tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28204717807369413492024-03-18T16:41:05.891-05:00The Bookish DilettanteUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2036125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-80184441404749203152024-03-09T12:56:00.001-06:002024-03-10T14:15:48.132-05:00My Embarrassingly Late Tales of the Traveling Tote Post<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV4buXszOWwptClSmbkdPoXBubl6FWuywLb3RhXG8iofWOJwnJROea1GtFk2ELMdYCnRDeyBV_30XGMg4-aq0I29dst9tj0Zmsf8dLdiz-BUvp6p4OcV5L-FuRPFHMH9VV1jnJ_AzOrUHuiYd3hJtY_OpVWMv6wYZFUQwFZf-1quP9y36XY5aBvEOWrM/s1350/7CFBEA20-3C12-401B-AD45-8521D5D93D7B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV4buXszOWwptClSmbkdPoXBubl6FWuywLb3RhXG8iofWOJwnJROea1GtFk2ELMdYCnRDeyBV_30XGMg4-aq0I29dst9tj0Zmsf8dLdiz-BUvp6p4OcV5L-FuRPFHMH9VV1jnJ_AzOrUHuiYd3hJtY_OpVWMv6wYZFUQwFZf-1quP9y36XY5aBvEOWrM/w512-h640/7CFBEA20-3C12-401B-AD45-8521D5D93D7B.png" width="512" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuB7FmaZ_czQDWww1_DL-aoU1b00GuBdxB6CEtiXfbZsb0CP90o6equrvG63MOZHYkr0lSfqpJbQjgxSGoWP5IFo0-1SORfvSO1_aLpfdzcwDUnJe1xQZxoeIJl9lcwpLQnybhEGkAldA3i8U9WrWKZaMQsCfVnyeZLyftVgCErPZZI5WI2P9lzIsjKo/s640/TalesoftheTravelingToteMarch2024%20copy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuB7FmaZ_czQDWww1_DL-aoU1b00GuBdxB6CEtiXfbZsb0CP90o6equrvG63MOZHYkr0lSfqpJbQjgxSGoWP5IFo0-1SORfvSO1_aLpfdzcwDUnJe1xQZxoeIJl9lcwpLQnybhEGkAldA3i8U9WrWKZaMQsCfVnyeZLyftVgCErPZZI5WI2P9lzIsjKo/w360-h640/TalesoftheTravelingToteMarch2024%20copy.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello, My Lovelies! </b> Clearly it's past March 1, and I want to apologize for all my <b><a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/p/tales-of-traveling-totes.html" target="_blank">Tales of the Traveling Totes Friends </a></b>for not being able to post on time and miss the link party. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Sorry, y'all!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought I'd given myself plenty of time the week before, but I had not. Before posting, I needed to fix a few buggy problems with my blog and Mail Chimp, and I had a few unexpected things happen that kept me from home and my computer. Aren't we lucky we have Linda our very own <b><a href="https://www.myfairyblogmother.com/" target="_blank">Fairy Blog Mother</a></b> to help! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNmwQvUBBg34MC8IozGvDhUdKO1num8srR_A7l9H9cUanjFlBg4Xf_7dV_QsYDgq9HMMotmKpI0N-G8PKS24-u3KjQ7cTzKIzPvTP9rYR6QIOcU1VKktUbz0gdSbnYy4nfXru6Rb7n8LJy2BZ-YjUOWbOuPNWW5MGMJWmj3eg_l_ikxK1ltB1fAZ5-Ck/s610/tote-logo-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNmwQvUBBg34MC8IozGvDhUdKO1num8srR_A7l9H9cUanjFlBg4Xf_7dV_QsYDgq9HMMotmKpI0N-G8PKS24-u3KjQ7cTzKIzPvTP9rYR6QIOcU1VKktUbz0gdSbnYy4nfXru6Rb7n8LJy2BZ-YjUOWbOuPNWW5MGMJWmj3eg_l_ikxK1ltB1fAZ5-Ck/s16000/tote-logo-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I still want to share with y'all our winter travels to California and New Mexico.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the University of Alabama Crimson Tide was offered a bid to the Rose Bowl, Mr. Bookish and I decided to go and not only attend the Tournament of Roses Parade and Bowl Game, but to also visit family living in Southern California.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our first stop: our home away from home, The Fairmont in Santa Monica.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJLc8O-mTIi7M443QOBmVm3nLm8rnNKdxRd4kwFiLSIKg_UYHDS4DfOjb6MsVLfgBfKEj-8bjIfKXkBUagqi1FQEQpToY-VfVSsPPsrowiczp8AjUFk5Tw1rZdIVrs-Ktpp33LeNdZIRyPbTHQkS2JB3pEve_ULh6EwEYxdPbefRxANZYxfNmld5D5nY/s2245/Beige%20Fashion%20Polaroid%20Collage%20Landscape%20Poster.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2245" data-original-width="1587" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJLc8O-mTIi7M443QOBmVm3nLm8rnNKdxRd4kwFiLSIKg_UYHDS4DfOjb6MsVLfgBfKEj-8bjIfKXkBUagqi1FQEQpToY-VfVSsPPsrowiczp8AjUFk5Tw1rZdIVrs-Ktpp33LeNdZIRyPbTHQkS2JB3pEve_ULh6EwEYxdPbefRxANZYxfNmld5D5nY/w452-h640/Beige%20Fashion%20Polaroid%20Collage%20Landscape%20Poster.png" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We enjoyed all the beautiful Christmas lights on the property, the famed Santa Monica Pier, and the best charcuterie across from the Fairmont at Wally's.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We celebrated New Year's by visiting family living in Dana Point. I absolutely LOVE Dana Point, and I can see why our family loves it so much!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ015mg-NCwT1lShrazEgTbdsDszeAyLeyNnN8upa-JZ7A_KsKL7sYqxMyNk21s0ra4WYGqgjDGXDd5VAWyhSHRsHJZYgQtyIRUlVcu_oTWXez_xE1I5eLFc-ZgWCQd8t2Rni4eMd24L5la_KPAOyRcn16uIxGmfw5PMUrGVmTePN1zSwgKyCwrhyliE/s4032/IMG_0673%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ015mg-NCwT1lShrazEgTbdsDszeAyLeyNnN8upa-JZ7A_KsKL7sYqxMyNk21s0ra4WYGqgjDGXDd5VAWyhSHRsHJZYgQtyIRUlVcu_oTWXez_xE1I5eLFc-ZgWCQd8t2Rni4eMd24L5la_KPAOyRcn16uIxGmfw5PMUrGVmTePN1zSwgKyCwrhyliE/w480-h640/IMG_0673%202.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Montage is in their neighborhood.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDDBX77Zmulr5YI4-fmstX-G4ovZRDNOq50EgwuzTWh0YAoe4Nn0cObpuylg8DdxErO_GLEu0zrQ3PeyD15tLxWQk7GIlg-bxZXp3pNFpqEfdEipLABkTkg4Tp1oAjijtkxTUy9bTNttbSPzrHXgZI9UMNf9YgpdZCMGeNsyfBkNFQbwI63DDpdSN5Ws/s5712/IMG_0667%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDDBX77Zmulr5YI4-fmstX-G4ovZRDNOq50EgwuzTWh0YAoe4Nn0cObpuylg8DdxErO_GLEu0zrQ3PeyD15tLxWQk7GIlg-bxZXp3pNFpqEfdEipLABkTkg4Tp1oAjijtkxTUy9bTNttbSPzrHXgZI9UMNf9YgpdZCMGeNsyfBkNFQbwI63DDpdSN5Ws/w480-h640/IMG_0667%202.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>La Countess de Monet likes it there. A lot!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA4hIZzPaIPUSDtXxAvravKu82cv4FVtr4koLw-1wyf-heHgsdwaHoGEHDgR6AjTc51Hdu5IYqG6N1xQ-d8mdfUUlFg5O7acHXSDJaxmcUFYngIB9supTt3AdYKQi-yWkP8usLbinhWv4H0SjipAzcAeSssXUp5K7QtRvIhOsyAyh-O_ke35WWes2IUc/s4032/IMG_0658%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA4hIZzPaIPUSDtXxAvravKu82cv4FVtr4koLw-1wyf-heHgsdwaHoGEHDgR6AjTc51Hdu5IYqG6N1xQ-d8mdfUUlFg5O7acHXSDJaxmcUFYngIB9supTt3AdYKQi-yWkP8usLbinhWv4H0SjipAzcAeSssXUp5K7QtRvIhOsyAyh-O_ke35WWes2IUc/w480-h640/IMG_0658%202.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We went on really nice walks.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2LLfvQYQh8YAZOqMc1rmhtDZnSV5L9YELJn2Tqt0Xlcer-nqDyAEfrjAYseunsg6IyV79pzh27MrN3R7_owNW95f-5PQ_GMXtdBH74soV646aKU2Eui5FSGrVReeKIG06Lp-uc-GHhvxka20enqKQAeAe5ernE1aRjHR2xJFtQdmWKDIJv8g-lSnp9U/s4032/IMG_0656%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2LLfvQYQh8YAZOqMc1rmhtDZnSV5L9YELJn2Tqt0Xlcer-nqDyAEfrjAYseunsg6IyV79pzh27MrN3R7_owNW95f-5PQ_GMXtdBH74soV646aKU2Eui5FSGrVReeKIG06Lp-uc-GHhvxka20enqKQAeAe5ernE1aRjHR2xJFtQdmWKDIJv8g-lSnp9U/w480-h640/IMG_0656%202.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bSplNfD90h8dar9ZqWGEbfe8LEikT7HROUw_Ch4BYNKTU4NPFtjW9py3V7z7PmIOsEYsb0z12scFh7m5mxoe63wgR3lKfthGnYddyykDKb0_4GPL2jS-hGpl2i-NZgtLgudBFBnoTYbK9fp5XuMHmPpjuVskyMyxPPk2YVB5IBE7K8NdHaouhmqc-3I/s4032/IMG_0650%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bSplNfD90h8dar9ZqWGEbfe8LEikT7HROUw_Ch4BYNKTU4NPFtjW9py3V7z7PmIOsEYsb0z12scFh7m5mxoe63wgR3lKfthGnYddyykDKb0_4GPL2jS-hGpl2i-NZgtLgudBFBnoTYbK9fp5XuMHmPpjuVskyMyxPPk2YVB5IBE7K8NdHaouhmqc-3I/w480-h640/IMG_0650%202.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This is Finlay's brother Harold and his Best Beagle Friend Barney.</i></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">We spent New Year's Day in Pasadena. I loved it there, too, and some of the cottages there are some of the prettiest I've ever seen! This one was my favorite:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbSQ6QVW5nUV7RfQ34qK3HJT8JLTGsl4-P7sVCHqMKxwjpGwAz6g-fUnEbSUf8nMcn7RxOsz0tg0zYGc2rHwehSxISKUkcFUf50Aq_1KoPWR0BJFJV97oTi6qlP7K38MzWat7zDVFCgWT2Bi0QCMvqfT4Pxa32DiqDZWgNuRKw1MW5Ey1Chv2DmqgMo0/s5712/IMG_0775%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbSQ6QVW5nUV7RfQ34qK3HJT8JLTGsl4-P7sVCHqMKxwjpGwAz6g-fUnEbSUf8nMcn7RxOsz0tg0zYGc2rHwehSxISKUkcFUf50Aq_1KoPWR0BJFJV97oTi6qlP7K38MzWat7zDVFCgWT2Bi0QCMvqfT4Pxa32DiqDZWgNuRKw1MW5Ey1Chv2DmqgMo0/w480-h640/IMG_0775%202.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've always wanted to see the Tournament of Roses Parade in person. It did not disappoint.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3McK3JC2gv6IkE8hunZlZexl27AsNTUwtENZ-_AAqCoBh9p-b0ZIsjdmtOVSUNrTAtVWNJcl5h7Jym94UAgViX9ixIsgZtf8By78VfYe1UO0q3bUP3LsUrXO7iRGU0vh40ri2w8gdbbIdTlCnDl3irQ7FgKEeDFkzqE1FzkqVwhA0LIdY2TaI2vTco7c/s2245/Minimalist%20Summer%20Photo%20Collage%20Poster.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2245" data-original-width="1587" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3McK3JC2gv6IkE8hunZlZexl27AsNTUwtENZ-_AAqCoBh9p-b0ZIsjdmtOVSUNrTAtVWNJcl5h7Jym94UAgViX9ixIsgZtf8By78VfYe1UO0q3bUP3LsUrXO7iRGU0vh40ri2w8gdbbIdTlCnDl3irQ7FgKEeDFkzqE1FzkqVwhA0LIdY2TaI2vTco7c/w452-h640/Minimalist%20Summer%20Photo%20Collage%20Poster.png" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqBW2V42qIBkAHdgKcSHltohdySlgb5ZVRu1yNPKpzwr01Wwjm98qcLfRQdC_XMs2B4Cmej2fz99qq8hkCsfcd3TSB5J87BB7v_eur0sfWyXpe-TUyKYBagm0JtrIYvNkwLrpGMzC1CSkTvMop9ceCOW-e81wjNFHkG2kDdYA6k1nKY4RmpzoiTvIdhY/s5712/IMG_0696%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqBW2V42qIBkAHdgKcSHltohdySlgb5ZVRu1yNPKpzwr01Wwjm98qcLfRQdC_XMs2B4Cmej2fz99qq8hkCsfcd3TSB5J87BB7v_eur0sfWyXpe-TUyKYBagm0JtrIYvNkwLrpGMzC1CSkTvMop9ceCOW-e81wjNFHkG2kDdYA6k1nKY4RmpzoiTvIdhY/w480-h640/IMG_0696%202.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>You can read my post about the Tournament of Roses Parade including my favorite floats by following this <b><a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2024/01/a-post-to-make-you-smile.html" target="_blank">LINK</a></b>.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PFbG19K7MJvQsImPld0ub3MPsCrljvsjVB6OX5YHiEyuHHfqpFLSsc2WCtyUBgHrD-uLhVysDEkuHwlaMRUB1lbS3GtiB1ltE0JH54QmkbZuM4I3qeGQ1CTkYZdJyn2bCwKg-9cX6pcqnP4gqCsqw85TmFuARVC5l4AN0Aq4QxPfB4p-6LUJlFPtZIo/s5712/IMG_0777.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PFbG19K7MJvQsImPld0ub3MPsCrljvsjVB6OX5YHiEyuHHfqpFLSsc2WCtyUBgHrD-uLhVysDEkuHwlaMRUB1lbS3GtiB1ltE0JH54QmkbZuM4I3qeGQ1CTkYZdJyn2bCwKg-9cX6pcqnP4gqCsqw85TmFuARVC5l4AN0Aq4QxPfB4p-6LUJlFPtZIo/w480-h640/IMG_0777.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although the Crimson Tide lost to the Michigan Wolverines, we still had the best time at the game. I had a feeling Michigan would win because our daughter is a good luck charm. While she attended the University of Alabama for undergrad and graduate school, Alabama won at least three national championships. At LSU while she was earning her PhD, LSU won a national championship. Now she's doing a post doc at Michigan...OF COURSE they HAD to win. When her post doc is over, I will literally cry if she joins the Auburn University faculty. That can't happen, y'all...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the very end of January, <b>we went skiing in New Mexico (Taos Ski Valley)</b>. I was really looking forward to visiting not only to ski, but to also visit Taos's art galleries. Unfortunately for us, the Blue Bus Line that takes people back and forth to the mountain and town wasn't running "due to political reasons" whatever that means. It snowed everyday, which was great for skiing, but not so great for driving, so I skied everyday. I was worried about my stamina and getting altitude sickness (we were sleeping above 9,600'), but I did not get it, and I was so happy about my stamina: I skied better than I expected!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Md7hmoLjC-oywuMD-0ufdm_poay0M65UJtHyXq9dhtzMXtnZckRoDJcZKX6mA94dPh9YdoLCR2ITGCNzwgNyrWzvrGRSMztTBllJQ2Gy5mX_tYXMh2IHpclwzWbUukuYOhrtpJCHTCJBnBACdDI7GRTOrw6xi7Zmak4BnoP16PpfKjtTQr4FdCS20_w/s4032/IMG_0976.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Md7hmoLjC-oywuMD-0ufdm_poay0M65UJtHyXq9dhtzMXtnZckRoDJcZKX6mA94dPh9YdoLCR2ITGCNzwgNyrWzvrGRSMztTBllJQ2Gy5mX_tYXMh2IHpclwzWbUukuYOhrtpJCHTCJBnBACdDI7GRTOrw6xi7Zmak4BnoP16PpfKjtTQr4FdCS20_w/w480-h640/IMG_0976.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKY7d3_BlTgKwobfibwZalBLXUFaRt_8ZNz-yxKHUMIl6Tmsgf01rJ-O1tnT2_fCu74qt-Kv4unntGwngHaoNiMIDV6qJDb3zy-gndrqE2Fh0oSRh4PCSnLDDXKNMlPaTVGPlEXgI5BH6nHNVBVey7bBqjUs5Qll9U8cOX7P96iPEZh1KEykz6_zL-Tg/s3024/IMG_0968.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKY7d3_BlTgKwobfibwZalBLXUFaRt_8ZNz-yxKHUMIl6Tmsgf01rJ-O1tnT2_fCu74qt-Kv4unntGwngHaoNiMIDV6qJDb3zy-gndrqE2Fh0oSRh4PCSnLDDXKNMlPaTVGPlEXgI5BH6nHNVBVey7bBqjUs5Qll9U8cOX7P96iPEZh1KEykz6_zL-Tg/w640-h640/IMG_0968.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Miss Candy Max went on this trip with me. Our home away from home was the Snake Dance Lodge.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYZwiPdnpRxDnfg599wyuGBTqDv5J_ZHfrSMc2TQealtFOAh6WepqqBEtAMsoZopTQ2I_xMbxzJUbDy_Q1rv2WfgR-LEt6iIDzhDcfT3TZvMdLcfAH-Eq8uI26NbKAs8MWayGgw5ZdVGMlBNMYToPJtZ-Jvv3fzmfIYKG34IV5weW8UtSGqGTzO4RJXY/s4032/IMG_0952.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYZwiPdnpRxDnfg599wyuGBTqDv5J_ZHfrSMc2TQealtFOAh6WepqqBEtAMsoZopTQ2I_xMbxzJUbDy_Q1rv2WfgR-LEt6iIDzhDcfT3TZvMdLcfAH-Eq8uI26NbKAs8MWayGgw5ZdVGMlBNMYToPJtZ-Jvv3fzmfIYKG34IV5weW8UtSGqGTzO4RJXY/w480-h640/IMG_0952.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Snake Dance is literally ski in/ ski out. We were spoiled! This is the view of Lift One from the Juliet balcony outside our bedroom.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zctHsRx16kmmDLhdovJlUoEUcLw8ik0owXvDEdyOp2QYcrsvsx3huQgwxxrcdgdri_dOZgke_FwQZgsV8VTYxv3peKp3cGX4xlEpLn1kjonUozmwfTY15TtdhXDMAoYScAaUaIvChe_iXVkjgG4HI4v4dIz3_7mn8DjrEKYbvuFIpZHzX6-XuHRglmA/s5632/IMG_0950.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5632" data-original-width="4022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zctHsRx16kmmDLhdovJlUoEUcLw8ik0owXvDEdyOp2QYcrsvsx3huQgwxxrcdgdri_dOZgke_FwQZgsV8VTYxv3peKp3cGX4xlEpLn1kjonUozmwfTY15TtdhXDMAoYScAaUaIvChe_iXVkjgG4HI4v4dIz3_7mn8DjrEKYbvuFIpZHzX6-XuHRglmA/w458-h640/IMG_0950.heic" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>One of my favorite views from the ridge looking at the backside of the mountain.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is where most of the runs are.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1rMVQrKDPwUdqR6rzf7f9UZKdJtbZ88tXYmpXqzZgB-WRc5tP3yltak0IQRkwZMd0VUbNk3E0LpAGXocSS49qYnYWMi6fll0g_MqxcNcoyKrHML4rOJANqNMlzP4kmBXiz2xII9KN0YgD2lmEKt1cBdFfOBkgePiQ2nOTs3iAYHhMrz9MgZ4DVNRkbI/s4032/IMG_0944.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1rMVQrKDPwUdqR6rzf7f9UZKdJtbZ88tXYmpXqzZgB-WRc5tP3yltak0IQRkwZMd0VUbNk3E0LpAGXocSS49qYnYWMi6fll0g_MqxcNcoyKrHML4rOJANqNMlzP4kmBXiz2xII9KN0YgD2lmEKt1cBdFfOBkgePiQ2nOTs3iAYHhMrz9MgZ4DVNRkbI/w480-h640/IMG_0944.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Our trip was with the Birmingham Ski Club, and a few friends brought their ice skates as well as their skis.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVt9jmGf4NIFc_aVV59uu0TvGVyQMdJ6hJkzyrpFCv6JntGltMRjO2M8FnsNNFliHCNbiomBY_7loPSsEvqVePh0mOGgByV2F7MOp8-TDgPk_ZvJe9t0kZz-vpkRbcLdLf-EEjsuqoGgMPAnTSw2M5aDH7OZdsXWLeex33RxKPcR3C6IGZ3vZuBXLuJY/s4032/IMG_0958.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVt9jmGf4NIFc_aVV59uu0TvGVyQMdJ6hJkzyrpFCv6JntGltMRjO2M8FnsNNFliHCNbiomBY_7loPSsEvqVePh0mOGgByV2F7MOp8-TDgPk_ZvJe9t0kZz-vpkRbcLdLf-EEjsuqoGgMPAnTSw2M5aDH7OZdsXWLeex33RxKPcR3C6IGZ3vZuBXLuJY/w480-h640/IMG_0958.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mr. Bookish in his new ski duds he got for Christmas.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really loved skiing Taos, and I especially loved the ski school and my instructor. It turned out to be a blessing that I skied almost everyday and did not go down to mountain. I got my ski legs back under me, and I had a blast. My only complaint is that it takes planes, trains, and automobiles (and buses) to get to the resort: It's at least a three hour drive from the Albuquerque airport to Taos/Ski Valley. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Our next adventures will be live on June 1, 2024.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIg9vxPH_OAq5OPKAXg0aCH37Tdqu5JCH6bjrFDJTcWtAJzzJmiUi9AXgliPQB9REHDaGUx6QrY49Ehx1hUCba-zzYQ2aM85XKFjFLPoTsi30Zb3NaOrTZdSdLbBIqi2sd7MixJDhtOH4pVNT5ArIvEVxQ0z3yTANoji0us8hNEQjW8SY4jGXrc5tilc/s640/June%201%20side%20bar%20photo%20(final)%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIg9vxPH_OAq5OPKAXg0aCH37Tdqu5JCH6bjrFDJTcWtAJzzJmiUi9AXgliPQB9REHDaGUx6QrY49Ehx1hUCba-zzYQ2aM85XKFjFLPoTsi30Zb3NaOrTZdSdLbBIqi2sd7MixJDhtOH4pVNT5ArIvEVxQ0z3yTANoji0us8hNEQjW8SY4jGXrc5tilc/s16000/June%201%20side%20bar%20photo%20(final)%20(1).jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-79524845094226291832024-01-23T08:25:00.000-06:002024-01-23T08:25:49.319-06:00Valentine's Day Tablescape: Hearts and Lace<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNPXkhw0U9tBS12lMEz6wS2A8Kqfk8G8bdw7PU06UIhou5ISE_e7gPNPlfLjgN8AwBEJtm7jou9Ithzn2HHdh39O95q45vVZ7cWIiJCDMVMPyqgteC-eSdZR6g-hNWUPUK8t40tAD79T-Hvmm_H7lEGrmjyLr0qbCprTPDVcwmilSgpzw5SZ_n2Zn0dc/s1350/pinkflowers.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNPXkhw0U9tBS12lMEz6wS2A8Kqfk8G8bdw7PU06UIhou5ISE_e7gPNPlfLjgN8AwBEJtm7jou9Ithzn2HHdh39O95q45vVZ7cWIiJCDMVMPyqgteC-eSdZR6g-hNWUPUK8t40tAD79T-Hvmm_H7lEGrmjyLr0qbCprTPDVcwmilSgpzw5SZ_n2Zn0dc/w512-h640/pinkflowers.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hello, My Lovelies! Welcome to another tablescape blog hop party hosted by Rita @ Panoply! </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>There are sixteen participants in this blog hop, and I'm looking forward to visiting all the other blogs and being inspired by the creative tablescapes.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmCFw3OlA4ACPikY0-7EQAf58obo03WLt0rKSUzZIMcdwW_hFEXfyE3kkKyyzujn630aM4AFnrwCVSvivLsP0IH_87vVSV9sTZO_RxGI22JAksRQdumrvQ9q_ISb9U3nuQg3ISryq33lfLLd2ckkDngNDS2oEM_KgreML7tsegX9ieRol1qD188aN9zU/s2285/2024%20Val%20Day%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2285" data-original-width="1860" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmCFw3OlA4ACPikY0-7EQAf58obo03WLt0rKSUzZIMcdwW_hFEXfyE3kkKyyzujn630aM4AFnrwCVSvivLsP0IH_87vVSV9sTZO_RxGI22JAksRQdumrvQ9q_ISb9U3nuQg3ISryq33lfLLd2ckkDngNDS2oEM_KgreML7tsegX9ieRol1qD188aN9zU/w520-h640/2024%20Val%20Day%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Thank-you, Rita, for hosting, and also thank-you for always making the prettiest graphics for our posts!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For this year's Valentine's Day tablescape, I decided to put together a simple one in our breakfast room. The table is set for two, for Mr. Bookish and me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV9uDib1LAvCirPa_mpgk0ZhZI7k1Mu7XBSYRMzHaGbkV23OUWKwg2yo0HYjMhZOp6etbXA7RztqfohSekm5G43hDk9-Te_DSvCEmWR6d4xlgzSVGuktTmDQgos7jrGbWortLRgCdPwNscV1e9m983Bp-7DVUY_gt9TJuh4eqKEJn3c-yCU9NSn3rB_U/s1920/Valentine's%20Day%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV9uDib1LAvCirPa_mpgk0ZhZI7k1Mu7XBSYRMzHaGbkV23OUWKwg2yo0HYjMhZOp6etbXA7RztqfohSekm5G43hDk9-Te_DSvCEmWR6d4xlgzSVGuktTmDQgos7jrGbWortLRgCdPwNscV1e9m983Bp-7DVUY_gt9TJuh4eqKEJn3c-yCU9NSn3rB_U/w360-h640/Valentine's%20Day%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I decided on a theme of hearts and lace, and I started with a pink tablecloth with red and beige stripes. It picks-up the colors in the placemats.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I set the table for us at the upper end of the table, and I placed two other placemats and scattered three heart-shaped bowls on the lower end of the table.</span></i></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrU1KIGKLZ5ZxHQqlQV0aw_bAgxrfJTff1n6pY5Udm3ck16LwP-mSOsaX8omksXEk51MxNfxyc5kkS3jSB3CXORuuMv8jWF7ARa2W7716dJx4SAbNgBtYJnoJL9W-UrAv1V_dc-DUqDSNoQS8jg0PKao2rbfn8pdtfrAkZjMlkbpqVsTC2NNKh4K5GnE/s1080/heartplatepink.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrU1KIGKLZ5ZxHQqlQV0aw_bAgxrfJTff1n6pY5Udm3ck16LwP-mSOsaX8omksXEk51MxNfxyc5kkS3jSB3CXORuuMv8jWF7ARa2W7716dJx4SAbNgBtYJnoJL9W-UrAv1V_dc-DUqDSNoQS8jg0PKao2rbfn8pdtfrAkZjMlkbpqVsTC2NNKh4K5GnE/w640-h640/heartplatepink.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>My plate stack is simple. I implemented the theme using heart plates and serving pieces from MacKenzie-Childs, and lacy plates and a serving dish from Pier1.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsTUSTCSPGbNpP0KlF8M94VZ2suTXpsgD7iVr224dj3GFq4Nvotao7pKoIR97om7j-qQZR23LNKT7MmzP8uAzEaCcBBiP2PAEb6q6nomXXghJn_pp7FDEKp7h0BbGNzEhCYS0-XJ7bsnjDG2bUoCm-xpSx6yB5LGFDRn4pKUvDVPULcaY5iZxMWK5bfw/s1080/placemat.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsTUSTCSPGbNpP0KlF8M94VZ2suTXpsgD7iVr224dj3GFq4Nvotao7pKoIR97om7j-qQZR23LNKT7MmzP8uAzEaCcBBiP2PAEb6q6nomXXghJn_pp7FDEKp7h0BbGNzEhCYS0-XJ7bsnjDG2bUoCm-xpSx6yB5LGFDRn4pKUvDVPULcaY5iZxMWK5bfw/w640-h640/placemat.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The placemats have heart and lace images on them. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MDJapiBRaHYeH7dIqOPy5563_wGdjFWsmvAIVX3hBvM-cbUO5RgdNxKna4aVV0DB8p_r_uyiRG_9nenGv-32SPw5ZESlH3j5vMJZHyLSUTG8X1AYdf1REpZwcFcFgQ6k7MZylxNqa9xa_OJpr1eE-zIiB4pnosu-G16DbmapIbmjHb31EKwbkblh3Ko/s5712/IMG_0845.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MDJapiBRaHYeH7dIqOPy5563_wGdjFWsmvAIVX3hBvM-cbUO5RgdNxKna4aVV0DB8p_r_uyiRG_9nenGv-32SPw5ZESlH3j5vMJZHyLSUTG8X1AYdf1REpZwcFcFgQ6k7MZylxNqa9xa_OJpr1eE-zIiB4pnosu-G16DbmapIbmjHb31EKwbkblh3Ko/w640-h480/IMG_0845.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">For breakfast, I will be serving Conecuh sausage and cheddar drop biscuits. They will be served using the lace platter. The heart bowl will serve fresh fruit featuring citrus.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Also on the menu: espresso, because nothing says love more than hot coffee!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0SNKAt9zpRlkmDLXwMgom-XV9AM8qFeOn5TeUCljlHc8mG5AjPhzxg4j8KOl3D8cJLP9vw3vPP6OiY8nicm-KBmFxlXVfoM7ygmiE-gRG8I7lYi6HA5HVl7mTeFuXe1HFFC2lwrMvRHqPeMl6IDSwa0ivvLAFc1pobC6iSXgtPpYUGMuMl7lD84xgbw/s1080/espressolove.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0SNKAt9zpRlkmDLXwMgom-XV9AM8qFeOn5TeUCljlHc8mG5AjPhzxg4j8KOl3D8cJLP9vw3vPP6OiY8nicm-KBmFxlXVfoM7ygmiE-gRG8I7lYi6HA5HVl7mTeFuXe1HFFC2lwrMvRHqPeMl6IDSwa0ivvLAFc1pobC6iSXgtPpYUGMuMl7lD84xgbw/w640-h640/espressolove.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UEMZna3hO7HUpCPq2bqtbgQqhauSzMUl0k8Mn7jR6mK6Ir0LPuM2z96OncYYWHSY1T80fqyUuowuIVdw5mtLJsnpmZHV654itv8beSd6aV_VELost0PRoZn3vxnXrtWLsmZssjCzPLHGb_DZwsbnhsrZiFfi6HXOmfSBnTEj6r4-lDXcrOif4XnMziE/s5712/IMG_0853.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UEMZna3hO7HUpCPq2bqtbgQqhauSzMUl0k8Mn7jR6mK6Ir0LPuM2z96OncYYWHSY1T80fqyUuowuIVdw5mtLJsnpmZHV654itv8beSd6aV_VELost0PRoZn3vxnXrtWLsmZssjCzPLHGb_DZwsbnhsrZiFfi6HXOmfSBnTEj6r4-lDXcrOif4XnMziE/w480-h640/IMG_0853.png" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I like how the geometric, rickrack-edged napkins look with the placemats. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The photo below shows the rickrack trim.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeCCXtNKBganu7rWxiz9mq951pfKFx6A5dX3LZMRpigAfH0OtP4q5WrGb7vLdVsXjaLIXy8W6Nn_GHJrdiQ9Dy2_Q-2q0xOF12vIRePE6RcSdQtR8v2Y71wj30-ZCj67nZit-0fpUAhRukzX8C5aNTzQD8Ovv_hHcgudk0NM59OSK41wB4q4QgwIZ33Y/s940/heartlaceplate.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeCCXtNKBganu7rWxiz9mq951pfKFx6A5dX3LZMRpigAfH0OtP4q5WrGb7vLdVsXjaLIXy8W6Nn_GHJrdiQ9Dy2_Q-2q0xOF12vIRePE6RcSdQtR8v2Y71wj30-ZCj67nZit-0fpUAhRukzX8C5aNTzQD8Ovv_hHcgudk0NM59OSK41wB4q4QgwIZ33Y/w640-h536/heartlaceplate.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ckUia-a4dBAbUV-uOfB8D9xUNpjROfK700_PlCuyB0f2Hh98_qZutYmFWNeEO0mGMA8c1hKfMAoSEEH99MCoOMKMLF_gsF-zCIi-YlWCveru0z1HdeD5_GuBHdQ6iPXxMpbZB1Hakp-7OCV2wjKCKfKisu_GW4isP5w0ni9u7Ph5qulZyMiNcOABD7k/s1920/Greylaceplatter.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ckUia-a4dBAbUV-uOfB8D9xUNpjROfK700_PlCuyB0f2Hh98_qZutYmFWNeEO0mGMA8c1hKfMAoSEEH99MCoOMKMLF_gsF-zCIi-YlWCveru0z1HdeD5_GuBHdQ6iPXxMpbZB1Hakp-7OCV2wjKCKfKisu_GW4isP5w0ni9u7Ph5qulZyMiNcOABD7k/w360-h640/Greylaceplatter.png" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXNqVFUmy6hhIpOZnbIM4cCtDlnM4jcNiCRZxg8z6Y_cwlTQmyRyiuG-rKIprvk1XS8BxVTOvv_Y1we-FZDikZ_DLDZLBKJ8NEQ7Z01a0vyClgKlDzRZN2RdFaDwdjOeY1WZxkdL-H2rEJS65rhrc6J82Avqw_s998VrfKzfFN5vYKxawwD7AOgzEEho/s4032/IMG_0850.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXNqVFUmy6hhIpOZnbIM4cCtDlnM4jcNiCRZxg8z6Y_cwlTQmyRyiuG-rKIprvk1XS8BxVTOvv_Y1we-FZDikZ_DLDZLBKJ8NEQ7Z01a0vyClgKlDzRZN2RdFaDwdjOeY1WZxkdL-H2rEJS65rhrc6J82Avqw_s998VrfKzfFN5vYKxawwD7AOgzEEho/w480-h640/IMG_0850.png" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The jam pot will hold Strawberry and Champagne Jam from the Waverly Local.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The flowers are from The Fresh Market, and the vase is a wedding gift from my closest high school friend (and she's still one of my besties). </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3fOGOc8CIhEPT52qRS_spCqlaXxgBIVJmHU-qKzLT8seZnVpeoswtwADkemZpRVcE-lpRdn2RTXOp_RRtNRBn-vCwAwEqoh8qnnRNi2sAT0qZVo2wWK47FQfaWXjQizTJ353SIwMX7_BqzhuQeqhye3mEVbk0Ooj2c-WytVwR4J-l4sgujAK8sn6N0I/s1080/Pink%20Rose%20Welcome%20February%20Greeting%20(Instagram%20Post).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3fOGOc8CIhEPT52qRS_spCqlaXxgBIVJmHU-qKzLT8seZnVpeoswtwADkemZpRVcE-lpRdn2RTXOp_RRtNRBn-vCwAwEqoh8qnnRNi2sAT0qZVo2wWK47FQfaWXjQizTJ353SIwMX7_BqzhuQeqhye3mEVbk0Ooj2c-WytVwR4J-l4sgujAK8sn6N0I/w640-h640/Pink%20Rose%20Welcome%20February%20Greeting%20(Instagram%20Post).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Resources:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everything on the table is MacKenzie-Childs except:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lace plates and platter: Pier1</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Napkins: Anthropologie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tablecloth: Vintage Williams-Sonoma</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Flatware: Horchow</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jam spoon: vintage</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Crystal vase: wedding gift </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Please visit the other participating blogs. The links are listed below.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Panoply - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2024/01/color-my-world-valentine.html&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2EKJKJXJ_HwLoOqYemrSua" href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2024/01/color-my-world-valentine.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Color My World, Valentine</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hyacinths for the Soul - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2024/01/cozy-moments-of-heart.html&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw0HXO957HxX1R3-YWx8qpOO" href="https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2024/01/cozy-moments-of-heart.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Cozy Moments of the Heart - Valentine Tablescape</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cat's Whiskerz - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p%3D3575%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2kRDb0uJK1tJAEN8KPsGKH" href="https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p=3575&preview=true" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hearts, Snowflakes and some Sparkle for a Valentine's Day Table</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red Cottage Chronicles - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.redcottagechronicles.com/?p%3D15605&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2XO5XGQavWDLXxPkwBR8Ti" href="https://www.redcottagechronicles.com/?p=15605" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Family Fun Valentine's Tablescape</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyday Living - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://everydayliving.me/?p%3D64416%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw3AUpay03I_Z9nVwkvqoMLx" href="https://everydayliving.me/?p=64416&preview=true" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Valentine's Day - A Celebration of Love</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life and Linda - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2024/01/love-you-beary-much.html&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2iHVi0WtVN1MAb-nCQLw8C" href="https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2024/01/love-you-beary-much.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Love You Beary Much</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Painted Apron - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/2024/01/23/rosy-valentine/&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2n6O-fJhWs21bz7VQ-xRae" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/2024/01/23/rosy-valentine/" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Rosy Valentine</a><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Thrift Store Addiction - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2024/01/must-have-flowers-vintage-french.html&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2L_cPU0J_oZfR__ocFAFab" href="https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2024/01/must-have-flowers-vintage-french.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Must Have Flowers! Vintage French Valentine's Day Tablescape</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me and My Captain - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://meandmycaptain.com/?p%3D26360%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw3cLza4vMptBdZsNCRmleKc" href="https://meandmycaptain.com/?p=26360&preview=true" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Elementary, My Dear Watson</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home is Where the Boat Is - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p%3D156752&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2iNwY9MwsMKuIXVm_Ydp3w" href="https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p=156752" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Birds and Bees</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karins Kottage - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://karinskottage.com/2024/01/flirty-and-fun-a-valentine-table-in-pink-red-and-white.html&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2pkNy5A9ln0ftk49C7PyvN" href="https://karinskottage.com/2024/01/flirty-and-fun-a-valentine-table-in-pink-red-and-white.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Flirty and Fun Valentine Table</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pandora's Box - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-valentine-breakfast.html&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw1jLVPTWGAcXokWEbH_JEBZ" href="https://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-valentine-breakfast.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Valentine Breakfast</a></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mantel and Table - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wp.me/pa97AZ-4M1&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw1-0OflgDZabwjbpdpLEQuu" href="https://wp.me/pa97AZ-4M1" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Vibrant Blue Tablescape for Beautiful Valentine Romance</a></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bookish Dilettante - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2024/01/valentines-day-tablescape-hearts-and.html&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw0EMzHudGoRPM6BD61fX3P-" href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2024/01/valentines-day-tablescape-hearts-and.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Valentine's Day Tablescape: Hearts and Lace</a></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thrifting Wonderland - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thriftingwonderland.com/?p%3D28919&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw2ToOnnm162V2SGJDQTjCsa" href="https://thriftingwonderland.com/?p=28919" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Be Mine...Valentine</a><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinner at Eight - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-valentines-table-with-flowers-ribbons.html&source=gmail&ust=1705775512286000&usg=AOvVaw06NUtL0gFxW9X-mPwdXTPw" href="https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-valentines-table-with-flowers-ribbons.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Valentine's Table with Flowers, Ribbons and Hearts</a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnPUo97mMBQLf4zkxiJ67t1Emn3zIzaTFRwwygal_mL-v_H-mWeJY_GT7y26viUx3OhcltYg9dhoAfFdjhAZjwtZX3yV93z6nAsWIQz0vlvwfr6fPPjC2jouiEFlFF_Hy1zZB5HeUblp6Xb0jXrw022__diy-qiF3IC229JKewbwtoYeqCXjeRxazjpI/s2000/valentines%20coffee%20(13).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnPUo97mMBQLf4zkxiJ67t1Emn3zIzaTFRwwygal_mL-v_H-mWeJY_GT7y26viUx3OhcltYg9dhoAfFdjhAZjwtZX3yV93z6nAsWIQz0vlvwfr6fPPjC2jouiEFlFF_Hy1zZB5HeUblp6Xb0jXrw022__diy-qiF3IC229JKewbwtoYeqCXjeRxazjpI/w400-h400/valentines%20coffee%20(13).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9c4GjwyYQ12PJ_GfbPlF2C8JXGDrja70cwu9I-rqYcvYvu2H6TyYMJSFh7PWdArRNVmYa0HLTB9tVBF9orCjZfSoKg8sJC4NfD8lhdImm44UR6JwPmz5YHxIjg1PvmgCp51-SLyFaXGcSan_Wxoy9S1J740kFASd7IFUiC8sVHZTffBYU205Mb-KgPkc/s1350/valentineflowers.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9c4GjwyYQ12PJ_GfbPlF2C8JXGDrja70cwu9I-rqYcvYvu2H6TyYMJSFh7PWdArRNVmYa0HLTB9tVBF9orCjZfSoKg8sJC4NfD8lhdImm44UR6JwPmz5YHxIjg1PvmgCp51-SLyFaXGcSan_Wxoy9S1J740kFASd7IFUiC8sVHZTffBYU205Mb-KgPkc/w512-h640/valentineflowers.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsM-rsNDo1eLxBcbfhwWDjeJNwMl5N_ckCuk8v0N6gm_DCZK0QqcHQw0LX96plV0u06BrtXueHrFlouyLpSBd1lCldwztKpXih8TXQ-NIKWM1sG-D9B5ymPhWIj8hkAbqWEVWCJjc44Nxt2m7Wos8kKWFwuzRSm6PL16tJMKiZI_I1s0P-fZV_jVLOAM/s1350/roseparadehearts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsM-rsNDo1eLxBcbfhwWDjeJNwMl5N_ckCuk8v0N6gm_DCZK0QqcHQw0LX96plV0u06BrtXueHrFlouyLpSBd1lCldwztKpXih8TXQ-NIKWM1sG-D9B5ymPhWIj8hkAbqWEVWCJjc44Nxt2m7Wos8kKWFwuzRSm6PL16tJMKiZI_I1s0P-fZV_jVLOAM/w512-h640/roseparadehearts.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2024/01/a-post-to-make-you-smile.html" target="_blank">Don't miss my Tournament of Roses Parade post <b>HERE</b>.</a></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-33681330975731923682024-01-16T15:42:00.001-06:002024-01-16T15:57:25.679-06:00A Post to Make You Smile<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTNykivYWjjJ0cepT1pUvJHeco2zwx_T_0_P6kUpgYyni7v1WWCmSSIQZwTAX2djipJlP2nHdDzzVOyEwgWH4GFp05XoyEyUKt20rsVvac6HeOrQ6bxH5Mha49E8OskfJXiQREiGgUczlAi-JWkTgCL8Caehd5Gizboz6r9679wLrhH3S3sjn0ApJr5Q/s1350/roseparade.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTNykivYWjjJ0cepT1pUvJHeco2zwx_T_0_P6kUpgYyni7v1WWCmSSIQZwTAX2djipJlP2nHdDzzVOyEwgWH4GFp05XoyEyUKt20rsVvac6HeOrQ6bxH5Mha49E8OskfJXiQREiGgUczlAi-JWkTgCL8Caehd5Gizboz6r9679wLrhH3S3sjn0ApJr5Q/w512-h640/roseparade.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello, My Lovelies!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many of us are staying inside today due to snow, ice, cold, and other winter nasties. I hope that wherever you are that you're enjoying a warm beverage and finding a little bit of joy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In order to help you smile on this cold winter's day, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite characters from the 2024 (135th) Tournament of Roses Parade.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've always wanted to visit Pasadena and attend the Rose Parade, and when Alabama was invited to play in the Rose Bowl as part of the College Football Championship Playoffs, Mr. Bookish wanted to treat me to a trip to Southern California. We were also able to visit family and friends, and I'll write more about our trip in a later post.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today's post is all about the parade. We loved this year's theme: <b>“Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language."</b> Here are a few of my favorite characters, and I hope they make you smile.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V6qpA5cqwvjWT4s2lw8MJb1T-yLMLN6c90iuD3r-TfIUcqZxIG051Pv9PS5n_AIdakisoBIFG6wACcQgWoDMcqj5DIXV4nkNhA_HnJvKG6r4hoFs63jmrjVTQQu_1tVDyzcm3ib3JeN5vlfb4xMTNDcJVBZVkpvJ0kuA12QwcNJF2BNyyBoE1efqDb4/s1350/adoptdog.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5V6qpA5cqwvjWT4s2lw8MJb1T-yLMLN6c90iuD3r-TfIUcqZxIG051Pv9PS5n_AIdakisoBIFG6wACcQgWoDMcqj5DIXV4nkNhA_HnJvKG6r4hoFs63jmrjVTQQu_1tVDyzcm3ib3JeN5vlfb4xMTNDcJVBZVkpvJ0kuA12QwcNJF2BNyyBoE1efqDb4/w512-h640/adoptdog.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This little pup was on the float that won the <b>Director's Award</b> for the most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non floral materials. The participants were The Pasadena Humane Society and Hill's Pet Nutrition. The float's theme was "Feed the Love."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgqtmxiWdOrTaip-DsSOEu1dZul8TNUecFOXrZOF_LYorMNAvZo4CegbcUfGFL7H7SVdOy8oujiCOf6skfV87F08zLtPzHUJBNb3Or5SR5E9zSKgVAecnTFMo1vIaL3x83lJA3sh8VgIk7muuxxRSPFSmciqFkD7ZLcV3m2cHVjYY-iHYK025b_0hAec/s1080/bumblebee.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgqtmxiWdOrTaip-DsSOEu1dZul8TNUecFOXrZOF_LYorMNAvZo4CegbcUfGFL7H7SVdOy8oujiCOf6skfV87F08zLtPzHUJBNb3Or5SR5E9zSKgVAecnTFMo1vIaL3x83lJA3sh8VgIk7muuxxRSPFSmciqFkD7ZLcV3m2cHVjYY-iHYK025b_0hAec/w640-h640/bumblebee.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This float did not win an award, but it was one of my favorites. It's theme: "Bee the Solution," and the sponsor for this float was Union Station Homeless Services of Pasadena. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyHOy6Odcy9BeFUyADuRsJ7ko5aOufyUQ2eGFFpA4kKpREdv6Sg_E4_v5ds2iC_sgdkJhgu87CxXxPgtrC9_Epa8OyTimwhu2rKWLdmIFr68Qod3NHGe5gjQGKL691AMMxAPmOJMCcrJu0YBYWshyphenhyphene9I3QMt1P7PV60zgosJPBs_li1fNiUqnvVlJVeM/s1350/carouselhorse.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyHOy6Odcy9BeFUyADuRsJ7ko5aOufyUQ2eGFFpA4kKpREdv6Sg_E4_v5ds2iC_sgdkJhgu87CxXxPgtrC9_Epa8OyTimwhu2rKWLdmIFr68Qod3NHGe5gjQGKL691AMMxAPmOJMCcrJu0YBYWshyphenhyphene9I3QMt1P7PV60zgosJPBs_li1fNiUqnvVlJVeM/w512-h640/carouselhorse.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This float's escaped carousel horse made me giggle. Winning the <b>Queen Award Trophy </b>for the most outstanding presentation of roses, its theme was "Enchanted Music Box." The beautiful bouquets of roses covering the float ensured its win sponsored by the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association (see below).</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW4WQ_TqDE6tIS1v_yIXpY1jZHL6b9mlYO5n7MA4_8AA4cR1ptjeU8-lRrpUR8LRvnD3VPoIptVbveJDEXyvin7U43qWkjeCMH082lGymI9I5qwhXGAYoZqZQcV1dyN-hzhwYBDT23srJGS0LrcGriuoAl91T4FIY18kToNS6G9SP9KQn6v3beaUJ5Ys/s1350/carousel.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW4WQ_TqDE6tIS1v_yIXpY1jZHL6b9mlYO5n7MA4_8AA4cR1ptjeU8-lRrpUR8LRvnD3VPoIptVbveJDEXyvin7U43qWkjeCMH082lGymI9I5qwhXGAYoZqZQcV1dyN-hzhwYBDT23srJGS0LrcGriuoAl91T4FIY18kToNS6G9SP9KQn6v3beaUJ5Ys/w512-h640/carousel.png" width="512" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYH0SVufuWLOkBh6u2GgpSDZcNfTVH-asM35ytzVVrTu7daPSLDv0-JokkHmedGuSWpIR4OE9__4jNpRKwGxNKHDVJhqzFrEYxKwrml5l1OMkaG6QIRxTQeBBG8auPYlmz7d-hZlZ7AnUaQIymiE_CZJAsKB8q969FWNtN63qrDRuuKKrTiRvRS4THM8/s1350/dragon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYH0SVufuWLOkBh6u2GgpSDZcNfTVH-asM35ytzVVrTu7daPSLDv0-JokkHmedGuSWpIR4OE9__4jNpRKwGxNKHDVJhqzFrEYxKwrml5l1OMkaG6QIRxTQeBBG8auPYlmz7d-hZlZ7AnUaQIymiE_CZJAsKB8q969FWNtN63qrDRuuKKrTiRvRS4THM8/w512-h640/dragon.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sponsored by the City of Alhambra, this dragon represented the year of the dragon. This float won the <b>Fantasy Award</b> for the most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination. Its theme was "Keep Dreaming."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC2WakBg4ySHvq_Gagt_69uqPvLB1s3Fkdln5y4dQwiw7xzbYB7fUHWDyyBtXpBXe4Pzj2wkKrChosseR47wdcuKNxEZyirA6QeOLyUk-PHJHtOF7kIWvlg2DDqi4u78Z6xyHAWQTB3ZkwWQDZSfwzn7CJP_ajaimipj7flDJtWMeDvrI-lyZd1LcPr4/s1350/flamingo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC2WakBg4ySHvq_Gagt_69uqPvLB1s3Fkdln5y4dQwiw7xzbYB7fUHWDyyBtXpBXe4Pzj2wkKrChosseR47wdcuKNxEZyirA6QeOLyUk-PHJHtOF7kIWvlg2DDqi4u78Z6xyHAWQTB3ZkwWQDZSfwzn7CJP_ajaimipj7flDJtWMeDvrI-lyZd1LcPr4/w512-h640/flamingo.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Winning the <b>Wrigley Legacy Award</b> for the most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design, and entertainment, the flamingos on this float stunned the crowd.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sponsored by the Downey Rose Float Association, its theme was the "Rhythm of the Caribbean."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYeEx4qWP4racZ4V_InhbT94U9JTtBESpGogEsA2us0qVLvikNNktba8wW1f3ZW3OU_bNNvRdKiedsVaEdddFjVxbtinzYpXyzfweATf6VZ3lXEN3QqCEeMjHehyphenhyphenXLsfUWivSWJNHK9GZKnKiFGwHNOiN4wugISEfWfF-8LWncPd_heaEjkZWkUSzbg4/s1350/gator.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYeEx4qWP4racZ4V_InhbT94U9JTtBESpGogEsA2us0qVLvikNNktba8wW1f3ZW3OU_bNNvRdKiedsVaEdddFjVxbtinzYpXyzfweATf6VZ3lXEN3QqCEeMjHehyphenhyphenXLsfUWivSWJNHK9GZKnKiFGwHNOiN4wugISEfWfF-8LWncPd_heaEjkZWkUSzbg4/w512-h640/gator.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sponsored by the UPS Store, this adorable float won the <b>Bob Hope Humor Award</b> for the most whimsical and amusing float. You can read its theme "The Beat of Achievement," and please notice the alligator's watch. These floats were so detailed, y'all.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2COgWw9sBNcisp12523I9jUmCewkuNQlkhCfevna7B7UvoYbhV4BwBJ4wrgoJEsT8DM-mJHhNagblO-lmky0KmWzMEvOGbq1T2O6EHkdBl4_rm3oJ9iMvEofsqwKNDKcxgCViJ9qBcM84oh3bS4EIgOmebWHSpgWcRYkSFIbGHzLS68imSEmxfTqUAIY/s1080/giraffe.png.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2COgWw9sBNcisp12523I9jUmCewkuNQlkhCfevna7B7UvoYbhV4BwBJ4wrgoJEsT8DM-mJHhNagblO-lmky0KmWzMEvOGbq1T2O6EHkdBl4_rm3oJ9iMvEofsqwKNDKcxgCViJ9qBcM84oh3bS4EIgOmebWHSpgWcRYkSFIbGHzLS68imSEmxfTqUAIY/w640-h640/giraffe.png.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association's float won the <b>Founder's Award</b> for the most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization. The float's theme was "Boogie Fever," and I loved how the giraffe's instrument of choice.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz0hd6rQ5GUNet5O5SqMhBzleWqPm14zzqoumwSoBc3J3drbTPMPQj6wcJSgFpOWFwwnvv48BIYEN3PXjM4Q_g7azVxdep5Q-hx25NGv1_aQuT0o1YYASM_lvXVLzy7UlEqs-rEsCq8Y5qSrTANJl4MM26g1PuF9Z1QrhpGlQ89C0-jrEp_VMEnrNp1g/s1350/snowman.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz0hd6rQ5GUNet5O5SqMhBzleWqPm14zzqoumwSoBc3J3drbTPMPQj6wcJSgFpOWFwwnvv48BIYEN3PXjM4Q_g7azVxdep5Q-hx25NGv1_aQuT0o1YYASM_lvXVLzy7UlEqs-rEsCq8Y5qSrTANJl4MM26g1PuF9Z1QrhpGlQ89C0-jrEp_VMEnrNp1g/w512-h640/snowman.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Winning the <b>Extraordinaire Trophy</b> for the most extraordinary float, the Visit Newport Beach organization wowed everyone with its boat parade float composed of several boats. My favorite boat was piloted by Frosty the Snowman, and the float's theme was "Jingle on the Waves."</i></div><br /> </span></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uM4sdYMouYA66tN33nYp1kndgWKbBcBkQ0-lf2a4xuJU0uHeW3DqKxQcipPa7HSMSKlgO16k-ns8wZ4AfsRztRQhkpxQJTQ6u8Ok_XBQkQvFTTgxgqCxDqSe5gA0bS-hV4KIIm2Fism3IIq-AmwauXnhfdaA0Fx07ghKMhQ5WdX6ueLopV7lB7BSLC8/s2400/12.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uM4sdYMouYA66tN33nYp1kndgWKbBcBkQ0-lf2a4xuJU0uHeW3DqKxQcipPa7HSMSKlgO16k-ns8wZ4AfsRztRQhkpxQJTQ6u8Ok_XBQkQvFTTgxgqCxDqSe5gA0bS-hV4KIIm2Fism3IIq-AmwauXnhfdaA0Fx07ghKMhQ5WdX6ueLopV7lB7BSLC8/w400-h400/12.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-39542981113528036272023-12-08T16:58:00.002-06:002024-01-09T16:39:42.253-06:00Literary Friday: Books to Read By Your Christmas Tree<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmSZh-zkL0GdxmucaFtNs8QxMHsnrQjNsy7y-SYBZuKKL6BOGY6QvRvpl7pUqyJkl_S1zRdgF55I96K1ohvbEEj2U67JfK90UBINZ9EbhEET1KgaOlH7-0kn6E25DgKZurHVZBz-rCQKnzUi8N8DLjxv99fQ_2CWSMaaX8OFXN3ODTzuFjA_ZaIhyvQc/s5712/IMG_0327.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmSZh-zkL0GdxmucaFtNs8QxMHsnrQjNsy7y-SYBZuKKL6BOGY6QvRvpl7pUqyJkl_S1zRdgF55I96K1ohvbEEj2U67JfK90UBINZ9EbhEET1KgaOlH7-0kn6E25DgKZurHVZBz-rCQKnzUi8N8DLjxv99fQ_2CWSMaaX8OFXN3ODTzuFjA_ZaIhyvQc/w480-h640/IMG_0327.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqE-Tma6I2Kg2oO8Lk1IKY3DIdc1MOyauBpBkmJ4lFmSgN-5FDwn9U76wW6PkJR2o3DTNl_miYJnLUG9j_E5z6HOt8bBisJV4Lz72xQzPqUvL_8RwLlYa9RqIfPEpWzNk3fnyaQ4gCwBjP6bAH0FuKHilDFD12v6ZqlqeGlLxkdxZv3tEn6jhGS95Xy1M/s2304/books%20to%20read.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqE-Tma6I2Kg2oO8Lk1IKY3DIdc1MOyauBpBkmJ4lFmSgN-5FDwn9U76wW6PkJR2o3DTNl_miYJnLUG9j_E5z6HOt8bBisJV4Lz72xQzPqUvL_8RwLlYa9RqIfPEpWzNk3fnyaQ4gCwBjP6bAH0FuKHilDFD12v6ZqlqeGlLxkdxZv3tEn6jhGS95Xy1M/w480-h640/books%20to%20read.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Literary Friday, My Lovelies! </b>In this post I'll share four books I've read lately that you might like, and they would make nice Christmas presents for the reader in your life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi1-RGcZmQX_NuKxdRzgUqyLSdc9E-5MUTVFcA5xZeHXJqhw48aw672g1b9UJ3N4io39xYEqi8KyEBD-ZYE9HothcT_gDBStykLetwLYpwusKbziU46SSd_-l2vG2pfEkJLUXOrkNfNshJh9m-QJ817jzukRA2hshFuNvADEvRBSbJp3RiQpi-VfXi2o/s3773/IMG_0310.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3773" data-original-width="3773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi1-RGcZmQX_NuKxdRzgUqyLSdc9E-5MUTVFcA5xZeHXJqhw48aw672g1b9UJ3N4io39xYEqi8KyEBD-ZYE9HothcT_gDBStykLetwLYpwusKbziU46SSd_-l2vG2pfEkJLUXOrkNfNshJh9m-QJ817jzukRA2hshFuNvADEvRBSbJp3RiQpi-VfXi2o/w640-h640/IMG_0310.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'll keep these reviews fairly short since I'm reviewing four books in one post.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSFgTZsxYkC0p1eWTla9P6oGaCF2camafsAuf2NauMZK2m87m1V3VH0-q7xLxA1nJdQ0recGbyf7nGH4jOh0wQiAGWOSW9C2UAWco1S2a8kJlzxFpNdwj19G3ybgLfCdXRHq9wL0c4YpimbvHB-iXZh1U0TRucDFK51_EkNAuN26b0fYZv34jW4G6uSU/s2796/IMG_7905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2796" data-original-width="2796" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSFgTZsxYkC0p1eWTla9P6oGaCF2camafsAuf2NauMZK2m87m1V3VH0-q7xLxA1nJdQ0recGbyf7nGH4jOh0wQiAGWOSW9C2UAWco1S2a8kJlzxFpNdwj19G3ybgLfCdXRHq9wL0c4YpimbvHB-iXZh1U0TRucDFK51_EkNAuN26b0fYZv34jW4G6uSU/w640-h640/IMG_7905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Rachel Incident</i> by Caroline O'Donoghue is an enjoyable read which is surprising considering I didn't like Rachel at all at the beginning of the book.