OOTD ~ Fashion Police "look away" and some thoughts on hair...

 

It's Sunday again...

I am trying to continue with my weekly posts and it seems like Sunday is THE day.

You might be surprised if you saw me today :-))

Honestly...

The Fashion Police would definitely be citing me with an infraction.

most certainly it would be an enormous fine.

After showering I put on my body lotion, washed and moisturized my face...

added some mascara and tinted lip balm.

I am not going out.

OOTD

A pair of indigo sweatpants

black camisole

 dove grey hand knit Miriam wool sweater

 slippers

&

Akoya pearls

This morning I am baking bread, doing laundry and tonight I am making a roast beef.

There will be some reading and knitting...

I am giving myself permission to stay home and cocoon.

In other news...

I found a cute top at the Win Thrift Shop

I used to see a lot of garments made by Joseph Ribkoff.

I think this will come in handy for the summertime.

I can pair it with pants and that blue linen skirt that I purchased last year.

The neckline is perfect for the pearls :-))

The sun was shining a few days ago...

today there are moody clouds blanketing the sky.

Must be craving summer with my shopping habits...

purchased a new straw tote.

a great size for our Pender trips.

It can be loaded up with my laptop, books, and a few other bits.

It will come in handy at The Farmer's Market as well.

Hubby and I went to the Tapas on Oak for dinner.

Our son and the grands gave us a gift card so we wanted to try it out.

The food was good and the tapas portions were perfect for two.

It was busy and the wait staff were super friendly and efficient.

I wore a casual outfit...

tweed Hudson pants

this black crinkle top and my Chelsea boots.

I have no idea who made this top?

it has been in  my wardrobe for ages, it must have been a thrift shop find.

I took it travelling to France and Italy as when washed it dries overnight.

Great for layering !

I post on Instagram daily and several readers mentioned my hair style...

"straight and flat ironed"

the texture of the salt and pepper grey has changed and my hair is much thinner.

This would appear to be an aging issue...

many women complain of thinning hair 

my 69th birthday is a few weeks away
so I guess it is my turn...

but no complaints :-))

Do you colour your grey hair or have you gone au natural?

Was it a gradual process going grey or did you just stop dying it?

Has the texture changed like mine?

Have you changed your hairstyle?

I know many women keep their signature style over decades...

rather like a signature fragrance, many never ever stray.

I am not unhappy with my hair,  but I regularly change things up.

Covid happened and I grew my hair long.

Two years later I had it cropped in a short layered bob.

Now it appears that I am growing out the layers and wearing it straight.

I haven't been to my hairdresser for a few months.

Shall we chat about our hair?

Leave a comment to chime in...

Well I guess I better get on with my day...

lunch will not make itself

plus I want some tea...

then there is bread to bake and laundry to fold!

Hope that you are all well...there seems to be a lot of illness about.

Be Well and Be Kind 

"Getting my Happy On"

There are times when life tests us...
particularly when unexpected things occur
those things that are beyond our control...

I remind myself that "control is an illusion"...
the only things in life that one can control
are the reactions to the events themselves.

When these life events threaten to derail my day and drag me down
I need to dig deeper to cultivate and embrace the beauty that surrounds,
which in turn,
infuses positivity
encourages grace
which improves my outlook and ultimately is a mood changer.

Consciously choosing to focus on kindness, love, empathy, compassion
are the attitudes that I opt for when things go sideways.
I tend to focus on these things...

First and foremost....embracing the attitude of gratitude
followed by, but not necessarily in order...

arranging flowers
working in the garden
reading an inspiring book
chatting with a good friend
painting or a similar creative pursuit
going for a walk along the seafront
knitting
taking tea...using a lovely bone china teacup and loose tea
cooking a new recipe
yoga
soaking in the tub in some scented bath salts
watching a classic "chick flick"
tidying up an area of our home
tidying up a drawer or closet
doing something for someone who needs help
writing ( a blog post) or writing in a journal
cooking a pot of soup
beach combing
browsing in a book shop
thrift shopping
donating to charity
volunteering

There are many positive nurturing habits to cultivate...
what are your favourites?

"Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, 
something to love, and something to hope for. "

~ Joseph Addison ~

Summertime BBQ's with best friends and family

sharing a simple meal

fresh produce and food of the season

sipping a crisp cool glass of Rose

dining outdoors in the hot sunshine

listening to the laughter 

of

the children playing in the garden

filling up my heart

with

JOY.

Hope that your week is full of bright moments.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Getting My Happy On continues ~ Grandchildren, a kind gesture, a gift in the mail and a win ~

Our darling Henry enjoyed exploring the "spare lot" on our street.

On this site we have some driftwood benches and a table,

a tire swing, rope swing and a wee lending library.

There are trees and a grassy meadow where children love to run.

Play is serious business...

first you need a plan

then you need to execute the plan

then organize all the pieces

sit back and discuss what will happen next.

Isla and Henry played together collaborating on the building of the tower

they decided on the roles of the players

and then they worked out the scenario...

meanwhile as I looked on

Mira sat on my lap and we played with the shape sorter.

