what I read in february 2011

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">February...over already. That's ludicrous. Have I told you that ludicrous is my favourite word? Well it is.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, we know February is a short month, and I'm back at work...and back to working full time for a while (yes, it's unfortunately necessary) so you won't be surprised that I haven't read as many books this month as I did in <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-i-read-in-january-2011.html">January</a>. That may become a record, even for me!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's what I managed though...six...not bad for a short month.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS_uwcJrYvr3W49XnzKhBOicNU1g5tdy4V9IGRVtcXZh0AAF_HA38vzqYs-s84dMm-FcYKjOwqfeU5-7leDQmnCuOvhRVSG7rOjGzf6idlfYrZ-g1Rvb_MvZHKz8OqKyxLXFd7oHLOLQI/s1600/book+list+collage+feb+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS_uwcJrYvr3W49XnzKhBOicNU1g5tdy4V9IGRVtcXZh0AAF_HA38vzqYs-s84dMm-FcYKjOwqfeU5-7leDQmnCuOvhRVSG7rOjGzf6idlfYrZ-g1Rvb_MvZHKz8OqKyxLXFd7oHLOLQI/s640/book+list+collage+feb+2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aunts up the Cross by Robin Eakin - memoir</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Men and the Girls by Joanna Trollope - fiction</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Married Man by Catherine Alliott - fiction</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon - historical fiction</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - fiction</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Details by Lili Diallo - design</span></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;">So how did I go? There's quite a bit of 'fluff' this month isn't there? But that's ok...perhaps February can be official fluff month in future :) And all of the fiction is Brit fiction...how on earth did that happen! And speaking of all things Brit...that gorgeous possum Colin...ah. Here's part of his off stage press conference after winning the Oscar...</span></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y0JGXhRUtSM" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><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;">Now where was I after that momentary distraction? Of course I loved looking at all the beautiful pictures in Details...secrets of styling indeed..it was delicious. And yes, I did read all the text as well...I'm not a cheater!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aunts up the Cross is so quirky...what a family. Eccentricity redefined. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think my favourite though was The Men and the Girls.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZzRdRVePuEM8bptbwmUDrNYyOkl88LX28pgTBa3RCfnHukmIwLNtRM9qqopvtB_opQc1VNsHf8N4DqHUwynIQgn2rg07gt2z0r5Cq7czN70LbvMdsPYhn9vnXL6uuiM5BXVGvK67rYgo/s1600/book+cover+the+men+and+the+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZzRdRVePuEM8bptbwmUDrNYyOkl88LX28pgTBa3RCfnHukmIwLNtRM9qqopvtB_opQc1VNsHf8N4DqHUwynIQgn2rg07gt2z0r5Cq7czN70LbvMdsPYhn9vnXL6uuiM5BXVGvK67rYgo/s320/book+cover+the+men+and+the+girls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't think I've ever read a Joanna Trollope book that I haven't loved. Her characters always have the most wonderful flaws; but there's always something to love about them. This is a story of two women living with older men. The main character is Kate, married to James, and then there's Julia, married to Hugh. Hugh and James are old friends. Beatrice Bachelor </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(isn't that a fab name)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, a feisty 'spinster', comes into their lives when James knocks her off her bike, and she becomes a catalyst for enormous change. Trollope never ends her novels in quite the way you would expect, but when you're done, you nod your head and go...yep, that's just as it should be.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two very long plane trips coming up for me this month...I've gone to the dark side and will be reading off this...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqfm9EjTq5ee5yJHFCYi_P8n6iKbJjuUmB80eZQ1GsMkv4q-P8ZCGx2PH3z30lr5KUf-b3gvwwlc3TESYiYQNoghCfEuHa_ehVkJnOyk_srCnT4r6BkLFLKsaQ_BUU_Lsjr_MY7CIDo-s/s1600/ipad+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqfm9EjTq5ee5yJHFCYi_P8n6iKbJjuUmB80eZQ1GsMkv4q-P8ZCGx2PH3z30lr5KUf-b3gvwwlc3TESYiYQNoghCfEuHa_ehVkJnOyk_srCnT4r6BkLFLKsaQ_BUU_Lsjr_MY7CIDo-s/s640/ipad+book.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;">Could this be the end of the world as I know it. Doesn't bear thinking about :)</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>

what I read in february 2011

February...over already. That's ludicrous. Have I told you that ludicrous is my favourite word? Well it is. So, we know February is a sh...

