Yummy Carrot Recipe, Sourdough Saga continues...and thoughts on blogging

 

Taking a break 

 a quiet moment with my cup of tea

recalling travel memories...

mulling over the blogs' future.

Think it might be time to close it down...

technical issues and readership engagement 

are prodding me to re-evaluate my hobby.

Vintage Susie Cooper Demitasse Espresso Cups

purchased from Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

Espresso break with a delightful magazine.

This is where I make the bread...

vintage bread tin which is perfect for the sourdough boules.

Freshly baked sourdough loaf...

I prep the dough the day before I bake it.

So much fun and success with the recipes from Alexandra's Kitchen.

Quick and easy sourdough biscuits.

Made these in about 40 minutes including cooking time.

Found the recipe online...

I googled Sourdough biscuits without yeast and found a recipe on

King Arthur Baking

Served these with a stew.

Speaking of recipes...

Roasted carrots

healthy and delicious.

~ Roasted Carrots ~

Slice carrots on the diagonal

place in bowl and toss in balsamic vinegar, honey, thyme, salt and pepper.

Place on a parchment lined sheet pan.

Roast in oven at 450 degrees for 20-25

Top with crumbled feta cheese.

 (easy and yummy)

Great for a buffet or dinner party.

Star Magnolias are in full bloom...

so fragrant and delicate.

Loving my new Iphone camera!

The crispness and focus are so much better than my older phone.

Well as I mentioned this might be my last post.

I will still post on Instagram

It's been a lot of fun and I have met so many amazing people.

Some are here in Victoria and we regularly meet

others are far away.

I have had the pleasure of meeting a few in person...

Jennifer from A Well Styled Life

Dani who wrote Mop Philosopher

Jamie Cat Callan

Joanne Long ~ Madame La Bas

We have met before and last time she was in Victoria 

which was a couple of weeks ago 

we went for a walk and had a coffee together.

She sent these thoughtful gifts to me in the mail.

Merci Beaucoup Joanne.

Today (Saturday) we met up with Adrienne and Bill Shubin.

Adrienne wrote a blog A Rich Life On a Budget from her home in Sonoma County.

Adrienne and her husband have recently embarked on a major lifestyle change.

Bill retired from his job as fire chief and they started a grand adventure!

They sold their home and have been travelling across the USA in their 5th wheel trailer.

They are visiting Canada for several months and stopped here in Victoria.

So we arranged to get together and met for lunch at the Cactus Club.

Such a lovely couple!

Sunday they'll be here in The Humble Bungalow for coffee.

Making friends through blogging has been such a delight.

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.

DIY ~ Festive Wreath and a couple of Hostess Gifts

 

I purchased a basic simple wreath from the floral department at the grocers.

The price was good but I felt like it needed something more.

The DIY spirit in me spurred me on to add something...

but what?

I mulled it over for a few days

 every time I went out and closed the door I knew I had to act.

I had made a bowl full of dried oranges...

to add to Christmas gifts.

I followed the directions that Annie Diamond

at Most Lovely Things had shared in the December issue of BHG.

Basic directions are to cut oranges into 1/4 inch slices 

place on a rack atop a cookie sheet.

Bake at 225 degrees for 3- 4 hours until dried.

I thought they might look good on the wreath.

I used florists wire and tied them onto the fir boughs 

tucking them carefully into the fronds.

I think it looks natural and dresses up and adds interest to the simple wreath.

The theme for this year's wrap is simple and natural.

The local Michaels store had a wide variety of choices for wrap.

I opted for plain and printed kraft paper with a simple twine and tags.

My current favourite scented candle...

Black Fig 

by

~ Sand and Fog ~

The Sand and Fog brand of candles use soy wax and essential oils.

I prefer a "woodsy"scent over "sweet."

The vintage wood box is my "new" recipe box.

I found it at a local consignment shop.

The new box prompted me to go through all my recipes...

what a job!

Mom's recipes as well as mine were organized into categories

some were rewritten, most of mom's recipes are for the holidays.

She was a plain cook but loved baking.

I've been baking quite a bit lately...

cakes mostly, to serve as dessert or an afternoon treat with tea.

Bath salts are a simple hostess gift.

This recipe is inexpensive, quick and easy to make.

(you can double or triple this recipe)

If you look at thrift shops you can find some pretty glass jars.

I like to add a pretty ribbon and a simple tag.

