Seasons Greetings !

 

~ Seasons Greetings ~

My Christmas Card to you...

Sending you warm wishes

peaceful thoughts

and

hope that you enjoy a wonderful festive season.

Take some time out to relax and breathe...

count your blessings.

Help someone less fortunate

surprise a busy clerk or a hard worker with a kind comment 

perhaps volunteer to do a shift or donate to the local food bank.

There are so many things that we can do...

and if you find yourself in need I hope that you will be helped.

The reindeer votives are lit and are gathered together in the bowl...

I always think this Tapio Wirkkala Ultima Thule piece

looks like a frozen pond.

The quarter sawn oak arts and crafts shelf unit holds

 our collection of matte green art pottery.

The wee wood tree on top was made by our clever grandson Henry!

Mom's festive silver baubles have found a place to shine.

Fresh mandarin oranges...and my journal.

Writing in a journal is a newish habit after many years of toying with the idea.

It's been helpful to track my weight and write down my thoughts...

The scale has been used more than usual ~ keeping my eyes on the end goal.

I feel much more disciplined and am very happy that I am seeing results.

Losing 14 pounds (as of today) meant my jeans needed to be replaced...

Fortunately I was able to quickly find 2 pairs of jeans...

one is a dark wash wide leg style by Spanx

the other is a straight leg medium wash...(see above)

Shopping is pretty much done, gifts are wrapped, and we're feeling relaxed.

I've been baking fruit loafs, shortbread and mince tarts...

(allowing myself the occasional treat)

The tins are full and gift packages will be given away to family and friends.

We will be celebrating Christmas quietly with our immediate family.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you have a wonderful Holiday.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Early morning post...a bit of this and that.

 

Time is flying along and I find the days full and rewarding...

Lately I have been pacing myself.

A wide variety of tasks await here in The Humble Bungalow.

Homekeeping

Baking

Creative pursuits

Reading

There are many choices and I like to mix them up...

a wee bit of work balanced with some knitting or reading

accompanied always with mug full of hot tea.

Tea has been my saviour during these past few weeks...

I've been reducing my food intake to shed a few pounds.

It is a challenge and a much needed focus.

Refining my diet to include protein with every meal...

adding fibre and a colourful array of vegetables.

So far I have lost about 8 pounds...

I cannot really see it but my jeans are looser.

The difficulty seems to be my stamina which is waning due to the chronic hip pain.

I won't go into much detail, suffice to say it is not pleasant.

I am embracing distractions at every turn :-))

This book was brilliant...I will be seeking out more of his many novels.

I've been baking sourdough french baguettes on repeat...

freezing them and giving some away.

The trick to the crust is to bake them above a roasting pan filled with ice.

Mr. HB bought this fabulous baguette pan for me...

it's a game changer.

Graham Thomas roses are putting on their last flush...

I asked Mr. HB to bring them inside so I could appreciate their beauty.

The petals are dropping off as I expected but their fragrance is strong.

~ Small Joys ~

These are especially important to me...

they lift my spirits and I find them soothing.

Those that are free and cost nothing are the BEST.

Perhaps that's what we gardener's enjoy the most?

The foraging habit continues to delight and reward me.

Pine cones, seashells, sea glass, free things on the nearby boulevards.

Books in the many wee free libraries.

So many things on offer.

Oh and this yummy recipe.

I can't remember if I shared this delicious pork 

marinade with you before?

Pork loin rib roast, 

I use the marinade to cook the roast in too.

So good...

easy too and most things are already in the fridge or pantry.

Let me know if you make it...

Our Christmas Cactus is in bloom.

I bought this orange variety last year, we have pink ones too.

Madly love these matte white McCoy planters with the drip tray attached.

Have been on the hunt for more 

Ebay and Etsy

but they seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.

When your cup and coaster match your knitting project...

Alexandra's Airplane Scarf

Churchmouse pattern using Knitting For Olive yarn

from my favourite local shop The Beehive.

So relaxing knitting this pattern...

quiet, meditative and great with a hot mug of tea.

Needs Must :-))

The front Hallway here in The Humble Bungalow.

Baskets galore...

dried hydrangeas and an antique pot.

Sourced locally from an estate sale about 30 years ago.

The woman having the sale showed me around each room filled with treasures.

I would have purchased many things if I had a wallet stuffed with cash.

Back in those days 

We lived within a tight budget,

 so extra expenditures were purchased with a LOT of thought

careful not to over extend ourselves.

The last "room" Mrs. Lettuce (not sure of the spelling) showed me was her garage.

Inside was a jumble of tools, an old car, a canoe, some old machinery...

and a bunch of pots and this antique pot with a chip in the rim.

I bought it for $10 or $20 dollars...

The large palatial home is still standing on the original site on Woodstock Street.

A new house has been built behind the old house...

I can still see Mrs. Lettuce working in her garden...

wearing her tweed skirt and cashmere sweater set.

Her messy bun and those serious black oxford shoes.

She was such a delight to chat with as I pushed the pram past her home all those many years ago..

a real character full of vim and vigour

such a charming gardener

full of knowledge 

and classy

in a genuine "old school" way.

Translation...in case you might like to know = old money.

Reminds me of The Duchess of Devonshire.

Hang in there...

a creepy spider waiting in its web for a tasty meal.

I've been "organizing" my baking stuff...

bought some Classic Anchor Hocking glass jars for the counter.

I got tired pulling out all my supplies from the cupboards.

Even though they take up valuable real estate I find them super handy.

I've been up for about an hour now and I am in desperate need of a frothy Espresso!

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the small joys of the season. 

