January ~ Chit Chat Catch Up & Thrifted Wardrobe Basics

 

~ Rose ~

Pope John Paul ll

Blooming in the Humble Bungalow mid January!

There are about a dozen buds ~ the weather is incredibly wet, but temps are mild.

If we get a freeze many many plants will be hit hard and not all will survive...

Fingers crossed that we don't lose many like we did a few years ago.

In my ongoing attempt to avoid carbs...
 I made meatballs in sauce and served them with a green salad.

They were delicious and I didn't miss the pasta.

I've been watching a variety of videos on You Tube about French Fashion...

Turns out that Blazers are a "Thing" and I haven't owned one for decades!

Well, I must confess that the power of persuasion is VERY real

 So I started my search...

In second hand and thrift stores...tried on many different types.

Plaids, tweeds, denim, boiled wool, canvas, knits...

None worked until I went to the Turnabout Luxury Resale store...

I had just finished a Yoga class across the street

spent time chatting and catching up with a former colleague 

and thought I would Pop In.

The blazer is black, was marked down, I tried it on, and that was it...

Reading a lovely book set in Cornwall...

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase.

Eve wrote The Wilding Sisters which I also have in my TBR pile.

I'm enjoying the story and loving the large manor house and gardens...

can totally visualize the scenery and the dilapidation of the old house.

The author has a way with words, 

so vivid that it makes the reader feel they are right there!

One of the recent rainy afternoons I felt like baking...

I perused some old cookbooks and came across the recipe for Lazy Daisy Cake.

Have you ever made it?

All the ingredients were available in my pantry cupboard and fridge so away we go...

back to the 1970's

It was yummy

(cake = carbs)

I gained 9 ounces over a few days and a couple of pieces...

well in all honesty

it could have been the fact that I haven't walked much due to the rain.

I am trying to walk at the mall out of the weather and the floors are even...

so not many hazards except shopping!!!

Wooly Cozy Green sweater...

thrifted in Sidney

Accessorized with my thrifted vintage brooch.

Found it on Salt Spring Island last year.

Sparkles in the sunshine.

Butler Brand aka Fifth Avenue Collection

~ Bird of Paradise ~

(1988-1992)

The wool sweater is great with my black puffer vest...

wore the wool beret that I found in a James Bay thrift shop.

Surprising how cozy and warm a turtleneck is...have not had one in many years.

Treated myself to Murchie's Mint Tea!

So flavourful...this is how mint tea should taste.

Closing in on the 20 pound mark though which is very encouraging...

but it seems that I may have hit a plateau.

Hubby is working in the lower level of the bungalow...

he's building shelves and cleaning up and finishing his workspace.

There will be a new pantry/storage area for my extra household supplies.

The big bulky packages of toilet paper, paper towels, big sacks of flour

cases of tinned goods which I try to purchase 

when there is a good price at the supermarket.

All will be painted white and there will be some new wood flooring to finish it off.

I'll try to post a picture when it is all finished.

The surgery date is in late February which is not far off!

Any birthday celebrations ( March 3rd) will have to be put on the back burner

as they will only be a couple of days after my procedure.

I've been buying a few things for my post surgery recovery...

2 piece soft and roomy cozy grey top and pants outfit from the Gap

2 sports bras with front zips as it might be awkward to do up my regular bras.

(twisting is to be avoided)

Dressing will be uber casual especially the first week or so...

might just wear my nightie for a few days.

No one will see me except Mr. HB and he's not The Fashion Police!

(I suppose I could wear my pearls as they elevate any outfit)

How is your New Year shaping up?

What's new?

Have you any travel plans?

Started a new course, fitness class, read any great books?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

December 6th...Fairy Lights, a Christmas Tree and Fruitcake

 

Are you in Christmas baking mode yet?

I'm not making a ton of sweet things but have a few basic recipes on the go...

I make shortbread and mince tarts.

This year I decided to make a simple fruit loaf and searched on line to find a recipe that was quick, easy and could be made as a single loaf.

I found one on the Lord Byron website...

Holiday Fruitcake 

I brewed up a small pot of strong tea and added all the fruit to steep.

The rest of the ingredients are mixed in and then popped into a prepared loaf pan.

Bake about 55-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out cleanly...

I highly recommend this fruitcake!

My candles had melted onto the candle holders

which I cleaned in super hot water in the sink using a soft scrubby.

 Plus I needed to replace the wee ones with new candles.

I love the scent of beeswax as they burn...

and they are a "clean" burning candle.

Honey Candles are a BC company.

Easy to find in the shops and even our grocery store stocks them.

Frequently they go on sale so that's a good time to stock up...

they make great gifts too!

So I have a wee confession...

