Industriart (again)

Some of my long time readers may recall my visit to Industriart way back in 2012 

(I know! Where the bleep has the time gone??) 

I had the good fortune of conducting a rather casual interview with the lovely owner Veronica and sharing a few images that I snapped of her wonderful collection of wares.

Given the eclectic nature of her treasure trove I made an appointment with her 

to visit and take a new set of images that I could A - drool over and 

B - pop up on my blog for all you Jack Sparrows out there

Whilst many of you cannot make it in to see these delights in the flesh I 

 feel that true pirates still get a thrill from casting their eyes upon 

the gems that are on offer... 

... even if it does mean leaving empty handed.

Given half the chance, I myself would pillage plunder her gems but she is 

such a lovely woman my conscience tells me otherwise... 

... well that and the fact that my little cottage in the hills is limited

in space (sigh) and there's the tiny factor regarding my 

husband and his growing intolerance of my clutter 

The bonus with a jaunt to Industriart is that you do not have 

to be lover of ALL THINGS OLD  - there are interesting items that have 

been given a breath of new life as well as items which qualify as 

perfect for the person who has everything 

I love going there because I get to chat with Veronica whilst taking 

a trip down memory lane

My mum had one of these Ginger Wafer tins and I recall being 

bitterly disappointed when I opened it to find it full of tea bags.

Obviously I've changed because the mere sight of a tea bag sets 

off my shameful addiction and the notion of them stored in a vintage tin...

...well you get the idea..

If it's coloured glass you're into then you'll be 

rubber necking all the way...

... and did I mention there's TWO floors?

MAHOOSIVE restraint shown at this point... although I'm weakening with every 

minute that passes - and I do not want one... I want, desire, need all three

I went a little snap happy and then when it came time to edit 

I thought ... stuff it - put them all in

... at least this way my readers abroad are given a 

thorough tour ... non?

I have at least four recipes which would shift from boring to brilliant

just by being served on these cabbage leaves...

more medal worthy restraint shown here...

... and here....

Well  there you have it peoples - a peep into the world of

Industriart  - Unit D, 29 Clayton Street, Bellevue, WA

I will just add ...

If you are able to pop in then make sure you allow enough time

for a satisfying experience (minimum 1/2 hour for sure)

and

A very sincere thank you to Veronica for allowing me to take 

all these photos and share them with you.

On another note I just wanted to extend my love

and appreciation to all the readers who sent me personal emails after reading 

my last post.

I try really hard to be positive and up beat as much as possible

but I am only human and I guess it was only a matter of time 

before some of the more mundane dramas made there way to

the (usually positive) pages of my blog.

I suspect that people who are happy to rant on the net do so

because it can be quite cathartic. Surely it isn't just to be negative?

I also suspect that people who only ever share the stellar stuff

have bad days too - they just edit them out of the public eye.

And that's cool too.

I began this blog as a journal, a creative outlet, a hobby 

and a healthy distraction

It's ended up giving me way more than I give to it

and 

I feel very blessed to have made a few wonderful new

friends along the way

Anyhoo..... I'm rambling now and all I really

wanted to say was 

"Thanks ever so much for the love"

My bad days are a walk in the park compared to the 

trials of some and reminding myself of this

(sometimes 37 times a day)

DOES actually help

... but then again so did a small, wee, petty, little, miniature rant

(kinda, sorta... almost)

Oh - one last thing - if you're having a heavy day then do yourself 

a favour and crank up the next song and dance the dance you 

dance when no one can see you dance ... you know the one...

(I dare anyone to say they don't feel better after 

bopping and hopping like a chimp on cocaine)

Van Halen - Jump 

http://youtu.be/ap2J9RbXaP4

Ok, that's me done. 

Over and Out and a Walla Walla Bing Bang

♥♥♥

The Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH

About three years ago I watched a documentary titled Stephen Fry in America 

& fell in love with the area known as New England. 

Fast forward to this year and I was blessed

enough to visit this fascinating region of the United States. 

Now let me just go back to the documentary (which is absolutely worth the watch)

and a short scene where Mr Fry introduces us to the Mount Washington Hotel.

(Situated in Bretton Woods and nestled at the base of Mount Washington itself)

From the moment he walked through the main hall right up until 

he sipped tea on the back balcony … 

I. Was. Smitten.

You can read more about the history HERE  and (as you can see by my humble 

attempts at photographing the magnificence of the place) - it truly is an

intriguing and jaw droppingly beautiful location.

I clearly remember saying to my Husband 

"One day I'd like to drink tea there"

(Thinking to myself… a distant bucket list item for sure)

Well (as is the general theme in my marriage)

I'm one of those very blessed gals whose Husband keeps making

her dreams come true.

When we drove up toward the building itself I was 

already goose bumpy with anticipation and the inevitable 

"mad camera clicking began"

The boys went ahead to organise a booking for high tea.

I walked around with my mouth hanging wide open, 

pausing every now and then only to take a photo 

(and grin like a fool)

We were tended to by a waiter named Bill, from Kentucky 

who proceeded to walk us through the menu and tea selection.

Still grinning like a fool I was unable to take 

my eyes off the table settings and the view that 

greeted you through every window...

.. then I looked at the menu and ...

…. well you can just imagine ...

… I was IN HEAVEN

There was even a tea specially blended from ingredients 

only found in the local region...

… I realised very early on that I had better stop snapping ...

… no matter how tempting ….

… and simply ….

… be in the moment...

… savour the moment...

… and treasure the moment...

(every table had its own unique posy!)

(the reception desk)

(had it been just a tad warmer we would have dined in the 

exact spot that Mr Fry imbibed his brew. Not that I minded!)

As we sipped our brew and dined on scoffed  our mouth watering 

treats we marvelled at the birds of prey circling outside…

… as well as the magnificent view we had of mountain peaks

(only a hour or so later and the fog had set in making it all impossible to see)

If you are ever in this part of the world I cannot recommend a visit

to this National Treasure highly enough.

High Tea was very reasonably priced and the grounds

of the hotel are an attraction in their own right.

We vowed that next time we visited we would 

actually check in and stay for a few days.

I think I'd even go so far as to say it's one of the 

most 

beautiful places I've ever seen in my life.

Oh…

... and the tea was top notch too.