tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91314772573781654392024-03-04T22:04:01.369-08:00Pat Elliott
Reflexologist, Painter, Writer.
Dog lover.Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-45241784983772284482016-11-16T00:00:00.000-08:002016-11-16T00:00:02.513-08:00Bookbinding CourseRecently I went on a bookbinding course, because I wanted to know how to create my own sketchbooks.<br />
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It was fascinating seeing and learning how to create so many varieties of book. We made artists books, accordion books, notebooks, Turkish folding map books, lotus flower books, slinky books and hardback sketchbooks.<br />
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The workshop was at The Old Printing Works, Thornton and was run by Marion Archibald.<br />
We learned so much in the day and came home armed with books, paper and knowledge.<br />
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We over-ran the stated time, which was 10-4, and still there wasn't enough time to make covers for each book, as you can see in this photo, but we have the know how now, to create our own.<br />
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The whole day's creations:<br />
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Turkish Map fold, which lays beautifully flat.<br />
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window accordion<br />
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Slinky artist book<br />
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Lotus flower book (hardback)<br />
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Hardbook sketchbook and card notebook.<br />
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Accordion books </div>
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It was a fascinating and informative day. So many ways to create, with paper.<br />
If you ever get a chance, go on a workshop, you'll love it! Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-22480763381938113402016-09-27T04:36:00.000-07:002016-09-27T04:36:40.740-07:00Deer, deer - where's the time gone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've been going to see so many places and getting involved with so many things, finding time to post is getting difficult !<br />
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As you can see, we've been to the deer park!<br />
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We've also been to Fife Heritage Railway, an open studio at Collessie, the beaches at Dysart and Leven - and, I've entered a painting into a Fife-wide amateur art competition. We are off to the private view and prize giving soon. We don't know yet who has won!<br />
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Plus, we've seen some brown bears<br />
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and a harris hawk!<br />
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Plus, there are weekly dog training and socialising classes - which Paddy adores :-)<br />
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he's in a hurry to go!<br />
Be back again soon with some more pics... <br />
<br />Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-23109360089772506072016-08-18T07:12:00.001-07:002016-08-18T07:12:56.710-07:00Life's a beach.. and a few other things!Recently we've been enjoying the great outdoors here in Scotland.<br />
We found a lovely beach which Paddy has great fun on.<br />
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As you can see, they don't get too crowded!<br />
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We've also explored the local woods<br />
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and we've been continuing the house renovations too. </div>
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We have new double glazing, our living room is in the process of being insulated and plaster boarded - before we get to decorating. It will be warm and fresh looking when finished. Once that is done and the house is dusted - oh how dusty building works make it - then I am back on book 3 of my Leaves series. </div>
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Hope you've had a wonderful summer! </div>
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Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-17345606183776921032016-06-22T00:00:00.000-07:002016-06-22T00:00:01.945-07:00Garden starts to blossomMy wee Scottish garden is starting to blossom and look delightful.<br />
I hope you have enjoyed watching it develop.<br />
Once the trellis plants grow large enough to give some more form and shade, I'll post a "more mature garden" update!<br />
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Here you can see the garden from my painting room - and a little of my painting in progress. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShIMZYMeJfJgLarm2ZhhuSwqxULwRYVzzQmY_eRJtlNJXzaFv0Qya35i-vscPXA0HTL1iGZA6-JHRaBxCtsFjfWaonHe97fWL3BROsZQN0bL8nuPGUGufkbfewvtndKG5SqgmQtJykfju/s1600/scot+gard+alfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShIMZYMeJfJgLarm2ZhhuSwqxULwRYVzzQmY_eRJtlNJXzaFv0Qya35i-vscPXA0HTL1iGZA6-JHRaBxCtsFjfWaonHe97fWL3BROsZQN0bL8nuPGUGufkbfewvtndKG5SqgmQtJykfju/s320/scot+gard+alfie.jpg" width="240" /></a>and here you can see a calm corner, with a couple of gargoyle statues amongst the greenery <br />
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plus, a little woodpile to make a home for the garden insects<br />
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Now I'll be sitting out there, in a shady spot, writing some more to the third book in my Leaves Series.<br />
The editor and I have been chatting and I'm raring to carry on! Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-13501890671745955922016-06-09T08:04:00.000-07:002016-06-09T08:04:48.260-07:00Winning a prize from "8 in the Universe"As some of you may know, I have an online presence on Twitter, as well as my website and blogs.<br />