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soul food friday ~ free to fly

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjebkPVUtJ_4FkZHF7YMt8TW2zKkPSQD-IbxGep__jELO2UNH9-r-rF-hVQpA5nsU7lZE9v2w0UeTe12Pwc9qYIaB4neAjuxOaQWbtucccQ7dnqNRrr-eU36u4Xb22CAcI6z-CCc3a3IA/s1600/free+to+fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjebkPVUtJ_4FkZHF7YMt8TW2zKkPSQD-IbxGep__jELO2UNH9-r-rF-hVQpA5nsU7lZE9v2w0UeTe12Pwc9qYIaB4neAjuxOaQWbtucccQ7dnqNRrr-eU36u4Xb22CAcI6z-CCc3a3IA/s640/free+to+fly.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made a big decision this week. In fact, I'd made it in my head some time ago. But on Monday I turned it into a reality.  And it was a decision well and truly fueled by my entry into blogging. It was a decision inspired by so many of you, and the things you do, but especially by this woman, who has been so kind and encouraging...the exceptional Mariska from <a href="http://iusedtobesnowwhitebutidrifted.blogspot.com/">I used to be snow white but I drifted</a>...who turned her artistic dream into a reality.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iJiMBJM7no-rdnOqN0RO-XK53DB5hMt5Jd9AB2s7GSKO8lb_ZJYVFm9DmWo0QHLB8EGZtfm0asdIjg4rzR9PgNUv0N4jkkFfPS35KIwTy8D35Z5ZUxIdnRGQDmjTf5cyZCTA2IZ-bak/s1600/mariska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iJiMBJM7no-rdnOqN0RO-XK53DB5hMt5Jd9AB2s7GSKO8lb_ZJYVFm9DmWo0QHLB8EGZtfm0asdIjg4rzR9PgNUv0N4jkkFfPS35KIwTy8D35Z5ZUxIdnRGQDmjTf5cyZCTA2IZ-bak/s640/mariska.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, my decision. It may not seem monumental, but it is to me. You see, I decided that I would work four days a week from 12 July. As part owner of a business this was a hard decision. But I am going to use the extra day to create. And even better...with friends I've found through blogging, and with a friend I've had for a long time who doesn't blog...we are going to open an online store. The bloggers will probably be known to many of you who visit here, but I'm not saying who just yet...we need to finalise quite a few details first and there's a bit more to do (we may need some left brained process person to help us!!).</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But...I just want to tell you how excited I am. I want to say that no matter how old you are (and I'm having another birthday next week...crumbs they come around quickly!)...no matter what the circumstances of your life ...you can make good changes...choices of the heart and not the bank balance...you can, as the picture says, be free to fly. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The MGM (most gorgeous man for those not in the know) and I are off to the coast for a few precious days together on Sunday, so I may have a short blogging break...or not! We'll be staying at a friend's gorgeous house at the beach so I'll be sure to take some photos to share with you.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for all your wonderful comments this week; thank you to new readers and big hugs to all of you. That was all a bit schmaltzy and soppy wasn't it? Don't worry, I'll be back to normal soon:)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">ist image from </span><a href="http://quote-book.tumblr.com/page/7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">; 2nd from </span><a href="http://iusedtobesnowwhitebutidrifted.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Mariska's</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> place</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>

soul food friday ~ free to fly

I made a big decision this week. In fact, I'd made it in my head some time ago. But on Monday I turned it into a reality.  And it was a ...

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a bag to go with the frou-frou juju?

