tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828783017879843882024-03-05T12:46:56.556+00:00Made For You By Me xKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-36896810870019445392013-09-02T21:27:00.001+01:002013-09-02T21:27:23.805+01:00So I've Moved...<div style="text-align: center;">
...over to a brand new blog!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7KHxabOXUWLeSaLu3nUjV9nyVZ0e64NtQeYaXexN1Y2UViYhv-VScGQvEqYsqqINMAdUrJr5QTI3gbxe4SYQiOmHawLNgp16AxNlv8Yx8AmqyMoxzMi90sstTpEuUw8RtTJuIl_TWVyg/s1600/BLOG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7KHxabOXUWLeSaLu3nUjV9nyVZ0e64NtQeYaXexN1Y2UViYhv-VScGQvEqYsqqINMAdUrJr5QTI3gbxe4SYQiOmHawLNgp16AxNlv8Yx8AmqyMoxzMi90sstTpEuUw8RtTJuIl_TWVyg/s400/BLOG1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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It still needs a few touch ups and a little tweaking but it's so close to being finished I couldn't resist launching it! Here's to a fresh new start ^_^</div>
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I'd love it if you stopped by and gave me your thoughts. I'm excited to start working on it properly and making my new home on the web!</div>
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Toodle pip MFYBM, hello <a href="http://www.love--k.com/">Love, K</a>!</div>
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Thank you all for reading here :) I hope to see you soon!</div>
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xoxo</div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-3431226286027175842013-08-09T16:57:00.000+01:002013-08-09T16:57:26.597+01:00Everyone Loves Free Stuff.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Especially me. I'm a sucker for a freebie (I have a host of pens that I've nabbed from different places) and free food is absolutely the best free thing ever. So imagine my delight when S wakes me up this morning with 'One of my parents' friends works for Kelloggs...Come look at this.' and I stroll into the kitchen to find a box full of the most scrumptious-looking goodies!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH4ArJyXYUSy0ECds99_ueoIjXDryTImjRkscJOUv4ViTM3eF8BYRmaDKfvyxqaFgQQzOz3j4f86XstzgdRTiquRMZdpxMiFYAENOjHw-NJxi-hc40goXNkT_DF_otkVVvqWZ-Lr-yVOv/s1600/20130809_104539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH4ArJyXYUSy0ECds99_ueoIjXDryTImjRkscJOUv4ViTM3eF8BYRmaDKfvyxqaFgQQzOz3j4f86XstzgdRTiquRMZdpxMiFYAENOjHw-NJxi-hc40goXNkT_DF_otkVVvqWZ-Lr-yVOv/s400/20130809_104539.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My eyes were bigger than my stomach. Seriously. I could not wait to dive in and see all of the yummy things we were so lucky to be given.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNPcCiKYHzy25ePX15gXKAyYCNtDSP8YxCzkpVYS_cjRBh0ImP2M8ji5EBLvDIPv4uirskNvM-wMxOsoVoAJKwrCJoQ1QmpHqyHNBUW75QEElldaFXN8wcVhXo2y0tk2HnSifWz_Fdw_M/s1600/20130809_104349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNPcCiKYHzy25ePX15gXKAyYCNtDSP8YxCzkpVYS_cjRBh0ImP2M8ji5EBLvDIPv4uirskNvM-wMxOsoVoAJKwrCJoQ1QmpHqyHNBUW75QEElldaFXN8wcVhXo2y0tk2HnSifWz_Fdw_M/s400/20130809_104349.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are a few things in here that I've never had before (like those little cracker things and the little fruity sweets) but I was jazzed to see a -huge- box of Rice Krispie treats. So delicious! But to be honest, the thing I was most excited about was this little gem.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5iDmQCD4YigCd6XTr8POhex4mnuVJByDJWkmHZIbcx7tyxUYtR7hQIIaqxCk3a7p8yn5N635X8K_6LFuqzhVf4oW9SiIpCM8UPDc5Hj21sXqGikJ1YE49fu4wcdFBqF5252BhHRViUaB/s1600/20130809_104629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5iDmQCD4YigCd6XTr8POhex4mnuVJByDJWkmHZIbcx7tyxUYtR7hQIIaqxCk3a7p8yn5N635X8K_6LFuqzhVf4oW9SiIpCM8UPDc5Hj21sXqGikJ1YE49fu4wcdFBqF5252BhHRViUaB/s640/20130809_104629.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh mah gaaaawd! Look at the Super Mario sweeties! Look at the tiny Yoshi and the purple shell! I grew up playing Super Mario and I admit I did a little 'eeeeeeeee' sound when I laid eyes on these. The box is so cool, it even has Super Mario sudoku on the back.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4SUwOvJj8xmWUjgSxEWdYQCQBUsZ038VKyGBqf0KwXzpOXkiH3IV-jtBOptGlJyltdajBo2ub0oRJTNnWveTrP1eOjp4_rvcbVIPxKT3ejBCuz7ytlYEC5-hbtusTj4l3EseE4Ps2ERD/s1600/20130809_104652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4SUwOvJj8xmWUjgSxEWdYQCQBUsZ038VKyGBqf0KwXzpOXkiH3IV-jtBOptGlJyltdajBo2ub0oRJTNnWveTrP1eOjp4_rvcbVIPxKT3ejBCuz7ytlYEC5-hbtusTj4l3EseE4Ps2ERD/s640/20130809_104652.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You'd better believe I'll be playing Super Mario sudoku once I've finished nomming on those lovelies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been trying hard to take more pictures and document the things that have been going on around these here parts, so I'm hoping to do a little post soon about what we've been up to and how excited we are about the new deck being built! Also, it's officially ten days until my birthday, so the countdown begins! Excited!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you've got an awesome weekend planned and that you've had a great week! Thanks for stopping by today!</span></div>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-85291506080231909292013-07-31T22:43:00.001+01:002013-07-31T22:43:30.027+01:00Two Weeks.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't believe how quickly the time rolls around. Two weeks already? Where did all those days go?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Things have been quiet around these here parts. S is working five out of seven days so I'm on my own at home, pottering about, doing bits and pieces here and there. I make dinner in the evenings and we eat together before settling in to watch a movie or play board games. On his days off, we take trips to the supermarket or the laundrette (still finding it weird not having our own washing machine), watch movies and eat yummy (read: unhealthy) food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm halfway between holiday mode and living mode at the moment. Everything is in a permanent state of unrest because I can't unpack properly (our apartment didn't come furnished so we're still looking for things like a chest of drawers and some storage boxes for my craft supplies), so while I feel like I'm settling in at the same time it doesn't feel very...<i>real</i>. Like I'm about to repack my suitcase (which I'm still kind of living out of) and head off back to England. I didn't anticipate feeling perfectly at home right away, and I know it takes time to start making a house feel like your own. I'm just not sure when that permanence is really going to hit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At least the weather has been pretty beautiful this week ^_^ No more of that unbearable heat! One of S's friends has a birthday tomorrow so we might be throwing a little celebration for that before we head off bowling in the evening. Then who knows! My time is my own, I just have to figure out what I want to make of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you've all had a great week so far and you're making plans for an exciting weekend. Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-21132385638102296562013-07-22T21:22:00.001+01:002013-07-22T21:22:45.548+01:00I'm Finally Here.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow. What a journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Mum and I woke up super early on Wednesday morning to get the 6:13 am train to London. My brothers and Dad woke up early too, to see my on my way. It was a little bit emotional but there were lots of smiles too, as I set off on my adventure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We arrived at the airport and again, there were a few tears as my Mum and I said our farewells, with promises to talk later in the week (thank goodness for Skype!) and lots of hugs. I waved 'see you later' as I made my way to security, walked through the metal detector and boarded my flight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seven hours later, I was here, in the sweltering summer heat (trust me to move in the middle of a heatwave) and I waited for S to get out of work and collect me, to take me to my brand new home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has been an excellent first few days. We've talked so much, I've met my neighbours (who are lovely and friendly) and I've enjoyed some proper solo time. When S is off at work, it's just me here at home and right now, it's wonderful. I do a couple of chores, watch a film, play with my new 'cell phone' (I'm not sure I'll ever get used to calling it that) and cook dinner for the both of us. We hang out, just enjoying each being together, finally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's an extraordinary feeling. After so many hurdles, so much disappointment, we're finally here, together, on the same continent, in the same house. I'm excited to see what our future holds, where this part of life is going to take us. But mostly, I'm just concentrating on the now, on being here, with him, in our own little space (which has so many windows!), in our own little world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the fact we have a deck kind of seals the deal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTL45IhqpKt0Gkv4tYWFAWHDRnNecu4_KCOhABmptIDIHvawqMMzyMMKjImt8vxIN_X4Z0Fv9CHKVmbwrG5BftDJkRb0IZ6q7U4Azm64WoJiv8WuaDwouKqboiD0EWJx7s4hBd_uxBGCSl/s1600/20130722_160144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTL45IhqpKt0Gkv4tYWFAWHDRnNecu4_KCOhABmptIDIHvawqMMzyMMKjImt8vxIN_X4Z0Fv9CHKVmbwrG5BftDJkRb0IZ6q7U4Azm64WoJiv8WuaDwouKqboiD0EWJx7s4hBd_uxBGCSl/s400/20130722_160144.