Sunday August 27...where did the week go?

 

~ Jude The Obscure Rose ~

I don't know where the week went?

Lots going on here, 

among them...

I've been busy in the kitchen roasting the tomato harvest.

I pop the chopped tomatoes in a roasting pan 

(whole cherry tomatoes in a glass dish)

sprinkle with salt, pepper and drizzle with olive oil

liberally top with crushed garlic.

400 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Cool them then pop into freezer bags.

I add them to tomato sauce in the fall and winter for an extra pop of flavour.

We purchased a Nespresso machine!

I loved the Nespresso coffee in Paris at The Hotel Belloy.

That was in 2015 on my first trip.

I loved their sweet treats and coffee in the lobby after a long day exploring Paris.

Many other guests gathered and we'd chat about what we had seen and done.

There was such an air of excitement in that lobby 

as ideas and insights were exchanged.

I recently enjoyed the coffee in the Ocean Promenade Hotel in White Rock.

My husband wasn't sure it was to his taste but we visited the store in our local mall.

The clerk made us a coffee and he liked it so much that we purchased a machine.

We've got 3 different varieties of coffee and both of us like the Stormio.

It is smooth and strong, just the way I like it!

I have been reading this fabulous book.

I borrowed it from a friend and WOW it is wonderful!

I have read most of Jennifer Robson's books and loved them and this one is a treat.

Her latest book The Coronation Year will be on my radar next.

Dinner party dessert offering...

(dessert plate a gift from darling daughter!)

One piece left... a few crumbs

I added skinny slices of fresh lemon

 made a batch of whipped cream to top the pieces.

Not sure where I found this recipe?

I have made it before and love the moist texture of the cake.

It is simple to make and easy to transport.

We took it to our friends home as we were invited for dinner.

We had appies on their private back patio

they

 served us a delicious middle eastern themed main course.

I didn't take pictures and probably should have as it was so beautifully presented...

served in rustic earthenware pots and serving dishes.

Yesterday I went to the garden centre to check out the stock.

I was looking for some more hostas for our shady front bed.

Alas there were not many hostas left...

I did buy one.

I decided on a black planter 

for the front walk just by the stairs.

Added a few perennials and voila!

I recently posted this picture on my Instagram and since then I have several enquiries on the shade of the Miss Pupa from Milan lipgloss.

It is number 305

My local Pharmasave used to carry the Miss Pupa line but have discontinued it.

Miss Pupa have a website and you can order all their items easily.

I am going to go and finish reading The Gown so I will close for now.

Thank you for taking the time to pop by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ 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 ~

September ~ School daze and memories

We are staying at the cottage for a few days.

I picked a handful of Annabelle and Limelight Hydrangeas...

a little reminder of our Humble Bungalow Garden.

There are flowers here on the property at the cottage 

part of the communal "complex" 

owned by various owners 

so it doesn't feel right picking any flowers.

This morning the sun was shining brightly and the Salish Sea was calm.

There was the refreshing scent of sea salt in the air...

(which I love) 

I sat quietly sipping my coffee and soaking in the view.

Since retirement in 2014, I make time to savour two cups of coffee each morning.

I LOVE a good cup of coffee.

After I visited France in 2015, I made a bowl of espresso with foamed milk,

(cafe creme)

then after I returned from Italy 

I purchased an Italian espresso maker for the stove

using the popular Lavazza Italian coffee.

Mr. HB makes drip coffee and I admit I like to wake up and just pour a cup...

it is such a treat having someone make it :-))

Just finished this entertaining story by S J Bennett.

I read her other book, The Windsor Knot 

which is about HRH working on a mystery set in Buckingham Palace.

This is another mystery in which Elizabeth gets involved in solving a mystery.

It is an easy read ~ lots of fun...

if you are looking for something light you might enjoy it.

Warm nights 

the sun slipping behind the trees

crickets serenading us 

watching the boats as they pass by 

Quarterdeck Cottage.

The grandchildren are all heading back to school tomorrow...

summer is fading and fall is on its way.

