tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54792363779610890062024-03-13T20:38:24.281-04:00The Purple CaravanAlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-78035822087433718382014-05-11T00:52:00.001-04:002014-05-11T00:52:29.743-04:00Mother Earth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VP_c5o4u_PzMuvfRN5WwPyTp77Yv6yAwBMq5ofcXXvb7DuRMay37V3pApLGZB0YgKUtQ5colJiLr0STtopfxXZNRaDYfC4NlvnkwGwtEu_GQFcHAYyis2Zc4Wi2Nuf-shnB7VHfCqAzl/s1600/a3ca4cf04bc1511601b16e9232f6cfe0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VP_c5o4u_PzMuvfRN5WwPyTp77Yv6yAwBMq5ofcXXvb7DuRMay37V3pApLGZB0YgKUtQ5colJiLr0STtopfxXZNRaDYfC4NlvnkwGwtEu_GQFcHAYyis2Zc4Wi2Nuf-shnB7VHfCqAzl/s1600/a3ca4cf04bc1511601b16e9232f6cfe0.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Tomorrow is Mothers' Day. I can't say I had a good relationship with my mother. She was orderly, strict, conventional. I am unruly, spontaneous. During my younger years I was willing to follow orders but as I got older it became more difficult to conform to her rules. We disappointed each other over and over. I will always wish for things to have been different between us, but I find consolation in the fact that both my children and I are the best of friends. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We can't always get what we want or wish, the trick is to try and find the positive in what we <b>do</b> have. Albert Einstein said:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>and so I'm looking...</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">PS. I would like to thank those of you who, in spite of my sporadic entries, still find it in your hearts to read my Blog and leave encouraging, heartfelt comments. They mean more than you will ever know! XO</i><br />
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<br />Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-20726199962678506882014-04-02T01:15:00.001-04:002014-04-02T01:15:33.047-04:00Welcome Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kFpvr6Vlfm5X0OfE_HHzt72PIqWR3Jmqy7W_YlKDIP37awbG_i8PfdVMruj2EKcqGbk5naeoNaAkL5IkQ86DhtUoCg3cVqWX75mPDvtDx8TkaQtSQznmHO4IWzX7Yvzvkmag3H1Ib6QT/s1600/katerina-plotnikova-photography-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kFpvr6Vlfm5X0OfE_HHzt72PIqWR3Jmqy7W_YlKDIP37awbG_i8PfdVMruj2EKcqGbk5naeoNaAkL5IkQ86DhtUoCg3cVqWX75mPDvtDx8TkaQtSQznmHO4IWzX7Yvzvkmag3H1Ib6QT/s1600/katerina-plotnikova-photography-11.jpg" height="640" width="590" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Google+)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hello everyone!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hope you are all doing well and getting ready to put those coats and gloves away. I know I am :0) The heavy Winter slumber is slowly giving way to brighter days and I can't wait until every leaf turns green and the warm breeze whispers in my ear.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This past Winter, as the snow and sleet pounded on our windows and covered our streets and cities I buried myself in what my brother calls "the laboratory." Quite frankly, I don't know how to call it. Since I don't consider myself to be an artist, I am afraid to sound pretentious if I refer to my "area" as an art studio but then, according to Wikipedia, an artist is someone described as. </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;">"A</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.77777862548828px;"> person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts, and/or demonstrating an art"</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whether the title fits me or not, that is where I've been. Drawing, painting, making art journals and leaning from so many talented people who dedicate their time to teach and guide others like myself. I am referring of course, to YouTube. Such an amazing place! I would love to share my work and thought of having a separate Blog just for that purpose but quite honestly, I love this place so much I would hate to use another site. I am trying to learn how to have tags in which to place separate topics but all this technology could be so hard!. </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will be back as soon as I have this figured out.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Wishing you all a wonderful Spring. May it be a magic one! </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-89344488975535161292014-02-14T12:22:00.000-05:002014-02-14T12:22:14.461-05:00On Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1cO_RRvA7pf9BbbV8-P3cJzoCHMgU6ehDl4jtZ8sTo7hmMqAL9w_lp8c4bQQ_2tlcJiOW-tZIcYNi4swCsyOsEe3m99RCgxRgqs8EG_i9PQUUtvvE_CymT6-V6lWilTJVdfzGubjBn34/s1600/bc56a2adb19798b5fc14edbc1f45675b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1cO_RRvA7pf9BbbV8-P3cJzoCHMgU6ehDl4jtZ8sTo7hmMqAL9w_lp8c4bQQ_2tlcJiOW-tZIcYNi4swCsyOsEe3m99RCgxRgqs8EG_i9PQUUtvvE_CymT6-V6lWilTJVdfzGubjBn34/s1600/bc56a2adb19798b5fc14edbc1f45675b.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Pinterest)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>"Love is just another word until someone comes along and gives it meaning..."</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-70543454770761204682014-01-22T00:58:00.000-05:002014-01-22T00:58:19.356-05:00The Sound of Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OAqWyjZYlB04zT1BnNrUR6HVIOEUr-iZA6UQC6FEh1QagZz4ZVcQ9NpjPh1rd0dpfgZlMohf9N9NdkmiDDWbsnDsAmILhNnTPnMDqJC62lstTEMW6sefHSqJhJE7aER_htmg2ObcNIY2/s1600/ffbbe44a17eeeb4f53cfdbca21fb8caf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OAqWyjZYlB04zT1BnNrUR6HVIOEUr-iZA6UQC6FEh1QagZz4ZVcQ9NpjPh1rd0dpfgZlMohf9N9NdkmiDDWbsnDsAmILhNnTPnMDqJC62lstTEMW6sefHSqJhJE7aER_htmg2ObcNIY2/s1600/ffbbe44a17eeeb4f53cfdbca21fb8caf.jpg" height="640" width="638" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Pinterest)</span></div>
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<b><i>"I pray this Winter be gentle and kind--a season of rest from the wheel of the mind"- John Geddes</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Every season has a sound. Spring is birdsong. Windows that were shut for months creak as they are opened. The humming vacuum cleaner, the click of pruning shears. It's like yawning when waking up from a deep slumber. Summer is just loud. Ice cream trucks, children playing, the blasting radio from a passing car, people walking, dogs barking. Autumn is quieter, but there are still some distinct sounds: leaf blowers, the swish of a rake, rustling leaves moved by gusty winds. The voices of passing "trick o'treaters" on Halloween Day.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Winter arrives bringing a sign that reads: "Silence spoken here." Everything is muffled, everyday sounds crash against tightly closed windows but when snow falls there is a certain sound. It's the sound of <u>nothing</u>. The sound of a city pushed by Nature to stop and seek shelter. The world as we know it stands still. It is such a night here. As I stand by my window I feel my soul relax and close within itself and I am thinking, this is good and just for a while, I will let myself go. I will stand here and the only sound I'll hear is the beating of my heart.</i></span><br />
