tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20127931956709805812024-03-18T02:47:40.847-07:00Art House DesignAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.comBlogger295125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-21423939352185578082016-03-16T14:48:00.000-07:002016-03-16T19:12:25.998-07:00Suddenly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">What looked like a dream, a wish in waiting, maybe not to come true for weeks, suddenly it's real: Spring has arrived with all its sweetness, birdsong, the warmth of sunshine, a gentle breeze in the air, longer evenings with just enough chill to crave a fire and all the tiny blossoms, making the season so desirable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My daffodils look ready to bloom in a fortnight, tiny bluebells cover the still dormant grass, and the squirrels chase each other up and down the trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My impatience has given way to a a calmer joy, a mood elevation I can only blame the season for. My heart is filled with optimism and I feel energy rising again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I met my dear friend, Deirdre Verne, a fellow writer and mother, a woman I admire for her accomplishments. My own dwarf against hers I feel. You can find her fabulous books <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26404112-drawing-blood"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">here</span></a> and everywhere books are sold. We talked shop and how to build a story line, how to come up with credible characters and how to make it all work. It is always incredibly invigorating to exchange ideas and to brainstorm about writing with her. For weeks now I have struggled with a particular issue, something I have carried around for decades and how to deal with this in my writing. It had come to a point where I felt it crippled my abilities to tell the story and she simply said, do not worry so much, just write it all down, there is much time to change it and you can always edit it out. How little does she know how it has freed me. After we parted my head was spinning with ideas. Perhaps it was the sun, sending her rays over my keyboard, perhaps it was my friend's easy attitude to something which had loomed over me for weeks, but since that moment the inner blockage has disappeared and after I came home I sat down to prep-write. I dropped everything and typed away notes and sentences, which I did not want to loose until I would have time to properly write. When the phone rung, I did not expect anything unusual. But it was my teenage son, asking me where I was. I had overlooked the time and had forgotten to pick him up from school. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully it takes just a few minutes to get him and I was only ten minutes late. I laughed to myself, this had, as far as I can remember, never happened. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shall I put an automated reminder in your phone, my son asked me slyly, but not unfriendly when he stepped into the car. Please do so I answered smilingly and he did. Now, if I happen to become entrenched in writing, some friendly reminder will pull me out of my reverie and bring me back to reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now, as I write this, I see outside my window the old Magnolia tree with its long pink blossoms, leafless still, but ready to bloom. I am ready too. How I love spring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-46392039727809813682016-03-04T18:29:00.001-08:002016-03-04T18:49:47.681-08:00March fever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">March is the month of each year, when I am the most impatient. I feel spring fever, a restlessness of my body and sometimes my mind too. I have to hold the rains tight and bring myself back to the now. I want spring to burst forward, I want the temperatures to rise, I crave fresh green and the stir of milder air and sunshine in pale turquoise skies. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WIUWYeRQ5Exi_MuKjnQtykKO0vtQyGEMWKGjHeiPrc3vYUqyZdRJrye97JYMcINirRAT6ulVJ3vbLJ3zX2QgG2rPDZ4jTQsi2IBFB0SS7TTcR9JdKvb7yGSfRqvKxEUnVxK1Sn8CrzM/s1600/IMG_9828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WIUWYeRQ5Exi_MuKjnQtykKO0vtQyGEMWKGjHeiPrc3vYUqyZdRJrye97JYMcINirRAT6ulVJ3vbLJ3zX2QgG2rPDZ4jTQsi2IBFB0SS7TTcR9JdKvb7yGSfRqvKxEUnVxK1Sn8CrzM/s400/IMG_9828.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing can sooth that feeling and looking outside this morning and facing a sprinkling of fresh snow and an icy blow upon getting our son to school.... makes me impatient right again. So what's a summer loving girl to do? I redecorate. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwql0lcGc84eYPIIehhGZ2d_X94xbWm-gvhk9IGRs5dZbchy_BARcDjkjsvlEhNRYr_6csku2HkXfug4F5tHXkOk91dIWqEhK6H9OZsqcwM3jzOKDsyAjTATYtqFNebg7iwSCDdFyUNw/s1600/IMG_9830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwql0lcGc84eYPIIehhGZ2d_X94xbWm-gvhk9IGRs5dZbchy_BARcDjkjsvlEhNRYr_6csku2HkXfug4F5tHXkOk91dIWqEhK6H9OZsqcwM3jzOKDsyAjTATYtqFNebg7iwSCDdFyUNw/s400/IMG_9830.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our mantle in spring colors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9_Av1WjWtRPqxd0VoIFPg93gsMzIaQCv3m50ejk0IRmf5-X3snKh2Y8vEDXcH2qDORIK7P1ayZEOr8YsgMlPONcL18oUr_53V59yPN-mfa4KUVzcssizZPKT0yTnN8rSLXbS5_dFVCE/s1600/IMG_9831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9_Av1WjWtRPqxd0VoIFPg93gsMzIaQCv3m50ejk0IRmf5-X3snKh2Y8vEDXcH2qDORIK7P1ayZEOr8YsgMlPONcL18oUr_53V59yPN-mfa4KUVzcssizZPKT0yTnN8rSLXbS5_dFVCE/s400/IMG_9831.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recent shell finds in Cancun</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My treasured collection of spring colored books and old Easter bunny decorations.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao9lEvPF0wc7HD1oA3Xvod0RgQiLPQ0wuX40EaBdLQmPcy0g49xt4Hs-qIZICZMYFhK6hNVrcnLhUglaSAegd-kkTjDlNMUDRhgKsNRoUy6IMeA6uYKdUj9gXrF3Ape_revl8fUM1_nI/s1600/IMG_9833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao9lEvPF0wc7HD1oA3Xvod0RgQiLPQ0wuX40EaBdLQmPcy0g49xt4Hs-qIZICZMYFhK6hNVrcnLhUglaSAegd-kkTjDlNMUDRhgKsNRoUy6IMeA6uYKdUj9gXrF3Ape_revl8fUM1_nI/s400/IMG_9833.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't deny my love for birds and nests.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51rF-W_TTw1sepxPeZaOFscNfjvbFCyc81-YyYcUAHPsdz3KOu2HNGHGsbjrUDxiLyVWkTc8QVN0vcUrZ3DdUsdn66PhRPShUUk4gwxQpeh-bRsFU8PyqbPug9lC79kwpb26LJYo6jdk/s1600/IMG_9834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51rF-W_TTw1sepxPeZaOFscNfjvbFCyc81-YyYcUAHPsdz3KOu2HNGHGsbjrUDxiLyVWkTc8QVN0vcUrZ3DdUsdn66PhRPShUUk4gwxQpeh-bRsFU8PyqbPug9lC79kwpb26LJYo6jdk/s400/IMG_9834.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass, wood and green in a quiet way say spring to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVThf_zF-xaybvA-setOFRgkFqklEFrKqjlFgpgCd2oV8z2i6GjI60ryVvB28CYg3TjxOixAFTRDy-R3au9oMpzOjAfC0CliPpiKZwNEyf04WMwzjSlRofXd2618uyp3pcKgugMs4Qo4/s1600/IMG_9835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVThf_zF-xaybvA-setOFRgkFqklEFrKqjlFgpgCd2oV8z2i6GjI60ryVvB28CYg3TjxOixAFTRDy-R3au9oMpzOjAfC0CliPpiKZwNEyf04WMwzjSlRofXd2618uyp3pcKgugMs4Qo4/s400/IMG_9835.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course tulips too.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, yesterday, after almost two months of waiting I received decorator and inspiring blogger friend Anna Spiro's lovely book, named aptly after her blog,<a href="http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/"> <span style="color: #e06666;">Absolutely Beautiful Things</span></a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsald8l72lBkiTt2q6MVnZic_juKmzBeDMEN1wfpSdOq9e2aiyAXmYhgplFxRdB0aYWFNClKeW-KFSkh1AzU8C4hC1v7cY7Go3yYmvZhONGZfRhYM5Iv7pPducpxfom_NnsakK6_rID38/s1600/IMG_9842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsald8l72lBkiTt2q6MVnZic_juKmzBeDMEN1wfpSdOq9e2aiyAXmYhgplFxRdB0aYWFNClKeW-KFSkh1AzU8C4hC1v7cY7Go3yYmvZhONGZfRhYM5Iv7pPducpxfom_NnsakK6_rID38/s400/IMG_9842.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna Spiro's captivating book.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a first quick glimpse, I brewed fresh tea and sat down to enjoy a good long read. Her decorating skills have been long familiar and I had met her a few years back in New York. She is as lovely in person as her blog suggests. But what moved me so much more in her colorful book was her vivid description of her background, her warm recalling and recognizing of the women in her family, her mother, her grandmothers and aunts. It's a familiar thing. I owe so much as well to my mother and grandmother. In a subtler way perhaps then Anna, but I fully understand her gratefulness to the line of inspiring women, who all influenced and guided her to finally finding her own decorator voice and style. Her color/pattern preferences and design philosophy largely mirror mine and I smile every time I see her images. What separates us are our different backgrounds, the places we grew up and the climate we lived in as children and adults. This of course has a profound impact and surely shapes our understanding and inclinations when it comes to hues and light and how we might love brightness in everything or adore subtle shades of grey...in decorating or dressing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Looking back to my mostly grey looking childhood in East Germany in the 60's and 70's, I still mostly remember the faded colors of the windswept Baltic seashore, bleached sand, sun and skies and the pine forests. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The dark, slow flowing river Elbe in my hometown Dresden and the fields of rye and hops growing at the surrounding hills. Muted colors. And yet I think back and I have also clear images of my grandmother's garden, filled with roses and summer flowers and the colorful paintings I saw at Dresden's famed museums and galleries. There was always color in my imagination. My grandmother had a lively way of describing her own childhood and her memories of Dresden and its splendors before the Second World War have made them somehow mine too. Just like Anna's mom, my own mother has a gift for arranging and from my earliest childhood I remember the joys of seeing her decorating for the holidays or bringing flowers and plants into the apartments we lived in. My mother's family handed down blue and white Meissen porcelain, they too had a love for beautiful things and I have inherited this love. My parents had bought in the late 50's a gorgeous chippendale dining set, at a time when most young couples bought 60's modern. They still live with it and whenever I visit them I adore it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After all these years, the scent and luster of the glass fronted vitrine is still the same and this is true for the large buffet, which holds all my mother's china treasures. Needless to say my parents never bought anything else after that. I have a deep appreciation for loved and collected furniture, some well made and valuable and some just fun and fabulous, worth no more then the paint it's been updated with.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE_MmtTxWoqMfqJ4XvLbtFOTUPEoIQDtkUBVH5jPyFuUNeJ-AqGZ5HTz4Cn_3Ykl-INObgVZfaEuhnYgIGKMVIOwfxYOsdiwAojX4SUMowuzsD4eYr-i46fa132btn1wH8MS9CWQa5B0/s1600/IMG_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE_MmtTxWoqMfqJ4XvLbtFOTUPEoIQDtkUBVH5jPyFuUNeJ-AqGZ5HTz4Cn_3Ykl-INObgVZfaEuhnYgIGKMVIOwfxYOsdiwAojX4SUMowuzsD4eYr-i46fa132btn1wH8MS9CWQa5B0/s400/IMG_4818.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern charm: Charleston, NC</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there is something else. I believe we all have a time, era, style, a climate we are most comfortable with, something which only reveals itself after we have lived for a while and for me it has always been the pleasures that come with what I call 'Southern living'. My mother told me the summer I was born was particularly hot and I guess the heat in the autumn after my birth has blessed me with a desire for warmer climates. Evidently, growing up in East Germany was very different, nothing at all compared to the charms of 'Southern living', but once I had left East Germany behind my fascination with the South of France and Italy dominated my travel interests. Now, after having lived in America for more then twenty years, I dream of living somewhere near the shores of South Carolina or Georgia. It is impossible not to have been shaped by the culture, colors and patterns of the South in my style preference, just like Anna Spiro's heritage and love for vibrant colors and a wild mix of patterns has left its mark. She would fit into a antebellum mansion or a house by the beach with a wraparound porch covered with bougainvilleas and a garden with life oak trees, covered in moss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder when my life will present the chance to live there. Maybe when our youngest is out of school? Maybe when I 'retire'? LOL! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no idea. But I dream nevertheless and just like so many impossible things, which have happened in my life, things I could have never imagined, so this dream might come true sooner then later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For now it's March in New York, snow, sunshine, cold winds and mild air chase each other around every corner and only the arrival of the robins and grackles make me hopeful its only a few short weeks until spring is finally here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy spring, y'all! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Victoria</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All images my own.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-59697649240770132492016-01-05T20:21:00.001-08:002016-01-06T13:26:11.860-08:00Whenever I cannot write<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxiC49npRSqtW6WrUWBeRuxZUzZ98Vwj80NX5K7w9QnFJM1EMidRtX8RaPxjxqZITFclNY1xDhByWhesuiup2hdznt7nvmFc4_7juGH36k51pD4PiwmC_TUZTYMyVnJZvw7dKJ_niS2c/s1600/IMG_8129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxiC49npRSqtW6WrUWBeRuxZUzZ98Vwj80NX5K7w9QnFJM1EMidRtX8RaPxjxqZITFclNY1xDhByWhesuiup2hdznt7nvmFc4_7juGH36k51pD4PiwmC_TUZTYMyVnJZvw7dKJ_niS2c/s400/IMG_8129.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The call of the geese gets me all the time.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whenever I cannot write... I rearrange things. I clean, I sort and somehow things get sorted in my mind. This is wonderful, because I can trust it works. While I clean this and sort out that, I listen to music or the birds, chat with friends via texts or simply marvel at the things I love: Books mainly and some old knick knack I always pick up here and there and sometimes I find artists who's work I'd love to support big time but my budget lets me only get tiny things. But tiny things can be big too, right?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ2n-ggvuIRIQfIi97PCW63twdbi30klNYUxtHHe5lCNToB3FHoJ2BkhtAuE8zbrX29BUC8QSaJYDKgV__7xRwHbcZnqaLQKPdgwpLQgJG1h9MoeYfH6YSmVEQYDVRXFLO0UzRE889vU/s1600/IMG_8166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ2n-ggvuIRIQfIi97PCW63twdbi30klNYUxtHHe5lCNToB3FHoJ2BkhtAuE8zbrX29BUC8QSaJYDKgV__7xRwHbcZnqaLQKPdgwpLQgJG1h9MoeYfH6YSmVEQYDVRXFLO0UzRE889vU/s400/IMG_8166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hibiscus candle and scarf from <a href="http://www.indiahicks.com/rep/victoriaz"><span style="color: orange;">here</span></a> and gold filled bowl from Christina Salusti, Woodstock,VT.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully my budget is small, otherwise our small house with small rooms would be even more overrun with.... things. Nice things, but nevertheless a lot. Every year at least once I promise myself to reduce. I do re-use though. A lot. Instead of buying new things I often buy used ones. Old silver, vintage cutlery, found pieces of furniture. Its clearly a passion and I also have promised often enough to open an ETSY shop to bring the things, which are hopelessly stored back into circulation. It hasn't happen yet. I somehow cannot part with things. But even I can see, I should. So shall I go head and do this?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP_vIlq5I6YK0Fh4zuCSjZBapw2BPIbtkwBC-KqjvlvHBU2bWYms7U49Giosqa33JnOiysWmypmjw7K1Yupud7UuVLzPMFnrPb5iLTB_GmOyJolMqgzHzo-4asPiJZQJg05X2yIvJK1s/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP_vIlq5I6YK0Fh4zuCSjZBapw2BPIbtkwBC-KqjvlvHBU2bWYms7U49Giosqa33JnOiysWmypmjw7K1Yupud7UuVLzPMFnrPb5iLTB_GmOyJolMqgzHzo-4asPiJZQJg05X2yIvJK1s/s400/IMG_1608.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of Salusti's beautiful bowls.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Whenever I cannot write.... I think about things, problems, issues, my family, my writing. Sentences pop into my head and then I run to my notebook or phone and write things down. Cleaning calms me. Others might choose meditation, but I clear my mind while I contemplate which bowl goes well with what candle holder and where I should put this wonderful sideboard, which has spent too many years of exile at the veranda. I stand and watch the sun move over from the dining room into the music room, where a golden afternoon light plays with the wooden blinds and beckons me to sit and tickle the keys of the piano. I often succumb to its calling.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z_C7LAwn0pFHiHRNWb9y0num_aw94-W2wAZvkYqfWlFlyR9yAHy5Ilg6LVeYWEVEZmSluB0BmtTALaZ9d8wvXZUguCF5v2UR84M6Ug4ZS5hLut00nmVtCmcLbkTyfGnSyCOFKYqoQwc/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z_C7LAwn0pFHiHRNWb9y0num_aw94-W2wAZvkYqfWlFlyR9yAHy5Ilg6LVeYWEVEZmSluB0BmtTALaZ9d8wvXZUguCF5v2UR84M6Ug4ZS5hLut00nmVtCmcLbkTyfGnSyCOFKYqoQwc/s400/IMG_2494.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer and fall arrangements</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whenever I cannot write... I let it go. I have learned over the last years that writing cannot be forced. Regret is a sorrowful master and I have dismissed it early in my (still short) writing career. I know I will pick up after a dry spell and that gives me great comfort. I know there are times I will not be able to sit down to write. Mostly during holidays, just like recently over the Christmas break in Vermont, when I had been happily occupied with my family, but too distracted through outings and other entertainments.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dutifully I had brought my computer, but never opened it to write. I remember a few years back, being fretful, nervous about interrupting the flow, but somehow I've learned that these sometimes unwelcome pauses have hidden benefits. They lend themselves to contemplation and some distance gives me a new prospective. Now, when I am stuck with a particular problem I give myself a time out. I cook, bake, clean, rearrange. I tinker around.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0TxLVtYulN_rnt8Ma0iXegia0Rs7KZK5aazrJiXwZ-IY2IVFu0hVsPr9f5TteYCiQIPG1IcvYyf3oSOXPs68NW3FE-j7ORZV_oycgKqooxqWB89s7NhdW79BOtGSSgjF2iDLBDons5c/s1600/IMG_8160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0TxLVtYulN_rnt8Ma0iXegia0Rs7KZK5aazrJiXwZ-IY2IVFu0hVsPr9f5TteYCiQIPG1IcvYyf3oSOXPs68NW3FE-j7ORZV_oycgKqooxqWB89s7NhdW79BOtGSSgjF2iDLBDons5c/s400/IMG_8160.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's work: January collection in the morning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2Y_eBKzxY6hgQIWyq_WcN_5x-xQnXxX16yy_hvovzbytsJAC-SA3fIMN10fqsNzpOkYDF0rsoCo-yxuEROBm9g2VIj6aF0lgYoEaXzsGZpWhj38CASsTDNrzIlT0ONNG3zP4ZUHRwL8/s1600/IMG_8171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2Y_eBKzxY6hgQIWyq_WcN_5x-xQnXxX16yy_hvovzbytsJAC-SA3fIMN10fqsNzpOkYDF0rsoCo-yxuEROBm9g2VIj6aF0lgYoEaXzsGZpWhj38CASsTDNrzIlT0ONNG3zP4ZUHRwL8/s400/IMG_8171.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And at night.