tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15828208567121453162024-02-19T03:53:01.875+00:00Carolyn's worldCarolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-90135455549276169432017-06-11T19:53:00.000+01:002017-06-11T19:59:57.830+01:00Sunday afternoon bake off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The ugliest looking sausage rolls I've ever made! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jus roll gluten free puff pastry doesn't have an ounce of puff in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My dear sister bought me three packs from a discount store on offer at three for £1. I decided to try one pack and freeze the rest seeing as they were near their best before date. I used Aldi's pork gluten free sausage meat which I bought at Christmas and added to my freezer stash then promptly forgot about...I just checked and they were supposed to be used within a month after freezing...ooops! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The finished bake off found them swimming in oil in the oven. Yuk! Poor husband who knew non of this but is my official tester of all my cooking skills actually liked them and asked for more. So I suppose not all is lost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Actually, I tried one later and the pastry was a crunchy wrap around delicious spicy pork sausage :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My next adventure was to use up some shortbread. You know how we get more festive tins of biscuits and other goodies at Christmas than any decent person should allow themselves to eat...well...my friend Maria tried to offload some shortbread on to our little group at church. Nope! We were all full of such treats but somehow she managed in her own unique persuasive way to off-load them on to me. (eyes roll)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Biscuits have a good use by date and it's just as well because I finally got to recycle them today. I found a recipe for banana and peanut butter cookies and bypassing the boring bits of the recipe I simply crumbed the shortbread and added it to mashed banana and peanut butter. I used 240grams of crushed shortbread, one large ripe banana and about 130 grams of no added sugar crunchy peanut butter by WholeNut. I baked them at 190C for about 10-15 mins. Here they are waiting for the oven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> They turned out absolutely yummy, not too sweet, not too soft and just right. YES! Success!!! Maria will be glad to know her shortbread got used eventually and the volunteers at Hebburn Helps are in for a treat tomorrow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And here they are baked to </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">perfection </span></div>
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Date and Banana loaf and </div>
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Banana with peanut butter cookies</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">along with husband's favourite date and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">banana loaf. Beautifully moist, light and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">full of flavour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If we had visitors, this gluten</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">free loaf would have been devoured in </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">seconds </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but some slices will keep well </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for a few </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">days, sealed and wrapped in </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the fridge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he rest will </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">go in the freezer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Oh Happy Days!</span></div>
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<br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-9711343556256445602017-05-10T18:16:00.000+01:002017-05-10T18:16:13.595+01:00Low carbs yummy<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm determined to stick to a low carb diet. I need to lose a few pounds before my jolly days. I've been interested in new recipes showing up lately for cauliflower crusts. So today I chose a recipe from Pinterest and had a go!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhknDlN8LD-e6_o5ipxxzzV_sDHjRBcKGFHyEBZWAyFjm0JDXWq4ik1XvVwH2r2xCSMWmN6FHnyXTpWnnoQ58H6omenf08jpYvVBavy1laCCr2RcWeyAkSA9ISZkJ3v7vvBkFpKtMzzU/s1600/crust1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhknDlN8LD-e6_o5ipxxzzV_sDHjRBcKGFHyEBZWAyFjm0JDXWq4ik1XvVwH2r2xCSMWmN6FHnyXTpWnnoQ58H6omenf08jpYvVBavy1laCCr2RcWeyAkSA9ISZkJ3v7vvBkFpKtMzzU/s320/crust1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was very easy and although I had to substitute a bit of the ingredients (I never have exactly what it says in the recipe) it worked out well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The recipe called for riced cauliflower and herbs. (Morrisons call it cauliflower and parsley couscous).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Almond and coconut flours. Im intolerant to coconut flour so used rice flower instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grated Parmesan (I used grated goats cheese).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The whole lot gets mixed together but in hindsight I would add seasoning at this point. I then got scoopfulls to form into patties and placed them on a greased baking sheet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake for about 25 minutes in the oven at 200C.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxprHH8kHVWyCI51qDIRfTbGG3pALp0NT_arfhO6nb7PjpRvHILBw0SoTfMyB-XkgIwlaMMAJo9Tiay5l2p1wFzdIS4c-ng6LJBAguvmzEF5SRjXR2lc9XJ89c9Gjt8pzvcm_Vc0oSHpo/s1600/crust3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxprHH8kHVWyCI51qDIRfTbGG3pALp0NT_arfhO6nb7PjpRvHILBw0SoTfMyB-XkgIwlaMMAJo9Tiay5l2p1wFzdIS4c-ng6LJBAguvmzEF5SRjXR2lc9XJ89c9Gjt8pzvcm_Vc0oSHpo/s320/crust3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were really nice served with lamb casserole and an alternative to pastry topping. My OH helped himself to more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sure they are very enjoyable in other ways. I'm thinking pizza bases and bhajis. I even tried one cold with some butter spread on top which makes it a low carb cheese scone and very nice too!</span><br />
<br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-55811798050296824382017-04-29T23:05:00.000+01:002017-04-29T23:05:52.387+01:00Twiggy Wreaths<div data-block="true" data-editor="8qg40" data-offset-key="10h8a-0-0">
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<span data-offset-key="10h8a-0-0"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More wreaths. My OH brought me a whole bunch of twigs... a bundle of them from Poundland. You will never guess how much they cost! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWISC9HSJ4co06ic9bFZvo3qOUID6QCoGthJYkCRWyHZsF2AXM2dZkWK39ie_kftbje9P9oElKpBB8jPhpOZhA1hbvxkGRBcwVIJZ1g6Vz9HxP-JxhKt1I2U6730q4a6x0GgaThJCBuB4/s1600/DSCN2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWISC9HSJ4co06ic9bFZvo3qOUID6QCoGthJYkCRWyHZsF2AXM2dZkWK39ie_kftbje9P9oElKpBB8jPhpOZhA1hbvxkGRBcwVIJZ1g6Vz9HxP-JxhKt1I2U6730q4a6x0GgaThJCBuB4/s200/DSCN2445.JPG" width="200" /> </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With help from grandaughter Amber and a glue gun, twigs, raffia and silk flowers plus decorated wooden hearts we had a Blue Peter Session</span><span data-offset-key="dremv-0-0"><span data-text="true">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They were quite fiddly until I got the </span></div>
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Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-73217903243929514222017-04-28T05:22:00.000+01:002017-04-28T05:22:48.578+01:00LIttle pilgrims walk with St Bede<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/AVvXsEgfqjnM69uWNjMvnKqBG3TCk6d7p4igB_iYDfb5jlE7Lly9ZlHRPfyv9tisOUSaYfDTYr1LlnuneDYqSHc3T-cI31nqROoGu4isWO43jo9RhBbkuqIRa4aPopUK5Bls5PldrsOTSYCtdWc/s1600/DSCN2451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqjnM69uWNjMvnKqBG3TCk6d7p4igB_iYDfb5jlE7Lly9ZlHRPfyv9tisOUSaYfDTYr1LlnuneDYqSHc3T-cI31nqROoGu4isWO43jo9RhBbkuqIRa4aPopUK5Bls5PldrsOTSYCtdWc/s400/DSCN2451.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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St Paul's church, Jarrow</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had long looked forward to this day. Visiting St Paul's church at Jarrow was the first little pilgrims walk for our church group 'Blessed is She'.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ER8ploz0wJYlx1P4-qLcI-tvXwoN8cA5J562erRM-5TgzO2tOkhJ6MfeiFuMpcBjbHByr_4ytSJmE1zXtBu9ttJFCO1m_inUTAQ-2tJuOsH4PDwizqxox6O0evibikMQ1RBs4c8XYEQ/s1600/trees1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ER8ploz0wJYlx1P4-qLcI-tvXwoN8cA5J562erRM-5TgzO2tOkhJ6MfeiFuMpcBjbHByr_4ytSJmE1zXtBu9ttJFCO1m_inUTAQ-2tJuOsH4PDwizqxox6O0evibikMQ1RBs4c8XYEQ/s320/trees1.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sky was overcast and a little cool with occasional brighter moments to remind us that summer was near. Though spring daffodils were dying, Bluebells and blue Borage were plentiful. There was plenty of bird song and we saw evidence of woodpeckers in the trunks of trees. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">St Pauls church and monastery in Jarrow was originally a Saxon church and dates from 685 AD </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">built on land given by King Ecgfrith of Northumbria. Later, around the 8th century it fell to the turmoil and brutality of Viking raids. I</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">n AD 1074 the Monastery was re-founded by Aldwin, Prior of Winchcombe Abbey in Gloucestershire and </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">subsequently became a daughter house of the Benedictine Community of Durham.</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Five hundred years later it became a victim of the dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII, since when it has remained in use as the Anglican parish church of Jarrow. Ruins of the Monastery still stand, steadfast but graceful, in the church grounds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">TheVenerable </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede" target="_blank"><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">St Bede</span></a><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> is credited with writing the </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ecclesiastical History of the English People an author and scholar and lived at St Paul's monastery for most of his life and it was to be in his footsteps, members of BIS were to explore and follow on their visit to St. Paul's church at Jarrow.</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">St. Paul's looked after us during our visit and </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">shared with us a wealth of knowledge.</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were able to see the original Saxon foundations and many artefacts including stone and wood carvings reflecting the history of the church and monastic site and St Bede. We also lit a candle in prayer for members of our group and also for Fr David.