The land does not cease to give.
But the people do grow full
and forget to give thanks.

We fill up our hollow bones and trade heritage for a set of keys,
a power line,
a sadness not filled up by all the gold from these Mountain springs.
We do our best to bring the forests and mountains down to find our gold.
Still,
it cannot fill the sadness,
save to build our homes and fill them with lights,
to fuel our cars and grind down the keys that will drive us to cemetaries
on days when we are told to remember the leftOnes,
our mothers and fathers.
But we do not go and ask for wisdom anymore.
We cannot bring ourselves to look down at the graves
and ask the soil to give us answers.

And so, the land continues to give,
while we forget to give thanks for the fullness of these hollow bones.

{source}

Remember this

{Read this post}

xoxo 

source

Goodmorning freinds,

As I visit my favorite bloggers every day, I realise that they are mostly women. 

Do men not blog? 

Yes, they do. 

So why do I not read men's blogs?

I realise that I tend to read men's opinions on politics and public affairs. They are more trustworthy, more sober, less frilly. 

I wonder what it would be to be woman and frilly and write about politics and public affairs. 

Why is Life set in black and white when it comes to "serious matters"?  Why we women who feed and live it are not inclined to share our opinions? Is it because we are affraid we may lose friends? That our opinions may not be politically correct? Is it that we shield ourselves from potential strain and pain? Is it our self-protection of the life-bearer at work, or is it our cowardice?

Haven't we all seen where this seriousness of the men-dominated public spots in suites, followed by women who immitate them in sober two-pieces, has led the world and where it is still leading us?

Suffering and war and more suffering in  the name of Justice and Rules. 

This is an interiors, travel and good life blog,

 but 

what about a Happy Turtle blog that would voice my opinions

 and

 communicate them in India pink and Colette Pantone blue? 

Yeah, I want to do that. Because I have opinions and I want to voice them. And I know that you have opinions, too, and that you want to voice them. And I cannot possibly believe that women care only or mostly about cooking recipes and even, like Happy Turtle, elegant interiors and beautiful travel. 

Stay tuned!

xoxo

1. 

In a post called "Seasons at the village", one of my favorite Greek celebrity people, cook, writer and TV person, Heleni Psychouli, writes about the home she and her partner created among the olive trees. electricity-free.

(Use google translate or another service, if you can;t read Greek. It is worth it).

2. 

Favorite stylish mama blogger Travelling Mama posts about the colour brown as a new trend in interior walls.

See it also here, in Martha Stewart's Main home library.

 Warm and inviting, I think. 

But then you may wish to paint blanc. But then, why not?

3.

Another trend I have in mind is pink. 

Read what

Holly Becker of decor8 

writes about planning on painting her home office pink.

4.

Read this interesting post about sprucing up your rental home for cheap.

Improvements suggested include door knobs, light switches and wall decals. 

Worth it!

xoxo

There is something very tempting about street food. 

Something that makes me carefree. 

A surprise.

A delight.

Happiness in every bite.

xoxo

At first, it was quitely spoken. Softly. 

As in "his life-long partner", when speaking of Christian Dior and Marc Bohan. 

Hush! 

Then came Tom Ford. He is married to a journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Hommes and they have a son. 

As time passes, same-sex men-couples are openly dispalying their relationships. What is more, they are redefining the meaning of household. And they are good at it. 

It is not an exageration to say that the most homey looking homes I find in interior design magazines are made by men-couples. 

They are elegant. But that's to be expected. Alot of gay men are of an exquisite and accute taste. 

What is more, however, is that they create homey homes. 

Is it that women grew too indefferent, too busy, too tired of home life or work/home (im)balance?

Is it because men really know what they expect from a home?

Is it that making a home comes from the deepest depths of the soul, and same-sex male-couples have done their soul work alot in order to get to where they are?

Featured in the September issue of Architectural Digest, there are three same-sex men-couples and their respective homes. Every one of them a delight in its own style and right. 

Quite interestingly, there are two man-woman couples' homes featured, too. 

Watch the body language of those couples. 

Then compare with the men-couples above.

 In a way, that comparisson may answer my rhetoric questions I asked above. 

"Traditional", -read conventional-, doesn't rhyme with "Happy" anymore. 

I am falling for these homes and wish their owners happiness every step of the way. 

Happiness comes in all shapes and forms. 

If it glorifies Love and Creation, then let it be blessed for all.

Le Pain is a blessing.

I know people will advise you not to eat bread, but unless you have a serious reason not to eat bread, it is imperative that you try bread in France. 

A simple delight that will put a smile on your face.

Breakfast, lunch, simply there,

a smile of the Earth, a blessing of the Gods and Goddesses

Thankful.

xoxo

Happiness is a decision we make. A trip we take. The people we meet. 

I'll get you started though, with the food that we eat. 

Fuel for the journey.

It is happy if it makes us happy.

Is it good for me?

I bet!

Let's get started with a good breakfast.
My best friend who has the graceful body of a professional dancer, tells me that we do not actually need breakfast. Our bodies put every morning an hormone into good use, helping us move into our day without the need for any heavy breakfast as is usually suggested. What is more, milk (protein) and corn flakes make for a deadly combination for our stomach!
OK!
But when I am staying in a hotel, well, I kind of like having breakfast. And then make(perhpas) a few wise choices.



I did say "maybe"! That pain was delicious!

Cheese and fruit, delicious!

My French friend is a Raw expert. I used to cook raw myself, one and a half decade ago. It is the best, believe me. And you may try a softer approach, if it makes you scared of the total no-no. Believe me, you will be just fine!

Those colours! Add a delicious sauce with some garlic and thyme.

Occasionally some saucissons are not a bad idea!

Or perhaps one is a sea person
...
And now I shall leave you waiting for the dessert!

xoxo

After many many years of talking about it, I made it to France this year. 

Is it worth it?

Oh firends!

Every penny and every inch of the way.

Every journey starts at an aeroport. Or a port. Or your own car.
I love airports.