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, a few days into the new year, I took down most of the Christmas decorations, although the tree is still up. Some candle holders and decorations needed mending, careful packing and as with every season or holiday I feel it passes faster and faster, Wasn't it only yesterday that I dug up the boxes from the basement? Back it goes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibGpD44xUUVXYh-wKrOktIaiXaHk6QnQXV0Ev69OeLzHoYgUV6LOwx5sH9YV-A2xP4vpWLE_cOkFRfRugglMWyx6HWaqgz-kABS96pWYtPfPs4qRGqpY7-ZayxAamXBUxb6oiHPq8610/s1600/IMG_8175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibGpD44xUUVXYh-wKrOktIaiXaHk6QnQXV0Ev69OeLzHoYgUV6LOwx5sH9YV-A2xP4vpWLE_cOkFRfRugglMWyx6HWaqgz-kABS96pWYtPfPs4qRGqpY7-ZayxAamXBUxb6oiHPq8610/s400/IMG_8175.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window sill in the music room with some fine editions of Penguin Classics.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSC-W2bpBNurJF9ORsRoqtLbbKsDzKkCcC4XvsOUwUj_bXibYb9LDdgHED4G7i-952OwoxInDl8lkFgCGgObHD13b3jRyR747EzF0_8Xkqz07NsE1fLxgYn4YYt-63Rb-lKfWwO1RbRw/s1600/IMG_8176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSC-W2bpBNurJF9ORsRoqtLbbKsDzKkCcC4XvsOUwUj_bXibYb9LDdgHED4G7i-952OwoxInDl8lkFgCGgObHD13b3jRyR747EzF0_8Xkqz07NsE1fLxgYn4YYt-63Rb-lKfWwO1RbRw/s400/IMG_8176.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree in a bed of acorns and fragrant star anise.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Winter light is bright and clear and every January I love to have the light come in and play. I love glass in winter. Sunlight, china, crystal, brass and silver, a white table cloth. I love candle light and it warms the brilliant light and bends the cold into something I like. It is as if the light cleanses everything, cleanses my mind too.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpmiP3gZUSkkD1C9FOq9kxUJE7EtkK5lOfMjmeXDdRLJ4_K6B7GuNnqGKVSOJ-DczSFJgwWWEYFDU0zA45rilLgPLmhxi4RHFz9hyueVBhfTALRvZ6DkVIbXl4TDoQB9MzYrQt5_MbJg/s1600/IMG_8167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpmiP3gZUSkkD1C9FOq9kxUJE7EtkK5lOfMjmeXDdRLJ4_K6B7GuNnqGKVSOJ-DczSFJgwWWEYFDU0zA45rilLgPLmhxi4RHFz9hyueVBhfTALRvZ6DkVIbXl4TDoQB9MzYrQt5_MbJg/s400/IMG_8167.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the clean, fresh look.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The day has passed and finally I sit down, a fire warming my toes, while the chilly air presses against the windows. A hot tea near my chair, my laptop at the ready. And now I just let it flow, let the day pass by and share my thoughts with you for what's it worth. Being creative is a bit like shape shifting. It applies itself to all ways of life and that is such a wonderful thing. Whether I make salad dressing or shop for dinner or sort the laundry, whether I think about any problem or rearrange my collection on my windowsill, I know my creative energy is with me like an invisible cloak. I am deeply grateful for life has given me such a gift. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokE0q9_qq72GsHSUl9Hsiqt4o9LXm5ng068hrOdiwEUtKshgSp9S3y0n-LKmVBjZVFtkC6DySC9cV-d-gU-tptowJ08TTN6gqzPUK07VNM51Tj01OnLALx8b-IdwEpg9Hwp85uptin_Q/s1600/IMG_8177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokE0q9_qq72GsHSUl9Hsiqt4o9LXm5ng068hrOdiwEUtKshgSp9S3y0n-LKmVBjZVFtkC6DySC9cV-d-gU-tptowJ08TTN6gqzPUK07VNM51Tj01OnLALx8b-IdwEpg9Hwp85uptin_Q/s400/IMG_8177.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of these things have been everywhere in our house.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are times when I feel the cloak has gotten caught somewhere and then I need to be still and rest. Particularly anger and creativity are on the opposite end of the spectrum for me. There are people who can funnel their irritations into creativity but that's not how it works for me. When I am in a temper, when I am too distracted to write, I clean. My house is not overly tidy and I take it as a good sign. After all, I have other things to do....</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvXqU5-nojISHwud3aVPOM4BSaW9gkEJR5MJU2DCQ4WjdhU2S1JDfCQaCLQYR96qPPUHl4NI6EEUF3XnrhnMw9RmF_YRwsWmFZF8l2ezH3ehjasuVVb3gTvbFI3NoT36uT4XzNhzQ9Pg/s1600/IMG_8178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvXqU5-nojISHwud3aVPOM4BSaW9gkEJR5MJU2DCQ4WjdhU2S1JDfCQaCLQYR96qPPUHl4NI6EEUF3XnrhnMw9RmF_YRwsWmFZF8l2ezH3ehjasuVVb3gTvbFI3NoT36uT4XzNhzQ9Pg/s400/IMG_8178.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A preliminary home for Chip's artwork.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1hbperNh7DzE7J3bkpXUlk5bdLKSLCyK1qTmZxV2tWtDh5ppfJjxUd-YIDX4hGdF-NNMNtT_isFBvchMSnWCUhwJjHTejiTmkmHlSHaQLJpdUQWRoxsovEgH1GxuxxKDkj0LZ5VA_-Y/s1600/IMG_8179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1hbperNh7DzE7J3bkpXUlk5bdLKSLCyK1qTmZxV2tWtDh5ppfJjxUd-YIDX4hGdF-NNMNtT_isFBvchMSnWCUhwJjHTejiTmkmHlSHaQLJpdUQWRoxsovEgH1GxuxxKDkj0LZ5VA_-Y/s400/IMG_8179.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An art print from a painting by Chip Evans, whom we met in Woodstock, VT a few days ago. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I try to work on reducing stress. It's one of the very few New Year's resolutions. I hate them for I feel they are forcefully tied to a rather random date. (Sure, I do get the symbolic power of a new year.) But I prefer resolutions when I have a need for them. I get overwhelmed quickly and then all systems shut down. Not so good and too disturbing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYExvoNHFwQjbXH_R23km_F89WM9Z-JUoQFs60utr9ul3i5ac4gdhX1x4rXkwrhh0Ns51EsI5X30sjLXCCTL3kVkFZbCZb6zBxeOVMKeLYRpZjIHSYMFIKJ9IMM4ncnMgmxNWInGoIH_I/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYExvoNHFwQjbXH_R23km_F89WM9Z-JUoQFs60utr9ul3i5ac4gdhX1x4rXkwrhh0Ns51EsI5X30sjLXCCTL3kVkFZbCZb6zBxeOVMKeLYRpZjIHSYMFIKJ9IMM4ncnMgmxNWInGoIH_I/s400/IMG_1271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea at night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But thankfully cleaning and sorting are great problem diluters and after a good day's work I usually can sit down and write. I take a deep breath or two, look with some satisfaction at the new arrangements and feel content.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7_Op29136GBV1Y_i-UPjI-NfWimAvIhywzpM1tRmu6VLiT2Ica5xdp-zqUQosYwSR5GAR0NIYTn7lGRsxbOYxRUao60KKRubF8tohzt5HBvSViGxX1wet9N4G-h6hLLYTzi85pJMffM/s1600/IMG_7519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7_Op29136GBV1Y_i-UPjI-NfWimAvIhywzpM1tRmu6VLiT2Ica5xdp-zqUQosYwSR5GAR0NIYTn7lGRsxbOYxRUao60KKRubF8tohzt5HBvSViGxX1wet9N4G-h6hLLYTzi85pJMffM/s400/IMG_7519.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all good ways to resolve issues and if you like, try organizing your cupboards when you feel you are stuck. It's very invigorating and renewing. Here is to a fresh New Year, where problems shall melt away with the power of contemplating while cleaning...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">xx</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Victoria</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-5955326877159649262015-12-22T14:35:00.003-08:002015-12-22T20:32:20.459-08:00Happy holidays<span style="font-size: large;">A warm hello to all my old blog friends and new readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a while and surely much has happened in you lives and mine. Another Christmas awaits at the doorstep, towing New Year's Eve behind and this year working on my novel has become a much loved and regular task for me. Regardless, it is not smooth sailing, there are stretches of silence, literally and moments of despair, but luckily there are these incredible rare moments,when I feel nothing can stop me, when everything seems to fall into place.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLT23fq1hU6I1ZUca3tubPRY5YH6tDBAvZXaRe6emhYPL0OgeGpxJa_Qm8V2epoki3f9WNUqLy81TBNrqoRks_2mV1duE5k1mSzQrntdlg2D38I3-NvS3j6MC5YTI0ev00bir5v0XSjM/s1600/IMG_7506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLT23fq1hU6I1ZUca3tubPRY5YH6tDBAvZXaRe6emhYPL0OgeGpxJa_Qm8V2epoki3f9WNUqLy81TBNrqoRks_2mV1duE5k1mSzQrntdlg2D38I3-NvS3j6MC5YTI0ev00bir5v0XSjM/s400/IMG_7506.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from my writing room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Writing is a quiet business, nothing is ever really visible to the outside world unless something gets published, which hasn't happened yet. Sometimes I wish I could open the small room, where I most of the time sit down to think and research, to read and look at other writer's work and write a little more and I could share it with you all. Personally I love to read about other artist's doings, the mechanics of creating, if you will. And then I thought why not at least try? Perhaps it has been done before, maybe there is nothing new to say, but it feels to me at least that inviting you in makes it more real. Does this make sense? So in 2016 I will write more here about my writer's life and the things which move me and the things I move.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nOCUuX7RxAUJ6wksnbcbJcWFv2x29CoyrlId8Amb1IoTN306xOpe7lyi4Dbm_kQTKcNvyW4KfC_wzJc9jRi92VSpvWKxaddao8limhHW19PK0aV-sN3qRrqO9U7W7JhvU7rNKw2-LOk/s1600/IMG_4419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nOCUuX7RxAUJ6wksnbcbJcWFv2x29CoyrlId8Amb1IoTN306xOpe7lyi4Dbm_kQTKcNvyW4KfC_wzJc9jRi92VSpvWKxaddao8limhHW19PK0aV-sN3qRrqO9U7W7JhvU7rNKw2-LOk/s400/IMG_4419.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The manuscript...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a lonely job and I feel oftentimes I bury myself in this invisible world and forget to see what's out there. Do not get me wrong, there is the family, friends, my interior design work sprinkled in, but I do miss something. Still there are hours and hours where I just sit and write. And so I have added something new. Something which will take me outside, towards women, connects me again to a base where I feel I can belong. Thanks to my dear friend <a href="http://www.pvedesign.com/">Patricia of PVE</a>, who has asked me to join, I have decided to become Style Ambassador to<a href="http://www.indiahicks.com/rep/victoriaz"> India Hicks</a>. Yes, perhaps like Tupperware or Avon, but different too since its still small, but rapidly growing and very elegant and beautiful. I met the incredible energetic and passionate India Hicks a few weeks ago and after talking with her I became convinced that it's a worthwhile enterprise. Will I do well? I am not sure yet, but I hope I can work out the kinks and give it a good try. Usually I have a certain fear of committing to such business, where others have a direct interest of me succeeding. I fear I will let them down. There is a pressure, which makes me uncomfortable. But this is another plan for the coming year: Stepping out of my comfort zone.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ARFZGqs_byoPwj6EvpyPjCxcQ0JL3dXBW-TewPx5V_Ze3NyN8gjyuZUO9tuOPA9ru0j6k1_pFRy93MjHbB-96XQQ9DDjIRCNPfM_lI1G_wc_5Y98vL5a9DhU3T87QlkTyXOSvJyQpY/s1600/IMG_7736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ARFZGqs_byoPwj6EvpyPjCxcQ0JL3dXBW-TewPx5V_Ze3NyN8gjyuZUO9tuOPA9ru0j6k1_pFRy93MjHbB-96XQQ9DDjIRCNPfM_lI1G_wc_5Y98vL5a9DhU3T87QlkTyXOSvJyQpY/s400/IMG_7736.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First hosting party in December</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I<span style="font-size: large;"> want to hold myself accountable and the discipline which I have learned to apply to my writing might come in handy. Just do it, is my motto. I have nothing to loose. Ok, I could not sell and grow as I hope, but it's no reason not to try. To be truthful, this daring yes to it has given me a kick, a delightful rise in adrenaline and I have had nothing but a good time with it. You might think writing and thinking and all the intellectual exercises might exclude such down to earth selling business? Think again. I actually feel it boosts my confidence, I'll get used to approaching people, trying to market something I believe in. It might actually sharpen my wits once I will need to sell my manuscript to editors or agents, who are totally indifferent or might perhaps be absolutely disinterested. A practice in marketing....</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8cCWScxZKa1JeYlt7ycGzbV1dilmGt0plgQ1uaUPjSjAKoQHk0hdZw-ZrR5ZLt9k8KCmthVpcaWvf8qZvbf3V_5qY3wf1w_RcqaO3Py9CzaNUIBn0sbMUUWKUVYvMKG7YvEdgH1HJdg/s1600/IMG_7728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8cCWScxZKa1JeYlt7ycGzbV1dilmGt0plgQ1uaUPjSjAKoQHk0hdZw-ZrR5ZLt9k8KCmthVpcaWvf8qZvbf3V_5qY3wf1w_RcqaO3Py9CzaNUIBn0sbMUUWKUVYvMKG7YvEdgH1HJdg/s400/IMG_7728.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">India Hicks and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have already started and yesterday I took heart and dialed the hotel where we will stay between Christmas and New Year and asked if they would agree to a trunk show. I have not heard from them yet, but the worse would be they'd say no. But I have a good feeling.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk6nIRN4wLecSrg4lTvff85jh6pYwy3w9265r0oLfcMSESdH7xoUBeynKOAD1jv3IQggD99UNYQHoloXEyLlhpWquPI3w0ObJqutmrGh0T-0Ljy0mXQH5agS8yZL-Zs9MsuIrh5OZioQ/s1600/IMG_7817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk6nIRN4wLecSrg4lTvff85jh6pYwy3w9265r0oLfcMSESdH7xoUBeynKOAD1jv3IQggD99UNYQHoloXEyLlhpWquPI3w0ObJqutmrGh0T-0Ljy0mXQH5agS8yZL-Zs9MsuIrh5OZioQ/s400/IMG_7817.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Fairy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This year has been quite eventful. My husband started in spring to work with an incredible energized start up company on Wall Street, long hours, but so rewarding, my oldest son made a short film about a fifteen-year old ballerina, which will be distributed at the Cannes Film Festival, yours truly worked as art director on it and we are beyond happy about his success. Find it <i><a href="http://www.lofficielitalia.com/there-are-no-strangers-here/"><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></a></i>. Second son finished his Masters degree, daughter will finish High School in spring, and yes she went all alone to England and manages life there by herself. The baby boy towers over me and tells us in earnest he wants to be a lawyer. He is 15 and everything is possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Another year has gone by way too fast and as always I reminiscent about time and how important it is to use it wisely. Never has 'Carpe Diem' meant so much to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe this is only possible with age. I do not see the evidence yet in my children, life still stretches endlessly in front of them.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE-FG3qpLRiMlpTJCSVD79y-ssECbDrZhI7pvepJo45i06ihyJr4nIMMClBQ16ArpOQHXsQX5VVaXq5FHKGKcROXZh8K46FPUuiHYkznPnGz2DWFSI3vASFu4ynxjQCRtcxdpzPrSGds/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE-FG3qpLRiMlpTJCSVD79y-ssECbDrZhI7pvepJo45i06ihyJr4nIMMClBQ16ArpOQHXsQX5VVaXq5FHKGKcROXZh8K46FPUuiHYkznPnGz2DWFSI3vASFu4ynxjQCRtcxdpzPrSGds/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our holiday window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so I try to use every day and fill it with passion and joy and happiness and the sharing of hope and love, I try to sooth some pain in the world, which is also filled with hatred and revanche and murder and it is the only thing I can hold against it. I am not without hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish all of you a peaceful year's end and new beginnings! This and health and love and may life be good to you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I promise to open my little writing room in January '16 and tell you what I work on and how this all is going. I promise not to bore you. It has held me captive for almost 3 years now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps you want to join me here and there on my journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Victoria</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-50908555829838310402015-04-23T14:39:00.000-07:002015-04-23T14:41:16.006-07:00The process of writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHYtM8d59JRk_ktm-0eC440_2cCALNrH9UPSwtPObFg0o9H5cEMM-0XKDPZ29H6_hlMQjCx9zVRs8PWLiIGKuqa-HpysPOjJUDaSSgiUOFGGVT3a4WiIncJPK_wu_mG_hN2bD4TJJf6E/s1600/IMG_4418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHYtM8d59JRk_ktm-0eC440_2cCALNrH9UPSwtPObFg0o9H5cEMM-0XKDPZ29H6_hlMQjCx9zVRs8PWLiIGKuqa-HpysPOjJUDaSSgiUOFGGVT3a4WiIncJPK_wu_mG_hN2bD4TJJf6E/s1600/IMG_4418.JPG" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a year and a half. Roughly. And almost a year to the day that I said good bye here. It has been a wonderful year of writing, learning. An eye opening time, a time I am so grateful for. I am not done, but I think I am getting there. Not that it will mean much, the next step to find an agent or a publisher will perhaps be the greater challenge. I feel still like a novice, a innocent child in the adult world of literature, but alas, just as innocent, I am hopeful. Wish me more luck. Writing is a lonely thing, not be shared really, not to be talked about and I have felt often during this time that I secluded myself. It is necessary, but not always comfortable. But I love it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have hardly read any blogs, hardly done anything but write, only immersed myself in the times, read countless books of historical relevance and now I feel this is also my university, my time to study and truly history has become my new passion. A time of growth. As an old midwife and mother I can only say I am expecting, looking forward to the time of my confinement. To deliver.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish you all a wonderful spring time, after a long hard winter here we finally see some progress and just like this time of year I am hopeful and wish you all time for growth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">xo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Victoria</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-70015679407626016662014-04-29T20:06:00.000-07:002014-04-29T20:06:29.072-07:00New beginnings and endings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOxYwzlfSamdI41G4uubjoSHnDxoRx3mMc-rWoWJ-kJsbxI8RxU2HxYJ4Ea4wgnceSmOc8feiXf8pArSBvyS-wFR4SJx6cH6ETSmoKKgxgD0lm-m1BfLVryUbbZDMg9oolY1eusAckAE/s1600/IMG_0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOxYwzlfSamdI41G4uubjoSHnDxoRx3mMc-rWoWJ-kJsbxI8RxU2HxYJ4Ea4wgnceSmOc8feiXf8pArSBvyS-wFR4SJx6cH6ETSmoKKgxgD0lm-m1BfLVryUbbZDMg9oolY1eusAckAE/s1600/IMG_0623.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dear readers, friends,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I do owe you an apology. A blog is to be written in somewhat regular intervals. Otherwise it loses it's momentum. I am fully aware of it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had reached a turning point, a little while ago. I tried to balance new interests with the existing ones, but it has gotten too hard to do so.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For a long time I've had played with the idea to write something other then my blog. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And about a year ago I have started on a historic novel based on my grandmother's life. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I call it a <i>romanography</i>....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now I am rather deep into it and it takes my energy and it feeds me at the same time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is exciting and invigorating and I hope it will become a real book one day. My family indulges me and they are extremely patient with me. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Writing is an adventure, a <i>tour de force</i>, I am not sure where this force is coming from or where it will take me. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It has simply taken over. And I let this passion rule!