Autumnal Splendor....

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons...
rich in colour and texture,
this weekend we have been treated to clear blue skies and sunny warm days.

Perfect weather for walking...
and a bonus while we are at Quarter Deck Cottage on Pender Island.

Golden hues tinged with green.

We walked slowly so that I could stop and take pictures 

besides the fact that I have been recently diagnosed with shin splints...

my doctor suggested that I slow my walking pace and perhaps the distance that I travel

to make sure that I have supportive shoes 

 to replace my walking shoes at least every year if not every 6 months.

This is a painful condition and so I am heeding his advice.

The distance we covered was just a tad under 3 km

the road was perfect for our walk 

very little car traffic

quiet

homes and acreages dotted every so often along the byway

the leaves were stunning in their beauty

so picturesque.

This old home was situated at the end of the road overlooking the ocean.

I'd love to peek inside but this is as close as we could get to it.

The road curved ahead and we spied this boat...

We discovered a lovely sandy beach at the end of the road with a public beach access.

Mr. HB saw a mink run into the brush just ahead.

Kelp and maple leaves mingling together on the beach.

Walking with the leaves crunching neath our feet...

a glorious day 

with dappled sunshine peeking through the canopy of trees.

Feeling such gratitude to be able to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us.

How was your weekend ?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hard workers...

There's a real hard working cleaning spray in The Humble Bungalow.

I use this dandy spray for everything 

from the kitchen sink to getting stains out of clothes.

Did you notice that we have a new faucet?

Our previous Franke faucet from 1988 was replaced when we had a leaky pipe.

The plumber who came to the house was punctual, prompt and polite 

AND he cleaned up all the mess too!

Janet's recent post on How to Wash Slip Covers reminded me of how much I use and love this cleaner.

We have white slip covered love seats in our family room 

they require regular laundering...

if there is a stain or a spot I pre-treat ours with this Method cleaner.

Another product that I use a lot is Bon Ami...

I have written about it before and it works really well without harming the environment.

Do you have any favourite cleaning products?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Pops of colour...

Autumn is a lovely time of year for enjoying the colours.

I wear mostly blacks and greys 

so I can see here with this example of contrast 

that a spot of colour

may be in order!

The pumpkin patch was full of families this Sunday.

Many local farmers grow pumpkins and they also offer hayrides, hot chocolate and some even have corn mazes.

I just love the field of orange pumpkins!

A sea of orange...

It is lovely when one discovers a magazine that has well written and informative articles.

one that has a balance of 

fashion

style

travel 

people 

homes

gardens

Today I am cozying up in my newest linen scarf...

no pop of orange today 

instead

I am wearing a red lipstick 

which is helping to liven up my OOTD.

L'Oreal on the far left # 315 True Red

followed by

a spritz of Le Labo Rose 31 and I am ready.

Hope you have a great week!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

"The Cool Factor" a serendipitous find.

I was perusing the shelves of our small local library
trying to find a book before my doctor's appointment...

Don't you love it when a great book pops up on the radar?

Written by Andrea Linett

well known for her Lucky publications 

The Lucky Shopping Manual and The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style.

She also wrote a book I Want to Be Her which is a style memoir and hosts a website by the same name.

It is always busy at my doctor's office and I have to wait longer than my scheduled appointment time 

so I am prepared to wait happily with a book 

today's choice was perfect.

OOTD

Grey cashmere waterfall sweater

(it was my mom's)

black knit Aritzia Tee top

black Calvin Klein leggings

Clarks Chelsea Boots

Grey and Black linen scarf

The information in the book is well written and organized...

It is beautifully illustrated using photographs of several dozen "real women" 

(not professional models) 

all from various walks of life

wearing chic and stylish outfits that they love

 with added comments on why they wear what they do 

answering some basic questions posed by the author 

which helps the reader understand their authentic style.

As I read through the chapters

I knew that this was a style book that I needed to read.

When I got home I posted a picture of my OOTD and the book on Instagram.

The author, Andrea Linett, left a comment on the post 

she kindly has offered to send me a copy of her book I Want To Be Her!

I look forward to reading her style memoir.

Who of us does not want to look stylishly effortless in our clothes?

I love the "secrets" that the women share in the book.

At the end of the book are two features that sum it all up for me...

 20 "COOL" pieces that one should have in their closet...

then the 10 "Rules to Live By."

I would urge you to read The Cool Factor if you are at all interested in style

and adding some oomph to your outfits!

My wardrobe revolves around black, greys and the shades of denim...

 I love the glorious colours that Mother Nature offers us at this time of year.

Hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD mixed with some Netflix suggestions...

Mod-O-Doc patchwork top

worn here with the skinny knit Calvin Klein knit pants

Cut Loose top and the Calvin Klein skinny knit pants

Clarks shoes.

OOTD 

to play bridge and take lessons at the club.

They are simple easy pieces that can be dressed up with accessories.

Authentic, honest clothes that reflect my no nonsense approach...

(sometimes I might be a tad too serious)

SO

I have been considering buying a fun Tee shirt...

not sure exactly what it will look like

noticed a few women "of a certain age" 

wearing interesting Tees with variations of patterns 

textures

some with writing

which for years I have never considered.

