Tuesday ~ thoughts on light and bright pops of colour....

Good morning from The Humble Bungalow!

Its a gloomy day here in my neighbourhood 

so I am seeking 

comfort and inspiration via colour.

This gorgeous fuchsia pink Lewisia Cotyledon bloom elevates my spirit 

which I find necessary when the sun is not shining.

I don't suffer from SAD but I do crave brights when the skies are grey.

At a bridge lesson yesterday afternoon I felt like I was in way over my head!

It was an introduction to duplicate bridge 

with an emphasis on newer conventions of which there are MANY!

I had fun and plan to return 

it's good to flex my "grey cells!"

I took this photo over the weekend

we enjoyed an hour of bright sunshine before the clouds returned.

This pink orchid was a bargain at the market.

($20)

I love orchids as they bloom for a few months 

then rebloom again and again...

When you consider the cost of a bouquet of flowers

and 

compare that to the price of an orchid 

that will bring you colour many months each year

its a wise choice.

A rainbow of colours

refracted by the crystal

that hangs in our living room window.

"As far as we can discern, 

the sole purpose of human existence 

is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." 

~ Carl Jung ~

I treated myself to this book.

It has been on my want to read list since it was published.

"People are like stained - glass windows. 

They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, 

but when the darkness sets in, 

their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross ~

We must press on and make our own light...

Glimpse of sunshine through the curtain of clouds.

Hooray for the snowdrops!

My afternoon tea ritual is better 

when sipped by candlelight...

 from a bone china teacup.

Embracing Daily rituals have been important.

 As I spend more time at home since retiring from my job.

These little habits are something that I look forward to...

sitting to knit or to read a book are what I consider "life's little luxuries."

Time is a gift to be honoured and cherished.

"My favorite things in life don't cost any money. 

It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time."

 ~ Steve Jobs ~

Ponder these thoughtful quotes as you move through your days...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Five things Friday

Five things Friday

Gorgeous wee daffodils that were a gift

they are especially cheerful on these rainy grey days.

Colour and flowers can make a big impact in elevating our flagging spirits.

I know I seek out bright pops of colour at this time of year.

Shopping the trends...

I went to the mall to check out the newest straight cut jeans.

I tried on several pairs but don't think they flatter my short frame.

Too heavy and make my legs look like tree trunks!

I much prefer the skinny silhouette which I find makes me look taller and slimmer. I hope that they will continue to be available as mine are all several years old and will need to be replaced at some point.

I don't usually follow the trends as I prefer a classic look 

with a touch of vintage

like this Coach bag 

which has many miles on it and some signs of wear

but it ticks all the boxes for me.

Quality, versatility, classic style and streamlined shape.

Did I mention that Vintage is a big fashion focus in Paris?

OOTD 

Eileen Fisher dark denim jeans

Timberland Tobacco coloured short boots

Large square silk hand rolled scarf

in a leopard pattern

Found at a local thrift shop for under $10

Love a bargain and it is in mint condition.

Citrine earrings made by my darling daughter they pair well with the scarf.

Eileen Fisher black vest.

This weekend we have several casual events planned...

I will make every effort to add a pop of colour and a touch of vintage to my basic outfit.

Do you LOVE vintage?

What is your best thrift shop find?

My best "score" 

 a pair of arts and crafts bookends 

copper with sterling silver inlay birds

($7.99)

I sold them so I could buy a strand of baroque pearls. 

 I literally ran across the street to a dealer who specialized in arts and crafts items 

(He purchased the bookends for $500.00)

then I skipped happily back across the street to snap up the pearls.

Hope that you have a fabulous weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

What a difference a day makes!

First Snow Day of the New Year

2020

Humble Bungalow

Day 2 

Very heavy snowfall overnight in the garden.

Hydrangeas weighted down by the snow.

The Ilex berries look very pretty in the snow

the red shade just pops against the white.

You can see how deep it is on the deck.

I found this book in the wee little library on our street.

My walks were curtailed due to the icy conditions

so I busied myself in the house

attending to some chores then mixing it up with reading and my knitting project.

Many cups of tea were sipped.

A Doocot Scottish design available on Ravelry.

Are you familiar with Ravelry?

It's an amazing site for knit and crochet patterns and tips a very helpful community of crafters are able to network and share their projects.

Wool sweater in the making...

learning some new techniques and loving this yarn.

This wooden maul is coming in handy as a yarn holder.

Many women in the knitting group that I belong to 

use crafted wooden bowls 

which have a hole in the side for their yarn to slip through...

it helps the skein from getting all tangled up.

Have you started any new projects?

The weather has improved and we are back to our usual rain days.

So I am able to get outdoors again for my walks.

Very grateful to be able to get some fresh air and exercise.

"Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation 

in awe of everything you see around you. 

Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. 

This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe."

