Thursday, March 3, 2016

Flowers and a colourful Stew for a rainy day...

Yellow daffodils are bursting forth in The Humble Bungalow Garden.
The deer do not eat them so they bloom in the front yard unlike the poor tulips that have are being munched to the ground!


Daffodils look cheerful even after the rain...
there is something about yellow.

I love yellow slickers, boots and brollies.
Such a great tonic for the grey days of prolonged precipitation.
Yellow shouts "Happy."


Mauve-y blue flower with white stamens...so pretty.
I snapped this photo when we were at the nursery picking up our new bare root roses.
We ordered three white David Austen roses...
"Claire Austen" is reliable and fragrant.
A hardy rose.
They will be located in the back bed at the foot of the sun deck.

I am having the gardeners plant them and plant the bed with a formal boxwood hedge.

I have hired a company to come and help with our weeding and the heavy work.
 There is a lot of weeding and digging to do in our garden as we have not really had a harsh winter which keeps weeds and plants in a dormant state.
The mild weather means that the weeds have multiplied!

The physiotherapist in very impressed with my progress and he says he likes my "attitude."
He says that a positive approach is the best kind of medicine.
I am always a bit sore after he manipulates my shoulder 
so I need to keep reminding myself that no pain is no gain.


These sweet little pansies are so cute...


My walk earlier this week was in the down town area.
These are the lamp standards that line our city streets.
I wandered through the shops but did not find anything to buy.

Browsing the fashionable shops inspires me to be more creative with my clothes.
I love to sit at a cafe look out the window and watch the women walk by 
and see what they are wearing.

A very classy looking lady wearing an amazing wool coat walked by...
Her coat was very boxy and looked like it might have been vintage.
Circa 1950's style.
Her hair was cut in a long bob
she wore bright red lipstick on and carried a small lady like handbag on her wrist.
She was walking quite fast in black suede kitten heels.
I wondered about her...
I imagined that she might be a lawyer or a doctor.
The cut and style of her clothes was elegant and impeccable. 

~ ~ ~

I saw a Hermes scarf in the case at WIN on Pandora Street.
A charity shop!
I tried it on but the colours were not flattering so I left it...
someone is going to be a very happy shopper.


Fountain at The Bay Centre...


Chilly temperatures and grey gloomy skies...
beg for a warming meal.
I felt that we needed an injection of "Happy" so I chose a colourful Stew for dinner.

"Little Stew" 
is a staple here in The Humble Bungalow.
It is easy and you can use almost any vegetables that you have on hand.

Use a heavy dutch oven or enamel Le Crueset with a lid.

Saute 1 or 2 large onions chopped until soft.
Brown some meat...ground beef, chicken or turkey.
Add a tin of beef bouillon.
I use about a tablespoon of thyme, a wee bit of salt and pepper.
Add assorted veggies and simmer for several hours.

Serve with bread.


You can see how it looks after it has been simmering...
the flavours mingle and the liquid reduces.
Boy~oh~Boy
the Humble Bungalow kitchen smells wonderful!

What has your week been like?

I am celebrating my birthday this week and have been wined and dined and will be back to tell you more.

Be Well and Be Kind

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday from Southern California! Rain sounds heavenly - our El Nino storms have yet to appear and we are very dry. Your stew looks wonderful and I may try making it this weekend. - Susan

Anonymous said...

Your stew looks wonderful & I am jealous of your beautiful blooms. We are getting ready for "sugaring season" here in the north eastern US, so it means spring is on it's way, but it will be a while before wee see flowers. So nice to have a spring birthday. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

In my part of the USA it was raining and snowing at the same time today. Wonder if there is an old wives tale about that? I have my iron skillet in the oven cooking a beef pot roast with onions and potatos. I may or may not have a pan of walnut brownies ready to be baked. Take care of your shoulder. I had to give in to a cortisone shot, I know what you are going thru. Happy Birthday and enjoy all the celebrating.
Maggie

Patricia said...

Happy Birthday Hostess!

BeachGypsy said...

Happy happy birthday from Charleston!! Looking forward to hearing of your celebrations!

Sheila said...

Happy Birthday, L! What a lovely looking stew! I made a giant pot of chili this week, and for Book Club tonight, they are getting a chicken jalapeno corn chowder - delicious and light but filling.

Anonymous said...

As usual, your pictures are lovely and the stew made me very hungry!
Happy Birthday! Just celebrated mine on Sunday.

Andrea

Anonymous said...

Birthday Wishes Leslie.
I can smell your stew and imagine its taste!

Anonymous said...

How lucky you are to have flowers blooming. Makes me feel like Spring is near. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of 32 degree, very cold weather. The sun is out and the sky is blue and very pretty, but the cold is biting. Snow is predicted for Friday. Not much, but still.

Your stew looks great. Love all the veggies, colorful and tasty. People watching from a cafe window seat is always interesting. You describe an interesting, well dressed woman. Like you, I am a firm believer that everything does not have to be a current year purchase. Vintage pieces are good quality finds. The classics never get old. I was in an upscale store the other day and unfortunately not all the clothing in the store was of highest quality. So much clothing in one store. Makes me wonder where it all ends up?

