The omelette that reminds me of Paris....

In 2015,
I travelled to Paris as a gift to myself in the year that I turned 60...
(with the encouragement and support of my beloved husband!)
For many decades I had a dream about visiting Paris and I had always had other commitments...bills, a mortgage and a job.

I retired and started to save in earnest...
I decluttered my closet and cashed in at the consignment shop.
Sold some knick knacks and saved my pennies.

If wishes were horses then beggars would ride!

It happened...my dream came true!

The sights and sounds were more than I could ever have imagined...
the cobble stoned streets, the shops, the churches, the cafes, the galleries, the fashions...the food!

It really took my breath away...
I felt more "in the moment" and alive than I could ever have imagined.

I smiled all the time!!
I fell under the spell of Paris, and wandered through the streets for hours and hours with an intense energy that I never knew that I had...it was BLISS!

Recreating and resurrecting feelings and the memories that I enjoyed when I was in Paris are easily captured in the flavour department.

Wine, teas, fragrances and food.

a simple omelette and salad 

savoured in a street side cafe, a famous Paris museum or here at the cottage

so simple

Follow along with me:

heat a non stick pan with a dollop of butter on medium heat

let it gently melt

 whisk a few eggs in a bowl

when the butter is melted 

gently add the eggs

turn and swirl them in the pan

when they start to firm up a bit

top with some grated cheese

let the cheese sink in and meld

add a tablespoon of capers 

(salt and pepper to taste)

swirl a wee bit more and gently 

using a wide spatula loosen the edges

when you have the edges loose

roll one side of the omelette over 

and make a neat little bundle

add a fresh salad 

(a glass of wine!)

ENJOY!

Ah! Paris

Sweep me away...

in my dreams!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

April Snippets

April seems to be flying by faster than last month...
odd how some months feel like they are long and others short.

I suppose it's how busy we are and how much we pack into each day.

I've been focusing on healthy eating and walking these past few weeks
in my attempt to shed some of the winter weight gained during the cold winter months.

This lane is tucked away off the beaten track in Oak Bay

we saw sunny yellow forsythia and Kerria Japonica 

bright bold red rhododendrons, 

various varieties of tulips and daffodils.

By this sign we spied evidence of the hollyhocks yet to bloom

we will come back along this way again as check on their progress.

I love hollyhocks but for some reason they do not grow well in our garden despite my best efforts,

The Iphone has a health app that helps me track my steps and distance walked.

Here is the readout for today...

A friend and I walked in Oak Bay today

around the waterfront and up into Uplands Park.

The native wild lilies are blooming.

The shooting stars are such a vibrant shade and look amazing en masse.

A camellia bloom was purposely placed on a green dumpster waiting for the company to come by and empty it!

I had to stop and capture this image...there is so much unexpected beauty out there is we just take the time to stop and look.

We rewarded ourselves at the end of our walk...

a cuppa with a view at The Oak Bay Marina.

The Karl Lagerfeld graphic tee...

I wore it in honour of Notre Dame.

The devastating fires yesterday at the iconic cathedral in Paris

have shocked and saddened so many

myself included.

It sounds like they plan to rebuild it.

They have raised millions already with more donations yet to come.

Taken in 2015 when I was last in Paris.

It's time that I prepare dinner so I must close for now...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Dreams and Women...

Have you travelled to France?

If not, are you dreaming of a trip?

Can you visualize yourself walking along the Seine,
or sitting outside a cafe sipping a cafe creme?

Wandering along the cobblestones streets...
lighting a candle in a church
perusing the shops.

Travelling was personal dream of mine for years.

I read numerous books on Paris and France...
they whet my appetite and I thought it may be possible
"where there is a will there is a way"
so I took French language classes,
saved money
then the year I turned 60 I went...
It was the trip of a lifetime.

Keeping the feeling of France alive...
I continue reading books set in France,
saving money and am dreaming again of French countryside and Paris.

Today on International Women's Day...we honour women.

Sharon Santoni is a great example of an industrious, creative, and energetic woman.
Sharon continues to reinvent and challenge herself,
she is an inspiration for those of us who have yet to fulfill all their dreams.

My Stylish French Box was created by Sharon...
You may be familiar with her beautiful books or the lovely blog she writes
about her life in the countryside surrounding her gorgeous home in Normandy.

Recently she also launched her online magazine...

