tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182018702024-03-06T22:45:26.770-05:00CRAZEE4BOOKS~CROSS STITCH~CATSCrazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-14262998657280925362017-04-01T15:19:00.000-04:002017-04-01T15:19:34.246-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Good day and welcome to the bi-annual blog post</div>
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for 2017.</div>
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I know, I know .... I'm a bad blogger. I seem to be</div>
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going at this in fits and starts, don't I? Blame it on</div>
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retirement and being constantly tempted and </div>
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distracted by my many, many interests and passions.</div>
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Or you can just say that I'm fickle and leave it at that.</div>
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But GOOD NEWS!!! </div>
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I've been stitching again!! And .... I have a finish!</div>
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I know .... amazing, eh?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhTkyOMgHbh7G_OU_QpiT6LmF6SKrXZg4gEMT0Myb6n4COVbnqnVk1tYNom64epHVH2pSz6VNP2F25i4ptLQncRc47rUNw1DORXFhDIprd8gdggtJDu5GZ9cPdDQE1XqCHK_F9A/s1600/IMG_5187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhTkyOMgHbh7G_OU_QpiT6LmF6SKrXZg4gEMT0Myb6n4COVbnqnVk1tYNom64epHVH2pSz6VNP2F25i4ptLQncRc47rUNw1DORXFhDIprd8gdggtJDu5GZ9cPdDQE1XqCHK_F9A/s320/IMG_5187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here we have Pretty Little Toronto by Satsuma Street.</div>
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I got a huge chunk of this piece done last year and then</div>
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somehow got sidetracked (stop me if you've heard this</div>
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one before) and left it. All I needed to do was the final </div>
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tree and bush, the top of the CN tower and the clouds</div>
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which wasn't much at all .... in the grand scheme of things.</div>
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But I left it ... and stitching in general ... until two weeks</div>
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ago when I picked it up on a whim and finished it!</div>
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I love this one and really did enjoy stitching it. I love</div>
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bright, vibrant colours and boy do these designs have</div>
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colour in abundance. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSJWf4Sr2HZH71TghFefRW5KbB04WVrGNS3Zh5A7v_2ZJrF4ArOS58ngRz3Amtdm0AdSHQC2pwxRNg2QayyqV4LYCgML4hd7BoNn8Wnh5ITSdx72xCXW7jWa6XTqNj6Bmx7SCdQ/s1600/IMG_5217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSJWf4Sr2HZH71TghFefRW5KbB04WVrGNS3Zh5A7v_2ZJrF4ArOS58ngRz3Amtdm0AdSHQC2pwxRNg2QayyqV4LYCgML4hd7BoNn8Wnh5ITSdx72xCXW7jWa6XTqNj6Bmx7SCdQ/s320/IMG_5217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And since I was back in stitching mode I just had to</div>
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pick out another project to start and so I began working</div>
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on Jardin Prive's Sampler Aux Bouquet .... well,</div>
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one section of it anyways. I've always loved this</div>
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design and decided that it was time I got cracking on</div>
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it.</div>
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Hmmm. Keep forgetting to put a beak on that blue</div>
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peacock motif. Poor guy looks like he sneezed it off</div>
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or something!</div>
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And that's the extent of my cross stitching life. The rest </div>
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of this post will cover life in general. If you bore easily</div>
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feel free to move on.</div>
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In February it was time once again for our annual Girls</div>
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Weekend in Toronto. Friday morning until Sunday</div>
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afternoon spent with my friend Darlene down in the big</div>
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city seeing the sights and <strike>eating</strike> ... um .... and exploring</div>
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the cultural diversity of the downtown core.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPvrfs6rser7Q7dyGtFNwSPsr5rsHy4-BKZdsg8EHB3M7H7S4EG-2dnZVoMSvASk_9VnxhJ4EzZDeYA_IEJBj5jR24X56d6BXKwEu4SbsgGg34IPh5AR8ermrzt5_G_O1lE99tQ/s1600/IMG_5005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPvrfs6rser7Q7dyGtFNwSPsr5rsHy4-BKZdsg8EHB3M7H7S4EG-2dnZVoMSvASk_9VnxhJ4EzZDeYA_IEJBj5jR24X56d6BXKwEu4SbsgGg34IPh5AR8ermrzt5_G_O1lE99tQ/s320/IMG_5005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of our first stops was a cat cafe that had opened in</div>
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Toronto about a year ago. Like other cafes of this</div>
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type that have sprung up around the world (beginning </div>
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with the very first one in Taiwan and spreading to Japan </div>
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where there are about 50 such establishments ) it featured </div>
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a room separated from the main cafe with adoptable cats of </div>
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all kinds there to be petted and fussed over while you drink </div>
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your coffee or hot chocolate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_XMlslI3v7mTEuqJJvG6lJ5Kmfcz_IUbiJMYOE70c65fBuFYaC7NCnjOnhstvXMX8On-U3wDsXS5IDiMMNZKQmbidHcRrVcqwYPk7-AET80w9xt6BMxKVz5JcLsxc88xcO8RTA/s1600/IMG_4995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_XMlslI3v7mTEuqJJvG6lJ5Kmfcz_IUbiJMYOE70c65fBuFYaC7NCnjOnhstvXMX8On-U3wDsXS5IDiMMNZKQmbidHcRrVcqwYPk7-AET80w9xt6BMxKVz5JcLsxc88xcO8RTA/s320/IMG_4995.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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There were about a dozen cats lounging around the</div>
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space and we spent about half an hour indulging</div>
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ourselves with their company. We were given </div>
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kibble to entice them to us and show that we were</div>
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come in friendship. All of these cats were strays</div>
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found living on the streets and many were still </div>
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weary of strangers and unsure of their new </div>
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surroundings.</div>
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The cafe has been able to see a good number of</div>
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their cats adopted since they opened which is </div>
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good to know.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57hldgjfYfpAKhU3wbMR4JvwUUVGfSM69bGjlNE8jUfJoBW03-PtQOO7P6YrIZhxLpynOC9-LiPzr1WYjPVD5AsQf-vUn0K3DQ6DZNfKyIz7-UZq6uw6oKFAbKMp8XCvtT94WpA/s1600/IMG_2340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57hldgjfYfpAKhU3wbMR4JvwUUVGfSM69bGjlNE8jUfJoBW03-PtQOO7P6YrIZhxLpynOC9-LiPzr1WYjPVD5AsQf-vUn0K3DQ6DZNfKyIz7-UZq6uw6oKFAbKMp8XCvtT94WpA/s320/IMG_2340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another stop during our first day was Allen Gardens.</div>
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We go there every year to enjoy a break from the cold</div>
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and the snow and the bleakness of winter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdci_XoTrxN788uv7op7bpvkM2zAawOELAV9Ytzl-BP5metvHyEXLNTGI6GFhVBFkzjn61ctHKnWplqwS2leCEwTTM8Pi8JD0A_I9YEj73_w70_Wks68Sn6e3UQmOccUzEcNtOPg/s1600/IMG_2347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdci_XoTrxN788uv7op7bpvkM2zAawOELAV9Ytzl-BP5metvHyEXLNTGI6GFhVBFkzjn61ctHKnWplqwS2leCEwTTM8Pi8JD0A_I9YEj73_w70_Wks68Sn6e3UQmOccUzEcNtOPg/s320/IMG_2347.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Wandering through the connected greenhouses,</div>
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drinking in the colours and the warmth and the</div>
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sounds of trickling water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9FRWSn6z16gZM4zdH4ZF3Ki7qRs4QB6gLaY6JnqNi0fBI-QyV-qlxToHkv28tgNHysu5PwhfdHJS8tA0lISTp5vjtoJyhd6QYW_T-djTSIn3ZitZuKEuicttJPUr7vNy-4UNiA/s1600/IMG_2381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9FRWSn6z16gZM4zdH4ZF3Ki7qRs4QB6gLaY6JnqNi0fBI-QyV-qlxToHkv28tgNHysu5PwhfdHJS8tA0lISTp5vjtoJyhd6QYW_T-djTSIn3ZitZuKEuicttJPUr7vNy-4UNiA/s320/IMG_2381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the turtles! Mustn't forget the turtles!</div>
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(see bottom of above photo)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvGNinwQpjdcXJSITs76k4m0JFYBAf03-Y5OEZyqJ-7f-DsU4SKU5VWZ-DFmNeMEAUH2EySNUlLQo2AphoC-GHu9cjvL_9uCB1uCKLOCMRSatMAer71RrylnTFOR_u8grDtSalw/s1600/stomp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvGNinwQpjdcXJSITs76k4m0JFYBAf03-Y5OEZyqJ-7f-DsU4SKU5VWZ-DFmNeMEAUH2EySNUlLQo2AphoC-GHu9cjvL_9uCB1uCKLOCMRSatMAer71RrylnTFOR_u8grDtSalw/s320/stomp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The show that we went to see this year was Stomp!</div>
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Darlene had seen a production of this show a number</div>
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of years ago and had really enjoyed it so she got us</div>
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tickets to see it during our weekend.</div>
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It was an amazing show. Very clever. Who knew you </div>
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could produce music from such innocuous items as </div>
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barrels, knives, plastic bags, chop sticks and the kitchen</div>
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sink?</div>
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A physically demanding show (as you can see from the</div>
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picture above) that also featured slapstick humour .... not</div>
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surprisingly.</div>
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We were very impressed and were blown away by the </div>
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performer's talent ... and stamina!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoKN7vTcgnD-mIgVleF5fhn4yCFjVDJpoF_GenWRESa3xFJVLHWTBnZ7Zqk8gL1vllbe4Xyg31y4KKh78wYhqrxtkA-rKENNt-8VzF5dWixDPObTvqddGu-OQMIH4n5u3q-aHTg/s1600/IMG_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoKN7vTcgnD-mIgVleF5fhn4yCFjVDJpoF_GenWRESa3xFJVLHWTBnZ7Zqk8gL1vllbe4Xyg31y4KKh78wYhqrxtkA-rKENNt-8VzF5dWixDPObTvqddGu-OQMIH4n5u3q-aHTg/s320/IMG_4867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Weather report for the winter of 2016 to 2017:</div>
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Erratic!!</div>
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There were times when it felt like early Spring ....</div>
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in January .... and other times when ... well ..... we</div>
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<i>almost </i>had a white Christmas. Two weeks before</div>
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Christmas we had two dumps of snow that seemed</div>
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to all but guarantee us the type of Christmas that</div>
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would have caused Bing Crosby to burst into song!</div>
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But alas, it rained like the dickens a week before</div>
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the holidays so all we ended up with was a soggy, grey </div>
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Christmas!</div>
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HoHoHo!!! Bah!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d2kLDcgowQtD7nZ9poHf06DfTsvgaVPQawjDQ6375bfNiQ5qOLu6JaGm9h3f9pDT5PdkFixUw-Xhu51hbbIgSLKrsnk6tijAEIMzmsYgEUmZhR8UdtM4IxYeGs_SBuDsFgH2KQ/s1600/IMG_2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d2kLDcgowQtD7nZ9poHf06DfTsvgaVPQawjDQ6375bfNiQ5qOLu6JaGm9h3f9pDT5PdkFixUw-Xhu51hbbIgSLKrsnk6tijAEIMzmsYgEUmZhR8UdtM4IxYeGs_SBuDsFgH2KQ/s320/IMG_2515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And now, before I sign off ....</div>
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January did not start the year off well for us. We had</div>
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to make the decision that all pet owners dread and say</div>
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goodbye to our dear, beloved beautiful boy Rupert.</div>
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We were and are devastated!</div>
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He was with us for around 14 years and we adored</div>
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every minute of it .... even when he broke things,</div>
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picked on Phoebe and hogged the bed. He was a</div>
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tremendous character who made friends with everyone</div>
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and never met a food type that he didn't like.</div>
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We miss him every minute of every day.</div>
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Thanks for visiting. Hopefully I'll be around with</div>
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stitching updates again before the end of the year.</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-46952275061852947512016-12-07T12:58:00.002-05:002016-12-07T12:58:32.671-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello to all who may still be checking my blog</div>
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for signs of life on occasion. It's been a while </div>
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since I last posted and I have no excuse except</div>
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perhaps laziness.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And it does seem that blogging is becoming </div>
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something of a fading fad ... albeit a fad that</div>
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lasted for roughly 10 years or so.</div>
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So many bloggers have stopped posting or</div>
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have gone to private settings or have moved</div>
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to vlogging on Youtube instead. Not to </div>
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mention other forms of social media that I</div>
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may not be familiar with, dinosaur that I am</div>
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when it comes to things techie.</div>
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When it comes to Youtube I follow: booktubers,</div>
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flosstubers, journal-tubers, art-tubers etc. There</div>
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are "tubers" for every interest it seems.</div>
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(Hmmm .... wonder if there are such things as cat-</div>
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tubers??? Probably. But I digress .... ).</div>
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Confession: If a vlog post lasts longer then 20</div>
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minutes I don't bother. I can happily read a blog </div>
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post as long as your arm but when it comes to the</div>
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newer fad of vlogging I usually get bored sooner</div>
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rather then later.</div>
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With the exception of a few vloggers that is.</div>
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(Hello Vonna!!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have been tempted to try my own hand at vlogging</div>
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though it would more likely be of the booktube </div>
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variety rather then flosstubing.</div>
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But when it comes to vlogging there's something that</div>
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you need there that you don't need when blogging.</div>
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Blogging you should to be able to compose your</div>
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words into pleasant, interesting sentences. You don't</div>
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even need to know how to spell as long as you have</div>
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spellcheck. Thought I suppose having a grasp of the</div>
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sometimes discombobulating theories of grammar</div>
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might come in handy as well.</div>
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I don't worry about that sort of thing too much myself.</div>
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Obviously!</div>
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Ahem!</div>
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But there is something more you need when vlogging.</div>
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Personality. Enthusiasm. Charisma. Stage presence. </div>
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You can't just drone on, and on, and on .... not if </div>
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you want to attract viewers and keep them as </div>
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subscribers/followers.</div>
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I don't know that I'd have that ... whatever it is.</div>
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It's easier for me to express in writing what I</div>
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want to say. Well, usually. And I would be</div>
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so self conscious on a vlog. Does this camera</div>
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make me look fat? Is my hair on straight? Are</div>
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my eyebrows even? What's that on my chin?</div>
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And then there's the lighting, camera, setting,</div>
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props, editing. OMG!!!!</div>
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No, I'll stick to blogging. Sporadic posts </div>
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not withstanding it's more my thing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee1_IsYNXoXd9GcnE7jskEcBVuLwK6rCr9eHh12g6J1hUho1dhniHvOM5Wgvu4xjUScdq4wgUUH3MCn7O0F-cTyy02YFK61LJwarIDSPACayZIFzBfupgqhWAvgjPogGOS98COg/s1600/IMG_4652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee1_IsYNXoXd9GcnE7jskEcBVuLwK6rCr9eHh12g6J1hUho1dhniHvOM5Wgvu4xjUScdq4wgUUH3MCn7O0F-cTyy02YFK61LJwarIDSPACayZIFzBfupgqhWAvgjPogGOS98COg/s320/IMG_4652.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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An important reason that I wanted to post today is a </div>
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wonderful package that I received in the mail </div>
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yesterday from Andrea at <a href="http://thecraftroom.blogspot.ca/">The Craftroom</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5Il0frXHJHEJjlD5WefdCOrCJJXhaOMgA2fqAoidFLCxKJPbPEnDv2_lXktr_RWS3xHxyO5Fj4x7rOumULg05Lkf515vHPTzXdLv9lGHmFtgchPLEnzl_WPCNeI4xQEK_0M3bQ/s1600/IMG_4653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5Il0frXHJHEJjlD5WefdCOrCJJXhaOMgA2fqAoidFLCxKJPbPEnDv2_lXktr_RWS3xHxyO5Fj4x7rOumULg05Lkf515vHPTzXdLv9lGHmFtgchPLEnzl_WPCNeI4xQEK_0M3bQ/s320/IMG_4653.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Talented stitcher, amazing finisher and long time</div>
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blogging friend ... and a more generous soul you'd</div>
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be hard pressed to find anywhere.</div>
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Andrea gives away a number of her Christmas</div>
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ornaments every year to lucky followers of her</div>
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blog and has done so for many years. I won one</div>
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of her ornaments way back in 2009 and it's a</div>
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cherished possession let me tell you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GQzthBF7XMFvOTJICRZe3fwH5cVn5D1sCOXWNmvR8-UKPmmKaTTx59zlpu9dWwGHloQb1dg3kz5CarbWv00ORXpBxsSoF9mVszzYFZDXqMdvk5WU0ejm1dEVCq4cbQ0JoOvgQQ/s1600/IMG_4655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GQzthBF7XMFvOTJICRZe3fwH5cVn5D1sCOXWNmvR8-UKPmmKaTTx59zlpu9dWwGHloQb1dg3kz5CarbWv00ORXpBxsSoF9mVszzYFZDXqMdvk5WU0ejm1dEVCq4cbQ0JoOvgQQ/s320/IMG_4655.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This year Andrea sent me this beautiful ornament</div>
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along with the other treasures that you can see in</div>
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the previous pictures. It's freaking gorgeous!!!</div>
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I am stunned. I am speechless (well, I was when</div>
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I opened the package .... trust me). It may be one of</div>
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the nicest memories that I'll have of this Christmas</div>
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season.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you Andrea. Just ... ah .... thank you!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9etdmqO33GKVV3T5SemKcB-hSFlJfMIG4jO0UUskRLWdpaY4rw4hDbtRGNejuh6QVyl9i4jHe_PO9vL8aVQFxj9aTnlAmC8r2hzuzrkL-tjYqlmdR75gWB3YySQRwD6XKhVTjg/s1600/IMG_4656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9etdmqO33GKVV3T5SemKcB-hSFlJfMIG4jO0UUskRLWdpaY4rw4hDbtRGNejuh6QVyl9i4jHe_PO9vL8aVQFxj9aTnlAmC8r2hzuzrkL-tjYqlmdR75gWB3YySQRwD6XKhVTjg/s320/IMG_4656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Other pastimes of note. Journalling. The days of </div>
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writing in a little pink diary with a tiny lock and key</div>
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have evolved, as have so many other creative pursuits,</div>
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into so much more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MXTf4xmb1u-KjzBOnnGonokxCArPP2PeCt4X9_D2Y0e1Dvr2Ni5adxwjk6uVgCD1B9dsKgO5QnaF_d-5a1pVoO8NIZGeOXQiVDFjFS0zpZbkkzCXHzORQxSETGtInRjkRxcMHQ/s1600/IMG_4657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MXTf4xmb1u-KjzBOnnGonokxCArPP2PeCt4X9_D2Y0e1Dvr2Ni5adxwjk6uVgCD1B9dsKgO5QnaF_d-5a1pVoO8NIZGeOXQiVDFjFS0zpZbkkzCXHzORQxSETGtInRjkRxcMHQ/s320/IMG_4657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Not just writing but also adding photos, magazine pictures,</div>
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ephemera from daily activities, clip art and on an on.</div>
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Being a visual person it appeals to me a lot. I have kept</div>
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written journals in the past but these "visual" journals please</div>
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me even more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lwMe-_ZCVLJixQkgfVOzovQ05yQE5FCiYVefqP15aWERUeDH2fyEQLGbEpIsytPfSEautpVsU1Vo4FLzwP0AyvFK0_8RC5zSU-HXKpWMuXyFTTTH76_rtWdsj_o4-QMAej2AnA/s1600/IMG_4658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lwMe-_ZCVLJixQkgfVOzovQ05yQE5FCiYVefqP15aWERUeDH2fyEQLGbEpIsytPfSEautpVsU1Vo4FLzwP0AyvFK0_8RC5zSU-HXKpWMuXyFTTTH76_rtWdsj_o4-QMAej2AnA/s320/IMG_4658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Part written journal, part photo album, part art journal,</div>
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part place to keep favourite images from magazines</div>
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like Victoria that I can't allow myself to hoard, much as</div>
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I might want to.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbK404ZIAg3AxULLY2f-56ZVB3dXwi0VDuxQ9HSs_ZnlIn8Z9d7Vs4_IGTya8e0Gf-DdBBpAZv_XSxTu8ooTGqytyPJxhWBFiVGsgFCgJOtw1Pq9td5zwC8qJxwNPC-dRmwK9VA/s1600/IMG_4212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbK404ZIAg3AxULLY2f-56ZVB3dXwi0VDuxQ9HSs_ZnlIn8Z9d7Vs4_IGTya8e0Gf-DdBBpAZv_XSxTu8ooTGqytyPJxhWBFiVGsgFCgJOtw1Pq9td5zwC8qJxwNPC-dRmwK9VA/s320/IMG_4212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And for someone with a short and often faulty memory</div>
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it's a great way to remember.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And I am using up a lot of those craft supplies that are</div>
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taking up space in my craft room.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Win, win.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsKoxs6J_3-hPFX4L9C7Mavu4pgw0YkYPBQoLp4U36OKIOXn5ChsXJNGdlIlMiPRxtvg-wMrpYQJKckyH7uhvYFnI8rZkmDB_JO7qM_sH2nlGdk4Dpxts40-Nv2GlfaKk0NnwHg/s1600/ca3793e5a4da2e4106130f2ff9dd8647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsKoxs6J_3-hPFX4L9C7Mavu4pgw0YkYPBQoLp4U36OKIOXn5ChsXJNGdlIlMiPRxtvg-wMrpYQJKckyH7uhvYFnI8rZkmDB_JO7qM_sH2nlGdk4Dpxts40-Nv2GlfaKk0NnwHg/s1600/ca3793e5a4da2e4106130f2ff9dd8647.jpg" /></a></div>
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Reading. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are a few of the books that I have been</div>
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reading this Fall.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ann Bishop's "Others" series. I've been </div>
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collecting these books for awhile but just </div>
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picked up the first one in October to read.</div>
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Tore through all four in no time flat. </div>
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Fantasy, strong characters, good story lines</div>
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that evolve through each book. Humor. </div>
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Book five comes out in the new year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXOvWEMYXXBK4Rgy4LjhyJpDBRRMwKh0D9ZnQ-mAm2lNNHILF1Q8iF5TgHTmwsI7q08GWbW5S_4jgPU6sOBvjP9li0MNiROG8Pn9-Ue5VZaG5-Twc1oNn114DvdCWRVnTDwN99Q/s1600/20702311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXOvWEMYXXBK4Rgy4LjhyJpDBRRMwKh0D9ZnQ-mAm2lNNHILF1Q8iF5TgHTmwsI7q08GWbW5S_4jgPU6sOBvjP9li0MNiROG8Pn9-Ue5VZaG5-Twc1oNn114DvdCWRVnTDwN99Q/s320/20702311.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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I'm not at all religious but I do enjoy the</div>
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Mitford books. I own and have read them all. </div>
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This is a nice ... wouldn't it be great if the world</div>
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and the way religion was practised was</div>
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really like this ... series of stories. Heart</div>
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warming, comfort reading. </div>
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Also great character building, humor and</div>
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story weaving.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMVRsCeKw171hpM6p7WLLK_sYuQhC0pcmp0KZCLB9qL7gv1nczwyH3P7FN3wUur2bvFk-wGLCm4X9UEleBncjh51qx1XRPLbBQh4swmqFgnH5sOtBst2ZyS55-LVbWHXoxGc1zw/s1600/6643090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMVRsCeKw171hpM6p7WLLK_sYuQhC0pcmp0KZCLB9qL7gv1nczwyH3P7FN3wUur2bvFk-wGLCm4X9UEleBncjh51qx1XRPLbBQh4swmqFgnH5sOtBst2ZyS55-LVbWHXoxGc1zw/s320/6643090.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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English humor. Great characters. Perhaps a bit of a </div>
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satire? Or a commentary on a way of life? Gentle</div>
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love story between two diverse characters ....</div>
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one set in his own ways and not inclined to</div>
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see any other way of living or thinking.</div>
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Oh, and the love story is between two people</div>
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who are, shall we say, of a more mature age?</div>
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Nice change from the 20 to 30 year olds we</div>
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usually see in books falling in love.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29m2dK2MvDB-jxadlM2pSr30ELmMaJedJqIFG-h_fpDwOqnB4GXiTSTE__3-QxiNqEJfpeuxqoXEEYqsYt_84ur_Lcfv4GJs0_693m0eh3_ACBFgfqI0ocKqCoKKzdKkHVdrOag/s1600/30008681+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29m2dK2MvDB-jxadlM2pSr30ELmMaJedJqIFG-h_fpDwOqnB4GXiTSTE__3-QxiNqEJfpeuxqoXEEYqsYt_84ur_Lcfv4GJs0_693m0eh3_ACBFgfqI0ocKqCoKKzdKkHVdrOag/s320/30008681+%25281%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Wow!! Loved this one. A bit of a history story, a bit of</div>
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a love story, a bit of a time travel story. Could not put it</div>
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down!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIv_qePnfTOaWq1f5pYSDck5J-E8Rf8WV9ZJAUEaY5pczyTtiYYnNYCL0NC3moUE0OM4LRRI0fbLnRPO-4ZX8uYu-PG3sVN92SrAqp_zQhAsX3On8A4HEpphfonIpXQ1oCGDlfCA/s1600/30008681+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEImF8NGkNiJmoT8nMXUJ-VFs4MK4IY1jOvfAjH6N9mQd760R0Sm8_nQl85f-Zwue6TzUvu2_bY49CIpoEZE_m891YAYTzOm8DNWBQcP9-GrtPfEm3WsjOV-pfP04JQBfrZ0lpFQ/s1600/Collage-1024x1024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEImF8NGkNiJmoT8nMXUJ-VFs4MK4IY1jOvfAjH6N9mQd760R0Sm8_nQl85f-Zwue6TzUvu2_bY49CIpoEZE_m891YAYTzOm8DNWBQcP9-GrtPfEm3WsjOV-pfP04JQBfrZ0lpFQ/s320/Collage-1024x1024.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another historical novel, based on true events. Did you</div>
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ever read or hear about the apartment in a Paris building</div>
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opened for the first time 70 years after it's doors were locked</div>
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at the beginning of the second world war????</div>
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The author creates a history and a backstory about what might </div>
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have been behind this fascinating event and the people </div>
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who might have lived there. How the contents of the apartment </div>
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might have related to those people. Why it was abandoned.</div>
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Very good read.</div>
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And finally ....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fcV37T5zx1hWqnzOKlz_vCt4dxk2CXIcPoCZmJW9V7pXFdCeCrOh5KKvxpAfWH2FJwuc9LnMacr7a_fNj-B5TXgtWoT0T0m23RS2iwxtDeCyegSNLiDXbv1FktsUPZlbCiWnRQ/s1600/downton-abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fcV37T5zx1hWqnzOKlz_vCt4dxk2CXIcPoCZmJW9V7pXFdCeCrOh5KKvxpAfWH2FJwuc9LnMacr7a_fNj-B5TXgtWoT0T0m23RS2iwxtDeCyegSNLiDXbv1FktsUPZlbCiWnRQ/s320/downton-abbey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My latest obsession.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I got Netflix in November. Started watching a few </div>
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programs and movies. Picked out the first episode of</div>
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Downton Abbey remembering all of the hype about it </div>
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from a few years ago. Started watching it. Ohhh myyy!!</div>
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I'm doomed!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Crushing on Matthew and Mr Bates and Tom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHLpyhBKF3MqfAu756flBA0JhiG35c2ioICGAus5s6gvra2JERKE3wr4ugNjlxX6fHReRq6KIuWRucsw3cVyAuePiutDLlqlilUu1ovsPjqAuhKKXDJSiyTjY-EajRb01K5avJA/s1600/Netflix-The-Crown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHLpyhBKF3MqfAu756flBA0JhiG35c2ioICGAus5s6gvra2JERKE3wr4ugNjlxX6fHReRq6KIuWRucsw3cVyAuePiutDLlqlilUu1ovsPjqAuhKKXDJSiyTjY-EajRb01K5avJA/s320/Netflix-The-Crown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And the reason that I got Netflix in the first place.</div>
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The Crown. </div>
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Devoured it!! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Tried to space it out. Watch one a night or every other</div>
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night. Just to make it last.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yeah, that didn't work.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Soooo, when's the next season coming????</div>
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<span style="background-color: #990000;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #990000;">*****************************************************</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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And that's about all from me for this time around. If you've</div>
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read this far I congratulate you. And thank you.</div>
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Have a great day!</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-86957331910491420042016-08-10T15:46:00.001-04:002016-08-10T15:46:28.902-04:00<br />
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I have a story to tell you. It is the story of a cross stitcher</div>
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and it demonstrates how much the love of a hobby can</div>
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draw people ... often complete strangers ... together to</div>
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create joy and happiness. <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have a dear friend named Mary who works as a </div>
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secretary for Knox Presbyterian Church here in </div>
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Georgetown. Often I pop into her office at the</div>
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church to say "hi", catch up on news and so forth.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A while ago, when I popped in for a short visit she showed</div>
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me a lovely little round cross stitch ornament that a lady</div>
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who sometimes goes to her church had made for her. It</div>
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was a cardinal in the boughs of a tree and had been neatly</div>
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finished into a round ornament which Mary kept on her</div>
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desk to enjoy.</div>
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Knowing that I was a stitcher Mary showed it to me and</div>
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I expressed my delight with it. How sweet the design,</div>
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how well stitched it was and how nicely it was finished.</div>
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Whenever I was in her office after that I would see the</div>
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piece and enjoy looking at it ... as one does when seeing</div>
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another stitcher's work.</div>
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Well, in July I once again stopped in to see Mary and </div>
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when she saw me she smiled broadly and said that she </div>
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had something for me and she handed me a small</div>
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tissue wrapped item. Curious I carefully opened the</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0_42OKjkzfpRgQpQ8OYrrNbB_CI-YBvL1Bbnf4m-uuqMlmFUmvr_5Wd1tvtZibfSSb6-apU5B80Y1z01HSy4TCci3yONMmDIbe0dtZX2xpAemzUcUw8jrI5O4GOHJwlUarwCaA/s1600/IMG_3891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>tissue and revealed this ..... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0_42OKjkzfpRgQpQ8OYrrNbB_CI-YBvL1Bbnf4m-uuqMlmFUmvr_5Wd1tvtZibfSSb6-apU5B80Y1z01HSy4TCci3yONMmDIbe0dtZX2xpAemzUcUw8jrI5O4GOHJwlUarwCaA/s1600/IMG_3891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0_42OKjkzfpRgQpQ8OYrrNbB_CI-YBvL1Bbnf4m-uuqMlmFUmvr_5Wd1tvtZibfSSb6-apU5B80Y1z01HSy4TCci3yONMmDIbe0dtZX2xpAemzUcUw8jrI5O4GOHJwlUarwCaA/s320/IMG_3891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Apparently Mary had told the lady about me and how much</div>
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I'd admired her stitching and then told her that I was a </div>
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stitcher too and a few weeks later the lady had brought</div>
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this in for me .... even though we'd never met!! Can you</div>
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imagine?</div>
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<br /></div>
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I cried! Yes, I did. I was so moved and awed by the</div>
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lovely, generous thoughtfulness of someone I'd never met</div>
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who would take the time to make me something so</div>
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personal just for me. Mary had also told her that I loved</div>
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cats and that my first cat had been a grey one which is how</div>
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she choose to stitch this particular design.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So now this sweet ornament has a home in my craft room</div>
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where I admire it every day and it reminds me of how </div>
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wonderful cross stitchers (and people) can be. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aKSJy9EjpPjV17rGXlvbz3eXt2LBLS_FftgNpQF-IH9Evh9LPhqlOLm6BjfrHQEpEZw2IOYcnTXhx0v-_Fef33f8fzeMfFECeccUhgjVWUV25NQETd7u-UFhVFunifcLrkFvCA/s1600/IMG_1333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aKSJy9EjpPjV17rGXlvbz3eXt2LBLS_FftgNpQF-IH9Evh9LPhqlOLm6BjfrHQEpEZw2IOYcnTXhx0v-_Fef33f8fzeMfFECeccUhgjVWUV25NQETd7u-UFhVFunifcLrkFvCA/s1600/IMG_1333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aKSJy9EjpPjV17rGXlvbz3eXt2LBLS_FftgNpQF-IH9Evh9LPhqlOLm6BjfrHQEpEZw2IOYcnTXhx0v-_Fef33f8fzeMfFECeccUhgjVWUV25NQETd7u-UFhVFunifcLrkFvCA/s320/IMG_1333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And speaking of the spirit of giving .....</div>
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We celebrated Christmas last weekend!!!</div>
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Hang on now .... don't get excited. We haven't lost our</div>
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minds up here just yet! It's just something that we've</div>
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been doing for quite some time now in early August.</div>
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We have a party ... a Christmas in August party .... and</div>
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invite as many of our friends as we can.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoHaCbeE6AldBnBm1OsYn-APPpD_8ta6qmXcpHvx7F6BIfQgjWRy5_2hihOd994kj3lghS8gTEEm9JOA8xuhnnnNvO2-yt-DRvLEiZLox8hk8rlIn8PV7eVCOgK9ghOaQKQsz0A/s1600/IMG_1325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoHaCbeE6AldBnBm1OsYn-APPpD_8ta6qmXcpHvx7F6BIfQgjWRy5_2hihOd994kj3lghS8gTEEm9JOA8xuhnnnNvO2-yt-DRvLEiZLox8hk8rlIn8PV7eVCOgK9ghOaQKQsz0A/s320/IMG_1325.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's Phil all enthusiastic and excited before the start</div>
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of the party. He is wearing a t-shirt that had been a </div>
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Christmas gift from friends of ours last year.</div>
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If you blow up the picture you'll see that the picture on</div>
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the shirt is of Phil singing in the Children's Christmas </div>
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Pageant two years ago. (they'd apparently needed someone</div>
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to play the role of an "old man" in the story - hehehe)</div>
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And the caption reads: A Star Is Born</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR4it3it0jn3wEhyQuvqZJqpLU2DH1djN8tT3byFw1sgkYUE3KnB5DQb3NXHUHfsezy3v1lgvyhkdtwr8TnazgsVnp1i6yt7tBIFAn80aSvSCLiynIHiXbTUiuvnXM9zrjpdpGQ/s1600/IMG_1324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR4it3it0jn3wEhyQuvqZJqpLU2DH1djN8tT3byFw1sgkYUE3KnB5DQb3NXHUHfsezy3v1lgvyhkdtwr8TnazgsVnp1i6yt7tBIFAn80aSvSCLiynIHiXbTUiuvnXM9zrjpdpGQ/s320/IMG_1324.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me on the right and my dear friend Darlene on the left</div>
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just before things got busy ... and note Santa Claus</div>
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on my left. Hohoho!!!</div>
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We decorate with some of our favourite Christmas </div>
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decorations and put Christmas lights up around the</div>
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back deck. I spent two days baking and cooking</div>
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and our friends all brought their own favourite pot</div>
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luck foods as well so we always eat (stuff ourselves</div>
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actually) very well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAIQ5oI-9rwjiHCOmVSQ5aYlr4F1GPJGX-ah3u9oIk9Bk9HiKUg-UciygIzClxj0rbEFH3SNaTpLxeO1LG4Tz9Ff7jtpZ5-oqXVQdmKxM2e9qOtJ4zKWGYrJIHTq_6bsDEpDq3A/s1600/IMG_1391-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAIQ5oI-9rwjiHCOmVSQ5aYlr4F1GPJGX-ah3u9oIk9Bk9HiKUg-UciygIzClxj0rbEFH3SNaTpLxeO1LG4Tz9Ff7jtpZ5-oqXVQdmKxM2e9qOtJ4zKWGYrJIHTq_6bsDEpDq3A/s320/IMG_1391-EFFECTS.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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A picture of our yard taken from our deck which</div>
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Googlephoto then randomly chose to turned into this </div>
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lovely picture.</div>
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Close up of the flowers that we bought for the tables.</div>
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Love Gerbera daisies!</div>
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We lucked out on the day of the party because the </div>
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horrendous heat that we've been having took a </div>