Fall weather will be here before we know it...

warm sweaters and coats will be on our radar.

My new Eileen Fisher black fleece lined walking coat arrived last week...

The size fits perfectly, (the clerk was right) is lovely, cozy, great for everyday walks, yet stylish.

Will be able to wear it for errands, walking, and evenings out.

 

We will be busy putting the Humble Bungalow Garden to bed soon...

it has been a lovely summer in the garden.

We are currently enjoying oodles of fresh tomatoes, zucchini, yellow beans, cucumbers and several varieties of lettuce.

Salads have been a mainstay on the table for dinner for almost every meal.

It will be strange to go to the shops and purchase veggies 

when the harvest has finished.

Do you look forward to the new season and the change in the weather?

The opportunity to sort out your closet and bring the warmer or cooler clothes as needed?

I will be laundering the linen dresses, tops and skirts and swapping them out for the fall dresses and sweaters.

I need to buy some tall rubber rain and snow boots as my ancient pair fell apart!

It might be fun to look for a colourful pair this year.

Do you have plans to buy any new clothes?

What is on your list?

I must close for now and get some dinner organized...

thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wee luxuries...and remembering MOM

Willows Beach in Oak Bay

(a favourite spot of my late mom's and mine)

I took my coffee in a thermos and sat in the stillness

watched the sea, the sun and the clouds

listened to the waves as they met the shore

embraced

the sound of the gulls as they soared overhead.

A few precious moments of peace outdoors in nature to start the day

sets the tone for the hours ahead.

Unwrapped a lovely soap from Fragonard in Paris.

The porcelain soap dish accompanied the soap which was in a recent 

My French Country Home Box.

The scent is soft, subtle and sweet.

Hand washing happens many many times a day here in The Humble Bungalow.

I can still hear my mom's voice

her mantra was

"Soap and Water are Cheap."

Mom always kept a few bars of triple milled soap unwrapped in her lingerie drawer.

I think her favourite was Yardley's English Lavender Soap.

Mom was an avid gardener and worked for many hours outside 

before coming in and soaking in the tub...

a cup of restorative tea on the edge of the bath.

Lavender scents wafted throughout the house.

She'd dress up for my father's arrival home from work.

A dainty apron worn atop of her dress...

mom was a much tidier cook than I.

I remember so many lovely snippets of mom and learned so much from her.

Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.

Mom sipped her tea in a pretty cup and saucer.

She had a fondness for those decorated with flowers.

While I don't ALWAYS choose one of mine for tea.

(several inherited from mom)

I do more often than not.

My face is getting some serious TLC

the recent and ongoing IPL treatments are reducing the rosacea redness 

the broken capillaries are slowly disappearing...

My skin however is dry 

so I purchased a hardworking moisturizer to use in tandem 

with the IS Clinical Pro Health Serum.

Fingers crossed it will perform as was suggested at the clinic.

Healthy lunch at Brown's Social House

Tuna Poke Bowl

loaded with fresh veggies

delicious!

Eating mindfully 

adding lots of veggies with lean protein

 high on my radar.

Choosing healthier alternatives is becoming much easier...

although

the lure of french fries is still very strong.

If my husband orders them I ask to sample a few :-))

The interesting thing about eating tons of veggies and a small amount of protein is that I don't feel "stuffed" after I eat.

It is such a different feeling than when I order a burger and fries.

I actually prefer it and I am not hungry afterwards.

Sale item from Joe Fresh.

A simple basic which will get worn on my walks

and

paired with jeans perhaps layered overtop of a denim shirt.

Love the warm cozy feel..

great texture.

So many thoughts are swimming around in my head today 

as I sit here in The Humble Bungalow kitchen and type.

I am not sure how to wrap up this post...

writing about and remembering mom 

often skews my thought process

with

emotions tugging at my heartstrings...

Auriculas are starting to put on a show!

Perhaps it is time to find or build a theatre to display them?

They are all the rage in the UK.

How are things with you?

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the week.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Vegetable Extravaganza....

Good morning!

It is really really early...I am wide awake.