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzHII2jWdvq9CAuFRKCHJkTmLNOvOeS2tAH-YEhGqNx44SbqhTriyGCqShL8rVxc1HBA5WYz7MiGZqMg-vuFg9SpoDSYQIyq_EYy1v-xTwKuUDMhSuGJgS_7au2EvvPWf0C1glcJhb9k/s1600/bis9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzHII2jWdvq9CAuFRKCHJkTmLNOvOeS2tAH-YEhGqNx44SbqhTriyGCqShL8rVxc1HBA5WYz7MiGZqMg-vuFg9SpoDSYQIyq_EYy1v-xTwKuUDMhSuGJgS_7au2EvvPWf0C1glcJhb9k/s320/bis9.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sHAB318-CopQANRtpal6piD6MKOBxdZDyNB5Rz6CDvOuDLxO463clLZLCjsAves21hh-1MDS5LA4BqzGcYaRQ3Zl8I8Pcq_Bg_W6xiIA88Bw-g1XZZv497auQXRhhJEo5PDhJlly5_E/s1600/bis10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sHAB318-CopQANRtpal6piD6MKOBxdZDyNB5Rz6CDvOuDLxO463clLZLCjsAves21hh-1MDS5LA4BqzGcYaRQ3Zl8I8Pcq_Bg_W6xiIA88Bw-g1XZZv497auQXRhhJEo5PDhJlly5_E/s320/bis10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RUmsa-1gTru-6T3yRy0x0feL-yVb862FpvhNlNHvw6a9RUpsQNkySBRc4KScPz8Z7EFIxDswRaAoJKVNDcOqhDVEW16Up68Qu1kpOgpBXphi6Ka6CWMzusFLG8qg8q7uFZzq_f9i_dk/s1600/bis11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RUmsa-1gTru-6T3yRy0x0feL-yVb862FpvhNlNHvw6a9RUpsQNkySBRc4KScPz8Z7EFIxDswRaAoJKVNDcOqhDVEW16Up68Qu1kpOgpBXphi6Ka6CWMzusFLG8qg8q7uFZzq_f9i_dk/s320/bis11.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a8lxkfKp-TWfq25oSKcXYlmZmHE1902X-MjTYkQMZaINdXI2kwLyUFPOR0YfyoteKfhe75hpKmFJhv1pFeBxKETKvypy8cDmRU6cfpBLIMSlIRR7U2a9x1NpkTGxPbq0vw4QswBZTiw/s1600/bis17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a8lxkfKp-TWfq25oSKcXYlmZmHE1902X-MjTYkQMZaINdXI2kwLyUFPOR0YfyoteKfhe75hpKmFJhv1pFeBxKETKvypy8cDmRU6cfpBLIMSlIRR7U2a9x1NpkTGxPbq0vw4QswBZTiw/s200/bis17.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sHAB318-CopQANRtpal6piD6MKOBxdZDyNB5Rz6CDvOuDLxO463clLZLCjsAves21hh-1MDS5LA4BqzGcYaRQ3Zl8I8Pcq_Bg_W6xiIA88Bw-g1XZZv497auQXRhhJEo5PDhJlly5_E/s1600/bis10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were reflective of the ground and ruins being the home of St Bede and walking in the very same spot as he did over a thousand years ago.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0BRvke0x2hjx6URGIyawTGgA3W8LgDywGFPnQ3nwzGTuXZ2OvPP1NEfCVL4j5f1ifDHC8OsbkD7Mea_JGT6KddQXV875UMLv4nRAiZzbO5WEeYYwGA_k5T5-E0AzNSzS64vad17se-c/s1600/bis18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0BRvke0x2hjx6URGIyawTGgA3W8LgDywGFPnQ3nwzGTuXZ2OvPP1NEfCVL4j5f1ifDHC8OsbkD7Mea_JGT6KddQXV875UMLv4nRAiZzbO5WEeYYwGA_k5T5-E0AzNSzS64vad17se-c/s320/bis18.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1hi9_KpeDGuj0G7MiNwdZ2nTZcVLC5mtwAt5bmfA2kkHZqQrTJZqjdE1qCKq4UNn5JANOywzauMdJeppQtmcb1m8rH3nYCL5cON-nrOIvVYSaX7RYIaojJAyxlMzHfCtP9ir3wWum7I/s1600/bis19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1hi9_KpeDGuj0G7MiNwdZ2nTZcVLC5mtwAt5bmfA2kkHZqQrTJZqjdE1qCKq4UNn5JANOywzauMdJeppQtmcb1m8rH3nYCL5cON-nrOIvVYSaX7RYIaojJAyxlMzHfCtP9ir3wWum7I/s320/bis19.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We followed the river Don which skirted around and behind the church and monastic site, much smaller now than what it was in the time of St Bede. Probably due to the silting of the river Tyne. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fwnyT8-UZTBnF_UizHt5E9satAHrlO4WF2OgdJiv0LKavs2V8mk_LjxFtaWF3SsoXrBiInb48hmBDPwA_VndVsP5KVcChJPjLLvXNjQEKHSOnoDH2bjzbDnKLRp6Mn59yg8Sa-7dPxw/s1600/bis23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fwnyT8-UZTBnF_UizHt5E9satAHrlO4WF2OgdJiv0LKavs2V8mk_LjxFtaWF3SsoXrBiInb48hmBDPwA_VndVsP5KVcChJPjLLvXNjQEKHSOnoDH2bjzbDnKLRp6Mn59yg8Sa-7dPxw/s200/bis23.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB-qZvyie9QkgL8L16as1VP3xD473QTDU8SAkKa0hWXldjbNngQ21uDqcekUTQwA0jsCD5foJmQcJ-z7_9FOMrnEqccaZI6dmw8djuXAtJzfZOrFMbzoTKcP4bPxHs_l7uYlJBGKI6hA/s1600/bis22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB-qZvyie9QkgL8L16as1VP3xD473QTDU8SAkKa0hWXldjbNngQ21uDqcekUTQwA0jsCD5foJmQcJ-z7_9FOMrnEqccaZI6dmw8djuXAtJzfZOrFMbzoTKcP4bPxHs_l7uYlJBGKI6hA/s1600/bis22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB-qZvyie9QkgL8L16as1VP3xD473QTDU8SAkKa0hWXldjbNngQ21uDqcekUTQwA0jsCD5foJmQcJ-z7_9FOMrnEqccaZI6dmw8djuXAtJzfZOrFMbzoTKcP4bPxHs_l7uYlJBGKI6hA/s320/bis22.jpg" width="320" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1aq_uXmxWMsHDjXvA0_Xgs3dsrGGdf48gcZnhLIaxqPYjh4WnaCC-UPjY5uebZMcVw0CxUY43gz4J_jELA1zaHfdlTKY6bTu5eZZjKSj07Bs17EKciCBhKWoxc7fpSg2yoDTeffetlo/s1600/bis28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPVcTK_9KQi5QsKfaGBh8hJxRYntD6VbrkMRv9w8e1lSieTZyP5PCIk7ajDW9c2TqSmBfO-DZnSceoE0m7oWKu9pgPk15_W_EoLKuuzS7_-Q2S_cb4gvqNn9jGfGUrUZSCCgYDGBB1gU/s1600/bis28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPVcTK_9KQi5QsKfaGBh8hJxRYntD6VbrkMRv9w8e1lSieTZyP5PCIk7ajDW9c2TqSmBfO-DZnSceoE0m7oWKu9pgPk15_W_EoLKuuzS7_-Q2S_cb4gvqNn9jGfGUrUZSCCgYDGBB1gU/s200/bis28.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPVcTK_9KQi5QsKfaGBh8hJxRYntD6VbrkMRv9w8e1lSieTZyP5PCIk7ajDW9c2TqSmBfO-DZnSceoE0m7oWKu9pgPk15_W_EoLKuuzS7_-Q2S_cb4gvqNn9jGfGUrUZSCCgYDGBB1gU/s1600/bis28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Swans came to say hello but </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">unfortunately we had nothing to feed </span><span style="font-size: large;">them with but it was nice to see </span><span style="font-size: large;">them anyway. </span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We continued our walk through Charlie's park under a mantle of cherry blossom and saw children playing on the Viking ship in the adventure playground, enjoying each others company and we marvelled at nature and the joy that is God given. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg71ySMX1fBe5jM9e8YNCfjhghcs_ZcXhkv9ng_sShaCvJyYbteZFBLTeH9Q9_dWh0F_D5acKyhvdMI54dr6bHfD21HM-L5zxwnFPkZB1SMo-QFwyIR-ExIy5mUZu36RUImok0tbgBt8Q/s1600/bis21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg71ySMX1fBe5jM9e8YNCfjhghcs_ZcXhkv9ng_sShaCvJyYbteZFBLTeH9Q9_dWh0F_D5acKyhvdMI54dr6bHfD21HM-L5zxwnFPkZB1SMo-QFwyIR-ExIy5mUZu36RUImok0tbgBt8Q/s1600/bis21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg71ySMX1fBe5jM9e8YNCfjhghcs_ZcXhkv9ng_sShaCvJyYbteZFBLTeH9Q9_dWh0F_D5acKyhvdMI54dr6bHfD21HM-L5zxwnFPkZB1SMo-QFwyIR-ExIy5mUZu36RUImok0tbgBt8Q/s320/bis21.jpg" width="240" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWBu-WrcxyHKAo6VE35S4vrTZTekG1_8zjs5YxrXvoZanPdRAPjwD1vtg3bYiIGqQ4XXq7WTEtZJfrY_qofueyirMmphkXu9lxh4r9-Ow92fZTzEf52XFgJUWIUWag98QYwmwuYpVhyphenhyphenk/s1600/bis27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWBu-WrcxyHKAo6VE35S4vrTZTekG1_8zjs5YxrXvoZanPdRAPjwD1vtg3bYiIGqQ4XXq7WTEtZJfrY_qofueyirMmphkXu9lxh4r9-Ow92fZTzEf52XFgJUWIUWag98QYwmwuYpVhyphenhyphenk/s320/bis27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally we called into the café at Jarrow Hall for welcome refreshments and rest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We all agreed we had a very good pilgrim's walk and are looking forward to our next one. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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Gail, member of BIS</div>
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</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-11263815419343107582017-04-14T16:55:00.000+01:002017-04-14T16:55:44.340+01:00Palm Sunday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRaYrRQtk3_rNdMaNAOKObmaInPiCXx7fSZQNdNFaCzhgnpKQuLXSpWoHyVkIqos3MKJgBbCqQex-PtSCjMzoj551gZFmI54CoiK3b9wHxVZUwEowyFxPiEuEuWyDvJFxaYxsg-iQw50/s1600/DSCN2437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRaYrRQtk3_rNdMaNAOKObmaInPiCXx7fSZQNdNFaCzhgnpKQuLXSpWoHyVkIqos3MKJgBbCqQex-PtSCjMzoj551gZFmI54CoiK3b9wHxVZUwEowyFxPiEuEuWyDvJFxaYxsg-iQw50/s320/DSCN2437.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring from my bedroom window </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Palm Sunday had the promise of a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">beautiful </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Spring morning bathed in </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">sun freckles, cherry blossom and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">newly born leaves under a canopy </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">of clear blue sky... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just what I needed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I went to early morning mass and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">collected my palm crosses. One for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">me and one for each of my children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I remember reading or hearing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">somewhere that displaying the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">palm cross at home throughout</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the year will bring peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well I can't say that's definite from </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">my own experience but then I don't </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">know </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">how life would be without a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">palm </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">cross on display. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not going to shelve my blessings </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">by not showing one, that's for sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the sun climbed higher in the sky it got warmer, too warm for April really but welcome all the same. The diced lamb was cooked so I switched off the slow cooker and decided it was too nice a day to be stuck in doors cooking Sunday lunch so John and I went out for the afternoon to Seaham and joined throngs of people of all nationalities and accents, all doing the same. I would imagine very much like the first Palm Sunday. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The giant car boot sale spread out across fields and why we should spend an afternoon looking at mostly other people's junk I will never know but we weren't the only ones. I did manage to get some very nice silk flowers and John got two new pairs of casual trousers, the kind he likes and for whatever reason, can only find for sale at markets! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By mid afternoon it was hot and the sun was still blazing down. The one and only ice cream van had a vast queue and I wasn't prepared to take my turn in it so we got hotdogs instead. Mine without a bread role but with onions. I thought it tasted awful but John scoffed his with lashings of mustard. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A ramble in the fresh air and sunshine </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V53lMU6yWfurXoGOat1cfle15mSO7gKNYwYmP4esmwMDgF0SCodPQPreDkeXq44cK9JW9iGAbrZcz2fQyYTjUsl1e9PjI66s2ktAzhxGEbz8ZA82HrPo6eu2U6jEFZnmMkXjCGqKZqM/s1600/butterfly+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V53lMU6yWfurXoGOat1cfle15mSO7gKNYwYmP4esmwMDgF0SCodPQPreDkeXq44cK9JW9iGAbrZcz2fQyYTjUsl1e9PjI66s2ktAzhxGEbz8ZA82HrPo6eu2U6jEFZnmMkXjCGqKZqM/s320/butterfly+wreath.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Palm Sunday wreath</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">did us the world of good and when I </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">got home and after lunch I was </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">motivated to make some spring/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">summer wreaths using my newly </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">acquired silk flowers and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">butterflies that belonged to a recently deceased Philippine lady</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V53lMU6yWfurXoGOat1cfle15mSO7gKNYwYmP4esmwMDgF0SCodPQPreDkeXq44cK9JW9iGAbrZcz2fQyYTjUsl1e9PjI66s2ktAzhxGEbz8ZA82HrPo6eu2U6jEFZnmMkXjCGqKZqM/s1600/butterfly+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V53lMU6yWfurXoGOat1cfle15mSO7gKNYwYmP4esmwMDgF0SCodPQPreDkeXq44cK9JW9iGAbrZcz2fQyYTjUsl1e9PjI66s2ktAzhxGEbz8ZA82HrPo6eu2U6jEFZnmMkXjCGqKZqM/s1600/butterfly+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">who was well loved in our parish. I gave one of the wreaths to her carer and she was so grateful, bless her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It will be a lovely memory of Joanna.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My mother was on my mind for much </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">of the day too. It would have been her birthday and I like to think that in her corner of heaven she shared making wreaths with me</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By the way. The lamb was beautiful, it was so tender and juicy, mmmmm, must make it like that again sometime.</span><br />
