All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

I would say patience is one of my greatest attributes--I can tolerate delay more than most. Long lines, slow drivers, a two year old wanting to dress themselves--these do not send me into fits. But waiting for this book is killing me

The Home Within Us: The Romantic Houses of McAlpine Tankersley Architecture

Released on April 20, 2010, the book will chronicle various houses Bobby McAlpine's architecture firm has designed and assorted projects completed by his interior design firm McAlpine, Boothe and Ferrier. Many of the projects are collaborations between the two sister firms and and typically feature his furniture designs as well.
This is the second book by Alabama native McAlpine (his first book was produced by his firm specifically for their clients) and is destined to become one of the MUST HAVE books of the year.

You may pre-order you copy at Bungalow Home.

__________________

A peek at some of his designs


.

The Big Read

As stated on my blog numerous times, I love to read and nothing excites me more then The Big Read, a nationwide program created by the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American culture. The Big Read invites neighbors to read and discuss a single book of American Literature in their communities and experience the transformative power of reading.

The 2010 selection is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is not merely a literary classic. It is part of the American imagination. More than any other work in our culture it established America's vision of childhood. Mark Twain created two fictional boys, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, who still seem more real than most of the people we know. In a still puritanical nation, Twain reminded adults that children were not angels, but fellow human beings, and perhaps all the more lovable for their imperfections and bad grooming. Neither American literature nor America has ever been the same."

National Endowment of the Arts

____________________________

Decatur Public Library and Calhoun Community College invite you to join in the kickoff of

THE BIG READ: ALABAMA READS

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

with

DR RANDY CROSS
as he presents

The Life and Works of Mark Twain

As a Professor of Literature at Calhoun Community College Dr. Cross is highly esteemed for his knowledge of Mark Twain and his literary works. Both the dissertation he wrote to achieve his doctorate at the University of Mississippi and the students who populate his classroom today attest to the professor's love of the written word, especially the penned words of Mark Twain. Dr. Cross will share his regard for Mr. Twain in an interesting, entertaining and humorous presentation.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010
6:30 pm

Calhoun Community College Aerospace Training Center
(the northern-most building on the campus)

**This program is free and open to the public.**


Hope to see you there.

New Arrivals

New Sugarboo Designs arrived yesterday and with Valentine's Day just around the corner I can't think of anything sweeter to give your young sugarboo! These also make wonderful baby shower and baptism gifts.

You Are My Sunshine
$280
26x26





White Dog
$589
34x46





June 2009 Coastal Living Magazine
These unique designs are great in kitchens, playrooms, kid's bathrooms too.






Know, oh beloved
$80
7x20
*Two Available




Custom Love Letter
$340.
20x32
*Special Order Only* You choose child/children name and signature.
This is one I had made for our 2 1/2 year old daughter.

**15% off if special ordered before Friday, February 12**
Please allow 4 weeks for custom Love Letter

Me and My Shadow

Six more weeks of winter--
Thanks Punxsutawney Phil!

So if I am forced to bundle up for six more weeks
I plan to enjoy my winter favorites a little longer:

PG tips tea



The perfect cup of tea and my beverage of choice in the morning--it is VERY strong--perfect for sleepy-eyed parents!



Books



There is nothing better than a good book--one that grabs you from the start. I love to read but REALLY love to read in the winter. Will would say different. He still talks about me reading 4 books last summer while in Mexico.
On my bedside table right now...



The Echo Maker by Richard Powers
, 2007 Fiction National Book Award Winner and Pulitzer Prize Finalist.


A great throw or blanket.



I curl up with my Marcell Miller throw.
Made from hand loomed Tanguis cotton and organic Peruvian cotton that is pesticide and fertilizer free--Makes these sumptuous soft fibers remarkably Eco-friendly.
**Marcell Miller items available at Bungalow Home**



French Onion Soup



If soup is on the menu--I always order it ! I could eat it for every meal--something I inherited from my sweet dad. But if I must choose a favorite it is French Onion Soup. It is so easy to make and so comforting on a cold winter's night. Most recipes call for similar ingredients-- the key to making this soup outstanding is using the best ingredients you can find.

