tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80095994971051325512024-03-15T21:10:03.672-04:00Kiki NakitaKiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.comBlogger528125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-4842940469519288482023-11-08T13:03:00.000-05:002023-11-08T13:03:10.230-05:00William Bird 1859-1911, Rescuer of The Whitwick Colliery Disaster<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px;">One of my </span><i style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><a href="https://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-bird-family-6-generations-revised.html?m=0" target="_blank">Bird Family</a> </span></i><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">ancestors, William Bird, was one of the rescuers to one of the </span><span style="font-size: 17.6px; font-style: italic;">"most terrible disasters known in the history of coal-mining in Leicestershire." </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- The Guardian, 1898</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l9IzmPGhVAurqOhTJPanKWspJJCOO-YALVIpeC8TcrJr00XVk-1FIOtK5pflKhaEqg-244K08jtVRD7GkSt4lPZwhviKpPYSpdAi26iTLPK16VCrihop0VVk_YxsVzKtmVLK_tKfFrcsYDFzqtf4u6zq0jZV3raAm7CO1i865o39WCrlyxvpjLLdxZg/s639/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="639" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l9IzmPGhVAurqOhTJPanKWspJJCOO-YALVIpeC8TcrJr00XVk-1FIOtK5pflKhaEqg-244K08jtVRD7GkSt4lPZwhviKpPYSpdAi26iTLPK16VCrihop0VVk_YxsVzKtmVLK_tKfFrcsYDFzqtf4u6zq0jZV3raAm7CO1i865o39WCrlyxvpjLLdxZg/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">William Bird</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">b. Abt.1859 d. April 1911</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">married for <i>ten years</i> on December 24th, 1892 to </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b></b><b></b><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Eliza Tindell (Stepmother)</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">b. October 1862 d. December 6th, 1902</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">(3rd great-grandparents)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">Places lived:<br />Lount, Leicestershire, England<br />Thringstone, Leicestershire, England<br />Swannington, Leicestershire, England </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, England </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NZavF9WJBKT_TSEFuTTmZq5lDETpPDN7WU6kYmkK0O_gdPj5dSlIw3yQP2BXfPx4YAXaLuhOsLXrU9Tg7EDVIa2wX6CkHx722qEW8H1WTaJGAzrHL6Zm8iRgb3QQ41dSJtz8trBgSCWVh57GZwwl3EGABc5LiIiHen5DjYt56twbivb1IKaq1oI0ufA/s639/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="639" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NZavF9WJBKT_TSEFuTTmZq5lDETpPDN7WU6kYmkK0O_gdPj5dSlIw3yQP2BXfPx4YAXaLuhOsLXrU9Tg7EDVIa2wX6CkHx722qEW8H1WTaJGAzrHL6Zm8iRgb3QQ41dSJtz8trBgSCWVh57GZwwl3EGABc5LiIiHen5DjYt56twbivb1IKaq1oI0ufA/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the morning of April 19th, 1898, a fire broke out at the Whitwick Colliery, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span face="Inter, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="letter-spacing: 0.24px; text-align: left;">Leicestershire’s worst mining disaster occurred in No.5 pit at Whitwick Colliery. This was a dry dusty pit that had been worked for sixty years. The disaster was the result of a “gob” fire during the night shift. Forty-two men were underground, including a boy of thirteen. Many were related to each other or close neighbours. Most of the miners were trapped at workings beyond the fire. There were only seven survivors. The victims died of suffocation as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.24px;">Attempts were made to recover the bodies but twelve remain underground. The tragedy left twenty-seven widows and eighty-four children under the age of thirteen." - Whitwick Historical Group</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRA04fmGX3fHkI29gT777NiMiiXHBS9sB4zFjEN1XigcFmiXOs-WqdyKlx3LYs2iAzAOrUgTkSxu-JrgmeIcO5ctTpW6vCT0jAfnwoR4NfvzA6bL03PycyowL_Ef0B6URnr7jC7z2goSXEac1cyWMRpLoaueTaTZ6MS1mzTsirAEv6pgoYVObuVMQ770/s1080/FB_IMG_1691418332990.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1080" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRA04fmGX3fHkI29gT777NiMiiXHBS9sB4zFjEN1XigcFmiXOs-WqdyKlx3LYs2iAzAOrUgTkSxu-JrgmeIcO5ctTpW6vCT0jAfnwoR4NfvzA6bL03PycyowL_Ef0B6URnr7jC7z2goSXEac1cyWMRpLoaueTaTZ6MS1mzTsirAEv6pgoYVObuVMQ770/w640-h466/FB_IMG_1691418332990.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVttSqBUhx0xoWDA2DvPXtnFv8Tia-cVX0iOIpweJwIiFOmjhhjG-LsNguM_r7Bsjs0LWevMj3Wz4hyTbCynmwQ1TllpUlro2NG4AH4e8rl9dCNO916X0FBqwmxrfTx2IHPKJ4E0yv5KOEZhXkpqVLb1-1G-kBnV95XvynEU9Fr_uX5wLdL-JrD0KuhQA/s587/JS226628257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="587" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVttSqBUhx0xoWDA2DvPXtnFv8Tia-cVX0iOIpweJwIiFOmjhhjG-LsNguM_r7Bsjs0LWevMj3Wz4hyTbCynmwQ1TllpUlro2NG4AH4e8rl9dCNO916X0FBqwmxrfTx2IHPKJ4E0yv5KOEZhXkpqVLb1-1G-kBnV95XvynEU9Fr_uX5wLdL-JrD0KuhQA/w640-h454/JS226628257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYlrPNRJpQRuUsGetGJtqAKwdQGTaVn9iOgyFnj0V6p9qKsd8-KSIiTTdC0AtatXSa1MJMlbscOn1Rx1pl3zlUNCZ3GfvCD-sHaK9rfguHHJ-gcuiqLW_d-P510cqWg8H8FJnMa7DEkDDuDTUgF_OodxfL6fsaAfVFgg1nWfZKpACrHGqlLTc1WAK4v0/s2000/JS226628262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="2000" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYlrPNRJpQRuUsGetGJtqAKwdQGTaVn9iOgyFnj0V6p9qKsd8-KSIiTTdC0AtatXSa1MJMlbscOn1Rx1pl3zlUNCZ3GfvCD-sHaK9rfguHHJ-gcuiqLW_d-P510cqWg8H8FJnMa7DEkDDuDTUgF_OodxfL6fsaAfVFgg1nWfZKpACrHGqlLTc1WAK4v0/w640-h388/JS226628262.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Photos from <span style="text-align: left;">The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxF4asOFzeQ7QQDRGYxEoFH_OCpXsB6hTOz67xjZaW6nrmou2QOdETP3_43_vl4slCBMqidf4T6JG7e7JWVtZDM13bJkhPxkJTaEu2TlFwKEA9Lce7O5xJyZ-imSRTemgulmbCaOD6R-1DCf0zqtE85hrnpemL3U_Vb4nrwOsTHswYgkjxLCSiuMzmrA/s3944/img.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3944" data-original-width="801" height="3164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxF4asOFzeQ7QQDRGYxEoFH_OCpXsB6hTOz67xjZaW6nrmou2QOdETP3_43_vl4slCBMqidf4T6JG7e7JWVtZDM13bJkhPxkJTaEu2TlFwKEA9Lce7O5xJyZ-imSRTemgulmbCaOD6R-1DCf0zqtE85hrnpemL3U_Vb4nrwOsTHswYgkjxLCSiuMzmrA/w642-h3164/img.jpg" width="642" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduwoPcSZ2yPint5smYyCt9j6rMP6c5XbxIS_BC8fTWVyi4464pl_ckeiLurei0un35YGOH64nm9efAMtN0n_KywwfiHe4I12Njo1wWr6axXwNOOq-wBK4BXLrdzN4kjZYWBIsiZqk1skZDLmroXTYBpXUXnIXs29nQ2SyOW4uAbnNZiX7q2D2HUMeXvw/s3333/img%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3333" data-original-width="806" height="2680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduwoPcSZ2yPint5smYyCt9j6rMP6c5XbxIS_BC8fTWVyi4464pl_ckeiLurei0un35YGOH64nm9efAMtN0n_KywwfiHe4I12Njo1wWr6axXwNOOq-wBK4BXLrdzN4kjZYWBIsiZqk1skZDLmroXTYBpXUXnIXs29nQ2SyOW4uAbnNZiX7q2D2HUMeXvw/w647-h2680/img%20(1).jpg" width="647" /></a></div><br /><h2 class="PublicationInfo_Publisher__JukSJ" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--ui-link); line-height: 22px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: normal;"><span><span>The Guardian, </span>London, Greater London, England, </span>Wed, Apr 20, 1898, <span color="var(--core-ink)">Page 8</span></span></h2><div><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: normal;"><span color="var(--core-ink)"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My ancestor, William Bird, photographed in 1898 along with the other rescuers who were given a medal and certificate for their bravery. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.coalvilleheritage.org.uk/catalogue_item/whitwick-colliery-disaster-medal-winners" target="_blank">Source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE31pksWCG8O81w-v1_tbjOG17ouzqUaCwvmvxogQ0rEK247mftYDEXHCHi5zisrxMId5zPD58OE-3CQF3Kr_uUh4fvVhFihPEdxZU6rT1CccD2f_Pw3pkTkq5BoF4noTDH1LcFvuYLYGj3jw86cvQzlb3Ql0rqH3aaEN33ps6Iu5oPOMLVLobqfIK4U/s800/William%20Bird%20Whitwick%20Colliery%20Fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="800" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE31pksWCG8O81w-v1_tbjOG17ouzqUaCwvmvxogQ0rEK247mftYDEXHCHi5zisrxMId5zPD58OE-3CQF3Kr_uUh4fvVhFihPEdxZU6rT1CccD2f_Pw3pkTkq5BoF4noTDH1LcFvuYLYGj3jw86cvQzlb3Ql0rqH3aaEN33ps6Iu5oPOMLVLobqfIK4U/w640-h416/William%20Bird%20Whitwick%20Colliery%20Fire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>This year was the 125th anniversary of the Whitwick Colliery Disaster. Memorials have been placed to commemorate the lives lost that day as well as several news articles. The legacy of my 3rd great-grandfather lives on. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Kiki Nakita</i></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a></span></div></div><br /></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-23377124939239410102023-01-19T14:59:00.001-05:002023-03-06T11:22:53.926-05:00Hello Blog, Are You Still There?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good afternoon my dears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It has been awhile since I updated my blog with life updates. Since I last blogged, our family grew...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOF7VX-Rx6SP6zLQkDA4LzXwvuU3KCk_aEhUErtg_i_kdDAgpP7U4sRCKpPCv5V9ViGq1KBGASR1aCu6BmRBJ1BalO2YA8ZsPwwZe9ZMnN5RCEBUQ62QL-2l0FdZcsBi176MF9mnP3ZOJCDnEHPLu5t-_lvy1Czh2AIcaDr0nwwZtnpg-CGjHPVz8/s4994/490B2260-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3770" data-original-width="4994" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOF7VX-Rx6SP6zLQkDA4LzXwvuU3KCk_aEhUErtg_i_kdDAgpP7U4sRCKpPCv5V9ViGq1KBGASR1aCu6BmRBJ1BalO2YA8ZsPwwZe9ZMnN5RCEBUQ62QL-2l0FdZcsBi176MF9mnP3ZOJCDnEHPLu5t-_lvy1Czh2AIcaDr0nwwZtnpg-CGjHPVz8/w640-h484/490B2260-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We welcomed our daughter, Alli, in the Fall of 2022, after a successful IVF frozen embryo transfer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JipzNNysdMjnq7k6U4fqRGYsPKfdd7UNc8igwDaJZdICXEAbTCALKsK_vrEGtYD7N_mSvjzf2Pl0RJCk6Sy9aeV4hzt3jM9zYn_UidZ68ZAmpQb1N_Ww2f4GxpLUN3w_EBebdAuctKkX9DnaGnH3JIjoKCymRZUYvpJZpiqgghatJWlql7j36Yq2/s3536/490B2310-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="3536" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JipzNNysdMjnq7k6U4fqRGYsPKfdd7UNc8igwDaJZdICXEAbTCALKsK_vrEGtYD7N_mSvjzf2Pl0RJCk6Sy9aeV4hzt3jM9zYn_UidZ68ZAmpQb1N_Ww2f4GxpLUN3w_EBebdAuctKkX9DnaGnH3JIjoKCymRZUYvpJZpiqgghatJWlql7j36Yq2/w640-h462/490B2310-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For many years, it was just the <i>two of us</i>. I started this blog in college, back before social media took off. I have family and friends across the world and this was my little corner of the world to keep memories and share life updates. Time has flown by, as we have now been together for almost <i>thirteen years and</i> married for almost <i>ten years</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of my favorite things about blogging was getting to peek into the lives of different people. People who mostly live across the Unites States, some my age, some my parents age, but all with one thing in common ~ our love for record keeping family <i>moments and memories</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When our son, Drew, was born, in the Spring of 2022 (during lockdown) I continued sharing updates as well as making some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g" target="_blank">family home videos.</a> Then the news about Joshua Duggar, from the infamous 19 Kids and Counting show came out. I followed the trial religiously and kept up with two of my favorite Duggar discussion groups. It opened my eyes to being more cautious about sharing the lives of my children. I turned my Facebook posts about my children to friends only, and my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to private. I am still trying to find a balance between sharing life updates and keeping my children safe. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year, my goals are to get our home projects completed, to get my USB (external hard drive) of photos from 2022 organized, my 2022 family yearbook completed, to transfer more of my childhood family home movies, and last but not least, to update and hang our family tree up. What are some of your goals for this year? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until next time, </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-82170070586244956772021-09-14T16:19:00.000-04:002021-09-14T16:19:08.902-04:00Old Places And Pictures<div class="from-this-side-of-the-pond-button" style="margin: 0px auto; width: 273px;"> <a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <img alt="From this Side of the Pond" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNGI3xwxjTg/WVmWedFfZaI/AAAAAAAAPAA/lsgY_VeWUnU4Y7mezjBvT7KgxwvT_GslgCLcBGAs/s1600/hodgepodge-button.png" width="273" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Today I'm joining the hodgepodge</span></span></b></p><p><span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. How would you define 'old'? At what age is someone old? </span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If a building is placed on the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/" target="_blank">National Trust</a> or <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/" target="_blank">English Heritage</a> registry, then I consider it old.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Growing up I thought turning 40, or 50 was old. Now maybe 70, or 80. I remember my Granny Veronika saying: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"I didn't feel old turning 50, but I feel old now my son is turning 50."</i></span></p><p style="color: #666666;"></p><p style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. A place you've been that's old? Tell us something about your visit there. </span></b></p><p style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my favorite old places, Stoneleigh Abbey, is nestled in the heart-of-England, in the idyllic village I grew up in. The oldest part of the building (to the left) was built in 1154. The palatial part of the building (to the right) was built between 1714-1726, for Lord Leigh, the Lord Mayor of London. Some it's most famous guests include Queen Victoria in 1858, and my favorite author, Jane Austen. </span></p><p style="color: #666666;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIfn5ZXXvqU/YUDvpDB8hlI/AAAAAAAARP4/vpKr0Uv8XvUSLoQpMxpR-DZooiKMpUjXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%2B%2B%2528344%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIfn5ZXXvqU/YUDvpDB8hlI/AAAAAAAARP4/vpKr0Uv8XvUSLoQpMxpR-DZooiKMpUjXgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%2B%2B%2528344%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The River Sowe </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTAVr0L4pV0/YUDvwvlaxTI/AAAAAAAARP8/mIKyElASICg__MJVY8IoxOWLHqOuW_1_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%2B%2B%2528349%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTAVr0L4pV0/YUDvwvlaxTI/AAAAAAAARP8/mIKyElASICg__MJVY8IoxOWLHqOuW_1_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%2B%2B%2528349%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7QRDDBz6jY/YUDv7O7FCdI/AAAAAAAARQI/-jNmLyB1QwwIb2EfRS7DNl7yqbSIXwXdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%2B%2B%2528357%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7QRDDBz6jY/YUDv7O7FCdI/AAAAAAAARQI/-jNmLyB1QwwIb2EfRS7DNl7yqbSIXwXdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%2B%2B%2528357%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The orangery (tea room) has <u>a lot</u> of memories. Growing up we used to come have tea here, oftentimes during springtime and summertime when the gardens were in bloom, in our floral dresses and sunhats. </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q407Q0ELQU8/YUDwG5ufwuI/AAAAAAAARQM/VW3edqyv3oQNyMrWK_UE1RQfItgvT10ogCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%2B%2B%2528409%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q407Q0ELQU8/YUDwG5ufwuI/AAAAAAAARQM/VW3edqyv3oQNyMrWK_UE1RQfItgvT10ogCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/%2B%2B%2528409%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An English country garden with an abundance of lupins. </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OybhtUq9Ko8/YUDwSLyKxkI/AAAAAAAARQY/SieOGv9zBAkcc3xLZJ4Y7uTClwIc9eAngCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%2B%2B%2528420%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OybhtUq9Ko8/YUDwSLyKxkI/AAAAAAAARQY/SieOGv9zBAkcc3xLZJ4Y7uTClwIc9eAngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/%2B%2B%2528420%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Something you miss about the 'good old days'? When were they anyway? </span></b></p><p style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was blessed to grow up in the 1980's and 1990's. My family was always travelling and sightseeing, so I grew up with an interest in family history, architecture, design, preservation, etc. Most of my family has since passed away, and I miss them so much. </span></p><p style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My sister and me, circa 1998. </span></span></div><p></p><p style="color: #666666;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKMVSF6Kv54/YUD1xMLcDjI/AAAAAAAARQk/qqmGIlZzq0gLX2pu9cN8ZDlo4M4QPBLUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1409/1998%2BKiki%2B%2526%2BGigi%252C%2Bday%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2BCotswolds%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1409" height="520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKMVSF6Kv54/YUD1xMLcDjI/AAAAAAAARQk/qqmGIlZzq0gLX2pu9cN8ZDlo4M4QPBLUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h520/1998%2BKiki%2B%2526%2BGigi%252C%2Bday%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2BCotswolds%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNN9APQXvQ0/YUD1xPMYvPI/AAAAAAAARQo/DuNVim2vB1gWCV77ROx0zBATtVrOd0QqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1409/1998%2BKiki%2B%2526%2BGigi%252C%2Bday%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2BCotswolds%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1409" height="520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNN9APQXvQ0/YUD1xPMYvPI/AAAAAAAARQo/DuNVim2vB1gWCV77ROx0zBATtVrOd0QqgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h520/1998%2BKiki%2B%2526%2BGigi%252C%2Bday%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2BCotswolds%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="color: #666666; text-align: center;">If I could go back, I would've taken a lot more pictures of myself at 16/17. I was so fresh and pure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0S7V8ff3LyA/YUD17ZEDJfI/AAAAAAAARQw/QWBEHV8KTQciHO4nQZl_Wnke_7vs-HJgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/2003%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0S7V8ff3LyA/YUD17ZEDJfI/AAAAAAAARQw/QWBEHV8KTQciHO4nQZl_Wnke_7vs-HJgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/2003%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZhS-ovaLek/YUD17ZeM--I/AAAAAAAARQs/QocUe7QzYLIWFXl4HM1wHfiqu0S-TwQFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/2003%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZhS-ovaLek/YUD17ZeM--I/AAAAAAAARQs/QocUe7QzYLIWFXl4HM1wHfiqu0S-TwQFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/2003%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sure I'll look back at this moment, being a mama, as the 'good old days', someday too. