Garden snippets, vintage silver and almond nuts ~ recipe included.

 

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

We have been enjoying the garden and have had a few quiet days.

We celebrated our darling grand daughter's 15th birthday and Father's Day.

Snacks on the deck with a variety of things...

cheese and crackers, 

veggies and hummus, 

homemade foccaccia bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

raspberry tarts with coconut whipped cream

watermelon

Presents were well received :-))

(a list from the birthday girl helps)

We purchased some planters from the garden centre for the tour...

they are a great pop of colour.

Roses are in their glory...

May and June are the prime months for roses here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose 

and a riot of foxgloves dotting the perennial beds.

Josephs's Coat Rose...

a huge rose that puts on an amazing show.

Very thorny but multiple blooms on each branch.

This rose has masses of blooms...

I cannot remember the name but think it might be Mary Lester.

The bees buzz here all day long!

Darling daughter found us a fabulous silver tray...

~ arts and crafts art nouveau ~

The tray is beautiful and beside it the rose is Ambridge Rose...

it has so many blooms on it this year!

Look at the details...

morning glory?

wheat?

James F Tufts 

Boston Ma. USA

Have placed it on the plate rail in the dining room for now...

it is a stunning piece.

Thank you Jennifer.

Monday morning starts with Yoga...

Thank you Jules and Ajna Studio.

I look forward to each and every class.

I came home and made a simple lunch...

sourdough bread toasted with a salmon and celery salad topping.

Open Face sandwich for me and a regular sandwich for Mr. HB

I did some clean up in the kitchen and vacuumed the floor.

I have started a knitting project using the wool that darling daughter found at the thrift shop.

I am making another Miriam sweater...

the colour is a warm beige.

Knitted a few rows then got back to the kitchen and did a fridge clean out...

Decided to make some spiced NUTS!

I know I know...it is usually a winter project 

but that big bag of almonds called to me.

I only used almonds in this batch...

I use sealer jars to store these and often give these as hostess gifts.

They are so yummy!

I made a single batch today...

popped in a load of laundry while these were cooking.

Spoon them into jars right away so they don't get stuck on the sheet pan!

Cool completely before putting on the top.

Knit a few more rows...

Dinner was easy...

I made a "home grown lettuce" salad...

and 

baked frozen pizzas!

I've decided that I need to pace myself...

if I have a busy day.

How is your week starting off?

I recently have received some lovely emails...

from readers that I am just getting to know.

So nice to know that after all these years there are new readers who enjoy the blog!

Love hearing from you and what you are up to...

A lovely reader shared her "comfort book" suggestion:

 Pilgrim's Inn by Elizabeth Goudge.

She reads it every year.

A Gift From The Sea by Ann Morrow Lindbergh 

is one of my favourite "comfort books"

Have you read it?

I have ordered Pilgrim's Inn from my favourite local bookseller 

Ivy's Books in Oak Bay.

Do you have a good book suggestion?

How is your week going so far?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Canadian Tuxedo, Makeup, and a "Perfect" white tee

 

~ Snow ~

We don't get a lot of snow here in Victoria but when we do...

many things come to a halt.

The Yoga Studio closed, 

the rec centre annex Yoga classes were cancelled, 

schools were closed.

I have been busy here in The Humble Bungalow keeping the home fires burning.

Vacuuming, dusting, reading, knitting, making soup.

Baking ~ Banana bread and a Sourdough Boule.

Watching the birds outside, sipping tea, thinking deep thoughts.

Silently praying for Peace.

The amaryllis bloomed!

I planted it on Boxing Day.

It is sitting on the shelf above the farmhouse sink where I do the dishes.

The kitchen is my favourite place to work.

I spend many hours at the counters 

sharp knives in hand chopping, 

slicing, and dicing...

creating meals to feed us.

Last week I went to the mall in search of the "perfect" white Tee shirt.

I don't know why it is so difficult to find one that fits well

looks good, is not see through, and has some style.

I want a decent quality, a smooth washable fabric that doesn't cling.

I've spent ages looking for a white tee in the thrift shops, no Joy.

After trying many tees in shops 

most were thin, see through tops, much too clingy.

This is one that I found at The Gap...

it ticked all the boxes I bought 2 of them.

($54.95 each yikes!)

Will be a layering workhorse...

when they go on sale I am going to buy a couple more!

DENIM got me again...

pale blue softness.

Thank you GAP

I know this has become a problem...

Hanging in my closet now are 3 denim style shirts.

The newer fleecy one...

(see previous post)

a thrifted Gap one from 5 or 6 years ago

now a pale one for spring and summer.

(Charter and founding member of Denim Shirts Anonymous)

Actually, come to think of it...

the pale one will go well with those pale denim Mango jeans I bought.

Think Canadian Tuxedo :-))

Very good book!

I read Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano a while back and really enjoyed her writing.

Several friends have recommended this book so I borrowed it.

Glad that I did.

Replaced my former CC cream with this one from Marcelle.

Canadian Company in Quebec that has been in business since 1949.

The gals at The Oak Bay Pharmasave suggested the opthamologist recommended mascara and eye shadow...

 I was asking their advice after two eye infections

 which I attributed to my sensitivity to mascara.

Been using this for about 6 months and have had no problems whatsoever!

The lipstick is a sheer red perfect for everyday.

(Loving Red)

My "go to products" for a simple minimal 5 minute make-up routine.

For a woman who is on the cusp of 70 

I find that less is more when it comes to make-up.

