tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28588716552255120332024-03-18T12:58:37.124-07:00Val Burgess CollageValerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-89168138061385402322012-09-06T05:15:00.002-07:002012-09-13T13:42:37.556-07:00<br />
THE MATURE HERB GARDEN'S BOUNTY<br />
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Summer's Harvest<br />
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When we moved into our detached town home with a "postage size stamp lot" compared to the 2.5 acres we had in Virginia, we requested permission from the association for a small vegetable garden.<br />
Each year since we have managed to raise in MN's short season tomatoes, green beans, melons, shallots, carrots, etc. This year we decided to convert the small space into an herb garden. We went on a hunt for varieties that are not just your run of the mill nursery offerings. We were fortunate and found scented geraniums, savory, stevia, lemon verbena, marjoram and the standards of basil, flat and curly parsley, oregano, dill and rosemary. These we added to our already existing perennials of chives, tarragon, lavender and sorrel. In an earlier post, there are photos of the young nursery finds just planted.<br />
As August approached and there had been substantial growth, I started to plan to preserve the herbs. In years past I have made herbal olive oils, vinegars, pesto, herbal seasoning blends and butter mixtures.<br />
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Years ago on a visit to Jefferson's home, Monticello I purchased a small herb book "The Herbal Pantry". At the time the book sold for $18.00 and I hemmed and hawed about the price. I asked why so much for such a small book? The clerk answered that "everyone loves the book". Making that purchase has given me season after season of sheer delight. It is by and away my favorite preserving book. There is no end to the many varieties of cordials, jams, oils, vinegars, seasoning mixes, butters and on and on that one can make.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M6QaJkWbHqLhd7QrideCufffoh46rdtPmd6QeQIYdWLo7DfuzOdxABR4VJzUxjaX8w3iypAbl5j82BPwaqbToakT-LTXVnQZwb7tnRE4wJR-CfwmqC-H9j6X2Nw0OqdRItBvv2g3pzc/s1600/DSC_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M6QaJkWbHqLhd7QrideCufffoh46rdtPmd6QeQIYdWLo7DfuzOdxABR4VJzUxjaX8w3iypAbl5j82BPwaqbToakT-LTXVnQZwb7tnRE4wJR-CfwmqC-H9j6X2Nw0OqdRItBvv2g3pzc/s320/DSC_0991.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sage curly, parsley basil and stevia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdugyOCbtiQJYuaM9dW_lfY6uv0fxUeKOJVgK-t0Wq2CcsK5XFQtmO_T-1UU5g6Yx2ZbX0wmk3B4evuPr7uD7x_PTG5FaupU67T2FhXas9eDj7gj_qhtpEngq6cMv4hprZIVveMsYypg/s1600/DSC_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdugyOCbtiQJYuaM9dW_lfY6uv0fxUeKOJVgK-t0Wq2CcsK5XFQtmO_T-1UU5g6Yx2ZbX0wmk3B4evuPr7uD7x_PTG5FaupU67T2FhXas9eDj7gj_qhtpEngq6cMv4hprZIVveMsYypg/s320/DSC_0988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scented geraniums in pots along with prostrate rosemary I have manged to winter over in the pot for three years now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl2O3YD-mM0chv0vFCHu4yi1JvAO1kPTcOJqxMMjAh4jsqaJjWgvqTL_6PP3LdH_8PnCjwYg2d8K0HmtgIenBk8Jr1Kik5rGb1Am4-bwpNKWu0jranbeRK2tilgSSS8cgFSBtsaqzY6U/s1600/DSC_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl2O3YD-mM0chv0vFCHu4yi1JvAO1kPTcOJqxMMjAh4jsqaJjWgvqTL_6PP3LdH_8PnCjwYg2d8K0HmtgIenBk8Jr1Kik5rGb1Am4-bwpNKWu0jranbeRK2tilgSSS8cgFSBtsaqzY6U/s320/DSC_0990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French melons, small but oh!!! so sweet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhkSblzE1OO4SX08ujl1RFqmfFs69clkIHYfnjxmWJdZ1pu1JRuV_UIJXuH1pyina8eoOq1Dd6JPHXtR6Q8WKH32_3Vg9AuDMGqcJQ_zPGPkV7mDM-UPF0fjel1-QOjPXvvMekdICGco/s1600/DSC_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhkSblzE1OO4SX08ujl1RFqmfFs69clkIHYfnjxmWJdZ1pu1JRuV_UIJXuH1pyina8eoOq1Dd6JPHXtR6Q8WKH32_3Vg9AuDMGqcJQ_zPGPkV7mDM-UPF0fjel1-QOjPXvvMekdICGco/s320/DSC_0992.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our one and only pumpkin</td></tr>
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So here in the photos I have captured the mature garden, the drying and cleaning process. Sterile antique Ball jars line my kitchen table ready to be filled with each dried herb. This year I have decided to keep each dried herb separate without making seasoning blends. I have made herbal sugars with the scented geraniums and lavender. These will stand ready all winter for baking scones, muffins and cakes. Added to hot cereals and fresh fruit is just a delight too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZqGTCwD8h03f5l25oVnlQTGeFxtV_oAYkpqRzlIhk3uSsFI_KyS_83BF3au3gr364DIQxz5OejAQ0Zlh5B9PMS3_4Vg236j-edw9VxrzPT2DriSWv3mAzPtrVJ9T8DP5TTiybQXq2tE/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZqGTCwD8h03f5l25oVnlQTGeFxtV_oAYkpqRzlIhk3uSsFI_KyS_83BF3au3gr364DIQxz5OejAQ0Zlh5B9PMS3_4Vg236j-edw9VxrzPT2DriSWv3mAzPtrVJ9T8DP5TTiybQXq2tE/s320/DSC_0129.JPG" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary and savory tied to the drying rack</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2lxCXp2O4WxDfatNtYT-MQzg3W-DacpBFPp1sYw002rrutADZt6MEWwE6cY1eCtVOj9SkyGHuvSCqbw1RgndYWzEaOaaVRFYIL1UM09CyjO19mPi7S6_WETjFPkm5EJZKWErblkRs5o/s1600/DSC_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2lxCXp2O4WxDfatNtYT-MQzg3W-DacpBFPp1sYw002rrutADZt6MEWwE6cY1eCtVOj9SkyGHuvSCqbw1RgndYWzEaOaaVRFYIL1UM09CyjO19mPi7S6_WETjFPkm5EJZKWErblkRs5o/s320/DSC_0982.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarragon. It grows like a bush here. Never had any success in VA because of the humidity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhPuRz0mBQeImodtr_eIs0OJRXLAULZ9V1dhzL2Pb20Gfxg8598AAMuV1yCCtMVQzviy1kAihQMKI8sOVgxDeTtE1WFR53-FPOS0NMkg6xkoq_NbICAxDU6pWsgLlUO6w5uuERL_0TC0/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhPuRz0mBQeImodtr_eIs0OJRXLAULZ9V1dhzL2Pb20Gfxg8598AAMuV1yCCtMVQzviy1kAihQMKI8sOVgxDeTtE1WFR53-FPOS0NMkg6xkoq_NbICAxDU6pWsgLlUO6w5uuERL_0TC0/s320/DSC_0128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thyme drying on my baking cooling rack which lets the air circulate underneath</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrlQJuuojJbj1COLXExZKoA61QeBtyzyfZre-5ngFGOMi6lJabAW3OnnkYVUnsPSPj4kuvHCAF16Aet4nOb7D3tPc2UVttlKuKaZ_MpRme4j7iEm0vHMUVDhbiG9C0M1aUOjzR2CgXE8/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrlQJuuojJbj1COLXExZKoA61QeBtyzyfZre-5ngFGOMi6lJabAW3OnnkYVUnsPSPj4kuvHCAF16Aet4nOb7D3tPc2UVttlKuKaZ_MpRme4j7iEm0vHMUVDhbiG9C0M1aUOjzR2CgXE8/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sifting out the stems with my antique sifter. I sit on the covered front porch and then just sweep away that which does not make the bowl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjMNd-mJaK-jvEqt4ZobpTFn4domITJh2Jn1Uc21eZ7MENX4po4iygH1Pl0xUZXmkTouK0IpB-CciSGDcvZTbOpwr0gcipFks3znSxfkvGAHV9-r3kl_Lvy6-XdpKaDqSc9ejXjuCw78/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjMNd-mJaK-jvEqt4ZobpTFn4domITJh2Jn1Uc21eZ7MENX4po4iygH1Pl0xUZXmkTouK0IpB-CciSGDcvZTbOpwr0gcipFks3znSxfkvGAHV9-r3kl_Lvy6-XdpKaDqSc9ejXjuCw78/s320/DSC_0142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique Ball jars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkEkzVQOL9vh2Qk7bEHLABK0yYDf5bycqBFJQrosIkvCsF552gvYRd65ekjuBEU0PdvdjZ6-sGPghA0J7me_8kxE6VOOEj1MHvAxJZfACh-7JtmRbeIwjYprR15q_7WUvbX7LMY2zuwU/s1600/DSC_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkEkzVQOL9vh2Qk7bEHLABK0yYDf5bycqBFJQrosIkvCsF552gvYRd65ekjuBEU0PdvdjZ6-sGPghA0J7me_8kxE6VOOEj1MHvAxJZfACh-7JtmRbeIwjYprR15q_7WUvbX7LMY2zuwU/s320/DSC_0140.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my copy of the The Herbal Pantry by Emilie Tolley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZA0pN1lPyGO1-3V-4m2RbJ8YVf-CLp87DbXBGMflewHMIvFNnQSR7-sEtfIgEhP0Ju6WGeSltQEKEIN8F9ISGl4srUjtkXi8nn4tnqJbZDvwi3Wh-_TzT8TsK2F9C-ER7Cp0e9MQyDM/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZA0pN1lPyGO1-3V-4m2RbJ8YVf-CLp87DbXBGMflewHMIvFNnQSR7-sEtfIgEhP0Ju6WGeSltQEKEIN8F9ISGl4srUjtkXi8nn4tnqJbZDvwi3Wh-_TzT8TsK2F9C-ER7Cp0e9MQyDM/s320/DSC_0141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried tarragon </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK-3j0DjVR8_1-wugWKGpz9DkZcN-hg7Oe4y_OlZW_odvEEw4p9eEv6Sd5aKfb3kDEaJ9NQ6BEuxB7uri_HxjUvnLhlJUjFtmFWXKVTleV8CM_3-tLLFU5UE28jJ341X06nlR1A0-9r8/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK-3j0DjVR8_1-wugWKGpz9DkZcN-hg7Oe4y_OlZW_odvEEw4p9eEv6Sd5aKfb3kDEaJ9NQ6BEuxB7uri_HxjUvnLhlJUjFtmFWXKVTleV8CM_3-tLLFU5UE28jJ341X06nlR1A0-9r8/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scented sugars with scented geranium leaves and lavender.<br />
