Well, everyone.... I cannot believe the awards that I have been given and a couple of giveaways as well ! I started my blog because, like others, I saw those two little words 'CREATE BLOG' in the top right hand corner, and thought I would have a go, and then a whole new world of friendships, advice, new ideas and even helping others, opened up to me. I'm not one who pours her heart out, as I don't have a great deal of pouring out that needs to be done but, if anyone needs to, I'm a great listener and my blog is always open ! This post is to thank some of you for your kindness,so, for people that this is not related to, bear with me ..........
The first award that I was given was from
Dustjacket Attic . She has been a loyal and wonderful blogging friend and has the most beautiful blog ever in the history of blogs! If you love fashion, handsome men and the odd delicious recipe or two, head on over there. It is all you will ever need when it comes to the above. Thank you so much, my dear
DJA, I am truly honoured that it came from you and thank you, so much for your regular and often amusing comments. I love them.
The next award that I received was from my lovely friend,
Luiza from
Feelings.I was one of the first to follow
Luiza and, after a couple of weeks I received the kindest email from her. A week or two later, I was the recipient of a wreath, handmade by
Luiza herself, as a gift. She is the most creative, kind and generous person and I am so lucky to count her as a friend. Her blog is
Scandanavian heaven, with her beautiful, handmade items and her wonderful photographs, so please pay her a visit. She will love you for it.
I then had the same award bestowed upon me by
Bonjour Romance. I am so grateful as I am fairly new to her blog so, to receive an award is very generous of her. Her blog is a French fantasy with much
Ooo la la, and also has beautiful photographs. It is
tres jolie and a delight so, make a mental note to visit.
Then, the other day the same award was bestowed upon me by the lovely Lori at
Wildflowers.Lori was another one of the first blogs that I followed. She is another kind, generous, and loyal blogging friend and we have had so much fun over the last few months. Here is another gifted photographer (I seem to have met so many brilliant photographers) and she writes very well, too. Head over there. She will make you very welcome and you will make a great friend.
........... and then, as if that wasn't enough, Maggie over at
The White Farmhouse gave me the Splash award. Maggie is the most energetic person I know. She has a husband and family and yet, she is forever renovating, fixing, hammering and repairing and I wish that I had half of her energy. You never know what she will be up to when you visit. She is also a kind and generous friend who always leaves the best comments. Go over and see what she is up to. You probably won't believe it.
I have also won a couple of giveaways as well. Aren't I lucky ? The first was from Anne at
Annechovie . It's from
Envirosax and it folds down
sooooo small and is brilliant to put into your handbag for shopping. You never know when you might find a beautiful candlestick, cushion or, if I have to, food and need a bag to carry them all in !! I love it and it also looks good.......so much nicer than a tatty old carrier bag and much better for the environment as well. Thank you so much Anne.
The next giveaway that I won was a beautiful cushion from Michelle over at
Petit Coterie. The above is a cushion that I had already bought from Michelle, I haven't received my giveaway yet, but I wanted to do all of my
thank you's together, but the cushion that I won is very similar. They are the best grain sack/ burlap cushions, and very reasonable as well. Thank you so much Michelle. I am one lucky girl.
.......... and then, I received this wonderful letter from
Koralee from
Bluebird Notes.
Koralee decided that the art of letter writing was in decline and asked if anyone would like a letter. My hand shot up and, after giving my address, a week went by and then......... look what turned up in the mail. There's a sheet of bluebird notepaper, a card with chandelier stamp, a little card that, when opened, has wonderful and inspirational words, a beautiful gift tag, stickers, ribbons and all sorts. Thank you so much
Koralee., it must have taken you ages as I know you sent many out.
Now, I'm meant to tell you seven things about me you didn't know but, I did that a little while ago so, I won't bore you with that now. I will give out my seven awards. I just want to say that I will be giving out more awards later but, it took me long enough to do these so all the people who are thinking how horrible I am 'cos I didn't give you an award, be patient as there will be more coming. By the way,the recipients of these awards might want to shrink them for there sidebar !!!! Here are my first seven :
This one is to dear Lori. She knows why it's a cocktail and Lori, we are really going to be drinking them together one day. I know it.
This one is for my dear friend
Luiza who so
thoroughly deserves it. She puts so much into her posts, with the most beautiful and inspiring content. She's Swedish you know, so there's nothing more to say. Beautiful sums it up rather nicely.
Here's Maggie's. Constantly on the go, renovating and mending and changing things.... and she does it with expertise, as well.
An award for
Bonjour Romance. A wonderful French
inspired blog .
Fantastique.
Magdalena from
Color Sepia is another wonderfully talented person. More fantastic photographs and beautifully made cards and gift tags and more........ and she is a lovely person.
One for
Koralee.......... again ,talented, interesting kind and generous. Her blog is so pretty.........
.......... and last but certainly not least, an award for the talented Michelle. I already have a couple of her cushions, have won one and have ordered more !!!! That's how much I love her cushions. I'm so into the grain sack look.
