tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35924272098203341792024-03-13T22:58:23.417-07:00Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds~Welcome to My World~
Let's do some daydream believing~
Decorate, Garden, Cook, Share, InspireVeronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-55345415986660618322015-03-04T04:13:00.000-08:002015-03-04T04:13:15.084-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hi to all my dearest blogging friends .....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a VERY long time since my last post on this blog!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life has taken me on a round about journey, that at times seemed utterly surreal and at times really quite daunting.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Divorce, the sale of my home, where I spent twenty years, the start of a new career in real estate, finding and buying an apartment, etc., etc., all took its toll, and my creative self got left way way behind, in a cloud of dust....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I sat in my office and remembered, that I was once part of an amazing group of people, and the jolt came from an awesome lady, whom I met just when I just started on my blogging journey many moons ago, <a href="http://splenderosa.blogspot.com/">Marsha from Splenderosa</a> !!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Talk about surreal....how amazing is this, that I am clear across the world from Houston, and that through blogging, I get this message after many months and I am so humbled, inspired and totally filled with gratitude for that one simple comment saying...." Are you ever going to post in BIO, WE MISS MISS MISS YOU"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">THANK YOU MARSHA....JUST THANK YOU MY FRIEND.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">AND YES!!!1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I AM BACK!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So let me give you an update on me.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I finally sold my house after three long years!!!! What a daunting one that was.... A friend of mine, sold it and also encouraged me to buy an apartment on the beach front in Bloubergstrand. It was a huge paradigm shift to move from a large double story home with a garden to a small two bedroom apartment ....but it is done now and I am totally happy in my new hood....Oh, and this is the view from my bed......</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I kid you not!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">An ever changing iconic view, and I don't even have to leave my bed to see it.... well apart from having to clean the windows and the balcony glass from salt and sea spray, you understand?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I could become a professional window cleaner very soon..... but absolutely no complaints there....I generally have a glass of wine in hand now, when cleaning windows and its a breeze, actually.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started working as an Estate Agent, with absolutely no experience in property sales. So, at this stage I am an intern, have to do a load of exams etc. to qualify and become a full associate. Thanks again to the awesome help and encouragement of a friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am absolutely loving it in spite of the odd hours that comes with the territory!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMRA1n9pX1-TyCjlMCGudiYLvAvTwXFo41IP9zfGRDmXKtgsWspf2ttTtKsYyl0cYe1P45xdhBce_9dQ9E6LDLsQA77NPCEGnWsYkStdcZmR_YjY7anx0mWHJPnFBYjzffVdG0h1oiHo/s1600/Parklands+North+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMRA1n9pX1-TyCjlMCGudiYLvAvTwXFo41IP9zfGRDmXKtgsWspf2ttTtKsYyl0cYe1P45xdhBce_9dQ9E6LDLsQA77NPCEGnWsYkStdcZmR_YjY7anx0mWHJPnFBYjzffVdG0h1oiHo/s1600/Parklands+North+050.JPG" height="486" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those of you who know me from my past blogging exploits know that I am passionately in love with Cape Town, first and second that I love love love houses...as most of you do too!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So of course, becoming an estate agent was a natural progression.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I confess to being one of those annoying people, whom estate agents detest. You know the kind....they amble into a Show House, looking all excited and interested, only to confess that they are just "browsing" or on my more honest days that I m just inquisitive!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I work in an area which is very diverse. One moment I could find myself in a teeny weeny apartment, priced at around R500 000-00, and the next moment I am standing in a beachfront property for around R8 Mil. What's not to like?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have resisted the urge to refurbish my blog for now, just in order to reconnect with all my old buddies again, so for now Tassels, Twigs and Tastebuds will be the same as before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Should you stumble upon this post, I welcome you back to my world....lets do some chatting, serious day dream believing and explore the wonderful world that the realms of our imagination allows us to discover.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">xxx</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-15017697988713049132014-04-01T11:36:00.000-07:002014-04-01T11:36:27.129-07:00By Invitation Only ~ Cruise Essentials.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Month's By Invitation Post is fun and light. Thanks to Marsha at </span><a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and Tina at </span><a href="http://theenchantedhome.co/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Enchanted Home</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, here's the deal....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are off on a cruise and we have to name the ten items we cannot leave home without. On a cruise ship, it matters what you leave behind at home...understand?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With autumn setting in, I cannot think of a better plan than to sail off to warmer weather and have a last fling before enduring a long, wet and stormy Cape Winter...sigh (loudly)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well here goes..... I'm sailing off into the sunset with my ten items....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First and foremost, as I 'm am a snap happy chick......I NEVER leave home without my trusty lil Canon!!!! It fits into most of my handbags and goes absolutely everywhere with me to capture life's lil moments and memories. (um, even to the theatre!!) I have been know to leave home without my purse of money, but at least I had my camera to capture the embarrassing moment... I kid you not!!!! It goes in before anything else......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second of all, since I am going to tropical islands a sexy bather is absolutely a must for endless dips in the pool and of course for lounging about on a deck chair snapping away with my camera at the passing parade of people. I'm sneaky like that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This sexy number has very little fabric but mine has a bit more and is a leopard print! When my son returned from Amsterdam to the heat of January and when he saw my new acquisition he exclaimed...." Heavens Mother, that is a Bond girl number that you have there!!!"....blush blush...wish I had the Bond Girl Body.....</span><br />
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<span id="goog_118793159"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thirdly. I have what I call a healthy obsession with beautiful things and so..... of course, I have an addiction to glossy magazines......No holiday is complete without a couple of the latest glossies to keep me drooling and dreaming....Can you imagine....reclined in the sun, hiding under a floppy hat, cocktail in hand and paging leisurely .....perfection in my mag!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Number Four. And here I am probably cheating, but hey...... its one item in the end... My toilet bag filled with my make up, sunscreen and pamper products for a daily spa treatment in my cabin! This one below reminds me of my grandma"s hat box and it looks like it has lots of space....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7a8tGWQ4_ciFgZlmz5OmRKdTNq_ZJ-a11NjdkB-V6I21RkmYC8XoOah4XstmNGgbEwXQIYCnau6b3gooYCNwUV9QvUgk6FtcNaCAMcmlyLjiLgLBEVdupflZoQA9oBUl-mENQEiamJ0/s1600/061f92aa3227e500b31d39a69f3ccf69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7a8tGWQ4_ciFgZlmz5OmRKdTNq_ZJ-a11NjdkB-V6I21RkmYC8XoOah4XstmNGgbEwXQIYCnau6b3gooYCNwUV9QvUgk6FtcNaCAMcmlyLjiLgLBEVdupflZoQA9oBUl-mENQEiamJ0/s1600/061f92aa3227e500b31d39a69f3ccf69.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And of course my ever present favourite perfume falcon.....Jean Paul Gaultier's Classic goes in the minute I have packed my camera!!! This is in the bag above, by the way and not extra....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOZzN4THMEUH0Ee3MWGgecHV0SxW-O7ly5qyOCwF8WMqZWNEV7__XWqnZXq6Ht0aKhcO2J1mKHtPUoykOyutDzzZ7roP9Hj4vrX4nMSKW7Ehlml5fNf1RziZp7n2OaBNikvlxhl_ZrRc/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOZzN4THMEUH0Ee3MWGgecHV0SxW-O7ly5qyOCwF8WMqZWNEV7__XWqnZXq6Ht0aKhcO2J1mKHtPUoykOyutDzzZ7roP9Hj4vrX4nMSKW7Ehlml5fNf1RziZp7n2OaBNikvlxhl_ZrRc/s1600/images.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Number Five. A great pair of heels!!! Practical or not, they go with me even if just to stare at them lovingly. Chances are though, that they will definitely be worn to dance away a night or two or three.... Heels not elevate my short self into a taller subject but can also elevate any outfit, even a sarong to glamour. So says I!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbY6AujWfZ5J1CeT28AyoY4s8yUPa9ZgHha49zv4f21vjMyaDgMIp4t4tE7sUjYhm72GCy68Op4q4uUXccLHz37hmt4T-WtdySq63_kJ-DUL-utugmEdl3cYMgKtV4syj6eFZI4Ielkyw/s1600/678c7d97490d44867862490bde2b2227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbY6AujWfZ5J1CeT28AyoY4s8yUPa9ZgHha49zv4f21vjMyaDgMIp4t4tE7sUjYhm72GCy68Op4q4uUXccLHz37hmt4T-WtdySq63_kJ-DUL-utugmEdl3cYMgKtV4syj6eFZI4Ielkyw/s1600/678c7d97490d44867862490bde2b2227.jpg" height="640" width="522" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Number Six. A red dress is always part of my holiday repertoire, no matter where I go, and of course with my black heels this is a winner for almost any occasion....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEDhPmDjJvU4AC_ggmwaKrqKLKPkodw0f_PTZ56v9eEVGjEqdSNAHV-la1iMA9_a3clH8A1Kfm4xxGSq2qT948gE_Vr9kqwsADTy4IkeD-sl4b7Hg7zkKf4dgqx7IHhPy5DUFtQx8rc8/s1600/d7cb2cc6072fd1d578b9140ec2953a0a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEDhPmDjJvU4AC_ggmwaKrqKLKPkodw0f_PTZ56v9eEVGjEqdSNAHV-la1iMA9_a3clH8A1Kfm4xxGSq2qT948gE_Vr9kqwsADTy4IkeD-sl4b7Hg7zkKf4dgqx7IHhPy5DUFtQx8rc8/s1600/d7cb2cc6072fd1d578b9140ec2953a0a.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Number Seven. A note book and pencil to write down all the thoughts and stories that is bound to enter my head in such surroundings. And yes, old fashioned paper and pencil please, nothing else will do....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Number Eight. A good sturdy bag to lug about all my holiday essentials!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VUDvsS4re37Dg01kcNrcO2iUm6NgNL6gzcP1pYysSoouerYGR3Z13_jxy0da4ny-QfHwtQ00QNRN_aYl9wLHR58RG0qHBDNk3nlxnbTRRx0a3jlc7D61-YGHwHj9H_LX1xq6bWAhF4g/s1600/7aef02204cdae266065c2e48620a81c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VUDvsS4re37Dg01kcNrcO2iUm6NgNL6gzcP1pYysSoouerYGR3Z13_jxy0da4ny-QfHwtQ00QNRN_aYl9wLHR58RG0qHBDNk3nlxnbTRRx0a3jlc7D61-YGHwHj9H_LX1xq6bWAhF4g/s1600/7aef02204cdae266065c2e48620a81c7.jpg" height="640" width="528" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Number Nine. My spirit of adventure! I would love to return from my cruise with a load of good memories, new ideas and inspiration. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_khsSTjcNfjQVvdQAJBohcNsFEipwKen3jOHmQ4NZUOC1PiaqvHP-ynNiVIE7JClQq-5oOON2ZUFiTS24LGgglLHptE3YUqZdklnVvQ-owK9G4aM7dpSRc0i8fRKWydxIDzJn8HVJc8U/s1600/0dad39f11a54ea6b00baaaeb3e7fc8ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_khsSTjcNfjQVvdQAJBohcNsFEipwKen3jOHmQ4NZUOC1PiaqvHP-ynNiVIE7JClQq-5oOON2ZUFiTS24LGgglLHptE3YUqZdklnVvQ-owK9G4aM7dpSRc0i8fRKWydxIDzJn8HVJc8U/s1600/0dad39f11a54ea6b00baaaeb3e7fc8ca.jpg" height="640" width="436" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and as Matisse said....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy52H1YQq2G0DOuYTo5PXJsYou-Ru1j17pzxpKQ14M0vbxNkENMycdbE7aRTN6TlZ7MOgIT12QgRhfGVzqcdUwcxUo6TnGR6myGcDWkVBBLL1yXrNh5hl3zut7lumFM-JfEQ3d94xuDM/s1600/9bc9cee4e3cfa9554a3eb6c504ccf2cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy52H1YQq2G0DOuYTo5PXJsYou-Ru1j17pzxpKQ14M0vbxNkENMycdbE7aRTN6TlZ7MOgIT12QgRhfGVzqcdUwcxUo6TnGR6myGcDWkVBBLL1yXrNh5hl3zut7lumFM-JfEQ3d94xuDM/s1600/9bc9cee4e3cfa9554a3eb6c504ccf2cd.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly but most importantly, excellent company without which no adventure could ever be complete!!! That one person who is fun, full of ideas, ready for anything and always a source of excellent conversation, endless humour and boundless energy. I would take my best pal in the world!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So there, I am all packed....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIpFlzU020CxCO85T2_XK2qknWXafqb_8_w7fS41bStOkGuDEED-sPAYCgK9mgXCzGrK52yZ9V_TtQmHYhCTarJBfz6dslScIR7J9xWhAoEKah9r2az6e_ZErnbjjUi2mBSuxkXtV9Qs/s1600/65443906c88c9587748041cf7c3d8aea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIpFlzU020CxCO85T2_XK2qknWXafqb_8_w7fS41bStOkGuDEED-sPAYCgK9mgXCzGrK52yZ9V_TtQmHYhCTarJBfz6dslScIR7J9xWhAoEKah9r2az6e_ZErnbjjUi2mBSuxkXtV9Qs/s1600/65443906c88c9587748041cf7c3d8aea.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Expect loads of pics on my return....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bon Voyage</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iMs5xpqLVeFBOGkSV1hlTYuMfQUWW2g-WPDb-WUKzlM9FL2fqmC9ZhzuQBaSCleHK5fdtosyjjCgaTLB2I-kPIcslGlc_cLPJDUn_IymgakE05O8ZXE5Q7gAmIKvyZqaJ69kWiVlG9M/s1600/BonVoyage-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iMs5xpqLVeFBOGkSV1hlTYuMfQUWW2g-WPDb-WUKzlM9FL2fqmC9ZhzuQBaSCleHK5fdtosyjjCgaTLB2I-kPIcslGlc_cLPJDUn_IymgakE05O8ZXE5Q7gAmIKvyZqaJ69kWiVlG9M/s1600/BonVoyage-1.gif" height="640" width="592" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that we are packed, sail on over to <a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/">Splenderosa</a> to see who packed what.....and for a good dose of day dream believing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am sailing, across the water.....*drifts of to sleep*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your turn...chat to me below in the comment box, I am all ears....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All these gorgeous photos are from <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/2251868537572306/">Pinterest</a></span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-11924069583235534402013-12-03T10:04:00.000-08:002013-12-03T10:04:43.979-08:00December Cocktail Party ~ By Invitation Only<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is 6:36 pm here in the shadow of Table Mountain. I have had a day of prepping for my book club's Christmas function and am quite footsore and tired. I am hosting eleven gals on Thursday eve for a eight course tasting menu!!! The house is looking festive and a bit tosy turvy. You know that look, when you are putting up decorations, laying tables and there are boxes of décor and stuff strewn everywhere ....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, here I am at my desk with a glass of wine, the sun is still up and the temperature is soaring! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMzY5UdhANKD39IgDCxRtFJmH5ktAR1job1X0ijASC1Zbe0N8u7KbjzG7zBEsY9c09SaE8ps8d19x4vFbr7-yR9ijiqZKnLec1-mFbnmcfmgyfVIZPVWzWZLwhbCHZ9bup59HBEJMMJs/s1600/fa909d2728e60269e53fa1ec6af11f72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMzY5UdhANKD39IgDCxRtFJmH5ktAR1job1X0ijASC1Zbe0N8u7KbjzG7zBEsY9c09SaE8ps8d19x4vFbr7-yR9ijiqZKnLec1-mFbnmcfmgyfVIZPVWzWZLwhbCHZ9bup59HBEJMMJs/s640/fa909d2728e60269e53fa1ec6af11f72.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our monthly "By Invitation Only" theme, which Tina From </span><a href="http://theenchantedhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/by-invitation-onlychristmas-cocktails.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Enchanted Home</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> choose for us, is to host a December Cocktail Party. As per usual, our glam lady Marsha, from </span><a href="http://splenderosa.blogspot.com/2013/12/its-christmas-party-by-invitation-only.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa </span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">will be hosting us. So hop on over and take a look at what all the other gorgeous ladies are up to...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christmas holidays for us means sun, sea and sand!!!! We avoid the kitchen like the plague if at all possible!!!! So, in keeping with that I have decided to keep it cool....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This enchanting garden will be the ideal setting for a festive outdoor soiree....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Music will be provided by the abundant bird life and from indoors all the Christmas Carols will waft out on the evening breeze....just to tickle the ears....and you may burst into a spontaneous "Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer" if you get swept away with the Christmas spirit....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To start, I have decided on these Blackberry Prosecco Popsicles to bring the temperature down a bit...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cocktails will include.... Champagne Peach Bellini, Minty Mojitos, Tropical Ice Tea Punch, Orange Sherbet Mimosa and of course Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Champagne....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have opted to wear this red number with my favourite open heels....they will probably be kicked of soon enough...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An ice block mounted with prawns and a spicy dipping sauce is enough to keep those taste buds in a perpetual state of anticipation of what's to come....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Figs wrapped in Parma Ham...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer melon encased with slivers of smoked Salmon....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuna Tartare and refreshing cucumber....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lobster rolls...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Terrine of Rainbow Beets....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spicy Asian Meatballs....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For Dessert..... Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heat or no heat, we absolutely have to have chocolate!!! So, how about these Mudslide Truffles served in shot glasses....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer fruit abounds, and so sugared peaches and cream is a must!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The heat is on, so I am heading over to grab a glass of bubbly....to toast each and every one of our fabulous bloggers who contribute monthly to our festive "By Invitation Only" event! A Big Thank you to Marsha for hosting us all at the glamorous </span><a href="http://splenderosa.blogspot.com/2013/12/its-christmas-party-by-invitation-only.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> . Please head on over to join the party!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would like to which each and every one of you a wonderful month of holidays. Amidst the flurry of parties, shopping, cooking and all things festive, let us remember the Reason for the Season and all those less fortunate than us...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So dear friends..... Keep Calm and Love Christmas!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please regale me with a comment down below...I am all ears....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please also visit my </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tasselsandtwigs/dec-coccktail-party/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> board for all photo credits and to see what else I had in mind to eat, drink and wear....</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-29619155480278442432013-11-04T09:34:00.000-08:002013-11-04T09:36:27.494-08:00An African in Amsterdam ~ By Invitation Only<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Dear Friends!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you all know, I have been away from blogging!!! I have however, always been kept in the loop by my dear friend Marsha from </span><a href="http://splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> about what the topics were for our monthly "By Invitation Only" posts. And, when she decided that we had to have someone write us a blog post who is NOT a blogger, I thought this was the perfect opportunity for a re-opening post!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My son, Byron is studying towards his Honors in Philosophy at Stellenbosch University is on a student exchange to Amsterdam University for six months. So, I have naturally been keeping in touch via Blackberry Messenger, Whats app, Skype, Face Book, email...you name it!!!!! What would we have done without the wonder of technology!!! I even receive pics of him shopping, his dinner, his washing...you get the drift.....sigh.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I also receive regular updates on the partying, the weather, and requests for recipes, etc! So, I asked Byron to write a lil something of what he gets up to over in Amsterdam...apart from party vibe, that is....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, over to Byron</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t blog!!!! I am so painfully self-reflective that
I’m likely to write more about the emotional experience of journaling than I am
to actually journal.... But, having left behind my friends, family and home
comforts to study a world away in Europe’s most liberal city, the compulsion to
write something about it is well, irresistible… <o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<strong>Here Byron is with his sister Jacqui in Johannesburg en route to Amsterdam via Munchen!!!!</strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong> </strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>The
first thing that hit me about Amsterdam, after dealing with the stress of
picking up my moolah at the airport, is the many means of transport… this may
seem mundane but I assure you it is not, especially coming from a country whose
public transport is often harrowing at best. Better than Amsterdam’s impeccably
clean trains and busses are Amsterdam’s trams which seem to glide miraculously
over the cobbled streets like busy blue centipedes… (they always seem more
animal to me than machine). The other famous Amsterdam transportation machine
of course are bicycles which are everywhere… by the third week my motley crew
of international student friends resembled a dangerously drunk and
bewilderingly cosmopolitan bicycle gang, cycling en mass (there are about
twenty of us) from bar to bar…<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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I would have much trouble locating my bike, I struggle to remember where I parked my car when I come out the mall!!!!!</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Amsterdam’s
traditional “brown-bars” are a treat, but their beers are rather small (a
result of the general expensiveness of the city, though some may use it as an
excuse to mock a drunken Dutchman for impotence). We made our home at Café de
Geiter, a tiny student bar on Korte Leidsedwarsstraat , often crowded, but the best
place to get riled up before heading to Melkweg or Odeon to dance… incidentally,
be careful of Amsterdam bouncers/barman if you have a sparkling personality
like mine. Despite being a de Geiter regular I have regularly been refused
service for having had “too much”, something which has never happened to me in
my home city of Cape Town where, I can assure you, I can afford to get more
slizzard a lot quicker than I can on impotent miniature beer charged in Euros.