I have citrus, rose lemon and orange scented geraniums</td></tr>
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<br />Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-30168817341304765392012-07-20T05:54:00.003-07:002012-08-05T19:37:32.643-07:00Memorable Birthday Gift. My Publication Arrived on July 19thA few months back I saw a call for artistic submissions to Creating Vintage Charm Magazine. In keeping with my NewYears list of things I would like to accomplish: Create a blog, try to get published, get accepted to a juried craft show…, I took the opportunity to make a submission.<br />
I was overjoyed when I was notified of my acceptance. Then came what seemed like an interminable wait for the magazine to be published. I checked in May and again in June. As the summer solstice approached, I thought well now it is officially summer the issue must be out.. Not yet. Well, about a week ago when I checked, voila! I immediately ordered my copy.<br />
July19th is my birthday. My husband Joe brought in the mail and said, "you have another present". It was my copy of the magazine!!!! This is my first publication and I was so overjoyed to see my artistic creation in print!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ghNIXYcVTyWCQWuLYZW72YbDC3eGC7-Gblr8s3UtUV3-4P8KELBNIyT8NeOkdTs-NjeWpJtq12OznxahtVDB_rIVrF5sTuo9RMGatU7e2CEtLdMwojSj0OXLncVIjd1HUbQJGYfa4r8/s1600/CreatingVintageCharmCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ghNIXYcVTyWCQWuLYZW72YbDC3eGC7-Gblr8s3UtUV3-4P8KELBNIyT8NeOkdTs-NjeWpJtq12OznxahtVDB_rIVrF5sTuo9RMGatU7e2CEtLdMwojSj0OXLncVIjd1HUbQJGYfa4r8/s400/CreatingVintageCharmCover.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See my "Vitorian Bathing Girls Summer Banner" here in the summer 2012 issue of Creating Vintage Charm Magazine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kjgEkfpMvK55kyb1DK4-78Cz9YZNvPP8PI1T7hDSdEDcpkxDR9w_Q0Jc7Y9MndDC4kqRLjHNUfN74HE-jnWpcV_-wbQcrz-N3oYinK2r_1OchL7zCG57zcXkg7lIkrEw5534zvl0NAs/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kjgEkfpMvK55kyb1DK4-78Cz9YZNvPP8PI1T7hDSdEDcpkxDR9w_Q0Jc7Y9MndDC4kqRLjHNUfN74HE-jnWpcV_-wbQcrz-N3oYinK2r_1OchL7zCG57zcXkg7lIkrEw5534zvl0NAs/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VICTORIAN BATHING GIRSLS SUMMMER BANNER, By Valerie Burgess</td></tr>
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Please visit my Shop for my currently available creations at: www.valburgesscollgae.etsy.com<br />
http://www.etsy.com/shop/valburgesscollageValerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-17057877293800712852012-07-16T19:22:00.001-07:002012-08-05T19:34:42.619-07:00IN CELEBRATION OF HERBSThis year we decided to expand the herb garden rather than to plant vegetables.<br />
I decided to do a little entertaining in the month of June. I put aside other interests, gave the house a good cleaning and invited a few friends over for two consecutive weekends. With the herb garden putting on some nice growth, I perused through some of my favorite herb books to plan the menu. Being summer I opted for a cold plate presentation.<br />
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I decided on a favorite chicken salad recipe from Martha Stewart. She is great for entertaining, as her recipes are ample.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMhwISKuSJY2vbgDv5Iq584TOPOM_iJYrQVvCemGvmd0fcmEF6kzbKA9QSlPdLg7ExOE7c1dlxDtibK197U4NPiU6CBm2WvK_50F2c-NFaNs0Jwapozb0Fd8Cn9KBDw9vxsAw8UYi4PQ/s1600/P1050932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMhwISKuSJY2vbgDv5Iq584TOPOM_iJYrQVvCemGvmd0fcmEF6kzbKA9QSlPdLg7ExOE7c1dlxDtibK197U4NPiU6CBm2WvK_50F2c-NFaNs0Jwapozb0Fd8Cn9KBDw9vxsAw8UYi4PQ/s320/P1050932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chicken salad was layered upon a bed of cucumber slices uniformly sliced with the mandoline on croissants.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsflkjaHUV5UsmqekhPFct9XYYfA5-XhPd4SDk_Uvmr8ou4vZPZ9RCDzBA3h7-AOeMWzZxZPj69b2aJ69JWPfavo2FupBeFXSCFXdlem_MATjT6UMtVR_PAwxFWPD-V3SESKoik_pU4A4/s1600/P1050922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsflkjaHUV5UsmqekhPFct9XYYfA5-XhPd4SDk_Uvmr8ou4vZPZ9RCDzBA3h7-AOeMWzZxZPj69b2aJ69JWPfavo2FupBeFXSCFXdlem_MATjT6UMtVR_PAwxFWPD-V3SESKoik_pU4A4/s320/P1050922.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two and a half pounds of chicken breasts were laid on a bed of parsley, thyme and bay leaves.<br />
They were then roasted, cooled and shredded.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUlDWNCqcl96-6f18MU2_L3iuhtIPClpu50JfuICc-L1QW40ROK_wte33sM5E3GzfBjZDMek9u3Ji6t2lTlzjpGrkZ7j4her-yjs2KH8VSW83wbyZZqAsok3HwRIBpaz_lMldZg9HCQI/s1600/P1050924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUlDWNCqcl96-6f18MU2_L3iuhtIPClpu50JfuICc-L1QW40ROK_wte33sM5E3GzfBjZDMek9u3Ji6t2lTlzjpGrkZ7j4her-yjs2KH8VSW83wbyZZqAsok3HwRIBpaz_lMldZg9HCQI/s320/P1050924.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I then made a homemade mayonnaise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMUJvM-U5oGhJod4owOY241Bjjwt9BH1lLsRuMcC5v7YyKQGnxbo8T3kMH8Z3TiTP6IrVO8H05pI_YrsgxywMAda_eMA0Sdup3u09hyphenhyphenbgv5ZeEnVJZG08b36nS0MKqW10QkMYyXh6yQ4/s1600/P1050926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMUJvM-U5oGhJod4owOY241Bjjwt9BH1lLsRuMcC5v7YyKQGnxbo8T3kMH8Z3TiTP6IrVO8H05pI_YrsgxywMAda_eMA0Sdup3u09hyphenhyphenbgv5ZeEnVJZG08b36nS0MKqW10QkMYyXh6yQ4/s320/P1050926.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In keeping with the herbal celebration theme, I added fresh spinach, watercress, chives and freshly squeezed lemon juice to the mayonnaise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYsRrkhmd6Qy0_gL_oCepmJ6mSmjGjDCfk9wtSpllf6QQNAnmMUBN9GCPJz3PvN8tbfa602r9C5qOy8R0HJEPt5srtiU3fnk0CAvBFMRTdUDcg0riSErlUGzcqjzYZCLPw2nXmZMHGQc/s1600/P1050927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYsRrkhmd6Qy0_gL_oCepmJ6mSmjGjDCfk9wtSpllf6QQNAnmMUBN9GCPJz3PvN8tbfa602r9C5qOy8R0HJEPt5srtiU3fnk0CAvBFMRTdUDcg0riSErlUGzcqjzYZCLPw2nXmZMHGQc/s320/P1050927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mayonnaise was added to the chicken salad and chilled overnight to let the flavors marry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzM3NqoKwszgzy_bqGWvTa6SqCrOkWbz5OJ8s6wgiZJQ938wrz4AAt1e2Igs7hmEr9568ttM_u9W1OQIFBbkLVdiJSCNaKGAbl0-MrFIhnRxO8Y2FHh7Ts6dt2ubg7RCseT3pHj7dOL4/s1600/P1050928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzM3NqoKwszgzy_bqGWvTa6SqCrOkWbz5OJ8s6wgiZJQ938wrz4AAt1e2Igs7hmEr9568ttM_u9W1OQIFBbkLVdiJSCNaKGAbl0-MrFIhnRxO8Y2FHh7Ts6dt2ubg7RCseT3pHj7dOL4/s320/P1050928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next in the preparation was a homemade lemon cake. This recipe comes form one of my very favorite herb books by<br />
Emellie Tolley<br />
Lemon verbena was steeped in milk and added to both the cake and the icing recipe.<br />
