It's night time and all is quiet and calm in The Humble Bungalow kitchen.
Mr. HB and I have been watching House of Cards on Netflix and I am stunned by the evil and malice of Frances.
He is the character that Kevin Spacey portrays so convincingly alongside his on screen wife Claire played by Robin Wright whose role is a nasty piece of work as well.
It is about as far away from delicious and addictive Downton Abbey as it can get but we sit riveted just the same.
I like the grittiness of the cinematography, the sepia tones playing against the blacks and white of the sets.
Robin's hair cut is very chic and she looks so attractive in her stylish wardrobe.
I do not know how she walks around in those high heeled shoes though...
meandering on a path in the park with her lover she walks with such grace that it looks effortless.
(a skill that I have never mastered!)
I have a routine at night...before getting myself ready for bed.
Do you?
I plump the pillows on the love seats.
Put all the dishes in the dishwasher and turn it on.
Wipe down all the granite counter tops and stove before turning out the lights.
I take off my make up and wash my face before applying a light layer of Sea Buck Thorn Salve.
Brush and floss my teeth and put some lip conditioner on before grabbing a bottle of Perrier.
If I wake up during the night I'll have a few sips so that I stay hydrated throughout the night.
I am a firm believer of drinking lots of water.
I think it helps in so many ways and keeps my skin clear.
Reading is not one of my regular night time routines unless I go to bed super early.
My mind gets over active when I read at night and I have a difficult time quieting it after I close my book.
Sleep is much deeper on the days when I walk vigorously and get plenty of fresh sea air.
On nights when I have had a busy or stressful day or had caffeine after 4 pm I need to practise Yogic breathing...
it works surprisingly well....no need to count sheep.
Alternatively view this You Tube Sleepy Time Yoga session.
Soft cotton sateen sheets, a feather pillow, and the goose down duvet all contribute to making my sleep as restorative experience as possible and I need at least 8 hours or I cannot function.
How are you sleeping at night?
What habits have you adopted to ensure that you enjoy a restful night of slumber?
Sweet dreams,
Hostess
31 comments:
I'm not a very sound sleeper these days. I go through a similar process as you, but I do read In bed. I also now take Valerian and Melatonin, which I think helps a bit. I listen to soft music and meditative sounds while I drift off. I really need a good eight hours or I drag through the next day. I'll have a look at your link. It sounds fascinating and I'm always on the hunt for ways to help my sleep.
Isn't it wonderful watching nasties pieces of work (and not have to deal with them?) Funnily enough writers are always told to make characters likeable but all these telly series proves them wrong...
Wow, you do a lot before bed, I change into my pi's early, slump in front of the TV and when I can't hold my eyes open any longer, stumble off to bed and fall asleep immediately. My problem is early waking, I would love to sleep until 6 or 7 just once.
Have you seen the original BBC version of House of Cards ? It was made in 1990 with Ian Richardson and very clever for it's time. Haven't seen the american version so don't know if they have copied the same story as well.
I'm quite late catching up with you, but happy very belated birthday! A Pisces! Perhaps why your seaside walks are so very important to you :)
In your birthday post you mentioned getting a new Golden...I vote yes!
I'm afraid my counters are orange formica and my mattress is ancient. I took comfort in reading Madame Chic had a dated kitchen. :) This old kitchen was Normandy style in the 70's and I like it. Yes, long ago it was someone's dream. lol
I've been watching Reign. There are some amazing costumes. I can't get myself to watch much TV lately.
Oooooo, Shout by Tears for Fears is on the radio. Don't you love it?
Alright, I admit it, I've been in the coffee again. :) Have a great day!
Hostess, I am actually trying to figure out if it is all right or alright for that sentence. :)
I loved House of Cards and was so sorry to see it come to an end. True Detective was also riveting. Those two shows are quite dark after Downton, but I loved them anyway. Robin Wright wears that hairdo well, as well as the clothes! Though they are a bit androgynous in my opinion, along with the hairdo. I am so relieved when she puts on a track suit and relaxes a bit.When she walks around their house at night in a sheath and high heels, I just can't relate. I also practice yogic breathing at night to fall asleep. It works well. You have inspired me to get outside and walk more! Yoga, walking, eating well -- I am very motivated by your example! Enjoy your week!
We watched the BBC version of House of Cards but quit when the main character became more and more evil. What people won't do for power and fame. When I watch something intense before bed I have trouble sleeping.
Taking a walk during the day is key to getting a good sleep for me. I like to do some puttering around the house before bed, too. A drink of water before going upstairs. Some stretching for my back. Little bed time routines prime the brain for sleep, I think.
I just couldn't keep watching HOC. Too much mean.
Other than a new mattress, I've discovered that the cooler the air around me the better I sleep.