Without the intervention of one of my girlfrewnds (misspelt for effect)
bouncers at clubs are similarly reticent, sometimes before I have even begun
the evening… It is one of those Amsterdam dichotomies: open prostitution, and
the smell of weed every couple meters on the street, but don’t you dare appear
tipsy or at all “out of it”…<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway,
Amsterdam isn’t all about going from bar to nightclub (unless you’re 23)… her
many magical parks and hundreds of pretty canals make Amsterdam every bit as
romantic and relaxing a city as Paris, if that’s the side of the city you
choose to see. Ironically the red light district is actually one of the
quaintest parts of the city (it is easy to avert your eyes from the prostitutes
if you are so inclined). The Venice of the North is a good place to wonder from
shop to shop, including the fanciest China-town I’ve ever seen (around Zeedijk)
and the coolest little art galleries and café’s in the Jordaan. It is easy to
lose sight of all these things though, when one is a South African student
living 10 kilometers from the center and juggling university and the incessant
partying of European friends on a restricted budget of 600 Euros a month. But I
can testify that despite is notorious expensiveness Amsterdam can still rock
your socks off on such a budget. Amsterdam it seems is many things, to some it
is the heart of sleaze, to others it is bars and parties and to others it is an
undeniable cente of culture with Museums and galleries and an indie music
scene that one needs to live two lives to keep up with…</span></strong> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmODhVDdROBEnYcH5V8D1K0ihepiOW5h8N9MitnG_sXesDGyCmf2epS0tQMn8dSf9v2PbRzUM53tmjoS9xEt3cXIIMgdpjiBBYiOMWtt0UGwC0b8z9jcUylN19ZYFtdy7M6AT1CMX7rc/s1600/1238295_10200938514400923_13162717_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmODhVDdROBEnYcH5V8D1K0ihepiOW5h8N9MitnG_sXesDGyCmf2epS0tQMn8dSf9v2PbRzUM53tmjoS9xEt3cXIIMgdpjiBBYiOMWtt0UGwC0b8z9jcUylN19ZYFtdy7M6AT1CMX7rc/s640/1238295_10200938514400923_13162717_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9yyXMXDNE2P1A_TtWCCOJxGRSJtl-U7Z8kWm9xmHADRbCwS0zzwhMV-tLeS5LTmMqL8B4Zi0RU4tIgSHb98SvFdnUYDb9BYL6AXa2qnvB7uAosdjlclddF2GoiIzS7A0QiTmAgepEMI/s1600/1185245_10200938254794433_869095625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9yyXMXDNE2P1A_TtWCCOJxGRSJtl-U7Z8kWm9xmHADRbCwS0zzwhMV-tLeS5LTmMqL8B4Zi0RU4tIgSHb98SvFdnUYDb9BYL6AXa2qnvB7uAosdjlclddF2GoiIzS7A0QiTmAgepEMI/s640/1185245_10200938254794433_869095625_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is incredible how quickly one is
absorbed into the local culture here, I eat more cheese and bread than I ever
have in my life, I cycle more than anyone I know, my internal map of Amsterdam
is fully updated, and I have a corresponding internal schedule of hippie, hip
hop and high art events that I struggle to keep up with (both because cycling
20km’s a day is wearing me out and because every day of the week is party day
in Amsterdam)… But if you plan better than me and need less sleep… well, see
you on the Dam in a bit? Bring your bike, and a bong… </span></span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></strong></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQcaTGVAVPHSt-RUZdEYpcaQAxjSL5vG8CYhqGqknC5O39yjwgtP2rn1W1czhuY3PrnJ591nlLgUSu_n6bPZcTmj1CB0kujURPHSLuA4Ol2qUepoaExKYCZpnnH1Cj2yZHhM48Rf0iVk/s1600/1235504_10200938236833984_1789638604_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQcaTGVAVPHSt-RUZdEYpcaQAxjSL5vG8CYhqGqknC5O39yjwgtP2rn1W1czhuY3PrnJ591nlLgUSu_n6bPZcTmj1CB0kujURPHSLuA4Ol2qUepoaExKYCZpnnH1Cj2yZHhM48Rf0iVk/s640/1235504_10200938236833984_1789638604_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Thank you B!!!!</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is your mother again....</span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I do also get updates on academics from time to time and the last message I got read like this....." Hi Ma, got 92% for my exams....came top of the class, so now I can party with a clear conscience!!!!"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My response to that....</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">" Hi B.... Wowza that is way cool....SO PROUD of YOU!!!!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">BUT.....</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">When is your thesis due?"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I got a one word response from Byron....</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Eisch"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">(which is local lingo for....Oh my goodness, don't mention that!!!)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z2By8NE5k_zAOfIsACTS2WWQNLoDusmvIz79yGGmTIH26hI-v-AY6xG5HRMLl11FdA1UFgL_WUcDF5fj4aL4dehZmJxKo8-ccNqiwXwZQ1oGn2cNpsTAjytZmYCF8m-Zu3aGcqmPYwo/s1600/1233573_10200938219553552_1082807613_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z2By8NE5k_zAOfIsACTS2WWQNLoDusmvIz79yGGmTIH26hI-v-AY6xG5HRMLl11FdA1UFgL_WUcDF5fj4aL4dehZmJxKo8-ccNqiwXwZQ1oGn2cNpsTAjytZmYCF8m-Zu3aGcqmPYwo/s640/1233573_10200938219553552_1082807613_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I live in hope that the thesis is getting the attention it is due and that the due date has not been completely forgotten!!!!!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am very proud of both my children and am so grateful for the opportunity that Byron has to study abroad! He is a very versatile young man who is passionate about the subject he is studying. He is also doing a film making course and has been chosen as Chairperson for the Humanities Exchange Student Council at the University of Amsterdam. The life lessons he will learn and the friends that he has made from all over the world as well as the memories he will take with him will just be life changing experience....</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I must just diarize the date for that Thesis....</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and perhaps join the</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Mums who needs Wine" club....</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Missing him so much, but so content that he is happy and having the time of his life.... on a budget!!!!!</span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that you know what students get up to when they are away from home hop over and enjoy all the other posts at </span></strong><a href="http://splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></strong></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Please regale me with a comment or advise on my wine selection until the thesis is safely delivered to the prof, that is....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Live Well</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Veronica</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">xxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">All pic by Byron!!!</span><br />
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-74887997238606098282013-03-05T05:51:00.000-08:002013-03-05T05:51:26.655-08:00By Invitation Only ~ To Dream the impossible Dream...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Ones!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is time for our monthly "By Invitation Post" again.... it swings by so quickly that I am sure we are on fast forward!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hosted by Marsha from </span><a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> , it is a group of bloggers from around the world who blog on a common topic that have been agreed upon. It is always interesting to see the different interpretations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, this was the brief...."Tell us the thing you have most wanted to do, reality or fantasy, and of course, money is no object"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sounds just like an invitation to share my bucket list, or at least some of it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess many bucket lists includes travelling and mine is no different!! There is a whole world to explore out there...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Living in Africa, as I do, and having experienced wild life quite often, top of the list for me would be, to experience the migration of approximately a million Wildebeest on the Masai Mara and Serengeti. The exact timing of the annual migration is a spontaneous natural phenomenon and not always easy to predict!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv6r5nMiOOEvaXT3Dn9JqS-6dUjFhJyKLKWqhPTX8wJSB98WL-5nFqxh0llaukyYFjHT9ch_UVKg8tsj2DCru3NZHZsDtWwmXLdfCRvwHb_lonUOdMhFnvvnfnyAnRAJTVueV2rg4ZBI/s1600/wildebeest_migration_da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv6r5nMiOOEvaXT3Dn9JqS-6dUjFhJyKLKWqhPTX8wJSB98WL-5nFqxh0llaukyYFjHT9ch_UVKg8tsj2DCru3NZHZsDtWwmXLdfCRvwHb_lonUOdMhFnvvnfnyAnRAJTVueV2rg4ZBI/s640/wildebeest_migration_da.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For both images see </span><a href="http://www.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://www.explorerkenya.com/images/wildebeest_migration_da.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.explorerkenya.com/maasai_mara_wildebeest_migration_safari.html&h=287&w=400&sz=18&tbnid=FXV1IBdYCa1_oM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=132&zoom=1&usg=__iTvLHAJcGfXMKuOlOg0QSijdr7o=&docid=cmCI5oQMDFhz0M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=F-U1Ueq5I8yV0QWMwIHwDA&ved=0CE8Q9QEwAg&dur=854"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE8AT8AHhgfuINe2_pkqjRZF8BB5UUSY5wK9fRcgjFfdW1o6jvFdsmlA-qvp3oPLYIRTeyPjbj6jFkugII3vN9ronuaW2s7aKyX2aZ6rr55M768uZSX4LVreHUL_3-LWoZnQH1J_btxE/s1600/wildebeestmigration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE8AT8AHhgfuINe2_pkqjRZF8BB5UUSY5wK9fRcgjFfdW1o6jvFdsmlA-qvp3oPLYIRTeyPjbj6jFkugII3vN9ronuaW2s7aKyX2aZ6rr55M768uZSX4LVreHUL_3-LWoZnQH1J_btxE/s640/wildebeestmigration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, that was the first bit...being a greedy girl that I am, I want to experience this from a huge hot air balloon, gliding effortlessly above all of the drama happening down in the river.... I don't believe that anything could top the feeling of exhilaration being able to witness this wonder of nature!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-OoZ4GsxJg0SD8aPJ4PvaU2_EP2yjCpPVBsnVi7V7QkxjhjG-DLZcqpq7_gafC16F5LkNCk2qS2vwrYRTmetmLCI7LU7LrKT-zw3fuDqCNIuJZy9MHHCstzgW_qDQfhyO5SIgYkzEJA/s1600/1-hot-air-ballooning-Olakira-Camp-Masaai-mara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-OoZ4GsxJg0SD8aPJ4PvaU2_EP2yjCpPVBsnVi7V7QkxjhjG-DLZcqpq7_gafC16F5LkNCk2qS2vwrYRTmetmLCI7LU7LrKT-zw3fuDqCNIuJZy9MHHCstzgW_qDQfhyO5SIgYkzEJA/s640/1-hot-air-ballooning-Olakira-Camp-Masaai-mara.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Image </span><a href="http://kenya.safari.co.za/Kenya_Travel_Articles-travel/ballooning-masai-mara.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Next on the list....would be a micro-flight over Victoria Falls!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can you just imagine, having a bird's eye view of the magnificent falls, feeling the spray and hearing the thunder ....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Image <a href="http://www.victoriafalls.net/explore-victoria-falls/victoria-falls/microlight.aspx">here</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After that adrenalin rush, I think a more leisurely activity is in order. So, how about we wing our way to France and hire a barge. Cruising down the canal Du Midi perhaps, although it would be hard to choose which one to do!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But, chugging along a canal with the promise a wine and glorious food up the hill in the picturesque little village is beyond dream worthy!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Image </span><a href="https://www.google.co.za/search?q=barging+in+france&hl=en&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=kus1UbWCHOOm0AXOkoFI&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1536&bih=708#imgrc=2M74B6qSr2AkOM%3A%3B0dYn7jw2LFPnXM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fstatic.orient-express.com%252Ffrance%252Fimages%252F720x300images%252Ffrance_720x300_luxury_barges02.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.afloatinfrance.com%252Fweb%252Ftaif%252Fafloat_in_france_introduction.jsp%3B720%3B300"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After slumming it in the country, I think we need some city lights, so why don't we head to Paris! Hire an apartment in the First Arrondisement or even Rue Montorgueil in the Second. I will happily shop and cook what I have gathered at various markets, starting with my favourite market at Boulevard Richard Lenoir, a bit of a walk but it means I can indulge!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Image </span><a href="https://www.google.co.za/search?q=rue+montorgueil&hl=en&safe=off&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=u-01UYDXJ9OBhQeQ6IH4Aw&sqi=2&ved=0CE4QsAQ&biw=1536&bih=708#imgrc=B-t9hNUhQrns9M%3A%3BcB9zOVsQQwcaMM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F_9-_Fa1cWdPU%252FTGt1-mwm6yI%252FAAAAAAAAAoI%252FvHD5qythXkQ%252Fs1600%252Frue_montorgueil.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fparismissives.blogspot.com%252F2010%252F08%252Ffrenchie-restaurant-review.html%3B592%3B376"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">South Africa is a magnificent country and I would love to jump in my car, with no plan at all, and do a road trip along the coast, all the way up to the Kruger Park and end just in time to see the hatching of the Sea Turtles in Kosi Bay and watch them race down to the ocean in their flip flop manner of new hatchlings....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Image </span><a href="http://www.extremenaturetours.co.za/St_Lucia_Turtle_Tours/Kosi_Bay_Turtle_Tours.htm"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would dearly love the opportunity to star in the musical Chicago and I have some fab ideas to re- choreograph the Cell Block Tango!!!! Serious day dream believing going on here....*sighs* for now I turn up my car radio and blast fellow commuters with some razzle dazzle sounds, bobbing about in Noddy (car)....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have started to write my memoirs and would like to finish them sooner rather than later, although there might have to be a sequel...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just a few sprigs from my "To Do" list...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, do visit the other bloggers by following the link at the top of this post!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Please leave your comments below and feel free to add your own list!</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-9701081696155649072013-03-05T03:33:00.000-08:002013-03-05T03:33:05.352-08:00For the Love of a Leaf!!! ~ Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been some time since I have done a gardening post! The inspiration struck when one of my followers, on Twitter, asked about iconic indigenous (South African) foliage!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, he immediately got my mind racing and I have a few pics that have been sitting in files, obviously waiting, just for this moment....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, not all of these are indigenous to South Africa but they are some of my favourite leaves for various reasons. I will indicate the indigenous ones as I go along.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How does one choose a favourite child? Well, I feel the same about these...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arum Lily ~ Zantedeschia aethiopica ~ leaves are just gorgeous. Have a look at these, in my neighbour's garden. Glossy arrow-shaped and frilly! A single one in a vase is a work of art! Then add the creamy bloom atop a flashy stem and you won't be able to avert your eyes....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luscious...aren't they just?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgUz8ZerXaRNA53iBftLBaUuQWtssALbNQ4Ooq1oV5H-U5leU-f0Xb1-gKBMcJNMZ25km4gN4iZq4UEbe_a_xqB3laVgqtIWMyCZBfS7c9HA3RX9dF67pR1vGnPLaUCZP6IJi2tv4Bts/s1600/247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgUz8ZerXaRNA53iBftLBaUuQWtssALbNQ4Ooq1oV5H-U5leU-f0Xb1-gKBMcJNMZ25km4gN4iZq4UEbe_a_xqB3laVgqtIWMyCZBfS7c9HA3RX9dF67pR1vGnPLaUCZP6IJi2tv4Bts/s640/247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below, in the vase! Have a look at the underside of the leaves, you could turn them over and they are just as gorgeous!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnMGgvqfKorKVkomkeaKGNsJqJfOSRteWr9xdoahDY8-s06GHGYDnkYhIXJv4oyToEtivIVDbGvCDdWNIbt8xShfVx7-vd8S8Mm9HCktqsTX3SmqVnuNxhv_GsbfPgIEgeTyEm8C6Hoo/s1600/2012-08-31+orchids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnMGgvqfKorKVkomkeaKGNsJqJfOSRteWr9xdoahDY8-s06GHGYDnkYhIXJv4oyToEtivIVDbGvCDdWNIbt8xShfVx7-vd8S8Mm9HCktqsTX3SmqVnuNxhv_GsbfPgIEgeTyEm8C6Hoo/s640/2012-08-31+orchids.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During spring the hills of the Tygerberg and the roadside is ablaze in purple and yellow. Lupins ~Lupinus luteus ~ pop up all over the place and in my garden. They are always a welcome surprise. Also known as the Miracle Bean, it is widely grown as a cash crop, alternative to soy! I am not sure that it is indigenous, but we certainly welcome them. I adore the shape of the leaves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little umbrellas adorned with morning dew that catch the sun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below, is a happy coincidence that happened one spring. A purple lupin perfectly partnered with a deep velvety maroon Ranunculus! Perfection!!! Just goes to show, all the amount of planning in the world can not foresee the bounty that nature will offer of Her own accord....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iIbwTPfAXmNBjO3aS0Mp1QmDgiMySdbk5ceG8HE3fpY1E1RLxhZkTr19QQcV_E37arO__HPBR8Fh3ytYTpWz_WY3ydDjgU7Fke2lI5gHJcz2NlUT8EIjdU8DB8zROWNqIj5_-Bvn8GU/s1600/IMG_0270-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iIbwTPfAXmNBjO3aS0Mp1QmDgiMySdbk5ceG8HE3fpY1E1RLxhZkTr19QQcV_E37arO__HPBR8Fh3ytYTpWz_WY3ydDjgU7Fke2lI5gHJcz2NlUT8EIjdU8DB8zROWNqIj5_-Bvn8GU/s640/IMG_0270-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now below, we have a painted work of art! One single leaf and look at the intrigue it delivers!!! A variegated Pelargonium that produces red flowers, I can not remember its name, but it sure is a showstopper!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below, we have Pelargonium Tomentosum with velvety soft, beautiful lobes leaves. Run your fingers over it and the heavenly peppermint fragrance clings to your skin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Giant Strelitzia Nicolai has magnificent leathery leaves. Below, is a young leaf catching the sun. Of course, as they grow bigger, the wind shreds the leaves and one of my favourite sounds, is the wind playing through the serrated leaves of the Nicolai! I know I am home, when I fall asleep to the shoooosh shooooosh sound of the Strilitzia!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a closer look...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took this photograph whilst stalking birds, and I never looked at the common Comprosma Repens with the same eyes again! Commonly known as the Mirror Bush and native to New Zealand but grows like a weed here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">An intricate work of lace, perfect in every way....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TqrLqzW3q0O0khYwD4nqeKJcEyckift-YZ7tRH_ZOIfgJ7lvP5l0hxvhBHWYjDBXDsRD5DRLg6bDH9_4LohTzvw7HLA8Mzv04fCBNTktqRk-LWLkR7hZEDre9eV6ixcqkSmH2qwni2I/s1600/April+2012+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TqrLqzW3q0O0khYwD4nqeKJcEyckift-YZ7tRH_ZOIfgJ7lvP5l0hxvhBHWYjDBXDsRD5DRLg6bDH9_4LohTzvw7HLA8Mzv04fCBNTktqRk-LWLkR7hZEDre9eV6ixcqkSmH2qwni2I/s640/April+2012+072.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fleshy leaves of Agave Attentuta always invites me to run my fingers over it as I walk on by. Native to Mexico, of course, I can not think of a garden without it and it falls firmly into my category of "designer plants"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have seen it teamed with English lavender in the foreground with the most astonishing effect!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeQAFM2XPs3P4vnIghLoEkT9qoacJxhSLs83eV1xj4tMoSVh4qRacrZXGOVMH8bkmV-fwIE2GzB2oVC9C0eRPkk3rIG9r6K_s1ZpZ2cMhT4tVtuogLx6v95CdFETCsxu6lXDeRr74Cls/s1600/birdss+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeQAFM2XPs3P4vnIghLoEkT9qoacJxhSLs83eV1xj4tMoSVh4qRacrZXGOVMH8bkmV-fwIE2GzB2oVC9C0eRPkk3rIG9r6K_s1ZpZ2cMhT4tVtuogLx6v95CdFETCsxu6lXDeRr74Cls/s640/birdss+017.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Designer plant indeed!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3-4Bdf22XbhXc8P9Dtg3Sp6o62VyOJrVFKNOv7JkBjnVwHDKHGPaJktpX-3V6KYZWyDCq-Nh8TmdZ1IuiscAiHRXWboDxVl39RcyccPxQAeL608TnaS0eciNfTSTMjB-nTilnmaGNhI/s1600/march+2012+329-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3-4Bdf22XbhXc8P9Dtg3Sp6o62VyOJrVFKNOv7JkBjnVwHDKHGPaJktpX-3V6KYZWyDCq-Nh8TmdZ1IuiscAiHRXWboDxVl39RcyccPxQAeL608TnaS0eciNfTSTMjB-nTilnmaGNhI/s640/march+2012+329-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have so many more to share with you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was hunting down my photos, that I know I have of Sparmannia Africana, but could not find them. They are lurking about in some forgotten place, so will share them just as soon as I locate them. I can nip outside and take some but want the flowers as well, and its not in flower now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, look out for the next instalment of " For the Love of a Leaf"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you have any favourites?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please share your thoughts and favourites in the comment box below...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can also find us on Face Book in the sidebar of this blog and soon to be on Twitter as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will keep you posted</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-17493878285255784742013-02-05T01:10:00.001-08:002013-02-05T01:13:51.982-08:00By Invitation Only ~ What Inspires You...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Friends!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have had untold problems with blogger that silenced me for a while now....How I have missed all the interaction!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am most grateful that all the gremlins seems to be sorted out... and not a moment to soon either, or I would have missed, yet again, posting in our monthly "By Invitation Only" hosted by Marsha from </span><a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgO1xOAQSgwM9I0CDz6TTzCaIrus15zSai72LaYnbFAFwtT8j865jBG17rJtHJ7HLRKjTZPhz4b9mEm8tMZGZiAATO5pP76-4MAVsK1ipHQPR8JMNz0NZt0kt6Z69rwkvwM35igDH7yk/s1600/By+Invitation+Only+SMALL+ICON.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgO1xOAQSgwM9I0CDz6TTzCaIrus15zSai72LaYnbFAFwtT8j865jBG17rJtHJ7HLRKjTZPhz4b9mEm8tMZGZiAATO5pP76-4MAVsK1ipHQPR8JMNz0NZt0kt6Z69rwkvwM35igDH7yk/s400/By+Invitation+Only+SMALL+ICON.png" width="371" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The topic for this months is, "What Inspires You"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of my inspiration comes from this amazing place that I get to call home....Cape Town!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only is there the magnificent natural splendour and beauty to greet me every single morning but the people of this city are an inspiration as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No matter how life has got me down and out, when I see this view below, it always stops me in my tracks, I gasp (still, after almost 28 years) and say a prayer of thanksgiving for the wonders of nature and that God has placed me here on the tip of Africa...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCj6OkTlc9v7om7KcNlb4MH54TMLQwOaSPu18wKS7KAYuPb8vEye1cH5NRtGjjLf3A7DAzACwbdlW-cAhSCUW7WZkTU_hyphenhyphenk9gBj_Es-5qC6O1_xMT1NalJm9uPsx9JSv8iTK2rWd-stQ/s1600/118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCj6OkTlc9v7om7KcNlb4MH54TMLQwOaSPu18wKS7KAYuPb8vEye1cH5NRtGjjLf3A7DAzACwbdlW-cAhSCUW7WZkTU_hyphenhyphenk9gBj_Es-5qC6O1_xMT1NalJm9uPsx9JSv8iTK2rWd-stQ/s640/118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I never tire of photographing it, in all its moods. It is an ever changing picture through out the day, and sometimes, I just wonder to the window to see what it looks like right now, at that moment. In fact, its a reflex action and happens a few times a day!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sunsets over Table Mountain is something to behold. The looming presence of our Table is an integral part of our daily life in The Mother City. When we travel and return home you always hear the excitement of everyone looking for the mountain...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVD-Xa6_K3fXEISNl0uje7dbo5NFevX_oKlW5Al1GTAPfUDSBBgscWpPnlryzWlwVYWg_7NOqByL_lJNn-IiaSmpmr8411Zl2LzeJiA6G9aEW490VipF0B1qlvg144w8ZT67EROjPixXQ/s1600/Blouberg+164-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVD-Xa6_K3fXEISNl0uje7dbo5NFevX_oKlW5Al1GTAPfUDSBBgscWpPnlryzWlwVYWg_7NOqByL_lJNn-IiaSmpmr8411Zl2LzeJiA6G9aEW490VipF0B1qlvg144w8ZT67EROjPixXQ/s640/Blouberg+164-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Off, course, the ocean with all it's mystique is another daily inspiration.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQIol_h39Gty8xtheRGet-nJ_uZ5lfnQ70JEvVWn3cG6b0nqdHwhxhrAxZbNUntH5PIjoWbA1T_kHU-uJle9cWgX4_QZRXqlg6kl9JvBPljUUOHjSkaPKdN4Cy5CfiYci6ccj01Lhqmw/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQIol_h39Gty8xtheRGet-nJ_uZ5lfnQ70JEvVWn3cG6b0nqdHwhxhrAxZbNUntH5PIjoWbA1T_kHU-uJle9cWgX4_QZRXqlg6kl9JvBPljUUOHjSkaPKdN4Cy5CfiYci6ccj01Lhqmw/s640/046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you ever look at a sunset and not dream...? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a huge love of warm glowy colours, as you know. Where better, than to find colour inspiration than in the sunsets of my days...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwMQZVE0yPfEN9UxfBQbwolKl633CI84uT7M3_SB772Z7F_y17O8xkeHAWoAUtjYqaV5Rsf23BECuFfNWTb7lkoujFecSvm-2iXzGAr1iTAbHHy8zQbXHKMPrsR2CzKzImAU1KRxBXb4/s1600/091-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwMQZVE0yPfEN9UxfBQbwolKl633CI84uT7M3_SB772Z7F_y17O8xkeHAWoAUtjYqaV5Rsf23BECuFfNWTb7lkoujFecSvm-2iXzGAr1iTAbHHy8zQbXHKMPrsR2CzKzImAU1KRxBXb4/s640/091-004.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seeing life through my camera lens is an endless inspiration....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5-_KCuAlWtlajhiHAuUWiGVnyIbRmXaanCx5OpyWDb-5nwTktHscCKVCNYMkDhCcsKyc6wek-UWjpGtYNOzjYrKx4lb6jKQMWF1ZNipxokid7VEGrju-QOKWzfphcPKXjfpq7_9XAh4/s1600/095-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5-_KCuAlWtlajhiHAuUWiGVnyIbRmXaanCx5OpyWDb-5nwTktHscCKVCNYMkDhCcsKyc6wek-UWjpGtYNOzjYrKx4lb6jKQMWF1ZNipxokid7VEGrju-QOKWzfphcPKXjfpq7_9XAh4/s640/095-005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course, living by the ocean we do not need much of an excuse or invitation to sip cocktails while the sun sets over our mountain and ocean...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7-UpVp4CUr3IcW9JW1fkDuOxLIMcUfHhRpFnSUWhVpMybbnw7tmbxusv2HkRkS1wF6Dz7MYM6aocCgSJVDLm-9n4UwMrvcXA2_oRJFJhn09Dpmm9p-ZfH9upyX6tU_TNx4sizJaIrtc/s1600/2011-09-18+Japie+Tuin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7-UpVp4CUr3IcW9JW1fkDuOxLIMcUfHhRpFnSUWhVpMybbnw7tmbxusv2HkRkS1wF6Dz7MYM6aocCgSJVDLm-9n4UwMrvcXA2_oRJFJhn09Dpmm9p-ZfH9upyX6tU_TNx4sizJaIrtc/s640/2011-09-18+Japie+Tuin.