Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Baby its cold outside...


Care to sit in The Humble Bungalow Garden?


The street view from inside at night...
after the hail we got a sprinkle of snow.
My old trusty Volvo Estate is sporting new tires and how timely...
it is a great vehicle for driving in the snow
it has a W feature for Winter driving
I think it basically is a low low gear but I am no mechanic
 so don't quote me on that!


Dare to join me for dinner on the deck?


How about a cup of tea sitting at the French Bistro table and chair?


This morning it is freezing outside and there is a big snow storm due to arrive sometime tomorrow.


Walking is treacherous so I have been knitting gifts.
These hats might come in handy!


This is a little headband that I am knitting for Mira, our youngest grandchild.
I found the pattern online at mamainastitch.com 
It is a great site with free patterns for knitters and those who crochet.

I hope you are keeping well and are enjoying the sights and sounds of the festive season...
it is so easy to get caught up in the frenzy of shopping and baking
and
 there's nothing like a few snowy days at home
the gift of time 
 to refocus on the simple joys.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

49 comments:

Dana said...

Hi Hostess- what lovely wintry photos! There are many in my life complaining of the cold weather but I like to find the beauty in the season. Your home and it's surrounding area is so cozy and filled with warmth. I like how you always find the stillness around you and reflect on the simply things in life. Cheers!

Anna of Mutton Style and Years said...

Snows pretty but treacherous. Keep warm.

Madame Là-bas said...

It's very pretty but it's a bit tricky for walking here. Your garden looks like a fairyland. I'm hoping to stay inside, read, dust and put gifts in bags. I might write a couple of Christmas cards. I borrowed The Nest from the library. Did you read it? It is pleasant to have a cozy at home day.

TARYTERRE said...

Knitting the perfect activity for cold weather.

galant said...

Oh, such lovely winter photos, Leslie! OK, as long as you don't have to be out in it, though! Fairly mild here in Devon, UK, I think the temp was meant to rise to 17C today in parts of the country.
Margaret P

Anonymous said...

It is so nice to stay at home during winter,isn't it?
Here is cold today,too,but without snow (I love the song btw :-))
Winter idyll in your garden-everything is peaceful-who could believe it after photos of summer luxury of your gorgeous roses.
Mira is a beautiful name-" Mir" in croatian means peace
Dottoressa

Jeannine said...

Thank you for these lovely pictures. I like seeing the views outside from different spots in your house. Love the knitting pictures as well and thank you for the helpful link to patterns - I will check that out. Batten down the hatches and stay warm!

Jan-Leanne said...

Thank you for including the website mamainastitch.com. I plan to make the headband and her microwavable heating pad for gifting. We are shivering (but still smiling!) in Pasadena now that the temperatures are in the 60s this week. Having grown up in Iowa and Minnesota, I do miss the beauty of the snow and enjoy looking at your pictures.

DaniBP said...

It's quite beautiful! I know you don't get snow very often but what better place to be than your cozy bungalow with the snow outside? I love days like that.
We had a bit of snow but it is gone, I'm waiting for the big flurries, I love the snow and so does our dog Scout.
Good tires are key! We switched out our tires in early November to be ready for the snow, having two sets is expensive and a hassle but it makes such a difference for a big car like ours.
Take care, tuck in and enjoy. Lovely knitting you're doing too. xx

KSL said...

Love your knitting - the hat is fabulous. The snow looks so beautiful...and of course exotic to me. I hope we get some rain. Stay cozy.

Margie from Toronto said...

Very wintery looking and a bit early for Victoria isn't it? We are still getting a bit of rain but it might well turn to snow overnight and the forecast is more for the weekend so it is headed our way.
Had a lovely lunch at The Royal York Hotel today with some former office colleagues, did some shopping and then headed home. I am going to spend the day indoors tomorrow doing a bit of cooking and baking and avoiding the weather! Stay cosy.

Unknown said...

Lovely photos.... from the otherside of the world in a warm and humid Sydney, Australia

Patricia said...

Oh it all looks so beautiful outside your house Hostess. I love the effect of snow on the outdoor furniture, like frozen tables and chairs. Beautiful. What a sweet knitted hat, a real necessity for the season. Stay cosy and warm when the Snow Storm comes.

LPC said...

We don't get snow here. Thank you for bringing me some of that sort of winter.

kristieinbc said...

The hat and headband are terrific! We only had a dusting of snow, but we have 15 cm forecast for Friday, 10 for Saturday, and 5 for Sunday. I have, sadly, canceled my trip over to Victoria to spend the weekend with the grandchildren. Better safe than sorry. Enjoy your snow days while they last!

Stephen Andrew said...

Looks so lovely! Crossing my fingers that the forecasted snowstorm actually delivers here this weekend! We got no snow last year so I am ready. Plus I'll be working on my tree and have never had snow while decorating my tree. Would be so picturesque!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Goodness...and we are complaining down here because the temperatures are in the 40's at night. It looks so lovely, I envy you this lovely snowfall and especially for the holiday season. Now you need to make a snowman.

Ewka said...