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<br />Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-68609184850666593082014-01-09T02:16:00.001-05:002014-01-09T02:16:40.057-05:00A child's dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjwBC8mexmqE0Q8Mq_3NP0yHQFK0ctdhrdBxROIS3LHX2Hk368IY1zVNBPBFUAqrowZBHz7xEds969vXd3Rkm_zv4_yBXowcfT6jN5ovrfHDQ6-e7rhoCIO9H_9wOTqAzmNpQ1thFWK4u/s1600/Kemal+Kamil+Photonet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjwBC8mexmqE0Q8Mq_3NP0yHQFK0ctdhrdBxROIS3LHX2Hk368IY1zVNBPBFUAqrowZBHz7xEds969vXd3Rkm_zv4_yBXowcfT6jN5ovrfHDQ6-e7rhoCIO9H_9wOTqAzmNpQ1thFWK4u/s1600/Kemal+Kamil+Photonet.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Kemal Kamil Photo.net)</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A child's dream by Rexa Lamaar</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>A child’s life is very simple. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>They do not want a lot. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>They want to explore and be stuffed with knowledge to feed their curiosity. They want to see all the individual green strands of grass reaching up to the pastel blue sky.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>They want to live. </i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">Hope your day is filled with the magic of a child's dream...</i></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-22875745297793250362014-01-04T21:00:00.001-05:002014-01-05T01:13:47.988-05:00Let it snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWp0H7AlVW-bEXbwnE7GfaW-ip0gG07SeF3pH3T2STxKpBtsD7f3OY7xStzAVKz1TfG4bnQn-Bf1rblHNJM-bzQlMuyYzt4yQn6FML-oaz60J7-9sG_nDboh_3QuQt_IHyUMKtOkr3rfn/s1600/0c015bf58548f261d2b3b1f22d6014aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWp0H7AlVW-bEXbwnE7GfaW-ip0gG07SeF3pH3T2STxKpBtsD7f3OY7xStzAVKz1TfG4bnQn-Bf1rblHNJM-bzQlMuyYzt4yQn6FML-oaz60J7-9sG_nDboh_3QuQt_IHyUMKtOkr3rfn/s640/0c015bf58548f261d2b3b1f22d6014aa.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every Winter when it snows, just like clockwork I get emails from my cousins in Florida: "Are you guys okay?" "Its nice and warm here in South Florida." "We love you, keep dry and warm." It makes me want to laugh. I am touched by the concern but I don't think they realize that it really IS okay. True, snow makes everything slower and sloppier. Roads can get slippery and treacherous. Power may go. Shoveling is no fun but only the people that live in places where the four seasons happen can </i><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">truly</b><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> appreciate the change of each one. There is no bigger thrill than that found when snow melts and days get longer and tiny green buds pop up from the soil. The anticipation of wearing flip flops and shorts, the vacation planning, the thrill of an open window, the smell of Autumn leaves. All that and more is worth all the shoveling, at least in my humble opinion :0) I have lived in places where it's always Summer but I would NEVER go back. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We were hit by the first snow storm of 2014. Limbs ache from the cleaning but we are warm, cozy and dry. A nice glass of wine, a good book, dim lights and I say: "Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow..."</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj25025dan_Ws8sGupZ3Ggfb2AJTOVlXYFgVtVNIkRFiyzdBjKbTpZYtFLX6dTolTmEfWhP_xodFWkqIJ3oj77eYudIlqO9s1muG1pKfQ-4H0ro843xXkLRktPAaP1LRUGx2ad07HTMc8K/s1600/Imported+Photos+00690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj25025dan_Ws8sGupZ3Ggfb2AJTOVlXYFgVtVNIkRFiyzdBjKbTpZYtFLX6dTolTmEfWhP_xodFWkqIJ3oj77eYudIlqO9s1muG1pKfQ-4H0ro843xXkLRktPAaP1LRUGx2ad07HTMc8K/s640/Imported+Photos+00690.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-5235182208788711942014-01-01T19:02:00.000-05:002014-01-01T19:02:06.258-05:00Here comes the New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI5KOW2f9n17zRi_YKMBOP08zKtS-QrinAC6Ift840iaM-fnz_C9bkHEV-sxE1Qc6quo1lg_Ibc2YgA66nP7UUiplWIYbY2tLjeksaXIUpx04UIhb59KnOYLUq5xKigU6jQansoWq7T0h/s1600/1aa94529d4885b4f03236f014a0aece5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI5KOW2f9n17zRi_YKMBOP08zKtS-QrinAC6Ift840iaM-fnz_C9bkHEV-sxE1Qc6quo1lg_Ibc2YgA66nP7UUiplWIYbY2tLjeksaXIUpx04UIhb59KnOYLUq5xKigU6jQansoWq7T0h/s640/1aa94529d4885b4f03236f014a0aece5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Pinterest)</span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; min-height: 18px;"><b style="line-height: 19px; min-height: 19px;">January opens</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; min-height: 18px;"><b style="line-height: 19px; min-height: 19px;">The box of the year</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; min-height: 18px;"><b style="line-height: 19px; min-height: 19px;">And brings out days</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; min-height: 18px;"><b style="line-height: 19px; min-height: 19px;">That are bright and clear.</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; min-height: 18px;"><b style="line-height: 19px; min-height: 19px;">And brings out days</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; min-height: 18px;"><b style="line-height: 19px; min-height: 19px;">That are cold and gray,</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; min-height: 18px;"><b style="line-height: 19px; min-height: 19px;">What I brought today!"</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; min-height: 18px;"><b style="line-height: 19px; min-height: 19px;">Leland B. Jacobs</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Here it is. A brand new year. A brand new January. What is it about this date that makes everyone stop and have a look? For most its a clean slate, a chance to start over and try to avoid making old mistakes. For others its a day like any other, life stinks and no matter what the calendar says, it will continue to stink. Sort of like looking at the half empty or half full glass, right?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>As a teenager I used to keep a Diary into which I'd pour my laughs and my tears. Remember those? Small, square with a tiny metal key?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Image Source: Google Images)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Those Diaries are long gone. All that remains are a couple of keys as a memento from a faithful confidant. