Merry Christmas

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0o00dGTudfNoPDjWEHv_5Tm9zSW78hHhyDKXeIhueJa-lsIw89PkfEIU74QjcK0CEqhJu2itAfv95I2fMdBTvnsf2OZaqZyvEyhj7-zhyLsFTIXbEuCg1Q5QV420JQKDLqqeo_a_peuv/s1600-h/Wisteria2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283645553656137794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0o00dGTudfNoPDjWEHv_5Tm9zSW78hHhyDKXeIhueJa-lsIw89PkfEIU74QjcK0CEqhJu2itAfv95I2fMdBTvnsf2OZaqZyvEyhj7-zhyLsFTIXbEuCg1Q5QV420JQKDLqqeo_a_peuv/s400/Wisteria2.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I wish you and your loved ones very happy, blessed, safe, joyous Christmas and fabulous New Year!<br />I want to say a big thank you for stopping by - all your comment, kind words , encouragement and emails have been such a pleasure. <div>Please take care and I look forward to seeing you next year. <div>Have a wonderful holiday break.</div></div><div>God Bless you all .</div><div>Love Viera<br /></div>

Merry Christmas

I wish you and your loved ones very happy, blessed, safe, joyous Christmas and fabulous New Year! I want to say a big thank you for stoppi...

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A Merry Red Christmas Eve

<p align="center">I am planning my virtual outfit to wear on Christmas Eve. This year has been very special and there is much to celebrate and to be thankful for. Red seems appropriate and just feels right for this time of year. In a perfect world this is what I would love to have in my closet and jewelry chest. What do you think? </p> <p align="center"><img alt="[scan0002.jpg]" border="0" height="743" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNHi-NQjr8WkwGu9N5OeRy0vZc-7iRYyf8bLHkPlvhG8p4sHBVF9rEqz177AJQRPJlkLOmVOYsKn5AhtWRrtiWxnNGJ6235ykzFmG4t0jzgx0YaYezvi9Z5HBBXjOsazsePm0s1rOFSs/s1600/scan0002.jpg" width="306" /></p> <p align="center"><a name="3724292087176538069"></a></p> <h5 align="center">Lida Baday silk skirt & Donna Karen turtle neck</h5> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUq8Hj0E_M4zZjixDjiwfcXzCjP9uJpMRujvq-UWvJLBl3HqRG3-2JWziXvtkMA1_39xMsFG-5YHgrFSNhJwKLnK-jr-Y5ngByN9V-VNPL-4vHwz2EvcmQIXvp87eGOHIy3mO2-iHjuo/s320/cartier+18K+white+gold+%26+rubies.jpg" width="178" /><img alt="" border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf64MZolW7DyVPOz18ijuCa0PHUl_Tl5XODcsfN_oKC5EXAh-ZTiCHwe2UehsBQJ0c6L1NCvfNZUZfSmcDafm_nhCkySAoF2t9_nSyisSb1Soaz5XHVRw5xrbvUaN0DfOHjj9884W_xgs/s400/Manolo+Blahnik+shiny+red+sequin+pumps+with+satin+piping.jpg" width="282" /></p> <p align="center">Cartier "Le Basier du Dragon" 18K white gold & ruby earrings based on Art Deco style. The lucky thread is tied, as when making a wish.</p> <p align="center">Manolo Blahnik shiny red sequin heels trimmed with satin piping <br /></p> <p align="center"><img alt="[cartier+ring.jpg]" border="0" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vEF6sxFL2HVKDQf3Fv12XgOEZtBLOHTJz_vzvS2afcSgFePmEwTQ2XLwXa_RALte7QIF1bVe07g09SSMkcTR-5GRJfvyjiqwxyNpNLPLzbmGcsKoaTszhb-4WB_ADzE86rCHVq4apz8/s1600/cartier+ring.jpg" width="335" /><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnbD8Vzzupg5PSFWQODmVmGOctYrk3bbYfm8t3Mn4oNC_EYIajgS7ROxUicjGhk6MrsPpgYajJyZ4q3PfOmqvJIEThtYNlcY-sCqm8NgqZ1mKhuqWu_Se-283cXV1W_gAYZr8BFlUcRU/s320/cartier.jpg" width="367" /></p> <p align="center">         Cartier Ruby & Diamond Ring                       Cartier Classic Diamond Watch with red crocodile strap</p> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j4cOL51ceUXx88tBNEq3S5R6WL8p9tFP2mLSKhcLSeuGSPcDPx0YQncPlji8KCAspy1GJcryIM9exOxPzCaFqEbVC_oJE324UztPMNT33hrX4ZWbmT3qkt9TnrT56qh3aMwYLX58XBw/s320/cartier+fragrance.jpg" /></p> <p align="center">And to finish off the outfit Cartier Delices Perfume</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Wishing you all 'Sweet' dreams for a Merry Red Christmas! <br /></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design, <br />as well as sneak peaks of her work..  <br />While you're here, </font><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/patriciagrayincblogspot"><font size="1">subscribe to this feed</font></a><font size="1"> so you don't miss out. </font></p> <p align="center"></p>

A Merry Red Christmas Eve

I am planning my virtual outfit to wear on Christmas Eve. This year has been very special and there is much to celebrate and to be thankful ...

