tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44965591918874639092024-03-17T06:24:22.656+00:00March House Books BlogA celebration of vintage books, greetings cards, vintage postcards, ephemera and many other wondrous things. Together with guest bloggers, musings of a bookseller, bookmarks, inscriptions and other bits and bobs. Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.comBlogger536125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-34188922971677661892017-12-31T08:30:00.002+00:002021-01-14T17:37:37.852+00:00Happy New Year<div class="MsoNormal">
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Just calling in to wish you all a very, very Happy New Year
and to let you know I will be away from my blog for a while. I’ve so enjoyed visiting all your blogs this year,
and I thank you for visiting me here. Your comments always make me smile and sometimes
laugh out loud. More often than not, they make me think and send me off to do
more research! I’ve learnt so much from each of you, and I’m immensely grateful
to be part of this great big blogging community. Most of all I thank you for
your friendship which I value more than you can know. I hope the new year brings you all much happiness and
love.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFzXqFvxhVFzgkLdHE9MXQsgjE7v-kx_thQK6J7dxjVs2rSUBvi3plXI9eEEGBrMmNSeqcdg-wq089alwEgl6DwCLoAuQlohYHKDeG6lZvJf0Ylbdw5i5PFyK3w8B3k-bZ_IQvjBaRdjw/s1600/New+Year+Card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFzXqFvxhVFzgkLdHE9MXQsgjE7v-kx_thQK6J7dxjVs2rSUBvi3plXI9eEEGBrMmNSeqcdg-wq089alwEgl6DwCLoAuQlohYHKDeG6lZvJf0Ylbdw5i5PFyK3w8B3k-bZ_IQvjBaRdjw/s1600/New+Year+Card.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyCGwOivYsc5T3RsI_wvi1Jhgp0Nx7RTgEtL3oGyxHVSCxFotECkjQXYQ661V2hBH66fZMke4bp_Y23beR4w-R5EPFZ_Wpayq1R7IYmcubsiFQCeAk54ernBI2TiNogCKVD4g-MWbLmRa/s1600/newYearcard1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyCGwOivYsc5T3RsI_wvi1Jhgp0Nx7RTgEtL3oGyxHVSCxFotECkjQXYQ661V2hBH66fZMke4bp_Y23beR4w-R5EPFZ_Wpayq1R7IYmcubsiFQCeAk54ernBI2TiNogCKVD4g-MWbLmRa/s1600/newYearcard1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Vintage cards from my collection.</span></div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com122tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-13139074476057067672017-12-24T08:30:00.002+00:002023-01-31T17:27:01.480+00:00Advent Calendar Day 24: The Night Before Christmas<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL-JeP_U0qAw3c0LIBDx6FSE7knImp3Aqva6_5GLWFkkGli5BraAflbDD7dgUfPOb242Y2ci_JJNzcfhTkb_Pafp-ykyrIP89eWwgqJKwcSV73CBULlLd9JXoyUlLzbz4VxqxKotE0WNO/s1600/card+from+Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL-JeP_U0qAw3c0LIBDx6FSE7knImp3Aqva6_5GLWFkkGli5BraAflbDD7dgUfPOb242Y2ci_JJNzcfhTkb_Pafp-ykyrIP89eWwgqJKwcSV73CBULlLd9JXoyUlLzbz4VxqxKotE0WNO/s1600/card+from+Mary.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Card www.alexclarkart.co.uk)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I offer you this little poem with humble apologies to Clement C Moore whose words I’ve abused.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the hen-house</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The stockings were hung on the rafters with care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The sheep were nestled all snug in their beds,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> While visions of silage danced in their heads;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> And cat in her basket (not on a lap),</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The chickens sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Away to the door they flew like a flash,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Tore open the catches which was rather rash!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> When what to their wondering eyes should appear,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> But a wily old fox who filled them with fear,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> He was a little old fox, but lively and quick,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> With sharp little teeth and a tongue that could flick!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">More rapid than eagles he charged through the door,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Creating a clang and a clatter and such an uproar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> A quick-thinking chicken jumped on his back,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> And the sheep and the cat went on the attack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> To the top of the hen house! To the top of the wall!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> They sprang through the door to make their escape,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Leaving the wily old fox far behind (in their wake).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> But they heard him exclaim, ere he slunk out of sight,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!!!</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> With thanks to our friends and neighbours Mary and John for the Christmas card which inspired this post.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1zs-Wi3wpLQdjw3ApiSwV7HwFOJK5rdxWZ5CssxYOYMpmQa6KzAFlJZttGC5vkUmQ9LqywQxJRoVh97RwJ45CC7PZNziB6f7oPBoU7I-mNOVXILMKZtnaUHiHwa1_pD-8R09rmoJcxZm/s1600/IMG_2750-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1zs-Wi3wpLQdjw3ApiSwV7HwFOJK5rdxWZ5CssxYOYMpmQa6KzAFlJZttGC5vkUmQ9LqywQxJRoVh97RwJ45CC7PZNziB6f7oPBoU7I-mNOVXILMKZtnaUHiHwa1_pD-8R09rmoJcxZm/s1600/IMG_2750-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Christmas tree in the corner of the room is twinkling away, presents wrapped, shopping done and feet up!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5bkFphUClK4QceG6WUO0yhHgNnaJUCSO0psYYQSur5Tc00h0liBpYvL2SPJ4ecl0twjzuu60nTVkwVfx9hRwczGQ22j6rFsOFYLmYUItx4xX7UaOcRP0NmF65g379QH4an3jB88IgS1h/s1600/IMG_2752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5bkFphUClK4QceG6WUO0yhHgNnaJUCSO0psYYQSur5Tc00h0liBpYvL2SPJ4ecl0twjzuu60nTVkwVfx9hRwczGQ22j6rFsOFYLmYUItx4xX7UaOcRP0NmF65g379QH4an3jB88IgS1h/s1600/IMG_2752.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Our grandson Tris is spending a few days with us, and tomorrow the three of us will join Terry’s parents for a slap-up meal in a pub close to where they live. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1e1t7SXj4OQKg1NPwokdwZHwV5f3Kl3Oi6KWb16nkeCQLA7JyWDFF0g4z4yY1wEL5dpJBe3hAwx0DyNxMGbokaYoFxZnfu7LgN1-_dckr1tWYiLTzZ6331O3O6MGVQZNSvFt4XQ0r0rd/s1600/Xmas+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1e1t7SXj4OQKg1NPwokdwZHwV5f3Kl3Oi6KWb16nkeCQLA7JyWDFF0g4z4yY1wEL5dpJBe3hAwx0DyNxMGbokaYoFxZnfu7LgN1-_dckr1tWYiLTzZ6331O3O6MGVQZNSvFt4XQ0r0rd/s1600/Xmas+card.