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Fractured Sun...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFkh20MRJvugs246Wz4g5acBbbQDsLwQgykTVcwg3aVrKgPJwiCLNu1TUBqB1YT2ME_Mawue6tDROqnNZ2Skx4gwNY_XZE7stGqC3vTaR3YMjtOrGZKfVPlr06e3UxVsm3VhicXJFIzA/s1600/jozi+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFkh20MRJvugs246Wz4g5acBbbQDsLwQgykTVcwg3aVrKgPJwiCLNu1TUBqB1YT2ME_Mawue6tDROqnNZ2Skx4gwNY_XZE7stGqC3vTaR3YMjtOrGZKfVPlr06e3UxVsm3VhicXJFIzA/s640/jozi+100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The people of our city are well known for their friendly open and welcoming ways! Some of them live very simply and have few possessions, yet they greet you with smiles that can turn on the sun instantly on the grimmest of stormy winter days!!!! There ain't nothing that can beat an African smile!!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWwnb05pruSVUBRKZZvyPvB2HLSznZm7IJ7wT86h3AC6Lce1nuBtWdZeHi-slf4gJ4JrPHfxZGuHhtlCuGOo-pI6N1TIxOA2QR8FwDqmWcj70ac9ZzDiiqUVrOOt8ysg2ri4Nn33Pqx4/s1600/mistrels+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWwnb05pruSVUBRKZZvyPvB2HLSznZm7IJ7wT86h3AC6Lce1nuBtWdZeHi-slf4gJ4JrPHfxZGuHhtlCuGOo-pI6N1TIxOA2QR8FwDqmWcj70ac9ZzDiiqUVrOOt8ysg2ri4Nn33Pqx4/s640/mistrels+110.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And going through all my photos now, I realise that I don't have enough photos of beautiful African smiles.....I have just been inspired to go out and capture a few more of those gorgeous smiles!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Being a gardener, I am always inspired by plants, particularly the shape, textures and fragrance of leaves...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our floral kingdom is quite simply vast especially in the Western Cape. We are blessed with so much nature that it is difficult not to find inspiration...not only for art, photography but for daily living...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Travel inspires everyone who has a map and takes to the road, of that I am pretty sure....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the most inspirational moments for me was when I lay on the floor of the Duomo in Florence to study Brunelleschi's Magnificent dome....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breathtaking, isn't it just?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, where to draw the line on this topic of what inspires me....I could go on and on...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">People like Madiba, Desmond Tutu, Leonard Cohen, Jack Vetrianno, my beautiful children, my son's music, poetry and specifically the slam poets, dance in all it forms, beautiful friends, fresh produce, the amazing wine lands that surrounds us...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am truly blessed to be here at this moment in time and to be aware of the world and what inspires me to look forward to another amazing day...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The windmills of my mind is a fabulous place...a place where...Leonard Cohen tune on my lips, Vetrianno strokes my eyes, Gibran feeds my soul, Don Perignon lets me taste the stars while Pacino Tangos my feet....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Live an inspired Life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Find it all around you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Listen to the rhythm of Life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feel the pull of Nature</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay Blessed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, hop on over to <a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/">Splenderosa</a> to find out what inspires the rest of the amazing blogettes who contribute from around the world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">All comments about what inspres you are most welcome... i am all ears... xxx</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-3916268996465464792012-12-24T04:37:00.000-08:002012-12-24T04:37:20.978-08:00Merry Christmas to All!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Friends!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My wish for Christmas is simple....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joy...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to All my family, friends, followers and readers!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqxMP18dkoekHOjCeZo-Kx2z7bXRPuQEWoWxH33I85irij_2E6uNFTUHsUK4f9giCGQ_oG_sVDiFwPylo_4OlNAivgtsvMaiivDZydNP8NpRgxXAIEThpFXBh7gVUapwP2QdQnLEeVr8/s1600/xmas+405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqxMP18dkoekHOjCeZo-Kx2z7bXRPuQEWoWxH33I85irij_2E6uNFTUHsUK4f9giCGQ_oG_sVDiFwPylo_4OlNAivgtsvMaiivDZydNP8NpRgxXAIEThpFXBh7gVUapwP2QdQnLEeVr8/s640/xmas+405.JPG" width="382" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let there be peace on earth....and let it begin with ME...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blessings and Love to all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-38727627560238623092012-12-04T01:51:00.001-08:002012-12-04T01:52:23.702-08:00By Invitation Only ~ The Best Christmas Ever!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Festive Hello to one and all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems impossible that a year has flown and that we are all decorating for Christmas again, scurrying about in the kitchen and shopping up a storm!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I confess that it sometimes seems a mad dash back and forth, but alas, I love, love it all to bits! Some days you collapse in a tired bundle and think...why the craziness, but, it only lasts for a lil bit and you good to go, adrenaline pumping!! You all know the vibe...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is our "Feast de Resistance" at "By Invitation Only" hosted by beautiful Marsha </span><a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seemed hard to top last year's post but the grand lady came up with a lovely topic. We had to tell you about our best Christmas Ever, or a Fantasy Christmas and include a tangible gift that we would give! Quite a story... So, my post will be a mixed bag!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am fifty years old but at Christmas I am like a kid!! And of course, Christmas music is all around ...this is a favourite...</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ru-rUTM09jI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, there is no snow here as we are in the middle of summer and December is... sand, sea and sun for us! I would love to experience a Christmas in a snowy location! It looks soo romantic...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For us, Christmas starts with a family picnic in the splendid setting of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens around the 16 th Dec to join thousands of Cape Tonians for Carols by Candle Light!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many international artists have performed here and proclaim it to be the most stunning stage in the shadow of Teddy Bear Mountain! It is a magical setting..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We arrive early and usually have various Marimba bands for entertainment until the sun sets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A luscious picnic is carried by all and traditionally includes </span><a href="http://tidbitsfortastebuds.blogspot.com/2012/11/fig-salad-total-bliss-and-sexiest-salad.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fig Salad</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ! Salmon Gradvalax which I cure for three days, strawberries, a variety of cheese, baguettes, chocolates and lots of bubbly to fuel the singing !!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two years ago on the very day of our picnic, my son, Byron, thought it appropriate to break his little toe!!! Mid preparations I had to rush him to hospital and the, now legendary toe had to be set! Much panic ensued, as he is a dancer and it had to be straight! We waited to see if surgery would be needed but thankfully all was fine! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This did not deter us and here he is with my gorgeous daughter Jacquie after a slow and arduous trek of 45 minutes, aided by his big sister, from the car to our picnic spot, in good cheer and they are singing their hearts out!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is such a magical moment when the crowd, here, about twelve thousand strong, waves their candles and breaks into Silent Night....goose bump stuff....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The time leading up to Christmas, after the Carols is spent in holiday mode in our splendid Mother City, Cape Town, where there is so much to do and see!!! We are so incredibly blessed to be here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At home we decorate a few trees to dot around the house. I ususally do one on my own for the formal lounge. A fresh Pine branch is decorated by the family after Christmas Carols. We love the house filled with its fragrance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also started a tradition whereby, I have a tree that takes up to Christmas to decorate. Everyone who visits House Tassels during December, gets to hang something on the tree and by Christmas it looks splendid!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christmas Eve is when we ususally had our extended family celebrations, and when I was married, I entertained the family to a formal three course dinner that included all the trimmings for around forty people!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, the best Christmas I have ever had and also my absolute fantasy...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few years ago, we decided to do a camping trip through the Kruger National Park! Now, doing a trip like this in December is pure craziness as it is often 45 C Degrees plus with almost 100 percent humidity. Not for the fainthearted!!! But, we did it!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started at the South end of the park and moved our very large family tent, no less than seven times, to different camps! The reason why, was that we wanted to see the newborn animals. Sadly, I do not have pictures to post!!! But can you just imagine for a moment... those stuffed little giraffes, lion cubs, little zebras and buck come to life! Cute lil warthogs scurrying about with their taught little tails erect, like mini antennas! Loads of ooohsss and aaahs emanated from our car. Little elephants being shooed along with mammas trunk, the matriarch keeping an eye on us, making sure that the brood is save!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We packed all our Christmas Presents and a tiny little Christmas tree in!! Can you believe it!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Christmas eve, we were camping in Satara towards the north of the Kruger Park. A very rustic camp. We arrived, pitched the tent and sorted our camp site. We were only staying for one night at this location, but, that did not deter us from putting up our Christmas tree and everyone put </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">their gifts under the tree. There was a storm brewing... as the sun set, dark ominous clouds rolled in and lightning lit up the sky! It was unbearably hot and this camp did not even have a pool, so, we took cold showers every so often to cool ourselves. The fire was lit for the evening braai (BBQ) and we battened down the tent in preparation of the storm!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As night fell, a full moon overhead, lightning lit the sky and the sound of thunder was punctuated by the locals drums, in the distance, with the village signing Christmas Carols in their mother tongue. As if, on cue, a pride of lions, who is always close at Satara roared .... My daughter, Jacquie turned around, she was about sixteen at the time, and said... " Mom, it doesn't get any better than this, does it?" I turned to her and said... " No, darling it doesn't!!" This is a real Christmas in the bush close to all the wonderful creatures that God has blessed us with here at the Tip of Africa!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was my magical Christmas Moment and one that I do not think can ever be topped!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlrAeZoVil_5_nacTHDRhn1_-uUhYa8jckZE4hc4evunwspjEDnehQNet36hLnLdVctYWh_rSQWDP83Vx1IIL5zbHJ6BC02bH1BJhievQgNNttxgHJMe99LTYRlGqZXFW_O2jgxiJpMA/s1600/Mistrals+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlrAeZoVil_5_nacTHDRhn1_-uUhYa8jckZE4hc4evunwspjEDnehQNet36hLnLdVctYWh_rSQWDP83Vx1IIL5zbHJ6BC02bH1BJhievQgNNttxgHJMe99LTYRlGqZXFW_O2jgxiJpMA/s640/Mistrals+049.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The one tangible gift I would give....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over here in Cape Town, our local radio station KFM, runs a Christmas Wish program. If you know someone with a need, any thing at all, you can send the story to KFM and they might make it happen. The person who is given the "gift" is rung live on radio and informed that their friend has told them, that for instance, they wanted to study to be a nurse but could not afford it! And then, they are told that their wish has come true!! It is usually in the morning during rush hour traffic and we have seen grown men moved to tears in the traffic!! People's houses who have burnt down has been given new ones, much needed surgery has been given for free by doctors, etc , etc... Read more </span><a href="http://wish.kfm.co.za/readwishes.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would love to be the one to give someone a reunion with their father/mother or family memeber that they have not seen in twenty years!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There will be so many wonderful posts for you to read and be part of , so hop over to </span><a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to share in the magic!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiBf-PjgIqMRcs6uxtfOrdOhPPilJW-V5_h8oJelZgcjQT9UcbrzSII7MBFHtc6AZyE4Q6qPaz7ghJYFlk705nkpuuBcMRJB5tMzzbQtdlMd7S_YhRsI_c_2Zqig4R3W44zV6g7iLeNE/s1600/various+578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiBf-PjgIqMRcs6uxtfOrdOhPPilJW-V5_h8oJelZgcjQT9UcbrzSII7MBFHtc6AZyE4Q6qPaz7ghJYFlk705nkpuuBcMRJB5tMzzbQtdlMd7S_YhRsI_c_2Zqig4R3W44zV6g7iLeNE/s640/various+578.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your precious company!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish each and every one of you a magical Christmas!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May this be the one that would top all others in the memory department!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVj8gmUA-3bPZTPz0s_bTF-prqwUHNhgwNomRaKhYgLk4Op4_OBHhMHyVv9NqgCuURASG3wJVLx7HdUOQxWmku4jb8wcm9ruuXt4xeNQo1wVb0it7QEt7lnihhiiojr4bxw8jSM1sbKA/s1600/Dec+2011+355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVj8gmUA-3bPZTPz0s_bTF-prqwUHNhgwNomRaKhYgLk4Op4_OBHhMHyVv9NqgCuURASG3wJVLx7HdUOQxWmku4jb8wcm9ruuXt4xeNQo1wVb0it7QEt7lnihhiiojr4bxw8jSM1sbKA/s640/Dec+2011+355.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sending you all, much love and good Christmas Cheer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well and make Memories</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please regale me with a comment below....I am all ears...</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-57459860554278393972012-11-26T06:45:00.001-08:002012-11-26T06:47:07.346-08:00Amazing Outdoor "Rooms"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Dear Friends!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer is officially making herself at home in Cape Town and the best place to be in this Magic City of ours, is of course, outdoors!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It made me want to visit some of the amazing outdoor rooms on my </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/tasselsandtwigs/outdoor-rooms/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinterest Board ~ Outdoor Rooms!</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTWifYHMn3AsEtoCPrgv2FNt6Iiow2mHI5racrQvVmEmY6dT7_jjGR79Esc2_pFeQLGnjylRfbvHNnLp494RgyDn8g93lvj6bLTnh_Iv0cEd3-qnNNq3TPf34YLjoMyAFJ3ox9U-yOwA/s1600/41658365273527706_0sGcBd2Z_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTWifYHMn3AsEtoCPrgv2FNt6Iiow2mHI5racrQvVmEmY6dT7_jjGR79Esc2_pFeQLGnjylRfbvHNnLp494RgyDn8g93lvj6bLTnh_Iv0cEd3-qnNNq3TPf34YLjoMyAFJ3ox9U-yOwA/s640/41658365273527706_0sGcBd2Z_c.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This luscious space was created by Tony Duquette</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can see us having a tropical dinner here. How about those ginger jars? Are you taking it all in? Well, hop over <a href="http://loveisspeed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/best-of-best-tony-duquette.html">here (click please)</a> to see more of this designer, but be warned it will take a while to get through each room!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">While you look through those rooms, I am going to take my Bubbly and head down here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This might just be "The Mother of All "Outdoor spaces I have ever had the pleasure of drooling over!! Who needs to go home? Its all here!! Imagine how romantic this is at sunset....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a bit of solitude and a good read with a cuppa...this little nook will do nicely, thank you!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KsmDbdOqLEPMej-GEARdBAn7FP-VyaQRe7Hp7gSpSAx5kIDJuGxMrzhaFP64u7KAIMC1P4jMkzqL7pg39LDuIwRozNi1RzRNJrovQVSWbvyuBq1-gp8YmCGloUTZuWLcA6RUT1bI35M/s1600/15058979974157217_uC90vOcD_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KsmDbdOqLEPMej-GEARdBAn7FP-VyaQRe7Hp7gSpSAx5kIDJuGxMrzhaFP64u7KAIMC1P4jMkzqL7pg39LDuIwRozNi1RzRNJrovQVSWbvyuBq1-gp8YmCGloUTZuWLcA6RUT1bI35M/s640/15058979974157217_uC90vOcD_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Autumn colours, and of course I am sold!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add figs to the table, wine and bread and we have a party!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This setting is every inch "Me"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-itAIxMnsNein_9jDD9p_3T0bDXPi2kLqq0t1ivyXpnELT4GOpiHiQWdl4uafnjl_Fi4EdJKJu5ubv0y2i-sBi2x-zSkTTnA9OcZ497BZbrgxyChas3hyphenhyphenJo1E-Qlz8OvPjFMKfyd5n0/s1600/124834220892517391_wBxhUkzp_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-itAIxMnsNein_9jDD9p_3T0bDXPi2kLqq0t1ivyXpnELT4GOpiHiQWdl4uafnjl_Fi4EdJKJu5ubv0y2i-sBi2x-zSkTTnA9OcZ497BZbrgxyChas3hyphenhyphenJo1E-Qlz8OvPjFMKfyd5n0/s640/124834220892517391_wBxhUkzp_c.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am putting this on my "Outdoor To DO" list!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For my next home, I want a mirror outdoors, surrounded by a Ticky Creeper!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have had my eye on the that console table for years and saw a similar one in a local store! Of course, I felt that I was scaling down and where would I put it??? But, voilà, problem solved!! Outdoors, of course!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, of course we all love those altar candlestick lamps...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfTMZAKOZsRq8eXQgHTrbsZDkMcXpJIcdXBCykjPTenhXz6V4iST3lA56Yyggi2bIug2bexhs3kL3TIGykXWU3d52U_jJ-LKGzdwcDXKZAHgrgj1Ggo3P74X938SOxyPD7WPc31Wnyvo/s1600/272467846176530747_yRJ1Wpdz_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfTMZAKOZsRq8eXQgHTrbsZDkMcXpJIcdXBCykjPTenhXz6V4iST3lA56Yyggi2bIug2bexhs3kL3TIGykXWU3d52U_jJ-LKGzdwcDXKZAHgrgj1Ggo3P74X938SOxyPD7WPc31Wnyvo/s640/272467846176530747_yRJ1Wpdz_c.jpg" width="486" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Green and gorgeous! Are you looking at the lantern?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thought so! The contrasting grey conifers is a genius touch!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Such an elegant space.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJ6nDhE2IGxZwyrnnC1ydFBEVIHka3UE1Msu50oWXHVhyiEM-dC7-nLbg-czzNCfw6oTCvslOGEdHecGVToA_ObzLVk_UFCaoryYxUX9HJxtU9bOn2aTkB3sbo1gyJL58nMRR0mZXKYw/s1600/216735800787742202_PMNc4Gkp_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJ6nDhE2IGxZwyrnnC1ydFBEVIHka3UE1Msu50oWXHVhyiEM-dC7-nLbg-czzNCfw6oTCvslOGEdHecGVToA_ObzLVk_UFCaoryYxUX9HJxtU9bOn2aTkB3sbo1gyJL58nMRR0mZXKYw/s640/216735800787742202_PMNc4Gkp_c.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More lantern love going on here... a tranquil space with trickling water...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiwXhRYxjBTAlZPVD_9RUV4JxalPxd-rdZZJdvwf5jk7gzG8DcfqVEPEZHqz-ZJz9PcKnJfUSaAIQnz0BIqc6u_ldNjDi1J_X_Egp4J-HVkjPPOgXrwwYGYMIL5ESyhu9G9MF4cz5SYE/s1600/127015651960697797_zMeiF1tz_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiwXhRYxjBTAlZPVD_9RUV4JxalPxd-rdZZJdvwf5jk7gzG8DcfqVEPEZHqz-ZJz9PcKnJfUSaAIQnz0BIqc6u_ldNjDi1J_X_Egp4J-HVkjPPOgXrwwYGYMIL5ESyhu9G9MF4cz5SYE/s640/127015651960697797_zMeiF1tz_c.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An open invitation to curl up with a pile of my favourite mags and to relax to the max....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8v59QhX2aYIbD1jXq3INw6KlTrm4mh2KbYIWbmtuO6-pEsEmplSbRiC5NjdHfOoIdf-DX_KlZUA_6fvQyrFtLwkaOG4iM4QDOFvbWQCPZoTxb20p-XLz_FeE3VvCTE4sWjOFvzmjH4U/s1600/65231894573600403_791zzZh7_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8v59QhX2aYIbD1jXq3INw6KlTrm4mh2KbYIWbmtuO6-pEsEmplSbRiC5NjdHfOoIdf-DX_KlZUA_6fvQyrFtLwkaOG4iM4QDOFvbWQCPZoTxb20p-XLz_FeE3VvCTE4sWjOFvzmjH4U/s640/65231894573600403_791zzZh7_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just adore the texture and colour of the stone and my Labrador, Smirnoff, will fit into the colour scheme perfectly! We are already snoring in acapella...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_RXY6kwwsYqdve-iFuR08rKlIrJQRb8eFutPFotBviAjDUniHme4aoNrhVCXOuj3F6JOQ-jKpUKH2PmALs7xnCvpoCwBS8ynQNKG9UZyrvfg-NbSYsE0yusR8_WSZNViS6vqaDFy2cQ/s1600/127648970657814712_4Es998Od_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_RXY6kwwsYqdve-iFuR08rKlIrJQRb8eFutPFotBviAjDUniHme4aoNrhVCXOuj3F6JOQ-jKpUKH2PmALs7xnCvpoCwBS8ynQNKG9UZyrvfg-NbSYsE0yusR8_WSZNViS6vqaDFy2cQ/s640/127648970657814712_4Es998Od_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Black and White and Trés Chic!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9d6F4R_5NWz2IRM7gwDV0u2rgfXhOW-MWDWsXIAa_p_hyphenhyphenWJqejsR7vQNLTj54iyw_p1nbQFAivUd3HIWjDwBUZoF7mGh76ptZEu8xQiAmR4owtVD44QBjtSz0yrZp1XrccedZEk7Vw8/s1600/219057969344763891_63Sj8gbH_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9d6F4R_5NWz2IRM7gwDV0u2rgfXhOW-MWDWsXIAa_p_hyphenhyphenWJqejsR7vQNLTj54iyw_p1nbQFAivUd3HIWjDwBUZoF7mGh76ptZEu8xQiAmR4owtVD44QBjtSz0yrZp1XrccedZEk7Vw8/s640/219057969344763891_63Sj8gbH_c.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A stunning chandelier is the focal point of this amazing room! A most swoon worthy setting indeed. Add a lantern, beautiful tables, stone, beams and a magnificent garden and we are in love!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBmsBjIqKQBBHjPxG3k_LgVGn1XqOdPCWS1IziPonLflZ-sR9wxR4gFjics5Xlb8hnN9NQGdvrJq7Ou1T-TDaJneAmfm46HAbkC54LhcWuzKYO3lhsPqk1tvC9VPqUfcZ8y14zEk8ocY/s1600/278730664407475196_wJbAAWpM_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBmsBjIqKQBBHjPxG3k_LgVGn1XqOdPCWS1IziPonLflZ-sR9wxR4gFjics5Xlb8hnN9NQGdvrJq7Ou1T-TDaJneAmfm46HAbkC54LhcWuzKYO3lhsPqk1tvC9VPqUfcZ8y14zEk8ocY/s640/278730664407475196_wJbAAWpM_c.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Evocatively Provencal and can you just dream about what's on the menu....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilcnL_Y_EGcy2OmoTFjzvYY5EGFWReVsb6enmVzTY3XyiB0xCxzwyNpC5SoU4BMZA9wRRHUMvLyrL9xV8Kb3AULzgupY_k-UOr3urb4AIEsUa0BtlHhIhyphenhyphenhpOEPH3bzRru-jiTCATFAo/s1600/235524255482573066_aSu22z86_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilcnL_Y_EGcy2OmoTFjzvYY5EGFWReVsb6enmVzTY3XyiB0xCxzwyNpC5SoU4BMZA9wRRHUMvLyrL9xV8Kb3AULzgupY_k-UOr3urb4AIEsUa0BtlHhIhyphenhyphenhpOEPH3bzRru-jiTCATFAo/s640/235524255482573066_aSu22z86_c.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What an exquisite lil nook to snip and arrange flowers in, sit down with drink and admire your handy work...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD0OWJTw7X-JSg9qPi_Ipuu2V6grhk4dj6KApFsF95W8pOuqA7A-E6UD-vMMAKpuEsHx4lT_qvqOtHzUfBEYTB0AwtoNAGeWxqKbvsIHRalsxV3YPV9Pw8FckEBvWlIReyOli6mdn39s/s1600/120119515031088497_9dcNg3he_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD0OWJTw7X-JSg9qPi_Ipuu2V6grhk4dj6KApFsF95W8pOuqA7A-E6UD-vMMAKpuEsHx4lT_qvqOtHzUfBEYTB0AwtoNAGeWxqKbvsIHRalsxV3YPV9Pw8FckEBvWlIReyOli6mdn39s/s640/120119515031088497_9dcNg3he_c.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I post the whole </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/tasselsandtwigs/outdoor-rooms/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinterest Board on Outdoor Rooms,</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> hop over and peruse the rest of them for yourself!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please let me know which one was your favourite in the comment box below...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>All images are from Pinterest</strong></span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-11048269948372691752012-11-20T11:48:00.000-08:002012-11-22T00:39:15.330-08:00My New Blog !!! Pink Bra Bubbles Tablescape!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Ones!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings to you from a cool Cape Town!! We have had a respite from the heat and some welcome rain today! How are you all doing?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also have a fabulous Spring Tablescape lined up for later, which includes a Bra (yessss, ladies!!! you heard it) and Bubbles...so stay tuned and keep scrolling, you will love it!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will be joining Susan from <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/thanksgiving-tablescape-featuring-a-fitz-floyd-turkeycenterpiece-and-pottery-barn-fresco-bird-plates/">Between Naps on the Porch</a> for Tablescape Thursday! Hop over to get inspired!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But first...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have finally taken the plunge and sorted out my food blog!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drum roll please for....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoPWGotbc1e3jgt6-ZfYR2cO35mkRXsxgaF-qkZH4QXpWesFip8fdiH3LWq0yt2t65bmPmWP5OEzaJO4Y-4CkWdg_JLaEJwzjvtb8CEwd4ByHpKQnzGPo_yPb6HEt9atxLH-cQUMzWk0/s1600/Part+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoPWGotbc1e3jgt6-ZfYR2cO35mkRXsxgaF-qkZH4QXpWesFip8fdiH3LWq0yt2t65bmPmWP5OEzaJO4Y-4CkWdg_JLaEJwzjvtb8CEwd4ByHpKQnzGPo_yPb6HEt9atxLH-cQUMzWk0/s640/Part+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I can hear some of you muttering... It's about time!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yip, it has taken a while to take the plunge and as you know I have not posted many recipes and you have asked why not!!! Why was I neglecting the Tastebuds bit of Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I just struggled to find a name to tie in with the "Tastebuds" bit of the title!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, why a separate blog for food?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, as I explain in my opening post ,( </span><a href="http://tidbitsfortastebuds.blogspot.com/2012/11/welcome-about-me-how-this-blog-was-born.