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<br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-42856994148393080502017-03-24T20:07:00.000+00:002017-03-24T20:07:14.757+00:00Mothers Day <br />
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Mothers Day flowers</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a wonderful sun drenched morning that came with a delivery of fresh flowers...tulips in shades of pink! They arrived in plenty of time for Mothering Sunday, so kindly remembered by my lovely son Drew and daughter in law Kelly. I cant thank them enough. They brought me such pleasure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But other delights were in store! Squirrelled away in the depths of the giant box the flowers came in were two more gifts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What next!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A bag of heart shaped chocolate truffles, mmmmmmmm. I will allow myself one per day and decadently eat them all by myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The third surprise was a mini scented candle, boxed and wrapped so prettily. I was delighted to discover the fragrance was bluebells and wood anemones...my favourite wild flowers.</span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtd3iPju5aJQR9yBeKhgS4eziFKfL7HtqbDt1Qpi7Owc4objzNQuiQpKWLQVvjEfG5KBrVz78em1ZP8T-w_eDGIjxrAxi1iIjjY2sZtq7YIhg7-RmDGwMAN0UXEFLI0aNmeb76K7Xs7w/s1600/DSCN2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtd3iPju5aJQR9yBeKhgS4eziFKfL7HtqbDt1Qpi7Owc4objzNQuiQpKWLQVvjEfG5KBrVz78em1ZP8T-w_eDGIjxrAxi1iIjjY2sZtq7YIhg7-RmDGwMAN0UXEFLI0aNmeb76K7Xs7w/s320/DSCN2435.JPG" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
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scented candle with bumble bee</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at the photo of the candle and yes, that's a bumble bee. How sweet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wrap has absorbed the fragrance beautifully and so will be put in my undies drawer to spread out its scent but not until I finish colouring it in. What fun!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBjTrVefAJgRGkQL4vkenoc0FBVkbuq9aO4toIJ62SNfwWp8pr_YF-t4yu21NDvmsRrMBPNTsR6uK17NTuYZxkz_DKmxiI27i1XBQeEDa5_R1tqmfKrS1ronpXTVIvht5w4vS-5xSiaw/s1600/DSCN2436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBjTrVefAJgRGkQL4vkenoc0FBVkbuq9aO4toIJ62SNfwWp8pr_YF-t4yu21NDvmsRrMBPNTsR6uK17NTuYZxkz_DKmxiI27i1XBQeEDa5_R1tqmfKrS1ronpXTVIvht5w4vS-5xSiaw/s1600/DSCN2436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBjTrVefAJgRGkQL4vkenoc0FBVkbuq9aO4toIJ62SNfwWp8pr_YF-t4yu21NDvmsRrMBPNTsR6uK17NTuYZxkz_DKmxiI27i1XBQeEDa5_R1tqmfKrS1ronpXTVIvht5w4vS-5xSiaw/s320/DSCN2436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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scented wrap to be coloured in with pencils</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Thank you Drew and Kelly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNk78CHeQSUKTLnoUlgBnvwdGaAulsz5MQx8whqa4SWlhpIZJukDoS2nx26oO9QldWXF_m11cEDiaTa1HpmYEZZ_KCaAoHnKo_ZNCQJhgAv6s-J3E63VFdB_j0SGiS3C3Ij6V9lhLPZuo/s1600/DSCN2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-91701501506565444922017-01-01T23:55:00.001+00:002017-01-01T23:55:07.989+00:002016 - 17 and counting<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/AVvXsEgxQtyQQf_HNwtAwVVSxk0kB5RyM0kifN6jutPdWJP_Mk2WzHzRimpgqF32PsymF4a4BaMt9vURCFFvvF2ZR8FmjdZd0mvqSlHWbfB0OsXKvkAswtSGIpfhaONxccMDc-kctm1EXQUBqVA/s1600/DSCN2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQtyQQf_HNwtAwVVSxk0kB5RyM0kifN6jutPdWJP_Mk2WzHzRimpgqF32PsymF4a4BaMt9vURCFFvvF2ZR8FmjdZd0mvqSlHWbfB0OsXKvkAswtSGIpfhaONxccMDc-kctm1EXQUBqVA/s320/DSCN2205.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Craft stall at Tanfield</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gosh its almost a year since my last blog...so what have I been up to? Its hard to say so I really should recap on achievements me thinks. I will ignore any unsurmountable challenges. They just make me huffy anyway 😉</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2qFtMEa7hMTTJGh8CiMLhhnTNKqHGbjWmioKHV8ksHgLJmGJhQzmqRrv9EhzSZDhTkDAPBplR4Cvl4TghghyphenhyphengNd6ZSos-lojwKNauk6SnA4_WOeksajUGmiEcr6vFFNwUuAciyyAg1c/s1600/postcard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2qFtMEa7hMTTJGh8CiMLhhnTNKqHGbjWmioKHV8ksHgLJmGJhQzmqRrv9EhzSZDhTkDAPBplR4Cvl4TghghyphenhyphengNd6ZSos-lojwKNauk6SnA4_WOeksajUGmiEcr6vFFNwUuAciyyAg1c/s200/postcard1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyOae5IDsdu628pKiqGMijy-14mvnHuKFVQA4H62CMg-BKp-NB3f8odfjcTAspieDAdMcvEn7J0gLLafpHWVsfEzL8d00sW22Q2lYZU_VHi9KaOi5WIva270RFDbukDr9K4zSCKzs3iE/s1600/postcard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyOae5IDsdu628pKiqGMijy-14mvnHuKFVQA4H62CMg-BKp-NB3f8odfjcTAspieDAdMcvEn7J0gLLafpHWVsfEzL8d00sW22Q2lYZU_VHi9KaOi5WIva270RFDbukDr9K4zSCKzs3iE/s200/postcard+2.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've really got into colouring for grown ups, as have half the population. My first attempts were postcards by Johanna Basford. They just about wrecked my eyesight but overall they were very enjoyable and they have been distributed amongst family and friends.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWUHkAqxE7ed_z1NIJi5aOFi7611StArY7jllOiIDs2TeZHTDdJ_7iVrMJa6LrOW9PkP5A8jclQNDAW8rT8zoJY22dP6N2QKlK4tWlNpeevY-RuN7fdxkIW_1KJZrNnjjMPO_TCY5HwM/s1600/italian+alps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWUHkAqxE7ed_z1NIJi5aOFi7611StArY7jllOiIDs2TeZHTDdJ_7iVrMJa6LrOW9PkP5A8jclQNDAW8rT8zoJY22dP6N2QKlK4tWlNpeevY-RuN7fdxkIW_1KJZrNnjjMPO_TCY5HwM/s200/italian+alps.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inspired and supported by my local U3A group I did some line drawings and coloured them with mixed media. I so enjoy using a water brush with water colour pencils and pastels and I mixed these with coloured pencils too. Painting birds was rewarding and a subject I would like to come back to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lots of candles were decorated with pressed flowers and boxes were deco-patched, cards of all types made and Christmas cards were recycled and in the middle of all this I was able to start a church group for creative women. There's lots I have to be thankful for in 2016. I really didn't think I had done so much. I'm hoping there will be much more in 2017.</span></div>
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<br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-28438654629807013112016-02-05T17:30:00.000+00:002016-02-05T17:30:05.394+00:00All my own work<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/AVvXsEjXCARs9YmznJk0izRW62JpcFwCs7RjeUCmHA7m2Z0R6VruRfb-ubNRlingKIX0HWZ5LeGCIulcUsSDi1nqahxDJ9BfXXikyojd8W6YGfjmH22IoEc0W00a80PXtjM7Srb6OMm3YJFPxCM/s1600/framed+goldfinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCARs9YmznJk0izRW62JpcFwCs7RjeUCmHA7m2Z0R6VruRfb-ubNRlingKIX0HWZ5LeGCIulcUsSDi1nqahxDJ9BfXXikyojd8W6YGfjmH22IoEc0W00a80PXtjM7Srb6OMm3YJFPxCM/s320/framed+goldfinch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork in recycled frame</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally got to like pastels, yeah....! My latest piece of a goldfinch was my interpretation of a picture I saw in a magazine. The step by step instructions began with a yellow base layer for the bird but it looked just like a canary to me. My first pet was a Norwich canary and so I fell in love with him straight away. The magazine article was a 'how to' in watercolours but as I'm still not comfortable with watercolours decided to use pastels instead and I'm really pleased with the outcome. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjfdbkdEff4XddeS3H9cM0Me0LlFyWfErNRWg6cWGAjtCWPSNyuQG5D12udvsi8Q1c-usyd1_zwXKJyPHNYFDwp53NQ1ARDYhGbWDKe-lTyyYdvwU9b68cmLS1WZ9xOXNeDh6cXHpmwQ/s1600/goldcrest+pastel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjfdbkdEff4XddeS3H9cM0Me0LlFyWfErNRWg6cWGAjtCWPSNyuQG5D12udvsi8Q1c-usyd1_zwXKJyPHNYFDwp53NQ1ARDYhGbWDKe-lTyyYdvwU9b68cmLS1WZ9xOXNeDh6cXHpmwQ/s320/goldcrest+pastel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinch in pastel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The finished piece would be best fit into a square frame and I just hadn't thought before hand how awkward it might be to buy a ready made square frame off the shelf, plus a mount. I checked on the internet and found some frames which I think must have been moulded plastic and cheap quality but I didn't want the cheapness. I thought my bird deserved better (smile). Then I remembered I might have an old square 8 x 8" frame I could adapt and searched my frame stash and found it. It needed some tender loving care and so I set to with recycling it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzB_EhhiIqD14UaxpY1BJZMlrU_ZkQWNZkTubi73JXaLSh81xVtCyeHuE6HagYmeqIeNAafuCbC0CAkTR8vQEUB15w0ph_9YDfkGQW5zIcC88QqXyh4h8eR5lARWzIXdDV9w4ZGGXwE8/s1600/DSCN2028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzB_EhhiIqD14UaxpY1BJZMlrU_ZkQWNZkTubi73JXaLSh81xVtCyeHuE6HagYmeqIeNAafuCbC0CAkTR8vQEUB15w0ph_9YDfkGQW5zIcC88QqXyh4h8eR5lARWzIXdDV9w4ZGGXwE8/s320/DSCN2028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old frame in need of recycling</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wood frame was scratched in one corner so I scratched it some more all over. Did I say scratch? I should have said gouged to give a slightly distressed look. I needn't have bothered really because three layers of paint over the original washed-out pink sort of smoothed the distressed look away. I used a garden fence paint in willow colour. I liked the subtle green colour.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t6Jsz6uqmGhVnL-ZSv3nb08FW1h38LGuIyoGj9frIPhwM6GncUfNusXa1OR5UTFHptwDTb4DCidtAsXWoqO3TvfRc-TcjJZE9RHEXCdA9Unqc6aKpQt3RZvK7f1wytwWdZi-ECdShvY/s1600/DSCN2029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t6Jsz6uqmGhVnL-ZSv3nb08FW1h38LGuIyoGj9frIPhwM6GncUfNusXa1OR5UTFHptwDTb4DCidtAsXWoqO3TvfRc-TcjJZE9RHEXCdA9Unqc6aKpQt3RZvK7f1wytwWdZi-ECdShvY/s320/DSCN2029.