my easter promise...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have made a promise to myself...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-llHTDcjxigqVgb9qYzvyhnk9m9fVnc8r0luvn4r7qp8H8GLSfqcCgA-KsdUjYjqs6auRfEX66MSljYHCLpBuYFJDlaK_XZgCEB-Ei8YCbEDQRBKgpiAR0DbHWaTRlRe2lekYeZDx6E6P/s1600/promise+weheartit.com-entry-7602434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-llHTDcjxigqVgb9qYzvyhnk9m9fVnc8r0luvn4r7qp8H8GLSfqcCgA-KsdUjYjqs6auRfEX66MSljYHCLpBuYFJDlaK_XZgCEB-Ei8YCbEDQRBKgpiAR0DbHWaTRlRe2lekYeZDx6E6P/s640/promise+weheartit.com-entry-7602434.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">[i know this picture has no relevance except that it has the word 'promise' in it...but I loved it...so I used it]</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that over the easter/anzac day break...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbhHU2eiFk6Sc78pJ77P_ivnRNPInbOPKk7u_HavMcTdaLvJPupyHClaqDmo5qleGO6NwzxzxMA0ST2cLL_p5t9JXXvCY3AB5SXrIXaGAf7ZLgRzPY1o7-lZ9EMtsPLm03dBu-Y83BMgL/s1600/easter+egg+we+heart+it+8833534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbhHU2eiFk6Sc78pJ77P_ivnRNPInbOPKk7u_HavMcTdaLvJPupyHClaqDmo5qleGO6NwzxzxMA0ST2cLL_p5t9JXXvCY3AB5SXrIXaGAf7ZLgRzPY1o7-lZ9EMtsPLm03dBu-Y83BMgL/s640/easter+egg+we+heart+it+8833534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will do a couple of things.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui1lDwCTM6-dOi0hYwI-k3QX1UhlooSoswTg36Ssfq9O-UXkQRpoRRyagWshjY5VnjkvbEgYCX8LZHL9HGN0odcedsRq7aSR4YVfVM5be8Wnaf9sm4sq2rEY8ZJt3WODOBHcEPOXi_rEJ/s1600/to+do+list+we+heart+it+6148216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui1lDwCTM6-dOi0hYwI-k3QX1UhlooSoswTg36Ssfq9O-UXkQRpoRRyagWshjY5VnjkvbEgYCX8LZHL9HGN0odcedsRq7aSR4YVfVM5be8Wnaf9sm4sq2rEY8ZJt3WODOBHcEPOXi_rEJ/s640/to+do+list+we+heart+it+6148216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No. 1 - some serious navel gazing. I overwhelm myself with stuff, things I 'have' to do, obligations to others, wanting to try a whole heap of things, saying yes when I should say no, thinking I can fit in more than is reasonable or realistic...you know how it goes don't you? I need a better plan. Scrap that...better plan implies I already have one. I just need a plan full stop!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuL4lt5SN0GHies43sE3kdjFjVfjwDUU6Mz6vz_715YQVR7K_igBDnLOC94sHGOEebAZd4slks9L_QAjcgvLbRfdE1CTrmkugfcDGKYY23WTnGh5wHFaQB1S9Bg8Mdhj57JtHdt3muMCf/s1600/thinking+we+heart+it+8905477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuL4lt5SN0GHies43sE3kdjFjVfjwDUU6Mz6vz_715YQVR7K_igBDnLOC94sHGOEebAZd4slks9L_QAjcgvLbRfdE1CTrmkugfcDGKYY23WTnGh5wHFaQB1S9Bg8Mdhj57JtHdt3muMCf/s640/thinking+we+heart+it+8905477.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No. 2 - some serious reading time. I've been neglecting my reading. Which feels like cutting off my right arm. I have a pile of unread magazines I can't jump over. Many still in their plastic wrappers. Seriously. That's just ludicrous. And a stack of books that taunt me every time I look at them. READ ME they yell!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlLT3WaHfHbHdNPtg3-iitcmJmh178xY5WqCg9myXe05bCTUPC1X5k4NYuEA3IdrVwrRYoOhpXlIZBxEB3jGdsWyVQ-q9Y6bCyvv9LPjYNktVj_NsKyOD_14Rvv205MboUss6NadPRKSo/s1600/books+we+heart+it+8931211.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlLT3WaHfHbHdNPtg3-iitcmJmh178xY5WqCg9myXe05bCTUPC1X5k4NYuEA3IdrVwrRYoOhpXlIZBxEB3jGdsWyVQ-q9Y6bCyvv9LPjYNktVj_NsKyOD_14Rvv205MboUss6NadPRKSo/s640/books+we+heart+it+8931211.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">[my pile is much bigger than this but not as pretty]</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, when the break is over I will come back to you with my plan...how I'm going to make my life easier, more productive, less challenging, more fulfilling, less manic, more organised, less ...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if you believe that you might quite possibly be the easter bunny :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9rynml3paXBwQgvFBD3rGXeVxOdfFUszb65FdL1KOZgL-gF5OXKsZg1W6JNj78A5-7GjMak8ec3Qll8Ky9PV0ozUc__ZBOCXCkLeBFjusFIsdOI71QtNrWCLiPjNN9_1Hrd8dVgW9I-l/s1600/easter+wishes+we+heart+it+4618631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9rynml3paXBwQgvFBD3rGXeVxOdfFUszb65FdL1KOZgL-gF5OXKsZg1W6JNj78A5-7GjMak8ec3Qll8Ky9PV0ozUc__ZBOCXCkLeBFjusFIsdOI71QtNrWCLiPjNN9_1Hrd8dVgW9I-l/s640/easter+wishes+we+heart+it+4618631.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to try though. It'll be good to give it a go.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A very happy easter break to everyone...and bless xx</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope someone gives me some chocolate :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">all images from <a href="http://weheartit.com/">weheartit</a>: entry nos 7602434, 8833534, 6148216, 8905477, 831211, 4618631</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

my easter promise...

