tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50402632962791814322024-03-19T08:48:15.945+00:00Country Ways and Cottage DaysThe Scrivenings and Witterings of a Wild Welsh Woman of the Western ShoresRustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-36790898117374582732024-03-08T18:11:00.001+00:002024-03-08T18:11:25.849+00:00Horsing Around<p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Hello Friends!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Just popping in quickly with the latest outcome in my online art group Drawing Magic Circle. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Graphite pencil, graphite block, tortillon paper stumps for blending, and subtraction using Tombow fine eraser and kneadable putty eraser.</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspf7ZfehiwOhiQV_nlbfyaz1FTgPNz5AHrjI4fBHxOogAaFIOtk3PwJUj9mdRd1AJwBOcHZks2Fpw97bdTxygFn8TSxl61W7vHaOFFM-fp4RVXNbfp0FZhF3Fl5tbaB41TpY_lxP6SN4XfuIHHNvxukGjGSBOJfsIZIoAbu2mgbd-Lj8oOghPZTXPcXUY/s3574/IMG_20240308_121424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="3574" data-original-width="2528" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspf7ZfehiwOhiQV_nlbfyaz1FTgPNz5AHrjI4fBHxOogAaFIOtk3PwJUj9mdRd1AJwBOcHZks2Fpw97bdTxygFn8TSxl61W7vHaOFFM-fp4RVXNbfp0FZhF3Fl5tbaB41TpY_lxP6SN4XfuIHHNvxukGjGSBOJfsIZIoAbu2mgbd-Lj8oOghPZTXPcXUY/w452-h640/IMG_20240308_121424.jpg" width="452" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>If you had told me two years ago I would be competently drawing and painting animals on a regular basis I would have laughed in your face! Just shows what you can achieve with regular daily practice.</i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Until next time</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Stay safe, stay well</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Debbie xx</b></i></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-88684485241064764082024-02-29T11:59:00.003+00:002024-03-01T10:45:57.923+00:00In Celebration of Saint David's Day<p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Hello Friends!</i></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Dydd <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Gŵyl</span> Dewi Sant Hapus</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><b><i>Happy Saint David's Day</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdUx4yzxmBQ7F7mplq40rTgCPeawWfeuQ9HRjSgaUpyxWx94QHJRZ_NjOcyobk0LMJwHofCeujbM8Heq9L0r_EKz2Oz_FpOKW1dXHCrfSpCCd7Tdm4JuFLR58g0yVIjzo1b4_qghZwkP5Jdd4Y4gxB9ue6c9QbwPBobkXjTFgyJ76tDDqjM0tS6OCg6Y4/s2048/WALES.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdUx4yzxmBQ7F7mplq40rTgCPeawWfeuQ9HRjSgaUpyxWx94QHJRZ_NjOcyobk0LMJwHofCeujbM8Heq9L0r_EKz2Oz_FpOKW1dXHCrfSpCCd7Tdm4JuFLR58g0yVIjzo1b4_qghZwkP5Jdd4Y4gxB9ue6c9QbwPBobkXjTFgyJ76tDDqjM0tS6OCg6Y4/w480-h640/WALES.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><i><span><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">oday, March 1st, is Saint David's Day. David, or Dewi Sant, is the Patron Saint of Wales and t</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>oday he is celebrated throughout Wales, and across the world where many Welsh communities exist. I have written previously </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5040263296279181432/2422815874212337276">here</a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5040263296279181432/7547376070880205357">here</a><span> if you would like to read more. Typing is wearing me out these days, so I apologise for the brevity and for referring you to previous posts.</span></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Here is a selection of photos from my library in celebration of Saint David and of being Welsh.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Two pictures of the Shrine of David, restored, at St Davids Cathedral</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvieXKEh9vzLpd3R0oMwLUFIY6xL9zt5PxDiESGHGsWcEWKVQUJnyyHqOeVEvgTOJCPvaeGhmXUByv4Qflu9zyIaUDvEqg1mad6z89I163PrdF7fqHyruF2Wf_ZUdmWqC4cWQZ3q5pRY8em68tIOCgx1Vbvpfhs0l_LwNN1zgBeosHfKin97Qe1k4RglJ/s567/418267_123812457745860_1155918304_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="567" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvieXKEh9vzLpd3R0oMwLUFIY6xL9zt5PxDiESGHGsWcEWKVQUJnyyHqOeVEvgTOJCPvaeGhmXUByv4Qflu9zyIaUDvEqg1mad6z89I163PrdF7fqHyruF2Wf_ZUdmWqC4cWQZ3q5pRY8em68tIOCgx1Vbvpfhs0l_LwNN1zgBeosHfKin97Qe1k4RglJ/w640-h480/418267_123812457745860_1155918304_n.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7CJon8-pF5ypSXO-BnxFV4q1KxXFE11dAOFzG1uH0UwbqHBvtdxpcpIces9QIxYTGiJTKNzpBIbxAizFUlSJhuMuaJlU0Uj_QxMN9Wa0ZvLKfM5AdF7Vf4X6lduzEEzzDzYenqjPdXgssKuejuYrhEFeqhQVwDuYKrqEh5M8ovlMmRrSAv7mYrGGWXaZ/s567/426194_123812624412510_1767114216_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="567" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7CJon8-pF5ypSXO-BnxFV4q1KxXFE11dAOFzG1uH0UwbqHBvtdxpcpIces9QIxYTGiJTKNzpBIbxAizFUlSJhuMuaJlU0Uj_QxMN9Wa0ZvLKfM5AdF7Vf4X6lduzEEzzDzYenqjPdXgssKuejuYrhEFeqhQVwDuYKrqEh5M8ovlMmRrSAv7mYrGGWXaZ/w640-h480/426194_123812624412510_1767114216_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>The Bishop's Blessing on the Cross Square 14th century prayer cross. The then bishop, the Rt. Rev Wyn Evans is giving the Blessing, ably assisted by the then Dean, the Rev. Jonathan Lean, the then Mayor, Cllr. John George, and finally the then Canon Dorrien Davies who has just been consecrated as the 130th Bishop of St Davids. This year it will be Bishop Dorrien leading the ecclesiastic celebrations. </i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHakLTAy-MYUVRJZOpiz16tgaiICbC-303yG43Qe0-5l5sZWrYqYUxCWGmQgjzKAE-od6p5MNZ9rTQBRQtYfRB38IfIpyh8N5GAIwbSflMDYznnt1r26boRMqCFBwoHM4StDd-b888KyaS2mg6KhHNUPtbQMNelWUjZOvFQeFZF6gyNI11IvxPOj_raXB/s960/563393_297331243727313_80645509_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHakLTAy-MYUVRJZOpiz16tgaiICbC-303yG43Qe0-5l5sZWrYqYUxCWGmQgjzKAE-od6p5MNZ9rTQBRQtYfRB38IfIpyh8N5GAIwbSflMDYznnt1r26boRMqCFBwoHM4StDd-b888KyaS2mg6KhHNUPtbQMNelWUjZOvFQeFZF6gyNI11IvxPOj_raXB/w640-h480/563393_297331243727313_80645509_n.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Two views of the Cathedral in the Valley of Roses where David established his monastery and it has been a centre for faith and pilgrimage for 1,500 years. One only has to set foot inside the cathedral and the energy of one and a half millennia is palpable.</i></span><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ul_b5Ypt1tJPT_zOr7xgiK0vGtrAEiHA07vLa6NdGWplWYnxvWDcGWcCH1pMxw7Q4pj_qM8WjVzoSBvKl0NQetJQnjX7SDLKqZkjs1FB55NYe6IPoDNolbgtJN-jj2KlUvy1qOWO92UiL16PHAdaOs8RO-BQ3RDwdgXArjn6XFywpfkyBLxUkbgOatnY/s960/582098_159641964162909_195527423_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="960" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ul_b5Ypt1tJPT_zOr7xgiK0vGtrAEiHA07vLa6NdGWplWYnxvWDcGWcCH1pMxw7Q4pj_qM8WjVzoSBvKl0NQetJQnjX7SDLKqZkjs1FB55NYe6IPoDNolbgtJN-jj2KlUvy1qOWO92UiL16PHAdaOs8RO-BQ3RDwdgXArjn6XFywpfkyBLxUkbgOatnY/w640-h184/582098_159641964162909_195527423_n.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfinnB8xs2_QubjsAI-Fp9lTjwn75LkfESW3BqaI9hB0ZgFCasub6Xk00s3y4iA_N1IMtIlQ0hi_zh64VvUsEeve3nT_AKAgmQqQ2XFJsbQdgKsrUQqbkKUZCchg0ULf6VcX7gGESYRCTeqVn0K7gGZunX7cNOFy_I8V2wyhQCKh7R-zx8_ET3uWKpIvcc/s960/996954_402024943257942_1900746314_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfinnB8xs2_QubjsAI-Fp9lTjwn75LkfESW3BqaI9hB0ZgFCasub6Xk00s3y4iA_N1IMtIlQ0hi_zh64VvUsEeve3nT_AKAgmQqQ2XFJsbQdgKsrUQqbkKUZCchg0ULf6VcX7gGESYRCTeqVn0K7gGZunX7cNOFy_I8V2wyhQCKh7R-zx8_ET3uWKpIvcc/w640-h480/996954_402024943257942_1900746314_n.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Various views at St Non's where David was born</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Shrine of the Blessed Virgin<br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3adN892JA3y2IEgSf6zLNwlgmleU02HVoIC0SyrgeAyHg4iclst1m9IB2wSc6tc8sYNVS4NZUM7QFAeBoTHeDT4mr2xgGxUDIRxTPmfTBfzilHldw45drUiHHGCcQh-p1kMKXcWr5Az3M1A0keI4JG1CA0jJvs0KeiHvG1FNcm2YWaktgOR_590E5QXO7/s960/947065_329068953886875_1071812423_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3adN892JA3y2IEgSf6zLNwlgmleU02HVoIC0SyrgeAyHg4iclst1m9IB2wSc6tc8sYNVS4NZUM7QFAeBoTHeDT4mr2xgGxUDIRxTPmfTBfzilHldw45drUiHHGCcQh-p1kMKXcWr5Az3M1A0keI4JG1CA0jJvs0KeiHvG1FNcm2YWaktgOR_590E5QXO7/w480-h640/947065_329068953886875_1071812423_n.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Healing Well said to have sprung up when David was born</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgQ1rJuQSvWOMttUhBn6OS_jPxDFw9Aot2aMMjbWXUcYRmpPHbazya5IYsptClg5eNV-pbKZlQED0Gg2VzFD3p1IpQuYjwWG63kfa62vQVjEBI9GmY4Snnec4I9zPvK02w_BODpmbAtBlpyzWq4p8nTlEL6ggXROer77LthNwW2dOXuodSYd2YL_9pPPb/s960/947088_329068970553540_2080898345_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgQ1rJuQSvWOMttUhBn6OS_jPxDFw9Aot2aMMjbWXUcYRmpPHbazya5IYsptClg5eNV-pbKZlQED0Gg2VzFD3p1IpQuYjwWG63kfa62vQVjEBI9GmY4Snnec4I9zPvK02w_BODpmbAtBlpyzWq4p8nTlEL6ggXROer77LthNwW2dOXuodSYd2YL_9pPPb/w480-h640/947088_329068970553540_2080898345_n.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><i>Stained glass depiction of Saint Non </i></span><i style="font-family: Handlee;">in St Non's Chapel by the Sea</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpX3g5phh9flc3G3KP8bwxG_US_XXXd9K4smUMDYm5SJLtT1Z7WGQ9X2AATA1tDWQgvnT_bSR3TXZp_iBq70ks-ZnthUFnjJyvRa5_QD9Vu9_2XqHqZbjxlZbLnIT4F51j3u70w1ifPXnKZ9Fo-j4EEBXmpSm4SkRlUc-_dmZsQ_nHpD4zPsTZvLh84Zt/s640/P1320581(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpX3g5phh9flc3G3KP8bwxG_US_XXXd9K4smUMDYm5SJLtT1Z7WGQ9X2AATA1tDWQgvnT_bSR3TXZp_iBq70ks-ZnthUFnjJyvRa5_QD9Vu9_2XqHqZbjxlZbLnIT4F51j3u70w1ifPXnKZ9Fo-j4EEBXmpSm4SkRlUc-_dmZsQ_nHpD4zPsTZvLh84Zt/w360-h640/P1320581(3).jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="font-family: Handlee;">St Non's Chapel by the Sea, e</i><i style="font-family: Handlee;">arly 20th century chapel at St Non's Retreat</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRKuX7gvC0BZoYAFA9ho2Fa62sC75OWmxA9kOLpSLglSFmCpjJYFvJA5lO64h8glETZmxaJSh7dGuJOttVT8Eft1p0zPGpgprG4O1VBtsLnPDj6LKUvE4MK9c003AJT4IbMz6-jqwAzxe1cqLdo5VMytyPOGGIiTWJ3B0SF2aMzhdZQqSwBt5i5Fp6389/s500/20210519_103808%20(2a).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRKuX7gvC0BZoYAFA9ho2Fa62sC75OWmxA9kOLpSLglSFmCpjJYFvJA5lO64h8glETZmxaJSh7dGuJOttVT8Eft1p0zPGpgprG4O1VBtsLnPDj6LKUvE4MK9c003AJT4IbMz6-jqwAzxe1cqLdo5VMytyPOGGIiTWJ3B0SF2aMzhdZQqSwBt5i5Fp6389/w640-h640/20210519_103808%20(2a).jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Stained glass depiction of Saint David in St Non's Chapel by the Sea</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc30V_nU4xEqvjLEh9717jWtrI9Zz4eO6Is8UvFvoJ5an0GcuPrRnWYY5d0fOgqkczo7rOK-jDIqfwRTuAVCP-l1UGMyglIVvwkmOJVD7rDTXIM2zZaGg3PdjCm5BOuKlwU_f-TOEKvhx52vUWfYG7utw79kVyLkTeQX9XamC90zPiLxLxFe7jcV-Ccam/s500/20210519_102857%20(2a)(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc30V_nU4xEqvjLEh9717jWtrI9Zz4eO6Is8UvFvoJ5an0GcuPrRnWYY5d0fOgqkczo7rOK-jDIqfwRTuAVCP-l1UGMyglIVvwkmOJVD7rDTXIM2zZaGg3PdjCm5BOuKlwU_f-TOEKvhx52vUWfYG7utw79kVyLkTeQX9XamC90zPiLxLxFe7jcV-Ccam/s16000/20210519_102857%20(2a)(1).jpg" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Chapel interior</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrOZrzLv04AxVQNOFXJMJ89MLZU0HbLb7pkynJEOXvUMvWn4j3VZIlbILQ_fkDaJJbyCPDxip95U6HE2aOFfQ35AmoOdALf8GZjf-q6Wa8JONB0iJ39wqvPZC-Spf0jJR6QC9maaDrms70J0hFg7su0zHeEDBLqOoAiqS6O0AnXv-wGzo6Cv-sqkgzxSk/s500/20210519_102920%20(2a).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrOZrzLv04AxVQNOFXJMJ89MLZU0HbLb7pkynJEOXvUMvWn4j3VZIlbILQ_fkDaJJbyCPDxip95U6HE2aOFfQ35AmoOdALf8GZjf-q6Wa8JONB0iJ39wqvPZC-Spf0jJR6QC9maaDrms70J0hFg7su0zHeEDBLqOoAiqS6O0AnXv-wGzo6Cv-sqkgzxSk/w640-h640/20210519_102920%20(2a).jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Early Celtic Cross</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iX96jAQXRNfCUXN89AputNlN_-IH42y4oszV6J5Wu8zDVRepSChTqvnrP6AO7_AkKvwoAK7Gvmjgl4AeP4pf4SRH3DwHIp5EsB0Wof1rrOxjvsuFFQzlk8fHU21YVK-M_zNvZBL_vuh5ZjKwpJBsCUl0iHnuV3moY-h2ORPuSg2RpWMywRLGxrmj8kgp/s960/935400_329068997220204_2008687962_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iX96jAQXRNfCUXN89AputNlN_-IH42y4oszV6J5Wu8zDVRepSChTqvnrP6AO7_AkKvwoAK7Gvmjgl4AeP4pf4SRH3DwHIp5EsB0Wof1rrOxjvsuFFQzlk8fHU21YVK-M_zNvZBL_vuh5ZjKwpJBsCUl0iHnuV3moY-h2ORPuSg2RpWMywRLGxrmj8kgp/w480-h640/935400_329068997220204_2008687962_n.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Examples of traditional Welsh woollen tapestry, Dyffryn Mill</i></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw29QznZGju2j6SQeDOclVXwSQ6dCC2YrSQwvxcTisxwfVKgBNzSjCam15_X_10tG-OstE6BW-6J8qatDeGyGwqQeP8JRKSIXmN-zhaqO2q91pwRvTfXeJxpilvnrLamTWoJs10_89eZ7VN-f59tf5zc2LAtUfQ9tBMpJggYRzAMKlNOfNLMo8EEi_BCf-/s2448/20201020_111825%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw29QznZGju2j6SQeDOclVXwSQ6dCC2YrSQwvxcTisxwfVKgBNzSjCam15_X_10tG-OstE6BW-6J8qatDeGyGwqQeP8JRKSIXmN-zhaqO2q91pwRvTfXeJxpilvnrLamTWoJs10_89eZ7VN-f59tf5zc2LAtUfQ9tBMpJggYRzAMKlNOfNLMo8EEi_BCf-/w640-h640/20201020_111825%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P6SLNEb1ogG0nuoamePAd3vZhwTR97GPsjLbbex8BNRKF91Qd5dzqS_HE7d1Q0GRa8PzjhsEnQBDup1zVvDPvqSEvpY2FgOaYxnbbqnxJ5xSZV22bGVkYVzPqCLhkrsErzzxnNYRbeom1po3UjoZuaUMJeBftxoSx1juaRI6aGnonavJYgDFFV2_Be5R/s2448/20201020_111912(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P6SLNEb1ogG0nuoamePAd3vZhwTR97GPsjLbbex8BNRKF91Qd5dzqS_HE7d1Q0GRa8PzjhsEnQBDup1zVvDPvqSEvpY2FgOaYxnbbqnxJ5xSZV22bGVkYVzPqCLhkrsErzzxnNYRbeom1po3UjoZuaUMJeBftxoSx1juaRI6aGnonavJYgDFFV2_Be5R/w640-h640/20201020_111912(1).jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><div><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Tapestry cape Melin Middle Mill</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBchrZ1s635N0Fdi6r9uutXDb_2Z6SwU3dEiq9MthNrXva8Ws52nIL-PgqRdItYmP8GPcRY8FzS-Ut3PsxomytObdba5GfPqMCTbgLRS9_uWYt2Uhyphenhyphenb-RLqC7-lXHpXv3hKsN6pwh8DcRJqHieTtlV_Dd5tlkIxe5AMT2yBye9tHUeylEY49wqFjR5b86/s2448/20201020_131212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBchrZ1s635N0Fdi6r9uutXDb_2Z6SwU3dEiq9MthNrXva8Ws52nIL-PgqRdItYmP8GPcRY8FzS-Ut3PsxomytObdba5GfPqMCTbgLRS9_uWYt2Uhyphenhyphenb-RLqC7-lXHpXv3hKsN6pwh8DcRJqHieTtlV_Dd5tlkIxe5AMT2yBye9tHUeylEY49wqFjR5b86/w640-h640/20201020_131212.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><div><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Hand knitted Welsh costume doll</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAKMWUm-Yj1tzRV5J-aRjiva5ksAXiKRy4I-9xwYFQy-bmvWzij6vOqnj4oSPNazjH3oAjpYO95RxiqDt0Oq3khFmoJGsU1JXyqVvKM44AAouvMZ1AhVHjZ1-FbVcj6ciCTgm23BrY1tC78V5Rm9nVRLF3tJuEJE29RawiyY67RTDZTQLEt_QmWDqN_tA/s720/Glynis1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAKMWUm-Yj1tzRV5J-aRjiva5ksAXiKRy4I-9xwYFQy-bmvWzij6vOqnj4oSPNazjH3oAjpYO95RxiqDt0Oq3khFmoJGsU1JXyqVvKM44AAouvMZ1AhVHjZ1-FbVcj6ciCTgm23BrY1tC78V5Rm9nVRLF3tJuEJE29RawiyY67RTDZTQLEt_QmWDqN_tA/w434-h640/Glynis1.jpg" width="434" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tapestry floor rug Tregwynt Mill</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzF5UvlHqzrfFZQM-pyY3Jg-Bco1CvnpDH18zV4-fnyqqBumul1hg-cHNpHFTFf8XtrTnXEB6CrivY-O75UkmJe3MXVWzFogI98KBjXbMk5nS5ifakz2kQjT9Dw2a7ExdwK8oUYS0xBLhgwLR_XUYfnw8bNFEZRCx2E8uyRIwKaWncxWswQQHY50uUIJ7/s2448/20201020_123419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzF5UvlHqzrfFZQM-pyY3Jg-Bco1CvnpDH18zV4-fnyqqBumul1hg-cHNpHFTFf8XtrTnXEB6CrivY-O75UkmJe3MXVWzFogI98KBjXbMk5nS5ifakz2kQjT9Dw2a7ExdwK8oUYS0xBLhgwLR_XUYfnw8bNFEZRCx2E8uyRIwKaWncxWswQQHY50uUIJ7/w640-h640/20201020_123419.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Some Welsh souvenir textiles </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdrNVHebq6mHZeS32hYdpfHtfQhjuWEYMmc8GZIhquoVBq4IsSnfik-ZcX8lKVdE4g4VkL_bcVNFV5_cBOmrMCdv-8RwdrgqlykZ6ANGn9WJn0L-fm3ELcnvZcEDjbjgD1b7VaAQ2doIYoKgwxB9lNc3g1LnK52g4d7MsJ9JaFKAfrTG4FWDRQ1HzsVzU/s750/P1230531(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="750" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdrNVHebq6mHZeS32hYdpfHtfQhjuWEYMmc8GZIhquoVBq4IsSnfik-ZcX8lKVdE4g4VkL_bcVNFV5_cBOmrMCdv-8RwdrgqlykZ6ANGn9WJn0L-fm3ELcnvZcEDjbjgD1b7VaAQ2doIYoKgwxB9lNc3g1LnK52g4d7MsJ9JaFKAfrTG4FWDRQ1HzsVzU/w640-h586/P1230531(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqKE9cWjRfkNBN837hlvwVGvwbwOhWdv6UaPfdmE_eRSiN8Dgs5_P1mTS7X5mA7XIadRWcLYeQTsrxst1uakzJz3C3N8BEGgCtDcA3RvaDULDa-kgBAoF3g5u6wSdVZf_IxbmQapGZhw2Kgc7L9EqQqz40b_Xss0GTK-SWXkQud5jX3vF6qlNBUxWkwGt/s750/P1230534%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqKE9cWjRfkNBN837hlvwVGvwbwOhWdv6UaPfdmE_eRSiN8Dgs5_P1mTS7X5mA7XIadRWcLYeQTsrxst1uakzJz3C3N8BEGgCtDcA3RvaDULDa-kgBAoF3g5u6wSdVZf_IxbmQapGZhw2Kgc7L9EqQqz40b_Xss0GTK-SWXkQud5jX3vF6qlNBUxWkwGt/w640-h480/P1230534%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Our Dear Friend Tiny Tartan from Across the Pond also celebrating the day!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR5oanVXmNU8h2pfUYAlYPDAk3KhQwSv9zyaqiTWsb_S2zAqfAsx4yOkabi65EbgvEBO9p9he3Iguntoyhud6O6jFdOllKZ1Wu-vF7AoGKK8_LoY8P84J-udfayPS_c3NZF44scposIimzBkgkUGFCJ-TXxHFpFzr_8ADJfu73Bs8ZNvrNKzBAgiS3JOF/s750/Tiny-%20St%20David's%20Day%20fworeses%20and%20Welsh%20Cakeses%2001(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR5oanVXmNU8h2pfUYAlYPDAk3KhQwSv9zyaqiTWsb_S2zAqfAsx4yOkabi65EbgvEBO9p9he3Iguntoyhud6O6jFdOllKZ1Wu-vF7AoGKK8_LoY8P84J-udfayPS_c3NZF44scposIimzBkgkUGFCJ-TXxHFpFzr_8ADJfu73Bs8ZNvrNKzBAgiS3JOF/w640-h480/Tiny-%20St%20David's%20Day%20fworeses%20and%20Welsh%20Cakeses%2001(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i>A copy of a rare treasure, the </i><i>highly sought after </i><i>Twr Y Felin Guide, second edition, and a vintage pamphlet on pilgrimage to St Davids</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSlSIgrBu_8q8k_yNtVRDpP-QIhVirWtx1IRJCHC_zYOwmxF3An8LqF_0ynmY5oOZbl2uyKtovsJj1gSTShSqyl5mPfIk4G7U8SMaL5rdPMckEGigamh3iyYK1WKP2CUyuZr-e7agQKvdsNB-TgGxoPWkJv0NSwHTxCPX7mm0ajvt401EBOQkGK4fdwRj/s960/56173281_1965001020293652_14522418299142144_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="550" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSlSIgrBu_8q8k_yNtVRDpP-QIhVirWtx1IRJCHC_zYOwmxF3An8LqF_0ynmY5oOZbl2uyKtovsJj1gSTShSqyl5mPfIk4G7U8SMaL5rdPMckEGigamh3iyYK1WKP2CUyuZr-e7agQKvdsNB-TgGxoPWkJv0NSwHTxCPX7mm0ajvt401EBOQkGK4fdwRj/w366-h640/56173281_1965001020293652_14522418299142144_o.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XmgQyylTFZTFe-9Rsb5ajb8y5i3mZjOAdSmExTfeoall3m5axtHhbHJZwIxf5p6N1yTFPQRcmG1ZbLQgtXQJ9_aOEA1tic607Mzv2rWKiYJcWzuKl1H7225w01xBew8gR5xwhT3jyUlPJ9b3wq9820f-7Yue-xsxzOS_W9iSwptE5lNQMstzIt0B-8Ap/s1884/Pamphlet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XmgQyylTFZTFe-9Rsb5ajb8y5i3mZjOAdSmExTfeoall3m5axtHhbHJZwIxf5p6N1yTFPQRcmG1ZbLQgtXQJ9_aOEA1tic607Mzv2rWKiYJcWzuKl1H7225w01xBew8gR5xwhT3jyUlPJ9b3wq9820f-7Yue-xsxzOS_W9iSwptE5lNQMstzIt0B-8Ap/w640-h360/Pamphlet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>No celebration would be complete without daffodils, the national flower of Wales!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0IUjI86IjoAIKnmbWLlyCnxTPXTrV3erersmvA9RhTehFJAcB4RAkWlQq-97E0Xh7YYsohuAsWKvIS46BFqQnIRMe8V3fiYpmAmgeADK8bUbwna4bNVHM8E5m5_KV_5f5NusnhBBZ5xP3TovP9Rfy7Kj0sfM49bdLY84okD0k9731QQwJRMaLlOCL6D6/s2448/20210313_163124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0IUjI86IjoAIKnmbWLlyCnxTPXTrV3erersmvA9RhTehFJAcB4RAkWlQq-97E0Xh7YYsohuAsWKvIS46BFqQnIRMe8V3fiYpmAmgeADK8bUbwna4bNVHM8E5m5_KV_5f5NusnhBBZ5xP3TovP9Rfy7Kj0sfM49bdLY84okD0k9731QQwJRMaLlOCL6D6/w640-h640/20210313_163124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XDVPP0JBhOI0gYMxOFJKNpIQtXDgKDfgHtD8_e6r7_6e7m2f-IqAkfXoPRrYDCEf9lomm0gFx4rYW-QyJlibSmgmp7ZXGgM0IwPUUFn6PpPg4XHMp6Rj7T8aEboCAPOR2w7ucP0hrH_6CKgbjBUNY02cG9MttuF6ZBTVq5OE7H_fL0aKmohUDpmVRlxr/s2048/daffodils(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XDVPP0JBhOI0gYMxOFJKNpIQtXDgKDfgHtD8_e6r7_6e7m2f-IqAkfXoPRrYDCEf9lomm0gFx4rYW-QyJlibSmgmp7ZXGgM0IwPUUFn6PpPg4XHMp6Rj7T8aEboCAPOR2w7ucP0hrH_6CKgbjBUNY02cG9MttuF6ZBTVq5OE7H_fL0aKmohUDpmVRlxr/w640-h480/daffodils(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>And now for tea time treats!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Bara Brith</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODQ3Bk0n0vsA1p9IL4ih9rQWDH2edwdNEg5S-t3mle_DTFnXlCxMYlLCiqA9Ayr3tMBHZzMqcYj_g0Kdq6oW5FPzPZVX8Uj_hNBGof7XSie3I_zFcDwyiU_m5pGBksLSvw2oAda5JacxSUoWAhN15K0CvwORzF7fKU8179KibtYmfTz0OtlbTTaHOnLBz/s1400/P1170994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODQ3Bk0n0vsA1p9IL4ih9rQWDH2edwdNEg5S-t3mle_DTFnXlCxMYlLCiqA9Ayr3tMBHZzMqcYj_g0Kdq6oW5FPzPZVX8Uj_hNBGof7XSie3I_zFcDwyiU_m5pGBksLSvw2oAda5JacxSUoWAhN15K0CvwORzF7fKU8179KibtYmfTz0OtlbTTaHOnLBz/w640-h480/P1170994.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><div><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Welsh Cakes</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3f3J-27_Lu_3sGYx_Xhgllv-9oquK_NufZD1HTAthJybBbWfj3p5l_G0sjINepem1IC0W_BN5oGUd_auFMKbqy0IC7Mpou1W0a8cbJDU7Ojve4LmjAN7ZKEJ06JLcrPHDI3mmxrP81eTE_c80wFlOAmmwF_lCwcqKsgJzTqwUey9GaITCV53ABI2Zqdw/s2048/WelshCakes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3f3J-27_Lu_3sGYx_Xhgllv-9oquK_NufZD1HTAthJybBbWfj3p5l_G0sjINepem1IC0W_BN5oGUd_auFMKbqy0IC7Mpou1W0a8cbJDU7Ojve4LmjAN7ZKEJ06JLcrPHDI3mmxrP81eTE_c80wFlOAmmwF_lCwcqKsgJzTqwUey9GaITCV53ABI2Zqdw/w640-h480/WelshCakes.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><div><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><i><br /></i></span></div>and finally . . . </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QVpxv6a9k7oI_BzatYn_scUh6Bg_XG7AjpKKxS5QRbhYBANzmia_kzJ3_BgEley8Qmjos0GePYTqNfevXR43H3p_0t2cs6_mNi7z8OkGX53pFpa8STY9auCysb9lrtPSoRJRQUe44kx2c8uPV1fo2IZbY623ZGGnqu_Q6_HEoLoBPaDRXqegZRzSm3S5/s750/P1230532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QVpxv6a9k7oI_BzatYn_scUh6Bg_XG7AjpKKxS5QRbhYBANzmia_kzJ3_BgEley8Qmjos0GePYTqNfevXR43H3p_0t2cs6_mNi7z8OkGX53pFpa8STY9auCysb9lrtPSoRJRQUe44kx2c8uPV1fo2IZbY623ZGGnqu_Q6_HEoLoBPaDRXqegZRzSm3S5/w640-h480/P1230532.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><i>editing to add that two of my photos were selected for the Western Telegraph's St David's Day online edition <a href="https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/24147283.beautiful-st-davids-day-pictures-pembrokeshire/">HERE</a>!!!