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yay outside space!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm planning on moving to another part of the internet soon, once I'm a little bit more settled (and have managed to unpack all my stuff, I didn't realise there was quite so much of it :/ ) but for now, I'd like to say thank you for stopping by and that I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead of you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-9186813295874161362013-07-12T20:19:00.000+01:002013-07-12T20:19:07.884+01:00The Essentials.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've never lived abroad before, even though I've lived away from home. Some things were obvious to take with me (clothes, shoes, computer etc.) but when it came to non-essential items, like craft materials or ornaments, the line got very blurry and I started having to make tough choices. But no matter how many lovely things I've had to leave in the safety of my parents' house, I've made absolutely sure to pack a few personal essentials to remind me of home ^_^</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Jigsaw Puzzle Covered Free Standing or Wall Photo Frame 4x6 inch Photos Game Quirky Blue Purple Green Boys Bedroom" height="400" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/015/0/6271309/il_570xN.435243196_6jej.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="397" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/97243212/jigsaw-puzzle-covered-free-standing-or?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=photo+frame&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_ref=auto5&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=handmade%2Fhousewaresphoto+frame">{Source}</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One thing I've never really done in any of the places I've lived is have photos up and displayed. All too often I find myself just leaving all my precious pictures on my camera or computer. Knowing that I'm going to be away from my family for a while has spurred the desire to hang pictures of my favourite people on the walls and to hang them in lovely frames like the one above. I'm hoping that our family BBQ on Sunday will provide the perfect opportunity for great photos!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Chocolate Bourbon Biscuit Necklace - Black Rubber Chord" height="300" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/011/0/5953233/il_570xN.413459988_dycw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/119798757/chocolate-bourbon-biscuit-necklace-black?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=bourbon+biscuit&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_ref=auto5&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=bourbon+biscuit">{Source}</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Cute Marmite dangle Earrings - For the Marmite lovers out there" height="266" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/016/0/8125183/il_570xN.459117902_huxh.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/151190796/cute-marmite-dangle-earrings-for-the?ref=sr_gallery_21&ga_search_query=marmite&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_ref=auto5&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=marmite">{Source}</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If it's not already obvious, I -love- food. Two of my particular English favourites are bourbon biscuits and Marmite (especially on toast, yum!) and while I have prepared for the devouring of these in America (I have a bumper pack of biccies and a jar of Marmite waiting for me), you can never have too much cute jewellery, right? I'd love both of these pieces!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pair of Othello Journals - Leatherbound Shakespeare Blank Book romantic couples" height="400" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5142390/il_570xN.256294135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/77543506/pair-of-othello-journals-leatherbound?ref=sr_gallery_18&ga_search_query=othello&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=handmadeothello">{Source}</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my most difficult choices so far has had to be choosing which of my Complete Works of Shakespeare to take with me. I realise how silly that sounds >.< but I'm a true Shakespeare fangirl and it was so important to me that I have at least one Complete Works with me! 'Othello' is, without a doubt, my favourite of his plays and this matching pair of Othello and Desdemona journals are not only stunning but at the top of my wishlist.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Union Jack Classic T-shirt" height="400" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/008/0/7275036/il_570xN.471626673_orkk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="285" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/114445021/union-jack-classic-t-shirt?ref=sr_gallery_15&ga_search_query=union+jack+shirt&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_ref=auto5&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=union+jack+shirt">{Source}</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of my friends very sweetly bought me a Union Jack t-shirt as a going-away gift, to remind me of being at home ^_^ I did consider getting a little flag to put up on my wall but I like the idea of wearing my funky t-shirt with pride! I would mind adding the one above to my collection (or getting a big comfy cushion with a Union Jack on it - what do you think?).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't quite believe the time to leave is rolling around so quickly! Only 5 more days in England and then I'm pottering off for a while! All I have to do is get a little bit of English chocolate to take with me and I'm all ready to go ^_^ I hope you're all gearing up for an exciting weekend! I plan to spend mine seeing a few friends and enjoying every moment of being with my family. Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-86425908939776484462013-07-05T20:16:00.000+01:002013-07-05T20:16:14.971+01:0010 Things: 12 Books<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/AVvXsEir0dNctH-7NGvdBUA3jQ25Fga0ExlFnqU6f-eGMlQu957Ea12QV_4xoFLZvHdTxnIMaNqLjgirnFYGRaBMqlYrRMI4uU3SLR84OuCqQf-PcD4E3_LkJy0G4N_U5yCLt622zk5Te33QkJuL/s1600/DSCF1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0dNctH-7NGvdBUA3jQ25Fga0ExlFnqU6f-eGMlQu957Ea12QV_4xoFLZvHdTxnIMaNqLjgirnFYGRaBMqlYrRMI4uU3SLR84OuCqQf-PcD4E3_LkJy0G4N_U5yCLt622zk5Te33QkJuL/s400/DSCF1271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{A sample of the lovelies I have read}</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I admit, I'm kinda jazzed with myself for having achieved one of my goals for this year already. 12 books might not seem like that many really, but I've been severely lacking in my book-worming the past few years and to get back into reading has been like coming home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love books. I adore reading. There are few things I consider more pleasurable than finding a cosy spot and getting completely lost in a good story. I am the sort of person who can start a book one morning and finish it by the time I go to bed, utterly gripped by the words, a whole novel devoured in a day. It brings me such joy, to re-read old favourites and discover new, exciting authors and genres. Reading is really, really awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The 12 books that completed my goal are, in order:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Schindler's List - Thomas Keneally</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ - Philip Pullman</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Shining - Stephen King</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Wishsong of Shannara - Terry Brooks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carrie - Stephen King</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What the Night Knows - Dean Koontz</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Watchers - Dean Koontz</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Taking - Dean Koontz</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hard-Boiled Wonderland and The End Of The World - Haruki Murakami</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Asbo - Iain Robin Wright</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hannibal - Thomas Harris</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think from that list, it's pretty evident I like spooky, creepy, thriller-y and scary books ^_^ I love science-fantasy too, but so far this year I've tried to push myself to read genres and stories outside of my usual comforts. The Murakami novel, for instance, was one of the weirdest, most unusual novels I've ever read and I adored it. 