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Vintage card from my collection)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This will be my last link to <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.com/2014/12/ding-dong.html" target="_blank">Julie's advent calendar</a> (thank you Julie), and all that remains now is to wish you all the very happiest of happy Christmases. Thank you to everyone who visited my blog in 2017, to those who left comments and those who didn’t. </span></div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-57485582502997229932017-12-23T08:30:00.001+00:002023-01-31T17:28:25.287+00:00Advent Calendar Day 23: Nativity<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’ve always loved school nativities and never more so than when our son and later his sons were in them. I don’t think our little granddaughters in Australia have taken part yet, but I’m sure it can only be a matter of time. It’s a lovely tradition and one I hope will continue long into the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrIgDm42zs5soAABDQ-etWd-7goGYe2FRcOF1KRcn_Qdyz7z14uxz1sHdVR6Q03Cp6IohkvUeTcWvCIw7JtjyWo817wIiHOhsHWRkpL_8ULeeeX4tWShuuai1cTmOKXd7AFwD7dp0Yf-a/s1600/Kip+Nativity+1996+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrIgDm42zs5soAABDQ-etWd-7goGYe2FRcOF1KRcn_Qdyz7z14uxz1sHdVR6Q03Cp6IohkvUeTcWvCIw7JtjyWo817wIiHOhsHWRkpL_8ULeeeX4tWShuuai1cTmOKXd7AFwD7dp0Yf-a/s1600/Kip+Nativity+1996+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Christmas 1996: Our grandson Kip is the little boy on the far left of the picture (third row from the front). </span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.com/2014/12/ding-dong.html">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow. </span>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-29634130318128520892017-12-22T08:30:00.002+00:002023-01-31T17:28:56.236+00:00Advent Calendar Day 22: Father Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5swFJfqmyrudqSN3J97prcx5LV9QFEde6t4GcIfWTyefCJpecZBD-0HeSy7aGpb-1Ps1rrZqw6Me1Weig6fxjIYjN5xCPnBGW3TrH9lIu_FJk1goW_nSDaeGi6wDGHy_v2xBQTTOKjBZ/s1600/mummykissingsanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5swFJfqmyrudqSN3J97prcx5LV9QFEde6t4GcIfWTyefCJpecZBD-0HeSy7aGpb-1Ps1rrZqw6Me1Weig6fxjIYjN5xCPnBGW3TrH9lIu_FJk1goW_nSDaeGi6wDGHy_v2xBQTTOKjBZ/s1600/mummykissingsanta.jpg" /></a></div>
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This piece of sheet music brings back so many memories. I’m five years old the Christmas tree in the corner is twinkling with lights. More lights are strung along the beams. Sprigs of Holly are on top of all the pictures and in a big vase on the piano. The Christmas cake is iced, and the turkey is in the oven. The Beverly Sisters are on the radio singing about mummy kissing Santa Clause, and my own mum is joining in on the piano. As much as I loved the song, I always wondered why mummy would be kissing Santa Clause. It was some years later when I worked out Santa was actually daddy in a Santa suit, for a while there I thought mummy was up to no good. 😅<br />
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How I remember the song </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfFvOO4aEd5VYpRXFx0IKbkqk9TSZ9TUDCek0gr48xz5aaTOV50y3Z0KY2tC08nAH8MiE4x0zFQV1uSbapcSZYXPZmYKupwu364Vby8Ha0ysfloJEjnrks5csIG6QHUntF9erzz7Rz0Z2/s1600/santas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfFvOO4aEd5VYpRXFx0IKbkqk9TSZ9TUDCek0gr48xz5aaTOV50y3Z0KY2tC08nAH8MiE4x0zFQV1uSbapcSZYXPZmYKupwu364Vby8Ha0ysfloJEjnrks5csIG6QHUntF9erzz7Rz0Z2/s1600/santas.jpg" /></a></div>
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These images come from a scrapbook which belonged to a little boy by the name of Teddy. I never knew him, but from an inscription on the first page, I know that his mummy and daddy gave him the scrapbook in 1933. I shared some images from it on the <a href="http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/advent-calendar-day-1-letterbox.html" target="_blank">1st December</a>, and today I would like to share a few more...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrVN_19ZoFTRYVBKbOB4Zjhyr39WJ4AbdcDvYcBIHEWJJl5QMDewGnMzGuMfg-mrI-99FB9n5wsX75SVAY0h_L6KiscobLsozDCcRFfh7yizZo12sDNOCI9f3YLOQm6mkhfpsjp11qBkq/s1600/IMG_2668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrVN_19ZoFTRYVBKbOB4Zjhyr39WJ4AbdcDvYcBIHEWJJl5QMDewGnMzGuMfg-mrI-99FB9n5wsX75SVAY0h_L6KiscobLsozDCcRFfh7yizZo12sDNOCI9f3YLOQm6mkhfpsjp11qBkq/s1600/IMG_2668.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuNP97dgjOTRf-0uhmNh4FCApEZHGez2l7n21cF7zf9xK3xWJqNvHnYr5STXnjE70fMC67jXamQKwWSvGGCNksScVFbsGnfAaMTHKLSSJosq8dTPa5ygnU8JFS9Saa6sni6epL9gzVmri/s1600/ChristmasCards-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuNP97dgjOTRf-0uhmNh4FCApEZHGez2l7n21cF7zf9xK3xWJqNvHnYr5STXnjE70fMC67jXamQKwWSvGGCNksScVFbsGnfAaMTHKLSSJosq8dTPa5ygnU8JFS9Saa6sni6epL9gzVmri/s1600/ChristmasCards-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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And finally, Christmas 1981 with our son Steven playing Father Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbs83-ewsyiPFwrUd7O9coDX6ckfbsI5TunXtlQqr75MuUK3IBGhsvbjxb66MphlfKzVuQ76JQg0396Co0S9LSDhM7D_5ySzt1nyLdiMYdtxI4BbAZa0wi7bipTCbbL4S1bNIAjkEf-tp/s1600/Steven+as+father+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbs83-ewsyiPFwrUd7O9coDX6ckfbsI5TunXtlQqr75MuUK3IBGhsvbjxb66MphlfKzVuQ76JQg0396Co0S9LSDhM7D_5ySzt1nyLdiMYdtxI4BbAZa0wi7bipTCbbL4S1bNIAjkEf-tp/s1600/Steven+as+father+christmas.jpg" /></a></div>
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We are meeting our grandson at Bristol airport this morning
so please forgive me if I’m a little slow at replying to comments or visiting
your blogs. He is flying down from Edinburgh to spend Christmas with us before
leaving again for an overseas posting. He joined the British Army earlier in
the year and has done very well. I will visit you all as soon as I can. </div>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.com/2014/12/ding-dong.html">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow. </div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-38321536849801879102017-12-21T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-21T08:30:00.322+00:00Advent Calendar Day 21: Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wander in a valley full of mist today, In cloud so low I feel its breath.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmJOmpKb7_XmxHFMB6bNlHC1g0o4zCpNrK6iumuJ6C-RIQjU9trmAmeJTi9GkPSk7U3mKRjjfb1rjeNlT3AVubVk9kD9RFnHNKg_rZXqOWuJlT-t1bvECnnESph12X8_DOhoFkMmK8GXx/s1600/Diamonds+in+the+Hedgerow--12+%2528002%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmJOmpKb7_XmxHFMB6bNlHC1g0o4zCpNrK6iumuJ6C-RIQjU9trmAmeJTi9GkPSk7U3mKRjjfb1rjeNlT3AVubVk9kD9RFnHNKg_rZXqOWuJlT-t1bvECnnESph12X8_DOhoFkMmK8GXx/s1600/Diamonds+in+the+Hedgerow--12+%2528002%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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If you are a regular reader of my blog, you might well recognise the above photograph. I first shared it in January of this year, along with several other photographs taken by my husband. If you would like to see more, please <a href="https://terryfisherphotography.wordpress.com/2016/12/30/diamonds-in-the-hedgerow/" target="_blank">visit </a></span></div>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow. </span>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-88926833205118732462017-12-20T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-20T08:31:13.822+00:00Advent Calendar Day 20: Wrapped Present(s)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UcL27o0Ufir7IwMJ6wfohNz321RQGcIVUWGn1PNIG4ZxMUHrhh3In9cfdyR6XSUyCXPuudFfQSY_YnLYdWJ9xTYa4NzFPAIfWdYBXjk8TTe7r_4sPmdGEFz5qvsICORKBrxZpLAgjjHh/s1600/ChristmasPictureNotUsedFromOurDarlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UcL27o0Ufir7IwMJ6wfohNz321RQGcIVUWGn1PNIG4ZxMUHrhh3In9cfdyR6XSUyCXPuudFfQSY_YnLYdWJ9xTYa4NzFPAIfWdYBXjk8TTe7r_4sPmdGEFz5qvsICORKBrxZpLAgjjHh/s1600/ChristmasPictureNotUsedFromOurDarlings.jpg" /></a></div>
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Don’t you just love this image from the front cover of Our
Darlings a children’s annual published in the 1920s? It makes me smile because the presents are not so much wrapped as
unwrapped. I wonder if Santa was in a hurry that year or just running out of time.</span>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow. </span></div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-35265341839883705612017-12-19T08:30:00.000+00:002019-10-29T08:40:04.171+00:00Advent Calendar Day 19: Stocking or Christmas Sack<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I had to smile at this;</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruihJ_9oC_OBLyFmt5GQpAG1dhjIqPNvTPjf6b8LMpiBMgCPCSePY5K46IfWBoulaBrKfZLlyz-VUTPxptbbHbH3P3qHteHUbtq0WVpKFTXvg626oGsZwHIIc3oldA2v_QY_9ICofmvpV/s1600/sack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruihJ_9oC_OBLyFmt5GQpAG1dhjIqPNvTPjf6b8LMpiBMgCPCSePY5K46IfWBoulaBrKfZLlyz-VUTPxptbbHbH3P3qHteHUbtq0WVpKFTXvg626oGsZwHIIc3oldA2v_QY_9ICofmvpV/s1600/sack.jpg" /></a></div>
