Inadvertent Altars 2

Bouquets of poofy blue hydrangeas are the first sign of welcome. Three vases full, right there on the entry-way table. A mirror behind them doubles the pleasure. The second sign is the scent of vanilla. These folks want all who enter to have a good experience.  Apart from freshly baked brownies or a good sourdough, what could be more welcoming than a hint of vanilla?

We drop our keys next to one of the white Grecian urns holding hydrangeas and move our luggage into the entry way and see a pedestal candle - the source of yummy smells. Squaring off with the mirror we see a note taped to it: 
"Welcome, M & M!"

They had me at first sight and scent. This will be a fun weekend. Just the two of us in a cozy cottage overlooking Moonstone Beach on California's wild and beautiful middle coast.

Rounding the corner, we see a kitchen altar! Wooden window with a deep sill that holds binoculars frames a spectacular view beyond of sun on water, great galoompfy pelicans diving for dinner, and a lone windsurfer heading for shore.

Above the kitchen table hangs another note: Hosting means we are entrusted with the happiness of our guests for as long as they are with us.

Three for three. We feel welcomed.

Altars of welcoming...

Friend D has a basket near the front door filled with tactile delights: smooth stones, curled shells, beach glass, tiny replicas of horses and hounds, and a single silky-shelled Hazelnut. I believe she has them there to offer young visitors. 

A relative gave us a Zen Sandbox he'd made. It has a tiny rake and several polished stones. It is very relaxing to arrange a mini-rock-garden and rake the sand just so. It's an altar that gets put up on the high mantle whenever a member of the under-two crowd visits. We learned how wide spread that sort of altar can become when within reach of young scientists.

Toys are found in virtually every room in our home. Ultimately, we're both little kids in grown-old bodies.  I love the holographic frog that seems to loom up out of its concave mirror projecting its image through a hole in the convex black cover. 3D Frog lives on the bathroom counter next to the purple sink. Judging from his numerous directional changes, I suspect he's had many "scientists" exploring his home.

Bathtubs, too, are altars. Our tub is surrounded by toys and tools, mostly of the bubble-making sort. Last record-setting height of bubbles was three feet, achieved by the grandie and who knows how many squirts of "California Baby Lavender Scented Bubble Bath."

Cleanliness is next to godliness. Clean-up after the cleansing is next to impossible... bubbles blown all the way across the room leave water marks everywhere. Eh. Who cares?

Bedroom altars take special thought. Two people? Two chairs, two windows, two framed pictures, two pillows, two candles - at least. Soothing colors, lavender scented sheets, and black-out shades for complete darkness lend ease to falling into deep trouble-free sleep for weary folk.

While our home may not have an entry filled with vanilla and hydrangeas or a view of the rugged coast, it's where we hang our hats and hearts and it is HOME.