Cooking and Shopping...an antidote to cabin fever.

With the windstorms and the rain I have spent a lot of time in the house...
I am not walking as much due to flying twigs and snapping tree limbs
plus my walking partner has been pre-occupied with ailing family members.

What have I got to complain about?
in a nut shell, nothing!

I am just feeling a tad bit grumpy...and I want to shake this unsettling feeling asap.

Maybe I have "cabin fever,"
I am not sure...
that is what my Grandmother called it when she stayed in for a long time...

We actually chatted about this on the phone when she was alive...
I was home with toddlers...she with arthritis and a dodgy hip.

When your cat stares at you for a long time...

you wonder what he is thinking.

I am not one that has truly befriended idleness 

so I tie on my apron and get busy.

Cooking and cleaning are so therapeutic...

Store made BBQ chicken and salads were an easy peasy Saturday night dinner.

(after the neighbour's Cookie open house)

The next day it was transformed into a Chicken Pot Pie.

 It was not a Weight Watchers friendly supper...

BUT 

it tasted darn good.

I lapsed 

and did some online shopping at L'Occitane.

I rarely do this but Mr. HB was watching hockey!

I got a gift card and some small hand lotions as a bonus for shopping the site

plus there was free shipping...

In the frenzy of activity and between storms I popped over to the club.

Where there is a quiet spot to sit for a cup of tea

before

Mah Jong, Bridge lessons and games.

Eggplants were on sale at the market...

I have always been fascinated with them and I prefer to call them Aubergines.

I have no clue what to do with them so I posted on Facebook asking my "friends" what recipes that they might share with me.

One particular friend suggested I try Eggplant Parmigiana.

So I did a Google search

and then Martha Stewart's recipe popped up!

I served this to my Mother and Sister as a side dish for dinner.

Delivered some at lunch time for our amazing DIL 

and 3 gorgeous children to sample.

Took time out to take tea.

I feel infinitely better when I sit and have a cup or two.

Not so crazed after quiet time...feel like a new woman.

ready to take on new challenges and boldly go....

Just saying that this is my kind of Fur! (FIR)

I am hoping to get out for a long walk later this week but in the meantime I am keeping busy.

Hope that you are having a great week!

Mid~week greetings....Hearts and Hands.

Have you ever observed cats at play?
Ours love it when we have a cardboard box in the house.
It's exponentially better when it's open on the floor!

Chester is inside the box and Pepper is about to jump on top of him.

They have been in and out of this box all day.

The box will stay out for awhile to allow them to enjoy themselves.

We purchased a small carpet cleaner...

it's good for pet stains and we plan to use it on our boat carpet.

It's a small machine but it seems to do a good job.

It removed a few spots on the rugs in no time flat.

I am not easily impressed ~ but this tool is a great one.

Never having owned a carpet cleaner before now I can appreciate why people buy them.

Henry's little hands are so adorable.

Soft ~ kissable.

What a sweet boy he is...

Isla gave me some glitter hearts...she loves to share.

Little girls love sparkles...

(big girls too!)

My hands are over 60 years old and have seen a lot of use.

(they need constant attention)

Hand lotion is essential.

Shea Butter seems to do a great job and is not greasy.

I am a fan of L'Occitane hand lotions.

I've heard that coconut oil is wonderful.

Have you tried it?

Hands are always busy doing things...

I do not think they are ever idle.

Except when we sleep...

They might rest a bit when they hold a cup of tea.

 Gardening, baking, cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, making beds, ironing, knitting, turning pages in books and magazines, hugging grand children, colouring, stacking blocks, painting.

Ah yes painting...

I continue to be in a dry spell.

I read Louise Penny's novel The Long Way Home and loved it!

I read it in two sittings.

The story focuses on a painter and Louise has many wise and insightful observations about what artists need to paint.

A Muse is important...

(mine are roses)

They also must feel intense emotion...one that spurs them on to create.

She refers to it as "a lump in the throat."

This lumps precedes most creative endeavours...

If you love a mystery and have not read Louise Penny's books you are in for a treat!