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Image: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/471139922/christmas-sack-for-adults-pinterest-is-a?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=christmas%20stockings&ref=sr_gallery_47" target="_blank">Etsy</a></div>
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The seller obviously has a sense of humour describing the sack thus; A funny Christmas sack for everyone who has ever tried to recreate the elaborate gift-wrapping you see on Pinterest. Even if your efforts are a bit shoddy in comparison, this modern rustic sack should make up for it. A really nice touch on Christmas morning, to spread some laughter as you unwrap your presents.</span></div>
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I'm more a sheet of wrapping paper and some sticky tape kind of person...how about you? Have you ever tried any of these ideas from Pinterest?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzdcXvsC-iphfnV1VEAMmuPrf0rA-HISKQyWFcAKkhYhqq77VVpVq1jXESdtwqW0_Qw-JwnsKcAcsvTK_c8o6RKumTBTqTZ56kH6vMhPGNWaNUOL1h-rMJP6-pxUYLpEXTSNXqeA_F0nu/s1600/Old-Sweater-Gift-Bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzdcXvsC-iphfnV1VEAMmuPrf0rA-HISKQyWFcAKkhYhqq77VVpVq1jXESdtwqW0_Qw-JwnsKcAcsvTK_c8o6RKumTBTqTZ56kH6vMhPGNWaNUOL1h-rMJP6-pxUYLpEXTSNXqeA_F0nu/s1600/Old-Sweater-Gift-Bag.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=christmas%20wrapped%20presents&rs=typed&term_meta[]=christmas%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=wrapped%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=presents%7Ctyped" target="_blank">Gift wrapped in an old sweater.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYmGXU96r_ovfr1SB1Ncd7sZglptT-C8MHGcExuwX8SFURCHgVrZOY7dE_8bmvxND0mhb5Z4UE6LLLoBKepp_J_nAn9dx4qpxgf-a0pHKGwfGoC6AYpX-qV6mJG91JrMfi966DxBV2udE/s1600/handmade+rose+garland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYmGXU96r_ovfr1SB1Ncd7sZglptT-C8MHGcExuwX8SFURCHgVrZOY7dE_8bmvxND0mhb5Z4UE6LLLoBKepp_J_nAn9dx4qpxgf-a0pHKGwfGoC6AYpX-qV6mJG91JrMfi966DxBV2udE/s1600/handmade+rose+garland.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=christmas%20wrapped%20presents&rs=typed&term_meta[]=christmas%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=wrapped%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=presents%7Ctyped" target="_blank">Handmade rose garland.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRR4QJAmSxK0fTfu7HrsBCSmc2nC46s8FkmolTjAe2EAB_GMjXIujWG0nfmg-dxt7RLT3WElejUx5DPwoFZj4EDTcsmR7EoXR9Z-E58iB-BArjsmvQYWMruvzr_ZK9S_a6zQ-yqOHf5V3/s1600/gold+and+white+details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRR4QJAmSxK0fTfu7HrsBCSmc2nC46s8FkmolTjAe2EAB_GMjXIujWG0nfmg-dxt7RLT3WElejUx5DPwoFZj4EDTcsmR7EoXR9Z-E58iB-BArjsmvQYWMruvzr_ZK9S_a6zQ-yqOHf5V3/s1600/gold+and+white+details.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=christmas%20wrapped%20presents&rs=typed&term_meta[]=christmas%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=wrapped%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=presents%7Ctyped" target="_blank">Personalised Box.</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkll2PUBwK_xy5VULIo8yEi83FCYp3rdud6R5pXL5HYwUqtTW3VFwqIVB2J0FMMx2jXS_v60R_TrI074ATY6P0tmhyphenhyphenBAszsjMiiGtO91UDz33nIURB04DHRvf-_9kd_JJnk8zVOvSRd99/s1600/parcels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkll2PUBwK_xy5VULIo8yEi83FCYp3rdud6R5pXL5HYwUqtTW3VFwqIVB2J0FMMx2jXS_v60R_TrI074ATY6P0tmhyphenhyphenBAszsjMiiGtO91UDz33nIURB04DHRvf-_9kd_JJnk8zVOvSRd99/s1600/parcels.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=christmas%20wrapped%20presents&rs=typed&term_meta[]=christmas%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=wrapped%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=presents%7Ctyped" target="_blank">My Personal Favourite.</a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remember there are only six more sleeps until Christmas. Time to get on with wrapping those presents. 😉</span></span></div>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.</span>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-85603053516682599292017-12-18T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-18T16:09:49.710+00:00Advent Calendar Day 18; Mistletoe<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Did you know it’s possible to 'grow your own' mistletoe? You need a suitable host tree such as an apple, hawthorn or poplar and some fresh mistletoe berries and a little luck. My dad grew some in an old apple tree, and I’ve done the same. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyHFXdI833JsdY4s5V_jWITH_sXoxj6ZFF_zpx4fe_WOQXNGVoirKKWpNSxi-dp_u14PfUDxZkqZV64-0MRtu9mbjoHGweItqiotKu91ykDCItj4s5O1dSLMoWJS2TqBPDrrMWbYwBO28/s1600/pexels-photo-533096+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyHFXdI833JsdY4s5V_jWITH_sXoxj6ZFF_zpx4fe_WOQXNGVoirKKWpNSxi-dp_u14PfUDxZkqZV64-0MRtu9mbjoHGweItqiotKu91ykDCItj4s5O1dSLMoWJS2TqBPDrrMWbYwBO28/s1600/pexels-photo-533096+-+Copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mistle Thrush in an Apple Tree - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo <a href="https://www.pexels.com/" target="_blank">Pexels</a> (Image licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gardeners will tell you to cut a little nick in the bark leaving a flap and then squidge a berry with its seed between the bark and wood. I simply rubbed some squashed berries along the branches just as a bird would do when it cleans its beak. </span></div>
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Mistletoe in our apple tree</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Months went by, and I forgot all about it, and then tiny green shoots began to appear. It took a good four to five years for little leaves to form, but then it grew rapidly, and today I found a single shining berry! It’s taken nine years, but I couldn’t be more delighted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I’m rather hoping there will be a few more berries by Christmas Eve when I will bring a bunch into the house – unless the birds get there before me! </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. </span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">More from my Advent
Calendar tomorrow. </span></div>
</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-11086473401445128792017-12-17T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-17T09:05:37.123+00:00Advent Calendar Day 17: Wrapping Paper <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I love this 2006 photo of little Rosie knee-deep in wrapping paper.</span></div>
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Rosie came to live with us when our son, daughter-in-law and grandsons moved to Denmark and subsequently </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Australia. It was either that or put her into quarantine for six months, and as
she was already an old lady, it seemed kinder to leave her with us. I’m sure
she missed her ‘real’ family, just as we did, but we smothered her with love
and attention, and she gradually settled into her new life. This all happened
more than ten years ago, since then our grandsons now in their twenties have
moved back to England. Our son and his wife divorced, Steven remarried and
remains in Australia with his second wife and their two little daughters. Rosie
lived out the autumn of her life with us and repaid our love ten times over.