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAQcuqSDU1F0SA78uKO3qvlkCpFutXvdD6b9thxBLfFZ6-TGiOwAgdxlfTd-0FiO05sFvYZR890e_n4_yAMLspuX-OfioOW2Znq7gQMGb7SEXlQd3fz_uFGDkMZ0B1oMIM8HC8NEi9hM-/s1600/Imported+Photos+00005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAQcuqSDU1F0SA78uKO3qvlkCpFutXvdD6b9thxBLfFZ6-TGiOwAgdxlfTd-0FiO05sFvYZR890e_n4_yAMLspuX-OfioOW2Znq7gQMGb7SEXlQd3fz_uFGDkMZ0B1oMIM8HC8NEi9hM-/s640/Imported+Photos+00005.JPG" width="386" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I started keeping a Diary again in 1992. I was going through some difficult times and I needed to express myself without worrying about how it was going to be perceived or understood. I can honestly say that putting my thoughts on paper truly helped me understand and cope with many things. Spoken words seem to fly away, written words stay, we have a chance to go over them without altering their meaning or message. I continued this Diary journey until December 2009. I am not sure why I stopped, perhaps I was sailing through calmer waters. Perhaps I found my entries monotonous and non-eventful. However, looking back, I regret not having continued to write. As normal and predictable as my life may be, I still like to read past entries and have a glimpse at my then state of mind. It's interesting to see how that younger woman slowly shaped the woman I am today. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I once heard (not sure which movie, or TV show) this quote: "Nobody did anything important while they were happy" In a way this is true. Laughter, sun, parties, carefree days make us act differently. Important tasks get pushed back, a general sense of decadence takes over. I doubt that any profound thoughts would occur, at least not to me :o) I find that my best and most revealing Diary entries happened during Winter and during my most trying times. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I don't have many specific plans for 2014, I will, however, keep a Diary. I need to be anchored to a writing routine. I need my old friend to listen to my random thoughts. They may be banal, they may be profound, but they will still be a part of me and after all, that's what it's all about.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I wish each and everyone a healthy and happy New Year. May it filled with magic and light!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>XO</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-6888523333831475712013-12-25T23:39:00.001-05:002013-12-25T23:39:53.364-05:00A Christmas Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlARr6bGaET3TfDyn0z-RNdD1uthxXAFsTXoS0hmUMh5r58ARMBtkfGgR-t32gowwRA7UN3RVQpk5ZSiBU1nITqB4ttRKXLFfleOQjna_5YYUeaoGUjjKTZMJsNcFNhNjWJvyGb7bpAGr/s1600/1458645_770360409643974_883565223_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlARr6bGaET3TfDyn0z-RNdD1uthxXAFsTXoS0hmUMh5r58ARMBtkfGgR-t32gowwRA7UN3RVQpk5ZSiBU1nITqB4ttRKXLFfleOQjna_5YYUeaoGUjjKTZMJsNcFNhNjWJvyGb7bpAGr/s640/1458645_770360409643974_883565223_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Image Source: Google)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I turned 60 years old today. Someone asked me if I was afraid to get old and I answered: No, I'm not afraid to get old, I'm just afraid to get old and <b>not</b> have a chance to do the things I have always wanted to do. Things that got put on the back burner while I was busy raising a family, taking care of my aging parents, putting everybody and everything first. Does it sound familiar? Oh, I bet it does!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Do I feel 60? I don't know. How's 60 supposed to feel? I mean, in my Amazon wish list I had Monster High School dolls (which by the way, my sweet, sweet daughter and son in law got for me, LOL) Is that normal at 60? Maybe not, but who cares? The point is, yes, I am 60 years old, yes, my face is not what it used to be but not my spirit and soul!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I do have a list of things I want to do before I get "too old." On top of that list (some people call it the 'bucket list') is my wish to go to England. Why? I have no idea. All I know is that since I was 8 years old and I read Alice in Wonderland I simply fell in love with <b>anything</b> and<b> everything</b> English. Then came The Beatles who were, are, and will always be such a big part of me. I was blown away when I saw my birthday cake:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><i>(I had a very hard time cutting this cake. I did not want to ruin it!)</i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I hope to never loose my faith in people, my sense of humour, my wish to try new things, my love for Nature and above all, my innocence, the one thing that will keep my heart forever young.</i></span><br />
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XO<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-3994940529214861922013-12-24T21:59:00.001-05:002013-12-24T21:59:31.272-05:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Pinterest)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>"What if Christmas doesn't come from a store.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more..." The Grinch</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What if indeed! This 'little bit more' is so easily overlooked. I wish you all a wonderful day. May you never be too busy to enjoy the holidays for what they are, not for what they should be. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Love always,</i></span><br />
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<br />Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-30019083583636960812013-07-22T17:58:00.000-04:002013-07-22T17:58:35.731-04:00Forever a Daddy's girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xA8m7SX3oyhtdNmcco7p5ImNNqgzrvUpYkBJW_WXZyjfNAfhdcBZAaxAjazWFPQUOi_Ca-CvXmFtOj5AmsSEL27qWPPL71krJRQgerVwRdhrkzi1b_0Mj2Fi__peezsQiuM7Gy1SbeSz/s1600/37833bb612c6c8b47848435db3d05954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xA8m7SX3oyhtdNmcco7p5ImNNqgzrvUpYkBJW_WXZyjfNAfhdcBZAaxAjazWFPQUOi_Ca-CvXmFtOj5AmsSEL27qWPPL71krJRQgerVwRdhrkzi1b_0Mj2Fi__peezsQiuM7Gy1SbeSz/s640/37833bb612c6c8b47848435db3d05954.jpg" width="558" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Pinterest)</span></b></div>
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Hello everyone,<br />
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Amidst the neverending sad, unpleasant, and depressing news constantly making headlines on the Web I found one so special I just HAD to share with you. This will surely strike a loud chord in those who were, are, and will always be a Daddy's girl.<br />
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<a href="http://www.today.com/news/dying-father-has-last-first-dance-daughter-6C10703525">http://www.today.com/news/dying-father-has-last-first-dance-daughter-6C10703525</a><br />
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I am always in awe by the incredible power of love.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-6491585326686366342013-07-03T13:28:00.000-04:002013-07-03T13:28:02.343-04:00Sparkles and Fireflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovJ8bQZwAZ2ehiI4x7jqkRKbUiICXC6N0QU3EraZtGkCgVqh99h-klCJKK0wCnmDTlfHO352R-D1QCRrmYy5wQ0kCj7sCZbet-5tjeyQHNANYmvmxf839ybwsK2wd19Cl0g1UcmCKjxi3/s816/d07d947e73a617b6cb12afa4d78047a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovJ8bQZwAZ2ehiI4x7jqkRKbUiICXC6N0QU3EraZtGkCgVqh99h-klCJKK0wCnmDTlfHO352R-D1QCRrmYy5wQ0kCj7sCZbet-5tjeyQHNANYmvmxf839ybwsK2wd19Cl0g1UcmCKjxi3/s640/d07d947e73a617b6cb12afa4d78047a8.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>(Image Source: Pinterest</b>)</span></div>