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>According to Goodreads:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A brilliantly funny novel about friends, lovers, Ireland in chaos, and a young woman desperately trying to manage all three</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;">Rachel is a student working at a bookstore when she meets James, and it’s love at first sight. Effervescent and insistently heterosexual, James soon invites Rachel to be his roommate and the two begin a friendship that changes the course of both their lives forever. Together, they run riot through the streets of Cork city, trying to maintain a bohemian existence while the threat of the financial crash looms before them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;">When Rachel falls in love with her married professor, Dr. Fred Byrne, James helps her devise a reading at their local bookstore, with the goal that she might seduce him afterwards. But Fred has other desires. So begins a series of secrets and compromises that intertwine the fates of James, Rachel, Fred, and Fred’s glamorous, well-connected, bourgeois wife. Aching with unrequited love, shot through with delicious, sparkling humor, <i>The Rachel Incident</i> is a triumph.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><b>My Review:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;">Almost everything that happened to Rachel at the beginning of the novel is a direct result of the terrible financial crisis that devastated Ireland in 2008. Rachel's parents owned a cosmetic dentistry business that went bankrupt, and their lifestyle was drastically affected. She couldn't ask her parents to help her as a "starving student" because the money wasn't there, so most of her poor, rash decisions were due to lack of funds...and her situation only gets progressively worse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;">Eventually, though, Rachel does grow-up, and she takes responsibility for her poor choices. Her roommate James is an even more interesting character study himself. He becomes super-famous, and if I have one hard criticism about the novel it's that I don't get enough of James' story once Rachel leaves school. I recommend this book if you like outrageous characters, surprising plot twists, and books set in Ireland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xG0x0h2z9pthopVegk0is_owBBYHeXArCJHjNW5gUexG2kjuCQE_L4CCOZQ7l3LkjLSATlW8JrwMUDqfh7cl0q_Yh4pZeCFW4SWWn93q4sdad-gWetZkEalRcp12qkzAwsS72umNoxF_q8SaEcYlFrs_fWByY4Ld69IspWAh6Hakiv2_PwHTE6kJ2s0/s4181/IMG_0311.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4181" data-original-width="4181" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xG0x0h2z9pthopVegk0is_owBBYHeXArCJHjNW5gUexG2kjuCQE_L4CCOZQ7l3LkjLSATlW8JrwMUDqfh7cl0q_Yh4pZeCFW4SWWn93q4sdad-gWetZkEalRcp12qkzAwsS72umNoxF_q8SaEcYlFrs_fWByY4Ld69IspWAh6Hakiv2_PwHTE6kJ2s0/w640-h640/IMG_0311.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I've had <i>The Library at the Edge of the World</i> by Felicity Hayes-McCoy on my TBR cart for the longest time, and I finally read it over Thanksgiving weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b>According to Goodreads:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>A warm, feel-good novel about the importance of finding a place where you belong - perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Local librarian Hanna Casey is wondering where it all went wrong ... Driving her mobile library van through Finfarran's farms and villages, she tries not to think of the sophisticated London life she abandoned when she left her cheating husband. Or that she's now stuck in her crotchety mum's spare bedroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With her daughter Jazz travelling the world and her relationship with her mother growing increasingly fraught, Hanna decides to reclaim her independence. Then, when the threatened closure of her library puts her plans in jeopardy, she finds herself leading a battle to restore the heart and soul of the fragmented community. Will she also find the new life she's been searching for?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>My Review:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hanna is another character I did not like at first, either. Her first mistake was leaving her beautiful home in London she shared with her cheating, wealthy attorney husband. She should have kicked him out and cleaned his plow (as we say in the South), but she didn't. She gave up her dream to finish her advanced degree as an art librarian for motherhood and her marriage, so when things fall apart, she takes their teenage daughter home to her mother's house in Ireland where she gets a job in a rural library. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Although had she taken my advice, there wouldn't have been much of a plot. Her involvement in local politics, for example, never would've happened. Hanna is a natural born leader, and she does develop a strategy to save rural programs that are threatened by a proposed marina/tourist complex in a nearby hamlet. Hanna is not the stoic, aloof librarian her neighbors think she is, nor is she flighty like I thought. She actually has a lot of grit and stamina. One plot point I love is that Hanna has inherited a ramshackle cottage by the sea from her crotchety aunt, and she's determined to renovate it and move out of her overbearing mother's home. This is where her grit and stamina come into play because a local enigmatic builder has completely taken over the renovation, and their interactions are extremely funny! If you like strong female characters, plenty of family intrigue, well-drawn, quirky characters, and books set in Ireland, you'll love <i>The Library at the Edge of the World.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Reader's Note: </i>The Irish like to curse. A lot. You've been forewarned about both of these books, especially <i>The Rachel Incident</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVixrkqivdxBR6YY7ksraiFkKN9CkctaDVQ0kDVCSAfatnhgx2fTSFjZz65Cr0aJIe8GNrjuPwcDZBEScaMj3k-XDZg_ZlfpmSmORK2Hq2iN94vjPqFXzb8Zy2wgD6iUWlipJv22nd9A_RdF_PXeBRaSO6cve-AJU_hvjTbLhzPCCQOu-FgdGSYNrs5RA/s4219/IMG_0312.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4219" data-original-width="4219" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVixrkqivdxBR6YY7ksraiFkKN9CkctaDVQ0kDVCSAfatnhgx2fTSFjZz65Cr0aJIe8GNrjuPwcDZBEScaMj3k-XDZg_ZlfpmSmORK2Hq2iN94vjPqFXzb8Zy2wgD6iUWlipJv22nd9A_RdF_PXeBRaSO6cve-AJU_hvjTbLhzPCCQOu-FgdGSYNrs5RA/w640-h640/IMG_0312.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">If you're a nerd and enjoy etymology and are a fan of the OED (Oxford English Dictionary), then you should love <i>The Dictionary of Lost Words </i>by Pip Williams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b>According to Goodreads:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>In 1901, the word ‘Bondmaid’ was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. This is the story of the girl who stole it.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Esme is born into a world of words. Motherless and irrepressibly curious, she spends her childhood in the ‘Scriptorium’, a garden shed in Oxford where her father and a team of dedicated lexicographers are collecting words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. Esme’s place is beneath the sorting table, unseen and unheard. One day a slip of paper containing the word ‘bondmaid’ flutters to the floor. Esme rescues the slip and stashes it in an old wooden case that belongs to her friend, Lizzie, a young servant in the big house. Esme begins to collect other words from the Scriptorium that are misplaced, discarded or have been neglected by the dictionary men. They help her make sense of the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Over time, Esme realises that some words are considered more important than others, and that words and meanings relating to women’s experiences often go unrecorded. While she dedicates her life to the Oxford English Dictionary, secretly, she begins to collect words for another dictionary: The Dictionary of Lost Words.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Set when the women’s suffrage movement was at its height and the Great War loomed, The Dictionary of Lost Words reveals a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men. It’s a delightful, lyrical and deeply thought-provoking celebration of words, and the power of language to shape the world and our experience of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>My Review:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The book blurb does a remarkable job describing this novel. It's well researched about the process of compiling the OED, and I found that part fascinating. I also enjoyed a few of the secondary characters including an actress cum suffragette and Esme's independently wealthy godmother who also contributes to the dictionary. This book not only depicts the very real process of organizing the English language, it also highlights the few options women had during this time in English history. Oh, the irony of the omission of "bondservant" from the OED! This is not only ironic, it's also historically accurate. If you enjoy historical fiction and you're a grammar nerd, then you will enjoy this book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkHHMp6gZIlGjfy1ztgP4fiuFBPJeFYE-RwoJY4DlUfMNH9I4yowG8rryEzyRW3WOw17CK7EO4ioZO6qeLYRIGz1tk1wLv2TCwH-SMOLJi12iWOxE8Xp0bHZEP9Ea-dahP2ywwcIJAbno21tViRY5VBWKhwOizTEr_zBQaXciYpEhVeHoJvglM8nt6FU/s4284/IMG_0313.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkHHMp6gZIlGjfy1ztgP4fiuFBPJeFYE-RwoJY4DlUfMNH9I4yowG8rryEzyRW3WOw17CK7EO4ioZO6qeLYRIGz1tk1wLv2TCwH-SMOLJi12iWOxE8Xp0bHZEP9Ea-dahP2ywwcIJAbno21tViRY5VBWKhwOizTEr_zBQaXciYpEhVeHoJvglM8nt6FU/w640-h640/IMG_0313.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i>The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone </i>by Audrey Burges is one of the most interesting and unique novels I've read in a very long time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b>According to Goodreads:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><b>A woman learns to expand the boundaries of her small world and let love inside it in this sparkling and unforgettable novel by Audrey Burges.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;">From her attic in the Arizona mountains, thirty-four-year-old Myra Malone blogs about a dollhouse mansion that captivates thousands of readers worldwide. Myra’s stories have created legions of fans who breathlessly await every blog post, trade photographs of Mansion-modeled rooms, and swap theories about the enigmatic and reclusive author. Myra herself is tethered to the Mansion by mysteries she can’t understand—rooms that appear and disappear overnight, music that plays in its corridors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;">Across the country, Alex Rakes, the scion of a custom furniture business, encounters two Mansion fans trying to recreate a room. The pair show him the Minuscule Mansion, and Alex is shocked to recognize a reflection of his own life mirrored back to him in minute scale. The room is his own bedroom, and the Mansion is his family’s home, handed down from the grandmother who disappeared mysteriously when Alex was a child. Searching for answers, Alex begins corresponding with Myra. Together, the two unwind the lonely paths of their twin worlds—big and small—and trace the stories that entwine them, setting the stage for a meeting rooted in loss, but defined by love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhax9EGoaya57AHdkDzggYHFLpA2x8aNTa7MtaNtTDuEDb67uutXJ_hDtu6qXGxj3lFfgQTTV_v4pr1t6Bbj2yupiWHFLnb1Gu2oPRDERv8Y-3MjRx-B3T9VJhAbdBLBR3zAkS6IkilQ_qebkTr5dGsseApLfILyglKh8iPsFtxiRxcN2PtTyBsbc8wueA/s2683/IMG_7674.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="2683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhax9EGoaya57AHdkDzggYHFLpA2x8aNTa7MtaNtTDuEDb67uutXJ_hDtu6qXGxj3lFfgQTTV_v4pr1t6Bbj2yupiWHFLnb1Gu2oPRDERv8Y-3MjRx-B3T9VJhAbdBLBR3zAkS6IkilQ_qebkTr5dGsseApLfILyglKh8iPsFtxiRxcN2PtTyBsbc8wueA/w640-h640/IMG_7674.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><b>My Review:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;">This is a book to savor. I highly recommend you read it slowly for the exquisite details and lovely prose. For those of you who've followed me for a little while know that I love magical realism. Add an artist with a tremendous Instagram following who intricately styles a minuscule mansion with the tiniest of details (people literally design their homes based on Myra's feed), then I'm in literary heaven. The small mansion is sentient in that it can change rooms, furnishings, and other features. Myra never knows what it's going to do. And when across the country Alex is told about the minuscule mansion and he sees his real bedroom in miniature online, he thinks he's being punked. The two develop an online friendship, and eventually they realize that there's a connection between them that is fantastical. Some of the history of Alex's home (the big mansion) is a little sketchy, and I didn't get all the answers I wanted in the plot, but I was riveted nevertheless. If you like magical realism, stories about eccentric artists, and contemporary fairy tales, then you will love this book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsmTO4h6c3UB-HD3fY88M0rH12YLcRk-jUKTr_oVbgJO9qHr_noFVeEtaOzLKyX6Jn-I_A1s1qY_tdjMj0ytZuuV0XREnaJAtLmvAO2ZmCRIQ-LDcmyKSwVy5BNNeujZQPYQmVb8Lleg5D1SKLQPq5ppEctnb2jfaNB1vun_RZNewSaNDO1yQpooDe9c/s1800/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="1800" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsmTO4h6c3UB-HD3fY88M0rH12YLcRk-jUKTr_oVbgJO9qHr_noFVeEtaOzLKyX6Jn-I_A1s1qY_tdjMj0ytZuuV0XREnaJAtLmvAO2ZmCRIQ-LDcmyKSwVy5BNNeujZQPYQmVb8Lleg5D1SKLQPq5ppEctnb2jfaNB1vun_RZNewSaNDO1yQpooDe9c/w400-h389/5.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Could you see yourself reading one of these novels by your Christmas tree? Let me know which one in comments!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-49650692727574148402023-12-07T12:00:00.001-06:002024-01-06T19:39:06.912-06:00Deck the Halls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlTY7FX4VSXBhxV_roNg8lybWcDUSx1YmVjxQSwcIhgZre4xufvocyo24NXE0EFxO7saPCZ0DLgrsnyTQq8YH-FqC4975PrQN7Qo80YldPsHFT0-kT4oE3LPjKxSv6LhWaUyOCPxgnPPZ7glUJNUir37GnTGD5aZe98rNWXNcfiA9b95F0bb_gGbUMyM/s1500/pansies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlTY7FX4VSXBhxV_roNg8lybWcDUSx1YmVjxQSwcIhgZre4xufvocyo24NXE0EFxO7saPCZ0DLgrsnyTQq8YH-FqC4975PrQN7Qo80YldPsHFT0-kT4oE3LPjKxSv6LhWaUyOCPxgnPPZ7glUJNUir37GnTGD5aZe98rNWXNcfiA9b95F0bb_gGbUMyM/w512-h640/pansies.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>pansies</i></span></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CgJxSY8L8AzrRz8YGkZylBnMAH2SuwKcyNtCIwAgeqLO08Rd6W_DBHEu9406R44IlvBBoDpU1xHbkMdk6l0qnfT4SbyUNZRLY9qHFN5Loy541yeoUhVh8OXgHWjTt0xul2ytVNtw5BgqoCJaLHg2ttt1TkH8vfBORHQlEL1wzjCiitL3DW0yTJ7kGRU/s1080/Green%20White%20Silver%20Christmas%20Wreath%20Decor%20Sales%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CgJxSY8L8AzrRz8YGkZylBnMAH2SuwKcyNtCIwAgeqLO08Rd6W_DBHEu9406R44IlvBBoDpU1xHbkMdk6l0qnfT4SbyUNZRLY9qHFN5Loy541yeoUhVh8OXgHWjTt0xul2ytVNtw5BgqoCJaLHg2ttt1TkH8vfBORHQlEL1wzjCiitL3DW0yTJ7kGRU/w640-h640/Green%20White%20Silver%20Christmas%20Wreath%20Decor%20Sales%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Ivy topiary in our kitchen</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Thursday, My Lovelies!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought I'd pop in this morning and share our Christmas decor. I like to use a lot of living things, from potted plants to greenery cuttings. I tend to bring in the holly and evergreen cuttings a little closer to Christmas, so I'll share them later. I'm lucky that I'm not allergic to Poinsettias because I love them (so many people are allergic). Let's take a look at three of this year's varieties:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jzJZEmKdslul0R-jKnLzwRk4g4RlPELomwbhbwNwYFRMXuwJAYgG376dSjYBXloZXgAy28H4ddWJ3OEhUvuV-7MiJXqyr763HZrmIyEMeXA32HxDY77BtksgeX7FityF2fMcReG4-wQRJAUsF9bHxGPCkWb6jJ0vJ5hxLM6Oa6Xwnr32EZkKTT7kkHI/s4032/IMG_0043.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jzJZEmKdslul0R-jKnLzwRk4g4RlPELomwbhbwNwYFRMXuwJAYgG376dSjYBXloZXgAy28H4ddWJ3OEhUvuV-7MiJXqyr763HZrmIyEMeXA32HxDY77BtksgeX7FityF2fMcReG4-wQRJAUsF9bHxGPCkWb6jJ0vJ5hxLM6Oa6Xwnr32EZkKTT7kkHI/w480-h640/IMG_0043.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This little pink one lives on our kitchen island which is painted pale pink.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLidnEapKHQLjIkRm-NO_1ZsoouhcC_Cj3RL-KKVxSegKMM_qC6ppsv5VLEZ29Dpwh-499TMYv6dFhqw9DHkisJBv9aet5aNqefbBZUbotHC8LkHe11mGSOF536myEzvBky_3fKnhjkOGWOCPqPlUB4rfWagVFm0YvYmS10_O0hMjT0mcYrhit73MMtY/s5712/IMG_0112%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLidnEapKHQLjIkRm-NO_1ZsoouhcC_Cj3RL-KKVxSegKMM_qC6ppsv5VLEZ29Dpwh-499TMYv6dFhqw9DHkisJBv9aet5aNqefbBZUbotHC8LkHe11mGSOF536myEzvBky_3fKnhjkOGWOCPqPlUB4rfWagVFm0YvYmS10_O0hMjT0mcYrhit73MMtY/w480-h640/IMG_0112%202.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Displayed in our foyer, this one is surrounded by ivy.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55nfpbqmliPZEDnH4qENDY2EqsjcZFF4WfBUpWsXbg1uMhtZaiWQpqFj_-CDCIaiecvJnH2yP4cN-LRPKEmGeYxLgiyhGVGKvQ97-AGeyOYm8C1Zk07NMW9fCRfK9UTJ8UYvAFMGGS0QhmLhIP_QulVfofjRe8kiXvyvIfxc4KGAfh2RyPm2lPj4lixM/s4032/IMG_0255.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55nfpbqmliPZEDnH4qENDY2EqsjcZFF4WfBUpWsXbg1uMhtZaiWQpqFj_-CDCIaiecvJnH2yP4cN-LRPKEmGeYxLgiyhGVGKvQ97-AGeyOYm8C1Zk07NMW9fCRfK9UTJ8UYvAFMGGS0QhmLhIP_QulVfofjRe8kiXvyvIfxc4KGAfh2RyPm2lPj4lixM/w480-h640/IMG_0255.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This one is also in our foyer, and it's the first bit of Christmas decor guests see.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_1P2N57T0yJiVX7ecV4bcZdt3WE9Ocp3hB79F4OhOVbz_AzDMPB8rite4Wt7euhsblGQ6y5JRJTBSn-hXekDkYViQmvrn1L5ctJXGp2NkW2tuhuNvsdrgLvLO0z-kgNPGRk4vQy_hTYLVxL13kZAF9IbF7JKjWTGirfjnl2Ri5bjyC0vWMzZAlJDe_Q/s3449/IMG_0237%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3449" data-original-width="2780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_1P2N57T0yJiVX7ecV4bcZdt3WE9Ocp3hB79F4OhOVbz_AzDMPB8rite4Wt7euhsblGQ6y5JRJTBSn-hXekDkYViQmvrn1L5ctJXGp2NkW2tuhuNvsdrgLvLO0z-kgNPGRk4vQy_hTYLVxL13kZAF9IbF7JKjWTGirfjnl2Ri5bjyC0vWMzZAlJDe_Q/w516-h640/IMG_0237%202.heic" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Another little ivy topiary; this one is angel shaped.</i></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We like Christmas cacti, and we love the red in the one below:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zCdGr4gs95eaU6XULqeoza22AuSd5HvxoEZJCpKVG-EjN-7IGbyJ77oNs6BkA7dmB5JNw6lW2CAs8oc9-r_QL5kW2TPk_3VBl8eqllA1f-noGJ76NQx2phfy-FCNKGnHfqf10brSfUykghw8n9sOjtjgMHnr9ljvHsngGlsT0uPCwn9KjVmQpRVWLCA/s4032/IMG_0232%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zCdGr4gs95eaU6XULqeoza22AuSd5HvxoEZJCpKVG-EjN-7IGbyJ77oNs6BkA7dmB5JNw6lW2CAs8oc9-r_QL5kW2TPk_3VBl8eqllA1f-noGJ76NQx2phfy-FCNKGnHfqf10brSfUykghw8n9sOjtjgMHnr9ljvHsngGlsT0uPCwn9KjVmQpRVWLCA/w480-h640/IMG_0232%202.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another plant we enjoy during Christmas is cyclamen. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjjqUgX9tOEiH3mr5Me6ure-7nZ2sVqoMSc28bu2HrwNNEVpJDELN0iORRkKzujDFNFswnUqySbYveQoNPDijwZKczHjF69xFPWmV6anX6kVlM5tD4PRGYlqaq7ylViPxI1IElsXMp06lqcUtYzU99ZLJRMxJxKfO90AQkHDyo4FuxDPfT8slCrir4MY/s5712/IMG_0260.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjjqUgX9tOEiH3mr5Me6ure-7nZ2sVqoMSc28bu2HrwNNEVpJDELN0iORRkKzujDFNFswnUqySbYveQoNPDijwZKczHjF69xFPWmV6anX6kVlM5tD4PRGYlqaq7ylViPxI1IElsXMp06lqcUtYzU99ZLJRMxJxKfO90AQkHDyo4FuxDPfT8slCrir4MY/w480-h640/IMG_0260.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgvv0qK6NB-L8NpU4TkHOftyW_FvGewMkgBtbVwV9JbYX_8tjlpssfb6RlRVsBMtKIUmP4mJtlSzXsozVE-_B9XJSI_dX20UvYWLH3OF3i7KYlN_o6AjOUSgpWt5vONpBLtFGdM9K-qcPfl4peFI7VbqW-1vfnb7KZl0adeQfxGNxBXZiVYbJ4EgHryo/s3973/IMG_0288.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3973" data-original-width="3973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgvv0qK6NB-L8NpU4TkHOftyW_FvGewMkgBtbVwV9JbYX_8tjlpssfb6RlRVsBMtKIUmP4mJtlSzXsozVE-_B9XJSI_dX20UvYWLH3OF3i7KYlN_o6AjOUSgpWt5vONpBLtFGdM9K-qcPfl4peFI7VbqW-1vfnb7KZl0adeQfxGNxBXZiVYbJ4EgHryo/w640-h640/IMG_0288.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's also fun to bring in houseplants that are red and green: You don't have to limit yourself to Poinsettias.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-C0b_trt-_Csb5MjqSMIsTh25ivwgAXveprT2WY36ed-QmZ65A1gggNUPECDk6qVjvPOlSeXSVHqn_tIkWAZhTdHwu6piPeWa9Ul7EF_jfzWt0Qt9Z86AFqEqPkt2gfnCc0GqrX8iIxIfv6h9OYPaS_9hmRM_qAnLDsNDj7bbORNymjMhSfg0puGpz0/s5712/IMG_0250.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-C0b_trt-_Csb5MjqSMIsTh25ivwgAXveprT2WY36ed-QmZ65A1gggNUPECDk6qVjvPOlSeXSVHqn_tIkWAZhTdHwu6piPeWa9Ul7EF_jfzWt0Qt9Z86AFqEqPkt2gfnCc0GqrX8iIxIfv6h9OYPaS_9hmRM_qAnLDsNDj7bbORNymjMhSfg0puGpz0/w480-h640/IMG_0250.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz17__gEnqskLdNG3M2zcNZKsba2O9eEaVZ3kO0dGqcvloXc9pFGOPoifa3Vdj61v83zRr8sEWQqAJiRcDhe0DSzhyZNpkYIL_W1cV0gDBFsV1Ysm7P4pLi9huCqHDt0ZIsRDBL-RRGjDLQqUEQkTSQUrra4xCr-pZb3umbLgLGUw_Wk6SpyVrvQjuoxQ/s3630/IMG_0254.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3630" data-original-width="2722" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz17__gEnqskLdNG3M2zcNZKsba2O9eEaVZ3kO0dGqcvloXc9pFGOPoifa3Vdj61v83zRr8sEWQqAJiRcDhe0DSzhyZNpkYIL_W1cV0gDBFsV1Ysm7P4pLi9huCqHDt0ZIsRDBL-RRGjDLQqUEQkTSQUrra4xCr-pZb3umbLgLGUw_Wk6SpyVrvQjuoxQ/w480-h640/IMG_0254.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea1s53zI8Yn2BKXPAB3v0pnuYQCnU61bHqrrII1Zg2Bg-qoJcx__-ESM-Pi5P86Ds_6dP5_GSBJas7pr2Wu2Y0WDltA_wsIeao1QVcDdV_y5pfXykZqKt7D6zmFAwSqjtrz5uiyr-_QmrP3KhvrXOkorH2L2S9hZoXP7Rv1efx6Uzhpg8_jGB1vmULdE/s5712/IMG_0269.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea1s53zI8Yn2BKXPAB3v0pnuYQCnU61bHqrrII1Zg2Bg-qoJcx__-ESM-Pi5P86Ds_6dP5_GSBJas7pr2Wu2Y0WDltA_wsIeao1QVcDdV_y5pfXykZqKt7D6zmFAwSqjtrz5uiyr-_QmrP3KhvrXOkorH2L2S9hZoXP7Rv1efx6Uzhpg8_jGB1vmULdE/w480-h640/IMG_0269.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We also have a couple of artificial arrangements we enjoy displaying every year:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoChrLdq0LYe61lBkC99JPAC_oQ9NR9B1ZirJDBUPjJZxpUdklLvLum_13fIcP8AkYpkylMlUONIEWdiV5yh5JkRZFpW499vF19GC26JimJ2pc-JqzZTSa5sbwktYojZuoINrop2BZx-bSde5eKT67Af2nlME6Fk_GSbpGKJJHA0pZstis2rWGY3h0Qk/s5712/IMG_0190.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoChrLdq0LYe61lBkC99JPAC_oQ9NR9B1ZirJDBUPjJZxpUdklLvLum_13fIcP8AkYpkylMlUONIEWdiV5yh5JkRZFpW499vF19GC26JimJ2pc-JqzZTSa5sbwktYojZuoINrop2BZx-bSde5eKT67Af2nlME6Fk_GSbpGKJJHA0pZstis2rWGY3h0Qk/w480-h640/IMG_0190.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-StWvL0gog23FNgUMObQM06LhVlLhy0MDKhN3IoiOoMa3bH4zaXD6njN62uh35ToQQiHtlfiTK0fBtV53Ln-2L0MCksb8BqlmMt0sIkL4NpfPF1J1gyOAY3R_H4kqp8oSnLA-idh8Db6foOwSYYr1QPFQHRr7MRXtRNf0XnNr1LDMsu29fRHhcJj3kw/s3920/IMG_0243.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3920" data-original-width="2962" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-StWvL0gog23FNgUMObQM06LhVlLhy0MDKhN3IoiOoMa3bH4zaXD6njN62uh35ToQQiHtlfiTK0fBtV53Ln-2L0MCksb8BqlmMt0sIkL4NpfPF1J1gyOAY3R_H4kqp8oSnLA-idh8Db6foOwSYYr1QPFQHRr7MRXtRNf0XnNr1LDMsu29fRHhcJj3kw/w484-h640/IMG_0243.heic" width="484" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>These work nicely until we bring in fresh cut greenery.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few vignettes in our kitchen and family room:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRLRXcYLPobK8VK7EhbOrudmV5So5DRAPkcAN6XRo2KpgTyWjzR11zK1MKOyLDxo4M6auGaAEVK_IzYnomG6QJBCGIm6YUxd9YLEx5acSF1enoE-Sho97kzer2P3FiuEbGb2bPXhHwFR7T9oKRaNCd0XdooLCGekvoKvAPnljS3at5YYBVcU9PVqC560/s5712/IMG_0046.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRLRXcYLPobK8VK7EhbOrudmV5So5DRAPkcAN6XRo2KpgTyWjzR11zK1MKOyLDxo4M6auGaAEVK_IzYnomG6QJBCGIm6YUxd9YLEx5acSF1enoE-Sho97kzer2P3FiuEbGb2bPXhHwFR7T9oKRaNCd0XdooLCGekvoKvAPnljS3at5YYBVcU9PVqC560/w640-h480/IMG_0046.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Christmas village</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rG7T5IMmt0vRStw7c4g7nR8lITAphZh2-8a77nhN3t_OyE9yPp5_xdWzCRRczZJBvtBn0lnO65GwvlcbhhIoD7B8ai4avEm6FeS3Olhu_DjItpWfSjHmadRt-pO75LwV7OqDahxf1S5-qoO1OQAerI0KO4zaYqMxrSTvDkuCbx9a55A06nZk4zwtdrc/s4146/IMG_0239.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4146" data-original-width="4146" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rG7T5IMmt0vRStw7c4g7nR8lITAphZh2-8a77nhN3t_OyE9yPp5_xdWzCRRczZJBvtBn0lnO65GwvlcbhhIoD7B8ai4avEm6FeS3Olhu_DjItpWfSjHmadRt-pO75LwV7OqDahxf1S5-qoO1OQAerI0KO4zaYqMxrSTvDkuCbx9a55A06nZk4zwtdrc/w640-h640/IMG_0239.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Coffee table</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQIkhLu_mBTnd8gTYMBaKzhFcCyidPb03ri51dUYqY0D-Sk34m6lr2lW5xbS9PYTYJgOrM-AQpqTRJ3wR-UkBjUiiZErkMBcEKGC3gwhm527jpaE0LJ43Fa4-tjj7DPRmBhhIYflwEfpsNujmCb8z6l51bsJawpdhPi8NCkJsgapoevzmFVEAxzeKUj0/s4284/IMG_0023.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQIkhLu_mBTnd8gTYMBaKzhFcCyidPb03ri51dUYqY0D-Sk34m6lr2lW5xbS9PYTYJgOrM-AQpqTRJ3wR-UkBjUiiZErkMBcEKGC3gwhm527jpaE0LJ43Fa4-tjj7DPRmBhhIYflwEfpsNujmCb8z6l51bsJawpdhPi8NCkJsgapoevzmFVEAxzeKUj0/w640-h640/IMG_0023.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Normally I use my work table to arrange flowers, but this time of the year I use it to wrap gifts.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>You can see our stocking stuffers in the bowl.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbgEpxXEPgc7s9kJ_oZjKpkRVy6vWh6fFcT90K3EDJhDGMQMaR31Q5JXaR4MWuOmxHZUQtxe6dQSmg7_lv8WCRuVKmOQKgDDwpke-byjc7GqLqks9fH5_bh6ns1sGBXMxIvJYOkb2Lgn4ts8xEfO5YnlK37RpxDHnlVpw2psuLIFZxOpo-agYGDVHZQ8/s5712/IMG_0133.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbgEpxXEPgc7s9kJ_oZjKpkRVy6vWh6fFcT90K3EDJhDGMQMaR31Q5JXaR4MWuOmxHZUQtxe6dQSmg7_lv8WCRuVKmOQKgDDwpke-byjc7GqLqks9fH5_bh6ns1sGBXMxIvJYOkb2Lgn4ts8xEfO5YnlK37RpxDHnlVpw2psuLIFZxOpo-agYGDVHZQ8/w480-h640/IMG_0133.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A little arrangement from Oak Street Garden Center</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBd_fUTMs_1pQbOWjgQw7V0TTdNZID_VbZUp7QijddAQhpZYeN-Yes3tlgMDi9GKCp6ii_TFbruOLDltytC0qsW7nNGk3hLMH69MhcWPip6qEKkFuMOPsYXWrO8zlkRWmUCCtMqmdgzirTIromzeElF4rd4xNS8Ta9inkji7uYmtQ6_3bvr3LhjX0jiE/s4032/IMG_0233.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBd_fUTMs_1pQbOWjgQw7V0TTdNZID_VbZUp7QijddAQhpZYeN-Yes3tlgMDi9GKCp6ii_TFbruOLDltytC0qsW7nNGk3hLMH69MhcWPip6qEKkFuMOPsYXWrO8zlkRWmUCCtMqmdgzirTIromzeElF4rd4xNS8Ta9inkji7uYmtQ6_3bvr3LhjX0jiE/w480-h640/IMG_0233.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I bought several of the beaded green candle bobeches at At Home in Homewood. I've used them all over the house.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our dining room is decorated with plants and bowls of glass ornaments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgeupO494OnqUDUfXO3x3wM2e5As7f8kyDDKRUvLBJAdkovKDGV0Yx6u8_utPvg-tDpRfW38yd-nOaIg1S9PAkANPLredmMLLb3vzXCy4rujmEuV9pr4R90iJmCMOUfDlcjzy-JwvtGG-nb_-uWxNscmMlFeLYdTI4RUyOJVFtFH6LLqG7GL0NFkHrDA/s5712/IMG_0042.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgeupO494OnqUDUfXO3x3wM2e5As7f8kyDDKRUvLBJAdkovKDGV0Yx6u8_utPvg-tDpRfW38yd-nOaIg1S9PAkANPLredmMLLb3vzXCy4rujmEuV9pr4R90iJmCMOUfDlcjzy-JwvtGG-nb_-uWxNscmMlFeLYdTI4RUyOJVFtFH6LLqG7GL0NFkHrDA/w480-h640/IMG_0042.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mDT-aAFrz_aIrtmGKNnFesARac_V3sHpl5wRoom79MR1aE0q0f8Vd1-_b3q-PATDiyl1OPCpG-8R0UWnwKDpG-iGYE3_EFfgtwp1i80CwunqPICjaSL20ZBrL3iQbn7qG7SgyWlvzR0rjXC3C2xfFVQz05cI9NiyEpquux4uzjRod3RVRF0XGJE_OEI/s1796/06AD265A-AA3F-4362-A3AD-4C3520998DCA.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mDT-aAFrz_aIrtmGKNnFesARac_V3sHpl5wRoom79MR1aE0q0f8Vd1-_b3q-PATDiyl1OPCpG-8R0UWnwKDpG-iGYE3_EFfgtwp1i80CwunqPICjaSL20ZBrL3iQbn7qG7SgyWlvzR0rjXC3C2xfFVQz05cI9NiyEpquux4uzjRod3RVRF0XGJE_OEI/w514-h640/06AD265A-AA3F-4362-A3AD-4C3520998DCA.JPG" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And in case you missed it, you can see my Christmas tablescape <b><a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/12/christmas-traditions-tablescape.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd never leave out the art studio: I love playing in there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPNO-kx71rWq4jweYVJTVJjxmIauJ_vXnA3btWuO7nnvcyF9vNujkBNwKuruXKnMpI_3enNaB64RzaVe8d-lXsGk_2zk5k6U981okrZwts2fuGynScBNeWqmEEmoFK3i80SGYODhNa2I1qoq1b0WKWsAVZoTQawo9Xr7tTO5rF3uwuTRkHSht0ohNddo/s4096/BE038DD0-816B-40EC-AC47-2E264F47B475.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="4096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPNO-kx71rWq4jweYVJTVJjxmIauJ_vXnA3btWuO7nnvcyF9vNujkBNwKuruXKnMpI_3enNaB64RzaVe8d-lXsGk_2zk5k6U981okrZwts2fuGynScBNeWqmEEmoFK3i80SGYODhNa2I1qoq1b0WKWsAVZoTQawo9Xr7tTO5rF3uwuTRkHSht0ohNddo/w640-h640/BE038DD0-816B-40EC-AC47-2E264F47B475.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Xy6hY7MEtf2uI1oDugG3mS5X7U_Yhe-S65z4m2-Q-51I5SiphSApk1-oiitOmaaQ-26hqMUO5qhOdVJoKXp9HEHGdf9lwM3AyLHMLfYjUVjEPXzcaIx3CV9hcffVT-qLDyVQcAwmVx-XWdle5PG-m4hiupG9vkv7gJuYawWd9gNmKLDaS3Vbp06jD7s/s4125/IMG_0061.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4125" data-original-width="4125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Xy6hY7MEtf2uI1oDugG3mS5X7U_Yhe-S65z4m2-Q-51I5SiphSApk1-oiitOmaaQ-26hqMUO5qhOdVJoKXp9HEHGdf9lwM3AyLHMLfYjUVjEPXzcaIx3CV9hcffVT-qLDyVQcAwmVx-XWdle5PG-m4hiupG9vkv7gJuYawWd9gNmKLDaS3Vbp06jD7s/w640-h640/IMG_0061.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLOHlhcRueWOQ6eSoWBtx7fadxGIpAgEJZLewA_qG-W-TqHIXRF4bkR4QVCmcHA24ir4eUMU-qgL4o0VgXKKEOssjQu8FqEypYkVpyl5D3A9ZwrFa83AUttLwJi0z7u_NAbR3giNT4mPWHbuIVdKnblYs1joOnW-KETSS-6WENwTdx7EJ3o2lfBS33xw/s2335/IMG_7888.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="2335" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLOHlhcRueWOQ6eSoWBtx7fadxGIpAgEJZLewA_qG-W-TqHIXRF4bkR4QVCmcHA24ir4eUMU-qgL4o0VgXKKEOssjQu8FqEypYkVpyl5D3A9ZwrFa83AUttLwJi0z7u_NAbR3giNT4mPWHbuIVdKnblYs1joOnW-KETSS-6WENwTdx7EJ3o2lfBS33xw/w640-h640/IMG_7888.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is my Daphne's Diary Advent Calendar. I'm having way too much fun playing with it! You can see all the fun things in it daily on Instagram. There's a follow link in the right-hand side of my footer if you'd like to follow me (and of course I'll follow you back!) :D</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of Advent: I styled our Advent wreath a little differently this year. I used moss, cinnamon-scented pinecones, and snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaNQiXMYsWdodEtBjUSrdB7yT2etVfogiRe3Cyguh5L6a-z4VrrjSrD_FxoGpMv-UgOFpfPxzZdgnLnHJzalUgCwMc5K6ZEs27eNyK35svMh0mi6mI4WQhu0Ik710SSWBRHpkKOitO4WrlogsMVVPERnzTTp2hAHepoP1S-aeh5rDuRhBEUpLnylcTQU/s3838/IMG_0228.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3838" data-original-width="3838" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaNQiXMYsWdodEtBjUSrdB7yT2etVfogiRe3Cyguh5L6a-z4VrrjSrD_FxoGpMv-UgOFpfPxzZdgnLnHJzalUgCwMc5K6ZEs27eNyK35svMh0mi6mI4WQhu0Ik710SSWBRHpkKOitO4WrlogsMVVPERnzTTp2hAHepoP1S-aeh5rDuRhBEUpLnylcTQU/w640-h640/IMG_0228.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Please read my Advent posts every Sunday during Advent!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEgSCMXNc0bwG9BcfbPpTQw4TCnrNNxOZyYfjiBJuZ60xPWcgv9skjfrmE7usb1DS0w1__vaejpqAdmwTdNOhUwfo0_vwgBsqEog2IHlMfWGKFVl7zLIiRZ4zip2e2620aq5loTto8z2Dg4ah90D81W9JERTyBG-glz8fciaLNzJ8FBCy-CWdI77kRZE/s5433/IMG_0258.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5433" data-original-width="4190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEgSCMXNc0bwG9BcfbPpTQw4TCnrNNxOZyYfjiBJuZ60xPWcgv9skjfrmE7usb1DS0w1__vaejpqAdmwTdNOhUwfo0_vwgBsqEog2IHlMfWGKFVl7zLIiRZ4zip2e2620aq5loTto8z2Dg4ah90D81W9JERTyBG-glz8fciaLNzJ8FBCy-CWdI77kRZE/w494-h640/IMG_0258.heic" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Our youngest daughter works for Starbucks, and this little tree with the Starbucks Been There espresso ornaments is a fun way to celebrate her hard work. Each ornament represents a favorite state.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also include a few decorations in our bedrooms which include plants and special Christmas pillows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTU8_HWlvCzcT9w18ee0CI5Ovj7AA4lJ0AWiq4sQhcoj87IUA-0-N9qUTSQLVh1fuqB1WuHwyHxEPoAmSyfhgYFwSap1Q1IP3hRIjBqoBtdAUYiyDQE8dXKyLpX55MP29u7goGRUnGjcnNNAKQBpkqRj7i0w2bqwbXaaK-OacLaFLevJJ310x-gpJwAs/s3900/IMG_0048.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="3900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTU8_HWlvCzcT9w18ee0CI5Ovj7AA4lJ0AWiq4sQhcoj87IUA-0-N9qUTSQLVh1fuqB1WuHwyHxEPoAmSyfhgYFwSap1Q1IP3hRIjBqoBtdAUYiyDQE8dXKyLpX55MP29u7goGRUnGjcnNNAKQBpkqRj7i0w2bqwbXaaK-OacLaFLevJJ310x-gpJwAs/w640-h640/IMG_0048.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, we use a slender artificial tree due to allergies and room constraints. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq1BDff54LHVgGeyZ8MQ53t5ud5hQhewyFN36NxtIz4nPLCzvBcnqF49Q_-Hn6ExlP46PAoQqNdnw8AB2B-zQ4HeG5Twc0uuI3TjRsQG8KgheBmI3Q0kXhZ26PUhPqfbRHi6LEu3zRIyGZX6gVTnBYT5m9ki5uyqlN8EWJy1rI6P2gX68AtV9fkZsYmM/s4032/IMG_0281.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq1BDff54LHVgGeyZ8MQ53t5ud5hQhewyFN36NxtIz4nPLCzvBcnqF49Q_-Hn6ExlP46PAoQqNdnw8AB2B-zQ4HeG5Twc0uuI3TjRsQG8KgheBmI3Q0kXhZ26PUhPqfbRHi6LEu3zRIyGZX6gVTnBYT5m9ki5uyqlN8EWJy1rI6P2gX68AtV9fkZsYmM/w480-h640/IMG_0281.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiddYde5c8ZjERaoButFX2p4OikSA-RcBjnQimzcFhSfoUwNK-73lE9JxHhytfx0BIYjfsp6UqQ1UxezPEPTA-n4Q49ds7QlY7yUwT46Q_mxbVEhIDCUiyqxdwLA4Va0jytAl60_CeSIrtduDJKwMX0UhmQYp4hmyOF_FyCCPD-tnGiUJW7n5zoVq2dBA/s5712/IMG_0286.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiddYde5c8ZjERaoButFX2p4OikSA-RcBjnQimzcFhSfoUwNK-73lE9JxHhytfx0BIYjfsp6UqQ1UxezPEPTA-n4Q49ds7QlY7yUwT46Q_mxbVEhIDCUiyqxdwLA4Va0jytAl60_CeSIrtduDJKwMX0UhmQYp4hmyOF_FyCCPD-tnGiUJW7n5zoVq2dBA/w480-h640/IMG_0286.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I got a little heavy-handed with the tinsel! ;P</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's pretty much all the highlights of our decor before the last minute greenery is brought in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePanzpXWXdByz2DOxrDJwi7Es2pojKetIhft_lJzYf0nH8bwl3SCosqPOfxhQMfuwoBP993uNr698dMvnXnuvXmkrdS1V6EpfC2l6ruKlF6g0yVMJipiS6E5vaWVo2JLTXpZkj8eACEXGiQOwSqNxUF7QS4IIXBnmRsJKPOqq1PZfUFq3QykOucIck08/s2200/19.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1758" data-original-width="2200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePanzpXWXdByz2DOxrDJwi7Es2pojKetIhft_lJzYf0nH8bwl3SCosqPOfxhQMfuwoBP993uNr698dMvnXnuvXmkrdS1V6EpfC2l6ruKlF6g0yVMJipiS6E5vaWVo2JLTXpZkj8eACEXGiQOwSqNxUF7QS4IIXBnmRsJKPOqq1PZfUFq3QykOucIck08/w400-h320/19.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1yTcZUQ_EQ3uwioqWPhNIHIGadeLwUPm8L6GTADWDRffB_cZXs-mlpfVDmACMZ3xFwxBC4w9ueZB42z8_r0pdJtU4pgmujBrTiNo6ERf0SgERuFHjOxP-G419auJ6wxrzec78cKavd7pabxd1uXgbzKEiYLtM94njKWHoG3FWUrleR0vXC7Q2riNIw4/s4032/IMG_0214.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1yTcZUQ_EQ3uwioqWPhNIHIGadeLwUPm8L6GTADWDRffB_cZXs-mlpfVDmACMZ3xFwxBC4w9ueZB42z8_r0pdJtU4pgmujBrTiNo6ERf0SgERuFHjOxP-G419auJ6wxrzec78cKavd7pabxd1uXgbzKEiYLtM94njKWHoG3FWUrleR0vXC7Q2riNIw4/w300-h400/IMG_0214.heic" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-75828143369151686092023-12-05T05:30:00.001-06:002023-12-05T05:30:00.141-06:00Christmas Traditions Tablescape <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETQGhzTMEHxTfzPIgMPMRoJiwzSIZMJBC66DTHIHjZZKhLhyqzTORBCggigktiypMgDJIAFiIJwW8ns9WG6wYrlnhZ_0y4LHesmMvHjOYzsTFprXawu_gT_UXAZACvieExHW2goWPFy8RcsWFKI5uQfhmeAJ-_hncBiEvIFiuwgoAouc9lQbzpAcp5CA/s4032/IMG_0214.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETQGhzTMEHxTfzPIgMPMRoJiwzSIZMJBC66DTHIHjZZKhLhyqzTORBCggigktiypMgDJIAFiIJwW8ns9WG6wYrlnhZ_0y4LHesmMvHjOYzsTFprXawu_gT_UXAZACvieExHW2goWPFy8RcsWFKI5uQfhmeAJ-_hncBiEvIFiuwgoAouc9lQbzpAcp5CA/w480-h640/IMG_0214.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Hello, My Lovelies! </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope your Advent has been joyful so far!</span></b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am so excited about this tablescape blog hop party hosted by Rita from the Panoply blog! If you're linking in order, you were just dazzled by Cecilia from My Thrift Store Addiction. I love her blog, and her Instagram feed is beautiful, too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJJqVMn_BWFKlvPf63S0oJQwlThQJzux5j8u9Yr47aTUAGWBZaYGLZ7pSwEG5dwmCQx24Xpfk-V0zjRgHHraDPJx2mv7lA6llHNYXFVMES0rcXlliq5DhyF9EBdVb18DpC7ZPhYh781BQwNPiD7gR8xIproGlNZ9P9jGNPpBpWR9bx1OIsh-0ntXU3CU/s3257/2023%20Christmas%20Tablescape%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3257" data-original-width="1846" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJJqVMn_BWFKlvPf63S0oJQwlThQJzux5j8u9Yr47aTUAGWBZaYGLZ7pSwEG5dwmCQx24Xpfk-V0zjRgHHraDPJx2mv7lA6llHNYXFVMES0rcXlliq5DhyF9EBdVb18DpC7ZPhYh781BQwNPiD7gR8xIproGlNZ9P9jGNPpBpWR9bx1OIsh-0ntXU3CU/w362-h640/2023%20Christmas%20Tablescape%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Thank-you so much for hosting, Rita!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before I get started with my tablescape post, I need to tell you that my email service is going away. For those of you who subscribe to my TinyLetter Newsletter, you will no longer get one from that service. I migrated all of your emails over to Mailer Lite. So far I am loving the change, and I think you will enjoy the new ones much, much more (you should get a newsletter in your inbox at some point today). <b>If you want the latest news from my blog, please subscribe to my newsletter by using the widget located in my footer. Thank you so much for following! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My logo at the top of each newsletter looks like this:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeKkmLzfhgOvDsrGFpN_S-Zu4J0uRnkq1nCLurNSyIResBtbKbRrLBPhpTZEuNli8hnFX4N2zDNDQZ-hy6CxpT7k2Gb_YgV5oapoFpORiHGWjQgCm1k5LhL4izBMh6iAMwM0A_Z8gvIi7gPCP5e1ASj0XQMaUA_7tJo9t6Aj_1RIQA0ZqK3bk9sKtMrI/s1640/hv66vKlNjyzi88HgR9t5Tksjm2s80Ph7rjG20jXv.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeKkmLzfhgOvDsrGFpN_S-Zu4J0uRnkq1nCLurNSyIResBtbKbRrLBPhpTZEuNli8hnFX4N2zDNDQZ-hy6CxpT7k2Gb_YgV5oapoFpORiHGWjQgCm1k5LhL4izBMh6iAMwM0A_Z8gvIi7gPCP5e1ASj0XQMaUA_7tJo9t6Aj_1RIQA0ZqK3bk9sKtMrI/w400-h225/hv66vKlNjyzi88HgR9t5Tksjm2s80Ph7rjG20jXv.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Now on to my Christmas tablescape...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlITnjhSU2DMAivrTPFVMBzTWYgPSpra7gp_O6Lio8DIUSYW2fDK_rnF6tpUDNtBffkR6tZaQsLeDI1R0b2yK90qTTtRxXuOoWaz53gNiZvn-fUbZkBw-YRGjvSw-TCWmgD8YWJpw1Ui06POUmSUl0FuWNFdLi8wJC5cQ0n7qTGdoGErSabw2LeagyFk/s5712/IMG_0209.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlITnjhSU2DMAivrTPFVMBzTWYgPSpra7gp_O6Lio8DIUSYW2fDK_rnF6tpUDNtBffkR6tZaQsLeDI1R0b2yK90qTTtRxXuOoWaz53gNiZvn-fUbZkBw-YRGjvSw-TCWmgD8YWJpw1Ui06POUmSUl0FuWNFdLi8wJC5cQ0n7qTGdoGErSabw2LeagyFk/w480-h640/IMG_0209.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFkpNRXqriBucWZJji_NyOhEB-ATtmA-4jvNhNeAlFkIqC7eGSyNlgMzHYWsNpOPnx6LTela7txoP0MaW4B5uyTjywH3c78WvljPvD2RrTsYplQLi4oimNjpjTj3Stm4rYGw12l5ojINmulonlqCrJAGnMw_cIrINJ_69g6FxH9ADzuEmKfa375zTddE/s5655/IMG_0208.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5655" data-original-width="4241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFkpNRXqriBucWZJji_NyOhEB-ATtmA-4jvNhNeAlFkIqC7eGSyNlgMzHYWsNpOPnx6LTela7txoP0MaW4B5uyTjywH3c78WvljPvD2RrTsYplQLi4oimNjpjTj3Stm4rYGw12l5ojINmulonlqCrJAGnMw_cIrINJ_69g6FxH9ADzuEmKfa375zTddE/w480-h640/IMG_0208.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The reason I entitled this post "Christmas Traditions Tablescape" is because I used our formal china from our wedding registry. I still love our pattern, and I especially like the cute little teacups. I've set the table for several courses, and I also used our wedding registry crystal. The only thing I didn't do is bring out the silver. I was being lazy....I didn't want to polish silver. But I think I will do so before Christmas and enjoy it on into the New Year! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRTvEDTN8W9D_I7QJoF4_mpboKAINYe_BkPG1EZFXmrIH4XK0P4fvd7Kyfb05Fz3iRoquVxH5x2v0GCkShPf516iKV73TlMubPNNRzzoiOkV7zHj0PcnvCo8_6Pnoy65a9RA7uwr6BJkRrFj2DhJ3r5dKah0H4IqjbgLumfPDpAw3Uuwd1jn0ZgR9Nfk/s4032/IMG_0171.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRTvEDTN8W9D_I7QJoF4_mpboKAINYe_BkPG1EZFXmrIH4XK0P4fvd7Kyfb05Fz3iRoquVxH5x2v0GCkShPf516iKV73TlMubPNNRzzoiOkV7zHj0PcnvCo8_6Pnoy65a9RA7uwr6BJkRrFj2DhJ3r5dKah0H4IqjbgLumfPDpAw3Uuwd1jn0ZgR9Nfk/w480-h640/IMG_0171.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzcDg1xwkWA7A6kWxA1O-GdxVknKU-es12oG2Z6B24J_LG_S7JLZHuZgt9HEnge-46rwE564lIdIaYAbYYs-DzxcoWbr08p8AFURZClUwk0I3LV4NAf9sWDCDoognjZ8RF7Mfb6xONIH2_Sj5d65kAZb7OwrKUJTcaIKBcOKRFX7MSXVknhjtgRpFAnQ/s3919/IMG_0182.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="3919" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzcDg1xwkWA7A6kWxA1O-GdxVknKU-es12oG2Z6B24J_LG_S7JLZHuZgt9HEnge-46rwE564lIdIaYAbYYs-DzxcoWbr08p8AFURZClUwk0I3LV4NAf9sWDCDoognjZ8RF7Mfb6xONIH2_Sj5d65kAZb7OwrKUJTcaIKBcOKRFX7MSXVknhjtgRpFAnQ/w640-h480/IMG_0182.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFMw6bYAH3zjxCXQrVv1bV0566Anzuxa5TBuy0oREBKRJpofmbIYwKS56J-7iHjIpBQgY-DXcwmpeCzJNyswHNKBZXAAL0ty5_FyezcL_0-U5J-Pu7BGLTzAN1N89VENF2k8MobMIZzlnnfcdQalJXOqXafA4TQ2jShtIiHN1yOTm6GmLxvC3zfThZ60/s5712/IMG_0207.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFMw6bYAH3zjxCXQrVv1bV0566Anzuxa5TBuy0oREBKRJpofmbIYwKS56J-7iHjIpBQgY-DXcwmpeCzJNyswHNKBZXAAL0ty5_FyezcL_0-U5J-Pu7BGLTzAN1N89VENF2k8MobMIZzlnnfcdQalJXOqXafA4TQ2jShtIiHN1yOTm6GmLxvC3zfThZ60/w480-h640/IMG_0207.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSxmSPVdVkBODglMsv1cLKUwZLLA0LcggVXtf2rukim54yxGcZVpH34tYWXb0SDiMZbTpTpll4diZ3x-p71Zjpc1DEHAm41SEdCgCli8ZwzKSGgQfdu-9q0khJJVLKttHj0QCRw0ghLwrBVoilnTmHRY6Kw_ONVdLXOOEzRzRF7xLKdAfsuRclaQZ8ic/s5712/IMG_0186.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSxmSPVdVkBODglMsv1cLKUwZLLA0LcggVXtf2rukim54yxGcZVpH34tYWXb0SDiMZbTpTpll4diZ3x-p71Zjpc1DEHAm41SEdCgCli8ZwzKSGgQfdu-9q0khJJVLKttHj0QCRw0ghLwrBVoilnTmHRY6Kw_ONVdLXOOEzRzRF7xLKdAfsuRclaQZ8ic/w480-h640/IMG_0186.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62mEEwYYxFOEa5pXPSJPN9ixadHSHRhEF78o_IER1SpqsqwFTHVPOR-hsc26r5Bx9fdfYjB_Ih9XBfgbg3nnDGP5HFJbQ7OmHFcbSz-WLW2tMvJwC71Iaqab47_X6xg7wxaOUTosp1i7l0WeHwdQPjA-FpvByxvthGz1LuvuGf3JIv4RdDq2iCtgCf4w/s4284/IMG_0161.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62mEEwYYxFOEa5pXPSJPN9ixadHSHRhEF78o_IER1SpqsqwFTHVPOR-hsc26r5Bx9fdfYjB_Ih9XBfgbg3nnDGP5HFJbQ7OmHFcbSz-WLW2tMvJwC71Iaqab47_X6xg7wxaOUTosp1i7l0WeHwdQPjA-FpvByxvthGz1LuvuGf3JIv4RdDq2iCtgCf4w/w640-h640/IMG_0161.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I started with our china.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LSRS-FVQ-EsGOXvfTctLCdte5kKAoBn5NU5Q7ui4ESFN0Lc3gieJtl-N3c1LYfIVaZvoVZLpWS-pUADDBiFXtq5fe8C6jL_CMnkFAYoQWbzmX0ofVLPp81nqPpPf5WJ1aFYPIAoZlU3Cugkmb9ZyiS07NJbPzlVR2cj0O3ovucJZEvfXmxNrH4iuLUI/s5712/IMG_0194.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LSRS-FVQ-EsGOXvfTctLCdte5kKAoBn5NU5Q7ui4ESFN0Lc3gieJtl-N3c1LYfIVaZvoVZLpWS-pUADDBiFXtq5fe8C6jL_CMnkFAYoQWbzmX0ofVLPp81nqPpPf5WJ1aFYPIAoZlU3Cugkmb9ZyiS07NJbPzlVR2cj0O3ovucJZEvfXmxNrH4iuLUI/w640-h480/IMG_0194.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>One day I ran across this table runner from Shabby Chic, and when I saw it I thought it would be pretty with our china.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOqfH6VSeFkpfT6-ctxC8FK9oEuivCuP8IVCuWYXWk6iEvdKkdkw2qwqdcgfb3ibe9_9zHriFwemyE72oYou0hW6tui4jqbx9VXGuF385p8BSMXrm7EygDT1NYUiIL0uebn_gZMh-l-GhuO3b8ySLRlp6zJST0mbvd2zB_qbS9Ax7fmGjW8aUJWLSLNQ/s5712/IMG_0149.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOqfH6VSeFkpfT6-ctxC8FK9oEuivCuP8IVCuWYXWk6iEvdKkdkw2qwqdcgfb3ibe9_9zHriFwemyE72oYou0hW6tui4jqbx9VXGuF385p8BSMXrm7EygDT1NYUiIL0uebn_gZMh-l-GhuO3b8ySLRlp6zJST0mbvd2zB_qbS9Ax7fmGjW8aUJWLSLNQ/w640-h480/IMG_0149.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhPPcDLsahKV7_Y3JwgAPgofapqlG1CYvAtVLn7NT1hJZktZ0MY0O2GWz40Arg7S0XAKXG1XXHpi3zd9EVYWkwLVKal76z60fD0Amrlw_58NGnwgaqoFbS3jO0zb-BzKbHqNn7S86zIwgYH0Zg2zewWKr__MLoJO_Rg3OvzCE_j5yvT8PWASFYDP3B6c/s5712/IMG_0150.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhPPcDLsahKV7_Y3JwgAPgofapqlG1CYvAtVLn7NT1hJZktZ0MY0O2GWz40Arg7S0XAKXG1XXHpi3zd9EVYWkwLVKal76z60fD0Amrlw_58NGnwgaqoFbS3jO0zb-BzKbHqNn7S86zIwgYH0Zg2zewWKr__MLoJO_Rg3OvzCE_j5yvT8PWASFYDP3B6c/w640-h480/IMG_0150.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I added Shabby Chic napkins in ditsy prints. None of them are alike, but they all blend with the other elements on the table.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEg2UCEItVzRhm3TDpQNWUiTAPxzgLl-uH8OZ_hyphenhyphenX6nTsSLv0qWVKwdnHrYgSkdAvhESp1mcS1mzHMP_z4cg4qDYgqG8h7TRFkKsx8VyfqE4N-j91hXnUFG0IWlaii0h2tddRG0ZEw4hcVFyvCd3qQHozL7HP1j7uwAXsl4dj3UC8Ghh7598PlR-RFfz8/s4032/IMG_0218.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEg2UCEItVzRhm3TDpQNWUiTAPxzgLl-uH8OZ_hyphenhyphenX6nTsSLv0qWVKwdnHrYgSkdAvhESp1mcS1mzHMP_z4cg4qDYgqG8h7TRFkKsx8VyfqE4N-j91hXnUFG0IWlaii0h2tddRG0ZEw4hcVFyvCd3qQHozL7HP1j7uwAXsl4dj3UC8Ghh7598PlR-RFfz8/w480-h640/IMG_0218.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>The Christmas crackers are shaped like Christmas trees in shades of green and blue. Mr. Bookish's family is English, and he requests this tradition each year.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5GIqc6oO0nbb9CTuYNTVPtNCiu_qLuEea9OuECUDIfN3fehqcqvEd8H3jczRHzv0qHeCjv6MGAXAh_x_CTzpei2LqmBjLp34fyJRVQgk7lKb707YlxhRyHpvbcjvau0LztNLNnlyYruNkEAofHXtczmCzacUgo8X1qYvrDbufKS-CWBmsyqb-dlDsV0/s4032/IMG_0166.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5GIqc6oO0nbb9CTuYNTVPtNCiu_qLuEea9OuECUDIfN3fehqcqvEd8H3jczRHzv0qHeCjv6MGAXAh_x_CTzpei2LqmBjLp34fyJRVQgk7lKb707YlxhRyHpvbcjvau0LztNLNnlyYruNkEAofHXtczmCzacUgo8X1qYvrDbufKS-CWBmsyqb-dlDsV0/w480-h640/IMG_0166.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO9gaa4zBV9_tbSu2AxviFSFADFwBS-ArJubesxzD67Wm3z0uyMLWMUO41f3yiETij3pbSrzMCOzrdSG_XTxOeeh0bFpLW4Wsgx_B7SWit2QUUf-G6Pdbt2w25HeR6NykxtuTOMlCnR5A01v__aJrLt8h1bI89UJWQ6cOXVpcli0TMzgYE4hyghSB7oY/s4032/IMG_0179.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO9gaa4zBV9_tbSu2AxviFSFADFwBS-ArJubesxzD67Wm3z0uyMLWMUO41f3yiETij3pbSrzMCOzrdSG_XTxOeeh0bFpLW4Wsgx_B7SWit2QUUf-G6Pdbt2w25HeR6NykxtuTOMlCnR5A01v__aJrLt8h1bI89UJWQ6cOXVpcli0TMzgYE4hyghSB7oY/w480-h640/IMG_0179.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>The centerpiece is a little flocked tree with real roses stuck in it. I think they look like little ornaments.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVYYblW08QJJ9yNuhGnAKY9vJJvttld6U7yWXO43oZ5VqRY1vzwA2toNFXLuCiGsLl0oLnQVE473EAruzao94VPYHniL1_A9Nfa21Cc8KHGqgUH45zee3uRt3J-dq7ypTDJn942ZDeBVJC3tA718IDOF4qhcxZECV3UzFxT2YMoE9q_P2I_UWjrZHA-U/s5712/IMG_0163.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVYYblW08QJJ9yNuhGnAKY9vJJvttld6U7yWXO43oZ5VqRY1vzwA2toNFXLuCiGsLl0oLnQVE473EAruzao94VPYHniL1_A9Nfa21Cc8KHGqgUH45zee3uRt3J-dq7ypTDJn942ZDeBVJC3tA718IDOF4qhcxZECV3UzFxT2YMoE9q_P2I_UWjrZHA-U/w480-h640/IMG_0163.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrqEeMsbYqx0l5prUXq3T_YVtiv7VkPzcPZ396hri3_5yTuprOMyBBwyjGitsMkKPZ8rwcyc9Uo2NMl9wq_MNZWGEFwN7mUKkBz8R_boyUT3hl_PWMqyHLjEm3FvFQQhqq8Aih3uYgBKZFO5E94GAWjMDNSJ5HpHRhfwGExQ_qsY1rs5LgB9B7GWMSKE/s4032/IMG_0167.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrqEeMsbYqx0l5prUXq3T_YVtiv7VkPzcPZ396hri3_5yTuprOMyBBwyjGitsMkKPZ8rwcyc9Uo2NMl9wq_MNZWGEFwN7mUKkBz8R_boyUT3hl_PWMqyHLjEm3FvFQQhqq8Aih3uYgBKZFO5E94GAWjMDNSJ5HpHRhfwGExQ_qsY1rs5LgB9B7GWMSKE/w480-h640/IMG_0167.