Showing posts with label cats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cats. Show all posts

Sunday, December 10, 2023

December 10th...a catch up post.

 


Time is ticking along at a very fast pace here in The Humble Bungalow.

Between the domestic jobs, baking and cooking I have been absent from my blog.
I continue to post daily on Instagram...
it is so much faster!


I use the tourtiere recipe found online though our local Yam Magazine.
In case you are not familiar with Tourtieres, 
they are a French Canadian tradition to serve during the holidays.
Basically they are a pork pie.

I like to serve ours with a good chutney or a grainy mustard.
They can be part of a dinner buffet or serve them with a simple tossed green salad.


Chester, the smaller of our two cats, finds the coziest spots to nap.
He actually folded the extra pillow downward to make a plump bed.
It looks a bit like a throne...


We have our "cat proof" tree up.
Chester can climb it but there are no fragile antique ornaments to break.
We learned the hard way...one year the tree toppled over and many delicate glass baubles were smashed.

We keep the "fairy lights" on the upper beams up all year.

Have you decorated your home for the festive season?
We are minimalists when it comes to seasonal decor... do you like to go all out?


I started knitting The Sophie Scarf.
Using wool from my Stash...two skeins of Rowan's Felted Tweed Yarn.
This is the yarn that I used in my latest Miriam sweater.
I had to go to You Tube to watch the I-cord pattern set up.
It seems that with each new project I discover and learn new skills!


The sweater turned out lovely and the wool is so soft and cozy.
Our weather has been rainy, foggy, and we had high gusty winds.
Sweater weather has definitely arrived!


Reading Mrs. England right now...
a friend gave this to me.
I picked it up early this morning and am already on page 80
I really like a book that gets and holds my attention within the first few pages.

I've decided that my Christmas baking will be greatly reduced this year.
Last year we ate far too many sweets...
I plan to make shortbread and butter tarts that's about it.

I put together a gift hamper for my cousins every year.
I vary the contents from year to year keeping a very British theme.
They receive a tourtiere, sweets, treats, pickles, tea, and a few other baked goods.
I cannot remember when I started this habit but it has become a fun tradition.

What traditions do you have at Christmas?


Our traditional wreath...
made for my Mother in Law by a friend 
consisting of baubles, pine cones and rhinestone brooches.


Mini lights and the Ojibwa tamarack ducks.


Wrapping is a very simple affair...
I use Kraft paper, twine, dried oranges and tags.
All are recyclable.

Are you feeling festive?

Will you be hosting a large or small dinner this year?
Perhaps you'll be a guest!

There are a lot of opportunities for giving at this time of year...
giving time and giving donations.

We need to think of others...
there are so many people in need out there.
Every little bit helps.

Drop off a bag of food at the local Food Bank or drop a donation in the Salvation Army Kettle.

Well I must close for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Sunday ~ Pops of Colour


~ OOTD ~
Dressing in some colour this morning...
I'm needing some positivity and energy and colour usually does the trick.

I've popped on this thrifted Banana Republic top with some basic black pants.
Added a wee bit of Burts Bees Cheek Blush and a slick of Miss Pupa lip gloss.

The colour on my face is subtle but does give me a lift.

Do you like dressing in bright colours?
Do you find the addition of a pop of colour perks you up?
I think colour gives me more energy.

Last week was a tough one going to the hospital daily for treatments.
It was a tiring process but I received very good care.
I am home now 
still under the care of the infectious disease doctor 
so I am not straying too far from home.

I am doing what I am told...
Staying hydrated and resting.


Chester wants to be on my lap a lot when I am sitting down :-))

If I try to knit when he is awake I don't get much knitting done.
My Miriam sweater project is getting closer to being finished.
The two sleeves are done and attached to the body of the sweater.
I am working on the raglan decreases...
It is very simple soothing work.

Reading is not to difficult with a cat on one's lap...


I read Fresh Water For Flowers by Valerie Perrin and really enjoyed it.
Three is another book by Valerie which has been translated into English.

I am not too far into the story but it has all the signs that I will be loving the book.
Her writing is great and the characters are very interesting.
She's a very insightful author...


I'm going to close this post and keep it short.

Hopefully I will have more news to share with you soon.

In the meantime take care of yourselves and have FUN!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

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 ~
 

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

OOTD ~ vintage classics


~ OOTD ~

Burberry quilted jacket
Dex lace top
Eileen Fisher rayon pants
Ferragamo flats


Vintage eel skin bag
a mix of textures...
shiny, quilted, lacy, smooth
neutral shades


I shopped my closet...
for a celebratory birthday dinner out with our daughter and her husband.

I haven't forgotten "how" to dress up 
I am just "out of the habit!"

Gosh it felt wonderful going out for a delicious meal prepared by someone else 
and 
I didn't have to do the washing up!


Our garden is looking quite lovely.
Flowers are blooming, the grass is green and the roses are in bud.

