~ Festive Greetings from The Humble Bungalow ~
We've put up the faux tree with twinkling white fairy lights.
One of our cats still climbs the tree
so we do not add our vintage glass baubles.
One year the cat knocked the tree to the floor
resulting in a mess of shattered baubles...
sadly several vintage treasures were lost.
We keep our decorating simple and have added some silver baubles and stars.
Do you follow Pamela Anderson on Instagram?
She has moved back to the island, renovated her family home,
planted rose and vegetable gardens and more recently has published a cookbook.
She has totally reinvented herself...written a memoir, appeared in a documentary
starred in a play on Broadway, and is appearing in films.
Pamela is a co-founder of Sonsie skincare products.
My skincare products were getting low and when I heard that she had a rose scented cleanser I thought I might try some.
I purchased the "bundle" cleanser, serum and moisturizing balm.
I would have bought the lip balm but it was sold out.
I have been using the Sonsie products for about a week and already can see an improvement in my skin tone.
Having rosacea and seeing a reduction of redness is VERY exciting!
Hydrangeas are almost done for the season but I managed to salvage a few blooms.
These have dried nicely in a vintage Crown Ducal Vase.
After 3 years of lusting after this Cocoon wool and cashmere coat from Aritzia
I finally bought it and I am SO GLAD!!!
~ SO COZY ~
Cold weather means warmer accessories...
the walks by the sea are very cold.
I had a fall a week ago...
Hurt my hip and knee which are badly bruised.
Sustained a cut above my eye.
My eye lid and area below were really red but now are a limey green shade.
Managed to get to see the doctor who sent me for X Rays.
Fortunately nothing is broken.
However I do have a concussion and have had a CT scan...
results should be forthcoming.
Research on walking assists inspired me to buy walking Poles.
Our local Wellwise store carry the poles.
Hubby bought a pair for his walks too.
I have used them a few times and they make a HUGE difference.
My confidence, stability and balance are much improved.
Do you use walking poles?
Have you ever had a nasty fall requiring x-rays?
How about a concussion?
Tis the season for candles!
Beeswax and a scented candle on the vintage silver tray add ambiance.
I like to sip my coffee, read my book, or knit with these candles glowing.
Silver baubles...
Harrods George V fluted silverplate Teapot and Creamer
Still on the hunt for the sugar bowl...
It has been a quite a week with my bruises and fuzzy head.
Hubby "cooked" which meant that we ordered Thai food and had White Spot.
Thank you honey it was a nice treat :-))
He was my gallant chauffeur for a few appointments and for that I am thankful.
Feeling much better
I am driving again and have been shopping and running errands.
Lots of Christmas baking to do to fill my cookie tins...
are you getting ready for the holidays?
What are your "go to" traditional festive treats?
This might be my only post for December...
SO
I am wishing you a lovely festive season!
Thank You for reading my Humble Bungalow Blog and for all your comments!
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
41 comments:
I'm sorry to hear about your fall - a few years ago I had a spell of dizziness/vertigo and bought Nordic walking poles for when I am out on my own. They do make a huge difference to me, so I'm glad that your poles are helping you too. Wishing you a complete recovery!
Ouch, glad you didn't break anything when you fell, Leslie! My mom uses walking poles - she has Post-Polio Syndrome - and loves them for her balance. They're much better than a walker or cane as she can walk easily on uneven surfaces and keep her posture in line.
Your home is so lovely - funny that your kitty still climbs the tree! I see Pam Anderson on Substack (where I write in addition to my blog). I love that she's having a comeback!
Patricia I hope that you are enjoying walking with the Nordic Poles...I saw many people using the poles since I purchased mine and I never really noticed before! sending you Christmas Greetings from The Humble Bungalow.
XO
Ouch indeed! Thankfully I did not chip any teeth!!
Your mom, and her walks with you, is a wonderful example to those of us who read your blog.
Pamela has completely reinvented herself....I am very impressed by her strength, creativity and determination. Her newsletters are very inspiring.
Happy Holidays Sheila!
That sounds like a nasty fall. But it seems you are bouncing back with such grace and optimism - inspiring!
How exciting to find a new skincare range that makes a difference. All your Christmas decorations are so pretty. We haven't put our tree up. It will be interesting to see how our now one year old cat reacts. Sorry you had a fall. Very proactive of you to purchase the walking poles. I have had two concussions this year. The first was the most severe, with a cut on the top of the head. The second, likely a product of my impaired balance from the first. My recovery has been very slow. Glacial. But everyone is different. And I think the second bang on the head didn't help - maybe a safety helmet for me for Christmas. All the best for your recovery from the fall. And a happy Christmas to you and your family Leslie. Your blog with the great photos always brightens my day. Thank you for cheering me over the year with your gardening, cooking, travels, books and more. Best wishes ❤.
