English Decor

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">You may be surprised to know</div><div style="text-align: center;">I mostly follow home decor blogs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although I currently feel limited in what I can do in our rental house</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love looking at other homes with beautiful styling </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although defined differently by each individual,</div><div style="text-align: center;">- to me -</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is classic English decor at the moment...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Grey + white</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisApsQuxWOqww3UTRIHAsfWkLjnxIbKQY6UgCq77kgwy3olsfC5AS13hddRchO6yz28tqNBlwYAoCcfxr0p8wPrGry3MAei3JLVeuG1lFfL5ec9QSmEznruErpqnqGdGwsoYzYsX06_1J6/s1600/Cool-and-relaxing-living-room---Modern---Livingetc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisApsQuxWOqww3UTRIHAsfWkLjnxIbKQY6UgCq77kgwy3olsfC5AS13hddRchO6yz28tqNBlwYAoCcfxr0p8wPrGry3MAei3JLVeuG1lFfL5ec9QSmEznruErpqnqGdGwsoYzYsX06_1J6/s640/Cool-and-relaxing-living-room---Modern---Livingetc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It is curious that one would paint walls grey</div><div style="text-align: center;">when it is often grey outside as well,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but the grey walls harmoniously coordinate with the sky</div><div style="text-align: center;">to create a calming feeling in a room</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Warm Tuscan colors are rarely used here</div><div style="text-align: center;">and just seem out of place when I see them</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grey also creates a cozy feeling,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which the English will tell you comes with the rain<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_x9gaK4ixRYNs2G5FZDmchjmJ77hpfVBn6SV3XZkq_tB39qI-P_vskHdEh9hkGJ8SDXwkhymvZ3VIIzyPx7cDa_zA8D5Yxtf_ek-xHEJXtx2AhKU62mhA9_IzFAvT9FOI_2N70CGuDja/s1600/Cosy-grey-and-warm-oak-living-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_x9gaK4ixRYNs2G5FZDmchjmJ77hpfVBn6SV3XZkq_tB39qI-P_vskHdEh9hkGJ8SDXwkhymvZ3VIIzyPx7cDa_zA8D5Yxtf_ek-xHEJXtx2AhKU62mhA9_IzFAvT9FOI_2N70CGuDja/s640/Cosy-grey-and-warm-oak-living-room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Strong graphic design elements </b>prevent a room from looking too soft<br /><b><br /></b><b>Wood</b> conveys coziness</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0TQ6nfDOsqUI7QUMsmX2t8ec6cMdZFgllEzZTsUlcR7rbbVkaPEdUWxHOvGO4pXMK323UjGthnSUi__Z88q7c4Gih7g2p-eAUK33EH4pdxnsJ6tZiskbL-p49gsoTCvfaIRRSKQASMT7/s1600/Cosy-Snug-Sitting-Ideal-Home-Housetohome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0TQ6nfDOsqUI7QUMsmX2t8ec6cMdZFgllEzZTsUlcR7rbbVkaPEdUWxHOvGO4pXMK323UjGthnSUi__Z88q7c4Gih7g2p-eAUK33EH4pdxnsJ6tZiskbL-p49gsoTCvfaIRRSKQASMT7/s640/Cosy-Snug-Sitting-Ideal-Home-Housetohome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">as do <b>warm blankets and throw pillows</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P_k75CRnwRFVWUGH0akafLsgLFCsID0Ejrh_5JTnqNwuUYZGa4XDVZ97GcQFnng5ADHR4YIUscPAUFAw6A__D9SfjkQEmavDLuOTAy6orSD10xHOUrymMXfuytr1OL20qPfkvZIBwBnd/s1600/Living-room-country-Ideal-Home5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P_k75CRnwRFVWUGH0akafLsgLFCsID0Ejrh_5JTnqNwuUYZGa4XDVZ97GcQFnng5ADHR4YIUscPAUFAw6A__D9SfjkQEmavDLuOTAy6orSD10xHOUrymMXfuytr1OL20qPfkvZIBwBnd/s640/Living-room-country-Ideal-Home5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Linen</b> and <b>natural fibers</b> are often featured</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL2Q2zKMiDaLhJ_Owbv6IR9P7yv3xZhkYK_jMi61B6QR5WvHShpsOxy5c_pE7zODWXr428ARTDwBbk4Jb5C-lb1e5chI-EEO3-x3NBi0jd3-10Zas3yzo0jEUnMtQYIUxflq3cIr7h2z1/s1600/Soft-White-Living-Room-Ideal-Home-Housetohome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL2Q2zKMiDaLhJ_Owbv6IR9P7yv3xZhkYK_jMi61B6QR5WvHShpsOxy5c_pE7zODWXr428ARTDwBbk4Jb5C-lb1e5chI-EEO3-x3NBi0jd3-10Zas3yzo0jEUnMtQYIUxflq3cIr7h2z1/s640/Soft-White-Living-Room-Ideal-Home-Housetohome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">along with <b>vintage treasures</b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which are affordable if buying outside London<br />(<a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/vintiquing-in-england.html">here</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f8d2_N5lE3eRWvx87hcT9imgKdWDYngGVThC-3iTi7XBiSRvAsD3AKM_7IY4Wsb89_rg0lRIX_kRRPhJdB2VpfILk58L6EB62nCn5Qofhvf3AAnKwZoWP0D2T785eJlnc1eSS3wV0EaX/s1600/Country-White-Living-Room-Country-Homes-and-Interiors-Housetohome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f8d2_N5lE3eRWvx87hcT9imgKdWDYngGVThC-3iTi7XBiSRvAsD3AKM_7IY4Wsb89_rg0lRIX_kRRPhJdB2VpfILk58L6EB62nCn5Qofhvf3AAnKwZoWP0D2T785eJlnc1eSS3wV0EaX/s640/Country-White-Living-Room-Country-Homes-and-Interiors-Housetohome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Faux fur </b>and <b>leather </b>are classic cozy elements,<br /><br />and <b>mismatched</b> is common<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZUMpkhgrQNOiBaFscLLwlkAdJkqHpidK-7L_qhHmE-pqgCNkJ7aMXoPzruS1TNplwMC7YyJgTBP7Mb_8BQaf5OMNq4FNrExgco-YcuKhUzPoIO4LO1qFEFJbHuS_x4zlaPn0lVs3KjtM/s1600/Ticking-Armchaired-Living-Room-Country-Homes-and-Interiors-Housetohome-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZUMpkhgrQNOiBaFscLLwlkAdJkqHpidK-7L_qhHmE-pqgCNkJ7aMXoPzruS1TNplwMC7YyJgTBP7Mb_8BQaf5OMNq4FNrExgco-YcuKhUzPoIO4LO1qFEFJbHuS_x4zlaPn0lVs3KjtM/s640/Ticking-Armchaired-Living-Room-Country-Homes-and-Interiors-Housetohome-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I