tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53971636166361053262024-03-13T02:16:11.936+00:00The Mum with the Silk Scarf The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-69043808572532065162013-11-03T20:42:00.000+00:002013-11-03T20:42:22.951+00:00Silent Sunday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WoTldWYvUNg/Una0v22VzxI/AAAAAAAAFmI/52eKPcL0bdI/s1600/November+2013+-+Shelley+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WoTldWYvUNg/Una0v22VzxI/AAAAAAAAFmI/52eKPcL0bdI/s640/November+2013+-+Shelley+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-51115842909733829222013-10-01T22:56:00.000+01:002013-10-01T22:56:52.273+01:00Day Trip to Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple<div style="text-align: center;">
Spending time together and having fun...that was our Saturday in a nutshell when we had our monthly day trip to Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bx8j1U3gLQg/Uksm1WlWvXI/AAAAAAAAFIY/y_eMV9w8KK0/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bx8j1U3gLQg/Uksm1WlWvXI/AAAAAAAAFIY/y_eMV9w8KK0/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+090.JPG" title="Beach Shadows" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mussenden Temple is one of those famous Northern Ireland landmarks that you always see on TV and even though its quite close to home this was our first visit.</div>
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The day was beautiful and sunny despite the chill in the autumn air it almost felt like a summers day.</div>
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Our first stop was Benone Beach giving you seven miles of golden sand and spectacular views of Donegal and the mountains in the backdrop. </div>
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I was surprised at how many people were out surfing, walking and just taking in the scenery. There was even an ice cream van. </div>
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We didn't have any ice creams this time but I will look forward to coming back here and trying one in the warmer weather.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1EFZJ9pXti0/UksnJWa2MsI/AAAAAAAAFIg/Y6-HYPUmA6c/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1EFZJ9pXti0/UksnJWa2MsI/AAAAAAAAFIg/Y6-HYPUmA6c/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+095.JPG" title="Sorcha, Charlie & Tom @ Benone " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr5w92pn1Kg/UksnqBXeTxI/AAAAAAAAFI4/lB3Rb_jToyM/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr5w92pn1Kg/UksnqBXeTxI/AAAAAAAAFI4/lB3Rb_jToyM/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+104.JPG" title="Enjoying the sand between his toes..." width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yvvmoE1Efo/UksoKTQhufI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/pneSrNOS84U/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yvvmoE1Efo/UksoKTQhufI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/pneSrNOS84U/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+140.JPG" title="The Temple from Benone Beach" width="400" /></a></div>
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Downhill Estate is mostly in ruin but the gardens and walkways are beautiful. You can tell from the remains of the very large castle that the Bishop of Derry and Earl of Bristol who built it was certainly a flamboyant character.</div>
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There is so much space here to just roam about and I really enjoyed watching the older two take an interest in their surroundings and using their cameras.</div>
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Our Little Fella is happiest when he is outside and he loves watching his big sister and brother mess around with each other.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSZXWADnuHA/UksoPmpbURI/AAAAAAAAFJY/czOVBxgj8P4/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSZXWADnuHA/UksoPmpbURI/AAAAAAAAFJY/czOVBxgj8P4/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+144.JPG" title="The Castle @ Downhill Estate" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T_nCrabI3Lg/Ukso1L-8KKI/AAAAAAAAFJw/7v48fZAR4Yo/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T_nCrabI3Lg/Ukso1L-8KKI/AAAAAAAAFJw/7v48fZAR4Yo/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+178.JPG" title="Dandlions" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIr9deMM334/UkspIDP7_HI/AAAAAAAAFKA/aFtmnDpqTiI/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIr9deMM334/UkspIDP7_HI/AAAAAAAAFKA/aFtmnDpqTiI/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+183.JPG" title="Benone Strand - a view from The Temple " width="400" /></a></div>
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The highlight of this visit has to be the breathtaking views and Mussenden Temple which the Bishop built in honour of his cousin perched proudly on the edge of the clifftop. </div>
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The Temple was once a library and as a book lover you can imagine it would have been the most idyllic place to sit and read for hours and hours with no disruptions apart from the view.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3iNcDhboxY/UksqMrJLDzI/AAAAAAAAFLA/spv6LgPj7e8/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3iNcDhboxY/UksqMrJLDzI/AAAAAAAAFLA/spv6LgPj7e8/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+220.JPG" title="Mussenden Temple " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1BJVuKywDo/Uksoqedr3PI/AAAAAAAAFJo/lrEOS9eBikU/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1BJVuKywDo/Uksoqedr3PI/AAAAAAAAFJo/lrEOS9eBikU/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+184.JPG" title="Side view of The Temple " width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0f3gzOf5TQ/UkspRXqHuEI/AAAAAAAAFKI/qdZBkeFXG9s/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0f3gzOf5TQ/UkspRXqHuEI/AAAAAAAAFKI/qdZBkeFXG9s/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+203.JPG" title="Entrance to The Temple " width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLFA8FzT43A/UkspVoeqzdI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/0xshjrRI08A/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLFA8FzT43A/UkspVoeqzdI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/0xshjrRI08A/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+212.JPG" title="Big sisters are the best fun:)" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HlMLYMgDkw/UkspwXNJFKI/AAAAAAAAFKg/PcdDsxPoAvE/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HlMLYMgDkw/UkspwXNJFKI/AAAAAAAAFKg/PcdDsxPoAvE/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+227.JPG" title="Coastal View from Mussenden Temple " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkqzUuIzEbw/UksqL_jkLfI/AAAAAAAAFK4/0XTVAy53oW0/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkqzUuIzEbw/UksqL_jkLfI/AAAAAAAAFK4/0XTVAy53oW0/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+234.JPG" title="Mussenden Temple " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VavYxObqImw/Uksqduw33WI/AAAAAAAAFLI/zOnYxv2HoO0/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VavYxObqImw/Uksqduw33WI/AAAAAAAAFLI/zOnYxv2HoO0/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+245.JPG" title="The Turret " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJM7gz4q8Eo/Uksq1BIv24I/AAAAAAAAFLY/eVsif3dTBuU/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJM7gz4q8Eo/Uksq1BIv24I/AAAAAAAAFLY/eVsif3dTBuU/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+249.JPG" title="View of the Castle from Mussenden Temple " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GXQyw6-HxBk/UksrSPLP4_I/AAAAAAAAFLw/3-gMiGWIEG8/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GXQyw6-HxBk/UksrSPLP4_I/AAAAAAAAFLw/3-gMiGWIEG8/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+253.JPG" title="Downhill Castle " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUA-KCb5ElQ/UksqtR-ZcII/AAAAAAAAFLQ/AAUcsK_n1LU/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUA-KCb5ElQ/UksqtR-ZcII/AAAAAAAAFLQ/AAUcsK_n1LU/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+254.JPG" title="View from the kitchen window in Downhill Castle " width="300" /></a></div>
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The family pass into Downhill also gave us entry to the nearby Hezlett House, a beautiful old thatched cottage which dates back to the 17th Century. </div>
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It's great that the National Trust have maintained it and we really enjoyed our visit there. </div>
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Our Inbetweener was quite horrified on the tour to find out that in the 1700's the owners of the cottage would have hired boys as young as 9 and 10 years old from a local fair to work as farm hands and they would have slept in a tiny room together.</div>
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What a different world we live in today.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pf1a-FFGJI/Uksq-YHIc5I/AAAAAAAAFLg/XR5CgAebyMQ/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pf1a-FFGJI/Uksq-YHIc5I/AAAAAAAAFLg/XR5CgAebyMQ/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+279.JPG" title="Hezlett House " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MVNHStaqMmU/UksrACf6PBI/AAAAAAAAFLo/lnvEhdDxrF8/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MVNHStaqMmU/UksrACf6PBI/AAAAAAAAFLo/lnvEhdDxrF8/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+280.JPG" title="Hezlett House " width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ad-typgZP7w/Uksr0g4PuyI/AAAAAAAAFL4/Q_JYURd8KFg/s1600/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ad-typgZP7w/Uksr0g4PuyI/AAAAAAAAFL4/Q_JYURd8KFg/s400/Mussenden+Temple+September+2013+285.JPG" title="Hezlett House " width="400" /></a></div>
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Being out and about with the wind blowing through our hair works up a healthy appetite so we drove on to the Bushmills Inn for a late lunch and simply the best bread and butter pudding.<br />