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But something else has occurred to me. My ability to write has also been shaped by reading your inspiring stories, all your persistence and watching so many of you making their dreams come true. Fighting for it and sticking it out! I owe you my thanks and gratitude. Without you, I might have never begun! And I hope one day to give it back to you! I will come to read here and there, maybe even tell a little how it's going, but I wont promise regularity! I just can't. Between the family, life and my writing there is not enough time to manage it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I feel stricken and as I write I feel a knot in my throat, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it is a farewell of sorts. This blog has been such a part of my life!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wish all you you the very best, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">keep following your dreams and passions! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As my children say: YOLO - You only live once...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you for everything and p</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">lease wish me luck!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Victoria</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PS: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I still bake bread and live this, now not so new anymore, satisfyingly healthy lifestyle, sometimes I share on the other blog part recipes and some of my creations. You might find me there. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can always contact me for advise or decorating dilemmas. </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-73611251930681563182013-11-09T11:20:00.002-08:002013-11-11T13:46:08.520-08:00The 'statement' chair we love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we moved into our first house, we were looking for a chair to read in, next to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a couch, yet not part of a set. We love indestructible leather for the obvious reasons when raising a young family, a dog running and scratching every surface. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We like an eclectic mix of old and new, modern and antique. After a little while we settled on a leather chair with sleek lines, low and extremely comfortable. A small ottoman completes the set.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is the Montis LOGE chair, by the Dutch designer Gerard Van den Berg. Masculine and elegant, it fits sleek into any eclectic design </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">scheme. The chair invites a relaxed leaning, a cozy fit, the chair envelopes you and one can actually take a comfortable nap in it too.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy9ycHdy5zTTT_wSHCl8enM2VXb-UxRJ7Hr_kOD6JQv8JF625tGgzkmzIuTlHYkKKyZ3ivT0h-dlPuH8X2g9Hkbbc0qgrDRuY79trXba8Gvf_DrQGTd_kD6-w-OIQ-7Dc0kCdFOz3Jzo/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-09+at+1.45.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy9ycHdy5zTTT_wSHCl8enM2VXb-UxRJ7Hr_kOD6JQv8JF625tGgzkmzIuTlHYkKKyZ3ivT0h-dlPuH8X2g9Hkbbc0qgrDRuY79trXba8Gvf_DrQGTd_kD6-w-OIQ-7Dc0kCdFOz3Jzo/s320/Screen+shot+2013-11-09+at+1.45.45+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.archiproducts.com/en/products/48504/upholstered-leather-armchair-with-armrests-with-footstool-loge-montis.html">source</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After moving into our current home, it has become my<i> husband's chair</i>, his outline by now visible even when he is not sitting in it! This cozy corner is always calling his name. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago I was ask by <a href="http://www.onekinglane.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">One</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">King's Lane</span></a> to write about a special chair in my home, using their <a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/info/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">resource guide</span></a> as a help to describe it. Well, it would fit into the style section of modern European design chairs, and, although the chair was not listed as an example of the style period, it gives the searching person an idea where he or she might want to begin looking for something to purchase, or, if one comes across a particular model to look for guidance of style and possible period.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ap8oSh1bjpF-lgfbLgU6NwETQlj3Sd_qWlb_kl-4b0Esz4CVr-M1LnKkS5veepy8hP47dwqLqnz0tUXurqt9BppNNIIdVQJgF5zrhYBFotCkzxsYNFk67K6V8-Mu9FMeG10Xg3CM8fY/s1600/photo-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ap8oSh1bjpF-lgfbLgU6NwETQlj3Sd_qWlb_kl-4b0Esz4CVr-M1LnKkS5veepy8hP47dwqLqnz0tUXurqt9BppNNIIdVQJgF5zrhYBFotCkzxsYNFk67K6V8-Mu9FMeG10Xg3CM8fY/s400/photo-24.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The chair has seen some changes, sometimes a blanket will be draped over an arm or, lately with the beginning of the colder season a huge sheepskin rug fills the length of the chair for more cozy reading time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The chair is a part of our home, the music room truly unthinkable without it. After 15 years of daily use, the chair shows no signs of aging.... It might outlive us....</span><br />
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Images private except as indicated. Please do not duplicate or use unless permission is given from the blog owner.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-26779664696778025452013-10-26T15:11:00.003-07:002013-10-26T15:18:27.770-07:00Autumn post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGfIRTZj38gR5GGY0BEkTANtbTG6S0iuz2qhTsLouC77UGlieik5aOusGdPsezCxuR8dZxPdNldATjv_Iv2SE1_Rr-6v47mmZevl5xGrgn2fd1U8rtKIpZG_MnTGcgoYj_5T-NoS2qe0/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGfIRTZj38gR5GGY0BEkTANtbTG6S0iuz2qhTsLouC77UGlieik5aOusGdPsezCxuR8dZxPdNldATjv_Iv2SE1_Rr-6v47mmZevl5xGrgn2fd1U8rtKIpZG_MnTGcgoYj_5T-NoS2qe0/s400/IMG_0313.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As usual, fall had come way too fast, but now, that I am surrounded by pumpkins, scarecrows and Halloween decorations I have made peace and feel again quite at home with autumn. It helps, that the golden light filters through freshly cleaned windows, all in preparation of the next, highly awaited day: Thanksgiving.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's the holiday I love the most, for it lets <strike>me</strike> us experience one of the loveliest traditions the American culture has to offer: To be grateful, share the good fortunes and come together with friends and family, no matter what the distance! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizXPIB9pgKZq8R0Mrim1vBAG5klVBaQI8vHWCeUUPfYyBatwzycMDq5sMeDMVP1-8Teooeew_y6321tu2HNYwBqXvje76trv83s1rtIXAmdkAiw_IO0OuCkUqX-WdqVbszVA3v-SQ9_U/s1600/IMG_9375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizXPIB9pgKZq8R0Mrim1vBAG5klVBaQI8vHWCeUUPfYyBatwzycMDq5sMeDMVP1-8Teooeew_y6321tu2HNYwBqXvje76trv83s1rtIXAmdkAiw_IO0OuCkUqX-WdqVbszVA3v-SQ9_U/s400/IMG_9375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wc7klloGr25cHBk-VAjxqdp00Sh6oqoMO2mIOqxvgI9k6YFer1-bleW-h4fmiLgXQvvj-MsfcPbViHCBGfYqoU64NFaRnVtNNBHz1mgrOOzXjtL1ZkK_Ga7dvTZZsL1Rck66570gRNo/s1600/IMG_9435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wc7klloGr25cHBk-VAjxqdp00Sh6oqoMO2mIOqxvgI9k6YFer1-bleW-h4fmiLgXQvvj-MsfcPbViHCBGfYqoU64NFaRnVtNNBHz1mgrOOzXjtL1ZkK_Ga7dvTZZsL1Rck66570gRNo/s400/IMG_9435.jpg" width="335" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3j3hR2aDTzgUHtvUYobLnPULBoOyEsasFPkDd1gvpk8xna_vAgaAKunhve-YuCdhtZsnM1QFGdke77KmRvPl7xRk089eh94FmlZUGN_5xMPYL66DAYmp2aeoxDo6s1EcDXs3kRUyTRs/s1600/IMG_9437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3j3hR2aDTzgUHtvUYobLnPULBoOyEsasFPkDd1gvpk8xna_vAgaAKunhve-YuCdhtZsnM1QFGdke77KmRvPl7xRk089eh94FmlZUGN_5xMPYL66DAYmp2aeoxDo6s1EcDXs3kRUyTRs/s400/IMG_9437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW86kJDFHgAwNE6OjK5pPuooH_uiJVtuzQOVnJPCKTiiva_NCMEnw4P3i2I5qE-d_nCjxb0jWZJ6wVOEWgB8xvq-_-HLiVFkrJOObGffqWUfL1Nz1IDKBl4k3JC0RSSeF0uGWcOqxH-ig/s1600/IMG_9442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW86kJDFHgAwNE6OjK5pPuooH_uiJVtuzQOVnJPCKTiiva_NCMEnw4P3i2I5qE-d_nCjxb0jWZJ6wVOEWgB8xvq-_-HLiVFkrJOObGffqWUfL1Nz1IDKBl4k3JC0RSSeF0uGWcOqxH-ig/s400/IMG_9442.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such abundance</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The visits to the farmer's markets are the highlights of my weekly shopping tours and the vegetables are at their best at this time. What abundance everywhere.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It helps too that the days are bright and the leaves have turned into the brilliant colors, so telling of the season.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhLyTmDm3rOjEwKgiseYATPoiKvAxRqLCJdVTpz8VmLP8xDsaw3JzW5pEHEBFwvDnKiZi8hupSIMF0sU-9VCUjlzfrHtZQCnSXObFIs_CPIPXv07drz7nplLcDJCt8aB06eNKnYA5ADo/s1600/IMG_0371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhLyTmDm3rOjEwKgiseYATPoiKvAxRqLCJdVTpz8VmLP8xDsaw3JzW5pEHEBFwvDnKiZi8hupSIMF0sU-9VCUjlzfrHtZQCnSXObFIs_CPIPXv07drz7nplLcDJCt8aB06eNKnYA5ADo/s640/IMG_0371.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In this time of year I feel being a homebody, I do not have to go far to enjoy these days, unlike summer, when the travel bug always bites me and I want to explore the world, or winter, when I try to escape the cold...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw30DU6DXpqBxmj4P9_uE5_N3b2_dwAhj3Rpfu8bL2_fbDIR7SI7GPsSbS4nNBw2TypD865sBDtEfw2pOVNpZ92598hHsx7mbBhlIvF-W3dPla9Q4WqkzVN3dtlW7-Ag1uF69pRMqD2Q/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw30DU6DXpqBxmj4P9_uE5_N3b2_dwAhj3Rpfu8bL2_fbDIR7SI7GPsSbS4nNBw2TypD865sBDtEfw2pOVNpZ92598hHsx7mbBhlIvF-W3dPla9Q4WqkzVN3dtlW7-Ag1uF69pRMqD2Q/s400/photo-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sourdough spelt bread, I baked last week in a Dutch oven.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0HAvi00mwm2Sy7w9VrAYwdxSSwl89N3i6v1g91bLtJAZIQxQtHB5-_71fpv0z9qEMo_1KydB0Y66hmvO-cy4_wBcBK2FuWico3TbTm2bdk5mK5PsU1T1LCw_KJelH6mobgpQEKZ08JE/s1600/IMG_9377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0HAvi00mwm2Sy7w9VrAYwdxSSwl89N3i6v1g91bLtJAZIQxQtHB5-_71fpv0z9qEMo_1KydB0Y66hmvO-cy4_wBcBK2FuWico3TbTm2bdk5mK5PsU1T1LCw_KJelH6mobgpQEKZ08JE/s400/IMG_9377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this week....</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now I enjoy staying close to home. I cannot wait to get to our wood stash behind the house to pull out logs for a good fire and I have begun to bake bread, and ferment a few vegetables for the winter. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I cleaned out the closets and managed to reduce all my summer clothes to what I really will wear next year and gave the rest away. The same with all the winter things, neatly sorted and a joy to go to very morning and night. Instead of fighting the tiny closet space I had decided, a while back, to reduce my belongings, realizing that I do not need that much to feel up to date and happy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will give you a rare look into my two closets, one of which I actually share with my husband....I do have a dresser for the more personal stuff, but that is all. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do not feel sorry for me, I am so delighted to have shed all this weight. Literally and figuratively speaking!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi124KvUd0gLCazr_kgwv114-iYp9auomF0VIB6Au_hrIO4jzhQwKyV6Fdq-yBKR4lmejMWKXpXkNXTSNLtAVnlck66TUYy6dW2699ctHH-nn95wFKPhuDEAx6CtQAaroxzs3H-NZHIWu0/s1600/IMG_9379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi124KvUd0gLCazr_kgwv114-iYp9auomF0VIB6Au_hrIO4jzhQwKyV6Fdq-yBKR4lmejMWKXpXkNXTSNLtAVnlck66TUYy6dW2699ctHH-nn95wFKPhuDEAx6CtQAaroxzs3H-NZHIWu0/s400/IMG_9379.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mess during the clean up....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdhprBqB9pgRhw0fvrhaGtNKgbZqXNVR6N7rT0GT_GrkQn1ze0DfqGvqsMXTpHg3Kmlk0PNKGYkIrXQQ3w2Ib7QpAQ4giFTutpB0hZWV5qgc-Q7MzLJITl1L8RU3ZlZ-pJCeJgnmZHnM/s1600/IMG_9382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdhprBqB9pgRhw0fvrhaGtNKgbZqXNVR6N7rT0GT_GrkQn1ze0DfqGvqsMXTpHg3Kmlk0PNKGYkIrXQQ3w2Ib7QpAQ4giFTutpB0hZWV5qgc-Q7MzLJITl1L8RU3ZlZ-pJCeJgnmZHnM/s640/IMG_9382.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After; the painting is reflected in the door mirror, just in case you think I have twice the space....<br />
my younger self helps me keep an critical eye on everything!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxzfNsvLS45bxms3151uc5ss88PBBv0tx0A9RYH88DWhxt35CsYEV9oZ22s1mbKXmxvSYE9jwoJCJxKgcuBIvnrafwDIpx1FnITjdqr5vSd09QbNKgo8zn4iNsBlY05PY6IDerX3HjjQ/s1600/IMG_9383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxzfNsvLS45bxms3151uc5ss88PBBv0tx0A9RYH88DWhxt35CsYEV9oZ22s1mbKXmxvSYE9jwoJCJxKgcuBIvnrafwDIpx1FnITjdqr5vSd09QbNKgo8zn4iNsBlY05PY6IDerX3HjjQ/s640/IMG_9383.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After, this is still shared with hubby's sweaters and the table clothes....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gfbg097J4uZ8WVazqPJmvfR_F0Hf46zCiznEcU7reztgjpcryBgD9YwqJ26pdZyHTN6R0jGQvbq9aFNHL4w_BrypFb0HXLf6L5ZTcBv7Z47_1Psl_xQphOMpbSz2D6at1gIgWlaLMQk/s1600/IMG_9385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gfbg097J4uZ8WVazqPJmvfR_F0Hf46zCiznEcU7reztgjpcryBgD9YwqJ26pdZyHTN6R0jGQvbq9aFNHL4w_BrypFb0HXLf6L5ZTcBv7Z47_1Psl_xQphOMpbSz2D6at1gIgWlaLMQk/s400/IMG_9385.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's all, folks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On the other hand the reading stack grows taller every week and my writing hours stretch into the evenings, I am in no hurry to stop. It's the time to nest.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3IRE2bqNYw03zk8Ej9e-Db4Z-ojHhfkknNQlp_S6TuTao3xnhRvtVMnI31CzlUE6GF93Rtu9HgGkWftarrl3l1XIpOLt0csSslYZ1Vipzm6fJMi-BHlaxppiEbPipZsRxu2F9DrJQrk/s1600/IMG_9181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3IRE2bqNYw03zk8Ej9e-Db4Z-ojHhfkknNQlp_S6TuTao3xnhRvtVMnI31CzlUE6GF93Rtu9HgGkWftarrl3l1XIpOLt0csSslYZ1Vipzm6fJMi-BHlaxppiEbPipZsRxu2F9DrJQrk/s640/IMG_9181.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun with witches!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlcfoNMxw69-ZUx0g09FTw21PI-qSHF5-a5BxEoKCI2FpG5rfanW8p31R381FQa7DX0-F4eZrmJTnzRUA_LOcpoxDKyWIyiN2xg1xGTU0-a2mPWFAs_AxcTMHZNP4qMmUBGsI5uYAjOs/s1600/IMG_9229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlcfoNMxw69-ZUx0g09FTw21PI-qSHF5-a5BxEoKCI2FpG5rfanW8p31R381FQa7DX0-F4eZrmJTnzRUA_LOcpoxDKyWIyiN2xg1xGTU0-a2mPWFAs_AxcTMHZNP4qMmUBGsI5uYAjOs/s640/IMG_9229.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do I need to say more?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqbbciATuWSlJ_i4KMzimBnmLhPjD6XST8_FeFJwpSB2SM_qwRUYVYpQ7IWWyqJhC9DbC1qClIKI-M9wZFPAYq93YAetPDhSmTu6spcgwQUlH1QOa3NZIz9mBaOX7XYwBTEyxeZAEEVw/s1600/IMG_9340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqbbciATuWSlJ_i4KMzimBnmLhPjD6XST8_FeFJwpSB2SM_qwRUYVYpQ7IWWyqJhC9DbC1qClIKI-M9wZFPAYq93YAetPDhSmTu6spcgwQUlH1QOa3NZIz9mBaOX7XYwBTEyxeZAEEVw/s640/IMG_9340.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure anymore, but it sounded promising...LOL!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cTq5IVcFw42pioa-VyNeetXW2bWk37PDvBpnzMaia3gnTLDJAVkhW7byqKAHfzzOMf-JdrPQCxKLpb7SthoREQp0PDDu-FjZnW6gh3x30aS4407zPISnv1Rly65JDS_iON8UrmP-RoQ/s1600/IMG_9350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cTq5IVcFw42pioa-VyNeetXW2bWk37PDvBpnzMaia3gnTLDJAVkhW7byqKAHfzzOMf-JdrPQCxKLpb7SthoREQp0PDDu-FjZnW6gh3x30aS4407zPISnv1Rly65JDS_iON8UrmP-RoQ/s640/IMG_9350.jpg" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting inner peace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX1vDrVl9qgL8nqTMvt5sbFAaCjBRMkhhiRuVbgbik_nGIYUdhXwpx8pYgTU4QBBWGsNL8Vdfldg61PvNRcavY81GGY2o1vM-vCh8WZ_wb9qlCTUjTcbP6QZ4wqwY0sHMWKwQXO1sB-E/s1600/IMG_9427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX1vDrVl9qgL8nqTMvt5sbFAaCjBRMkhhiRuVbgbik_nGIYUdhXwpx8pYgTU4QBBWGsNL8Vdfldg61PvNRcavY81GGY2o1vM-vCh8WZ_wb9qlCTUjTcbP6QZ4wqwY0sHMWKwQXO1sB-E/s640/IMG_9427.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food for thought</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0WIMqFX6vvLhtjqxNXWiwlzob7HgKFhNSODJo7X-Z1HLGJlO-taWSaj4cqSH2rqoNQO9Nh5tUVbNjrBh5aPjyINm14gHuHPNT5-1ZDsAKRQoSpqeQilQ4fVY8fDqem0NxM9H-8BbU1k/s1600/IMG_9443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0WIMqFX6vvLhtjqxNXWiwlzob7HgKFhNSODJo7X-Z1HLGJlO-taWSaj4cqSH2rqoNQO9Nh5tUVbNjrBh5aPjyINm14gHuHPNT5-1ZDsAKRQoSpqeQilQ4fVY8fDqem0NxM9H-8BbU1k/s640/IMG_9443.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This must be good to be sure, it's the imagined story of the Bennet household's kitchen maid....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These are the books on my fall reading list and perhaps you will find some inspirations. As you can see, it will last me through winter....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkEv9cI0FDxAK1TxUvy6082tWzwi15CVQTtJgsFCFCnS0naK4vsGP-DItd-Evf3du3977Kiz3MsTwH97xzDfg41Jq3fxC9qyF2l6_OMejLVTgt9EqwOYXuUIb7RPiaiNWTNf5v0q-efk/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkEv9cI0FDxAK1TxUvy6082tWzwi15CVQTtJgsFCFCnS0naK4vsGP-DItd-Evf3du3977Kiz3MsTwH97xzDfg41Jq3fxC9qyF2l6_OMejLVTgt9EqwOYXuUIb7RPiaiNWTNf5v0q-efk/s640/IMG_1182.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The window ledge has gotten changed too and this year owls reside there, watching with solemn eyes the daily show at the dining table. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PPmVDd9PEdKcLPVM7MbDFLdY4_8quZiVTijf8R2zoMNPPw_rfs1Y6AKl_kmqgGeGHMChwGdtOorKdSPhSsRls9ylQ0NwLBX35SAI4SlPdWHz56CNebg2XT1BIk4tEVAqkVGhz1zHP1I/s1600/IMG_9445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PPmVDd9PEdKcLPVM7MbDFLdY4_8quZiVTijf8R2zoMNPPw_rfs1Y6AKl_kmqgGeGHMChwGdtOorKdSPhSsRls9ylQ0NwLBX35SAI4SlPdWHz56CNebg2XT1BIk4tEVAqkVGhz1zHP1I/s400/IMG_9445.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Eucalyptus, fragrant from the market at the music room window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These days I feel inwards, I remember things from the past, times long gone, I remember my grandmother, who passed 12 years ago and I feel a connection to the times gone by more then at any other time of the year. It's a sweet melancholy, but one which carries no </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">pain. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am in a pensive mood...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUgOYllaJDBxI63pKIAMSNqkLO1qlX6AtBHkeg9xDYhww7O6ewj8WB2X4bY6-InX9PsNXtVcfOtW8NaiEfTOo1rtv3nN78ryEh5GzjEsfABc64wKL-9EhVbC75VvCw2yJzWAGvvaXOGw/s1600/IMG_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUgOYllaJDBxI63pKIAMSNqkLO1qlX6AtBHkeg9xDYhww7O6ewj8WB2X4bY6-InX9PsNXtVcfOtW8NaiEfTOo1rtv3nN78ryEh5GzjEsfABc64wKL-9EhVbC75VvCw2yJzWAGvvaXOGw/s640/IMG_0982.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wish you all peaceful days, filled with abundance, from heart to table.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