Citrus geranium leaves were layered on the bottom of the cake pan which are visible above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D9cTLdVWsZcaG3ceoKez6xRPyggWbBrZkUy_ad8mXefo7D0ig_Asvqvjmw703drAUrOOtkmUlnNKy0qq2d8Lwc_P9TvyFRQUuyJcsTMGJ-nknL44d5HF-H7OHGC_StdJJ1daLi-A-kE/s1600/P1050930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D9cTLdVWsZcaG3ceoKez6xRPyggWbBrZkUy_ad8mXefo7D0ig_Asvqvjmw703drAUrOOtkmUlnNKy0qq2d8Lwc_P9TvyFRQUuyJcsTMGJ-nknL44d5HF-H7OHGC_StdJJ1daLi-A-kE/s320/P1050930.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple decoration of fresh lavender buds and bee-balm decorated the cake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkka92DBDMKD4BbDkoHB5cYb9IVLskrE0j7zMTkwPgGEaIvJq2M4m2r8_-aqGEvtZBZJTHPD_KHZCy2G4bphz6ky0pyMEl41jFKwnmVtvGoWy-byMAzGenIVzD9XpesI25qTDlMSFh8sk/s1600/P1050933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkka92DBDMKD4BbDkoHB5cYb9IVLskrE0j7zMTkwPgGEaIvJq2M4m2r8_-aqGEvtZBZJTHPD_KHZCy2G4bphz6ky0pyMEl41jFKwnmVtvGoWy-byMAzGenIVzD9XpesI25qTDlMSFh8sk/s320/P1050933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberries freshly picked form the garden in the morning were mixed with fresh mango and dressed with a light dusting of turbinado sugar and peach brandy.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UjB-GXV7xvTxJyDjgFyLi7UGer1nZgv3n1YkVeg6w0EmxOoRdwcvsfMhVOam6BN3y34fvGdHdmxt0esNxFQHlbkZ2aAMNnU3K4-RIg_gHf1LC0OoSlnF-C53l9uII1O0JG25nAd3BE0/s1600/P1050934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UjB-GXV7xvTxJyDjgFyLi7UGer1nZgv3n1YkVeg6w0EmxOoRdwcvsfMhVOam6BN3y34fvGdHdmxt0esNxFQHlbkZ2aAMNnU3K4-RIg_gHf1LC0OoSlnF-C53l9uII1O0JG25nAd3BE0/s320/P1050934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTtKeQuap6udHpPiDN7dKGrulvHYrQzDbTQ5OPTsGgGsp4X9wJXM-oYrjxb2fQzZUwrubsu2CtT_evpFghqyE6HGRnLXU8bvXDlEBhUyFgUFwIJjDvLEEWApYCLFaoww4SIE7pxJQcoQ/s1600/P1050936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTtKeQuap6udHpPiDN7dKGrulvHYrQzDbTQ5OPTsGgGsp4X9wJXM-oYrjxb2fQzZUwrubsu2CtT_evpFghqyE6HGRnLXU8bvXDlEBhUyFgUFwIJjDvLEEWApYCLFaoww4SIE7pxJQcoQ/s320/P1050936.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking through one of my southern table decorating books , I got the inspiration to use a set of Villeroy & Bock dishes that I purchased from the factory in Germany. The pattern is colorfully decorated with a lively jungle managerie of monkeys, leopards and toucans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjTcxsgnmdlnba-HeTh5U-eXLXP0GlaUhoDZb_WlJ2mxS1BP5Hu4UQLKwqbaYFapv2uI74_IsQMhcogBKS2H2cEL2LvZ6L_knyHFn14AUzcW33Fuu9I9i587Hzb_1dabSXBB8gylAAlc/s1600/P1050938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjTcxsgnmdlnba-HeTh5U-eXLXP0GlaUhoDZb_WlJ2mxS1BP5Hu4UQLKwqbaYFapv2uI74_IsQMhcogBKS2H2cEL2LvZ6L_knyHFn14AUzcW33Fuu9I9i587Hzb_1dabSXBB8gylAAlc/s320/P1050938.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drink station was set up for lemon water and iced teas spiked with fresh mint.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkj3TBmkMQZgVrrmTdd2lnam2ZvMWW5RgMGl4jVnRBfnt4gSn164i4P633k1jJBjcKS5RBqSQQgWjYbqMv1Xd5C-PWmIffYQegUNg9qWGwlQCkPYUNSRd__O8zP4j9dXKeJvVjYj2XxM/s1600/P1050940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkj3TBmkMQZgVrrmTdd2lnam2ZvMWW5RgMGl4jVnRBfnt4gSn164i4P633k1jJBjcKS5RBqSQQgWjYbqMv1Xd5C-PWmIffYQegUNg9qWGwlQCkPYUNSRd__O8zP4j9dXKeJvVjYj2XxM/s320/P1050940.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bouquet of fresh lilies just coming into bloom added color and a heavenly scent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxbxGh-w5HzpGgFSpev4yvgWQI8V25yEerotixtKavolig4FE5De6jDwdELKuPNHFsHe_H2AnlURRyBjloB8TICqMnNZ6mtMOxhVgLUuXdXv9S6bMbX7sPWGbZPUid_X7rf5LQlaZj_Q/s1600/P1050941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxbxGh-w5HzpGgFSpev4yvgWQI8V25yEerotixtKavolig4FE5De6jDwdELKuPNHFsHe_H2AnlURRyBjloB8TICqMnNZ6mtMOxhVgLUuXdXv9S6bMbX7sPWGbZPUid_X7rf5LQlaZj_Q/s320/P1050941.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lovely lady guests Karen and Mitzi of whom I made their acquaintance through St.Anne's , our church.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpc_dTil9T50B9c8gM7n50880orE4orIBJjwDl3nyoTvPjdWmuA8hbcj2P5VtYmsZWfHPbaY16aff1_8ZazFZDBrnuvLCXcrWv6aj87R1BaZ54HyQmr1mrEzn0S6IHpm5N1mDpt3S2Wo/s1600/P1050942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpc_dTil9T50B9c8gM7n50880orE4orIBJjwDl3nyoTvPjdWmuA8hbcj2P5VtYmsZWfHPbaY16aff1_8ZazFZDBrnuvLCXcrWv6aj87R1BaZ54HyQmr1mrEzn0S6IHpm5N1mDpt3S2Wo/s320/P1050942.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen and I<br />
Where there is food there will be our dog Monique.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXO5VMSgTAlHp_Rnol31PGjiG7w4L5tvez4eSlfTctBp_qGqspLpCYviVVGja_8LZvCSYWf6A-3g0-pQQ3M0L_jzUso3uQqsj7AmEiBzS_RlpFZti9oX1kxuTas39ChLhotNmf2xJXsdw/s1600/P1050945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXO5VMSgTAlHp_Rnol31PGjiG7w4L5tvez4eSlfTctBp_qGqspLpCYviVVGja_8LZvCSYWf6A-3g0-pQQ3M0L_jzUso3uQqsj7AmEiBzS_RlpFZti9oX1kxuTas39ChLhotNmf2xJXsdw/s320/P1050945.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitzi and myself</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIhaC9N3XT8QI09xSfNgN9Y1_ZPZ_Q80dmF9U2H5z1Giq_jurDaiib7hEohAR5MBUdRKP-M_k_x2LqmnQ3KAWK7a6KwQ1juXj4hFFza4oM8M-ehv2bwmwyQxMm-KoP1LPeanGL57bv30/s1600/P1050946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIhaC9N3XT8QI09xSfNgN9Y1_ZPZ_Q80dmF9U2H5z1Giq_jurDaiib7hEohAR5MBUdRKP-M_k_x2LqmnQ3KAWK7a6KwQ1juXj4hFFza4oM8M-ehv2bwmwyQxMm-KoP1LPeanGL57bv30/s320/P1050946.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plated and ready to eat.</td></tr>
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<br />Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-5576768485557173692012-07-15T18:57:00.001-07:002012-07-15T18:57:22.116-07:00Spring at the Burgess's HomeI have fallen so far behind on the posts that I have wanted to make. We invested in a new camera and I have been taking pictures with every intention to feature them here. Well I am going to endeavor to make posts more often. Here goes some photos that go back to Spring!!!<br />
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Here is my husband, Joseph at the kitchen table. He is deservedly proud of his baking accomplishment.<br />
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Here are Joe's delicious Easter hot cross buns. He made these for St Anne's coffee hour. Those daffodils were in bloom at Easter, This is the first time that I have seen flowers in my yard in bloom in MN at Easter.<br />
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When we moved here, we gave up our 2.5 acres that we had in Virginia. After years of being in the garden club, I was determined to take this small yard and transition it into a potential cutting garden. I just love bringing in fresh flowers from the garden to make bouquets.<br />
This year the garden reached it's apogee of bloom on May27th when I shot all of the these photos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely clamatis is on the side of the house</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was so delighted to find a southern stalwart .<br />A wisteria that can survive in zone 4.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We live on the corner. For privacy I asked joe to make this low stone wall and pergola.<br />The wisteria provides the privacy we sought.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the front door there are two climbing roses. Knowing that the yard was small I thought why not go vertical.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year we decided not to grow vegetables in our wee garden.<br />We filled the beds with herbs.<br />I love to preserve my herbs. Each year I make pesto, herbal olive oil, herbal vinegar, herbal butters and dry the herbs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Virginia we delighted in growing scented geraniums . Never could find them here in MN until this year.<br />I made a lemon flavored cake with the lemon verbena and citrus geraniums leaves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is our dog, Monique. She is a Petite Basset Griffon Vendee (PBGV)<br />She is in the scent hound group. Originally a rabbit hunting dog. However, because of the rabbits (which she shows no inclination to hunt) we now are growing herbs rather than vegetables.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoyXg6eQu75vqRsz6Dsbz24EmVwZR4bZIW-NPV1hUSpDDzhGHziyjf42jVJWqFCYfavl99EYAfT_3NmRZwNH-jGw3_xiLCv7eMid6fwQ_pAJCiXhMH-Am3JF8KWQKwRN0M-HpQQgnD7s/s1600/DSC_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoyXg6eQu75vqRsz6Dsbz24EmVwZR4bZIW-NPV1hUSpDDzhGHziyjf42jVJWqFCYfavl99EYAfT_3NmRZwNH-jGw3_xiLCv7eMid6fwQ_pAJCiXhMH-Am3JF8KWQKwRN0M-HpQQgnD7s/s320/DSC_0620.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is under our kitchen window which faces north.<br />the ladies mantle likes it here. In the early spring I have a few lilies of the valley. My mom, Dolores liked those and it always reminds me of her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a bed in the front right hand corner of the yard . I just love when the poppies are in bloom. The color scheme here is where I have my hot colors.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-66248269521405159872012-05-06T18:27:00.000-07:002012-05-06T18:27:23.805-07:00Sunday Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><ol>