Perhaps there is a Tee for me 

that would look not quite as "out there" worn under a simple sweater

like Mom's cashmere waterfall sweater

 that I wear often as

it feels just SO COZY! 

Speaking of cozy

that reminds me of "comfort food."

French Toast for breakfast 

 our garden grown apples with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Cafe Creme

of course...

We just finished watching the Netflix series Atypical 

which I can highly recommend...

it is about an autistic boy and his family.

Jennifer Jason Leigh is the lead actress.

I am now glued to the Netflix series "This is Us"...

and loving it!

The show reminds me so much of "Thirty Something" 

a series that my husband and I watched with our friends 

many years ago

 I discovered that Ken Olin is involved...

he was in Thirty Something 

and it has a similar vibe

perhaps that must be why I love it so much.

Hope that you have a lovely week.

I am looking forward to a slower pace after our busy weekend cleaning out the basement!

We found all kinds of things that we could get rid of, things we will never use

 things were popped outside on the boulevard for passers by to take 

 the rest is off to the thrift shop.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A quiet weekend, focusing on our home....

Autumn brings chilly days 

and it's time to do some work inside the Humble Bungalow.

The garden will have to wait!

Mr. HB and I are "deep cleaning" the storage area and workshop downstairs where the furnace is located in our home...

it is an area that tends to be a catch all and because it is behind "closed doors" 

we do not look at it often...

 extra stuff gathers

  it mounts up 

one can be happy ignoring 

the bits of debris and recycling and cardboard only for so long!

Exhausting work but certainly satisfying...

I needed to take a break late in the day and have a cafe creme 

 now writing this blog post before starting dinner.

My tummy is grumbling!

Sharon Santoni's new book...

she lives in such a pretty home and her garden is beautiful

and how wonderful that she has shared some of her favourite recipes!

Speaking of recipes...

I took this book out of the local library and I love the recipes so much that I have placed an order with the booksellers in Oak Bay.

I have read most of Jane Green's novels and find them very entertaining.

Tonight I am making Jane Green's Maple Glazed Pork Chops 

served with my whipped potato bake

shown here ready to go into the oven...

AH COMFORT FOOD!

I recently shared the recipe...

this time I had no cottage cheese so I substituted some cream cheese.

NEEDS MUST!

Must get on with the rest of the dinner prep so I will close.

How is your weekend going?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thanksgiving and some Autumn Colours

It's Thanksgiving weekend and I have been very busy cleaning the Humble Bungalow and preparing for our family dinner...

I went to the local nursery and bought some lovely plants and things to add some Autumn colour to our home and front porch.

A simple chrysanthemum in a terra cotta pot

which I hope says Welcome to our home.

A white pumpkin and a mixed planter with mixed foliage plants.

A new orchid which I popped into a vintage white planter.

These orchids last for years and re-bloom several times each year...

the blooms usually last for 3-4 months.

I purchased 5 of these wee white pumpkins to use on the dinner table.

A sweet little Kalanchoe in a wee pot for the powder room.

Mr. HB has been busy outside 

harvesting the apples from the dwarf trees that we planted a few years ago.

I am making an apple crisp for our Thanksgiving dessert.

Greenhouse tomatoes are finished for the year but this last harvest will be enjoyed and the green tomatoes will ripen in a few days.

I must get back to my cooking...

The menu for the family feast:

Prime Rib of Beef

whipped mashed potatoes

carrots cooked in orange juice with parsley

peas

macaroni and cheese 

(4 year old Henry's favourite)

crab cakes 

(for the non meat eaters and extras for those who like both!)

my sister is bringing a veggie dish

butter buns

gravy

Apple crisp with coconut ice cream

banana bread

salted caramel truffles 

coffee and tea

Must get back to the duties at hand.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cozying up at Quarter Deck Cottage

With all the chaos is going on in our world these days I decided that a quiet post was in order...

Quarter Deck Cottage...
a cozy place where there is ample opportunity for reflection...
time for daily walks exploring the local beaches and country roads
a place to quietly sit and read our books
watch the ferries pass by
and to cocoon and relax.

A welcome respite in these troubled times...

Salish Sea shimmering in the sunshine.

Autumn foliage

Quarter Deck Cottage

Welcome Bay

a beach walk not far from historic Hope Bay on Pender Island.

Someone has been busy making a driftwood shelter.

The view from the living room of the cottage.

Ferries come and go and we watch as they pass by on The Salish Sea.

This larger ferry in the distance is one of several that carry cars and passengers from Swartz Bay To Tsawwassen on the lower mainland.

The smaller ferries service the Gulf Islands of

Pender, Mayne and Galiano.

It is Cozy inside the cottage...

a gas fireplace and in floor heating really make a difference 

as there is an autumnal chill in the evening.

Arbutus trees are now shedding their bark...

A pod of orcas swam by this morning...

there must have been a dozen of them.

It was difficult trying to capture a picture of their fins

you can just glimpse a small tip of one fin in this snapshot.

Sunset last night watched from the deck outside...

Life takes on a gentler rhythm at the cottage.

Grateful for this place of peace.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~