Snippets on a sunny afternoon...

The sunshine has spurred me on to write a wee post and check in here on the blog.

Today we are fortunate to have the sun shine down on us.

Mount Baker

viewed from The Esplanade in Oak Bay.

A glorious day outside, with a gentle breeze.

We managed a lovely walk along the seafront.

My 5 km walks are really helping me get stronger and feel more flexible.

I've cut back on carbohydrates, added oodles of veggies and am rationing wine.

The good news is that the scale tells me I have lost 5 pounds...

now the next goal will be 5 more pounds.

The scale is not the only gauge when it comes to fitness...

my clothes don't feel so snug

my tummy is ever-so-slightly smaller

my legs are more muscular

more energy

and

I feel very encouraged and more in control.

Chester is slowly gaining weight.

He's refused the prescribed canned food and is happy with the "early renal" type kibble.

We are feeding him Fancy Feast, offering him extra tablespoon several times a day.

He is acting more like his usual self.

This is great news!

Thank you so much to those of you who have emailed asking about his health.

On a recent walk I stopped in at Super Chance

a local consignment shop in James Bay.

I spied this pretty transferware covered dish...

not sure where I would put it at the time,

but I felt confident that I would find a suitable spot.

Inside I have all my make-up brushes.

De-cluttering has been an ongoing activity here in The Humble Bungalow.

There is a cardboard box out on the boulevard 

where I place unwanted items most days.

They disappear quite quickly!

Crocus out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Flowers are blooming and the snowdrops are showing their white faces.

Spring is in the air.

We're off to the garden centre tomorrow...

we lost a few plants during the last snowfall and have some empty pots that need filling, one of my favourite places to go at this time of year.

Perusing the new and different varieties of flowers and plants is so inspiring.

We've been watching Carol Klein Great British Gardens on You Tube.

It is filmed throughout the 4 seasons.

Are you finding inspiration in the garden?

On PBS we are watching All Creatures Great and Small 

and 

The Seaside Hotel.

The Seaside Hotel is Danish and has subtitles.

It was recommended by Rosemarie in Vancouver.

(thank you Rosemarie, I am enjoying it)

She and I have met up for tea at Abkhazi Gardens, lunch at a pub in The Cook Street Village and appetizers at Cactus Club on Robson.

We try to get together as often as she is here in Victoria or when I go to Vancouver.

Hope that you are staying safe and keeping amused.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Fast forward to February

 

I find it hard to believe that we are already in the month of February.

January felt like it flipped by so fast...

The crocus are showing us some much needed pops of colour.

Our snowdrops are in bud but not quite ready to fully open.

Many gardens in our area have masses of them 

naturalized in gardens and they look so beautiful.

I am of the opinion that one can never have too many snowdrops or roses!

Chester, our younger cat is 10 years old.

He's been losing weight these past couple of months and we had him to the vet.

She diagnosed him with early onset renal failure.

He's on a specially formulated kibble and we tried the canned food but he's not a fan.

It's better that he eat the canned food that he wants rather than lose more weight so we press on...

I am offering him small portions of canned food at several times each day.

He doesn't seem to have an appetite for the usual portions.

This situation is turning out to be quite stressful.

He is after all a big part of our family.

He's the cat with the biggest "in your face" personality...

We fondly call him...

"Chester the Pester"

and

"The Troublemaker"

Coffee by candlelight and fairy lights...

much appreciated and needed warm twinkle lights to ease the dark early mornings

Soups are currently the "go to" lunches here in The Humble Bungalow.

They are a great way to use up leftovers...

This soup is called chicken pot pie soup!

A store bought rotisserie chicken served us well.

Two nights of chicken and salads...

then soup for two lunches.

Economical, yes, indeed!

 I saved the carcass bones to make the rich broth.

The Boat Pond along the Victoria seafront.

We saw a group of fellows playing with their boats on our walk.

I stopped quickly and snapped this shot.

My husband is waking oodles of kilometres every day...

8 km at least.

I tag along for 5 or 6 km then head back home.

10,000 steps are my current comfort zone.

When I walk much more, my body aches.

It would be wonderful to be able to walk farther and not be in pain...

perhaps I can work up to more or is it my age?

We've been fortunate with our recent weather.

Sunshine and warmer temperatures have been lovely for our walks.

