MASHUKA QUALITY...PURE COTTON BED COVERS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT FANCY HOME DECOR(TZ)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Fancy Home Decor ina design na kuuza mashuka mazuri na quality. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Haya ni baadhi tu ya mashuka tuliyokwisha kuyatengeneza na ambayo yapo tayari kwa kuuzwa. Zinapatikana katika size zote ...ni material ya cotton na inakuwa ni seti ya shuka 2 na foronya 4. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br />Karibu mdau ujipatie seti yako ubadilishe muonekano wa kitanda chako na kadhalika chumba chako. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Mashuka mazuri yatakufanya ujisikie vizuri wakati wa kulala na pia kuongeza mvuto chumbani. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Kitanda kikiwa kinabadilishwa kwa kutandikwa mashuka ya design na rangi mbalimbali mara kwa mara pasipo kurudia rudia shuka hilo hilo moja kila siku; ni dalili inayoonyesha kuwa wewe dada, wewe mama unajitambua, unatambua wajibu wako kama mwanamke na unajipenda! </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Nunua mashuka yako mengi ya kutosha ya rangi mbalimbali na  designs mbalimbali, panga vizuri kabatini alafu unakuwa unayatandika kwenye kitanda chako kwa kuyabadilisha mara kwa mara.Itapendeza sana.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Karibu sasa uweke oda yako...</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Call us 0712 023102</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08t7gS-ziybtswc3i6eiMzQtJkZfT033P2lorDlCpgEDwj0uA7UoHzCd2OYrnIpUvx23KWSQ1Dww8mCi4XXa123ay2-fQB-cbvmmRjW5j7Kta0_QQsfcTuCZZAvFHN66Well5B0dMVO_b/s1600/round%252520%2525282%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08t7gS-ziybtswc3i6eiMzQtJkZfT033P2lorDlCpgEDwj0uA7UoHzCd2OYrnIpUvx23KWSQ1Dww8mCi4XXa123ay2-fQB-cbvmmRjW5j7Kta0_QQsfcTuCZZAvFHN66Well5B0dMVO_b/s320/round%252520%2525282%252529.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNyhhGetOnTqfFIzV5e2aS_83_xlMY10LPQz8Qsd6WudLoqvfPXNSt2fDliwhjgvMJk456qxXgO0AP16aa19bGpAJACYvOkbSnuhM7GdW3f8SaLqWpLH6xDqapGgnRUnm5Y6fneFIn2_4/s1600/round%252520%2525281%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNyhhGetOnTqfFIzV5e2aS_83_xlMY10LPQz8Qsd6WudLoqvfPXNSt2fDliwhjgvMJk456qxXgO0AP16aa19bGpAJACYvOkbSnuhM7GdW3f8SaLqWpLH6xDqapGgnRUnm5Y6fneFIn2_4/s320/round%252520%2525281%252529.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jDX-XuJXDVQ44wcpJHr1pYvFNnInaFIWgeNlV88yMNvCRoVYW7v5WMqtz3CJcGLnZD7tjpvnE3nviWqFLT1rAGXz8l9s3WkZ1zhynCnagCTlAl2B-vR9WStAoff0kioHC9mvtCBnGb33/s1600/round%252520%2525283%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jDX-XuJXDVQ44wcpJHr1pYvFNnInaFIWgeNlV88yMNvCRoVYW7v5WMqtz3CJcGLnZD7tjpvnE3nviWqFLT1rAGXz8l9s3WkZ1zhynCnagCTlAl2B-vR9WStAoff0kioHC9mvtCBnGb33/s320/round%252520%2525283%252529.jpg" /> </a> </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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BZqLYCqblP0UYIVKDQFwMWplvbtkampOBJQd693GFyH7lNAWYKUDxXkIgdMvHHJVtcIhsaGbIqs6WGdcwQEi_DHmD-sO74CNHjMVCS2Gx4bhwys27pPFhyphenhyphenQkRJI9AWxAKGLu98HGNh4B/s320/20140620_215439.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Floral design...</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BZqLYCqblP0UYIVKDQFwMWplvbtkampOBJQd693GFyH7lNAWYKUDxXkIgdMvHHJVtcIhsaGbIqs6WGdcwQEi_DHmD-sO74CNHjMVCS2Gx4bhwys27pPFhyphenhyphenQkRJI9AWxAKGLu98HGNh4B/s1600/20140620_215439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXmBNJNuMyGjW0Lb9J-lJKv-9SGFV2LVwffR_jDGknfKXdjGMr_btEaG5FOKZsmxDt5mF44_EeApHBA7sPSU5zYHvbSiGY_Zpl419lr1bIZ3n3Es8RPGetom6ws23EV1bNQ6vP3-feS_4/s1600/20140620_214439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXmBNJNuMyGjW0Lb9J-lJKv-9SGFV2LVwffR_jDGknfKXdjGMr_btEaG5FOKZsmxDt5mF44_EeApHBA7sPSU5zYHvbSiGY_Zpl419lr1bIZ3n3Es8RPGetom6ws23EV1bNQ6vP3-feS_4/s320/20140620_214439.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb3GaAqIT_NC6keEZaHDggAkaVRzgeB6dPMhDFu3DNxkh4bwl3vg9l2dQg4l1qAjYai3znfFtxsoXw9b4M7Zzzf5_DKU-Hfu2YMeYiJKYooMSZM_omIjqip5g3K50Bpv9sGgWTA4btHcu/s1600/20140620_201055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb3GaAqIT_NC6keEZaHDggAkaVRzgeB6dPMhDFu3DNxkh4bwl3vg9l2dQg4l1qAjYai3znfFtxsoXw9b4M7Zzzf5_DKU-Hfu2YMeYiJKYooMSZM_omIjqip5g3K50Bpv9sGgWTA4btHcu/s320/20140620_201055.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngf-IL1rZiTQzzYicJ0ux4HFHjrGiapPH9S0BnEqkIsIxYUovDYTjOwEh39LnDQYUK6ZpM8AoYc9cRdcNfVtZp7UW16RLCDWzCY7zCFL2YPRWt-jdurVbrhshNZgTcpYeTtaZ0WIEzFTF/s1600/20140620_200828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngf-IL1rZiTQzzYicJ0ux4HFHjrGiapPH9S0BnEqkIsIxYUovDYTjOwEh39LnDQYUK6ZpM8AoYc9cRdcNfVtZp7UW16RLCDWzCY7zCFL2YPRWt-jdurVbrhshNZgTcpYeTtaZ0WIEzFTF/s320/20140620_200828.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXK29MiUTBoMgsOlp8txG9IVg_Au6_Y1eOLVgES6mj92O7qemHmXDIsLYDuyHDCiR65kjOmkdEHGm0Hhdfqg_KruGnfRbpq1hyzyqloi-OBFk0HLsyHeeh3kn9hVamUlojqP7whnxjwvnS/s1600/20140617_195957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXK29MiUTBoMgsOlp8txG9IVg_Au6_Y1eOLVgES6mj92O7qemHmXDIsLYDuyHDCiR65kjOmkdEHGm0Hhdfqg_KruGnfRbpq1hyzyqloi-OBFk0HLsyHeeh3kn9hVamUlojqP7whnxjwvnS/s320/20140617_195957.jpg" /> </a> </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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBmiazpArf4MqYFKtEbpVPVCIvmoBDGDX6r_feIDRyvgNMPt6xkViVwBsN94KD6vW39HckMvsO3sQ2ROJ5181pn3W8y0_uLCcG9lPrkLWRJqY9GyGQ99vsSufTCEq_FLmM2ZjmA76zyeP/s320/IMG_31183085359190.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Stripes design...</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBmiazpArf4MqYFKtEbpVPVCIvmoBDGDX6r_feIDRyvgNMPt6xkViVwBsN94KD6vW39HckMvsO3sQ2ROJ5181pn3W8y0_uLCcG9lPrkLWRJqY9GyGQ99vsSufTCEq_FLmM2ZjmA76zyeP/s1600/IMG_31183085359190.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4Gso3pa63Mnr27rF6QLGEUfe66HHyQgfgljDtE8V5oPaJlD1WfxQ8h_A4coHHAHYH6L_AtYvjh8v0GVXAtzsTdMbjNkjO8YbyVbaxY4SlyQTcrcbUQebsAwYIKeoLCuOeIm-R51Q3iis/s1600/IMG_31148593109965.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4Gso3pa63Mnr27rF6QLGEUfe66HHyQgfgljDtE8V5oPaJlD1WfxQ8h_A4coHHAHYH6L_AtYvjh8v0GVXAtzsTdMbjNkjO8YbyVbaxY4SlyQTcrcbUQebsAwYIKeoLCuOeIm-R51Q3iis/s320/IMG_31148593109965.jpeg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwnku9v8gtHGFsquydkURYej-MYUp8bvrRfU4raC6hvEi1DJIWUxI1gf6JKenFHfSuiuFtVjwKwqXm9ju-MnQ1HYtHMGW21aapSma6GAFQW5Rg1MQJ5rBsJ5zFqEcUJU2Y8HRNZww2sul/s1600/IMG_31168431682516.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwnku9v8gtHGFsquydkURYej-MYUp8bvrRfU4raC6hvEi1DJIWUxI1gf6JKenFHfSuiuFtVjwKwqXm9ju-MnQ1HYtHMGW21aapSma6GAFQW5Rg1MQJ5rBsJ5zFqEcUJU2Y8HRNZww2sul/s320/IMG_31168431682516.jpeg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Kwa leo ntaishia hapo...ntakuwa nkiendelea kuwaonyesha na ku share designs tofauti za mashuka, duvet etc...Please keep following and stay tuned!!!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div>

