tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57134353156653607672024-03-13T13:05:45.936-07:00Pretty at HeartPretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-58092455236032417692013-05-31T12:43:00.002-07:002013-05-31T12:43:30.172-07:00When the weather turned nicer, we decided to concentrate on doing up our garden. Although we have slowly been building up the plants and bits & pieces, it still seemed to lack something.<br />
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There are a lot of "areas" that are doing nothing in the garden - so action has been taken!<br />
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We are having all new fences fitted in 3 weeks time - which I am looking forward to, because then we can move some of our taller plants to over to the fence to soften it.<br />
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When we moved in to our house almost 4 years ago, there was this brick built structure at the end of the garden. All we have used it for, is somewhere to keep the rabbit! The rabbit has now been put in a new warm home - as we had the shed re-roofed, so we decided to transform this building into a "mediterranean" area, that we could use!<br />
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All hands were on deck for the decorating and the green walls soon disappeared!<br />
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Then I managed to get a free table from someone who just wanted to get rid of them - I painted it blue..........then I went to a furniture charity shop near us and got 2 wooden chairs that were almost identical to two we already owned and.....................painted those blue too!!!<br />
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Then I started collecting bits from charity shops, bootsales, Lidl and The Range. I got some flower pots, some "greek" looking plates, tea light holders and lamps, fairy lights as well as hanging bits and pieces. Luckily at around that time Lidl had lemon, fig, olive and orange trees going cheap - so I got some of these and also some red geraniums and some cordyline plants in green and red.<br />
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I thought these huge wicker chairs would be ideal to relax in after we have eaten delicious food from the BBQ - plus the sun shines straight into this area (its the last bit of the garden to get sun) from about 4 oclock onwards. These chairs were £10 each from a bootsale and then I found cushion pads to fit them in Ikea yesterday! <br />
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I still need to add some blue, red and orange cushions and some more plates and bits as I find them. I also have a blue gingham oilcloth for the round metal table. We are having a new corrugated roof put on - as this one leaks slightly and then I am going to hide the ugliness with muslin drapes - already got some bright blue ones for £5 for the pair in Ikea!<br />
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So we are definitely getting there with the transformation - now just need some hot sunshine so we can sit down there and dream of being somewhere else!!!Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-13305788047993904072013-04-01T11:38:00.001-07:002013-04-01T11:38:52.271-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">When I put these decorations up it was snowing outside - I felt more like putting up Christmas decorations instead!!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I hope you have had a lovely Easter with lots of chocolate and quality time spent with your family and/or friends!!</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-18692351311061954012013-03-17T11:16:00.000-07:002013-03-17T11:16:06.705-07:00<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Wow..........it has been a long long time since I last posted!! Last June in fact! And do u know I was just reading that post and I had just bought an Easter decoration - which will be put up next week!! Where does time go??!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Well a lot has happened since June - the main things being: our daughter is now at the same Secondary school as our son - and is all settled and they are both doing so so well. I finished and passed my Level 3 diploma in childcare - which led to me wanting some changes so I left my job at the Children's Centre and now work in a 1 to 1 position in a nursery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Any other relevant changes will probably be mentioned along the way - but I have decided to just carry on as though I have never been away.............cos I haven't really, I have still been reading all the blogs I follow every single day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So..............for a long time now - probably since last Easter in fact, I have wanted a twig tree. I have advertised it on our local facebook bootsale site and have been to the woods on numerous occasions but not been able to find the "right" twigs - I know, out of all those trees! Last week it was suggested that I look in The Range or Hobby craft. Well The Range let me down on this occasion, but Hobby Craft sure didn't...........</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was so pleased and cannot wait to decorate it with some Easter decs next week. I am also going to decorate it with some handmade fabric birds (just got to get into gear and make some!!) and then Xmas decs later in the year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It was like Christmas yesterday because I purchased this and I have also been hunting high and low for an old wooden standard lamp and would you believe that I also managed to buy one of those yesterday too.............sure was my lucky day! Will post a pic of that another day. It needs painting and I have to find a shade for it but still - one step at a time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I also bought some extra Easter decs yesterday......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A cheap paper tablecloth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Some eggs on sticks??!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> and some good old paperchains</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I will definitely try to keep up with the blogging now!! Be back again soon. -x-</span></div>
Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-68627629223116749982012-06-21T12:13:00.000-07:002012-06-21T12:13:15.809-07:00At long last..............<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">During the half term week, after the girly sleepover, we had a visit booked that had been organised for my son's birthday which was back in March. He is a huge Harry Potter fan, so we had booked up the HP studio tour in Watford. This was booked for the Thursday, then we had a Premier Inn booked for that night and had got Tesco vouchers to visit Colchester Zoo on the Friday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Harry Potter was very very clever - even though I'm not really a fan - I still enjoyed the tour, as did the rest of the family. My son, of course, loved it and wants to go back again!! Unfortunately the weather was rubbish on the Friday - wet and windy - so we had to postpone the Zoo. But I did get to visit somewhere I have wanted to go for a long time.............Tiger and BM Stores. I have read so many blogs where these shops have been raved about and I have been so jealous about the purchases the bloggers have made - but it was my turn!! and I see what they mean! Especially BM Stores - which is where most of my purchases were made....................</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Thank goodness I don't live around the corner from one!! Mind you I bought all this and didn't spend a lot!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I also made some other purchases during that week.......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ok - I know Easter is a long way away, but I couldn't resist when I saw this picture in the sale in TK Maxx for £3!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So we were all kept happy, one way or another, during the half-term week. </span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-31583925972541038762012-06-08T11:34:00.003-07:002012-06-08T11:34:33.826-07:00Belated birthday celebrations<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">At the beginning of May it was my daughters 11th birthday. We had all sorts of celebrations arranged, but unfortunately she came home from school the day before with a full blown cold. She looked awful and because of the type of celebrations (including a sleepover with 4 girls in one room!) we had to postpone (after some tears!). So we re-arranged for the jubilee weekend - as I knew they would then have a week to recover!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So 3 girls arrived late afternoon...........with chocolate milkshakes on arrival </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Next was chocolate mud packs - here is my daughter having hers applied!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Once the mudpacks were finally washed off (had a few panic moments when they wouldn't shift!), cooling cucumber for the eyes - she will kill me when she sees I have used this piccie!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Finally some temporary tattoos and nail painting with pretty stickers</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">All of this was followed by pizza, garlic bread, coleslaw and french fries.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Freshly made pancakes with chocolate sauce, marshmallows and strawberries was offered for pudding...........yum!! But they didnt fancy this!! so had cakes instead.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Then they disappeared back upstairs for karaoke and a disco. Later they were meant to watch a movie - but they just didnt settle........................until...............yawn!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">midnight!!! Then they were awake, shouting and running around at 6.00 in the morning...........thank god we live in a detached house!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Breakfast was croissants and fresh orange and I counted down until 10.00 and parents came!! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I missed out telling you about when they thought my laundry basket was a bin and posted the tissues caked in mudpack in there on top of my sons white school shirts and also the bit where one tripped on the stair and threw coke all up the wallpaper - but hey - we have done it now........never to be repeated! Even my daughter agreed that next time she would just have one friend to stay. I did notice on a couple of occasions that it all looked a bit much for her - the full on noise and commotion!! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Glad WE had a week to recover - don't know about the girls!!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x- </span> </span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-59571102475485782212012-05-31T12:47:00.002-07:002012-05-31T12:47:26.861-07:00A Cloakroom makeover<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">At long last we have started making improvements to our horrible downstairs cloakroom!! I have avoided using this room since we moved here, almost 3 years ago! Even though it is downstairs, I always direct visitors to the upstairs bathroom and cringe if anyone automatically goes in there!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So now for some horrendous before piccies........</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This is the "lovely" polystyrene tiled ceiling!!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Yay - all gone!!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Peach tiles, orange stuck on floor tiles and lots of pipework on show!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A shelf, although useful, made out of a bit of worktop - bet your envious!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Going, going, gone!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So first the plasterer came in to make the ceiling nice and smooth and then the bathroom fitter. He put in a nice new toilet and basin and then fitted tongue and groove to cover the ugly pipework and a timber floor too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So now I need to get on with the decorating!! I am going to paint the top a light grey and all the wood in white</span>. <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">First I need to cover all those knots in the wood to stop them going yellow in time. Anyone know of anything I can paint on the whole board as the knotting stuff I have will take forever to dab on each knot!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x- </span></div>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-28793656440626436612012-05-28T12:36:00.002-07:002012-05-28T12:36:14.692-07:00<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I was lucky enough to be a winner on </span><a href="http://prettylittlejewels.blogspot.co.uk/">Prettty Little Jewels</a> 100 <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">followers giveaway!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Even though she was getting married on Saturday (just gone) she still managed to arrange the giveaway and send them off to us a few days before the wedding!! That's blogging dedication!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So I know you want to see what I got...............</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Some luggage type labels all prettied up with pink shaped buttons and lace. I need to get some pretty storage boxes for my new cloakroom and am thinking these would be nice to tie to the outsides!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A tube of posh handcream and a black button ring (I love button items) - sorry the photo isn't very good of that. All accompanied by a cupcake card. If you dont already follow Pretty Little Jewels - I recommend you go over and have a look at her blog!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I truly hope that Jewels and her fiance had the wedding day they deserved and that they are enjoying their honeymoon as I type this!! </span><br />