Start with her first and work your way up to her latest...

The Nature of the Beast 

which was released a couple of weeks ago.

I woke up the other morning to a cool and grey day.

It felt like rain.

 My apron beckoned...

Made some retro cheese scones.

 With cooler Fall weather in the offing I am looking forward to getting back into making soups.

I think these scones would pair really well with a hearty tomato soup.

Retro Cheese Scones

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

4 Tbsp. butter

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

2/3 c. milk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1Tbsp. sugar

Combine all the dry ingredients.

Cut in the butter.

Add wet ingredients and stir until all flour is moistened.

Knead on floured board.

Pat into a 9 inch circle, cut into wedges.

Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes.

(Check after 12 minutes to make sure they do not brown up too much)

Yummy Soups.

They're like a warm hug.

A soup pot simmering on the stove makes me feel all cozy and warm.

They are a great offering for friends and family.

Nutritious and delicious...there's a tasty recipe out there for everyone.

Do you have a favourite soup recipe?

I made a killer pasta dish last night and will share it with you soon.

Stay tuned...

The Great Cover Up...

Today I'm sharing some things I have learned...and think are worth sharing...
skincare maintenance is way up on my list of personal priorities.
I want to put my "best face forward."
Mother told me early on when I was in my teens..."make the best of what you've been given."

Establishing a daily routine of cleansing, moisturizing and never going to bed with make up on should go a long way to help your skin look and feel great. 

I learned this lesson in charm school at The Hudson's Bay when I was 13 years old. Our instructor Irene Warren, took it very seriously and passed on her knowledge to a room full of impressionable young women.

(we also learned how to walk, sit properly, and get in and out of a car wearing a mini skirt!)

It felt like we were "ladies-in-training" ....my BFF and I went for several sessions and we did have fun!

Establishing a daily routine of cleansing, moisturizing and never going to bed with make up on should go a long way to help your skin look and feel great.
Gentle weekly exfoliation and the occasional facial mask will help keep your skin look healthy.
(don't forget to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water...nature's moisturizer)
Keep it simple...
it's my mantra, keep it simple.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you may remember that I have a skin condition called rosacea...
facial flushing with red patches on the cheeks indicate a flare up.
Many factors can affect the skin and cause a reaction.

I avoid the sun whenever possible by wearing sunglasses and a hat.
Rosacea can affect the eyes and they become quite irritated and bloodshot.

Red wine and spicy foods may also exacerbate the skin..
products with harsh chemicals like alcohol are too strong.
I use gentle products from the Avene line and wear sunscreen everyday.

Let me introduce you to a fabulous mineral make up by La Bella Donna which offers great coverage.
I've been using this daily and it has an SPF of 20, it offers great coverage without looking too powdery.
I use the shade Crema as I am quite fair...it comes in a variety of shades so you should find one that suits your colouring.

You don't need a lot of powder as it blends effortlessly and it can be layered on several times if you need extra coverage. You will need to invest in a good quality brush and wash the brush every so often to keep it clean.

I love this pur mineral eye make up.

It goes on smoothly and stays on from morning until I take it off at night.

This shade is Lavender Mourite.

I use an eyelash curler and Maybelline mascara and if I go out in the evening I'll line my eyes with kohl.

Lipstick for daytime is a quick sweep with Revlon's Lip Butter in Pink Truffle 

and for evening Red Velvet.

L'Occitane's Almond Milk is a light emollient body lotion.

Soft scent and super moisturizing after my morning shower.

I love to wear scent and wear a slightly musky fragrance in the winter...

Mitsouko.

In the spring and summer I wear Voyage d' Hermes.

Speaking of Spring...

"Springtime in Paris"

three little words.

Wishing, Hoping, Dreaming...

Spring feels like it is just around the corner...

Are you loyal to a product?

Care to share or rave about it's performance?

Do you have any skincare tips to share?

I'm off to meet with the travel agent tomorrow...

!!!!!

Rosacea...a post in repsonse to a reader's question.

