tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410277854456637342024-03-05T06:54:59.067+00:00New BeginningsTrying to do things differently ....Finding ways to use and re-use resources to make a beautiful home and save the planet from waste. I want to be more frugal, save money and de-clutter once and for all!Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-59404451693373559272015-02-15T11:20:00.001+00:002015-02-15T11:20:01.015+00:00No ..... It can't be 2015!<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hello, my lovely readers ....if any of you are still out there in Blogland</span></div><div><br></div><div>So many changes, and I fell off the radar.. Please accept my apologies. </div><div><br></div><div>In 2014 I was made redundant again and my change of job meant a move to Norfolk. So, I upped sticks and am currently renting a lovely cottage near the North Norfolk coast. It is peaceful and calm and just what I need. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqjV9lPxxMprXjc4IMVwyP2ty4xhZzDCvdc4-PwNhbmtzlHry6vVXDIWJq5C_mkOHwPIJqGDeu-7Z5Zh3Q2NacHqFdJMyH11I8Gq9aw4KyC8nJcrASdeKeJpKuVFYHPqwz-dOcvAe2Izt/s640/blogger-image-1457707240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqjV9lPxxMprXjc4IMVwyP2ty4xhZzDCvdc4-PwNhbmtzlHry6vVXDIWJq5C_mkOHwPIJqGDeu-7Z5Zh3Q2NacHqFdJMyH11I8Gq9aw4KyC8nJcrASdeKeJpKuVFYHPqwz-dOcvAe2Izt/s640/blogger-image-1457707240.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> #3 finished uni and moved back to Norwich to be with girlfriend. #4 left for London and a degree in chemistry and I felt bereft. They don't warn you about the reality of empty nest syndrome and just how awful it feels. Add that to the menopause and many of you will understand my need to go to ground. I burrowed in and gathered my resources. And here I am, the crone is emerging.</div><div><br></div><div>Busy making favours for #2's wedding in Tuscany in May .... Will share with you presently. In the meantime, I am<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> still alive and have missed you all. I hope 2015 is being kind to you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">With love</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mrs Thrifty xxx </span></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-51616266390872890002013-01-02T18:51:00.000+00:002013-01-02T18:51:28.442+00:00Hello 2013<i>Hello Lovely Readers</i><br />
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<i>How are you? Are you enjoying the prospect of a new year? I don't know where the last part of 2012 went, but somehow I have crawled my way into 2013. It was all going so well. I was loving blogging and then I started a new job and it all went to pot. I stopped all my crafting because I could barely keep my head above water at school. And I had nothing to say........ Now for anyone who knows me, you will find that somewhat miraculous! But it is true ..... I just dried up. I am not quite sure how we did Christmas.... but we did ....</i><br />
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<i>... and we celebrated #4's 18th on Boxing Day as well as #2's 24th. We had a 2nd Christmas Dinner in honour of #2 who was with Gorgeous Girlfriend's family on Christmas Day. He adores a roast dinner, as do his brothers. </i><br />
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<i>But, new beginnings are here again with the arrival of a new year and there is always hope. My sister has started blogging about counting blessings and so I am waving goodbye to the lacklustre soul that I have been of late, and I am starting afresh. So, my dearest readers, if you are new to my pages.... "Welcome" and if you are old friends then, "Hello again - please forgive my absence."</i><br />
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<i>I started blogging on 30th December 2011 and so I am a year old in Blogworld. I started with these thoughts as the old year waned......</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will try to be more frugal. (I made inroads into this and learnt to spend less - thank you to the Blog Friends who inspired this)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will try to be more healthy. (Nah..... this didn't really happen. I dieted and stopped, so here's to 'New Beginnings' again.......)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will try to engage my brain before talking. (Mostly managed this one)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will try to be more compassionate. (I tried and checked myself when I wasn't)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will try to find ways to love myself. (Mmmmmmmmmmm another non-starter)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will have a life outside of work. (Oh dear!)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will spend less. (I did)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will use up the food in the larder/freezer/fridge before going shopping (I am a hoarder). (Partly managed this)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I will (finally) de-clutter my life! (In spite of some peoples' comments, I am NOT like that poor man on the telly who hoards absolutely everything, but I do hang on to things I no longer need). This is the year to act on William Morris' adage not to own anything that that is neither useful or beautiful. (Okay, I didn't do as much as I wanted and it all came to a grinding halt at the end of August, but I did part with <b><u>2559 items last year</u></b> which is a jolly good start).</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The clothes sort began ....................</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>and was completed......</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>So, some good, some not so good, but isn't that what life is like? I think all of last year's musings will be works-in-progress. Maybe, I need to be more realistic with myself. I do love blogging and I felt so privileged to meet so many lovely people via their amazing blogs - so thank you all for that!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>In December, we ended the old year with some good news. #2 passed the final exams for his Chartered Accountancy and is now a fully-fledged chartered accountant. We are so very proud of him. A week later, after 13 months of assessments and meetings and more assessments and more meetings, Mr Thrifty and I were accepted as foster carers.... so a new chapter is about the begin. I will be continuing in teaching while Mr Thrifty becomes a full-time carer...... who knows what lies ahead!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I wish you all a wonderful and peaceful 2013 full of abundance and blessings.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Love Mrs Thrifty</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>xxx</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-56291220694679512622012-12-18T17:16:00.001+00:002012-12-18T17:16:16.653+00:00Is it nearly Christmas?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Oh my word..... tired does not even come close! </i></div>
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<i>What a term. New school. Failing department. Sixteen hour days and I am on my knees, but with a hard-earned "outstanding" judgement. We don't finish school until Friday. No tree up! No decorations! Not a thing bought to eat ............ And I have two birthdays to sort too, on Boxing Day! #2 will be 24 and #4 will be 18! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............. HELP!</i></div>
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<i>On a positive note... I trained a signing choir at school and they performed in our carol service last week. I don't think there was dry eye in the place. </i></div>
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<i>How are you my friends? I have missed you all. I haven't done any crafting and my poor house has lacked any loving attention. I shall do a bit of blog hopping and see what you are up to.</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Mrs Thrifty</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>xxxx</b></span></i></div>
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<br />Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-60761067586679761862012-10-24T18:06:00.003+01:002012-10-24T18:06:47.590+01:00Zena meets the Princess<i>Hello my Lovely Readers </i><br />
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<i>I can only apologize (yet again) for my lack of blogging .... I have been lost somewhere in life's dramas ..... anyway, I am back. How are you all? I have missed you so much. Thank you so much Millefeuilles and Cindy for your messages - I have so appreciated them. Welcome to new readers Carol and Eight by Six - I am sorry that I haven't been here to welcome you.</i><br />
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<i>So, my news! Last week Zena was runner-up in the Hearing Dog of the Year Awards and we went to London to meet Princess Anne. Now, I am not a royalist, but she was delightful - utterly charming and so easy to talk to. The judge of my category was Pam St Clements (aka Pat Wicks from East Enders) who displayed a disappointing lack of warmth and personality. The ceremony was presided over by the delightful John Barrowman who was so pleasant and friendly - he made a point of talking to all the recipients of hearing dogs and gave me an autograph to take back to school for my year 11s! I a guessing you'd like to see.............</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>John Barrowman with Hearing Dog puppies<br />photo courtesy of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here's John again, with Zena!</i><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">photo courtesy of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Princess Royal with award winners and dignitaries</i><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">photo courtesy of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We stayed in London overnight which was great fun and what made it even better was that our lovely friends Simon, Vicky and Foggy were there too.Simon and Foggy were winners of the Life-changing Hearing Dog Award last year and this year Simon was awarded a Hearing Dogs Ambassador Award. Here they are with the Princess:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Thank you to all at Hearing Dogs for your support and help on our journey.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I will try to catch up with my reading of the wonderful blogs that I follow.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Love Mrs Thrifty</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>xxx</b></span></i></div>
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<br />Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-24276972952104881372012-09-23T12:26:00.002+01:002012-09-23T12:26:38.552+01:00<i>Hello my Lovely Readers</i><div>
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<i>.... and the hugest of huge apologies for my silence. What can I say? I spent the last 12 days of the summer break in my new school trying to sort out the department and I have pretty much worked 7am to 7pm since. I have just finished the week's planning and I am taking time out. Pub lunch and a beach walk are on the agenda for this afternoon .... if the threatening storm stays away that is.</i></div>
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<i>Welcome to Alison, Poppy, Bonsaimum, η γελαστή κλωστή (sorry, no idea at all what that says!) and Hollywood Graham. I am sorry I haven't been around to welcome you earlier.</i></div>