first saw a chair like this (below)</div><div style="text-align: center;">in <a href="http://www.anthropologie.eu/">Anthropologie</a> in a display in London</div><div style="text-align: center;">with its original burlap showing,</div><div style="text-align: center;">looking so raw and unique</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few months later </div><div style="text-align: center;">I went to an antique fair </div><div style="text-align: center;">and saw many of these with 'sold' signs on them</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seeing they were a top seller,</div><div style="text-align: center;">many furniture dealers were frantically stripping their chairs and sofas on the spot, </div><div style="text-align: center;">hoping they would have the lovely burlap underneath</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unable to resist, I brought one home too</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As my son helped me bring it into the house</div><div style="text-align: center;">he asked if the straw inside was harboring any bugs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm happy to report it was vermin free :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsOyDnrg_zEfBjduecwII6-eG_P1B02S3QLZEnZwjmILqtf40rojTWYiT0bWhAuex6qQbvi9QwyoRBxCkigAc3srxTx9TIN1bPNC8KWMbuBlJNrmmvNg7-XEwqXDheLfHtIOtUMbjJPjE/s1600/Chalky-White-and-Mint-Living-Room-Livingetc-Housetohome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsOyDnrg_zEfBjduecwII6-eG_P1B02S3QLZEnZwjmILqtf40rojTWYiT0bWhAuex6qQbvi9QwyoRBxCkigAc3srxTx9TIN1bPNC8KWMbuBlJNrmmvNg7-XEwqXDheLfHtIOtUMbjJPjE/s640/Chalky-White-and-Mint-Living-Room-Livingetc-Housetohome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a quirky, eclectic take on my idea of English design<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yummy yum yum!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVmR-4ib4yPX4aBietyF7TV9jMjdI09aHNIv-Z6GTNgIca3lAWA3RdO0SoydND2lWBqwQDmGzjJouCp1CTu241xQpFjZata6l5JlAJ8hpYvpmN93uWUPD8U774vWjFqceIM1WSgQHTjDm/s1600/Zesty-Lemon-Living-Room-Country-Homes-and-Interiors-Housetohome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVmR-4ib4yPX4aBietyF7TV9jMjdI09aHNIv-Z6GTNgIca3lAWA3RdO0SoydND2lWBqwQDmGzjJouCp1CTu241xQpFjZata6l5JlAJ8hpYvpmN93uWUPD8U774vWjFqceIM1WSgQHTjDm/s640/Zesty-Lemon-Living-Room-Country-Homes-and-Interiors-Housetohome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dLVZfF_1svmD0G76-EiK0qvjS84j5Ea7vJebBLPnMl3KJmomXrmTVeqDMFdi5DtXfbRnU2Oi8HbGFc-g8vWGT-iext_7EzQpJ3N_cNcFwv5dfk7EhTE_AN6KV9yV0yFWG1pqN-K5M9Iu/s1600/Mint-Green-Living-Room-Livingetc-Housetohome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dLVZfF_1svmD0G76-EiK0qvjS84j5Ea7vJebBLPnMl3KJmomXrmTVeqDMFdi5DtXfbRnU2Oi8HbGFc-g8vWGT-iext_7EzQpJ3N_cNcFwv5dfk7EhTE_AN6KV9yV0yFWG1pqN-K5M9Iu/s640/Mint-Green-Living-Room-Livingetc-Housetohome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43ajzrHm7eXnqXG7_z4EwJ5wdGVgLTzGc7dIan4g3HvoNA6vaa6Oez-2abL4GQSR9EftUMaZMNxW17alLNJISw3dmsMSQ-UBhGmhhG571bUwXrTD2HwdEvJ4LnDeuhea32wgMNHOBG-aI/s1600/HG0511-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43ajzrHm7eXnqXG7_z4EwJ5wdGVgLTzGc7dIan4g3HvoNA6vaa6Oez-2abL4GQSR9EftUMaZMNxW17alLNJISw3dmsMSQ-UBhGmhhG571bUwXrTD2HwdEvJ4LnDeuhea32wgMNHOBG-aI/s640/HG0511-69.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczRgJwIqPSBYFlG8O_9AZP3iiNiAV4FM3Ze6VtLQcfWZbUho-HD7taL9RkZx8InRVV4HMsDwLtZLsE1-5WhnNwbANtfO092CKqvcQ2FbRXJnFY7FeHzUklYPnBAQFNw4NXrfXgpq2RCTZ/s1600/Distressed-Hallway-Country-Homes-and-Interiors-Housetohome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczRgJwIqPSBYFlG8O_9AZP3iiNiAV4FM3Ze6VtLQcfWZbUho-HD7taL9RkZx8InRVV4HMsDwLtZLsE1-5WhnNwbANtfO092CKqvcQ2FbRXJnFY7FeHzUklYPnBAQFNw4NXrfXgpq2RCTZ/s640/Distressed-Hallway-Country-Homes-and-Interiors-Housetohome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Rays of sunshine, don't you think?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These rooms seem very unAmerican to me</div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you put your finger on why?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Images: House to Home <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/cool-and-relaxing-living-room">1</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/cosy-grey-and-warm-oak-living-room">2</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/cosy-living-room-10">3</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/relaxed-vintage-living-room">4</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/soft-white-living-room">5</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/shabby-chic-living-room-1">6</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/neutral-living-room-with-ticking-armchair">7</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/chalky-white-and-mint-living-room">8</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/country-living-room-with-lemon-sofa">9</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/mint-green-living-room">10</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/eclectic-living-room-detail-1">11</a>, <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/bedroom/picture/colourful-country-bedroom-storage?room_style=country">12</a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