The February box theme was The Parisian woman...

The velvet pouchette features a photo taken in Paris by Sharon.

The beret is made of soft thick wool...

the red lip gloss is ultra moisturizing and perfect for everyday wear.

I love the wee pop of red atop the beret.

Some quotes to ponder and inspire on International Women's Day. 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

        "The education and empowerment of women throughout the world 
                      cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, 
                                    just and peaceful life for all."    

                                             ~ Aung San Suu Kyi ~

              "There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish."

                                              ~ Michelle Obama ~

"I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and                 confidently themselves, who bring light into the world."

                                                  ~ Meryl Streep ~

             “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” 
                                         ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tea from Paris....and a new book which sounds so exciting!

Red flowering currant in our neighbours garden...

the hummingbirds love it!

Versailles Rose Tea

with

rose petals, grapefruit and sunflowers

The label is in French but I can provide you with a "rough" translation...

It is with a lot of love that I made this tea

the passion to do what I love 

and the love of a woman 

who is still waiting...

I am happy.

English Royal Chelsea cup and saucer

probably my favourite of the bunch.

A new mystery written by Jessica Fellowes...

she wrote all the companion books to the Downton Abbey series.

She is also the niece of Lord Julian Fellowes who wrote the Downton Abbey series.

I just finished reading Six, the book about the Mitford sisters

 and lo and behold this new book pops up on the shelf at the book sellers...

I grabbed the last copy!

 Also a new "can" to help me keep all the container plants well watered.

I like to have one on the front porch and one in the back so that I don't need to lug a heavy can throughout the garden and strain my back or arms.

My frozen shoulder has been slowly improving...

I am optimistic that it is in the thawing stage.

Tea time is over 

the flowers are in bloom and I am embracing the possibility of change.

Perhaps a trip?

Or maybe a new class or a course?

Feeling like I need to kick things up a notch...

What plans are you making?

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

The French omelet...

When I ate lunch in Paris 

in 2015

I chose either omelets or salads.

Before that visit I had never made a decent omelet...

I made scrambled eggs and added things like cheese or herbs

the reason being

I was quite intimidated by the flipping of the egg mixture.

I am using David's recipe which is a basic one...

adding a few bacon bits, mushrooms, cheese and sliced fresh basil.

Here is the link to another one of David's omelets.

The "secret" to making an omelet is to use the freshest eggs

and 

an omelet or a crepe pan!

I purchased this one when I returned from France several years ago and have been able to make omelets ever since!

My friend H turned me onto this tasty curried ketchup

which we found in a deli in Duncan on a recent "road trip."

Omelets are healthy, tasty and low in WW points.

Protein at every meal helps to keep me feeling satisfied.

In between meals I will snack on fresh fruit if I do feel a wee bit peckish.

I am still working at getting back to my WW goal weight.

Eating healthy, 

watching portion sizes, 

walking daily

 are all

lifelong habits.

I've started swimming once a week at the recreation centre

which is helping increase the range of motion 

with my "almost frozen" left shoulder.

The right one froze 2 years ago and it lasted a year.

Massage therapy is helping manage the pain for the most part,

anti inflammatory pills and topical Voltaren round out the rest of the treatment for now...

I really cannot complain too much as I have friends who are currently going through much more serious health issues.

How is your week going?

Do you have a favourite healthy meal or snack?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

French themed goodies starting with My Stylish French Box...

Paris and the quaint villages of southern France have a powerful hold on me...
I have so many fabulous memories from my trip.

When life gets rocky I try to be proactive and balance the stress with some self care "tools" that I have practised over the years...
one of which is to reflect on better days,
focusing on the sweet snippets and highlights from happier days.

My travel photos instantly transport me back to those idyllic weeks in France.
Blogs also help to keep me connected...

Sharon Santoni's lovely blog French Country Home  has been one of my favourites for many years. When Sharon announced that she was writing a book I ordered mine before it had been printed...
Recently I learned that she was offering a box of carefully curated French items and I ordered my subscription as soon as I heard that she would deliver to Canada.

My Stylish French Box arrived this week and it was the highlight of my day.
The packaging is exquisite and each item is carefully wrapped...

I carefully and slowly unwrapped each item...and kept saying to my husband how excited I felt...

everything is so beautiful.

satin ribbon bow

tissue

hand printed tags

I love the extra touches that Sharon has put into the presentation of the box.