How gorgeous! Your first photo particularly looks like a cake decoration with a heavy sprinkling of icing sugar! (Interesting sort of cake, I grant you :)) We are hovering around 32C (around 90F) today here in Canberra, Australia, with just a touch of humidity and strong warm winds so its very refreshing to spend some time looking at your beautiful fairyland world. I know though, that the idea of snow is so much more romantic than the reality. Hope you didn't get too much damage from the hail. Keep warm.

Mrs LH said...

Your photos are lovely. Winter is my favourite season but here in the UK we seem to get constant wishy-washy seasons, neither here nor there! We last had a decent snow fall back in 2010 but then everywhere seemed to grind to a halt. I'd love to see a sprinkling of snow this month.

thepoutingpensioner said...

It all looks so beautifully festive, Leslie and how clever that you hace a car that makes snow-driving safer.
Your knitting pieces look cosy. A fluey cold has kept me in knitting for a few days- would have preferred pretty snow!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful isn't it? Snow does make Christmas special.

Rosie said...

Beautiful Leslie...I love snow! Still quite mild here and very wet and dull this morning. The sort of day where it feels like night time!
Hope you're having a happy ....and fairly relaxing week!
Rosie

Noelle said...

Always a bonus when you do "extra" posts. The photos are lovely.

La Contessa said...

Lets ALL PRAY FOR SNOW FOR STEPHEN!!!!!!!!
WE HAVE RAIN TODAY.........so that must be the leftovers of your STORM.WE need it.But I do not like driving in it!Your home is cozy. I can tell from the photos............

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have just come home after delivering groceries to my Mother. The sidewalks are far too icy for her to venture out as her balance is poor...we are waiting for and bracing ourselves for a major snowfall forecast for later today.
Seasonal cheer to you Dana!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am dressing in layers to chase the chill away and staying hydrated with tea!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

It is really slippery out and I had to shuffle on parts of the sidewalk to prevent myself from falling...poor Mother she is totally housebound, I got her some groceries today so if we have a huge snowfall she should be OK for at least a week or so...I feel a little antsy today as my walks have been curtailed.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh and yes I did read The Nest...it was not the best book I have read but I did like the quirky characters.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh I so agree...and the Andes by Dots, wool and alpaca is my current obsession.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh you are enjoying so much warmer weather than we have right now...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh the roses are in hibernation right now and the rest of the plants have been shocked by the icy weather...we gardeners know that cold snaps can wreak havoc on plants and some do not survive....
That is interesting about Mira's name...I like that it means peace.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

There are so many great knitting sites...Ravelry and Dots are two amazing ones to peruse...just make sure that you have plenty of time as they are rather addictive!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh dear....shivering in Pasadena? That is not what we northerners would call cold!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Our former Golden Retriever Rufus LOVED the snow...he was like a puppy when he went out in it! We used to throw snowballs for him to catch!
I have started a scarf now and will post the pattern when I get the chance.
You would definitely need snow tires for your winters...it is usually much colder in your Province than ours most of the time.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I know that you are a knitter...do you have a current knitting project ?
I am making a scarf now and the pattern is quite nice...will share in it in a future post. I heard that you have rain today...stay dry!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh yes we are not accustomed to snow but we have had a few major snowfalls over the years 1996 was a record breaking snowfall....Victoria was a mess and there were very few vehicles that could operate...4 wheel drive army trucks, and some snow mobiles! It was beautiful but very dangerous...the hospitals had to keep their staff on site and were asking nurses and doctors to walk to their nearest hospital as staff could not get to work! It was neighbours looking after each other and helping the elderly that made all the difference...I hope the storm that is coming tonight is not as severe.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Your Australia summer...sounds lovely right now!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you Patricia...will do my best at keeping warm and cozy!
You must be enjoying your family visitors and that pool must be a popular spot for your grandson!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh I will probably send some more pics your way Lisa...more of the white stuff is on the way!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh my! I would have thought that you would get much more than we did.
Good idea that you cancelled the trip, it is much better to be safe.
I saw the icy pics that you posted on IG this morning...BRRR

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Well I hope you do get that snow Stephen...Barbie will love it!
The white backdrop and your tree would make for a lovely post!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Well we can complain all we like but it does not change the weather!
If the grandchildren were here in our garden, I would make a snowman.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thats a lovely picture that you paint with your icing sugar!
Snow is not that romantic...it looks lovely in films and in pictures but it is chilly!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Those really big snows stop traffic and most people are house bound...this one so far has been just a minor blip except for the elderly whose balance is poor and their bones are just too fragile to risk a serious fall.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have had a sniffles too...its that time of year. I hope you feel better soon Mary.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Snow and Christmas are classic partners!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

My week has been quite lazy...
It makes me happy to hear that you love snow Rosie! I remember being SO excited when I was a child and could hardly wait to get outdoors and play in the snow...I feel less of that excitement now!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I do not have a regular schedule for my posts...
they just "happen" that is whenever I feel the urge to write!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I would happily send Stephen snow...he could have the big blast of Arctic air too if I had that kind of power!
Driving in rain does limit visibility and makes for dangerous road conditions...
hope you stay safe Contessa.