Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Say Cheese

"Say cheese"...

Cheese is one of the basics I keep on hand in the fridge,
it's a quick and easy snack.
Cut it up and serve it with an apple, pop it on a cracker, melt it on bread, grate it on top of a fresh salad...
it's very versatile.

It's full of fat and that may explain my current shape
I also know it has calcium which is good for aging bones...
combined with daily walks I hope that I am warding off brittle bones.

I was not a regular Costco shopper until a friend showed me the great cheeses that she purchased at even better prices. I now go to Costco every 3 months mostly for cheese.

Behold the latest cheeses...


Large blocks with lots of time before the "best before" dates.
Perfect to have on hand for unexpected guests
I always stock olives, crackers and dried apricots 
which make up a quick and tasty platter
served with a glass of bubbly or white wine.

As I sit at my laptop and type...

I am currently doing laundry and cleaning the oven.
The oven is self cleaning so I can relax with a cup of tea
while sitting in the sunny Bungalow kitchen.


rays of spring sunshine


Modern Family
my current favorite TV comedy.
Mr. HB gave me the second season 
we have the first one
we regularly laugh out loud when viewing the episodes.

"Laughter is great medicine"

Laughter is good for your health

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

This information was found here.



American Bungalow
we have every issue ever printed
we visited their office when we went to California.
Those were the days when they were a smaller company and worked out of an arts and crafts bungalow in Pasadena.

Our Humble Bungalow was featured in the Family Album section many years ago
we are a Canadian Bungalow and they graciously extended their hospitality to us.


MOO!
Are you in need of a hard working hand lotion?
This one is fabulous.
I wash my hands often working in a school
 so I know what dry chapped hands are all about
this one works miracles.

Don't just take my word for it
 try it and see for yourself.
(no remuneration was offered by the company this is my personal rave review)


The Bungalow is scented with Verbena 
I open windows, run the fan and light a candle when the self clean oven is on
or we are reminded of the roast beef Sunday dinners...

Once Mr. HB came home after I had cleaned the oven 
and when he got in the door he thought we were having roast beef on a weeknight!

I wonder what he'll think when he is welcomed home with Verbena cooking!

I have no idea what we are going to have for dinner as the oven is still "locked" and it's nearly 6 o'clock.


It might be take out tonight!

33 comments:

Jill said...

I love cheese too and eat way too much of it. I would love to be in a cheese shop in Paris right now. When I was, a long time ago, I was in heaven!

I had forgotten about Udderly Smooth hand cream. I'll have to get that again. I'm using 'Rich Girl' by Deborah Lippmann and she's not kidding! It's expensive (I bought it with a gift certificate) but it is sort of wonderful and I love the scent too. Happy (belated) Birthday! XO, Jill

Anonymous said...

Cheese Glorious Cheese ! I love it too , I love my bries with pears , and have you ever had Spanish Manchego ?? Sooo good , there are so many I like . I have found some nice cheeses for a good price at Walmart of all places . I make my own crackers , and I usually can pull out things from my fridge and cupboard to serve to guests for a little appy . I do like Udderly Smooth hand cream myself and Burts Bees or Crabtree & Evelyn's citrus lotion. What was for dinner after all ? Donna

Sydney Shop Girl said...

I love Costco for its surprisingly excellent range of fresh produce too.

Modern Family is so clever!

SSG xxx

LPC said...

Laughter is wonderful. Cheese, well, I confess I'm suspicious of it and try to eat it sparingly:).

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Udderly Smooth is very cheap and performs....
I would love to be in a cheese shop in Paris!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Say yes to cheese!
Dinner was halibut and oven fries with green beans...
I managed to pull the rabbit out of my hat!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh I forgot to add that we LOVE Manchego cheese!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I wish I could comment on your blog but there is some glitch that never let's me post :(

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

That's why you are a high wasp and I am a lowly bug :)

mette said...

Cheese is my weakness. I eat it with apples + coffee.
We don´t stack food, so over-eating it, is not a big problem.
Laughter. Good, that you took the subject up. I should do more of that!