'Hannibal', on the other hand, was very complex and involved and a little slow in parts and I found it a bit of a struggle to push through it. I even read one book on my Mum's Kindle ('Asbo') and while I appreciate the ability to carry around all your books in one, nothing quite beats paper and ink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am going to stuff myself full of literature for the rest of the year and read as many books as I can! I'd love some suggestions, which could be similar to those I've read already or completely different - what are you reading at the moment?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ooh, and a tiny bit of exciting news - I'm officially moving on July 17th! Less than two weeks away! Ahhh! Exciting! Thanks for stopping by, I hope you're all having an awesome week and have lots of lovely things planned for the weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-46234091846509163222013-06-15T19:16:00.001+01:002013-06-15T19:16:20.362+01:00Moving Is A Toughie!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Phew! It's been a long couple of weeks since I left my job, it feels like so much has happened since then. 99% of my things are stowed away in boxes, ready to be sent whenever S has a day off (holy cow, those packages go fast! From England to America in <i>one day</i>. Impressed!) and since S is moving into our apartment on July 1st, it's only a matter of time before I'm booking my flight and heading over!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've moved a couple of times before, like when I went up to London for university, and it's always the same; boxes and bundles, pulling out things you haven't seen for years but still have an irrational emotional attachment to, wrenching decisions regarding what to take, what to store and what to throw. I'm lucky in the sense that it's only personal items I have to think about, clothes and books etc. I don't have any huge pieces of furniture or even a whole house to move. Just me and my little collection of things. It still seems like such a huge task, essentially transporting my life in cardboard boxes from one side of the world to the other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sent my first box on Monday (full of crafting supplies, more as a test run than anything!) and was delighted to find it had been delivered, safe and sound, on Tuesday. When I spoke to S and he confirmed that he'd picked it up, everything suddenly felt very <i>real</i>. S and I have spent the last two years trying to figure out how we could be in the same place and it's all falling into place. It's weird and <i>doubly </i>exciting and surreal to think that pretty soon, I'll be posting myself over to New Jersey to live with him. It makes me do a happy dance every time I think about it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lack of posting and lack of pictures are mostly to do with the packing and moving and sorting (oh my!) and the fact I've been working on setting up a new little home on the internet! I'm excited to reveal it all to you once I get settled in my new home (I'll let you know when I'm moving). I feel like it's a good time to get a fresh start and to really focus on doing the things I love (since I don't have to work or anything straight away) and having a cute new blog will make everything official ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you guys are all doing well - I am keeping up to date with reading all your wonderful blogs and enjoying being on your journeys with you while I prepare for mine! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-46753909671880862302013-06-02T15:20:00.001+01:002013-06-02T15:20:17.185+01:00Goodbye // Hello<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last Thursday was my final day at work. I've worked at a bakery for just over two years now and it has been the most labour-intensive, challenging job I've ever had. I can't say that I've enjoyed it (in fact, more often than not I hated working there) but I feel like I've learned a lot and I've made some good friends that I hope to stay in touch with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were a lot of rules and regulations there and I am thrilled to finally be free from all the restrictions they imposed! So here is a little goodbye to my bakery life and hello to the one waiting for me outside it ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Goodbye Baseball Cap and Hairnet</i> - You left me with hat hair and awkward dents so many times, although you were excellent for bad hair days too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Goodbye Ugly Uniform</i> - You never quite fit right and you were an unflattering shade of blue. You got worn out so quickly but we were never allowed new items of you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Goodbye Old Coffee Machine</i> - You were horrible to clean. Like, dangerously horrible. You never worked properly, you gave short measures and you were slow as heck. And your coffee was average at best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Goodbye Sharp Things and Hot Things and Detrimental-to-my-Health Things</i> - You burned me, cut me, fell on me, pinched me and generally disturbed my wellbeing for two years. Please avoid doing the same to my brother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">//</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hello Nail Polish</i> - I've missed you. In fact, I put some of you on my nails on Thursday night, in celebration. You're bright pink and I like it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hello Jewellery</i> - Earrings, I can't wait to wear you every day. Pretty necklaces, rings and even you, purple watch, will adorn me at every possible event. And woo for never having to take you out, lip ring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hello Sleep</i> - I'm never getting up at 5 a.m. again. Ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hello Freedom</i> - No more having to wait for schedules to be posted. No more arranging then rearranging because my shifts fall on different days. No more phone calls at 6 a.m. because someone called in sick and there is no-one else available. No more being stuck inside on beautifully warm days. No more working in a job I don't like ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's weird how much of a change leaving my job has made to me already. Now that I'm not officially employed any more, I feel like things are moving forward much more quickly. S has found us a lovely apartment (with outside space!!!) and he's working really hard in his sparkly new supervisory position. I'm finalising things here and getting ready to book some tickets. After all the time we've waited, it's falling into place and I am beyond excited ^_^ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you've had a great weekend and you've got an awesome week ahead. What are you excited about? Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-18592910882952808952013-05-16T19:49:00.003+01:002013-05-16T19:49:55.892+01:00Some News.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, my little loves, I have a tiny bit of news to tell you about ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you know, S and I have had our ups and our downs when it's come to us being in the same place at the same time for longer than two weeks. We've struggled with rejections, denials and having to say goodbye over and over again, and it's been really hard. Well, all that's about to change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I handed in my notice at work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm packing up my things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm moving. To America!