I looked at the Town and Country Magazine you showed on your last post. The magazine says “Luxury Style, Travel and Leisure” and they mean it. I hope your “humble” bungalow is not too humble for the pricy places they list. For example the hotel they show is $275 US dollar a night, of course plus taxes, and the restaurants are about $65 to 95 for lunch. These places are mostly for rich tourists. If I went to places like that I could not have gone to Paris twice a year for decades. I am going soon again to visit my family in Paris but after I stay with them (in the suburb) I’ll go in a small family hotel in Paris and eat in small restaurants with good French cooking. But it is nice if you can go to those luxurious places – won’t see too many Parisians there though.
If I sleep 6 hours a night I consider myself lucky. I love to stay up late 12 - 1 and am always up by 5:30 AM. I think it runs in the family - my father usually slept about 3 hours a night. My sister also sleeps about 6 hours. And the whole family is addicted to listening to the radio all night. Talk shows, BBC, NPR - any thing but music. With music or soft sounds in the background your mind doesn't stop - but try to listed to news - that takes concentration which can put you right to sleep.
Hostess,
My routine is similar to yours, I set the coffepot up for the morning so I'll have to do is press the button and go back to bed for 5 minutes in the morning. I do read for a short time, but I chse the books carefully so I'm not over stimulated;). I bought a microbead pillow that gives me the right combination of support and softness. I also use valerinan along with calcium and B-6. A good night's sleep is a beautiful thing.
Marilyn
I love all your white pottery. Is it McCoy or a variety of makers? I so enjoy reading your blog.
I don't always sleep well at night--I tend to toss and turn and have bad dreams. But, I have taken some measures which seem to help: soothing music (piano jazz), linen sheets, down comforter, cool room temperature, etc. Sometimes I take Benadryl (an antihistamine) which seems to help. I haven't always had difficulty with sleep--the issues seemed to come with menopause. Like you, I always leave my kitchen spotless at night. I don't require eight hours of sleep, so I guess I am fortunate there. Six hours seems to be enough for me.
Kerrie,it was brilliant with Ian Richardson so evil,divine acting,sorry nothing could compare to it ;)
Hostess,am totally different mug of coffee before bed,the moment my head hits the pillow am asleep for 8/9 hrs!
Hostess, I, too, watch House of Cards. I just finished the last episode in the second season. I love Claire's wardrobe and while I don't think I'd like her hair on anyone else, it looks great on her. I'm looking forward to Season 3. I, too, am appalled by the nastiness and just plain evil that goes on on the show and yet I am riveted. At times I've seen what I thought was a softening in Claire that is so appealing and then in the next scene I can't believe how awful and cold she is. And Francis is just beyond belief! On another note, thanks for all your great tips. I am amazed by your brushing and flossing your teeth 3 - 4 times a day! As a former dental hygienist I applaud you.
I discovered watching Soprano's series that I am rather fascinated with these nasty characters and while I'd never condone their actions IRL I watch it on the TV.
Chester our youngest cat wakes us every morning about 5am but we manage to go back to sleep for another couple of hours and often I sleep beyond that!
No I was not aware that it was on the BBC first. That seems to happen quite frequently. I wonder if I can find it on You Tube...
My husband would agree with you Stephen....they are amazing companions!
I used to do aerobics to that Tear For Fears song...it has a lot of energy in the beat!
Alright is my thought...
I was most impressed by your lovely formal garden design...and am rather envious that you have a pool in your back yard!
The late night news usually has that effect on me...there is much trouble in the world and hearing about it late at night makes for a restless sleep.
I need the goose down duvet up to my neck....not many hot flashes these days!
Happy to hear that you are resting comfortably on your new bed.
My friend and I are planning to rent an apartment for various reasons....the cost, the ability to dine in for some meals and the ability to do laundry. I have several in mind, one near the Notre Dame and one in St. Germain de Pres. We'd like to eat in small cafes and go to the markets too.
The pottery is a variety of makers....mostly American art pottery. I have collected only matte white for many years and most are from flea markets or jumble sales.
I'm impressed.
Lucky you!
I have weak gums and excessive tartar and have been warned by the dental staff that if I do not stay on top of my oral hygeine I will need a VERY expensive operation!
I have a little routine I follow at night as well, before I go to bed. I can't watch the news or read anything too stimulating b/c I will think too much about it. I need a good 8 hours of sleep every night. Sometimes nine. Thankfully, I'm able to get it. Nothing makes me crankier than lack of sleep.
I have to soak in a salt bath and read. Then it's a silk eye mask and pillow as well as lots of organic serums. I'm a hot house flower. Love House of Cards. I knew a lot of people like Frances and Claire in my old life.
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