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-x-Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-50307474672161100662012-05-19T10:45:00.004-07:002012-05-19T10:45:52.935-07:00Coooo-eeeee!<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">At last I am back!! Sorry for my long absence! Unfortunately, we had yet another death - my side of the family this time and after this I just never seemed to get round to blogging (only reading others). But here I am!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So today................</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">we decided to go to Leeds Castle </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Once you have paid the entrance fee, you can go back as many times as you want over the period of a year. There are lots of events that are included in the ticket price (and a few that aren't). The event that was on today was a Home and Garden show</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A good variety of stalls</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">including yummy foods - which my son and hubby treated themselves to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">There's me and my daughter in the blue cardigans - examining the pretties!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Lots of pretty goodies to drool over............but I was really controlled. There were lots of things I liked, but nothing that really jumped out at me - so I restrained myself. We have house projects going on and holidays booked - so only really really nice or necessary stuff can be purchased at the moment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We had a really nice day though, we wandered round the stalls, had a picnic, enjoyed the sun and then walked some more, round the grounds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We are all sitting here chilling out now (with The Voice), all that walking and fresh air has worn us out! We deliberately did not explore the maze, grounds or actual castle as we are saving that for another day trip in the summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Hope you managed to enjoy some long awaited sunshine too!!</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-66944409341475610572012-03-09T10:43:00.000-08:002012-03-09T10:43:02.525-08:00Update<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ok just an update, so that I can get on with putting posts on here again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The sadness we experienced recently was when my husband's grandad passed away. Although he was almost 91, in some ways this makes it harder because we have had him in our lives for longer! I had known him for approx 24 years myself! Also our children, especially our 10 year old daughter really took it hard. But now we have had the funeral and laid him to rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Now that I have updated you, I will start posting again............hopefully this weekend! I have still been reading all your posts and commenting where I can. </span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-64687441453527621312012-01-22T13:08:00.000-08:002012-01-22T13:08:49.032-08:00Back soon<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just a few lines to let you know that I will be back real soon to follow up on my sofa blog - but we have a little sadness in our lives at the moment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-x-</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-81427743475001121392012-01-15T08:15:00.000-08:002012-01-15T08:15:40.171-08:00Christmas is over............<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know, I know Christmas was ages ago now!! I always seem to be 20 posts behind the rest of you luvlies!!! But here are a few of my fav xmas pressies. I'm only showing you a selection, because I was really spoilt by all my family and so I didn't want to bore you with too many piccies............</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGp780qx6EA/TxL4lr2AJZI/AAAAAAAAAYM/T0gWFhZqEOA/s1600/DSC02578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGp780qx6EA/TxL4lr2AJZI/AAAAAAAAAYM/T0gWFhZqEOA/s320/DSC02578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 soft throws and a pink wire memo holder</span> </div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gemm83BRA30/TxL4tx_a3EI/AAAAAAAAAYU/bakPhfG5qIw/s1600/DSC02579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gemm83BRA30/TxL4tx_a3EI/AAAAAAAAAYU/bakPhfG5qIw/s320/DSC02579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A wooden tray from Merchant Chandler, a hand-bag sized address book and a mini-hot water bottle (which I am warming my hands on right now!!)</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vwPQQla0H5s/TxL41nxF_5I/AAAAAAAAAYc/uJbxAGfJG2M/s1600/DSC02580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vwPQQla0H5s/TxL41nxF_5I/AAAAAAAAAYc/uJbxAGfJG2M/s320/DSC02580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A pretty bird cushion and some Laura Ashley bird table mats and coasters</span> </div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j64LA4ajfeA/TxL5GWQ3rxI/AAAAAAAAAYs/OiVtbE2F35Y/s1600/DSC02582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j64LA4ajfeA/TxL5GWQ3rxI/AAAAAAAAAYs/OiVtbE2F35Y/s320/DSC02582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A lady bird mug - in a nice box!! and a pink nice smelling jelly candle!</span> </div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ascn-AKWTLI/TxL4-EVBMoI/AAAAAAAAAYk/m8M8DJ6GzW0/s1600/DSC02581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ascn-AKWTLI/TxL4-EVBMoI/AAAAAAAAAYk/m8M8DJ6GzW0/s320/DSC02581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Some soft owl pyjamas and pompom slipper socks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So didn't I do well!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before Christmas I had painted all my furniture and walls white and added in beige and lots of red accessories. At Christmas I took down all my red bits and put up all my red and white Christmas decs. But when I took them down again, my red accessories just made me feel sick!! I think it felt as though it was still Christmas - so the red had to be packed up and I now have a white and beige living room!! It is all very neutral - but I actually really like it. Its like the calm amongst the storm - in the other rooms! So I might have to buy some more neutrals as it is looking a bit too bare and then maybe in the winter add my red bits again (which I have moved to the bedroom for now).