New Years ~ Three resolutions for 2025

 

~ Mount Baker ~ 

My view this week on my walk.

A crisp fresh topping of snow atop this grand mountain.

~ The new walking poles are so helpful ~ 

I can take longer strides, 

walk faster, 

feel so much more stable

~ Confident ~

If you have ever fallen, or felt a wee bit wobbly on your feet.

 these poles are a wonderful tool, I think they are a real Game Changer.

(they work the arms too)

With the last few quiet days

I've been culling stuff here in The Humble Bungalow...

tidying drawers, cupboards and closets.

Taking donations to the charity shops and having a wee peek at what is for sale!

I spied these new (with tags) waterproof gloves at the local WIN Thrift Shop.

They are lined and are SO much warmer than my old thin leather gloves.

I also scored a soft charcoal grey long cardigan.

It has two pockets and is really cozy.

It also feels brand new...

Do you shop at thrift stores?

Buying second hand is so easy on the budget.

As a retiree with a pension,

 I really appreciate the price points on the merchandise.

Prices have gone up a bit

 most shops charge at least 1/4 off regular retail prices.

Some smaller shops are at giveaway prices!

I decided to buy a second pair of jeans...

I donated the low rise Eileen Fisher jeans as they emphasized my muffin top.

The brand I prefer and fit well are MNG or MANGO.

Mom jeans with an ankle length.

The local BAY store did not have any in stock so I ordered some from Nordstroms.

Rarely do I shop online but it was absolutely necessary this time.

Good News...

they were on sale...I got the last pair in my size :-))

Faded wash...

my current jeans are a dark wash.

Am going to love wearing these...I love denim.

They will pair well with the soft pale blue flannel Frank and Eileen shirt.

White Old Navy shirt, new-to-me grey sweater, white T shirt, black long sleeve T

almost ALL my tops will work with these jeans.

(silver sequin top)

Summer time they will be great with flip flops too!

Fortunately the jeans arrived on time and more importantly they fit!

Are you making any New Year's Resolutions?

#1

Focusing on getting as much information as I can 

on the management of osteoarthritis

and reducing the pain in 

 my arthritic hip.

#2

Getting back to Yoga

After my recent fall and concussion,

 I decided that I needed to work on balance.

Have been following a You Tube balance routine and need MORE.

My local Yoga Studio "Ajna" in Oak Bay offers fabulous classes.

I have registered for a workshop on Hips.

Which will identify moves and exercises that strengthen

the muscles that support the hip.

Signed up for 8 sessions of Yoga for Osteoporosis 

at a local Rec Centre taught by one of the Yoga instructors from my studio.

#3

Continue to attend Aqua Fit Classes at the Oak Bay Pool.

My doctor highly recommends these classes and prefers them to my long walks

with my "bad" hip.

He's going to refer me to a surgeon...

(our wait list for new hips is several years long)

I mentioned to him that I did 8,000 steps last week and for the next 2 days I was in terrible pain...

he thinks that is way too many steps considering my hip issue.

Do you have arthritis?

Are you able to modify your activities so you do not feel as much pain?

Well enough about my health related resolutions...

In exciting news...

We went out for New Year's Eve!

First time in many years...

A Dinner Date :-))

~ OOTD ~

My LBD (5 years old) Eileen Fisher

Baroque Pearls from Hong Kong

Coach Loafers

(2 or 3 years old)

Aritzia Wool and Cashmere Coat

(new bought on sale)

Vintage Coach black leather bag

Vintage rhinestone bracelet

BLING...

(After All it is New Year's Eve!)

Dinner at Zambri's

The Mocktail was delicious...

(tasted like an Aperol Spritz)

I've been off alcohol for awhile

(trying to lose some weight)

slowly 

Only a few pounds down but in December I have been nibbling shortbread cookies

and eating this fabulous dinner!!!

Caesar Salad

Halibut and shoestring fries...so yummy!

Panna Cotta with lemon...

Oh my goodness!

Our dinner was so lovely...great food wonderful service.

A very nice way to start the new Year.

Thank you Honey :-))

Before I forget...

 I found a real Antique at Value Village last week...

French Porcelain

by

Clain and Perrier

Look at those pretty pink roses and gold gilt!

So sweet and feminine...

just darling.

The Company was located at 238 Boulevard St. Germain in Paris.

It was in business from 1879 - 1914

I am quite smitten with this wee treasure...

a compote for the top of my bureau.

For the record, I didn't NEED this, but I couldn't resist...

besides

 it feels like a French Souvenir.

It is an item that makes me smile every time I see it...

and I keep looking at it.

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the New Year...