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<i>Is it really Autumn? I love Autumn but the cold is not so welcome. #3 returned to university this week and is 20 today .... only one teenager left at home and he is 18 at Christmas. Empty nest looming!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8odhpqosTyI58UT6ke1gotokH15Zc9EubIIrZspDnUoWpeKypOzj5JzJhbQrL_TVh_l7hyuk4q_alakRONrDLjpYLtXlGqFLUV0f73SnaRiqOLNzaeSfH2v4GNsK_hbmgM1Gu-uZumKO/s1600/ploughed-field-pink-sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8odhpqosTyI58UT6ke1gotokH15Zc9EubIIrZspDnUoWpeKypOzj5JzJhbQrL_TVh_l7hyuk4q_alakRONrDLjpYLtXlGqFLUV0f73SnaRiqOLNzaeSfH2v4GNsK_hbmgM1Gu-uZumKO/s400/ploughed-field-pink-sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The wonderful Zena has been short-listed for an award; life changing Hearing Dog of the Year. She is in the last 3 finalists.. we have a film crew coming into school on Tuesday and the awards ceremony is in October in London. I'll keep you posted!</i></div>
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<i>My crafting output is zero .... school has been all consuming, but I hope to sort out my life-work balance sooner rather than later.</i></div>
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<i>Off to check out your blogs and catch up on the news.</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Loads of love and have a wonderful Sunday</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Mrs Thrifty</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>xxx</b></span></i></div>
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<i>PS. Our polecat/ferret never returned!</i></div>
Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-90770983905982103562012-08-15T16:07:00.000+01:002012-08-15T16:07:14.457+01:00Uninvited Guests<i>Hello Lovely Readers</i><br />
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<i>Apologies (grovel, grovel, grovel) for my long absence. However, I thought you might like to see our latest house guest. I say "guest" although he (she?) walked in the other evening uninvited and made himself at home.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlql0b3GVbizJscGxQOkD68Xu2WBsjzlgL-Ve1lTNgqI5-ysZ1mQ3sJk272bw1np4x7AvrrWUQ5xIrqN6Fpm66kk9eKVXe8lOjxdd5vkoGSlo1faeQ9CNFG3XDU5QkDDqo88mqGTL2GZU/s1600/random+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlql0b3GVbizJscGxQOkD68Xu2WBsjzlgL-Ve1lTNgqI5-ysZ1mQ3sJk272bw1np4x7AvrrWUQ5xIrqN6Fpm66kk9eKVXe8lOjxdd5vkoGSlo1faeQ9CNFG3XDU5QkDDqo88mqGTL2GZU/s400/random+036.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<i>Mr Thrifty was reading in the lounge and caught the visitor out of the corner of his eye and thought it was our cat, Gomez. He certainly did a double take when he realised it wasn't and called us down to have a look. #4 coaxed the visitor out from beneath the couch with ham, but his idea of catching him in a shoe box didn't work out. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMJBx9Nc6-2eKctWy7Vbr8rED8MNOy6DXNCpc49ymDh0ujeTwX6Vp7k3HAOSZA18zT4FLsQ0H9kYnWTlVxH-xnFG_NQ8rfP6CfmX2i3vbDig02fK78PF18es2LmlY4cVJRmPs9HrUYbtq/s1600/random+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMJBx9Nc6-2eKctWy7Vbr8rED8MNOy6DXNCpc49ymDh0ujeTwX6Vp7k3HAOSZA18zT4FLsQ0H9kYnWTlVxH-xnFG_NQ8rfP6CfmX2i3vbDig02fK78PF18es2LmlY4cVJRmPs9HrUYbtq/s400/random+037.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg585VV8bFPHJqhiawvMK3HT-RFHBEdhJNAG-E12tk1MW2fp-DewmZjUOl_VjBr3hAP2tsuCLMhYjpootL8Aro-ClLdixjF-SP2244R1gTThvFft0sxM3HF3Bntdfq0TfyA2TxZMN9LFBEj/s1600/random+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg585VV8bFPHJqhiawvMK3HT-RFHBEdhJNAG-E12tk1MW2fp-DewmZjUOl_VjBr3hAP2tsuCLMhYjpootL8Aro-ClLdixjF-SP2244R1gTThvFft0sxM3HF3Bntdfq0TfyA2TxZMN9LFBEj/s400/random+040.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<i>He decided to have a little play in the potato basket, a look around the kitchen and a nosey in the bin (full of Zena's hair after I had brushed her).</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTffukhjH6rlwUWho5jAoSvL5oomRcDPVClO0QEj7iYqG3Az0pcXxK9Dyh6-2FiTO-32RzsZAo9XCeNgoVumRRxCAtUR_QFhyeMBBSVc1i-FPpDEoN3KbjoajKhPkpwynutAfSRqAcbS6h/s1600/random+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTffukhjH6rlwUWho5jAoSvL5oomRcDPVClO0QEj7iYqG3Az0pcXxK9Dyh6-2FiTO-32RzsZAo9XCeNgoVumRRxCAtUR_QFhyeMBBSVc1i-FPpDEoN3KbjoajKhPkpwynutAfSRqAcbS6h/s400/random+048.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDUsReFRQjedUCOe7MBmdh-PLiySgtC0HDX1DK8mL8pnXP2AUtxprtVyzyN3D6ZpCSNj4jV3fSKaMgtsFGTz2ZVm6QoVNhsTzaAnty13IOH7RqFx0Qx1HnAW2VAQvnaTQE1T0hyphenhyphen4H-O5o/s1600/random+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDUsReFRQjedUCOe7MBmdh-PLiySgtC0HDX1DK8mL8pnXP2AUtxprtVyzyN3D6ZpCSNj4jV3fSKaMgtsFGTz2ZVm6QoVNhsTzaAnty13IOH7RqFx0Qx1HnAW2VAQvnaTQE1T0hyphenhyphen4H-O5o/s400/random+052.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGymxG-Xoj5RBfrUmoHOtNQq3IZAc9ob1Yxb3qYulADaJmqo0_MXi7HqGwxBjF_nvTK12pTyG7h0ejOBWFKViDRn5fP1f4M86_vAii1j-pj0-sz82crwmt9-Zf5gQTZg0y502VDa7jST_/s1600/random+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGymxG-Xoj5RBfrUmoHOtNQq3IZAc9ob1Yxb3qYulADaJmqo0_MXi7HqGwxBjF_nvTK12pTyG7h0ejOBWFKViDRn5fP1f4M86_vAii1j-pj0-sz82crwmt9-Zf5gQTZg0y502VDa7jST_/s400/random+044.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<i>When the boys had had enough playing they coaxed him out with a broom and he left the same way he had entered, by the back door.</i></div>
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<i>I contacted the British Wildlife Society as we aren't supposed to have pole cats in our area, but that is what we thought it might be. The very nice man from the BWS emailed back to say that he thought it was a pole cat x ferret and had possibly been an escapee pet as he seemed rather friendly.</i></div>
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<i>Anyhow, it brightened an otherwise dull evening and #3 (who is 19) described it as "the best day ever" - bless him.</i></div>
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<i>So, what do you think? Is the BWS man right or do you think it is something else? Anyone in East Anglia seen pole cats? (They are apparently spreading east)</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>xxx</i></span></b></div>
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<br />Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-30200831664892736292012-08-08T21:57:00.000+01:002012-08-08T22:16:55.482+01:00One Lovely Blog Award<i><br /></i>
<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers and many, many apologies for my lack of posts...</i><br />
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<i>Thank you for all the lovely comments you left after I returned from Canada. I am still organising the house and de-cluttering, but the end is in sight. Pics to follow soon.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9HOrZNz9zWZXcjCHHnxNSVp_y6D9P_C61anXlu_ZRhnnoMnpO2rs7AChJ_vkW1ck6E0ilWp0JEZvzpTlymh4aICDHHFKrpLIokh2CEtYtlKX-3DUrGYwRMs9EoQIdf1lXsTJuHDJpcxR/s1600/one-lovely-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9HOrZNz9zWZXcjCHHnxNSVp_y6D9P_C61anXlu_ZRhnnoMnpO2rs7AChJ_vkW1ck6E0ilWp0JEZvzpTlymh4aICDHHFKrpLIokh2CEtYtlKX-3DUrGYwRMs9EoQIdf1lXsTJuHDJpcxR/s320/one-lovely-blog.jpg" width="269" /></i></a></div>
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<i>I have been lucky enough to have been awarded the 'one lovely blog' award by the wonderful Sue from <a href="http://sftandthe101challenge.blogspot.co.uk/">http://sftandthe101challenge.blogspot.co.uk/</a> who is currently in Africa. Sue is such an inspiration for anyone wanting to pay off their mortgage and still lead a full life. Thank you Sue.</i><br />
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<i>AWARD CRITERIA</i><br />
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<i>Thank the person who nominated you on their blog -Thanks Sue.</i><br />
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<i>Tell 7 things about yourself</i><br />
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<i>1. The most amazing place I have visited is Petra in Jordan.</i><br />
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<i>2. I love reading travel books and novels set in other countries. One of my favourite ever books is Lisa St Aubin de Teran's "Off the Rails: Memoires of a Train Addict".</i></div>
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<i>3. I am hearing impaired and use BSL with friends who sign. I lost my hearing through Meniere's Disease. I belong to a signing choir. My hearing dog, Zena, goes everywhere with me. </i></div>
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<i>4. I love the look on peoples' faces when I tell them I teach languages.... they assume it would be impossible with my hearing loss. </i></div>
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<i>5. I love "Little Women" and "Jane Eyre" - two of my favourite childhood novels - both given to me by my Grandmother.</i><br />
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<i>6. My hero(ine) is my Nanny who was dumped in a convent by her mother to be raised as an orphan. She never knew that she had a family who had moved from Dublin to London and lived near to the convent where she had been placed. Although they had money, my Nanny had been born out of wedlock to a widow and in 1906 Ireland that was not acceptable. Her mother later married the father but they never made contact with my Nanny who died when I was 17. She taught me to knit and to sew. I still miss her.</i><br />
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<i>7. I have worked as a teacher, counsellor, community theatre worker, shop assistant, make-up consultant, canning factory worker, waitress, barmaid, chambermaid, accounts clerk, and voluntary care worker, breastfeeding counsellor and Samaritan.</i><br />
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<i>Nominate 15 blogs. This is hard because there are so many that I love, but I consider most of these my "blog friends":</i><br />
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<i>Sue at <a href="http://ournewlifeinthecountry.blogspot.co.uk/">http://ournewlifeinthecountry.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Debbie at <a href="http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk/">http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk</a></i><br />
<i>Isobel at <a href="http://thehomenest.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thehomenest.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Jane and Chris at <a href="http://swiftsuresongbird.blogspot.co.uk/">http://swiftsuresongbird.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Kay and Sime at <a href="http://thesmithsontour.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thesmithsontour.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Cindy at <a href="http://justnorthofwiarton.blogspot.co.uk/">http://justnorthofwiarton.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Amanda at <a href="http://craftyinthemed.blogspot.co.uk/">http://craftyinthemed.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Lena at <a href="http://frugalandthankful.blogspot.co.uk/">http://frugalandthankful.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Linda at <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/">http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/</a>
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<i>Stephanie at <a href="http://sbmillefeuilles.blogspot.co.uk/">http://sbmillefeuilles.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Sue Marie at <a href="http://www.home.suemarie.co.uk/">http://www.home.suemarie.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Lexie at <a href="http://piecesofwonderful.blogspot.co.uk/">http://piecesofwonderful.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Jan at </i><a href="http://slowlivinginafastlife.blogspot.co.uk/">http://slowlivinginafastlife.blogspot.co.uk/</a><br />
<i>Justine at <a href="http://justine-jazzysplace.blogspot.co.uk/">http://justine-jazzysplace.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Arwedd at <a href="http://arweddindevon.blogspot.co.uk/">http://arweddindevon.blogspot.co.uk/</a>