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for some of the very funny comments about the <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-weekend-projectdont-try-this-at-home.html">DIY fake frou-frou juju post</a> from yesterday. </span></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg2_ZVeK6N-bpwZDg5DCX_uNysEoi42pxiGv8WiiBnOYLd39Ri7JCSR8Xwv8SZoVnGV74Nw-xzGDo-avwBuv0hSocYrBGoSkwizfDjXilk_0HlIf14vlsjd1d93MRD-1euR7M5eKxYKQ/s1600/juju+on+wall3.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/AVvXsEhCg2_ZVeK6N-bpwZDg5DCX_uNysEoi42pxiGv8WiiBnOYLd39Ri7JCSR8Xwv8SZoVnGV74Nw-xzGDo-avwBuv0hSocYrBGoSkwizfDjXilk_0HlIf14vlsjd1d93MRD-1euR7M5eKxYKQ/s640/juju+on+wall3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They cracked me up. <a href="http://edithhopegardenjournal.blogspot.com/">Edith</a> has even refused my (I thought) very kind offer to make her one to wear to Ascot! I really don't understand :) And alas I have had to deny <a href="http://home-biba.blogspot.com/">Jackie's</a> request for me to rustle her up a Faberge egg out of old necklaces and some gold leaf (but only because silver leaf is my gilding metal of choice...otherwise, not a prob!) And <a href="http://silvergulls.blogspot.com/">Deborah</a> swore that she saw her mum wearing one just like it in the 60's. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mysweetprintsblog.blogspot.com/">Janette</a> warned me about the dangers of being tarred and feathered if the pink fluffy thing should fall on my head while sleeping with night cream slathered on my ageing face (she didn't actually say ageing I hasten to add; I believe she is far too nice for that!) <a href="http://sixgiftsofserendip.blogspot.com/">Felicity</a> wrote me a gorgeous little poem. But best of all, <a href="http://therubieplace.blogspot.com/">Tina's</a> Miss Lottie said she thought it was cool...high praise indeed! One day I'm going to collect all your clever comments and publish a book of bloggy peep wit! It will be too heavy to lift for sure.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, I thought that it might be fun to go <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=feather+bag&search_type=all&page=15">etsy</a> surfing for some feather bags to go with my feather 'hat'...so here are some of the results of a feather bag search...</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><img alt="Peacock Feathers Luxury Clutch Bag with Iridescent Silk Lining" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.150674350.jpg" /><br /><img alt="Something Ivory Bridal Clutch" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.152731904.jpg" /><br /><img alt="Peacock blue clutch in Liberty cotton" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.139330673.jpg" /><br /><img alt="Mae - White Feather (AS SEEN IN INSIDE WEDDINGS MAGAZINE)" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.152665893.jpg" /><br /><img alt="Hellena - Brown Ostich Feather Purse with Crystal Trim" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.150503642.jpg" /><br /><img alt="Peacock Feathers Embroidered Silk Clutch Silver and Navy Blue" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.151671251.jpg" /><br /><img alt="Peacock Feather Silk Dupioni Clutch Purse In Blue Violet" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.141255780.jpg" /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hmmmm...I just happen to have some peacock feathers...and nothing planned for this weekend! Breathe Edith, breathe...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="White Feather Purse Evening Bag" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.147173489.jpg" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Something Black Clutch" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.150393482.jpg" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="PEACOCK FEATHER HANDMADE PURSE HANDBAG" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.129507013.jpg" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think there must be a lot of naked birds out there...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="The Feather Evening Bag in Latte" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.142248225.jpg" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Yellow Feather Purse" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.146738047.jpg" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="LIGHT YELLOW OSTRICH BAG" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.132078241.jpg" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="BLACK AND WHITE OSTRICH FEATHER PURSE HANDBAG" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.138195379.jpg" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh laugh..I laughed till I stopped! And on a completely different note, I finished my first Jodi Picoult book on the weekend while pretending to be watching Australia play England in the rugby with the MGM...</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 height="640" src="http://adaptiveblue.img.s3.amazonaws.com/books/harvesting_heart/jodi_picoult/small" width="408" /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had been avoiding them (Jodi's books, not the rugby players) because they are so popular (some of them anyway...the rugby players I mean), but I have to say I was quite impressed (I'm back to talking about Jodi now) so I may even read another one...when I get through the fourteen books that are already lined up and waiting! Fourteen books on the sidelines (note another feeble rugby reference) would have been nothing before blogging began! Have a fun Tuesday. Here on this side of the world where yesterday was the shortest day of the year, the days are now getting longer. Good! I could use more than 24 hours at the moment.</span></div><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></div>

a bag to go with the frou-frou juju?

Thank you so much for some of the very funny comments about the DIY fake frou-frou juju post from yesterday.  They cracked me up. Edith ha...

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any excuse for a giveaway!