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTYSCX6VrVk/YUD4lJuHy3I/AAAAAAAARRA/HF4k6fEbqsE7fFbSoDfRDKtc3eroKWctQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/easter%2Bfaves%2B%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTYSCX6VrVk/YUD4lJuHy3I/AAAAAAAARRA/HF4k6fEbqsE7fFbSoDfRDKtc3eroKWctQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/easter%2Bfaves%2B%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. In what way are you a 'chip off the old block'? Or if you'd rather, in what way is your child a 'chip off the old block'? </span></b></p><p style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">I'm thankful to have my Mum's traits of enjoying the simple life; fresh flowers on the table, day-trips, and a good tearoom. She also shared the importance of manners; making the time to send holiday cards, handwritten thank you notes, and birthday cards. </p><p style="color: #666666;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-KCMB_3YFc/YUD5pKTOrVI/AAAAAAAARRM/91NPBqmkzB8V8dOEnKIfU0RAvwq30zhNACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%2B%2B%2528258%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-KCMB_3YFc/YUD5pKTOrVI/AAAAAAAARRM/91NPBqmkzB8V8dOEnKIfU0RAvwq30zhNACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%2B%2B%2528258%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Old fashioned, Old Testament, old timer, same old same old, old glory, good old boy, old wives tale...choose an 'old' phrase that relates to something in your life or the wider world currently and explain. </span></b></p><p style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Old fashioned. Even though I'm 35, I've always gotten along well with those older than me. My Granny Veronika, Nana Mabel, Mum Julie. I even follow a lot of older bloggers and vloggers; who are settled in life, and appreciate the importance of preserving moments and memories. </span></p><p style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Insert your own random thought here. </span></b></p><p style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During my sons naptime, I decorated our kitchen and breakfast room for fall. </span></p><p style="color: #666666;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yf5c7hVqWfo/YUD-UY6csSI/AAAAAAAARRU/HXC39aR_VhsvJGYHqe8U2I7V5XH1JMDAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_8906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yf5c7hVqWfo/YUD-UY6csSI/AAAAAAAARRU/HXC39aR_VhsvJGYHqe8U2I7V5XH1JMDAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_8906.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0kGtheo3xY/YUD-a1tl3dI/AAAAAAAARRY/eBN9R1pB39UozQMPd5sLsb33Ye2G1BMuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_9024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0kGtheo3xY/YUD-a1tl3dI/AAAAAAAARRY/eBN9R1pB39UozQMPd5sLsb33Ye2G1BMuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_9024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLytiF_kij4/YUD-kXOKAhI/AAAAAAAARRg/aF2YH17u0b89JnHN9O0sNXIK1PXfuos7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_9044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLytiF_kij4/YUD-kXOKAhI/AAAAAAAARRg/aF2YH17u0b89JnHN9O0sNXIK1PXfuos7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_9044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">I filmed a <a href="https://youtu.be/8KGb62ibLlQ" target="_blank">video</a> showing how I made the floral arrangements, and a tour of our kitchen and breakfast room. Whenever I decorate for fall, I always get in the mood to bring out the recipe books and bake. How about you?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2R2ivGpZNEI/YUD-zfV3ETI/AAAAAAAARRo/cTE6pb_OJy8uMlSsTBJof81nqMfsX87dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_9140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2R2ivGpZNEI/YUD-zfV3ETI/AAAAAAAARRo/cTE6pb_OJy8uMlSsTBJof81nqMfsX87dwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_9140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="color: #666666; text-align: center;">Have a blessed day, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a></span></div></div><p style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Josefin Sans";" /></span></p><p style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></p>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-86121171794925361492021-07-13T16:03:00.000-04:002021-07-13T16:03:17.012-04:001990's and 2000's Memories Of Trips To France <div class="from-this-side-of-the-pond-button" style="margin: 0px auto; width: 273px;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/" rel="nofollow"> <img alt="From this Side of the Pond" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNGI3xwxjTg/WVmWedFfZaI/AAAAAAAAPAA/lsgY_VeWUnU4Y7mezjBvT7KgxwvT_GslgCLcBGAs/s1600/hodgepodge-button.png" width="273" /> </a> </span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm joining the hodgepodge. </span> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> <span style="color: #666666;">1. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? </span></span></b></p><div style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Counted my blessing in finding out about <a href="https://momsclub.org/" target="_blank">MOMS Club</a> international, and joined our local chapter. First mommy/son date is for Mexican food later this week. </span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th...have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit there, and if so what would site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn't an issue) </span></b></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Bastille Day would've been my maternal Grandad, Michael's <i>eighty-seventh</i> birthday. He grew up in an idyllic village called Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in the Heart-of-England. He was a highly skilled detonator in the diamond mines of South Africa during the 1960's and 1970's, which is where my mum, Julie Ann, was born and spent her early childhood before the family moved to Lusaka, Zambia. He and my Nana Mabel went home to the Heart-of-England to retire and they passed away within <i>five months </i>of each other. </span></div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-BJsVWHppE/YO3aUSF8VYI/AAAAAAAARM0/lWfH2Qup1XElxPKvRbv1rlJCAOy0FwJPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1121/1940%2527s%2BWendy%2B%2526%2BMichael.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="799" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-BJsVWHppE/YO3aUSF8VYI/AAAAAAAARM0/lWfH2Qup1XElxPKvRbv1rlJCAOy0FwJPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w456-h640/1940%2527s%2BWendy%2B%2526%2BMichael.jpg" width="456" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">My Grandad, Michael, and his little sister, Wendy</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Growing up between the ages of <i>eight </i>to <i>nineteen </i>in England, there were lot's of family vacations, or holidays as we would say, to France. Here's some memorable ones:<br /><br /><b>1997</b> - When I was around <i>eleven </i>years old we went to Brittany, in the NW region of France. And yes, I still wore jelly sandals, hairbands, white under shirts under my summer dresses, and no makeup. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgXgCXVvHU8/YO3e2Lttm6I/AAAAAAAARM8/d6Ij1VcBtA0el9JqHHEi_FjpxjQQrZ8mwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1416/1997%2BBrittany%252C%2BFrance%2Bholiday%2B%252812%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1416" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgXgCXVvHU8/YO3e2Lttm6I/AAAAAAAARM8/d6Ij1VcBtA0el9JqHHEi_FjpxjQQrZ8mwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h450/1997%2BBrittany%252C%2BFrance%2Bholiday%2B%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>1999</b> - When I was around <i>thirteen</i> years old we went to Disneyland, Paris. We stayed at a Western style hotel. We also stayed in Paris for a few days afterwards and saw the tunnel where Diana, Princess of Wales had her fatal car accident. I remember the <u>deafening silence</u> and <u>reverence</u> from everyone on the coach bus. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7G4zyVnXBU/YO3hVJFliXI/AAAAAAAARNc/ZBmuVSEvpkQHSHheok4ASVSY7cI4gHJWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1458/1999%2BDisneyland%2BParis%252C%2BKiki%2B%2526%2BGigi%2Bwanted%2Bposter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7G4zyVnXBU/YO3hVJFliXI/AAAAAAAARNc/ZBmuVSEvpkQHSHheok4ASVSY7cI4gHJWACLcBGAsYHQ/w460-h640/1999%2BDisneyland%2BParis%252C%2BKiki%2B%2526%2BGigi%2Bwanted%2Bposter.jpg" width="460" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>2001 </b>- When I was around <i>fifteen</i> years old I went to spend Christmas in with my paternal Granny, Auntie Di and and her family in Worth am Rhein, Germany. They live close to the Black Forest (where my Granny and Dad are now resting), but that Christmas we went to Strasbourg, France and it was the most beautiful European city at Christmastime. I remember going on a river cruise and to a authentic French restaurant, where I had the most <u>delicious</u> chicken in white wine sauce. Many years in college I'd visit my Granny a week before Christmas to help her decorate and we'd always drive over to the local French villages to visit the market. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxh_TYFP5Lo/YO3k5W-xiqI/AAAAAAAARNk/YjT0ygPXr30IhX8tU1Uxj1NZgAZ2mTEIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1503/2010%2527s%2BUncle%2BBuffy%2B%2526%2BAunti%2BDi%2527s%2Bhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1503" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxh_TYFP5Lo/YO3k5W-xiqI/AAAAAAAARNk/YjT0ygPXr30IhX8tU1Uxj1NZgAZ2mTEIgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h440/2010%2527s%2BUncle%2BBuffy%2B%2526%2BAunti%2BDi%2527s%2Bhouse.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Last but not least...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><b>2002</b> - When I was around <i>sixteen </i>years old, my high school art class did a trip to Paris. We had a full itinerary, which I will have to rummage out of my memorabilia box. I have maybe 3+/- pictures from that whole trip. One of the last trips with my disposable camera before getting a digital camera that summer. </span></div></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">3. A food associated with France that you love? </span></b></div><div style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Bread: Pain au chocolate, croissant, baguette. So yummy and in France they (used to) have no preservatives so they'd have to eat the bread within a day or two, so it didn't become stale. </span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? </span></b></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Will shop with coupons if I have them, but don't go out of my way couponing. Can't remember the last time I used one. </span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">5. You have to give something away this week...what will it be? </span></b></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Have a few boxes of baby stuff - <i>clothes and bottles</i>, I'm hoping to give away to a mom in FB mom group. </span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></div><div style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Since I last updated my blog, my son, Drew, turned <i>one </i>years old. We love and adore him <u>so much</u>, and hopefully one day when he's a little older we'll travel to France and make more memories.</span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="color: #666666;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9yPb3AaD5w/YO3pv7X-TsI/AAAAAAAARNs/IRTnZnnfg2080nOELFKFq8qm3RdYYAYqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/birthday%2Bfaves%2B%25284%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9yPb3AaD5w/YO3pv7X-TsI/AAAAAAAARNs/IRTnZnnfg2080nOELFKFq8qm3RdYYAYqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/birthday%2Bfaves%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="factItemLocation" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Au Revoir,</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="factItemLocation" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a></span></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-80000289491430697492021-04-23T16:50:00.002-04:002021-04-23T16:50:56.079-04:00Baby's First Easter + Updates <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good afternoon my dears,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Is anyone still there? I feel as if more and more people have stopped blogging and vlogging, and are mostly on social media these days. I enjoy reading posts there, but I also enjoy <i>'getting to know' </i>people through their blog posts. For as long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated with families, and it seems many of the families I follow on blogs and vlogs all have similarities; a relationship with God, a relationship with their grandparents, parents, children, and even grandchildren. So for those who still share 'behind the closed doors' of your life, thank you, because I enjoy reading and commenting. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- 10 Months Old -</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We took Drew's 10 month old pictures on Easter Sunday, in his new Peter Rabbit woolens. In his Easter basket was a Hippity Hoppity Little Bunny puppet book, and a large lambie to cuddle up with. He's enjoyed playing with them both. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xpv_y2BfNPU/YIMX2yJrFjI/AAAAAAAAQ_4/DmZeeCSpNd4T3pipmHp7cuQ3lIw_LWy2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5783-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xpv_y2BfNPU/YIMX2yJrFjI/AAAAAAAAQ_4/DmZeeCSpNd4T3pipmHp7cuQ3lIw_LWy2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_5783-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pitKT2vCKU0/YIMX3OEzwfI/AAAAAAAAQ_8/oG7uCY_mE3Iwx_GwRjjwk52rUcAPRa04ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5793-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pitKT2vCKU0/YIMX3OEzwfI/AAAAAAAAQ_8/oG7uCY_mE3Iwx_GwRjjwk52rUcAPRa04ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_5793-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWJlpZzNSK4/YIMX10dDnjI/AAAAAAAAQ_0/l5-BP1RXzZIgHKH_jFMBkf5YyU-A8SrPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5850-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWJlpZzNSK4/YIMX10dDnjI/AAAAAAAAQ_0/l5-BP1RXzZIgHKH_jFMBkf5YyU-A8SrPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_5850-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1TrGQ-Xlmc/YIMX6hSQBpI/AAAAAAAARAA/nblitTUiHOMzW9sIMTogagjDDFmPB9D4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5869-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1TrGQ-Xlmc/YIMX6hSQBpI/AAAAAAAARAA/nblitTUiHOMzW9sIMTogagjDDFmPB9D4wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_5869-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Family Photos -</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We took a few family photos of our little family after Easter lunch. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-cfVnu8RI4/YIMX_eerrjI/AAAAAAAARAI/lT4PuyqRLFcz_1yQf24CQrezdtswABdtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6127-e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-cfVnu8RI4/YIMX_eerrjI/AAAAAAAARAI/lT4PuyqRLFcz_1yQf24CQrezdtswABdtgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6127-e2.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8oaeCyv_cw/YIMX-pLD0ZI/AAAAAAAARAE/Ieqesx78ax4u818dKc4pMhhXinbBCPbNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6129-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8oaeCyv_cw/YIMX-pLD0ZI/AAAAAAAARAE/Ieqesx78ax4u818dKc4pMhhXinbBCPbNgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6129-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">His smile melts my heart. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEoZP8C2azo/YIMYCD5oFxI/AAAAAAAARAM/0CPHfzb-QyknBRUxYwlC0jTf0AKtklGCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6161-e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEoZP8C2azo/YIMYCD5oFxI/AAAAAAAARAM/0CPHfzb-QyknBRUxYwlC0jTf0AKtklGCQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6161-e2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl7UoKWFoME/YIMYGPdCmEI/AAAAAAAARAU/qHdphIxPt_UBM3es6Pf_SStMT51ev8LZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6165-e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl7UoKWFoME/YIMYGPdCmEI/AAAAAAAARAU/qHdphIxPt_UBM3es6Pf_SStMT51ev8LZACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6165-e2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URNv4Oj3wq4/YIMYI8TwkyI/AAAAAAAARAk/kM0DwJGUQSww8Y0oXusJyFgwIgXS2EyjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6202-e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URNv4Oj3wq4/YIMYI8TwkyI/AAAAAAAARAk/kM0DwJGUQSww8Y0oXusJyFgwIgXS2EyjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6202-e2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Covid-19 Vaccine - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Back in February, Cory's <a href="https://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2021/02/bye-bye-papa.html" target="_blank">Papa</a> passed away due to Covid-19 complications. Sadly, he was in an ambulance back on his way to the ER, and was pronounced dead on arrival. So we registered with our hospital and waited until our group was called upon for vaccination. I had my first dose on April 19th and Cory has his first dose on April 26th. We should be fully vaccinated before Drew's 1st birthday and my 35th birthday next month. Have you been vaccinated? How was your experience? </p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JY_WDivUlXw/YIMYI5-zN9I/AAAAAAAARAg/cfXnzIQk1OEkt37z24zOhWB0UMLWqDzHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_6374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JY_WDivUlXw/YIMYI5-zN9I/AAAAAAAARAg/cfXnzIQk1OEkt37z24zOhWB0UMLWqDzHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6374.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;">That's all for now folks. Take care. </div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a></span></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-5678136010942164702021-02-15T08:00:00.001-05:002021-02-15T08:00:06.786-05:00Baby's First Valentine's Day <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;">Good morning my dears, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;">How was your Valentine's Day? Was it different than in years past? Ours was. We traditionally celebrate Valentine's at <a href="https://www.theballantynehotel.com/dining/" target="_blank">The Ballantyne</a> with an afternoon tea. However, this year with the pandemic, urging us to stay-at-home, and of course with an 8-month old baby, we decided to stay-at-home. That doesn't mean it has to be like every other ordinary day, it can be a special, memory making, time together as a family. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;">For me, I like to plan ahead, and so I started my Valentine's Day tablescape shortly into the new year. That way, whenever Drew would take a nap, I could slowly add my chintz tea cups, loose leaf teas, miniature bud vases with stems of freshly cut pink roses, my Susan Branch books, fuzzy felt hearts, floral napkins, etc. until it felt like a sweetheart tea party could be served. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VnHGkrRpS-Y/YCgtnMbbj6I/AAAAAAAAQ5w/jQqM-8GQ8ZcJhdsvHIdBFdVssLRx0-vcACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VnHGkrRpS-Y/YCgtnMbbj6I/AAAAAAAAQ5w/jQqM-8GQ8ZcJhdsvHIdBFdVssLRx0-vcACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3556.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKrTPUF966A/YCgtnlZBrjI/AAAAAAAAQ54/BeZnA6gz-jAJWRPZmgSSU-uJ6-Ycr8DBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKrTPUF966A/YCgtnlZBrjI/AAAAAAAAQ54/BeZnA6gz-jAJWRPZmgSSU-uJ6-Ycr8DBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3558.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Susan Branch books, Sweets to the Sweet and Love. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUijGijGteM/YCgto-dsz1I/AAAAAAAAQ6A/UCBWFd637WYTQxZ_rZ0TIM-xGsEtfBmfACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUijGijGteM/YCgto-dsz1I/AAAAAAAAQ6A/UCBWFd637WYTQxZ_rZ0TIM-xGsEtfBmfACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3560.