She really was the sweetest girl, and we miss her still.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSisIGPcrh0z6IjqmiXivKnMus7F6wAZe3RbG6NiI_X9ldqbB09VveKoXPRO0bpKsnn_4OT3HXNlcEcmzY51Z3U5O8LOvqafP2o1N_dv13YLlpRbMpWcQ1DBN0bk-XnKzwtrjeTj8dyiA/s1600/IMG_20171124_0002-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSisIGPcrh0z6IjqmiXivKnMus7F6wAZe3RbG6NiI_X9ldqbB09VveKoXPRO0bpKsnn_4OT3HXNlcEcmzY51Z3U5O8LOvqafP2o1N_dv13YLlpRbMpWcQ1DBN0bk-XnKzwtrjeTj8dyiA/s1600/IMG_20171124_0002-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Present opening done, wrapping paper cleared away. Rosie is asleep with her new Father Christmas
toy beside her. Kip is watching TV and Tris (you might be able to see him on
the right of the picture) is looking something up on Google. This was a rare
moment of calm, between the presents and Christmas lunch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. </span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">More from my Advent
Calendar tomorrow. </span></div>
</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-16126267099107333402017-12-16T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-16T08:30:27.783+00:00Advent Calendar Day 16: Tree When Dressed<div class="MsoNormal">
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Today I’m turning back the clock to 2012. We were in
Australia for Christmas, and it was such a privilege to decorate the tree with
our two little granddaughters. Zoe took tree decorating very seriously as you
will see in this series of photos. Lilly
enjoyed it too but more than anything she liked scooting around in her little
car scattering tinsel and baubles as she went. It was such a lovely Christmas
and one we will never forget. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6c-1-oD5mCKrEq21C8kN9tLxtkKgd3QzPRDpYCrcJqdI0elZV-HGOliaB-H2UaWfB29MMNpC-nD0BB38p7Q2reZhEmtbEY5Yy-J6gqtEiWBada1UglL4CX3s4w6p7WhtjpqOt2anU5C9/s1600/_FF_4966-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6c-1-oD5mCKrEq21C8kN9tLxtkKgd3QzPRDpYCrcJqdI0elZV-HGOliaB-H2UaWfB29MMNpC-nD0BB38p7Q2reZhEmtbEY5Yy-J6gqtEiWBada1UglL4CX3s4w6p7WhtjpqOt2anU5C9/s1600/_FF_4966-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hang on a minute wouldn’t these look better on me?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlFsRYlv7MBvQbDTpwECg1WV0Wgy5aNFn-PrJp_KIdbBZRNcr4hdizlbzwZ9QCpgP-enhV7lm2wXDfRAlSJhR9QvrLWMXCcYW6ILOpWOHwgdUJX8J1ugjkBjJC2ZPXQje-hkjnD0oap_1/s1600/_FF_4964-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlFsRYlv7MBvQbDTpwECg1WV0Wgy5aNFn-PrJp_KIdbBZRNcr4hdizlbzwZ9QCpgP-enhV7lm2wXDfRAlSJhR9QvrLWMXCcYW6ILOpWOHwgdUJX8J1ugjkBjJC2ZPXQje-hkjnD0oap_1/s1600/_FF_4964-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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OK perhaps not!</div>
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Nearly done but I do need to straighten these baubles.</div>
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Other photos from that wonderful holiday <a href="http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/what-i-did-on-my-holidays-then-and-now.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. <span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-57357575931637181682017-12-15T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-15T08:30:29.880+00:00Advent Calendar Day 15: An Undressed Christmas Tree!<div style="text-align: center;">
A little tree lived in a wood</div>
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As sad as he could be,</div>
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He wanted more than anything</div>
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To be a Christmas tree.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmGzJrvyIztujyz3yg1Pt_wKlz-iZyGGAqblOIFKjE3HgUmZ9uwNhNzrh0-M9T9duPYLFulSaq88fglH92yhT-p53ekoLWO6nKl-CIAEN5aTcGHldyiRL1sEAP00s7iD65RDBlpO0xWI8/s1600/Christmascard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmGzJrvyIztujyz3yg1Pt_wKlz-iZyGGAqblOIFKjE3HgUmZ9uwNhNzrh0-M9T9duPYLFulSaq88fglH92yhT-p53ekoLWO6nKl-CIAEN5aTcGHldyiRL1sEAP00s7iD65RDBlpO0xWI8/s1600/Christmascard.jpg" /></a></div>
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He dreamed of all the coloured lights,</div>
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the sparkling tinsel, too.</div>
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And all the joy that he could bring</div>
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to little folks like you .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBsl7WKKHVC85-8g1hiT7DQTnyVSRw-QbskmqULTTgQP8bDNmn1dOLgd4rGI645cvcTm-CigKBkT0-eAy5KWm0rmCGt1gR20xDrpTqCEJKyEAV7_2YmN_oylvhTmmXY5MkSytaWaA2Mtf/s1600/Christmascard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBsl7WKKHVC85-8g1hiT7DQTnyVSRw-QbskmqULTTgQP8bDNmn1dOLgd4rGI645cvcTm-CigKBkT0-eAy5KWm0rmCGt1gR20xDrpTqCEJKyEAV7_2YmN_oylvhTmmXY5MkSytaWaA2Mtf/s1600/Christmascard1.jpg" /></a></div>
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One day some children came for him.</div>
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To take him home, and there</div>
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They dressed him in some pretty lights,</div>
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and shining Angel hair. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA55Pk682RjeV54zZ4fVN26kpst9HsKfgNLzejeo8U6i9FcGvkmwckzFD9qpf9WVKoiPu0jnv3YRiT8ftH3NCxdhympcoz6lIDpgHMNiY5-mK6qKfvLz307xV_Qz8GQBuaD7K5S-NM3lWv/s1600/IMG_20171104_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA55Pk682RjeV54zZ4fVN26kpst9HsKfgNLzejeo8U6i9FcGvkmwckzFD9qpf9WVKoiPu0jnv3YRiT8ftH3NCxdhympcoz6lIDpgHMNiY5-mK6qKfvLz307xV_Qz8GQBuaD7K5S-NM3lWv/s1600/IMG_20171104_0008.jpg" /></a></div>
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He made the children happy,</div>
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for they loved the way he shone --</div>
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This was the <span style="color: red;">NICEST</span> Christmas time</div>
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that they had ever known!</div>
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Now hope YOU have a lot of fun when you dress up your tree,</div>
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Sure hope it makes your <span style="color: red;">CHRISTMAS TIME</span> as happy as can be!</div>
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Vintage Christmas card from my collection published by Hallmark Cards in Great Britain. </div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: left;">I'm linking with Julie over at </span><a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. <span style="text-align: left;"> </span>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-13246776780014502632017-12-14T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-14T16:29:01.773+00:00Advent Calendar Day 14: Christmas Crackers <div class="MsoNormal">
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Love them or hate them corny cracker jokes have become something of a tradition. In 2016, UKTV's Gold compiled a list of the best Christmas cracker jokes of the year, and today I'm going to share the top ten. Please feel free to groan your way through them, and if you know any better ones do share!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg0OTA3xP0kqc0HnZ9HErIFlSBi3G7KaeEUg4NCySDlotmzp7Q1o1gdLcbLenn7LLO_x4FvBsjpTXqV93QHCd5rugGViVPYliXhTTNpCarkNoQdTrvvldjaZi8vaYVYbnlxcOfIFnCT1D/s1600/celebration-83158_1280+%25281%2529-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg0OTA3xP0kqc0HnZ9HErIFlSBi3G7KaeEUg4NCySDlotmzp7Q1o1gdLcbLenn7LLO_x4FvBsjpTXqV93QHCd5rugGViVPYliXhTTNpCarkNoQdTrvvldjaZi8vaYVYbnlxcOfIFnCT1D/s1600/celebration-83158_1280+%25281%2529-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image: Pixabay: public domain photo</span></span></div>
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Here are the top 10: </span>
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1. How will Christmas dinner be different after Brexit? No Brussels.</span></div>
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2. What do workers at Sports Direct get for Christmas dinner? About 5 minutes.</span></div>
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3. How do you recognise a Christmas tree from BHS? All the branches have gone.</span></div>
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4. I bought my mum Mary Berry's cookbook for Christmas. I tried to get Paul Hollywood's but he'd sold out.</span></div>
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5. What's David Cameron's favourite Christmas song? All I Want For Christmas is EU.</span></div>
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6. Why has Hillary Clinton asked Santa for a 23-letter alphabet? Because she is sick of F.B and I.</span></div>
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7. Why didn't Roy Hodgson go to visit Santa at The North Pole? He couldn't get past Iceland.</span></div>
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8. Why are Jeremy Corbyn's Christmas cards on the floor? His cabinet collapsed.</span></div>
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9. Philip looks out of the window on Christmas Eve: 'That's some reindeer' he says. The Queen replies: "63 years. Yes, that is a lot." </span></div>
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10. What's the difference between the Clementine in your Christmas stocking and Donald Trump? Nothing, they're both a little orange.</span>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a></span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-71717027184114189382017-12-13T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-13T08:40:10.816+00:00Advent Calendar Day 13: First Christmas Card Received in the Post <div style="text-align: left;">
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Not just a card but a card that looks like a book and pressies too...</span></div>
