Mid Month...a MISH MASH of Musings

 

~ Green Moss Growing on a Rock ~

I stumbled upon this pretty lush green sight and thought how beautiful it is...

How many people would stop and take notice?

Would they have TIME to stop?

Would they even care?

I think simple things of beauty in our world are worth noting.

When I was young

I would lie on the grass in our backyard and imagine fairies living in the grass.

Buttercups would be their yellow bonnets and clover would be their parasols.

Bees would be buzzing 

making the music that the fairies would dance to...

These wee worlds would whirl around in my imagination...

obviously I have not forgotten 

the power of their magic.

I still look for the MAGIC on my walks.

If only to regain those innocent and naive ideas and thoughts from my youth.

~ Baking Sourdough Bread ~

The simple process of mixing, folding, and baking bread has many rewards.

There is a sense of purpose and a genuine feel of true comfort.

The finished fresh Boule is so much more than just a loaf of bread...

it is a vehicle that transports us back to a simpler time.

The day of bread mixing is a Joyful experience.

The basic routine offers up a schedule that one wholly participates in...

mind and body.

(It might sound a wee bit "airy fairy" but that is how I feel)

I look for opportunities to relax the mind and body...

bread baking is an escape from reality.

So much in our world is in chaos and I seek solace.

I deliberately choose solace...

Yoga, knitting, walking, reading, and baking bread.

Things that are soothing and force to take me "out of my head."

~ Healthy Lunch with My Besties ~

Lunching with long time Friends as we celebrate and honour our birthdays.

We meet up for an annual Christmas lunch too...

we are good friends from primary school.

In a few months ALL of us will be in our 70's

so many stories intertwine and connect us.

In order to entertain more efficiently we purchased an antique table.

Our tiny living room has no coffee table so we used an oak card table

or 

set up the food in the dining room where people had to wander in and help themselves.

Now we can move the table into the living room and put the food on the table!

SO much better! 

It must be time to invite some people over to gather together. 

~ I snapped a selfie while waiting for the ferry ~

Yes the pearls came out to play!

OOTD is very casual.

Jeans ~ Mango Mom Jeans

White Tee ~ Mododoc

Knit vest ~ Churchmouse Library Vest pattern

Puffer coat ~ Lands' End

~ Here's the ferry ~

We are off to the Cottage

Grabbed two books that were on HOLD from the library.

Started with Elizabeth Strout's newest...

in LARGE PRINT !

I almost don't need to wear my glasses :-))

~ Ran a few errands this morning ~

Got a few groceries and bought some body balm at the pharmacy.

I forgot that I had run out when we left last month...

Alas

there was hardly any beach for walking...

 so I went to the Thrift Shop and the shops and galleries at Hope Bay.

With only a scant amount of scent left in my perfume bottle 

I found myself sniffing the samples.

Well this certainly sounds inviting...

Choosing the Rose Quartz option AURA

made locally on Pender Island by Fiadh Alchemy.

Sunshine and Blue skies are keeping us company today and feeling grateful.

Going to make French Onion Soup for our dinner...

chopping and slicing are such a tonic.

Hope that your New Year is off to a good start...

Take and Make time to nurture yourself, employ self care when necessary.

You will need to use that stored positive energy.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

New Years ~ Three resolutions for 2025

 

~ Mount Baker ~ 

My view this week on my walk.

A crisp fresh topping of snow atop this grand mountain.

~ The new walking poles are so helpful ~ 

I can take longer strides, 

walk faster, 

feel so much more stable

~ Confident ~

If you have ever fallen, or felt a wee bit wobbly on your feet.

 these poles are a wonderful tool, I think they are a real Game Changer.

(they work the arms too)

With the last few quiet days

I've been culling stuff here in The Humble Bungalow...

tidying drawers, cupboards and closets.

Taking donations to the charity shops and having a wee peek at what is for sale!

I spied these new (with tags) waterproof gloves at the local WIN Thrift Shop.

They are lined and are SO much warmer than my old thin leather gloves.

I also scored a soft charcoal grey long cardigan.

It has two pockets and is really cozy.

It also feels brand new...

Do you shop at thrift stores?

Buying second hand is so easy on the budget.

As a retiree with a pension,

 I really appreciate the price points on the merchandise.

Prices have gone up a bit

 most shops charge at least 1/4 off regular retail prices.

Some smaller shops are at giveaway prices!

I decided to buy a second pair of jeans...

I donated the low rise Eileen Fisher jeans as they emphasized my muffin top.

The brand I prefer and fit well are MNG or MANGO.

Mom jeans with an ankle length.

The local BAY store did not have any in stock so I ordered some from Nordstroms.

Rarely do I shop online but it was absolutely necessary this time.