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The Ultimate Hostess Gift

<p>The wax is comprised of a unique blend of soy, maple and palm waxes. The vessel is inspired by the organic floral structure and elements of art deco design.  The packaging is stitched in Burmese silk.  The satin ribbons are imported from France and the tissue that wraps each bowl is hand pleated and imported from Switzerland.  And the scent is pure heaven:  French Tuberose against an earthly and delicate scent of Woodland mushrooms.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FKzY-DtTBFnGBWA7W96H1sK1bpIek5_OkJr0esvzvEQAAaHjxUq-ZH4azIQBZab1g23nqji2Tm5qYoavM8YrgvMGBIeEChIkR5oQemH4LEX7O9WT-LHu1WAAh522aepyvp0Abk-6b-39/s1600-h/image%5B22%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9VVPhfPd2NXMXdEq5Y4JJLxwpklB8Ep6A7r3IfGLK9vQkC17aqEidIc4vcxj6DW-P_S-PwMWuR5Y-D_1qr9HFhP4kfXeaki1qVFGVRvo2pfcSu3sv0ev10ciM-IHE3Jg8jre8G7zOWTy/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" width="540" /></a></p> <p align="center">D.L. & Company candles available from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.griffintrading.com/dlandcompany.htm">Griffen Trading</a>.</p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><strong>Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design, <br />as well as sneak peaks of her work.</strong><strong>.  </strong></font><b> <br /><strong><font size="1">While you're here, </font><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/patriciagrayincblogspot"><font size="1">subscribe to this feed</font></a><font size="1"> so you don't miss out. </font></strong></b></p>

The Ultimate Hostess Gift

The wax is comprised of a unique blend of soy, maple and palm waxes. The vessel is inspired by the organic floral structure and elements of ...

