New Year ~ A time for Hope, Promise and a Fresh Start...

 

~ January 1, 2023 ~

Waking up on a brand new day, a brand new year, feels so full of promise.

There is a sense of optimism, thoughts of possibilities, and wonder.

How DO we start this New Year?

Are there any changes we want to make? 

Are we planning any new adventures?

Will we try something new?

A clean slate awaits...

We stayed up until Midnight on New Years Eve.

Something that we have not done for many years.

We haven't spent a New Years at the cottage before...

 there were quite a few cottages full of people who were celebrating.

We met up with friends who were on their new boat...

its maiden voyage in fact!

Lovely to be welcomed aboard for a tour and a chat.

The Salish Sea is calm 

there is a lot of debris in the water from the recent King Tides.

The logs float off the beaches and become a danger to navigation.

It did not stop me from climbing over and around the beach full of logs...

the edges of the beach were badly eroded from the pounding of the waves.

There were shells, kelp, plastic, trash, and a myriad of things strewn along the shoreline.

I managed to find a few pieces of seaglass but it was tough work.

I do not make new year's resolutions anymore...

I usually just break them :-(

I like to focus on healthier habits and continue to live with intention and gratitude.

I could definitely stand to lose some weight...

so I know what I need to do.

Move more, eat smaller healthy meals...and stop munching on potato chips!

They are a snug size 12

I bought a new pair of jeans and am going to use them as a "tool"

a tool to slim down my midsection.

I will not be "beating myself up" 

but will phase in small changes in over the next few weeks.

You know what they say..."Rome wasn't built in a day!"

~ OOTD ~

Style & co jeans

Hand knit Miriam sweater 

Akoya Pearls

Simple white Tee Lands' End

Starting 2023 with a casual look

wearing slightly snug jeans

How did you spend New Years?

Did you stay up to ring in the New Year?

Are you making any resolutions?

I'd love to have you chime in and leave a comment.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thoughts on living through a pandemic...and coming out a changed person.

Please join me on the porch of The Humble Bungalow.

Not in person, of course, but in the spirit of friendship.

Our porch is a quiet contemplative place to sit outside 

in the sunshine

a place to chat and perhaps sip a beverage

make yourself comfy...

The news over the past few years has been disheartening and grim.

We've suffered a catastrophic worldwide pandemic...

Covid has changed us all and not necessarily for the better.

Many of the early days of Covid were dark and filled with fear...

we couldn't see our friends or family.

We were set adrift from our comfortable and often predictable routines

left alone to endure and weather the storm.

The Nightly News was focused around the serious nature of the disease

the deaths and the spread of the virus.

Things were incredibly bleak.

We were told the scientists were already working on a vaccine.

We waited and waited

often impatiently 

for the promised vaccine.

I had to limit my exposure to the news broadcasts 

to prevent myself from going down a dark rabbit hole...

I embraced the basic simple joys to keep my spirits level...

my moods were not euphoric but the little things in my daily round kept me going.

Getting outside in the garden was a gift...

We were so fortunate that we could dig in the dirt

plant seeds and watch them grow.

I think we grew closer as a couple and relied on each other 

more than ever before in our married life.

Our "BUBBLE" was small...

two humans and two cats.

The roses rewarded us with blooms for our hard work tending to their needs.

We took JOY seeing things bloom and thrive, 

excited to see seeds sprouting.

Cutting a few blooms and bringing them inside was a luxury.

Popping them in a vessel, be it a jam jar or a crystal vase

was a tonic that enriched our days.

Escaping safely to the cottage to cocoon was an absolute godsend.

We were able to self isolate and have a change of scenery.

It helped to temporarily soothe our worried minds...

We've now come through several years living with this virus.

have had our 4 vaccinations and we have changed...

Life as we knew it will never be the same.

I've learned a lot about myself...

Discovered that I am resilient, and can rise to a challenge.

Am able to amuse myself for long periods of time without going stir crazy!

Can make do and mend.

Will laugh at the littlest things...

Found out the small (est) things can and do bring JOY...

sweeping the floor

cooking new recipes

listening to music

washing the dishes

knitting

reading a good book

collecting sea glass on the beach

walking 

the songs of the birds

butterflies

the smell of a scented candle

coffee

fragrant soap

I think expectations I have held onto for years have been drastically altered.

I no longer crave expensive things...

or even "things" if I am being honest...

I desire only the comforts of home, family and friends.

It is a shift in mindset, 

honestly it is the one huge takeaway for me, from these past two years.

 

I also decided to declutter the entire bungalow...

donated most everything that we no longer use.

Gave away a lot to charity.

We do not NEED to KEEP stuff we don't love and use.

The feeling of having less stuff is so uplifting.