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July has arrived and so have the fireflies. I find it hard to come indoors, all I want to do is sit in the garden and watch their magical light show. Who needs fireworks?<br />
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Hope everyone is doing great and that your Summer season is filled with love, sparkles and fireflies :0)<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-25973775122788555332013-05-11T15:45:00.001-04:002013-05-11T15:45:50.339-04:00Mother's Day Wishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYvt4A0_xeuncE09fGzamOe1X_WZJVuxNHsfBUWMCerI2FC_FGUFFChDTNVedMzAv9LQvajlCaLmrp5zLEbXhtknh9uvil1RISTOa5G_r6SQIRvXqSXYv498xoHze29dT5QNQpTySh7Hy/s640/0e505ceeda5c95abce8771b230dc3397.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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Hi everyone!<br />
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Just popping in from under what seems to be an ongoing, never-ending project: my Art Room! Been busy trying to make my working space cohesive and easy to manage, but this room must be a true self expression. No matter how hard I try, it remains unruly and wild at heart! LOL<br />
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Anyway, I am here to wish all my lovely ladies a beautiful day. Please read this post I wrote a couple of years ago. I hope these words echo some of your memories.<br />
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<a href="http://thepurplecaravan.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-05-11T00:01:00-04:00&max-results=6">http://thepurplecaravan.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-05-11T00:01:00-04:00&max-results=6</a><br />
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May you always be surrounded by peace and love.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-76021057089908228772013-03-29T20:45:00.001-04:002013-03-29T20:45:38.466-04:00Happy Easter/Happy Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH44cqYLa5jEeTT97RCxw6ZyXmv2sB6Q3dDvoJrbmnVlhks3VPryPbj0eNoBoZVWWgNMpzSblnc3Zbi1qSNkn5HREMdgxmh8VhB5qrUjSz1GcGsAOF5gxQmX9Wh9XileP8fQuGGlXEr6FH/s1600/9f91f7703dca9552a05b527aec7f20e9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH44cqYLa5jEeTT97RCxw6ZyXmv2sB6Q3dDvoJrbmnVlhks3VPryPbj0eNoBoZVWWgNMpzSblnc3Zbi1qSNkn5HREMdgxmh8VhB5qrUjSz1GcGsAOF5gxQmX9Wh9XileP8fQuGGlXEr6FH/s640/9f91f7703dca9552a05b527aec7f20e9.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Weheartit.com)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Just popping in to wish everyone a wonderful weekend. No matter how you observe (or not) this religious holiday hope you get to spend time in the company of family and good friends.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Cheers!</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-33350811084574998992013-03-23T14:46:00.000-04:002013-03-23T14:46:48.798-04:00Make your own kind of music<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i><b>(Image Source: Weheartit.com)</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><i>But you've gotta make your own kind of music</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Sing your own special song.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Make your own kind of music even if nobody</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><i>else sings along...</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><i><b>(The Mamas and the Papas)</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And so, on these final days of Winter as I try to hold in check my impatient heart and tell myself not to keep looking for the first signs of Spring, I grow restless. Cabin fever sets in. I don't really feel like shopping (gasp!) so I go for a ride. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Driving aimlessly I turn on the radio. One by one I flip through the stations but its no good. I can't find one to please me. I drive in silence for a while when suddenly I remember something my </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>father said </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>back in the days when I entered the</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tumultuous teenage years and he became middle aged: "</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know you are getting older when you no longer like the songs on the radio." Deja vu...</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Growing older is tricky. You go about doing your thing when suddenly: BAM! "Maturity" jumps out of nowhere. The thing is, <b><u>IT</u></b> had always been there, a silent ghost, an invisible companion that's been by your side from the day you were born.<b><u> IT</u></b> waits patiently until <b><u>IT</u></b> decides is time to come out. Shy at first,<b><u> IT </u></b>plays hide and seek. You catch a glimpse here and there but is only a matter of time. <b><u>IT</u></b> will grow more confident. <b><u>IT </u></b>will let you know its here to stay...</i></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wait for Spring with great anticipation. I have been busy teaching myself how to crochet and I have fallen in love with Granny Squares. Here are my humble first attempts...</i><br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I am looking forward going back to my Purple Caravan.</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I ignore the radio and play the music of my generation. Just like a Mantra, the familiar words and sounds manage to still bring a spark of magic to make my heart jump and skip a beat. </i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Time marches on. I know</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>IT</u></b></span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">is hiding nearby but I'm not worried. I dance and sing. I play my Blue Tambourine.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The music is loud, Abby joins the celebration. </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFjTzUPsOA6UE1uX5bZqLxVOPcOzJvi78UBXPJ_Tw129k-iYuG00F4UVi6r3oXqRXtbCVqjYja0QT4VfnQ2EJDbPvYa_Gwy9TZ5FgNFSP0jJI_niU9ZvSXiyt0np9CqXSOH-mWAgkmw2n/s1600/Imported+Photos+00011+(21).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFjTzUPsOA6UE1uX5bZqLxVOPcOzJvi78UBXPJ_Tw129k-iYuG00F4UVi6r3oXqRXtbCVqjYja0QT4VfnQ2EJDbPvYa_Gwy9TZ5FgNFSP0jJI_niU9ZvSXiyt0np9CqXSOH-mWAgkmw2n/s640/Imported+Photos+00011+(21).jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She barks and I laugh. </span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>IT</u></b> doesn't stand a chance ;0)</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Wishing you all a weekend filled with magic. Rock on!</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-68426884212485111352013-02-05T08:34:00.000-05:002013-02-05T08:34:07.358-05:00As the snow falls<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Weheartit.com)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>She said she usually cried
at least once a day, not because she was sad but because the world was so