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painting the frame</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next I brought elements together to see if they matched and ideas were forming. I fixed my artwork centrally onto a piece of mountboard I had cut to size to fit the frame and as the artwork was smaller than the back mountboard I had to work out how to tailor another mount with aperture to fill in the gaps. I have plenty of mountboard but I'm not confident enough to cut it to intricate shapes. My idea was to use a patterned card or paper to surround the artwork instead and chose a William Morris design from a Joanna Sheen paper pad I already had in my stash. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TDBDGChY7DHeQVwxWD7kOYnS90Q-4jnKOFWArOZmlhN4YRBTiZGWNd5FSv8aZOfMZQ3Reatz9Omifwe5zTrL94HbtCdlV0FMpi9taAihXmnkfT2VQjd9fPO3Mdj15pymNOIMZv9YX8A/s1600/DSCN2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TDBDGChY7DHeQVwxWD7kOYnS90Q-4jnKOFWArOZmlhN4YRBTiZGWNd5FSv8aZOfMZQ3Reatz9Omifwe5zTrL94HbtCdlV0FMpi9taAihXmnkfT2VQjd9fPO3Mdj15pymNOIMZv9YX8A/s320/DSCN2030.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ideas coming together</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cut equal sized strips of paper using a decorative edge cutter and placed them overlapping to make a square, gently gluing with low tack adhesive at the corners. I then chamfered the corners to a neat fit. Next I fixed the square paper frame around and just overlapping the artwork with strategic hidden traces of glue just to keep it steady. My artwork was now ready to place into its frame under a freshly cleaned glass window. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm really pleased with my efforts. See above.</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-31743275919467082902015-09-08T12:25:00.001+01:002015-09-08T12:25:50.544+01:00Fridge Magnet Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwwhzeiNKc_A1oKAZ-NlJDXYON8EmBuo4fkwsl6HO54A5W-ISALbZgDNNqJmwS4ilI6QQclkMi1oLdqovJm7jTeRHO37oPukQPSI4synM7ZStS8Zh722Rnh9YgHUGDI0ZtmhIMnHJjXs/s1600/DSCN1888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwwhzeiNKc_A1oKAZ-NlJDXYON8EmBuo4fkwsl6HO54A5W-ISALbZgDNNqJmwS4ilI6QQclkMi1oLdqovJm7jTeRHO37oPukQPSI4synM7ZStS8Zh722Rnh9YgHUGDI0ZtmhIMnHJjXs/s400/DSCN1888.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well I landed myself in it. My mouth running away with itself. I only suggested a challenge with other crafty peeps and here I am in the thick of it ... and enjoying it too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the crafty peeps at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/803258219752289/" target="_blank">Be Crafty @ the Arches</a> in mind I have laid down the gauntlet and with new crafty peeps in mind I thought I might set out step by step instructions. They are not just for Be Crafties. Anyone can copy them and download if they want to. Just give me a like on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/florafinity/157959900923716?ref=hl" target="_blank">florafinity</a> fb page and I'll be happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are lots of ideas on the internet. Just search for fridge magnets and you will get zillions of pictures to inspire you. I was inspired by the vintage look which is so trendy right now. I tend to pick up bits and pieces of craft elements at places like The Works or The Range or Home Bargains at very reasonable prices and I add them to my craft stash. So the first thing I did for this project was to grab items to play with and bring my fridge magnet idea together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I chose to make a framed quote and decorate it with vintage style embellishments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mount board for the backing, though strong stiff card would do</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A pretty little vintage style chipboard frame from my stash</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rub-on transfer for my chosen quote</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chipboard butterfly which I outlined and dotted with silver pen</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three (the magic number) of tiny paper roses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tacky glue</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Self adhesive magnet sticker for the back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Using the frame as a guide I measured out a rectangle of mount board to cut out </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpe1ShKy-_w85h6gwdg54mDoRPLzw0Z1-hOIfngLatP6mYXy_OZNbphN4-KbEsc9J9K_Q7ciFQzOR1F10JDLbEF4TRuEGsjJnGFQRDZ2i_HpESzsOp_TVAbyqWEbEVHM33JsnKWQuXB4/s1600/DSCN1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpe1ShKy-_w85h6gwdg54mDoRPLzw0Z1-hOIfngLatP6mYXy_OZNbphN4-KbEsc9J9K_Q7ciFQzOR1F10JDLbEF4TRuEGsjJnGFQRDZ2i_HpESzsOp_TVAbyqWEbEVHM33JsnKWQuXB4/s200/DSCN1882.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkVmZJCzyNoDJ_IwYMl5aEdgBP4_w7HN1G6tgIftHoJPvKlpLKVV_SyftQ0XRspXnGXvod6UiDM_WrBnPE0wQwVYsNaa_52gmtcowDD1XudqrjCyUutyHkyS3dxe98heybDBkmwKW6DQ/s1600/DSCN1883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkVmZJCzyNoDJ_IwYMl5aEdgBP4_w7HN1G6tgIftHoJPvKlpLKVV_SyftQ0XRspXnGXvod6UiDM_WrBnPE0wQwVYsNaa_52gmtcowDD1XudqrjCyUutyHkyS3dxe98heybDBkmwKW6DQ/s200/DSCN1883.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and then dry assembled it all with embellishments on top so I could decide where best to position my quote. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb0ttSeIhaQA4m2Vx1kcbiAF2BMST1bmPKPT9SxQKIl9uUEiMNamEO6fftxtymHtsXMrZ9s9djrac3JRLMhgGFSP_LECv7FyXzrvfuM72eczewbyd2gGQHMbJ7DKxp9INgH13GU5zLPs/s1600/DSCN1884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb0ttSeIhaQA4m2Vx1kcbiAF2BMST1bmPKPT9SxQKIl9uUEiMNamEO6fftxtymHtsXMrZ9s9djrac3JRLMhgGFSP_LECv7FyXzrvfuM72eczewbyd2gGQHMbJ7DKxp9INgH13GU5zLPs/s320/DSCN1884.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rubbing on the transfer was so easy </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXiMI3E7aFozcqE1uaH4QCga-nvBTl0olq-yLCNEEcRP4hClSHx-abCsRcJMpwZgdJYCqwUgxThvS1Xt8k4lr3NKkm3GCPkjd0xpzMGJhoVk-h3W69XnLcoJ-2-nl1ZhYDNUqjJ2TN5w/s1600/DSCN1885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXiMI3E7aFozcqE1uaH4QCga-nvBTl0olq-yLCNEEcRP4hClSHx-abCsRcJMpwZgdJYCqwUgxThvS1Xt8k4lr3NKkm3GCPkjd0xpzMGJhoVk-h3W69XnLcoJ-2-nl1ZhYDNUqjJ2TN5w/s320/DSCN1885.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and I was then able to glue it all together.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFW6-GLs4_97PNYBmqTJRd2cdnZPpogdcI_Hm8D8ya8x5cN6O4Yn0HXhZBLD9c7CT9aoGAwEeOr7gmTol6nL0nDnWDdkzGIuCJSP8ssoIIeipf_KPvNF1o7VUaGa65dfW10jvA7E3gVU/s1600/DSCN1887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFW6-GLs4_97PNYBmqTJRd2cdnZPpogdcI_Hm8D8ya8x5cN6O4Yn0HXhZBLD9c7CT9aoGAwEeOr7gmTol6nL0nDnWDdkzGIuCJSP8ssoIIeipf_KPvNF1o7VUaGa65dfW10jvA7E3gVU/s320/DSCN1887.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Voila! I have a new magnet for my fridge and so easy peasy to make. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you going to take up the challenge?... I hope so... have fun!</span><br />
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<br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-16794249048859653452015-09-07T23:02:00.000+01:002015-09-07T23:02:35.499+01:00Summer Break and School Holidays<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyone going to visit South Shields Marine Park during the school summer holidays will have noted the high numbers of grandparents with their various young charges. We were not alone in this and blended in well. </span><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/AVvXsEgJGG2Vp-ji4xUOQSBMJOKmEr2GcMp_5WO_gQQlvXVDUpPFRqt4dIBvSr9CRvgcFzRL0eNzXtHB92oj3tMlOYBKOXr7ULMauBXA_MRdeRQzN_dCacRXMbORqxBRJrJdY5wAvlIiKZ3AbLk/s1600/s+marine+park+ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGG2Vp-ji4xUOQSBMJOKmEr2GcMp_5WO_gQQlvXVDUpPFRqt4dIBvSr9CRvgcFzRL0eNzXtHB92oj3tMlOYBKOXr7ULMauBXA_MRdeRQzN_dCacRXMbORqxBRJrJdY5wAvlIiKZ3AbLk/s640/s+marine+park+ss.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boating lake at South Shields Marine Park</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had good times with the youngest of our grandchildren, visiting the park, the fair, the beach, Bedes World and Tanfield. Not all together I might add (smile).</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq6gmfHusFMjNUeU4slYaZI0me3BCMmmnEjZFGEGyf1ZKH09So4F-PIWqnUlGn_BirzJSeylT7yHvLUy8Xk-XuP156AByDsQXz0ZvWL5cgznKi1q-hz5jMC2U6VWHxeHMCRxcOsqL4EU/s1600/causey+arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq6gmfHusFMjNUeU4slYaZI0me3BCMmmnEjZFGEGyf1ZKH09So4F-PIWqnUlGn_BirzJSeylT7yHvLUy8Xk-XuP156AByDsQXz0ZvWL5cgznKi1q-hz5jMC2U6VWHxeHMCRxcOsqL4EU/s320/causey+arch.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Causey Arch, Tanfield</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEh0wT-WaOMvOJolSaDrbb11MHAXoDOntk0gMkKFxPrUDmGbKXSVyQuBAuAAiMipai9fCJ8j52ZlWsnPRO4ZnhUSYJ-5wioP6DrLHy22UWlNuTRzmCpp5jZFL-OpUuYyngaTtYs4n6Ry77Q/s1600/drew+and+kelly+at+tanfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wT-WaOMvOJolSaDrbb11MHAXoDOntk0gMkKFxPrUDmGbKXSVyQuBAuAAiMipai9fCJ8j52ZlWsnPRO4ZnhUSYJ-5wioP6DrLHy22UWlNuTRzmCpp5jZFL-OpUuYyngaTtYs4n6Ry77Q/s320/drew+and+kelly+at+tanfield.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew and Kelly on the Tanfield railway</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNleoyfUDlzxuMnVNbdleIF6lYYqfct_9JohhyMjVPtzQ88ZM8qeO4qVkrQDtBufTXLi-chwd_Xfxm6bnt-Vhzuu8NgGXsvEMR1KJ2tKtPoJCVhjuhzDklFfexDmhdbExNtU4DGh4V1c/s1600/eva+mam+dad+on+rilway+ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNleoyfUDlzxuMnVNbdleIF6lYYqfct_9JohhyMjVPtzQ88ZM8qeO4qVkrQDtBufTXLi-chwd_Xfxm6bnt-Vhzuu8NgGXsvEMR1KJ2tKtPoJCVhjuhzDklFfexDmhdbExNtU4DGh4V1c/s320/eva+mam+dad+on+rilway+ss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew, Kelly and Eva on the mini steam engine railway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQJBLnKoe0tfrtjWWvcTelWMJHYunqwaDmHDcbsogmXfH3gIKNj9LMiThe2q_VnyWdNmWZ-8Wz5vAbljPDP4ttKRhkT_pspUSPToh_lLIHNaDFAN48qdGbq_rb0gD8Zqn7324Hs8sauc/s1600/DSCN1832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQJBLnKoe0tfrtjWWvcTelWMJHYunqwaDmHDcbsogmXfH3gIKNj9LMiThe2q_VnyWdNmWZ-8Wz5vAbljPDP4ttKRhkT_pspUSPToh_lLIHNaDFAN48qdGbq_rb0gD8Zqn7324Hs8sauc/s320/DSCN1832.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily-Jo on the mini steam engine railway</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is it about steam engines that attract young and old alike? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUt27Azx3ZNccYNnpXnfz7dsIZc3lvMDaYVgeXC5Y_PMuWAhAm1hFlHKdFSYDvaQ_uV7K29_NedFaFJjSYa2O1iyartBb6oMPAUHkLE1xEFGrCMNHqJhty6d2oPoXEXXI2EHyzlob1Ig/s1600/DSCN1837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUt27Azx3ZNccYNnpXnfz7dsIZc3lvMDaYVgeXC5Y_PMuWAhAm1hFlHKdFSYDvaQ_uV7K29_NedFaFJjSYa2O1iyartBb6oMPAUHkLE1xEFGrCMNHqJhty6d2oPoXEXXI2EHyzlob1Ig/s320/DSCN1837.