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A perfect end to a perfect day out together.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pP4WEUSsXnU/Uks3sAsdMdI/AAAAAAAAFMI/Hax80kfjBSE/s1600/September+iphone+2013+337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple" border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pP4WEUSsXnU/Uks3sAsdMdI/AAAAAAAAFMI/Hax80kfjBSE/s400/September+iphone+2013+337.JPG" title="Pudding @ Bushmills Inn " width="400" /></a></div>
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September's day trip left us with lots of fun memories. These monthly day trips do seem to make the year go in even faster as we are always planning our next trip and have something to look forward to. I can't believe that three more trips will take us to the end of the year.<br />
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What outdoor fun have you been up to?</div>
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Joining in with Country Kids from <a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/">Coombe Mill Blog.</a><br />
Please head on over to read up on some of the other wonderful outdoor adventures.</div>
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<a _blank="" href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/category/Country-Kids.aspx%20target=" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Farm Holidays Cornwall"><img alt="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" border="0" src="http://www.coombemill.com/images/blog/country_Kids/thumbs/th_Country_Kids_badge_transparent.png" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" /></a> </div>
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The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-643380470416865572013-10-01T12:10:00.001+01:002013-10-01T12:10:56.878+01:00September in Pictures<br />
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September pictures from my iPhone...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dgbWic5u84/UknyfuYbjCI/AAAAAAAAFII/NRUm9GYMoas/s1600/september+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="September in Pictures - 2013" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dgbWic5u84/UknyfuYbjCI/AAAAAAAAFII/NRUm9GYMoas/s640/september+collage.jpg" title="Month in Pictures - September 2013 " width="640" /></a></div>
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Highlights from the month have been...</div>
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Having time to enjoy breakfast and relax in the mornings with the older two back at school. Loving the time I have with our Little Fella and watching him go through all the kitchen cupboards on a daily basis. Swanky new shoes a birthday treat from his auntie J. Having a delicious late lunch with the family at <a href="http://www.bushmillsinn.com/">The Bushmills Inn.</a> Rainbows on a wet September evening. Vibrant autumn berries. The best bread and butter pudding I've had in ages. Playtime with his big sister on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Beautiful white lilies. Watching the harvest. Long walks when everyone else is at school or working. Cinema date night with Mr P. Admiring my three lovlies in black and white. New winter boots for everyday. Birthday preparations for our Little Fella's first birthday. Having fun at bathtime - love this baby. A wonderful family day trip to Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple. Birthday celebrations Teddy Bear's Picnic Style and the cake made by my own fair hand. School uniforms nice and new. Finally getting our laundry basket empty.</div>
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I hope September was wonderful for you and don't forget you can follow our adventures on Instagram we would love to follow you back.</div>
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<a class="goog-spellcheck-word" href="" span="" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</a></div>
="http://instagram.com/themumwiththesilkscarf?ref=badge" class="ig-b- ig-b-48"><img src="//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-48.png" alt="Instagram" />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-88510739085345223352013-09-28T00:00:00.002+01:002013-09-28T00:02:47.406+01:00Weekend...<div style="text-align: center;">
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As if by magic the leaves on the trees have turned a fiery red overnight putting on a spectacular display. The night skies have been graced with a beautiful full harvest moon and tonight there is a sky full of stars.<br />
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I love star gazing and I'm really looking forward to spending some time outside with our three just watching the night skies - theres always a shooting star or two if you keep a careful watch.<br />
This is definitely one of my favourite times of year.</div>
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Things have been busy around here to say the least with our Little Fella's birthday celebrations last weekend (post to follow), lots of sports activities with our Inbetweener and sickness as I have caught a nasty cold and have been feeling rotten for the past two weeks.</div>
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With a crispness in the air and dry weather forecast we are heading off on our monthly trip this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting outside, exploring somewhere new and spending some time as a family. I can't wait to get my camera out.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sTP0AkZRLoE/UkYKE8wot-I/AAAAAAAAFH4/BEHBxkTB_Vc/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Weekend" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sTP0AkZRLoE/UkYKE8wot-I/AAAAAAAAFH4/BEHBxkTB_Vc/s640/IMG_2572.JPG" title="Beautiful Autumn Afternoon" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwApWIlgjdw/UkYKE1FnbkI/AAAAAAAAFH4/NrpwQMy9vo8/s1600/IMG_2568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Weekend" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwApWIlgjdw/UkYKE1FnbkI/AAAAAAAAFH4/NrpwQMy9vo8/s640/IMG_2568.JPG" title="Our very brief Indian Summer" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aS9UzGusaQk/UkYKEwtpHBI/AAAAAAAAFH4/RyoA8uFVsno/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Weekend" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aS9UzGusaQk/UkYKEwtpHBI/AAAAAAAAFH4/RyoA8uFVsno/s640/IMG_2575.JPG" title="Vibrant Red Berries - picture taken on my iPhone " width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope your weekend is fun.</div>
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XXX</div>
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The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-73657936688149780512013-09-18T22:55:00.000+01:002013-09-18T22:55:33.567+01:00Happy 1st Birthday<div style="text-align: center;">
One year ago today at 06.24am we welcomed the fifth member of our family into the world weighing a whopping 9lb 3oz. </div>
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The day had finally arrived, ten days over your due date and we were so excited to have our baby safe and healthy.</div>
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365 days of unconditional love, smiles, happiness and the best fun ever have passed. </div>
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You have turned our lives upside down and back round again and our little family is now complete. </div>
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We have watched you grow from this...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y53GtVXCZlI/Ujdq1R30XDI/AAAAAAAAE_A/edse-OVFD5Q/s1600/ch12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Happy 1st Birthday" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y53GtVXCZlI/Ujdq1R30XDI/AAAAAAAAE_A/edse-OVFD5Q/s640/ch12.jpg" title="Baby Charlie aka our Little Fella just 2 hours new" width="640" /></a></div>
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to this in what feels like a blink of an eye.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOdzWy8DNd4/Ujoej4ap8VI/AAAAAAAAFAU/6J51LsCyCjU/s1600/September+iphone+2013+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Happy 1st Birthday" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOdzWy8DNd4/Ujoej4ap8VI/AAAAAAAAFAU/6J51LsCyCjU/s640/September+iphone+2013+212.JPG" title="Charlie @ 12 Months New" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wishing you our Little Fella a magical 1st Birthday with all our love.</div>
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XXX</div>
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The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-19154111818690240222013-09-08T22:47:00.000+01:002013-09-08T22:47:29.919+01:00Our Last Summer Picnic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had our last picnic of the summer just ten minutes drive from home at the beautiful Gortletteragh Waterfall. </div>
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I have really loved being at home during the summer holidays with the children and having our little days out. </div>
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After the older two had a lie in we packed our picnic of sandwiches and juice before we set off. On the way there we decided to stop off at the village cafe for some homemade chips to have with the rest of our food - not very healthy I know but totally delicious and well worth the stop.</div>
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After eating we did some exploring. </div>
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Our Little Fella loves being outdoors and being pushed about in his buggy. When we were climbing up to the viewing point though I must confess I put him in the sling because I wasn't feeling fit enough to push him up the steep hill.</div>
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There is lots to see here, we couldn't resist throwing in a few pennies to make a wish in the Wishing Well and our Teen and Inbetweener took a great interest in the Murder Hole and Priest's Rock which date back to medieval times.</div>