English Decor

You may be surprised to know I mostly follow home decor blogs Although I currently feel limited in what I can do in our rental house I love ...

Read more »

And Autumn Arrives

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">With autumn<br />comes the familiar</div><div style="text-align: center;">rain, darkness, and chill</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fog in the fields<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCI5SmWMiBCLZCe0kHxMFk-BzK0C7KNf3yERF5Zx4NUqkmWLZRUHORGJBDizMdfYJBT-l3YtOQ6-jJyz-TZ_6NgQxeEbxaqJRK_rTyfYKinbowXVxOrAIHx40Lc0PPR07wVPqdEpu52vF/s1600/photo+1+(8)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCI5SmWMiBCLZCe0kHxMFk-BzK0C7KNf3yERF5Zx4NUqkmWLZRUHORGJBDizMdfYJBT-l3YtOQ6-jJyz-TZ_6NgQxeEbxaqJRK_rTyfYKinbowXVxOrAIHx40Lc0PPR07wVPqdEpu52vF/s640/photo+1+(8)-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Warming soups</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fires in the fireplace<br />Chunky sweaters<br />Bulky blankets</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apples dropping</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pumpkins to be picked<br />Blackberry brambles picked over<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCFXrW2G9UUjsrqrLtuorCZli1m-NAqA-l1pnhD4AgRXeceW94Jk9H3axZ52DyNRwdhA-mItc9janDRKOhRNDYr8IYLcLOeEc_-S16wr8Pkx5MAaY8Sx7AHzuC6nOXXJcp46StjoUt1tT/s1600/photo54-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCFXrW2G9UUjsrqrLtuorCZli1m-NAqA-l1pnhD4AgRXeceW94Jk9H3axZ52DyNRwdhA-mItc9janDRKOhRNDYr8IYLcLOeEc_-S16wr8Pkx5MAaY8Sx7AHzuC6nOXXJcp46StjoUt1tT/s640/photo54-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A rain shower of acorns<br />started by a wind<br /><br />Hedges wait for their annual autumn trimming<br />Leaves burn in backyards<br />Gardens receive a tidy-up, preparing for winter's respite<br /><br />Families toting baskets<br />search for mushrooms to harvest in the forest<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2eRDLgsNGIbQDs5TBJPBxFnhck9qYlSq5t85S8rGwVqqmNxMiQWEMUB2iUAwJVJIgaBl9FcBlzeHjqOgBDklzSEI_21Hjs5a4z1GjYereMIAFStz1g-EDRAjpC7V4eLZNAv0kgLlLIFk/s1600/photo+5-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2eRDLgsNGIbQDs5TBJPBxFnhck9qYlSq5t85S8rGwVqqmNxMiQWEMUB2iUAwJVJIgaBl9FcBlzeHjqOgBDklzSEI_21Hjs5a4z1GjYereMIAFStz1g-EDRAjpC7V4eLZNAv0kgLlLIFk/s640/photo+5-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />American football on the telly for us<br />A childhood game of '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conkers">conkers</a>' for the English<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRmMCW_BjzrczMMKD6P2YpglcP6DGy8e9sw4E1NbVvOPeSd96z_8W6cDxbMWifOw_9ZrNXXxyJOnfqqz3HJVDJjEow3tTw-GpMDRrSagg97zG2LV2ZYRphzI2F5H0k1BafF6wMZ8D1t11/s1600/photo9865-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRmMCW_BjzrczMMKD6P2YpglcP6DGy8e9sw4E1NbVvOPeSd96z_8W6cDxbMWifOw_9ZrNXXxyJOnfqqz3HJVDJjEow3tTw-GpMDRrSagg97zG2LV2ZYRphzI2F5H0k1BafF6wMZ8D1t11/s640/photo9865-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Wellies, umbrellas, and scarves patiently wait near the front door<br /><br />A quieter birdsong<br />yet louder ambient noise outside<br /><br />I can feel Halloween & Bonfire Night just around the corner<br /><br />All the while,<br />green green grass...<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- photos by me -</span></i></div><div><span class="hP" style="outline: none; padding-right: 10px;" tabindex="-1"></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>