I have made a promise to myself... [i know this picture has no relevance except that it has the word 'promise' in it...but I loved i...

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one of my favourite o/s bloggers helping out the queenslanders...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you know <a href="http://iusedtobesnowwhitebutidrifted.blogspot.com/">Mariska</a>? No? Why not? Come and meet her and then give her a huge round of applause. For not only is she a super lovely person...warm and encouraging...and gorgeous to boot...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS4JazHPoaFU4LcidnBMZhTGJsUbWCdWuPo_o_bcKc5nF6tn8JbesoLQspGlWUjENDzo7x8JZIUtxXuifI9KffO4WbieMbZ9taTDLEcQgZMMFy8B9T49Uo_CsAcd-qpMPjITyhYWvvS59/s1600/mariska+meijers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS4JazHPoaFU4LcidnBMZhTGJsUbWCdWuPo_o_bcKc5nF6tn8JbesoLQspGlWUjENDzo7x8JZIUtxXuifI9KffO4WbieMbZ9taTDLEcQgZMMFy8B9T49Uo_CsAcd-qpMPjITyhYWvvS59/s400/mariska+meijers.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with huge talent...here are just some of her wonderful creations...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvOemzjT-NL3HUyoUomU19YzTVTTSjuvEcGNas4UHZkqNbGrIwDwYD_ghAPZZXH3UTRTUnJyYWzlQHo9bcFWPMBtWHSK8M05LhZ1_khPegwH0Ec-Y4OMrEP1hyphenhyphenaksJUO6UMo8aIJeG2n-/s1600/mariska+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvOemzjT-NL3HUyoUomU19YzTVTTSjuvEcGNas4UHZkqNbGrIwDwYD_ghAPZZXH3UTRTUnJyYWzlQHo9bcFWPMBtWHSK8M05LhZ1_khPegwH0Ec-Y4OMrEP1hyphenhyphenaksJUO6UMo8aIJeG2n-/s400/mariska+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...she is also extremely generous. In conjunction with Ivy & Piper, Mariska has donated  limited edition screen prints of five of her amazing paintings with all proceeds going to the <a href="http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html">Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal</a>. The details are in<a href="http://issuu.com/ivyandpiper/docs/ivp_magazine_love_2011"> Ivy & Piper's latest Love issue</a>...and they have also donated the proceeds from some pretty spiffy linen napkins as well...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OKYlWtQPAYAkHNwrUPIWMUNforMV_d7X0rvHoghhDk461UyBp_uV-oNmyLc2LBaHAmvhi7GGTPDDLX-nXWNTnjGlSDuSxj17uQ2_mxkhu2JBIdnPh37HqiLSTElzpniCTWVEytRUxYqZ/s1600/ivy-and-piper-flood-relief.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OKYlWtQPAYAkHNwrUPIWMUNforMV_d7X0rvHoghhDk461UyBp_uV-oNmyLc2LBaHAmvhi7GGTPDDLX-nXWNTnjGlSDuSxj17uQ2_mxkhu2JBIdnPh37HqiLSTElzpniCTWVEytRUxYqZ/s400/ivy-and-piper-flood-relief.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please check it out and consider the pleasure you'd get from having one of these brilliant artworks in your home. You can see them a bit better <a href="http://webstore.mariskameijers.com/;jsessionid=DD1204E055AE70ACB65BFBF7525BBC6E?__stateless=DD1204E055AE70ACB65BFBF7525BBC6E">here</a> (excuse rather dodgy screen shot)...I know for sure I'm going to have one on my wall one day...but which one :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want to buy, please email <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="mailto:ivyandpiper@hotmail.com" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: underline;">ivyandpiper@hotmail.com</a>.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We might have to make Mariska an honorary Aussie at this rate!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">all pictures, except the dodgy screen shot, knicked from Mariska's facebook page!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>

one of my favourite o/s bloggers helping out the queenslanders...

Do you know Mariska ? No? Why not? Come and meet her and then give her a huge round of applause. For not only is she a super lovely person.....

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a little trip to the big smoke...and an IKEA headache