All images my own.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-63392542717757236212013-09-15T07:35:00.003-07:002013-09-15T07:36:22.005-07:00Giveaway Winners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbr1N63XD1A0RI4POQkKcf1_dM8XJ9-xlGtu4NDHMcKpzjpW_8ZtCDUiJesd0fnmPDrXB4mW7przvR5rDSoIcw5clLBbXjyhUH8SYrRmtqnUjvNRxmJLjnOSxc_ltVVtgWZCMIUtnhf4/s1600/great_design_US.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbr1N63XD1A0RI4POQkKcf1_dM8XJ9-xlGtu4NDHMcKpzjpW_8ZtCDUiJesd0fnmPDrXB4mW7przvR5rDSoIcw5clLBbXjyhUH8SYrRmtqnUjvNRxmJLjnOSxc_ltVVtgWZCMIUtnhf4/s400/great_design_US.jpg" width="335" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The book giveaway is closed now and my three (only) readers are the winners of it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Congratulations to Helen Tilston of the <a href="http://helentilstonpainter.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Helen Tilston Painter </span></a>blog.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A big hug goes as well as to my dear friend Patricia of <a href="http://pvedesign.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">PVE Design</span></a> and a new reader, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pat of <a href="http://napkinwritingmom.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Napkin Writing Mom</span></a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am happy for you all, the book is very interesting and informative.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will forward your contacts to the distributer (Helen, Pat: please email me) and they will mail the book directly to you!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy weekend!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Victoria</span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Image via EMG productions.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-70275985169782470892013-08-30T19:50:00.001-07:002013-08-30T20:13:21.330-07:00Great Design - a triple giveaway<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I felt it would be wonderful to start the new season with a great giveaway! I had the chance to review the Smithsonian's <a href="http://us.dk.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781465414403,00.html?strSrchSql=Great+Design/Great_Design_Philip_Wilkinson"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">GREAT DESIGN</span></a> book, written by<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> <a href="http://us.dk.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000034367,00.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">Philip Wilkinson</span></a> </span>and published by the British <a href="http://www.dk.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">DK </span></a>publishing house.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wilkinson takes the reader through an awe inspiring and thoroughly collection of the world's best design. </span><br />
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<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuX2UUJejkPC1Q0W6FnjhgxE2ewxA4ZUze2-3pLiDnhMuCcwKYbx1rpBrwFJWf-eqBRoK3LJvraMhO2qpxTzOxB_tXlAYl_okpZ2U8gXZEMUzZKTY_yYbZ3mvGPUaZ0PzLCs1qbSSO_4/s1600/great_design_US.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuX2UUJejkPC1Q0W6FnjhgxE2ewxA4ZUze2-3pLiDnhMuCcwKYbx1rpBrwFJWf-eqBRoK3LJvraMhO2qpxTzOxB_tXlAYl_okpZ2U8gXZEMUzZKTY_yYbZ3mvGPUaZ0PzLCs1qbSSO_4/s640/great_design_US.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://us.dk.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781465414403,00.html?strSrchSql=Great+Design/Great_Design_Philip_Wilkinson"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">here</span></a></td></tr>
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am quoting from the front flap since I could not sum it up any better:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"The book is an extraordinary photographic tour of more then 100 of the world's greatest designs. From the Red Blue chair to the Ekco Bakelite radio, the Vespa scooter to the Verdana typeface, the book tells the story of this modern art form from its birth during the industrial revolution to its high - profile status today. It explains the unique blend of aesthetics and engineering involved in the designing of a product that is both completely fit for purpose and unrivaled in appearance.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GREAT DESIGN takes you on a personal guided tour of each artifact, highlighting the main features and elements. By deciphering key points of style, it helps you to understand what design is and how it works."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzLp__IHGVAgoyYveKUKCyk2AXlyLXZrhOPZhXw23Kjzrmq9t-cD-Vn9CEWU47JqBvhdxd7XZuS434AkOCa_H8INdFbsccIf9pFJgE1ZBsplwiY16t5v4AxYHWrU5PF2UQOdRiRDWaJY/s1600/GreatDesign_Ekco_Bakelite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzLp__IHGVAgoyYveKUKCyk2AXlyLXZrhOPZhXw23Kjzrmq9t-cD-Vn9CEWU47JqBvhdxd7XZuS434AkOCa_H8INdFbsccIf9pFJgE1ZBsplwiY16t5v4AxYHWrU5PF2UQOdRiRDWaJY/s400/GreatDesign_Ekco_Bakelite.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had felt almost a little wary of yet another design book, but to my great surprise I was captivated and pulled into it immediately. This book collects and displays a wide range of designs, from patterns to pitchers and cars to clocks, all in the most pleasing and easy to understand way.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A book, as well designed as its context. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfywUnLguN0xNkaMGrYJ7qAUCAgi4WINitpJsOAvuVwrz0f54qNbuXe1wtjA_bmsGuZvw1bqs3Kt1JF8bpE6uLGCvUBmpSQmUnWFWLzf7ugHx_dfjFzCOKT2CWvpuZSkIhRLcnAXDCHwU/s1600/GreatDesign_Hoffman_Flatware%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfywUnLguN0xNkaMGrYJ7qAUCAgi4WINitpJsOAvuVwrz0f54qNbuXe1wtjA_bmsGuZvw1bqs3Kt1JF8bpE6uLGCvUBmpSQmUnWFWLzf7ugHx_dfjFzCOKT2CWvpuZSkIhRLcnAXDCHwU/s400/GreatDesign_Hoffman_Flatware%5B1%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GREAT DESIGN captures not only the world's most notable design of today, but gives a wonderful introduction to the development of design over the last 140 years.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One of the early designers is one we still remember well today: Michael Thonet. The German cabinet maker became famous for his revolutionary bentwood chair, still produced today. The simplicity and beauty of form and function captures all what great design entails. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some other examples are less known today, but well worth remembering. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other design objects were new to me, like the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kilta</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> tableware by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kaj</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Franck (1952) or Konstantin </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grcic's</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Miura</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">stackable</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> stool (2003) for the Italian design firm Plank.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But most of the objects were old acquaintances of mine, some of which I can find in my own household.... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And of course, as always with beautiful objects, I get inspired....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hvT1hWwVu92kKPckplm3J7DuBVpH2eOeolcNcrgoOYgSji6BwU3iu-yfSC-nkL0QElP1gybENesxIvMAaXvOp8ohcLWS9K06LAQR34Z8wr-7sHDgD2qQUUypUZrHO-CX7O6FD6oFeB8/s1600/GreatDesign_Wood_Chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hvT1hWwVu92kKPckplm3J7DuBVpH2eOeolcNcrgoOYgSji6BwU3iu-yfSC-nkL0QElP1gybENesxIvMAaXvOp8ohcLWS9K06LAQR34Z8wr-7sHDgD2qQUUypUZrHO-CX7O6FD6oFeB8/s400/GreatDesign_Wood_Chair.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The book is categorized by decades rather then similar items or grouped by materials. This is a great feature since the time period brings many different design objects together and the reader gets a feeling for the trends in design in general and in particular. Design in all periods had far reaching impacts. Clearly, there are many more examples of great design and the author had to restrict himself, I missed a few things, like Ingo Maurer's light fixtures or any of the Mercedes automobiles or some Liberty of London fabrics.... but this is just me. I am fully aware of the difficulties to pull out just </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the most important objects in design over such a long period. And, like all books, dedicated to time sensitive materials, it will need a new edition in the future....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The book is equally perfect for the design novice or the connoisseur, students of design and homeowners with a distinguished taste, in short, it's a great treat for all interested</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">in great design. </span><br />
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.si.edu/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Smithsonian Institution</span></a> was established in 1846 and is today the world's largest museum and research complex.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It includes 19 museums and galleries as well as the National Zoological Park.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The total number of artifacts, works of art, and specimens in the Smithsonian's collections is estimated at 137 million, much of which is contained in the <a href="http://www.mnh.si.edu/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">National Museum of Natural History</span></a>, which holds more then 126 million specimens and objects. The Smithsonian is a renowned research center, dedicated to public education, national service and scholarship in the arts, sciences and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">history. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.cooperhewitt.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt</span></a>, national Design Museum is the only museum in the nation, devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. Many of the objects in this book can be found in the museum'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">s collection.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And befitting a museum dedicated to great design, it is housed in the landmark Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Only a few steps away from the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan, it is a delightful place to visit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The book will be available in September 2013.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This giveaway is open to all residents in the United States.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Three books will be given at random to lucky readers.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you are not already a follower, please follow this blog, leave a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">comment and make sure I can contact you back.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The winners will be announced in two weeks time. (09/14/2013)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The winners will get the book directly shipped from the US marketing firm responsible for the distribution of GREAT DESIGN.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good luck, dear readers!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Victoria</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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All images through EMG promotions.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-56524463560083300552013-08-16T20:01:00.000-07:002013-08-16T20:06:33.977-07:00Forgotten pages?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Life has its twists and turns.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mine has been packed with summer visitors, construction, day travels, writing, gardening, reading, cooking, cleaning. Doing things, you know.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl1kMaLQJ8eX5-onOlZbvXnTvlOuBcw260nYaf9oXDge_d8HErw-jbRPowFdQLwaNIJHYjFgbHB8OzpS7zdhWoYZwtkIY14HUqzh6_mOSLtFQuUAA1msFqcqSAK3l6w7tUqA1kUeAIU0/s1600/IMG_8876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl1kMaLQJ8eX5-onOlZbvXnTvlOuBcw260nYaf9oXDge_d8HErw-jbRPowFdQLwaNIJHYjFgbHB8OzpS7zdhWoYZwtkIY14HUqzh6_mOSLtFQuUAA1msFqcqSAK3l6w7tUqA1kUeAIU0/s400/IMG_8876.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The usual. I felt I would just bore you with my reflections on daily details. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There seemed too little to share other then things I have been talking about already.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And I have to admit it, I had gotten a little bored.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I took a good long break, with the risk of losing you. I know how much the blog world relies on the daily feed and responses. But the pressure was simply too much for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt52IzNEoimmeI2M-cuaVFfOcBhIcwx3zBef0KrAins1_F_op0KJkjpjySd7vV0GisurYD3wfe4ylBDx5Xn42dIWKa2IpWIsnWBBXdsIkIF2W8vgtbmGNh585hGXNmAhD2PGjt2wJbsc/s1600/IMG_0398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt52IzNEoimmeI2M-cuaVFfOcBhIcwx3zBef0KrAins1_F_op0KJkjpjySd7vV0GisurYD3wfe4ylBDx5Xn42dIWKa2IpWIsnWBBXdsIkIF2W8vgtbmGNh585hGXNmAhD2PGjt2wJbsc/s400/IMG_0398.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These pages have not been forgotten, but I needed the time to focus on other things.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Once school starts, I will return more often and hopefully some of you might join me again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have learned much over the years I have been writing. About writing itself, about design, human nature and our need to be heard. I have learned of friendships, grown and nourished through unusual pathways, some entirely virtual. What a wonderful thing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have learned that my thoughts can mean something to strangers, people I have not met and I might never see in my life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyjz0o7Z6IA2dktwifeaOJDo_fppGFl78imjSxbzbN_b4HO4eWT_boOqHtyYuAb8f6ASPSj-wsmZtcUA8Fwf3Rf8n5HMNRKn-IHu4RFsBhw5smY977SuW0bXXnuqfr_aE8KePqf-jWt8/s1600/IMG_6556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyjz0o7Z6IA2dktwifeaOJDo_fppGFl78imjSxbzbN_b4HO4eWT_boOqHtyYuAb8f6ASPSj-wsmZtcUA8Fwf3Rf8n5HMNRKn-IHu4RFsBhw5smY977SuW0bXXnuqfr_aE8KePqf-jWt8/s400/IMG_6556.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's forever a wondrous thing to write and send my words and pictures into the universe out there, where they might bounce around and find resonance. It never seizes to amaze me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, if you like, join me again in a little while, when the last summer days fold into autumn.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe you remember, at the beginning of the year I thought of reducing and clearing out of stuff.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z5TMk7Qh2N3o4m2TypHal7dLdPk8heaQ9CrCKSed0nEXL4Ojd_-eShjbUy5RW5cVlJbH8ZbssHKIJ_dURYHEKGyX9Yn_t28bQ-bGQAzJNDAcxVaFVGbeDq4xrZKzBmTHPwkyyoMZq6I/s1600/IMG_7893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z5TMk7Qh2N3o4m2TypHal7dLdPk8heaQ9CrCKSed0nEXL4Ojd_-eShjbUy5RW5cVlJbH8ZbssHKIJ_dURYHEKGyX9Yn_t28bQ-bGQAzJNDAcxVaFVGbeDq4xrZKzBmTHPwkyyoMZq6I/s400/IMG_7893.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have managed quite a bit, but there is still a lot more to be done. My goal is to reduce it all further. Clutter is my enemy, I love too many things, but I feel burdened down. Yet, reducing is hard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9iHVEzWx9b8ya0i4O0qi4680h7esKjGZ13ffqdjTjyCc2PiL0_yTyfYRpcAkcVRFniZuT-MpaUalwv-KNe0sWQkK8y0UPrcL6U6JUqmXbLmVS3xCe0sppQlg20q1zmb8IEUCp0Ie49A/s1600/IMG_8088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9iHVEzWx9b8ya0i4O0qi4680h7esKjGZ13ffqdjTjyCc2PiL0_yTyfYRpcAkcVRFniZuT-MpaUalwv-KNe0sWQkK8y0UPrcL6U6JUqmXbLmVS3xCe0sppQlg20q1zmb8IEUCp0Ie49A/s400/IMG_8088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will share my thoughts on this and on the things which feed me. Books, ideas, new concepts of living and food, literally. As some of you might know, over more then a year now I have changed my lifestyle and studied nutrition intensively. Much has changed for me and many things I thought I could not live without have made themselves obsolete.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This new freedom has translated itself into other newly won insights: Things I can live without. Perhaps a strange concept for a design blog, but it rather makes sense to me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipue4U_7IxKAvOrV-c479PPyI9HWZIg-u2w_SCw4gXSsq32Gm_Ia6y55BW8_aoICUzY91w8GzjiYMx88aRyc-F9IHjLfypIOJFmTzx5g6Zj6Ij7ixfWPJ2bY-8Zoqs0gLiqPxiGhyphenhyphen0tWQ/s1600/IMG_4320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipue4U_7IxKAvOrV-c479PPyI9HWZIg-u2w_SCw4gXSsq32Gm_Ia6y55BW8_aoICUzY91w8GzjiYMx88aRyc-F9IHjLfypIOJFmTzx5g6Zj6Ij7ixfWPJ2bY-8Zoqs0gLiqPxiGhyphenhyphen0tWQ/s400/IMG_4320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will take you with me, as I further try to clear out and bring fresh air into my closets, cupboards, bedrooms and kitchen. Will you come with me?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It interests me more and more <i>how</i> we live, not so much with what and how much we have. Less is certainly more in my mind and it counts what it all means. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINtEzFGLXH5p5svvmDJMWaTewI-2obKxjlQOts-R_jb9NyRVXGhtwdUyx-HmdhsDOpl6h9sD6XnXYO6fm1ZtHp2cJGRszM4EGg3n1xEe0Nxm5vt4z1LN8Za4kJhOKVzMpZdGqZljxbEI/s1600/IMG_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINtEzFGLXH5p5svvmDJMWaTewI-2obKxjlQOts-R_jb9NyRVXGhtwdUyx-HmdhsDOpl6h9sD6XnXYO6fm1ZtHp2cJGRszM4EGg3n1xEe0Nxm5vt4z1LN8Za4kJhOKVzMpZdGqZljxbEI/s400/IMG_0278.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There will always be things in abundance: My curiosity, my hunger for knowledge, a little bit more wisdom, more peacefulness, more love, more reading, more history, more gratefulness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">More travel...if possible.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Less nonsense.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Less stress.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Less fear.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Less stuff.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Less talk, more listening.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">See you soon!</span></div>
