Silk...and French Inspiration

Vintage Silk scarf by Vetter of Switzerland

easy to wear and so soft...

Silk and cashmere are two of my all time favourites.

When I think of lovely lingerie 

 France comes to mind...

the selection and sumptuous styles for women 

of all shapes and sizes 

are plentiful in the shops of Paris.

The lingerie sections at

Galleries Lafayette

and 

The Bon Marche 

are two that stand out.

It is so easy finding beautiful intimates in France...

there are lingerie shops in the smaller villages too!

I've been lusting after some new lingerie...

it is on the top of my list.

I love wearing this

Nougat Silk Camisole

soft mauve shade with purple lace.

Silk feels sensuous 

wearing a silk nightgown or camisole makes me feel very feminine.

I've juxtaposed the silk with denim here for a day of domestic chores and cooking.

Cooking new dishes has become a bit of an obsession of late...

Julia Child has some amazing books and You Tube videos of her PBS shows.

I have to smile when I watch some of these older videos...

she is such a character!

I felt like I was in a bit of a "cooking rut"

 so kicking it up a notch and trying some new recipes feels so energizing.

I made a jar of Julia's basic and very simple vinaigrette and loved the flavour.

In the movie Julie and Julia the scene from the Paris Cafe 

where Julia, played by the talented Maryl Streep, is served sole 

 seriously resonates with me...

that incredible dish is Sole Meuniere.

I plan to make this dish for my husband...

 I am substituting fresh halibut 

as it was the freshest fish offered at the fish monger.

The butter needs to be clarified ahead of time.

So

I spent the afternoon prepping dinner.

I made an endive leaf salad with crumbled bacon, sliced cherry tomatoes, scallions and grated parmigiano Reggiano

which is covered and is chilling in the fridge.

The vinaigrette will be drizzled over top just before serving. 

Asparagus will be steamed and served with the fish dish...

a few slices of a baguette will be at the ready to sop up any of the juices.

I will boil up a few waxy yellow potatoes to serve with the halibut.

Dessert will not be served...

as neither of us have "sweet teeth"

besides it will be a "big" meal...

enough to satisfy our humble tastebuds.

I sharpened all our knives too...

they were getting incredibly dull.

We have an electric sharpener by Chef's Choice 

I have practiced on several knives I think I have the hang of it.

Boy having a super sharp knife is so wonderful.

I'm kind of proud of myself for learning a new skill...

This book is quite a fun read...

am only into a few chapters so far as

I sat down for a few minutes to put my feet up and have a cuppa...

almost didn't want to get back up and put the book away!!

Bon Appetit!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Adding a wee bit of polish to my days...

The New Year is here and with it comes the opportunity to make some changes.
What changes might those be?
For starters,
getting back on the Weight Watchers Point Program with continued walks is my top priority.
Over the holidays too many sweets and treats have been savoured and despite the walks I am up a few pounds...it is not the end of the world but I do not want to let it get out of control.
I feel better when my clothes have a little bit of "breathing room!"

But I digress...
this post was titled adding a bit of polish.

 My hands and nails have never been given much thought...
I am a no nonsense kind of gal...and have thought of my hands as tools in the domestic arena.

As a result of neglect and my haphazard way of wearing gloves when I wash dishes and clean house
I have had to invest heavily in hand creams and slather them on throughout the day.
(L'Occitane Shea Butter... and I buy the small size to keep in my handbag and the car)

I have been inspired to make a wee change...
at least for now
while the New Year is fresh and new.
(will see how long it lasts!)

For now I am enjoying taking extra care of my hands and my nails.
My gloves are handy right beside the sink
as a reminder to put them on when I am immersed in domestics, which I am on a daily basis.

Purple Playtex Living Gloves

endorsed by This Hostess.

Workhorses in The Humble Bungalow

Base coat, polish and a top coat are applied so that they last longer and resist chipping.

This OPI shade is called Chocolate Moose...

I love how they choose creative names for their polish.

 I think this is a neutral versatile colour.

Looking for some pretty pink shades in the OPI,  Essie or Butter lines to add to my collection.

Perhaps something soft...and light, maybe in a blush pink.

or a deeper fuchsia like this Camellia.

Blues and greens and blacks are popular 

I am not sure that they are suitable for my 60 year old hands...

 though they are fine on my toes in the summer months.

Speaking of trying new things...

Cheryl, my friend from France, taught me how to make duck confit.

We browned the duck legs in a hot Le Creuset pan and then heated them in the oven.