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do like to visit Sydney. We don't do it as often as we should but this week it was on the manageable list. And where else in the world can you take a stroll after dinner and see things like this! And look...Mary McKillop on the bridge pylon...now officially Australia's first saint.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf1zp1OrV8ud5MtJTJuizkv09marfP7Dr9Hy8ZmpPWt-nTfWoTKEoWBnSRQOcmyn6ZZm-hBm-u9DJ8HtLUohJ-PZ019vlOjBECx8BKR229nvJqJZ3Zg_5oq60bw4tauU_IUqjnxDsPitf/s1600/sydney+harbour+bridge+and+opera+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf1zp1OrV8ud5MtJTJuizkv09marfP7Dr9Hy8ZmpPWt-nTfWoTKEoWBnSRQOcmyn6ZZm-hBm-u9DJ8HtLUohJ-PZ019vlOjBECx8BKR229nvJqJZ3Zg_5oq60bw4tauU_IUqjnxDsPitf/s640/sydney+harbour+bridge+and+opera+house.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you have free tickets to something, you should take advantage if you can. So we did.  Off to the Better Homes and Gardens Live Event. We were alas, a little late getting out of Canberra...there were eggs benedict to be scoffed and a carpark to get lost in (that was NOT me by the way).</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway... the live event. It wasn't too bad at all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I think it would have been a lot better though if we were doing major renovations, building a house, furnishing a house, needing lots of pots, pans or emu oil! The best part for me was the Prints Charming stall...really nice people, beautiful fabrics...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO5KCxfJM-yRZdX5PygDbHIHpkUf0iHTvrE_TRbC0S6zoC_z6EECmfsvjcqvRXpvBsrdBiW18gBtMQHLwZPYtKhix7A0a_NjcSptLQyIniTAjyN-emYsszGJiuwp625RE8IIC-Xk51fuM/s1600/prints+charming+stall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO5KCxfJM-yRZdX5PygDbHIHpkUf0iHTvrE_TRbC0S6zoC_z6EECmfsvjcqvRXpvBsrdBiW18gBtMQHLwZPYtKhix7A0a_NjcSptLQyIniTAjyN-emYsszGJiuwp625RE8IIC-Xk51fuM/s640/prints+charming+stall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and of course, being the book freak I am...I had to buy this one. And I'm itching to stitch! Look at that fabulous display of screen printing bits and pieces.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUykK_0BOSNmL3kIRJMGTrFJDlEnpeYIgz6_zjE_D-us0d14LaDwsuhYShmmRus4Iyllh7iHrEX1ewegmbEVYh1Gn3dsp6A7Fc7xBz53WKmcQ4d7kWOhWlu5jv8qVkczgP2-T5FJOnsTLa/s1600/prints+charming+stall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUykK_0BOSNmL3kIRJMGTrFJDlEnpeYIgz6_zjE_D-us0d14LaDwsuhYShmmRus4Iyllh7iHrEX1ewegmbEVYh1Gn3dsp6A7Fc7xBz53WKmcQ4d7kWOhWlu5jv8qVkczgP2-T5FJOnsTLa/s640/prints+charming+stall2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if I'm really honest, I was also itching to get to IKEA.  I had imagined that it would shut at 5.00 and time was slipping away. Had I been organised I would have looked up the website before leaving home and discovered it stayed open till 7.00. Never mind. More time to battle crowds and be tempted by things I don't need! Here are a few more snaps from the live event...I love those chairs and aren't those mushrooms magic!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fQFQLYXOeqjOUu_CPzHU5A0yBf8X1ii6LZstT146Dy5uPsjuITmmdqFaEN6UGESksz79O2OHy0gDkKhkDjggaN9gbChAUdS8kgPEZ3pdcICMiq5brwRFOGEkia5TZnrJZjah_rQU9MnB/s1600/BHG+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fQFQLYXOeqjOUu_CPzHU5A0yBf8X1ii6LZstT146Dy5uPsjuITmmdqFaEN6UGESksz79O2OHy0gDkKhkDjggaN9gbChAUdS8kgPEZ3pdcICMiq5brwRFOGEkia5TZnrJZjah_rQU9MnB/s640/BHG+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvTAGP6sM0LvHp-_mvu2tOm1nrA98nI9V0LxSuX-e19N-Dx6YdhEnrzqthPyR4CNKo0s5ns19RDPBqoO1gRHy1-1pj10-kp39GZkB6Nuv60A9g1v0rb67VjIY3i0qU4AlP9sFk2b51a5O/s1600/BHG+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvTAGP6sM0LvHp-_mvu2tOm1nrA98nI9V0LxSuX-e19N-Dx6YdhEnrzqthPyR4CNKo0s5ns19RDPBqoO1gRHy1-1pj10-kp39GZkB6Nuv60A9g1v0rb67VjIY3i0qU4AlP9sFk2b51a5O/s640/BHG+collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And on to Ikea...I can't take photos there...too scared I'll miss something good if I'm looking through a lens. I went for frames, fabric and a floor lamp...all F words, so easy to remember. I came home with frames and a floor lamp but no fabric, but that's ok.  Here's the lamp I bought. I love it to bits but I did have a mighty Ikea headache by the time I got to the lighting section! I'm not showing you a photo of it in situ though...not until I lose the revolting living room wall colour I've inherited. Don't worry...it's on the list!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMZknoa9YpOIoNsNIESxfkhu7yBY-sWnSpcBP1zCV5AO9rDHtt6R2BVvR7BW4VBvNsnAl5QKMD-rpK2JUZiqQny-kNg9aNS-ux4lxcFuZoyCAYOyyUsIyVKR260SHg7Iob6c_UPG29PxD/s1600/ikea+lamp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMZknoa9YpOIoNsNIESxfkhu7yBY-sWnSpcBP1zCV5AO9rDHtt6R2BVvR7BW4VBvNsnAl5QKMD-rpK2JUZiqQny-kNg9aNS-ux4lxcFuZoyCAYOyyUsIyVKR260SHg7Iob6c_UPG29PxD/s400/ikea+lamp.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday already.  Where do the weekends go?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget to leave me a comment on <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/10/tales-of-travelling-cupcakewho-wants-to.html">Cuppie the travelling cupcake</a>. It's looking for a new adventure on its trip around the world and it could be coming to your house. Go on...it's fun...promise!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>

a little trip to the big smoke...and an IKEA headache

I do like to visit Sydney. We don't do it as often as we should but this week it was on the manageable list. And where else in the world...