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily-Jo in the park</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEhZdNkBo9mYQvEePAlrSYV40UgU9Ni2czFxPr-Vc1CxlwVWa2dkyytD5t8td-PQWyHep1QoXoHJLEQEz4oxCcGuHGDPNIcuUATXbVL2hpyOhVvrqt8FAeISd5OZZNcfrTPBIwg7loh4NdY/s1600/eva+at+fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdNkBo9mYQvEePAlrSYV40UgU9Ni2czFxPr-Vc1CxlwVWa2dkyytD5t8td-PQWyHep1QoXoHJLEQEz4oxCcGuHGDPNIcuUATXbVL2hpyOhVvrqt8FAeISd5OZZNcfrTPBIwg7loh4NdY/s320/eva+at+fair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva on the kiddies rides</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEgSLAQFBqynmQKwJHBVxDIquucOBOKQAMFy4u6zx8TZFwDwZPsvpTD6ghgaqMwWhOsaIzH4orYu9LJVA4y1oZrXZo86n3rtzpSAfC5TQ8RJ5-aerVSaaTIoSU2HDUEIuPs2SAquc_L_w_0/s1600/eva+on+bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLAQFBqynmQKwJHBVxDIquucOBOKQAMFy4u6zx8TZFwDwZPsvpTD6ghgaqMwWhOsaIzH4orYu9LJVA4y1oZrXZo86n3rtzpSAfC5TQ8RJ5-aerVSaaTIoSU2HDUEIuPs2SAquc_L_w_0/s320/eva+on+bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva at the fun fair</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bedes World, Charlies Park, the Fun Fair and Birthday parties are always good attractions for the youngest ones.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwYrEoETuBBJbeuk7JEj8vL2Ar3lsIhPamhOTQG5rb0YWPPhkl8oGemUTXdWtysmGYVWdIaIT9slBH8t6r2F_GFOQs-aTRksISNUTTqBTQvQO697dxQLZbH3dBPfKIGU8st-WYe1rHbY/s1600/eva+at+jasmines+bd+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwYrEoETuBBJbeuk7JEj8vL2Ar3lsIhPamhOTQG5rb0YWPPhkl8oGemUTXdWtysmGYVWdIaIT9slBH8t6r2F_GFOQs-aTRksISNUTTqBTQvQO697dxQLZbH3dBPfKIGU8st-WYe1rHbY/s320/eva+at+jasmines+bd+party.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva at Jasmine's birthday party</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEj-bk5se5YOWc7T73QmWN1H1K4AmvuCaKpkLV_K8u_JznnqLdGk_HdTgbIE9_XklGR9Sqru3yFIJxxQOG4w6mcZZDzXQca82Z_z0n6v3Q9RhsV0dmvnIJXXpp0HZPIyhnNNpi2GNy-JhLs/s1600/drew+and+eva+on+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bk5se5YOWc7T73QmWN1H1K4AmvuCaKpkLV_K8u_JznnqLdGk_HdTgbIE9_XklGR9Sqru3yFIJxxQOG4w6mcZZDzXQca82Z_z0n6v3Q9RhsV0dmvnIJXXpp0HZPIyhnNNpi2GNy-JhLs/s320/drew+and+eva+on+beach.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew and Eva on the beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The summer school holidays are over now and life gets back to some kind of normality but what a good time we had!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Phew...worn out!</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-38305968666726091442015-09-07T20:09:00.002+01:002015-09-07T20:11:06.628+01:00Late summer and home made soup<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/AVvXsEhqxw95nW0fosO8U3lRsb_ee8dRhNufT2RrmD6CHHjNwgJJCSeZoMXfOrPFHVpQ5uZuLvoXxHvcY3ouEy6FuXG1-m0Og1N8BEWyW4-54UhuO3NwSGLAl1MSC2t4AnpHix09R2jfKra1OO0/s1600/DSCN1878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxw95nW0fosO8U3lRsb_ee8dRhNufT2RrmD6CHHjNwgJJCSeZoMXfOrPFHVpQ5uZuLvoXxHvcY3ouEy6FuXG1-m0Og1N8BEWyW4-54UhuO3NwSGLAl1MSC2t4AnpHix09R2jfKra1OO0/s400/DSCN1878.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from back garden</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't think its been the best summer ever this year...it was late arriving in my part of the country, very changeable and not quite as warm as I would like it to be but nevertheless, summer is hanging on. August last year was definitely showing signs of autumn by now and I think the previous year was the same but so far, I'm still struck by summer's presence, mellow light and that air of sleepiness I always enjoy in late summer. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walnut tree with Bat boxes at back of house</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We still have to experience the tell tale autumn signs of a nip in the air and misty mornings. Normally, that would signal the home made soup season. Thick and warming soup, traditionally made with ham stock, lentils and vegetables. So I have been a bit early this year and its all due to a lovely little woodland cafe called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CauseyHouseTeaRoom" target="_blank">Causey House Tea Room</a> in Co. Durham. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was there last Sunday with my husband John and having to be careful with my diet I chose home made soup from the menu, kindly supplied with gluten free toast as an option. Well, each spoonful had a reminiscence of Autumn and I was hankering to make my own again whether the season changed or not. And so I did! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home made soup</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Already hubby has had a good share and I will have some for supper tonight. Thats if there is any left...yuuuummmmmmmm.</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-29769821214142707322015-07-26T19:13:00.000+01:002015-07-26T19:13:33.768+01:00Sunderland Air Show<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc7jnRY-S0YwZ1Ppm4fFjhHsggxV8ZOXK5IUBgmaTIXpnKoWcm4chotahJo31aVBjCMNCWiAfEZ0NX_6iLOS5PD7mBYZ4XCXc0BjfQ1Y3hbb5ULejQc2R18uFSp3EwTSAy-wv-0Fx2eo/s1600/little+haven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Haven</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a lovely afternoon sailing on DFDS Princess Seaways along the coast to Sunderland to watch the Air Show. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and me<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red arrows<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Shields<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">John, my sister and I enjoyed a lovely lunch on board and a leisurely cruise along the coastline between South Shields and Seaburn. There must have been a bit of a swell because we felt it on deck and the Captain announced there was bad weather out in the North Sea. So I'm glad we weren't sailing to Amsterdam this trip! </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFsCotQwzO9iozWJnHAX_5KP8X0wpynTrzvf_wPSkoUKcZA3FIJvuD-zwKrLXtYvCtuvPJUReHaZ6T0MVT0zA5pel2Bjx3QUZ_1cFkZHp1wXcFRjJwVRXd3Pgn-6aoL_hi7ub_-V-Wck/s1600/planes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFsCotQwzO9iozWJnHAX_5KP8X0wpynTrzvf_wPSkoUKcZA3FIJvuD-zwKrLXtYvCtuvPJUReHaZ6T0MVT0zA5pel2Bjx3QUZ_1cFkZHp1wXcFRjJwVRXd3Pgn-6aoL_hi7ub_-V-Wck/s320/planes2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFsCotQwzO9iozWJnHAX_5KP8X0wpynTrzvf_wPSkoUKcZA3FIJvuD-zwKrLXtYvCtuvPJUReHaZ6T0MVT0zA5pel2Bjx3QUZ_1cFkZHp1wXcFRjJwVRXd3Pgn-6aoL_hi7ub_-V-Wck/s1600/planes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gZ0Nc3WCnEwtYRP_lrzhDUmEQtnRC0IS3pxPFinYgQBAxDcGuhw8vsFsFVFdZPkNv-UYd3XqtRbXealgNpVz30hp4gs_AuxjFbBXEP4YYrv_l7bXgrdhnlAzXKOgH9wc3aiua4wdxtY/s1600/DSCN1737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFsCotQwzO9iozWJnHAX_5KP8X0wpynTrzvf_wPSkoUKcZA3FIJvuD-zwKrLXtYvCtuvPJUReHaZ6T0MVT0zA5pel2Bjx3QUZ_1cFkZHp1wXcFRjJwVRXd3Pgn-6aoL_hi7ub_-V-Wck/s1600/planes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a good view point of the coastline from out on deck and the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">enjoyed it non the less, so much so we are looking forward to doing the same next year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suprisingly, I did manage to get some </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather stayed good but because of a tight time schedule the ship had to be back in port for 3pm so we missed the Battle of Britain fly past and the Red Arrows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did catch a glimpse of the Red Arrows when we docked at North Shields. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea King helicopter<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just had to get some nice scenic photos too. These are of South Shields and the Tyne.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY8E_P9wHhx18ul5JOO5mol6s69n77P4crBbwuEQTMDsabkal3VnmxC0ggb_e25haixv-yqY9Dc-PzskLq4iCOzlZP-f-ti3osJpS1VwFkuC7TVmOFT7V9K4yLn1t6IgflOR5YORblvA/s1600/north+forshaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY8E_P9wHhx18ul5JOO5mol6s69n77P4crBbwuEQTMDsabkal3VnmxC0ggb_e25haixv-yqY9Dc-PzskLq4iCOzlZP-f-ti3osJpS1VwFkuC7TVmOFT7V9K4yLn1t6IgflOR5YORblvA/s320/north+forshaw.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North forshaw South Shields</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tyne<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thanks for sharing my day with me.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-85477561148245769672015-07-18T09:10:00.000+01:002015-07-18T09:10:00.468+01:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">candle pebbles decorated with pressed flowers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My blogs are so scarce these days, I hope I have some readers left. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sitting here waiting for my alendronic acid tablet to go down. I have to wait sitting upright for half an hour. Hence I thought I would compose a short blog...good idea! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm currently de-cluttering my craft room. I seem to spend half my life de-cluttering...I can't believe all the stuff I've squirrelled away over the years. I did manage to frame a lot of my pictures and they are now hanging in a gallery hoping to be sold. I should have taken a photo...maybe on my next visit. I get lots of ideas and inspiration flows when I am sorting through my stash but I'm being as disciplined as I can be and determined to concentrate on fewer crafts in the future instead of wishful thinking lots of various ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, its time up and I can move now, so I will just find a picture and get on with the rest of my day. Thanks for calling by.</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-29792066651963876482014-10-31T22:33:00.000+00:002015-04-09T23:12:15.523+01:00Walking in the footsteps of Saint Bede on Halloween<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its been such a lovely day, so warm with no chill from the strong breeze and although the sky was dull lots of Autumn colour still shone through. It is also Halloween and I planned to take grandchildren to Bedes World, the Saxon Farm and a walk around St Paul's Church and ruined monastery next to the river Don in Jarrow where it meets the river Tyne. Only two grandchildren were able to make it, Amber and Lils, but we made the best of it and had a good time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amber and Lils love having their photos taken and here they are posing in front of the entrance to Jarrow Hall, part of the Bede's World complex. This was the start of our adventure.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amber and Lils</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside the museum was an area decorated and staged for Halloween visitors. The entrance was very dark and scary and a real life cross-eyed giant standing just inside the entrance was enough to scare poor Lils and me (I have to admit) so much, we decided to try another entrance that was not so scary. Granddad and Amber braved the dark labyrinth of evil atmosphere and disappeared ! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The children could hunt for items on the Potion Trail, ticking them off on work sheets as they explored the museum and that kept us busy for a while. Ghostly figures, skeletons, witches and bats and all manner of scary stuff was scattered everywhere but the most curious for me was a puppet stand, like an old fashioned Punch and Judy type. Its curtains were closed and there was no one about. I thought maybe there was a puppet show at designated times. I turned away for just a second to see Granddad and Amber catching up with us and then turned back again at the sound of ghoulish laughter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To my horror I saw a face where no face had been before surrounded by a mass of white hair staring through the curtains at me. Well I screamed!!! Lils screamed and a shocked and flustered puppeteer emerged from inside the puppet stand to apologise for frightening us but then, as we came to our senses, we all melted into a cascade of laughter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were then treated to our very own puppet show and Lils was allowed to present her own puppet show too and received lots of applause for her effort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Calming ourselves down after all that scary nonsense we took time out to watch a cartoon film but Lils soon got bored and we decided to wander around the Saxon farm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lils and Granddad explored inside one of the Saxon dwellings and dressed up as monks. They then picked up swords to have a play fight! Granddad was enjoying himself. We then made our way to Thirlings Hall, the main Saxon building where we gathered around the Saxon fireplace for a storytelling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The storyteller wanted volunteers for sound effects and I ended up being the evil sorceress! Lils was one of the wicked witches and other children had different roles and we all had to practice our cackles and evil groans. It was really good fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The witches' cauldren held sour pears for making cider and there was sausage hanging against the wattle and daub walls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amber had missed it all and was still in the museum where we eventually found her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The museum cafe was our next stop and after refreshments we went to the adventure playground where Lils and Amber had some fun time while Granddad and I looked on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The autumn day was beautiful and although it felt more like Summer I had to capture autumn shades with my camera before the weather changed and they were lost to winter. We continued on with our walk in Bede's footsteps drinking in the smells of Autumn foliage crunching underfoot and decomposing leaves in damp patches. Marveling at the many hues of autumn colours and late wild flowers still blooming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amber and Lils ran ahead playing tig </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Skirting around the river Don, we arrived at the monastic ruins and church where Bede and other monks had lived and worked twelve centuries ago. We had enjoyed our day so much but it was time to go home and take our happy memories with us, leaving this peaceful spot behind...until next time.</span></div>
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<br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-55014401577064509702014-09-24T23:07:00.000+01:002014-09-24T23:07:07.151+01:00From Spring to Autumn and now I'm back !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W9VItbKRh9DzagpKKEKD1F8QNlzxcSfbbyIqAphg7EkxBQT3Zlt6m12iQQuxA5V2VbDxC9yG4Ivtzh08iCvJU7-G93PXeGD4bKCfqdlZj2EVaPebiPBBDlUf3DCXD7vwqcKEiixsT8U/s1600/DSCN0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W9VItbKRh9DzagpKKEKD1F8QNlzxcSfbbyIqAphg7EkxBQT3Zlt6m12iQQuxA5V2VbDxC9yG4Ivtzh08iCvJU7-G93PXeGD4bKCfqdlZj2EVaPebiPBBDlUf3DCXD7vwqcKEiixsT8U/s1600/DSCN0973.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Garden Pansies</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I keep saying it like a broken record... 'I can't believe its so long since I wrote my blog'. Time flies, it certainly does ! Especially when you are having a good time, or so the saying goes. It hasn't all been good but it ended up very good and lots to be thankful for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A spell in hospital saw me losing a stone in weight in just over a week. I broke both bones in my wrist while on holiday in Gran Canaria and had to have an operation there, and now I have been diagnosed with brittle bone disease. On the upside I spent a week in Lourdes which was wonderful and then my Oncologist said I need not take my gist treatment anymore but to continue with scans. Hooray!!! I'm kicking cancer's but and I have gradually built up energy and a will to live again. How wonderful! I'm getting back into being creative and given myself so many projects, my positivety knows no bounds. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45Vd1FgDnPkNNSbb8rIXGIOa67RCeLFY2BzXn55EynMJjJe4EGdF0Pg24KEpcg-ko9WSM8KKW1kzgg_G4iKybWyMduKCivr1jjiCPAlHEk6Ck5n4L83HUzBQcqUUWZnMsiibgp8kaVxA/s1600/candles_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45Vd1FgDnPkNNSbb8rIXGIOa67RCeLFY2BzXn55EynMJjJe4EGdF0Pg24KEpcg-ko9WSM8KKW1kzgg_G4iKybWyMduKCivr1jjiCPAlHEk6Ck5n4L83HUzBQcqUUWZnMsiibgp8kaVxA/s1600/candles_0007.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">candle decorated with pressed flowers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have made some fab candles and plan to make lots of greetings cards with pressed flowers, decorate bags and fill some gift bags with goodies for Christmas. Most of this will be going into the shop my daughter Jo recently opened and some will hopefully be for sale at a Christmas craft fair coming up at Bedesworld. I love visiting Bedesworld and enjoying a walk around the farm and saying hello to the animals, calling in the museum, getting a coffee at the cafe (al-fresco) and generally having a peaceful yet invigorating time in the fresh air. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ancient breed at Bedesworld</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm aiming to rekindle my love of baking too. The garden lavender is gathered and is now hang-drying in a bunch in my kitchen for making lavender shortcake, which is delicious and so easy to bake. I'm just so greedy for creative play I don't get time enough! A far cry from six months ago, I'm happy to say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I gently eased myself back into the art group at U3A today just simply colouring in black and white illustrations in a 1983 edition of The Complete Works of Lewis Carol. I picked it up for just 20p at a second hand book stall. Eventually I will give it to my granddaughter Natalie as she is such a bookworm, I think she will love it. Tomorrow I return to Calligraphy class and with my hand working much better now should be able to attempt those lovely scripts again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its lovely Autumn now and phew! my life is full to the brim and I'm so glad of it. I had to capture those lovely autumn colours in our garden right now before they disappeared into winter. I love this time of year.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10d0zNEviOKuT1FnpVExAe-38TA6Irnjhh2ekzrDbVrI8OLQARIqcgVAYTrUWDzW6TXqVuW8viwSWNXdCHBbGbdzr2UMbcw41qpmWCOGfzUJTYzKeBNxfznR0dIKVvC7JQcXlfVnJIH8/s1600/DSCN0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10d0zNEviOKuT1FnpVExAe-38TA6Irnjhh2ekzrDbVrI8OLQARIqcgVAYTrUWDzW6TXqVuW8viwSWNXdCHBbGbdzr2UMbcw41qpmWCOGfzUJTYzKeBNxfznR0dIKVvC7JQcXlfVnJIH8/s1600/DSCN0970.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn garden<br /></td></tr>
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'til we meet again...enjoy!</div>
Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-35816328761192687822014-03-29T16:05:00.000+00:002014-03-29T16:35:48.044+00:00Latest artwork plus<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I would share my latest artwork and what I've been up to lately. Not much I could say but just a minute...surprisingly I've done quite a bit if I take the time to reckon up. Years and years of working a fourteen hour day, multitasking my heart out has given me a mind set that won't budge. Its as if I'm brainwashed into expecting so much input and output from myself and any less only labels me lazy. Even six years of retirement doesn't quash the tide of self expectation even if physically, the body doesn't agree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its just as well really! I love my projects and must have something to be creative with. They can give me a very welcome buzz. Being creative, contemplative and listening to good music all at the same time is my idea of heaven and as relaxing and multitasking as I ever need to be.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_8c0oovMMtZytxY-dPbmZPuhpbMXcjG20TbtzOQL03Ib3dAfbcB1tyoDkKl-q1NbZRlddi5538SM5vrGCoO_NblYZEgJrze86b-kJkq0DdWzMkNXDFpcsLzdv73ErNrWRH4Ped_M54M/s1600/widows+mite+wcol+effect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_8c0oovMMtZytxY-dPbmZPuhpbMXcjG20TbtzOQL03Ib3dAfbcB1tyoDkKl-q1NbZRlddi5538SM5vrGCoO_NblYZEgJrze86b-kJkq0DdWzMkNXDFpcsLzdv73ErNrWRH4Ped_M54M/s1600/widows+mite+wcol+effect.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an interpretation of the Widow's Mite</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Art group I belong to with the <a href="http://www.u3a.org.uk/" target="_blank">U3A</a> continues to be good fun, not competitive yet so instructive and encouraging by other members. I felt I had finally made friends with my latest pastel but unfortunately the textured paper doesn't scan well and so I tweeked it with Serif Photoplus to create a more digital friendly image and this is the best image I could come up with. I hope you like. I was inspired by a painting by <a href="http://www.jameschristensenart.com/" target="_blank">James Christensen</a> .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Term has ended for my calligraphy class and we students held our customary end of term tea with lots of finger foods and snacks with a special gluten free assortment for us freebies. I made some gf cheese bread and cooked gf sausages as my contribution. Some were left over so I decided to pack them back in their container and bring them home to eat later but what did I do? I left the container on the class room windowsill and went home without it. Oh no! Happily not all was lost as I found out later. One of my fellow students took the opportunity to take it home with her and she had it for tea. Bravo! I'm just happy it wasn't wasted and I took it as a compliment to my cooking.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNFIGMblur6jKWGZmbakOKYgYbNKqtk3qYbt2enKVHZ5eOFTJ_C06-tsAdKg3bDUXsz1WA3V6xr8pnDuFlCqFojFw8NYrj9ma3nwirOh00qAXjiICI5wl5dni1pRy9Z_QmsApsR5y-o0/s1600/Cal+kells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNFIGMblur6jKWGZmbakOKYgYbNKqtk3qYbt2enKVHZ5eOFTJ_C06-tsAdKg3bDUXsz1WA3V6xr8pnDuFlCqFojFw8NYrj9ma3nwirOh00qAXjiICI5wl5dni1pRy9Z_QmsApsR5y-o0/s1600/Cal+kells.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">uncial script</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This last term we studied the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells" target="_blank">Book of Kells</a> and attempted to copy its style of writing and include drawn letters and animal illustration. The newbies in the class, including me, found it difficult and I for one was almost ready to bring my adventure with calligraphy to a close when the penny finally dropped. Our display of work was appreciated by all and made our tutor very happy. For my second piece, shown here I decided to inscribe a George Eliot piece and used greens and gold to illustrate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were also shown work done by the Northumbrian Scribes and bound as part of the<a href="http://www.ircc.org.uk/letterscapes/LALgallery/index.html" target="_blank"> Letters after Lindisfarne</a> project, a sequel to the Lindisfarne Gospels. What amazing artist scribes they are. I stood and watched in awe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you soon.</span><br />