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<i>I will be back to blogging soon - I promise - swamped by the de-cluttering and sore eyes (apparently they are very dry following the laser eye surgery and I now have two different eye drops to try. Excuses, excuses .... I know.</i><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Lots of love</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Mrs Thrifty</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>xxx</i></b></span></div>
</div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-36207685234507131022012-08-04T08:51:00.000+01:002012-08-04T08:52:33.781+01:00Going Underground<i>Remember this?</i><br />
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<i>I am winning the clutter war and will be back soon. Welcome to new follower Kim.</i><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>xxx</i></span></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-32807526515204097292012-07-23T13:50:00.006+01:002012-07-23T13:51:54.228+01:00Not waving but drowning<i>Good Morning Lovely Readers and the hugest of welcomes to new followers sbmillesfeuilles, Sooze, Jo, Ileana and Pickle-Lily.... great to have you on board. Please do let me know if you have a blog so that I can follow you too (If I haven't already found it).</i><br />
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<i>Now do you know this poem by Stevie Smith?</i><br />
<i><br /><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Not Waving But Drowning</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Nobody heard him, the dead man, </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>But still he lay moaning: </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I was much further out than you thought </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>And not waving but drowning.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Poor chap, he always loved larking</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>And now he's dead </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>They said. </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> Oh, no no no, it was too cold always </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>(Still the dead one lay moaning)</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> I was much too far out all my life </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>And not waving but drowning.</b></span></i><br />
<i><br />This is how I have felt since coming home from Canada. All out-of-sorts. Unable to settle to much at all. Really not sure why. My brain has even felt dead when it comes to blogging .... no inspiration.<br /><br />I have been pulling the house apart. It doesn't work as it is. It is a strange house... a detached house built in 1966 with a weird lay-out and no storage space! <strike>We</strike> Mr Thrifty bought it for the location and I have spent the last 5 years trying to make it work as a family home. If we had money we could extend but just for now it has to work as it is. So (yes, you guessed it) I have been de-cluttering again and trying to figure decent storage into every room. Moving furniture, changing rooms around and generally getting into a mess!!!</i><br />
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<i>This is what I did to the kitchen last week..</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KHB7jDLWregfzW1PdPpv_3-evCY_Wj_tNeD4R2-1i3W3zEpd5__kalK7MPDBofGDtUIoLbqBU84x47cuuaWoyEb32Qi1XOITubgJ_dy5cGP6xDN85y5JQ4M1vDBqIIIisy6Q4LJ4sZMw/s1600/mouth+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KHB7jDLWregfzW1PdPpv_3-evCY_Wj_tNeD4R2-1i3W3zEpd5__kalK7MPDBofGDtUIoLbqBU84x47cuuaWoyEb32Qi1XOITubgJ_dy5cGP6xDN85y5JQ4M1vDBqIIIisy6Q4LJ4sZMw/s400/mouth+002.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk_un2y5Bm1DRaGRAK42ARf3fB7DDio9FqwdNZZ2ndu5gMirU3bUqzd801dODEfXuJLkJ93nMj1V-ij1Va0cg6nBrpGshiavmWfMXqwlErvnKlzyHVBCEfgQXCBYQWOa1-VtXLYZatEal/s1600/mouth+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk_un2y5Bm1DRaGRAK42ARf3fB7DDio9FqwdNZZ2ndu5gMirU3bUqzd801dODEfXuJLkJ93nMj1V-ij1Va0cg6nBrpGshiavmWfMXqwlErvnKlzyHVBCEfgQXCBYQWOa1-VtXLYZatEal/s400/mouth+003.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<i>See what I mean? Anyway, please be patient and I'll post the "after" photos. </i><br />
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<i>Tell me, do you get times when you are all at sixes and sevens with the world? How do you shake yourself up? I'd love to know..... am feeling like a bear with a rather small brain right now!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBW4ckNO8BDl-WAWHDw-_k53-iggRZqetSIEsX8ZJU2dS0wbLydGo82Xj-xTkkc1plUZiyASqJ3AmS9wrYatOS5hKhddNQgTgC0E6hMYbT346YfGfiEFg28wf2LcKW0JXEi07IAkROqDg/s1600/pooh1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBW4ckNO8BDl-WAWHDw-_k53-iggRZqetSIEsX8ZJU2dS0wbLydGo82Xj-xTkkc1plUZiyASqJ3AmS9wrYatOS5hKhddNQgTgC0E6hMYbT346YfGfiEFg28wf2LcKW0JXEi07IAkROqDg/s320/pooh1.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
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<i>Have a wonderful day and I WILL get around to reading blogs - I promise</i></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>xxx</i></span></div>
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<br />Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-24797489461921400692012-07-13T22:59:00.003+01:002012-07-13T23:02:03.550+01:00Crochet Crazy<i>Hello Lovely Readers</i><br />
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<i>I'm back and grovelling apologies for my absence. A huge, warm welcome to new followers Rae, Literary Ladybug, Jamie Hanna and and Angeliki - if I haven't managed to find the link to your blog then please do send it so that I can join you too. </i><br />
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<i>I am now back to feeling human (as much as I ever am that is) again after my laser eye surgery last week and Mr Thrifty had his eyes done yesterday. I feel that we have been rushing backwards and forwards to Norwich getting check-ups and the like, leaving little time for other things.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyogc7Eriq5K-WNBi1YJKB3je9jPsQxb03WrHH8fQFBEfVYpg_c6HdsXmuhUlU5CuGab2Y0tm6DfkufRykBEJegIYHhUeuDdRJUD2uNlHOMcIAo8j_DX6OmmMNMGtzJaSHMkmaxedwoSls/s1600/optical+express.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyogc7Eriq5K-WNBi1YJKB3je9jPsQxb03WrHH8fQFBEfVYpg_c6HdsXmuhUlU5CuGab2Y0tm6DfkufRykBEJegIYHhUeuDdRJUD2uNlHOMcIAo8j_DX6OmmMNMGtzJaSHMkmaxedwoSls/s1600/optical+express.jpg" /></i></a></div>
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<i>My distance vision is now 20:20 which is wonderful, but I am having to use glasses for reading. They have said that should improve as the swelling goes down ... so watch this space. I hope it does! This has been the main reason for my lack of blogging - I have found reading or using the computer quite difficult.</i></div>
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<i>As you know I started crocheting in January and I just love it. So I thought I would show you what I have achieved so far:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtBJi2aDRjUnLAffW1SlTDJW9W1hvZf_Lvc4Y_5j0gWJtVKqtfH2prr5B5N4F1HVKj-OpIcDdTj_ilZ-DX6_J5TepmsyHY3oDNLOVu76QvD1TngSGyJ8H27pPzor6tcUSVofGEOYAgOCW/s1600/Crochet+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtBJi2aDRjUnLAffW1SlTDJW9W1hvZf_Lvc4Y_5j0gWJtVKqtfH2prr5B5N4F1HVKj-OpIcDdTj_ilZ-DX6_J5TepmsyHY3oDNLOVu76QvD1TngSGyJ8H27pPzor6tcUSVofGEOYAgOCW/s640/Crochet+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></i></a></div>
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<i> I am rather pleased with myself. This is just 6 months of crocheting. I also have a granny blanket that is very much "a work in progress." This reminds me that this gorgeous book is waiting for one of my lovely followers... have a look at the tab above for details.....</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECEMdIp26sAnC7-ByonX7IvPahhISxBZ0X1qmVw_f5k5kRnIN5Fgikp-vPI6uYkoO-MI92Atm3K6RszLwzDLEraEVqSx2_RosvqW_BzisahNr77hODoDQGmF3ft2yktpGiCba0IrLfhcN/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECEMdIp26sAnC7-ByonX7IvPahhISxBZ0X1qmVw_f5k5kRnIN5Fgikp-vPI6uYkoO-MI92Atm3K6RszLwzDLEraEVqSx2_RosvqW_BzisahNr77hODoDQGmF3ft2yktpGiCba0IrLfhcN/s1600/books.jpg" /></i></a></div>
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<i>I know some of my followers are amazing crocheters and give me such wonderful inspiration. What about other newbies.... how are you doing?</i><br />
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<i>I am off to catch up on all the blog news I have missed over the last week... please accept my apologies again for my lack of commenting. It might take me a while to catch up with you all. </i><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>xxx</i></b></span></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-83553125720724786272012-07-06T17:58:00.001+01:002012-07-06T17:58:06.345+01:00Absent Without Leave<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers</i><br />
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<i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee4cdKK0YQJy_Yy_T33xiDrdMIEMDtkI7E5p5gZhV9sepuUzY1eZ8W4j_utY_u4K2y5_QmotEXktr0eEd2n8nH64cyr4ZWHCkuvtjPfHJ4BW3Fz87ziA08tFUZT9DZx5fwpZ2uVG-fKCS/s1600/laser_eye_surgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee4cdKK0YQJy_Yy_T33xiDrdMIEMDtkI7E5p5gZhV9sepuUzY1eZ8W4j_utY_u4K2y5_QmotEXktr0eEd2n8nH64cyr4ZWHCkuvtjPfHJ4BW3Fz87ziA08tFUZT9DZx5fwpZ2uVG-fKCS/s1600/laser_eye_surgery.jpg" /></a></i></div>
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<i>Yesterday I had laser eye surgery and as I am somewhat sore, I can't blog or comment as normal... so sorry in advance....</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSj1T8UHpAU5b7BLQ5p7kEdrJ396m08Z9q9651hzvqyYe4SMXwk-J2KH2ChTaOh_9v45ueDSibyoqRk3u_TaanCxpPklxu1Iw1GI0lqOLS6p6yvcxWi_MZqjivJhENYIs66JYoc2UpGkH/s1600/laser-eye-surgery-cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSj1T8UHpAU5b7BLQ5p7kEdrJ396m08Z9q9651hzvqyYe4SMXwk-J2KH2ChTaOh_9v45ueDSibyoqRk3u_TaanCxpPklxu1Iw1GI0lqOLS6p6yvcxWi_MZqjivJhENYIs66JYoc2UpGkH/s320/laser-eye-surgery-cartoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Love Mrs Thrifty</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>xxx</b></span></i></div>
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<i>PS. You might find this amusing given the circumstances!</i></div>
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<a href="http://eternally28.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/cake-sneak-preview.html">http://eternally28.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/cake-sneak-preview.html</a>
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<br /></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-20986298102285111942012-07-04T20:57:00.003+01:002012-07-04T21:23:59.870+01:00Liebster Blog and Thrifty Shopping<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers </i><br />