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We had a great time just chatting, eating and laughing. The best things in life really are for free.</div>
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It is such a lovely quite place to spend an afternoon and it's days like these that you just don't want to end.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-4p69xEtI8/UizdZUTlkMI/AAAAAAAACH0/UUvGm7pQLU4/s1600/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Last Summer Picnic" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-4p69xEtI8/UizdZUTlkMI/AAAAAAAACH0/UUvGm7pQLU4/s640/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+250.JPG" title="Picnic Area " width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uTVfPLn65zc/Uizd5ybdiII/AAAAAAAACIU/JuyT8cr1z_o/s1600/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Last Summer Picnic" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uTVfPLn65zc/Uizd5ybdiII/AAAAAAAACIU/JuyT8cr1z_o/s640/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+256.JPG" title="Sorcha, Charlie, Thomas" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BQlNyofojw4/UizfPcDtkzI/AAAAAAAACJU/jLgJJDuTqPk/s1600/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Last Summer Picnic" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BQlNyofojw4/UizfPcDtkzI/AAAAAAAACJU/jLgJJDuTqPk/s640/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+275.JPG" title="Gortletteragh Waterfall" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yoLAlX7Yt0/Uizfu9eL84I/AAAAAAAACJs/ev3NGt-GhrA/s1600/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Last Summer Picnic" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yoLAlX7Yt0/Uizfu9eL84I/AAAAAAAACJs/ev3NGt-GhrA/s640/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+281.JPG" title="The Wishing Well" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afqtYIcCx9c/Uizf7LKU8tI/AAAAAAAACJ8/BWC25EGJwWA/s1600/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Last Summer Picnic" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afqtYIcCx9c/Uizf7LKU8tI/AAAAAAAACJ8/BWC25EGJwWA/s640/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+284.JPG" title="Let's hope our wishes come true..." width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rUP3AClS0A/UizgZ0l6VGI/AAAAAAAACKQ/pG0lVFz2noI/s1600/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Last Summer Picnic" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rUP3AClS0A/UizgZ0l6VGI/AAAAAAAACKQ/pG0lVFz2noI/s640/Enniskillen+and+Gortletteragh+Waterfall+297.JPG" title="Our Little Fella checking out some tourists" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-76075307479247145152013-09-08T15:33:00.000+01:002013-09-08T15:33:10.835+01:00Simple Things Sunday<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I'm joining in with Simple Things Sunday over at <a href="http://www.simpleasthatblog.com/">Simple as That Blog</a>. </div>
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I love the idea of capturing ordinary everyday moments that most of the time we overlook and I'm so glad I've found this linky. </div>
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Schools are back and we are settling into a routine after having such a lovely summer together. </div>
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Things are starting to slow down and yesterday I was having a lazy afternoon with our Teen and our Little Fella whilst Mr P and our Inbetweener were swimming.</div>
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I'm enjoying simple moments of play and affection between a big sister and her brother, afternoon walks with just me and our Little Fella now that the older two are back at school, rainbows, shopping trips with our Teen - just us girls and a cinema date with Mr P.</div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-69321467876074890672013-09-07T00:00:00.000+01:002013-09-07T00:03:31.886+01:00Weekend...<div style="text-align: center;">
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I hope you all have had a great week. Everyone here is back at school and I feel so much more organised with a routine back in place. I did miss having the older two about though at the start of the week but now as I reflect on the week I've got loads of little jobs done that have been put off over the holidays and it's been great having some fun times with our Little Fella.</div>
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With the first week of September drawing to a close it's now officially autumn. The chill in the air arrived just in time last weekend and it's time to think about changing the wardrobe. Even this morning we had a slight frost here and it looks like the seasons might just be returning to normal here.</div>
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It's interesting that many people here in Ireland including my dad still follow the old Gaelic tradition</div>
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that autumn starts in August. But that makes the summer too short for my liking so I'm sticking with the rest of the world.</div>
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This is definitely one of my favourite times of year and already my mind is drifting towards comfort foods, warmer clothes, cosy nights in front of an open fire and a good book or two to read over the dark evenings.</div>
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Everything homely and comforting just the way I like it.</div>
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This weekend I will be busy getting things organised for a very special first birthday which is coming up in the next two weeks. I will have some posts to follow on this shortly so please stay tuned.</div>
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Hoping that you have a great weekend, what are your favourite or maybe not so favourite things about the change of season?</div>
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The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-49272967742317552782013-09-02T11:25:00.000+01:002013-09-02T11:25:12.385+01:00Art Journal - Children's Craft<div style="text-align: center;">
If your a mother you will most likely have lots of <strike>pictures</strike> works of art created by your children displayed proudly on a door, a fridge or on a wall somewhere in your home. In ours one of the doors in the kitchen is our display area because that is where we spend most of our time.</div>
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When I was out buying stationery for the two older ones for going back to school I spied these hard backed books and decided to buy a few not really knowing what to do with them at the time but they weren't expensive and I knew they would get used for something.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_882gGLoCI/UiNErVPnxcI/AAAAAAAAB_w/QDYpxWlzEq8/s1600/August+iphone+2013+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Journal" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_882gGLoCI/UiNErVPnxcI/AAAAAAAAB_w/QDYpxWlzEq8/s400/August+iphone+2013+068.JPG" title="Hardback jotters = Childrens Art Journal" width="400" /></a></div>
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Over the weekend I've been clearing out cupboards in the kitchen, decluttering and getting organised for the first school term. I found loads of art work, pictures and certificates that had been taken down from our kitchen door to make room for the more recent things our Inbetweener was bringing home.</div>
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I didn't want to just lift it from one cupboard to another or worse still throw it out so I decided to use these hard backed books that I'd bought earlier to create an art journal.</div>
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I love this idea because our Inbetweener can help to assemble it and draw on the spare pages. It belongs to him and is filled with his creations and shows off his imagination.</div>
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I know it's not possible to keep every scribble but these little drawings that they make at school always have a story behind them and they love to tell you what they were doing the day they made it. He is thrilled to bits with his own art journal.</div>
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My mother has kept lots of things from when my sister and me were at school. I love looking back on them from time to time and we have some great memories. </div>
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Sometimes we can forget about small things like this and before we know it they can get thrown out or mislaid. </div>
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Documenting these small things is something I must get better at and that will come with being more organised now that they are back at school because I've really been taking things easy during the holidays.</div>
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Do you do something similar with your children, I love to hear your ideas and tips.</div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-18849556298867992752013-09-01T14:14:00.000+01:002013-09-01T14:14:15.437+01:00August in Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">
iPhone Photos from August</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgyfOYUB8dM/UiJcDy3knII/AAAAAAAAB_g/SC7qVUN9BYc/s1600/augustcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Month in pictures" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgyfOYUB8dM/UiJcDy3knII/AAAAAAAAB_g/SC7qVUN9BYc/s640/augustcollage.jpg" title="August iphone photos " width="640" /></a></div>
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Highlights from August have been;</div>
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Our first holiday as a family of five to <a href="http://themumwiththesilkscarf.blogspot.ie/2013/08/summer-holiday-part-2-beautiful.html">Edinburgh</a>, sunny days and long evenings. Celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary, with a gorgeous sweetie tree from my chief bridesmaid. A beautiful new charm from Mr P for my <a href="http://www.argento.co.uk/">Pandora</a> bracelet and the most fabulous book of Afternoon Tea.</div>