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also have made a major change in the living room................the red chesterfields have gone and I now have brown leather settees - which also makes the neutral look more possible!! Pictures to follow..................</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have a good week</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-x-</span></div>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-56205769252462778482011-12-24T09:00:00.000-08:002011-12-24T09:00:39.971-08:00Merry Christmas<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Firstly a very over-due THANK YOU to the lovely Sarah at </span><a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/">http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com</a>. <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Sarah held a give-away for three Farrow and Ball sample pots................and I won - my first ever win in Blogland!!! I haven't tried them out yet though as I am waiting for the warmer weather!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So now just some Christmas pictures to leave you with and some Christmas wishes to send you..............<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HAVE A LOVELY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND ENJOY SOME QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!!</span></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">-X-</div>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-37928635535172016862011-11-29T08:38:00.000-08:002011-11-29T08:38:05.237-08:00URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!!<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Hi everyone! I'm really aware of the fact that I need to do a new post - not just to update you on what I have been up to......but also to tell you about the first giveaway I have won!! So I will, very shortly I promise!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">But firstly I need some urgent help! At the Children's Centre I work at, we have a little stall -which we set up for different seasons, for the children to play with. The children have a little till and we add bits like icecreams, deckchair etc in the summer and at the moment it is a garden centre. I want to make it Christmassy and so thought I could make it into a German Market type stall. My mum, bless her, is knitting her little fingers off making xmas puds and xmas cake but we cannot find a pattern anywhere for mince pies.................so if anybody could point us in the right direction (online) I would be most grateful!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Thanks all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x-</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-40517875434548323462011-11-20T13:13:00.000-08:002011-11-20T13:13:29.511-08:00<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Can't believe it is Monday again tomorrow - but have had a great weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Yesterday, we went to my mother-in-laws via Ikea, Thurrock. Had to take a star light back and then discovered they had a lot of their xmas bits in a half price sale!! I didnt go mad, but re-bought the light (as original one didnt go together properly)and that had gone down to £6.49 instead of £12.99. Then got.....</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KV2eN-KHPnM/TslokdVSq7I/AAAAAAAAAUw/hY8bK0SAPoE/s1600/DSC02534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KV2eN-KHPnM/TslokdVSq7I/AAAAAAAAAUw/hY8bK0SAPoE/s320/DSC02534.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Sorry, this isnt a very good picture - hopefully you can see the vintage type picture on this plant pot. This wasn't in the sale but was only £3ish</span> </div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qeybsULoew/TsloqwjuJeI/AAAAAAAAAU4/slAONEOyESk/s1600/DSC02533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qeybsULoew/TsloqwjuJeI/AAAAAAAAAU4/slAONEOyESk/s320/DSC02533.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QeM7gdD37kE/TsloyMU-lmI/AAAAAAAAAVA/gsS_FORa-j4/s1600/DSC02532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QeM7gdD37kE/TsloyMU-lmI/AAAAAAAAAVA/gsS_FORa-j4/s320/DSC02532.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">These packs of postcards were displayed in the room settings and looked really good. Had already decided I would buy a pack and then saw they had been reduced to 49p for pack of 5!!</span> </div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcuW76PqtQg/Tslo5av-q1I/AAAAAAAAAVI/JO5KEimouOs/s1600/DSC02530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcuW76PqtQg/Tslo5av-q1I/AAAAAAAAAVI/JO5KEimouOs/s320/DSC02530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> These snowflake battery operated lights have suction pads on each light - so am thinking of putting them round a mirror - reduced to £1.79.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Then my mother-in-law suggested visiting Crews Hill, which is near her, in Enfield, North London. It is a long road filled with garden centres, and a few other large shops. It was very busy, probably because the weather was so nice, but we finally found parking. We spent over 2 hours there and only went in a pet shop (which even sold dogs!), a shop selling tropical fish(cant think of the name for this type of shop!!) and 2 large garden centres. The garden centres also had xmas sections, pretty household bits, books, food etc. I only made one purchase as it was quite expensive - even with my mother-in-law paying £20 towards it as a pressie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So here it is............</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmTHejveA0Q/TslrDxNin7I/AAAAAAAAAVY/o0Q1A_NhdXs/s1600/DSC02526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmTHejveA0Q/TslrDxNin7I/AAAAAAAAAVY/o0Q1A_NhdXs/s320/DSC02526.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It looks more magical in real life and is quite big!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">One of the shops even had real reindeer!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBE3J3BaP_A/TslrZmaP_fI/AAAAAAAAAVg/kMyEkwd2Qog/s1600/mail.google.com1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBE3J3BaP_A/TslrZmaP_fI/AAAAAAAAAVg/kMyEkwd2Qog/s1600/mail.google.com1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> And all the shops had old fashioned christmas music playing - it was a really lovely afternoon - with something for all of us.