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little while ago I was approached by the very lovely Maree from <a href="http://www.buyster.com.au/">Buyster</a> to see if I'd like to offer one of their amazing line of goodies as a giveaway. Ah, yep...I'm not silly...of course I would. So I am. Offering one that is...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2_H8Vk98Fq4_LHQHVf4-F-vLARQbdfpE_9I1U1jagiQHqbyiusewwe22Efchk-PL_8Ell4c9OM2j0QKLHSgjt6hDpAXd9lAhyphenhyphenuLstf1LzhpZ3FYN8arAJIUAmhZ3VfE_eQgT3kncz_c/s1600/buyster+giveawayOran-Leather-M-and-W-Tote-Bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2_H8Vk98Fq4_LHQHVf4-F-vLARQbdfpE_9I1U1jagiQHqbyiusewwe22Efchk-PL_8Ell4c9OM2j0QKLHSgjt6hDpAXd9lAhyphenhyphenuLstf1LzhpZ3FYN8arAJIUAmhZ3VfE_eQgT3kncz_c/s400/buyster+giveawayOran-Leather-M-and-W-Tote-Bag.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;">To be honest, it took me ages to work out what I'd like to give you...so many options...I got a bit lost in the website what with looking at clocks and lights and kitchenware and bags and rugs. Go see </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://tabletonic.blogspot.com/2010/06/table-tonic-at-home-my-favorite-things.html">Table Tonic</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for the most awesome use of a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.buysterrugs.com.au/4201-NET1494.html">Buyster rug</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Ever.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I thought, everyone needs a good tote don't they?  There were lots of those to choose from too but I really liked this simple, bit-of-fun graphic that I thought went with just about anything really...OK, not black tie, I concede that! It comes in a few colours: black, tan, burgundy or red so please nominate the colour as well when you comment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So why a giveaway today? Three reasons: I've managed to notch up 105 posts as of right now...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going here on Wednesday...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z-idocUyjNsnmB7En0tGMryN89qs4kB3tGZ7GlRi8As6eZChRDM10IRoF6Ecibp9H4yf-Wvwe6gm3h8BVyvwdAqMSvFBc0QKU4NFjMCxZ4-yDqxM5YHFrYj8HNgE7Bq3uAwLBBlPO08/s1600/Magnetic_Island.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/AVvXsEj8z-idocUyjNsnmB7En0tGMryN89qs4kB3tGZ7GlRi8As6eZChRDM10IRoF6Ecibp9H4yf-Wvwe6gm3h8BVyvwdAqMSvFBc0QKU4NFjMCxZ4-yDqxM5YHFrYj8HNgE7Bq3uAwLBBlPO08/s640/Magnetic_Island.JPG" /></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;">that would be Magnetic Island in Far North Queensland (it is for work though bloggy peeps so try not to get too jealous!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and I've been given a few blog awards lately; from Jeanne at <a href="http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/">Collage of Life</a>, Dash from <a href="http://thefrenchsampler.blogspot.com/">French Sampler</a> and Louisa from <a href="http://vintagebyloulou.blogspot.com/">Vintage by Lou Lou</a> and I wanted a way to use this giveaway to say thank you for that and for the now 171 people who sometimes take time out of their very busy lives to read what I have to say or see what I have to show (the weekly top ten is proving to be very competitive...I love it!!).  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjje9N_7ohMFFfalN3-bX4OM4-6TJMndj9rHfMyXRk-nUoehQeyjo81sas9hBrq4WyL-kOUPedFWzMUm3P7uI40UFQ7eFpxP06wVCGN0XOQfWmT-NTuM_fnFs6AMP3BdkGqA_soXuW0B1g/s1600/thank-you+from+blog.al.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjje9N_7ohMFFfalN3-bX4OM4-6TJMndj9rHfMyXRk-nUoehQeyjo81sas9hBrq4WyL-kOUPedFWzMUm3P7uI40UFQ7eFpxP06wVCGN0XOQfWmT-NTuM_fnFs6AMP3BdkGqA_soXuW0B1g/s400/thank-you+from+blog.al.com.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, thank you to Buyster, thank you to those three lovely bloggers who've made me feel really wonderful by giving me awards in the last little while, thank you to the people who follow this blog (as it says on the sidebar, probably...no doubt out of idle curiosity) and thank you for providing me with a rich source of inspiration, giggles, thoughtfulness and sheer, unadulterated pleasure.  As Jackie at <a href="http://home-biba.blogspot.com/">Home</a> said yesterday...bloggers rock! I'm putting the pic she used for that post here...just in case it doesn't get in to this week's top ten Jackie!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirIvac-GEiGXcEeHsHchhLFMldja8M3bcow7KplkrlreqVAKsddLtXYmtf3p0v6VDryXsCZf7cufSzjwS0Q46jGUu1q60PJJRtrbDLuskyMPM-Hxb6jDpIYVPXrUJqBONUzOeadu0Xy8/s1600/girl+with+guitar+via+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirIvac-GEiGXcEeHsHchhLFMldja8M3bcow7KplkrlreqVAKsddLtXYmtf3p0v6VDryXsCZf7cufSzjwS0Q46jGUu1q60PJJRtrbDLuskyMPM-Hxb6jDpIYVPXrUJqBONUzOeadu0Xy8/s640/girl+with+guitar+via+home.jpg" width="505" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, please enter the giveway.  I think to be fair to people who do follow this blog and to the sponsor of the gift, you need to be a follower to be eligible for this one. Buyster only post within Australia <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BUT </span></b>if this is won by an overseas reader, don't worry, I'll get it delivered to me and then I'll post it off to you. It's the least I can do! So, there you go...you know the drill!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><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></div>

any excuse for a giveaway!

