Boo! it's Halloween

Halloween is here and I am excited to see all the wee children in their costumes.
They come knocking on the Humble Bungalow front door for treats.
Choruses of "trick or treat" are often shouted loudly before I even get the door open!
The event starts early around dinner time and we usually call it a night by 9 pm it's lights out.
We have never run out of candy before and I always worry that I haven't bought enough.
Some of my co workers get several hundred children, we usually have around 25 and if the weather is really inclement we may have as few as 10.

Our Jack o' Lantern is carved with jagged teeth

and spooky eyes.

Nothing very artsy, just the run of the mill pumpkin face

as in the past years when the kids were home we'd all take turns carving

and it was a group effort.

This year I was the sole carver.

I decorated the front porch while Mr. HB went to Home Depot to see about our new shower.

The reno is in full swing and taking up a lot of Mr. HB's time and expertise.

I am trying to keep the dust to a minimum

and sweep after each work session...

I am not very handy

but I can clean and am a passable painter

so my job is to keep the crew fed!

I hope the little ones are not scared tonight.

We've got a big bowl of candy to give out and I confess that I have snuck a few sweets myself

and I KNOW they are not allowed on my diet but I did it anyway!

I was hoping for a black cat but I had to settle for this black crow instead.

This black Mondo grass is thriving in the front yard.

I planted two this fall and have nestled them between 3 limelight hydrangeas.

The garden is looking like it's ready to turn in for the season and slumber until next Spring.

Which is fine by me because I am ready to sink my teeth into some new books.

We have a great used bookstore in the village

and I walked down there yesterday for some fresh air and a little book browsing.

I didn't come home empty handed so these will be added to the stack of books

that I have waiting for me to read.

I have been giving away books like nobody's business.

No storage means less clutter.

In keeping with the spooky theme here's 

Thriller 

I remember when it first came out 

how impressed I was by the choreography and the special effects.

It's still worth watching.

Happy Halloween!

Bungalow memories...The Plant family.

The Humble Bungalow has many faces and the one that it is showing right now is sunny yellow.
Happily the sun is shining and the light is streaming in the windows.
The plants are putting on a performance as well.

White Christmas Cactus 

This Asian planter was a gift from the son of Mrs. Plant 

she was the longest resident of the Bungalow.

She was a widow and earned her living by taking in sewing 

and working as a seamstress at one of the better shops in the city.

She raised 3 children single handedly which back in the 30's and 40's would have been a struggle.

She had a small Victory Garden in the back yard, a King apple tree and black berry bushes.

Most of the garden had grown wild by the time we came to buy it and it took us several years to "tame it."

She had passed away a few years before we bought the house.

I researched the previous owners using the city's archives and found her son listed in the local directory.

I sent him a note and asked if he had any photo's which he did and would bring a few along for us to peruse when we got together.

We had Mr. and Mrs. Plant over for tea 

they also brought this lovely planter which had been a favourite of Mrs. Plant.

They provided us with the addresses of the two daughters who had married and moved to the United States. We corresponded for a few years until such time that they were in town and they popped by for a cup of tea and a tour.

I wish that I had taken pictures of all of us together but I was so excited to meet them that I completely was lost in the conversation and their impressions and memories of their childhood home.

The planter had a healthy plant in it at the time of their visit which unfortunately I managed to kill after a few months!

 I have much better luck with Christmas cactus plants.

Outside the garden is fading and the last flush of the roses are blooming.

Pretty in Pink

Nerine Bowdenii

a fall favourite.

Mrs. Plant

in front of The Humble Bungalow

which will be 100 years old in 2012.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

What are your plans?

I'll be walking outside in the crisp salty air

cleaning in and around the Bungalow

and 

reading 

The Beach House

 by Jane Green.

What to do with a Little BS?

I have a little BS...
no I am not being rude it's hanging in the closet.
Rubbing up to my LBD's...

Spanner retail originally $120

on sale for $25

This little Black Skirt will be the basis of many an outfit

I could tell immediately when I put it on that it was coming home with me.

I had the cash in my wallet and had party on the brain.

In fact I thought of a bohemian cameleon when I twirled in this flirty skirt.

Yes, Mother was there egging me on...

"birds of a feather flock together"

I can see this paired with my white tank top and black cashmere sweater

with three strands of pearl necklaces wrapped and roped about the neck.