MASHUKA QUALITY...PURE COTTON BED COVERS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT FANCY HOME DECOR(TZ)

Fancy Home Decor ina design na kuuza mashuka mazuri na quality.  Haya ni baadhi tu ya mashuka tuliyokwisha kuyatengeneza na ambayo yapo taya...

Read more »

In Flight

<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Today our family’s flight path takes a new turn<o:p></o:p></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">as we settle back in the US<o:p></o:p></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_NEA9IQZVI3uoKrzSZxKoFvdx0Zde07ubmNuGeYFWp5weHatc8Wtg7Ix-ZSBXrjwvOKOJgBTTLvNnsisvfIwYUV0ei3TCCB6K7lHDOv5a_djZIkvW1342XU1ZVAqKRjgqx9xxXb-AKkR/s1600/DSC00735-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_NEA9IQZVI3uoKrzSZxKoFvdx0Zde07ubmNuGeYFWp5weHatc8Wtg7Ix-ZSBXrjwvOKOJgBTTLvNnsisvfIwYUV0ei3TCCB6K7lHDOv5a_djZIkvW1342XU1ZVAqKRjgqx9xxXb-AKkR/s1600/DSC00735-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The literal flight path will take us over Greenland’s icy waters<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">and then deliver us to our summery new hometown<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">which I imagine will feel foreign for a while<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">On the calendar:<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Driver’s license test<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> 4^th of July rodeo<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Summer camp<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Visit family<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Life is filled with transitions<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">and this is just another opportunity to practice our adaptability</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zgxbJjRXkgPPFk64R3WI3PCSH3dUqDmjLnWRNJLHs8Jjdo-nhiIIUPfUX9Z5y4Hb4n8aPYPtfTrcSKAfmwx2PUIHE6F3gpivgoSJEDkVFkj28rvMV5j60rLBbRAutX8ialxUoIg676tn/s1600/DSC09914-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zgxbJjRXkgPPFk64R3WI3PCSH3dUqDmjLnWRNJLHs8Jjdo-nhiIIUPfUX9Z5y4Hb4n8aPYPtfTrcSKAfmwx2PUIHE6F3gpivgoSJEDkVFkj28rvMV5j60rLBbRAutX8ialxUoIg676tn/s1600/DSC09914-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">See you on the other side<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">:)<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos my own -</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>

In Flight

Today our family’s flight path takes a new turn as we settle back in the US The literal flight path will take us over Greenland’s icy water...

Read more »

PANELED WALLS (AND A KITCHEN CABINET QUESTION FOR LIZ)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><span id="goog_1415124581"></span><span id="goog_1415124582"></span><br><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Currently Craving:  Paneled walls</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-md1H0FoYp9jB6CnO-BsRsdbA5WDaqBmmWrcyIGW9WnIjJuZupjWPwc5dMPzaCFwSZbkRnYLSKFvzuHfzjhzCs8ILRgvgfBR8oDrwSTM0c5vUJpMEMWF_x6UT6CiGOqg7usZaCU2ps68/s1600/tracery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-md1H0FoYp9jB6CnO-BsRsdbA5WDaqBmmWrcyIGW9WnIjJuZupjWPwc5dMPzaCFwSZbkRnYLSKFvzuHfzjhzCs8ILRgvgfBR8oDrwSTM0c5vUJpMEMWF_x6UT6CiGOqg7usZaCU2ps68/s1600/tracery2.jpg" width="400"></a></div><br /><br><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSldT9Ii0jfSQK82HXbXtn0OjWuUoZUgjnGewFGfKlFMwVkY5dNQxqL1quC1CsSZMb0gBdsU323_CEmHQoIdhC7CPpRbrHuY9tH8b7c0i39q7nxc3ZuVYXAm7jhYQn4GkMkOtdMgacj8M/s1600/porterhousedesigns+com.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSldT9Ii0jfSQK82HXbXtn0OjWuUoZUgjnGewFGfKlFMwVkY5dNQxqL1quC1CsSZMb0gBdsU323_CEmHQoIdhC7CPpRbrHuY9tH8b7c0i39q7nxc3ZuVYXAm7jhYQn4GkMkOtdMgacj8M/s1600/porterhousedesigns+com.bmp"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/06/current-crave-paneled-walls-and-kitchen.html#more">Read more »</a>

PANELED WALLS (AND A KITCHEN CABINET QUESTION FOR LIZ)

Currently Craving:  Paneled walls Read more »

Read more »