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<i>.... and a warm welcome to new followers Deborah and Magie.You will notice that the lovely Lena at <a href="http://frugalandthankful.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/3-prize-giveaway.html">http://frugalandthankful.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/3-prize-giveaway.html</a> is hosting a giveaway, so if you have a minute do pop over and have a look at her sweet blog.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xMYxg3dbxFx0b3HfDckKkIHqeMb7idfe8_el7dskpLfN6uNcke7P1lK72hrwen6OwZVAgZuQeoc71YMTHSHqcUOZTI33bKY6Otakeo8vRa7eRKOJwUyr_6d4VZV39eJqS6VtYhg6HKAM/s1600/liebsterLabelsFinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xMYxg3dbxFx0b3HfDckKkIHqeMb7idfe8_el7dskpLfN6uNcke7P1lK72hrwen6OwZVAgZuQeoc71YMTHSHqcUOZTI33bKY6Otakeo8vRa7eRKOJwUyr_6d4VZV39eJqS6VtYhg6HKAM/s320/liebsterLabelsFinal.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>I was thrilled to be awarded the Liebster blog by Sue Marie - what an honour! Thank you Sue Marie and keep going with your delightful blog <a href="http://www.home.suemarie.co.uk/">http://www.home.suemarie.co.uk/</a> I have seen different rules for this award and found this on google:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4-Gy4s1xyRbAT9NQ9Da4L2RuBXmdFIn2frerXeyJaSA4juX9aZVtC2e9lp9oGweIFEj7EvzxOLqEWAb4mQxN7Ckx27G5lMu8YsYnumpjyUzS-Ne0fhAr7iCCPbDJ_AC86mYBSaVFYHI6/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4-Gy4s1xyRbAT9NQ9Da4L2RuBXmdFIn2frerXeyJaSA4juX9aZVtC2e9lp9oGweIFEj7EvzxOLqEWAb4mQxN7Ckx27G5lMu8YsYnumpjyUzS-Ne0fhAr7iCCPbDJ_AC86mYBSaVFYHI6/s400/images.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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<i>I also found a few different images:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEuyiaeFESL5rCLDOc7gYY8ee1QoeMHuD-nXjGDopJTh3tU8IscPjV07kXYXa1MYJpPmPow6ZZAM5-icToQwy6_T8hnq6d30T-HhyEIg8-v7gzZCp06Qd4VbPdf3dqVVu7FHxl7dTfsjl/s1600/liebster-blog-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEuyiaeFESL5rCLDOc7gYY8ee1QoeMHuD-nXjGDopJTh3tU8IscPjV07kXYXa1MYJpPmPow6ZZAM5-icToQwy6_T8hnq6d30T-HhyEIg8-v7gzZCp06Qd4VbPdf3dqVVu7FHxl7dTfsjl/s1600/liebster-blog-award.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hYnGtpZM8RjHvXn9SjIIPRYF2aUsNiuXZDPXdXr_97P5Ms0HKlzNQTx8c27MVz99QQ-l6B_i-yPZ0CFiW_74EWTe9U53376IjJeeHm7wyYVyNM4L1-8PBjRY2-Jnat0V-vcQBfoTKeqg/s1600/liebster_blog_love_blog_award1_thumb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hYnGtpZM8RjHvXn9SjIIPRYF2aUsNiuXZDPXdXr_97P5Ms0HKlzNQTx8c27MVz99QQ-l6B_i-yPZ0CFiW_74EWTe9U53376IjJeeHm7wyYVyNM4L1-8PBjRY2-Jnat0V-vcQBfoTKeqg/s320/liebster_blog_love_blog_award1_thumb4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>So, the rules I am going with are:</i><br />
<i>1. Linking back to and thanking the giver</i><br />
<i>2. Post the award on your blog</i><br />
<i>3. Pass the award on to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers:</i><br />
<br />
<i>Liebster means dearest in German - isn't that lovely? I think it a great way of encouraging new blogggers with less than 200 followers. I follow so many gorgeous blogs that choosing just 5 is going to be hard! Some of the blogs I love are also award-free or they have more than 200 followers. I would happily award this to everyone with less than 200 followers because if I follow you, then I think you are a lovely blog, but after HUGE thought these are the ones I recommend to you: </i><br />
<i>Sue at <a href="http://sftandthe101challenge.blogspot.co.uk/">http://sftandthe101challenge.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Kay and Sime at <a href="http://thesmithsontour.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thesmithsontour.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Jane and Chris at <a href="http://swiftsuresongbird.blogspot.co.uk/">http://swiftsuresongbird.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Debby at <a href="http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk/">http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i>Cindy at <a href="http://justnorthofwiarton.blogspot.co.uk/">http://justnorthofwiarton.blogspot.co.uk/</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Now, on to being thrifty. I had a bit of time today so did a charity shop trawl with a task in mind. Next year I will celebrate my silver wedding anniversary ( and 30 years together) with the wonderful Mr Thrifty and I thought that a vintage tea party would be just the thing. So I have started looking for old china cups and saucers. Now this has proved to be far harder than I thought and evidently they have become very popular. Anyway, I did find these today:</i><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/AVvXsEigYVLEY2y3M4k_j-dLFdKsf7yeyNYmwI8VWiWzCnXGcjKjuYdUYEQFLrSA1l_0AncD5wiBHxl3Jbmir0hxoir6lY2LjUeO0Rv2vSbg9iH6OxtGthbPuEJb2ecL8Z2rHQsBEIe_YAxL8NjU/s1600/charity+shop+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYVLEY2y3M4k_j-dLFdKsf7yeyNYmwI8VWiWzCnXGcjKjuYdUYEQFLrSA1l_0AncD5wiBHxl3Jbmir0hxoir6lY2LjUeO0Rv2vSbg9iH6OxtGthbPuEJb2ecL8Z2rHQsBEIe_YAxL8NjU/s320/charity+shop+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">£3 - Royal Albert</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/AVvXsEhKQ5-siMEEubnM_71MP3SYB7jqQCCwj80OYJuWqxu8PAjTRot_EcmFcjPFjBsV09gmDtrR5XOsL1bGNNA1Tlqlo2GDEFabp_fRZoc_pz008cpGFInF0htjglBvdlS0X40JpINwIisrbFz2/s1600/charity+shop+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ5-siMEEubnM_71MP3SYB7jqQCCwj80OYJuWqxu8PAjTRot_EcmFcjPFjBsV09gmDtrR5XOsL1bGNNA1Tlqlo2GDEFabp_fRZoc_pz008cpGFInF0htjglBvdlS0X40JpINwIisrbFz2/s320/charity+shop+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">£1 for the pair</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/AVvXsEhYCyQm_jQTYY2jpulCRolslJLuRElP6dGusB2-WIrjukO2OjTCv97ELS6VOMjGp77WpMuKOFPdGQb2_rP7_MVZyjPDo_rqqjJnqrjrw5aFKGWgL9_Dd7_hOxAlKfyck52dZvNhd1577A1L/s1600/charity+shop+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCyQm_jQTYY2jpulCRolslJLuRElP6dGusB2-WIrjukO2OjTCv97ELS6VOMjGp77WpMuKOFPdGQb2_rP7_MVZyjPDo_rqqjJnqrjrw5aFKGWgL9_Dd7_hOxAlKfyck52dZvNhd1577A1L/s320/charity+shop+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">£1</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/AVvXsEhm2M9V-essi1kR9Ee-l2rIirGz4SvcChj9WLJ1546f5-W9Ip_htS0xu5Ts-wD9wQKNL_X5qSouTHiFVbF30ucJsOPl0c8fkWj0ogYh-r5L6sebyfRDyL63458E-AFAZ5258njs7G3irJkX/s1600/charity+shop+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2M9V-essi1kR9Ee-l2rIirGz4SvcChj9WLJ1546f5-W9Ip_htS0xu5Ts-wD9wQKNL_X5qSouTHiFVbF30ucJsOPl0c8fkWj0ogYh-r5L6sebyfRDyL63458E-AFAZ5258njs7G3irJkX/s320/charity+shop+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50p</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/AVvXsEj0CbC_UYKfVjPy5bg_OQ97hDiggyCPn3pi2nR9uLhbD_qfmTHyVFU7xTHEQsrC5_pWHr8QGWKyWJve00W6zYlOPsI2qVsUO2dJEyJH-8mKhfd3qhQTvjm2IeZbQ6qT8HA3v2Kqgo64UQPj/s1600/charity+shop+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CbC_UYKfVjPy5bg_OQ97hDiggyCPn3pi2nR9uLhbD_qfmTHyVFU7xTHEQsrC5_pWHr8QGWKyWJve00W6zYlOPsI2qVsUO2dJEyJH-8mKhfd3qhQTvjm2IeZbQ6qT8HA3v2Kqgo64UQPj/s320/charity+shop+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20p</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/AVvXsEibQrnFnVVZTynUXc35mujQ4qaLTGzWA7fO5kv6OV7Hv3zUejzMtGqqEPeAD_yXxpWkEBwh4xcHmi6CjdpvYvRhm0UGlroKrytUC6PzQ__uxoXkeEGLkMyarXCPSJLhalBDhhnZxw-OHKtW/s1600/charity+shop+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQrnFnVVZTynUXc35mujQ4qaLTGzWA7fO5kv6OV7Hv3zUejzMtGqqEPeAD_yXxpWkEBwh4xcHmi6CjdpvYvRhm0UGlroKrytUC6PzQ__uxoXkeEGLkMyarXCPSJLhalBDhhnZxw-OHKtW/s320/charity+shop+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50p</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/AVvXsEjB5l8BTRCCXiRNIaur5tqRUYBvsouqM92rfm2aG_Cj-kZ00jpVHmFlH54A-5xs1PcZaub-z2ZgRAmjXIDCGhvUSkXQ0WAq2-oOBeuGOj-5usBN3nswqu-nAolrHGw8Su6Z0Aq3K22W7rZS/s1600/charity+shop+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5l8BTRCCXiRNIaur5tqRUYBvsouqM92rfm2aG_Cj-kZ00jpVHmFlH54A-5xs1PcZaub-z2ZgRAmjXIDCGhvUSkXQ0WAq2-oOBeuGOj-5usBN3nswqu-nAolrHGw8Su6Z0Aq3K22W7rZS/s320/charity+shop+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20p</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>So, we can have 1 guest at the moment, but my lovely friends at the Salvation Army are going to put aside any cups and saucers that they get in for me. When I was in Canada recently, I was helping Ruthie to prepare for her 50th Birthday and her vintage tea party and we found it relatively easy to find lovely china in the thrift shops. I think dealers are buying it all up over here and then selling on at silly prices. On Sunday, I noticed that the Tally-Ho tea shop was selling cups and saucers with a single tea bag for £12.50 each!!!!!</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Anyway, I also found these treasures today:</i><br />
<i><br /></i><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/AVvXsEg4fYyU72ONPwXxmhXsEoyi6-nMp9I9Hv5F8dbBV8AvoipABFBYtn3-TD_ZKyvqRmnEZBYJ0uVsx-t7BYFttja9hhjSFwKzZdfzIQmPD1DEVkxG08oQMU2UfqcvFuA-dQ_is5upm8Gxkent/s1600/charity+shop+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fYyU72ONPwXxmhXsEoyi6-nMp9I9Hv5F8dbBV8AvoipABFBYtn3-TD_ZKyvqRmnEZBYJ0uVsx-t7BYFttja9hhjSFwKzZdfzIQmPD1DEVkxG08oQMU2UfqcvFuA-dQ_is5upm8Gxkent/s320/charity+shop+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old cotton reels at 25p each</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/AVvXsEiP_eFGQ11krj8W9oVBqEeokC5HftQvUXOa9ZDoQj9E7a_asrzyteSopQhdq89XTMNPdL3Oore9BlKNPQtAp1GzTvQXVHjYNJtR-uM_I6_BG8E4UY6xOEF7-8DzR3UvGqigpa-aVdzaejDv/s1600/charity+shop+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_eFGQ11krj8W9oVBqEeokC5HftQvUXOa9ZDoQj9E7a_asrzyteSopQhdq89XTMNPdL3Oore9BlKNPQtAp1GzTvQXVHjYNJtR-uM_I6_BG8E4UY6xOEF7-8DzR3UvGqigpa-aVdzaejDv/s320/charity+shop+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart missed a beat when I saw this beauty.....</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdrvivVpqvyf6xEl9t9D2UGEJAJCiK1EmYlG4VuJ0KhyphenhyphenXD2CMytZBHqRKXxcaRG40LBcnfypU-DmgD8WpvSR5ps_41idv33Qxuj7KtXa0VEkiHbeEY_5pknY42mTmmAl50PHBRRBSCSHA/s1600/charity+shop+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdrvivVpqvyf6xEl9t9D2UGEJAJCiK1EmYlG4VuJ0KhyphenhyphenXD2CMytZBHqRKXxcaRG40LBcnfypU-DmgD8WpvSR5ps_41idv33Qxuj7KtXa0VEkiHbeEY_5pknY42mTmmAl50PHBRRBSCSHA/s320/charity+shop+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F7xBq6I-YchZ6FPueI2wbY83xSchPL2QEVVt6S9dmB9D5G9v8C4rA3nu3vI-UzrGXKXfAMaJunmwD90Yfs0ly3V4KDiViuy09Q9tQJyr-V4TtLjelVN1XVFSBLVBaWYH4Jt93wrQLLK5/s1600/charity+shop+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F7xBq6I-YchZ6FPueI2wbY83xSchPL2QEVVt6S9dmB9D5G9v8C4rA3nu3vI-UzrGXKXfAMaJunmwD90Yfs0ly3V4KDiViuy09Q9tQJyr-V4TtLjelVN1XVFSBLVBaWYH4Jt93wrQLLK5/s320/charity+shop+002.JPG" width="320" /></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/AVvXsEjw_lLzbY5AtGwnYKz2lrZQSuOzNwWVGg6aFPopGir7O0l-HlX0IgYG4beE16VWfjBfszzaLUbH9rnoGAtPFBBHvLl-ZYXW87qwYu46Set97Hrl-r6Lrcegtqa2JcbrU0fMY6xYiV1tpwmV/s1600/charity+shop+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_lLzbY5AtGwnYKz2lrZQSuOzNwWVGg6aFPopGir7O0l-HlX0IgYG4beE16VWfjBfszzaLUbH9rnoGAtPFBBHvLl-ZYXW87qwYu46Set97Hrl-r6Lrcegtqa2JcbrU0fMY6xYiV1tpwmV/s320/charity+shop+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Kingsize quilt for £4!</td></tr>
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<i>Well that's all from me..</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Have a great evening</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Love Mrs Thrifty</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">xxx</span></b></i></div>
<br />
<br />Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-40495902483658292172012-07-03T07:53:00.003+01:002012-07-03T10:09:51.363+01:00How does your garden grow?<i>Good Morning Lovely Readers</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>My followers list is growing .... but I am not sure who is new. Now this is not quite as daft as it sounds and I don't think I have lost the plot (yet). If you have an image with your profile, you automatically get added at the front of the list. However, if you don't you are given a grey head and put at the back... that isn't very nice is it! Anyway. I know 2 wonderful readers have joined me, but I don't know who you are. so please leave a comment to say 'Hi' so that I can welcome you properly and if you have a blog then please do let me know so that I can follow you too. I did find a lovely blog this week - all through a comment left on mine.... if you have a chance, pop along and have a look at Chy at </i><a href="http://cottagebriarrose.blogspot.co.uk/">http://cottagebriarrose.blogspot.co.uk/</a> - <i>she is well worth a visit!</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Now for serious things! We finally got around to sorting out our wonderful<strike> wilderness</strike> garden. Actually, I should say that we have started ... it is very much a work-in-progress!</i><br />
