center;">- expats who will stay here indefinitely (and possibly become citizens)</div><div style="text-align: center;">- those who have lived in many countries and will continue to live in many more<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Where is 'home' if</div><div style="text-align: center;">...you bounce from country to country?</div><div style="text-align: center;">...each person in the family holds a different passport?</div><div style="text-align: center;">...you sold your home and have no idea where you will live next?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a term called 'Third Culture Kids'</div><div style="text-align: center;">that describes kids who live between cultures</div><div style="text-align: center;">- feeling like they don't totally belong to their host or home country -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have lived out of the US for almost 3 years,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which means I have fallen out of touch with current events, </div><div style="text-align: center;">hometown news, trends, and pop culture in America</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yet here there are a lot of cultural references I don't understand in England</div><div style="text-align: center;">because I've only lived here 3 years</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a look at what it is like to live between cultures</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/41264088" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/41264088">So Where's Home? A Film About Third Culture Kid Identity</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/adrianbautista">Adrian Bautista</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br /><br /><center></center><center>We love all the opportunities and life lessons we glean from living abroad,</center><center>yet there are interesting challenges as well</center><center></center><center></center><center>Wishing you a wonderful day!</center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post)</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Related posts:</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/reflecting-on-expat-upbringing.html">Reflecting On An Expat Upbringing</a></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/raising-second-generation-expats.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Raising Second Generation Expats</span></a></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></center><center></center><center><div style="text-align: left;"><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></div></center></center>

A Tricky Question: Where Are You From?

I learned early on that asking an expat 'Where are you from?' can be a loaded question Does it mean Where were you born? Where did y...

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KITCHEN LIGHTING

<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />KITCHEN REMODEL</div><br /><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /><br></div><br /><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvmb0fGtP8HT0wiOxZT52rUXwWrj271HcoZ2xxZNGXRgRw9sVSfMQJv2u5QNz07-IGU4KkzGfT12_PlZsByBezl38g6E0tstQhTpDszifzGVTV-sd4LE-GRoc1PN18rICjx-JBD2_EvdG/s1600/174444185536303506_eS0y44OR_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvmb0fGtP8HT0wiOxZT52rUXwWrj271HcoZ2xxZNGXRgRw9sVSfMQJv2u5QNz07-IGU4KkzGfT12_PlZsByBezl38g6E0tstQhTpDszifzGVTV-sd4LE-GRoc1PN18rICjx-JBD2_EvdG/s640/174444185536303506_eS0y44OR_c.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />I've been researching some lighting for a kitchen remodel and have found some lovely, </div><br /><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />'non-boring', 'non-ordinary' fixtures.</div><br /><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />You know how I hate using the same old tired stuff you see everywhere - </div><br /><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />and how I love finding something wonderful - like these terrific square lanterns [above]</div><br /><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /> that are somehow substantial and light [non-heavy feeling] at the same time.</div><br /><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br />Here are some kitchen fixtures with details that have caught my eye....</div><br /><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/kitchen-lighting.html#more">Read more »</a>

KITCHEN LIGHTING

KITCHEN REMODEL I've been researching some lighting for a kitchen remodel and have found some lovely,  'non-boring', 'non-or...

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Chin Chin Labs Nitro Ice Cream

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking for a little culinary adventure?</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/AVvXsEjifws-ye90I4ENvxS0eN22GP2L-fcjBbE4Xxd9hZOEfclxbUt8HGprTLTMf3gxA1-xmAh9EPpIEAv5xiR_LVt14R_Nu5bCIR4gf8pDqV_nGXBfg2NP9Soh0Eon1oPCRbBS4YdNj4cdjZvK/s1600/Chin+Chin+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifws-ye90I4ENvxS0eN22GP2L-fcjBbE4Xxd9hZOEfclxbUt8HGprTLTMf3gxA1-xmAh9EPpIEAv5xiR_LVt14R_Nu5bCIR4gf8pDqV_nGXBfg2NP9Soh0Eon1oPCRbBS4YdNj4cdjZvK/s640/Chin+Chin+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How about smoking ice cream :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chinchinlabs.com/">Chin Chin Labs</a> in Camden</div><div style="text-align: center;">blends its ice cream ingredients with liquid nitrogen upon order,</div><div style="text-align: center;">creating a real 'wow' effect as smoke pours out of blenders</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So 'cool'!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(An unsponsored post)</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></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>

Chin Chin Labs Nitro Ice Cream

Looking for a little culinary adventure? How about smoking ice cream :) Chin Chin Labs in Camden blends its ice cream ingredients with liqu...