We de-glazed the pan with a bit of Sancerre and added about a half cup of marmalade and let it simmer and reduced it until it was thick.

The wee potatoes were roasted in a bit of the duck fat in a hot oven until they were golden and softened.

The green beans were steamed until they were almost tender...

(I like a bit of resistance when I bite into a green bean)

~ Dessert ~

tasty lemon tarts from the bakery.

You can see why I am up a few pounds as we enjoyed many rich meals 

while our house guests were here in The Humble Bungalow.

So it is salad daze and healthy eating for the foreseeable future.

If you are looking for some inspiration and a fresh way of starting your New Year

Janet at The Gardener's Cottage has a week of healthy menus posted on her blog.

Chat soon

until next time...

~ Be Kind and Take Care ~

Pasta and Pearls...and a tasty recipe from Monet's Palate Cookbook.

Greetings...from The Humble Bungalow Kitchen!

I'm cooking up a storm today...

These juicy Heirloom Tomatoes are just begging to be eaten.

The Farmer's Markets are teeming with them so how could I resist?

Now what to make with them?

A simple salad or sandwich?

Or?

Do you remember my post about the Lion heart tomatoes from the Market in the South of France near Auvillar ?

We made a simple yet delicious lunch of sliced tomatoes served with a fresh brioche....

a little butter and sea salt elevated their taste to...

(remember that scene in the deli of Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally?)

We served them with a chilled glass of Rose.

Food can transport us back in time when we 

remember the smells and the flavours.

Red luscious and delicious.

The recipe that inspired me to get cooking today was found in Monet's Palate Cookbook.

The book showcases Monet's Vegetable Garden at Giverny 

with

 recipes that use the food and ingredients grown in his French Potager.

With all the red images it's time for a bit of green...

Le Coq towel from France...reminds me everyday of my trip.

The pasta pot with a built in colander is heating up while the tomatoes are roasting.

Halved tomatoes tossed in olive oil, with minced garlic and salt and pepper.

Roast for an hour at 275 or until softened.

Top with oregano, anchovies, and capers, drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Roast another 10 minutes...

enjoy the aroma that is filling the kitchen!

You'll need oregano, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, pepper, basil, pasta, olive oil, butter, capers, balsamic vinegar and anchovies.

And Pasta!

Once the tomatoes are done your pasta should be cooked al dente...

toss in 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, a small handful of torn basil leaves, salt and pepper to taste.

When the butter has melted add in the tomatoes and mix together...

the fragrance is out of this world.

Wear an apron and comfy shoes 

(or in my case ~ Lands' End slippers)

it took me awhile to go through the steps of this recipe and dinner was later than usual but it was so worth the effort!

Pour a glass of red wine

place the pasta in a bowl

grab a spoon and a fork and twirl away to your hearts content...

savour each delectable morsel of flavour.

serve with garlic bread to sop up the juices

Dinner's done.

"My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece."

~ Claude Monet ~

"Instead of going out to dinner, buy good food. 

Cooking at home shows such affection. 

In a bad economy, it's more important to make yourself feel good."

~ Ina Garten ~

Balancing Act...

Do you struggle with balance in your life when it comes to work and play?

Does work take precedence over play or free time?

How do you handle life's demands?

Do you push yourself or do you take it slow and easy?

Do you set aside specific time for play?

Have you achieved a healthy balancing act?

(Emma Bridgewater mug and tray)

Today I am taking a day off...(from the garden)
my body aches from the constant digging while ridding the garden of invasive weeds.

I slept like a baby last night and did not want to get up this morning...
"bone weary" might be the term that one could use to describe how I feel.

I'm looking forward to having lunch out with Mother and my cousin who is visiting from the mainland.
Mom and I will do a few errands after lunch but nothing that requires much effort.

The garden can wait...
it will still be there tomorrow morning bright and early waiting for some more attention.

This lovely book on French lifestyle is worth reading.

I like to pick it up every so often and re-read some of the chapters as it helps to remind me to slow down and savour life.

The recipes are simple, elegant and healthy.

 Tasty dishes I am pleased to serve when entertaining friends and family.

Reading about the French and France is like taking a mini holiday...

one can so easily get "lost" in the pages.

I love David Lebovitz's new cookbook.

His recipes are easy to follow and the illustrations are so inspiring.

I follow his blog.

Speaking of French books...

This juicy little novella is a quick read if you are looking for something that you can pick up and put down and not lose track of the story line.

Perfect for coffee breaks at work!

Well my "break" is over and I am going to "get a few things done" before picking up Mother.

