tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39952636115324710522024-02-21T05:49:20.663+01:00cat's pajamas, dog's tuxedoscoffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-58990664131538711262014-05-10T10:33:00.000+02:002014-05-13T11:55:12.140+02:00Bead Soup Reveal Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Welcome to the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party reveal day! My partner this year was the sweet Noemi Baena from sunny Spain. Go see what she made with the soup I sent her at <a href="http://blog.noemibaena.com/">fuego, metal y color</a><br />
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As a quick reminder, the photo below shows the soup Noemi sent me:<br />
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and the finished soup:</div>
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The charm bracelet features clear quartz nuggets from Noemi mixed with mother of pearl chips and a focal ring with black diamond nuggets.<br />
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I actually wanted to use labradorite instead of mother of pearl and I did order some but since they didn't arrive in time for the reveal day, I went with plan B. There's still a really good chance I'm going to redo this bracelet once the labradorite beads arrive. The clasp is identical to the one I sent Noemi.<br />
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The necklace with tubular pendant from Claire Maunsell. This necklace was actually the first one I created. It was in my beading box half unfinished when Noemi's soup arrived, the caramel mother of pearl square beads were just what this necklace was missing.<br />
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Star clasp that Noemi made herself made my heart skip a beat! I knew immediately I was going to use it with beads from my "special" stash. I used hexagonal howlite beads from a necklace Mr. C bought in Mostar, Bosnia while on a business trip, the amber glass bead was given to me by my cousin and the tiny turquoise spacers were some of the first beads I ever bought.<br />
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Winter earrings were made using a pair of quartz nuggets from Noemi's
soup paired with snowflake charms I won in a giveaway years ago.<br />
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The cream mother of pearl beads and glass teardrop beads were combined
in this delicate asymmetrical necklace that doesn't photograph well but
looks great when worn.<br />
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Since Noemi sent such a colourful soup combining warm caramel with
coral, a combination I've never used before, I really wanted to try and
use the two colours together. All of the jewellery created to this point
was made using components in colour combinations I was comfortable with.<br />
The necklace using the antique clock focal combines both colours in
what I hoped was a dynamic and playful design.<br />
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I was just about to publish the reveal post when I noticed I was missing
a piece. The Mary Poppins bracelet! It's what I'm calling it because of
the colourful mix and the umbrella pendant.</div>
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And that's it. Final count:<br />
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- 3 necklaces<br />
- 3 bracelets<br />
- 1 pair of earrings<br />
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Hop over to Lori's blog <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html">Pretty Things</a> to see what our hostess created and to view the list of all the participants of this years BSBP.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-29286368116312626572014-04-08T10:14:00.001+02:002014-04-08T10:14:12.162+02:00Second honeymoon: Netherlands Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The second part of of our December / January trip to Holland covers our daily excursions to the Beer Brewery de Konigshoeven, Breda and Amsterdam.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlG97RQ03mR0BFJWZGdYUS1hyphenhyphenmyNtNTlPgRzAbs1xpktqqzD_UChsYeH-bZS8KCE-mAiH2g9ZknZlXjw6MfLVRYIvUpj-7Ca7dY5rG3-vu3v4hzMW2NF8UZFuNySvKitPcinhUc9DotE/s1600/DSC02193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlG97RQ03mR0BFJWZGdYUS1hyphenhyphenmyNtNTlPgRzAbs1xpktqqzD_UChsYeH-bZS8KCE-mAiH2g9ZknZlXjw6MfLVRYIvUpj-7Ca7dY5rG3-vu3v4hzMW2NF8UZFuNySvKitPcinhUc9DotE/s1600/DSC02193.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Trapist Monastery Konigshoeven</td></tr>
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Second most memorable sight on our entire tour: the Microbrewery of a
Trappist Monastery in the outskirts of Tilburg. The tour ended with the
obligatory tasting session of their potent but delicious beer.<br />
I'm
not really a beer fan but Le Trappe with its wonderful aroma and
wonderful sweet and sour taste is a treat. Mr. C and I bought some in
their gift shop and enjoyed a bottle in the evenings after long days of
sightseeing.<br />
As a rule I don't like to buy souvenirs a.k.a. dust
gatherers for friends and family but a sixpack of the Trappist beer was
greeted with delight by everyone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0cLxLMFjMokT2tdxLnumBHFAGTjcnAXnzra_LvsHTAWeGE7EoBEFc0zgMNC5-1QBmbqQtsSveCAZx_INJaVbDHMxn7tY0w7GOo_Pk_gu3sJjtjWpmJWexAaxRVwNF9VZ91HO4WYBg-M/s1600/DSC02203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0cLxLMFjMokT2tdxLnumBHFAGTjcnAXnzra_LvsHTAWeGE7EoBEFc0zgMNC5-1QBmbqQtsSveCAZx_INJaVbDHMxn7tY0w7GOo_Pk_gu3sJjtjWpmJWexAaxRVwNF9VZ91HO4WYBg-M/s1600/DSC02203.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inner courtyard of the brewery</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbSwhWG1HGIKjCMNCWtDfhiIFqFeH_odEyaaG5pOIM7_WaeebKv918-Nh3X67dQetjIuYOmbbMXedZZWqctE-rpA0YCvdKgveKDXmPnFomPsPkZVLd5MSnZjlrjfyS7tOnXpJWvm7j3o/s1600/DSC02207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbSwhWG1HGIKjCMNCWtDfhiIFqFeH_odEyaaG5pOIM7_WaeebKv918-Nh3X67dQetjIuYOmbbMXedZZWqctE-rpA0YCvdKgveKDXmPnFomPsPkZVLd5MSnZjlrjfyS7tOnXpJWvm7j3o/s1600/DSC02207.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the old brewery now turned into a museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxvuFWR-TA9ZNZhY6PV5Mh8iYpfXCmdATsDXfkGnUFVLcFQKXb_7yETt6i1T3N2beZm1C1I0pCpVIsnU3ETIHBgAdfnOi-R-Tg0h_0dAjKpO2qEDkbJ4Q-BT5WOOpz_3G88dQ5r_tizs/s1600/DSC02208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxvuFWR-TA9ZNZhY6PV5Mh8iYpfXCmdATsDXfkGnUFVLcFQKXb_7yETt6i1T3N2beZm1C1I0pCpVIsnU3ETIHBgAdfnOi-R-Tg0h_0dAjKpO2qEDkbJ4Q-BT5WOOpz_3G88dQ5r_tizs/s1600/DSC02208.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFHRPeLYF9QiwWcXxsefWho4GTI8iORNL2YrW7uDwqmGIP7Snt_AcQ12yiI1hDsgEEo3g3o3XvtIynWMPtBuHNU7TUCKRgTyeC5FfzMPoSrPyLYvXkZ0WmAHdbc7vNuDqcKr8tTO0CV8/s1600/DSC02210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFHRPeLYF9QiwWcXxsefWho4GTI8iORNL2YrW7uDwqmGIP7Snt_AcQ12yiI1hDsgEEo3g3o3XvtIynWMPtBuHNU7TUCKRgTyeC5FfzMPoSrPyLYvXkZ0WmAHdbc7vNuDqcKr8tTO0CV8/s1600/DSC02210.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Housing complex that was renovated at some point with the old roof line still visible</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgHoyg6l0gQ2JNd1HHlhQ3iNqPNLITAoSIJFebd1cY5htMwsR3owXNqbucuZJcDi4kifNAQtDswXtU95f82IDhsfphPDVxX4k4vEtMny4h1Vq66tjQZKSVi2q-ddzOmGlsxZWue07BtU/s1600/DSC02226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgHoyg6l0gQ2JNd1HHlhQ3iNqPNLITAoSIJFebd1cY5htMwsR3owXNqbucuZJcDi4kifNAQtDswXtU95f82IDhsfphPDVxX4k4vEtMny4h1Vq66tjQZKSVi2q-ddzOmGlsxZWue07BtU/s1600/DSC02226.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monastery gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXwN7N7nY-NXbcaTnRxedpzTw5F1sz8BNyHMDjgl5mP43T-clE0B8AbpQyuw-WvqZgbe28WqdxV947wHy8lLcOWUG9XWmz0xWuQCVTAyODnVLmw05h8nlLi_M4K5REhQsEslUwhVM1x0/s1600/DSC02230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXwN7N7nY-NXbcaTnRxedpzTw5F1sz8BNyHMDjgl5mP43T-clE0B8AbpQyuw-WvqZgbe28WqdxV947wHy8lLcOWUG9XWmz0xWuQCVTAyODnVLmw05h8nlLi_M4K5REhQsEslUwhVM1x0/s1600/DSC02230.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the brewery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SieRMxk2BuwwrQ2p1z7lhEjEZVJkOjD_FWupBnXaP0Q2J5qQX1X7kDSudKdN-R5SDbwvtwv4Ex8Is3YXqDxj1rnj9L5XHHXonSt-vYoFg7fHE-HJF1KOe67RpeHdIlZclKYYMR8kxTo/s1600/DSC02238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SieRMxk2BuwwrQ2p1z7lhEjEZVJkOjD_FWupBnXaP0Q2J5qQX1X7kDSudKdN-R5SDbwvtwv4Ex8Is3YXqDxj1rnj9L5XHHXonSt-vYoFg7fHE-HJF1KOe67RpeHdIlZclKYYMR8kxTo/s1600/DSC02238.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasting session</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The gardens inside the Monastery complex are open to the public and there is no entrance fee. There is a very special atmosphere of calm and inviting energy that made us walk around for a whole hour.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5htzFoYzAdQRpzsXCFZrBnfdb526fS4F0AK-9WYFOSH7nlbrpjJQQWHQupx7QkbHByH-eSVgJIpUGJHuBG2rMcBFqxiUjzY6G0_1kMY7TMj_pi2IvScENLlv3KBbaEAk0O4V5gNkdLU/s1600/DSC02244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5htzFoYzAdQRpzsXCFZrBnfdb526fS4F0AK-9WYFOSH7nlbrpjJQQWHQupx7QkbHByH-eSVgJIpUGJHuBG2rMcBFqxiUjzY6G0_1kMY7TMj_pi2IvScENLlv3KBbaEAk0O4V5gNkdLU/s1600/DSC02244.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2SPp3uA70EKYQEovGxOQgrmXu6-1guRwlvIUD015r5lbgJ_p1-x3bf-M2jOF8f28DhdS3q3di9OXeGWziMhVdNa3CwMcTmGgFrTrII_wNwS5ZAvdZ7Q8_8QanBRSM3ALo3AfjYw8nxI/s1600/DSC02252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2SPp3uA70EKYQEovGxOQgrmXu6-1guRwlvIUD015r5lbgJ_p1-x3bf-M2jOF8f28DhdS3q3di9OXeGWziMhVdNa3CwMcTmGgFrTrII_wNwS5ZAvdZ7Q8_8QanBRSM3ALo3AfjYw8nxI/s1600/DSC02252.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Breda is a small town West of Tilburg and a leisurely 30 min drive away. The town is similar to Tilburg in appearance, architecture and layout only it's a bit more condensed and there are less open spaces then in Tilburg.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWYyblF9YY7brxaNZLgy08uH_kuIHTDrhbXMozXj2PUZOUmrMJ73T8h_O8x5_Ifq1uXKYjkKwD0OdVxyfgcsSnXZMgmIeQEyPK7YjoZJw-iTlM5zGTtbxdQSerqnTgRxeFgenR9hMKK4/s1600/DSC02270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWYyblF9YY7brxaNZLgy08uH_kuIHTDrhbXMozXj2PUZOUmrMJ73T8h_O8x5_Ifq1uXKYjkKwD0OdVxyfgcsSnXZMgmIeQEyPK7YjoZJw-iTlM5zGTtbxdQSerqnTgRxeFgenR9hMKK4/s1600/DSC02270.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The gigantic sculpture in the middle of the roundabout intrigued me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuYuSyVN6XFE51fACfNHt-RT_LJrebCG4VSsb4WWVWh2WxjY90LwiAULFDa8ruyBf2MhezxfZjGPo9ME1FMOcsmuz8J6-i3TC3yjCfqjtmfYLJJUZDECaCoBOVivAEk918l0u4-n2qLs/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuYuSyVN6XFE51fACfNHt-RT_LJrebCG4VSsb4WWVWh2WxjY90LwiAULFDa8ruyBf2MhezxfZjGPo9ME1FMOcsmuz8J6-i3TC3yjCfqjtmfYLJJUZDECaCoBOVivAEk918l0u4-n2qLs/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grote of Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk - The Church of Our Lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWDf9I66wRkqgheLS4uIkymKyUoXi74Z5iVTXMr-4MnBHuhwHkfN5rh4gRtiTqmONVgbIskrOa0ZY287gNZiNOLi0DHpULvwemBenwa2oyURC1gEMCk8yDBIAGWhAJpcKSF0yE4sgRZQ/s1600/DSC02296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWDf9I66wRkqgheLS4uIkymKyUoXi74Z5iVTXMr-4MnBHuhwHkfN5rh4gRtiTqmONVgbIskrOa0ZY287gNZiNOLi0DHpULvwemBenwa2oyURC1gEMCk8yDBIAGWhAJpcKSF0yE4sgRZQ/s1600/DSC02296.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical street intersection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWYiKVhub4rQV_Af6o2EBplXmUnL61-m74BkbO6U6DNYj6yuQ98I_c1PpicDOvCbaBjc-cXmV0eDj36uEoWf1XcI47bps6_vQu9ujy9ck5GG4lAzRXgGpLv9fSAoohPZDw-F9lmxjOJs/s1600/DSC02300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWYiKVhub4rQV_Af6o2EBplXmUnL61-m74BkbO6U6DNYj6yuQ98I_c1PpicDOvCbaBjc-cXmV0eDj36uEoWf1XcI47bps6_vQu9ujy9ck5GG4lAzRXgGpLv9fSAoohPZDw-F9lmxjOJs/s1600/DSC02300.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The love doves greeted us early in the morning on the day we departed for Amsterdam.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R3KJeX_DI3WarXvsWuj5GyQpODtYNkUifhkZKb4mgEWIVnSLHSxJvO0ZpK0fSA9AHJzU0uilTbei4RQrg5UsRvDwhk2ZgFlmAcolOY3jM5zqML0_5nUh68vCuPhvPyvByomJylZ8oGo/s1600/DSC02360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R3KJeX_DI3WarXvsWuj5GyQpODtYNkUifhkZKb4mgEWIVnSLHSxJvO0ZpK0fSA9AHJzU0uilTbei4RQrg5UsRvDwhk2ZgFlmAcolOY3jM5zqML0_5nUh68vCuPhvPyvByomJylZ8oGo/s1600/DSC02360.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
First sight in Amsterdam: the Metro station next to Heineken Music Hall where we parked our car.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjNCVtcGAY55uqANgRtotq8mn_6CpLhScB47vRnE6Pg7GZDt97gH1Nfwhtv46rjO_CUV1pLsbv4DiulNLoEjtOtLxicTJRXAxcSSD_P9vE_ROF1CwB2Yj_W7FtMzDWQfqg-rBnTPTcAw/s1600/DSC02362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjNCVtcGAY55uqANgRtotq8mn_6CpLhScB47vRnE6Pg7GZDt97gH1Nfwhtv46rjO_CUV1pLsbv4DiulNLoEjtOtLxicTJRXAxcSSD_P9vE_ROF1CwB2Yj_W7FtMzDWQfqg-rBnTPTcAw/s1600/DSC02362.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amsterdam Metro station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I relied heavy on Trip Advisor and their comments and guidelines when planning the trip. Among other things it suggested we park the car in one of their Park houses with the daily rate of 8€ + free return tickets for the Metro.<br />