PAINTING A KITCHEN

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQXyNNlcvqtOhiGxfwBGjQyT8CYE6qQ919l0lqfeH4InCNEw7Ch-X3j5vzqmLwNvmlrrOkCu2lDSJxRnglc8XNEBBkr3IiAZDiAelRa72ywUMax3AacCnEROVto1JD3ysrgifbJrasgI/s1600/5b2ab3863b01ae3fc39d499891e0f90b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQXyNNlcvqtOhiGxfwBGjQyT8CYE6qQ919l0lqfeH4InCNEw7Ch-X3j5vzqmLwNvmlrrOkCu2lDSJxRnglc8XNEBBkr3IiAZDiAelRa72ywUMax3AacCnEROVto1JD3ysrgifbJrasgI/s1600/5b2ab3863b01ae3fc39d499891e0f90b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;">I'm all wrapped up in the wedding I'm doing in Dallas this week, (hence the few days with no posts) but wanted to </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;">get a quick post in and try to answer a question for Krissy about her kitchen...</span></b></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;"><b>She contacted me a couple weeks ago regarding her kitchen remodel.  She has been keeping track of her progress on her own <a href="http://dreamingdecor.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, and I think its going pretty good... what do you think?  She really rocked a nice board and batten peninsula....</b></span></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Question from Krissy....</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">. . .Can't wait to add some botanical prints to my home, I'm bookmarking </span><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/04/botanicals-and-answers-to-decorating.html?google_comment_id=z12egphxrrebwriii04cixspllmei55r3ec&google_view_type#gpluscomments" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">this post</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> for future reference but first I need to get through the major remodeling stuff. Right now I need to pick a new cabinet color. I was going to paint them white, then a gray with blue undertones, now??</span></i></span></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><br /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>I have Artic White solid surface counters and stainless steel appliances. I purchased BM paint in Storm for the cabs but when I started painting it looks like baby blue, yuck.</i></span><br /><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>Please help. I love white cabs but I'm afraid white on white could go terribly wrong. My latest thought is Edgecomb gray by BM? I just don't want it to look like I painted them beige. And I don't want them to have a modern look. They are shaker style and will have chrome pulls. We have warm medium toned laminate floors.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_zifyy9z6-7VIn-gPtPqupM0TasYgxE5PlkcYb_-nTjV3hd6tkviiaNAacVSWTUZ-x5Z0xWDdQUokApExbvUt7QFhXx77Z7uqutm4_0xF9R7ggIHJMRIfuBGUlXTrjPRvhqSy0B4TCQ/s1600/KISSY1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_zifyy9z6-7VIn-gPtPqupM0TasYgxE5PlkcYb_-nTjV3hd6tkviiaNAacVSWTUZ-x5Z0xWDdQUokApExbvUt7QFhXx77Z7uqutm4_0xF9R7ggIHJMRIfuBGUlXTrjPRvhqSy0B4TCQ/s1600/KISSY1.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2RttCP-G_buolaLM0XeHGx30pawKj8cLoDZ99NnsGOhoOyuIlK0gNARZwZyWHabWM3yfMH3mT8F8l0CiVrvVG3Jd9daQl4YK4pOi4jQmsz0I6sMeUMZcyYMd_FdeRN8Zo9l2qbcK7mA/s1600/KISSY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2RttCP-G_buolaLM0XeHGx30pawKj8cLoDZ99NnsGOhoOyuIlK0gNARZwZyWHabWM3yfMH3mT8F8l0CiVrvVG3Jd9daQl4YK4pOi4jQmsz0I6sMeUMZcyYMd_FdeRN8Zo9l2qbcK7mA/s1600/KISSY.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I'm not sure how to upload photos to the comment so I will link my blog about our home remodeling project. Would love your feedback! Thanks, Kristine </span><a href="http://dreamingdecor.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">http://dreamingdecor.blogspot.com/</a></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Hi Krissy,<br /><br />So the key words for me in your comments above were:  "I love white cabs...."   And then I read your blog post (good job on the board and batten, by the way) and again you said "I really want an all white kitchen".  And you also mentioned you get 'looks' when you mention it... but I'm pretty sure that is because all white kitchens can be a little 'cold'.  I personally love white kitchens.  <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">All white can be great as long as it doesn't become 'sterile' looking.  You are already on the right path to avoiding that with the warm wood floors.  (I actually posted on how to avoid sterile kitchens </span><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/03/non-sterile-kitchens.html" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">here</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">, which you might find helpful).The bottom line is really adding enough color and texture in your kitchen to make the white seem fresh and clean instead of sterile.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYXqrEbiJI2t8y_A4EtW66GkHjPSxkaTh627504Ug0Z3qZbmWlIKde0KJIFGkYCuErkx5YBQpisYLYrW4cT0cxGt4d-7E0TZ8_10xTWJ0yzEh0OEpzw8jm5IetnvAW4rDMv-wmiD3SgU/s1600/backsplash-tile-limestone-beige-black-countertop-cabinets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYXqrEbiJI2t8y_A4EtW66GkHjPSxkaTh627504Ug0Z3qZbmWlIKde0KJIFGkYCuErkx5YBQpisYLYrW4cT0cxGt4d-7E0TZ8_10xTWJ0yzEh0OEpzw8jm5IetnvAW4rDMv-wmiD3SgU/s1600/backsplash-tile-limestone-beige-black-countertop-cabinets.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />You can avoid the operating room look by using a more organic material for the backsplash.  Marble with some gray or gold veining, or a very light travertine or limestone will read warmer than shiny white ceramic tile.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwuLaHWB51sgoY3i17TPSCj_Zol_RmRAUyzpnZ9l3MuiHMaWP20zI1comIlegZfn57lHdWORA7_rDFjIZ7GFSC0dXD57IF9qOALCGiSNOia2enEOISbSWc8LBdPaRDwABofyMosXd8pA/s1600/atticmag+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwuLaHWB51sgoY3i17TPSCj_Zol_RmRAUyzpnZ9l3MuiHMaWP20zI1comIlegZfn57lHdWORA7_rDFjIZ7GFSC0dXD57IF9qOALCGiSNOia2enEOISbSWc8LBdPaRDwABofyMosXd8pA/s1600/atticmag+com.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />When all your 'bones' are in place, accessories are the best way to change the look and feel of your kitchen.</div><br /><br /><br />1.  Add warmth/texture.   Baskets, wood flooring, woven wood blinds, etc. add warmth and texture and take the sterile down a notch.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN3gIyl0plAafrv5cttE2clNj3BfuCzjc8p4JE0qMLe0-ReP9IcB55rAlE_4jYav1Opq2_5yk9qdJp74x5wJBhGGRLUZ2k2jeD2aRpLE7Kz2x0XU4LgiIGlMb59tU3HbP1xIApwhyphenhyphenvB0/s1600/brabournefarm+bs+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN3gIyl0plAafrv5cttE2clNj3BfuCzjc8p4JE0qMLe0-ReP9IcB55rAlE_4jYav1Opq2_5yk9qdJp74x5wJBhGGRLUZ2k2jeD2aRpLE7Kz2x0XU4LgiIGlMb59tU3HbP1xIApwhyphenhyphenvB0/s1600/brabournefarm+bs+com.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dZfrOmJPQQylh5-jRH85Gw38fwG70Y7QjcnznW2QjxwP2kHLY9HnMFVEYByveVd2HAIBEq83w0GVSCrIS_pGMdWzkppq12kvDjVa7KDpvKEzbKXplTSuVcFwXJARz_nj_eIzUJ_lcsY/s1600/besthdi+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dZfrOmJPQQylh5-jRH85Gw38fwG70Y7QjcnznW2QjxwP2kHLY9HnMFVEYByveVd2HAIBEq83w0GVSCrIS_pGMdWzkppq12kvDjVa7KDpvKEzbKXplTSuVcFwXJARz_nj_eIzUJ_lcsY/s1600/besthdi+com.