SHOW & TELL - Friday

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When I go to a very warm country, instead of wearing a hat or a cap, I learned to wear a scarf. I learned it from Egyptian and Moroccan Berbers living in the desert. It protects you from sand and wind and in the city also from dust.



Meanwhile I own 3, here presented by my model Arthur. As he was modelling while sleeping, I didn't have to pay.




and you see how it has to be twisted around your head and knotted or just fixed in the neck.



It is much nicer to wear and even if it's very windy it stays on your head and you don't have to run behind a cap or a hat.



It also serves against the sun in the swimming pool and to pose for nice pictures in front of historical buildings. (In this case it wasn't fixed).

SHOW & TELL FRIDAY

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15 years ago, we bought two sofas for our living room. They are very comfortable, and I didn't want to buy a new pair only because the Alcantara fabric looked dirty and the beige had become dark. There also were spots from drinking and eating. I had tried to clean it but the result was not at all as I wanted.

To get the two sofas covered with new fabric, costs a fortune and it is almost cheaper to buy new once. I didn't want to spend money on sofas but keep it rather for my vacation's piggy bank. One day I had a bright idea. I thought if I choose fabric and have it cut in 6 pieces and cover the seats with that it certainly would look nice.

Immediately I went to a fabric store to realize my idea, choose a fabric, gave the mesures and asked for the price of 6 finished pieces. When I heard the price I almost fainted they wanted 200 € (267 $) the fabric I choose was quiet expensive ! I had to find another solution. The following sunday I went to the big market in Brussels and bought a wonderful fabric of the same quality for only 20 €. As I can't sew at all a friend cut it into 6 pieces and my friend Ilona who is an excellent tailor, sew me the whole thing. And here is the result. I am very proud, it indeed looks like new !



Front



Back



and the whole thing together

SHOW & TELL

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If you want to use your open fire in Belgium, you have to have the chimney cleaned once a year by an official chimney sweeper who gives you then a certificate that the chimney is clean. Otherwise in case of fire the fire insurance wouldn't pay.

I don't know why I only thought about our open fire in March, had it cleaned







and now we enjoy it again, i.e I enjoy it, Mr. G has his eyes glued on the TV screen !

SHOW & TELL

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Since I came back from my 2 weeks sunshine vacation in Egypt end November, the weather had been awful here. Just a weather to hang yourself. Rain, cold, colder, coldest snow, glaze etc, and it is still not finished which makes now 4 months ! The days where it was nice and the sun was shining I can probably count on my fingers. To keep me in a good mood and avoid to look outside I created a little "happiness corner" which when I look at it makes me feel good, creative and happy for the day.



and here it is.

Cats, a laughing Buddha with happy kids climbing over him who is very kitsch but makes me laugh, fake sunflowers, a yellow cat candle, a little fountain which is supposed to be "Feng Shui "(whatever that is, but very in fashion nowadays) and a special lamp which is made for light therapy. It was created in the Scandinavian countries where daylight in winter lasts sometimes only two or three hours and makes people depressive.



Here are the little things in detail. I had to switch off the pump of the fountain, because the noise got on my nerves. Now it sits there without running water.



besides the dresser which contains linen and jewlery is a posh cat hanging at the lamp.



very posh !


the lamp has several colors which you can set following your needs or mood. From night club red light to sunny spring days, the lamp does everything !



I don't remember what I wanted here.

This way I made it through winter and am looking forward to spring now. It's nice to be retired and a little crazy, but only a little. Now it is allowed, for years I had to be serious !

SHOW & TELL

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Again out of my vitrine I show you these little things.



In 1989 we all went with my aunt and uncle who lived in Madison/Wisc by car to Florida and of course stopped in Memphis to visit Graceland. It was an important event to me and very interesting to see where Elvis had lived. I was a little disappointed about his size when I saw his stage costumes, I thought he was much taller !

I bought these little souvenirs. They are small and not so big as they look on the picture.



And these little cupper items are from my doll house, they are very tiny as you can see.

My doll house was handmade by a carpenter in exchange of sweaters, cardigans and baby stuff, my mother knitted for his kids. At that time people in Germany made exchanges because they had no money. It was in 1947. I still have my doll house, but it sits in the attic and I haven't seen it for at least 40 years.

SHOW & TELL

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My first post this year ! It's strange to write 2010 for 9 years we had to write two zeros and now only one !

I will show you some of the Christmas presents I have got



This was the living room before the gift battle started ! We celebrated in Malmedy (Belgian Ardennes) in an old farmhouse.






and then the unwrapping



Of course I got cats ! The little black one bends in all directions. The beautiful handpainted vase was originally a toilet water sprayer, but I took of the top and put a rose in as I don't use any eau de toilet. It looks very pretty in my room.



The cat face is to put on your luggage with your home adress ! that really came on purpose. I also got this beautiful plate with the two cats sleeping in a ying yang position.



My ears will shine now with these earrings, one in coral and the other with turquoise and zircons. A brooch and a special real rose which doesn't need any water ! Strange, I will see. So far it still looks very fresh.



and here is the battle field after we all had unwrapped our gifts. Dog Jersey is exhausted !





but there are still sweets to eat and wine to drink !

******

31 morning


31 night


1st January morning

I got this per email this morning ! I hope it's not your case today !

SHOW & TELL - My Christmas Decoration

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This week it was very easy to find something at least to show ! I finally attacked the yearly Christmas decoration. This year I rather sulked the Christmas fathers, I am in an angel period !

After a couple of hours under the watchful eyes of cat Rosie it was finally accomplished !



When you enter our living room you have this view. The advent wreath which is not a wreath but has the 4 obligatory candles to light one each sunday before Christmas.



and to the left



more detailed collage of what is on the table



the TV corner



Our (mini) Christmas tree. We used to have a big one from floor to ceiling, but as we not celebrate in our home since a few years, the little one is enough.



the dining table and corner, and Rosie sitting in the mess before I started

SHOW & TELL

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When I have to buy something I note it down on little slips which then I misplace and don't find them anymore. So when I saw this little noteboard I bought it immediately.



It hangs on our fridge and now I know that I have to call the window cleaner (if I don't forget)



Mr. G had the same idea the same day (that's what 40 years of marriage are for) and bought this. A less little practical, but cute.



he also bought this door protector against drafts. We don't have any, but that doesn't matter it also looks cute. Arthur's bottom is also in the picture.



The teacher of our painting group was in Spain and brought me this cute little cat from Barcelona. She is the first teacher in my life who has brought me a gift. All the others put me rather out of the classdoor. (when I was a child of course)

SHOW & TELL

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Some of you know that I am actually in Italy at the Garda Lake. As the weather is not so nice, I was happy to find a nice "office" with Internet connection just in front of our appartment in a camping. There is a nice bar surrounded with flowers and palm trees, where I can sit, write and chat !

Here is the view from outside





The entrance


the terrace with tables


and myself with my "Ordino" which means little computer in Italian. It is really very practical for travelling.

Yesterday we went to Venice and also to Murano which is famous for its glass blowing. Of course I will show pictures of it later when I am home again.





Meanwhile I show you what I bought. A mom cat with 3 kittens in Murano glass. It's very cute !

******

I heard about Michael Jacksons death this morning.
He was a great artist. I saw him life together with my son in 1988 in Brussels.
I am really sad that he died so young.