I, too, am looking forward to gardening. This season I am going to redesign one island bed. I am thinking numerous white hydrangeas planted in triangulation. The deer do not like them, and this is a plus! Think spring... Susan

LPC said...

Your flowers photos are really extraordinary.

Lorrie said...

Happy Birthday, L. Coincidentally, we are having beef stew this evening - with buttermilk biscuits. Although things are brightening up outside, it's still good to have something warming and cozy in the evenings.
I'm glad your shoulder is improving.

Pondside said...

Happy birthday!
There's no stew simmering at the cottage as I am working late tonight - in fact I'm commenting as I take a weekly break in the car before heading into the building. White Austen roses sound wonderful!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

I love it when the daffodils bloom, my favorite are the little dwarf ones, in recent years for some reason I have had trouble finding them. In your climate bulbs do so well.

I just planted a couple of new Austin roses too. Mine are pink, Princess Alexandra of Kent. He picks such great name for his roses. Happy planting!

donnyb said...

Leslie, watch your boxwoods -- our arborist advised us that here in the Lower Mainland there is devastating fungus attacking boxwoods that has spread here (and there's probably a good chance it could spread over to the Island). Just something to be aware of.

Julie said...

Enjoy your birthday week.

Your colourful blooms must helpful with your happy health attitudes. Repair quickly.

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

Happy Birthday{week}! We have lots of daffodils blooming in my city too...they are just so cheery!

Madame Là-bas said...

The daffodils are such a sign of spring! Happy birthday week! Didn't the year go quickly?
I awoke to a unfamiliar sound here in Oaxaca. It was raindrops in my little patio. Early rains are so needed here. Yesterday, I went to the Belber Jimenez Silver Museum. There were so many beautiful objects but photography was not allowed. Have a happy weekend!

No Sacrifice said...

Happy Birthday Leslie! I always love your flower photos, and I can't believe it's almost Spring.
Even though it's hot and sunny here in Florida, I make short ribs once a week.

Rosie said...

Happy Birthday Leslie. Hope you had a lovely day.
Beautiful pictures, especially the pansies!
Rosie

Kristien62 said...

Your flower posts keep me forward looking here in the chilly Northeast. It will be many weeks before our spring bulbs burst forth, but it is coming. A bad ankle has kept me from my Zumba and aerobics classes and the ladies that I enjoy so much. But injuries are just a fact of life and a nuisance.

Happy Birthday, Leslie. Enjoy the "wining and dining."

Susan said...

Leslie, I love your posts. You tell us what you enjoy and include photos. I like the way you lead your life. Keep these posts coming please!

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures of the flowers! What kind of camera do you use?

Anonymous said...

And, of course, Happy Birthday!

Marilyn said...

Happy birthday from a cold, wet and windy North of England. Our daffodils are still in bud but at least we know they haven't drowned in the horrendous rain we had. Their bobbing blooms never fail to cheer. Enjoy your wining and dining.

Marilyn said...

Happy birthday from a cold, wet and windy North of England. Our daffodils are still in bud but at least we know they haven't drowned in the horrendous rain we had. Their bobbing blooms never fail to cheer. Enjoy your wining and dining.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The year has flown by...would love to go to that silver museum!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Short ribs sound delicious...comfort food indeed!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The day was relaxing, the sun came out and I played an afternoon of bridge!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hope you enjoy the Stew recipe...wish we could send you some precipitation as we have more than we need!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

In Victoria we do an annual flower count...this happened recently...it is rather unfair to broadcast this to the eastern areas as there is usually snow on the ground! I read a lot of blogs from Australia and their summer is opposite to ours so I enjoy seeing their pictures of roses while we are in the middle of winter. Enjoy the sugaring season!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I don't know if there are any old wives tales about rain and snow...pot roast is perfect food for a cold day. I am following doctor's orders...and if the cortisone injection is advised I will have it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you... a new post will be up soon.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh that recipe for chowder sounds amazing!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Happy Birthday to you...Andrea!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

It would be great if the scents could pass through the internet!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I love hydrangeas! Your new island bed plan sounds beautiful.
Some vintage pieces are better than others...imagine finding a Chanel or Dior or another designer garment. It would be thrilling and I often think about this when browsing the aisles of our local thrift and charity shops.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Why thank you Lisa! Spring flowers are usually such a tonic from the long winter where foliage is the focus.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I think the rainy weather makes us cook warm comforting things for dinner...the sun is out today and I am heading outside to peek at the garden. I can hear the lawn mowers in the neighbourhood!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Happy to hear form you...hope you enjoy a restful weekend after your busy work week.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

David Austin roses are my favourites...your new ones will be blooming in no time and I look forward to seeing them on your blog.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Will certainly keep this in mind...we have some boxwoods out front too.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Nature has a way with beauty that feeds my soul...I love to look closely at flowers and the scenery.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hope that your ankle is on the mend...we must rest our joints when they give us grief!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I use my IPhone for the images that I post on the blog.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you and try to keep dry...we have sunshine this morning which is wonderful...it will dry up the puddles.

Jen Lawrence said...

I hope you had a wonderful birthday week. xo