And Autumn Arrives

With autumn comes the familiar rain, darkness, and chill Fog in the fields Warming soups Fires in the fireplace Chunky sweaters Bulky blanke...

Read more »

About Town

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Just a few images of</div><div style="text-align: center;">everyday life in England</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">to remind myself this is not 'everyday' in the States</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEgFePmYEnZoQrnWmnhMVbMN4L62MvZnXdvm5LHr4y89BI94NmGMusNWQ-HQmy0XIJ-Y_Ai6GuJjM5zJlrexiZ82M6Y9Ru52YadfiR5Cdj9npfVljNDYxNeDyZkysrNYkMJc9cssH6sAVAKP/s1600/Photo+10-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFePmYEnZoQrnWmnhMVbMN4L62MvZnXdvm5LHr4y89BI94NmGMusNWQ-HQmy0XIJ-Y_Ai6GuJjM5zJlrexiZ82M6Y9Ru52YadfiR5Cdj9npfVljNDYxNeDyZkysrNYkMJc9cssH6sAVAKP/s640/Photo+10-004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishmonger and egg seller from the back of van</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure why this prompted a warning sign...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95UwrYeecuFyBLUatjvm_agt50Xydxs68oEJmfK23988jG3RWXA97hlP4FCgaARf9gxdStZHaiBHwr07aBMPJ1n908oUs1Csi4Hbdjb1Urui_0aHBaQB2BvPWYJKo5JwLKxQQZ__1DT2k/s1600/photo899-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95UwrYeecuFyBLUatjvm_agt50Xydxs68oEJmfK23988jG3RWXA97hlP4FCgaARf9gxdStZHaiBHwr07aBMPJ1n908oUs1Csi4Hbdjb1Urui_0aHBaQB2BvPWYJKo5JwLKxQQZ__1DT2k/s640/photo899-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A great volunteer service provided to my neighbor last week</div><div style="text-align: center;">(the cat was found within a few days)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleI7n1ZWUEh09LcG6HlliJ1nItfWgwfwCX3a9pHHL4-mJXzGC1COfh0Lg_5KXd1HBwaevCF6RdU5jbBIzTEDdmtMSL8EA1Oho63pkVFQNEHkmSzQxQnrNhvTlLOprdeaNIysWKlhLDkgw/s1600/Photo+47-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleI7n1ZWUEh09LcG6HlliJ1nItfWgwfwCX3a9pHHL4-mJXzGC1COfh0Lg_5KXd1HBwaevCF6RdU5jbBIzTEDdmtMSL8EA1Oho63pkVFQNEHkmSzQxQnrNhvTlLOprdeaNIysWKlhLDkgw/s640/Photo+47-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And with the jamming season in progress,</div><div style="text-align: center;">an honor system is in place for those who want to pick up a jar</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEgEWkkTvHVeC17HpWCQuryD9Soc7gT85TR2hqB4o4hS-Y6a7NJwirEy6FkxU2tPL33cUFT90okyrP6XoPXqjlu0prtlN9H3fB3ijPC1v46FxwL38u-3TOK0mufzHtVPUgzKbHFAJmHYRkZp/s1600/photo+1-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWkkTvHVeC17HpWCQuryD9Soc7gT85TR2hqB4o4hS-Y6a7NJwirEy6FkxU2tPL33cUFT90okyrP6XoPXqjlu0prtlN9H3fB3ijPC1v46FxwL38u-3TOK0mufzHtVPUgzKbHFAJmHYRkZp/s640/photo+1-009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jam for sale</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you find the extraordinary in the ordinary this week</div><div style="text-align: center;">:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- photos by me -</span></i></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

About Town

Just a few images of everyday life in England to remind myself this is not 'everyday' in the States Fishmonger and egg seller from t...