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Whilst I was being sociable on twitter, I saw a competition to win a place at an aromatherapy workshop, run by "8 in the Universe" . They also offered a package of products, for one long distance winner.<br />
To enter, I simply had to take a photograph of anything that was in eights - and hope that my photograph won.<br />
I entered a picture of hubby's woodturning items - and to my delight, my photo won. <br />
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The aromatherapy workshop on "Summer Bodies" was held at 8 in the Universe's premises, in London.<br />
Being in Scotland, I won the long distance prize.<br />
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Here is what arrived in the post..<br />
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and when I opened it, there was this..<br />
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removing the paper that said "summer bodies" it turned out to be a booklet of how each of the products was created and the uses of certain aromatherapy oils.<br />
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Here you see the products - and thanks to the booklet, I can re-create each of them!<br />
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The very next day, I decided to use all the products in my morning shower routine.<br />
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First up was the body scrub, which contained Pink Himalayan salt crystals - amongst other things. <br />
I mixed a tablespoon of the scrub with a little warm water to make it easier to use in the shower and it did what it was supposed to, exfoliate my skin. Because I was in the shower, I didn't really notice any aromas, but my skin felt fresher.<br />
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Second up was the facial scrub - and here I was in aroma happy heaven!<br />
As I followed the instructions on gently rubbing into my face, the cocktail of essential oils transported me to a fresh spring day. Cleansing and purifying, like running in a spring meadow. My face felt soft and moisturised after use.<br />
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Lastly was the hand cream - and this is a tough prospect being judged by me. Being a reflexologist, I must have tried every hand cream going, but this - oh this was a delight! The aromas were revitalising, the cream itself plumped up my dry skin ( that's a lot of time in the garden) and my hands stayed moisturised all day.<br />
I am won over by this little pot of magic!<br />
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If you ever get a chance to go on a Summer Bodies workshop at 8 in the Universe, featuring Micha the aromatherapist - go! If my parcel is a measure of what you'll do and receive - you will thoroughly enjoy the benefits.<br />
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8 in the Universe have a website, which can be found <a href="https://8intheuniverse.com/"><span style="color: red;"><b>HERE</b></span></a><br />
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Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-45145803641090374722016-05-29T00:00:00.000-07:002016-05-29T00:00:12.338-07:00Paving the gardenAfter the rockery, it was time to pave my Scottish garden. I already had my trusty plan, where the paving was marked in orange<br />
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and this is it, in real life<br />
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The paving stones are currently resting on the earth/old gravel, whilst I decide if that's exactly where they will stay. Better to live with something for a week or two, than to bed in cement straight away - and then be stuck with it, forever!<br />
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However, even with the paving where it is, I can still plant some of the items I bought - and here you can see a few in place.<br />
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<b>Trollius </b>(globeflower) by the water feature:<br />
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The water feature is a steel construction, coated with a special chemical, that reacts to the water where you live; rusting to give a protective layer. Each one will be different, as the chemical composition of an area's water is different. As you can see, ours will be a lovely shade of orange.<br />
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Around by the rockery, we have a few more little plants in - and you can see some of the statuary we brought with us, from Essex.<br />
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Eventually, all of the gravel will be the lighter coloured one - and then, we wait for the plants to grow and fill up the spaces.<br />
Watching Chelsea Flower how this week just gone has made me want to see it finished even more - but I keep reminding myself, patience! <br />
Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-86938911440097991602016-05-13T07:38:00.000-07:002016-05-13T07:38:20.083-07:00Making a Rockery in my Scottish gardenDo you remember what I started off with?<br />
The rocks were already in place for the rockery, so all I had to do was choose plants - mostly alpines - and then what type of gravel to put at their base to improve drainage and stop them rotting.<br />
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This was before, you can see the rocks on the left of the photo.<br />
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Here are some of the plants - <br />
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the gravel is "golden buff" colour - on a dull day, it looks a pale stone colour<br />