~ Wayne Dyer ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Shopping agenda ~ a cozy top

It's cold and drafty here in this old heritage home.
The Humble Bungalow has single paned windows which let the cool air inside
so I wear several layers to keep warm. It's been snowing for a few days and we have had the furnace going full blast!

My go to outfit for home days is a tee shirt worn under a cashmere sweater, pants or jeans and warm wool socks.

For my walks I wear a puffy down coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.
I look like the Michelin man...but at least I am warm.

Inside the change room at Marshall's.

On my shopping agenda:

Black Yoga pants and a cozy top.

Great long sleeves with a thumb hole to keep the hands warm.

A wrap style on fleece with an asymmetrical hem detail.

You can see my Eddie Bauer Michelin man coat on the left 

and a small peek at my Petrusse scarf from My Stylish French Box on the right.

Fabulous fitting Yoga pants were found as well as the top

both made by the company 90 Degree.

I wore them today on my walk.

Doubling up on pearls...maybe a fashion faux pas...like The Canadian Tuxedo

aka double denim!

Speaking of My Stylish French Box

I use and love all the things that I have received over the years...

if you follow me on Instagram you will notice that I occassionally

 post pictures of what I use from the boxes.

The Petrusse scarf is one I wear throughout the cool weather...

it is made of soft wool which is warm and cozy on the neck.

The boxes are a real splurge and there is an element of surprise.

Speaking of surprises...

Sharon Santoni and her team are hiding a Golden Key in one of the boxes and if you find that key in your box you will receive a generous and luxurious gift 

from one of the partners that supply goods for the boxes.

If you want to learn more click the link here and see for yourself.

Hope you are having a wonderful week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

January week ~ highlights...

January week 1
easing into the New Year...

walking
reading
home keeping
cooking
a wee bit of shopping

Vibrant

Witch Hazel

seen on my walk

I stopped 

juggled my umbrella and bag of groceries 

reached into my handbag and grabbed my IPhone

to capture this image.

I could not pass this by...

A stunning shade of orange 

these flowers stand out against the bark of the nearby tree

 soft delicate pendulous petals.

A hearty bowl of chili with a dollop of sour cream.

Chili

Saute: 

1 diced onion

2 cloves of minced garlic 

 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef, chicken or turkey

until cooked

Add:

 19 oz can kidney beans

 19 oz can chopped tomatoes

 12 oz can kernel corn

 7 1/2 can tomato paste

1 tbsp cocoa powder

3 tsp chili powder 

1 tsp cumin 

Simmer 45 minutes  

serve with a dollop of sour cream

Snow drops popping up through the soil.

Easy "Peasy" Pea Soup

Dice an onion and add 4 - 6 cups of vegetable stock.

Bring to a boil over high heat

 reduce to medium low

 cook for 5 minutes uncovered until onion is tender

Add 1000g (2 lbs) frozen peas

bring back to the boil and cook til peas are done

Using an immersion blender puree the soup

make sure you get all the lumps out

you can thin it with a bit more stock if it is too thick.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream

Enjoy!

(a fabulous flavourful soup)

How is your January shaping up so far?

Have you made any resolutions?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Many hands....

(my parade float with horses)

We had the great pleasure of entertaining the 3 darling grands 

on Saturday this past weekend.

As the rain would not abate we spent the day indoors.

We dumped the bin full of Lego on the dining room table and began to use our imagination and get busy creating...

Mira and I collaborated on a castle with a small but very tall flower "garden"

Isla made a mansion with a rooftop garden.

Henry made a police car with a very secure looking jail.

After we cleaned up 

Grammy made dinner and set the table.

While dinner was cooking in the oven the grands played with play doh at the kitchen table.

Today I am spending time cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom.

I can easily procrastinate but the earlier I commit to getting a job done 

the better chance that I will be successful...

Playtime for Grammy will come after I finish!

My kitchen "work station"

Playtex gloves and a lavender scented cleaner by Method.

Great for grime and dirty jobs.

I use this in the bathroom on the sink, toilet and claw foot tub.

It is great on counter tops and walls...

a great laundry stain remover 

I spray it on the spot and gentle use a small brush to remove the stain.

Method doesn't know that I am a fan of their products or that I am writing about their cleaner on the blog.

Simply sharing a very helpful product with you in case you are interested...

it makes my job here a lot easier and it may help you too!

With all that is happening right now in our world 

I cling to routines and rituals for comfort.

Do you?

How are you coping in light of the recent events?

“When tea becomes ritual, 

it takes its place at the heart 

of our ability to see greatness 

in small things. 

Where is beauty to be found? 

In great things that, 

like everything else, 

are doomed to die, 

or in small things 

that aspire to nothing, 

yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?”

~ Muriel Barbery ~

 The Elegance of the Hedgehog

I read recently

 "Knitting is the new Yoga."

That's how I feel when I am knitting...

peace, comfort and serenity 

in the simple act of moving my hands

making something out of yarn.

Let's light a candle, pop the kettle on for tea and pick up our knitting.

Take care

until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~