beautiful and life was so short. (Unknown)<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Woke up this morning and found our bit of the world has been painted white. On days like this I tend to feel soft inside. I roam around unable to concentrate much on anything. Of course this leads to thinking and thinking usually leads to trouble. I much rather daydream than think...</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-49628729240534198772013-01-24T17:21:00.001-05:002013-01-24T17:24:32.306-05:00On a Winter Afternoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo7bzu1JA_c613ARoAgCe2KWK1xEIj3mgeTvDLxBbh2wQZwjWsVtsCZ201ad1ahOwKP0t4sOq3Q2yE-i9mLg85VhpTeHFSa0QNj5o6DSAZ2zJBMF5pk7n61var5M1S7oI_xrQp7_j0dv1/s1600/dancing-in-the-snow-at-the-park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo7bzu1JA_c613ARoAgCe2KWK1xEIj3mgeTvDLxBbh2wQZwjWsVtsCZ201ad1ahOwKP0t4sOq3Q2yE-i9mLg85VhpTeHFSa0QNj5o6DSAZ2zJBMF5pk7n61var5M1S7oI_xrQp7_j0dv1/s640/dancing-in-the-snow-at-the-park.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>(Image Source: Bing)</b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's a party outside my window. '</span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Local Wind'</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> has company. She dances hand in hand with '<span style="color: blue;">Arctic Blast'</span> and '</span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: magenta;">Frosty Spell'</span>... </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Inside our home everything feels warm and cozy. Chairs look more inviting. They seem to whisper promises filled with sweet silence...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>As the wind howls I go round sorting, updating, organizing. These are my days to do what is usually done during the Spring but I know that once the weather gets warmer I will not be able to concentrate. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> I keep a mental countdown. Only 54 days for Spring to arrive and for another cycle to start. In the meantime RED continues to dominate and fascinate me and so does this new painting I stumbled upon. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Red is here....</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>and here</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Valentine Day has arrived early and red hearts are everywhere</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQEEyhk41SxcYs8A5InlQGE6fptMo0u9gbo4Pa4PSMXsq_ZRabLdpwwB3pIJhYseAONC4nM11rXqeIicyashGyLXmdUG-QOr3EEI_UQ5Ij4vjcd6l3rTSFMpN6XI3X0UeJdOO3ldbZMEP/s1600/Imported+Photos+00523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQEEyhk41SxcYs8A5InlQGE6fptMo0u9gbo4Pa4PSMXsq_ZRabLdpwwB3pIJhYseAONC4nM11rXqeIicyashGyLXmdUG-QOr3EEI_UQ5Ij4vjcd6l3rTSFMpN6XI3X0UeJdOO3ldbZMEP/s640/Imported+Photos+00523.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPVZ60bO-DBSVlWv6m9na_BzWZJ-2SH8g4hlgYfRgE4p-NwY_nCPFlzRQlS8Vi8U8glLz76CoYbBESHjIy4MAABvVkUK869I4NOegJP-E3tHmaahUP4JL8LcV7B2L8SEYQWpzTftAVPKl/s1600/Imported+Photos+00553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPVZ60bO-DBSVlWv6m9na_BzWZJ-2SH8g4hlgYfRgE4p-NwY_nCPFlzRQlS8Vi8U8glLz76CoYbBESHjIy4MAABvVkUK869I4NOegJP-E3tHmaahUP4JL8LcV7B2L8SEYQWpzTftAVPKl/s640/Imported+Photos+00553.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Standing by my window I watch the three winter ladies dance away and I dream of the coming season when their heads will wear flowery crowns...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>May you find the magic of these Winter days... XO</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-41048728830186335992013-01-02T23:28:00.001-05:002013-01-02T23:28:37.118-05:00Words of wisdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv7u-R0TvEy7-pEgulaXrpNrOIh7LpR2KkDPA51QG_kI1I2StjM2zTomVP-fetb3H365MNJjVKwTqRGDnAHy77dwJWdVe6jkzRO-JmBhg0bOiiRTDg-3vbh3b4tMJsviBGCONQg_oZBED/s1600/tumblr_m0bkpj2loA1r2zs3eo1_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv7u-R0TvEy7-pEgulaXrpNrOIh7LpR2KkDPA51QG_kI1I2StjM2zTomVP-fetb3H365MNJjVKwTqRGDnAHy77dwJWdVe6jkzRO-JmBhg0bOiiRTDg-3vbh3b4tMJsviBGCONQg_oZBED/s640/tumblr_m0bkpj2loA1r2zs3eo1_250.jpg" width="503" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>(Image Source: Bing)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>THE LAUGHING HEART</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"Your life is your life</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Don't let it be clubbed into dank submission</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Be on the watch.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There are ways out.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There is a light somewhere.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It may not be much light but</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It beats the darkness.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Be on the watch.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The gods will offer you chances.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Know them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Take them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You can't beat death</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But you can beat death in life, sometimes.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And the more often you learn to do it</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The more light there will be.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Your life is your life.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Know it while you have it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You are marvelous</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The gods wait to delight in you"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Charles Bukowski)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Words of wisdom as we start a New Year...</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-24467694548811044082012-12-31T11:16:00.000-05:002012-12-31T11:16:23.302-05:00New Year Wishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7W9Cvl9vM6zL6zCtwieTTk8iRwyJ0wmJmqXXu_OtVzXbzN-TYxPZnZ5Gu9Vd6CZv2TX4_4Na9voCJgqBlX7bhjM6ANAO2khjgdapw-PwetgGOdVeGCN9ky7iONPa75B4LDDFkt4FMhwm/s1600/knqe775hwsjtn2e8ebbnreo8v502b82k_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7W9Cvl9vM6zL6zCtwieTTk8iRwyJ0wmJmqXXu_OtVzXbzN-TYxPZnZ5Gu9Vd6CZv2TX4_4Na9voCJgqBlX7bhjM6ANAO2khjgdapw-PwetgGOdVeGCN9ky7iONPa75B4LDDFkt4FMhwm/s640/knqe775hwsjtn2e8ebbnreo8v502b82k_thumb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Weheartit.com)</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As the year gets ready to close I somehow picture it as the girl on this image. Tired, pensive, disheveled clothes, tangled hair adorned with a crown made of dried twigs and vines. Someone who's lived through many events. Someone who's seen both, good and bad. Someone who's been caught in the rain and laid to dry under a scorching sun. Someone who's lived to the fullest. Someone who now must go to rest and regroup.