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on a bright day, the gravel looks white!<br />
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So there's my rockery planted - next is to plant the climbers for the
trellis, get the paving laid, new gravel, then I can plant the main body
of plants! Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-15103314563944521972016-05-06T00:00:00.000-07:002016-05-06T00:00:11.134-07:00Garden transformationThe next thing we had to do in our Scottish garden transformation was to demolish the old shed!<br />
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and finally, it's completely gone!<br />
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Next we took up the concrete slab, painted some trellis green, installed it on wooden posts in metposts (concreted in)<br />
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There are old slabs on the right to take up, as well as the rockery in front to plant. That's before we start on re-paving and dealing with the lower level of the garden, too! It's very enjoyable though, giving living things a new place to grow and be happy. Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-34752386791563600662016-04-26T03:06:00.000-07:002016-04-26T03:06:32.838-07:00Making a creative space in my Scottish garden.I am a creative person and I love to have a space which is conducive to creating. You all know we've moved recently and I have a new garden.<br />
Well, I have this...<br />
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It's the ultimate in low maintenance gardens - and whilst it would suit some, it doesn't do anything for me. So I am going to change it. I thought too, that I would blog all the changes, so if you want, you can watch as I make a creative space. Like a very slow motion Ground Force, for those of you who remember the programme!<br />
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When we moved in, the removal men put a lot of Paul's wood store in that shed. That shed is rotten. I wanted it gone. The first thing therefore, was to make a new store for all Paul's woodturning pieces.<br />
We decided it would have less impact up against the garage at the other end of the garden, especially if we painted it green.<br />
The transformation of our 30x30 plot begins!<br />
Wait! I hear you cry. 30 by 30 foot? Pat, that's tiny, compared to your old garden. That's true, it is. I'll let you in to a not-so-secret. I am getting older with every day. I have moved to a beautiful country. I don't want to be like so many of my older reflexology clients, who were tied to garden work all day because they still had their large gardens. I don't mind some garden work, but not at the expense of seeing this wonderful new country, Scotland. Its magnificence will be my wider garden - and no mowing involved. Why not keep the ultra low maintenance garden then? Because I still love to see plants and flowers and all gravel with no green doesn't do it for me. Are you ready now? Shall we begin?<br />
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The woodstore starts...<br />
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The woodstore completed, inside all shelved out and containing Paul's wood. <br />
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Have you ever seen any of his turning? Here's a small example... my very own wand and wand stand...<br />
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We'll go back to the garden. What does every garden need but a plan?<br />
So, here is the plan, worked out on graph paper, so that everything will go in its place.<br />
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Plants have been ordered through J Parkers <a href="http://www.jparkers.co.uk/?gclid=CMuNnqSDrMwCFckV0wodOCENaw"><span style="color: red;"><b>HERE </b></span></a><br />
Some specimen pieces and rockery plants will come from Bridgend Garden Centre <a href="http://gardenbridgend.co.uk/"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>HERE</b></span></a><br />
and if I happen to be in the supermarket and can't resist a special offer, I may pick up the odd piece too.<br />
Mostly though, I am guided with my ordering and specimen plants as to what will grow in Scotland - and it is this book, Garden Plants for Scotland <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garden-Plants-Scotland-Kenneth-Cox/dp/0711236682"><span style="color: lime;"><b>HERE</b></span></a>, given to me as a present from my friend Lynne, that is invaluable in making good choices.<br />
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This is a long post, the next ones in this journey will be more pictorial. Will you join me for the transformation? <br />
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Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-59684564956223695462016-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:002016-04-06T00:00:06.663-07:00Equilibrium, Coffee and Kilts. Hello friends,<br />
here I am, making online visits at six a.m. I am still trying to find an equilibrium in this new life in Scotland.<br />
Outdoors here is so beautiful, as you can see in the pictures below, that at every possible opportunity, I want to be outside.<br />
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Plus, we found a little cafe in Cupar, called "Coffee and Kilts" where they allow you to bring your dog!<br />
So after a walk in the countryside, all three of us can pop in for refreshment. In one of the photos, you'll see two bowls behind Paddy, one with water - and one with biscuits!<br />
The human food is pretty delicious too. <br />
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Because my outdoor life has been so enjoyable, it seems to be that I've neglected my internet life. I don't mean to, but there's so much here to do! I've also joined a new art club, which allows me to go along five days a week, should I so choose.<br />