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCBU7MKIvqy_GoBox2fiO1Ow1xYXRvs0V3H61xlhJACGKdfIEsnvA7hNwpzdtJi6Y5Axai3BvOlJ7h8cgFGyuzMhPpQaPTNwQdGNnE_faqv2YiHWIF7dtUj5ymYqdyuNCGTmvjRnmRo/s1600/homesteadrevival+bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCBU7MKIvqy_GoBox2fiO1Ow1xYXRvs0V3H61xlhJACGKdfIEsnvA7hNwpzdtJi6Y5Axai3BvOlJ7h8cgFGyuzMhPpQaPTNwQdGNnE_faqv2YiHWIF7dtUj5ymYqdyuNCGTmvjRnmRo/s1600/homesteadrevival+bs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />2.  Add greens.   A living plant, a bowl of green apples, limes, artichokes or avocados - there's just something about green that is grounding and adds an element of life -<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C9vAf013vQ4lKj-8sjdvtYeaeNb_1Tm1FcE9fx17QLtqQNvJGqTFtcOy8qiDyeKiBgVuR8AN9XtQ4ycxPJHd0lTx8FAcW3zUy0XAG-MPt56QU2fm1qC_T3z_A-VAuG9jx8fqzKvbfb4/s1600/Mix-Finish-Erika-Powell-Blue-Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C9vAf013vQ4lKj-8sjdvtYeaeNb_1Tm1FcE9fx17QLtqQNvJGqTFtcOy8qiDyeKiBgVuR8AN9XtQ4ycxPJHd0lTx8FAcW3zUy0XAG-MPt56QU2fm1qC_T3z_A-VAuG9jx8fqzKvbfb4/s1600/Mix-Finish-Erika-Powell-Blue-Kitchen.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGJEWSQ4h5eYOxk7bE4yzr7VNSn7yD85mWfXvLY7o0yCg8eDbahqlG5qKg8BCVXK0ky6QbEdsQ_MEEJ5YZ8LeB9KHRDNkxTr7JXJo7rUVqhMZ8dZlpzw3BVhkXe5ARSHSgNNlyv94oBM/s1600/divinebathrooms+com+au.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGJEWSQ4h5eYOxk7bE4yzr7VNSn7yD85mWfXvLY7o0yCg8eDbahqlG5qKg8BCVXK0ky6QbEdsQ_MEEJ5YZ8LeB9KHRDNkxTr7JXJo7rUVqhMZ8dZlpzw3BVhkXe5ARSHSgNNlyv94oBM/s1600/divinebathrooms+com+au.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeE7nsHzalcIWgri-7XIGrqTB-yZk6sKF91HscXkCE38CueExoAQlmk5h4WJ4RKtkW2o4BpkLEtHv1HCtQNG0jSETP7mtrqU8san-uXZJPg8GwIySWOU94ayRpHc_JLLuouYZXMa3Rko/s1600/thepinkclutch+bs+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeE7nsHzalcIWgri-7XIGrqTB-yZk6sKF91HscXkCE38CueExoAQlmk5h4WJ4RKtkW2o4BpkLEtHv1HCtQNG0jSETP7mtrqU8san-uXZJPg8GwIySWOU94ayRpHc_JLLuouYZXMa3Rko/s1600/thepinkclutch+bs+com.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br />3.  Add accessories.  Decide what your accent colors in the adjoining rooms will be and add a pop of color in the kitchen to echo them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E65zNw5rHqTeCmV1GVJ3-v7hGy9CBg_Ouhd2U6qcBi1IQd6imb71W2llY2jEXg75btaMYL5jyKCJ6_DwhlKibxIg6dUIgUFazfqvNG-YRClpPCvsQGClKIOOXDZ5DnbFe4BR3PHb2rY/s1600/annie-1of3+bs+com.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E65zNw5rHqTeCmV1GVJ3-v7hGy9CBg_Ouhd2U6qcBi1IQd6imb71W2llY2jEXg75btaMYL5jyKCJ6_DwhlKibxIg6dUIgUFazfqvNG-YRClpPCvsQGClKIOOXDZ5DnbFe4BR3PHb2rY/s1600/annie-1of3+bs+com.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwYJu27xz0KPKUzpruWkJCShP_33LWnlQaqqJOkIu6ViWLn2K_IFn155jceD-xpEu31w-RY4m5_VefEC3gSrt3J007YGWT9QTnbk2qKOS-uG9JcUrg6Ce3WNPVBb339g_nmP27MEydk0/s1600/cupboardsonline+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwYJu27xz0KPKUzpruWkJCShP_33LWnlQaqqJOkIu6ViWLn2K_IFn155jceD-xpEu31w-RY4m5_VefEC3gSrt3J007YGWT9QTnbk2qKOS-uG9JcUrg6Ce3WNPVBb339g_nmP27MEydk0/s1600/cupboardsonline+com.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuDyY73py66OYALYBTI8VZQO2e0TAqTMw95d8wftH92r1g9BFHeL8hmeuETclLsz5dLe7Eb7Bl0noj0yHzE3BKC-ZCSf0KoPJABsc_g6ly7JPeJTIal7Po8w_mXyfvFEuDe0SnutilS8/s1600/decorpad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuDyY73py66OYALYBTI8VZQO2e0TAqTMw95d8wftH92r1g9BFHeL8hmeuETclLsz5dLe7Eb7Bl0noj0yHzE3BKC-ZCSf0KoPJABsc_g6ly7JPeJTIal7Po8w_mXyfvFEuDe0SnutilS8/s1600/decorpad.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxgWCFKpFBTkNMsP6zwqFXgG_xnHAkiJmAwUYT2fihEEt2O8Nu_V6P2NwOyqqR7B06irybD2Ns3wBeqycQnc2ULThMDxoGCPEBjhZG9edxsB9Mfh1pT7eYE91A_y6600S3yTyboMGj9I/s1600/mariakillam+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxgWCFKpFBTkNMsP6zwqFXgG_xnHAkiJmAwUYT2fihEEt2O8Nu_V6P2NwOyqqR7B06irybD2Ns3wBeqycQnc2ULThMDxoGCPEBjhZG9edxsB9Mfh1pT7eYE91A_y6600S3yTyboMGj9I/s1600/mariakillam+com.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWppzl4_LpiaB3EGa3NU71ckTHnNSSzjX5fLmvLxtADQYo4m6feCbyk-jPeiGTK6wVFtjhms78LAM-xQJWusqBckELNE71RuC8IQTrQr9theODEU79EvBGgVX1eZK4Kqaor1plkmAg7Y/s1600/vissbiz+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWppzl4_LpiaB3EGa3NU71ckTHnNSSzjX5fLmvLxtADQYo4m6feCbyk-jPeiGTK6wVFtjhms78LAM-xQJWusqBckELNE71RuC8IQTrQr9theODEU79EvBGgVX1eZK4Kqaor1plkmAg7Y/s1600/vissbiz+com.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />4.  Wall art - granted most kitchens don't have a lot of wall space, but if you do have a little room, add some graphic interest.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuw9jevnY9ggcInD0NwU6hfKq3gbeH2MMHKvRw3SSAfEm_9ZLMYtE-BKUaSgkiTPudfKBi1ZU9lfJFGN3GghFQ9HJGe-_akLa53xqqkqc8XbVhmhG83Mx-Fec3zEAq8iKBdNkEEt8FG8/s1600/myhomeideas+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuw9jevnY9ggcInD0NwU6hfKq3gbeH2MMHKvRw3SSAfEm_9ZLMYtE-BKUaSgkiTPudfKBi1ZU9lfJFGN3GghFQ9HJGe-_akLa53xqqkqc8XbVhmhG83Mx-Fec3zEAq8iKBdNkEEt8FG8/s1600/myhomeideas+com.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />5. If possible, add Fabric.  Window treatments, rugs, even folded tea towels can soften a kitchen a little. Softening all those hard edges takes a little imagination in a kitchen where there isn't an abundance of textiles. If you have a slider nearby, add floor length curtains.  Bar stools can have cushions.  Use your imagination, but try to bring in a little fabric relief.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFP6ifgwbkvm6jmmuk12MDRQORODcpzBvDiG5g7djDChwqJD_evk0uUPzW1MYdU79pgAxSMey0u6rMFEeoH5Hk9BxRVijcGwkUD-gPB4_udi49E6z4K8ZBKMpUCGKnt08NoqcRrOgnWM/s1600/interiortaste+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFP6ifgwbkvm6jmmuk12MDRQORODcpzBvDiG5g7djDChwqJD_evk0uUPzW1MYdU79pgAxSMey0u6rMFEeoH5Hk9BxRVijcGwkUD-gPB4_udi49E6z4K8ZBKMpUCGKnt08NoqcRrOgnWM/s1600/interiortaste+com.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a6xQISB0YhS3Xw8hJDIDrVqRrWVPPPEfAcylu0QQtmx1GrEcu8Ju1LqUPmQmukv6T5TaGNJGP_ChNVUzJ40P67Vq3izLzszNIKkX1VJtv3mBtTFV7WygDqsQwwjlyVmApELCSerSn0I/s1600/myhomeideas+com1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a6xQISB0YhS3Xw8hJDIDrVqRrWVPPPEfAcylu0QQtmx1GrEcu8Ju1LqUPmQmukv6T5TaGNJGP_ChNVUzJ40P67Vq3izLzszNIKkX1VJtv3mBtTFV7WygDqsQwwjlyVmApELCSerSn0I/s1600/myhomeideas+com1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7ynDA6K0UcazYSqq64F_Pdb2Xme6PPRv2L0j0jXDguulNeCf2JF4U-ARPxmTLLV1gp2BwO-1HT4Lt15BKZ9eusJIx2d93A30d1YStdOY6puTOFstZTMTum2SGgyln59NfYW9GJ9J1NM/s1600/theenchantedhome+co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7ynDA6K0UcazYSqq64F_Pdb2Xme6PPRv2L0j0jXDguulNeCf2JF4U-ARPxmTLLV1gp2BwO-1HT4Lt15BKZ9eusJIx2d93A30d1YStdOY6puTOFstZTMTum2SGgyln59NfYW9GJ9J1NM/s1600/theenchantedhome+co.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Remember, its the heart of the home.  Its where your family and friends will gravitate. Make it as inviting as you can.  Good luck!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div><br />