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This has been such a year for me. Exciting but quite exhausting. I welcome the snow and the shorter days. </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I find it easier to slow down and organize my home during the Winter. I am looking forward to a new look inspired by this poster I found while I was doing my Christmas shopping. </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I fell in love with the vibrant colors and decided to have it framed. Isn't she just fun?</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9G0IO1iNjA8JZNy1rMxnaHMqEkDfWK8qWDqNjgaZkQYruIu4mc4E3rw0RhVse_s7WL9g5dOpVWYhK95KByj277PbCgD291jvry3-dYGMskUME9veetUIva9Lxi1QpyK5LK3q82tMFu7Y/s1600/Imported+Photos+00512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9G0IO1iNjA8JZNy1rMxnaHMqEkDfWK8qWDqNjgaZkQYruIu4mc4E3rw0RhVse_s7WL9g5dOpVWYhK95KByj277PbCgD291jvry3-dYGMskUME9veetUIva9Lxi1QpyK5LK3q82tMFu7Y/s640/Imported+Photos+00512.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I can't help but smile every time I climb the stairs and see it. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CJ_vKeH-nuKNlHSy45CEHdPJofZyXoZYEMeaptoqNx85Lz4qrvuhb3UnutJUDACLPSBXBupiSJ-e0WPXSJEhi_khG_tTNBOehFRv2qex_b9Gi4ZOC8hAklxOJWIoTCsecO3erLliZqdC/s1600/Imported+Photos+00510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CJ_vKeH-nuKNlHSy45CEHdPJofZyXoZYEMeaptoqNx85Lz4qrvuhb3UnutJUDACLPSBXBupiSJ-e0WPXSJEhi_khG_tTNBOehFRv2qex_b9Gi4ZOC8hAklxOJWIoTCsecO3erLliZqdC/s640/Imported+Photos+00510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's definitely a far cry from the soft shades of pink I had lived with for so long</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF57i3ws6ByNJv2vM1aOdl8sQ68NBkKGGcBiQw1YOFVc6UooAbbOaFQ9OkOySZ-Yu8BbKJXws4_P2VTkKVr-vvmZ6soxGrcPloJrURfdntXdRPluvm7A0AaB-QhsiTvWt32BHCJD9v_3-_/s1600/Imported+Photos+00076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF57i3ws6ByNJv2vM1aOdl8sQ68NBkKGGcBiQw1YOFVc6UooAbbOaFQ9OkOySZ-Yu8BbKJXws4_P2VTkKVr-vvmZ6soxGrcPloJrURfdntXdRPluvm7A0AaB-QhsiTvWt32BHCJD9v_3-_/s640/Imported+Photos+00076.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>but I have a feeling red will be "the" new color for me and for Abby as well lol</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhiBTCauMaOY_OnXA6A8C60xitJMljfOgZ_J5sUvkkmazkYbGLD9E3aqJO0J6eosk17PZGPmPxRzUKXUfV8cQLg_bLZyDV2HqSniDaIV9R0hShJFjfffNZ7knSc-WnW3xiM2x2s71-vf7/s1600/20121110_114451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhiBTCauMaOY_OnXA6A8C60xitJMljfOgZ_J5sUvkkmazkYbGLD9E3aqJO0J6eosk17PZGPmPxRzUKXUfV8cQLg_bLZyDV2HqSniDaIV9R0hShJFjfffNZ7knSc-WnW3xiM2x2s71-vf7/s640/20121110_114451.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In any case, I wanted to sit for a moment and wish you a magical New Year. May you be happy and healthy and may your world be painted in colors that make you smile.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Cheers!</i></span><br />
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<br />Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-32634334920442771152012-12-24T14:22:00.000-05:002012-12-24T14:22:24.622-05:00A Wonderful Christmastime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMjGyCBcP7yntDhFfZ9oxKk7yTpdfMpQg3fnn6Hdw4eHXC0zJU_JOGt75Q16OObFZ9GdhyCE94ZN_TUlruoFj_h9ZB8m3HV0TvTjEu2P-7wM7uRUtzJeGxltjUZ320IDg59Dcn8RNxTGY/s1600/christmas-photography-fan-17676033-720-553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMjGyCBcP7yntDhFfZ9oxKk7yTpdfMpQg3fnn6Hdw4eHXC0zJU_JOGt75Q16OObFZ9GdhyCE94ZN_TUlruoFj_h9ZB8m3HV0TvTjEu2P-7wM7uRUtzJeGxltjUZ320IDg59Dcn8RNxTGY/s640/christmas-photography-fan-17676033-720-553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Google)</span></b></div>
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"<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The moon is right</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The spirits up</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We're here tonight</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And that's enough</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Simply having a wonderful Christmastime..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Paul McCartney)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season filled with love and peace. </i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5479236377961089006" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: currentColor;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-72633374042553469732012-12-15T01:05:00.001-05:002012-12-15T01:05:56.404-05:00Sorrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Google)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"We can't know why the lily has so brief a time to bloom in the warmth of sunlight's kiss upon its face before it folds into its fragrance and bids the world good night to rest its beauty in a gentler place."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Ellen Brenneman</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This post is dedicated to the victims and the grieving families of Newtown, Connecticut. My heart goes out to you!</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-89017392929546851122012-09-24T00:32:00.000-04:002012-09-24T00:33:45.429-04:00A sentimental journey<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Image Source: Free People)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #505050; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>This afternoon was the colour of water falling through sunlight...</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>(September, 1918 by Amy Lowell)</i></span></span></div>
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My daughter's wedding gown is here, in her old bedroom, it hangs from a hook, so white, so new, so special. </div>
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A human heart is a funny thing. It can sing and it can cry all at the same time...</div>
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Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-28627091753077460792012-09-08T09:50:00.000-04:002012-09-08T09:50:22.713-04:00Taken by the light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgeZ88Zd7WAG4wriv8kqiSnsT7QCe1gFCM_NE35FzRwv-cnTUT84Rge9v2XFovlpppH62Yvo2vKdxmU7eNGGlrp0hEJPgUEg5_q6H23WAGSoD-iwPOY3E3lknsAKAEt9r1l7QQFJ2OYuM/s1600/girl-on-beach.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgeZ88Zd7WAG4wriv8kqiSnsT7QCe1gFCM_NE35FzRwv-cnTUT84Rge9v2XFovlpppH62Yvo2vKdxmU7eNGGlrp0hEJPgUEg5_q6H23WAGSoD-iwPOY3E3lknsAKAEt9r1l7QQFJ2OYuM/s640/girl-on-beach.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>(Image Source: Weheartit.com)</strong></span></div>