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Then today we went roller skating with the friends we suddenly bumped into again, after approx 8 years - when visiting secondary schools. Afterwards it was back to theirs for food, drinks and a natter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9OXtluhj9M/Tslr_FU6l2I/AAAAAAAAAVo/Pz11OVeFkwg/s1600/mail.google.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9OXtluhj9M/Tslr_FU6l2I/AAAAAAAAAVo/Pz11OVeFkwg/s1600/mail.google.com.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Here are a few xmas bits I bought earlier in the week</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NG9qApi3ts/Tsls3SVOriI/AAAAAAAAAV4/kXzZineu6Sc/s1600/DSC02528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NG9qApi3ts/Tsls3SVOriI/AAAAAAAAAV4/kXzZineu6Sc/s320/DSC02528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> Roll on 1st December, so I can start putting all this up - have so much stuff now, will prob take me till Xmas to do it! lol!</span></div>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-62102633260978274662011-11-13T12:51:00.000-08:002011-11-13T12:51:36.622-08:00Would you have picked her to take home!!<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This week we have had Home Front Day at my daughter's primary school. This is the first year that they decided to bring the museum to the school........with a WWII Home Front bus complete with a 1940's living room, a shop, a bombed out street, air raid shelter and artefacts. There were also dressed up characters - like a warden who asked my daughter which house number she lived at and then showed her a pile of rubble, telling her that was her house and that she hadn't been seen for days!! She loved the whole experience and started to get a feel for what it would have been like - and I think getting involved in this way, made it more interesting - rather than just studying from a book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The children dressed up as evacuees for the day, brought in a typical packed lunch and made and/or brought in artefacts to put together their own 1940's museum. I went with my dad to look round the museum and it was brilliant. It's amazing how much stuff is still knocking around from the war - there was lots of interesting bits and that was just from 3 classes of children. My daughter also wrote and tea-stained a letter that she wrote as if she was an actual evacuee sent to the countryside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I just wish I could have had a look in the bus too - but they were packing it all up when we went.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So as my title says...............would you have picked her to take home to your safe house in the country??</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2U5HZTEVWpI/TsAtKSktOTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/4O6WUJy1aPs/s1600/DSC02492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2U5HZTEVWpI/TsAtKSktOTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/4O6WUJy1aPs/s320/DSC02492.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1Qaajtzz5s/TsAtQx9DcmI/AAAAAAAAAUg/LZJtQVxwpew/s1600/DSC02494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1Qaajtzz5s/TsAtQx9DcmI/AAAAAAAAAUg/LZJtQVxwpew/s320/DSC02494.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbjgISGmpP0/TsAtXEWMrSI/AAAAAAAAAUo/XavMM-U52tQ/s1600/DSC02497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbjgISGmpP0/TsAtXEWMrSI/AAAAAAAAAUo/XavMM-U52tQ/s320/DSC02497.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">They are having a VE day party at the end of term, which they have to put together themselves. So I am going to try to get her a brown knitted cardigan from a charity shop before then, which will look better than the, last minute, cardigan we pulled out of the wardrobe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Have a good week</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x-</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-64326448138734891292011-11-11T10:54:00.000-08:002011-11-11T10:58:56.064-08:00Good start........................not so good end!!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last Saturday -5th November- we went to my cousins wedding. It took weeks of buying clothes and returning clothes before we finally all had outfits, that fitted and co-ordinated, to wear. This is a picture of me before we left our house</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVYsAOU5GWo/Tr1onkCr8oI/AAAAAAAAASc/A6cle46JnPI/s1600/DSC02487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVYsAOU5GWo/Tr1onkCr8oI/AAAAAAAAASc/A6cle46JnPI/s320/DSC02487.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I don't normally choose dresses (except if it is really hot in the summer) and have probably not worn tights since my wedding 15 years ago!! I'm not joking! But as soon as I saw this dress with its roses and net underskirts, I just loved it - and when I tried it on I actually felt good in it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We had a lovely day and evening (although it seemed to go so quickly) and it was lovely catching up with family and having a good ole dance (I dont get out much!)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q00EdhA4-WM/Tr1qo7B74kI/AAAAAAAAATE/wgPhI2__muI/s1600/SDC10554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q00EdhA4-WM/Tr1qo7B74kI/AAAAAAAAATE/wgPhI2__muI/s320/SDC10554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The happy couple</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y64iE_4eVss/Tr1q4TRd3QI/AAAAAAAAATM/eLJKWaV54kE/s1600/SDC10571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y64iE_4eVss/Tr1q4TRd3QI/AAAAAAAAATM/eLJKWaV54kE/s320/SDC10571.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My cousin</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rhl6e5ppSMI/Tr1rIUYRfxI/AAAAAAAAATU/xMNFb3dtFHQ/s1600/SDC10592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rhl6e5ppSMI/Tr1rIUYRfxI/AAAAAAAAATU/xMNFb3dtFHQ/s320/SDC10592.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My two!</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hEpuQJdwP6Y/Tr1rYA-cEyI/AAAAAAAAATc/dD8VRMZeVXU/s1600/SDC10584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hEpuQJdwP6Y/Tr1rYA-cEyI/AAAAAAAAATc/dD8VRMZeVXU/s320/SDC10584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My mum and me</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">(sorry no piccies of hubby - he seemed to take all the photos!!