<li>Table is set with my beautiful Quimper faience</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">JE SUIS DANS L'HUMEUR DE FAIRE CUIRE LE FRANÇAIS AUJOURD'HUI. J'UTILISE MES LIVRES DE CUISINE FRANÇAIS ET FAIS DES PLATS de PROVENCE. J'AI ACHETÉ UN POULET DE GAMME LIBRE. JE FAIS POULARDE AUX QUARANTE GOUSSES D'AIL AVEC LES ANCHOIS ET LES CABRIOLES. JE FAIS AUSSI ARTICHAUTS un LA BARIGOULE. NOUS L'AURONS AVEC UN VERRE DE VIN ET DE QUELQUES BAIES POUR LE DÉSERT.
L'ESPOIR VOUS AVEZ UN DIMANCHE REPOSANT. AMITIE VAL ET JOE </span>Alright now in English: I purchased a free range chicken at the market and was in the mood to cook a french meal today. I used two of my french cookbooks and decided on recipes from Provence. I made the chicken with anchovies and capers, 40 cloves of garlic and stuffed with thyme. When done a sauce was made with the pan drippings, rosted garlic and a reductin of red wine. In french that is poularde aux gousses d'ail avec les anchois aet les cabrioles. I also found beautiful plump artichokes at the market and agin made a recipe from Provance. This was stuffed artichokes. It is stufffed with ham, shallots and mushrooms bound with a egg that is roasted in the oven in a merepoix of onion, carrots, tyme, garlic and white wine. In french that is artichauts un La Barigoule. A glass of wine and some berries for desert made for a sumptous sunday repas.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVqeKXGfscZX1W_Kuot8eXsJt28XD3BmaY4ESeed9tD1aM7UYIhrnCoczo7uUmtgtTHoIun-nTkRwldeIuAIkncdCvGfBhOn8QLwz_zAt8GioiKmHgFZNuyulPisqk7cUsA2uTImJrYw/s1600/DSC_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVqeKXGfscZX1W_Kuot8eXsJt28XD3BmaY4ESeed9tD1aM7UYIhrnCoczo7uUmtgtTHoIun-nTkRwldeIuAIkncdCvGfBhOn8QLwz_zAt8GioiKmHgFZNuyulPisqk7cUsA2uTImJrYw/s200/DSC_0403.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-38110992250339043382012-04-01T09:19:00.001-07:002012-04-01T10:23:44.445-07:00Nouvelle Adventure In CookingI have had a passion for cooking for quite some time. I love to try new recipes, to peruse the cookbook section of the bookstores, visit kitchen shops and stock my pantry with unusual ingredients. This passion,some years ago, was fueled by the purchase of an AGA. It is a stellar cooking machine. It requires a new approach to cooking as it has no temperature controls. An added bonus living here in MN, is the fact that it is always on, generates a bit of heat, and therefore is a perfect warm-me-up on a cold morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUbqbc1mjKiZ5RmUhTu_CclMUi9abC7dMQj8QpwpKF_-b8VsitlR1-5mrSv5ttdoL5RPua2S1c-EyUqi434JTqnsXhQDvDIb48wmlb-h0BzaP37axVwyEfUQZv36IGWVC3KknnGfpIJ8/s1600/P1050848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUbqbc1mjKiZ5RmUhTu_CclMUi9abC7dMQj8QpwpKF_-b8VsitlR1-5mrSv5ttdoL5RPua2S1c-EyUqi434JTqnsXhQDvDIb48wmlb-h0BzaP37axVwyEfUQZv36IGWVC3KknnGfpIJ8/s200/P1050848.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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This months issue of bon appétit Magazine had an article with recipes for eggs. Go figure, since it is the Easter season. Joe and I have been following the South Beach diet for some weeks now with eggs for breakfast daily. Needless to say, the repetition is tiresome. The article was timely to us from that perspective and so I tried several of the recipes. Here in lies the crux of my post. Like Julie in the movie Julie and Julia, I have had the inherent fear of tackling certain perceived difficult cooking techniques. Well, this morning I made my very first soufflé. Armed with the magazines advice about using really fresh eggs and the right amount of stiffness to whip the egg whites, I went to task. Voila, you have my very first souffle!!!!Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-90954753977289854732012-03-24T17:50:00.002-07:002012-03-24T17:55:31.991-07:00Craft Group CreationsOur second craft group gathering was held at Rachel's darling cottage chic home last night.<br />
Each hostess decides on the project for the month. Rachel decided that we should use miniature tart pans and little figurines to crate a mixed media piece.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRhEKHtE70SLcG47omh0waMHuUbbaStIck0n6tW5_vB4mULTbh1gHOYz6riY6GcaSaaOlUWppH7BHLIw8QkwZfPy8zfwYI3g92DagNxAuCVAy-g2Nmer1IrjXgXiIl6kLU-odhN2AR6E/s1600/P1050836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRhEKHtE70SLcG47omh0waMHuUbbaStIck0n6tW5_vB4mULTbh1gHOYz6riY6GcaSaaOlUWppH7BHLIw8QkwZfPy8zfwYI3g92DagNxAuCVAy-g2Nmer1IrjXgXiIl6kLU-odhN2AR6E/s320/P1050836.JPG" /></a>I was at loss for a figurine, so I decided to use my Frozen Charlotte head in a whimsical way. I have saved this little can since living in Ireland. I had the idea to use it as the body. As you can see there is my version of the miniature tart pan, a large bottle cap for the base. This I covered with decorative card stock. I glued two wooden disks under the tin to provide a solid base and covered the bottom rim with decorative trim. I drilled holes for the two arms and attached them with brads. Attached to one arm is the tinniest of glass bottles with a few stars inside. The head was mounted inside a red bottle cap. I gave her a necklace of rhinestones. Her hat is my favorite part. It is a tiny tea pot charm tied with a bow. This, to me gives it that fantastical feel you get from Alice in Wonderland type adventure.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YHk9hQEB9ylGGderuq3LLqMwaqgO1m4A4Lojr99Be4SbrlqTueVrpIKu62xu0qXC_9BtXwBJbpRqyCPWGHqycfIan4Zchp0mRBTyXfNp3GptqT67aKXqhFddFOP0drzXGi8Vzm4OY_E/s1600/P1050829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YHk9hQEB9ylGGderuq3LLqMwaqgO1m4A4Lojr99Be4SbrlqTueVrpIKu62xu0qXC_9BtXwBJbpRqyCPWGHqycfIan4Zchp0mRBTyXfNp3GptqT67aKXqhFddFOP0drzXGi8Vzm4OY_E/s320/P1050829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YHk9hQEB9ylGGderuq3LLqMwaqgO1m4A4Lojr99Be4SbrlqTueVrpIKu62xu0qXC_9BtXwBJbpRqyCPWGHqycfIan4Zchp0mRBTyXfNp3GptqT67aKXqhFddFOP0drzXGi8Vzm4OY_E/s1600/P1050829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">The second project involved a small cardboard box. Here we painted the box and covered it with decorative card stock and ribbons or trims. Kate offered me this darling little feathered chick to mount on the top.</span></a><br />
<span id="goog_1344147089"></span>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-78118535765722616172012-02-04T13:12:00.000-08:002012-02-04T13:12:35.432-08:00Our first craft group meeting was held in my studio last night. We decided to host the meetings once a month at each others homes. The hostess for the evening chooses the craft to be made by the group based upon their particular skill or interest.<br />
