Giveaway...

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It has been brought to my attention that I've been blogging for

just over a year

(see my first ever post here)

- doesn't time fly, I can hardly believe it..!

In some ways it seems like I have been blogging for years and

in others I feel like I am still a newbie...

.

In celebration of this monumentous occasion (ha ha!)

here are

a few random blog tidbits about me:

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° Here, There, Elsewhere...

was not my first choice for a blog title...

..
° I’m an independent minded thinker who marches to the beat
of her own drummer, even though my blog
may not necessarily reflect this...
.
° I am not quite sure what I gave up
to make time for this as I still do so much off-line…
. .
° I have received many, many nice, intelligent and
thoughtful comments.
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° I have many regular readers who never leave comments but
send me mails instead..
.

° Since starting this blog I have been introduced to an entire new vocabulary;
twitter, stumble, digg, memes...I could go on and on...
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° I really, really, really appreciate my readers, and particularly,
my commenters;
I know I no longer respond to every comment
but I do read every one.
..
° I have learned so much from this experience...and
I know I wouldn’t blog if it wasn’t fun, so
thanks for keeping it enjoyable..!
.
.Plus, a giveway,
and all you have to do is guess
where I've been for the last few days...
.

.
Clues to help you:

° I took the above photos (all except 4th down which is from flickr)

of one of the many shops I visited

whilst there...

° Doris Day immortalized the city, not only in film

but also in song...

° I love the city with passion and visit often...

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I'm sure you've all already guessed the answer, so, just leave me

a word - I'll select one correct response at random and

let you know who's the lucky winner

of the gift I bought at MERCI..!

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Just Another Day in Paradise...

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Or, at least,

it would feel and look pretty much like paradise if

only it wasn't so freezing cold..!

I finally got round to making a list of all those eligible for my
Birthday giveaway

The lake this morning (air temp. -8°C) looking towards Veyrier

So, with the help of my girls, we cut the list into strips, folded them tightly

and popped them all into an old straw hat...

The hat was shaken several times before one folded paper strip

was selected by youngest daughter

(who, incidently, wanted to select a winner plus two runners-up - not just one winner..!)

And the winner is...

l'air du temps

Do check out her delightful blog

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Oh, and I've decided to list all participants below so you can visit

their fantastic blogs too...

ENJOY..!

As I post, I'm listening to the soundtrack of the Ballet we enjoyed
(despite having already seen it several times)
at the Covent Garden Opera House just before Christmas,
I'm still under the spell...

My photos of my ticket, the programme...

List of participants in my Birthday giveaway:
aliette of
Aliette-peinture...
Béatrix of
Adlitteram
Rūta Elzė of
Another magical day
Angry African on the Loose™
Chiara sara of
Autant En Emporte le Vent
B.O.N.T.I
My Castle in Spain
A Cuban In London
The Daily Connoisseur
Pamela Terry and Edward
From The House of Edward
Callie of
Grayson: a different shade of grey
High Desert Diva
Claire of
My life in a picture
Amy of
Montague
Esti of
Píntame el día
Ragged Roses
Shashi of
Sewing with Moonbeams
Beatriz of
Sureando
Lynne of
Tea For Joy
Jessica of
Thoughtful Reflections
Elizabeth of
Under Consideration

A big Thank You to you all for participating
- better luck next time..!

Birthday Giveaway...

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It's my birthday today and what better way to celebrate than by
holding a giveaway..?

.
Everyone who leaves a comment in my absence
(during the Christmas/New Year holiday break)
will be included in the draw...
.

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I'm not revealing what goodies I'll be offering but I'm sure you'll
just love them..!

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photo: stone chalet

.Meanwhile, I'm celebrating my special day on the ski slopes before heading

to Provence for the New Year festivities...

"And in the end,

it's not the years in your life that count

but the life in your years"

unknown

I do hope you all had a wonderful Christmas

I most definately did...

- thank you all for your warm wishes,

I'll be catching up with your blogs as soon as I get back...