The Metro line took us directly to Central Station in the city centre where we switched transportation for the ubiquitous boat tour. Like the Fiaker ride in Vienna - a cheesy tourist attraction that is still immensely satisfying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8queMaX-XsfWr4-7r9Yui_7tAdgBmp2z7F7yRiXajO44ImftVhM6QVznRowm-XSw8Yfpky0d6H2d-g2bsNWqfXwOEC_qV6B43RcGmAeO065n1ZaX2eut4RTaNzm3xVVWS93ZhhPOwcQ/s1600/DSC02375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8queMaX-XsfWr4-7r9Yui_7tAdgBmp2z7F7yRiXajO44ImftVhM6QVznRowm-XSw8Yfpky0d6H2d-g2bsNWqfXwOEC_qV6B43RcGmAeO065n1ZaX2eut4RTaNzm3xVVWS93ZhhPOwcQ/s1600/DSC02375.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mandatory boat tour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1bdeqPUbpbz5BjC2s2Uwi8VNeg8ge8Ag_8nHZkgk6E5xtP5jL6IcPjMY5T4zWxKSuXpDhZyPfikkKZgW5SB3K_NAFIThrxLy_p5p_2B3jsHENeN3wkZbtWhDv8LAN0NblW_hqoJ-3Sc/s1600/DSC02380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1bdeqPUbpbz5BjC2s2Uwi8VNeg8ge8Ag_8nHZkgk6E5xtP5jL6IcPjMY5T4zWxKSuXpDhZyPfikkKZgW5SB3K_NAFIThrxLy_p5p_2B3jsHENeN3wkZbtWhDv8LAN0NblW_hqoJ-3Sc/s1600/DSC02380.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palace of Justice - throuh the window of the tourist boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I guess falling bycicles and mopeds are a common sighting in Holland (check previous post).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c-0-ZFqBFxCqqwseqarvEQJZ4G1eetK522oVCX4xmnoF77m5JetimusrHVUCt5bjf84fKaX66Dvryo5OgZs2QwkzGo8fpLzE5f6tIWuwCpFrmno7oqY9vUoCkdWHXlLjO6JH5RGxNng/s1600/DSC02404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c-0-ZFqBFxCqqwseqarvEQJZ4G1eetK522oVCX4xmnoF77m5JetimusrHVUCt5bjf84fKaX66Dvryo5OgZs2QwkzGo8fpLzE5f6tIWuwCpFrmno7oqY9vUoCkdWHXlLjO6JH5RGxNng/s1600/DSC02404.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The queue in front of Anne Frank hours was long. I've never seen so
many people forming a procession and the hugely surprising thing: we
were all calm and relaxed. It took us about two hours of standing in the
cold and windy street, the museum rewards the patient visitors with
free Wi -fi access and there is an attendant making frequents rounds
distributing brochures in 6 or 7 different languages.<br />
The coffee
kiosk across the street is making a lucrative business selling
disgusting watered down overpriced coffee to the people standing in
line. After drinking it I considered drinking canal water to wash the
taste down. Luckily Mr. C packed a bottle of water in his backpack!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzdrpFXD05O5Ibr1qvy31RK_Z4mwEOEe36Th2gvhzk6RAxZYBehdy8ZNW71jznmVnttl1m9DRrQpRJt9JAGQHCKEkCFaU9mp1RyI-rNOS94RgECVSUvoxevxTS46A_ixjB4it2mzST0c/s1600/DSC02413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzdrpFXD05O5Ibr1qvy31RK_Z4mwEOEe36Th2gvhzk6RAxZYBehdy8ZNW71jznmVnttl1m9DRrQpRJt9JAGQHCKEkCFaU9mp1RyI-rNOS94RgECVSUvoxevxTS46A_ixjB4it2mzST0c/s1600/DSC02413.JPG" height="140" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queue in front of Anne Frank House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Photos aren't allowed inside the museum, as is customary with such sights. I was pleasantly surprised to see people were strictly adhering to the museum policy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgYnEHszxgFa6Hyp3FI4UwsswU-ueS8DPp-oMEQSrNQNmvk-LoUr9TwZRIE78-U-JSTeaEdl31IBaaeFngy32Xe6DvWpd4I0ixtRanq8z3Uy-tmGewxNMB50Tr94iukNi3sB57lXFAq0/s1600/DSC02415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgYnEHszxgFa6Hyp3FI4UwsswU-ueS8DPp-oMEQSrNQNmvk-LoUr9TwZRIE78-U-JSTeaEdl31IBaaeFngy32Xe6DvWpd4I0ixtRanq8z3Uy-tmGewxNMB50Tr94iukNi3sB57lXFAq0/s1600/DSC02415.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canals in twighlight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuXjmAV-rlP0q7L67uP2eyXDyI_yILUWEzs3B54LDxoW7iLt-sOiqseJOqW4bEOJKhTKeeKvDa3po9zkZY5xInpJnNXu8-wjS6IspHip9i58k96kSckiGXcFDGvOhihnVPqRkED0K1vM/s1600/DSC02435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuXjmAV-rlP0q7L67uP2eyXDyI_yILUWEzs3B54LDxoW7iLt-sOiqseJOqW4bEOJKhTKeeKvDa3po9zkZY5xInpJnNXu8-wjS6IspHip9i58k96kSckiGXcFDGvOhihnVPqRkED0K1vM/s1600/DSC02435.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De Nieuwe Kerk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The one that got away... As I've mentioned in the previous post the
Dutch have an early closing times policy for their stores unfortunately
the same policy applies to their museums and tourist attractions. De
Nieuwe Kerk closes at 5 p.m. and to my great disappointment I wasn't
able to see the Ming exhibition.<br />
What made it all the more
irritating that the Peek & Cloppenburg 5 storey department store
across the street was open till 9 p.m. to accommodate the busy tourist
schedule.<br />
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We left the Dam with the Royal Palace and Nieuwe Kerk quickly, the mass of tourist with their flash cameras and loud yelling wasn't on our itinerary. We strolled casually and found a small boutique with interesting interior design pieces designed by Danish new wave of designers.<br />
Another excellent place to spend as much as you could afford to. I ended up buying a tea light house designed to represent a typical Amsterdam house: tall and narrow with distinct roof ornamentation as a present for my mum.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vtYxA0C5bLSczoJa9uVo5NFiLvfMkfxkKcaa13B2inU8G7p8URB4DuFP6MATDhXovFAdqutPTb1OFfIe6lMVf9XIYgGa2Zi2fxTONWH8VWZ0cuSROLe0J8LUvInGWnLRfq2jNIbmIyg/s1600/DSC02463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vtYxA0C5bLSczoJa9uVo5NFiLvfMkfxkKcaa13B2inU8G7p8URB4DuFP6MATDhXovFAdqutPTb1OFfIe6lMVf9XIYgGa2Zi2fxTONWH8VWZ0cuSROLe0J8LUvInGWnLRfq2jNIbmIyg/s1600/DSC02463.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light instalation in the middle of a canal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We took a quick stroll through the streets of Red light district which proved to be anything but shocking or inappropriate in terms of revealing ladies of the night. Instead we discovered a romantically lit bed with canopy in the middle of the canal, an art piece designed for the <a href="http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/what-to-do/whats-on/event-guide/december/holiday-season-in-amsterdam/amsterdam-light-festival">Amsterdam Light Festival.</a><br />
<br />
And to finish our tour of Amsterdam in glory we did the following: got back to the car using the free Metro tickets and drove it to the city centre for another tour of the city through the windows of a moving vehicle thus completing the Amsterdam trinity: metro, boat, car :-) <br />
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coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-24422886528078507122014-04-01T10:37:00.000+02:002014-04-01T10:37:57.625+02:00The beads are here!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2RrCpctDcyzcdG6zA0RJ7lTnvWsw-ktpDXDNIIEtWr6eE1Un4OZZLlkGVEX5q2vTIl0Pb5wFLcmnTSFCpaVTcXQjEGNlxx5E9e8AMyx-6hrsWQaA5c_6hfBT8CZB634yjEYzqbfugQM/s1600/DSC04224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2RrCpctDcyzcdG6zA0RJ7lTnvWsw-ktpDXDNIIEtWr6eE1Un4OZZLlkGVEX5q2vTIl0Pb5wFLcmnTSFCpaVTcXQjEGNlxx5E9e8AMyx-6hrsWQaA5c_6hfBT8CZB634yjEYzqbfugQM/s1600/DSC04224.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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The annual Bead Soup Blog Party will take place this May and as always it's something I really look forward to. Every time I think I've given up on making jewellery the images of spectacular and ingenious jewellery created by hundreds of participants from all over the world remind me that I really love making jewellery.<br />
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This year my partner is Noemi Baena, a mother of three living in sunny Spain, as she put it. Her life is colourful, vivacious and full of daily activities: her family and her hobby keeps her busy. You can read more about Noemi and see her lovely pieces at her blog: <a href="http://blog.noemibaena.com/">fuego, metal y color</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkx_kXXMOztfoYoOJCYhK3Xdrli-k6yJujWPtTx_RN_ccHtgV47vKrebJbZHeMLoJjcPAYOkA-x3rfdbgzYPcPpm03Cb2oSGVhgVt5pUCz5RsVZI3i5Y0lGvRVFUs9uFk1NB07J-A_WOA/s1600/DSC04229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkx_kXXMOztfoYoOJCYhK3Xdrli-k6yJujWPtTx_RN_ccHtgV47vKrebJbZHeMLoJjcPAYOkA-x3rfdbgzYPcPpm03Cb2oSGVhgVt5pUCz5RsVZI3i5Y0lGvRVFUs9uFk1NB07J-A_WOA/s1600/DSC04229.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Noemi sent me a colourful and cheerful mix of beads. I'll have no difficulty coming up with ideas for my soup!<br />
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The biggest challenge Noemi's pack provides is the colour combination: red and caramel mixed with pink. It's a colour combination I've never used before and I'm really looking forward to it.<br />
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The reveal day is May 3rd, feel free to peak in on that day to see what I've come up with.<br />
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coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-69386615364180523442014-03-17T22:52:00.000+01:002014-03-17T22:52:10.027+01:00Second honeymoon: Netherlands Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhL3XKjItttjuB-ku_St29J1AVZSiKVlThHqWpyomW1cPFUHNi8-g017O3TKsRbLgMJIdtZmXkwxmferYNwjqq-dfmhfeHjXgOxnU5xlCKygThGyaJ0hIB_y1iVLs0rMGudLjFvqGnpI/s1600/DSC02006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhL3XKjItttjuB-ku_St29J1AVZSiKVlThHqWpyomW1cPFUHNi8-g017O3TKsRbLgMJIdtZmXkwxmferYNwjqq-dfmhfeHjXgOxnU5xlCKygThGyaJ0hIB_y1iVLs0rMGudLjFvqGnpI/s1600/DSC02006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilhemina park</td></tr>
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I finally got round to start writing a very belated series of posts documenting our December vacation in the Netherlands. It partly took so long because of my hectic schedule, but mostly because I find it impossible to write down my impressions immediately after returning home. It's too fresh, too raw and it refuses to be packed neatly into a rounded post. I have to let the memories, experiences and feelings mature.</div>
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As <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">for</span> the title: Second honeymoon. While we were on vacation Mr. C
jokingly remarked that the secret recipe for a successful marriage
consists of a few simple ingredients:<br />
- listen to what she says <br />
- never forget an anniversary or birthday<br />
- buy her some nice jewellery<br />
- take yearly vacations together<br />
<br />
Out
of this list an idea was born. Since we love to get away during the
December holiday season, and it was what motivated us to plan our honeymoon for the
last week of December, we're going to try and make a tradition of it and
go on "honeymoons" every year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6OL4X5sBcDH6DnR2Ppfb_6IoJ18iR2KEyRfBE2x4tdBV7cJmunzC_co2AXhT1FTrAv8NiGbENMLt-qp2YszumEviWt4L8PHMFw_kA4jVqutPSjlreGm7YhyphenhyphenMCFj25YUHeFhF2WGuhDQ/s1600/DSC02002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6OL4X5sBcDH6DnR2Ppfb_6IoJ18iR2KEyRfBE2x4tdBV7cJmunzC_co2AXhT1FTrAv8NiGbENMLt-qp2YszumEviWt4L8PHMFw_kA4jVqutPSjlreGm7YhyphenhyphenMCFj25YUHeFhF2WGuhDQ/s1600/DSC02002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver maple planted in 1898</td></tr>
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Netherlands was beautiful and what I'll remember most is the feeling of
calm, relaxed atmosphere where everything was neat, organized and
beautiful in a very distinct humble and understated manner. People were
kind and eager to assist us but not extremely outgoing or pushy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGncHc3RpOJuh9u109lmh0j1B6UzkumDIkglv_i3XW3wmsuxz4PDvcx2qjFyhFy6D5Gi8DfiTIOScvd-vM_aa67yedVM5C3tO_ARFHXAuMzect413BiwyQW3OwZIerk8CeO_kCfkWjGxY/s1600/DSC02012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGncHc3RpOJuh9u109lmh0j1B6UzkumDIkglv_i3XW3wmsuxz4PDvcx2qjFyhFy6D5Gi8DfiTIOScvd-vM_aa67yedVM5C3tO_ARFHXAuMzect413BiwyQW3OwZIerk8CeO_kCfkWjGxY/s1600/DSC02012.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver maple planted in 1898</td></tr>
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We stayed in Tilburg for most of our vacation - our base camp and we
made daily excursions to the outskirts of Tilburg, Breda and Amsterdam.
Netherlands is relatively small, very similar to Slovenia. So in that
regard it felt very familiar to the daily road trips we're used to.<br />
The distance between Tilburg and Amsterdam is only about 120 km by car.