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Sent by our dear friends Nicole and Martin. You may recall me mentioning Nicole in previous posts but if not you can read about her <a href="http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/guest-post-nut-and-boltbout-en-moertje.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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Nicole is an author/illustrator. This short video features one of her delightful books, with music composed by Martin.</span>
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The first snowflakes flutter down and over a village shines a bright star. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm linking with Julie over at </span><a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" style="text-align: left;">Julie's Scrapbook</a><span style="text-align: left;">. </span></span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-85137016483768150072017-12-12T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-13T11:49:16.808+00:00Advent Calendar Day 12: Angel<div class="MsoNormal">
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If you like vintage Advent Calendars, you might
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW1U8qbcvuBLa5Bh4EHoS0nDlJorXV0wTcUJ94JFxz5D7ES7csf9V1-o3eBkgeaDfdKk3QfaKscx57zJMSuPJK-n2GcBaiQe47bh4IJLHMAfcSWI2K4dR_xTjZOV5sJxUkzMpeBNfxbdR/s1600/Originaladventcalendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW1U8qbcvuBLa5Bh4EHoS0nDlJorXV0wTcUJ94JFxz5D7ES7csf9V1-o3eBkgeaDfdKk3QfaKscx57zJMSuPJK-n2GcBaiQe47bh4IJLHMAfcSWI2K4dR_xTjZOV5sJxUkzMpeBNfxbdR/s1600/Originaladventcalendar.jpg" /></a></div>
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Behind one of the doors is an angel which ties in perfectly
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjir6ua879v8Iakh-9xr3vLI_HZ7JhusMRsqLB0zZUYLBiiU_7lvC811W8EZ82-W1Zwhr9PK4mzs0PWzDxL2rAMvnG-GsGjja3rZEaouZZaah-c_08V_CNuQAMEGbk-LY2gddriQtUoDVd6/s1600/Originaladventcalendaropen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjir6ua879v8Iakh-9xr3vLI_HZ7JhusMRsqLB0zZUYLBiiU_7lvC811W8EZ82-W1Zwhr9PK4mzs0PWzDxL2rAMvnG-GsGjja3rZEaouZZaah-c_08V_CNuQAMEGbk-LY2gddriQtUoDVd6/s1600/Originaladventcalendaropen.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">I don’t think she is all that easy to find so I’ve added an extra picture.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNHa37sNW_yI4wGdImlCuo9w7vhN_QuQ9U4ltsMzz1BM8fjinJyTugJxQauC3ptewE90a4zuGhw6DAf5Lq6F2JZoD4KUyZ9bBMcjdBlSk7qV1aeJpdNxs5jnqh6_PoRu83rIbVfVIM9NI/s1600/Originaladventcalendaropen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="580" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNHa37sNW_yI4wGdImlCuo9w7vhN_QuQ9U4ltsMzz1BM8fjinJyTugJxQauC3ptewE90a4zuGhw6DAf5Lq6F2JZoD4KUyZ9bBMcjdBlSk7qV1aeJpdNxs5jnqh6_PoRu83rIbVfVIM9NI/s320/Originaladventcalendaropen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-81514161757741528962017-12-11T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-11T10:55:54.828+00:00Advent Calendar Day 11: Snowman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Each December, Terry and I meet up with my
sister and brother-in-law to swap Christmas presents, catch up on gossip and
share a nice lunch. This year we decided to meet at <a href="http://rosebourne.co.uk/garden-nursery/" target="_blank">Rosebourne</a> a garden centre
on the outskirts of Andover.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSoN_etJ0sHYjZodNnyLzjb5qoR8DGi_y6jEtJCexSIujXNXJqqKWZMe98koqhvsgxh9ZnoxJuULpiCscSETOdXIQ3tV3t_SbcRwSm0xyI2MWuQZcTfhyphenhyphenSeAaak6gsjL2elSot7-N2-5L/s1600/DSC_0033-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSoN_etJ0sHYjZodNnyLzjb5qoR8DGi_y6jEtJCexSIujXNXJqqKWZMe98koqhvsgxh9ZnoxJuULpiCscSETOdXIQ3tV3t_SbcRwSm0xyI2MWuQZcTfhyphenhyphenSeAaak6gsjL2elSot7-N2-5L/s1600/DSC_0033-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> After a delicious lunch and much laughter, we spent some time walking around looking at all the lovely things on offer, and found a group of snowmen and snowwomen. Is there a collective noun for a group of snow people?</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I can’t think of one although a family seems to fit the bill.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsfUdDWMilYwODPmRcVaY0iMoA1IImGCmu0vZPbQZS11YwKNYCzCLDskn2nqorTUM5-bHHNYW3nhv4E3lm7uLUbKzHvnHCDxYmfmaoE3zR0PJq0ZrQHMRFmJWcnNqYPT0zGa3RP6QcQgZ/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsfUdDWMilYwODPmRcVaY0iMoA1IImGCmu0vZPbQZS11YwKNYCzCLDskn2nqorTUM5-bHHNYW3nhv4E3lm7uLUbKzHvnHCDxYmfmaoE3zR0PJq0ZrQHMRFmJWcnNqYPT0zGa3RP6QcQgZ/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg" /></a></div>
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I had to smile when I saw these two. Can you feel the love?</span>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a></span><br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-13575983403139024612017-12-10T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-13T11:49:35.310+00:00Advent Calendar Day 10: Holly and Ivy<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The Holly and the Ivy:
Robert Shaw Chamber Singers. From the album, "Songs of
Angels, Christmas Hymns & Carols."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicY1i5VkNQnFNVYvI8p6QFl_NgjLwjnwquCARZ1IQAe6T0N6bTf2nkCxeywaYi8ruRT7DrJrZEOK8a3Btta8ezNwYNn9wxOZvEPNJWGcG5unGDLWotBeP_UN_wcUJdjHHHWKKvxARiyCx9/s1600/IMG_2682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicY1i5VkNQnFNVYvI8p6QFl_NgjLwjnwquCARZ1IQAe6T0N6bTf2nkCxeywaYi8ruRT7DrJrZEOK8a3Btta8ezNwYNn9wxOZvEPNJWGcG5unGDLWotBeP_UN_wcUJdjHHHWKKvxARiyCx9/s1600/IMG_2682.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4rEx2XEhIhZQdvqOpeibUGQmoXy_yhctFdvXGINBzkUfGEJrTlTEnwOH2razUYbET7Sb9N9yM9zpLAbFaDBMOL71sCnXlr5BwDv0o1PLiuQtRtZoY6JX8V0kbpt4Y7bs0umE_By5foI-/s1600/Vine_Ivy_Decoration_PNG_Clipart_Picture+-+Copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1600" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4rEx2XEhIhZQdvqOpeibUGQmoXy_yhctFdvXGINBzkUfGEJrTlTEnwOH2razUYbET7Sb9N9yM9zpLAbFaDBMOL71sCnXlr5BwDv0o1PLiuQtRtZoY6JX8V0kbpt4Y7bs0umE_By5foI-/s320/Vine_Ivy_Decoration_PNG_Clipart_Picture+-+Copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-47764587616267849422017-12-09T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-09T08:30:15.169+00:00Advent Calendar Day 9: Christmas Bauble<div style="text-align: center;">
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In this short clip Rowan Atkinson aka Mr. Bean visits Harrods in search of Christmas ornaments – enjoy!</span></div>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. </span>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-72490055569683059912017-12-08T08:30:00.000+00:002020-02-14T11:47:45.484+00:00Advent Calendar Day 8: Sleigh <div class="MsoNormal">
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I was going to share a photograph of a sleigh full of toys, but then I remembered this jigsaw puzzle and thought…aha! </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ92xe_fxsCDHnoCcCXRNVDANPs6uaBqKTnPP2-kigWPs2Lue-59_PNgYcfOZVE_Gwb2mGk6vfhcE-qN1xQMt0mII5P56oJuLWnJ_4E1vW_I7MR6H41DQjim699ElJtD3-bfmk7tyGILB/s1600/snow+queen-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ92xe_fxsCDHnoCcCXRNVDANPs6uaBqKTnPP2-kigWPs2Lue-59_PNgYcfOZVE_Gwb2mGk6vfhcE-qN1xQMt0mII5P56oJuLWnJ_4E1vW_I7MR6H41DQjim699ElJtD3-bfmk7tyGILB/s1600/snow+queen-3.jpg" /></a></div>
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It came from a charity shop, so I shouldn’t have been
surprised when I found it was missing a few pieces. What confused me was the
‘jigsaw complete’ label attached to the box. It would have made it a whole lot
simpler had I realised I was never going to find the tip of the dogs tail or
the little bird in the tree!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ9jGtGuNR-mToO2StBm3plvYJkALJYmaYqg9uxmakQNc5sVtVVL_i-sdDtUXnIZY-fX60uZ01-KEApAeqhqgN2m5n0T96UF8b2A8t1wc0uRTCRCFsDHv7JqxYKEYSiqwZzAn7sDswnBb/s1600/The+snow+queen-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ9jGtGuNR-mToO2StBm3plvYJkALJYmaYqg9uxmakQNc5sVtVVL_i-sdDtUXnIZY-fX60uZ01-KEApAeqhqgN2m5n0T96UF8b2A8t1wc0uRTCRCFsDHv7JqxYKEYSiqwZzAn7sDswnBb/s1600/The+snow+queen-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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It took a long time to complete partly because of the missing pieces and partly because it has an iridescent finish which makes it difficult to do in anything other than natural daylight (something we are short of in the winter). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLBDH5j9l2KV0W67amfhoFXqw0yFZL6lLhwNe7CM2mCFsB9ybibcEeH32u36U59yeR7hWaS60xx8KFIo1gvrhq9vu4tbmWR97XzHx2UCjODvw4leVz4e0kbOyOmPrfs1XMZUVsHT7XK9U/s1600/jigsaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="580" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLBDH5j9l2KV0W67amfhoFXqw0yFZL6lLhwNe7CM2mCFsB9ybibcEeH32u36U59yeR7hWaS60xx8KFIo1gvrhq9vu4tbmWR97XzHx2UCjODvw4leVz4e0kbOyOmPrfs1XMZUVsHT7XK9U/s400/jigsaw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I still love it even with the missing pieces, especially as the design is by Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1J0uU5UDpjCigoSQWILGqlB4PerAZyCxUwZ2LtvVSEG9g2EkyzSyNEUiKkIQmX3kQXJspQv2re6r1JbTpA-gSWKFZSkGncpiQgNOCTsIauQjSF3yL3xXYnA3ZN4_aP45fv7Y3RQiU54R/s1600/Johnstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="580" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1J0uU5UDpjCigoSQWILGqlB4PerAZyCxUwZ2LtvVSEG9g2EkyzSyNEUiKkIQmX3kQXJspQv2re6r1JbTpA-gSWKFZSkGncpiQgNOCTsIauQjSF3yL3xXYnA3ZN4_aP45fv7Y3RQiU54R/s320/Johnstone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Photograph of Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone </div>
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from Dean & Son Ltd, via Wikipedia<br />
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Janet and Anne were prolific illustrators, and their work is now eagerly collected.