There are many new adventures waiting to unfold

so many possibilities

dreams to be dreamt

people to meet

books to read

teas to sip

music to hear

meals to be made

new recipes to try

interesting courses to enroll in

new skills to learn

SO MANY

opportunities for discovery.

What new things will you try this year?

Will you travel?

Will you stay at home and feather your nest?

Will you keep a journal?

Write a Book?

Paint a picture?

Sew or Knit?

Or will you sit still in the moment 

breathe in the energy that will keep you grounded and sane?

Namaste

~ 2025 ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you for popping by to read my little blog...

Grateful for you choosing to be here.

Summer Snippets...gardening and some new clothes!

 

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow Blog!

Everyday life has been getting in the way of me sitting down at the computer...

I am still here!

Gosh where does the time go?

Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are BLOOMING.

I LOVE when the roses are in full flush of flower...

Picking roses for a bouquet is a perk 

especially when one grows and tends 30 of these fabulous plants.

Fragrance is a MUST for me when I grow a rose.

I've tried to find a rose perfume that is similar to the heady scents 

that the David Austin varieties are famous for...

I enjoy the intoxicating fragrances as they waft about in the garden.

How has your June been?

Ours has been very busy and flew by so fast...

we were actively working in the garden and created a big new perennial bed.

We shopped for the right plants and then planted them...and shopped again!!

Two new black Adirondack chairs are a welcome addition to the back yard...

a place to sit with a cup of tea or a refreshing cold beverage.

We headed over to the cottage for a week of rest...

I read three books!

Ann Patchett has written another delightful book...Tom Lake.

I loved her book The Dutch House and this one was lovely too.

I stayed up late way past my usual bedtime to finish the book...

that is what I do when a book is exceptional :-))

I mentioned on Instagram that I prefer to wear dresses over shorts...

this new dress from Pokoloko is a wonderful warm weather option.

Woven waffle weave cotton, the slit up the front is another cooling affect!

It is a loose style which allows the air to move.

The black hat is by an Australian company called Kooringal.

I recently consigned 7 garments...most were dresses.

I don't like to have too many things in my tiny closet...

I actually find the decision making process stressful if I have too many choices.

So in an effort to reduce any unwanted stress I keep it simple.

I bought this new linen jacket in about 15 minutes...

it's true.

Hubby and I were on our way to lunch and I stopped in at Glam and Fame 

on Government Street to look at their European Linens...

Apparently it is the largest linen clothing shop in Canada?

Love the pocket detail...

abalone buttons.

Perfect with the Hong Kong Pearls.

I was offered a free scarf in exchange for an online Google rating...

how easy was that?

I want to got back and peruse leisurely...

think it could be my new go to linen location.

~ Thrifted Belt ~

Leather and chrome

Sparkly beads

Dressy and stretchy...

not bad for a thrifted find.

Do you shop in Thrift Stores?

My daily weight training sessions on YouTube are paying off...

my hands feel stronger.

I am able to open jars and grip things better.

20 minutes every morning is really easy to add to my routine.

I am also noticing that my upper arms are not as jiggly :-))

there is more definition...and it has only been 5 weeks since I started.

Hopefully it will help build bone with my recent diagnosis of osteoporosis.

In other news I am not aware of any negative side effects from the Prolia injection.

Fingers crossed this will continue is a positive way...

two shots a year.

The costs are quite high but my doctor says it is the easiest way to get stronger bones.

Do you have osteoporosis?

What are you doing to help improve your bone health?

I almost forgot to mention the vest...

50% off sale 

I've been eyeing these men's wear vests for a few months.

Thinking of Diane Keaton's wardrobe in Annie Hall...

a great layering piece.

Versatile too.

Pink Dogwood in bloom at the cottage.

Such a vibrant shade of pink.

Loads of blooms on the small tree.

Makes such a BOLD statement.

Am so glad that I bought this blue and white transferware platter.

It was a find at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

I have had it about 6 months now...

I hadn't realized that the cottage was already showcasing BLUES...

we don't have any blue pieces in The Humble Bungalow.

So this blue and white colour pallette 

fills me with gladness and I am truly happy that I have a few 

BLUE and WHITE things 

in the cottage that are vintage.

Little things that elevate the way we feel about our space is pure JOY.

~ Sea Glass ~ 

My ankle continues to improve...

I take my walking stick when I go to the beach as the shore is uneven

Am very comfortable walking with it...think it has a beachy vibe!

It also has become a conversation starter!!!

~ Sweet Peas ~

We grow them and the best thing is...

their fragrance

plus

they produce more flowers IF you pick them regularly!