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFEOYy2ttkY/YCgtpb-pgsI/AAAAAAAAQ6I/ZXxyl7fVVHU5Yn-OnZzkj2wepQAx1T8EACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFEOYy2ttkY/YCgtpb-pgsI/AAAAAAAAQ6I/ZXxyl7fVVHU5Yn-OnZzkj2wepQAx1T8EACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwDjD2Gpnjw/YCgtq9LCIdI/AAAAAAAAQ6Q/sFEf5o8rABQXRC5wAPLQgi2Kp9mipJ55QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwDjD2Gpnjw/YCgtq9LCIdI/AAAAAAAAQ6Q/sFEf5o8rABQXRC5wAPLQgi2Kp9mipJ55QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3564.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqnM6tPWkGM/YCgtsdWrtGI/AAAAAAAAQ6c/Nn4_XI6Nk04kNK7P-5EQdbPMchfsWATowCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqnM6tPWkGM/YCgtsdWrtGI/AAAAAAAAQ6c/Nn4_XI6Nk04kNK7P-5EQdbPMchfsWATowCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3567.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD64SM7nH7Q/YCgttvDbUwI/AAAAAAAAQ6k/hL8MJX1J4Nwfqr_M33ijN3GkSBiifqmNACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD64SM7nH7Q/YCgttvDbUwI/AAAAAAAAQ6k/hL8MJX1J4Nwfqr_M33ijN3GkSBiifqmNACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3569.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aylp_wbQn8/YCgtvkyKmUI/AAAAAAAAQ68/725PxMz_hN0gpuc0wUE9gVBDadi6EPgwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aylp_wbQn8/YCgtvkyKmUI/AAAAAAAAQ68/725PxMz_hN0gpuc0wUE9gVBDadi6EPgwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3575.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This Valentine's Day was special for another reason, as it was Drew's first. He joined us at the table in his high-chair in his darling red corduroy overall. We sipped on loose leaf teas from our travels to England, and ate strawberry jam sandwiches (which I attempted to cut into heart shapes), pink lemonade cupcakes, and sugar cookies which we frosted and decorated. It was a special day, one we'll remember forever ~ or until we loose our memory. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm9UmYE7hVk/YCguDwjBbBI/AAAAAAAAQ7k/RpEZglR_57k_SpNztUh8EuJ3nGGMBfb3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_4419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm9UmYE7hVk/YCguDwjBbBI/AAAAAAAAQ7k/RpEZglR_57k_SpNztUh8EuJ3nGGMBfb3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_4419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj5Avi20eHQ/YCguD1vH04I/AAAAAAAAQ7g/QZc-XcgW0Ic3CTcE3Ky8xl3xzy1YB1oZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_4420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj5Avi20eHQ/YCguD1vH04I/AAAAAAAAQ7g/QZc-XcgW0Ic3CTcE3Ky8xl3xzy1YB1oZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_4420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjDOdhFHXRE/YCgu4yTYayI/AAAAAAAAQ8M/LCnXNIlfH2cUlscslMqG6SrIAkGFlJDNACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjDOdhFHXRE/YCgu4yTYayI/AAAAAAAAQ8M/LCnXNIlfH2cUlscslMqG6SrIAkGFlJDNACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_4424.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRXekLETar8/YCgu9KEhtKI/AAAAAAAAQ8U/74agNG9iXH0gQh9H3zyF7EB7Y1MxW6d5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4432-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRXekLETar8/YCgu9KEhtKI/AAAAAAAAQ8U/74agNG9iXH0gQh9H3zyF7EB7Y1MxW6d5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_4432-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-167xGF93X6I/YCgu9B2PkiI/AAAAAAAAQ8Y/aLNl7JSXmV0raoO6kUz9zEDKpmHeKZNIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4434-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-167xGF93X6I/YCgu9B2PkiI/AAAAAAAAQ8Y/aLNl7JSXmV0raoO6kUz9zEDKpmHeKZNIgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_4434-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPNUCiaZ3yA/YCgu9o0b3XI/AAAAAAAAQ8c/PEut3ZJFX-MeMdNtIUn16fpJj8SwjZSdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4440-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPNUCiaZ3yA/YCgu9o0b3XI/AAAAAAAAQ8c/PEut3ZJFX-MeMdNtIUn16fpJj8SwjZSdACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_4440-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: x-large;">- Family Home Movie - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7GCzS-14eaY" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;">Wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day, </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a></span></div></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-88656272053905240912021-02-08T16:24:00.000-05:002021-02-08T16:24:46.518-05:00Bye Bye, Papa <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- 1924 - 2021 -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bye Bye, Papa</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly, on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 my hubby's grandfather, whom he affectionately called, <i>Papa</i>, passed away, aged <i>ninety-six </i>years. He is now reunited with Grandee, his wife of almost <i>sixty-two</i> years. Together, they had <i>four </i>children, <i>nine</i> grandchildren, and <i>four</i> great-grandchildren. His obituary is still being written, so today I'm sharing a few photos and a memorial video my hubby made in his memory. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- End Of An Era - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Papa as a young boy in Wendling, Oregon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjNAj4KdVug/YCGl3-gQknI/AAAAAAAAQ4g/R5OnJGZUY0sFZ_fHVewfu2uYMiygNU5LQCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Papa%2Bboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="593" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjNAj4KdVug/YCGl3-gQknI/AAAAAAAAQ4g/R5OnJGZUY0sFZ_fHVewfu2uYMiygNU5LQCLcBGAsYHQ/w422-h640/Papa%2Bboy.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Papa with his siblings, David, Muriel, and Wayne. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HypaF2pW5qA/YCGmALIeEDI/AAAAAAAAQ4k/ZHZMrAdzj6oQwTTeoTYpTeaiVKGnzJtOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1176/Papa%2Band%2Bhis%2Bsiblings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="791" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HypaF2pW5qA/YCGmALIeEDI/AAAAAAAAQ4k/ZHZMrAdzj6oQwTTeoTYpTeaiVKGnzJtOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w430-h640/Papa%2Band%2Bhis%2Bsiblings.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Papa in his Seabees uniform. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VezqOBQdeI0/YCGmFfaGk7I/AAAAAAAAQ4o/9Q0NndZBo7cJZsV9GTwhKyTMtNZoobuHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s918/Papa%2Bin%2BNavy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="633" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VezqOBQdeI0/YCGmFfaGk7I/AAAAAAAAQ4o/9Q0NndZBo7cJZsV9GTwhKyTMtNZoobuHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w442-h640/Papa%2Bin%2BNavy.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Papa and Grandee on their wedding day. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OL__uIJWYfg/YCGmXO24TrI/AAAAAAAAQ44/DlIhmuz-7jILBvvY7jp5CIq-yKqJoRkAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1974/Arthur%2Band%2BMarlene%2BDillon%2BWedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="1579" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OL__uIJWYfg/YCGmXO24TrI/AAAAAAAAQ44/DlIhmuz-7jILBvvY7jp5CIq-yKqJoRkAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/Arthur%2Band%2BMarlene%2BDillon%2BWedding.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Papa and Grandee's children, Lori, Cindy (my mother-in-law), Mike, and Chris. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXpeEIWeglY/YCGmqJbCGBI/AAAAAAAAQ5A/M-2KRtDodm4ifR98QoChQVWGDBpUpyDVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Cindy%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXpeEIWeglY/YCGmqJbCGBI/AAAAAAAAQ5A/M-2KRtDodm4ifR98QoChQVWGDBpUpyDVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Cindy%2B1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Papa and Grandee celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqw9KdmklDk/YCGn39GxhPI/AAAAAAAAQ5I/nLr34QYKMjs6IZY02SpJJjFhWdbSXp2SACLcBGAsYHQ/s506/2000%2527s%2BGrandee%2Band%2BPapa%2B%2528picture%2Btaken%2Bby%2BCory%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="407" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqw9KdmklDk/YCGn39GxhPI/AAAAAAAAQ5I/nLr34QYKMjs6IZY02SpJJjFhWdbSXp2SACLcBGAsYHQ/w514-h640/2000%2527s%2BGrandee%2Band%2BPapa%2B%2528picture%2Btaken%2Bby%2BCory%2529.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-dillon-family-10-generations.html" target="_blank">Papa's family history</a> I <a href="http://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-jungers-family-7-generations.html" target="_blank">Grandee's Family history</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Memorial Tribute - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G3EHizOSoI4" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sending hugs to heaven</span>, </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a></span></div></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-35849538039412372602021-01-26T13:57:00.003-05:002021-01-26T13:57:54.708-05:00Baby's First Time Seeing The Ocean <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Good afternoon my dears, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white;"><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">We ended 2020 with a beachfront cottage staycation. It was relaxing watching the sunrise and sunset from our porch. We watched lots of Disney + and went for long walks on the beach. I made friends with an eager golden retriever who kept bringing me his tennis ball to throw for him. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Hope you enjoy these pictures of Drew seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. He kept sticking his tongue out to taste the salty air. His hair also got a little windblown. Seeing everything for the first time through a his eyes, really is a delight.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">- Our Family -</span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfFp3jkNgmE/YA8d-6cLFhI/AAAAAAAAQ0w/F1Oh8jCLpPICBky3OwUEg2Oax-e1Tl8NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2509/2020-12-31-e.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="2509" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfFp3jkNgmE/YA8d-6cLFhI/AAAAAAAAQ0w/F1Oh8jCLpPICBky3OwUEg2Oax-e1Tl8NQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h320/2020-12-31-e.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRhxv7mA-CI/YA8d-pbdT8I/AAAAAAAAQ0s/dkeVHvYMJpcNHoWb0tGowskCZwCxKmu-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3866-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRhxv7mA-CI/YA8d-pbdT8I/AAAAAAAAQ0s/dkeVHvYMJpcNHoWb0tGowskCZwCxKmu-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3866-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzHsDESgGz0/YA8d-GsbvGI/AAAAAAAAQ0o/ZhV-mUi3ZXgXkvHLjgxgqL_BHtFI9U4VQCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_3870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzHsDESgGz0/YA8d-GsbvGI/AAAAAAAAQ0o/ZhV-mUi3ZXgXkvHLjgxgqL_BHtFI9U4VQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3870.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vp5VUqSkmlw/YA8eBzm2eNI/AAAAAAAAQ04/L9zfOEst0VIheNdJWfNVJV8ejxi_kLO8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3876-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vp5VUqSkmlw/YA8eBzm2eNI/AAAAAAAAQ04/L9zfOEst0VIheNdJWfNVJV8ejxi_kLO8ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3876-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWEw2X01YP4/YA8eBhR82cI/AAAAAAAAQ00/8LSiegokiDASTKLsAV4Qn2jKg1XlwlwPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_3885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWEw2X01YP4/YA8eBhR82cI/AAAAAAAAQ00/8LSiegokiDASTKLsAV4Qn2jKg1XlwlwPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3885.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">- Sears Landing Beach Grill - </span></div><div><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;">One of our favorite restaurants on Topsail Islan<span style="background-color: white;">d is Sears Landing Beach Grill. The waitresses are so friendly ~ and adored Drew. Which is something we're not used to, since we haven't really eaten out much, if at all, during the pandemic. They <span><span style="font-family: inherit;">make the yummiest fried green tomatoes and have the freshest seafood ~ </span>amended<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>according<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to whatever the fishermen get on the daily catch. </span></span></span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwMEpCR8edw/YA8eEpChZMI/AAAAAAAAQ08/UP2NWQ5nY3ocksFA4THAKcChAxheTXaUACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3894-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwMEpCR8edw/YA8eEpChZMI/AAAAAAAAQ08/UP2NWQ5nY3ocksFA4THAKcChAxheTXaUACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3894-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdHpcqttCB4/YA8eGP-5SII/AAAAAAAAQ1A/940EQDdCAaEStxGwj8wpNVx9tu6wUqDtACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3898-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdHpcqttCB4/YA8eGP-5SII/AAAAAAAAQ1A/940EQDdCAaEStxGwj8wpNVx9tu6wUqDtACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3898-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">- Throwback -</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;">Here we are at Sears Landing back in 2013, it's the year my </span><i style="color: #666666;">Dad passed away,</i><span style="color: #666666;"> and it's the year we lived for a few months on Topsail Island, as newlyweds. Here's my </span><a href="https://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2013/10/topsail-beach-north-carolina.html" target="_blank">blog post</a><span style="color: #666666;"> from our last visit. Can't believe all these years later that we got to visit with our </span><span style="color: #666666;">son, Drew</span><span style="color: #666666;">. Definitely a memorable moment for both of us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">After lunch, we took a scenic drive along the coastline, to our old home ~ a duplex, overlooking the marsh on the north side of Topsail beach. Its where we lived during our first Christmas as a married couple. Its always fun to reminisce. </span></span></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXZGTSdnsDo/YBBZODuS6ZI/AAAAAAAAQ3E/oFHg675_JnkcvEBlbsY9K9c6ZGjPlpewwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%2B%2B%2528384%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXZGTSdnsDo/YBBZODuS6ZI/AAAAAAAAQ3E/oFHg675_JnkcvEBlbsY9K9c6ZGjPlpewwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%2B%2B%2528384%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puLDwiEbkBg/YBBZQQTkbpI/AAAAAAAAQ3I/61-nDEEB6vonXzlVyIGmoJ0ZKOM1boTTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%2B%2B%2528385%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puLDwiEbkBg/YBBZQQTkbpI/AAAAAAAAQ3I/61-nDEEB6vonXzlVyIGmoJ0ZKOM1boTTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%2B%2B%2528385%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9MYkHROb-Po/YBBjTjwMwqI/AAAAAAAAQ3k/Pc7LxApLk8QsJ4awyD81Q9Z33aYn0JWtACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3932-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9MYkHROb-Po/YBBjTjwMwqI/AAAAAAAAQ3k/Pc7LxApLk8QsJ4awyD81Q9Z33aYn0JWtACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3932-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiMSD1yfw60/YA8eKEEmUuI/AAAAAAAAQ1Q/ocipo_iZZmMuS70_dG4zZpdWlU8Wz-0PACLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_3954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiMSD1yfw60/YA8eKEEmUuI/AAAAAAAAQ1Q/ocipo_iZZmMuS70_dG4zZpdWlU8Wz-0PACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3954.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">We walked along the beach everyday ~ both in the mid-morning while other dogs were getting their walks, and in the evening, right before the sunset as the sky turns a tranquil shade ~ like cotton candy. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBIoIdkbiJs/YA8eKCoea_I/AAAAAAAAQ1M/WxRD3vJ8ocsTqAqZZ3u-zRXWZSkA2_4WACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3957-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBIoIdkbiJs/YA8eKCoea_I/AAAAAAAAQ1M/WxRD3vJ8ocsTqAqZZ3u-zRXWZSkA2_4WACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3957-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyUkskqkNgY/YA8eKF9LOJI/AAAAAAAAQ1U/z_s0QKKybgoBWnBRN_hD3z_ClWc9znqjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyUkskqkNgY/YA8eKF9LOJI/AAAAAAAAQ1U/z_s0QKKybgoBWnBRN_hD3z_ClWc9znqjwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEJdVRK6WOw/YA8eMrADlyI/AAAAAAAAQ1Y/n4H5-C1md2wzG7Mq7HQdTupMMOZv1nUVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3986-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEJdVRK6WOw/YA8eMrADlyI/AAAAAAAAQ1Y/n4H5-C1md2wzG7Mq7HQdTupMMOZv1nUVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3986-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdlEhiDdSvo/YA8eN-m6j7I/AAAAAAAAQ1g/mdLXw1JozD01TZUUrE-fZuQNEmCZXHMUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3987-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdlEhiDdSvo/YA8eN-m6j7I/AAAAAAAAQ1g/mdLXw1JozD01TZUUrE-fZuQNEmCZXHMUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3987-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIYfr_g3D78/YA8eNaGmLOI/AAAAAAAAQ1c/K93u8MfCJb0TojMTHikmrGsMRYYlXHYlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_3994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIYfr_g3D78/YA8eNaGmLOI/AAAAAAAAQ1c/K93u8MfCJb0TojMTHikmrGsMRYYlXHYlgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3994.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54u2E30LE9w/YA8eO6KtVcI/AAAAAAAAQ1o/MtHvtm4JD2ExmEqudcg56vcfxYd24WacQCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_4008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54u2E30LE9w/YA8eO6KtVcI/AAAAAAAAQ1o/MtHvtm4JD2ExmEqudcg56vcfxYd24WacQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_4008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">- Our Vacation Family Home Movie - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6H8dffCuaOQ" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Josefin Sans";"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sending you all our best wishes for a happy and healthy 2021</span>, </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans";"><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans";"><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a></span></div></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-13120779150627978182021-01-20T15:50:00.001-05:002021-01-20T15:52:41.411-05:00Baby's First Christmas <div style="text-align: center;">Good afternoon my dears, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We are nestled into the new year, and yet I still have our Christmas post in draft. It is hard to write the emotions we felt; happiness, joy, contentment. It was a Christmas dream ~ one that we've prayed about for almost <i>five years</i>, to have a baby, to become a <i>family of three.</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We started our Christmas preparations early, to allow a moments of <u><i>grace</i></u>, and the ability to be present and in the moment. Despite the pandemic, we were still able to do some of our favorite family traditions and stay in touch with family and friends <i>virtually</i>. Here are a few <i>highlights</i> of our Baby's First Christmas. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Our 2020 Christmas Card - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our miracle baby boy, Drew, was the ⭐of our Christmas card. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbO2T2axO9A/X_jHHQ1kFaI/AAAAAAAAQzo/x2aXVu5XNH8hY-f04PxJ1luIbQ3scLH4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1662/2020%2BChristmas%2BCard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbO2T2axO9A/X_jHHQ1kFaI/AAAAAAAAQzo/x2aXVu5XNH8hY-f04PxJ1luIbQ3scLH4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w462-h640/2020%2BChristmas%2BCard.