</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Until next time</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i>Stay safe, stay well</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Debbie xx</b></i></span></div></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-23470895525700891872024-02-27T08:58:00.000+00:002024-02-27T08:58:11.556+00:00The Moon Shines Bright<p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Hello Friends</i></span></p><div style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id=":rr1:" style="animation-name: none !important; padding: 4px 16px 16px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="animation-name: none !important; display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="animation-name: none !important; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); display: block; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>The sky is clear and cloudless on a crisply cold Winter's evening. Birds are singing cheerfully, chirruping a clarion call of hope, a promise that tells us Spring will soon be here as surely as the dawn will rise again. Sweet voices in the silence of the coming night, there's something in that sound, as it echoes across this quiet twilight corner of the Shire that stirs my spirit at it's very heart. The Snow Moon looks down and smiles, and moonbeams dance so bright and full of hope . . .</i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA1nG0-Rv5-aWDlumfly-NWvqfaGgi7GN6Fl4Cx-nus2EwcHM5xEwx-F5CNwCGZbvLyKtmI9n43pVlqOSd-isTUGnN0q2V-NMpBIp2Ic6-ENEYgJwhJC-GMGolIQtYqM5NQFVtvd4e9fIvzjJqhRbeM-tvD0DORwugpA6uLTth3bYMNUgWJBcGDYbXEKL/s1181/036b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1181" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA1nG0-Rv5-aWDlumfly-NWvqfaGgi7GN6Fl4Cx-nus2EwcHM5xEwx-F5CNwCGZbvLyKtmI9n43pVlqOSd-isTUGnN0q2V-NMpBIp2Ic6-ENEYgJwhJC-GMGolIQtYqM5NQFVtvd4e9fIvzjJqhRbeM-tvD0DORwugpA6uLTth3bYMNUgWJBcGDYbXEKL/w640-h480/036b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>What do you see when you look up at our one and precious beautiful moon? Do you see the Man in the Moon? Did you know there are two men in the moon? Or, do you see the Hare or Rabbit in the Moon? For years I only saw the Man in the Moon, then one day I found the other one, and then I found the Rabbit! Our moon, with her many moods, is full of magic and secrets waiting to be found.</i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Until next time</i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Stay safe, stay well</i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; text-align: center; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Debbie xx</b></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; transition-property: none !important;"><br /></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c xx9tyur x6ikm8r x10wlt62" style="animation-name: none !important; border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; min-height: 12px; overflow: hidden; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="x1pi30zi x1swvt13 x1n2onr6" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"></div></div></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-56750382107696843802024-02-25T08:42:00.004+00:002024-02-25T08:56:54.578+00:00One Day . . . <p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Hello Friends!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Just playing with adding words to my photos . . .</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOWh_hqk_Usv_vO_7d-SZXxKeATJFe01wUCDXdjakxH4_L3D3xpnMMkR0hblWHfIrJ7dRbNvo-Bw_HWoT2xrcvwpt7Ldinaq-hXETKHUmQq6GQl1tmrGldZOtlrXEyX1iuuFs8Gqdyg1BC0ybgDe9m4N7jITDKHOTujIML3drTu5ly1LMXQp5hyphenhyphenr7bTKp/s2448/WINDY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOWh_hqk_Usv_vO_7d-SZXxKeATJFe01wUCDXdjakxH4_L3D3xpnMMkR0hblWHfIrJ7dRbNvo-Bw_HWoT2xrcvwpt7Ldinaq-hXETKHUmQq6GQl1tmrGldZOtlrXEyX1iuuFs8Gqdyg1BC0ybgDe9m4N7jITDKHOTujIML3drTu5ly1LMXQp5hyphenhyphenr7bTKp/w640-h640/WINDY.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>and a gentle reminder of my book giveaway <a href="https://a-garden-intheshire.blogspot.com/2024/02/lassie-and-white-bear-and-giveaway.html">HERE</a>. I will be drawing it on March 1st, next Friday. Thank you, to those who've entered so far, and Good Luck Everyone!</i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Until next time</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Stay safe stay well</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Debbie xx</b></i></span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-18455802774463223642024-02-20T05:32:00.008+00:002024-02-23T19:52:17.889+00:00Giveaway<p _msthash="1930" _msttexthash="208637"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Hello Friends!</i></span></p><p><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><a _msthash="32887" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="779883" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_of_the_Sun_and_West_of_the_Moon"><b>East of the Sun and West of the Moon</b></a><span _msthash="35690" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="6715787"> is a Norwegian fairy tale. You can read about it by clicking the link, it is really too long to type it all out especially with my shaking hands.</span></i></span></p><p><i style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;">This is my copy, illustrated by the renowned artist and writer <a href="https://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/">Jackie Morris</a> She often exhibits locally, and I have seen the original work from which this book cover is taken. It is a big painting, and quite beautiful and magical, as is all of her work.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeQ9Qk6LIfk8fWk6QSJcj8FAinVVyAU1hreLlbYG0vySUAo5SLxrJx7nE0lmllQVGkqjDt6-9-r43klw0B5qpTc90fk4EefQj-_a4VymK-bdWqKOHoLoSstLazjvgtY2a95C5CJZLhqD0-_F-NzPxEunQTxnM1pqduSBdDGdxCPOiBalv2AfHohIUAiSk/s2795/IMG_20240219_155925_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="2178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeQ9Qk6LIfk8fWk6QSJcj8FAinVVyAU1hreLlbYG0vySUAo5SLxrJx7nE0lmllQVGkqjDt6-9-r43klw0B5qpTc90fk4EefQj-_a4VymK-bdWqKOHoLoSstLazjvgtY2a95C5CJZLhqD0-_F-NzPxEunQTxnM1pqduSBdDGdxCPOiBalv2AfHohIUAiSk/w498-h640/IMG_20240219_155925_HDR.jpg" width="498" /></i></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>My copy is signed</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzwI_HGOoVk9ScGr2n4x86cOolRhSNKUyIkrlvtkhQUBrhJuyeNm8r87rUb9zuqG6Bdh4hpHHGhhLCk9hB6NA_1zai6x7PQExvES8QJtiEhDZIRJl7NlHCjubWiFGAGbGfciqIwBLdnOGsXqmEvjs_YMIF6zI49xblBvhFrc4rtVouiJlpEpcLV7iBWMu/s3164/IMG_20240219_155952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="3164" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzwI_HGOoVk9ScGr2n4x86cOolRhSNKUyIkrlvtkhQUBrhJuyeNm8r87rUb9zuqG6Bdh4hpHHGhhLCk9hB6NA_1zai6x7PQExvES8QJtiEhDZIRJl7NlHCjubWiFGAGbGfciqIwBLdnOGsXqmEvjs_YMIF6zI49xblBvhFrc4rtVouiJlpEpcLV7iBWMu/w456-h640/IMG_20240219_155952.jpg" width="456" /></i></a></span></div><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBzW50D77SOVll_JIt6Eb4pQ3AEqb1lu2vSiNXd-Ox25xSBANL1mBU1Zt7S3gsZT-w82CKKVQHLeWP1BPqgWjutefjxk4-Qnx0rfguUoBKJiF6bF2UZbwQw1SrkVL1VyzrAA4CRgCBAOXGHoSsYLqI1KXsUtt08GqSKClZd_00zyne1gfUclKOXlclA9x/s4000/IMG_20240219_160021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBzW50D77SOVll_JIt6Eb4pQ3AEqb1lu2vSiNXd-Ox25xSBANL1mBU1Zt7S3gsZT-w82CKKVQHLeWP1BPqgWjutefjxk4-Qnx0rfguUoBKJiF6bF2UZbwQw1SrkVL1VyzrAA4CRgCBAOXGHoSsYLqI1KXsUtt08GqSKClZd_00zyne1gfUclKOXlclA9x/w360-h640/IMG_20240219_160021.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I have been taking lessons online mentored by another renowned and magical artist, <a href="https://www.idaandersenlang.com/">Ida Andersen Lang</a>, from Denmark. Recently, one of the lessons was themed on East of the Sun, West of the Moon. </i></span><div><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>This is one of the paintings I made under her tutelage called Lassie and the White Bear.</i></span></div><div><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658" style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><span _msthash="34294" _mstmutation="1" _msttexthash="827658">The first two photos do not show her face at all well. I do struggle sometimes to get a good photo of my art.<br /></span><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGgaYxc2wbMqRlRPydJHgjY4WMBFQ2RQdtzBwcpfv_o9ZHbizQtBdfy2P4wVteCeoNU6vI2TtRlErwmfGKIWBxGVjCWMgLtHpNtWkG7WhN7ZLHfmf71lRS9Df45RpHbEY25YSAni3dvZ2TjgfZciE6Gx3pO4IJjqfsTPWZm9eA5-8y2OuWkLbVlpD8Yup/s2731/IMG_20240218_210303_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="2019" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGgaYxc2wbMqRlRPydJHgjY4WMBFQ2RQdtzBwcpfv_o9ZHbizQtBdfy2P4wVteCeoNU6vI2TtRlErwmfGKIWBxGVjCWMgLtHpNtWkG7WhN7ZLHfmf71lRS9Df45RpHbEY25YSAni3dvZ2TjgfZciE6Gx3pO4IJjqfsTPWZm9eA5-8y2OuWkLbVlpD8Yup/w474-h640/IMG_20240218_210303_3.jpg" width="474" /></i></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOWrjzqwR4HhPtvPIgT5LLulA9jknz664r-xrmMzOMhi5xSe3VSIq9u1IGkiKH9LbMcQeVit3mLA_y7ePCt_-8a5dcWxEyQlI4oCvbD1L2jg5KEb-16_dy3lE4mGjwmNQAgia0A3AmQZOxryqIf2zTx4RkaE2cUEime-MqSR0oi_MhrwU9HxHMD0k4MCN/s1145/IMG_20240218_210435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOWrjzqwR4HhPtvPIgT5LLulA9jknz664r-xrmMzOMhi5xSe3VSIq9u1IGkiKH9LbMcQeVit3mLA_y7ePCt_-8a5dcWxEyQlI4oCvbD1L2jg5KEb-16_dy3lE4mGjwmNQAgia0A3AmQZOxryqIf2zTx4RkaE2cUEime-MqSR0oi_MhrwU9HxHMD0k4MCN/w402-h640/IMG_20240218_210435.jpg" width="402" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>I don't like working faces on a small scale as many of you know. I cannot achieve the level of detail that I want to achieve.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcyO4_qaN9SzB49klvW2WiXIC0DSnnrXu16R05AxqFtCkTYKqPT0lvzC1C_bIx6MIRQ5qZ22mTpASzEdGtFjnh7eESJE-KYKXHkQRTcga5udcCxuP-JOxdo9jlSZUJObAtPmNz3AMQ52BQr49y5pbQ5PO9IwuZpuaFv-iHOaFs3KoXOeO853huqUnjS5M/s1066/IMG_20240218_210600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcyO4_qaN9SzB49klvW2WiXIC0DSnnrXu16R05AxqFtCkTYKqPT0lvzC1C_bIx6MIRQ5qZ22mTpASzEdGtFjnh7eESJE-KYKXHkQRTcga5udcCxuP-JOxdo9jlSZUJObAtPmNz3AMQ52BQr49y5pbQ5PO9IwuZpuaFv-iHOaFs3KoXOeO853huqUnjS5M/w428-h640/IMG_20240218_210600.jpg" width="428" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5BZ0eNjbgGsUYj3p5nOF-v4wgRkLcve2w9linPXfO37Dabh49u7-6yMHqoIRQ1KT5FnMUGSAV5YK0CwhAXO1B6idjkPKrZ1pnIra-0d4TfJnFHXpyAKeNQtsjojXNgwys3ScCvjFNs-Ekl0wb_I0MyqJc2G2hOZqe48ow3yb6qli3xI_wFUo1IY70hyu/s909/IMG_20240218_210614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5BZ0eNjbgGsUYj3p5nOF-v4wgRkLcve2w9linPXfO37Dabh49u7-6yMHqoIRQ1KT5FnMUGSAV5YK0CwhAXO1B6idjkPKrZ1pnIra-0d4TfJnFHXpyAKeNQtsjojXNgwys3ScCvjFNs-Ekl0wb_I0MyqJc2G2hOZqe48ow3yb6qli3xI_wFUo1IY70hyu/w498-h640/IMG_20240218_210614.jpg" width="498" /></i></span></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>I was quite nervous painting the White Bear {Polar Bear} but am happy how it turned out. It's not perfect but for a first attempt it's not bad.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8KkqnamvGvB8tBA-07ebkzJfPseiI0zdrddjyAZS7LmxMFHKCVQH2Sibtb9ieVkqBtPjYS17qjEuLELYMcitmdTHSSIaOc5ksaXog0F_ZtjKmAsaO1bB48lsQCKAjqxHV459DBK1Bi_r3rLhI7Z_7z1tyOo8CYplVv3KKDaXl4nTI4J70yn-jhEEzs-4/s1077/IMG_20240218_210638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8KkqnamvGvB8tBA-07ebkzJfPseiI0zdrddjyAZS7LmxMFHKCVQH2Sibtb9ieVkqBtPjYS17qjEuLELYMcitmdTHSSIaOc5ksaXog0F_ZtjKmAsaO1bB48lsQCKAjqxHV459DBK1Bi_r3rLhI7Z_7z1tyOo8CYplVv3KKDaXl4nTI4J70yn-jhEEzs-4/w406-h640/IMG_20240218_210638.jpg" width="406" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><b>Giveaway Time. </b> I have a signed copy of East of the Sun, West of the Moon for one lucky follower to win. All you have to do is leave me a comment. Not affiliated with Blogger or Google etc. The winner will be drawn on March 1st and international entries are welcome. <b>Good Luck!</b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> Until next time</i></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Stay well, stay safe</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Debbie xx</i></span></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-30577808227187159582024-02-16T10:51:00.010+00:002024-02-16T10:53:40.135+00:00When Sleep is not Your Friend<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Hello Friends!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Some nights sleep is just something you can only dream of in your waking hours. When insomnia strikes there is nothing you can do. Well, actually, there is something you can do. On those long nights when Mr Sandman forgets to drop by and I cannot get a wink, I triy to do something constructive. When I was awake last night, and nothing closed my peepers, I just put the light on, pulled out my paints and caught up on one of my missed lessons.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Here is my lovely Lotus Flower. I am calling it Lotus of the Dawn. That seems an appropriate title given the ungodly hour of the day I was creating it.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>I used my new Winsor and Newton watercolour paints and new Caran d'Ache Prismacolour II waterproof colour pencils.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>I hope you like it. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISG8hfW1trolooj1HyPay0Q1QwmduhRL9fEotyoSwHGEGMHpNm5tz2S95wTxUHR_FladXbywWsmZLFWErkSMmxGA8V4krJ6A-eXwcfgNglSKW-2AxOtkOeQ0eYrlBOhlWSTnUmtn6vdOFJXXUKdGmFI456dMjFGwn8t9rhfXH0-TUyXDNPlEoxFMjaTKL/s1029/IMG_20240216_101700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="713" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISG8hfW1trolooj1HyPay0Q1QwmduhRL9fEotyoSwHGEGMHpNm5tz2S95wTxUHR_FladXbywWsmZLFWErkSMmxGA8V4krJ6A-eXwcfgNglSKW-2AxOtkOeQ0eYrlBOhlWSTnUmtn6vdOFJXXUKdGmFI456dMjFGwn8t9rhfXH0-TUyXDNPlEoxFMjaTKL/w444-h640/IMG_20240216_101700.jpg" width="444" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tQpEY98nkVKQth_P3RhCUH1aEuF12uSpFeUA0dk755a57Tm0u65X7qtDIKqEBhfzkEmVNptpLVDX7W0nq1CWIt7-HD8tzcLNBXFufE0MpX89sM1PaeHpXcMa3mBCuTWku_NiBNAHgj2JJmJWJdJv5XUxRkBRytQvPNEOWXhWErFc1uBqkxlWWd4GWt95/s954/IMG_20240216_101816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="718" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tQpEY98nkVKQth_P3RhCUH1aEuF12uSpFeUA0dk755a57Tm0u65X7qtDIKqEBhfzkEmVNptpLVDX7W0nq1CWIt7-HD8tzcLNBXFufE0MpX89sM1PaeHpXcMa3mBCuTWku_NiBNAHgj2JJmJWJdJv5XUxRkBRytQvPNEOWXhWErFc1uBqkxlWWd4GWt95/w482-h640/IMG_20240216_101816.jpg" width="482" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MAmRE-sYWmmzuRWSDkqg3lpwum4_XepREQN9OY-Uf6ZJFpY0pTFImHSwd7VjC6Lpn2bVblapZdYFwhoD9-pmky8tv86HfsBpO2Rctz5xIgUHY8M6pC_nl4vqEYCMz3AYioO7QZDVzOpSrmFsXicNd0atMzreuzVL4jsQ1A4p860VB1Quo-UHn1d9A9Nj/s798/IMG_20240216_101912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MAmRE-sYWmmzuRWSDkqg3lpwum4_XepREQN9OY-Uf6ZJFpY0pTFImHSwd7VjC6Lpn2bVblapZdYFwhoD9-pmky8tv86HfsBpO2Rctz5xIgUHY8M6pC_nl4vqEYCMz3AYioO7QZDVzOpSrmFsXicNd0atMzreuzVL4jsQ1A4p860VB1Quo-UHn1d9A9Nj/w578-h640/IMG_20240216_101912.jpg" width="578" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Until next time.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Stay safe. Stay well.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Debbie. xx</b></i></span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-2953189192166664712024-02-10T08:01:00.001+00:002024-02-11T09:04:41.105+00:00Hey! Hey! Snoopy <p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">Hello Friends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">Time was when someone followed a blog, Blogger notified the blog owner, however, with it's infinite foibles, it no longer tells us when we have a new follower, so this is to say Thank You for all those of you who have recently followed, and also Thank You to everyone who already follows along with my ramblings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">I have just enjoyed a delicious, warm and nourishing bowl of baked oatmeal. This time I used some leftover luxury custard thinned down with oat milk, and added a mashed banana and some frozen cherries. To coin a Welsh phrase, it was lush. I made it up the night before so the oats get extra creamy, then bake it at 190*C for 30 minutes in my Air Fryer, which I absolutely adore.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Handlee;">About</span><span style="font-family: Handlee;"> six years ago I started filling out YouGov surveys. They reward you with cash or vouchers. It takes a long time to accrue enough points to earn £50, but over the years I've earned £200 which I've cashed in from time to time by way of four @£50 vouchers. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">I decided that after my last cash in I would stop doing them as they seem to ask the same boring and repetitive questions each time; I could now answer in my sleep so it's no loner fun. However, one last voucher for Amazon and I treated myself to these Winsor and Newton professional paint pans set in a metal tin.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWaq7on1lAG-vsSc-Ph4CJd3_JDPybRV9LOCnDfCuucqJs12Av8fAP-qY_z5aSbr1MfavMiwPRaYg0cGcN6b3vebuWbtCF5b_60wGOLAvW5I_n6A8ND_arA1Y6xgmD1fvERI-Z_d0VOAzPRE2R6SBCSRQ9Q3IPMDfTc-e-3k8db-7HcFPYoRTQ5fuv7yb/s2465/IMG_20240208_151500_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2465" data-original-width="2402" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWaq7on1lAG-vsSc-Ph4CJd3_JDPybRV9LOCnDfCuucqJs12Av8fAP-qY_z5aSbr1MfavMiwPRaYg0cGcN6b3vebuWbtCF5b_60wGOLAvW5I_n6A8ND_arA1Y6xgmD1fvERI-Z_d0VOAzPRE2R6SBCSRQ9Q3IPMDfTc-e-3k8db-7HcFPYoRTQ5fuv7yb/w624-h640/IMG_20240208_151500_3.jpg" width="624" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">They are still wrapped up until I take the papers off, but I will do that when I am ready to sample swatch the colours.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">Swatching is something I do with all my mediums. It gives a quick and handy reference guide to what the colours actually look like on paper.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">Here's an example of some metallic paints. It's fair to say that the colour of the paper has an effect on the colour of the paint.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MpHxDVLBJ1a_1ASRIPTQ4HM1Vu3SDuTUT4taN5UAI7cL6uYDJTsWYo1MrdJsLPnkit5Io1DnEJ2hJ9BnNXq4KRBeYtzEF8-UZ6SiE_ljZUxF4l2C8PZi7UANE2zyuqK93OdZiyIEd44HE6qApDL5TweNLjmwMHNggcfoviDTGwz8-RDGpOhl0jg4xpFe/s2048/20230721_162226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MpHxDVLBJ1a_1ASRIPTQ4HM1Vu3SDuTUT4taN5UAI7cL6uYDJTsWYo1MrdJsLPnkit5Io1DnEJ2hJ9BnNXq4KRBeYtzEF8-UZ6SiE_ljZUxF4l2C8PZi7UANE2zyuqK93OdZiyIEd44HE6qApDL5TweNLjmwMHNggcfoviDTGwz8-RDGpOhl0jg4xpFe/w640-h360/20230721_162226.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-joA7iwL1olgsbckese-TZJs9p9_iuicCdy_-tmyoqz2_KiZWFQ0Dbb6p2LqT8ONQJWQpBRGPOz8aS_mvbatR2cWTL_8DPYM3nWwtJApawJWCgsjRhjq4VwgqcgNlZ4FQaQMi4pxoTYfoHki6kpJBmEEWKjjOK1PBX6ggmUB2NzyyVGNtvt96nXtr_CMz/s2048/20230721_161552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-joA7iwL1olgsbckese-TZJs9p9_iuicCdy_-tmyoqz2_KiZWFQ0Dbb6p2LqT8ONQJWQpBRGPOz8aS_mvbatR2cWTL_8DPYM3nWwtJApawJWCgsjRhjq4VwgqcgNlZ4FQaQMi4pxoTYfoHki6kpJBmEEWKjjOK1PBX6ggmUB2NzyyVGNtvt96nXtr_CMz/w640-h360/20230721_161552.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">I have a friend with an upcoming birthday so I've made her card especially as she loves Snoopy. So do I! Here's what happened from the rough drawing when I first had the idea and sketched it out on an scrap paper envelope.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPpM3O587Un6Ii57oaPPIyjfFPPaWjZpOBgPiZRPl5w4pCZnsIcHlYZq66QtfXdBt5gFIzVnN6z_3oX1_Ncn4U4vOnke9rI-TTioE7uTVa4X6mp9oYWtO9191Yp8awTnzrnx6Q_TfKDjq0eyh74ahBGpMDnLwATvsLz69pD7JF5d5DabifnIuXD_EBZYz/s1280/IMG_20240206_230109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPpM3O587Un6Ii57oaPPIyjfFPPaWjZpOBgPiZRPl5w4pCZnsIcHlYZq66QtfXdBt5gFIzVnN6z_3oX1_Ncn4U4vOnke9rI-TTioE7uTVa4X6mp9oYWtO9191Yp8awTnzrnx6Q_TfKDjq0eyh74ahBGpMDnLwATvsLz69pD7JF5d5DabifnIuXD_EBZYz/w362-h640/IMG_20240206_230109.jpg" width="362" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">He's tiny and so I decided to reproduce him in a small version on a DL card, I will share the finished card in a few days. I have to decide whether to make the lines clean and sharp, or leave them scribbly as you can see in the doodle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">Until next time</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;">Stay safe, stay well, stay warm {it's getting cold again this weekend}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Bad Script; font-size: large;"><b><i>Debbie xx</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-12975370265252849612024-02-05T19:05:00.001+00:002024-02-05T19:28:15.849+00:00 🎵🎶🎵 Snowdrops and Daffodils . . . <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"> . . . Butterflies and Bees ♫♬🎜🎝</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">I simply could not resist, and for those of you who know not of which I speak, or for those who wish to trip down Memory Lane, please listen here . . . </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1a_5Hyzjks">All Kinds of Everything</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">As my photos today will be predominantly snowdrops and daffodils I couldn't help reminiscing over the sweetly innocent Dana who won Eurovision in 1970 with the most charming song. Some great songs have come out of Eurovision, as well as Dana's All Kinds of Everything, Abba gave us Waterloo, and later came The Voice sung by Eimear Quinn, not forgetting in 1967 Sandy Shaw with Puppet on A String, or Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves, to name but a few of the classics. I digress.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">The flowers that herald the imminent passing of Winter are flowering, so can Spring be far behind? Snowdrops and Daffodils ~ the opening words of Dana's song!</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEFB935Ct6wgx5c0u7j3v8fbXFMX6BQfMNikbOUyJUiWjZzX1--yvqeiTBqSYLYVQxgOwPHD8zrGv5IlmR3nAjVeuzwvLqbqTY8exoADLWhfzVcBTOXu-yEQ1P4X69kCXD0FzmBULfLS5ib3se81B-GXZVEFt8SUI_LypV3JfbGkwaXx6nLJ4OckIvEMSX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEFB935Ct6wgx5c0u7j3v8fbXFMX6BQfMNikbOUyJUiWjZzX1--yvqeiTBqSYLYVQxgOwPHD8zrGv5IlmR3nAjVeuzwvLqbqTY8exoADLWhfzVcBTOXu-yEQ1P4X69kCXD0FzmBULfLS5ib3se81B-GXZVEFt8SUI_LypV3JfbGkwaXx6nLJ4OckIvEMSX=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zqehdKxDzutBK-mjcxI4Y1TE7e8ln8iufb07YzPctaO9oX98oMTYro89Mj7AaoBle9IXDmQbHUlCCJ7_NizEpYqNzlbyPVsCv-1KzCdchhyzS-sq-jpgOThCKHyLY1D46hby_bP1LIUvBIINOAA7GINFWC2Zy9PLfppLELy7tyfk_QmzUnSkEyeLtRA0/s2560/snowdrops_8097629393_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zqehdKxDzutBK-mjcxI4Y1TE7e8ln8iufb07YzPctaO9oX98oMTYro89Mj7AaoBle9IXDmQbHUlCCJ7_NizEpYqNzlbyPVsCv-1KzCdchhyzS-sq-jpgOThCKHyLY1D46hby_bP1LIUvBIINOAA7GINFWC2Zy9PLfppLELy7tyfk_QmzUnSkEyeLtRA0/w640-h480/snowdrops_8097629393_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunkblr2mSeTqnv9elV5Z75d3W0FZLZ-oJIT2uaK1pznICNwssplu1zyMnoedexLINKepcf6td7AiMco2VcQxPhEhj3aKiIwEqhxcIqERiC53FORV6ZexQTcCmd3Nkp0eO4ToPkTfly3osR7q-MVHRGjAMm_2m-4xi4a8wt3_9WaXIdmpYSSz5OtqMsfqz/s2560/snowdrops_8097633291_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunkblr2mSeTqnv9elV5Z75d3W0FZLZ-oJIT2uaK1pznICNwssplu1zyMnoedexLINKepcf6td7AiMco2VcQxPhEhj3aKiIwEqhxcIqERiC53FORV6ZexQTcCmd3Nkp0eO4ToPkTfly3osR7q-MVHRGjAMm_2m-4xi4a8wt3_9WaXIdmpYSSz5OtqMsfqz/w480-h640/snowdrops_8097633291_o.