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-excited dance-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">S has been offered a great job in a good part of town and we're hoping, providing all of our plans go smoothly (which never happens!), that I'll be in New Jersey at the beginning of June! We are both beyond excited ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Things might be a little quiet around here for a while but I'll pop in from time to time to update with how things are going. I've got some plans for a whole new start when I reach my new home. The future is looking amazing right now ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you're all having a great week and are looking forward to a wonderful weekend! Thank you for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-14664664786178325022013-05-05T12:00:00.000+01:002013-05-05T12:00:10.804+01:00Time For A '10 Things' Update!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since it's already May (how is it already May?!) I figured I would have a little look at my '10 Things' list and see if I'm faring better than I did last year. To be fair though, it really couldn't be that hard because I totes sucked at my goals last year >.<</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e282e; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">1. </span><u style="color: #1e282e; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">Read 12 books, one for every month</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e282e; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e282e; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">- So far, I've actually cracked my way through 8 (yes, eight!) books. I've rediscovered my love of reading and can't get enough of the wonderful written word.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <u>Knit myself a sweater</u> - Not started yet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <u>Try 12 new recipes</u> - I feel like I'm on track with this one. I've already tried four new things this year and I've got a whole list of recipes I'm keen to try.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. <u>Reach and maintain 140lbs</u> - Ongoing (read - I haven't weighed myself in about five weeks and have eaten a lot of pastry :p)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #1e282e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">5. </span></span><u style="color: #1e282e; line-height: 18px;">Visit somewhere new</u><span style="color: #1e282e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> - While I was in the States with S in March, we went to both Massachusetts and Virginia, but I didn't really get the chance to explore very much. So I've kind of completed this but I'd like to complete it -more-, if that makes sense! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. <u>Get a tattoo and/or piercing</u> - Still at the bakery, still no body mods. Soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. <u>Help out with chores regularly</u> - This one is a little bit iffy. Since I've been organising my things lately, if anything I've increased the amount of housework >.< I have, however, been helping out with caring for the kitcats a lot more and baking lots of treats ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8. <u>Complete 5 video games</u> - So far, I've completed Bioshock: Infinite. If you enjoy video games and have played previous Bioshock games, play it. Just...Play it. It's better than you could ever imagine it to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9. <u>Make donations to 12 different charities</u> - I am -so- on track with this one! I'm really enjoying not only donating but delving a little deeper into the charities I support, finding out how they work and who or what they help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10. <u>Have a 'Die Hard' movie marathon</u> - The planning of this is in the works, for reasons I'll tell you soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow, actually looking at this list, I feel like I've already accomplished a lot this year! It's such a boost to take a step back and see what I've already done - I feel encouraged to keep going and complete them all! Do you have goals you want to accomplish this year? Have you reached them yet or are you still pushing forward? I'd love to know! Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-1592428567953850912013-05-03T12:00:00.000+01:002013-05-03T12:00:16.336+01:00Recipe 4: Croissants<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Labour of love doesn't quite cover it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I scoured the internet for recipes after being overwhelmed with the desire to make croissants. Why? I've no idea. But I had to make them. And even after looking at recipes with ever-mounting trepidation, I bit the bullet and attempted a very long (but ultimately worthwhile) process, and I made croissants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I used <a href="http://cannella-vita.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/how-to-croissants.html">this</a> recipe from <a href="http://cannella-vita.blogspot.co.uk/">Cannella Vita</a>, because it had gifs and lots of pictures and the after photos looked delicious ^_^ Simple things!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Truly, the actual process of making croissants takes a while. You make the dough and chill it overnight. Then you roll it out, add the butter, chill. Roll and chill. Roll and chill. It's an excellent arm workout and it had me clock-watching like crazy. In a way, it's kind of therapeutic. And in another way, when you're rolling out your chilled butter and dough mixture for the nine-millionth time, you wish you'd never started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then you see them all rolled up and cute and miraculously looking like croissants and you get excited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then you bake them and sure, they don't exactly bake evenly (for that, I'm tempted to blame the oven) but they look like croissants -and- they smell like croissants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then you eat them, with a cup of coffee and a spoonful of orange curd (or whatever takes your fancy!), still in your dressing gown on a bright Saturday morning and you think to yourself - That was totally worth the effort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Time consuming, yes. Consumed in no time, double yes. They tasted great, they were a little more doughy than flakey and they were just as nice cold as when they were warm. I'm really glad I gave these a shot, though I'm not sure how many more times I'll be labouring over croissants in the future!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you've got lots of wonderful things planned for your weekend ^_^ Thank you for stopping by!</span></div>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-9227397243149654282013-05-01T17:08:00.003+01:002013-05-01T17:08:50.017+01:00Charity for May: YMCA<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's okay, you're not the only one who wanted to burst into song after reading 'YMCA'. It's a charity I actually donate to quite frequently, since they have a store open just down the road from where I live. I like to go in and have a browse (even if the people who volunteer in there seem a little shifty...) and I adore sifting through all the books. I think I've carried my own weight in paperbacks home from there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The YMCA is the largest and oldest youth charity in the world. They provide families with support, give young people a safe place to stay and help them create a fresh, positive start in life. They're currently helping to tackle youth unemployment (staggeringly, almost one million 16-24 year old people in England are unemployed. That's scary.) and are promoting personal health and fitness in communities across the UK. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Regardless of sex, faith, culture or background, the YMCA is dedicated to helping young people create a better world for themselves and those around them. And I think that's pretty awesome ^_^ Young people get a lot of stick for being young and it's reassuring to know that there are organisations like the YMCA who are working worldwide to ensure that the future is better for all of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you're all having a happy week :) I am having a really good one so far and I'm terribly excited to share lots of good news with you ^_^ Thank you for stopping by!</span></div>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-64305363948210894852013-04-20T20:07:00.001+01:002013-04-20T20:07:37.822+01:00It's Beginning To Feel Like Spring.