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Birthday celebrations for Mr P and my dad. Enjoying the last few weeks of the summer holidays with <a href="http://our%20day%20trip%20to%20giant%27s%20causeway%20and%20carrick-a-rede%20rope%20bridge/">day trips</a>, picnics and creating wonderful memories.</div>
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Feeling happy and content. Sweet smelling flowers from my mums garden.</div>
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A girlie night to the cinema with our Teen, enjoying a glass of wine at the end of a busy day, drinking coffee on a shopping trip.<br />
Sitting outside in our back garden admiring the last of the summer skies, watching our Little Fella on the move and having the best fun with his big sister and brother before they go back to school.</div>
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I hope you all had a wonderful August, what have been your best bits?</div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-85961430862140328632013-08-31T21:47:00.000+01:002013-08-31T21:47:05.061+01:00Weekend...<div style="text-align: center;">
We are having a fairly lazy weekend.</div>
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Staying indoors mostly, getting things ready for going back to school and having a de-cluttering session throughout our home.</div>
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It always feels good to get little jobs done that I've simply put off because we've been trying to make the most of our summer holidays with the children.</div>
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Autumn is now upon us, the transition from warm to cold weather although here in Ireland it's often hard to tell what season we are in most of the time. Today I've noticed a chill in the air and I'm sitting here writing this post with a heavy woollen cardigan. </div>
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I do love this time of year.</div>
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This week has been lovely, we've been making the most out of the last few days of the summer holidays. Our Teen is back at school since Wednesdays and settled in already. I love the way that she takes everything in her stride.</div>
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We had a lovely evening together Thursday night just us girls and a cinema date - something we must do more often.</div>
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Our Inbetweener starts back on Monday and we have labelled all his books, bag is packed and ready to go. He is so eager to get back that his uniform is sitting out ready to put on.</div>
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Our Little Fella is just so much fun and hard work all at the same time. We've had lots of giggles this week and he is trying really hard to stand up - he's just so eager to walk - all in good time.</div>
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Tonight we are having Chinese takeaway and a bottle of wine.</div>
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Hoping your weekend is great xxx</div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-7467508238990895852013-08-27T21:13:00.000+01:002013-08-27T23:28:34.339+01:00Summer Holiday - Part 2 Beautiful Edinburgh<br />
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Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities I've been to and I would love to go back and explore it in more detail.</div>
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We had a fabulous time and there was loads of things to see and do for all the family. Both myself and Mr P were delighted that we had chosen to come here because everyone got to do a bit of what they wanted and believe me that's not always easy with our Teen and Inbetweener who do not like the same things.</div>
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Steeped in history you can easily transport yourself back a few centuries when you are walking along the cobbled streets taking in the amazing architecture.</div>
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Here are some photos from our visit...</div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-82195433686905964442013-08-23T19:09:00.004+01:002013-08-23T19:09:38.776+01:00Weekend...<div style="text-align: center;">
It's Friday and I'm looking forward to the weekend.</div>
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Weekend is one of my new regular posts here on the blog. </div>
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A summary of what's been happening in our lives throughout the week- the good, the bad and the ugly.</div>
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It's been a busy and expensive week getting the last bits and pieces ready before the older two go back to school. I'm glad that everything is ready because there's nothing worse than having this hang over your head.</div>
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Our Teen starts back into her fourth year at secondary school next week and the week after our Inbetweener goes into third class.</div>
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It was very exciting here last night when our Little Fella stood up on his own, for about ten seconds then fell back down again. He is itching to walk and I'm sure it won't be long.</div>
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Our Little Fella has not been sleeping well this week which in turn means sleep deprivation for me and Mr P - lots of it. I think he is teething. Thankfully things have settled a bit as the week has gone on but I'm fairly sure I could pack the contents of our house into the bags that are under my eyes.</div>
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We have a busy weekend planned with a birthday party this weekend for Mr P's mum, a teenage disco and a spot of shopping before the schools re-open.</div>
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Somewhere in the middle of all this I plan to grab some time to relax and open a bottle of wine.</div>
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Last weekend we went to the Giant's Causeway and this photo is of all of us but as you can see it's virtually impossible to get everybody looking at the right time.</div>
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We took about eight shots here and none of us are looking at the camera at the same time, maybe though these make for the best photos.</div>
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I hope you have had a great week and enjoy your weekend whatever your plans xxx</div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-63032833890406716242013-08-20T12:02:00.000+01:002013-08-20T16:20:53.361+01:00Our Day Trip to Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge<div style="text-align: center;">
On Saturday we headed off on our monthly day trip to the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim to walk in the footsteps of giant's.</div>
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It's been a few years since we've been here and it was great to go back again with our Little Fella in tow. The drive along the famous Coastal Route is simply stunning and luckily enough the sun was shining for us yesterday.</div>
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When your driving along taking in your surroundings there's something calming about the landscape around you and it really is a great day out.</div>
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The first stop of the day was Dunluce Castle. This medieval castle was the headquarters of the MacDonnell Clan and dates back to the 13th Century. The views here are stunning and we all enjoyed taking in the scenery and having the wind blow through our hair.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9QYseyxE6wM/UhM_GL1Ub_I/AAAAAAAAB1Q/K9C8VLzuhWE/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9QYseyxE6wM/UhM_GL1Ub_I/AAAAAAAAB1Q/K9C8VLzuhWE/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+001.JPG" title="Dunluce Castle" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKvmv-NK-EE/UhM_OhFia5I/AAAAAAAAB1g/M1YC_jRiAQg/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKvmv-NK-EE/UhM_OhFia5I/AAAAAAAAB1g/M1YC_jRiAQg/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+004.JPG" title="Dunluce Castle" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blTQKXdkkHk/UhM_pLsVikI/AAAAAAAAB1o/7-8tZ5EShk4/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blTQKXdkkHk/UhM_pLsVikI/AAAAAAAAB1o/7-8tZ5EShk4/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+019.JPG" title="Dunluce Castle" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79GlJ2pzekg/UhM_tCS2x-I/AAAAAAAAB1w/fvFEnflz3Hc/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79GlJ2pzekg/UhM_tCS2x-I/AAAAAAAAB1w/fvFEnflz3Hc/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+113.JPG" title="Dunluce Castle " width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEkFl3VHdGI/UhM_vvAfpLI/AAAAAAAAB14/MkMTI6J50Fo/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEkFl3VHdGI/UhM_vvAfpLI/AAAAAAAAB14/MkMTI6J50Fo/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+017.JPG" title="Enjoying the view" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Giant's Causeway is truly beautiful and even though it was packed with visitors you still get a sense of peace and calm here and you would be surprised to find that a few hours go by in a flash.</div>
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It is great to see so many tourists from all over the world flocking here in vast numbers to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. </div>