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STONE HOUSE COLOR PALETTE

BRIDGING THE GAP<br><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwOAS9zSj8MBh3qphKSQZ1e_cphcxyIWY6xmHaXo9ZtkyCaV1xquIhuyNakcwEBtbGrmNAe3-0X8tnbz3c0Zumhx731YynIuNsX6O8mrNrkTtxyjbx4Us5PjgGDBg8pDtn8UoZxaI0qg/s1600/ggbridge+sanfrancisco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwOAS9zSj8MBh3qphKSQZ1e_cphcxyIWY6xmHaXo9ZtkyCaV1xquIhuyNakcwEBtbGrmNAe3-0X8tnbz3c0Zumhx731YynIuNsX6O8mrNrkTtxyjbx4Us5PjgGDBg8pDtn8UoZxaI0qg/s640/ggbridge+sanfrancisco.jpg" width="426"></a></div><br />Interior Decorating is primarily about color.  Color that defines a space, color that accents a space, color to create a mood, color to enhance architectural details, color to create interest, color for contrast.  Color to create flow from room to room and make sense of it all.... to bridge the gap so to speak...<br><br /><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/stone-house-color-palette.html#more">Read more »</a>

STONE HOUSE COLOR PALETTE

BRIDGING THE GAP Interior Decorating is primarily about color.  Color that defines a space, color that accents a space, color to create a mo...

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London Eye

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sure, we'd ridden the <a href="http://www.londoneye.com/">London Eye</a> before</div><div style="text-align: center;">but never at night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This slow moving Ferris wheel has amazing views</div><div style="text-align: center;">even in the rain </div><div style="text-align: center;">(as we found out)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe</div><div style="text-align: center;">and opened December 31, 1999</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/AVvXsEi9ZJ0fVAu8srxXqdKD1HZZJe_uepUc85t6phNMtqzrnxMeuBmZjNwYtwX7_hENucTphHZu5-OiEOuJ2uN9R3XyzZi-TYFNWEkhHUFlCuEHePrLmGiYmy13E0JFoVoJXV_uJx0WUTSqnoFC/s1600/photo+(6)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZJ0fVAu8srxXqdKD1HZZJe_uepUc85t6phNMtqzrnxMeuBmZjNwYtwX7_hENucTphHZu5-OiEOuJ2uN9R3XyzZi-TYFNWEkhHUFlCuEHePrLmGiYmy13E0JFoVoJXV_uJx0WUTSqnoFC/s640/photo+(6)-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If I recall correctly, it was supposed to be a temporary installment,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but its popularity made it a permanent addition to the London skyline</div><div style="text-align: center;">(and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now equipped with touch screens inside capsules</div><div style="text-align: center;">to give information about visible landmarks,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this attraction is even better than it was a few years ago</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/AVvXsEhhcZQxaH1S7744aF1lgWyAlA03YwgtLsI9OzqSYPP3K1Q9XpQYB8bEvz4lYoQWFWt92ADCah4VzUJtyDKQufjAcvq2WqTH2mtTUvILQ8nE3i3Bd_8QY6I5pua9ZHtbB6LwBRdAV7cDsLga/s1600/photo+(9)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcZQxaH1S7744aF1lgWyAlA03YwgtLsI9OzqSYPP3K1Q9XpQYB8bEvz4lYoQWFWt92ADCah4VzUJtyDKQufjAcvq2WqTH2mtTUvILQ8nE3i3Bd_8QY6I5pua9ZHtbB6LwBRdAV7cDsLga/s640/photo+(9)-001.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 a few minutes,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we got the Peter Pan view of Big Ben's Clock Tower</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the River Thames</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stunning :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>- all images by moi -</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Eye">Wikipedia</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post)</span></i></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>

London Eye

Sure, we'd ridden the London Eye before but never at night This slow moving Ferris wheel has amazing views even in the rain  (as we fou...

