My "Leave it to Beaver" pot roast and GOLD for Canada!

My Red Mittens standing on guard for thee...

Our Golden moment on hockey, Crosby shoots he scores!

The Closing ceremonies are a few minutes away and I am prepping my Leave it to Beaver Pot Roast....so tasty, so easy and so retro.

Tested and served for years...a Humble Bungalow staple.

Brown roast in oil in a heavy pot with a tight fitting lid.

 I like Le Creuset.

Mix together: 

1/4 cup wine vinegar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp. soy sauce (I use Braggs), 

2 tbsp. worchestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp. garlic, and 1/2 tsp. dry Colman's mustard

( I omit the salt suggested in the recipe)

Pour over roast and put the lid on.

There is not much liquid but if you have a heavy pan this is all you need.

Simmer 

2 hours

Enjoy the delicious aroma while this cooks.

After 2 hours, remove roast to carving board and cover with foil, let rest 5-10 minutes before carving.

I like to serve this with mashed potatoes and vegetables.  

I use the cooking liquid as a sauce on the potatoes.

I mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch in a small amount of water in a dish and then whisk it into the pan until heated through, serve!

It's pot roast night in the Humble Bungalow...the Hostess is taking it easy and watching the Olympic Closing Ceremonies!

Stickley circa 2010...100 years later.

I received an early birthday gift from Mr. HB yesterday. We have been searching for a small scale chest or bureau for my lingerie...all my new French lacy "unmentionables", which I have mentioned, even blogged about and are all quite remarkable...and I am very happy to say that they now have a lovely "Home."

New Stickley Oak chest...

I have not filled it to the brim,

 so there is more room at the "inn."

Most of the furniture here in the Humble Bungalow is original arts and crafts circa 1910-1920 era mission oak, so this is a bit of a leap for us buying something new that is made in the" arts and crafts style."

The quality of the Stickley company is not in question, it is simply a fact that a piece like this would not have been produced during that era.

The company advertises it as a jewelry chest as it has several top drawers that are divided and lined in felt with a lock for security. As luck would have it,  the liners are removable and I kept several in place for some of my jewelry and the rest for my lingerie.

Stickley chest

The company manufactures a large variety of furniture as I saw in the catalogue at the showroom. 

This might turn out to be one of several pieces that we might acquire...their catalogue is vast and very enticing.

The salesman was quick to point out that they do anything that the customer desires, just double the price and double the time for delivery.

....it's only money!

Canadian dreaming in shades of GOLD and SILVER...

Canadians have a reputation for being polite and reserved...in my experience I would have to agree with this statement....except when it comes to our National Sport HOCKEY!

Our household has come to a full stop of late, we are going for the GOLD...and the TV has been set on CTV and the PVR has been set up to record the momentous occasion.

Last evening, close friends came over and we ordered in Thai food which was yummy and sat glued to the TV as we watched the Canadian team beat Slovakia...and nearly let it go into a shoot out at the end...thank you to our goalie Roberto Luongo and his save! Phew!

Tonight we are going to walk over to my mother's condo and watch the game at her place....she is a bigger hockey fan than I am as she grew up in Trail, B.C. the home of the Trail Smoke Eaters! 

Whatever the outcome, whoever wins GOLD... it's been a wonderful show.

Go Canada Go!

The humble bungalow hostess's prescription for wellness...

Tired

Stressed

Feeling blue?

I have the tonic for you!

I have made batch after batch of this wonderful concoction for many years.

I have given jars as hostess gifts.

I love it! 

I use it often, it's easy, inexpensive, and it lasts providing you keep it sealed.

 I like to buy vintage sealer jars whenever I see them to hold this simple but wonderful prescription for wellness.

Things you'll need...

containers or jars, be creative here and think outside the box....even ziploc bags will work in a pinch.

Quantities are for the small batch but you can make as much as you have containers for just remember your basic math when multiplying the the amounts.

Bungalow Bath Tonic

1 1/2 cups Epsom salts

1/2 cup baking soda

3 cups coarse sea salt

20 drops of essential oil ( I like lavender)

Mix all together in a bowl and stir.

Let sit for a few hours and stir occasionally to distribute the oil before placing in containers.

Guidelines for use:

Run a bath tub full of hot water and add approximately 1/2 cup salts, swish around, get in and soak for 30 minutes, close your eyes and breathe deeply, turn off your busy mind and just feel the warmth and enjoy this time that is just for you. While you relax you'll detox and when you emerge your skin will feel soft and you will feel calmer and somewhat sleepy....put on your nightie or pj's and cocoon.

Sweet dreams.

Channeling Chanel

Chanel

Chanel No. 5 Perfume is wonderful on my mother but it feels too heavy for me.  

 I love how the scent lingers when I am near her, it's her signature scent.

Unforgettable.

  I was at the Chanel counter recently and the clerk suggested that I try the new lighter Chanel, 

No. 5 Eau Premiere and I am delighted!

It is soft and tres feminine and I feel lovely!

Did you know that a bottle of Chanel No. 5 is sold every 7 seconds worldwide?

New Rouge Coco Lip Colour #11 Legende and Aqualuminere #69 Glass Quartz

The Rouge Coco is Hydrating and long wearing, it feels like my lips are wearing silk.