Good News...

they were on sale...I got the last pair in my size :-))

Faded wash...

my current jeans are a dark wash.

Am going to love wearing these...I love denim.

They will pair well with the soft pale blue flannel Frank and Eileen shirt.

White Old Navy shirt, new-to-me grey sweater, white T shirt, black long sleeve T

almost ALL my tops will work with these jeans.

(silver sequin top)

Summer time they will be great with flip flops too!

Fortunately the jeans arrived on time and more importantly they fit!

Are you making any New Year's Resolutions?

#1

Focusing on getting as much information as I can 

on the management of osteoarthritis

and reducing the pain in 

 my arthritic hip.

#2

Getting back to Yoga

After my recent fall and concussion,

 I decided that I needed to work on balance.

Have been following a You Tube balance routine and need MORE.

My local Yoga Studio "Ajna" in Oak Bay offers fabulous classes.

I have registered for a workshop on Hips.

Which will identify moves and exercises that strengthen

the muscles that support the hip.

Signed up for 8 sessions of Yoga for Osteoporosis 

at a local Rec Centre taught by one of the Yoga instructors from my studio.

#3

Continue to attend Aqua Fit Classes at the Oak Bay Pool.

My doctor highly recommends these classes and prefers them to my long walks

with my "bad" hip.

He's going to refer me to a surgeon...

(our wait list for new hips is several years long)

I mentioned to him that I did 8,000 steps last week and for the next 2 days I was in terrible pain...

he thinks that is way too many steps considering my hip issue.

Do you have arthritis?

Are you able to modify your activities so you do not feel as much pain?

Well enough about my health related resolutions...

In exciting news...

We went out for New Year's Eve!

First time in many years...

A Dinner Date :-))

~ OOTD ~

My LBD (5 years old) Eileen Fisher

Baroque Pearls from Hong Kong

Coach Loafers

(2 or 3 years old)

Aritzia Wool and Cashmere Coat

(new bought on sale)

Vintage Coach black leather bag

Vintage rhinestone bracelet

BLING...

(After All it is New Year's Eve!)

Dinner at Zambri's

The Mocktail was delicious...

(tasted like an Aperol Spritz)

I've been off alcohol for awhile

(trying to lose some weight)

slowly 

Only a few pounds down but in December I have been nibbling shortbread cookies

and eating this fabulous dinner!!!

Caesar Salad

Halibut and shoestring fries...so yummy!

Panna Cotta with lemon...

Oh my goodness!

Our dinner was so lovely...great food wonderful service.

A very nice way to start the new Year.

Thank you Honey :-))

Before I forget...

 I found a real Antique at Value Village last week...

French Porcelain

by

Clain and Perrier

Look at those pretty pink roses and gold gilt!

So sweet and feminine...

just darling.

The Company was located at 238 Boulevard St. Germain in Paris.

It was in business from 1879 - 1914

I am quite smitten with this wee treasure...

a compote for the top of my bureau.

For the record, I didn't NEED this, but I couldn't resist...

besides

 it feels like a French Souvenir.

It is an item that makes me smile every time I see it...

and I keep looking at it.

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the New Year...

There are many new adventures waiting to unfold

so many possibilities

dreams to be dreamt

people to meet

books to read

teas to sip

music to hear

meals to be made

new recipes to try

interesting courses to enroll in

new skills to learn

SO MANY

opportunities for discovery.

What new things will you try this year?

Will you travel?

Will you stay at home and feather your nest?

Will you keep a journal?

Write a Book?

Paint a picture?

Sew or Knit?

Or will you sit still in the moment 

breathe in the energy that will keep you grounded and sane?

Namaste

~ 2025 ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you for popping by to read my little blog...

Grateful for you choosing to be here.

Hostess Gift Recipe and some random snippets...

 

 ~ HOSTESS GIFT ~

I've been making these tasty spiced nuts for several years now...

they are quick and delicious and get rave reviews!

I am not sure if I have shared the recipe before?

I buy the big bags of nuts from Costco.

Did I mention how delicious these nuts taste?

These are from a cookbook that our local school put together many years ago.

SO YUMMY 

I hope you enjoy them :-))

Am really surprised by the quality of Sonsie Skincare!

My rosacea has calmed and the redness has diminished.

The skin drinks up the serum and moisturizing cream.

Not greasy at all as it is absorbed right into the skin.

 

Sonsie reached out and sent me an email with a link that offers a discount with the code.

https://www.sonsieskin.com/LESLIE65651

I don't usually do these things but I am over the moon with the products,

 so thought it might be fun to share the 15% discount 

to those readers who might be interested.

Please let me know if you try the products.

Wore the thrifted Butler bird brooch on my handknit sweater...

it makes quite a bold statement...it is bigger than most of my brooches.