I hope you continue to heal well. The walking sticks sound like a great idea. Merry Christmas!
Hi Leslie, another super post, but I could have done without reading about your fall. Thank goodness nothing was broken, and I do like the idea of using walking poles. I had a fall while out walking several years ago. I was walking with others, and tripped over an uneven footpath. I was badly bruised, but luckily nothing was broken. Fortunately council repaired the path quickly. We are easing into summer here, but our temps have a way to go yet. Christmas Wishes from New Zealand.
Sorry to hear about your fall. Hopefully the walking poles will be a great help. I live in fear of falling as I have two replacement joints already, can’t do any more damage.😊 Enjoy the holiday season !
So sorry to hear you had a fall, the walking poles sound like a good idea. I will have a look at Pamela Anderson's instagram, and will be baking some chocolate chip cookies for my family, some for Christmas and some to take home with them. Happy Holidays to you! Vicki
Those hydragenas look like butterflies all gathered together.
Oh my - I am sorry about your tumble. Most unfortunate. Sounds like you're doing everything right regarding treatment! Hope you're right as rain by Christmas. Those hydrangeas are gorgeous - as is your tree. And of course, the Aritizia number is a real coup. Well done.
Oh my - what a scare! Sorry about your fall and concussion, but glad you did not break anything. Yes, many x-rays after my shattered wrist. Still healing 7 months later...I turned my wrist "wrong" getting some decorations out of a box and OUCH! I may look into those walking sticks...sounds like a good idea. It's a process. Love your new purchases...have a wonderful holiday season.
I'm sorry about your fall. You are smart to be proactive about getting and using the walking poles! Many, many many years back I fell in my dooryard and hit my head on the ice. I felt fine until after I had driven my husband, who had a hip to toe cast from a broken leg, to the hospital to visit his mother who had pneumonia. As we were preparing to leave suddenly the room started spinning and we carefully made our way to the emergency room. I was given a CT scan and was diagnosed with a concussion. The next challenge was to find a way home. We ended up calling a neighbor who drove to the hospital with his son. The son drove our standard shift car home with my husband laying across the back seat (at that point it was the only way he traveled) and I rode in the neighbor's car. Thank goodness our young kids were being watched by my parents! I too walk with poles since having a knee replaced and a stern warning from my surgeon to not fall! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. Carol in VT
I am so sorry to hear of your bad fall. So relieved that nothing was broken, but a concussion is not fun at all. Sending Christmas Greetings to you and your family. I enjoy your blog so much.
Sorry to hear about your fall and hope you are not being too impatient to recover too quickly. Enjoy the pampering. I have used walking polls for years. I use them over rough terrain and they certainly give you confidence. I am sure finding that fantastic coat has been a real boost. As to Christmas, very low key. I have been making a few Christmas presents and will bake as well.
Leslie, So sorry to hear about your fall, it’s dangerous out there! Poles are useful, I have two also. Such a lovely holiday glow in your Bungalow. Enjoy the holiday season and take good care of yourself. Happy baking!
Joan
So sorry to hear about your tumble and injuries! The idea of using poles for walking is a good one. I’ve fallen, but not really hurt myself, but I can see how easily we lose our balance now. Are you doing any gentle exercises to help with balance, like yoga or tai chi? Lunges, forwards and back are also good. That coat is just beautiful - you will look outstanding in it!
So very sorry to hear about your fall! Glad you got quick medical attention.
Where did you buy P Anderson’s skin care products? I would love to try them. If I can get them here in Victoria that would be lovely.
Merry Christmas to you !
Ouch!! I hope you are recuperating . I think I'll get some walking poles too. I walk most mornings around 6 am so it's still some what dark. I use a headlamp which helps. BTW, if you are up to it can you tell us HOW/where you fell. I'm fearful of a fall since I stepped off a stepladder last year and missed the step. I tore the ACL and meniscus. It was really me not paying attention to which step ladder I was on. It might be helpful to hear what happedned to cause you to fall. But only if you feel like sharing. Your home is very beautiful. My husbands chemo went much better this round. We're feeling hopeful and are planning to get passports next year to travel up your way, BC. fingers crossed it'll work out.