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drew's reaction to seeing Santa Claus <i>aka</i> Daddy, for the first time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhjVkQ7WIdU/X_jNGdA7WuI/AAAAAAAAQ0E/2UZe5h-D_kIEAbXQLbnpEJRIUJYUt49AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3423.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhjVkQ7WIdU/X_jNGdA7WuI/AAAAAAAAQ0E/2UZe5h-D_kIEAbXQLbnpEJRIUJYUt49AQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJREiCr_0_s/X_jG8NnESQI/AAAAAAAAQzQ/xnGpzX0bCLoDcTKPdIeCAg9_Mc0ljyywQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3395-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJREiCr_0_s/X_jG8NnESQI/AAAAAAAAQzQ/xnGpzX0bCLoDcTKPdIeCAg9_Mc0ljyywQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3395-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DR_EcxGL28/X_jG8T1TbII/AAAAAAAAQzU/KoKUjmJ9Bd4uQ9x508vyJKK4xvZAV681wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3402-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DR_EcxGL28/X_jG8T1TbII/AAAAAAAAQzU/KoKUjmJ9Bd4uQ9x508vyJKK4xvZAV681wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3402-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNNBvYGQHcM/X_jG6rLClnI/AAAAAAAAQzM/SmhSbPLiK_8t1MACVPaLi4WHmoYxuaj6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3413.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNNBvYGQHcM/X_jG6rLClnI/AAAAAAAAQzM/SmhSbPLiK_8t1MACVPaLi4WHmoYxuaj6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBhqdJi-LZI/X_jG-_vHwHI/AAAAAAAAQzg/t0E5hflUBlASJL2lrPLvEg9II5MEr1jOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3448-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBhqdJi-LZI/X_jG-_vHwHI/AAAAAAAAQzg/t0E5hflUBlASJL2lrPLvEg9II5MEr1jOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3448-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Video chatting with family, who got to see Drew opening presents for the first time.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7Zh0g04gBc/X_jG-OpIOHI/AAAAAAAAQzc/fnQmVT6UAfU-Wcmczg2jsJ2tl16CJZOZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3470.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7Zh0g04gBc/X_jG-OpIOHI/AAAAAAAAQzc/fnQmVT6UAfU-Wcmczg2jsJ2tl16CJZOZgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3470.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Family Home Movie - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kXSDGZHJnsk" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;">Best wishes, </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><br /></i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span></div></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-27695447406523090032020-12-18T17:43:00.006-05:002020-12-18T23:29:33.833-05:00Thanksgiving & A Little Catch-Up <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good afternoon my dears, <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This year, we've <b>stayed home</b>, <b>stayed safe</b>, <b>worn a mask</b>, and <b>socially distanced</b> ourselves on the rare occasion we are out in public. There are many reasons as a family we have chosen to do this; in particular because at the beginning of the pandemic I was pregnant, we had a newborn with no immunity, for our elders, and for cancer patients (like my dad was) who are immunocompromised. Pediatric cancer has especially <b>been on my heart</b> lately, and I have shed many a tear because innocent newborns, babies, infants, and toddlers have died because their immune systems have been compromised. I couldn't ever live with the thought that I could've in any way contributed to their demise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Thanksgiving - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For that reason, we decided to forgo our annual tradition of going to The Biltmore for Thanksgiving. Instead we celebrated, just the 3 of us, at home. It was the most prefect day - the weather, the food, and getting to see Drew in his cute Thanksgiving outfits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_FPEyf5QnM/X9z1ZTWeSVI/AAAAAAAAQww/_LhfRWfiBDEzbXH3s1sPRERdTY4xYQpIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="427" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_FPEyf5QnM/X9z1ZTWeSVI/AAAAAAAAQww/_LhfRWfiBDEzbXH3s1sPRERdTY4xYQpIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h427/IMG_3004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9P-1o6-L_4/X9z1h0heUyI/AAAAAAAAQw0/4gxYHNfsh4gV6mu5FDKWBPdadAFIU9H_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3024.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9P-1o6-L_4/X9z1h0heUyI/AAAAAAAAQw0/4gxYHNfsh4gV6mu5FDKWBPdadAFIU9H_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We have been ordering our groceries through the <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/236298311688530151/" target="_blank">instacart</a> app most of this year. A few days before Thanksgiving the food was delivered to our front door, I rolled up my sleeves, and I spent 9 hours in the kitchen, yes, you read that right...nine hours, preparing our Thanksgiving dinner. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Menu </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Turkey, ham, popovers, sweet potato casserole, au gratin, roasted brussel sprouts, roasted carrots, and cranberry jello. For dessert, we had pear and apple pies and pumpkin spice choc-chip bundt cake. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pLTcaWuk24/X9z3C7wkIuI/AAAAAAAAQxI/NDn_KJ7E6bIczKuX_DNNUhu6iuGhhMwmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3056.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pLTcaWuk24/X9z3C7wkIuI/AAAAAAAAQxI/NDn_KJ7E6bIczKuX_DNNUhu6iuGhhMwmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeZBhaTAZcs/X9z3CzXdngI/AAAAAAAAQxE/gC8YEVjVYq4Hqq1WBU4EmPSYX6VZBDdsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3057.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeZBhaTAZcs/X9z3CzXdngI/AAAAAAAAQxE/gC8YEVjVYq4Hqq1WBU4EmPSYX6VZBDdsgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The floral arrangement was delivered a few days before. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DP9wJ0jgMUA/X9z3C3Qk34I/AAAAAAAAQxA/JCDF1gc2pksuALWO5aaSJnhENTo3DE7fgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3061.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DP9wJ0jgMUA/X9z3C3Qk34I/AAAAAAAAQxA/JCDF1gc2pksuALWO5aaSJnhENTo3DE7fgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3061.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRvtiI-64pQ/X9z3Ez9SF1I/AAAAAAAAQxQ/UU8ELTkyjQM-CYhGoEr1blBb9jqnWchrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3062.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRvtiI-64pQ/X9z3Ez9SF1I/AAAAAAAAQxQ/UU8ELTkyjQM-CYhGoEr1blBb9jqnWchrACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--J7zoO1y_wg/X9z3E7_BwLI/AAAAAAAAQxM/58xiV1TGNu4pRmgQG2HzV6MCfZ88XgS5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--J7zoO1y_wg/X9z3E7_BwLI/AAAAAAAAQxM/58xiV1TGNu4pRmgQG2HzV6MCfZ88XgS5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L11oyAEo-bM/X9z3FJsdvvI/AAAAAAAAQxU/xr0aZlOxKD0CdIVtNoZoLM6tdKzqAWEQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3070.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L11oyAEo-bM/X9z3FJsdvvI/AAAAAAAAQxU/xr0aZlOxKD0CdIVtNoZoLM6tdKzqAWEQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drew and Daddy </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrL9datd7nE/X9z3GBqFi3I/AAAAAAAAQxY/5U9SWxNIcyURrnlrwCs6b2qTrk4H1lU8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3072.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrL9datd7nE/X9z3GBqFi3I/AAAAAAAAQxY/5U9SWxNIcyURrnlrwCs6b2qTrk4H1lU8gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drew and Mama</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhEfTbzCoB0/X9z3GfQN4KI/AAAAAAAAQxc/3lPRMlEvcTsmPL5eL2_JWx3qtLF70UDRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3077.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhEfTbzCoB0/X9z3GfQN4KI/AAAAAAAAQxc/3lPRMlEvcTsmPL5eL2_JWx3qtLF70UDRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Virtual Tea Parties - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One way I've been entertaining myself while staying at home, is with virtual tea parties. I had one with my dear friend, Sherry, from the blog <a href="https://oursweetlovestory.com/" target="_blank">Our Love Story</a> and one with author, <a href="https://www.susanbranch.com/" target="_blank">Susan Branch</a>, along with 1,000 of her other fans. I sipped on Earl Grey tea with honey and nibbled on <a href="https://youtu.be/RN2cADyFS6g" target="_blank">homemade sugar cookies</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkrZnv2BK-g/X9z0fInlLsI/AAAAAAAAQwY/tOpAyIiAs8c0NgjhGYfMbAqfdLmNcSuoACLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_3335.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkrZnv2BK-g/X9z0fInlLsI/AAAAAAAAQwY/tOpAyIiAs8c0NgjhGYfMbAqfdLmNcSuoACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fr2VaSWlhQ/X9z0fUZTeUI/AAAAAAAAQwc/CUXWxwAHDaY3ZN93TGnCyiipjObwGK09wCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_3354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fr2VaSWlhQ/X9z0fUZTeUI/AAAAAAAAQwc/CUXWxwAHDaY3ZN93TGnCyiipjObwGK09wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My Susan Branch Christmas books. Her latest, Home For Christmas, is about her 1956 childhood Christmas. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tKiGKftKs4/X9z0fJGJDjI/AAAAAAAAQwU/VDO9eDA0ROkG9oK3mPVfje4yXEreFjm2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/IMG_3355.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5472" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tKiGKftKs4/X9z0fJGJDjI/AAAAAAAAQwU/VDO9eDA0ROkG9oK3mPVfje4yXEreFjm2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Granny and Grandpa- </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;">Before I say goodbye to you, I wanted to share a picture of my Granny Smith. Growing up, we would often call her Granny Apples because she always had curtains with appliqued apples on them in her kitchen. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;">My Granny's life events all happened in December. She was born on December 27th, 1938 in <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Kudowa-Zdrój. During the second world war she was sent on a cattle train to West Germany to work on a farm because she was from Lower Silesia - German, but not German enough, I guess. She married my Grandpa on December 12th, in Yorkshire, England and followed his career in the British Army all around the world. She gave my Dad and Auntie Di an idyllic childhood in the 50's, 60's and 70's and and was an involved Granny during the 80's, 90's, and 00's. Sadly, she passed away suddenly on December 8th, 2010. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">This year was 10 years. Yet it still feels like yesterday. She loved Christmastime and was one of those Christmas in July shoppers, so preparing and having a happy Christmas is how she'd want all of us to celebrate her, and her life. This year I finished converting her 8mm film reels into <a href="https://youtu.be/DTEp7irt8-I" target="_blank">digital videos</a>. She was a keeper of memories, a storyteller, and loved by her children and grandchildren - the best legacy of all. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6bWkJl5VM8/X9zzac52mxI/AAAAAAAAQwM/CY1kzyjJe-Y5zGptlbW6retFjzUDqFiIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1460/1990%2527s%2BGranny%2B%2526%2BGrandpa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1460" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6bWkJl5VM8/X9zzac52mxI/AAAAAAAAQwM/CY1kzyjJe-Y5zGptlbW6retFjzUDqFiIACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h440/1990%2527s%2BGranny%2B%2526%2BGrandpa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2021. <br /><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">Stay safe at home, </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><br /></i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-87810214244381478422020-11-02T15:59:00.002-05:002020-11-02T15:59:47.059-05:00Baby's First Halloween & Fall Catch-Up <p style="text-align: center;"> Good afternoon my dears,</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Its been awhile since I did a catch-up on my blog. Things are starting to get into a routine with Drew, which makes time for blogging, etc. much easier. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Decorating the Porch - </span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Our Halloween <a href="https://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2018/11/autumntraditions.html" target="_blank">tradition</a> was a little different this year. Instead of going to the pumpkin patch, we walked around our local garden nursery, Pike's Place, for fresh flowers and pumpkins to decorate our front porch. I even got my boys, Cory and Drew, to wear matching denim shirts for a front porch picture. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--npkPNvXPRs/X6AzCCUSNhI/AAAAAAAAQtI/GOTOoI6GydYQrtGX8F0N8tDiq4pOn22dACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2159-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--npkPNvXPRs/X6AzCCUSNhI/AAAAAAAAQtI/GOTOoI6GydYQrtGX8F0N8tDiq4pOn22dACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/IMG_2159-e.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Momma and Drew on the front porch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4c3AuHziy8/X6AzIyUB_WI/AAAAAAAAQtM/62jreFaPpeoGaNPerEOc9Pl0z4hKv7v0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2127-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4c3AuHziy8/X6AzIyUB_WI/AAAAAAAAQtM/62jreFaPpeoGaNPerEOc9Pl0z4hKv7v0wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2127-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Drew is 5 Months Old - </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Drew turned <i>5 months old</i> a few days before Halloween. We've given him the nickname, Drew Bear, ever since he was born, so we decided to dress him up as a bear cub for Halloween. I may be partial, but isn't he an adorable bear cub?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kURGcv8lS0o/X6AuPF18ihI/AAAAAAAAQsY/2-RX8TCMS0MYjCl184ORBt5pjNstmQfLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2424-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kURGcv8lS0o/X6AuPF18ihI/AAAAAAAAQsY/2-RX8TCMS0MYjCl184ORBt5pjNstmQfLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2424-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6s7Y3iuRTU/X6AvkfYQRUI/AAAAAAAAQsw/cLGce29Z2jUX6dUiCi7AK53pj3HntEhZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2422-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6s7Y3iuRTU/X6AvkfYQRUI/AAAAAAAAQsw/cLGce29Z2jUX6dUiCi7AK53pj3HntEhZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2422-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHHIPpbhtC8/X6AvyXFwpVI/AAAAAAAAQs4/BjjQRLuLxH4sRluMMO6ukUtxwHZD5a7TACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2413-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHHIPpbhtC8/X6AvyXFwpVI/AAAAAAAAQs4/BjjQRLuLxH4sRluMMO6ukUtxwHZD5a7TACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2413-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C26BENQ_CRE/X6AuS-SNvfI/AAAAAAAAQsg/Mq3s2phaZh4eJiXC1pF_g2XA4hwjDhztQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2443-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C26BENQ_CRE/X6AuS-SNvfI/AAAAAAAAQsg/Mq3s2phaZh4eJiXC1pF_g2XA4hwjDhztQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2443-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i>- Mary & Martha- </i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">A few months ago, I signed up with <a href="https://www.mymaryandmartha.com/21979/shop/catalog.aspx?displayCategory=0009" target="_blank">Mary & Martha</a>. They are a Christian based company that sells faith based items. I was able to get an early start on buying Christmas presents 25% off for Drew. I especially love the items from their All Creatures Great & Small, God's Rainbow Promise, and Woodland Friends collections. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5EeEqio2Y8/X6BeOZBO2XI/AAAAAAAAQtg/6zA0PlFVHOY5ndAQbh5e2m92Bh97zefTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/32665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5EeEqio2Y8/X6BeOZBO2XI/AAAAAAAAQtg/6zA0PlFVHOY5ndAQbh5e2m92Bh97zefTgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/32665.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i>- Fall Baking - </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We've been staying at home as much as possible during the <i>pandemic</i>. We're both homebodies, so Cory working from home has been ideal. Its given me a lot more time to cook homecooked lunches and dinners, and time to bake delicious treats. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These pumpkin spice cupcakes were from a baking kit at Aldi's, the cupcake liners were from <a href="https://www.sophistiplate.com/" target="_blank">Sophistiplate</a> (which I caution you to only take a peek if you have some sense of control), and the toppers were from Michaels. They were the perfect Halloween treat. </span></div><span class="factItemLocation" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDSpgPEdtz0/X6BjkLVNoZI/AAAAAAAAQt8/22sM9FUVA8cJ01ZIWdDBMRztq1nFPdBrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDSpgPEdtz0/X6BjkLVNoZI/AAAAAAAAQt8/22sM9FUVA8cJ01ZIWdDBMRztq1nFPdBrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2iimqb8rTxQ/X6BjVJ5SeRI/AAAAAAAAQtw/0Q4EH2WsxqEnIdMrygRBNjEyFyvUCs3eQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2iimqb8rTxQ/X6BjVJ5SeRI/AAAAAAAAQtw/0Q4EH2WsxqEnIdMrygRBNjEyFyvUCs3eQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2238.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: justify;">These mini banana bread loves were homemade using <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcOBzRY6DIPT8OgWxQktvKA" target="_blank">Grandma Griffith's</a> recipe. They were so delicious, even without the chocolate chips. In a small loaf pan they only take 25 minutes to bake. Delicious sliced with a spread of unsalted butter. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzyeCbc4Udw/X6BjOBzFsxI/AAAAAAAAQts/Lz3txy_WhKsO5ylnP-2MwBU_5tPWUZcAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzyeCbc4Udw/X6BjOBzFsxI/AAAAAAAAQts/Lz3txy_WhKsO5ylnP-2MwBU_5tPWUZcAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMjRrxW9gA0/X6BjMpgoFsI/AAAAAAAAQto/rc-Sy9DZKKoFYrwVmsynwCnGl_qtHE1LACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMjRrxW9gA0/X6BjMpgoFsI/AAAAAAAAQto/rc-Sy9DZKKoFYrwVmsynwCnGl_qtHE1LACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmpufEc90ig/X6Bmy9PAJeI/AAAAAAAAQuI/IOaobWpl3YcpyKSABkjpfaTK1UbtQdlfACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201023_100913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmpufEc90ig/X6Bmy9PAJeI/AAAAAAAAQuI/IOaobWpl3YcpyKSABkjpfaTK1UbtQdlfACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/20201023_100913.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: justify;">We'll be taking down our Fall décor and putting up our Christmas décor over the next few weeks. I like to have everything decorated, the presents bought and wrapped, cards addressed and stamped, and the pantry stocked before December 1st, that way I can relax and enjoy the holiday season. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;">Hope that you're all doing well. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; text-align: center;">Stay safe and cozy, </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span></div>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-968926794123138822020-08-06T14:07:00.001-04:002020-08-06T14:12:59.340-04:00Master Bathroom and Closet Tour <div style="text-align: center;">
Good afternoon my dears.<br />
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Today, I'd like to share a <i>glimpse</i> of our master bathroom and closet. Lets rewind back to March, when I was around <i>seven</i> months pregnant, and had the strongest urge to decorate around our home. My hubby started by painting the walls Valspar Sachet, a soft lavender-grey color, which makes the room feel both relaxing and romantic. Then, because of stay-at-home orders, I shopped our home for matching accessories. I was able to find this framed floral rose print and faux flowers which helped cozy up the space. <br />