Similarly Rotterdam and Hague are only about 150 km from Tilburg, yet we
chose not to go since I felt that we would exhaust ourselves trying to
see everything.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr82J1K2xdJ_9dSgsyAgaPV7gTwAPgGrL8NxqzGh_NP_amC3hDnFugxycs6_xpONTshLrnimJSZiWvfjRLNskyTwzELXI0F50Sl1p5O3vccfJey16OLPkQYJJ0FVjEethd4ZIyA4Y9zfM/s1600/DSC01997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr82J1K2xdJ_9dSgsyAgaPV7gTwAPgGrL8NxqzGh_NP_amC3hDnFugxycs6_xpONTshLrnimJSZiWvfjRLNskyTwzELXI0F50Sl1p5O3vccfJey16OLPkQYJJ0FVjEethd4ZIyA4Y9zfM/s1600/DSC01997.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art sculpture in the middle of Tilburg's canal</td></tr>
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The Textile Museum is housed in a converted AaBe Factory that manufactured wool blankets. It was a must see for me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lmvVjdQs7-p7ROyDqwmpASrI3QxTMU4dt6nZwx4r7C-YdLq-SnImq0sGED6nEgI2I1L8WYyhkwyNX00SEOyelQY4HkRd85zbwVF1MR0YxdUR9DgQosu8caUjPbYxUwuBFdBjpQNTIFs/s1600/DSC02025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lmvVjdQs7-p7ROyDqwmpASrI3QxTMU4dt6nZwx4r7C-YdLq-SnImq0sGED6nEgI2I1L8WYyhkwyNX00SEOyelQY4HkRd85zbwVF1MR0YxdUR9DgQosu8caUjPbYxUwuBFdBjpQNTIFs/s1600/DSC02025.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textile Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9os8Fw-a6Gjca35nqByhB-8trio-Io9uEyNxEiXHj1jiKFMPSOKxLe0ntKrBdWwXSa9pAXPOe5Kxwmu3Rlo6UIkpXwDqYPeg8lFNXsSYnSOA-dU6cbyHB8u-QI8pbAvt9k9koqarvjPg/s1600/DSC02034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9os8Fw-a6Gjca35nqByhB-8trio-Io9uEyNxEiXHj1jiKFMPSOKxLe0ntKrBdWwXSa9pAXPOe5Kxwmu3Rlo6UIkpXwDqYPeg8lFNXsSYnSOA-dU6cbyHB8u-QI8pbAvt9k9koqarvjPg/s1600/DSC02034.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textile Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL101P84l1XzHuYOvYAET_Z0G1l6WqEcKWSIpMd47VshQBT0TD_uc8x5HcIpEcubhhYM6uFwWhXl68ueI6ByBh2ML8C73szdG3w0tumO7undCeZutg4cKJEV_lrtSrOjBrPOej6sY2M4I/s1600/DSC02031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL101P84l1XzHuYOvYAET_Z0G1l6WqEcKWSIpMd47VshQBT0TD_uc8x5HcIpEcubhhYM6uFwWhXl68ueI6ByBh2ML8C73szdG3w0tumO7undCeZutg4cKJEV_lrtSrOjBrPOej6sY2M4I/s1600/DSC02031.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textile Museum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxHrOOZBhZ-MQwxMLHN80lS6O07k3kaJTwa_GlpqxmvFyTZC1xMuEkC2tYq-O6fl4771UnNJQAyDjv-2xhZpIWslvCGJWOqxN73bfV2ph5lXvFHZHheVZ48gfdf64IOcoeKHZlMwkuBE/s1600/DSC02051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxHrOOZBhZ-MQwxMLHN80lS6O07k3kaJTwa_GlpqxmvFyTZC1xMuEkC2tYq-O6fl4771UnNJQAyDjv-2xhZpIWslvCGJWOqxN73bfV2ph5lXvFHZHheVZ48gfdf64IOcoeKHZlMwkuBE/s1600/DSC02051.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wool before processing </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw3ncLqfSpnWRlNUn-sn-SXT8pY0LRCmPcsTm-_H7R-ULIH8yF43-j8zK8op7t0Dx_UZJRrfx4qjbqkSk_mQQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The video shows an original mechanism that distributed power to the machines used to process the wool. The power was derived from a huge machine housed in a separate room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrxDet1Mc6OQO4kIRQwUpoaD3LoF1E26K-nmWN3PYptYgQMe1scZ6TJVGyJF40KJOSxxZ3P4mcB9D-HmTcrpEOL-rh0AlrtJBVu7-OjntuhyypcrDT9uKRSNwmPHMS3KEc8-23xtiwFM/s1600/DSC02064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrxDet1Mc6OQO4kIRQwUpoaD3LoF1E26K-nmWN3PYptYgQMe1scZ6TJVGyJF40KJOSxxZ3P4mcB9D-HmTcrpEOL-rh0AlrtJBVu7-OjntuhyypcrDT9uKRSNwmPHMS3KEc8-23xtiwFM/s1600/DSC02064.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spools of wool yarn </td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9Q5ybuslEHT8bX-zSj1bDXnjI4SeiVi3BUBjNvuAUfZtwEzOepf0s_Kp-xD_DAzG_SlChXg_jsJsC0dvf0A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21Hd9Wp7Jxw7RvOsboUHYF6efgLuvvUaarrCVQkNvMX8RmXcUVOfCywEIitmTP1iTw13tPOdEyDsLh5XRzE7S5QApWrmwzpTs0mO0vyCdypiQyywMYQHN_5OBIz6UxntKP77RW4v8cIE/s1600/DSC02075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21Hd9Wp7Jxw7RvOsboUHYF6efgLuvvUaarrCVQkNvMX8RmXcUVOfCywEIitmTP1iTw13tPOdEyDsLh5XRzE7S5QApWrmwzpTs0mO0vyCdypiQyywMYQHN_5OBIz6UxntKP77RW4v8cIE/s1600/DSC02075.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old poster for AaBe blankets</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZAQnIhRXokOrNSt5TskEff-vvFgJaNEeFGxd1PS_eyLBOh8JmV3GHv0bMuR7rwlTiOWBWdROVAypHlrS6ckai3xJnB5wh9XkXoYNc8CTDvSw93L8Pi37W_8vDwZqarylqNuraUsH2To/s1600/DSC02130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZAQnIhRXokOrNSt5TskEff-vvFgJaNEeFGxd1PS_eyLBOh8JmV3GHv0bMuR7rwlTiOWBWdROVAypHlrS6ckai3xJnB5wh9XkXoYNc8CTDvSw93L8Pi37W_8vDwZqarylqNuraUsH2To/s1600/DSC02130.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Dionysos Church </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2nVpY-IRgIt0c7ZJ94IGydR9sP3Kkm5oecOkxgaQ7gmdeUEkaFIkVN3QWk7CCVbO3qSz6XPqZ5yS4NWMthwrBmdSmewBMwArucHf1v0DPqUUzJssysDRQy2-3OvaIIYiU4cjEXeTuH8/s1600/DSC02146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2nVpY-IRgIt0c7ZJ94IGydR9sP3Kkm5oecOkxgaQ7gmdeUEkaFIkVN3QWk7CCVbO3qSz6XPqZ5yS4NWMthwrBmdSmewBMwArucHf1v0DPqUUzJssysDRQy2-3OvaIIYiU4cjEXeTuH8/s1600/DSC02146.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Dionysos Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appartment building complex positioned over the street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwV0ymb2KU7KZKVygZsv1yhjDAM2HH1Uo6VdKUUi63HZWxfoIubh-333GYUHUvh-cX-_YvqnwpVvJGsFI2vh0sE3WhIrZ6swOZFolHTMNXIrOnfk-6vF6hbyuo3vZofawqrlvE0niCb0/s1600/DSC02151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwV0ymb2KU7KZKVygZsv1yhjDAM2HH1Uo6VdKUUi63HZWxfoIubh-333GYUHUvh-cX-_YvqnwpVvJGsFI2vh0sE3WhIrZ6swOZFolHTMNXIrOnfk-6vF6hbyuo3vZofawqrlvE0niCb0/s1600/DSC02151.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King William II</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02wamymTigZgtmnggaF34uvh-r10T8V2DsB3nUvvtxGix4SPMfDGa5KR_nAWVST4oYtNFtPvTrRYKgx7f8Vbvlo3qIbHFz7QGYLj4adeU83HqsKa5LZVMfLepaAnCDr9GvO8zfC8ufAk/s1600/DSC02152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02wamymTigZgtmnggaF34uvh-r10T8V2DsB3nUvvtxGix4SPMfDGa5KR_nAWVST4oYtNFtPvTrRYKgx7f8Vbvlo3qIbHFz7QGYLj4adeU83HqsKa5LZVMfLepaAnCDr9GvO8zfC8ufAk/s1600/DSC02152.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Joseph's Church</td></tr>
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St. Joseph's Church is situated right next to the city centre also known
as the Heuvel. The Heuvel was a central meeting point in the middle
ages and the only source of fresh water for the citizens of Tilburg
until 1898.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr18_QaTovXtIFcJVBFBKzErqnVhQcgWHdWc52vIN8TVQF8fHyYhz6w4OsFqFQmHb9QVzb24GNJsx4orn8icUeWT5QT-0EPNQ2nRKOkG6PIM5XBCUlFpO14PdRfjWwYeeHtqdQFj0z2Y/s1600/DSC02334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr18_QaTovXtIFcJVBFBKzErqnVhQcgWHdWc52vIN8TVQF8fHyYhz6w4OsFqFQmHb9QVzb24GNJsx4orn8icUeWT5QT-0EPNQ2nRKOkG6PIM5XBCUlFpO14PdRfjWwYeeHtqdQFj0z2Y/s1600/DSC02334.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A replica of the water pump</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJgPqHro4jxoQDuQSJamgcy9tW8HEzn6Vh20DC6VORXsFbhyphenhyphenH8AgLdJSAhpT9aiU-9kQ0RybyHoljKZDGijVm8UMOdajqbmLQtkbxQDvHLM56X2gYnogdOvmuwQ8hc00BUUiFVCImIA4/s1600/DSC02189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJgPqHro4jxoQDuQSJamgcy9tW8HEzn6Vh20DC6VORXsFbhyphenhyphenH8AgLdJSAhpT9aiU-9kQ0RybyHoljKZDGijVm8UMOdajqbmLQtkbxQDvHLM56X2gYnogdOvmuwQ8hc00BUUiFVCImIA4/s1600/DSC02189.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilburg's walk of fame</td></tr>
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Interestingly Tilburg also has its own walk of fame. I love that they've chosen to fill it it footprints and signatures of prominent citizens: mayors, artists, writers,...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd3T2dspomD419-Jc0AszaYtqapXZfY_JxL9kai0ODr1LpwjU_CTalf_Go-8huRAy-ctVo8u1r_ySBKq43pU5n7gp262dFnI5oQFLuKszeIuF2DAVQLPWDI1g6FkFzpPW-rWSf172RAA/s1600/DSC02190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd3T2dspomD419-Jc0AszaYtqapXZfY_JxL9kai0ODr1LpwjU_CTalf_Go-8huRAy-ctVo8u1r_ySBKq43pU5n7gp262dFnI5oQFLuKszeIuF2DAVQLPWDI1g6FkFzpPW-rWSf172RAA/s1600/DSC02190.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilburg's walk of fame<br />
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coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-80591061943662586812014-03-06T20:04:00.000+01:002014-03-06T20:04:14.446+01:00Happines comes in a box: A gift from Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A dear friend who recently returned from his travels from Japan brought me a very special gift from the Tokyo National Museum. A traditional Japanese hand towel also known as tenugui.<br />
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Tenugui has raw unhemmed edges and comes with a leaflet showing numerous wrapping and folding techniques to create book covers, bread baskets etc.<br />
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It can also be turned into a neat little handbag using the enclosed faux leather handle.<br />
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Needless to say, that was by far my favourite folding technique :-)<br />
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For now I'm enjoying trying out the various different folding and wrapping ideas but I'm thinking of using the tenugui and the handle to sew a permanent bag.<br />
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coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-58631760673887327342014-02-14T16:23:00.001+01:002014-02-14T16:23:25.029+01:00Happiness comes in a box: Artisan beads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>We all know them: the little trinkets that cost next to nothing but
they make us incredibly happy. Whether it's because they fulfill a
certain purpose in our household or are there simply for their intrinsic
beauty.</i><br />
<br />
The newest addition to my bead stash: two gorgeous pendants from <a href="http://stillpointworks.blogspot.com/">Claire Maunsell</a> from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/stillpointworks">stillpointworks</a><i>. </i>I discovered Claire's work a couple of years ago while participating in my first Bead soup event and was drawn into the unique and incredibly complex and detailed beads she makes.<br />
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I saw the house pendant in her Etsy shop and had to have it. I rarely become so enamoured, so drawn to something that I've almost forgotten the accompanying compulsion of hitting that Buy! Buy! Buy! button and the frenzy of filling out the on - line shopping form.<br />
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I confess that at one point I had this paranoid thought that somewhere
across the globe there was another person buying the pendant at that
exact moment and trying to beat me at completing the purchase.<br />
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Claire was way too generous and sent along the extra tubular bead humbly suggesting I pass it forward if I didn't like it. Well... I don't see that happening any time soon ;-) Since I fell in love with the extra bead on the spot and I'm already plotting on how I'm going to use it.<br />
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As for the pendant featuring the house, I already have a pretty clear
idea: I'm going to make a long wire wrapped necklace incorporating
faceted clear quartz. I'm also thinking of incorporating lampwork beads and maybe even some dyed fresh water pearls.<br />
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coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-12701344265120414242014-02-03T18:39:00.001+01:002014-02-03T18:39:35.283+01:00Lesson learned!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's one of those ironies in life that this post follows the previous one I wrote mere two weeks ago lamenting about spring like whether in the middle of the winter. Yes, I've definitely learned my lesson! During this past weekend we've experienced a nation wide power outage due to sleet that caused a number of trees to fall disrupting power supply. The trees have also wreaked havoc on many of the roads and railways. As ice rain and snow continued to fall many people were completely cut off.<br />
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I spent part of Saturday without running water and electricity and let me tell you it's no fun to have less than half a litre of drinking water and a single (scented) candle which reads Happy Christmas. Yet another one of those ironies that when I will look back on this weekend someday it will no doubt make me laugh very hard. But on Saturday? Not so funny :-(<br />
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Water returned the next day and so did electricity, before it was cut again. The power shortage lasted for 18 hours, the longest power shortage in Slovenia in decades and something I've never experienced before.<br />
The whole town went dark after five, there were no traffic lights, no street lamps, nothing. Just little flickering of candle lights from the windows across the street. Yet remarkably people stayed calm.<br />
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I consider myself extremely lucky: after the water returned I had