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQV7hVJEenGsFEUKyv7UUOdI1JzMsNJaUY1sbaa5qRLr9-lVoRVMz8VG7NH0r9usZkBb7KWvRTvaWg9cravv6dsnfufU7GNHtd-FOc35xm68uMAHbzANF0ruP5QhxePu5HZ_Z7XxIumFhyphenhyphenYvSb2T2Hi0IJpHdMOx2SXs3hrUPASuIS1Eh3LuNa9f_6eOc/s4032/IMG_0169.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQV7hVJEenGsFEUKyv7UUOdI1JzMsNJaUY1sbaa5qRLr9-lVoRVMz8VG7NH0r9usZkBb7KWvRTvaWg9cravv6dsnfufU7GNHtd-FOc35xm68uMAHbzANF0ruP5QhxePu5HZ_Z7XxIumFhyphenhyphenYvSb2T2Hi0IJpHdMOx2SXs3hrUPASuIS1Eh3LuNa9f_6eOc/w480-h640/IMG_0169.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizH97XO9Ydkw8iRSt65ufGVlz3UAIW_-e9n7UYnxIlXW_E3-zub6y2f0jxt7wWwKokTsNi4xWF1REiKyb4-Dsq2kcLNWQ6mUu1lRdtuPrlcK9FgWroMaBtOSfISjhG1ZrFQkbWy3aTRsUkHG6iKAGLdzDFnk0PNPMmxoLl-uZJFf_Dp-2I1y8V4Kfl7KE/s4032/IMG_0180.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizH97XO9Ydkw8iRSt65ufGVlz3UAIW_-e9n7UYnxIlXW_E3-zub6y2f0jxt7wWwKokTsNi4xWF1REiKyb4-Dsq2kcLNWQ6mUu1lRdtuPrlcK9FgWroMaBtOSfISjhG1ZrFQkbWy3aTRsUkHG6iKAGLdzDFnk0PNPMmxoLl-uZJFf_Dp-2I1y8V4Kfl7KE/w480-h640/IMG_0180.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I wanted a few yellow roses on the table because the ruffle of the table runner has yellow in it. You can't really see it much in the photos, but in person the roses complement the runner nicely.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aNM72RXg_zoieUC9f8yQLct_d6U_M1nv0pTNJTxf6m8VFDfrYpaGsfLh8qlScpjiAcrUHzQsOt8L2WHaMMilqFoekKO_z6qpv_Fp1i0cId7RkSa2W0L-9O31Vh9LoyfrTOHzsIpNiMTE4iUO25LfToZqhjkyt21wCWJDS-n0SboCFsbHa10fp7a6Kbs/s4032/IMG_0164.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aNM72RXg_zoieUC9f8yQLct_d6U_M1nv0pTNJTxf6m8VFDfrYpaGsfLh8qlScpjiAcrUHzQsOt8L2WHaMMilqFoekKO_z6qpv_Fp1i0cId7RkSa2W0L-9O31Vh9LoyfrTOHzsIpNiMTE4iUO25LfToZqhjkyt21wCWJDS-n0SboCFsbHa10fp7a6Kbs/w480-h640/IMG_0164.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I left a little room for serving on the Welsh dresser because our dining table is tight. The green candles and bobeches are new.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3E-HjTW7R2I13VD1cdi-ltQ7wnUJB2z9-o0EOYuDDpFUwtYfgU9YSApU-1UxcH6bHIvSbgx7tyEo7WDT4GflrSyphAjMahX0jvYuCnocEp-nyLoGKMc_3B-VwHrY9h0mubA9GsON4nkmN1mAMhE04OmBmBmvJtkceD9JSvd0AUzNDMsS8liazGJdYyw4/s4032/IMG_0165.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3E-HjTW7R2I13VD1cdi-ltQ7wnUJB2z9-o0EOYuDDpFUwtYfgU9YSApU-1UxcH6bHIvSbgx7tyEo7WDT4GflrSyphAjMahX0jvYuCnocEp-nyLoGKMc_3B-VwHrY9h0mubA9GsON4nkmN1mAMhE04OmBmBmvJtkceD9JSvd0AUzNDMsS8liazGJdYyw4/w480-h640/IMG_0165.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I love bringing in cyclamen during Christmas. This year we have white and a deep red. I'll post more of our Christmas decor later in the week.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I thought I'd share a couple of photos with the lights dimmed and the candles lit:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7dsY9I9oBMmXi_TKkN9c5_7JdoH6xZh48rscTLvmIcUXcMfDpSeBIPvTu8V7ZkFwffEP5JK5YSP0QquEzMvGhugfC8FSGQPpO9PkB3EB1Pv17Uw9s5cr3LfGINq8Wq8t2Umx2WiUL6qR9DNhUEfMmAXUelyjVSCqgZu3LHW7MTPeRBU2AhP-H1OHh64/s4032/IMG_0273.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7dsY9I9oBMmXi_TKkN9c5_7JdoH6xZh48rscTLvmIcUXcMfDpSeBIPvTu8V7ZkFwffEP5JK5YSP0QquEzMvGhugfC8FSGQPpO9PkB3EB1Pv17Uw9s5cr3LfGINq8Wq8t2Umx2WiUL6qR9DNhUEfMmAXUelyjVSCqgZu3LHW7MTPeRBU2AhP-H1OHh64/w480-h640/IMG_0273.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkD65UfK4iDjnzPNyywpywX0LH5rjr3bMvN2T47lta6OfzQltkpVZaV7BQD2f7kWuE5m-iaG39op1aimLbiTLpGu2KGhP1MTsEA1nN6VbATy99lThym3rmMDgMrqLacNrlAu_hdqJZ4w1p0iaGDTRIiH3h357SlN0WV-c-cKvGpJKVfYgXfEY9hrPh2g/s4032/IMG_0275.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkD65UfK4iDjnzPNyywpywX0LH5rjr3bMvN2T47lta6OfzQltkpVZaV7BQD2f7kWuE5m-iaG39op1aimLbiTLpGu2KGhP1MTsEA1nN6VbATy99lThym3rmMDgMrqLacNrlAu_hdqJZ4w1p0iaGDTRIiH3h357SlN0WV-c-cKvGpJKVfYgXfEY9hrPh2g/w480-h640/IMG_0275.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>The photos seem darker than reality, and if it truly were this dark one couldn't see to eat!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26YqolaKrKXXysNOvixrA8l6smO_MTb0JnTn-YqxtqkcZyr3qEAnFTWK1sppVM9wlEpqqiNzALqY6ihOqoLgb2YGIHBmq16wSMp7-RWajok-rj1XoolLRbbdrf9cjV69osRlfn227sos8WLAKu8HC_S-ast00DfiSvTu5UTkqz9K_z1ixEGGNzG5ZP5M/s1289/01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="786" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26YqolaKrKXXysNOvixrA8l6smO_MTb0JnTn-YqxtqkcZyr3qEAnFTWK1sppVM9wlEpqqiNzALqY6ihOqoLgb2YGIHBmq16wSMp7-RWajok-rj1XoolLRbbdrf9cjV69osRlfn227sos8WLAKu8HC_S-ast00DfiSvTu5UTkqz9K_z1ixEGGNzG5ZP5M/w244-h400/01.png" width="244" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b>Resources:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">China: Rosedale by Wedgwood</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Crystal: (water, hock, claret, and salt and pepper set) Lismore by Waterford</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Table linens except tablecloth: Shabby Chic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">White tablecloth: Hotel collection by Williams-Sonoma</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Christmas tree collar: Ramekin in the Piccadilly pattern by MacKenzie-Childs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Dark Blue flower frog vase: LaPella Pottery via Etsy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Tall pink votive holders: Shabby Chic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Short pink votive holders: A gift from a blog friend</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Christmas crackers: Anthropologie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Ceramics on Welsh dresser: Mackenzie-Childs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Ornaments on dresser: Anthropologie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Candles: The Fresh Market</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Green Bobeches: At Home, Homewood</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Flowers: Bloom & Petal, Greystone</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Below you'll find the links for all the blog hop participants. Maureen's blog, Red Cottage Chronicles, is next. Her posts NEVER disappoint!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Panoply - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-christmas-home-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1701720330151000&usg=AOvVaw2pV3n94YlKDip42SdvA0jd" href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-christmas-home-tablescape.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Christmas Home Tablescape</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hyacinths for the Soul - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/12/plaid-tidings.html&source=gmail&ust=1701720330151000&usg=AOvVaw3WxS9iUd-VgMmx45pZpT5P" href="https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/12/plaid-tidings.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Plaid Tidings</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; 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color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Life and Linda - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/12/deer-prancing-through-snow.html&source=gmail&ust=1701720330151000&usg=AOvVaw32ELW-Ocv-toviz3MARFcj" href="https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/12/deer-prancing-through-snow.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Deer Prancing Through the Snow</a></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Me and My Captain - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://meandmycaptain.com/2023/12/a-german-christmas-tablescape/&source=gmail&ust=1701720330151000&usg=AOvVaw10HeYzPcKYFx2hlYPbcmoo" href="https://meandmycaptain.com/2023/12/a-german-christmas-tablescape/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A German Christmas Tablescape</a></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Painted Apron - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/12/05/the-season-of-giving/&source=gmail&ust=1701720330151000&usg=AOvVaw2ynKafmoQA7OZlLd3bQ2RK" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/12/05/the-season-of-giving/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Season of Giving</a></span></div><div class="yj6qo ajU" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 2px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 10px 0px; width: 22px;"></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb9F-kDsCG7XxEs9JjTPfGKt-7zMPUfH8e0Jh6qkrUuB6VZV_U1qHf1NlK8DPDv3Gbx_mVKiRVzBE-vqsmc3eYYEsc9HMvCZzC6ZSgQi43yZjM7ux-1aE9GK2mTd3X_ZwCw9kDzSgdANvvliScjATw-Li2KY9qoGIQUbqPUKsBbbPiaTECCZNSid1TCs/s4608/Merry%20Christmas%20Wood%20Light%20Background%20Poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb9F-kDsCG7XxEs9JjTPfGKt-7zMPUfH8e0Jh6qkrUuB6VZV_U1qHf1NlK8DPDv3Gbx_mVKiRVzBE-vqsmc3eYYEsc9HMvCZzC6ZSgQi43yZjM7ux-1aE9GK2mTd3X_ZwCw9kDzSgdANvvliScjATw-Li2KY9qoGIQUbqPUKsBbbPiaTECCZNSid1TCs/w480-h640/Merry%20Christmas%20Wood%20Light%20Background%20Poster.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thank-you so much for reading my blog!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ricki Jill</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-3140098868671089902023-12-03T15:24:00.001-06:002023-12-03T16:25:53.326-06:00First Sunday of Advent 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4H2I3l2hFtbdNSWCWzhtX3UrBLzQCqDDkn2eMvwGCb2bWiQ9FI9KvscMn8s0J3DUTBI0aDMQP2BjQqbXnVUmlqmTinEBOAJoLG2swrqWnRT89_5-o-jWt44IoxUzuvbt3U1nz_JYttThXhwYSCnQm3z9tH40Oufbp0-1V08dmPbsf3J0Aj2zfwyjIcs/s3838/IMG_0228.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3838" data-original-width="3838" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4H2I3l2hFtbdNSWCWzhtX3UrBLzQCqDDkn2eMvwGCb2bWiQ9FI9KvscMn8s0J3DUTBI0aDMQP2BjQqbXnVUmlqmTinEBOAJoLG2swrqWnRT89_5-o-jWt44IoxUzuvbt3U1nz_JYttThXhwYSCnQm3z9tH40Oufbp0-1V08dmPbsf3J0Aj2zfwyjIcs/w640-h640/IMG_0228.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy First Sunday of Advent, My Lovelies! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How is your Advent Season so far? Have you been busy, or are you enjoying the season at a slower pace than normal? In order to truly enjoy this special season, I've decided to share a few of my favorite Christmas and Advent posts from previous years. You probably recognize our Advent wreath (above). I try to style it differently each year: I added moss, cinnamon scented pinecones, and snow. I'm also using stark white candles this year. It might not be as pretty as the fresh flowers I've used in the past, but I think the rustic, natural look is a nice change. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rjgdJXf8F4V4xnOH5pnyqeiICwSREqFlWzVk6xPqMtEWgcabVC-Cv12wcznTy19umUqoo4-SCoejJTLBldGjXx8G7GlUGZRDkCQKBnfRJgkI5Xmtrl3lhx7iFdSEzzsZ5F9gpKHBCimu0_3TgmK_jQQmxMHLxha9oOSb5H17YwY1QOt2xg4_QvP_G30/s1723/16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1723" data-original-width="1700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rjgdJXf8F4V4xnOH5pnyqeiICwSREqFlWzVk6xPqMtEWgcabVC-Cv12wcznTy19umUqoo4-SCoejJTLBldGjXx8G7GlUGZRDkCQKBnfRJgkI5Xmtrl3lhx7iFdSEzzsZ5F9gpKHBCimu0_3TgmK_jQQmxMHLxha9oOSb5H17YwY1QOt2xg4_QvP_G30/w316-h320/16.png" width="316" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today I'm sharing a very easy Christmas cookie that my family loves: the ever popular date ball. During Christmas, most Southern parties have the holy trinity of balls: date, sausage, and bourbon. We Southerners love our balls! :/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Southern Date Balls</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZonYDmk5J5iVl5xmVSwCDukCUD3P-9gmlfe3Jpx4SO1OPJnLymwbXpFUCHi2E8VQlVBhRqUtx01rlEDnFQWKfSjQU31HoD6R2Lbd4Jj0lOoyct-HoWJK6dlD-U7R3bB1Rft44G7s0iRhOwWYHDZO1CfenCxnepMZM6vmyMdVM3IndkNqhgw7zyGQNkwM/s520/unnamed-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZonYDmk5J5iVl5xmVSwCDukCUD3P-9gmlfe3Jpx4SO1OPJnLymwbXpFUCHi2E8VQlVBhRqUtx01rlEDnFQWKfSjQU31HoD6R2Lbd4Jj0lOoyct-HoWJK6dlD-U7R3bB1Rft44G7s0iRhOwWYHDZO1CfenCxnepMZM6vmyMdVM3IndkNqhgw7zyGQNkwM/s16000/unnamed-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 cup sugar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 stick butter </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 egg, well beaten</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 cup pitted dates, finely chopped</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 cup nuts, finely chopped (I like walnuts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 cups Rice Krispies</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Confectioner’s sugar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Melt butter and sugar in a medium sauce pan over low heat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Add egg and stir until thoroughly incorporated.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Add dates, nuts and vanilla and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When cool enough to handle, roll into bite-sized balls and roll in confectioner’s sugar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ucn8VwQI9OUxDbYL8KcYRfaRJdZewSFkk1vIhMRby2Dljr9CGSb4ZxQzDcmqN9MjYCsYp69U8p_E2U0yPBQAm39Vm3hhBTdA-j41fUlR15Hgu6XdMXVlCAw0WMvakQ9X2PRZ5OTR6KaYXuNkeMqpVKSseDFE7QlAypl35dkiv8T-qTGJAJQFi5pUY1s/s1402/9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ucn8VwQI9OUxDbYL8KcYRfaRJdZewSFkk1vIhMRby2Dljr9CGSb4ZxQzDcmqN9MjYCsYp69U8p_E2U0yPBQAm39Vm3hhBTdA-j41fUlR15Hgu6XdMXVlCAw0WMvakQ9X2PRZ5OTR6KaYXuNkeMqpVKSseDFE7QlAypl35dkiv8T-qTGJAJQFi5pUY1s/s320/9.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">First Sunday of Advent Reading: Hope</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">a light has dawned. […] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Isaiah 9:2, 6-7</span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ricki Jill</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-80115206046597968392023-12-01T05:00:00.002-06:002023-12-01T08:13:28.806-06:00Tales of the Traveling Tote: Ann Arbor and Frankenmuth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34tp2RnAF59mZgmZ-vRPdw66Tws-4t_umnIBwg0WT_fAodcdFBam0rWsCr_xjZ6gEVvaxvG3D7_-Cm1t2TB8QXe_keIpPzGWsw-wNle-xyXXKCX3dz3KK3oHqLy4Rdjz8zppNgjXzF1Y_kG7D82fJzjVj-zfDqSOgWByxmIBuWLICI6HUEoWDGi8G3po/s1080/Black%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Photo%20Paper%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34tp2RnAF59mZgmZ-vRPdw66Tws-4t_umnIBwg0WT_fAodcdFBam0rWsCr_xjZ6gEVvaxvG3D7_-Cm1t2TB8QXe_keIpPzGWsw-wNle-xyXXKCX3dz3KK3oHqLy4Rdjz8zppNgjXzF1Y_kG7D82fJzjVj-zfDqSOgWByxmIBuWLICI6HUEoWDGi8G3po/w640-h640/Black%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Photo%20Paper%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>It's December, My Lovelies!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Welcome to another edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I am hosting the giveaway, and you can read more about it at the bottom of this post.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR49s-utyW97rpM-GalQhU0qYe0XJq3hVDzedgrRg09eiWZ0pP8qablaNcpWOCsy4brWf40f_lIHICjjO3VSABn51paXvfvKBZJQSVeknb_5KSPPkK1-cAtkohWiE4zrRKiVZx7GP5LVAuf1XKEcui4i8fR90x7hMGoV3pb7Lvyb4aD8U0bPmQ3bpSMz4/s610/tote-logo-2%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR49s-utyW97rpM-GalQhU0qYe0XJq3hVDzedgrRg09eiWZ0pP8qablaNcpWOCsy4brWf40f_lIHICjjO3VSABn51paXvfvKBZJQSVeknb_5KSPPkK1-cAtkohWiE4zrRKiVZx7GP5LVAuf1XKEcui4i8fR90x7hMGoV3pb7Lvyb4aD8U0bPmQ3bpSMz4/s16000/tote-logo-2%20copy.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiij0OuBawdw-DH1VU0LcMkmW7zK1Z2BS2YezvVdSZIg_VhnmMajyvAwO8ajRYgKwmK31v0ueFH3mVcDsm1PKu58M2IkCkUuzzMZpTZV-GVGr7RZ1zb2gI43HSHp4RFQqTt0lkWDMizG22FEtZBsACD9z7bkdhToXFr5Ck1DvX2cD_RnQl1OnCtI53Y7mQ/s2016/IMG_7050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiij0OuBawdw-DH1VU0LcMkmW7zK1Z2BS2YezvVdSZIg_VhnmMajyvAwO8ajRYgKwmK31v0ueFH3mVcDsm1PKu58M2IkCkUuzzMZpTZV-GVGr7RZ1zb2gI43HSHp4RFQqTt0lkWDMizG22FEtZBsACD9z7bkdhToXFr5Ck1DvX2cD_RnQl1OnCtI53Y7mQ/w480-h640/IMG_7050.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We spent Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor with our daughter and son-in-law. We had a great time because it was a HUGE college football weekend, and we took a little side trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan on Black Friday. If I had to describe Frankenmuth, I'd say it's like Gatlinburg and a Hallmark town had a love child. My Southern friends will understand this comparison, haha. I'd also compare it to Helen, Georgia. It's a Bavarian-themed town that pays homage to the Germans who settled the area, and there is a calendar full of events and festivals year round. We saw the Christmas tree lighting, we had a lovely dinner at Prost, and we did a little shopping. We found a couple of darling boutiques, and everyone enjoyed cider and hot chocolate. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One thing that was very funny about Frankenmuth is that they have an obsession with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and The Grinch: if you wanted to do so, you could purchase very creative merch based on these movies. Everyone was nice and excited about the weekend's activities. The outdoor ice skating rink looked lovely, but I was too cold to skate. We did a whole lot of walking, though.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We had a family member warn us not to go to the world's largest Christmas store because everything they sell is way overpriced, so we're probably the only people to visit Frankenmuth who didn't go. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-HzkBUZ6R4-8LRPoxqejHybhWVbkI18pq_RMhe7rIAOYJkxwrJdpy5t0R5ktWjeDHalIYD1mbjaCqHxU0RB89N0JKjx1lnoW-aIoXciqUgdHZEU7s-Qq2E_OneKQ6Eo9ZAmTkVtJ8uVDke7dbGDBmuCLMN4wlKwMD5ixHhbh1YNFAVpz6afRNsCQ8x0/s1416/12.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1095" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-HzkBUZ6R4-8LRPoxqejHybhWVbkI18pq_RMhe7rIAOYJkxwrJdpy5t0R5ktWjeDHalIYD1mbjaCqHxU0RB89N0JKjx1lnoW-aIoXciqUgdHZEU7s-Qq2E_OneKQ6Eo9ZAmTkVtJ8uVDke7dbGDBmuCLMN4wlKwMD5ixHhbh1YNFAVpz6afRNsCQ8x0/w309-h400/12.png" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I suppose I can purchase a few new ornaments locally.</i></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's look at a few photos from Frankenmuth:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCeko-7K0CCW_GFsRbLXsv1I_R1JAbAoIyLgYY_FPfH5yLBMj_3-vE7PeTAN3yJ3VIhIlz2sZbfvNSup8Wp6blOwH9GkXn9iSjZyV-azeMeD_MMleb7rhfDSnqeUnQ_Zxej6064ttzDdK739XCJLfPiu12Dh1upwj9mMSVU11S5k6u8Kt-Hxfwq4xN_I/s1350/Vintage%20Polaroid%20Christmas%20Photo%20Collage%20Portrait%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCeko-7K0CCW_GFsRbLXsv1I_R1JAbAoIyLgYY_FPfH5yLBMj_3-vE7PeTAN3yJ3VIhIlz2sZbfvNSup8Wp6blOwH9GkXn9iSjZyV-azeMeD_MMleb7rhfDSnqeUnQ_Zxej6064ttzDdK739XCJLfPiu12Dh1upwj9mMSVU11S5k6u8Kt-Hxfwq4xN_I/w512-h640/Vintage%20Polaroid%20Christmas%20Photo%20Collage%20Portrait%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mr. Bookish, Santa, and a giant mouse took photos with La Countess de Monet.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT44tIJ4b8p-qbQYulFd2znU8PYyUkJiM-t4c-lfm41UpTym8H3W10h6NDorOABqrGqJX34WDB8cnelXgsoc6G1cJUMOXiSVWGVRALUJiB_WLPRlQcnviKHQ6P0Qbsi-WJ9o1j6leMY9rI0COSOza5M_w8WmgtsOB_0NkjMn88inZLdr0WxunER0R8GM/s4839/IMG_0071.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4839" data-original-width="4013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT44tIJ4b8p-qbQYulFd2znU8PYyUkJiM-t4c-lfm41UpTym8H3W10h6NDorOABqrGqJX34WDB8cnelXgsoc6G1cJUMOXiSVWGVRALUJiB_WLPRlQcnviKHQ6P0Qbsi-WJ9o1j6leMY9rI0COSOza5M_w8WmgtsOB_0NkjMn88inZLdr0WxunER0R8GM/w530-h640/IMG_0071.heic" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>The town is very quaint with a German theme.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcw2IiD8rWMDahhfoIwv-UCJFg9OP60KU7Mr8XDYpy7otEXJlWbFf8r1XUvghVgKI5mj8oMUCOLi3GaSHk-20p-knfxu9bAHw_9DxO_aPFzCsk2WAjKd0BYWSQK5mNbhX8xc0TzfpvmHW1BqqDu1VrSN-zV15Ugzy17St3pK0GLJIuhJr2RQVJeP62zQ/s3024/IMG_0075.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcw2IiD8rWMDahhfoIwv-UCJFg9OP60KU7Mr8XDYpy7otEXJlWbFf8r1XUvghVgKI5mj8oMUCOLi3GaSHk-20p-knfxu9bAHw_9DxO_aPFzCsk2WAjKd0BYWSQK5mNbhX8xc0TzfpvmHW1BqqDu1VrSN-zV15Ugzy17St3pK0GLJIuhJr2RQVJeP62zQ/w640-h640/IMG_0075.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>We enjoyed watching artisans make fudge at Zak and Mac's. We purchased a few treats and enjoyed the sipping chocolate.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlINXmnDUjQx06aLqPn9AC3F9hldXWYuOsnTQOQpe4Vq3YtsdmEhGM9ton_eKfFjxGa767999_MTlLYsNCgN6oIOnZabc8WJrrkZM_iiQvZg0ZIyEpK-pWHHA0F-YYliFDA6WBiMvJesqBokSN4pAUiPYC0H1zlA__n1HfhaOjbfZs0QeeGuw1cQQz94/s1920/Colorful%20Vintage%20Aesthetic%20Christmas%20Photo%20Collage%20Your%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlINXmnDUjQx06aLqPn9AC3F9hldXWYuOsnTQOQpe4Vq3YtsdmEhGM9ton_eKfFjxGa767999_MTlLYsNCgN6oIOnZabc8WJrrkZM_iiQvZg0ZIyEpK-pWHHA0F-YYliFDA6WBiMvJesqBokSN4pAUiPYC0H1zlA__n1HfhaOjbfZs0QeeGuw1cQQz94/w360-h640/Colorful%20Vintage%20Aesthetic%20Christmas%20Photo%20Collage%20Your%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>The Christmas decorations and lights were very pretty.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILcr5fFh7t1OYIiGjFuxSxnPVYBVKnPVaImF0WZjjAoAcnwIgGo20HedXc1lGNWAjLnrAIPAT5VE4G477sBZLWYqzO2_EbhrDkTLteTBWum-GcjNK2iuLF2JIPUmDB2Ba8DX9YM4qovk3aPqPAW0ZEj6g0yDsTMoZTbWoCipWmUivUrJflfzAGll9vhU/s1080/White%20Scrapbook%20Polaroid%20Photo%20Frame%20Instagram%20Post%20%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILcr5fFh7t1OYIiGjFuxSxnPVYBVKnPVaImF0WZjjAoAcnwIgGo20HedXc1lGNWAjLnrAIPAT5VE4G477sBZLWYqzO2_EbhrDkTLteTBWum-GcjNK2iuLF2JIPUmDB2Ba8DX9YM4qovk3aPqPAW0ZEj6g0yDsTMoZTbWoCipWmUivUrJflfzAGll9vhU/w640-h640/White%20Scrapbook%20Polaroid%20Photo%20Frame%20Instagram%20Post%20%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>This is the covered bridge leading into town.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>The weather was beautiful during our trip, but it was very cold.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We always enjoy Ann Arbor, but you have to plan ahead on game day because Shanley Belle and Christopher live close to the Big House (University of Michigan's stadium), and the police shut down their street at times during the day. This was perhaps the biggest grudge match during the weekend with the Michigan Wolverines ranked number two and the Ohio State Buckeyes ranked number three.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHvhVgs4bpdJc1eyxRm0g72cuDsko_SWIMj8teX7k29ZAJ5JOb9a40FXDRhEo-cXjitG7pEx2kD64MMBJL9TKyvs5ENbQ_z9Y4LzuYWCLpMcrXR6wSATlxnfqy8lImbAO7h1KQ8musFpUSGKVXmLEuXXHppu6LsaYZyyvKcs5fJlURxSFo_xnyLd4IcI/s1080/Blue%20And%20Green%20Playful%20Modern%20Shapes%20Baby%20Announcement%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHvhVgs4bpdJc1eyxRm0g72cuDsko_SWIMj8teX7k29ZAJ5JOb9a40FXDRhEo-cXjitG7pEx2kD64MMBJL9TKyvs5ENbQ_z9Y4LzuYWCLpMcrXR6wSATlxnfqy8lImbAO7h1KQ8musFpUSGKVXmLEuXXHppu6LsaYZyyvKcs5fJlURxSFo_xnyLd4IcI/w640-h640/Blue%20And%20Green%20Playful%20Modern%20Shapes%20Baby%20Announcement%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Prepping for Game Day at Pioneer High School, just a short walk from the stadium</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2jAhqHLIWVDXgYmcU0M03mxB5AvBpsNdK6zyirdbySGOp_efWvib0aDVuTjFTGzSNhQp4QnQDqdevo7Uf8lwEASC5CHMeXe0YhromuxGtZpukNcoygnB3zCD7eT1CpVULJkZAKnhzSVRR97cjT8jfEoFLKxQvcxJDHoXcPO7tVdqDUog0Ul_YCUOjC8/s3498/IMG_0562.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2623" data-original-width="3498" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2jAhqHLIWVDXgYmcU0M03mxB5AvBpsNdK6zyirdbySGOp_efWvib0aDVuTjFTGzSNhQp4QnQDqdevo7Uf8lwEASC5CHMeXe0YhromuxGtZpukNcoygnB3zCD7eT1CpVULJkZAKnhzSVRR97cjT8jfEoFLKxQvcxJDHoXcPO7tVdqDUog0Ul_YCUOjC8/w640-h480/IMG_0562.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>A beautiful day for football</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Trip and Christopher walked down there, but I was too cold and walked back and watched the game from the comfort of Christopher and Shanley's house. It was a fantastic game! We could hear the Michigan fans as they cheered their team to a 24-30 victory.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Next, we watched an incredible come from behind win for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide v. the Auburn Tigers. Roll Tide Roll!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I guess you've noticed that all of my photos are taken away from Shanley's house. That's because I just got a brand new phone days before the trip, and Shanley and Christopher's Golden likes phones. I kept mine locked in our room when we were home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZFL3LS2UCAaus2l1OkloKhxQcC_kG7IzwyCR-K63yFW0XWxTotgQxMuzvOMtgHWsQQMiCjU-SR_qLY6yeC4TRs18xqQ09UnNq1JkaI_BqV2uCL1x2NWPvPnW2k-lQyNbaD54b3IhaWlOCb8IbL0tH6T3zuhyphenhyphen1lz5pszz0MFqTM5qYM_dnN0fNhNWeKY/s3155/22.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3155" data-original-width="2138" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZFL3LS2UCAaus2l1OkloKhxQcC_kG7IzwyCR-K63yFW0XWxTotgQxMuzvOMtgHWsQQMiCjU-SR_qLY6yeC4TRs18xqQ09UnNq1JkaI_BqV2uCL1x2NWPvPnW2k-lQyNbaD54b3IhaWlOCb8IbL0tH6T3zuhyphenhyphen1lz5pszz0MFqTM5qYM_dnN0fNhNWeKY/w434-h640/22.png" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Of course La Countess has been my helper while running all over Birmingham prepping for everything Christmas.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Stop by next week for a look at our Christmas decorations!</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><br /><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Please link over and visit the other Traveling Totes.</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Debbie</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Aurora</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mountainbreaths.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1guI4pYksbU71khCdXNUAq" href="http://www.mountainbreaths.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e70010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mountain Breaths</span></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Emily</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Courtney Childs</i>@ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thefrenchhutch.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw23DINghDu0y055xRoJ-mFB" href="http://www.thefrenchhutch.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The French Hutch</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </b></span><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patti</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Kenzie</i> <span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">@</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw36z7QKsAdwsmbCnEjRsNId" href="http://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pandora's Box</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jenna</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Coquille</i> @<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw2r-XhJg6QIjT8yV317t7Ud" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Painted Apron</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Linda P</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Lola</i> @<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lifeandlinda.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1eUYGXRoTkl1MXq4wtBm6S" href="http://www.lifeandlinda.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Life and Linda</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rita</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Luna C </i>@ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw0iAENu0nEJu-wlXupyoDLO" href="http://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e70010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Panoply</span></a><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sarah</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Merri Mac</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw3ivQcsrTrQPdwXiwpewz9-" href="http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hyacinths for the Soul</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jackie</b> and <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Madi K</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://purplechocolathome.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw0jU8HOl759LwHamqCbCGPT" href="http://purplechocolathome.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Purple Chocolat Home</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ricki Jill </b>and Countess De Monet @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ricki-treleaven.com&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1elD14AKZQbQipagTPDrgD" href="http://ricki-treleaven.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Sketchy Reader</span></a> (You're here!)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Below is the prize for this quarter. For a chance to win, please leave a comment below, and if you are an anonymous blogger, leave your email in your comment so I can contact you.</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL3bxi6uLoTKCsqPg4Qy2-A-_2EWzYazVYJmIX73COQG4EqJOUV8uz0uu8C74akCHY9EzMhcTzLKT9_QduN_9gqiUB77Zmdbe1Br9RNd6kcblpNyiDCB5CBptD4HGTJfdrrE2_VQV8q6WGjiTVo6dUO9kzaCasj53QYtnOqcFQbxvzWfiVXNjtZuiR08/s1672/ttt%20dec'23.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1672" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL3bxi6uLoTKCsqPg4Qy2-A-_2EWzYazVYJmIX73COQG4EqJOUV8uz0uu8C74akCHY9EzMhcTzLKT9_QduN_9gqiUB77Zmdbe1Br9RNd6kcblpNyiDCB5CBptD4HGTJfdrrE2_VQV8q6WGjiTVo6dUO9kzaCasj53QYtnOqcFQbxvzWfiVXNjtZuiR08/w640-h386/ttt%20dec'23.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Join us for our next adventures March 1, 2024.</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk-mbIFgp4P_BK4LMZF6wGJa5__ECI6z-iIbr_1gOaLz8Z92XC8ibkk3m6uFb6sXbSctwwFzHbnTK96sUYogkya38Doq9mVK04YclK0dgqmcqfG2MSwV2A4N7P8ICLQONWc_zqsCrhHcYMGb6xOh-xGmeHUwTUeXAqy0YCZNi-m3q8A2gIQ2p8t2iCVc/s1920/TalesoftheTravelingToteMarch2024.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk-mbIFgp4P_BK4LMZF6wGJa5__ECI6z-iIbr_1gOaLz8Z92XC8ibkk3m6uFb6sXbSctwwFzHbnTK96sUYogkya38Doq9mVK04YclK0dgqmcqfG2MSwV2A4N7P8ICLQONWc_zqsCrhHcYMGb6xOh-xGmeHUwTUeXAqy0YCZNi-m3q8A2gIQ2p8t2iCVc/w360-h640/TalesoftheTravelingToteMarch2024.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ricki Jill</span></div><br /></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-38978352027149582142023-11-28T11:11:00.000-06:002023-11-28T11:11:57.326-06:00What's Been Going On In November<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMQ_inJPgsva4i5YpG1uzSItyf3xubU84a_2qBva5V9jRCT7JUm4YX9WfjZkfHMdIluQmZ7H3Scjwe1soyRYMhlhzmvqb5svKjAylx2R-WgerYUlHgHFZllxDTSusxlcmKF5BJ2dLmLb8eN98IHiifupU5O_k-sdbqUvhgYbt96GhE8d5I8kSRtaVqqM/s4032/IMG_0040.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMQ_inJPgsva4i5YpG1uzSItyf3xubU84a_2qBva5V9jRCT7JUm4YX9WfjZkfHMdIluQmZ7H3Scjwe1soyRYMhlhzmvqb5svKjAylx2R-WgerYUlHgHFZllxDTSusxlcmKF5BJ2dLmLb8eN98IHiifupU5O_k-sdbqUvhgYbt96GhE8d5I8kSRtaVqqM/w480-h640/IMG_0040.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Tiny tree in the art studio</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies! </b>I have been the most horrible blogger of late. Have you missed me? (haha) It is taking me forever to get anything accomplished these days...everything takes longer. Everything. I've received a few emails inquiring what's up, so I thought I'd give you a brief overview of my life lately. As you can tell from the above photo, I'm slowly decorating for Christmas. Our tree is up without the ornaments, but I have most all the other decor done. I still need to pick up a little greenery later on today, and then I'm planning on decorating the tree tonight.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As far as my blog goes, I am actually working on a few posts coming up soon:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLj4E3ICogZz9vN5Vr_WxwF3ygm05VVzkxg-jX8-I1I9GYTmcJW7q68IWMncOYZP2oZ4-dZqBppcOM1FitW8_pcuFv_8ze92JKNgQWgmpKj7MMGOHfA94BKP07eJt4XYjJF9x_NmdNF46OicCtFH7C21_9JiJbQFSCLqeDhtpio4bKijDnzOSHcxLJ2Q/s2016/IMG_7050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLj4E3ICogZz9vN5Vr_WxwF3ygm05VVzkxg-jX8-I1I9GYTmcJW7q68IWMncOYZP2oZ4-dZqBppcOM1FitW8_pcuFv_8ze92JKNgQWgmpKj7MMGOHfA94BKP07eJt4XYjJF9x_NmdNF46OicCtFH7C21_9JiJbQFSCLqeDhtpio4bKijDnzOSHcxLJ2Q/w480-h640/IMG_7050.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Our December 2023 edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote will be live this Friday, December 1st.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Here is a hint from my Tales of the Traveling Tote post:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1K_xKkJgSes6IU54hL27njUolbB-GAt2yG47KMJekmBc3FtgNopnn2fvp8mNgFJG47WH3RxaXpv-xrfrKUwo3bltuYXhHtPBlyWlhfGhtvZ06lbm1IpA-OZAC3WtVNuFBdkBmr505AwOFzcTmnlYdo-tqJYIuh5kLMrN4ZaniXKPTeBse56_3kXEdM4/s4032/IMG_0087.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1K_xKkJgSes6IU54hL27njUolbB-GAt2yG47KMJekmBc3FtgNopnn2fvp8mNgFJG47WH3RxaXpv-xrfrKUwo3bltuYXhHtPBlyWlhfGhtvZ06lbm1IpA-OZAC3WtVNuFBdkBmr505AwOFzcTmnlYdo-tqJYIuh5kLMrN4ZaniXKPTeBse56_3kXEdM4/w480-h640/IMG_0087.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Not really much to go on, huh!?!?</i></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCYPZAKmWEHeMTiwyVOBPwX2_Lv0yZ0R0BrwNrHdoGVgBaHZ-CK82t_lT4WGWf-aa4PXRFcsBeooztI_tjDjq3syq-uqQJkRaSEblOjVgCARB-kXPJRiH7nBuGtdNwhvAnlnraqHNAybxFkyYyznMT-aSjlRYl0WFygzq8RwGEXzuKqQeJmn_bx3_ZBw/s1672/ttt%20dec'23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1672" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCYPZAKmWEHeMTiwyVOBPwX2_Lv0yZ0R0BrwNrHdoGVgBaHZ-CK82t_lT4WGWf-aa4PXRFcsBeooztI_tjDjq3syq-uqQJkRaSEblOjVgCARB-kXPJRiH7nBuGtdNwhvAnlnraqHNAybxFkyYyznMT-aSjlRYl0WFygzq8RwGEXzuKqQeJmn_bx3_ZBw/w640-h386/ttt%20dec'23.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Also, I'm hosting this quarter's giveaway! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I hope you win!!!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On December 5th, I'm joining Rita @ Panoply for a Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq3ZyMh6XFFa4vsPeMN7QH8_uN8qE6mHp6XW2sf_WJqFQ3Cem01CtceC4OOI-rEn5h9CvheShuhc3JfmfsrAA5ccVHYIBNKsgsKHVZZYnZ7BhRPP6TzrAhyxodIcCR_g1wFy5E6Gyo7zOqcz5jzHaPtfLkBmwcwqUhXMugvowZYeqJq7dJPZyzm9QVWo/s3257/2023%20Christmas%20Tablescape%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3257" data-original-width="1846" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq3ZyMh6XFFa4vsPeMN7QH8_uN8qE6mHp6XW2sf_WJqFQ3Cem01CtceC4OOI-rEn5h9CvheShuhc3JfmfsrAA5ccVHYIBNKsgsKHVZZYnZ7BhRPP6TzrAhyxodIcCR_g1wFy5E6Gyo7zOqcz5jzHaPtfLkBmwcwqUhXMugvowZYeqJq7dJPZyzm9QVWo/w362-h640/2023%20Christmas%20Tablescape%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a little sneak-peek of my tablescape, my "inspiration:"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe-KuOy7nFYlhKfQ1UXbHkVE6WNiAJWHhORfmreF6RiIu8d7LlKVlcdju28_t3Ir0uBMmvdlLu-YgP1Sh_sCmH8MrJoU21cvbD8ZdpIVrGmt97hXKZIf_f-F8v9HVz21lj7MjVMQIx5tZ20xKQWvW4N7ETRCGqFYVCrURNNn8xQ5qlW4jlJLI10MDNW8/s2000/rachel1137_797bae67-3f2f-44d9-973c-0f685650b270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe-KuOy7nFYlhKfQ1UXbHkVE6WNiAJWHhORfmreF6RiIu8d7LlKVlcdju28_t3Ir0uBMmvdlLu-YgP1Sh_sCmH8MrJoU21cvbD8ZdpIVrGmt97hXKZIf_f-F8v9HVz21lj7MjVMQIx5tZ20xKQWvW4N7ETRCGqFYVCrURNNn8xQ5qlW4jlJLI10MDNW8/w640-h640/rachel1137_797bae67-3f2f-44d9-973c-0f685650b270.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.shabbychic.com/collections/tabletop/products/tablecloth-flora-berry" target="_blank">via</a></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm still attending my art classes @ Red Dot, and I have a goal to finish the realism drawing book I've been working on by the end of January.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJrfAKJt8SLjf_A4PTgmv839CLoRaA4j92RSRDgiB3n6Ub6wepxcNGvSfC8gnaSTgMrdyexvEKLIG5HMyP_grxGTHrcSvmCpEQeF4w8j0kZXEojVvMVTUqxejR3CY7Ay-vofSPt9BHJrxY1LW1d9sQ7V1AE9f9MMb0EcWtFEEUn7e76Mb-zQTnRyE2zY/s1920/Modern%20Chic%20Black%20and%20White%20Happy%20Birthday%20Polaroid%20Instagram%20Story.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJrfAKJt8SLjf_A4PTgmv839CLoRaA4j92RSRDgiB3n6Ub6wepxcNGvSfC8gnaSTgMrdyexvEKLIG5HMyP_grxGTHrcSvmCpEQeF4w8j0kZXEojVvMVTUqxejR3CY7Ay-vofSPt9BHJrxY1LW1d9sQ7V1AE9f9MMb0EcWtFEEUn7e76Mb-zQTnRyE2zY/w360-h640/Modern%20Chic%20Black%20and%20White%20Happy%20Birthday%20Polaroid%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since baseball season is over, I'm reading a bit more at night. I am also working on a post of mini book reviews.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuVOhpM11EG49bm9PvfUnJyK-ldSb_WZOOltOGTh3TpS34oiQj0Txgr8inNy0n_X1CRLbWJeF03E0LNJPsVKKcdFd4txpxwFE8MEOEQv7HbujkkkF3aGv0sG_qXL_v1grsUCVOv1caAkWBROhj5qXXSzbvHfEZHIo-NO8p9kktg8YajhT4vivnQutUyQ/s2796/IMG_7905%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2796" data-original-width="2796" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuVOhpM11EG49bm9PvfUnJyK-ldSb_WZOOltOGTh3TpS34oiQj0Txgr8inNy0n_X1CRLbWJeF03E0LNJPsVKKcdFd4txpxwFE8MEOEQv7HbujkkkF3aGv0sG_qXL_v1grsUCVOv1caAkWBROhj5qXXSzbvHfEZHIo-NO8p9kktg8YajhT4vivnQutUyQ/w640-h640/IMG_7905%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Rachel Incident <i>will be included in my Literary Friday post on Friday, December 8th.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm still trying to determine how I will post during Advent. I will probably post only on the Sundays of Advent this year, but I will be posting everyday in December on Instagram. If you don't follow me yet, please start and I will follow you back! There's a link to my account on the lefthand side of my footer, below. I will be sharing prizes from my Advent calendar as well as daily scripture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLy6l13siVMJaZVLeMq_ZNbKaVZbsK9nrFYlk0yqXWlKGHqHZq0LKSIhgrRET2YUvj1UvQeiVYbWid3C3pjtIW5XKiBs1ujW52eOV5lMH5HZiJkpSOX36WJeQ_AN-Wlvd95NrR1OSbd4Htv5dlwnq15JmdKeG9pNFEp_uproGzQZehbR7p7Ye1IqKeeY/s3647/IMG_7907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3647" data-original-width="2710" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLy6l13siVMJaZVLeMq_ZNbKaVZbsK9nrFYlk0yqXWlKGHqHZq0LKSIhgrRET2YUvj1UvQeiVYbWid3C3pjtIW5XKiBs1ujW52eOV5lMH5HZiJkpSOX36WJeQ_AN-Wlvd95NrR1OSbd4Htv5dlwnq15JmdKeG9pNFEp_uproGzQZehbR7p7Ye1IqKeeY/w476-h640/IMG_7907.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Advent Calendar is the fancy armoire, and it's from </i>Daphne's Diary Magazine<i>.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank-you for reading my blog!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Until next time...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Blessings,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ricki Jill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-48232036903220186502023-11-07T04:30:00.006-06:002023-11-07T06:57:19.815-06:00Thanksgiving Tablescape With Vintage Linens <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzcvYpnnZawSPDODXkTQc89hD0sf1lYMwbI4nOJTTuVaHdvGiaLi8ZAI2js9AMXwaX-EusgVlxmqE47_SkNh5v9jXl4IlB5o5766E3r0oUuj0DztqbTR0I6sQNZrX1roexwSPywjF8eW1Ug4nuVO1TsMMzOw0CdLNy_whC72kykEVXzEeb2DWy0skXmc/s1920/Aesthetic%20Polaroid%20Shop%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzcvYpnnZawSPDODXkTQc89hD0sf1lYMwbI4nOJTTuVaHdvGiaLi8ZAI2js9AMXwaX-EusgVlxmqE47_SkNh5v9jXl4IlB5o5766E3r0oUuj0DztqbTR0I6sQNZrX1roexwSPywjF8eW1Ug4nuVO1TsMMzOw0CdLNy_whC72kykEVXzEeb2DWy0skXmc/w360-h640/Aesthetic%20Polaroid%20Shop%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hello, My Lovelies! Welcome to the 2023 Thanksgiving Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by Sweet <a href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rita @ the Panoply Blog</a>.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_NgInLVQQjJAnh7W26jNT7KOW6oU5SdG2ZxuEzWJP-JpVG-En4lqC_4CpUQiLxgUZ_CUuhd_cVTyILVitJSfQvKFPdcqXlNKZeCwxcvRmuCkPDogU1ycfqloL8GVwS5cSY0r-s8pswwuF2JtXrOUn3XwHVGUhi2gE3DjPbA00ubFM2jQ9uLDR_nJFsA/s2715/TGVG%202023%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2715" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_NgInLVQQjJAnh7W26jNT7KOW6oU5SdG2ZxuEzWJP-JpVG-En4lqC_4CpUQiLxgUZ_CUuhd_cVTyILVitJSfQvKFPdcqXlNKZeCwxcvRmuCkPDogU1ycfqloL8GVwS5cSY0r-s8pswwuF2JtXrOUn3XwHVGUhi2gE3DjPbA00ubFM2jQ9uLDR_nJFsA/w640-h438/TGVG%202023%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Please be sure to visit Rita and the other blogs using the links at the bottom of this post!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to thank Rita for organizing these blog hop parties: You are a super leader, My Friend! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you linked over from Red Cottage Chronicles, I'm sure you enjoyed Maureen's beautiful post. Her blog is one of my faves! Thanks for linking over.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Since I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year, I decided to put together a Thanksgiving-themed tablescape for a simple supper. One thing I love about our church is that we have Celtic Services on Sunday evenings followed by simple suppers (usually soup). These services, especially the unique music, is a blessing to me and my family. For our at-home simple supper, I served roasted spiced pecans as a small appetizer, and for the main course I served a thick and hearty chicken fricassee. My recipe is Cajun, and it's more like a stew.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I decided to use our much loved vintage tablecloth and napkin set. It was the first tablecloth I purchased when we married, so it's definitely vintage! It's faded over the years, and I think that's improved the beauty of it. The print is a little confusing because it has images for summer, spring, and fall, as well as gardening tools. Because of the pears and squash it's suitable for fall. Let's take a look:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-z447NW93LiSAS9LBXmhH6RbIIQeKZEo-Vu3bBVmeYPmn6ttUMNlhTgg3wRld85HxNfnCHY0rZq2wG3omZdCfJeZ3eMpY60u-ZtltrAQeLNIAFx-zae5XcGGGBk5f3jczqwWwFHJh5KTJNBoDrXJTp6PLFRa0FhW9mULNlfEMttlLZ8XPzfrtiUqRIQ/s4032/IMG_7833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-z447NW93LiSAS9LBXmhH6RbIIQeKZEo-Vu3bBVmeYPmn6ttUMNlhTgg3wRld85HxNfnCHY0rZq2wG3omZdCfJeZ3eMpY60u-ZtltrAQeLNIAFx-zae5XcGGGBk5f3jczqwWwFHJh5KTJNBoDrXJTp6PLFRa0FhW9mULNlfEMttlLZ8XPzfrtiUqRIQ/w640-h480/IMG_7833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Set for a casual supper, I started with a vintage tablecloth and napkins. I added the plaid napkins for more pattern and interest.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I chose cheery yellow roses edged in red and orange to brighten the table.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now let's look at the plate stacks:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IxIUYP9Cx2fUM_jLemnuwGrR3PacO-ZywmlYmsr9lu-5S-LpIL7v2d7S9ogIgJnru3_X867YP0R97WPl_juJwgcP9mmPImcnk_7FyDYldxR9CzwYgON4b-aIzcvSZaDtLkhkn7gw43hLE_x1EphyphenhyphenKIglL4CZeJFRR5AVxAMfSxV5BulFUi4jxMLL250/s2830/IMG_7836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2830" data-original-width="2830" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IxIUYP9Cx2fUM_jLemnuwGrR3PacO-ZywmlYmsr9lu-5S-LpIL7v2d7S9ogIgJnru3_X867YP0R97WPl_juJwgcP9mmPImcnk_7FyDYldxR9CzwYgON4b-aIzcvSZaDtLkhkn7gw43hLE_x1EphyphenhyphenKIglL4CZeJFRR5AVxAMfSxV5BulFUi4jxMLL250/w640-h640/IMG_7836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I started with flat-rimmed MacKenzie-Childs dinner plates to use as chargers.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I chose plates that matched the dinner and appetizer plates.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1-LszeVzvdDnkDOQRoQ_BA2zsMDoNuLTvaF3tJct4jKMlPfkxWK8Q8UYmY2FGpwgDME6dQd4FhwSVPO82f-YtW0Sq5RDXa1i3DyJxIgBPBetc4VJAU9J-1xKfnEW1ayqnyZtnIa-3YzKBOteNx8ujwM_hzLgOyLc-1WdSYiLzJCzNDpOsF0qykY0ImQ/s3024/IMG_7835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1-LszeVzvdDnkDOQRoQ_BA2zsMDoNuLTvaF3tJct4jKMlPfkxWK8Q8UYmY2FGpwgDME6dQd4FhwSVPO82f-YtW0Sq5RDXa1i3DyJxIgBPBetc4VJAU9J-1xKfnEW1ayqnyZtnIa-3YzKBOteNx8ujwM_hzLgOyLc-1WdSYiLzJCzNDpOsF0qykY0ImQ/w640-h640/IMG_7835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>All the dinner plates are identical.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWyj5_CZKaC5SyOM_d3Edsj8nESureRxQMaGCJm0_m3YJ9bMcaBbUC7Xdpt0kPQO-S2qO8lKiByH7LarIbY0d66PTQD8t4b2j0zFl5EKuwyNH2umEkb2Ci1iMqLEw2_XK_XCvV5Hb43hqC4AWbQnp7jnCUldehMMA1Vkk9jRsGz1kbWhl5t4D0GJ574U/s3024/IMG_7834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWyj5_CZKaC5SyOM_d3Edsj8nESureRxQMaGCJm0_m3YJ9bMcaBbUC7Xdpt0kPQO-S2qO8lKiByH7LarIbY0d66PTQD8t4b2j0zFl5EKuwyNH2umEkb2Ci1iMqLEw2_XK_XCvV5Hb43hqC4AWbQnp7jnCUldehMMA1Vkk9jRsGz1kbWhl5t4D0GJ574U/w640-h640/IMG_7834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>The appetizer plates are all different, however.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEBHcClq_x0pikRVfuUrV1MTn_s_Hg8c2Ap0yoa3EKPUQQjllGAssXvbq95mWlDh2tSNOvJkqELe_kuChz0K2yHir6B0kOf1IvUgk14QlQs9TBIVG5uEtHX-xbX_oZ45grLanO5WRoqGx-wb_kOluZuvVWueDx-dlBGk5eaxp1B7yVIbPvsPoQ-kkI7A/s1920/Grey%20&%20Beige%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Christmas%20Mood%20Your%20Story%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEBHcClq_x0pikRVfuUrV1MTn_s_Hg8c2Ap0yoa3EKPUQQjllGAssXvbq95mWlDh2tSNOvJkqELe_kuChz0K2yHir6B0kOf1IvUgk14QlQs9TBIVG5uEtHX-xbX_oZ45grLanO5WRoqGx-wb_kOluZuvVWueDx-dlBGk5eaxp1B7yVIbPvsPoQ-kkI7A/w360-h640/Grey%20&%20Beige%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Christmas%20Mood%20Your%20Story%20(2).png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Two of the plate stacks. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4llW2lyYMGvDm88V8P1AqSApaDfj7XRVsGD54IflF6YBKQxVQJRCbALrPDvK7IdI8kIXTtHeEbDiF1OM-Q6TLVJLSZ496m6GFRb7cABC0_l4HqOU09Og0alWovAnc5aVYO0rKMHxFHWqg3fY_LzQxwPpGDNKtdMjrnZKXMq90KXLrWPe7gZjNLyU0eLU/s1080/Minimalistic%20Neutral%20Clean%20Polaroid%20Photo%20Collage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4llW2lyYMGvDm88V8P1AqSApaDfj7XRVsGD54IflF6YBKQxVQJRCbALrPDvK7IdI8kIXTtHeEbDiF1OM-Q6TLVJLSZ496m6GFRb7cABC0_l4HqOU09Og0alWovAnc5aVYO0rKMHxFHWqg3fY_LzQxwPpGDNKtdMjrnZKXMq90KXLrWPe7gZjNLyU0eLU/w640-h640/Minimalistic%20Neutral%20Clean%20Polaroid%20Photo%20Collage.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I also added a few pumpkin accessories from Williams-Sonoma. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaooVuwOPLczxKMfOwt_XG0UudcJaxF07gtDpcenZmf4N6u8PlI4_kceFYd1l_o6UFJQTgG35qw5UUxRsKA0xJ4ZTFBRFwNquJvwZ3gWZhpW2R7Az_drskMkZHchD1FHIfjkGSXFcYIwlzHblCll0BHB1VeNXaIrBHENtBMQVm-TOvLCPzrFaLIt1Vo2A/s3864/IMG_7837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="2898" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaooVuwOPLczxKMfOwt_XG0UudcJaxF07gtDpcenZmf4N6u8PlI4_kceFYd1l_o6UFJQTgG35qw5UUxRsKA0xJ4ZTFBRFwNquJvwZ3gWZhpW2R7Az_drskMkZHchD1FHIfjkGSXFcYIwlzHblCll0BHB1VeNXaIrBHENtBMQVm-TOvLCPzrFaLIt1Vo2A/w480-h640/IMG_7837.