I absolutely HAD TO BUY new jeans.

My old MNG pair were hanging off me and the butt area was SO BAGGY...

it was terrible...

(I've lost over 12 pounds)

I was on The Avenue mailing Christmas cards...

wearing said baggy jeans under my long puffer vest...

Feeling SHABBY.

Well fitting clothes really DO matter.

I happened to go into Nicholas Randall to look for some gifts.

Spied a pair of jeans made by SPANX :-))

Did you know that SPANX made jeans?

( I didn't!)

They have a smooth waist, back pockets, and wide legs.

Tried them on and Bingo they fit...

smooth around the hips and derriere

wider legs for a bit of fun.

They were not cheap

 but I didn't give that a second thought...

I have one other pair.of jeans...

(they too are baggy)

Will see if I can salvage them by having them altered...

as they were new in the summer.

If not I will consign them...

The fairy lights are glowing...

orchids are in bloom.

Things are looking Festive.

The house is feeling warmer with the lights and the Christmas tree.

I'd say they are positive mood shifters during these cooler grey days of December.

Bought some new walking shoes by Remonte 

(by Rieker)

which will replace my New Balance shoes from 2019.

These are very comfy and have great support.

(on sale for half price)

Darling Daughter found me a pair of Tod's driving Mocs at the thrift shop !!

These are suede so will be dry weather shoes...

Tod's Gommino Penny Bar Driving Shoes  

(NEW price well beyond my budget)

So when Jennifer asked if I would be interested I said SURE!

She's got a great eye for bargains and quality.

My OOTD is uber casual...

LuLuLemon Black Yoga pants

Gap Faded Denim shirt

Cashmere socks

Slippers

I'm

dusting and vacuuming

knitting and reading

and

making soothing chicken vegetable soup.

You can see the melted wax on these candle holders here...

my current murder mystery book

by Caroline Graham

Chief Inspector Barnaby of Midsomer Murder Fame.

Love a good murder mystery book...

If you celebrate the Festive Season...

Are you getting ready for Christmas?

Do you send cards?

Have you started decorating?

Shopping?

Making Gifts?

What recipes are you planning to make?

We will have a fairly quiet time here in The Humble Bungalow this year...

I'm not planning much entertaining as my hips are not great.

I have good days and bad days.

I am still coming to terms with this...

I do accomplish stuff but need to take breaks in between tasks.

It is all completely new and I am figuring out as I go...

Any how...

Hope that you are doing well and enjoying the start to the festive season.

Merry Christmas

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Health, Hips, and new things on my radar and in my closet!

 

~ Glorious Fall Colour ~

I went for a walk in the cemetery with my sister and we visited the family plot.

This "avenue" of plain trees is quite magnificent and changes throughout the seasons.

The dappled sun and birdsong lifted my spirits.

We walked by these gentle creatures slowly 

as they gazed up from their meal 

Only stopped for a brief minute to observe us as we passed by...

The cemetery is located a few short blocks from The Humble Bungalow.

 It is a lovely spot for a saunter or a quiet place to sit and savour nature.

I devoured this book in a few days...

it was an entertaining book of short mysteries in the style of Miss Marple.

It left me craving a meatier mystery book.

Mr. HB and I are watching Wire in The Blood on Britbox.

Very intense and so well done.

Val McDermid's writing is well crafted.

I had several weeks of "tummy trouble" and I figured out what was amiss.

It turns out I have developed an intolerance for lactose!

My father had an issue with lactose too so I come by it honestly.

I asked my BFF who also has a lactose intolerance,

 she suggested that I try lactose free Greek yogurt.

Well I am very happy to report that it is delicious and doesn't cause any distress.

I've switched to Natrel, a milk that is lactose free, and am carefully reading labels.

It has surprised me to learn that so many people have this issue!

My surgeon has suggested that I lose a few pounds to reduce the stress on my hips.

So I have been riding my new (to me) stationary bike and modifying my diet.

I have lost 5 pounds so far...

I can't tell by looking so it must be mostly water:-))

Anyhow the battle continues...

Let's move on and away from these pesky health issues, shall we?

Eileen Fisher 

basic top with long sleeves.

Perfect for fall and winter and a great layering piece.

Purchased at a local consignment shop on Estevan.

~ Twice Is Nice ~

It fits in with my minimalist wardrobe...

You can see the colour palette...

denims, black, white and grey.

~ Striped shirts ~

Worn over tee tops, usually with the collars and cuffs up.

(AND MY PEARL NECKLACE)

Why save it only for BEST?

For some reason I have gone a bit MAD for denim!

It has happened gradually but I am totally smitten..

I love the softness of worn denim...found easily in the thrift shops.