A little while ago I was approached by the very lovely Maree from Buyster to see if I'd like to offer one of their amazing line of good...

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calling all iPhone addicts...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used to have an iPhone. </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/AVvXsEi22gExth3C3nZXYgwqNKV7A4ap4AR3EjnzmczmvDrJBHrQ9uC6LowHwNh6_rcLvHIp7QuU5dJl3skhs8bnqqiwyCPqhhfR7m1mgDMlDSLsQnYD_SuK4-g9gAzmgizmsClzRIFW-qqtmwA/s1600/iphone_narrowweb__300x358,2.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/AVvXsEi22gExth3C3nZXYgwqNKV7A4ap4AR3EjnzmczmvDrJBHrQ9uC6LowHwNh6_rcLvHIp7QuU5dJl3skhs8bnqqiwyCPqhhfR7m1mgDMlDSLsQnYD_SuK4-g9gAzmgizmsClzRIFW-qqtmwA/s400/iphone_narrowweb__300x358,2.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had three in fact...two of them absolute lemons, hence the need for a third. And one particular application [the spirit level] caused the demise of my favourite Ganesh snow dome. It was so kitsch it was completely awesome. Trust me on that. You can read about that mournful little episode <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/ganeshs-smash-hit.html">here</a>. It's reasonably amusing, although it wasn't at the time. So I gave my iPhone to the first-born and got a <s>Crack </s>Blackberry instead. It's nice...it's sophisticated...and I lose it in the bottom of my handbag in exactly the same way I used to lose the iPhone...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanTNGfGbGTxH0RR4HaeT4veMXiWlRYFB-ntlIXLHxze_oVlRjOlX_zDra61fMGEkAUHzChUD3z08MYKAYEJtH97cJx6OlvUUPBKzTgwNCsByYogN7AkG9kblzYMxkFmC0Xlvk1hqEX5U/s1600/blackberry+phone.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/AVvXsEjanTNGfGbGTxH0RR4HaeT4veMXiWlRYFB-ntlIXLHxze_oVlRjOlX_zDra61fMGEkAUHzChUD3z08MYKAYEJtH97cJx6OlvUUPBKzTgwNCsByYogN7AkG9kblzYMxkFmC0Xlvk1hqEX5U/s400/blackberry+phone.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;">But I kind of miss it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I was pleased to find these fridge magnets online at <a href="http://www.petersofkensington.com.au/Product/ProductInfo.aspx?id=1648976">Peters of Kensington</a>...13 buckaroonies...and no application download costs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bwvhbWLwfcPa5rIhb0ehU1gNUwtiSxg_xx4S4-T2TiHrAZxKEA1DsvolGpfrbgAHs5ng6ZbvW5A3nSnb9RhAq6ZotFOs_BnJveTDOfiqttuG0k4Q8zFBj-5xNzTAEh3CKXagslhmQ9w/s1600/iphone+app+fridge+magnets.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/AVvXsEg1bwvhbWLwfcPa5rIhb0ehU1gNUwtiSxg_xx4S4-T2TiHrAZxKEA1DsvolGpfrbgAHs5ng6ZbvW5A3nSnb9RhAq6ZotFOs_BnJveTDOfiqttuG0k4Q8zFBj-5xNzTAEh3CKXagslhmQ9w/s400/iphone+app+fridge+magnets.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;">I might have to get some. Either that or just continue to pretend it's beyond cool to give up an iPhone voluntarily. It's my story bloggy peeps...I'm sticking to it!</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><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>

calling all iPhone addicts...

I used to have an iPhone.  I had three in fact...two of them absolute lemons, hence the need for a third. And one particular application [th...