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">please click here to read it)</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I wanted to join the SA Foodblogger's roll and they declined my application as my blog did not exclusively contain food related posts! Perfectly understandable and so I started the search for a suitable name!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkLdqxMF4hwudWnszSJLraT4R3rx9EovnjH8OmE6rhFuH5Dd8wg-bQQL30hWsdZhknq9RW3FjKK5SPAQ8fZWYYzk0-WUJRYevGT9tIwiSftbkU0_G2_C47PXhCNJVIUOgVwm48Yq3ssY/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkLdqxMF4hwudWnszSJLraT4R3rx9EovnjH8OmE6rhFuH5Dd8wg-bQQL30hWsdZhknq9RW3FjKK5SPAQ8fZWYYzk0-WUJRYevGT9tIwiSftbkU0_G2_C47PXhCNJVIUOgVwm48Yq3ssY/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I will be posting some of the old recipes that I have already posted in Tassels, but will obviously include new ones as well. When posting to </span><a href="http://www.tidbitsfortastebuds.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tidbits for Tastebuds</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> , I will mention it in my post on Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds and that way you won't miss out!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far I only have three posts, the intro mentioned above, and then I kicked off with my favourite recipe, namely Fig Salad </span><a href="http://tidbitsfortastebuds.blogspot.com/2012/11/fig-salad-total-bliss-and-sexiest-salad.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please Click Here for that post!</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMjEbweKTyxLo-YwTnqCIhuYY7I7Dd-fzRF16rK97BkRP7gqFCeQTZLkRdz3baCb5uN_UANYXwWe9X5gnKdk1TlpfN7iGbYupU-FB6fggCLF4meJXNaSPLaqQBhbYpQNtJK6itRVho-0/s1600/De+grendel+and+Drieks+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMjEbweKTyxLo-YwTnqCIhuYY7I7Dd-fzRF16rK97BkRP7gqFCeQTZLkRdz3baCb5uN_UANYXwWe9X5gnKdk1TlpfN7iGbYupU-FB6fggCLF4meJXNaSPLaqQBhbYpQNtJK6itRVho-0/s640/De+grendel+and+Drieks+073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the other post was on </span><a href="http://tidbitsfortastebuds.blogspot.com/2012/11/light-and-luscious-hake-bargain.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Light and Luscious Hake</span></a>, <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">please click to read that one. It's easy and perfect for a quick week night dinner or lunch.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84L8WPhqPDbd607YQ6fncpb65PyKOnOoeWTcJ1XvP0JFf5mR70C210E5DZxnu8wkxJ7LGkCNinVrP-gbQy7hVxSP6RrYZ9p63WP0hmxKA7DX-jWdj8G3eVqhBn_r0uTc26eTK_ZSrgPg/s1600/fire+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84L8WPhqPDbd607YQ6fncpb65PyKOnOoeWTcJ1XvP0JFf5mR70C210E5DZxnu8wkxJ7LGkCNinVrP-gbQy7hVxSP6RrYZ9p63WP0hmxKA7DX-jWdj8G3eVqhBn_r0uTc26eTK_ZSrgPg/s640/fire+213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will add foodie blogs to my blogroll and tinker with it until it is ship shape, but in the meantime we can at least cook together as well as garden and decorate!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, so now that you are up to date and we are talking food, let have a peek at some Spring Tablescapes that I have had the pleasure of....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This gorgeously femine tablescape was at a Ladies Spring Event and obviously takes inspiration from Breast Cancer Month!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Take a peek...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-yxemBLq1HRY2LiUViLnBVYsc_MfXYnxHq-1oDxe6duay42Wyjuw9K4N1_FVVllRa4up_y0Rzn_i4lLjhdfoty2Bf-JVyiqsOg4sc74Bfa9GZLPyms8ADvfAAoh4Za5Sbu6aegaaa10/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-yxemBLq1HRY2LiUViLnBVYsc_MfXYnxHq-1oDxe6duay42Wyjuw9K4N1_FVVllRa4up_y0Rzn_i4lLjhdfoty2Bf-JVyiqsOg4sc74Bfa9GZLPyms8ADvfAAoh4Za5Sbu6aegaaa10/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's such a happy and vibrant table, I simply loved it! It also won best table!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Take a closer look...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy6iYPL4vtoYTKI6UnwIW-mJvgf1XNP3PzN2fSvnNo37nTwiWyZcNQJ_mNIpxjRTgpc1JC4LdAYJBcnitI9V3Wx3ysK47fx3D_C-OKM5JOf6cRSw0ZxRSYaavFlFfmQVI_WSiO-N7L4g/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy6iYPL4vtoYTKI6UnwIW-mJvgf1XNP3PzN2fSvnNo37nTwiWyZcNQJ_mNIpxjRTgpc1JC4LdAYJBcnitI9V3Wx3ysK47fx3D_C-OKM5JOf6cRSw0ZxRSYaavFlFfmQVI_WSiO-N7L4g/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+138.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wonderful, isn't it just!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So gals, haul out your stash of fine lingerie and fishnet stockings and lets decorate some tables, shall we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Don't you just adore the polka dot bubbly protruding from the polka dot bra!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG22_7T82TzumrhgzZspxFJriVBaOp-4CU1g8gMjnx3lPlRIIzZ_SltSg8F-Q_-oU6DI9tbAHJmAZz4dkEjrxX2JD5GCnvWN2jdXEmhtIIM84obLMC_ujdP-_8p3b94Ox9Deiyu1BBeU/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG22_7T82TzumrhgzZspxFJriVBaOp-4CU1g8gMjnx3lPlRIIzZ_SltSg8F-Q_-oU6DI9tbAHJmAZz4dkEjrxX2JD5GCnvWN2jdXEmhtIIM84obLMC_ujdP-_8p3b94Ox9Deiyu1BBeU/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The goodie bags on each guest's chair was a work of art</span>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jiz8t7UKPXztVghMaTGTBL1vIp8QnZcz0b6Jz3NpN9ammyWqb68I1mtZxhyphenhyphenJ7I4JMjuh2UveJ7RKY9jNJc4xWEYEi37-vLdBbwr1Dmqu4S19oe7vIoKNJj4f4Z1G8USc7J6ZME6vkBY/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jiz8t7UKPXztVghMaTGTBL1vIp8QnZcz0b6Jz3NpN9ammyWqb68I1mtZxhyphenhyphenJ7I4JMjuh2UveJ7RKY9jNJc4xWEYEi37-vLdBbwr1Dmqu4S19oe7vIoKNJj4f4Z1G8USc7J6ZME6vkBY/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yeah ladies, bring out the fishnets and have some fun!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This little number was next to the table of delectable nibbles. Too sassy for words...!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf5luODerrL3nPCZu4yrxV7osNpkfKjzb7wy5dBeItml2EEVq-ydNdmDfnuc4A0JpxR3eW_NJ-uPzf5NHHNYe8y4vMDW1UMsItHoEd819PRGn3QLc5jx0jeESFiycOLJr5eXs5ssLFh0/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf5luODerrL3nPCZu4yrxV7osNpkfKjzb7wy5dBeItml2EEVq-ydNdmDfnuc4A0JpxR3eW_NJ-uPzf5NHHNYe8y4vMDW1UMsItHoEd819PRGn3QLc5jx0jeESFiycOLJr5eXs5ssLFh0/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+134.JPG" width="464" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Close attention to detail made for a feast for the eye, taste buds and sparked lively conversation and admiring gasps of delight as only a bunch of ladies all dressed up for tea can muster!!! The decibels went up, let me tell you!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qjd_dJ7TxaG8UpIFsYLGuQ4uCuUEodAJPXeIlnPTcCUOZOrGbodMcQ5X7dawm2Ky88_w9fCpzFAmtElKFM_OF6S4i2Ytmh9hkf-3N9ijhPO7CS0mlcCP5WQIgTbHlmImZuaTqgDaDSI/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qjd_dJ7TxaG8UpIFsYLGuQ4uCuUEodAJPXeIlnPTcCUOZOrGbodMcQ5X7dawm2Ky88_w9fCpzFAmtElKFM_OF6S4i2Ytmh9hkf-3N9ijhPO7CS0mlcCP5WQIgTbHlmImZuaTqgDaDSI/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The lil hats were just precious and oh so sassy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPPwh0xZNg4mrdIO5w1_QsKGT1gTjhHF2qLI5ZH55v8jFlrdJ-hEyIU0jxHd-OtvWvURnmBli2pLJj6iLHWYgGZcgButhdo0YLWEQYf8Q4oCo1A8Fn43riiybLUdwfIbZYRc8kPJB5LE/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPPwh0xZNg4mrdIO5w1_QsKGT1gTjhHF2qLI5ZH55v8jFlrdJ-hEyIU0jxHd-OtvWvURnmBli2pLJj6iLHWYgGZcgButhdo0YLWEQYf8Q4oCo1A8Fn43riiybLUdwfIbZYRc8kPJB5LE/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+133.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perfect presentation and the feminine touch carried through all the little details...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77plhte0QEF5-CefHGTD-2jsDiYvC4wrfcc9RPfmclxgxsk21u7sNxUL0Qg7m3mn10V9B3pdnz9NHZXTtoko933k0GC9tuL-sOQD4mab3lPEx-cmH2YcJviSFQGoOPeRo_XwAtgUf5RA/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77plhte0QEF5-CefHGTD-2jsDiYvC4wrfcc9RPfmclxgxsk21u7sNxUL0Qg7m3mn10V9B3pdnz9NHZXTtoko933k0GC9tuL-sOQD4mab3lPEx-cmH2YcJviSFQGoOPeRo_XwAtgUf5RA/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+132.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spy mini cloches with a delectable delight....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyn5oXzUTuPivQM_EQAC-CX0YrIRJyQ6-TxilmESoP2AtAtdtaLZwCdxvdhroB9hRO8oTLXe59vO221cvqNr_ngs5lY8aFF1vzQM2jrSzlSFtGYNHaIOpv_zfzjgLNg_b3UfbAzEPCQo/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyn5oXzUTuPivQM_EQAC-CX0YrIRJyQ6-TxilmESoP2AtAtdtaLZwCdxvdhroB9hRO8oTLXe59vO221cvqNr_ngs5lY8aFF1vzQM2jrSzlSFtGYNHaIOpv_zfzjgLNg_b3UfbAzEPCQo/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+131.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The table setting from the other side with a floppy hat and feathery boa.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQWRCRKCRzmEp8-GLSF4Nq0TWrt53MTu-rO9a9jD9Wo2JTb2-kFKIIa1gbGzIb93PgpnAvfr6v1rP2muynOUYL5I1DlT2pUWubzovMTruTjKa1O2pHghTl0WGq_tAicUd0mn5KbDYBxQ/s1600/Dames+Vonkeldag+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQWRCRKCRzmEp8-GLSF4Nq0TWrt53MTu-rO9a9jD9Wo2JTb2-kFKIIa1gbGzIb93PgpnAvfr6v1rP2muynOUYL5I1DlT2pUWubzovMTruTjKa1O2pHghTl0WGq_tAicUd0mn5KbDYBxQ/s640/Dames+Vonkeldag+148.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your company!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please leave all the oohs and aahs below in the comment box.... I can hardly wait to hear your comments!</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-7134694434328431302012-11-12T11:51:00.000-08:002012-11-12T11:51:40.677-08:00La Rive Revisited ~ Franschoek<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you all? Did Monday behave herself?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is that wonderful time of the year again, when I get to visit magnificent open gardens! This year I did not do as many as I did last year. I could not pass up a visit to the picture perfect town of Franschoek, though!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I revisited the enchanting Le Rive and as always, was captivated by the charm and perfection of it all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Approaching from the street, I took this pic of the wonderful bench down by the stream... wait until you see it from the other side... it will take your breath away.... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BLAZYCzOw6RduKuPKo-UF-6hBUEk97NwdIypyTTlTW_cjlusOHbU-Dx2nwmSlqimxie-nnQSfrWIWrIJM7_9iurptKP84drs8O-L7IxptlemCoQyDcu7W1X3BuACuNgHuczzT1kJ7cw/s1600/Franschoek+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BLAZYCzOw6RduKuPKo-UF-6hBUEk97NwdIypyTTlTW_cjlusOHbU-Dx2nwmSlqimxie-nnQSfrWIWrIJM7_9iurptKP84drs8O-L7IxptlemCoQyDcu7W1X3BuACuNgHuczzT1kJ7cw/s640/Franschoek+111.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ran into one of the owners, sitting just inside the gate, and he said that he was just being inconspicuous and enjoying the gasps of visitors as they entered through the gate to be greeted by this magnificent picture! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRtcHlqT0pqSjdJGG_WqejKGn-NMxzBIthI_YknkD5HtWx2WVjLBcLky4rYbddq5BQfPVUvsrk1ITsUVvpJhqNrq2P9G-VRTPzpi3EDYPxSbrXs_JF0AGTUfrvYAqlRDHnZyNotJ2C3Q/s1600/Franschoek+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRtcHlqT0pqSjdJGG_WqejKGn-NMxzBIthI_YknkD5HtWx2WVjLBcLky4rYbddq5BQfPVUvsrk1ITsUVvpJhqNrq2P9G-VRTPzpi3EDYPxSbrXs_JF0AGTUfrvYAqlRDHnZyNotJ2C3Q/s640/Franschoek+118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a perfect day and I felt like lounging here in the shade the entire day gazing at the beauty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhoRXUov_OqJCPnzVHzEMWsB3ZmC57mOdtowfyMb1ce3okpa1ImlGzyeCxKZqwrDnskaMzBBSVd0o58TZmJPm7xrvhyphenhyphen05eZj2D7Jc43Bs-SaF5YxGiX3hRVnMaPlit_oNyfKDWas_kfM/s1600/Franschoek+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhoRXUov_OqJCPnzVHzEMWsB3ZmC57mOdtowfyMb1ce3okpa1ImlGzyeCxKZqwrDnskaMzBBSVd0o58TZmJPm7xrvhyphenhyphen05eZj2D7Jc43Bs-SaF5YxGiX3hRVnMaPlit_oNyfKDWas_kfM/s640/Franschoek+119.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pastel planting of the English Country Style garden is so soothing and there was a new vista to greet my lens at every turn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVw264Bp3DPf-MsCfc_z0O3nZRro3Vqt-gaNWFnsxRd013Ibr0-ndTov9ilN6CWfzUDlBg7vocQholARnMrVzd9913In_g2AHNzpHXWqk4OugXbYw1RySPnsDM9CJpD9WZH3CP_2fhmw/s1600/Franschoek+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVw264Bp3DPf-MsCfc_z0O3nZRro3Vqt-gaNWFnsxRd013Ibr0-ndTov9ilN6CWfzUDlBg7vocQholARnMrVzd9913In_g2AHNzpHXWqk4OugXbYw1RySPnsDM9CJpD9WZH3CP_2fhmw/s640/Franschoek+151.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some spectacular Bearded Irises, roses and pansies and many more makes for a breathtaking lesson in planting.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7_Y4aADrr8dfPqWpoLic6Lh3EFlqDHbV6JFkMkzj5ZuWsSEqslED3GfwPku5wvrcZ69M5BOfOQb1iiBQG6dcmwbUMjP3T1tffwocXIjkAGGHj7RzLB90C5tx0oyuxErKWJCjeVVKsfw/s1600/2012-10-28+Franschoek3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7_Y4aADrr8dfPqWpoLic6Lh3EFlqDHbV6JFkMkzj5ZuWsSEqslED3GfwPku5wvrcZ69M5BOfOQb1iiBQG6dcmwbUMjP3T1tffwocXIjkAGGHj7RzLB90C5tx0oyuxErKWJCjeVVKsfw/s640/2012-10-28+Franschoek3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking back toward the entrance </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the corner. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiw4OiTN0M5eJn5hQJsMy0B8Zc8W4spJmkfFcaMacoGw0GWfrqwkqpF74XV3QPYcgjmnCYFvl4z4ecs_mlOL-oLpuB27tCFMA3wk4tyhyphenhyphen-1U7UmoCQ8tH2My6cNRCws4XSEFDunZd_8gg/s1600/Franschoek+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiw4OiTN0M5eJn5hQJsMy0B8Zc8W4spJmkfFcaMacoGw0GWfrqwkqpF74XV3QPYcgjmnCYFvl4z4ecs_mlOL-oLpuB27tCFMA3wk4tyhyphenhyphen-1U7UmoCQ8tH2My6cNRCws4XSEFDunZd_8gg/s640/Franschoek+146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The attention to detail is quite exceptional.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2MNDD6Zehsfv6OvAXlBdLo8NaQWYDSh8e9bV02kiX5uh8fCXCxGTPkjpaWWXZWJT2vxK1bjlrnIBRzPgnCNQk20NAfQo_MRu9NeJdNR1VKfa7gE1wHjBr1yDytBiMMqYK2AY1xMsg78/s1600/Franschoek+126-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2MNDD6Zehsfv6OvAXlBdLo8NaQWYDSh8e9bV02kiX5uh8fCXCxGTPkjpaWWXZWJT2vxK1bjlrnIBRzPgnCNQk20NAfQo_MRu9NeJdNR1VKfa7gE1wHjBr1yDytBiMMqYK2AY1xMsg78/s640/Franschoek+126-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The upper terrace ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4u4pbrHf5stc5w9YaNtM9VdEfPePEsogDysV9lqq9miAJTdwJYPPeKeLVLe1n2FlHDSeFjA3eeZPZXy2pNsCnu9yxLPD-uHT0MTSEH8gSD-PRK6QM-HyhhHOCmCcHWDjaeDvLj0r-0s/s1600/Franschoek+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4u4pbrHf5stc5w9YaNtM9VdEfPePEsogDysV9lqq9miAJTdwJYPPeKeLVLe1n2FlHDSeFjA3eeZPZXy2pNsCnu9yxLPD-uHT0MTSEH8gSD-PRK6QM-HyhhHOCmCcHWDjaeDvLj0r-0s/s640/Franschoek+155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And... ta da!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you spot the bench in the distance that I mentioned at the beginning of this post?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwtxjWWxk0oMnHiNhpiyJzy8E7XnsZahNpt7T1YpjzKV0nhXh_hK0L20kgs7pem6LWTT5x5DFEJzJKnKsvnqWptrwWBRKGiPkcvqrWQCScbSVfi0QC3R2cqTZ1D5oXQpWkaQR37c8D8k/s1600/Franschoek+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwtxjWWxk0oMnHiNhpiyJzy8E7XnsZahNpt7T1YpjzKV0nhXh_hK0L20kgs7pem6LWTT5x5DFEJzJKnKsvnqWptrwWBRKGiPkcvqrWQCScbSVfi0QC3R2cqTZ1D5oXQpWkaQR37c8D8k/s640/Franschoek+157.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a closer look...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa4wtxkoy9TvRlZngsOesgTWf_FH1QG7V6zDMTWOlNf8PV6WBxyUdlu1OoRHCG9mj6iRneOuNDAXGI5ccJWjRj16wODnLuzOk-1vYMsAm12GcC6sB-6ZWjWkbQ_NepW1LKPRWqZV6DgE/s1600/Franschoek+161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa4wtxkoy9TvRlZngsOesgTWf_FH1QG7V6zDMTWOlNf8PV6WBxyUdlu1OoRHCG9mj6iRneOuNDAXGI5ccJWjRj16wODnLuzOk-1vYMsAm12GcC6sB-6ZWjWkbQ_NepW1LKPRWqZV6DgE/s640/Franschoek+161.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have seen this same scene many times before, and every single time it takes my breath away...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWi9xzOeyzsKDFQ9TcWKue1-nNQbjfxAbiaiIGLAQG3vdMub9idKlQ7IOgAtl9OIxfhBuxxF10tPevWO8coPZPzSr2D9pn4-hIoIuIsUjLjMkWJti77fA0jEh-p1CoLcSY5DE_wk6DZg/s1600/Franschoek+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWi9xzOeyzsKDFQ9TcWKue1-nNQbjfxAbiaiIGLAQG3vdMub9idKlQ7IOgAtl9OIxfhBuxxF10tPevWO8coPZPzSr2D9pn4-hIoIuIsUjLjMkWJti77fA0jEh-p1CoLcSY5DE_wk6DZg/s640/Franschoek+162.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the ground!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yes, of course I had to get on my knees and tum to show you!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nsj8e-4wQbPaK3hrs5Yq2W0bNnSrSzvgivBP3vq8jI6JvtUVDqwv8A-cqecjiPy6qutkM6k-ed3b39Y-Tme-gISOpnR12tW4HORoUtO9-mak8W6-jKeEwpxEhyHYyl07wJxeprNx7J8/s1600/Franschoek+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nsj8e-4wQbPaK3hrs5Yq2W0bNnSrSzvgivBP3vq8jI6JvtUVDqwv8A-cqecjiPy6qutkM6k-ed3b39Y-Tme-gISOpnR12tW4HORoUtO9-mak8W6-jKeEwpxEhyHYyl07wJxeprNx7J8/s640/Franschoek+169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking back through the gate to the upper terrace...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC-Lha7Abgr7RTnRWsV37u_agM4d5DlRmkBbhtCBOL-KOSswDWjc9YzRZ0gquXqQthi3Tccst9nMXyYR3JC3_t1vc0jPbcBwx0D_HoBw0VszGE7Zhtbr19t3_zeVXhHX_M7s0soNk51c/s1600/Franschoek+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC-Lha7Abgr7RTnRWsV37u_agM4d5DlRmkBbhtCBOL-KOSswDWjc9YzRZ0gquXqQthi3Tccst9nMXyYR3JC3_t1vc0jPbcBwx0D_HoBw0VszGE7Zhtbr19t3_zeVXhHX_M7s0soNk51c/s640/Franschoek+172.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A happy profusion! As I am writing this post, there is a vase with nasturtiums on my desk from a friend's garden and they are just a happy treat!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O_YyDjAfb8duwmG9OlFKDPvsL3WrDkWfbVtrP9dvvFgRKq0cyWBg9eD9nGedr5oywvzWT9P4Arb4AfdOIARly3oIeYPutPJHh7Icslnnwuv1FVtwGzJKvy-BQIjL-B5HHnNJRpUiBLQ/s1600/Franschoek+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O_YyDjAfb8duwmG9OlFKDPvsL3WrDkWfbVtrP9dvvFgRKq0cyWBg9eD9nGedr5oywvzWT9P4Arb4AfdOIARly3oIeYPutPJHh7Icslnnwuv1FVtwGzJKvy-BQIjL-B5HHnNJRpUiBLQ/s640/Franschoek+174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Long time readers will remember my post from last year on </span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2011/11/la-rive-franschoek.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Rive</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (please Click on link for more photos in that post). It remains one of my most visited posts and I still regularly receive wonderful emails about it from across the world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Email me at <a href="mailto:ronnieclark@mweb.co.za">ronnieclark@mweb.co.za</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoaA8b621VtV7gteO3GS4RjXML1oxuShiFvuKwAhfJmuAfh0aie0KEPRoP1wbqHHnOeExmZxuFeh7ARKD-lXXVKTfe40-hjSQIpdNKJy0re6y6kKRB_GbcEO-kmVoxdaMihdz8d3BqQ4/s1600/Franschoek+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoaA8b621VtV7gteO3GS4RjXML1oxuShiFvuKwAhfJmuAfh0aie0KEPRoP1wbqHHnOeExmZxuFeh7ARKD-lXXVKTfe40-hjSQIpdNKJy0re6y6kKRB_GbcEO-kmVoxdaMihdz8d3BqQ4/s640/Franschoek+175.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could not stay the entire day as there was ten gardens to get through, and some of them were on farms , so I had to leave this pretty picture behind!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQXxfJvM17FAD7Euzj2HqKFGkoEUUnsA9qt-th2lELKFKy4IofBvScYvYQcxl8YR_nBQgw4RwNKPRidZwu1u0pkkgCstoOjqTDBqr7KuQy1rXVVHu-DD-i8V9YWQHz-uhi4VdOxxdk2U/s1600/Franschoek+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQXxfJvM17FAD7Euzj2HqKFGkoEUUnsA9qt-th2lELKFKy4IofBvScYvYQcxl8YR_nBQgw4RwNKPRidZwu1u0pkkgCstoOjqTDBqr7KuQy1rXVVHu-DD-i8V9YWQHz-uhi4VdOxxdk2U/s640/Franschoek+178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your company!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please leave all those gasps below in the comment box... I am all ears!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will also upload some more pictures of La Rive on Facebook ~ See Sidebar of this blog for link to Facebook</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-67091990586297550842012-11-06T04:41:00.002-08:002012-11-06T04:41:54.380-08:00By Invitation Only ~ November ~ Paying forward the Bloglove<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life between two oceans seems to get more and more hectic as the Silly season approaches! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is that time of the month when I get together with Bloggers from across our wonderful world for our monthly "By Invitation Only" post, hosted by my good friend Marsha from </span><a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdOvqCWPfi9IEaDuUNtn7E_-xv2Z8btrlZ5k1civXhnt_wYhI0WvlOXK1k3n95zWZpRAwXWl8aqtMBspGTrp2PzpAdCIjtbihuWULeuEq5xmXPTKbaXdda561rD8KgflT0LtV9T3h-iY/s1600/By+Invitation+Only+SMALL+ICON.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdOvqCWPfi9IEaDuUNtn7E_-xv2Z8btrlZ5k1civXhnt_wYhI0WvlOXK1k3n95zWZpRAwXWl8aqtMBspGTrp2PzpAdCIjtbihuWULeuEq5xmXPTKbaXdda561rD8KgflT0LtV9T3h-iY/s400/By+Invitation+Only+SMALL+ICON.png" width="370" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every month, invited bloggers from across the Blogosphere, post on a common topic. Marsha thought that, with the season of gifting and thanks giving upon us, it would be great to highlight a blog or blog friend whom we admire, or perhaps a new blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A wonderful way to pay forward the blog love and to start the season of gifting!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, as any blogger will tell you, when you get that bee in your bonnet to start a blog, is can be quite daunting!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me tell you, for me, it was quite an affair. Especially since l, was not particularly savvy in the computer and design department... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, when I started the blogging journey, being a closet Franchophile, I typed into Granny Google search.... "French Blogs on Design" ....and landed on </span><a href="http://www.thefrenchtangerine.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The French Tangerine</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I scrolled through post after post and thought...no ways... I can not do that!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, of course, I was hooked already....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I dropped Jan from the French Tangerine and email and she came back to me with such encouragement, that I decided to take the plunge and post that first, really silly post that I wrote.... How bad can it be, I thought? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If no one reads it, it can just be an on line scarp book if nothing else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, you can say that by reading Jan's Blog, The French Tangerine, I learnt all about blogging. I visited all the blogs in her sidebar and my horizon began to expand exponentially!! I could hardly wait for her next post ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jan is of course the Mosaic Queen in Blogland and you can visit her blog and read all about this lovely lady in a post I did on her in my "Blog it Forward Series" ~</span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/03/blog-it-forward-series-french-tangerine.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click here</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3koX6epSGURSoI9c6sQMsxk0Q7NIRslSNBtGm35qwsJjU69xKb-8Wy6FB_olJ_j5qiEDM5sij8neosziq1d7tPEE-GwqW5a0w9O-GOn6nx6c2rs5cbN5rZ7ku1jvTg9hHDS2iiAXNPQ/s1600/grape_tangerine+mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3koX6epSGURSoI9c6sQMsxk0Q7NIRslSNBtGm35qwsJjU69xKb-8Wy6FB_olJ_j5qiEDM5sij8neosziq1d7tPEE-GwqW5a0w9O-GOn6nx6c2rs5cbN5rZ7ku1jvTg9hHDS2iiAXNPQ/s640/grape_tangerine+mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next person I found has become a precious friend and I will be forever grateful to her!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She sent me an invite to my very first blog party and gave me the email address of the hostess. Of course, I did not have a clue of what a "Blog Party" entailed and felt quite silly sending an email with a long list of questions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, as I found out, in the Blogosphere, if you get stuck, all you do is ask and a fellow blogger will come to the rescue!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">She has been a constant source of friendship, encouragement and inspiration to me. I admire the way she will speak her mind on issues that concern her. I am always in awe of her generous inclusive spirit with which she welcomes all! She is the ultimate stylish girlfriend and her blog keeps us all on our toes. Be it fashion, style, decor, food...she does it with old school glam!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Of course I am talking about Marsha From <a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/">Splenderosa!!</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyh7yjIDBDLZkMOJtuOd1-sP9BmVwKb_CuB6YxYwlGNSsNcD3U75Hi-MtNTwG5NZK3d9vOdUZgTUgLI0LIbfHy43p7Kw01mmClQszJmpmcH4C1wwfAjPERgb2E4snpYBQo2D4KNmqwgQ/s1600/fall+2012+header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyh7yjIDBDLZkMOJtuOd1-sP9BmVwKb_CuB6YxYwlGNSsNcD3U75Hi-MtNTwG5NZK3d9vOdUZgTUgLI0LIbfHy43p7Kw01mmClQszJmpmcH4C1wwfAjPERgb2E4snpYBQo2D4KNmqwgQ/s640/fall+2012+header.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Marsha, is also a talented jewellery designer and her pieces are all for sale in her on line shop <a href="http://www.splenderosa.com/">click here</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZv3VTBEHiJwBytyPnHmxtJTRshMh9dlDRXzqQTy3rJpCEYgqAIAVZTodEzXVlOidC2ZC8rT2Tnrp60S2D6_7TPD2Ykbg4N-QII30oDDDzssw5R123xMfIynFhB6adZ8jZZHoiKWSHPE/s1600/_MG_9977_1351807058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZv3VTBEHiJwBytyPnHmxtJTRshMh9dlDRXzqQTy3rJpCEYgqAIAVZTodEzXVlOidC2ZC8rT2Tnrp60S2D6_7TPD2Ykbg4N-QII30oDDDzssw5R123xMfIynFhB6adZ8jZZHoiKWSHPE/s640/_MG_9977_1351807058.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love her decor style and have found loads of inspiration in her posts!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc0L78orNDvsTSJqkgEtzvUWsWiPDhQ0bPXHlnkGORfNWso78luINZAm1zZJ8zRvMvYNjKdD8xv1EaA6fWkMIbBoSGO6hSqftZKn_9hTB3vZKybz2BfSgeayvxxYRTQ2VGCZplJiCZsw/s1600/tumblr_m96l7tDTV21r4mmz8o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc0L78orNDvsTSJqkgEtzvUWsWiPDhQ0bPXHlnkGORfNWso78luINZAm1zZJ8zRvMvYNjKdD8xv1EaA6fWkMIbBoSGO6hSqftZKn_9hTB3vZKybz2BfSgeayvxxYRTQ2VGCZplJiCZsw/s640/tumblr_m96l7tDTV21r4mmz8o1_500.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Off, course fashion is her forte and be it casual, formal our dress up time, this gal knows how to give glamour its sparkle!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAELol7TS_25zSKSO2QJ-X7JvaFaj0y8A9LN4jOEpqxWRqgpDo8ubwf0MsdbZMEml0oryHD5mz81lt3eiglIWohYlZADffq9RFPvyhWP-34YHjZscxuB3bUQeSRT27yoa4w1iWk0o7ULA/s1600/188729040605751218_tbVtq6ZA_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAELol7TS_25zSKSO2QJ-X7JvaFaj0y8A9LN4jOEpqxWRqgpDo8ubwf0MsdbZMEml0oryHD5mz81lt3eiglIWohYlZADffq9RFPvyhWP-34YHjZscxuB3bUQeSRT27yoa4w1iWk0o7ULA/s400/188729040605751218_tbVtq6ZA_c.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apart from all the decor, food, fashion and inspiration that we share with our readers and fellow bloggers, we also tend to share stories of our daily lives. Our triumphs, our failures, hopes, dreams and aspirations are all shared. Marsha has been a constant source of friendship, sharing laughs, sadness and trials and tribulations with me and for that I thank you, dearest Masha! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I salute you!