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break that day and we just had normal tolerably</div>
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warm weather that allowed us to be outside all</div>
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day without worrying about anyone passing out</div>
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from the excessive heat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV1ytyI7pUwSuK0cOH6dLB8zUmLxzG-i1HPHG7Gt8EKKtIONMdB51JLZPtb6LyoR2BpvENMFM88MxdDiXSY32mdXYAKeZREvREbnE0T_QEH0K-_VNk8t8DbyW09ziV7goUHekfA/s1600/IMG_3892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV1ytyI7pUwSuK0cOH6dLB8zUmLxzG-i1HPHG7Gt8EKKtIONMdB51JLZPtb6LyoR2BpvENMFM88MxdDiXSY32mdXYAKeZREvREbnE0T_QEH0K-_VNk8t8DbyW09ziV7goUHekfA/s320/IMG_3892.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The past month has not been a good stitching</div>
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month for me. I guess that I needed a break.</div>
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Instead I was bitten by the doodling bug again</div>
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and have been working in my sketch book</div>
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filling the pages with floral patterns.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfALDcgfPP63gfoKEgE5AfeZGSp5Aj93bZjeB2BmZLWNhyphenhyphennyAXl1JHjTF2iQLbQ384yCyXg0HUtC_eG4UrFbC3a8D0tpNbCYl91ynP7CFf28Ix6xuMeLHKoqfovTzmssMyKKzOg/s1600/IMG_3896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfALDcgfPP63gfoKEgE5AfeZGSp5Aj93bZjeB2BmZLWNhyphenhyphennyAXl1JHjTF2iQLbQ384yCyXg0HUtC_eG4UrFbC3a8D0tpNbCYl91ynP7CFf28Ix6xuMeLHKoqfovTzmssMyKKzOg/s320/IMG_3896.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And a bit of Zentangling as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P9o4hts9-hxT0hzcF9PqqDySaJJA1V5Oe3hNVcx5X0Ln-8ISKaENPLB7AaxDeixqKnjFpCOXM_Y3ywU75BiGyP-DdBtH9hzu6Wf5E2abhNf_FC-pPYfxl6eMPzPU7HelI75d1g/s1600/IMG_3893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P9o4hts9-hxT0hzcF9PqqDySaJJA1V5Oe3hNVcx5X0Ln-8ISKaENPLB7AaxDeixqKnjFpCOXM_Y3ywU75BiGyP-DdBtH9hzu6Wf5E2abhNf_FC-pPYfxl6eMPzPU7HelI75d1g/s320/IMG_3893.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I haul all my markers and pencil crayons and</div>
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other drawing "stuff" out to the back deck and</div>
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sit there all day .... unless it gets too hot like it</div>
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is today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaov_7Y7k1ssADMLv2iOAh0usgzz90IX6rSSxx6EAm6fZe2T0bqLtjRk2PA1Mt4cW8qszxnb5sXEqLMue0xbLmZzigiNDP_5PszCORkrQOaE1MwSjPu-3P_4Yu73MwlN9FHb4DA/s1600/IMG_3894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaov_7Y7k1ssADMLv2iOAh0usgzz90IX6rSSxx6EAm6fZe2T0bqLtjRk2PA1Mt4cW8qszxnb5sXEqLMue0xbLmZzigiNDP_5PszCORkrQOaE1MwSjPu-3P_4Yu73MwlN9FHb4DA/s320/IMG_3894.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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More.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A25t-FLHEM-jFZ2Z4dW3l-g2vfFWOOImCOKoTtWn63Eqw8j6I2bPni1ArK444QnD2x8f05vv5oGAieGA3629ElIZe4_ooluNXT203fcqHdk-rnJa6zhcEzMYPbSRr4Ec2Bn82Q/s1600/IMG_3895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A25t-FLHEM-jFZ2Z4dW3l-g2vfFWOOImCOKoTtWn63Eqw8j6I2bPni1ArK444QnD2x8f05vv5oGAieGA3629ElIZe4_ooluNXT203fcqHdk-rnJa6zhcEzMYPbSRr4Ec2Bn82Q/s320/IMG_3895.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And the rest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLUm6aOm1nx_m4-TPOTE0NQ6jwaXp-0g8g2jTaTV7uF054i-P595DDmKsKQU_9Aoiq8RjQ_kZaD5-zBkfSRp1YQImKKV2AACarKSEaT_4ZzeFO-7P7HqICrurHwEekb9swo011g/s1600/IMG_1215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLUm6aOm1nx_m4-TPOTE0NQ6jwaXp-0g8g2jTaTV7uF054i-P595DDmKsKQU_9Aoiq8RjQ_kZaD5-zBkfSRp1YQImKKV2AACarKSEaT_4ZzeFO-7P7HqICrurHwEekb9swo011g/s320/IMG_1215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went to Stratford on July 13th which is something that</div>
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we try to do at least once a year. We love it there because</div>
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it is such a lovely town, with neighbourhoods full of old</div>
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homes, beautiful gardens, a fabulous downtown area for</div>
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shopping, a peaceful river to picnic by and ... of course </div>
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... the plays and musicals that are performed there every</div>
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year.</div>
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Above is the Festival Theatre where we saw A Chorus</div>
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Line this year. It's the main theatre where most of the</div>
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Shakespearean plays are performed and it was the first</div>
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theatre built in the town. There are many more now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagMVXN1q8jeLemU0N7cl9rE3PJ1nfpzAvaBFYJdEmIRHPtooYlhEaDBjC5c3uVpcpKXpsmWfGcaBks8dfRxFW_-kpCImtaB62gqLKi_Cf6rOrQcl35pm1QNPSdmHySJD8RSlK8A/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagMVXN1q8jeLemU0N7cl9rE3PJ1nfpzAvaBFYJdEmIRHPtooYlhEaDBjC5c3uVpcpKXpsmWfGcaBks8dfRxFW_-kpCImtaB62gqLKi_Cf6rOrQcl35pm1QNPSdmHySJD8RSlK8A/s320/IMG_1228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the lovely, gracious old homes ... many of which have</div>
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been turned into B&B's. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qqjm59mAho7RU-s3tnO5lchSu9bakSIJEUJWYVbm4zoqluDTrazxlIMR_x0EKaafEVd3i2JmnULB3joSPlCJhtobvKhRBZ7F93zeg5GrU1vxWfUbJmmGGcV96xmfkGiwTWRiIA/s1600/IMG_3862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qqjm59mAho7RU-s3tnO5lchSu9bakSIJEUJWYVbm4zoqluDTrazxlIMR_x0EKaafEVd3i2JmnULB3joSPlCJhtobvKhRBZ7F93zeg5GrU1vxWfUbJmmGGcV96xmfkGiwTWRiIA/s320/IMG_3862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Frustratingly the day we went was an absolute scorcher!</div>
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It was literally too hot to do much of anything because</div>
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to move was to sweat and to suffer. We tried a bit of</div>
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walking but even on the tree shaded streets it was </div>
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unbearable and left us feeling sick and light headed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So we found a bench beneath a tree by the river Avon</div>
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and we parked ourselves there until it was time for dinner.</div>
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Then went back there after dinner to sit some more until</div>
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it was time for the 8:00 pm show.</div>
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We got home that night around 11:40 (Stratford is an</div>
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hour and a half drive from here) and about 20 minutes</div>
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later a tremendous thunderstorm roared through so our</div>
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timing was perfect. I love a good thunderstorm but not</div>
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while out driving in the dark of night on unfamiliar</div>
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roads.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJnM574WPjg-rQOX0bDIXoW4yTlZATCf8PkcXQsuwSJGSMH_5Lab-4tn-uHlzwtkGMJgg8xWGYtoBiiOSZAP6wA3V-Pr2jxF336xLy7cs6-7i9yhzJmVjUFEcxrETynnxllTi-w/s1600/51jjpmsPaKL._SX327_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJnM574WPjg-rQOX0bDIXoW4yTlZATCf8PkcXQsuwSJGSMH_5Lab-4tn-uHlzwtkGMJgg8xWGYtoBiiOSZAP6wA3V-Pr2jxF336xLy7cs6-7i9yhzJmVjUFEcxrETynnxllTi-w/s320/51jjpmsPaKL._SX327_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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Not much reading going on either last month.</div>
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I did read the above fantasy and I am now </div>
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reading it's sequel Froi of the Exiles and then</div>
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there is the third book to be read Quintana of</div>
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Charyn.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And that's about it from me. C</div>
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<br /></div>
Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-52212314975695003002016-06-27T15:50:00.003-04:002016-06-27T16:22:34.737-04:00Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-73059612104084829982016-06-27T15:50:00.000-04:002016-06-27T16:23:04.371-04:00End of June ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Greetings blog friends ....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-NqXIjd0NJjyBPBv06bW2Fqy6fB5Hhhu70wGWk4VKafDIyI3K0CwVwnhTxx4ENmLY9fmccgF3Z93mf36kAm1LRncpiR-Puh8kc83uZ9TUJAyFf7fePw7kWbb1jIlHsgSIfjd5Q/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-NqXIjd0NJjyBPBv06bW2Fqy6fB5Hhhu70wGWk4VKafDIyI3K0CwVwnhTxx4ENmLY9fmccgF3Z93mf36kAm1LRncpiR-Puh8kc83uZ9TUJAyFf7fePw7kWbb1jIlHsgSIfjd5Q/s320/IMG_3611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been neglecting my blog as I have been outside </div>
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enjoying the beautiful summer that we've been having</div>
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since the middle of May. Hot and sunny and little in </div>
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the way of rain ... though we do need it desperately. The</div>
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garden is parched and watering with the garden hose is</div>
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a poor substitute for actual rain from the sky.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I do stitch while I'm out on the deck, so long as the</div>
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wind isn't blowing up a gale that threatens to sweep</div>
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my threads off to somewhere over the rainbow. I've</div>
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been concentrating on Pretty Little Toronto and making</div>
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fairly good progress on it. So, top left is Casa Loma,</div>
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the middle part is St James Cathedral, next to that is the</div>
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slim column which is the base of the C.N. Tower (40</div>
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years old this week) but it needs the restaurant/observation</div>
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platform to be stitched on top, and to the right of the C.N.</div>
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tower is the St. Lawrence Market. Oh, and a wee bit</div>
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of Toronto's city hall just over top of that.</div>
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I'm getting the itch to stitch a new project .... we'll see</div>
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if I stand firm with my current WIP or if I'll succumb</div>
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to temptation and start rummaging in my stash cup-</div>
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board. Stay tuned .... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2Zx0Nl3uo5xwph9IUfpR5l86HN_x-29QW7Ll_SEnQQ3X1ZmLfclDpqh5YVsKCUcvd3lbYEU9SKq5xt8uCXVy6bmupT9ZUon7RYfaglUY9mV-zeQ2OURBie2TrZOMx18ODVj7Dw/s1600/IMG_1176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2Zx0Nl3uo5xwph9IUfpR5l86HN_x-29QW7Ll_SEnQQ3X1ZmLfclDpqh5YVsKCUcvd3lbYEU9SKq5xt8uCXVy6bmupT9ZUon7RYfaglUY9mV-zeQ2OURBie2TrZOMx18ODVj7Dw/s320/IMG_1176.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Road trip. A day spent visiting friends up near Lake</div>
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Simcoe which is an hour and a half drive from here </div>
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and a glorious day it was. Phil and I went up early </div>
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so that we could spend time on the beach and have a </div>
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picnic lunch before heading to the home of our</div>
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friends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7-Hck_C-s0bCfmaEphgGfEyH-Hw6M8uaOc3q1emHHKM3IFP5HaLMrkmhq2KX-CXrEzPHfqrESpUe7H8cwpH68rHKRhuFPF4zriQdM2dXe5VQrvEEmjK-OVIXNZ7tOwEZNhOA5w/s1600/IMG_1181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7-Hck_C-s0bCfmaEphgGfEyH-Hw6M8uaOc3q1emHHKM3IFP5HaLMrkmhq2KX-CXrEzPHfqrESpUe7H8cwpH68rHKRhuFPF4zriQdM2dXe5VQrvEEmjK-OVIXNZ7tOwEZNhOA5w/s320/IMG_1181.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We found a park near the water, parked our car in the </div>
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lot there (and paid half a years salary for the privilege)</div>
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then found a nice tree and spread our picnic blanket in it's</div>
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shade. It was a hot day, the shade was welcome. We </div>
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ate our sandwiches and then I left Phil snoozing on the</div>
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blanket and wandered along the lakeshore until I found</div>
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a quiet place and a nice rock out in the water where I </div>
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could sit and dangle my feet in the water. It was bliss!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJn0jJSpuWsb0uOPeGVOC2WSJz0-a_fayqeheUf0ZzQaJ6vHQhE0c_pEV8SDr1fAE9HmjW0GuQZepYxO3sZX2TMaNRIzC2iRmG_ptKlSGUOYXBzNAICWLgbqPGRLjwkbWHBiQQUw/s1600/IMG_3574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJn0jJSpuWsb0uOPeGVOC2WSJz0-a_fayqeheUf0ZzQaJ6vHQhE0c_pEV8SDr1fAE9HmjW0GuQZepYxO3sZX2TMaNRIzC2iRmG_ptKlSGUOYXBzNAICWLgbqPGRLjwkbWHBiQQUw/s320/IMG_3574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Clear, cool water over a pebble and stone surface.</div>
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I sat there for over half an hour, watching the boaters</div>
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going by, a muskrat or mink fishing in the water, and</div>
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ignored the hopeful seagull that settled nearby in hopes</div>
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that I might have food to share.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4dFr6YDPH1rhyphenhyphenx344OuLaApPNVjqWh9fPcJxa18j4cKtzQVtsWN9SFJC9duEuELK7rk4tn2B0sQOJCW_s7390mYI2f4y9yUQMMJjy-l-ihmlon4IxH99RPNLQ6l6TYrDHVWR2Q/s1600/IMG_1183-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4dFr6YDPH1rhyphenhyphenx344OuLaApPNVjqWh9fPcJxa18j4cKtzQVtsWN9SFJC9duEuELK7rk4tn2B0sQOJCW_s7390mYI2f4y9yUQMMJjy-l-ihmlon4IxH99RPNLQ6l6TYrDHVWR2Q/s320/IMG_1183-EFFECTS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love being by the water. It's restful and stimulating</div>
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at the same time. Watching the waves is both mesmerizing</div>
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and hypnotic. </div>
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I found it so very hard to tear myself away when it came</div>
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time for us to pack up our gear and head to our friend's</div>
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home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wvk-B6Wu76vMUZiyrgBy_wlaWYwZbG868jcdDOaxct6eTqYYxcZmq1DHj-5_s4BdYRhBodzJX26UyZHzDFTH4OWS272ep2z8MeZRZFzXDarcNqrPxgIE5Q8AdoMKVD2kmsV-ug/s1600/IMG_3595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wvk-B6Wu76vMUZiyrgBy_wlaWYwZbG868jcdDOaxct6eTqYYxcZmq1DHj-5_s4BdYRhBodzJX26UyZHzDFTH4OWS272ep2z8MeZRZFzXDarcNqrPxgIE5Q8AdoMKVD2kmsV-ug/s320/IMG_3595.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Close by our friend's home was a quilting store and this</div>
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beauty was hanging out front on display. Isn't it </div>
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gorgeous?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtT9cp2RJu9ysss2BoybHjLIVU7ApW9V_oYB5dKuZQRMMd7c7r8EmBBeORBgR41RxD83RNZLWmLD7zXo-3ZUkll43ROeUALBtwoKunjC-nF4lFKYQ-X315gMBALvUG7iGu6J3suQ/s1600/IMG_1162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtT9cp2RJu9ysss2BoybHjLIVU7ApW9V_oYB5dKuZQRMMd7c7r8EmBBeORBgR41RxD83RNZLWmLD7zXo-3ZUkll43ROeUALBtwoKunjC-nF4lFKYQ-X315gMBALvUG7iGu6J3suQ/s320/IMG_1162.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our front garden is looking pretty good even though it</div>
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gets the full sun all afternoon without any shade or</div>
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respite from the unrelenting heat. The Peonies made</div>
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a nice display during the short time that they were at</div>
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their peak ... and then they dropped all their petals in</div>
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the garden and made a horrible mess. Oh well. That's</div>
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gardening for you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fxMG4QoPijiw4SYkZFXRexW9O-DttLUtfecPidMi8yYgFI3wJxIrebZtMKdsLcd_o_E9la3m_fD6AWu-ulnycYuTEejgwYjacDWchxNbQRVhfuFZvmPwLHLFJCljtt7IGxOYnQ/s1600/IMG_3619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fxMG4QoPijiw4SYkZFXRexW9O-DttLUtfecPidMi8yYgFI3wJxIrebZtMKdsLcd_o_E9la3m_fD6AWu-ulnycYuTEejgwYjacDWchxNbQRVhfuFZvmPwLHLFJCljtt7IGxOYnQ/s320/IMG_3619.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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One of my favourite flowers is Lantana. These pretty,</div>
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colourful flowers last quite awhile and they come in</div>
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such wonderful, bright colours. These are in one of the</div>
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pots on our deck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui-oBL2ryeqmxbc-NXoxs2PeR15RSsHKtbjYJMqcmo8wLxuf5_PdlC92Z0qOMPQ2frxIV5lpfnzufYaXUrlv9um4aibAaB4deU0L9qAj-lKBb4W3HjRW7q1qAq-7r2Hxld-rVLw/s1600/IMG_3713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui-oBL2ryeqmxbc-NXoxs2PeR15RSsHKtbjYJMqcmo8wLxuf5_PdlC92Z0qOMPQ2frxIV5lpfnzufYaXUrlv9um4aibAaB4deU0L9qAj-lKBb4W3HjRW7q1qAq-7r2Hxld-rVLw/s320/IMG_3713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yesterday was the Georgetown Horticultural Society's</div>
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garden tour. So Phil and I headed out and visited all</div>
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but one of the private gardens that were open for a few</div>
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hours to visitors to raise money for the Society.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgxgmFMvGVkrpDNGSAulHV3S3n3el2e71ukbnA0yxirV6ijf8vdqL9e-Fo7z3CQxwgVLAVTQSJu8-P7ZicSHGj9qAZvjd-zef-rI_menYMmOSdR0a2V-3LYFSy9zlWuHcgGx2iQ/s1600/IMG_3735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgxgmFMvGVkrpDNGSAulHV3S3n3el2e71ukbnA0yxirV6ijf8vdqL9e-Fo7z3CQxwgVLAVTQSJu8-P7ZicSHGj9qAZvjd-zef-rI_menYMmOSdR0a2V-3LYFSy9zlWuHcgGx2iQ/s320/IMG_3735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of the gardens were in town and some were properties</div>
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in the country. I guess that we spent about three hours </div>
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wandering through each place and we got some great ideas</div>
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and tips for our own modest garden.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhptRvDTU3cc8LPBNIebCLmZEXOE7GafGVDfxBu7KjmpEmU42ctPOxR1jcw8sQ4Qo-kayKXpf1oq3W9sZ0-FrjSdotNnqFqu1Q-Y5nBC394eBYNF725TcF6nGXjtJ1ydVwvqWIZg/s1600/IMG_3698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhptRvDTU3cc8LPBNIebCLmZEXOE7GafGVDfxBu7KjmpEmU42ctPOxR1jcw8sQ4Qo-kayKXpf1oq3W9sZ0-FrjSdotNnqFqu1Q-Y5nBC394eBYNF725TcF6nGXjtJ1ydVwvqWIZg/s320/IMG_3698.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately it was a terribly hot day and even</div>
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with a bottle of water to hydrate ourselves (which</div>
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soon became hot enough to make ourselves a cup</div>
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of tea with, unfortunately) and hats on our heads to </div>
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keep the sun off it was often very uncomfortable and </div>
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draining as we walked.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxKuu709FGCRLFW2gKg-Seu-0CMZ0V4SIdMvppLw1o0K2xNi6Mfrqa1k7Wf9eFgGIRTeCW9sbTKtYS91gNjgrm72p-Emi33XqsXu9iIOgqE2yQU1-rTuUCSCbnap71tx2ZN0Dmg/s1600/IMG_3724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxKuu709FGCRLFW2gKg-Seu-0CMZ0V4SIdMvppLw1o0K2xNi6Mfrqa1k7Wf9eFgGIRTeCW9sbTKtYS91gNjgrm72p-Emi33XqsXu9iIOgqE2yQU1-rTuUCSCbnap71tx2ZN0Dmg/s320/IMG_3724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Out in the countryside the temperature was a bit</div>
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lower and there was a breeze to help cool us off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN-0nwbkgbqZahOAIybjL3xqhXfzOxMoAIXd7nTIpx0FhA5ue-MRMxlh_ur-aAElmPVd08fSXLJEx34Yqf40oTVW7t8FaOmS2JYJBZ7FTo8N7cJnPj0hTwaExApkIiFBFNsCHiw/s1600/IMG_3715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN-0nwbkgbqZahOAIybjL3xqhXfzOxMoAIXd7nTIpx0FhA5ue-MRMxlh_ur-aAElmPVd08fSXLJEx34Yqf40oTVW7t8FaOmS2JYJBZ7FTo8N7cJnPj0hTwaExApkIiFBFNsCHiw/s320/IMG_3715.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkErTYu6ziwOjsFivUinAG4Gzxwo86yha7FibVSaS2G6xbPQm1QIV5XbLgD-m0ctGfRPG8E2RoIwvVSd07bZmqwOV4sxbQMtMfmsh_hBU7F7T6PhiuYdtfxdhDYLK4AKFZIkLabg/s1600/13410644._UY475_SS475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkErTYu6ziwOjsFivUinAG4Gzxwo86yha7FibVSaS2G6xbPQm1QIV5XbLgD-m0ctGfRPG8E2RoIwvVSd07bZmqwOV4sxbQMtMfmsh_hBU7F7T6PhiuYdtfxdhDYLK4AKFZIkLabg/s320/13410644._UY475_SS475_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been reading .... lots!!! As a matter of</div>
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fact I've been devouring books like there's no</div>
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tomorrow. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The Imposter Bride takes place in Montreal in</div>
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the 1950's with flashbacks to the second world</div>
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war. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_zJjh7A-JwEGjqBYY_hIlF5CPfcgGwdqrrElnnRd2xSYY5M199ekrSm0tZEeGx5zcJbUBNg9T-fMKFgvwC3axKVNEF0TImiVYMg0K-_URAinqjTl6grHqPz8DvotBn5FGvA74A/s1600/tumblr_o582ls0MZD1rk5a9yo1_1280-1-550x337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_zJjh7A-JwEGjqBYY_hIlF5CPfcgGwdqrrElnnRd2xSYY5M199ekrSm0tZEeGx5zcJbUBNg9T-fMKFgvwC3axKVNEF0TImiVYMg0K-_URAinqjTl6grHqPz8DvotBn5FGvA74A/s320/tumblr_o582ls0MZD1rk5a9yo1_1280-1-550x337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Raven Boys saga is Young Adult fantasy with a </div>
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touch of ... um .... I don't want to say horror because</div>
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that is too strong a term I think .... but they are a bit</div>
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dark. Loved them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgvA8yzjNDeu-iDrbaoA6jekiNTnvF57ODff4QsH1vnmVzDAaCaGzYgF6ps4oILfndZteHaCzhWhjubOIbCRNHcVdZS2cKUZ2fafyA-BNdbumKTK6k6ZIo7N0kzAiM42jUezerA/s1600/51QALXT00BL._AC_UL320_SR214%252C320_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgvA8yzjNDeu-iDrbaoA6jekiNTnvF57ODff4QsH1vnmVzDAaCaGzYgF6ps4oILfndZteHaCzhWhjubOIbCRNHcVdZS2cKUZ2fafyA-BNdbumKTK6k6ZIo7N0kzAiM42jUezerA/s1600/51QALXT00BL._AC_UL320_SR214%252C320_.jpg" /></a></div>
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These two books are by one of the most popular</div>
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Young Adult authors around. But they are</div>
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definitely not Young Adult stories because the</div>
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characters are quite ... er ... sexually active.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BV9gDpC9ZR3qDFqZLWT462KsG_vgy7dv4l8U_XdcdttTdWGwgBKWyYPkJC3AxpMQoktNLbwsbc5PwsGGDIO0S8Ftj_VdqOJvDwr5CqPYSomm5rh_lHeztpmp9FqUByy_zjB6-w/s1600/a_court_of_mist_and_fury_-_uk_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BV9gDpC9ZR3qDFqZLWT462KsG_vgy7dv4l8U_XdcdttTdWGwgBKWyYPkJC3AxpMQoktNLbwsbc5PwsGGDIO0S8Ftj_VdqOJvDwr5CqPYSomm5rh_lHeztpmp9FqUByy_zjB6-w/s320/a_court_of_mist_and_fury_-_uk_cover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Book one was good but book two was fabulous!!!</div>
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I could not put it down!!!</div>
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Perhaps it's obvious that these are also </div>
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fantasy stories .... and there will be another</div>
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in this series ... and the wait is going to be</div>
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agony!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGbMhZV6X8C2TVi1j99eG6fwFVknPJTb5sQ5dDLmEOKBOmthpZAT9HPwKPjND3troztaiPislL-nsI0qSorRqdwlrTtZtnDnRliU_qheAA_G9XVXxWvFDi_wIEZOllhhUqCpXVQ/s1600/elemental-mysteries-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGbMhZV6X8C2TVi1j99eG6fwFVknPJTb5sQ5dDLmEOKBOmthpZAT9HPwKPjND3troztaiPislL-nsI0qSorRqdwlrTtZtnDnRliU_qheAA_G9XVXxWvFDi_wIEZOllhhUqCpXVQ/s320/elemental-mysteries-banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And finally, for those of you who might be like me and</div>
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adore a good vampire romance novel or two ... you know</div>
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who you are .... this series I bought on Kindle and could</div>
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not put down until I had read all four of them. Great</div>
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stories, lots of interesting history and a new take on the</div>
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vampire genre. </div>
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I don't go into plot synopsis when I list my reads because</div>
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I figure you guys can easily check that out if you're </div>
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interested. Just know that for me I love a story with</div>
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strong characters ... which includes the secondary characters</div>
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.... a really good myth building or history relating tale ... and</div>
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snappy, crisp and lively banter in the dialogue is a definite plus.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAAbLErOecN10adyFL9FIRhN4UyJwsACOwppT_cggXJ1S2_zj9c33hOk7jiX-krK-KrZt7ZS_qMzTR30c9_lK3TPSxUzH_inZLIICOqOFj6pDMft-28m8cWDMi9c7Gp94h9kOjg/s1600/IMG_3562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAAbLErOecN10adyFL9FIRhN4UyJwsACOwppT_cggXJ1S2_zj9c33hOk7jiX-krK-KrZt7ZS_qMzTR30c9_lK3TPSxUzH_inZLIICOqOFj6pDMft-28m8cWDMi9c7Gp94h9kOjg/s320/IMG_3562.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Rupert wanted to join us whenever we headed out on one</div>
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of our adventures but sadly we could not oblige him.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by. Hope your summer is a </div>
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good one so far.</div>
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Happy stitching, happy gardening and happy reading!</div>
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<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-71966449205690009042016-05-26T15:42:00.000-04:002016-05-26T15:42:39.925-04:00It's Spring! No, Winter! No, Spring ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Greetings and welcome.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d3MOB_3ASOK6Dio7KyoM3-vb1owWvO9t1lp8twXuC2S8o6s7U-ZDSZ6ZBEXCsIgGfasndq0vSRLQAvhsqmJyArbJzDBaSuu9838duDI1duij-HlH77eH1d13IAYVmtOsaw8JGg/s1600/IMG_3509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d3MOB_3ASOK6Dio7KyoM3-vb1owWvO9t1lp8twXuC2S8o6s7U-ZDSZ6ZBEXCsIgGfasndq0vSRLQAvhsqmJyArbJzDBaSuu9838duDI1duij-HlH77eH1d13IAYVmtOsaw8JGg/s320/IMG_3509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am delighted to be able to share a finish with you today!</div>
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Here is Little House Needleworks design with a few little</div>
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changes here and there to make it my own. A cute design</div>
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that is perfect for this warm and green growing time of year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLGSb0gToRITLjIzdLB5BF2-auHbCO82jJ0tC6vCjYCYCkwYruYA9_tEKaIs4jak8zD-it15ofzC4lE8M_s1kiyc3d7oM50HKD9ZuTwremgVJRMMwESng39Udm8gC1i7K2JzV-w/s1600/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLGSb0gToRITLjIzdLB5BF2-auHbCO82jJ0tC6vCjYCYCkwYruYA9_tEKaIs4jak8zD-it15ofzC4lE8M_s1kiyc3d7oM50HKD9ZuTwremgVJRMMwESng39Udm8gC1i7K2JzV-w/s320/IMG_3496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Um .... yeah!</div>
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These pictures were taken on Sunday, May 15th. Phil</div>
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went out to mow the lawn even though the sky was heavy</div>
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with clouds and it was obvious that we were in for some</div>
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sort of precipitation. When the lawn requires mowing</div>
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there is just no stopping Phil.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeEwQt5_iu38B4gPLADF13QCGXRcWhM9k_GDBYEpL7pWZWd3jKjlENvMQbG-2w3O1nUswlr3IDHq1ZWtuFT8hGK-zL9qtxdlvPDGa8NyF2-BqrVXmFQCzd30xa5e9hmpJ1kR-mA/s1600/IMG_3497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeEwQt5_iu38B4gPLADF13QCGXRcWhM9k_GDBYEpL7pWZWd3jKjlENvMQbG-2w3O1nUswlr3IDHq1ZWtuFT8hGK-zL9qtxdlvPDGa8NyF2-BqrVXmFQCzd30xa5e9hmpJ1kR-mA/s320/IMG_3497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Clicking on the pictures will allow you to see and fully</div>
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appreciate the irony.</div>
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I looked out the window and there was my husband pushing</div>
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the lawn mower up and down the yard with grim determination</div>
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while the snow came down in a steady, fierce curtain. At one</div>
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point I could barely see him through the snow! I opened the</div>
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back door and suggested that perhaps he might consider taking</div>
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a break until the worst of it had passed but ... oh, no! ... he</div>
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motored on through it all. </div>
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We had several periods of this throughout that afternoon and</div>
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since I'm much more pragmatic and sensible about these things</div>
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I just locked myself in my craft room with the heater humming</div>
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at my feet and refused to look out the window. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLI60cJGA6D0PGq6vxprwB9QMyJlkWtJTg2jCZgf2BVBwAs9_FvIUk280IYMejDpgPyKGWDEDce2Dk4MGlJOUqlWl5SpLTV6SyHOYhJliRMUjY18kQk8gZo4Lt2cOFSvsSL-5Zg/s1600/IMG_3520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLI60cJGA6D0PGq6vxprwB9QMyJlkWtJTg2jCZgf2BVBwAs9_FvIUk280IYMejDpgPyKGWDEDce2Dk4MGlJOUqlWl5SpLTV6SyHOYhJliRMUjY18kQk8gZo4Lt2cOFSvsSL-5Zg/s320/IMG_3520.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One week later and it was the Victoria Day long weekend. The</div>
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sun shone for all three days and the temperatures soared into the</div>
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mid 70's Fahrenheit and we relished every second of it.</div>
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Our cherry trees bloomed at the beginning of the week and put</div>
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on their usual glorious display of blossoms. One day of </div>
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strong winds has pretty much finished off the display unfortunately</div>
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and the driveway now looks like it's still snowing out there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmFvKwv5yYBquBUoz2bJbsmz5JkEplKE8Zsdm9AKsOq52U1DiBpidzxCQfYD6Sy6JVVpMfX265O8IXzF7zG3uLjdnuO0izUjmYsqtj143kYLbUeIK_aidEot3grbmPuU5iuo9Gg/s1600/IMG_3536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmFvKwv5yYBquBUoz2bJbsmz5JkEplKE8Zsdm9AKsOq52U1DiBpidzxCQfYD6Sy6JVVpMfX265O8IXzF7zG3uLjdnuO0izUjmYsqtj143kYLbUeIK_aidEot3grbmPuU5iuo9Gg/s320/IMG_3536.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We painted our three year old red bench ... which was</div>
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peeling and shedding it's red coat alarmingly ... a cheery</div>
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yellow colour last week and have been accenting it with</div>
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matching flower baskets to enhance the results. We</div>
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still have to get more flowers and stuff but this is a nice</div>
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start.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC96Mq-1HasRvG1g9gcYHyNJlE7OmBUEUICm8ZECyx0DuFv44nqV0uT4QH5UrQJeB-9gM8Cppx4Fd_c9Pehlv0akLGabgZOfkDgWg4TM_QOPY2XvTuOeeR0upisp5XAa9fY0g3w/s1600/231BCEB8-0A48-4740-9C64-4F73E0500EE1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC96Mq-1HasRvG1g9gcYHyNJlE7OmBUEUICm8ZECyx0DuFv44nqV0uT4QH5UrQJeB-9gM8Cppx4Fd_c9Pehlv0akLGabgZOfkDgWg4TM_QOPY2XvTuOeeR0upisp5XAa9fY0g3w/s320/231BCEB8-0A48-4740-9C64-4F73E0500EE1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Martha Washington geraniums are one of my favourites.</div>
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Pretty, frilly flowers in a wide range of colours including</div>
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this sweet little plant. The garden centre where I found</div>
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this had just the one like this and as soon as I saw it I</div>
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had to grab it. It's in the pink watering can .... see</div>
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the previous picture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKk4OcC-N8k-skHNsokcXLieUliUAHUuzljEMree6HuQvCyb__56C70OL939dbc4VO_AtMjz-wPwiZ9FsASK81bKRrt0CXg9hKOcFcx4nZfxRd_aVVbLEfBee3_s0uTe3WYaNQoQ/s1600/IMG_3540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKk4OcC-N8k-skHNsokcXLieUliUAHUuzljEMree6HuQvCyb__56C70OL939dbc4VO_AtMjz-wPwiZ9FsASK81bKRrt0CXg9hKOcFcx4nZfxRd_aVVbLEfBee3_s0uTe3WYaNQoQ/s320/IMG_3540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm a fantasy geek. Did you know that? Fantasy books, TV shows,</div>
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movies and graphic novels are all things that make me very happy.</div>
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This week's book order (yeah, I order books every week ... why?) </div>
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included the above two Elfquest graphic novels and they are </div>
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as gorgeous as ever. Not familiar? This series was created by</div>
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Wendy Pini who writes the stories and does the art work. Her husband</div>
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Richard also writes the stories with her. First published in 1978 the</div>
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story has continued until present day and is the longest running, </div>
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independent fantasy series published.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I found the series way back in 1978 and have been a fan ever since.</div>
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The art work is breathtakingly gorgeous and the story is exciting,</div>
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captivating and engrossing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UNJBJJPc3j12Qif3QL4UwGt7F6itdfR_q73zyGemkbWJPjveL6iQ85dMqICA5Z80kP3TzA0tQcmG6r3AU78vaDzCsgNSIW6Isjtbx5AVv8un0nwEDOY1nIXjUROqkA-stjmkFQ/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UNJBJJPc3j12Qif3QL4UwGt7F6itdfR_q73zyGemkbWJPjveL6iQ85dMqICA5Z80kP3TzA0tQcmG6r3AU78vaDzCsgNSIW6Isjtbx5AVv8un0nwEDOY1nIXjUROqkA-stjmkFQ/s320/IMG_3490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few other books arrived as well, and of course as soon as</div>
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I'd removed the books from their box Rupert took over. It's</div>
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an agreement that we have.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PyaV9FczNuRLViNnuwS03MwTDCo-FiO6mbPtn_MyOSTuwLBu6ygRC-32lj-T0kYwOrNC5AC8SdO6ULD0tSuRwgYDKvFkEd_5G4cLuILMDUIfS1S8luaCLNLzY6r4BJkTou-UpQ/s1600/IMG_3541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PyaV9FczNuRLViNnuwS03MwTDCo-FiO6mbPtn_MyOSTuwLBu6ygRC-32lj-T0kYwOrNC5AC8SdO6ULD0tSuRwgYDKvFkEd_5G4cLuILMDUIfS1S8luaCLNLzY6r4BJkTou-UpQ/s320/IMG_3541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm also a Trekker. </div>
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Whilst at the post office this week I found these specially issued </div>
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collector's packs which are to commemorate the 50th (!!!) anniversary </div>
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of Star Trek. I thought that they were pretty cool and decided to </div>
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add them to my collection. I can't believe that it's been 50 years</div>
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since the series began. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We've been having rain and thunderstorms off and on today</div>
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which also makes me happy since I love the rain and a good</div>
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thunderstorm. We've managed to do some planting of our</div>
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pots between each performance of inclement weather and then</div>
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we take refuge in the house again until the next wave blows over.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ah summer.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-56752004202105453512016-05-10T12:39:00.000-04:002016-05-10T12:39:05.781-04:00Spring is Everywhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Greetings and welcome blog friends.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In the past few weeks the weather has settled down and</div>
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warmed up a bit, the snow has left us for good (well, until </div>
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next November or December or whatever anyways) and </div>
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things are greening up nicely.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Phil has been out in the garden raking, mowing, mulching</div>
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and digging, getting muddy and wet and grass stained</div>
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and basically enjoying himself thoroughly. And as goes</div>
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the season so goes my stitching mindset. A theme of</div>
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green growing things and gardening outside inspires the same</div>
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indoors with my stitching.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Or I could be honest and admit that I just wanted to have a</div>
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new start. Whatever.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AW96i6oI5tpYRzgg03OH5JBmQYsACG-A6fC6xRSCQvH6-LnYzCAUB0dLZlKAxUr2A-tK-6R7m_ctAkLyK2gjkyvWdGbfhksyBJd-Y67vtyuJ17YiETCHyydNrPhXu5mEIAePbg/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AW96i6oI5tpYRzgg03OH5JBmQYsACG-A6fC6xRSCQvH6-LnYzCAUB0dLZlKAxUr2A-tK-6R7m_ctAkLyK2gjkyvWdGbfhksyBJd-Y67vtyuJ17YiETCHyydNrPhXu5mEIAePbg/s320/IMG_3486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So here is Little House Needleworks design "Garden Pleasures".</div>
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I have been working on this since my last blog post and as is </div>
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always the case with LHN designs I've been enjoying it so much!</div>
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While I've been stitching I put on Flosstube vlogs and listen to</div>
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the stitchers chat away and so many of them have multiple projects</div>
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on the go all at once .... and by multiple I mean LOTS!!!! The idea</div>
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has a certain appeal to it, and I can be a chronic starter if I don't </div>
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watch myself anyways sooooo .... away we go!</div>
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<br /></div>
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As long as I have a finish once in awhile I can handle that.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEcwlCU7SIm8MZAOoCUpn3Dooh9U4oKJXxPY9nas0-VjeiPQjXOtRStwMgujee_GXWBrRXWbXM6DQy5sx0pocUUFACUdRNFtjZAe1dG0ocAlae48JQBfcPKOb9rTkuS-PvpEDHw/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEcwlCU7SIm8MZAOoCUpn3Dooh9U4oKJXxPY9nas0-VjeiPQjXOtRStwMgujee_GXWBrRXWbXM6DQy5sx0pocUUFACUdRNFtjZAe1dG0ocAlae48JQBfcPKOb9rTkuS-PvpEDHw/s320/IMG_3483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've been making plans on how to enhance the enjoyment</div>
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of our backyard during those precious, short months when</div>
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the weather is kind and warm and welcoming. Our old</div>
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gazebo's awning shredded itself last Fall so we have to get</div>
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a new gazebo this year for the deck. We've been looking</div>
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at other garden furniture and stuff and decided that we </div>
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really, really just had to have a garden swing!</div>
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<br /></div>
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So we went out this week and picked one up and Phil spent</div>
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yesterday afternoon setting it up. And we're thrilled and</div>
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delighted with it! That corner of the yard is sheltered from</div>
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the wind and gets the afternoon sun and has a great view of</div>
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the bird feeders and the rest of the garden looking toward</div>
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the house so it's a perfect fit.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And it's just the thing for any book lover!! I took it out</div>
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for a test run with my latest book and it works beautifully!</div>
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It also suits napping and chatting and the consuming of</div>
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beverages and meditation (another form of napping for me)</div>