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am eternally grateful for the change in season; I look forward to it every year, desperately waiting for the morning I pull myself out of bed at 5 and see the sunlight, knowing I can walk to work without it being bitterly cold and dark. It cheers me up no end, especially since I'm not terribly fond of my job ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We've been having to take extra good care of Whiteface, since he unfortunately developed an infection where his leg was removed. He is now sad cat, wearing a cone and taking lots of antibiotics. He's eating and drinking and pottering about though, recovering slowly. Poor mite!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm excited about spring. It brings out a creative spark in me, like a whole new beginning for a new year (even though I know that started four months ago!) and this year I have been indulging in pretty colours and baking. I really, really have caught the baking bug (which is helping out with my 12 new recipes challenge) and am, most days, up to my elbows in flour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While it's still a little chilly outside, I'm enjoying spending my free time curled up with a book (attempting to cross something else off of my list!) and a big cup of coffee or, in this case, hot chocolate. I bought some Peeps for a friend while I was over for my visit, and thought they looked pretty floating in my drink! Which, I might add, was housed in the biggest cup I've ever had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This cup is -brilliant-. Not only is it so big it nearly doesn't balance on the coaster, it's also covered with Shakespearian insults! I think my favourite is 'a fusty nut with no kernal' but they're all brilliant! A lovely gift from a lovely friend ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made a lovely lemon sponge cake with a lemon glaze on top. There is something so deliciously fresh about lemon flavoured things. I adore citrus scents and tastes at the moment - only the other day I bought a little bottle of clementine perfume! I like smelling of oranges all day ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have to give the credit for this scrumptious honeycomb to my Mum! It's a combination of golden syrup, sugar and bicarbonate of soda. It's like magic when you add the bicarb, watching it grow and pale and all the little bubbles foaming and popping! A very nice, chewy sweet treat!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I haven't made bread for -years-. All the recipes I looked at called for proper bread flour, unsalted butter, all these fancy techniques and ingredients I didn't have readily available! I found one which was incredibly simple and used it to make this little beauty. There's something very satisfying about making bread, that it takes a little while and a little patience to prepare. I also made croissants, which I'll be telling you about another day. Now they really were a labour of love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you're all having a good weekend and you have a lovely week planned ahead of you. This last week has been full of shocking, awful news from America, from the terrible bombs in Boston to the tragic explosion in Texas. My thoughts truly are with those who were affected by these tragedies. I hope this next week is a positive one, looking forward to a bright, happy future. Thank you for stopping by.</span></div>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-16891715430251677482013-04-14T20:29:00.000+01:002013-04-14T20:29:02.966+01:00Recipe 3: Savoury Scones<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a bit of a crush on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/celebrity-chefs/anna-olson.html">Anna Olson</a>. Her show is on in the afternoons in England and I am ~hooked~ on watching her bake the most delicious food. She recently dedicated a show to savoury biscuits and treats (since she usually bakes cookies and cakes) and on this show were scrumptious savoury scones. I've had cheese scones before and the yummy fruity ones (-so- good with cream and jam!) but these looked so good I just had to try them for myself!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>You Will Need:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cups plain (all purpose) flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 cup sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tbsp baking powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup cold, unsalted butter cut into small pieces</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup double (heavy) cream</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 cup skimmed (2%) milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 large egg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>How To Make:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- Preheat your oven to 375</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">°</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">F/190</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">°</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">C</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- Sift together your flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a bowl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- Cut in the butter (or rub it in, that works too!) until the mixture is rough & crumbly but there are still small visible pieces of butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Lightly whisk together your cream, milk and egg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Add the wet to the dry ingredients and stir to bring the dough together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently until it forms a slightly elastic ball (not sticky!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This recipe makes eight large scones, but I wanted to try two different scone fillings so I divided my dough ball into two and out of each half made eight bite-size scones. You can adapt it to make huge ones or tiny ones, that's up to you ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-If you'd like to make eight, you'll need to roll out your dough to roughly 10 x 14 inches</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-After adding your fillings, simply roll the dough into a spiral and slice into however many rounds you'd like!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Brush the tops with milk and scatter with poppy or sesame seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Place onto a parchment lined baking tray and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, until they are lightly browned</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Leave to cool for about 10 minutes, then tuck in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made two different kinds of scone and like I said earlier, I made them itty-bitty so that my family could try some of each and decide which one they liked best!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This one was super simple! I bought a pack of ready made soft cheese infused with garlic and herbs and spread a generous amount over the pastry before rolling it up! It was very creamy and the garlic was a really nice touch, but the resounding winner was this little beauty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though not as handsome as his brother, this scone contained crispy bacon (I grilled some regular back bacon and let it cool for a while before chopping it up), grated cheddar and a sundried tomato pesto! It was kind of like a little pizza and really moreish!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really enjoyed baking something savoury, it was different for me as I tend to bake sponge cakes and cookies! I'd really love to try macarons and I have a complete hankering for some homemade croissants...I wonder how tricky those could be? Thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a great weekend and have an amazing week ahead!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-82567495151349289402013-04-11T22:39:00.000+01:002013-04-11T22:39:01.535+01:00Currently.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took a little inspiration from Danielle over at <a href="http://sometimessweet.blogspot.co.uk/">Sometimes Sweet</a> for this post!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Feeling: </i>Relieved. One of our cats, Whiteface, was involved in an accident over the weekend and was badly injured; he ended up having his leg amputated :( Fortunately the rest of him was okay, bar some scratches, so he was allowed to come home on Monday. Poor little mite! He's feeling a bit down and is sleeping a lot, but we're all so glad to have him home and to know that he will be okay. After losing another of our cats in an accident, we worry every time the kits go out because you can never be sure they will make it back in one piece. It hits home just how much they are a part of your family when something like this happens; we love our little fur babies!