AN 'ABOUT TIME' GIVEAWAY, 100th POST and A YEAR OF BLOGGING ..........

Well, well, well.......... would you believe it ? I have been a blogger for one whole year on Sunday.........

Oh yes .......... one whole year ..........

12 months ..........

52 weeks ..........

365 days !!!!!!!!!!

Coinciding with that, this is my 100th post ..........

Yes .......... 100th ..........

2 x 50 ..........

10 x 10 ..........

20 x 5 ..........

How's that for timing ? One whole year blogging and my 100th post on the same day !!

Can you believe it ?

I can't !!

When I clicked on that orange button that says 'publish post', one whole year ago, I never thought that I would still be blogging, one year later. I didn't think that I would ever think of enough things to post about ( although, many of you clever things out there post everyday. I don't know how you do it. I am in awe of you )

Because of this 'Blogging Birthday' of mine, I thought that it was about time that I had a little giveaway to thank all of you out there for the support and kindness that you have shown . In just one year, I have made so many wonderful friends, from all over the world.

There has been so much laughter, a little sadness and some ups and downs. Many of you share your family celebrations, achievements, disappointments, milestones and your creative talents. I have loved every moment of this ride and I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for such an amazing year.

I have won some amazing giveaways and have been given many awards.

My giveaway consists of a silver mercury glass tea light holder, two white metal hearts ('cos I 'heart' you all !!!! I know I'm being slushy but the occasion calls for it !! ) and a silver bracelet from Bali, with a hanging silver cross. It's open to everyone and will close on the 3rd of July, which is our 34th wedding anniversary .......... oh, all these coincidences are getting boring now !!.......... and, please remember that I was a child bride !! haha

.......... and, all of you men out there, please enter and, if you win you can give it to a loved one !

So, usual rules,

Comment ..........

Follow ..........

Blog about it or put it on your sidebar ..........

which means that you get loads more entries and stand more of a chance of winning.

.......... and, a special mention to Mise @ Pretty Far West . I am keeping my fingers crossed for you as, I fear that therapy might be your next step if you don't win !!!! hehe

Once again, thanks to all of you for being so lovely and letting me into your lives and for your on going friendship and loyalty.

It's been a great ride and I am looking forward to more fun and laughter with my old blogging friends and to meeting lots of new ones.

HAVE A SHINY, SILVERY WEEKEND.

P.S. For all of you that I haven't got back to yet, I promise to get to you ASAP. As you all know, it really does take such a long time to comment on everyone who comments on a post, but, bear with me.

TODAY is GREY ..........

THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S PALETTE IS A THOUSAND SHADES OF GREY .....

GREY RUFFLES .....
GREY PORCH .....

GREY LACE ..... I cannot function without this outfit....someone PLEASE find it for me !!!! .....

GREY MIRROR .....

GREY SARAH JESSICA PARKER .....

GREY TABLE .....

GREY CHAIR .....

GREY CUSHIONS .....

GREY CHANDELIER .....

GREY SPARKLES .....

GREY CUPBOARD .....

GREY LONDON .....

Beautiful shades of grey, but have a sunny bright new week.

BLOGGERS ROCK ..........

You bloggers really do rock !! I have been given more awards and won a couple more giveaways.

GIVEAWAYS

The first giveaway that I recently won was from the talented Aina @ Modern Country Aina is from Norway and, just the very mention of a Scandanavian country means that her blog is going to be beautiful ........... and, it is !! I won a stunning linen heart, filled with lavender with 'Cherish Forever' embroidered on it and made by Aina herself. A visit to her blog is a visit to beauty so please go and say hello.

My other giveaway win was from the lovely Koralee @ Bluebird Notes I think that, most people who read my blog read Koralees. It is happy, colourful and sometimes poignant and all written by the loveliest of women. Koralee is kind and gentle and I find her blog very calming. It will be another one to add to your blogroll but, I would be suprised if it wasn't already there !....... oh, and the giveaway was a Saky Sack. It's a really lovely looking bag that folds down to next to nothing and is always in my bag in case I need it.....you know, when you come across a beautiful mercury glass candlestick, a lovely picture frame or a piece of clothing that takes your fancy !....oh, and I suppose grocery shopping as well !! haha. In the unlikely event that you don't know Koralee, pop over and see her.