Read more »

Observations Of England Through An American Lens

<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I have an ever-growing list of differences</div><div style="text-align: center;">between our two countries </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Perhaps you will find these interesting...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEj1X_8wUFzdcR1Z-j46-f-SC3ugG1R3Jxd04Zrey6YCugkRgQT4CBB-0FjR1cveRXN155Tf4iTci9Vvw75E9BxeFqnKMUFiMICVtWfMDTzBrO0zpS_rhoMPws_IBi702cEBkCjMH7qdqpBV/s1600/il_570xN.455770881_20g3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X_8wUFzdcR1Z-j46-f-SC3ugG1R3Jxd04Zrey6YCugkRgQT4CBB-0FjR1cveRXN155Tf4iTci9Vvw75E9BxeFqnKMUFiMICVtWfMDTzBrO0zpS_rhoMPws_IBi702cEBkCjMH7qdqpBV/s640/il_570xN.455770881_20g3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom Art by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OffTheMapArt?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Off The Map Art</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When an American refers to Washington,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they are typically referring to the state on the West Coat</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In England, 'Washington' is the US capital,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which an American will simply call 'D.C.'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In England, a cat says 'miaow'</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the US, it is 'meow'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Homemade beans-on-toast is an English comfort food</div><div style="text-align: center;">whereas Americans lean toward a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup</div><div style="text-align: center;">These sandwiches to not occur in the other country</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the 1970s and 1980s </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nestle sold <i>Texan </i>in the UK,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a popular nougat/toffee candy bar</div><div style="text-align: center;">with the slogan 'A man's gotta chew what a man's gotta chew'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEiarWbIjlaYBV_hLWUF57cjoAXh6X9q8kRFa5jqOG2naRhK-3Acw0pYeMxhxXEBsYUuxeihjnW7c3pK1yrckALN1zDy9hOuq9-ZEvOOR2_Tzno_ruzTkWUjzoHoAviQat8bLnuGSWl4Gid4/s1600/texanbars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarWbIjlaYBV_hLWUF57cjoAXh6X9q8kRFa5jqOG2naRhK-3Acw0pYeMxhxXEBsYUuxeihjnW7c3pK1yrckALN1zDy9hOuq9-ZEvOOR2_Tzno_ruzTkWUjzoHoAviQat8bLnuGSWl4Gid4/s400/texanbars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold by <a href="http://www.aquarterof.co.uk/">A Quarter Of</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is not uncommon to hear</div><div style="text-align: center;">'Well, as the Americans say...'</div><div style="text-align: center;">followed by a saying I've never heard in my life</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can spot an American tourist in a crowd</div><div style="text-align: center;">by the T-Shirt stating where s/he's visited, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a favorite sports team or university</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the UK, this is the pound symbol (currency): <span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'NOTHS Sans No3 Regular', 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">£</span><br /> This is the pound sign in the US (weight): #<br /><br />It is also the grid used to pay 'tic-tac-toe',<br />also known as 'noughts & crosses' in England</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'NOTHS Sans No3 Regular', 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEjrxLrS2_r6KNXdFbiQMMtLo-tTon_GwHOL9lBKS7nirVvYEJ-o5Vp4fIro365IXcSFvOkryPceDytXoSW_cBancGQtrgG0XivN6mn4K4PQo3RNKNKlOHn9fysLxNfjyAITGHkounJvnoBV/s1600/World+Driving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxLrS2_r6KNXdFbiQMMtLo-tTon_GwHOL9lBKS7nirVvYEJ-o5Vp4fIro365IXcSFvOkryPceDytXoSW_cBancGQtrgG0XivN6mn4K4PQo3RNKNKlOHn9fysLxNfjyAITGHkounJvnoBV/s640/World+Driving.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red countries drive on the right; blue on the  left<br /><a href="http://chartsbin.com/view/edr">ChartsBin</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In England, using a car blinker/indicator in a turn lane is obvious and redundant</div><div style="text-align: center;">(yet required in the US)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the US, you can turn right at a red light (love!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It appears the majority of gas tanks are fueled on the driver's side</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a problem when there is one way traffic flow into a petrol station,</div><div style="text-align: center;">leaving only one side of gas pumps being used</div><div style="text-align: center;">(in the US, traffic flows in both directions at stations)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although Brits may drink more alcohol than Americans,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the US has a bigger problem with drunk driving</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Public transportation is more widespread in England</div><div style="text-align: center;">and people often arrange taxis before going out<br />-love!-</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(interestingly, European wine growing countries drink in moderation)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEiZhqZ7h2G2B5PpXPX_x1-JuvLj-HLqdg6MmcXXXFUgH7O0idyEwy61JCPsTch-lKVJ1EGHEYQxTD7n_4Hi_7PJffhEzjCFBo5-hnP4_nB4peOoxrMFfoAEjzzkV9az7vLIWh7ybUErK56L/s1600/Drinking+Score.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhqZ7h2G2B5PpXPX_x1-JuvLj-HLqdg6MmcXXXFUgH7O0idyEwy61JCPsTch-lKVJ1EGHEYQxTD7n_4Hi_7PJffhEzjCFBo5-hnP4_nB4peOoxrMFfoAEjzzkV9az7vLIWh7ybUErK56L/s640/Drinking+Score.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_patterns_drinking_score_2005.png">World Health Organization</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why aren't these things universally standardized?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Size of a measuring cup (1 cup is different in the US vs UK)<br />Size of printer paper and envelopes</div><div style="text-align: center;">Emergency Telephone Numbers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEjva-MNtOsXkcZm2IPWIJKWZYBTluvKIrVVUo3e73u2EOVgrS6Xx1_VrVpEuzC1N4qRmEsRCkL8xYAOSMrP7XZpuYfaxlrAm5SjROE1oFGCzPO_-blt4WVLvuYS91zvi_RPu7SkT-CWik4g/s1600/Emergency+Numbers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva-MNtOsXkcZm2IPWIJKWZYBTluvKIrVVUo3e73u2EOVgrS6Xx1_VrVpEuzC1N4qRmEsRCkL8xYAOSMrP7XZpuYfaxlrAm5SjROE1oFGCzPO_-blt4WVLvuYS91zvi_RPu7SkT-CWik4g/s640/Emergency+Numbers.