I will find a balance, because I've no wish to lose the online friends I've made; plus I've a book to finish, which is written online. Maybe I should take the netbook to the coffee shop. An internet cafe writer I would be ;-) Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-34457555402862982732016-03-13T00:00:00.000-08:002016-03-13T00:00:03.159-08:00A Royal VisitWe've been out exploring and found a Royal Palace to visit!<br />
Falkland Palace was a summer palace beloved of Mary, Queen of Scots.<br />
This is it from the outside.<br />
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Photographs weren't allowed inside, but we do have a pic of an old dolphin doorknocker, that was on the entrance<br />
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The local village church was a matter of feet away<br />
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as were some old estate buildings, which now have been converted to dwellings and shops<br />
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Finally we have the Village Cross, with heraldic symbols<br />
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Only one thing would have improved our visit - if you'd been there when we stopped at the tea shop for a cuppa! <br />
Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-41384079218047319102016-03-04T03:25:00.000-08:002016-03-04T03:25:17.600-08:00Sparkles, sunshine, orchids, Paddy and book news.Life in Fife continues to be delightful.<br />
Despite getting an infected insect bite, (all healed now) it's been a lovely month.<br />
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I've created a new sparkly canvas to add a pop of colour in my new kitchen<br />
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We continue to be blessed with a very mild winter and some sunshine!<br />
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My darling hubby, instead of buying a bouquet of flowers to say get well soon, bought me some orchids<br />
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and throughout, I had a very attentive nurse. If I called for OH, Paddy would run and fetch him, barking all the while. He's a little treasure!<br />
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I am continuing to write "The House in the Leaves", book three of my Leaves Series. The editor and I have been conversing and we're getting it right! I hope to have it published sometime this year.<br />
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If you haven't seen the first two, look <a href="http://www.patelliott.co.uk/My_Books.html"><span style="color: red;"><b>HERE</b></span></a><br />
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Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-53375807240630141642016-02-12T01:09:00.000-08:002016-02-12T01:09:22.829-08:00Snowy Lomonds, stunning skies and new gateways! Here we are in February, we've been so busy, I'd almost forgotten my blogs!<br />
We had a little dusting of snow over the Lomond Hills, enough to look pretty, but not enough to cause problems.<br />
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We've also had some gorgeous skies - and I've even seen the Northern Lights since we moved. The stars here are phenomenal - well, they are full stop - but what I mean is the visibility here is so much better than we ever had in Essex. I'm a lover of stargazing, so this makes our move even more magical.<br />
I haven't any star skies to show you, but a sunset - oh yes...<br />
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We had a couple of storms, where there were some gale force winds and they knocked our old driveway fence apart. We decided we'd replace them with wrought iron. The blacksmith came over to give us a quote, stayed for a coffee and a chat and when he returned with the gates, not only had he produced the driveway gates and fence, he'd given us a pedestrian gate for free! He told us it was because we were genuine folk. How lovely to meet such wonderful people.<br />
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and in book news, I am still writing "The House in the Leaves" and hope to finish sometime this year. All in the Leaves and Leaves for Chloe are available online, should you wish to read the first two in the series.<br />
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Catch up again, soon! <br />
Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-48822589695931181592015-12-30T00:00:00.000-08:002015-12-30T00:00:02.121-08:00Paddy's Christmas and a new kitchenSince we moved into the new house, we've had some work to do indoors, firstly a new kitchen!<br />
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I'm pleased to say that it's almost complete. We installed this ourselves and I'm delighted with how it's coming into shape. We're waiting for the sales to buy new flooring.<br />
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and little Paddy, like us, thoroughly enjoyed his first Christmas in our new house!<br />
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I hope you had a wonderful Christmas - and wish you all the best for the New Year. <br />
Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-40569566329774771002015-12-24T00:00:00.000-08:002015-12-24T00:00:19.795-08:00Christmas Eve 2015Christmas Eve- and the year has flown past!<br />
Looking back, it's been a tough year and then, a beautiful one.<br />
We have been through the mill with hubby and his workplace, but thanks to the kindness of the legal and medical professions, we have made it through - and find ourselves in a much nicer place.<br />