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Pumpkin place card holders and taper holders</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyF8yIxgte_SpG7xk65H7zOwI55muPTSKjgTYndI7jGeU7BJ_269PC7yLSO0MJVZ0VcBdk2gBelBj0Ulf-x6wLDvrG-_FRqnX203KH9HWFnPwuhyR2IBZL5oSlAnKLI5udnTdlGp98FIV9YPiJm9xSiRxXuVQ1hFvsX5Bxdf2d9KXy-C0WNyhuf55v10/s4032/IMG_7831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyF8yIxgte_SpG7xk65H7zOwI55muPTSKjgTYndI7jGeU7BJ_269PC7yLSO0MJVZ0VcBdk2gBelBj0Ulf-x6wLDvrG-_FRqnX203KH9HWFnPwuhyR2IBZL5oSlAnKLI5udnTdlGp98FIV9YPiJm9xSiRxXuVQ1hFvsX5Bxdf2d9KXy-C0WNyhuf55v10/w640-h480/IMG_7831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Pumpkin and squash salt and pepper shaker set and vegetable pitcher for iced tea</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ifzlnsnt5MRXpAJ0ToHagWSkog8wA3TAByF0nMn2fKvkAA1m9ffjVKqook3ymyNRVLqYRfHV8jnOztm_X3R8jgO66vtpGq0-RFLRy09EhJbnIwEm8HvthjFLOk2gGwmfqxX6AUNeiwDxEFKsGJNXsUeB6hSNgog74jAJJFtwCY3RoxsXsttZcrDC6xc/s4032/IMG_7849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ifzlnsnt5MRXpAJ0ToHagWSkog8wA3TAByF0nMn2fKvkAA1m9ffjVKqook3ymyNRVLqYRfHV8jnOztm_X3R8jgO66vtpGq0-RFLRy09EhJbnIwEm8HvthjFLOk2gGwmfqxX6AUNeiwDxEFKsGJNXsUeB6hSNgog74jAJJFtwCY3RoxsXsttZcrDC6xc/w480-h640/IMG_7849.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Pumpkin tureen for serving chicken fricassee</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmWsJmeA1arorhyk7IaLy9Wz_kgVMu_Km0IALz-vc9RU51bFA_JoqLrV368QAdodXL_d04oGhY1P338F08su8oZN5VjsLxy-LCwSpVIWw8H9X0Yd56WuK5URPpXq3G3Xu8a6HlI9u12_o4f_P-oWffvuNZFR3Gv-xTw6pwLLG4fTeO-PHozSJFSg3K-4/s4032/IMG_7842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmWsJmeA1arorhyk7IaLy9Wz_kgVMu_Km0IALz-vc9RU51bFA_JoqLrV368QAdodXL_d04oGhY1P338F08su8oZN5VjsLxy-LCwSpVIWw8H9X0Yd56WuK5URPpXq3G3Xu8a6HlI9u12_o4f_P-oWffvuNZFR3Gv-xTw6pwLLG4fTeO-PHozSJFSg3K-4/w480-h640/IMG_7842.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Footed iced tea glasses were a wedding gift. I'm keeping the vintage theme going! ;P</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I added the blue napkin rings because I love turquoise! Plus, there's a little pale turquoise in the linens.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiq3UriiPZX1FMKw2IpfsBWSLsYdd5AJQ_m8WLQ0I9C065ycQg-w8PyNbPjrkpnd6x50j8Ykn4TSzdu0zhqd5pDdfMMo6RxGltUHL4Vmq73n_SL_9d1vFa2UwwI0LM4HF0FxBq2PvBeGeaPv_ZAfiQVu04t-d17elzPEkUcDMkCvevw5MQ-oSJpzqq8c/s3024/IMG_7862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiq3UriiPZX1FMKw2IpfsBWSLsYdd5AJQ_m8WLQ0I9C065ycQg-w8PyNbPjrkpnd6x50j8Ykn4TSzdu0zhqd5pDdfMMo6RxGltUHL4Vmq73n_SL_9d1vFa2UwwI0LM4HF0FxBq2PvBeGeaPv_ZAfiQVu04t-d17elzPEkUcDMkCvevw5MQ-oSJpzqq8c/w640-h640/IMG_7862.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The MacKenzie-Childs covered chowder will contain the pecans.</i></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXz6Pvt5473s9TRxZZrlmhjGsJaI0y7bjlwIBAgqIiGL_ucBLFbLsbm-8M5xLY26m_8pPixdM0gfEHLQzcmHVY2PbLR-7n-emxexNGfSioNfRyYS2GUu2nQUtlT7tTPTAShwNkv0tN9pCqOjbhWNSRoObQMpuJ7vBrKAoE9U4BUvGGp3D6yv5j2q4lu0/s4032/IMG_7824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXz6Pvt5473s9TRxZZrlmhjGsJaI0y7bjlwIBAgqIiGL_ucBLFbLsbm-8M5xLY26m_8pPixdM0gfEHLQzcmHVY2PbLR-7n-emxexNGfSioNfRyYS2GUu2nQUtlT7tTPTAShwNkv0tN9pCqOjbhWNSRoObQMpuJ7vBrKAoE9U4BUvGGp3D6yv5j2q4lu0/w480-h640/IMG_7824.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Thanksgiving-themed Casual Tablescape</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b>Resources:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Vintage garden-themed table linens, pumpkin ceramic accessories, and skinny tapered candles: Williams-Sonoma</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Plaid napkins and napkin rings, and pumpkin dinner and appetizer plates: Pier1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Vintage glasses: Wedding gift from Neiman-Marcus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Vintage vegetable pitcher: Laura Ashley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Flatware: Horchow</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Chargers, plate under salt and pepper set, covered chowder bowl, and serving spoon: MacKenzie-Childs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Large beaded serving utensils: Table Matters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Large cream vase: Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Place cards: Daphne's Diary</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7t9sA2amiotmM8dO_8vH5WLi82e0iWu-3ZFNc0yFfX_DdoFKdodmxiRJDNz-5Yoc26ceEbei6IV7zUsIzbd_LAetE1deu5HHVtZcEsgfcdxjGHJjmqRigkZC7z-UxJ2y1_aFTQPzY6uX25kbWygn2jZkwaa9TxukjH0pG6IkmHNUHvs90YULDbuK2ns/s1314/pumpkin5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1160" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7t9sA2amiotmM8dO_8vH5WLi82e0iWu-3ZFNc0yFfX_DdoFKdodmxiRJDNz-5Yoc26ceEbei6IV7zUsIzbd_LAetE1deu5HHVtZcEsgfcdxjGHJjmqRigkZC7z-UxJ2y1_aFTQPzY6uX25kbWygn2jZkwaa9TxukjH0pG6IkmHNUHvs90YULDbuK2ns/w353-h400/pumpkin5.png" width="353" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Please visit all the other stylists' blogs by using the links below. If you're linking in order, The Little Yellow Corner Store is next. It's the very last link.</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Panoply - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/11/harvest-of-thanks-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw0hCTo6mJ3CDsyH7W4JHYik" href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/11/harvest-of-thanks-tablescape.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Harvest of Thanks</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everyday Living - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://everydayliving.me/?p%3D63051%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw2wcbp0uw2tNcBAdQAi81Iy" href="https://everydayliving.me/?p=63051&preview=true" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Gathering With Grateful Hearts</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hyacinths for the Soul - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-tribute-to-tom-turkey.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw0NVKk17BcgpIrK4xYBnN3U" href="https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-tribute-to-tom-turkey.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Tribute to Tom Turkey</a><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Home is Where the Boat Is - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p%3D153738&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw3pp3RUaNm3z9teb1Iroh3D" href="https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p=153738" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Giving Thanks Table with Indian Corn Arrangement</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My Thrift Store Addiction - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2023/11/friendsgiving-charcuterie-and-wine.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw2nwkdI3o9mHvPrh4ovjOQx" href="https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2023/11/friendsgiving-charcuterie-and-wine.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Friendsgiving Charcuterie and Wine Buffet</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Me and My Captain<span style="color: #500050;"> - </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://meandmycaptain.com/2023/11/thankful-grateful-blessed/&source=gmail&ust=1699413447254000&usg=AOvVaw3rth6P_UOsl7ZN-8J9_oO3" href="https://meandmycaptain.com/2023/11/thankful-grateful-blessed/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Thankful, Grateful</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Painted Apron - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/11/07/eat-drink-be-thankful/&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw2PS2f9u8Jj7T8V6kjmKNAF" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/11/07/eat-drink-be-thankful/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Eat, Drink & Be Thankful</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Life and Linda - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/11/autumn-leaves-pumpkins-please.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw26F7UZDqvVqDPUppGWUQhx" href="https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/11/autumn-leaves-pumpkins-please.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Autumn Leaves & Pumpkins Please</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Cat's Whiskerz - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p%3D3482%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw31U9jnExXgP5r1Jz86NrEY" href="https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p=3482&preview=true" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Giving Thanks Wherever You Are</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Belle Bleu Interiors - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bellebleuinteriors.com/tablescapes/gather-with-a-grateful-heart/&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw326hU1ZQYjV96be_X6p2Aj" href="https://bellebleuinteriors.com/tablescapes/gather-with-a-grateful-heart/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Gather with a Grateful Heart</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From My Carolina Home - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://frommycarolinahome.com/2023/11/07/turkey-time-tablescape/&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw1Y5K80p3rZb1eji3pyNaeI" href="https://frommycarolinahome.com/2023/11/07/turkey-time-tablescape/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Turkey Time Tablescape</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Karins Kottage - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://karinskottage.com/2023/11/harvest-elegance-crafting-thanksgiving-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw0xvAZPTEF7k1wKo-NJL0l7" href="https://karinskottage.com/2023/11/harvest-elegance-crafting-thanksgiving-tablescape.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Harvest Elegance: Crafting a Thanksgiving Tablescape</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dinner at Eight - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-modern-take-on-traditional-pattern.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw3Ai9t-5hOP9FutixyRnxdR" href="https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-modern-take-on-traditional-pattern.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Modern Take on a Traditional Pattern for Thanksgiving</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Corner of Plaid and Paisley - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cornerofplaidandpaisley.com/2023/11/oh-so-thankful-thanksgiving-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw0CaceO_90IpvcZXxFEy2ix" href="https://www.cornerofplaidandpaisley.com/2023/11/oh-so-thankful-thanksgiving-tablescape.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Oh, So Thankful</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Red Cottage Chronicles - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://redcottagechronicles.com/tablescapes/simple-thanksgiving-table-decor/&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw1hHv1PbvoDRxnSgnvpncCZ" href="http://redcottagechronicles.com/tablescapes/simple-thanksgiving-table-decor/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Almost Effortless Thanksgiving Tablescape</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Bookish Dilettante - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/11/thanksgiving-tablescape-with-vintage.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw0Qr3gZ1Q66PdoQ9R9yU3Ct" href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/11/thanksgiving-tablescape-with-vintage.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Thanksgiving Tablescape with Vintage Linen</a><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/11/thanksgiving-tablescape-with-vintage.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw0Qr3gZ1Q66PdoQ9R9yU3Ct" href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/11/thanksgiving-tablescape-with-vintage.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">s</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Little Yellow Corner Store - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thelittleyellowcornerstore.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-simple-fruit-and-greenery-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1699300873773000&usg=AOvVaw00PDPDDrStvNZ-I60UeoDM" href="https://thelittleyellowcornerstore.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-simple-fruit-and-greenery-tablescape.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Simple Fruit and Greenery Tablescape</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIR20QSLaINGwGniG7ktYbRsPCdp9koVJZdW-tgw6NNuc4gUMk3ubyhBjWPnwan-qPCgPRbq6jrEhMjX7UwT7wOZDb8HYmC4xyVw_qKi5ydooO92mHLFPoSeJQXtaCx8u6fpQ-unrNKkOWTybauAxLo3qH6F_28PBwEYJe5IFn1oeIoL8JRXImZyaLWA/s1080/Beige%20Scrapbook%20Happy%20Thanksgiving%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIR20QSLaINGwGniG7ktYbRsPCdp9koVJZdW-tgw6NNuc4gUMk3ubyhBjWPnwan-qPCgPRbq6jrEhMjX7UwT7wOZDb8HYmC4xyVw_qKi5ydooO92mHLFPoSeJQXtaCx8u6fpQ-unrNKkOWTybauAxLo3qH6F_28PBwEYJe5IFn1oeIoL8JRXImZyaLWA/w640-h640/Beige%20Scrapbook%20Happy%20Thanksgiving%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Thanksgiving!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-39631849179438850762023-10-10T04:30:00.015-05:002023-10-10T06:31:58.522-05:00October Vignette: Think Pink!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFyovx-L8Mtldrt4Z7XQGNEn3yzwgv15Hx53DmIh2OG8SA04YL1R56LUriugcjOd1XuW8ld-Mg6IF8k5kvU95UEmFZEZrWuIfVsiLPSS7c2XgMpieQGaqNrMPqQgMltfYmybO02ep6vPQ051djBIW0cXnCPmBZGHWUnGvF7UJEN2_Ws83qEhALS6TWb4/s1920/think%20Pink.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFyovx-L8Mtldrt4Z7XQGNEn3yzwgv15Hx53DmIh2OG8SA04YL1R56LUriugcjOd1XuW8ld-Mg6IF8k5kvU95UEmFZEZrWuIfVsiLPSS7c2XgMpieQGaqNrMPqQgMltfYmybO02ep6vPQ051djBIW0cXnCPmBZGHWUnGvF7UJEN2_Ws83qEhALS6TWb4/w360-h640/think%20Pink.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i>Hello, My Lovelies!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i>Welcome to the Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i>If you linked over from <a href="https://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Patti's blog Pandora's Box</a>, thanks so much for visiting!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e06666; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuHG8smkKSXX9pWUDZ-s0Or020ROaSCgRz6QlcL8eS31BUKKzO3P_uDctSWnny3vVSoT3sN6GTwuwUGBTCtTtzsqa43BGV_s5LDNctt4MryL-MUenYxMHrw2bU0cExxhv2yYyWPmE-CY04uSSdDn9ipz7UBDM7itRZ9ds3HdomWPYTeVVcHKb5HeJqVY/s2118/2023%20Halloweeen%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1850" data-original-width="2118" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuHG8smkKSXX9pWUDZ-s0Or020ROaSCgRz6QlcL8eS31BUKKzO3P_uDctSWnny3vVSoT3sN6GTwuwUGBTCtTtzsqa43BGV_s5LDNctt4MryL-MUenYxMHrw2bU0cExxhv2yYyWPmE-CY04uSSdDn9ipz7UBDM7itRZ9ds3HdomWPYTeVVcHKb5HeJqVY/w640-h560/2023%20Halloweeen%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e06666; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rita @ the Panoply Blog</a> is our hostess.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><i>Thank-you so much, Rita, for your hard work in organizing these blog hops. I always enjoy them!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As y'all are aware, <b><a href="https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/educational-guides/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month</span></a></b>. Breast cancer is a <b><i><span style="color: #ffa400;">scary</span></i></b> diagnosis, but the sooner it's caught, the sooner treatment can begin, AND the higher the rate for survival is. If you have not had your annual mammogram this year, please call today for an appointment! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfy6dLIMJ9fVYoyq7WsOs4Al5Km9u9RPSMGhQi1NdBmVA5hwAH8q2MlTtQQWGhrVuvIASOWxgb8alT2Sn5ylZmc9tD9pTGuCekggMzuNEAiC8jpyEULEEHts4N0xz7vcAlU14Hn9opSrVqwoOOOntoF94zKrA1xRPXM0j0-TXA1Y_tP1dsjd_0CmHYdUA/s774/external-content.duckduckgo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfy6dLIMJ9fVYoyq7WsOs4Al5Km9u9RPSMGhQi1NdBmVA5hwAH8q2MlTtQQWGhrVuvIASOWxgb8alT2Sn5ylZmc9tD9pTGuCekggMzuNEAiC8jpyEULEEHts4N0xz7vcAlU14Hn9opSrVqwoOOOntoF94zKrA1xRPXM0j0-TXA1Y_tP1dsjd_0CmHYdUA/w245-h400/external-content.duckduckgo.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>As many of you know, my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, works tirelessly to educate women about breast cancer. I am so fortunate that our philanthropy is breast cancer awareness because the peer pressure of my sisters to continue getting annual mammograms even during covid saved my life.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<center><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/165627448?h=492435dff4&color=009ba7&title=0&byline=0" width="640"></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/165627448">Official Think Pink Video</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/zetataualpha">Zeta Tau Alpha</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Please consider watching this short video about our philanthropy's events and efforts to educate the public about breast cancer.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I put together a little vignette in honor of our daughters. I want them to take care of themselves and get physical screenings as well as mammograms annually. I discuss it with them often! Of course, the vignette is predominately pink. Let's take a look:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1KYjqYbzUQwsmsHw7FLFne92j06iGhzqSVC2FoU6LZcjm3jMA40TJ6H0RquzPvsrJZ9bjA0iEq6dv6Nd1tSJm156bTYm36NXHcxTg6Y6wUtSZFQOlCfWmomG6mjom1AG_uSM57IAk79FagRyAseQDxqI52tCGPxNy9koXv7zomDfkYZ4o8WLmboD8no/s4032/IMG_7616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1KYjqYbzUQwsmsHw7FLFne92j06iGhzqSVC2FoU6LZcjm3jMA40TJ6H0RquzPvsrJZ9bjA0iEq6dv6Nd1tSJm156bTYm36NXHcxTg6Y6wUtSZFQOlCfWmomG6mjom1AG_uSM57IAk79FagRyAseQDxqI52tCGPxNy9koXv7zomDfkYZ4o8WLmboD8no/w480-h640/IMG_7616.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAsw6rribN3SLF0AMlInHawNf7IeSeJn9jBOgY8a2oDxi2hmUykbY83IV5v1fs3Yd_ZWySFq7T1QMKreu6VUz3Liurh1nwltrep6-brDcQlPeWmq508LZ5dRBsfpBrMrCsI3RF3Cc81sKp1gjP7t6IiTH5YDBCdLK9zJ9DjbmwWL_S6m1Lit4rfjkpwo/s4032/IMG_7617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAsw6rribN3SLF0AMlInHawNf7IeSeJn9jBOgY8a2oDxi2hmUykbY83IV5v1fs3Yd_ZWySFq7T1QMKreu6VUz3Liurh1nwltrep6-brDcQlPeWmq508LZ5dRBsfpBrMrCsI3RF3Cc81sKp1gjP7t6IiTH5YDBCdLK9zJ9DjbmwWL_S6m1Lit4rfjkpwo/w640-h480/IMG_7617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I created the vignette on my MacKenzie-Childs Flower Press Work Table.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have everything set-up for afternoon tea, and the vignette features my pink MacKenzie-Childs collection. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmuQJFSxUvBHhKpCsyP7ruvr4sN6prLj9ZKRIgPmRNu2MjV5JzbOqZQf0Gxk-bf5YZ1zH9oD7Iz5uLlp3zdOOiwakPVllJZW9oEPdf8uI5xdTKUJJNgqL1Cia3iSwD7Ss0fOXJIOSRQvDkbRb-M0jiZ2KPzny_waDIdLIEVy6-SFwwWnu6LY3LpKfNVQ/s4032/IMG_7596.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmuQJFSxUvBHhKpCsyP7ruvr4sN6prLj9ZKRIgPmRNu2MjV5JzbOqZQf0Gxk-bf5YZ1zH9oD7Iz5uLlp3zdOOiwakPVllJZW9oEPdf8uI5xdTKUJJNgqL1Cia3iSwD7Ss0fOXJIOSRQvDkbRb-M0jiZ2KPzny_waDIdLIEVy6-SFwwWnu6LY3LpKfNVQ/w480-h640/IMG_7596.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lwNMjFJ01F-vGnXxgDvw1zf937rO09pFXnTP8hql1nHR31rJcPIVZi0dh3qmwiOxKMVs66YO4BVDZs06b8yMfTToUBj9eEEosikKiuQe0LvfKFAu3xWXPzZoNbNXUJ_YWT7KxCYf6UZ64PBCcrCVtWp2FAUFwonYapx4N0NfUolzZvlXaluFyvkDOmg/s1440/BBA9BB42-ED01-4548-A3F6-7CD8F791BBDA.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1440" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lwNMjFJ01F-vGnXxgDvw1zf937rO09pFXnTP8hql1nHR31rJcPIVZi0dh3qmwiOxKMVs66YO4BVDZs06b8yMfTToUBj9eEEosikKiuQe0LvfKFAu3xWXPzZoNbNXUJ_YWT7KxCYf6UZ64PBCcrCVtWp2FAUFwonYapx4N0NfUolzZvlXaluFyvkDOmg/w640-h544/BBA9BB42-ED01-4548-A3F6-7CD8F791BBDA.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I was gifted three MacKenzie-Childs Hope plates, one for me and one for each of my daughters. Ten percent of sales benefit breast cancer research.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn8B9Y8fj_bVjYMeFKx3xwAcdr077SHXkgv0hXHRXt_1oFhHzACmpJrZRzIvoVbfgDjmltJcuqsnrZ33oNJ7uRdZVvb9yOKG0aOUp9kCaEVRZADFext88LYMT-AWnGI5KOcddoppV-uModIGbyQtmUzh0NAEMsrSC19CBY1ljxYbPVPG7BVi86rcgOSo/s4032/IMG_7587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn8B9Y8fj_bVjYMeFKx3xwAcdr077SHXkgv0hXHRXt_1oFhHzACmpJrZRzIvoVbfgDjmltJcuqsnrZ33oNJ7uRdZVvb9yOKG0aOUp9kCaEVRZADFext88LYMT-AWnGI5KOcddoppV-uModIGbyQtmUzh0NAEMsrSC19CBY1ljxYbPVPG7BVi86rcgOSo/w640-h480/IMG_7587.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I'm also featuring pieces from the Katey McFarlan Collection, which includes the spoon rest, bowl, and bud vase.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u9-Zoi0hbqDMctiv4Afpo5kw0Hv1iCnyKSDHObZXXuPZb_AkCnzPo69SdfVYJDDDb7ZmtM_i-NBKfEsezhdTcnJL3x0ZqcyMQ1MJTSqD5MF1VhkY2-zv42WZtvV0ODJ-Ruuw2AePqESOkUvXr7G_35gbNZP7qfmpVPYjXx88T2mERVerpQtDDsRzYsU/s600/unnamed%20copy%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u9-Zoi0hbqDMctiv4Afpo5kw0Hv1iCnyKSDHObZXXuPZb_AkCnzPo69SdfVYJDDDb7ZmtM_i-NBKfEsezhdTcnJL3x0ZqcyMQ1MJTSqD5MF1VhkY2-zv42WZtvV0ODJ-Ruuw2AePqESOkUvXr7G_35gbNZP7qfmpVPYjXx88T2mERVerpQtDDsRzYsU/w400-h370/unnamed%20copy%2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The pink and green are the colors of Shanley's sorority, Delta Zeta.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Their philanthropy is speech and hearing, and Shanley is a speech-language pathology research scientist.</i></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbvdW4XGtdBTVJKrcpOd2d3GfgnJL6KdnqkXQRiu0huRWBmZGHQZPPEVS1fQLQ0IuQPM_Xl0hhchVsWi5aRI5VmI5-U4gE1RrHf-rGRssdo7p3LCm3Y7bXxINxc82N0jxBCE4qLc-O1NoOt_pM5SxSKuapH7YPRKBgQ74oV4X60whnOUkUn0ZVbwxyhY/s4032/IMG_7605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbvdW4XGtdBTVJKrcpOd2d3GfgnJL6KdnqkXQRiu0huRWBmZGHQZPPEVS1fQLQ0IuQPM_Xl0hhchVsWi5aRI5VmI5-U4gE1RrHf-rGRssdo7p3LCm3Y7bXxINxc82N0jxBCE4qLc-O1NoOt_pM5SxSKuapH7YPRKBgQ74oV4X60whnOUkUn0ZVbwxyhY/w480-h640/IMG_7605.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I've chosen a couple of plates featuring pink roses and a heart paperweight to hold the cloth napkins in place.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsub-hBV6Ktc1Kcr_Bo3PpR1DWnixujGUOCrwZEBnn3HjcA_EkuQPQZ0N6j-87i1VHxOsRFHKd2uTrFuTNeR21DreuM0eHX2Kb56PtZH4oqyKZR16sFAzuj5KPrTZgCqRc3Q7RI7FxM_7HQQ9N-w-VxFzvgN4cBwj9aJlCyJy-LoqoANTnboLPK5sfkg/s4032/IMG_7597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsub-hBV6Ktc1Kcr_Bo3PpR1DWnixujGUOCrwZEBnn3HjcA_EkuQPQZ0N6j-87i1VHxOsRFHKd2uTrFuTNeR21DreuM0eHX2Kb56PtZH4oqyKZR16sFAzuj5KPrTZgCqRc3Q7RI7FxM_7HQQ9N-w-VxFzvgN4cBwj9aJlCyJy-LoqoANTnboLPK5sfkg/w480-h640/IMG_7597.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I just had to add the heart fairy lights. They're the perfect shade of pink!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I like the butterfly on the lid of the teapot as it matches the butterfly on the bud vase.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgR658Z3s5Ua8nKR0G-C2lHojTwUv4xmW_peO0kVIw12w7ZDXRwpRIO4D0DKmO96xdiJToaVCpg_IA4wNwqLq4vgj7IahB1C0JEAimdRiv-RB9feRJf-nVBrDPblDJ8HoRYOwvBUmyxH57BUXZ-qrBUjB9ZNB_Moasns9lf5Fe1a5GZpIsWcGJazCRSg/s4032/IMG_7586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgR658Z3s5Ua8nKR0G-C2lHojTwUv4xmW_peO0kVIw12w7ZDXRwpRIO4D0DKmO96xdiJToaVCpg_IA4wNwqLq4vgj7IahB1C0JEAimdRiv-RB9feRJf-nVBrDPblDJ8HoRYOwvBUmyxH57BUXZ-qrBUjB9ZNB_Moasns9lf5Fe1a5GZpIsWcGJazCRSg/w480-h640/IMG_7586.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0WCFOj8g03uUmWTpx7KEc9PrhzO9DFX2LC9z37hT9QJ0IdO_tNkdP2sZ8gxzWCqQplPstiR_sWykhwoDvjS529uBqyl6dtcUlTCXimeEALcWY-8R8j546UGyBU7MjWWAMBeBCkusPu_4pchEYH8DbralvqOCXittXNYO86HehCw7a-VgoqByKXQ85Cw/s4032/IMG_7593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0WCFOj8g03uUmWTpx7KEc9PrhzO9DFX2LC9z37hT9QJ0IdO_tNkdP2sZ8gxzWCqQplPstiR_sWykhwoDvjS529uBqyl6dtcUlTCXimeEALcWY-8R8j546UGyBU7MjWWAMBeBCkusPu_4pchEYH8DbralvqOCXittXNYO86HehCw7a-VgoqByKXQ85Cw/w640-h480/IMG_7593.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I chose pink ranunculus and pumpkins, too.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQv3haoqwL0HVb2GN_KEUUYOYpwVAyGoicoe-ucfTkcTo_PtawGTTWGrFoOmD_foe60QbULcjCSczMQw5LPVbK2fxaN-5nc9xG79yJ_QPqkBtUg_PoU06dIS9pKLuZHo1RM6e5QlpJh18mzeN16l9b9WmUPMXMR3CYtQLoY9AJaugsfZFx1d90UKTIQ8/s4032/IMG_7606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQv3haoqwL0HVb2GN_KEUUYOYpwVAyGoicoe-ucfTkcTo_PtawGTTWGrFoOmD_foe60QbULcjCSczMQw5LPVbK2fxaN-5nc9xG79yJ_QPqkBtUg_PoU06dIS9pKLuZHo1RM6e5QlpJh18mzeN16l9b9WmUPMXMR3CYtQLoY9AJaugsfZFx1d90UKTIQ8/w480-h640/IMG_7606.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC3sADM-W_7785VGuwMmlMwyT-daxOdmluBG3OhBUN6wkZSDCDSXrkVaEAskCuQIYC4q_WtJhr1i6jIhUrC5EH0ct5oK9LpV6_4nCeSfCOvkturKVcWPKDViLa2S8u2Psvf1QAft-SX5fmBW4bgoordtC_tz11n1PnDPSPv1PPxjJtguOVzpR5SJ0uhc/s4032/IMG_7591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC3sADM-W_7785VGuwMmlMwyT-daxOdmluBG3OhBUN6wkZSDCDSXrkVaEAskCuQIYC4q_WtJhr1i6jIhUrC5EH0ct5oK9LpV6_4nCeSfCOvkturKVcWPKDViLa2S8u2Psvf1QAft-SX5fmBW4bgoordtC_tz11n1PnDPSPv1PPxjJtguOVzpR5SJ0uhc/w640-h480/IMG_7591.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga3p9jhfPGUB_sg5f0NtCCBeNJkag9MZ-X52psuVeHxb_65FzeRc8zAXQaJEqFii0O60rShk5KIjg8NVYm_RcizRXRJClNN4l5IGj5673XGJTBvuxNq2b8bDSlAGZYiyLxPfLijTSBg9QvT65JknVNUqAp020nfPTjgwgXuPmxHMjelZCqpvE4iPqdMo/s4032/IMG_7600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga3p9jhfPGUB_sg5f0NtCCBeNJkag9MZ-X52psuVeHxb_65FzeRc8zAXQaJEqFii0O60rShk5KIjg8NVYm_RcizRXRJClNN4l5IGj5673XGJTBvuxNq2b8bDSlAGZYiyLxPfLijTSBg9QvT65JknVNUqAp020nfPTjgwgXuPmxHMjelZCqpvE4iPqdMo/w640-h480/IMG_7600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Menu</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUleomNHxA78zgpngSW0O1u71JNYkBYFvZI6mPgiNjjTKrLUC7NSKFC2RB-yyS1jXMqx51GATy4LIdWQyS6CQs3ucocuL_vM3Thd2xiak3kaCUGrzmiPex5gc6g8sE-sjqwpdIR327NkqxXuSST5aaHhCqzCkMWPgxM9qd7E-eYsc6ao-SmpGGktVFIA/s1920/Photo%20Collage%20Polaroid%20Film%20Frame%20Vintage%20Lifestyle%20Aesthetic%20Feminine%20Instagram%20Story%20Template.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUleomNHxA78zgpngSW0O1u71JNYkBYFvZI6mPgiNjjTKrLUC7NSKFC2RB-yyS1jXMqx51GATy4LIdWQyS6CQs3ucocuL_vM3Thd2xiak3kaCUGrzmiPex5gc6g8sE-sjqwpdIR327NkqxXuSST5aaHhCqzCkMWPgxM9qd7E-eYsc6ao-SmpGGktVFIA/w360-h640/Photo%20Collage%20Polaroid%20Film%20Frame%20Vintage%20Lifestyle%20Aesthetic%20Feminine%20Instagram%20Story%20Template.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I wish Shanley Belle were here, but she's here in spirit!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We are also having Harney & Sons Paris Tea with milk and sugar.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Resources:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All majolica: MacKenzie-Childs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Small tea light hurricane: Farmhouse Pottery</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Heart-shaped Fairy Lights: Paper Source</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You're French Aren't You? bag: Flora Doora</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pink and white table runner: Hen House Linens</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pink velvet pumpkins: Hot Skwash</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Crystal vase: Lismore by Waterford</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Napkins: Sur la Table</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCJBEIaUaApuG_Z3rU1w5jcwId-SgmfC5levwSJhHV2gkXK3DOonK2JR8dbC8xH_LQNJLL8KknBiUPBT9PrZ5hdUJQfyi3qGwaBLS9w9rCWquVoZ2UVs_hPa117Uzp0rufYoTCqLO-NepR15KexoPYI_9Fp8wyLCbKDMlK-oVJcjhgf2Jy_W5R5HwiBo/s941/unnamed%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="941" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCJBEIaUaApuG_Z3rU1w5jcwId-SgmfC5levwSJhHV2gkXK3DOonK2JR8dbC8xH_LQNJLL8KknBiUPBT9PrZ5hdUJQfyi3qGwaBLS9w9rCWquVoZ2UVs_hPa117Uzp0rufYoTCqLO-NepR15KexoPYI_9Fp8wyLCbKDMlK-oVJcjhgf2Jy_W5R5HwiBo/w640-h340/unnamed%20(3).png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Please visit the other stylists' blogs and see their Halloween tablescapes.</span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://thriftingwonderland.com/2023/10/10/dinner-with-ghoulish-gourds/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">A Dinner With Ghoulish Gourds</span></a><span style="color: #e06666;"> @ Thrifting Wonderland</span></b><span style="color: #e06666;"> is next!</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Panoply - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/10/theres-little-witch-in-all-of-us.html&source=gmail&ust=1696887205012000&usg=AOvVaw13_GB5n-oOD9IzSWf5Wsxo" href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/10/theres-little-witch-in-all-of-us.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">There's a Little Witch in All of Us</a></span></div><span style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Home is Where the Boat Is - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p%3D152165&source=gmail&ust=1696887205012000&usg=AOvVaw1N6sV9zIP85RpKKewwQp-e" href="https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p=152165" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Halloween Rules</a></span></span><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hyacinths for the Soul - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/10/pumpkin-wishes-and-candy-corn-kisses.html&source=gmail&ust=1697023845070000&usg=AOvVaw2WQFP4N39j00ex3YPCZuDJ" href="https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/10/pumpkin-wishes-and-candy-corn-kisses.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Pumpkin Wishes and Candy Corn Kisses</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everyday Living - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://everydayliving.me/?p%3D62502%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1696887205012000&usg=AOvVaw0Oig0jJBApSgBIEzl4AaSe" href="https://everydayliving.me/?p=62502&preview=true" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Grand(s) Halloween Party</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pandora's Box - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/2023/10/hey-pumpkin-whats-for-lunch.html&source=gmail&ust=1696887205012000&usg=AOvVaw1LFO2B3ag6nDantr9gGNy2" href="https://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/2023/10/hey-pumpkin-whats-for-lunch.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">"Hey Pumpkin, What's for lunch?"</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Bookish Dilettante - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/10/october-vignette-think-pink.html&source=gmail&ust=1696887205012000&usg=AOvVaw0Bt7ALhOdupTIxLKGpg2gr" href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/10/october-vignette-think-pink.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">October Vignette: Think Pink!</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thrifting Wonderland - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thriftingwonderland.com/?p%3D27298&source=gmail&ust=1696887205012000&usg=AOvVaw0OqESXWP3ekpKKUGd4BMHe" href="https://thriftingwonderland.com/?p=27298" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dinner With Ghoulish Gourds</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My Thrift Store Addiction - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2023/10/elegantly-eerie-arachnophile-tea-party.html&source=gmail&ust=1696887205012000&usg=AOvVaw3-ETu4Q3B8npcYCmMp92J3" href="https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2023/10/elegantly-eerie-arachnophile-tea-party.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Elegantly Eerie Arachnophile Tea Party</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dinner at Eight - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-hauntingly-delightful-halloween.html&source=gmail&ust=1696887205012000&usg=AOvVaw020FStUMFwGBxXJr7OLmOR" href="https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-hauntingly-delightful-halloween.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Hauntingly Delightful Halloween</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Cats' Whiskerz - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p%3D3440%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1696887205013000&usg=AOvVaw28C53mE4TDBqmMMDuff7uC" href="https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p=3440&preview=true" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Quoth the Raven "Nevermore"; a Halloween Tablescape</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Life and Linda - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/10/happy-boo-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1696887205013000&usg=AOvVaw3I7EByOpIU71ROQPlVzsKi" href="https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/10/happy-boo-tablescape.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Happy Boo Tablescape</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Painted Apron - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/10/10/the-witchs-hat/&source=gmail&ust=1696887205013000&usg=AOvVaw20EIjRtwhCXS81T17wLU3b" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/10/10/the-witchs-hat/" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Witch's Hat</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Me and My Captain - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://meandmycaptain.com/?p%3D26194%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1696887205013000&usg=AOvVaw1Unx-toSdJjWoqQUKnCxEH" href="https://meandmycaptain.com/?p=26194&preview=true" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Black is the New Orange</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Corner of Plaid and Paisley - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cornerofplaidandpaisley.com/2023/10/broom-parking-halloween-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1696887205013000&usg=AOvVaw3hSTuvSunakfFVKAqDVuMn" href="https://www.cornerofplaidandpaisley.com/2023/10/broom-parking-halloween-tablescape.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Broom Parking - Halloween Tablescape</a></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Celebrate and Decorate - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://celebrateanddecorate.com/black-and-white-and-red-halloween-tablescape/&source=gmail&ust=1696887205013000&usg=AOvVaw3V4yEgLQUk5AKv7gRhleyT" href="https://celebrateanddecorate.com/black-and-white-and-red-halloween-tablescape/" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Black & White & Red All Over for Halloween!</a><br /></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Red Cottage Chronicles - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://redcottagechronicles.com/tablescapes/orange-and-black-halloween-tablescape/&source=gmail&ust=1696887205013000&usg=AOvVaw3QP2A8b8YwspeZG3sHj5wg" href="http://redcottagechronicles.com/tablescapes/orange-and-black-halloween-tablescape/" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Orange and Black Halloween Tablescape</a><br /></span></div><div style="color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My Hubbard Home - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://myhubbardhome.com/as-the-crow-flies-a-fun-tablescape-to-celebrate-autumn/&source=gmail&ust=1696887205013000&usg=AOvVaw3tZYC6K2ajoXOSlua6WBk3" href="https://myhubbardhome.com/as-the-crow-flies-a-fun-tablescape-to-celebrate-autumn/" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">As the Crow Flies| a fun tablescape to celebrate autumn</a></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><i style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM2SAzoqUoP2A6M31U4Ls12ALE9KDA239Z9nHtrqdcZya13iZQCtEerPpbI3OAM_zDEPHT6A3sxa2cRihNrMqbsm11qLgadOL5pxyTFZQcFQNia9HEO1aQgw9Rt3SqvnePUSBU1ubAhYgUzToM62Taert3QnB5BsougAE3cypdStWqw-vQ6YtO0dwBRY/s1080/Pink%20Modern%20Glitter%20Floral%20Collage%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM2SAzoqUoP2A6M31U4Ls12ALE9KDA239Z9nHtrqdcZya13iZQCtEerPpbI3OAM_zDEPHT6A3sxa2cRihNrMqbsm11qLgadOL5pxyTFZQcFQNia9HEO1aQgw9Rt3SqvnePUSBU1ubAhYgUzToM62Taert3QnB5BsougAE3cypdStWqw-vQ6YtO0dwBRY/w640-h640/Pink%20Modern%20Glitter%20Floral%20Collage%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Until next time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Think Pink!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Ricki Jill</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></center>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-69314607188413905462023-09-01T05:00:00.077-05:002024-01-06T16:43:23.946-06:00Tales of the Traveling Tote: September 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlM8hiRbyZ7K_uYNFo9IUWBsoG-ErF7cV-3QCbvBFfVsr3z8Y46cWiIIO6h61zKOtzsLGHo13PpHroPgO696Nv-aeqbj90gIrkJjfPAg44wtCEyZXMSQwu8Qwv9-cD-ab8ihDEXEbHwpQrdjDfR2MqozLxyujosD7cUUaXS6fiSMeiUxNLLui_zPDp40/s640/Donut.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlM8hiRbyZ7K_uYNFo9IUWBsoG-ErF7cV-3QCbvBFfVsr3z8Y46cWiIIO6h61zKOtzsLGHo13PpHroPgO696Nv-aeqbj90gIrkJjfPAg44wtCEyZXMSQwu8Qwv9-cD-ab8ihDEXEbHwpQrdjDfR2MqozLxyujosD7cUUaXS6fiSMeiUxNLLui_zPDp40/w640-h640/Donut.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Friday, My Lovelies! </b>Welcome to another edition of <b><a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/p/tales-of-traveling-totes.html">Tales of the Traveling Tote</a></b>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmFUttza27wZAOlg6czZ7BQI3HDjQt4ITRJ3iXJerbyG6FHgTSrT_AKyvKEDOWAnOlxs0GFqYCY7WRed17bQVA56QNoxXKth4wDJP31fRU8wZTIiUadwwMgm6WHj4nMR0gB-70go0pBzo9r5RaaMoqHpMJB85d47oNsnDc2OOHIY_o9ZeTzfu5K0pogo/s610/tote-logo-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmFUttza27wZAOlg6czZ7BQI3HDjQt4ITRJ3iXJerbyG6FHgTSrT_AKyvKEDOWAnOlxs0GFqYCY7WRed17bQVA56QNoxXKth4wDJP31fRU8wZTIiUadwwMgm6WHj4nMR0gB-70go0pBzo9r5RaaMoqHpMJB85d47oNsnDc2OOHIY_o9ZeTzfu5K0pogo/s16000/tote-logo-2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to learn more about these posts and our group, please click on <a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/p/tales-of-traveling-totes.html" target="_blank"><b>THIS LINK</b></a>. La Countess de Monet and I have been super-busy this summer traveling back and forth to Lake Martin and Louisiana for events. In today's post I will feature our trip to New Orleans for a very special group birthday party: Mr. Bookish and a few of his childhood friends had a birthday party at Commander's Palace. We also had fun visiting a few of our favorite haunts as well during our trip to his hometown.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpsqAOzzYdkKO0Gz2ItRoGl7KXtrC4T6OjtQ17de1oJ-xAo9-jaS9jpAP_oiv18Sw_YlsM43344EZ2jl44PTO53RNrKM0Lqpn_ipeTAuEx0PfX4numqQrmvMqvLgXVSarBhBBuYNs89Vj52LGDtLylmJdDyhDl9S7jQJI7KIDh330NvfFc-4r_gCvUJM/s1080/6A68CA4F-E82C-4B77-BFF5-9A835F212B6B.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpsqAOzzYdkKO0Gz2ItRoGl7KXtrC4T6OjtQ17de1oJ-xAo9-jaS9jpAP_oiv18Sw_YlsM43344EZ2jl44PTO53RNrKM0Lqpn_ipeTAuEx0PfX4numqQrmvMqvLgXVSarBhBBuYNs89Vj52LGDtLylmJdDyhDl9S7jQJI7KIDh330NvfFc-4r_gCvUJM/w640-h640/6A68CA4F-E82C-4B77-BFF5-9A835F212B6B.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We spent one afternoon at the New Orleans Museum of Art gazing at their permanent collection. This field trip deserves its own post, and I plan to write it soon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvbe1v1qDra7vm_vLCPSeE4puYxsRLsOkyKp0ZARBMrcRvluHvf0-yE92cPhbQnFKlohN24E8W-gDiVNMvaeufLKjqWdlep32eb-b4R2pwL0SlmHwCVoDiFCPvdeA8Z2ppc_P6NKYfCb2hRcHKSQT4VslXEdwdBeiaXnLg-_2NOyPQ_keF0EwvhnwsTA/s1080/Aesthetic%20Polaroid%20Photograph%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvbe1v1qDra7vm_vLCPSeE4puYxsRLsOkyKp0ZARBMrcRvluHvf0-yE92cPhbQnFKlohN24E8W-gDiVNMvaeufLKjqWdlep32eb-b4R2pwL0SlmHwCVoDiFCPvdeA8Z2ppc_P6NKYfCb2hRcHKSQT4VslXEdwdBeiaXnLg-_2NOyPQ_keF0EwvhnwsTA/w640-h640/Aesthetic%20Polaroid%20Photograph%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Wayne Thiebaud</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Salmon Rose, 1966</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Oil on canvas</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pjxCo1o3Uez1EaeeNyVxzaXmOzaA57nM-z9sUKGAX_8_72hxei2Yz9Hb3MH3WqVgGAQZWGpo2lCroivXswq7DyHITQvlDO_R7p1NQ7gyuhk8_4onwi_uDFMiqnXbDAAZ1dt2gRLqd5XZ5n29XNiosrHG8nWke8KUDZcO0r82f8x58X1du3S77wxian8/s4032/IMG_6934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pjxCo1o3Uez1EaeeNyVxzaXmOzaA57nM-z9sUKGAX_8_72hxei2Yz9Hb3MH3WqVgGAQZWGpo2lCroivXswq7DyHITQvlDO_R7p1NQ7gyuhk8_4onwi_uDFMiqnXbDAAZ1dt2gRLqd5XZ5n29XNiosrHG8nWke8KUDZcO0r82f8x58X1du3S77wxian8/w640-h480/IMG_6934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Close-up of a beaded costume on the Grand Staircase.</span></div><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXCTyhnAuQ1FcbP7OFnr2JVd2-YD_JzTyUPPDNxpls0RgEJlf9lLaNBHkykP8gMS0wWqkVkhBcc395JCZe375MB2HVeXC2q4lrT0fNqT7HK6kUR9SarkpwfHbdt3lkxOHNrLKRIHYnjA67XJ18r5NCcq-2i-ZHbDheyBKc9P5zOdmVRZkkqe8-bq-r1Q/s4032/IMG_6944.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXCTyhnAuQ1FcbP7OFnr2JVd2-YD_JzTyUPPDNxpls0RgEJlf9lLaNBHkykP8gMS0wWqkVkhBcc395JCZe375MB2HVeXC2q4lrT0fNqT7HK6kUR9SarkpwfHbdt3lkxOHNrLKRIHYnjA67XJ18r5NCcq-2i-ZHbDheyBKc9P5zOdmVRZkkqe8-bq-r1Q/w480-h640/IMG_6944.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">La Countess felt special because she got a sticker!</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Bookish also took me shopping. We went to three shops: the Tasc Store, Aux Belles Choses, and Octavia Books. <b><a href="https://www.tascperformance.com/" target="_blank">Tasc </a></b>sells the most comfortable active wear in the world. Most of their clothing is made from sustainable bamboo. I love their yoga pants, and I purchased several pairs of them and coordinating tops for summer and winter. Although we're fortunate to have a Tasc store here in Birmingham, it's still fun to shop at their original store in New Orleans. <b><a href="http://abcneworleans.com/" target="_blank">Aux Belles Choses</a></b> lives up to its name because the shop offers the most beautiful French and English treasures for home and garden. Their vintage linens are stunning, and I always purchase French soaps to bring home. <b><a href="https://www.octaviabooks.com/" target="_blank">Octavia Books</a></b> is one of my favorite indie bookstores, and the sweet booksellers there never disappoint. I purchased a book for myself and a few cute bookish things for our daughters.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLbCbL6vxy8ajF5RZbvhK9bzTdm_bs03CR56NmdZI61DAuuxPBQnfqjijIObfEO6Ts4k1je0At3eaAUNQiNN1NfpSYstVml8WvMm3q_AzNH7Q1yKlYsbdxc1MvXd2KDNeZxqvNny8QU1DuN4kO1RRwOf2UMLHv4QMYlBoH8B8TPh31Jj4xWcHiS4-VOQ/s1920/White%20Blue%20Minimalist%20Simple%20Vintage%20Photo%20Collage%20Vacation%20Mood%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLbCbL6vxy8ajF5RZbvhK9bzTdm_bs03CR56NmdZI61DAuuxPBQnfqjijIObfEO6Ts4k1je0At3eaAUNQiNN1NfpSYstVml8WvMm3q_AzNH7Q1yKlYsbdxc1MvXd2KDNeZxqvNny8QU1DuN4kO1RRwOf2UMLHv4QMYlBoH8B8TPh31Jj4xWcHiS4-VOQ/w360-h640/White%20Blue%20Minimalist%20Simple%20Vintage%20Photo%20Collage%20Vacation%20Mood%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Octavia Books is on the upper left, and Aux Belles Choses is on the upper right.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We started our day at District Donuts (bottom). </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>La Countess met a friend there. Check out the first graphic in this post at the top of the page. She loves making new friends! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiV9XICAwLZCjJzoNlvSrEugF2ZGvK6YWoaOZlB6JWMYj8BnfGiVWvLAveb81CwPZU8xXSlSIkZyda7M-lTIvaW26HbqO0D62tIk1NP8Sr6rBfQoCgdtCXHRh6LnlUpjQVyyjlSrgvFF1M7gwZIqjwC3IQkg04ejwSlQfOImbp8Bx7xNmZ3YR3oifDsI/s3473/IMG_6896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3473" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiV9XICAwLZCjJzoNlvSrEugF2ZGvK6YWoaOZlB6JWMYj8BnfGiVWvLAveb81CwPZU8xXSlSIkZyda7M-lTIvaW26HbqO0D62tIk1NP8Sr6rBfQoCgdtCXHRh6LnlUpjQVyyjlSrgvFF1M7gwZIqjwC3IQkg04ejwSlQfOImbp8Bx7xNmZ3YR3oifDsI/w558-h640/IMG_6896.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Not only does Aux Belles Choses sell beautiful things for the Anglophile and Francophile in your life, they also sell pretty Mardi Gras gifts and decor all year. I love their king cake and Mardi Gras float porcelain boxes: They make the cutest gifts!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All the shopping made us a wee bit peckish, so Mr. Bookish wanted to go to the very best place in the world for snowballs: Hansen's Sno-Bliz.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl3uYhCR6DuWDZ1ABhomUY5DETj1pFBjNnB26biN6y6ZUZn73MvOLWsm7T3_DB5Bkvk0xaIQfFe1azlnQ8jM7dH-srzqo0nXdjdPPdIbDbM1aSEFqM7rcK3FejbR6wpeX1266E5NpYhdj4pYBxB5P4MV8APDrVn-0uVHcz7yzvDtM5MV7KQTsvDQJB5I/s1920/Grey%20&%20Beige%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Christmas%20Mood%20Your%20Story%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl3uYhCR6DuWDZ1ABhomUY5DETj1pFBjNnB26biN6y6ZUZn73MvOLWsm7T3_DB5Bkvk0xaIQfFe1azlnQ8jM7dH-srzqo0nXdjdPPdIbDbM1aSEFqM7rcK3FejbR6wpeX1266E5NpYhdj4pYBxB5P4MV8APDrVn-0uVHcz7yzvDtM5MV7KQTsvDQJB5I/w360-h640/Grey%20&%20Beige%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Christmas%20Mood%20Your%20Story%20(2).png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I ordered a strawberry one. They are famous for their nectar flavored ones and some of the cream ones, too. What makes Hansen's Sno-Bliz snowballs so good is their ice pulverizing machine: It's the only one like it in the world! </i></div><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We always enjoy Audubon Park, and our hosts live right by the park. What I love most are the gorgeous live oak trees. Did you know that there is a Live Oak Society that registers and names these beautiful and ancient trees? We found one on St. Charles Avenue that had lots of personality.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wE-E-PL6OPpNleDJIBf5umOaFyFHoEb0XPNVp6M0IZfzZ_EIyQteRrkPcTMZx8Fc_5MtJi-KywZeJPccckuvrSfvxd8po8z7dOiT3STkzaksw0IizPrbmIeGRiNCVPCqquSBvprPrCxqhHn-l_TI13UpqFKCI9qY9-teqnfDR_UZTJqSDwPXi9GBNq0/s4032/IMG_6893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wE-E-PL6OPpNleDJIBf5umOaFyFHoEb0XPNVp6M0IZfzZ_EIyQteRrkPcTMZx8Fc_5MtJi-KywZeJPccckuvrSfvxd8po8z7dOiT3STkzaksw0IizPrbmIeGRiNCVPCqquSBvprPrCxqhHn-l_TI13UpqFKCI9qY9-teqnfDR_UZTJqSDwPXi9GBNq0/w640-h480/IMG_6893.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Called "Open Arms," it was registered by the Live Oak Society on August 14, 2001.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAO1kh1tN73uVRpo-1S9k0C4fw-9FkP5TKE8MkNx91Ki6mC_oDQ7qy8RDg-1Bg2L5ey0C3T3NphAFLBJJ7Jahrv2HmcDjMTta3OZwik_FV7bpaN5IeSEDU5a00_Zx2snzJkAicv-bbtpcezuumw3U9zdhsRWflr-JX1xINGnDCaM9YMM0ouchkrWfYHs/s2000/Three%20Black%20Vintage%20Portrait%20Polaroids%20Canvas.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAO1kh1tN73uVRpo-1S9k0C4fw-9FkP5TKE8MkNx91Ki6mC_oDQ7qy8RDg-1Bg2L5ey0C3T3NphAFLBJJ7Jahrv2HmcDjMTta3OZwik_FV7bpaN5IeSEDU5a00_Zx2snzJkAicv-bbtpcezuumw3U9zdhsRWflr-JX1xINGnDCaM9YMM0ouchkrWfYHs/w640-h640/Three%20Black%20Vintage%20Portrait%20Polaroids%20Canvas.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-w2ZO80B-YCYQnWnEJdR1MWN6qZaOjHx_ZXf30LdXzbFU4fMUCBItjCrhcUOadcizRSszYGoWIMzbqk7kz-qDN56s_F7EtNUOoXyoLFMS1p51FTXi2I05RBo2_ezY2-VIwQX1aIfD7n4upSbOlmxZZpAB-3bZ37jjFRXgO-vcXf_TLESXdrJBVAHnb4/s1080/Brown%20Photocentric%20Elegant%20Floral%20Polaroid%20Instagram%20post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-w2ZO80B-YCYQnWnEJdR1MWN6qZaOjHx_ZXf30LdXzbFU4fMUCBItjCrhcUOadcizRSszYGoWIMzbqk7kz-qDN56s_F7EtNUOoXyoLFMS1p51FTXi2I05RBo2_ezY2-VIwQX1aIfD7n4upSbOlmxZZpAB-3bZ37jjFRXgO-vcXf_TLESXdrJBVAHnb4/w640-h640/Brown%20Photocentric%20Elegant%20Floral%20Polaroid%20Instagram%20post.