I did that to my clothes closet too!

My scarf drawer has been reduced to about a dozen scarves in total...

The cupboards look really organized and some quite bare!

I don't crave designer or name brand things...

a few well made items work and I have not shopped as much as pre Covid.

I did buy two lovely linen aprons which I have happily

worn to cook and clean...

with my pearls :-))

My daily household uniform is simple...

Jeans and a Tee, or top, linen apron and a strand of Akoya pearls.

While I know that pearls might be considered a wee bit "mumsy"

I don't care if they are not "on trend."

I wear what I like and they bring me JOY.

Family and friends are so precious...

we make time to see them whenever possible.

When it wasn't safe we saw people outside from afar...

thankfully now we can see the nearest and dearest close up.

What a huge relief that is!

I drank too much alcohol during Covid...

Possibly I was trying to numb myself from reality.

I've not had a drink for 3 months now 

am sipping a tasty faux beer called Partake these days.

Enjoying a de-alcoholized bubbly from Italy called Bottega.

Surprising

it was not hard to quit drinking, but now I crave chocolate!

I haven't decided if I will drink alcohol again or not?

It is too early to know...

I know that I sleep better without the wine.

Our recycling box is not very full these days :-))

I have a lot more things that I could say about Covid and how it changed me...

 this is a good start or maybe it's enough?

How has Covid changed you?

While I am on the subject...

there is a lot of room for (self) improvement left here too...

for example I could lose at least 15 pounds.

Maybe WW is in my future?

I'll close for now 

hope that you will chime in and share some of your thoughts...

What simple JOYS do you enjoy?

The fresh air walks are one of my favourite ways to banish

any negative thoughts and energy.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

September is a great time to curate one's closet.

September is a time of change...

the summer season is slipping away
fall is in the air
fresh starts, new beginnings
and a burst of colour in the foliage of the trees.

A great time to start some projects,
take a class,
shop for accessories,
clean out the closet
declutter the pantry
get rid of expired medications
polish boots, shoes and handbags.

Take stock of what is hanging in the closet...
what clothes get worn, what clothes do not feel right when worn.
Time to "observe trends" that may be in the magazines, on blogs, in the shops.
Can you rework what you have in your closet?
How about pairing separates in a fresh new way?

Perhaps it is time for re-evaluating one's personal style
how our current lifestyle might affect the clothes that we keep
those that we may donate, consign or hand down...

What new things could thrill or inject energy to what we have and love?
Vintage pieces?
Classics?
Boho?
What "speaks" to your inner muse?

Can you kick it up a notch?
Is it a genuine representation of your personal style?
Does it feel real or do you feel like you are wearing a "costume."

Shop at the charity and consignment shops for a splash of colour,
find something a bit unusual...a scarf, a belt, a bag are great pieces that don't have to break the budget and are ways to add a punch of colour or texture or style.
Have fun!

The least expensive accessory that I purchased so far this season is a lipstick.

L'Oreal trio...

The new kid on the block is #315 True Red

It is the first red that I have purchased since I was in Paris.

It will be fun wearing this shade with my crisp white shirt and jeans.

I have a lot of black and grey garments and this pop of colour will brighten up my pale complexion.

I've received numerous compliments on the Rose 31 scent by Le Labo.

Layering products makes a fragrance last longer so I phoned Nordstrom and ordered the Rose 31 lotion yesterday.

Wearing a new scent and a red lipstick is giving me a psychological boost.

Have you found anything new and exciting for the new season?

Une Femme has some new lipstick shades 

coincidentally I was working on this post when I read her blog post!

Great minds think alike!

The WW regime is really paying off...

almost 10 pounds down.

I am not hungry and have been pleased with how my clothes are fitting.

More energy and better sleep patterns have been wonderful side effects.

My skin has started to glow...

I think it must be all the water that I am drinking 

plus the variety of colourful vegetables and fruits on the menu...

less red meat 

a bit of fish, lean free range chicken and organic eggs.

What are you reading right now?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Snow Day, Flowers, Candles, the Gym and I could use your help...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

The past post on women generated numerous comments, emails and there was a wee bit of controversy.

The blog posts here in The Humble Bungalow are varied and focus on 

beauty, joy, cooking, home keeping

are polite 

rest assured

the mood here is peaceful and calm.

This week has been a busy one and I have done a little "fluffing" in our home.

Scented candles and fresh flowers are two of my favourite affordable luxuries.

 Its the little things that make life at home more enjoyable.

Flowers and fragrance

light and warmth.

TEA!

Time for a cup of Tea 

decaf Yorkshire blend is my daily brew.

I enjoy sipping from a pretty mug like this one from Emma Bridgewater.