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In the process we have lost some friends. Friends of the season, I like to think of them as. Farewell to you, at the end of this year, I wish you well for the future. As they have left, there has been room made for new friends. Hello and welcome to you all. I hope you prove to be friends of a lifetime.<br />
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If you read this blog regularly, you know that we have moved to the beautiful country of Scotland, where we have been welcomed with open arms.<br />
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You may also be wondering, what's happening with the storytelling? I can tell you, I have picked up the computer and the third in the Leaves Series is progressing well. I hope to bring you Anna and Chloe, Angus and Seamus in their new adventure, some time in the summer.<br />
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Paddy, our jack russell, adores his new lifestyle. The countryside he finds himself in is rich in smells and friends. We see him grow in confidence daily.<br />
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I'm all ready for Christmas, and this new chapter. I wish you the blessings of the season. See you in the New Year.<br />
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<br />Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-84558134088296038322015-10-31T07:20:00.000-07:002015-10-31T07:20:59.883-07:00On my wall, the amazingly talented Kim! Today I picked up a couple of paintings that I'd had professionally framed.<br />
Do you remember when we were raising funds for Lottie to have a dance wheelchair? The amazingly talented Kim Lintern donated some of her paintings to help raise funds.<br />
When I saw these two included in the sale, I had to have them.. and today they came back to me and are on my wall..<br />
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Trying to photograph them was proving tricky, due to reflections -<br />
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So I popped them on the floor, on the patterned rug to give me contrast, then cropped the final picture..<br />
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So now you have a better idea of the beautiful work, hanging on my wall.<br />
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If you'd like to see more of Kim's art, you can visit here website <a href="http://www.kimlintern.com/"><span style="color: red;"><b>HERE</b></span></a><br />
or connect with her on Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/kimlinternart"><span style="color: purple;"><b>@kimlinternart</b></span></a><br />
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Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-73909007231401581312015-10-22T01:57:00.000-07:002015-10-22T01:57:46.656-07:00An Announcement... of which I am immensely proud.No sooner am I back on line, but I have an Announcement.<br />
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I am immensely proud of being awarded an Honorary Membership, in recognition of outstanding work in Advanced Reflexology.<br />
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This honour is in recognition of what I do for my "day job" - reflexology.<br />
The number who are awarded "Hons" is very small - and I am proud to join their company. Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-34555699392125963602015-10-21T01:58:00.000-07:002015-10-21T01:58:39.664-07:00Back online! Good morning friends!<br />
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I am back online after a month away, following our house move!<br />
We now reside in the beautiful Kingdom of Fife, Scotland.<br />
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The great outdoors is literally on our doorstep... here is our morning view, as we awake..<br />
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We've been out exploring while we were absent from our online world.. and Paddy really enjoyed it - as did we!<br />
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Around every corner, there is something new to see - and better views of the Lomond Hills to be had.<br />
The land is farm, so it's like having a living tableau to view daily. The fields were ripe when we first arrived and within a couple of days had been harvested, hence the hay bales! <br />
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It truly is a landscape painter's delight - and I am sure once the house
is straight, you'll start to see some paintings of my new locale. Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-23194558405925992362015-09-14T13:22:00.000-07:002015-09-14T13:22:33.944-07:00A new adventure beginsHello friends - it's so long since I posted and so much has been happening!<br />
Hubby has resigned from the college he used to work for - and we've been advised to start legal action against them. I'm not saying any more about that, apart from the fact that because he's free of them, we are free to follow a long cherished dream.<br />
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We are moving further into the country!<br />
We'll be surrounded by green fields and good friends. It's so exciting!<br />
Of course I'll be off line for a while whilst the technical bods do what they have to, with phone and wifi .. but as soon as I'm back, I'll share some pics.<br />
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There's one pic here, and it'll give you a taste of what we'll be enjoying.<br />
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I'm looking forward to exploring, plus getting back to grips with my third novel.<br />
See you all soon. Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-27331666132066484622015-08-13T02:31:00.000-07:002015-08-13T02:31:13.497-07:00A breath of fresh air... How would you like a breath of fresh air?<br />