There is so much to be grateful for in my daily round...

Chester our cat had surgery last week to remove a stone from his bladder.
He was very wobbly the first day and has continued to improve.
His appetite has come back and he has already gained weight.

I had been so very stressed with his failing health and am so relieved that we finally got a diagnosis and that surgery would fix the problem.

His early renal failure is going to be monitored closely,
we will continue to feed him the special food.
Hopefully he will be with us for a few more years.

He's such an affectionate little guy and has a very "big" personality.

In other news, 
I had my third IPL treatment for rosacea,
 my skin is looking much better.
The treatments are not too painful but they are expensive.

I purchased a skin repair cream by Skin Medica.
It is a rich thick cream that I apply before bedtime.
It soaks in and I have noticed my skin is much softer and hydrated.


Herbs are planted in pots by the basement door for easy picking.

I ordered a new Pasta cookbook and plan to try some new recipes.
My husband loves pasta and I make it once a week.

The book is an older publication, I found it at Thrift Books.

Healthy Pasta: The Sexy, Skinny, and Smart Way To Eat Your Favourite Food
It is written by Joseph Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali

Going to try a bunch of new recipes when it arrives.

How are things going with you?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Mellow Yellow...

 


Pops of Colour
Yellow

With all that is going on globally...

I am seeking cheer in my daily round.
As hard as the news is to hear we need to be informed.


I don't consider myself a "news junkie."
Limiting the amount of negative news is something I consciously do.
Being sensitive, I need to be mindful of the amount I can process.


While at the garden centre I purchased 10 pots of tete a tete daffodils.
These wee plants will brighten up the border out front of the Humble Bungalow.
At the cashier there was a donation notice...
I added an amount to be sent to Ukraine.

These small acts of kindness 
where we all participate 
can help to make a difference.


Chester seems to be feeling better...
he's gained a few more ounces and is more energetic.
He loves a warm spot of sunshine to lie in and enjoys a nap on a lap.


I've got a very tall stack of books to be read.
Daisy Jones and The Six is my next book.

I've not been reading as much as I usually do...
walking and domestic chores and de-cluttering are keeping me busy!


Seen on my walk...


My new Columbia coat (which I shared on a recent post) is really warm and so cozy.

The pile lining in the hood helps keep my neck warm.
The silver mesh "Omni Tech" lining reflects the heat and keeps me from being cold.

Walking quietly in Nature helps to keep me calm and grounded...
there are small surprises that pop up on my radar when I walk.

A former co-worker who walked regularly
focusing on thoughts that "bubbled up"
 called it "mindful meditation."

The "first" 5 pounds are lost...
now working on the next 5.

Little by little...one day at a time.


Hope that you are finding some peace and solace in everyday simple Joys.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

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 ~

Monday, February 7, 2022

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 ~

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

A quiet week in February ~ Walks, snow, books, and home decor finds.

 


Creamy white Ribes 
with a smattering of chartreuse
Blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

It has been pretty quiet this past week here in The Humble Bungalow.
Lots of walks, reading, mindful eating ~ counting my WW points.


I read this gripping crime drama book by Jane Harper.
She is an accomplished author and wow can she weave a murder mystery!


The snow has melted in our neighbourhood...


Blue skies, crisp cold temperatures and a lonely snowman on the beach.

We walked at Butchart Gardens on Sunday.


I cannot remember ever visiting the gardens in the snow.
I know that there was an icy Christmas when we visited to see the Festive lights.



Yes those ponds are frozen!
BRRRR


A wee snowman in The Japanese Garden.


I posted a picture of this vintage bureau on Instagram.
I purchased it from Karin at Kay's Korner in The Cook Street Village.

It fits well in our laundry area and is so much neater than the open shelf unit.

I have stored my knitting "stash"
needles and patterns 
in the two lower drawers
 my garden apron, secateurs and gloves in the top drawer.

A wonderful purchase that has given me a lift!


Speaking of changes
while tidying and de-cluttering in The Humble Bungalow...

I have repurposed two silver champagne buckets.
Feeling restless, and as a result, the need to refresh and fluff our surroundings.
Spending so much time at home has definitely made me look closely at what we have and what is lacking.

New bedding linen, a hall runner and the bureau are examples of change.





Laura Ashley coverlet and pillow shams.
Pepper our older cat approves!

I had a strange dream last night...
(my dreams are frequently weird)

I was in the make up department and was trying on dozens and dozens of lipsticks.
The clerk running to all the cosmetic counters in search of the perfect shade.

When it came time to choose I told the clerk to wrap them all up!

Think I know what might have fueled the dream...
Yesterday when I removed the mask that I wore at the grocery store 
I discovered that it was smeared with red lipstick.

Thank goodness that they are washable.

What is new with you?



Just finished...
Lisa Jewell has done it again...
a thrilling page turner.

Now I need to find a new book.
What do you recommend?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~