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top ten pictures from the week ~ 12.10.10 and another online mag

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi bloggy peeps. Back on track with a Tuesday top ten post...bet you're pleased about that...otherwise how on earth would you know what day it is? Joking.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVt9l8CEsl7jiBJgDFsms9xueWI51bDgzoFQuf-deeG2MkYrTdhjxCsuFs8gg-0lmbQ_p9NlG95JF7NG751K2RTHYeBf-_AespArq9f5plmRCt1BZivr-pEkk9h-6uyh3LIQMiUuzVIlzU/s1600/rajee+sood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVt9l8CEsl7jiBJgDFsms9xueWI51bDgzoFQuf-deeG2MkYrTdhjxCsuFs8gg-0lmbQ_p9NlG95JF7NG751K2RTHYeBf-_AespArq9f5plmRCt1BZivr-pEkk9h-6uyh3LIQMiUuzVIlzU/s640/rajee+sood.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The thing I love about my short attention span is that I can't remember what images I've collected during the week...</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGtxW2hKBWM7wRGiyv_dVg0a32qkQp8CpiKeMltszvEfFB4qUtJwrCA0jT8GVIkl4pmaCN-au9VsgycNyl7zc_onCV63sC8VvHIY6oEaLhDZrXTTkkF3Tf2HBlwjxNnVEx3u-2qgK4P3c/s1600/via+16+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGtxW2hKBWM7wRGiyv_dVg0a32qkQp8CpiKeMltszvEfFB4qUtJwrCA0jT8GVIkl4pmaCN-au9VsgycNyl7zc_onCV63sC8VvHIY6oEaLhDZrXTTkkF3Tf2HBlwjxNnVEx3u-2qgK4P3c/s640/via+16+house.jpg" width="423" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">which means I get a nice surprise when I do the upload thing...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQeMrVy3h-YkNJcgiMXSi1Ei7HP__ovGQjT0ye1GuL371rKKbHqoiW8PyEmXf-EbgzjKFuLrvdRpPM4hr3oY1hHWSUBL4gLCYX0qRUKWvWelGuuV6BgGW1e9rJBg8FLLR41GCrXXHc7ef/s1600/via+16+house2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQeMrVy3h-YkNJcgiMXSi1Ei7HP__ovGQjT0ye1GuL371rKKbHqoiW8PyEmXf-EbgzjKFuLrvdRpPM4hr3oY1hHWSUBL4gLCYX0qRUKWvWelGuuV6BgGW1e9rJBg8FLLR41GCrXXHc7ef/s640/via+16+house2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I take my pleasures where I can get them!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cL238PYnEc-MQedLuwDgtvgvMSLVKwo6P7XAb9vqWdLc4BVz7QGoRTLR_4IyMidGyLGmG5GsJj3dQeIOl3Nk20QGFY1zyCnTYLnDq_PTaykrp1dzLqpCc-sgUXbHugsEl1ctmzOvXXPL/s1600/via+all+toile+and+no+reward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cL238PYnEc-MQedLuwDgtvgvMSLVKwo6P7XAb9vqWdLc4BVz7QGoRTLR_4IyMidGyLGmG5GsJj3dQeIOl3Nk20QGFY1zyCnTYLnDq_PTaykrp1dzLqpCc-sgUXbHugsEl1ctmzOvXXPL/s640/via+all+toile+and+no+reward.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Easily pleased I am. True. Mostly...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeBhrihyGa49Csb-pFTxbs3OyoygvN9BfIlbUd4OqxMfleOTcWLeM85l_c334qwGTx2hKQBJsrkHLzEH7di5PoCtBT0Ys-FDw5jt5UuQxc6VnXfAOD5TGrGYvc8aHUSbxykvD_E91XRJa/s1600/via+a+view+on+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeBhrihyGa49Csb-pFTxbs3OyoygvN9BfIlbUd4OqxMfleOTcWLeM85l_c334qwGTx2hKQBJsrkHLzEH7di5PoCtBT0Ys-FDw5jt5UuQxc6VnXfAOD5TGrGYvc8aHUSbxykvD_E91XRJa/s400/via+a+view+on+design.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's usually the textures and textiles that get me...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5rYuNeu1nfTXT-M_0QAJMlsWhCun3oZpIkCGDosBz7FTYFy6n3CBU_KCCPcFoac3UvJbAeHbwOJRX_6DQLPMIkNF2RAB22XgO65SnxaAXADC8zR-C9tDnqLewVcXHM_YWT6N9t4J5EkN/s1600/via+ak-magnolia+house.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5rYuNeu1nfTXT-M_0QAJMlsWhCun3oZpIkCGDosBz7FTYFy6n3CBU_KCCPcFoac3UvJbAeHbwOJRX_6DQLPMIkNF2RAB22XgO65SnxaAXADC8zR-C9tDnqLewVcXHM_YWT6N9t4J5EkN/s640/via+ak-magnolia+house.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or an interesting structure...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSqJX0KUWFmlfKr2r_zugDmcVLbNwlP-LBOzq6XXk9nID6x6I0FOdeVKuTd9RlTiXhUd7UU9Bkq9zlvRTvjZPDLGK3LrVDYLkPXT2M9KeJgdIoNZhmhgz64So1b8oKpT-wiVtf1K1mofF/s1600/via+alkemie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSqJX0KUWFmlfKr2r_zugDmcVLbNwlP-LBOzq6XXk9nID6x6I0FOdeVKuTd9RlTiXhUd7UU9Bkq9zlvRTvjZPDLGK3LrVDYLkPXT2M9KeJgdIoNZhmhgz64So1b8oKpT-wiVtf1K1mofF/s640/via+alkemie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or a piece of art that makes me go oooh, I'd like that. Actually, more often it's...wish I was clever enough to do it myself!