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why so many different emergency phone numbers?<br /><a href="http://chartsbin.com/view/1983">ChartsBin</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Light bulb screw-in shapes</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shape of plugs</div><div style="text-align: center;">Electric voltage in sockets</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><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/AVvXsEhJ9HdQ-8je0g3qJgrrEpO2SAFfOToUMvrpKN1NEM2K94IU4KLZrTXRBUxUBXhfeQ8cWadHx7QHsra6VZL6-ra7KT_5aHd93psnuqib2e-Po8Bds0fc1BVfUxwfAXd0aGM5PcCC1TTiugsa/s1600/Universal+Voltage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9HdQ-8je0g3qJgrrEpO2SAFfOToUMvrpKN1NEM2K94IU4KLZrTXRBUxUBXhfeQ8cWadHx7QHsra6VZL6-ra7KT_5aHd93psnuqib2e-Po8Bds0fc1BVfUxwfAXd0aGM5PcCC1TTiugsa/s640/Universal+Voltage.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of voltage differences worldwide (blue is the highest voltage)<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country">wikipedia </a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">An expat new to the country recently pointed out<br />the different breaks in phone numbers in England</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(123) 456-7890 in the US</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">020 1234 5678 in London</div><div style="text-align: center;">01234 567 890 outside London</div><div style="text-align: center;">or 01234 567890</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are some differences in slang and pronunciation in the US,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but considering how big the country is </div><div style="text-align: center;">there are not as many variations as one might think</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="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/AVvXsEg6PqpuaaTFibBTi0ErG25SZzQQmUBNfCyLiYX5iS-h0NgA4p6WyCbrTfKRCDzscwIxrnvUUNBwYoldeeJDMPlxxSmWQbWxqJR61_tRjeJfTEE8awrE0bXDsQTDRkenDMT8xDKIbS6hpFEg/s1600/US+Pronunciation-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PqpuaaTFibBTi0ErG25SZzQQmUBNfCyLiYX5iS-h0NgA4p6WyCbrTfKRCDzscwIxrnvUUNBwYoldeeJDMPlxxSmWQbWxqJR61_tRjeJfTEE8awrE0bXDsQTDRkenDMT8xDKIbS6hpFEg/s640/US+Pronunciation-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fun comparisons via <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/22-maps-that-show-the-deepest-linguistic-conflicts-in-america-2013-6?op=1">Business Insider</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While North Americans are notorious for pronouncing 't's as 'd's</div><div style="text-align: center;">water -> wah der,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the English drop many letters, making me guess the silent letters</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheltenham -> Chelt'num</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leicester -> Lester</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The letter 't' may be dropped entirely by the English ( little -> li'l)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and 't' can take on the 'ch' sound such as </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tutor -> Chutor</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tunes -> Chunes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And curiously still, when a word ends in a vowel followed by another vowel in the next word,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a mysterious 'r' appears</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pizza Express -> Pizzar Express</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Elocution lessons' were once a part of the curriculum for students in refined schools,</div><div style="text-align: center;">where children perfected their pronunciation, inflection, articulation, and accent </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure if this is still taught regularly today? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There seems to be a disturbing new trend on my side of England </div><div style="text-align: center;">where restrooms in restaurants are co-ed</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each stall is contained but the sinks are shared</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEicTSrWKwOxd3QfTjoUHXYSnyA4ezpp52TnUxT6B9d48dsjU8xP5fYHoZj2CWg81eAVjJ-vdxt25yd28Qr5lTE7E-xG8h5AHxqF_bXk_v6qr1dBGzDfxO7pRjWeO7V7punKNZkB9wPeiV-O/s1600/photo+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTSrWKwOxd3QfTjoUHXYSnyA4ezpp52TnUxT6B9d48dsjU8xP5fYHoZj2CWg81eAVjJ-vdxt25yd28Qr5lTE7E-xG8h5AHxqF_bXk_v6qr1dBGzDfxO7pRjWeO7V7punKNZkB9wPeiV-O/s640/photo+211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A co-ed restroom in a popular new restaurant</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have now embraced the difference between </div><div style="text-align: center;">a wet rain </div><div style="text-align: center;">and a dry rain </div><div style="text-align: center;">(misty but you don't get wet)<br /><br />In the UK, a 'mac' or mackintosh is a raincoat<br /><br />'Wellies' are known as 'galoshes' in the US<br /><br />I noticed there is no smell of 'the first rain'<br />I was accustomed to in the US<br />perhaps because the earth is never that dry here<br /><br />The term for the scent of first rain is 'petrichor'<br />(thanks, <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/">Kate</a>!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEjWOeKBsIstfz29-cJTIRXpTFoAcRLDC7r6OZhN3mc8ESy8tUZlH1pYh5Lm6wgDMWzOuzk_wRQ4lIFtUshxLEeEp-NTaAV41oycE_s0n4nwaYBPqtft6Cj8JENJbbzxx87HEoOOdvhelIq_/s1600/Capture11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOeKBsIstfz29-cJTIRXpTFoAcRLDC7r6OZhN3mc8ESy8tUZlH1pYh5Lm6wgDMWzOuzk_wRQ4lIFtUshxLEeEp-NTaAV41oycE_s0n4nwaYBPqtft6Cj8JENJbbzxx87HEoOOdvhelIq_/s400/Capture11.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticky tape by <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/belleandboo/product/london-umbrella-stick-tape">Belle & Boo</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />*<br /><br />An elderly Englishman recently told me he loves America<br />because of our friendly people and entrepreneurial spirit<br /><br />I love England for its gorgeousness and countrywide playground<br />(so much to do and see!)<br /><br />*<br /><br />My list of 'interestings & differences' is by no means complete,<br />but for now I will sign off<br /><br />Wishing you a great day!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Observations Of England Through An American Lens