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"The door was left ajar. Slowly, quietly, my wondering heart got closer and just like a moth, it followed the light..." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Alina</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Hello my dear friends, do you remember me? I have been gone for quite sometime, the truth is, I found my words repetitive, monotonous and boring. I seemed to have reached a crossroad and so I plunged into a sort of abyss hoping to collect and regroup.</em></span></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So much has happened! Wedding planning and preparations, self discoveries (one is never too old for those) the learning of new craft techniques, and above all, the rush to find time to savour each day.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I'd like to share some of the most important events. My daughter's bridal shower. It was held at a restaurant by the Hudson River, the theme was the ocean and its treasures. Here she is, my sweet little mermaid...</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NF_shYQ-fWAN8NUyZFrax49mmXtKF6v8NpHRs5ABbYp69pNYRfUexn3ZzfzaPbD9GT58I8pQ5AxH2Z0a2J5qBOVLmb27qxNBlLP6z3bnR3AmH_tz7Zfs_uviuhzjKP-7PAMJs7RcIKYT/s1600/IMG_1747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NF_shYQ-fWAN8NUyZFrax49mmXtKF6v8NpHRs5ABbYp69pNYRfUexn3ZzfzaPbD9GT58I8pQ5AxH2Z0a2J5qBOVLmb27qxNBlLP6z3bnR3AmH_tz7Zfs_uviuhzjKP-7PAMJs7RcIKYT/s640/IMG_1747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>One of the most exciting highlights of the party was the live Monarch butterflies. I ordered them from a butterfly farm and they arrived individually wrapped in cellophane envelopes. At the end of the party each guest was given one. I read this beautiful Irish blessing:</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><strong>"May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to light on, to bring you luck, happiness and riches, today, tomorrow and always"</strong></i></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Then they were set free.</span></em><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> Here is one, resting, and just like my daughter, getting ready to fly and seek new adventures...</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>On May 27th we had a visit from Stork Kingdom. Let me introduce you to Sophia Clarissa, our sweet niece. Such joy to welcome a new baby!</i></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjIX8UZrTR9KvFNnMyZEL-Mr57XsgJh_Y4pnWNYDGJ1s3czQaY6b_4VKYRPmIy-kOSpJK1kBnmqsCGFA1ek97T6hHbP7igTwn-aJ53S3blfOUd6D7plXLMp5rZM_yOa5mVAVC8lQrThkI/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjIX8UZrTR9KvFNnMyZEL-Mr57XsgJh_Y4pnWNYDGJ1s3czQaY6b_4VKYRPmIy-kOSpJK1kBnmqsCGFA1ek97T6hHbP7igTwn-aJ53S3blfOUd6D7plXLMp5rZM_yOa5mVAVC8lQrThkI/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The baby sure is beautiful and cute but Abby is not worried, she knows she will always be our Number One LOL. How I love this puppy! No words here...</i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY01JBBruW94wmymHaLDleFr8kfpdcDJ4UkB9PL4QcitdloTdTNIz1N4N47C3veFUymwETUZHr4Pdz7PMTHymqp4W6EXgd8LphIDdDAkoa25o3kGZwQF5l5w7mL19Ro1gd40ezwSUZluPR/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY01JBBruW94wmymHaLDleFr8kfpdcDJ4UkB9PL4QcitdloTdTNIz1N4N47C3veFUymwETUZHr4Pdz7PMTHymqp4W6EXgd8LphIDdDAkoa25o3kGZwQF5l5w7mL19Ro1gd40ezwSUZluPR/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>All these planning and festivities have reduced the amount of days spent at the Purple Caravan but I still manage to sneak away.</em></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1cB9-mjnU16DJgkpHYvQ5h01SGzmttBJ4z_ICrlar6QKs7a1raxeEurQUaAcB-_m-auAupRZUqF5o5sQ2g5uZm1ShumlZG_l8zqLNvXUJmTZk8AQOl-cGsQrzq0G3dUoAvP02HRdmrZ_/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1cB9-mjnU16DJgkpHYvQ5h01SGzmttBJ4z_ICrlar6QKs7a1raxeEurQUaAcB-_m-auAupRZUqF5o5sQ2g5uZm1ShumlZG_l8zqLNvXUJmTZk8AQOl-cGsQrzq0G3dUoAvP02HRdmrZ_/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>During the month of May there was a <strong>total </strong>Clematis explosion.</em></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aQuiuQkRtSDBAGW8r8EiDZ3RIC5A-v0U4TqHBnEFvreXadO8-8g0qciGCuurjcXm1WS0Ox8XLSUrWevSsI6DJr7R6NSoVqA6JieJlNQ3EXmHvlL6xwz7DEUMgmkycYMmn7OMySd39jTC/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aQuiuQkRtSDBAGW8r8EiDZ3RIC5A-v0U4TqHBnEFvreXadO8-8g0qciGCuurjcXm1WS0Ox8XLSUrWevSsI6DJr7R6NSoVqA6JieJlNQ3EXmHvlL6xwz7DEUMgmkycYMmn7OMySd39jTC/s640/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>No matter how many days are spent on the porch, every afternoon when the sun begins to set and the light shifts, I can't think of a better place to be...</em></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSUFYZHtPLSzLvdEvo71OVVSXlyb2-kV0se5KDcpsFj_fCq2TO7J50i7_lq4qlGGQ9NLapEab3AXsE8o7SC_Na5OFRWERjnBEBCBgVnXfHloWN_x2Fi1nmZhSciGWVNGSnc99GYIg6whS/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSUFYZHtPLSzLvdEvo71OVVSXlyb2-kV0se5KDcpsFj_fCq2TO7J50i7_lq4qlGGQ9NLapEab3AXsE8o7SC_Na5OFRWERjnBEBCBgVnXfHloWN_x2Fi1nmZhSciGWVNGSnc99GYIg6whS/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>This season my time for decorating has been put on hold. However, I did find this table during a walk through the woods. It was completely covered by spiderwebs but I absolutely loved it. After a good cleaning it makes a great addition to the porch. What do you think?</em></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65cOvTv7ftddmJ1gQjCLJKTbQshBK8VqA5G7WvvntcnnmTicR2awDbJkuD_sfsMTqh96v6wLGr1o_gEzjKL1olgG32ESXrx3wFKXg1FgeTfXRm0m2Hl-oMJlJuJ5CS_G48PGIK6htFa7n/s1600/Imported+Photos+00438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65cOvTv7ftddmJ1gQjCLJKTbQshBK8VqA5G7WvvntcnnmTicR2awDbJkuD_sfsMTqh96v6wLGr1o_gEzjKL1olgG32ESXrx3wFKXg1FgeTfXRm0m2Hl-oMJlJuJ5CS_G48PGIK6htFa7n/s640/Imported+Photos+00438.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I have also been busy trying to learn to draw faces and create Art Journals. These are a few of my attempts. I do plan to take classes but for now I find guidance and inspiration from so many amazing, talented women on the Web World.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Watercolors</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Acrylic paint and watercolor markers</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Color pencils and watercolor</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Speaking of amazing women, I received this beautiful gift from my dear friend <a href="http://olivesparaphernalia.blogspot.com/">Olive</a>. Such a kind, generous soul, she "hoped to make me smile." Not only did I smile but I also cried. Thank you Olive, you will never know how precious these are to me, not only because they come from you but also because they come from England! my dreamland since I can remember :0)</em></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8XZO-2ee8ZTDFfXeEcLqPoDuS-wnd-6izh1yyDLyAf0xEVBqGVovVQZUUPj95dgxlD7i5_xEjWD8dXGW602Kck_WcPaoCTt_Rzt9T-MG5Ro-VaJM4SzfuwAqUM-GQbMQDVG2i-UfcUva/s1600/Imported+Photos+00473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8XZO-2ee8ZTDFfXeEcLqPoDuS-wnd-6izh1yyDLyAf0xEVBqGVovVQZUUPj95dgxlD7i5_xEjWD8dXGW602Kck_WcPaoCTt_Rzt9T-MG5Ro-VaJM4SzfuwAqUM-GQbMQDVG2i-UfcUva/s640/Imported+Photos+00473.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Incredible buttons, a book about London (in my dreams I visit all those places) a photo holder shaped like those gorgeous "call boxes"</em></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLZHhI7ILAcBpmSs45la4xxZDsMg-q5tFDhqChG8kb8FT6kZkrhg9mLlp7FtkvyrLF53i3U8yN3QMThZSAz8ixGSOzwil6IFfZofGLA8U7MBJB_oES3B5lHaQCg9vvtVU1yi09Zs9jjv8/s1600/Imported+Photos+00470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLZHhI7ILAcBpmSs45la4xxZDsMg-q5tFDhqChG8kb8FT6kZkrhg9mLlp7FtkvyrLF53i3U8yN3QMThZSAz8ixGSOzwil6IFfZofGLA8U7MBJB_oES3B5lHaQCg9vvtVU1yi09Zs9jjv8/s640/Imported+Photos+00470.