So, there you have it. I have given seven awards and will be giving out some more soon. Thanks everyone for my awards and everyone who comes and visits me and takes the time to comment. I am amazed at the response that I get and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Jackie
From the poem FOR THE FALLEN by LAURENCE BINYON ( 1869-1943 ) 
Well, everyone.... I cannot believe the awards that I have been given and a couple of giveaways as well ! I started my blog because, like others, I saw those two little words 'CREATE BLOG' in the top right hand corner, and thought I would have a go, and then a whole new world of friendships, advice, new ideas and even helping others, opened up to me. I'm not one who pours her heart out, as I don't have a great deal of pouring out that needs to be done but, if anyone needs to, I'm a great listener and my blog is always open ! This post is to thank some of you for your kindness,so, for people that this is not related to, bear with me ..........
The first award that I was given was from Dustjacket Attic . She has been a loyal and wonderful blogging friend and has the most beautiful blog ever in the history of blogs! If you love fashion, handsome men and the odd delicious recipe or two, head on over there. It is all you will ever need when it comes to the above. Thank you so much, my dear DJA, I am truly honoured that it came from you and thank you, so much for your regular and often amusing comments. I love them.
The next award that I received was from my lovely friend, Luiza from Feelings.
........... and then, as if that wasn't enough, Maggie over at The White Farmhouse gave me the Splash award. Maggie is the most energetic person I know. She has a husband and family and yet, she is forever renovating, fixing, hammering and repairing and I wish that I had half of her energy. You never know what she will be up to when you visit. She is also a kind and generous friend who always leaves the best comments. Go over and see what she is up to. You probably won't believe it.
I have also won a couple of giveaways as well. Aren't I lucky ? The first was from Anne at Annechovie . It's from Envirosax and it folds down sooooo small and is brilliant to put into your handbag for shopping. You never know when you might find a beautiful candlestick, cushion or, if I have to, food and need a bag to carry them all in !! I love it and it also looks good.......so much nicer than a tatty old carrier bag and much better for the environment as well. Thank you so much Anne.
The next giveaway that I won was a beautiful cushion from Michelle over at Petit Coterie. The above is a cushion that I had already bought from Michelle, I haven't received my giveaway yet, but I wanted to do all of my thank you's together, but the cushion that I won is very similar. They are the best grain sack/ burlap cushions, and very reasonable as well. Thank you so much Michelle. I am one lucky girl.
.......... and then, I received this wonderful letter from Koralee from Bluebird Notes. Koralee decided that the art of letter writing was in decline and asked if anyone would like a letter. My hand shot up and, after giving my address, a week went by and then......... look what turned up in the mail. There's a sheet of bluebird notepaper, a card with chandelier stamp, a little card that, when opened, has wonderful and inspirational words, a beautiful gift tag, stickers, ribbons and all sorts. Thank you so much Koralee., it must have taken you ages as I know you sent many out.
This one is to dear Lori. She knows why it's a cocktail and Lori, we are really going to be drinking them together one day. I know it.
This one is for my dear friend Luiza who so thoroughly deserves it. She puts so much into her posts, with the most beautiful and inspiring content. She's Swedish you know, so there's nothing more to say. Beautiful sums it up rather nicely.
Magdalena from Color Sepia is another wonderfully talented person. More fantastic photographs and beautifully made cards and gift tags and more........ and she is a lovely person.
One for Koralee.......... again ,talented, interesting kind and generous. Her blog is so pretty.........
.......... and last but certainly not least, an award for the talented Michelle. I already have a couple of her cushions, have won one and have ordered more !!!! That's how much I love her cushions. I'm so into the grain sack look.
As the 5th of November approaches, here in the U.K., children stand on corners with stuffed figures of a man, holding collecting boxes and ask, 'A penny for the Guy ?'
The GUY in question is an effigy of the arch-traitor, Guy Fawkes. When the evening of November 5th arrives,.........
.......... the guy effigy is burnt on a bonfire ..........
Guy Fawkes Day commemorates the foiling of a plot by Guy Fawkes and other Catholic extremists, to blow up King James 1st and his Parliament, in 1605. Guy Fawkes belonged to a group of Roman Catholic restorationists, who planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Their aim was to displace the Protestant rule, while King James 1st and the entire Protestant and even most of the Catholic aristocracy were inside........ but the authorities foiled the plan and captured Guy Fawkes while he guarded the gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was executed on the 31st of January 1606 and was hanged, drawn and quartered. To this day, Yeoman Warders search the Houses of Parliament, at the opening of Parliament, for explosives. The Gunpowder Plot was never to be forgotten, and in late January 1606, Parliament passed a statute entitled 'An Act for a Public Thanksgiving to Almighty God, every year, on the 5th of November', which has lasted to this day.
The money that the children collect, goes to charity and to buy fireworks. Whilst standing around the bonfire, there is hot soup ..........