AWARDS

I received this award from my good friend, Luiza @ Feelings Please go and visit Luiza. She takes the most amazing photographs, really, really is the most kindest and generous person that I have ever 'met', and always has time for you.

I have to pass this on to 5 other bloggers and I am giving it to :

Rachel @ A little bit vintage

Mara @ Home Shabby Home

Flaviana @ Maison des Lilas

Zaira @ Little Emma English Home

Federica @ Sweet as a candy

My lovely friend Anne @ Decor Naturel awarded me the 101 Award. I have to write 10 things about me but, I have done this a few times and am running out of interesting things about me !! I will have a think and do this one a little later if that's O.K Anne............ by the way, Anne's blog is not to be missed, either. She writes from the heart and shows us her beautiful garden and home.

The above award was given to me by the lovely and naughty Maggie @ The White Farmhouse

This one involves telling and showing 5 sexy men that tickle my fancy !! That deserves a complete post all of it's own, so watch this space !! I am going to pass this one on and will do that when I do mine.

I was then given the above by the wonderful Lori @ Wildflowers and Rachel @ A little bit vintage. Lori is just the kindest and loveliest and you must have a look at her blog. Full of beautiful images and lovely stories of her day to day life and Rachel has just had a new baby and I mean JUST, and yet she is still making things and blogging !! I don't think that I was half as industrious as Rachel when I had my children !!

..........and last but by no means least, The Versatile Blogger Award from Mara @ Home Shabby Home. Another beautiful blog that you must visit. Mara lives in Italy, my other favourite country, and her blog is full of inspiration and wonderful things.

I was also tagged by Zaira @ Little Emma English Home to write about my 7th follower and will do that ASAP.

I think that , on reading this, you all realise how rubbish I am at doing all that is asked of me, as far as awards go !!!! I will try to do better in the future and I am on my knees begging for forgiveness for being so late in thanking you all.

So.....many, many thanks to all of you. I am flattered and grateful . Every giveaway that I win always has a place in my home and, when I look at them, I think of the person that sent them to me. Each award is humbly accepted and placed on my blog with pride. I will do all of the things asked of me as far as the awards are concerned and pass the awards along soon.

Wishing you all a happy weekend, filled with sunshine.

THE QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLISH AFTERNOON TEA ..........

Hertford has been the county town of Hertfordshire since Saxon times, and is 10 minutes away from where I live.

The town of Meryton in the Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice, is thought to have been

based on Hertford.

The town centre still follows the medieval layout, with many timber framed buildings. The first mention of the town was in 673 AD. By the time of the Domesday Book, Hertford had 2 churches, 2 markets and 3 mills.
The Parliament of England temporarily moved to Hertford during the Great Plague of London in 1665.That is why the square in the town is called Parliament Square.

..... but, it is also very up to date with some lovely restaurants. This one is Cafe Rouge, Although they are a chain of restaurants, it is like you are in the depths of France when you eat or have a
drink there.

I think that the above looks very French.

This is a really lovely florist in Hertford. Their displays are very rustic with old wooden boxes,

vintage terracotta pots and many rusty items.

Farrow and Farrow is a delicatessen filled with delicious Venison, Rabbit and Kidney and Guinness pies ( I just hope that Sweeney Todd isn't lurking around there somewhere !! ) They also sell Braughing sausages, made in the local village of Braughing, and very famous in sausage circles !!

Can you see those gi-normous meringues ? !!

Now, just past the doctor's surgery, which looks very similar to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's house, Number 11 Downing Street, London, don't ya think ?.............

...... then, turn left into a little 'Jack the Ripper' alleyway, and there before you is a delightful Tea Room and garden.

Once inside, it's like being in someones Victorian parlor. Tables laid with snowy white tablecloths, beautiful china, sofas around a cast iron fireplace, old fashioned high chairs, dressers and
overmantles.

After partaking in tea, sandwiches and cake, a little stroll along the river was called for.

Over the bridge ..........

.......... and pass the weir. How delightfully English it all was ..... BUT THEN, look what greeted us on our way back to the car.......... and, I promise you all that this was absolutely true. It's a bit out of focus, as I took it quickly because I didn't want him to see me !! ..........

WHAT A WONDERFUL SIGHT TO BEHOLD !!!!!!

I just hope that it hasn't put any of you off of your breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and continued support.

Have a lovely weekend and make sure that your trousers fit properly and there is no builders bum on show !!!! haha