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The whole ceremony and reception was in Cooling Castle Barn, which was a beautful venue in the countryside of Rochester. In the evening they had a firework display - although it had started to rain by then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Now the not so good end...............on the way home in the car, I must have been bitten by some rotten insect. By the time I got home, my leg was itchy and slightly swollen and by the next morning, angry and red looking! I had put antibiotic cream on it, as I am always suffering from skin infections, but as the day went on it was getting worse and worse. So we had to cancel our firework trip to Leeds Castle!! Luckily we have a minor injuries unit, who gave me anti-biotic capsules straight away. Im so glad I went, because on Sunday and Monday I could hardly walk (after taking the tablets) so without them I would have been even worse. I am now almost over it, just left with a bruised leg!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Definitely a day to remember!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Have a good weekend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x- </span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-39586292229979370722011-10-31T11:44:00.000-07:002011-10-31T11:44:41.303-07:00A Midlands break<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Last week we took advantage of the half term to have a well deserved family break.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We stayed in a cheap but comfortable Premier Inn in Hockley Heath, just outside Birmingham. The first day we visited Cadbury World.........yummy! We have been there once before long before the children were born but it has really changed. A lot more to it now, plus quite a few free samples too. We all really enjoyed it. However it was only a 3.5 hour visit(luckily we used Tesco vouchers rather than paying the £50 to get in), so in the afternoon we went to Stratford upon Avon. This was a really pretty place and we also visited a wizarding museum/shop which my Harry Potter fans really enjoyed. The only negative I would say was that I was a bit disappointed with the individual "pretty" shops that were there - or not there, should I say. The next day we went to Warwick but we couldn't find any nice shops there at all. Having visited 2 or 3 other castles this year, we didn't want to go to the castle, so moved on to Leamington Spa. Hooray - we hit jackpot! It was a nice place to walk around, plus had a Cargo shop and Store 21 (with nice house bits) as well as some good individual shops to browse. We only had one day that rained from start to finish, the rest were quite mild and sunny. All in all, it was a nice relaxing break. </span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-51357381274598474582011-10-24T11:47:00.000-07:002011-10-24T11:47:35.292-07:00Celebrations<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I am now another year older. Sunday 16th was my birthday. I got lots of pretty cards (cupcakes seemed to be a popular theme), some money to spend on clothes and pretties and some pressies from my family.........</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNru6xIKOcc/TqWuf6u0VxI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/gB2W994u3Wo/s1600/DSC02453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNru6xIKOcc/TqWuf6u0VxI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/gB2W994u3Wo/s320/DSC02453.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6SYwpyf_uI/TqWunJMtiJI/AAAAAAAAARE/vg4boLuRnpc/s1600/DSC02454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6SYwpyf_uI/TqWunJMtiJI/AAAAAAAAARE/vg4boLuRnpc/s320/DSC02454.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDBVpdbwJkI/TqWuxegNslI/AAAAAAAAARM/ygJT5cegVnk/s1600/DSC02455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDBVpdbwJkI/TqWuxegNslI/AAAAAAAAARM/ygJT5cegVnk/s320/DSC02455.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1dHs1nhZr4/TqWv2Lng91I/AAAAAAAAASU/mdvTuZTXrLQ/s1600/DSC02464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1dHs1nhZr4/TqWv2Lng91I/AAAAAAAAASU/mdvTuZTXrLQ/s320/DSC02464.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">All those piccies make the reds look really orange but they are a darker red than that! They also got me some fairy lights that have little shades with red and white polka dots, and red flowers. Just trying to decide where in my living room to put them - as the lead isnt very long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Since then I have bought lots of clothes and also treated myself to some more pretties for the living room from The Range.......</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNjICI3-gSA/TqWvPQKwjRI/AAAAAAAAARs/ijLJjYY0r1Y/s1600/DSC02459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNjICI3-gSA/TqWvPQKwjRI/AAAAAAAAARs/ijLJjYY0r1Y/s320/DSC02459.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1tvfgI9AOxs/TqWvcTerhBI/AAAAAAAAAR8/k7hsCzJMZxI/s1600/DSC02461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1tvfgI9AOxs/TqWvcTerhBI/AAAAAAAAAR8/k7hsCzJMZxI/s320/DSC02461.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I added a bit of beige to the red and white scheme, to warm it up for the winter</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UzvanYDzXM/TqWvqowPH6I/AAAAAAAAASM/CYYAoWoww1I/s1600/DSC02463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UzvanYDzXM/TqWvqowPH6I/AAAAAAAAASM/CYYAoWoww1I/s320/DSC02463.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I do love The Range, and dont mind spending some of my birthday pennies in there, when all this lot came to a grand total of £27!!! Bargain!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Now the other bit of celebrating............you may remember that I told you that my daughter was taking the dreaded Kent Test?! Well........</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGH2sEi5FAA/TqWvVl_08YI/AAAAAAAAAR0/UVKk0mtr8BE/s1600/DSC02460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGH2sEi5FAA/TqWvVl_08YI/AAAAAAAAAR0/UVKk0mtr8BE/s320/DSC02460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> She passed!! We were so relieved and proud of her! We have already put in her choices for the grammar school she would like to go to - and her first choice is the same one as her brother goes to, so she is pretty much guaranteed a place there. Fingers crossed anyway, but we dont find out till next March!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Another reason to celebrate is because Bluewater is now going to start hosting some of the big exhibitions!! They have a new conference/events centre and are already advertising shows for next January - April. I have already booked tickets for the Stitch and Hobbycraft Show and am waiting for tickets to go on sale for the BBC Good food show they are hosting. They are also having a wedding show and a vitality show - and I am waiting for more to be released for later in the year!! Whoopie - and it is only about 30 mins drive from me!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Enough celebrations for one post!