Seasons Greetings !

 

~ Seasons Greetings ~

My Christmas Card to you...

Sending you warm wishes

peaceful thoughts

and

hope that you enjoy a wonderful festive season.

Take some time out to relax and breathe...

count your blessings.

Help someone less fortunate

surprise a busy clerk or a hard worker with a kind comment 

perhaps volunteer to do a shift or donate to the local food bank.

There are so many things that we can do...

and if you find yourself in need I hope that you will be helped.

The reindeer votives are lit and are gathered together in the bowl...

I always think this Tapio Wirkkala Ultima Thule piece

looks like a frozen pond.

The quarter sawn oak arts and crafts shelf unit holds

 our collection of matte green art pottery.

The wee wood tree on top was made by our clever grandson Henry!

Mom's festive silver baubles have found a place to shine.

Fresh mandarin oranges...and my journal.

Writing in a journal is a newish habit after many years of toying with the idea.

It's been helpful to track my weight and write down my thoughts...

The scale has been used more than usual ~ keeping my eyes on the end goal.

I feel much more disciplined and am very happy that I am seeing results.

Losing 14 pounds (as of today) meant my jeans needed to be replaced...

Fortunately I was able to quickly find 2 pairs of jeans...

one is a dark wash wide leg style by Spanx

the other is a straight leg medium wash...(see above)

Shopping is pretty much done, gifts are wrapped, and we're feeling relaxed.

I've been baking fruit loafs, shortbread and mince tarts...

(allowing myself the occasional treat)

The tins are full and gift packages will be given away to family and friends.

We will be celebrating Christmas quietly with our immediate family.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you have a wonderful Holiday.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

December 6th...Fairy Lights, a Christmas Tree and Fruitcake

 

Are you in Christmas baking mode yet?

I'm not making a ton of sweet things but have a few basic recipes on the go...

I make shortbread and mince tarts.

This year I decided to make a simple fruit loaf and searched on line to find a recipe that was quick, easy and could be made as a single loaf.

I found one on the Lord Byron website...

Holiday Fruitcake 

I brewed up a small pot of strong tea and added all the fruit to steep.

The rest of the ingredients are mixed in and then popped into a prepared loaf pan.

Bake about 55-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out cleanly...

I highly recommend this fruitcake!

My candles had melted onto the candle holders

which I cleaned in super hot water in the sink using a soft scrubby.

 Plus I needed to replace the wee ones with new candles.

I love the scent of beeswax as they burn...

and they are a "clean" burning candle.

Honey Candles are a BC company.

Easy to find in the shops and even our grocery store stocks them.

Frequently they go on sale so that's a good time to stock up...

they make great gifts too!

So I have a wee confession...

I absolutely HAD TO BUY new jeans.

My old MNG pair were hanging off me and the butt area was SO BAGGY...

it was terrible...

(I've lost over 12 pounds)

I was on The Avenue mailing Christmas cards...

wearing said baggy jeans under my long puffer vest...

Feeling SHABBY.

Well fitting clothes really DO matter.

I happened to go into Nicholas Randall to look for some gifts.

Spied a pair of jeans made by SPANX :-))

Did you know that SPANX made jeans?

( I didn't!)

They have a smooth waist, back pockets, and wide legs.

Tried them on and Bingo they fit...

smooth around the hips and derriere

wider legs for a bit of fun.

They were not cheap

 but I didn't give that a second thought...

I have one other pair.of jeans...

(they too are baggy)

Will see if I can salvage them by having them altered...

as they were new in the summer.

If not I will consign them...

The fairy lights are glowing...

orchids are in bloom.

Things are looking Festive.

The house is feeling warmer with the lights and the Christmas tree.

I'd say they are positive mood shifters during these cooler grey days of December.

Bought some new walking shoes by Remonte 

(by Rieker)

which will replace my New Balance shoes from 2019.

These are very comfy and have great support.

(on sale for half price)

Darling Daughter found me a pair of Tod's driving Mocs at the thrift shop !!

These are suede so will be dry weather shoes...