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and bird watching. I love how versatile it is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRebg7TQevAHJDHGmkXCVnYm6t3WDG5L01YQl5raKAiqSReepg2sfqcyggCzJ5N5wRgyYcso8y9OvJNVLSz9ArAlP6WCm06g2bLzqtGT9dNZZpBsZsojjA021BnUwJknjEr0rJFw/s1600/After-the-War-is-Over-Cdn-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRebg7TQevAHJDHGmkXCVnYm6t3WDG5L01YQl5raKAiqSReepg2sfqcyggCzJ5N5wRgyYcso8y9OvJNVLSz9ArAlP6WCm06g2bLzqtGT9dNZZpBsZsojjA021BnUwJknjEr0rJFw/s320/After-the-War-is-Over-Cdn-cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And speaking of books (as I often do) above is my latest</div>
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finish. I devoured this book in two days and could not</div>
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put it down.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Jennifer Robson is a new to me author who has three books</div>
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published, all of which take place during the early part of</div>
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the 20th century. A favourite time period for me. I'd</div>
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seen her books around, had read the descriptions for them</div>
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and knew they'd be right up my ally so I got all of them at</div>
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once and I'm so glad that I did. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Jennifer Robson manages to write a fascinating story with</div>
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emotional impact, she presents well researched historical facts</div>
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woven expertly into the narrative and her characters are </div>
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so real and clearly imagined .... no matter how big or small</div>
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their roles are in the story.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I did not realize that Jennifer Robson lives in Toronto until</div>
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after I got the books but that's pretty cool too .... being able</div>
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to support a local author who so clearly deserves it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I can confidently say that Jennifer Robson has been added to</div>
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the list of my most favourite authors and any new publications</div>
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from her will be automatic gotta-haves ... right-NOW!!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3O03T4tJy7ysJ8tRibIuW8srR6ozGR0uZi5lpnBoLlWYwSDp87qMldFx2tpiQwWEmz6Vp3Agi3t2VrhORWnBeIu0wgPTgvzmKFZcJuNtBPBA5ZF78e0AWINMR0-WND1b3FOjPA/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3O03T4tJy7ysJ8tRibIuW8srR6ozGR0uZi5lpnBoLlWYwSDp87qMldFx2tpiQwWEmz6Vp3Agi3t2VrhORWnBeIu0wgPTgvzmKFZcJuNtBPBA5ZF78e0AWINMR0-WND1b3FOjPA/s320/IMG_3482.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Walking around Georgetown, camera in hand, enjoying the</div>
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sight of everyones gardens bursting into colour. It's mostly</div>
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tulip time now and we're slowly easing into tree and bush</div>
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blossoming season as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRd3Mh8-tf-y8rT_xZP2uwmcbGA-APaqAr5vMRL7U3CDpmXdhHVf_DHA8xBV9jm-rEdhK8hep3065mIHJxh1C1KXcfwBgZ7qqlEWObrBlk3R4ZTb3p39DSOYSUlsYuqrstKIMwQ/s1600/IMG_3481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRd3Mh8-tf-y8rT_xZP2uwmcbGA-APaqAr5vMRL7U3CDpmXdhHVf_DHA8xBV9jm-rEdhK8hep3065mIHJxh1C1KXcfwBgZ7qqlEWObrBlk3R4ZTb3p39DSOYSUlsYuqrstKIMwQ/s320/IMG_3481.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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We're nearing the end of the daffodil season but there</div>
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are a few still popping out here and there. Not as </div>
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colourful as tulips perhaps but when it comes to their</div>
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shapes it's amazing how diverse they can be.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPWGc7e_PGMlI2uAfCGtjqEfkUEyhv72z5b2QXH7mizgnS34-rIQ75acXxMGR7bmhyphenhyphen3d0OLX8tpGOxVbQw0e7Knu_nPCQbtWVeaWbnUP_Mu644T02hdl9ItSJAIjls2SvRdQLcQ/s1600/Civil_War_Final_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPWGc7e_PGMlI2uAfCGtjqEfkUEyhv72z5b2QXH7mizgnS34-rIQ75acXxMGR7bmhyphenhyphen3d0OLX8tpGOxVbQw0e7Knu_nPCQbtWVeaWbnUP_Mu644T02hdl9ItSJAIjls2SvRdQLcQ/s320/Civil_War_Final_Poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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The summer movie season has begun and my movie</div>
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viewing partner Darlene and I began it on the weekend</div>
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by going to see two highly anticipated movies that</div>
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headed our list of must sees.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm a Marvel geek and love to see whatever might be</div>
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released from that stable of super heros. The Avengers</div>
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are a great favourite and the Captain America movies </div>
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have always been fabulous! We could not wait to see</div>
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"Civil War" and it did not disappoint. WOW! Great</div>
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story and lots of action both of which were well balanced</div>
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with great performances. I'm team Captain America by</div>
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the way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4-sknItNBOz622VY03QQ8BKDywUVmjKeK3tveicyeLJZOxMfi3-kQHpczxaj1LEP1wqKc48ae7xgDETuzy_mOczKcQ9Gxm9uC1TVnHsk8EwSdEj8p0rmlp3ztM0GfMcezzjl4Q/s1600/junglebooktriptych3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4-sknItNBOz622VY03QQ8BKDywUVmjKeK3tveicyeLJZOxMfi3-kQHpczxaj1LEP1wqKc48ae7xgDETuzy_mOczKcQ9Gxm9uC1TVnHsk8EwSdEj8p0rmlp3ztM0GfMcezzjl4Q/s320/junglebooktriptych3.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And then there is the magic of this newest production of The</div>
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Jungle Book. Again the story and the performances were</div>
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spot on but it's the seamless blend of real and CGI that is </div>
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jaw dropping amazing. You can't even tell what is live and</div>
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what was created in a computer lab. And the young boy who</div>
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plays Mowgli was wonderful. And Bill Murray providing</div>
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the voice of Baloo is just perfect casting. I mean ... who else?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-9NA8UNCg9O46aDH-WyyVI1JyBDiMv3SOawSnfSFfdD_6qiOXwX22wgoWOQQkBOzD-M1g4_Q6lsLOvzMHoXf2rf3khL3Z4bBDr7xrIgywXgbs2LBkysgW0lyQg9uEjrjoR32jQ/s1600/IMG_3478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-9NA8UNCg9O46aDH-WyyVI1JyBDiMv3SOawSnfSFfdD_6qiOXwX22wgoWOQQkBOzD-M1g4_Q6lsLOvzMHoXf2rf3khL3Z4bBDr7xrIgywXgbs2LBkysgW0lyQg9uEjrjoR32jQ/s320/IMG_3478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Did you know that over on Flosstube the one and only Vonna</div>
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of The Twisted Stitcher fame has just posted her very</div>
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first vlog post? You must go and watch it. </div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWvK7wgkW8Y">/www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWvK7wgkW8Y</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And as always we finish off with a picture of the cats.</div>
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Rupert with his face buried in Phoebe's fur. I have no</div>
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idea how he's breathing in there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!!!</div>
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<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-35921070845194289752016-04-25T21:51:00.000-04:002016-04-25T21:51:34.869-04:00Confined to quarters ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The rain is pounding down on the roof above my head which</div>
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is a comforting, pleasant sound. It's evening and I have decided</div>
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to update my blog since I am not really in the mood to do much</div>
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else. I've been watching "Booktube" videos on Youtube, I've</div>
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been stitching, I've been reading .... but I am (I confess) feeling</div>
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a tad ... dare I say it?? ... Bored!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Recovery from the gallbladder extraction has been uneventful</div>
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and everything seems to be fine. Nurse Phil continues to </div>
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monitor me closely and gives me <strike>hell</strike> heck if I do too much</div>
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bending or reaching. Hopefully by next week I'll be able to</div>
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return to Curves to work out, though I realize that I'm going</div>
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to have to start out slowly and work my way back up to</div>
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where I was before my little adventure.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We went for a walk today and by the end I was flagging a</div>
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bit. Now that the nicer weather is on the horizon I'm ready</div>
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to get out and walk, walk, walk but once again it's</div>
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something I'm going to have to build my endurance up for.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8olwZFtjY8LfA9fZSv4mIfjIONB-DR-MDi21M7FUFUXyPrkhuiJHf3a4ckcImq1CB6PrPwkNy8MmXPiIyP8eiaFHaPR4-is_212vO8zT4lL2Q6QX3G04fCMNO9ySl11yvozrzyw/s1600/IMG_3476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8olwZFtjY8LfA9fZSv4mIfjIONB-DR-MDi21M7FUFUXyPrkhuiJHf3a4ckcImq1CB6PrPwkNy8MmXPiIyP8eiaFHaPR4-is_212vO8zT4lL2Q6QX3G04fCMNO9ySl11yvozrzyw/s320/IMG_3476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Being confined to the house and with the weather too cool</div>
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to sit out in I've been dedicating a lot of my time to my</div>
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current cross stitch project and I've gotten a lot done!</div>
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Now I am not the world's fastest stitcher by any means</div>
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so I'm not sure if this is a lot by anyone else's standards</div>
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but I'm fairly pleased with it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The canoe and the streetcar were my favourite things</div>
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to stitch and the trees as well. To the left of the </div>
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streetcar is the Prince's Gates which lead into the</div>
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Canadian National Exhibition grounds. On the </div>
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far right of the design is the Skydome where our</div>
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baseball team the Toronto Blue Jays play. Between</div>
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those two Toronto icons is the designers rendition</div>
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of the Royal Ontario Museum ... and that thing </div>
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was a stinker to stitch!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySpDSKwV-YTQ-wKp2AppPLxtyHljqEPlGiPSfPizez9PX8qjt-vpNCt2izrxTDXBXSbSbU7fwSLkou4Bj-EZG4tu11Yrrgf_4TOS7-UTPBzqQTryvnMrgWNcb2wFvC04yYzn5Q/s1600/royal-ontario-museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinySpDSKwV-YTQ-wKp2AppPLxtyHljqEPlGiPSfPizez9PX8qjt-vpNCt2izrxTDXBXSbSbU7fwSLkou4Bj-EZG4tu11Yrrgf_4TOS7-UTPBzqQTryvnMrgWNcb2wFvC04yYzn5Q/s320/royal-ontario-museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now above is a picture of the original building which is</div>
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quite a venerable old pile ... classy and typical of the</div>
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architecture of the 1914 era that it was built in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwRHV1oCJu2FqN_GB8b6JubVVlvq8TWYM8A1pKTsppLOG2N2AyZZ3iQtT8qc0lYIGUjOmp1t0fsbEJFu-wPZOMZJ7nKbHALg6b9TrWoqTWGGDmX5lNj6vRz_mG6P8lUDkI6Caxw/s1600/ROM-gallery-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwRHV1oCJu2FqN_GB8b6JubVVlvq8TWYM8A1pKTsppLOG2N2AyZZ3iQtT8qc0lYIGUjOmp1t0fsbEJFu-wPZOMZJ7nKbHALg6b9TrWoqTWGGDmX5lNj6vRz_mG6P8lUDkI6Caxw/s320/ROM-gallery-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And this is the section that was added in 2007.</div>
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It's called "The Crystal" and it was designed by </div>
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Daniel Libeskind. It is very ... modern and reactions</div>
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to it were ... shall we say .... mixed (!!!) when it's</div>
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plans were first revealed. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm not a fan of modern architecture. I much prefer</div>
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the original structure which the Crystal kind of wraps</div>
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around in one area. And when it came to stitching the</div>
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darn thing it was ... for me ... a royal pain!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I couldn't picture in my mind how the stitched structure</div>
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corresponded to the real one. It just seemed like</div>
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sections of random shades of blue and white. It</div>
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still looks weird to me but at least I can sort of</div>
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see what the designer was trying to do. I guess.</div>
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But that part is now <i>done</i> and I can move on to the</div>
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next layer of this piece.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And in case you're wondering .... yes, it seems that</div>
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at least for awhile the Crystal's roof did leak. Ooops!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu1qkDfT1pTdNmCy0FZE0lb9d1I49AJ75eIgjbi8oC4gYjXaNUNzQHEXTl1jKaA6MoiQNQc_st6cEChcJgLiG2ztgezRj21vA7GV0A55KF0_rdoKWrRng4IjWRKDw84vQqWErGQ/s1600/220px-Hmsdragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu1qkDfT1pTdNmCy0FZE0lb9d1I49AJ75eIgjbi8oC4gYjXaNUNzQHEXTl1jKaA6MoiQNQc_st6cEChcJgLiG2ztgezRj21vA7GV0A55KF0_rdoKWrRng4IjWRKDw84vQqWErGQ/s320/220px-Hmsdragon.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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My reading for the past few weeks has been the</div>
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acclaimed fantasy series by Naomi Novik.</div>
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The first book came out and was nominated</div>
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for a Hugo award for best novel in 2007</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN0gXURwMnJH9G2KjwSG49nfH3gcE-Rl04mMl78s0N8pg06guhnLfvCpE8kbYktUZvX6bcehmW_2Ca7f7HQ6WBpw3TBEXZWZqhbSAEi2gK5uH3OlOga42MQq1PBoT3mgknp3jzw/s1600/Blackpowderwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN0gXURwMnJH9G2KjwSG49nfH3gcE-Rl04mMl78s0N8pg06guhnLfvCpE8kbYktUZvX6bcehmW_2Ca7f7HQ6WBpw3TBEXZWZqhbSAEi2gK5uH3OlOga42MQq1PBoT3mgknp3jzw/s320/Blackpowderwar.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The novels are a retelling of the Napoleonic</div>
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wars but with dragons!!! So a meld of </div>
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fantasy and history which is skillfully </div>
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blended into a fascinating and riveting</div>
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story by the author. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNPlV-hzCqTYxaV2EvIRNckL3RSll-OO-B8532wVSwYC3pGF2SDWpqjiG-CF_YIjr1tC75Z__5JK8dP2MEUOkvSOnZdbtlLhgUOYt_f4bFK1kSNAKqvvrH7T_2CbgQQFHIFwHKw/s1600/Throneofjade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNPlV-hzCqTYxaV2EvIRNckL3RSll-OO-B8532wVSwYC3pGF2SDWpqjiG-CF_YIjr1tC75Z__5JK8dP2MEUOkvSOnZdbtlLhgUOYt_f4bFK1kSNAKqvvrH7T_2CbgQQFHIFwHKw/s320/Throneofjade.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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I don't know why I haven't gotten these</div>
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books to read before this because I knew</div>
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that they were out there and were well</div>
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reviewed and quite popular .... but I didn't.</div>
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There are more books in this series which</div>
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I have in my collection and will read in the </div>
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future but I wanted to get the first three books </div>
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done all in one marathon read. I don't know</div>
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if I'll pick up book four (then five, six etc) next</div>
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or if I'll go for a change of pace. We'll see.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't have much else to write about tonight</div>
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so I'll just add a cute picture of the cats and call</div>
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it a night!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXE6HkbC3VN9t8bUFCDTl6GFlplIWAvViJLlsjZNWidpU22Y9ccp_chtKeLeyepllqhkse6nhRWl728m1yABre1fzod6wQOe9qBE_FeXQ6htWqs3ot1w8pn7xmAjQJNUaWayzSA/s1600/IMG_4981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXE6HkbC3VN9t8bUFCDTl6GFlplIWAvViJLlsjZNWidpU22Y9ccp_chtKeLeyepllqhkse6nhRWl728m1yABre1fzod6wQOe9qBE_FeXQ6htWqs3ot1w8pn7xmAjQJNUaWayzSA/s320/IMG_4981.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTMKGvIyArelHEc-C8jZlYx4QiZmnqiDcZOjttDQv-xIRBIeF5DBrcbInfdMMdSGtfhsuDkZ8ip2atFxLbNho5reakilsQF6Hxw8D7Je5yY1Yvvy6ETEiA1CqU4q1i2_x37f32Q/s1600/IMG_3168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-24018666774613316622016-04-18T12:47:00.002-04:002016-04-18T13:04:19.808-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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I meant to update my blog sooner then this however, as</div>
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happens, life got in the way. Specifically... after five</div>
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attacks in the past four months due to gall stones .... I had </div>
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to have my gall bladder removed last Thursday night. It</div>
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was something I was planning to do but a particularly bad</div>
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attack starting on Tuesday hastened the deal. That was fine</div>
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since it didn't give me any time to fret and stress while </div>
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waiting for a specific date to arrive. It was a case of: we're</div>
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here in emergency ... the surgeon is available .... we don't</div>
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have any other plans for the evening .... let's just do it!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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A night in hospital ... spent in Obstetrics of all places ....</div>
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and a return home on Friday afternoon to recover. Phil,</div>
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being retired now, is able to provide nursing care and to</div>
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keep an eye on me during my convalescence ... and he's </div>
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been quite diligent and very solicitous of my every need.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So all in all it's been good. Keyhole surgery means an easier</div>
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and quicker recovery with minimal discomfort and that is</div>
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greatly appreciated. So now I'm able to putter around the</div>
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house a bit, go for short walks around the neighbourhood</div>
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.... with my nurse accompanying me ... and relax at home.</div>
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It's all good. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS1hsCt7cSu87HMICzibuDFEeD2fUDZ0C290xSBf7jhFUPtncRLIbc_i0qGOF2_EV4fNcaIHzfAI03r5xEvaBW9n86auO7N82-byfEVC9_yjNkMaSm1t8O0q2M5zyJAgjSdalvQ/s1600/IMG_3474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS1hsCt7cSu87HMICzibuDFEeD2fUDZ0C290xSBf7jhFUPtncRLIbc_i0qGOF2_EV4fNcaIHzfAI03r5xEvaBW9n86auO7N82-byfEVC9_yjNkMaSm1t8O0q2M5zyJAgjSdalvQ/s320/IMG_3474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been enjoying my renewed delight in stitching again and</div>
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made further progress on my Country Chessboard as seen</div>
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above. More border which defines the size of the piece</div>
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plus more houses. And yes, each house square completed</div>
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feels like a mini finish which provides a sense of </div>
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accomplishment and encourages further production.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioBTz_WeVa6dHQpX9HNJKMo-Xd5_FalpMZQ2GBFV_36BgPWtY5KfGGT4Bcy8nNH0m3yv__qDl7hKULNbpUsF0ss4wx6uYTwfa-0itCnpv0wgrlEjvTkrInbpeEIVbJ5c3EBrcSA/s1600/IMG_3472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioBTz_WeVa6dHQpX9HNJKMo-Xd5_FalpMZQ2GBFV_36BgPWtY5KfGGT4Bcy8nNH0m3yv__qDl7hKULNbpUsF0ss4wx6uYTwfa-0itCnpv0wgrlEjvTkrInbpeEIVbJ5c3EBrcSA/s320/IMG_3472.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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But of course what would the joy of stitching be without a</div>
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new start??? I mean, really? Thanks to the enabling of</div>
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fellow stitchers I became aware of this chart available on</div>
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Etsy from a designer and had to get it, along with another</div>
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for Pretty Little Amsterdam. There are charts for cities</div>
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throughout the United States and Europe featuring those </div>
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well known iconic sites that each city is known for, and </div>
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each chart is in bright, vibrant colours.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb_ohcG2kb2A61zBsv3EYfWVmb1HUGTDd8jzQLqHKnvydZFM7_Xe7xNz7Oj8iLwPdEoo-lnmVSZXKIrMplfx3FR-Rh6ci-gK6RGO1vD-Nn2CqNfRZ_Wf8TNRBdGn8x4IWlntQGA/s1600/IMG_3471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb_ohcG2kb2A61zBsv3EYfWVmb1HUGTDd8jzQLqHKnvydZFM7_Xe7xNz7Oj8iLwPdEoo-lnmVSZXKIrMplfx3FR-Rh6ci-gK6RGO1vD-Nn2CqNfRZ_Wf8TNRBdGn8x4IWlntQGA/s320/IMG_3471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So here is my progress so far on Pretty Little Toronto.</div>
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Some trees, the shores of Lake Ontario, a streetcar</div>
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(sometimes known as the Red Rocket) and starts on</div>
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other landmarks. Loving it!!!</div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">Hey! Did you know .....</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">So, I was on Vonna's blog site a week ago </span><br />
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<a href="http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.ca/">http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.ca/</a></div>
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and discovered that she'd made some videos on how to </div>
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do various styles of finishes which she'd posted on Youtube.</div>
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Well, Vonna being the Queen of Finishing .... along with</div>
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Andrea from The Craft Room .... I knew that I had to check</div>
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those out at once. I went to Youtube and watched Vonna's</div>
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videos and was suitably impressed and fascinated with her</div>
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skill and her talent. Then I looked at the videos "suggested"</div>
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at the side of the screen and was surprised to discover that</div>
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there is a community of cross stitchers there who are calling</div>
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themselves "Flosstubers"!!!!</div>
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I am quite aware of the "Booktubers" on Youtube plus various types</div>
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of crafty vloggers, and I follow those communities regularly, but it's </div>
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never occurred to me to check for cross stitchers.</div>
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DOH!!!!!</div>
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So while I stitch on my projects I watch vlog posts from cross </div>
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stitchers from all over the world as they display their WIPS,</div>
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hauls, and UFO's as well as discussing other things related</div>
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to their hobbies and interests and lives.</div>
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Did any of you know about this community? Is it the "it"</div>
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place to be now that interest in blogging seems to be waning </div>
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for a lot of people? I would think that vlogging would be</div>
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much more time consuming and more work then blogging</div>
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plus you'd need some degree of technical know-how and </div>
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the equipment to make decent vlogs. </div>
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And with vlogging you'd have to be more aware of your own</div>
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personality and have the ability to "selling" yourself on screen</div>
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to your audience to hold their attention and engage them. I</div>
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think an ability to write a good, interesting and colourful blog</div>
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post may not necessarily translate to the vlogging world.</div>
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So, go check out Flosstube on Youtube (if you haven't already) </div>
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and see what you think.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XL9S7-46rd0JnHNbv8fonVMwmABoOmiA8Q-81EcJHHB-7evR3xxXqD0ZK_mZwSYLL8U6ZzEvTcGZK4bwJ050aBCqObOdU7tthS_5COlBI_Zz5LPt1p1XMWbGZmueqlwvauLDAw/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XL9S7-46rd0JnHNbv8fonVMwmABoOmiA8Q-81EcJHHB-7evR3xxXqD0ZK_mZwSYLL8U6ZzEvTcGZK4bwJ050aBCqObOdU7tthS_5COlBI_Zz5LPt1p1XMWbGZmueqlwvauLDAw/s320/IMG_3289.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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In early February I spent a weekend in Toronto with my</div>
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friend Darlene for our annual "Girls Weekend".</div>
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This time we had tickets to Kinky Boots at the Royal</div>
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Alexandra theatre as the highlight of our weekend.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tqOW4V541FUI4uIQyxVSgrs42H38Am_EqP5nH1NIuTQS08pp6lEQ5_TUfFgU1N9MzMd2b3jskBWBV2O-nEEJ9hYyBZcnwMQKYdbaaxBrO_Tr-CRdBxAYih_Iw75wNaaaFWIAcQ/s1600/IMG_3271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tqOW4V541FUI4uIQyxVSgrs42H38Am_EqP5nH1NIuTQS08pp6lEQ5_TUfFgU1N9MzMd2b3jskBWBV2O-nEEJ9hYyBZcnwMQKYdbaaxBrO_Tr-CRdBxAYih_Iw75wNaaaFWIAcQ/s320/IMG_3271.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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What a fabulous show!!!! The music was fantastic</div>
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(courtesy of the talented Cindi Lauper with book by </div>
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Harvey Fierstein) and the production colourful. The </div>
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story was a nice mix of thought provoking, tender, </div>
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upbeat and a bit sad at times. But ultimately it was a </div>
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celebration of our differences and acceptance of ourselves </div>
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and of others ... be who you want to be!!</div>
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Our "Lola" in the show .... Alan Mingo Jr .... has left</div>
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the Toronto production to reprise the role on Broadway</div>
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which is quite an honour. But given how amazing he</div>
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was here it doesn't surprise me at all that he was given</div>
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the opportunity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PGKXNxTgBGfEa5Un1pN4JlHCivTTkizbWYtL6cgvg62gjTRN5LFaKHK8PTPvk93G-vgFGENgDhx1bFCffNiEvSiEcI9RB-ihTwieEMgXO-ZKkkdKTV5W1kuLhBnYf1t8O0MwLA/s1600/IMG_3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PGKXNxTgBGfEa5Un1pN4JlHCivTTkizbWYtL6cgvg62gjTRN5LFaKHK8PTPvk93G-vgFGENgDhx1bFCffNiEvSiEcI9RB-ihTwieEMgXO-ZKkkdKTV5W1kuLhBnYf1t8O0MwLA/s320/IMG_3308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The show was Friday night. Saturday we walked a</div>
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bit around Toronto on a bright, sunny and warm day.</div>
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We went to the St. Lawrence Market to check out</div>
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the colourful, diverse selection of foods and goods</div>
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that are available there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J6CC0B0x5xMv4kKy-Tepcp-R1SILvYIDuOnSI6ATk0syE-Vps3v1lnuAK5Oxk5NYqu0KQc_Wz4ZBU9C80-kNXKTEbVeC3vw_hDyCpRo1vsaNdpj_sgIeajySsASG5PccJSTj1g/s1600/IMG_3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J6CC0B0x5xMv4kKy-Tepcp-R1SILvYIDuOnSI6ATk0syE-Vps3v1lnuAK5Oxk5NYqu0KQc_Wz4ZBU9C80-kNXKTEbVeC3vw_hDyCpRo1vsaNdpj_sgIeajySsASG5PccJSTj1g/s320/IMG_3313.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The place is a crowded, colourful and lively</div>
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mix of ethnicities with already prepared foods, plus</div>
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the fresh ingredients needed to make your own and </div>
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the seasonings and the tools as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2smiIUooP5C6rabukyLiQYxVkgS0i4nycC5VyAd44kMnLi-xM26ZE7by97Y5IeSAtlPYLutFLf80Fxzx-fJ37WnPkoykakk5pxgxXrT0wk7yrrhP8FS151MfDJsfg8292AVuIQ/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2smiIUooP5C6rabukyLiQYxVkgS0i4nycC5VyAd44kMnLi-xM26ZE7by97Y5IeSAtlPYLutFLf80Fxzx-fJ37WnPkoykakk5pxgxXrT0wk7yrrhP8FS151MfDJsfg8292AVuIQ/s320/IMG_3317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a feast for the eye and for the stomach.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4_iIVEVIKYYDRRITKZEOJSTp7Z2k6iByWgCP8fRPXt8J9i8vWzAXXxrqCMic4UeKLQQhAoRckigIghAOLZHM4ZTpw7uYObJeOiR6Qs7KhRIowYNA1pyM8w4nqmPuKR5BugwP2g/s1600/IMG_3323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4_iIVEVIKYYDRRITKZEOJSTp7Z2k6iByWgCP8fRPXt8J9i8vWzAXXxrqCMic4UeKLQQhAoRckigIghAOLZHM4ZTpw7uYObJeOiR6Qs7KhRIowYNA1pyM8w4nqmPuKR5BugwP2g/s320/IMG_3323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And full of welcome colour in the midst of the dull,</div>
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grey days of winter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUJkehyphenhyphenwTuKQs7HT5Jsvx7Wvvl9F-P6joGAedtzCcjG2dWwJvdmwejmjQMb7VVSDiAJXqoE4ITsMD8CIHBhSFU_GwCzYhodjcJx4mlJi2hrgmWS5WFgKAXqNAXygAJ-ZHOT87AA/s1600/IMG_3353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUJkehyphenhyphenwTuKQs7HT5Jsvx7Wvvl9F-P6joGAedtzCcjG2dWwJvdmwejmjQMb7VVSDiAJXqoE4ITsMD8CIHBhSFU_GwCzYhodjcJx4mlJi2hrgmWS5WFgKAXqNAXygAJ-ZHOT87AA/s320/IMG_3353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We spent the afternoon at the Art Gallery of Ontario, taking</div>
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a tour as well as just walking around on our own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJcY5OLXsrxI_9k7MHqQOtnmzrNYJKikTn27CafuqiS7iLQQd2T3URxikRJUhL8ynfT2xKUZ5gkoxM_u4cN8VRM2JfDNRP7_KJsVTC5j4STxy9dmY1HO1R7u5jarPA70d2NcMHw/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJcY5OLXsrxI_9k7MHqQOtnmzrNYJKikTn27CafuqiS7iLQQd2T3URxikRJUhL8ynfT2xKUZ5gkoxM_u4cN8VRM2JfDNRP7_KJsVTC5j4STxy9dmY1HO1R7u5jarPA70d2NcMHw/s320/IMG_3354.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The architecture of the place was as fascinating to</div>
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see as the art works were.</div>
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In the evening ... after dinner at Swiss Chalet</div>
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(of course) .... we went to the movies and saw</div>
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Kung Foo Panda 3, which was quite cute and</div>
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fun.</div>
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Sunday we slept in, swam in the hotel pool, </div>
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went out for breakfast and then lined up to buy</div>
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Japanese cheesecake from a shop near the</div>
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bus terminal called Uncle Tetsu's. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE1fJiOnrtzuwGC_UWgw6g4ILJtxjCouoVT5p-ybLTebWBqzmKgclp4s6FnXIxewtzpVvwLZaRPB8IViJdKKp8voR61KYj9xtl9mPYljqKGX1LpWqK4Ioj9F34Tnx3xiyRajZdw/s1600/13642903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE1fJiOnrtzuwGC_UWgw6g4ILJtxjCouoVT5p-ybLTebWBqzmKgclp4s6FnXIxewtzpVvwLZaRPB8IViJdKKp8voR61KYj9xtl9mPYljqKGX1LpWqK4Ioj9F34Tnx3xiyRajZdw/s320/13642903.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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Another book I read this year was The Aviator's</div>
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Wife. A fictionalized account of the life of </div>
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Anne Morrow Lindberg which I really, really</div>
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enjoyed. I knew something of the lady's history</div>
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and I knew about her husband's accomplishments</div>
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and scandals ... and of course about the kidnapping of</div>
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their baby son but I'd never read anything about either</div>
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of them before. It's a really good story, well told by</div>
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Melanie Benjamin who has also written about Alice</div>
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Liddell (Alice ... in Wonderland fame) in the book</div>
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Alice I Have Been and The Autobiography of Mrs Tom </div>
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Thumb. I'm going to check those out soon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Phil has been relishing his retirement ... in spite of the</div>
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fact that the weather changed as soon as Spring hit</div>
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and gave us a good wallop of cold and snow for a </div>
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few weeks that had us all questioning Mother Nature's</div>
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sanity ... in rather colourful language. Ahem!</div>
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After a very mild and dry winter it stung a bit. Especially</div>
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when we had more snow and colder temperatures in </div>
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the first 10 days of April then in all of February!</div>
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But now the temperatures are warming up and the sun is</div>
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shining and we can sit outside without coats and boots,</div>
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hats and mittens. Blissful!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Meanwhile, Phil will be out mowing the lawn and racking</div>
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last Fall's leaves and puttering around the garden to his</div>
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heart's content .... as well as a bit of puttering around the</div>
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house. Life is good!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-44244373316208694602016-04-02T13:41:00.000-04:002016-04-02T13:41:42.115-04:00Lookie!!!<br />
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Guess what I've been doing???</div>
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My stitching mojo disappeared quite some time ago,</div>
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around the same time that I discovered that my ability</div>
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to see what I was doing .... even with a magnifier ....</div>
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was not very good. Or at least not as good as I would like </div>
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it to be.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It unnerved me. You see one of my biggest secret fears is of </div>
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loosing my eye sight. The thought terrifies me! And being </div>
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unable to see my cross stitching as clearly as I once did </div>
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aggravated that fear. When I picked up a project I would start to </div>
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get to feeling a bit .... um .... anxious or panicky. Not a pleasant </div>
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feeling. So I began to avoid stitching and eventually I just </div>
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sort of let it go.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Just to note here: I'm not actually loosing my sight at all.</div>
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I just have lousy eyesight .... always have .... and with </div>
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age it's gotten worse. It's normal. One of the perks </div>
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of aging. Whoopee!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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But I missed it! Terribly!!! </div>
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So in the New Year I picked up an unfinished and long</div>
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neglected project and ... ignoring my inner fears ....</div>
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finished it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc5itlCvu4ECYtsslCgCo9TVGvCfcY7CWNmXVVI-CfcWOaJW-2u9bK5Vfixpua-Cpv3aKSIJeANgYigO-RD3Cmbtq9RmoLfOS3Q6nhPZeQD_KK-eU1ekJ1DJW2prrZ87Fh_a1vw/s1600/IMG_3451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc5itlCvu4ECYtsslCgCo9TVGvCfcY7CWNmXVVI-CfcWOaJW-2u9bK5Vfixpua-Cpv3aKSIJeANgYigO-RD3Cmbtq9RmoLfOS3Q6nhPZeQD_KK-eU1ekJ1DJW2prrZ87Fh_a1vw/s320/IMG_3451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Stitched in my favourite colour of red.)</div>
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Well ... I thought when it was done.... that didn't </div>
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really go too badly. Peering over my glasses and </div>
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holding the project up close I could see the stitches</div>
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that I was making clearly and could therefore</div>
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see that they were laying properly. I </div>
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stitched this one in hand .... without a hoop or</div>
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Q-snap .... which I don't usually do. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi_4pdlw7WbfKA_50MqAzTsQtaLFhnKtm7VRlfIEDmSgBqMXmViRe_9jRXm753WnZm2tKhSKKnQTJsE-J2ezjaD2b12KSxYkQijCIDAgX8QG5dPe8Ml_TyUdEsYbooOo0DfaDig/s1600/IMG_3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi_4pdlw7WbfKA_50MqAzTsQtaLFhnKtm7VRlfIEDmSgBqMXmViRe_9jRXm753WnZm2tKhSKKnQTJsE-J2ezjaD2b12KSxYkQijCIDAgX8QG5dPe8Ml_TyUdEsYbooOo0DfaDig/s320/IMG_3449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had another unfinished project or two languishing</div>
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in my To-Do box .... as one is apt to do .... (rolls</div>
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eyes and grimaces) so picked up this one and ....</div>
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finished it too!!!! </div>
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Wow!! I was on a roll!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIMOBcBwt-7S3tXj8KsTCL46cqtOC7P9SZpotxira5t9gfjG9H9S7Iw9i_-YaCK-N3kNdR7PaIIuICwNZvfSy_VRSxuALJsWxUYvZ6C9qzMk1pT0bXi1jB92KLhRi1mU2p-PbDQ/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIMOBcBwt-7S3tXj8KsTCL46cqtOC7P9SZpotxira5t9gfjG9H9S7Iw9i_-YaCK-N3kNdR7PaIIuICwNZvfSy_VRSxuALJsWxUYvZ6C9qzMk1pT0bXi1jB92KLhRi1mU2p-PbDQ/s320/IMG_3444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So now I was feeling the itch to begin a new project.</div>
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I went into my cross stitch cupboard .... covered</div>
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in cobwebs and dust and neglect .... and began to</div>
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rummage and root around in there.</div>
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I pulled the chart for this one out and it appealed to me.</div>
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Simple and easy with lovely, bright Spring like colours.</div>
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In the past I would have worked on this for a day or</div>
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two and then put it aside and forgot about it for days</div>
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... or months ... or years! But not this time. I could not</div>
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put it down! I finished it in one week! I cannot remember</div>