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UzvanYDzXM/TqWvqowPH6I/AAAAAAAAASM/CYYAoWoww1I/s1600/DSC02463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</a></div>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-72160899854622595672011-10-12T08:15:00.000-07:002011-10-12T08:15:59.934-07:00October news<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Just a general update on what we have been up to since my last post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We have been busy doing day and evening tours round various non-selective and grammar schools. We get the results of daughters Kent Test on Monday -but because we then only have 2 weeks to make a decision on a school (and one week is halfterm) we have had to start the hunt now! Really wish we could find out the results before building up hopes!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">One bonus of these viewings, was that we bumped into a family that I used to meet at toddler group when daughter was 0-3, and had coffee mornings round each others houses with other mums too. We separated once children went to different nurseries on different days. This was all in Bexleyheath - about an hours drive away - where we used to live, and they have just moved down to the coast too! I couldnt get my head around the fact that I recognised her but it was in a totally different area to where I would have expected to see her!! Anyway numbers have been swapped and a meeting arranged!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A few celebrations - on 4th was hubbys birthday, so had a nice meal from a lovely Greek restaurant in North London on the Saturday after the day, but on the actual evening he was on his own as we were looking round yet another school! The 5th was our 15th wedding anniversary - but this just kind of came and went with everything else that is happening at mo! And this Sunday - 16th is my birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Hope you are enjoying this lovely weather as much as I am!! It just makes you feel so happy doesn't it!? It's funny because we got married the day after hubbys birthday because he said that the weather was always good around his birthday and that his family always had a BBQ to celebrate (being Greek!) - def got that right this year!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Back soon...............with results!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x-</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-79308551317738628352011-09-17T12:40:00.000-07:002011-09-17T12:40:44.207-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have resigned myself to the fact that I might as well keep my 30 year old Chesterfield Sofas! They were my parents originally and then they were passed to me, when they updated theirs. I wanted new ones, just so that I could get a 3 seater, now that the family members are getting bigger - hubby and me are trying to lose a bit of weight.......but there is no stopping the 10 year old and 13 year old who are shooting up up up!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyway, I have looked at a few and they are either not my style, not practical or too expensive. Added to the fact, that I do love my chesterfield and they are very "in" this season - particularly vintage bashed about ones!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So as it is a red colour, I have changed my living room to suit. I decided to go for white and red rather than the cream I had originally. So I re-painted all my furniture white, changed the curtains for voile/muslins and bought some lovely wooden venetian blinds...............topped with some red accessories of course.............</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r7lrpojEoes/TnTvbH3MYyI/AAAAAAAAAPs/JwViS87wm_A/s1600/DSC02429.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r7lrpojEoes/TnTvbH3MYyI/AAAAAAAAAPs/JwViS87wm_A/s320/DSC02429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeaIsLNv6co/TnTvpBRtRhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ORPt29I0Sys/s1600/DSC02430.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeaIsLNv6co/TnTvpBRtRhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ORPt29I0Sys/s320/DSC02430.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fK_7uToPw3E/TnTv2FUuLYI/AAAAAAAAAP8/BFpT7b6d8xI/s1600/DSC02449.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fK_7uToPw3E/TnTv2FUuLYI/AAAAAAAAAP8/BFpT7b6d8xI/s320/DSC02449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMrjsioHKWc/TnTw2JzTfuI/AAAAAAAAAQA/VXSeDi5EsGg/s1600/DSC02451.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMrjsioHKWc/TnTw2JzTfuI/AAAAAAAAAQA/VXSeDi5EsGg/s320/DSC02451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I still need to make some more cushions - settees look a bit bare! and I want to get some nice new throws (would love a crochet red, pink and blue one actually - but dont know the best place to get one from!?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I also need to cover the hardboard behind the electric fire and am thinking of covering it with a wallpaper to add a bit of colour - but again dont know which one. I tried a Cath one but it was more pink than red, so am now looking at a sample of this one................what do you think?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWzEwVUKjII/TnTviS2yGsI/AAAAAAAAAPw/vYVpWL8YF-8/s1600/DSC02450.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWzEwVUKjII/TnTviS2yGsI/AAAAAAAAAPw/vYVpWL8YF-8/s320/DSC02450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOmUFMMVF_s/TnTvvR94e9I/AAAAAAAAAP4/LEw4_zZv0kU/s1600/DSC02446.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOmUFMMVF_s/TnTvvR94e9I/AAAAAAAAAP4/LEw4_zZv0kU/s320/DSC02446.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> At one point, I tried to remove the border, before painting over the wallpaper - and failed miserably - but I have now found this lovely item to cover up the ripped section!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wNqOjmiB-Y/TnTyCWINzBI/AAAAAAAAAQE/bR-Gwf4BnRA/s1600/DSC02448.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wNqOjmiB-Y/TnTyCWINzBI/AAAAAAAAAQE/bR-Gwf4BnRA/s320/DSC02448.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> I also bought a few bits from The Range (my fav!) the other day. They were actually Xmas and Halloween bits but this one didn't look Christmassy to me and looks lovely in my new colour theme</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ShZ3zQI_XTE/TnTykmgGSxI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Fo9xKve8BZY/s1600/DSC02447.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ShZ3zQI_XTE/TnTykmgGSxI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Fo9xKve8BZY/s320/DSC02447.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and here are the other bits</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmQmiTqUpzk/TnT2zbLobBI/AAAAAAAAAQc/7mMPIVyky7E/s1600/DSC02440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmQmiTqUpzk/TnT2zbLobBI/AAAAAAAAAQc/7mMPIVyky7E/s320/DSC02440.