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Inspirations

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XZ2xyZFkCHketyPqoZ7jugO3uftNL23FM_FTUWtyARq4SmB3gNGAhyi4fh9SUNqjAe7jG5TXLM5ertRvrNjvn3qrLnouFds2_M-adeR_oncpoauJCH-FIdQaIhCCD5SdDRt7GWgF1yQ/s1600-h/Ralph+Lauren+Home1.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304273895114931330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XZ2xyZFkCHketyPqoZ7jugO3uftNL23FM_FTUWtyARq4SmB3gNGAhyi4fh9SUNqjAe7jG5TXLM5ertRvrNjvn3qrLnouFds2_M-adeR_oncpoauJCH-FIdQaIhCCD5SdDRt7GWgF1yQ/s400/Ralph+Lauren+Home1.bmp" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 397px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwynfHXDFybCeKKrvxZ6sgkQKJ0rYdDK8e_Tf93lvVL43nkcPDO04UjA_nlFHtk0GL-mp52xDyZmCMW5tgN4UOkmTnD0mZsRIehDbaOzxzNt3RfLWs6_wX9L-ndM2AwZwotoz4aJW5qzY/s1600-h/Ralph+Lauren+Home.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304273718992726706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwynfHXDFybCeKKrvxZ6sgkQKJ0rYdDK8e_Tf93lvVL43nkcPDO04UjA_nlFHtk0GL-mp52xDyZmCMW5tgN4UOkmTnD0mZsRIehDbaOzxzNt3RfLWs6_wX9L-ndM2AwZwotoz4aJW5qzY/s400/Ralph+Lauren+Home.bmp" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 397px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Sourced from Ralph Lauren Home<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcspJzSgrXsKafHkRMzmksvOG4Q0ciBVJWSLC5QI8CGKdyCPyFKONbTm-beEGj4APOKipS0XGK7jXg3KkseaZSdNHQm3yWB2eoMhVyk_9BT64XnTOlpZanzrnY9Kg1kf_826hD-LvSA73/s1600-h/Traditional+home+C.Rhoem.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281253211605896530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcspJzSgrXsKafHkRMzmksvOG4Q0ciBVJWSLC5QI8CGKdyCPyFKONbTm-beEGj4APOKipS0XGK7jXg3KkseaZSdNHQm3yWB2eoMhVyk_9BT64XnTOlpZanzrnY9Kg1kf_826hD-LvSA73/s400/Traditional+home+C.Rhoem.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 383px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOKO4qYzNiLqAJg3yNhmnp_aVcnptGbhdXyDiLGu8SKb9xHRNriX7iYMebykTziZARbIpfFrzjPQso5Krv8bb4ZqowW1NVlhQZejOiGT484smltMVIzf8DP-MrjIRphd20JCEsaP2NskS/s1600-h/Traditional+home+C.Rhoem1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281252997162919938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOKO4qYzNiLqAJg3yNhmnp_aVcnptGbhdXyDiLGu8SKb9xHRNriX7iYMebykTziZARbIpfFrzjPQso5Krv8bb4ZqowW1NVlhQZejOiGT484smltMVIzf8DP-MrjIRphd20JCEsaP2NskS/s400/Traditional+home+C.Rhoem1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Source <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home</a>- Caroline Rhoem<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nxt-BGdCdwpRasGXVcnKFf7aCSJtDSbHC7EHRtuKNg-Ebchnj4kYXq1XPwawbHioTFPDaRqStBhMHoLrs2Oqk5rydD30cSlzxMBHUiPtKxogroUyfdhwte9doPrIJLSYFnuVj8fkYUJJ/s1600-h/Traditional+Home+Susan+Harris.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281252860530287650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nxt-BGdCdwpRasGXVcnKFf7aCSJtDSbHC7EHRtuKNg-Ebchnj4kYXq1XPwawbHioTFPDaRqStBhMHoLrs2Oqk5rydD30cSlzxMBHUiPtKxogroUyfdhwte9doPrIJLSYFnuVj8fkYUJJ/s400/Traditional+Home+Susan+Harris.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 329px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281252742591253874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oRjyOvnO7MmLGlhZqRIewW5rYAMDxzMaM3R1c9Lm_YBArdO1APpb_VquxAf8P05ydwk_M_kyOwej89vl_XdVNRpRaDWrDG0Y2v4wSzC30Ltj6ZiGoH2o2aEiigdv4DF8pjMBOGlxChpH/s400/Traditional+Home+Susan+Harris1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> Traditional Home </a>Susan Harris<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvChOXgzrorEfwIWFWI6GBr24dEuMIrXh1NZra1jD_efXBBaCaswMwUolGiRJBlKbX4mnGLArLZF1B9t9DvzhE6Hd3uHuwMnznFx58EaB4ZhdDptO38c-4gTlX6f-xYEnwTQdS7aVBV98/s1600-h/Traditional+home+victoriassecrets_4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281252600132807154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvChOXgzrorEfwIWFWI6GBr24dEuMIrXh1NZra1jD_efXBBaCaswMwUolGiRJBlKbX4mnGLArLZF1B9t9DvzhE6Hd3uHuwMnznFx58EaB4ZhdDptO38c-4gTlX6f-xYEnwTQdS7aVBV98/s400/Traditional+home+victoriassecrets_4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq5Ipxsat0cMgtzX2JMDXlCFUwzhIrdHD_WM5l8D9TCAu-HFjT8PjVQiEN5gTlIccroX8K5H5k3SrGKfsTH5YwzZf61pTRLv8LD_efbj1jETFglAYCFjxgjAVEmivWv9F2kxJUgQE_dgy/s1600-h/Traditional+home+victoria+Hagan2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281252423240038898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq5Ipxsat0cMgtzX2JMDXlCFUwzhIrdHD_WM5l8D9TCAu-HFjT8PjVQiEN5gTlIccroX8K5H5k3SrGKfsTH5YwzZf61pTRLv8LD_efbj1jETFglAYCFjxgjAVEmivWv9F2kxJUgQE_dgy/s400/Traditional+home+victoria+Hagan2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 339px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home </a>- Victoria Hagan<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281256331155128530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1OKrTGGXvIIVM_StuGLbXgVz9XV0tNUBu2w-okyMIb8FvYEzXh-wPcLybudWATREOMOw0z6MWxiYCu3cKiHG0QpVd5pkrrt0DkvjI_tc7Io80quCkmkLI_DR0TkdCFvHmmL61gn9EGUZ/s400/Eddie+Ross+green%26black.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281256197770574866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M3PlwH9RMA4hSKOjwSgv3RtcPdwM30kpRhfBeVBt5qzpGsP9FDaAf8-jPK6rt_UP2H-voCzeGjtNoTScHhTowSauJxS4kl8hpEPKtY75DurDJ-eFIvgXfU7dvKxQG16VPcA7sg1vmMv8/s400/Eddie+Ross+green%26black1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Photos <a href="http://www.eddieross.com/">Eddie Ross</a><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281253462869582994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWLvlxecPoRwTpj9n6DWyIhvtBk2O78cceBDlnSsJbnqqmIKKLYMQaiqg7SOG7aMNL24jw34wzwvNnK6XDHVj95Jpg6xSUb3HpqTINC50Ye4XTFgvmF6HIiTRbqnYCMzhzdHQ4Sy8giMp/s400/Waverley+fabrics.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281254704878440002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotCe4GEmotKRlhhOxnLStp-4VIMlZ_Xf7yG_tkTAFEzF7TikmBMVQ9lDKPKYNrbVx7AYQsUJCWZuAZuW5BwvJnxrqGhSlgWwMjSWKjU6IoErsfFoOaBgKAVt6iNrzmWp5_N5MlZOBFZDK/s400/Point+Click+home+11-christmas-decor.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Point Click Home - <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/">NeimanMarcus<br /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Inspirations

Sourced from Ralph Lauren Home Source Traditional Home - Caroline Rhoem Traditional Home Susan Harris Traditional Home - Victoria Hagan ...