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~ I enjoy playing <a href="https://youtu.be/Q5u2Ddbvocc">relaxing music</a>, taking a warm bath, and drying off with soft clean towels. ~</div>
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~ Someday, I'd like to update our lighting. If you have any ideas, let me know. ~<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-o0Vb3rEMI/XymEWMP4ewI/AAAAAAAAQqI/H9-lIBWQvRYYmllC8i76iiD79puUoF3bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%2B%2B%25286%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-o0Vb3rEMI/XymEWMP4ewI/AAAAAAAAQqI/H9-lIBWQvRYYmllC8i76iiD79puUoF3bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/%2B%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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~ Built-in that I use for our towel sets, bath salts, essential oils, etc. ~<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQyEWE96sbY/XymEWf7TVlI/AAAAAAAAQqM/dRnt4OKeNacKfHrwoGKMyFnN6wd0a6KPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%2B%2B%25287%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQyEWE96sbY/XymEWf7TVlI/AAAAAAAAQqM/dRnt4OKeNacKfHrwoGKMyFnN6wd0a6KPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/%2B%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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~ I love this painting of a magnolia above our lavatory. ~<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbWSP8Pyp-4/XymEWvv8q5I/AAAAAAAAQqQ/Mv_tCEgBCeAqtp06mjm1KAP_kXtFyseXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%2B%2B%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbWSP8Pyp-4/XymEWvv8q5I/AAAAAAAAQqQ/Mv_tCEgBCeAqtp06mjm1KAP_kXtFyseXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/%2B%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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~ View from the closet, looking into the bathroom. ~</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww5APqzv5eI/XymESSIHghI/AAAAAAAAQp0/ZkW9zej37N4EH9jOGJo7e4_mxugvdDCyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%2B%2B%252812%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww5APqzv5eI/XymESSIHghI/AAAAAAAAQp0/ZkW9zej37N4EH9jOGJo7e4_mxugvdDCyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/%2B%2B%252812%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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~ I love our view, overlooking acres of forest. ~<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rAXkF-VXMs/XymETux8XuI/AAAAAAAAQp4/QflDDtDJdOs6waeC6TCy7kjfkflQf2MSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%2B%2B%252817%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rAXkF-VXMs/XymETux8XuI/AAAAAAAAQp4/QflDDtDJdOs6waeC6TCy7kjfkflQf2MSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/%2B%2B%252817%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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~ My side of the closet. ~</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45ntXrIj27s/XymEUcXt9FI/AAAAAAAAQp8/lgkH1KSNQ0IlvpMx7vHnmeEi-zXVoQPFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%2B%2B%252821%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45ntXrIj27s/XymEUcXt9FI/AAAAAAAAQp8/lgkH1KSNQ0IlvpMx7vHnmeEi-zXVoQPFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/%2B%2B%252821%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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~Hubby's side of the closet. ~</div>
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Whenever my hubby has a special occasion, he'll buy a new shirt and donate a shirt. That's how it stays organized. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRh0Rc3HhxQ/XymEU9j-rpI/AAAAAAAAQqA/oxCI1NdcpnAhZxYLBPuI0B4Ozm6HR8eeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%2B%2B%252822%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRh0Rc3HhxQ/XymEU9j-rpI/AAAAAAAAQqA/oxCI1NdcpnAhZxYLBPuI0B4Ozm6HR8eeACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/%2B%2B%252822%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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~ Video ~<br />
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Includes a before and after from when we were building our home. </div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/poAqSEsEbr4" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<i style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span><br />
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Linked up to:<br />Grace at Home <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/2020/08/grace-at-home-no-390.html">#390</a><br /></div>
Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-28586704008824622052020-08-01T11:30:00.000-04:002020-08-01T11:30:53.609-04:00Cindy's 62nd Birthday In Charleston, SC<div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning my dears,<br />
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We've created so many <i>memories </i>over the years, and I've enjoyed finding ways to <i>preserve</i> those memories, whether it be digitally on my hard drive, or on social media. But one of my favorite ways to preserve memories is to write blog posts and edit videos that we can look back on over the years.<br /><br />Lets <i>rewind </i>back to early February, 2020. That month, I was 6 months pregnant with Drew, and we made a long weekend trip down to Charleston, SC, to celebrate Cory's mom's 62nd birthday. Cory's parents, Kerry and Cindy, live in Kennewick, WA, and this was their first visit to the Carolinas. </div>
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In the video, posted at the bottom of this post, we share our itinerary; a tour of where we stayed, where we visited, and the places we ate. But first, here are our favorite pictures from our trip. </div>
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~ Cory ~</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSqqhMEVoW8/XyV_4AZg4SI/AAAAAAAAQnA/X26mYEz2EhgNMV8_nh7soaCdboh1di9kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSqqhMEVoW8/XyV_4AZg4SI/AAAAAAAAQnA/X26mYEz2EhgNMV8_nh7soaCdboh1di9kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_9853.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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~ Cory and Cindy (his mom) ~<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SAqGrNlSXqo/XyV_6WsYgxI/AAAAAAAAQnE/qkBsdr9bGYgJffUUG-DDwt0QGbWNSKVVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SAqGrNlSXqo/XyV_6WsYgxI/AAAAAAAAQnE/qkBsdr9bGYgJffUUG-DDwt0QGbWNSKVVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_9855.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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~ Cory and Kerry (his dad) ~<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Rykz2Iz_w/XyWAC1sjHjI/AAAAAAAAQnI/8zpZDOmAMugOxR_3n7pnZQwtV3L-CSsMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Rykz2Iz_w/XyWAC1sjHjI/AAAAAAAAQnI/8zpZDOmAMugOxR_3n7pnZQwtV3L-CSsMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_9860.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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~ Kiki and bump ~<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJKNH5frYe0/XyWAO4izOGI/AAAAAAAAQnQ/tKQwt9v63PE_A4pu3x7Zp24efiD5mlNnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJKNH5frYe0/XyWAO4izOGI/AAAAAAAAQnQ/tKQwt9v63PE_A4pu3x7Zp24efiD5mlNnACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_9862.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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~ Cory, Kiki, and bump ~<br />
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~ Cindy and Kerry ~<br />
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~ Palmetto Tree ~<br />
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~ Cory, outside the Calhoun Mansion ~<br />
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~ Kiki and bump ~<br />
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~ Cindy and Kerry ~<br />
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~ Cory at the Pineapple Fountain ~<br />
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~ Cory at The Fish House Restaurant ~<br />
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~ Kiki and bump ~<br />
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~ Kiki at Patriot's Point ~<br />
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~ Cory ~<br />
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~ Kiki and Cory on the ferry to Fort Sumter ~<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 17.6px;">Here's a video of our trip to Charleston, SC. </span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vqidGFUdym4" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<i style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span></div>
Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-12189329048384100622020-07-13T16:37:00.000-04:002020-07-13T16:37:43.972-04:00Baby's First Day At The Lake <div style="text-align: center;">
Good afternoon my dears,</div>
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We are probably one of the few families who are <u>still</u> staying at home, under the recommendation of our pediatrician. </div>
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Over the past four months, we have only left our home for OB visits, the hospital to have Drew, and the pediatricians, so we needed a change of scenery. We recently spent a day at Lake Tillery in the Uwharrie National Forest. </div>
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The Uwharrie National Forest has scenic mountain backdrops and trails... for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. <br />
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The lake is host to boats and jetskiis, which create enough wake to make waves along the shorline.<br />
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This is our <u>favorite </u>spot, a secluded <i>'mini beach'</i> along the shoreline. The perfect place to have a picnic, dip in the water, and watch the wildlife.<br />
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We took our baby, Drew, and one of our pups, Oscar, for our first family outing together. It was just the change of scenery that we needed.<br />
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Here's a video of our family day at the lake.</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-iRY-X6nQKU" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<i style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.06px;"><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span></div>
Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-42360795524320277022020-06-09T14:47:00.000-04:002020-06-09T14:47:37.754-04:00Welcome To The World, Baby Drew<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #666666;">Our miracle <i>baby boy</i> is here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">H<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">e's been the <i>bestest</i> <i>baby</i> for us newbie parents.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><u>Drew's Birth Story</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">On Wednesday, May 27th, we started our day as usual. At lunchtime, I had gotten out the ingredients for some delicious sweet potato and black bean tacos, but wasn't up to cooking, so Cory made lunch. During lunch I started getting some contractions, close enough together that I started using the contractions counter app. Then, after eating lunch, at around 12.32pm, I went to stand up and my waters were broken and bloody. I called the nurse at my OB's office and they asked me to come to the hospital.<br /><br />At 2.30pm, we pulled into the hospital parking lot. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it through the hospital alone to my OB's office on the 4th floor, so instead we asked to go to triage, where Cory would be able to accompany me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While in triage, they performed the Covid-19 test on me, so that I could labor without a mask. Thankfully, my test results came back negative, as I couldn't imagine having to labor with a mask on. I feel empathy for anyone else who has to. Cory had to wear his mask the whole time, whenever someone walked into the room. While in triage, I had a speculum exam and they took a sample of my bloody waters to look at under a microscope. It confirmed that my waters had broken and my placenta had ruptured, which is why they decided to admit me, even though I was only 2cm dilated. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">At 4.30pm, we were taken to our room for the next few days, room 230, a corner room with a balcony. We did a video call with my Mum and sister, pointing the phone up to the ceiling during </span>contractions<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Around 8.00pm, after chewing on lots of ice chips to help distract me from my contractions, I asked how long it would be until my epidural, as the pain was becoming a lot more intolerable. The nurse said I'd have to be at least 4cm dilated, which she wasn't expecting me to be at for <i>many </i>more hours.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">A little while later, I had the strongest urge to push, so the nurse did a cervical check and was shocked that his head was already there. She then called another nurse to confirm that I was already 9cm dilated, and progressing <i>extremely </i>quickly. It was too late for an epidural, and besides there's no way I would've been able to sit still enough during my contractions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Hearing from the nurse that I was 9cm dilated, felt affirming. I had come this far, naturally, and the urge to push meant I'd get to meet our miracle baby boy soon. The nurse promptly called the doctor-on-call and other nurses, who got my room ready for delivery. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At 8.40pm, after four contractions and pushes, baby boy Drew made his debut into the world. Cory got to cut the umbilical cord and</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I got to hold him in my arms and give him lots and lots of kisses. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Friday, May 29th, (aka my birthday) </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">we were discharged from the hospital and made our way home-sweet-home. I've had some interesting birthdays over the years, but getting a birthday buddy, was the bestest early-birthday present I could ever ask for. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i><span class="factItemLocation">Kiki Nakita</span> </i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="text-decoration-line: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span></span></div>
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Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-33021960004527170422020-04-29T06:00:00.000-04:002020-04-29T06:00:11.370-04:00Hodgepodge - Pregnant During a Pandemic<div class="from-this-side-of-the-pond-button" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 273px;">
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. Expect the unexpected on From This Side of the Pond. Here's my x-ray question...when was the last time you felt like Superman? What's your superpower? Explain. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Superman, perhaps not. Superwoman, perhaps yes. Currently my superpower is being 35 weeks pregnant during a pandemic, with our miracle baby boy, due June 1st. </span></div>
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2. Are you a fan of the 'superhero' type movies? If so what's your favorite? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Not particularly. We have been watching a lot more action movies during the pandemic - mostly pandemic movies, where I suppose the <u>superhero</u> is whoever finds a cure. Two of my favorites are <a href="https://amzn.to/2xhUQdx">Toxic Skies</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/2yQM3zG">Outbreak</a>.</span></div>
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3. Have you postponed or cancelled a trip to the dentist in recent weeks, and if so when do you think you'll feel comfortable going back? How about other routine medical procedures? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thankfully, we had our 6 month cleaning and check-up on March 5th, before the stay-at-home orders were put in place. Our next appointment isn't until September 14th, so we'll see.<br /><br />I haven't left the house, besides routine OB prenatal checkups, since March 7th. You <u>can't</u> put pregnancy on pause, or on hold!</span></div>
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4. What's something that makes you feel youthful? Something that makes you feel '<i>not</i> so youthful'? Tell us why. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Most mornings I wake up with a youthful <i>pep-in-my-step</i>. Since my hubby is working from home, we put the pups harnesses and leashes on and go for a walk in the forest behind our home. It's only a few acres, but my hubby has created some meandering footpaths and it's enough to get my heart pumping.<br /><br />What makes me feel <u>not</u> so youthful? The fact that I was 16 half my life ago. The years since I graduated high school, college, got married, and moved into my dream home have flown by so quickly. Although, I must say being in my 30's is the best age - I'd never want to go back! </span></div>
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5. I feel compelled to include some sort of corona related question in the HP these days. What's the strangest thing you've seen in relation to the virus? Something that really struck you as odd, made you stop and think, 'Dorothy we're not in Kansas anymore?'</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm in a few Facebook groups where there's a lot of talk about cults and extreme religious groups. I find it hard to process that there are 'Christian' protesters who see the elderly as 'dead weight'. A lot of the elderly have served in wars and worked hard for the privilege of our freedom. </span></div>
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6. Insert your own random thought here. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My hubby recently ordered me a floral crown and captured a few maternity photos on our front porch, which I'd like to share with you all. Sadly, our prenatal classes, maternity photo shoot, and baby shower tea were canceled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For those who don't know our story, we've been on a journey to start a family for <u>almost</u> 5 years. After being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, 3 IUI's, 2 rounds of IVF, and a twin miscarriage - of course I'd be pregnant during a pandemic! I'm a <i>glass-half-full</i> type of person, so I've been embracing pregnancy and this miracle baby boy and cannot wait to meet him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"></span>Kiki Nakita</span></span> </span></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span></span></div>
</span>Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-17979385647705862812020-01-27T16:43:00.000-05:002020-01-30T10:50:41.263-05:00The December Bride: The Love Story of my Grandad Michael and Nana Mabel<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, I'd like to share with you an excerpt, from the years 1952-1961, of my nana Mabel and grandad Michael's love story.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;">PRESERVING MEMORIES</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When my maternal nana Mabel passed away in the summer of 2009, I inherited her memories. Memories preserved in her leather-bound photo albums, carefully curated with handwritten notes, diaries, love letters, dried flowers from her secret admirer – the love of her life, heirloom recipes, carefully clipped newspaper articles of important events, and memorabilia from her seven-decade life on earth.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With those memories comes the responsibility to preserve them for curious generations to come.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many Sunday afternoons my nana Mabel could be found in her home library, sitting comfortably with her feet perched on her footstool, which she called her poof. In her lap, her memorabilia box carefully curated from decades ago. </span></div>