French Onion Soup

2 1/2 pounds yellow onions, halved, and sliced 1/4-inch thick (8 cups)

1/4 pound unsalted butter

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup medium-dry sherry

1/2 cup brandy or Cognac

1 1/2 cups good dry white wine

4 cups beef stock

4 cups chicken stock

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

1 cup Fontina or Gruyere Cheese

In a large stockpot on medium-high heat, saute the onions with the butter and bay leaf for 20 minutes, until the onions turn a rich golden brown color. Deglaze the pan with the sherry and brandy and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the white wine and simmer uncovered for 15 more minutes.

Add the beef and veal stocks plus salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, taste for salt and pepper, and serve hot with grated Fontina or Gruyere cheese.

DELICIOUS!!!!

________________________________

So Phil, I will sip my cup of tea, get comfy with my book and throw and enjoy an evening meal of hot bubbly soup but just know I will be dreaming of this place




La Casa Que Canta
Zihuatanejo, Mexico

The loveliest (and warmest) place on earth

Peter Dunham

I was so excited to open my new issue of Traditional Home and see this kitchen

** photos from March 2010 Traditional Home **

Yes, I love the clean fresh look of this kitchen, yes I love the choice of materials, yes I love the variety of finishes--but it is the choice of fabrics for the seating that blew me away. I was thrilled to see that the fabric used on chairs and bench was by Peter Dunham. He is a textile genius! His prints are rich in Indian, Turkish and Persian imagery--he has perfected the "updated" traditional print.

Featured in the article are two of my favorite prints from his collection:

Cruz in Pacific Blue




Roulette in Clay


I love the Roulette so much I recommended it to one of my clients. Their son's bedroom needed updating from nursery to toddler. They wanted a fabric that was modern, unique and would grow with their son. I immediately thought of the Roulette. Their son LOVES anything that moves--planes, trains, automobiles, you name it and this print was perfect--it reminded us of wheels and gears. We chose the charcoal colorway below.



The clients wanted to use existing antique twin beds but with such a low headboard and foot board we decided to have custom upholstered headboards built to soften the room and give the beds presence. The client wanted very little window treatments due to wear and tear they would see in 4 year old room so a valance was chosen over traditional panels. Plus this fabric went perfect with the ticking stripe comforters the client had purchased years earlier.
More pictures of bedroom to come once completed!

** For pricing and more information on Peter Dunham textiles please contact Bungalow Home jb_bungalowhome@bellsouth.net

Haiti Relief

I read a wonderful quote this week


"The most important thing, I think, is to do something- in whatever way is right for you!
Don't be overwhelmed by the choices, or misled by your seeming 'smallness' - light a candle, sew a blanket, send a dollar...whatever it may be. It matters."--Amanda Soule



Haiti's tragedy and devastation has been on all of our minds.
Please visit the American Red Cross website to make a donation or text "Haiti" to 90999 and make a $10 donation (added to your cell phone bill).



**Bungalow Home will be donating 10% of February sales to the American Red Cross**
more details to come

Out With The Old

50% off Sale
All Volsupa 10 oz and Travel Tin candles!!!!!!!

Voluspa Candles are saying goodbye to their Royal Black and Royal Cream Collection

No Worries! They have introduced a wonderful new collection of
fragrances and have updated the packaging.
I had the pleasure of seeing this new line while at market and I am thrilled with the makeover.

They will be keeping their two top scents: Vervaine Olive Leaf & Crisp Champagne.

These candles ALWAYS make wonderful gifts--Birthday, Graduation, Christmas
And don't forget Valentine's Day is just around the corner.


Come stock up on all of your favorite scents.


Voluspa 10 oz. REG. $21 SALE $10
Volsupa Travel Tin REG. $10 SALE $5


ALL SALES FINAL. NO RETURNS. NO EXCHANGES.