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the last time I finished a project .... even a small one like</div>
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this ... in that time period.</div>
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<br /></div>
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(Note: stitched this on a spring frame. I'm not keen on</div>
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stitching in hand really)</div>
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<br /></div>
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More! More!!! More!!!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vCk1UJ1KfGm4UJSnlQei9P6-U2iYCVhTa5vRy_g_8q42VrMq7-J1n1F4jzWtKlJZZXv9h_ZxIfPUHXJralPAb6-Sz0UUN6kAAwL2bNjL3OnjONYqeDGR8lCqRNxKpL9b38abQA/s1600/IMG_3445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vCk1UJ1KfGm4UJSnlQei9P6-U2iYCVhTa5vRy_g_8q42VrMq7-J1n1F4jzWtKlJZZXv9h_ZxIfPUHXJralPAb6-Sz0UUN6kAAwL2bNjL3OnjONYqeDGR8lCqRNxKpL9b38abQA/s320/IMG_3445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I've had this project on the go for years. It's been </div>
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sitting in a corner, neglected and ignored, for a </div>
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shameful amount of time. It's not a difficult stitch</div>
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at all. Just huge! I had it being worked on a </div>
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large Q-snap frame which was very ungainly and</div>
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awkward to work with. So I switched to a smaller</div>
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Q-snap frame and went at it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYDDmZj9L6RztKLXEHcQEZoa3cRww7iS5tSL8x8drA5Nocl-g_RN7ZDKpG8k6wNTbHz5GZhSzySMfXkOylzdnUUjo9lu7RJVdwpRAI2_xIR5Os3V5bqCjneu7M4pwX7L4DWIKTA/s1600/IMG_3446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYDDmZj9L6RztKLXEHcQEZoa3cRww7iS5tSL8x8drA5Nocl-g_RN7ZDKpG8k6wNTbHz5GZhSzySMfXkOylzdnUUjo9lu7RJVdwpRAI2_xIR5Os3V5bqCjneu7M4pwX7L4DWIKTA/s320/IMG_3446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have done a couple of houses and some border</div>
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and the stag. I'm enjoying it ... a lot!!!! I sit at</div>
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my craft desk with the radio tuned to a Toronto</div>
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talk radio station (I'm a talk radio/news/politics</div>
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junky) and while away the hours with needle and</div>
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thread.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Don't know how long this is going to last but I'm</div>
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making hay while the sun shines ... as it were ....</div>
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<br /></div>
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I also don't know what the heck I'll do with this </div>
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if and when it's finished because .... as I said ....</div>
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it's huge! But that's not the point, is it? The </div>
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whole point of doing this ... or any craft ... is to</div>
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have fun!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm having FUN!!!! </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XhZioIoZ8q_bNq7hyJRQCqd_sEjyCi7-qsWxPXjTrn8KJOMHmcvw1-zxshT_2v1Tn1uBFBp0PltVdxPlY_l4NP-1eigVthQSzY5exUlYZPm8bFxb-xGHMmg1wX37B1MfitFDuQ/s1600/IMG_3381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XhZioIoZ8q_bNq7hyJRQCqd_sEjyCi7-qsWxPXjTrn8KJOMHmcvw1-zxshT_2v1Tn1uBFBp0PltVdxPlY_l4NP-1eigVthQSzY5exUlYZPm8bFxb-xGHMmg1wX37B1MfitFDuQ/s320/IMG_3381.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Behold my DH. Phil. He retired last week.</div>
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After 40 years with the same company he </div>
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decided that he'd had enough and filled in the</div>
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paperwork last summer to give notice to his</div>
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company.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The branch where he works had a grand send</div>
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off for him last Thursday. Unfortunately it was</div>
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one of those days when the weather folk advised</div>
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their listeners ... if you don't have to go anywhere,</div>
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then don't! Freezing rain, snow and strong </div>
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winds. Great!</div>
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<br /></div>
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But Phil is a superb driver and had no qualms</div>
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about heading out. The schools in our district,</div>
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and those in other districts that we drove through, </div>
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were closed due to the weather and since it was the </div>
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day before Good Friday the roads weren't busy anyways </div>
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as people prepared for a long weekend .... the first </div>
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one of Spring (ha ha!!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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So we got to his work place in normal time. He</div>
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finished packing up his desk and then it was time</div>
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to party. They barbecued! In that awful weather</div>
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they set up the barbecue in a sheltered area near</div>
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the building and they barbecued!</div>
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<br /></div>
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There was tons of great food, speeches, gag gifts</div>
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and lots of laughter and hugs and stories told. Phil</div>
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was thrilled with it all.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So now he's home with me. All. Day. Long!!!!</div>
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We'll see how that goes.</div>
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Fortunately, and I should say this here and now, Phil</div>
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is a putterer. And he loves to garden. And he has lots</div>
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of interests to keep himself busy with. So I'm not worried.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Much.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtOcwaxOzrrXwrqo71ka5sNj_B_QWvZdgZ8qI8Xn1V65v1tWVDwtIrFcL2f0wQUy4UfpWGrJMwH9kRzsTKNj5Ms0neWchBCmw6k_43tzx0B0CcI2D4Rd7Lo0J3PBVeBPYQJPfbA/s1600/22055262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtOcwaxOzrrXwrqo71ka5sNj_B_QWvZdgZ8qI8Xn1V65v1tWVDwtIrFcL2f0wQUy4UfpWGrJMwH9kRzsTKNj5Ms0neWchBCmw6k_43tzx0B0CcI2D4Rd7Lo0J3PBVeBPYQJPfbA/s320/22055262.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Reading for the last few months. My first love</div>
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in reading genres is fantasy. If I didn't watch</div>
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myself I'd read fantasy novels pretty much non</div>
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stop. </div>
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<br /></div>
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V. E. Schwab is the name that this author uses</div>
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for her adult fantasy novels. She writes as</div>
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Victoria Schwab for her YA books. This is the</div>
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first book of hers that I have ever read and I </div>
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quite enjoyed it. I've since got the sequel to</div>
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this one plus her other books in YA and adult</div>
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fantasy because ... well ... that's what I do.</div>
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<br /></div>
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**Cough**</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVOljD5XOVd9iEwSj1VU5_1EprDLPQXTURm5gpzic4yKnKseArEFRWl1DUIGNdgn0E6uvQg50WEZUyyayxm6Tb0mduPka8hz0US_C_Zezthi_jAPpjJrvZNZ3H72f27sjWc2ZbA/s1600/The-Bronze-Horseman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVOljD5XOVd9iEwSj1VU5_1EprDLPQXTURm5gpzic4yKnKseArEFRWl1DUIGNdgn0E6uvQg50WEZUyyayxm6Tb0mduPka8hz0US_C_Zezthi_jAPpjJrvZNZ3H72f27sjWc2ZbA/s320/The-Bronze-Horseman.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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Heard good things about Paullina Simons</div>
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around "Booktube" and decided to get a</div>
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few of her books and try them out.</div>
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Historical fiction. This series is based</div>
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in Russia during the second world war</div>
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and is a love story that takes place in</div>
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Leningrad during the awful siege that</div>
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took place during the Nazi's attempts to</div>
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invade and conquer Russia.</div>
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This is a nice, hefty novel with lots of </div>
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period detail and historic info though not</div>
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so much that it dragged the story down.</div>
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There are two more books in this series</div>
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and yes I did get those too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOgHVRHehlLWIeQBDfGVRqBMRgcFiyRp1yQGLrv0kukeb2VDn0HzcItYC346Uh-V7mgxFZv_YJUOXE3eLCS-ZekrRpypNsu_wAXLjhHZsRqTUkMoHKdGN2-DQcejdVqx6uOPVAg/s1600/25746707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOgHVRHehlLWIeQBDfGVRqBMRgcFiyRp1yQGLrv0kukeb2VDn0HzcItYC346Uh-V7mgxFZv_YJUOXE3eLCS-ZekrRpypNsu_wAXLjhHZsRqTUkMoHKdGN2-DQcejdVqx6uOPVAg/s320/25746707.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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My current read. The author's first novel.</div>
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First of a series. I love books with </div>
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sequels. This one is a combination of</div>
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fantasy (featuring the Greek gods now </div>
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living in the modern world) and murder</div>
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mystery. I'm enjoying it so far.</div>
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That's it for now! Cheers!</div>
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<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-66720738260210674162016-01-03T15:17:00.001-05:002016-01-03T15:17:39.811-05:00It's 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and Happy New Year to everyone!!</div>
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Does anyone else find it hard to believe that the holiday</div>
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season is all but over for another year?? Where did it</div>
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all go? Seriously?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1H00DsA1ZGJubNpSIAr8iJVYVShqfm-3UuPwNnHu3dMAnDaXvc0PdTJJHoyzn73PnDcZQeIHOuBcgkr4e6sjTuJI92biUK8yvUYhRWZjeXczafw1Q47LMJmGSmwZ7iJcXQgTwQ/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1H00DsA1ZGJubNpSIAr8iJVYVShqfm-3UuPwNnHu3dMAnDaXvc0PdTJJHoyzn73PnDcZQeIHOuBcgkr4e6sjTuJI92biUK8yvUYhRWZjeXczafw1Q47LMJmGSmwZ7iJcXQgTwQ/s320/IMG_3145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Got a fair amount of baking done ... and eaten ...</div>
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unfortunately ... during the weeks leading up to </div>
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Christmas and I really appreciated not having to </div>
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juggle work and holiday preparations anymore. I </div>
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made up gift boxes of goodies to give our neighbours </div>
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and I took trays of goodies to the parties that we were</div>
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invited to so it all got used. Well, most of it anyways.</div>
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And left overs will be going to Phil's workplace for his </div>
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co-workers to enjoy this week. </div>
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Note: didn't take pictures of everything I made.</div>
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The above picture is just a random sampling.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJF1Kq0Uj6eYQ228wClOmzey2TWaiRPOvnfy7arb3vtYDNCOgB_5WEHieRaSOEerOxsf66MpISZmiHT7aIIr6hh91Ti1RUQ3rFfwRrzN1GsGGSG8qgjOq7l3by9O1SJmVXPGwfVw/s1600/IMG_3148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJF1Kq0Uj6eYQ228wClOmzey2TWaiRPOvnfy7arb3vtYDNCOgB_5WEHieRaSOEerOxsf66MpISZmiHT7aIIr6hh91Ti1RUQ3rFfwRrzN1GsGGSG8qgjOq7l3by9O1SJmVXPGwfVw/s320/IMG_3148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love making bows and decorating the parcels</div>
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that I wrap for Christmas. The sparklier, the better.</div>
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I mentioned this in my previous post but here are</div>
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a few pictures showing close up shots of some of</div>
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the bows.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlAZ6f5ycZIBdSEhtWXAcjc4HNS6U4kgar5qTEw-k-opZgPZnAP_MrBEisUINBaXv0b3JtMFRVXYEpj0D7cL1E9LqKcqDXSzJkSFvDc1-So2gsC2s7oWCD573ZYkMtsl_MpPehw/s1600/IMG_3151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlAZ6f5ycZIBdSEhtWXAcjc4HNS6U4kgar5qTEw-k-opZgPZnAP_MrBEisUINBaXv0b3JtMFRVXYEpj0D7cL1E9LqKcqDXSzJkSFvDc1-So2gsC2s7oWCD573ZYkMtsl_MpPehw/s320/IMG_3151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can tell that I'm a traditionalist when it comes to</div>
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the colours of Christmas. I might use blue and silver</div>
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on occasion but really red and gold and green are my</div>
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favourites.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QChbNrIcUIKN60WjwROBeEZc5ZMsp4mSfKMLFnaKANO_8aVnZcn5xcaIXcXJHMRBv3SLy_5xTC37eeoQAeKPq00tWhrAQZzDgYh7-w8XiHb7bHnx23BImdmhnraGrFeehWxCzQ/s1600/IMG_3150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QChbNrIcUIKN60WjwROBeEZc5ZMsp4mSfKMLFnaKANO_8aVnZcn5xcaIXcXJHMRBv3SLy_5xTC37eeoQAeKPq00tWhrAQZzDgYh7-w8XiHb7bHnx23BImdmhnraGrFeehWxCzQ/s320/IMG_3150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I had a strip of gold sparkly paper left over</div>
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which was too small to wrap anything with.</div>
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I had a strip of wired red ribbon with Christmas</div>
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trees on it which was too short to make a </div>
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bow with. I combined them, one on</div>
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top of the other and made an arrangement</div>
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out of bits and pieces on top of that.</div>
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Festive!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60WXxwjxrkrCmS8DXSrNGWVfaz5dQIUjimkQZ4SwOJacrCrVsS73vqmFMHQ73MuzUyg21SmoMWlxG_LP2v4dRvPs0-jXcmoJeYIfNCkQR42coeuhh54CXGGJViQ3PbYvJOJnWVQ/s1600/20151122_150754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60WXxwjxrkrCmS8DXSrNGWVfaz5dQIUjimkQZ4SwOJacrCrVsS73vqmFMHQ73MuzUyg21SmoMWlxG_LP2v4dRvPs0-jXcmoJeYIfNCkQR42coeuhh54CXGGJViQ3PbYvJOJnWVQ/s320/20151122_150754.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Rupert had a good Christmas, though we</div>
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were both exhausted from our various</div>
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seasonal obligations by the end.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIaxameCINht0Lusllxw1ahZnzlaZzSndPJ-ScwtFv6GCUynf_PELQ47Nr47uQiFuinYWYe_4XlwljLXPti6d2o9lYIgniaVp6E6EXrE8-PbGdrJxl2FKNCfHl9q7qnAaoBy9vQ/s1600/IMG_3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIaxameCINht0Lusllxw1ahZnzlaZzSndPJ-ScwtFv6GCUynf_PELQ47Nr47uQiFuinYWYe_4XlwljLXPti6d2o9lYIgniaVp6E6EXrE8-PbGdrJxl2FKNCfHl9q7qnAaoBy9vQ/s320/IMG_3171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Books! Glorious Books!!!!</div>
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One of my favourite thing to receive for Christmas</div>
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is gift cards! For the bookstore. Oh yes!!!</div>
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Happy dance time!!!!</div>
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Thank you to my friends who know me so</div>
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well. YA, fantasy and adult fiction. Aren't</div>
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they the most beautiful things you've ever seen?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA8B9aOvMnW7Qp9QsupmDQfHzaeLhmZJCkIjc8tfiTcHNLaUEHKATafrI7AkIi0vaUQWAmqFuiaILxxlzdcSgQHzvpKeIOBzTqMgHRVtIzf0qCHPk5bcnDVr-zaSFs7DA9PdLxA/s1600/IMG_3168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA8B9aOvMnW7Qp9QsupmDQfHzaeLhmZJCkIjc8tfiTcHNLaUEHKATafrI7AkIi0vaUQWAmqFuiaILxxlzdcSgQHzvpKeIOBzTqMgHRVtIzf0qCHPk5bcnDVr-zaSFs7DA9PdLxA/s320/IMG_3168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of which ....</div>
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And Rupert loves the box that they came in. I used</div>
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his old Chapters box to pack and wrap a Christmas</div>
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gift in so I just had to make sure that I replaced it </div>
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with a new box in at least the same size. He was</div>
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actually in this box before I had a chance to get most</div>
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of the books out so I had to pull them out from under</div>
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him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3vtfZgP6aQhBZ_51Kr5kPhT51wJJLUdk48JToC7JiQnbJ4t1F8KqfPL2OKijxSa912PX2fzKXr4eCTr_4tC89ldfu_hNmn38gtxMoRTLy9HYsYM16AHbkyQK_51ugvt9dP5pDA/s1600/IMG_3210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3vtfZgP6aQhBZ_51Kr5kPhT51wJJLUdk48JToC7JiQnbJ4t1F8KqfPL2OKijxSa912PX2fzKXr4eCTr_4tC89ldfu_hNmn38gtxMoRTLy9HYsYM16AHbkyQK_51ugvt9dP5pDA/s320/IMG_3210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gift card from the craft store. Went to Michaels to </div>
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redeem the card and got myself more Smash books to</div>
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fill. These, sadly, are no longer being made and are</div>
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getting harder and harder to find. </div>
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I made a Smash book album for a friend for Christmas</div>
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and I also made two scrap books full of pictures for </div>
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another friend and I had a blast doing them. So I am</div>
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eager to get started on scrapping/smashing for myself</div>
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now. </div>
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I've been puttering in my craft room trying to find </div>
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places for some of the craft supplies that I also got</div>
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for Christmas (stamps, punches, embellishments ....</div>
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yummy stuff like that) and rearranging things so</div>
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that they're easier to get at and to find. I am one of</div>
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those people for whom out of sight is out of mind so</div>
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I need to have everything within easy reach and more</div>
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or less in sight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAYb5dTFpOBpSaxbBKuh6KtSv80VjM8sQGGgq7CvtOvtDymW8LUJtEgmFeGyd32L8sN3R91dvBuB1AFmjKRhrs_JT1bDzeTHQB-H4Uc9CDOUmuiIeoKo5r-RyousG-vt65fsdIQ/s1600/MAIN-Harry-Potter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAYb5dTFpOBpSaxbBKuh6KtSv80VjM8sQGGgq7CvtOvtDymW8LUJtEgmFeGyd32L8sN3R91dvBuB1AFmjKRhrs_JT1bDzeTHQB-H4Uc9CDOUmuiIeoKo5r-RyousG-vt65fsdIQ/s320/MAIN-Harry-Potter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another gift that I've been loving. The illustrated addition</div>
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of the first Harry Potter book! It's so gorgeous!!! I'm</div>
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actually reading it now .... well .... not right now, this </div>
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minute ... but over the holidays and I am bowled over</div>
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by the gorgeous artwork. And the story is as sweet </div>
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and exciting and joyful as ever.</div>
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The entire gang on New Years Eve. </div>
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We went to friends for dinner and just spent the </div>
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evening sitting around, nibbling on goodies and</div>
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yakking and laughing. It was 2:00 am when </div>
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Phil and I got home and so New Years Day we</div>
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were not too lively. But that's another tradition</div>
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for that day isn't it? </div>
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No New Years resolutions for me but I would like</div>
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to spend lots of time this year being creative. That</div>
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includes stitching, scrapbooking, drawing and so</div>
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on. I firmly believe that being creative is very good</div>
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for one's soul and mental health. </div>
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And perhaps blogging through the entire year too.</div>
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Cheers for now!</div>
Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-68447019818841040052015-12-16T21:03:00.000-05:002015-12-16T21:03:05.731-05:00Christmas draws closer ...<br />
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Christmas preparations </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TqVqaL-5rtVi_VDVmZtAauvJPU5x06RYl4lUkjo0qlj4wcAt9Dau32tzTmW_gGvRXg0d2i-UdGtmKYTYXxQf_GPA-M7EDNVKFpiumKvWw-KZZk_DwNV6UInJ1D2pH34itKzywQ/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TqVqaL-5rtVi_VDVmZtAauvJPU5x06RYl4lUkjo0qlj4wcAt9Dau32tzTmW_gGvRXg0d2i-UdGtmKYTYXxQf_GPA-M7EDNVKFpiumKvWw-KZZk_DwNV6UInJ1D2pH34itKzywQ/s320/IMG_1018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Spent Sunday afternoon and evening wrapping presents</div>
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and decorating the parcels. Had some trouble getting</div>
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started however because Phoebe <strike>demanded</strike> was in need of </div>
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attention and was not inclined to listen to reason and </div>
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allow me to work unimpeded.</div>
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Since wrapping presents one handed, with a cat slung</div>
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over your shoulder snoozing is awkward ... to say the</div>
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least ... I had to be firm and put her down near by to</div>
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nap on a chair ... instead of me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0WylXk-7lNI4Dy9PROdUIqJ4Uajo7_LRcwFmajwPQToiLS0UFxp1UJtW7XJ0g1PH8Y9iolykTmopZqLTxaZze2Xn-pzh7HsWS-rHResYVQZscUq2UdvXuHpZiJn6JPUMiTgMkw/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0WylXk-7lNI4Dy9PROdUIqJ4Uajo7_LRcwFmajwPQToiLS0UFxp1UJtW7XJ0g1PH8Y9iolykTmopZqLTxaZze2Xn-pzh7HsWS-rHResYVQZscUq2UdvXuHpZiJn6JPUMiTgMkw/s320/IMG_1023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wrapping paper around the boxes doesn't take too long</div>
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to do. It's making the bows and decorating in general</div>
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that takes time ... and is the fun part. Unfortunately my</div>
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glue gun died awhile ago and I forgot to get myself a new</div>
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one so all the bows and decorations had to be "stuck"</div>
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on the parcels with tape, white glue or tied on with fancy</div>
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string or ribbon. Frustrating at times and I'm not sure</div>
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how durable these things are going to be so when they</div>
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are being given out I'll be warning the recipients to be</div>
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careful with how they carry or transport their gifts.</div>
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At least I did remember to buy a new glue gun the next</div>
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time I was out shopping. Better late then never.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHdSkgeYu2nnqQrUi-VghkwXc8e4Py4E1zPa7YX4IJhtvWmqm52wO9AWkg0VpICJbFCCdOA4Bq49om2m5g2tof-vcBNoIwsHZQU2iVW6q85Gdv_4lj4l-9x6VyQMS9MGVxD04hw/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHdSkgeYu2nnqQrUi-VghkwXc8e4Py4E1zPa7YX4IJhtvWmqm52wO9AWkg0VpICJbFCCdOA4Bq49om2m5g2tof-vcBNoIwsHZQU2iVW6q85Gdv_4lj4l-9x6VyQMS9MGVxD04hw/s320/IMG_0210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't think that I ever showed off the new addition to the</div>
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library which my DH made for me in August. I've had this</div>
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design stuck in my head for ages now and somehow, for </div>
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some reason, this summer he and I got to talking about it</div>
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and the next thing he knew he was going out to buy the </div>
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materials and putting it together.</div>
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Four bookcases set edge to edge with a large sheet of </div>
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plywood on top and with a raised edge of trim to finish </div>
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off each side of the table top. It gives me a whole lot</div>
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of space for my bigger books on the shelves of the four </div>
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bookcases plus the top is perfect for working on my jigsaw </div>
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puzzles, crafting ... and for wrapping Christmas presents. </div>
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I had to haul all my wrapping paper, trims, adhesives, </div>
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decorations and ... um ... oh yes .... the presents ....</div>
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from the top floor of the house to the basement ... and </div>
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then back up there again when I was done but it was </div>
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fabulous to work on that table and not have to bend over. </div>
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And that table top is a HUGE workspace.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf0lXqMNMvRLGWuPZVHcavcVWPJaksAzGTSAAMULICNzGRPoBBKOsjk4V2F_2UyH4LjmVims4rc718ksQOioN7M-qwFrNk3OYb1vInc5cf22JLljfeSSViJzPVnfFG8LRUTOOcQ/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf0lXqMNMvRLGWuPZVHcavcVWPJaksAzGTSAAMULICNzGRPoBBKOsjk4V2F_2UyH4LjmVims4rc718ksQOioN7M-qwFrNk3OYb1vInc5cf22JLljfeSSViJzPVnfFG8LRUTOOcQ/s320/IMG_0900.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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On the 7th of December I took the train down</div>
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to Toronto to meet my friend Darlene and we</div>
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spent the day wandering around the city </div>
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looking at the Christmas decorations.</div>
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The above trees are in the atrium of the building</div>
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where Darlene works (she was on vacation that</div>
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week). Note the sheets of sparkly lights draped</div>
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across the balconies. Very pretty, nicely done.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKHl5ted7KhdlGDeB9DJr3ekzKanpEU0tmbxAzsNgd_kXNvMxe3DX89A4f_3aG5r8l018mDBZGYh6uP7s6_XAHE6sfScMk-yXumrbkkEU4ChXyf9MMV6gfRDfTStBgm-tyoimkw/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKHl5ted7KhdlGDeB9DJr3ekzKanpEU0tmbxAzsNgd_kXNvMxe3DX89A4f_3aG5r8l018mDBZGYh6uP7s6_XAHE6sfScMk-yXumrbkkEU4ChXyf9MMV6gfRDfTStBgm-tyoimkw/s320/IMG_0902.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We went to Yorkdale mall for the morning and</div>
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checked out the stores and their displays there. The</div>
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above arrangement was in Pottery Barn. We were</div>
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disappointed in the lack of decorations at Yorkdale </div>
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in the mall's common spaces. All the shops there were</div>
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decorated but the mall itself only had Christmas </div>
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decorations around the area where Santa was located.</div>
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Dull! Boring!!! Bah Humbug Yorkdale!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRTWP6TQIHdJO-P6uGT3O7fC_R_yYCeHoxFJ-_1yy-aoK42iS_cjjZ8gM5buqDmgozW2Gp6AsjF4TAaeKVO_UXwqBYsL4z7DDvP-uFE2VJhwovVMDhVRdRreyQLV8QPic1Vl3Ig/s1600/IMG_2921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRTWP6TQIHdJO-P6uGT3O7fC_R_yYCeHoxFJ-_1yy-aoK42iS_cjjZ8gM5buqDmgozW2Gp6AsjF4TAaeKVO_UXwqBYsL4z7DDvP-uFE2VJhwovVMDhVRdRreyQLV8QPic1Vl3Ig/s320/IMG_2921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went to Allen Gardens in the afternoon and were</div>
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much happier with the effort made there to join in the</div>
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spirit of the season. Poinsettias everywhere, in a </div>
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multitude of colours. Mannequins dressed for winter</div>
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in dresses made of foliage and flowers were scattered</div>
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around the main greenhouse. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYIJkEHoVSMpPng1B813cNR0F2WrRWxA__IL6ziXoePYefa5vN7BzO_icVf4LsoiiC-9DpuwCChhYjJmwlFzqed765-aMXKGqBiF0cTxxTvDNhuiIXWaWOq6h-RXJfqqE0NPRrw/s1600/IMG_3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYIJkEHoVSMpPng1B813cNR0F2WrRWxA__IL6ziXoePYefa5vN7BzO_icVf4LsoiiC-9DpuwCChhYjJmwlFzqed765-aMXKGqBiF0cTxxTvDNhuiIXWaWOq6h-RXJfqqE0NPRrw/s320/IMG_3046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Anyone for a sleigh ride?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fVjnFh1pTt1Or9osLpsR36_VgNyDLeisOV1usDVQ17gtkxI5DdS4SDfEoa3COQJmgh7sxt_8qjHqoKHoMDsPzpNqJlpfjbxVkpkezWZfegntNEWm7mxczXMR6Z2ZhGgzNlylmg/s1600/IMG_2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fVjnFh1pTt1Or9osLpsR36_VgNyDLeisOV1usDVQ17gtkxI5DdS4SDfEoa3COQJmgh7sxt_8qjHqoKHoMDsPzpNqJlpfjbxVkpkezWZfegntNEWm7mxczXMR6Z2ZhGgzNlylmg/s320/IMG_2967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another greenhouse had fanciful birds perched in</div>
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trees and plants, some sitting on "nests" with </div>
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Christmas decoration "eggs".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIkLzRnJxiZeFUPYFEo5a34cFuEF9vkfQGyvELOa1NuUc4uf2zrOcuP-5xnkMYyP6PkdUGSXEKFeIm9JN6oLgsTxaiF0GyLfEZWvsP-uZcxEsGk5kWrdhlniUTd9RQnt1FsSwhw/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIkLzRnJxiZeFUPYFEo5a34cFuEF9vkfQGyvELOa1NuUc4uf2zrOcuP-5xnkMYyP6PkdUGSXEKFeIm9JN6oLgsTxaiF0GyLfEZWvsP-uZcxEsGk5kWrdhlniUTd9RQnt1FsSwhw/s320/IMG_2987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I guess it makes sense that a Blue Jay would lay a blue</div>
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egg.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFKei6aEkQbwwktYPnO-6IYnwypkc8aRhKUyybLBkLX5AKGiu7us_2Zm1YBQwMyXBmOpbrUrrwMC7HN_XfZzQR06RIOv-ok8JyrSCZu7CYvn7l_5eOM7vmbI0CdruH__RtxuKnA/s1600/IMG_3010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFKei6aEkQbwwktYPnO-6IYnwypkc8aRhKUyybLBkLX5AKGiu7us_2Zm1YBQwMyXBmOpbrUrrwMC7HN_XfZzQR06RIOv-ok8JyrSCZu7CYvn7l_5eOM7vmbI0CdruH__RtxuKnA/s320/IMG_3010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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It was lovely to spend an hour or more wandering</div>
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around enjoying the plants and the Christmas </div>
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decorations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyj0-fZPGb88M6abLeb09sci_EoaudwDJeDDbtZYyO1xkj2SnJg_iq5JkblL88eI9g71EyKgPCDNmQmjcKnYh5LjwIyDFUEQBMk5FNCZz98KJ4I_-AiZNRKpX4pPdw6c59UkquKg/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyj0-fZPGb88M6abLeb09sci_EoaudwDJeDDbtZYyO1xkj2SnJg_iq5JkblL88eI9g71EyKgPCDNmQmjcKnYh5LjwIyDFUEQBMk5FNCZz98KJ4I_-AiZNRKpX4pPdw6c59UkquKg/s320/IMG_0920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once it got dark we walked to City Hall where the skating</div>
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rink was in full use, the Christmas tree was lit up and </div>
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everything looked lovely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ObbZsY6IOr_LyWOtG1kBcLC33qiYKKdZ_MfsrbCsas7fFmhN3T01w08X2-yh2cTrPPo1oDx7INCrmaNWK7mx21Z-BU2Jzu4ULDeuDiansf1B2UMPIaYm5KK1VGWBqUgbbqIGTw/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ObbZsY6IOr_LyWOtG1kBcLC33qiYKKdZ_MfsrbCsas7fFmhN3T01w08X2-yh2cTrPPo1oDx7INCrmaNWK7mx21Z-BU2Jzu4ULDeuDiansf1B2UMPIaYm5KK1VGWBqUgbbqIGTw/s320/IMG_0951.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The Eaton Centre mall had it's giant reindeer</div>
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set out along it's main hall. They are amazing</div>
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to see in person.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXz771z_00hOS5cf9hz7RIXFk1bomWyo8T5xBOfVN_5gOyiuN_jRKxy9HgsktP66ETi7qFyRamip3OWN2PrKQYX_nLrQKXfoI0VVrAIZ2A2nexBcYAgRk-xq9NIyhnvmw5q94rA/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXz771z_00hOS5cf9hz7RIXFk1bomWyo8T5xBOfVN_5gOyiuN_jRKxy9HgsktP66ETi7qFyRamip3OWN2PrKQYX_nLrQKXfoI0VVrAIZ2A2nexBcYAgRk-xq9NIyhnvmw5q94rA/s320/IMG_1010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The CN tower was lit up with Christmas colours</div>
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which looked great.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZno24XTdwLR2L1yQtUq156nc9G019V01Cg5FA10l0sk8rbWKE8_fNwCKk2APMYBd2DWujViFr_dOoBaSWihjGlOTKhh_NsxqYD9szeOmuNxUJgGIzySH6HusTtBtGMpceH6WUZg/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZno24XTdwLR2L1yQtUq156nc9G019V01Cg5FA10l0sk8rbWKE8_fNwCKk2APMYBd2DWujViFr_dOoBaSWihjGlOTKhh_NsxqYD9szeOmuNxUJgGIzySH6HusTtBtGMpceH6WUZg/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Didn't buy anything (except for brunch and</div>
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dinner) during our day out except when I found</div>
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this hardcover edition of the third book in </div>
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Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy which</div>
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was on sale for just $10.00. I did buy this when</div>
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it first came out in hardcover a year and a half</div>
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ago because I LOVE the series and this author!</div>
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<br /></div>
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But I had to grab this copy because of the sticker</div>
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on it which said "Signed Copy"!!!! </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOgEhn-cFge-ekI75T8GQABqgRLxn12tBmn6J8Ns2c6jppCBNE82FybUdG0I9m0TDrcB4D7ppFgKZSu6ZWM_weGmtUy2RUaE9phkGID1lH5NN5wUmZuDNHF-Y72S7gHsTFqB_Vg/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOgEhn-cFge-ekI75T8GQABqgRLxn12tBmn6J8Ns2c6jppCBNE82FybUdG0I9m0TDrcB4D7ppFgKZSu6ZWM_weGmtUy2RUaE9phkGID1lH5NN5wUmZuDNHF-Y72S7gHsTFqB_Vg/s320/IMG_1015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Yup! There you go! Signed by the author!!!</div>
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Me want! Me grab!!! Me very happy!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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This is baking week. I've been at it for three days so</div>
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far and will keep at it until I run out of time. Stay </div>
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tuned for further reports.</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-26869580900255492652015-12-05T18:02:00.000-05:002015-12-05T18:02:48.697-05:00Lo, it's Christmas time!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KgIBXEF1olYUT6ONkxgx3R7Hg7_Lje6d7v_rurqrFNYgMb0g9hcEknirr-SEVKpcYuUvBbumMRx2heimR1OJV_-jj1g2B8RbMWaTUWfOxPo9T7IrawScRPGYist4weZs7_nusw/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KgIBXEF1olYUT6ONkxgx3R7Hg7_Lje6d7v_rurqrFNYgMb0g9hcEknirr-SEVKpcYuUvBbumMRx2heimR1OJV_-jj1g2B8RbMWaTUWfOxPo9T7IrawScRPGYist4weZs7_nusw/s320/IMG_2882.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I mentioned in my last post that we'd gotten our</div>
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tree up a few weekends ago. But before we could put our </div>
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tree up we had to go out and buy a new one this year </div>
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because the lights on our not-quite-four year old tree </div>
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were failing all over it. I was very annoyed because these </div>
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things ain't cheap to begin with and I loved my not-so-old </div>
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tree. </div>
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So we drove to Canadian Tire and checked out their</div>
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tree selection and ended up bringing this one home.</div>
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I would have preferred a tree with coloured lights</div>
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but pre-lit trees seem to be decorated with white</div>
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lights more often then coloured. I liked this tree</div>
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because it looks quite real and we were not interested</div>
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in driving all over the province looking at the</div>
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many different christmas trees that are for sale in </div>
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other stores so this is the one we bought.</div>
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Hope it'll stay hale and hearty and lit for more then</div>
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three seasons.</div>
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This one is the typical three section tree with each</div>
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section inserted into the previous one and the bottom</div>
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section inserted into the stand. Then, because it is</div>
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brand new and had been stuffed into a relatively</div>
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small box by some kind of sadistic mechanical device </div>
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I had to "fluff" it before we could start decorating it.</div>
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Fluffing the tree took a long time. Opening the new</div>
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tree like an umbrella, pressing branches down into place</div>
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and separating branches from one another and flatten-</div>
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ing branches etc. Making sure that there are no empty spaces</div>
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through which you might be able to spy the tree trunk </div>
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or (horrified gasp!!!) plugs and wires. And you just cannot </div>
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rush these things because a well fluffed tree is crucial to the</div>
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end result of a realistic appearance. </div>
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Do I sound as demented to you as I sound to me?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ahem.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOHNBWdAI3X7EJrQrwpio4HEHaeF9IPfPTQ0vnaYGTfwwkuTxDHDRKQ47hw-cCU0ZvFMXPIyC-K9nqZYjPT3yGhzpya-TI30Dc6BcBMew-o8UKQpj0Ce0Eabt29GTf9OPs0LqTQ/s1600/IMG_2883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOHNBWdAI3X7EJrQrwpio4HEHaeF9IPfPTQ0vnaYGTfwwkuTxDHDRKQ47hw-cCU0ZvFMXPIyC-K9nqZYjPT3yGhzpya-TI30Dc6BcBMew-o8UKQpj0Ce0Eabt29GTf9OPs0LqTQ/s320/IMG_2883.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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So a few days after the tree had been put up I was </div>
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sitting with a mug of tea in hand admiring our</div>
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handiwork. DH was sitting across the room </div>
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from me with his mug of tea. I idly glanced towards</div>
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the top of the tree and then did a double take.</div>
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"Where did that come from" I asked the only</div>
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member of this household tall enough to place a</div>
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small plush cat on top of our seven and a half </div>
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foot tall tree without a ladder. Said member of</div>