PAINTING A KITCHEN

I'm all wrapped up in the wedding I'm doing in Dallas this week, (hence the few days with no posts) but wanted to  get a quick post ...

Read more »

VIOO VYA KUJIANGALIA SALUNI, SHELF ZA KUWEKEA MATAULO, VIPODOZI, HAIR SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONER...PROJECT YA KILUVYA.

<div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">Project hii ilifanyika kwenye saluni ya mteja wetu Kiluvya. Tuliweka vioo viwili vyeupe ukutani vya design ya round kulingana na alivyopenda mteja wetu. Pia tulifunga shelf 3 za kuwekea mataulo, vipodozi, shampoos na conditioner za kuoshea nywele.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ni saluni mpya na mteja wetu ndo alikuwa ameanza kuipamba....kwa rangi nzuri ya ukutani na furnitures za kisasa na imara za chuma.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fancy Home Decor inakusaidia kupendezesha saluni yako, nyumba yako, ofisi yako...n.k...</span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">Contact us now to get our service: +255 0712 023102</span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">karibuni.. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr"><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;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOy1YxmLUBtK6uMeubtNMnamSfjjAfxlds4v1jxvTsPWdExNszvwbNXOBwdfHbPPyYJnKjkIdofjQMeYP3la5cmLnc12JqTqUIe5Bqg3ALRcqcTt2aBEcH93g6ebCgZdTl_g61vKix0DDe/s320/20140607_151428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: small;">Looking so lovely kwakweli!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOy1YxmLUBtK6uMeubtNMnamSfjjAfxlds4v1jxvTsPWdExNszvwbNXOBwdfHbPPyYJnKjkIdofjQMeYP3la5cmLnc12JqTqUIe5Bqg3ALRcqcTt2aBEcH93g6ebCgZdTl_g61vKix0DDe/s1600/20140607_151428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjKx0auzNRYFhv6kt88n0MQ9kUkRwWlytDH4bzFYcHnKnKUgMUxUWFi-ges8ItZLNszXb1rw1fSoRIf82zswA6lYFMnZfuBEXI-qIyAZ_tb0L2g-OL3eBpWngBfdl4V4c4Ilqlkz-tY0E/s1600/20140607_151555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjKx0auzNRYFhv6kt88n0MQ9kUkRwWlytDH4bzFYcHnKnKUgMUxUWFi-ges8ItZLNszXb1rw1fSoRIf82zswA6lYFMnZfuBEXI-qIyAZ_tb0L2g-OL3eBpWngBfdl4V4c4Ilqlkz-tY0E/s320/20140607_151555.jpg" width="240" /> </a> </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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhJS3cS9olU9JL84tYDI0ZZlBILYvpnnZaiO7b36VCuVY_-0bvu22N0sb2YDgFbuh4JO8skYUYZCleaIUO7LTSQGhvJqdYPgCsdcITkd4z_Lss5Qn9S18Dreg_zAKoLj_07_KDly_N6FU/s320/20140607_151142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: small;">Corner shelf nyeupe ya kuwekea mataulo ya wateja....</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhJS3cS9olU9JL84tYDI0ZZlBILYvpnnZaiO7b36VCuVY_-0bvu22N0sb2YDgFbuh4JO8skYUYZCleaIUO7LTSQGhvJqdYPgCsdcITkd4z_Lss5Qn9S18Dreg_zAKoLj_07_KDly_N6FU/s1600/20140607_151142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0BTlaC-R5SDTVUJYPOIhLGp19sunzQ6xO29lD31oFre-bJRuRtn8nPIfOplt8jVIgcC-NP-ppj-qfGgOr2v73u4WS9olbyN8CWYzhj7sPLwtnp9pnj8JKJJcfscXjC6vDIsj7dnfD-Ge/s320/20140607_151227.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: small;">Shelf ya kuwekea vipodozi n.k...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0BTlaC-R5SDTVUJYPOIhLGp19sunzQ6xO29lD31oFre-bJRuRtn8nPIfOplt8jVIgcC-NP-ppj-qfGgOr2v73u4WS9olbyN8CWYzhj7sPLwtnp9pnj8JKJJcfscXjC6vDIsj7dnfD-Ge/s1600/20140607_151227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpedSD6WWOec9rLsXs3FP19EDX5esla-cXTizAuXSf1VIB_DeOP4LrJ6RUvBoB87tHtRiF4k_2_zzf0fpFs11FdgiPZ73j6se0Muyy3krYbzLxWpp9tfO1aKFrQou4qUJ_vNaSKR3CPF86/s320/20140607_150853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: small;">Shelf inayokaa karibu na sink la kuoshea nywele wateja...unaweka shampoos za kuoshea nywele, conditioners n.k...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpedSD6WWOec9rLsXs3FP19EDX5esla-cXTizAuXSf1VIB_DeOP4LrJ6RUvBoB87tHtRiF4k_2_zzf0fpFs11FdgiPZ73j6se0Muyy3krYbzLxWpp9tfO1aKFrQou4qUJ_vNaSKR3CPF86/s1600/20140607_150853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99R3Tuvy_Yw1ONDVJHkNlIPi0QaPBhC1QRdgO94AOefSijaC8kcgaWQzZA_WES8E7GDufoSugPAd_c0CZA3DJwtrroTMFFFUSIVuKTuAJh4_Al6hYlTz7COBTCev47byfZ3u_Hs8OUBK-/s1600/20140607_151508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99R3Tuvy_Yw1ONDVJHkNlIPi0QaPBhC1QRdgO94AOefSijaC8kcgaWQzZA_WES8E7GDufoSugPAd_c0CZA3DJwtrroTMFFFUSIVuKTuAJh4_Al6hYlTz7COBTCev47byfZ3u_Hs8OUBK-/s320/20140607_151508.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HEEuhnitgLPB4dpf4P_BRa5mcVbaL0axt28BN10zXDG_4BE8SBEw4g4ezCA2Glc5m8_gDMZpYRTpTcZh7S8ejHr5GJMIcHJPoqVYi8JVOucUhfoB762nfDJ67PLIVFceMDCRWVQbwjh-/s1600/20140607_151819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HEEuhnitgLPB4dpf4P_BRa5mcVbaL0axt28BN10zXDG_4BE8SBEw4g4ezCA2Glc5m8_gDMZpYRTpTcZh7S8ejHr5GJMIcHJPoqVYi8JVOucUhfoB762nfDJ67PLIVFceMDCRWVQbwjh-/s320/20140607_151819.jpg" /> </a> </div>