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHThNN2jNmkGuRDEGsFX0VSybE3FziN1ThZjVXKdihQkiWM-CXDoWYiQl5lQcW2-g11BPlgw_VbIvjxLO1GxkxtBxdnAwa_om2QSFKD3LJ8frsnQ1t0UwFPhVKuKsWb-Jgtxr09GPG61N/s1600/via+gingerella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHThNN2jNmkGuRDEGsFX0VSybE3FziN1ThZjVXKdihQkiWM-CXDoWYiQl5lQcW2-g11BPlgw_VbIvjxLO1GxkxtBxdnAwa_om2QSFKD3LJ8frsnQ1t0UwFPhVKuKsWb-Jgtxr09GPG61N/s640/via+gingerella.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and rich colours...quite partial to those</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ8hXugVRn2CM5poLZpP-KNE2UAiWaY-9ubm6Q_NFR5QEPBC_NJvjlD2z_leFKkHIWaXBbBf1PpsNt-J2GWOZyCMArIy6SM-kA5l41cJwbjgt0rYMc0EgZrfJeRb5sDtmoE09GaRz1Kox/s1600/via+interiors.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ8hXugVRn2CM5poLZpP-KNE2UAiWaY-9ubm6Q_NFR5QEPBC_NJvjlD2z_leFKkHIWaXBbBf1PpsNt-J2GWOZyCMArIy6SM-kA5l41cJwbjgt0rYMc0EgZrfJeRb5sDtmoE09GaRz1Kox/s400/via+interiors.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and the tenth picture today is from a small online magazine that I recently came across..<a href="http://.covetgarden/">.Covet garden</a>...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W6Ckjrvaoq93KZns9z02GX7tXS_viFCDXtmVaVxWwa8J6SiG-0yd98lV1JLEF3GJC-6EiI8wZDqbZf6KwJLa9G2ciEzd0ECQXje6oQy5zuFa8ipVKRzBo37o1p754oonPdUYoTA1KRwU/s1600/covetgarden.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="565" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W6Ckjrvaoq93KZns9z02GX7tXS_viFCDXtmVaVxWwa8J6SiG-0yd98lV1JLEF3GJC-6EiI8wZDqbZf6KwJLa9G2ciEzd0ECQXje6oQy5zuFa8ipVKRzBo37o1p754oonPdUYoTA1KRwU/s640/covetgarden.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think it's Canadian but I could be wrong. Hard to believe I know, because I'm normally a meticulous researcher :) And look...they have a pattern for a knitted jar cover...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanNNv0LAPzgdkLsWwbry21lul_nYXnnZRDrY4ptCUmcjC-mw9t7jRcvEdLjG-3RQOnc1DwlX15DvTB59J8KrPu4Uj-VDAg4vMP-tjAqKSDqiKAA3KfxirC1SlA5l-koxnk94hgkeO18Zn/s1600/knitted-jar-cover-from-covet-garden.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanNNv0LAPzgdkLsWwbry21lul_nYXnnZRDrY4ptCUmcjC-mw9t7jRcvEdLjG-3RQOnc1DwlX15DvTB59J8KrPu4Uj-VDAg4vMP-tjAqKSDqiKAA3KfxirC1SlA5l-koxnk94hgkeO18Zn/s640/knitted-jar-cover-from-covet-garden.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...thought that would amuse you! And it wouldn't be a top ten (or eleven) without a picture from the latest <a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/">Lonny</a> now would it?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdvQYVvcIvcINhbc_cEbFwUWGU-udjo0epTDjTQjfNc1RX-p6eWxiVZFyKsC0ow2KE8k3BK6DGb2uxCsjsRpG7CT9lS2EAZ5IYSkMLVTAzAhUbidzfRMxog1BeYiG7Ej8-Wc3Y0po-RSI/s1600/lonny.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdvQYVvcIvcINhbc_cEbFwUWGU-udjo0epTDjTQjfNc1RX-p6eWxiVZFyKsC0ow2KE8k3BK6DGb2uxCsjsRpG7CT9lS2EAZ5IYSkMLVTAzAhUbidzfRMxog1BeYiG7Ej8-Wc3Y0po-RSI/s640/lonny.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">peacock 'n all :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">images this week are from: <a href="http://16house.blogspot.com/">16 house</a>;<a href="http://www.akmagnoliahouse.com/"> ak-magnolia house</a>; <a href="http://alkemie.blogspot.com/">alkemie</a>;<a href="http://alltoileandnoreward.blogspot.com/"> all toile and no reward</a>; <a href="http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/">a view on design</a>; <a href="http://ginger-ella.tumblr.com/">gingerella</a>; <a href="http://kikette-interiors.blogspot.com/">interiors</a>; <a href="http://rajeesood.blogspot.com/">rajee sood</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And an update on the vampire slayer: she has had the tube removed from her head and now looks very unattractive with a reverse mohawk haircut. I might put a photo on the FB page later...</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

top ten pictures from the week ~ 12.10.10 and another online mag

Hi bloggy peeps. Back on track with a Tuesday top ten post...bet you're pleased about that...otherwise how on earth would you know what ...