So grateful that the ice and snow have gone.

Today I walked to town and met a friend for lunch.

I spied this lovely clump of crocuses on my way home.

The crocus would add to a future blog post and they were actually what prompted me to sit for a few minutes to write a quick blogpost.

My teatime and knitting await...

my reward for getting in 10,000 steps

so will close for now.

Thank you for popping by the Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing small Joys...

 

Cheap and Cheerful Primulas are planted in the front porch planter.

I usually buy an assortment of colours...

this time I decided to go for the full impact with sunny yellow blooms.

Very pleased with these healthy stalwart plants...

they'll be planted in the garden beds early in the summer.

My spices are stored in these Bon Maman Jam Jars.

I also use them to make a "simple vinaigrette."

Oil ~ 1/3 cup

vinegar ~ 1 Tbsp

salt and pepper (to taste)

a couple of tablespoons of honey

Shake well and pour over salad.

We went to a "hidden gem" here in Victoria.

The Market Garden is located on Catherine Street and it is a wonderful shop!

We bought this tin of Italian tomatoes to use in our spaghetti.

I saved the tin because it is so pretty.

Candles have been lit most evenings here to add scent, warm light and ambiance.

Ethel Wood fragrant candle made on Pender Island.

The scent is fabulous!

I 've been consciously using up "stuff" in an effort not to be wasteful.

We tend to stockpile staples that we use regularly here in The Humble Bungalow.

Buying when things are on special...

to save money.

Soap, toothpaste, tinned goods.

Storage is limited so we need to be creative...

Here's a snapshot of our quarter sawn oak arts and crafts shelving

in The Humble Bungalow bathroom.

Walking attire...

OOTD

Cashmere Burberry scarf...at least 10 years old

Wool hat

Black Eileen Fisher wool tunic top

(recent investment piece)

Eddie Bauer Down Puffer coat

Needs Must!

Warmth comes first on my winter walks.

Hope you are staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Abkhazi a jewel of a garden...created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi.

 

Abkhazi Garden is an oasis of beauty.

It is full of rhododendrons and azaleas which are full of blooms in April and May.

This magical place was created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi.

It's a hidden gem here in Victoria.

The profusion of peachy pink blooms on this azalea are incredibly fragrant.

The shed was built when the royal couple were beginning the garden in 1946.

 It used for tool storage and picnics.

You can read more about the history in the book 

A Curious Life: The Biography of Princess Peggy Abkhazi by Catherine Gordon.

From here there is a fabulous view of the curving lawns under the vast Garry Oaks.

You can see the house that they built on the left

this is now a gift shop and tea room.

We sat on the patio in the sunshine.

The tea room has 3 teas on the menu, this is Elevenses.

It was the smallest of the three but it was plenty of food.

There are two resident turtles 

one was swimming and the other one was sunning itself on the rocks.

This driftwood cat is a newly installed art piece from a local Fairfield artist who specializes in creating woody creatures.

We enjoyed our walk, the tasty tea and the incredibly beautiful flowers.

I felt like I was transported away on a lovely holiday.

Parks, local gardens, and the seaside, are such a tonic in these unusual times.

Hope that you are staying safe and taking care of yourself.

~Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ It's all about pearls...

Cashmere V neck sweater by Black Goat overtop a simple denim shirt and jeans.

My "go to" OOTD for cooler winter days.

It has been given a wee bit more "oomph" 

with the acquisition of a vintage baroque pearl pin.

Darling daughter @thingfinder on Instagram 

had this pin ready to list in her ETSY shop 

when I spied it and saw just how exquisite it is

I knew that I wanted it!

The pearl looks like a juicy pear...

The jeweller must have seen it too 

an opportunity to create leaves and accentuate the pear shape.

A work of art.

Lovely nachre...

just a tip to those of you who may not be familiar with genuine pearls

do not spray them with perfume or scent as it destroys the natural lustre.

OOTD

black camisole fringed with lacy edges

Lands' End new cashmere cardigan

Gisel B pearl necklace from a previous My Stylish French Box delivery from France.

Layers in my hair thanks to my recent visit to my hairdresser...

my last visit was in September.

It felt wonderful seeing her and I enjoyed the "pampering."

Camellias are in bloom!

