TheWoodenCrosses and ImpactbyDapperChap on Etsy

In life I have learnt that you have to try every avenues to get your name out there. TheWoodenCrosses on Etsy make lovely hand crafted signs that depict the whimsicality of life and embraces that a sign cannot only encourage you but transport you to a memory, place or time in your life giving us hope. ImpactbyDapperChap is also on Etsy showing the beauty around us in photographs that can be ordered on mugs and bags alike and in frames or not. Photographs allow us to be a part of a world we love or be transported to a world where memories were made. These two business allow us to see that people press through in life not only trying to change their world but allowing others to have a part of the wonderful world in their homes. As I have gone through life I am thankful for the quotes and photographs in my home that have encouraged me and allow me to Dream Big. https://www.etsy.com/shop/ImpactbyDapperChap?ref=l2-shopheader-name https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodenCrosses?ref=search_shop_redirect They do two-sided signs!

Norfolk Federation Womens Institute

While I was in England I went into some lovely bookstores that were in some stately homes. While at Felbrigg Hall I found a wonderful book. Norfolk Countrywomen's Year since coming back to the United States I have so loved reading it. The memories of home flood through my mind and I am transported to a world I love and miss so much. Norfolk England is like no other. It is a world where time has in parts stood still. The Women's Institute really is the very foundation of what England is about raising money to help many amazing causes. It is a group of women who soldier together to make a difference in their communities not wanting the praise but wanting to touch and change lives. As a child I remember the many Women's Institutes' bake sales and the wonderful smells from the cakes. You can find out more about them by clicking on the links below: http://www.thewi.org.uk/become-a-member/structure-of-the-wi/england/norfolk/about-us You should take the time to look into them and if you are able to join them, you should become a part of their history. Making a difference, young and old can be a part and join forces to change and help their community. I really suggest you read the book I bought I love it. It will transport you to the England I love and one day hope to return to live. The stories are true and allows you to see a small part of the wonderful Norfolk that I love and grew up in. http://www.amazon.com/Norfolk-Countrywomens-Year/dp/B001ID9D8S Enjoy.

http://www.impactbydapperchap.smugmug.com

Photographs can captivate us and bring us into a world that allows us to be ourselves. I am over three thousand plus miles from England. I miss the wonderful serenity of the villages the peace that is found on walking along the beach. The family and friends that hold me dear in their hearts and captivate me to believe that I can do anything. Impact by Dapper Chap is an amazing photographer who captures the wonderful world that I call home. His pictures show us that there is more to life, that there indeed is beauty to be found all around us. That if we look closely we can see the amazing beauty in this wonderful world. A snowdrop lifting its head to welcome spring,a sheet of ice can be transformed into a piece of art, an old side road covered in snow can lead us on an enchanting adventure. All are very real, all exist, and all can be a part of your life. Impact by Dapper Chap is run by three generations. Their story would captivate your heart and is indeed inspiring to all who dare to believe. Please join me and help Impact by Dapper Chap get off the ground. The amazing photographs can be found on: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactByDapperChap http://wwww.impactbydapperchap.smugmug.com/ ImpactByDapperChap@hotmail.com impactbydapperchap@gmail.com All can be purchased. These are a small part of my wonderful England and I so encourage you to think where you could put these wonderful photographs in your home,office or beach house maybe you own a business. These photographs capture life in a way many of us just dream of but this is not a dream, these places exist and can be brought into your home.

Autumn 2013

As autumn approaches and the many colours of autumn appear to brighten our day, I am reminded of the many walks that I went on with my Dad and brother through the National Trust owned woods in North Norfolk. As a child I probably hated being dragged along, now I look back with such fond memories of being in a middle of a forest and seeing all the splendor and wonder, we did indeed live in Narnia so to speak. Narnia was our back garden and was full of life and one I took for granted. It was one with colours oh so beautiful and imagination galore.