access to both hot and cold water, due to the fact that our apartment
building is well insulated the temperature in my flat never went below
21 C and I had access to the Internet via my smart phone. And thanks to
Mr. C being extra prudent I had ample supplies of batteries, emergency
lights and a car phone charger.<br />
Sure it was annoying sitting in my
car for an hour doing nothing, but at least I was able to chat with
people, stay connected and informed about the situation around the
country.<br /><br />
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<br />
Things are slowly returning to normal. The fire brigade, police, winter
service personnel and civil protection services are working around the
clock to clear up the debris and restore power. Despite the fact that whining and complaining about all the
things that are wrong in our country is our nation's favourite
past time people are really taking notice of the women and men providing these services
(some of them are volunteering) and are gratefull and humbled by it.<br />
I for one am grateful for my wonderful neighbours who've been kind and generous as well as the support I've received from my friends and family who've phoned to check up on me.<br />
Rufus and I are looking forward to a relaxing evening at home. We've been arned to stay indoors seince the ice covered trees will continue to break and fall so going for a long walk in the forest or park isn't really an option.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-37921919524152244792014-01-25T08:42:00.004+01:002014-01-25T08:42:46.002+01:00Skipping seasons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We've been having an unusual warm winter and last weekend in between drizzle and rain I managed to go for a walk to Močilnik, the source of river Lljubljanica. The waters were high and almost everything was in bloom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTBIMR-zHs8SJlJjF35VbOdGNPreeGSWwBRuISZdoBW-eQF1AngpUPH6wDGWQ48uUcoVOtOrk3iSsKE9GnU4KIQ3NOH62z4AgsWKqhEnfZXHm9YsEqCeGfg5_H0A5ngY0Eov0t1zjvJQ/s1600/2014-01-19+14.07.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTBIMR-zHs8SJlJjF35VbOdGNPreeGSWwBRuISZdoBW-eQF1AngpUPH6wDGWQ48uUcoVOtOrk3iSsKE9GnU4KIQ3NOH62z4AgsWKqhEnfZXHm9YsEqCeGfg5_H0A5ngY0Eov0t1zjvJQ/s1600/2014-01-19+14.07.48.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On my way home I picked a few snowdrops. They added a bit of colour and life to my kitchen table.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44OXM1-vkEYRyxUGvgHwhd8URfrsk4DL9L3inveXAw04n6o3bdR8-b1-jHQr_DA94e3pgV6MT2UsFiIlT13Mqn8ahJjvju_brNK-VLFStlyxpz_XJ6lpkXDEIew2qWeKGKPmFNhmP0cY/s1600/2014-01-19+14.11.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44OXM1-vkEYRyxUGvgHwhd8URfrsk4DL9L3inveXAw04n6o3bdR8-b1-jHQr_DA94e3pgV6MT2UsFiIlT13Mqn8ahJjvju_brNK-VLFStlyxpz_XJ6lpkXDEIew2qWeKGKPmFNhmP0cY/s1600/2014-01-19+14.11.16.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And then I spent a good portion of the afternoon drying my jacket and cleaning my walking boots.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t-SCxjuEI5prxymHhIQKrPhyN6t_p2YpweUDEmVhgyOXy-Kxo-pmpiBkL7rDOFJrf8bFmgcHk1o5eBUjlTZoriykabattRVSlxVI05M-mJqO7GsbzOfII6X_4aBttYA9MP6hBYvxBmk/s1600/2014-01-19+14.08.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t-SCxjuEI5prxymHhIQKrPhyN6t_p2YpweUDEmVhgyOXy-Kxo-pmpiBkL7rDOFJrf8bFmgcHk1o5eBUjlTZoriykabattRVSlxVI05M-mJqO7GsbzOfII6X_4aBttYA9MP6hBYvxBmk/s1600/2014-01-19+14.08.25.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We've had a bit of snow yesterday and the temperatures have dropped
considerably. I guess proper winter weather is finally here and I feel
relieved. This warm interlude was beginning to feel unsettling.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-89384323188225848142014-01-11T14:03:00.001+01:002014-01-11T14:37:00.270+01:00Family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S4TXgkffvjUyavOA5jLSa2vn_C7NZ64IwEzraXe00XWC3TZINX2GPZnSf5sFznvIbsQzvP12YJ-FleYNfKC1DeiGxRoXO75ukMbZYUybqPxUOmJ-gm6Tsx4kg_i2UDoaJesuD9ejAqQ/s1600/Fotor011113485.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S4TXgkffvjUyavOA5jLSa2vn_C7NZ64IwEzraXe00XWC3TZINX2GPZnSf5sFznvIbsQzvP12YJ-FleYNfKC1DeiGxRoXO75ukMbZYUybqPxUOmJ-gm6Tsx4kg_i2UDoaJesuD9ejAqQ/s1600/Fotor011113485.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2006</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is my family. It consists of three people. Well one is technically a cat but that's exactly the point I'm trying to make. Families come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and living arrangements.<br />
Mr. C and I have been together for over 11 years now and Rufus has been part of our family for the last 8 years. He's moved house with us, destroyed furniture, made us laugh with his crazy stunts, shed hair all over the place...<br />
He can hear our footsteps the moment we open the front door of the
apartment building and wait for us at the front door even though we live
on 3rd floor! As far as unconditional love and acceptance go it doesn't get any more real than this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQejjtJpcXUU7ZMKrS-LRAX9nfzu4m7-HNkKd5pyKshsqa5dPgsNZM4VYVXydORYdVFlIjH4t4jknM7BK1mgTf-gr09KoqkfgfZVfrt_NUsS5sgJe-Y2fDCxcu0ODeptWGGZUOZQwUxH0/s1600/Fotor0111134155.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQejjtJpcXUU7ZMKrS-LRAX9nfzu4m7-HNkKd5pyKshsqa5dPgsNZM4VYVXydORYdVFlIjH4t4jknM7BK1mgTf-gr09KoqkfgfZVfrt_NUsS5sgJe-Y2fDCxcu0ODeptWGGZUOZQwUxH0/s1600/Fotor0111134155.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mr. C and I
jokingly refer to ourselves as mum and dad and some people can't get
past it. And don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware that Rufus is a cat and
not a substitute for a child. He's a cat and is treated as such though
his living conditions vastly differ from a wild cat or a feral cat.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But
still as a family member he gets treated like a member of the family
not like some disposable commodity that gets thrown out the moment it's
no longer useful.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mIhdQU5yQJ4oFGROdeGUMqTkXItfhLJUCLgSh_c5eLYev0KVWBwrv6O_MkDVReOAtDgTlJGVAj8OH3N2XDYHqR3a9obv7dZ7ZOugVWAxyguU6x-lboWvyXLf3icebenqaR9Z-ZFhHck/s1600/Fotor0111135048.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mIhdQU5yQJ4oFGROdeGUMqTkXItfhLJUCLgSh_c5eLYev0KVWBwrv6O_MkDVReOAtDgTlJGVAj8OH3N2XDYHqR3a9obv7dZ7ZOugVWAxyguU6x-lboWvyXLf3icebenqaR9Z-ZFhHck/s1600/Fotor0111135048.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In
the past I've had to deal with inappropriate comments and sideways
glances when I mentioned the monthly costs of his upkeep. Some even had
the nerve to propose straight out I get rid of him. I'm not a mean person
per se but comments like that invoke a certain mischievous behaviour in
me and I love to annoy people like that by proclaiming with a most
serious face that Rufus is my baby and I'm his mummy.<br />
Needles to say,
they don't invite me over for coffee anymore. Fine by me.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-75679305022911838062014-01-09T18:49:00.002+01:002014-01-11T14:41:37.924+01:00Easing into 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9bGdOKEHTZUvrlMcaaqLUrdJBAYOCgs3OnAe3hAfV60nQho93CO_i517ijusuSYEGVmF4AlNeGmv4AHWsnLztqvs4GqS1ukZ5QLxmR-nqVujW0e7gmaUMbMpUzqeYaKP_vhGVKFNLWg/s1600/2014-01-05+21.56.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9bGdOKEHTZUvrlMcaaqLUrdJBAYOCgs3OnAe3hAfV60nQho93CO_i517ijusuSYEGVmF4AlNeGmv4AHWsnLztqvs4GqS1ukZ5QLxmR-nqVujW0e7gmaUMbMpUzqeYaKP_vhGVKFNLWg/s1600/2014-01-05+21.56.53.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emperor's dream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Calming down after a hectic, memorable and exciting December 2013
I've chosen to start 2014 slowly. Unburdened by the need to review the
past year as well as make any new year's resolutions or immediate
plans.<br />
Instead I've decided to ease in to the new year with some
ingenious entertainment in the form of origami (a gift from a friend
who's recently travelled to <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">Hong</span> Kong) and a delicious cup of my
favourite tea (bought on my recent trip to Holland).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJdvPMT-YkZ2_F5cAC57OA7pwjjA6ayNpPBip0-CvmvbBSmPEdQ6waHO26xNFxsnAFsEz3iQhVDkQGFMHt0zYUTUSop5TYIVqNQIJOEV75PNdWZUCAWcJfqEj9JiHTTRy3G1ApDFWAW0/s1600/2014-01-05+21.55.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJdvPMT-YkZ2_F5cAC57OA7pwjjA6ayNpPBip0-CvmvbBSmPEdQ6waHO26xNFxsnAFsEz3iQhVDkQGFMHt0zYUTUSop5TYIVqNQIJOEV75PNdWZUCAWcJfqEj9JiHTTRy3G1ApDFWAW0/s1600/2014-01-05+21.55.00.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Origami grasshopper and pig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How are you spending your first week of 2014?</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-59027706594898307222013-12-10T11:02:00.001+01:002013-12-10T11:02:30.109+01:001st anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0Ese9J5FrhcUQGVW9jdoLlnVEe1EgT3BUQvq9IB6jfWELv6E3MR8gBqOekz122DYr1FLQ5VsIKs3IYF0mSVZiE3T-yrs7qwKbUar5U_SGZbmJXtNgJhIlGDf-kPK6P7YpbRCcvYzjBQ/s1600/DSC03703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0Ese9J5FrhcUQGVW9jdoLlnVEe1EgT3BUQvq9IB6jfWELv6E3MR8gBqOekz122DYr1FLQ5VsIKs3IYF0mSVZiE3T-yrs7qwKbUar5U_SGZbmJXtNgJhIlGDf-kPK6P7YpbRCcvYzjBQ/s640/DSC03703.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle jive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Time flies! Mr. C and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary
Sunday 1st December. Traditionally known as the paper anniversary but
hey, it would be so very predictable if the present were of the
paper/stationery variety.<br />
So instead my old favourite, a helium
balloon. This time I got to pick the one I wanted and I chose the
leaping tiger that was swaying along with a myriad of other animals,
hearts and champagne glasses.<br />
<br />
I call him jungle jive and
he makes a nice addition to the textile birds, stuffed teddy bears and
real live urban mini panther, our cat Rufus.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-15032714645198142022013-11-06T12:25:00.000+01:002013-11-06T16:10:00.805+01:00Giving new life to an old shawl<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJbLMxK8SHqZvVk_SYkmFqg9RQ-7P-mAwaJVqu4RluGe1-9AhCh7x8Fc1jV7wacbp0GB25IhlIAjrigO4I4U1aJslcV-9lm2-s5hOZdP8PF0bO1eOuRuGFW4114JKcjtOpR-y9UUEO4s/s1600/DSC03692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJbLMxK8SHqZvVk_SYkmFqg9RQ-7P-mAwaJVqu4RluGe1-9AhCh7x8Fc1jV7wacbp0GB25IhlIAjrigO4I4U1aJslcV-9lm2-s5hOZdP8PF0bO1eOuRuGFW4114JKcjtOpR-y9UUEO4s/s640/DSC03692.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The shawl was a brithday present from Mr. C. I fell in love with the delicate colour palette and the romantic print of butterflies and branches . But when worn the print wasn't visible and the colours were too mellow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwi_b9N-OI4_rLRBhyoDc01p1fO45kTrsVxoN8E6JlYN9HYApmkI8LgkIHzWAL1oC8q-M1rSaZl0gnyy4QSO_SXbFDb2A4UvHTmRlmr51II4_MDAZ-plIzRLTzZbK7luK2UHDUQxZh0g/s1600/DSC03682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwi_b9N-OI4_rLRBhyoDc01p1fO45kTrsVxoN8E6JlYN9HYApmkI8LgkIHzWAL1oC8q-M1rSaZl0gnyy4QSO_SXbFDb2A4UvHTmRlmr51II4_MDAZ-plIzRLTzZbK7luK2UHDUQxZh0g/s640/DSC03682.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So I decided to give it a bit of a facelift with some purple trim. Keeping in mind the delicate floral print I chose a flower trim to match, but I wanted a colour with a lot of visual impact that's why I chose dark purple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD9fN50DExHK-M-SXwIJrn2rO_7T45VACXgCIRbXasfBVsQyPEnAUfQMeVDEMiEzTsYVX6NFPlwObi1zBdkD1dNNFdpc9D-MzKg4h0hkoglLOCLLkvILL6hdzYwP41Z6sFU65KVgfF0M/s1600/DSC03684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD9fN50DExHK-M-SXwIJrn2rO_7T45VACXgCIRbXasfBVsQyPEnAUfQMeVDEMiEzTsYVX6NFPlwObi1zBdkD1dNNFdpc9D-MzKg4h0hkoglLOCLLkvILL6hdzYwP41Z6sFU65KVgfF0M/s640/DSC03684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMs6VxaO_UVQYnaQKjuuBgfeZIFo30bVU1sc_f03FrqRoHbbo8x83ekHrcwJMW3_XReFbbxJZdERemWXp0ZbvZKDWK84joPgtPw4bTTT9mzajy25Jy6RObWZTQ5F2LxutZDFs5Yk_IOdw/s1600/DSC03686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMs6VxaO_UVQYnaQKjuuBgfeZIFo30bVU1sc_f03FrqRoHbbo8x83ekHrcwJMW3_XReFbbxJZdERemWXp0ZbvZKDWK84joPgtPw4bTTT9mzajy25Jy6RObWZTQ5F2LxutZDFs5Yk_IOdw/s640/DSC03686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The trim is attached to the very edge of the shawl and handsewn in place. The tools required for this project are: a matching thread and a needle and lots of patiece. I was happily sewing away yesterday evening watching an old Miss Marple film and sipping a glass of wine.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtQuW2SRzo60EzyjcDO_yJX_0VFiulLEgcLd1cnmQ-r9c8ApYeqd3sAKyj_TsUHl5-vOSx6d2AIA2hl4KEmIIqwJqp88V3F94Nkb1RNRhpRUS6SV4NYLoDSREqryd03Dc9Z_gspVcbBk/s1600/DSC03689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtQuW2SRzo60EzyjcDO_yJX_0VFiulLEgcLd1cnmQ-r9c8ApYeqd3sAKyj_TsUHl5-vOSx6d2AIA2hl4KEmIIqwJqp88V3F94Nkb1RNRhpRUS6SV4NYLoDSREqryd03Dc9Z_gspVcbBk/s640/DSC03689.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">closeup</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also chose to turn the shawl into a snood. The shawl was too short to drape properly and any attempt to tie it into a knot resulted in a messy bulk concentrated around my neck.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkZ2UkWHurpsp0SeSg3T1g5KeiKrIWcFAmk1Iw8tfu-o9GCmh4XZ6QVEhYHXqn6RpZSQgeyGNmUlmg_mo_0Cc28QljWHfkr7zkd6VpmSxi7Y-3sDxJw3P4Q5qaBx4NHYVtQef9Do8mjM/s1600/2013-11-06+12.14.49-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkZ2UkWHurpsp0SeSg3T1g5KeiKrIWcFAmk1Iw8tfu-o9GCmh4XZ6QVEhYHXqn6RpZSQgeyGNmUlmg_mo_0Cc28QljWHfkr7zkd6VpmSxi7Y-3sDxJw3P4Q5qaBx4NHYVtQef9Do8mjM/s640/2013-11-06+12.14.49-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