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please hop over to </span><a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to visit all the wonderful bloggers who contribute to "By Invitation Only" The links will appear at the bottom of Marsha's post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you all for your precious company.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All images are from Splenderosa</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kindly leave your comment in the comment box below... I am all ears...</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-727185100836186752012-10-31T05:07:00.002-07:002012-10-31T05:07:46.356-07:00Kamers Vol Geskenke Part 2 ~ Meeting bloggy friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Ones!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have had an awesome week and weekend in Cape Town!! There is a whole lot happening between two oceans and we can barely keep up and it's not even silly season yet!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First up.... I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting, in person, a bloggy friend from the Eastern Cape who was on a visit to Cape Town!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shel from the beautiful blog </span><a href="http://justmeshel.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just Me Shel</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> came to visit Kamers Vol Geskenke in Somerset West. It was a delight to meet her and if you have not visited her beautifully photographed and delectable blog, yet, you are just a click away from delectableness!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday was a dreary day, wet and cold and so meeting Shel was the sunshine in the day!! The exhibitors were all very grateful for the wet weather as they have had sweltering heat all week long and needed a reprieve!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was to be a day of treats for me! Another friend decided to give her home office a miss for a couple of hours, to join me and we naturally had a glass of bubbles to celebrate! Thank you!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also found some Peonies, which in our neck of the woods, is a rare occurrence!! The fragrance alone is so decadent....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Saltare Grand Vin De Cap Classique and Peonies...what a treat!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I managed to take a closer look at all the food on offer and tasting was the most pleasurable past time ever....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These Christmas decorations from </span><a href="http://www.topiary.co.za/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Andrea Semple Topiary Creations (please click )</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> were a love!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whilst photgraphing, one bumps into other people, trying to get this angle and that, you understand bloggers? Well, it pays to bump into folks! I met another local blogger snapping away at all the pretty...</span><a href="http://www.totameme.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paula from the to tame me</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Hop over and pay forward the bloglove! Thank you and it was a pleasure to "bump" into you Paula!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Precariously perched, is the phrase that comes to mind regarding the above lamp!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These felt flower broaches and necklaces by Malaki were gorgeous! Just adore the red and grey hearts! Contact Sulinda at </span><a href="mailto:Sulinda@telkomsa.net"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sulinda@telkomsa.net</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the rain, the stunning outdoor display by Aspididtra was shimmering with raindrops!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, if that silver tray on my dining table starts to bother me, I can always string it up outdoors!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can also view my previous post on </span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/10/kamers-vol-geskenke.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kamers Vol Geskenke (click here)</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The friendship hands I bought from </span><a href="http://www.labrocanteuse.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Colette at La Brocanteuse</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> found a home on this old book in my entrance hall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this is the gorgeous gift, I received from Colette! Do you recognise it? Yes it is a moulding of her beautiful blog header! And it looks fab in my bookcases! No photo yet , sorry! I just love the packaging!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> adore the markets at this time of year, not only for the good cheer and meeting old and new friends as well as bloggy peeps, but there is so much wonderful talent out there, and my head races with all the brilliant ideas for decor, garden and food....and that keeps me happy for yonks!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your company!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please leave your comments and chats below in the comment box! I love hearing from you...</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-45366141471476691832012-10-24T04:45:00.000-07:002012-10-24T04:46:11.977-07:00Kamers Vol Geskenke 2012!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A post or two ago I bemoaned the fact that I was </span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/10/accosted-by-christmas-pudding.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Accosted by a Christmas Pudding (click to read)</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> flaunting her fruit at me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in no time at all it, is time to start shopping for Christmas Gifts and Decor Ideas. </span><a href="http://www.kamersvol.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kamers Vol Geskenke</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> has it all! In fact if you want to see your </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/tasselsandtwigs/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinterest Boards</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> come alive, this is the place to be...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The magnificent setting on Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First up, I had a wonderfully indulgent "Breakfast". </span><a href="http://mothercitymagic.blogspot.com/2012/10/kamers-vol-geskenke.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click here to read</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> about that lil episode, and then it was on to finding treasures...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXcrnrpKz_zgmNEGWOsUFYIzJ1DmezJEjzS99uNmVK8Jzo95lnblcsiKseBpqTvqbRwHJXt98OcoOu-OtJRsQkbx7q27imdfm5jgjKr7tPtj1NM5AauQ3pmEwLDTWZlJsouePqKxpI90/s1600/Kamers+2012+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXcrnrpKz_zgmNEGWOsUFYIzJ1DmezJEjzS99uNmVK8Jzo95lnblcsiKseBpqTvqbRwHJXt98OcoOu-OtJRsQkbx7q27imdfm5jgjKr7tPtj1NM5AauQ3pmEwLDTWZlJsouePqKxpI90/s640/Kamers+2012+106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, if you have been reading my blog for a while, you will all be familiar with Colette, from </span><a href="http://labrocanteuse.blogspot.com/2012/10/et-blanc-at-kamers-lourensford.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Brocanteuse</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (click to see her post) so, let me show you Colette's treasure trove first.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She always has the best decorated stall and her new line of moulded treasures are very popular! I received a beautiful gift ~ Merci Beaucoup Madam ~ which I will reveal in a later post! Take a look...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too gorgeous...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The friendship hands on the book went home with me... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWyFfEre6S94VsIht5YnxW0Ot-GV1kBazS52Y06erXiRW8mis-ogrLIW5Wo2r2oYKhz3KtMh4Es6sUam7P2YQehTSJ4cymrDhkfEZFgAhWVd0TzJdftetgnZcgD1dMf041VZ1dxFkE30/s1600/Kamers+2012+284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWyFfEre6S94VsIht5YnxW0Ot-GV1kBazS52Y06erXiRW8mis-ogrLIW5Wo2r2oYKhz3KtMh4Es6sUam7P2YQehTSJ4cymrDhkfEZFgAhWVd0TzJdftetgnZcgD1dMf041VZ1dxFkE30/s640/Kamers+2012+284.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lace, linen and her famous monogrammed linen were beautifully displayed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A veritable treasure trove of delightful finds, each with a piece of history and a story of it provenance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHd0DxyVltbMS250STsxN8jN7E70ZWlAieGAgMILphuyN8GlruGQUcOwrgc-oN3VecDJI3qMGrBRAmfRy8jrEhR9C12bnCvb2mn9olIpX_o2R8s7ThTx4p5JqnOWVheCzbm8VqWuDk5ns/s1600/Kamers+2012+272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHd0DxyVltbMS250STsxN8jN7E70ZWlAieGAgMILphuyN8GlruGQUcOwrgc-oN3VecDJI3qMGrBRAmfRy8jrEhR9C12bnCvb2mn9olIpX_o2R8s7ThTx4p5JqnOWVheCzbm8VqWuDk5ns/s640/Kamers+2012+272.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is always a treat to visit Colette and her delightful friend who helps at her stall. Looking forward to Friday Ladies!! A Bloggy friend from the Eastern Cape </span><a href="http://justmeshel.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shel, from Just Me Shel</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> will be visiting on Friday and we are looking forward to meeting her!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved this Christmas theme....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">South African traditions remixed and oh so beautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I need to go find all my daughter's old ballet shoes and do this!! Although, some of them probably look a bit, tattered. Loved it...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This colourful quilt captivated me and I can just imagine the hours of work! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A perfect day with blue skies and bluer mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Outdoor whimsy...from Aspidistra Nursery. Always such a innovative display.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVKxwebVeNenCe3w2dYkEcFWHF2k9JXpF7wJi6m_Z2s6cl_tUvfeUphBBCk8JU5shzETA6l2mPyaNxztez3OgORE5G8dJp5ofFbxJqMwJO95O90tnZkxwkVeWZOuqVc78pCXNJ6GAYOU/s1600/Kamers+2012+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVKxwebVeNenCe3w2dYkEcFWHF2k9JXpF7wJi6m_Z2s6cl_tUvfeUphBBCk8JU5shzETA6l2mPyaNxztez3OgORE5G8dJp5ofFbxJqMwJO95O90tnZkxwkVeWZOuqVc78pCXNJ6GAYOU/s640/Kamers+2012+190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Bespoke Laser Cut Stationary from </span><a href="http://www.artymiss.co.za/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ARTYMISS</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> was AMAZING!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a look at the intricate designs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So much for stationery!!! These items will be used as decor in my house... London will look amazing against my dark bookshelves....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Innovative design and so many wonderful ideas for home, gardens, food and much more, not to mention all the gifts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That laser cut butterfly, bottom left is gorgeous!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5N_1PvGOI_jAdQFCsHEYTMQHeetMPdeNNO385sAFPuLzPS89OuIUeI1b7CF0RyPuIII7vRQ87JmDZjTJd5nJ0LQZa2chTJ9PTYgY-tCoEf6Q2cDkwbAmCRrf_h8UUPVb7M5WhpyMZL9E/s1600/Kamers+2012+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5N_1PvGOI_jAdQFCsHEYTMQHeetMPdeNNO385sAFPuLzPS89OuIUeI1b7CF0RyPuIII7vRQ87JmDZjTJd5nJ0LQZa2chTJ9PTYgY-tCoEf6Q2cDkwbAmCRrf_h8UUPVb7M5WhpyMZL9E/s640/Kamers+2012+192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another stall which I adored, was the vintage feel at </span><a href="http://nest-vintage-shop.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nest</span></a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHHqCFQNkG1P_g7tEXIYiukn1PfJc2nFLGFY_paJg6eg_tw1yFRoVJkSvsjD85BCDIetEp8MVOBHKCBtcNPbanqIjSeV_FTT4hT_qleFChknL68NemiiRuxKNfCmLoEyXqrlf1qn_VYY/s1600/Kamers+2012+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHHqCFQNkG1P_g7tEXIYiukn1PfJc2nFLGFY_paJg6eg_tw1yFRoVJkSvsjD85BCDIetEp8MVOBHKCBtcNPbanqIjSeV_FTT4hT_qleFChknL68NemiiRuxKNfCmLoEyXqrlf1qn_VYY/s640/Kamers+2012+256.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beautiful fabrics, loads of nostalgia and great vignettes was a delight as always!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gnd-TumbhnrsTRjKgE8isLdksV3Yz6CVxIYo1fJYb2i2094ISsbCYDYSabL_fytdw5zh7xzbwo5K8afBfChwBgijUtzh81q30gOefapah32MMDCmssCLmfWTSHtfZhchJl0dyAulPI4/s1600/2012-10-23+Kamers+201210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gnd-TumbhnrsTRjKgE8isLdksV3Yz6CVxIYo1fJYb2i2094ISsbCYDYSabL_fytdw5zh7xzbwo5K8afBfChwBgijUtzh81q30gOefapah32MMDCmssCLmfWTSHtfZhchJl0dyAulPI4/s640/2012-10-23+Kamers+201210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, how about these, to take recycling to the next level of useful decor?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are made by Different ~ </span><a href="mailto:michlong3@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">michlong3@gmail.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is so much to show you!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, Check back here next week again after my second visit...please!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, in the meantime, if you are local and visiting, give me a shout and say Hi!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All images are my own. I look forward to your comments, in the comment box below or you can drop me an email, or on Face Book in the sidebar of this blog, or follow me on twitter @MotherCityMagic</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-5018949608344600592012-10-19T06:16:00.000-07:002012-10-19T06:16:52.351-07:00Karoo Market Forces...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Friends!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you all?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rumour has it...that Christmas preparations are actually in full swing.... Sadly, I was not at all in the mood for any such frivolous endeavours...That was, until a friend posted about a market on face book and tagged me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been avoiding all the posters on markets etc, but a tag on face book..well, it can not be ignored...and so I decided to tag along...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And boy, am I glad for that shove out of my comfort zone!!! Thanks Erika!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, have a look what I would have missed...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the way, I was back to my usual snap happy self, so you go get another drink, while I load all the pics, and then we can have a nice chat over a cuppa....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This market, held once a year, in the stunning home of Sonette Barnardt was a feast for the eye, the taste buds and the soul...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Filled with art and all things vintage....it is our kinda place!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The theme was Markgoed (Market Things) Karoo Chateau. Now for readers who don't know, the Karoo is a semi-desert inland area of our amazing country, and it has it own rustic charm, when it comes to decor and a rich heritage to draw inspiration from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So let's take a stroll through this Karoo Castle...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5vae2fGlo2Yj2eYUIxMR2Ha2EFgG7B-mERc3dMi4W6svCicYlza3y9DQpfRzWosVrnsid3gV-IIXy-tFE3aeQxL3WvI0cemKEMRf-83t2qTcz7BUopsBvtoHSuCZAcPDo8bc86apnrY/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5vae2fGlo2Yj2eYUIxMR2Ha2EFgG7B-mERc3dMi4W6svCicYlza3y9DQpfRzWosVrnsid3gV-IIXy-tFE3aeQxL3WvI0cemKEMRf-83t2qTcz7BUopsBvtoHSuCZAcPDo8bc86apnrY/s640/Karoo+Christmas+172.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The ambiance of the Karoo reflected perfectly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So many things take me back to my childhood. Like those enamel jugs. They got used for all manner of things in my Gran's household, the enamel plates that I used to take on school camps as a kid, many moons ago, now!! I really loved the books with the flowers and then, the crochet roses on the serviette hit a note of nostalgia and I had to go look for a bit of consolation in a slice of home made cheesecake...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjZrOKa3EuG23WLLuLOMekKu5BNh5fPXNZ8bGNJS529WGzuJBhakLw8Ch9EtMhdy_7tpCWrKgnduFg0ORhiIsPMGV5cvymrE4L3C4XaSX5ipx5wYnTHcCxhh6Oq1pjD6mivybXWtr_7g/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjZrOKa3EuG23WLLuLOMekKu5BNh5fPXNZ8bGNJS529WGzuJBhakLw8Ch9EtMhdy_7tpCWrKgnduFg0ORhiIsPMGV5cvymrE4L3C4XaSX5ipx5wYnTHcCxhh6Oq1pjD6mivybXWtr_7g/s640/Karoo+Christmas+136.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I could not resist the spectacle of these poppies surounding an old fountain...a happy profusion dancing in the breeze.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-v_6RcMQTteJc_hNfhOIHkSSKqq27ZIjvOvntgMKOB1GmZdQEtxP0c28uNele4DYXOGs41e8RmAu4-ijVlWyJRKtOsDabrNV6TjcPgPo5oi5Vhob-dmvYS0TULiySQ8R3ahlsNrvw_c/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-v_6RcMQTteJc_hNfhOIHkSSKqq27ZIjvOvntgMKOB1GmZdQEtxP0c28uNele4DYXOGs41e8RmAu4-ijVlWyJRKtOsDabrNV6TjcPgPo5oi5Vhob-dmvYS0TULiySQ8R3ahlsNrvw_c/s640/Karoo+Christmas+100.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loads of fabulous ideas. The pages of an old book stencilled in red for Christmas bunting that costs very little and is great fun to make!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved the paper Christmas tree top right and these stars strung together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was my beautiful view, while I was nursing away my nostalgia with cheesecake...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know, what you are thinking....but I am closer to the bed!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69_v-TpaBC8gXMaaLhJIVSTF2bfSCMzbtUIUFNoVYlHR1VUL89PMW9QssNQ81TbFOPi39BBZgulVrJbPwWPSIpoPQNwgiS9EE_wS9Hw0ORhjLGn0mjbpIMPNNw4HON_v-t0FoI7CdHx4/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69_v-TpaBC8gXMaaLhJIVSTF2bfSCMzbtUIUFNoVYlHR1VUL89PMW9QssNQ81TbFOPi39BBZgulVrJbPwWPSIpoPQNwgiS9EE_wS9Hw0ORhjLGn0mjbpIMPNNw4HON_v-t0FoI7CdHx4/s640/Karoo+Christmas+184.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaning more the French Chateau Theme...this table had me circling it a few times to absorb it all.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrJOMF-H_MypdWpRtE6q4B_XptDvVEeHJbp1EVaMkV4b67OBZGJjTDYAvxvdPNv0RUxtppij40qdLTVgHfvm5sA1rZr9QvmC_EJ1n-LtVN0O6mAE2ltDldflvWimttccuGwS3AX5RQok/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrJOMF-H_MypdWpRtE6q4B_XptDvVEeHJbp1EVaMkV4b67OBZGJjTDYAvxvdPNv0RUxtppij40qdLTVgHfvm5sA1rZr9QvmC_EJ1n-LtVN0O6mAE2ltDldflvWimttccuGwS3AX5RQok/s640/Karoo+Christmas+098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved the place mats and crowns.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEYtbHpwfbu4_WO_dH4ADUzkCPCy4WRoOuJI2KFN2ooznJHGPytfbIFtRzyE29BJXPSmbI9kGoHXEOQTyDor9V_hLjGsxX4vz-hKwYdrfy3_7ALGa2WFC_DYCfUVSt-cb7tBHkUHXttc/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEYtbHpwfbu4_WO_dH4ADUzkCPCy4WRoOuJI2KFN2ooznJHGPytfbIFtRzyE29BJXPSmbI9kGoHXEOQTyDor9V_hLjGsxX4vz-hKwYdrfy3_7ALGa2WFC_DYCfUVSt-cb7tBHkUHXttc/s640/Karoo+Christmas+102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know how I love cloches!!! This was my favourite...barb wired fabulousness....LOL</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz1E4Paqi_ct9a1G8-26HadbeK8hM_r_hOeykDp_I8PaXbLihVCLVLubv3bKq5L2qvTPFE8PiHuaDXTx7sik_lwRF-KujmS2zWfkSclyqliTQKezkni6lh_D3H6qxuqqCqBhLJ0SB2ks/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz1E4Paqi_ct9a1G8-26HadbeK8hM_r_hOeykDp_I8PaXbLihVCLVLubv3bKq5L2qvTPFE8PiHuaDXTx7sik_lwRF-KujmS2zWfkSclyqliTQKezkni6lh_D3H6qxuqqCqBhLJ0SB2ks/s640/Karoo+Christmas+146.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the way, this bustling market is now in its sixth year.... I ask you, where have I been!!!?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvtmPFOJuTE1W11c-KjTaBsbQ63HJungNob8HTWnE3Su842k4Q5LDZblM0GTls3pQsW8z9HTuhAk6q1JLKM1J7-P8HPDdbIUbw4C9TLnBl6_I6Rn0skyd9wzXzYVLV7hRnBMv-tokLbc/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvtmPFOJuTE1W11c-KjTaBsbQ63HJungNob8HTWnE3Su842k4Q5LDZblM0GTls3pQsW8z9HTuhAk6q1JLKM1J7-P8HPDdbIUbw4C9TLnBl6_I6Rn0skyd9wzXzYVLV7hRnBMv-tokLbc/s640/Karoo+Christmas+138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A cupboard full of treasure..just as well I am downscaling and my discipline is still holding up firmly!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwbYuSq0EjhLxeRYIN5xWYYIG5-cMyFuOJBQTjm_kWMPKO35XFw4Q2YttTL3u8u-r0_jNcGydVhYSQvAnM77TJI3Mc8OgvlWl_nSA8JRlSQ5RM5JavIWblnDHe14ugs46eGlB7W5vDlg/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwbYuSq0EjhLxeRYIN5xWYYIG5-cMyFuOJBQTjm_kWMPKO35XFw4Q2YttTL3u8u-r0_jNcGydVhYSQvAnM77TJI3Mc8OgvlWl_nSA8JRlSQ5RM5JavIWblnDHe14ugs46eGlB7W5vDlg/s640/Karoo+Christmas+088.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...until... I saw these...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVg8dMoPh5bvkxSM0QJX1h3ZwzutgGLumwVGjInszjpris0oS04oyTv2eUZZxyUR8lff1xMbFb6h87p9xIiuzXqNz_YdCWZVG-1cUjMnLww5dpJWuH0PFOeOnrKexhZk8ILF2tvyPCaBI/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVg8dMoPh5bvkxSM0QJX1h3ZwzutgGLumwVGjInszjpris0oS04oyTv2eUZZxyUR8lff1xMbFb6h87p9xIiuzXqNz_YdCWZVG-1cUjMnLww5dpJWuH0PFOeOnrKexhZk8ILF2tvyPCaBI/s640/Karoo+Christmas+114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A walk down memory lane...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-DQKtonESCZMpBLvYEFVwCcrKc0s6dfEe0lnXUNB7qRtwsml3N2uKoE1ZYrMEtX_xu_UKIGtrBQkbj_Ui-uIxOP_Vclsw5aWpDqa9OC_frhn_UaXpAeYYFaRfXc2iQFRZd1yaeKVfXc/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-DQKtonESCZMpBLvYEFVwCcrKc0s6dfEe0lnXUNB7qRtwsml3N2uKoE1ZYrMEtX_xu_UKIGtrBQkbj_Ui-uIxOP_Vclsw5aWpDqa9OC_frhn_UaXpAeYYFaRfXc2iQFRZd1yaeKVfXc/s640/Karoo+Christmas+076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cloched protea gives a nod to National Pride.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOjIb5i2HnyVnz-d4jaNAEUuoV23jKiKq5yzebjBhWt5hefBxNdZXaK1oSy0oCXp-bbEKjrKZDnQQqxeRKalIhkxoQZffVvuy2L-NvOicxIx9CQGZ-n81gfd75tl2u4bVvZQwp8VkY80/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOjIb5i2HnyVnz-d4jaNAEUuoV23jKiKq5yzebjBhWt5hefBxNdZXaK1oSy0oCXp-bbEKjrKZDnQQqxeRKalIhkxoQZffVvuy2L-NvOicxIx9CQGZ-n81gfd75tl2u4bVvZQwp8VkY80/s640/Karoo+Christmas+128.JPG" width="484" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's what to do with them old ones.... how many of us had one of those on our touchies when we were naughty!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is a much better idea!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLO5UIUNERBPrluxVu8AY7lAoixcXfL_DkqvEJlVPSExdNustskB9mS12rX12i9zKqNaVcE7qqS9VLIFgr3rkbSLpQ3DddfUAKPfGBUj64Yy5UGMvdsgicJvW27XjAX1w7kdnxohMPis/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLO5UIUNERBPrluxVu8AY7lAoixcXfL_DkqvEJlVPSExdNustskB9mS12rX12i9zKqNaVcE7qqS9VLIFgr3rkbSLpQ3DddfUAKPfGBUj64Yy5UGMvdsgicJvW27XjAX1w7kdnxohMPis/s640/Karoo+Christmas+180.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spinach never looked to chic!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIztpJnickaGXWDFQpSss-giJ8JPTJBiPpF8lOkrB_4M5wP1k83cfHKTnftPIL6U7FAzSVDiJPQln1UKchcPGv9RcgT-MVEhUWX42DjdnsEuROO9nB_zO4lA6o_QvQKXR6yF0ikHoeHs/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIztpJnickaGXWDFQpSss-giJ8JPTJBiPpF8lOkrB_4M5wP1k83cfHKTnftPIL6U7FAzSVDiJPQln1UKchcPGv9RcgT-MVEhUWX42DjdnsEuROO9nB_zO4lA6o_QvQKXR6yF0ikHoeHs/s640/Karoo+Christmas+127.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This market is still on until Saturday and for more info have a look at Sonette's Blog ~ </span><a href="http://sonettebarnardt.co.za/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">click here please</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a fabulous surprise installed when I hunted down the lady of the house to update info to tweet.... She has been following my blog for a while!!! It was such a great honour to meet with Sonette! Meeting followers has got to be the best part of what we love to do!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdgR8AxTY-BzHUX5veMj_aX1y4Cp_FGpL0b0SIySbzK7r88fuLKZj55-Anc18dSeCXqUDOhcfonOmem0ZHZQvvn4wqIaT800hT6gZmPeGG_u9hw6uUG4Amv-_3TH4nD4cFlfs2mBem8Q/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdgR8AxTY-BzHUX5veMj_aX1y4Cp_FGpL0b0SIySbzK7r88fuLKZj55-Anc18dSeCXqUDOhcfonOmem0ZHZQvvn4wqIaT800hT6gZmPeGG_u9hw6uUG4Amv-_3TH4nD4cFlfs2mBem8Q/s640/Karoo+Christmas+182.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can imagine, I am now well and truly ready for markets and Christmas decor, and in fact, I think, I will start earlier than usual getting all my bits out of the hidden depths of storage.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1hj5wjLL-A_tDIO0GS5oXrsBGHgHxOelGw8_iVLJgJecACuwt_G7CHbAgPRwDXdfIjXObb2pBH_xSKHrRmCqNuaG6iDUQH0iGJTADktZwmIaUeBsaGTOJ_1hb2At-UK51lw9YNiHnGo/s1600/Recently+Updated56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1hj5wjLL-A_tDIO0GS5oXrsBGHgHxOelGw8_iVLJgJecACuwt_G7CHbAgPRwDXdfIjXObb2pBH_xSKHrRmCqNuaG6iDUQH0iGJTADktZwmIaUeBsaGTOJ_1hb2At-UK51lw9YNiHnGo/s640/Recently+Updated56.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you decorating yet?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNZOK7A7bfd0KoD41cyKxYJai5z4y27JbrMs2R20pthlsDU8WvTrLl1AChldMd353O85YoKiaEMZjr-LhpNZ4XvvIVufMpt2P9svJqqR6IBpH08-mjA2Pcw6ox2hdqVXpekT9w7IdN0Y/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNZOK7A7bfd0KoD41cyKxYJai5z4y27JbrMs2R20pthlsDU8WvTrLl1AChldMd353O85YoKiaEMZjr-LhpNZ4XvvIVufMpt2P9svJqqR6IBpH08-mjA2Pcw6ox2hdqVXpekT9w7IdN0Y/s640/Karoo+Christmas+197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sonette has a stunning home and I could not leave without a request to come back and photograph her home with all her own things, which she has had to store away in order for the the market to happen. So, looking forward to that...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcQ7_1mk4HPT4bL82e7Q2K7cDCmvs20a6Oq12sDQHQ5VA_8F1Hj2ynNjMbsJV9JYXALZR8QiLPJPvg_ZXWKL5QapMpfm0QJ3uTtjPhyjslUtruUy094rezBNRd9ttT5Pz58BAf6wJi7w/s1600/Karoo+Christmas+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcQ7_1mk4HPT4bL82e7Q2K7cDCmvs20a6Oq12sDQHQ5VA_8F1Hj2ynNjMbsJV9JYXALZR8QiLPJPvg_ZXWKL5QapMpfm0QJ3uTtjPhyjslUtruUy094rezBNRd9ttT5Pz58BAf6wJi7w/s640/Karoo+Christmas+202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you all, for your precious company and for Sonette and all the hardworking ladies who served us. I had a fab visit with some old friends and it could not have happened in a more glam and gorgeous space!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43dLh9LAxcBOfpdEpxNdx5iOkyZ51yry_Z0bR-yt20Y0bQp3n25VYI_1gejxGf74vCS06p2Lhoy3S7JqJs3IfF_uOYbDb2RmOeFqdI_FGj_CDUk1ANhqeb5_1M7GUz3rUeUq2Ni1EQ-Q/s1600/Recently+Updated57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43dLh9LAxcBOfpdEpxNdx5iOkyZ51yry_Z0bR-yt20Y0bQp3n25VYI_1gejxGf74vCS06p2Lhoy3S7JqJs3IfF_uOYbDb2RmOeFqdI_FGj_CDUk1ANhqeb5_1M7GUz3rUeUq2Ni1EQ-Q/s640/Recently+Updated57.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any markets happening that I should know about!!??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please leave your comments below, I am all ears...</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-83512569325736226982012-10-07T12:41:00.000-07:002012-10-07T12:41:37.440-07:00Accosted by a Christmas Pudding!