Anonymous said...

I don't get the cheese love, whenever we're in the US it comes in everything, even if it's not listed they will sneak it in, it's become our standing joke "the hidden cheese!"

Mummaducka said...

God I loooove my paralytic (lol) ovens- I have stacked 2 smeg ones. I love how there's just a bit of ash to wipe out. Does your door get a bit hard to clean, I have to wipe it over with the ceramic cooktop cleaner. They are the most fantastic thing and I tell everyone to buy a pyrolytic oven when they are replacing or renovating!

Lynne said...

Reminder . . . Don't forget chicken is cooking . . . turn on self clean . . . not a pleasant experience or fragrance like Verbena . . . .

Judith said...

Please cheese! all over Christmas the Barn/house smelt of the dreaded stilton that HB adores especially with a glass of port..not for me, have started to eat less, and the 1/2 fat only cheddar.

My favourite candle is vanilla for foodie smells.Ida

Anonymous said...

They sell (and I buy) Udderly Smooth at my local knitting store - it is great. As for cheese, also eat very little of it, and rarely buy it. I've heard from so many people that "Modern Family" is great, will rent the first season - more laughter could be used over here at the moment.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

What kind of cheese do you prefer mette?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sounds like a conspiracy from the cheese makers!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The door does need extra attention especially the glass window. I'll try the ceramic cleaner that's a great tip!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Yikes did the chicken start a fire or could you cancel the cleaning cycle?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Stinky cheese is not high on my love list either!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I hope you enjoy Modern Family...
Sophia Vergara is incredibly talented and the whole cast works well together. The story lines are pretty clever and funny. Christopher Lloyd is one of the writers and he has loads of experience making people laugh...do you remember him from Taxi?

Anonymous said...

Hello HHB: Have your tried our Comox Valley cheeses? The brie is especially good!
With the oven out of commission, you could always have a comfort food of mine - grilled cheese sandwiches with cream of tomatoe soup! The soup is best homemade, but Campbell's make a good one too.
I have been laughing lately at the "As Time Goes By" series. So sad that Dame Judy has lost a good deal of her eyesight.
Peg

Anonymous said...

I love that Coastal cheese from Costco! I served it for tea the other day with some sliced apples, and the guests nearly ate the entire block. We currently like it in our morning omelets or just solo as an afternoon snack.

mette said...

You could ask me what cheese I don´t prefer ; )!

Britta said...

Dear Hostess,
sorry: something happened to my follower list when I tried to get the word verification right - so I had to start anew and join you again. And I didn't succeed to alter the verification (I followed the tips of a blogger - suddenly almost everything crashed).

Pondside said...

I have a love-hate relationship with cheese. I love it but I hate the pounds that cheese can so quickly add to my short frame. *sigh* Everything in moderation!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have tasted those delicious cheeses from your Comox Valley, I think the company has won several awards. As Time Goes By is a classic series. I didn't realize that Dame Judy was having issues with her eyes, she's a wonderful actor.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I had Asiago with an apple for my tea too :)

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am having issues with following and managing my blog too. I have tried using various different search engines but it's still broken :-(
Hope you have better luck than me.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I totally understand, it's the same with me.

MamaBirdEmma said...

Mmmm, cheese! I am a cheddar fan myself. My sister recently hosted a baby shower, and made a baked Brie that was excellent.

Duchesse said...

I love cheese and if we buy it, will eat it (too) quickly. We live 5 min. from a market selling Quebec's famous cheeses, always tempting. Also keep a good big wedge of Parmesan around, so versatile. Maybe you will make toasted cheese sandwiches and soup for supper? No oven needed!

Debbi@SheAccessorizesWell said...

I love cheese too. Although rarely do I buy anything exotic. I ought to, life it too short to not enjoy special things.
I used to read American Bungalow every month. I subscribe to too many magazines and it was getting to be too expensive so I quit subscribing. It is a beautiful magazine.