Quiet Home Days ~ Fluffing and Faffing

 

I've got a big mug of Tea...

the candle is lit

and

I am writing a post.

In the past few weeks I have been focused on health.

I've had a cold of sorts...

it started when we returned from our cruise

with a cough and sore throat.

I've had the darn thing for 3 weeks and it is frustrating me.

I've been taking care of myself...

getting lots of rest

drinking fluids

and 

generally staying home.

I don't really feel bad I just sound stuffed up.

The cough is sporadic...

could it be allergies?

~ Willows Beach ~

 I go out for my walks but I am not in close quarters with people.

This is a great little book...

it is full of good ideas for smaller spaces.

After reading it cover to cover I had a good tidy up.

I took some things that were collecting dust, 

washed them, put some into cupboards and others in different spots.

Nothing like a good home decor book to get me motivated to clean.

 I get carried away and everything looks chaotic before it looks better.

We purchased a new rug for the TV room...to replace the worn out shaggy one.

I was totally embarrassed by the shape of the old one.

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG???

I used up several bottles of cleaners and had to launder ALL my cloths.

I use the Thieves brand cleaner...from Young Living.

Delivered concentrated in a bottle and all you do is add water.

I really like the scent of it.

In the kitchen I swapped out the vintage MCCoy pot 

(utensil holder)

 For a smaller pot 

and 

I donated all the plastic utensils.

Replace a few with silver plated options

 a few beech spoons from France

 via the local shop Surroundings in the Cook Street Village.

I have been meaning to do this for several years...again

WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG????

Tested out Joanna Gaines' After School Banana Bread.

Comforting treat with Tea.

Cleaned and polished my Coach Bags...

they almost look brand new :-))

Dug out the tarnished Sterling Bangles 

from their hide - out in the Blue Velvet Case.

A bit of silver polish was needed and they were glistening like new.

Have been wearing them everyday since...

I don't own a lot of jewellery but what I have all fits in a small drawer.

I seem to go in cycles of what I wear...

I rarely Mix Metals.

GOLD

or

SILVER

or

 PEARLS

I've been wearing a lot of my silk scarves...

they keep my neck warm now that the weather is cooler.

Am knitting this scarf ~ a gift for a friend...

Pattern is on Ravelry

~ Easy Goes It ~

Well that about does it...enough chit chat.

Hope you are well.

I've been neglecting the blog...

I caught up on all the comments earlier today.

Sorry for the delay.

Better Late Than Never.

It's time for me to go for my walk...

My mug of tea is empty 

the clock has just chimed the hour

I can hear the cat snoring on the sofa!

Time flies...

 I'll close this wee post.

Until Next Time

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Food and Fashion ~ Forgotten Post Cruise Post !!

 

~ Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal ~

We opted to stay one night in Vancouver when our cruise was over...

we haven't been to Vancouver for many years.

We chose not to rush back home...

The city is busy and vibrant...

with lots of people walking around downtown

many of them (like us) are tourists.

We think of Vancouver as the "big city."

Lots of shops that Victoria doesn't have...so it's rather fun to browse.

I visited my favourite shop...

Eileen Fisher on South Granville.

When my husband and I were working we used to go to Vancouver regularly...

for weekend getaways.

We'd go to wonderful restaurants and I would usually buy a few things at this location.

I haven't set foot inside EF since before Covid...

so it was a total JOY to actually be inside.

There is something so wonderful 

seeing the clothes in person..feel the fabrics and try on the garments.

The staff are incredibly helpful and very personable.

I tried on (and purchased) this olive green striped top.

Olive Green jacket...also purchased.

On sale at 50% off :-))

I was delighted to see a familiar sign on Robson Street.

BTW their coffee is fabulous!

The last time I was in a Paul Cafe and Bakery was in Paris in 2019.

I don't usually have a treat but the buttery and flaky croissant was too hard to resist!

Later after a walk and a shop

Hubby and I sat out on a patio and had a drink in the sunshine.

We were still technically "on holiday" 

so a glass of beer in the mid-afternoon did not feel amiss.

 

My husband LOVES ramen...

this restaurant was very busy!

We could see it across the street from our hotel.

Obviously quite popular with a long line up,

always a good sign.

We jumped at the chance when there was no line and had a late lunch.

I opted for the "original" small bowl of ramen with mild spice.

Hubby likes his ramen HOTTER so he had the extra spicy version.

SO GOOD!

After a quiet night and a good sleep we packed up the car and headed out.

We drove out to Tsawwassen Mills Mega Mall

located a short distance from The B.C. Ferry Terminal.

Lunch at Milestones was a high protein chicken dish.

(Very tasty)

I'm thinking that my red vintage Coach bag will be a fun pop of colour with the Olive green jacket and striped top.

I might even buy some red socks to wear with the thrifted Sandro loafers.

I'll take my cue from a stuffed Olive :-))

Olives often have red pimentos inside them...

I've been busy decluttering the medicine drawer...

getting rid of outdated over-the-counter medications.

Organizing the contents.

Updating our emergency/Earthquake kit.

Sorting out a few drawers and relocating all my handbags...

they were spilling out of the bedside cupboard.

I have a few (4) vintage Coach bags...

a couple of no name leather bags and a Longchamps Tote.

The black leather Cole Haan backpack is in my bedroom bedside cupboard

 as I swap out my regular handbag for the hands free option 

when we go to Pender and when I go for longer walks.

I need to devote a day to polish all my Coach bags.

They get scuffed with use and they respond very well to Saddle Soap.

I massage the cream into the leather and then let that soak in 

before buffing them with a soft cloth.

Something to add to my rainy day To-Do-List.

The rainy days will be here soon...

those days where I like to stay indoors and cocoon...

make homemade soup, knit and read.

Polish the silver, do some decluttering. 