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Come along with me, pictorially, to where the air is clean and the sun shone on us.<br />
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Paddy surveys the campsite and passes it as suitable!<br />
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We have hills and sea close by<br />
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We have more hills and mountains a short distance away<br />
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and cobbled streets for Paddy to explore<br />
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and the view from the top of one hill, outstanding!<br />
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We were staying at Strathkinness, near St Andrews... and what a beautiful place Fife is. I could happily live there. You know how some places grab a hold of you - well, that place did it to me! Where my father came from in Eire - and where I returned to, every summer break, as a youth- was a village in the countryside, near to the sea. This took me back there, in my mind. Beautiful scenery, lovely people. Well worth going, if you ever get the chance. <br />
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<br />Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-45814172677630642062015-07-25T01:02:00.000-07:002015-07-25T01:02:42.616-07:00A Cottage Garden I love my garden - and it is best described as a cottage garden.<br />
A friend on Twitter recently asked if I could show her some photos, so I've decided to post them here, because I can add more than one picture to this post!<br />
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The view of the patio area, the largest plant being a dwarf Robinia tree, v. Twisted Lady<br />
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A dwarf clematis after the flowers have gone<br />
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Irish Eyes, patio rose<br />
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English Lavender <br />
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Passion Flower <br />
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Mallow <br />
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Wild geranium <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftMwiq6zY4252PCdr8YZztoGyVN8XBw6CFsfRXFucAAZBMLjWHp6fpq9GKxSr4obRh0KqTEaGP96NSRPTtjAMxQpKm_MQPXCQfdiie1gCK843TVQQVm-I9b0zKgkUrYJUzOE3zJznbowT/s1600/Cottage+Garden_1_2_3_4_5_6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftMwiq6zY4252PCdr8YZztoGyVN8XBw6CFsfRXFucAAZBMLjWHp6fpq9GKxSr4obRh0KqTEaGP96NSRPTtjAMxQpKm_MQPXCQfdiie1gCK843TVQQVm-I9b0zKgkUrYJUzOE3zJznbowT/s320/Cottage+Garden_1_2_3_4_5_6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bears Breeches and a pink wild geranium <br />
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I hope you've enjoyed this little peek into my garden. Now I must get back to writing the third in my "Leaves" series of novels. If you want to read the first two, links are <a href="http://www.patelliott.co.uk/My_Books.html"><span style="color: red;"><b>HERE </b></span></a>Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-82841008910430355882015-06-28T12:30:00.000-07:002015-06-28T12:30:06.895-07:00Almost a year! It's almost a year since we adopted Paddy!<br />
We've seen him grow in confidence daily, as well as becoming a very people friendly dog.<br />
On his daily walks, we know he's enjoyed himself if he's had at least three fusses!<br />
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To celebrate this milestone, here are some Paddy pictures...<br />
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I hope you've enjoyed seeing the photos of our darling boy.<br />
Many thanks to Battersea Dogs and Cats home, for allowing us to adopt him.<br />
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Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-68132913344208909952015-06-23T01:08:00.001-07:002015-06-23T01:23:47.748-07:00Out of the Shadows, plus an update. It's been a while since I've posted, but I haven't forgotten my blog!<br />
We are currently going through a very tough time, my OH is still off work sick and his employers are still behaving as if they are brothers of Satan. Even though our Dr thinks they have caused his condition to worsen, they have decided to withdraw all of his salary from the 8th July. (He was previously on half pay). What this means for us, is we have to sell our beautiful house, because we won't have enough to cover the mortgage. It went on the market a couple of weeks ago. Because of the pain it causes us, the estate agents have been so kind - and are doing all of the viewings for us.<br />
Once we've paid the outstanding mortgage off, we'll have to try find somewhere to live with whatever's left. In the meantime, we're giving away possessions so that what we do store won't (hopefully) cost an arm and a leg, while we search for something new.<br />
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That's why there hasn't been much happening here, I'm sorry to say. Today, this will be rectified. Now you've read the horror story that is our current life - do you fancy reading a short story? <br />
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This short story <b>'Out of The Shadows'</b> goes along with a painting that you will find on my painting blog.<a href="http://patelliottpaintings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/out-of-shadows.html"> <span style="color: red;"><b>HERE</b></span></a><br />
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 120%; }p.western { font-family: "Liberation Serif","Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }p.cjk { font-family: "Droid Sans Fallback"; font-size: 12pt; }p.ctl { font-family: "FreeSans"; font-size: 12pt; }</style>
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They applaud. The noise is deafening.