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you all doing this Monday?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I get into natter mode, I have to firstly say this....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you, to each one of you, for the overwhelming response to my previous post "Thoughts on October". Your outpouring of friendship, love and encouragement has left me humbled and just a bit speechless. I deeply appreciate each and every comment and email that I have received. I have replied to every one! Just another indication of the spirit of paying it forward, that exists in Blogland, and I am so very blessed to be a part of it, not to mention proud!! You </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rock!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, it has been a busy weekend, in spite of the miserable chilly, and at times wet weather. On Friday afternoon, I braved the home time traffic down to the beach to take a couple of shots for my new food blog! It was mayhem and the traffic cut into my cocktail hour but I managed to get a couple of shots!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, on Saturday and Sunday we had the Seasons of Sauvignon Festival in Durbanville, the wine lands where I stay, which was a blast, despite the miserable weather! Much tasting and eating and indulging....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, during September, I scurried into Woolies to buy milk and bread, only to be halted in my tracks... Can't be, I thought... but there, on the shelf, a Christmas pudding was flaunting her raisins and orange peel unashamedly at me!!!?? Huh?? Its only September!! All wrapped up in a cellophaned skirt she was a temptress, with no regard for my frail thin resistance. It was quite a shock to my system, and I had to leave with her tucked into my shopping bag, forgetting the milk and bread for which I had to return!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does Christmas come faster and faster with each passing year? Do you have the same problem ? I can not even muster a single Christmas decor or menu thought, in spite of that pre-Christmas pudding indulgence!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That pudding threw me off course completely! Imagine, being derailed by a Christmas pudding?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This year, I might be immersed in boxes trying to move and squeeze 28 years of living into a new smaller house, let alone brainstorming menus and decor. Or it might be boxed, with nowhere to move to...sigh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In years past, I hosted my rather large ex-in-law family for Christmas eve dinner. A full on three course, sit down dinner affair, for around forty people (with all the trimmings and decor), depending on the hangers onners, and forgotten family emerging from nowhere, two hours before guests are due to arrive! The table, that you have carefully laid, has to be relayed to squeeze in two extra guests and frantic frazzle sets in...you recount the potatoes to make sure you have enough for the umteenth time~!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Foolishly in Housewifely Domestic Goddess mode, all this was single handily accomplished by Moi! Me, myself and I...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Being freshly divorced, however, this is no longer my responsibility and monetarily I felt a great sense of loss...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Understand please, that it was just a fleeting moment... until the towers of dishes that usually greeted me on my Christmas morn pre dawn tea making rounds flashed into my minds eye.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Amidst the festive debris of Christmas eve's dining, we normally settled in with tea to open presents. Not even children in their twenties seem to loose the knack of opening presents at dawn-o-clock!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then, it was off to church and upon our return, I usually served brunch to the family and then the great tidy up started!! By which time, I am thoroughly pooped from the adrenalin rush of feeding a crowd and making sure that each and every roast potato is crisp and warm! And all that in the December heat!!! The way we stick to tradition! Crazy, isn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well, this year I am banishing the cumbersome old and winging in the sleek new and revised Christmas Plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oh yes, I am!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be hosting a few pre-Christmas lunches for a small group of friends at a time, to give me the opportunity to enjoy each and every guest fully! Then, on Christmas eve, I intend to take my son out for dinner to a great restaurant and having a very relaxing Christmas day picnic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There, the planning is almost done!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looks like that Christmas pudding merely altered my course and did not derail me entirely...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">all images are my own</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">any thoughts on Christmas bobbing about in your planning yet...? Leave your comments below, I am all ears...with a mouth full of fruity Christmas pud...</span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-30914015133827452812012-10-02T00:11:00.000-07:002012-10-02T00:14:16.566-07:00October Thoughts..."By Invitation Only"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today marks our monthly "By Invitation Only" post by a wonderful group of International Bloggers. The theme for this month is just simply,"Thoughts for October" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our gracious hostess and my gorgeous friend, Marsha from </span><a href="http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splenderosa</span></a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is hosting us all as usual. Thank you!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For most of the participants in "By Invitation Only" this means, that they are going into Fall/Autumn, but down South here, at the tip of Africa, we are heading firmly into Spring (well, I guess its a matter of opinion!!!! The veld and mother nature is buzzing, but sadly the weather remains pretty much wintry) We have had sooo much rain we almost need an Ark!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, for me this is going to be a very personal post and I beg your indulgence please....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started blogging as a birthday gift to myself when I turned 49! I loved every moment of the Blogosphere and meeting amazing like minded people who are just so incredibly inspiring, talented and supportive. I have made the most wonderful friends locally and from all over the world!!! I never expected that...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I am deeply grateful for the unexpected blessings that came my way through Blogging, in the form of amazing friends!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Each and every one of you are treasured and appreciated!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you know I have been absent from your blogs, as well as my own, for some time now....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been the most difficult year of my life! At times, I just could not see the light and in those times my creativity and need to blog just deserted me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Starting last September and finishing this September it has been a "Annus Horribilis"!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first tragedy was my young son's friend, who passed away in a tragic accident at University, right in the middle of a Film Festival that the two of them were working on together. I am so proud of my son for seeing it through amidst all the sadness. On the way home from that funeral, my husband had a heart attack. He recovered well and was doing fine, only to present me with divorce papers a few weeks after that. Yes, the rug was pulled from under me... Loosing family, friends, my home, etc and dealing with the impact it had on my two beautiful children took its toll, no matter how I tried to stand tall. I think here of another blogging friend, who also went through the same ordeal of divorce, at the same time! Well, twelve months on, and I have not been able to sell my house, yet, and move on with my life. My son and daughter have been amazing, and my friends have quite literally been the wind beneath my wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, in the last month, my brother-in-law took his own life and my ex husband landed in hospital again from all the stress. Those have been my major calamities with all the drama and oddities that divorce brings, thrown in for good measure...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, you are thinking....well, and....???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I have learnt a few things...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have learnt who my friends are and they are angels, each and every single one of them!!! The buckets of love I received has renewed me time and time again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being a painfully private person, I have had to learn to share my calamities with others who have offered the most amazing insights and advise. Thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have found solace and daily strength and been deeply grateful, for the privilege to live in such a magnificent place, surrounded by so much natural beauty to feed my endless quest for answers...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have found a new appreciation for simple pleasures...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrkMqave7coG_ar6m04x7vNDrptxL7JrCyqSvFuXsoZRKzzRmoZqvq1w9-BbWI1ulBv6CWJdIZIx_ToCpzIeGKi2Owze40oo7ynfNyhybP-CBE1o5A87iYzRXDPbrB4W5Bppc2Ttglbo/s1600/Blouberg+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrkMqave7coG_ar6m04x7vNDrptxL7JrCyqSvFuXsoZRKzzRmoZqvq1w9-BbWI1ulBv6CWJdIZIx_ToCpzIeGKi2Owze40oo7ynfNyhybP-CBE1o5A87iYzRXDPbrB4W5Bppc2Ttglbo/s640/Blouberg+164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...of just lying in the sun on the beach in such a magnificent setting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have also learnt, that in chasing after what you want, you run right past what you need!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I was going to say...."oddly" but there is nothing odd about it... My house has not sold and the reason, was that I had to give up the dream of big and beautiful and scale down to small and easy!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Hand of God and His timing and Plan is clearly visible to me now!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim08q5WTrAUmSfA3oGRNkqJA16b84aU8JUiMoHLQA6Al8W0KK4_LXbwKExMZewLoAB_MWNFQHUMMpv7b9GirG11UNlgqaEYILrsNGcXnCkJ7OhkerPPvlYKHeBURbh5K8u7yQKLDLaUPc/s1600/Blouberg+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim08q5WTrAUmSfA3oGRNkqJA16b84aU8JUiMoHLQA6Al8W0KK4_LXbwKExMZewLoAB_MWNFQHUMMpv7b9GirG11UNlgqaEYILrsNGcXnCkJ7OhkerPPvlYKHeBURbh5K8u7yQKLDLaUPc/s640/Blouberg+092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There has been the wonderful blessing of new friendships with people who, in the words of Mr Leonard Cohen, ...has shown me, "what I only knew the limits of..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do you know that wonderful song "Dance Me to the End of Love"???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wonderful, isn't is? As is all his songs and his deeply touching lyrics, each one a poem of life's mysterious ways..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, as the sun sets on your summer and our winter, bringing us both to a new season, alive with possibility, I am ready to go forth and live with renewed vigour in the knowledge that all will be well and as it should be...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your precious company and for your indulgence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, hop over to join the party by <a href="http://splenderosa.blogspot.com/2012/10/by-invitation-only-chapter-12.html">clicking here</a> to enjoy all the wonderfully gifted women who contribute so generously of themselves. It promises to be a feast!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May each and every one of you spread your wings and fly high and enjoy the view while you journey to a new or a familiar destination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All images are my own </span></div>
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-89030136259022782172012-08-14T03:39:00.002-07:002012-08-14T03:39:35.389-07:00Kreative Blogger's Award~Thanks Pondie!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello dear friends!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been a bit silent of late...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A culmination of Internet issues, blogger and feedburner being sorted prevented me from reading all my usual favourite blogs and posting! To say that it left a big gaping hole in my days...well..is an understatement of note!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To top it all, just when things got back to being on line again... The Cape of Storms was at her level best and we have just come out of an all weekend storm that has left much damage in her wake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a delightful surprise awaited me when I finally winged my way (with just a click of my mouse) across to the Pacific Northwest to visit a favourite blog </span><a href="http://pondside1741.blogspot.com/2012/08/keeping-things-kreative.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pondside</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (click to visit, you will be beguiled)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honora had passed on the...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...to me!! Wow... I am so honoured~Thank you so much!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am a bit late to the meme, of course, but am happy to pass it on with great enthusiasm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am to divulge ten things about me that I have not previously mentioned on my blog... Phew..lets see...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1. I am an impulsive cook! The family will enquire at about five in the afternoon as to what's for dinner. Me ..."Dinner...already??"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will dash downstairs to the fridge and raid the caverns of the larder, line up some forgotten finds and eye them for a few moments. No inspiration seems to strike?? Answer...start chopping an onion and voila!! A lil bit of this and lil bit of that...and dinner is served...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Family will say..."wow that was yum"... and three weeks later ask for the same dish and I will not have a clue as to what I put in it!!!! So, call me a hit and run cook!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2. Having told you that... I am about to launch another blog to commit to cyber memory such impulsive kitchen capers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Only problem is that I can not decide on the name...For now, it is to be called "Tastebud and the Paprika Princess" ~ as paprika is my absolute favourite can't live without spice in the world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. I am afraid of water and am not a good swimmer, yet I have been down parts the Orange River in a canoe five times and loved very moment of it!! Even when I was quite the novice and landed the "Christopher Columbus" award for making it across to Namibia first, while everyone else was happily floating down the river!!! The rapids were not very big (grade 0-3 if I remember correctly) though... and I am not ready to take on the likes of the white water of the Kunene river yet! But, spending the days floating down a river in nothing but your bather for four days, in and out of the canoe, sleeping under the stars and waking up to the call of the fish eagle and scorpions cluttered around the rocks at your head has tremendous appeal for me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">4. I am in love with this slab of granite!! A day without seeing Table Mountain... somehow just feels incomplete...and yet I am thinking of mowing...?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Nothing says you are home than when the aircraft circles the mountain and you simply can't wait to meet with terra firma and get home!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTLY3AOfTRNaZHzIECu8cwU_QBst_SYlzmNuJA-JxCtT-7_NxsVXa6WfvjiQCoFAOc0Z7IhVAqV5t6P6umiHtshMP5TAQCGFDm3mvjqL9Fh8N6olsAsg9ZXgFxpDba47GAy2eozZ4rLo/s1600/107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTLY3AOfTRNaZHzIECu8cwU_QBst_SYlzmNuJA-JxCtT-7_NxsVXa6WfvjiQCoFAOc0Z7IhVAqV5t6P6umiHtshMP5TAQCGFDm3mvjqL9Fh8N6olsAsg9ZXgFxpDba47GAy2eozZ4rLo/s640/107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. I suspect that my love of the colour terracotta springs forth from being born in a dusty little dot of a town called Zeerust close to the Botswana Border where I spent my early childhood getting covered in terracotta coloured clay playing by the river!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">6. I am a procrastinator of note!! Although I am always busy and on the go! I have a work plan all drawn up as well as a blogging plan but jump around like a crazy thing and never stick to the plan. So, I need to tell you that I have had a blogging idea and then having revealed it, I am forced to do it... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A few years back we took our kids on a bit of an amazing race around Europe and it made for some interesting, shall we say, family dynamics... as well as some wonderful memories that I would like to share on my blog!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Such as the magical city of Florence!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">7. I am a plant collector. Instead of being a sensible gardener who plants things that grows well in my area ...I fall in love with every leaf that flutters. And have to take it home to convince it to make a new habitat for itself in my garden, hence a fruit salad out my back door! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNowIRm5xYIqyG11cWnLB4aECLzJ_5KGlNE7VwPEQfgnsoI4Qt09l4tnj7out6H-tIIiU3fxOPtdXmGmmQWAVpjKfXn3vcEGVPLKgz4dKjazK7YZ-gVAHYWhz6sGIp5HzOLzp1VUsqhZ0/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNowIRm5xYIqyG11cWnLB4aECLzJ_5KGlNE7VwPEQfgnsoI4Qt09l4tnj7out6H-tIIiU3fxOPtdXmGmmQWAVpjKfXn3vcEGVPLKgz4dKjazK7YZ-gVAHYWhz6sGIp5HzOLzp1VUsqhZ0/s640/IMG_1988.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. As much as I adore shoes of any kind, and I have quite the collection ranging from pumps to Stilettos (not going to reveal any figures here), my favourite winter footwear consists of my trusty ..um..very well worn and ugly brown hiking boots with thick hiking socks ...blush blush blush! Most embarrassing is that sometimes, I will dash out to the shops, forgetting to change my footwear and only realise when I am in the line waiting to pay for my purchases and notice a perplexed fellow shopper arching an eyebrow at the my choice of footwear. Have you ever tried to hide the feet you are perched upon???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">9. I can happily while away an afternoon sitting at a cafe with a latte and my camera and secretly click away at passers by to capture the street fashion....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DYGNlcFse5joTSTbp5XBpRVeL3R8nzFOTyVVwbvDXtKTKIidKl6i5wBxD0HluRNb8sc6caSjsk6s70ObmGGlaMuecxccdaQ0ZJjnLEu8ZDiNzFnyJhlgWODKTWj176T2cxdevZO_Tqw/s1600/Mother+City+Magic+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DYGNlcFse5joTSTbp5XBpRVeL3R8nzFOTyVVwbvDXtKTKIidKl6i5wBxD0HluRNb8sc6caSjsk6s70ObmGGlaMuecxccdaQ0ZJjnLEu8ZDiNzFnyJhlgWODKTWj176T2cxdevZO_Tqw/s640/Mother+City+Magic+164.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10. I am busy working on a collection of images that I am hoping to publish as a book called "Postcards in my Rear View Mirror"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqSc75HXUJfyq9W3RtYcic3EY7QCNCK998tx5z_dd_fs9lZk3l1SEkY0-EZ9oezHemvC1nOWzQyV0p7B3HvvWeyla4aym96tnx5z7Mp4_h-DIy_IWQhQuLDp9wSolKdGnRUFEwHbaCv8/s1600/150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqSc75HXUJfyq9W3RtYcic3EY7QCNCK998tx5z_dd_fs9lZk3l1SEkY0-EZ9oezHemvC1nOWzQyV0p7B3HvvWeyla4aym96tnx5z7Mp4_h-DIy_IWQhQuLDp9wSolKdGnRUFEwHbaCv8/s640/150.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The idea for the title came when I was driving my kids to school, as I glanced into my rear view mirror the entire Table Mountain scene was perfectly positioned in the mirror. My heart skipped a beat and I thought..A postcard in my rear view mirror!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taking sunset pictures is a national sport with me and I can not get enough!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so honoured that a friend has asked to paint the image below and I can not wait to see it completed!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAZr33W0Xgki8SoRPwxDwBUuS-l9ccQXcpSm0jLSqWILuxUMw9aYj_iMmSqRHeYaBl8ZcExDfEQFeVFW7F4tEMhEvb_wZbHzjPYO9Z6XA3sjZCbxEAwTTXZbEwJbA1DbbdORYpwzZdCE/s1600/281-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAZr33W0Xgki8SoRPwxDwBUuS-l9ccQXcpSm0jLSqWILuxUMw9aYj_iMmSqRHeYaBl8ZcExDfEQFeVFW7F4tEMhEvb_wZbHzjPYO9Z6XA3sjZCbxEAwTTXZbEwJbA1DbbdORYpwzZdCE/s640/281-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, it is an absolute pleasure to pass on this award to ten bloggers that I enjoy...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1.Sharon from </span><a href="http://www.rosesandrustblogger.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Roses and Rust</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for indulging my inner Francophile with such aplomb</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.Colette from </span><a href="http://labrocanteuse.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Brocanteuse</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for taking me on dreamy trips through the French countryside to gather and hunt in Brocantes as if I was actually there!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3.Anita from </span><a href="http://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Castles Crowns and Cottages</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for indulging me with regular flights of fantasy in the most delicious ways</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4.Coty from </span><a href="http://www.cotyfarquhar.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Styling by Coty Farquhar</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for the most exquisite inspiration imaginable!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5.Rosemary from </span><a href="http://www.villabarnes.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Villabarnes</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for all the amazing painting tutorials</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6.The fabulously stylish Sharon from </span><a href="http://www.fashion-isha.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fashion-isha</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for keeping me cutting edge stylishly informed and drooling all over my keyboard</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7.</span><a href="http://www.wiveswithknives.net/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wifes with Knives</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! Every single time I click on this yummy blog </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I giggle at the name ~ so a smile is a guarantee besides more drooling over the keyboard!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8.Lisa from </span><a href="http://amidprivilege.com/2012/08/cool-kids-shop/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Privilege</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for a linguistic feast and sharp humour</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9.Teresa at </span><a href="http://splendidsass.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splendid Sass</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for compiling fabulous decor posts that has me pinning way past my bedtime!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. Paul from </span><a href="http://magicalchristmaswreaths.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Magical Christmas Wreath Company</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> because I love the way he writes and its de lovely to have his company!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please visit some of them for total enjoyment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All images are my own</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your company</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span><br />