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1Lgaw0mtFONjYMsbXjQv85ZA9dfKyhrK1iVuVFIgABew_cy3cQ_xMa9QxonGrmvjfYq8xUt7YTAVN2kAQ7yvm3SkFfdU1u1W-FPNRlpUGh8A-ViKUkm9JCl4_AX9E7iY4lTR5DI7D9ZuutdzCSOkE1K5fc32O1QZrtKLSKNhKY2AW7Cktr0V2bLFOviq/s2560/daffodil_8097663815_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1Lgaw0mtFONjYMsbXjQv85ZA9dfKyhrK1iVuVFIgABew_cy3cQ_xMa9QxonGrmvjfYq8xUt7YTAVN2kAQ7yvm3SkFfdU1u1W-FPNRlpUGh8A-ViKUkm9JCl4_AX9E7iY4lTR5DI7D9ZuutdzCSOkE1K5fc32O1QZrtKLSKNhKY2AW7Cktr0V2bLFOviq/w480-h640/daffodil_8097663815_o.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpcYJWXszeQXT4xIOGyof2cnpKJSgS6Aa6kBE1dWaNYoYQ-wVAwSOv2tehWryOz8WS9lRxYj9JQwrxmE_zariVc2UGwXJP4NTRnFct-8SfevgQEKiAeH0INM_FxidvhZQoCSEpi6YIo3Mw1Rr0uSX04U1Asm3imeWGQ6eIp8G7Vw9RJF2pQAu9DVZI2qm/s2448/20210310_102029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpcYJWXszeQXT4xIOGyof2cnpKJSgS6Aa6kBE1dWaNYoYQ-wVAwSOv2tehWryOz8WS9lRxYj9JQwrxmE_zariVc2UGwXJP4NTRnFct-8SfevgQEKiAeH0INM_FxidvhZQoCSEpi6YIo3Mw1Rr0uSX04U1Asm3imeWGQ6eIp8G7Vw9RJF2pQAu9DVZI2qm/w640-h640/20210310_102029.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHg86a_N1vHnAy6y3w3lbyAv8GQvnwuOOzwuO-0P-A6i1q6I7lhymAoa7-zpg78sxVOsBOEwcikmS5gYwZ0rLtpDVTcyzHntN6aDPu9No6GTFTSwk95oOC7K43Jnbf7VGTLJ951NV789rK35EmXfxCxAGWN5sJv-DAtOb8yOnqYVuw6Fhoc2Ur0A8P1Rf/s2448/20210310_102119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHg86a_N1vHnAy6y3w3lbyAv8GQvnwuOOzwuO-0P-A6i1q6I7lhymAoa7-zpg78sxVOsBOEwcikmS5gYwZ0rLtpDVTcyzHntN6aDPu9No6GTFTSwk95oOC7K43Jnbf7VGTLJ951NV789rK35EmXfxCxAGWN5sJv-DAtOb8yOnqYVuw6Fhoc2Ur0A8P1Rf/w640-h640/20210310_102119.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi6972LZ9MibYSrCi0z9icdRnKIF9a0UDXHmUeyh9iEB_82qD9KkQHs3XJf0Q8YIem0j6rKVD4IMZMFhrs-13jVeh_OQn8MY7VjGb6Ouh53l2Rs5atX1CEBrO81ncVieS-Dl5mlA6HCJr0qrFQAmmbi-rRP8XXphE_dAjJHc7z0oAHgTF1eR9JXUF8LsA/s2448/20210310_102201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi6972LZ9MibYSrCi0z9icdRnKIF9a0UDXHmUeyh9iEB_82qD9KkQHs3XJf0Q8YIem0j6rKVD4IMZMFhrs-13jVeh_OQn8MY7VjGb6Ouh53l2Rs5atX1CEBrO81ncVieS-Dl5mlA6HCJr0qrFQAmmbi-rRP8XXphE_dAjJHc7z0oAHgTF1eR9JXUF8LsA/w640-h640/20210310_102201.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFogDbAJU-xXQtvWnhCPD-c7dZ2iObrm-lu4L_5uYOc_gC2Ld4BajsO8ZjVY343XVFFnyOoXL0Ad_UqLEYxvPzDu9DZ6t-zel2-2jBK9alT3Zmlv1YvcBgD9TDfcgim-0Avzep7Bd47ZfcNFZ2Fnkip1RwW3p5HeGu9wX6hQHU6K3dSJMnEOVhkHOehqM/s2448/20210324_150714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFogDbAJU-xXQtvWnhCPD-c7dZ2iObrm-lu4L_5uYOc_gC2Ld4BajsO8ZjVY343XVFFnyOoXL0Ad_UqLEYxvPzDu9DZ6t-zel2-2jBK9alT3Zmlv1YvcBgD9TDfcgim-0Avzep7Bd47ZfcNFZ2Fnkip1RwW3p5HeGu9wX6hQHU6K3dSJMnEOVhkHOehqM/w640-h640/20210324_150714.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_w2f7qebRWvMALB1yetmOWEyU7vsW2zPKnsEuKpAf_-6fdZBYYjk1g5GAUqFC-SYR3_0gHcFu8CwbqfEFMCkiQUiUAf4lPrwGO2sYQdEr-sG1dL7yEk-0qLq3rqb5W07u4wMRTSg0Lav5kReme73yz6rKEOsYinaeIs-YkzXQHz8QzSs91btZ4ZiHOzO/s2048/daffodils(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_w2f7qebRWvMALB1yetmOWEyU7vsW2zPKnsEuKpAf_-6fdZBYYjk1g5GAUqFC-SYR3_0gHcFu8CwbqfEFMCkiQUiUAf4lPrwGO2sYQdEr-sG1dL7yEk-0qLq3rqb5W07u4wMRTSg0Lav5kReme73yz6rKEOsYinaeIs-YkzXQHz8QzSs91btZ4ZiHOzO/w640-h480/daffodils(1).jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5PJu-JBiXRc1wI4YfAET_wrXCdsiK1sUhU7_W03XtMRBdfHFIMgj3PVIzmv6OI7RytzYousMp3Fsw6kz_3jaAWJ_tmGvcVzs7HXrew5um_uuKwh3bZ6XhCax6he5ynGwv5x6ULClKQvvR4KWSDeARTfQHsSi9bJPCwbtA10JLCWRUc0FrhGT-WorvIY-/s2048/P1180686.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5PJu-JBiXRc1wI4YfAET_wrXCdsiK1sUhU7_W03XtMRBdfHFIMgj3PVIzmv6OI7RytzYousMp3Fsw6kz_3jaAWJ_tmGvcVzs7HXrew5um_uuKwh3bZ6XhCax6he5ynGwv5x6ULClKQvvR4KWSDeARTfQHsSi9bJPCwbtA10JLCWRUc0FrhGT-WorvIY-/w480-h640/P1180686.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">Just to round out the opening bars, here are the butterflies and a bees. . . </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZT7bBPWMwqzAtkBxbAhqGCS2Qm470ldw3_FfW1-lWA3tMchFeQ_iQgUQy4dYogxQtDIWBaeIxVk0nPbTpGv3Pcan0iFmSLJ0P_GNAxrL-CJibw8RfjOEv-Oxil34pmeYNHsXC7MZdFVHv6zBdUAGLSeJ2IHOJPjqpXBe1RwE202EHv7hacpRHk9erJFx/s2048/P1200376B.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZT7bBPWMwqzAtkBxbAhqGCS2Qm470ldw3_FfW1-lWA3tMchFeQ_iQgUQy4dYogxQtDIWBaeIxVk0nPbTpGv3Pcan0iFmSLJ0P_GNAxrL-CJibw8RfjOEv-Oxil34pmeYNHsXC7MZdFVHv6zBdUAGLSeJ2IHOJPjqpXBe1RwE202EHv7hacpRHk9erJFx/w640-h480/P1200376B.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesQVOeQxxTcxAA9JpLA9tQIyg6E8jXZu-Xh1t-HbebrmQYOpNkcR3uh0grKUHHF9nJQ4KKjz-ovq87jUx4zuoapfftdPpzh0wkE-wplCWjjKK1jqaFRdFpdXOp9owhqfl-bc5HfkO3zJb1ojW8gFxJMmucM2U6eqvUmnw8ymq4BNgqCJxHGByMZOrqJA-/s2048/A%20Garden%20In%20The%20Shire%20Blog%20021A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="2048" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesQVOeQxxTcxAA9JpLA9tQIyg6E8jXZu-Xh1t-HbebrmQYOpNkcR3uh0grKUHHF9nJQ4KKjz-ovq87jUx4zuoapfftdPpzh0wkE-wplCWjjKK1jqaFRdFpdXOp9owhqfl-bc5HfkO3zJb1ojW8gFxJMmucM2U6eqvUmnw8ymq4BNgqCJxHGByMZOrqJA-/w640-h454/A%20Garden%20In%20The%20Shire%20Blog%20021A.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvxTXTdW91rJtl_EPRv_zfusxDVcWr_MCJwGa7mW1734C8RVFUt_gefXHPai79dPpywW-1uNyBTSHRL8n2AcNxDK1O-6nXS973b2-KcDoxjkrdnzWW_qsWHkZa9Vwn3EoR4B_ubimSb4ef9nNlJ-YL4R-awQ6-v3HrovrD3MzpZGW3VDbuV0G2LT5OnJi/s1884/Bee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvxTXTdW91rJtl_EPRv_zfusxDVcWr_MCJwGa7mW1734C8RVFUt_gefXHPai79dPpywW-1uNyBTSHRL8n2AcNxDK1O-6nXS973b2-KcDoxjkrdnzWW_qsWHkZa9Vwn3EoR4B_ubimSb4ef9nNlJ-YL4R-awQ6-v3HrovrD3MzpZGW3VDbuV0G2LT5OnJi/w640-h360/Bee.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">Do you have a favourite Eurovision winner?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">Until next time</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">Stay safe, stay well</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;">Debbie xx</span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-87126802860634401862024-02-01T09:28:00.004+00:002024-02-01T10:23:19.581+00:00The Poster Girl<p>Hello Friends</p><p>Well it's February and where did January go? At least the days are lengthening noticeable now.</p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>I've been feeling down lately so been keeping myself to myself. Nobody loves a moaner but it's been rough. My spirits picked up some when my new metal butterfly dies dropped through my letter box. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Did I need them? No.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Am I glad I bought them? Yes</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>I am beginning to think I am the Poster Girl for the peculiar hobby of just buying craft supplies. Did you know that buying materials and actually using them are two entirely different hobbies?</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Here's my first sample run. There are five dies in total, two solid and three lacy cut out. The two solid dies fit perfectly under two of the cut out ones. As this is a test run, I used different cardstock and paper weights from vellum to mirri. Anything else will be too heavy as they are not deep cut dies.</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijtcbYJz4aQpbNtpO5WHjiC8HS473cD3UUaqzND1cW4X7ZqgfelD_vS1ExX2NtjxYJaiVc_y6PDILV64u7KeMtv9RnC_lX2I1m80_pgOjMsWkcJCVHzFojLlJ2Mak3j22K-Ddq3KtSsjIfXFuB_1R25CMTfgwBSuSb0rKvnnCfUHqpJ2sQSx4uAvVH0Ua1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img alt="" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="471" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijtcbYJz4aQpbNtpO5WHjiC8HS473cD3UUaqzND1cW4X7ZqgfelD_vS1ExX2NtjxYJaiVc_y6PDILV64u7KeMtv9RnC_lX2I1m80_pgOjMsWkcJCVHzFojLlJ2Mak3j22K-Ddq3KtSsjIfXFuB_1R25CMTfgwBSuSb0rKvnnCfUHqpJ2sQSx4uAvVH0Ua1=w472-h640" width="472" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /><br /></i></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMZ3FC_rm-4h7iBPRh87knvR4peg5KMDIIBal8BE7Rr8JSa7jF6ejNHoPqdHCx24_0VssSy2XeHk6iTW0xloLOxv6nbWU0PkLcJgVi2GvklIK5N6i3s_7EVNyRsWoXYcefqnW1d5ybsv9UVHWjINWaRd7Qv1eY6gnla13fK4ZNHj9pdPB12ETLQzNJG4k/s1280/IMG_20240131_234034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMZ3FC_rm-4h7iBPRh87knvR4peg5KMDIIBal8BE7Rr8JSa7jF6ejNHoPqdHCx24_0VssSy2XeHk6iTW0xloLOxv6nbWU0PkLcJgVi2GvklIK5N6i3s_7EVNyRsWoXYcefqnW1d5ybsv9UVHWjINWaRd7Qv1eY6gnla13fK4ZNHj9pdPB12ETLQzNJG4k/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_234034.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMO0WthpwDLkuZpYchXoEBn_CZIQaJ1Yl9wDmmo8CMJXY2kjNVCAuq5v3sUQX9XWIu8iwPYRyInQUZyJ_s3RqzuypjymaBI8qhogQO5Xd7-zV7y8e9bRMF8E9uPzyBwosc9UVzNbCIiEFeFAhSY7fPY4xsVhvevtclY-9vrFikHsneMOCx7JzFf_V8TTM0/s1280/IMG_20240131_234020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMO0WthpwDLkuZpYchXoEBn_CZIQaJ1Yl9wDmmo8CMJXY2kjNVCAuq5v3sUQX9XWIu8iwPYRyInQUZyJ_s3RqzuypjymaBI8qhogQO5Xd7-zV7y8e9bRMF8E9uPzyBwosc9UVzNbCIiEFeFAhSY7fPY4xsVhvevtclY-9vrFikHsneMOCx7JzFf_V8TTM0/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_234020.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-MEonxr1WvKY3YtAPHqSY2xR5Z08tS6bHBx2QJSDMUQr9boyf8DwrtT8eHbEPa89SpuwPAPIWS2QhJ8k3WEpxB6soUVR1ZcEVByaiI9xiM7sSQn8LIOb2IKmy8AEapfHHBCCKdpQHBcZXm25spcG-JLjoQvX_eB0gObYS21UIjgFKQWp1KeLupFbVXEc/s1280/IMG_20240131_233950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-MEonxr1WvKY3YtAPHqSY2xR5Z08tS6bHBx2QJSDMUQr9boyf8DwrtT8eHbEPa89SpuwPAPIWS2QhJ8k3WEpxB6soUVR1ZcEVByaiI9xiM7sSQn8LIOb2IKmy8AEapfHHBCCKdpQHBcZXm25spcG-JLjoQvX_eB0gObYS21UIjgFKQWp1KeLupFbVXEc/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_233950.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSFvgCB-juzlWHLCG6MJP8ti55osczdEIZ0ZVYCE8jnFhX2p4LIEFHCxES1DHizVmcMohiDPZoFx2973zHE7lJ7_AH4sFVYvt455y6tn1V5S2eLYyRjc8zOQAOxwP7LxQefTQVQgT8TtWYdDUXeUI_kphGQW_qXul1t7rQQ-v5tyWwIRJieJiV09AUx7O/s1280/IMG_20240131_233932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSFvgCB-juzlWHLCG6MJP8ti55osczdEIZ0ZVYCE8jnFhX2p4LIEFHCxES1DHizVmcMohiDPZoFx2973zHE7lJ7_AH4sFVYvt455y6tn1V5S2eLYyRjc8zOQAOxwP7LxQefTQVQgT8TtWYdDUXeUI_kphGQW_qXul1t7rQQ-v5tyWwIRJieJiV09AUx7O/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_233932.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_ZR-yyNFbDcZE5OYG7YObHBOdSdD1veKeoCgKqBv-sXIRx1u58NTaQ4aKGRLH-48L5630MeX29ySMSapN_WQyj6Zlw3kWC6RWQindGAnUrVsq9v0yxTHwHpbZ3qCIersnFtXys8tBGA684U0lEUWpkR6l_sTxFMG_Np9gIPElHy01gLTDdzY0WkC_Qu9/s1280/IMG_20240131_233908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_ZR-yyNFbDcZE5OYG7YObHBOdSdD1veKeoCgKqBv-sXIRx1u58NTaQ4aKGRLH-48L5630MeX29ySMSapN_WQyj6Zlw3kWC6RWQindGAnUrVsq9v0yxTHwHpbZ3qCIersnFtXys8tBGA684U0lEUWpkR6l_sTxFMG_Np9gIPElHy01gLTDdzY0WkC_Qu9/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_233908.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24-8WH7xJyYKilw_anaHMFUybZ7F5-Nr2ATTTl-RC767o9mZRBawEGnwEMG3ExS3Oe9aS75jyiq-6G_O1nvSXICfb0p13lrEPE3jqNeVIeyJQ8YQrSwYnpBjqRDOkfbN0oC8T2h8CJrBzScC7tejLkUi4B9Qxp_OnlT0kEd927EA6UkQH-ImVzGT2_KTq/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_233819.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ls85v4Lt0uNCaxUmi2CAwLhD66OIKeXhTwqanS1wUfLuV7_zO0PjnAFbGJciWUl0uWxPOsMypsgbXTDnT2868RVh85z0CiRQKCl59iai8wbLw9k68ydfw5i8OQAl6kUvKDbivwkZJZRz1bLA1mrnz8RPKkY5Bp-tSVQ92epWkfEHRxJkBmHUhyphenhyphenEBYqoA/s1280/IMG_20240131_233756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ls85v4Lt0uNCaxUmi2CAwLhD66OIKeXhTwqanS1wUfLuV7_zO0PjnAFbGJciWUl0uWxPOsMypsgbXTDnT2868RVh85z0CiRQKCl59iai8wbLw9k68ydfw5i8OQAl6kUvKDbivwkZJZRz1bLA1mrnz8RPKkY5Bp-tSVQ92epWkfEHRxJkBmHUhyphenhyphenEBYqoA/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_233756.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErwPr82FYhV1F5LziSmkpTrnBOiP4EAMaHMBElxFroiLoHo-BdAcPSgcYv3so1QSC6b-5SmMGjnyoI4d8nb6mFbGDPvij2MNnVSH8KgoIP-b50ImZHDAr0lM3aRoMJe6gEWQvfX4onSq4Bqc80SDvUH5-BmABthDmgT3Jl34HeA4FIt7koYAdeGQOTkT9/s4000/IMG_20240131_233725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErwPr82FYhV1F5LziSmkpTrnBOiP4EAMaHMBElxFroiLoHo-BdAcPSgcYv3so1QSC6b-5SmMGjnyoI4d8nb6mFbGDPvij2MNnVSH8KgoIP-b50ImZHDAr0lM3aRoMJe6gEWQvfX4onSq4Bqc80SDvUH5-BmABthDmgT3Jl34HeA4FIt7koYAdeGQOTkT9/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_233725.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci5w3UcY5JslH0zTRKLCiuWz9HTT2uIi-kAd3AAlGHCrvRcW7z9EdfbdNUUJ9JvmGwOntWsYWjbl45HARTLyWppBrH9N8dbNAMQtg5OYvJwSRj-vk7zCNz9ZXGkap8c1DznoNJ1PWeUsOWDARN-2FqcnSy4qzOP6AQcOL90YG_lIMXfoVnUENBiT93y2o/s4000/IMG_20240131_110048_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci5w3UcY5JslH0zTRKLCiuWz9HTT2uIi-kAd3AAlGHCrvRcW7z9EdfbdNUUJ9JvmGwOntWsYWjbl45HARTLyWppBrH9N8dbNAMQtg5OYvJwSRj-vk7zCNz9ZXGkap8c1DznoNJ1PWeUsOWDARN-2FqcnSy4qzOP6AQcOL90YG_lIMXfoVnUENBiT93y2o/w640-h360/IMG_20240131_110048_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN8c33SIkxODk0i48_x0-Bgo62K6I809S35DcEiaR6bKGYS-6KnXKRUSQ9afsQmPRYVdE9B7i9Cz9T6e26zCmwQAiarPDWzrL6uR2V0K6iy1IqGmHzLn-rkVKvhMl6Qkkzx0Nzj_utiIV3hgT6LppzUAWfSE02dXQXl0bgZjasoacOkRJLFt6yMHsD-6r/s2830/IMG_20240131_110105_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2830" data-original-width="2422" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN8c33SIkxODk0i48_x0-Bgo62K6I809S35DcEiaR6bKGYS-6KnXKRUSQ9afsQmPRYVdE9B7i9Cz9T6e26zCmwQAiarPDWzrL6uR2V0K6iy1IqGmHzLn-rkVKvhMl6Qkkzx0Nzj_utiIV3hgT6LppzUAWfSE02dXQXl0bgZjasoacOkRJLFt6yMHsD-6r/w548-h640/IMG_20240131_110105_3.jpg" width="548" /></i></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoGu9ng8I4S2BObX4WZlMg7MCXXhWhMG96bx-PjeJf0yIoX2C516qWkUb9E06cWiiymGScAwkNmQfAzLa-4yUHhMDwtTGmgjTHVK0lntMgJp__CAryda3Cn2omFLUyE5nOK4xa6xkLLXlx1Y06dJmWCxGF4lB7un8tCeXZOHZksXxn-GqVhQ2NPhXt7DY/s1280/IMG_20240131_233932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoGu9ng8I4S2BObX4WZlMg7MCXXhWhMG96bx-PjeJf0yIoX2C516qWkUb9E06cWiiymGScAwkNmQfAzLa-4yUHhMDwtTGmgjTHVK0lntMgJp__CAryda3Cn2omFLUyE5nOK4xa6xkLLXlx1Y06dJmWCxGF4lB7un8tCeXZOHZksXxn-GqVhQ2NPhXt7DY/w360-h640/IMG_20240131_233932.jpg" width="360" /></i></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>I have puzzled over what to do with them, it's not as if I sell them. I did think to donate to the local hospice for them to use in craft sessions or to sell but then it was suggested that I put them on picks and sell to a florist. Now there's a thought!</i></span><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Until next time</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Stay safe, stay well</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Debbie xx<br /></i></span><p></p><div><br /></div></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-77720777851021597332024-01-18T08:57:00.008+00:002024-01-18T09:14:03.459+00:00It Snowed ~ Or Did It?<p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Hello friends!</b></i></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>It snowed last night.</b></i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>We hardly ever get snow where I live. The last time we had any discernible snow was about 14 years ago when it snowed and it snowed. And it snowed. And it stuck with us for three long weeks. Long enough for the novelty to wear off.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Before that, I think the biggest snowfall we had was 1963. I had not long started primary school. and the school was shut for three days because the toilets froze over. We still talk about it all these decades on that's how often we get snow.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>So last night close to midnight I got a surprise to see my garden lightly dusted as snow started to gently fall. ' Late though the hour was, I got my phone and took this photograph, just in case I thought I had imagined it when morning came. I went online and posted it on Facebook. And lo and behold, my feed was full of photos of snow falling across the city. I was not the only one bringing proof that we did actually have snow. We all knew it would be gone in an hour. That's just the way it is here.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIZIQWUnzk4cAOAn88ePq_sFA6ihUlORUYawoYEMZeERGzuDRHqiVK-ux6xps13JaY0OYw2QwaegYaN4-mJHSGy_qwksJWSaBIl8xhdLKpO5eyQusF0en8UHt-BK_pXf1iKXKaptMLWomrdTwgd7_xC9CDjiwv5TnCrM97Y3t2idFAq3dBXiAclK0Mi_6/s4000/IMG_20240117_233933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIZIQWUnzk4cAOAn88ePq_sFA6ihUlORUYawoYEMZeERGzuDRHqiVK-ux6xps13JaY0OYw2QwaegYaN4-mJHSGy_qwksJWSaBIl8xhdLKpO5eyQusF0en8UHt-BK_pXf1iKXKaptMLWomrdTwgd7_xC9CDjiwv5TnCrM97Y3t2idFAq3dBXiAclK0Mi_6/w360-h640/IMG_20240117_233933.jpg" width="360" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>If we had a centimeter that's all we had. However, by this morning it had started to melt but then the temperature plummeted, and it has frozen. So my patio is now like a skating rink. I will not be venturing out on it today.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>It's all geographic as I live on a peninsula, which sticks out just enough into what is the North Atlantic Drift, on the northerly reaches of the Gulf Stream. This elevates our temperature by an almost indiscernible amount. Yet it is enough to keep us relatively snow free unless it gets really bad in the rest of the country. Even three miles down the road, they can have a few inches of snow, and we get nothing.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Here are some photographs of the last time we had snow. Some of the clouds were spectacular.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCRDLHJuqKT22z3hCBW-6YIZ-099MfmRgAzsN02dfAY6ULzknwYFeVO9dJjZOCoIY24Q2q_l6hbe56mil9Q61awld1uX27lrxQHQcLscFB6HggD6VG37EOi1HmoPpEiGn_WmKkU7SfkrnguZfcAc2AJcP2ti17N5n1rUzUhr1u41YyB7rM0HJgW3vXEvg/s1600/Carn%20Llidi%20Panorama%20Snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCRDLHJuqKT22z3hCBW-6YIZ-099MfmRgAzsN02dfAY6ULzknwYFeVO9dJjZOCoIY24Q2q_l6hbe56mil9Q61awld1uX27lrxQHQcLscFB6HggD6VG37EOi1HmoPpEiGn_WmKkU7SfkrnguZfcAc2AJcP2ti17N5n1rUzUhr1u41YyB7rM0HJgW3vXEvg/w640-h188/Carn%20Llidi%20Panorama%20Snow.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIZUktTsii6tCOJh1YhOisLzJv5U66ionmCgw56hhE59G5PLVq32LAg7B9IRkeMyoYJziOQaMxlo-ihG6Ki23WLmehNNHKo2Zo_GWATJzPPFA55bNO8muHU4jz3P7EQEVe_HnRfWC-Gzjyrg9gBLK1wG41v-eGVAwtvW-CCzQM4mEz7jpjJHY4ZUxqzvr/s2048/903929_418182864975483_226249847_o_418182864975483.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIZUktTsii6tCOJh1YhOisLzJv5U66ionmCgw56hhE59G5PLVq32LAg7B9IRkeMyoYJziOQaMxlo-ihG6Ki23WLmehNNHKo2Zo_GWATJzPPFA55bNO8muHU4jz3P7EQEVe_HnRfWC-Gzjyrg9gBLK1wG41v-eGVAwtvW-CCzQM4mEz7jpjJHY4ZUxqzvr/w640-h480/903929_418182864975483_226249847_o_418182864975483.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX3ReAu0Ed3o933QdQ8rr4ocVV5S5ZqYnQzktOe8DOWczLtAb4SK2NXwgRzk3fnMy2yWJx8XdEq6GeN49Alk7UwA1fLwFOBtqLDhZQWAfJCixPX17J57HGBz3yRezb1oWSIylAWbQeva-yEZjY_sH3kct_Dpglf56X-e8AYfUsTTo8Co1oYRB3t295thG/s2048/15391334_1034612213332542_8631356424086151_o_1034612213332542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX3ReAu0Ed3o933QdQ8rr4ocVV5S5ZqYnQzktOe8DOWczLtAb4SK2NXwgRzk3fnMy2yWJx8XdEq6GeN49Alk7UwA1fLwFOBtqLDhZQWAfJCixPX17J57HGBz3yRezb1oWSIylAWbQeva-yEZjY_sH3kct_Dpglf56X-e8AYfUsTTo8Co1oYRB3t295thG/w640-h480/15391334_1034612213332542_8631356424086151_o_1034612213332542.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiq8ASWwX3lgMXIwheq6XMvPTh1RpIacQbHAXS0YnYAZkeNPDN-0vhJ1LVQS1OqaLfinjXYJaUJhGW9nRTBN6f2_chUTst_fltC7-JnadhsTzPww6RtouZKBb88042gcIRD4gjNdRhvvdaMXf9qjHGeYLoXdHr-bwvbLOiPqNb-50pGYLhpuSwt2EbLaE/s1080/014a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiq8ASWwX3lgMXIwheq6XMvPTh1RpIacQbHAXS0YnYAZkeNPDN-0vhJ1LVQS1OqaLfinjXYJaUJhGW9nRTBN6f2_chUTst_fltC7-JnadhsTzPww6RtouZKBb88042gcIRD4gjNdRhvvdaMXf9qjHGeYLoXdHr-bwvbLOiPqNb-50pGYLhpuSwt2EbLaE/w640-h480/014a.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRUy2Y-pKr2HKWmKqY39DG8AH0NtaXUMD6-3FIOk8PD0hXuEULtmDtjLEtCFV4yG4Qnp7hoQ_Jl9Oc-jx8L4AJkuVrlO1Iko4jvH_9VLsi6h_2qEPrGh-dut-33XMesITmU6dVkvHhoBB78B5hTQZh3vkHA8XbSJGLSmRRFCNZEjEpsLqnu163ODbjS_z/s1080/030a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRUy2Y-pKr2HKWmKqY39DG8AH0NtaXUMD6-3FIOk8PD0hXuEULtmDtjLEtCFV4yG4Qnp7hoQ_Jl9Oc-jx8L4AJkuVrlO1Iko4jvH_9VLsi6h_2qEPrGh-dut-33XMesITmU6dVkvHhoBB78B5hTQZh3vkHA8XbSJGLSmRRFCNZEjEpsLqnu163ODbjS_z/w640-h480/030a.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46nipkk4Elg7U3gSsuxgnk0tIdhTrLlMFtP0FQp0y7CoyA0DKnMacYgkGvBjrC-8ZSfRK1gaz21q3kkNQ4a6vDYmD7D8Vf_Nd6CQj2mBgy2gpj5nTQcCGgkJqDn7OjSv4-ZURvRcUtaxyrP189N8aH8j_4EajpRH4Nl5HkskCOYexSHqAloI1YIsry1Dc/s1080/036a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46nipkk4Elg7U3gSsuxgnk0tIdhTrLlMFtP0FQp0y7CoyA0DKnMacYgkGvBjrC-8ZSfRK1gaz21q3kkNQ4a6vDYmD7D8Vf_Nd6CQj2mBgy2gpj5nTQcCGgkJqDn7OjSv4-ZURvRcUtaxyrP189N8aH8j_4EajpRH4Nl5HkskCOYexSHqAloI1YIsry1Dc/w640-h480/036a.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgFR5-TuZn2Nt1fO-zNdvRk9Yru6y1kw55g_EcoB72NKeOzm8A7hWK4tUzZ47K5pQQB6Woic6d0J6DvRzaKfkwIpAwFckKuVWbo7CmbR8RszPyseQx0sMnqTPNSLKoG8ljZejvJdkNTy5PvLlW9bRFMdYCY13pqX-HJ9MOqX08GWPNzgqsTxmU3CwiTcS/s1080/053a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgFR5-TuZn2Nt1fO-zNdvRk9Yru6y1kw55g_EcoB72NKeOzm8A7hWK4tUzZ47K5pQQB6Woic6d0J6DvRzaKfkwIpAwFckKuVWbo7CmbR8RszPyseQx0sMnqTPNSLKoG8ljZejvJdkNTy5PvLlW9bRFMdYCY13pqX-HJ9MOqX08GWPNzgqsTxmU3CwiTcS/w640-h480/053a.jpg" width="640" /></b></i></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD1M58pH7cvFPJ3BkngGYDI_EmaykUR42BNsTe7HKOuC72xj613thP7ks-adIg7_7ukTdMqsaUSq0gAKVR14EagbTiOvCJup1KWf5ZHAJ3ISIcsEWfJGE7Nf2to8oblEuNSQvlJLJU7bp72xmboPeedkKjK-6f-hAjOIcnjfvrBFFptflzFagcjK67r4_/s2048/256713_263135120480259_1190506562_o_263135120480259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="2048" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD1M58pH7cvFPJ3BkngGYDI_EmaykUR42BNsTe7HKOuC72xj613thP7ks-adIg7_7ukTdMqsaUSq0gAKVR14EagbTiOvCJup1KWf5ZHAJ3ISIcsEWfJGE7Nf2to8oblEuNSQvlJLJU7bp72xmboPeedkKjK-6f-hAjOIcnjfvrBFFptflzFagcjK67r4_/w640-h206/256713_263135120480259_1190506562_o_263135120480259.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></i></span></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Roll on Spring now, the novelty of keeping warm has gone. Unfortunately it seems this coming weekend sees us back in the land of gales and storms.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>I also need to tell you that my air fryer makes perfect toast, in fact the crispiest and driest toast, the most delicious toast I've ever eaten. I put it in the drawer on a rack on the Max Crisp setting and five minutes later I'm tucking in to the Best Toast EVER! It doesn't even sweat on the plate.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Until next time.