After attaching the trim I
sewed the shorter ends together using a flat felled seam to hide the
seam allowances. The material is very gauzy making it difficult to get a
clean sewing line, but the seams are tucked in and invisible when worn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfk-VeukY8mnGpWcCe2Pd8_ZQ1Z-3bHUXB_AkP4Y8VbBysZEXGEpmwwYRnCHyLZWNwNod6YnM3M0Ux9uPEKtpbNw-0Bf4lpruWQ44MAPipZFIDS81ALkeOlbPVGvqK8IqPmdwEes2Iyo/s1600/2013-11-06+11.48.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfk-VeukY8mnGpWcCe2Pd8_ZQ1Z-3bHUXB_AkP4Y8VbBysZEXGEpmwwYRnCHyLZWNwNod6YnM3M0Ux9uPEKtpbNw-0Bf4lpruWQ44MAPipZFIDS81ALkeOlbPVGvqK8IqPmdwEes2Iyo/s640/2013-11-06+11.48.19.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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A somewhat blurry image to show how the snood is draped. I can never get decent photos of myself ;-)</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-72301822089715129112013-09-04T07:49:00.000+02:002013-09-05T00:12:53.491+02:00Slow food<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEQMSNkGZ_U2NDXTDWJmU_Z15aXjU7nkxQUWZSuaaSvj1jTUO0S5WFs4F5cDLAMOUReht5OWecqXl280hNmJ-lnQkCMwIywuXda856wvALxVhzO6w947ErATKFRsZHXZUiGjmpnITcbc/s1600/Fotor090462110.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEQMSNkGZ_U2NDXTDWJmU_Z15aXjU7nkxQUWZSuaaSvj1jTUO0S5WFs4F5cDLAMOUReht5OWecqXl280hNmJ-lnQkCMwIywuXda856wvALxVhzO6w947ErATKFRsZHXZUiGjmpnITcbc/s640/Fotor090462110.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Špajza's beautiful garden and rustic interior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every once in a while my quiet suburban life is interrupted with tiny occasions of splendor and luxury. It's these moments of pure indulgence that make life sweeter. The truly memorable part in this instance comes from the accompanying gesture of kindness and friendship.<br />
<a href="http://partlanpatterndesigns.com/">Susan and Martin</a> the pattern makers extraordinaire have sent me and Mr. C a gift certificate for a dinner in one of Ljubljana's most prised restaurants. <a href="http://www.spajza-restaurant.si/en/">Špajza </a>(which is an old Slovene word for cupboard or pantry) is situated in the old part of town. It's a sweet place with a romantic rustic interior and a beautiful courtyard.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgJz5eA3ZYM3OiES08XCrroZNpxzF80UT8ZoJe6zOOlz62JlgXfd6BepHjq3uCLUsAGWciNJv_j0znjtLtPSBEQn1OgaEBNxFzSk7VihOI4FA5l11ANB5wn-TFWtd7j6Kel-Ms0AncbY/s1600/Fotor090462826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgJz5eA3ZYM3OiES08XCrroZNpxzF80UT8ZoJe6zOOlz62JlgXfd6BepHjq3uCLUsAGWciNJv_j0znjtLtPSBEQn1OgaEBNxFzSk7VihOI4FA5l11ANB5wn-TFWtd7j6Kel-Ms0AncbY/s640/Fotor090462826.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amuse-bouches and walnut liqueur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Without going into details about our hosts' generosity let me just say we had the equivalent of The Grand Tour, a seven course meal complete with amuse-bouches in the top photo, a cheese plate and the complementary digestif (Williams pear liqueur). Every course came with an accompanying glass of wine. And since I chose the fish degustation menu and Mr. C had the meat degustation menu the wine selection never intersected.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bJBTMddOOQGu3JD5ygBrDrYaewNjMBl-oFfngvjoWzOpBybapC9324m56Tly_IjMOEx1m8K23zT0lSm5tAAmryg59v-MkLHpKJC8WTNGYlB3q1zYjrJ5hErXuqGuTNTsImG0xCo7Tuk/s1600/Fotor09046313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bJBTMddOOQGu3JD5ygBrDrYaewNjMBl-oFfngvjoWzOpBybapC9324m56Tly_IjMOEx1m8K23zT0lSm5tAAmryg59v-MkLHpKJC8WTNGYlB3q1zYjrJ5hErXuqGuTNTsImG0xCo7Tuk/s640/Fotor09046313.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold and warm appetizers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my opinion the main indulgence of slow food eating is time. Slow food is all about relaxing in the slow paced evening of a wonderful mix of aromas, flavours and textures. It's also about enjoying the sights and the sounds of the surroundings but mostly it's about having a wonderful time with the person or persons you're dining with.<br />
The passage of time is noticeable from the photos of the dishes from early evening (before sunset) into late night.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4N-TmWht_xJAoqDhVDJGBEaoL61_V-dwMOvtZfsjMNB1qBeghfkF6eT8NuDGGvm-SQC3eTdkzOQKIkEQnE5QTGfHKTRNZeHBOKyRdPfUH4WypqYC0W6OAv_BsqFvE0p1DXZqv9HPZ8U/s1600/Fotor090464126.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4N-TmWht_xJAoqDhVDJGBEaoL61_V-dwMOvtZfsjMNB1qBeghfkF6eT8NuDGGvm-SQC3eTdkzOQKIkEQnE5QTGfHKTRNZeHBOKyRdPfUH4WypqYC0W6OAv_BsqFvE0p1DXZqv9HPZ8U/s640/Fotor090464126.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">warm appetizer and first main course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've copied the menu from Špajza's webpage to give you a glimpse into our fingerlicking extravaganza:<br />
<h2 align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>~ Meat menu dégustation ~</b></i></span></h2>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pâté baked in puff pastry</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Au gratin truffle polenta with boletus mushroom foam</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Homemade chanterelles gnocchi with nettles and almonds</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lamb from the oven with a Port reduction sauce</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pineapple - tomato mousse</span></h3>
<h2 align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><i><b>~ Fish menu dégustation ~</b></i></b></i></span></h2>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tuna carpaccio with sesame and celery</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Crab soufflé on spinach foam</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Saffron risotto with scallops and chanterelles</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cod fish fillet with carrot, green beans, black olives, cherry tomatoes and lemon</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Elder cake </span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuV-50gX1EvAXtHev8j99bD90ZkYgPVmclc9SdtimNeEGP4cs6gaeiYFgnvAEwKfioNCoYHMZTCykTtRcyZZXaxLMsIWbFVCSR1tftTzGlkY9YvLLiWK0pOuknNQbNAlpX0a1J5DPOAE/s1600/Fotor09046372.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuV-50gX1EvAXtHev8j99bD90ZkYgPVmclc9SdtimNeEGP4cs6gaeiYFgnvAEwKfioNCoYHMZTCykTtRcyZZXaxLMsIWbFVCSR1tftTzGlkY9YvLLiWK0pOuknNQbNAlpX0a1J5DPOAE/s640/Fotor09046372.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second main course and cheese plate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Even though playing favourites isn't my thing I have to say the saffron
risotto with grilled scallops was perfection. As for dessert, Mr. C's
pineapple and candied tomato mousse was refreshingly new and original.<br />
I could devote an entire blog post to the wines we drank :-) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVmfGQkD699kKZlzU0CoucNLzC7Ct8ux9wriRvMtrm8yDCLboOU-etuHIfZhWOGVmX2VR-6jtfmGFVYU_K4XSJV6m3ZVNuSuiERZoV2Sr6qzSuUhNlDczSl4jT-451pCddL1Dmc4_0F4/s1600/Fotor090463825.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVmfGQkD699kKZlzU0CoucNLzC7Ct8ux9wriRvMtrm8yDCLboOU-etuHIfZhWOGVmX2VR-6jtfmGFVYU_K4XSJV6m3ZVNuSuiERZoV2Sr6qzSuUhNlDczSl4jT-451pCddL1Dmc4_0F4/s640/Fotor090463825.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dessert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you Susan and Martin for this memorable evening! If you ever come to Ljubljana we're definitely taking you here :-)</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-85169466517075739722013-08-28T16:16:00.000+02:002013-08-28T16:23:54.081+02:00Cooking marathon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftEhq9Dzq6jL3H63aXpNj2C_ZSaPRgTyECPtcSzPZD86MG_N6x5F9zROlbhfSUOyRXYRGd_q7EDK76WmAQEhwLr_0O0vsYSX_cdFDSpYgakdPJXaBQPsZc2z3ScGbAcSyU-L70FwSB9U/s1600/Fotor0828145950.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftEhq9Dzq6jL3H63aXpNj2C_ZSaPRgTyECPtcSzPZD86MG_N6x5F9zROlbhfSUOyRXYRGd_q7EDK76WmAQEhwLr_0O0vsYSX_cdFDSpYgakdPJXaBQPsZc2z3ScGbAcSyU-L70FwSB9U/s640/Fotor0828145950.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Some things never change. Staying with my mum over the weekend always, absolutely always means I'll lug home at least two large bags of produce, fresh organic eggs procured at the neighbour's, fruit from the local farm....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEJA17CjuZnQpo1_qjgyb_7FdfwxpGN686Ovk8v8v_CWmeeYSmBA_9EhYctf-FxrR_M25Mrdem9uUUDrW513cUFzeF-6JpwASm8vnTFoNgYcVm7HWKX2GoT-FnNN9PWssZwpP4IfXqaE/s1600/Fotor0828151157.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEJA17CjuZnQpo1_qjgyb_7FdfwxpGN686Ovk8v8v_CWmeeYSmBA_9EhYctf-FxrR_M25Mrdem9uUUDrW513cUFzeF-6JpwASm8vnTFoNgYcVm7HWKX2GoT-FnNN9PWssZwpP4IfXqaE/s640/Fotor0828151157.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
I cringe at the idea of having to waste food, however eating all of
the food my mum has prepared would require a family the size of The
Brady Bunch. So I start preparing my cooking plan just as soon as the
car engine starts. My method is always the same: plan lots of meals with
hearty salads to use the vegetables, fruit and fruit salads for snacks
the rest is either refrigerated, frozen, cooked or baked. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOY9tP4kgJ2rSQ0PXtRKPGXTs-ZrAYX149NP8XzeRXVSvK_ICW3_t6pR_GRf5j7J1-6qTHz4xr3eGvG_HvvxFQgIC38hon2uc2TClmSbwpRsPeCnH8wTkKQaSuBNmdNw2wRWJQiU5QPE/s1600/Fotor0828145815.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOY9tP4kgJ2rSQ0PXtRKPGXTs-ZrAYX149NP8XzeRXVSvK_ICW3_t6pR_GRf5j7J1-6qTHz4xr3eGvG_HvvxFQgIC38hon2uc2TClmSbwpRsPeCnH8wTkKQaSuBNmdNw2wRWJQiU5QPE/s640/Fotor0828145815.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy start: simple hummus spread with fresh parsley and thyme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cooking/baking session lasts about four hours. It's a tightly run military operation :-)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazJ_tCCRytJpbVjrzhknNr8TCo8xFIffGG6L2fzfKZlnygLLGG3mJGXEzAzgXTA4SRW-cNtnNAonmoFvvcrLYN4FpOEMa3iwLh6RX8WR_Mn0R39mYribLQlNzxyJohiPbs3ebYG74N9M/s1600/Fotor0828151048.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazJ_tCCRytJpbVjrzhknNr8TCo8xFIffGG6L2fzfKZlnygLLGG3mJGXEzAzgXTA4SRW-cNtnNAonmoFvvcrLYN4FpOEMa3iwLh6RX8WR_Mn0R39mYribLQlNzxyJohiPbs3ebYG74N9M/s640/Fotor0828151048.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Project lasagna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Specially if lasagna is on the list. You can't make a proper lasagna without making a huge mess in the process. It requires three separate pots, one for pasta, one for tomato sauce and one for white sauce. And if you have to grind your own beef, things get massively more complicated. But it's worth it in the end.<br />
* And a tiny little trick I use when cooking pasta is to add a few drops of olive oil into the water. This prevents the pasta from sticking together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_36zHv0-NlIhnhUlJ_reKEEHD3V9tvMzFhW6DryzGytYnreFfDfVWR4TBGS8jMKPjFNN91pJ9iogaydLnsXh4wtzLBAfqQjD9Ts9l6_HNaco4dYEE6mINV-LAGeQD6L77CFDi9QfNTYA/s1600/Fotor0828151321.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_36zHv0-NlIhnhUlJ_reKEEHD3V9tvMzFhW6DryzGytYnreFfDfVWR4TBGS8jMKPjFNN91pJ9iogaydLnsXh4wtzLBAfqQjD9Ts9l6_HNaco4dYEE6mINV-LAGeQD6L77CFDi9QfNTYA/s640/Fotor0828151321.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato sauce</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up: using all of the yummy tomatoes and making and easy tomato
sauce. I love to use white onions or shallots and slowly fry them in
olive oil and then pour a
small amount of red balsamic vinegar and let it all slowly simmer until
the acid has dissipated entirely and you're left with a thick fragrant
onion sauce. And then it's just the matter of adding tomatoes, spices
and letting the sauce slowly simmer for an hour.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIABI_ILaTvHcHFfVYzNL1dTcnF8lDYvj90iyKwwNukzgiIHCuYGsaAo5Hm9yR8Oftx5rmpwUzYALHMhE6QMmlsNkjWHg0J0UmfpjT0MbeOSlOn4HWI9JyYFNnsrJeTm1ZSOEB1JvYEPs/s1600/Fotor0828145730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIABI_ILaTvHcHFfVYzNL1dTcnF8lDYvj90iyKwwNukzgiIHCuYGsaAo5Hm9yR8Oftx5rmpwUzYALHMhE6QMmlsNkjWHg0J0UmfpjT0MbeOSlOn4HWI9JyYFNnsrJeTm1ZSOEB1JvYEPs/s640/Fotor0828145730.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Making jam is just as easy and gratifying as making tomato sauce. I
decided to try a recipe that partially substituted sugar with honey.