Snowdrops are dainty, sweet and we have planted then in our garden.

Yes that IS snow...

it was falling most of the day.

The black mondo grass is peeking through the blanket of snow.

You may be surprised to hear

I've taken the plunge and joined a gym.

Dominique, a reader of my blog, 

emailed me and suggested this particular gym

  I am very grateful.

Thank you!

The gym is for the over 55 group and located not too far from The Humble Bungalow.

 A personal trainer is teaching me how to use the equipment and is assessing my levels and recommending how long and at what levels I need to be working.

I have worked out 3 times this week and my muscles are slightly tender.

It feels good to be actively working out to change my shape.

I have come to the gym somewhat reluctantly...

I was hoping not to pay for fitness but I have not had much success recently with my walking.

The weather has kept me indoors more often and I have gained weight.

The weight training should speed up my metabolism and I am hopeful that the scale will reflect all my efforts in due course.

The trainer told me to stay off my scale for the first month...

muscle weighs more than fat and she does not want me to get discouraged.

My goal is to go to the gym 2-3 times a week.

The people are friendly and the staff are knowledgable.

The space is clean and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed.

After my work out I went to the mall and bought a new bra, two magazines and a new mascara.

My mascara had passed its use by date and I thought I would try a less expensive brand but I still want to use one that is free of nasty ingredients.

Physician's Formula makes this one so I will test it out and see if it delivers on the promise of fuller lashes.

My workout has left me feeling weary tonight and I am happy to relax on the sofa and watch some TV with my husband.

I have a question for you...

It is my hope that you can help me find a perfect 

or close to perfect 

basic white Tee shirt.

I want one that is simple and very plain

no logos or writing or pattern on the front

in a cotton that has some weight to it 

so it does not cling.

I have spent so much time trying to find one in the local shops

 so far I have come up empty handed...

it should be easy to find

 I am not sure why I am having such trouble.

So I figured you might have the answer and be able to steer me in the right direction...

Thank you for dropping by and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thoughts on women...

Living in a 1913 heritage home has taught me a lot about acceptance.

The Humble Bungalow is over 100 years old

full of flaws and imperfections 

which 

we could amend and improve 

we have not.

One thing I regret in our efforts to improve the kitchen

 is that the floor re finishers sanded

the dipped worn area in front of the kitchen sink 

this is where several generations of women stood doing dishes...

I specifically asked them to leave it and work around it 

but that afternoon many years ago 

I came home from work only to discover a level freshly sanded floor

and felt sad...

I remember brewing a pot of tea and staring at that spot.

I may have even wept...I cannot say for sure, as it was so long ago.

I had to accept that change but I have never forgotten that worn out spot.

where bone weary women would have stood

looking out the same window

at the mighty oaks 

growing and stately standing 

on the rocks 

above The Humble Bungalow.

Our home has a history of women who were widowed 

were the major bread earners and were responsible 

to tend to the children and keep the home fires burning.

Wearing many hats must have been a challenge back in the 1930's and 40's...

perhaps even in the 1950's 

when many women "stayed at home" 

 life and times were simpler.

Staying at home was not a "free ride"...

the days were filled with hard work.

Women

mothers, grandmothers, daughters

whose job it was to keep the homes running

the family needed to be fed 

the soiled clothes washed

the house cleaned

 the garden planted and tilled.

Today 

I am thinking about, and honouring,

 these women 

who worked diligently and toiled even when fatigued

the same women who raised and  nurtured the children 

in this home 

over a hundred years before us...

 Women have influenced society 

while tending their homes and nurturing their children

taken a stand against and fought injustices

spoken out 

marched when there were issues that they felt strongly about

wrote letters 

fund raised

baked

got dressed up

put lipstick on

smiled in the face of adversity

and

made our world

a better place.

Any time women come together with a collective intention, it's a powerful thing. Whether it's sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.  

~ Phylicia Rashad ~

In the light of recent political changes

women are rising up again...

we have a voice

let us unite and not be silent

nor complacent

harness the collective power

speak up and if need be, rally

if only for

the future of our children and grandchildren

 consider the possibilities

the risks

assess

and

act.

I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, 

but so that those without a voice can be heard...

we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.

~ Malala Yousafzai ~

I am not sure what will happen next...

We will do whatever needs to be done.

In the year of the rooster...

expect change

Rooster is almost the epitome of fidelity and punctuality. For ancestors who had no alarm clocks, the crowing was significant, as it could awaken people to get up and start to work. In Chinese culture, another symbolic meaning of chicken carries is exorcising evil spirits.

source

As you know my blog is not political...

these are just a few personal thoughts and observations

that have been percolating 

and 

I felt the need to write them down...

Please be kind and respect others...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~