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I thought it would be fun to use my Character Construction stamps(www.characterconstructions.com) to make paper dolls. I was curious to see how each would embellish their doll. The concept is to learn from each other by sharing ideas, tips and techniques....while having fun of course. Our first group consisted of six talented ladies in various craft mediums. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poised for a working photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaf37SnGMYELRTQRvcWOicibulBNyzlWRd1aDcWtOiq2a6KmZtltsJ_UrR4hYmsQ5Mz15Jc6vf6WWBB5OlLx4MRXL8KZGcweBmqEuZl87-p3qHLagNsHzhqjEY90gzHTEJ8I52LhZjnGA/s1600/P1050548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaf37SnGMYELRTQRvcWOicibulBNyzlWRd1aDcWtOiq2a6KmZtltsJ_UrR4hYmsQ5Mz15Jc6vf6WWBB5OlLx4MRXL8KZGcweBmqEuZl87-p3qHLagNsHzhqjEY90gzHTEJ8I52LhZjnGA/s320/P1050548.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finished doll</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4vDCTD9RRFh-1LnWX3D26J8HDCF_CEIdtADSyXle5tRIfKUVx_TxjJtyUX8r2iBUeaQHCshR8oEBr2ju3G066vYlXSyG5f57vxF7zC4IyPYtneRtorr7-HcDleV7MNK_upnQMCqMzXM/s1600/P1050537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4vDCTD9RRFh-1LnWX3D26J8HDCF_CEIdtADSyXle5tRIfKUVx_TxjJtyUX8r2iBUeaQHCshR8oEBr2ju3G066vYlXSyG5f57vxF7zC4IyPYtneRtorr7-HcDleV7MNK_upnQMCqMzXM/s320/P1050537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I baked and decorated Valentine's day themed cupcakes for refreshments and time to get to know each other over a cup of tea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-44784102296524802942012-01-29T18:03:00.000-08:002012-07-22T18:58:42.958-07:00Where I Create<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">There are times in your life when you meet someone with whom you feel a real connection. If you read my last post about my roommate in Brazil, Kristie, she is one of those folks.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A few years ago I decided to nurture a passion I felt for creating. There was a large unfinished room in my basement that was just right for an art studio. With some money that my Dad left me, We turned that space into a really great space for crafting. </span></div>
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Having this great space I had a desire to share that space with other crafters. I looked onEtsy for crafters that lived in Woodbury. Of those I sent an e-mail to, only one replied, Rachel.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We set a time to meet at a coffee shop... and that launched our friendship. We found we had many interests in common.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This Friday, after about two years, Rachel and I will finally bring to fruition our desire to get a craft group together. We decided to host each monthly meeting at one of the group member's home. We thought it would be fun to have each host plan a craft project for the evening that highlighted their particular talent and to instruct the group. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the sitting area that faces the fireplace</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where I keep my fabric and sewing supplies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the table that my husband Joe made. It now is used for sewing, book making and cutting paper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpIl3lxCDny1x-rmHPyBBCPb9iqjYOZFHnQiWR9R4Lygt8I6dXPohjS62DlrYFwsyIz_8MFWmVSaEmRXgNop7PbyQYLQhF4CG1_XFyKK7ZwxnhCta3iSJwVpLx65aw5VqhI7ibtoTMuU/s1600/P1050529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpIl3lxCDny1x-rmHPyBBCPb9iqjYOZFHnQiWR9R4Lygt8I6dXPohjS62DlrYFwsyIz_8MFWmVSaEmRXgNop7PbyQYLQhF4CG1_XFyKK7ZwxnhCta3iSJwVpLx65aw5VqhI7ibtoTMuU/s320/P1050529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my computer station where I opereate my Etsy shop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my Belfast sink. Here is where paint brushes get washout. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP25x7VZqoh6zNsYsF-6led6vy1YXE-aKEhVVCjYAoKPRGX9pugKh-qzCRfZX-OusHroXciPKC3ex0qDXC50CkzoNRKQ1zU9gBdd2PINzcktQADXR0hrFnqczCzyQkERS7GGrzImVpdg/s1600/P1050531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP25x7VZqoh6zNsYsF-6led6vy1YXE-aKEhVVCjYAoKPRGX9pugKh-qzCRfZX-OusHroXciPKC3ex0qDXC50CkzoNRKQ1zU9gBdd2PINzcktQADXR0hrFnqczCzyQkERS7GGrzImVpdg/s320/P1050531.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the Island. <br />
You can see the storage closets and shelves in the background.<br />
Joe laid the tile floor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpOXPUkRqbJ0yUIwxxvQsGCyRUXQzWOGbwz4QwA6QtxS1eOP6yg-h1gOFhnPXw9rLDsByqMLXXDEqLDTegWt62eDBDIERwwt8zd13fipyfCpdTQjyV5Tb909EuZSlmjxxbfSmRXps1TA/s1600/P1050532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpOXPUkRqbJ0yUIwxxvQsGCyRUXQzWOGbwz4QwA6QtxS1eOP6yg-h1gOFhnPXw9rLDsByqMLXXDEqLDTegWt62eDBDIERwwt8zd13fipyfCpdTQjyV5Tb909EuZSlmjxxbfSmRXps1TA/s320/P1050532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the island. <br />
I like to stand when I work. It is a good hight and size for stamping, painting, etc.</td></tr>
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This Friday we will be at my home. I decided to use my Character Construction stamps( www.characterconstructions.com) to create a paper doll.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIV5NpLCMgBLnJDDdtKJ6qkmxlQqnF4epM2Z0u90jKuA6idQcoKH7Nymda8YrFI9lQ00o4gseDLvPM2ul5Mg3NOYLvaNt-u3KTjAGfUcmiGWJTD5K8QjLxPr7FnhGhQN4LXYcvbWsJlY/s1600/P1050411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIV5NpLCMgBLnJDDdtKJ6qkmxlQqnF4epM2Z0u90jKuA6idQcoKH7Nymda8YrFI9lQ00o4gseDLvPM2ul5Mg3NOYLvaNt-u3KTjAGfUcmiGWJTD5K8QjLxPr7FnhGhQN4LXYcvbWsJlY/s320/P1050411.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is one of the dolls that I made with a set of the stamps.</td></tr>
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Can’t wait to see everyone’s talent and to send you the photos of our creations.<a href="http://etsycottagestyle.ning.com/profiles/blog/new">Where I create</a></div>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-39090475330893773732012-01-22T16:57:00.000-08:002012-01-22T16:57:42.150-08:00International Honor<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am the granddaughter of Italian immigrants to the USA. Visiting them, where Italian was spoken,Old World cooking and traditions were kept, instilled in me a pride in my heritage. Unfortunately, our family lost our Italian language in one generation. I have always felt a loss over this. My father spent 30 years in the Navy. There wasn’t a place on earth that he could not tell you where it was. I never was a great speller, but if you put me in a geography bee, I would be the last one standing. I’m sure these early influences in my life fostered an intense interest in European culture and a quest to be bilingual.I have to say that I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunities to travel. Being a tourist has not satisfied my quest to experience the cultures at first hand.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In 2002-04 and in the summer of 05 I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work in my field of Speech Language Pathology at The National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire,Co.Dublin,Ireland. Here for the first time, I got to live a European life style. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I learned small space management, living without a car, walking, taking buses, and trains to get to my destinations. And, yes that involved buying a Target Dry wet suit to wait for the bus in the legendary Irish rain. I worked with brain injured patients on the locked behavioral unit. I loved every minute of it. Walking to the village butcher, flower shop and vegetable shop were highlights of my week. The people were so very welcoming too. I was frequently welcomed in their homes in a way that we here in the US can not rival. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs_gXMZB4b7v2Hukm05LWYLignTD5vzisadW9sqHPUorphYmjOZplnnlkuROAiec09FZi5-IoVJtP0PLOYwyRGjNutpMtqD6tECjxsSRqspQxI6wYJhlPrZlNvLNozflvAzbyijgQ7cE/s1600/P1050508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs_gXMZB4b7v2Hukm05LWYLignTD5vzisadW9sqHPUorphYmjOZplnnlkuROAiec09FZi5-IoVJtP0PLOYwyRGjNutpMtqD6tECjxsSRqspQxI6wYJhlPrZlNvLNozflvAzbyijgQ7cE/s320/P1050508.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a journal entry form my time in Ireland. Opened the journal and there was my ticket to see Paul McCartney</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Approximately 4 years ago I received my first invitation to represent my field of Speech Pathology as a diplomat with the People to People Ambassadors program. I was humbled and honored. I wondered if my experience working in Ireland had not in some way influenced my selection. Well, financially, it was a large commitment. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have for some time wanted to do something humanitarian in my field. I signed up for Doctors Without Boarders years ago. Difficult to offer aid in my profession without a through knowledge of a foreign language. I started taking French ( as I loved France and I never could read those French passages inserted in my novels).</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Well this past year, I finally took the plunge and accepted going on a Speech Pathology Delegation to Brazil. I was paired with a roommate that was so fortuitous. Kirstie, from Oregon. She was amazing!!! She spoke French fluently. She served two years in a French speaking nation in Africa. She had taught high school French. Here was a Speech Language Pathologist who had international humanitarian experience and, lest I say it again, spoke French. We vowed to see each other again, spend time in France and work on a humanitarian project.</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI-YK14wQMcXMhcvJddwvIUyHSPqQw4MzzWHPSPxt4z1r3usb6QRtBslAnq-vQlCUfzM4Ljj_h5XQ7CCWLXCX8HwBt9oIF4IC8J0Q0qTj0-uMhXfhnaf_yC4iNklzcOIDHYf-m1-VvZQ/s1600/P1040876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI-YK14wQMcXMhcvJddwvIUyHSPqQw4MzzWHPSPxt4z1r3usb6QRtBslAnq-vQlCUfzM4Ljj_h5XQ7CCWLXCX8HwBt9oIF4IC8J0Q0qTj0-uMhXfhnaf_yC4iNklzcOIDHYf-m1-VvZQ/s320/P1040876.JPG" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am in Rio, </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDT9vY-03XgyiRA0_2Q4tW6X9JN7onmLo0tWN4dVdM6ei0mOKSuoh2NXw32N6DnDKOQQQOEaj43-tk38nFkOH0ovUTFm1qxUVBeU-_k6gDQpDMjUvaOMOmDeoZ92XJQybKJe4PXvGBMQ/s1600/P1040871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDT9vY-03XgyiRA0_2Q4tW6X9JN7onmLo0tWN4dVdM6ei0mOKSuoh2NXw32N6DnDKOQQQOEaj43-tk38nFkOH0ovUTFm1qxUVBeU-_k6gDQpDMjUvaOMOmDeoZ92XJQybKJe4PXvGBMQ/s320/P1040871.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Rio</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Saturday’s mail brought yet another surprise to me. It goes something like this...<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You were selected as a top Speech Language Therapist in Saint Paul, MN by the International Association of Healthcare Professionals. The Association spotlights professionals that have demonstrated success and leadership in their profession. It provides an opportunity to network, collaborate and share information with other medical professionals from around the globe.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Again, was I selected because of my international experience? I don’t know. But, given the chance, I would love nothing more than to have a collaboration in an international/ cultural capacity. </span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">All along the way, I have journaled my experiences. Some entries are in the lovely handmade journals featured in my Etsy shop at: valburgesscollage.etsy.com</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfdSSM9oKzHFKo1Jxax3SrzOnkD24dNY2FMRXJfBfFEsxzkhSG4gmIHlW7p1oKiunmS3ekqnA0HbKLr2Fb2u1CsKW0LYW4tE6TcTQAooE9cOwt0lTu35jO0PPe4PwJHwjbjfpFzQ4keM/s1600/P1050514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfdSSM9oKzHFKo1Jxax3SrzOnkD24dNY2FMRXJfBfFEsxzkhSG4gmIHlW7p1oKiunmS3ekqnA0HbKLr2Fb2u1CsKW0LYW4tE6TcTQAooE9cOwt0lTu35jO0PPe4PwJHwjbjfpFzQ4keM/s320/P1050514.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand finished wood journal cover with Coptic binding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw9G29y9ETZxc9Nhf5We5qGEJtNwNUkobXv3wfi8ppXN83InMHfcXS8zNJ5xViAPvWaI-dPdSKwGchPc_uX093S2uDSNHrpdfFdONqiDdqf8bUDQSNJ4HBOuRp7ul-kDxWwvo-eY89NE/s1600/P1040897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw9G29y9ETZxc9Nhf5We5qGEJtNwNUkobXv3wfi8ppXN83InMHfcXS8zNJ5xViAPvWaI-dPdSKwGchPc_uX093S2uDSNHrpdfFdONqiDdqf8bUDQSNJ4HBOuRp7ul-kDxWwvo-eY89NE/s320/P1040897.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese rice paper covered book-board</td></tr>
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</div>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-86577652229644219222012-01-14T18:07:00.000-08:002012-01-14T18:07:47.470-08:00Anticipating Spring<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Well, Old Man Winter gave us a bit of a reprieve for a few weeks. But he has finally awakened and we here in MN are gripped in his grasp of snow and cold. This usually lends itself to nesting by the fireplace, fixing some hot chocolate, and dreaming of a time when we once again can get back to the out-of- doors. The garden industry knows how to capture our attention with glossy catalogs of the newest and best perennials, bulbs and vegetable garden seeds. I must admit to idling away a Sunday afternoon dreaming of what exotic vegetable to plant and how to add color to the garden. Invariably I am drawn to my library of garden books collected over the years to revisit classic garden design, English cottage garden design, and my favorite, herbal garden design.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">On holiday I will frequently add to the itinerary a visit to one of these classic gardens. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By far the most outstanding garden that I have visited is Chateau Villandry. <a href="http://www.chateauvillandry.fr/"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #2300a7; text-decoration: underline;">www.chateauvillandry.fr</span></a> I will share with you at this point just a few of the outstanding vistas in le chateau jardins. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD7PvSXQoOTa6jtDVvmmsLWnhGSL_Z5os6W_zJIaMxq36LaKdtW21W5QU5Jxq7rQktf6Es2YpYx3TqypBLx-1aK6goMgkIGDg-0lCPIN8GUdZkJnSHm4hab2uSiYmc6vqtAtDWCYNsao/s1600/P1010474_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD7PvSXQoOTa6jtDVvmmsLWnhGSL_Z5os6W_zJIaMxq36LaKdtW21W5QU5Jxq7rQktf6Es2YpYx3TqypBLx-1aK6goMgkIGDg-0lCPIN8GUdZkJnSHm4hab2uSiYmc6vqtAtDWCYNsao/s320/P1010474_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">One of the techniques I employ when gardening is to keep a garden journal. When I visit gardens I record items that capture my interest. When planning a garden I draw my plot with plants listed in position in the plot. Another, helpful strategy is to list the plants </span>names when you bring them home from the nursery or from your seed packets.</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL93sVP34-jTtqey0FdDimORlH2ib-dSc3Re0xy29pediJxSNjV7Xio8ZXyAc-ikn6ZZMHCMjyFIv4ZBeaGQaObVDaJfLVR0w5j92_voHmbePylF-qJvS3Vv-I2Qq33f5cuEEb7l2dfis/s1600/P1050478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL93sVP34-jTtqey0FdDimORlH2ib-dSc3Re0xy29pediJxSNjV7Xio8ZXyAc-ikn6ZZMHCMjyFIv4ZBeaGQaObVDaJfLVR0w5j92_voHmbePylF-qJvS3Vv-I2Qq33f5cuEEb7l2dfis/s320/P1050478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08Au3NpVfF-EMnpP-rGYccOnFShqF8Ols0bALu-OMjb1qz-DXwhw4vwmBoFHrVF3IdK8tXOSRM6Txn9SYZDecteuJDkv7z9Q4-NBYbF65hEYq7jaxbBY7SKGZSTQbnq2jK7b-GgsNxJg/s1600/P1050482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08Au3NpVfF-EMnpP-rGYccOnFShqF8Ols0bALu-OMjb1qz-DXwhw4vwmBoFHrVF3IdK8tXOSRM6Txn9SYZDecteuJDkv7z9Q4-NBYbF65hEYq7jaxbBY7SKGZSTQbnq2jK7b-GgsNxJg/s320/P1050482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Below, is one of the beautiful coptic bound blank journals that you can find in my shop at :valburgesscollage.etsy.com</span></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This journal has acid free paper which has been hand torn to give it a lovely natural decal style edge.