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I was saying...Open Arms has lots of personality!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Speaking of personality...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd4jZXiLfbzi-RjuKU6uHP3rtGZccBk76aLj_gWY4yNfR62YDjTCp9SEIbececGMyd92IHuIi-Ooe7k2a9ZZwPLS7F1_jSFmbm04YkMslblxrUCQ3b0KM4S3J1mviX_SOJywBPQFDDcaHwRv7zObMoFobiGwH13m2b3NZYScw_tGMNztkubcM8jo1bO8/s1920/Charcoal%20Polaroid%20Modern%20Scrapbook%20General%20Greeting%20Birthday%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd4jZXiLfbzi-RjuKU6uHP3rtGZccBk76aLj_gWY4yNfR62YDjTCp9SEIbececGMyd92IHuIi-Ooe7k2a9ZZwPLS7F1_jSFmbm04YkMslblxrUCQ3b0KM4S3J1mviX_SOJywBPQFDDcaHwRv7zObMoFobiGwH13m2b3NZYScw_tGMNztkubcM8jo1bO8/w360-h640/Charcoal%20Polaroid%20Modern%20Scrapbook%20General%20Greeting%20Birthday%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Bookish in the Garden Room at Commander's Palace.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Virtually everyone there was an LSU fan.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Roll Tide Roll!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please visit the other Tales of the Traveling Totes posts by using the links below. Jackie @ Purple Cocolat Home is hosting a giveaway for the pretty Courtly Check To Go tote.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZQpc1EaYBFt7_3w7nlVZIFdljqoMhN4dDV-Uq6CXgegPPSwvRRJUZJlW_xFtrzozUEIBK8tZocEa7B1OJ93w1xsn1euidFiUMRYVeTC-DRU_oeSKdKaPeUDDr6Nu1SIKxg-ebXxmtwxbbcYgqYISX_LtDgfgTf0lA-GiYi9nNEybJXA6cDMi47WKIAk/s452/sept%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZQpc1EaYBFt7_3w7nlVZIFdljqoMhN4dDV-Uq6CXgegPPSwvRRJUZJlW_xFtrzozUEIBK8tZocEa7B1OJ93w1xsn1euidFiUMRYVeTC-DRU_oeSKdKaPeUDDr6Nu1SIKxg-ebXxmtwxbbcYgqYISX_LtDgfgTf0lA-GiYi9nNEybJXA6cDMi47WKIAk/s16000/sept%20(1).png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Debbie</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Aurora</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mountainbreaths.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1guI4pYksbU71khCdXNUAq" href="http://www.mountainbreaths.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e70010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mountain Breaths</span></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Emily</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Courtney Childs</i>@ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thefrenchhutch.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw23DINghDu0y055xRoJ-mFB" href="http://www.thefrenchhutch.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The French Hutch</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </b></span><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patti</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Kenzie</i> <span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">@</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw36z7QKsAdwsmbCnEjRsNId" href="http://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pandora's Box</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jenna</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Coquille</i> @<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw2r-XhJg6QIjT8yV317t7Ud" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Painted Apron</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Linda P</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Lola</i> @<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lifeandlinda.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1eUYGXRoTkl1MXq4wtBm6S" href="http://www.lifeandlinda.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Life and Linda</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rita</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Luna C </i>@ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw0iAENu0nEJu-wlXupyoDLO" href="http://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e70010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Panoply</span></a><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sarah</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Merri Mac</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw3ivQcsrTrQPdwXiwpewz9-" href="http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hyacinths for the Soul</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jackie</b> and <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Madi K</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://purplechocolathome.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw0jU8HOl759LwHamqCbCGPT" href="http://purplechocolathome.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Purple Chocolat Home</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ricki Jill </b>and Countess De Monet @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ricki-treleaven.com&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1elD14AKZQbQipagTPDrgD" href="http://ricki-treleaven.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Sketchy Reader</span></a> (You're here!)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBIoj4sIkThPcD2TzjD4CH4gUN6QqrfK7k_07I0sQ5lHflPyRteqtRekcaaIkpCGuVQv_CpF1zrnNyqDJiHvobDwDnaYZ47gIqE1YCWueXU9yN5bKvbPeS6uRuCTOoWofykLvUI17rxEYFJGHlsUNLWbDWSgPhvjDlWRmdL5KDqtzQ3k9flsZnqXBNkc/s2976/Subject.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2772" data-original-width="2976" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBIoj4sIkThPcD2TzjD4CH4gUN6QqrfK7k_07I0sQ5lHflPyRteqtRekcaaIkpCGuVQv_CpF1zrnNyqDJiHvobDwDnaYZ47gIqE1YCWueXU9yN5bKvbPeS6uRuCTOoWofykLvUI17rxEYFJGHlsUNLWbDWSgPhvjDlWRmdL5KDqtzQ3k9flsZnqXBNkc/s320/Subject.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7ycZrybldKPHVEgAOnfFcJs10hXM_s4MFrMzlvDLeJ27Di8gtVChssxCgjXe-6fZnrpD3M2yR-phCMwFneQbuo9IJcCuI0J2fysD0gToJpedjE-PFAO7cfl9ds1C0-KPN_rmXfjgRUo3TpkIpBXaYgFnC9Ju2AVujfa_96qyqGEbS1IK5vkPHD9b1Ls/s4032/IMG_6894.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7ycZrybldKPHVEgAOnfFcJs10hXM_s4MFrMzlvDLeJ27Di8gtVChssxCgjXe-6fZnrpD3M2yR-phCMwFneQbuo9IJcCuI0J2fysD0gToJpedjE-PFAO7cfl9ds1C0-KPN_rmXfjgRUo3TpkIpBXaYgFnC9Ju2AVujfa_96qyqGEbS1IK5vkPHD9b1Ls/w480-h640/IMG_6894.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mr. Open Arms would like to invite you to join us for the next episode of Tales of the Traveling Tote which will be live on December 1, 2023.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsAtOW1YSf7KmNTMaLcTw4cLzc4TTldkalxev2BvkEA_KetdV3jIeTKSNs1OzL0yptZMo6MLpC-gUdRk3W2buZlcenMPu4kGH5RbeawZOgixF5DtGqJMi7T3ZVVE4YgqMQAjyTIAeAIEhhrWAygbHz2Q7RLqRnlx5kRSDBOmV6OGQszklDCx_j4oGj3U/s2016/IMG_7050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsAtOW1YSf7KmNTMaLcTw4cLzc4TTldkalxev2BvkEA_KetdV3jIeTKSNs1OzL0yptZMo6MLpC-gUdRk3W2buZlcenMPu4kGH5RbeawZOgixF5DtGqJMi7T3ZVVE4YgqMQAjyTIAeAIEhhrWAygbHz2Q7RLqRnlx5kRSDBOmV6OGQszklDCx_j4oGj3U/w480-h640/IMG_7050.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-13764245125804142072023-08-29T04:00:00.102-05:002023-08-29T07:39:22.990-05:00Falling Leaves Tablescape<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0cx4W6jXfr7xaVxM8noDxZjWmjT02RkUG30EFubG1hggTJBMWvli-V-IA39XGwLSlVIbkxNJtJ-x5rEJzVFujAEiQ70DeuEbqcgkD30lzzTXvS6KvRgk-YgY115M6W53LVADM3ptm8o_VVJ-UiwldyNZL61CnCBtS3rrfDGJ0zqmsECgB1MK6wj3fJI/s2100/IMG_7110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1575" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0cx4W6jXfr7xaVxM8noDxZjWmjT02RkUG30EFubG1hggTJBMWvli-V-IA39XGwLSlVIbkxNJtJ-x5rEJzVFujAEiQ70DeuEbqcgkD30lzzTXvS6KvRgk-YgY115M6W53LVADM3ptm8o_VVJ-UiwldyNZL61CnCBtS3rrfDGJ0zqmsECgB1MK6wj3fJI/w480-h640/IMG_7110.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPumf_8kMh4xA3FHBgwAtGXXob-MQ_rSBFa_aw9klsWhobtfrmfXIGrtOoU0o-AtZAea0ukmlMKUotyBAYXhiAfgf85ydGgv4eR8oqjtl4kWTCm_MZxpULi4ZRYbq303aioQ8O9h-jprQMTCIppsm9p87RqZoHj4G5tMXga2aKhxXM95TDOPKhrJhqH2w/s1920/Fall%20Aesthetics%20Photo%20Moodboard%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPumf_8kMh4xA3FHBgwAtGXXob-MQ_rSBFa_aw9klsWhobtfrmfXIGrtOoU0o-AtZAea0ukmlMKUotyBAYXhiAfgf85ydGgv4eR8oqjtl4kWTCm_MZxpULi4ZRYbq303aioQ8O9h-jprQMTCIppsm9p87RqZoHj4G5tMXga2aKhxXM95TDOPKhrJhqH2w/w360-h640/Fall%20Aesthetics%20Photo%20Moodboard%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies! </b>Welcome to the 2023 Welcome Fall Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by my Sweet Friend, Rita, from the <b><a href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Panoply blog</a></b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYxjGKATfmZmAdtw5oxXAduuBfK9rAbcjT3j6a60Q6TH97bakB4YqyZC3B94WB1fSrLf2CBlNUVMoQdZbaWCzhMV3C21-aHPeFUeIBXerZOKcRlYe_OU5rbn2mBe7u9FVBFocfOBwxA8y8EjmQJ9MiWWYKQmhTWT5S1HW6f8AJADHFWhHzc78jL05wHQ/s2086/2023%20Welcome%20Fall%20Tablescape%20Graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="2086" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYxjGKATfmZmAdtw5oxXAduuBfK9rAbcjT3j6a60Q6TH97bakB4YqyZC3B94WB1fSrLf2CBlNUVMoQdZbaWCzhMV3C21-aHPeFUeIBXerZOKcRlYe_OU5rbn2mBe7u9FVBFocfOBwxA8y8EjmQJ9MiWWYKQmhTWT5S1HW6f8AJADHFWhHzc78jL05wHQ/w640-h608/2023%20Welcome%20Fall%20Tablescape%20Graphic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Thank-you so much for hosting, Rita!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm a summer girl, but I must admit that this year I'm truly looking forward to fall. Our niece will be getting married in October in Louisiana, and we have a few other events we're looking forward to as well. Although I always lament the end of summer, there are things I love about fall: college football season; all the pumpkin spice things; apple cider donuts; fall color (we live on a mountain in a deciduous forest); cooler weather; cozy decor; and quieter weekends at Lake Martin. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Would you like to see my first step in fluffing our home for fall? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Step into our dining room!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9pxzBI0P_eO-yeQwvXo2Spq6ExV3mBPBDJF2NXYFYxPydgw_m1NL8KLw2kvFVibPYhSbKrkyOlDdx9WL7NBDtTTFWf3BezmjGKXvqxAquEEH5zdeXRR6VLQNAGO00wDSBzHpXehIoBc7vW24h7GNwbgYEkMVbc7TmxaxLvyeGIGNHPAov4V5JWxdDQE/s4032/IMG_7124%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9pxzBI0P_eO-yeQwvXo2Spq6ExV3mBPBDJF2NXYFYxPydgw_m1NL8KLw2kvFVibPYhSbKrkyOlDdx9WL7NBDtTTFWf3BezmjGKXvqxAquEEH5zdeXRR6VLQNAGO00wDSBzHpXehIoBc7vW24h7GNwbgYEkMVbc7TmxaxLvyeGIGNHPAov4V5JWxdDQE/w480-h640/IMG_7124%202.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For my Welcome Fall tablescape, I chose a set of falling leaves napkins as my inspiration. You can see what they look like in the first graphic at the top of the page and below.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD6myj_H2QH-oodliA5MnTSow8F85F0D1wog-_UxK0WDNfAMoThhNb40WOm3UqZ9ZDVCchYQL5bg4Y_srfTeww5twgsFQatUsJATU-EQ9MHmPMyzovZvyF3SK6rEnK0h0g005Ql_JRVkWuueKqKGWhVVedS5ngxNsKu2Pjn-qworRTtJMN35zsDa-gZU/s4032/IMG_7151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD6myj_H2QH-oodliA5MnTSow8F85F0D1wog-_UxK0WDNfAMoThhNb40WOm3UqZ9ZDVCchYQL5bg4Y_srfTeww5twgsFQatUsJATU-EQ9MHmPMyzovZvyF3SK6rEnK0h0g005Ql_JRVkWuueKqKGWhVVedS5ngxNsKu2Pjn-qworRTtJMN35zsDa-gZU/w480-h640/IMG_7151.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Not only do I love the napkin's fall colors, I also love the pink on them. I chose a few pink roses to match.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWB6Bgls93WbjBJzUaX5lTBif1apYEVPUHaqg9jiQJGYbkv1XNGwmO6BH1yk4qNFJljV5X9C3eaKTLjK2kiEz6_y-g4BL9TTmX-wMS2prJ4ucFth-mlmsSVqq-98x1gRveOVEWkGrSTnD6A5eGtyYibmnzKuQazCpNj47SzJD53uHv42Pk-sCwvSK6BiA/s1533/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="913" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWB6Bgls93WbjBJzUaX5lTBif1apYEVPUHaqg9jiQJGYbkv1XNGwmO6BH1yk4qNFJljV5X9C3eaKTLjK2kiEz6_y-g4BL9TTmX-wMS2prJ4ucFth-mlmsSVqq-98x1gRveOVEWkGrSTnD6A5eGtyYibmnzKuQazCpNj47SzJD53uHv42Pk-sCwvSK6BiA/s320/5.png" width="191" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because it's been very hot here, I chose a white table runner and willow placemats. I was planning on using a green, orange, and yellow plaid runner that also looks nice with the napkins, but I changed my mind because it seemed too heavy. I selected MacKenzie-Childs dinner plates that match the napkins.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUhqmgHuRdE4Hvt3eR5e8zugc1S3yMbcKixo9oPRpIgsS9XBlbptgX2uqEHyNrpncHVf1n9sGYwn_7AFxYUQgd0d3IaHYH4uz14AjTJLY2XP0Yly--B-JH8uxjicsFYHLDjU26J5I8AfhT9FK96pXTqiFGX24kSipZ59wo2Xds4iDeDWKK2EjAkaE2KI/s2870/IMG_7167.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="2870" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUhqmgHuRdE4Hvt3eR5e8zugc1S3yMbcKixo9oPRpIgsS9XBlbptgX2uqEHyNrpncHVf1n9sGYwn_7AFxYUQgd0d3IaHYH4uz14AjTJLY2XP0Yly--B-JH8uxjicsFYHLDjU26J5I8AfhT9FK96pXTqiFGX24kSipZ59wo2Xds4iDeDWKK2EjAkaE2KI/w640-h640/IMG_7167.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next, I added white leaf plates from Williams-Sonoma. I actually have several white fall decorations; I guess I've always liked using white to decorate for fall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBUfKqHlfKXDdGsyS11bBSzoRhwUB7HRGwHgKusMfORU61ZAViviVxq38r3kHyUqVhdXjIVY0c2adNOisXIaOWP5OLNx91rMS3TnwrBK7nC2i2UQ-M2DtLUcyHfMqCbOmixDTSQMM6hWgwgsIJ83NPLbEHQmf3YxBV99CGt0TYiJzBQhE52Ss_Gu5In0/s3410/IMG_7100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="3410" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBUfKqHlfKXDdGsyS11bBSzoRhwUB7HRGwHgKusMfORU61ZAViviVxq38r3kHyUqVhdXjIVY0c2adNOisXIaOWP5OLNx91rMS3TnwrBK7nC2i2UQ-M2DtLUcyHfMqCbOmixDTSQMM6hWgwgsIJ83NPLbEHQmf3YxBV99CGt0TYiJzBQhE52Ss_Gu5In0/w640-h484/IMG_7100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The MacKenzie-Childs rose cottage pattern blends nicely with the napkin and leaf plate.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I chose a vintage Laura Ashley brown and white plaid pitcher as a vase for the roses. I also used a MacKenzie-Childs Keukenhof pitcher for the main centerpiece.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2QGwcemjzPENRDeqmG0ndaIoZ7B0i7Ku7qiXgiE3qlhC0zZqdeJvL3g5dc4YMlLUhDTOP5FVw8B5YLWh68Womjph4nvnl8Y--dHeHHSEeL88UdFkI6pHT5prQPWz7AOdGuiB0ybQHcLsTxH8_whLmBUlY3xWMq62_A2b22CedY5d3Tykqk0P_XCShZs/s4032/IMG_7113.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2QGwcemjzPENRDeqmG0ndaIoZ7B0i7Ku7qiXgiE3qlhC0zZqdeJvL3g5dc4YMlLUhDTOP5FVw8B5YLWh68Womjph4nvnl8Y--dHeHHSEeL88UdFkI6pHT5prQPWz7AOdGuiB0ybQHcLsTxH8_whLmBUlY3xWMq62_A2b22CedY5d3Tykqk0P_XCShZs/w480-h640/IMG_7113.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnZdkHDs8qFxdy4_FnOhCHl54Hko-HXOEwbaR9iajI5d5zrR4a6ImVYwktlJhr5an3ljPEwUv6A_XY6VxrBzAk9J9vAhHVTpw3d57RJZVW5KH3XB5k-wmpyEqPJkcI-T9wwPniokL7_51yuwRVTuQJOt2S2U5OxyaZhDRtRKoDKx8phL3TGjyrMB4teQ/s4032/IMG_7150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnZdkHDs8qFxdy4_FnOhCHl54Hko-HXOEwbaR9iajI5d5zrR4a6ImVYwktlJhr5an3ljPEwUv6A_XY6VxrBzAk9J9vAhHVTpw3d57RJZVW5KH3XB5k-wmpyEqPJkcI-T9wwPniokL7_51yuwRVTuQJOt2S2U5OxyaZhDRtRKoDKx8phL3TGjyrMB4teQ/w480-h640/IMG_7150.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I enjoy purchasing flowers for our home from a local grower. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The centerpiece includes celosia, zinnias, and bunny tails.</i></span><i style="font-size: large;"> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I also added a few white gerbera daisies in white MacKenzie-Childs thistle vases because they're so cheerful.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo3ws3j4gX1VKnwAovjuIRYLELcXXboVdjH0wXiSIVq71OL0mB_HhmVa9BbMDHFRFKxmK2uU8r8lGfnIKaws_2h4oeN8nqC34x7HIhG8_QoB4Z3esTk--8kTgDuRBcdAfJDYqB5PY1sw_0RJqnHsm-J83za0q32p-Kc9oMGsVvKPrQmgRVP0bL5n1Pyc/s1080/Untitled%20design%20(7).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo3ws3j4gX1VKnwAovjuIRYLELcXXboVdjH0wXiSIVq71OL0mB_HhmVa9BbMDHFRFKxmK2uU8r8lGfnIKaws_2h4oeN8nqC34x7HIhG8_QoB4Z3esTk--8kTgDuRBcdAfJDYqB5PY1sw_0RJqnHsm-J83za0q32p-Kc9oMGsVvKPrQmgRVP0bL5n1Pyc/s320/Untitled%20design%20(7).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZDg9qPncVtCydGmKUFS9cXLxpQtpEUflpYbh509qebuHXoriiLXXHbKEvCMP60yIdg-cHKEcsnBCnd2OrCB5xACFzdGWJAfyPOP2DcVS1mNLuI20JJ3X2LZoloNrjKMci-eZP58sQAswq-rhD3UZ981P-oh3E85KlAIiJEIUPMMpMUWQetEGS3gpoBA/s4032/IMG_7120.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZDg9qPncVtCydGmKUFS9cXLxpQtpEUflpYbh509qebuHXoriiLXXHbKEvCMP60yIdg-cHKEcsnBCnd2OrCB5xACFzdGWJAfyPOP2DcVS1mNLuI20JJ3X2LZoloNrjKMci-eZP58sQAswq-rhD3UZ981P-oh3E85KlAIiJEIUPMMpMUWQetEGS3gpoBA/w640-h480/IMG_7120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I thought a few glass acorns would be fun additions, so I have them scattered on the table. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>MacKenzie-Childs tumblers and salt and pepper set; Horchow iced tea glasses and flatware; Longaberger votives; and a Pier1 candle holder complete the tablescape.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpa046StSS2HpO6vD35SCSKg5WnUnR7V4UIhDLYNmB-gc_PhJiXgMBYDmsNl403ieV3dAsK-A_RekB8SPeUO8YXt4VacaIUMn8-EiEsw_4Epqe7KsaujYHdnVpTKop2ifTpyTQCwrBdad1q0pqHXrPu11afYEmb82O9AUkvcqo7al6HILz42BnilvYJN8/s2892/IMG_7172.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2892" data-original-width="2892" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpa046StSS2HpO6vD35SCSKg5WnUnR7V4UIhDLYNmB-gc_PhJiXgMBYDmsNl403ieV3dAsK-A_RekB8SPeUO8YXt4VacaIUMn8-EiEsw_4Epqe7KsaujYHdnVpTKop2ifTpyTQCwrBdad1q0pqHXrPu11afYEmb82O9AUkvcqo7al6HILz42BnilvYJN8/w640-h640/IMG_7172.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcVprX-MYkEhhPXPeRTBVVWZ64KLpWfOcxM4kzo0TlVCPVG90P9_E7VK2KCsU2ywtThKfhxOuS7P7---xB0WfnAMNnNIE_xt7vPIa1LGXyj8vUps47pNXqIUCYKoPVkSAkLwwmGn9me00wmUV84peO6FZufJ92vc13GlhOUMmE3I10ErRcLLt66x3udw/s2930/floral3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2930" data-original-width="2665" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcVprX-MYkEhhPXPeRTBVVWZ64KLpWfOcxM4kzo0TlVCPVG90P9_E7VK2KCsU2ywtThKfhxOuS7P7---xB0WfnAMNnNIE_xt7vPIa1LGXyj8vUps47pNXqIUCYKoPVkSAkLwwmGn9me00wmUV84peO6FZufJ92vc13GlhOUMmE3I10ErRcLLt66x3udw/s320/floral3.png" width="291" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was adding water to the centerpiece, and I spilled <strike>some</strike> a lot of water on the white runner, so after I quickly removed it and I cleaned up the table, I replaced it with a brown and off white Spode table runner. At least I'd already taken a few photos! I can't decide which one I like better.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiO2aV4MvhSIsp0_f3kjy5b96LY1utdfMornRtrCpoeUaMfmnRAJC6vae4T8mUIrfbDiwOUmZ-deqgjdez7m6AxkEBPCDfXxiCt7ezBKEjFK1hw4wP5MipDP-RehRsNT6It2rxviSHufE1fqlUtpAa0R78NdkToQEK45C3AhcJksbsIdk6IGTI0D4oow/s3917/IMG_7197.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3917" data-original-width="2859" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiO2aV4MvhSIsp0_f3kjy5b96LY1utdfMornRtrCpoeUaMfmnRAJC6vae4T8mUIrfbDiwOUmZ-deqgjdez7m6AxkEBPCDfXxiCt7ezBKEjFK1hw4wP5MipDP-RehRsNT6It2rxviSHufE1fqlUtpAa0R78NdkToQEK45C3AhcJksbsIdk6IGTI0D4oow/w468-h640/IMG_7197.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx1nKBUreWcJre-Fdm-ruYkIJOnunDqCXagDC28lBw-jy5OUI8FRBHI3eVn56I-YWuJbYsqQVJM01XDTefYB7EAaqNUTXdaA7Q0eNG3IZXdqLsXJEqrSAbEsWHqQf60_qcq4-zi05C8sqNwKwjboruBSY80MPv9V7Z-WDtAMpagDNW1x88l0c7TymFIA/s1214/22.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1214" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx1nKBUreWcJre-Fdm-ruYkIJOnunDqCXagDC28lBw-jy5OUI8FRBHI3eVn56I-YWuJbYsqQVJM01XDTefYB7EAaqNUTXdaA7Q0eNG3IZXdqLsXJEqrSAbEsWHqQf60_qcq4-zi05C8sqNwKwjboruBSY80MPv9V7Z-WDtAMpagDNW1x88l0c7TymFIA/s320/22.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you take the time to visit the other stylists participating in the blog hop via the links below. I always enjoy seeing the other ladies' stunning tables! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Panoply - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/08/welcome-fall-mottahedeh-chelsea-bird.html&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw0LqvPa-jvp14C1Ees1CUYD" href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/08/welcome-fall-mottahedeh-chelsea-bird.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Welcome Fall: Mottahedeh Chelsea Bird Tablescape</a><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hyacinths for the Soul - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/08/welcome-fall-tablescape-on-terrace-to.html&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw1bGOQ1soXAspy1RO154BzA" href="https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/08/welcome-fall-tablescape-on-terrace-to.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Welcome Fall, A Tablescape on the Terrace</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyday Living - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://everydayliving.me/?p%3D61948%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw2MgViTw3xj4C-QMcTmlLMZ" href="https://everydayliving.me/?p=61948&preview=true" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Autumn is My Favorite Color</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Is Where the Boat Is - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p%3D150731&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw0Asj5hb_ubH311GNVUq-G2" href="https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p=150731" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Sunflowers and Pumpkins</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life and Linda - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/08/a-fall-wine-country-dinner.html&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw2daTrilwoCu0faFpAu-u9j" href="https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/08/a-fall-wine-dinner.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Fall Wine Dinner</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bookish Dilettante - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/08/falling-leaves-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw1gypXqK_36MfhiMe_ofF9U" href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/08/falling-leaves-tablescape.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Falling Leaves Tablescape</a> (You are here.)<br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Little Yellow Corner Store - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thelittleyellowcornerstore.blogspot.com/2023/08/fall-harvest-time-gathering-of-mushroom.html&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw3kzYyvb3jAtIcFdEq6bERs" href="https://thelittleyellowcornerstore.blogspot.com/2023/08/fall-harvest-time-gathering-of-mushroom.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Gathering of Mushroom Joy</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me and My Captain - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://meandmycaptain.com/2023/08/goodbye-summer-hello-fall/&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw1O60oCY-ENFhZWXPfz1-wc" href="https://meandmycaptain.com/2023/08/goodbye-summer-hello-fall/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Goodbye Summer Hello Fall</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red Cottage Chronicles - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.redcottagechronicles.com/?p%3D15220&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw0wfI29_GakO6vKmLhdGMWn" href="https://www.redcottagechronicles.com/tablescapes/autumn-brunch-table-setting/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Autumn Brunch Table Setting</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bluesky at Home - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blueskyathome.com/how-to-set-a-soft-and-neutral-fall-table/&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw1sTgYdaXfMqyzltDGPUbgT" href="https://blueskyathome.com/how-to-set-a-soft-and-neutral-fall-table/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">How to Set a Soft and Neutral Table for Fall</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thrifting Wonderland - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thriftingwonderland.com/2023/08/29/savor-the-moment-fall-tablescape/&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw32gSdAiTsTVa_xXz2ZCKcM" href="https://thriftingwonderland.com/2023/08/29/savor-the-moment-fall-tablescape/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Savor the Moment...Fall Tablescape</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinner at Eight - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2023/08/setting-table-for-early-autumn.html&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw1hzbJSk8657G5HiDr4Ck2V" href="https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2023/08/setting-table-for-early-autumn.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Setting the Table for Early Autumn</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Thrift Store Addiction - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2023/08/bountiful-and-budget-friendly-autumn.html&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw2vwbJWudFoPKK0hzhXFdAG" href="https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2023/08/bountiful-and-budget-friendly-autumn.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Bountiful and Budget-Friendly Autumn Tablescape</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cat's whiskerz - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p%3D3391%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw21hq2iOKELSOc-OqSN5Fbk" href="https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p=3391&preview=true" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Welcoming fall with a spicy tablescape</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Hubbard Home - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://myhubbardhome.com/welcome-fall-with-a-harvest-blessings-table-setting/&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw2hNynHxll9jeH7Il7p5JRy" href="https://myhubbardhome.com/welcome-fall-with-a-harvest-blessings-table-setting/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Welcome Fall with a Harvest Blessings Table Setting</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Belle Bleu Interiors - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bellebleuinteriors.com/tablescapes/anticipatingautumnsarrival/&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw3tj0CIyxjh7QlN_3RtwdVG" href="https://www.bellebleuinteriors.com/tablescapes/anticipating-autumns-arrival/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Anticipating Autumn's Arrival</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Corner of Plaid and Paisley - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cornerofplaidandpaisley.com/2023/08/fall-is-time-for-football-fall.html&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw3pqB9t-9BO0uDh0LQUPs9C" href="https://www.cornerofplaidandpaisley.com/2023/08/fall-is-time-for-football-fall.html" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Fall is Time for Football</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Painted Apron - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/08/29/celebrating-fall/&source=gmail&ust=1693136181045000&usg=AOvVaw0tz5JNWfVCSQoWGHFTNiSm" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/08/29/celebrating-fall/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Celebrating Fall</a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf5xWp2k5M2eNbLo5g1SLKHarZ4dBnrjDVU2tQV5qid3Dn99xVz6OI79mcW8E8avq_iqnRbi4SoA6Ytvjz6OdQtraRlxWofhY65zs_K_DjmvPv6A8amGb63AdaRXW1_U8boyqswEyOteuIPZg3AqctBIH-6ufOzlvdkN7NaTNMfIP8lhkjwk5mpQjSog/s1402/pine%20cone3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1402" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf5xWp2k5M2eNbLo5g1SLKHarZ4dBnrjDVU2tQV5qid3Dn99xVz6OI79mcW8E8avq_iqnRbi4SoA6Ytvjz6OdQtraRlxWofhY65zs_K_DjmvPv6A8amGb63AdaRXW1_U8boyqswEyOteuIPZg3AqctBIH-6ufOzlvdkN7NaTNMfIP8lhkjwk5mpQjSog/s320/pine%20cone3.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Come Back Friday For:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM_6Fng7qMG3tzdtNEohuqGEUx1Xz4EDV8ufxPAvJChO4MaT0cDakcZm5W_tDx0CqriOsMgmBbwXsflLSiCbmSYbY5fTGP7ssBuVkTZgDtAY5d8J-K1fm87YAe10-UYwwEb6As09OewIgkv953Z5Z0cVE_YfBduPi1Jyh8Gxr9V9Mxpa1-Uee-XjkttQ/s1080/Square%20Polaroid%20Photo%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM_6Fng7qMG3tzdtNEohuqGEUx1Xz4EDV8ufxPAvJChO4MaT0cDakcZm5W_tDx0CqriOsMgmBbwXsflLSiCbmSYbY5fTGP7ssBuVkTZgDtAY5d8J-K1fm87YAe10-UYwwEb6As09OewIgkv953Z5Z0cVE_YfBduPi1Jyh8Gxr9V9Mxpa1-Uee-XjkttQ/w640-h640/Square%20Polaroid%20Photo%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Until next time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-69236883037368899932023-08-25T05:00:00.001-05:002023-08-25T05:00:00.139-05:00Literary Friday: The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill by Rowenna Miller<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB3g3eMvj9yL7Mtc-bbxA8KARuEr9Kqkcp14ba_HoQ83HBSz_fmGBG5KT-y459ZgbCZpzVKPo8DyV7W5_MDXIxYK1OWoBr3wMnzqLb1JIb9hX4bz_UZRWjkM6mggTMEovGm3WHij8MkcUHFVau8mNcnQVOY5wjW1pDVaj_hM-zRmMT3dosb1kiy7SgIY/s2711/IMG_6970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2711" data-original-width="2711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB3g3eMvj9yL7Mtc-bbxA8KARuEr9Kqkcp14ba_HoQ83HBSz_fmGBG5KT-y459ZgbCZpzVKPo8DyV7W5_MDXIxYK1OWoBr3wMnzqLb1JIb9hX4bz_UZRWjkM6mggTMEovGm3WHij8MkcUHFVau8mNcnQVOY5wjW1pDVaj_hM-zRmMT3dosb1kiy7SgIY/w640-h640/IMG_6970.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Literary Friday, My Lovelies! </b>Today I'm reviewing <i>The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill </i>by Rowenna Miller. It was one of the five dollar specials at Barnes and Noble, and I bought it because I liked the premise of the story.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>According to Goodreads:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"A warm-hearted yet fierce fairy tale."―H. G. Parry</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the early 1900s, two sisters must navigate the magic and the dangers of the Fae in this enchanting and cozy historical fantasy about sisterhood and self-discovery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is no magic on Prospect Hill—or anywhere else, for that matter. But just on the other side of the veil is the world of the Fae. Generations ago, the first farmers on Prospect Hill learned to bargain small trades to make their lives a little easier—a bit of glass to find something lost, a cup of milk for better layers in the chicken coop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Much of that old wisdom was lost as the riverboats gave way to the rail lines and the farmers took work at mills and factories. Alaine Fairborn’s family, however, was always superstitious, and she still hums the rhymes to find a lost shoe and to ensure dry weather on her sister’s wedding day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When Delphine confides her new husband is not the man she thought he was, Alaine will stop at nothing to help her sister escape him. Small bargains buy them time, but a major one is needed. Yet, the price for true freedom may be more than they’re willing to pay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdPymU9xfDItcBB-6Tyu_1gYYVNLXr0Ux_3HaGKPu4_8Q5iEaUxhqdOpeS44Nd6zVLg43LlEPCSWOcRb77dsqV1tCy5rVikpIxUGFHugnDS-oR3I7IxwdWKemExJK9OOzkPAZTbZX8nUxQmQ5P3udCXXzUHJs2-XdcaZ5dklDUi7r_yBr1nbIeM23hBY/s2600/9780316378574-1.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="1712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdPymU9xfDItcBB-6Tyu_1gYYVNLXr0Ux_3HaGKPu4_8Q5iEaUxhqdOpeS44Nd6zVLg43LlEPCSWOcRb77dsqV1tCy5rVikpIxUGFHugnDS-oR3I7IxwdWKemExJK9OOzkPAZTbZX8nUxQmQ5P3udCXXzUHJs2-XdcaZ5dklDUi7r_yBr1nbIeM23hBY/w422-h640/9780316378574-1.webp" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>My Review</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In this well-written novel, folks who live in the Prospect Hill community make little bargains with the Fae. If they want to find something lost, they might leave the Fae a button and a ribbon. The Fae take these small inconsequential items and remake them into something else entirely. These little items help the Fae build their world. It must be noted that these fairies are not friendly like Disney fairies: They are downright frightening and dangerous. One should not mess with them, nor should they make bargains they can't fulfill. Plus, language can be an issue as the Fae can twist it to their advantage in bargaining.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Although this novel is a fantasy about the World of the Fae, it also has elements of historical fiction. The suffrage movement at first divides sisters Delphine and Alaine: Alaine runs for office in her local agricultural community, and Delphine, married to an industrial magnate, does not endorse the suffrage movement. Delphine's husband is running for a city council seat, and he expects his wife to be supportive in the home through entertaining business and political allies. Both sisters also differ in what they want out of life. Alaine loves the farm and orchard of her childhood and never wants to leave; Delphine wants to marry well and travel. Older sister Alaine is disappointed in Delphine's choices, and she can't understand why Delphine doesn't want to stay. Delphine, however, wants to escape her big sister's shadow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What ends up uniting the sisters is a very dangerous bargain with the fairies on Alaine's Prospect Hill orchard. Delphine's husband is abusive, and Alaine bargains for Delphine's escape. Unbeknownst to Alaine, Delphine has also made a bargain that goes awry in a tragic way. Both sisters must work together to figure out how to undo the bargain, yet one will have to travel beyond the veil to set things aright.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This story's pacing is very good, and it kept me turning the pages far into the night. I really liked the world Rowenna Miller creates with the Fae: it's unique how they come into being. The otherworldly setting and mood make <i>The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill</i> a worthy fantasy. Delphine's transformation from victim to gritty heroine warms my heart. Her fierce character will definitely stay with me for a long time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2QR-3fHU4zM7H67sTPPWabyj1jtm8I0gMuB03XcqaQXlwx_N5SDzk-NolM4p4WEPHrklT4PyfTC4UtlFugBrGL8wJYIiNGOfLijjaOvfY4jlbvIa4FJie7Fuo4hW4dktuQObs_y8_5q98H57qlbMP_SgBIkhoU-sQaxkrgqac20veetvgzZ7c4fnVes/s1447/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1122" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2QR-3fHU4zM7H67sTPPWabyj1jtm8I0gMuB03XcqaQXlwx_N5SDzk-NolM4p4WEPHrklT4PyfTC4UtlFugBrGL8wJYIiNGOfLijjaOvfY4jlbvIa4FJie7Fuo4hW4dktuQObs_y8_5q98H57qlbMP_SgBIkhoU-sQaxkrgqac20veetvgzZ7c4fnVes/s320/1.png" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Have you read anything lately you'd like to share with us? </b>I'm always interested in book recommendations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy reading!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ricki Jill</div></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-42542902622023867052023-08-21T04:30:00.004-05:002023-08-22T13:51:36.884-05:00July and August Update<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiOlnZ6hucUaWpIO48SQ_SlOVigPqxgX2PX1o3jdJk0eghCr-Ok_gQ7Ku6fasbVMAngS7vvm4PU_MS5vie2hYyPEYxwk7-W876d_5MEn2AU0DEwYZkniFOSU3omLo3EFLdCiI2vUTpmYGZP0QqdOlYi7Ivldp0JTKHAoQIHTS4cBbyrkKmU-xGN8ila4/s1350/Black%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Frame%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiOlnZ6hucUaWpIO48SQ_SlOVigPqxgX2PX1o3jdJk0eghCr-Ok_gQ7Ku6fasbVMAngS7vvm4PU_MS5vie2hYyPEYxwk7-W876d_5MEn2AU0DEwYZkniFOSU3omLo3EFLdCiI2vUTpmYGZP0QqdOlYi7Ivldp0JTKHAoQIHTS4cBbyrkKmU-xGN8ila4/w512-h640/Black%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Frame%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Monday, My Lovelies! </b>Is it hot in your neighborhood? It sure is hot here in Central Alabama! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I guess y'all wonder where I've been because I haven't blogged since June! </b> I have been traveling a little to visit family and friends. I was able to spend eleven days at Lake Martin at the beginning of July, and it was so nice to get to do that. While I was there with my family, I learned that one of my dearest friends had passed on July 3rd. It was unexpected, and I have been in a state of shock. Her sister in law called me on July 4th to let me know. Other than church, we did everything together: We were in the same sorority alumnae group, DAR chapter, art class, and we belonged to a couple of other community groups, too. It has been so hard to continue going to these meetings and events without her. She was laid to rest in New Jersey in her family's mausoleum, but her family will be holding a celebration of life for her here in Alabama in early fall. Everyone misses her, and she will be honored at our DAR Chapter Meeting in September.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's a synopsis of my summer activities so far...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What I've been reading:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPcNCzW8uAUrbrwK2HI8G0935AUq3grbzzHLrqKPtXZOjZBnkC2e0vYYmTepJR4PpKyY-N5RhEvRxNQ5D4X74lAmq1aiI1iX-9XJ0__o6jpOBgOvLxYAV6EBFFmIDmsy3xuaS7Xj9c9v-aGU0eTnSAexi1mBz3t5fXI6yH9df9Jw4d4Zg9PdkpMSp72I/s2800/IMG_6848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="2800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPcNCzW8uAUrbrwK2HI8G0935AUq3grbzzHLrqKPtXZOjZBnkC2e0vYYmTepJR4PpKyY-N5RhEvRxNQ5D4X74lAmq1aiI1iX-9XJ0__o6jpOBgOvLxYAV6EBFFmIDmsy3xuaS7Xj9c9v-aGU0eTnSAexi1mBz3t5fXI6yH9df9Jw4d4Zg9PdkpMSp72I/w640-h640/IMG_6848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This is our new devotional we started this month.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>It isn't too late to join us <b><a href="https://biblemoodboard.blogspot.com/p/one-thousand-gifts.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>. We are all in agreement that this devotional is so positive and uplifting!</i></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What I've been reading and streaming:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxRd1hh5mYqgeU7cl2EJ2XiOSkT_xH4jm0hHLMHqgS5jSEnPk5D3N_3Q5FThL1g4oAvJ_k54j2Oc3rL7o0Y1IUvZ1nH2JfPyTcEVQewgF0IO4utYjl906lrOlgceMGdHS3n7SRNfnPtemLTSqtBP3n4JLDT3Bsgz3aCJY8x8TIyuGXEo2Bc4IpCjXyZ4/s2125/the-last-thing-he-told-me-9781501171345_hr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2125" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxRd1hh5mYqgeU7cl2EJ2XiOSkT_xH4jm0hHLMHqgS5jSEnPk5D3N_3Q5FThL1g4oAvJ_k54j2Oc3rL7o0Y1IUvZ1nH2JfPyTcEVQewgF0IO4utYjl906lrOlgceMGdHS3n7SRNfnPtemLTSqtBP3n4JLDT3Bsgz3aCJY8x8TIyuGXEo2Bc4IpCjXyZ4/w422-h640/the-last-thing-he-told-me-9781501171345_hr.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The adaptation on Amazon Prime is very close to the book.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Starring Jennifer Garner, I liked the mini series more than the critics.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This is the only show we've watched this summer because it's baseball season, and we watch almost all of the Cubs games.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What I've been doing while in Birmingham:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've been gardening in the early morning hours, and I've been doing floral arranging, too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptxvPDCUESbZspmzB0s-BTrVV27qSVHEG6URaY5ecLpmy-5BEQ3A5Q5jGaw6g7sjIUQTL-B-dEio35dHMh9jkIl8wWXCOoMsYIo3Y9-dOiE3QvJ3V2BPSjpYeMpfngi7aXDAjltYDT3uLhJwcpu92Y3a7nFgIHlQ8lOqpJhcNqebetzPCnx_Qx_eHvr4/s4032/IMG_6748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptxvPDCUESbZspmzB0s-BTrVV27qSVHEG6URaY5ecLpmy-5BEQ3A5Q5jGaw6g7sjIUQTL-B-dEio35dHMh9jkIl8wWXCOoMsYIo3Y9-dOiE3QvJ3V2BPSjpYeMpfngi7aXDAjltYDT3uLhJwcpu92Y3a7nFgIHlQ8lOqpJhcNqebetzPCnx_Qx_eHvr4/w640-h480/IMG_6748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Large arrangement with mostly greenery</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Before:</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6v7gMpoxac47mdNFSBDTviHwmM2FSe9sTxflnpktlLaXQ3WZR7E0NHBmNCzjeF-tg0KenAWB0E_Iq2bmkPWs5DlM_TKjqEzM4wtDNsvSZUa3e_W8t5DChnbVaGGNrnr35YnX0yLmm5iga5E28qg8aMzAJM5yJ_9GAhA3f5oL2CSosDVZ7aCNYe4ZsmA/s640/IMG_6549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="640" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6v7gMpoxac47mdNFSBDTviHwmM2FSe9sTxflnpktlLaXQ3WZR7E0NHBmNCzjeF-tg0KenAWB0E_Iq2bmkPWs5DlM_TKjqEzM4wtDNsvSZUa3e_W8t5DChnbVaGGNrnr35YnX0yLmm5iga5E28qg8aMzAJM5yJ_9GAhA3f5oL2CSosDVZ7aCNYe4ZsmA/w640-h624/IMG_6549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>After:</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdIDcudw0NJiKiFvJGHwUtIlpaip7oJ_Ebyk5L12ZA1XrBRF5800qcCICmkYfFuICfSrTHrGpDp2lLKIyGoe1Z2kRLfJtDY9-V4z0mGcT-i8MLrB-2JAxGYWLNPkZMIDegsVi6p73DKyMfG86xJcR8yJpTcgvgE8qeAUpZv-CeS3esr133QjoaYfAIsQ/s4032/IMG_6993.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdIDcudw0NJiKiFvJGHwUtIlpaip7oJ_Ebyk5L12ZA1XrBRF5800qcCICmkYfFuICfSrTHrGpDp2lLKIyGoe1Z2kRLfJtDY9-V4z0mGcT-i8MLrB-2JAxGYWLNPkZMIDegsVi6p73DKyMfG86xJcR8yJpTcgvgE8qeAUpZv-CeS3esr133QjoaYfAIsQ/w480-h640/IMG_6993.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The above photo is before a very pregnant deer thought that this container was her own private salad bar. She destroyed it! You can see the reel on my Instagram account, just look for the cover photo of this container.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_14peHmdwNCB0aEipa87KdTF5vbOOnanVxB5CaD8Gq6GQrgU4NAmd4_sogZ4u87vb9HEKWiufkrWSGOUJLQtP-r3W3M5yEtQLFNTNAfQCtutONpVl5GceTNb23swbtd7v5eQCkPK_PvJyshesV4M2n3tCayU69UXBQE-BERro4qrMQE3uD7WTJT_XsQ/s1920/Aesthetic%20Polaroid%20Shop%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_14peHmdwNCB0aEipa87KdTF5vbOOnanVxB5CaD8Gq6GQrgU4NAmd4_sogZ4u87vb9HEKWiufkrWSGOUJLQtP-r3W3M5yEtQLFNTNAfQCtutONpVl5GceTNb23swbtd7v5eQCkPK_PvJyshesV4M2n3tCayU69UXBQE-BERro4qrMQE3uD7WTJT_XsQ/w360-h640/Aesthetic%20Polaroid%20Shop%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I've been nursing three carpet roses back to health. They're looking much better!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What I've been organizing so far this summer:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZn9PhI3hwcIbepgIlpzhhlMDVPb1IgeWYzxLepfUCLVbogKfVeL0AiDWYJSkNFRNV7zDM7mbxKm1TbFinig0Oo6tAGOsDq2n8pWXpGJPa8HlWqPB-Tvht2LErs5g8yUH0pDDT24zII4TWN28jcYtEnTu8L3dO8iF9DXOtcFt9keDxZBCvk1sp5gNIbY/s3024/IMG_6874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZn9PhI3hwcIbepgIlpzhhlMDVPb1IgeWYzxLepfUCLVbogKfVeL0AiDWYJSkNFRNV7zDM7mbxKm1TbFinig0Oo6tAGOsDq2n8pWXpGJPa8HlWqPB-Tvht2LErs5g8yUH0pDDT24zII4TWN28jcYtEnTu8L3dO8iF9DXOtcFt9keDxZBCvk1sp5gNIbY/w640-h640/IMG_6874.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I bought these MacKenzie-Childs canisters during the online Barn Sale.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>They are holding supplies I often use in photos and art/craft projects.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw62iT9M-ow2YVcxj7kTWyE3MrO-9eHW1fpW7XEn79zSz0GAlEnpRKw7Em2yvVIYhtVBFt4LanrqE_nn2Q1N3Bn-5FKihEIi1Ax4KmQdufABcviyYzayFokGFs7rKXSF6g2kgulUCN5uZExZgVCGzwbLSObwNqRF2qExBKnGP3fFmb4MgOCAJhmNd1O8/s3904/IMG_6978.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3904" data-original-width="2988" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw62iT9M-ow2YVcxj7kTWyE3MrO-9eHW1fpW7XEn79zSz0GAlEnpRKw7Em2yvVIYhtVBFt4LanrqE_nn2Q1N3Bn-5FKihEIi1Ax4KmQdufABcviyYzayFokGFs7rKXSF6g2kgulUCN5uZExZgVCGzwbLSObwNqRF2qExBKnGP3fFmb4MgOCAJhmNd1O8/w490-h640/IMG_6978.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Shelley cleared out a lot of her art supplies, and she moved them into the library where she likes to draw and do lettering. It freed up a lot of space in my studio, and I've been able to reorganize some of my supplies in the armoire.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I also took everything out of my closet and Mr. Bookish's closet and reorganized, donated, and threw out items. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>It feels so good! Mr. Bookish says it's like Christmas whenever he opens his closet!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Having separate closets is the secret to a happy marriage ;P</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Where I've been going:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We've mostly been going to Lake Martin and Louisiana this summer. Our niece is getting married, and she's had a few parties. Also, we attended a special birthday party at Commander's Palace for Mr. Bookish and a few of his friends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEu3WTXuSwCJ7iqXlQkPI56-HhxlkGTss8qZ87yl6YL05jeCDiDkMOPaSfZLiglEFpc0-iWov5rdcNITazPLa6HVDRBdScBiKEXgR5zRMr9yA0BJCHkGecI-lXA317HsxQGC9_hrt7_WfeRsR38jJvzBA-c7bio3Om5R4Zy8g-xMn5g-TSvVezr1_mNo/s4032/IMG_6894.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEu3WTXuSwCJ7iqXlQkPI56-HhxlkGTss8qZ87yl6YL05jeCDiDkMOPaSfZLiglEFpc0-iWov5rdcNITazPLa6HVDRBdScBiKEXgR5zRMr9yA0BJCHkGecI-lXA317HsxQGC9_hrt7_WfeRsR38jJvzBA-c7bio3Om5R4Zy8g-xMn5g-TSvVezr1_mNo/w480-h640/IMG_6894.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Oak tree in New Orleans</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>More on our trip in a later post.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What I've been drawing:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTXt2uoXTGgExSO45IVih3JheIVVERlixb5VJAhvx8--cB4lRpvJ4UWZiiyqEyrTZQp5rfgH50Y3EWaNNiUCK3zT0iYdje2nSWuGtXlpPNhazXwhcG6TcEmmViAENca1Xsv-ISfm8WS8uxeDkW2qIzVGH6WOxevy8OZLIeZhperGdUoQR_IyFgOA5xbo/s2641/IMG_7026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2641" data-original-width="2641" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTXt2uoXTGgExSO45IVih3JheIVVERlixb5VJAhvx8--cB4lRpvJ4UWZiiyqEyrTZQp5rfgH50Y3EWaNNiUCK3zT0iYdje2nSWuGtXlpPNhazXwhcG6TcEmmViAENca1Xsv-ISfm8WS8uxeDkW2qIzVGH6WOxevy8OZLIeZhperGdUoQR_IyFgOA5xbo/w640-h640/IMG_7026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'm still working through a realism book in my art class.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This rose was drawn with (mostly) German-made oil-based colored pencils.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixepl7fq295ZXp208Bt8BtgRKA4CszO-ezpo2WFYnspO8YVQQsmWcEahLBZ3V7kzHVVZUGso1nGnxC6GEOY1p8bhSsxePdsUtITnqIo1d9RiW59XQF8Ifap7NW8XN6XVqrzre5iIx3puVG5Uxo4R12JiTQ8wP3ooOGUiB9HUbwfkLgWLtEiP1BwcpLirM/s2400/11.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixepl7fq295ZXp208Bt8BtgRKA4CszO-ezpo2WFYnspO8YVQQsmWcEahLBZ3V7kzHVVZUGso1nGnxC6GEOY1p8bhSsxePdsUtITnqIo1d9RiW59XQF8Ifap7NW8XN6XVqrzre5iIx3puVG5Uxo4R12JiTQ8wP3ooOGUiB9HUbwfkLgWLtEiP1BwcpLirM/w320-h320/11.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_5NgrgS074O7aUT88LsktPr_5K2qZb9IgQUueJkeGb050H6Y5RaCrRYSvFiEyRVsmve5LVPbk_mFdLJXJdsmkUtJKt4DsoP3KnKKq8ckEg5GhIuEHpnTwn07eE22KW_OTa9-IGdX7HXPjvkfscke8dmFrdtyrC0j6LD5iCY_Sl1q63jHv72ZgNJrIRc/s1920/Yellow%20sunflower%20sunny%20phone%20wallpaper.