The Humble Bungalow
and a little Christmas Cheer.
simple wire stars
sit atop the plate rail
nestled between First Nations basketry
This weekend we will be decorating the tree and having our annual pizza party.
We also have a bunch of friends popping by for some Christmas cheer and a buffet dinner.
Finding a place to sit and eat might be a challenge in our wee bungalow.
You know what they say...the more the merrier.
We once had 32 people for a pot luck supper!
It was when "Bungalow Bob" came to Victoria to lecture for The Craftsman Bungalow Society.
Dr. Robert Winter from Pasadena California is the fellow responsible for raising awareness of the historical value of bungalows and the arts and crafts movement in the USA and Canada.
He's the author of several books and when we were in Pasadena many years ago we were able to visit him in his beautiful Batchelder bungalow on the Arroyo.
If you are looking for a last minute gift idea I like this chocolate bark recipe.
It takes just a few minutes to make and then you chill it in the fridge before breaking it into smaller pieces.
Melt good quality chocolate in the microwave.
Stir often so as not to burn it.
I do it in one minute intervals.
Pour onto a foil lined sheet pan and sprinkle with nuts and dried cranberries.
Chill.
What could be easier than this?
The challenge is not to sample too much.
Do you have any last minute gift ideas?
Try to carve out some time to relax and reflect on all the good things that you have in your life.
Adopt the attitude of gratitude and embrace the spirit of giving.
~ stepping down from the soap box now :-)) ~
Season's Greetings
Hostess
12 comments:
I never made any chocolate bark recipe, but this makes me wonder if I should :)
Hostess, I love chocolate bark, but have never made it. You have inspired me to try it next year! I baked some bread (peasant loaves and banana bread) as gifts and took some fresh baked cookies to a neighbor.
We are decorating our tree today. We went out in a driving rain this morning and bought the very last tree at a local store. It was marked clearance and we paid $13.47 for an eight foot tall tree. We've been happily decorating it with our collection of vintage/almost antique ornaments. We think the tree was just waiting for us.
Have a happy relaxing Christmas!
Happy Holidays to you Leslie! Thanks so much for all of the inspiration and cheer you bring us every day.
Have a very Merry Christmas and I love a crowded room - so festive. Thanks for all of the serenity, warmth and inspiration you share with us all year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family
xx
The chocolate bark sounds yummy and quick enough to make for hostess gifts in the last few days before Christmas. Have fun at your party - we have friends coming in for Raclette tomorrow evening - always a good meal and a great vehicle for conversation.
Just curious .... Did you ever get to know Alan Gowans, president of the Society of Architectural Historians and long time chairman of the UVIC History of Art department? His book, The Comfortable House, really brought the "common man's house" the respect it deserved and paved the way for scholars like Robert Winter. I was a childhood friend of his daughter's and he was such an interesting and entertaining man! Took so many photos of architecture in Victoria, too, as well as all over North America. I
I wonder if your house is in Gowan's collection now housed in the Smithsonian?
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Best wishes for 2014! Enjoy your time with family and friends...Susan
Happy Christmas to you and your family.x
I am not familiar with this gentleman or his book. I have been involved in the Victoria Heritage Foundation in the past and our home is in Jennifer Nell Barr's book. Some interior shots are in Jane Powell's books as well.
I must get my hands on this book and have a peek but I doubt that our modest bungaow would make it into his publication.
Robert Winter aka Bungalow Bob - so great to hear that name - what a wonderful man and speaker!
Have you ever been to the Grove Park Inn for the annual Arts & Crafts conference?
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