I'll have cream with that please...

Taking Tea is a daily ritual and I boil the kettle many times over the course of the day.
Packets and tins of Decaf Typhoo, Twinnings Earl Grey, Silk Road assorted blends, Murchies Golden Jubilee and Harrods Stronger Tea and English Breakfast fill my tea cabinet.

Coffee on the other hand is an occasional treat and I prefer a decaf Americano in which I must use cream.
Cream is rich and higher on the WW point scale so it is with moderation that I indulge...
cream is a rich shade and one that I am drawn to like a moth to a flame.
Perhaps that is why I adore the lustrous nacre of pearls.

I collect vintage cream ware.

McCoy, Beswick, Weller and a few other makers.

I have whittled down my cream ware collection and kept only my favourite pieces.

Pottery from Thetis Island

made by a woman named Nice.

I was immediately drawn to the aquatic nature of her work.

Arts and Crafts Weller pottery.

I bought this at an auction...

I was so excited that I raised my hand and bid against myself which was extremely embarrassing.

This Weller piece was acquired by absentee bid...

I had learned my lesson the hard way!

I love this cheerful pin which is fun to wear in the summertime.

The pin is unsigned and I have no idea who might have made it but that does not diminish my appreciation for it's beauty and design.

While it might look good against this carpet on the cat platform it looks much better on a jacket.

I opted to wear it on my Gap denim jacket white tee and jeans and paired it with some gold sandals by Franco Sarto.

These orchid blooms are technically white

 they take on a creamy disposition when placed beside the dark wood panelling and offer a source of cheer.

Orchids are such a great value and these easy to grow phalaenopsis or window sill orchids are your best bet if you are a novice orchid keeper.

They are often on sale and less expensive than a bouquet of flowers and they bloom for months on end and re bloom if you water them once a week and keep them on a bright window out of direct sunlight.

They like humidity so they are happy above a kitchen sink or in a bathroom or in our case near a single paned window on the south side of the house where draughts are common.

As I am saving in earnest for my trip to Paris I will be thinking of ways to add luxury without breaking the bank.

Having a few orchids in the bungalow feels like a wee bit of luxury and on a shoestring budget.

Shoestring being a relative term and it does depend on your circumstances...

what might be a shoestring for me would be different for others and visa versa.

Give yourself permission to indulge in a few luxurious moments of reflection...

think about all that you have to be grateful for in your life

 perhaps you'll be taking tea in a beautiful china patterned tea cup

 or sipping a coffee with cream 

you might be at a cafe watching the world go by...

you might be fortunate enough to be seated at a sidewalk cafe in Paris!

"Luxury is anything you don't need, right? I mean, you need food, water, clothing, shelter... but good wine, good food, beautiful interiors, nice clothes; those aren't necessities, they are luxuries - it's all luxury."

~ Marc Jacobs ~

Tea time...

Tea is my favourite beverage and as you readers have heard before, I sip many restorative cups during the day.
Emma Bridgewater mugs are frequently the vessel of choice...
they are cheerful and sturdy and I can easily carry them around The Humble Bungalow.

But for serious tea time I use a bone china cup and saucer. Often if I feel that I need a bit of cheering up I'll choose a pretty one and sit in the living room with a magazine and savour the tea. It's rather like dressing up for a special occasion but it is a simple tea cup that elevates the experience.

A reader emailed me and requested that I show some more of the tea cups that I collect and she specifically asked to see the makers marks so I hope that you enjoy this post!

Tea and sandwich plate this was a gift from Mother.

Great for sweets too!

Montrose pattern.

Pansy pattern.

She gave me two of these tea cups and plates so that when she comes to tea we each have our own set.

I have never seen any of these for sale in the shops.

I think they are quite charming.

This was on of my grandmother's tea cups.

The cousins all chose one tea cup when she moved out of her home.

I think of her whenever I take tea using this pretty pink and gold one. 

I cannot be sure who gave me this one but I think it was Mother.

It is so small that I rarely use it...I have a hunch that it is a demitasse and meant for strong coffee.

The lower two tea cups were a thrift shop find.

They were $6 each and I have had them for years.

I like to mix and match the tea cups when I host a tea or a shower.

I love lots of colour and the more decoration the merrier!

My favourite cups have lots of flowers painted in the bowl.

 When finished sipping one can enjoy a lovely surprise before having another cup of tea!

With all these pretty cups in my midst I must pop the kettle on...

all this has made me terribly thirsty.

It's time for tea!

I'd like to think that you are joining me.

Hope you are enjoying a restful cuppa.

Until next time,

Be Well.

Hostess

XO

White Wednesday...on the hunt for an elusive cookbook.