</span></div></span>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-67146780723770008492012-01-08T16:17:00.000-08:002012-01-08T16:17:19.051-08:00<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Series 2 in the Holiday Workshop. </span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Attending the Christmas Workshop was a bit of a whim for me. I had designated 2011 to going on a People To People trip to Brazil as an Ambassador for Speech Language Pathology. This was one of those events on my Bucket List. I wanted to do something humanitarian in my field. Needless to say it was a very expensive trip. Budget wise there were no more trips planned for 2011. However, upon my return from Brazil in August, I was seeing posts on my Facebook that the group with whom I had attended Ann’a Collage workshop in 2010 had not yet gone. Additionally, this year they were going to what looked like a luxurious chateau. My loving husband, alway the pragmatist, gave me the rationale that put the plan to attend in action. A frequent flyer airline ticket sealed the plan. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, little did</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know that when I arrived, the curriculum involved sewing workshops. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2010 saw me purchase a basic Singer sewing machine with birthday money given to me by my mother-in-law ( who is an excellent quilter). Seeing strait line stitching and non-concentric circles s on gift tags and vintage book pages in issues of Somerset Magazine, I thought, “ I think I can do that”. This was the extent of my sewing upon entering this worksop</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">.</span></span></span></div><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIMlU8EYK3FflXLX1Yr1WQfqjTGIGV02SKDHpYwpTAwGBb5dG0V7BMb8QJrV1qNoUIh6BxOFSrhyTttMSxb286sS39iSKcw84L81dBInz7lJ5OBuQU9_gIRpIwu-BJ8Pvp3iirTRUa-M/s1600/DSC01254_JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIMlU8EYK3FflXLX1Yr1WQfqjTGIGV02SKDHpYwpTAwGBb5dG0V7BMb8QJrV1qNoUIh6BxOFSrhyTttMSxb286sS39iSKcw84L81dBInz7lJ5OBuQU9_gIRpIwu-BJ8Pvp3iirTRUa-M/s320/DSC01254_JPG.jpg" width="319" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjfQlva2LHqNTOpDE3DRxNXSKbk4XL50VpyG1pArk2TLIT_WUD2pJemLrTE71TDuHh_6KajA7Dny15IoJygtBMYdWcWZ3sJtxLUCi2OMZitXEYLr7MhqMOTiFStiRbLsMBB-Bt2CSdTw/s1600/DSC01260_JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjfQlva2LHqNTOpDE3DRxNXSKbk4XL50VpyG1pArk2TLIT_WUD2pJemLrTE71TDuHh_6KajA7Dny15IoJygtBMYdWcWZ3sJtxLUCi2OMZitXEYLr7MhqMOTiFStiRbLsMBB-Bt2CSdTw/s320/DSC01260_JPG.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGW941TKmo9zveJAWfeePwvd2DTNey-fdjO3Kt71KelH5S4sdKLvnK_6nawHEdzUQqFOBoTxZy9Aawcg8fmQ7xt4I12TbxxrcSDO0xcYAn60t_SVNiYLluV6sXirJzk7jWdCoUDGtBT4/s1600/P1050128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGW941TKmo9zveJAWfeePwvd2DTNey-fdjO3Kt71KelH5S4sdKLvnK_6nawHEdzUQqFOBoTxZy9Aawcg8fmQ7xt4I12TbxxrcSDO0xcYAn60t_SVNiYLluV6sXirJzk7jWdCoUDGtBT4/s320/P1050128.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Under Roz’s (our instructor) tutelage, I endeavored to muster up the courage to actually produce a sewn product. I labored all of at least one day to produce a number of these delightful lavender sachets. I also made a Christmas stocking ( not fit for showing ).</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I must say, like any class, there were others with significantly more sewing experience. Their creations were truly inspiring, some of which are featured above!</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskvFcYhRZqMyQyH0KBrEaXPJEvkkUQFRHNBi8dcOaclN8vP-fPs6RdPjRxnYRMbdNTYNRBsIRnOC6KWeA0d3EqtsqOprDiQv3OuZOJY0SgoHg3D48Xpo-075ep0PXr16_sHG7qY8srvQ/s1600/P1050237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskvFcYhRZqMyQyH0KBrEaXPJEvkkUQFRHNBi8dcOaclN8vP-fPs6RdPjRxnYRMbdNTYNRBsIRnOC6KWeA0d3EqtsqOprDiQv3OuZOJY0SgoHg3D48Xpo-075ep0PXr16_sHG7qY8srvQ/s320/P1050237.JPG" width="319" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span> Here is one of my lavender sachets made with vintage French linen fabric and lace.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span>Using this motivation, I came home with an interest in incorporating more sewing in my creations. This week I created a sewn paper bag photo album. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5tdgcTFBSz0a3Vwv5GtIfXxhWd6Mh9isqPJjPOwyQBZrUtHx2GTv21KSJGTUac9nIRAGKK_YBCJOnnxQQ-oY8JT5wuqK-KWb9SxmVJZADemJ_RimtHyB5QR8X0UUGlXCE7KXlKemb8M/s1600/P1050422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5tdgcTFBSz0a3Vwv5GtIfXxhWd6Mh9isqPJjPOwyQBZrUtHx2GTv21KSJGTUac9nIRAGKK_YBCJOnnxQQ-oY8JT5wuqK-KWb9SxmVJZADemJ_RimtHyB5QR8X0UUGlXCE7KXlKemb8M/s320/P1050422.JPG" width="319" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> You can find this Valentine’s offering in my Etsy shop:valburgesscollage.etsy.com</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One thing that happens when you buy yards of material, you can make multiple items.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I had the idea to offer a kit so that others who like to craft and sew can make their own. This needless to say, involved preparation of a PDF for instructions for completing the book kit. The kit includes the majority of materials to reproduce the je t’aime photo album.</span></span></div><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you want to use your own materials, I’m offering the PDF instructions and materials list separately.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">These two items are also available at: valburgesscollage.etsy.com</span></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858871655225512033.post-74528878143209142252012-01-01T19:21:00.000-08:002012-01-01T19:21:08.179-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Happy New Year !</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As I start 2012, I am finally moving into the modern world of Blogging.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My hope is to feature events in a journal type forum. I gazed at Somerset’s Artful Blogging magazine with wistful and wishful anticipation of the possibilities to unfold. Not being of the Techie age though, I enter this with more than a little trepidation.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I thought I’d start with a retrospective look at 2011s Anna Corba Holiday Workshop at Château Dumas, in France. Those who really know me, know that I am 2nd generation Italian American and 3/4 pure Italian. However, they know that I have said on more than one occasion that I feel my genes reside in France. Judge for yourself. My smile is always wider and brighter in the photos of myself taken in France. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am privileged to say that this is the second of Anna’s Collage workshops that I have participated in on La terre de France. Each memorable for so many reasons:</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span> </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"> Ann Corba's Holiday Workshop at Château Dumas, France</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">France:</span></div><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/AVvXsEht0M9Bgs23cI26vln0uzUlELXTaoXJw67vKiX41JUkf3TNjBOKg1xJmSd4ru72EJWn6TE3Hvc0LvER9OFZerC_6dpYiIN9epGmLkNAGcKo5yQ3ZhruFCTpaFhQ_DJ7puppvHqwcL_Bp-I/s1600/P1050101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0M9Bgs23cI26vln0uzUlELXTaoXJw67vKiX41JUkf3TNjBOKg1xJmSd4ru72EJWn6TE3Hvc0LvER9OFZerC_6dpYiIN9epGmLkNAGcKo5yQ3ZhruFCTpaFhQ_DJ7puppvHqwcL_Bp-I/s320/P1050101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chateau Dumas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div><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/AVvXsEj2vQvmQD-o7EHGYMm9Lt7IYGiZUTpSaRfDsX59QrYhlfnketlkUgNY8sf6FIuXkGOPOwT4e2IPqYyJiB7ihy2J-sQi2GlGQXeRLppTaK7_pMPN0LUeoJiSlOnP_p3RvfGbhHZgdFyoQ1M/s1600/P1050120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vQvmQD-o7EHGYMm9Lt7IYGiZUTpSaRfDsX59QrYhlfnketlkUgNY8sf6FIuXkGOPOwT4e2IPqYyJiB7ihy2J-sQi2GlGQXeRLppTaK7_pMPN0LUeoJiSlOnP_p3RvfGbhHZgdFyoQ1M/s320/P1050120.