Fragonard soaps

(I went to the Fragonard museum when I was in Paris.)

a lovely hand made porcelain cup

which Mr. HB suggested that I could use for my morning espresso

Cire Trudon candle

There were other delightful treasures...

a journal, book, pencils, antique glasses and a small soap

These treats could not have come at a better time.

 I have been very busy

 helping Mother navigate her journey with terminal cancer.

Her diagnosis was recent and came as a shock to us all.

Mom had breast cancer 10 years ago in the same area where this lung cancer has presented itself and it has spread to her lymph system and she has pain.

I have cancelled all my commitments for the time being as I want to spend my time with her...

My sister and I received a bit of respite this weekend for the overnights which is a blessing as listening for her call and waking her for her pain meds every 4 hours does not make for a restful night.

Its such an emotional experience 

my heart goes out to those of you who have traveled this path before...

I have a whole new respect for caregivers

I will try and post again in a few days as I do love writing this blog.

Hellebore in a hand picked garden grown bouquet that my BFF brought to Mom.

Friends and Family have been super supportive 

I am so grateful...

THANK YOU ALL!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

What's happening here in the Humble Bungalow...saying thank you to Jamie Cat Callan

Cold weather has been hanging around here in Victoria for the past few weeks with no signs of warming up. Our zero and minus 4 degree days make for a chilly outing if one is not adequately dressed. This morning, for example, Victorians living on the west shore awoke to a burst water main that closed the Trans Canada Highway into town! The traffic was snarled for hours and now only one lane is open.

Hat, gloves, scarf, warm down coat over top of layers of tops and socks have been necessary when venturing out of the house...
imagine the "Michelin Man" puffy coat
worn with a woolly hat that covers my ears,
a scarf
with just my eyes peeking out
and you get the picture...
BRRR
the usual 60 minute walks are just not happening.
(I may need to resort to mall walking!)

I finally broke down and purchased a heavier pair of tights so that I could wear my skirts and dresses with my Chelsea boots.
I have not worn heavy tights since I retired from the school district and I was surprised when I looked for some...the prices are much higher than I remember.
As part of my job I was required to do outdoor supervision at recess and lunch and because I feel the cold I dressed like I was going to the North Pole...
Comfort wins.

OOTD...

Grey Boiled wool skirt

wool, rayon and spandex tights

Chelsea boots

grey top

(not visible)

It is a wee bit of a risk posting a picture

 I am such rubbish at taking selfies.

 BTW

still patiently waiting for my hair to turn completely grey...

in the meantime I have embraced grey clothing with a pop of colour.

This is what I think of now as

 "Grammy Style"

plus

I love knitting, cooking and taking care of the wee ones...

officially and unabashedly grandmotherly!

Sitting in The Humble Bungalow Living Room

gazing into the twinkle lights

sipping a cafe creme

is where I start my day.

Currently reading The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman 

I loved her other novels.

Patricia is a very gifted writer..

 she has a new one coming out in January

"Runaway Midwife"

already reserved at the library.

I have read oodles and oodles of books over the years

and I have so much respect for writers 

and 

their discipline to their craft.

I regularly consider, and wonder, if I could ever write a book.

Recently on Facebook

Jamie Cat Callan 

hosted a writing contest 

the winner would receive

a copy of her

 "Writer's Tool Box" 

check this out!

Thank you Jamie

(I was fortunate in winning one of her Tool Kits)

After reading all of Jamie's books

I met her on her Ooh La La tour in Paris...

Jamie is energetic

enthusiastic

loves life

is fun to be around

she is

  a totally delightful woman

her 

"joie de vivre" is positively contagious.

Jamie is currently working on a new book...

which I am so looking forward to reading it when it comes out next year.

Chester demands my attention when I sit...

often he pushes my book away before settling into my lap for a cuddle.

OOTD

party version

Sitting in the peace and quiet

dreams are formed

hopes

wishes

destinations farther than my front garden

a leap of faith

who knows what the future will bring?

Thank you Jamie

You continue to inspire me everyday.

I will always remember my trip to Paris.

If it were not for Jamie

 I am not sure that I would have ever realized my dream.

So many thoughts bubble up 

so many of those feelings that lay dormant 

before I embarked on that amazing trans formative journey.

In gratitude...

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~