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Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-56272908623104547942012-07-29T09:46:00.002-07:002012-07-29T09:46:32.987-07:00Through my Lens....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you all? Having a good Sunday I trust!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been a busy bee and have had a fab weekend so far...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Had a lovely ladies morning (Saturday) with friends, a very welcome and festive birthday gift involving excellent company, delectable food...(and chef), sublime wine and a great time had by all! Thank you!! I feel so spoilt and that officially marks the end of my birthday celebrations ~ been at it since May!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, took in two plays with my son on Saturday evening and Sunday has been relaxed with a fine winters day to enjoy all the beauty that I am surrounded by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought I would share a pixel post with you .... show you a few things that my lil Canon lens found inspiring....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winter roses!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPw32hIoNizyafuAcul1c0LtjU7Rfx8EQtmLvmgBqEkBwNN5MQSuMQ8JcYpDPS5H-5OEb8uVNyiA0BCmSBTIsETUXFJ3gxZr02BF2GIswrTMKe2TZYVVvsQ3zBGsU2s8t-k4R-l5hqWs/s1600/fire+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPw32hIoNizyafuAcul1c0LtjU7Rfx8EQtmLvmgBqEkBwNN5MQSuMQ8JcYpDPS5H-5OEb8uVNyiA0BCmSBTIsETUXFJ3gxZr02BF2GIswrTMKe2TZYVVvsQ3zBGsU2s8t-k4R-l5hqWs/s640/fire+077.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no bigger treat than heading outside in the dead of winter and finding your roses in bloom....</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A gorgeous respite from all the rain and I was able to cature these images...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The colours of winter are spectacular....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI6Ht60lKfMnuzi8eMC99TYUZxVE0_uaeem8o5wn4YpEqCFM3s3a3OUKNdRWSX6MtaMlflBwyqjkNO3dDpWpR9ofaDgSRPYkiCDG4rfk0jQocI-vJOAuO-CENdF1QM6tnvRWbadHe-Lw/s1600/june+2011+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI6Ht60lKfMnuzi8eMC99TYUZxVE0_uaeem8o5wn4YpEqCFM3s3a3OUKNdRWSX6MtaMlflBwyqjkNO3dDpWpR9ofaDgSRPYkiCDG4rfk0jQocI-vJOAuO-CENdF1QM6tnvRWbadHe-Lw/s640/june+2011+192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My colour palette in leaves, decor and everything that makes me happy!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuWq3RW1hME4f6TiQNeiuSjIuf1JMW9SNC46MWLwAv65ADDcyeydJ6YFHTPX23pAmXoI_EnVJey2SgXUzC4ucIWaeLI8wR5Kx5-zQ7dtZUy0ue0RiTRBqc_Dir4slhPUnxXAYwuITDUA/s1600/june+2011+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuWq3RW1hME4f6TiQNeiuSjIuf1JMW9SNC46MWLwAv65ADDcyeydJ6YFHTPX23pAmXoI_EnVJey2SgXUzC4ucIWaeLI8wR5Kx5-zQ7dtZUy0ue0RiTRBqc_Dir4slhPUnxXAYwuITDUA/s640/june+2011+203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just adore the shape of Acer/Maple Leaves!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBx3iKg5tpiUKyESMZw79OnNnHlFkgW4jSOFRWyRGCWdptlYXUyVJfSnjj8zx2Rap8QZ4sE0mxTRy7XMkaZXYnyrUOJ7dlAG7vLLHNnxlbOYG1mKYtp_ZtplV5UBVN0-ZaX_t_XAlrq4/s1600/june+2011+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBx3iKg5tpiUKyESMZw79OnNnHlFkgW4jSOFRWyRGCWdptlYXUyVJfSnjj8zx2Rap8QZ4sE0mxTRy7XMkaZXYnyrUOJ7dlAG7vLLHNnxlbOYG1mKYtp_ZtplV5UBVN0-ZaX_t_XAlrq4/s640/june+2011+206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My garden birds...always willing subjects....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Went outside to hang washing and was stopped in my tracks with this amazing colour combo...dropped the washing basket and headed back inside for the camera...washing forgotten!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchmXJWY59Gae775sZLEr4QM53TOrwIipKWT4SUGJDFdFGzde1LnGoepmH0gnM0Ffuc1v5BBaPRuf5chDzboWLubah9-EigjYz6PNlfjKeFkftWbG11Z6QGRcs_Wo7tHY7DMw2tkJXOKE/s1600/birthday+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchmXJWY59Gae775sZLEr4QM53TOrwIipKWT4SUGJDFdFGzde1LnGoepmH0gnM0Ffuc1v5BBaPRuf5chDzboWLubah9-EigjYz6PNlfjKeFkftWbG11Z6QGRcs_Wo7tHY7DMw2tkJXOKE/s640/birthday+062.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfdJPu9gV25GY9C4S_nb1mpk2ZLBGZIm9gSnvl3o-MnlkU11ATpmW-GRvVwpyQdtYal-O67lOwWs_ZevFWN2MQTRr8_H5mUCA8skuKBff4elmGFswqrbP-DFiPkyr60FObBcb0Q2m4Fw/s1600/birthday+155-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfdJPu9gV25GY9C4S_nb1mpk2ZLBGZIm9gSnvl3o-MnlkU11ATpmW-GRvVwpyQdtYal-O67lOwWs_ZevFWN2MQTRr8_H5mUCA8skuKBff4elmGFswqrbP-DFiPkyr60FObBcb0Q2m4Fw/s640/birthday+155-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8dhana9qpeJLVYCnKszi9N7y6QR13FjLQjKkyNZm0yVRl5FYi2SCYd0eY1rGjxOHhF8wxn4nRZ4EKt4QdUlKK7dr50cVbCpM9mAUcm4cSVD03F88U2-EupC31NMY0BGNPZ9bVkW3uoM/s1600/birthday+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8dhana9qpeJLVYCnKszi9N7y6QR13FjLQjKkyNZm0yVRl5FYi2SCYd0eY1rGjxOHhF8wxn4nRZ4EKt4QdUlKK7dr50cVbCpM9mAUcm4cSVD03F88U2-EupC31NMY0BGNPZ9bVkW3uoM/s640/birthday+164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nature's lacy beauty....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ2ldeinZYUES5m7Ofr9oFlPcOyZKRzqfXD_B8yZuWNaSRqwNVXao43cfycO_5m7k8iIDYy95LcJw7nAYjpsdFfVgxdInkfSZu8ybdPnGJ2TSYUUsOvEp9xVOPHLdcE6jEGsJ_o8H8H8/s1600/April+2012+248-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ2ldeinZYUES5m7Ofr9oFlPcOyZKRzqfXD_B8yZuWNaSRqwNVXao43cfycO_5m7k8iIDYy95LcJw7nAYjpsdFfVgxdInkfSZu8ybdPnGJ2TSYUUsOvEp9xVOPHLdcE6jEGsJ_o8H8H8/s640/April+2012+248-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clear winter skies made the Ficus Benjaminus Golden King look amazing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_UdWzZ9nERVglbdlhT2S_u5TLwENcqss1hRj-gXjvv0fJPUjccwMsl4lf-rtwnZgj7vscCLEx6OCJI-1UZA7R-2Q9-SQR3Linxk-iQ_cufcairKRgv3XWuE7Sh_9gZNGb4pD69eN_1Q/s1600/march+2012+932-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_UdWzZ9nERVglbdlhT2S_u5TLwENcqss1hRj-gXjvv0fJPUjccwMsl4lf-rtwnZgj7vscCLEx6OCJI-1UZA7R-2Q9-SQR3Linxk-iQ_cufcairKRgv3XWuE7Sh_9gZNGb4pD69eN_1Q/s640/march+2012+932-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A reminder of another fabulous morning spent with friends...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ijK5xanxUwQSumt6OEMpen_GAsLA94oI7_Ky8I8i5IIl0egfh9Bz3V4iQUHkpYOY2u-lH_KGJRB2WmFpuSiG-usk6qXsCFVct95c_z3PK3i_f36ZDgqGH5WDLZA9WC6wfpZ4fhzh2Xk/s1600/Food+and+flowers+214-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ijK5xanxUwQSumt6OEMpen_GAsLA94oI7_Ky8I8i5IIl0egfh9Bz3V4iQUHkpYOY2u-lH_KGJRB2WmFpuSiG-usk6qXsCFVct95c_z3PK3i_f36ZDgqGH5WDLZA9WC6wfpZ4fhzh2Xk/s640/Food+and+flowers+214-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even a forgotton pot, tucked away in the corner of the garden had a stunning bit of beauty to flirt with the lens!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A walk in the Magic Forest in Durbanville after the rain...and a lilttle magic...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_naNT6yQm-HKjluTatw8H5J5MUWTmCLhyphenhyphenpItItPNlIR5nOONnwfAlBq0ecuY4wC3d8yHtqaM2XzfXe2MCrPPnvfKiaI8UgLDAmeHEVJuqjGZAZr1yVDke294uIgF4Jl7IwRkpdzxE7w/s1600/fire+093-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_naNT6yQm-HKjluTatw8H5J5MUWTmCLhyphenhyphenpItItPNlIR5nOONnwfAlBq0ecuY4wC3d8yHtqaM2XzfXe2MCrPPnvfKiaI8UgLDAmeHEVJuqjGZAZr1yVDke294uIgF4Jl7IwRkpdzxE7w/s640/fire+093-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Urban Sprouts??</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfAojNfJvxDIF9HvBUPMLed8Yq5ki9MPCHfhWsSRU89B5ic4UdeU1_ZEbcw-VjCyZ4A8ShYGhlpCSv5QNSf06XkZM86JXmeWnr-960J4FrjtaGZ5RSM1WasQ1LRr4y1qRGmHd7eggf3w/s1600/fire+090-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfAojNfJvxDIF9HvBUPMLed8Yq5ki9MPCHfhWsSRU89B5ic4UdeU1_ZEbcw-VjCyZ4A8ShYGhlpCSv5QNSf06XkZM86JXmeWnr-960J4FrjtaGZ5RSM1WasQ1LRr4y1qRGmHd7eggf3w/s640/fire+090-002.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Found this in a gallery in Stellenbosch...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJncGBEWkmKnAB-NAS3Hmz9Oznj4mWT5tAFIhmvxpyqrVps7eMp-5KrC9ZiprmNFTQ1zvOjEcA1RkMD6feXj2kJ8399mu_oraurgDQWRzD9w02qR4kFv61dMpeTC6bNaIUpq5Hr_YwHQU/s1600/birthday+153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJncGBEWkmKnAB-NAS3Hmz9Oznj4mWT5tAFIhmvxpyqrVps7eMp-5KrC9ZiprmNFTQ1zvOjEcA1RkMD6feXj2kJ8399mu_oraurgDQWRzD9w02qR4kFv61dMpeTC6bNaIUpq5Hr_YwHQU/s640/birthday+153.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dream catcher au Natural!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK8bPgqIOk50TMM_fsy_7pXtO5IXx4f3YIvOuoemYzy4VYM1BwSvPzKqL9q2tK3SJ10SBL__W-gJAPIqvf0Kwcsx0uQafD-ygwIi7YcNTn5ANSp93PYNB8xbBViuPr_qPNkuwZvYjtVE/s1600/birthday+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK8bPgqIOk50TMM_fsy_7pXtO5IXx4f3YIvOuoemYzy4VYM1BwSvPzKqL9q2tK3SJ10SBL__W-gJAPIqvf0Kwcsx0uQafD-ygwIi7YcNTn5ANSp93PYNB8xbBViuPr_qPNkuwZvYjtVE/s640/birthday+172.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wishing you all a very happy Monday and a week full of beauty!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
</div>Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-31167127326729127762012-07-20T05:30:00.000-07:002012-07-20T05:30:10.635-07:00Masquerade....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello dear ones!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you all doing? Ready for the weekend? Any interesting plans?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We enjoyed a little Indian summer in honour of Madiba's birthday over here. It was a treat and we dried out a bit after all the rain, but alas, it was short lived ... and the rain is softly falling again!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a last treat installed for you from my visit to Franschoek, last week during the Bastille Fest </span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/07/bastille-fest-in-franschoek.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">click here if you missed it!</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I popped into one of my favourite decor shops, Masquerade ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.... draped in The Tricolour of France.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOfCxHTNl4_Gy87k0dEcjkAGcRb5dAcCzM7BSkGqPyiAZqpSOGEdeaF06XplH7nzD17ZrhTHwD4qhODfxVqz0MRrGR9ZTbIbtLK8G_4R_lu52WgGyI-VC7alU7I3Yz2Zy3U4j05ol0Fo/s1600/Bastille+FEst+191-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOfCxHTNl4_Gy87k0dEcjkAGcRb5dAcCzM7BSkGqPyiAZqpSOGEdeaF06XplH7nzD17ZrhTHwD4qhODfxVqz0MRrGR9ZTbIbtLK8G_4R_lu52WgGyI-VC7alU7I3Yz2Zy3U4j05ol0Fo/s640/Bastille+FEst+191-001.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It most certainly is the place to loose ones head, trust me this would not be a difficult endeavour...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1aoVZUaemBCRzEfLzVVaWIET_-XEfDGqmbWzGJg1WdmOpuWHM4iq_GOPGm3bA6B4Y27byXiRHF9WwqVtoEB_ezlbH6MCupDz7niLyOW1_RX4jb9ScbF_wfzXw2jZnwCrpAE_WymqouY/s1600/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1aoVZUaemBCRzEfLzVVaWIET_-XEfDGqmbWzGJg1WdmOpuWHM4iq_GOPGm3bA6B4Y27byXiRHF9WwqVtoEB_ezlbH6MCupDz7niLyOW1_RX4jb9ScbF_wfzXw2jZnwCrpAE_WymqouY/s640/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's probably during this time, lost in here, that I missed the waiter's race!! Oi! Maybe, I should enter for next year's race.... but you can surely see how the seduction came about...be reasonable!!??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blame the chandelier who shamelessly winked at me as I was passing by...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9p_FstHKCdAFcARhSQNRIb_xxmz1aBgoT_8W25we_Fu7-NIH1jv46e3fAU6ekeShJFUePOoBSZ71oBES5ydnOGi-9iMDjbW-Yse6relwOfyUpDixsE2BMWwQ7ZM54y3bIgIn8iN1gFg/s1600/Bastille+FEst+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9p_FstHKCdAFcARhSQNRIb_xxmz1aBgoT_8W25we_Fu7-NIH1jv46e3fAU6ekeShJFUePOoBSZ71oBES5ydnOGi-9iMDjbW-Yse6relwOfyUpDixsE2BMWwQ7ZM54y3bIgIn8iN1gFg/s640/Bastille+FEst+318.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt a patriotic nod to my French Ancestors and acquired some of that ribbon draped over <em>Madam. </em>The possibilities are endless..</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OaPJTkbawnhMwcuH_lvPoDAeOu_O1QUiMJ7lHzknIBuiK94qhRnMY-ODvTUYuCfdfBueKV6LjLQA1iP6VRF_OrptgX0tVJK7tI5vD1FEzQow7bziry9b1NGhuNCvugM8t8__DJt6opI/s1600/Bastille+FEst+321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OaPJTkbawnhMwcuH_lvPoDAeOu_O1QUiMJ7lHzknIBuiK94qhRnMY-ODvTUYuCfdfBueKV6LjLQA1iP6VRF_OrptgX0tVJK7tI5vD1FEzQow7bziry9b1NGhuNCvugM8t8__DJt6opI/s640/Bastille+FEst+321.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was lost in France and did not hear a single announcement...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdP7fOuEkAXEDD66xIr-q05egvp09_F9_Km1FsDwbJ5ozunLQn4adRZhzVy8fU7rIIhdsB7LDipLjWxszFK3hJC951t-LaNP9QgP32ahEvlginVik6UEBcM_n9JvaGgw1hsBYEVeMX6eg/s1600/Bastille+FEst+331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdP7fOuEkAXEDD66xIr-q05egvp09_F9_Km1FsDwbJ5ozunLQn4adRZhzVy8fU7rIIhdsB7LDipLjWxszFK3hJC951t-LaNP9QgP32ahEvlginVik6UEBcM_n9JvaGgw1hsBYEVeMX6eg/s640/Bastille+FEst+331.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...not even one!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXa0kOiEDayeHvhH9bkv6WuuiX0OwKHFWa4S7OQtOGxUXHE66S_i5uO60WF8ThEIZUntn2Bg8CZw_-ZfHLGiZFEJJYFGXjHpbdFl0FAug6v8YXIUmRJ4YPaKAr9V9J-GhV0iDere9qUU/s1600/Bastille+FEst+323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXa0kOiEDayeHvhH9bkv6WuuiX0OwKHFWa4S7OQtOGxUXHE66S_i5uO60WF8ThEIZUntn2Bg8CZw_-ZfHLGiZFEJJYFGXjHpbdFl0FAug6v8YXIUmRJ4YPaKAr9V9J-GhV0iDere9qUU/s640/Bastille+FEst+323.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The air was awash in lavender and of course, I instantly thought of ... </span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/05/hello-dear-ones-friday-is-upon-us-and.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Madam Duflot's Wedding Samba!!! Click here to enjoy it!!</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and was humming away happily...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOOeeK8bhKMxPy9lv8veeWdSTStZ0n4szV_5j0UKYDKrZvXJ-z3hCtxyUkJ33rGhJf8EOwIVjSFIKJyliP26Y5TKt_OMEMx5rpYn18TiL_WyTDN8TBapgcXiUqTKxWn_8na8NIKTUeCM/s1600/Bastille+FEst+328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOOeeK8bhKMxPy9lv8veeWdSTStZ0n4szV_5j0UKYDKrZvXJ-z3hCtxyUkJ33rGhJf8EOwIVjSFIKJyliP26Y5TKt_OMEMx5rpYn18TiL_WyTDN8TBapgcXiUqTKxWn_8na8NIKTUeCM/s640/Bastille+FEst+328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who would hear a race announcement in here??</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjb9KDLq3Etn3Xueha1N78gfhCgXBmhVaSpU3T4tdavGZ49QkyOtuRcGSzloAzUqlCfjydDmVKmDpJIlj5qVlggjMATnKtcoFnJClMjmJQ32gOizZAGCwWPNLqvTsjXWcIjw7Rueg05Q/s1600/Bastille+FEst+324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjb9KDLq3Etn3Xueha1N78gfhCgXBmhVaSpU3T4tdavGZ49QkyOtuRcGSzloAzUqlCfjydDmVKmDpJIlj5qVlggjMATnKtcoFnJClMjmJQ32gOizZAGCwWPNLqvTsjXWcIjw7Rueg05Q/s640/Bastille+FEst+324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was tempted to get under the covers...it was freezing and I was </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wet!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH88zDZnBpp9lkho_EZ0mJxAnWCUvy7-cejcTH6BGxZcGGyth5DC_EFhwqjeXUucHbahICwjU99TFiuaDIBIDEV-3w1wenGdo4J74FKfAa2ELd3x_QfEOMYW1BRh4wvOaYdfy0UQnHlA/s1600/Bastille+FEst+326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH88zDZnBpp9lkho_EZ0mJxAnWCUvy7-cejcTH6BGxZcGGyth5DC_EFhwqjeXUucHbahICwjU99TFiuaDIBIDEV-3w1wenGdo4J74FKfAa2ELd3x_QfEOMYW1BRh4wvOaYdfy0UQnHlA/s640/Bastille+FEst+326.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course I would find the urns!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A warm glow ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58P3qk8t9Ah8G83HEPqgdvEty40dZIq4KyivdTA1_ftfmg3GqZhykQX5CkJVoUCRPN2kRlrA0q92MbGEHoROnCJH-Kspgs8hwbaXiH6rxbjF3nT7eaVyDUoUs2NmOnWj7lDnpwr2yItU/s1600/Bastille+FEst+343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58P3qk8t9Ah8G83HEPqgdvEty40dZIq4KyivdTA1_ftfmg3GqZhykQX5CkJVoUCRPN2kRlrA0q92MbGEHoROnCJH-Kspgs8hwbaXiH6rxbjF3nT7eaVyDUoUs2NmOnWj7lDnpwr2yItU/s640/Bastille+FEst+343.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so, onto matters concerning taste buds...</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved the wall and the grey and gorgeous mural above ,,,</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I am pleased that you understand now, how I got a lil lost in here...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillnyEc1eTca6X7WzIQRsxHUX9KIqdI6ti4TwFaonAJwdlSABV95Yz0ExzbrBwPpfAZ4pIXqxTaXqnqK5kejWfRo-njEduEOoQ54ZeDk81nXWKTx6ylJ6YmLO9XkeG12_kkFgcTheQJB4/s1600/Bastille+FEst+344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillnyEc1eTca6X7WzIQRsxHUX9KIqdI6ti4TwFaonAJwdlSABV95Yz0ExzbrBwPpfAZ4pIXqxTaXqnqK5kejWfRo-njEduEOoQ54ZeDk81nXWKTx6ylJ6YmLO9XkeG12_kkFgcTheQJB4/s640/Bastille+FEst+344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A whole lotta rooster love going on here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lovely linen! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These lil cloche's were just too darling for words...yes they could be used for truffles, both the earthy and chocholately type! Or both of course...</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I seriously had to find the exit before my purse was lost along with my willpower....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3ILNe0KfSWSkO6gjoD7SZaeA1LBlumgUWCPhQJyqPmgrZXxQ2V8VT_FaJhtmLCAZzkP23x9oFBG4ak2An-Cp5WMmgU4sY1jJzxnOnYGTKy_lUj20qLh9gFs15ULlvMhHPxxNS1jMxCA/s1600/Bastille+FEst+356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3ILNe0KfSWSkO6gjoD7SZaeA1LBlumgUWCPhQJyqPmgrZXxQ2V8VT_FaJhtmLCAZzkP23x9oFBG4ak2An-Cp5WMmgU4sY1jJzxnOnYGTKy_lUj20qLh9gFs15ULlvMhHPxxNS1jMxCA/s640/Bastille+FEst+356.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In spite of the miserable weather it was an awesome day! At this point I needed lunch and I trotted off to French Connection Bistro, and of course, to ponder the minor catastrophe of missing an event I needed to photograph...sigh..nothing a glass of Shiraz won't put into perspective...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for you company</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well / Bien Vivre</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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please leave comments in the comment box below.. I am all ears...</div>
</div>Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-56982047459120875442012-07-15T12:42:00.000-07:002012-07-20T05:01:25.089-07:00Bastille Fest in Franschoek!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi dear friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rain continues to fall here and snow has fallen on the mountain tops. It is brrrrr.....!!! Saturday morning I headed to the pretty town of Franschoek in the middle of a raging storm! I was wondering if I would be the only crazy person...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K850eHUbPjgDBmLLnrAGjaAjl2ghDvWZmePQlQW1dxjvu2YIppsXCk3rfkrFSxlXovlH822hGhKSNUDm-SpIRK-M2izorZz5YgLf-I7NhogiH-RYzHRei3GNAyz_JbKp9uFc1cIQ5vw/s1600/Bastille+FEst+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K850eHUbPjgDBmLLnrAGjaAjl2ghDvWZmePQlQW1dxjvu2YIppsXCk3rfkrFSxlXovlH822hGhKSNUDm-SpIRK-M2izorZz5YgLf-I7NhogiH-RYzHRei3GNAyz_JbKp9uFc1cIQ5vw/s640/Bastille+FEst+043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I arrived early and stopped at the first promise of coffee at La Vendome draped in the French Flag and looking fabulously festive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sun was trying its best to put in an appearance...<br />I had coffee at Cafe Le Chocolatier</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEhMBtkN_LHGwtHzAqJTuywqo8NKUzsgAtPfnDAlmVbZPyculP35npzYVF9qr9UxcKgiOV-y6Yq2YY2JSmcNkPF6IzlKERRR4-KZV1m3zj9zp7M-jCO-colGoIbPJo5wq7IoRnk6oIro/s1600/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEhMBtkN_LHGwtHzAqJTuywqo8NKUzsgAtPfnDAlmVbZPyculP35npzYVF9qr9UxcKgiOV-y6Yq2YY2JSmcNkPF6IzlKERRR4-KZV1m3zj9zp7M-jCO-colGoIbPJo5wq7IoRnk6oIro/s640/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A lovely ambiance but no croissants..on Bastille Day??!! I was disappointed!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXho7vKwgzMd0Z84eorGo9pl05IzNrpXN_zgKgxW0w8giVsXY9fB1fW-YI8qcg2fPnQLc9U8qwZYKue4cjpJ6ig9_kZdChEAEvkpVVmLmOAZpAIicOuvmovbukYTXCWhEs2EaNjP1aZ0/s1600/Bastille+FEst+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXho7vKwgzMd0Z84eorGo9pl05IzNrpXN_zgKgxW0w8giVsXY9fB1fW-YI8qcg2fPnQLc9U8qwZYKue4cjpJ6ig9_kZdChEAEvkpVVmLmOAZpAIicOuvmovbukYTXCWhEs2EaNjP1aZ0/s640/Bastille+FEst+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peeking out from behind The Tricolour was a treasure trove that I have been into before, so today, I gave it a cursory glance and one photo and trotted of into town to find croissants!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Promising it that I would be back...of course!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The entire town was awash in blue, red and white and ready for a fest!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQQgKKtlD3Qo13pbLOSUPum65Ypxa0rBjrWp3ecN4aQfe8gY-KWsGG-YDxWmVrRvNNTi3HdQxGaRAXnnr_8ssCSLCnBYfQi1cZZ9sGD2zXXZVtmLEiUBbd0Kz8YoXhU_TBamMnm5wZlc/s1600/Bastille+FEst+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQQgKKtlD3Qo13pbLOSUPum65Ypxa0rBjrWp3ecN4aQfe8gY-KWsGG-YDxWmVrRvNNTi3HdQxGaRAXnnr_8ssCSLCnBYfQi1cZZ9sGD2zXXZVtmLEiUBbd0Kz8YoXhU_TBamMnm5wZlc/s640/Bastille+FEst+190.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Staff, officials and visitors alike dressed for the occasion .</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08AoCIfFIe89ETnidmHGjkcVXnILwHV3ntG_U0x7TvSiWUcsODjUT7DGZmXr-d39BF9T3QsWzhjGCL1AgvR345Qkm_PuzPf5r2r_UyIYhyphenhyphenhwn_5kx3EXjZ1h6VbYrJD0fAVh5xnLxN2k/s1600/Bastille+FEst+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08AoCIfFIe89ETnidmHGjkcVXnILwHV3ntG_U0x7TvSiWUcsODjUT7DGZmXr-d39BF9T3QsWzhjGCL1AgvR345Qkm_PuzPf5r2r_UyIYhyphenhyphenhwn_5kx3EXjZ1h6VbYrJD0fAVh5xnLxN2k/s640/Bastille+FEst+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7f83y-V-vSjmOAcPr7gDWdyeN771Ji7n4JdVznHuyU5zT_tlXopp53f4YD4XzRhr_fr4eu-_IKJIfCogjHI-ejWpg0eUmUf_Jk6W49lB9UJNXQdQD1f28tgaBBYLenkUirvOsrfsWPI/s1600/Bastille+FEst+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7f83y-V-vSjmOAcPr7gDWdyeN771Ji7n4JdVznHuyU5zT_tlXopp53f4YD4XzRhr_fr4eu-_IKJIfCogjHI-ejWpg0eUmUf_Jk6W49lB9UJNXQdQD1f28tgaBBYLenkUirvOsrfsWPI/s640/Bastille+FEst+191.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elegant shop windows to drool over...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Street fashion to gasp over, sometimes in delight, sometimes in horror...some times hilarious!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSp-qdJQjEeoXpJgeCSN0bCYM_kZY6AE480IDGjKjHNp_VjsGeDRCL_a_1Y0Ui7E2sbmnyzRXW_BcWpU2pvyr9cpBDWpMvUYvANdUNKDGCOIjgSfcWOBds2NEkrkeSLAPRxBIdI9Tkr0/s1600/Bastille+FEst+249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSp-qdJQjEeoXpJgeCSN0bCYM_kZY6AE480IDGjKjHNp_VjsGeDRCL_a_1Y0Ui7E2sbmnyzRXW_BcWpU2pvyr9cpBDWpMvUYvANdUNKDGCOIjgSfcWOBds2NEkrkeSLAPRxBIdI9Tkr0/s640/Bastille+FEst+249.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved this ensemble...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRWjAE2A9NTCuv6RFVkwptAjFrloll71kmFde70Nesy5Iav1oFc7NCIaDbAo22WWB2MDvmW8rMZu0CNrxsZGss0yPH6HJhng0MKpLQPUmrtkAxjT7zfmdtvhYtDQnRxU0QYjRdSnN-KI/s1600/Bastille+FEst+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRWjAE2A9NTCuv6RFVkwptAjFrloll71kmFde70Nesy5Iav1oFc7NCIaDbAo22WWB2MDvmW8rMZu0CNrxsZGss0yPH6HJhng0MKpLQPUmrtkAxjT7zfmdtvhYtDQnRxU0QYjRdSnN-KI/s640/Bastille+FEst+276.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a fabulous lunch at one of my favourite restaurants, French Connection. I adore the ambiance. The fire was burning and it was warm and welcoming with attentive staff all dressed for the fest!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nR-rJ5EmR7L5Gr5dOj9UTDYEZGTY5x-dnQmPZnjOlMW6EgSXpMVRZeJWlcdtm8ckYod8dFhIe7_Gq0KA47DcdjOPwPnBHAU2GHgDPyLHyry1atSwcHjBC0nGAtbOvSIIf3O6rkMW3-8/s1600/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nR-rJ5EmR7L5Gr5dOj9UTDYEZGTY5x-dnQmPZnjOlMW6EgSXpMVRZeJWlcdtm8ckYod8dFhIe7_Gq0KA47DcdjOPwPnBHAU2GHgDPyLHyry1atSwcHjBC0nGAtbOvSIIf3O6rkMW3-8/s640/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had been tasting things here and there in town, so was not very hungry, but who can pass up such scrumptious fare... So, I ordered a Shiraz to ponder my dilemma... The conclusion was simple, order a starter and dessert. Viola!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I opted for the Duck Parfait which was velvety and rich served with an onion marmalade, it hit all the right notes ... sigh of pleasure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sublime!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, my neighbours meal arrived and being a snap happy blogger I leapt up and asked if I could photograph their food! Fortunately the gent was a hotelier and perfectly understood my obsessive behaviour and graciously obliged me. Thank you gentlemen! The open lasagna looked amazing and got the thumbs up as did the Moules, which looked luscious as only mussels can, all black and glistening... also pronounced to be utterly delish!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzU4XAs_Ew6zpCBkEjY5l36274uwNwBDYfFyzer_miX9KYdSTwBdOZXDSIpIP2qjOw0gBJUIMo3hfIlmib14fBYnWj1m7dJuXwnmuBoR3OPwEfpDBnKDGtP3lUAZSWNod7S-e-84bbpE/s1600/Bastille+FEst+222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzU4XAs_Ew6zpCBkEjY5l36274uwNwBDYfFyzer_miX9KYdSTwBdOZXDSIpIP2qjOw0gBJUIMo3hfIlmib14fBYnWj1m7dJuXwnmuBoR3OPwEfpDBnKDGtP3lUAZSWNod7S-e-84bbpE/s640/Bastille+FEst+222.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> was persuaded, with much arm twisting, you understand, to have dessert....! Well, I could not be rude, now could I?? So, after a rich duck parfait, I wanted something tart, and of course apple tart tartin served with vanilla creme fraiche was a good choice. As you can see below it looked delectable and was gorgeous!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Find <a href="http://www.frenchconnection.co.za/">The French Connection Bistro HERE</a> and if you have not visited, please do, you will be delighted!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCv_pLSyF1ZAfexvUZgSHGwvDtSFan3vCkH8Vj4rBv7IuDy2jcT1eWxXgEX5JMq8dSVao7PH9O-T3MW7akwRSOswKEKlSk7wzdAognliHT14zq7rpTEMpYfT8RAYqRmL6lzmavY8mpuc/s1600/Bastille+FEst+239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCv_pLSyF1ZAfexvUZgSHGwvDtSFan3vCkH8Vj4rBv7IuDy2jcT1eWxXgEX5JMq8dSVao7PH9O-T3MW7akwRSOswKEKlSk7wzdAognliHT14zq7rpTEMpYfT8RAYqRmL6lzmavY8mpuc/s640/Bastille+FEst+239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you decor bloggers eyeing the lanterns??</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAXqbbpakvQXhxmWMI20FfXoyfV7uxPBuqxJnufWK0VmaofuBN3gPAA6l1BuVMXSBQC4oN8f4wTrBPqMjAa-ydFm-a0VTWTFbLK5DMDa84JhrYvGIOqdQ4YAGCN_jORM55pb_QgOjWJk/s1600/Bastille+FEst+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAXqbbpakvQXhxmWMI20FfXoyfV7uxPBuqxJnufWK0VmaofuBN3gPAA6l1BuVMXSBQC4oN8f4wTrBPqMjAa-ydFm-a0VTWTFbLK5DMDa84JhrYvGIOqdQ4YAGCN_jORM55pb_QgOjWJk/s640/Bastille+FEst+210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thought so, take a closer look ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjs4mx6lb52F177P4c8bApqZtTUi8YSEXiBpw1zh_fvww83xXE-bQjnXatm26f1WQeG3CmwEimpR4OTrz6Be243afs0QbepIJYErgqOcBSpGs9omc9GMOqWtX5yqNnHEmVYjnRCUISH4/s1600/Bastille+FEst+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjs4mx6lb52F177P4c8bApqZtTUi8YSEXiBpw1zh_fvww83xXE-bQjnXatm26f1WQeG3CmwEimpR4OTrz6Be243afs0QbepIJYErgqOcBSpGs9omc9GMOqWtX5yqNnHEmVYjnRCUISH4/s640/Bastille+FEst+207.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tour Eiffel cupcakes looking trés chic!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHdQJan8ATlNdbRbT_QmTv50D2VIPiSOiVW1SO09lYobVB6vRjnUNdf5vUV6xldi_9ya4wp9iXdP642ZjY30qP-RWjXKRsoMZqoEyAgWdRZViJaCSe5-u6in1OLOGsVshZpnXR4JC3dg/s1600/Bastille+FEst+100-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHdQJan8ATlNdbRbT_QmTv50D2VIPiSOiVW1SO09lYobVB6vRjnUNdf5vUV6xldi_9ya4wp9iXdP642ZjY30qP-RWjXKRsoMZqoEyAgWdRZViJaCSe5-u6in1OLOGsVshZpnXR4JC3dg/s640/Bastille+FEst+100-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to pop in a say hi to one of our bloggy friends whom you all know well. </span><a href="http://labrocanteuse.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Colette from La Broncanteuse</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> has just returned from France where she has been hunting down treasure of monogrammed linen and other desirables and we can't wait to see what she has found.... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCFgkUNJPsJJJS5Emkt5Pm1JIVJ5QoFPD49fZ1Q98182RaI54iyCd2XN_DWsY34fBrw5h5YnguTeGtmM37BTaZdIBePVAqBe9_g1wGhnK0pUvP4e4g-J091B_5PNsCX8tDZJ0rG3FgkU/s1600/Bastille+FEst+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCFgkUNJPsJJJS5Emkt5Pm1JIVJ5QoFPD49fZ1Q98182RaI54iyCd2XN_DWsY34fBrw5h5YnguTeGtmM37BTaZdIBePVAqBe9_g1wGhnK0pUvP4e4g-J091B_5PNsCX8tDZJ0rG3FgkU/s640/Bastille+FEst+166.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The neighbouring stall of Masquerade was not the place to keep ones head...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iA0aOT_ZWbePi54bfYaWI9jFRI6rAu2scakkXe4fdwEdqSPzUwJw5sy1zDTDk-RbSaYmfB_A1sk3dmvj-mM3voFLpwK-p1-CzZafDavethEJ-u2nxrGSpYYD98r5hE4lW_y75CiCWBc/s1600/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iA0aOT_ZWbePi54bfYaWI9jFRI6rAu2scakkXe4fdwEdqSPzUwJw5sy1zDTDk-RbSaYmfB_A1sk3dmvj-mM3voFLpwK-p1-CzZafDavethEJ-u2nxrGSpYYD98r5hE4lW_y75CiCWBc/s640/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That hat on the left would do nicely for next years Met!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxI81Fq7J72NBVcBqUa0tgg8xwL6ohVjavZestB3cwF8BOFFGbDl-oLeTQZHYhiFH77oqaK2DSdNcFHqCodPlhRxhZarAkooKt7v7AKxr7P_ubZnZMvercTnJwIGlMNV97hdvR47jup90/s1600/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxI81Fq7J72NBVcBqUa0tgg8xwL6ohVjavZestB3cwF8BOFFGbDl-oLeTQZHYhiFH77oqaK2DSdNcFHqCodPlhRxhZarAkooKt7v7AKxr7P_ubZnZMvercTnJwIGlMNV97hdvR47jup90/s640/2012-07-15+Bastille+FEst8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Street fashion for the fest....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a cold, wet day but the crowds turned up as the day wore on and a great time was had by all! To view more of the town, the wine barrel race etc </span><a href="http://mothercitymagic.blogspot.com/2012/07/viva-la-france-bastille-day.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">please click here for my blog on Cape Town called Mother City Magic</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your company</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Please leave a comment in the comment box below</span></div>