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Watching: </i>I've had a real urge to watch all of the Studio Ghibli movies I can get my hands on! I caught some of 'Princess Mononoke' the other day and since then, I keep vowing to make time to sit and watch them. Do you have a favourite Studio Ghibli film? I'm torn between 'Howl's Moving Castle' and 'My Neighbour Totoro'! And now that 'The Walking Dead' has finished, I'm really keen to start watching a different series - any suggestions?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Listening To: </i>Kate Bush - '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Whole_Story">The Whole Story</a>'. I -adore- Kate Bush (who just happens to be my namesake - thanks Mum!) and this album is *so good*! I love all of the songs on it, and remember listening to them on repeat when I was 14-15 years old (almost ten years ago, cripes!). I'm especially loving Experiment IV at the moment - have a listen to it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTUcoR8_pyE">here</a> and tell me what you think!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Looking Forward To: </i>The weekend! I'm lucky to have the whole weekend off (since I worked the whole last one!) so I intend to spend it giving the cats so many snuggles, playing lots of video games, finishing off the scarf I started before Christmas (!) and baking! I've got savoury scones and some kind of cake planned; completely been inspired by <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/celebrity-chefs/anna-olson.html">Anna Olson</a> and want to make everything she has ever baked! I'm thinking an attempt at macarons; have you ever tried baking something that like? I'd love to know how it turned out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you guys are having a great week ^_^ Do you have something awesome planned for the weekend? Fingers crossed the weather lady told me right today and we're going to have some sunshine and warmth! Has Spring finally arrived? Woo! Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-91980218928843640002013-04-01T22:21:00.001+01:002013-04-01T22:21:23.378+01:00Charity for April: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home<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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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think it's pretty clear that I am an animal lover ^_^ I see advertisements for animal charities and they always tug on my heartstrings, making me wish I could afford to sponsor all of them! Battersea Dogs & Cats home is an incredible charity, with over 150 years of experience as London's leading animal rehoming centre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a charity which aims to never turn a cat or a dog away, to reunite lost pets with their owners and to take care of animals until they can be rehomed with loving families. They have worked with over 3 million animals in their history, ensuring that each cat or dog is suitable for rehoming and educating their owners so that they can properly care for their pets. From puppies and kittens to dogs and cats in their later years, no matter their behavioural or medical issues, Battersea strives to take each and every one in and to send it on to live a happy life. Although they do receive some government funding, they rely heavily on public donations in order to keep functioning to their fullest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you guys know, I adopted my kitties from the RSPCA and am an advocate of rehoming abandoned or unwanted pets. There are far too many people who take on an animal and sadly realise it isn't going to work out, so to give that animal another chance at a happy life is so rewarding and it all happens because of great charities like the Battersea Dogs & Cats home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">S and I have talked about getting a pup when we live together, so even though I can't take home one of their lovely dogs right now, I'm excited to be a dog owner and to hopefully be able to adopt one from a rehoming centre ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have got a hugely busy week ahead -sad face- but I hope you all had a lovely Easter and have got a great week to look forward to! Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-78033847633497255912013-03-27T20:18:00.001+00:002013-03-27T20:18:12.579+00:00Home Again!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Phew!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a -wonderful- week away with S (which was much, much, much too short and went by *way* too quickly) I managed to make my way back from cold, windy New Jersey to cold, windy Kent in south England!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have some pictures I'm excited to share with you, plus a couple of little projects I've had my eye on, and an update on my '10 Things' list ^_^ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you all had a great week last week and that this week is even better! Thank you for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-16416832641773111002013-03-12T17:19:00.000+00:002013-03-12T17:19:42.146+00:00Lately.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the time to fly away to S draws ever closer, I've been so busy getting things ready and packing for my trip (and trying to fit in all my hours at work too!) and as I've been washing, ironing, booking and waiting, I've been taking some pictures of things that have made me smile ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We were brought lovely, fresh eggs by my aunt - look at the size compared to a supermarket egg! Huge! Lots of them had two yolks in too :3 scrumptious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Celebrating Mother's Day on Sunday, with a little homemade banner...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...simply wrapped and decorated gifts...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqgLeD77MwU1TYZMwGS8qAjEWoCMSDbypbVtqsTsDdu9_9iqzNUQ7EYnhNe650Bj6bXq9Vvs1KUqMUXCCEPVWQHZRhVzzb71EGshPZD4lPvlxvlHbvNyMZqa8fLxsfsOQJ-bM9SWU3A5L/s1600/DSCF1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqgLeD77MwU1TYZMwGS8qAjEWoCMSDbypbVtqsTsDdu9_9iqzNUQ7EYnhNe650Bj6bXq9Vvs1KUqMUXCCEPVWQHZRhVzzb71EGshPZD4lPvlxvlHbvNyMZqa8fLxsfsOQJ-bM9SWU3A5L/s400/DSCF1048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...and roses the colour of sunshine!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaxIrMKQNnv0EdlZ1LxTKQYoXv3n3cCBjvpX5we-odlp-bo608f5vrxvAMviiLPPIrDAS4H-6WKfXULd-s63DK57MUKvujY9BhRXbNv_Qunzw2CuiF618z8ztFP6VfriKJoR_U8sBz42A/s1600/DSCF1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaxIrMKQNnv0EdlZ1LxTKQYoXv3n3cCBjvpX5we-odlp-bo608f5vrxvAMviiLPPIrDAS4H-6WKfXULd-s63DK57MUKvujY9BhRXbNv_Qunzw2CuiF618z8ztFP6VfriKJoR_U8sBz42A/s400/DSCF1054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cute little kitties sleeping, all curled up and comfy (I wish I was a cat so I could crash down for a nap anywhere!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87Apc7Qf9Wyi2xxF5WcZS99BeiNJVLdhM2k5KPGOlbzfweuL8-csN_FpNyXyUBfBVsgFkh3DUge5MbsOAqzRMGTnMzJoFEgl9vLh0PThpxfdM4s8yuTexT6iQ09a4fIbSZQUUQ51qtE91/s1600/DSCF1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87Apc7Qf9Wyi2xxF5WcZS99BeiNJVLdhM2k5KPGOlbzfweuL8-csN_FpNyXyUBfBVsgFkh3DUge5MbsOAqzRMGTnMzJoFEgl9vLh0PThpxfdM4s8yuTexT6iQ09a4fIbSZQUUQ51qtE91/s400/DSCF1055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last minute double-checks and crossing off on my many lists >.<</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm -so- excited! Just one more shift at work and then I'm off to see my boy for a whole week! We'll be seeing my favourite band, travelling to Virginia to see our friends get married and spending a lot of quality time together, making plans for our future ^_^ Do you have exciting plans for your week? Thank you for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-32174965817788304282013-03-05T16:30:00.000+00:002013-03-05T16:30:27.371+00:00Stila-in', Profilin'.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've never really been that into make up. I'd put it on for an evening out or a special occasion but I could never quite fathom it daily. It seemed like it would take too much time, using my inexperienced hands, and I simply couldn't be bothered. It was bad enough pulling myself out of bed at 5 a.m. and putting my clothes on the right way round, let alone attempting to paint my face with half-closed eyes >.<</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I figured it was about time I took a more adult approach to make up; I know that sounds kind of weird, but bear with me =p I have made the effort to work myself into a regular skincare routine which is keeping my skin in good condition. And I made an agreement with myself earlier this year that I'd 'make more of an effort'; it's very easy to not bother when I'm heading to work only to change into a uniform and stuff my ponytail into a hairnet. I wondered if getting up a few minutes earlier to slick on some facepaint would make me feel any different. You know what? It does.