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>An awesome mini album folded in a clever way, stamped, colored and distressed. I will have a hard time adding anything to this. It's just too perfect!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Loads of ceramic buttons (I am only showing a few) I can't wait to do something with them! A felt heart embellished with pearls and charms, a charming mini quilt stamped and embellished with yet more buttons and ribbons. Treasures from a kindred spirit all the way from across the world. Dear Olive, thank you again. You are the best!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>It will be quite hectic here for the rest of this month (the wedding is on October 7th) I am looking forward the "calm after the storm" lol so that I may have a chance to stop by and see what you have been up to.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Hope everyone's been healthy and happy. Have a wonderful weekend!</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hugs and sparkles,</span></em><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-5497152572797713492011-12-31T02:29:00.000-05:002011-12-31T02:29:38.244-05:00Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLeTo7qR8aE/Tv63P3fIzUI/AAAAAAAACNY/X4oqR7KXzJE/s1600/tumblr_lviq3kWVub1r48yhoo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLeTo7qR8aE/Tv63P3fIzUI/AAAAAAAACNY/X4oqR7KXzJE/s640/tumblr_lviq3kWVub1r48yhoo1_1280.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>(Image Source: Bing)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>New Year’s Reflections<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-small;"><em> </em></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking back on the months gone by,<br />
As a new year starts and an old one ends,<br />
We contemplate what brought us joy,<br />
And we think of our loved ones and our friends.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em> </em></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Recalling all the happy times,<br />
Remembering how they enriched our lives,<br />
We reflect upon who really counts,<br />
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em> </em></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">And when I ponder those who do,<br />
I immediately think of you.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em> </em></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll have a Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Joanna Fuchs)</span></span></span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>May the coming year bring you health, magic, and joy.</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a></div>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-67674511562229233512011-12-24T15:33:00.000-05:002011-12-24T15:33:27.291-05:00May the magic be yours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5H05m6FBmM/TvTkomqqIxI/AAAAAAAACMQ/i-SYascf14w/s1600/018_fairies_campfire_spread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5H05m6FBmM/TvTkomqqIxI/AAAAAAAACMQ/i-SYascf14w/s640/018_fairies_campfire_spread.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>(Image Source: Bing)</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>My, oh my, where has time gone?! I can hardly believe it's been a month since my last post! I can only blame it on my new passion: mini albums. If you are a crafter/altered art "connoisseur" you'll probably know what they are. Mini albums vary in size and styles. Most of mine are constructed by folding a single sheet of paper in order to create pockets to insert tags, photos, and secret messages. Fun, simple and certainly addictive :0) I will try and add some photos to my next post.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>It will be a bittersweet Christmas. Our son will not be with us this year. Mothers out there will know what I mean...however, our home is ready, shopping is done. As I wrap the last gift and turn down the lights I seek comfort in the things I hold dear...</em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25a9kAcPwDw/TvUC_wEnluI/AAAAAAAACMc/i93qlSezVJE/s1600/Imported+Photos+00023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25a9kAcPwDw/TvUC_wEnluI/AAAAAAAACMc/i93qlSezVJE/s640/Imported+Photos+00023.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Family, friends, trinkets, mementos, gathered while taking a walk and discovering a small, tucked in a corner little shop right off the beaten path.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I want to wish each and everyone a special season filled with love and inner peace.</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">May the magic be yours!</span></em><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank"><img height="66" src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="border: currentColor;" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Note: I have tried to leave messages on your Blogs but for some weird reason I've been unable to! Please know I am not ignoring you, I may have been busy with the mini albums but never too busy to drop by and see what you guys are up to!</em></span>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479236377961089006.post-33590067194738504032011-11-24T15:20:00.000-05:002011-11-24T15:20:57.122-05:00Giving Thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZegObNQKPvE2pcEWKivAbvGcO8yfrrWS89qhleiy_G4m5rjDxBl4Q__YYyd1AQq1_DoimCpDPu9fC7LLAKVAIfGQH90Ik93PUxIQbnjOJuI9n3pbq5CF2RYHmo8LTzdVvgCgrVYesPsi/s1600/tumblr_lsg3d8XRQB1r363pgo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZegObNQKPvE2pcEWKivAbvGcO8yfrrWS89qhleiy_G4m5rjDxBl4Q__YYyd1AQq1_DoimCpDPu9fC7LLAKVAIfGQH90Ik93PUxIQbnjOJuI9n3pbq5CF2RYHmo8LTzdVvgCgrVYesPsi/s640/tumblr_lsg3d8XRQB1r363pgo1_500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>(Image Source: Bing)</strong></span></div><br />
We usually go through our days wishing, striving, pushing for more. There's nothing wrong with that as long as that drive doesn't prevent us from enjoying the view, from recognizing when we can't push anymore, from stopping here and there to enjoy all we have done.<br />
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On this Thanksgiving Day I am blessed to have a very long list of things for which to be thankful. My husband, my children, my family, my friends, my dear, sweet Abby, my home, my freedom, my health and so much more.<br />
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In addition to being Thanksgiving Day it's also my 32nd wedding anniversary. One of the biggest things for which to be thankful!<br />
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Just wanted to take a moment and wish each and everyone a beautiful day and magical season. <br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/The-PurpleCaravanSig.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Alinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17191711137727270010noreply@blogger.com8