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the household just grinned at me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yPKnH1DJf3_yUi1WVMJnjM18N0tj32TNfujwLzjVyVIJx9WwbVkxR-2ryFwHxFDk0na51RnP2Iuwh5yyXq8cetBm7A9EQldel8sNzdH2R5BibXnCBPuQ5DdAtnq_binNxXY26A/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yPKnH1DJf3_yUi1WVMJnjM18N0tj32TNfujwLzjVyVIJx9WwbVkxR-2ryFwHxFDk0na51RnP2Iuwh5yyXq8cetBm7A9EQldel8sNzdH2R5BibXnCBPuQ5DdAtnq_binNxXY26A/s320/IMG_2884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've been without a star for the top of our tree for quite</div>
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a few years now. Ever since our last star refused to </div>
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light up during a previous decorating session we've been</div>
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trying to find another one that we both liked without </div>
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any success. Usually I just plop one of my hand made</div>
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gold bows on top of the tree and leave it at that but </div>
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this year I hadn't gotten around to doing it yet.</div>
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So DH decided to take matters into his own hands and</div>
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you see the results above.</div>
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I like it.</div>
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We're cat lovers here, and we have an orange cat so</div>
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I guess it's rather fitting to have an orange cat on top of our</div>
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tree.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEV6wPQSRdSmgvFKZYMo0wwwaV8jUdX0N8A4eNcq-LCv_bmjfGpt1ENuu5Gq6-Tr7aKGsvE21-LPyO371aUwP9u_mk1OruldOlqQ01gPzX53zig8uwmlmnNK_hns_LTbgelIfgw/s1600/IMG_2881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEV6wPQSRdSmgvFKZYMo0wwwaV8jUdX0N8A4eNcq-LCv_bmjfGpt1ENuu5Gq6-Tr7aKGsvE21-LPyO371aUwP9u_mk1OruldOlqQ01gPzX53zig8uwmlmnNK_hns_LTbgelIfgw/s320/IMG_2881.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, the christmas cards have begun to </div>
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trickle in and I'm happy about that because I</div>
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love christmas cards. And so does a certain</div>
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previously alluded to orange cat. His name was</div>
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in the hand written greeting inside the card so</div>
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of course he had to read it for himself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghJegG-3z0rEkKWq4vKzulCMIcZbEEVt42QuFNSj28MwrcvtZcgdpsFPEe2d9UvSjNU7CbaBNWSYWnDU2bSEmfO4526M-NJzSE-pi65VpuaKqEC6Q0ICnC8Qls_k-fCDlp2vTxQ/s1600/IMG_2906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghJegG-3z0rEkKWq4vKzulCMIcZbEEVt42QuFNSj28MwrcvtZcgdpsFPEe2d9UvSjNU7CbaBNWSYWnDU2bSEmfO4526M-NJzSE-pi65VpuaKqEC6Q0ICnC8Qls_k-fCDlp2vTxQ/s320/IMG_2906.JPG" width="169" /></a></div>
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The very first card to arrive this year was this hand</div>
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made beauty from Andrea at <a href="http://thecraftroom.blogspot.ca/">The Craft Room</a>. I love</div>
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it so much and have placed it on display on a shelf of the </div>
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bookcase in the living room where it can be seen and</div>
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appreciated. Thank you Andrea. Your card making </div>
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skills are as amazing as your stitching and finishing </div>
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skills.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXLwRP1wcIFmtT-4HCfsZ-uOKGtp2hRkB7vc5VZHWAZDwcYUh_9r1sPt1lBdTOX6zLArMB6SYSJus_4rUV6HylTSue3ga1pywqKNK_MV9ATEOnWAC58XWT3QdvuRegsKahjC6ug/s1600/IMG_3596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXLwRP1wcIFmtT-4HCfsZ-uOKGtp2hRkB7vc5VZHWAZDwcYUh_9r1sPt1lBdTOX6zLArMB6SYSJus_4rUV6HylTSue3ga1pywqKNK_MV9ATEOnWAC58XWT3QdvuRegsKahjC6ug/s320/IMG_3596.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A landmark week at work for DH as he </div>
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celebrated 40 years working for the same</div>
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company. Yes, I said 40 years! Hard to</div>
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believe isn't it? </div>
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<br /></div>
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That kind of anniversary is certainly going to </div>
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be a thing of the past as it seems that most</div>
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companies don't want to be bothered with</div>
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long term employees and most certainly not</div>
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with employees over say 50 years of age.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But DH has made it to 40 years and he's </div>
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happy with that but has also had enough</div>
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of it. He will be retiring at the end of </div>
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March ... and is counting down the days.</div>
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My currant read is The Accidental Empress which </div>
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is a historical fiction by Allison Pataki about the</div>
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life of Elisabeth of Austria known as Sisi who was</div>
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married to Emperor Franz Joseph at the age of 16.</div>
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It's funny but I ran into Sisi in two other books that</div>
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I'd read earlier this year .... The Fortune Hunter</div>
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and The Courtesan. Both books are featured in</div>
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previous blog posts. Sisi is a major character in The</div>
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Fortune Hunter but just appears briefly in The Courtesan</div>
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but she made an impression on me so when I came</div>
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across this book I had to get it and find out more about</div>
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this fascinating, tragic woman.</div>
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It's heavy on the romantic aspects of the Empress's life</div>
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and some of the criticism that I've read on Goodreads </div>
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from other readers is that it doesn't delve deep enough</div>
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into Sisi's real life history, tragedies, trials and troubles.</div>
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But I am enjoying the book and I think I'd like to find</div>
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other books about her to add to my library which are</div>
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perhaps more inclined towards a truthful portrait of the</div>
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woman instead of a simplified, romance heroine style.</div>
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I'm obsessing over a TV program called Escape to</div>
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the Country which I am watching on Youtube. It</div>
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is a sort of home search show that takes place all over</div>
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The British Isles with breathtaking scenery, a bit of</div>
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touristy information about the featured area, and </div>
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a bit of the local history. I'm telling you, if I ever</div>
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win the lottery I'm gonna get myself a house in the</div>
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countryside of The British Isles. Deciding on where</div>
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exactly may not be easy but that would be a problem</div>
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I would enjoy solving very much.</div>
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Then I'm gonna want a house in the country in Belgium,</div>
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Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark ....</div>
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(voice trails off listing every country in Europe)</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-79344194313726664872015-11-23T15:36:00.000-05:002015-11-26T11:14:42.613-05:00Where oh where does the time go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3K5AneTKK7gQuBKuu-bHHCSxb7R2vjt1_YBRyMEhHq0IGMILFbVcC7DNQTTEFHOjcMOsngPvcFRf9dCiwvcG5liEjRN4T5AykRGilUsoc1cKPmO4VxLxuka0jkTEaitpu6dJVg/s1600/IMG_2608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3K5AneTKK7gQuBKuu-bHHCSxb7R2vjt1_YBRyMEhHq0IGMILFbVcC7DNQTTEFHOjcMOsngPvcFRf9dCiwvcG5liEjRN4T5AykRGilUsoc1cKPmO4VxLxuka0jkTEaitpu6dJVg/s320/IMG_2608.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I visited my friend Linda in Port Perry</div>
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a month ago and during one of my </div>
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walks along the shores of Lake Scugog</div>
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I took some pictures of the last of the</div>
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seasonal plants. I love taking pictures</div>
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like these that almost seem to have a</div>
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texture to them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SGbUnQLnge5RXfdkRD_Q0FsDVL6QQOcDGRiZzZRjqJM6g2CPZNGQK9pUR98AobuNUEj8I0EPcTBIgrm1iX6L_oPgJ7GNtcdXeFc6XJa9ho4PS77sBYC7g9PTs4J_r1HLxqljiw/s1600/IMG_2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SGbUnQLnge5RXfdkRD_Q0FsDVL6QQOcDGRiZzZRjqJM6g2CPZNGQK9pUR98AobuNUEj8I0EPcTBIgrm1iX6L_oPgJ7GNtcdXeFc6XJa9ho4PS77sBYC7g9PTs4J_r1HLxqljiw/s320/IMG_2609.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And fluffy seed pods are a great </div>
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favourite.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaurU28PX5uNmajXEQEJXYF5s5ucL4JMNeJpGGoJKLRx2npatCtEeGwx9JL9m-40M5UpodkMhK9qtAC_wqr5mivZL3dnL66CcjkPXT_druwdW63Ptc7eljcsd7Nx6CzyQfmx7cQ/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaurU28PX5uNmajXEQEJXYF5s5ucL4JMNeJpGGoJKLRx2npatCtEeGwx9JL9m-40M5UpodkMhK9qtAC_wqr5mivZL3dnL66CcjkPXT_druwdW63Ptc7eljcsd7Nx6CzyQfmx7cQ/s320/IMG_2603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The days were overcast (until the day I returned</div>
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home, of course) but that's okay. Any time I</div>
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can walk near a lake and watch the birds and</div>
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breath in the air is fine by me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharHeBtGyhr-6tNrLkfw6eE0mmDoBoEpmuh2yarUVH-n1Ypii_iU_24f3J8XsHgpwsb4rtNElGBVXOpINOkO3t4B9oYsEFSJtAGMpTw1gJY116b9UaiZo0nUnJFRw5BVHjFcM-9g/s1600/IMG_2675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharHeBtGyhr-6tNrLkfw6eE0mmDoBoEpmuh2yarUVH-n1Ypii_iU_24f3J8XsHgpwsb4rtNElGBVXOpINOkO3t4B9oYsEFSJtAGMpTw1gJY116b9UaiZo0nUnJFRw5BVHjFcM-9g/s320/IMG_2675.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Another day, closer to home. Glen Williams</div>
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is just a 35 minute walk from my front door</div>
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and is such a pretty village. Took this</div>
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picture from one of the bridges that spans</div>
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the Credit River, which twists it's way </div>
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through the village in two spots on the</div>
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main road.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSudcst5LXIKDWe9N-AlkBerKYJa25AON6hZ2O-1MV1HILnIMp2E996T-4YJK2R21_2YyIPzdSt0kCzN7quHR020rAH5zvov25cVChh8xAjdmw5VOd0T5JnHD-78uQRG1gmbUWw/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSudcst5LXIKDWe9N-AlkBerKYJa25AON6hZ2O-1MV1HILnIMp2E996T-4YJK2R21_2YyIPzdSt0kCzN7quHR020rAH5zvov25cVChh8xAjdmw5VOd0T5JnHD-78uQRG1gmbUWw/s320/IMG_2671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of my favourite houses in the village. I think</div>
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I take it's picture every time that I do a walk</div>
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through of the area with my camera.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlshlnm1l1Fk9abopZI5Y-Wno6wnc1nZlqAg7goOlItfJLemnJJTHHUqZe3ai4QVtzY0TrGp6vaYbXcmuzi7geYs6U31TE9DWrQ6SCrw_UekNkmIoJZmNGYbYcXbAmeaUg8NMGg/s1600/IMG_2738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlshlnm1l1Fk9abopZI5Y-Wno6wnc1nZlqAg7goOlItfJLemnJJTHHUqZe3ai4QVtzY0TrGp6vaYbXcmuzi7geYs6U31TE9DWrQ6SCrw_UekNkmIoJZmNGYbYcXbAmeaUg8NMGg/s320/IMG_2738.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On Remembrance Day I joined my neighbour and</div>
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three of her kids to walk down to our town's cenotaph</div>
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to observe the wreath laying ceremony. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMT6iE9LlaT1l5irl-FVFCGH11gxwpJJd5EgLRBSKTxNJTRoeS1elGr3CXHOvgu0wQier22FWYnpn3-pKH_racaGZjES07ugaIwfFjsc7KS-CBsca_VIB7vBCxKfiCkhd1CcRTg/s1600/IMG_2740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMT6iE9LlaT1l5irl-FVFCGH11gxwpJJd5EgLRBSKTxNJTRoeS1elGr3CXHOvgu0wQier22FWYnpn3-pKH_racaGZjES07ugaIwfFjsc7KS-CBsca_VIB7vBCxKfiCkhd1CcRTg/s320/IMG_2740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Love the tradition at the end where members of the</div>
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crowd can come forward and leave their poppies on</div>
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the base of the monument if they wish to.</div>
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On the weekend of the 14th I took the Go bus down</div>
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to Toronto to spend the day with my friend Darlene.</div>
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We walked through the Jane/Bloor village section</div>
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of the city and poked around in the shops located</div>
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there. It's a very European section of Toronto with</div>
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lots of fabulous bakeries with glorious displays of</div>
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fresh baked pastries and breads and cakes.</div>
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We even visited a couple of the Christmas </div>
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bazaars being run in a few of the local churches</div>
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in the area which was fun. In one lovely </div>
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church we were admiring the interior of the</div>
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main part of the church from a doorway and </div>
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one of the parishioners offered to give us a </div>
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little tour, which we were delighted to accept.</div>
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I love when that sort of thing happens.</div>
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This is St. Olave's Anglican church.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrclnvHvQI938ek_W_bSzwBOQLMXFtX2JA4fPRUSMre4Aeuds2ozHE9jxy1KuuwoOurXnwjPWYIyh3mJQmWsbkapUKhcrjOqBJQTf4LYZEY82gQFsfxAj4ltn8Kc1hm5TRfZqVkQ/s1600/IMG_2782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrclnvHvQI938ek_W_bSzwBOQLMXFtX2JA4fPRUSMre4Aeuds2ozHE9jxy1KuuwoOurXnwjPWYIyh3mJQmWsbkapUKhcrjOqBJQTf4LYZEY82gQFsfxAj4ltn8Kc1hm5TRfZqVkQ/s320/IMG_2782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also walked through High Park which is Toronto's</div>
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version of Central Park in New York. Most of the</div>
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leaves on the trees there were gone but the willow</div>
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trees next to Grenadier pond still retained their </div>
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Fall colour. </div>
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Since High Park is just a short walk from Lake</div>
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Ontario we just had to go there as well and walk</div>
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along the boardwalk for a bit. This is looking</div>
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west, with our backs to downtown Toronto.</div>
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It does look cold and gloomy in that picture</div>
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doesn't it? But we had a nice walk and</div>
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were quite comfortable, though we were</div>
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warmly dressed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yj0WItWGbO0hAUl7HC1NT7bvBY0gwOCKUO1eca9DETsU-AZKhX-8_8AGXFKBtV97Re17riE3HdVrzhFiG8AS0n5jGlLNPbaeoyKsAFRXLcLGT30cs5nxBMWgMeoFDNr2wkeyww/s1600/IMG_2808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yj0WItWGbO0hAUl7HC1NT7bvBY0gwOCKUO1eca9DETsU-AZKhX-8_8AGXFKBtV97Re17riE3HdVrzhFiG8AS0n5jGlLNPbaeoyKsAFRXLcLGT30cs5nxBMWgMeoFDNr2wkeyww/s320/IMG_2808.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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City Hall, downtown Toronto. The Toronto</div>
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sign was put up for the Pan-Am games that</div>
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Toronto hosted this past summer. It was</div>
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decided that since the sign was such a hit with</div>
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tourists and Torontonians alike it should be</div>
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kept up once the games were over.</div>
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Note that it is lit with the colours of the</div>
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French flag. This was the Saturday</div>
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after the Paris attacks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemi32ks5Hb-VNVLs-lBC_3UTEYPb0ipdOuMLBI-xubp2giedA-j2H6D5vRFvxDkHjQS6duVEZiQ7HXrYZqXb3zZzoBEqGrUsL8xPW49lMnrOsf3Aq_fTvmOT_fNKFLnvsu_c1Lg/s1600/IMG_2824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemi32ks5Hb-VNVLs-lBC_3UTEYPb0ipdOuMLBI-xubp2giedA-j2H6D5vRFvxDkHjQS6duVEZiQ7HXrYZqXb3zZzoBEqGrUsL8xPW49lMnrOsf3Aq_fTvmOT_fNKFLnvsu_c1Lg/s320/IMG_2824.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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The highlight of our day was in the evening</div>
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when we attended the lighting of the </div>
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Christmas lights at Dundas Square in</div>
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Toronto. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6lBH8oTxOiLu5iBSiJT1XA46cGd1SyJNXoQKWpe0AQ1Ya2XODlyXdfzXVorPnwOjTqaBGcof_SJ_cnfrQ2d8FGgTolNWJgqFBhbTspj5PlrfzRVNFO4pkSi5x5HUQtls_xwBvQ/s1600/IMG_2840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6lBH8oTxOiLu5iBSiJT1XA46cGd1SyJNXoQKWpe0AQ1Ya2XODlyXdfzXVorPnwOjTqaBGcof_SJ_cnfrQ2d8FGgTolNWJgqFBhbTspj5PlrfzRVNFO4pkSi5x5HUQtls_xwBvQ/s320/IMG_2840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Live music, dancers and acrobats and lights.</div>
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Lots of lights! In fact the name of the event</div>
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was Illuminite. This is the second year in a</div>
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row that we've gone to this show and it was</div>
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quite amazing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd6pUoxgHrn8bhPvf6vBIr7kqU6Mvhc8WSLhrPNkw0t2v9zXiQDnGSnPrMx0dlgwMRV4jQWnSqzAqoNcKVHiwBeddwISLpqxvDOlceNBQvqGhRMIdPPcmi9j7jA2s-ZLr_X6uZw/s1600/IMG_2852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd6pUoxgHrn8bhPvf6vBIr7kqU6Mvhc8WSLhrPNkw0t2v9zXiQDnGSnPrMx0dlgwMRV4jQWnSqzAqoNcKVHiwBeddwISLpqxvDOlceNBQvqGhRMIdPPcmi9j7jA2s-ZLr_X6uZw/s320/IMG_2852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year the show stopper was when four of the </div>
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dancers plus the piano <i>and</i> the piano player were</div>
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hoisted in the air by a crane where they (the dancers, I </div>
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mean) danced and spun and tumbled in midair.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm sorry that my pictures weren't very good but</div>
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at least you get an idea of how it all looked. We</div>
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were told that there were about 12,000 people</div>
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in attendance, filling the square and spilling onto</div>
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Yonge street which was closed to traffic for the</div>
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occasion. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BvapMV494xND2brML8SW1Dgi4j9WmhTdL85MxJPzol_lxp_yBHowoS84U-qJpXc0lpUnshFnR2lu90rl3MxzdRMKMIyCYLWPIq3gmSNobXhkLO9ixkPCOAnoYi2ZVVQrTlygfQ/s1600/515p3OrN1KL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BvapMV494xND2brML8SW1Dgi4j9WmhTdL85MxJPzol_lxp_yBHowoS84U-qJpXc0lpUnshFnR2lu90rl3MxzdRMKMIyCYLWPIq3gmSNobXhkLO9ixkPCOAnoYi2ZVVQrTlygfQ/s320/515p3OrN1KL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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Books read, or in this case being read by</div>
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me in the past month or so. </div>
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The Nightingale is a story that takes place</div>
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during WWII in France during the occupation.</div>
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I've read a number of Kristin Hannah's books</div>
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and this one is one of her best so far.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Amendment: Nov 26th</i></div>
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<i>Sat for two hours this morning reading this book.</i></div>
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<i>Could not leave it alone. My bed is unmade and</i></div>
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<i>I'm still in my PJs. I read it to the end and I </i></div>
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<i>cried and cried. It's rare that I shed a tear over a</i></div>
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<i>book, no matter how well written or how much I</i></div>
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<i>loved it. This is a haunting, powerful story which</i></div>
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<i>resonates in this day and age. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>The best by far that I've read by Kristin Hannah it </i></div>
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<i>takes her to another level as a writer. I highly</i></div>
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<i>recommend it but warn you to read it with a box</i></div>
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<i>of kleenex close by.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpMNiwWF778vYJhaikjiXSqMwvXRotklJJE2TK-i9swIvbHWuVj_hDStRU-7wLtS7GEaoYwzhXPSu3E91385xWWZIvxzifeao7SiGUdoKPYOGnPWd5kdyXiOePjGQx6zQibqjsw/s1600/24611456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpMNiwWF778vYJhaikjiXSqMwvXRotklJJE2TK-i9swIvbHWuVj_hDStRU-7wLtS7GEaoYwzhXPSu3E91385xWWZIvxzifeao7SiGUdoKPYOGnPWd5kdyXiOePjGQx6zQibqjsw/s1600/24611456.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Courtesan takes place in China in the late</div>
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1800's and is based on the life of a woman who </div>
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lived during that time. It is Alexandra Curry's first</div>
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novel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4o8b37Wh8SKbBf3HEvk88E3kDvG5bc-IuwsKKYrqv32LpoFvn9ZY3HALywgFlBta7iAa8F8GenWHx6ALlM4r4zpAjtRm2OYIXCVS8RoIODx8zeUUpvRQ9absNDRJoszAwssQYA/s1600/every-day.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4o8b37Wh8SKbBf3HEvk88E3kDvG5bc-IuwsKKYrqv32LpoFvn9ZY3HALywgFlBta7iAa8F8GenWHx6ALlM4r4zpAjtRm2OYIXCVS8RoIODx8zeUUpvRQ9absNDRJoszAwssQYA/s320/every-day.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div>
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A young adult novel with an interesting,</div>
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thought provoking twist. I'd been wanting</div>
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to read this one for awhile and when it's </div>
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sequel came out a short while ago I got</div>
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them both and read them one after the other.</div>
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The first book "Every Day" I enjoyed more then</div>
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the second book "Another Day" which was the same</div>
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story but told by another character's point of view.</div>
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<br /></div>
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David Levithan is a very popular writer of</div>
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Young adult novels.</div>
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I've been spending my crafting time working on</div>
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scrapbook albums that I am making to give as</div>
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Christmas gifts. One is done and the other is</div>
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in the beginning stages. </div>
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In spite of the bags of extra time I expected to have</div>
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to prepare for Christmas because I'm no longer </div>
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working the days and weeks leading up to December </div>
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25th are flying by just as fast as when I was working! </div>
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This amazes and frustrates me to no end. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh well. The tree is up and decorated and so is </div>
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most of the house so I need to begin my cards next.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-69459002462089809862015-11-12T11:22:00.001-05:002015-11-12T11:22:44.506-05:00Fall 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My favourite season is Fall. I know, I know ....</div>
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Fall means that winter is not too far away. Even so.</div>
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I love Fall!!! </div>
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<br /></div>
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And in the Fall there are certain rituals that one must </div>
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partake in to be able to say that one has sufficiently </div>
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and fully experienced the season. Visiting a farm</div>
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to pick apples or search for pumpkins is one such</div>
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ritual and I was lucky enough to be able to do just</div>
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that at the beginning of October.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My neighbour Amy and three of her kids headed</div>
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out one afternoon in search of apples and were </div>
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kind enough to invite me along. It was a gorgeous</div>
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though cool Fall day and we wandered around the</div>
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Halton Hills area (by car) looking for places to stop.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC3BJguCKT2ydF0P0XqIPbo9xEYl5Yp9AfGYyjXvl6Fgw75mOv3fxmtSEQIMevF73vWjyP7kjhO5isF7stUJu3qyrjsayR2tWyPQx418WRc51aJlsjCm-X1Fj5NpBFpA4n3V5EQ/s1600/IMG_2459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC3BJguCKT2ydF0P0XqIPbo9xEYl5Yp9AfGYyjXvl6Fgw75mOv3fxmtSEQIMevF73vWjyP7kjhO5isF7stUJu3qyrjsayR2tWyPQx418WRc51aJlsjCm-X1Fj5NpBFpA4n3V5EQ/s320/IMG_2459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first place we chose to stop at was a small farm </div>
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where Amy picked up a huge bag of apples. You </div>
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have no idea of the selection of apples that are </div>
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available until you go to an apple farm and see all </div>
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of the varieties on offer. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgpxPMHbAcwSeMLX7nZzJU0lSzJ2lQWVo2q3AdrsmwlFprUO6ZAzQJzSaNrVFLbUwSirgt5mHpB5YrnWNJHq49MQhgkbA9McbN_Ub9xyHLOqgKhEBEWHreXupmkPr1ebQ3BMKrQ/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgpxPMHbAcwSeMLX7nZzJU0lSzJ2lQWVo2q3AdrsmwlFprUO6ZAzQJzSaNrVFLbUwSirgt5mHpB5YrnWNJHq49MQhgkbA9McbN_Ub9xyHLOqgKhEBEWHreXupmkPr1ebQ3BMKrQ/s320/IMG_2498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our next stop was a larger place called Andrews</div>
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Scenic Acres and here there was a wider range of</div>
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produce and products for sale. Plus the added </div>
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fun of a Halloween maze, pumpkin patch, animals</div>
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to see and pet and photograph, dahlias galore to</div>
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pick and the added bonus of glorious, fresh air</div>
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and sunshine and the scent of Autumn in the air</div>
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and bright blue sky overhead. In other words</div>
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BLISS!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjJamYHnHbXbbfmO_oA2oSolhMjDlrukpfTYcKOittltKXqOXyhIoQFjmJWYBR-PCpP65zWt4-5vMOrdJdEoFQiX8xON88hCrvrM5fM5n1KTYHPesyNgNk89cGITjabwmiA2aGQ/s1600/IMG_2574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjJamYHnHbXbbfmO_oA2oSolhMjDlrukpfTYcKOittltKXqOXyhIoQFjmJWYBR-PCpP65zWt4-5vMOrdJdEoFQiX8xON88hCrvrM5fM5n1KTYHPesyNgNk89cGITjabwmiA2aGQ/s320/IMG_2574.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the store were all kinds of yummy</div>
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things from indian corn, to maple syrup, </div>
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to fresh baked goods (salted chocolate</div>
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chip cookies anyone?) to jams and </div>
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jellies and on and on and on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqYyfAWWGGIztm0l1HGiCtQ8Xxkhh8jscf9tWf0ZQqbuMBhIn55DY9G9VmiHyqHpnkqpf8mtpcoqaC_dPBmmrCZbvwBW4CkGMBZ7m4fQ3_a6msUxTnzRewQVk_BQT6YR4_ygL_w/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqYyfAWWGGIztm0l1HGiCtQ8Xxkhh8jscf9tWf0ZQqbuMBhIn55DY9G9VmiHyqHpnkqpf8mtpcoqaC_dPBmmrCZbvwBW4CkGMBZ7m4fQ3_a6msUxTnzRewQVk_BQT6YR4_ygL_w/s320/IMG_2504.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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One of the farm's residents. Love</div>
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those gorgeous feathers!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1aVQ7oJgFwkYDITXD3xtYPz1_Qg_GlphKksQpiJYtDO2GP1Bb9J9frW7gl3ZLgW47eUSH-bovTdRyWPNawZNSpMMK25uO1gFFcpExfuinp82E4kYfn3tJjGY5GYSPN3etidTIA/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1aVQ7oJgFwkYDITXD3xtYPz1_Qg_GlphKksQpiJYtDO2GP1Bb9J9frW7gl3ZLgW47eUSH-bovTdRyWPNawZNSpMMK25uO1gFFcpExfuinp82E4kYfn3tJjGY5GYSPN3etidTIA/s320/IMG_2472.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And oodles and oodles of dahlias!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkzwNGAKuKkT_O7fuE6Oz7L6WX8hyphenhyphenY9qAtb-aKIy2QNgbZB2VfqebD0crFk4rBkiygbmFw3BAL5CGlNYrQcWPOamDpe__mp2p03jjqm9LyCAHnAX7QcqBK_w9eJDqFzeNPXPSlA/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkzwNGAKuKkT_O7fuE6Oz7L6WX8hyphenhyphenY9qAtb-aKIy2QNgbZB2VfqebD0crFk4rBkiygbmFw3BAL5CGlNYrQcWPOamDpe__mp2p03jjqm9LyCAHnAX7QcqBK_w9eJDqFzeNPXPSlA/s320/IMG_2471.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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In every shape .... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHpLw3GF3zaG6zLUejXTwxX6eIyKU8MzEtgudq893JHmJJ5cHDDPIgXiyNrUWp_Qo0Vv-qQ6l79SjIyIL_cZVlwenXFLnXxD9yLmkBP4LmsJkapL3nBFJ_eHIJKJUJKrUEkPMgw/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHpLw3GF3zaG6zLUejXTwxX6eIyKU8MzEtgudq893JHmJJ5cHDDPIgXiyNrUWp_Qo0Vv-qQ6l79SjIyIL_cZVlwenXFLnXxD9yLmkBP4LmsJkapL3nBFJ_eHIJKJUJKrUEkPMgw/s320/IMG_2481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and colour that you could imagine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsDmG_4OXImptF6AQlK_8v0fxad2atxCIiiyR04PVqe_XYOpirq2vkEkhrBwwse4cnBEfh4JyBuY8GboW7_79IrNkXh6DiYLI-6CmI67gW2mQeXXLRlU_A3uS-ekwI1WPxFoxPQ/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsDmG_4OXImptF6AQlK_8v0fxad2atxCIiiyR04PVqe_XYOpirq2vkEkhrBwwse4cnBEfh4JyBuY8GboW7_79IrNkXh6DiYLI-6CmI67gW2mQeXXLRlU_A3uS-ekwI1WPxFoxPQ/s320/IMG_2487.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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All available to pick and take home with</div>
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you, which we did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoEN1U1kBOTHAm_Sht2zj54bYguktvqz5lLBHjbMenYQAorES0A8z9TX5xYW1Nb5IT8ftZfM2apM_pRwMlTDFys1hJbDnHFTuhyphenhyphenfP9xWMxSVxaSLhyphenhyphenXKsd-FyRFyiycyRday11Q/s1600/IMG_2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoEN1U1kBOTHAm_Sht2zj54bYguktvqz5lLBHjbMenYQAorES0A8z9TX5xYW1Nb5IT8ftZfM2apM_pRwMlTDFys1hJbDnHFTuhyphenhyphenfP9xWMxSVxaSLhyphenhyphenXKsd-FyRFyiycyRday11Q/s320/IMG_2531.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were trails to follow all around the property</div>
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and the sunflower patch was huge and at it's peak. </div>
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We walked all over and took lots of pictures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQpF_P20sO57itZxQc_FxdwWQ7PvkchHr4nmAF7CULzTg1knnKlr3noulldcslasMfO3ztc1ZgEKGDxIC52tAVKIdM6POl3n82YxFbLWmCQNABKEJDRv2_C4ojGWyCsFxIh8lhw/s1600/IMG_2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQpF_P20sO57itZxQc_FxdwWQ7PvkchHr4nmAF7CULzTg1knnKlr3noulldcslasMfO3ztc1ZgEKGDxIC52tAVKIdM6POl3n82YxFbLWmCQNABKEJDRv2_C4ojGWyCsFxIh8lhw/s320/IMG_2579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was such a fabulous day. Did I mention how much</div>
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I love Fall?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEkQguu7hm9hiaqqvKn1TwtlTZX55cnbzQ1KqBT1RBtFKO7whoYkxVU6Ni8wUuqwMm-ZlPsMoShDxwH0JVp8sAUxjVpYLN2x_PkIYcaTDN06oMknvrSmsAFQXt4Kxvkik8aLQfw/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEkQguu7hm9hiaqqvKn1TwtlTZX55cnbzQ1KqBT1RBtFKO7whoYkxVU6Ni8wUuqwMm-ZlPsMoShDxwH0JVp8sAUxjVpYLN2x_PkIYcaTDN06oMknvrSmsAFQXt4Kxvkik8aLQfw/s320/IMG_2587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brought these beauties home to remind me of</div>
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the day (plus a bag of those afore mentioned</div>
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salted chocolate chip cookies).</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkCIPmeQtVl_jEb0On9oEQvTLHfiItezQEJCq2Pla2uBXPATKAR-5scLBMWPrpamh9lyTulr7LNEf74cYYwkyiFm6mhp91BkvJ5aDiYoESOt3PAsZfsI4QZqHxoGqA11TbPWMhA/s1600/IMG_2586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkCIPmeQtVl_jEb0On9oEQvTLHfiItezQEJCq2Pla2uBXPATKAR-5scLBMWPrpamh9lyTulr7LNEf74cYYwkyiFm6mhp91BkvJ5aDiYoESOt3PAsZfsI4QZqHxoGqA11TbPWMhA/s320/IMG_2586.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The Phee approved. </div>
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<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-56198880515206393562015-09-30T21:02:00.001-04:002015-09-30T21:02:15.602-04:00Book Lovers Welcome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRAzz3GbTKXlJUJm9QGhTZ0ad7xDUJCOmngMsvW8jINvy6kphRmCdOrsNh8-SIo7VBxnKi5OnwLN9OTJou91pvKofXbaehiE_EKh3LTBLZkpzbNrHtrl1_bNP-tubGzHGm27eVA/s1600/IMG_2448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRAzz3GbTKXlJUJm9QGhTZ0ad7xDUJCOmngMsvW8jINvy6kphRmCdOrsNh8-SIo7VBxnKi5OnwLN9OTJou91pvKofXbaehiE_EKh3LTBLZkpzbNrHtrl1_bNP-tubGzHGm27eVA/s320/IMG_2448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Every year Toronto takes part in the Word On the Street</div>
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book lovers celebration. Major cities in Canada hold</div>
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their own versions of this festival at different times of</div>
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the year and Toronto's is always towards the end of</div>
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September.</div>
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In past years we've gone to it when it's been held in</div>
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the grounds of Queen's Park .... location of the</div>
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Ontario provincial government building (of the same </div>
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name) .... where the festival was set up beneath a canopy of </div>
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trees, the tents used by the participants placed along the </div>
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pathways that wind through that location.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nNkt5iyYBlCe26-53cgFdMM6NOc4ftyeMvYgihXzwQyvvikX4hfEuMs6xrwfwc2uB_GrKt0CRn88N2GFGmcnxakclNDZIIhY5ZQ2pEl2FVVIXOxOuBYwbfM1nsc7U_GEA7mxCQ/s1600/IMG_2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nNkt5iyYBlCe26-53cgFdMM6NOc4ftyeMvYgihXzwQyvvikX4hfEuMs6xrwfwc2uB_GrKt0CRn88N2GFGmcnxakclNDZIIhY5ZQ2pEl2FVVIXOxOuBYwbfM1nsc7U_GEA7mxCQ/s320/IMG_2388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But this year the event was staged down on the shores</div>
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of Lake Ontario at Harbourfront, former industrial</div>
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lands that have been turned into a public space that hosts </div>
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numerous events, and such things as art galleries, docking </div>
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space for boats offering tours of the harbour, a </div>
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place to rent kayaks, kid friendly activities and places </div>
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for musical performances. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UF8cCXJFLu38dOGjDKQ2rTxP3PQQkDCzMULoD5HTLjRWmfJQ6QH5on5LI7IHhEst5kWSyQ-qXDRqBWzTXxwg5frKUjzQWeIYoCJ9RAChkNTGDgOE5FC4em2gNyyGu_8OHnzdsg/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UF8cCXJFLu38dOGjDKQ2rTxP3PQQkDCzMULoD5HTLjRWmfJQ6QH5on5LI7IHhEst5kWSyQ-qXDRqBWzTXxwg5frKUjzQWeIYoCJ9RAChkNTGDgOE5FC4em2gNyyGu_8OHnzdsg/s320/IMG_2395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Word on the Street is dedicated strictly to </div>
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Canadian publishers and authors (as well as</div>
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anything else you can think of relating to books)</div>
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At the risk of sounding anti-Canadian I admit </div>
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that I do wish that the event celebrated books and</div>
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authors and publishers from all over the world</div>
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because we don't really have any other major</div>
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book festivals like it here that covers <i>all</i> books,</div>
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not just Canadian.</div>
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There are lectures and book signings by successful</div>
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authors including Kelley Armstrong (above) who</div>
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appears here fairly regularly.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0ZUwEQhfizR2okdTi8dIVo5ToM0lNl284QPSjMhMrVpcyxwIBsZHTVRWUz120TkZxFBLkVrMs0EEOV3hxDhwAQsrMzSp1VdSGc4R46QFdHqibV4P1WSV9Tdnf4ut2L8rV_QZ0A/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0ZUwEQhfizR2okdTi8dIVo5ToM0lNl284QPSjMhMrVpcyxwIBsZHTVRWUz120TkZxFBLkVrMs0EEOV3hxDhwAQsrMzSp1VdSGc4R46QFdHqibV4P1WSV9Tdnf4ut2L8rV_QZ0A/s320/IMG_2393.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Some celebrities do make special appearances,</div>
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including Poke-a-roo who is the star of a </div>
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long running kids TV program here called The </div>
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Poke-a-Dot Door</div>
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I went with my friend Darlene and we </div>
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spent much of the day wandering around the</div>
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tents taking in all of the things offered for</div>
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sale, for discussion or for edification.</div>
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We ate our lunch sitting next to the water,</div>
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watching the sailboats, kayaks, island</div>
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ferries and airplanes (the Toronto island</div>
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airport was close by) going past us.</div>
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It was such a gorgeous, sunny and warm day,</div>
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more like summer then the early days of Fall.</div>
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As a matter of fact by mid afternoon we were </div>
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regretting the lack of shade at Harbourfront that </div>
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the trees at Queen's Park would have given us in</div>
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previous years, but once the sun began to go </div>
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down the temperature cooled off quickly.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I didn't go too wild buying books, tempted though</div>
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I might have been. I didn't want to be lugging a</div>
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heavy, awkward bag (bags?) of books around all</div>
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day, not to mention hauling them all the way back</div>
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home to Georgetown on the bus afterwards. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1_5PcVoK4KLsT8OpjnJ_RGPshx6zZYjokrpyU8SRfIZ3dHLg3OzHrxLc9_xNYhoxWV1yH_U4x0CWF1-ThdZSp1VPC5eCb-3kqgPdmWRlR3RSIYzLhQ4N8O6Yxfm3_mA0hPbQqA/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1_5PcVoK4KLsT8OpjnJ_RGPshx6zZYjokrpyU8SRfIZ3dHLg3OzHrxLc9_xNYhoxWV1yH_U4x0CWF1-ThdZSp1VPC5eCb-3kqgPdmWRlR3RSIYzLhQ4N8O6Yxfm3_mA0hPbQqA/s320/IMG_0797.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not far from Harbourfront is a lovely place called </div>