January bud on our Gertrude Jekyll rose 

out in the front garden of The Humble Bungalow.

Have you purchased any new clothes to wear during Covid?

Are you wearing athletic wear and casual cozy clothes?

I mix it up.

Some days I will wear my Yoga pants and go for longer walks.

The problem for me is that they are so forgiving...

so I think they have given me a sense of comfort despite gaining a few pounds...

my jeans tell me to stop eating so much, move more and get in shape!

So jeans are my guide to wellness.

Current Goals:

Walking more, counting my WW points and drinking less alcohol.

Have you embraced new healthy habits?

Wishing you good luck on your fitness journey.

As a small "non food reward" for my efforts...

I've ordered a vintage classic handbag and when it arrives I will share it with you all.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Have some fun in your weekend whatever you do.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Pop of colour ~ Rouje Lip Compact from Paris

 

Rouje

Lip Compact from Paris

01- Signature

New lipsticks for 2021

Beautiful Rouje gold case and a gold lip brush by Jane Iredale.

Some women might like to use their fingers to apply the lipstick. 

I prefer a lip brush.

We are all wearing masks these days for safety

but when I am at home or out for my walks I want to add a pop of colour.

This compact feels luxurious and with the variety of lip colours I can vary the shade depending on what I am wearing that day.

The lipsticks run true to colour.

 Are very emollient and last a long time.

This is the bold red lip.

The plum shade.

I wear very little make up so I focus on my lips.

A couple of readers emailed me asking about my skincare regime...

I use Avene 3 in 1 cleanser

Mad Hippie daily facial oil and at night Mad Hippie Vitamin A serum

I wait 10 minutes then follow up with rosehip night cream by Sukin.

I avoid the sun and use Avene BB cream with an SPF.

I hope that answers some of your questions.

If you have any more queries please leave me a comment.

Winter bloom on Jude the Obscure a David Austin Rose.

Wishing you a wonderful week.

Take time to nurture yourself...we are living in a strange time and it is easy to forget to make time for those rituals which are soothing and relaxing.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Roses, Tea and Covid Cooking...a tonic during lockdown

 

Roses continue to bloom in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

The cheerful pops of colour elevate our days.

Jude the Obscure still putting on a show!

Walked downtown on Thursday 

to meet my husband at the lawyer's office and sign our new wills.

I had a few minutes to spare so I popped into Winners.

I bought a couple of gifts and just happened upon this trio of teas.

I have savoured the Wittards Chelsea Afternoon Tea blend and was eager to expand my taste experience...

I bought all three!

I have yet to try this one but it sounds delicious...

Oolong tea, pineapple, strawberry and papaya pieces, marigold flowers.

No7 Mango and Bergamot is SO GOOD!!!!

Green Tea, Mango, petals from cornflowers, sunflowers and roses.

Bergamot flavouring.

This one is a gift for a dear friend.

Lockdown is here to stay for the forseeable future.

The Covid Cases are climbing far too fast.

Hospitals are filling up and our provincial health doctor has had to enact the act

that prohibits us from gathering with others.

Only our immediate household can be together, even outdoors.

We are permitted to walk with one friend.

Masks are mandatory in public places and at worksites.

So I am cooking like crazy as a distraction to save my sanity...

(my husband winks when I say this!)

Thanks darling XO

BTW

Mr. HB seems to be enjoying all the meals.

Christmas decor here is minimal and I am fluffing the house bit by bit...

I will publish a post sharing what I've done soon.

Our neighbours to the south are preparing their Thanksgiving menus and sharing many gorgeous tablescapes.

I made Ina Garten's Herb and Apple Bread Pudding from her book 

"Cooking For Jeffrey."

(page 152)

I made it this morning and it is in the fridge waiting for later...

I love a make ahead dish.

Ina mentioned that it pairs well with Turkey.

I am making "Engagement Roast Chicken" similar to Ina's Perfect Roast Chicken.

Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Will steam some broccoli to serve with dinner.

I had hoped to buy green beans but they were not that fresh...

why do some stores keep them on the shelf when they are past their prime?

My husband has been outside all morning digging fence post holes.

He'll be weary when he finally comes inside...

Hope this meal will be tasty and comforting.

How are you doing during this pandemic?

What are your favourite distractions?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

Stay Safe

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~