This is Where I would Like to Travel To and Why.

Japan!

I have always wanted to visit Japan and here is why...

1. I love the culture. To learn more about it would be great. What better way to learn than to be in the country itself.  
2. See the cherry blossoms in the spring.
3. I learnt Japanese at school, so, would love to try it out and become more fluent in the language. 
4. Have a traditional tea ceremony.
5. My favourite food is Japanese so I could eat my way around the country. 
6. Go on a bullet train.
7. See Mount Fuji.
8. Stay in a traditional Japanese house. 
9. Sleep on a futon on the floor.
10. See a Geisha.
11. Take lots of photos of Japan.
12. Visit a ramen shop.
13. Maybe visit the tsunami site and Fukushima area. Not so much fun but interesting.
14. Buy a kimono. Try on different colours.
15. Buy a Japanese doll.
16. I love Japanese art so would love some for my walls. 
17. I would love to get some ceramics eg. bowls and vases.
18. See the neon lights of Tokyo.
19. See the monkeys in the hot springs in the north.
20. See the cranes that are indigenous to Japan.
21. To see the Harajuku girls, all dressed up and walking in the streets.

Do you think these are enough reasons to visit the country of Japan? I do. 

Candles, candles and more candles.

Candles, candles and more candles.

I have written before about my love of candles so thought that I would share my passion[or obsession] with you. Every night between four and five o'clock I settle down, before getting tea ready, with a wine and light my candles. Not all of them as there are too many so just a selected few in my vicinity. When I have company I put on a more impressive display. I have loved candles since I was fourteen years old when I was given a large multicoloured one that I never burnt as then I would no longer have it, so I kept it for years.Ever since I have loved their soft light, their aroma [if they have one] and the ambience they create in the room. For me it is the calming experience that I love so much. For my birthday or Christmas and mothers day a candle was always special. Mostly I use T light candles that I bulk buy from Ikea or the Reject  shop.You can buy one hundred T lights for five to six dollars and they last for weeks.These candles go into my candle holders with many different effects and look stunning especially at night.Of course I have my favourites but would love to share my collection with you.

Love my Himalayan salt candle holder.

This holder gives off a lovely green calm glow.

Eiffel tower. Looks great lit.

Wall sconce. I light this when I have visitors.

Ceramic ball candle holder. Lovely soft glow lights up town buildings at base.

Sandstone owl. So cute.

Frosted glass holder.

Hanging clear glass candle holder. Great for outdoors on a summer night.

Froggie on his back.

The red and silver mosaic pattern glows magnificently.

Purple glass . A bit of bling to brighten your life.

Stunning when lit.

Buddhas in a circle.

My serene meditation ladies.

Red glass holder.

T light lamp.

Lotus flower 

Set of four.

Buddha candle. I will not burn him.

In summer I put candles in and around my fire place to make a feature and light them at night. They give a lovely effect and a nice glow to the room.Why not make a feature of an unused space and make it look gorgeous. 

Pictures on my walls.

I love art but am unable to create it myself, so I like to hang pictures on my walls that I can relate too and that have a calming influence on me. I have had some great opportunity shop finds and other prints I have obtained elsewhere. I enjoy oriental pictures, photos of my daughter, images of Germany, paintings done by my family, Balinese art and modern art. The old masters feature in a small entrance way. Here are a few that hang in my home that I do not tire of looking at. 

My beautiful Buddha.

Chinese children playing

Elegant Japanese lady.

This is a tapestry that I did when I was on night duty.

These are on my bedroom wall and they are very calming.

My daughter did this piece of modern art. Looks great.

The very first picture my daughter did at play group. She was seventeen months old. Had to frame it.

Black antique mirror.

Set of four modern art pieces.

Another of my tapestry pieces.

Poppies.

Another of my daughters modern art pictures.

Woven piece in wool. ? South American.

Landscape oil on canvas. Rye Victoria.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Vameer.

Lots of drawings inside a guitar.

Photo of my daughter.

Brass mermaid mirror.

These last two hang in my laundry and I have had them for years.

Daughters graduation photo.

Roof top Germany.

Bremen Germany. A special place for us.

Neuswanstein in Bayern, Germany.

Daughters photo with one of her art works.

Hope you enjoyed my art works.They inspire me on a daily basis and keep me grounded. 

The Joy of being

This is a lesson for the modern age and one that I think needs more work on. Do we take enough timeout to relax and reflect?

Recently I stumbled upon a word that helps us with just that problem and it is the word hygge (pronounced huhgah). It is a concept from Scandinavia where they spend a lot of time indoors due to inclement weather and is all about relaxing at home and enjoying down time in the moment. There are great ideas to put into practice and it is fun trying to implement  some of them. 

Candles.

One of my all time favourite suggestions is the use of candles. I am a huge lover of candles and every night between four to five pm I light up my candles in the lounge before settling down to a glass of wine before dinner. They give a lovely soft glow and improve the ambience in the room. They help save electricity as you can turn off the lights. If you are afraid of a fire or forgetting to blow them out you can easily buy the small battery operated ones that give off a soft glow and some even change colour for a great effect. Fairy lights are another good option. I always make sure my candles are contained in holders or on glass or ceramic sauces which keep the risk of accidents down. The lounge looks lovely in the soft light and so relaxing. I will show you my candle collection in a later blog. 

Cushions. Lots of lovely stuffed cushions on the couch to sink into and put your feet up on. Great behind your back or neck and oh so comfortable. Watching some television [a good movie] or reading a book is a must accompanied by lots of cushions.

Blankets and Throws.

A cosy warm blanket to put over yourself and snuggle into. A great way to keep the chill out and relax under. I have my favourites and they have that soft feel that makes them special to crawl up under. A warm dressing gown is another option and just as good. My cat enjoys both.

Hot chocolate or chai. Even a cup of tea or coffee, whatever you prefer. Great to sip on while relaxing and enjoying the moment. Some marshmallows or chocolate does not go amiss with these combinations of beverages. Use your favourite mug or buy a special one just for the occasion.

Books

A good book to fill in some time and wile away the afternoon or half an hour. I find reading a joy and so relaxing. It takes you to another space and time. In summer I love to sit outside in nature and do my reading. Magazines or picture books are good alternatives.

An open fire is always fabulous but if you do not have one there are other options in the form of gas log fires or even electric ones. Central heating keeps you cosy too. 

Slippers. Warm and fluffy or solid and sensible, whatever suits. Why not get into your flannel pyjamas while you are at it. Big warm socks are are an alternative to slippers.

Crafts. I have always loved to knit and learnt from my grandmother at the age of eight. I find it relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable. Other favourites are long stitch, cross stitch and quilting. All relaxing and fun to do in front of TV or sitting bythe fire.

Clothing for Hygge. Loose and comfortable is the go. Sweat pants and an oversized jumper or just your pyjamas and dressing gown. Spend the day or weekend in them. Simply delightful.

Stay warm and cosy and have fun with it. 

By yourself or with a friend or family enjoy some down time and hygge on.