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgCrC8f1_4UobY-23oVE_wc5GO84C2AIHOw2JUe5StAXlHs_4UpJHpM_qHbeMQ-wLGpbtTg6jK-m9mmA3g0-clMqPOBfcuXzYCe8vdO_XwQR5UfVygH4Ij0nV02E0HMey6c5Vqkdk4T5K/s1600/DSCF1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgCrC8f1_4UobY-23oVE_wc5GO84C2AIHOw2JUe5StAXlHs_4UpJHpM_qHbeMQ-wLGpbtTg6jK-m9mmA3g0-clMqPOBfcuXzYCe8vdO_XwQR5UfVygH4Ij0nV02E0HMey6c5Vqkdk4T5K/s400/DSCF1025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took the plunge and invested in some shiny, new, <i>grown up</i> make up. Again, that sounds kind of weird but taking the time to carefully decide what I wanted and getting something that I know is going to last made me feel grown up (yikes). I am definitely a less-is-more kind of person, so a touch of primer, some eyeliner and a flick of mascara means I'm good to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a funny thing, really. I put it on, take a moment to look at myself and say 'Yeah, you're looking pretty good today' and scoot off out, to work or wherever. Most of the day, I don't even remember I have anything on. But in the moments that I do, it makes me smile inside, just <i>knowing</i> that I made an effort, that <i>I </i>feel good about how I look. I guess it's part of learning how to feel comfortable in your own skin, enjoying who you are inside and out. I think I've really started on that path and so far, it feels pretty good ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you're having a great day! We're enjoying some spring-like weather in south England at the moment and it's -so- lovely seeing the sun shine brightly after what felt like an <i>eternal</i> winter. Thank you for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-77729566013944863212013-03-02T17:00:00.000+00:002013-03-02T17:00:00.261+00:00Charity For March: The Shakespeare Globe Trust<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;"><img src="http://www.broughamhall.co.uk/files/6113/0514/8864/Shakespeares%20Globe%20logo%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/">{Source}</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shakespeare; for most people, it's either adoration or utter confusion. I -love- Shakespeare with a passion. During my studies at university, I took every Shakespeare class offered and wrote all of my major papers on his works. I've seen his plays performed in huge theatres by incredible casts and in tiny theatres by unknown performers. The draw for me is that there is no single interpretation of any of his work; you create your own meaning from the words (with a little help from the glossary!) and the story he tells becomes what -you- make of it. I think it's pretty impressive that stories told 300 years ago can have such relevance and impact on life today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I chose The Shakespeare Globe Trust because I have been to the Globe theatre several times and it is an incredible place. Beautifully reconstructed, it is the perfect place to not only broaden your knowledge of Shakespeare with guided tours, brilliant exhibits and fascinating talks, but it is the -perfect- place to watch Shakespeare's plays. The Trust is an educational charity, which works with over 100,000 people a year through workshops, seminars and classes (I was fortunate enough to work with them while I was at university and it was an -amazing- experience!) and receives no government subsidy, so it relies heavily on public support and donations. Through this support, fantastic projects grow and evolve and the Globe is able to host a stunning season of plays every year. Supporting the arts is something I feel very strongly about and combined with a genuine love of Shakespeare, this is the perfect charity for me to support.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd love to know what you think of Shakespeare - have you read him? Did you like him? I hope you're having a great weekend ^_^ Thank you for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-17504229182487333342013-02-26T19:45:00.003+00:002013-02-26T19:45:40.045+00:00Recipe 2: Chicken Chow Mein<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I thought, for some reason, making a chow mein dish would be really difficult. I thought there would be a heap of unusual, exotic ingredients that I wouldn't be able to find, that there would be some crazy technique I couldn't master. But really, chow mein is easy. Easy peasy, in fact.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe72mHs33aYESDGT2J7UagMDlNJMq2v7PQiaaXgWH6cvocIGCcL0dqZ-dlwXsvuw4KvFZiexvBC5T89B5cI4ibM7JGSbnveqDm52qp6lkeXd2JKUKpH272sDhi4Bdl-5U-2NIRnvZBxCV/s1600/DSCF1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe72mHs33aYESDGT2J7UagMDlNJMq2v7PQiaaXgWH6cvocIGCcL0dqZ-dlwXsvuw4KvFZiexvBC5T89B5cI4ibM7JGSbnveqDm52qp6lkeXd2JKUKpH272sDhi4Bdl-5U-2NIRnvZBxCV/s400/DSCF1017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Essentials</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>You Will Need:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Egg noodles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chicken</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stir-fry vegetables</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spring onions (or scallions)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Soy sauce (dark and light)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Five spice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Groundnut oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sesame oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>How To Make:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and add your noodles. Boil until they are soft. Drain, run under cold water briefly and add a splash of sesame oil before tossing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmc-AXwZKYNPzW1q7ty2MsmHrkx5ZkCv4_cXkZG9Y6JfOlf2Q2IM7UI0-XvkmbvZxlE4yW2-54ri-_P_b5guZITsOjMksGAHFAvBDlApXYFJziuHdA4YmAHyT5gX1Q1-PlSJikI4qZXeL/s1600/DSCF1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmc-AXwZKYNPzW1q7ty2MsmHrkx5ZkCv4_cXkZG9Y6JfOlf2Q2IM7UI0-XvkmbvZxlE4yW2-54ri-_P_b5guZITsOjMksGAHFAvBDlApXYFJziuHdA4YmAHyT5gX1Q1-PlSJikI4qZXeL/s400/DSCF1018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Slice your chicken into pieces (I used four chicken breasts as I cooked for five people) and add to a hot wok, drizzling groundnut oil over the top. Turn occasionally until cooked through.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yuIzALgw1ypS3tOrLYUR6RmfvqLvz76Nh2lIAv2iLbgiH3A0Xb30qg79P-HMMOukfs1Espu4zR_ZHRcjwwkp4dBjbO8OeJvxZseGBdzsUec4bpvbvawHs8hm_Gs6ykx34jRuv7A4TI1l/s1600/DSCF1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yuIzALgw1ypS3tOrLYUR6RmfvqLvz76Nh2lIAv2iLbgiH3A0Xb30qg79P-HMMOukfs1Espu4zR_ZHRcjwwkp4dBjbO8OeJvxZseGBdzsUec4bpvbvawHs8hm_Gs6ykx34jRuv7A4TI1l/s400/DSCF1020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As your chicken cooks, add about a teaspoon of five spice and a generous drizzle of light soy sauce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Slice your spring onion diagonally (for pizazz) and add to the wok, along with your other stir-fry vegetables.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once your veggies are cooked but still crunchy, add your noodles and toss together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plate up, serve with dark soy sauce and thoroughly enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This recipe is adapted from one I found <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chickenchowmein_89258">here</a>, hence the need for my computer by my side! Also, rather than use groundnut oil, I found 'Chinese stir-fry oil', which is a blend of sunflower, sesame and ginger oils with natural garlic extract! The garlic really added some zing to it - yum!