The fellow who owns and operates the excavator that is working on the site next door

noticed that Grammy and three wee ones were at the window watching the action and the steady stream of trucks.

When we all went for a walk past the site he suggested that the grandchildren might like to sit in the cab of the machine...

he didn't have to wait long before he got an enthusiastic response!

My goodness that was a kind gesture and a wonderful highlight for our wee ones.

Smiles all round!

I received a thoughtful gift in the mail this week.

Earplugs!

These will help muffle the noise...

love the shade of green too!

Thank you R!

In other "green news"...

I purchased this organic Physician's Formula mascara awhile back.

I love the formula but cannot get used to using the spiky plastic brush.

It has been a messy and frustrating experience 

so I decided that I would give up and move on...

 Dr. Hauschka mascara is back on the job 

with a bristle style brush for an easier application.

I made a yummy prime rib dinner with Yorkshire pudding on Sunday 

we ate the leftovers on Monday

 Mr. HB made some beef sandwiches to take to work.

Probably the last roast for the season.

My back has been stiff and sore since Mom passed away.

(I will book a massage when the bulk of mom's estate is settled)

 Yoga is really helping limber up the muscles and the back seems to be on the mend.

Plus I am sleeping better since going back to the Yoga Studio.

(I love a decent night of sleep)

My Yoga mat is falling apart...

wee bits of the mat are left behind after my practise so I must find another one asap!

This is the mat that the cat scratched a few years ago

Swimming fish amid the lily pads...

I wonder if any of you have had a similar experience with your cats...

any thoughts on a thick good quality replacement mat?

We won a strawberry planter from the Garden Centre!

These planters are quite expensive so I have never bought one but when one gets the call that one is waiting to be picked up you waste no time and start the car!

Our neighbour across the street put this plant pot on the boulevard...

free for the taking so I grabbed it and planted a white hydrangea in it.

How is your week going so far?

January daze...

This blog is a personal one and it is not one where I discuss politics or world events.

It has come to my attention that many of my readers come here for a "rest"...

a quiet respite from the hectic life that they lead.

It was never my intention to be a radical or significant voice on current affairs.

Dissecting serious issues are not my forte...

this humble blog revolves around family, home and garden...

Things that I know well.

Simple uncomplicated living experienced at it's fullest.

Looking for the finer things in life...

happiness

beauty

Joy

Blogging is a venue for self expression.

Emails and comments from readers are an added bonus...icing on the cake.

Through these communications I feel much more connected to my audience.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you all.

Flowers found their way into the Humble Bungalow as a tonic for the grey January daze.

A few days ago Mr. HB and I stopped for brunch at Bridgeman's Bistro at Mill Bay.

The view of the Marina was pretty despite the grey skies overhead.

The bistro was packed!

We sat at the window and sipped our beverages while waiting for our brunch to arrive.

Boats bobbing 

gulls soaring 

kingfishers diving

swans swimming

the scenery was calming and serene.

After lunch we perused many antique shops.

 We are on the hunt for an arts and crafts mission style small side table

 for The Humble Bungalow living room.

Our current table is wobbly and the wood is curved in the middle so it is not very practical.

We have seen one that we like online in Pasadena but it is $450 US and with the added shipping and our low Canadian dollar makes it far too expensive.

We are planning a trip south to Seattle and will look around when we are there...

arts and crafts furniture was only made for a very short period so pieces are often a challenge to find when you do find them they are usually quite pricey.

(supply and demand)

January is the month I dedicate to re-evaluating my health 

to focus on my day to day regime.

The annual visit to the doctor revealed that my thyroid medication needed changing...

other than that everything seemed in order, except my weight was up 5 pounds.

After Christmas it did not come as a surprise.

 I was eating more sweets and having more cocktails and wine.

With that in mind I am eating much more mindfully and drinking more water.

This article in The Guardian was of interest to me.

 I hope that abstaining from alcohol for a few weeks will give my skin a boost and help me shed a few pounds.

Witch hazel blooming a cheery yellow

peeking through a fence on my walk.

Orange witch hazel further along on the same street.

Flowers and blooms are few and far between at this time of year.

Eyeing a pop of colour in my periphery quickly turns my head!

OPI 

"Did you ear about Van Gogh?"

a putty shade that is a bit edgy and is a neutral shade.

Painting my nails is my newest accessory.

Pavlova on the menu for dessert when our darling daughter and her "kiwi" fiancee came to dinner.

Meringue

It looks a bit messy but it tasted delicious!

We started with a tomato, bocconcini, and basil salad drizzled with balsamic reduction.

Roast free range organic chicken, scalloped potatoes, vegetables and flaky dinner rolls rounded out the meal.

~ Healthy Focused Eating ~

Breakfasts ~ oats and fruit or yogurt and fruit.

Lunches ~ soup or salad.

Dinners ~ a small amount of protein served with lots of fresh veggies and a salad.

~ Daily Walks ~

This sign hangs on a gate in our neighbourhood

recently seen on my walk...