VIOO VYA KUJIANGALIA SALUNI, SHELF ZA KUWEKEA MATAULO, VIPODOZI, HAIR SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONER...PROJECT YA KILUVYA.

Project hii ilifanyika kwenye saluni ya mteja wetu Kiluvya. Tuliweka vioo viwili vyeupe ukutani vya design ya round kulingana na alivyopenda...

Read more »

Reflecting On England

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">What can I say...</div><div style="text-align: center;">so much we have learned </div><div style="text-align: center;">and so much we will miss</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for joining my journey!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsJ5GNS0m7pEna4G6ZuUFpDVNIbYM7bU1xtjPa2BTW0Rtri3DWp2jfAl-ia6I805GsHMdwjlGPmWOCnAX4xZDC5IU1mrBlOxUeHMeuynjbV8VnC1nJlnkz2V1yH38iw29FvTU-VQUjdhz/s1600/DSC01507-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsJ5GNS0m7pEna4G6ZuUFpDVNIbYM7bU1xtjPa2BTW0Rtri3DWp2jfAl-ia6I805GsHMdwjlGPmWOCnAX4xZDC5IU1mrBlOxUeHMeuynjbV8VnC1nJlnkz2V1yH38iw29FvTU-VQUjdhz/s1600/DSC01507-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so thankful you have read and commented on my blog</div><div style="text-align: center;">which in turn encouraged me to keep documenting our time here in words and images</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I start to look at England from a rear-view mirror perspective,</div><div style="text-align: center;">here's some of my thoughts about this wonderful country<br />we have been lucky to call 'home'...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE WEATHER</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enabling green grass and lush landscapes year around,</div><div style="text-align: center;">rain is an important fiber of the English culture<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhOQqX4VF621wFfYj4wemWnn0RjWPwrZxp6BEkm4E3eNfT4yNn76eXSHerXv8bNY4PI1-HGKsB9g6K6Xm6e6A1t6GVUT2AT59f1V-34y5FUWDAy30z1zpbk0s8EbGBdhIcYVVBrOmgudZ/s1600/photo+5-044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhOQqX4VF621wFfYj4wemWnn0RjWPwrZxp6BEkm4E3eNfT4yNn76eXSHerXv8bNY4PI1-HGKsB9g6K6Xm6e6A1t6GVUT2AT59f1V-34y5FUWDAy30z1zpbk0s8EbGBdhIcYVVBrOmgudZ/s1600/photo+5-044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Providing not only a conversation starter,</div><div style="text-align: center;">rain has created a hearty crew who holds events rain or shine</div><div style="text-align: center;">and 'just gets on with it'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Molding fashion,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you find adorable wellies and umbrellas at the ready for rain</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the sweater-scarf-leggings-boots combo is put to work </div><div style="text-align: center;">at least 9 months of the year</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With rain comes rainbows and</div><div style="text-align: center;">the probable cloud cover provides soft lighting for photos</div><div style="text-align: center;">The mild weather is predictable with occasional 'sunny spells'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fog has been infrequent</div><div style="text-align: center;">but always a treat</div><div style="text-align: center;">as it drops a totally different lens to a wintry landscape<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4o4APQIbygMKxwQkj8d2_klpAT4IapP5wY3fAhvcZnHG-ihID4jR9SIDcPINgRaceTjmj9J635U71l9keKLVyRVv2o5qFu6G6DvJo06JgxGYRkYyA1qWnqfaFBlY4NAgtKvDzewsDezsT/s1600/photo+4-027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4o4APQIbygMKxwQkj8d2_klpAT4IapP5wY3fAhvcZnHG-ihID4jR9SIDcPINgRaceTjmj9J635U71l9keKLVyRVv2o5qFu6G6DvJo06JgxGYRkYyA1qWnqfaFBlY4NAgtKvDzewsDezsT/s1600/photo+4-027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wintertime is short but very dark,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and later we're rewarded by insanely long hours of daylight in summertime</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In general</div><div style="text-align: center;">the clouds and rain are like a cozy blanket</div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes me say, 'Ahhh, that's my England'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE OUTDOORS</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With all that rain and mild temperatures,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this island has the most wonderful conditions for growing things<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU203Hc5DksbH8ls5CHkhvtKR14G-TXY_HKqt0Ti_V3A8qwW2enUT6a7Sd2Bni-KZSz5dLDuywqZ09WxYaKpdCw6nKe_nW9-YI4I6iDm8hotnE1Q02Wo-DBi4iVUImf4mw8y50hofKHqj/s1600/DSC01226-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU203Hc5DksbH8ls5CHkhvtKR14G-TXY_HKqt0Ti_V3A8qwW2enUT6a7Sd2Bni-KZSz5dLDuywqZ09WxYaKpdCw6nKe_nW9-YI4I6iDm8hotnE1Q02Wo-DBi4iVUImf4mw8y50hofKHqj/s1600/DSC01226-004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dancing wildflowers are left to grow along the roadside</div><div style="text-align: center;">and walls of greenery guide you down the lanes </div><div style="text-align: center;">in the form of hedgerows and tree tunnels</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Picture-perfect crop fields are just as beautiful</div><div style="text-align: center;">as the countless public gardens that dot this verdant country</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Garden nurseries sell not only flowers and plants</div><div style="text-align: center;">but pots of tea, lunch and dessert</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With public footpaths zig-zagging the country,</div><div style="text-align: center;">there is no shortage of local hikes</div><div style="text-align: center;">and dogs can frolic off-leash to their waggy-heart's content<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoUacfDbm7fYbUcRyWrjwJV28YwgAu5kWl0fPZE6RAUmCHNAzHXbldz7q7iAiNgYFmL5HY44bgy-v6S4IenVq4oDtskkq0wWEe6YIo-J2tCqiR8sMDKAxyvnymbBCS2Hxizh7jQOwtnts/s1600/DSC09680-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoUacfDbm7fYbUcRyWrjwJV28YwgAu5kWl0fPZE6RAUmCHNAzHXbldz7q7iAiNgYFmL5HY44bgy-v6S4IenVq4oDtskkq0wWEe6YIo-J2tCqiR8sMDKAxyvnymbBCS2Hxizh7jQOwtnts/s1600/DSC09680-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Without the danger of bears, mountain lions, or poisonous snakes</div><div style="text-align: center;">children can run around more carefree than we are accustomed to</div><div style="text-align: center;">(there are venomous adders, but rare)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, how we will miss... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">being woken up at 5 o'clock by birdsong</div><div style="text-align: center;">old car horn sound of a pheasant call</div><div style="text-align: center;">bike pump sound made by the Great Tit</div><div style="text-align: center;">skinny little legs on the sweet and revered English Robin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">wandering solitary fox</div><div style="text-align: center;">spinning tail of a newborn lamb</div><div style="text-align: center;">gorgeous haze of bluebells in Spring</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">shocking acid-yellow rapeseed<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/AVvXsEgnwiJV2MO_jwUwRWiR-4VIvCzhmJAA3-sDZTfeCkLWBeinCbHl_mcTN7rMZob1wY9mANwEOO1PQCVDK5Fy6ohqLrs_tifLCm6M_Cj0G6IGT0GSzwJVlFXkpBXFZaxQ5Hk6TY2UGSh1J_hI/s1600/DSC01696-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwiJV2MO_jwUwRWiR-4VIvCzhmJAA3-sDZTfeCkLWBeinCbHl_mcTN7rMZob1wY9mANwEOO1PQCVDK5Fy6ohqLrs_tifLCm6M_Cj0G6IGT0GSzwJVlFXkpBXFZaxQ5Hk6TY2UGSh1J_hI/s1600/DSC01696-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">rich blue of a British summer sky</div><div style="text-align: center;">fairytale-like toadstools in autumn</div><div style="text-align: center;">magical hoar frost in winter</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like many Americans,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am quite smitten by the English accent</div><div style="text-align: center;">and surprised how it varies greatly</div><div style="text-align: center;">depending on class, education, and