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_5NgrgS074O7aUT88LsktPr_5K2qZb9IgQUueJkeGb050H6Y5RaCrRYSvFiEyRVsmve5LVPbk_mFdLJXJdsmkUtJKt4DsoP3KnKKq8ckEg5GhIuEHpnTwn07eE22KW_OTa9-IGdX7HXPjvkfscke8dmFrdtyrC0j6LD5iCY_Sl1q63jHv72ZgNJrIRc/w360-h640/Yellow%20sunflower%20sunny%20phone%20wallpaper.png" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Blog posts I'm writing:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeNo9Zcqa_o13jOnEbIMTO7ee6VwNTyBCp9lndR3u1y0Xx5A7qBzc_El5UTato1AzZOcnIIZy8jrgMTEQWKBRrpNBcVzxVent-bJMxi8OFLWaeQstsSv0RYJz0WQaU9tUX9VXG5ex0gYNYccV-x5mvjI84DDejdr56YpdCtLSmFikYBcDj6xH1kQkHG4/s2086/2023%20Welcome%20Fall%20Tablescape%20Graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="2086" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeNo9Zcqa_o13jOnEbIMTO7ee6VwNTyBCp9lndR3u1y0Xx5A7qBzc_El5UTato1AzZOcnIIZy8jrgMTEQWKBRrpNBcVzxVent-bJMxi8OFLWaeQstsSv0RYJz0WQaU9tUX9VXG5ex0gYNYccV-x5mvjI84DDejdr56YpdCtLSmFikYBcDj6xH1kQkHG4/w640-h608/2023%20Welcome%20Fall%20Tablescape%20Graphic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Sweet Rita @Panoply is hosting a "Welcome Fall" tablescape blog hop next week.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbYny9m66aWCbXDSeB8PSIvRXmwp9ygLjjZKyfqogZqkfDl6qBmE9KjUwaLZRektTADFUDmkCKEqpcD5GZw-6wqtTXumsueSbp1jzRQCIMbLMLOVB93G53ThE99mJIurnAKZkQgz4VcCUYg9TIRoPFuDx2ctd1DLROx4eyItut9E4vgN6hDafRJ4PEo4/s2711/IMG_6970.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2711" data-original-width="2711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbYny9m66aWCbXDSeB8PSIvRXmwp9ygLjjZKyfqogZqkfDl6qBmE9KjUwaLZRektTADFUDmkCKEqpcD5GZw-6wqtTXumsueSbp1jzRQCIMbLMLOVB93G53ThE99mJIurnAKZkQgz4VcCUYg9TIRoPFuDx2ctd1DLROx4eyItut9E4vgN6hDafRJ4PEo4/w640-h640/IMG_6970.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Come back this Friday, August 25th, for a review of </i>The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill<i>.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tnjrvK4u8VHhT8vgiZCetgrhDupt4Wdy2KMhSLFiw1tZKwLgPU1EpJ1jZjRbreUx0jCVAB7-Om_F-q5fdyJXwApU1VqXyfaiC_t_XPxErL8r9oafJlnGPBDaydutnWh8n1CkBwu-hjBdMcwybaR18RBGgsszFfrj-g794Fnq1zOFht79lorUXubY4FU/s610/tote-logo-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tnjrvK4u8VHhT8vgiZCetgrhDupt4Wdy2KMhSLFiw1tZKwLgPU1EpJ1jZjRbreUx0jCVAB7-Om_F-q5fdyJXwApU1VqXyfaiC_t_XPxErL8r9oafJlnGPBDaydutnWh8n1CkBwu-hjBdMcwybaR18RBGgsszFfrj-g794Fnq1zOFht79lorUXubY4FU/s16000/tote-logo-2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Our next Tales of the Traveling Tote link party will be Friday, September 1st. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXyY5-dMOmpNQTYlEvRU3yxxlWnzZc8HFkkERYxWO5AxVDygmFl0EaLow7Sf5p5NLHw_7SQInSJ0lovnGjfI0NIR4qHfxLk5JowWry0TQ6DmrgkjvKBLy0TXN_A-xuZILCKnwOWDAnQv_RhAIV_xxPwmsWGUbWUMpiz-WQolC_8V0W1m1Wh22n5xWxqY/s1920/Brown%20White%20Modern%20Latte%20Quote%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXyY5-dMOmpNQTYlEvRU3yxxlWnzZc8HFkkERYxWO5AxVDygmFl0EaLow7Sf5p5NLHw_7SQInSJ0lovnGjfI0NIR4qHfxLk5JowWry0TQ6DmrgkjvKBLy0TXN_A-xuZILCKnwOWDAnQv_RhAIV_xxPwmsWGUbWUMpiz-WQolC_8V0W1m1Wh22n5xWxqY/w360-h640/Brown%20White%20Modern%20Latte%20Quote%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'll be reviewing a cute Halloween cozy mystery and sharing an easy (and the most delicious!) pumpkin spice latte recipe I've ever had. Really. You won't want to miss this post!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What have you been up to lately? Please let me know in comments.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-54508349687550890392023-06-19T07:00:00.002-05:002023-06-24T21:20:15.534-05:00Summer Decor and Container Gardens<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMBiwn8IfQMHbAeeggzQiJNf4zp4H5rAs1B_FMtia36rxvJLc0KK41wMHACWrWIBQMkEi0dio5v7Io9XtMUq1EJEf8147zlPLXXWTESp2rgen3VwdNjMhds_bLmrfYc9klzVfjyvkb95Bh5q4Ig7p1cF7k6mG95PH_K_gMkko9okEgSwSRJofsV40/s4032/IMG_6548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMBiwn8IfQMHbAeeggzQiJNf4zp4H5rAs1B_FMtia36rxvJLc0KK41wMHACWrWIBQMkEi0dio5v7Io9XtMUq1EJEf8147zlPLXXWTESp2rgen3VwdNjMhds_bLmrfYc9klzVfjyvkb95Bh5q4Ig7p1cF7k6mG95PH_K_gMkko9okEgSwSRJofsV40/w480-h640/IMG_6548.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Monday, My Lovelies! </b>Did you have a nice weekend? We enjoyed celebrating Father's Day with Mr. Bookish. I think he enjoyed himself, too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today I'm sharing a little summer decor in our family room. I decorated the Pressed Flower Work Table with tiny boxwood wreaths (the boxwood kind that doesn't smell bad) and maidenhair ferns. I kill too many maidenhair ferns, but I love them so much! I have actually been reading a book about how to care for them. They're my favorite of all houseplants, and I like them in our home especially during summer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9YrYL58ifsk0oODqfB5lgob5OQM6VcbHvzAPi7CThHSLAl0QOgd2d3MPTAzewrcF5vBwC0D74LjHIRC4AEgdJkzn_x2GDOC5cXRyBvYQVv2cavqDoEcjlx9sQYKSgvmSjQDHPe_uvrP0kcUP5rGNiUZmzYJv4s5x94Af_Beb3Zm9d9whrxBZonGj/s4032/IMG_6547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9YrYL58ifsk0oODqfB5lgob5OQM6VcbHvzAPi7CThHSLAl0QOgd2d3MPTAzewrcF5vBwC0D74LjHIRC4AEgdJkzn_x2GDOC5cXRyBvYQVv2cavqDoEcjlx9sQYKSgvmSjQDHPe_uvrP0kcUP5rGNiUZmzYJv4s5x94Af_Beb3Zm9d9whrxBZonGj/w480-h640/IMG_6547.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzWXKNCK025lxuPXO3CANoB0DJqXvWMAm2fmmmWnyAzw4RAPjNoXBhe4qz_Kw0P-WutllxDFpy6HhMCnizZLZmFi72VScY73HPt2O3sYpwaJvW_50_risvIBJOprPKPhYI80vZcCt8-Fwk3ZisQY30gU0d32cbRsds40BLZfr9HuF49JR4Dq2ONcu/s4032/IMG_6545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzWXKNCK025lxuPXO3CANoB0DJqXvWMAm2fmmmWnyAzw4RAPjNoXBhe4qz_Kw0P-WutllxDFpy6HhMCnizZLZmFi72VScY73HPt2O3sYpwaJvW_50_risvIBJOprPKPhYI80vZcCt8-Fwk3ZisQY30gU0d32cbRsds40BLZfr9HuF49JR4Dq2ONcu/w640-h480/IMG_6545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This little planter holds a ribbon fern and a brake fern.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEW8ayAaBAfh2H4v8nI0Pm_VE5A46Px6IN4Tq0TaBTJE7i88bMxUBbnTbdIE-zQ-YBf9xvKZOu10TPtek8YQWbAPrZa0be86PlOdJjO8m_L9XSea9P8ZxcR3T09uWpbyafEFWO6Ez86BVqOpNtR6Tucyoxp8J9tO_kXHQzc1vkPVcBH_Mzvpc4JL5W/s4032/IMG_6546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEW8ayAaBAfh2H4v8nI0Pm_VE5A46Px6IN4Tq0TaBTJE7i88bMxUBbnTbdIE-zQ-YBf9xvKZOu10TPtek8YQWbAPrZa0be86PlOdJjO8m_L9XSea9P8ZxcR3T09uWpbyafEFWO6Ez86BVqOpNtR6Tucyoxp8J9tO_kXHQzc1vkPVcBH_Mzvpc4JL5W/w640-h480/IMG_6546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6Iqzwp93se2WiVupMtPqn1yk6bYsSF5oQj0_RGi6DH16sTv8yzDd-srEW3uohxQ47khlGrciQAYxTorSIv8Fzb9XTtCQ02de4aAeYsfFkDyS-u7luf_0oxk3f9CGjit4O5q1Wu0aWheYP39NCjRfvXLMsVwItj7Wochj7uCfYKnQJQlkRDOhJTjh/s4032/IMG_6560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6Iqzwp93se2WiVupMtPqn1yk6bYsSF5oQj0_RGi6DH16sTv8yzDd-srEW3uohxQ47khlGrciQAYxTorSIv8Fzb9XTtCQ02de4aAeYsfFkDyS-u7luf_0oxk3f9CGjit4O5q1Wu0aWheYP39NCjRfvXLMsVwItj7Wochj7uCfYKnQJQlkRDOhJTjh/w640-h480/IMG_6560.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhBn77L7Rzch74996Qb8i-L063m5-KqvoMghF8Prls8G2jDJv2L4EjDq5FXrCnSG2RnOqOCouth957iCW_whVPnrP-xfWuWsxj0gv4cfc7hOy45ZC7f6Ww4VupMguk6fKMzx4C3edAQEfcBgln41JpAgrDMvoZ4BE6TqQl6DbRnksQJuyN1DwiroQ/s4032/IMG_6569.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhBn77L7Rzch74996Qb8i-L063m5-KqvoMghF8Prls8G2jDJv2L4EjDq5FXrCnSG2RnOqOCouth957iCW_whVPnrP-xfWuWsxj0gv4cfc7hOy45ZC7f6Ww4VupMguk6fKMzx4C3edAQEfcBgln41JpAgrDMvoZ4BE6TqQl6DbRnksQJuyN1DwiroQ/w480-h640/IMG_6569.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PwtueFFc7KWp-X64G0xDQbG7trNPcQ7JhJogFK-gAn1ThzLkn6wCpEB6az2xWgnH6WpjZYOa47x9S7ktUuoSDNorBlV1sX91_tdNKLpLGI18esRTDabjWN5xhZmm93w_CKTfOxd_8DyrPO_Pb3NxmDj9X9ezu1tXEPrPz6IuGa4U8LCv9xvdsRcn/s4032/IMG_6570.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PwtueFFc7KWp-X64G0xDQbG7trNPcQ7JhJogFK-gAn1ThzLkn6wCpEB6az2xWgnH6WpjZYOa47x9S7ktUuoSDNorBlV1sX91_tdNKLpLGI18esRTDabjWN5xhZmm93w_CKTfOxd_8DyrPO_Pb3NxmDj9X9ezu1tXEPrPz6IuGa4U8LCv9xvdsRcn/w480-h640/IMG_6570.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I also divided an arrowhead plant that was in one pot; now it's divided in three pots! I've placed them on our hearth for now. I might keep them there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNebwTzlnFKE7nh7-8k05uv1wyl7_du0xagDaf1w5-jz911RWBPHry0S1AJ0iKVL6VqRibYPtd9h0g9ALg6oEP3cN5hoojXFUPS_bDTJznrlSsTzTsd3qubYHFoPtIUC7kDxVpufTyLxlPH6Bfmxn_gwN0yEjvjNwN2C9w6g2BblSUbLPh-1o3T9C/s3022/IMG_6573.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNebwTzlnFKE7nh7-8k05uv1wyl7_du0xagDaf1w5-jz911RWBPHry0S1AJ0iKVL6VqRibYPtd9h0g9ALg6oEP3cN5hoojXFUPS_bDTJznrlSsTzTsd3qubYHFoPtIUC7kDxVpufTyLxlPH6Bfmxn_gwN0yEjvjNwN2C9w6g2BblSUbLPh-1o3T9C/w640-h640/IMG_6573.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In our garden I had three small heirloom roses in a large container. In years past they were doing well, but our trees have grown larger, and they weren't getting enough sun. I moved them to their own individual pots, and I'm attempting to nurse them back to health. I'll share an update later in the summer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I needed to purchase replacement plants for the large pot that gets more shade than sun. I asked for advice from our local nursery, and here's what we planted. (We chose a few begonias that don't mind shade, and caladiums that doesn't mind a wee bit of sun.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRqZtZKuUrbDyIpePbpOKMb1nh8WcXXTWmsfSvfIOvNc1mZmuwwbPvnv_NfXqawNJOHFTjiG44kgAkedUIiBcNcBUmT9AdGucqy7O7Kpo-z0x1CXJIYjV7hNiJaa_Rlek1GoJbsBm-QG87UiMRYYWD7ho0jdpIQKEE_XCvePJFw-j7cE-uFqdMGr5/s2963/IMG_6549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="2963" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRqZtZKuUrbDyIpePbpOKMb1nh8WcXXTWmsfSvfIOvNc1mZmuwwbPvnv_NfXqawNJOHFTjiG44kgAkedUIiBcNcBUmT9AdGucqy7O7Kpo-z0x1CXJIYjV7hNiJaa_Rlek1GoJbsBm-QG87UiMRYYWD7ho0jdpIQKEE_XCvePJFw-j7cE-uFqdMGr5/w640-h624/IMG_6549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh4ScfqNSkQBACeqNpLU1hUpnCIivbkZ3_UaFNB3cZqIxklMIjtbSyM6BFQsIbakGt1rp2Nhk_Ucl39NVub3w5Yxnrs6duiQBp4rZm9X7doDA1Z7P5aRC6dZ0kZE0jokZh7Y0H1gQTLh8HLcuef8qRaXZ06dIW9wUrQ82hEJpAGsjrIsi2Gbgzul4/s2893/IMG_6550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="2893" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh4ScfqNSkQBACeqNpLU1hUpnCIivbkZ3_UaFNB3cZqIxklMIjtbSyM6BFQsIbakGt1rp2Nhk_Ucl39NVub3w5Yxnrs6duiQBp4rZm9X7doDA1Z7P5aRC6dZ0kZE0jokZh7Y0H1gQTLh8HLcuef8qRaXZ06dIW9wUrQ82hEJpAGsjrIsi2Gbgzul4/w640-h640/IMG_6550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Large Container Recipe (Mostly Shade)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Begonia "Doublet White" (smaller flowers)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Begonia "Big White Green Leaf" (X2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Heuchera "Berry Timeless" Coral Bells (attract hummingbirds and butterflies) (X2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wishbone Flower "Catalina Grape-O-Licious" (X2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Variegated Large Leaf Periwinkle Vinca (X2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Caladium "Aaron" sun or shade (white)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Caladium "Frog in a Blender" part sun</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdAZzdhKKm7h1JGI-eg4g3FXLN_AOuZ5De7EF2uf2OWuzFoX8eCVdEYrEj1aUCdG_j0bkWAPgRb0b5qbCwDElwtEgPYaJ1ittNdsFSq5epg7nFSTtClA_kzVdaTTC8wcYujJO2hc8WOzLcUXvXk-KJYUIjGQn9Y2vEdMgCSiGAxg-twpngfthr0DN/s4032/IMG_6551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdAZzdhKKm7h1JGI-eg4g3FXLN_AOuZ5De7EF2uf2OWuzFoX8eCVdEYrEj1aUCdG_j0bkWAPgRb0b5qbCwDElwtEgPYaJ1ittNdsFSq5epg7nFSTtClA_kzVdaTTC8wcYujJO2hc8WOzLcUXvXk-KJYUIjGQn9Y2vEdMgCSiGAxg-twpngfthr0DN/w480-h640/IMG_6551.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Aaron caldium</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uk18fDAZbWcsx_Ct33KAOSXa5O1H4ZAPFpz66kKnUXGRnfSR5H2ck2ng3MWbtMkn2341nqouvqMpqV4wSzrSR05n4-wMd6C8pRpgYoZAp4YzJi7SVW3evI-CWTLc1GTjZIOGiVXK1--SJuDfoS6IrLrC9USGu52kSc-ykr91H7uJBmz2xh-zqouN/s4032/IMG_6552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uk18fDAZbWcsx_Ct33KAOSXa5O1H4ZAPFpz66kKnUXGRnfSR5H2ck2ng3MWbtMkn2341nqouvqMpqV4wSzrSR05n4-wMd6C8pRpgYoZAp4YzJi7SVW3evI-CWTLc1GTjZIOGiVXK1--SJuDfoS6IrLrC9USGu52kSc-ykr91H7uJBmz2xh-zqouN/w480-h640/IMG_6552.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Frog in a Blender caladium</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU-GIq7PAoU3Ih4CnPGvTRmQSf3Zlp5mvOG1dExLmegTNrAMrUib1443MTgCkT6iJMswQKWQkbs81QtgktOr0sjcL3KBC_BTGgTk7MAh-rQ-Gz7_yupoWPim0SVinQpPmCyJvCnY7VhrNRr7kwhQadqn9ado0idhRs6jTt2Y79hGVwUXL4-fyaO4Z/s4032/IMG_6422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU-GIq7PAoU3Ih4CnPGvTRmQSf3Zlp5mvOG1dExLmegTNrAMrUib1443MTgCkT6iJMswQKWQkbs81QtgktOr0sjcL3KBC_BTGgTk7MAh-rQ-Gz7_yupoWPim0SVinQpPmCyJvCnY7VhrNRr7kwhQadqn9ado0idhRs6jTt2Y79hGVwUXL4-fyaO4Z/w480-h640/IMG_6422.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to see the container garden recipe for our giant pot in the sun, please click <b><a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/05/may-flowers.html" target="_blank">THIS LINK.</a></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've been reading about <i>Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life</i>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Qy1VxyKf6KBgRYhbhno3Lu2eiXlQ-UemwK4G2TMEoxE5WNJNXOElK5zkUzoXijdpmSfm-QJl1jueIu6SvcYi08f9Jxt1Fbx1fdC2LcEeT4wgTASVDVbPMXjjZ2OeeUP7x1YCJjScIOM8hG1_TuRxkqbGqTxFPqF-o2sZC1jgvfwFGCF4j5vu0_dM/s2879/IMG_6571.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2879" data-original-width="2879" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Qy1VxyKf6KBgRYhbhno3Lu2eiXlQ-UemwK4G2TMEoxE5WNJNXOElK5zkUzoXijdpmSfm-QJl1jueIu6SvcYi08f9Jxt1Fbx1fdC2LcEeT4wgTASVDVbPMXjjZ2OeeUP7x1YCJjScIOM8hG1_TuRxkqbGqTxFPqF-o2sZC1jgvfwFGCF4j5vu0_dM/w640-h640/IMG_6571.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This little gem of a book features not only her gardens, but her illustrations and her garden journal. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The same week I received this book, I got an email from Substack, and in the email I discovered my (now) favorite Substack blog called <i>Noted</i>. The writer (Jillian Hess) features famous people's journals, diaries, and notebooks. It's a fascinating read, and the featured notebook in the email was <b><a href="https://jillianhess.substack.com/p/beatrix-potters-naturalist-notes" target="_blank">Beatrix Potter's</a></b>! I thought it was a sign, so I started following <i>Noted</i>. Another favorite Substack blog is <b><a href="https://seandietrich.substack.com/" target="_blank">Sean of the South</a></b>. Do you follow anyone on Substack? Please let me know in Comments if you do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwva9YMq4Ukih24VCKD7cuEJjDFAkWLSMf5JWCL0MxejpzioecIKQZHwDBvQTzv9pSRs6M_mBYN6EOZe8k8Os1zMjbpLjX7VoKvX7XczZc3J2kY-fN8jEKEDlJh252Gl7cq96J2vJAPyTAdgZAkzFStL6ti9lF0hvTIlD0dbrxY5gvQbbn71732wCx/s4032/IMG_6579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwva9YMq4Ukih24VCKD7cuEJjDFAkWLSMf5JWCL0MxejpzioecIKQZHwDBvQTzv9pSRs6M_mBYN6EOZe8k8Os1zMjbpLjX7VoKvX7XczZc3J2kY-fN8jEKEDlJh252Gl7cq96J2vJAPyTAdgZAkzFStL6ti9lF0hvTIlD0dbrxY5gvQbbn71732wCx/w480-h640/IMG_6579.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Here's to hoping our heirloom roses make it!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-30282602771183274202023-06-13T04:30:00.050-05:002023-06-13T04:30:00.147-05:00Summer Tablescape: Old Glory<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY-3rI3sjtz-tGxV7eHLhV3-TRGKsOKF1SatwadSOHLyB2xWwrzCoo7zmOE5mGL4jQKz1Sn2oPNL9fZfp0mTg9i79JZgeHGYREz0sQE1gGDvM0oWFUSpK0aF0QvTNZidgoPUZR67Rq_0HuPHV_PIYd1BXkoIxcU3i48BsOfSNErBa9lzB5JI57NBn/s4032/IMG_6539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY-3rI3sjtz-tGxV7eHLhV3-TRGKsOKF1SatwadSOHLyB2xWwrzCoo7zmOE5mGL4jQKz1Sn2oPNL9fZfp0mTg9i79JZgeHGYREz0sQE1gGDvM0oWFUSpK0aF0QvTNZidgoPUZR67Rq_0HuPHV_PIYd1BXkoIxcU3i48BsOfSNErBa9lzB5JI57NBn/w480-h640/IMG_6539.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxRR47AYX98Axo4plaqZ_hKKfp2OPKya6krz0WdckWBs_5blb-im9wklYpAtBBqzfnogW9_cpUMVQGauttUb3flsLyQ_O-9kE9PYEPZRqIQNb_J5rPiGmUaHIHv0DWdVbOOfe5f5niIs6VgLycVYRZvCWZ9pYSFKzgrHWWv633eK84LVhzM41w78k/s1920/FlagDay.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxRR47AYX98Axo4plaqZ_hKKfp2OPKya6krz0WdckWBs_5blb-im9wklYpAtBBqzfnogW9_cpUMVQGauttUb3flsLyQ_O-9kE9PYEPZRqIQNb_J5rPiGmUaHIHv0DWdVbOOfe5f5niIs6VgLycVYRZvCWZ9pYSFKzgrHWWv633eK84LVhzM41w78k/w360-h640/FlagDay.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Flag Day Eve, My Lovelies! </b>In honor of the holiday, I decided to celebrate Old Glory for the Summer Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by <a href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">My Friend Rita at the Panoply Blog.</a> In keeping with proper etiquette and respect for the flag, everything on my table is patriotic themed and not derived from a real American flag. The American flag is more than the cloth and colors that we see. It embodies the principles, history, and people who make the United States what it is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlz-GdVoJdkkhTYI5z8ZCQCB84_-nkhwjPybhlI62CvbMF4_2uaSJNJKV73wbpvYAfJoHLrU4IBCYV3BT1raLH_JCSEuvdrg9bT8A1dng8ok4PH2MVi84ge89gvGevQbnGrlxlC7wwaEAEpz-fMOYPooENBLptL76rpGGtqu1JEdXljVTx1k2TLBc/s2915/2023%20Summer%20Tablescape%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2145" data-original-width="2915" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlz-GdVoJdkkhTYI5z8ZCQCB84_-nkhwjPybhlI62CvbMF4_2uaSJNJKV73wbpvYAfJoHLrU4IBCYV3BT1raLH_JCSEuvdrg9bT8A1dng8ok4PH2MVi84ge89gvGevQbnGrlxlC7wwaEAEpz-fMOYPooENBLptL76rpGGtqu1JEdXljVTx1k2TLBc/w640-h470/2023%20Summer%20Tablescape%20Blog%20Hop%20Graphic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thank-you so much for hosting, Rita!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's take a look at our breakfast room table. I set it for breakfast because we like to eat dinner outside this time of year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEGtQO1SIg41RtCbIoDYnt7XT72HaYXdLDJmL11cCzjlD7Bamxce7C4bB9dQZ_O1IxF8x6rtOGDS0g0rXfsvIeXFWNMperB7MaBUKQHT-Vr8ww0E3wn2KmlB9lks5TUwZQABu8yCQl4f0h0d84ltvVCZZKkHnR9dHjNTBWpJy-vIY3mNp35mTv__1/s4032/IMG_6528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEGtQO1SIg41RtCbIoDYnt7XT72HaYXdLDJmL11cCzjlD7Bamxce7C4bB9dQZ_O1IxF8x6rtOGDS0g0rXfsvIeXFWNMperB7MaBUKQHT-Vr8ww0E3wn2KmlB9lks5TUwZQABu8yCQl4f0h0d84ltvVCZZKkHnR9dHjNTBWpJy-vIY3mNp35mTv__1/w640-h480/IMG_6528.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqXgNOIHOERQ5WdTJLj9fjcz9iJCOWYgSGtVBuRXN4YDO_k2UgVNo8Nvp-1PFjDXCLMBp2kdfFDVAj_9DbB7I-2_6mhmfIKyJ6dvjqpA8XlQTyRgx_w1PGw0lIaR0WT6bV18-6ubXOg2C7KPFfRaRYO-wz_Vi1Fk707g9lyX2KSrixCaTBOom_LeQ/s4030/IMG_6531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2793" data-original-width="4030" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqXgNOIHOERQ5WdTJLj9fjcz9iJCOWYgSGtVBuRXN4YDO_k2UgVNo8Nvp-1PFjDXCLMBp2kdfFDVAj_9DbB7I-2_6mhmfIKyJ6dvjqpA8XlQTyRgx_w1PGw0lIaR0WT6bV18-6ubXOg2C7KPFfRaRYO-wz_Vi1Fk707g9lyX2KSrixCaTBOom_LeQ/w640-h444/IMG_6531.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I started with very primitive vintage table linens. I bought them when Mr. Bookish and I lived in Nashville thirty-four years ago. Everything back then was primitive and country, with tons of quilts, salt glazed pottery, and plenty of homespun and gingham fabrics. Although this isn't quite my style, I have kept these linens all these years, and I do still like them because of their patriotic theme.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW0hW8CO7va5MtymsCkqk5PqDjeXwu0EjUYzxaqH1PrN6MHJqjGdkNt_-xYDY9RQLUjeenMF21D0fLfGsmfOcaHZjp30_HbZd9LeNsmmUEtC3sPw_LfS6q6YqJn-XjrRc4zRrn0pxOATU9-oyEhxpiyHERfDk9dIRtKbXQZgN0gogi2TQAAZ2AVBS/s4032/IMG_6520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW0hW8CO7va5MtymsCkqk5PqDjeXwu0EjUYzxaqH1PrN6MHJqjGdkNt_-xYDY9RQLUjeenMF21D0fLfGsmfOcaHZjp30_HbZd9LeNsmmUEtC3sPw_LfS6q6YqJn-XjrRc4zRrn0pxOATU9-oyEhxpiyHERfDk9dIRtKbXQZgN0gogi2TQAAZ2AVBS/w480-h640/IMG_6520.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This is a close-up of the center star on the placemats. I also placed a small table runner in the middle of the table.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The napkins are from Pier 1; I bought them several years ago. The red and white gingham ones I purchased for Christmas, actually. I added the red rose napkin ring because the red rose is our national flower. The rose was designated the official flower and floral emblem of the United States of America in 1986.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QZDS1WnoWqt_6t-Mn59utma6gB92yU-G9guVsy6NiAKhQB6wWPJ6Hg3Gp6CSXF3hwpRBS992pL-K0f8SdIB6XXuATBozEgE56kqb4T7dEWhJGHPJ95YiGKpiXcKNw6HqoJ2bweQCTpFUDEPmi8mdmKTsRzKEp1JbGKw-maqyzQ3Lg0EU7_xv46uH/s4032/IMG_6521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QZDS1WnoWqt_6t-Mn59utma6gB92yU-G9guVsy6NiAKhQB6wWPJ6Hg3Gp6CSXF3hwpRBS992pL-K0f8SdIB6XXuATBozEgE56kqb4T7dEWhJGHPJ95YiGKpiXcKNw6HqoJ2bweQCTpFUDEPmi8mdmKTsRzKEp1JbGKw-maqyzQ3Lg0EU7_xv46uH/w480-h640/IMG_6521.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I added red, white, and blue bowls (actually café au lait bowls) from Anthropologie. Lately, we've been having <b><a href="https://nutritiousrecipes101.wordpress.com/2021/08/19/sweet-vermicelli-with-raspberries/" target="_blank">sweet vermicelli with raspberries</a></b> for breakfast, and it is surprisingly delicious! I first saw this in one of my Mediterranean cookbooks, and it has become a family favorite. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsaaT359ZYr0KNagU0MRlcTZ_FO69XU9b13tb6bVXSJyVjXJNTJlGB7aUzUIcCYo6ui8SEATpH8ckR16ZrDI3r8pAujvvYjotAe74gXmyx9DZz6Tf5dH69Nvwaacdp7Z_TClHNr3-asLjNx8amsM0n9YKc3Je4JGGz9HmQigjfoNTkqGgPj_0llfb/s4032/IMG_6519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsaaT359ZYr0KNagU0MRlcTZ_FO69XU9b13tb6bVXSJyVjXJNTJlGB7aUzUIcCYo6ui8SEATpH8ckR16ZrDI3r8pAujvvYjotAe74gXmyx9DZz6Tf5dH69Nvwaacdp7Z_TClHNr3-asLjNx8amsM0n9YKc3Je4JGGz9HmQigjfoNTkqGgPj_0llfb/w480-h640/IMG_6519.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu22Vrh6UwJorehuAmDOtl-JP2W4659jHcdGBGQjIAmbrLxotwBVsICN2buxx_te360rlb_73zHTqPTd6k-i0xeJ2FEPPc6VSYo35Mitlx2UYIdb8MUY_d-aHW38IQEfRt9gZCSUDNxH88jATwt-yw2f03GmGGipOLaWRzarnBrANO11DrbqDuaQJ5/s4032/IMG_6523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu22Vrh6UwJorehuAmDOtl-JP2W4659jHcdGBGQjIAmbrLxotwBVsICN2buxx_te360rlb_73zHTqPTd6k-i0xeJ2FEPPc6VSYo35Mitlx2UYIdb8MUY_d-aHW38IQEfRt9gZCSUDNxH88jATwt-yw2f03GmGGipOLaWRzarnBrANO11DrbqDuaQJ5/w480-h640/IMG_6523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnUIaah2TufjLo7lVijKFCYJCzWOsetawnGr394h46_WAZjIKDIKKy5nlnp_zTkvklHzzdVRA8w7yl_HWp8iXU9V8s_9ctWc95RFbLlm6HQ8L9Iqm1dJH1xesa99weNFaYPXWatiM0yvEJlnod-rNRfx9nq7OVQdUmZEEnieo47LPJLcBHczyY4Pw/s4032/IMG_6527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnUIaah2TufjLo7lVijKFCYJCzWOsetawnGr394h46_WAZjIKDIKKy5nlnp_zTkvklHzzdVRA8w7yl_HWp8iXU9V8s_9ctWc95RFbLlm6HQ8L9Iqm1dJH1xesa99weNFaYPXWatiM0yvEJlnod-rNRfx9nq7OVQdUmZEEnieo47LPJLcBHczyY4Pw/w480-h640/IMG_6527.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I also added a few wine cups from France. We use them for juice in the morning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf57Adz6-IJhOJ2MLwsrZc5in3Z4QuCwJN-nNwFitZvK7DMZcEJG1Q00TZzncfH-jIdOcoBpODnKAUH0HQFSfCmJlN47UsB5LuiZv-vLlceyUjilbaDAOBgaJEkKmYWy0w9_LDlbyyMYenqA7SPzHiHRK_o0Gl_XnZLHsc-BxqVpMVRaAWpvbmww2/s4032/IMG_6524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf57Adz6-IJhOJ2MLwsrZc5in3Z4QuCwJN-nNwFitZvK7DMZcEJG1Q00TZzncfH-jIdOcoBpODnKAUH0HQFSfCmJlN47UsB5LuiZv-vLlceyUjilbaDAOBgaJEkKmYWy0w9_LDlbyyMYenqA7SPzHiHRK_o0Gl_XnZLHsc-BxqVpMVRaAWpvbmww2/w480-h640/IMG_6524.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I also added raffia scatter hearts in red, white, and blue, and an Old Glory crock filled with hydrangeas from The Fresh Market. I know the hydrangeas are a bit tacky, but I couldn't help myself! ;P</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg3HqX9uTkodWq6RjmKQduwoeK3k4TOlKksJz6xLX1NZQeQAWMaIWMy5Ge3Naj4wbPUpuPZq82EvfcpPKM3u3ojqn81OAe1gVaMbXHprG6nRkmQp_mcduNfsQ9oBUgH8a905U3qeT5f5DPjxtUfct5H7J_EeqE_TO-FUUpt-N2ik879jTzmjTuQjP/s4032/IMG_6512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg3HqX9uTkodWq6RjmKQduwoeK3k4TOlKksJz6xLX1NZQeQAWMaIWMy5Ge3Naj4wbPUpuPZq82EvfcpPKM3u3ojqn81OAe1gVaMbXHprG6nRkmQp_mcduNfsQ9oBUgH8a905U3qeT5f5DPjxtUfct5H7J_EeqE_TO-FUUpt-N2ik879jTzmjTuQjP/w480-h640/IMG_6512.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The mugs are American-made stoneware from Longaberger.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqmI6cXlfpCHSqTAjbp55kw5HtALsMRoQ-guZEMsCEIRFBcQ9LQ7_RSvj-4sNMAsm6GQ3Gd-vvblEuLQzabChPZZcepjqBgRwhmljknSLNmzED5o1IE5pjKtZEnuid5EI7Jw4OUOMsZzSTj6JQvuhor0zJHL9Ykq30Nz8Xnfuuq-zb2uXdfQ76Us_/s4032/IMG_6525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqmI6cXlfpCHSqTAjbp55kw5HtALsMRoQ-guZEMsCEIRFBcQ9LQ7_RSvj-4sNMAsm6GQ3Gd-vvblEuLQzabChPZZcepjqBgRwhmljknSLNmzED5o1IE5pjKtZEnuid5EI7Jw4OUOMsZzSTj6JQvuhor0zJHL9Ykq30Nz8Xnfuuq-zb2uXdfQ76Us_/w480-h640/IMG_6525.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The toast rack, cream jug, and milk jug are by Keith Brymer for Mia.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9mHqBVfC4nxQuWnh2Uo209Xeh5O-jtB40pcwgDEZW7josBngo89ay2lTrrXhlU6VZ-4VJCRHzxVcQVi6hqRatCJYaTDIs_nB_zZD5YazxT1hizmOBtQQrrYoa-HGX-bDIIjTT_jNAWt3ZgnQoWJNPGY2Y9DoApL6jrIko7I5vX-Az2vbUBhOuh7H/s2400/12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9mHqBVfC4nxQuWnh2Uo209Xeh5O-jtB40pcwgDEZW7josBngo89ay2lTrrXhlU6VZ-4VJCRHzxVcQVi6hqRatCJYaTDIs_nB_zZD5YazxT1hizmOBtQQrrYoa-HGX-bDIIjTT_jNAWt3ZgnQoWJNPGY2Y9DoApL6jrIko7I5vX-Az2vbUBhOuh7H/w400-h400/12.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I also put together a small tribute in the dining room:</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2E0Pz1O_v0VxYdrVMqPcS1xgZY1NW9P_h6hah1YkhpiwcSNF6PCWGDsfOS6BGwr8vFlgHvVKdVac3d9_oCmqwvKUNkV8SB2caZg4whkBt62mZgNoSkT80hKf3uuXqI6LhUsDULgQzjXSuhDsrXa_vAklOLYNrJ6Wz5Z0ORYn-6qfSaILQG4VcvO6/s1920/flagday.diningroom.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2E0Pz1O_v0VxYdrVMqPcS1xgZY1NW9P_h6hah1YkhpiwcSNF6PCWGDsfOS6BGwr8vFlgHvVKdVac3d9_oCmqwvKUNkV8SB2caZg4whkBt62mZgNoSkT80hKf3uuXqI6LhUsDULgQzjXSuhDsrXa_vAklOLYNrJ6Wz5Z0ORYn-6qfSaILQG4VcvO6/w360-h640/flagday.diningroom.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1nXFLB9BQ3U3sbuVEjMXSKwaTCQ57F9tIf6pIYP2JT2OrmrDx9lYD3BlqYriCp7sXqkPRAwYDnvQiwLKa7gWvRl-w7gE1TspGrDRKWYKrpScd9oQcAqajqppPo3z0At6nRKxRDL92XAGRMtWsbkeSrgwahX2HLr8f18VtdZsAK9dhuQE2OFMpHh5/s1920/flag.day.mosaic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1nXFLB9BQ3U3sbuVEjMXSKwaTCQ57F9tIf6pIYP2JT2OrmrDx9lYD3BlqYriCp7sXqkPRAwYDnvQiwLKa7gWvRl-w7gE1TspGrDRKWYKrpScd9oQcAqajqppPo3z0At6nRKxRDL92XAGRMtWsbkeSrgwahX2HLr8f18VtdZsAK9dhuQE2OFMpHh5/w360-h640/flag.day.mosaic.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I featured a couple of MacKenzie-Childs Royal Check pieces on our dining room table.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Tomorrow, my DAR Chapter will cohost a Flag Day ceremony at our local library. </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span>The flag that flies in front of the library is looking pretty sad, so our chapter is partnering with the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution to provide a new flag. I hope the weather holds out because we're expecting rain. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span>Our American flag was adopted</span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span> on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. </span></span><span style="text-align: center;">In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; on August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Did you know that there is a proper way to display the flag of the United States?</b> </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Written and approved by Congress, the U.S. Flag Code is codified in law, appearing in Title 4 and Title 36 of U.S. Code. If unsure about how to display a flag, it's always a good idea to look-up the proper way to do it. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">American Lovelies: How will you and your family celebrate Flag Day tomorrow?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQNFDu15yj-o1ugfbr7JNA1tQ4bEM6-8K7pAc-UCvGwRS1ckmjTDRg9IDLc6rq-uhF3Szf5XCKPiF2L2w0kFYtSBEqvGpQPn1wFGroqtEQsrtHoPmUCibpFMaOmsytKuQqbALNHrviNR4yhcoeUE9iWPoawtoBXO7JR3rVSt5eteS8Vem5p8nz75F/s1080/americanrose.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQNFDu15yj-o1ugfbr7JNA1tQ4bEM6-8K7pAc-UCvGwRS1ckmjTDRg9IDLc6rq-uhF3Szf5XCKPiF2L2w0kFYtSBEqvGpQPn1wFGroqtEQsrtHoPmUCibpFMaOmsytKuQqbALNHrviNR4yhcoeUE9iWPoawtoBXO7JR3rVSt5eteS8Vem5p8nz75F/w640-h640/americanrose.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click on the links below to visit the other participating stylists' blogs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div>Panoply - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/06/up-up-and-away-with-summer-dining.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw1XyAjHExR_Y0IiHhlJX8DE" href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/2023/06/up-up-and-away-with-summer-dining.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Up, Up and Away With Summer Dining</a></div><div>Home is Where the Boat Is - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p%3D147848&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw1WiOFa2fnN5rPtu4CJPOKz" href="https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/?p=147848" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hydrangeas and Butterflies</a></div><div>Everyday Living - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://everydayliving.me/?p%3D60666%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw3RDw0K4qUc_hnTjryC_vbO" href="https://everydayliving.me/?p=60666&preview=true" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Welcoming Summer With A Garden Tablescape</a></div><div>Life and Linda - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/06/a-boho-alfresco-tablescape.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw3ZyW5Vor4DhefH-ZmVwlEw" href="https://www.lifeandlinda.com/2023/06/a-boho-alfresco-tablescape.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A Boho Alfresco Tablescape</a></div><div>Corner of Plaid and Paisley - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cornerofplaidandpaisley.com/2023/06/summer-plaid-and-polka-dot-picnic.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw24WeZ6IOp0UoXwCgZnqjMO" href="https://www.cornerofplaidandpaisley.com/2023/06/summer-plaid-and-polka-dot-picnic.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Summer Plaid and Polka Dot Picnic</a></div></span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Living With Thanksgiving - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.livingwiththanksgiving.com/2023/06/summer-blessings.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw2BTS_V3NZnIPdUk7W4MS8X" href="https://www.livingwiththanksgiving.com/2023/06/summer-blessings.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Summer Blessings</a></span></div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div>Debbee's Buzz - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://debbeesbuzz.com/?p%3D14431&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw2hze6ioaR5QFoAVq61HOSD" href="https://debbeesbuzz.com/?p=14431" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Alfresco Bee Theme Table and Florals</a></div><div>The Painted Apron - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/06/13/boats-floats-fish/&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw3Uj4jtxK-iat1-Q9RvCt-v" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/2023/06/13/boats-floats-fish/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Boats, Floats and Fish!</a></div><div><div>The Little Yellow Corner Store - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thelittleyellowcornerstore.blogspot.com/2023/06/pucker-up-lemony-tablescapeit-is-time.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw3lvueX03FMG4Sq8ReAcEDJ" href="https://thelittleyellowcornerstore.blogspot.com/2023/06/pucker-up-lemony-tablescapeit-is-time.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Pucker Up Lemony Tablescape - It is Time to Have a Bee-utiful Day!</a><br /></div><div>The Cat's Whiskerz - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p%3D3330%26preview%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw1gwhAjGePhZxC2XMHyeVyS" href="https://thecatswhiskerz.com/?p=3330&preview=true" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">A summer picnic tablescape for Canada Day</a></div></div><div>Pandora's Box - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/2023/06/summer-blues.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw3c4btx0_yE_Mu-AibBHAUV" href="https://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/2023/06/summer-blues.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Summer Blues</a></div><div><div>Me and My Captain - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://meandmycaptain.com/2023/06/florida-blue-crab-summer-tablescape/&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw286qUiNadLT7hmEJ0jSd4E" href="https://meandmycaptain.com/2023/06/florida-blue-crab-summer-tablescape/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Florida Blue Crab Summer Tablescape</a></div><div>From My Carolina Home - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://frommycarolinahome.com/2023/06/13/welcome-summer-tablescapes/&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw0LrKTvGjLTy5USMuHcELxg" href="https://frommycarolinahome.com/2023/06/13/welcome-summer-tablescapes/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Welcome Summer Tablescapes</a></div></div><div>The Bookish Dilettante - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/06/summer-tablescape-old-glory.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw0XYgx-Oal2CpJC15y5r3MU" href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/06/summer-tablescape-old-glory.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Summer Tablescape: Old Glory</a><br />My Thrift Store Addiction - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2023/06/summer-picnic-brunch-under-texas.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw1btj_Td06ZlGanFAdhKM1p" href="https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2023/06/summer-picnic-brunch-under-texas.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Summer Picnic Brunch under the Texas Mountain Laurel</a><br /></div><div>Red Cottage Chronicles - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.redcottagechronicles.com/?p%3D15156&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw3FZ48O2knohUEVFHlDsSXI" href="https://www.redcottagechronicles.com/?p=15156" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Lemon Tablescape for Summer</a><br /></div><div>Hyacinths for the Soul - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/06/long-may-she-wave.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw0L_3FEbC0OTffzkoJ4Wveh" href="https://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/2023/06/long-may-she-wave.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Long May She Wave</a><br /></div><div>Celebrating Everyday Life - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://celebratingeverydaylife.com/create-a-chic-seashell-table-setting-this-summer/&source=gmail&ust=1686594277824000&usg=AOvVaw2RjAwCTp3bOBFJJNRnI82z" href="https://celebratingeverydaylife.com/create-a-chic-seashell-table-setting-this-summer/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Create a Chic Seashell Table Setting This Summer</a></div><div>Dinner at Eight -<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2023/06/a-summer-of-colors.html&source=gmail&ust=1686594277825000&usg=AOvVaw2Eo1kXQbSL_PFIkIFa-8vg" href="https://cometodinnerat8.blogspot.com/2023/06/a-summer-of-colors.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"> A Summer of Colors</a></div><div>Bluesky at Home - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blueskyathome.com/pretty-table-for-a-ladies-dinner-party/&source=gmail&ust=1686594277825000&usg=AOvVaw2GwQXPVaNbszML961nID7F" href="https://blueskyathome.com/pretty-table-for-a-ladies-dinner-party/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Pretty Table for a Ladies Dinner Party</a></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrSYedb6BBeZp63X64mhdVR1CbJFnsJfvLOrtYNbl_uwhZxzjz8MLfg3a5cNSv0xFWk5OCpXRS03yrKfIVcd30kqYCldTItHvZu_P1HIQGTQ-T8rLBaPnMAfcikOVtKLwLnc-soT-sLGA1lZtOXmI81XrpCrfwZTQCmHeKmLN1o0szjUc7ye0B_8W/s1920/Vintage%20Elegant%20Collage%20Story%20Instagram%20Fashion.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrSYedb6BBeZp63X64mhdVR1CbJFnsJfvLOrtYNbl_uwhZxzjz8MLfg3a5cNSv0xFWk5OCpXRS03yrKfIVcd30kqYCldTItHvZu_P1HIQGTQ-T8rLBaPnMAfcikOVtKLwLnc-soT-sLGA1lZtOXmI81XrpCrfwZTQCmHeKmLN1o0szjUc7ye0B_8W/w360-h640/Vintage%20Elegant%20Collage%20Story%20Instagram%20Fashion.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-35361133867883248522023-06-02T05:30:00.019-05:002023-06-02T07:20:00.352-05:00Literary Friday: Six Mini Reviews<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RSi-pA976Z49KkyHIY5gdl_wfdhtmpSVYkzY8viAqK0U32C72bW-jIrOoDcVFd-UJYduiiA-6VVda-LJA-LHKGJXqCQsPEWA7Ba5wG3k0CQrn3qLEwmVff56nXKxcS923bAJg1uxbDtRa9zCNViuhjHW0WW_CMlFlteyDWz_KqDKmzX6YXvRSAft/s2304/Literary%20Friday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RSi-pA976Z49KkyHIY5gdl_wfdhtmpSVYkzY8viAqK0U32C72bW-jIrOoDcVFd-UJYduiiA-6VVda-LJA-LHKGJXqCQsPEWA7Ba5wG3k0CQrn3qLEwmVff56nXKxcS923bAJg1uxbDtRa9zCNViuhjHW0WW_CMlFlteyDWz_KqDKmzX6YXvRSAft/w480-h640/Literary%20Friday.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Literary Friday, My Lovelies! </b>Today I'm sharing six books with you, but don't worry....I've challenged myself to write mini reviews with no more than five to six sentences per book! I hope you appreciate the variety of these books as they are from several genres: science fiction, cozy mystery, new adult fantasy, literary classic, literary fiction, and magical realism. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL__zSq03Sq4ksxuqcN65kXIcqhZVQhCLPkXhkFUEjqxpCYco2sz2GA4MEZ5o_SjjhWizC_UdjxKRvYonOx5dqEMzdGxpUvw8SJ5izWX335iQcgMshaDR9n7Eab5WzTzU263RUtw_-lJZySJt-dUd3Tk4CHpx4gOMog5GeuJxRbNY4llaaWySgTK7a/s1920/Untitled%20design%20(7).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL__zSq03Sq4ksxuqcN65kXIcqhZVQhCLPkXhkFUEjqxpCYco2sz2GA4MEZ5o_SjjhWizC_UdjxKRvYonOx5dqEMzdGxpUvw8SJ5izWX335iQcgMshaDR9n7Eab5WzTzU263RUtw_-lJZySJt-dUd3Tk4CHpx4gOMog5GeuJxRbNY4llaaWySgTK7a/w360-h640/Untitled%20design%20(7).png" width="360" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>So pour yourself another cup of coffee (you know you want one), sit back, and pick out a book for your summer reading list!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_58ihT8Zg_5uIc1C-a6Pv__wChzM45wCxwApSzTOZqGkN6W9tcnsfZA3_wrbNEwQ9_T825DWZ20I8j6hkbU8A5Ls2XZ2iAqTsVyo-mhKrjI7X8_BDiaRgyLRDCTTLE8vPearhBhQ0GKqrw5bFI58pAk8PMnNIkZrWCTRH0yhHXMIew8gBm9pFGvSF/s1920/6%20Mini%20book%20reviews%20spring%202023%20edition.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_58ihT8Zg_5uIc1C-a6Pv__wChzM45wCxwApSzTOZqGkN6W9tcnsfZA3_wrbNEwQ9_T825DWZ20I8j6hkbU8A5Ls2XZ2iAqTsVyo-mhKrjI7X8_BDiaRgyLRDCTTLE8vPearhBhQ0GKqrw5bFI58pAk8PMnNIkZrWCTRH0yhHXMIew8gBm9pFGvSF/w360-h640/6%20Mini%20book%20reviews%20spring%202023%20edition.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd6wtn0rhP7zzjx3pE35sRFLYKUfvil1JPPIciIrozRESQGedMzxCH1YVO0QFe4XAvUOYptl26zwA1kU-doOB0aJ6RH97X-8CK-5TuTc_sui_v1oo_mh6pLF1Hr97hyTA-Bc6tTHgTvVunTTnC4JZWAE0XAGzx36oMQ77iNKN827Rxxqk-yPexfIg/s1457/27003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="948" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd6wtn0rhP7zzjx3pE35sRFLYKUfvil1JPPIciIrozRESQGedMzxCH1YVO0QFe4XAvUOYptl26zwA1kU-doOB0aJ6RH97X-8CK-5TuTc_sui_v1oo_mh6pLF1Hr97hyTA-Bc6tTHgTvVunTTnC4JZWAE0XAGzx36oMQ77iNKN827Rxxqk-yPexfIg/w260-h400/27003.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i>Imagine a world where everyone is obsessed with literature, writers are more popular than rockstars, time travel is a thing, and people can enter the world of books. If this sounds like a fun alternative universe, then you will love </i>The Eyre Affair<i> where literary detective Thursday Next must save Jane Eyre, both the character and the classic novel. </i></span><i>Set in the 1980s, </i>The Eyre Affair<i> is the first in a series of seven. This is the best book I've read in years, and one of my favorites of all time.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OGsfOSdxDIWIrLnxuJLB5sHfiIXGQ0h7-D0eAcmpBVv4xYZ6eCxGT7pGq8aNh_KKJq7XobAdepUzCdhC-aXh1XKWneCWp8sAd2fzkWA--qgNzr-JYOtSDop-ZJ_m4odSTFY4ETKXh-IvNRTFbIZqLFIwsSRa4wWSWny8K3mrI6JxN8Gmt-1iVvHK/s595/9781250789532_p0_v2_s600x595.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="385" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OGsfOSdxDIWIrLnxuJLB5sHfiIXGQ0h7-D0eAcmpBVv4xYZ6eCxGT7pGq8aNh_KKJq7XobAdepUzCdhC-aXh1XKWneCWp8sAd2fzkWA--qgNzr-JYOtSDop-ZJ_m4odSTFY4ETKXh-IvNRTFbIZqLFIwsSRa4wWSWny8K3mrI6JxN8Gmt-1iVvHK/w259-h400/9781250789532_p0_v2_s600x595.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Book eight in The Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series, </i>Fateful Words<i> is my least favorite so far. The other books in this series are chock-full of history and literature, but this one is lacking. It does center around a literary tour of Edinburgh, but there's not enough descriptions of the sites with the exception of St. Giles' Cathedral. The mystery is lacking as well. The one positive is that we see more of the heroine Delaney's husband Tom in the plot. In spite of my disappointment in this installment, this is my favorite cozy mystery series.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIQgRVSbdB3CK8IXS3sPIdWn7R5ZSWIQQnj0rOzE80h0pE2Eq4qDY9gcdlWamWihL-RbqhmOBu0pzADx9mvGfnYqgt3XnSaXQ89ztXv5y1w97mRC16oxGQhEXvcQbXMoTgQNcPqyv7QFi0R7R8O6bCfE5bPigJly_YN274fTlBT_gPd7RaVErmEpQ/s1805/emily-wilde-s-encyclopaedia-of-faeries-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIQgRVSbdB3CK8IXS3sPIdWn7R5ZSWIQQnj0rOzE80h0pE2Eq4qDY9gcdlWamWihL-RbqhmOBu0pzADx9mvGfnYqgt3XnSaXQ89ztXv5y1w97mRC16oxGQhEXvcQbXMoTgQNcPqyv7QFi0R7R8O6bCfE5bPigJly_YN274fTlBT_gPd7RaVErmEpQ/w266-h400/emily-wilde-s-encyclopaedia-of-faeries-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Fairies<i> is excellent: What a nice surprise! I thought it was going to be a strange New Adult fantasy, but it was much more character driven. Set during the Victorian Era, Emily is a Cambridge professor and researcher compiling an encyclopaedia of all the fairies. Her project takes her to Scandinavia during winter to research fairies in a remote village. She's definitely awkward, possibly on the autism spectrum, so it's a good thing when her handsome fellow Cambridge professor </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Wendell Bambleby shows-up to help her in her research and navigate the politics of the village. My question: What exactly IS Wendell?</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVHqA8cJmA36elRR074LqOsV8cCenbipAAXoUnhXBcWAVxhYrmdW-tWxoS9qepH4JGKmR0_n1OQR4A6Ih5KUpB7DkHqWr5VwkCYRNQF_SDZ02T8b0uX5J8dkCwHDisysglOqy5jyrGPT-26trampDNzf8U1Lw_aQ0J1m3Zz-Bppt5v5fUTsqcmlNr/s829/Ride-with-Me_Doig_0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="517" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVHqA8cJmA36elRR074LqOsV8cCenbipAAXoUnhXBcWAVxhYrmdW-tWxoS9qepH4JGKmR0_n1OQR4A6Ih5KUpB7DkHqWr5VwkCYRNQF_SDZ02T8b0uX5J8dkCwHDisysglOqy5jyrGPT-26trampDNzf8U1Lw_aQ0J1m3Zz-Bppt5v5fUTsqcmlNr/w249-h400/Ride-with-Me_Doig_0.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>This is a re-read for me. I first listened to this book on NPR about thirty-four years ago, and I loved it. An American classic, </i>Ride With Me, Mariah Montana<i> is about Jick McCaskill, his photographer daughter, Mariah, and Mariah's journalist ex-husband Riley Wright. Mariah and Riley con Jick in to taking them in his Winnebago all over Montana during the state's centennial summer while the pair cover events and celebrations for their newspaper. Mariah and Riley are a handful, and Jick can barely stand being in the same state with Riley, so it goes without saying that the small confines of the Winnebago might not be the best idea for how Jick should spend his summer. I love this book so much because seeing Montana through Jick's eyes is unforgettable. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvmNh_kMaEqzmm4Fem7XL0WaNiPZ3jleHCi7NbGvPcV1hD4QAy2OFhzDKnj6gp6RpM_tDDf5PZ_OakBLY1nYfYLDDm8GCCd3m5JODDtCBvNMKIjJAqTe_KtZ14FFAtWFSa4hMSzJSr1IGXbtKIldlHdU5nIi-xaYh2aeEkp3lDKyV7vjvXXxo8cR_/s680/%7BBEEA3B09-9CEC-49D9-8608-12BFA26504FF%7DIMG100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvmNh_kMaEqzmm4Fem7XL0WaNiPZ3jleHCi7NbGvPcV1hD4QAy2OFhzDKnj6gp6RpM_tDDf5PZ_OakBLY1nYfYLDDm8GCCd3m5JODDtCBvNMKIjJAqTe_KtZ14FFAtWFSa4hMSzJSr1IGXbtKIldlHdU5nIi-xaYh2aeEkp3lDKyV7vjvXXxo8cR_/w300-h400/%7BBEEA3B09-9CEC-49D9-8608-12BFA26504FF%7DIMG100.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Phaedra Patrick is a favorite writer of mine, and I've had </i>The Messy Lives of Book People<i> on my To Be Read List for a little while. Literature lover Liv Green is a mother of two older teenagers, and she cleans house for </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>mega-bestselling author Essie Starling. Essie dies suddenly, and it is her final wish for Liv to finish her last book. Essie was a difficult client, and as Liv begins work on the novel and digs a little deeper into Essie's life, she is stunned to discover a connection between them. Liv is a character who stays with the reader for a very long time after finishing the book.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwEfknY4lpCipBT_BE8a9nYA2SOaUjWjeJn_Xuwt6vCMpGdyJLGDSkzbKdpZ6qmdvkPH1KL98oCAz96NjSmGjoRKlo7sWJpq33Wo-9YtN-FKLfRxzv2OS9W3Kea7d4NQ5aX-H0NCCGHuYLZimlqxUZ9eL2TaSYR2YVeIA27e4ownatQWmuZshREY4/s2850/9781250280817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="1875" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwEfknY4lpCipBT_BE8a9nYA2SOaUjWjeJn_Xuwt6vCMpGdyJLGDSkzbKdpZ6qmdvkPH1KL98oCAz96NjSmGjoRKlo7sWJpq33Wo-9YtN-FKLfRxzv2OS9W3Kea7d4NQ5aX-H0NCCGHuYLZimlqxUZ9eL2TaSYR2YVeIA27e4ownatQWmuZshREY4/w264-h400/9781250280817.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Weyward<i> was recommended to me by my librarian. It's the intertwined story of three Weyward women: one from the present, one from the seventeenth century, and one from circa WWII. Set in Northern England, the plot has a wee bit of magical realism. I normally like family dramas, but the men were mostly horrible, and there's a definite feminist bent to the book. These women all had several reasons to not trust men! What I like best is how the magic of nature features prominently in the narrative. Emilia Hart is a creative talent I'm happy to know about, and I hope to read more of her books.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Which one sounds like the best read to you? Will you be adding any of these to your TBR List?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy reading!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-76213637749464334732023-06-01T05:00:00.002-05:002023-06-01T06:20:35.974-05:00Tales of the Traveling Tote: Montana and Louisiana<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ea54joooW8GMAs1Uadhg6NXKUkBHPVnyH4c_zrFMU0riQDjjPVg5L7TY91yGBnOQr6Hwu2YWBKs_GROBxmfUp68vm6SSItcqKsCumhhgwSp2yifIxoTD0w3FU0We5YpDapJ28q2go8BQKk3zbiEeFh2D0n4l0NNUtYOdw8pyuPdrj0_ith57imIL/s4032/IMG_6111.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ea54joooW8GMAs1Uadhg6NXKUkBHPVnyH4c_zrFMU0riQDjjPVg5L7TY91yGBnOQr6Hwu2YWBKs_GROBxmfUp68vm6SSItcqKsCumhhgwSp2yifIxoTD0w3FU0We5YpDapJ28q2go8BQKk3zbiEeFh2D0n4l0NNUtYOdw8pyuPdrj0_ith57imIL/w480-h640/IMG_6111.