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All images by V.Zlotwoski<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-33661962307373856352013-05-21T11:19:00.002-07:002013-05-21T11:19:22.992-07:00Hot day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This hot day calls for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">something refreshing...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSye-y1DB-5k6E12bhFtlSn70xH3ybI0ne4IXRRif8Mrv4I06Z0kzFRthyphenhyphen7BkE25bUJ1TXndbFq3KiiZzMmRop3vLA8usiS568xSDqocw2Wp5BuqaM0-nEOScZuyyJvQK9RlYhgeTT67U/s1600/interior_design_greg_natale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSye-y1DB-5k6E12bhFtlSn70xH3ybI0ne4IXRRif8Mrv4I06Z0kzFRthyphenhyphen7BkE25bUJ1TXndbFq3KiiZzMmRop3vLA8usiS568xSDqocw2Wp5BuqaM0-nEOScZuyyJvQK9RlYhgeTT67U/s400/interior_design_greg_natale.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dulcebella2013.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/interior-design-uniquefun-interior-decor-concepts/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Something to dive right in....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxp4KbeL2repKl4WHwJh95YHOAFvyrRWGCarObf40j_nXkfbgzaQ76Lvb7cgd8-OpjcwqoHaoG6j7agNkO1MNAVN5A6cPLW8FMWLyGksDbo9C7_tOgCPM0__C_xLgtrbxJECSuev9_GU/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-21+at+2.13.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxp4KbeL2repKl4WHwJh95YHOAFvyrRWGCarObf40j_nXkfbgzaQ76Lvb7cgd8-OpjcwqoHaoG6j7agNkO1MNAVN5A6cPLW8FMWLyGksDbo9C7_tOgCPM0__C_xLgtrbxJECSuev9_GU/s400/Screen+shot+2013-05-21+at+2.13.35+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.swimmingpoolcontractorsinsuffolkcounty.com/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or to stay cool like that...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08LyT3IGKQWBdfDlWj0-nEqxM0l9ni0nY7P2OXPQmL6cWa2I0xALc-x_DQGkxcpcOKWw-_5o4_pwiCy_lIrvUCgaK8G7LK70GjpUiEpttHkmquqJmh_CDsUEEMl0KsorH-CFURPv1FsU/s1600/347393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08LyT3IGKQWBdfDlWj0-nEqxM0l9ni0nY7P2OXPQmL6cWa2I0xALc-x_DQGkxcpcOKWw-_5o4_pwiCy_lIrvUCgaK8G7LK70GjpUiEpttHkmquqJmh_CDsUEEMl0KsorH-CFURPv1FsU/s1600/347393.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage fan unknown source</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Images as indicated. Not mine!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-62572675342545029562013-05-16T08:03:00.000-07:002013-05-20T13:24:53.960-07:00In and out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7BB0lZ76Vnn7hXFSMWudrxzQk4UWFanUfJjnhrZWfQwsvAP9IdDj1GgF3hMtFZif4GuVsnHWPaZsuFF9gLemqrc7QdTT8xguCS-zhViwM1WLdZEs6sL2VTB6wYW_ZeXMRhyTopfkI8A/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7BB0lZ76Vnn7hXFSMWudrxzQk4UWFanUfJjnhrZWfQwsvAP9IdDj1GgF3hMtFZif4GuVsnHWPaZsuFF9gLemqrc7QdTT8xguCS-zhViwM1WLdZEs6sL2VTB6wYW_ZeXMRhyTopfkI8A/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Arrived have the weeks, when I almost forget, that interiors are my foremost passion. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinARhyNpp9EirecGcnUylTExFq7aXl-FqhTjhEkinQZhclfLdy5HEpW8DSsqOTt0q86agobQ8DxDzX9c5W-NF_UaYSvFIEL_2BpC00xieSMZc4xnXFLRFf1pKlWccnYO9aewt3WCSIOFc/s1600/IMG_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinARhyNpp9EirecGcnUylTExFq7aXl-FqhTjhEkinQZhclfLdy5HEpW8DSsqOTt0q86agobQ8DxDzX9c5W-NF_UaYSvFIEL_2BpC00xieSMZc4xnXFLRFf1pKlWccnYO9aewt3WCSIOFc/s400/IMG_0055.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am occupied with all the others: my family</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(as always), the garden in spring, cooking, reading and writing. I feel like these busy birds in my backyard: RUSH to make it all happen, before the season ends....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have planted roses and enjoy the lilacs, which are at the height of their splendor, as are the azaleas. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU3yAaqQcJeGbkVLnGJqoAa3DlJfu39K-8O4eR9CCkaX5zCJ78lA3YqPREXoYiMihZq8p8GryAJbiH3JSIw1jYS8SI6y9ozut16-4YHfsYUtXWGjnAx8160slrXgYhursUmuUlcQwsNk/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU3yAaqQcJeGbkVLnGJqoAa3DlJfu39K-8O4eR9CCkaX5zCJ78lA3YqPREXoYiMihZq8p8GryAJbiH3JSIw1jYS8SI6y9ozut16-4YHfsYUtXWGjnAx8160slrXgYhursUmuUlcQwsNk/s640/IMG_0026.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The young oak tree has grown another foot or two and stretches way above the fence. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOn9qlw_ONIs9tlqiysytSuKay842faffjZktat8qlv2o9v-hYqwThzD3510DKIE7h3Vi7JLLk0rz0-x9dqarkqUSppHT7tQxBIsdwb-lHHeobpJmxHm62lQ8qXNjtJXHNs-ZiKWQKK2E/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOn9qlw_ONIs9tlqiysytSuKay842faffjZktat8qlv2o9v-hYqwThzD3510DKIE7h3Vi7JLLk0rz0-x9dqarkqUSppHT7tQxBIsdwb-lHHeobpJmxHm62lQ8qXNjtJXHNs-ZiKWQKK2E/s640/IMG_0040.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackbird singing in the bush under my window at 5 AM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wake up at 5 in the morning and watch the cardinals flit between the branches of the Japanese maple, the robins with their youngster hoping on the lawn, test flying....</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJemIVTDfZJFWlUEV-ixCMISFFyuYvGR7bVimfKX4eNC06RQK_TWfHLcisDuIgw9ePAIF7J8vTcEsldyl-ePyiMEWpd-k6kP86QE26C1AACuAzri0cZn22Ogu9BNkNjSpaRbnkUsqNjM/s1600/IMG_3437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJemIVTDfZJFWlUEV-ixCMISFFyuYvGR7bVimfKX4eNC06RQK_TWfHLcisDuIgw9ePAIF7J8vTcEsldyl-ePyiMEWpd-k6kP86QE26C1AACuAzri0cZn22Ogu9BNkNjSpaRbnkUsqNjM/s400/IMG_3437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the neighbor's cat needs to be kept in check, I watch out for him all the time, last year he ate the nest full of chicks when I wasn't looking. : (</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5Wf2uoyOt3Xudbh4t5NGUFUHh-SYX_jSs1kTIwsYv6QDiiOqY0betZ-EdSk1KJCelBPEBkuaeSCJHyxxTiT_lUz_lnVCQzxqiCFOL1X5Syru7IEiiYa51OMQBvdtiLYH7cIasdK8Kow/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5Wf2uoyOt3Xudbh4t5NGUFUHh-SYX_jSs1kTIwsYv6QDiiOqY0betZ-EdSk1KJCelBPEBkuaeSCJHyxxTiT_lUz_lnVCQzxqiCFOL1X5Syru7IEiiYa51OMQBvdtiLYH7cIasdK8Kow/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But still, I have been also silently watching the interior design books at my local store and online and, as always, I find some, which have drawn me in....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NnZ7cCh0a6GgGugBD3oZDaq7vcKTRx-5YTkvKFs_WqUTVpIz289cbu-oOyUb2OI9lzFfu2j2J0zoC27TlQatt3aQ2TibxA7B23ng5p3i0Xllgw_DPoQi_kUf11V-VZ4dtDmRceVIRYI/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-16+at+10.00.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NnZ7cCh0a6GgGugBD3oZDaq7vcKTRx-5YTkvKFs_WqUTVpIz289cbu-oOyUb2OI9lzFfu2j2J0zoC27TlQatt3aQ2TibxA7B23ng5p3i0Xllgw_DPoQi_kUf11V-VZ4dtDmRceVIRYI/s400/Screen+shot+2013-05-16+at+10.00.33+AM.png" width="310" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have had again a late night affair with Susanna Salk's 'Be Your Own Decorator', a book which I have had for a while and always go back to. It so encircles my own design philosophy and style. A wonderful mix of old and new, precious and mundane, flee market and heritage pieces. Fabrics and wallpapers. It's like finding a soul sister, again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Could that be my house? Yes.... but a little enhanced, I have to admit : )))</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW_O-URpH-0qDiJhel9jpc9VoP4_546fOhGoSStLk2p2PIY2ptXuL2Gt_SYZWdjhaAx8ZSCVHGUDWcpQb76iWNkFItDxuOMVHJeDXzQghe9PSUzIrnfTk4xn9XWOMyFIAfiJ4PdbIhNg/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW_O-URpH-0qDiJhel9jpc9VoP4_546fOhGoSStLk2p2PIY2ptXuL2Gt_SYZWdjhaAx8ZSCVHGUDWcpQb76iWNkFItDxuOMVHJeDXzQghe9PSUzIrnfTk4xn9XWOMyFIAfiJ4PdbIhNg/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKPcWuNT2afieLv6jcFoyCmiYVBejEoymWSajf_eqBD08D_SU3KxbjbmooCfy2Rg1u3iKd_eDZLY8QNja9XmqYHYnKHMAhJW7tCEaQfXDlT3_zwJ0A31wLJ7rcpxKV0VlyV8srwDurX0/s1600/IMG_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKPcWuNT2afieLv6jcFoyCmiYVBejEoymWSajf_eqBD08D_SU3KxbjbmooCfy2Rg1u3iKd_eDZLY8QNja9XmqYHYnKHMAhJW7tCEaQfXDlT3_zwJ0A31wLJ7rcpxKV0VlyV8srwDurX0/s400/IMG_0059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8BnJR2CzCfg-89VKHBin1R8tDUsJL5Z-m0ganJai1ZBf3bMlGdfIpYCav5-o7SWHco9Z4BpPMCzXndu4UIJEwKetxSt8_RfqG7SX_bcVmYHKNI4TqTwQvNyRWbWjqotpdW3dq3C-Hd4/s1600/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8BnJR2CzCfg-89VKHBin1R8tDUsJL5Z-m0ganJai1ZBf3bMlGdfIpYCav5-o7SWHco9Z4BpPMCzXndu4UIJEwKetxSt8_RfqG7SX_bcVmYHKNI4TqTwQvNyRWbWjqotpdW3dq3C-Hd4/s400/IMG_0060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy9g8TVoxXKh64sgI6zUpEnVXPpif2i8ADKIl7X_FbB1anS5mv9It1YbRCjv4jvPP28XQDxzGBQka2mrYz8Z2am8NMoRafLyDFV0m8Qd8theDkGmjHGs81lkyqJ8ujb4VdPDUi238vEE/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy9g8TVoxXKh64sgI6zUpEnVXPpif2i8ADKIl7X_FbB1anS5mv9It1YbRCjv4jvPP28XQDxzGBQka2mrYz8Z2am8NMoRafLyDFV0m8Qd8theDkGmjHGs81lkyqJ8ujb4VdPDUi238vEE/s400/IMG_0061.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, I've got the tulips....<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And another enticing one, which I am waiting for, being on route... Nicky Haslam's 'Folly De Grandeur'! I feel like flying to England and spending the summer in this house.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What else have I been reading?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gwyneth Paltrow's latest cook book, which has gotten already much use:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwqpx_1u_FclouCxS5LRYpXkRnHt2JedbzJJywyMnilawf-8a2hENgvymXjK7OP_zxHPTWJ6Zu6I4yfOBg28A15HGlXAvxTGqzuomUCT4u2t6ZKH2HulVP7ehDLKKvpQ-MpyleCrFQG8/s1600/IMG_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwqpx_1u_FclouCxS5LRYpXkRnHt2JedbzJJywyMnilawf-8a2hENgvymXjK7OP_zxHPTWJ6Zu6I4yfOBg28A15HGlXAvxTGqzuomUCT4u2t6ZKH2HulVP7ehDLKKvpQ-MpyleCrFQG8/s400/IMG_0064.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Her recipes are largely vegan or vegetarian based, often gluten and dairy free. There are a couple of great meat dishes and splendid deserts. But all are so appetizing and the book is also wonderfully written. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />I just met Alexandra Aldrich at a book reading in my neighborhood and have been devouring her unusual story of her childhood, filled with memories of the faded glory of the once grand Astor family. At least her family branch is the faded one.... It is very interesting. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />Another find is this one, 'The Camomile Lawn' by the British authoress Mary Wesley. I am fascinated by her writing. She began in earnest to publish when she was over 70! Yes, you read that right. She died at 90 in 2002 and had more then 9 novels out in the years between.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the latest RH catalog arrived at my doorstep, weighting a ton, but having a few treasures of it's own, worth a post by itself. But since I am so very busy, I will send you<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">here</span></a></span>, and show you a few images to wet your appetite.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are different sections, for which I am grateful, like Small Spaces (which still seem rather large...) and Objects of Curiosity. Which I love! Check it out...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So long, I am off to shop for our cooking session this afternoon: My daughter and her friend will make Gnocchi</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">from scratch.... Hmm. I'll give them a hand...or two!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span><br />
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Images by V.Zlotkowski and the RH website (last four).<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-75454695864814482992013-05-12T08:41:00.000-07:002013-05-12T19:40:19.683-07:00Mother's Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Guitar play woke me this morning and the smell of freshly brewed coffee. There were beautiful tulips blooming on the breakfast table and my lovely mother-in-law and I share this day together, which is rare and I appreciate it the more for it. There were phone calls and hand written notes, hugs and kisses...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Being a mom has taught me so many things:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To love without conditions, to take myself back and let my children lead, to trust, that my work as a mother has done something, which has bloomed, just like these tulips have grown seemingly without help from the soil.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is how I feel: It's my job as a mother, to give my children the support they need to face the world, a world, which feel so much more demanding and challenging then when I grew up. It's a world, which surprises me and sometimes scares me too, a future which seems more uncertain and often feels frail, yet full of adventures for them to discover and to conquer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's the love I give, which is the fertilizer to make them grow, make them believe in themselves, which makes all the difference. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Life<i> is</i> uncertain and as I grow older, I realize how much the strong, loving bond means between </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">parents and their children, something I only begun to see, when I had my own. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My childhood was overshadowed by events, which unfortunately altered my relationship with my parents permanently, yet I still feel connected and miss them in my life...This is irreplaceable and I am so aware of the importance of being there for my children, despite huge distances, continents away, despite different opinions about the choices they make and to know that they are strong and smart and capable, and being young and inexperienced is not a handicap, but a wonderful chance. The power of youth is to dream and hope, I see myself as their biggest fan.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My guidance, the teaching is often half hidden, yet my life and my own dreams are what helps my children live their own life. We teach by example and I strife to be an example they can look at sometimes and feel inspired, but mostly deeply loved! And I learn from them as much as I hope they take from me....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As long as I shall live my children will have a harbor with me, a safe place to land, a hand to support and an open heart, a cheerleader and a dream catcher, a base and a jumping board!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Mother's Day...</span><br />
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Image by V.Zlotkowski<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-42979800379752543582013-05-04T10:52:00.000-07:002013-05-04T15:09:53.522-07:00My week in pictures<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On some weekends I look back on the just passed days and I wonder what I have been doing. These are the weeks where I routinely cover all the necessary spots, drive more then I walk, run errands, pass out meals on accord and, washing the piles of laundry my family regularly produces, makes one day look like the next anyway.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And yet I still look back with satisfaction: This is our regular life, peaceful, all the steps are needed and I wish I could record the fleeing moments, the days we often look back and do not remember.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I take pictures all the time of things I love, things I want to remember, things which fill me with joy...so here is the week which just has passed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do you record the passing of time in your life? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB0s-BfahWDWwHjuKTVVstMCyIDMx_2yTByN55GZwPm2l29FIm-qVUILbX17hXGHeUWd5nv-bFBL7FR5Z-zU673yh1fzcoV1zF3jUDDwgF55deIQLWpr3axmcjjFLZYOmTuRWMCIdADc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB0s-BfahWDWwHjuKTVVstMCyIDMx_2yTByN55GZwPm2l29FIm-qVUILbX17hXGHeUWd5nv-bFBL7FR5Z-zU673yh1fzcoV1zF3jUDDwgF55deIQLWpr3axmcjjFLZYOmTuRWMCIdADc/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Patricia's studio</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sunday began with a visit to my dear friend Patricia of <a href="http://pvedesign.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">PVE</span></a>, who again took part in the annual</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Studio Tour of the river towns on the Hudson, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley and Irvington, NY. A wonderful institution which I have been looking forward to visit for a few years now. It was again more then inspiring to see so many artists displaying their works of their own creative year.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMgd8qeWbSKGVS_cjRAJvuAA94aEkSzAVzNHS99Dq2LXZqSNljb45WbLz1fuwkKTh9QeVU5epk36rB7MNPXgZ0xJNwTcaesqYIBcLDhflRhSbuvNHjSXDcgfUi5mmk6ijHQmd45AG9vU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMgd8qeWbSKGVS_cjRAJvuAA94aEkSzAVzNHS99Dq2LXZqSNljb45WbLz1fuwkKTh9QeVU5epk36rB7MNPXgZ0xJNwTcaesqYIBcLDhflRhSbuvNHjSXDcgfUi5mmk6ijHQmd45AG9vU/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses, given to me by Beryl</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My wonderful friend Beryl, whom I see not too often due to her traveling schedule and her life split between India, Ireland and the US, came over for a Sunday afternoon filled with stories and laughter and later shared dinner with us all. Together we cuddled up on the sofa and watched 'Call the Midwife' and <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/mr-selfridge/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">'Mr.Selfridge'</span></a>, TV series we adore. We both have worked as midwifes in our lives and being addicted to the BBC masterpiece classics, the last one is just a delightful must. Sunday nights are booked for time being...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country home</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Monday, Tuesday: Spring has finally arrived in our part of the country and I absolutely adore this little country scene of a red painted tiny house not far from us and its lovely little garden, tulip filled and adorned with something like a remnant of a mill stone. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I pass it often and each time I smile and thank the owners in my mind for this moment of beauty in my day.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My miso soup</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Miso soup is something I make regularly, its super healthy and quick to make, at least once a week. I use Brown Rice Miso Master Organic, using water, some carrot slices, broken up wakame (a type of seaweed) and scallions, simmer this for 5-6 minutes and then add some firm tofu (do not boil) and my miso paste, stir and eat. Sometimes I add a teaspoon of raw almond butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Yum!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling out the green carpet</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wednesday: A part of our front lawn needed replacing after two years of fighting a nasty infestation of fungi and weeds. We care for our greens organic, but this was something we could not seem to manage anymore, after the winter everything was pretty dead! So we decided to take the plunge and get roll out grass and it looks splendid. Now I water the land twice a day for a good 1/2 hour. I think we will eventually need a sprinkler...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unbelievable green</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Which reminds me that we also have planned a second <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelkova_serrata"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Zelkova</span></a> tree to match the one planted two years ago. It is a fast growing shade tree, resisting common tree disease and we had gotten this one free of charge by the town after the large, earlier existing tree needed to be taken down. At the time we felt bereaved and were happy to learn, that <b>upon request</b> the town would replace a cut town tree. They did it within a few months and actually an arborist came and discussed the options with me. I was very impressed. Together we decided on the Zelkova serrata. (Japanese Zelkova) And although this tree is not the flowering beauty I had originally in mind in front of the house, I am very happy with this quiet beauty now growing. So, a second one will be planted, hopefully this autumn.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink explosion</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Decorative cherry blossoms?</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thursday, Friday: These amazing clusters of pink blossoms can be found on some trees along the <a href="http://nysparks.com/parks/96/details.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Aqueduct</span></a>, a historic walkway above the Hudson between Yonkers and Croton-on -Hudson. It is a well preserved path, sometimes narrow, sometimes wide, tree covered and leading along parks, back yards and quaint neighborhoods. Walkers, joggers, bikers, kids and dogs share the space and it is almost like a secret garden, where, on a weekday morning, only the initiated find themselves alone with the birds... at least the lucky ones not to be in an office at that time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I walk with my friend Paola, I walk with Patricia, I walk with my husband and alone, and apart from the exercise it is a wonderful place to brainstorm plans for the future and hatch out ideas which would perhaps otherwise never see the light of day....this place always opens one up in unexpected ways.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I meditate while walking. The most wonderful experience.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My thirsty boy</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Saturday: Seeing my youngest boy out and about on his bike, the trampoline and with his friends playing soccer and basketball after the long winter months is priceless. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today is soccer practice, tomorrow another game and hopefully the boys win another round, the team has been doing great so far.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking up my son's lunch sandwich</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I also chatted with one of my older sons in Berlin, such a lovely thing to have Skype and to see him, all into his studies and plans for the future. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I enjoy the little moments, the connecting moments, the time we can spend together, even if it's thousands of miles apart, sitting opposite each other, sharing a cup of coffee and stories of late.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had also time in between, while waiting in the car in the school pick up line to read the latest in <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2013-05/donata-meirelles-sig-bergamin-sao-paulo-house-article"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">Architectural Digest</span></a>, beautiful homes I would like to share with you to, this being a Design blog....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the bedroom of Vogue Brazil style editor Donata Meirelles, designed by the South American tastemaker Sig Bergamin... Ahh. Such delights in color. Pick up a copy, this or any other, I usually have a moment at the bookstore....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best of everything</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now I am sitting on my deck, feet up, sipping on a green machine juice, freshly made and I will read some of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and have another look at Gwyneth Paltrow's latest cook book, It's All Good.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Indeed!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This has been my week, nothing breathtaking, but just a quietly fulfilling one, with all the good things in life:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Family, friends, health, good food and work. I am so thankful!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all the same, happy weekend!</span></div>