.......... potatoes baked in the bonfire...........
.......... coleslaw..........
.......... toffee apples..........
.......... sparklers ..........
.......... and fantastic firework displays..........
.......... in every city, town ...........
.......... and village ..........
.......... and this celebration of thanksgiving is all because of Guy Fawkes and his conspirators plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament on the 5th of November, 1605.
.......... when we get ready for those cheeky little trick or treaters and have scrummy treats ready on the hall table ..........
.......... and wonderful Halloween dinners for family and friends ..........
.......... with wonderful things to eat and drink ..........
.......... and decorate our houses..... inside and out ..........
.......... and dress the children in original outfits, that are either fun....or embarrassing .........
.......... and dress ourselves up in our own Halloween outfits ..........
.......... and have terrific parties ..........
.......... and eat scary food ..........
.......... and scary cupcakes ..........but .......... I'm just lulling you all into a false sense of security because ..........
.......... it's really all about scary stuff, things that are hiding in corners ..........
.......... or under the stairs ..........
.......... or in darkened rooms ..........
.......... on buses ..........
.......... in your bedroom ..........
.......... in corridors ..........
.......... on your eyeball !!!!!!!!!! ..........
.......... and they want your blood ..........
.......... Shreiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick..........
I wouldn't be able to have this one in my house as I haven't got anything like this view from any of my windows, but, a girl can dream ..........you would have to be very careful that you hadn't left the soap on the floor when you got out, wouldn't you ?!! Could end up flying out of the window !!
......... another wonderful view although, methinks that this is just a staged bathroom but I don't care....it makes a great photograph !!!!
I love this one...romantic, pretty but still seems practical....ish.
I certainly wouldn't mind having a bath in here.......... sort of like bathing in Victorian times but with all of the modern conveniences.
Modern stainless steel fittings with a traditional feel.
Wonderful steel bath and I love the colour of the walls. I don't think that I would have chosen that colour but, it looks great.
Probably a last resort, this one !!!!!!!
Jo Malone bath oil..........
.......... a cup of tea and a good book ..........
.......... see you in about 2 hours !!!!!!!!!!
....gorgeous distressed door and delightful heart escutcheon ( OOooo , big word for this time of night !!!!)..........
Beautiful bedroom filled with everything that I love ... candles, cushions.... silks, satins ... lavish and luxurious ..... just like me !!!! Haha..........
.......... pure simplicity that works so well...... better get those pebbles off of the chair or there could be a nasty accident !!!!
......... girl in white dress, in tree with balloons .... a common practice, here in England !!!! No, really, isn't this a lovely photograph ? ..........
.......... just really pretty .... and white ..... and beautiful ..........
.......... everybody say *W O W* ..... wouldn't this be a wonderful place for wedding photographs ?......sighs all round ........ ..
.......... such a beautiful bedroom and the lovely grey mural just finishes it off, doesn't it ? ..........
.......... oh dear, looks like the tree wasn't for her, she has now found a window to sit in !!!! I think that I would look a lot happier than she is, if I was wearing that dress .... it's gorgeous. Oh well, there's no pleasing some people, is there ?!!!!
.......... now, I didn't know that there were albino peacocks, let alone, see one. Isn't he beautiful ? I thought that ordinary peacocks were beautiful, but this takes the prize. What a spectacle .......... 
.......... a slight cheat here ,as the teeniest weeniest bit of the palest pink crept in ...... but one of my favourite bedrooms........
........... another beautiful bedroom for a littley (let me know if I'm boring you !!!!) ..........
.......... you can wake up now, I've got a dresser to show you now. I love everything about this, the colour (I wasn't brave enough to paint mine !!!!), the china, that little touch of colour (?)........ and finally ..........
............. a wonderland of all things white and beautiful. As I said earlier, I have just finished painting three rooms in Farrow and Ball whites, and not one of my rooms have turned out like any of these rooms !!!! Can anyone tell me why my rooms don't look like the rooms in magazines ?!!!! I think that it's the lighting and the profesional photography !!!!.......never mind, I'm sure they will look quite good by the time I've finished with them !!!! If they turn out well, I'll take photos and show you. Until that time, I will bid you all adieu and I wish you all a womderful week.
The party is at Harrington Manor, tonight,and there is to be food, drink, guest appearances and a contest for the best dressed guest.
These are my new shoes and I have had bat tattoos done, especially for the occasion.
These are my bracelets and rings, to go with my outfit...............
.......... I will be wearing my bat top hat..........
................ my bat party eye make-up ..........
.......... my favourite necklace ...........
and my Halloween mask.
.......... I will be bringing my black cat .....
I always keep my special potion in my handbag, just in case ..........
My three sisters will be coming too.....they wouldn't miss a Halloween party, but , the best part of all .......... Vanessa Paradis has allowed Johnny to accompany me !!!! 
Doesn't he just look the part ?
............... you know what happens !!!!!!!!!!
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