I put together a bibliography of their books back in 2013. It's not been updated for a while, but you will find it <a href="http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Grahame%20Johnstone%20J%20%26%20A%20Bibliography" target="_blank">here</a> should you be interested.</span></div>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. </span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> More from my Advent
Calendar tomorrow. </span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-80183525301676986702017-12-07T08:30:00.001+00:002023-02-01T15:49:39.630+00:00Advent Calendar Day 7: BellsDing dong merrily on high, In heav'n the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky Is riv'n with angel singing ding-ding dong Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzCeyjboLrVoZQyIMf2n6jxtdS1PL1al1yJWIqPwNdPNZ9TIBT10An07Bfz2Kxl64dA6SssIlvjtgQf_PAaCJ_WZ2bbzSzYOBvZcWHiwAm9m396ywB0nZjZsokdXv0464doc_aiWF2m-p/s1600/pexels-photo-365069+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzCeyjboLrVoZQyIMf2n6jxtdS1PL1al1yJWIqPwNdPNZ9TIBT10An07Bfz2Kxl64dA6SssIlvjtgQf_PAaCJ_WZ2bbzSzYOBvZcWHiwAm9m396ywB0nZjZsokdXv0464doc_aiWF2m-p/s1600/pexels-photo-365069+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">With thanks to </span><a href="https://www.pexels.com/discover/" style="text-align: left;">Pexels</a><span style="text-align: left;"> for the image. (All images licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license).</span></span></div>
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E'en so here below, below, Let steeple bells be swungen, And "Io, io, io!" By priest and people sungen Gloria Hosanna in excelsis! </div>
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Pray you, dutifully prime<br />
Your matin chime, ye ringers,<br />
May you beautifully rime<br />
Your eve'time song, ye singers<br />
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!<br />
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Title: Ding Dong! Merrily on high<br />
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)<br />
Lyricist: George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934), English composer.</div>
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The carol was first published in 1924 in The Cambridge Carol-Book.<br />
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From: The Choral Public Domain Library<br />
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span> More from my Advent
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-41631619959367203072017-12-06T08:30:00.001+00:002021-12-05T11:41:22.336+00:00Advent Calendar Day 6: Robin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmgBYIuxceSwbFq7GWBEx9Guyc1B9_S9mQWh7sXVdEYA6nDUFtRJYwT4TjF-L7Tk2OnldD9eV9Kp8mXW3ttjRgWcRcrOMAq2kO6TSZab8jfhNKBsT1OKTr5BaMzYG5c4KfJHnzYCSspMO/s1600/robin-bird-songbird-garden-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmgBYIuxceSwbFq7GWBEx9Guyc1B9_S9mQWh7sXVdEYA6nDUFtRJYwT4TjF-L7Tk2OnldD9eV9Kp8mXW3ttjRgWcRcrOMAq2kO6TSZab8jfhNKBsT1OKTr5BaMzYG5c4KfJHnzYCSspMO/s1600/robin-bird-songbird-garden-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Our Thrushes now are silent,</div>
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Our Swallows flown away,</div>
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But Robin's here, in coat of brown,</div>
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With ruddy breast-knot gay.</div>
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Robin, Robin Redbreast,</div>
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O Robin dear!</div>
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Robin singing sweetly</div>
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In the falling of the year.</div>
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From Robin Redbreast</div>
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By William Allingham<br />
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With thanks to <a href="https://www.pexels.com/discover/">Pexels</a> for the image. (All images licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license).<br />
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie's Scrapbook</a>.<br /><br /></div>
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-69198256392994069352017-12-05T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-05T08:30:10.985+00:00Advent Calendar Day 5: Stained Glass <div style="text-align: center;">
The bells of waiting Advent ring,</div>
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The Tortoise stove is lit again</div>
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And lamp-oil light across the night</div>
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Has caught the streaks of winter rain</div>
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In many a stained-glass window sheen</div>
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From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4GLiy7CBOxlwgy9k5te-c7Yg81n4icj5OnCZi1JCq7sb5NRE6xG8vG2GSG6ptGGLtmVZtoJFekvDoB9vllU_hoaJjs1M63gIvE0faPOfBHO50eGyXPbgS7E2xBpr4_4WYuNiU3q3CZGd/s1600/pexels-photo-325225+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4GLiy7CBOxlwgy9k5te-c7Yg81n4icj5OnCZi1JCq7sb5NRE6xG8vG2GSG6ptGGLtmVZtoJFekvDoB9vllU_hoaJjs1M63gIvE0faPOfBHO50eGyXPbgS7E2xBpr4_4WYuNiU3q3CZGd/s1600/pexels-photo-325225+-+Copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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The holly in the windy hedge</div>
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And round the Manor House the yew</div>
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Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,</div>
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The altar, font and arch and pew,</div>
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So that the villagers can say</div>
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'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QWXCHFLmAZb_K4YKoNyneD_DYh9QtveKVfZmQXqg-I8rFLxdi_hTsWn5ju3C7gz6O2LT_YT41SU1FTI5elNNzvjJZIYdTG3FYSlpDiZzd8t2JFwWSnEkBGHhU_XMze7FU8RNw2dDhl4a/s1600/pexels-photo-415768+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QWXCHFLmAZb_K4YKoNyneD_DYh9QtveKVfZmQXqg-I8rFLxdi_hTsWn5ju3C7gz6O2LT_YT41SU1FTI5elNNzvjJZIYdTG3FYSlpDiZzd8t2JFwWSnEkBGHhU_XMze7FU8RNw2dDhl4a/s1600/pexels-photo-415768+-+Copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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Provincial Public Houses blaze,</div>
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Corporation tramcars clang,</div>
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On lighted tenements I gaze,</div>
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Where paper decorations hang,</div>
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And bunting in the red Town Hall</div>
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Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'.</div>
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And London shops on Christmas Eve</div>
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Are strung with silver bells and flowers</div>
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As hurrying clerks the City leave</div>
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To pigeon-haunted classic towers,</div>
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And marbled clouds go scudding by</div>
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The many-steepled London sky.</div>
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And girls in slacks remember Dad,</div>
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And oafish louts remember Mum,</div>
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And sleepless children's hearts are glad.</div>
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And Christmas-morning bells say 'Come!'</div>
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Even to shining ones who dwell</div>
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Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYFmzTou9n3ezxZntF9w1L7KKyZlFR4rZU4KPbowYU7Ff4wUBLk7FcOgzvIAYqVOqgQ7jTXyLOjcidtV4GQuEMNWwLfLlbx_D6LGqvlAwP8OQFHJ6wSdhzy4JLsJvwx1xqavoamCIr5ol/s1600/the-dorchester-hotel-christmas-exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYFmzTou9n3ezxZntF9w1L7KKyZlFR4rZU4KPbowYU7Ff4wUBLk7FcOgzvIAYqVOqgQ7jTXyLOjcidtV4GQuEMNWwLfLlbx_D6LGqvlAwP8OQFHJ6wSdhzy4JLsJvwx1xqavoamCIr5ol/s1600/the-dorchester-hotel-christmas-exterior.jpg" /></a></div>
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And is it true,</div>
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This most tremendous tale of all,</div>
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Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,</div>
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A Baby in an ox's stall ?</div>
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The Maker of the stars and sea</div>
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Become a Child on earth for me?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW73zjYroSHHr2dt92Rqj3HQwRy3VRCBsM0dHJAK8Db0H8GNWLtKjTo9ZQ0MjofnZiXT5l4GgaA8yE1Byvf9IfQSDXEF2EgTx5kHJx3atSI0eMORzWwGogO9Luc9cQxx1FrKNMGML_eoSC/s1600/stained-glass-646928_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW73zjYroSHHr2dt92Rqj3HQwRy3VRCBsM0dHJAK8Db0H8GNWLtKjTo9ZQ0MjofnZiXT5l4GgaA8yE1Byvf9IfQSDXEF2EgTx5kHJx3atSI0eMORzWwGogO9Luc9cQxx1FrKNMGML_eoSC/s1600/stained-glass-646928_1920.jpg" /></a></div>