Please forgive me as I have been remiss in not posting a timely response from a reader.
Her question asked me to discuss in a blog post how I manage my rosacea.
Other than the crucial habits of eating healthy food, drinking lots of Perrier, avoiding red wine, reducing stress I rely on a line of gentle products by Avene that are specifically created for sensitive skin.

My skincare regime is simple.

Morning and evening cleansing with a foaming cleanser

 sunscreen

moisturizer

followed by a moisturizing tinted cream

(my mature skin is dry and the extra moisture is absorbed like a sponge!)

In the evening I remove all my make up spritz with thermal water and gently pat on serum.

Weekly or bi-weekly I'll have a spa morning treatment.

I use Bio-Gommage an exfoliating product by Methode Physiodermie

and then slather on L'Occitane Divine Cream and go about my domestics.

My favourite sunscreen by La Roche Posay

 Sea Buckthorn Salve which I use if I have a flare up of redness.

I use this at night as it is rather greasy and not suitable for wearing under tinted moisturizer or make up.

I am not a dermatologist and would never suggest that I am an expert on rosacea so if you do have this condition I would strongly advise you to seek medical attention.

I saw a specialist years ago and have learned that my skin reacts to strong chemicals in skin care products so I avoid using them on my face.

Changing my diet made a big difference in how my skin looks.

When I worked I would have a facial every few months at The Willowstream Spa in the Victoria Fairmont Empress and they customize a facial after consulting with you about your skin.

I loved how my skin felt after having a spa facial.

 Now that I am on a pension, and saving for my trip to Paris I do my own facials...

My favourite tinted moisturizing cream by Sweet Lei Lani

created by a woman in Langley BC

for a friend who was undergoing chemotherapy 

and still wanted to look lovely during her treatment.

It is gentle and light and adds a dewy finish and comes in a variety of colours.

In addition to these skincare thoughts...

 I try to get lots of fresh air by walking outdoors by the ocean everyday.

Rest and relaxation is vital, as is sleep.

It is high on my list of healthy priorities but can often be a challenge at my age

it seems to be broken up

 not as long

and as a result is not as restful as I would like.

If I have a restless night I will try to take a longer walk.

The sights and sounds out and about in nature are so soothing.

So with those thoughts in mind I am off for my walk and will be back soon.

Enjoy your week!

Hostess

Spring ~ Skincare, habits and tackling "the list."

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and well wishes during my recent bout of flu.
I am so glad that I am over it....and the weird thing, is that I had a flu shot earlier this year.

If you had told me that having a week "off" with nothing much to do but lay in bed would be "productive" I would have shrugged and shaken my head. I am not accustomed to lying around and find it quite a challenge.
Drowsy from cough and cold medication I managed to leaf through many magazines reading articles on everything from lingerie, lotions, sunscreen and shoes. My husband was willing to pop over to the market at my request and buy food, boxes of Kleenex and fashion magazines. Thank you Honey!
I discovered, as many of you already know, is that sunscreen is the most important anti aging product on the market. I have never found a sunscreen that worked well under my foundation and the brands that I tried were thick and often left a white residue...until now.

This formula is light and blends easily so there is no excuse not to use it every day.

Good 'cuz anti aging skin care is now up there on my radar.

I read that the second most important ant aging product is Retinol...

it has been scientifically proven to minimize wrinkles.

I thought that Retinol was too harsh for my skin until I read the latest Allure magazine.

ROC make a Retinol cream for night 

(which apparently is the best time to use it)

the ROC formulation has some "buffers" which make it gentle to use on the skin.

I am following the directions and using it every other night for 2 weeks to make sure my skin will not over react.

This is the extent of my invasive skin care action...no fillers, or Botox for the Hostess.

(I have had some IPL treatments for my rosacea in the past but they are expensive.)

I plan to book a microdermabrasion treatment in the next couple of weeks..

Moisturizer and hydration are both very important and I have always focused on these habits.

Drinking lots of water and using an emollient cream or serum to plump up the skin just seems like common sense.

I've just received L'Occitane's Divine Cream in the post, just in time as I am scraping the jar to get the last bit out!

I had lots of time to mull over focusing on a healthier regime.