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The Music Garden and when we were ready for</div>
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a change of pace Darlene and I walked there and</div>
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explored around and along it's meandering pathways. </div>
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Of course at this time of year the flowers are thinning </div>
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out and gardens are getting tired looking but still this </div>
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place was lovely and peaceful and being right by the lake </div>
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made it even nicer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTZSdZv0B5XUokSBeQxBiWh1I9i6tEDnJb4yiTavydMzj0pPHWb1GQa9SnNv5wXZBVOusjYX96IbDaCWZ-TZngLDbq5JtX-nxduUETjVLaEr7FpvveqGrBLLjhGssepsZZ6AbgA/s1600/IMG_2356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTZSdZv0B5XUokSBeQxBiWh1I9i6tEDnJb4yiTavydMzj0pPHWb1GQa9SnNv5wXZBVOusjYX96IbDaCWZ-TZngLDbq5JtX-nxduUETjVLaEr7FpvveqGrBLLjhGssepsZZ6AbgA/s320/IMG_2356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of flowers ..... I posted a few weeks ago about</div>
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my first attempt at picking and drying flowers from our</div>
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garden. I'd put my chosen bits of flowers and greenery</div>
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into my flower press and then had to wait for about</div>
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three weeks to see what the results might be. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm happy to report that everything survived and dried</div>
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out nicely. Most retained their colours quite well </div>
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and I was amazed at the details that were able to </div>
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remain after the drying process was complete. </div>
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I will use these to decorate the pages of my stitching/</div>
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scrapbook.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ne5NyEik2QZarTqekT_soiOjfWexP_WiMNiWNBhnHcObEW7AeQ7C6lcDKMbAypy0BVG2M0nxVpR89JUwTDprk31QjpHPzO2VJ0LcQbpTfEiSfgu2TprpiGBCmbfs7h6WIKCuSw/s1600/IMG_2452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ne5NyEik2QZarTqekT_soiOjfWexP_WiMNiWNBhnHcObEW7AeQ7C6lcDKMbAypy0BVG2M0nxVpR89JUwTDprk31QjpHPzO2VJ0LcQbpTfEiSfgu2TprpiGBCmbfs7h6WIKCuSw/s320/IMG_2452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And speaking of my stitching/scrap book ..... I </div>
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worked on two more pages for that this week</div>
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including this Halloween Quaker piece that I </div>
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really, really love.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0juLCMKsCuYfyNoQ7j8R1pKYNhpIBWr2xDq1ObWx7vyzi-NumcF6Ifv13HmWjcJjxa46rSYLZ6GuQqQxXTupJmMdzjgLjKBraANo2M09E7msIlAXidZQtXvyiqabhKnQKLYk4g/s1600/IMG_2458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0juLCMKsCuYfyNoQ7j8R1pKYNhpIBWr2xDq1ObWx7vyzi-NumcF6Ifv13HmWjcJjxa46rSYLZ6GuQqQxXTupJmMdzjgLjKBraANo2M09E7msIlAXidZQtXvyiqabhKnQKLYk4g/s320/IMG_2458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a Christmas design from Lizzie Kate.</div>
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I still have a hard time calculating and measuring</div>
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and cutting the openings for these pages and </div>
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there are times when the air in my craft room turns</div>
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an unbecoming shade of blue ... ahem ... but I</div>
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keep at it until I get it more or less right.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqzHO86ISm42ou8pQmLHgCzTbWI6-knmDVuYTBKtYG3mta2D6b2slAVylzrw09S2vxiFVhatWwRTIGG9J4uncIaC_XXCDB1iA8mA6-ZwFalmqi9aymUUjF_8B5fbwm2uRcbt-SA/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqzHO86ISm42ou8pQmLHgCzTbWI6-knmDVuYTBKtYG3mta2D6b2slAVylzrw09S2vxiFVhatWwRTIGG9J4uncIaC_XXCDB1iA8mA6-ZwFalmqi9aymUUjF_8B5fbwm2uRcbt-SA/s320/IMG_2353.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I'm still doodling and drawing and</div>
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zen-tangling with pen and markers and</div>
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paper. Obsessed? Me??? Nah!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo4EgghkevBmSf3nnxE4VRyf1W0qFMhh_Oh_jzwHESFWbMKYl8OP5ixeWpICFlBDpf5loLVI76HPNHzBL7O6GP2WiICIHGT0PtOwx3K8bfiHy19PCNtQd6ldrm6pyGtka38Xt_Q/s1600/do1fd3f3f755f0be532ab06ae77e88ac5f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo4EgghkevBmSf3nnxE4VRyf1W0qFMhh_Oh_jzwHESFWbMKYl8OP5ixeWpICFlBDpf5loLVI76HPNHzBL7O6GP2WiICIHGT0PtOwx3K8bfiHy19PCNtQd6ldrm6pyGtka38Xt_Q/s320/do1fd3f3f755f0be532ab06ae77e88ac5f.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
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Found this in the grocery store this week</div>
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and of course I had to have it. Drawing</div>
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techniques plus pages to colour, and craft</div>
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projects to try. It's very cool with much</div>
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fun to be found/had!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMnJVO2Kq3w3POZDychA0-KCRDaqNTKi_pepubbIiAfphYlC-lzseh7K7nbBODl4artOBvPD8gKJYaUVXHajFOiJM2pjAgPGP91HRlSvc5sy_cdW2jktSj4tLR-nPDW2JxyfQng/s1600/ashbury353758._UY475_SS475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMnJVO2Kq3w3POZDychA0-KCRDaqNTKi_pepubbIiAfphYlC-lzseh7K7nbBODl4artOBvPD8gKJYaUVXHajFOiJM2pjAgPGP91HRlSvc5sy_cdW2jktSj4tLR-nPDW2JxyfQng/s320/ashbury353758._UY475_SS475_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I recently re-read a favourite historical fiction</div>
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author who's books I adore. Judith Merkle</div>
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Riley wrote delightful, often magical</div>
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(literally) novels that feature historical accuracy</div>
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wonderful, colourful characters and a knack for</div>
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creating a fascinating storyline.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VsE4ANqSW3QlNu-Gu4jKu5pLdTLpMT-D-0xnzn3iGyR2VmpVWCFELMgYzTnYRrAhhsAAxKMfFjUK8wpV6k6BVP75TK7v7XFId6pDQ_P9GyEUOZQFObh0KXt_DibhwZInOUWS5Q/s1600/ashbury+2riley_pursuit_green_lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VsE4ANqSW3QlNu-Gu4jKu5pLdTLpMT-D-0xnzn3iGyR2VmpVWCFELMgYzTnYRrAhhsAAxKMfFjUK8wpV6k6BVP75TK7v7XFId6pDQ_P9GyEUOZQFObh0KXt_DibhwZInOUWS5Q/s320/ashbury+2riley_pursuit_green_lion.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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She also had a delicious, sometimes wicked sense </div>
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of humour that I love. Sadly the author passed away</div>
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some time ago but the six books that she wrote are still </div>
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available for purchase and I recommend them all. </div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwXkpRLuenofSuYqYcbpVTh5w5zliupwtXwREWRNFBfUkwaiVG-WVyOAPLaBBAQdC2I_GQdDxRANaZoovwj37oIPrbAZkRlLLnPPjfzb3yI7BAIO4uRRhHdNO-cEJbqSoHsdFRw/s1600/IMG_0803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwXkpRLuenofSuYqYcbpVTh5w5zliupwtXwREWRNFBfUkwaiVG-WVyOAPLaBBAQdC2I_GQdDxRANaZoovwj37oIPrbAZkRlLLnPPjfzb3yI7BAIO4uRRhHdNO-cEJbqSoHsdFRw/s320/IMG_0803.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thanks for visiting. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-14012451335593149392015-09-23T14:54:00.000-04:002015-09-23T14:54:51.117-04:00First Day of Autumn<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCXTmSkRM4ajOP3WTGXTiYZNpPBPEJcnrW91O0x-aVNCKknnPkq5pIjq0Cv6CxxxxKWKhWNeu7szZ-LzBdCEiki19vSbGTDYCfPADtaRuydhx-vXol6k3St-3KBwX7Y2o_Uot7w/s1600/IMG_2350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCXTmSkRM4ajOP3WTGXTiYZNpPBPEJcnrW91O0x-aVNCKknnPkq5pIjq0Cv6CxxxxKWKhWNeu7szZ-LzBdCEiki19vSbGTDYCfPADtaRuydhx-vXol6k3St-3KBwX7Y2o_Uot7w/s320/IMG_2350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hard as it is to believe it is indeed a fact that </div>
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today we bid a fond and wistful farewell to </div>
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summer and welcome Fall into our midst.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In honour of that fact I spent yesterday</div>
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cleaning the living and dining rooms, packing</div>
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away the every day nick knacks and putting</div>
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out the Fall decorations. We had an end of</div>
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summer gathering here on Saturday so the</div>
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living room was in desperate need of vacuuming</div>
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and dusting etc. Putting out the decorations</div>
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didn't take long and since then I've been</div>
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tweaking and fussing to get everything just</div>
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right.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love the Fall! Do you? The colours, the</div>
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scents in the air, the comfort food and just</div>
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about everything else that identifies with the</div>
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season makes me so happy. And since I really</div>
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do not care for hot, hot weather I much prefer </div>
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the cooler temperatures that happen now. So </div>
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much nicer for walking and other outdoor</div>
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activities.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfDdk4n6Nza9wniPvgAAoDzUe8PM-vD9J1UObm4SICndzORUNMtYC03m6iOLqWrdgMa0QmjufJcUWdMNGRYfjxTRSQtTGyahHr5n3ZG_PzUvIc-jasNmq7J0G3O2k5SLnJVJEXA/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfDdk4n6Nza9wniPvgAAoDzUe8PM-vD9J1UObm4SICndzORUNMtYC03m6iOLqWrdgMa0QmjufJcUWdMNGRYfjxTRSQtTGyahHr5n3ZG_PzUvIc-jasNmq7J0G3O2k5SLnJVJEXA/s320/IMG_2352.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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More long afternoons spent with pen and ink.</div>
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Adult colouring books are all the rage these </div>
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days and ... me being me .... I long to buy</div>
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and collect every single one that I find. But</div>
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many of those things are expensive. (Which</div>
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I don't begrudge since the artwork is often </div>
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stunning!!) So I draw my own patterns and</div>
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colour those in instead.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm a very harsh critic of my own creative</div>
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endeavours which has, in the past, often </div>
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caused me to give up and walk away from</div>
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anything that I make or create in disgust.</div>
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But then I lose out on the joy I get from</div>
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initially doing these things. So I'm trying</div>
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to ignore and work through those feelings</div>
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and just embrace the pleasure and let go</div>
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of the negativity. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEIMuK3QxoB108OLHUMaxXyprRnNLztROl_VryO1htHnBzPqL9AArJDmE44YH206j7KoFG4cf83Z9FfrwK1jqMYZ2xsjOQgJxVXRJSClN2C8_LbXE-vOr2UAmZl6XtnsOwPmdLQ/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEIMuK3QxoB108OLHUMaxXyprRnNLztROl_VryO1htHnBzPqL9AArJDmE44YH206j7KoFG4cf83Z9FfrwK1jqMYZ2xsjOQgJxVXRJSClN2C8_LbXE-vOr2UAmZl6XtnsOwPmdLQ/s320/IMG_2354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've picked up this piece and put it down again</div>
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countless times in the past year or so but this</div>
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week I picked it up again and this time I am </div>
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going to finish it!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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My stitching has been almost non-existent in</div>
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the past few years and that is mainly because</div>
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I'm finding it harder to see what I'm doing even</div>
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on 28 count fabric. I have bifocales which only </div>
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helps a bit and my prescription is up to date so </div>
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that's not the issue. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I use a Ott-lite magnifier but often end up having to</div>
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hold the fabric close to my face (roughly near the end </div>
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of my nose) and peer over the top of my glasses to </div>
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get a close up, clear view of my stitches. This is an </div>
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awkward position to say the least, and it's a </div>
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wonder to me that I haven't sewn the tip of my </div>
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nose to a piece of fabric yet!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Perhaps I need to find a magnifier with a </div>
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stronger magnification? </div>
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<br /></div>
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Which reminds me of another issue that I have.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You know that little circle of extreme magnification</div>
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that you find inset into the larger, weaker lens surface?</div>
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Do you ever use that??? It's magnification is perfect</div>
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for what I want but it's so tiny I can never manage to </div>
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maneuver my fabric and needle in just the right spot to </div>
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use it and keep it there. It's so darn frustrating.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZR5i5uac2oM937zIId6aD30Kfo6XZbiQ_wCDJYPLcZYMXkSroIEuScbFDcM-Dxw75H9x3BXPx6G-KNyZ5vYv05F0uX6bl_D5WRSSc_9JWZDYq50F3o8lQxxjLYgag3OZh9U4EA/s1600/vanessa-and-her-sister-priya-parmar-book-review-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZR5i5uac2oM937zIId6aD30Kfo6XZbiQ_wCDJYPLcZYMXkSroIEuScbFDcM-Dxw75H9x3BXPx6G-KNyZ5vYv05F0uX6bl_D5WRSSc_9JWZDYq50F3o8lQxxjLYgag3OZh9U4EA/s320/vanessa-and-her-sister-priya-parmar-book-review-cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thank goodness I don't have any issues visually</div>
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when it comes to reading. Here are a couple of</div>
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books that I read this year and loved.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The above is a book about Vanessa Bell and her sister Virginia </div>
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Woolf and their relationship circa 1905 and onwards. It's </div>
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historical fiction, well researched and a fascinating read. I </div>
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have to admit that I've never read any of Virginia Woolf's </div>
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books and know of her only by reputation in history and I knew </div>
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even less about her sister who was a very talented painter. </div>
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This book gives great insight into the characters of the two sisters </div>
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as well as of those famous members of the Bloomsbury Group </div>
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that were a part of their social circle. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLW-eAVM5pNm9uUU7YcxMoQRTqubtDp1_R4Iy9zVaIuJ6fbtox0b6VX9zVdXp8VxaFtbxVaYNdhT0jI70i11hCmNseAcHoKnOQDpQnanYLhOtO-hTcWYUyXxTAhmY2dcftwJSiw/s1600/fortune18404135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLW-eAVM5pNm9uUU7YcxMoQRTqubtDp1_R4Iy9zVaIuJ6fbtox0b6VX9zVdXp8VxaFtbxVaYNdhT0jI70i11hCmNseAcHoKnOQDpQnanYLhOtO-hTcWYUyXxTAhmY2dcftwJSiw/s320/fortune18404135.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then we have The Fortune Hunter which is </div>
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more or less historical fiction as well since</div>
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one of it's main characters is Sisi, the </div>
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Empress of Austria. This woman has been</div>
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the central character in quite a few books</div>
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that I've encountered lately, some biographical</div>
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and some fictional. She was a fascinating</div>
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person I have to say though admittedly a</div>
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spoiled and self centred character. But that is</div>
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the way royalty was back in 1875 when this</div>
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story begins. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I recommend both of these books. These are</div>
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the second novels published for both authors.</div>
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I have not yet read their publishing debuts .... </div>
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but I plan to.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96oMtkSss6CaXGj6ChBZmp-aGx8pjVKtt3qfkjMBsqrKtC2ufN7oD88xNUYOW3pu5GG1ZGQY_7JG_BM9rqy7IXNnQ0encqG91yH4zs-qUG6GrEYIlMsTOTtLap0azhLpjPb_jnw/s1600/PJ-103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96oMtkSss6CaXGj6ChBZmp-aGx8pjVKtt3qfkjMBsqrKtC2ufN7oD88xNUYOW3pu5GG1ZGQY_7JG_BM9rqy7IXNnQ0encqG91yH4zs-qUG6GrEYIlMsTOTtLap0azhLpjPb_jnw/s320/PJ-103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding</div>
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anniversary in May with a party, reuniting as</div>
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many of our original wedding party as were able</div>
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to attend as well as being attended by friends and </div>
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family.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We also renewed our vows during that day in</div>
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our back yard, under the big maple tree. Our</div>
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friend Sue is a minister and she wrote a wonderful</div>
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mini service and presided over the vow renewal</div>
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with love, humour and joy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp62CbFe4jOLwL5nCm9BRc3ScvvCzduMmfad_w8PWNFKymnYwr4dTbRRA90H5_s-v9IFjNEX4tamWMsIUtzTjfIUySuzMiVl_mIFE2n3aFpYY81EXKpsqK16LxW7c40ELJfaJVA/s1600/PJ-94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp62CbFe4jOLwL5nCm9BRc3ScvvCzduMmfad_w8PWNFKymnYwr4dTbRRA90H5_s-v9IFjNEX4tamWMsIUtzTjfIUySuzMiVl_mIFE2n3aFpYY81EXKpsqK16LxW7c40ELJfaJVA/s320/PJ-94.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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It was an memorable day that celebrated an</div>
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incredible milestone (25 years??? When did</div>
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that happen???) in our lives. We're so </div>
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incredibly blessed to have found each other</div>
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and to be together for this often tumultuous </div>
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and stressful but ultimately wonderful life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjqpH4SksP4NT-eC80YL2WNL528o92MOYyXH_mgjTOfNusL52acx5Qtk06YwaNX0sY-__Jyi7ryDnx9QB0O04wwoFRFv45eybwWnHtVId_rrlDCPWI2es-wzj4waca3jeEDnXng/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjqpH4SksP4NT-eC80YL2WNL528o92MOYyXH_mgjTOfNusL52acx5Qtk06YwaNX0sY-__Jyi7ryDnx9QB0O04wwoFRFv45eybwWnHtVId_rrlDCPWI2es-wzj4waca3jeEDnXng/s320/IMG_1599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hope you have a wonderful Fall week!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-48649551563475144202015-09-15T17:15:00.000-04:002015-09-15T17:15:49.424-04:00Caution: Boredom dead ahead ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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The weeks are just flying by. I admit that when I</div>
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first began to recover from the shock of being let go</div>
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from my job and realized I was now facing weeks</div>
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upon weeks (months, years etc) of freedom to do </div>
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whatever I might want to, I wondered if boredom</div>
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would be an issue. It seemed to be what every</div>
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one else, at least at work, was concerned about for</div>
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me. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So let's see now ...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IEfCFcZMneAJr8cmKU_vPxy0TEHPxSuMkEY3CJNA3sJ-v-elHfweboZC6lPTtIMZgdhepOW5T6WkNA-blSWZtxeAsarE6TngYOt6yFFJgkFtb1ourtHlPHn6B8uITOmuHzHDdQ/s1600/leslie81qHn9hWt4L._SL1500.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IEfCFcZMneAJr8cmKU_vPxy0TEHPxSuMkEY3CJNA3sJ-v-elHfweboZC6lPTtIMZgdhepOW5T6WkNA-blSWZtxeAsarE6TngYOt6yFFJgkFtb1ourtHlPHn6B8uITOmuHzHDdQ/s320/leslie81qHn9hWt4L._SL1500.jpeg" width="226" /></a></div>
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Exercise. Gotta keep moving and thanks</div>
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to my friend Linda I've got lots of options.</div>
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I'm learning to work out with five pound</div>
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weights with Linda guiding me and</div>
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correcting me on Skype. It's pretty </div>
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cool that we can work out together even</div>
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though we live on opposite sides of</div>
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and outside of Toronto.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And then there's the Leslie Sansone </div>
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walking programs that Linda found and </div>
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we first followed on Youtube before investing </div>
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in some of her DVD's. The one above is what </div>
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I worked out to this morning for 50 minutes</div>
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and it was pretty fabulous. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm also walking outside as often as I can</div>
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and since the weather is still fairly good</div>
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I'm doing as much as I can of that. </div>
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Because as we all know, you know what</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
is not far away. (Hint: snow)</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmpLbfXgkGYHzlNDKXYr4EUMeHKF59374Bz1OLKMRxqjP20uf5ucQ79CJaLUalWT8jrTEF9ZR3rflqEMC1nu5qZPAFATv7UqblynSLFM-_w5FK1rCYaLxDzmy9MczTzaUaZ9tIQ/s1600/girl10429092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmpLbfXgkGYHzlNDKXYr4EUMeHKF59374Bz1OLKMRxqjP20uf5ucQ79CJaLUalWT8jrTEF9ZR3rflqEMC1nu5qZPAFATv7UqblynSLFM-_w5FK1rCYaLxDzmy9MczTzaUaZ9tIQ/s320/girl10429092.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading. Well, yeah. One of my</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
reads this week was the above The Girl</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
of Fire and Thorns. Young Adult</div>
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Fantasy with a feisty, intelligent</div>
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heroine and a great story. I'm just</div>
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starting book two (of three) in this</div>
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series and highly recommend it. </div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCGcQZyyOobZJiq6FKPr6ODy3clx9OjBOw7SCrTVR1i4v_zg75nbQJgzoxfg3xXV01BnykBTGlYVDjElIllJ-IXTJ7Ac4W6E_bsiRgutrZcV-PJqopTygTu5mxePkN2L2GOWO4g/s1600/goodbye20940406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCGcQZyyOobZJiq6FKPr6ODy3clx9OjBOw7SCrTVR1i4v_zg75nbQJgzoxfg3xXV01BnykBTGlYVDjElIllJ-IXTJ7Ac4W6E_bsiRgutrZcV-PJqopTygTu5mxePkN2L2GOWO4g/s320/goodbye20940406.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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I started reading Cynthia Harrod-Eagles a </div>
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long, long time ago and then for some reason</div>
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lost track of her. Recently, whilst browsing</div>
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through Amazon's recommendations ... as </div>
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one does ... I came across this book by her</div>
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and sort of had a hand slapped to the forehead</div>
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moment. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Since I love stories that take place around</div>
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the time of the first world war and this is a </div>
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really excellent author who's books I've always </div>
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enjoyed I was pleased to pick it up and give it</div>
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a whirl. The next book in this series is due out </div>
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sometime this month and I'll be getting it for</div>
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sure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOui7LSVF8DZIM2OFXbeKv30ijxDA7ldKvtm8zFx43BUaqsVxiIR8zbIxfCeHozgzQSOyuTUld21fypcHayJ05ImKWOIGEZyPlfz563LW0us7_kQ9qIyQufOiYS1wRHJuEdYG9yA/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOui7LSVF8DZIM2OFXbeKv30ijxDA7ldKvtm8zFx43BUaqsVxiIR8zbIxfCeHozgzQSOyuTUld21fypcHayJ05ImKWOIGEZyPlfz563LW0us7_kQ9qIyQufOiYS1wRHJuEdYG9yA/s320/IMG_2287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I picked some flowers from my garden to try my hand</div>
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at drying them for decorating purposes. Linda</div>
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gave me a flower press years ago but I'd never tried</div>
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to use it before. Well, no time like the present for</div>
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trying new things sooooo ... </div>
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Stay tuned for the results in a couple of weeks.</div>
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And what am I planning to use the dried flowers on</div>
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if and when they are done drying, you may ask?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, another idea from Linda and another project</div>
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to help keep the evil boredom at bay.</div>
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You know all those cross stitch projects lying </div>
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around in a box with the stitching done but</div>
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no plans to frame them because of the cost</div>
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and no skills or self confidence in finishing </div>
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them off yourself ... er .... myself?</div>
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<br /></div>
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And you know all those scrap booking supplies</div>
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in your (my) cupboard? Well ..... Linda</div>
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combined hers to make something pretty nifty</div>
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and now so have I. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mg8_86VgZaB5mr4vhyQbKUgX_UJqxfAy45-Mwx9TWqPellmc0ckSUs3TlSHY7gol2gQD2O9N7zubwLlisPZ8z9_x_hiHaG7LBgfO2WW6gOrHlfDKtK_4OpP4e_xM5Xr1KLH_Aw/s1600/IMG_2289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mg8_86VgZaB5mr4vhyQbKUgX_UJqxfAy45-Mwx9TWqPellmc0ckSUs3TlSHY7gol2gQD2O9N7zubwLlisPZ8z9_x_hiHaG7LBgfO2WW6gOrHlfDKtK_4OpP4e_xM5Xr1KLH_Aw/s320/IMG_2289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am following Linda's lead and putting my stitching</div>
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in a scrap book. Yes, the original stitching. Not</div>
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pictures of them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpt-lJK1fW7bC8vc0NX8PlBN31dCvDWk3uJxSFIzuxS6Y4nTfTDS2yW9j-oSRWJBoCFrjvhLfbcjohAUDW9jTo7LUh6V3gkqYQOpUGnH6sRAKqZnxXVrOwfwq_z3wBcz4RlvMVA/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpt-lJK1fW7bC8vc0NX8PlBN31dCvDWk3uJxSFIzuxS6Y4nTfTDS2yW9j-oSRWJBoCFrjvhLfbcjohAUDW9jTo7LUh6V3gkqYQOpUGnH6sRAKqZnxXVrOwfwq_z3wBcz4RlvMVA/s320/IMG_2290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been having such a blast doing this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimr63LawXDEUOUORi_FJ4Na7E88yn2JHnK68xFTpEW0svDlRmat1iySL16cAXwveebbq5Cs9oRauuptilLx0e6c09ipLb-YCN2MbadnvdVeIMZSkomcV0plHZhBiLhRTvZCH2l0Q/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimr63LawXDEUOUORi_FJ4Na7E88yn2JHnK68xFTpEW0svDlRmat1iySL16cAXwveebbq5Cs9oRauuptilLx0e6c09ipLb-YCN2MbadnvdVeIMZSkomcV0plHZhBiLhRTvZCH2l0Q/s320/IMG_2292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The measuring and cutting gave me a headache</div>
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at first because I have no math skills but once</div>
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I got going and gained some confidence it </div>
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became easier.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB4ibtxHp-xHD10CHrC1kUjb8owuppZrQNNB4kl1NfkQ_RaZS6GCwCcVgi3fpCcsnYyJnp18jMDoDFby6FuCAcaQjP1H4r3p3zN1Du4wUlsz6uJYU6EcsCxEG0cWwQOf3cXobzw/s1600/IMG_2336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB4ibtxHp-xHD10CHrC1kUjb8owuppZrQNNB4kl1NfkQ_RaZS6GCwCcVgi3fpCcsnYyJnp18jMDoDFby6FuCAcaQjP1H4r3p3zN1Du4wUlsz6uJYU6EcsCxEG0cWwQOf3cXobzw/s320/IMG_2336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's been fun choosing papers and decorations</div>
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to show off the stitching designs and sometimes</div>
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using the trims or decorations to hide imperfections</div>
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in the cutting .... cough, cough. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLRXeWeaYOX3X8bZf3k0U5dlHWyR7mvpha04CRs_3BfplfgYTKC29P6COJQcYIWG7mq0GEP97nWlPsMF1U5mVuuuFI06u-SN-znh0_mfpBSO1_vYnx5jR-WI_Yfd9yI_wsHaqbA/s1600/IMG_2337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLRXeWeaYOX3X8bZf3k0U5dlHWyR7mvpha04CRs_3BfplfgYTKC29P6COJQcYIWG7mq0GEP97nWlPsMF1U5mVuuuFI06u-SN-znh0_mfpBSO1_vYnx5jR-WI_Yfd9yI_wsHaqbA/s320/IMG_2337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And sometimes I have scrap booking papers</div>
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that I just don't know what to do with</div>
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because they are too beautiful to cover up</div>
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with photographs or whatever.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtVfGNGRwYy0pSg_zxK1BgUdolavWGxJ8rSTqQHlZyD6FT17tHe7A5-9JFW_OUKPOkBiJx6hg000izi6wOnwCnNvyYELXkv41hRqoPdqdqAso9LOhmAP9T1yPEvRh34mCTZxvOw/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtVfGNGRwYy0pSg_zxK1BgUdolavWGxJ8rSTqQHlZyD6FT17tHe7A5-9JFW_OUKPOkBiJx6hg000izi6wOnwCnNvyYELXkv41hRqoPdqdqAso9LOhmAP9T1yPEvRh34mCTZxvOw/s320/IMG_2294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have several Halloween themed designs </div>
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stitched up to get set up in the album soon.</div>
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And you know you can buy these ....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FM-aeKHS1d-YHaI4VUxo4E3Y4wM3uSokJJzHilaL2wUD04G-quC-W55CDnk4La04ssAz_16uNIP-PPdkJTp3kL3LtiV_P2s8g2iUKSxUSpVdYldSDCkyw-6oFHBEDjoG1w30OQ/s1600/Scrapbook-Page-Holder-at-Michaels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FM-aeKHS1d-YHaI4VUxo4E3Y4wM3uSokJJzHilaL2wUD04G-quC-W55CDnk4La04ssAz_16uNIP-PPdkJTp3kL3LtiV_P2s8g2iUKSxUSpVdYldSDCkyw-6oFHBEDjoG1w30OQ/s320/Scrapbook-Page-Holder-at-Michaels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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to hang the finished pages from to display</div>
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your stitching during pertinent times of the</div>
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year so that they're not just in a closed </div>
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book all the time.</div>
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Pretty cool, eh?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurjuPrnv1420LQWJSpYj-jwKnHqJOWXAufIA7HbbD6zp_qoHA2P_jmELa5hLaPjlrFgHXA_KN5xgLqv1WsO-S8aFW8ik-BhswXPRXh-QHSjVlymaee4cCJbScNgCDXEYbtvHKqw/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurjuPrnv1420LQWJSpYj-jwKnHqJOWXAufIA7HbbD6zp_qoHA2P_jmELa5hLaPjlrFgHXA_KN5xgLqv1WsO-S8aFW8ik-BhswXPRXh-QHSjVlymaee4cCJbScNgCDXEYbtvHKqw/s320/IMG_2338.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I've been drawing too. And colouring.</div>
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These things keeps me occupied for</div>
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entire afternoons.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMuiYuAmBtlpX2z5-0BOY0BqhyGrmjd8Kf_6hlpnvth0G4Nz1wYCONjO02dn7PFHRq8RRaatOtlKuhsteaGWCTihnGl8HyXILzXtKDCTKej6wgT1f6tKEtZ2vThiMHk0k3Mw6Zg/s1600/20150829_093657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMuiYuAmBtlpX2z5-0BOY0BqhyGrmjd8Kf_6hlpnvth0G4Nz1wYCONjO02dn7PFHRq8RRaatOtlKuhsteaGWCTihnGl8HyXILzXtKDCTKej6wgT1f6tKEtZ2vThiMHk0k3Mw6Zg/s320/20150829_093657.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A day trip to Toronto several weekends ago</div>
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to spend the day on the Toronto Islands with</div>
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my friend Darlene. Above is a view of the</div>
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downtown Toronto skyline from the ferry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3uSwN-1U_kKpGgIKCE3R96HNlQMuOAYeYX8d1vopJH-G6KOEu3cB890iAofMGTwQAVAXcf1kKau21XrMubzVWl93B3AN6XRCu3eOysUXq0MGH0Oq-Z39mSJyzQxeUxkUimFFAA/s1600/20150829_102745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3uSwN-1U_kKpGgIKCE3R96HNlQMuOAYeYX8d1vopJH-G6KOEu3cB890iAofMGTwQAVAXcf1kKau21XrMubzVWl93B3AN6XRCu3eOysUXq0MGH0Oq-Z39mSJyzQxeUxkUimFFAA/s320/20150829_102745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are cottages on Wards and Algonquin Islands</div>
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and they range from quirky to pretty high end and a</div>
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few that are sadly neglected by whoever owns them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75qEa6fOJ34uGeyGYKvTLhc6SnaRUWayROOIHeqnNDBmKERmr0SmIpuiiQtXwVITLeqzIcZ197Ft_ryVCrNTjRnd6jR9z0eszriCTwuhCiebRasUAPJb3VS54H8wzitnezzyCmQ/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75qEa6fOJ34uGeyGYKvTLhc6SnaRUWayROOIHeqnNDBmKERmr0SmIpuiiQtXwVITLeqzIcZ197Ft_ryVCrNTjRnd6jR9z0eszriCTwuhCiebRasUAPJb3VS54H8wzitnezzyCmQ/s320/IMG_0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Other sections of the cluster of islands has formal</div>
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gardens, boardwalks along the water front, a </div>
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children's farm with a nice selection of animals,</div>
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a children's midway with fun rides, a clothes</div>
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optional beach (which we didn't have time to </div>
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visit ... ahem!!) assorted historical statues and</div>
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plaques and, oh yes, a haunted lighthouse.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbTVC15ElESzsmzyybFh289-2zCS3HSNkUV4eE3VlHJLbtw6UvvWI7rUEJlbqrqUZhcSinWuHSynIVXEXtjoy_0uKHzR8Wl1RXQ50wWFmdCD5gycrIeeggfgNVo8NgnTNgInEWQ/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbTVC15ElESzsmzyybFh289-2zCS3HSNkUV4eE3VlHJLbtw6UvvWI7rUEJlbqrqUZhcSinWuHSynIVXEXtjoy_0uKHzR8Wl1RXQ50wWFmdCD5gycrIeeggfgNVo8NgnTNgInEWQ/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Apparently the first lighthouse keeper disappeared</div>
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one night in 1815 and his skeletal remains were later </div>
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found nearby. The lighthouse is no longer near</div>
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the water but it's lovingly restored and well tended,</div>
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although I dare say probably not by the ghost.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We walked from one end of the island chain to the</div>
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other and then we walked back again. We picnicked</div>
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on a bench with a spectacular view across the harbour</div>
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to Toronto and we had such a wonderful day enjoying</div>
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that green space that is so close to the downtown core</div>
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but is in a world all it's own. Loved it!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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So, boredom has not been a problem as of yet ... </div>
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and so what if it does rear it's silly head? I've got</div>
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lots to banish it if it does dare appear around here!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And many thanks to Linda who keeps me motivated</div>
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and inspired!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-59968204679015455432015-09-07T13:09:00.002-04:002015-09-07T13:09:35.850-04:00Labour Day Long Weekend ....<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Life</span></div>
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Although a few more weeks lay ahead before the "official" </div>
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start of Fall it feels as though this weekend is the end of </div>
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the summer of 2015. </div>
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It's hot. It's been hot all week. Sometimes too hot to </div>
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be outside even if we're just sitting on the deck, in the </div>
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shade, doing nothing. We're reluctant to complain though </div>
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because we know that in three or so months we'll be </div>
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shivering as we layer sweaters, scarves, vests and coats </div>
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before setting foot out the door.</div>
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The weather man has predicted a warmer then normal </div>
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Fall and Winter this year for us. I think El Nino has </div>
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been mentioned in regard to this. I'm not sure whether to </div>
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believe the experts or not but it would be nice because </div>
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we've had some nasty winters in the past couple of </div>
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years. Fingers crossed.</div>
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Meanwhile, I am settling into my new life as a more </div>
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or less retired person. I get up with Phil at 6:30 and sit </div>
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with him while he eats his breakfast. Once he leaves </div>
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for work I begin my day by working out in some manner. </div>
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Either by lifting weights along with my mentor/instructor/</div>
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friend Linda on Skype, or following a walking work out </div>
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video on Youtube with Leslie Sansone, or going out and </div>
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walking around town to run errands.</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">TRAVELING</span></div>
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Weekends lately have been spent going on long, exploration</div>
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walks with my friend Darlene. We spent one Saturday walking</div>
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from Oakville Harbour to Bronte Harbour which was a distance</div>
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walked (including additional wanderings down interesting look-</div>
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ing side streets) of about 23km. </div>
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<i>Following a trail along the shores of</i></div>
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<i>Lake Ontario</i></div>
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<i>The lake was calm and blue</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_-9pC3df-dHKVSZ72HG8_IDw_1FBwB9OZUlz-5XuX1XIzRKlgcW9r67jCI-84Svk5y86OxhV9QLd0Dh_pN61O9_M6U6zmN2cN4X5Gw9KT_asBN89kQNRDp1c6NUnBQ0Vhz6H6w/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_-9pC3df-dHKVSZ72HG8_IDw_1FBwB9OZUlz-5XuX1XIzRKlgcW9r67jCI-84Svk5y86OxhV9QLd0Dh_pN61O9_M6U6zmN2cN4X5Gw9KT_asBN89kQNRDp1c6NUnBQ0Vhz6H6w/s320/IMG_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Our route. We walked from the arrow</i></div>