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crikey, I'm a galah...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think there's some weird Steve Irwin channelling going on here...I never say crikey!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RPHZUCfuN-Wm3jWZ3CmrTr9Xg6nOw_BKmNiHMUtkaYDHXcVjsknwFS39OvYEvcMIPNh2xBvDQLbnQkGFnCK0YaHDHMBeZsoD8qv3v6xgxHci1cQXciRrXrxnmUQx2vFipimZE0T_gM4/s1600/anthropologie+cockatoo.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/AVvXsEj6RPHZUCfuN-Wm3jWZ3CmrTr9Xg6nOw_BKmNiHMUtkaYDHXcVjsknwFS39OvYEvcMIPNh2xBvDQLbnQkGFnCK0YaHDHMBeZsoD8qv3v6xgxHci1cQXciRrXrxnmUQx2vFipimZE0T_gM4/s400/anthropologie+cockatoo.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, so I know strictly speaking that's not a galah...it's a sulphur crested cockatoo...which is actually a type of parrot (or so I'm reliably informed by the <a href="http://www.australiazoo.com.au/">Australia Zoo</a>), but c'mon (oh dear, now I've gone all Lleyton Hewitt on you)..I've never been one for letting the facts get in the way of a good story...</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, the reason that I feel like a bit of a <s>goose</s> galah is this...last week, I was given a very lovely award...this one...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2bb-420ndMsyT7bG85J1UA9U5kMZREMlGNwlabzfIgKXht9Xl8sBgcUMEwAbXGdBFrSQ7M29F0j_ge0vtyxvHINt6qsj0z97k5BJhyphenhyphenbZ4GwhxCh6N9CYp0HnQiaWwQwTYxYc_2yB5Wk/s1600/beautiful_blogger_thumb3.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/AVvXsEgp2bb-420ndMsyT7bG85J1UA9U5kMZREMlGNwlabzfIgKXht9Xl8sBgcUMEwAbXGdBFrSQ7M29F0j_ge0vtyxvHINt6qsj0z97k5BJhyphenhyphenbZ4GwhxCh6N9CYp0HnQiaWwQwTYxYc_2yB5Wk/s320/beautiful_blogger_thumb3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">..by Darnonymous who writes the <a href="http://darnonymous.blogspot.com/">Satisfy my Soul</a> blog...and I haven't acknowledged it publicly...and that makes me feel really bad. Scoot on over to Dar's blog...she writes some wicked and funny things about real life, and  makes me especially glad that I no longer have small kidlets...although I'm sure hers are perfectly lovely. And she strips, sands and paints stuff too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, where was I...cockatoos...the teapot above is in the <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/">Anthropologie</a> range...is this because they now ship to Australia I wonder?  They also have this...which I quite like...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8Zu34NA83TdI7dSxnWJ0il2SUJPovXwIDGUe-KX3VrUxMr02kTGI_ZEUyT2dGCX-wne_fL3PRdKkByoTAc6OIkYcnCTlokGlbigHNUVw-DElznSb00ULDmcBSqdaXzMA-uNUJqua714/s1600/cockatoo-pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8Zu34NA83TdI7dSxnWJ0il2SUJPovXwIDGUe-KX3VrUxMr02kTGI_ZEUyT2dGCX-wne_fL3PRdKkByoTAc6OIkYcnCTlokGlbigHNUVw-DElznSb00ULDmcBSqdaXzMA-uNUJqua714/s400/cockatoo-pillow.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;">and this... less sure about that...much prefer my free <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/04/simple-things-my-tea-towel-on-table.html">Inside Out teatowel</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN9PSbIxbHjRTk-aRxfbgswLthg-JvHoHrY5223Q1PojnPY_J39-pIwO1EYWRIDlq0UaVzpfWp6yHKzagAgY7e3X1VyUdiRYvsbCHJzdXVvd8j4cJKfBp7-6nTu0F8W8ahLYJI5Z5DAU/s1600/cockatoo-teatowel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN9PSbIxbHjRTk-aRxfbgswLthg-JvHoHrY5223Q1PojnPY_J39-pIwO1EYWRIDlq0UaVzpfWp6yHKzagAgY7e3X1VyUdiRYvsbCHJzdXVvd8j4cJKfBp7-6nTu0F8W8ahLYJI5Z5DAU/s320/cockatoo-teatowel.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...which makes me a tad suspicious about their motives (that was a joke, you know that right? I have my eye on some of their stuff)...and while I can't be sure that these birds are only found here (and in New Guinea...I do know that)...because I'm a bit too tired to do <b>that</b> much research... they're sure as heck <u>iconically Australian</u>...found in backyards all over the country, stripping the leaves from beautiful trees!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Want to see some real ones...course you do...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFwOqbBJUApw_cjjcKU7Bc5OXxqIs3cWZoOSWGELIHogavFk3EkfPlecF4aVcDwmTjb0DSP47UL421WkPELMTZ4izPjvIqK1XMw3qh6i9_wQ3XhjT7ltZicfaQsCAVuL9Rw-AwUSzXMo/s1600/cocky1from+wiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFwOqbBJUApw_cjjcKU7Bc5OXxqIs3cWZoOSWGELIHogavFk3EkfPlecF4aVcDwmTjb0DSP47UL421WkPELMTZ4izPjvIqK1XMw3qh6i9_wQ3XhjT7ltZicfaQsCAVuL9Rw-AwUSzXMo/s320/cocky1from+wiki.jpg" width="212" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3DLQYyKKineGXHZvKRzzdqxIzAvGFp1bN4ZgnFPd5wYWQDwFNFQ6FVsnjh5J3JFRREO05AVksmAi6EFrH73TwlvvThyphenhyphenxgKN2xAiIDwilzLUH1MJa7RhRPDoM9orjGCjRyTZRiG5y6pY/s1600/cockies+on+red+background.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/AVvXsEgZ3DLQYyKKineGXHZvKRzzdqxIzAvGFp1bN4ZgnFPd5wYWQDwFNFQ6FVsnjh5J3JFRREO05AVksmAi6EFrH73TwlvvThyphenhyphenxgKN2xAiIDwilzLUH1MJa7RhRPDoM9orjGCjRyTZRiG5y6pY/s400/cockies+on+red+background.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2d9pyqQtkpw6S9lnFHgwb1tA38NNrjCuD_56hgD6cLZ6cRI9LIBGtFiZOSlYIdOPxSHucxxbP7NvyiRJ2tWUg11nXsz2hhnDsLR3oM21lj31lJYoFIsT9YAeUxbM5FOwHRvg7lXICcA/s1600/sulphur-crested-cockatoo-rising-sheila-smart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2d9pyqQtkpw6S9lnFHgwb1tA38NNrjCuD_56hgD6cLZ6cRI9LIBGtFiZOSlYIdOPxSHucxxbP7NvyiRJ2tWUg11nXsz2hhnDsLR3oM21lj31lJYoFIsT9YAeUxbM5FOwHRvg7lXICcA/s320/sulphur-crested-cockatoo-rising-sheila-smart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And because I know you're beside yourself wanting some cockatoo facts...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">These birds are naturally curious creatures, as well as very intelligent.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> These parrots produce a very fine powder to waterproof themselves instead of oil as many other creatures do. [who would have thought?]<br />These birds are very long-lived, and can live upwards of 70 years in captivity, although they only live to about 20–40 years in the wild. [it's tough out there in the wild you know]<br />Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, along with many other parrots, are susceptible to a widespread viral disease known as <a href="http://www.avianweb.com/PBFD.html" style="color: #354777;">Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease</a>, which causes the birds to lose their feathers and grow grotesquely shaped beaks....ewwww (highly educated editorial comment)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And while I think they look quite beautiful...unless they've got that beak and feather disease thing going on... they screech like a demented fishwife, and that is highly unattractive and a huge insult to fishwives.</span></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bet you wish I'd stopped at the teapot now don't you?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won't be posting tomorrow bloggy people. The very nice Canadian Grace from <a href="http://gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.com/">Sense and Simplicity</a> and I are working on a bit of a project which we will reveal on Thursday morning...provided we can work out the time zones properly that is. She's set me a difficult task I have to tell you, so I'll be working hard trying to do her proud. I'm not confident!  So till then, as my best friend Jo says...love ya loads.</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;">cockatoo facts from</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.avianweb.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (I didn't make them up you know!); images from anthropologie and google</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></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-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">p.s. I didn't mean to bold that bit about the screeching...I just can't make it go away :(</span></div>