There is always room to tweak one's diet, amp up weekly activity and add a new proven skin care product.

Eating. walking and skincare all things that I try to be mindful of and embrace.

The downside of being out of commission is that my stamina for walking the 5 K and 10 K routes have been reduced and so my pace is much slower and I am much more aware of fatigue.

Fortunately my walking partner is understanding so we are working up to my former speed.

So that's about it on the health front...

I like lists and use them regularly...

what I really love is crossing off the things as I complete them.

Not bad work!

Our mushroom coloured coverlet looks so shabby it's actually embarrassing.

How can things like this hover just under the radar without getting noticed?

 I zipped off to the newly opened Marshalls and found a suitable replacement.

The white towels were purchased online from Lands End at 30% off and will be arriving shortly.

The new shower curtains are installed and the old ones were bleached and will be ready when it is time to launder the new ones.

The Gap denim jacket should be here any day now and I need to spend a few moments on the phone with my day book so I can book those appointments.

The de-cluttering has started and I took a bag of things to Good Things Consignment in Oak Bay.

Stuff that just collects dust and offers no Joy is on it's way out of The Humble Bungalow!

I've declared war on dust.

Makes it easier to keep on top of the house work with fewer knick knacks.

Mr. HB likes it better this way too.

Re-arranging is a Spring time activity...

Our Pacific Northwest First Nations Baskets were moved about.

I've washed a few of the windows and am working in one room at a time.

But not trying to overdo things ~ I am pacing myself.

Going through my book shelf looking for titles to donate.

If I don't plan to re-read a book it needs to go to a new home.

I'm excited just thinking about how good it is going to feel to have reduced the clutter in The Humble Bungalow.

What Spring things are you doing in your home?

Are you doing a major clean or a total purge?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

Hostess

XO

Memories and thoughts on skincare products....

This no name straw bag hopped into my cart.

I cannot say what possessed me to buy it as I have been looking at the Kate Spade bags recently.

Isla might like playing with it when she gets over her pneumonia.

I have fond memories of my Grandmother's handbags...

she would patiently watch as I emptied out each item slowly and carefully.

She never carried a designer handbag as she was a woman living on a very modest income.

He purses were leather and when the metal clasps closed they made a loud snapping sound.

I loved that clack and would open and close her bag repeatedly.

I can imagine that it might get tedious listening to that racket but she would simply smile as she watched me.

I remember a few things that she carried in her bag...

 Kleenex, big white peppermints, a mirrored compact with powder for her nose,

her lipstick which was a dark shade of red...

(I used to get red lip marks on my cheeks after she kissed me!)

She had a small leather coin purse with an equally wonderful snapping closure inside with her change.

I know that she had some house keys but other than that I cannot think of anything else.

Those were the days before credit cards and loyalty cards...

she was an avid reader so there must have been a library card somewhere in her bag

and perhaps a bank book.

I bought this top as it fits in with all my black and greys...

will even look good with my white jeans.

I like the mid section panels as they help to camouflage a few of those wobbly bits.

I might wear this with my black skirt when we take our lovely daughter and her significant other out for dinner next week.

I am thinking of wearing my cowboy booties with some fishnets.

Giddy Up!

I bought some new hose and they are rather a departure from my usual gear.

                                    I hope they do what they say they will or I'll be in trouble!

I'm staying close to home and keeping rested and hydrated as my throat is sore and I think I am getting a cold.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that I am not getting that nasty bug that turns into pneumonia.

Popping zinc and echinacea lozenges and drinking Perrier, green and black teas.

I could be napping like Pepper.

Or dozing like Chester...

I am absorbed in the latest issue and all the opulent lotions and potions that Holt Renfrew is selling.

La Mer lifting and firming mask which I have never tried is a hefty $260.

La Mer cream is touted as one of the best...but I would not know.

Have you tried it?

Chantecaille La Creme a la Rose is an intense moisturizer,

a radiance boosting moisturizer infused with one of the world's rarest roses from Grasse France...

it's $250 for 50 ml.

A bit steep for my budget.

One product that has me curious is Aerin's rose balm.

