Friday, January 06, 2012

Back on Track!

Well, hello there! I'm back in sunny (!) London after my almost three-week vacation in Canada. It's great to be home -- especially after such a fabulous time away. Thanks loads to everyone who dropped by and commented on my random posts (and the guest posts) while I was away!

This year, I've decided to take my blog back to its origins of fun topics, London miscellany, and wine. Over the past few months, I fear it's become a bit too focused on promotions. Having had such tremendous support from others, I want to return the favour and help out everyone who asks. But . . . I just can't, without turning my blog into something else entirely. I'm going to try to limit guest posts to once a month, and while I'll still do shout-outs for people, I want to get this back to a more reader-centric place. So! That's one of my resolutions. I hope you all understand, and I'm sorry I can't accommodate everyone who asks.

So what did you get up to on your vacation? Here are a few snapshots of mine:

Snow! We actually had a white Christmas. 

Looking out over Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. 

Cutting down the Christmas Tree. 

Taking a photo at Hall's Harbour (and freezing, in the process!).

Yes. A phone box in a Nova Scotia vineyard!

A lobster club sandwich. Does it get any better? I think not.

So, there you have it! Before you go, can I point you here?

Happy weekend, everyone!

70 comments:

  1. Welcome back Talli!! Love your Canada photos, snow, phone booth and all.
    Here's to an awesome 2012.

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  2. Judging from your pictures, you had a fabulous holiday! Welcome back!

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  3. Welcome back!
    London and wine sounds like a great combo - can't wait to read your posts! :)

    Vicky & kitty scarf @ Books, Biscuits & Tea
    x

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  4. Welcome back. Brr..it looks chilly out there. Look forward to reading your blog from time to time.

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  5. Those pictures look beautiful but very cold. Glad you had as lovely Christmas xxx

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  6. Welcome back, Talli! The photos are just amazing.

    I've been enjoying the promos and guest posts, but you'll certainly get no complaints about a return to origins! It's good to reevaluate our blogging now and then to make sure we're happy with the direction we're taking.

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  7. I like your blog decision, Talli. As I move closer to publishing my book, I've considered the same issue ... How much to promote on the blog. There will be posts about the process and book, because it's who I am, but at the same time, I'll stay true to the blog theme and keep those posts focused on how we live our passions with some helpful thought or question to the reader. It's a fine line sometimes, isn't it?

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  8. Welcome back, looks like you had a wonderful time. Yes, there is no place like home :)

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  9. *jealous* We had a rainy Christmas, which is almost as good. Still made a fire, which is the most important part! Welcome home, and I look forward to the new posts. :)

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  10. Sounds and looks like you had a wonderful holiday, snow and all! Love that Owl all covered with snow.
    I look forward to reading your posts in 2012.
    Smiles to you!

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  11. Welcome back!! I'm glad you had lots of fun!! The lobster sandwich looks DELICIOUS!!!

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  12. Hi Talli! So glad you're back, glad you had a good holiday. Pop on over to my blog, think you'll be interested in my latest post...

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  13. Great pictures and I envy your white Christmas.
    I understand your desire to limit guest spots. (And thanks again for allowing me to visit you when my book comes out.) I've decided I need to limit those as well, because right now I am booked all the way into May. May! If I said yes to all of the requests, I'd never blog on my own blog...

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  14. Happy New Year to you, Talli! What a fabulous-looking break.

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  15. Welcome back to hot, sunny London,
    Love the photo's looks like you most certainly had a good time.



    Thanks for coming by and comment.
    Yvonne.

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  16. Welcome back! I need to put on a sweater just looking at the pics. And I always thought those British telephone booths were public restrooms. Oh boy.

    Change is good. Looking forward to renewed themes. I have four themes to keep things fresh. Have a great 2012!

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  17. I was really enjoying the photos until you showed food! Now I'm hungry and my stomach has decided to chime in, it loved that last photo. :)

    Welcome home
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  18. Hi, Talli,

    HAPPY NEW YEAR! Boy does it feel good to see and visit you! It's been ages!

    It looks like you had a FABU time.

    I was in NYC for the holidays. I wish I knew you were on this continent, I would of whisked up to Nova Scotia to see you...

    All the best for the NEW YEAR!

    Missed you tons..

    Hugs,

    Michael

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  19. Great photos! Love the phone booth! :)

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  20. awh, and I missed you again! Oh well, I had a wonderful packed christmas doo-dah as well and we have the tiniest skiff of snow here in NS right now. I like your idea for your blog - think you are thinking smart! much love to my fellow bluenoser for 2012!

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  21. Um, clearly I have to spend next Christmas there. It looks like you had a fabulous vacation! Happy New Year!

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  22. we both know that is actually a tardis and not a phonebooth.

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  23. A lobster club sandwich? Now I'm jealous beyond all reason. :) I'm glad your holiday was great! And thanks for supporting Candace, Matt pointed me over there yesterday. P.S. Beautiful pictures!

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  24. Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos and you were well missed! Julie

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  25. Talli, that Lobster Club looks so yummy!

    While I live in Canada, the east coast, in particular the area you visited, are parts of this vast country I haven't had a chance to see.

    When my German friends come to visit they can hardly comprehend the size of Canada. We laugh!

    Sometimes, when I encounter a tourist in my city, they want to know if I know their friend "Bob" in Toronto...and I chuckle to myself and wonder how small do you think Canada is! Toronto is five hours by plane...how would I know Bob!! (and I'm sure there's more than one Bob in Toronto, too).

    Loved the pictures too - just beautiful. Great teasers!