crikey, I'm a galah...

I think there's some weird Steve Irwin channelling going on here...I never say crikey! OK, so I know strictly speaking that's not a ...

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a dangerous new habit ~ etsy

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm afraid to report that I have a new habit...aided and abetted by the first-born who sent me an email saying "I think I'm in love with this". So of course I had to go and look, as she knew I would...there was my first mistake.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.126662098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.126662098.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;">...but I could only agree with her.  "Would you like it for your birthday?" I most generously said...it was a public holiday, I was relaxed, I wasn't thinking straight. No prizes for guessing the answer to that one. Actually it wasn't all that generous...this is very affordable art. And it is indeed droolworthy and something you could most definitely give your heart to.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, and there's always a but isn't there...I was looking at the site... and before I knew it, there was 'mistake' No. 2 (danger Will Robinson!). I came across so many other bits of gorgeousness by the very talented JJ at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/theloveshop">the love shop</a> that I just had to buy this one as well for the gallery wall I'm planning for the lower level of my new <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/bye-bye-lovely-long-weekend.html">black and white bedroom</a>...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.128625422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.128625422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I may have come late to this etsy thing, and to <i>the love shop</i> in particular, but hey I'm jumping on the bandwagon too, oh yes I am! It's fun (and good!) supporting Australian talent, even in my own small way! And this JJ...I like her philosophy...focus on love, give love, express love...she sounds really nice! Perhaps I should go and order this as well then...??</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.125843630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.125843630.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>

a dangerous new habit ~ etsy

I'm afraid to report that I have a new habit...aided and abetted by the first-born who sent me an email saying "I think I'm in ...