location<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/AVvXsEj357jdTYsAltGAIjksuMfnt6gdmKzKxtn3WijmZcD_c_-5K8a-p5cvHcWP84D9F8QG67LvzuFbrpD9jYHS33TNoRt02n7FSNnQPvHKfjqWqnOmAbTZQaFCCLl33ySIIHErRU2OO2VfKWo0/s1600/DSC01270-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj357jdTYsAltGAIjksuMfnt6gdmKzKxtn3WijmZcD_c_-5K8a-p5cvHcWP84D9F8QG67LvzuFbrpD9jYHS33TNoRt02n7FSNnQPvHKfjqWqnOmAbTZQaFCCLl33ySIIHErRU2OO2VfKWo0/s1600/DSC01270-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've started to notice which type of accent is spoken in radio commercials</div><div style="text-align: center;">which provides a whole different level of information to the listener</div><div style="text-align: center;">as to what the advertiser wants to convey</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While the English are not boastful,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they'll remind you of their original ownership of the English language</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And yet<br />they have pronunciation inconsistencies that make me look like a real heel</div><div style="text-align: center;">such as Cliveden - should be Clive-den but is pronounced Cliv'den -</div><div style="text-align: center;">and other pronunciation rule derailments such as Thames and Leicester</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I imagine the English use a larger percentage of their dictionary than Americans</div><div style="text-align: center;">and they have an impressively extensive vocabulary for landscapes such as</div><div style="text-align: center;">moor, tor, fen, fell, dale, vale, copse, lea, common, green, heath, and beck</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is even a wordsmith game show on BBC radio</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that the public will correct grammatically incorrect signage</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How I wish I had taken a photo of a notice placed in an elevator/lift I saw a few years ago</div><div style="text-align: center;">Someone had used a pen to make about 4 grammatical corrections on the sign</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was taken down that night<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I did get a photo of this one at my local post office...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><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 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhwKtTImEFtuZT1HNnxAanYU_ZFrvXcwoeoTPPNJF3gwmSmtOimkXiGK2ddo9sarpv3QqU7yQGerswWWn2e6RBUJcEre31TgR7oolgF-qTzZACluDwKiigX4UDInaSz7XIPeDUunpp_So/s1600/photo+1-0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhwKtTImEFtuZT1HNnxAanYU_ZFrvXcwoeoTPPNJF3gwmSmtOimkXiGK2ddo9sarpv3QqU7yQGerswWWn2e6RBUJcEre31TgR7oolgF-qTzZACluDwKiigX4UDInaSz7XIPeDUunpp_So/s1600/photo+1-0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone attempted to scratch out the 's'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a side note,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I find it fascinating that the French has an official authority <span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">(<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Académie française)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">determining the usages, vocabulary, grammar, and dictionary of the French language</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">FOOD & DRINK</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's cut the the chase:</div><div style="text-align: center;">man, how we will miss our country pubs<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Kmq1iOs2DFUlzwpVX9LEEyqiTyHvoNKSbQdiXtoxfjwSlGlphfnkBcrALbBy9OX49dfyD4DonS-KCFafTsjtwVi6wbmshukJk6t2I-xw8HVT1VAbwMbv7_bgBWJrOT3qbUV5M9ByTwEd/s1600/photo+2-031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Kmq1iOs2DFUlzwpVX9LEEyqiTyHvoNKSbQdiXtoxfjwSlGlphfnkBcrALbBy9OX49dfyD4DonS-KCFafTsjtwVi6wbmshukJk6t2I-xw8HVT1VAbwMbv7_bgBWJrOT3qbUV5M9ByTwEd/s1600/photo+2-031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Imagine a 17th-century pub with a warming fire in the fireplace</div><div style="text-align: center;">and board games stacked nearby just waiting to be played</div><div style="text-align: center;">Perfection!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A warming drink may include </div><div style="text-align: center;">a pot of tea</div><div style="text-align: center;">hot chocolate</div><div style="text-align: center;">(warmish) pint of beer</div><div style="text-align: center;">Winter Pimms</div><div style="text-align: center;">or mulled wine</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happiness is sitting outside on a sunny day at a pub</div><div style="text-align: center;">while the kids play on equipment or hide-and-seek</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Quiz Night' is on Fridays</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday Roast each week</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dog and family friendly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pubs are the heartbeat of many villages</div><div style="text-align: center;">and there simply is no equivalent in the US<br />or possibly elsewhere in the world outside the UK/Ireland region</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With so many cool pubs to discover,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you never have to go to the same one twice<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCctux52X_k0o_wYpipRPvdjknXfEeDNtuQ4Jx0DmEx4gNX226y9bQnKqQ4GkQsaGt47a2584KL9nYXo0IHIICHWMoe0rpG0rmzUFu1lapD_Ibz5A7LW2TBvTcD3BdewOjGCFZZkWsMQH9/s1600/DSC00105-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCctux52X_k0o_wYpipRPvdjknXfEeDNtuQ4Jx0DmEx4gNX226y9bQnKqQ4GkQsaGt47a2584KL9nYXo0IHIICHWMoe0rpG0rmzUFu1lapD_Ibz5A7LW2TBvTcD3BdewOjGCFZZkWsMQH9/s1600/DSC00105-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While England gets a bad rap for food,</div><div style="text-align: center;">delicious Indian take-away is as common as Chinese take-out in the US</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The London food scene is amazing, delicious and diverse</div><div style="text-align: center;">and is constantly evolving with clever new ideas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From liquid nitrogen ice cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">to Alice In Wonderland tea,</div><div style="text-align: center;">from pay-per-minute cafes<br />to sushi on conveyor belts,</div><div style="text-align: center;">London has it all</div><div style="text-align: center;">and we're spoiled for choice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our sweet tooth will be missing a lot of British favorites:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">millionaire shortbread bars</div><div style="text-align: center;">lemon drizzle cake</div><div style="text-align: center;">treacle tart</div><div style="text-align: center;">sticky toffee pudding</div><div style="text-align: center;">honeycomb crunch ice cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">first of the season British strawberries</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And those unforgettably named dishes</div><div style="text-align: center;">Toad In The Hole, Bubble & Squeak</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In place of syrup,</div><div style="text-align: center;">who knew squeezing lots of lemon juice and sprinkling sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">all over pancakes would be a new breakfast favorite?