Hello, I Am A Flag Dork

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<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/AVvXsEhtR_cv73xJMXPmPDONN2U_bWdE6v9plQDZP82Oserbvgzpq6Kg14L_YJqNPfNCjZtcUxH6ivxArHGgZW1dczFQ_3cLQP_eZFMY-w9-KRbNnOMIYhA0DOrcFHwtNBcChKDIEC3_1FgZ11k/s1600/bespoke+bunting+etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR_cv73xJMXPmPDONN2U_bWdE6v9plQDZP82Oserbvgzpq6Kg14L_YJqNPfNCjZtcUxH6ivxArHGgZW1dczFQ_3cLQP_eZFMY-w9-KRbNnOMIYhA0DOrcFHwtNBcChKDIEC3_1FgZ11k/s400/bespoke+bunting+etsy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade pillow by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53874588/pink-union-jack-applique-cushion">Bespoke Bunting</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Confession: I have loved flags since 1st Grade when I would hide the classroom flag book under my desk and read it instead of paying attention in class. Another confession: My 1st Grade birthday party was at McDonalds, and it rocked!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back on point, I love flags for their design, color, and their story. Maybe I'll convert you into a flag nerd too :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As you know, the flag for the United Kingdom is called the Union Jack ('Jack' is an olde term for 'flag'.) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are the individual flags within the United Kingdom. See if you can figure this one out...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDCOreDr7a6SWDSQyVoFfNdNZGwLUunlBeIeSw4S-TwMh2Rz9OzoGERdXW6KC6QXAreu7REQmjDXCRoSbxqfo61QsW2sEWzNccPeaAaGQ6IuHyz5WjebGwzOrsCVx8v4G5D2ZzOnBY6c/s1600/wikiScotland" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDCOreDr7a6SWDSQyVoFfNdNZGwLUunlBeIeSw4S-TwMh2Rz9OzoGERdXW6KC6QXAreu7REQmjDXCRoSbxqfo61QsW2sEWzNccPeaAaGQ6IuHyz5WjebGwzOrsCVx8v4G5D2ZzOnBY6c/s200/wikiScotland" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag of Scotland</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></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/AVvXsEgVrN1NIZT2VsBq2bq-cBMSN1Ygeppb4tZ4BejOt7cpruyKignvcLR4cfrZ7zY2eTGXWX2dUFq4e1UhuKuEOveAJU2Z_2tVlJqRy7Dstm2D26BkanUP7a94_XYbKb4f7ODQlwqI5OnW4mY/s1600/WikiEngland" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrN1NIZT2VsBq2bq-cBMSN1Ygeppb4tZ4BejOt7cpruyKignvcLR4cfrZ7zY2eTGXWX2dUFq4e1UhuKuEOveAJU2Z_2tVlJqRy7Dstm2D26BkanUP7a94_XYbKb4f7ODQlwqI5OnW4mY/s200/WikiEngland" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag of England</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbJVY3FdYlKo_Go1wk5yeg6l8zsSUFcOueqjrQc1aaY434FAHieDfp2JkeRc4dBEhrhOoVsVNmV6CRNG4sUdKTAicMAxcuWOILXYRnvKPORcm-YpFgttGujlOQmMpX5snsxjPBS6SQ-U/s1600/NorthernIreland" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbJVY3FdYlKo_Go1wk5yeg6l8zsSUFcOueqjrQc1aaY434FAHieDfp2JkeRc4dBEhrhOoVsVNmV6CRNG4sUdKTAicMAxcuWOILXYRnvKPORcm-YpFgttGujlOQmMpX5snsxjPBS6SQ-U/s200/NorthernIreland" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag of Northern Ireland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Overlay all three flags and you get this</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjShGXaNA9BzF2hYhDSMIVIOtCtnAV1dSjAR_jqjInPW58a04cF5hHLZmbIDn9xJeYjSKhRDN47cpO4Mk4jLWIIY4kLJrYr6lSXYQpV2X9Mj1AQQIUFq0SVfuZOmOqTu1Aoo5XA-KWUr0/s1600/wiki1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjShGXaNA9BzF2hYhDSMIVIOtCtnAV1dSjAR_jqjInPW58a04cF5hHLZmbIDn9xJeYjSKhRDN47cpO4Mk4jLWIIY4kLJrYr6lSXYQpV2X9Mj1AQQIUFq0SVfuZOmOqTu1Aoo5XA-KWUr0/s320/wiki1" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So clever!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1606 the Union Jack was adopted by the United Kingdom. Today it also can be seen on the flags of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tuvalu.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regrettably, Wales is not represented on the Union Jack flag although it is a part of the United Kingdom. My son would agree it is a cool flag all to its own. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11uuGs8ATQk-NQ0D22CClLYQwN6DUOpFCUzRqeAIrQEst-aV_c-7BpVoGxxHaWsZURqNEvdGWqb-3zkx-w25xnh_Pgsf9YEZXxENuyqsOZ4bUUpjIZlsuY5dIT9wHeq59g0pAugkEPjQ/s1600/800px-Flag_of_Wales_2.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11uuGs8ATQk-NQ0D22CClLYQwN6DUOpFCUzRqeAIrQEst-aV_c-7BpVoGxxHaWsZURqNEvdGWqb-3zkx-w25xnh_Pgsf9YEZXxENuyqsOZ4bUUpjIZlsuY5dIT9wHeq59g0pAugkEPjQ/s200/800px-Flag_of_Wales_2.svg.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag of Wales</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'LOOK SUPER SMART FOR THE DAY' CONTEST: Okay, I have no free giveaway, but you will get an imaginary gold star if you can tell me </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-> Which flag was designed by a local art teacher, whose entry won among 1000 designs in a contest? Hints: The flag is yellow and blue; the country is an island</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For fun, tell me your best guess <a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5522242732053368775&postID=4664054055063165777">here</a> in the comments section :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Flag images: Wikipedia.org</span></div><br />XO<br />Laura

Hello, I Am A Flag Dork

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK Handmade pillow by Bespoke Bunting Confession: I have loved flags since 1st Grade when I would hide the classro...