That about wraps up this snow day...

need to make dinner.

~ Spaghetti Bolognese ~

I don't usually post as often so I guess this a "bonus" post.

Many of you have popped by The Humble Bungalow Blog

 through the years...many friendships have been forged.

A few of us get together from other areas of the globe.

There are wonderful spin offs to blogging.

Kind of surprising that after all these years

I still feel like writing.

I might be

Am I repeating myself!

Well I'll sign off for now...

What's new with you these days?

Leave me a comment and tell me how you are doing.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hoping for a Sun day...while waiting, I shop.

Greetings...

our weather has been really rather beastly.

This weather is for the birds!!!

Rain with high winds and all manner of things blowing away.

We are hanging onto our hats in hope

as we read the forecast for the start to the week 

which is promising (teasing) us warmer temperatures and some sunshine.

If you are reading this post you know that I have decided to continue to blog

using the free Blogger platform.

My research revealed that it would cost me about $2,000 to transfer all my posts

and migrate to a new host. The host would then be charging me an annual fee for the posts and GB that I would be using to keep my blog live.

I am retired and this is a hobby so that was not going to be reasonable.

Thank you again for following.

It is great to read all your comments, I really appreciate them.

I have been forced indoors during the inclement weather

so I have had a few shopping trips to 

 the local shops and malls.

I found a comfy and fun pair of Converse sneakers.

I chose the blue ones but they were also available in red 

which was SO tempting...I really didn't NEED two pairs.

I think they will look great with all my denim pieces and my white jeans.

I have a faded blue linen skirt that I purchased last year which might be fun to

wear white ankle socks and these together.

Oh and I also found a new backpack...

to replace the thrifted one that I repaired .

Hands free for hiking, walking, shopping and beach combing.

Soft leather, attractive details and wonderfully made.

Big enough to pop in a book and my usual wallet, keys, sunglasses and lipstick.

It looks smart too...

I am pleasantly surprised by the quality for the price.

I've been having an espresso on these cold windy afternoons.

I made coffee this way when I was in Roccatederighi, Italy

The Lavazza brand Crema coffee is smooth and needs no cream.

The new to me espresso /demitasse cups are vintage by Susie Cooper.

Made in England.

I found them at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

I love Karin's shop...

I regularly walk in our Fairfield neighbourhood and will pop in on my route.

If you haven't been to Kay's Korner yet...you have a treat in store.

 Spook Street is a book in the popular British spy series by Mick Herron...

my husband has read the entire series and purchased all the books so I am reading them now.

Interestingly, he has picked up the Louise Penny series which I love and is reading the first one now!

I have a few more things to share with you but will leave those for the next post.

For those of you who were enquiring about my back...

I had some X Rays of my back and hands, 

both have been very surprisingly stiff, uncomfortable and very painful.

 The doctor also ordered blood work.

I haven't seen my doctor since before Covid.

He is very busy and it takes a long time to get an appointment to see him.

He's thinking it may be arthritis 

 I won't know more until my follow up appointment in early May.

In the meantime I am taking Tylenol at night which is helping me sleep a bit better.

We'll see...

Hope that your week has some sunshine and fun packed into it.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you so much!

 

I am overwhelmed by the comments and emails that I have recently received since publishing my last post on blogging.

The information that I discovered to switch to a new platform and bring all my posts with me was quite beyond my tech ability and to hire an expert to help with the migration was more expensive than I ever imagined.

This wee blog is and has been a fun outlet and a hobby not a business or a job.

So I am going to stay with Blogger as it continues to be free...

there are limitations and tech issues but I suppose I will have to live with them if I want to have a blog and an audience without cost.

Researching style with this fun book by two authors from Refinery 29...

I am heading to the shops to scout out some edgy fashion options.

 At 68, I am no spring chicken but I am not giving up on having fun with fashion.

Recalling former conversations with girlfriends over coffee...

the crux of the dialogue revolved around what we might be wearing when we got OLD.

Well we are OLD now and I remember a particular friend saying

 "Shoot me if I ever wear pull on pants and old lady tops."

Pull on pants are very comfy...

Yoga pants and some dressy pants with smooth waistbands.

I have returned to regular denim jeans 

the spandex stretchy fabric loses shape "stretches and pouches out" at the tummy.

Makes me look bigger than I am...

not a good look and I feel bad about my tummy.

No one wants to feel bad about their body...

it supports and carries us around.

The only one we have,

 so we better appreciate, honour, and accept it.

 Making peace with the reality of our forms at an advanced age takes time.

At least it has taken me awhile...

looking at younger fitter women on social media sets up unrealistic expectations.

Dress the body that you have been given...

 fitness is a great goal at our age

Walking Yoga, swimming, aqua fit classes

and a healthy eating regime should be a focus.

Fad diets and exhausting exercise can be hard on our systems and our joints.

Moderation is my preferred method.

Have you heard of MNG?

Love "MOM" jeans...

but hey did you notice they are "NEW MOM" jeans :-))

Gosh the last time I was a new mom was in 1981.

I love the fit of these jeans...size 12 

These are ankle length which I love because I am 5'1

no hemming required.

I bought them at our local Bay store for $70

Now I am thinking I need a fun pair of sneakers...

Converse perhaps?

Something comfy and a wee bit edgy...

Women in Paris are wearing sneakers.

That's it for now...

I thought I would just check in and say thank you for your lovely messages.

Stay tuned for more posts...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~