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tipped off by a French friend who knows her food, we found another love</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>good local bread</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">- so soft, so light, with lots of holes inside to capture the butter -<br />yummmmm</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aside from rain, tea also is an obvious integral part of England</div><div style="text-align: center;">Offered in homes and schools, by hairdressers, and at medical appointments</div><div style="text-align: center;">'a nice cup of tea' is another emotional cozy blanket in England</div><div style="text-align: center;">to either welcome or soothe<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKNVBnjBJ6yJAZT6O-QIhjajZk9VX2ufXqrWTOWDM1BKfCo6QDWqpEUG5-CtZ4Prdam1uxN1P_ThDU76u_Jc7Hyq7h8BSD32z1sjk2yhKs8vcbFxH229EZ7_1zL1ZZ-YDBS9JQe1npQuw/s1600/photo+4-049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKNVBnjBJ6yJAZT6O-QIhjajZk9VX2ufXqrWTOWDM1BKfCo6QDWqpEUG5-CtZ4Prdam1uxN1P_ThDU76u_Jc7Hyq7h8BSD32z1sjk2yhKs8vcbFxH229EZ7_1zL1ZZ-YDBS9JQe1npQuw/s1600/photo+4-049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interestingly</div><div style="text-align: center;">'cream tea' is more regional than I would have expected</div><div style="text-align: center;">with its clotted cream and scones</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I stumble upon one, I bring out my happy dance</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE DRIVING</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As intimidating and silly the driving exam seemed at the time,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually am thankful I had to go through the process</div><div style="text-align: center;">or shall we call it 'a right of passage', hmm?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I definitely became a much better driver</div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks to the exam, the driving lessons,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and fellow drivers who honked at my missteps<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-Y2cRdmJSSqj4_0YDjmKv81aqBX6piw79q1kTIfi0RIu7_90iJfJicTuBRtMsuTsjc0_2F3B8gT0YpzDmAy9umDNeEKnHBeszGJIPPT34CfNLH3VtHoEHh7v3Wc1XA3kQvaaq6lh6OX0/s1600/DSC09400-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-Y2cRdmJSSqj4_0YDjmKv81aqBX6piw79q1kTIfi0RIu7_90iJfJicTuBRtMsuTsjc0_2F3B8gT0YpzDmAy9umDNeEKnHBeszGJIPPT34CfNLH3VtHoEHh7v3Wc1XA3kQvaaq6lh6OX0/s1600/DSC09400-001.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;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the continuous driving enabled by</div><div style="text-align: center;">roundabouts and yields (no stop signs)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I appreciate 'creative parking'</div><div style="text-align: center;">in any direction on sidewalks</div><div style="text-align: center;">made possible by low kerbs/curbs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speed limits that change on digital signs </div><div style="text-align: center;">are a brilliant idea on the highways/dual carriageways</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You gotta love the single lane roads that call themselves a double lane</div><div style="text-align: center;">- smile if you know what I'm talking about -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I can just hear the crowd go wild</div><div style="text-align: center;">when I totally nail one of those challenging parallel parking spaces</div><div style="text-align: center;">- that is some serious satisfaction, my friends -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">TRAVEL</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While we have the same number of school days as our American counterparts,</div><div style="text-align: center;">our holiday breaks are much longer<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/AVvXsEjpJQcYME2fzG7WzS2JqJLA2upcp7iz7-1fx9-cSwRyS_HWGVl4s3bYvNrxzlTGXzltC3AgjlA9FwvPS2NvQ8mlZwnxP47RjFrtXXbKxijN_vUPuO0NmRtKNqib7CDW5AhjTS0IhMCSoiLL/s1600/photo+3-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJQcYME2fzG7WzS2JqJLA2upcp7iz7-1fx9-cSwRyS_HWGVl4s3bYvNrxzlTGXzltC3AgjlA9FwvPS2NvQ8mlZwnxP47RjFrtXXbKxijN_vUPuO0NmRtKNqib7CDW5AhjTS0IhMCSoiLL/s1600/photo+3-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ireland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the US, it felt like nine months of solid school</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the UK, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it feels like we are on break, just finished a break, or about to have a break</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Consequently, English schools finish the school year in late June or July</div><div style="text-align: center;">making the summer holiday quite short</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And with two magnificent international airports nearby,</div><div style="text-align: center;">many destinations are just a direct flight away</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Due to our location,</div><div style="text-align: center;">many countries are in a nearby timezone</div><div style="text-align: center;">meaning jet lag often is of no concern</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Travel is affordable-ish</div><div style="text-align: center;">with discounted airlines and most hotels open to some bargaining</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We will definitely miss all the mental breaks from school</div><div style="text-align: center;">allowing us quality family time even when we didn't travel</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Feels like healthy living</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">MISCELLANEOUS<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few other oddities I will miss:<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/AVvXsEiXbMRET9NSF-FEnW1TVodLpjyWvAWi4VD37lW0oin7xn4UtqKEnnqOBItUNpZgOjP4oHh6JkBT2-JxMR_RSL96LdCodMbbE1W5Z3klwRomC_TlUG78GHSmXfuUblQT4HCDt2rQIdwUVDu0/s1600/photo+3-021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbMRET9NSF-FEnW1TVodLpjyWvAWi4VD37lW0oin7xn4UtqKEnnqOBItUNpZgOjP4oHh6JkBT2-JxMR_RSL96LdCodMbbE1W5Z3klwRomC_TlUG78GHSmXfuUblQT4HCDt2rQIdwUVDu0/s1600/photo+3-021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For portable toilets, that slogan is priceless!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* on/off switch on wall outlets</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* Panto season at Christmastime<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* LBC and BBC talk radio - giving me more insight into the English mind</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* contest radio winners who respond with a simple 'thank you' or 'I'm. so. happy.' </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* upcoming Scottish independence vote and <span style="background-color: white;">UK General Election</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Refreshingly, voting happens with little fanfare and no endorsements signs</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sorry to miss feeling the pulse!<br /><br />* English synonyms for so many American words<br />My vocabulary has definitely expanded<br /><br />* little things such as the European '7' with a line through it,<br />the date written in a different order,<br />writing in upper case letters almost exclusively,<br />formally beginning emails with 'dear' and ending with 'kind regards'<br /><br />* the density of so much to do, see, learn, and photograph<br />so close to home<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LSuu4sd-UGK5DvW9PmUWV0yLBHkrAFXs7e8NOJNdOmuiX2c5uCQr9oYqcrfrRtHjjLtSVUVDjmAWBwL7lrZJkYfZDJ-h8oevWoxLwY1HR9X5j0PYmbxTHi2y915hymKqgi0EZZPDOL8H/s1600/photo+1-053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LSuu4sd-UGK5DvW9PmUWV0yLBHkrAFXs7e8NOJNdOmuiX2c5uCQr9oYqcrfrRtHjjLtSVUVDjmAWBwL7lrZJkYfZDJ-h8oevWoxLwY1HR9X5j0PYmbxTHi2y915hymKqgi0EZZPDOL8H/s1600/photo+1-053.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While the time is right on many fronts for us to leave,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we are returning to the US as new, improved 'us'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm definitely a lot smarter having absorbed English history and culture</div><div style="text-align: center;">and grateful to learn a different way to do life and raise a family</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I live in another foreign country again?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Although it has its challenges, yes, definitely yes</div><div style="text-align: center;">:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all images my own -</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>

Reflecting On England

What can I say... so much we have learned  and so much we will miss Thank you for joining my journey! I am so thankful you have read and com...

Read more »