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Stay safe. Stay well. Stay warm.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Handlee; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Debbie.</b></i></span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-5847703695967741322024-01-13T12:03:00.003+00:002024-01-13T12:26:32.079+00:00Roses Are Red My Love {voices from beyond}<span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Hello friends!</i></span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>My late mother loved roses. It has been five years now since she left this mortal coil, but a long time before she died, she spoke that she wanted one single red rose on her coffin. However, when the time came, I couldn't bring myself to do this as I felt she meant it to come from my father, who had died a few years earlier. So I bought a beautiful wreath instead. Then this happened.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Years ago, when I lived abroad. I used to send money to one of my cousins who would go and purchase flowers for my mother from me on Mothering Sunday every year. One year we discussed it and she bought a potted miniature rose instead of the usual bouquet of cut blooms. After the potted rose had served its time, Mum planted it into the garden where it flourished and grew. Some 30 years passed, and the small rose survived. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>During the last few years of my mother's life between my duties of caring for her as she slowly succumbed to Alzheimer's. and my own illness of Parkinson's starting to take hold the garden started to suffer from neglect. The borders became overgrown, and plants choked and died. There was no sign of her rose. Where I live, roses flower from the Spring to late Summer. By the end of September, they are spent.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Fast forward to the morning of my mother's funeral on a cold and windy November morning. I came out of the house to get into the limo and as I walked past the borders I noticed. not much bigger than the size of a 50 pence piece a red bloom in the middle of all the overgrown weeds. I had to stop to take a closer look. I could scarcely believe my eyes Here we were in the middle of November and the tiny flower that I could see was a single red rose flowering on the plant that I had given my mother all those years before and I had given it up for dead amongst the weeds. Can you even begin to imagine how I felt at that moment? November, when the roses should have stopped flowering and this particular plant was being choked by the weeds that surrounded it. And here we were on the morning of my mother's funeral, looking at a single red rose. I was being reminded of the request that she had made years earlier and it was being fulfilled.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Here are a few pictures of some of her roses.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2w1oCKR84AFVrgYsQgjJ5fzOp7TKMtbGGOl7kOMcp4R4dF4shsU5EPZDj584rioN5FaTD_rXICYTvFfBPKb4HFrJlirXjUWJGQw6qreUTI_6l0T_V1VlUUz9MR5AVfLf0Z3dL-ywpruIWLlK-dEMnZMVEJ97SaBEdCs-_lvQTy4x29zkpyQG6Ix0SVmCv/s1884/Betty's%20Smile02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2w1oCKR84AFVrgYsQgjJ5fzOp7TKMtbGGOl7kOMcp4R4dF4shsU5EPZDj584rioN5FaTD_rXICYTvFfBPKb4HFrJlirXjUWJGQw6qreUTI_6l0T_V1VlUUz9MR5AVfLf0Z3dL-ywpruIWLlK-dEMnZMVEJ97SaBEdCs-_lvQTy4x29zkpyQG6Ix0SVmCv/w360-h640/Betty's%20Smile02.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AoKPjEx7VtlDEibTpVd9cAvh_2Zv49nJPhoc4qS7UyvpTtnuu-DsSnQPH4sx6pdb3WaVn_FeebQ7x5F-YkUddUhpNu4NIpA9iLa36DpHdy6oWOPE4G5dkZrai-jvilqcx7IQn-dQLJiFlfbD84yMACMyP1zpU2pEZL6-Tc9et_d5jE_Fn7xTsoFo4cfq/s1600/Betty's%20Smile(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AoKPjEx7VtlDEibTpVd9cAvh_2Zv49nJPhoc4qS7UyvpTtnuu-DsSnQPH4sx6pdb3WaVn_FeebQ7x5F-YkUddUhpNu4NIpA9iLa36DpHdy6oWOPE4G5dkZrai-jvilqcx7IQn-dQLJiFlfbD84yMACMyP1zpU2pEZL6-Tc9et_d5jE_Fn7xTsoFo4cfq/w640-h360/Betty's%20Smile(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajAEDJaQweIMRnRLRo3GHZ8xjI7XF9wU3MxqQPuHgV1i7yp_um6lOt4bpIKur23VeZ_zQT9lyGXbYYorJlMBeNn2piYJRglWkafuLPXeoKicC2LxTf4pV65yPTvhOgtHcS_k-g3IjU3d3kiOoQuCbrIJuSWxzeY0lvSAUyF-sHsPwHVX04kDfL6bribCb/s2048/A%20Garden%20In%20The%20Shire%20Blog%20015A(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLR6s4QaquYaX3kPiXLrLI0ig_k0Vz_25L-d8FiFxNTq0Q6D164CWj740pZYtFy1y-lv0_EkfYiOOv_BZ4uJ8CRjttauVIQH1EDOjoIvcrySzd9jyj3F-UVYtidZWBAxrbDaUbxZ0PC2UC9wfHtrzmypMBh5vf4foF3O2DI__q_g2JsjOcelP9-iLVZxN/w640-h360/coral%20rosse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuLtKFsxMvETQ8x02dSzk0PMgGUkEcGt-Or9LVulnUGdIHZwVzMVO3cr9I_JlySvEF7lEXRTqDooosdxB_lMOQg3LTTB3ErlWmlVkeUSlaVAdd63ExYMakmNv_E9RDyhO0Zyihvpgu8GqV01vSx5yyE4rxkM0V_W_5N9E5o4TmBreMBYCZ9bTqzBL5ktx/s2048/Rose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuLtKFsxMvETQ8x02dSzk0PMgGUkEcGt-Or9LVulnUGdIHZwVzMVO3cr9I_JlySvEF7lEXRTqDooosdxB_lMOQg3LTTB3ErlWmlVkeUSlaVAdd63ExYMakmNv_E9RDyhO0Zyihvpgu8GqV01vSx5yyE4rxkM0V_W_5N9E5o4TmBreMBYCZ9bTqzBL5ktx/w480-h640/Rose.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEY7LIZurBvIpTmz_HbbbS74BlCB168ec48nIPj7FxWNKxkQRXzIJPkcV2JlWL_7mmniSMQoD-WiCA6lG8yhQP9m2FmRH3UBDQxKGochUyZ1umMjsES8lkMHAryvBuG4f-HbGRlj2LIwB8VVzn9WOLC5Q_5WSpbyyFv7kbjrZfKqjO9DmCDYftnCVObDW/s1884/YellowRose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEY7LIZurBvIpTmz_HbbbS74BlCB168ec48nIPj7FxWNKxkQRXzIJPkcV2JlWL_7mmniSMQoD-WiCA6lG8yhQP9m2FmRH3UBDQxKGochUyZ1umMjsES8lkMHAryvBuG4f-HbGRlj2LIwB8VVzn9WOLC5Q_5WSpbyyFv7kbjrZfKqjO9DmCDYftnCVObDW/w640-h360/YellowRose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9DXxuuHZLFi9VoJxpFzvU-psiMKsHHrJ8HUQEpS0PrUpzbiYnj3KsnotXl-0FdmPBua7yF0LK4hxE0tYdHkRC6R7mWHCZ6YMJz4-gDPRLoFZdeA5FrL1lrgZC8odCMY6j5xhuMFMG5LIuq6XRSK1q7y4tCLT-L9G7Yb3rWOjEZYqXf8KC7xvFsVe4dz2/s960/456242_139723976154708_993390592_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9DXxuuHZLFi9VoJxpFzvU-psiMKsHHrJ8HUQEpS0PrUpzbiYnj3KsnotXl-0FdmPBua7yF0LK4hxE0tYdHkRC6R7mWHCZ6YMJz4-gDPRLoFZdeA5FrL1lrgZC8odCMY6j5xhuMFMG5LIuq6XRSK1q7y4tCLT-L9G7Yb3rWOjEZYqXf8KC7xvFsVe4dz2/w640-h480/456242_139723976154708_993390592_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Then a few months later there was this.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;">It was January, three months without Mum, and I had been very down and unhappy since Christmas and missing Mum more than words can say. My neighbour asked me to go down to Whitesands with her so I did. It was a beautiful day, cold but blue skied, and the tide was way out. As we walked along the vast expanse of sandy beach, I suddenly felt myself being drawn instinctively away from the path I was treading across the beach. A few feet away, a tiny heart shaped piece of sea glass called out to me and I answered its call.</span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW_785yMalUj0YJpQk-HRtigkYsLrdmUJ4-XvYP16aJwLU1ZJ4cwXKupBuRbKV4xq9JR7Ss88AKiuiyclzRlcbeSt1nk9npQ-ScKIROy5MqPHG8Ftm5UgwW4pRSGhyphenhyphenmjspkXBXSEqbN7PfDuS4-abtkcEvhAITd_FOQnde01Yj48a4g4asUi70MnH9PJi/s1884/55684204_1954748954652192_934410860124700672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW_785yMalUj0YJpQk-HRtigkYsLrdmUJ4-XvYP16aJwLU1ZJ4cwXKupBuRbKV4xq9JR7Ss88AKiuiyclzRlcbeSt1nk9npQ-ScKIROy5MqPHG8Ftm5UgwW4pRSGhyphenhyphenmjspkXBXSEqbN7PfDuS4-abtkcEvhAITd_FOQnde01Yj48a4g4asUi70MnH9PJi/w640-h360/55684204_1954748954652192_934410860124700672_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoWO6zIRn511SXv0vCSPC_bYwnITV4kIttC3893MRkSfxOIjhcWFjDn7Bx6izzjNB9kzqvVAmjufxL3HIooNHYGR3FtkuYVFhDmUv8rYJ1obctKYOJzkucDvxOoE8YP-sSak9gubOet5KIwQtIBMY2e31EIc_OXrjHf0Qxq5uwkTq6oQfGE7bhkj-oNr9/s1884/P1300438%20(2)(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoWO6zIRn511SXv0vCSPC_bYwnITV4kIttC3893MRkSfxOIjhcWFjDn7Bx6izzjNB9kzqvVAmjufxL3HIooNHYGR3FtkuYVFhDmUv8rYJ1obctKYOJzkucDvxOoE8YP-sSak9gubOet5KIwQtIBMY2e31EIc_OXrjHf0Qxq5uwkTq6oQfGE7bhkj-oNr9/w640-h360/P1300438%20(2)(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;">Just to say, Whitesands is a big beach, especially when the tide is out, see above, and it is not known for its sea glass, yet I found this tiny piece of heart shaped glass. I have never found sea glass before. This is my first piece I have ever found.</span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGczSKY8iM5PvDLJDUkEtNfFONd8aTdg2sUeLfVAyYl6ImeGHtxIQXUy7Gnz12LDKPxmkMcih0zGmaMkShxxa81wfT1C4ZdMJb35Qf-q_j0oQ_Aq-m2umWKa7In6ogsD7q0RnEYl2ePJFrVQG0wHsrqwXoqF6gXMhUV0hyphenhyphenSs8tnd6iEtYFJUYisCyAdi1/s1474/SEAGLASS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1474" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGczSKY8iM5PvDLJDUkEtNfFONd8aTdg2sUeLfVAyYl6ImeGHtxIQXUy7Gnz12LDKPxmkMcih0zGmaMkShxxa81wfT1C4ZdMJb35Qf-q_j0oQ_Aq-m2umWKa7In6ogsD7q0RnEYl2ePJFrVQG0wHsrqwXoqF6gXMhUV0hyphenhyphenSs8tnd6iEtYFJUYisCyAdi1/w640-h588/SEAGLASS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5UqurWA4f6KZhkGr6G_H0313tAlvJLMvFKwogxiTQ0kqqUvk6slgFDQT835zhm2pyAJXIDOpO0MIuvngfo-6hWOlZE8RxqSuoIfdiGnQtvfUvzmF6T8tmXlnnFHtZbY_wPS4hLxVIoEQIvd4rkCQQBsBnx_JWgCGc2nfSIh3ntUY-RAT0MA2A3iGii4K/s200/SEAGLASS%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5UqurWA4f6KZhkGr6G_H0313tAlvJLMvFKwogxiTQ0kqqUvk6slgFDQT835zhm2pyAJXIDOpO0MIuvngfo-6hWOlZE8RxqSuoIfdiGnQtvfUvzmF6T8tmXlnnFHtZbY_wPS4hLxVIoEQIvd4rkCQQBsBnx_JWgCGc2nfSIh3ntUY-RAT0MA2A3iGii4K/w640-h640/SEAGLASS%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>I don't know if you believe in the afterlife, or voices from the great beyond. but between the experience of the glass heart and the single red rose, there is no doubt in my mind. None whatsoever.</i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Until next time. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Stay safe. Stay well. Stay warm.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Handlee; font-size: large;"><i>Debbie.</i></span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-37154548552309366962024-01-11T11:38:00.002+00:002024-01-11T23:14:25.102+00:00The Oliphaunt<p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I am very happy with my little oliphaunt {as Samwise Gamgee would say} It was drawn from a copyright free stock photograph as part of the online Drawing Magic Secrets at Atelier Ida Andersen Lang. It took me somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes. I would like to revisit this image and do an in depth study with all the shading.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5iDOyuyY1Ss9sI_j-yFA_NsUnJDXq0ikuMjItuwuFYt-gG4a8ajyRT9svYShg7NPDU_9SdVT0HFlrY5dT6ViJqdAbauwtZ6j1IKNl3BcBYMixR6JtxTMzTCCC8HchHTVy9zjJMCVKlCvrgLcZtWhOxnyGeLiInU7xVmYLI4d_BJWihS4yr06cuVd2c-8/s4000/IMG_20240106_194911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5iDOyuyY1Ss9sI_j-yFA_NsUnJDXq0ikuMjItuwuFYt-gG4a8ajyRT9svYShg7NPDU_9SdVT0HFlrY5dT6ViJqdAbauwtZ6j1IKNl3BcBYMixR6JtxTMzTCCC8HchHTVy9zjJMCVKlCvrgLcZtWhOxnyGeLiInU7xVmYLI4d_BJWihS4yr06cuVd2c-8/w360-h640/IMG_20240106_194911.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I was rather intimidated at first as I'm not used to drawing animals and it pushed me well outside my comfort zone, but that is how we learn.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I received this lovely A5 pocket sketchbook by Winsor & Newton for Christmas. It is vegan pleather. What a thoughtful gift.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszK3zDhU9_ZORmnme091mbWRC_LC3dS9NXqxVAoc1nQpZzzAu6GqdoLW4N0j8TN01_y1DW9RRP1XUTSubNYzRLueqc0hh3ieDRTN-66RH-a9RRhfQFJfFUCBEen4H5py7eCHsJ1KNJ_togMJoIeI4IV9c0IBapiahqEIiyrDO5GPbKTaNPnOoQ7vq5_JI/s2721/IMG_20240108_123103_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2721" data-original-width="2440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszK3zDhU9_ZORmnme091mbWRC_LC3dS9NXqxVAoc1nQpZzzAu6GqdoLW4N0j8TN01_y1DW9RRP1XUTSubNYzRLueqc0hh3ieDRTN-66RH-a9RRhfQFJfFUCBEen4H5py7eCHsJ1KNJ_togMJoIeI4IV9c0IBapiahqEIiyrDO5GPbKTaNPnOoQ7vq5_JI/w574-h640/IMG_20240108_123103_3.jpg" width="574" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDis_DDe59WQyKuoQJ-6dpY1aUf0RHP8YxPcmbXoPXIa3gR64PpblK3CrzPYynNSy35eSM2Mr8TLqjUSv32jOfGy9qz768GyKCuipi6iEQ58p2O9A-P1qHR5nmF9lqF4iMjtAga61cefIxqRC067wddnZKJdAqHyC9LlegnO6xi6944AHTJV6DYjcK068V/s4000/IMG_20240106_195006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDis_DDe59WQyKuoQJ-6dpY1aUf0RHP8YxPcmbXoPXIa3gR64PpblK3CrzPYynNSy35eSM2Mr8TLqjUSv32jOfGy9qz768GyKCuipi6iEQ58p2O9A-P1qHR5nmF9lqF4iMjtAga61cefIxqRC067wddnZKJdAqHyC9LlegnO6xi6944AHTJV6DYjcK068V/w360-h640/IMG_20240106_195006.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I hope you are not too badly affected by the weather. It is awffy cold! I was reading just this morning that the NHS recommends the minimum temperature for health is 18*C, or 64*F. I do keep mine at that balmy setting but do my best to keep myself warm with layers of clothing, quilts hot water bottles and hot drinks. Funny how in the summer months 18*C seems most pleasant. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time</span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe, stay well, stay warm</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie</span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-59393208211834255622024-01-06T11:56:00.017+00:002024-01-11T23:05:10.598+00:00The Vikings Are Coming!<p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I hope everyone in the UK and near continent and Scandinavia are safe after the barage of storms we've had in recent weeks. I know some of you have suffered and it's going to be a long time before the flood waters will drain. I am thinking of all of you and sending wishes for normality to be restored as soon as possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">There's a Viking invasion on Facebook. It's a silly game everyone is playing whereby you have a photo of you edited to show what you would look like as a Viking. Having had an obsession with Vikings since I was a child {along with all things Celtic too} I couldn't resist joining in. Frankly, we all look like siblings!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">This is me as a Viking. I like it!</span></p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce-cgjYq0gfjDjwPZk64zBHFKEUvYqRyvLVwfueaG4op29EswMeaVLbJvpgy5EJGt-y_cGERh5MsMaHbC2ZKDt0xVGzYQ5jeDd2iHkNgb_f0oy9tKxag8adh-bzOySoG1GGUhuyppkOOX1dVIjfwtDY4N7gN2OodSnx4IHlq-cmDkS6sFvB2QzuKiZCsG/s3264/IMG_20240104_165829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce-cgjYq0gfjDjwPZk64zBHFKEUvYqRyvLVwfueaG4op29EswMeaVLbJvpgy5EJGt-y_cGERh5MsMaHbC2ZKDt0xVGzYQ5jeDd2iHkNgb_f0oy9tKxag8adh-bzOySoG1GGUhuyppkOOX1dVIjfwtDY4N7gN2OodSnx4IHlq-cmDkS6sFvB2QzuKiZCsG/w400-h300/IMG_20240104_165829.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">As I enjoy creating fantasy portraits, and I'm currently learning to draw using graphite, I just had to draw a portrait based on me as a Viking. My goal it to be able to draw people that are recognisable and while I'm very happy with the sketch, she does not look like me as a Viking. </span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHRnQjqIvZkFFKJ19QaCx4sXwcQtf74RkyALxlZDBscjcYefiCBXhNkYYkxxDdtggN4AzhFM4ColbwSlw-FHyc_TMQyHu342UCYcpAL55J11Kb8bo3s9UgKzhYfM6ygAXXJ4MxFRQi0XriEyJ188Zj4BbLGWgj1FgSCg9da_63-89truXNx0UDKM2sqtK/s3264/IMG_20240104_184351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHRnQjqIvZkFFKJ19QaCx4sXwcQtf74RkyALxlZDBscjcYefiCBXhNkYYkxxDdtggN4AzhFM4ColbwSlw-FHyc_TMQyHu342UCYcpAL55J11Kb8bo3s9UgKzhYfM6ygAXXJ4MxFRQi0XriEyJ188Zj4BbLGWgj1FgSCg9da_63-89truXNx0UDKM2sqtK/w640-h480/IMG_20240104_184351.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">She is not quite finished. Part of me wants to invest a little colour but part of me resists that thought. I want to finish off her shirt, and I'd like to work a light bokeh background but I am afraid of spoiling it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">To satisfy my need to apply colour, I did this one using just Caran d'Ache watercolour and Spectrum Noir water resistant coloured pencils.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi4GuoRsAV3r3ktAunNcpsQOcDbFd5fX2MjdCftt8ar3tJeziGxmKtSilN-ZbaydcUUi14-PCDmZwMAjC-MuBmMJZHrtGbykH03B-0M0c-K1XqG_cl6MNIAbp35LtS5ZDMyF1dQMi1qVV-n5dIkUwkK4uaMk3y_J8LPohMVJfkEFSnxEpXsDqQd4YK2oh/s3264/IMG_20240105_152508_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi4GuoRsAV3r3ktAunNcpsQOcDbFd5fX2MjdCftt8ar3tJeziGxmKtSilN-ZbaydcUUi14-PCDmZwMAjC-MuBmMJZHrtGbykH03B-0M0c-K1XqG_cl6MNIAbp35LtS5ZDMyF1dQMi1qVV-n5dIkUwkK4uaMk3y_J8LPohMVJfkEFSnxEpXsDqQd4YK2oh/w480-h640/IMG_20240105_152508_3.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfr9veTGmZBUTFbaTjvFbvwTEfnU5SZAymhIYdebh1FGICn2zvWI-mtdE8X8J5TrTj19wrnhYuShd4mL1qH4b0ygbA0ucQywei2LKMslbLqwHVxZwd6qlXWXmc790J8xzR_azRV_KASnkf1PgFmEgLxKe8Frn4UcziOCgMEu1KPISbamXikX7qiigmKo4/s3264/IMG_20240105_152455_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfr9veTGmZBUTFbaTjvFbvwTEfnU5SZAymhIYdebh1FGICn2zvWI-mtdE8X8J5TrTj19wrnhYuShd4mL1qH4b0ygbA0ucQywei2LKMslbLqwHVxZwd6qlXWXmc790J8xzR_azRV_KASnkf1PgFmEgLxKe8Frn4UcziOCgMEu1KPISbamXikX7qiigmKo4/w480-h640/IMG_20240105_152455_3.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">When drawing the outlines I use the basic formula of an oval divided in half both vertically and horizontally, then the bottom half gets divided in half again, twice. Here are some stages in the early development of a portrait as you might like to see how one develops.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH6LLsD52nW8q9OBNWxsjO1vI4a6TOwi2KtVRwCFdyCK-h9Q0ectHoI2Q9eAwTA980goISLIL8IvNLMIsaaXuOoLjIDvR06eJdEnj5fw5S8nm5WOGCKdZFqXtJpoMtnAlAJLivZDGbX6XkbwnU3yTLR9DdNsetrtnctT5hkYocFFsolilxBetLlGD4bCB/s2448/20230228_173426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH6LLsD52nW8q9OBNWxsjO1vI4a6TOwi2KtVRwCFdyCK-h9Q0ectHoI2Q9eAwTA980goISLIL8IvNLMIsaaXuOoLjIDvR06eJdEnj5fw5S8nm5WOGCKdZFqXtJpoMtnAlAJLivZDGbX6XkbwnU3yTLR9DdNsetrtnctT5hkYocFFsolilxBetLlGD4bCB/w640-h640/20230228_173426.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LC961alf30fN5OWgvgyecRUu675kD_5ISCovFH8aqKlvFuCTzwJmVpia8F0orb_gcZs5gKg-zSvem8axrmh1criSrgS3FEnk2EwkBr_jp3442c09qlYh4DCY34DN6SXp8JtSVMF7hfYkGlEU5oG6GrrBsRBjRuoHoDDu6kBfYR2kIKVHe4o38Jl4cAje/s2448/20230228_174156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LC961alf30fN5OWgvgyecRUu675kD_5ISCovFH8aqKlvFuCTzwJmVpia8F0orb_gcZs5gKg-zSvem8axrmh1criSrgS3FEnk2EwkBr_jp3442c09qlYh4DCY34DN6SXp8JtSVMF7hfYkGlEU5oG6GrrBsRBjRuoHoDDu6kBfYR2kIKVHe4o38Jl4cAje/w640-h640/20230228_174156.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVlwO7ZWtW3pet6GnXTDH3soMoCJW5m3FWsc0fmjjF3LeSsy8x88CZjzxrZdr32t9nWNNKSAUX6lIRrQD9D74UQcLIWYWM5WFmqS86hHTqgjBpls9Fc2BegNxUl0r2INC7pdxFfcnH6RNgkZnplzTrdSfuAASMSSmy0Gu_3GFJANCBZLQJe-KJe5mOVCp/s2448/20230228_174322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVlwO7ZWtW3pet6GnXTDH3soMoCJW5m3FWsc0fmjjF3LeSsy8x88CZjzxrZdr32t9nWNNKSAUX6lIRrQD9D74UQcLIWYWM5WFmqS86hHTqgjBpls9Fc2BegNxUl0r2INC7pdxFfcnH6RNgkZnplzTrdSfuAASMSSmy0Gu_3GFJANCBZLQJe-KJe5mOVCp/w640-h640/20230228_174322.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDstx0IqnvMqg_10doobGPdf7m4ydYzPMLG8iqonLHQ2Pu5e7bXy1abLNWvSpu-IWZDfz9DbhAUt7x0sPaziud5CQrfpTgEsbHz2MQYklrHNb0ZhEYAV52uUajrBeKGxjn0AS0oS6gjDv4Rb3kGJc7F1go0UKUghTg-ioNJhSb47tpRQxEw76cbuP7hWcO/w640-h640/20230228_231429(1).jpg" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">As you can see, the proportions are basic and can be altered, but the more you tweak, the less human like the face becomes, making it more fairy like, or elfin for example. I like to fill in the eyes early on as it makes the face less spooky!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><b>*Editing to add</b> that this method for drawing a human face was not created as one might think by the genius that was Leonardo da Vinci, but by the American illustrator Andrew Loomis in the 1940's!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Next week I begin a seven week long intensive drawing course using graphite under the mentorship of Danish artist Ida Andersen Lang I hope to vastly improve my skill set in this medium.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe, stay well, stay warm!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie </span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-12366552441340954112024-01-04T06:55:00.002+00:002024-01-11T23:04:37.549+00:00I am Ninja!<p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Well, I'm not a Ninja, but in November I joined the growing ranks of happy air fryer owners with the purchase of a Ninja AF300 dual drawer air fryer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Succinctly put, I could not be happier!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">For a while I had prevaricated over this increasingly popular item. Last year I noticed I was struggling with my cooker. It is old, about 30 years if memory serves, and not only was I concerned about the safety of it being gas along with the lack of consistent heat, I struggle to lift things out safely without dropping them due the hand tremors I have almost constantly. Additionally, it takes time to preheat and is expensive when only cooking one thing. I could see that a new cooker loomed on the horizon. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">In assessing the situation, I decided to purchase a microwave oven and after thorough research I decided upon a combination microwave. It was cheaper than an oven and might be easier to remove hot dishes of food, which it was. It was delivered the next day and I found myself using the oven less and less, especially as my cooking habits have had to adapt around my ability to use a knife {another story!} In fact, I was barely using it at all except to cook the odd portion of pasta. I can bake cakes, bread, pizza and anything else in the convection part of the combination oven, the microwave if I'm in a hurry, or use a combination of both.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">One day, purely out of boredom, I was watching QVC extol the virtues of their TSV, a Ninja dual drawer air fryer. My interest piqued. I didn't purchase one but the seed had been sown. Air fryers no longer floated in my peripheral vision but were suddenly popping up everywhere like little nudges from the Universe.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Time passed, I did my due diligence researching a variety of brands and concluded Ninja seemed to come out best of all. Then, Lakeland Ltd had an offer on all Ninja models they sell. The best one for me was reduced to £170, but I stalled. I stalled at paying £170 for so long that they sold out. Gosh darn it, that old Libra indecision rearing it's ugly head again. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I wrote it off as a bad judgement on my part. Then, a week later they were back in stock and with further reductions now saw a £220.00 appliance retailing at £130.00. I did not mince about this time but jumped right in and for I believe this is what is called a "no brainer" in modern day parlance.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Now the first thing I learned is that cooking in an air fryer is a very different beast and I admit I've had a few burnt offerings and blips, but the more I use it, the more I learn and the more I like it. So much so that I cooked my entire Christmas dinner in it! {my Christmas dinner came, like Margo Leadbetter's, in a van ~ from <a href="https://www.cookfood.net/menu/christmas/vegetarian-dishes">COOK</a>}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Silly me, I've not been taking photos but I did remember to do so today and this is my perfectly cooked, exactly how I like it, Halloumi cheese with couscous. Last night's supper was a stuffed and roasted pepper which was delicious.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WxjcjgvpDCrFs__B8VUVp5nGjXW7tyod2w3ccBPuF0n2Z7Jai4k-RjYRWMag30dMDVrYK7tkhuc2-AiXC0uXcwWoWctfLmAsaNGzENvrI0RbJP0oGvZEA81rUEfXb0KrYhFxxxncZZQunbd0t3aLu93cXGwTczDlqe6S4KkaGtTPdYrzE93mYj0EmdKl/s2967/IMG_20240103_121842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2073" data-original-width="2967" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WxjcjgvpDCrFs__B8VUVp5nGjXW7tyod2w3ccBPuF0n2Z7Jai4k-RjYRWMag30dMDVrYK7tkhuc2-AiXC0uXcwWoWctfLmAsaNGzENvrI0RbJP0oGvZEA81rUEfXb0KrYhFxxxncZZQunbd0t3aLu93cXGwTczDlqe6S4KkaGtTPdYrzE93mYj0EmdKl/w640-h448/IMG_20240103_121842.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I think the most surprising discovery I've made to date is that you can make perfectly boiled dippy eggs! My favourite with hot buttered Marmite soldiers.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Conspiracy Theory Thought: According to Lakeland, 45% of UK households now own at least one air fryer. That's an awffy lot o' air fryers. So, I'm beginning to think this is new technology being silently and overtly placed in every home until there are enough planted so the aliens can start transmitting their signals. LOL </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe, stay well</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie</span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-76583865761045570692024-01-02T06:02:00.002+00:002024-01-02T06:06:49.939+00:002024 The Year Of . . . Hello Friends!<div><br /></div><div>So here we are, Day Two of a brand new year. Now, I'm not one for making resolutions. I see them as setting yourself up for failure from the get go, and if you truly, really do want to do something, why wait for January 1st? Why not start as soon as you can?</div><div><br /></div><div>Totally out of character for me, I have come perilously close to making actual resolutions for the first time in about forty years, but thankfully I pulled myself up just in the nick of time. I have, however, decided to make some lifestyle changes and commitments to improving myself, it's just coincidence I'm implementing those changes now.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, what are they? I hear you ask.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dispense with the Grumpy Old Woman syndrome! Instead of whining, whinging and complaining try to find something positive to say about a situation</div><div><br /></div><div>Be kinder and less angry by looking in the mirror. By this, I mean that when someone does something that unbeknownst to them upsets or angers me, instead of ranting or giving what for I should stop and take a look in the mirror to find out why their actions are provoking me so. Then, diffuse the situation with love and take steps to remedy my response or reaction. {caveat: misuse and misspelling of two, too and to; their, they're and there, sew and sow; sowing not planting seeds; drop not bit of water, etc are not included in tolerance management lol}</div><div><br /></div><div>Eat sensibly and try to exersise more, This should not require explanation. It's common sense, but thanks to a combination of grief a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, and the pandemic both have been ignored for three years and I have suffered. It's time to get back in the driving seat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Resume Morning Pages. The above helps take care of the physical, Morning Pages helps take care of the mental.</div><div><br /></div><div>Learn some new skills and take on the challenge of using and clearing my Crafty Stash. This will help keep me active {especially when Winter weather limits going outside} will reduce the amount of "stuff" in the cottage, and hopefully result in some beautiful things. I will share my progress with you. Who knows, I might even run some giveaways for my makes. You will need to be following visibly in the sidebar to qualify for these events which I will spring without notice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Procratination must stop. Had I not procrastinated or prevaricated with such aplomb, I would not be in such a pickle over matters I do not wish to discuss!</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I refuse to beat myself up if I slide off the Path of Changes and Improvements.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are implementing changes and wish to share, then I'd love to read about them too!</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, I have been busy sketching again. Here are the results of Sunday's work</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqTljvaXurui_2LoAtFwEjEpUjk573ddogfGWTsK_IzTnKJ0NxgES6LnKNv14ce0Rjy_7Bcqv7Z4ylhqARNUH_j2FJDalxKINIr92imofUGDtmlmPuQn8VAh1Lz1jxwF-Gj17rXd7iqUSPRF3aL8c-pcdik1BKcLjc2qqp8CcY4mMq_l2DUDMpwOUBUdH/s3179/IMG_20231223_225235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2146" data-original-width="3179" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqTljvaXurui_2LoAtFwEjEpUjk573ddogfGWTsK_IzTnKJ0NxgES6LnKNv14ce0Rjy_7Bcqv7Z4ylhqARNUH_j2FJDalxKINIr92imofUGDtmlmPuQn8VAh1Lz1jxwF-Gj17rXd7iqUSPRF3aL8c-pcdik1BKcLjc2qqp8CcY4mMq_l2DUDMpwOUBUdH/w640-h432/IMG_20231223_225235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlCpRvI_mToDRNyySe-zZ5iv5FBBC00J7eOavwSPhCt4nHzNcbzD7PPslSNRzgbY58FDGax0Ub6NHzglWKOwfSRyAlpmgXUNSwk3rjnA6MWdfSlak_OGVe-ACGUwmpDCoVblK3Sb9JyXmotY3Xuue548LO2N8CfiNpDjSzAP1OQ8ZLAbZRT1k87rh9Apqb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlCpRvI_mToDRNyySe-zZ5iv5FBBC00J7eOavwSPhCt4nHzNcbzD7PPslSNRzgbY58FDGax0Ub6NHzglWKOwfSRyAlpmgXUNSwk3rjnA6MWdfSlak_OGVe-ACGUwmpDCoVblK3Sb9JyXmotY3Xuue548LO2N8CfiNpDjSzAP1OQ8ZLAbZRT1k87rh9Apqb=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R-ysvApJFTnOyneuPh5c4Sr2UoIBF270S0WbciaiX7Eoz6r3-Hm1ZTrBBz_CmmeAh5FXrcGhJ4XliMif6uE8aNjOTuVV1CbNuMxjF_sARsrUpcKoNCYvWb-pMea_1PA9WAtYbaKnYfMdu2isBwZsVmc8Hs1IfyhQncd1MUBNtwM__25_Il3O73nG9jLv/s3264/IMG_20231230_004400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R-ysvApJFTnOyneuPh5c4Sr2UoIBF270S0WbciaiX7Eoz6r3-Hm1ZTrBBz_CmmeAh5FXrcGhJ4XliMif6uE8aNjOTuVV1CbNuMxjF_sARsrUpcKoNCYvWb-pMea_1PA9WAtYbaKnYfMdu2isBwZsVmc8Hs1IfyhQncd1MUBNtwM__25_Il3O73nG9jLv/w480-h640/IMG_20231230_004400.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVl-KhjU2zIo-c-0sQwVj0dZvPzLN9KkNveSypThWa1pJnV0ZqPruZch5yiQGxQXPM2QZYX4_K1kJj0SZxvNE599qk_LP77rygaOAopCqh_7Zffat2shC4s8XZpVE6EOWIt29wFn-827zeAeBnXndOCONRin_BSeKKMthNpEgnfbupdC36aXu_wVY0zGW/s3264/IMG_20231230_175743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVl-KhjU2zIo-c-0sQwVj0dZvPzLN9KkNveSypThWa1pJnV0ZqPruZch5yiQGxQXPM2QZYX4_K1kJj0SZxvNE599qk_LP77rygaOAopCqh_7Zffat2shC4s8XZpVE6EOWIt29wFn-827zeAeBnXndOCONRin_BSeKKMthNpEgnfbupdC36aXu_wVY0zGW/w480-h640/IMG_20231230_175743.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgSs-JaiFF4jjWnB0vnjJCbeh-vcomW4tJoHCp4EIHIW6KpeCBaNURgR_pn_jyiM78Mzss-BcKgsQT0DjS6XLp4TUCapi4ZxLT17rXx24xaPifpAKBvdrBPRbxMWJNygsbhxW-5u2rOC-AXXNeGkHKfUNMHE_SzcmhOqiBZn-iwM0Tb9mcbjLbEzMSXz5/s3264/IMG_20231230_234143_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgSs-JaiFF4jjWnB0vnjJCbeh-vcomW4tJoHCp4EIHIW6KpeCBaNURgR_pn_jyiM78Mzss-BcKgsQT0DjS6XLp4TUCapi4ZxLT17rXx24xaPifpAKBvdrBPRbxMWJNygsbhxW-5u2rOC-AXXNeGkHKfUNMHE_SzcmhOqiBZn-iwM0Tb9mcbjLbEzMSXz5/w480-h640/IMG_20231230_234143_3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y5jMyiOrPeYxG6BGScVI008Xw6QAb7CTnJvfLUx7tfFW5J8j9X2IsXGspisS9P6EB0nk5PtCG6DAFvUrmqAVW9ajM-QKCAfM0w3npzTlEoMitWzo9UPSQHM8aaguxYzrDXbfBNdeHqGe_4R09OVtcycS1U2YKzSh4C0XbC2c5SvVPP9L89lut4SHmqV4/s3264/IMG_20231230_235427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y5jMyiOrPeYxG6BGScVI008Xw6QAb7CTnJvfLUx7tfFW5J8j9X2IsXGspisS9P6EB0nk5PtCG6DAFvUrmqAVW9ajM-QKCAfM0w3npzTlEoMitWzo9UPSQHM8aaguxYzrDXbfBNdeHqGe_4R09OVtcycS1U2YKzSh4C0XbC2c5SvVPP9L89lut4SHmqV4/w480-h640/IMG_20231230_235427.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Until next time</div><div>Stay well, stay safe</div><div>Debbie</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-37856051642999473432024-01-01T12:11:00.001+00:002024-01-01T12:11:27.557+00:00It's 2024<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wishing All My Followers</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;"><b>A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;"><b>New Year 2024</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Heartfelt thanks to everyone for following and especially when you leave a comment. Here's to more blogging happiness within our community during the coming year!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe, Stay well</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie xx</span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-68426773704574434922023-12-24T04:47:00.001+00:002023-12-24T09:24:32.685+00:00Ghosts of Christmas Past<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Because it is difficult now to handle fragile things as I drop them, I have not decorated this year, so here are a few photographs of Christmases past to wish you One and All</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: x-large;">🌟</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: x-large;">🕯️A🕯️</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: x-large;">🕯️Very🕯️</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: x-large;">🕯️Happy🕯️</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: x-large;">🕯️Christmas🕯️</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: x-large;">xx</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: x-large;">🎁🎁xx🎁🎁</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qtKuGstKxZGejx9w7OZDYUvf9I7OKk09yqiroAJF0vQeZIJAHB8RCGoCEWseCfSiTjVx-HqCxpBS1-YR2fnk1AewoKOL79NEZ6rO5p7cKcv92Id9o2D0RIx6khgayJhe1jsutOUF67np-kjswep6eDpd-s5wsy2yyGkyrt-gi1eJyXlFY8g_wZabuNQ-/s1476/20230806_134641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qtKuGstKxZGejx9w7OZDYUvf9I7OKk09yqiroAJF0vQeZIJAHB8RCGoCEWseCfSiTjVx-HqCxpBS1-YR2fnk1AewoKOL79NEZ6rO5p7cKcv92Id9o2D0RIx6khgayJhe1jsutOUF67np-kjswep6eDpd-s5wsy2yyGkyrt-gi1eJyXlFY8g_wZabuNQ-/w450-h640/20230806_134641.jpg" width="450" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">one of my many trees back in the day</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSos0ebcw2KelSntTC7l6PnPp7NG1CHv_zR6ni2jqlzmeL3yWYRuUXXpQHT-44P2-yz3UKIkSchdlV-1kuwmQiOXb1wbb1LTsNc3sq_Xzv5973qV4X7vK_E4a7CHY4GVwjAEGeOhQofWGCLUDCpM6cFfQORPP7pc9w2LSP1KH_O-fXWtmGbB29hGVasTD/s960/206526_262133887247049_1569070578_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSos0ebcw2KelSntTC7l6PnPp7NG1CHv_zR6ni2jqlzmeL3yWYRuUXXpQHT-44P2-yz3UKIkSchdlV-1kuwmQiOXb1wbb1LTsNc3sq_Xzv5973qV4X7vK_E4a7CHY4GVwjAEGeOhQofWGCLUDCpM6cFfQORPP7pc9w2LSP1KH_O-fXWtmGbB29hGVasTD/w480-h640/206526_262133887247049_1569070578_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Annual Lilies of Remembrance</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgaptTVcr9-8_xeggVgkadvVsQmyvE5NI3VsM3ZLUD-RabMbVqBE9F836BGwzADUmxuenjVhZeLajuxkQSAPG66JcF_NQil5QfDCuwD1koLEkZk1CHq1GF3gb6YRgabjDJQ1K_jAfXMQW5XZiHU4stAib5CbdMrJeyYR4bacwBg8VBW39Q0UpWw97ThW1/s960/522611_254895001304271_991731612_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="960" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgaptTVcr9-8_xeggVgkadvVsQmyvE5NI3VsM3ZLUD-RabMbVqBE9F836BGwzADUmxuenjVhZeLajuxkQSAPG66JcF_NQil5QfDCuwD1koLEkZk1CHq1GF3gb6YRgabjDJQ1K_jAfXMQW5XZiHU4stAib5CbdMrJeyYR4bacwBg8VBW39Q0UpWw97ThW1/w640-h488/522611_254895001304271_991731612_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">The organ loft St Davids Cathedral</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwl_6aQ5gmed-vyinhDz0E0KnjmE4boYsgonZgUU5atFHb_QKXrpPD-upaSuQ0mQqJaKDBnqlwcTKw-e_DBcvv464za1BZ6DQGNZbK9Ud9vQpsZkW4zGIysgL9U84eqKaCtHpw5j3NOYs_7x1rTXZi7ISNT77738g4boLoJRjdXYvPsCH7qZ4bMLjOfJYO/s472/1486834_427142160746220_166139882_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="472" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwl_6aQ5gmed-vyinhDz0E0KnjmE4boYsgonZgUU5atFHb_QKXrpPD-upaSuQ0mQqJaKDBnqlwcTKw-e_DBcvv464za1BZ6DQGNZbK9Ud9vQpsZkW4zGIysgL9U84eqKaCtHpw5j3NOYs_7x1rTXZi7ISNT77738g4boLoJRjdXYvPsCH7qZ4bMLjOfJYO/w640-h480/1486834_427142160746220_166139882_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Nativity</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfclLr0Kha20TA24hoPlOEfe4GeQ9swIn-fmOf_7CEOxOCUcwV5kYBQcsQ3EAGVIYsv97RmUt4mc1ovilr14DG8Mcmsagtp6l4fI-VN01R1ggBnnM0VuSEIUAA2o_w69APpcQBep3D9cjC2q1nXRbasi7n1MmJ1d4p0vHwgvHln1cF96ahosU4iMUtavq3/s630/1527010_427142157412887_1363361831_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfclLr0Kha20TA24hoPlOEfe4GeQ9swIn-fmOf_7CEOxOCUcwV5kYBQcsQ3EAGVIYsv97RmUt4mc1ovilr14DG8Mcmsagtp6l4fI-VN01R1ggBnnM0VuSEIUAA2o_w69APpcQBep3D9cjC2q1nXRbasi7n1MmJ1d4p0vHwgvHln1cF96ahosU4iMUtavq3/w480-h640/1527010_427142157412887_1363361831_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Several images of my various collections: Santas, Sleighs, Snowglobes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdY6dauPj0aSIA9g-VdQNddOgNx930y85ssAFsv-Dm6Pv1jiD0dVpzw56Dk6FUN6nkWlJGsnsynfTJgF81Vwgl_5uW0YIx_3ZXReh1Cq8Y_8fH4uC3UXvmeJ-9G79uZo81zSieZrjIpRLC_1MKErUxUp5DrwQPVpwDfExqzrYokzX5UEZkBJ94LACUgE5/s4320/P1320499.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdY6dauPj0aSIA9g-VdQNddOgNx930y85ssAFsv-Dm6Pv1jiD0dVpzw56Dk6FUN6nkWlJGsnsynfTJgF81Vwgl_5uW0YIx_3ZXReh1Cq8Y_8fH4uC3UXvmeJ-9G79uZo81zSieZrjIpRLC_1MKErUxUp5DrwQPVpwDfExqzrYokzX5UEZkBJ94LACUgE5/w640-h360/P1320499.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eFsM_bLaALoXCFHQqSnv9rCbR0Ys6TGdYUhEgkAvNq-kwRPPxIQJsUy_YVvpMiYE1NwvPRmhatbGXu3j37YXCpX3JbTFgAsjzGgx-fsae8jEU64pb6KedfBw-qy0v-ka6wIYytXIh87iNWyJEVeS6U9AFybgLPyRf4x57aXpnBVvdK7j_XpYhW8RI_om/s4320/P1320500.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eFsM_bLaALoXCFHQqSnv9rCbR0Ys6TGdYUhEgkAvNq-kwRPPxIQJsUy_YVvpMiYE1NwvPRmhatbGXu3j37YXCpX3JbTFgAsjzGgx-fsae8jEU64pb6KedfBw-qy0v-ka6wIYytXIh87iNWyJEVeS6U9AFybgLPyRf4x57aXpnBVvdK7j_XpYhW8RI_om/w640-h360/P1320500.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfMJoHhw1jsgzvPhO-i5ewQ_C36pOIeFZvFUVlXcvZ7g_82fZ4xb1433G2jUeT1QFhjMdNSQvOX7KSIO0jywmbYsmJPlFugRGQfaMLZDTClDwjmxyDBZfomFaVYq4IP03lhHBKR7kskfPemIwZIubofhAlWGIOiakziCjAxt72IBoB-CJ3HE3u8Gy44-c/s4320/P1320501.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfMJoHhw1jsgzvPhO-i5ewQ_C36pOIeFZvFUVlXcvZ7g_82fZ4xb1433G2jUeT1QFhjMdNSQvOX7KSIO0jywmbYsmJPlFugRGQfaMLZDTClDwjmxyDBZfomFaVYq4IP03lhHBKR7kskfPemIwZIubofhAlWGIOiakziCjAxt72IBoB-CJ3HE3u8Gy44-c/w640-h360/P1320501.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rXGfURe5yM6ONqSBhem4xqZnD6XfAoFi7IqYYYuMmr4ZbvnL0umYLfe-Hpg8PpV4oQNbr1v3EnAtBVxRes71Vv1vdIKW6M-PgM_mhsbHeLYVj7PyaRdx_agflAYhe7ayY-_QgETTVYDmb_NJkrho6M933Ercc-Ehcw-FsuaozBGtSETS6qn2ZM0xMHcB/s4320/P1320502.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rXGfURe5yM6ONqSBhem4xqZnD6XfAoFi7IqYYYuMmr4ZbvnL0umYLfe-Hpg8PpV4oQNbr1v3EnAtBVxRes71Vv1vdIKW6M-PgM_mhsbHeLYVj7PyaRdx_agflAYhe7ayY-_QgETTVYDmb_NJkrho6M933Ercc-Ehcw-FsuaozBGtSETS6qn2ZM0xMHcB/w640-h360/P1320502.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8AuOZC8cZMGH1tT1PjzCOwfz40VAYtBfgj_9Ux84brUnoM8hkWRG56DtgsTd8VmWPJNvvdKdv2lTLpRk5YZu_jMSucn3DXwXkRWbaPV3q49pE15bNEnHBW8GnK_AlP2YVAruASu59uIiKRYoZQMwTBynMdEtn9cHLNIvFpIDLIpLntIlApjZIWNSe_zG/s4320/P1320503.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8AuOZC8cZMGH1tT1PjzCOwfz40VAYtBfgj_9Ux84brUnoM8hkWRG56DtgsTd8VmWPJNvvdKdv2lTLpRk5YZu_jMSucn3DXwXkRWbaPV3q49pE15bNEnHBW8GnK_AlP2YVAruASu59uIiKRYoZQMwTBynMdEtn9cHLNIvFpIDLIpLntIlApjZIWNSe_zG/w640-h360/P1320503.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe32KS8ngV5jD_4QSepNanFL5taKzw0LiT1lf94YL_Ke5ybRDXKFqcHjewBS65unvj-q13Ox_2wzlvx-LutcURCoSGWfWY5xJdEtvZpmcoiGsJkQCx1r5_WO48DIVqURpjN1qhQYWA642k-Uu9RqLfmdTk1ZgMQWfrDZMAZDM58akUYsrzgVRlQlG5DQxi/s4320/P1320504.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe32KS8ngV5jD_4QSepNanFL5taKzw0LiT1lf94YL_Ke5ybRDXKFqcHjewBS65unvj-q13Ox_2wzlvx-LutcURCoSGWfWY5xJdEtvZpmcoiGsJkQCx1r5_WO48DIVqURpjN1qhQYWA642k-Uu9RqLfmdTk1ZgMQWfrDZMAZDM58akUYsrzgVRlQlG5DQxi/w640-h360/P1320504.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a3LF1ompFf5YURZ-a0A8WjlZ6dzEmmnhMV7KUoHI8vcxYZLYsfmX7U93UUuI2h1TQjOk2iOIgBewHDY-2brKlSoGCWN_wNXKLoWgVtSGLZJFuevLw7-BBWkR7Oi1sqgRVrLheieSThUGIOA526y5TG_0F2gxbi0lQuA_8JF74vfvYu8NBfjaRztpswTR/s4320/P1320505.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a3LF1ompFf5YURZ-a0A8WjlZ6dzEmmnhMV7KUoHI8vcxYZLYsfmX7U93UUuI2h1TQjOk2iOIgBewHDY-2brKlSoGCWN_wNXKLoWgVtSGLZJFuevLw7-BBWkR7Oi1sqgRVrLheieSThUGIOA526y5TG_0F2gxbi0lQuA_8JF74vfvYu8NBfjaRztpswTR/w640-h360/P1320505.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVuDYjUqWjk_nhbdNlt4ZeOBEZf-qq7tgj9e5hY7Mb_owvvfLIVeZ8BXClzhmwgxQZnvGS9f52up3WArplncTgGhz85TA7I0cHf_kkOaBk_3cPQSEot_l_Hq_W6cXyJEMlEoWNpcvApEpdDhRpvF9Y5VEDyfAzkSJo7SGiDmImk1Xn8qXmt76xXqWA0Zl/s4320/P1320506.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVuDYjUqWjk_nhbdNlt4ZeOBEZf-qq7tgj9e5hY7Mb_owvvfLIVeZ8BXClzhmwgxQZnvGS9f52up3WArplncTgGhz85TA7I0cHf_kkOaBk_3cPQSEot_l_Hq_W6cXyJEMlEoWNpcvApEpdDhRpvF9Y5VEDyfAzkSJo7SGiDmImk1Xn8qXmt76xXqWA0Zl/w640-h360/P1320506.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNvJLG8yT32qKZdWMa0W2xkqNPA10FoouQyDL01qeBQjEc19nOa9NdBcvIr6_MURM-VdEnqBoq53Upqcf4Q_WhlMrwYXydnd6s9nKCleYZnVybzUkezJAlXaFuIlCOzf7tBgeHLbWqTP55LgdR5X-GzNZktF57r3SdwmxlRUgW7KiMckTIZqh5aioIGgC/s4320/P1320513.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNvJLG8yT32qKZdWMa0W2xkqNPA10FoouQyDL01qeBQjEc19nOa9NdBcvIr6_MURM-VdEnqBoq53Upqcf4Q_WhlMrwYXydnd6s9nKCleYZnVybzUkezJAlXaFuIlCOzf7tBgeHLbWqTP55LgdR5X-GzNZktF57r3SdwmxlRUgW7KiMckTIZqh5aioIGgC/w640-h360/P1320513.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">The Famous Singing Penguins raising money for charity</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__vXx-Q90631Ogy95lNL8-p_RXcF7y4UE0OewSQsau6NlLCdSY8LxM6Wd0UTOEHcyIan_QenmAHy4jdxxXWK5v8VzqMPpEtCoECAYIinf91CLkh_3TOhmyJwxvCRZ5WMbHJpJ0T5lqjoA2aIMWWob0tqOBYWiIOes2xd_f9duKHoTvmw_O8Mxou0sPrGA/s4320/P1320514.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__vXx-Q90631Ogy95lNL8-p_RXcF7y4UE0OewSQsau6NlLCdSY8LxM6Wd0UTOEHcyIan_QenmAHy4jdxxXWK5v8VzqMPpEtCoECAYIinf91CLkh_3TOhmyJwxvCRZ5WMbHJpJ0T5lqjoA2aIMWWob0tqOBYWiIOes2xd_f9duKHoTvmw_O8Mxou0sPrGA/w360-h640/P1320514.JPG" width="360" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgeSWWpyYtRu1pdK5cg8fZZ_F8UnrelVcsYZwjSN9UaJC3TxWMzVDPVHow-aIi-h6lZRO-Uv67IfvYkpHnqx2RSzjcBbiJn6qlOujtTetpzp6ovRTi010wpj-SM8xcMInkq1UCIrgvN2P7NVf3dmXiOf-9yVEsQrQS-HjOJrdXYy1E9oBhMUaiglzaxEq/s4320/P1320545.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgeSWWpyYtRu1pdK5cg8fZZ_F8UnrelVcsYZwjSN9UaJC3TxWMzVDPVHow-aIi-h6lZRO-Uv67IfvYkpHnqx2RSzjcBbiJn6qlOujtTetpzp6ovRTi010wpj-SM8xcMInkq1UCIrgvN2P7NVf3dmXiOf-9yVEsQrQS-HjOJrdXYy1E9oBhMUaiglzaxEq/w640-h360/P1320545.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Nativity St Davids Cathedral</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrUSj01Hgpy4EoLAmqxZUES4-1TRxFfCwAtCJZ76TwOKTev6zGRl7DJuakzfVup9G3cDZ57ncYkv-4AcPV2sYQMuk7H5mZ84iJj0QMfMbv28YmnWUgqbZV6WbSt5CRf4SJh1skJTneZb5Yooowgb_mxRyXxCIdPT0FtLiWgQwDLBU5CI2bxQbLlV7SCKu/s4320/P1320548.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrUSj01Hgpy4EoLAmqxZUES4-1TRxFfCwAtCJZ76TwOKTev6zGRl7DJuakzfVup9G3cDZ57ncYkv-4AcPV2sYQMuk7H5mZ84iJj0QMfMbv28YmnWUgqbZV6WbSt5CRf4SJh1skJTneZb5Yooowgb_mxRyXxCIdPT0FtLiWgQwDLBU5CI2bxQbLlV7SCKu/w360-h640/P1320548.JPG" width="360" /></span></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkv1kPa6peqiJaseDYCoEFEM5PdGmoGf6t2EgXh1n_qxtqljFsOW8lt7hHItJmp2m0DMzDTbMxVhePCmsEHwKXvg5ysuZ-H8euIVYNqcdUhAFsFdcAOqrBt9RxKUHsOj96Zi-UcH3kl3etD7LXwbZSNzJsOy8zQAzTZK9Rfxvt4FMBJLPRJUOxBehzBym/s4320/P1320549.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="2432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkv1kPa6peqiJaseDYCoEFEM5PdGmoGf6t2EgXh1n_qxtqljFsOW8lt7hHItJmp2m0DMzDTbMxVhePCmsEHwKXvg5ysuZ-H8euIVYNqcdUhAFsFdcAOqrBt9RxKUHsOj96Zi-UcH3kl3etD7LXwbZSNzJsOy8zQAzTZK9Rfxvt4FMBJLPRJUOxBehzBym/w360-h640/P1320549.JPG" width="360" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjoIgvCcnr-3ksKIVOaBb8IrbxdtB5P8UHzmnaLEOQhOwwefg7riqBzsqYPpjbblgSQ534QWYPtXPJImGfF388dtxFgeCQzQNK53qufrzLsrHDCyzYWnGajRN7HV649Q6mzqA4BxenP8ywMmQGeFAF9S5qDR0UY5UKqR7opw48FvNNuEFr6W4ViCNWYzv/s4320/P1320578.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjoIgvCcnr-3ksKIVOaBb8IrbxdtB5P8UHzmnaLEOQhOwwefg7riqBzsqYPpjbblgSQ534QWYPtXPJImGfF388dtxFgeCQzQNK53qufrzLsrHDCyzYWnGajRN7HV649Q6mzqA4BxenP8ywMmQGeFAF9S5qDR0UY5UKqR7opw48FvNNuEFr6W4ViCNWYzv/w640-h360/P1320578.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Nativity St Non's Chapel by the Sea</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomP1T9Gu7hcYi8QlNGZ2QBzFgB0eIPTDX87C-Go_FGsarrLYcCyTpQmupGUMQSolteessaIORca948GE3LBLnQrthyphenhyphen5cqXKM1i33wCeuPfly45Re2JI9jJoorCFli0RVJW5roG3oK_Pcmn_OA6L4ryizQ4N2uH_-UPoZX3f56k7e2577VU9j90hyz5DWa/s4320/P1320580.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomP1T9Gu7hcYi8QlNGZ2QBzFgB0eIPTDX87C-Go_FGsarrLYcCyTpQmupGUMQSolteessaIORca948GE3LBLnQrthyphenhyphen5cqXKM1i33wCeuPfly45Re2JI9jJoorCFli0RVJW5roG3oK_Pcmn_OA6L4ryizQ4N2uH_-UPoZX3f56k7e2577VU9j90hyz5DWa/w640-h360/P1320580.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9u29QbQSI2f2BDALGJ8P2F5QGiBfJ91WB49pRkmWS2EBPvUjVY7Ib49rXjAKFnSRo4HgGIm5IYAvZs1x2wIhrUoNw84PVeJ0CflTJLnnBfRBO4s2s0HB5jt5mCrnOtZjD-MzwecArefxREZJO8a2wWWV07cN_oNUiYF5fQ7LSAEe3qVMUtlNwPtu7bnF/s1724/48403548_1822399777887111_4454495476728725504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="4320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqcCZ23GQzZVYWQyo_HhYWpGQV8xI5yWt1x0n2xZwoffGXkW192MCMcHtK83dryct72wsgMOpxIEnnQeu6U9DgjAPrM4bFg05DFkhj5_OMabHqQWvLmCt-a_CliG2XjVQtVOfZZ1Wl9x6a069iitUff0zntKdfrvbaNCRNOyU5jkx29uwAc2aYZHyzYCE/w640-h360/P1320507.