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England's Literature Festivals

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In such a small country,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">it seems a famous author (dead or alive)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">is never very far away :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></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/AVvXsEgG5BCekJGYY2kM8-uWChST0jPogiNfBPRId75-cZkZr_KzCEJ4tUre99RsuOwQFwLEmPE0R0GKyqzMn9BWVGufqGZbkKaZLq0UWRZ04XhpQgd3AYvc1dlj32h3EAbJP5B4MR99s2yP_asw/s1600/il_570xN.421436234_ao82-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5BCekJGYY2kM8-uWChST0jPogiNfBPRId75-cZkZr_KzCEJ4tUre99RsuOwQFwLEmPE0R0GKyqzMn9BWVGufqGZbkKaZLq0UWRZ04XhpQgd3AYvc1dlj32h3EAbJP5B4MR99s2yP_asw/s320/il_570xN.421436234_ao82-001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Purses handcrafted from books by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86160369/alice-in-wonderland-book-purse-with?">Novel Creations</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And periodically,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">a lot of them congregate at literature festivals :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check these out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://issuu.com/bathfestivals/docs/bf12_literature_brochure_online"><b>Bath Literature Festival</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">March 1 - 10, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Tickets on sale now<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Bath will host over 150 events for 10 days in March</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Featured authors include </span>J.K. Rowling<span style="background: white;">, </span>Hilary Mantel<span style="background: white;">, </span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">P.D. James<span style="background: white;">, </span>Kate Mosse<span style="background: white;">, </span>Pat Barker<span style="background: white;">, </span>Harriet Walter<span style="background: white;">, </span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Darcey Bussell<span style="background: white;">, </span>Sandi Toksvig<span style="background: white;">, </span>Robert Fisk<span style="background: white;">, </span>Gavin Esler<span style="background: white;">, </span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A.N. Wilson<span style="background: white;">, </span>Allan Little<span style="background: white;">, </span>Ben Goldacre<span style="background: white;"> and many more</span></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEj2JuvR16DCJ6ha5EIvylOtyizXLA9fzUUf0im9l4gGSBh5Vtgy5tGLobaTZkGWZ1i28wWtVExqwsD1YrELzbxo52qPfUOJCNXLDhpwDWeC_Jdw5bchUCwm0jY_-2p52Q8nNyYBeXCh4UWS/s1600/il_fullxfull.270244812-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JuvR16DCJ6ha5EIvylOtyizXLA9fzUUf0im9l4gGSBh5Vtgy5tGLobaTZkGWZ1i28wWtVExqwsD1YrELzbxo52qPfUOJCNXLDhpwDWeC_Jdw5bchUCwm0jY_-2p52Q8nNyYBeXCh4UWS/s400/il_fullxfull.270244812-001.jpg" width="322" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Graphic art available via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hairbrainedschemes?ref=seller_info">Hair Brained Schemes</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://oxfordliteraryfestival.org/"><b>Oxford Literary Festival</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">March 16 - 24, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Tickets on sale now<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over 160 events are now listed, with more to come<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some big names include Booker winners Julian Barnes and Hilary Mantel,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">former Cabinet minister Jack Straw, novelist Alexander McCall Smith,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">broadcaster Nick Robinson, Nobel prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">children's novelists Cornelia Funke, Anthony Horowitz, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and Sue Townsend of 'Adrian Mole' fame</span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hayfestival.com/"><b>Hay Festival of Literature</b></a> (Wales)</span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May 23 - June 2, 2013</span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tickets now on sale to see John le Carr</span><span style="line-height: 21px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">é</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">, Carl Bernstein, </span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Elif Shafak, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Christy Moore and Dana O'Briain</span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More event details to be released in April</span></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.bathkidslitfest.org.uk/"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Bath Festival of Children's Literature</b></span></a></div><div align="center" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">September 27 - October 6, 2013 </span></div><div align="center" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No current information available<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: both;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.3em; max-width: 683px; padding: 7px 0px 3px; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature"><b>Cheltenham Literature Festival</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">October 4 - 13, 2013</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">No current information available</span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><br /><br /></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><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/AVvXsEi8C_jsW9XtAHEC7n2fO3qTfrmYV_S_ipaV6S7_rIrQfgO05IwE_R6LMm4Wdbzsihx68AM1eUiAXbTB5gFRq8b9T_YYSzu9lI7f_N0MDTvA6sBEJN0C1EA8xORvUr8vVNVJsow2RMMNwjYa/s1600/DSC04522-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8C_jsW9XtAHEC7n2fO3qTfrmYV_S_ipaV6S7_rIrQfgO05IwE_R6LMm4Wdbzsihx68AM1eUiAXbTB5gFRq8b9T_YYSzu9lI7f_N0MDTvA6sBEJN0C1EA8xORvUr8vVNVJsow2RMMNwjYa/s400/DSC04522-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bookmark I made the other day with the kids</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An English mom recently told me </span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">classic literature <span style="line-height: 150%;">is not being taught </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">in their school anymore</span></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and being replaced by modern books to grab students' interest in reading</span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have mixed feelings about that</span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While I see their point of nurturing the love of reading (so important),</span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> how can students not be introduced to <span style="line-height: 150%;">classic literature, </span></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">especially in England, the birthplace of so many famous written words?</span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; max-width: 683px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What do you think?</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.3em; max-width: 683px; padding: 7px 0px 3px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(An unsponsored post)</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>