</div>Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-42869900910368736142012-07-13T04:13:00.002-07:002012-07-23T00:09:42.790-07:00My talented friend ~ Linda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday the 13th?? Hope you are all well and warmer than we are over here. Freezing weather and snow (only on the mountains over here ~ thank goodness) predicted for the weekend... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I think it has already fallen!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What have you planned for this weekend? I am heading out to Franschoek attired in red, white and blue to join in The Bastille Festival! Wine, food, boules, barrel races, waiter's races, markets and a whole lot of fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">um..in the midst of all the rain predicted!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember my previous post on </span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/07/ellen-mauds-winter-garden.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ellen~Maud's beautiful winter garden ( click to view)</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and this magnificent aloe that I photographed...?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmBTIaI7rrXbho-nj67RQUkyXtyfnPyBVxOetUo4OBRFnaD1WkfRFWmXfGj8aHJVwRz5LjKue5IFTTmRnddrhxBxGt1872UyA2gAo-1L6bom6Z7qnL9Ms2kqu7UE7rVu09CvxbS7VHWU/s1600/Ellen+Maud+and+boquets+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmBTIaI7rrXbho-nj67RQUkyXtyfnPyBVxOetUo4OBRFnaD1WkfRFWmXfGj8aHJVwRz5LjKue5IFTTmRnddrhxBxGt1872UyA2gAo-1L6bom6Z7qnL9Ms2kqu7UE7rVu09CvxbS7VHWU/s640/Ellen+Maud+and+boquets+138.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, another beautiful talented friend, Linda, whom you have met twice before, she gifted me that magnificently fragranced bouquet of tuber rose (</span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-fabulously-talented-friends-are.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click here to view that post</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) and (</span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2011/09/ladies-spring-tea-lindas-vintage-table.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here to view the vintage table scape post</span></a><span id="goog_1654609435"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) which she did for the ladies spring tea, last season. This lady has another talent, come take a look...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is also an artist! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Linda painted the aloes in Ellen~Maud's garden... in mixed medium. First, she took a picture and positioned it on the canvas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4g8B9Cx8I6I46TQtkea1VFAQ4R1gH9rGq5B3HNNlDQIB4-PXGTd8JjRWYootxnoUqEZ-w6RJBzlzwmDSCEvh51Rj0BHoVvLYucvsp3-FabvVgLwiXGwPD5hd645MdFiMxQ76NNVPRps/s1600/march+2012+320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4g8B9Cx8I6I46TQtkea1VFAQ4R1gH9rGq5B3HNNlDQIB4-PXGTd8JjRWYootxnoUqEZ-w6RJBzlzwmDSCEvh51Rj0BHoVvLYucvsp3-FabvVgLwiXGwPD5hd645MdFiMxQ76NNVPRps/s640/march+2012+320.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got super excited about this particular piece of art and you will see why... if you know me and my blog and my love of autumn shades!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZyCeaFI0rSr9n4na4VY4NflzPDfjt6NRDt8fcR9Ck9L2H9waCepBwfK-pdIH50XJLuNINc4qL4TkQ9EFRAmpwAmswv6CtgjQZKNlXN9XMoY762g4cnZrH9laVr-_CLYu-TTsbOOmoF0/s1600/march+2012+321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZyCeaFI0rSr9n4na4VY4NflzPDfjt6NRDt8fcR9Ck9L2H9waCepBwfK-pdIH50XJLuNINc4qL4TkQ9EFRAmpwAmswv6CtgjQZKNlXN9XMoY762g4cnZrH9laVr-_CLYu-TTsbOOmoF0/s640/march+2012+321.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then she added a gauzy bandage below for textural enhancement.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PRgOg_xGDZ3n4804c32LgTphSNOOPZBJ_0pH2lkRgpft76P7N4O7Q7e7gpVfg6QJLa7gH6cpGPcwz6kYmbSDc2plQZlqBW6opDPxwBxwN8-ewT7eHKNToTXwwJqLmVjF4BQSlCoBOvQ/s1600/march+2012+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PRgOg_xGDZ3n4804c32LgTphSNOOPZBJ_0pH2lkRgpft76P7N4O7Q7e7gpVfg6QJLa7gH6cpGPcwz6kYmbSDc2plQZlqBW6opDPxwBxwN8-ewT7eHKNToTXwwJqLmVjF4BQSlCoBOvQ/s640/march+2012+318.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a closer look ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_p_3cqdH_ycaYkACDxcjhS2NLHCPXHOJ77eGhAiBbHWLYH_mJP7pCvofni4dJUF6IFmqszuF94_cde0S3t1GUS4J2Se341bI7nlHFG0PCN2HhSt_IGw_uF7xCLGSNnnvWnboJbBsE0M/s1600/march+2012+319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_p_3cqdH_ycaYkACDxcjhS2NLHCPXHOJ77eGhAiBbHWLYH_mJP7pCvofni4dJUF6IFmqszuF94_cde0S3t1GUS4J2Se341bI7nlHFG0PCN2HhSt_IGw_uF7xCLGSNnnvWnboJbBsE0M/s640/march+2012+319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and started to layer the colours! Hmmm, already I can see some of you smiling, thinking...yip Veronica's colour palette...but keep going it gets much much better...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeci59rV4v4SYPmeqScQaaUyvl5EukK7tM7Wr4FplhRB51v-0i-NS31SvDkH-4GNJxyaMKVYJWeyFEh4xBYZQoFoxIilxAJrSuemxFu2kOcM_-euF0JoG-HBxwV1dFPdECPfHmJbyU-wA/s1600/April+2012+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeci59rV4v4SYPmeqScQaaUyvl5EukK7tM7Wr4FplhRB51v-0i-NS31SvDkH-4GNJxyaMKVYJWeyFEh4xBYZQoFoxIilxAJrSuemxFu2kOcM_-euF0JoG-HBxwV1dFPdECPfHmJbyU-wA/s640/April+2012+160.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now!! Can you see what I meant? An autumnal colour symphony right out of my dream colour palette ... This piece of art has all my colours, moody charcoals, terracotta, burnt ambers, creams, browny shades of red and more. The textures and shapes are so pleasing and gives such depth. I am afraid that my camera, simply does not do it justice!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeA2nh1pFRnQbYrrjShBvz25d6wMts849PYEp0CM0SyB1-CUAGUNdHrm8u1-Jx4mTMaL5MRKepNxIg_0oMGt6gW0RlMKD9J0ojj5tKGI3tL_cpGZ6WRb1LXB7USomH5P-mY4jsGwvfi0/s1600/April+2012+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeA2nh1pFRnQbYrrjShBvz25d6wMts849PYEp0CM0SyB1-CUAGUNdHrm8u1-Jx4mTMaL5MRKepNxIg_0oMGt6gW0RlMKD9J0ojj5tKGI3tL_cpGZ6WRb1LXB7USomH5P-mY4jsGwvfi0/s640/April+2012+162.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a closer look at those gauzy bandages now...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn7dDy3bzP5-AvC1ssLLiQUAaIWe6rGIanFfYNqgOvedpWa4_0cqWQw9_iY9QdJa0FnuKaiNYZjUFxEu-TV5Diu4yhgeyVatTzPkBd3Y8cwxlZdQrQsVtp1aGRalUa2HCtAQSKrv12T0/s1600/April+2012+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn7dDy3bzP5-AvC1ssLLiQUAaIWe6rGIanFfYNqgOvedpWa4_0cqWQw9_iY9QdJa0FnuKaiNYZjUFxEu-TV5Diu4yhgeyVatTzPkBd3Y8cwxlZdQrQsVtp1aGRalUa2HCtAQSKrv12T0/s640/April+2012+164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the "haloed effect" surrounding the aloes making the form and whorls pop out at you.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8Q_EMfSbB871sx08Qa-3J2PSixnfXX3yikqIPpKBiRFnVJ6AslHNqaQYsGY63rSQXQ2VzDoouGi-R6SGzymUYtUHp_IjBQAU4fbqxbBYCjESu3wrMAtCkI7xAhk9ZZHNrB0p5SzTU0A/s1600/April+2012+159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8Q_EMfSbB871sx08Qa-3J2PSixnfXX3yikqIPpKBiRFnVJ6AslHNqaQYsGY63rSQXQ2VzDoouGi-R6SGzymUYtUHp_IjBQAU4fbqxbBYCjESu3wrMAtCkI7xAhk9ZZHNrB0p5SzTU0A/s640/April+2012+159.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here, displayed against a stone wall, together with another friend's version of the same scene the colours come to life even more and it would be the perfect spot to hang it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHTvgqhX5pEJvR3985WPYwEvG-2tvevjWAkNoAxIR1_jtvwrxvVvbXf1feMcLsV-hIOFIjyzBb4wY2DUS-XJm7_a1aGeHYk_sUBpMfLruu5sWIlSNqwJjeIT2RAJqoq89Nvu-cWETtl8/s1600/April+2012+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHTvgqhX5pEJvR3985WPYwEvG-2tvevjWAkNoAxIR1_jtvwrxvVvbXf1feMcLsV-hIOFIjyzBb4wY2DUS-XJm7_a1aGeHYk_sUBpMfLruu5sWIlSNqwJjeIT2RAJqoq89Nvu-cWETtl8/s640/April+2012+155.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Linda, has been part of an exhibition and has also sold some of her paintings. She loves painting and is super talented, as you can see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will show you more of her work and also her beautiful garden in a future post. Whenever I visit her it is always a treat and highlight of my visit to see what her latest subject is on the easel!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I deeply admire a talent like this and can just imagine the amount of pleasure it gives to the artist. It certainly imbues my spirit with a good dash of appreciation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Long sigh of pleasure.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXIxoNNHpQ6w8r40Ect_JoLgoO__EBJXzq2dAyqIQoi4ySGWA3XJxizvcdkp6YUpMLHaowMVm1ISS-j5SMqs2qmZQz-6IU7i6A11s9tld5sSaIWJlOiwjGBs6wsD_B6G4WdvYl4vHQxg/s1600/April+2012+160-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXIxoNNHpQ6w8r40Ect_JoLgoO__EBJXzq2dAyqIQoi4ySGWA3XJxizvcdkp6YUpMLHaowMVm1ISS-j5SMqs2qmZQz-6IU7i6A11s9tld5sSaIWJlOiwjGBs6wsD_B6G4WdvYl4vHQxg/s640/April+2012+160-001.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to Linda for dutifully calling me to pop along and take pics as she was progressing! It is always an education for me to see how it all comes together in the end. And a great pleasure to be able to share it with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be linking this inspirational post to </span><a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2012/07/inspire-me-monday-week-29.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inspite me Monday at Create with Joy! </span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Please hop over there for loads of inspiration!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your company</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Please leave your comments below in the comment box...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">do any of you paint as well? I would love to know...</span></div>
</div>Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-45826303256509673352012-07-08T06:54:00.001-07:002012-07-09T04:42:27.145-07:00Ellen Maud's Winter Garden ~ Aflame in Fiery Colour!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am ensconced at my desk and wrapped in a furry blanket. The world outside my window is wet wet and wet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A few days ago, I photographed my friend, Ellen-Maud's amazing garden. Her of the "<a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-fabulously-talented-friends-are.html">My Fabulously Talented Friend's are Bloomin Marvellous</a>" post who gifted me that magnificent bouquets...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, as you can imagine, two such talented ladies are bound to have beautiful homes and of course, beautiful gardens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ellen-Maud's garden is a symphony of form, shape, texture and colour. During winter it becomes the star attraction of the neighbourhood when all the various aloes burst into flame!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just take a peek...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_yX04ZrCK5-mRifIDDTafsZIr_EISSxLsYzrkBW9mIzsZho4aQkMtVT6zVoT0s8meL6bVfvs9BbX5daIdrpDofd-fVc_syXyqhh_c2ndzRe3yeVO5-r9OKilZDk5M8uBF7rphK6h0rU/s1600/2012-06-26+Ellen+Maud+and+boquets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_yX04ZrCK5-mRifIDDTafsZIr_EISSxLsYzrkBW9mIzsZho4aQkMtVT6zVoT0s8meL6bVfvs9BbX5daIdrpDofd-fVc_syXyqhh_c2ndzRe3yeVO5-r9OKilZDk5M8uBF7rphK6h0rU/s640/2012-06-26+Ellen+Maud+and+boquets.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amazing, isn't is just?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come stroll with me and let us take a closer look...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A magnificent specimen, don't you think?? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shown off to perfection against the face brick wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, below, all aflame are the stars of winter, the aloes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">No dreary winter blues for this garden!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MFH0nXmGpqoPRZDd_zna56TfJWdsB5aEXwStQMBMNjxyaG8tJTadh6yiaJzzer6Q2ClcI9Eo_B6VDHnHnfVVrF390w1rGlVJLd0kTeOYqkPuaZmsPPC-3H92vkxJWtZTjG5tCSNbTOg/s1600/Ellen+Maud+and+boquets+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MFH0nXmGpqoPRZDd_zna56TfJWdsB5aEXwStQMBMNjxyaG8tJTadh6yiaJzzer6Q2ClcI9Eo_B6VDHnHnfVVrF390w1rGlVJLd0kTeOYqkPuaZmsPPC-3H92vkxJWtZTjG5tCSNbTOg/s640/Ellen+Maud+and+boquets+102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Agave Attentuta is always obliging, year round in any garden and falls firmly into my category of Designer Plants!! Always photogenic as well, no matter what the weather is up to. I can never tire of the magnificent flamboyant whorls!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another legend, Mother - Law's - Tongue / Sanseveria tries to muscle into the frame!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Large boulders and rock accentuates the colours and texture's of the Bromelias and other more dainty additions like the local blue Felicia which Ellen-Maud has used with great affect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, no, these were not resident rocks either, Ellen-Maud had them hauled in with earth moving equipment by a friend down the road!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Layer upon layer of interest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aloes are as showy in bud as they are in bloom and of course create a haven for the birds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amazing contrast in colours and form creates visual impact no matter where your eye chooses to explore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cones of the Cycad adds an impact of note!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even in a garden a touch of black can make all the difference!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One never knows which to admire first the leaves or the bloom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, of course I ran my fingers over the leaves!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Textural perfection fused with a rainbow of colour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Call me Miss Octupussy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just majestic and our other friend Linda, also from the </span><a href="http://tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-fabulously-talented-friends-are.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bloomin Marvellous Post !!!</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> painted this magnificent specimen and I will show that to you in my next post! Two truly talented gals!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvHzufNZjhSyxy7zn27H9PE_zhI03HSfPtQZqlUchEU8aFxbYibrHO0ox76nZaUXYZ6s4z0PhrZJ9IDkju4x-CJQgey6zOCXOqqUXd4jvQ6tdzGjdsTN0fER-5GuvDv7SNbkWUJCZXUM/s1600/Ellen+Maud+and+boquets+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvHzufNZjhSyxy7zn27H9PE_zhI03HSfPtQZqlUchEU8aFxbYibrHO0ox76nZaUXYZ6s4z0PhrZJ9IDkju4x-CJQgey6zOCXOqqUXd4jvQ6tdzGjdsTN0fER-5GuvDv7SNbkWUJCZXUM/s640/Ellen+Maud+and+boquets+138.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loving the whimsical touch and shape of the terracotta containers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mother-in-law puts in a fine performance even when she is a background subject...um.. for a change!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't you just love the colour of the dried fronds? And it is as if the fuchsia pink of the bromeliads just highlights it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since I have taken these pics, last week the garden has already changed with new blooms opening and I will be back and equally snap happy. I blame blogging, but I know that its is an affliction that many of you share with me, so I am in safe hands here!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In another section of the garden an old chippy pot adds character and becomes a focal point. Please note the shape, colour and form of the leaves in the background!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who needs flowers? You can not but wonder, was this happy profusion planned or accidental? Which ever it was it's visual impact is implicit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you spot the bird's nests in the tree?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had so much fun and enjoyment from photographing this garden. The diverse beauty to be found here is endless and I am looking forward to returning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you to Ellen-Maud for creating a paradise and for allowing me to share it with all of you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be linking this post to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House </span><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/mosaic-monday-more-bunny.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please click here</span></a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to visit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your precious company</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please regale me with a comment in the comment box below... </span></div>
</div>Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592427209820334179.post-17549274645400097342012-07-04T04:26:00.003-07:002012-07-04T04:26:49.110-07:00Festive France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A very good Wednesday morning to all!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night was the kind of evening where you just want to linger by the fireside. No rain, just clear skies, but as the sun walked across the sky she dragged a very cold front behind her, which saw the fire blazing high at five in the afternoon. Supper was vegetable soup served with Pumpkin and Sesame Seed loaf and I found a forgotten bottle of white wine and settled into the fireside...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now... I needed a good book, but not a novel. So, I nipped upstairs and found the perfect fireside read....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFD_AOtR4AEKg2tYtwzKmwmCFdFziVADqNXWIrf8c229oQFbprO6z8OWHfu3FLO7wkrrPqPab5AfPITQsuzExUFZN2IHfaVDvyQNZIx0Fzo_t_L-tIt63J8oEuwso-jXmJS6vVlPO0vb4/s1600/fire+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFD_AOtR4AEKg2tYtwzKmwmCFdFziVADqNXWIrf8c229oQFbprO6z8OWHfu3FLO7wkrrPqPab5AfPITQsuzExUFZN2IHfaVDvyQNZIx0Fzo_t_L-tIt63J8oEuwso-jXmJS6vVlPO0vb4/s640/fire+227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Festive France is the kind of book that can keep me occupied for yonks. It has it all...France, of course, recipes to drool over and some good yarns told with aplomb!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What more do you need? Perhaps a Chateau thrown into the equation?? No problem...it obliges.</span></div>
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Image, Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds photographed from my book.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, let me introduce you to three adventurous South Africans, an artists , a chef and a stylish gal. They hop over to the French Countryside and buy a Chateau, in rural France... the medieval town of Boussac to be precise. Right where the provinces of Limousin and Auvergne converge. Well, imagine... South Africans merging with the French culture... there is bound to be ... well, a few calamitous moments, absurd recollections, intellectual discussions and can you imagine just for a moment....your taste buds being in a perpetual state of anticipation....Oui!!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, meet Louis Jansen Van Vuuren, Hardy Olivier and Anet Pienaar...</span></div>
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Image, Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds taken from the book</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the lovely Anet, as you can see...wine glass aloft and fun written all over her! a women after mine own heart!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, lets take a look at the petite Chateau La Creuzette ....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wKDCeQcuUbSQQeyu8RG_G4sGFhLPF19TFQivOAFBg3QG_7EJAirAId158STcdl8-D8JGWc0gHcqIUckxqTFuq6fpcEg7as9KKyjRkciYMuRKQse3ZCvN32TCP2_A8QfBbQz-o350gRA/s1600/Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wKDCeQcuUbSQQeyu8RG_G4sGFhLPF19TFQivOAFBg3QG_7EJAirAId158STcdl8-D8JGWc0gHcqIUckxqTFuq6fpcEg7as9KKyjRkciYMuRKQse3ZCvN32TCP2_A8QfBbQz-o350gRA/s640/Front.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picture perfect, wouldn't you say?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdptzbKrSqlwFFJ9yb2SCQ4QZxmSq1FPG2aqz1pE3PMNvHE21oESxLUg6s2g-3hz3BA4hyphenhyphen_m0nVevpCJLO45LFYM9O0H1anDazN-uDIJZvq8nSlA_8FjyFjKp7S5xChQdSWFELsDHR_w/s1600/Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdptzbKrSqlwFFJ9yb2SCQ4QZxmSq1FPG2aqz1pE3PMNvHE21oESxLUg6s2g-3hz3BA4hyphenhyphen_m0nVevpCJLO45LFYM9O0H1anDazN-uDIJZvq8nSlA_8FjyFjKp7S5xChQdSWFELsDHR_w/s640/Statue.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loving the drapes above, the tassels, of course, and the bust! I know I am a wee bit strange..but whenever I dust the busts in my own house I can not resist a greeting... well, someone out there will understand, it might not be you....but...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The way I love to see Fornasetti done....not to much, just enough!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favourite image....right out of my ultimate decor dream....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw0ODeqKk6IsgIFEsE0JfDt0RKflphkh82Q2xT4icMtDGUSpL7C2iHCwLW5P6RMK32eJAzEugY4_P6WWILUxc9YqnS-I4_nSd0D6qs2M1KtAanv8-bS4RRlnRmngnAIux596ymFTRAno/s1600/Luxury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw0ODeqKk6IsgIFEsE0JfDt0RKflphkh82Q2xT4icMtDGUSpL7C2iHCwLW5P6RMK32eJAzEugY4_P6WWILUxc9YqnS-I4_nSd0D6qs2M1KtAanv8-bS4RRlnRmngnAIux596ymFTRAno/s640/Luxury.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a very important piece of news that you need to know. If you should find yourself planning a trip to the French countryside, you can book to stay at La Creuzette. These wonderful hospitable people offer amazing holidays at their piece of paradise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How would you choose from the following...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">French Lifestyle and Shopping for Houses and Antiques </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Painting amongst the Irises</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Most Beautiful Gardens of the South of France??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a look at their website </span><a href="http://www.lacreuzette.com/programmes.asp"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HERE for full details</span></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hope that I have inspired you to start planning that trip!! I know that La Creuzette is top of my French Bucket list!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well now that you are planning your visit, take a look at the tub and then lets head for the most important room....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... and so, onto all things that bubble and boil,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and might I add, a bit of everyday theatre, as Ton Vosloo puts it in his foreword to the book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thus far I can vouch for the delights of the fig tart. Sublime!! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAWGGrAyS1ieRHStcR7NEkvFAutJH63Ci1XADlryX03Aq8HkKyMuV-MwKRlOJU1oppQDA7jTUpxl6WDpZLsyjYo3U0HmItA-4s-UnXyihoejGDsAAmT62DzVs5J9oI2Ly9SIEW9yg3gI/s1600/fire+197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAWGGrAyS1ieRHStcR7NEkvFAutJH63Ci1XADlryX03Aq8HkKyMuV-MwKRlOJU1oppQDA7jTUpxl6WDpZLsyjYo3U0HmItA-4s-UnXyihoejGDsAAmT62DzVs5J9oI2Ly9SIEW9yg3gI/s640/fire+197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> love all things lemon and the next one to try is "Marie- Therese Amichand-debize's lemon tart". It can only be good! I will let you know in due time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just to titillate your reading appetite....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlef7ZLpATnBRk_fka8sLuLKHpqDIAVQucFZKf-3QI3osFnuPke0qQnYuM89zgq3ufm4a_ZO_gk352KXH0kIKH-XFunBKkdK3v0lU11FocT5HrFNH-I5DGKkmI6Vmv4G3p7OMRT_XgMY/s1600/fire+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlef7ZLpATnBRk_fka8sLuLKHpqDIAVQucFZKf-3QI3osFnuPke0qQnYuM89zgq3ufm4a_ZO_gk352KXH0kIKH-XFunBKkdK3v0lU11FocT5HrFNH-I5DGKkmI6Vmv4G3p7OMRT_XgMY/s640/fire+194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span> loved this story by Louis about the art of opening a bottle of champagne! He concludes the demo by saying that ... " If you have done it all correctly, you will be rewarded with the softest sigh, similar to that of a well satisfies <em>madame"</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buy your copy <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Festive-France-Reflections-Recipes-Countryside/dp/1868424316">HERE.</a> Of course locally, I have seen it in most of our book stores! It is a treat!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E2EvNuXXPl3jZE9hpRsELts3QYQfaOPigSgNMxqRNpZ_5bHJunX8K6-alyP4kJK6eefZgpALwx_dWTqWvaTLN_sDjA8QO0rrxcOotalVfJlaFOD-YW0d1BOz5I03KnmtVj7AMFsIklQ/s1600/cupcakes+005-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E2EvNuXXPl3jZE9hpRsELts3QYQfaOPigSgNMxqRNpZ_5bHJunX8K6-alyP4kJK6eefZgpALwx_dWTqWvaTLN_sDjA8QO0rrxcOotalVfJlaFOD-YW0d1BOz5I03KnmtVj7AMFsIklQ/s640/cupcakes+005-001.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you imagine the conversation here... a mix of English Afrikaans, French and much gesticulating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also enjoyed the story about the complexities of French way of greeting. The ritual of cheek kissing three times has many a pitfall for an unsuspecting South African. I have a friend or two, locally who indulge in this practise as well, oddly both male, and it is a minefield of calamity... Well, which side do we start, left or right?? Now, all the while you are still talking, continuing your conversation (and we all know that the best conversation happens while you are trying your best to depart) and so, I am in mid sentence babbling away, and I loose count and leave the other party kissing mid air, my back already turned heading for the car!!! or I forget that I am aiming for the cheek and deliver a mouth to mouth event! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently I has spent time with them the night before and managed to get it all correct! Wondrously... however the next morning I met someone for coffee and messed up a straight forward one on the lips South African kiss!! Go figure...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live Well</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veronica</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(three kisses...we start left, right, left...got it!!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Images from the book and some were photographed by me from my own copy and the decor ones are from La Creuzette's website!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">comments and air kisses in the comment box below please... I am all ears and ready..starting LEFT!! or is it right???</span><br />
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</div>Veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073935892171433452noreply@blogger.com7