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy June, My Lovelies! </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiIJGTu7KM3dJH9bCcJrN1YrCHJ73ZmPLTTZMHXy4ol7wMf0snNgv76R_5rfPIbl5wlG_fEj37PgVIR9mSShBYEdjMKNFxHZSEWqIVJFAlVmyHFk9K6gIp7-Tp46J0DBWkmqqfnjXA7eJC9acLm_aCeR2MBDLZDCtYfqwuNm87Io9o8Xb6DEPyiPM/s3248/TTT%20June%202023%20Teaser.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3248" data-original-width="2466" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiIJGTu7KM3dJH9bCcJrN1YrCHJ73ZmPLTTZMHXy4ol7wMf0snNgv76R_5rfPIbl5wlG_fEj37PgVIR9mSShBYEdjMKNFxHZSEWqIVJFAlVmyHFk9K6gIp7-Tp46J0DBWkmqqfnjXA7eJC9acLm_aCeR2MBDLZDCtYfqwuNm87Io9o8Xb6DEPyiPM/w486-h640/TTT%20June%202023%20Teaser.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to another edition of the <b><a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/p/tales-of-traveling-totes.html" target="_blank">Tales of the Traveling Tote</a></b>. Today's post features two trips: a ski trip to Big Sky, Montana, and a family trip to Covington, Louisiana.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkudm5LpHBeOQNaWuXpq7Xssu9lm5cjU0ovLg0RwDGks_nIXHCFGhqaPXrqQhEn9uFQvgHpK9VAA6Vervbyr7jXhJ59ilKKgKIkI-QGczn7neqXB8vGTZuDYyWcvoVFYfcIj5vt831r3ZzHlf0DGsbX-xS-Z3hCQMixtTMmdkk3Q8-pWuXpplrtac/s293/tote-logo-2-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkudm5LpHBeOQNaWuXpq7Xssu9lm5cjU0ovLg0RwDGks_nIXHCFGhqaPXrqQhEn9uFQvgHpK9VAA6Vervbyr7jXhJ59ilKKgKIkI-QGczn7neqXB8vGTZuDYyWcvoVFYfcIj5vt831r3ZzHlf0DGsbX-xS-Z3hCQMixtTMmdkk3Q8-pWuXpplrtac/s16000/tote-logo-2-1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In March, Mr. Bookish and I went on a trip with the Birmingham Ski Club to Big Sky, Montana. It was during Spring Break, and I saw so many people from Birmingham, even a family from our neighborhood! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEHN4iZkVX5wYGEFmmsFhN-9SGqpfRzbPuiW5vTrI4X_P9saRyCUQJUOigoAkXfdO63GCmSv3ht190UvfdUQHlG5GcbqyRbsbLnO7WFQMvgyKwvrMaVrMUuoqpfK2Q3LnfBhsIHmtdL1yVAGXhJovz-tuhDwy7Uzpcudb4H1bHaKPPu8Ex2RrQCdY/s4032/IMG_6125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEHN4iZkVX5wYGEFmmsFhN-9SGqpfRzbPuiW5vTrI4X_P9saRyCUQJUOigoAkXfdO63GCmSv3ht190UvfdUQHlG5GcbqyRbsbLnO7WFQMvgyKwvrMaVrMUuoqpfK2Q3LnfBhsIHmtdL1yVAGXhJovz-tuhDwy7Uzpcudb4H1bHaKPPu8Ex2RrQCdY/w480-h640/IMG_6125.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>With all the sweaters and other winter clothing I had to pack, there was only room for Miss Candy Max. She met a friend in the lobby of the Huntley Lodge, our home for the week.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We loved it, and it's always a plus when a hotel features the convenience of ski in/ ski out. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K1lDv8lIN7dZbfyF8I74hMiGtZZ6CNB3wYd4bCHZJputuanLevrp9RUTYRG792cRs7AG328EJ5NU830vWjsEDUNrKlSe5_VPDxZ-wYYJkZrZQNFPH_0lmwb6laach6WBoexl0YkzQkYBjLj4WJIUqZtYG2Mgqu5Uja6q6qPMtoeIHjNTqfsLxPNP/s4032/IMG_6126.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K1lDv8lIN7dZbfyF8I74hMiGtZZ6CNB3wYd4bCHZJputuanLevrp9RUTYRG792cRs7AG328EJ5NU830vWjsEDUNrKlSe5_VPDxZ-wYYJkZrZQNFPH_0lmwb6laach6WBoexl0YkzQkYBjLj4WJIUqZtYG2Mgqu5Uja6q6qPMtoeIHjNTqfsLxPNP/w480-h640/IMG_6126.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Huntley Lodge was built in the 1970s by the TV newscaster Chet Huntley. He was proud of his state, and promoted it everywhere. He was also a developer of Big Sky.</i></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scenes from the Huntley Lodge:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O3RjqTPB61ct_bUVFaC9LGS5J-rE5Cgnms1vGLsbpcTr6zz3GU2DsB0WRLdPlxs2YzQ_vFlNAqZujooLpU30oy4LY8NnhFcs2MaDXPsP2dGCFwfVGelJJ924ml7OfJgiuojFxg6ZEG113riR2Ln8u874S31YisGuTJq5bMbV8bYvAA3ySYeedv71/s4032/IMG_6071.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O3RjqTPB61ct_bUVFaC9LGS5J-rE5Cgnms1vGLsbpcTr6zz3GU2DsB0WRLdPlxs2YzQ_vFlNAqZujooLpU30oy4LY8NnhFcs2MaDXPsP2dGCFwfVGelJJ924ml7OfJgiuojFxg6ZEG113riR2Ln8u874S31YisGuTJq5bMbV8bYvAA3ySYeedv71/w480-h640/IMG_6071.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe14m3vRIb_H1-28XA9PmdkTPzLh_Lx8jNH7y1yPe4Ha6FS2ke5n5c2gCgiKNRh66gRMgeezhbb7by_OJOzYhOYfnHZdN1vAT6hDdHJxPZ3uUDFHHpYFTXMXDwow3AxTG9OXaVwBdkyzfQM3Vx5zcVFnrELvec34UZCB7rFJr6MC6Kqfeo5jvW2Lw/s4032/IMG_6074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe14m3vRIb_H1-28XA9PmdkTPzLh_Lx8jNH7y1yPe4Ha6FS2ke5n5c2gCgiKNRh66gRMgeezhbb7by_OJOzYhOYfnHZdN1vAT6hDdHJxPZ3uUDFHHpYFTXMXDwow3AxTG9OXaVwBdkyzfQM3Vx5zcVFnrELvec34UZCB7rFJr6MC6Kqfeo5jvW2Lw/w640-h480/IMG_6074.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Starbucks in the lobby</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-oxYtp6oBwOujaL0z2ZOiWAGqo091mb8qjAuG_7zYH2h7Fn49QmcoZ8bmMt42FORTDsHch70wlba0kR9RysRolAKsWm0gBvNwFRjAd4BfHjnWRlVAhwH2TCuYrhJt9UXdcv473-NyW8FfGy56VahYBbIwpybgOPElKQTsOksbU6Gh_t8GWQVW-mN/s4032/IMG_6062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-oxYtp6oBwOujaL0z2ZOiWAGqo091mb8qjAuG_7zYH2h7Fn49QmcoZ8bmMt42FORTDsHch70wlba0kR9RysRolAKsWm0gBvNwFRjAd4BfHjnWRlVAhwH2TCuYrhJt9UXdcv473-NyW8FfGy56VahYBbIwpybgOPElKQTsOksbU6Gh_t8GWQVW-mN/w480-h640/IMG_6062.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>The view from our room's window, above and below.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLKTB9kX_6_53-Vlj0j45GYvgzcgPWO9yOUWBKtLjCQ3143n3wpQYwX3APSHTIviJOCgia9xiXU0KDf_DjmldqrTY2IzfmI71AU65eLEQHHKf15FPQhp__QohUCOChUzOjx0z5_-z0kzCGHxQgb-_f4xLn7rSm8pJRBPkoBUCtf2qjG_URYcDGvYl/s4032/IMG_6081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLKTB9kX_6_53-Vlj0j45GYvgzcgPWO9yOUWBKtLjCQ3143n3wpQYwX3APSHTIviJOCgia9xiXU0KDf_DjmldqrTY2IzfmI71AU65eLEQHHKf15FPQhp__QohUCOChUzOjx0z5_-z0kzCGHxQgb-_f4xLn7rSm8pJRBPkoBUCtf2qjG_URYcDGvYl/w480-h640/IMG_6081.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>It was very difficult taking photos on this trip because it snowed every. single. day we were there. There were a few moments when there was a break in the clouds, and I took photos then.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWLMf5F6cwqh0cXgUWIRuJqGoNuGctM_xOZM6-qoJBBG4Bal9YUqzrtmMrxRyDtd0wguw0iCKgfJjfZ5-JtNBY_ySkTx2iTJ_NM0OOqhdtkygcYBpGcJabzVbP0OpuSNu4hBXy0fCoUqIUmFhV25Z5LHi7P2LRjPEykCBBI6t42K8VDtbhDz7cYNC/s4032/IMG_6108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWLMf5F6cwqh0cXgUWIRuJqGoNuGctM_xOZM6-qoJBBG4Bal9YUqzrtmMrxRyDtd0wguw0iCKgfJjfZ5-JtNBY_ySkTx2iTJ_NM0OOqhdtkygcYBpGcJabzVbP0OpuSNu4hBXy0fCoUqIUmFhV25Z5LHi7P2LRjPEykCBBI6t42K8VDtbhDz7cYNC/w640-h480/IMG_6108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Big Sky's Town Center is lovely! I was happy to meet artists at a couple of galleries, and I was thrilled that they have a brand new <b><a href="https://cowboycoffee.com/" target="_blank">Cowboy Coffee</a></b>! We have loved Cowboy Coffee for many years, having discovered it on another ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">We had a lovely trip, and Mr. Bookish loved the skiing. This is the first ski trip I've been on where I didn't ski. I have yet to have the all clear (I'm having a bone density test soon), but once I have the all clear, I will ski again! Mr. Bookish wants to return to Big Sky around Christmas so I can ski. We already have a ski trip planned for the beginning of 2024.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I had plenty to occupy my time. I read a couple of books beside the fire, took a few art supplies and did a little drawing, and met some very lovely people in town. There is a group of artists in Big Sky who host workshops year round, and I'd like to return and do both: make art and ski! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">We also ate well: Big Sky has some amazing restaurants, and our three favorites were Buck's T-4 Lodge, The Cabin, and Peaks Chophouse. A friend told me that Montana is big on huckleberries, and that Montanans would try to force them down my throat. Well, the did, and I liked it! I had huckleberries on all the things....and I brought home huckleberry jam and huckleberry honey. Good stuff!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLFp4QrHhB3Z4bp7uOsppD_DU9SWPJwyCL-w5Sf8Rt1cuKoydeAom5_h6-imkIORtIaS_A0biBgnk6afCb3spJV_4QuxhdpH-dxaXdCxViFhGwLA8gM5bHBPXAA-kTo-tPeINbva2MBE8au0ERxRQ1riLmuNagdyCOWkCE3ukkNXQZxBZpRKVR-K4/s4032/IMG_6103.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLFp4QrHhB3Z4bp7uOsppD_DU9SWPJwyCL-w5Sf8Rt1cuKoydeAom5_h6-imkIORtIaS_A0biBgnk6afCb3spJV_4QuxhdpH-dxaXdCxViFhGwLA8gM5bHBPXAA-kTo-tPeINbva2MBE8au0ERxRQ1riLmuNagdyCOWkCE3ukkNXQZxBZpRKVR-K4/w480-h640/IMG_6103.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Scenes from the Summit Hotel after dinner, above and below.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Peaks Chophouse is located in the Summit, and it </i><i>was a favorite with the ski club.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sW4GbwK2PI_O7QhfPGP34ApC2X7zPkcgiMRNBuoTdC0xuEaeE-Te16rGplwTjcNdFtw-gUjCXQgcg-dHDfkHX7USNwgcM0Ft2WMXMptLA2m_v1Q55mF1k65G7mkp7wpNl6j_msno-Ckm8zn-R7FQVGJNIeBuHdmxJPDa-6HvykDJ5cOAf7oDUPOD/s3024/IMG_7661.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sW4GbwK2PI_O7QhfPGP34ApC2X7zPkcgiMRNBuoTdC0xuEaeE-Te16rGplwTjcNdFtw-gUjCXQgcg-dHDfkHX7USNwgcM0Ft2WMXMptLA2m_v1Q55mF1k65G7mkp7wpNl6j_msno-Ckm8zn-R7FQVGJNIeBuHdmxJPDa-6HvykDJ5cOAf7oDUPOD/w640-h640/IMG_7661.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY8v4PExTG1NkJ9QjRDDuUULKGOD85WzCb5Udrx24xGKPJdst4j8W1vuhBRaThlTBSCU_QZ4PEAedXf9mwXh9fXiTYIK0-Li4DURpKU39YQEXtw5OhTONXESVwyY60EnA2hICMpJXQw_cl2VTQHSaQL2Q0375DJbK-3USpDte188w7huLtTw2RyHE/s1080/red%20mug.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY8v4PExTG1NkJ9QjRDDuUULKGOD85WzCb5Udrx24xGKPJdst4j8W1vuhBRaThlTBSCU_QZ4PEAedXf9mwXh9fXiTYIK0-Li4DURpKU39YQEXtw5OhTONXESVwyY60EnA2hICMpJXQw_cl2VTQHSaQL2Q0375DJbK-3USpDte188w7huLtTw2RyHE/s320/red%20mug.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>I brought home some Cowboy Coffee, and I'm happy to report I can now order it online!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>My favorite blends are the Cowboy and Teton.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK9vesqKnj53LiezR6ETkYkt9J4zcPaGCChhfLA3KkxacxwfAj4nMXeB8e1JF8yutsLk6NcEBiZ06JmftK6rG41hto78JRDzZxbegwiZIhzpStpebIAy6IDajJ58XvGSPKcixUDNZP8CwwCBagOT64-y4Q7leS_8LLH3aHG0YVSD1v90vW3TdW4ab/s289/100700058-chet-huntley-quote-good-night-chet-good-night-david-259387747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK9vesqKnj53LiezR6ETkYkt9J4zcPaGCChhfLA3KkxacxwfAj4nMXeB8e1JF8yutsLk6NcEBiZ06JmftK6rG41hto78JRDzZxbegwiZIhzpStpebIAy6IDajJ58XvGSPKcixUDNZP8CwwCBagOT64-y4Q7leS_8LLH3aHG0YVSD1v90vW3TdW4ab/s16000/100700058-chet-huntley-quote-good-night-chet-good-night-david-259387747.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Quote from the Huntley-Brinkley Report</i></span></div><br /><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In April, we went to Covington, Louisiana, for a family party.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4WQZ4_DuvHmU78v9VaptSfQnyVZ8UMSS1BZy6UrEgVSAckN4JbP-AVWFW-WBkzvgrnS4DklAgkn1EU9rAIvUzkctGuSq4Xx9WvEc1fDImrCnX3o5I_2NYwmufE2_9TQaoPlZbf72UaUUq3ZCPkwDxES5ACVvsyVACfybYqR1F6wySXlLDx-nGTZ6/s4032/IMG_6208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4WQZ4_DuvHmU78v9VaptSfQnyVZ8UMSS1BZy6UrEgVSAckN4JbP-AVWFW-WBkzvgrnS4DklAgkn1EU9rAIvUzkctGuSq4Xx9WvEc1fDImrCnX3o5I_2NYwmufE2_9TQaoPlZbf72UaUUq3ZCPkwDxES5ACVvsyVACfybYqR1F6wySXlLDx-nGTZ6/w640-h480/IMG_6208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngi1E5bTL-fY_bg5MsZ03xkg1sj0AtiGX0M7M54G57lfWdRxPRK0ztBJRKM_KtSMFWqia3jzdtvOkNg7SZTw5Ot9h42LhNKcp3wnwevTE7znRvFTMLcNeBqV8MKBSZcutM07etS4gytXU6UGOREARfCK7RroEhOfvViLx65BJ6XvvTU1H8H2Sqv0z/s3821/IMG_6233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3821" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngi1E5bTL-fY_bg5MsZ03xkg1sj0AtiGX0M7M54G57lfWdRxPRK0ztBJRKM_KtSMFWqia3jzdtvOkNg7SZTw5Ot9h42LhNKcp3wnwevTE7znRvFTMLcNeBqV8MKBSZcutM07etS4gytXU6UGOREARfCK7RroEhOfvViLx65BJ6XvvTU1H8H2Sqv0z/w640-h480/IMG_6233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We loved staying at the Southern Hotel! We want to take a long weekend and visit again soon. Covington is a darling small town, and there are unique shops, restaurants, and activities to enjoy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">La Countess de Monet rode along with us, but she fell in with a questionable crowd...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7ghcEzXeNHx6k1RnnHD3udIAEbWaeLGhfHNAwyBKFvgiE9qEjDZ-WhEYI2JACKAi7_ErDwaA1lnYHFaN2Da0AY1Ssc4KPTK5_3OzgwgzR5aVCzi6D81NBf2RwZRroC9UWQTncKOMLoXt48VKWdiXpk2TZHu7o0PcJeeljhnndAOExb9YWIy_d5cw/s3266/IMG_6228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2840" data-original-width="3266" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7ghcEzXeNHx6k1RnnHD3udIAEbWaeLGhfHNAwyBKFvgiE9qEjDZ-WhEYI2JACKAi7_ErDwaA1lnYHFaN2Da0AY1Ssc4KPTK5_3OzgwgzR5aVCzi6D81NBf2RwZRroC9UWQTncKOMLoXt48VKWdiXpk2TZHu7o0PcJeeljhnndAOExb9YWIy_d5cw/w640-h556/IMG_6228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5cQ4o9MaDkyiKtfiq_PipWN2urubO3pK0tN-iUHyRkT7oGmOumYA_KXrS1H4PtgODvNaWl_GUt9b7QSrbaAZzT_sdzFj7LYphCkPikK6YOkAQ82A9AxFnyBpGvxVqFx3aZQca5GxnZFLYk3ACZZ4nkmDQV-rC_EGXHrMADADJuLXQeGfI141MC1u/s1920/Grey%20&%20Beige%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Christmas%20Mood%20Your%20Story%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5cQ4o9MaDkyiKtfiq_PipWN2urubO3pK0tN-iUHyRkT7oGmOumYA_KXrS1H4PtgODvNaWl_GUt9b7QSrbaAZzT_sdzFj7LYphCkPikK6YOkAQ82A9AxFnyBpGvxVqFx3aZQca5GxnZFLYk3ACZZ4nkmDQV-rC_EGXHrMADADJuLXQeGfI141MC1u/w360-h640/Grey%20&%20Beige%20Vintage%20Polaroid%20Christmas%20Mood%20Your%20Story%20(1).png" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our suite in The Garden House was accessed through a pink garden gate. The Southern Hotel's gardens are lovely! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm4JCaFBvoenYoOJcxt4Ff1QnxB8oiaNWO0WtqrTUTgW89d3PHx9W4_S14ciOV0VV91FO_JxFuDq1O5SbYyoekRAbEAwYBiJ5yMGCbrLcY-ISEgkmIoQeHIPDJW7c7EoDBfbEnZTpwOqLiP46R7BZnAwptf8p5xiTw0gUq2Y6MLGvNzBx0Nd48Bah/s4032/IMG_6218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm4JCaFBvoenYoOJcxt4Ff1QnxB8oiaNWO0WtqrTUTgW89d3PHx9W4_S14ciOV0VV91FO_JxFuDq1O5SbYyoekRAbEAwYBiJ5yMGCbrLcY-ISEgkmIoQeHIPDJW7c7EoDBfbEnZTpwOqLiP46R7BZnAwptf8p5xiTw0gUq2Y6MLGvNzBx0Nd48Bah/w480-h640/IMG_6218.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9xnAlkqetHOpDwIohQ_IsFeDfeith4HxYcnlTJ0EXjQjihqJoMws2gFqPh5gg697GoPauSH8Fqk6UbhRGRckJMeMxc7T4Ujfs1VFmFvVz6NaHMYHZ4r6HbEnOBFp3TMqUckQuekXKCzf4ItpIPVPitrG50Ku1QqMoQ4dWWzYoHfhMVyID9Euh4G9/s4032/IMG_6214.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9xnAlkqetHOpDwIohQ_IsFeDfeith4HxYcnlTJ0EXjQjihqJoMws2gFqPh5gg697GoPauSH8Fqk6UbhRGRckJMeMxc7T4Ujfs1VFmFvVz6NaHMYHZ4r6HbEnOBFp3TMqUckQuekXKCzf4ItpIPVPitrG50Ku1QqMoQ4dWWzYoHfhMVyID9Euh4G9/w480-h640/IMG_6214.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc0lFWhweVWwgiOwOjLrU5Biok63aBojJddJHLBdJgVZl6ebqEZ50bUg05W-aIzZhUU8-VhFO0K8qOHqFdmXhZ-R9hLoggb-FWXi7wAhtolEgRIxFakvUYZcWBsRotvTIw46zNUTiLzXt0QzdduNXUzHzkcxrJIzVPZafUhISTfiwRY8iA-3SOd7L/s4032/IMG_6223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc0lFWhweVWwgiOwOjLrU5Biok63aBojJddJHLBdJgVZl6ebqEZ50bUg05W-aIzZhUU8-VhFO0K8qOHqFdmXhZ-R9hLoggb-FWXi7wAhtolEgRIxFakvUYZcWBsRotvTIw46zNUTiLzXt0QzdduNXUzHzkcxrJIzVPZafUhISTfiwRY8iA-3SOd7L/w480-h640/IMG_6223.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMljyNfsDZ1MK8ufGSIbxXjC6WXefytDIO3MdJ6CsTGSImISZHXKYJy6tHjC85ta9BxsjnTMSMvXOeM_guYVz2vSyyihOek6wCz4wC6mjVKBOc6xxboSbt_z6zGBIt625Is520qp29odB7WxME2iWRUOLGbeqwBH_nnr4qN0EgVO8NT5sm9zBKaDNR/s4032/IMG_6232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMljyNfsDZ1MK8ufGSIbxXjC6WXefytDIO3MdJ6CsTGSImISZHXKYJy6tHjC85ta9BxsjnTMSMvXOeM_guYVz2vSyyihOek6wCz4wC6mjVKBOc6xxboSbt_z6zGBIt625Is520qp29odB7WxME2iWRUOLGbeqwBH_nnr4qN0EgVO8NT5sm9zBKaDNR/w480-h640/IMG_6232.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scenes from The Garden House</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We stayed in the Hibiscus Suite</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPL3QdvHtl4HxJm0IQRZeMiD3K7YD4KFOk9LQg2ijPiCkWPg2AKy0ypohg6B5V8Lrh5MoULK337bAUhPnrKWCax0stKEKYoN_T3b7gpLIBG-zn2cb2r5neSk2KRnOugxyqjcviC6XsEpWnbn1nc8rSYi9tQBG24kd6LnPkDvZy3aTgwZEKQHTjJsc/s4032/IMG_6225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPL3QdvHtl4HxJm0IQRZeMiD3K7YD4KFOk9LQg2ijPiCkWPg2AKy0ypohg6B5V8Lrh5MoULK337bAUhPnrKWCax0stKEKYoN_T3b7gpLIBG-zn2cb2r5neSk2KRnOugxyqjcviC6XsEpWnbn1nc8rSYi9tQBG24kd6LnPkDvZy3aTgwZEKQHTjJsc/w480-h640/IMG_6225.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><a href="https://www.southernhotel.com/accommodations#garden-house" target="_blank">via</a></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ej073iwkA7CVNLV_AMrXrXbWheoLtktYGZ8evJv1JvlGwITsOMtGm1YIQQT5-h0jdH5_7tgpPTJZV_AYZ3Qaxii62LVuJqzQDzfRocz9B-XYotpH4rmP7R7DnBdmf0FH-1aNwwibYyLogunA1thkaz95Niq7D9ue4jog0pGTeR-CDzQmGbDs1-gg/s1080/61f064dfc4b80709b76665aa_SouthernHotel_CedricAngeles_TBD_5214-p-1080.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ej073iwkA7CVNLV_AMrXrXbWheoLtktYGZ8evJv1JvlGwITsOMtGm1YIQQT5-h0jdH5_7tgpPTJZV_AYZ3Qaxii62LVuJqzQDzfRocz9B-XYotpH4rmP7R7DnBdmf0FH-1aNwwibYyLogunA1thkaz95Niq7D9ue4jog0pGTeR-CDzQmGbDs1-gg/w640-h426/61f064dfc4b80709b76665aa_SouthernHotel_CedricAngeles_TBD_5214-p-1080.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Southern Hotel is so beautiful, and my favorite part was a lovely restaurant called the Gloriette. Gloriette means garden folly, and it truly looks like a whimsical garden folly.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8rbV2N6YqvzOOv1G-noGQeVkqc0EMkOe_SfRJUXpBZMeBvZYiTcmfHEyXuZCS5HTeXS9lw5MYqaGpBpCR7LqtIF0sfjXymT3Q39NcAu3-Q9IRAkIN90lspo6SAVsTrd0yoe-MvZhJEJW4CkQaYXe9nnCzm0IgDWK2OY2MKcpy4ukisjrJeJhnuQK/s4032/IMG_6211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8rbV2N6YqvzOOv1G-noGQeVkqc0EMkOe_SfRJUXpBZMeBvZYiTcmfHEyXuZCS5HTeXS9lw5MYqaGpBpCR7LqtIF0sfjXymT3Q39NcAu3-Q9IRAkIN90lspo6SAVsTrd0yoe-MvZhJEJW4CkQaYXe9nnCzm0IgDWK2OY2MKcpy4ukisjrJeJhnuQK/w480-h640/IMG_6211.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaZKWJYm9DJI1G3xWW_kKu7KBPmJ6oe0IpqbRYIL5dIavpryoowbUbWhVPXbCu96JkCp3Cx0mI_BGsGUVuItsnBsB1nujRVmj2rmdMw39UHs1egoJGUyrSnH-wVC00LG_gCVUjQBviTeTC9AkyGw0ip0OoXefwuKQ0gr7VH3SLygV1-AitF55My0D/s3876/IMG_6230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3876" data-original-width="2907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaZKWJYm9DJI1G3xWW_kKu7KBPmJ6oe0IpqbRYIL5dIavpryoowbUbWhVPXbCu96JkCp3Cx0mI_BGsGUVuItsnBsB1nujRVmj2rmdMw39UHs1egoJGUyrSnH-wVC00LG_gCVUjQBviTeTC9AkyGw0ip0OoXefwuKQ0gr7VH3SLygV1-AitF55My0D/w480-h640/IMG_6230.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLdpWVawDR_LawsoGw-lAc6I4Hh-t1TD0b-BsKlAN-tjVwTUu_x39VfIJwVSmHF89JdoSTwwnilgcQZx7t-ycOxnCSw6uB-lkY1qk_FTBUeQB4LNf1tunlZxKBUHjZQHwrpRv_cWZHUVoxV3qSCOA21tPNcOCHtCZfgmiV3zutAKmusBnwB2cMUl5/s3919/IMG_7712.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="3919" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLdpWVawDR_LawsoGw-lAc6I4Hh-t1TD0b-BsKlAN-tjVwTUu_x39VfIJwVSmHF89JdoSTwwnilgcQZx7t-ycOxnCSw6uB-lkY1qk_FTBUeQB4LNf1tunlZxKBUHjZQHwrpRv_cWZHUVoxV3qSCOA21tPNcOCHtCZfgmiV3zutAKmusBnwB2cMUl5/w640-h480/IMG_7712.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lqlcudw62o_IRpRvDJmriroKlo7Q0ZBAVMNGUFW-5CC66IrX2SSXU7tnFFwzHmEZzMFmRjv1ZqOaH95kr-qKiFkhsai4TOLVPNzrmyIs10QbV2AF6ivjA0OnMR1vC-uV_dpnJknBKttGd5gg6kkc2kLXcxu3ZWfGnn4noatX7s3YGGWIwToiafp4/s2164/IMG_7713.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2164" data-original-width="2164" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lqlcudw62o_IRpRvDJmriroKlo7Q0ZBAVMNGUFW-5CC66IrX2SSXU7tnFFwzHmEZzMFmRjv1ZqOaH95kr-qKiFkhsai4TOLVPNzrmyIs10QbV2AF6ivjA0OnMR1vC-uV_dpnJknBKttGd5gg6kkc2kLXcxu3ZWfGnn4noatX7s3YGGWIwToiafp4/w640-h640/IMG_7713.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Gloriette serves chocolate biscuits, a Southern tradition. During the depression, Southerners saved biscuits from breakfast, melted chocolate, and combined the two for dessert after supper. (Dinner is the midday meal.)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>My favorite meal of the trip was breakfast at The Gloriette.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We also enjoyed a lovely dinner at Gallagher's Grill.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The family party was fun, but I did not take a single photo. The bride (my niece Molly) and groom (Brandon) are a sweet and happy couple, and since no one else seemed to be taking photos at the bridal shower, I didn't, either. (Probably because it was a crawfish boil, and everyone's hands were messy most of the time.) There are more parties in the future, and I will insist on taking photos of the bride and groom then!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you enjoyed my post! Please visit the other totes and see where in the world they've traveled. Links are listed below!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Debbie</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Aurora</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mountainbreaths.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1guI4pYksbU71khCdXNUAq" href="http://www.mountainbreaths.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e70010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mountain Breaths</span></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Emily</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Courtney Childs</i>@ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thefrenchhutch.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw23DINghDu0y055xRoJ-mFB" href="http://www.thefrenchhutch.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The French Hutch</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </b></span><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patti</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Kenzie</i> <span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">@</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw36z7QKsAdwsmbCnEjRsNId" href="http://ppandorasbox.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pandora's Box</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jenna</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Coquille</i> @<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thepaintedapron.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw2r-XhJg6QIjT8yV317t7Ud" href="https://thepaintedapron.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Painted Apron</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Linda P</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Lola</i> @<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lifeandlinda.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1eUYGXRoTkl1MXq4wtBm6S" href="http://www.lifeandlinda.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Life and Linda</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rita</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Luna C </i>@ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw0iAENu0nEJu-wlXupyoDLO" href="http://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e70010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Panoply</span></a><span style="border: 0px; color: #fb0007; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sarah</b> with <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Merri Mac</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw3ivQcsrTrQPdwXiwpewz9-" href="http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hyacinths for the Soul</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jackie</b> and <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Madi K</i> @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://purplechocolathome.com/&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw0jU8HOl759LwHamqCbCGPT" href="http://purplechocolathome.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Purple Chocolat Home</span></a></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ricki Jill </b>and Countess De Monet @ <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ricki-treleaven.com&source=gmail&ust=1662085682987000&usg=AOvVaw1elD14AKZQbQipagTPDrgD" href="http://ricki-treleaven.com/" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 0px, rgb(247, 226, 225) 0px); background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e60010; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Sketchy Reader</span></a> (You're here!)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also, please visit Sarah's blog for a lovely giveaway!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9A__bKAG8rZHTnKERxuT6EOi1_HmWJ2DWCVtlWf4xWbNl66SYIFU__6HBImauuozVFHV9Bxb83yRviQarvG1rrS_A1x2jCmODztdxMuB-uHPewAa_kgHsU2j86GO0_Hv8QUX-8YrTXsMWjvSP_B545catYnj3yQRvlGDnFdchlGAfUSUhlYuyBRVN/s1434/sarah's%20giveaway%20June2023.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9A__bKAG8rZHTnKERxuT6EOi1_HmWJ2DWCVtlWf4xWbNl66SYIFU__6HBImauuozVFHV9Bxb83yRviQarvG1rrS_A1x2jCmODztdxMuB-uHPewAa_kgHsU2j86GO0_Hv8QUX-8YrTXsMWjvSP_B545catYnj3yQRvlGDnFdchlGAfUSUhlYuyBRVN/w478-h640/sarah's%20giveaway%20June2023.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn87O-V2otJnNoD_9hJNnT6XpltVzA5-CwuS6dv_wTLtcJNIesvktOvlX-JxBmdQD7xoQiR0kHH9qcxI6nNYYUNr-1cn_QxDIW-imJ0BWtHHSBT5F8mwXd8Lvze9Ph3pImYtBMejA3swu8IQa8G38CONzZ1KXRVsXumPd-q8uXNkBSJ-2SCWrbUSs/s706/miss%20meri%20mac%20w_%20purple%20flowers-1.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="706" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn87O-V2otJnNoD_9hJNnT6XpltVzA5-CwuS6dv_wTLtcJNIesvktOvlX-JxBmdQD7xoQiR0kHH9qcxI6nNYYUNr-1cn_QxDIW-imJ0BWtHHSBT5F8mwXd8Lvze9Ph3pImYtBMejA3swu8IQa8G38CONzZ1KXRVsXumPd-q8uXNkBSJ-2SCWrbUSs/w640-h570/miss%20meri%20mac%20w_%20purple%20flowers-1.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-50349597615136417582023-05-29T05:00:00.003-05:002023-05-29T10:46:39.119-05:00Lake Cabin Main Bedroom Redo <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0qX380v6WHcKZDtzfCKRHKOvXeNRZ9wu92caNHVNK4gLAhfv9-v19LMWqQ2s0L8pJK8-0HgbdV48ADyJq47YOvLC5RWevdQLi2PJ-yKH_Q5cNPQCJB8Pw06x3GM_gDC1O60ljZswlFqJ06GIkyOGdqZtyect_JEt0ohaZUUFxqPmaUVs6T9KLEwL/s4032/IMG_6317.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0qX380v6WHcKZDtzfCKRHKOvXeNRZ9wu92caNHVNK4gLAhfv9-v19LMWqQ2s0L8pJK8-0HgbdV48ADyJq47YOvLC5RWevdQLi2PJ-yKH_Q5cNPQCJB8Pw06x3GM_gDC1O60ljZswlFqJ06GIkyOGdqZtyect_JEt0ohaZUUFxqPmaUVs6T9KLEwL/w480-h640/IMG_6317.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Memorial Day, My Lovelies! </b>I hope you've had a wonderful weekend. We're still celebrating at Lake Martin with family and friends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In today's post I wanted to share our recent redo of our main bedroom in our lake cabin. We've wanted to redecorate for a long time, and we were inspired by our hotel room in Montana. I wish I'd taken more photos of the room because it was brilliant in its decor and functionality.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfUq-qbtL7JrAbeNp8EiM2YLpqqz4SrbATMElnwRkDnVUB-aPP4_Lq7Lu8K4M1ogZ_hStBHDrtHyfkSdk8u63lwGhu48l6WHEUXi7-zXe8TxE-6oR4DyhzLobeA1v069fsqtK1PqovhXiftr-n-ZCtHNfFNA83EXa4Yqszj9vVuvmiAc1VQYmKQD_/s1920/fresh.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfUq-qbtL7JrAbeNp8EiM2YLpqqz4SrbATMElnwRkDnVUB-aPP4_Lq7Lu8K4M1ogZ_hStBHDrtHyfkSdk8u63lwGhu48l6WHEUXi7-zXe8TxE-6oR4DyhzLobeA1v069fsqtK1PqovhXiftr-n-ZCtHNfFNA83EXa4Yqszj9vVuvmiAc1VQYmKQD_/w360-h640/fresh.png" width="360" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>What we loved about our room: The rustic wood-clad walls; crisp white linens; leather headboards; industrial lighting; and floating bedside shelves.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our cabin is small, so we painted the walls in Benjamin Moore's Super White. There's a texture on the walls to reduce sound, and we opted not to change that. Next we upgraded our ceiling fan, and we upgraded from a queen sized bed to a king.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDDFIOJTCJ34VFDhOOPhLvH52Hq3BpPBdeGFS32iMSixSxs0HmueLn5SWLmqlLgWNOzckHB74iBHOy3Tu4cuQkbLVY4mgZrCwIPQTHWDQBO6NufS2yB0Ka8ZsEeRbFvyIFYaMXjaJ1pN5HYyQTGVNYrBbshjwa91Jb_-vHFtRz_n9NVU1Lp7iV2_U/s4032/IMG_6312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDDFIOJTCJ34VFDhOOPhLvH52Hq3BpPBdeGFS32iMSixSxs0HmueLn5SWLmqlLgWNOzckHB74iBHOy3Tu4cuQkbLVY4mgZrCwIPQTHWDQBO6NufS2yB0Ka8ZsEeRbFvyIFYaMXjaJ1pN5HYyQTGVNYrBbshjwa91Jb_-vHFtRz_n9NVU1Lp7iV2_U/w480-h640/IMG_6312.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rather than clad the entire wall with barn wood, we instead bought a headboard. We found floating shelving with drawers we liked a little bit better than open shelving, and Trip decided to hardwire the lights we found.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULIn8hiHnZG17MR4tQl3fzS6hsBCmhsr1kYg97ZJAx3kadA78V1zX92KCY_CXymB7CaJ_XQVpbmgDXFWdzPeOKkobnY8w521Wr7Y2u_jOk2oMCcG3PYNGNmImp9Ug09QHqyGttl9qFuM4hI7cwWHJpGuHPnq7Bh5bAxqQ-20iLn4zwy3vhWXwnVk1/s2814/IMG_6322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2814" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULIn8hiHnZG17MR4tQl3fzS6hsBCmhsr1kYg97ZJAx3kadA78V1zX92KCY_CXymB7CaJ_XQVpbmgDXFWdzPeOKkobnY8w521Wr7Y2u_jOk2oMCcG3PYNGNmImp9Ug09QHqyGttl9qFuM4hI7cwWHJpGuHPnq7Bh5bAxqQ-20iLn4zwy3vhWXwnVk1/w640-h622/IMG_6322.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We didn't change the carpet because it's in very good condition.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKe-OnNggc9z8SFfLSNDxf6CoRHJ7_cEK0FerKjKVvVDGYZj0b6rsGCy_MExFbWEiyylsVrHTDbECAALAS5a6-dvJ82NAgTPA_ZssuFj132W9dJgk8KpFFiE0MCFea1P7oYdGA-01mgwJ6uXj0a2vJ305hIIXuIS9AyKy-kJHcHGMmEWbMA8Wu-7N/s4032/IMG_6313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKe-OnNggc9z8SFfLSNDxf6CoRHJ7_cEK0FerKjKVvVDGYZj0b6rsGCy_MExFbWEiyylsVrHTDbECAALAS5a6-dvJ82NAgTPA_ZssuFj132W9dJgk8KpFFiE0MCFea1P7oYdGA-01mgwJ6uXj0a2vJ305hIIXuIS9AyKy-kJHcHGMmEWbMA8Wu-7N/w640-h480/IMG_6313.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I like that the headboard has random white and gray planks.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsUCCAbqS7xpOlNt6J4A5btOd2uvhA8btbJSSomZn2f7nrxNPDGR9aifmOC1Jo2X0aPejPyiak7LJT_fpYRFbVC3XhQgUDEvAmdUOUqJVIL62CvKTyUXCtXL2_y2V2HwDSVpG-uXKAcRJtQNzBDsiFWCk1biReYYB-9fLfWq73peHmYrKohdyMCSu/s4032/IMG_6316.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsUCCAbqS7xpOlNt6J4A5btOd2uvhA8btbJSSomZn2f7nrxNPDGR9aifmOC1Jo2X0aPejPyiak7LJT_fpYRFbVC3XhQgUDEvAmdUOUqJVIL62CvKTyUXCtXL2_y2V2HwDSVpG-uXKAcRJtQNzBDsiFWCk1biReYYB-9fLfWq73peHmYrKohdyMCSu/w480-h640/IMG_6316.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmigIfVFnYFM_nAPXwYi1bsypbYXqC5KboldkbV9uCAoogXUvU0ynh1DbZZ-y3mHE5e2jhMt4TzAD5SLiXT_QtM7yoZzjqGMt1t9GexdVUr_NblPRLiO-JIfpt1vgjgmRp34jYwVCBBKhow1kZ3HamVKl7gnY2LhTfUc9aYS2-xmxm-Auxh0RDm8Qv/s4032/IMG_6315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmigIfVFnYFM_nAPXwYi1bsypbYXqC5KboldkbV9uCAoogXUvU0ynh1DbZZ-y3mHE5e2jhMt4TzAD5SLiXT_QtM7yoZzjqGMt1t9GexdVUr_NblPRLiO-JIfpt1vgjgmRp34jYwVCBBKhow1kZ3HamVKl7gnY2LhTfUc9aYS2-xmxm-Auxh0RDm8Qv/w480-h640/IMG_6315.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I love the little sconces with the retro shape, bulbs, and pulls.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebRBlv6LHtzAP6pazFSytQGp1M05AkSir_pivDduaXdkyrD7gjIyW1P-sbfne0m8_N66shO-xxvyucds6-Ubgvaec59VEJ5ZTaBxr5AJs9dTbdAGlG46XgK3yeGUCbn25UhGEKzr2_a0Yj9UD_6a7jUQWUycz5VckCYfdgdSG5-5RiQ_Wg-ifJO-j/s4032/IMG_6323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebRBlv6LHtzAP6pazFSytQGp1M05AkSir_pivDduaXdkyrD7gjIyW1P-sbfne0m8_N66shO-xxvyucds6-Ubgvaec59VEJ5ZTaBxr5AJs9dTbdAGlG46XgK3yeGUCbn25UhGEKzr2_a0Yj9UD_6a7jUQWUycz5VckCYfdgdSG5-5RiQ_Wg-ifJO-j/w640-h480/IMG_6323.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0KgyDz366s5hj4mL4f91cu8zEfWsS3vsj61xFjY5nvmkub8dR64MehPsK0_V3hlB1kWUKhm4HzQ2VO7UavqjXJnYkQJ15BXVYJvzbgGpWr6zqWVCI85YYbJr9aIpSjukxTtM56FNvw3WNLLGxKf2bT39w6lYoh2SSxOAYnEa3CGEEmHXq4INRWav/s4032/IMG_6324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0KgyDz366s5hj4mL4f91cu8zEfWsS3vsj61xFjY5nvmkub8dR64MehPsK0_V3hlB1kWUKhm4HzQ2VO7UavqjXJnYkQJ15BXVYJvzbgGpWr6zqWVCI85YYbJr9aIpSjukxTtM56FNvw3WNLLGxKf2bT39w6lYoh2SSxOAYnEa3CGEEmHXq4INRWav/w640-h480/IMG_6324.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We are enjoying the neutral bedding, and we've added white linen bedding for summer.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxiilhLpwkXCVimmFyW8Bl_QUyUSAnthsn-y_9_dWOiGOOtQqb4FnZvo8kxhyKGNrZ8tBFWwnUxaWpIIuTECR558Pdy-vP-r7GbxFvdtSl_386bqLH_g2YS_Q6EGnV4tGdNwcICNzjNC3wGXKzPAJPbpaAVxmoCyvjQbwfNZUBIgfxyAaThvRluXb/s4032/IMG_6327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxiilhLpwkXCVimmFyW8Bl_QUyUSAnthsn-y_9_dWOiGOOtQqb4FnZvo8kxhyKGNrZ8tBFWwnUxaWpIIuTECR558Pdy-vP-r7GbxFvdtSl_386bqLH_g2YS_Q6EGnV4tGdNwcICNzjNC3wGXKzPAJPbpaAVxmoCyvjQbwfNZUBIgfxyAaThvRluXb/w480-h640/IMG_6327.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkBNX2r55ZOVQBStUec3qd6N_driwWLaMJJIwZ5VsASh5vuYqnQRpElah65jUGTlSA528GHHKwfAQVvh4bhicqN8LF8nS4cBDIXueDC5059F_RW8Rxyg8bsC6L6u6KZjlA8OtlRe1OWYfXzEW7lQbDv_5GX6-HFYEnEVh8KANP_Ve-fN0bR-lJ5mi/s4032/IMG_6318.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkBNX2r55ZOVQBStUec3qd6N_driwWLaMJJIwZ5VsASh5vuYqnQRpElah65jUGTlSA528GHHKwfAQVvh4bhicqN8LF8nS4cBDIXueDC5059F_RW8Rxyg8bsC6L6u6KZjlA8OtlRe1OWYfXzEW7lQbDv_5GX6-HFYEnEVh8KANP_Ve-fN0bR-lJ5mi/w480-h640/IMG_6318.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Our pine pieces are now sporting jaunty MacKenzie-Childs round and fish knobs.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The chests are opposite our bed, and between them are large sliding glass doors. We also installed new (blackout) white linen curtains. I forgot to take a photo of them! </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyqxo9zGoglZN5l7iH7HLfk50pVTbAJD-zfthACs7hzWqkPhR3CRfECoOp1oZKtIcT-qQog3Swot6TMqVwakHIFJfWQH8ss1hHsIJfI1455rnNX4UB47vm7pQOIDsRfbsnP80MP9Kr-8DGh0IQeqdzSaLHxU7BsvrbBTtwdjkpdGfmwfrjLF1Jerd/s4032/IMG_6314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyqxo9zGoglZN5l7iH7HLfk50pVTbAJD-zfthACs7hzWqkPhR3CRfECoOp1oZKtIcT-qQog3Swot6TMqVwakHIFJfWQH8ss1hHsIJfI1455rnNX4UB47vm7pQOIDsRfbsnP80MP9Kr-8DGh0IQeqdzSaLHxU7BsvrbBTtwdjkpdGfmwfrjLF1Jerd/w480-h640/IMG_6314.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The only thing we kept in the room is the vintage Mardi Gras poster. It looks even better with our new decor.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is quite the departure from how I normally decorate because I'm a maximalist, and I love color. But that's sort of the point, for the room to feel like a little boutique hotel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Bookish was so helpful in helping with the decorating decisions; installing the sconces, bedside floating tables, and ceiling fan; and helping move the kingsize bed up a very steep flight of stairs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We also totally changed our porches at the lake, too. I might share them later if I remember to take some photos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><br /></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-56721547614108125762023-05-24T05:00:00.015-05:002023-05-24T07:26:13.982-05:00New Cookbook: The Batch Lady: Cooking On a Budget<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz19IybD08PlNENU2PQnSF8ttCunMdm1zuIUc2z9phvjY1Y1vDu3CAdyfgCOZ_4cCNXE9EPNmrkmOwmgOW-9hdtpe2aYM67q97DK9MMuUB5dw0LONZMSKhM9crorL4bhQ341BCAt_ar5m38WG3X14Xm_5lQo19vAR0kbLqJ9MD_gp7vdjlKQFzZ1Q5/s3974/IMG_6437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3974" data-original-width="2980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz19IybD08PlNENU2PQnSF8ttCunMdm1zuIUc2z9phvjY1Y1vDu3CAdyfgCOZ_4cCNXE9EPNmrkmOwmgOW-9hdtpe2aYM67q97DK9MMuUB5dw0LONZMSKhM9crorL4bhQ341BCAt_ar5m38WG3X14Xm_5lQo19vAR0kbLqJ9MD_gp7vdjlKQFzZ1Q5/w480-h640/IMG_6437.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQtxB6t6riDLRMWqPeXvtAfEuVv14Dop0h_X4eN81zcCsWXBICMeEnEeNvMA5p22R-Bi2gC8p8t516K_k39kqYOmnL7fU6zFhy5tP0xcYdva7fWrVkVEt5xHvAG9JbqVm8jvBfl5iwd2v4dOPkGx6WyBqVtUuNXb0npMPj-ihWvYPEhgOS6xsKPyM/s4032/anna-tukhfatullina-food-photographer-stylist-XS3ivs2dlSo-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQtxB6t6riDLRMWqPeXvtAfEuVv14Dop0h_X4eN81zcCsWXBICMeEnEeNvMA5p22R-Bi2gC8p8t516K_k39kqYOmnL7fU6zFhy5tP0xcYdva7fWrVkVEt5xHvAG9JbqVm8jvBfl5iwd2v4dOPkGx6WyBqVtUuNXb0npMPj-ihWvYPEhgOS6xsKPyM/s320/anna-tukhfatullina-food-photographer-stylist-XS3ivs2dlSo-unsplash.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9AGkEQBWmfD4MQKXVm6SfIwnjTAmP9Fqqt8Nt8uEI1Ym2zEyUobGTFGTYzGJJZBY-BtWRfkb08R9cTHStjuIkJRY_BCXwS8dgRhQkWg7gEe5G15kP3lndRuMY-y4P0tA4cJ66k04ScrsZCxT2Oc1h8SnvseaLjbSpdzqb6-laWrH0K3Yuok04reX/s1920/Colorful%20Floral%20Birthday%20Greeting%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9AGkEQBWmfD4MQKXVm6SfIwnjTAmP9Fqqt8Nt8uEI1Ym2zEyUobGTFGTYzGJJZBY-BtWRfkb08R9cTHStjuIkJRY_BCXwS8dgRhQkWg7gEe5G15kP3lndRuMY-y4P0tA4cJ66k04ScrsZCxT2Oc1h8SnvseaLjbSpdzqb6-laWrH0K3Yuok04reX/w360-h640/Colorful%20Floral%20Birthday%20Greeting%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello, My Lovelies! </b>Today's What I'm Reading Wednesday post is very special. It's all about my new cooking obsession: <i>The Batch Lady: Cooking on a Budget</i> by Suzanne Mulholland.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think <b><a href="https://thebatchlady.com/" target="_blank">The Batch Lady</a></b> is a genius! Every recipe I've tried my whole family has loved, and the beauty is that I am saving so much time in the kitchen. I'm also saving money, planning menus more efficiently, and learning best practices for freezing food in advance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>About <i>The Batch Lady: Cooking on a Budget</i> by Suzanne Mulholland</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Best-selling author <b>The Batch Lady</b> is back with a budget-busting book to create fresh and satisfying meals without breaking the purse strings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shop once.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Get organized, plan ahead and create fresh and satisfying meals without breaking the bank.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cook once.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over 100 delicious, simple and energy-efficient batch-cooking recipes that will satisfy the whole family and fill your freezer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Save money all week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Learn to hack your monthly bill, save your hard-earned money and eat well on a budget.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOh86RpVA0g0n-W-byERHIYVYm6WhNckmSlgF_dakFfwq4uK1fYijE_ylUGM4m-o_NsXu8bxkMnNaf2WLTwuDr3kQsdPjzDHR8FBro-2sqUynlwz8yRUDY-MEviki6ELujWIiExaY9u_Eg05kveNx1Arm_NDxWjnuGYQZxgoX6_6SJfIyHxFk84gQ/s940/1EB00015-06BD-41A9-BEE5-0E6D8E7E0865.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOh86RpVA0g0n-W-byERHIYVYm6WhNckmSlgF_dakFfwq4uK1fYijE_ylUGM4m-o_NsXu8bxkMnNaf2WLTwuDr3kQsdPjzDHR8FBro-2sqUynlwz8yRUDY-MEviki6ELujWIiExaY9u_Eg05kveNx1Arm_NDxWjnuGYQZxgoX6_6SJfIyHxFk84gQ/w640-h536/1EB00015-06BD-41A9-BEE5-0E6D8E7E0865.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I have flagged family favorites so far. I'm getting quite a bit of mileage out of this outstanding cookbook!</span></i></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">My Review:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The book blurb is correct: You will eat well! What I love most about this book is that it allows me to plan and cook early in the week, and then when the weekend rolls around, I pack the cooler from what I've frozen and take it to our lake cabin. This allows me to enjoy lake activities while spending much less time in the kitchen. I prepped earlier this week for Memorial Day Weekend, and although we are planning to eat dinner out a few nights, breakfast, snacks, and lunch is frozen and ready to go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I can think of so many super applications. Here are just a few:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Busy weeknights</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Holiday preparations</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Church potlucks</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Hostess gifts</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Picnic lunches (especially on the boat)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Meals for expectant mothers</span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you gift any of these make and freeze ahead recipes, you can make pretty cards with cooking instructions for the recipient.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The only warning I would give to my American readers is that Suzanne is Scottish, so expect a few metric measurements in the recipes. Use your conversion app because the book is fantastic!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5tDNSm5Ga93W4jiCdpdNELuynIt9j0FrPiarWwy2RSfKgwEBS7mJ5ZyQUYPq_RifvGyeXS3mC0-e2_OgF4MaX4NCkx03dbUTf886XNF31Ht0_BdR2bKDlZHdMcfmn47A8tgUBFaN-zPGNrAYmnh-Z7f4C20O_sCo6_lRMutQBTbUtsUxKINRHqQy/s1942/71v+5jGa9DL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1942" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5tDNSm5Ga93W4jiCdpdNELuynIt9j0FrPiarWwy2RSfKgwEBS7mJ5ZyQUYPq_RifvGyeXS3mC0-e2_OgF4MaX4NCkx03dbUTf886XNF31Ht0_BdR2bKDlZHdMcfmn47A8tgUBFaN-zPGNrAYmnh-Z7f4C20O_sCo6_lRMutQBTbUtsUxKINRHqQy/w494-h640/71v+5jGa9DL.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The recipe I'm sharing with you today is Smoky Chicken Burgers. I've made the burgers a few times, and it's an easy recipe and delicious recipe! We will throw this batch on the grill during Memorial Day Weekend. They are prepped and frozen, so all we have to do is defrost them overnight in the fridge, and then grill. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Smoky Chicken Burgers (Serves 4)</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Ingredients:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 pound minced chicken</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 t garlic granules</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 t smoked paprika</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1/2 c breadcrumbs </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1/2 t salt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 egg, beaten</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rrn97Ou1Bcbk3u4nE9qatrhsF1H7SnvKwiefrPjIP_pRArHLQVXVfxTn12icWeG7dS6on76thGN6zsgsm9pMjmb5tK2xzNS7UXlIFdXYwiV0ZncYA9VDNr_aNXErNX-zeFWYrZoDj-L9CZ-IDQ7ri4ftT1oQbDfMcEdlUBAIEUgCqg3yphZ0RKZk/s4032/IMG_6427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rrn97Ou1Bcbk3u4nE9qatrhsF1H7SnvKwiefrPjIP_pRArHLQVXVfxTn12icWeG7dS6on76thGN6zsgsm9pMjmb5tK2xzNS7UXlIFdXYwiV0ZncYA9VDNr_aNXErNX-zeFWYrZoDj-L9CZ-IDQ7ri4ftT1oQbDfMcEdlUBAIEUgCqg3yphZ0RKZk/w640-h480/IMG_6427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Not many ingredients</span></i></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Procedure:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Put all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and use your hands to mix everything together until well combined. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxy24Mj7_9WrBOfM8MghkYmIjsukSYVoOZmcPuPBb7025k4X1ItpLiRIzL_cqTMJwAIzxDpucCLk2j83sEkN18rqGRq3Fza7NFj6G48mgMtGSry_jYc_eKx0nnrX7aN6kAzdwfc47yTr5pIYQy7_S67Kol_wZnDHOPSBsUttY7K18sACoYVqFDaLA/s4032/IMG_6428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxy24Mj7_9WrBOfM8MghkYmIjsukSYVoOZmcPuPBb7025k4X1ItpLiRIzL_cqTMJwAIzxDpucCLk2j83sEkN18rqGRq3Fza7NFj6G48mgMtGSry_jYc_eKx0nnrX7aN6kAzdwfc47yTr5pIYQy7_S67Kol_wZnDHOPSBsUttY7K18sACoYVqFDaLA/w300-h400/IMG_6428.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Divide into four equal sections and form into patties. If you want to cook them now, skip down to number 6.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. If you're making ahead to freeze, cut four squares of parchment paper a little larger than the patties. Stack patties placing paper between patties and on top and bottom. You will need six parchment squares in all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00OPAtalWjr4F2ypN-lDLDRd4v6DyZDLHooycAxFEaq8DE6iN0-dV-3OHOkns3-n_AUqfgmBlHjK3NtuGqt23rQ4F_nbdpP75zn3exMHW4Y7oJ5veYhcpccylNk9YXZbiiQ3L_OgKTDIqCXC93Cf-s6cHDEU_5_PThSwCZlpsjD8U9RCGvLeBMydX/s4032/IMG_6429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00OPAtalWjr4F2ypN-lDLDRd4v6DyZDLHooycAxFEaq8DE6iN0-dV-3OHOkns3-n_AUqfgmBlHjK3NtuGqt23rQ4F_nbdpP75zn3exMHW4Y7oJ5veYhcpccylNk9YXZbiiQ3L_OgKTDIqCXC93Cf-s6cHDEU_5_PThSwCZlpsjD8U9RCGvLeBMydX/w300-h400/IMG_6429.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFEhU-thaBXsjCsRiTMJbNKynI2Db3n_BkeAe1DH2AnLcYMI81L_VOWlCajvaB6XKW4DYQpRRGookY9twRxf5fcOLJLULSRDyJVbsKnq6zvrmAu_dMWAut3AkfYtcr0bYsbW1eJmb9fIPmstxOKcm8qsg8epOzLt-1NajsS29KAT1NOSGbUDdaBkz/s4032/IMG_6431.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFEhU-thaBXsjCsRiTMJbNKynI2Db3n_BkeAe1DH2AnLcYMI81L_VOWlCajvaB6XKW4DYQpRRGookY9twRxf5fcOLJLULSRDyJVbsKnq6zvrmAu_dMWAut3AkfYtcr0bYsbW1eJmb9fIPmstxOKcm8qsg8epOzLt-1NajsS29KAT1NOSGbUDdaBkz/w300-h400/IMG_6431.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Transfer to a labeled freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiMN08SBY4lsFtn5PAJ1jCuv43jMF8Ac83qSgCVnSnY98m8Ey6RgjQz3KtFOCzo_UptxzTjUyOvvdI9ni4bby7Sb2u94mnifi4Fs-jC34KQQnjxKkVddbaX8fYgFx2waXp8cOismquGuBmfOxEApkgwDrhquPyCTGppNbmHOXhOOcBApzyJiHIJUj/s4032/IMG_6432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiMN08SBY4lsFtn5PAJ1jCuv43jMF8Ac83qSgCVnSnY98m8Ey6RgjQz3KtFOCzo_UptxzTjUyOvvdI9ni4bby7Sb2u94mnifi4Fs-jC34KQQnjxKkVddbaX8fYgFx2waXp8cOismquGuBmfOxEApkgwDrhquPyCTGppNbmHOXhOOcBApzyJiHIJUj/w300-h400/IMG_6432.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. When ready to cook burgers, take the number of burgers you'd like to cook out of the freezer and place them in the fridge overnight.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Remove parchment paper and place patties on baking tray.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8. Cook for 25 minutes until lightly golden. Make sure that the interior temperature is 165 degrees F.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Cook's Notes: </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. It's easy to mince chicken in a food processor. There are tutorials online if your butcher won't do it for you. We used ground chicken this time, but we grill our burgers on the Big Green Egg until 165 degrees F. (Usually on a hot grill, 4-5 minutes per side).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. I've also tried this recipe with ground turkey, and it was good!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. You could also cook them in an iron skillet with 2T olive oil once heated on M heat 4-5 minutes per side. Again, make sure you use your meat thermometer!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. One of the main reasons that we like this recipe is because in case of inclement weather, we can always cook inside, and the smoky paprika makes it taste like it's been grilled. Options are friendly! ;P</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. I used Italian breadcrumbs from The Fresh Market.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You can see the cooked smoky chicken burger in the photo from the cookbook at the top of the post.