England's Literature Festivals

In such a small country, it seems a famous author (dead or alive) is never very far away :) Purses handcrafted from books by Novel Creations...

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Driving On The Left

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Reflecting on passing my driving test 2 years ago,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I now find myself to be an 'ambidextrous driver'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Which means, when I look at a road with no markings</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could pull into either lane, as they both feel right (!)</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/AVvXsEgKdF-aRM8CX1TNrjJZmbMmpCizQmNBbFS_frr1vLwn205oL0qWXClplLPJ-ejAJ55ISjO3V-DC4JRTL24TzaTtCsgf0lMveG9i8DXlKaZ1dDHXHBKlywbT7wqa-n0ZZhnLBoZ7KO-wsh74/s1600/photo443-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdF-aRM8CX1TNrjJZmbMmpCizQmNBbFS_frr1vLwn205oL0qWXClplLPJ-ejAJ55ISjO3V-DC4JRTL24TzaTtCsgf0lMveG9i8DXlKaZ1dDHXHBKlywbT7wqa-n0ZZhnLBoZ7KO-wsh74/s640/photo443-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It means to get in the driver's seat,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I might open the right door or the left door</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I may look over my right shoulder or left shoulder for the seat belt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In other words,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it just gives me more opportunity to look like a total heel :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, a curious thing is staircases</div><div style="text-align: center;">Walk on the left or right side?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I find pedestrians aren't consistent with this one</div><div style="text-align: center;">(or on sidewalks)</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/AVvXsEjioXq-YVUb_pwWSDXijQEB_GW4CcQMCDy78tnJjZ-CrR9YbJW01-2oXmVwxpPQhFGAFCy5eU0_xSytXiDktZb_F2WMRdaaBi80hWNIVqV9mqXwWlKwGGriP0aUFZIWny3wg0zzH1n-gyhp/s1600/photo+144-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioXq-YVUb_pwWSDXijQEB_GW4CcQMCDy78tnJjZ-CrR9YbJW01-2oXmVwxpPQhFGAFCy5eU0_xSytXiDktZb_F2WMRdaaBi80hWNIVqV9mqXwWlKwGGriP0aUFZIWny3wg0zzH1n-gyhp/s400/photo+144-001.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a few other curiosities</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently I noticed there are no fire hydrants in England</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Instead, they have unassuming water taps in the road for emergencies</div></div><div></div><br /><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/AVvXsEg6tWIRg_IlsX_65HfC3OeL7XN-2he03tP-ObezbDess2oAIeqL4nhzDXfw1yzVUAQig2XExaoqgcTO_eAEI3Z7ZMKmA3pGSR47dcsrL8SpHDpAkr62AceWyvL95nCqgqVumXd3DxLoKDR-/s1600/photo+(79)-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tWIRg_IlsX_65HfC3OeL7XN-2he03tP-ObezbDess2oAIeqL4nhzDXfw1yzVUAQig2XExaoqgcTO_eAEI3Z7ZMKmA3pGSR47dcsrL8SpHDpAkr62AceWyvL95nCqgqVumXd3DxLoKDR-/s400/photo+(79)-002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div>These street drains are actually miracle workers</div><div>making water disappear almost instantly on roads when raining<br /><br />They are smaller than the American versions<br />and more efficient<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMVTXez4w4t1XpwdTP8NQURcuMobStRHvcVlojTqq9q0GCiWKADKal2djpD_SbnmSI4kEQXCuG6d9kuc737uJFPEAcrt-TN8TwTKw4uxf01MwszroRTToTOUWN2j4LjyNBQBM1XCnJkKg/s1600/photo+(78)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMVTXez4w4t1XpwdTP8NQURcuMobStRHvcVlojTqq9q0GCiWKADKal2djpD_SbnmSI4kEQXCuG6d9kuc737uJFPEAcrt-TN8TwTKw4uxf01MwszroRTToTOUWN2j4LjyNBQBM1XCnJkKg/s400/photo+(78)-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">England