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">made for me by a dear friend</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-73cyLXbvXRs3n6274EB8ygr7jD9bO-huAKx-T7eQ4VU9g-CTuZx_fXCtbAyMJfn54BqcZvX81hIfofzFj3JwOm91G2pYCsv8WS3uWL0VCosxBu-7WdEhianwxM2ndC3OgzveH9d5fN_bx4Jpsyr2GOYC6nP2onbwDu38-PPJhBvTOw2RxNUzIgdYSoiW/s2048/1507514_424932164300553_928067708_o_424932164300553.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-73cyLXbvXRs3n6274EB8ygr7jD9bO-huAKx-T7eQ4VU9g-CTuZx_fXCtbAyMJfn54BqcZvX81hIfofzFj3JwOm91G2pYCsv8WS3uWL0VCosxBu-7WdEhianwxM2ndC3OgzveH9d5fN_bx4Jpsyr2GOYC6nP2onbwDu38-PPJhBvTOw2RxNUzIgdYSoiW/w640-h480/1507514_424932164300553_928067708_o_424932164300553.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Home made fresh cranberry relish </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmx-OMr1J50D7SRnjBjXeakUxYaElckrhRMQMkViAl3rwadIJX0olvVL977p_OB1jMTXOYSg-tXXJM9kWXMC4DTMODp6bFONjsEQXTLR_thC3UhokPI2tQekJ8IEKWKAY2E6AgcnnA8R9AtC2ctdOjpBh5PPva1sb17v6hfo3PPVf9H969T0rR_9iAzLX/s1884/P1340364.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmx-OMr1J50D7SRnjBjXeakUxYaElckrhRMQMkViAl3rwadIJX0olvVL977p_OB1jMTXOYSg-tXXJM9kWXMC4DTMODp6bFONjsEQXTLR_thC3UhokPI2tQekJ8IEKWKAY2E6AgcnnA8R9AtC2ctdOjpBh5PPva1sb17v6hfo3PPVf9H969T0rR_9iAzLX/w640-h360/P1340364.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2s1vzqltbxJVBO8G3VnXECRhsssP56AmLJpga6dhKoJavhFFAJs4raG2kkVyHFzfycD0agO3tcD0jr1we7-dFthBD7xMt27fLo7vmPTODvpiqZz5jFv-vrKJMbYvEwa2Tw7WJXhT1SMVcSXrK8i5i8n830-HVHmFIACGd3I2D9cSZagvmMzvEvwZU63bH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2s1vzqltbxJVBO8G3VnXECRhsssP56AmLJpga6dhKoJavhFFAJs4raG2kkVyHFzfycD0agO3tcD0jr1we7-dFthBD7xMt27fLo7vmPTODvpiqZz5jFv-vrKJMbYvEwa2Tw7WJXhT1SMVcSXrK8i5i8n830-HVHmFIACGd3I2D9cSZagvmMzvEvwZU63bH=w640-h360" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ90FoMa-oIadmZpj7bshikePKf8tnXVzZcbWjkzhupQ9r4FHiSfgA7e14Z9ovX4Q_90cad4M8TYd0ahXwt5ZO8HEXMciDxkG3dUpIGC6NmhQ2_4LMHVxCBPXMIhOb0ERTf7SlzlEcFrbBX9OwepHhJDDRclAC_DloLaU0L_BJcGys0nZ1bq7FYYsTIimP/s1884/P1340361.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ90FoMa-oIadmZpj7bshikePKf8tnXVzZcbWjkzhupQ9r4FHiSfgA7e14Z9ovX4Q_90cad4M8TYd0ahXwt5ZO8HEXMciDxkG3dUpIGC6NmhQ2_4LMHVxCBPXMIhOb0ERTf7SlzlEcFrbBX9OwepHhJDDRclAC_DloLaU0L_BJcGys0nZ1bq7FYYsTIimP/w640-h360/P1340361.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Vintage cake decorations</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZVXGqwkHcTAEN6gHFSuk1EkadvqGI2ufOG56LtBGE2q5zpp3de4q0EPUCmFGGE91LWqCCasJxxQbxHWfw0Q1Wtb6yd3-fxp8nQ7BBVrWbm8N3cNK98Slj-zObKE7wepYDAcD4TX2pBHQepS8hcXAdkPTYMUfSzaRHVGWL2Wf-kOQGqDXzEgvMxFIzQIf/s2448/20201222_141152.jpg" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZVXGqwkHcTAEN6gHFSuk1EkadvqGI2ufOG56LtBGE2q5zpp3de4q0EPUCmFGGE91LWqCCasJxxQbxHWfw0Q1Wtb6yd3-fxp8nQ7BBVrWbm8N3cNK98Slj-zObKE7wepYDAcD4TX2pBHQepS8hcXAdkPTYMUfSzaRHVGWL2Wf-kOQGqDXzEgvMxFIzQIf/w640-h640/20201222_141152.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Christmas reading samples in Christmas colours</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGYH5DzoHl7mzX49d6qW7fC-hxs8hUDIsc6zpqDPyaP07lvjCXL6o8ZoJy9zS7zV_xVsNNdMePtn3d9N6cjZ5D4cLoX-DGy_dEjtov6gKnrERqaAK71Dylz5sNpwGZNPSGJH6XMrF2PfVGZAHblfwPOYRtyA4Sbb488OJ1tIctbHFpilvlJCbItATCrLaz" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="499" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGYH5DzoHl7mzX49d6qW7fC-hxs8hUDIsc6zpqDPyaP07lvjCXL6o8ZoJy9zS7zV_xVsNNdMePtn3d9N6cjZ5D4cLoX-DGy_dEjtov6gKnrERqaAK71Dylz5sNpwGZNPSGJH6XMrF2PfVGZAHblfwPOYRtyA4Sbb488OJ1tIctbHFpilvlJCbItATCrLaz=w499-h640" width="499" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">My Special Nativity</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you all have good food, good friends and fellowship to share your day, and may your Christmas dreams and wishes all come true.</div></span></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;">Nadolig Llawen</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;">i </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;">chi gyd </span></b></div><p><br /></p>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com124QQ8W3FX+M8-34.0758262 126.0983114-62.386060036178847 90.9420614 -5.7655923638211561 161.2545614tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-39430032260630840812023-12-22T00:00:00.001+00:002023-12-22T05:10:32.088+00:00The Winter Solstice and The Deer Mother<span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">With the advent of the Winter Solstice, I have been doing a little research which led me to a very interesting discovery of a new to me mythology.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">It began when I asked Google to find me the date and time of the Winter Solstice 2023 and I was told it is on Friday 22nd December at 0327. I have learned over the years that the Solstice isn't on a fixed date but falls on or around the 21st of December, varying slightly annually. This prompted me to ask Google how the exact time and date is calculated, much in the way that Easter is not a fixed feast in the Christian calendar. It's a complicated {well, to me it is complicated} calculation. I won't go into details for fear of embarrassing myself, but if you are interested you can look <a href="http://en.chinaculture.org/focus/focus/2010dongzhi/2010-12/22/content_402244.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">While I was pootling about, I stumbled across some interesting articles referring to the mythology of the Deer Mother. I was immediately pulled in as I have never heard of this mythology. So what is this mythology? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">The Deer Mother is an antlered female shamanic spirit of Winter in which one of our most beloved traditions of Christmas is founded. As this unfolds, no explanation of what that tradition is will be needed.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-weight: var(--cib-type-title3-font-weight);"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><b><u>The Legend of the Deer Mother</u></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-weight: var(--cib-type-title3-font-weight);"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-weight: var(--cib-type-title3-font-weight);"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Once upon a time in the snow covered North of long, dark nights, lived a tribe who honoured the spirit Deer Mother, guardian of wild places and bringer of the light during the darkness. During rituals surrounding the Winter Solstice she would appear to the tribe as they gathered to honour her in a sacred grove, her hooves barely touching the snow. As she danced her antlers sparkled and snowflakes flowed in intricate patterns about her head. The tribe knew she brought protection, hope, and fertility with the coming of Spring.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-weight: var(--cib-type-title3-font-weight);"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-weight: var(--cib-type-title3-font-weight);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlA-OQFaEGQLN6c6upyojsAiDrNmO8ke-R__aLyI65Jz4A4pGbNB_Q90JFLvUCFZbGRCfKzB8G2_DV8o0bU_FpuQXJweOxfohdZQtD6zl0IBZwYXPz9uxr_ZBCTvHGijWetRPmGSaW7Hgo0yx82pfjqwStvQAi9qgm9w1g2-hGynxsKSJaXJrq-hznzHi/s2048/ASG%20Nimue%20Colour%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlA-OQFaEGQLN6c6upyojsAiDrNmO8ke-R__aLyI65Jz4A4pGbNB_Q90JFLvUCFZbGRCfKzB8G2_DV8o0bU_FpuQXJweOxfohdZQtD6zl0IBZwYXPz9uxr_ZBCTvHGijWetRPmGSaW7Hgo0yx82pfjqwStvQAi9qgm9w1g2-hGynxsKSJaXJrq-hznzHi/w360-h640/ASG%20Nimue%20Colour%202.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">It is said that the Deer Mother’s antlers held a secret hidden star that could guide lost travellers home and that those who glimpsed it were forever changed, their hearts filled with wonder and purpose. Some say that the Northern Lights are but reflections of her celestial antlers, a reminder that magic still exists in the world.</span></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">She is said to drive her sleigh across the skies during the longest night, to drive away the darkness and ensure the return of the light. </span></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Long before we told the story of S<span style="background-color: white;">iôn </span><span style="background-color: white;">Corn, Father Christmas, Santa, or whatever you call the jolly old man in the red suit and white beard, the Deer Mother was racing across our Winter Solstice skies. How many realise that the sleigh is pulled not by Rudolph but by a female reindeer? Male reindeer shed their antlers while the does retain theirs. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Siôn </span><span style="background-color: white;">Corn's lead reindeer has antlers, and is therefore female. The herds of reindeer are led in Winter by does and every time we tell s</span><span style="background-color: white;">tories of Santa and his flying reindeer we are actually telling the story of the ancient Deer Mother of old for it was she who once flew through winter’s longest darkest night with the life-giving light of the sun in her horns.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;">The legend of the Deer Mother is present in many cultures across Northern Eurpe and Russia. I have given you a brief glimpse of one, s</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939;">o this Christmas season, on the Winter Solstice, take a moment to remember the winter goddess </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #393939; font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;">of old and her magical reindeer on the sacred night when the sun is reborn, look for the Deer Mother flying across starry skies.</span></p><div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><em><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">May the Deer Mother’s light shine upon you, dear traveler, and may your path be guided by her gentle wisdom.</span></em></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></div><div><span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><div>Until next time</div><div>Stay safe stay well</div><div>Debbie xx</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); color: #111111; font-variation-settings: var(--cib-type-body2-font-variation-settings); line-height: var(--cib-type-body2-line-height); margin: 12px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; word-break: break-word;"><br /></p></div><div><br /></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-78458936264718594162023-12-16T12:45:00.000+00:002023-12-16T12:45:06.363+00:00More Crafty Makes<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello friends!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I know I promised you a special post leaving you with a bit of a cliffhanger and keeping you in suspenders. However, life, or in this case Christmas gets in the way and that might be a post or two away now. I hope to get that special post up before Christmas.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">This is just a quick share of some crafty makes I've been doing, this is what got in the way of the special announcement post. I love making small boxes and custom envelopes to accommodate gifts. I do my best to make the boxes reusable. I've made quite a few for myself for different purposes. I put my index card art in them and they fit perfectly because I customize the size to fit. Anyway, I hope the recipients will either reuse the boxes for gifting or better still use them for storing small bits and bobs in maybe in their dresser drawer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I made this box using 300gsm cardstock and strengthened it by lining it with the same card. So I suppose that makes it 600 gsm. I used a Martha Stewart Snowflake border punch and I colored in the band using alcohol ink and then I stuck that to the box which also gave extra rigidity. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0pTU-2GzWp3IGAPGwfOz4H6hp2sAt6CA7jOiwMsXbhLaCSwEdg-sqHuqhYDDS0YocWmYGoGMjZD3mXiB6WHPmll4oe3FG1xliL62c110EJ4wdG3cBUNf3yQPuLc6pw-8M-n3RIff3FzuYrKd6OQ8jxrLnAxp4DMktXg_18vbPe8qmQzM4XiStVgcpXDl/s4000/IMG_20231215_175420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0pTU-2GzWp3IGAPGwfOz4H6hp2sAt6CA7jOiwMsXbhLaCSwEdg-sqHuqhYDDS0YocWmYGoGMjZD3mXiB6WHPmll4oe3FG1xliL62c110EJ4wdG3cBUNf3yQPuLc6pw-8M-n3RIff3FzuYrKd6OQ8jxrLnAxp4DMktXg_18vbPe8qmQzM4XiStVgcpXDl/w640-h360/IMG_20231215_175420.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHOdwkbeh1UdNwtwemP_zLmL9gANq6ugIBTMlwlD251fC8PZVc2z8ARUxy6cC88ioaQDnnNPDcleD0S4TwbUV5hOFfIqFZF56IALl0AG1PJFSgQ49QJjNEzcQlOmYcSvDppPCKsnWKC6tJwRLZURwP20oGWWECw_V2m3qwosIca7v1HI0pSHgbzoAUQpm/s4000/IMG_20231215_175057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHOdwkbeh1UdNwtwemP_zLmL9gANq6ugIBTMlwlD251fC8PZVc2z8ARUxy6cC88ioaQDnnNPDcleD0S4TwbUV5hOFfIqFZF56IALl0AG1PJFSgQ49QJjNEzcQlOmYcSvDppPCKsnWKC6tJwRLZURwP20oGWWECw_V2m3qwosIca7v1HI0pSHgbzoAUQpm/w640-h360/IMG_20231215_175057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZ38PFpmFQPnDXOnv3ZxE2HhZm2zCk7gjvUjY0wFZdJVDSveupEwOxqQfpSTXRoP2FHxOdg7lBh1h2-ucocpqXbVXRlgoGfuNSdj9jzTWOkOEX6OFxgsVl6JuyAy8Uh2K8M6ITQtG3kPPVZLeHC9R5JtJrN2TzfmH1m9p23MiDAKXP9NyhR7-8EpDxAAZ/s4000/IMG_20231215_175005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZ38PFpmFQPnDXOnv3ZxE2HhZm2zCk7gjvUjY0wFZdJVDSveupEwOxqQfpSTXRoP2FHxOdg7lBh1h2-ucocpqXbVXRlgoGfuNSdj9jzTWOkOEX6OFxgsVl6JuyAy8Uh2K8M6ITQtG3kPPVZLeHC9R5JtJrN2TzfmH1m9p23MiDAKXP9NyhR7-8EpDxAAZ/w640-h360/IMG_20231215_175005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5abiCi88bo71r1MR_6aVE5e4rAuCzCXMso0c2A7dMiLDFBI5ka6XxSkv350vMJd6lN5mVAubC1uEexZCdGaKcstWY5GyFJL7f6YmycnFIpQUHveoBQZ3c5JPWf8s4PkMbNO_3CtMpo4wCOy8wAeHbyjqp7cT7_rY-hYbiUzNOkmibUdUyATHevEFgP7V/s4000/IMG_20231215_175029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5abiCi88bo71r1MR_6aVE5e4rAuCzCXMso0c2A7dMiLDFBI5ka6XxSkv350vMJd6lN5mVAubC1uEexZCdGaKcstWY5GyFJL7f6YmycnFIpQUHveoBQZ3c5JPWf8s4PkMbNO_3CtMpo4wCOy8wAeHbyjqp7cT7_rY-hYbiUzNOkmibUdUyATHevEFgP7V/w640-h360/IMG_20231215_175029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I then had to make an envelope for a CD. I used a different type of punch to make a band around the outside.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcVcAY8WP58OMHfO6UFZ6ZoaGlV5FNypV7BRGVqdM3CAKjvPM2cCLo2TqJhoECKj5EQ_4yCpn_UuFI8CBTw-mq5ZHD5VnZZC1474m6uIyOgooGkVEtvpe2JsjMATaF3jMiMUSsq5khaCGHnnmBEe2aw8TLrn18Cx24xQ_30J-lOmMZHZt1qhU-CnkzlSR/s4000/IMG_20231215_174926_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcVcAY8WP58OMHfO6UFZ6ZoaGlV5FNypV7BRGVqdM3CAKjvPM2cCLo2TqJhoECKj5EQ_4yCpn_UuFI8CBTw-mq5ZHD5VnZZC1474m6uIyOgooGkVEtvpe2JsjMATaF3jMiMUSsq5khaCGHnnmBEe2aw8TLrn18Cx24xQ_30J-lOmMZHZt1qhU-CnkzlSR/w640-h360/IMG_20231215_174926_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRtN5Dm-fs-FNrSS7wdef3FjJPkREtqHvZVEX1mj3Y5oaMcGQDTpCuNB413TmML_daZFX-oG5lOhddEQMCaN9UjgRlBGigUbMQLz1nhUiumdvXEtTqhcIFkowdpxHxm-7yV9SdyJr0W2Y9EWjbaAR3R5BRbNVOYbYA9VmnfGhL61ZGZZ3vkfs6xPw8wzv/s4000/IMG_20231215_174914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRtN5Dm-fs-FNrSS7wdef3FjJPkREtqHvZVEX1mj3Y5oaMcGQDTpCuNB413TmML_daZFX-oG5lOhddEQMCaN9UjgRlBGigUbMQLz1nhUiumdvXEtTqhcIFkowdpxHxm-7yV9SdyJr0W2Y9EWjbaAR3R5BRbNVOYbYA9VmnfGhL61ZGZZ3vkfs6xPw8wzv/w640-h360/IMG_20231215_174914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-oKUO5VbM9zaJJhgkuo_a7Ovd67K7FVFGIoRDElXWzcQihixWic-AmdpqeDB7Kfz9YPNRGHF9WblXXIdbslm_6LmVyeVpE_oGjwGVBoZJ_YugYQ9nVoy9GWSBlp23Xeh8V-iCLZSlXbu7H7YOOOwpQXWgmL0pD4KQPhWxCZYMwnjZpPiwrClcNxaxJu2/s4000/IMG_20231215_175516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-oKUO5VbM9zaJJhgkuo_a7Ovd67K7FVFGIoRDElXWzcQihixWic-AmdpqeDB7Kfz9YPNRGHF9WblXXIdbslm_6LmVyeVpE_oGjwGVBoZJ_YugYQ9nVoy9GWSBlp23Xeh8V-iCLZSlXbu7H7YOOOwpQXWgmL0pD4KQPhWxCZYMwnjZpPiwrClcNxaxJu2/w640-h360/IMG_20231215_175516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Finally, using the same type of punch, but with a different design I made this greetings card. It's a very clever punch. It's just one motif, but it comes with instructions on how to place it to make an all over pattern. After I punched it out in the red card I cut a piece of plain glitter paper for a liner underneath. I used the same type of glitter paper to back the motif, which was cut out on the back of the envelope. I do like to do things that coordinate or tie in with each other. and punching the motif on the back of the envelope ties it all together.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWxy6-4w8heUz6l4Z4hEpHxroeyI0-BIsuT0gOUoJAzL3IIYQUh1TLCFAsFpdGMPDLYW5GhUdEuxLk7lzR150x5V_ig3bWzmUdj_TY6KhYrwUqjVVD7W1W9-W20Hx8bqZrN-GiIxLeNPdwrfCLeDzouvp6QNnZS2zDGujA88FXBdRc4fi7EQL7X_V9yBn/s2076/IMG_20231216_100258~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2076" data-original-width="2073" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWxy6-4w8heUz6l4Z4hEpHxroeyI0-BIsuT0gOUoJAzL3IIYQUh1TLCFAsFpdGMPDLYW5GhUdEuxLk7lzR150x5V_ig3bWzmUdj_TY6KhYrwUqjVVD7W1W9-W20Hx8bqZrN-GiIxLeNPdwrfCLeDzouvp6QNnZS2zDGujA88FXBdRc4fi7EQL7X_V9yBn/w640-h640/IMG_20231216_100258~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVnVrg7SmUsLamjzBwh1c_xLiAuQ251gedh_DJ43IRzpVWGQ9fXRBJA16ToOmuLI7Guw1PoBqUOg0877vnsftXnJJkf7STcDOyi5YhKIdR9vJfwV4gfejFVqVfep3gPjjIP2YjhJ1ZaNPDJIcxkpkKvv7sXbK4LPSBoW6Vk5BrDQJ5hl257sby_O4g1ld/s2253/IMG_20231216_091715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVnVrg7SmUsLamjzBwh1c_xLiAuQ251gedh_DJ43IRzpVWGQ9fXRBJA16ToOmuLI7Guw1PoBqUOg0877vnsftXnJJkf7STcDOyi5YhKIdR9vJfwV4gfejFVqVfep3gPjjIP2YjhJ1ZaNPDJIcxkpkKvv7sXbK4LPSBoW6Vk5BrDQJ5hl257sby_O4g1ld/w640-h640/IMG_20231216_091715.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLA_J6OfJAiup0dfxe6orgdfvdP0pKe6Wv0A5xDnpsgCw_hizHCJlrV-UXkWNCW5nQECwOkoGTAAenP7Db1qldPvjkn9Pl0EzmtQbYQqoAdzIkRuF8fbXUFV5FuYDUQvsgrx7ugL2gTUCPWHrr_VBKHBOra1x0ciDvX-OvaO2Cn_vmJqsDz1O1XM9RsD7e/s1808/IMG_20231216_100258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="1805" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLA_J6OfJAiup0dfxe6orgdfvdP0pKe6Wv0A5xDnpsgCw_hizHCJlrV-UXkWNCW5nQECwOkoGTAAenP7Db1qldPvjkn9Pl0EzmtQbYQqoAdzIkRuF8fbXUFV5FuYDUQvsgrx7ugL2gTUCPWHrr_VBKHBOra1x0ciDvX-OvaO2Cn_vmJqsDz1O1XM9RsD7e/w638-h640/IMG_20231216_100258.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrsrRDBBOwItDetmwhYQuoeP9RXSRYRPyAcPNKnJdm9Oz3Azuh1__9vqbYT5UBcKC3x4l5dQwbXCkZCuJNuzE3-gc__NnOP84rA9NIhvAcbGz7anoyCFJhI6PxfoU3mq0yA5CMzBlMyGbhwHcgt_No2IGAOVMHN5ifEgc4CQmIUCH91p0rD2xNEN5-WIW/s699/IMG_20231216_095833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="699" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrsrRDBBOwItDetmwhYQuoeP9RXSRYRPyAcPNKnJdm9Oz3Azuh1__9vqbYT5UBcKC3x4l5dQwbXCkZCuJNuzE3-gc__NnOP84rA9NIhvAcbGz7anoyCFJhI6PxfoU3mq0yA5CMzBlMyGbhwHcgt_No2IGAOVMHN5ifEgc4CQmIUCH91p0rD2xNEN5-WIW/w640-h640/IMG_20231216_095833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGysRmoVT7z5nEZGg3jseSDW6FLTYleyN9ylkWDkEjxMS-acdbJvI9XXX5Nj0mQ__cQ6ls9W2-TzrWG0VmWzFH-3hfI4vQwovjTk3aAsXLkKJA7GWsJRyFyyo7q_ZvqmhXLDmZa2YJHQZ78RDIK4KuVJu7DR3HSARkMA729_cDlgaD3HWQlyBkOr54Ehyphenhyphena/s2253/IMG_20231216_091814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGysRmoVT7z5nEZGg3jseSDW6FLTYleyN9ylkWDkEjxMS-acdbJvI9XXX5Nj0mQ__cQ6ls9W2-TzrWG0VmWzFH-3hfI4vQwovjTk3aAsXLkKJA7GWsJRyFyyo7q_ZvqmhXLDmZa2YJHQZ78RDIK4KuVJu7DR3HSARkMA729_cDlgaD3HWQlyBkOr54Ehyphenhyphena/w640-h640/IMG_20231216_091814.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I've had these punches, and many more Martha Stewart products, for years and not bothered using them. So it's high time I did something with them, don't you think? I am notorious for buying things that seem like a good idea at the time, then they languish in boxes and drawers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Had the pandemic not happened, and had my health not failed me so, it had been my intention to set up a small cottage industry making custom designed cards and boxes for sale as a supplementary income. It was not to be.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe stay well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie. xx</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-6975298339873145222023-12-12T17:27:00.004+00:002023-12-12T20:02:33.529+00:00Handmade Tags<p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Thank you to everyone for your lovely comments on my previous blog. I was apprehensive over the subject matter, but your responses gave me a Big Thumbs Up! I'm so happy so many of you enjoyed what I feel is a fascinating subject.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I came across a very simple technique for making tie on tags using recycled tissue paper, so thought I'd share it. All you need is some clean, used tissue paper preferably the absorbent kind, not the coated kind although that will work. Some pva glue, a paintbrush, spritz water bottle, and a rubber stamp. You will need something to punch a hole and something to tie the tag with, and optional gilding wax.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Here's what I did.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">First, I scrumpled up the tissue paper into a ball, gave it a good squeeze to get it all wrinkly, which helps make it absorbent. I then flattened it out and put a couple of layers down on a non absorbent surface, such as a glass craft mat and spritzed it with water. Damp it, don't soak it. I then took some lightly diluted pva glue and lightly brushed over the damp tissue paper then added a couple of more layers of paper, spritzed and glued, and repeated this until I had about eight or ten layers of paper stuck together every two layers with some PVA glue. Finish with just dampened paper. I then took the stamp of my choice and pressed it down firmly into the damp paper until it made a good impression. I then left it all to dry overnight.