I have an ever-growing list of differences between our two countries  Perhaps you will find these interesting... Custom Art by Off The Map A...

Read more »

Fascinating World Of Ian Fleming

<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For our book club</div><div style="text-align: center;">we read Ian Fleming's 'Dr No' (1958)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think we were all surprised by how good it was,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a bit dated </div><div style="text-align: center;">yet entertaining</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although 'Dr No' was Fleming's seventh book,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was his first novel to be turned into a film (1962)</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Fleming knew cinema was the way to make real money -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That signature James Bond theme has been used since 'Dr No'</div><div style="text-align: center;">with its surf style rock, popular in the early 1960s</div><div style="text-align: center;">A classic!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEhows6vqNr2FyX2VPSGuFrIDMdlNtiQimpOklfKAg5hpwVwQZuSZuevvv91kn9MpRes6y6b2OL_Y8HJTX_Tdw0DbjLTbR0BevvBD1U86hA_UDFKd_EUKxn45oBNY6T5go7sk7riJ618b4Kw/s1600/Ian_Fleming,_headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhows6vqNr2FyX2VPSGuFrIDMdlNtiQimpOklfKAg5hpwVwQZuSZuevvv91kn9MpRes6y6b2OL_Y8HJTX_Tdw0DbjLTbR0BevvBD1U86hA_UDFKd_EUKxn45oBNY6T5go7sk7riJ618b4Kw/s640/Ian_Fleming,_headshot.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian Fleming, author of James Bond series<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Fleming">wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ian Fleming was born with money and connections</div><div style="text-align: center;">In fact, Winston Churchill was a friend of his father's</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fleming's grandparents owned a high-end flat </div><div style="text-align: center;">where the US Embassy in London now stands</div><div style="text-align: center;">(the irony in that - with all its spies!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ian Fleming was a bit like his James Bond's character -</div><div style="text-align: center;">a life filled with men's clubs, women, fancy cars, and a good time</div><div style="text-align: center;">He traveled in wealthy circles in Mayfair</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEjffBa7llsV0FPuVJy1UUSlypyOuGNuk8locbQTI0p9iSukejGNT3GWobC6ZH6aTdi0SMV3oII38bcKBhGsBkCtPUL3dYG-9I9tJYXPHVW6Tp4otb57eOyrp0rK-ymsqWl3_sakLaZOeAf_/s1600/800px-DB5-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffBa7llsV0FPuVJy1UUSlypyOuGNuk8locbQTI0p9iSukejGNT3GWobC6ZH6aTdi0SMV3oII38bcKBhGsBkCtPUL3dYG-9I9tJYXPHVW6Tp4otb57eOyrp0rK-ymsqWl3_sakLaZOeAf_/s640/800px-DB5-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aston Martin, one of James Bond's famous cars<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_James_Bond_vehicles">wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unlike his father and brother, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ian did not go to the front lines of war</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Instead, he was behind a desk </div><div style="text-align: center;">in London's Naval Intelligence Office during WWII</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once the war was over,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ian Fleming worked for The Times</div><div style="text-align: center;">with the agreement that he could take time off every winter for three months</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In those months,</div><div style="text-align: center;">he stayed in his Jamaican home, 'Goldeneye', and produced one book every year</div><div style="text-align: center;">with the quest to write the best spy novel the world had ever seen</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEhGssQYRQNm9xZEtLZyVt4AiG_hw0Fsn3a9yxBpQWf6ByadbAx9HExbwnv17hP5_C0TGqd0vtrH54ezImVZQU_Db0UoJmfKn646MwcGqUcYOflEXl-wFakuh9ArTMYir1k4wdkYzsM2i73p/s1600/GoldeneyeEstate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGssQYRQNm9xZEtLZyVt4AiG_hw0Fsn3a9yxBpQWf6ByadbAx9HExbwnv17hP5_C0TGqd0vtrH54ezImVZQU_Db0UoJmfKn646MwcGqUcYOflEXl-wFakuh9ArTMYir1k4wdkYzsM2i73p/s640/GoldeneyeEstate.