Our Humble Bungalow is lit up with the fairy lights and the "cat proof" tree.
Chester still climbs the tree.
We were sidelined for a few weeks with a nasty bout of Covid.
Our first experience with it and we were really surprised, as we are so careful.
Mr. HB had it first and I did try to stay away from him as much as possible
but after all it is a small house...
I ended up with a nasty cough which is lingering even now.
So I am pacing myself, staying hydrated and getting to bed early.
Many tea breaks in between cooking, baking and delivering gifts.
Hope that you are in good health.
Ready to embrace the JOYS of the Festive Season.
My "go to" Hostess Gift
Chocolate Bark...
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper
Add a couple of packages of Bakers Chocolate (semi sweet)
Melt slowly in the oven at about 170 degrees for 5 or 10 minutes.
Check regularly as it doesn't take long to melt.
Remove and top with the nuts of your choosing.
Chill in the fridge for a few hours.
Break up and add to cellophane bags and tie with twine.
Very tasty and so easy to make
it is easy to see why this is my favourite
~ Hostess Gift ~
I make several batches as they are well received and quite yummy!
While out shopping for gifts I came across these new towels...
I haven't upgraded my towels in AGES!!!
Donated the former set to the Sally Ann and these ones really dress up the space.
I asked myself WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?
They were not expensive and they make a huge difference.
(Perhaps frugality is not always sensible.)
Made a batch of butter tarts last night...
Mr. HB tested them and said they are good.
It is important to have someone on board as the Quality Control Expert!
I have lots of things still to make
for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Brunch
as well as the Boxing Day Turkey Feast.
I will be living (and maybe sleeping) in my linen apron!
Hope you have a wonderful and Festive Holiday.
Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Pearls, a simple white shirt and jeans...
an easy "uniform" for daytime here in The Humble Bungalow.
Be careful out there with all the Covid Germs circulating...
I am wearing a mask to the shops now.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
26 comments:
I love how you wear your pearls often. I should do that! I'm sure you learned everyday elegance from your wonderful mother.
Merry Christmas Leslie! I'm glad you have mostly recovered from Covid.
You have such a wonderful face-kind, pleasant, cheerful with a hint of mischief. Bravo!
Thank-you so much for all your lovely blogs and Instagram. I read them all daily and look forward from hearing from you. Sorry to hear about Covid, I suspect the worse is behind you. I also love collecting beach glass here in Ontario, find it very therapeutic. Love the sound of the water too. All the baking and cooking sounds yummy. I’m sure all will enjoy. All the best now and in 2024.
Hi Leslie, You're house looks lovely, as do you. That pecan bark will go into my "to make" recipe file.
Hope you soon feel better after your covid bout.
Pretty towels! Just added some new ones here too. Yes, what a difference for little money.
Oh, I picked up "Mrs. England" from the library yesterday, looking forward to reading it after my current book this week.
Happy Holidays,
Brenda :)
So glad you are on the mend Leslie, and have your energy back, pacing yourself is crucial. Your new towels are perfect for you bathroom, so elegant! Hope you and all your family have a wonderful Christmas, full of family, joy, and love.
So happy to hear you are now Covid free and can enjoy all the festivities of the Season. Thank you
for continuing to share all the delights of your Humble Bungalow, your gardens and all your OOTD.
Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year!
Joan
Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024. Always enjoy your snippets from the Humble Bungalow and will look forward to many more in the coming year.
So happy to hear you are now Covid free and can enjoy all the festivities of the Season. Thank you
for continuing to share all the delights of your Humble Bungalow, your gardens and all your OOTD.
Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year!
Joan
So glad you and the Mr. are on the mend. Love your magical fairy lights and there's nothing better than chocolate bark for the holidays ... or any days. Merry Christmas! xo
A very happy holidays to you, Leslie! I'm glad you're feeling better.
I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better -- I had Covid about the same time last year, and like you, I found it took a while to get over it. You're wise to be pacing yourself -- a relapse is never fun!
Lovely photos of your home -- such a sweet and restful -- but still festive -- atmosphere!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
xo
Merry Christmas to you. The new towels are lovely and look nice and fresh. Hope you both recover well and get to enjoy the festive season.
Thank you for all your wonderful blogs in 2023, Leslie. I know they must be a lot of work, and want you to know that it is appreciated. I always look forward to hearing and seeing what you have been up to. Whether it be beautiful views of the ocean or your newly knit gorgeous sweater - gorgeous pics - or delicious recipes or a new new clothes find.
Hope you fully recover from Covid soon. We too have been putting our masks back on, in the stores.
We are lucky - our son is home for the Christmas holidays. What a wonderful treat. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season & a healthy and happy 2024.
I must ask where you got those beautiful towels! I am on a mission to renew ours after Christmas.
Your house looks so festive and cheery.
Covid is no fun. Hope you rare completely recovered soon. The fatigue can linger so don’t over do things!
I'm sorry you've been ill and hope your energy continues to rebound. Don't take on too much!