My hair in a messy up do

dangly earrings.

A denim jacket would be fun 

would add a casual feel 

especially if worn with some boots.

I've got several black jersey knit tops too which would be 

oh so after 5

another up do and some bling.

I have a sequined black tee top and some Swarovski crystal encrusted mules

a shantung silk jacket

I'm ready for the theatre.

I own a crisp white shirt too which might be fun to play around with...

business meets pleasure

a camisole beneath

shirt cuffs rolled up

collar points up

hair worn down

simple pearl studs

and an armful of bangles

bow toed Stuart Weitzman shoes.

I have some netted mesh hose in black

a man's felt hat

a drawer full of scarves

belts

bangles 

baubles

and 

bows.

Can you tell that I am having fun?

I have only just begun!

What would you choose to wear with this LBS?

(how curious LBS = pounds)

Lost so far...4 LBS

My Plate at Livestrong is really helping!

What have you been up to?

I don't even want to mention my health

I'm so bored of Kleenex

and cough drops...

Tell me about YOU!

please embellish and do not spare any detail!

You have the power to heal...

I'm ready...

fire away!

Cabin Fever!

I've been housebound with a cold and now I am suffering from a case of cabin fever.
(my grandmother called it cabin fever when I was a young mom at home with 2 sick children, and it's stuck)
I did go for my walks but I was bundled up like I was traveling to the North Pole on an Arctic expedition!
Down jacket, boots, gloves, and a scarf.

The kettle has been constantly boiling and the fluids are flowing as fast as I can consume them...this is war!

In the meantime I am reading some light chick lit...

it's just what I need to read...

Why not take advantage of the situation and have a moisturizing facial?

Slather on this emollient rich mask and sit back and bask 

knowing that a dewier softer skin will emerge

refreshed and rejuvenated.

Hey why not tidy up and de-clutter the bathroom while I'm at it?

I must be on a roll

or bordering on delirious.

I cannot stand to see mess

I prefer to hide it

sweep it under the carpet or put a lid on it.

Take this simple enamel lidded tray

and hide things inside it.

What would you hide inside?

Make up and brushes!

While I am on this tangent I might as well expose the bathroom medicine cabinet

no medicine here

skin care

and lippy's.

Have I mentioned that I have found a new skin care line?

Avene from France.

The sensitive skin line is really helping my rosacea settle down.

The no rinse cleanser removes all traces of make up

and I do not need eye make up remover anymore.

I do use several cotton pads swiping gently several times until all make up has been removed.

Post cleanse I mist with Avene water 

be careful not to shake it or it will not spray.

Moisturize with the rich cream for dry skin

and that's it.

Easy Peasy

This little geranium made my day by blooming

what a lovely gift.

Must get back to my juicy novel...

the women from Hunting Hills are out to help the new wife get started on the country club "rules"

and they are taking her shopping for some high end clothes,

A tweedy Chanel suit for starters

and there's more dirt just waiting to reveal itself...

Thanks for dropping by

you're always welcome here in The Humble Bungalow.

De-cluttering, domestics and simple joys.

It's a home day...
a day for domestics and general tidying up.

Don't think that makes me want to cry

because I am more than happy when I get stuff put away

and I am able to stand back and see what has been accomplished.

Does this Kleenex box look a bit like a Missoni print to you or is it just me?

Homemade chicken soup is on the burner

I have a few sniffles and swear by this soup

 it's a cure all.

You've heard of those books Chicken Soup for the Soul

well for me it's Chicken Soup for the Bowl.

Bird sculpture made by a local artisan

crafted from rocks and wire.

Can you see the dents on the ledge?

Pepper had a hand in those...

she keeps knocking this bird over and it lands on it's sharp beak and pits a hole each time.

I de-cluttered the filing cabinet 

several years of bills and papers which I shredded

and it took several hours

the shredder overheated once during this operation

but I did have the satisfaction of filling 3 garbage bags,

yes sir, yes sir, 3 bags full!

I cannot tell you how great this makes me feel

procrastination is my downfall

the worst habit one can have when it comes to getting things done!

Can you see the pin?

It blends in quite well on the Windsmoor jacket.

Sherman vintage circa 1950 rhinestone pin in shades for the season.

This pin was a gift a few Christmas's ago.

I used to wear pins every day but now I seem to wear them only on jackets.