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian Fleming's Jamaican home where he wrote annually<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Fleming">wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He had the idea that his main character should be a boring man </div><div style="text-align: center;">that to whom extraordinary things happened</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trying to think of a boring name, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Fleming looked at his bookshelf and saw the very plain name </div><div style="text-align: center;">of American ornithologist, James Bond</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Fleming was an avid birdwatcher)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And so it came to be the most famous fictional spy name</div><div style="text-align: center;"> with the ornithologist's blessing</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEj8-tl7-qk_a9Y_0gW9tM4RqpOWY9yfwUn_aAWvMAEo8BA7Huq8VHYY3zFRQkxVNGCRlrwrsandyfjv9lOuYf7AqdUa5FAUnd91WKCd69MSByzHGCWEqsSqpKfMD0xrnnyHQTdG4CSmz_Rw/s1600/James_Bond_1974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-tl7-qk_a9Y_0gW9tM4RqpOWY9yfwUn_aAWvMAEo8BA7Huq8VHYY3zFRQkxVNGCRlrwrsandyfjv9lOuYf7AqdUa5FAUnd91WKCd69MSByzHGCWEqsSqpKfMD0xrnnyHQTdG4CSmz_Rw/s320/James_Bond_1974.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The real James Bond, an American ornithologist<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_(ornithologist)">wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To me, the James Bond series is a story of success and determination</div><div style="text-align: center;">as Ian Fleming had always wanted to write these great spy novels</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But his wife and high-brow friends thought his books were in bad taste</div><div style="text-align: center;">and Fleming received harsh reviews from UK critics</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then Fleming got a lucky break after meeting President Kennedy on a trip to D.C.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The US President listed 'From Russia, With Love'</div><div style="text-align: center;">as one of his favorite books in Life Magazine after they met</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With this introduction to the American audience, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Fleming's films and books became successful in the US</div><div style="text-align: center;">and were well received</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="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/AVvXsEihrNcVGesLwJ7O3p-z33saPKqN7ICTkugo0R9qYkA7qh_8T7SX_JfacqVojxLAsoVFipxWlRZ0LVV44SAr5iyz0Msl2fZwhWXLU-fqqyrPh4-eKd7PY1e36Pw21W5LOwjDa2M34IMdcJ9f/s1600/51WxLtqGDmL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrNcVGesLwJ7O3p-z33saPKqN7ICTkugo0R9qYkA7qh_8T7SX_JfacqVojxLAsoVFipxWlRZ0LVV44SAr5iyz0Msl2fZwhWXLU-fqqyrPh4-eKd7PY1e36Pw21W5LOwjDa2M34IMdcJ9f/s640/51WxLtqGDmL.jpg" width="449" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bond-Remastered-Dr-1-disc-DVD/dp/B000MR9F0W/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1380796513&sr=8-5&keywords=dr+no">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't think of any other film series with such longevity, </div><div style="text-align: center;">with classic quotes and an easily identifiable theme song</div><div style="text-align: center;">that has woven itself into our culture today</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eon Productions has been making James Bond films for fifty-one years</div><div style="text-align: center;">with another film due within the next few years</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bond continues to be the longest running film series </div><div style="text-align: center;">and second highest grossing film series after 'Harry Potter'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In fact, more men have walked on the moon</div><div style="text-align: center;">than have played James Bond in film</div><div style="text-align: center;">(only six in fifty years)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I grew up watching Roger Moore,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so to me, he will always be THE Bond</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you have a favorite James Bond actor?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- on a random note but must mention, Fleming also wrote 'Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang'! -</div><br /><br />More In Bond Series ::<br /><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/bond-girl-for-day-or-two.html">Bond Girl For A Day Or Two</a> (local activities)<br /><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/interview-of-bond-girl.html">Interview Of A Bond Girl</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Richard Walker from </span><a href="http://www.walks.com/" style="font-size: small;">London Walks</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Fleming" style="font-size: small;">Wikipedia</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Fascinating World Of Ian Fleming

For our book club we read Ian Fleming's 'Dr No' (1958) I think we were all surprised by how good it was, a bit dated  yet entert...

Read more »