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As most of us know the Causeway was formed by an ancient volcanic eruption however it's much more fun to follow the legend of the great giant Fionn MacCumhaill. You can read the legend <a href="http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/Folklore-and-Legend.T1153.aspx">here.</a></div>
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The audio guide that was provided at the entrance was really well put together and our Inbetweener had great fun spotting all the features on the walk down and enjoying the story. On the other hand I'm really a child at heart and never grow tired of hearing this story myself and who's to say it's not real?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4UZYVsWb30/UhNAxCMYdnI/AAAAAAAAB2E/ytr4mJIBAZE/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4UZYVsWb30/UhNAxCMYdnI/AAAAAAAAB2E/ytr4mJIBAZE/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+039.JPG" title="Giant's Causeway" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyr-XAwyFTA/UhNAxyxONvI/AAAAAAAAB2U/0jLbqS4hfvw/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyr-XAwyFTA/UhNAxyxONvI/AAAAAAAAB2U/0jLbqS4hfvw/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+044.JPG" title="Giant's Causeway" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDENsaSuEzU/UhNAxCDUiWI/AAAAAAAAB2I/fAXXAYbhlSo/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDENsaSuEzU/UhNAxCDUiWI/AAAAAAAAB2I/fAXXAYbhlSo/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+049.JPG" title="Our Happy Bunch" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab308lzy62I/UhNBPEAbSYI/AAAAAAAAB2s/gWXcx5zzdnI/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab308lzy62I/UhNBPEAbSYI/AAAAAAAAB2s/gWXcx5zzdnI/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+052.JPG" title="Posing @ Giant's Causeway" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9GwZVJfXz4/UhNBNKpeSgI/AAAAAAAAB2g/U7hPoKSsEHk/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9GwZVJfXz4/UhNBNKpeSgI/AAAAAAAAB2g/U7hPoKSsEHk/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+059.JPG" title="Masses of people enjoying the views" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hr1DmDtWnk4/UhNBqxkwnQI/AAAAAAAAB3I/fTdzhyrJTqQ/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hr1DmDtWnk4/UhNBqxkwnQI/AAAAAAAAB3I/fTdzhyrJTqQ/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+063.JPG" title="Giant's Causeway" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXGzWmFmEyA/UhNCDr-ayHI/AAAAAAAAB3c/lQs9BUX2sEc/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXGzWmFmEyA/UhNCDr-ayHI/AAAAAAAAB3c/lQs9BUX2sEc/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+068.JPG" title="Giant's Causeway" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouxWzcwei_Y/UhNB_enoK7I/AAAAAAAAB3Q/ubMwxDseftk/s1600/causeway+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouxWzcwei_Y/UhNB_enoK7I/AAAAAAAAB3Q/ubMwxDseftk/s640/causeway+168.JPG" title="Sitting on the Giant's Boot" width="640" /></a></div>
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After we had some light refreshments in the visitors centre we drove towards the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.</div>
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Now this is not for the faint hearted. <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carrick-a-rede/visitor-information/">Here</a> is the link to some more information about this fantastic place.</div>
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The bridge which is about 20 metres across and 30 metres above the sea links the mainland to the island of Carrickarede. We paid our entrance fee and walked just under a mile towards the bridge.</div>
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Mr P had our Little Fella in the baby sling and he was happy to be outside having the wind blowing in his face while the rest of us deliberated whether or not we were brave enough to actually cross the bridge.</div>
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I've said before I have a fear of heights and water. It was a bit stormy and after some time and assurances from the tour guides we all apart from Mr P and our Little Fella made our way across.</div>
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Our Inbetweener almost buckled when he first set foot on the bridge but we had come too far to turn back. The people who had already crossed the bridge were brilliant encouraging everybody along.</div>
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There's nothing like fear - fear of falling, fear of dying to make you move.</div>
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My legs were like jelly when I got across and I was a sickly shade of green. Our Inbetweener threw his arms in the air and shouted 'We've done it''. It's funny now writing this but all I could think of was that we would have cross it again to get back.</div>
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Anyway we lived to tell the tale it was truly a thrilling experience, not that we were in any real danger, nobody has actually ever fallen off the bridge!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CrJeSJskGjY/UhNFjN3kVQI/AAAAAAAAB4A/rigKxgUe-cw/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CrJeSJskGjY/UhNFjN3kVQI/AAAAAAAAB4A/rigKxgUe-cw/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+078.JPG" title="The Brave Crossing the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge " width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rT1n5sW6rYs/UhNF8BowxGI/AAAAAAAAB4M/5fBe-eUtxdQ/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rT1n5sW6rYs/UhNF8BowxGI/AAAAAAAAB4M/5fBe-eUtxdQ/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+084.JPG" title="View from the other side:)" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoFo9Y1CXrg/UhNGACh-ZYI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/A-BhFB676BI/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoFo9Y1CXrg/UhNGACh-ZYI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/A-BhFB676BI/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+095.JPG" title="Happy to have crossed the bridge in one piece;)" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEwAgPFtJHA/UhNGAPVGodI/AAAAAAAAB4U/9Dd9qZ9Ie_Y/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEwAgPFtJHA/UhNGAPVGodI/AAAAAAAAB4U/9Dd9qZ9Ie_Y/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+097.JPG" title="Fisherman's Boat at Carrick-a-rede- Island" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1usqbL8ykAg/UhNGZcYlppI/AAAAAAAAB4o/pDwc7nREuTk/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1usqbL8ykAg/UhNGZcYlppI/AAAAAAAAB4o/pDwc7nREuTk/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+098.JPG" title="View from the Island" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-FYrDddPH8/UhNGc2ltTwI/AAAAAAAAB5A/fTBQK8lYyZY/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-FYrDddPH8/UhNGc2ltTwI/AAAAAAAAB5A/fTBQK8lYyZY/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+107.JPG" title="The Bridge is 30 metres high" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNwOHJrkXVU/UhNGZyfbhBI/AAAAAAAAB4s/tXN6bFDIgh8/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNwOHJrkXVU/UhNGZyfbhBI/AAAAAAAAB4s/tXN6bFDIgh8/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+108.JPG" title="Sheep Island at Carrick-a-rede Ropebridge" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CT2s-cpRtyY/UhNGl51hE3I/AAAAAAAAB5I/pWd2GzWdIuM/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CT2s-cpRtyY/UhNGl51hE3I/AAAAAAAAB5I/pWd2GzWdIuM/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+110.JPG" title="Happy Boys" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qC9J5hn855k/UhNGcz1YFbI/AAAAAAAAB44/tCiFcBvPCr4/s1600/shelley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qC9J5hn855k/UhNGcz1YFbI/AAAAAAAAB44/tCiFcBvPCr4/s640/shelley.jpg" title="On our way back across the bridge" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhkTbZELlQc/UhNFiu8aR8I/AAAAAAAAB38/EIufm5CgjJE/s1600/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Giants Causeway & Carrick-a-rede" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhkTbZELlQc/UhNFiu8aR8I/AAAAAAAAB38/EIufm5CgjJE/s640/August+-+Giants+Causeway+and+Rope+Bridge+076.JPG" title="Fantastic view from the walk along to the ropebridge" width="640" /></a></div>
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After all that we drove into Portrush to have dinner, homemade ice-cream in Morelli's which is a must if your in the town and a bag of candy floss.</div>
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So all in all we had another great day out. The Giant's Causeway is one of the most beautiful places, right on our doorstep and perfect for a family day out.</div>
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Everybody was exhausted on the way home from all the walking and with our lungs full of lovely fresh air we had a great night's sleep.</div>
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Don't forget to check back next month for our latest adventure.</div>
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Joining in with Country Kids at Coombe Mill Blog. Please take some time to click on the badge and check out some of the other great adventures.<br />
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-17600192834322080592013-08-18T21:06:00.000+01:002013-08-18T21:06:41.439+01:0011 Months New<div style="text-align: center;">
11 months today. Wow!</div>
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This time last year everybody was so excited and waiting hard on your arrival. I was hoping that you would arrive early just like your brother but you were in no panic. Now look how far you have come along in just 11 months.</div>
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You have turned our lives upside down and right round again. We have had the best fun watching you grow and seeing your cheeky personality shine through. You are definitely spoilt by the whole family.</div>
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You have seven teeth which are extremely sharp and I love the way you have a really cheeky little smile and show off all your teeth. You are such a happy little fella and are still always smiling.</div>