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<i>to the harbour marked on the far left.</i></div>
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Phil dropped us off in Oakville at 8:00 in the morning</div>
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and picked us up at Bronte Harbour at 5:45 so we had</div>
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a full day of walking. We took a picnic lunch </div>
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which we ate by the waters edge in a small, quiet</div>
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park with few other people about.</div>
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<i>Lunch in the park</i></div>
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I love being by water. It's the only thing about</div>
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living in Georgetown .... we don't have a decent</div>
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sized body of water of our own here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRXrTT9Qxcc7CSJ6LXmLYc0LUBRuCljVeOw2FLqylAJ3i3JUGPBs-dNEAD8doWSW2VkYQtwUrQALVLQLtLByf4RQRz-totvsIiWqunOf4nNDUxZxerqSGeu15OcDYPYHySPr1eQ/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRXrTT9Qxcc7CSJ6LXmLYc0LUBRuCljVeOw2FLqylAJ3i3JUGPBs-dNEAD8doWSW2VkYQtwUrQALVLQLtLByf4RQRz-totvsIiWqunOf4nNDUxZxerqSGeu15OcDYPYHySPr1eQ/s320/IMG_0412.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Love gardens ... or in this case garden</div>
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centres .... too. </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Crafting</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPorIZgAINK8zZvvFEjjZvKfmsr49jweMHfBLJfJyU3251QZjY2ieezGk-dnNNcy8Tno1DnWdJUPTk-3nX09mt2938QmAaRJgUNBWI4S36sNZ4zF7SGF4jQ4c8RyFgtWhxxl-VIQ/s1600/IMG_2250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPorIZgAINK8zZvvFEjjZvKfmsr49jweMHfBLJfJyU3251QZjY2ieezGk-dnNNcy8Tno1DnWdJUPTk-3nX09mt2938QmAaRJgUNBWI4S36sNZ4zF7SGF4jQ4c8RyFgtWhxxl-VIQ/s320/IMG_2250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> I have spent hours and hours in the past two</span><br />
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weeks doodling some more. As adult colouring</div>
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books are all the rage at the moment I've been </div>
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practising my drawing and then colouring the<br />
images in with markers and pencil crayons. <br />
You can cover up a multitude of mistakes with<br />
a bit of colour.<br />
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As with any craft I can loose many hours of the day<br />
doing this sort of thing without realizing it. It's relaxing<br />
and it's creative which is a win-win in my opinion.</div>
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I have pinned all kinds of patterns and</div>
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technics on my Pinterest site to try out and</div>
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I also watch how-to videos on Youtube</div>
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for inspiration and guidance.</div>
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And believe it or not I actually finished a cross</div>
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stitch project at the beginning of the summer.</div>
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Pardon the wrinkled fabric. </div>
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And then there's my journal which I work at in</div>
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fits and starts, neglecting it for periods of time</div>
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and then hammering away at it for equal amounts</div>
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of time. I think that I might have an over abundance</div>
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of crafting pastimes and interests and I flit from one</div>
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to another.</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Reading</span></div>
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Always. </div>
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In the past few years I've discovered YA books</div>
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and a whole pile of new to me authors in that</div>
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genre. One of the most popular of new releases</div>
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in YA is .....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UQl2dLFq5BcvIjy7-elbwFB_QkT9B5XEvE8OWfTimMcQh4u7NfPCPLmGdO-mdEDwcPozaZF-PLw1qXedLl3WEeRfvzDgG4k87gNvi4wz1Wn0uCWfelihsEXLJk9ebMg49fBk4Q/s1600/ashes7bc41f9c04b5f9fe3ec8d374e5c015a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UQl2dLFq5BcvIjy7-elbwFB_QkT9B5XEvE8OWfTimMcQh4u7NfPCPLmGdO-mdEDwcPozaZF-PLw1qXedLl3WEeRfvzDgG4k87gNvi4wz1Wn0uCWfelihsEXLJk9ebMg49fBk4Q/s320/ashes7bc41f9c04b5f9fe3ec8d374e5c015a3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Originally meant to be a stand alone</div>
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book it's been so popular that the</div>
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publisher has optioned more in the</div>
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series from the author.</div>
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I quite enjoyed it and look forward</div>
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to the next instalment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBROyEk8Znf22x-dq345tWg7RPRobh2KT0WXU0Jnl8VN4V1A0vAeO9-IVRm9O26zoVOTKFCXfqFhyphenhyphenMJ5EkR-TglmS-n8RiNNagXl-4sk3yTBq4HX2hK6cT-Z3VkVJXQLT9ww_PEQ/s1600/atthe+waters23209927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBROyEk8Znf22x-dq345tWg7RPRobh2KT0WXU0Jnl8VN4V1A0vAeO9-IVRm9O26zoVOTKFCXfqFhyphenhyphenMJ5EkR-TglmS-n8RiNNagXl-4sk3yTBq4HX2hK6cT-Z3VkVJXQLT9ww_PEQ/s320/atthe+waters23209927.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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If you've read Water for Elephants</div>
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and enjoyed it then you'll be happy</div>
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to see Sara Gruen's newest book.</div>
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I really enjoyed this one which takes</div>
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place in Scotland during the second</div>
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world war. </div>
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I admit that the cover for this one</div>
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caught my eye initially and I loved</div>
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it so much that I grabbed the book</div>
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from the display shelf at the store</div>
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to check it out. I'd read and </div>
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enjoyed Water for Elephants so</div>
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was happy to bring this home too</div>
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and I read it almost immediately</div>
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and loved it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, I do judge a book by it's cover.</div>
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I'm shallow, I admit it.</div>
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I'm partial to books that take place</div>
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during the first half of the 20th</div>
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century.</div>
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And fantasy is my most favourite of</div>
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genres. I've been reading fantasy ever</div>
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since I was a kid and discovered the</div>
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wonderful world of C.S. Lewis's </div>
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Narnia series. I've read that so many</div>
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times over the years I have lost count.</div>
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Patrick Rothfuss and his books</div>
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The Name of the Wind and it's</div>
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sequel The Wise Man's Fear plus a </div>
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novella called The Slow Regard of</div>
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Silent Things are amazing epic </div>
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fantasy and are part of a series.</div>
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But two warnings for you. Rothfuss</div>
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writes BIG books. I'm talking 900 hundred</div>
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pages each. Great character building (which</div>
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is very important to me) a great sense of </div>
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humour (also important) and a mesmerizing,</div>
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rich story. And you should know that Mr</div>
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Rothfuss is of the George R.R. Martin school</div>
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of writing. He releases a book every four</div>
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or five (or more) years. So patience is</div>
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required if you get hooked on him.</div>
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And then there's my favourite writer of historical</div>
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fiction. Sharon Kay Penman. This is the first</div>
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book in her trilogy about Henry II and his Queen</div>
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Eleanor. Thorough historical research, rich in</div>
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period detail, fascinating characters and a sense of </div>
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humour make Ms Penman's books a delicious treat.</div>
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Okay, this is getting long ... which is par for the</div>
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course for me isn't it? I'm off for some lunch and an </div>
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afternoon of crafting/reading/journaling and whatever else.</div>
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Thanks for dropping by. And for your warm welcome</div>
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back.</div>
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Take care!</div>
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Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-76034617697603597342015-08-31T12:40:00.000-04:002015-08-31T14:50:03.501-04:00New Beginnings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The post header is not terribly original but it is concise and to the<br />
point. After neglecting (again) this blog for a long, long time due<br />
to lack of time, inspiration and any number of other reasons<br />
(excuses) I have decided to try again. </div>
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And the main reason why I have decided to try again is because I have </div>
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a lot more time on my hands these days. And why is that you may ask? </div>
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Well, almost two weeks ago I was packaged off from my job. After</div>
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working for the same banking institution for 38 years and 5 months I</div>
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was done. </div>
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Unexpected? Yes and no. It came as a surprise when it happened but </div>
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I have been bracing for it for years and more so in the past five months </div>
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or so. Upsetting? Only in the sense that I will miss some of the </div>
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people that I have worked with for many, many years. Lots of good </div>
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souls working there and I have been privileged to work with and along</div>
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side of them for lo these many years. Unhappy? Me? Hell no!!!!!</div>
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I am one of those people who is happiest in my home. I have a lot</div>
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of hobbies and interests that I can fill my days with but many of </div>
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which have been neglected for lack of time, and because I was so</div>
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drained and miserable during the last years of my working life.</div>
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To wake up in the morning now is a joy. I look forward to each </div>
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and every day. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night </div>
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now and instead of thinking bleakly: Groan! Gotta get up in three </div>
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hours ... I am waking up thinking: Darn! It's not time to get up yet!!!</div>
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Note: But I am mostly sleeping right through the night instead of </div>
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waking up and stewing about work, with dread roiling around in </div>
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my stomach. It's nice.</div>
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So what do I plan to do with this space? Journal about things that</div>
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make me happy. Talk about books, crafts and my love of walking</div>
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and taking pictures and exploring the city (Toronto) and towns,</div>
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parks and neighbourhoods that are more or less readily available </div>
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to me. I don't drive. I walk. A lot! </div>
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Some of my doodling sketches</div>
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I plan to pick up my cross stitching again. I plan to scrapbook</div>
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and to keep up a hand written journal. I plan to read and savour </div>
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my books. I plan to have tea with friends and neighbours. I</div>
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will watch the tons of DVD's that I've collected over the years</div>
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but never made time to watch (that'll be a winter activity I think)</div>
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and I'll sit on my deck and enjoy the peace and quiet .... and the</div>
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squabbling squirrels. </div>
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I'm so excited! So let's get started!</div>
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I take lots of pictures of flowers.</div>
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Love the colours and they don't</div>
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move around too much.</div>
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Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-47475210661439298062014-04-15T15:32:00.001-04:002014-04-15T15:32:26.469-04:00Running cold and hot ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After our tour of the Winter Garden and the</div>
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Elgin theatres we had an afternoon of free</div>
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time to fill. It was a cold day with a strong</div>
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breeze but the sky was blue and the sun was</div>
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shining so we decided to get out and enjoy</div>
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it.</div>
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There was an ice sculpting contest in the</div>
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Yorkville area of downtown Toronto so</div>
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we walked there from our hotel ... which</div>
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was perhaps a bit further then we realized</div>
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but we huddled in our winter gear and</div>
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kept going.</div>
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How do you get an ice sculpture smooth?</div>
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Well, you use an iron of course.</div>
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And if you are looking for a bit of </div>
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refreshment you find a bar .... made</div>
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of ice. I'm told the blue liquid (which</div>
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was non alcoholic) tasted like raspberry.</div>
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The little shots of red and blue liquids</div>
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were free ... and yes the red stuff was</div>
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alcoholic.</div>
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Lots of different icy creations with a theme</div>
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that seemed to be something to do with </div>
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heat and the tropics. I'm not sure if that</div>
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might be considered a bit sadistic given the</div>
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winter we'd been having and the weather</div>
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on that particular day ....</div>
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To balance the cold with some welcome</div>
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and much needed warmth our next stop that </div>
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afternoon was Allen gardens and the </div>
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conservatory there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf59ksvN13sfBPuLxhtjvOAvu-8RmpbhDgFk0NdrwThnzteut1cUrOhE-aIXangidgMFEpguLqZxchWSD_8fMG_aW4H_12nzkJYPMmMZojrDQ4DoxaDpdcx_LwAcigKTbyFo-sg/s1600/IMG_8065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf59ksvN13sfBPuLxhtjvOAvu-8RmpbhDgFk0NdrwThnzteut1cUrOhE-aIXangidgMFEpguLqZxchWSD_8fMG_aW4H_12nzkJYPMmMZojrDQ4DoxaDpdcx_LwAcigKTbyFo-sg/s1600/IMG_8065.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Aahhhh ... now that's more like it!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KJapUUwU8MG1OeBeBrQhYMWHc4WlirU4NdQCsV4q8Af2F7h-cb7KTWAtuGyobyGKMtyNSLC19W-qPSlG2vARgqdFWb7VU3Jj5wUMgLH376UfNjFTRhrV4ELQ6mKYRSaHlVcTPw/s1600/IMG_8082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KJapUUwU8MG1OeBeBrQhYMWHc4WlirU4NdQCsV4q8Af2F7h-cb7KTWAtuGyobyGKMtyNSLC19W-qPSlG2vARgqdFWb7VU3Jj5wUMgLH376UfNjFTRhrV4ELQ6mKYRSaHlVcTPw/s1600/IMG_8082.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Spring flowers .... even though it was</div>
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February, a section of dessert plants</div>
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and palm trees. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy6UfsF9oQUcudx7VMT_M1aVY9VNOCuxLlFCwUFNxdo69KGq2O830ZQMpcApOOzyocHm8Y-xffh5IEdmHS3k24daBWJmmKUw81cxStXX_rKZAC_5bAE3Noa7eQu9M66PZqEtbUQ/s1600/IMG_8088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy6UfsF9oQUcudx7VMT_M1aVY9VNOCuxLlFCwUFNxdo69KGq2O830ZQMpcApOOzyocHm8Y-xffh5IEdmHS3k24daBWJmmKUw81cxStXX_rKZAC_5bAE3Noa7eQu9M66PZqEtbUQ/s1600/IMG_8088.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We stayed there until closing time enjoying</div>
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the flowers, the sounds of trickling water and</div>
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most of all ... the warmth!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X0m7k_4Q0gcNFciZDlLTKQ-sLysobHDtfFvrrqynRn8gmUz1DZdeetueQuAL6rYHRjNSynnR0ugdSZ1XnsExK1JCeZPSuS3F60efjr9UvZuVZTq7UVS3rolZrtb8WLBs0Y3sqw/s1600/IMG_8117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X0m7k_4Q0gcNFciZDlLTKQ-sLysobHDtfFvrrqynRn8gmUz1DZdeetueQuAL6rYHRjNSynnR0ugdSZ1XnsExK1JCeZPSuS3F60efjr9UvZuVZTq7UVS3rolZrtb8WLBs0Y3sqw/s1600/IMG_8117.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Walking back to our hotel from Allen gardens we</div>
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passed Maple Leaf Gardens ... former home of the</div>
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Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team. The Gardens</div>
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is now a part of Ryerson University and a section</div>
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has been leased by grocery store chain Loblaws</div>
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and has become their flagship store.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1HsVsGP0LvMYwyI9HtH0wQlTLnToYx8NRtMGw8v3AX_Z3SuLpROsyjoI7bak0j-UIjuZZkiopyrIpaNGJ3GkpVko7yfK3y9TfSdzYpVohuWrgg7eTHZ4YbvBL_beG5iahOXHmg/s1600/IMG_8118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1HsVsGP0LvMYwyI9HtH0wQlTLnToYx8NRtMGw8v3AX_Z3SuLpROsyjoI7bak0j-UIjuZZkiopyrIpaNGJ3GkpVko7yfK3y9TfSdzYpVohuWrgg7eTHZ4YbvBL_beG5iahOXHmg/s1600/IMG_8118.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Quite the spiffy looking place to buy groceries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT0P8OFvBDrGIlTXErFhbIonCwrzSNDGfp8TC1ftmzkqYjmo3KOVwKRcDF5TTzdGMKHHneVMvkFe3iwJg_gZUstv84SzokZMVfy5E23QF23irzQ7IsyS2OigfDMOufS2oI3xJ1w/s1600/IMG_8123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT0P8OFvBDrGIlTXErFhbIonCwrzSNDGfp8TC1ftmzkqYjmo3KOVwKRcDF5TTzdGMKHHneVMvkFe3iwJg_gZUstv84SzokZMVfy5E23QF23irzQ7IsyS2OigfDMOufS2oI3xJ1w/s1600/IMG_8123.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A wall tribute to the Maple Leafs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6EKZUZ5BOITeq6FwBv6hxY9Q27w_OQ61vd6aZgyEGqZSnDw7N8nPa03eRYPS-cL9H_YLkHBanwM0xWC9laIfFJt31pe6S2icbbE3B222PTT9pVfhyphenhyphenQQETsR3ZKXSA5UZKJV-TQ/s1600/IMG_8127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6EKZUZ5BOITeq6FwBv6hxY9Q27w_OQ61vd6aZgyEGqZSnDw7N8nPa03eRYPS-cL9H_YLkHBanwM0xWC9laIfFJt31pe6S2icbbE3B222PTT9pVfhyphenhyphenQQETsR3ZKXSA5UZKJV-TQ/s1600/IMG_8127.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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A wall tribute to cheese!</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1UeFldxYNQ2GbRJ_qN8jfA2998VmeXsI-lBOsl3aOlfmTVPigxIrDSmSHwkvwD-04nS5ckbvJsNtQDAhhbTibeuTV_pBeNV81fXu-KNvLYOAgjcwRFoGxyufTlJlR3ogVVLHnQ/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1UeFldxYNQ2GbRJ_qN8jfA2998VmeXsI-lBOsl3aOlfmTVPigxIrDSmSHwkvwD-04nS5ckbvJsNtQDAhhbTibeuTV_pBeNV81fXu-KNvLYOAgjcwRFoGxyufTlJlR3ogVVLHnQ/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And assorted other goodies. Oh boy!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblRkbMwqP0GiBug-IbE-aqA8n09oYKMl5gp9s6pYLsJiduonA4Cugn28IH7yp5V5y06uidPfw-HTtgIHKRc6mU0JhcvgcK3JiFp35MfHbFc1jBKOnGO82tlnZwCoirQtXbco5Pg/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblRkbMwqP0GiBug-IbE-aqA8n09oYKMl5gp9s6pYLsJiduonA4Cugn28IH7yp5V5y06uidPfw-HTtgIHKRc6mU0JhcvgcK3JiFp35MfHbFc1jBKOnGO82tlnZwCoirQtXbco5Pg/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not keen on macaroons but the colours</div>
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that these came in was astounding! I wonder</div>
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what blue macaroons taste like??</div>
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<br /></div>
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At which point we headed off to Swiss Chalet</div>
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for dinner again because for some reason we</div>
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were feeling a bit hungry.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br /></div>
Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-55483796032806755652014-04-05T10:46:00.000-04:002014-04-05T10:47:09.764-04:00The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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This winter really got to me. Most years I can</div>
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skip through the dark, cold, dreary days of the</div>
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winter season with nary a twinge. I get out</div>
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when I can and hibernate in my craft room </div>
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or take refuge in a good book when I cannot.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But this winter was different. I think the</div>
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ice storm just before Christmas really got</div>
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the season off on a nasty footing and just</div>
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got gradually worse. I'm sure you</div>
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all know exactly what I'm talking about</div>
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and have been experiencing it yourselves.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've been eating stuff that I shouldn't in</div>
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quantities that I didn't need, I've been </div>
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voluntarily, morosely housebound</div>
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because of the frigid weather and the </div>
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treacherous conditions under foot, and</div>
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have had no ambition to do anything at all.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Because of this interminable winter</div>
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I decided to skip March entirely.</div>
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<br /></div>
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March let me/us down. No gentle</div>
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easing of winter's icy fist of doom,</div>
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no ever increasing bouts of warmer,</div>
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sunny weather, no signs of tiny green</div>
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buds poking through the ground ....</div>
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<br /></div>
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Actually, no signs of the ground</div>
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whatsoever.</div>
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<br /></div>
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March was a bust!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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So lets just move on to April and</div>
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forget that March ever even existed.</div>
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Okay?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJIFOO-W7wNH-qY0k2H7_OS_fGiP6Ouzdz_km40LUBWoHfHuDlmR-VhPcKCsQMJ49C31xez2VqFy8zjpdrMtleWn1Zra5HDlhcIMuAQF-aOhSV9yQBORzslInqdnCJXVdRS1tKQ/s1600/IMG_7950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJIFOO-W7wNH-qY0k2H7_OS_fGiP6Ouzdz_km40LUBWoHfHuDlmR-VhPcKCsQMJ49C31xez2VqFy8zjpdrMtleWn1Zra5HDlhcIMuAQF-aOhSV9yQBORzslInqdnCJXVdRS1tKQ/s1600/IMG_7950.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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When last we met I was describing the </div>
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2014 Girls Weekend in Toronto that</div>
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my friend Darlene and I enjoyed in</div>
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February. To continue that story</div>
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we are now on Saturday, the main</div>
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full day of the weekend.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We began by sleeping in a bit ... of course</div>
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and then rushed around getting showered</div>
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and dressed in time for the planned ... and</div>
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unplanned ... events of the day ahead.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Breakfast was at McDonalds since we were</div>
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in a hurry which wasn't too bad food wise.</div>
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They make good hot chocolate.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Our first event of the day was a tour of one</div>
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of downtown Toronto's theatrical gems ....</div>
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The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Any theatre lovers out there??? </div>
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<br /></div>
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I've loved the theatre and especially the </div>
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musical theatre since forever!! And I've </div>
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been to just about all the theatres in the </div>
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downtown Toronto area over the years for </div>
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various shows. But somehow I'd never </div>
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been to anything in the Elgin and/or the </div>
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Winter Garden theatres. So the </div>
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opportunity to explore and tour these two</div>
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historic theatres was an highly anticipated</div>
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event.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx8zBfIk2eigPb3nHfm4T4-P_27RzzD_mphYZNdU8yvsFkrVrUfpjHMiwQwtRn-lNc6OrVnPuyN5woLCXLlE37nSEUbgScGr61fKIAncDvtlyAfEmPFEyiCU1QM8xvCTYnPm29A/s1600/IMG_7972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx8zBfIk2eigPb3nHfm4T4-P_27RzzD_mphYZNdU8yvsFkrVrUfpjHMiwQwtRn-lNc6OrVnPuyN5woLCXLlE37nSEUbgScGr61fKIAncDvtlyAfEmPFEyiCU1QM8xvCTYnPm29A/s1600/IMG_7972.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Elgin and the Winter Garden are two</div>
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theatrical spaces built one on top of the</div>
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other and are the only ones of that kind</div>
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left in the world. The Elgin is on street</div>
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level while the Winter Garden is seven</div>
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stories above it. Built in 1913 the </div>
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theatres were mainly intended for use</div>
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during the heyday of vaudeville and</div>
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for the showing of the newly invented</div>
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moving pictures.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The interesting thing about these theatres</div>
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though is that in 1928, when vaudeville</div>
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was no longer popular with theatre goers</div>
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and loosing money and patrons it was </div>
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decided to close the Winter Garden theatre.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So they did.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One night, after the last vaudeville show</div>
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performed there, the staff covered stuff</div>
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with tarps, shut off the lights, locked the</div>
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doors and walked away. For 60 years!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZIG71DsO_7j7B1OOYCmm0JCpy0XVNkhvL0zhRAVBl5x5cL7nYWA6Id_umij17lKuI3gFCOplFbH92CLlyWCwywO_sD22Jw1ADRPLfQyq5W0G_X7R_1FXq-W4NNYFJiOPgbRcJw/s1600/IMG_8015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZIG71DsO_7j7B1OOYCmm0JCpy0XVNkhvL0zhRAVBl5x5cL7nYWA6Id_umij17lKuI3gFCOplFbH92CLlyWCwywO_sD22Jw1ADRPLfQyq5W0G_X7R_1FXq-W4NNYFJiOPgbRcJw/s1600/IMG_8015.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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They even ended up blocking off the grand </div>
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staircase leading up to the Winter Garden</div>
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to keep curious people from going up there</div>
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to poke around and perhaps carry away </div>
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souvenirs of the place. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXL8MQ9a-cdMAQqtVdjW-O8qFnIPDdUsJLjXuiRC-mHm8ChkJNDXcoh5rQUGkXoTwGfhzns_y3YYkhsIldAT8NFJer0qB0ejLtZCzHMAVZWIOE2IYsofrxl6O7pqINfvK8cuNRg/s1600/IMG_7980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXL8MQ9a-cdMAQqtVdjW-O8qFnIPDdUsJLjXuiRC-mHm8ChkJNDXcoh5rQUGkXoTwGfhzns_y3YYkhsIldAT8NFJer0qB0ejLtZCzHMAVZWIOE2IYsofrxl6O7pqINfvK8cuNRg/s1600/IMG_7980.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Interior of the Elgin theatre. This is the larger of</div>
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the two theatres and the one on ground level.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Elgin theatre suffered the fate that many</div>
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former live theatre spaces did during the</div>
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1960's when it was turned into a movie</div>
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theatre.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then, in the 80's, with a revival of interest</div>
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in live theatre and the successful restorations</div>
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of other historic theatres in Toronto the </div>
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Ontario Heritage Trust decided to take on</div>
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the restoration of the Elgin and the Winter</div>
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Garden theatres.</div>
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<br /></div>
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They unblocked the grand staircase and </div>
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opened the doors to the long abandoned</div>
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Winter Garden theatre and walked into</div>
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a time capsule. Everything left just </div>
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exactly as it was when the last </div>
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vaudeville performance had ended</div>
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60 years earlier. </div>
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<br /></div>
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They found the huge old movie </div>
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projector, they found stage equipment, </div>
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the old lighting <i>and</i> they found an extensive</div>
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collection of hand painted vaudevillian</div>
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scenery just left there, and although</div>
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the place had suffered the ill effects</div>
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of time, neglect and water from the</div>
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inevitable leaky roof, they had </div>
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plenty that could be restored or used</div>
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to reproduce to exacting detail </div>
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what once had been.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And why was it called The Winter</div>
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Garden Theatre you might ask?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpzhxCJHertNfrMScmLq0Dr2DKxz-AmwvKFG6IXcwe1MnLaNrMKQU7e_GGrmRDBYGmilG3_dtFHfU3Fp3TvU99J6Fek8JisbDCc_3WOBIc4kbJ1eFX8W5F8r3FSxt4F5CVAAr_g/s1600/IMG_7990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpzhxCJHertNfrMScmLq0Dr2DKxz-AmwvKFG6IXcwe1MnLaNrMKQU7e_GGrmRDBYGmilG3_dtFHfU3Fp3TvU99J6Fek8JisbDCc_3WOBIc4kbJ1eFX8W5F8r3FSxt4F5CVAAr_g/s1600/IMG_7990.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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When you walk into the theatre you look up</div>
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in awe at the ceiling. It is covered in foliage!</div>
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Branches and leaves and berries and flowers,</div>
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in many variations and colours. With little</div>
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lanterns scattered around for lighting. Some</div>
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of those had been stolen over the years, but those</div>
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on the main ceiling were still there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This picture is of the ceiling below the</div>
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balconies. The old foliage was not</div>
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salvageable so the restoration team</div>
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went out to wood lots around the city</div>
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and brought back real branches to use</div>
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and samples of leaves to recreate the</div>
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ceiling in all it's awe inspiring detail. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFYmQf4_brz6k_Qbh3DDdOAflfyI713Gdut6b0DfGOYOE2rIKM786y9QxZJoR_PQrVLVcmFajgOQGL7n3h17A8LDj0e7F6XwRGYovFtPPe7HxktQjUX359be_WlVbHcok4b6AFg/s1600/IMG_7993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFYmQf4_brz6k_Qbh3DDdOAflfyI713Gdut6b0DfGOYOE2rIKM786y9QxZJoR_PQrVLVcmFajgOQGL7n3h17A8LDj0e7F6XwRGYovFtPPe7HxktQjUX359be_WlVbHcok4b6AFg/s1600/IMG_7993.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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One side of the theatre was badly water damaged</div>
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and had to be re plastered and re painted, but the</div>
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other side and the back were in good, salvageable</div>
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condition. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwVbsE1AJdzOAtRZer_hjV7m0m0LglKWgGjvcaMU1fOiApVbkU1TAnMOgZG1WIenaWXPWndmIgddCLNE3mcf2OErmX2bEanl-ZNgJVj0XdSLp_9B5V3sscIunS-9P7fHQa1cI7A/s1600/IMG_8005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwVbsE1AJdzOAtRZer_hjV7m0m0LglKWgGjvcaMU1fOiApVbkU1TAnMOgZG1WIenaWXPWndmIgddCLNE3mcf2OErmX2bEanl-ZNgJVj0XdSLp_9B5V3sscIunS-9P7fHQa1cI7A/s1600/IMG_8005.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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We were taken behind the stage of the </div>
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Winter Garden to see some of the </div>
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old lighting system and the incredible</div>
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movie camera, some of the equipment</div>
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left behind when the theatre was abandoned.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLbT3kon0_L1-YYGQy3DwXLodBePb8PUXnPrj6Mk5xvKvGnH1araV7K3QNV836c-1pA6tjTvC7YgGOSVvG_s2KfY9jpnLI3feewBCkWSM4h8mJJ2pX8ItfOSOuJS6wfPqv-M-bw/s1600/IMG_8010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLbT3kon0_L1-YYGQy3DwXLodBePb8PUXnPrj6Mk5xvKvGnH1araV7K3QNV836c-1pA6tjTvC7YgGOSVvG_s2KfY9jpnLI3feewBCkWSM4h8mJJ2pX8ItfOSOuJS6wfPqv-M-bw/s1600/IMG_8010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the old vaudevillian backdrops, </div>
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restored and used to cover the fire </div>
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screen on the stage.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrhH_1s8i9MHBQZk0wE-QjSyv2Hc00lKeYXclfQ6nUl7qOVXJ8AuUZYkFrm5zVYGO56doCZ5ensSSUfr3dXgfoIhr-2AjcRu2_q5Bx7Dtfo5L6aE0dIQfN8VP78ly-lW4VSUPyQ/s1600/IMG_8013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrhH_1s8i9MHBQZk0wE-QjSyv2Hc00lKeYXclfQ6nUl7qOVXJ8AuUZYkFrm5zVYGO56doCZ5ensSSUfr3dXgfoIhr-2AjcRu2_q5Bx7Dtfo5L6aE0dIQfN8VP78ly-lW4VSUPyQ/s1600/IMG_8013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The delicate hand pained back wall of the</div>
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theatre. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfpamW22bA4XNp_B5jK4u7uOMYPMvLxRl7Sruseb5pHWVhvj0IOfImm6XyleAYpcR3zgeo94fFMKxwsYeZx_Pa4SpOwEmBbaeeMwQD4S-hLUn3wR8U4e69u4JwAnyKIhjq2bo5g/s1600/IMG_8016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfpamW22bA4XNp_B5jK4u7uOMYPMvLxRl7Sruseb5pHWVhvj0IOfImm6XyleAYpcR3zgeo94fFMKxwsYeZx_Pa4SpOwEmBbaeeMwQD4S-hLUn3wR8U4e69u4JwAnyKIhjq2bo5g/s1600/IMG_8016.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The tour, conducted by a volunteer well</div>
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versed in the history and the restoration</div>
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of the theatres, lasted an hour and a half</div>
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and was thoroughly fascinating. I love</div>
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hearing about the old buildings and</div>
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the history of Toronto so this was</div>
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a major thrill for me to experience and</div>
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I know Darlene felt the same way.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, there are ghost stories and during the</div>
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Halloween season there is a haunted tour</div>
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of the place. The tours are conducted</div>
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on Thursdays and Saturdays for a small</div>
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fee and well worth the money.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh, one more story.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The old seating in the Winter Garden was</div>
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not restorable. So they went looking</div>
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for seating from another theatre of the</div>
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same vintage to replace them. They </div>
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found a warehouse full of seats from an</div>
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old Chicago theatre that fit the bill</div>
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perfectly, cleaned them up and reupholstered</div>
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them and retrofitted them into the Winter</div>
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Garden.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then they found out the history of those</div>
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seats and the theatre they came from.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Apparently it was a movie theatre (The</div>
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Biograph) and one night in 1934, after a showing </div>