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All images by V.Zlotkowski apart the last via AD magazine.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-90021422332346629492013-04-27T20:55:00.000-07:002013-04-28T05:28:20.100-07:00Any more news?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG9ZSZeoGfYZaTJcxEB6DsmOe3rwlnrSaszfYis7y-VfnQ-YzcfCtUgCa5uPHo6LwdgMtdEgItZDHuW14JA4erTNkVJV6ijfLpRPgZdBFfmSGDtyZJnTL5FTy3JWgfIp0proL60R5sj4/s1600/IMG_8386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG9ZSZeoGfYZaTJcxEB6DsmOe3rwlnrSaszfYis7y-VfnQ-YzcfCtUgCa5uPHo6LwdgMtdEgItZDHuW14JA4erTNkVJV6ijfLpRPgZdBFfmSGDtyZJnTL5FTy3JWgfIp0proL60R5sj4/s400/IMG_8386.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March: Husband's big birthday....</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Life is exciting around here. There have been important birthdays and still our house is filled with family, my in-laws visiting from overseas, the sweetest folks imaginable.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1MZQRPFkkvSKUpdr0lw28WWb3Re_9I9APk6YsZgn6teKI52D0MyHv-O8waNasncFnQUq-2bnSsAgudIa3foP_BX43xuxeHKtsFbWoMkl0QbJCl5ghunmd4vbNJiXBL5eZxRL15sOrmQ/s1600/IMG_8525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1MZQRPFkkvSKUpdr0lw28WWb3Re_9I9APk6YsZgn6teKI52D0MyHv-O8waNasncFnQUq-2bnSsAgudIa3foP_BX43xuxeHKtsFbWoMkl0QbJCl5ghunmd4vbNJiXBL5eZxRL15sOrmQ/s400/IMG_8525.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My darling parent-in-law</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am working on some new ideas and I have been approached by <a href="http://www.dianastobo.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">Diana Stobo's</span></a> team to film a segment on juicing. That unfortunately has been put on hold again and again, and here I am, half waiting and half giving up on the idea to spread the word on her site to regularly eat lots of raw food and drink freshly made juices and smoothies. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxH9UTHcYPjO0bpR69dLVO62efhKrQ_ME1eRqEJb1z6ZoZx2CTUlU5B287LjU1BQhtsrGyvhquf2u-bZkZbvPHaLIV9KiQH5G-n0eA3jcLf3nUXTxJK6XSPWpGot3Qo_SYA2XIagLiUwY/s1600/51GFPu5QaBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxH9UTHcYPjO0bpR69dLVO62efhKrQ_ME1eRqEJb1z6ZoZx2CTUlU5B287LjU1BQhtsrGyvhquf2u-bZkZbvPHaLIV9KiQH5G-n0eA3jcLf3nUXTxJK6XSPWpGot3Qo_SYA2XIagLiUwY/s320/51GFPu5QaBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Naked-Guide-Stripping-Foods-Weigh/dp/0984089225">here</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Such is TV business. They need some, they use some, they drop the rest.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are, of course, many more sites out there, promoting their own approach to healthier living habits. But not all of them are good, some are very extreme and many feel a little one track minded or simply concentrating on selling supplements.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I haven't found too many places online simply dedicated to share experiences without making any money and to incorporate raw food habits into our widespread, typical <b>S</b>tandard <b>A</b>merican <b>D</b>iet. SAD!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RX24PLsEYuqL9pvYGbs3OC1qaS7Sw7OFxshiQ_gKw-kZ5M71p8T1xKPkhmtp2ZXVQRGvsEPyO1ocmSuGtXh0v9jbV2w5vqpf67cdQarI6fOZ7dw0lMt-nIEWciMcljp9uw_-ijHM7Us/s1600/IMG_6020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RX24PLsEYuqL9pvYGbs3OC1qaS7Sw7OFxshiQ_gKw-kZ5M71p8T1xKPkhmtp2ZXVQRGvsEPyO1ocmSuGtXh0v9jbV2w5vqpf67cdQarI6fOZ7dw0lMt-nIEWciMcljp9uw_-ijHM7Us/s640/IMG_6020.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow cooked oat meal: Here still with soy milk. Jan. 2012</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Something I see as more and more important, since I have realized over the last year of my own journey into healthy living, how hard it can be to be rigorous, disciplined and sticking to this lifestyle. Many of my friends, which have witnessed my transformation almost in disbelief, simply feel not able to do the same, or they do not want to. No matter how wonderful the results, for them it seems too extreme, to far away from the common, many might try a little, but give up after a few days. Or do not even give it a try.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And yet, wherever I look, I see such a tremendous need to improve the All American Diet.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMH_bYxcQMy4OQBHdrGIR3CV5x58rs25zMFTRV3n1FRmfMXgEdoBcYRilGTCJV0gnuCoNFfW7rQrKbsmqk-ygx14Md3th_F7itlwWoo_qml2FNIYtkjWBvy2ld9Q2pRdRhf_Hd5NlVug/s1600/IMG_6413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMH_bYxcQMy4OQBHdrGIR3CV5x58rs25zMFTRV3n1FRmfMXgEdoBcYRilGTCJV0gnuCoNFfW7rQrKbsmqk-ygx14Md3th_F7itlwWoo_qml2FNIYtkjWBvy2ld9Q2pRdRhf_Hd5NlVug/s640/IMG_6413.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our go to breakfast for a year now: Smoothies, fruity, rich and satisfying. Non dairy!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Overweight children, unhealthy adults, everywhere. Surly, I am not alone with the thought that change is needed.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljh-Gdkg6X98f_ZvaqxPSe2Gb-MNZQ4BVL2RSlVKsDelDmOJtoUUm14pX8fEwmmi26_2Nfa23VIRxHjgUB9jYwH8YlwETpeAqJa1htbwoCaBpzxvueZC0RUBYg1eHEEZFCrS9VvnOxvk/s1600/IMG_7661_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljh-Gdkg6X98f_ZvaqxPSe2Gb-MNZQ4BVL2RSlVKsDelDmOJtoUUm14pX8fEwmmi26_2Nfa23VIRxHjgUB9jYwH8YlwETpeAqJa1htbwoCaBpzxvueZC0RUBYg1eHEEZFCrS9VvnOxvk/s400/IMG_7661_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked Acorn squash with maple sirup</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>So here is my idea:</b> To help people, who want to give it a try, to incorporate healthier food options into their more regular choices. I want to help you to exchange the pre-prepared with the fresh, some cooked with raw. This instead of that! And I will do my best to keep it simple and manageable. I'll teach a few tricks and some easy ways to "raw cook".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Making some small changes can add up to great improvements. Not <b>all</b> needs to be eliminated, many things just need a little tweaking and some big changes might be easier to manage, if you only do these and keep everything else. I often have experienced, that people, who start slow, are more ready in the long term to keep up with healthier choices and even might go for more.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gZgT3pWUGFcsz9lP8SfpDJpHYsrOWZR6fsR73Tips_nX8haRGW9F9zzXpJ8WHZj5s94yeR6kblS6YB6MD2tHx2qI7lSU2fNubHfSf_SOwzzQuSBSaavEYJHlbER8NVI_qB3kXptSSaM/s1600/IMG_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gZgT3pWUGFcsz9lP8SfpDJpHYsrOWZR6fsR73Tips_nX8haRGW9F9zzXpJ8WHZj5s94yeR6kblS6YB6MD2tHx2qI7lSU2fNubHfSf_SOwzzQuSBSaavEYJHlbER8NVI_qB3kXptSSaM/s640/IMG_0383.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flax milk papaya smoothie</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am not an extremist. I like to enjoy different cuisines, love to enjoy parties and the food which is prepared by my friends or family. I do not want the special treatment, I adjust, try a little of this and that, after all it won't kill me to have some of the foods I normally do not eat. I do make exceptions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Only my lactose intolerance needs to be observed by me and I need to stick to a dairy free diet. Otherwise I hurt.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3YUu0vOMWuVuqHkt0O7ZZwhjwZt0qtVOyzLa77An8q4SchVmPBuSdwkATvlWFxjyw5ogc8jroN4gdYGw68OGxdle9tiA3_FLdXqMyuFGFPe59KZPpZjOH7_S4Zc9jk4SOqvdX0pWDPE/s1600/IMG_8052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3YUu0vOMWuVuqHkt0O7ZZwhjwZt0qtVOyzLa77An8q4SchVmPBuSdwkATvlWFxjyw5ogc8jroN4gdYGw68OGxdle9tiA3_FLdXqMyuFGFPe59KZPpZjOH7_S4Zc9jk4SOqvdX0pWDPE/s640/IMG_8052.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A book after my own taste....</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have that theory that most people like to stick to diets they are familiar with, the ones they have been growing up with, what their parents, grandparents of wives (husbands) prepare. I like it too. We live in a country with so many culinary influences, it is actually impossible to come up with a generalized eating plan. This is one of the points I always </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">stress when being critically towards all these "diets" out there. I feel they simply do not work, while they only for a short time reduce your caloric intake and later folks go back to their old eating habits. This is the reason for so many failed attempts.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What I suggest is a permanent change of habits, some of which need to be radically followed and some, which can be tweaked to your lifestyle and heritage.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc1vHP-vr3vk3TJggUpTrmYC9CSWF52G1qVRJm2kQD9zFAkfCcUGIqUOYF7PlAYixroDBHQCGlWjCMvqawB9FdNP2-O_fBquYcOWpWd8Ctd6TvovFQpYlpQUfCOOXexhvTVn4mC2bWgg/s1600/P4080728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc1vHP-vr3vk3TJggUpTrmYC9CSWF52G1qVRJm2kQD9zFAkfCcUGIqUOYF7PlAYixroDBHQCGlWjCMvqawB9FdNP2-O_fBquYcOWpWd8Ctd6TvovFQpYlpQUfCOOXexhvTVn4mC2bWgg/s400/P4080728.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April: our daughter's sweet 16 cake!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But is supposed to be fun and easier then you think.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are a few simple guide lines, which I follow and for more then a year now the results are lasting, I can only see improvements and no sacrifices.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But again, this is my life and my own ways of finding the best possible for me, you need to find your own equilibrium.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But I would love to help, make suggestions and share my knowledge I am daily gathering.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>A few things:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Less is more. Do not fall into the trap of the American serving sizes. If you eat out, take half home. Right away. Split meals, share the deserts. Or skip it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do not drink sodas, period! It's not good for you, neither the regular, nor the diet options.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Drink water, water, water and water thinned juices ( or full strength <b>fresh</b> if you can get)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or, (over 21 year old) once in a while a glass of wine for dinner.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Avoid other alcohol. It's loaded with calories, nothing really good for you. If you like the taste, make it a weekly special occasion and then enjoy it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Avoid pre-cooked super market or frozen meals. Unless home made.... ; )</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They are loaded with preservatives and other chemicals.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi9Fxd30JFQQ2M0vpkmoDT7XZudcyZH-M8vo_0Emv5BArVZfTaY0Tf-nD0rzBGxQwyzV0NtrQdE1pvmQ5IpTj_JGUv7sNMiy4cmdpBOYa9sBLd_o-WFrAlxnuHtyKE3kELc0BAk7T1H4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-27+at+11.02.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi9Fxd30JFQQ2M0vpkmoDT7XZudcyZH-M8vo_0Emv5BArVZfTaY0Tf-nD0rzBGxQwyzV0NtrQdE1pvmQ5IpTj_JGUv7sNMiy4cmdpBOYa9sBLd_o-WFrAlxnuHtyKE3kELc0BAk7T1H4/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-27+at+11.02.06+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful walking path near our home</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Walk a lot. Even if you never set foot into a gym, walking and bicycling are the best available options for the exercise phobic. Like me. I walk, I do a little yoga. I mean it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A little, but I walk a lot. Every day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o8yqy24u8Ydv6PoEi52npRgcrTfSW_sDcGO8ZQ7tSkBZOCsa8rzapMKWtJ6KlB_Mfw-ji_yTh2xrdTl19ngDgURgMD8d4RfRZBzSOmOhR5-fGYuFxycJBzuvPmjU0ym_0aAS6atFi9o/s1600/IMG_7802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o8yqy24u8Ydv6PoEi52npRgcrTfSW_sDcGO8ZQ7tSkBZOCsa8rzapMKWtJ6KlB_Mfw-ji_yTh2xrdTl19ngDgURgMD8d4RfRZBzSOmOhR5-fGYuFxycJBzuvPmjU0ym_0aAS6atFi9o/s320/IMG_7802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Begin your day with a glass of lukewarm water with 1/2 a fresh squeezed lemon. Every day! It turns alkaline in your stomach and conditions you away from acidity!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat at least two fresh fruits a day, best in the morning, before anything else.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat at least 4 large servings of vegetables. Fresh and cooked. Green juices help with the amounts you should consume. You can mix them with apples for taste.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat legumes and beans.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat sweet potatoes instead of white ones.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat brown rice instead of white.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat quinoa instead of couscous.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you eat meat, not daily. Twice a week is plenty. Count the cold cuts as meat too. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat fish. But watch out for the ones which are loaded with heavy metals. No swordfish, less tuna. More white fish and wild salmon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reduce your dairy intake. Fermented is best. Kefir and yogurt. No milk shakes.....and less ice cream. Try the almond based ones, they are super delicious and much better for you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Drink flax, almond or coconut milk. Make smoothies with these, not dairy milk.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat less refined sugar. Agave or Stevia are better choices.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Make fresh juices. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eat plenty of mixed salads. Add seeds, seaweeds, veggies.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Use olive oil and lemon juice for salads.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Use coconut oil for cooking and frying.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Avoid soy products, unless fermented. I do not use soy milk other then in my occasional </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">soy latte. But I make miso soups with tofu and seaweeds.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1dGSYLjaX4pDnmjOMcookqll_v_xQeSMzm-MMmDV8xMjuLAOcRQgKp5yrseXp2YqxU2vjvqSHljZifj2_QF72bztvs_clIFjKQR6aMQTIvSJGK2NIPPXDFltNnHMirCI8UoWLwf248g/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-27+at+11.20.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1dGSYLjaX4pDnmjOMcookqll_v_xQeSMzm-MMmDV8xMjuLAOcRQgKp5yrseXp2YqxU2vjvqSHljZifj2_QF72bztvs_clIFjKQR6aMQTIvSJGK2NIPPXDFltNnHMirCI8UoWLwf248g/s640/Screen+shot+2013-04-27+at+11.20.02+PM.png" width="519" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The better choice: Sprouted spelt bread.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Avoid wheat as much as you can! It has been changed over the last 50 years or so from the original wheat our grandparents knew. So much so, new protein strands developed and many people are allergic to them without being aware. Many avoidable health risks are connected today to wheat, but guess what: The grain lobby is strong, it will take long to become mainstream knowledge. That means also whole wheat!!! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reduce, reduce, reduce your consumption. Read the labels. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wheat is everywhere, from cereal to cooked soups, breads and cakes. Gluten free is the better option. And many alternative grains. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo09Uv3WgsXK5vdEz468tS-ScebpuQLQLoQhzTrtX0vmnbj_DX5Tm1J3iumlaeo242PcrvVnsa_AIXuFXjMIM2Dl5t0W-KZihdbnPwXI4gT2BmzvjxYxtdecsw6Due878T-Gt12nFx9e4/s1600/81eIl8jQZ+L._AA1285_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo09Uv3WgsXK5vdEz468tS-ScebpuQLQLoQhzTrtX0vmnbj_DX5Tm1J3iumlaeo242PcrvVnsa_AIXuFXjMIM2Dl5t0W-KZihdbnPwXI4gT2BmzvjxYxtdecsw6Due878T-Gt12nFx9e4/s640/81eIl8jQZ+L._AA1285_.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw breakfast cereal, really yummy</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You need less protein then you are made believe. But plant based protein is better for your body then animal based.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkiyIKev_WU_5fDoOyA68BprtXKaXS44_rT8AHhgA2V3k_6W_B75Hro0jjjRHGSrmsDxBO0wPOn-zbpHJ5uCBNZUvcvITgt193Ol43DyzlpO7bCw1d9IT8hO4MfclW4pu1R2_atUlXio/s1600/6a00d8341cedee53ef016302dee630970d-500wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkiyIKev_WU_5fDoOyA68BprtXKaXS44_rT8AHhgA2V3k_6W_B75Hro0jjjRHGSrmsDxBO0wPOn-zbpHJ5uCBNZUvcvITgt193Ol43DyzlpO7bCw1d9IT8hO4MfclW4pu1R2_atUlXio/s400/6a00d8341cedee53ef016302dee630970d-500wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wellsphere.com/raw-food-article/cleansing-recipes-and-avo-smoothies/1627490"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Recipe here</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pick your choices, try out what tastes good to you, go slow and avoid too much at once.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Soon I will begin a completely <b>new blog</b>, dedicated to these new ways of eating healthy and to living fulfilled, happy and hopefully long. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you want to join me there, I will be happy to share my experiences! There will be recipes, a daily food log, options for special needs, things to learn and things to discover!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And links to like minded chefs for you to discover!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CIJjUPbWBdHkzy4DVp3BR5c-7hfaN0OAWo4Uw2XVKJTfweGg8e4VwUaj8TY_YSPk4Mh2WwCxU5EK_Q66nUM_Nz1wLjupMdmjcEYoQ8NMmlD3GYgMfXQkL9dm1djqm0CSgerQP9XtDAo/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CIJjUPbWBdHkzy4DVp3BR5c-7hfaN0OAWo4Uw2XVKJTfweGg8e4VwUaj8TY_YSPk4Mh2WwCxU5EK_Q66nUM_Nz1wLjupMdmjcEYoQ8NMmlD3GYgMfXQkL9dm1djqm0CSgerQP9XtDAo/s640/photo.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last night's dinner. Check out my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaYvonneZlotkowski"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">FB page</span></a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have a happy Sunday, relax and enjoy life! No matter where you are, some beauty can be found, just look!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Life is an adventure!</span></b></div>