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Once it was fully dry, I cut out around the round the shape then using a bradawl I carefully pierced a hole for the tag. You can use the whole punch if you have one. The design wasn't showing up as well as I would have liked it too, so I took some of my gilding wax and just lightly brushed it using my fore finger. You could just lightly sponge on some "dry" paint if you don't have gilding wax</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Using the thread of your choice, secure the tag to your present. Simple. but very effective. Here's my finished tags</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWmpblRqHrpDMaQVdctzwoCe07YkpO9ogXrjbK-0yJwiaHAQGZIzF-DCSZOGpaAIr8dHPo4qwulSVqFQT8iuhPz2P8SYSh4ZdtB2UqDSQbUaGwONvR70iK6FfnXo2Yk2vlFjFHYQVkaZF_u_54VA1pAtwboXEuXPH9sfQFmg-oTDdJShQW0tdhaix9B1d/s4000/IMG_20231212_123900_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWmpblRqHrpDMaQVdctzwoCe07YkpO9ogXrjbK-0yJwiaHAQGZIzF-DCSZOGpaAIr8dHPo4qwulSVqFQT8iuhPz2P8SYSh4ZdtB2UqDSQbUaGwONvR70iK6FfnXo2Yk2vlFjFHYQVkaZF_u_54VA1pAtwboXEuXPH9sfQFmg-oTDdJShQW0tdhaix9B1d/w640-h360/IMG_20231212_123900_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAK8-wf8K9vx6FSKpJc5Ww2vTVNwyCJqpNvAZJdihZc5XJxZbgImMzRVOfctArEd4AH3JxXZZ4O2jO57C61JgkSt-tfWg8CCvpfN98_fr6LN4z-BcTw9fkFswGjZmNE3ZFzuDKhuWNHU9hb0Dg-TtPIlpQDftzFEpcQVmUVxQ2Gg_n-jcq-MnPylmnYuQ/s4000/IMG_20231212_123822_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAK8-wf8K9vx6FSKpJc5Ww2vTVNwyCJqpNvAZJdihZc5XJxZbgImMzRVOfctArEd4AH3JxXZZ4O2jO57C61JgkSt-tfWg8CCvpfN98_fr6LN4z-BcTw9fkFswGjZmNE3ZFzuDKhuWNHU9hb0Dg-TtPIlpQDftzFEpcQVmUVxQ2Gg_n-jcq-MnPylmnYuQ/w640-h360/IMG_20231212_123822_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamP8Wd4rGDeWnru-lcOYHMXtJNWS1Q_7QEsS3mn50uQLp0853zaJo74zM2AnwD26a-pz9YbedJ0PZcy7TAVqLnijMGZDjvGOSALuyaoarSj78CffpCq2B3YkakhYUh-EO8KnQdyHnXIBkXk8Qa2tDW6KIiYPNo5b273BrLS1AySczZQwYb3YK-9HrpCZP/s4000/IMG_20231212_123729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamP8Wd4rGDeWnru-lcOYHMXtJNWS1Q_7QEsS3mn50uQLp0853zaJo74zM2AnwD26a-pz9YbedJ0PZcy7TAVqLnijMGZDjvGOSALuyaoarSj78CffpCq2B3YkakhYUh-EO8KnQdyHnXIBkXk8Qa2tDW6KIiYPNo5b273BrLS1AySczZQwYb3YK-9HrpCZP/w360-h640/IMG_20231212_123729.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ1epNmmGWX3uVO9iGoQy17TOWd9F348G4u2rWEgOq-Vo-NZA2UKYrVg9YxlMwE0FaEijLgK-SexuRhPuFHZfuaeHSaHwbD6zjfyXX1jCTJWK3BDaj3VUZrEmm4ptzw13fDntyit1Iyx-52oeB_36wEQHi_ghYUf8q2jTeqYbEK7Khvv5gf1-6a-d8pDp/s4000/IMG_20231212_123722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ1epNmmGWX3uVO9iGoQy17TOWd9F348G4u2rWEgOq-Vo-NZA2UKYrVg9YxlMwE0FaEijLgK-SexuRhPuFHZfuaeHSaHwbD6zjfyXX1jCTJWK3BDaj3VUZrEmm4ptzw13fDntyit1Iyx-52oeB_36wEQHi_ghYUf8q2jTeqYbEK7Khvv5gf1-6a-d8pDp/w360-h640/IMG_20231212_123722.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe stay well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie. xx</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">P.S. I'm "really excited" about my next blog to be published, so keep an eye on this page in a few days!</span></div><br />Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-37240754947293957722023-12-08T20:11:00.013+00:002023-12-09T00:47:55.834+00:00Hagiography<p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;">One of my lesser-known interests, I don't call it a hobby, is hagiography. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hagiography is the history of the lives of the Saints, a sort of biography of holy people. I developed an interest in hagiography when I was studying art history for one of my degrees. It is a fundamental tool for any studies involving the art of the Rennaissance, where images are full of symbolism which would have been as well known to the contemporaries of the era on all levels of society in a way that we, for the most part, do not relate to. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">During the Rennaissance very few people could read, so pictures and paintings depicted stories to educate the masses much in the same way comic books illustrate a story without words today. Churches were full of illuminated images of biblical stories, and everyone could read the story depicted knowing the central characters by identifying their attributes. Art was a way of teaching, as well as giving people something to focus on when attending services in the days before printed Bibles and hymnals.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Colour was important, as I will explain, and every saint is depicted holding an attribute which is something particularly associated with each individual. For example, a symbol of their martyrdom or something that was a dominant feature of their life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">The palm, frond or branch, is sacred to many religions, and to most of us is probably best known for being cast before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem on what is now known as Palm Sunday. Consequently, most Christian saints are depicted holding a palm frond as an attribute of their faith, and distinguishing them from lay people in crowd scenes. It is symbolic of triumph, victory, peace and eternal life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Probably the most important colour in hagiography is lapis blue. Lapis blue paint is a pigment made from the expensive and highly prized mineral composite Lapis Lazuli. Due to it's costly nature, it was reserved only for the most important saints, so the most important of all saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary is immediately identifiable as she is almost always depicted in Lapis Blue. Amongst other things Lapis is symbolic of transcendence, purity, royalty, and the divine. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Saints were immediately identifiable by their attributes. In the main, attributes were symbolic of a saint's martyrdom, although not always as not all saints were martyred, sometimes they indicated the prominent events or characteristics of the venerated. Some examples of attributes are:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Saint Catherine: a broken wheel {tortured and condemned to death in a spiked wheel which broke when it touched her; the origin of the firework that bears her name}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Saint Laurence: a gridiron {grilled to death}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Saint Barbara: chains and a tower {imprisonment and torture}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Saint Peter: keys {keeper to the Gates of Heaven} upside down cross {crucifixion}:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">St David: Bishop with a white dove on his shoulder {appeared to him}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hildegard of Bingen: book {prolific writer}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Francis of Assisi: Stigmata {first person known to experience this}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Joseph: Carpentry tools</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">John the Baptist: a lamb {the one chosen by God to baptise Jesus Christ}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Mary Magdelene: Alabaster box {a myrrh bearer; anointed the feet of Jesus}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Patrick: A shamrock, snakes {the Trinity; he expelled all the snakes from Ireland}</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">David depicted with a dove on his shoulder and a Bishop's crozier, rood screen St David's Cathedral</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmN6k2X6x9wVWxR0fhFhTAWJqKAgnorwirMGXs4istu3HVVdoeuMyNJX-KqX9lOJPn5QZyjOj5f7v9GB9fOhY9hu6qpl5Q95cig1e8yDRmqUUu7tgmVNFGszQBWEbwm2chSjzCGyz7Ho_CoWuaIdOtzu1RuZL6gswPZGJf_dtvxa_qWf0dJWkBQf0kI-e/s630/1527010_427142157412887_1363361831_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmN6k2X6x9wVWxR0fhFhTAWJqKAgnorwirMGXs4istu3HVVdoeuMyNJX-KqX9lOJPn5QZyjOj5f7v9GB9fOhY9hu6qpl5Q95cig1e8yDRmqUUu7tgmVNFGszQBWEbwm2chSjzCGyz7Ho_CoWuaIdOtzu1RuZL6gswPZGJf_dtvxa_qWf0dJWkBQf0kI-e/w480-h640/1527010_427142157412887_1363361831_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">The Four Apostles are depicted thus:<br /><br />Matthew: A winged man, or an angel</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Mark: A winged lion</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Luke: A winged ox or bull</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">John: An eagle</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">and they are depicted N,S,E,W positions of this beautiful Rose Window in the west wall of St David's Cathedral.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Hf0cElNkpMTw0tbKrx9RUH79j0xe_8UJjjbHRL_pL40eOsQNaxzQg1dVDvBLW5eB3ovYDea1SAKi79rUdSIKQdtBfKBtW_janUfJVld8FakHfIzEs6q2mh15eH_e8HD7npiOl_NsIc5jq4bpAsQcjOcdvaMb0tGE85QxDwi3Sr5gHUcOIhWptlOs_qg/s512/P1350682%20(2)A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Hf0cElNkpMTw0tbKrx9RUH79j0xe_8UJjjbHRL_pL40eOsQNaxzQg1dVDvBLW5eB3ovYDea1SAKi79rUdSIKQdtBfKBtW_janUfJVld8FakHfIzEs6q2mh15eH_e8HD7npiOl_NsIc5jq4bpAsQcjOcdvaMb0tGE85QxDwi3Sr5gHUcOIhWptlOs_qg/w638-h640/P1350682%20(2)A.jpg" width="638" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">As mentioned earlier, a knowledge of hagiography and saintly attributes is an essential tool for any scholar of history. I find it a fascinating area of study, and hope you have found it interesting. It is something which without it, it can be impossible to understand many works of art, particularly pre the era of printed books.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe, stay well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie xx </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-40511886466362407162023-12-04T06:46:00.002+00:002023-12-04T18:33:18.801+00:00Christmas in Iceland<p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I thought today I'd share a little bit about Christmas in Iceland. In some ways, it is similar to Christmas in Wales but in other ways, it is very different indeed. First, we'll take a brief look at the National Folk Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik. It's a small collection of traditional Icelandic buildings constructed from wood and turf.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><i>Please note: the majority of these photographs are photographs of the original 35mm film images.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">National Museum of Iceland </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjG1PdECd-na5yJNjVEDBAx00wLh7Q_lUswOnqP1ce2QWd6WYE9jdmP4MbaQiyF7ZqEroXtwo1NbvWGXYwdujQeUpcCIqPCT1PjD-Z3AbpPE_r3Tl20soqQyp3QUDJEKqoKk0t4nvyhRs3WaKkxMgSVY3j7X7ZRU2UnjYTTn7OgsC0HlGjzc8Y6UQTc7D/s1440/national-folk-museum2_8079559578_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1440" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjG1PdECd-na5yJNjVEDBAx00wLh7Q_lUswOnqP1ce2QWd6WYE9jdmP4MbaQiyF7ZqEroXtwo1NbvWGXYwdujQeUpcCIqPCT1PjD-Z3AbpPE_r3Tl20soqQyp3QUDJEKqoKk0t4nvyhRs3WaKkxMgSVY3j7X7ZRU2UnjYTTn7OgsC0HlGjzc8Y6UQTc7D/w640-h448/national-folk-museum2_8079559578_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNR0JlrqSqvL641vJoIZorQMCLfNB54mGF2LYzS5Ukok-6VF_bmB6FzoTBykkR_59ainvJbuHky0Wom3FwKkXNMbjGYhaBuIR_AVoKID6v5rlUP2wIREasrFWHYXhn8e128DYMD9WE3hx0bRex1Vigj05ylWi-z4Y590YGaOaQbFcUepMQxooqJaxPRD8/s1432/national-folk-museum_8079603803_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1432" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNR0JlrqSqvL641vJoIZorQMCLfNB54mGF2LYzS5Ukok-6VF_bmB6FzoTBykkR_59ainvJbuHky0Wom3FwKkXNMbjGYhaBuIR_AVoKID6v5rlUP2wIREasrFWHYXhn8e128DYMD9WE3hx0bRex1Vigj05ylWi-z4Y590YGaOaQbFcUepMQxooqJaxPRD8/w640-h450/national-folk-museum_8079603803_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY48-nIve0FSELp8hs-38N7Wvy8BkYRhLy98-Ink6jTjGtZlFyKT_eq_ozfjN9c0Ds_eyp9ZtRObDoPj1mqPY_usf1jURcXfhQHwC0qvsAqPJrcNhrDI3nhyphenhyphennSHFIYWUaJq5AvNIbdSikh9cfGYlqw_Io50IPma5_KKLLo5gRLDXXsn8hD6U6U3XIrFq3/s1436/icelandic-house01_8079603979_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1436" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY48-nIve0FSELp8hs-38N7Wvy8BkYRhLy98-Ink6jTjGtZlFyKT_eq_ozfjN9c0Ds_eyp9ZtRObDoPj1mqPY_usf1jURcXfhQHwC0qvsAqPJrcNhrDI3nhyphenhyphennSHFIYWUaJq5AvNIbdSikh9cfGYlqw_Io50IPma5_KKLLo5gRLDXXsn8hD6U6U3XIrFq3/w640-h444/icelandic-house01_8079603979_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">A small brass band entertains, while the guide in the foreground is wearing a traditional cloak woven from Icelandic sheep fleece. She will be warm and cosy in her cloak, whatever the weather. It was a very beautiful garment, of which I was quite envious!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR5ki8Fx9s7ewVGkfqPFJOVB2VS9udH2YnYQo8XsGbqJ6ix1mjYXDjNyT4cy9NOrtEGEjEGjqOzQmrNtxB_r3Xtcbn_9PBuLcuJ_lEm4_5cH3kk159UxEt4sayGhvA9u2i_2-jDKJYHc3ouk0DLapDUCkcylee7HdCCSXN6xk_bMjp08fRJImEEfEyLdt/s1451/icelandic-christmas-festivities_8079569712_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="1017" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR5ki8Fx9s7ewVGkfqPFJOVB2VS9udH2YnYQo8XsGbqJ6ix1mjYXDjNyT4cy9NOrtEGEjEGjqOzQmrNtxB_r3Xtcbn_9PBuLcuJ_lEm4_5cH3kk159UxEt4sayGhvA9u2i_2-jDKJYHc3ouk0DLapDUCkcylee7HdCCSXN6xk_bMjp08fRJImEEfEyLdt/w448-h640/icelandic-christmas-festivities_8079569712_o.jpg" width="448" /></span></a>l</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">A few various photographs of interiors. There is a traditional fir tree as we would know it, however, the majority of the decorations will be handcrafted. Very often they are made out of recycled materials. Until fairly recently, post WWII, importing of manufactured goods to Iceland was often intermittent, unreliable and expensive, so there is a strong history of make do and mend, recycling and upcycling. Improvements to transport may have changed all that now, but the museum continues to preserve the ethos of bygone days.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Jcd1_0uNEi3HjAEy-pN03YZmFU83dZL8GvVMTmJDufnDvzfs3BdS3IBtaRErsnsXyw3KKBX-_-dRYfNy96qpjpbQ-gi4HK6r3mfsmNGnqf7Gn9gGW5H_FepByRP4YC7Ep7Qhq1JeM8zUY8uSRxDWm4BpMUHl0Mvw-fuNaYt2L4D6Xl9bmsDlJW22wK_/s1417/icelandic-christmas-interior_8079569494_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Jcd1_0uNEi3HjAEy-pN03YZmFU83dZL8GvVMTmJDufnDvzfs3BdS3IBtaRErsnsXyw3KKBX-_-dRYfNy96qpjpbQ-gi4HK6r3mfsmNGnqf7Gn9gGW5H_FepByRP4YC7Ep7Qhq1JeM8zUY8uSRxDWm4BpMUHl0Mvw-fuNaYt2L4D6Xl9bmsDlJW22wK_/w466-h640/icelandic-christmas-interior_8079569494_o.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Trees were hung with paper cones of sweets, and small baskets made out of hexagonal shapes cut out of last year's Christmas cards and stitched together with yarn would be filled with cookies and other sweet treats. These ladies are making cones and baskets to sell. The homemade tree was commonplace, instead of a real fir tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">The emphasis is very much on home made, recycling, good food, and above all, family time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wEms5HODbpwVWD9FxoY2vv_mTjbfWyz4BoUcmQSx98kje-H4j8xUoD7E_9S8cW2mYUIXKP0sCa9nX8lHCn-mZOJP2yMRb88aPgMRV1suDXebAl-ERnGB4HzigNU3Kmf17Q1xpju9IR3AnuNr2-gtOsBBJP42MO-Ma6gjJkiTonjHTMNIgUt21v9eZAHz/s1424/christmas-craft-activities_8079596375_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1424" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wEms5HODbpwVWD9FxoY2vv_mTjbfWyz4BoUcmQSx98kje-H4j8xUoD7E_9S8cW2mYUIXKP0sCa9nX8lHCn-mZOJP2yMRb88aPgMRV1suDXebAl-ERnGB4HzigNU3Kmf17Q1xpju9IR3AnuNr2-gtOsBBJP42MO-Ma6gjJkiTonjHTMNIgUt21v9eZAHz/w640-h454/christmas-craft-activities_8079596375_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Knitted ornaments, shapes woven from straw, woven paper hearts, and candles are also traditional Christmas decorations.</span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOG-00fgx9jehbM8RoNXy93NvOvkho7DJL8lfvQO2XAmY138QrNVYiRZScELfbI7mbojcF-isuRT224qGJErWGlVwTyBg59j3vKm_vDrJTITwa46U9Nl1MqY_u5uZaMd8x4xA8iGsrBCzFcyOjGGi3eHSSeSQL7nxh3p-DA0rEwSkVXzudTs0YZsmMV5V/s1427/tradtitional-christmas-ornaments_8079624591_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1427" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOG-00fgx9jehbM8RoNXy93NvOvkho7DJL8lfvQO2XAmY138QrNVYiRZScELfbI7mbojcF-isuRT224qGJErWGlVwTyBg59j3vKm_vDrJTITwa46U9Nl1MqY_u5uZaMd8x4xA8iGsrBCzFcyOjGGi3eHSSeSQL7nxh3p-DA0rEwSkVXzudTs0YZsmMV5V/w640-h456/tradtitional-christmas-ornaments_8079624591_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">A traditional food served at Christmas is Laufabrauð, an unleavened flatbread {you can read more <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laufabrau%C3%B0">here}</a> made using a special type of cutter. The cuts are then folded into intricate patterns before the dough is cooked.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO9ZkAdiQ_rmMFhyphenhyphenSsgAPGOZsnsDRZB0wRPYTIQ0zyrgFkk8iP3P9UIHaBKiq-bcmVOzbBFe4VUzzMrCpwW0S5BaY5wvOiBOqpEH7uhAi0tRmsGNKVkrur8oTiqOGJTV8yykLI5sCHUV4qGKlNppt5GLEUM45cE1TzJj-ooQ8qJacBe3q08SL8kBobFxi/s1428/cutting-traditional-christmas-laufabrau_8079589799_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1428" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO9ZkAdiQ_rmMFhyphenhyphenSsgAPGOZsnsDRZB0wRPYTIQ0zyrgFkk8iP3P9UIHaBKiq-bcmVOzbBFe4VUzzMrCpwW0S5BaY5wvOiBOqpEH7uhAi0tRmsGNKVkrur8oTiqOGJTV8yykLI5sCHUV4qGKlNppt5GLEUM45cE1TzJj-ooQ8qJacBe3q08SL8kBobFxi/w640-h462/cutting-traditional-christmas-laufabrau_8079589799_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">I purchased this paper cut replica at the museum, as made by the ladies, above.</span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Jhyphenhyphen76sOwGvZRn2IKjh4p9zJk9HNzt2OCUXbopDMb1mvteq1tg2MFLHDYfvgER7talke2ypObAG9srx8XljFbR4yO4PIt26eNS4PsOQ6gXRruxzOcYLZz2Rs8Rt74S-y2A6Q24eu9kzK1J_ctFOTEpOghIHIi1aR2mId67l6GRsubPxZjUT0ZOWnFAUC/s788/P1230274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="591" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Jhyphenhyphen76sOwGvZRn2IKjh4p9zJk9HNzt2OCUXbopDMb1mvteq1tg2MFLHDYfvgER7talke2ypObAG9srx8XljFbR4yO4PIt26eNS4PsOQ6gXRruxzOcYLZz2Rs8Rt74S-y2A6Q24eu9kzK1J_ctFOTEpOghIHIi1aR2mId67l6GRsubPxZjUT0ZOWnFAUC/w480-h640/P1230274.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCNjugNdEtGpgZlOtCgc7njh9U3Y_NyagI1TRkmcLkSH8sLbmmOEkkf2AOAUu6iVysnnndUSR3SRWqRzzZPOl8S6Q7Z3pzTZt486npVK61UDOKlzWkbjv6J1sxuZdzDLcCsiJ_7VEup4FHOtdWvYBA3g9EeZQLDw4js8c1-iHG9XPCfr822z-WI0s_bFZ/s591/P1230276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="591" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCNjugNdEtGpgZlOtCgc7njh9U3Y_NyagI1TRkmcLkSH8sLbmmOEkkf2AOAUu6iVysnnndUSR3SRWqRzzZPOl8S6Q7Z3pzTZt486npVK61UDOKlzWkbjv6J1sxuZdzDLcCsiJ_7VEup4FHOtdWvYBA3g9EeZQLDw4js8c1-iHG9XPCfr822z-WI0s_bFZ/w640-h480/P1230276.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">This is a <a href="https://netverslun.thjodminjasafn.is/en/verslun/gjafir/jol/laufabraudsjarn-22-mm/">traditional cutting iron</a> for sale in the museum shop {photo from site}<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSrw7G6SoZeE-DTZ5gcb-os09n3snRk7rufUeI7GRm5P1AdifaWVc14jIARDmrBUgBhUVRQazzIPunSo7PcgmuhHieWts0zQkCHqBlFmXNQ4ln7ILREmX0UqocL81xwcAkTvy1sjjgMYY0TQHuQd3DKrZPJpSi62yhdjZzoSWuH5i5rxyRNFsXVA3K6Bys" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="978" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSrw7G6SoZeE-DTZ5gcb-os09n3snRk7rufUeI7GRm5P1AdifaWVc14jIARDmrBUgBhUVRQazzIPunSo7PcgmuhHieWts0zQkCHqBlFmXNQ4ln7ILREmX0UqocL81xwcAkTvy1sjjgMYY0TQHuQd3DKrZPJpSi62yhdjZzoSWuH5i5rxyRNFsXVA3K6Bys" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Another tradition in Iceland are the Yuletide Lads. These are the thirteen sons of the ogress </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Grýla</span></span><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"> and they come down from the mountains, one a day until on the 25th of December, all the boys are here. and then one by one they return to the mountains. Each of them has an attribute for creating havoc, with Anglicised names such as Pot Licker, Skyr Gobbler, Door Slammer, Sausage Stealer, and Window Peeper. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">You can read more about </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;">Grýla</span><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"> and her infamous Black Cat, and there's a full list of the Lad's names <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_Christmas_folklore">here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Icelandic children do not put out Christmas stockings on Christmas Eve. But for the 13 days before Christmas, when the Icelandic lads are coming down out of the mountains, they put a shoe by the door or the window sill and if they have been good children they get a treat in their shoe, but if they have been naughty, they receive a potato.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Over the years, the fear of Gryla and her sons has softened somewhat, but in centuries past it must have been a very frightening time for small children especially in the deep dark days of an Icelandic winter!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">A wonderful Christmas tradition they have in Iceland is the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Jólabókaflóðið</span></span><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;">. It literally translates to flood of </span><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;">books. in the weeks coming up to Christmas, all authors release their new titles. Then, on Christmas Eve, the tradition is that the family gathers in the living room by the fireside and they all read their new books while eating chocolate. What could be better: It is a tradition that would be worth observing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Speaking of books, I am making a donation to the <a href="https://www.booktrust.org.uk/">Book Trust</a> in lieu of sending Christmas cards this year. Books have always held a special part of my heart for all of my life but as a small child, Christmas wasn't Christmas unless I had at least one book And thankfully, I usually had many! The gift of a book to a child is a very important thing, in my opinion. It encourages so many things, not only the basic skills of reading, but opens up a whole new magical world of the imagination. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Well, I have just scratched the surface of Christmas in Iceland. I've put in a few links if you want to explore further, you can.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Homemade Apple; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gleðileg jól</b></span></p><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe stay well. Stay warm!<br /></span><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie. xx</span><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Anonymous comments will not be published.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-44605952491977698872023-11-30T14:48:00.003+00:002023-12-01T07:12:35.662+00:00The Robin and The Cold Days<span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!<br />
<br />