I have been on the hunt for a cookbook from the 1980's by Vancouverite Susan Mendelson called "Mama Never Cooked Like This." I found a few copies online at used book vender's for $90.00 and up...this is much too steep a price for me to pay for a used cookbook that might be splattered with spots so I have been searching through the used book section of every thrift shop that I visit.
Perhaps you have a copy lounging about gathering dust among your cookbook collection...just thought it might widen my search if I harnessed the networking power of the blogosphere.

My fingers are crossed in hope that we might collectively find a copy.
If you know of a reasonably priced copy or find one in your travels I would be most grateful if you gave me the opportunity to buy it from you.

Salvation Army has oodles of books but not one of Susan's sat waiting for me on the shelf....
however I did not leave empty handed.

Do you know what these are?

Ironstone pudding molds.

Do you remember having a tomato aspic or a jellied salad ?

My granny and aunts used to whip these up with regularity when we had family gatherings.

I loved watching the way that they wiggled on our plates.

The women in my family came from strong stock.

Cooking was in their genes.

I wonder looking back if anything much would have happened in the kitchen if it were not for the women.

The men did a great job chopping wood and pouring drinks but honestly the women cooked the food, set the table and put it out for all to enjoy.

They got dressed up and invited us to dine.

Does anyone still make these dishes?

Loving white and vintage ironstone the way I do I will find a use for these molds.

Are you planning anything exciting for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day?

If you could envision the perfect date what would it look like?

I'd fancy some french fries and a few glasses of champagne...

I have a bottle of Tattinger waiting... 

 our son is having a birthday and we plan to celebrate this weekend.

Grand kiddies and all perhaps we'll pop the cork....

"Love is the poetry of the senses."

  ~ Honoré de Balzac ~

The gentle ebb and flow of domesticity...is elevated by tea!

Quiet days are such a respite from the busy work that we all do.
Sometimes I like to just sit in the peace and stillness listening to the ticking of the clocks.
I do my best thinking when I am alone.

On a day like this I like to brew a pot of my favourite tea and serve it in a cup and saucer.

One needn't dress up to use a cup and saucer.

I frequently wear my jeans a white tee and a cashmere cardigan when sipping from a bone china cup.

I have collected quite a few pretty cups and saucers over the years.

Sadly they seem to have fallen out of favour.

On a positive note one can find these in thrift and charity shops for under $10.

Mr. HB gave me my favourite blend for Christmas.

I think this might be my favourite cup and saucer.

I love the gold and turquoise blue together.

The bowl of the cup is shallow and wide and feels very comfortable in ones hand.

Royal Chelsea is the maker.

This dainty pattern by Aynsley is cheerful and when the tea is finished you can see the pretty flowers in the bottom of the cup!

As you can see I am drawn to gold and turquoise patterns.

Royal Chelsea 

Now to decide which cup to use...

Royal Chelsea wins again.

Why don't you join me for a cup of tea?

Do you have a favourite cup and saucer?

What pattern makes your heart swoon?

"Architecture is basically a container of something. 

I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea."

~Yoshio Taniguchi ~

Point Ellice House, Joesph Joesph and a Weight Watchers report.

Last month I visited the historic home and garden of Point Ellice House with my BFF.
The grounds are lovely and the home is situated on the Victoria waterfront...
back when it was built ~ visitors could arrrive by boat at the dock, however my BFF and I arrived by car!

It is set in what is now an industrial area of Victoria but do not let that disuade you from visiting.
The cream tea alone is worth the trip!

We ventured out early on a Sunday morning to attend The Island Mavins Market.

Some of you may remember that I attended last year

the weather this year was much more favourable

and although I did not buy as much 

it was such fun to share it with a good friend.

 a fragrant rose 

citrus overtones

creamy perfection

wicker chairs lined up along a table 

under the tent

great for a rest and a pot of tea

and one can sit and gaze out toward the sea

glimpses of ocean peeking through the trees

lots of people came out to this event

warmth and sunshine make it easy to meander about in the garden

perusing the wares

bunting and bouquets

a colourful combo

artists and crafts people were showcasing their creations

everything from hand made soaps to quilts

to cards and clothing

vintage collectibles

all nestled snugly inside the gorgeous grounds

a vast potager was smack dab in the middle of it all

heritage hollyhocks

some seedlings were available for sale

The house and garden are linked for indoor outdoor living

by verandas and patios 

I bought this antique box to hide various cords and chargers

the techy tools that we use daily

the camera, IPhone and IPad.

On the frontier of new gadgets...

Joesph Joesph is all the rage...

this garlic rocker works like a charm.

On the Weight Watchers Front I am a few ounces short of 20 pounds lost with 5 to go....

who would have predicted that I would be able to accomplish this a year ago?

Not me.

With support anything is possible!