Just walking down a street or my driveway I recall just loving and kicking the leaves and the smell of bonfires going in the village meant Autumn was here and that warm fires would be started in many homes. So if you get the chance, go for a walk take a camera and value this wonderful time of year and your Narnia. In America we have lots of pumpkin patches and the amazing different oranges and textures so should be seen or at least captured. In England go for a drive, sit outside a pub, and just take in the amazing majesty of this time of year. Perhaps you too are living in a Narnia so to speak but you have not bothered to step through the cupboard doors. Go for it it calls your name and I am sure like Lucy in the story "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" you will not regret it. Wishing a wonderful adventure in your Narnia. And remember there is always room for one more on our adventures.

Oh to be in England

I have not been home for six years and I don't care what anyone says Home is Home. England is unique to say the least the cobbled streets, the markets the bustle in the town and for me my family lives there. If you visit England this summer take the time to drive out of the hustle and bustle of busy London and go to the small towns and villages that truly depict the wonderfulness of England and the place I call home. Walk a long a beach eat an Ice cream with a chocolate flake. Eat fish and chips and run in from the rain. I loved walking in England, so go be an adventurer do not let what people often say about England and that it rains all the time to allow you to miss out. It does not always rain and rain is just rain. Eat scones, have a cup of tea and enjoy the smallness of little villages and the small roads.Take in all that amazing countryside. It is just amazing. As I sit here I see the lovely corn fields and amazing people. Oh to be on England's green and pleasant lands. Listen to choirs, sing in churches, hear the church bells being rung and just perhaps you will be transported into time and love England as much as I do.

Waste not want not.

Every single day food is wasted. http://www.feeding5k.org/get-involved.php Feeding the 5000 is a group that helps us all to see how much is truly wasted. Every day stores chuck out slightly bruised fruit and vegetables. Bread is thrown out that can bless others. The list is long and wide from factories producing food to restaurants. Starbucks each day chucks out coffee grains this can be used for compost bins and gardens. Many places chuck out pastries and bread at the end of the day because their companies will not even allow these to be given out to the homeless. I understand that none of us want to make others sick. However there is so much waste that we are not seeing the big picture of how simple acts of kindness can mean one less person in this world go hungry. If you think you feel down this is one way you can make a difference. Go by and ask your local grocery store for those fruit that they are chucking out and go through them. Bless others, those items can be frozen and a meal made to bless and fed someone. Make sure that you wash everything you freeze, before it is used for consumption. Every day scrapes are chucked out from places that either make pre made fruit bowls to those making salads. This scraps can be placed on compost heaps and also fed livestock. Cutting down the amount that is going to the rubbish heaps around the world. Feeding the 5000 organization does not need to be limited to England if we all did our part this world would and could be a better place. Please think of how you can make a difference and indeed step up to the plate and make this world a better place.

England in June what a wonderful delight.

As I sit here and remember what June was like for me in England, I thought it would be nice to include a link to things to do in June if you are visiting. http://www.visitengland.com/ee/June-events/ When I was a child June meant that the beaches near me Cromer and Sheringham would be bustling with people getting ready for the holiday makers that they prayed to God would come in the Summer months July and August. The smell of fish and crabs from these seaside towns appeared to be transported to everywhere you went. As a child I probably hated it, now I look back with a smile and think of such happy memories. Bluebells grew along the roadsides and in Blickling Hall outside Norwich I so remember going with my Godmother and seeing wooded area's now carpeted in a wonderful blue woven tapestry. I don't remember making a big deal about fathers day to be honest, perhaps in the 70's and 80's it was not such a big thing. I do remember dreading the approaching summer holiday's in July .I not like most children loved school. So as many children count down to the summer holidays and dread taking exams mum's pray that the school uniform will not have to be replaced and will last at least until the end of the school year. As many hope to God that the summer will not be wash out and look forward to long summer evenings it is a time when windows are opened and washing lines are full of spring cleaning. Winter days you hope to God are over. If you go to England I would take a moment to stroll through a wooded area, drink a cup of tea outside and just value the true beauty of my England.