Roses on repeat...

I am finding it a challenge to write my blog during Covid.
There's not a lot of excitement here in The Humble Bungalow.

We are maintaining our small bubble of people to stay safe and not entertaining much...we have our closest couple over for social distancing happy hours in the garden but that is about it. We have not been "out" for a meal but have done take out about 4 times since early March.

I managed to get an appointment with my hairdresser...
the first one since mid December!

It feels so much better!

Voyage d' Hermes Arlesienne by L'Occitane and Figue Amour by Bastide.

I've been wearing perfume every day and pearls most days 

even if I am wearing jeans and a simple Tee shirt.

These "little things" help to keep me focused on the "positive."

Dressing up occasionally 

but mostly wearing casual walking and gardening attire.

I've tried harder to keep my FitBit steps up.

My weight is up 7 pounds.

 My doctor reduced my daily Thyroid medication last Fall.

He said that I would really have to amp up my activity 

and/or 

drastically cut calories...to avoid gaining weight!

I am not happy about the number on the scale

but I will not perserverate on it right now...

I need comfort and less stress during the pandemic.

As we are constantly bombarded with grim news I turn off the TV and radio...

self preservation is a must.

I turn to the garden...

so inspired by the beauty of our glorious roses.

Graham Thomas

Claire Austin

Constance Spry

Jude the Obscure

Paul's Lemon Pillar

Taking Tea 

a daily ritual ~ so soothing.

Have you read this wonderful publication by Sharon Santoni and her team?

My French Country Home magazine is filled with beautiful homes, gardens, recipes from France. You can use this link to the website.

I also enjoy the subscription boxes

they are such a luxury.

Go here to order the August box.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Pops of Colour

Clematis Jackmanii

In a deep blue and purple when the blooms are new.

They fade a wee bit in the sunshine.

Lucky Brand silk scarf

in shades of mauve orange and red.

I wear this with my denim jacket and dress.

A lovely fresh rose fragrance from L'Occitane of Provence.

Arlesienne

Fig scented Lip exfoliating cream and a new lipstick.

Vibrant red summer colour.

Red Russell Lupines

The bees love this flower!

May is a very colourful month in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I've been hand watering almost everyday due to the light rainfall that we have had this month.

Its so relaxing standing outside in the sunshine with the hose and nozzle spraying much needed moisture to the thirsty plants.

The hummingbirds and butterflies like to fly into the fine mists of water.

It's almost like they are saying thank you to me for providing them with water!

The geraniums on the front porch continue to put on a beautiful display.

I like geraniums as they are stalwarts in the potted plant arena!

Quite inexpensive and repeat bloom all summer long.

I opt for plants in a bold shade of red and some pure white ones.

The red ones in the planter on the railing

with some white ones in pots on the tables by the front door.

The white lavender is a new plant.

The bees are drawn to this one in droves.

I finished reading Educated, a memoir, by Tara Westover.

It was a difficult book to get through...

some parts were very graphic and utterly terrifying

her story is truly amazing.

I think I will read something much lighter next!

We've got a long weekend coming up as it is Victoria Day on Monday.

 I hope to get out weeding in the garden, do some cooking and entertaining.

What plans do you have for the weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Changing things up while stretching the budget...

I have been a wee bit naughty...spending money!

But I need to explain that I deliberated long and hard about this most recent splurge...it was not an impulse buy.

Autumn blooms in The Humble Bungalow Garden

White hydrangeas wearing their fall colours.

I have been a fan of L'Occitane for many years.

Soaps, lotions, scents...

Their Immortelle Divine Anti-Aging Collection is wonderful.

I've used many jars over the years...

The sales clerk gave me a few samples of the newer line 

"Cream Harmony Divine"

 to try and I was amazed at the difference in just a few weeks.

I started with the Immortelle overnight reset oil in serum...

my skin looks more evenly toned

and it has a healthy glow.

So I have just "invested" in the Divine Harmony Serum and the Cream.

(both products are refillable)

There are patents pending on both these products.

15 years of research has gone into the development of these products.

The two key ingredients are 

the Immortelle Millesimee flower and Jania Rubens, a red sea algae. 

Both are harvested from the island and seas around Corsica.

I share this information 

as I feel that a glowing healthy complexion is important.

In my opinion

it is worth working diligently 

to help keep us feeling good about ourselves as we age.

Heavy make up is not the way to achieve a "youthful look"

especially when we are over 60...

less make up 

applied with a lighter hand is much more flattering.

With a focus on what works and what doesn't work

ways that we can improve the look of our skin.

Starts with 

finding a skincare regime that delivers results 

drinking lots of water to keep us hydrated

maintaining healthy eating habits

and 

getting some fresh air and exercise daily.

I am not an expert nor have I received any remuneration for my post...

the opinions stated here are all mine!

They are simply "Hostess Approved!"

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

Have you been busy?

I took myself out for a quiet bite of lunch and a pot of Earl Grey tea

then I met a friend for a chat 

before we met up for our monthly knitting group.

My days have been particularly busy and seem to be for the forseeable future.

Life does seem to get busier the closer we get to Christmas!

Not too sure if I will be able to post regularly with my calendar so full

but I will try!

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday snippets.. from my wicker chair on the front porch.

Come and sit for a bit on The Humble Bungalow front porch and relax...

I washed the front porch yesterday and took some things away.

There is a tendency to put too many things on the porch creating chaos

making relaxation next to impossible!