Take care and thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

What's in my make-up bag? September starts...

 

My washable make-up bag from the local Pharmasave.

It holds all the tools that I need for my 5 minute face routine...

Do you recognize any of these products?

Jane Iredale face powder foundation ~ "Satin"

Marcelle eye shadow palette ~ Plum Perfect

Marcelle Kohl eye pencil ~ Black

Marcelle Fortifying and Lengthening Mascara ~ Black

Marcelle lipsticks ~ Loving Red and Living Rose

L'Oreal lipstick ~ #251 Wisteria Rose

I like a light hand and a simple approach to make up...

like a French Woman.

What are your "go to" products?

Do you like a certain brand or are you tempted to try new products?

Our lovely neighbours next door dropped off a bouquet of flowers,

to welcome us back from our holiday at the cottage.

Chester seems to be drawn to the flowers!

He is in fine form...

full of snuggles and enjoying his cat toys.

He was cared for by our wonderful cat and house sitter Tina.

XO

He tried to sleep in our bed when we got back...

it did not go well, I hardly slept a wink that first night!

He kept waking me up licking my face and "kneading" my hair!

He must have missed me?

So he's snoozing outside the door on the rug at night which seems fine...

he must be missing Pepper as they used to sleep very close together.

Often on the same small fuzzy cat blanket.

Thank you for all your kind messages and condolences

 on the passing of our beloved Pepper.

The Hollyhocks are still in bloom.

Some of the roses have had another flush of flowers.

The garden is a riot of hydrangea blooms too...

am going to try and pick some to dry for inside the Humble Bungalow.

I am on the hunt for "alum" which is supposed to help the blooms stay fresh.

I've had a few days at home to get back into the swing of things here...

the sourdough starter has been refreshed and a boule was baked this morning.

I've made a batch of fresh pasta and we plan to make a lemon and prawn sauce

with grated parmigiana reggiano.

The recipe is simple...

September is here and the weather is already cooler...

such a quick change.

I'll be back in the Yoga Studio this week, I've missed my sessions.

and

I have an appointment to get my hair cut which always perks me up!

What have you got planned for your week?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hostess Hasty Notes...

 

Bateaux Mouches Scarf knit in a grey yarn by Drops.

Alpaca and Silk

It is super soft with a nice drape...

very cozy and warm for these colder days.

Mornings this week have been very icy...

A delightful week of Yoga

Yoga for Osteoporosis

Yoga for Balance

Yoga For Hips

Scraping the ice off the car before heading off to Yoga Class. 

I am focused on the new classes 

which are improving my hip alignment and strengthening the muscles that support the hip.

Training me to be in balance 

with a goal of stability and the ability to avoid future falls.

All of this is taking up time and energy and are an investment in my health.

My flexibility is not what it was prior to COVID.

My goal is to

get back as much flexibility as possible.

My instructor says it takes time.

Do you practice Yoga?

\

Marshalls dressing room selfie...

I LOVE denim!

 So when I spied this soft cozy fleecy knit denim blue shirt...

I pounced and have been wearing it on rotation these past few weeks.

I am loving this new Sonsie skincare.

The redness from my rosacea has completely calmed down.

If you want to try it please use the 15% discount code...

https://www.sonsieskin.com/LESLIE65651

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to shoot me an email.

Joanne from Steveston came to Victoria for a few days.

We got together for an afternoon of fun.

Shopped thrift and consignment shops 

visited the Vic West Market on Catherine Street

before we had lunch at The Snug in The Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

The Market has a very European Vibe...

lots of interesting food items and the displays are works of art!

Am knitting another Bateaux Mouches Scarf/Shawl

Using Bamboo Yarn in white for Summer.

Feels lovely in the hand...soft and light.

Soup for lunch at Pure Vanilla...

red lentil with a spicy tang.

New LG Washer and Dryer Set

Our former set were 

15 years old and the washer ground to a halt on Saturday.

I had to rinse the entire load in the bathtub 

before wringing the clothes by hand to dry!

Our laundry room is bright and cheerful...

I can look out onto the Humble Bungalow Garden while working downstairs.

There are some rustic touches in the minimalist decor.

Simple

but so important!

There are Joys in clean clothes and freshly ironed cottons.

I spend a LOT of time doing laundry!

Another sourdough Boule has baked...

"Alexandra Cooks" basic sourdough recipe is my favourite.

After making bread for several years now I can do it with my eyes closed :-))

The flavour is amazing and the bread is easy to make.

Do you bake your own bread?

White Orchid

Do you shop local?

Think we need to help these shops stay open and keep their business thriving.

So many small businesses are struggling to survive and many are already shut down.

Buying Power is in our hands

(and wallets)

we have choices

 through our decisions of 

who we buy from...

where we spend our money

If we

consciously

 support companies run and owned by women.

We are empowering them to continue...

Just like the

Cordova Candle Company who are local and make lovely scented soy candles.

I light mine every morning while I sip my coffee and read my socials.

What are your favourite local shops?

Are you a repeat customer?

Do you know the women behind the business?

Speaking of Socials...

several friends have quit Facebook

others are taking a 3 week break from all online platforms.

Are you considering leaving any of your social memberships?

We have the power to make changes...

it is up to each of us to decide what is right.

What is new with you?

Are you worried about the state of the world?

Have you, like me, had to limit your exposure to the news?

I do not go down rabbit holes...

I act locally...making changes where I can see the results of those efforts.

I bake, I knit, I drink tea, I read, I walk, I go to Yoga, I live an honest and simple life.

~ STAY SAFE ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

Hostess

XO