Do you remember the nursery song that begins "<i>Dear little Robin, waiting so patiently outside my cottage door</i>"? Or the nursery rhyme "<i>Who Killed Cock Robin</i>"? Who can resist a little Robin Redbreast? There's a reason it was voted the nation's favourite bird in a national poll to find the most popular bird in Britain. Quintessentially British, a constant visitor on many a Christmas card, no garden bird feeder seems complete without a robin pecking away on a low, ground feeding station at the Oops. offered mealworms, dried berries and suet. When I am digging in my garden, turning over the soil, the most friendly and trusting little robin is always there, not far away at all hoping to find exposed grubs or worms for an easy snack.</span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVKjDfalpK8JDAAjeLTKdG8N98EL93YmHeu4gmQEyRMsR8wko2M6pBBaSNkjIIeStCQDKJI4VRosh49v_0uRuqi2LSIrMVzI-y9Wenox900N247JY8zJV_IsZpOg2hnpNSwIEqD-YGHlbIz62pq3z7HggLXna1VcfCNqD3AQOhO7E2Qs9PUfpVT44lW6a/s288/Robin01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVKjDfalpK8JDAAjeLTKdG8N98EL93YmHeu4gmQEyRMsR8wko2M6pBBaSNkjIIeStCQDKJI4VRosh49v_0uRuqi2LSIrMVzI-y9Wenox900N247JY8zJV_IsZpOg2hnpNSwIEqD-YGHlbIz62pq3z7HggLXna1VcfCNqD3AQOhO7E2Qs9PUfpVT44lW6a/w640-h480/Robin01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjO1nfwz4i6X-5PFdOozwc9EhCBfOhAOdTXUHsQ_3cLnr9QIpqLnI3QQxwsKYjXQ5-2HiBAKezew95joukJePmJJhovS5rWqppb8cOPdMa_-dZ8HR_7Ndg0uOmIqPgn6d67l64JZI1-SV/s1600/16681994_1334495850010842_1787519219801563647_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">The weather is wuthering and has recently been living up to my alliterative definition of Wildly Wuthering Wet and Windy Wonderful West Wales! Not such perfect weather for a cobweb clearing walk but rather a justifiable reason for sitting snuggly indoors sipping hot drinks and nibbling on a sweet, fortifying treat or two, or three as we approach Christmas.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPw1nuCwO0CDtDKIk2m8LKksiDhNrcoyhC-c6PiMJh5Wt933_oLz53NUueIvAcrwhaxHEJcSMD5roUyW3RcuOBwh26AYbMp3RaTzS9J5_x06BuXTc13NQ9V_HOqeTO5L82Zw0tZ95zdz4WtMCVKX_NwjoNN8Wm_hg_E-eOGVoG0q1YNtzVlprBJoKDZuv/s960/10171855_598637373596697_2575207848526994492_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPw1nuCwO0CDtDKIk2m8LKksiDhNrcoyhC-c6PiMJh5Wt933_oLz53NUueIvAcrwhaxHEJcSMD5roUyW3RcuOBwh26AYbMp3RaTzS9J5_x06BuXTc13NQ9V_HOqeTO5L82Zw0tZ95zdz4WtMCVKX_NwjoNN8Wm_hg_E-eOGVoG0q1YNtzVlprBJoKDZuv/w640-h480/10171855_598637373596697_2575207848526994492_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Today, though the weather is biting. We are below freezing for the first time this year. Being peninsula We don't normally drop below freezing until into January. I guess it's a sign of the times. I was woken up in the night by the gentle hum of the central heating, which came on because the inside of the cottage dropped below 16 degrees C. I was putting the bins out at 4:00 a.m. on a cold and frosty morning under a cloudless, silver moonlit, star studded sky. As the day break came a few hours later, I could see the bird bath frozen solid, a rare thing here.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uwtnahhaBBWKT7y3pti8JtH7apGe3bVJwFrHk0jjNYWlwFKcg8RuASuhDwFl2eVysMoad-WP5YP5QL7xqO8CW0pHGRrwuGabN_I_QdQ4I5VG0-7Zg86nTSahaltUQryd-XNwjumFq3xtOCpR-a3-t4YFcvZDZpDrsnKDA_ArudC_wm1fv5GGn5dFLlY1/s1181/P1180112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1181" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uwtnahhaBBWKT7y3pti8JtH7apGe3bVJwFrHk0jjNYWlwFKcg8RuASuhDwFl2eVysMoad-WP5YP5QL7xqO8CW0pHGRrwuGabN_I_QdQ4I5VG0-7Zg86nTSahaltUQryd-XNwjumFq3xtOCpR-a3-t4YFcvZDZpDrsnKDA_ArudC_wm1fv5GGn5dFLlY1/w640-h480/P1180112.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br />
<br />
All the deliciously crisply crunchy leaves we love stomping through are now a soggy mess lining the verges of the country lanes. If the rain hadn't already done its work, the frost will soon speed up the process and that, rich dark leaf mold will suddenly appear. Quite the best growing medium for next year's hedgerow flowers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkHCKJRMWoE3Jk3lWDL1xB8e9IjRKES8d4kpAjISoyA7qVr4CdPKFvCg66cFFz_nEaTPfSQDGNJUU4MFhDZKXfthrv2tjk6tJqxxNkLstH2tuCykzQzX5Lxln2u-9LxTUmzcsQGhlFmGuiTzx0eiC56g-P-n9brTwEiDA6OqJC7Vx31wdj-xgqRNdz-LC/s1181/P1180106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1181" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkHCKJRMWoE3Jk3lWDL1xB8e9IjRKES8d4kpAjISoyA7qVr4CdPKFvCg66cFFz_nEaTPfSQDGNJUU4MFhDZKXfthrv2tjk6tJqxxNkLstH2tuCykzQzX5Lxln2u-9LxTUmzcsQGhlFmGuiTzx0eiC56g-P-n9brTwEiDA6OqJC7Vx31wdj-xgqRNdz-LC/w640-h480/P1180106.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">A robin redbreast sits, perched upon a fragile stem and he looks cold! Fluff up those pretty feathers, sweet friend, and keep warm.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAqrFHYsbYx-c8S3tlCzzKvGNYm_MXpO3u9jnMd7Hm6f3asEH5eWrtrz1O_KUa3Na8KXjd1z3fUjWRaNWNLL_WsbGArCBjwFLYf6JkTKJonMa6LnM07rCsCg76zLwBlEvFtyDE2OZW2UNMdlgrfDZKHWkZz9LJwg2g-Cul1p6Hk-FT3-4WkLX5mn_D1MR/s900/P1250592.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAqrFHYsbYx-c8S3tlCzzKvGNYm_MXpO3u9jnMd7Hm6f3asEH5eWrtrz1O_KUa3Na8KXjd1z3fUjWRaNWNLL_WsbGArCBjwFLYf6JkTKJonMa6LnM07rCsCg76zLwBlEvFtyDE2OZW2UNMdlgrfDZKHWkZz9LJwg2g-Cul1p6Hk-FT3-4WkLX5mn_D1MR/w640-h480/P1250592.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5__Gmt5bnC7Cd1S_GHMmk7GYeBcQReMU56xVK6XYFYFgnTJO7Rr-_6GQb4jFyJe1u7Ybv-Gk-ujnqkTgV3cfJTlgPpQk9fHBKFuZVA3kK6-yqson68Eq9YaPktZF0KBUA5Bg_9vAxAsT36DVTKVIc7z6ITzFwjxKY-BCbljPElSBlftWZhQjVHe4QJ4JK/s552/16681994_1334495850010842_1787519219801563647_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="552" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5__Gmt5bnC7Cd1S_GHMmk7GYeBcQReMU56xVK6XYFYFgnTJO7Rr-_6GQb4jFyJe1u7Ybv-Gk-ujnqkTgV3cfJTlgPpQk9fHBKFuZVA3kK6-yqson68Eq9YaPktZF0KBUA5Bg_9vAxAsT36DVTKVIc7z6ITzFwjxKY-BCbljPElSBlftWZhQjVHe4QJ4JK/w640-h640/16681994_1334495850010842_1787519219801563647_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">possibly the one below is one of this year's fledglings</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQulDWXxnig_eyy6ufqYZsTgoSQz7Y6gaVquKT_-uIFrjLG6CG9CWoiEhROgnZ-qJxH0CKmlZQinqytZhNffeSdJx1lfHON-fzF0RQccxFsZnyhlLIwaGf-pdMz2QChSMUkyqDbxLTPn89gX33s4uKAjfcWqAznB-CUs13b9Bt_8oxOJ74UmLZvVsfvutd/s1181/006i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1181" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQulDWXxnig_eyy6ufqYZsTgoSQz7Y6gaVquKT_-uIFrjLG6CG9CWoiEhROgnZ-qJxH0CKmlZQinqytZhNffeSdJx1lfHON-fzF0RQccxFsZnyhlLIwaGf-pdMz2QChSMUkyqDbxLTPn89gX33s4uKAjfcWqAznB-CUs13b9Bt_8oxOJ74UmLZvVsfvutd/w640-h480/006i.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjne11PQcR8PE49NUp_7z0YkM1HkWRhYOfwOmRBpVvonVtLyrg45ECYBT58QQUVdpNx76txHApXZKkB1AWFmJ5axTTI3hUwR65YXfoiCk0taaJcgv5sB3zkem_a5BTx6z0oYyoxT_iCzq4AoCyhrBOTtb7jmHSNB8REcVBnzmF5qFOLGUG6Qw5hdFYONl/s1884/Robin%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1884" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjne11PQcR8PE49NUp_7z0YkM1HkWRhYOfwOmRBpVvonVtLyrg45ECYBT58QQUVdpNx76txHApXZKkB1AWFmJ5axTTI3hUwR65YXfoiCk0taaJcgv5sB3zkem_a5BTx6z0oYyoxT_iCzq4AoCyhrBOTtb7jmHSNB8REcVBnzmF5qFOLGUG6Qw5hdFYONl/w640-h360/Robin%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>It is said that when robins appear, a loved one is near. I'd like to think so.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe stay well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay warm!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie. xx</span></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-33103300528795425862023-11-20T08:35:00.005+00:002023-11-20T08:35:59.941+00:00In Which Treasure Gets A New Jumper<p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Due to having Parkinson's, there are an increasing number of everyday things I cannot do, such as prepping food with a knife, dusting, and other manual things that we take for granted. I drop things quite a lot too, but there are aids and tools to help me overcome a lot of these issues for now. However, one thing that never fails to amaze me is that, despite these manual dexterity issues, I can still paint and draw, and I can still knit. So far, no one can tell me why this is, but maybe it engages different parts of the brain? Who knows? I shall continue as long as I can.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Anyhow, out there on Tinterwebwonderland is the most charming little character called Frog who, courtesy of India Rose Crawford, shares the cutest of adventures. If you want to be smitten by their utterly adorable cuteness, and be totally awestruck at India Rose's world in miniature then go here for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/indiarosecrawford/">Instagram</a> or here for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IndiaRoseCrawford">Facebook</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Frog has a whole wardrobe of beautifully tailored clothes so when I found a knitting pattern for a tiny jumper by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DotpebblesKnits?ref=shop_sugg_market">DotpebblesKnits</a> on Etsy I decided to give it a go for Treasure. He feels the cold, probably because he doesn't hibernate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Oh Dear! It's too big again! But he loves it anyway.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOkr2oOwx4daNI4qWdqzPmkWpBDqnSWhLkn3WqLCykynx8TOKYNWbFYKeB44wypZSpIXJZano9NdOMGOOGGffvlMfzllFjLYcn-Q01Pyg3zKwl7RVPphqS-uV0m0QP2daP61w7FKE_D2zOechfLFwmnjBaByu3lu9TMR-CSLTGhzhqXGWEcwE-_DlJquw/s4000/IMG_20231119_141621_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOkr2oOwx4daNI4qWdqzPmkWpBDqnSWhLkn3WqLCykynx8TOKYNWbFYKeB44wypZSpIXJZano9NdOMGOOGGffvlMfzllFjLYcn-Q01Pyg3zKwl7RVPphqS-uV0m0QP2daP61w7FKE_D2zOechfLFwmnjBaByu3lu9TMR-CSLTGhzhqXGWEcwE-_DlJquw/w640-h360/IMG_20231119_141621_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">For an inexperienced knitter who just does plain and purl, stocking stitch and ribbing, I don't think I did too badly. There were a few new techniques, but I mastered them courtesy of the online Godsend of YouTube.</span><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN-cqadcd7StDlIGfl_6VVjqS-zfBKXWezNLrZMO6WB0dLy6n8k2-htDMuvbr5cHrTgjb2Q-0Uuc8a_Wp4Nhc-XMcSEKmKPW9gbFN2IHtMe4xn1thGb9Iqb77nMFEsrnZjJrwKolMQE_fqC6XsvnSTXx9NVwjEvM2cx6v5ilq93GkAgOJDhSBw0FvSwq4/s4000/IMG_20231119_141354_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN-cqadcd7StDlIGfl_6VVjqS-zfBKXWezNLrZMO6WB0dLy6n8k2-htDMuvbr5cHrTgjb2Q-0Uuc8a_Wp4Nhc-XMcSEKmKPW9gbFN2IHtMe4xn1thGb9Iqb77nMFEsrnZjJrwKolMQE_fqC6XsvnSTXx9NVwjEvM2cx6v5ilq93GkAgOJDhSBw0FvSwq4/w640-h360/IMG_20231119_141354_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Final fitting before sewing up.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M1cqra-_IYMQOmAtJPW9Ch3uZKwq0mQ6WsvNyAmpaRvUqziAjX8wwmj_o3TlUW73bRnfCUQSW3Vm3ufn3VwlsPzSmee65372OreCztobIGH_BBp_qhQB3XCFJltxjwjQbI1rh8rr47OBz-3LYS8ZIq1-EhbSZsywstNi2TEu6TnAbAv-KQIvru-7QAOr/s4000/IMG_20231119_135414_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M1cqra-_IYMQOmAtJPW9Ch3uZKwq0mQ6WsvNyAmpaRvUqziAjX8wwmj_o3TlUW73bRnfCUQSW3Vm3ufn3VwlsPzSmee65372OreCztobIGH_BBp_qhQB3XCFJltxjwjQbI1rh8rr47OBz-3LYS8ZIq1-EhbSZsywstNi2TEu6TnAbAv-KQIvru-7QAOr/w360-h640/IMG_20231119_135414_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">As the following images show, this garment is knit in one piece, so it was quite a challenge, but I stuck to the pattern and trusted the instructions and et voila!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2UlooEWrxzH1p9CWG92NTNvbN98BbhefBEoIhiqlHdlhBXt5A62hjLbKl0nYnzxGsdh7b4EV-fw93Jj6owkboGUsKbU3Kf-L2rzJyPHCoXhmq3PYfj05gvFgkxs382ARRCJe7QxI_Ri0sdtT098ODcBdqtX2AydTa2yvULEt1lmXR9PuADxG6ExbNGSv/s4000/IMG_20231119_135237_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2UlooEWrxzH1p9CWG92NTNvbN98BbhefBEoIhiqlHdlhBXt5A62hjLbKl0nYnzxGsdh7b4EV-fw93Jj6owkboGUsKbU3Kf-L2rzJyPHCoXhmq3PYfj05gvFgkxs382ARRCJe7QxI_Ri0sdtT098ODcBdqtX2AydTa2yvULEt1lmXR9PuADxG6ExbNGSv/w640-h360/IMG_20231119_135237_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4lbdI9bapLgEzo0j607Kc_-FLNP5wPUCZtY9a2xWYzV4bMoBiENws_OX_CfyNxUTUBJOZTgzTxZGItEojlKzOgMQfgLYEKgeIJZ2IErRcSvClSbe6lWas1GjvgkiZEYaFmIpTLkZ2V-Ncp_C0H8GOdWtM-xnaVv19Iz_shj8g4Wxb87d2VspOJ8aCuTj/s4000/IMG_20231119_131109_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4lbdI9bapLgEzo0j607Kc_-FLNP5wPUCZtY9a2xWYzV4bMoBiENws_OX_CfyNxUTUBJOZTgzTxZGItEojlKzOgMQfgLYEKgeIJZ2IErRcSvClSbe6lWas1GjvgkiZEYaFmIpTLkZ2V-Ncp_C0H8GOdWtM-xnaVv19Iz_shj8g4Wxb87d2VspOJ8aCuTj/w640-h360/IMG_20231119_131109_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IjGJUh5YsgKE3npvRNZD8KeZDdgQ7d5D88WoTlYaoGBnB0gdS8K49Z00KkqnBmFancudvM7EdH-D6ePgt5vmqIlJDL15-1daF7yG3HizXwcI4CNovYtnJDcQZPzZqJB1I7BtmI79AD8q-20IwcvbxLzy6rM92WywEWshs3lBMCdumYcUnp3DatzaRIkk/s4000/IMG_20231119_130744_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IjGJUh5YsgKE3npvRNZD8KeZDdgQ7d5D88WoTlYaoGBnB0gdS8K49Z00KkqnBmFancudvM7EdH-D6ePgt5vmqIlJDL15-1daF7yG3HizXwcI4CNovYtnJDcQZPzZqJB1I7BtmI79AD8q-20IwcvbxLzy6rM92WywEWshs3lBMCdumYcUnp3DatzaRIkk/w640-h360/IMG_20231119_130744_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Other than the sizing issue, I don't think I did too badly at all. I might tackle something else soon!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">In the meantime, I am seeing positive results from Tai Chi and Qigong, and last week I had my Covid booster.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe, stay well</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie xx</span></div><div><p><br /></p></div></div>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040263296279181432.post-18317847119368062932023-11-05T17:13:00.002+00:002023-11-05T17:13:13.038+00:00The Colours of Days<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Hello Friends!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Poppins;">November sits, suspended midway between the glory days of Autumn and the bone chilling cold of Winter; a no man's land of dull November grey when all the vibrant leaves of orange, yellow and red have fallen from the trees and</span><span style="font-family: Poppins;"> branches brown hang down, empty, dull and bare, against a leaden sky where December snow has yet to form.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs768UrZ2-Wb7WUl31lxe_xnComiiF-8ljPPYHIA694zBiYVZJ1dl06RZyT5lmy-aMP3aFTfRA2CFQn_vP8RFFjG0tzm5tw-raiSlCWWz6smIYvUEuQn368K1eJFKWRj31Hyx8Ctsc8l6fp02eYAVQ07mZdFihcDEYKMtDJv_9zsAIm_GgN2Uo1ei8kkQ/s2448/20201013_094115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs768UrZ2-Wb7WUl31lxe_xnComiiF-8ljPPYHIA694zBiYVZJ1dl06RZyT5lmy-aMP3aFTfRA2CFQn_vP8RFFjG0tzm5tw-raiSlCWWz6smIYvUEuQn368K1eJFKWRj31Hyx8Ctsc8l6fp02eYAVQ07mZdFihcDEYKMtDJv_9zsAIm_GgN2Uo1ei8kkQ/w400-h400/20201013_094115.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br />Light is scarce in the sky, a dull grey gloom wraps itself around the horizon and wild clouds scud across the sky. Cracks in the clouds let slivers of silver light push through, a reminder of what once was, and a promise of what is yet to come. Houses, curtains tightly drawn across windows, glow with light, beacons that guide us home.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAPqIW5YZ7QTioJSQTTixxL7tD6OBiam1zKevyLsRzQ0NyVruIdViSWIBBd1YF8XXwAUN8D6Oyg7ciIc2dNyUzh2UZSyk0aYwYl8o2T-x_eJo69MzpWgNRlRozcx6tZ_yb7MVRrgWsCdvXDfAB1w5rbLdpk7A5LP26FodJeqkOPZGeMqcitZrDfYRGUi-/s2448/20201011_180715(0).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAPqIW5YZ7QTioJSQTTixxL7tD6OBiam1zKevyLsRzQ0NyVruIdViSWIBBd1YF8XXwAUN8D6Oyg7ciIc2dNyUzh2UZSyk0aYwYl8o2T-x_eJo69MzpWgNRlRozcx6tZ_yb7MVRrgWsCdvXDfAB1w5rbLdpk7A5LP26FodJeqkOPZGeMqcitZrDfYRGUi-/w400-h400/20201011_180715(0).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSLqNmd4nWSVLiKsNmDJPzErMrj4R8HQGr__6XNQ3l9gFAwBbRpeCh20vN3QSyRUtPAfa2m1Brd7JO7tqMG9Wz2vO2H2EznEQv949iS5IH_N4mSonTnCUVrwBQ9soYQL2MUcJaMLO8MJkpneI9jLykikMCqUDErIhUoJCjxgMullnYh70gFMCQ8ExAeTX/s2448/20201011_184802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSLqNmd4nWSVLiKsNmDJPzErMrj4R8HQGr__6XNQ3l9gFAwBbRpeCh20vN3QSyRUtPAfa2m1Brd7JO7tqMG9Wz2vO2H2EznEQv949iS5IH_N4mSonTnCUVrwBQ9soYQL2MUcJaMLO8MJkpneI9jLykikMCqUDErIhUoJCjxgMullnYh70gFMCQ8ExAeTX/w400-h400/20201011_184802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">We have time to stand and stare. Our harvests are gathered home. We are ready for the winter hibernation that will come. Let the season of hygge commence!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEDmtlPDK9Y36dOd1j7LCg482j316zqZg5KL6cRPnQsbyN6xpi-LaRtwkXhpNlXOgOAc5PcIcHEXLtamaJ0uTh8GmV_dFmvfd-aNWwxiNhyIgrBqaikHs9oPMt7wMIpUlpiON_43I3CJw8guNnBS6l09IFVGAFABtr5QDWcPewrByd-8QVwPzGXShy0EO/s800/AutumnBales.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="800" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEDmtlPDK9Y36dOd1j7LCg482j316zqZg5KL6cRPnQsbyN6xpi-LaRtwkXhpNlXOgOAc5PcIcHEXLtamaJ0uTh8GmV_dFmvfd-aNWwxiNhyIgrBqaikHs9oPMt7wMIpUlpiON_43I3CJw8guNnBS6l09IFVGAFABtr5QDWcPewrByd-8QVwPzGXShy0EO/w640-h184/AutumnBales.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Wrapped up warmly against the chill and bitter wind, wearing our mittens and scarves, woolly hats and chunky Fair Isle socks, we take brisk, invigorating walks out into the Welsh countryside. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvi-1cohto9PfVoRz_XN63y1Mv5I5WMpqwJ0Ff8WpBBwQpfb6dUsyqhSWtJMIzqdkp7BWVQsBmqx32iwHdtq201GDbSryAukEXc7PduNEtzEQCkLOgODejNM_WIpvKAuiaO9l47xSHpvlGkoePjcA8LKBA5ixdpLMjQSFUxBR2MatwdvXzzktQYJdLpNqT/s2400/Autumn%20View.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="2400" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvi-1cohto9PfVoRz_XN63y1Mv5I5WMpqwJ0Ff8WpBBwQpfb6dUsyqhSWtJMIzqdkp7BWVQsBmqx32iwHdtq201GDbSryAukEXc7PduNEtzEQCkLOgODejNM_WIpvKAuiaO9l47xSHpvlGkoePjcA8LKBA5ixdpLMjQSFUxBR2MatwdvXzzktQYJdLpNqT/w640-h134/Autumn%20View.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD394Fk_1iAxOKjFtGvdAU0124fbJtbbk_772nRD4QHPST3oYt-JLplDAsC8HBAKLH6B7TGGr2JMZPzRetbo_XOf4FE84SXd2ifPSvNbSFNuDpxPzRyNueytGYxd_BE3laADdTnJ2SJaF0hkiKenmWs303WneGEWbnH0ZdMbQSKAZStz8EDOea4A_1Cl5N/s960/10171855_598637373596697_2575207848526994492_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD394Fk_1iAxOKjFtGvdAU0124fbJtbbk_772nRD4QHPST3oYt-JLplDAsC8HBAKLH6B7TGGr2JMZPzRetbo_XOf4FE84SXd2ifPSvNbSFNuDpxPzRyNueytGYxd_BE3laADdTnJ2SJaF0hkiKenmWs303WneGEWbnH0ZdMbQSKAZStz8EDOea4A_1Cl5N/w400-h300/10171855_598637373596697_2575207848526994492_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Poppins;"><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Berry picking time is over. There is nothing left to harvest now other than a scant handful of late fruits that we leave for the wildlife, for the birds, for the squirrels, for the mice. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE91Ey5zPgbCM0U8KuJFCtVR2DHJL_bU__XE4cLTBTlynl0W_Zp1pWFIjGp4fKMhl-wz19-SxafV7BFDZoXoTVD66Km0Mu-RfGj-A0eL8NEmKOa4RBuIeanajUcwelYeDWkY_E3p3javX5_0p9ZqJRMGepJXhxVnZcsf0nYEcI_A5TQiwGPQfLefLthyC/s2362/BlackberriesA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="2362" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE91Ey5zPgbCM0U8KuJFCtVR2DHJL_bU__XE4cLTBTlynl0W_Zp1pWFIjGp4fKMhl-wz19-SxafV7BFDZoXoTVD66Km0Mu-RfGj-A0eL8NEmKOa4RBuIeanajUcwelYeDWkY_E3p3javX5_0p9ZqJRMGepJXhxVnZcsf0nYEcI_A5TQiwGPQfLefLthyC/w640-h264/BlackberriesA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">I</span><span style="font-family: Poppins;">f we are lucky, there are piles of leaves dry and crunchy through which we stomp and kick. But in this November gloom the rain has fallen hard. The spent leaves are a squishy squashy mess of muddy brown. Are they not in decay? No! They are making the food for next year's plants. The Circle of Life rolls on </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz16k0N7AvhAekHt9s5wM6ArrMiGJnpWrhVueAEqEnSg3cuA2EQ8o958_q4F0BUrd0X3Vh6Ol69FA7kS6GLF_1RmnyVjBMTHsFZl6O5YSiqxvUFss2hRQ0eD9IQbQZIhJjCrhO-jL0cTyN4zi8WklHtqgyDNcqbsHA_Luo9nztakDn7B5iMXDZK7oYnPx/s1181/P1180112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1181" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz16k0N7AvhAekHt9s5wM6ArrMiGJnpWrhVueAEqEnSg3cuA2EQ8o958_q4F0BUrd0X3Vh6Ol69FA7kS6GLF_1RmnyVjBMTHsFZl6O5YSiqxvUFss2hRQ0eD9IQbQZIhJjCrhO-jL0cTyN4zi8WklHtqgyDNcqbsHA_Luo9nztakDn7B5iMXDZK7oYnPx/w640-h480/P1180112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Poppins;">Soon , much sooner than we realise it will be December. The snows will come and all will look different again, d</span><span style="font-family: Poppins;">usted in powdery white.</span></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHZBHb75rxIYA8wDjoxA4eHvTAyW6RqpEzA2IOg_O2ZQWy7LQoBdt2qgCpAiTLLEXME7iUZ4UHPmYryzhzK-rpQaEbgRvxCKWrIk9uNvRjK50ZDClvTkLXOFb3Ihv75dGDMT5787t0IS3l6iqMjjYH7VkF2pwmv5A_PWo2ZzMDKauM_NUMGqQDESQ6h9l/s3000/5640190132_a800595f37_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="3000" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHZBHb75rxIYA8wDjoxA4eHvTAyW6RqpEzA2IOg_O2ZQWy7LQoBdt2qgCpAiTLLEXME7iUZ4UHPmYryzhzK-rpQaEbgRvxCKWrIk9uNvRjK50ZDClvTkLXOFb3Ihv75dGDMT5787t0IS3l6iqMjjYH7VkF2pwmv5A_PWo2ZzMDKauM_NUMGqQDESQ6h9l/w640-h188/5640190132_a800595f37_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkb62dVeHb29MioeF70p1cU3RPXn1ZDhirA4Gk5HvvfNeqSjxVh8FAgIMXTMHC5JaAHqIqTjpO6lgMmjVYQZ0TvzKuR5-FxZAPPub15VLYlkXbeAqHMDycuiFqfbjid94_ok9R9TknjrVu32-xFZXckr8K2rNpllNPjh2kxVh2uRGvRk4zookJXSUv1Gw/s3000/5639617755_afb3b7d637_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="3000" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkb62dVeHb29MioeF70p1cU3RPXn1ZDhirA4Gk5HvvfNeqSjxVh8FAgIMXTMHC5JaAHqIqTjpO6lgMmjVYQZ0TvzKuR5-FxZAPPub15VLYlkXbeAqHMDycuiFqfbjid94_ok9R9TknjrVu32-xFZXckr8K2rNpllNPjh2kxVh2uRGvRk4zookJXSUv1Gw/w640-h206/5639617755_afb3b7d637_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">And so the seasons turn. The days that not so long ago were warm with summer sun, now cold and chill us to the bone with withering winds. The time has come to withdraw inside. Let us sit by the fire cosy and warm with books and hot chocolate for our companions. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">My friends I have been doing more art. Here is my latest effort by an online course offered twice a year by the renowned Danish artist Ida Anderson Lang, called Wish Upon A Star. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhj9nzYfPiGVgIOPgUWay8PgwmIp-lphgfKjyngKnwMWC56-ruKOMf0lC_QZ7BgtNe0ZJaL9Fk5No6CvNYuRlrd5VgiO1pYWj8_PBmuPJ5tqKnvr8oBomPYQtUp9z9eZUkdM6lBuhsWOXzujtKhkN4fbL9BnzurO6jfkRZ0dqswDYM9Nm6OImmSBkaab1/s3264/20231105_000401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhj9nzYfPiGVgIOPgUWay8PgwmIp-lphgfKjyngKnwMWC56-ruKOMf0lC_QZ7BgtNe0ZJaL9Fk5No6CvNYuRlrd5VgiO1pYWj8_PBmuPJ5tqKnvr8oBomPYQtUp9z9eZUkdM6lBuhsWOXzujtKhkN4fbL9BnzurO6jfkRZ0dqswDYM9Nm6OImmSBkaab1/w480-h640/20231105_000401.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Until next time</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Stay safe. Stay well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;">Debbie xx</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Poppins; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Rustic Pumpkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335714529878600216noreply@blogger.com16