Gardener's cottage inspiration and The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Janet from The Gardener's Cottage
inspires me
to make my life more healthy and beautiful
to redecorate and to have fun in the garden.

Her style, her thrift adventures, the way she decorates her cottage, the food that she chooses to eat
it's what makes me visit her as often as she posts.
I wish that she lived closer so that I could meet her in person.
Maybe someday...

Healthy yes and tasty too.

Take an avocado, mash it up

pop in on top of a skinny slice of bread

top it with tomato slices

a wee bit of pepper and salt

fast and easy

lunch is served!

(I used half an avocado)

Janet over at The Gardener's Cottage is excited about 

The Alkaline Sisters

their site is very interesting, inspiring and informative.

The weekend had it's ups and downs

the sunshine was around for most of the weekend hooray!

Mr. HB and I pottered about outside in The Humble Bungalow garden.

Mr. HB's mom had a fall and she broke her hip

 many hours were spent in the emergency ward while they took x-rays

she'll be on bed rest for weeks while it heals

she lives in a facility that offers 24 hour care

so she will be well looked after.

Such a stressful day waiting, wondering, and worrying...

 it's difficult seeing someone you love in pain

and however well informed we are there is always the chance that this might not turn out well.

For now we can breathe a little easier...

On the menu tonight:

 organic free range chicken

carrots

squash

peas

mashed potatoes

I harvested some rhubarb this afternoon and made a crisp for dessert

which I'll serve with a dollop of coconut yogurt.

We discovered a fabulous red wine through our catering friend Julie

it's a Shiraz from Australia

 Skulls

not a very inspiring name but a great flavour.

the grass is green 

with all our rain we haven't needed to water it

the garlic is growing taller

the rhubarb thicker

a bit of whimsy

 bowling balls peek out from the plantings

the raised vegetable beds

sweet peas are planted at the back with lattice to climb up on

the clematis is glorious

everything looks so lovely in the sunshine

it was great to be out and not need a sweater or a jacket

We are both weary after a day of gardening but it's a healthy feeling

knowing that we worked hard and accomplished a lot.

I am going to sleep like a baby tonight!

How was your weekend?

Ode to Joy...

Behold the very first cookbook

given to me by my husband on our first Christmas

we had been married 5 months at the time

it was around this time that my love of all things kitcheny and cookery was born

One of my favourite time honoured and tested recipes that never fails me

I successfully double this when we have extra guests

these are definitely a guilty pleasure

I pour a bit of gravy from the roast beef into mine

on the menu:

Roast Beef

roasty potatoes

carrots

zucchini

yellow peppers

and 

Yorkshire pudding

gravy

I serve Colman's hot mustard and Woodman's horseradish on the side

there will be no dessert as this is more than enough to satisfy our appetities!

look at this book

I could replace it but it would not have the same feeling

this book is 36 going on 37 years old

an oldie but a goodie

What is your favourite all time cookbook?

Sunday dinner for the family, planned ahead cuz' the Hostess is in the garden!

Sunday dinner in the Bungalow April 25th, 2010

On the menu:

Baby back ribs in BBQ sauce

Coleslaw

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Heirloom Tomato Salad 

Scalloped Potatoes

Watermelon for dessert

One of my favourite cook books

An easy peasy tasty salad, full of goodness and looks wonderful

Cut in half Heirloom Tomatoes

add aged Balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper

top with fresh grated parmesan cheese or feta

I spent the better part of the day in the garden so I prepped the 3 salads ahead and just need to put them together when the ribs are ready.

The ribs are easy too, just precook the ribs for 20 minutes, drain, place in shallow roasting pan, add bottled BBQ sauce.

 (I like Diana's sauce for chicken and ribs)

Cover with foil and let cook at 325 degrees for about an hour.

The scalloped potatoes take the same time so it all comes together without a lot of fuss.

I had time for a soak in the tub with my bath salts and feel much better although my muscles are sore and will be letting me know again tomorrow!

I was sifting soil, loading up the wheel barrow and moving it around the yard top dressing the beds.

I need to get some gardening boots, my socks and clogs do not keep my feet clean or dry....any suggestions as to what boots I should look for?

 Hunters are good, but there must be others that perform and last.

I hope that you all had fun this weekend.

Sweet Sunday and the multi-tasking Hostess

Lovely sunny day here in the Bungalow garden, the fence crew have a day off to rest.
I wandered about on a zigzag weed patrol...lots of things are popping up, hints of hostas and peony's, and a lovely surprise...my yellow lily is in flower!

Fence construction zone

Look how close the lily is to the post and hole that the crew had to dig...my goodness they must be so careful where they set their feet!

Dainty violets

Euphorbia in a pot

Chartreuse euphorbia

What I am reading now...

"mental snack food" an easy peasy romp into the ridiculous!

The washing machine is spinning, the self clean oven is smoking me out as I am well into the first hour of the 2 hour clean...I have candles burning and will need to bring in the bug guns after it has finished...Mr. Lamp Berger.

I have chopped the ingredients for Osso Bucco...dinner is not roast beef tonight.

I am adding mushrooms to this recipe as I have several pounds to use up and Mr. HB loves mushrooms.

Trusty garlic gadget works like a charm

Beef shanks, a very frugal choice, 4 for under $10.

 Mr. HB orders Osso Bucco frequently when we got out to dine... usually costs $24...experimenting here in the Humble Bungalow tonight and he will be able to do an honest taste test.

He has requested mashed potatoes also and peas.

My fave Le Creuset pot sees action so often here in the Bungalow, I'd be lost without it!

Have a great Sunday!

Rainy Sunday morning and which Hermes should I wear to the grocers?

I read Wild Mary late last night in bed, it was close to midnight before I turned out the light and this morning when I got up I realized that I slept in my pearls!

I have a busy day ahead as I am cooking a Traditional Sunday Roast Beef dinner.

Here in the Humble Bungalow that translates to Yorkshire Pudding, Prime Rib of Beef Roast, Potatoes; usually scalloped, Peas, Carrots, and gravy of course. There are two condiments necessary, Colman's hot mustard and Woodman's Extra Hot Horseradish.

I need to go to the grocers to pick up some fresh vegs and buy more potatoes and it is raining out. I will wear jeans, a long sleeved T shirt and add a bit of color via my Hermes scarf. Today I will toss on my "Lumieres de Paris". I purchased this one to wear with denim mostly but it looks very nice with grey, and beige as well.

I am opting for this scarf as it suggests light and will illuminate and elevate the grey skies and raindrops.

I love grey in clothing as in sweaters, scarves, and tops.

I do not LOVE grey skies!

I have vivid red gloves for these days.

I have a bounce in my step when I consider adding that swish of color.

When the skies are grey do you dress in a mindful way? Do you add color or have a favorite outfit or garment that you put on?

I see lots of yellow slickers, yellow boots and yellow brollies.

The power of color does affect my mood, does it affect yours?