It's definitely better than standard sugary jam but in retrospect I
think I'd be better off using a mildly fragrant honey. I only ever use
chestnut honey which proved to be too heavy for the delicate peaches. Ah
well, lesson learned for next time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdQ21FVkbYivKak9BW8PAI2nUKxYkcyEnAsQHMz8iv65XoaBz6yL8FRqPoroJ2CaQeX0cSPs6qdp8jxdhjMFBTmmcKujV7mGva-Ek0ARuNm48W9ANwz1FRsMZo6qPcZm8zPU4Z8ndT6c/s1600/Fotor082815312.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdQ21FVkbYivKak9BW8PAI2nUKxYkcyEnAsQHMz8iv65XoaBz6yL8FRqPoroJ2CaQeX0cSPs6qdp8jxdhjMFBTmmcKujV7mGva-Ek0ARuNm48W9ANwz1FRsMZo6qPcZm8zPU4Z8ndT6c/s640/Fotor082815312.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pound cake with homemade nutella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And finally I made a pound cake for dessert because I've had two
opened jars of homemade <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">nutella</span> that I needed to use up. If anyone is
interested click <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/nutella-swirl-pound-cake">here </a>to see the original recipe for this cake. The only thing I did differently was to use both white and black <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">nutella</span>.<br />
If
I had any energy left I would have made some homemade crackers to go
with hummus but I settled for store bought ones. </div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-27145003797994607162013-08-12T09:14:00.000+02:002013-08-12T09:14:39.439+02:00Mr. C's new shirt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxKSUcDosiirPWZwRAyqXnvEgeWH7KzLOvUV5RPw0wT8pw51o06rLL49XI7jX_jsTQJA-hfwYZIxGBU-MBk0NFSl2oysJa4aO-iHdULJNiw2-0YYgZp04Vsfzqi5EKMshKw8iyQsTpnE/s1600/Shannon+collage+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxKSUcDosiirPWZwRAyqXnvEgeWH7KzLOvUV5RPw0wT8pw51o06rLL49XI7jX_jsTQJA-hfwYZIxGBU-MBk0NFSl2oysJa4aO-iHdULJNiw2-0YYgZp04Vsfzqi5EKMshKw8iyQsTpnE/s640/Shannon+collage+1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up the pattern with my trusty assistant and project supervisor</td></tr>
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Over the past 4 weeks I've been secretly working on an exciting sewing project: a classic men's shirt. The lovely Susan and Martin from <a href="http://partlanpatterndesigns.com/">Partlan Pattern Designs</a> contacted me if I wanted to be a pattern tester for their <a href="http://partlanpatterndesigns.com/2013/06/21/introducing-the-shannon-shirt/">Shannon shirt</a>. I've never done a classic double yoke shirt with French cuffs and I was so excited to put my sewing skills to the test. And I certainly did. Like Peter Lappin from <a href="http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/">Male pattern boldness</a> said in one of his posts: Shirt making isn't for sissies and he was right. It takes a lot of time, patience and precision to construct a men's shirt. But the result is a stunning item of clothing that really surpasses all of those of the peg T-shirts and raggedy looking jerseys and such.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's all in the details: perfect collar points and sleeve placket</td></tr>
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In my fashion oriented posts I've often wrote about the poor quality of
fabrics and poor fit as well as lack of ingenuity in mainstream fashion
and how this influenced me to develop my sewing skills. When we look at
men's fashion it's even worse: limited choices, shoddy construction and
for lack of better words no wow effect. I've also written about my
passion (or better obsession) with Poirot movies. The costumes in these
movies are amazing. I love the <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">watch</span> them over and over again and get
lost in the world of eloquent, well mannered people who dress with such
elegance. The Shannon shirt project was therefor heavily influenced by
the aesthetic of my beloved Poirot movies, the world of impeccable
bespoke tailoring with a hint of flamboyance in choosing a floral patterned print cotton.<br />
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The pattern Martin and Susan sent was a bespoke pattern designed according to Mr. C's measurements. And what a difference that made! As is customary, the pattern pieces are first basted together to check for general fit and to mark the adjustments. Having a made-to-measure pattern made it the world's fastest fitting ever. The shirt fit like a glove and Mr. C's words was far more comfortable than any of his bought shirts. The real difference however was the fit in particularly the fit across the shoulders. It's difficult to descibe or even convince someone of the benefits of custom fit garments until they've had the luxury of trying them on. Much like the difference between cheap whisky and an aged single malt Scotch. It's a tangible experince and an unforgettable at that.<br />
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It took me about 10 days of relaxed, easy paced sewing from start to finish. Susan and Martin were marvelous throughout the entire process. They've set up posts with instructions on their blog detailing various steps of the process. And during this time we've chatted about buttons and collar shapes and yokes and a ton of other small details that only a true sewing enthusiast can appreciate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrZTKA8ZDveYS7CdTE5Ogd5bSshT9CTwvtTWg-ynorNQHh0YNxI4riakodxjfogVJfCCCGnGedSLOZM4XqPRtWtmGfWZPREUEooojo8EBL_5t6sauRb6RJQvSGR3x9PCUFbrSB4QnGXg/s1600/Shannon+collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrZTKA8ZDveYS7CdTE5Ogd5bSshT9CTwvtTWg-ynorNQHh0YNxI4riakodxjfogVJfCCCGnGedSLOZM4XqPRtWtmGfWZPREUEooojo8EBL_5t6sauRb6RJQvSGR3x9PCUFbrSB4QnGXg/s640/Shannon+collage+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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As an hommage to Martin's love for hats, Mr. C insisted to model the
shirt wearing his fedora. <a href="http://partlanpatterndesigns.com/2013/07/26/liberty-shirt-and-sleeve-armscye-instructions/">Go check Martin</a> wearing his gorgeous peacock print shirt wearing his :-)<br />
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<br />
The photos were taken on a hot summer's
eve near the source of river Ljubljanica, one of our favourite hiking
spots.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-35701677381254709312013-08-07T23:05:00.000+02:002013-08-07T23:05:59.633+02:00Feminism in the 21st century<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I found this photo some time ago on the Internet and it really made
me think about prejudices, stereotypes and shaming mechanism in our
society. Despite the proclaimed liberties women enjoy today and an ever
more equal treatment of the fair sex in the public and the private
sphere the prejudices and narrow minded views still linger.<br />
Like
the chart on the young lady's leg in the above photo. How many times
have you caught yourself thinking that a woman you saw was dressed
inappropriately and you immediately jumped to labelling that person
"easy", slutty, etc. We still frown upon women who are open and
comfortable about being seductive, sexy and even sexually assertive.<br />
How
about adultery? Do we judge women who commit adultery harsher than the
men? Imagine you had two friends, a male and a female who were both
adulterers. How would your relationship with them change? Would you feel
that the action of one of them is more heinous though technically
they're both guilty of the same thing.<br />
No matter how liberal our
society may be, I think it's still imprinted on our mind that somehow,
for some reason the female adulterer has committed a graver offence.<br />
<br />
And
of course women are stereotypically labelled as disastrous drivers
though time after time this was proven wrong by numerous statistical
data and analysis.<br /></div>
What do you think? Has the equality of
genders improved in the 21st century or are there still some lingering
prejudices from the dark ages?<br /></div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-56706847260511527682013-07-29T18:56:00.001+02:002013-07-29T18:56:15.077+02:00π party a la mode<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Could there be anything more delicious than simple home made desserts?
Especially if you have the satisfaction of using ingredients that come
from your own garden or have been sustainably sourced. <br />
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In my case it's the yummy cherry pie made from free range organic eggs
bought from my mum's neighbour, spelt flour from the local mill and
cherries from mum's garden. <br />
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The cherry tree is called "lapin" which means rabbit in French and produces incredible crunchy full cherries. The tree yields between 20 to 30 kilos though it started modestly enough with it's very first harvest consisting of <a href="http://catspajamas-dogstuxedos.blogspot.com/2011/06/cherries.html">only three cherries.</a><br />
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Three plates for three people adding a scoop of mixed fruit ice cream. Pure indulgence.<br />
No wonder we licked our plates clean!<br />
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Do you have a garden and grow your own fruit and veggies?</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-26057547489901616652013-07-24T16:46:00.002+02:002013-07-24T16:46:46.585+02:00Summertime fun: Rowing on the Bohinj lake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Summer is in full swing. Long hot days which just beg for
outdoor activities like hiking, mountain climbing or rowing. Mr. C and I
seized the opportunity to go rowing one lazy Thursday last week when we
could expect fewer people on the lake since it was the middle of the
week. <br />
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But we failed to take into account the moody weather. We arrived in
Bohinj just after a vicious storm that took us by surprise en route. Mr.
C was considering turning round and going home but I was too stubborn
to give up so we kept going and arrived at the lake to be greeted by
sunshine and calm lake.<br />
What a lucky break!<br />
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However half an hour into our rowing session the dark clouds started gathering again. By that time we had travelled quite a distance and were somewhere in the middle of the lake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_Woy0TYP1K828qUC_P18tjNGfK7LOs9jgcz1B8oye8MzcJ6sX2mkthwGg64-zItKZjD6d2p2EnoCC57cqbZJgV8YWryW9qfXgoMylEnxfDT7ci4LxYmSSk50Bzij5AdLKcpsYC9kiYY/s1600/DSC00736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_Woy0TYP1K828qUC_P18tjNGfK7LOs9jgcz1B8oye8MzcJ6sX2mkthwGg64-zItKZjD6d2p2EnoCC57cqbZJgV8YWryW9qfXgoMylEnxfDT7ci4LxYmSSk50Bzij5AdLKcpsYC9kiYY/s640/DSC00736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We turned around and hoped to get back to shore before the storm catches up with us. We saw a few magnificent but scary lightnings and I had to remind myself we were safe on water in a wooden boat since the Faraday cage effect applied (don't ask me how that's Mr. C's department).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBwz6i3W6GA3vzD-kRw-LdrpU3-r3rZLqX7q6oQYVSG6gu69rgQ1CMjQAlNcoNIZntucmqvSgA6jDbK_QPdZxIFyvyO3azEJpz3uOgeyh3hSf8eIA40E1MgzDGs5ENr8q-vHhyphenhyphenQHSOZA/s1600/DSC00745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBwz6i3W6GA3vzD-kRw-LdrpU3-r3rZLqX7q6oQYVSG6gu69rgQ1CMjQAlNcoNIZntucmqvSgA6jDbK_QPdZxIFyvyO3azEJpz3uOgeyh3hSf8eIA40E1MgzDGs5ENr8q-vHhyphenhyphenQHSOZA/s640/DSC00745.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We even saw a group of French kids learning to row. They were eagerly trying to get to shore as well. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AttnphS_6akE5p1bw6gTfqlg8HWJu1SVS4N2RTNx627qS3a0GS6PEXuYUbWZvLdaNxqOaekSUi8iJZlFBgb-fW8Xy5npgQpBxura6keXod19suBTCAOPQutSF_vOHW-REVRZ92zKYoQ/s1600/DSC00752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AttnphS_6akE5p1bw6gTfqlg8HWJu1SVS4N2RTNx627qS3a0GS6PEXuYUbWZvLdaNxqOaekSUi8iJZlFBgb-fW8Xy5npgQpBxura6keXod19suBTCAOPQutSF_vOHW-REVRZ92zKYoQ/s640/DSC00752.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heavy wind</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYETSCKZa7-a7kJ7VyzaRSBznCF4WciB9Oo7k7Py-ajw1o3InLqtzVk6qTwsXYMKWakbcGU4qTcm_MDCEIm6dG24nY-c1MerVyxYBQAyTAJu_1qeU0hTZAY_SF3c7hzGZB_ho-WRjRimw/s1600/DSC00754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYETSCKZa7-a7kJ7VyzaRSBznCF4WciB9Oo7k7Py-ajw1o3InLqtzVk6qTwsXYMKWakbcGU4qTcm_MDCEIm6dG24nY-c1MerVyxYBQAyTAJu_1qeU0hTZAY_SF3c7hzGZB_ho-WRjRimw/s640/DSC00754.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">raindrops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were still approximately 100 m away from shore when it started raining heavily and there was nothing we could do. Mr. C who took over the ores said that the heavy wind and waves were making it extremely difficult to get the boat moving in the right direction.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqPIaRulTXuZWdjyDLGndgVN0WCFbAFEYE8AIaOQKc7hluqANS7CmhyphenhyphenVr3PupvfeJfwP3_1AQbqzlHPEoujsiC2b6K_629e9KM-7coEYaUpSqQyoVtBwjc8SpNxfzTPXkvvFfiTkLRgI/s1600/DSC00756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqPIaRulTXuZWdjyDLGndgVN0WCFbAFEYE8AIaOQKc7hluqANS7CmhyphenhyphenVr3PupvfeJfwP3_1AQbqzlHPEoujsiC2b6K_629e9KM-7coEYaUpSqQyoVtBwjc8SpNxfzTPXkvvFfiTkLRgI/s640/DSC00756.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By the time we reached the sohre we were completely wet and exhausted yet happy. All in all a very memorable road trip.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-58121679041392447822013-07-01T10:53:00.000+02:002013-07-01T10:58:38.113+02:00Bits of wisdom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>There was a special Nolan idea about the coffee. It was their one
great luxury. Mama made a big potful each morning and reheated it for
dinner and supper and it got stronger as the day wore on. It was an
awful lot of water and very little coffee but mama put a lump of chicory
in it which made it taste strong and bitter. Each one was allowed
three cups a day with milk. Other times you could help yourself
to a cup of black coffee anytime you felt like it. Sometimes when you
had nothing at all and it was raining and you were alone in the flat, it
was wonderful to know that you could have something even though it was only a cup of black and bitter coffee.”</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>“Francie is entitled to one cup each meal like the rest. If it makes
her feel better to throw it way rather than to drink it, all right. I
think it’s good that people like us can waste something once in a while
and get the feeling of how it would be to have lots of money and not
have to worry about scrounging.</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br />