<i>Do you remember this?</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVCnSON4nhgNDUNY1ny6T1vATyYKhCPsA7UEHh2giC0luPhCDBTGOTiGju5jnEtldGzLTq5GGh4cJA78ptn59tAaSmUS_vmTKNFLtJHCpCwONwhwkG5T-bjpwKBqPEW98Z_48dgy21fmg/s1600/garden+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVCnSON4nhgNDUNY1ny6T1vATyYKhCPsA7UEHh2giC0luPhCDBTGOTiGju5jnEtldGzLTq5GGh4cJA78ptn59tAaSmUS_vmTKNFLtJHCpCwONwhwkG5T-bjpwKBqPEW98Z_48dgy21fmg/s640/garden+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>This was the remains of last year's vegetable container garden. Oh dear! Well, Mr Thrifty dug it over and now it looks like this:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9YAfn96WvIQ2FVQA8A6AmMtoOuYVyhvapqYKlLsz521g3OsN9sPzNgCpGdP2eowuGct62mjKRwJF9zfPTsiDqNtoH7yD7muN4eTnKlNjaKtdGlN1Q4jNI_aXHy2huMllCvaeI8hbXOYc/s1600/Blog2+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9YAfn96WvIQ2FVQA8A6AmMtoOuYVyhvapqYKlLsz521g3OsN9sPzNgCpGdP2eowuGct62mjKRwJF9zfPTsiDqNtoH7yD7muN4eTnKlNjaKtdGlN1Q4jNI_aXHy2huMllCvaeI8hbXOYc/s640/Blog2+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>We think it would be too difficult to try and remove this tree trunk, but we are going to lay plastic sheeting and then cover it in wood chips. It should look better.</i></div>
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<i>Meanwhile, I have been busy planting seeds and transplanting small plants into pots...</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBV70e4AyYTG86FOVmPRiJWv2GYFJHF1NBylKGgoFYLM-uUAUkJbC8ePDMxwW5j9uxb1hGBO9sankxH2dNHShc-feI23Ldn_plZh-wmbcSLcyDvPHOko9CXb9PnzWibICiEchCACjV3p9/s1600/Blog2+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBV70e4AyYTG86FOVmPRiJWv2GYFJHF1NBylKGgoFYLM-uUAUkJbC8ePDMxwW5j9uxb1hGBO9sankxH2dNHShc-feI23Ldn_plZh-wmbcSLcyDvPHOko9CXb9PnzWibICiEchCACjV3p9/s640/Blog2+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4IgxoEh6sKj3ZMjHaxY0cXm_oz-mKDZUxy92zeQfIkYSf2Cb0Zq9ru82KsKQak2ffvsGftjJa8knBruKa8Z3JyWy1R8pAhJw_D3iNj9xMGxQzBBHbgjTrt5pHUjGoWcV0033xKoBq9VE/s1600/Blog2+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4IgxoEh6sKj3ZMjHaxY0cXm_oz-mKDZUxy92zeQfIkYSf2Cb0Zq9ru82KsKQak2ffvsGftjJa8knBruKa8Z3JyWy1R8pAhJw_D3iNj9xMGxQzBBHbgjTrt5pHUjGoWcV0033xKoBq9VE/s640/Blog2+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>I have also tackled the pots and containers which were looking very sorry for themselves..</i></div>
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<i>As you can see I adore geraniums - they are one of the few plants I can actually smell.</i><br />
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<i>The lawn still needs tackling but with the mower still broken that is going to take a while. Parts have been strimmed but we are keen to leave it a little wild in places to enjoy these beautiful daisies:</i></div>
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<i>I think this looks gorgeous, but as you can see, very much a work in progress.</i></div>
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<i>What does your dream garden look like? I think mine would be a little like Elaine's from Pear Tree Log </i><a href="http://applebeesatpeartree.blogspot.co.uk/">http://applebeesatpeartree.blogspot.co.uk/</a> - have you seen it?</div>
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<i>Have a great day</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Love Mrs Thrifty</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>xxx</b></span></i></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-89294925391558621742012-07-01T19:20:00.000+01:002012-07-02T07:27:38.337+01:00Anyone for Tea?<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers and a very warm welcome to new followers Lucylastica2, Carol Crane and Islay Lass - thank you so much for joining me!</i><br />
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<i><br />You may or may not be following my other blog, charting my successes (mostly) with the Harcombe Diet <a href="http://newbeginningswithfood.blogspot.co.uk/">http://newbeginningswithfood.blogspot.co.uk/</a> .... well today I took the day off and we went out for afternoon tea. I should add that we had done a couple of days hard work in the garden (will blog about that later) and felt that we deserved it. Am I trying to justify myself? Mmmmm.....<br /><br />Anyway, this little gem is fairly local and we'd never been so we thought we'd check it out.</i><i><br /></i><br />
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<i>Mr Thrifty and I are not of the hunting fraternity so not sure about the name, but inside is a veritable delight of Victoriana with tea served in bone china cups. Everything was presented beautifully and tasted pretty good too!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtdZ1G5sZ-B96WDMB2Fa5Nwa5ZFt8T4W_QVxKRRK5e8zcr_g7ht6iiKJanXhunvU-AOc3bQ89YNVRzo_P6UXA3VN_jzsrgN3dQbxGQd38Wgm0jYxwL18gXFHDUC1dz6MreEKW23pO0k9A/s1600/Blog2+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtdZ1G5sZ-B96WDMB2Fa5Nwa5ZFt8T4W_QVxKRRK5e8zcr_g7ht6iiKJanXhunvU-AOc3bQ89YNVRzo_P6UXA3VN_jzsrgN3dQbxGQd38Wgm0jYxwL18gXFHDUC1dz6MreEKW23pO0k9A/s400/Blog2+010.JPG" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty bone china with Lady Grey tea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsyEbjFUdbenjjFQLBDofnqGVg-KMataw-YJlaForGkY6P8nKEqc0S4s2AkKr_U32V3JAWUw2QaGiZbdMgC-ZmCuOtzx4zb3Cnv3psfB6AZilJtCprdMDFGqNBnLhBhtlqH_miT3dFsVs/s400/Blog2+002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How do you pronounce 'scone'?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Sandwich - my Nanny was the best in the world at making these - FACT</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Thrifty's coffee cake was almost gone before I could photograph it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG51krSXFtfPECOH9bmvEEVu4namW2SVV5sN-Oijs5KAcqKyuY61vrjdc3Ewiix_40-fAKhyphenhyphenD2uJtlG3RcuaaUnEMSvMwdzv_jZ78XeFJAnevwNelaGteL0RQenj0F_HZW8moSXTS0e4Eq/s400/Blog2+006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger lemonade and a smoked salmon sandwich</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earl Grey </td></tr>
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<i> #3 wondered whether potato crisps were around in the Victorian era (1837 - 1901) and a quick look on google via a mobile phone told us that they most definitely were...</i><br />
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<i>Our friend Mr Wikipedia revealed all....</i><br />
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<i><br />"According to a traditional story, the original potato chip recipe was created in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Springs,_New_York">Saratoga Springs, New York</a> on August 24, 1853. Agitated by a patron repeatedly sending his fried potatoes back because they were too thick, soggy and bland, resort hotel chef, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Crum">George Crum</a>, decided to slice the potatoes as thin as possible, frying them until crisp and seasoning them with extra salt. Contrary to Crum's expectation, the patron (sometimes identified as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_Vanderbilt">Cornelius Vanderbilt</a>) loved the new chips and they soon became a regular item on the lodge's menu under the name "Saratoga Chips". Alternative explanations of the provenance of potato chips date them to recipes in Shilling Cookery for the People by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_Soyer">Alexis Soyer</a> (1845) or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Randolph">Mary Randolph</a>'s The Virginia House-Wife (1824).<br /><br />In the 20th century, potato chips spread beyond chef-cooked restaurant fare and began to be mass produced for home consumption. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayton,_Ohio">Dayton, Ohio</a>-based <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike-sell%27s">Mike-sell's Potato Chip Company</a>, founded in 1910, calls itself the "oldest potato chip company in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States">United States</a>". New England-based Tri-Sum Potato Chips, originally founded in 1908 as the Leominster Potato Chip Company, in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leominster,_Massachusetts">Leominster, Massachusetts</a> claim to be America's first potato chip manufacturer. Chips sold in markets were usually sold in tins or scooped out of storefront glass bins and delivered by horse and wagon. The early potato chip bag was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_paper">wax paper</a> with the ends ironed or stapled together. At first, potato chips were packaged in barrels or tins, which left chips at the bottom stale and crumbled. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Scudder">Laura Scudder</a>, an entrepreneur in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterey_Park,_California">Monterey Park, California</a> started having her workers take home sheets of wax paper to iron into the form of bags, which were filled with chips at her factory the next day. This pioneering method reduced crumbling and kept the chips fresh and crisp longer. This innovation, along with the invention of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellophane">cellophane</a>, allowed potato chips to become a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_marketing#Use_and_Products_Sold">mass market product</a>. Today, chips are packaged in plastic bags, with nitrogen gas blown in prior to sealing to lengthen shelf life, and provide protection against crushing."</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Google</td></tr>
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<i>So, diet again tomorrow, but I did enjoy my tea!</i></div>
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<i>How have you spent your weekend? Doing fun things I hope.</i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Love Mrs Thrifty</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">xxx</span></b></i></div>
</div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-9399326472486734572012-06-29T20:36:00.003+01:002012-06-29T20:58:32.313+01:00Sunshine Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX7eLKuWbeND4dKlFqhU5LJCeSGlyOJuqrg8GDrd_aYZZe6I1l7AfI_9rHmscPlSjj4IPt77rv_US-Nu97aRGrOrHMk-3p-g7NZpgbe5PJPpkg_cInSJDGkRMcr_asB7FON8aSBitK1Gf/s1600/SunshineBlogAward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX7eLKuWbeND4dKlFqhU5LJCeSGlyOJuqrg8GDrd_aYZZe6I1l7AfI_9rHmscPlSjj4IPt77rv_US-Nu97aRGrOrHMk-3p-g7NZpgbe5PJPpkg_cInSJDGkRMcr_asB7FON8aSBitK1Gf/s1600/SunshineBlogAward.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Although I have already been given this award, I have been nominated again by Linda at </i>
<a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/">http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/</a> <i> and Julie at </i><a href="http://dragonfly-gems.blogspot.co.uk/">http://dragonfly-gems.blogspot.co.uk/</a> <i>thank you both. I am really thrilled to be awarded any kind of award and I find it fabulous that people want to read my blog and appreciate everyone who chooses to follow me.</i><br /><br />
<i>Sunshine Award Rules:<br />1. Thank the blogger who nominated you - done.<br />2. Answer the 10 questions on your favorite things.<br />3. Nominate ten blogs to receive the Sunshine Award and let them know they've been nominated.<br /><br />Favorite animal: dogs - Zena wouldn't forgive me if I said otherwise and cats too of course, sorry Gomez!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUf-g32O_nFsVGKCy5rjjhAl3BhS3t6CHJPzaftUG9mCCuCbX1HF2Ngp26_qkWGvY7jlmFbKGK09GKgODLRQR4-c7dj4ymUaQJqVvnoDkFymQmZK5RUiJYsArJ7bxM1gdfyUzcqPdo-If/s1600/IMG00043-20100828-0838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUf-g32O_nFsVGKCy5rjjhAl3BhS3t6CHJPzaftUG9mCCuCbX1HF2Ngp26_qkWGvY7jlmFbKGK09GKgODLRQR4-c7dj4ymUaQJqVvnoDkFymQmZK5RUiJYsArJ7bxM1gdfyUzcqPdo-If/s320/IMG00043-20100828-0838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /> Favorite number: I don't really have one - maybe 11 because I like parallel lines - bit of OCD there!<br />Favorite non alcoholic drink: Elderflower presse <br />Facebook or Twitter: Facebook<br /> My passion: crocheting... or knitting... or sewing... or maybe patchwork.. mmm I am a piscean!<br />Getting or giving: Giving (but getting is lovely too)<br />Favorite pattern: Polka dots<br />Favorite day of the week: probably Saturday<br />Favorite flower: Lily of the Valley ... and sweet peas<br />Favorite country: I'll let you know when I have seen them all ...<br /><br />Now for ten blogs I want to nominate:</i><br />
