Tahilla Farm and Porch Love

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I am getting ready for my trip to America next week to start setting up shop in our new home,
Tahilla Farm. I have had the good word put in my ear that the locals are preparing for black fly season. My research tells me they are annoying little pests and I for one have no interest in partying with them. With that in mind I plan to be prepared. I am thinking the netting above from LL Bean will do nicely.


I was at the gym yesterday being instructed on how to twist and turn without moving my hips. Something that had me in absolute hysterics. I have a tendency to break out in laughter when facing the absurd...and it happens a lot at the gym.

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I am wondering...do you think I may be going to far with the outfit above? I am thinking the neighbours might be a little puzzled by me flapping around the property in full mosquito netting...doing twists and turns in hysterics....maybe I should just stick to the hat above and save the twists and turns for the gym. It would be fun though...

It dawned on me this week, that I have to set up a house that is completely empty. For the first time, I am not travelling with all my belongings in tow on a large ship floating across an ocean. I am dumbstruck. Where do I begin?

For any of you who have done this before...any advice? For those of you with your whits about you in times of panic..any advice? ADHD personality types (like me) do not do well with these scenarios...I can see a lot of projects half done before moving onto the next. The fact that I have five blogs floating around the blogosphere is a hint to that little fact. Enthusiasm can be my downfall.

I have been in a Pinterest frenzy...accumulating all sorts of ideas in my 'Shop' file. There is some serious love going on in that file. I now have so many ideas...that I need your advice.

Let's start with...the porch. Galley style, it looks out to the garden and further afield to a mountain view. This is my first screened in porch...I am excited about the possibilities.

I have to check the ceiling height as I wouldn't mind putting in 

one or two ceiling fans. My thinking is that they will whack off 

any lurking black flies that want to strike up a friendship.

My sister suggested a porch swing at the end..

which I think is a great idea. 

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I discovered that there is no shortage of ideas 

when it comes to a porch swing.

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I grew up in New England and admit to being 

soft hearted for quintessential New England scenes. 

I have been thinking of lining up Adirondack style chairs...

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 or maybe rocking chairs.

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Mr H and I have a two large rattan chairs 

which have followed us from 

New Zealand to England and now Vietnam. 

They are pretty similar to the one below.

Ours have matching foot stools. 

I was thinking that I could duplicate the look...

to make it feel like home.

Pottery Barn here

Then again...something a bit different...perhaps in red...

just because I love red in a New England home.

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There is always the simpler more refined option too...

'Henri' by Horchow here

No matter where you sit.. first and foremost, 

in our home, you must feel comfortable. 

It is a Henriques family rule.

My family is quick to judge on the comfort factor. 

On a porch, where family and friends convene to shoot the breeze, 

read a book or take a nap...relaxed is best. 

Down a dirt road, in the country side..it is the only way to go.

So there you go..

which would you choose?

Porch swing?

Rocking chairs?

Adirondack chairs?

Rattan chairs?

The colour scheme for the furniture above?

Red

Green

White

Black

Natural

Any thoughts you want to add...would be so so appreciated.

I have a long way to go and I always enjoy your thoughts.

I know that some of you have trouble leaving a comment

to which I apologise profusely. I can not figure out why.

If you do...you can email me at

jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com

Before I go..I am leaving a recipe for Kim @ Arizona Traveler.

I posted this photo on Instagram this morning.

I was sharing the love for my homemade muesli.

She asked for a recipe..I thought you all might enjoy it too.

It is delish!

My favourite Muesli

125 g (4 oz) butter

3/4 cup honey

1 1/2 tbsp vanilla essence

500 g ( 1 lb) rolled oats

1 cup unsalted flower seeds

1 cup slivered almonds

1 cup shredded coconut (optional)

3/4 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds

1 cup rye flakes (or similar)

1 cup chopped dried fruit ( optional)

Place butter, honey and vanilla in a small saucepan and cook gently over low heat for about 5 minutes until well combined. Toss all the other ingredients (except fruit)  in a large mixing bowl. Feel free to add your own preferences too. I add flax seeds to mine. Slowly stir the butter mixture over the dried mixture making sure that it is as well coated as possible. I do this by hand, tossing and turning as I go.

Set the oven to 170C (325F). Spread the cereal over a large baking dish, be careful not to make it to thick as it will not cook evenly. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes...keeping a close eye as it can cook quickly. Stir occasionally to  prevent sticking to the baking dish. The grains should be crisp and light brown before removing from the oven. Once to your liking, remove muesli and allow to cool. If you are adding fruit, add it at this stage. I like to mix in untoasted muesli as well. The  muesli can be stored at room temperate in an airtight container for up to one month. It makes 1.5 kg (3 lb). I have yet to see it still on the shelf in a months time.  We love it!   Adapted from Sydney Food cookbook by Bill Granger.

Lastly..as it is the weekend...

I want to send best wishes for a fabulous one!

I will be reading this book...how about you?

What are you reading these days?

Ooops...to many thoughts at once.

There goes that ADHD mind of mine again.

I must learn to control that one day! 

:)

Happy Weekend!!