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At Christmastime, she’d invite us to sit alongside her, and with her memory intact she’d tell the stories of how she and my Granddad came to be. She’d talk about “those days” as if they were so magical, she almost had to pinch herself to see if she were in a dream, only to realize she was one of the lucky ones who had found, and nurtured a fifty-five-year legacy of love. </div>
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Mabel Bird, <i>nee</i> Thawley</div>
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May 27th, 1931 - August 17th, 2009</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">MAYDAY <br />Thursday, May 1st, 1952</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">"Dearest Diary,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Today is the first day of my birthday month. It’s also one of my favorite days of the year, Mayday. My dear friend, Beth, from Sunday school, invited me to her friend’s church in nearby Ashby-De-La-Zouch to join in their Mayday festivities. The local villagers put on quite a spread, homemade scones, clotted cream, and homemade preserves served with tea. As we danced around the maypole with festive pastel ribbons a handsome looking chap, called Michael, kept smiling at me. It was love at first sight, a spellbinding once-upon-a-time moment.<br />Mabel"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">AN INVITATION</span></div>
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Every week since their first encounter, Michael and Mabel’s mutual friends would get together, it was during one of these get-togethers Mabel got the courage to ask Michael to her upcoming birthday party. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">21st BIRTHDAY</span></div>
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On a warm spring day, Tuesday, May 27th, 1952, my granddad Michael drove through the countryside in his 1950’s racing green, MG convertible to my Nana’s childhood home, for her 21st birthday party. </div>
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He saw the carved wooden sign, Mill House, and drove up the winding tree lined driveway. He parked his car by the carriage house and walked along the crunchy gravel driveway amongst the wildflowers to the forest-green front door. He knocked and waited, most anxiously. </div>
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My great-grandfather, William, opened the door and smiled as he welcomed Michael into his home for the first time. His sweaty hands were clutching onto a handpicked bouquet of forget-me-nots and bluebells, tied together with string. </div>
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“Mabel.” Called her father.</div>
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“Yes, Daddy.” She replied. </div>
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“Your date is here.” He responded. </div>
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She came down the time-worn stairway all giddy with excitement. She was wearing a swing dress, in a chintz pattern she’d been gifted for her 21st birthday from her mother, Daisy, and youngest sister, Barbara. </div>
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She smiled at Michael, as he handed her his handpicked bouquet and gestured him to follow her outdoors to the patio. The patio had wicker tables and chairs in a late Victorian style, adorned with hand-embroidered tablecloths, handpicked flowers, and delectable baked goods from her mother’s kitchen, including her all-time favorites, rhubarb pudding and rhubarb pie.</div>
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I’m not sure when our family’s fascination with rhubarb started, except that my great-grandfather, William grew and harvested it, and my great-grandmother, Daisy baked, and made rhubarb jam and sauce, which was served at any family get-together, or occasion. </div>
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It was a picture-perfect day.</div>
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THANK YOU </div>
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A few days after my Nana’s birthday celebration, a penned thank-you note prompted them to start writing fortnightly letters to each other. And as they grew to know each other they began initialing their letters MB (my granddad) and MT (my nana). </div>
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FRIENDS</div>
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Wherever Mabel went, she easily made friends. Her albums have so many pictures of her as a cheerful bridesmaid. This bridesmaid's dress is one of my favorites. </div>
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Mabel, a<span style="font-family: inherit;">bove far left, and below far right</span></div>
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THE WELSH CONNECTION</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My granddad’s paternal family, the <a href="http://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-bird-family-6-generations-revised.html">Bird’s</a>, go back many generations in Leicestershire. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">His maternal family, the <a href="http://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-hurt-family-8-generations.html">Hurt’s</a>, also go back many generations in Leicestershire, as framework knitters, before relocating to Wales as fishermen, where his parents, James and Betty May, met and fell in love, before returning and starting a family in Ashby-De-La-Zouch, in Leicestershire, England. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Betty May Bird, <i>nee</i> Hurt, December 21st, 1910 - 1994</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">PALM SUNDAY 1953</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My grandad's family extended an invitation for my nana’s family to join them at church for Palm Sunday, and to a homemade Sunday lunch afterwards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They drove along the winding road, under a canopy of old oak trees. They arrived just as the service began, with all the parishioners singing “all things bright and beautiful.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The priest lit the paschal candle, and the vicar distributed palms to commemorate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in his path. </span></div>
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-John 12:13-<br />
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,<br />
Hosanna!<br />
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After the service, my nana had mixed emotions, both anxiousness and giddiness, as she walked hand in hand along the country lane to my granddad’s parent’s home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They opened the squeaky garden gate and walked under an arbor of English ivy and up the perfectly straight stone pathway to a thatched 18th century cottage, affectionately called, The Nest (as in the Bird’s nest).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My granddad’s mother, Betty May fumbled for her keys, as she opened the stained glass wooden door. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Please make yourselves feel at home.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My granddad’s father, James, walked my nana and her family into the to the well-appointed dining room. The walls were adorned in family photos, each carefully placed so that all their guests could see how much their family meant to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ea6MZBq69hk/Xi9EfRuxCYI/AAAAAAAAQcw/ArEn2amHcWwzy1CA6UTFy6_BaGaRW1KEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/21169311_1157323067745617_397829986_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="799" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ea6MZBq69hk/Xi9EfRuxCYI/AAAAAAAAQcw/ArEn2amHcWwzy1CA6UTFy6_BaGaRW1KEACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/21169311_1157323067745617_397829986_o.jpg" width="456" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael and his younger sister, Wendy, circa early 1940's</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They sat at the dining room table, held hands and said grace. They feasted on Betty May’s homemade Cornish pasties, a side of creamed potatoes with melted gruyere, and a side of pea shoots with spring onions, made by my grandad's sister, Wendy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over conversation, the families realized they had a lot in common, they had a shared interest in the church and church activities, spending time with families and friends, tending to their gardens, which they called their <i>victory gardens</i>, and their home lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My nana always shared the importance of marrying into a family that not only loves you, but your whole family too. Over time, my nana and granddad’s families developed a lifelong relationship where they gathered for family celebrations, events and holidays – together in celebratory and solid form.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">James and Michael, at the beach, circa early 1940's</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'D LIKE YOUR PERMISSION SIR</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One chilly evening in April 1953, my granddad, Michael called my great-grandpa, William, and asked to talk with him. They arranged to talk at the nearby golf course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’d like the permission to court your daughter, sir.” Asked Michael. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What are your intentions?” Replied William.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“To marry her.” Replied Michael. <br /><div>
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And with the shake of hands, permission was given. </div>
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A few weeks later, on the first anniversary of them meeting at the Maypole festival, Michael took Mabel to one side. </div>
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“Would you do me the honor, of entering a courtship with me?” He asked, nervously awaiting her response.</div>
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“Yes” Mabel beamed. </div>
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They embraced, and for a moment, time stood still. The gentle warmth of the sun, the dappling sunlight through the trees, their shadows, and the noise of family and friends dancing around the maypole. </div>
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Their families overjoyed at the idea, congratulated them. Daisy poured lavender lemonade and Barbara passed around some scrumptious homemade shortbread, as they sat in a circular pattern around the lawn, in time-worn wicker chairs, adorned with chintz cushions and frilly pillows. </div>
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Michael and Mabel’s first summer of love had arrived, and they had plans to spend time with family and friends both at home and abroad.</div>
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FRANCE 1953</div>
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That summer, my nana Mabel, who was a secretary, took a few weeks off of work to travel to Paris, France with some of her dearest, childhood friends. While there she made a lifelong friend, and pen-pal, Renee. In a box, Mabel kept the letters she received, neatly tied up in lace ribbons and beside them was a picture of Renee riding her bicycle in the rural French countryside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Renee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In one letter, she wrote;</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">“Mabel, <br />Are you hoping to be Mrs. Bird? What a beautiful bride you’ll be. <br />Renee.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As you look through the photo album you can see the joy and excitement on my Nana Mabel’s face. She was in love, and praising the LORD for her beloved, Michael. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mabel, 6th from the left, at the Château de Fontainebleau</span></div>
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JOHN AND PRISCILLA BAKER</div>
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On Mabel’s return home, she stopped by the graves of her beloved maternal grandparents, John and Priscilla <a href="http://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-baker-family-7-generations.html">Baker</a>. They too had a love story, but it was cut short when John was killed in World War I.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Priscilla had endured a lot of loss in her life. Her father, also called <a href="http://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-story-of-emma-coombes-nee-evans.html">William</a>, was a barge master, and so she had an idyllic childhood growing up along the English waterways, along with her mother, Emma and younger sister, Lily May, until her father’s untimely death. Her endurance, is a character trait that has been passed down, generation, after generation as we too experience loss, and hard times. It was on this day that Mabel placed a bouquet of fuchsias on their graves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a letter to Michael she wrote;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763;">“MB,<br />Whether our life be long, or short, I hope to be by your side, as you do mine.</span><br /><div>
<span style="color: #073763;">MT.”</span></div>
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Their relationship was developing as they spent a lot of time together; calling on friends, playing bocce ball at The Nest, and talking about beaches at Mill House, as family and friends planned a trip for my Nana’s 22nd birthday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1953 BIRTHDAY BEACHTRIP </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />On my nana Mabel’s 22nd birthday, she went to the beach with her dearest childhood friends. They spent their days frolicking in the sea, making sandcastles, and evenings going dancing in the dance hall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mabel, on the far left</span></div>
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Mabel, standing in the middle, back row. </div>
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TAKE MY HAND</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Every Sunday, Michael would drive along the country roads to attend church with Mabel, and her family. They’d share the common book of prayer as the lector would read, and the hymnal as they’d sing.</span></div>
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After church, Michael would come to Mill House for Sunday lunch. Daisy would prepare a proper English roast, with roast beef, au jus, Yorkshire puddings, creamed potatoes with chives, copper pennies (carrots), shelled peas, and a delectable desert of rhubarb pudding (in the summer), or rhubarb pie (in the winter). </div>
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William would take pride in having his family together, hand in hand saying grace; </div>
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“Bless the food before us, the family beside us, and the love between us. Amen”</div>
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The table linens were off white, with an embroidered hem, carefully washed and starched to display the china, cutlery, glassware, handpicked wildflowers and food. </div>
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The china was all handmade and hand painted, by my great-grandfather, William, who was well-known for his decades long career for the Staffordshire Pottery. His pottery is in many family homes, like Mill House, and has been passed down from generation, to generation for families to have Sunday roasts and holiday dinners.</div>
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After dinner, William and Michael retired to the rose garden in the back garden. It was there Michael asked if he could have William’s daughter’s hand in marriage and William gave his blessing. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">William Thawley, at the potter’s wheel, December 27th, 1905 - October 7th, 1980</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">THE ENGAGEMENT RING</span></div>
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Autumn, turned into winter, and Michael knowing he’d soon ask Mabel to be his wife rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He worked in the mines like his forefathers before him as an explosives engineer. His skill as a detonator made him invaluable to many local mining communities, thus he’d have to travel for a few days at a time for work. </div>
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Once Michael had saved enough, he asked his mother, Betty May, and younger sister, Wendy to help him pick out a ring – the ring he’d ask for Mabel’s hand in marriage. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They picked out an 18K gold band with a .61 old mine cut diamond set in 8 prongs, and inside it was engraved MT with love MB. He placed the ring box in his mother’s jewelry box, until the magical night he proposed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">CHRISTMAS EVE, 1953</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Christmas was my nana’s favorite holiday. Every year growing up her family would bake gingerbread cake and embroider tea towels to gift their family, friends, and neighbors. They would go to her paternal grandparents, Arthur and Ada <a href="http://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-thawley-family-9-generations.html">Thawley's</a> home to cut a fresh pine tree and decorate it with handmade gingerbread biscuits tied on with plaid ribbons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One year at church she shared how she always wanted to be a primary school teacher, so every year thereafter they’d ask her to help with the children’s production of A CHRISTMAS STORY. She’d cast all the Sunday school children and together with her mother, Daisy, and younger sister, Barbara they’d make an array of costumes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Christmas Eve 1953, my nana Mabel stood confidently on the side of the altar directing the play, then tip toed back to the pew to share a hymnal with my granddad Michael as they sang some of their favorite Christmas carols. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After the service, they walked hand in hand up to the altar to look at the festive church decorations and blow out the candles on the advent wreath, when spontaneously Michael went down on bended knee. Mabel’s first thought was he was kneeling to pray, ‘til he pulled his hand outside his blue blazer pocket and opened a midnight blue suede ring box, with a dazzling diamond and asked;</span></div>
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“Mabel, will you be my bride?”</div>
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To which she excitably exclaimed “Yes.”</div>
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Their families joined them in congratulations, and clasped each other’s hands as William led them in prayer;</div>
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“LORD we pray today for Michael and Mabel, as they enter into an engagement. We pray that they walk closely with you through this process, and glorify you on their wedding day. Amen”</div>