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Birthday at the beach

I'll be spending the day here...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU4kbglqtijAJdxryZDCzvg9rMvVKAmDWy94e44vyJrjhd7NH4tWd-omxUHUhOPlTJObYdDOe9bjm8Nv1v0DI0DS3HgjO-wEgF-E_xFxAvuxrvjAiZAYzNhgRLZFaP5wGWnPvmBwCawE/s1600/noosa+via+australiantravellercom008_noosa011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU4kbglqtijAJdxryZDCzvg9rMvVKAmDWy94e44vyJrjhd7NH4tWd-omxUHUhOPlTJObYdDOe9bjm8Nv1v0DI0DS3HgjO-wEgF-E_xFxAvuxrvjAiZAYzNhgRLZFaP5wGWnPvmBwCawE/s640/noosa+via+australiantravellercom008_noosa011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>...to celebrate my youngest daughter's birthday today. Fifteen years....where did it go?<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn5u4RfUWvkhKmnsrlYLnDn3btQyDmJGCDKjFSIxQI9nHzm8h6AXNKNcVdtkQmaOLS6iLzaFUd7J0vIgdB1vtBtO2-7PtxTLr9Mmq7GTxLOXHEy2pBn-zsO1SZ3BRDKPN68nVkbxnX-o/s1600/102_4214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn5u4RfUWvkhKmnsrlYLnDn3btQyDmJGCDKjFSIxQI9nHzm8h6AXNKNcVdtkQmaOLS6iLzaFUd7J0vIgdB1vtBtO2-7PtxTLr9Mmq7GTxLOXHEy2pBn-zsO1SZ3BRDKPN68nVkbxnX-o/s640/102_4214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She'll be the one giving her new surfboard a workout!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a great day everyone,</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>

Birthday at the beach

I'll be spending the day here... ...to celebrate my youngest daughter's birthday today. Fifteen years....where did it go? She'll...

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Lists & Doodles

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">If we ever speak on the phone, chances are I am mindlessly doodling (or doing laundry). I think I am a second generation doodler. I am a bit shy to share this, for I have no formal training but have developed a strong kindergartner technique. </div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This was my doodle today during a workshop - I later colored it with my daughter's Magic Markers to share with you :)</div><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/AVvXsEhuLpGMjupaOjYY_GLi7KC5WlEJxxR6lGbKHhoBUdrL_LWFNhMftQMI9rJQJ9MhUDRwf_7EOvFANygAy3sT3RE54_hs4psR7S6eEuAZ1SabgkHoy9wTKYYoKSWvIz-llDPEBvP9ruzluRU/s1600/DSC_0025-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLpGMjupaOjYY_GLi7KC5WlEJxxR6lGbKHhoBUdrL_LWFNhMftQMI9rJQJ9MhUDRwf_7EOvFANygAy3sT3RE54_hs4psR7S6eEuAZ1SabgkHoy9wTKYYoKSWvIz-llDPEBvP9ruzluRU/s400/DSC_0025-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hillside Landscape Doodle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't know why, but swirls have shown up in my doodles for only a year now (drawn in my sun). Since I was a kid, I mostly doodle flowers, mountains, and random shapes. I just noticed that for the first time my typical mountain peaks now look more like rounded English hills. Interesting...</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And without giving it any thought, I doodled the red Fly Agaric mushroom that I had thought existed only in fairy tales - but they have them here! I am in a mad search for a glimpse of this magical mushroom and cutie-pie hedgehogs. Let me know if you have any tips on where I could spot them...</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Inspired by Kate's expat list at <a href="http://theloeckenfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/transitions.html">Across the Pond with the Loeckens</a>,  here is my own list I thought you might enjoy</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><u>'You Know You Are Living In England When...'</u><br /><br /><ol><li>You pay $150 to fill the gas tank (and you are okay with it)</li><li>The 'meter reader' guy pops by unannounced to read the meter in your house</li><li>The grocery cart performs 'doughnuts' in the aisle, whether or not you want it to</li><li>You miss boxed Mac & Cheese, effective laundry stain-remover, and Reece's Peanut Butter Cups</li><li>You have to try to speak with an English accent to be understood </li><li>What had been a mundane task in your home country is now a huge adventure</li><li>You surrender to the impossibility of memorizing the multitude of phone numbers with their infinite digits </li><li>Pigeons & parakeets frequent the backyard</li><li>Book club meetings are with the author, at a pub, and/or in the actual historical location</li><li>Your daily commute is through the woods past swans, weeping willows, and a charming church built in the 1800s</li></ol><div style="text-align: center;">Today is sunny, so I must go now and enjoy the 'sun shower' :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a lovely day!</div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">[You're Invited! If you enjoyed this post, please consider following: www.HappyHomemakerUK.blogspot.com ] </div><br />XO<br />Laura

Lists & Doodles

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK If we ever speak on the phone, chances are I am mindlessly doodling (or doing laundry). I think I am a second g...

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