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You have had your first holiday to Edinburgh and enjoyed every minute of it. </div>
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Standing up and moving around furniture is super fun as well as crawling at high speed across the floor. Once your off there's no stopping you. The stairs have also been mastered in the last month and I'm going to have to keep careful watch over you.</div>
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You have been sleeping in your own bedroom since last month and although sometimes you don't always manage to stay there all night you are making huge progress. </div>
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Singing and clapping hands are still one of your favourite things and now you have started to dance to the music. It's so funny to watch and I love hearing you humming to your favourite songs.</div>
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Now it's time to start planning your first birthday party, I'm so excited and can't wait.</div>
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Love you xxx</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlRBL5HrKh8/UhEoweYxrOI/AAAAAAAAB08/nBxZBdmTD9k/s1600/charlie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="11 Months New" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlRBL5HrKh8/UhEoweYxrOI/AAAAAAAAB08/nBxZBdmTD9k/s640/charlie.jpg" title="Our Little Fella @ 11 Months" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-35120599533151189922013-08-18T15:36:00.001+01:002013-08-18T15:36:35.350+01:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-63518151083341715512013-08-16T19:00:00.004+01:002013-08-16T19:00:56.122+01:00Photo of the Week<br />
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I seriously don't know where the time is going. Each week seems to pass faster than the one before it. </div>
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Somehow though this week I feel more organised and finding the right balance between work and home. Ever since I started my part time job things have been so hectic around here and I know now in my heart and soul that leaving my full time job was most definitely the right thing for me and more importantly our family.</div>
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Summer time is drawing to a close with every evening that passes and already I can see that our evenings are not as long.<br />
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As I look back on the year so far it has been great and I have made a mental note to make the most of what is left of our evenings, even if it's just going out for a walk to unwind.</div>
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Tomorrow we plan to have our monthly day trip joined by my sister and her husband. The Giant's Causeway is on the agenda and I'm really looking forward to it because I haven't been for a good few years. </div>
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This week I've been toying with the idea of doing a photography course in September because since I've started this blog I really enjoy having the camera out and I am interested in learning more about it. I've decided to upgrade my camera and have started a 'camera fund'. I need to find out more about the course and see of I'm up to the challenge - this is on my 'to do' list for next week.</div>
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I finally found the time and energy to go through the photos from our holiday. This is one of my favourites and my photo of the week.<br />
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Forgive me if you think this is strange but we don't have phone boxes in Ireland like these and I think they are so quirky.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytBK60f9fG0/UgothedGSUI/AAAAAAAABzM/ok8BoAhAd7o/s1600/phonebox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo of the Week " border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytBK60f9fG0/UgothedGSUI/AAAAAAAABzM/ok8BoAhAd7o/s640/phonebox.jpg" title="Phone Box Mayhem" width="480" /></a></div>
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I hope your weekend is great.</div>
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XXX</div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-31351234712568544822013-08-13T19:21:00.002+01:002013-08-13T19:21:56.587+01:00Summer Holidays - Part 1 Tantallon Castle<br />
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This post is a week late but better late than never! I have finally found the time to sit down and go through our holiday photos there are quite literally loads but I have scaled down as much as I can.<br />
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The blog this week is dedicated to capturing our holiday memories, our first holiday as a family of five and our Little Fella was great and enjoyed being out and about every day getting spoiled by his big sister and big brother.</div>
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One of the first places we visited on our holiday was the very beautiful Tantallon Castle just a short drive from Dunbar.</div>
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It was such a lovely drive despite the rain and I will always remember gazing out of the car window at the beautiful yellow fields full of corn thinking to myself that this really is the life.</div>
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Thankfully the rain stopped not long after we arrived at the castle grounds.</div>
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Tantallon Castle is truly in the most beautiful setting on the edge of the coast opposite what is known as The Bass Rock and the sight of this as you drive towards it is breathtaking.</div>
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The castle was built in the 14th century by William Douglas, the 1st earl of Douglas, whose family was one of the most powerful in Scotland. </div>
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We spent ages here enjoying the views, exploring the ruins and walking around. Our lot had a great time which is always an added bonus especially after spending way too much time travelling the previous day.</div>
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The staff here were so friendly and helpful to us and I just loved the accents - so soft and gentle.</div>
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Here are some of our pictures from Tantallon Castle and The Bass Rock.<br />
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And if you are ever in this area I would recommend a visit because it's well worth it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61-FmwLzaLw/UgpNFBtFQeI/AAAAAAAABzs/efMcwtWMl4s/s1600/tantallon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61-FmwLzaLw/UgpNFBtFQeI/AAAAAAAABzs/efMcwtWMl4s/s640/tantallon1.jpg" title="The Mighty Tantallon Castle" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOWLq8oTLgw/UgpNKbHxAXI/AAAAAAAABz8/c26teXkGCRg/s1600/tantallon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOWLq8oTLgw/UgpNKbHxAXI/AAAAAAAABz8/c26teXkGCRg/s640/tantallon3.jpg" title="The Bass Rock " width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evDXhwovQ-o/UgpNXCdMN3I/AAAAAAAAB0U/7LgbCqtqmM0/s1600/tantallon4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-evDXhwovQ-o/UgpNXCdMN3I/AAAAAAAAB0U/7LgbCqtqmM0/s640/tantallon4.jpg" title="Posing for the Camera" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0-5tuzSrEE/UgpNSFzxTkI/AAAAAAAAB0E/BMscM_DNHNU/s1600/tantallon5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0-5tuzSrEE/UgpNSFzxTkI/AAAAAAAAB0E/BMscM_DNHNU/s640/tantallon5.jpg" title="The Bass Rock from the castle grounds" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kplQw-KvpGw/UgpNWAvrrYI/AAAAAAAAB0M/sW8dJikwFF0/s1600/tantallon6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kplQw-KvpGw/UgpNWAvrrYI/AAAAAAAAB0M/sW8dJikwFF0/s640/tantallon6.jpg" title="The Three Amigos" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf0MB0Juqzo/UgpNd_kdhUI/AAAAAAAAB0c/ibN5-V_mhxk/s1600/tantallon7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf0MB0Juqzo/UgpNd_kdhUI/AAAAAAAAB0c/ibN5-V_mhxk/s640/tantallon7.jpg" title="Tantallon Castle" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SbgEzPKZlCY/UgpNhleD_CI/AAAAAAAAB0s/yVvA6npDhVQ/s1600/tantallon8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SbgEzPKZlCY/UgpNhleD_CI/AAAAAAAAB0s/yVvA6npDhVQ/s640/tantallon8.jpg" title="Lots of smiles:)" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zgmZ6ptUQSo/UgpNevj_PZI/AAAAAAAAB0g/k7gydXQrH2s/s1600/tantallon9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zgmZ6ptUQSo/UgpNevj_PZI/AAAAAAAAB0g/k7gydXQrH2s/s640/tantallon9.jpg" title="The Bass Rock/Tantallon Castle" width="480" /></a></div>
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The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-40186841100712778682013-08-05T18:19:00.000+01:002013-08-05T18:19:39.943+01:00Fields of Gold<br />
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We are just back home from our first family holiday as a fivesome.</div>
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It was hectic to say the least getting everything organised beforehand, I forgot how much stuff tiny people need even if it's only for a week, luckily we had the car so it wasn't too much hassle.</div>
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Our Little Fella really enjoyed being out every day and loved the freedom he had outdoors where we stayed.</div>
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An incredible week away from our normal routine we stayed just outside of Edinburgh in Dunbar, enjoying ourselves with not a care in the world.</div>