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All images by V.Zlotkowski unless indicated.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-39577310519962225952013-04-09T06:34:00.000-07:002013-04-09T06:36:27.926-07:00In the driver's seat<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday our daughter turned 16. A wonderful day, filled with reminiscence and my sometimes wistful thoughts on time, growth and the speed of it all.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QYZPvEr4OzmVIYynD6PSL2rZhqqYjxjnajyEtecLx1CD91_GqcMtvCYW51U0m87a4EAUdhPxa97wd6D_j9krA5uODFXRfU8pBoNYV54-9m8xV9EZ-qK4KKdB3TQSSZqOF7zvnUtMG88/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QYZPvEr4OzmVIYynD6PSL2rZhqqYjxjnajyEtecLx1CD91_GqcMtvCYW51U0m87a4EAUdhPxa97wd6D_j9krA5uODFXRfU8pBoNYV54-9m8xV9EZ-qK4KKdB3TQSSZqOF7zvnUtMG88/s640/photo.JPG" width="432" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Talking of speed, this morning she is taking her test to receive her learner's permit and she has been waiting and looking forward to this day for years.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As this day approached, my heart sunk a little, some of my motherly fears and apprehensions collided with my pride and conviction that she will be a good and safe driver. My little girl out there on the roads, where I witness almost daily the fast and the fury? Where often the laws of the road are overlooked, overturned and ignored? How will she manage the maze of possibilities and all the lurking danger?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As with all new challenges in my children's lives, I will let them lead and I will support.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will try not to scare her off with too much advise, I will trust she will manage just fine as we all did and hope - hope - her sound judgement, attention and her guardian angel will always be with her!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She will practice safe driving with us and I cannot think of a better guide then her father, a safe and careful driver and myself, without major accidents and a spotless record otherwise. Our example hopefully has given her the base layer, the subconscious code of behavior, something she might recall in moments of danger. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE-3napaovmMJb8BBWf9ZB10Jk7iGaWhERXC9iz0ZPLMSceCJzx8ffDfE_OpJ2_NWmNihpwhKclUxTKcd1ksRzoCU40wYAjqdg4UuAEn5Bsrlb6xCAZVnGqbDQcJW7KxM2YJnXWLkxQI/s1600/IMG_6643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE-3napaovmMJb8BBWf9ZB10Jk7iGaWhERXC9iz0ZPLMSceCJzx8ffDfE_OpJ2_NWmNihpwhKclUxTKcd1ksRzoCU40wYAjqdg4UuAEn5Bsrlb6xCAZVnGqbDQcJW7KxM2YJnXWLkxQI/s400/IMG_6643.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am happy for her, my lovely girl, to master yet another skill for living in the adult world.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May she always be safe out there! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PS: She just passed the test successfully! </span><br />
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All images private. Do not use unless my permission is given.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-68972090116898134362013-04-08T05:59:00.003-07:002013-04-08T06:09:16.258-07:00Sixteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwTHivp8TABzb2aBhx2BAyWb291X576XU0mvCwkQ3Gk58d0UUbUzX9jSjbY_7ISQhmDux09N0aagzVtngN2cje7G6teiJj62zlaEYhhpiClWkACKYBjVtPYN6I0xBjnTwevSNzaOTnVw/s1600/IMG_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwTHivp8TABzb2aBhx2BAyWb291X576XU0mvCwkQ3Gk58d0UUbUzX9jSjbY_7ISQhmDux09N0aagzVtngN2cje7G6teiJj62zlaEYhhpiClWkACKYBjVtPYN6I0xBjnTwevSNzaOTnVw/s400/IMG_0322.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sixteen years ago a little girl was born into our family. She was special from the first moment, her alertness and open faced attention to the world has never left her and today we celebrate a young woman which has captured many hearts since the day she was born. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our daughter grew into a lovely young woman, independent, thoughtful and beautiful, a girl with a big heart and truly a rose by another name.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsylSK3qLS8A30BTLkdnGFW4B3iM0uzte54JdxRaV7yW9oRMHUwLejGGT3iciOjZXHvXFzAPNHXUd0kn4-C-iiUi4zogcdfSnNdwkxR9U1kBnRgtqWD3gZT-lB2AbxsGuEbjGKWc9dbbo/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsylSK3qLS8A30BTLkdnGFW4B3iM0uzte54JdxRaV7yW9oRMHUwLejGGT3iciOjZXHvXFzAPNHXUd0kn4-C-iiUi4zogcdfSnNdwkxR9U1kBnRgtqWD3gZT-lB2AbxsGuEbjGKWc9dbbo/s400/IMG_0334.JPG" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> SWEET 16!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> May your star always shine as bright as now </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and all your dreams come true!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Happy Birthday, darling!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> We love you...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span>...to the moon and back!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">All images private.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-86923839395251452602013-04-02T15:34:00.000-07:002013-04-02T15:35:13.794-07:00Spring flowers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So far spring has shown up here only sparse and in small amounts and in my desperation for a little color I planted for Easter all around my tree.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No magnolia blossoms, hardly any narcissus in my garden yet!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am impatient!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN4wXzghj197FVSWsx82E4pM-mqOMVjzeP3-iGJS6lRgF5TJJeK0p1_KkeSYDj8o-TqW4ECfF5T-FakmXK8o7nAjpWzFmR1PO4XW-QxxZUYl9_UQKQXDdNsZXE7Xv4o1pwmZa79ED8yg/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN4wXzghj197FVSWsx82E4pM-mqOMVjzeP3-iGJS6lRgF5TJJeK0p1_KkeSYDj8o-TqW4ECfF5T-FakmXK8o7nAjpWzFmR1PO4XW-QxxZUYl9_UQKQXDdNsZXE7Xv4o1pwmZa79ED8yg/s400/IMG_0316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How about you?</span><br />
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Image by me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-79361935516244656982013-03-29T18:09:00.002-07:002013-03-29T18:09:47.954-07:00Easter welcome<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGouuMKDTD-0Nnz4hcZMp7H0aLOgGTUYSBykOuJ6pLMNc53_LXN39XZ7xI9NWt4dUd6v0S2Q1YnDzCrH0tOc4sDjRjYU4yAVWHn3fNacuG2989Z9gUa6BC1Nf7TYg-yiLmfukgYYiFg4/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGouuMKDTD-0Nnz4hcZMp7H0aLOgGTUYSBykOuJ6pLMNc53_LXN39XZ7xI9NWt4dUd6v0S2Q1YnDzCrH0tOc4sDjRjYU4yAVWHn3fNacuG2989Z9gUa6BC1Nf7TYg-yiLmfukgYYiFg4/s640/IMG_0300.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of one of my paintings</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The early spring days are dear to me. Not only comes Easter, the lovely feast, but I enjoy every small sign of the season. The still chilly nights, but the first afternoons on the deck among the sprouting greens, tweeting birds and light turquoise, cloud filled sky. And today our 16 year old daughter returned from a first visit alone to her older brothers in Berlin, filled with adventures, stories, as many as one could possibly cram into one week. And I had double reason to prepare for the coming days. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We cleaned the windows. After a winter of candle lights and crackling fires, the soot had certainly left more then its fair share behind on the small window panes. The sun was shining and I was for the first time sweating out there, polishing my bay windows. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The feeling of satisfaction has not left me yet... I am always surprised by the glowing transformation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some Easter decorations made it out of the boxes, fresh cut Forsythia was put in a vase to force some blossoms by Sunday and fresh tulips found their place on the window ledge.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are Ranunculus and Easter Lilies, Hyacinths and fist Narcissus...I love the early flowers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Easter time always has a wonderful sense of awakening about it and although I am not religious, I feel a spiritual sense of wonder.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">Happy Easter!</span></div>
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All images by V.Zlotkowski</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-25518465163179171712013-03-19T19:22:00.001-07:002013-03-19T19:22:57.461-07:00Where have I been?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkGbrAMlRXsAi7JVJcn0ZWbFBMnlu-1a1qJOBr9PP_ZxnhzzeMlq_-qOl6y_itB2CF_-nHwa1DUAV06PEE6KnT4xGnIWkbLKqfPAlzN9Um3mcBKQtS6-cHq7D2nefbokN6UTi_TfkqrY/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkGbrAMlRXsAi7JVJcn0ZWbFBMnlu-1a1qJOBr9PP_ZxnhzzeMlq_-qOl6y_itB2CF_-nHwa1DUAV06PEE6KnT4xGnIWkbLKqfPAlzN9Um3mcBKQtS6-cHq7D2nefbokN6UTi_TfkqrY/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's been a long, long time, I think one of the longest blogging breaks I have been taken, partly involuntary, partly deliberately. Projects around the house, work with clients, other work and visiting family have been distracting me to the point where I felt I could not take another moment writing about it all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Life has changed here, living without our dog still impacts us and the decision not to have another pet has also kind of made an impact...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABq-ZUhgkfaLdOhgP2njXl0t_5rAHeF-3Qzvnv8C0M250ZHP6IrIlvfuZ68QHCQ79p2eK0tITw_t20z67FEfyGFUnUhZTGfXQaQWYj66t6E9Uo_iEGWvQ4866WvwvJ-ktSPPxlJ8JeAk/s1600/IMG_7624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABq-ZUhgkfaLdOhgP2njXl0t_5rAHeF-3Qzvnv8C0M250ZHP6IrIlvfuZ68QHCQ79p2eK0tITw_t20z67FEfyGFUnUhZTGfXQaQWYj66t6E9Uo_iEGWvQ4866WvwvJ-ktSPPxlJ8JeAk/s640/IMG_7624.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Where did I leave off? Our outdoor house project, which had been originally initiated by storm Sandy and started in mid December, has finally been completed. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before:</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlhQH36MdFosRKKtPWNDClkug6yPu6i1m1LWRt8MNGOsfDW6CDpp-JBf4KeeMpgVMEyRfEHkV8fKIgXDdlhSin-4EU7eXzhsFnASBNwyssbluxJHrvflG-659_Ms0M3mo21R0hqCCicA/s1600/IMG_7899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlhQH36MdFosRKKtPWNDClkug6yPu6i1m1LWRt8MNGOsfDW6CDpp-JBf4KeeMpgVMEyRfEHkV8fKIgXDdlhSin-4EU7eXzhsFnASBNwyssbluxJHrvflG-659_Ms0M3mo21R0hqCCicA/s400/IMG_7899.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old front design did not do much in bad weather or a hot summer day.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And now:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9-AsyRsTTDdRyvr3dE_qWPI7sm_TqNUZwvupGoB0msUCXn87lCvNdlmZjafjaFYZmi11MIxhsyC4hwxzW4WsJmCWJUNmRgl1mk1zI0Xpd-p9MWdcM6PvrFysOY4133zvpE6OGhmWnPA/s1600/IMG_8316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9-AsyRsTTDdRyvr3dE_qWPI7sm_TqNUZwvupGoB0msUCXn87lCvNdlmZjafjaFYZmi11MIxhsyC4hwxzW4WsJmCWJUNmRgl1mk1zI0Xpd-p9MWdcM6PvrFysOY4133zvpE6OGhmWnPA/s400/IMG_8316.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now in rain, snow or sunshine, there is protection from the elements.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A new roof and a newly designed (by yours truly) portico give the house new balance and added protection from the environment. It is a huge success and seems to attract all kind of attention in the neighborhood. Which makes me smile every time! It took us a long time to arrive at this point.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pBYQaSmEt0RY9JTykxao4wPnua_U10inYTX9p-PpuwJmnQ0i0LlAYShpMCoIIe39uEIiKpQ0QvHRYw3AqyWFx18rEuOfaVgbmrovfuB4EOO_JB0Nl-bmcD8iAG22V4kxyuRwT9jL6WQ/s1600/IMG_8307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pBYQaSmEt0RY9JTykxao4wPnua_U10inYTX9p-PpuwJmnQ0i0LlAYShpMCoIIe39uEIiKpQ0QvHRYw3AqyWFx18rEuOfaVgbmrovfuB4EOO_JB0Nl-bmcD8iAG22V4kxyuRwT9jL6WQ/s640/IMG_8307.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a recent winter evening<br /></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After this we have moved inside and, although there is more work to be done, a few important things have changed here too. For starters we cleaned out and insulated our attic. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0MJGYxq7Pub-Ux2r0W5ILqNzO25db-KBm6q64fL3EkEt5ThcLNDeZNSjGd8EpjuNHOTN3Z0OxRtQQNl3VMYgcmvm0j2K5D7g3PAlA1L-6llcgqU38D2rL3ZUDMxG2Pwtu1RSQ0FYjV4/s1600/IMG_8121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0MJGYxq7Pub-Ux2r0W5ILqNzO25db-KBm6q64fL3EkEt5ThcLNDeZNSjGd8EpjuNHOTN3Z0OxRtQQNl3VMYgcmvm0j2K5D7g3PAlA1L-6llcgqU38D2rL3ZUDMxG2Pwtu1RSQ0FYjV4/s640/IMG_8121.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcyJExmuz_MyiWSa6AnSSkItCsq1rhAea1fh5zNYGSzL0D-M6GyGdfqtjB70Z09DF25uG4YjmWKnN5wx-AbveonqfiHZ45O6UvESxGkCgoy4SpDuI1CtEHAUk_wu9AcvWSpci69T9o7c/s1600/IMG_8123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcyJExmuz_MyiWSa6AnSSkItCsq1rhAea1fh5zNYGSzL0D-M6GyGdfqtjB70Z09DF25uG4YjmWKnN5wx-AbveonqfiHZ45O6UvESxGkCgoy4SpDuI1CtEHAUk_wu9AcvWSpci69T9o7c/s640/IMG_8123.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Together with the new roof this has impacted our heating bill, which went down a good 20% since January. And it has been cold. The kids have complained about to warm of rooms over night, something we've never heard before.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We feel the house is warmer altogether and that is a big difference. We also exchanged the attic vents, so they close in the winter. All things you might think we've had done years ago, but no....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuXVj17fx1y7QMv3ReJQcCsETh6KGBpHQ16rtBB7gPMN7FbQipWyLz6iSZZcds8A9cObFhfKb7YFeH-nVf03a5hmnlyhj0hNC0SsTqoAUCtY6pn0Kv-EtWojgrqleyW8SU3g5aNPMxIo/s1600/IMG_1422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuXVj17fx1y7QMv3ReJQcCsETh6KGBpHQ16rtBB7gPMN7FbQipWyLz6iSZZcds8A9cObFhfKb7YFeH-nVf03a5hmnlyhj0hNC0SsTqoAUCtY6pn0Kv-EtWojgrqleyW8SU3g5aNPMxIo/s640/IMG_1422.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted our hallway August 2009<br /></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next week we also going to have two rooms painted professionally. YEAH! The family room, below, which had been effected by Sandy and needed a window replaced and our hallway, which had been done a few years back by me and needs a makeover badly. It will not make that space larger, but we always feel refreshed, when we change colors....we picked coral...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0ul3Kse_pr4y0RYI3Vl7h1MWuJCXsV10MmmsHOLG0MiQLE0QvZwLZ5MyJOB11sAqRmXvJqR9g0Ow2Dl5xSorsODQU02LKeoZuhIUdesnNZbVAtOzo20mQQ7aBMAFgghwOOUARN_D_ww/s1600/IMG_0269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0ul3Kse_pr4y0RYI3Vl7h1MWuJCXsV10MmmsHOLG0MiQLE0QvZwLZ5MyJOB11sAqRmXvJqR9g0Ow2Dl5xSorsODQU02LKeoZuhIUdesnNZbVAtOzo20mQQ7aBMAFgghwOOUARN_D_ww/s640/IMG_0269.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Major spring cleaning mess...<br /></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But in the meantime I also had energy for a good spring cleaning, which for the first time in many years was done, to my utmost surprise, with a swift hand and lots of parting from things, I thought I will never let go off. The result is an enormous feeling of relief.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And a clean living space.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1eSv5Ir_XCqEhu-Evtz4jnPOmC-V8KJN4uqlJPxKj_LKPUXwSvA9ZE78RpJBDUDbhvS7o4Rw-8uha1BwJJE6TPZgqYJsnu1EcBWtVveX0vuUdfS7A8RPnOp73-m9EFF2SxiUCDG3I4c/s1600/IMG_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1eSv5Ir_XCqEhu-Evtz4jnPOmC-V8KJN4uqlJPxKj_LKPUXwSvA9ZE78RpJBDUDbhvS7o4Rw-8uha1BwJJE6TPZgqYJsnu1EcBWtVveX0vuUdfS7A8RPnOp73-m9EFF2SxiUCDG3I4c/s640/IMG_0272.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old trunk was a lucky curb find! A second, smaller one was snatched by my daughter for all her gadgets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnnI2_bbUJa9toxhfLdJihv_0kFkMXvvpLrb4_RxBkqLwOZo19tUZFirIOoeSTEkg1LLZRaxbDqycaSN0cubfdZEgZNY5oQcLTbb-57INxswTa4LTrxP0OGxbshD50xlNO4uM_14Pu7g/s1600/IMG_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnnI2_bbUJa9toxhfLdJihv_0kFkMXvvpLrb4_RxBkqLwOZo19tUZFirIOoeSTEkg1LLZRaxbDqycaSN0cubfdZEgZNY5oQcLTbb-57INxswTa4LTrxP0OGxbshD50xlNO4uM_14Pu7g/s640/IMG_0271.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another find: The Lamp base. One man's trash is another one's treasure. Indeed! I just fixed a tiny broken leg, here still missing.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW5X4c4nFtKYbVpa07lG2634eU7FFSJgVzEIEnB-lsb5EgEscwSMKJqWws2BS6AcBUXLPbm8_7difQ8aceXhD4_iGiea_KFZy12SPxkTNLUCjFWSqLahSQULlFYg_V5y2WElPiybeHjA/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW5X4c4nFtKYbVpa07lG2634eU7FFSJgVzEIEnB-lsb5EgEscwSMKJqWws2BS6AcBUXLPbm8_7difQ8aceXhD4_iGiea_KFZy12SPxkTNLUCjFWSqLahSQULlFYg_V5y2WElPiybeHjA/s400/IMG_0270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ficus tree lives outdoors from spring until autumn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfxSyowKKbnVsSpXdCTzskCWFUzue8RHFTzSU4MreXmRNyWdg7uc8HpHtImXE2O9ggnc5zwexUxebfDE139fKm-CGcL9L7Mi7IIupqY_IjlqL4FsWXqBWWASM4ETw02flCoJElnGjoFU/s1600/IMG_0273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfxSyowKKbnVsSpXdCTzskCWFUzue8RHFTzSU4MreXmRNyWdg7uc8HpHtImXE2O9ggnc5zwexUxebfDE139fKm-CGcL9L7Mi7IIupqY_IjlqL4FsWXqBWWASM4ETw02flCoJElnGjoFU/s640/IMG_0273.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYvF-1zV_nCYyvpCuJdtJwuSNmxvTsHj09F6dhHssRatSi_JL6eMUzV8P8C0u9WyYIQ_zXA3JjKaXk7R1iEm1mNvbKXy_aauS3GQ4-X6hH76Fhz35OZW9WPMOYuCNNdAGptDuBGFhImw/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYvF-1zV_nCYyvpCuJdtJwuSNmxvTsHj09F6dhHssRatSi_JL6eMUzV8P8C0u9WyYIQ_zXA3JjKaXk7R1iEm1mNvbKXy_aauS3GQ4-X6hH76Fhz35OZW9WPMOYuCNNdAGptDuBGFhImw/s400/IMG_0274.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We just love it!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbVq4dgg0btowOpI1pgrIIDpYq1ojdKI9826mAj-cUq6EUeqyzaenE7grDGuhE2ZWQ-V8b54qzCzF-Bpobkumi9Y37dz1mFqaul1StB1RjCkRBVQyGP5GF6vYTHuSpv9GSz8RilL-Xdc/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbVq4dgg0btowOpI1pgrIIDpYq1ojdKI9826mAj-cUq6EUeqyzaenE7grDGuhE2ZWQ-V8b54qzCzF-Bpobkumi9Y37dz1mFqaul1StB1RjCkRBVQyGP5GF6vYTHuSpv9GSz8RilL-Xdc/s400/IMG_0279.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The book shelf extends through the entire length of the room, which is most<br />helpful with a tiny kitchen. I keep china and glasses there as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(The color we've chosen is only a few shades darker then this one, no major change.