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My nana’s journal entries from December 1953 show how the magic – of Christmas and of being engaged filled her heart. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">PLANNING A WEDDING 1954</span></div>
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A few weeks after the Christmas festivities began to die down, my nana and her mother, Daisy started to plan her wedding. </div>
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Growing up, my nana always wanted to be a December bride. She enjoyed the merriment of Christmas, and loved how the church was festively decorated. So, she scribbled a few days in shorthand in her journal, eventually deciding on the 12th of December 1954, two weeks before Christmas Day. </div>
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Her parents sent out a formal invitation inviting both my nana Mabel and my granddad Michael’s close family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.</div>
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The invitation read;</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Mr. and Mrs. William Thawley<br />request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter <br />Mabel<br /> to <br />Michael Idris Bird<br /> Sunday, the twelfth of December<br />Nineteen hundred and fifty-four<br />at two in the afternoon<br />at our home church<br />Reception at Mill House to follow</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many weekends Daisy and Betty May would have tea as they hand embroidered table cloths for the tables. My nana’s flowers of choice, both cream and red carnations which the local newspaper used as the title for their wedding announcement;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">CARNATIONS DECORATE CHURCH </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A 2 p.m. ceremony at home church, at which the Right Reverend officiated, married Miss Mabel Thawley to Michael Idris Bird on Sunday, 12th December 1954. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Thawley of Tamworth, and parents of the bridegroom are Mr. and Mrs. James Albert Bird of Ashby-De-La-Zouch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Baskets of carnations in colors from cream to red were decorations in the church, and organ music was Pachelbel Canon in D. The bride was escorted by her father. She wore a gown of white slipper satin. Bodice and sleeves of the gown were of satin and the neckline collared and slightly beaded. She wore an heirloom veil of embroidered lace, which was held by an heirloom tiara. She also wore pearl earrings, which were a gift from the bridegroom. She carried a bouquet of cream and red carnations with heirloom ribbons and lace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Miss Barbara Thawley, sister and maid-of-honor wore a floor-length gown with buttons and a fur hand muffler with a corsage of cream and red carnations centered on an heirloom pin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Miss Wendy Bird, sister of the bridegroom and bridesmaid wore a gown which matched Miss Thawley’s and wore an identical corsage. Both attendants wore fur trimmed hats which were a gift from the bride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A reception after the ceremony took place at the bride’s childhood home, Mill House, where bouquets of cream and red carnations were decorations. The bride’s parents served as host and hostess, baked and served the cake, tea and coffee. The bridegroom’s parents kept the guestbook and received the gifts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Betty May, James, flower girl, Wendy, best man, Michael, Mabel, William, Barbara, flower girl, Daisy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">HONEYSUCKLE COTTAGE 1954</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Michaels wedding gift to Mabel was Honeysuckle Cottage, a 16th thatched cottage close by to their parents’ homes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Covering her eyes gently with his hands, Michael walked Mabel up the footpath and surprised her. He opened the English walnut front door with symmetrical stained-glass panels which projected colorful patterns on the hallway walls and floor as he carried her over the threshold. Downstairs was a library, living room, dining room, kitchen, and sun porch. Upstairs was four bedrooms, each with a wide window seat, and two bathrooms. The gardens were unkept, but with a little work, and the help of their fathers - William and James they had flowerbeds of roses, and a victory garden with marigolds planted around the perimeter to keep pests away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">HONEYMOON IN EUROPE 1955</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The spring of 1955, following their wedding, Michael and Mabel went on their honeymoon. They were waiting for the snow to melt, and the signs of snowdrops were a sign that it was beginning to warm up. They had a paper map, arrangements for where they would be staying, and a camera – to capture these pictures, as they travelled Europe by motorcycle and side car. </span></div>
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Mabel on her honeymoon, 1955</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A SON IS BORN</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Three years after Michael and Mabel were married they started a new adventure – parenthood. They welcomed their firstborn son, John Idris, into the world in May 1957. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">John Idris Bird, circa 1957</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mabel, Daisy, and John, circa early 1960</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">MOVING TO AFRICA 1960</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During the ealry 1960's, Michael, who was a highly skilled explosive engineer, was sought after by various mining companies worldwide. The family were offered the choice to relocate to either Canada, or South Africa, they chose the latter. Michael and Mabel would continue living in the continent of Africa until the early 1980's, before returning to England. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">DAUGHTER IS BORN</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Michael and Mabel welcomed their second born, Julie Ann, into the world in March 1961. They named their children after the 1955 British comedy film John and Julie, about two children who to make their own way to see the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, II. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">John an Julie, circa 1961</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">IN MEMORIAM</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In March 2009, after a long-fought battle with black lung, due to exposure in the mining industry, my granddad, Michael Idris Bird went home to be with the LORD.</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Five short months later, in August 2009, after several falls which weakened her strength, my nana Mabel Bird, nee Thawley went home to be with the LORD. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Together, they leave behind their two children – a son and daughter, and five grandchildren. </span></div>
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Michael and Mabel, next to their son John on his wedding day, September 1985. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Their legacy continues, and is remembered through stories, photos, letters, journals, and recipes passed down. And most of all it is remembered during the magic of Christmas – as THE DECEMBER BRIDE. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="color: #666666;">Kiki Nakita</span></span> </span></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Linked up to: Grace at Home <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/2020/01/grace-at-home-no-364.html">#364</a></span></span></div>
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Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-86808494078318925762019-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:002019-12-12T09:24:40.689-05:00Christmas Home Tour<div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning my dears,</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at our Christmas décor. This is our second Christmas at the farmhouse out in the country, so it was fun getting to find a few new Christmassy items to decorate with.<br /><br />One of my favorite pieces is this mirror, as it reminds me of a church arch, and reflects all the light from the windows on the opposite wall. During Christmastime it also reflects all the twinkling lights from the tree. </span></span></div>
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Our tree is 12 foot tall, so my hubby usually decorates the top of the tree on a step stool, since I'm only 5'3" and can't reach. This year I added some strawberry fruit ornaments from my childhood, as well as some other sentimental ornaments. The teddy bear is a popular German brand, can't remember the name, but was my dad's childhood bear from the 1950's. </div>
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Last year my hubby gifted me some Better Homes & Garden plates. This year I decided to take the scene out of the plates, for a festive and whimsical breakfast room tablescape. Our breakfast room gets a lot of natural light, so sometimes depending on the time of day, the faux snow will sparkle. It definitely puts me is a festive mood, considering we rarely get any real snow in our small town. </div>
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I also filmed a few glimpses of our library mantle which houses our nativity and a few glimpses of the décor in our kitchen. Grab yourselves a cup of hot cocoa and have a peek. </div>
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Christmas wishes from our home to yours,</div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="color: #666666;">Kiki Nakita</span></span> </span></i></span></span></span><br />
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Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-64471575750435517312019-12-04T08:00:00.000-05:002019-12-04T08:00:01.577-05:00Big Announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good morning my dears,</div>
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I've been a little quiet on my blog lately... for good reason, as I spent the majority of my late summer undergoing a successful second round of IVF. I decided to focus all my time and attention on my RE appointments and kept a diary, of sorts, on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18084182308045555/">IG stories</a>. At the time of writing this, I'm 14 weeks, 2 day pregnant with a miracle baby boy. As you can imagine, we both feel extremely <u>grateful</u> and <u>blessed</u>. Big thank you to anyone who kept us in their thoughts and prayers, it meant/means a lot to us. </div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="color: #666666;">Kiki Nakita</span></span> </span></i></span></span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-34490813708935810032019-10-22T15:36:00.003-04:002019-10-22T15:36:52.457-04:00Cory's 38th Birthday in Richmond, VA & Colonial Williamsburg, VA<div style="text-align: center;">
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Good afternoon my dears,</div>
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We recently celebrated Cory's 38th birthday in Richmond, Virginia and Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. While there we stayed at <a href="https://tapestrycollection3.hilton.com/tc/virginia-crossings-hotel/?WT.mc_id=zlada0ww1xx2psh3da4ppc5ppc6multibr7_153677873_1003528&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0brtBRDOARIsANMDykZ8_IoYAZw_I5ZNsjaD_54mMgWpDqqHHIkOXbmOMF6IgcgC5Xi5PDEaAkoUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds">Virginia Crossings</a>, the same hotel we stayed at during our <a href="https://kikinakita.blogspot.com/2016/04/our-trip-to-richmond-virginia.html">2016 trip</a> to visit with my college friend, Rachel, whose husband was training for the National Guard. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFPW-5HRbC4/Xa26SPRo2HI/AAAAAAAAQVc/XNwIpS_KpXYYB0evqfEmUarL87jfifgCgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_110337-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFPW-5HRbC4/Xa26SPRo2HI/AAAAAAAAQVc/XNwIpS_KpXYYB0evqfEmUarL87jfifgCgCEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_110337-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Afternoon Tea at The Jefferson Hotel</span><br />
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Richmond as a city is a little bit <i>tired</i> compared to other southern cities such as Charlotte, Raleigh, or Charleston. However, one of their historic gems is The Jefferson Hotel, which dates back to 1895. We had made reservations for an afternoon tea, and it didn't disappoint. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9BBACerV6c/Xa28IIM6ttI/AAAAAAAAQW8/Vq483ZYtoJgyNRjovLEwyrEWaTWqV65ngCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_135033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9BBACerV6c/Xa28IIM6ttI/AAAAAAAAQW8/Vq483ZYtoJgyNRjovLEwyrEWaTWqV65ngCEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_135033.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds7uh6EdkB4/Xa26kYIvoMI/AAAAAAAAQV8/JJvz0VfgBxA8YZ1QtuDZgNVohr3QH73VgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_122318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds7uh6EdkB4/Xa26kYIvoMI/AAAAAAAAQV8/JJvz0VfgBxA8YZ1QtuDZgNVohr3QH73VgCEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_122318.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_VbKgT7axI/Xa26jpv-KeI/AAAAAAAAQV4/2t6SRGtRWzMKaklERKsMRdWTmt9gnDXyACEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_125614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_VbKgT7axI/Xa26jpv-KeI/AAAAAAAAQV4/2t6SRGtRWzMKaklERKsMRdWTmt9gnDXyACEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_125614.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2YbnoODhmw/Xa26jLfRZpI/AAAAAAAAQV0/DvrTKsdVeUsCZu_dLJAyk7aXx75efqiMQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_125622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2YbnoODhmw/Xa26jLfRZpI/AAAAAAAAQV0/DvrTKsdVeUsCZu_dLJAyk7aXx75efqiMQCEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_125622.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Cory standing with the statue of Thomas Jefferson.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDrS_rPDy4o/Xa26l1VwL4I/AAAAAAAAQWA/zWjR9xET7HMbehaCLy642T3X52uzB01PwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_133412-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDrS_rPDy4o/Xa26l1VwL4I/AAAAAAAAQWA/zWjR9xET7HMbehaCLy642T3X52uzB01PwCEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_133412-e.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxltgYUFZz4/Xa26lwsUWII/AAAAAAAAQWE/rnOr8HNLc-o72vE7KzTJMosX42c-Ws66wCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_134017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxltgYUFZz4/Xa26lwsUWII/AAAAAAAAQWE/rnOr8HNLc-o72vE7KzTJMosX42c-Ws66wCEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_134017.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Edgar Allen Poe Museum</span><br />
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Edgar Allen Poe was a colorful character. He led an interesting life marred by many losses and mental health disorders. We toured the Poe Museum, which is housed in one of the oldest houses in Richmond, Virginia. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfmDmvaXJss/Xa274np3-eI/AAAAAAAAQWk/CR_08pbo9HsSvsvwPy4pQcsgz-PnR10TgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_152047-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfmDmvaXJss/Xa274np3-eI/AAAAAAAAQWk/CR_08pbo9HsSvsvwPy4pQcsgz-PnR10TgCEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_152047-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFPy5ehDaxE/Xa28EPHOz9I/AAAAAAAAQXE/azf07LadvQoIsNyjxHWofT1QildeWCmEACEwYBhgL/s1600/20191006_152912-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFPy5ehDaxE/Xa28EPHOz9I/AAAAAAAAQXE/azf07LadvQoIsNyjxHWofT1QildeWCmEACEwYBhgL/s640/20191006_152912-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Colonial Williamsburg</span><br />
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On Cory's birthday we made the short drive to Colonial Williamsburg. We took a tour of the Governor's Palace and afterwards spent several hours trying to find something - anything to eat. A lot of the restaurants are closed on Mondays, or until 5pm, so we kept being told there'd be over an hour wait. We eventually found a restaurant, but they ended up not having the ingredients needed for my fish lunch, so we ended up waiting over an hour anyways. Long story short, I'd <u>highly</u> recommend bringing a picnic and eating on the lawn overlooking Governor's Palace. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6A9jPfqh-wQ/Xa28H1dhZxI/AAAAAAAAQXA/ZrUY2omof4A49lyOs1ACaJlIa8Tq_-EigCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191007_155305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6A9jPfqh-wQ/Xa28H1dhZxI/AAAAAAAAQXA/ZrUY2omof4A49lyOs1ACaJlIa8Tq_-EigCEwYBhgL/s640/20191007_155305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My favorite part of the day was when the light started dappling.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uekXvREfUkI/Xa28M9BAVZI/AAAAAAAAQXA/XPZn24NDxeEu51Ewq3caCDbVew_rvdGzgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191007_165213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uekXvREfUkI/Xa28M9BAVZI/AAAAAAAAQXA/XPZn24NDxeEu51Ewq3caCDbVew_rvdGzgCEwYBhgL/s640/20191007_165213.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7kCCV9MPtU/Xa28NJei5nI/AAAAAAAAQXE/7OxCxQH-Z0Uj1417QA_Zw9abj2vXp4xJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191007_165327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7kCCV9MPtU/Xa28NJei5nI/AAAAAAAAQXE/7OxCxQH-Z0Uj1417QA_Zw9abj2vXp4xJgCEwYBhgL/s640/20191007_165327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wilton House </span><br />
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On our way home from Richmond, Virginia we had a delightful tour of the Wilton House, built circa 1753, by William Randolph III. It was here they hosted social and political figures, including George Washington. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNV2Yb55FTU/Xa28Q2k5QQI/AAAAAAAAQXI/l2tGq3eXeSw_f2Og7_F9tjjG5eSfs_QsACEwYBhgL/s1600/20191008_104023-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNV2Yb55FTU/Xa28Q2k5QQI/AAAAAAAAQXI/l2tGq3eXeSw_f2Og7_F9tjjG5eSfs_QsACEwYBhgL/s640/20191008_104023-e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCWKCNQ_qUI/Xa28QiebsUI/AAAAAAAAQXI/nRqSX_f1mo8za27z_8oZJyaIpcz73lbHwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191008_103931-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCWKCNQ_qUI/Xa28QiebsUI/AAAAAAAAQXI/nRqSX_f1mo8za27z_8oZJyaIpcz73lbHwCEwYBhgL/s640/20191008_103931-e.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Video</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 18.06px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="color: #666666;">Kiki Nakita</span></span> </span></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="factItemLocation"><span class="factItemLocation"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">Pinterest</a>, </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g?view_as=subscriber" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">YouTube</a>, or <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/kiki-nakita-11268575" style="color: #2db8ff; text-decoration: none;">Bloglovin'</a> </span></span></div>
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Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-83554488034932687092019-09-05T07:00:00.000-04:002019-09-05T07:00:15.855-04:00Sunroom Studio Makeover <div style="text-align: center;">
