25 January 2014

Grow Your Blog Party & Give Away



 I saw this button on a  blog   "Grow Your Blog" party!"    and thought it would be fun. it's a blog by  Vicki

 If this is the  first time you have visited  Me    I hope you'll enjoy what you see. I'm an English lady,  living in rural France, and my blog is about my daily life, my garden and the wild life I see. I can take you on lots of walks near to my home, and share with you the things that make me love where I live. Some times I share a special recipe . 



I do some crafting,  less than I used to.
I've always loved making things, ever since I was at school
 my favourite class was  what they called 'Needlework ' way back then.
My school reports had remarks something like this
'' If Barbara gave as much time to Maths 
as she does to her 'Needlework' she will go far''
Reading my grandsons reports, I don't think teachers have changed much, 
when summing up a pupil.


My lane which I take everyday for a walk.




I only started watercolour painting a few years ago,  when I feel brave enough to share something I've sketched or painted, I'll slip them into a post.


My painting corner 





 I love challenges.
Oh I forgot to tell you, I'm learning how to use Mr France's camera.
Mr. France is my husband, so he'll be popping into a few of the things I share with my followers.






We love to share a good bottle of wine.


If you'd like a peep at some of the things I share 
Make yourself a coffee or a nice cup of tea in your favourite cup.
and 
enjoy a few photos I've taken.




A few flowers to make you think of spring .




This is my potting bench, I spend a lot of time here.



 If you're looking  for  places to visit in Paris and see  lots of photos of the Eiffel Tower I'm not for you.
I'll let you into a secret, I've only ever stayed in Paris once 
and that was only a long weekend.



However if you love the country life




 with some extras thrown in
go to my sidebar and click on follower.
  I hope you'll like what you see.
I'll be waiting for you.

                    
                    Thanks for visiting, and thank you to Vicki at 2 Bags Full, our host.

I will be having my first Give Away  as a thank you
The give away is open to any one that comments on this blog post. 
this will be announced on the 15th February 
This is my first party link up
So look out for your name it might be you
Not sure yet what it will be, but it will something French.
à bientôt
Barbara Lilian


49 comments:

  1. Thanks Barbara Enjoy the party! Kathy

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  2. Welcome to the GYB party Barbara -- I have added your blog back into the list and an thrilled to see your beautiful post. I hope you make lots of new friends here over the next few days and weeks -- you will see -- people willkeep on coming!

    Vicki

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  3. i love those daffodils. they scream spring. we are so ready for spring. need some warmer weather soon please. hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. ( :

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  4. your blog is lovely and I have enjoyed spending some time going through your older posts....thank you for your giveaway.

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  5. I love all the surprise giveaways. This hop is a ton of fun!

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  6. Oh Barbara, I dream of living in the French countryside. I would much rather visit the country than Paris any day! I am very looking forward to following your life adventures! xoxo Jen PS...Ha...definitely teachers have not changed. My daughters can attest to that! ;)

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  7. Hi Barbara,

    I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. It is so nice to meet you. Your lane is such a pretty one. I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna

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  8. Fun to see the atlier..your art..the camera:)

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  9. I love your post with the lovely paintings and photos. How I envy you living in the french countryside. I will follow you to hear all about your life. It sounds beautiful. Please visit me at my blog wirednan.blogspot.ca

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  10. I love the glimpses into your world...especially your paintings! I'm a painter too!
    I am a new happy follower! :)

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  11. Rural France is soo much more interesting than the City.

    Please enter me in your "something French" giveaway.

    Popped by from GYBH. Stop by and give me a visit some time ~
    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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  12. Lovely post Barbara
    And I'm mad for your 3-color wash!
    Do more of those!!!
    Very free marks and very good tonal range.

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  13. Hello again, Barbara - thank you for visiting and leaving your nice comment on Comptonia!
    I've only been to Paris once, also (though I was coming from a bit further away) but your photograph of that neatly stacked firewood amongst the hardwoods could have been taken right here! It's always interesting to see similar landscapes in distant places. :)
    I'm going to add you to my Feedly reader, and follow your adventures in painting and walking in that familiar landscape :)

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  14. Hi Barbara what a lovely blog post, I've always wanted to try water colour.

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  15. Barbara...so nice to meet you. I love your artwork and your blog. Your photos are lovely as well. The road you walk on each day is a marvelously restful place. I love the country. I have an English Heritage and while I live in Chicago, I love the country like you.

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  16. Hi Barbara
    Lovely to meet you - I'm visiting from England!
    Great photos and I love your watercolours!

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  17. Lovely photos.

    As a new follower, I look forward to reading about and seeing more about your life in France.

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  18. I am stopping by today from Grow your Blog and have just become a new member of your little 'follower family. I live in texas, and have had the privilege of visiting both england and france, so will enjoy following you and seeing what you are up to . Sounds like such a fun adventure to live in a country which is not your own, although I suppose it is not terrible much different that moving to another state in the uS, or another part of the country. Will enjoy getting to know you, and hope that you will also come by and visit me on Butterfly Tales.

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  19. I can not WAIT to follow along with you! Your blog is fantastic and you may chuckle but my husband and I have always wanted to run away to France and stay in the country! HA! I will be learning from you for sure!!! And my goodness friend are your watercolor paintings amazing...your style is just stunning! I studied oils but have been intrigued by watercolors. Thanks for coming by my space...I so look forward to coming along with you!!!!! Nicole

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  20. So nice to meet you via the GYB Party. Your water colors are amazing!