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There are lots of things to share but in the meantime here are the wonderful views we had from our chalet beautiful fields of gold with the sea in the background...pure bliss.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dvanBppFZ0/Uf_U7rU0oZI/AAAAAAAAByU/CEFFLUCM1sg/s1600/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dvanBppFZ0/Uf_U7rU0oZI/AAAAAAAAByU/CEFFLUCM1sg/s640/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+008.JPG" title="View from our chalet..." width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MYXNUykmg2Y/Uf_U64w50QI/AAAAAAAAByI/KXWWl8I18gE/s1600/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MYXNUykmg2Y/Uf_U64w50QI/AAAAAAAAByI/KXWWl8I18gE/s640/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+009.JPG" title="Beautiful fields of yellow..." width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKnabxaeIZc/Uf_VUDDoirI/AAAAAAAAByY/CoqwEfFW6GI/s1600/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKnabxaeIZc/Uf_VUDDoirI/AAAAAAAAByY/CoqwEfFW6GI/s640/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+257.JPG" title="View from the front...." width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QRun0UHyAI/Uf_VUXyueVI/AAAAAAAAByc/3ZCqOchwHfI/s1600/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QRun0UHyAI/Uf_VUXyueVI/AAAAAAAAByc/3ZCqOchwHfI/s640/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+258.JPG" title="View from the chalet...." width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ5m98XeP_E/Uf_VncyKXcI/AAAAAAAAByw/28gsppvaU68/s1600/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Holidays 2013" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ5m98XeP_E/Uf_VncyKXcI/AAAAAAAAByw/28gsppvaU68/s640/Summer+Holidays+2013+-+Edinburgh+455.JPG" title="View from our chalet..." width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-39001207516742906202013-07-23T21:34:00.000+01:002013-07-23T21:34:23.570+01:00Our Day Trip to Enniskillen<div style="text-align: center;">
This month we ventured outside Donegal and headed off for the beautiful Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh for our monthly day trip.</div>
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The sun was shining and it was a fabulous day out with my favourite people.</div>
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Our first stop was the stunning Castle Archdale Country Park which is situated on the shores of Lough Erne. This really is a fantastic place and if we had known what exactly was contained within the park beforehand we could have spent the whole day here.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xE6MV0Rikv4/Ue7aYeB8P2I/AAAAAAAABvI/YqGAUt5hM8s/s1600/collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Enniskillen" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xE6MV0Rikv4/Ue7aYeB8P2I/AAAAAAAABvI/YqGAUt5hM8s/s640/collage1.jpg" title="Castle Archdale Country Park" width="640" /></a></div>
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But that's the beauty of our days out we just drive and see were we end up, we can always come back to somewhere we really like.</div>
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There are woodland walks and trails, boats for hire, bicycles for hire, picnic areas and our Little Fella enjoyed the ducks. We have planned to go back very soon and stay at the camping site because I know we will just have the best fun. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5ixJtAqzjk/Ue7aXIOd07I/AAAAAAAABu8/Xgt0ZEZRkb0/s1600/collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Enniskillen" border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5ixJtAqzjk/Ue7aXIOd07I/AAAAAAAABu8/Xgt0ZEZRkb0/s640/collage2.jpg" title="Enjoying the park and feeding the ducks :)" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the main courtyard there are lots of exhibitions and one of Mr P's favourite things was the WW2 exhibition highlighting the role of Castle Archdale as the most westerly flying boat station.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R87bMc79cjA/Ue7aYHz2RFI/AAAAAAAABvE/tmqG7-xK3tY/s1600/collage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Enniskillen" border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R87bMc79cjA/Ue7aYHz2RFI/AAAAAAAABvE/tmqG7-xK3tY/s640/collage3.jpg" title="Castle Archdale Country Park" width="640" /></a></div>
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For families this is just the greatest place and I can't wait to come back. </div>
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You can see about Castle Archdale Country Park <a href="http://www.castlearchdale.com/">here.</a></div>
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Next stop was onto Enniskillen Castle which is right at the edge of the town. The castle is situated on the river Erne and the location is simply stunning.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9wW2RxYkV4/Ue7afR2IkII/AAAAAAAABvU/vkBZVt2fA5E/s1600/collage4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Enniskillen" border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9wW2RxYkV4/Ue7afR2IkII/AAAAAAAABvU/vkBZVt2fA5E/s640/collage4.jpg" title="Enniskillen Castle" width="640" /></a></div>
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We really enjoyed the exhibitions here and the military display is one of the best I've seen. There is also a very interesting display of artifacts that were found in a nearby Crannog in Drumclay.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJh__nTXmL0/Ue7ai2RE9TI/AAAAAAAABvg/hdPOBa2bT9Q/s1600/collage5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Enniskillen" border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJh__nTXmL0/Ue7ai2RE9TI/AAAAAAAABvg/hdPOBa2bT9Q/s640/collage5.jpg" title="Main Courtyard at Enniskillen Castle" width="640" /></a></div>
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A Crannog is an ancient artificial island built on a lake or river and in Drumclay carbon dating has confirmed that some of the site goes as far back as 670AD.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka08ssvKk-k/Ue7aiTgfT7I/AAAAAAAABvc/s96qodJB-oA/s1600/collage6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Enniskillen" border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka08ssvKk-k/Ue7aiTgfT7I/AAAAAAAABvc/s96qodJB-oA/s640/collage6.jpg" title="Check these guys out:)" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've always loved history and for me this was my favourite find of the day.<br />
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There were decorative pins, combs made from bone, bowls, knives and it's amazing that all of these things have survived down through the years.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtmLE7BGJiM/Ue7alQMon7I/AAAAAAAABvs/HOhfAkWT3gM/s1600/collage7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Day Trip to Enniskillen" border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtmLE7BGJiM/Ue7alQMon7I/AAAAAAAABvs/HOhfAkWT3gM/s640/collage7.jpg" title="Some of the military display at Enniskillen Castle" width="640" /></a></div>
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What a great way to spend our Saturday together creating lots of lovely memories.<br />
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I wouldn't have it any other way.<span style="color: #626262;"> </span></div>
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The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-37080932431076084992013-07-22T22:49:00.001+01:002013-07-22T22:49:11.259+01:00Our Weekend<br />
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On Saturday our Teen and myself met up with some family and friends to celebrate my aunt's 60th birthday at <a href="http://www.castlemurray.com/">Castlemurray House Hotel</a>.</div>
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We had afternoon tea in the most stunning of settings on one of the hottest days of the year. </div>
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What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon with great company, lots of laughs and the sun shining. </div>
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I can't wait to come back here, it's definitely one to put on our list of favourite places.</div>
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Hope your weekend was just as wonderful.</div>
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XXX</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfywDtOVi0I/Ue2ln3ZadnI/AAAAAAAABuE/27neZYIJlvw/s1600/tea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Weekend" border="0" height="371" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfywDtOVi0I/Ue2ln3ZadnI/AAAAAAAABuE/27neZYIJlvw/s640/tea1.jpg" title="St John's Point, Donegal" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_mCS9wI3BU/Ue2ln1YxTXI/AAAAAAAABuI/vy1a0NaFv3c/s1600/tea3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Weekend" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_mCS9wI3BU/Ue2ln1YxTXI/AAAAAAAABuI/vy1a0NaFv3c/s640/tea3.jpg" title="Our Teen enjoying her tea..." width="569" /></a></div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-14284130544311959612013-07-19T18:58:00.000+01:002013-07-19T18:59:30.899+01:00Photo of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's the weekend and I'm really looking forward to it. </div>
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We are celebrating two very special birthdays this weekend as my aunt and godmother turns 60 and my mother in law turns 70.</div>
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Tomorrow our Teen and myself are having afternoon tea at the beautiful Castlemurray Hotel with my auntie and some family and friends, a girl only afternoon.</div>
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I do love a good afternoon tea, what a great way to spoil ourselves on a Saturday afternoon.</div>
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My husband is taking the boys to watch some football and spend some time with them.</div>
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Then on Sunday we are having dinner with my husband's family to celebrate his mum's birthday.</div>
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The weather here has been totally amazing all week and today the tar on the road was completely melted. </div>