Tod's Gommino Penny Bar Driving Shoes  

(NEW price well beyond my budget)

So when Jennifer asked if I would be interested I said SURE!

She's got a great eye for bargains and quality.

My OOTD is uber casual...

LuLuLemon Black Yoga pants

Gap Faded Denim shirt

Cashmere socks

Slippers

I'm

dusting and vacuuming

knitting and reading

and

making soothing chicken vegetable soup.

You can see the melted wax on these candle holders here...

my current murder mystery book

by Caroline Graham

Chief Inspector Barnaby of Midsomer Murder Fame.

Love a good murder mystery book...

If you celebrate the Festive Season...

Are you getting ready for Christmas?

Do you send cards?

Have you started decorating?

Shopping?

Making Gifts?

What recipes are you planning to make?

We will have a fairly quiet time here in The Humble Bungalow this year...

I'm not planning much entertaining as my hips are not great.

I have good days and bad days.

I am still coming to terms with this...

I do accomplish stuff but need to take breaks in between tasks.

It is all completely new and I am figuring out as I go...

Any how...

Hope that you are doing well and enjoying the start to the festive season.

Merry Christmas

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Christmas happened...despite Covid and we survived!

Christmas Gifts

Kosta Boda Rose pattern crystal votives.

Gift from darling daughter and her husband.

I love the design and the icy light from the candles.

The festive season was a bit different this year due to catching Covid.

My husband and I both had it earlier in December.

I have scarred lungs from repeated bouts of pneumonia 

so when I get a cold (or Covid) I tend to get a chesty cough.

We went to our son's home for Christmas morning where we exchanged gifts and had brunch.

I made Jacques Pepin's French Toast Bake, a fruit salad and sausages with croissants.

The kids were so excited!!!

Lovely to see their enthusiasm and joy.

Here is the island that Mr. HB made for our son's home.

It was a summer project and I have serious Island Envy!!!

I didn't have a ton of energy and so I had to give up on most of the baking.

Fortunately I had prepared the candied nuts ahead of time 

the chocolate bark is a quick recipe to make.

(posted the recipe in a previous blogpost)

Food is a BIG part of our traditional celebrations...

turkey and lots of side dishes.

Simple table setting...

using

red and greens.

The cute little tree was found in our Cook Street Village Garden Centre.

I used it as our centrepiece on the Christmas table...

The turkey was about 10 pounds...

I made stuffing, maple glazed carrots, whipped potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussells sprouts with pancetta, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Dessert was Panna Cotta with Italian sour cherries in syrup.

Served in an iittala Ultima Thule Glass

We have quite a few pieces of Tapio Wirkkala's Icy Modernist Crystal.

It was popular when we got married in 1974 and is still in business today.

After Boxing Day...

made a small batch of Yorkshire puddings to add to the leftovers.

Turkey Soup

Candles in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen above the Farmhouse Sink.

This morning I woke early...

have been going to bed before 10:00 most nights.

Coffee in the dark and thoughts swirling...

felt a surge of energy to get some decluttering done.

The car was loaded up and I dropped off the donations around noon.

Starting downstairs in the guest and hobby rooms.

Still a few more things to deal with but it feels way better!!

Funny thing that has happened since I had to cancel my haircut...

I have been using the flat iron and straightening it...

I think it is "growing on me"

Not perfect 

getting to the stage where I can wear it up in a French Roll 

or put it in a scrunchie for a loose ponytail.

So I suppose that's enough rambling for one post...

Hope that you had a wonderful Festive Season.

Hope that you are staying healthy and are avoiding Covid.

Let me know how things are going...do you declutter after the holidays?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Seasons Greetings

 

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 ~ 

December 10th...a catch up post.

 

Time is ticking along at a very fast pace here in The Humble Bungalow.

Between the domestic jobs, baking and cooking I have been absent from my blog.

I continue to post daily on Instagram...

it is so much faster!

I use the tourtiere recipe found online though our local Yam Magazine.

In case you are not familiar with Tourtieres, 

they are a French Canadian tradition to serve during the holidays.