The chocolate bark sounds delicious. I made some with pistachios and dried cranberries and it seemed to be well appreciated.
Merry Christmas, Leslie!
Oh Leslie, I am sorry you caught the Covid virus which is sweeping the world again. On our recent holiday it happened to me too, for the first time. I have always been so careful, but I dropped my guard and was not wearing a mask. Like you, I am back to masks in shops now too. It does hang on: I have been coughing for a month and am still incredibly tired. Your cooking always sounds amazing and I love the chocolate bark. Butter tarts I have never made, but enjoy them when we visit Canada. Delicious! Your new towels are quite the business, perfect for your palette, very chic indeed. Car proof tree is very pretty too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Mr Bungalow.
So sorry to hear about your bout with COVID! It’s definitely on the rise. Just heard from my sister in MA that she has it for the second time. She’s a nurse who caught it caring for patients in the beginning of COVID before the vaccine availability.
Hope you were able to get the meds to shorten the course of illness. Naps, tea and a good book!
Jane In Port Townsend
Susan ~ I think Mom was a great role model...she was way more fashion savvy than I could ever be but we did share a love of pearls...she wore hers most days.
I hope you'll wear your pearls more often! Merry Christmas!
Anonymous ~ Mischief ooh la la :-))
Jenny ~ I love that you collect beach glass! Sounds like we have a lot in common. Happy to hear that you enjoy the blog.
Best wishes and Happy Holidays!
Brenda N ~ Hope that you enjoy the book! Fresh new Towels are rather like a bouquet of flowers...always cheerful.
Merry Christmas
Joyce ~ I am so grateful to be Covid free...I want to see and enjoy time with friends and family. I do feel a bit tired...I hope that this will soon pass. Hope that you have a wonderful festive holiday season!
Joan ~ Thank you for sharing your thoughts here on the blog...I enjoy hearing from readers...these connections encourage me to continue writing.
Merry Christmas!
Christy ~ Thank you! Hope you have a fabulous Holiday! Best wishes for 2024
Juliet ~ Holidays and chocolates seem to go hand in hand! When we were children Santa put a Terry's Orange Chocolate in our stockings...my sister and I devoured them! Enjoy the holidays!
Jeannine ~ Covid seems to be making the rounds...hope you stay healthy too! Happy Holidays and all the best to you.
materfamilias ~ I remember when you were sidelined with Covid. It is a strange virus...I haven't completely got my energy back...pacing myself is the only way I seem to manage to get through the days. I think we under decorate for the holidays...perhaps the cats are the reason!! Have a lovely time with all your family gatherings.
Poppy Q ~ We are doing much better and will try to be mindful of our energies...it is a busy time of the year but i have readjusted my expectations accordingly.
Merry Christmas!
Carolyn ~ You are wise to mask up...the new variant is very contagious. How lovely that your son is home for a visit...family make the holidays so much more special. Take care amd all the best in 2024.
Victoria Gal ~ You are right about the fatigue...It is definitely a factor in my recovery. I was expecting to be 100% after I tested negative! Marshalls had the towels...I also saw another lovely set at Homesense...Not expensive either! Happy holidays!
Lorrie ~ You are right about the fatigue...I am doing less this year. The chocolate bark combination of pistachios and cranberries is one I made a few years ago. Bark is such a tasty treat and so easy to have on hand for guests. Our neighbours said they ate most of their gift in one sitting!!
Patricia ~ The post Covid fatigue and cough are annoying...the new variant is a super spreader here. I am in the minority when I shop wearing a mask...but I don't want to catch it again especially so soon. Butter tarts are so yummy...great with tea...must ration my consumption of sweets though as I don't need to start the new year with an extra 10 pounds!!!
Take care and enjoy the festivities...Merry Christmas.
Jane H ~ I did not get any meds to shorten the Covid...I thought they were only available for people over 70 or those with underlying health conditions? Maybe they are easier to get in the USA? The sun is shining brightly this afternoon and it looks like the weather is nice across the Strait of Juan de Fuca!
Hope you have a lovely Holiday!
Merry Christmas! I enjoy your blog!
You and your home look beautiful. Elegant. Love your new towels! I have my first case of Covid and it's way worse than I imagined. So - Christmas in bed :(.
I'm glad you're almost past it - but I can tell it's going to hang on.
awhiterockgarden ~ Greetings I know we have connected over the years! Hope you had a wonderful holiday! Best wishes for 2024.
KSL ~ I am sorry to hear that you caught Covid...it is a very unpredictable virus. My cough is the annoying tag along after my bout with Covid. Fatigue too, which I was not expecting. Fortunately I am able to take breaks when I need them. Hope you don't have any ill effects and are on the mend.
Happy Christmas, Leslie! I hope you're feeling better post-Covid (L and I also got it, in mid-November). That cough is pernicious! Your house is lovely - I smiled at Chester, and looked longingly at your chocolate bark! Yum!
You look a little like Queen Elizabeth in that photo.
Post a Comment