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Outdoor Living 2 - Ludo Dierckx

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtEz7As8lCRmweRka8YOcWyx0sWSI4WFksI4vkQtFDsPAPFQKouSo4VMwrNpxSZQhQTlMfHcW0ASQvui0CX9Yk4UQ4uFjkOGePrSjJ49EJ6921DFls688exS7gyTtkTMW5HN1481WSM4e/s1600-h/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280551490748275314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtEz7As8lCRmweRka8YOcWyx0sWSI4WFksI4vkQtFDsPAPFQKouSo4VMwrNpxSZQhQTlMfHcW0ASQvui0CX9Yk4UQ4uFjkOGePrSjJ49EJ6921DFls688exS7gyTtkTMW5HN1481WSM4e/s400/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3-rnY3c2btuv_GAAus_K39DDGAuAZ9EuGdG37HwGKKGbUqOphoCGaj3nYSUHDTSDs2sL7HHEZ62WSEo72BjdVKENMdQSm5RVbV3xiT-V1GBEeq-ReTqta713jsVqnU04mVvHuUXAvDb5/s1600-h/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280551270733798258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3-rnY3c2btuv_GAAus_K39DDGAuAZ9EuGdG37HwGKKGbUqOphoCGaj3nYSUHDTSDs2sL7HHEZ62WSEo72BjdVKENMdQSm5RVbV3xiT-V1GBEeq-ReTqta713jsVqnU04mVvHuUXAvDb5/s400/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg5.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYOGavDeEo5QCSERg4jFo0Ac0dSqF69Ct_POGH8rg344HBHDSKnO8PaPXWA8RJJz-i1vEkq5SVLkrk5eM6plRZmOYM1_G3bog8zQGNy2Txa9bBPK0wErrml15lLmQwP06ni1hsmeAa0-3/s1600-h/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280551065443210386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYOGavDeEo5QCSERg4jFo0Ac0dSqF69Ct_POGH8rg344HBHDSKnO8PaPXWA8RJJz-i1vEkq5SVLkrk5eM6plRZmOYM1_G3bog8zQGNy2Txa9bBPK0wErrml15lLmQwP06ni1hsmeAa0-3/s400/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p6k6vqmnFTyCyRFTRFBDG-M6i3rIA3oaEV1hf_60KauWYTxkpk953p-6ilFCR-QkGElEUS1lTa9Ea6epMZ2yyRl-u364dsq8TkqMf_2Ge9wMyWNsGdYm8jvousWQyvlCLM0BJHvZrC1O/s1600-h/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280550860002080754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p6k6vqmnFTyCyRFTRFBDG-M6i3rIA3oaEV1hf_60KauWYTxkpk953p-6ilFCR-QkGElEUS1lTa9Ea6epMZ2yyRl-u364dsq8TkqMf_2Ge9wMyWNsGdYm8jvousWQyvlCLM0BJHvZrC1O/s400/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpw4QVqQeAXeWXXrLUNpEwxNcaarM2wkIsH8FjaPI9RLCM08fY313f476Bm01xiXL0HMS5jociSB_8btcLBiLjMY6dMTq_3W-o8EOVBObU86Xyvy1UnGMMPhdw2ugNXf6bLY41UV3xKKnu/s1600-h/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280550624903125730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpw4QVqQeAXeWXXrLUNpEwxNcaarM2wkIsH8FjaPI9RLCM08fY313f476Bm01xiXL0HMS5jociSB_8btcLBiLjMY6dMTq_3W-o8EOVBObU86Xyvy1UnGMMPhdw2ugNXf6bLY41UV3xKKnu/s400/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T-QZJKJKw8pW4zXl7KxH-5d1wJEToqovLNhTZ05FZLfLLf9vauOBGFdiyTAFnU1od8n6Xe9KUmSZG49o07YJtoAIdpCi8LkANfbdseRtpB84uWPcE1jOl2KEQUmLOvCrXnU8ds_xHf_e/s1600-h/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280550389822465010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T-QZJKJKw8pW4zXl7KxH-5d1wJEToqovLNhTZ05FZLfLLf9vauOBGFdiyTAFnU1od8n6Xe9KUmSZG49o07YJtoAIdpCi8LkANfbdseRtpB84uWPcE1jOl2KEQUmLOvCrXnU8ds_xHf_e/s400/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAkWaM_d1ZR5JbykVPu3SwcuCUL0CW5zN2d1u1grO18OMvymCYyMANvJJRkDTocgttUX3oBP_FG7F1qcBP37YykHBVOpo8yZ1hsLowKH-z-i7hxRBKIp3jYSknf-EUIVwYaL7y2qKwN-j/s1600-h/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280550190417154274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAkWaM_d1ZR5JbykVPu3SwcuCUL0CW5zN2d1u1grO18OMvymCYyMANvJJRkDTocgttUX3oBP_FG7F1qcBP37YykHBVOpo8yZ1hsLowKH-z-i7hxRBKIp3jYSknf-EUIVwYaL7y2qKwN-j/s400/ludo-dierckx.be.jpg6.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />While searching for the ideas for my backyard I came across the web page of <a href="http://www.ludo-dierckx.be/">Ludo Dierckx </a>from Belgium. His work is just amazing!

Outdoor Living 2 - Ludo Dierckx

While searching for the ideas for my backyard I came across the web page of Ludo Dierckx from Belgium. His work is just amazing!

