Wednesday, December 29, 2010

One great read, Scents from Grasse, and a Meissen...

Post Christmas...

A brisk walk along the seafront invigorated me and then an afternoon spent sitting in front of a roaring fire reading a new book was just what I needed.


The Carrie Diaries is written by Candace Bushnell who also wrote Sex and the City and One Fifth Avenue.

One Fifth Avenue was fabulous...I read it awhile ago and leant it to Mother who also had trouble putting it down.
I think the measure of a great book is one that you want to read instead of doing chores or domestics or pretty much anything else!
Bushnell  has a way of hooking the reader and keeping things moving along at a fast pace. Her characters are real and she makes us care about them and want to know what happens next.


new scent
Moonflower Orchid
from Grasse France
soft an sweet
subtle and clean


Antique carving platter
heavy sturdy and white
turkey friendly!


Meissen

Turkey soup 
a rustic loaf of artisan bread
for dinner. 

I am ready for our guests
the sheets are laundered, bed made
the room has been aired out
A box of chocolates are on the pillow
Perrier on the bedside table
fresh towels
scented Harrods soap
await their arrival

We'll be busy catching up 
on their adventures in the South of France
and lots of pictures

Hope that your post Christmas week is shaping up nicely
and if I get too busy to post...
Best
Wishes for a Wonderful New Year!
Cheers
and 
Hugs from the Hostess
XO

Monday, December 27, 2010

Musings from the Humble Bungalow Hostess...


Christmas has come and gone...
a flurry of activity preceded the day and in a matter of a few hours
family gathered
gifts exchanged and opened
hugs 
smiles and laughter
toasts 
 food carefully prepared
served and consumed
the crackers popped
hats discarded
goodbyes
and good wishes...

the turkey carcass has been picked clean 
and the turkey stock has been made
to become a nourishing soup later


images captured on the movie camera
reviewed and shared...


in the quiet of the Bungalow
Mr. HB and myself
weary yet content
lounging around in our robes long into the morning
sipping coffee
the sun filtering in through the window
Pepper asleep on the chair

I am quiet with my thoughts...
thinking of people who are in need of some TLC


thinking of providing nourishment for others
when times are tough and food is scarce


 thinking that everyone needs a hug now and then...


and a warm place to rest


something to believe in
to sustain through days of darkness and uncertainty


inviting gtratitude and simple beauty
into everyday


getting enough vitamins and nourishment 
through a healthy diet



planning for the future
but attending to the now


relaxing 
recharging
tending to your needs


embracing your inner child


keeping hydrated


accepting imperfections


growing and nurturing
improving 


remembering and honouring the past
but learning to let go...


being open to new things
keeping in touch


maintaining friendships


reading books


saving for a treat once in awhile



being passionate about something
cultivating a hobby


celebrating your achievements


all this on a sunny morning 
sitting in the Morris Chair of the Humble Bungalow living room
thoughts that seem to bubble up 
and weave their way into my consciousness...

in the wake of the hubbub of festive activities
there is a stillness
peace
contentment
and an opening for new opportunities
to which I will apply myself
 for the New Year is on the horizon... 




"Bloom where you are planted"
Mary Englebreit


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Happy Holidays...May Peace Be With You.

                                                                  
Happy Holidays!


                                      
 Thank you for visiting the Humble Bungalow Blog


                                                  
I welcome and love your comments.


                                            
Wishing you simple joys for the festive season...



Wishing you a peaceful holiday


Hugs and Best wishes
The Hostess


I will be Hostessing here in the Humble Bungalow
we are expecting guests 
for dinners
and 
 friends who've been in France 
are due soon
and will be staying in the guest room
so I may be offline for awhile!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

M.O.P. the mother of all pearls...

As well as loving pearls I am a lover of knitted things...
I have had a long fling with felting and have gifted many bags.
The last one that remains here speaks to me and so I have hung onto it...


big enough to use as a tote
and sturdy due to it's many shrinkings
in hot water
(this produces the felted effect)

as a crow is attracted to shiny things
I am attracted to things of lustre and creamy nachre


antique mother of pearl 
or
M.O.P. 
buttons
I buy these in antique shops and a tag sales whenever I see them at a good price
they make nice adornments for parcels gift wrapped with satin
and lovely accents sewn onto hand knit sweaters

they are so pretty
grey and pearls are such a happy couple when married


Pepper is sniffing around my morning photo shoot
she was drawn to the wool tote
and attempted to pull off a button!
(she does have good taste)


as you can see my love affair with pearls doesn't stop with strands and studs
it weaves it's way throughout my heart and home



beauty is in the details

What makes your heart beat a little faster...
is it an image of natural beauty
the face of a child 
a wrinkled family elder
something luxe and unattainable
or 
something as simple as a warm mug of tea
or someone holding your hand?

Hang onto what makes you happy and keep it close to your heart.
Hugs from the Hostess.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Snippits and snapshots...


The Humble Bungalow porch 


Arbutus
view looking south


looking northwest

and going inside the Bungalow
there's the age old game of cat and mouse


Pepper's favourite toy
not surprisingly
a mouse


she's very much a hunter



the mouse has been caught
it's a game that she plays everyday



 box from the Sperry boots still kicking around


there's a hole in the box...
mouse is inside




Time for a nap...

I'm taking notes from Pepper
brewing a pot of tea
putting up my feet
 and opening up UK Country Living December.

How is your day going?