is much more rural than outsiders realize<br />I spied this less than 20 miles from the center of London</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/AVvXsEjVio83et_dIUB6OhrJwP_Xam2ASVE4sacaRSqubsb07UjZeaDWQkCaJuHus8qpc93Fxf9905rl12wSek3nxwaydr57aleCjRwJ9gPT_TsJ3q3-wq0H33D_KQuLlKXWeM0hokDHH2m1vHUs/s1600/photo+(93)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVio83et_dIUB6OhrJwP_Xam2ASVE4sacaRSqubsb07UjZeaDWQkCaJuHus8qpc93Fxf9905rl12wSek3nxwaydr57aleCjRwJ9gPT_TsJ3q3-wq0H33D_KQuLlKXWeM0hokDHH2m1vHUs/s400/photo+(93)-001.JPG" width="370" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a hilarious slogan for a portable toilet business</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/AVvXsEgvEymCYowJVWak6PSe7vFJL6pRDVL0GbhPXHvAK2SUO0Mn0lEsB7a-eOEi9bVjBN8FujB2ekexzQDsdZChxxM6x2cpw694hS9xZOfEMoKlc2g-kpeKkcj9HAJZY5AJMUu9OVq2niRAN7ba/s1600/photo+(95)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEymCYowJVWak6PSe7vFJL6pRDVL0GbhPXHvAK2SUO0Mn0lEsB7a-eOEi9bVjBN8FujB2ekexzQDsdZChxxM6x2cpw694hS9xZOfEMoKlc2g-kpeKkcj9HAJZY5AJMUu9OVq2niRAN7ba/s400/photo+(95)-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many old buildings had very short doors<br />(only the wealthy had tall ones)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This clever restaurant padded the top of their 5' door frames</div><div style="text-align: center;">Duck or else :)</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/AVvXsEjVtNFOSNXlN7xvxNkvXwWkH8alocSr2tsATJVEt6qTHGa7uFkXo_KYRu4ITQ7krTzzK-_79lsp15s71V9eJD1cnGmgQOd9dIOKPkoSPZJVaOzdxPO03KKUKgwQeA1cjcpnV4qJBX4e63lk/s1600/photo+(90).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtNFOSNXlN7xvxNkvXwWkH8alocSr2tsATJVEt6qTHGa7uFkXo_KYRu4ITQ7krTzzK-_79lsp15s71V9eJD1cnGmgQOd9dIOKPkoSPZJVaOzdxPO03KKUKgwQeA1cjcpnV4qJBX4e63lk/s400/photo+(90).JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I still find little culinary adventures<br />This prune/bacon morsel is called Devils On Horseback</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/AVvXsEgZqnlpWEsTOp88EtLCnol5tbiu5_flxZhyz4_M3-G12Xxj5HENovebiYwNuguAVdDYQooMMzR0y2Hdyoi1p6rXmVZR6RrI_E3bqbhYPz9u5kgOMB2H0j2HhW8xmiRQodlX46N23iROAaIU/s1600/photo22-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqnlpWEsTOp88EtLCnol5tbiu5_flxZhyz4_M3-G12Xxj5HENovebiYwNuguAVdDYQooMMzR0y2Hdyoi1p6rXmVZR6RrI_E3bqbhYPz9u5kgOMB2H0j2HhW8xmiRQodlX46N23iROAaIU/s400/photo22-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I continue to be amazed by how brief the winters are here</div><div style="text-align: center;">Snowdrops and daffodils are already blooming</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/AVvXsEgaMKYzolSLYyejqopRYbqwG55uXqh9kc68k2X42zWFxKeZT6-SuP3ntTku_DWuG1-wbe8UXFSmBM-__RHxdqyCbzUbJ0zhsRnjVDPvQHKbKro7DOWR3S4v5yAsHIPQoB-l9vio7lYSeOnt/s1600/photo321-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMKYzolSLYyejqopRYbqwG55uXqh9kc68k2X42zWFxKeZT6-SuP3ntTku_DWuG1-wbe8UXFSmBM-__RHxdqyCbzUbJ0zhsRnjVDPvQHKbKro7DOWR3S4v5yAsHIPQoB-l9vio7lYSeOnt/s400/photo321-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">with crocuses on the way :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love that!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="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>

Driving On The Left

Reflecting on passing my driving test 2 years ago, I now find myself to be an 'ambidextrous driver' Which means, when I look at a ro...