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Outdoor Living

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA5C2CkF5C-ug2rwCwXZ3NiD3cgGY7h5KLTm51cfJbITsKle4CJMge8Ac6PkMHlx6QIJ3tyq4UHAiKaA5odKfduZJgbUoRYLAuqeD2o6bWp3g9XFZDvF2MvkbDj65_unXBrzUltmcXHS0/s1600-h/Flamant.com5.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279859679654817842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA5C2CkF5C-ug2rwCwXZ3NiD3cgGY7h5KLTm51cfJbITsKle4CJMge8Ac6PkMHlx6QIJ3tyq4UHAiKaA5odKfduZJgbUoRYLAuqeD2o6bWp3g9XFZDvF2MvkbDj65_unXBrzUltmcXHS0/s400/Flamant.com5.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Photo <a href="http://www.flamant.com/NS/servlet/se.ibs.ns.cat.CatalogueBrowserServlet;jsessionid=0000E52AGH0YgK2_FPbokWCpzGu:-1?TREE_CODE=CUSTOMER_CAT&ACTION_LOAD=10&men=smenu3&shint=1">Flamant<br /></a><div> </div><div>After the "Brisbane Cyclone" our garden furniture was totally destroyed. Glass ! broken, one chair not found, yet.<br />We love outdoor eating so much here in Australia and I have to make the decision very soon. Its already late. I want something heavy, sturdy, nice. My preference for a now goes to a stone table with iron chairs ( carvers <em><span style="font-size:78%;">maybe</span></em> synthetic wicker?). Any suggestions?<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirOJ_bD1Z3lZ3nxMjPovRhGW5rd_rQBwpThc30dBEhDFmwy252DDal6Sv27CAOFnUbg5TyNH5ugLYVe6uW0csqe9A9cwtd2RiGpHmiNx6DqQyAZrNfqF7OkHgvs_ADqV-SmKb_qZqsh-K/s1600-h/yardware.com.au"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279793375258464018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirOJ_bD1Z3lZ3nxMjPovRhGW5rd_rQBwpThc30dBEhDFmwy252DDal6Sv27CAOFnUbg5TyNH5ugLYVe6uW0csqe9A9cwtd2RiGpHmiNx6DqQyAZrNfqF7OkHgvs_ADqV-SmKb_qZqsh-K/s400/yardware.com.au" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX3k4VG534JX4CqFhPJ3O6-SGUKodIKG6h3PlcmYHGSQe7OXgkSbl4JuNeOdc5ODm0qWWSuvPIMIXsXAi2x7RvmfbIvFfdFpXkohjtzLbaez3SCfmUQFaibSUkwsyhRyAFInINqrUzUOH/s1600-h/yardware.com.au2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279793203552508434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX3k4VG534JX4CqFhPJ3O6-SGUKodIKG6h3PlcmYHGSQe7OXgkSbl4JuNeOdc5ODm0qWWSuvPIMIXsXAi2x7RvmfbIvFfdFpXkohjtzLbaez3SCfmUQFaibSUkwsyhRyAFInINqrUzUOH/s400/yardware.com.au2.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9kMq8q9x1HeE9zpQq-IHAUCeAVczk6Dve0_3_rtMQWKKm26bJGutq8IgNoNFg8n3wd4gSP5sWXsBGtDjGfKPGfAUT4wjLmLkYWpt2xii_KZ4vmMQ7rK0tFzYgzLw7Iz_O4cJW0d8Af60/s1600-h/yardware.com.au1.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279792995015749698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9kMq8q9x1HeE9zpQq-IHAUCeAVczk6Dve0_3_rtMQWKKm26bJGutq8IgNoNFg8n3wd4gSP5sWXsBGtDjGfKPGfAUT4wjLmLkYWpt2xii_KZ4vmMQ7rK0tFzYgzLw7Iz_O4cJW0d8Af60/s400/yardware.com.au1.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Yardware<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOncE44lLN_-s59AdToL7T8-JDOfJFO5wqHwc7YbanTT6gF2qhNZaEJSmeVl_oCVNkXiCII15gwlHBtlnUFO8tra5HaBCPlYab5G85r-1KOfx244GQTHnEm1p89ZWenHgHZyBuwjciZIh/s1600-h/Posi+-Boyd+bluemark_dining.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279780230350115346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOncE44lLN_-s59AdToL7T8-JDOfJFO5wqHwc7YbanTT6gF2qhNZaEJSmeVl_oCVNkXiCII15gwlHBtlnUFO8tra5HaBCPlYab5G85r-1KOfx244GQTHnEm1p89ZWenHgHZyBuwjciZIh/s400/Posi+-Boyd+bluemark_dining.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Posi<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKh7vF0tj8-xPDzMdUSANL__0m9zvGZqC4AVqdDKFNxYC5xqCfXmDRiXuS7eF8Xu23P5nQSHDlOmJwkHwoIMFDCSMr5vgAB4PU31O7Pnr_nbuL1d9BllUwKFuBpaQ2j08R1TjXya5Lhiy/s1600-h/Paul+Bangay+1H%26G.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279779777207314642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKh7vF0tj8-xPDzMdUSANL__0m9zvGZqC4AVqdDKFNxYC5xqCfXmDRiXuS7eF8Xu23P5nQSHDlOmJwkHwoIMFDCSMr5vgAB4PU31O7Pnr_nbuL1d9BllUwKFuBpaQ2j08R1TjXya5Lhiy/s400/Paul+Bangay+1H%26G.