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<i>I simply cannot choose 10 because I visit and love so many ...</i><br />
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<i>Some are great for thrifty ideas and others for crafts of all different kinds; others give me inspiration and ideas for new menus, diets, gardening, living life a bit differently or just having a jolly good laugh..</i></div>
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<i>So..... would you please add this award to your blog with my blessings if you would like to have it. Many of the blogs I follow are on my sidebar if you want a good read - if yours isn't for some reason, let me know and I'll add it. </i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">with love from</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Mrs Thrifty</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">xxx</span></i></div>
<i><br /></i>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-21931424692879727922012-06-27T10:50:00.001+01:002012-06-27T10:50:56.895+01:00Mennonite Market<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers</i><br />
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<i>One on my favourite excursions in Canada was to St Jacob's Mennonite Market - I don't think there are any Mennonites in Britain so I found the experience really fascinating.</i><br />
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<i> I also enjoyed seeing Mennonites travelling in their horse drawn buggies and exploring the crafts from these amazing people.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Google<br /></td></tr>
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<i>The market itself was wonderful and was it just my imagination or did everything look so much bigger and brighter than in the UK? You be the judge!</i></div>
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<i>Now according to my very good friend, Ruthie, who I believe to be an expert in these matters, one has to partake of apple fritters at St Jacob's market and who was I to refuse?</i></div>
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<i>These were as good as they look and as Ruthie had promised!</i></div>
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<i>I bought a beautiful hand-crafted baby book from this lady - I'll show you it when I find my camera!</i></div>
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<i>I also bought maple syrup and a lovely smock for Mr Thrifty and a receiving blanket made of the softest calico ever.</i></div>
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<i>Here is the link if you would like to find out more about the market.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.stjacobs.com/farmers-market">http://www.stjacobs.com/farmers-market</a>
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<i>We then had a wander around the nearby town of St Jacobs where Ruthie had to practically drag me from a couple of quilting shops and another shop selling Mennonite and Amish crafts... take a look for yourself:</i></div>
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<i>The trip was finished with lunch at the crossroads - a Mennonite restaurant offerring fantastic home-cooked food. <a href="http://www.crossroadsrestaurant.ca/our_restaurant.php">http://www.crossroadsrestaurant.ca/our_restaurant.php</a> </i></div>
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<i>The selection was truly amazing and I forced myself to have a very small portion of the main course so that I could fit in pudding - there must have been around 15 choices of dessert!</i></div>
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<i>Afterwards we wandered around another gift and quilt shop - there is going to be a quilt shop in my heaven!</i></div>
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<i>Have a wonderful day wherever you are</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Love Mrs Thrifty</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">xxx</span></i></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-9332636539246313392012-06-26T23:41:00.005+01:002012-06-27T09:36:54.553+01:00Feel the Love<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers <br /><br />Right now my world is good. I have just returned from a wonderful holiday with one of my best friends. Even though we hadn't seen each other for over 6 years (and even then it was only for a couple of hours following a funeral) when we drank coffee together in Tim Horton's just after my arrival, it felt like no time at all had passed. This was on facebook recently - how true is this?</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZNxvQlseZsliOBiDrgbKI37pUTSVuQ0f3fbRDfyLUH-NGLRbwrre4IjWbTkl6wm5HGUax3ttp5ANP3-HTM2yFjEo1ASy2G-ZWONaDOxdrxfJIkYShnfER3-hHnudecupnCGUHqbeoo3B/s1600/598984_3453590903411_1279768693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZNxvQlseZsliOBiDrgbKI37pUTSVuQ0f3fbRDfyLUH-NGLRbwrre4IjWbTkl6wm5HGUax3ttp5ANP3-HTM2yFjEo1ASy2G-ZWONaDOxdrxfJIkYShnfER3-hHnudecupnCGUHqbeoo3B/s1600/598984_3453590903411_1279768693_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><br />I came home to my wonderful husband and my beautiful boys and, of course, the fabulous Zena. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. Mr Thrifty and I spent the first couple of days at Hearing Dog's HQ in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire catching up with Zena's trainer. Mr Thrifty knows me very well and was thoughtful enough to have brought a package with him. In my haste to explore the contents I forgot to take photographs and as I can't find my camera at the moment (this is where I have to admit that I haven't unpacked from my trip yet), so I am borrowing Debby's fabulous photos. Have you guessed yet? It was my 'Pay it Forward - handmade' from Debby in the US. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnM__wmRwL0vXmP7g1tgfdcstqRoIjsBgEDJy63yE_YX0Jp3Tx5dqQvWFPM5ePZI5XmRl0hdhfrSjZ3tS9eUrvbnYBOc7CKK8KAWGaE-hR3nCa9WYw5DokcEPcpSfDaoR2tJlqzkr3vWU/s1600/play+it+forward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnM__wmRwL0vXmP7g1tgfdcstqRoIjsBgEDJy63yE_YX0Jp3Tx5dqQvWFPM5ePZI5XmRl0hdhfrSjZ3tS9eUrvbnYBOc7CKK8KAWGaE-hR3nCa9WYw5DokcEPcpSfDaoR2tJlqzkr3vWU/s320/play+it+forward.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>You can read Debby's post here</i><i><a href="http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/play-it-forward-handmade.html">http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/play-it-forward-handmade.html</a> and if you have time, go back and look at some of the amazing things Debby makes - this lady is an awesome crafter! So here is my beautiful apron:</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljTsk8AlxhBtk4r-u3h2eRSBTwQaEan3LZf_EWrpXYd9AFIhlo6O1BnwInSY_vRjGLBFgzVyhc3gwiKQOaehnVQVBqOUT9pAHzEOEtNXbnJdi4MyYd8DhHemYqfia0p2T4U7vgtXsxsdq/s1600/pinny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljTsk8AlxhBtk4r-u3h2eRSBTwQaEan3LZf_EWrpXYd9AFIhlo6O1BnwInSY_vRjGLBFgzVyhc3gwiKQOaehnVQVBqOUT9pAHzEOEtNXbnJdi4MyYd8DhHemYqfia0p2T4U7vgtXsxsdq/s400/pinny.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Debby at <a href="http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk/">http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ21e7uVfmjmsjGYSH8mc2ZgQ5oR1TXa9Ryw1FizY1c6tdHtSaatXNT3by8KyvZY6Jgya37xT5QnHUEiRaUZvEFyWK9ARh_K5TeOAwdRnu1oYhJ-YXWa6-KmLrocYeXB93m5iEbk3WJJW/s1600/pinny+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ21e7uVfmjmsjGYSH8mc2ZgQ5oR1TXa9Ryw1FizY1c6tdHtSaatXNT3by8KyvZY6Jgya37xT5QnHUEiRaUZvEFyWK9ARh_K5TeOAwdRnu1oYhJ-YXWa6-KmLrocYeXB93m5iEbk3WJJW/s400/pinny+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Photo courtesy of Debby at <a href="http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk/">http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk </a> </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/AVvXsEg0wa4tqqgcy0KUTsPwPqeR7P3nYX2PgH1SB0nSHuH0A6gFYs79OYENWU3y9vHX1hWvYdqzlGd_tkBu4KTDrkwitRbKvTWUqiGHoljPoc4KfzJEQqeR8ZAQWDN0zR9_xSpVNQ6XAiDObyFA/s1600/pinny3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wa4tqqgcy0KUTsPwPqeR7P3nYX2PgH1SB0nSHuH0A6gFYs79OYENWU3y9vHX1hWvYdqzlGd_tkBu4KTDrkwitRbKvTWUqiGHoljPoc4KfzJEQqeR8ZAQWDN0zR9_xSpVNQ6XAiDObyFA/s400/pinny3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Debby at <a href="http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk/">http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.co.uk</a> </td></tr>
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<i>Debby was spot on with my favourite colours! Thank you Debby. I added the pay it forward handmade logo to my blog offering a handmade gift, but none of my readers were able to commit to making at that time. So, in the spirit of 'pay it forward', I asked around at school if anyone would like something made and a colleague requested a jumper for her baby. Here is Quintin wearing his Rupert Bear jumper:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7KgkxQTJc-EKkdBGnU-2XpoyL_1aV-PSN1IbKYQWWiFwM3pPOaHO1cI9_deFlfOstWr5TWHzy7fHPeZ6HHctdFn-6ZQtRAI4vWZ1B4SyueQBd4JClAaGcp8VxXBYcYSpVjHnDF5vli0l/s1600/Quintin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7KgkxQTJc-EKkdBGnU-2XpoyL_1aV-PSN1IbKYQWWiFwM3pPOaHO1cI9_deFlfOstWr5TWHzy7fHPeZ6HHctdFn-6ZQtRAI4vWZ1B4SyueQBd4JClAaGcp8VxXBYcYSpVjHnDF5vli0l/s320/Quintin.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>But my blessings didn't end there, because I arrived home to another package. I had won the give-away from Isobel at
<a href="http://www.thehomenest.blogspot.co.uk/">http://www.thehomenest.blogspot.co.uk/</a> - another wonderful blog, so if you haven't discovered Isobel yet, do go and have a visit. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tgA9FKbweV61AukLWvPFs65FDh70-QZZTTUbcONS7d2qTU7Bf9Fwd4urmVAbo3K4Ed0l0ocg0nqIc0Frc1J2kvJ2WAUj5f5F9IgwDFUlkImD5aAdT2IEPSc_NbLK7EWWl1pcQGCMef1U/s1600/crochet+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tgA9FKbweV61AukLWvPFs65FDh70-QZZTTUbcONS7d2qTU7Bf9Fwd4urmVAbo3K4Ed0l0ocg0nqIc0Frc1J2kvJ2WAUj5f5F9IgwDFUlkImD5aAdT2IEPSc_NbLK7EWWl1pcQGCMef1U/s400/crochet+book.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Isobel's give-away included this fabulous book, 3 rather special Addi crochet hooks AND a bar of exquisite chocolate. Thank you so much Isobel. I am looking forward to starting a crochet project from the book. </i></div>
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<i>I have to say that since I started blogging in January my world has expanded. I have blog pals from different corners of the earth and have been blessed by their blogs, their comments and by the exchange of gifts. I feel equally blessed by the people who choose to follow my blog and to leave their comments.</i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Thank you all and may you be equally blessed.</span></b></i></div>
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<i>Have a wonderful evening</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Love Mrs Thrifty</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">xxx</span></i></div>
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</div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-65918028931389783312012-06-25T11:15:00.004+01:002012-06-26T22:51:47.497+01:00Blog friends in Real Life<i>Good Morning Lovely Readers</i><br />