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And is it true? For if it is,</div>
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No loving fingers tying strings</div>
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Around those tissued fripperies,</div>
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The sweet and silly Christmas things,</div>
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Bath salts and inexpensive scent</div>
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And hideous tie so kindly meant,<br />
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No love that in a family dwells,</div>
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No carolling in frosty air,</div>
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Nor all the steeple-shaking bells</div>
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Can with this single Truth compare -</div>
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That God was man in Palestine</div>
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And lives today in Bread and Wine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzQNdtdwjTgr9GUXLt3HE9nZ6rCc9Wv9-jDL9BPNXnuwr85zbAA-pGpxp3oRvrvxzrZ9r5TMpttDRzmUs2KDJoph50IE3mGy8_5AlYmkJDGFiGhGcydIx7JrrNKX41dIlwKi-zoZG7Dcz/s1600/church-window-window-church-stained-glass-390052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzQNdtdwjTgr9GUXLt3HE9nZ6rCc9Wv9-jDL9BPNXnuwr85zbAA-pGpxp3oRvrvxzrZ9r5TMpttDRzmUs2KDJoph50IE3mGy8_5AlYmkJDGFiGhGcydIx7JrrNKX41dIlwKi-zoZG7Dcz/s1600/church-window-window-church-stained-glass-390052.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: left;">Christmas: John Betjeman. F</span>rom John Betjeman's 'Collected Poems', published by John Murray.</span></div>
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With thanks to <a href="https://www.pexels.com/discover/" target="_blank">Pexels</a> for the images (All images licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license). The Dorchester Hotel image from <a href="https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/moments/?destination=London" target="_blank">Moments Blog</a>: Dorchester Hotel.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FePA5QUCO9c" width="560"></iframe></div>
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The poem 'Christmas' by John Betjeman performed by Lance Pierson</div>
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I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. </div>
More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-37053146556651477832017-12-04T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-04T08:55:40.339+00:00Advent Calendar Day 4: Christmas Book(s)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Today I'm going to re-visit a couple of Christmas books from previous posts.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1AuAlFqkxK3HhUrdUJvkq3Knoxtm7eohRe1bDwyduyPQtx47OIl3HDI3ygt60iR0f0agyQoAO-_IJRAP2ROMVi2CDvMKimJYKBP5x51UOr9UoOqooqG1i9AiuysFCbvjVmBqU_7Ftm0h/s1600/Nightbeforechristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Night Before Christmas" border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1AuAlFqkxK3HhUrdUJvkq3Knoxtm7eohRe1bDwyduyPQtx47OIl3HDI3ygt60iR0f0agyQoAO-_IJRAP2ROMVi2CDvMKimJYKBP5x51UOr9UoOqooqG1i9AiuysFCbvjVmBqU_7Ftm0h/s1600/Nightbeforechristmas.jpg" title="The Night Before Christmas" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The night before Christmas and other Christmas poems has been on my shelves for a very long time. It's in poor condition with missing plates and damage to the binding, but it was a gift from a dear friend and is very precious to me.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">More images from The Night before Christmas and other Christmas Poems </span><a href="http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/jolly-st-nick.html" style="font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqqncdsu0o_zZ0M3zPZ1g2r7Gg7ItFtsxifqx1GnFwLpi3UuUeSXNHFom2-IpE8-CwBwq9aiE3aMZViOOU5UgV0e3YG69ZMO8ab2jAosww71Ui4VNLSdgvlFhYMoMR4Zem4Jnqr37c3i-/s1600/night4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Night Before Christmas" border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqqncdsu0o_zZ0M3zPZ1g2r7Gg7ItFtsxifqx1GnFwLpi3UuUeSXNHFom2-IpE8-CwBwq9aiE3aMZViOOU5UgV0e3YG69ZMO8ab2jAosww71Ui4VNLSdgvlFhYMoMR4Zem4Jnqr37c3i-/s1600/night4.jpg" title="The Night Before Christmas" /></a></div>
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The Night Before Christmas </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdU7tTuuXMv6JjH8qbGRhkj27MF8kW6J5CMFR4AUDNFX6TGm7RnYpI1SXmOp2nLbj52vy31TYtFszp1sdAYHqIMQbjIPPAxlI1y-o2jhVDIzy9QTvaoqtXl3qzlb6NmaJVV2aUz2nxNLz/s1600/TheChristmasKangaroo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Christmas Kangaroo" border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdU7tTuuXMv6JjH8qbGRhkj27MF8kW6J5CMFR4AUDNFX6TGm7RnYpI1SXmOp2nLbj52vy31TYtFszp1sdAYHqIMQbjIPPAxlI1y-o2jhVDIzy9QTvaoqtXl3qzlb6NmaJVV2aUz2nxNLz/s1600/TheChristmasKangaroo.jpg" title="The Christmas Kangaroo" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Christmas Kangaroo is an enchanting story about Mirram the Kangaroo and her son Joey. One Christmas Eve they meet a very harassed Father Christmas, behind schedule, and with his sleigh still laden with undelivered toys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I found this delightful book on a trip to Australia in March 2011. If you are ever in Adelaide, I recommend a visit to <a href="http://www.treloars.com/">Michael Treloar Antiquarian Booksellers</a> on North Terrace, where this book came from. </span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> To read more about Mirram and Joey, please visit this previous <a href="http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/christmas-kangaroo-and-hearty-wish-for.html" target="_blank">post</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuMaMrx-5ULbs2CNylQ558d4dd-7UCUPx477LUfR0aEyrSlhRv0wMgfPT7EiLJPh50dtbZ837e5sYMHce3mdYatw4ydZn5MlXDUj0eApmyWckhnCPRuVnbJBkubhginY3BnUXzdQtnAUd/s1600/ChristmasTerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Christmas Kangaroo" border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="400" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuMaMrx-5ULbs2CNylQ558d4dd-7UCUPx477LUfR0aEyrSlhRv0wMgfPT7EiLJPh50dtbZ837e5sYMHce3mdYatw4ydZn5MlXDUj0eApmyWckhnCPRuVnbJBkubhginY3BnUXzdQtnAUd/s320/ChristmasTerry.jpg" title="The Christmas Kangaroo" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Christmas Kangaroo</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Do you have a forever book? The one that is long past its best but is still too precious to part with?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a>. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.</span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-18668385273684978762017-12-03T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-03T17:09:04.345+00:00Advent Calendar Day 3: A Favourite Christmas recipeI’m very partial to a mince pie, and this recipe for home-made mincemeat is especially nice.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8hW6yuFGHOkzlZehMew4oHZBUo9O_vyRhw1BY5WfDBthDDzaUK9_8CriqRyWZXsDpZMjvzt1-Z4IUKCgNkkn10OsMcH0CuDt11EP5LP3P-Nne1y3YvB1QunH3B0Aiibl5Fsg9NbJKDNc/s1600/IMG_2687-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8hW6yuFGHOkzlZehMew4oHZBUo9O_vyRhw1BY5WfDBthDDzaUK9_8CriqRyWZXsDpZMjvzt1-Z4IUKCgNkkn10OsMcH0CuDt11EP5LP3P-Nne1y3YvB1QunH3B0Aiibl5Fsg9NbJKDNc/s1600/IMG_2687-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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INGREDIENTS</span><br />
1 lb of finely chopped suet<br />
1 lb of currants washed & picked<br />
1 lb of raisins stoned & quartered<br />
1 lb of chopped apples<br />
1 lb of caster sugar<br />
1/2 lb of sultanas<br />
1/4 of a lb of shredded, mixed candied peel<br />
2 lemons<br />
1/2 a gill of brandy<br />
1/2 a saltspoonful of nutmeg<br />
1/2 a saltspoonful of mace<br />
1/2 a saltspoonful of cinnamon<br />
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METHOD</span><br />
Pare the lemons thinly, simmer the rinds in a little water until perfectly tender, then pound them or rub them through a fine sieve. Mix all the ingredients well together, press into a jar, cover closely and keep in a cool, dry place for at least 1 month before using to make your pies.<br />
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If that sounds too fiddly you could take a shortcut and make these using shop bought mincemeat and Jus Rol shortcrust pastry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7wqiR6SOXFykSHIVsCN6UJi8joWCTBezZTfoDrB274x_y-auIqYzSw-ajknsCd2TWsPVFtkyfrZxOsyk_xp16qMhhaWfdgu2YQ7sTtvm2BLOCwYLJvKHhVBVe1jYJ-a2dB7m-wKoJqfM/s1600/HERO-JusRol-MncPies-1400x919-0bc913cd-658d-4d4b-8a67-32bbf723b99c-0-1400x919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1400" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7wqiR6SOXFykSHIVsCN6UJi8joWCTBezZTfoDrB274x_y-auIqYzSw-ajknsCd2TWsPVFtkyfrZxOsyk_xp16qMhhaWfdgu2YQ7sTtvm2BLOCwYLJvKHhVBVe1jYJ-a2dB7m-wKoJqfM/s400/HERO-JusRol-MncPies-1400x919-0bc913cd-658d-4d4b-8a67-32bbf723b99c-0-1400x919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Image and recipe </span><a href="https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/traditional-mince-pies.html" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Tesco</a></div>