Hope you feel better soon, Leslie! I've never had a concussion, but have hurt many other things falling. It's a part of aging that is no fun at all.
I am on the mend and am feeling more like myself! Thank you!
Oh dear Kathryn ! My goodness 2 concussions...you must be taking life slower as you recover. Thank you for your lovely comment and do take care...I had lunch with some friends yesterday and one of the gals told me that she has had concussion several times, so total recovery is a good idea before embarking on risky sports!
The walking poles are used by athletes too so people will not pay me much notice...Merry Christmas!
Colleen well I could have omitted the fall on the blog but I am keeping it real here!!! The sidewalks are really bad here...so many uneven areas and if one is not looking down...well accidents just happen! Happy Holidays to you in NZ
Walking poles are a great option for those of us who have had a fall or falls and those who have had new joints :-)) Take care and enjoy the festive season!
Vicki as far as I know, the skincare is only available online at the Sonsie site. Chocolate Chip cookies sound very yummy...I made a batch of chocolate chip, oatmeal Rice Krispie cookies....I saw the recipe on Instagram...and they didn't last long My husband and the grandchildren really enjoyed them !
The leaves do look like wings!!! A butterfly convention :-))
My CT scan came back clear so I dodged a bullet! I am loving the new coat...I think it is a wee bit of luxury compared to my cold weather puffer coats !!! Have fun getting ready for the holidays Kelly!
Happy holidays...if it is any consolation....my ankle bone still aches (broke it in March) and I get twinges when I turn it certain ways! I think it might take a year to fully heal...I think you and I need to be patient and lower our expectations somewhat!!!
I am not doing Tai Chi or Yoga at the moment. In our aqua fit classes which I haven't attended for a couple of weeks our instructor gets us to do balancing exercises. I don't think it was my balance as my hip went out from under me? I have osteoarthritis...I am going to take some online courses offered by Island Health.
It sounds like falls are a very common incident in the over 65 age group! I am going to be more mindful of my surroundings and keep my eyes on the road ahead!!
The fall details are not very unusual or remarkable...my hip went out from under me...I fell and hit my head and eye. I was not on a ladder or a chair or stool...not leaping over any logs on the beach...it was a surprise and one that shocked me!!
Hopefully you stay safe!!
Patience and listening to how you feel are important to how you heal. You are an upbeat optimistic person and that helps too! Walking poles are so very helpful
New follower who came over from Tahoe Girl. I'm a faller. I fell in February 2020 and got a displaced spiral fracture of the humerus (which is not funny). A few other minor falls and then a flat as a board faceplant on election day as I worked as poll worker. Of course I kept working once we moped up the buckets of blood and when I made it to the doctor, I had a nose fracture. Still healing, not enough of a bend to do anything about. I might have to research these sticks. I do have a touch of vertigo but I think my two problems are clumsiness and hollow bones.
What a beautiful home you have !
Oh Gosh! You have had a few serious falls...I have to regain my balance and restore my confidence walking. The Urban Poling sticks are great for walks...vertigo would affect your balance...I am not sure if my fall was a result of low blood pressure but to me it definitely felt like my hip gave out.
Hope that you are mend soon.
Take care,
Leslie
Seems I started commenting and then lost my comment. Oh dear! I hope you are a little better every day and I am so sorry to read of your fall. Seems we can't be too careful at this time of our lives and yet don't want to be so careful that we limit ourselves to our detriment. Such a hard line to balance sometimes. I hope you're able to get to your holiday baking. I have more done already this year than I usually do and I'm happy to report that. I typically make about a dozen different cookies for Christmas - often something new, but always many old favorites that only show up at holiday time. Keeping a good thought for your quick and continued healing and no lasting effects!
Carol your fall and resulting concussion experience sounds very scary! Thank goodness you had help from your neighbours...I cannot imagine how you managed with your husband in a cast and you with vertigo!!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for your comments Susan...am happy to hear that you are still enjoying my little blog :-))
My biggest fear was that my hip was fractured...I now know that concussion is not a quick event that one recovers from in a matter of days. Am taking life a bit slower but am so enjoying the new walking poles!!
Happy Holidays
Jeannine...it is so frustrating when comments disappear! I am glad that you tried again...it is a fine balance (HAHA) deciding what we can do as we age...this is the second time I have fallen in the past few years. I fell on the beach once and hurt my wrist.When I broke my ankle last Spring it was a jump that I thought I could manage but overestimated my ability! I am cautious now...your cookies will be most appreciated by your family and friends.
Merry Christmas
XO
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