The Aqualuminere gives me an extra shimmery shine.

There are many wonderful shades to choose from and I would suggest if you are looking for some new lippy head on over to the nearest Chanel counter and give them a try! You'll be glad you did.

 Audrey Tatou is tres chic... feminine, sweet and radiates a beauty that seems effortless and natural.

Chanel No.5

R&R....reading, research, and relaxation...Welcome to my Wednesday!

Breakfast:

Freshly brewed coffee

 (Mr. HB does this so well!)

Rye bread toasted with jam.

On the agenda:

Read new posts of the fab blogs I follow

Blog

Walk or Yoga

Laundry

Read a bit

Read some more...

Research a bit

research a lot

Enjoy!

Whatever the weather...wherever you are and 

whatever you are doing today....

Closing in on 55 and pushing the fashion envelope....ever so slightly.

NEWS FLASH...... Rumour has it that The Hostess of the Humble Bungalow is going to be celebrating her 55th birthday early next month. (It's true she is a Pisces)

I am excited and have a few plans up my sleeve...HINT HINT (and they all involve retail therapy!)
There are a few numbers on the birthday scale that are more alarming than others, and to me, 55 sounds like it has the ability to ring ALL the BELLS!!! Ding Dong X 55.
I think it is because I am eligible to take early retirement (and receive a reduced pension with the bridge payment). I do not "plan" to retire yet, but I attended an early retirement seminar last Friday which has really got me thinking...maybe too much! Pros and Cons...right now working 3 days a week I feel that I am semi-retired and I love my job.
I have had my locks highlighted, switched up some eye shadow and added a new lip color to my repertoire. (I need to lose some weight but that is an on-going issue and I have not yet figured out my plan of attack in that area.) I'll post on that when I am good and ready...if ever I am. But for now...
I  have been exploring alternate styles of clothing...I have been browsing the department stores to see what merchandise they are showcasing for spring and summer. I have bought and leafed through quite a few fashion magazines. I see many combinations that I would not be caught dead in, and many others that scream "Freak fashion". Lots are just way too young and many more do not embrace the ripple effect that I have going here!
I have tried those tight SPANX, but cannot abide shallow breathing...after all I do Yoga and we breathe deeply and fully expand the belly and the chest. It is detoxifying and de-stressing...and I practice whenever I am able.
I do not want to look like a 55 year old woman trying to recapture her youth or look remarkably tacky. Nor do I want to reinvent myself, or change who I am. I just want to try something new, a modification, and add a wee bit of fun into my already conservative wardrobe. It is a bit of a risk changing and bending a few of my rules, but it is not like getting Botox or having a face lift...and it's a lot less expensive.

I already own this Liz sweater in grape...

While my Volvo was in getting serviced today I had a 2 hour shopping extravaganza. I tried on more clothes today than I have done in the past 3 months! I tried combinations that I would not normally look twice at, colors that were brighter, styles that had more details, ruffles, frills, tucks, patterns and prints.
I was surprised by what I discovered...and even more surprised with what I bought and brought home!

New tee, and note there is a flower on the front, and it goes well with my Liz sweater.

My usual tee would have been one solid color. 

A bit of bling, black sparkles on a white tee.

How racy is that? I think I can hear some sniggling...

Wide ankle legged striped Gap pants with Vertical stripes and I actually look taller.

The wider legs are surprisingly flattering, go figure!

Pocket detail

Wanna-be Audrey capri's...I feel it's time for Tiffany's.

Asymetrical hemline, loose top which can be worn with capris, belted, or not!

Sequined flats

Bling for the feet.

I did not spend much, these are not investment pieces, and I did have a lot of  fun.

 I have a few new combo's and I will gently introduce these into my daily round and see if I get any feedback; positive, negative, comments or looks.

I know a great charity shop IF these fail to delight.

I am not the kind of woman who likes to wear Red Hats and Purple garments at the same time, all the power to you if you do, I have heard that those gals have Tons of Fun!

Gardening in gloves, sans pearls.

Dead heading required!

I have been known to garden in pearls and a dress....this is usually when picking roses for a bouquet or enjoying a walkabout before going to or hostessing an event...peeking for the odd weed that might need to be plucked.
Yesterday, it was not a pearl day, I was in full on assault gear, waging a war on the weeds, aka "guerilla gardening" in the Humble Bungalow Garden. Gloves, garden clogs, sunscreen...weeds had taken over and there was a huge amount of debris to be cleared...it took over 4 hours to trim the edges, weed and rake and tidy up for spring.
Part of my routine is savouring how the garden looks after the blitz.

Euphorbia

Euphorbia bracts

Hellebore

Hellebore

Yellow blooms are so cheerful!

Primulas

Crocus

Birds of a feather....

Hellebore bloom

English Primroses

Snowdrops

Bowling ball and shell...a bit of whimsy.

It is early February and we are 3 weeks ahead in the blooming schedule as the weather has been so mild. It won't be long before I will be picking flowers to bring inside the Bungalow. 

One of my favorite things to do is create lavish bouquets using a variety of foliage and flowers and pop them into vintage vases and conatiners and place them around the house.

I can hardly wait!

What are you waiting for?