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<i>Did I mention to you that I was hoping to meet up with a couple of Blog pals while I was in Canada?Unfortunately I was unable to meet with Cindy from <a href="http://justnorthofwiarton.blogspot.co.uk/">http://justnorthofwiarton.blogspot.co.uk/</a>. I had no idea of just how big Ontario is (apparently the UK will fit into Ontario three times and once into Lake Ontario) and it wasn't feasible this time. I do hope we can do it another time. </i><br />
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<i>I did get to meet Jane from The Maple Syrup Mob at <a href="http://swiftsuresongbird.blogspot.co.uk/">http://swiftsuresongbird.blogspot.co.uk/</a> - although she didn't bring the bear with her! My friend, Ruth, works all over Ontario and had to work in Barrie one day, so Jane and I were able to meet up for lunch and a wander. Jane blogged about this a while ago: <a href="http://swiftsuresongbird.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/friendsvegans-and-countrymen.html">http://swiftsuresongbird.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/friendsvegans-and-countrymen.html</a> Barrie is located on Kempenfelt Bay, Lake Simcoe. Jane lives way over the other side of the lake - no bridge I am afraid!</i><br />
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<i>You can see a picture of the lovely meal we had on Jane's blog! I should point out that we did also have pasta, but Jane wasn't impressed with me eating white bread or worse still, drinking tap water. She was very keen to point out where it had been! However, it was only recently that I read that the air we breathe has been in our planet's atmosphere since the Earth existed.... so I did point this out and ask her who had been breathing her air. Mind boggling isn't it?</i><br />
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<i>I must admit I was a tad nervous before meeting Jane, but it felt like being with an old friend. We had such a lovely day and talked about so many things... I am sure we'll meet again. Maybe we get to know each other better than we realise here in Blogland. Here she is underneath the beautiful spirit catcher sculpture:</i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jane from the Maple Syrup Mob</i></td></tr>
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<i>You can read all about Ron Baird's beautiful sculpture here: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_Catcher">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_Catcher</a> It really is staggeringly magnificent and makes the most amazing noises as the wind moves around the moving pieces. </i></div>
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<i>Enjoy your day</i></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>xxx</i></b></span></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-7375311087027974072012-06-24T10:08:00.000+01:002012-06-26T09:35:41.022+01:00Canada Day 2<i>Good Morning Lovely Readers</i><br />
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<i>The day after my arrival in Canada, Ruthie had arranged for us to go to a health spa in the blue mountains called The Scandinave. The Scandinavian Baths experience includes a Finnish Sauna, Eucalyptus Steam Room, Thermal & Nordic Waterfalls, Hot Baths and Cold Plunges. It was wonderful and the perfect antidote to a long flight. Ruthie had even arranged for us to have massages.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrBYfKqOIlvZMyxJGDfIWdRt9h70YOGbmpgD-heRQxRKPdOW9lGRneHfFbwPdexJvH_rIc2_95CxAPjWGE7mrlHdJqM9uANcz2sEPwYtisQ6W2oWzwh_fcJTcQySWNMLXUkJmPiIbdWDF/s1600/SetRatioSize474474-Scandinave-Spa-sunset-overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrBYfKqOIlvZMyxJGDfIWdRt9h70YOGbmpgD-heRQxRKPdOW9lGRneHfFbwPdexJvH_rIc2_95CxAPjWGE7mrlHdJqM9uANcz2sEPwYtisQ6W2oWzwh_fcJTcQySWNMLXUkJmPiIbdWDF/s400/SetRatioSize474474-Scandinave-Spa-sunset-overview.jpg" width="400" /></i></a></div>
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<i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD5r6m478xQMDjfA8qGmJ1gsYD2eTpxXr2AVaWNM07twuU4BXnbWk1_urCyJ3w1JX2a30OOz47gAFwOv44HMMW1nPgHeb3Dsp3f8Qg1Bpsm7oXwTRs5tkGqZGgRG2gdD-KZDXKUTNWAsd/s1600/media.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD5r6m478xQMDjfA8qGmJ1gsYD2eTpxXr2AVaWNM07twuU4BXnbWk1_urCyJ3w1JX2a30OOz47gAFwOv44HMMW1nPgHeb3Dsp3f8Qg1Bpsm7oXwTRs5tkGqZGgRG2gdD-KZDXKUTNWAsd/s400/media.jpg" /></a><br />I can honestly say it was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. Thanks Ruthie.<br /><br />You may remember that I had made some clothes for Ruth's daughter's children, Eden and Rosie. Here is a picture of Rosie wearing one of her dresses. This is the first picture I have of one of my creations actually being worn so it is very special. She is the most adorable baby:<br /><br /> </i><br />
<i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLfaVVxFNDtTVVeJ5tdPx9xTx1IaCEzcldvwLSEs5qaIg-HIyZvoQNNMaQ0US5waQrirBnjGv2V8c9ELYkjUChstoWfqggRUiQbYbzxBwXR3bQb1KbTGXVkiHlPpmdw9t1ksa3epZhdU4/s1600/Canada+061.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLfaVVxFNDtTVVeJ5tdPx9xTx1IaCEzcldvwLSEs5qaIg-HIyZvoQNNMaQ0US5waQrirBnjGv2V8c9ELYkjUChstoWfqggRUiQbYbzxBwXR3bQb1KbTGXVkiHlPpmdw9t1ksa3epZhdU4/s400/Canada+061.JPG" /></a> </i><br />
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<i> Rosie and Mama, Shaaron <br /> </i><br />
<i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2Zvck6ARju7A3BzVOuWPZdsOrcyI8VHeiBWiBDyGaf7819_7605DfLt9JXeZjpUdsTn1Jkm_mYZ_Mb-bPGahQLgaFo63GmNLz7q_o09ENiV5ihOINmk9JHzY6ryXB0_THTnNyyxFZE4-/s1600/Canada+066.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2Zvck6ARju7A3BzVOuWPZdsOrcyI8VHeiBWiBDyGaf7819_7605DfLt9JXeZjpUdsTn1Jkm_mYZ_Mb-bPGahQLgaFo63GmNLz7q_o09ENiV5ihOINmk9JHzY6ryXB0_THTnNyyxFZE4-/s400/Canada+066.JPG" /></a><br /> </i><br />
<i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UWh3d3NLo6Fj5VvS1-9L6EiajMSmDbEDpFQNMMa0fhh6mvxaMAbgfuE9IA9mg1CfNWAiVwLmNkLiZmdZjR0juPxPT-fTuhY_cghK_HlXTAQJOtRf3HoRfvz3MxpiNe_JnO1bk6xuGVpj/s1600/rose.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UWh3d3NLo6Fj5VvS1-9L6EiajMSmDbEDpFQNMMa0fhh6mvxaMAbgfuE9IA9mg1CfNWAiVwLmNkLiZmdZjR0juPxPT-fTuhY_cghK_HlXTAQJOtRf3HoRfvz3MxpiNe_JnO1bk6xuGVpj/s640/rose.jpg" /></a> <br />Shaaron sent us a photo that evening of Rosie with her ribbon taggy. Shaaron says they are really expensive to buy and both Mama and baby seem delighted with it - that's good enough for me.<br /><br />Yesterday Ruth celebrated her 50th Birthday with a vintage tea party and although I was sad to have missed it, she looks spectacular and it looks like everyone had a wonderful time. Here is my special friend enjoying her special day:<br /><br /> </i><br />
<i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5TRJojXGN3cNy-kXPF_qho7cysZBKosUD5g4ASNG8f4wPxxBZqJQ7x_uxn0BDn_yK6pd-s5jsYOPgvPi1sf54muGjtUTWGm-uxbHjgWedGgNreN79BnrUpjh8USQO-DeskjnROv565tZ/s1600/ruthie.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5TRJojXGN3cNy-kXPF_qho7cysZBKosUD5g4ASNG8f4wPxxBZqJQ7x_uxn0BDn_yK6pd-s5jsYOPgvPi1sf54muGjtUTWGm-uxbHjgWedGgNreN79BnrUpjh8USQO-DeskjnROv565tZ/s320/ruthie.jpg" /></a><br /> </i><br />
<i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2efiGM5lpiItLNVCPiAzs3HkV-M-52dq7ISaoXR_Y2i0WmiRwu_QDSEfpYz4zCEXZbzvRL0lXOGmhoFC9EEHkgGFl0erF6jNt8jeQ19uafA5FASp0Q70g73vU5PhI3WQQgq385s6oc17Z/s1600/ruth.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2efiGM5lpiItLNVCPiAzs3HkV-M-52dq7ISaoXR_Y2i0WmiRwu_QDSEfpYz4zCEXZbzvRL0lXOGmhoFC9EEHkgGFl0erF6jNt8jeQ19uafA5FASp0Q70g73vU5PhI3WQQgq385s6oc17Z/s640/ruth.jpg" /></a><br /> </i><br />
<i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w1rff225KmiWhRqpntHuqiuP21-0y1x793ezz-0hkpgNSVJVjYBvvjFuGUhyBfYQRmT7qo7XkiL4GvaUjiPN8cs03LaJShWQxoZvduIVDzum2y86LEyhwy_H-F6MPS41DGeoMwAvRx8R/s1600/ruthie+.jpg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w1rff225KmiWhRqpntHuqiuP21-0y1x793ezz-0hkpgNSVJVjYBvvjFuGUhyBfYQRmT7qo7XkiL4GvaUjiPN8cs03LaJShWQxoZvduIVDzum2y86LEyhwy_H-F6MPS41DGeoMwAvRx8R/s640/ruthie+.jpg" width="360" /></a></i><br />
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<i style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Enjoy your Sunday</i></div>
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<i><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: purple; font-size: large;">Love Mrs Thrifty</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: purple; font-size: large;">xxx</span></b></i></div>
</div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-71221407180689816912012-06-23T09:06:00.000+01:002012-06-23T09:06:06.184+01:00Niagara Falls<i>Good Morning Lovely Readers </i><br />
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<i>I have been thinking about my trip to Canada and all the amazing things I saw and did, but I guess one of the highlights has to be Niagara Falls. I have quite simply never seen anything like it. You have to be there to experience the sheer power and might of the water. I don't think these photos need any explanations, although you can see that the mist from the falls is such that it obscures the falls in places.</i><br />
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<i>Wish you'd been there</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Love Mrs Thrifty</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>xxx</b></span></i></div>
<br />Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-82090962652668364672012-06-22T18:40:00.003+01:002012-06-22T18:40:56.973+01:00Carla's give-away<i>The wonderful Carla is hosting yet another give-away; this time for one of her fabulous purses:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yLrB2l4ARVjBBFhq9xJ2iSDgZZGdHDyde_Npa1cXK_XQdk-gBskJaM8ZVM7Q3XWVeQ7Vo56AO23kJxN48J2LYVR6jn9YrXSNhmfiSb-s5PrgNjMoPavxx0paKb1hPMPTGTJL3v4OU2eO/s1600/6a016300f919ba970d01630643ddca970d-500wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yLrB2l4ARVjBBFhq9xJ2iSDgZZGdHDyde_Npa1cXK_XQdk-gBskJaM8ZVM7Q3XWVeQ7Vo56AO23kJxN48J2LYVR6jn9YrXSNhmfiSb-s5PrgNjMoPavxx0paKb1hPMPTGTJL3v4OU2eO/s320/6a016300f919ba970d01630643ddca970d-500wi.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
<i>You can take a peek and join the give-away here:</i><br />
<i><a href="http://halfdozendaily.typepad.com/my-half-dozen-daily/2012/06/june-custom-wallet-giveaway.html#comment-6a016300f919ba970d016767c40ed1970b">http://halfdozendaily.typepad.com/my-half-dozen-daily/2012/06/june-custom-wallet-giveaway.html#comment-6a016300f919ba970d016767c40ed1970b</a>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>xxx</i></span></b></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-65855048541416947002012-06-22T18:22:00.003+01:002012-06-22T18:43:27.962+01:00Home again, home again<i>... and watching the rain from the window. Canada was super hot, so a bit of acclimatisation to take place.</i><br />
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<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers and a very warm welcome to Compostwoman - thank you for joining,</i><br />
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<i>As you can imagine, there is a huge pile of 'to-do's' waiting for me, so while I decide how to blog about my wonderful holiday I'll leave you with this picture:</i><br />
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<i>Back very soon....</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Love Mrs Thrifty</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>xxx</b></span></i></div>
<br />Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-46222518711943455482012-06-04T10:39:00.000+01:002012-06-04T10:39:02.144+01:00Canada here I come<i>Good Morning Lovely Readers and a huge, warm welcome to Maria</i><br />
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<i>Today we are off to Buckinghamshire to drop my best friend, Zena, with Hearing Dogs. I shall miss here tremendously as she goes everywhere with me normally, but they are going to do some training updates with her and I know she will be fine. They have arranged for a puppy (?) socialiser to have her evenings and weekends because she caused such a rumpus last time they tried to leave her in the kennels overnight. She is quite the madam! It will be interesting to see the Bucks centre too because Zena came from the Beatrice Wright Centre near York and we have never been to the main HQ in Princes Risborough.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Grange, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Q of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Restaurant at The Grange</i></td></tr>
