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.

Thoughts in point form...

Lest this turn into a blog that only ever contains photos of flowers, I've decided to steer clear of the blooms today peoples. Although last night's class was absolutely fab (we made wreaths) I was unable to get a decent (that means blog-worthy if I'm to be truly honest) photo. We finished up late and by the time I arrived home from the city I was ready for nothing but bed. This morning was a hectic mix of getting the chickens fed, Young Prince to school, the pooch to a play date and back to the city for work.... breathe.

I'm waiting for Winter. Patiently and with great enthusiasm for all the cosiness it brings to my "heaven in the hills" The chickens get more worms, the herbs water themselves and I get to plan activities that involve a lot of sock wearing and tea drinking. I realise that for many this is blasphemy. Summer is the season for living ... say some. I reason that my absurd love for cold weather actually serves a purpose in balancing out the world's surfing, beach going, sun soaking bods with us knitting, fire stoking, book reading folk. No stereotypes intended.

By hook or by crook I'm mastering bread this Winter. Nothing smells better than a freshly baked loaf hot out of the oven (with the exception of fried onions, freshly cut grass, eucalypts after the rain and puppy breath) Hubby bakes a mean wholemeal but I'd like to try my hand at Rye, Sourdough and THIS BREAD... do yourself a favour and check out that link peoples... my mouth waters EVERY time I see it. Oh and if you think this recipe looks dandy then have a browse around, Sarah has created a vegetarian heaven.

I'm looking for some recommended reading. I've exhausted the pile at home and I'm in need of some written word that will A - inspire B - make me cry C - isn't gory, violent or full of sex and D - avoids all the shades of grey. This is as much a request to you my fellow bloggers as it is a shameless hint to my loved ones (my birthday is only 7 sleeps away) 

And last but not least ... a tiny bit of self promoting/boasting/happiness and glee coming up...

The above image was picked as a favourite by the Design Sponge team for an Instagram competition they ran in February. I'll be completely frank here and admit the truth about the discreet squeal I gave when I saw my name on this awesomerrificlyfabulous site... yes sir. I did the happy dance. Small victories are victories nonetheless no? Anyway you can see it here ... and it will look exactly the same as it does here - but there are other cool images to see and of course all the coolness that is Design Sponge to tempt you from the days to-do-list. 

Speaking of... I have a job to get back to and sneaking in blogging time is not part of the job requirements so I'd better sign off and wish you all a very happy weekend filled with all that's groovy.

Please not - I know these images are completely unrelated but I was afraid of new comers visiting my blog and thinking I do nothing but stare at flowers all day long... which I do... but still. 

Thrifted....

Perfect spouts on a teapot = major satisfaction ... yes?
Depression glass = excellent storage possibilities, interesting vases & more ... yes?
Kitsch trays = conversation starters ... yes?
Hand painted enamel dishes = true love... yes?
Vintage fabric = eco-friendly possibilities ....yes?
Yellowed & frayed Webster Dictionary (with small diagrams) = swooning ... yes?
Medicinal and scientific vessels = unusual, interesting & Sibella Court worthy stills ... yes?
Little silver apples for a dollar each = me with a stupid grin on my face ... yes? YES.

I have quite a bit of catching up to do. I have not visited you all for quite some time.
Blame this on Boardwalk Empire peoples.
I'm making tea and sourcing chocolate as we speak. I look forward to reading all about what
you have thrifted lately, gifted lately, ventured lately and of course loved lately.

Aside - Have you read this? Have you seen this? And have you eaten these?
Even if German film and literature is not exactly your bag.. you cant deny those fritters look yummy...
Yes? Ummm.... YES.