    Jenny @ PEARSON REPORT

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  26. Glad you're getting back to the basics, though I've enjoyed myself quite a bit.

    Posts about London and wine-especially wine- won't disappoint me in the least.

    From your pics, your holiday was splendid. Glad you had a great time. And I didn't know it was possible to have a lobster club sandwich. Learn something new everyday.

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  27. Good to see you back, Talli! I took a holiday internet break and loved it. That's a lot of snow@!

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  28. I love the Annapolis Valley. I even looked at buying a gift shot there years bac. And lovely snow!

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  29. The pics are beautiful! The sandwich made me salivate. Happy New Year!

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  30. Yay! I'm glad you're back and we didn't have a white Christmas. Sad.

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  31. Happy New Year to you and yours Talli.
    It must have been lovely to visit your family, wishing you a lovely 2012:)

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  32. Welcome Back and Happy New Year! Those are lovely pictures, my visit to Vancouver in 2010 made me realize Canada has a lot in common with the UK. :)

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  33. Happy 2012, Tallie - and well done for getting back to what you want to have on your blog! Love the Canadian photos - brings back fond memories of our travels there.

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  34. Welcome back, Talli, and happy new year!

    Gorgeous pictures and I'm so jealous of your white Christmas. We had a grey one. Rain, rain and more rain. :)

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  35. That sandwich has bacon on it!! Yum.

    Glad you had a great holiday, and I can't wait to see what you do on your blog this year.

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  36. Welcome back! Your photos are awesome.

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  37. Oh lovely! We're going to be traveling to Nova Scotia in an RV this summer, and can't wait. Your pictures make me even more eager. I know what you mean about blog focus, mine has evolved and I feel so much better about where it's at now.

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  38. I'm glad most of the snow stayed north of us though it looks beautiful.

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  39. Good to see you back, Talli!

    Canada is sooo beautiful!

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  40. Welcome back!!

    I'm jealous of the lobster club sandwich. Yum!

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  41. Welcome back. And really welcome back to your former blog. I totally get that. I'm taking a break from weekly guest bloggers for a while, too.

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  42. It looks like you had so much fun!! Can't wait to read you posts!!

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  43. Welcome back! Can't wait to see you back on your old topics. :-)

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  44. Sounds like you had a blast, Talli! Why do they have a phone box in the middle of a vineyard? And, more importantly, does it work?

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  45. Hello Talli,
    Happy New Year to you!
    Love the photos and look forward to reading more posts like this one.
    Anita X

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  46. That sandwich looks amazin'!

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  47. The sandwich looks fabulous...we ate lobster rolls two or three times a day on our trip north a couple of years ago. They make my list of top ten favorite foods.

    Welcome home!

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  48. Welcome back. Perhaps you need another getaway (to a warmer location).

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  49. Talli's back, Talli's back!!! And my world makes more sense again! Yay!!

    Talli's back!! Take care
    x

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  50. It really sounds like you had an awesome time in Canada. I am so jealous... And you do take some great pics too!
    Happy new Year and Happy blogging in 2012!

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  51. Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas in the land of my birth (though I have lived all my adult life in London/Ireland).

    A Happy New Year to you and I look forward to the London Miscellany which just so happens to be a passion of mine, along with London history, particularly London pub history :)

    So bring on the wine...

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  52. Welcome home - fab pics as ever and really looking forward to your blog posts :)
    Laura x

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  53. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos Talli! If only we had white Christmas!

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  54. Welcome back Talli.It's so nice seeing bloggers returning from their hols, or vacays as the Americans say. I'm just heading off on mine in a week - to Perth, Western Australia. I won't see any snow there that's for sure!

    I like the sound of your plans for your blogs. I think many are getting overwhelmed by all the promo. It's got to be done, but well, so much?

    Anyhow, at least you keep your light and bright.

    Happy New Year to you in old London Town. Gotta say, it's a aparkling day at the beach here!

    Denise

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  55. Welcome back, Talli! I'm drooling over that lobster sandwich!!! Nova Scotia is truly a slice of heaven. I've visited twice, both times with Kodak memories!

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  56. Looks and sounds like a lovely holiday. Its so nice to go some for Christmas isn't it? I've had a nice extended time at home and am back to the UK soon too. Looking forward to reading your blog in the new year. x

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  57. Wow the lobster club sandwich? I need these in my life! Beautiful photos. Thanks for following my blog x

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  58. Club sandwiches! Nom....I am so homesick. Totally understand you wanting you to revert your blog back to the original format....I look forward to reading your posts in 2012.

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  59. Your trip sounds & looks amazing, I'm glad you had such a fantastic Christmas/New Year.x

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  60. Welcome back and happy new year!
    Your pics look great x

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  61. Hi Talli .. welcome back .. I can do without the snow - though looks beautiful .. but then if I set out - I'd deserve the Lobster Club sandwich wouldn't I ..

    Great to see you around again .. have a great year .. cheers Hilary

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  62. I do envy all that snow! You look adorable--Happy New Year!

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  63. Welcome back! Those are some lovely pictures! If I ever go back East, I am totally tracking down that lobster club sandwich! :) All the best for 2012!

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  64. Wow. You can't be expected to fit that sandwich into your mouth, can you? I mean, it's BIG! I don't think my mouth can stretch that wide!

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  65. Beautiful pictures, love them! And now I'm totally hungry. I think your idea about guest posts once a month is an excellent one too!

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  66. Great pictures! I think it's perfectly fine to take your blog back to its origins; it is your blog after all, and you have every right to include what you want in it.

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  67. Welcome back! Glad you had a wonderful time. Great photos.

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Coffee and wine for all!