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<i>If you haven't come across Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, there's a short video below that you might like to watch.</i></div>
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<i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xO8IcdrzP5I" width="420"></iframe></i></div>
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<i>Tomorrow the very wonderful Mr Thrifty will take me to Gatwick for my 8 hour flight to Toronto and tomorrow afternoon I will be with my friend Ruthie and her fabulous family.</i><br />
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<i>I don't know if I'll be able to blog from there, but I will try. In the meantime stay well</i><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>xxx</i></span></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-37826439151563925742012-06-01T20:43:00.000+01:002012-06-01T20:43:20.498+01:00New Beginnings<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers and a warm welcome to new follower Miss in Bloom,</i><br />
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<i>The title of my blog is New Beginnings and in order to allow new beginnings in our life, we have to let go of old things. Regular readers will know about the war we have been waging on clutter. Some of you may have had a look at my new blog, following the Harcombe Diet with Sue from Our New Life in the Country <a href="http://thehowlowcanyougofooddiary.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thehowlowcanyougofooddiary.blogspot.co.uk/</a> </i><br />
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<i>Today was my last day at the Academy I have been working in. I found the experience very stressful but this has had absolutely nothing to do with the students who are quite delightful. Many of the staff were lovely people and I came away with these gifts, which I certainly hadn't expected:</i><br />
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<i>This orchid really is magnificent.</i><br />
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<i>Yesterday I said goodbye to the year 11s and today was my last day with my year 10s. Those of you who are teachers will know what I mean when I say that every now and again a really special class passes through your orbit and really touches your soul. There is a connection there. This year 10 group were/are like that and I am going to miss them. I taught them for 3 hours today (a one hour lesson this morning and a double this afternoon). They chatted to me, we took photographs; talked about endings... and new beginnings .. and there was music, cake, laughter and some tears. They gave me flowers and chocolates and made me a memory book with their comments in, which any teacher would be proud of. I felt very humble and hugely privileged to have known these very special young people. On the board they wrote 'There's only one Mrs P.' and I thought. well thank goodness for that - I don't think the world could take another.</i><br />
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<i>Klaudia's entry, as well as many others, had me in tears. As teachers, we don't do our job for rewards, but when moments like this happen they count for a thousand bad days. The school I taught in is a deprived area and these students don't come from privileged homes. This makes their gifts all the more meaningful. I expected nothing.</i><br />
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<i>As teachers we are used to beginnings and endings, but some students find them difficult. Students come into our lives and eventually move on to the next phase of their lives. Many we will remember. Students who come from broken homes and lack secure attachments will often form attachments (healthy ones) with teachers. A teacher does not just impart knowledge - in fact, it is my belief that we should be following the root of the word education - 'educare', meaning 'to lead out'. Unfortunately our National Curriculum and its fervent quest to impart facts allows for little of this. I have always believed that teachers are often so much more than educators. We spend 5+ quality hours with students 5 days a week. We have huge influence, which can be used for good or sometimes misused. We can help students to understand healthy boundaries that come with secure attachments when they have not experienced these in their own lives. We can help the lawless understand that sometimes rules are there to protect us and keep us safe. We can show what respect looks like through modelling it and this is a powerful lesson to those who have never received respect. We can raise self-esteem and confidence and instil a life-long love of learning through our own enthusiasm. We can explore issues in a safe, holding environment and teach that it is important that every individual has the right to be heard and their opinions respected. We teach, hopefully by example, that difference is to be prized and not feared, and this is all the more pertinent in a modern languages class. This particular year 10 group included students from Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Romania. They brought such wonderful diversity to the group with their amazing life stories and experiences. One of their peers who sat his GCSE this year with the year 11s comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His story is one that moved me to tears. We too learn from our students and as human beings, we may be sad when they move on. I hope that I have done enough to help this group get the grades they deserve next year. Knowing them has made me a better person and taught me many things. I will miss them. That said, this move is the right one for me and I am looking forward to my new school and the next chapter in my life.</i><br />
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<i>When Little Sister was in hospital recently I was given the opportunity to say thank you to a teacher of mine and her husband who had gone the extra mile for me when I was at school. Sister spotted a name on the ward list and realised that it was the teacher's husband and the following day I took flowers and strawberries to say a huge thank you, 36 years after the event, to express what their kindness had meant to me. I had NEVER forgotten them. I bet there are teachers that you all remember; some fondly and some with anger, but teachers have an impact and my job as a teacher is to never forget that.</i><br />
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<i>I'd love to hear your 'teacher' stories.</i></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>xxx</i></span></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441027785445663734.post-89067014340652556952012-05-30T20:01:00.000+01:002012-05-31T18:01:23.446+01:00I have a dream<i>Good Evening Lovely Readers </i><br />
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<i>What a gorgeous day it's been here! Simply glorious. </i><br />
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<i>So, my dream, well I'll explain it to you if you promise not to laugh!</i><br />
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<i>We live in a beautiful Suffolk market town which is on the broads and close to the sea. There is also a mystery which I find intriguing and which involves our town. The parish church is St Michael's. This church is reputed to lie on a ley line which runs from the Norfolk coast to St Michael's Mount in Cornwall.</i><br />
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<i>The theory is that the land on which we stand, run, play is criss-crossed with mystical lines. It has been noticed that particular places of interest seem to sit along these invisible lines, for example churches and ancient monuments. Strange and wonderful things are said to happen on these ley lines and this is connected to the belief many hold that these special lines hold a peculiar kind of mystical energy – sometimes good, sometimes bad.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlu-4f8sD9YLicLetIuExHQgtWMEHewzwGujEBY2zmMp40alJbGgw3DjtlN-GpzNNQQznp5QcRK4tDjGuV5LEkGstvYReaPp5T9qekfEdir_pvD_smFZcbZLcooujOwRh1dlXo-caDZzf/s1600/150px-Alfred_Watkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlu-4f8sD9YLicLetIuExHQgtWMEHewzwGujEBY2zmMp40alJbGgw3DjtlN-GpzNNQQznp5QcRK4tDjGuV5LEkGstvYReaPp5T9qekfEdir_pvD_smFZcbZLcooujOwRh1dlXo-caDZzf/s1600/150px-Alfred_Watkins.jpg" /></i></a><i>The whole idea of ley lines was conceived by the British businessman and amateur archaeologist Alfred Watkins who, in the 1920s, wrote his book The Old Straight Track. In it, he laid out his findings that churches, burial mounds and various other spiritually significant places stood along one straight line. He christened these ‘ley lines’ after the Saxon meaning of ‘ley’ – meaning a cleared glade. His theory wasn’t that mystical actually – he believed that ancient Britain, which was covered with forests back then, had been crisscrossed with travel routes, and landmarks had been built along these routes for navigational purposes.<br /><br />It wasn’t till a few years later that a more mystical element was added to these ley lines. There are loads of theories flying about but the main belief is that directly beneath ley lines are underground streams or cosmic currents that are part of the earth’s energy. Over the centuries, roads, paths, monuments and more have been aligned along these ley lines by groups who are either aware of their location, or by a sheer mystical force that draws people to these spots.<br /><br />The St Michael line runs from St Michaels Mount in Cornwall all the way up to Hopton in Norfolk, </i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopton, Norfolk</td></tr>
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<i>passing right through some of the country’s most mystical places such as Glastonbury, Stonehenge and Avebury. It even passes through my daughter's favourite place in the world; St Nectan's Glen. I have never been there, but she has been a few times and Mr Thrifty went last spring. It is a place I need to visit too. There is another line, a few miles to the north called the St Mary Line which weaves its way to St Michael's Mount criss-crossing the St Michael Line.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Michael's Mount, Cornwall</td></tr>
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<i><br /><br />My dream is to walk this ley line. I want to raise money for Hearing Dogs who placed the amazing Zena with me (my life-changing Hearing Dog). Now I may be over-weight and unfit right now, but I believe that I will do this and Mr Thrifty is going to do it with me...... and Zena. My hero, Satish Kumar, has walked a heck of a lot further than this! When Satish walks he takes no money with him and relies on the hospitality of strangers. He did this on his first epic walk from India to America, taking peace tea in the 60s to Russia, France, England and America (the nuclear super powers). I can't even imagine this as a possibility. I can't get my head around the logistics - how? when? etc. etc., but the seed is there and my dream is growing. I firmly believe that if the universe intends this to happen, a way will emerge...........</i></div>
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<i>So that's my dream.</i></div>
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<i>Do you have a dream? I'd love to hear it...</i></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>Love Mrs Thrifty</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>xxx</i></span></div>Mrs Thriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05262448676261474746noreply@blogger.com29