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the entrance to the lovely Chateau Dumas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsITbdOnwVEvLd-oJtEeECt6qrn1_titbAvlXT7NpiNW8znaPQ0jEhYwFSiTAC-hzOAfVm7UhzFA1qncTZ9vfB4hC4GceDPGvWk3ACAQJ6pNWhHmsmoRJAdEEP95p63zdu7baVbSUVkXA/s1600/P1050121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsITbdOnwVEvLd-oJtEeECt6qrn1_titbAvlXT7NpiNW8znaPQ0jEhYwFSiTAC-hzOAfVm7UhzFA1qncTZ9vfB4hC4GceDPGvWk3ACAQJ6pNWhHmsmoRJAdEEP95p63zdu7baVbSUVkXA/s320/P1050121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span> The Salon</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">Friendships:</div><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/AVvXsEhPcrjqQSJc2-fbaAHMQS_vn-zu79emdqar07-nUQ1kYIxRLI2Zkl9Yp9_5QVPoYkDWuFAMLYw6T-xb9OynnT9cKnWruEdFI-SwG2xIZ7kUfeFI43rzgD7Hk7ybvCBzQw4itmkv7BkmvJM/s1600/P1050166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcrjqQSJc2-fbaAHMQS_vn-zu79emdqar07-nUQ1kYIxRLI2Zkl9Yp9_5QVPoYkDWuFAMLYw6T-xb9OynnT9cKnWruEdFI-SwG2xIZ7kUfeFI43rzgD7Hk7ybvCBzQw4itmkv7BkmvJM/s400/P1050166.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends Chris and Cris who drove three hours to meet me<br />
took me to a lovely French diner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"> </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">Food:</div><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/AVvXsEhrCdcIJBMyPzVMpo5pL0FQ_0-IK53HbRicssXstApMhDvQ5lTiLnFJUoRytH73P5BaMEhng9XXcBXkM_t49h1PYdvynuEzZl8yWHA81zmAte4BqOMi4T5K__OCoE6UVq8u-3Bam2hs63Q/s1600/P1050087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCdcIJBMyPzVMpo5pL0FQ_0-IK53HbRicssXstApMhDvQ5lTiLnFJUoRytH73P5BaMEhng9XXcBXkM_t49h1PYdvynuEzZl8yWHA81zmAte4BqOMi4T5K__OCoE6UVq8u-3Bam2hs63Q/s320/P1050087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the market. I so love all the farmers coming to town with their fresh wares.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><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/AVvXsEiEs6OgJ-KVhZhuEPVzaSs5Tq997Ef8bZFrohntdJx0F1BhPzCd60pQKrO8OxgwLfPXthGwEThk8pYlIypJT_tiCMl8z-zIKFUjy-OPsVq6zvz8xBM_JTH2AFbBakIrsUeY-5_uAYu71rI/s1600/P1050088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs6OgJ-KVhZhuEPVzaSs5Tq997Ef8bZFrohntdJx0F1BhPzCd60pQKrO8OxgwLfPXthGwEThk8pYlIypJT_tiCMl8z-zIKFUjy-OPsVq6zvz8xBM_JTH2AFbBakIrsUeY-5_uAYu71rI/s320/P1050088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh bread anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqWm3aqxOaLpXgDA106SLBvKy144WifUn76rSHnwVN-gz-1uI8Si_v3UM_4ILE2sQFR7koSBeo9ZPkAf4xvwi5MGEx6_WKG97VYSQvU6I-JFh4yoFiJYd8nQqRRu-ZAlLuyj5bKp5kfU/s1600/P1050134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqWm3aqxOaLpXgDA106SLBvKy144WifUn76rSHnwVN-gz-1uI8Si_v3UM_4ILE2sQFR7koSBeo9ZPkAf4xvwi5MGEx6_WKG97VYSQvU6I-JFh4yoFiJYd8nQqRRu-ZAlLuyj5bKp5kfU/s320/P1050134.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Traditional bread baked in a wood fired oven. Yum!</div><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/AVvXsEgWEEQFClRiexsaURG1JI_8ApXLIVP-4s4fDOIIavlx-zUq-E78u9nycdcQLx1iZq_JSNdrUSjxDcopAGmPtQcvGOFRyc3DONIz_-tpq4EEdx_Sy1Q75nL0Dl7naEh3HdSJjqi_vuxbpR4/s1600/P1050090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEEQFClRiexsaURG1JI_8ApXLIVP-4s4fDOIIavlx-zUq-E78u9nycdcQLx1iZq_JSNdrUSjxDcopAGmPtQcvGOFRyc3DONIz_-tpq4EEdx_Sy1Q75nL0Dl7naEh3HdSJjqi_vuxbpR4/s320/P1050090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olives and spices of the south of France</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEgf09ARDXlVq0L9w6sUCqwlh2fWPteFv1q7hcoONzT5LOi2DDPXjJ9Vj7HaOMIdaO3L4G5etj_PN-JY1j3PnySU29fCVS1BZbfOa3eqvyeZwsazxG2ASiTG8yOooh7a5anL7kRbhjNBNj8/s1600/P1050129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf09ARDXlVq0L9w6sUCqwlh2fWPteFv1q7hcoONzT5LOi2DDPXjJ9Vj7HaOMIdaO3L4G5etj_PN-JY1j3PnySU29fCVS1BZbfOa3eqvyeZwsazxG2ASiTG8yOooh7a5anL7kRbhjNBNj8/s320/P1050129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of the exquisite meals at Chateau Dumas<br />
Made with the freshest of ingredients from the marché.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Art:</span></div><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/AVvXsEhQQdhdG0ZZ6Ujm2zPfSabNjwpIwwC3raLZ4tcaSRPtwEDr-zNqR2-7DUQZmw58GpmHZpigfngzRrJjwT0e6zqudFkPirjCQf3eMx1TvyGGVrBRr2btvCLvf2FD2aOM2wyu1l74r2C_lTI/s1600/P1050163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQdhdG0ZZ6Ujm2zPfSabNjwpIwwC3raLZ4tcaSRPtwEDr-zNqR2-7DUQZmw58GpmHZpigfngzRrJjwT0e6zqudFkPirjCQf3eMx1TvyGGVrBRr2btvCLvf2FD2aOM2wyu1l74r2C_lTI/s320/P1050163.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood collage ornaments made in Anna's class<br />
Mine is on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEgx1q0Lthl6vPBfPPnPBKP7ynzm12p5yAiw-S6QcTNIST4iDBcmrB_6HfyNMdRrDOmFDR1ziwnNJOsLC0J-w9C2d6zygK_Qa1xa7vxSjvYJ_z0p5ta_xYx9gwfFasQL-_9m3o5Fru_aN14/s1600/P1050164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1q0Lthl6vPBfPPnPBKP7ynzm12p5yAiw-S6QcTNIST4iDBcmrB_6HfyNMdRrDOmFDR1ziwnNJOsLC0J-w9C2d6zygK_Qa1xa7vxSjvYJ_z0p5ta_xYx9gwfFasQL-_9m3o5Fru_aN14/s320/P1050164.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this tussie mussie not harken back to the Victorian era?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZQ4SxOAkBWjn_oKCeRgXRbkYu5QgPK8IE4zg-NUivvTTn9GOj65y5TydVLjhgo8YX2wKLQ5PFLW8hOZlbcOwSBBiBUOxiMzCYq8qxAw-4nVgkJbOW_jsNcy2M12wOVBbHWQbVsKMDWQ/s320/P1050276.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rosette we made in France became the inspiration for<br />
this Noel banner I made and sold at our church, St. Anne's craft show.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEikufgwszUo1mk_bs1lxJbtHceKJf9gfnbxqDF-ZP-Dr7I7a0DSv2sVMsM8tTcc6-nQL9cOWQLricpIZWb9_GtdCNAbo5NsX0izTMA2p0Ix7jjEpBPQSadTWaevVWr14P4D708lC-CMgsM/s1600/P1050260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikufgwszUo1mk_bs1lxJbtHceKJf9gfnbxqDF-ZP-Dr7I7a0DSv2sVMsM8tTcc6-nQL9cOWQLricpIZWb9_GtdCNAbo5NsX0izTMA2p0Ix7jjEpBPQSadTWaevVWr14P4D708lC-CMgsM/s320/P1050260.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely ornament was made by coleriaing a black scetching with chalks.<br />
I then covered the piece in wax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZQ4SxOAkBWjn_oKCeRgXRbkYu5QgPK8IE4zg-NUivvTTn9GOj65y5TydVLjhgo8YX2wKLQ5PFLW8hOZlbcOwSBBiBUOxiMzCYq8qxAw-4nVgkJbOW_jsNcy2M12wOVBbHWQbVsKMDWQ/s1600/P1050276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZQ4SxOAkBWjn_oKCeRgXRbkYu5QgPK8IE4zg-NUivvTTn9GOj65y5TydVLjhgo8YX2wKLQ5PFLW8hOZlbcOwSBBiBUOxiMzCYq8qxAw-4nVgkJbOW_jsNcy2M12wOVBbHWQbVsKMDWQ/s1600/P1050276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdUWpbKeDBRmUZKdqNlVI2MuBP67iSQ2e1y7qLzqHnlrIXe2cxfG2I_bBTuYMdjhyphenhyphenWFpDmzIMy0f6Z_af-mVl3aUVwOI5QFWM19yQtG-sZdTocNqBYYKzOwMJBxk2sl3CZGDauJgq6JU/s1600/P1050251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdUWpbKeDBRmUZKdqNlVI2MuBP67iSQ2e1y7qLzqHnlrIXe2cxfG2I_bBTuYMdjhyphenhyphenWFpDmzIMy0f6Z_af-mVl3aUVwOI5QFWM19yQtG-sZdTocNqBYYKzOwMJBxk2sl3CZGDauJgq6JU/s320/P1050251.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This crystal ornament with a french flair is available for sale<br />
on my ETSY shop at<br />
valburgesscollage.etsy.com</td></tr>
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</span></div>Valerie Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11745263802111209394noreply@blogger.com6