The magnolia is in bloom

out of these fuzzy pods 

pure white flowers emerge

They are so elegant...

Coco Chanel loved her camellias

well I love Magnolias!

We have several magnolias growing in the back garden 

 they are a different varieties.

One of the items that I moved was this old tool box

and when I spied these cheery daffodils at the garden centre later in the day I knew exactly where I would place them!

A pop of yellow...

I'd forgotten how much my skin loves this pot of Divine cream by L'Occitane.

So much moisture is delivered by using a small amount.

I've ordered the full size jar and have a bonus Divine Youth oil coming with it...

 a 2 day Easter special 

 as they say "timing is everything"

 so with a click of the button it was done.

 I know that "Youth Oil" is not going to turn back time 

but if it helps my skin glow and look hydrated I am content.

Dinner last night was a one pan classic...

prime rib roast with veggies roasted right beside it.

No gravy but big flavours.

I am reading this book right now which is really very entertaining...

these Mitford Sisters are truly iconic women.

Looking back in history when England was at war

 it describes how these six sisters played various roles in society

each unique with their contributions

one more famous than the others.

The fascinating Deborah, 

The Duchess of Devonshire,

whose book I read a few years ago.

Thank you for stopping by...

I must sign off for now and get cracking on my walk.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Home keeping...and then some pampering.

Some days it feels like I spend most of my time home keeping.
Cooking, tidying, cleaning, doing laundry, ironing, grocery shopping...

I like the results of a little elbow grease and everything looks so much better.
The Humble Bungalow is actually a nicer place to relax when the mess is less!

I have entire days where I get out and about to walk, play bridge and go out to meet friends for tea! Playing catch up can take its toll but if I put on some music and wear my fitness clothes (with a few pearls) and my trusty French Linen apron I find that I have way more energy to tackle the jobs that need attention.

Today I tended to my orchids...
I watered them, removed the wilted flowers and cut away some of the brown stems then tied up the new shoots to the stakes in the pots.

I wiped down the counter tops and cleaned out the fridge.

Polished the silver and cleaned out a few cupboards and drawers.

Did some laundry and ironing...

love the look of my linen tea towels all pressed and ready for service.

My hands got a little special treatment...

before putting on my cleaning gloves 

I applied a layer of this wonderful hand cream,

  moving about doing chores added extra warmth inside the gloves.

The cream worked its magic and it felt like a Spa Treatment!

With the fridge cleaned out the few bits of leftovers were turned into soup.

~ Leftover Soup ~

Cook and soften in a few tablespoons of oil

 a couple of onions

a diced carrot

2 -3 stalks of celery 

1 cubed pepper (I used a yellow one)

5 sliced mushrooms

cooked about 15 minutes then added

a piece of cooked steak (about 5 ounces) cut into small pieces

tetra pack of stock (beef or vegetable)

leftover broccoli

salt, pepper, thyme (to taste)

Simmer for a few hours so the flavour really blooms

add

a handful of dried noodles

cook until soft and serve or cool and freeze for a later date.

While the soup was simmering I took a wee break and gave myself a facial.

The aesthetician at the Spa mentioned that this was her favourite formula for her clients that have rosacea so I figured it was worth a try...

you mix the mask with a wee bit of water and leave it on 5-10 minutes

(while lying down with eyes closed relaxing and breathing deeply)

 then gently wipe it off with a warm face cloth.

I loved how soft and clean my skin felt after this mask.

I used the Eminence Coconut Age Defying cream after and did not put any make up on for the rest of the day.

except for

~ Mascara and lip gloss ~ 

My home day spent productively actioning domestics and focusing on my skin...

~ life feels better with a wee bit of pampering ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday ~ Pictures and a few Words

5am ~ the mournful droning of a freighter's fog horn in the nearby Strait wakes me.
I toss and turn
the cat stirs
licks my face...

I am wide awake!

5:30 ~ Sleep eludes me so I tip toe out of our bedroom
close the door
go into the kitchen and make an espresso.

the jolt of caffeine is welcome

Am I too groggy to compose a post this early?

Oh but then I remember it is Wordless Wednesday 

maybe all I need to do is find a few images

post them pronto.

the sparkly Christmas bauble 

left lying in a tangle of twiggy branches

forgotten

the pretty fuchsia blooms

clinging on for dear life 

in the winter chills of January on The Avenue

the novel that has threatened to shut down the domestic team of one

in The Humble Bungalow

L'Occitane Shea Butter

Hostess endorsed "star" performer

keeping my skin supple

(here's the silver star ~ my good housekeeping icon of approval)

Aveda helps keep my curls clean and soft...

I had my hair cut last Saturday.

It was driving me crazy.

Too long and limp and the weight pulled the hair down

so a few layers were added to allow the curls to spring back to life!

My hairdresser gave me some samples of Bumble and Bumble 

their newest products for curly hair.

I am excited about the new Primer...

it helps define the curl and refreshes curls without having to shampoo the next day.

(My hairdresser recommends shampooing every other day.)

On the same topic 

~ Advice from the experts ~

I booked an appointment for a Jane Iredale natural make up session at the Spa.

I am keen to see what products and colours they recommend for my skin tone.

Since I opt for the no make up look, it will be interesting to see the results.

Coffee consumed

cats fed

still dark outside

post finished

ready to publish

~ 7:00am ~

Good Morning from The Hostess of The Humble Bungalow!

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 ~