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the wonderful synchronicity of giveaways...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To say that I've been hanging out for this to arrive would be something of an understatement...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxtbIhjXy_9M6Sx_SDOqHSKqP1Vkazqb6bs5MKax26LcQkYcE0IuitBydhc06FOXQrkMc3XnztvXVewJf1dd_lWxeG4lEx9q1YYx0iBB9b6ysxcUmMTapkxPGC5CzAhCIL_J40AH6OYE/s640/house+beautiful+cover.jpg" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...but it was in my letterbox when I got home from work yesterday, and luckily for me today is my first day of not working at work (if you know what I mean), so I may actually have time to look at it. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUI1erqZsnxtsgxhQfGM1n-nHN28WqbFsWUYsPjrHyaWXzyoOlxjESTKCh0v_UpnlnF2aBi3pfzCgtN17XAVAcYnsSvFcGA4I-aJEnPbNg9DX7B_u3AFNIZscxNDZ76nLpAYlZVx4-CT0/s1600/house+beautiful+collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUI1erqZsnxtsgxhQfGM1n-nHN28WqbFsWUYsPjrHyaWXzyoOlxjESTKCh0v_UpnlnF2aBi3pfzCgtN17XAVAcYnsSvFcGA4I-aJEnPbNg9DX7B_u3AFNIZscxNDZ76nLpAYlZVx4-CT0/s640/house+beautiful+collage1.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won this subscription at the launch giveaway of the awesome blog </span><a href="http://a-very-fine-house.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Very Fine House</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> co-authored by Katrina and Julie-Ann...thank you lovely ladies. I'm sure you've all been there, but if you haven't...skedaddle off now.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT992C_lvD3v7OqJkldzBrPASyOWV84LUC1KqlQyr54QRoyymrQRFebzalNStQspyfHr68jD2pDN-SaHhk4SGugyVlvrJvwbc9xC5Z5TE6vd6GbKcXWMwmgom_8kV0BsWAdFN5s2q4teo/s1600/house+beautiful+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT992C_lvD3v7OqJkldzBrPASyOWV84LUC1KqlQyr54QRoyymrQRFebzalNStQspyfHr68jD2pDN-SaHhk4SGugyVlvrJvwbc9xC5Z5TE6vd6GbKcXWMwmgom_8kV0BsWAdFN5s2q4teo/s640/house+beautiful+collage2.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so thrilled to be holding all those wonderful pictures I see around blog world in my hot little hands...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but before I can get to it with any sort of concentrated effort...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/ive-had-visit-from-chandelier-fairy.html">chandelier fairy</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is coming to help me clean these. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qkFRqvTntnycdu6S4i7NafPMZm7xa9DA9bBg7ka_E0e1G8N-SwSezVZqgWIThfstXxIuTqVySeAvnP7CEBPHKW7C-a6KKuFFyqDr5_YdzU8gNZTbruAJFbo5tQJISf0Mgcio2D6oLLc/s1600/chandelier+bits3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qkFRqvTntnycdu6S4i7NafPMZm7xa9DA9bBg7ka_E0e1G8N-SwSezVZqgWIThfstXxIuTqVySeAvnP7CEBPHKW7C-a6KKuFFyqDr5_YdzU8gNZTbruAJFbo5tQJISf0Mgcio2D6oLLc/s640/chandelier+bits3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I just have to find an electrician and there'll be lights ablazing in the tranquil townhouse.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And on the subject of giveaways...slacker that I am...the wonderful and extraordinarily talented Mariska Meijers from <a href="http://iusedtobesnowwhitebutidrifted.blogspot.com/">I used to be snow white but I drifted</a>, blogged <a href="http://iusedtobesnowwhitebutidrifted.blogspot.com/2010/07/something-arrived-from-australia.">yesterday</a> about receiving <b>my</b> very first giveaway...the glass art that my wonderful and also extraordinarily talented bloke Richard made...here's a picture of it in Mariska's home...so chuffed she has it, and so sorry I took so long getting it to you Mariska...she was far too polite to mention that!!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_woOC3tkVgltyWbi59JPSWWPTpeLiW99G7ORYV0O9bRmZknd4UETxhYSJI3KsDwWTuQ2t-6yOQyJc9Dpxa7ktoPHZGaJQd0qd_VvmzJ71ZOqUua9nc0cLmYsG44NrN7-lpPFJT4hsH0/s1600/cloudburst+at+mariskas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_woOC3tkVgltyWbi59JPSWWPTpeLiW99G7ORYV0O9bRmZknd4UETxhYSJI3KsDwWTuQ2t-6yOQyJc9Dpxa7ktoPHZGaJQd0qd_VvmzJ71ZOqUua9nc0cLmYsG44NrN7-lpPFJT4hsH0/s640/cloudburst+at+mariskas.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back tomorrow with the top ten pics of the week.</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></span></a>

the wonderful synchronicity of giveaways...

To say that I've been hanging out for this to arrive would be something of an understatement... ...but it was in my letterbox when I got...