With so many wonderful bloggers and blogs online

 it is with gratitude that I thank you

 for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog and spending a few minutes here.

Be Well and Be Kind.

Hope that your New Year is off to a healthy Start!

Hostess

Hostess Tips for Thanksgiving Dinner

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year?
Does the thought of getting all the food to the table feel overwhelming?

It can be a daunting task if you are unprepared...

Thinking about the family celebratory dinners that I have prepared over the years made me realize that I actually have a routine...perhaps my tips will help.

Set the date for your dinner and invite the guests.
Peruse cookbooks, magazines, and your recipe box and decide on the menu.
(keep the menu simple if you are new to cooking!)

You many ask your guests to bring a dish already prepared to share.

Decide on your table setting...linen tablecloth and napkins.
Purchase or gather things to decorate the table ~ candles, flowers, pine cones, pumpkins and gourds.

A couple of days ahead...buy the food and ingredients that you need to prepare the dishes.
One day ahead prepare as many dishes as you can...
I prepare most of the vegetables and place them in their oven proof serving dishes ~ then reheat them.
Write down the cooking and reheating times of all the dishes so that you leave nothing to chance.

While the roast or turkey (main dish) is in the oven.
Set the table...then sit for a bit and rest!

Enjoy the time with your guests and excuse yourself when you need to go to the kitchen.

When the roast is resting on the carving board make the gravy and cook any other veggies that you are serving.

Ask people to help carry the food to the table.
Serve and enjoy!

For our Thanksgiving dinner I used several recipes from Ina Garten's Foolproof cookbook.

I used her basic Brussels Sprouts recipe.

(I omitted the meat because we have a vegetarian in the family)

I cooked a small salmon filet and some mac n cheese for the grand children.

These Sophie Conran dishes are so handy...

they look nice and all go into the oven and microwave.

Ina's Parsnips and Carrots

colourful and tasty.

(Corning Ware oval roaster)

I served her English style potato recipe which was a huge hit.

Crunchy and delicious...

not one crumb left in the bowl!

Simple Sweet Peas and mashed yams rounded out the menu.

9 pound Prime Rib of Beef Roast...

cooked to perfection thanks to an online beef time chart.

I made gravy while this beast rested for 20 minutes on the board until Mr. HB expertly carved.

(he sharpened all the knives the day before we hosted the dinner)

After dinner ~ before dessert,

 a couple of guests helped clear the table while I put the food away.

We put the coffee on...

set the table with dessert and fresh plates.

The dinner plates were quickly loaded into the dishwasher and the silverware soaked in soapy water.

Pots and pans were stacked for cleaning until after the guests depart.

Retro Time Warp Chocolate Wafer Log for dessert.

(Christies Wafers have the recipe on the box)

I use freshly whipped cream instead of the whipped topping that they suggest.

Prepare at least 4 hours before serving, cover and refrigerate.

I served the log with fresh strawberries.

 Coffee.

Relax and enjoy your guests.

Clean up after they leave or postpone it until the next morning.

Launder the linens, iron and put them away.

If you are lucky there will be leftovers for dinner and you can take the rest of the day to put your feet up!

Seeing red...

The past weekend is a bit of a blur...

We went out on Friday night to The Oak Bay Beach Hotel pub for a quick bite and stayed up late watching the TV so we slept in on Saturday morning and had a lazy start to the day.
I went to browse the local Target store...aka "the RED STORE" as Isla calls it...
sadly they are closing all the Canadian stores and I am so very disappointed.
I have shopped there more than any other retailer since they opened. I purchased all kinds of things from...toys, bedding, clothes for the grandchildren, kitchen tools, linens, pillows, candles, home decor items to cards and books.

Sunday we had the grandchildren over for a visit and served up some comforting tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches with ketchup...
Henry and Isla both love to chase the cats around our bungalow and they laugh and squeal with delight...
the cats are not used to this pace and got wise to the game and made a hasty retreat downstairs and stayed there until they left.
Grammy and Grampa had a super fun time!

I made a pot roast for dinner...

It's the easiest recipe ever...

I served it with parsnips, carrots, peas and "gravy" made from the cooking stock thickened with a bit of cornstarch mixed with water.

It was just the two of us for dinner but we lit the candles and sat at the dining room table...

not quite Downton Abbey but civilized nevertheless!

OOTD

Lands' End tunic in black and white stripes

Nygaard ponte knit pants

Mee Too black ballet flats

I have wanted to find red shoes to add some pizazz to my small shoe collection

so when I ordered the Thermacore capris from Lands' End I ordered some red ballet flats.

Harvest Tomato is the name of the shade of the Bianca flats...

They look nice with our kitchen rug...

In the style of the iconic Repetto's from France...

and as a bonus they are currently on sale so they are "budget friendly."

I'm wearing them to French class 

OOTD

 g21 denim skinny jeans

Dex grey bulky knit sweater 

 Burberry scarf.

I'm feeling more energetic and incredibly optimistic today

and Hooray for the sunshine!

Hope your week is off to a great start!