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Paul Bangay<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA-9i94Kz82G1BBhL3AhqaoNaIasbInzUA_mPuBg8AlBQ7Sls_1b88ygwEuVUjgpOC5ADkWZHMMAYcQSCURbm4o2A4LpPH3hiuY_PsKjwVGpdQjzYWL2mlX_3PyKTHzGoDne_fy-wielk/s1600-h/Papaya+outdoor+setting.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279779637151115554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA-9i94Kz82G1BBhL3AhqaoNaIasbInzUA_mPuBg8AlBQ7Sls_1b88ygwEuVUjgpOC5ADkWZHMMAYcQSCURbm4o2A4LpPH3hiuY_PsKjwVGpdQjzYWL2mlX_3PyKTHzGoDne_fy-wielk/s400/Papaya+outdoor+setting.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Papaya<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279798732623761346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNSnWoTyDXZN_7lRT9A0rjyXH8DEhIMcQOnwnJ7qw3hjYeGWNccdI9pNdtLDpg0_hz0ifOhXSKPGjvOQwFwNE0e_tdXPBm7Stc7rx-SAp9jiXEXY-_4zSG_sdcMzRh8F1xYIlo5-FxQU6/s400/Bertwistle+BROWNIES.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Bertwistle Imports<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0b88TDC_UWlPJkiboGP2kF_UX03dabX2fK4pgHlY8_cG0uPDGKq03uQCALzGkJHPUFZtswxqPR3Fmhlw8bsUMzGkP7dSEzsC87XHkkiipIMyyq6u0ucly_c2O0xfon23vOt-zeeSTsO2/s1600-h/Mary+Mc+Donald2.JPG"></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279794062936878914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKlKmGV1SeQwrZPRK4244RZWhkZ3chrOpe5XMtgmbvnR9Dku8D-kx_m8cm4ryh1Eks1Ej-4NIAnBmsnoZ-cx1bgHMBntl-Uqk_YIR4QwgMY0CRGtd0bDPrnhEmVd_pVKolY6T6sDK5Fkv/s400/Early+Setlers_Outdoor1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279793812496292210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX6VIvp6Xd4ehjjucTrJlgdi5yWdnauBOuYO0zJke4PA-NprGx0RNqWN5yq-XIk-ao_AvT2JnxNNii32KcF0auCrP-TwGEk1_I3x1fh9hYWLOtJvYRlYbpl97PgkePJQ3qjH0BYXNEUib/s400/Early+settlers.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Early Settlers<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswK2aD8FXP28t6KMzoXlAh0A61yqERMnW4CtpQrN14af-tEE4SfV5iKwF6O3BryFc-izRZTG-UC_rueo_lJ7K72IIIjDFHgi59y463ih9YozlhomuRU_jMKCnvc6ZN1eGNgq6IrYWaktf/s1600-h/Horgans+metal+chair.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279778245232405730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswK2aD8FXP28t6KMzoXlAh0A61yqERMnW4CtpQrN14af-tEE4SfV5iKwF6O3BryFc-izRZTG-UC_rueo_lJ7K72IIIjDFHgi59y463ih9YozlhomuRU_jMKCnvc6ZN1eGNgq6IrYWaktf/s400/Horgans+metal+chair.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 398px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>VT Interiors<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBdfUvxRw52rjRjARqWa5oHyXIWStCHZLElLR38urRbY1reCDscPZKloZc_VQc1w6P-Lrlxdvhextygs7n5WqjZR9QGTiiBhnfoglzLCpknfS6Bemh9EFrkdi8crlGYgymG1Wj0IgzGnp/s1600-h/Complete+Garden.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279777530636184034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBdfUvxRw52rjRjARqWa5oHyXIWStCHZLElLR38urRbY1reCDscPZKloZc_VQc1w6P-Lrlxdvhextygs7n5WqjZR9QGTiiBhnfoglzLCpknfS6Bemh9EFrkdi8crlGYgymG1Wj0IgzGnp/s400/Complete+Garden.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Complete Garden<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279781206460157634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SzTxGbc90jGNTUfezJMzzixlDytwg2U39pSv7uz5ltEVKoBtCwSyniZM9hLO8rAV3r1qXLWTRXatN47P9wjLRDPUozyJ2dBm7YCTAydUbzRtazD7f_SmcAx7_l46PqjbMh92D9WmIJla/s400/VT+Interiors+005.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>New addition to our backyard - Watter Dragon<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279779959650655506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX1B7XBnDo1zTwZ3myNNM_5ADLCxe0Qw299wQ5tL65rPVV1nw7aRNiTBzU2NN87OSM7l847M1H2ZfBFJ_AUITSNOz3cCg0TYx3dzUVx1SPACOoJ5a2BhZ7mCnD_DPptkY3bMvpwrQwNpT/s400/Paul+Bangay+H%26G.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><a href="http://www.houseandgarden.com.au/outdoor_furniture.htm">Buyers guide </a>to outdoor furniture</div>