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony."

 ~Thomas Merton ~

Enjoy your day!

OOTD ~ Washday observations...

It's wash day again here in our Humble Bungalow.
Mondays more frequently are washing, ironing and domestics days...

OOTD

Club Monaco jeans

Monoprix grey linen Tee

silver necklace from Paris

This inexpensive Parisian necklace gets lots of compliments.

I love white and silver together...

so icy and cool.

Our white orchid is in bloom again..this must be the 4th year that it has re-bloomed.

Orchids, the window sill variety are a great bargain...just a wee bit more than a bouquet and they continue to perform for years. 

I water mine every Monday.

Our grey and black back door rug... from Target.

The Christmas cactus is looking healthy.

It usually blooms twice a year and not always at Christmas!

Mr. HB and I both spent a lazy day on the boat this weekend.

We read our books and the cats snoozed...

I bought a new mat for the galley.

and some new melamine plates designed by Nicole Miller.

Home Sense and Winners are the source of the nautical inspired accents pieces for our boat.

Pepper

Chester

The view from here...

There were many opportunities to reflect...

remember 

and honour the memory of our Fathers

both gone but not forgotten...

I'll be starting this book soon...

I want to learn how to make a French omellete...

I need to find a non stick pan first.

The time has come to say adieu

There are linens to launder and cottons to iron...

Parisian Plates ~ a foodie post.

The first two nights that I was in Paris I had a picnic supper in my room.
Monoprix was a 3 minute walk from my hotel and they stocked fizzy water, wine, a fresh food floor and on the main, a deli offering all kinds of sandwiches and salads.
(They sold cosmetics, clothes and housewares...rather like a French version of a Target store.)

"Dining in" felt right,
as a combination of jet lag and physical fatigue had set in by 5pm those first few days.

I kept a journal of my trip...

the wee red book has many pages filled with my thoughts and details of the places that I visited.

I'd shower and freshen up in the evening

 slip into my nightie and relax while sipping a glass of wine and make notes in my journal.

Cooking class with author and Ooh La La Tour leader Jamie Cat Callan here we are lowering our umbrellas (parapluies) for a quick photo op.

 La Cuisine Market Shopping was a lot of fun.

The weather was rainy but did not dampen our spirits!

Here we are at Hotel de Ville at the kitchen prepping food for our lunch.

White asparagus with mouselline sauce.

Duck with demi glaze and relish, roasted vegetables, and asparagus.

Dessert

Pistachio and raspberry cake

chocolate cake with whipped cream.

On another occasion, Jamie and I enjoyed Lunch at Danton's sitting in the window...

looking out across at Boulevard Saint Germain.

Simply delicious ~ a perfect omelet and tossed salad.

Croque monsieur 

(very rich and laden in calories but I wanted to try one)

Chocolates at Chez Richart

Macarons at Chez Richart

Bistro Vivienne

Salad with poached egg and melted goat cheese on toast.

John Dory fish with herbs and vegetables.

Here's a picture of the cafeteria at The Musee D'Orsay before the lunch crowds descended...

Large salad lunch at The Muse D'Orsay with my Lapsang Souchon Tea!

(I couldn't eat it all!)

Duck with a cherry infused demi-glaze served with mashed potatoes.

Market Day in Vallence D'Agen near Auvillar France.

This market takes over several streets on Tuesdays.

I bought a buttery brioche and a Lion's Heart Tomato for our lunch.

Served with a chilled rose...

tomatoes on bread with a sprinkling of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

Simple fresh country food but oh so tasty!

Can you just imagine how delicious this lunch tastes?

My friends John and Cheryl introduced me to the quaint Village of Saint Cirq-Lapopie.

It's an enchanting place.

Looks like time has stopped still in this pretty little Village.

Omelet with salad and gratin potatoes...

Looking back at the Village as we drove away...

we climbed up to that look out and the views were amazing.

Dinner out at Auberge close to Auvillar in the neighbouring Village of Bardique.

Foie Gras with toast points and relish garnished with apple pom poms.

Lamb which has been slow roasted for 11 hours

served with root vegetables.

Bon Appetit!

Dinner out at Le Petit Palais in Auvillar

Duck served with a side of orange sauce, pommes frites and a wee salad...

this was so incredible.

(BTW The only frites I ate in France.)

Cheers...from Auvillar.

My first Cassis Cocktail

Violet Cassis from Toulouse mixed with white wine.

Hope you enjoyed this food related post...

I'm off for a walk now as I have more than a few pounds to shed!