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cold, wet, and yet...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was very, very wet and quite cold in the nation's capital this weekend; but despite that it was anything but miserable. It was a weekend to...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">curl up with cups of tea...using the giant cup that the first born bought me for mothers day...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf7WIDLDnpTvlHrPODPQS22apDOQNDTlRrzcmlIZh9aBPV01msmiBvps5hPznSaUljWFaI4JT65lwbiMbKBe4hj3B3TwGXk0dr2m5MMvkWpulCuzOj39QVfqsHBvIeUwy8rricd511xQ/s1600/cup+of+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf7WIDLDnpTvlHrPODPQS22apDOQNDTlRrzcmlIZh9aBPV01msmiBvps5hPznSaUljWFaI4JT65lwbiMbKBe4hj3B3TwGXk0dr2m5MMvkWpulCuzOj39QVfqsHBvIeUwy8rricd511xQ/s400/cup+of+tea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">do a bit of magazine browsing...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSy7RLFJn352Q-vXT8BSeurzjYYynYYr6Kd0Jj5A_nTKdMNo5LFxcEffb2sJEhbJvuBh49dbVaFVrkLi738DMUwJ-ePCtM3bwm_u8X5u4D7RY6drvB4Zo8aW7IzZTVu07Fvk6yEdHgBa0/s1600/magazines+on+coffee+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSy7RLFJn352Q-vXT8BSeurzjYYynYYr6Kd0Jj5A_nTKdMNo5LFxcEffb2sJEhbJvuBh49dbVaFVrkLi738DMUwJ-ePCtM3bwm_u8X5u4D7RY6drvB4Zo8aW7IzZTVu07Fvk6yEdHgBa0/s400/magazines+on+coffee+table.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">watch a DVD or two...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eHJChxoJiT0xOnHzDFWS7xKyFtPa4mLlIFxp4kz0v6TlsMPWQ9TE1BXoeEwYdsF8Bc2YV3-EFS_Ogc2rVkeXm5sXOarEvSlLp_D_zF1bhRlLUTihJI5avxfEu62FjuqtnHAYPVIfVSw/s1600/dvds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eHJChxoJiT0xOnHzDFWS7xKyFtPa4mLlIFxp4kz0v6TlsMPWQ9TE1BXoeEwYdsF8Bc2YV3-EFS_Ogc2rVkeXm5sXOarEvSlLp_D_zF1bhRlLUTihJI5avxfEu62FjuqtnHAYPVIfVSw/s400/dvds.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">dream of what I want to do with the tranquil townhouse while watching the rain fall down outside...and yes, painting the woodwork white is one of those things...and new dining chairs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejNP-aucO2cq3_0W1FUYuIt40fWTHqaY-W0eX9yTAavO6yWsq-qne3QyrFrng91EflpuD9IcRvE-Q2TmdnVhiDijjjfDpRvxQaOxdjb3PF45lohmOUP86c1CfJOsw67aGiVgltaYZb3Q/s1600/living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejNP-aucO2cq3_0W1FUYuIt40fWTHqaY-W0eX9yTAavO6yWsq-qne3QyrFrng91EflpuD9IcRvE-Q2TmdnVhiDijjjfDpRvxQaOxdjb3PF45lohmOUP86c1CfJOsw67aGiVgltaYZb3Q/s400/living+room.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">confirm that I need to go and get some wood for the fireplace...which is not really a fireplace but a stove thingy...that I really don't like the look of, but I know it's going to be great when I get around to lighting a fire in it...[this is my first winter living here and when I came to the open inspection the fire was going...and well, you know how it is!]</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS5meoGP8b8TFL_EMbgqigJvjH7SI43gakLxJOdBr_TUWzycvaFogCArnu__80qXpiyQ5-NXFZZO5S0GVokhkOgZskeE-bpejR9kpv41HEGFnP43m6BQvl6STy3ofVDsWinzn1zMOfO0/s1600/firewood+from+flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS5meoGP8b8TFL_EMbgqigJvjH7SI43gakLxJOdBr_TUWzycvaFogCArnu__80qXpiyQ5-NXFZZO5S0GVokhkOgZskeE-bpejR9kpv41HEGFnP43m6BQvl6STy3ofVDsWinzn1zMOfO0/s400/firewood+from+flickr.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">enjoy the fact that the 22 year old was in Sydney visiting his sister (and the house was mine, all mine for the weekend...no offence Ben!)...ssshhhh, can you hear the silence...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v0J_o7LdXeGCHPGgsRu5z_aRt0W4SmY5Hg3XWR9AlF2ZKMUYzhgY2OG-GeCCN95rhU7phJMXvBYrPs4nyIEDpu_ptFjIlRkEMx7jezrVlouP8nClI4ggSAXkmpSVC-zGODrfahUhfcg/s1600/j&b+april10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v0J_o7LdXeGCHPGgsRu5z_aRt0W4SmY5Hg3XWR9AlF2ZKMUYzhgY2OG-GeCCN95rhU7phJMXvBYrPs4nyIEDpu_ptFjIlRkEMx7jezrVlouP8nClI4ggSAXkmpSVC-zGODrfahUhfcg/s400/j&b+april10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">make a small purchase...and give in to my boho tendencies...not that that's hard!