Outdoor Living

Photo Flamant After the "Brisbane Cyclone" our garden furniture was totally destroyed. Glass ! broken, one chair not found, yet....

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Beauty is as Essential as Bread

<p align="center">There is an old french adage that says:  <br /><em><font color="#808000" size="3"><strong>"If you have a dollar, spend fifty cents on bread and fifty cents on flowers."</strong></font></em></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/cotedetexas/SPVtx7ibhzI/AAAAAAAANaQ/VUCictkIeBc/Snap253.jpg"><img alt="Snap25" border="0" height="647" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/cotedetexas/SPVtyHhEOVI/AAAAAAAANaY/WhUObpi6XAM/Snap25_thumb1.jpg" title="Snap25" width="632" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Photo via <a target="_blank" href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2008/10/jeffrey-bilhuber-lessons-in-designing_14.html">Cote de Texas</a>     <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeffrey-Bilhuber-Defining-Luxury-Qualities/dp/0847830543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229284130&sr=1-1">Jeffery Bilhuber</a> Designer</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><strong>Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design, <br />as well as sneak peaks of her work.</strong><strong>.  </strong></font><b> <br /><strong><font size="1">While you're here, </font><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/patriciagrayincblogspot"><font size="1">subscribe to this feed</font></a><font size="1"> so you don't miss out. </font></strong></b></p> <p align="center"></p>

Beauty is as Essential as Bread

There is an old french adage that says:  "If you have a dollar, spend fifty cents on bread and fifty cents on flowers."   Phot...

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Christmas Traditions

<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElHf6CrHt_FxGf6wbDk224UhBMPeO3JieFnLt3uWdqhnKASGqfVskamkROW_TNWHa4Jl_TQ0TLi_2H6oZGRmd8w4n4OFzUMIprGuRJxbA__gbdGMa4qHTvQk-L59-wHfgaeqXNz6bw5Mm/s1600-h/Christmas2008+008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280341050482793842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElHf6CrHt_FxGf6wbDk224UhBMPeO3JieFnLt3uWdqhnKASGqfVskamkROW_TNWHa4Jl_TQ0TLi_2H6oZGRmd8w4n4OFzUMIprGuRJxbA__gbdGMa4qHTvQk-L59-wHfgaeqXNz6bw5Mm/s400/Christmas2008+008.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> 11 days to Christmas .. I managed 'first stage' of baking, finally! Hurrah. Cooking and baking in my culture is a big part of Christmas celebration. Its much harder to concentrate and be focused here in Australia. So hot, sunny and more hot. Today was 34 degrees C and it would be much better on the beach. But because I am a very traditional girl I stayed in the kitchen and baked and baked and baked... house smells heavenly!<br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1INF39KQKbC_INC2Lnz3yNI5ty8-7OwKanM8eh0hA8cI5GDvNh4KYx9F6llGHGd3g77wZanrZLoFrbOylv4n7RksGW-Emp8OX9p8TwW2_AdSqSE0AaC4h63GAGQC_-c7yLCa024kgjBHS/s1600-h/tinekhome.dk.jpg"></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279613509066812338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV-l4Iz0kD0PyLHM-t7GUQDclCv0r3w8ZoN3LrnVN4g9VdavjLkn-hDwdc_EFxsjGTDWwEDMcwfBFSBLZ3BMXVMD0guSTZLVNZV68jwbhGQcOWUiU-1Ay59vqoYKPSb_lHMToPkOvkwZd/s400/Eva+Lindh6.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />...not this traditional . </div><div>Photo Eva Lindh (traditions from Scandinavia)<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjhNbcCquq17kBRKKmAt_TQLR07m796bfTOZBZibTFgGA4tCnmWr7lNVvBM0wpFEaVsHN5fru2ARXtNTQuPdFy97VfL1KJ4ryeFLeCBcHh00mWh3N6Gb60xYi22ehcdZleRD02u_zhpJy/s1600-h/Sweet+Paul+Blog.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279615696908615538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjhNbcCquq17kBRKKmAt_TQLR07m796bfTOZBZibTFgGA4tCnmWr7lNVvBM0wpFEaVsHN5fru2ARXtNTQuPdFy97VfL1KJ4ryeFLeCBcHh00mWh3N6Gb60xYi22ehcdZleRD02u_zhpJy/s400/Sweet+Paul+Blog.png" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Photos Sweet Paul </span></em><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxNCoNr7ZjdtRFJVT6-mJnvjy5oMoyS1bNfaCEODfLuRqQAnwWsmwWx7OkbsOB-aWjENQXyXu6Rb40B0Cn7bavEBXEqQAeevJdQusgMQWJErirO1s4UuCFc78xZbfJBPK25xdtGWIc2Za/s1600-h/GIN_SNOWT_GINDECCK_sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279613737246535298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxNCoNr7ZjdtRFJVT6-mJnvjy5oMoyS1bNfaCEODfLuRqQAnwWsmwWx7OkbsOB-aWjENQXyXu6Rb40B0Cn7bavEBXEqQAeevJdQusgMQWJErirO1s4UuCFc78xZbfJBPK25xdtGWIc2Za/s400/GIN_SNOWT_GINDECCK_sm.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279618144256034642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjeHEuawI2tO5dKOEEiKTWxaG0BGcN_nW1_Rn-Odcf7c1G3mRQ-uvOriPz4RzVJCnIGX734vFyAIBglbrOZGG6ZgVR7OLamL9zX3j21L2mWHRKNOjugbJegguiBjkFiKTfYgfQumU3awh/s400/ladytvorba+esi2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279614450173443026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSygO_LNrI8BT6j_Ny1LMUB4uoST0MLDm-Qg20IKg63TwpaPmczJgTMOkKd0Tc-u7crqq-Tsy5S0ywIIikariUwwJsOOnJ8paAByYl1rgFg43ZSPjOIaTH6CkP4HGrAqYT17-FDJWtBFy/s400/lesindiennesshop.com+2-gift-guid.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>...now I can put my feet up.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280341827442388162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJgvkKC2EdTHa7wV6NzjmGKsHzXn37XT-4ts-DZCDuEwC8-UzHwhsfBj6pSabEC9Cr7wrtU0VNYmgD0MMu50YpRWUQ8txmmbo8hxzXqrNpRRMczzSBTG_KXpRCBLH_sC9x-5eouHi3ELf/s400/Christmas2008+001.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div>