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I
smile, inclining my head, known for my modesty. The glass trophy is
handed to me and I hold it aloft. A short speech, thanking my Editor,
my Publisher and the whole team of staff who help to make my
professional novel, 'Out of the Shadows'. Forgetting no-one, because
I value appreciating other human beings. Except for you. I never
acknowledge you. You're there, always, but I never reference you. You
have caused nothing but pain. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Back
at my table, I place the trophy down, the bright lights coursing
through it, throwing shadows. You're a shadow now. I try not to think
of you. My life is brighter now, immeasurably happier, yet still in
one dark corner of my mind, there is you. They say for every author,
there is a dark stain on their heart, allowing them to draw on the
pain necessary to garner sympathy for their characters. You are my
dark stain. Do you even think of me? When you see me feted in
newspapers, in magazines, do you think of me and remember the pain
you caused? The pain I still feel.</span></div>
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<div align="center" class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
*****</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">The
school bell rings. The class squeals excitedly for break. There will
be games in the playground. I am not excited, I hate sport. I prefer
reading, so I take my book and hide in the farthest corner, under the
shadow of the tree. It isn't far enough away from you. As you and
your little gang approach, fear encircles my heart. You grip my arm,
squeezing so hard that tears are forced from my eyes. 'See the little
bookworm cry!' you laugh. Your gang laugh too. For me, there is only
terror. </span>
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">'I
made you a present,' you say. 'Try it on!' There in your hand, is a
small ring of barbed wire. My eyes widen and I try to back away. One
of your cronies is behind me in a flash, gripping my shoulders so I
cannot move. 'Come on, bookworm, you know you're married to your
books. Here's your wedding ring!' </span>
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<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As you force it on my finger, the wire tears into my flesh, causing
such pain. You laugh louder. Taking the book from my hands, you tear
two pages out, ripping them to shreds and throwing them over me, as
if they were confetti. I have hated you ever since. Hated you as you
ran back to your stupid games, hated you as you kicked the football
around the quad. I dreamt of kicking your head the same way.
</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">My
teacher sees the blood, takes my hand gently in hers and leads me to
the nurse. They cut the wire ring from my finger and tend to the
wounds. Crying, I tell them that you did it because I love books.
When they shake their heads, I realise that you are deficient, not
me. The teacher gives me a free pass to the library, every breaktime.
You bother me no more. And yet, and yet, I do not escape from out of
your shadow. You are the popular one, I the bookworm. You the team
player, I the nerd. In my dreams, I see myself surrounded by people
who want to know me. In reality, that is saved for you.</span></div>
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*****</div>
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Until
today. As we leave the awards, with all the fans queuing for my
autograph, I spot you. There you are, in the queue, holding hands
with a beautiful lady. When did you become a book lover? Did love
make a reader of you? Anger is displaced by a humorous disbelief. As
you reach the front of the queue, I show no sign that I remember you.