If you are gifting a spa "pampering" basket

think of including:

a soft towel

soap

body lotion

candle

bath salts

chocolate bar

hand lotion

Do you remember those expensive flavoured instant coffee beverages sold in the grocery stores?

I am not sure if they still sell them?

Years ago a friend gave me this recipe and she shared it with many friends.

We all made batch after batch of this drink...

It has stood the test of time and is still a tasty beverage.

Looks pretty in a simple clear glass jar.

Think of a canning jar or a decorative canister.

Make some for yourself while you are wrapping the gifts this season!

I'll be making some of mom's cookies and fruit loaves in a few weeks.

Hope to share some of the recipes here on the blog.

Have you started to get ready for the festive season?

Are you feeling creative?

Will you make some or all of the gifts that you give?

If you are in The US you might be getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Hope that you are able to join with friends and family this year.

Thank you for popping by the blog...

Commenting continues to be a challenge, 

I have reached out to Blogger

but it seems that there is little tech support available.

So far it hasn't stopped me from posting...

it is a fun hobby.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ SNOW DAY and Baby it's cold outside!

~ Snow Day Selfie ~

I am getting ready to head out in the snow...

Snow does not usually make an appearance until after Christmas

so I was caught scrambling for my woolen accessories.

I popped on my boiled wool Eileen Fisher sweater overtop of a black camisole.

Layering is the warmest way to dress in this chilly weather.

~ OOTD ~

The cashmere Burberry scarf is ages old...maybe 10 years or more.

My hat is one I wore in Paris in 2015...Andre Diffusion with a feather pin.

The bag is vintage Due Fratelli.

My down Puffer coat is by Columbia and has a thermal foil-like lining in the body.

Super warm but bulky!

My dear departed Mom used to say...

"Darling Why don't you just wrap yourself in a Down Duvet?"

(I wear them simply because they are warm.)

Early morning routines...

candles, coffee, and my book.

I enjoyed this book...

set in Ontario Canada, in an Italian community.

I read Anne Giardini's The Sad Truth About Happiness and enjoyed it.

 When I spied this novel at the bookstore on Pender Island I grabbed it.

Chester and Pepper are snuggling...

a rare sight!

Perhaps it is the cold weather that encouraged them to sleep side by side?

Staying indoors has inspired me to bake.

I found this recipe online.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

a heavy cake but oh so delicious!

Blackberries and whipped cream elevated it to a divine dessert.

You can see that the snow is melting on the porch.

The sun is warming us up...

I added a vintage Sherman Pin.

The rhinestones sparkle brightly set on a black background.

I love adding Vintage accessories...

they are unique, 

often found at thrift shops and can add a personal touch.

Do you wear Vintage pieces?

I'd love to know more about your vintage pieces.

I must close for now as I am heading out to the knitting group

we meet in a friends home, knit, chat and sip tea.

It's a fabulous way to be social and share our projects.

CHEERIO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

 

OOTD a fabulous dinner and something new...

 

OOTD

I had my hair flat ironed for a festive holiday dinner.

I don't own a flat iron and I am not great at straightening my hair with the blow dryer.

It's fun to play around with hair styles...

wavy, curly, messy up do's and simple pony tails.

Red ballet flats for a pop of colour.

A black dress with capri tights.

Sparkly Sherman rhinestone brooch for a wee bit of festive fun.

With a minimal wardrobe that is mostly black

it's easy to get dressed 

I always add a few accessories to lighten the overall look.

My friend Julie hosted a lovely gathering last evening.

Her home radiates warmth and was bright with very festive accents.

Here is the French Themed menu...

so delicious!

Cozy, charming and elegant.

Julie is multi talented...

she is so incredibly creative!

Julie sews, decorates, gardens, cooks,...

I don't think there is anything that Julie cannot do!

Thank you for the lovely evening.

I might be rushing the season a bit...

when I saw that Charlotte of Vivi et Margot had a sale...

I pounced!

New French Market basket from Vivi et Margot.

Love the long leather straps that make this a hands free option!

Will be a workhorse throughout the year...

toting around an assortment of things and market ready.

I made a double batch of whipped shortbread cookies.

The recipe is "an oldie but a goodie."

It is in The Best of the Best of Bridge Cookbook.

They are quick and easy to make and they melt in your mouth!

I found this wee festive tray at the Pharmasave in Oak Bay.

Thought it would be versatile and I can use it for veggies and dip, nuts and dried fruit or cookies.

Seasons Greetings

from

The Humble Bungalow.

Best wishes for a safe and Happy Holiday.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~