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of the movie Manhattan Melodrama, one couple in</div>
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particular left the theatre. The woman was</div>
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wearing a red dress. (Do you know</div>
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where I'm going with this?)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Waiting outside the theatre was the police</div>
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who were watching for that woman in the</div>
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red dress. Her escort was accosted and told to </div>
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surrender. He chose to pull a gun and try to run </div>
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for it. The police opened fire and shot him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The man was John Dillinger.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So if you go to the Winter Garden theatre</div>
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to see a show you might just end up </div>
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sitting in the seat that John Dillinger sat</div>
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in on that fateful night. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Unfortunately no one knows just which one</div>
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of the seats it is. But that's fine. Hopefully</div>
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you'll have a better night in it then Mr</div>
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Dillinger did.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Hope you enjoyed this little bit of Toronto</div>
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history and I haven't bored you too much.</div>
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There is more to tell of our Saturday after</div>
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we left the theatre but that'll do for another post.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Link to the Elgin and Winter Garden site</div>
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for more info and history.</div>
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<a href="http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/EWG/About-us/History.aspx">http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/EWG/About-us/History.aspx</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-43164339424978968002014-02-26T21:00:00.000-05:002014-02-26T21:00:11.753-05:00<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The wayward blogger returns!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Lack of news or anything of interest to blog about </div>
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caused me to skip a weekend and then I came </div>
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down with an annoying cold (with special</div>
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thanks to my DH for sharing) that is hanging</div>
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on into it's third week now and left me with</div>
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little energy or inclination to do much of </div>
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anything for a second weekend.</div>
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But last week I had my first week of vacation for</div>
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this year and crammed a lot of paper crafting</div>
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and talk radio listening into that time whilst</div>
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also entertaining my cold.</div>
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Sooooo.....</div>
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I have so much to write about now but want </div>
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to try and space out the tales of my adventures</div>
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of the past two weeks so I don't overwhelm you</div>
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all at once.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYQPuDv4rjHl0KwxghGgnXRo4gPh3QmLRE4DMojdSS5QfAZfZ1SLKHWnd0Xf1TGT5o-LXgUF5KXfF2WKZ8vNwVLffBBMomzdc1b7_oZeWj_Hr-mW4DzevM2fzh-xO8101hhL4XA/s1600/IMG_7921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYQPuDv4rjHl0KwxghGgnXRo4gPh3QmLRE4DMojdSS5QfAZfZ1SLKHWnd0Xf1TGT5o-LXgUF5KXfF2WKZ8vNwVLffBBMomzdc1b7_oZeWj_Hr-mW4DzevM2fzh-xO8101hhL4XA/s1600/IMG_7921.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A new mandala from my doodle book.</div>
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I just realized that it's showing here on</div>
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it's side but since it's a circle design</div>
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I guess that really doesn't matter ... so</div>
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.... never mind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDaSfzk-D-ZKq7UOAAuQ9FLhi1tOfMBmpNh3UJmNG1_PD5zbPXfwwK7EQLT6u0cXUrPi7_AcWsELp7UzbKTOQ7QcDS7YhlRVMDeehaDrjUA1kiZ6-DTBQK2_IddtzloplOTpsow/s1600/IMG_7925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDaSfzk-D-ZKq7UOAAuQ9FLhi1tOfMBmpNh3UJmNG1_PD5zbPXfwwK7EQLT6u0cXUrPi7_AcWsELp7UzbKTOQ7QcDS7YhlRVMDeehaDrjUA1kiZ6-DTBQK2_IddtzloplOTpsow/s1600/IMG_7925.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This bird I made out of scrap papers and my</div>
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own hand drawn design plus lovely metalic</div>
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markers and a jewel for it's eye. It's not </div>
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stuck to the white background you see here.</div>
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It's a free range bird that fits in my hand</div>
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(edge of palm to finger tips in length).</div>
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I had fun making her and plan to make </div>
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more with my paper scraps. Why?</div>
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Because it's FUN!!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUNQcThyphenhyphenEBzIsrK4j7hl3cAYFpLVDHU6kSOFuxF56-uHKwdSY9PChyphenhyphenc3VKIpwY8DZnt0YVJMKunUNvx1Pn_k7gKGhby0IKnbMcTOMc6SIiObV34tf-UGajq6ZXGcNbwsDsuE0mA/s1600/IMG_8163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUNQcThyphenhyphenEBzIsrK4j7hl3cAYFpLVDHU6kSOFuxF56-uHKwdSY9PChyphenhyphenc3VKIpwY8DZnt0YVJMKunUNvx1Pn_k7gKGhby0IKnbMcTOMc6SIiObV34tf-UGajq6ZXGcNbwsDsuE0mA/s1600/IMG_8163.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I made a double sided collage page</div>
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as well last week, taking a picture</div>
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from one of my old Victoria </div>
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magazines as a start and adding </div>
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stamping, a bit of washi tape, </div>
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scrapbooking embelishments,</div>
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a cut up and inked paper doily</div>
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and lots of adhesive. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitYiHwfEmXuuim7P7YB5FzJTgS2F4sQoFm1dmQY8cYyj250cG_UdhRzt7sHCPH3WMp_hSVMIOAG6OacP5PKmMfK-uiGn0W4I6EVi26Jdi3AM_8mo957dtIz-0t5N3ViRokzWF4Q/s1600/IMG_7930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitYiHwfEmXuuim7P7YB5FzJTgS2F4sQoFm1dmQY8cYyj250cG_UdhRzt7sHCPH3WMp_hSVMIOAG6OacP5PKmMfK-uiGn0W4I6EVi26Jdi3AM_8mo957dtIz-0t5N3ViRokzWF4Q/s1600/IMG_7930.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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On the flip side I went with a blue </div>
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theme and used all of the same </div>
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sorts of stuff as was used on the</div>
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pink page.</div>
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I have a large pile of Victoria </div>
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magazines that I want to go </div>
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through and cut apart to </div>
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remove any articles and pictures</div>
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that appeal to me to be saved in</div>
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some form or other. Then I'll</div>
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recycle the parts that I don't </div>
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want ... or do more collage</div>
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with them.</div>
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I did other crafty stuff too</div>
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last week since I was housebound</div>
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with my cold and the usual </div>
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round of nasty weather that</div>
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seems to be making up the </div>
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majority of this never ending</div>
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winter ... and that's all I'm</div>
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going to say about the weather </div>
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in this post!!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Will show more of my crafty</div>
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stuff next post.</div>
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div>
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Last weekend was our third</div>
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annual "Girls Weekend" in</div>
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Toronto. My friend Darlene</div>
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and I have made this a yearly</div>
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tradition that we look forward</div>
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to with great anticipation during</div>
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the dull days of mid winter.</div>
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We had tickets to a show,</div>
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and we planned to do touristy</div>
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stuff and eat out a lot during </div>
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our two days in the big city.</div>
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Yes sir, we were two wild</div>
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and crazy gals being footloose</div>
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and fancy free, kicking up our</div>
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heels ... and all kinds of other</div>
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inane phrases like that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xLXusMaBfjT9K6w7jEZRp5h7PHwXhZVendBDKKmlnLSAQmkiAVl3iSS5BkzemkdRsYxgPnCSQ16VzbIacmjQy-W9fyWfo9R2mrd2K0q-X_vfTWUwWlw726hpUzaMw050rNtL5g/s1600/IMG_7934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xLXusMaBfjT9K6w7jEZRp5h7PHwXhZVendBDKKmlnLSAQmkiAVl3iSS5BkzemkdRsYxgPnCSQ16VzbIacmjQy-W9fyWfo9R2mrd2K0q-X_vfTWUwWlw726hpUzaMw050rNtL5g/s1600/IMG_7934.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We stayed at the Eaton Chelsea hotel in the</div>
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heart of downtown Toronto. Within walking</div>
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distance of theatres, shopping, The World's</div>
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Biggest Bookstore, restaurants etc.</div>
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Sound like a commercial, don't I?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyways .... our room was on the 16th</div>
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floor and we had a great deal for our</div>
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two night stay. That's our room</div>
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above. The beds were really</div>
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comfy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqiYtT4YwqdS-WxrmJcHJz3MfI7OEul5Utn8IIeChm2HZPvI9fBKUaowEEouwlPhhNUtNbc54dMsqUY8so0PJxbueK0qLnT7OjoelfG5eBD5umD2djo4pOH8MS8RBH_pTJpD98w/s1600/IMG_7939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqiYtT4YwqdS-WxrmJcHJz3MfI7OEul5Utn8IIeChm2HZPvI9fBKUaowEEouwlPhhNUtNbc54dMsqUY8so0PJxbueK0qLnT7OjoelfG5eBD5umD2djo4pOH8MS8RBH_pTJpD98w/s1600/IMG_7939.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A bit of the view from our room's little balcony.</div>
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I did use the zoom lens on my camera to take</div>
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this picture of a side street next to the hotel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkj_f6JGkyp1oBBAXYpVfk4OL0TubFCj8jpDals6eiDmOOksc03H6xWEXVOZSb0GmZf65COuRcwDRje2yqlAl5r_gZbL_P7_VQd4NWA1fA3wxJsTj4uvlR6JRLzDFBuEYlXLgrgA/s1600/IMG_7944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkj_f6JGkyp1oBBAXYpVfk4OL0TubFCj8jpDals6eiDmOOksc03H6xWEXVOZSb0GmZf65COuRcwDRje2yqlAl5r_gZbL_P7_VQd4NWA1fA3wxJsTj4uvlR6JRLzDFBuEYlXLgrgA/s1600/IMG_7944.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Both Friday night and Saturday night</div>
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we had dinner at Swiss Chalet. Why?</div>
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Because we love Swiss Chalet. Great</div>
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food, great prices ... and their chicken</div>
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Spring rolls are to die for!!!!</div>
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Uh, sorry. Another commercial.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dck7OIlG2EinkI593qlsnHekZOC3nGHaFYR8XWri-z1vGi15sxCLx594muBDCZrkrv2tKaJVakVXqyDs3StsL8zBjY3wPAaFwm8COlSQ3FzNHEjmqOM2XVOxkiwfVp8xvLbnjg/s1600/world.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXtwdTbri5rWzTKCjxf6xuO9GJZ1-e3lsAGPJpSLEr6RMoH-vyqUl1tn1eHnaHZgKmnDqb4Hr2-ZoE5gvbhZBY1hrXaCdi2u2LaU0UUEOYpmAndAsn8C-DxPJUVEUJTjRe1WL9A/s1600/world.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXtwdTbri5rWzTKCjxf6xuO9GJZ1-e3lsAGPJpSLEr6RMoH-vyqUl1tn1eHnaHZgKmnDqb4Hr2-ZoE5gvbhZBY1hrXaCdi2u2LaU0UUEOYpmAndAsn8C-DxPJUVEUJTjRe1WL9A/s1600/world.jpeg" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
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After dinner we strolled around the</div>
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downtown and visited The World's</div>
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Biggest Bookstore which, sadly,</div>
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will be closing in March after </div>
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close to 30 or more years in business.</div>
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Two floors of books and magazines</div>
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to browse through for as long as</div>
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you can spare the time. I could kill</div>
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half a day in here no problem.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I came here about 30 years ago to</div>
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have my copy of Shirley Temple's</div>
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autobiography signed by the author</div>
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herself ... Shirley Temple. That was</div>
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pretty cool. She was a nice lady.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ah, memories.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTe2Q-tNSmzz7lk4mqkj0xVdG6JawctOQ-Wt7RRhv6XrmkJ271-OWPGGNzRd0FXa0DSLCPXwVFzrVUz1drgAgndGcR4eV1hBNwkimLU9JIjWkcMDoPWmMQYauYil3r0mZbUhGlg/s1600/IMG_7950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTe2Q-tNSmzz7lk4mqkj0xVdG6JawctOQ-Wt7RRhv6XrmkJ271-OWPGGNzRd0FXa0DSLCPXwVFzrVUz1drgAgndGcR4eV1hBNwkimLU9JIjWkcMDoPWmMQYauYil3r0mZbUhGlg/s1600/IMG_7950.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We admired a few of the old buildings</div>
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that are scattered around downtown</div>
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including the Elgin & Winter Garden</div>
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threatres ... which I'll be writing more</div>
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about next time. So stay tuned.</div>
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Okay ... no more commercial </div>
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breaks. I promise.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RjDLLMp8q9KRdmy9iZRpgMja3ZgkcbXgYTLvcetLhtqt_N2I7hGPBPaTcB7jTu9hsFgwwF8nA31WP-8A2LXqYrJHxVolSYjBOZQr86QqJr8nsGNbOm-0xXH1NYsP6crzkBzkiw/s1600/IMG_7962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RjDLLMp8q9KRdmy9iZRpgMja3ZgkcbXgYTLvcetLhtqt_N2I7hGPBPaTcB7jTu9hsFgwwF8nA31WP-8A2LXqYrJHxVolSYjBOZQr86QqJr8nsGNbOm-0xXH1NYsP6crzkBzkiw/s1600/IMG_7962.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Well, except for this one. Before</div>
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heading back to our hotel room at</div>
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the end of the night we stopped at</div>
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the Pickle Barrel for desert.</div>
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This is mine.</div>
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Frozen vanilla yogurt, whipped</div>
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cream, oreo cookies, a brownie,</div>
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chocolate sauce and a cherry on</div>
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top. Tasty!!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KtPBcdh3eJxKzzFJZHZKg-8fdY7GcvKvTR7OKt31W97Vb7cBlaXXpveOwg0KvjvFFAvruOSdrzKf79Y_fQcL8tYsaMFVAv5-acJFhWlRx08c83qW3kmOSSsZehomSZJUZ7Dkjg/s1600/250px-Frozen-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KtPBcdh3eJxKzzFJZHZKg-8fdY7GcvKvTR7OKt31W97Vb7cBlaXXpveOwg0KvjvFFAvruOSdrzKf79Y_fQcL8tYsaMFVAv5-acJFhWlRx08c83qW3kmOSSsZehomSZJUZ7Dkjg/s1600/250px-Frozen-movie-poster.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
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Then we returned to our hotel</div>
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room and rented a movie. We'd</div>
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been wanting to see Frozen </div>
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ever since it came out and so</div>
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when we saw it being offered on</div>
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the hotel's movies to rent site</div>
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we grabbed it.</div>
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It was fabulous!!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And that'll do it for now. </div>
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I'll be back with more of the</div>
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"Incredible adventures of</div>
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Darlene and Judy in the</div>
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BIG city" next time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-e8gJtW1me2g%2FUw6MmU3ItTI%2FAAAAAAAADbA%2Fvmy0BFksLm4%2Fs1600%2FIMG_7925.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDaSfzk-D-ZKq7UOAAuQ9FLhi1tOfMBmpNh3UJmNG1_PD5zbPXfwwK7EQLT6u0cXUrPi7_AcWsELp7UzbKTOQ7QcDS7YhlRVMDeehaDrjUA1kiZ6-DTBQK2_IddtzloplOTpsow/s1600/IMG_7925.JPG" -->Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-1623729145828081602014-02-09T17:38:00.000-05:002014-02-09T17:38:48.372-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKH0ZHDdTDtHyIizlOUuQIPBAVPsGnaKXVltazYUuGURJtozCL8Cqn7Izj_mpZSykJpygs9NwqDynZOfnlm_vlrBQdemqPv8HlPtkRlE_d2jd8mlB8oR4FEAwztx5Rb3bdxBaeA/s1600/IMG_7896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKH0ZHDdTDtHyIizlOUuQIPBAVPsGnaKXVltazYUuGURJtozCL8Cqn7Izj_mpZSykJpygs9NwqDynZOfnlm_vlrBQdemqPv8HlPtkRlE_d2jd8mlB8oR4FEAwztx5Rb3bdxBaeA/s1600/IMG_7896.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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These days my blog posts are pretty repetitive ... or</div>
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at least so it seems. Its snowed ... again!!! This</div>
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time it was on a Wednesday, not a Saturday, so we</div>
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had to drive to work during the full brunt of it.</div>
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I worked the full day but Phil's work sent him home </div>
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at noon so he spent Wednesday afternoon shovelling </div>
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the driveway ... over and over and over. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Since we haven't had a break in the cold weather</div>
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for a month or more the snow just keeps piling up.</div>
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At this point we're running out of places to put the </div>
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stuff. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyfa2fFIJiG9Cyib8vBs2ylyy3ii1CLUn6LpR3E_UkOiSBIMreg7XsOm5fR5F-FaB1oIkJ6_ruwGxqZEcNQJ0Odvm7IoY8EuAJd690c1HGeYI0UQsal2RV0IxWfva1A4dtr18Xw/s1600/IMG_7904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyfa2fFIJiG9Cyib8vBs2ylyy3ii1CLUn6LpR3E_UkOiSBIMreg7XsOm5fR5F-FaB1oIkJ6_ruwGxqZEcNQJ0Odvm7IoY8EuAJd690c1HGeYI0UQsal2RV0IxWfva1A4dtr18Xw/s1600/IMG_7904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The back yard. Note the pile of snow on top of</div>
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the birdbath to the right of the picture. Phil's</div>
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bench is almost buried. We were originally</div>
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only expecting about 5 - 10 cm of snow which</div>
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wasn't worthy of much attention given the</div>
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winter that we've had so far. HoHum! But</div>
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the night before the storm the weather service</div>
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suddenly decided that it would be closer to 10 - </div>
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15 cm and we began to sit up and take notice.</div>
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We actually got 21 cm of it.</div>
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It's snowing again today (well, it <i>has</i> been</div>
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almost four days since the last snow fall!)</div>
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and we've been told we're only suppose to be </div>
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getting a few cm in total. Since it began this </div>
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morning it's been snowing non stop although </div>
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it's been just a fine snow and not heavy flakes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjWopTDP12Rdq8DRKIDWPvrLkTEbLIpNbIa80mB2QZFbCsbUlZJctX2XF8rQeb2ERGyjuAYur0hQy8zBM8C2Pr40-veb045-rBvKkrL1hanCj79hDnfnqTJLmTvJm8PnijuDSeA/s1600/IMG_7906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjWopTDP12Rdq8DRKIDWPvrLkTEbLIpNbIa80mB2QZFbCsbUlZJctX2XF8rQeb2ERGyjuAYur0hQy8zBM8C2Pr40-veb045-rBvKkrL1hanCj79hDnfnqTJLmTvJm8PnijuDSeA/s1600/IMG_7906.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So what to do when winter breaks your heart?</div>
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Go to Michaels!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I picked up a few choice Michael's coupons in</div>
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the local paper on Thursday night (A 30 </div>
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percent off entire purchase coupon for non </div>
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sale items <i>and </i>a 20 percent off of sale items </div>
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coupon <i> and</i> a 40 percent off of one item coupon) </div>
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and then convinced DH that actually the "official"</div>
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gift to give on Valentine's Day isn't roses</div>
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(as one has been given to understand over</div>
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the years by an evil Florists conspiracy) but</div>
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is actually craft supplies! No really, it's</div>
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true!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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So off we went! :) </div>
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He got me the two Martha Stewart punches to</div>
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add to my collection and ... um ... I got the</div>
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rest. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqO97-gmiX5eAJ84UKgOPjA8FoGZ8OnbZV12ADct4EZu62ezYIm51rtNFa0m2ecCGghqVfCy47LPHGHuVUi9JIXwmvdeiweNljLqKy6_mMrZwEkQOicZ4Pr9xPJ7A-_c0FxjUAQ/s1600/IMG_7917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqO97-gmiX5eAJ84UKgOPjA8FoGZ8OnbZV12ADct4EZu62ezYIm51rtNFa0m2ecCGghqVfCy47LPHGHuVUi9JIXwmvdeiweNljLqKy6_mMrZwEkQOicZ4Pr9xPJ7A-_c0FxjUAQ/s1600/IMG_7917.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And what does one do with such bounty you</div>
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may be asking? (Well, aren't you?)</div>
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<br /></div>
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I found an online collage/doodle class on sale</div>
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at one of my favourite art blogs and jumped </div>
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at it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is the link <a href="http://cathyb.typepad.com/">http://cathyb.typepad.com/</a> </div>
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<br /></div>
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The sale is on for another week and you</div>
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get 7 videos at around 12 minutes long</div>
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each that takes you step by step through</div>
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the process of making one of these </div>
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doodle/collage combos.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you're interested you can go to the Feb </div>
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1st post for the offer which is running for </div>
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another week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17qhMaQAfe-unCYRW7INK-wwtggAx2IpOTRQTnh76bUjDN5I4RJKxDjs42_oq1WVT4gzn6F1l1wpLTEpom3-lCyYDZLuYJ3D5l_vPOB2TL4j9hg5ukLYippldgn5Q9uKmYjUHvA/s1600/IMG_7919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17qhMaQAfe-unCYRW7INK-wwtggAx2IpOTRQTnh76bUjDN5I4RJKxDjs42_oq1WVT4gzn6F1l1wpLTEpom3-lCyYDZLuYJ3D5l_vPOB2TL4j9hg5ukLYippldgn5Q9uKmYjUHvA/s1600/IMG_7919.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Right side of page. Flowers from </div>
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scrapbook papers along with my</div>
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markers, washi tape and magazine</div>
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cut outs and old book pages.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK159hFElLBnA-RnCox86dwidAfbKdzyC_2TuwQFb3-Z4NVLLyB3BUJlbcaGM9TrNJIzM_0UO4WgAmMQEENwQp-BJ-b0IaVeQ93vJuc6YmrzaCm9WADIsIze-QZklsMLmlWw5jXA/s1600/IMG_7920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK159hFElLBnA-RnCox86dwidAfbKdzyC_2TuwQFb3-Z4NVLLyB3BUJlbcaGM9TrNJIzM_0UO4WgAmMQEENwQp-BJ-b0IaVeQ93vJuc6YmrzaCm9WADIsIze-QZklsMLmlWw5jXA/s1600/IMG_7920.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Left side of page. I started this</div>
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Saturday afternoon and couldn't</div>
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leave it alone so poor Phil </div>
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didn't get much supper last night.</div>
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(Hangs head in shame) I still</div>
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want to add a saying or something</div>
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to finish it off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqGm11RPHTEyu_Ce7xsZpvXx_III_DQ0UjJF5YxZPadHppdwKWOl3pjZrQiuRnoPSwITO1ubs0YZqVyBMijA161MBT3qPGTHVIfmeDY2GH6GO_ODFfWStjip-mFT9IQHcaH9Fsg/s1600/IMG_7909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqGm11RPHTEyu_Ce7xsZpvXx_III_DQ0UjJF5YxZPadHppdwKWOl3pjZrQiuRnoPSwITO1ubs0YZqVyBMijA161MBT3qPGTHVIfmeDY2GH6GO_ODFfWStjip-mFT9IQHcaH9Fsg/s1600/IMG_7909.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rowyn was interested in the washi tape that</div>
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I'd mentioned before in previous posts. Here</div>
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is my humble collection of tape.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoR_ZlUaWixlyfSq7OXOrvQ9FCBgRYad1Ovbtzwaf8_X9w2DtPuEegqInV1QNlCAOPexKgbRkWTmSSLi0VeoqLQ_LCPLdnDzpSUZKYcI02uSswmo-A9z716o0qFamB-wbwHTNmA/s1600/IMG_7911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoR_ZlUaWixlyfSq7OXOrvQ9FCBgRYad1Ovbtzwaf8_X9w2DtPuEegqInV1QNlCAOPexKgbRkWTmSSLi0VeoqLQ_LCPLdnDzpSUZKYcI02uSswmo-A9z716o0qFamB-wbwHTNmA/s1600/IMG_7911.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Washi tape comes in every colour and in</div>
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an incredible array of patterns as well as</div>
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solid colours and in different widths. It's</div>
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paper tape that can be seen through when</div>
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placed on a page to some degree.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8cIaG0NKCDQ82Qg1HQ748ZXU9qQb5VzyObkUwtToJMyxwjXymwy3hEGcOWFoE3s8B1hJ3y7o1Dack27ekxpKsPyFK3aplsg9T4x3ijOOEJfldApl9h4R_tRuMsa26Ky2ylPp1g/s1600/IMG_7912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8cIaG0NKCDQ82Qg1HQ748ZXU9qQb5VzyObkUwtToJMyxwjXymwy3hEGcOWFoE3s8B1hJ3y7o1Dack27ekxpKsPyFK3aplsg9T4x3ijOOEJfldApl9h4R_tRuMsa26Ky2ylPp1g/s1600/IMG_7912.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can use it for any kind of paper project.</div>
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Note: washi tape is as addictive as cross </div>
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stitch thread.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjua-AlK7W_QhxNNiJ30BQhtzcTWkF06qoq7FkxxNUT0weI9EnKbqjHXmfxMrds_Tiyyo2WetpbW5b7El5Q3ileUlTOfZwZfAHBiX5xNs1rN-2j1nbs6qc_arj18YxOeo9k0ggEtw/s1600/IMG_7913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjua-AlK7W_QhxNNiJ30BQhtzcTWkF06qoq7FkxxNUT0weI9EnKbqjHXmfxMrds_Tiyyo2WetpbW5b7El5Q3ileUlTOfZwZfAHBiX5xNs1rN-2j1nbs6qc_arj18YxOeo9k0ggEtw/s1600/IMG_7913.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The newest rolls that I picked up yesterday.</div>
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Pretty patterns, pretty blues.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The only thing that I love more then washi tape</div>
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is scrap book paper ... and markers ... and </div>
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punches ... and trims.</div>
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Okay, I love it all.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm not watching the Olympics since sports of</div>
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any sort bores me to tears. Most of the few</div>
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TV programs that I watch are being pre-empted</div>
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for the Olympics (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)</div>
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or are over for the season (Sleepy Hallow) or </div>
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won't be back until March (Once Upon a Time).</div>
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So much for television.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I might mention that I'm really, really looking</div>
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forward to the Outlander TV series that's coming</div>
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this summer. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZCfRe8vtVNBRpAtYeJN244qN_i5MnDdAazKSv1sHp5ReeZLg-R5TH_mOjCMirqpGRNpYu_Fz1vsXSlD1t92ebXd39TgfEneN_kd7pF7Zx0JgYqeyWGYaadqpVq0Z23rXAX3GXQ/s1600/Anne-Murray-ALL-OF-ME.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZCfRe8vtVNBRpAtYeJN244qN_i5MnDdAazKSv1sHp5ReeZLg-R5TH_mOjCMirqpGRNpYu_Fz1vsXSlD1t92ebXd39TgfEneN_kd7pF7Zx0JgYqeyWGYaadqpVq0Z23rXAX3GXQ/s1600/Anne-Murray-ALL-OF-ME.png" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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I picked up this book at the second hand</div>
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book store not long ago and just </div>
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finished reading it last week. I'm not</div>
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really a huge Anne Murray fan music</div>
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wise but I do admire the lady and</div>
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found the book to be very interesting</div>
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and often quite funny.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Time to go make dinner. Don't </div>
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want to make Phil miss it two</div>
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nights in a row. He won't</div>
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take me to Michaels again.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br /></div>
Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18201870.post-65928022411907694602014-02-02T20:55:00.000-05:002014-02-02T20:55:01.216-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-7LN3KOXr1TemKMyk57ucG8l4cR5ZCgN7MyQz1dL7E8LsOqsfDwDJJDSvJQASYgdkynjNnfrMycv-JGk1nL9wB4yFtAYKVVtp30E8-uApbOHIg58-IBtENsF8iIrxLXWoSLjWg/s1600/IMG_7881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-7LN3KOXr1TemKMyk57ucG8l4cR5ZCgN7MyQz1dL7E8LsOqsfDwDJJDSvJQASYgdkynjNnfrMycv-JGk1nL9wB4yFtAYKVVtp30E8-uApbOHIg58-IBtENsF8iIrxLXWoSLjWg/s1600/IMG_7881.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Guess what? It snowed!!! Again!!!!</div>
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Or</div>
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<br /></div>
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If it's snowing this must be Saturday.</div>
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Or</div>
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<br /></div>
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The blasted groundhog saw his damn </div>
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shadow, didn't he?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Or</div>
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<br /></div>
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One weather system moves out (extreme</div>
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cold) and another moves in (snow, warmer </div>
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temperatures, freezing rain and rain ... then</div>
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back to cold again). </div>
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Or </div>
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Will it ever end?????</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWwpaTD9ETZTSWz0DmCr-2UM8Dwhm_57kZuMY1jIaU2IuOnBUUv43hbv4Rnyw7J4_gKy2w0zpgsrtKgM3N4IvjVLYng-Ppyqmlbs-dDnxm5FAmxkOeOyf2kTzxwOEkGjfigZxHQ/s1600/IMG_7883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWwpaTD9ETZTSWz0DmCr-2UM8Dwhm_57kZuMY1jIaU2IuOnBUUv43hbv4Rnyw7J4_gKy2w0zpgsrtKgM3N4IvjVLYng-Ppyqmlbs-dDnxm5FAmxkOeOyf2kTzxwOEkGjfigZxHQ/s1600/IMG_7883.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another big branch came off our tree. There's</div>
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still four or six limbs dangling up there that</div>
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will probably require the attentions of a </div>
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tree service to take them down. Plus there is</div>
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still a huge branch skewering our Lilac tree</div>
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that will need to be cut out somehow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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However getting ahold of a tree service</div>
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these days is something of a challenge. There</div>
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has been so much damage from the ice storm</div>
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those guys are just running from one end of</div>
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town to the other on a daily basis. And</div>
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they will probably have to wait until Spring</div>
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arrives and the snow melts ... sometime around</div>
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the end of June I'm thinking .... to do a lot of</div>
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the more difficult, higher up limbs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVbx16bgWh7q0mVmIOU85uQbv7vTUZrEh_hKQDQ14ulRhRGK2-1x2oZdjzkktqxhuoBg5rJ3z2xRhWY2MUK0oUKmibzYS_udj5zazrzM86tUaLbo1RhyphenhyphenATCQq3FaIRuBVGG-6WA/s1600/IMG_7890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVbx16bgWh7q0mVmIOU85uQbv7vTUZrEh_hKQDQ14ulRhRGK2-1x2oZdjzkktqxhuoBg5rJ3z2xRhWY2MUK0oUKmibzYS_udj5zazrzM86tUaLbo1RhyphenhyphenATCQq3FaIRuBVGG-6WA/s1600/IMG_7890.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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My craft project for this week.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've been putting my ... um ... artsy photos</div>
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in one of my Smash books this week. I had</div>
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them printed as 5 x 7 's to do this project</div>
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and I've been enjoying matting them</div>
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and placing them in the book.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I still have room for more but need to </div>
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choose which ones I like best and get</div>
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them printed off. Meanwhile I'm</div>
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pondering how to decorate each page.</div>
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Some I'm not doing much with but </div>
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others, such as this spread, I'm</div>
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using Washi tape to create borders.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxVZhM3hzKspPPPHi_mDlbvqsA_ydEBq_Pr13MQSmyQlqIIg2s57XmcjOKnY8NJdytl2m8lms-aOUmA1qgcl18pxZY8YpsCud9MhSuXdhQjLBYZRkktkyo7iol5iAYskYqrZjBA/s1600/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxVZhM3hzKspPPPHi_mDlbvqsA_ydEBq_Pr13MQSmyQlqIIg2s57XmcjOKnY8NJdytl2m8lms-aOUmA1qgcl18pxZY8YpsCud9MhSuXdhQjLBYZRkktkyo7iol5iAYskYqrZjBA/s1600/green.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The afore mentioned "Green" Smash</div>
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book. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KC7-aiM1_0gcTUjsBDssD2Iky8j8DTxZDLYBwGdlPtDdXVQBrNIg41WMHW_EI2LId6IroQdokydt7lqfecFZCUZiCPC5EuZzuvoxoxbTCmAEISRBHhrltz4jgSi_ctBeMHOrBQ/s1600/IMG_7894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KC7-aiM1_0gcTUjsBDssD2Iky8j8DTxZDLYBwGdlPtDdXVQBrNIg41WMHW_EI2LId6IroQdokydt7lqfecFZCUZiCPC5EuZzuvoxoxbTCmAEISRBHhrltz4jgSi_ctBeMHOrBQ/s1600/IMG_7894.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Another spread. Won't do much more to</div>
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this. I love the sunset paper background</div>
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and don't want to cover it up any more</div>
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than I already have.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWRKnIGzN5opnSzg98p-lSVm4sbvuIVAgaPpqgn0EqpW6rGHGnThUJas_JNbdShpIpGKPhWkhCp14xFdq4fjXvM0zL7bCuIbxSsDAp04hZq4qEeQgXtfcZpEoj1kIlK0c8wo26w/s1600/IMG_7895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWRKnIGzN5opnSzg98p-lSVm4sbvuIVAgaPpqgn0EqpW6rGHGnThUJas_JNbdShpIpGKPhWkhCp14xFdq4fjXvM0zL7bCuIbxSsDAp04hZq4qEeQgXtfcZpEoj1kIlK0c8wo26w/s1600/IMG_7895.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I love this paper too. So will keep</div>
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the trims to a minimum here as well.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcfZD5WLeGPAhjyD_mdf7gSPaWfy3L3yM3mso0yUC0C70sdcVXRQvEk98iaVBZiFmhuHxdEBszjaURUaVd7HnzGVUxxOpWSMlwNXdgglBkaSRKyiPQKLu6688g3m4BWEPk4vNFA/s1600/the-virgin-cure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcfZD5WLeGPAhjyD_mdf7gSPaWfy3L3yM3mso0yUC0C70sdcVXRQvEk98iaVBZiFmhuHxdEBszjaURUaVd7HnzGVUxxOpWSMlwNXdgglBkaSRKyiPQKLu6688g3m4BWEPk4vNFA/s1600/the-virgin-cure.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I finished reading "The Virgin Cure"</div>
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by Ami Mckay this week. Not a </div>
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big book but a well written story</div>
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that takes place around 1870's and</div>
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tells the story of a young girl in</div>
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New York city names Moth.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I read Ami McKay's first book</div>
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"The Birth House" and enjoyed</div>
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it so kept an eye out for her </div>
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next book.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUjKH59Y97ZW2l0I97v9MeaMja9awi0_oW5qrLb0Zk9rUfHmxinSOaW_KKyrqD1VNfmreO-ceByWT3w1NKLR-8z-p-Fb_k-TmnSN4y8k8Ag5ed7SWQB5cOsujX_XkXcifdM-2gA/s1600/IMG_7892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUjKH59Y97ZW2l0I97v9MeaMja9awi0_oW5qrLb0Zk9rUfHmxinSOaW_KKyrqD1VNfmreO-ceByWT3w1NKLR-8z-p-Fb_k-TmnSN4y8k8Ag5ed7SWQB5cOsujX_XkXcifdM-2gA/s1600/IMG_7892.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More doodles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIyzGQ2FoiK8UMNrnzLGtLvlttOoaU63ttEzIQwMteyBMiB8m4-f9k7UpSsi_4uqErHBJhoj2HcIlXTa3zXJy-tntBv2ytNfapwytNVuoALMyWzy0zfv4OvZeyHjaCtfRGpKSvA/s1600/IMG_7893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIyzGQ2FoiK8UMNrnzLGtLvlttOoaU63ttEzIQwMteyBMiB8m4-f9k7UpSsi_4uqErHBJhoj2HcIlXTa3zXJy-tntBv2ytNfapwytNVuoALMyWzy0zfv4OvZeyHjaCtfRGpKSvA/s1600/IMG_7893.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aIGZXAYz-4ht7RcLcNIdmdqkQJT23QoD-K0u2vqFfyxkhLLu0hikuprglbdkOX2HoW1X-fPUKjsOOfgD-Tl1nwtvv3cADAdnUCzDOZFa4nZdXRQ9LzK4TfwwBRh8iZZfmDXnqQ/s1600/IMG_7862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aIGZXAYz-4ht7RcLcNIdmdqkQJT23QoD-K0u2vqFfyxkhLLu0hikuprglbdkOX2HoW1X-fPUKjsOOfgD-Tl1nwtvv3cADAdnUCzDOZFa4nZdXRQ9LzK4TfwwBRh8iZZfmDXnqQ/s1600/IMG_7862.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Dude ... not a doodle.</div>
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Sorry. Bad pun. Rupert.</div>
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Happy February everyone!!!</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<br />Crazee4bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978860714766853681noreply@blogger.com6