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an itsy bit of etsy

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am an etsy novice so imagine my delight when having ordered something on-line it arrived around 10 days later from the other side of the world...where exactly in the States is Raleigh NC anyway? (it's ok, don't panic, I've googled it!). Just enough time to have almost forgotten about it (the necklace that is, not Raleigh), but nowhere near long enough to be worried that it wasn't going to get here...perfect combination.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I opened the postpack and saw...</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi4Lv1FKBLJGAohO8x8FHyIfyXyJqd-y-8snyLUCskmtU9o3dTGtffVW1Oz-9z-LhnU2DY2Nn194qSQhgEqxp5OYoCeSIfC6laaFQffwPwZnyz125_hOj4jWOv1YGTEAXDDnv2ijVxlc/s1600-h/etsy+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi4Lv1FKBLJGAohO8x8FHyIfyXyJqd-y-8snyLUCskmtU9o3dTGtffVW1Oz-9z-LhnU2DY2Nn194qSQhgEqxp5OYoCeSIfC6laaFQffwPwZnyz125_hOj4jWOv1YGTEAXDDnv2ijVxlc/s400/etsy+001.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I undid the bow and there was a lovely thank you from Tracy herself</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXRreVTNwNgir2Fhkkz_zh-HVZkT8DCQv-1u4V4Mjgh8noFCZ11MvMpk4BirIoDjMI-xc2HDFc2bHxenFVF5d1tdzIw3LnTDnjhdraQpSisCxT5AX3VV68QYSJwpBIv_5Z6-1tXxFWyI/s1600-h/etsy+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXRreVTNwNgir2Fhkkz_zh-HVZkT8DCQv-1u4V4Mjgh8noFCZ11MvMpk4BirIoDjMI-xc2HDFc2bHxenFVF5d1tdzIw3LnTDnjhdraQpSisCxT5AX3VV68QYSJwpBIv_5Z6-1tXxFWyI/s400/etsy+002.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 then revealed in all its loveliness was the gorgeous necklace I spied on opening my very first etsy-finds email</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB-vo6YBFIYzHEXJcUBtqBCwlEU_P8snciPDIoNK5SvIx6b2jhVF3BziJ8A9HpS3KYZnv3QWD5WPlzC8pu3AO9Q8739UE-wwPiB0O7m1kRwWegHbfyfWS89t7daZIZXF8f3qwI8R2d8w/s1600-h/etsy+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB-vo6YBFIYzHEXJcUBtqBCwlEU_P8snciPDIoNK5SvIx6b2jhVF3BziJ8A9HpS3KYZnv3QWD5WPlzC8pu3AO9Q8739UE-wwPiB0O7m1kRwWegHbfyfWS89t7daZIZXF8f3qwI8R2d8w/s400/etsy+003.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;">I was mightily impressed,and so it seems were some of the lovely young things in my office...this is NOT my neck!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGuVfu3_yzqSxJntdvQ7l9h5iQq24ByMapZ-wLA7nJlgHvLWNirJr22lKH2cyMkaBevLox-h-1ruyNhqCgwRm-sJUPInzYho6nClDHfnQ7zarTAPsbU3UORBeUMf-HrHt8idGEvkBG4Y/s1600-h/etsy+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGuVfu3_yzqSxJntdvQ7l9h5iQq24ByMapZ-wLA7nJlgHvLWNirJr22lKH2cyMkaBevLox-h-1ruyNhqCgwRm-sJUPInzYho6nClDHfnQ7zarTAPsbU3UORBeUMf-HrHt8idGEvkBG4Y/s400/etsy+006.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;">...so, thank you Tracy for such a painless first etsy experience. You should all head on over to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/photoglassworks">photoglassworks</a> and have a look at all the lovely things that Tracy has on offer...but leave some more for me please! </span></div><div><br /></div>

an itsy bit of etsy

I am an etsy novice so imagine my delight when having ordered something on-line it arrived around 10 days later from the other side of the w...

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