Thank goodness the coffee is hot 

as I stand by the window watching the sky.

The morning light is just peeking over the horizon.

All is quiet.

I am conscious of my breathing.

  I will sit here in peace 

looking out and looking inward.

Preparing as I do for the day to unfold.

I cherish the slow morning time 

pondering life and counting my many blessings

since retiring...

There is a sense of calm and order when one has time to gather their thoughts...

knitting them together 

making them strong

determined.

A blurry snapshot of one of the many bald eagles that perch nearby...

this week I stood among several other cottagers as we watched as a bald eagle spread its vast wings and preened itself.

Such magnificent creatures and they are far bigger up close than one might imagine!

A bountiful haul of beach glass after combing the beach for treasure.

The views are stunning!

Just look at those puffy white clouds punctuating the blue sky

I could sit here for hours 

watching 

as the clouds meander across the expansive sky.

This beach would be a fun place to bring the grandchildren...

they could play on the beach before we sit and nibble a picnic lunch.

Perhaps even have a dip in the salt chuck?

Veggies... 

Prepare for the peeling and chopping.

You are going to be roasted!

Just a smattering of olive oil and a grinding of peppercorns 

then you'll be tossed in a super hot oven to caramelize.

You will be left to cool on the counter 

before being sprinkled with balsamic vinegar 

then topped with crumbled feta cheese

tossed together and devoured by a hungry Hostess!

Roasted veggie salad is a tasty treat and low in WW points!

Vegetable Extravaganza

Roast a variety of root vegetables...

I added mushrooms and zucchini to the pan.

Toss a wee bit of olive oil and mix to coat.

Grind a bit of fresh pepper over top.

Roast at 425 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Turn the veggies halfway.

Cool then sprinkle with some balsamic vinegar, 

add a few crumbles of feta cheese.

IF 

there are leftovers 

simply pop them on top of some lettuce for a healthy and colourful salad.

The charming book that I just read...

Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale

it's definitely worth reading.

Hope that you are having a lovely week...and its almost the weekend!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

I can see clearly now....

After procrastinating for months...
I finally got around to purchasing new glasses.
Several readers asked to see what they looked like when I got them...
so I took a couple of selfies in the bathroom!

The glasses are from Paris made by a company called Face a Face.

They have a few fun details that make them a bit more interesting than my previous pair which were also by Face a Face.

Check out the shoes!!!

I'm seeing much clearer now.

On the same visit I ordered Maui Jim sunglasses 

made up with my new prescription.

It was a wee bit of a splurge but the coating was wearing off my previous sunglasses 

the lenses were so scratched that when I wore them 

the world around me looked fuzzy!

And with such lovely things to admire in our neck of the woods 

why not be able to see them better?

My sister gave me a bar of pink Zote soap...

I just realized that you can see my reflection in the LG dial!

Clever perhaps?

not really

'twas an accident.

Have you ever heard of this soap?

It's new to me

she said it is an excellent laundry stain remover.

She spends time in Palm Springs in the winter and this is where she discovered its remarkable stain removing powers...

Speaking of new products...

have you tried David's Teas?

I was surprised that they carry so many different blends of teas.

This one caught my eye...perhaps it was the name

"Forever Flawless"

I like the taste 

brew a big mug full every day 

to sip it while I work around the house...

it helps to keep me hydrated and hopefully it is also helping my skin.

My skin tends to be dry, especially during the winter months 

I put that down to the the cold air outside and our forced air furnace.

I am diligent with my weekly exfoliation habit and I use moisturizer morning and night.

Avene mineral water spray helps add extra moisture throughout the day.

Drinking extra fluids...

(non caffeinated fluid)

 is important.

I read somewhere that for every cup of coffee one drinks 

that you need to drink 3-4 glasses of water to balance out 

the diuretic effect of that cup of coffee!

Made a roast beef dinner this past week...

one of the perks of making a roast is that there are leftovers to reheat the next evening.

Cook once dine twice is my kind of time saver!

Hope your week is off to a great start.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~