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INGREDIENTS</span></div>
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2 x 320g packs Jus Rol ready rolled shortcrust pastry</div>
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411g traditional mincemeat</div>
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Caster sugar for sprinkling<br />
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METHOD</span>
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Preheat oven to 200°C /180°C fan/gas 4. Take the pastry out of the packaging 10-15 minutes before you are ready to use it. Unroll the pastry and using a 7.5cm cutter cut out 12-16 discs and line the base of the holes of a 12-16 muffin tin. Cut out the same number of smaller 6cm discs (using either a fluted or star-shaped cutter) for the lids and set aside. Re-roll the offcuts until you have enough lids.</div>
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Drop 2 teaspoons of mincemeat into each case, lightly moisten the undersides of the pastry lids with water and use to top tarts, pressing gently at the edges to seal.</div>
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Make a tiny hole in the top of each pie with the tip of a sharp knife (to allow any steam to escape), brush with water, sprinkle with the caster sugar and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.</div>
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Sprinkle with a little more sugar and allow to stand in the tin for 2-3 minutes before carefully transferring to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, these tasty festive treats can be put in an airtight container and frozen for up to a month. Simply defrost at room temperature for an hour. To serve warm, just pop in the oven for 3-4 minutes at 180°C /160°C fan/gas 3.<br />
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Enjoy!</span></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">I'm linking with Julie over at </span><a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a><span style="text-align: center;">. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.</span>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-88526194119832392722017-12-02T08:30:00.000+00:002017-12-02T09:38:55.696+00:00Advent Calendar Day 2: Something Handcrafted for Christmas<div class="MsoNormal">
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I haven't handcrafted anything in a while so I thought I would do a little time travelling to discover what the 1930s woman might have worn for the festive season. Apparently, fashion was laying much stress on the importance of little touches of lace, especially at the wrists and neckline of a plain dark day frock. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqRicchRMDc4XQGBT3D8F-RnCn_RMN44WWw68_6RgfEoW7hHKMu-gzLUP6l_P1HJo3-s0keqtFaWbM62ZqEtUfgdVHfbymBWEffV68UEdIi5TROVepkdmMvYoraYYrOQpCEaKGsVafkIk/s1600/Magazine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqRicchRMDc4XQGBT3D8F-RnCn_RMN44WWw68_6RgfEoW7hHKMu-gzLUP6l_P1HJo3-s0keqtFaWbM62ZqEtUfgdVHfbymBWEffV68UEdIi5TROVepkdmMvYoraYYrOQpCEaKGsVafkIk/s1600/Magazine2.jpg" /></a></div>
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The above pattern appeared in the October 1935 edition of The Needlewoman.</span></div>
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Materials required:</span>
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1 ball of coats’ Mercer-Crochet No. 80 in white.</span></div>
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¼ yd of white organdie.</span></div>
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1 No. 4 Milward’s Super Archer steel crochet hook.</span></div>
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I reel of Coats Super Sheen No. 50 white.</span></div>
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Should anyone like the instructions please email me (see email link at right) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3dP2-3cBq4rhH2mDrVr4e4N3BpMuGy1G2jU77Pc8kKzjuVpS_AbnpObKVYi7-V0py8ECqlwMqW5toYYjeEC0nGD26FjpgFFwv7IP1Yu7HusSoMcDHKwgsH09Ef4SvnV-bsbY_OgcFm9U/s1600/magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3dP2-3cBq4rhH2mDrVr4e4N3BpMuGy1G2jU77Pc8kKzjuVpS_AbnpObKVYi7-V0py8ECqlwMqW5toYYjeEC0nGD26FjpgFFwv7IP1Yu7HusSoMcDHKwgsH09Ef4SvnV-bsbY_OgcFm9U/s1600/magazine.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Needlewoman October 1935.<br />
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If a Jabot was not your thing, you also had the opportunity
to make a set of lunch mats with the free transfer included in the magazine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbcEv9hi0-jQGKP0kYwZUPGv_n5Urh1fskVaHnI5GU17ypK-0Awzd8kEQ4ZgESurguppNECg9UGU1m9-jOoDjre9KjmCzsqFecHvM2xC6nRD8uuczz2Ow5PsVTcuUclevn2bc-LaeKZK2/s1600/Magazine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbcEv9hi0-jQGKP0kYwZUPGv_n5Urh1fskVaHnI5GU17ypK-0Awzd8kEQ4ZgESurguppNECg9UGU1m9-jOoDjre9KjmCzsqFecHvM2xC6nRD8uuczz2Ow5PsVTcuUclevn2bc-LaeKZK2/s1600/Magazine1.jpg" /></a></div>
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These would have looked quite striking made up in shades of
terra-cotta, brown and cream as suggested by the magazine, although I might
have opted for red and gold to make them more Christmassy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBldG1UHmq15RTCPn36vt9WdVUtyryDjW8Kz13oHrQwHs7RSMZTqHgRQvGcsIfUxSQ_h-sGnqrdCG45QCkDhh3m84bfS1OSPBh8WaeK4YiUxeVgNnlm1ZvwlA-KpXZBhy8pRB_jOi8I7dB/s1600/Magazine3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBldG1UHmq15RTCPn36vt9WdVUtyryDjW8Kz13oHrQwHs7RSMZTqHgRQvGcsIfUxSQ_h-sGnqrdCG45QCkDhh3m84bfS1OSPBh8WaeK4YiUxeVgNnlm1ZvwlA-KpXZBhy8pRB_jOi8I7dB/s1600/Magazine3.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anyone interested in 1930s fashion might enjoy this previous <a href="http://flitneyfamily.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Flitney%20Denis%20and%20Rene%20%28Harding%29" target="_blank">post</a> on
my family history blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm linking with Julie over at <a href="http://kcscourt.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a> More from my Advent Calendar tomorrow.</span>
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496559191887463909.post-35497995214227539242017-12-01T08:50:00.001+00:002023-02-01T15:57:01.353+00:00Advent Calendar Day 1: Letterbox<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Julie over at <a href="http:/kcscourt.blogspot.com/2015/07/areamaryllis-suppose-to-bloom-in-july.html" target="_blank">Julie's Scrapbook</a> is organising a Christmas Advent Scavenger Hunt, and I’m joining in. The idea is to post something each day from the 1st to the 24th December while following the prompts provided by Julie. The prompt for today is...Letterbox</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAXv-HGj-_G5u2kuEjFhPXqfuTD8H8Zr87lGtALESXDPNQopFMGqGU16aBJUlA8ogZj8rpbF51hRUcadqzG-v60oCuLsKAaJhUccu1_frWtC2GpbCfSod3HI7t3e8FyU-z2rhERMEHYW-/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAXv-HGj-_G5u2kuEjFhPXqfuTD8H8Zr87lGtALESXDPNQopFMGqGU16aBJUlA8ogZj8rpbF51hRUcadqzG-v60oCuLsKAaJhUccu1_frWtC2GpbCfSod3HI7t3e8FyU-z2rhERMEHYW-/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> This first prompt gives me the perfect opportunity to share a couple of vintage Christmas cards with you. They are pasted inside an old scrap album which once belonged to a little boy called Teddy. I never knew Teddy, but I know from an inscription on the first page that his mummy and daddy gave him the album on Christmas Day 1933. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5W0iWffmcbGEblzmtxy5NkWXrAeyZ5HGDkv4pCJ8yupn7qigbQJNGz7rHQZVhL8YutEzdl2GIRm1ql2NZXN4JgOdcsjjMCn0mavOTqgTbFzsz3fSV7GIsLp_w7GGYo6eSR8asGUWUl2gH/s1600/IMG_2658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5W0iWffmcbGEblzmtxy5NkWXrAeyZ5HGDkv4pCJ8yupn7qigbQJNGz7rHQZVhL8YutEzdl2GIRm1ql2NZXN4JgOdcsjjMCn0mavOTqgTbFzsz3fSV7GIsLp_w7GGYo6eSR8asGUWUl2gH/s1600/IMG_2658.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> It's amazing how vibrant the colours are after so many decades. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNS0jGhhCagYDlRGQH5HEG4pbc2jP6xTg0Nri4S0b1D28WusbgSs3wvgxxgu6ny4N-_cemI75PmjYUjRV-RSLtFREfE84LZvzGzVxK2p7tMmINaQf4wm8hMkRZLe2JiVLc33N2YPmPBn4/s1600/IMG_2660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNS0jGhhCagYDlRGQH5HEG4pbc2jP6xTg0Nri4S0b1D28WusbgSs3wvgxxgu6ny4N-_cemI75PmjYUjRV-RSLtFREfE84LZvzGzVxK2p7tMmINaQf4wm8hMkRZLe2JiVLc33N2YPmPBn4/s1600/IMG_2660.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The covers are a bit worse for wear, but inside is still beautiful.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Tomorrow something handcrafted for Christmas - goodness knows what it will be, but I had best get looking! </span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962552429792516213noreply@blogger.com38