I also wore in on a black boiled wool tunic top with black pants.

Such fun to add a wee bit of vintage BLING :-))

Some of the last garden roses...

the blooms are lovely but the usual fragrance is missing.

They will be sweet smelling again come Spring.

Went to the Church Hall for the Friday Sale...

found a VERY tarnished tea strainer.

(I thought it might even be pewter)

After some silver polish and a few minutes later...

Shiny silver 

Surprise!!!

It is

Sterling Silver 

The sale was well attended and it was a challenge to move about!

I found some nice ribbon for wrapping gifts.

My ribbon supply has almost been used up.

I love to use gross grain and satin ribbons...

but I don't always want to pay high prices for ribbon.

I do love a Bargain :-))

Revlon's Iced Amethyst 625 lipstick

bought to wear with my thrifted Eileen Fisher Velvet top.

I wore it to a dinner party last weekend.

I am still in shock that I found it in a thrift shop!!

~ SALE SHOPPING ~

40% off

Black quilted long vest

Our Humble Bungalow is quite drafty...

single paned windows and limited insulation from 1912

make for cool indoors during the Fall and Winter season.

This vest is warm and will allow for movement...

cooking, cleaning, bread making etc.

In other news ~ the concussion is still with me.

I have some woozy moments and have a mild headache.

Am doing online balancing exercises to see if I can improve my stability.

Walking with the Urban Poling Poles.

Attending Webinars put on by Vancouver Coastal Health

on osteoarthritis and learning a lot about what I can do to reduce pain 

strengthen the muscles that support the hip.

~ Education is Power ~

Beautiful Mount Baker in Washington State seen from our coast.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you have a lovely Festive Holiday Season.

Best wishes

Hostess

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

December greetings from The Humble Bungalow...

 

~ Festive Greetings from The Humble Bungalow ~

We've put up the faux tree with twinkling white fairy lights.

One of our cats still climbs the tree

so we do not add our vintage glass baubles.

One year the cat knocked the tree to the floor 

resulting in a mess of shattered baubles...

sadly several vintage treasures were lost.

 

We keep our decorating simple and have added some silver baubles and stars.

Do you follow Pamela Anderson on Instagram?

She has moved back to the island, renovated her family home,

 planted rose and vegetable gardens and more recently has published a cookbook.

She has totally reinvented herself...written a memoir, appeared in a documentary

starred in a play on Broadway, and is appearing in films.

Pamela is a co-founder of Sonsie skincare products.

My skincare products were getting low and when I heard that she had a rose scented cleanser I thought I might try some.

I purchased the "bundle" cleanser, serum and moisturizing balm.

I would have bought the lip balm but it was sold out.

I have been using the Sonsie products for about a week and already can see an improvement in my skin tone.

Having rosacea and seeing a reduction of redness is VERY exciting!

Hydrangeas are almost done for the season but I managed to salvage a few blooms.

These have dried nicely in a vintage Crown Ducal Vase. 

After 3 years of lusting after this Cocoon wool and cashmere coat from Aritzia

I finally bought it and I am SO GLAD!!!

 ~ SO COZY ~

Cold weather means warmer accessories...

the walks by the sea are very cold.

I had a fall a week ago...

Hurt my hip and knee which are badly bruised.

Sustained a cut above my eye.

My eye lid and area below were really red but now are a limey green shade.

Managed to get to see the doctor who sent me for X Rays.

Fortunately nothing is broken.

However I do have a concussion and have had a CT scan...

results should be forthcoming.

Research on walking assists inspired me to buy walking Poles.

Our local Wellwise store carry the poles.

Hubby bought a pair for his walks too.

I have used them a few times and they make a HUGE difference.

 My confidence, stability and balance are much improved.

Do you use walking poles?

Have you ever had a nasty fall requiring x-rays?

How about a concussion?

Tis the season for candles!

Beeswax and a scented candle on the vintage silver tray add ambiance.

I like to sip my coffee, read my book, or knit with these candles glowing.

Silver baubles...

Harrods George V fluted silverplate Teapot and Creamer

Still on the hunt for the sugar bowl...

It has been a quite a week with my bruises and fuzzy head.

Hubby "cooked" which meant that we ordered Thai food and had White Spot.

Thank you honey it was a nice treat :-))

He was my gallant chauffeur for a few appointments and for that I am thankful.

Feeling much better

I am driving again and have been shopping and running errands.

Lots of Christmas baking to do to fill my cookie tins...

are you getting ready for the holidays?

What are your "go to" traditional festive treats?

This might be my only post for December...

SO

I am wishing you a lovely festive season!

Thank You for reading my Humble Bungalow Blog and for all your comments!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~