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  21. I enjoyed getting to know about your life a little more...just lovely...and the watercolors, I especially love the 3 toned one, gorgeous...Fun to see your art space, I can tell how much you enjoy it!

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  22. Hi, Barbara - Dropping in from the Blog Party - glad I landed here. Newest Follower, plus I'm heading back to read more...Happy Tuesday - Tanya

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  23. You are better at your art than you give yourself credit for!

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  24. I have really enjoyed visiting your blog. Your photos are so pretty. I love your art work. Keep it up.

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  25. You have a lovely blog Barbara -- and I love your lane. Just beautiful!

    Nice to meet you via the GYB party and now happily following. Wishing you a blessed day!

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  26. Another person living in France! Great to meet you! This is Jean from http://frenchoddities.blogspot.fr

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  27. Good Evening Barbara, Once people find you, they will return time and time again. I love the collage of your potting shed, it makes me wish Spring would hurry up and arrive, but I have to wait a while I'm afraid. I took your advice and planted my daffodil bulbs in a pot and I have put them in the most sheltered spot in the garden.... fingers crossed.
    Good luck with "Growing your Blog", and making new friends, although I have to say, you don't need luck.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  28. It's so nice to meet you!! I, too, love the French countryside. I've been to Paris a few times, but the countryside is what calls me. My husband is teaching in Provence right now and I'm going to join him at the end of February! Can't wait!!

    Thanks for your visits to my blog and your very kind comment today!! xoxo Silke

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  29. Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. We are having a snow day - lots of the fluffy stuff! Great photos. Thanks for sharing.

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  30. It is so nice to meet you. It's been so fun meeting new friends trough the GYB hop.

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  31. Hi Barbara. Thanks for visiting my blog. I love France so will be following you and your beautiful pictures.
    Gillx

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  32. Barbara, I think that why I like your blog so much, as nature is so special to me. I feel such a peace there. I love your nature pictures today, and I am enjoying them while sipping on my cup of tea. The girls are always looking for a good bottle of wine. This one looks delightful. The daffodils are so pretty and remind me that spring is not far away.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  33. Hey Barbara, Your neck of the woods looks lovely! And wow you are one talented lady, needlework, drawing and watercolor! It has been nice meeting you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  34. "something French", love that! :) And love that you call your husband Mr. French! Will be popping back in...

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  35. Hello from another lady in France! I'm popping by from the GYB party from my littl epart of french paradise in the Alpes-Maritimes. I'm always happy to meet other bloggers writing about France. I look forward to reading more.

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  36. I live in rural Virginia, USA and love the rural life. Visiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoying my visit to your blog.

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  37. Pleased to meet you on the GYB circuit, Barbara! I am your new follower and I look forward to your posts. I am anxious to see more of your watercolors as I am a watercolorist too! Lovely Blog. take care, deborah -I am at: http://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

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  38. Your blog is lovely. Thank you for sharing your view of the world!

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  39. Hello Barbara. The photos you have taken are lovely. I'm itching to go walk down your lane! Like you, not a Paris fan. Long time since I was in France, we have somehow never returned. Hugs from the other side of the world.

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  40. Hi and thanks for following my Blog. You look like you live in a lovely area , I can't wait to see more.

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  41. My oh my Barbara what a beautiful lane and the walks would be awesome. Enjoyed my visit and will be back soon. Plan to follow via email.

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  42. Oh, what a lovely blog. I love your photos and the beautiful scenery. The older I get the more I enjoy rural areas. Thank you for sharing. I have subscribed to your RSS feed. Happy hopping!

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  43. Your photos calm the soul. Just lovely. So nice to meet you at the party!!

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  44. Thanks for sharing your story & your blog. I've finally finished the under 50 blogs & am on to the 50-100 blogs! Wow. This GYB event is cool. Please visit embroidery blog if you are so inclined. (I'm in the 1st set.)

    aprilsongstress

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  45. Hello Barbara
    Lovely to meet you at Vicki's GYB party!
    I'm a Francophile (I live in New Zealand) and my daughter lives in the countryside in France, so I visit regularly.
    Love your water colours - that must be an enjoyable thing to do! I dabble in lots of crafty bits and bobs.

    I'll keep my fingers crossed for your giveaway - love surprises!

    I'm now following you Barbara - please come over and visit me, I've got pieces of France on my GYB post too and I would love you to enter my giveaway.
    I'll be back once things quieten down again!

    à bientôt
    Shane

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  46. Hello, I appreciate the kind email you sent earlier. I am having a wonderful time looking through your blog this morning and I have signed on to follow. You have such a lovely lane to walk each day. How grand to be able to paint! I look forward to visiting daily.
    Have a lovely day. Mildred

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  47. Loved seeing your creative work and photos. Nice to meet you!

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  48. New G+ follower! Love your beautiful blog!

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  49. Hi Barbara!
    I come visiting by way of Vicki's Grow Your Blog party. Your blog is a beautiful place. I look forward to visiting often.
    Terry

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I really love it when you leave a note in my comment box, then I know you have popped by. Thank you