Most recent Thrift Shop Find...

it may just look like an old piece of wood and it is just that!!

I have plans for this board...

it will be a great base for cheese and crackers

appetizers

bread.

I saw many antique French boards when I was in the quaint French villages...

Aix en Provence had a huge variety of these boards.

I loved the brocantes...

Wanted to buy some things when we were there but I was travelling with a carry on

 so I could not really justify the added weight!

Was very excited to find this gem...

old and distressed with genuine wood worm holes.

Well I think that is all the news I have for now...

More gardening is on the horizon...

Hope that you are enjoying your summer.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday late night post...

~ Antique Porcelain Bowl ~

I have had this antique bowl for many years.

I purchased it from a thrift shop.

I was drawn to its' "staples"

obviously an early repair.

I often wonder where this bowl came from?

Who owned it?

Why was it repaired and not just thrown away when it cracked?

If this bowl could tell its' history...

what might it be?

Looking at this bowl got me thinking...

so

I wrote this post on Instagram...

I've been busy this week...

dinner for the family, aqua fit classes, writing lists of things to do before Christmas.

Writing Christmas gift lists, buying cards and stamps.

I started polishing all the silverware.

Trays, candle sticks, the tea service, pedestals, bowls.

I still have a few pieces to do...

the champagne ice buckets, a baby rattle, some trophies.

I use Hagerty silver polish and Twinkle polish.

They both work well.

It is a time consuming job but is immediately rewarding.

The shine is like a smile.

I've been knitting and reading too...

I started this book Run by Anne Patchett.

I really enjoy her books, and after just one chapter I am already hooked!

I'll be sending Christmas cards out soon...

baking some shortbread cookies 

making my favourite spiced nuts which make nice hostess gifts, 

and of course the pork tourtieres.

~ Spiced Nuts ~

2 cups almonds

2 cups walnuts

2 cups pecans

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp allspice

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp coriander

2 tsp ginger

2 egg  whites

3 tbsp water

Sprinkle nuts with sugar and spices.

Beat egg whites and water.

Mix into nuts and spice mixture and spread on a buttered baking sheet.

Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour stir occasionally.

Cool

Place into glass containers for gifts.

Add a ribbon and some greenery and a dried orange slice.

Hope that you enjoy these nuts!

Well I'll close for now as it is past my bedtime...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

One of the BEST BOOKS, baking, shopping and wabi sabi.

 

Good morning from The Humble Bungalow...

it is Sunday and I am baking a loaf of sourdough bread.

The bread has become part of my weekly routine...

my husband seems to be enjoying the bread.

I loved it toasted with Bonne Maman raspberry confiture.

Life here has been quite quiet...

Having hurt my back, so for the past few weeks, I have been in a lot of pain.

Am dealing with it by attending therapeutic Yoga classes for the back.

Going for slower, shorter walks and taking Aleve to help me sleep.

I have a huge amount of empathy for people who live with chronic pain.

I am new to pain.

Shorter Walks mean fewer steps...

averaging about 5500

so have gained a few pounds in these past few weeks.

Salads to the rescue...

simple to make and very satisfying.

Lots of chewing and low in WW points.

Here are the tete a tetes planted out front in The Humble Bungalow garden.

Thank goodness that the deer don't eat them.

We filled in some gaps recently when the plants were on sale at the garden centre.

They are so sweet...cheap and cheerful!

Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout is a powerful book...

set in Maine during Covid Lucy Barton shares her everyday experiences.

The emotions and insights are very real...

Perhaps one of Strout's best books.

The story has stayed with me.

I highly recommend it.

Very casual Papillon denim jumper...

found at the shop Suzanne's in the mall.

Seen here in the change room with my jeans on underneath!

Not the way I will wear it when I get home :-))

~ Summer wardrobe staple ~

 White tee and white capri leggings

blue suede sandals

wicker bag.

Great for running errands or a beach walk.

With warmer weather in the forecast 

we should all have a basket or bag to carry market staples and finds.
Which is the perfect segue...

speaking of finds

Or speaking of Papillons...

can you see one here on this antique transferware plate?

The crazing and cracks add to the "charm" of this plate.

It has History...

Am I the only one who is attracted to the imperfections?

Do you embrace the "wabi sabi" in old things?...

Suppose that could stretched to include people too :-))

None of us are perfect...

(now there's a profound thought to contemplate)

Call it homework..

Go forth and look for the imperfect in your week and report back.

On that note I shall close this post...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

The beauty is in the crazing...

can we extend that idea a wee bit and include wrinkles on faces?

Thank you for stopping by...

I appreciate you taking the time to read my wee blog.