Basically they are a pork pie.

I like to serve ours with a good chutney or a grainy mustard.

They can be part of a dinner buffet or serve them with a simple tossed green salad.

Chester, the smaller of our two cats, finds the coziest spots to nap.

He actually folded the extra pillow downward to make a plump bed.

It looks a bit like a throne...

We have our "cat proof" tree up.

Chester can climb it but there are no fragile antique ornaments to break.

We learned the hard way...one year the tree toppled over and many delicate glass baubles were smashed.

We keep the "fairy lights" on the upper beams up all year.

Have you decorated your home for the festive season?

We are minimalists when it comes to seasonal decor... do you like to go all out?

I started knitting The Sophie Scarf.

Using wool from my Stash...two skeins of Rowan's Felted Tweed Yarn.

This is the yarn that I used in my latest Miriam sweater.

I had to go to You Tube to watch the I-cord pattern set up.
It seems that with each new project I discover and learn new skills!

The sweater turned out lovely and the wool is so soft and cozy.

Our weather has been rainy, foggy, and we had high gusty winds.

Sweater weather has definitely arrived!

Reading Mrs. England right now...

a friend gave this to me.

I picked it up early this morning and am already on page 80

I really like a book that gets and holds my attention within the first few pages.

I've decided that my Christmas baking will be greatly reduced this year.

Last year we ate far too many sweets...

I plan to make shortbread and butter tarts that's about it.

I put together a gift hamper for my cousins every year.

I vary the contents from year to year keeping a very British theme.

They receive a tourtiere, sweets, treats, pickles, tea, and a few other baked goods.

I cannot remember when I started this habit but it has become a fun tradition.

What traditions do you have at Christmas?

Our traditional wreath...

made for my Mother in Law by a friend 

consisting of baubles, pine cones and rhinestone brooches.

Mini lights and the Ojibwa tamarack ducks.

Wrapping is a very simple affair...

I use Kraft paper, twine, dried oranges and tags.

All are recyclable.

Are you feeling festive?

Will you be hosting a large or small dinner this year?

Perhaps you'll be a guest!

There are a lot of opportunities for giving at this time of year...

giving time and giving donations.

We need to think of others...

there are so many people in need out there.

Every little bit helps.

Drop off a bag of food at the local Food Bank or drop a donation in the Salvation Army Kettle.

Well I must close for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Christmas Traditions

There are many traditions that we embrace over the holidays...

We hang this hand made wreath that was made in the ealy 1960's.

This was made by a friend of my husband's mother.

It has shiny baubles, pine cones, faux holly and vintage rhinestone brooches.

We were fortunate to be given this wreath...

we hang it in The Humble Bungalow dining room every Christmas season.

Christmas is going to be VERY different this year because of the pandemic.

We will be visiting each other via ZOOM and FACE TIME.

Baking and cooking for Christmas occupies a lot of my time

 I am enjoying trying out new recipes.

Sharing Baskets and Food Hampers with family.

We'll be doing driveway drop offs!

With a focus on comfort these days I want to share a super simple pot roast recipe.

Pot Roast with whipped potatoes and peas.

Savoury Pot Roast

3 pound beef blade pot roast

2 Tbsp. oil

1/4 cup wine vinegar

1/4 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp soy sauce ( I use Braggs)

2 Tbsp worcherstershire sauce

1/2 Tsp minced garlic 

1/2 Tsp dry mustard

3 Tbsp flour

1/4 cup water

In a Dutch oven heat oil and brown roast on all sides.

Sprinkle with salt

Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour into pot.

Simmer covered for 2 hours.

Remove to a carving board and cover with foil to rest for 5 minutes.

Make a slurry of  3 Tbsp flour and 1/4 cup of water and shake in a bottle.

Whisk into the fluid left in the pot and thicken and use as a Gravy.

Enjoy!

How are you celebrating the holidays this year?

Are you able to meet in person?

I'll be busy for the next week or so baking and preparing gifts.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Thank you for dropping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~