The shirt dress is several seasons old from Lands' End, it gets a lot of wear.

Do you love denim too?

A classic white shirt from Old Navy 10 years old and still going strong.

Lipstick is always a great accessory...

a pop of colour on a grey day.

I took a risk with this colour ~ there were no testers available...

It works and the lippy was on sale so a "win win."

This soft scarf will go well with that shade of lipstick!

So cozy for my beach walks here at the cottage...

SeaSalt is a Cornish Brand.

I love their colourful prints and clothing.

Columbia Rain jacket needed for the rainy days..

soft scarf for a warm and cozy neck.

My newest accessory is a necessity to reduce the pressure on my hip.

Things are ramping up in the hip replacement department...

appointments are scheduled and tests have been completed.

Will keep you posted...

Reading this book now...

rather a different subject matter but the writing is excellent.

Dawn French is one of my favourites...

especially her role in The Vicar Of Dibley!

Have you read any of her books?

For now that's pretty much all my news.

Lot's going on and I have to keep my eyes focused on the positives.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Home in The Humble Bungalow ~ Who Knew I was SO ready to POST?

 ~ Last Week of Summer at The Cottage ~ 

The weather was warm and sunny

with a whisper of wind...

The pool was open and there were only a few cottagers on site.

This particular afternoon we had the entire pool to ourselves.

It was so relaxing floating with my pool noodle and moving my legs.

I find the movement in the warm water very helpful for my arthritis.

I've started taking Canadian made TruMarine Collagen...

apparently skin, hair and joint pain will benefit from Collagen.

It's been a few weeks and I am pleased to report that my hair has stopped falling out!

Seriously that was FAST!!!

My skin is clear...

Joint pain in my hips may take up to 5 months to be reduced.

(according to the research)

IF it helps it will be a real bonus.

I am also changing up my diet...

working hard on eating a diet of anti-inflammatory foods.

Cauliflower is a powerful veggie and is reported to reduce inflammation....

Recipe is from Barefoot Contessa's Modern Comfort Food.

Roasted cauliflower with anchovies, capers, lemon juice, rind 

topped with a bit of grated parmesan cheese.

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Roasted Cauliflower 

SO GOOD!

I found some "good things"

(isn't that what Martha Stewart used to say?)

at the Thrift Shops last week...

Two Vintage German porcelain Egg Cups.

Found a day apart in two different thrifts!!

Our Quarter Share Cottage, 

(why I named it Quarterdeck Cottage.)

At Otter Bay.

The ferry dock is very close...

we watch the ferries come and go.

We wondered if the ferry traffic would be an issue when we purchased the share.

Surprisingly it has turned out to be a form of entertainment.

When we see 5 ferries out on The Salish Sea we all shout FERRY YACHTZEE.

 ~ OOTD ~ 

Akoya Pearls and a white TEE

worn here with my new French Dressing Jeans

& 

Thrifted Ralph Lauren Striped Oversize Tee.

Thrifted Vintage Paste Crystal choker...

I hummed and hawed...

Should I buy it?

Would I wear it?

I did buy it...

Still not sure...

I know 2 darling granddaughters who might have fun wearing it :-))

No Regrets...

Time will Tell.

I captured some lovely sunset images...

with the mild weather we sat outside after dinner.

We don't watch much TV or stream shows when we are at the cottage...

daytime we walk, read, swim, play crib ( I lose) 

and I knit.

We savour the views and keep an eye out for sealife...

otters, seals, whales,

So much birdsong with many new songs that the Merlin App help to identify.

Home here back in The Humble Bungalow.

All is quiet...

Mr. HB is out in the garden weeding and planting bulbs.

I've been reactivating my sourdough starter, a batch of dough is on the counter.

Laundry is done...

So moving forward...some dietary changes are afoot.

Hopefully some weight loss might occur.

I meet with the surgeon this week,

 will find out if I am a candidate for a hip replacement.

I do wonder why my hip is worn out...

did I walk too much?

Have I been negligent of not getting enough calcium?

I have Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis.

I had a Hysterectomy in my early 40's so perhaps the lack of estrogen is to blame?

Whatever the case, I plan to fight.

If you've got any sage advice about inflammation and diet...

or arthritis 

or hip replacements...

I am all ears.

Don't be shy...

Share your thoughts.

Women need to stick together and share their wisdom.

These fluffy clouds felt like waving handkerchiefs at sunset..

were they waving hello or goodbye?

I appreciate you 

stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog :-))

In this vast world which is undergoing uncertainty,

we need to focus on making a positive difference in our daily round.

If you are able...

Do something nice for your family, friends, neighbours.

It need not be a BIG thing...

simple gestures can be such a welcome gesture.

OK that's all from me...for now, until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~