Betty Smith A tree grows in Brooklyn<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKZdDgcTd-MZoWH2iltQWhfsX3VwEni1Zx2Q0y2cEUtF9cdLWRcOuptNuX6ygRjk38nRPp2KASmh3u1viAbX3xTAcxUOjFJGMcx-SmA8CXf1LjO1I-dk7v1UoflSMf0Q2qfAWo_UN6oQ/s1600/2013-06-09+18.32.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKZdDgcTd-MZoWH2iltQWhfsX3VwEni1Zx2Q0y2cEUtF9cdLWRcOuptNuX6ygRjk38nRPp2KASmh3u1viAbX3xTAcxUOjFJGMcx-SmA8CXf1LjO1I-dk7v1UoflSMf0Q2qfAWo_UN6oQ/s640/2013-06-09+18.32.53.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday afternoon treat: coffee with a scoop of vanilla ice cream</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I remember reading A tree grows in Brooklyn while I was still in highscool (seems like a lifetime ago) and this passage of the book affected me in a most profound way. Despite of the fact that we are forever scrounging and saving and whining about it, I am keenly aware that I live in a society of incredibly privileged people where certain commodities are taken for granted. Like clean running water, electricity, the ability to go on vacation, ... Imagine living in a world where your one and only luxury is to be able to afford to waste a cup of coffee</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-27764084286865581242013-04-25T11:19:00.001+02:002013-04-25T11:19:39.992+02:00Blogger's sabbatical<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XE7OFyzGQF2z5Yyqx4DxjEJEB2C6VtcDFgCgJu0x63tP5tkKKeyfT92pvR_s5asAdU2NXyWNvgbAz1PLwIYGG3N4URj5N8xZOFlE_zR1fthUjv-ieZXP-VZVavtUMqFOXSVUZzYY8fU/s1600/DSC03042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XE7OFyzGQF2z5Yyqx4DxjEJEB2C6VtcDFgCgJu0x63tP5tkKKeyfT92pvR_s5asAdU2NXyWNvgbAz1PLwIYGG3N4URj5N8xZOFlE_zR1fthUjv-ieZXP-VZVavtUMqFOXSVUZzYY8fU/s640/DSC03042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montenegro December 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think things have finally caught up with me. Last year was packed
with cataclysmic events that could easily have been the topic of Four
weddings and a funeral, the sequel, throw in a few job shifts, two <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">NGO</span>
projects on the side and it's one frantic mix.<br />
<br />
I feel
spent, exhausted and because there are too many things, moving too fast
I'm no longer in control of it all. I know I've sort of pushed my blog
on the side and I believe it isn't fair to just pop in from time to time
and give tidbits of info which then make no sense.<br />
<br />
As
the weather is finally gorgeous, lots of sun and nature virtually
exploding all around, I've just taken the time to enjoy myself and tune
off completely. No more schedules, planning, calculating, pondering....<br />
<br />
Blogging
schedule will resume, once I've had time to catch my breath and come up
with quality content that doesn't make me sound neurotic (too much)<br />
<br />
In the meantime enjoy your May break :-) Spring is finally here!<br />
<br />
xoxo Ana</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-65198124194222541292013-04-13T10:05:00.004+02:002013-04-14T02:37:36.660+02:00Down to the last bead - Bead soup 2013 2nd reveal <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiVxk1-LhVFO5H7OSEP08WfXpMJlnwVHfX0i0cp4CcSuT-TjIaIqNrUEtcZV5Noy5iuiofisOEEu_kX9SP6fRp5lF5DN-iBTqpKLxHGL8FV8vkQBPYPqKwLHdiIm_eFfWe5oie8dTqEg/s1600/DSC03322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiVxk1-LhVFO5H7OSEP08WfXpMJlnwVHfX0i0cp4CcSuT-TjIaIqNrUEtcZV5Noy5iuiofisOEEu_kX9SP6fRp5lF5DN-iBTqpKLxHGL8FV8vkQBPYPqKwLHdiIm_eFfWe5oie8dTqEg/s640/DSC03322.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tribal vibe: tooth shark shaped mother of pearls paired with pyrite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is my third time participating in the Bead soup blog hop and it's been another prolific one! This time I used up <a href="http://catspajamas-dogstuxedos.blogspot.com/2013/02/bead-soup-from-sarah.html">every single bead my lovely partner Sarah sent me</a>. I even ended using beads from the previous soup from my then partner <a href="http://catspajamas-dogstuxedos.blogspot.com/2012/07/beads-are-here.html">Agata</a>. The pyrite beads from the first set of earrings and the clasp in the asymmetrical necklace.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNeSaYiXLjRS1fHBwFJB7TYVfOeeBwOziUrDh69BQn4gH3Un_ZNi37ORaOWsiqNPvl_MIAOf7TOEu3upEDbM0XkieSOyqlyNKzH61ItWzJZhlvm1tCchK0tEm6S3b_K6Gc_OgviXKdNI/s1600/DSC03324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNeSaYiXLjRS1fHBwFJB7TYVfOeeBwOziUrDh69BQn4gH3Un_ZNi37ORaOWsiqNPvl_MIAOf7TOEu3upEDbM0XkieSOyqlyNKzH61ItWzJZhlvm1tCchK0tEm6S3b_K6Gc_OgviXKdNI/s640/DSC03324.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last helping: the last two purple glass rounds paired with some last minute shopping ceramic beads and silver metal discs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To be quite honest, I finished my bead soup in the first three days after I got my beads. I just love that magical moment when I open the parcel from my partner filled with gorgeous beads and lovely thoughts in the accompanying notes that my imagination turns to super mode.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtQQoiyivSM9A_N09ar6a5rNlhzzLgjOXA8wMcV_Vz8R0CJt22V4ihqYCCsPLtV2xFhKOMIUJc-jgZXSPpJYVPob1MHvxxoqaHJXzjT9jj81rgTBbXsLSmvQG9rHhX-pN-AzQ7I8obvo/s1600/DSC03340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtQQoiyivSM9A_N09ar6a5rNlhzzLgjOXA8wMcV_Vz8R0CJt22V4ihqYCCsPLtV2xFhKOMIUJc-jgZXSPpJYVPob1MHvxxoqaHJXzjT9jj81rgTBbXsLSmvQG9rHhX-pN-AzQ7I8obvo/s640/DSC03340.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lush: the majority of bead soup paired with beads from my stash in a rainbow of purple, lavender, silver, dove and charcoal greys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year was no different, I made the charm bracelet and the chain necklace the first evening and decided upon the design for the asymmetrical necklace which had to wait a week because I needed to go to town to get the exact satin ribbons I wanted to use. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0wBz_GYgUb2jyLczxXGr4RLtBmYjFXxbdaKQsYn2ot8s4Cic6OvbPStTI-mTcDP_pQxiLexsLBsWN9kC1rFMPu4oKvMx2WOTvD_zsDNsW2NoUx9BCRgwov0W1ISbx90Lccy2vejHXJ8/s1600/DSC03336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0wBz_GYgUb2jyLczxXGr4RLtBmYjFXxbdaKQsYn2ot8s4Cic6OvbPStTI-mTcDP_pQxiLexsLBsWN9kC1rFMPu4oKvMx2WOTvD_zsDNsW2NoUx9BCRgwov0W1ISbx90Lccy2vejHXJ8/s640/DSC03336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tribal vibe: another angle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then came these earrings. I knew I wanted to accentuate the shark tooth shape but no matter how I paired the beads it just didn't work. I must have pulled them apart at least seven times. But it was worth it because I'm very happy with the final design.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpFBEJ5FXe9UWUNGogdb00wt-ul0bgCI0lYWKl5XU5L52lbcW5J4stu2hPTOxySKfOcMXhNKOd2o3EHFFvVrdyKXVBXu6k1dWvEvdiBomtAC9t88argj4IPcJ0VmFJsJ41l5qcupfD5Q/s1600/DSC03343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpFBEJ5FXe9UWUNGogdb00wt-ul0bgCI0lYWKl5XU5L52lbcW5J4stu2hPTOxySKfOcMXhNKOd2o3EHFFvVrdyKXVBXu6k1dWvEvdiBomtAC9t88argj4IPcJ0VmFJsJ41l5qcupfD5Q/s640/DSC03343.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asymmetrical</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The
asymmetrical necklace is very difficult to photograph and even looks a
bit blah on the photo but quite nice when worn. I used pale pink
faceted quartz and faceted yellow <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">Chech</span> beads from my stash and the cute
pink <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">lampwork</span> beads Sarah sent as <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">focals</span>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzglye1-ZtMrqSAbC7EWKPE_1v0F7uYoDYDQG1SGMrexPKqWzknS9Z8mgfiaOLDG5nZfCWIoQM2I_oyO3W086HnmRuJQfiJYgXiC9VpHQ5APYRjtawyLoYq7PDqvbJBbFFr84OI30xOrY/s1600/DSC03347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzglye1-ZtMrqSAbC7EWKPE_1v0F7uYoDYDQG1SGMrexPKqWzknS9Z8mgfiaOLDG5nZfCWIoQM2I_oyO3W086HnmRuJQfiJYgXiC9VpHQ5APYRjtawyLoYq7PDqvbJBbFFr84OI30xOrY/s640/DSC03347.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playful mix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This necklace deliberately has no clasp and can be worn as a single
or a double strand. I used the remaining <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">lampwork</span> beads from Sarah and
paired them with Pandora beads from my stash. I wanted to "immobilize"
the Pandora beads so that they lay perpendicular to the chain at all
times. Instead of wire wrapping which would make them wobble all over
the place I used a smaller chain, two links of it roughly equalled the
length of the hole and attached them to my main chain with the Pandora
bead trapped in. It required a bit of fiddling around to attach the main
chain to the smaller links without loosing the Pandora bead but once I
was done, the bead was snugly caught between the links of the large
chain preventing the bead from moving. Ta-<span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">dah</span>! Success.<br />
<br />
As always this party would have been a dull one without our hostess extraordinaire Lori Anderson from <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/">Pretty Things</a>.
Thanks Lori! And another warm thanks to my lovely partner Sarah whom
I've been in constant contact during the dreary snowy month of March as
we exchanged thoughts, ideas and progress report. <a href="http://singingsongsofsixpence.blogspot.co.uk/">Go see what she made with her soup!</a><br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/"><b>HERE </b></a>for the entire list of participants for the 2nd reveal.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com87tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-23115973174146714202013-04-09T12:14:00.003+02:002013-04-09T12:14:35.336+02:00Changing rituals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloJLmhDTagYvg2BI045wQVVe9x5iQPKU2rz0Z6tzgpb6jPtxuNNppesEczd79oBpZyE5DTz48Hs6MZXGczbHGvIRfZY3QV2qrtzIE_hyphenhyphenXz_PyzU3JXuDO57PHdq8kSAsAWa5JsL7djjA/s1600/DSC03279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloJLmhDTagYvg2BI045wQVVe9x5iQPKU2rz0Z6tzgpb6jPtxuNNppesEczd79oBpZyE5DTz48Hs6MZXGczbHGvIRfZY3QV2qrtzIE_hyphenhyphenXz_PyzU3JXuDO57PHdq8kSAsAWa5JsL7djjA/s640/DSC03279.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last week's Easter celebration was the first since dad died. True, there was Christmas, but it came and went in a whirlwind of other unprecedented events (still to be blogged about) so it was easy to sort of overlook that was now one setting less at the table, no gifts for dad under the tree...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBcae4c9tZmuN2kXTHuIwYNiJIX6qzURh44XTcJpij3aKHQ0Bf3RObxt2ae4vVipqC2J2JwKjj8ZSg0aLvQys8uFsc0aKENn-aPNtx9DhkII-bxquwZO0IaU7Wtm9qsHg0QcZew1iFvQ/s1600/DSC03283.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBcae4c9tZmuN2kXTHuIwYNiJIX6qzURh44XTcJpij3aKHQ0Bf3RObxt2ae4vVipqC2J2JwKjj8ZSg0aLvQys8uFsc0aKENn-aPNtx9DhkII-bxquwZO0IaU7Wtm9qsHg0QcZew1iFvQ/s640/DSC03283.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ham & cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By Easter the chaotic things in our lives have balanced themselves
out so his absence was keenly felt. Especially since dad was always more
actively involved with Easter traditions. He always prepared the eggs
that were dyed in the onion skins, grated the horseradish and shelled
and ground the walnuts for <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc">potica</span>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl90UTNgKg699ri1oqIUkDDC6FXS8lZyVbxQZCGEIVS372ABC3DRsXc-voZKM2ce23caOQP0ZYTLVw6_-rpQ-yuC4Z4fhqLhOiO601garl8X-76ekZgxNB81xIuc1wdQPeTYj0qEeHLs/s1600/DSC03281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl90UTNgKg699ri1oqIUkDDC6FXS8lZyVbxQZCGEIVS372ABC3DRsXc-voZKM2ce23caOQP0ZYTLVw6_-rpQ-yuC4Z4fhqLhOiO601garl8X-76ekZgxNB81xIuc1wdQPeTYj0qEeHLs/s640/DSC03281.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">smoked cheese piglet*, smoked salmon, bakalar and pickled quale eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've already written about my penchant for traditions and how I relish in the quietly assuring repetitiveness of never changing
rituals. I adore the notion of having the same table cloth for
Christmas for years and years and a separate one for Easter. The menus
aside for a few variations remain the same too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkqRUfZAQHZ2-SR4m55F8qAMjrMPX9jiS0_lKl5gXNoOZvPewEvf5C7o7E3hGof3x0XuVxjm7yKIiiDgsQbk1qGSrIh9ml_awuhXxdAwOmwtLSltn12e2mDFk0r0JKj9yEdRCzt1OAJE/s1600/DSC03282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkqRUfZAQHZ2-SR4m55F8qAMjrMPX9jiS0_lKl5gXNoOZvPewEvf5C7o7E3hGof3x0XuVxjm7yKIiiDgsQbk1qGSrIh9ml_awuhXxdAwOmwtLSltn12e2mDFk0r0JKj9yEdRCzt1OAJE/s640/DSC03282.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To top things off mum contracted pneumonia a week before Easter and the weather outside was more appropriate for Christmas than Easter. It was a rather sad Easter. We divided dad's chores between the three of us and mum taught me how to bake potica.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdxYPJ9PCaWwQDZbuREi5uyPOXn6Ctw7iIMXek0kEzxn-_t-FsmptS1Y-fzJZTTFpGVRUD1M30rtuqdPVqbXzYfnhHB58X2zvtnnUZhYKu6hwl4m6XXDfHM0YMJnHCmKrBH0P-wdEUZw/s1600/DSC03284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdxYPJ9PCaWwQDZbuREi5uyPOXn6Ctw7iIMXek0kEzxn-_t-FsmptS1Y-fzJZTTFpGVRUD1M30rtuqdPVqbXzYfnhHB58X2zvtnnUZhYKu6hwl4m6XXDfHM0YMJnHCmKrBH0P-wdEUZw/s640/DSC03284.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potica buns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was no denying it or going back... things are changing and try as I might I can't stop time.<br />
<br />
* The cheese piglet was a gift from Mr. C before he went on a business trip to Germany the week before Easter. It made me smile, suck a quirky little thing.</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-87597618457574911402013-03-25T12:50:00.002+01:002013-03-25T12:50:26.794+01:00I can't control the weather<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN1jVbLKLMgrGidQCtDAs_jaQImFdEEMahyphenhyphenWBZtvXziXJKRwIjZW4uSo8mR3QToLXKg0NfqhMykawfts1dm8lIe_xIciVPmCv-4CHuPnNptWGj77dccLky5pEYLS2fGJ3GLQih9XCmNo/s1600/2013-03-25+06.53.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN1jVbLKLMgrGidQCtDAs_jaQImFdEEMahyphenhyphenWBZtvXziXJKRwIjZW4uSo8mR3QToLXKg0NfqhMykawfts1dm8lIe_xIciVPmCv-4CHuPnNptWGj77dccLky5pEYLS2fGJ3GLQih9XCmNo/s640/2013-03-25+06.53.06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
but I can control my attitude! And though this weather as witnessed throught the window of our car this morning is dismal I'm making an effort to stay cheerful. Even if it's just putting on my super bright, almost neon yellow tights.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoFBdfWV1vUQ6nJG4sJBX2RC8Wv2IRj3cO43yfqnH770oc7cw9X0H4QtvCGswLzxui_qfEtud36N0HIpj0brAEZv8hpeyCqzs5CbThnK1YBCR0Mqpwqj8w9I22WdO_01HQhDmJHZovrU/s1600/2013-03-25+06.52.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoFBdfWV1vUQ6nJG4sJBX2RC8Wv2IRj3cO43yfqnH770oc7cw9X0H4QtvCGswLzxui_qfEtud36N0HIpj0brAEZv8hpeyCqzs5CbThnK1YBCR0Mqpwqj8w9I22WdO_01HQhDmJHZovrU/s640/2013-03-25+06.52.52.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