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;">I encourage you to visit <b><a href="https://thebatchlady.com/" target="_blank">The Batch Lady's website HERE</a></b>. There's information about Suzanne, her books, and many recipes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"> </div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUc8qmAFqV1iXXWAFVqg7Ju9Lgtl8wrbIhUEqc-M_Y-2zHFz-kGLAUN0YLy5MQ0BoMUupnCN2NOTIHuo3wFfkFxIuIrtB1at5l5QSbsTp5pC8uxvdS2D00RBZDLflzuS3mxuBXz8Idos2WP1VOz0IbbioAB2L3wVlZDELC6trtnj78LW3PnF5kFvz/s6000/DSC04076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUc8qmAFqV1iXXWAFVqg7Ju9Lgtl8wrbIhUEqc-M_Y-2zHFz-kGLAUN0YLy5MQ0BoMUupnCN2NOTIHuo3wFfkFxIuIrtB1at5l5QSbsTp5pC8uxvdS2D00RBZDLflzuS3mxuBXz8Idos2WP1VOz0IbbioAB2L3wVlZDELC6trtnj78LW3PnF5kFvz/w640-h426/DSC04076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Disclosure: </b>I'd like to thank Harper Collins for sending me an advanced copy of <i>The Batch Lady: Cooking On a Budget</i> in exchange for a fair and honest review. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy cooking!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-85514912828391387882023-05-23T05:00:00.002-05:002023-06-17T20:51:34.376-05:00May Flowers<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC3mslSauzZjjhlFkvxWX0lijDh3GYEBNISmfdYsRN2mUyTHnaH9GrB2o9zCZQr3ORlB8cR2IGVL3yypy2BtKR1MJkN4ecdEdkb0m_eUnh6Vw7tVPoNY_e-vxNNRPxox-6EEcEZ5B1QR49ES0eizbaxjALUamF3qXdPq4fL6IRS3kK1UNeUJf_ezo/s4032/IMG_6354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC3mslSauzZjjhlFkvxWX0lijDh3GYEBNISmfdYsRN2mUyTHnaH9GrB2o9zCZQr3ORlB8cR2IGVL3yypy2BtKR1MJkN4ecdEdkb0m_eUnh6Vw7tVPoNY_e-vxNNRPxox-6EEcEZ5B1QR49ES0eizbaxjALUamF3qXdPq4fL6IRS3kK1UNeUJf_ezo/w480-h640/IMG_6354.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmT945KM9PdqoI08DfhvSTqmdw5B5RlQOtvYFRAhwEh-3rQGzkObAgq1BaBWyPQb5L31JXoW7wczV_ip2ULHmn1fUIwwMTqfvI6GXcbMU6sWXPQ9mO5nWLaywckNaDIDzY7VEqXvWyKrkaWkvJREf4hdW3EovBUYDPLPzRH9awglN8Q_gX4HiLt18/s3824/IMG_6386.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3824" data-original-width="2868" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmT945KM9PdqoI08DfhvSTqmdw5B5RlQOtvYFRAhwEh-3rQGzkObAgq1BaBWyPQb5L31JXoW7wczV_ip2ULHmn1fUIwwMTqfvI6GXcbMU6sWXPQ9mO5nWLaywckNaDIDzY7VEqXvWyKrkaWkvJREf4hdW3EovBUYDPLPzRH9awglN8Q_gX4HiLt18/w480-h640/IMG_6386.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Birthday Flowers</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.ricki-treleaven.com/2023/04/super-easy-spring-craft.html" target="_blank">April showers</a> bring May flowers!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies!</b> Today I'm sharing lovely flowers with you from our garden and other locations.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of my favorite parts of the year is when the mountain laurels are in bloom. Native to Alabama, they always make me smile! The pale pink ones (below) are my favorites.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EBU0LFhPEzLcrq25VpNZRGhXB2jk5hTmDXmSRHyjO6LrP6zfnLcmjjz6BqKQRrcyXFh4eqRrQm4DD73E5R22KTMLgKQH9RSObsCK_3qk-XN8i4M0EtFem4llsYd-hKi4K3m7EQl93oKMgvM6cR6yH9lYExUGUvcqPrhnag37l-Gzh96LZLXjOWSN/s4032/IMG_2023.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EBU0LFhPEzLcrq25VpNZRGhXB2jk5hTmDXmSRHyjO6LrP6zfnLcmjjz6BqKQRrcyXFh4eqRrQm4DD73E5R22KTMLgKQH9RSObsCK_3qk-XN8i4M0EtFem4llsYd-hKi4K3m7EQl93oKMgvM6cR6yH9lYExUGUvcqPrhnag37l-Gzh96LZLXjOWSN/w480-h640/IMG_2023.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This photo was taken in Mount Laurel, a small town near our neighborhood.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>It was named for this lovely species!</i></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've spotted some beautiful floral combinations while traveling, including these from a Louisiana garden.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sIKGw2HhX7EArp5R5lDFgEAy7a2fX3glGfgJw7oPlkrKvXwk5EDxx1UiO8QLzUtFgaj2m9IFNYiqrGSC7iCLiKyH0b4cP63DRkYjnnZ1oudYgNDC1jxFynTMVX3LVwQC9qOkgSggP0MAzgwHP9uJR_umjh-mOgimlGSEyB8yOLraFtT3l1L-QfCj/s4032/IMG_6214.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sIKGw2HhX7EArp5R5lDFgEAy7a2fX3glGfgJw7oPlkrKvXwk5EDxx1UiO8QLzUtFgaj2m9IFNYiqrGSC7iCLiKyH0b4cP63DRkYjnnZ1oudYgNDC1jxFynTMVX3LVwQC9qOkgSggP0MAzgwHP9uJR_umjh-mOgimlGSEyB8yOLraFtT3l1L-QfCj/w480-h640/IMG_6214.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On my birthday, my Bestie Barbara took me on a field trip to <b><a href="https://petalsfromthepast.com/" target="_blank">Petals From the Past</a></b>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70s_IxwAlzPVmi6KwvY1MHuu8r1vjpWDS6XorsQycR9zflDzhrfEREajlv5pvNL3QPFLu9LabfrwnOwLxMmVnY5cv8B7Axus6Q6FeG-tRf-h51-xsAK6zZ8QWRLnD6pEIEqpDeHKEs4EW50tQ5bAOzkCobo6FKEZrGfURG70tpSlDAga8pZbISVFh/s4032/IMG_6292.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70s_IxwAlzPVmi6KwvY1MHuu8r1vjpWDS6XorsQycR9zflDzhrfEREajlv5pvNL3QPFLu9LabfrwnOwLxMmVnY5cv8B7Axus6Q6FeG-tRf-h51-xsAK6zZ8QWRLnD6pEIEqpDeHKEs4EW50tQ5bAOzkCobo6FKEZrGfURG70tpSlDAga8pZbISVFh/w640-h480/IMG_6292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Petals From The Past specializes in antique roses. Located in Jemison, Alabama, it is worth the trip!</i></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are some of my favorites from my special birthday field trip:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSSzWSO6Xy7fWXvvRQb5FhOT105sN9y2uOgaH-RWUrCeDq-E3P3bHD6_kQKjjgJGXhdeSJFZpMOYYoPHwzVMDPPuehmXYm92jEbhpFWLaoURX1NHdXOCZvkXhE03Z4rhiv-QAS7H54jesgdYERPBI8SPuadJh2d2wMklxIPHrmJmGZnCiyI7htueN/s1920/Colorful%20Minimalist%20Holiday%20Photo%20Collage%20Polaroid%20Frame%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSSzWSO6Xy7fWXvvRQb5FhOT105sN9y2uOgaH-RWUrCeDq-E3P3bHD6_kQKjjgJGXhdeSJFZpMOYYoPHwzVMDPPuehmXYm92jEbhpFWLaoURX1NHdXOCZvkXhE03Z4rhiv-QAS7H54jesgdYERPBI8SPuadJh2d2wMklxIPHrmJmGZnCiyI7htueN/w360-h640/Colorful%20Minimalist%20Holiday%20Photo%20Collage%20Polaroid%20Frame%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I also saw some beautiful dahlias and poppies!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTl25YB7H1uNbKPwyWk1Rrkf3vK8RkH9zBiYgfVIKAamw_DbGF3N9xMCR6ndQEOSIP8j5N5sfGFtrVN32Vvj4uSMc1pd4ig48Fv8A_Lo-ZCmKcC-GFREBr3Y_VF3d3kxqw_shhME7eFKj-PJHx0QvspnumZ73b2xmXSSF0-87A9eRyySzqWEruQEWD/s4032/IMG_6263.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTl25YB7H1uNbKPwyWk1Rrkf3vK8RkH9zBiYgfVIKAamw_DbGF3N9xMCR6ndQEOSIP8j5N5sfGFtrVN32Vvj4uSMc1pd4ig48Fv8A_Lo-ZCmKcC-GFREBr3Y_VF3d3kxqw_shhME7eFKj-PJHx0QvspnumZ73b2xmXSSF0-87A9eRyySzqWEruQEWD/w480-h640/IMG_6263.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zACe3eR3i9XlJIEiqjpXenjkjIwXAIskrSL-yL32pOTpF1YFEaSxg-UlX4-IyT0m406nZlAwAzdapQHBskZz3gL-JF9uuQeG4KUcVDJCd30OrGvLK7hRIRNkY6BYH1pSCpR57W_AqlTHtK80G5L5DsgPzYjbMKnHEs4Ot5WLXumaxTE5LZ1bzQK4/s4032/IMG_6268.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zACe3eR3i9XlJIEiqjpXenjkjIwXAIskrSL-yL32pOTpF1YFEaSxg-UlX4-IyT0m406nZlAwAzdapQHBskZz3gL-JF9uuQeG4KUcVDJCd30OrGvLK7hRIRNkY6BYH1pSCpR57W_AqlTHtK80G5L5DsgPzYjbMKnHEs4Ot5WLXumaxTE5LZ1bzQK4/w480-h640/IMG_6268.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Below are a couple of climbing roses:</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2zQEznQYder82LUPw1CHwI91NDTubz32t9gY4tv6tlY0FPGoWboQvWveJyhtj_HVhGvpW3WPTMgXwL82DNchQsNNKqJVPK7_3Vnp-TRppy4Spc2SNdsSY6rClkzV8-Ac801HRIR3oj32PxWI1yr8wWoVJ3wZD_axix0KDpffrWuwQpWoFP1n9c0Y/s4032/IMG_6287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2zQEznQYder82LUPw1CHwI91NDTubz32t9gY4tv6tlY0FPGoWboQvWveJyhtj_HVhGvpW3WPTMgXwL82DNchQsNNKqJVPK7_3Vnp-TRppy4Spc2SNdsSY6rClkzV8-Ac801HRIR3oj32PxWI1yr8wWoVJ3wZD_axix0KDpffrWuwQpWoFP1n9c0Y/w480-h640/IMG_6287.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HDCTTOt3ixRnVKEapFJMhU-jhpTISBWjQAmmZur1FGZCDA3m4NT6TY_3XdwybbypAVqq_e1tdmLa9pzF-GRpaMDdjKwSvjTlTNAmiSBMxyZ6Wm14geGL0-1gDwbDEBP8k_IhA8YUFf5Mh4iZdCIEyGkDk_udRAFL_61R6AN5gMWNSkvcBWDgQiTg/s4032/IMG_6286.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HDCTTOt3ixRnVKEapFJMhU-jhpTISBWjQAmmZur1FGZCDA3m4NT6TY_3XdwybbypAVqq_e1tdmLa9pzF-GRpaMDdjKwSvjTlTNAmiSBMxyZ6Wm14geGL0-1gDwbDEBP8k_IhA8YUFf5Mh4iZdCIEyGkDk_udRAFL_61R6AN5gMWNSkvcBWDgQiTg/w480-h640/IMG_6286.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I bought an heirloom rose for my birthday. Here it is:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-rmYSxBVikb3-iTz0ZElK3rfgFejBUrs2fLKrTjt6HjYOnyXh6z_U25G_JwZNMFIYes0Z3TUDZZ8Xsg04kMHe7D8vXd95xDRzgjM9wtcfzvvyYzOwAgfUv655tH5CoD6mjRspy_wH8C4MfyhzY1LsrBEHGgVxe75C25b0wYgmvCeCSFs71y-HG27/s4032/IMG_6421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-rmYSxBVikb3-iTz0ZElK3rfgFejBUrs2fLKrTjt6HjYOnyXh6z_U25G_JwZNMFIYes0Z3TUDZZ8Xsg04kMHe7D8vXd95xDRzgjM9wtcfzvvyYzOwAgfUv655tH5CoD6mjRspy_wH8C4MfyhzY1LsrBEHGgVxe75C25b0wYgmvCeCSFs71y-HG27/w480-h640/IMG_6421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Crystal Fairy" </span></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, day lilies were the stars at Red Dot Gallery. Scott Bennet (my art teacher Dori's husband) displayed many of his gorgeous day lilies in a special exhibit. Many people came everyday to see the pretty flowers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg681_j25kSMr_q9RLOkQgX7nso-y2_HuSdlfahHHWIrQwrGTir_k8eD_TB5Wo-e7wlN9LRY_NWr1IgYNtH9mvchnFqp3TSPx14AgMx4LQc4P0ZXYOUSNJfookdk1QnBUIesFHkCj3bLVEDKrdZPAzXXhLpESpJhrkQ6HhdjQSARfl6aXPpMc2E5nyC/s1200/reddotflowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1200" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg681_j25kSMr_q9RLOkQgX7nso-y2_HuSdlfahHHWIrQwrGTir_k8eD_TB5Wo-e7wlN9LRY_NWr1IgYNtH9mvchnFqp3TSPx14AgMx4LQc4P0ZXYOUSNJfookdk1QnBUIesFHkCj3bLVEDKrdZPAzXXhLpESpJhrkQ6HhdjQSARfl6aXPpMc2E5nyC/w640-h418/reddotflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>It was the prettiest live flower art installation. </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>He's a daylily hybridizer, creating new flowers every year. </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Red Dot artist </i></span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Jane Marshall exhibited her wood-fired animal-inspired sculpture. </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Everyone enjoyed it!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Photo courtesy of Red Dot Gallery.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbzDHx2KcywFK7yi0aFoC0KRfRWDYzpFRLe3axN_2E26HbJZqqAOOmfdbm9me5UlI5jcwPVqnz930pZmtHrZaZYPpc7QGBMk62GgkOA7SsMz2J0ts00qMbFtz6kg5pNcz8oGq7D7TbB8bXZAYvN4ztcWdm---UjlwsgtDy2PT_o5HNV3rNJJ03yYZ/s3023/IMG_5321.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2581" data-original-width="3023" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbzDHx2KcywFK7yi0aFoC0KRfRWDYzpFRLe3axN_2E26HbJZqqAOOmfdbm9me5UlI5jcwPVqnz930pZmtHrZaZYPpc7QGBMk62GgkOA7SsMz2J0ts00qMbFtz6kg5pNcz8oGq7D7TbB8bXZAYvN4ztcWdm---UjlwsgtDy2PT_o5HNV3rNJJ03yYZ/w640-h546/IMG_5321.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>This one is named Fancy Dori. Scott named it for Dori, and it's my favorite. I was able to see one at the exhibit.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy of Dori DeCamillis</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">During Christmas, we suffered a deep freeze that lasted for several days. Needless to say, we lost lots of shrubbery, especially our Sasanqua "Shi Shi Gashira" Camellias and gardenias. We were so disappointed because we had replaced much of our landscaping after the tornado of 2021, so our new plantings were just about 1 1/2 years old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">We've spent a few weekends replacing what we lost. This was difficult because there is a shortage of camellias due to demand: We weren't the only ones who lost them! We chose to replace a few with the Sasanqua "Alabama Beauty" Camellias because they handled the cold better than the "Shi Shi Gashiras." We also planted a few pink spirea plants because they handled the cold well, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtpKZm2i8rL4DsLcQDnP3HxW11RugGYPRkUaP9JgyyPUdBjvxJOf3X8TkbkQFMcOgJu_HtyZz3aMGFjPohJ02fEDRTDWdBUxy4OEiEKv_ph3ovmXG7gBwAWv2YSvpUikhZ8EW9824XWuvBNmrVDT5bFWcme7cVq3v-QVyv-Z52rKrhuYia0UtEz9K/s4032/IMG_6396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtpKZm2i8rL4DsLcQDnP3HxW11RugGYPRkUaP9JgyyPUdBjvxJOf3X8TkbkQFMcOgJu_HtyZz3aMGFjPohJ02fEDRTDWdBUxy4OEiEKv_ph3ovmXG7gBwAWv2YSvpUikhZ8EW9824XWuvBNmrVDT5bFWcme7cVq3v-QVyv-Z52rKrhuYia0UtEz9K/w480-h640/IMG_6396.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i>Spirea from our garden</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">We also replanted a few containers.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdt4obGs6pkWaPpsGpg1k6OCiegjq8fLuhJIshrIc-1vt91FAANSuQHP-MgHiYF6jCovITf54eNQkOicLj8Kvc2c2lw4VUCRm9XMuDxJaiwpOZOzLX_isVPOMQws4o6cC8qAAsLYBKsRF85jBcngT77Cx31Dv6c5Vu9hmjCKIIMs71vc64Ko9FI4s/s4032/IMG_6420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdt4obGs6pkWaPpsGpg1k6OCiegjq8fLuhJIshrIc-1vt91FAANSuQHP-MgHiYF6jCovITf54eNQkOicLj8Kvc2c2lw4VUCRm9XMuDxJaiwpOZOzLX_isVPOMQws4o6cC8qAAsLYBKsRF85jBcngT77Cx31Dv6c5Vu9hmjCKIIMs71vc64Ko9FI4s/w480-h640/IMG_6420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We like to plant several white flowers because they are so pretty at night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We like to spend time outside on our patio grilling and watching Cubs baseball games as often as we can! Nights are cooler up here on the mountain, too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAHPjENOhPFlvhVZJ49sxcahn3Uxns4qABKUvI_EO1OtfhsnIKAvMO2xeUDHgjFrWn32pHQeNBzkWvxjax40kxaBLOQIvFkMcW6I_aT-_ejdB0SRj0iru7HgVb_VrpFSgUblqrJKEA3BvOEn_AYhmesirSDsXODgP6wpVIZfZkf-5mtjm-yhTXZxE/s4032/IMG_6423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAHPjENOhPFlvhVZJ49sxcahn3Uxns4qABKUvI_EO1OtfhsnIKAvMO2xeUDHgjFrWn32pHQeNBzkWvxjax40kxaBLOQIvFkMcW6I_aT-_ejdB0SRj0iru7HgVb_VrpFSgUblqrJKEA3BvOEn_AYhmesirSDsXODgP6wpVIZfZkf-5mtjm-yhTXZxE/w480-h640/IMG_6423.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Bookish LOVES petunias, and he chose these for our deck area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpVQubPrebmZu_H2taQcxiRegbUjK4R9U1sVgJcKe82RZYP6HRL972dzKB9j7pqUDu9sR7dpJgaBrTSC-msSIcMSdWrJLpELKeyuoGfwZI6U8xfM71yMnpEEVeq-_4OH6Kcoi0zd1mkmWj3y2NnuILgp8Rx6VlP8nQp1b9_JYeCxeUQLrhkvhO-PU/s4032/IMG_6422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpVQubPrebmZu_H2taQcxiRegbUjK4R9U1sVgJcKe82RZYP6HRL972dzKB9j7pqUDu9sR7dpJgaBrTSC-msSIcMSdWrJLpELKeyuoGfwZI6U8xfM71yMnpEEVeq-_4OH6Kcoi0zd1mkmWj3y2NnuILgp8Rx6VlP8nQp1b9_JYeCxeUQLrhkvhO-PU/w480-h640/IMG_6422.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is one of our large containers. Below you can read the recipe for it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Large Container Recipe (Sun)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Silvia "Snow White" (2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lantana "Lavender" (2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Creeping Wire Vine (2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gomphrena (pink) (2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">English Ivy (1)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vinca "Cora White" (2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Petunia "Pearl White" (2)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Million Bells (pink) (1)</span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>How does your garden grow? </b>Have you planted anything new this spring?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy gardening!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ricki Jill</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-89663829539656136622023-05-22T16:32:00.001-05:002023-05-22T16:46:22.990-05:00Busy Spring<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGtYJzXb1Fm_cbIHV9dIKqCReY7XXDOA9fVDftl4-q2Ea43Uv85L1OqAOSb4e8IOvjvbuW7MZ9RQypaVXrW7xy-O8o9Y8DHbJl5gi9JL7Aew7jPU-WEzJhyVQV9JPZk6j5Mp6PfQO_NqVqHXTnfz51Y-X7PuN6cS_OqfTTPB6qq8z03b73YS9D7tm/s4032/IMG_6269.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGtYJzXb1Fm_cbIHV9dIKqCReY7XXDOA9fVDftl4-q2Ea43Uv85L1OqAOSb4e8IOvjvbuW7MZ9RQypaVXrW7xy-O8o9Y8DHbJl5gi9JL7Aew7jPU-WEzJhyVQV9JPZk6j5Mp6PfQO_NqVqHXTnfz51Y-X7PuN6cS_OqfTTPB6qq8z03b73YS9D7tm/w480-h640/IMG_6269.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Monday, Friends! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It has been a very busy spring for me, I'm happy to say! I've been traveling, getting involved in my community groups, and gardening...A LOT of gardening! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSmR0SnRppJs072gNLsBhwqIax79gYTdMZtdFN1JrELp1AnhRtwKVtEXmuW0hRd7qMRj2LTaoy0WyMXHvotvTGEERPtnVmeBY76KwDSK7cnulEWUX2H90HyRTDvgntHomCP7aivNkWopdv1WyQkzSC5HLF3pp-aWTT_1QgjBg8wO4sTG3qbRF8Csu/s4032/IMG_6336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSmR0SnRppJs072gNLsBhwqIax79gYTdMZtdFN1JrELp1AnhRtwKVtEXmuW0hRd7qMRj2LTaoy0WyMXHvotvTGEERPtnVmeBY76KwDSK7cnulEWUX2H90HyRTDvgntHomCP7aivNkWopdv1WyQkzSC5HLF3pp-aWTT_1QgjBg8wO4sTG3qbRF8Csu/w480-h640/IMG_6336.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I recently attended a sorority luncheon at the beautiful Rotunda Club at Samford University. I sat with our fearless leader, Fran, and Patrice, our state's DAR Regent. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I look forward to becoming more involved with DAR this year.</i></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I thought I'd share a little preview of posts I'm working on for you.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">April showers bring May flowers, and tomorrow's post is chock-full of beautiful floral beauties, like the striking red dahlia, above. I'll also share a pretty combination for a large container garden.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was gifted a copy of The Batch Lady's newest cookbook, Cooking On a Budget. There are so many delicious recipes and cost-saving ideas in this book. I am loving it, and summer is the time to develop new time-saving habits. I know I'd rather spend more time outside than in the kitchen! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qu8cbME8ujZdh_1Rf6VJhAcRFyGuIOCfzlimuHqGIoSGtcdc7os3490ZgWorgki_4hUtHOYDbIHEQNINb62nFADTVhcL8uUnemOloWvuOCeIfq6OFFcUhqz3PRK7mcugfic-P7yQwmkdJ2465UJPJHuskwFkLp2ZxYVusWoAdKYsrxSbqPvCbKMo/s1942/71v+5jGa9DL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1942" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qu8cbME8ujZdh_1Rf6VJhAcRFyGuIOCfzlimuHqGIoSGtcdc7os3490ZgWorgki_4hUtHOYDbIHEQNINb62nFADTVhcL8uUnemOloWvuOCeIfq6OFFcUhqz3PRK7mcugfic-P7yQwmkdJ2465UJPJHuskwFkLp2ZxYVusWoAdKYsrxSbqPvCbKMo/w494-h640/71v+5jGa9DL.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've been working so hard to take care of things that have been let go for a very long time. I spent several weeks deep cleaning our lake cabin and redecorating the main bedroom. It is taking me so much longer these days to get anything accomplished, so my patience has been tested for sure! Deep cleaning is not blog worthy, but I think the new look of our lake cabin's bedroom is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8V6L1jlHoRHNnX0KTUtER9eUKwEqZTAu8cuJGmDnjSdq9B3S8NAIGJ5Dou6E7R125rfbWHzmXARsouqLLAf9h5bJqJ3uVT2-WJQEmYJOItSO6u0p-cztTrElzmpfju_4oRTn7Piextq-T0hnYN8XGc_ul6fNuR1MAQxd58aDuqyYcDL92AYTfljq/s4032/IMG_6314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8V6L1jlHoRHNnX0KTUtER9eUKwEqZTAu8cuJGmDnjSdq9B3S8NAIGJ5Dou6E7R125rfbWHzmXARsouqLLAf9h5bJqJ3uVT2-WJQEmYJOItSO6u0p-cztTrElzmpfju_4oRTn7Piextq-T0hnYN8XGc_ul6fNuR1MAQxd58aDuqyYcDL92AYTfljq/w480-h640/IMG_6314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We've been traveling a lot in 2023, and I will share two trips on my Tales of the Traveling Tote post coming-up June 1st.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwPRW7L2gqkAzD2z99DOb9VQDlwTjB7O58zmr5XLeh_Ir7i-xelluazrtpmgLTIbqeg2Xwf1at5R_Q0CrRY-EPZLlcaVMTrH6eTtD9qmdKSdtnRzbQFm3Ip179tuKRTZcWGsRBLP2wUDil8yDDE3NJikeId2Y7uIzWa_CVc2hTuvNIAS3eTF-itFH/s293/tote-logo-2-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="293" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwPRW7L2gqkAzD2z99DOb9VQDlwTjB7O58zmr5XLeh_Ir7i-xelluazrtpmgLTIbqeg2Xwf1at5R_Q0CrRY-EPZLlcaVMTrH6eTtD9qmdKSdtnRzbQFm3Ip179tuKRTZcWGsRBLP2wUDil8yDDE3NJikeId2Y7uIzWa_CVc2hTuvNIAS3eTF-itFH/s1600/tote-logo-2-1.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LhwbJ3xdLgGP41QBSs9gaRmBpHUg3-P9p4yVGofkG1Ut4TIcmcG53b638QwxQ1Y6CeX4zVVRtDVB8UcOkhh5R1fn4YsOFJ32DK-KlWuDetWD0u798C6ViU0feh0fly6IsQhRtlWSPm6X44raMfAyAfOK4b0TLdSQZEvX6qB8SBv-HeDEg_2-1dOK/s4032/IMG_6086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LhwbJ3xdLgGP41QBSs9gaRmBpHUg3-P9p4yVGofkG1Ut4TIcmcG53b638QwxQ1Y6CeX4zVVRtDVB8UcOkhh5R1fn4YsOFJ32DK-KlWuDetWD0u798C6ViU0feh0fly6IsQhRtlWSPm6X44raMfAyAfOK4b0TLdSQZEvX6qB8SBv-HeDEg_2-1dOK/w640-h480/IMG_6086.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Here's a hint from one of our trips.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I haven't been reading as much, but I haven't posted many reviews lately. I've planned a mini review post for June 2nd, and I've challenged myself to write no more than five sentences per review. It isn't easy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Qwp3rSPEa7Ov7pLPJKL6lf2hUHyveH6SU-funVcAAfgTdXilRQsXmx-4kpM0Iycj9LxDkMLq1uId8Hf2JZnPz7p6ZyeJANTrN8JP223gRAKsQ5uZ5MqSV9etg32jqPv-_kawqEW7-bBQU_qi2f8FesxIDc-hL4FCcQyKbpesfMfA8631m3XbKSE/s3876/IMG_6343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3876" data-original-width="2907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Qwp3rSPEa7Ov7pLPJKL6lf2hUHyveH6SU-funVcAAfgTdXilRQsXmx-4kpM0Iycj9LxDkMLq1uId8Hf2JZnPz7p6ZyeJANTrN8JP223gRAKsQ5uZ5MqSV9etg32jqPv-_kawqEW7-bBQU_qi2f8FesxIDc-hL4FCcQyKbpesfMfA8631m3XbKSE/w480-h640/IMG_6343.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>My birthday books</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Folks know what I like!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I haven't missed an art class in a long time, and I'm so happy about that because the Red Dot Gallery is my happy place! I will write a post later in the summer updating my art projects.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxMIa_cG2UARADJHOa6WPxIVx-2NcOCTGbf7m5fBHb4p_H-u2fBxLFRIX2DCNX5vVvjn2n49iute0j9N5lBjcItyGvf9h4ZbBYZqzr3YGybcJxl8P-fbPG9eAbTWsKKyMIx4RZXJHcOfNDzmrweV8YD-vwUPk6ujIZZqr76LFY68qM7HxYrFx3kgZ/s4032/IMG_6352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxMIa_cG2UARADJHOa6WPxIVx-2NcOCTGbf7m5fBHb4p_H-u2fBxLFRIX2DCNX5vVvjn2n49iute0j9N5lBjcItyGvf9h4ZbBYZqzr3YGybcJxl8P-fbPG9eAbTWsKKyMIx4RZXJHcOfNDzmrweV8YD-vwUPk6ujIZZqr76LFY68qM7HxYrFx3kgZ/w480-h640/IMG_6352.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This isn't my breakfast, but I hope you think it looks like it!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Which one of these posts interests you the most?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwA4EV0jhforYNE6txGdWP_4_58MDhmWoGbhPWLEabDcvdPDVWdI13Df-sr2w88V_RgL6E0X8v6_aFsMZhFKocSIvRuw7lQ3zuH0PTymEAnQzzO8cR_koqA_YI10FGqjww34vjCSlks5s8ktxtl2_9MNIPVd9Q5VL04C9dLCABJBzPJnoNYechn6k/s1920/Yellow%20Vintage%20Flower%20Blank%20Notes%20Instagram%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwA4EV0jhforYNE6txGdWP_4_58MDhmWoGbhPWLEabDcvdPDVWdI13Df-sr2w88V_RgL6E0X8v6_aFsMZhFKocSIvRuw7lQ3zuH0PTymEAnQzzO8cR_koqA_YI10FGqjww34vjCSlks5s8ktxtl2_9MNIPVd9Q5VL04C9dLCABJBzPJnoNYechn6k/w360-h640/Yellow%20Vintage%20Flower%20Blank%20Notes%20Instagram%20Story.png" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Until next time...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Blessings!<br />Ricki Jill</div></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-80607957881436249702023-05-18T05:00:00.002-05:002023-05-18T21:35:37.586-05:00Book Review: Suddenly that Summer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjyXTRo9-nwcCUCLNDnSA_e6KnlK5xEJVNR_j0822KySc0EKhOKKNT6_V_ozkQvEROWZWapDRti5f2rxtwzlBNUuwhtCuLORxnYQU9wVH8Cnyvn3aPaTf2akmiot0cMbzifRUxzeGKraQer-6acHxYweNvnrEWGeBsDHSnUnlaoXUtGqUs_DILGT8/s3987/IMG_6373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3987" data-original-width="3022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjyXTRo9-nwcCUCLNDnSA_e6KnlK5xEJVNR_j0822KySc0EKhOKKNT6_V_ozkQvEROWZWapDRti5f2rxtwzlBNUuwhtCuLORxnYQU9wVH8Cnyvn3aPaTf2akmiot0cMbzifRUxzeGKraQer-6acHxYweNvnrEWGeBsDHSnUnlaoXUtGqUs_DILGT8/w486-h640/IMG_6373.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Thursday, My Lovelies!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have another historical fiction book to add to your Summer Reading List: <i>Suddenly that Summer</i> by Lori Handeland.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>About <i>Suddenly that Summer</i>:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>1967</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>They called it the Summer of Love . . .</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For small-town Wisconsin siblings Billy and Jay Johnson, it’s a summer of change, confusion, and self-discovery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Billy enlists in the army and is soon on his way to Vietnam. The letters and sketches he sends home tell the story of the crack-shot soldier he has become. ‘Slayer’ is a sniper the Vietcong both fear and loathe, an enemy they will never stop hunting. But the more violence Billy sees, the more he kills, the farther he drifts from who he thought he was––or at least who he thought he wanted to be. He draws strength from the friends he makes on his journey and the camaraderie he finds. Billy begins to wonder if he is there for the mission or the men or if, maybe, his mission has become these men.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jay expects to enjoy the summer with her three lifelong friends, but the Four Musketeers have grown up and grown apart leaving Jay adrift and alone. Then she meets Paul, the dazzling new boy from California, whose anti-war views make her question if things are as cut and dried as she’s been taught. Shouldn’t she be on the same side of this war as her brother, who believes just as strongly in the right of the conflict as the protestors believe in the wrong of it? Torn, Jay struggles to make sense of her lifelong beliefs versus the turning cultural tide when surprising support comes from the friends she thought she’d lost.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From the voice of <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Lori Handeland, a heartfelt, coming-of-age story that brings back the feelings of innocence, fireworks and fireflies, warm summer sun on your skin––and the moment you realized everything was about to change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gdOQ4fCIOpqrUilCelarajJToeHgD-UimCk5PlSpE2adBxGAkZY6QcXVC0KbEaLYxAiQ-YSy7RiILgl6iTgvc-y2n2GMNkEAeixxh8spqmZK0OQdNXrquzcTWl5Te-6wagp3McvAZu51_2xcUVStvoVGQUOkicT5Lz4yqjt1ZoNIH3FJf311b-Tj/s666/LoriHandeland_SuddenlyThatSummer_HR.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="442" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gdOQ4fCIOpqrUilCelarajJToeHgD-UimCk5PlSpE2adBxGAkZY6QcXVC0KbEaLYxAiQ-YSy7RiILgl6iTgvc-y2n2GMNkEAeixxh8spqmZK0OQdNXrquzcTWl5Te-6wagp3McvAZu51_2xcUVStvoVGQUOkicT5Lz4yqjt1ZoNIH3FJf311b-Tj/w424-h640/LoriHandeland_SuddenlyThatSummer_HR.webp" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My Review:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In her letter to me, Lori Handeland describes <i>Suddenly that Summer</i> as a <i>Stand By Me</i> with girls, and I agree! I typically enjoy coming of age stories, and I like that it's set during the late sixties. The familial tension also reminds me of <i>My Brother Sam is Dead</i>. Enough with the comparisons...I know I should stop because <i>Suddenly that Summer</i> is unique in its own right, too. Lori also stated in her letter that this book is her latest work of book club fiction. There is plenty of fodder for discussion, and it's timely because our country, friend groups, and families have never been more divided.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The four girlfriends, or the Four Musketeers as they like to call themselves, are all unique with diverse interests and goals. The main character is Jay (real name Jane), and she is becoming quite the little hippie due to the influence of the new boy in town from San Francisco. Then there's tomboy Ronnie who wants to represent the United States at the Olympics in the 1500 meter dash. Mags wants only to become Miss America, and brainy Helen reads Shakespeare for fun during summer break. Each has her own struggles, but Jay's increasing anti-war rhetoric causes more problems for the group, and she is definitely shunned for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not every chapter is about Jay and her friends. Alternating chapters are about Jay's brother Billy who voluntarily enlisted in the Army. His chapters describe his training and the young men from all over the country in his unit. An artist, Billy draws his fellow soldiers while at home and in Southeast Asia and sends them home to Jay. What Jay does with them is shocking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The young women and their determination to remain friends at all costs is inspiring to me. It's an important lesson because each of them is complex, and trivial things, whether it's a belief or something else, should not come between friends. Lori Handeland does a great job depicting the fashion, culture, and small town Wisconsin life during the Summer of Love, 1967. Each chapter is actually a song title, so I found myself humming the songs while reading. I think you will enjoy this book if you like coming of age stories, family drama, historical fiction, and books about friendships.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I learned something while chumming around with other people." She took a deep breath. "A friendship like ours is worth something; it's worth everything."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~Ronnie from <i>Suddenly that Summer</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can read more about Lori on her wonderful website <b><a href="https://www.lorihandeland.com/">HERE</a></b>. She is quite a prolific writer, and she's also a two-time RITA Award winner. You can also read an excerpt <a href="https://www.lorihandeland.com/suddenly-that-summer-excerpt"><b>HERE</b></a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Disclosure: </b>I'd like to thank TLC Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of this tour, and for the author's sending me a nice letter and an autographed copy of <i>Suddenly that Summer</i> in exchange for a fair and honest review.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLO-ljqiCxnJNsNsFI-TiMGP3ukLf1UHGJ3DqMMKPVW9b7AmSwZk1XumnkgZo5W3yZvwP2xQV9Ox0I2y7QDd8J8Pv_a6M1auJqfMu--jedD-JvX37kQV_7q6MDekWEQq2qeEjnxniu4kNGW0fP-t6J76NIcBAbVgexoiKAUJ_BJJ8n_zU0Rd8Dispd/s150/tlc-logo-resized.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLO-ljqiCxnJNsNsFI-TiMGP3ukLf1UHGJ3DqMMKPVW9b7AmSwZk1XumnkgZo5W3yZvwP2xQV9Ox0I2y7QDd8J8Pv_a6M1auJqfMu--jedD-JvX37kQV_7q6MDekWEQq2qeEjnxniu4kNGW0fP-t6J76NIcBAbVgexoiKAUJ_BJJ8n_zU0Rd8Dispd/s1600/tlc-logo-resized.png" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy reading!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ricki Jill</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2820471780736941349.post-54394278478966201592023-05-17T17:13:00.001-05:002023-05-17T17:16:49.602-05:00What I'm Reading Wednesday: To Dream of Shadows by Steve N Lee<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPBJ7By0sq_p4jz_MlTOvdauYp-OPyPtj12JYmy-vZd91yvCReHVN7nMeF5DAPgQ2NZb5fbugwSBzjXLVuu_wTX2RzTrUCGvjkF68R48qBKEmK8cQYkss6tRQG6TjxFVznCJmSvYQMrrEOa2Wv3hjLDSG5HPktUp8SJxT7jL7rpQx8RBnZ11mLJ9t/s1500/To-Dream-of-Shadows-926-1500-PS33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPBJ7By0sq_p4jz_MlTOvdauYp-OPyPtj12JYmy-vZd91yvCReHVN7nMeF5DAPgQ2NZb5fbugwSBzjXLVuu_wTX2RzTrUCGvjkF68R48qBKEmK8cQYkss6tRQG6TjxFVznCJmSvYQMrrEOa2Wv3hjLDSG5HPktUp8SJxT7jL7rpQx8RBnZ11mLJ9t/w396-h640/To-Dream-of-Shadows-926-1500-PS33.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's been a minute since I last blogged. Mainly it's because I've been busy with travel and other activities, and I've had a little technical trouble with my blog. I thought I was going to have to email Linda, better known as <b><a href="https://www.myfairyblogmother.com/" target="_blank">My Fairy Blog Mother</a></b>, but I eventually figured out the problem. I still should've called Linda, though, because she would've fixed the bug in five minutes!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'm preparing a rather long blog post about a few of my activities,</b> and most of it is all about gardening. Here is a little preview:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_fqp3uDfXuGK_osX10O2X-0Q-B_t_2ZzUbT3Ol0f25gBbhzEN4hNACdrsSp42yACbqhb8i2w4Y5gWckFMmnE37eet_vnt5d0TL1aM3Ssx7rem44wjL80YwXbgEMqY1Fxzp9_Fa2ahH7GoEuoede_eZWifd7PCCuq_2YFdT_fqQqeJl2UHMNRWoIU/s3024/IMG_6277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_fqp3uDfXuGK_osX10O2X-0Q-B_t_2ZzUbT3Ol0f25gBbhzEN4hNACdrsSp42yACbqhb8i2w4Y5gWckFMmnE37eet_vnt5d0TL1aM3Ssx7rem44wjL80YwXbgEMqY1Fxzp9_Fa2ahH7GoEuoede_eZWifd7PCCuq_2YFdT_fqQqeJl2UHMNRWoIU/w400-h400/IMG_6277.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">You can expect my May Flowers post next week.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I'll send a TinyLetter notification when it's live.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, on with today's <b>What I'm Reading Wednesday</b> feature, <i>To Dream of Shadows</i>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Memorial Day is a little over a week away, so now's the time to start your summer reading list if you haven't already. Steve has sent me an excerpt by request because y'all enjoy reading them. The reason I wanted to feature it is because many of you enjoy historical fiction, especially set during World War II.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So take a minute to refill your coffee mug, and get settled. I hope you enjoy reading it! Let me know if you decide to get a copy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">But before reading the excerpt, please read a little about the book and Steve.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">About <i>To Dream of Shadows</i></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She will save hundreds of lives. But can she save her own?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inspired by a previously untold true story.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1943. 18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. There, she suffers month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Reich's poison since childhood, but nowadays, he covertly helps prisoners.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can't resist being drawn to one another. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life — together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But their relationship does not go unnoticed. For Inge and Heinz, falling in love becomes a death sentence. And not just for them, but for all those they care about.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unless…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inge makes an unthinkable sacrifice.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Set during history’s darkest hour, <i>To Dream Of Shadows</i> is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Discover one of the most heartwarming, heartbreaking, and heroic tales of the Holocaust. Discover <i>To Dream Of Shadows</i>.</span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(This novel was released on April 16th.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6zcaxc2SGy6N4Z0pCV2Ciasd_qNfHXPMjvgJ1Vuy6T5rpRpGKju7MDwyOdXUOwrZWgKL2Mbd0bQ51u0hfaweFf7awLsxgpV3-nbNUWw-cIPvn0VZs5JUX0XoOs0zBbEI8Q7Xekd-VQyEVHQULgd4BX1dyIa2k-M78XM25-mfk1xvmSLm-0HN4ZCr/s1080/coffee%20press.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6zcaxc2SGy6N4Z0pCV2Ciasd_qNfHXPMjvgJ1Vuy6T5rpRpGKju7MDwyOdXUOwrZWgKL2Mbd0bQ51u0hfaweFf7awLsxgpV3-nbNUWw-cIPvn0VZs5JUX0XoOs0zBbEI8Q7Xekd-VQyEVHQULgd4BX1dyIa2k-M78XM25-mfk1xvmSLm-0HN4ZCr/s320/coffee%20press.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b>About Steve:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsQ9HtMAb1imimHiOGgLfvcVQsU3wWvwmj0QdNFcmfB_jCHP5zwqSFm3WtJL-MSyU72bMi_c40pvDIULUGRSQtMpCojC9GcnSDkI_zDcW7iFWBuxdLg52WU28UDNGr7T4_wnp5HrV4DFKIhyXyCbBnel3Im8DHM3w_Cg6t5qis8eCm5K7TJrlyrF2/s600/Web-Steve-N-Lee-Author-Photo-452-600-PS44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsQ9HtMAb1imimHiOGgLfvcVQsU3wWvwmj0QdNFcmfB_jCHP5zwqSFm3WtJL-MSyU72bMi_c40pvDIULUGRSQtMpCojC9GcnSDkI_zDcW7iFWBuxdLg52WU28UDNGr7T4_wnp5HrV4DFKIhyXyCbBnel3Im8DHM3w_Cg6t5qis8eCm5K7TJrlyrF2/s320/Web-Steve-N-Lee-Author-Photo-452-600-PS44.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Apart from animals and writing, Steve’s passion is travel. He’s visited 60 countries and enjoyed some amazing experiences, including cage-diving with great white sharks, sparring with a monk at a Shaolin temple, and watching a turtle lay eggs on a moonlit beach. He’s explored Machu Picchu, Pompeii, and the Great Wall of China, yet for all that, he’s a man of simple tastes — give him an egg sandwich and the TV remote control, and he’ll be happy for hours!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He lives in the North of England with his partner, Ania, and two black cats who arrived in the garden one day and liked it so much, they stayed. Graciously, the cats allow Steve and Ania to stay in 'their' house.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Excerpt:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inge Zaleska wiped the sweat off her face on the short sleeve of her pink-and-white striped dress. She panted, even though she was doing nothing but sitting on her suitcase with her back against the side of the cattle car. Cursing under her breath, she glared at the tiny window crisscrossed with barbed wire high in the far left corner. The thing was worse than useless with eighty-six people crammed in the car under the baking sun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She raked her fingers through her long, greasy black hair, pulling the straggly mess away from her face. Would it ever be silky soft again?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grimacing, she struggled to flex her left shoulder, Mrs. Karkowski having slumped against it asleep again. The unbearable stuffiness saw many of the older travelers constantly dozing. Inge circled her shoulder, fighting to relieve the ache without disturbing her friend’s slumber. The pain didn’t go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’m sorry, Mrs. Karkowski, but I have to move.” Inge eased Mrs. Karkowski’s head up, but instead of the old lady waking and greeting Inge with a wrinkled smile, clouded eyes stared like frozen millponds. Inge gasped and lurched away, bumping Mama on her other side.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mrs. Karkowski crumpled over her knees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mama pulled Inge closer and shielded Inge’s younger sister. “Don’t look, Agata.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Agata buried her face in Mama’s shoulder.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Robert, Inge’s stocky older brother, and a man in a blue shirt picked up the body.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Robert shouted, “Dead coming through.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The sea of people parted, squashing themselves together just enough to create a narrow aisle to the far right corner. The two men shuffled along it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dead coming through. What a horrible and degrading send-off for a dignified woman. The only thing worse was how such a horrendous statement had become so commonplace that it was now more likely to irritate people at the inconvenience of having to move than to bring tears to their eyes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the corner, the men dumped the old lady on top of the other six bodies piled there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Glassy-eyed, Agata said, “Why are they doing this, Mama?”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mama stroked Agata’s short brown hair. “Don’t wonder about the bad things that are happening, sweetheart. Wonder about all the good things we’ll have when we’re resettled.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“But I don’t want to be resettled. I want our old home, and my old school, and my old friends.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inge clasped Agata’s hand. “It’ll be fun, Aga. That nasty bully Vera Bosakova won’t be in your class anymore, you won’t have math with that horrible Mr. Sliz, and ice cream is half the price in the new place, isn’t it, Mama?”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“That’s what I heard.” Mama stroked Agata’s hair again and smiled at Inge. But her eyes didn’t smile. Inge could tell she was fighting to make it look genuine — fighting with all her might because of her love for her family — but such sadness lay in her eyes. Sadness Inge had never seen before. As if someone had said the sun was never going to shine again, so they’d spend the rest of their lives in darkness.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Someone shouted from the far side of the car, “Toilet bucket!”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A moment later, a bespectacled man passed a metal bucket to Mama, who passed it to Inge. The contents sloshed around and the stench clogged her nostrils. Holding the bucket at arm’s length, Inge screwed up her face and quickly passed it to the chubby man who’d spread into Mrs. Karkowski’s space.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The bucket reached a middle-aged woman who wept as she squatted over it, screened by a bald man and a boy encircling her with their jackets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Three days ago, Inge had cried too when she’d had to relieve herself surrounded by so many strangers. Now, despite the revulsion and embarrassment, she was almost thankful for the bucket — its stink helped mask the one coming from the corner of the dead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Robert crouched and nodded over his shoulder. “Someone saw a road sign through one of the cracks and thinks they recognized the name — a town in Latvia.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Latvia?” asked Mama. “Where the devil are they resettling us?”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I don’t want to go to Latvia.” Agata clutched Mama.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inge let her head fall against the side of the car and closed her eyes. Okay, so the journey was horrendous, but hadn’t she always dreamed of traveling? Wasn’t that why she’d studied languages so diligently? And now, here she was traveling. Of course, she’d pictured a luxury passenger carriage, not a cattle car, but travel was travel. Maybe this “resettlement” would be a good thing. A golden opportunity to start fresh.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes, that was it. She smirked. This wasn’t the end of her life — the way Agata imagined — but the start of it. A life filled with wonder and adventure.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So where was this adventure going to take her?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtJ3YjMTgq-IKHgrIK_Y_ro5id_UBkLuHJ4jTeBjA2jtrn9zFg0l9ABcFFBRifUXS2kWI19lUayf6ez9Ex8AMZnhmeKwVvXVqG8oQm2SrUB8u-PrJxzCJZOhZ2mLdn6gTRc5tETBDaAto1cVEnar0LDDP7DV0Vgyt6ziu9qVN_N5O9ogQZ7WgXfSZ/s3949/01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3949" data-original-width="2728" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtJ3YjMTgq-IKHgrIK_Y_ro5id_UBkLuHJ4jTeBjA2jtrn9zFg0l9ABcFFBRifUXS2kWI19lUayf6ez9Ex8AMZnhmeKwVvXVqG8oQm2SrUB8u-PrJxzCJZOhZ2mLdn6gTRc5tETBDaAto1cVEnar0LDDP7DV0Vgyt6ziu9qVN_N5O9ogQZ7WgXfSZ/s320/01.png" width="221" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Y'all know that I normally only post links for IndieBound, but because Steve has had so much patience with me, I'm posting several links for purchasing his novel.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amazon US - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VTHBTGC/&source=gmail&ust=1684420509075000&usg=AOvVaw0fBHNiJNfVgNYPAH6p-mPj" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VTHBTGC/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/dp/<wbr></wbr>B09VTHBTGC/</a></span><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amazon UK - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09VTHBTGC/&source=gmail&ust=1684420509075000&usg=AOvVaw0ngQLtAwfmzsk9sLdRkJhT" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09VTHBTGC/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/<wbr></wbr>B09VTHBTGC/</a></span><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amazon CA - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09VTHBTGC/&source=gmail&ust=1684420509075000&usg=AOvVaw0eafIu2WQO6wUZjoSTt8Fg" href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09VTHBTGC/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.ca/dp/<wbr></wbr>B09VTHBTGC/</a></span><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amazon AU - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09VTHBTGC/&source=gmail&ust=1684420509075000&usg=AOvVaw3D9Wc-X7v5Kr1Rj_1Vt4gd" href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09VTHBTGC/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/<wbr></wbr>B09VTHBTGC/</a></span><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Barnes & Noble - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-dream-of-shadows-steve-n-lee/1141243001&source=gmail&ust=1684420509075000&usg=AOvVaw0fXola1IMj-XXX9mzfb5uL" href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-dream-of-shadows-steve-n-lee/1141243001" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.barnesandnoble.<wbr></wbr>com/w/to-dream-of-shadows-<wbr></wbr>steve-n-lee/1141243001</a></span><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">iBooks - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://books.apple.com/us/book/to-dream-of-shadows/id1615041765&source=gmail&ust=1684420509075000&usg=AOvVaw0I4-XUjwaPPIDu-L6ay4mo" href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/to-dream-of-shadows/id1615041765" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://books.apple.com/us/<wbr></wbr>book/to-dream-of-shadows/<wbr></wbr>id1615041765</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Google Play - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Steve_N_Lee_To_Dream_of_Shadows?id%3DAP5kEAAAQBAJ&source=gmail&ust=1684420509075000&usg=AOvVaw1i3B9cwog7yHJvMnC6vyj2" href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Steve_N_Lee_To_Dream_of_Shadows?id=AP5kEAAAQBAJ" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://play.google.com/store/<wbr></wbr>books/details/Steve_N_Lee_To_<wbr></wbr>Dream_of_Shadows?id=<wbr></wbr>AP5kEAAAQBAJ</a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf-uAO4QOgPOO9LE8-lucmmGZ1GS4ZDEh1P1i328Gk8u-qoyYKkHVixrOQGpi5MKB6XN3Dui0GW-WvO6osBQwjNciWhFecpUEDGiZwWCyTZYzTjedyq071eZZ7skm3aE00fBa8CsXBSmTc82_vLooEP0z1jHFQzPx4cf0sbDaoMoaaQFq7Y5gi-JA/s3000/07.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2916" data-original-width="3000" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf-uAO4QOgPOO9LE8-lucmmGZ1GS4ZDEh1P1i328Gk8u-qoyYKkHVixrOQGpi5MKB6XN3Dui0GW-WvO6osBQwjNciWhFecpUEDGiZwWCyTZYzTjedyq071eZZ7skm3aE00fBa8CsXBSmTc82_vLooEP0z1jHFQzPx4cf0sbDaoMoaaQFq7Y5gi-JA/s320/07.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy reading!<br />Ricki Jill</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2