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Ideas For Scrapbooking

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">You won't be surprised to know<br />scrapbooking is one of my passions<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- capturing the moments big and small -</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/AVvXsEgQNPZ9ph71GhwaezPUjrL5xl57Fb7NiiLYLVdGllCZYKnl4VEbCWBNeMDOdlyhS5rnID04jSMQkOABQLtj1pMLIyfK4g-gD0UPXRjZUWaZSZFTzCy7hVb2zX4ekgkC2MfxL8k2pUu-JqvB/s1600/DSCN3825-0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNPZ9ph71GhwaezPUjrL5xl57Fb7NiiLYLVdGllCZYKnl4VEbCWBNeMDOdlyhS5rnID04jSMQkOABQLtj1pMLIyfK4g-gD0UPXRjZUWaZSZFTzCy7hVb2zX4ekgkC2MfxL8k2pUu-JqvB/s640/DSCN3825-0012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Every year I make a personalized scrapbook for each of my kiddos,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which is made easier with digital photo books</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I make the first book for my son</div><div style="text-align: center;">and then copy it for my daughter</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I then revise it by adding her birthday and friend photos</div><div style="text-align: center;">and 'girl it up' with papers, stickers and ribbons</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are countless methods, programs, and websites to use</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I like <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/">Shutterfly</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They have simple photo books that allow you</div><div style="text-align: center;"> to drop your photos in the book and order,</div><div style="text-align: center;">or a customizable option if you are more crafty inclined </div><div style="text-align: center;">(more time consuming but I'm happy with the end product)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Regardless, I think photo books are so important</div><div style="text-align: center;">not only to help hold memories<br />but also a priceless memento to pass down<br /><br />This year I am incorporating more maps into my scrapbook<br />to indicate where we live, work and go to school<br /><br />Here's a sample page I made for you :)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VuzkbTuCg5CkaR6houOAfeiSvtBwMOYJQG0kRiRgFxmbMybozGNLbYzVP2-Yca9j5UhG1gBuTgqZqW7qPYcVXgv0E5WcUiXZFv6pcB4wFMp2hyG7GxmjNrVMLew4Wo3pdjU4ypG-w9lL/s1600/london+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VuzkbTuCg5CkaR6houOAfeiSvtBwMOYJQG0kRiRgFxmbMybozGNLbYzVP2-Yca9j5UhG1gBuTgqZqW7qPYcVXgv0E5WcUiXZFv6pcB4wFMp2hyG7GxmjNrVMLew4Wo3pdjU4ypG-w9lL/s640/london+map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Each year I trace my children's hands onto<br />a newspaper article, map, or brochure<br />and paste it into the book once it arrives in the mail<br /><br />Aside from recording their height and weight,<br />I have a long list of questions I ask each year, such as:<br /><br />Who are your best friends, and what is your favorite subject in school?<br /><br />What is your favorite movie, book, and food?<br /><br />What is your favorite sports team (for him) or stuffed animal (for her)?<br /><br />Where is your happy place?<br /><br />What do you want to do when you grow up?<br /><br />I write up brief bios of each family member (including pets)<br />and record important news stories from the year<br /><br />We take photos of the school, the building my husband works in,<br />rooms in the house, and our favorite pizza restaurant<br />to try to capture the 'everyday'<br /><br />I have the kids photograph things in their room<br />that are important to them<br /><br />Not only are the photos at their eye level,<br />but it is a chance to literally look through their eyes<br /><br />I'm off to get in a little more scrapping done today...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you have tips to share?<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This is an unsponsored post</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><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>

Ideas For Scrapbooking

You won't be surprised to know scrapbooking is one of my passions - capturing the moments big and small - Every year I make a personaliz...

Read more »