What's your trick to stay upbeat?</div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-14975334063061235562013-03-22T20:46:00.000+01:002013-03-24T13:45:53.834+01:00Today I covet...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I haven't done one of these in a long time. Probably because I've been so
overwhelmed with pretty things for a while now. This clutch, made from
real wood and leather is a thing of beauty and awe (though I'm sure for
those of us who are prone to cruelty free items the lining could be made
from faux leather)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBk9tuifPBOBQ_jILwTK3bNqZIHaytehuBIRft6Yot4chupd3CkpR7AuY7gjhPu7SsuDnZiOALE4ZSm7Tj4BzoI3lx1pEIkN8Tz8gFGJPnizJ4HnCtuQ0R7fRXdH6UCCvvvoIOYU329k/s1600/today+i+covet...+wooden+clutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBk9tuifPBOBQ_jILwTK3bNqZIHaytehuBIRft6Yot4chupd3CkpR7AuY7gjhPu7SsuDnZiOALE4ZSm7Tj4BzoI3lx1pEIkN8Tz8gFGJPnizJ4HnCtuQ0R7fRXdH6UCCvvvoIOYU329k/s640/today+i+covet...+wooden+clutch.jpg" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/120049311/wood-clutch-emboya?ref=shop_home_active">wooden clutch</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995263611532471052.post-37770536377169924562013-03-18T18:05:00.000+01:002013-03-18T22:19:14.635+01:00Honeymoon in Vienna Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Part 2 of our trip to Vienna</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3pBa7-LXCYUURbBPnE-VMNKLOGDvPka8Yhv8585PYRsVUOczBDG6t0jvriurVTzTkw8bGnmCKprpB8fXE97Dn-c-hFgRjoCAmvYscGnrk97IM5EJtac3fYVuwPyTNLoxUA-aOwga2UU/s1600/DSC08726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3pBa7-LXCYUURbBPnE-VMNKLOGDvPka8Yhv8585PYRsVUOczBDG6t0jvriurVTzTkw8bGnmCKprpB8fXE97Dn-c-hFgRjoCAmvYscGnrk97IM5EJtac3fYVuwPyTNLoxUA-aOwga2UU/s640/DSC08726.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After our Fiaker ride early Saturday afternoon it was still sunny so we took this opportunity of the break in grey weather for a long stroll through the public park and to take some pictures of the local inhabitants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijllqS90-XSd6vBU-kj59nbxuoYGZsttyYGwTutpE587tDCplNI2KaZVuL99XaKVF8yGyll75AtQLLVYytDhuAXqk9fUTqyewPRXjq__wMqpSctxLFZrakCfM7OmQ_8-Dd9hWTtWA52ws/s1600/DSC08729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijllqS90-XSd6vBU-kj59nbxuoYGZsttyYGwTutpE587tDCplNI2KaZVuL99XaKVF8yGyll75AtQLLVYytDhuAXqk9fUTqyewPRXjq__wMqpSctxLFZrakCfM7OmQ_8-Dd9hWTtWA52ws/s640/DSC08729.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">male duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then late in the afternoon it was time for a super special date:
my very first face to face encounter with a blogger and a friend, Paula
from <a href="http://ratherthanfacebook.blogspot.com/">Paula's Diary</a>! I've
been in contact with Paula about a month before our trip and she was most
gracious and offered to meet up and take us around Vienna. Saturday
afternoon we met for mulled wine in an old Viennese tavern. It's more
than 400 years old and part of an older region of Vienna. The tavern is
actually underground and has some incredibly steep staircase which is
only logical but also a bit adventurous. Well the place was very rustic
and charming and with such an inviting atmosphere more than made up for
the steep stairs.<br />
<br />
Sunday was devoted entirely to
Schönbrunn Palace. We had cake in Dommayer Cafe in the vicinity of the
Palace as recommended by Paula. We were smitten immediately! Unlike the
more obvious place our tour guides recommended this is a place that's
not packed with tourists and retains its original Viennese charm and
atmosphere. Still the waiters wore tuxedos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar60CygdreFiX8LHrdZHgD0qvNAtDXRSaQlu1lAzZwfWCo4H78b8a0ICQLzWC0Tl_kMu4la3DSVC2Xno6ACJ6zlPYcJGi-RhaTdSStMbSyc202but8k7_hDliNs2O-yXK4nqdEq0QjAU/s1600/DSC08743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar60CygdreFiX8LHrdZHgD0qvNAtDXRSaQlu1lAzZwfWCo4H78b8a0ICQLzWC0Tl_kMu4la3DSVC2Xno6ACJ6zlPYcJGi-RhaTdSStMbSyc202but8k7_hDliNs2O-yXK4nqdEq0QjAU/s640/DSC08743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We entered the Palace through the side gate and took a loooong stroll
through the garden. The place was full of tourists as well as local
inhabitants: cute little critters. We decided to skip the Schönbrunn ZOO
and opted to visit it on our next trip to Vienna preferably in warmer
months.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb3fgJA4QOzRG04zWARwX-oP74TtSH2rWEW70fysZb6UmMxmLkb94_YTdeZmBEupp4IIm8sM0VZfVtSdO0xrelgaguTP6XYcNNqDbam5U2iXKth8G4ew9xoy3KPlH_hVwjmjpdSlEiAU/s1600/DSC08766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb3fgJA4QOzRG04zWARwX-oP74TtSH2rWEW70fysZb6UmMxmLkb94_YTdeZmBEupp4IIm8sM0VZfVtSdO0xrelgaguTP6XYcNNqDbam5U2iXKth8G4ew9xoy3KPlH_hVwjmjpdSlEiAU/s640/DSC08766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When we reached the Palace we had the pleasure of seeing a traditional Viennese New Year's market. Unlike in Slovenia it is customary in Austria to close Christmas markets immediately after Christmas, with the Schönbrunn market being a rare exception.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtniwvcR44HN2AP6ItAHhu5O_jOKRq0H905EaHiFRX-LsnGRm4FhU81KoMzp1JQoIwzKJMXosKQPijFv_Q4bPVX7SYHE2N5iE1vEnBqibcWfv5Lqv-hf-_DfHIxBOhBC4bO-H3kRzTO_M/s1600/DSC08794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtniwvcR44HN2AP6ItAHhu5O_jOKRq0H905EaHiFRX-LsnGRm4FhU81KoMzp1JQoIwzKJMXosKQPijFv_Q4bPVX7SYHE2N5iE1vEnBqibcWfv5Lqv-hf-_DfHIxBOhBC4bO-H3kRzTO_M/s640/DSC08794.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXZUTkvGcp8B36fIowb-EUnK-Oyi2tqFCLrhMOkHW12bvNbWTfOlWJyDrp4yBo_N3PV47d4o3EMmbtQMdf0juf3dKtXYSAqgZNhCdyJDYwWm0N3cR65alIQO2o1EohCga6xCBF5rVpP0/s1600/DSC08795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXZUTkvGcp8B36fIowb-EUnK-Oyi2tqFCLrhMOkHW12bvNbWTfOlWJyDrp4yBo_N3PV47d4o3EMmbtQMdf0juf3dKtXYSAqgZNhCdyJDYwWm0N3cR65alIQO2o1EohCga6xCBF5rVpP0/s640/DSC08795.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It was lovely to see that all the vendors sold only handmade items made
by Austrian artisans such as gorgeous hand blown glass ornaments, wooden
toys, ceramic ornaments and household items. The food stands weren't
lagging behind either, they served sausages, baked potatoes with
rosemary, pancakes and other Austrian specialities as the sign on the board below says
wild boar and Mozart dumplings. We both had a light snack and were
pleasantly surprised by the quality of the so called fast food.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxX06u91k1ykkndqWX2qyptV0dNrJYdnceCboiDS5Y1QtLGIlDskhqgU0PjdIvmBAsamWrp-HAZzSoaRJfetkSN7i_ANgWyuB7yeEGBMkp7Jx3NStZOuQlz5M4hFKkRdXruNbKREp9i0/s1600/DSC08797.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxX06u91k1ykkndqWX2qyptV0dNrJYdnceCboiDS5Y1QtLGIlDskhqgU0PjdIvmBAsamWrp-HAZzSoaRJfetkSN7i_ANgWyuB7yeEGBMkp7Jx3NStZOuQlz5M4hFKkRdXruNbKREp9i0/s640/DSC08797.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "fast food" stand </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the quick snack it was time for an invigorating walk up to the
Gloriette and down the other side. The place was packed with tourists
and Mr. C and I both felt oh so very smug for having had our cake in the
Cafe Dommayer beforehand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDrAC1e00km2kKh8TqNmqt0qpRfdFe_8TEmADU02i4qdGTsUcPYC6jcs_wtQcFIQ4ib3fdecTkMcF8QBQPrA-Kj-E7DH6NyaUktXEkXMsa0MUKAC-wwGeqy3lz719kMQxnuvEt_wK4mY/s1600/DSC08848.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDrAC1e00km2kKh8TqNmqt0qpRfdFe_8TEmADU02i4qdGTsUcPYC6jcs_wtQcFIQ4ib3fdecTkMcF8QBQPrA-Kj-E7DH6NyaUktXEkXMsa0MUKAC-wwGeqy3lz719kMQxnuvEt_wK4mY/s640/DSC08848.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Making the most out of our journey to Schönbrunn we reserved the
tickets to see the inside of the Palace till last after the sun went
down thus having cleverly used up our time. The interior of the castle
was most informative, I particularly enjoyed to see all of the
interesting contraptions and utensils the Habsburgs used in their daily
lives but quite frankly the park was much more interesting.<br />
And
then it was time for another treat. The lovely Paula and her partner Mr.
Paula have invited us to their home for dinner. Mr. C and I felt so
incredibly privileged and honored by this. They went to great length
to prepare a lavish vegetarian dinner for us, that was based on Indian
cuisine. Since Mr. C and I don't get to travel that much, I was so happy
at the chance to meet both Paula and her beau to get a "feel" at how
real Viennese live and how they interact. They were both also so kind at
providing us with abundance of information about what to see and where
to go that our stay in Vienna was so enriched by it I can't even begin
to describe.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo7zwR2uwOWFxeyiXrOTp_UOL4ITOip5gMDWD5FHQX9SpSPmoR0a1g-P7OrqniVg7u3Pu_iYvNI5NEieyUJYlYIerW5cZyFiVxd0ud-s4n7Hj1RJpfPB19L61pr2JQsLUMWpFfrPCgn0/s1600/DSC08920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo7zwR2uwOWFxeyiXrOTp_UOL4ITOip5gMDWD5FHQX9SpSPmoR0a1g-P7OrqniVg7u3Pu_iYvNI5NEieyUJYlYIerW5cZyFiVxd0ud-s4n7Hj1RJpfPB19L61pr2JQsLUMWpFfrPCgn0/s640/DSC08920.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Amethyst</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
Our last day in Vienna was a bit on the lazy side. We slept in and
decided to go into town for some last minute sightseeing before
everything closes down in preparation for New Year's Eve. As we were
standing in front of the <a href="http://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/">Museum of Natural History</a> and its twin the <a href="http://www.khm.at/en/">Art Museum</a>
we realized in horror we only had the time and energy for one. So we
visited the Museum of Natural history and it was spectacular. Room after
room filled with extraordinary incredibly rare and superbly preserved
specimens of minerals, semi-precious and precious stones as well as
animal skeletons, fossils....<br />
I was overjoyed to be able to visit
their meteorite collection which is one of the most comprehensive
collection in the world. We even found the Gibeon meteorite, the same
meteorite that's been inlaid into our wedding bands.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRcO2ow7URFGUKGc28TDisZKQshvHce-32yD6tA0SlX7yWjJ11fTpvZJ-OZQHkLA0UKmgBMFdwomQjZZy7kfWmCNW-Jz8VqzrVy05qS_GLJlkBzezQQo3MJHeLJYGXYRKPwA224AECq0/s1600/DSC08930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRcO2ow7URFGUKGc28TDisZKQshvHce-32yD6tA0SlX7yWjJ11fTpvZJ-OZQHkLA0UKmgBMFdwomQjZZy7kfWmCNW-Jz8VqzrVy05qS_GLJlkBzezQQo3MJHeLJYGXYRKPwA224AECq0/s640/DSC08930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful topaz specimen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOOzW5NIyeXrgRdcY2WOHpBXj5iWO4xHUOCQWZan-0eufxnBHgf4hWVkiJrZaSTzt4ZHK-bxZt8rpVH5GyXbHQuxnDAO653R3DPxHDPM87Wi2k7rrBLXr_EN35zx4fpmIesR0WoOLVRY/s1600/DSC08935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOOzW5NIyeXrgRdcY2WOHpBXj5iWO4xHUOCQWZan-0eufxnBHgf4hWVkiJrZaSTzt4ZHK-bxZt8rpVH5GyXbHQuxnDAO653R3DPxHDPM87Wi2k7rrBLXr_EN35zx4fpmIesR0WoOLVRY/s640/DSC08935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Gibeon meteorite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our New Year's Eve plans were very last minute, we got wait listed at the <a href="http://www.palmenhaus.at/">Palmenhaus cafe</a>
and our reservation came through at the last moment. We enjoyed a
lavish and decadent 8 course meal and toasted to New Year 2013 in a
leisurely manner while the sky above was illuminated by fireworks and
the stereo played the Blue Danube. This is Vienna after all!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin49JG6iqOM8SC1-U9UPq7AQVTSeQWkhlFLGlskrImlhsAwyG8hzyPsR0QexQInrZF59czQxvHcKz03KoUbxZTevfTMM0FaPTP0ylb83MvmYP67Mg2yVFmCs9PQQ_YTrw3ALfrhVEBIYE/s1600/DSC08966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin49JG6iqOM8SC1-U9UPq7AQVTSeQWkhlFLGlskrImlhsAwyG8hzyPsR0QexQInrZF59czQxvHcKz03KoUbxZTevfTMM0FaPTP0ylb83MvmYP67Mg2yVFmCs9PQQ_YTrw3ALfrhVEBIYE/s640/DSC08966.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">basil sorbetto gin&tonic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next day the sky was grey again and Vienna was covered in thick
and damp fog. As much as we had hoped for a quick visit to the Prater we
were both unanimous to pack it up and go home because the weather
simply wasn't cooperating. Prate will have to wait.<br />
<br />
All
in all it was a wonderful trip and we managed to see and experience so
much. Though we kept the focus on sightseeing we also had plenty of
downtime as well as a bit of shopping. As I've said in my previous post,
Vienna is very expensive and the focus of our trip wasn't on shopping
so we didn't really spend any time in the shops or the dreaded malls. I
got another bottle of my favourite and faithful scent, Black orchid by
Tom Ford. And we also stopped in an old traditional fabric store that
has the finest wools as well as men's accessories. They kindly allowed
us to snoop around and take photos but since the price of fabric was
upwards of 120 € and all the way to a cool 600 € for a meter of fabric
the only thing I could afford were a pair of cheerful striped stockings
made in Scotland.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dkgPv7lNrqIq4qR0WnBIHNz_eQT6p-DH6gc1vZIUUe6-rx7pEl__9UNUqcz1Dobv_j1zwGqxO0WkTrAJkQHQF9EVrRmoRWvSkq7Cvni6KRYYHVUTH9cI1ofWPA9Mw4aGp0FShjLJGN8/s1600/DSC08551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dkgPv7lNrqIq4qR0WnBIHNz_eQT6p-DH6gc1vZIUUe6-rx7pEl__9UNUqcz1Dobv_j1zwGqxO0WkTrAJkQHQF9EVrRmoRWvSkq7Cvni6KRYYHVUTH9cI1ofWPA9Mw4aGp0FShjLJGN8/s640/DSC08551.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heavenly display</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbAF4oYNzRT5S8YV-4hrEjYafvSIso21qqDTryNKBzOOsUnMHk9aCZ0lZYxvp__kDFHJb9UK4HdiO025zQ8-8MsemRceuJmcisYgkWZcOEJKA6mBmLpvlMX0pKFBUF0ofMBrBEr_VP9U/s1600/DSC08557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbAF4oYNzRT5S8YV-4hrEjYafvSIso21qqDTryNKBzOOsUnMHk9aCZ0lZYxvp__kDFHJb9UK4HdiO025zQ8-8MsemRceuJmcisYgkWZcOEJKA6mBmLpvlMX0pKFBUF0ofMBrBEr_VP9U/s640/DSC08557.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awesome umbrellas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZWkmuXK8uDOyKJE4JWqt-NnerYaZhZlz18YWud8FB-MQ9sqSilnuK1g9jZ3dI-GTkqa5HUaTOCGflJ9FcBOh-twCUHrqTQ8ik92AoRMYqUrZ9mJyhiNl3q-lfOu0HYyK8VsPENRayI8/s1600/DSC08560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZWkmuXK8uDOyKJE4JWqt-NnerYaZhZlz18YWud8FB-MQ9sqSilnuK1g9jZ3dI-GTkqa5HUaTOCGflJ9FcBOh-twCUHrqTQ8ik92AoRMYqUrZ9mJyhiNl3q-lfOu0HYyK8VsPENRayI8/s640/DSC08560.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovely woven cashmere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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coffeeaddicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.com12