I have about 5 or 6 pins and they are all vintage.

I watched a PBS special with Alan Titmarsh and The Prince of Wales on TV

the focus of the program was the garden at Highgrove that the Prince has created over the past 30 years.

It's an amazing garden, 

organic and vast and full of surprises.

The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury 

has a few cameos where she discusses the early days of the garden

 about the design process involved 

and the planting of the yews.

She has been referred to as "The Grande Dame of Green."

I could not take my eyes of her diamonds and large gum ball pearls.

They were an opera length strand which she had layered with some smaller strands of pearls.

She obviously is a wonderful gardener

superior plantswoman

and 

she most definitely gardens in pearls!

The Garry Oak trees have got me all a flutter

perhaps it's their gnarly branches 

or

autumnal palette.

I can't quite decide...

never mind

what's not to love about an infusion of joy?

bubbles of happiness

percolate

up

from the leaves  ~  to the skies

rays of sun

flicker and flash

the gentle breeze picks up and tosses

a stand of oaks

whose response is to thrum and shiver

sending forth a cascade of leaves

swirling to the ground.

life is really so much richer

when one can harness joy and gratitude in the simple things

Nature weaves it's way into the hearts of the pedestrian and the pedigreed.

As it should do...

keeping us grounded and content.

Hermes...and the Hostess dips her toes into new territory.

What I am not wearing this Fall...

This lampshade is wearing Hermes....

because my waist needs to be whittled

and until I shed a few inches 

this belt will stay here and remind me to tow the line.

It's good to have a tangible goal.

to keep striving and sticking to those new eating and walking routines

(so far so good but it's early days!)

I 

 want to fit into this belt.

This will be the prize if and when I make my weight loss goal.

In the meantime...

I am wearing something of colour

you might be shocked

it's not black!

Windsmoor jacket 

heavily discounted...

in shades of brown, golds, and specks of blush pink

and yes a wee bit of black.

and these...

"can you say giddy up?"

with a pair of jeans

taking to the roads that wind their way around my neighbourhood

exploring opportunities for photography

while getting some restorative fresh salty air

and enjoying the feel of the cool temperature as it meets my face...

gloves are not far off the radar.

soaking in the shades of autumn

 in sepia...

this jacket with it's shredded edging makes me feel fabulous...

and I am not sure why because it is not black

perhaps there is a movement afoot

as I tentatively dip my toe in foreign country

like a pupa emerging from the bonds of a silky cocoon

I am fully awake and open to change...

The season has brought with it new energy and spirit

and I am breathing deeply

thankful for each living breath.

Are you enjoying the change of season ?

Hope that you find some time to stop and smell the flowers 

life has much to offer and much of it is free

and all you need to do is take the time to observe what is right in front of your eyes

you'll be richer for it.

Falling for Fall...new beginnings.

The weather was glorious today and perfect for walking, please join me and I'll take you on a scenic tour.
We are not going too far from The Humble Bungalow, and we are going to wander through a historic heritage cemetery...

Heritage trees create a lovely canopy

their leaves are turning autumnal shades and leaves crunch underfoot.

mushrooms growing in the flower holder of a grave

The cemetery is quiet and there are benches dotted along the paths for sitting

people walk through here often

and some bring their picnic lunches.

It has a parklike feel despite the fact that it is a graveyard.

Many squirrels scampered about 

and there was a symphonic cacophony of song from the birds.

Days with little wind are few and far between here 

because of the proximity to the ocean.

The seafront is across the road from the cemetery.

After a snowfall this place is hushed in quiet and is pure magic.

I'll try to come back in the snow and show you how lovely the trees look wearing a coat of white.

The headstones and crosses look frothy with the snow swirling and licking at their feet.

But I am rushing the season when speaking of winter

fall has arrived with it's multi-coloured coat 

with hues of umber, ochre, russet and mustard.

I am enjoying these new shades

and will show you in upcoming posts some garments that I will be wearing.

Where do you like to walk?

Do you prefer city streets or country lanes?

I have joined the My Daily Plate at Livestrong.com

(it's free)

they help you track your progress

keep a food and exercise journal

monitor your water consumption

offer tips and it's so easy to use

it's a fabulous site.

Perhaps you'll join me on my journey...

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions,

perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer."

Henry David Thoreau