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<br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-43012840132171391862014-02-20T21:53:00.000+00:002014-02-20T21:53:18.233+00:00An Accomplished Afternoon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EnHWa9wDxgQ0BVHt91NGoDAoYEXeT_JR2Nfx5vCnOaloPtGDgm5KfvhC6h4Lvr7GJemZK8d2YeXsNFMA-swvmhiwBUQM-j-NL1z4CqzmUvFMJMLOwPGLAegxlimPtTaKMF1jbyPUJyY/s1600/call+uncial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EnHWa9wDxgQ0BVHt91NGoDAoYEXeT_JR2Nfx5vCnOaloPtGDgm5KfvhC6h4Lvr7GJemZK8d2YeXsNFMA-swvmhiwBUQM-j-NL1z4CqzmUvFMJMLOwPGLAegxlimPtTaKMF1jbyPUJyY/s1600/call+uncial.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">uncial script</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm midway through my second term as a student of calligraphy and I've chewed over this assignment for weeks! To produce a script in uncial following the style found in the Book of Kells. It has to include a verse or quotation featuring animals and also be illustrated with animals. Kells features animals that entwine with initial letters and are beautifully coloured. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit uncial script is a real challenge for me. I had spent my first term practising italics and was feeling quite happy about it (almost smug) and then the rug was pulled out from under my feet when I and my fellow scribes were plunged into the upside down, back to front world of uncial. Gosh! I can imagine ancient scribes sitting in their cells with just a candle for light and warmth, huddled inside their monks' habits, painstakingly creating illuminated manuscripts day after day after day. It must have been a lifetime's occupation for some of them and the work they created still in existence today, is amazing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In contrast I sat in my cosy kitchen this afternoon with the sun shining in through patio doors, coffee and oatcakes by my side and produced my own little masterpiece shown above. To be honest I had made several drafts and gave it all a lot of thought before finally finding the confidence to do the master copy today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm happy with the result and feeling quite proud of my achievement even though its not 'perfect' its good enough for me. I particularly like the way my sparrow sits well with the initial W. I suppose I really should have used watercolours for the illustrations but I have some lovely Promarker pens that were just begging to be used and they are so much more handy it would be a shame not to use them. </span><br />
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<br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-48720737077735051662014-02-16T19:05:00.000+00:002014-02-16T19:05:37.900+00:00Letter to self and others<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nteBBaNrQ9W7zXQWikqNTfzoB3bVVQWcFdQiDKYM_XcjoM5sXzaY9MW2sslSz6XiVBYUWodn7919PWo5VafuKV9E4pF_zqQ7uMsszzDh5T2ECpdOIqE6EbjceK3TtrTtm8CxRdkUZDA/s1600/cal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nteBBaNrQ9W7zXQWikqNTfzoB3bVVQWcFdQiDKYM_XcjoM5sXzaY9MW2sslSz6XiVBYUWodn7919PWo5VafuKV9E4pF_zqQ7uMsszzDh5T2ECpdOIqE6EbjceK3TtrTtm8CxRdkUZDA/s1600/cal1.jpg" height="289" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">italic hand with pressed flowers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't believe its 6 months since I last posted. What have I been doing??? Well for a start I've taken on too many projects, most of which are presently languishing unfinished, such as Eva's first year scrapbook, a sketch of family that needs coloured, a script in uncial in the Book of Kell's style with odd looking animals entwined in the letters and several more, some of which I'm sure I've forgotten about. I can make a mental list of things to do but it becomes so long and unwieldy I get exhausted just thinking about it and end up doing nothing. So no progress is made and I might start yet another project at the kitchen table until I can't bear the clutter any more and that project is 'retired' with all the others. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course I could work at my arts and crafts in my craft room but I've run out of desk space in there. I really should spend a day tidying up and reorganising my work space and my time. Did I tell you I joined the U3A Bede, Jarrow Branch and go to their art group once a week. Also, I joined a calligraphy class, held once a week, my tutor being the Chairperson of the Northumbrian Scribes. Yay!! I'm enjoying both.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the above interspersed with the occasional coffee morning, socials, trips out, breakfast and lunch dining out, day dreaming and getting comfy on the sofa, watching rubbish on TV and planning on doing things but then never do and more. Such is life in retirement. I can't complain, though I could do with a kick in the proverbial to get me motivated more... or maybe some spring sunshine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next project please!</span></span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-9573595128342824942013-08-10T18:05:00.001+01:002013-10-07T19:20:44.146+01:00Opening lines from Books<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't give the opening lines to my favourite books because I don't keep books as such. My library consists mostly of reference books relating to arts, crafts, hobbies, religion and spiritual thought. It used to include books about politics but I gave up on that years ago. Novels come and go, year in, year out. When they are read they are passed onto family or friends. I particularly like historical novels or biographies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have never owned a collection of classics and Shakespeare, since school days, has left no appeal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of my favourite books from recent years include: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The God of Small Things</span></b> a story about childhood experiences by Arundhati Roy, winner of the Booker Prize in 1997</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">A Thousand Splendid Suns</span></b> by Khaled Hosseini, 2007</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">And the Mountains Echoed</span></b> by Khaled Hosseini, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Queen's Fool</span></b> by Philippa Gregory, 2003</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I managed to salvage five novels from my shelves, read, partly read and waiting to be read and I have taken the opening lines from them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Katherine Webb, author of <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Unseen</span></b>, 2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'</span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first time Leah met the man who would change her life, he was lying face down on a steel table, quite oblivious to her. Odd patches of his clothing rem</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ained, the colour of mud, slick with moisture.'</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Khaled Hosseini author of <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">And the Mountains Echoed</span></b>, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'<i>So, then. You want a story and I will tell you one. But just the one. Don't either ask me for more. It's late, and we have a long day of travel ahead of us Pari, you and I.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kate Morton author of <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Distant Hours</span></b>, 2011</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It started with a letter, A letter that had been lost a long time waiting out half a century in a forgotten postal bag in the dim nondescript house in Bermondsey.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jean Auel author of<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <b>The Plains of Passage</b></span><i>, </i>2002</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The woman caught a glimpse of movement through the dusty haze ahead and wondered if it was the wolf she had seen loping in front of them earlier.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Noah Hawley<i>,</i> author of <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Good Father</span></b><i>, </i>2013</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday night was pizza night in the Allen household. My last appointment of the day was scheduled for 11am; and at three o'clock I would ride the train home to Westport, thumbing through patient charts and returning phone calls.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out of the five books listed above. the one which holds the most appeal to me right now is <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Unseen</span></b>. Maybe I should make a challenge to read it. Something for my ever expanding 'to do' list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 10 <a href="http://nataliegrueninger.com/2013/07/30/a-challenge-blog-each-day-in-august/" target="_blank">August Blog Challenge</a></span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-67347714362018148352013-08-08T07:31:00.002+01:002013-10-07T19:20:44.114+01:00A Guilty Pleasure :<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>An</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> afternoon </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">snooze</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><b>Is</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> where to <span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>cruise</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When there's </span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>time</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> to </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>lose</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>stand</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> accused</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of </span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">hoarding</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">treasure</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Of </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">sofa and </span><b><span style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">me</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> together</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>And</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> being the </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>wilful</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> measure</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Of my </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>guilty pleasure</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 8 <a href="http://nataliegrueninger.com/2013/07/30/a-challenge-blog-each-day-in-august/" target="_blank">August Blog Challenge</a></span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-51172687235191981832013-08-07T19:10:00.000+01:002014-09-24T21:55:02.272+01:00Five songs that bring back memories<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pYVCTOSNLRH9MiO4lT1tol0D0gdjQ5-2p8nXnVR1-vN14RXlGJoAHc1QWQnlHMrz7M-AGFF1xlAdbB9pQGGQ-j9OObOsoRfdCfYBYQhC1FlfrMR3yvKY8AMUi9Ce_l86V9hkUWvjMl0/s1600/carolyn+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pYVCTOSNLRH9MiO4lT1tol0D0gdjQ5-2p8nXnVR1-vN14RXlGJoAHc1QWQnlHMrz7M-AGFF1xlAdbB9pQGGQ-j9OObOsoRfdCfYBYQhC1FlfrMR3yvKY8AMUi9Ce_l86V9hkUWvjMl0/s320/carolyn+18.jpg" height="320" width="89" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me being psychedelic</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm enjoying this challenge and even surprised at myself that I can be so creative with writing again. There is life in the old girl yet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've heard it said that if you remember the sixties then you weren't there. Well I remember with a smile on my face and Oh! the joy and freedom of youth, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiK79FlEFAI" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Lets go to San Francisco</span></a> , conjures up all the excitement, the change and the rebellious breaking down of social barriers of that era... I'll never forget!