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH0hLx_55dpuxmVym3a4wo9rgJhe0FyisZoVE9B6IOQL70KT9qH6zQIPCPi5ptrgIPENwlie3Mi8DJz_EYRHeKshvZ7uInH9O0wnu3Kc9Td5zTbuVJtKnXPOyFhui5ZYwHOyYFahS7ZY/s1600/indian+hookplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH0hLx_55dpuxmVym3a4wo9rgJhe0FyisZoVE9B6IOQL70KT9qH6zQIPCPi5ptrgIPENwlie3Mi8DJz_EYRHeKshvZ7uInH9O0wnu3Kc9Td5zTbuVJtKnXPOyFhui5ZYwHOyYFahS7ZY/s400/indian+hookplate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">take some photos of the garden in the rain...a different kind of beautiful...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw-VdQyuAV3bKCk-0xFSVwDP-8e3-PEMZb86uMHot92WxS1R0mRe9sSCphEYbH5y4bWRQzOBqh6prEWx0qK9Xabn-HS4qbfIR4SJy8VXAd-KyFhZ0gdR7tpph2C6GKpnVR5izKrnSYSs/s1600/buddha+in+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw-VdQyuAV3bKCk-0xFSVwDP-8e3-PEMZb86uMHot92WxS1R0mRe9sSCphEYbH5y4bWRQzOBqh6prEWx0qK9Xabn-HS4qbfIR4SJy8VXAd-KyFhZ0gdR7tpph2C6GKpnVR5izKrnSYSs/s400/buddha+in+rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfBGHH7KQQblcLsKG93Ge47btiF7g-_HHllItWJOsMp0Bm9e96b8mSvJBoHy8fX7fDk6IjKGRuEiwZIn5Hc4aHN4KjDbuftaM7L8DKojzoGf4YvavJSDD_VrYogaqYZaCZm5jRlN_ekY/s1600/orange+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfBGHH7KQQblcLsKG93Ge47btiF7g-_HHllItWJOsMp0Bm9e96b8mSvJBoHy8fX7fDk6IjKGRuEiwZIn5Hc4aHN4KjDbuftaM7L8DKojzoGf4YvavJSDD_VrYogaqYZaCZm5jRlN_ekY/s400/orange+flower.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[quite pleased with those photos; just as well...I got a bit wet taking them!]</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span>visit a friend who wants me to help him plan his bathroom reno...so excited about doing something with this [below] because it's all kinds of wrong as it is!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pyfS_HEeLgNdwFM7O95MHPdJugklMeGO3Sp7pL07t4nByOEPzSXZ55HHvzCNPY5uPBbvStYNT4m0cFlYZxsS31JeDWy32K4pYFzUxR_R_sxvC7SUgtul3srzzonjNOgtV3qFTphJzfM/s1600/marks+bathroom+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pyfS_HEeLgNdwFM7O95MHPdJugklMeGO3Sp7pL07t4nByOEPzSXZ55HHvzCNPY5uPBbvStYNT4m0cFlYZxsS31JeDWy32K4pYFzUxR_R_sxvC7SUgtul3srzzonjNOgtV3qFTphJzfM/s400/marks+bathroom+before.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tackle the pile of work-work that seems to be never ending at the moment...that's definitely not me BTW...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_GWNRvSlbc7S8h4EWMYkBcQmEq_pT-YCo8hzpdBZ4jo3hQajU956VM5DFk2UH3KlZpmrRxyyADManI4uCZzbUarz_OAhcxyKRcWOPt14YYpFJxQ5y3G3DugRgR0V5m8xrHf5zPS01nQ/s1600/piles+of+paperwork+from+flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_GWNRvSlbc7S8h4EWMYkBcQmEq_pT-YCo8hzpdBZ4jo3hQajU956VM5DFk2UH3KlZpmrRxyyADManI4uCZzbUarz_OAhcxyKRcWOPt14YYpFJxQ5y3G3DugRgR0V5m8xrHf5zPS01nQ/s400/piles+of+paperwork+from+flickr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">try and get the vampire slayer to stop sleeping on the furniture when she has a perfectly good cat basket to sleep in...fur-lined and everything. Actually, it's a dog basket, but I hardly think that's an excuse for her not to use it...it's not as if she's smart enough to know the difference! No, don't defend her...she's not!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip4pMIGE-KJRvfQMm_yW3jU09bxLUIjgaF47j55VbvHQWUgxzL10WbBTPxYdouZxM0vJ24VqX5n7KhuVthdkG2kYmTQ-ZRVfnBvyOP1lRqVHZl2hn1BgOyhQku908JNRuS2lfckAS57k/s1600/buffy+on+furniture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip4pMIGE-KJRvfQMm_yW3jU09bxLUIjgaF47j55VbvHQWUgxzL10WbBTPxYdouZxM0vJ24VqX5n7KhuVthdkG2kYmTQ-ZRVfnBvyOP1lRqVHZl2hn1BgOyhQku908JNRuS2lfckAS57k/s400/buffy+on+furniture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And best of all, spend some lovely time with the MGM. So not too shabby a weekend at all bloggy peeps. Hope yours was equally good. And I do believe that this post is my 100th...how in the heck did that happen! Thank you everyone for all your support...big smooches all round. To you, and you, and you...as the Von Trapp children would say (except they'd say it in German, or was it Austrian...oh I don't know...you get my drift!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">all images by me except the ones that aren't....they're from </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">flickr</span></a></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

cold, wet, and yet...

It was very, very wet and quite cold in the nation's capital this weekend; but despite that it was anything but miserable. It was a week...

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