Christmas Traditions

11 days to Christmas .. I managed 'first stage' of baking, finally! Hurrah. Cooking and baking in my culture is a big part of Chris...

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Deck out your Holiday Home like a Pro

<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=1063989"><img alt="image" border="0" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLorlTF7fxs_T3RsjmAg-j3YaFpRYTUrFUqZ-KcU3ysPlj29HNdguAiYNrem88WyH75irerKljAgttk0fK0QYdvCwIO9J1Llj8AVODfY-ekiudeNgZPlP37H57EG-pxGPc4WScMEYeZF42/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="447" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2"><strong>A display of nutcrackers at the home of interior designer Patricia Gray</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><img alt="A display of nutcrackers at the home of interior designer Patricia Gray." height="383" src="http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.financialpost.com/1064052.bin?size=404x272" width="569" /></p> <p align="left"><strong>Kim Pemberton, <font color="#000000"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=1063989">Vancouver Sun</a></font>  </strong></p> <p>When it comes to <font color="#ff0000" size="3"><em>decorating for the holidays</em></font>, who better to ask than local interior designers who have decked out their own homes in style?</p> <p><font color="#ff0000" size="3"><em>Avoiding stress</em></font> at the holidays is the main point for interior designer <font color="#ff0000" size="3"><em>Patricia Gray</em></font>. Her secret is starting early in the season in order to enjoy visiting with friends and family throughout December.</p> <p>Gray typically picks the last weekend in November to haul out the decorations and gets her tree up by the first week of December. Although she was tempted to get a seven and a half foot artificial tree this year she opted to stay with a real Douglas Fir tree - mainly because the fake tree wouldn't fit into her car.</p> <p>"I don't mind artificial trees. A lot of my clients in condos are not allowed to have live trees. The one I wanted looked so realistic," says Gray, adding the Home Depot tree was a bargain at $299 with 1,000 lights on it.</p> <p>She suggests using <font color="#ff0000" size="3"><em>clear white mini lights</em></font> and plenty of them in order to make the ornaments stand out on the tree.</p> <p>"My tree is decorated with <font size="3"><em><font color="#ff0000">silver and red</font></em> <font size="2">balls</font></font> and 10 strings of mini lights. I find <font color="#ff0000" size="3"><em>the more lights the prettier</em></font> the tree. I stuff them into the depth of the tree close to the trunk then bring them to the outside," she says.</p> <p>Gray has become somewhat of an <font color="#ff0000" size="3"><em>expert at tree decorating</em></font> after completing one for the <a target="_blank" href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2008/12/beginning-to-look-lot-like-christmas.html"><strong>Canucks Children's Hospice</strong></a> fundraiser at Sutton Place Hotel. For that tree she and her staff, at <a target="_blank" href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/"><strong>Patricia Gray Design</strong></a>, began making <font color="#ff0000" size="3"><em>gingerbread cookies</em></font> in August representing children from around the world holding their country's flag. To make the icing long lasting, they used glitter glue instead of using real icing.</p> <p>"<em><font color="#ff0000" size="3">Making your own</font></em> gingerbread and hanging them on the tree is quite a nice thing to do. You don't have to go to the extent we did. You could do something simple and just have the glitter embroidery glue on the edges [of the gingerbread man]."</p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3"><font color="#ff0000">Keep it simple, keep it fun and just enjoy," she says</font>.</font></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfHFghCG5MwVKOoxBtefc7gVNZoigzM5kzJowQq_LJTqJGXTMBgi3Ja_lAfmCK2P6Ci4oNvgBJkf56pvgm8auFjPUmNMY7MZPP58pBFWUwGouLGMJ_-XTvBxnlI5wcFFcT6eq8Me3rIJM/s1600-h/1064109%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="1064109" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSXd7qImvuyD1wKQh6Lmobin6FHSt81TJiuNMSQ8MCmXbRP3MBnnVSsWPbj0FTpoFg9YA2KY33zUKJ5Awkkkhat77sebA698VTBvEmMfLAFOJivjEz_b0zSSEmpHDreJgmMSlwfOnWdh0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" width="373" /></a> </p> <p align="left"><font size="1"><strong>Postscript December 12th, 2008 <br />My partner in the tree decoration at the Sutton Place Hotel was Linda Sale Interior Design</strong></font></p> <p align="center"></p>

Deck out your Holiday Home like a Pro

A display of nutcrackers at the home of interior designer Patricia Gray Kim Pemberton, Vancouver Sun   When it comes to decorating ...

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