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PlQD0i12y58/TnT26RhK5CI/AAAAAAAAAQg/FqHEYpvv3s0/s1600/DSC02441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PlQD0i12y58/TnT26RhK5CI/AAAAAAAAAQg/FqHEYpvv3s0/s320/DSC02441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCsPv210osE/TnT3BBvTHYI/AAAAAAAAAQk/vl5ekLHOguY/s1600/DSC02442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCsPv210osE/TnT3BBvTHYI/AAAAAAAAAQk/vl5ekLHOguY/s320/DSC02442.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TF8tlbWRKKw/TnT3I-oclvI/AAAAAAAAAQo/PFxb_hHF52g/s1600/DSC02443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TF8tlbWRKKw/TnT3I-oclvI/AAAAAAAAAQo/PFxb_hHF52g/s320/DSC02443.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Am starting to look forward to doing some seasonal decorating!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-38453420379995133542011-09-14T11:05:00.000-07:002011-09-14T11:05:11.652-07:00Catch up<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I feel like I can't put any proper posts on, until I have had a holiday catch-up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Basically we had a lovely time, even though we didn't go abroad for the first time in years. Hubby had 3 weeks off with us and we visited all kinds of places - do you know, I was going to list them but can't remember most of them now...........isn't that terrible!!? And of course I bought a few pretties along the way - which I will try to show you another time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Since then I have returned to work and I have now been commissioned by the Childrens Centre, so I am now guaranteed 4 days a week work (wanted one day off!) until at least March 2012! which is brilliant news! I am also still studying and trying to catch up on housework and shopping in between - so you must excuse me if I do not a regular blogger!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">As my previous blog said - my daughter has been doing her Kent Test, and did the last test today!! I am so glad it is all over now.............well until the results are released on 17th October! Then we will know whether she has got through for a grammar or comprehensive school and then the school viewings must begin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ok, I must take some piccies and get some proper posts on here, before you all up and leave me!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-88300022366068262722011-09-12T22:45:00.000-07:002011-09-12T22:45:22.552-07:00Oh no!<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The first day of the dreaded Kent Test is here!! After all the hard work and practice tests, my youngest is finally doing two days of testing to see whether she will go to grammar or comprehensive school next year. It is just not right that they should have to go through all this pressure and stress................but it has to be done and my baby has the right attitude - she told me she is looking forward to it!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So fingers crossed, she has worked so hard and deserves to pass!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Good luck to anyone else who has a little one going through this too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x-</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-46488867600795475382011-09-10T11:45:00.000-07:002011-09-10T11:45:27.852-07:00Tomatoes.............<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sorry, I know that I haven't blogged for a while now (but I have still been reading all of your posts) and I need to do a catch up blog really soon.........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">but in the meantime I need your advice again dear friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have home grown tomatoes coming out of our ears and it feels like the salad season has gone with the nicer weather! Hubby wants to make some relish or chutney with them! A friend of ours made some last year for us, but she can't find the recipe now............so do you have any (not to difficult) yummy recipes for him to try please??!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I promise I will be back real soon to update you all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take care and dont get blown away on Monday!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-x-</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-64880063244114235832011-08-14T13:42:00.000-07:002011-08-14T13:42:48.167-07:00No-reply blogger<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I have had a few comments informing me that I am a no-reply blogger, and that it is annoying for those that want to send me messages!! I'm afraid that i didn't really know what you were talking about............but after a little research and help from my 10 year old daughter!!!! I now have my email address attached to my profile!!! Hope this helps now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Be back soon with a proper post!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-x-</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5713435315665360767.post-65562153768120945832011-08-11T12:46:00.000-07:002011-08-11T12:46:01.470-07:00Pink, Blue, Cream...........????<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A couple of days ago I visited our local garden furniture warehouse, as a friend had advised they had a summer sale on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">While in there I found a BBQ that was reduced from around £200 to £60 so we got one of those. Also they had a tea trolley which was down from around £180 to £40. I don't actually want it as a tea trolley but as a.................</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggAO-SLbI5Q/TkQwZu2K8KI/AAAAAAAAAPg/BI6ACHKT1J8/s1600/DSC02426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggAO-SLbI5Q/TkQwZu2K8KI/AAAAAAAAAPg/BI6ACHKT1J8/s320/DSC02426.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hzy79E5cvq0/TkQwmwgzuCI/AAAAAAAAAPk/A_otmQkm4kQ/s1600/DSC02427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hzy79E5cvq0/TkQwmwgzuCI/AAAAAAAAAPk/A_otmQkm4kQ/s320/DSC02427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgoKkYJ82KM/TkQwv-FhaDI/AAAAAAAAAPo/a729llZ2Ycw/s1600/DSC02428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgoKkYJ82KM/TkQwv-FhaDI/AAAAAAAAAPo/a729llZ2Ycw/s320/DSC02428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">kitchen island!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Here it is with some of my bits on........but it needs painting! Now do I paint it cream, to match my units and dresser, or blue - the same as my shelves and plate rack or pink like my bits and pieces and gingham curtains?????? I am thinking that the pink may mean that the bits that are on it wont show up............but I need your help! What do you think?</span>Pretty at Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906087858108055269noreply@blogger.com12