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It feels like we are on holiday. </div>
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We have been out and about during the week making the most of this beautiful sunshine and I have a few posts to finish about those days but in the meantime this photo was taken on Monday with my favourite people at a little picnic area and waterfall not far from our home.</div>
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I hope your weekend is great whatever you are doing xxx</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UnUd99bCZA/UehiC9QPYbI/AAAAAAAABrg/M-iVZcZQPB4/s1600/photooftheweek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo of the Week" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UnUd99bCZA/UehiC9QPYbI/AAAAAAAABrg/M-iVZcZQPB4/s640/photooftheweek.jpg" title="Our Three Lovlies at Gortletteragh Waterfall" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-48615574992851512192013-07-18T22:25:00.001+01:002013-07-18T22:40:20.568+01:0010 Months New<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHjC3BxWdTc/UehcQPgAFyI/AAAAAAAABrA/_2NKhDaUGAo/s1600/10months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 Months Old " border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHjC3BxWdTc/UehcQPgAFyI/AAAAAAAABrA/_2NKhDaUGAo/s640/10months.jpg" title="Our Little Fella @ 10 Months Old" width="640" /></a></div>
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A whole 10 months old today.</div>
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Yet another month has flown in and I can't believe how fast the time is flying, I keep saying this and I'm starting to sound like a broken record but it's true.</div>
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Our Little Fella is getting extremely independent and we crawl at great speed. Only this evening I was met at our patio doors by him coming along smiling as always.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VTkgcGPaW_U/UehcQr3SJbI/AAAAAAAABrM/1NGol4H38yQ/s1600/10months1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 Months" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VTkgcGPaW_U/UehcQr3SJbI/AAAAAAAABrM/1NGol4H38yQ/s640/10months1.jpg" title="Trouble Maker in the Making" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have never seen a child that smiles so much, he is such a happy little soul.</div>
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He is getting more cheeky by the day and I just know he is going to be trouble. Already he knows how to get his own way and has us all wrapped firmly around his little finger.</div>
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He does this funny little thing with his mouth showing off all his teeth, there has been no more since but six is a good number.</div>
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I love the way he gets shy when strangers look and talk to him, he cuddles into to me and puts his fingers in his mouth. It doesn't take him long to come round though.</div>
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He is eating loads and have finally accepted that its ok to eat food that is a bit more lumpy.</div>
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He has also developed a wild attachment to my Dad. </div>
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When he sees him he gets really excited and just has to get over to him. It's lovely to see that he is just as mad about him as the other two are and he's going to be every bit as spoilt.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tBCwkgjpHQ/UehcQUsYa5I/AAAAAAAABrE/Rrb9mxn5tBE/s1600/10months2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 MOnths" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tBCwkgjpHQ/UehcQUsYa5I/AAAAAAAABrE/Rrb9mxn5tBE/s640/10months2.jpg" title="Lots of cheeky smiles" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think that over the last two days it has clicked with him to smile for the camera and look at it instead of turning every way but the right way but what can we expect from a little trouble maker.</div>
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XXX</div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-52571501524401398062013-07-16T23:51:00.000+01:002013-07-16T23:54:20.288+01:00Braised Chicken Thighs<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love comfort food and this dish definitely falls into that category. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few weeks ago I was watching the fabulous Donal Skehan cooking this dish and had to give it a go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my version of the recipe because I wasn't feeling too well when I was shopping and forgot the vegetables but I can say it is a dish that everybody in our home really enjoyed and have asked for it to be done again. That's a sure sign that this is a great little recipe to have up your sleeve for those days when you don't know what to make or are in a complete hurry. You can check out the full recipe here along with some other great recipes at <a href="http://www.donalskehan.com/">the Donal Skehan Blog</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. I served it with some plain boiled rice and a little glass of wine for myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tblsp olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">100g streaky bacon, chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6 boneless chicken thighs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tblsp butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Grated zest of 1 lemon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Glass of white wine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thyme </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">50ml chicken stock</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6 spring onions, trimmed and sliced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Method</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Add the bacon pieces and fry until crisp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Add the chicken thighs and fry on each side until golden and crisp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Add the butter and allow it to foam, then stir in the lemon zest and fry it in the butter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Pour in the wine and then add the thyme and chicken stock.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Add the spring onions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Serve with boiled rice or fresh crusty bread.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ODyHwhbJ5c/UeXOEcNDB3I/AAAAAAAABqs/FtK7P3in63o/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tuesday's Kitchen" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ODyHwhbJ5c/UeXOEcNDB3I/AAAAAAAABqs/FtK7P3in63o/s640/blog2.jpg" title="Braised Chicken Thighs" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.townsend-house.com/search/label/what%20i%20am%20eating" target="_blank" title="what i am eating"><img alt="what i am eating" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iwN5C4Lab1o/UcIkl9m2yYI/AAAAAAAADdc/w8meNCkj33w/s125-no/photo.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397163616636105326.post-27398857353312383012013-07-15T22:07:00.001+01:002013-07-15T22:07:10.281+01:00I'm Still Here<div style="text-align: center;">
So, things have been a bit quiet here for the last few weeks. </div>
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My life has been hectic to say the least - our two oldest are on summer holidays, we've been running here and there, I've been sick and feeling a bit fed up and then to top it off I have only gone and got myself a part time job. </div>
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It wasn't planned at all because I wasn't looking for anything at the minute, it just happened by chance and I believe that everything happens for a reason. </div>
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It's two days a week and it really suits me and our lifestyle and I'm happy that I don't have to miss out on all the little firsts that our Little Fella will encounter in his first year that you just don't get to go back on.</div>
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I've been looking back on the blog since I started it in February and I'm so glad that I have it as a record of our Little Fella's first year and the little things we've been up to as a family and I don't want to let it fall by the wayside.</div>
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I have loads of posts sitting in draft that I hope to get sorted out in the next few weeks, we've been out and about enjoying the beautiful summer weather that would normally be associated with the Mediterranean.</div>
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This lovely photo is taken of our roses, one of the only things to grow in our garden. I love it because I took a few slips of this rose bush from my grandmother's garden and just stuck it in the ground hoping for the best about four years ago.</div>
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Finally, thanks to my husband's green fingers we have a beautiful mass of these fragrant roses and they remind me of my grandmother every time I look out at them. When you open the back door the smell of them hits you and it feels comforting.</div>
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So please stay tuned and I can't wait to get catching up on all the blogs I love to read xxx</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZpiEP0yq2Y/UeRjzMdUZRI/AAAAAAAABqY/lzwJfviA3Ho/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I'm Still Here " border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZpiEP0yq2Y/UeRjzMdUZRI/AAAAAAAABqY/lzwJfviA3Ho/s640/rose.jpg" title="Rambling Rose" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />The Mum With The Silk Scarfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247292771662621711noreply@blogger.com0