It is crafted with an extract of more than 350 rose petals and great for lips and cuticles plus it can be used as a radiant highlighter.

It sells for $64.

I do love roses!

The jar of L'Occitane Divine Cream in the bathroom cabinet is almost empty and I need to restock.

It has been a reliable cream and I love it.

But every now and then I wonder if I should try something new.

I placed my online order as I think it delivers on it's promises.

It hydrates and sinks into the skin and disappears under my make up.

One wonders how many of us succumb to the power of advertising...

having a soft fresh dewy complexion has always been my goal.

It's where I spend money...thrift shop for most of my clothing but splurge on skincare!

With age comes lines and wrinkles and I am not overly concerned about them.

I do want to nourish and maintain hydration as my skin tends to be dry.

I'm just a wee bit curious...

what products do you use and are you faithful to them or do you dabble in other lines?

Do you spend a lot or try to use budget friendly products?

Grandmother used Noxema for years.

 I still remember that scent when I would snuggle up in her arms.

She was a no nonsense kind of gal.

She had a great influence on my life and I think she helped to shape me into the woman that I have become.

 I miss her and I think of her often.

Hope that this post finds you well and in good spirits.

Take care.

Hostess

Indulging...OOTD

Almond Joy!
I'd like to think of this as a WW point friendly way to enjoy almonds.

I love the scent of almond as well as the taste.
Having a weakness for the nut I try to keep my almond eating habit in check...

Enjoying the scent is one way to satisfy the craving...

L'Occitane makes a great almond products and the jar of almond milk concentrate is a Humble Bungalow staple.

The shower gel is heavenly and they have just launched a body oil which I recently purchased.

The wee package of travel sized almond products were added to my order for a fraction of the cost,

an indulgence if you will.

"Orange is the New Black"

 was hot a few seasons ago...

then Panetone Green was on center stage and now it's Radiant Orchid!

Have you seen designer and blogger Tamera Beardsley in her radiant orchid kimono?

 She is featured in the fashion section of this month's Skimbaco Lifestyle magazine!

I discovered Skimbaco Lifestyle magazine when Adrienne Shubin started writing for them...

you might know her from her blog The Rich Life on a Budget.

These gals are having so much fun with fashion that I was energized by their enthusiasm...

Dressing in colour has never been so exciting!

A soft infinity scarf with a smattering of radiant orchid...

a birthday gift from my BFF.

I wore this scarf with a black tunic top with black leggings and black ballet flats.

The colour made the entire outfit pop!

I chose Revlon 070 Cherry Tart to wear with the scarf...the richer colour looked better than 001 pink truffle

 which I thought was a wee bit pale.

I wear these rich shea butter glosses often and alternate it with the Chanel Orchidee.

I do love a great stripe as patterns never feel like they suit me.

I have tried and tried but they always hang in my closet sad and lonely...

scarves are my go to accessory for pattern.

Colour won't take center stage in the same way black does in my basic wardrobe

but it will pop up this summer on the boat paired with my white jeans.

I may look for a fun orange coral necklace to wear with this shirt.

I plan to use this as a"jacket" layering it over a plain white tank top.

Ralph Lauren shirt

It has a nautical edge so it will be a fun summer boat basic.

The 3/4 sleeve length won't get tangled up in the ropes...

I found my first pair of what I might call high end or luxury jeans.

Seven For All Mankind slim fit boot cut Kaylie's.

When I tried them on I wondered what exactly makes a luxury jean worth the money.

I'd have to say it is in the fit and the details.

The weight of the denim feels good and it has more body that the less expensive jeans that I regularly wear.

The shape seems to stay true after several wearings so I am not tempted to wash them as often.

Jeans play an important part of my wardrobe and since retiring I wear them much more often than dress pants.

I currently own two pairs of black ponte knit dress pants and now I have 4 pairs of jeans!

So where do you stand on luxury goods?

What would you indulge in if money were no object?

Are you on Pinterest?

I'm finding it is a bit like eating almonds...

 once I start I cannot stop!

Until next time,

Be Well and Be Kind.