Good afternoon my dears,<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;">A few weekends ago<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> we decided to paint our sunroom studio/day-room. We painted it in Sherwin Williams Sea Salt, which is a blue/green color that feels very soothing, peaceful, and relaxing. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This is the room I spend most of my time in; catching up online, organizing family photos, family videos, and albums. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Room Tour - </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">On this wall you can see my hutch, from the Haverty's Newport collection. Above, is a picture collage that hung in my childhood home. It has pictures from my parents August 1985 wedding, and my baby picture in the middle. </span><br /> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oQKTBfwe88/XXAgTQvb8HI/AAAAAAAAQT8/2cdV5ScJpvs6CvcnWwW5HLkGOcNfM7XSwCLcBGAs/s1600/20190819_153307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oQKTBfwe88/XXAgTQvb8HI/AAAAAAAAQT8/2cdV5ScJpvs6CvcnWwW5HLkGOcNfM7XSwCLcBGAs/s640/20190819_153307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74ZklrG59Ak/XXAgUOneNnI/AAAAAAAAQUA/i1jRQSnbWyI0qpNUCkWyOuVgyoZodQt-gCLcBGAs/s1600/20190819_153527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74ZklrG59Ak/XXAgUOneNnI/AAAAAAAAQUA/i1jRQSnbWyI0qpNUCkWyOuVgyoZodQt-gCLcBGAs/s640/20190819_153527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="color: #666666;">On this wall you can see my desk and the French doors surrounded by a collection of family photos.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4H-70WNqY4/XXAgUKmW_II/AAAAAAAAQUE/zkUFCuQ9ULcEPtPIA4Nvu3rz16kI-6J0ACLcBGAs/s1600/20190819_153549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4H-70WNqY4/XXAgUKmW_II/AAAAAAAAQUE/zkUFCuQ9ULcEPtPIA4Nvu3rz16kI-6J0ACLcBGAs/s640/20190819_153549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">On this wall are our new recliners. Would you <b>believe</b> me if I told you they were from the Better Homes and Gardens collection from Walmart? </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DtQvNUvSow/XXAgU02UPbI/AAAAAAAAQUI/Mk_MfqoP2IMN0BeHWLeF4F_v6zfL-Z0zACLcBGAs/s1600/20190819_153604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DtQvNUvSow/XXAgU02UPbI/AAAAAAAAQUI/Mk_MfqoP2IMN0BeHWLeF4F_v6zfL-Z0zACLcBGAs/s640/20190819_153604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Some simple fall decorations. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Si-b5iLpW-I/XXAgV1kPkHI/AAAAAAAAQUM/O6EYN0gW6WkqHka5gPGEsmPRTJnlbbUNgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190819_154901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Si-b5iLpW-I/XXAgV1kPkHI/AAAAAAAAQUM/O6EYN0gW6WkqHka5gPGEsmPRTJnlbbUNgCLcBGAs/s640/20190819_154901.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWUJdq_JL8Q/XXAgWR-SsiI/AAAAAAAAQUU/39caGfGjrIoPxHv-65DVBTYN1dmBoZ0LwCLcBGAs/s1600/20190819_162449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWUJdq_JL8Q/XXAgWR-SsiI/AAAAAAAAQUU/39caGfGjrIoPxHv-65DVBTYN1dmBoZ0LwCLcBGAs/s640/20190819_162449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">- Video -</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">Video of how the Sunroom Studio looked during our build in 2017, and now. </span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AaIsyuK5nZk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666;">Thank you for stopping by.</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></i></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans";">-Kiki Nakita-</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can follow me on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #002000; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g/videos?view_as=subscriber" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Bloglovin' <span style="color: #666666;">or</span> YouTube</span></a></span></span></div>
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Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-37569490628116900172019-08-28T14:26:00.001-04:002019-08-28T14:26:25.405-04:00Cory's 5th Workiversary<div style="text-align: center;">
Good afternoon my dears,<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">We recently celebrated Cory's fifth workiversary, as a UX/UI designer for the wholesome television network, <a href="https://www.insp.com/">insp</a>. Also, this year is Cory's twentieth year in the graphic design field. Or as he likes to say, <i>"in design since '99"</i>. To celebrate we went on a day trip to Davidson, NC and for a scumptious dinner at Kindred.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">The<i> hip </i>restaurant, Kindred. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">The<b> </b><i>cute</i> main street of Davidson, NC. There's a lot of family-owned restaurants, book stores, gift stores, banks, a library, and of course the Davidson College campus. Its probably one of the most well-kept college campuses we've ever seen. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ95VFd_uyI/WPkNSx_slQI/AAAAAAAAMnc/gOlp7m8rvCkM0cfNhlwWBHlJSfRs8iLxQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/tiny-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="16" data-original-width="19" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ95VFd_uyI/WPkNSx_slQI/AAAAAAAAMnc/gOlp7m8rvCkM0cfNhlwWBHlJSfRs8iLxQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/tiny-heart.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">The Davidson College Presbyterian Church was founded in 1837. Its where 28th US president, Woodrow Wilson worshiped while attending Davidson College. As we were walking around the downtown the bells went off several times. Such an <i>idyllic</i> setting to go to college. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Video -</span> </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Video from our <i>day-trip</i> to Davidson, NC.</span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cy4-WDtYiTo" width="560"></iframe><br />
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></span></i></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans";">-Kiki Nakita-</span></i></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can follow me on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #002000; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g/videos?view_as=subscriber" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Bloglovin' <span style="color: #666666;">or</span> YouTube</span></a></span></span></div>
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Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-21590080586391823492019-08-20T15:14:00.000-04:002019-08-20T15:14:26.938-04:006th Wedding Anniversary at Ayr Mount and Fearrington Village <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">Good afternoon my dears,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Its been awhile since I've had a chance to update my blog. The reason being that since July 1st, we've been going through a <i>second</i> round of IVF. I've tried to keep an IVF journal of sorts on my Instagram stories. Here's a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/">link</a> if you're interested in our journey. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">All this to say, I'm finally getting caught up on downloading memories and organizing pictures for my blog and vlog. Here are some memories from our 6th wedding anniversary.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">- Cory and Kiki - </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: inherit; font: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: inherit; font: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666;">Celebrating <i>six</i> years of marriage, and almost <i>nine</i> years since our first date.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV9LmUQQmEU/XVw-oW9vbaI/AAAAAAAAQRM/Ts973J55004CzXQe3WqLY4w5_vL4Ga23gCLcBGAs/s1600/20190727_102357-e%2BCory%252C%2BKiki%252C%2B6th%2BWedding%2BAnniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV9LmUQQmEU/XVw-oW9vbaI/AAAAAAAAQRM/Ts973J55004CzXQe3WqLY4w5_vL4Ga23gCLcBGAs/s640/20190727_102357-e%2BCory%252C%2BKiki%252C%2B6th%2BWedding%2BAnniversary.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="color: #666666;">To celebrate we decided to take a day trip to Ayr Mount and Fearrington Village.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">- Ayr Mount - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Ayr Mount<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> is a Federal style </span>plantation house<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> in the </span>Hillsborough<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, NC neighborhood. B<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">uilt circa 1815, by scotsman, William Kirkland <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">for himself, his wife, Margaret, and their children. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Kirkland family lived at Ayr Mount for four generations, until 1985 when the last Mrs. Kirkland passed away. It is now cared for by the <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">by </span>Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uth07dCvm5Q/XVw_axIb4PI/AAAAAAAAQRU/u01sMcbkcQEtIz9_0OyHie239TAtp5QXgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190727_152259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uth07dCvm5Q/XVw_axIb4PI/AAAAAAAAQRU/u01sMcbkcQEtIz9_0OyHie239TAtp5QXgCLcBGAs/s640/20190727_152259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxNAx9FeoBI/XVw2mWc6xII/AAAAAAAAQRE/hTLdqvnKB1AR0okIbOAZQpwLDen3lTYrwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20190727_152141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxNAx9FeoBI/XVw2mWc6xII/AAAAAAAAQRE/hTLdqvnKB1AR0okIbOAZQpwLDen3lTYrwCEwYBhgL/s640/20190727_152141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">- Fearrington Village - </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Fearrington Village was built circa 1974, when the Fitches purchased the two-centuries old dairy farm from Jesse Fearrington.<sup><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000120;"> </span></sup></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Jesse inherited the farm that was started by his great-great grandfather, William Cole who staked out a 640-acre </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">claim in 1786. They named the community Fearrington in his honor. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Fitches <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">wanted to create a "coming together place" what they didn't anticipate is that it would be a haven for the birds and butterflies. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><sup><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></sup></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Where we had our anniversary dinner.</span></sup></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ95VFd_uyI/WPkNSx_slQI/AAAAAAAAMnc/gOlp7m8rvCkM0cfNhlwWBHlJSfRs8iLxQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/tiny-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="16" data-original-width="19" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ95VFd_uyI/WPkNSx_slQI/AAAAAAAAMnc/gOlp7m8rvCkM0cfNhlwWBHlJSfRs8iLxQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/tiny-heart.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">If you ever want to feel like you're in a Hallmark movie, then you need to visit Fearrington Village. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">- Video -</span></div>
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Some memories from our day trip.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gLu5lrVAJk4" width="560"></iframe></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></span></i></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans";">-Kiki Nakita-</span></i></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans";"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can follow me on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #002000; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g/videos?view_as=subscriber" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Bloglovin' <span style="color: #666666;">or</span> YouTube</span></a></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-65190760967480605132019-07-16T15:01:00.000-04:002019-07-30T08:41:25.188-04:00Lake Norman, North Carolina <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Good afternoon my dears,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Last weekend, we drove about <i>30 minutes</i> north to the tranquil waters of Lake Norman. The lake is the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina. It's where rich and famous people like Michael Jordan, live and play. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Firstly, we went to the trendy, hipster, 20's and 30's something hangout, Hello Sailor. Cory had the baby back ribs and calabash shrimp and I had the avocado toast. The restaurant is decorated in a 1970's Mad-Men style with views overlooking the marina. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">After an early dinner we went for a stroll along the dock. Marinas bring back a lot of nostalgic memories for me, as I spent many summers out on the lakes in Washington state in my dad's boat, I even have a Washington boat license somewhere. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">- On the dock -</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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We made fast friends with this duck. </div>
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Later that evening, we drove along Nantz Road and Serenity Point Lane, to go take a sneaky peek at some of the homes near Ramsey Creek Park.<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: inherit; font: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This timeless southern colonial looks as if its been here for hundreds of years, but was built in 2016 by Cornelius town commissioner, John Bradford III and his wife, Shea. </span></span></div>
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A glimpse of our day in Lake Norman.<br />
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br /></span></i></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans";">-Kiki Nakita-</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans";"><br /></span></i></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans";"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linked up to:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Imparting Grace <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/2019/07/grace-at-home-no-343.html">#343</a></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can follow me on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #002000; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g/videos?view_as=subscriber" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Bloglovin' <span style="color: #666666;">or</span> YouTube</span></a></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009599497105132551.post-76685648584990047002019-06-24T15:21:00.000-04:002019-07-30T08:41:05.116-04:00French Provincial Luncheon <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Good afternoon my dears,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">I've had a bit of a blogging <strike><i>funk</i></strike> break. Most likely because this year has been busy, its almost July, and I have so many memories I want to write down and record. How is it almost already July?<br /><br />At times, I can be a tad OCD, and can get overwhelmed when there's just <b><u>too</u></b> much to do or catch up on. So I decided to <i>skip</i> past our <a href="https://youtu.be/NKy1eNeyPaI">porch tour</a> and my <a href="https://youtu.be/ZYf_q30mWsE">33rd birthday in St. Augustine</a>, and start fresh with a French Provincial Luncheon which we recently hosted. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">- French Provincial Luncheon -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Our tablescape was simple.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I acquired purple ribbon and <i>faux</i> lavender to create a napkin ring holder.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdmSGVUf8ys/XRDeD8QiM4I/AAAAAAAAQLs/XWitl9k1uRMSWG6zsf5o_B4GDRwAdKeHQCLcBGAs/s1600/20190616_141407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdmSGVUf8ys/XRDeD8QiM4I/AAAAAAAAQLs/XWitl9k1uRMSWG6zsf5o_B4GDRwAdKeHQCLcBGAs/s640/20190616_141407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; outline: invert; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Forget-me-not salt and pepper shakers, from my 30th birthday in Newport, RI.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Our centerpiece was purple candles along with <i>faux</i> herbs - rosemary, mint, and sage.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For our starter we had French imported mini-baguette</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">s. I w<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; outline: invert; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">rapped them with paper doilies cut in half from the dollar store, twine, and rosemary.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">For our main we had fricassee. I modified <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/236298311685798663/">this</a> recipe I found on Pinterest from Delish. I made it without the chicken, since our guests were vegetarian, and I also omitted the celery and used peas instead. Because <i>who</i> doesn't love green peas?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">For our dessert we had c<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">hocolate pudding, with white chocolate shavings and raspberries. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I used two library books I'm currently reading, <a href="https://amzn.to/2FHe7pR">My Life In France by Julia Child</a> and <span style="color: #000120;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2JagZMS">Picnic in Provence by Elizabeth Bard</a> </span><span style="color: #666666;">as a conversational backdrop.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">The whole luncheon was too <i>lovely</i> not to share. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">- Video -</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Including a memorial tribute to my Grandad, <i>Michael Idris Bird</i>, at the end. </span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HmA6gz5Kh9M" width="560"></iframe><br />
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans";">-Kiki Nakita-</span></i></span></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can follow me on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiki.nakita" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kikinakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kiki_nakita/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #002000; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujdypCy0o6z32fCbdcmL0g/videos?view_as=subscriber" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2db8ff; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Bloglovin' <span style="color: #666666;">or</span> YouTube</span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linked up to:<br />Between Naps On The Porch <a href="https://betweennapsontheporch.net/dining-riverside-in-the-beautiful-garden-of-a-french-cottage-in-the-loire-valley/">#562</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "josefin sans"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "josefin sans";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Imparting Grace <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/2019/07/grace-at-home-no-343.html">#343</a></span></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Kiki Nakitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309091947067698247noreply@blogger.com5