'Name?' I enquire. You give it, searching my face for a flicker of
remembrance you will never find. I wonder if you've told your lady
friend we went to the same school, claiming a cameraderie that never
existed. Taking your copy of my book, I sign, 'Out of the Shadows, an
author emerges'. </span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I
can guarantee you'll never understand why – but I know. Oh yes, I
know... and a certain little souvenir reminds me, to this day. A
little barbed wire ring, snipped in the centre – but the shadow it
casts when it rests on a book? That's a perfect heart. Today, seeing
you, I have stepped from out of your shadow. You are nothing but the
memory of a dark stain, for me to use at will. I am an author,
beloved of many. </span></div>
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<span style="color: yellow;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">I hope you enjoyed that story - and the painting. Thanks for sticking around and asking after us. </span></i></span>
</div>
Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-38870580411026284572015-05-14T00:15:00.000-07:002015-05-14T00:15:50.519-07:00With the greatest of pleasureGood morning friends!<br />
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It gives me great pleasure to tell you that dear Lottie has reached her target in raising funds - and will soon have her lightweight wheelchair.<br />
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To everyone who bought one of my books to help the fundraising effort, a huge THANK YOU !<br />
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You have helped Lottie reclaim some of her independence and allowed her to dance again.<br />
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If you haven't read my books and you'd like to see what they're about - go <a href="http://www.patelliott.co.uk/My_Books.html"><span style="color: red;"><b>HERE </b></span></a>Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131477257378165439.post-83520629050075792782015-02-27T00:04:00.000-08:002015-02-27T00:04:56.663-08:00My books - and helping a young lady.If you have ever thought about buying one of my books - now is the time!<br />
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The reason I say that, is that until such time as her target is reached - all of my royalties will be donated to Lottie's Wheelchair Fund <a href="http://lottieswchairfund.wix.com/lottiewheelchairfund#!about/cjg9"><span style="color: red;"><b>HERE</b></span></a><br />
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There's a choice of three at the moment.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bvsPzUfzDmsoA-cTVQZeOaXPFMFoHsPCdiVswQJyCK1eS2BWAHoWC0vwRJKzyURhDbyuAJCFdXOT_500pmNBlh9VA23BNe9I_cvdBEbnfxGe1GuSUiqLjLhHGSMePdT_9mvW5ERSOVjy/s1600/ALL+IN+THE+LEAVES+small+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bvsPzUfzDmsoA-cTVQZeOaXPFMFoHsPCdiVswQJyCK1eS2BWAHoWC0vwRJKzyURhDbyuAJCFdXOT_500pmNBlh9VA23BNe9I_cvdBEbnfxGe1GuSUiqLjLhHGSMePdT_9mvW5ERSOVjy/s1600/ALL+IN+THE+LEAVES+small+size.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available in all online bookstores</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW9mttCHLN65rXnCYr5FIGh1KCRr7QpTJqGYwFnAISrl47KBJ2cIqsgJ_jOcJQHBSvxf9wDgq6sCFOt948bKMJEk_6VTzcKrcpxViCYonqw7aBb0KRzUI4alWlAIz8ik6ON0PM_JzdK8Z/s1600/LEAVES+FOR+CHLOE+180px+-+promo+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW9mttCHLN65rXnCYr5FIGh1KCRr7QpTJqGYwFnAISrl47KBJ2cIqsgJ_jOcJQHBSvxf9wDgq6sCFOt948bKMJEk_6VTzcKrcpxViCYonqw7aBb0KRzUI4alWlAIz8ik6ON0PM_JzdK8Z/s1600/LEAVES+FOR+CHLOE+180px+-+promo+small.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available in all online bookstores</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wmYrTIciOQaKQNJE_6eQKKchm664vzyJU1rIUqWKkbuzQTiI_j3WWwSrqsaER8udAn-X6Yjhgj19zZW3wYBc_6qH4rULv43AhAwvPBIhq12P11YTgWfZiQiWDym1ts-otF43VHfNmc7S/s1600/At+Sanctuarys+Gate+new+purple+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wmYrTIciOQaKQNJE_6eQKKchm664vzyJU1rIUqWKkbuzQTiI_j3WWwSrqsaER8udAn-X6Yjhgj19zZW3wYBc_6qH4rULv43AhAwvPBIhq12P11YTgWfZiQiWDym1ts-otF43VHfNmc7S/s1600/At+Sanctuarys+Gate+new+purple+for+blog.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available on Kobo's online bookstore</td></tr>
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Thank you for your support. It will make a huge difference to a young lady's life. Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01344072012837774958noreply@blogger.com1