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many books, old magazines, junk and leftovers from odd projects went away and it makes me happy to see suddenly more space where I thought I had none. I only hold on to things I need desperately to remember: Moments back in my life. Which still seems more then enough!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But I am so inspired, next I'll move to our bedrooms to take the closets apart.....</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzmXKftEwhlhRuIi5KrIQllLrDgmvV45gn_9LrLt6yCmp_gwf9mtFxgFMea1UAfuhsM7SDrhL9vWlK8ShOfnHX6kHSeHaNFPRS_NtQjkqQEwDZj7Nzo7X9siXtb2YRZPSVoXYOibW12Y/s1600/IMG_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzmXKftEwhlhRuIi5KrIQllLrDgmvV45gn_9LrLt6yCmp_gwf9mtFxgFMea1UAfuhsM7SDrhL9vWlK8ShOfnHX6kHSeHaNFPRS_NtQjkqQEwDZj7Nzo7X9siXtb2YRZPSVoXYOibW12Y/s640/IMG_0267.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning smoothie, bananas, berries, coconut water and more....</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The change of lifestyle, which I had begun exactly one year ago has also impacted our family, my husband has joined me now in a quest for healthier eating/living. We are now 70% raw, largely wheat free and mostly vegetarian and we have never felt better. Weight loss has only played partly a role in it, but the changes in our health have been lasting and amazing. My husband's heart pain has been gone since last year and has not returned, my joint pain, back pain and mood swings are all things of the past as well. Especially as a woman approaching menopause, there are countless benefits! I have so much more energy and this has made perhaps the biggest impact in our family life. And we have tackled issues, we never thought we would. It has been a great journey so far and we will stick to it! The great thing is, it never feels like a sacrifice or limitation. We do splurge on occasions and love coffee and chocolate (70% and up, lol) and the occasional glass of wine, as much as anybody else. We've realized over the last year that many shops and restaurants have jumped on the bandwagon of this healthier lifestyle and to ask for certain foods has never been easier. We find juices, smoothies and raw foods and is is rather amusing how I started this a year ago with not many knowing much about it and now almost no weekend passes, where I cannot read something or other raw food related in the WSJ, NY Times or different lifestyle magazines! OK, it must have hit main stream...which is actually really good! Give it a try! There is also a large online community, ready to help and connect with!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkX27URfnYAYpIcOn8p5MabOEUmQEPjKJGiFQrEKDB5hyphenhyphen2jjRhzmtFfQip6Xg2HYtb927ptzXIrR5iANZCHtAb29nZVfPi4EHgOgNZbuVWYumDRA-5q2XhxvDkzg-proJA0KTysjnmzk/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkX27URfnYAYpIcOn8p5MabOEUmQEPjKJGiFQrEKDB5hyphenhyphen2jjRhzmtFfQip6Xg2HYtb927ptzXIrR5iANZCHtAb29nZVfPi4EHgOgNZbuVWYumDRA-5q2XhxvDkzg-proJA0KTysjnmzk/s640/photo.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my soul mate, together for more then 20 years! I am a lucky woman!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have a feeling all these changes in my life are wonderfully connected and to be able to leave things behind is also the result of my new lifestyle. I feel empowered and ready to go another 50 years.....And I am grateful that I met this challenge and succeeded.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Things are good around here and this is thankfully not impacted by setbacks, like the lost project, which I had been working on for the last few weeks and the clients pulled out because they felt it is too big an undertaking to get their minds around. I can relate....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But when one door closes another will open and something will come my way.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You will be the first to know....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I apologize for this enormous long post, which surely will test you patience. But it only shows how much I missed talking to you all! I will come back to write and read all your posts, my (blog) friends. I've missed you.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">xoxo </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Victoria</span><br />
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All images via Art House Design by V.ZlotkowskiAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-32536329235741913012013-02-02T13:05:00.000-08:002013-02-02T13:06:44.247-08:00Moment in time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3P4TT6kV3WiqpTqbcTfqHTfcqQWFyYr3-2tlOUC0ON4i71fng7k3kLyx2Ck30cHvHosSo8p_Yk1PbyUfs-YW5QxPqsAm8ML9x7TFWSfu6TvQI2Kihfsu3jGofUS5c4RYqaC1YqxPX1X4/s1600/IMG_8129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3P4TT6kV3WiqpTqbcTfqHTfcqQWFyYr3-2tlOUC0ON4i71fng7k3kLyx2Ck30cHvHosSo8p_Yk1PbyUfs-YW5QxPqsAm8ML9x7TFWSfu6TvQI2Kihfsu3jGofUS5c4RYqaC1YqxPX1X4/s640/IMG_8129.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope your moment in time is good! Happy weekend to you all! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">xoxo</span></div>
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Image V.Zlotkowski</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-28629025822669050452013-02-01T11:47:00.000-08:002013-02-02T07:10:08.148-08:00These are a few of my favorite things<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am humming....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But today I will have to add a couple of things to girls in white dresses and fluffy kittens...</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmneL2px4efpfzmgeX27cFg2s9lfRHtJdlCzQ2Ux5M5U21F40i3SPuwh-vOa_3DcTE95ewnUWPV7KIHBObIUt12Ob-5jllQLpoHCnDJIbZsL_nQFMvNcdRZWtm-jVeongclyeeImt0bTQ/s1600/IMG_8074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmneL2px4efpfzmgeX27cFg2s9lfRHtJdlCzQ2Ux5M5U21F40i3SPuwh-vOa_3DcTE95ewnUWPV7KIHBObIUt12Ob-5jllQLpoHCnDJIbZsL_nQFMvNcdRZWtm-jVeongclyeeImt0bTQ/s400/IMG_8074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Christo moment....during the process of getting the new roof.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As our project outside and few improvements inside <i>near </i>their completion, a few of my favorite things have finally made their appearance. Major projects take a long time to complete, the details can take time and the moment, when one finally "sees" the changes can be a challenge to wait for. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBvBkQA9A2SqqfYhu_qDuN-QldptL2lA9jwPi4sAqqAO0fuz-R0HKDylmhJZFob3M3aO0pLL9kJ7MlYUYJtfDIGGG52xgFh_KNpcx-xCzOPtbP0aAU8TwcNvtlTiotjSAB027W7seURw/s1600/IMG_8123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBvBkQA9A2SqqfYhu_qDuN-QldptL2lA9jwPi4sAqqAO0fuz-R0HKDylmhJZFob3M3aO0pLL9kJ7MlYUYJtfDIGGG52xgFh_KNpcx-xCzOPtbP0aAU8TwcNvtlTiotjSAB027W7seURw/s400/IMG_8123.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insulation up in the attic, what a difference!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yet I am fully aware, I do not deal with a project, which takes longer then a couple of weeks. Two months, maybe a few more days. Small problems do occur, like the one below. But nothing really upsetting so far.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pciJHduF18GALpNBXs7upazOTo56cyghQ4Nx9YEdMPyy_JnY3QlH0WaQYOd5LwydPnvGJU6-o_Bh3CzkqnBQPvXJXk1TH6GcQQCEnP-Kcc-spUwx7Rv7sTtPvwm-YlyIPhpAowIh4LI/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pciJHduF18GALpNBXs7upazOTo56cyghQ4Nx9YEdMPyy_JnY3QlH0WaQYOd5LwydPnvGJU6-o_Bh3CzkqnBQPvXJXk1TH6GcQQCEnP-Kcc-spUwx7Rv7sTtPvwm-YlyIPhpAowIh4LI/s400/IMG_0165.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delay: Wrong window delivered, by next week the new one will arrive.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So my patience has not been tested that much.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And look at the new light fixture. I am in love!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So much nicer then the old one...</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZAEb7wicYMl_Z56woGIndFayAZrsK3bhlBx4Gz_E0BFz5gUu4ioKKScUbew1JN8F89aPgmPnfA1zUkzdOloi3L9WLCh0YX0LFePiAmR6R0Z50wKK_6W6jP4rfXhmtJ6rJw77NbhKjr8/s1600/IMG_8126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZAEb7wicYMl_Z56woGIndFayAZrsK3bhlBx4Gz_E0BFz5gUu4ioKKScUbew1JN8F89aPgmPnfA1zUkzdOloi3L9WLCh0YX0LFePiAmR6R0Z50wKK_6W6jP4rfXhmtJ6rJw77NbhKjr8/s400/IMG_8126.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally: Our new upstairs landing lantern with an Edison bulb!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz2nmxOSiCQUgm52lxqlE3HHfy6_fzT5MaUkK1367jAcPeUqb84__QkaoupwK1EVs3wDmJ8zBQF_wS-I9a9hDBpaVrNTdoH9VDXNBkL3hqCnlqSwhHh5gZ7Vuk1QCgDwyvkzBzTV5QHk/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz2nmxOSiCQUgm52lxqlE3HHfy6_fzT5MaUkK1367jAcPeUqb84__QkaoupwK1EVs3wDmJ8zBQF_wS-I9a9hDBpaVrNTdoH9VDXNBkL3hqCnlqSwhHh5gZ7Vuk1QCgDwyvkzBzTV5QHk/s640/IMG_0168.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new outdoor portico lantern. Portico needs still priming and painting.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But while I am so happy to see the light fixtures functioning and all these things are truly wonderful, I still had been waiting impatiently for something completely unrelated. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am a fan of Alan Bradley's<a href="http://www.flaviadeluce.com/"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><b>Flavia de Luce book series</b></span></a>. If you are not familiar, go and check it out, his books are a major delight for all fans of great mysteries. Set in England in the 50's, in and around a mansion and the nearby village, Flavia, the 11 year old heroine, solves crimes with smarts, wit and charisma.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakFQRyIzVFvBysbTmKfrfJyIl31QzJ8EY2JStPXKh4e-4YB7GlY58hKcPM5jcpfpgOYJ1WY1DTYNoOVKJgCZxxSTs6Ao8H601vKBp91OkWtrlun6K-f-gyAe13qwcdccgYr0AkyzyES8/s1600/IMG_8124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakFQRyIzVFvBysbTmKfrfJyIl31QzJ8EY2JStPXKh4e-4YB7GlY58hKcPM5jcpfpgOYJ1WY1DTYNoOVKJgCZxxSTs6Ao8H601vKBp91OkWtrlun6K-f-gyAe13qwcdccgYr0AkyzyES8/s640/IMG_8124.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That Buckshaw, the old mansion, is falling apart and unfortunately could soon be lost for seemingly ever present financial problems adds to the charm and makes me feel right at home. I can certainly relate. Although our home is, thankfully, not in quite such disrepair (anymore) and our financial situation seems a little more secure, we too fight the endless battles of fixing an old house with regularly occurring maladies, from leaking pipes to toppling chimneys. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, now you may imagine my delight, when the latest installment of the series, after a long time waiting, stuck yesterday in our mailbox. After a rather haphazardly thrown together dinner I withdrew into my bedroom, closed the door and dimmed the lights to cozy up to '<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alan-Bradley/e/B001JRTK5O"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><b>Speaking From Among the Bones</b></span></a>'. Hard as it was and to make it last a little longer, I stopped reading after one hour or so and since then I have sneaked around the book, almost unable to wait 'til tonight to continue the pleasure...It's so hard...It's right here...And it's as good as the others, maybe even better!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh, the waiting has been so long and then the reading fun it's over so quickly. I might just start at the beginning again and read them all after another!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do you have book series you cannot put down? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, between the daily to make decisions about light fixtures, copper flushing, windows, paint colors and books to read, at least the last one has been easy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all easy decisions and a happy weekend! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I cannot wait to reveal to you all the finished project soon...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>xoxo</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>All images by V.ZlotkowskiAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-67243708208661318282013-01-21T11:41:00.002-08:002013-01-21T11:41:56.891-08:00More sunshine?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have been contemplating some embellishment over the garage portico and my thoughts have turned towards something like a sun plaque or wall art. I am not 100% sure about it yet, but I was wondering what your thoughts are on this. Tacky or not?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The place in question:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUp1JmGT2I8wSY_whJjjgCEjMIloe8vbYsiOxbHFY_4TJhxJVDigmT0UlkGOXwjvo5abW9N4IOLkGDimsyFRcGIUX5wW6jVFgok6VjCA3zIEcFfAyaxqfdhU6aKWLKt6JAERC5i8d8_M/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUp1JmGT2I8wSY_whJjjgCEjMIloe8vbYsiOxbHFY_4TJhxJVDigmT0UlkGOXwjvo5abW9N4IOLkGDimsyFRcGIUX5wW6jVFgok6VjCA3zIEcFfAyaxqfdhU6aKWLKt6JAERC5i8d8_M/s400/IMG_0154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My ideas:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQfWvhIYHjkb9D2a1uWSwvHWUYEiSE057WVcm8LX2way-4TeuYPhf7tfBP7sRMSjJeEPu0mgxQef0UlssuKpNhJM2su0iq_xWdEtaGfVomdrCM-F1ozNV1uj2uXNbKJeLEs2w62gCxEc/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-01-20+at+7.40.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQfWvhIYHjkb9D2a1uWSwvHWUYEiSE057WVcm8LX2way-4TeuYPhf7tfBP7sRMSjJeEPu0mgxQef0UlssuKpNhJM2su0iq_xWdEtaGfVomdrCM-F1ozNV1uj2uXNbKJeLEs2w62gCxEc/s320/Screen+shot+2013-01-20+at+7.40.35+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or this perhaps:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUDLUeqBtlddwDmL6D7osEkxxrSshkcNB9Po1aUVLAouf_Z-SxMrr_0ULd86p6QJhQZ5amZ2RjaM93cAdsR9FvAMtXABmhwtKYpmo6GymEPpnnZ-1Iv1c8ThMwqiKOo-UP2F8avYpH4U/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-01-20+at+11.10.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUDLUeqBtlddwDmL6D7osEkxxrSshkcNB9Po1aUVLAouf_Z-SxMrr_0ULd86p6QJhQZ5amZ2RjaM93cAdsR9FvAMtXABmhwtKYpmo6GymEPpnnZ-1Iv1c8ThMwqiKOo-UP2F8avYpH4U/s320/Screen+shot+2013-01-20+at+11.10.26+PM.png" width="315" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or that?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqqij09LO80T_Y0wEqDw8ohU-aMgu23JEOL6Ae2KDDOhrfIXlG1erHkNSBXBCmnOcaYJTQnAFhyphenhyphenXpSWBs6cJz8k3i_mfoEGFC26lJaa2WUogIjjBhdLrwV5B4V1LHzEK3ymL9eFh8788/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-01-21+at+2.33.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqqij09LO80T_Y0wEqDw8ohU-aMgu23JEOL6Ae2KDDOhrfIXlG1erHkNSBXBCmnOcaYJTQnAFhyphenhyphenXpSWBs6cJz8k3i_mfoEGFC26lJaa2WUogIjjBhdLrwV5B4V1LHzEK3ymL9eFh8788/s320/Screen+shot+2013-01-21+at+2.33.49+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What's your take on it?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
All images via Google image, no credit taken.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012793195670980581.post-64092379663574606352013-01-19T13:09:00.001-08:002013-01-19T13:14:40.775-08:00Material men<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQAy3QIVsTKSNso4eVHpr9HwUKtExiYJqr00aGsErR38YEyXCaaQ3BE1M90GL866MhhigrMoxu98i8SLGFxmWE2BPARpQTGMMMBX6lG-ttPb03OkzAh5CcOHSY9INZkF2DX2Mv6I2BjY/s1600/IMG_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQAy3QIVsTKSNso4eVHpr9HwUKtExiYJqr00aGsErR38YEyXCaaQ3BE1M90GL866MhhigrMoxu98i8SLGFxmWE2BPARpQTGMMMBX6lG-ttPb03OkzAh5CcOHSY9INZkF2DX2Mv6I2BjY/s400/IMG_0138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old copper and dried hydrangea</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seeing all the different materials around the house, in their strange settings, or shall I say unfamiliar to me and yet intriguing, made me wander around to take some pictures. I love salvaged materials, or the ones used for building, like wood or copper. It's like jewelry for the house, decorative and useful at the same time. Poetic and dramatic.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And this is what I found:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7WdppHoaJ2Z_DQ4QEs9BJhu8UMt9hc5VNVXwnoGT6j_NjN9QfqXIhTK47zdCZm2hNYid13W10TbA9TisC2Jx3ELXzFXrUi-69Ik2Bq0ghNH3-Ai5VNGOnc9Y25-TcoGaljhaLlx-0-g/s1600/IMG_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7WdppHoaJ2Z_DQ4QEs9BJhu8UMt9hc5VNVXwnoGT6j_NjN9QfqXIhTK47zdCZm2hNYid13W10TbA9TisC2Jx3ELXzFXrUi-69Ik2Bq0ghNH3-Ai5VNGOnc9Y25-TcoGaljhaLlx-0-g/s640/IMG_0124.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old half round dental molding from over the front door<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWuDdvjw9ed2-IPEV3zfX52GRMEBOfh38sEWZDovKfqm_QFI7n9wfUj9smIUQWCvjPHCER5jpzdM1_bzYLXciD5PYlw_ZwlGaH8BQNG8EAfH8GA-229HHN6TuLxF134tAI7GvlYKk4I8/s1600/IMG_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWuDdvjw9ed2-IPEV3zfX52GRMEBOfh38sEWZDovKfqm_QFI7n9wfUj9smIUQWCvjPHCER5jpzdM1_bzYLXciD5PYlw_ZwlGaH8BQNG8EAfH8GA-229HHN6TuLxF134tAI7GvlYKk4I8/s640/IMG_0125.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5aCpNWRYbplsYPZC3M_xXl1iiHbC2UdmOuKgOqC9xTOcqzeAwXpnMP5-NDbApkRj2BWHfMFIWCxinAypcEvDYo1CdVesvwkdbKbMbxUzKN0iLbs8mddUU0qDldU2tMZ9R-fMnG0d6sQ/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5aCpNWRYbplsYPZC3M_xXl1iiHbC2UdmOuKgOqC9xTOcqzeAwXpnMP5-NDbApkRj2BWHfMFIWCxinAypcEvDYo1CdVesvwkdbKbMbxUzKN0iLbs8mddUU0qDldU2tMZ9R-fMnG0d6sQ/s400/IMG_0127.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfIv3vIiPQScAf_FieiQkMUoq587F8ppje-ishc8BZvou1_Ioh7fjoMNQmbALsY2lo_o4VUdfWPm3s8jYyZDFaNG9cGBcmUCJq_lI2NtA57fi8AfMGgSIhbNIo-4pjFLqBMDF4z_2YGY/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfIv3vIiPQScAf_FieiQkMUoq587F8ppje-ishc8BZvou1_Ioh7fjoMNQmbALsY2lo_o4VUdfWPm3s8jYyZDFaNG9cGBcmUCJq_lI2NtA57fi8AfMGgSIhbNIo-4pjFLqBMDF4z_2YGY/s400/IMG_0130.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tree reflected</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE5Pe70XXC0chk5U2QXi9cnaPvKbUQd3ukE9iqZcEj7xMb2U25w4GLv8aGIqQuhGw07fqxE3xBHxEB5rHqvjjjHELrww5rWrR-ruDHI_1xkW1wsAVSzq9sBpwFqzjSSNM_3hhSNz0l2w/s1600/IMG_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE5Pe70XXC0chk5U2QXi9cnaPvKbUQd3ukE9iqZcEj7xMb2U25w4GLv8aGIqQuhGw07fqxE3xBHxEB5rHqvjjjHELrww5rWrR-ruDHI_1xkW1wsAVSzq9sBpwFqzjSSNM_3hhSNz0l2w/s640/IMG_0135.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roofer's toolbox</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO9M1GfWepd_fWFVca_ZevndiHlnlAFVKYljyADEpJj1bwyS-HfTj9k9qclL2CCcGltTyYWpwPQ_y6XOnchjlNiHVk1Zh-yLiqZJhSiXdCgEw6m_shH63smLr2dgHlHdVhOounPyf7uA/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO9M1GfWepd_fWFVca_ZevndiHlnlAFVKYljyADEpJj1bwyS-HfTj9k9qclL2CCcGltTyYWpwPQ_y6XOnchjlNiHVk1Zh-yLiqZJhSiXdCgEw6m_shH63smLr2dgHlHdVhOounPyf7uA/s400/IMG_0133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The roof is taking shape and the porticos are almost done, it looks certainly beautiful, even in this unfinished stage.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_GTy1KAjiJd7V2lvc49qnBXZXt50OxNWusHIB_ASNe2MB8sbTmy3_ZTW0Gji8XfVjeroA1AL3SYaU8fxct99nHe_NfAK_el87toFbuOq3axGCTo_jplYDDLKGtCM2h2JHNPjzXN5HbM/s1600/IMG_0152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_GTy1KAjiJd7V2lvc49qnBXZXt50OxNWusHIB_ASNe2MB8sbTmy3_ZTW0Gji8XfVjeroA1AL3SYaU8fxct99nHe_NfAK_el87toFbuOq3axGCTo_jplYDDLKGtCM2h2JHNPjzXN5HbM/s640/IMG_0152.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My trusted contractor and his crew on the roof are</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">doing their work above and beyond my expectations! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you, guys!</span><br />
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All images V.Zlotkowski, copyright 2013<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982noreply@blogger.com2