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I really am stunned at how easy it was to make. It took about half an hour to make, from putting the water on to boil to sitting down and eating. A healthy, filling meal which was enjoyed by my whole family =) Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-31068309516834027022013-02-22T21:04:00.000+00:002013-02-22T21:04:30.238+00:00Book 3 : The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ<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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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Having read Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, I saw this in a thrift shop and just -had- to buy it. It intrigued me more than anything; I wondered how the story of Jesus' birth and death could be told differently, how someone who describes himself as an 'agnostic atheist' could portray such a tale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This novel tells the story of Jesus and Christ, two brothers born of Mary, brothers who could not be more different; Jesus, a hard-headed, mischievous boy who grows to be the outspoken preacher we all know and Christ, his quiet, introspective twin who used his words to keep his brother from trouble and took it upon himself to record Jesus' words. In both characters, we see parts of the Jesus we are familiar with, as though the man we know from the Bible was an amalgam of both individuals, as though just one man, with one set of ideas, was not rounded enough to lead to a new way of thinking, of being. Jesus is, of course, the man who spoke out, who encouraged those around him to see the world in a different light. Christ was <i>his</i> author, who included some of his personal ideas to make sure that his brother was observed to always be true, honest and the right man to lead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is an interesting concept and well executed by the author. He tells it with care, with consideration, as an alternative viewpoint on one of the most famous stories of all time. I read it -very- quickly (sometimes super big print is so awesome) and I enjoyed it. It wasn't what I expected at all and I liked that ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you've all got a lovely weekend waiting for you! I'm working the whole thing =( but I've got a chat with S tomorrow night to look forward to, and not having to do another 12-hour shift in the near future! Woo! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to sit down with some yummy nibbles and a new episode of The Walking Dead - remember, if Daryl dies, we riot ^_^ Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-22655960658678355512013-02-19T16:32:00.000+00:002013-02-19T16:33:33.570+00:00One Of Those Weeks.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know the kind I mean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nothing seems to slot into place quite like you hoped. Things get moved around so plans have to be changed. People frustrate you. The motivation you had for all those exciting things you wanted to do just vanishes, and your free time is spent moping around, leaving you feel like you've wasted the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, it's been a long, long week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I saw this on Youtube today and it made me smile. I thought perhaps you might like to as well.</span></div>
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<i>'It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance.'</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes you need a little pep talk, even when you're having the best day ever. It sure perked me up ^_^ Thank you for stopping by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-88864813912129866332013-02-12T22:57:00.001+00:002013-02-12T22:57:59.176+00:00Pancake Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite pancakes being both the easiest and most delicious things to eat, in our house we only ever make them on one day - pancake day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pancake day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the day before the start of Lent. The period of Lent is traditionally observed as a period of self-denial or fasting, giving up luxuries in order to commemorate the time Jesus spent in the desert and also to heighten the celebration of his death and subsequent resurrection at Easter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And what's the best way to use up all your luxuries, which typically would've been things like eggs, milk and flour?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You turn them into scrumptious pancakes!</span></div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgIHgjHfDEf4f3M0uXb26x-FsHLzC41CcnT1GJwh0fN9JA25iOT_WZfrCsxEbSC1c7WRMqgZe8y5wYdHoiX14n_5VmMyuX10mHW0szp_T5m3EpE9JMKcWy6YeRuz-9g240RrNQ1emW4H6/s400/DSCF0598.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We always always have ours with maple syrup and ice cream but you can eat them with whatever you desire, be it fresh fruit and cream, lemon and sugar or chocolate spread ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">You Will Need:</u><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">4oz self-raising flour</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">Pinch of salt</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">1oz sugar</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">1 egg</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">1/2 pint of milk</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">1oz melted butter</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><u style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">How To Make The Lovely Deliciousness</u><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">♥ Sieve together the dry ingredients</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">♥ Beat in the egg, then the milk and lastly add the melted butter. Beat together well.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">♥ Grease and warm the frying pan</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">♥ Drop around 2 tablespoons-full of the mixture onto the pan and cook for about 30 seconds on each side.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">♥ To test if they're cooked properly, take a knife or spatula and press the pancake firmly - if no batter comes out and it feels springy and firm, remove from heat and serve immediately</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">In honour of pancake day, I drew a little picture of S and I munching on pancakes ^_^ I haven't made him pancakes yet and I know he doesn't celebrate Shrove Tuesday like I do here, but next year we'll definitely be eating them together on pancake day!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">And since Lent starts tomorrow, I've decided to challenge myself and, for the next 40 days, I'm not going to eat any food from the bakery I work at and cut my sugar down to a bare minimum! Here's to getting a little healthier before I drown in chocolate at Easter!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">Do you give up anything for Lent? Thank you for stopping by!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">xoxo</span></span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182878301787984388.post-17713594219990235502013-02-11T09:00:00.000+00:002013-02-11T09:00:01.859+00:00Long Distance Valentine.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ah, another year rolls by, another Valentine's Day appears and S & I are yet to spend one together! I hope beyond hope that this will be the last one we spend apart but even though we're opposite sides of the ocean, we strive to make our day special ^_^</span></div>
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<img height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVIAVLocE98J9gk4zicK76ixW5ljePDW__jX87KQJSuL3uaQxy2mCaygean3Qj4ZD4lIzcEleAS-I2n2Ung972d-H1B4YBnQgCrTVcyofW_SJyapeCXvXthKDkadqBEqgd29JD5KbJWTY/s400/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We always, -always- send each other cards with little love notes tucked inside. I know Valentine's Day can be pretty cheesy (and S, without fail, will always get the cheesiest card he can find to send to me) but it's so lovely to open a card on Valentine's Day, knowing that someone special wants you to be your Valentine ^_^ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes, we like to send each other gifts! We decided not to this year, as we're saving money for my (eventual) move and since S is just starting out in his new job (did I tell you he's got a job in real estate? I'm so proud!) he's just finding his feet financially. When we -do- send each other gifts, we buy each other things that we can't buy ourselves in our respective countries. I'm a -huge- fan of Hershey's Cookies and Creme bars and he loves English chocolate ^_^ Another thing we've done in the past is make each other CDs (mix-tapes for the next generation!) or created things to put in memory books or photo albums. Cheap and cheerful :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We always make time for each other on Valentine's, even though we're five hours apart and with S's new job, time isn't always easy to find. We make a little bit of an effort, prepare something to eat, sit down and talk about our plans for the future, our plans for the day, maybe watch a movie and just -spend time together-. And we open our cards, read our letters and go all mushy ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are your plans for Valentine's Day this year? Are you spending it with your loved one or are you going long-distance too? Thanks for stopping by!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">xoxo</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803137765441040568noreply@blogger.com0