Thursday, October 28, 2021

October musings...


Fall is in full flourish...
we are enjoying
 the beautiful palette of Autumnal Shades.


Berries 


Leaves 
a pop of colour
red juxtaposed against grey stones.

Mother Nature's Paintbrush is showing her talent and liberal use of colours this Fall.


Rain and a fierce wild windstorm 
knocked out our power for 17 hours
at Quarterdeck Cottage.

We had to tough it out 
we kept the gas fireplace on and hunkered down with our books.

Unfortunately we had to throw out most of the food that was in the fridge.


I read this book in a couple of days...
set in Cornwall
I enjoyed the story.


The local Pender Island ferries were able to run even during the wind.
Several of our neighbours went home early due to the power outage.


I am back working on The Doocot Sweater pattern.
It has been sitting in my knitting bag for the better part of a year.

Not sure why I left it so long before picking up my knitting needles again?

Do you put aside projects?

The yarn is Rowan Tweed and is soft and easy to work with...
I am absolutely smitten with the colour!

There are a few more inches of ribbing before I can start on the sleeves.

I have learned many new techniques while working on this pattern.
My husband gave me The Vogue Knitting Book and that has been invaluable.
Trying something new without help "in real life" can be daunting 
so books and "You Tube" Knitting Videos have been great!

We will be packing up and back home tomorrow.

Halloween is only a few days away!


We've got the candy treats ready for the Trick or Treaters on Sunday.

Our friends from France will be staying with us for a few days.

How are things going with you?

Thank you for dropping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, October 15, 2021

Fall Focus ~ Wool sweater, eye make-up, flowers and comfort food.


~ Autumnal shades ~

Glorious dahlias are boldly blooming here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I've cleaned and culled my make up bag and disposed of old mascara.
The last mascara I purchased was a real disappointment...
it was far too dark and really gloopy.

So I ventured to a local pharmacy 
where a long time clerk in the make-up section steered me in the right direction.


Benefit and Lancome


Brows and lashes


"Precisely My Brow" in "warm light brown" shade.
A soft smooth pencil to fill in the gaps and a wee brow brush for blending.
Waterproof, smudge proof for 12 hours.


Idole

360 micro bristle wand
feather light gel formula that provides:

Lash lifting mascara
140% eye opening effect
95% instant lift
94% intense volume
90% clump free lashes


Rachel Zoe wool sweater
comfy and cozy
sure to be a chill chaser
can be layered under my puffy vest.

Will wear this with my Eileen Fisher black pants or jeans.
If I had a great skirt I would pair it with that too...
HMMM...perhaps a skirt is next on my shopping list?

Will also match my grey cashmere socks.


Easy beans
a comforting meal on a chilly fall evening.

Slow Cooker Beans

6 slices of pork belly cubed
1 cup diced onion
1 cloves minced garlic
1 can pinto beans
1 can great Northern beans, drained
1 can baked beans
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
3/4 c ketchup
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1/2 Tsp. ground pepper

Put all the ingredients into a slow cooker.
Sir to mix and cook for 4 hours.

(Omit the pork belly if you want a vegetarian bean dish)

Serve with soft buns or toast.

Very tasty and so quick to assemble and the slow cooker does the work!

Enjoy.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, October 4, 2021

 


Mr. HB has retired from his role as a senior partner in Continuum Architects...
His career spanned 43 years at the longest running Victoria architectural firm.
He is looking forward to new hobbies, longer walks and more book time.


We spent the first week at Quarterdeck Cottage on Pender Island.
Friends joined us for the weekend and we rented another cottage...
we enjoyed their company immensely.
So great to be able to see long time friends, 
one couple we had not seen in over 2 years due to Covid.

The weather was lovely so we were able to sit out on the deck.

We went for walks, played crib, read our books and reminisced...
lots of laughter filled the cottage as we went down memory lane.


It was quiet after they left.
We went for walks and read our books.
Rain fell and the fog rolled in...
Fall is here !


We indulged in a "naughty Coffee" and it was delicious!
The Marina store is getting ready to close for the season.
They told us they plan to open earlier next year and serve more food options
and introduce music performances.


We're home now and busy putting the garden to bed for the season.
We gave away plants to friends who are establishing a new shady bed in their garden.

We have a few more plants to give away and other friends are happy to take them.

Mr. HB is outside right now tidying up the beds by the patio.
I have laundry in the wash and am going to make us lunch when I finish this post.

Fall feels like a transition in so many ways...
I took some summer clothes downstairs to the guest room closet.
Then I brought up some winter garments.
My basic wardrobe continues to serve me well and despite being small it works.

There are a few pieces that I am considering buying but not that many.
A new cashmere sweater is on the radar as well as some pretty new lingerie.


Cashmere socks are so cozy...

BTW this author, William Trevor, writes very intense stories!
I wasn't sure what would happen in this thriller and was on the edge of my seat as I read on...


I picked a beautiful bouquet of roses.
These are frilly frothy and fragrant...
Graham Thomas a stalwart David Austin Rose.

It grows out back in The Humble Bungalow Garden near my potting table.
The hydrangeas are drying, 
hostas are fading
but thankfully 
the roses continue to bloom.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
I appreciate your comments and readership.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~