I have recently discovered Homeworthy England and I love watching the episodes.

What are you up to?

I've got a lot of fresh home grown tomatoes and apples to use. 

I am making applesauce and roasting tomatoes...

I'm going to sign off for now...

until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Alaska Cruise ~ some snapshots and snippets

 

My hair was doing its own thing most of the cruise.

I didn't bring my flat iron and the breezes on the decks 

made any effort to tame my hair go sideways!

I packed very lightly...

glad I packed with versatile layering pieces.

The puffy vest was great as it kept me warm at the Glacier and on shore excursions.

Koningsdam

Holland America Cruise Ship

Very well appointed, cozy room with a verandah.

 Great staff, fun entertainment and overall exceptional service and food.

Beautiful scenery

~ Juneau ~

On the only rainy day

we went to the State museum which was fabulous.

Lots of First Nations Art and Artifacts

and local history displays.

We HAD TO stop at Tracy's Crab Shack.

It did not disappoint.

Sweet and Fresh Crab 10 out of 10

I wore my sleeveless black dress several nights...

the lacy cardigan was a good choice as it kept my arms warm.

Creme Brulee

Lindt Chocolate Mousse atop a wee cake...

YUM

Food in the dining room and onboard in other areas was really delicious.

(I gained 4 pounds on the cruise)

I blame it on dessert...we rarely eat dessert at home.

One of my favourite spots...

overlooking the pool.

~ Skagway Alaska ~

Heritage buildings and a rich gold mining history.

On board "wildlife"

Our favourite night time entertainment was Billboard.

Two incredibly talented young fellows playing two pianos.

Crayton and George were a fun duo...

they engaged the audience and we totally enjoyed their evening sets.

(5 nights we attended)

They played a wide range of hit songs from the 60's to the 90's.

One shelf had books to exchange in the Onboard Library.

Am reading this now...

can't wait to figure out how it ends.

~ Glacier Bay ~

Johns Hopkins Glacier

Stunning Scenery

Floating ice

lots of birds

and

harbour seals.

The weather after the rainy day in Juneau was amazing!

Sunshine, blue skies and so warm.

I purchased a new scent in Vancouver before we boarded the ship.

Have never had any Jo Malone fragrances before and I quite like this light cologne.

Salmon Croquette and greens

Cheese Board

~ Ketchikan ~

We went to The Great Lumberjack Show.

Had another crab feed at Ketchikan Crab and Go.

So tasty...

I didn't buy anything except a deck of cards and a ball cap.

Never had a ball cap before and I always wanted one.

Well we had a GREAT WEEK.

It flew by so fast and we enjoyed the cruise SO MUCH.

I highly recommend Holland America if you plan to go on a cruise.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing Bold Colour....

 

~ Painted Lady Butterfly ~

This beautiful butterfly spent quite a long time exploring the Verbena Bonariensis

that we have growing in the garden. 

I grabbed my phone and followed it quietly as it flew from flower to flower.

I've since learned that butterflies are attracted to the colour purple.

Purple Buddleia bushes are also known as the Butterfly Bush.

We don't grow many purple plants but I plan on buying more purple varieties of flowers next Spring to grow in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I love the idea of having more butterflies visiting our garden.

Treated myself to Jenny Rose-Innes new book.

I brewed a big pot of tea and sat in the sunny corner of our kitchen

 read the book from cover to cover one recent afternoon.

Oh my goodness!

The photographs are fabulous, 

the interviews of the homeowners are rich in detail

there is so much of nature to bring inside the home.

I continue to be inspired by Nature...

I've been known to add natural features to our bungalow too.

Large foraged twigs, pine cones, sea shells, flowers, and stones.

They are free which make hunting for these items much more adventurous and fun.

 Why go to a store and buy a plastic or manufactured piece when you can get outdoors in the fresh air, explore and find something that you want to bring inside?

Our Boscobel Rose is putting on a spectacular show.

So many big blooms for a rose that is planted in a pot!

Speaking of colour...

I have been wearing the "hippy-dippy" vintage thrifted necklace.

Those juicy looking garnet red beads just add an extra something to basic black.

I dug out this vintage quilted bag that i have had for ages.

It seemed like a good idea to wear it with the beaded necklace.

I don't often switch up my bags mid season...but am trying to change some habits.

Like wearing more pieces of my small jewelry collection on rotation.

It definitely takes more time and effort

 but it keeps my eye fresh seeing these small changes.

Professional pedicure

 (a luxury) 

 one thing that I cannot do well myself anymore.

The pampering is so lovely too...

I used to do in home spa days and they were equally satisfying.

The physical act of bending over 

painting my toes 

which are far away from my vision 

and as a wearer of glasses it makes the job very difficult!

Do you indulge in Spa pedicures?

Seen on my walk.

Beautiful peacock

There are so many peacocks living in Beacon Hill Park 

that they have spread out and are living closer to The Humble Bungalow.

Saw a Mom and her baby foraging close by on another street.

Went to The Beehive Wool Shop and bought some new yarn...

Fall is on the way and I do love a project.

Easy Goes It pattern is on Ravelry...

have made this at least 6 times...

I chose purple as I love the pop of colour.

Do you knit?

What have you been up to these past few weeks?

Anything exciting?

Mauve Cosmos that my husband grew from seed.

We have a few in the yard and this one seems happy growing in a big pot.

One of the newest wee free libraries in our city.

Located across the street from the cruise ship terminal.

I found a hardcover copy of Frayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald.

That book has been on my want-to-read list since it was published...

I am honored to share that I have met Ann-Marie as she is the sister of a dear friend.

Well it's time for me to make some lunch for us.

I've got some errands to run

and once they are done I might go for a walk.

Hope you are taking time to notice all the beauty that surrounds you.

Take Care 

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~