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isao Tomito with his album <span style="color: #c27ba0;">'<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUfn-MeJjAU" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Snowflakes are Dancing</span></a>'</span>, introduced me to Debussy in the late 70s. I remember being enraptured by the sound, almost like being transported to another place and time. I bought the album as a Christmas present for my parents and funnily enough, they had bought me the same. Probably one of the rare times we were on the same page!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its easy to place the blame at someone else's door but Billy Joel eloquently turned things around with the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PThPI1kLGU8" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Inn</span></a></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PThPI1kLGU8" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">ocent Man</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in 1983, with really deep lyrics, ouch! The eighties started well with the birth of my third child, a beautiful son, but then became probably both the worst and best decade of my life. My parents divorced about this time and my mother became suicidal. Domestic issues were at their lowest and we were broke. We had to sell our home and we barely made even. My family was breaking up and my lovely family ended up with no home of our own and I lost my precious mother. Then along came Labi Siffre in 1987 with </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B-4Lsrx8IA" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Something inside so strong</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> . I could so relate to that song. It was if it had been written for me. Not just my life but my whole family's life had to be built back up again and I did it! I returned to my faith, we got our own place, I went back into education and then got a job I managed to stay at for nearly twenty years. Wow! that was some achievement I can tell you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life can be a fairground with its ups and downs but hope is eternal and what better way to ignore the downs than to break out into song when your favourite song comes on the radio. In 1995 it seemed this song was never off the radio and I loved it. Especially when I was in the car and I could pretend I was really at the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm6dJdsiV8I" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">fairground</span></a> singing along with Simply Red. It made my husband and I laugh so much and laughing can be so good for the heart and soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope to see you tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 7 August Blog Challenge</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-23813954154439817322013-08-06T13:17:00.000+01:002013-10-07T19:20:44.087+01:00A favourite quote and why it’s special<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>If you love something set it free, If it comes back to you, it is yours. If it doesn't it never was.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I value my independence therefore I must respect the independence of others. Watching children walk away to forge their own lives for themselves can be heartbreaking. A huge wrench that tears emotions to threads and leaves a gaping hole. The empty nest in tatters. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew walking away</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the worst attitudes I think, is to take someone for granted. I would much rather set someone free and experience the joy of their return than hold them against their will.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My darling son and granddaughter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 6 <a href="http://nataliegrueninger.com/2013/07/30/a-challenge-blog-each-day-in-august/" target="_blank">August Blog Challenge</a></span><br />
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Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-83864166986115428812013-08-05T18:42:00.000+01:002013-10-07T19:20:44.126+01:00Something I wish I did really well<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I can't do something really well then I don't generally do it. I leave it to the experts. Knitting for example. My mother was and sister still is an amazing knitter. I've tried my hand at it but with poor results and practice didn't make perfect for me. So a knitter I am not and never will be. Thats OK, I can leave well alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something that springs to mind is the fantastic </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ability some people have to</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">be multi-lingual. That's not an ability I share though I dearly wish I could speak more than my native English. I have some mostly forgotten but could be reminded of, schoolgirl French and a teeny bit of holiday Spanish. While waiting to get through the Gibraltar/Spanish border one day my son who was working there at the time broke into a Spanish conversation with a difficult custom's official so easily and readily I was greatly impressed and proud. Another time (I'm told), my son and his friend were trying to chat up a German girl but all were having difficulty with each other's language. They ended up conversing quite well in French! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-ahx6LUkiRMd2renq1lFuyBPXq6AzPEq-4XmsFS5fsRvK8HF3O6DpSuho4QjkZw7y7YVvv4Giqd2ckOv2FiabcFe096nUZtbiqqWvYBOdSg8b6Ykh2o2iI4KKKaPO0TeNtWddTiJQvk/s1600/100_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-ahx6LUkiRMd2renq1lFuyBPXq6AzPEq-4XmsFS5fsRvK8HF3O6DpSuho4QjkZw7y7YVvv4Giqd2ckOv2FiabcFe096nUZtbiqqWvYBOdSg8b6Ykh2o2iI4KKKaPO0TeNtWddTiJQvk/s200/100_0205.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son Drew</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes I greatly admire those who can speak multiple languages and that's something I wish I did really well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 5 <a href="http://nataliegrueninger.com/2013/07/30/a-challenge-blog-each-day-in-august/" target="_blank">August Blog Challenge</a></span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-87634063722604320812013-08-04T17:38:00.000+01:002013-10-07T19:20:44.137+01:00An Embarrassing Moment<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think I have learnt how to opt out of would be embarrassing moments. I must have experienced plenty in my time but I don't think I have blushed at one since I was in my teens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: right;">Feeling socially awkward can be part of an embarrassing moment but some people don't get embarrassed at all in fact they seem to thrive on being socially awkward. A case in point happened just recently when my husband and I had a day out at </span>Souter<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: right;"> Lighthouse, a visitor's attraction in South </span>Tyneside<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: right;">. The lighthouse keeper's living quarters has a box of dressing up clothes for children to entertain themselves with. Of course, my husband (well on his way into his second childhood), couldn't resist a bit of dressing up. Its moments like this that a well rehearsed line comes to mind, '</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: right;">Its OK, he is going home soon'</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: right;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">To be fair, I have to balance the equation by admitting one of my own embarrassing moments which was at a staff Christmas Dinner, many years ago. Carried away by the joviality of the event and yes, civil servants know how to let their hair down, at my place at the table, I ashamedly enjoyed my neighbour's wine as well as my own. </span>Hic<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">! Oh my goodness! I didn't know how to apologise enough but she saw the funny side and said not to worry. I bet she was calling me under her breath though...</span>eeek<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">4th day <a href="http://nataliegrueninger.com/2013/07/30/a-challenge-blog-each-day-in-august/" target="_blank">August Challenge Blog</a></span></div>
Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582820856712145316.post-13281898353032024172013-08-03T17:33:00.000+01:002020-01-19T18:58:41.176+00:00A Treasured Memory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Its hard to choose a treasured memory, there are so many. They best come to mind when everything is quiet and there are no rattles of the day to interrupt my thoughts. My best time of the day is early morning when I can sit with my morning tea and look out at the world through my kitchen windows into the garden and sky beyond. A time of contemplation brings all things to mind. Perhaps one of my most treasured memories was when I told my ten year old granddaughter I had stopped smoking. She was walking across the sitting room at the time, heading for the stairs when she stopped in mid track, did a double take and launched herself into the air, pirouetting as she did so, then bounced back down to the floor with a YEAH! She then sped off to do whatever it was she had in mind to do in the first place. I was speechless and thrilled at the same time. I wouldn't have missed that spectacular for the world and all because I had stopped smoking. I think I will treasure that moment forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3rd Day <a href="http://nataliegrueninger.com/blog/" target="_blank">August Blog Challenge</a> </span></div>
Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606006511835501844noreply@blogger.com0