Christmas happened...despite Covid and we survived!

Christmas Gifts

Kosta Boda Rose pattern crystal votives.

Gift from darling daughter and her husband.

I love the design and the icy light from the candles.

The festive season was a bit different this year due to catching Covid.

My husband and I both had it earlier in December.

I have scarred lungs from repeated bouts of pneumonia 

so when I get a cold (or Covid) I tend to get a chesty cough.

We went to our son's home for Christmas morning where we exchanged gifts and had brunch.

I made Jacques Pepin's French Toast Bake, a fruit salad and sausages with croissants.

The kids were so excited!!!

Lovely to see their enthusiasm and joy.

Here is the island that Mr. HB made for our son's home.

It was a summer project and I have serious Island Envy!!!

I didn't have a ton of energy and so I had to give up on most of the baking.

Fortunately I had prepared the candied nuts ahead of time 

the chocolate bark is a quick recipe to make.

(posted the recipe in a previous blogpost)

Food is a BIG part of our traditional celebrations...

turkey and lots of side dishes.

Simple table setting...

using

red and greens.

The cute little tree was found in our Cook Street Village Garden Centre.

I used it as our centrepiece on the Christmas table...

The turkey was about 10 pounds...

I made stuffing, maple glazed carrots, whipped potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussells sprouts with pancetta, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Dessert was Panna Cotta with Italian sour cherries in syrup.

Served in an iittala Ultima Thule Glass

We have quite a few pieces of Tapio Wirkkala's Icy Modernist Crystal.

It was popular when we got married in 1974 and is still in business today.

After Boxing Day...

made a small batch of Yorkshire puddings to add to the leftovers.

Turkey Soup

Candles in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen above the Farmhouse Sink.

This morning I woke early...

have been going to bed before 10:00 most nights.

Coffee in the dark and thoughts swirling...

felt a surge of energy to get some decluttering done.

The car was loaded up and I dropped off the donations around noon.

Starting downstairs in the guest and hobby rooms.

Still a few more things to deal with but it feels way better!!

Funny thing that has happened since I had to cancel my haircut...

I have been using the flat iron and straightening it...

I think it is "growing on me"

Not perfect 

getting to the stage where I can wear it up in a French Roll 

or put it in a scrunchie for a loose ponytail.

So I suppose that's enough rambling for one post...

Hope that you had a wonderful Festive Season.

Hope that you are staying healthy and are avoiding Covid.

Let me know how things are going...do you declutter after the holidays?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Dinners In and out ~ OOTD...

I bought this simple black Eileen Fisher dress a few years ago...

it has become a real workhorse in my wardrobe.

I have worn it with a white long sleeved top underneath

tights and black Chelsea Boots.

Last night I wore it as it is and added a soft wool Petrusse scarf as a shawl.

This is a surprisingly warm scarf despite it being rather sheer.

I received this in one of the My French Country Boxes from France.

It has had a few years of use and still looks new.

I thought about wearing my Ferragamo shoes 

but in the end I decided I should test drive the new Coach loafers.

I wore sheer black hose for the first time in ages...

fortunately I have a few new packages in my drawer.

I added the vintage rhinestone bracelet and wore my simple princess cut diamond necklace and studs.

It felt strange not wearing my pearls 

I thought that I should keep it simple when adding the BLING.

We had a delicious dinner at Zambri's our favourite Italian restaurant.

I forgot to capture our appetizers, main course but here is dessert!

Passionfruit Panna Cotta

so delicious!

We had a lovely evening out and it was such a treat.

On Friday evening we hosted a small dinner party here in The Humble Bungalow.

The table is set and ready for the guests.

Appetizers ~ cheese plate with Olives, pickles, antipasto and candied salmon with assorted crackers in the living room in front of the fireplace.

The main course ~ Beef Daube, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Dessert ~ large brownies topped with fresh raspberries.

I wanted to host a casual dinner before everyone got busy with the seasonal events.

Have you noticed that people are out in droves buying Christmas presents?

I too am trying to get my shopping done early.

I need time to bake some cookies and the annual Christmas Tourtieres.

Hope that you are all staying healthy...

I have heard that the viruses are making the rounds.

One of my friends has been hospitalized and she's been in for a week and only now starting to feel better.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A WEE post ~ in between...stay tuned for the regular post on Sunday!

 

I am so thrilled with the lavender soap that I ordered from French Larkspur.

I love a scented soap and treat myself regularly to a fresh new bar...

I find it difficult not buying fragrant soaps :-))

If I go into a shop that sells gifts I head to the soap section first.

Rarely do I leave without buying a bar or two.

Mom loved her Yardley's English Lavender Soap

she actually kept it in her bedroom so that the rest of the family  didn't use it all up!

I wonder if it was an expensive luxury item back in the day?

She would unwrap bars and scent her lingerie drawer with the bars of soap.

This soap has found a "home" beside the farmhouse kitchen sink.

The wee posy is still looking lovely!

Twas a gift from our lovely neighbours 

In appreciation for all the veggies and apples that we gave them over the summer.

Look at the most recent harvest of the peppers!

My husband has outdone himself growing all the veggies this year.

I am using the peppers in all kinds of dishes...

salads

soups

spaghetti sauce

chili

I love baking sourdough bread, tending to the starter is like feeding a pet.

I make a boule each week 

we enjoy the bread sliced and served with butter or toasted with jam.

The texture is dense, requires a lot of chewing and the crust is crunchy.

Not only is it fun to make it is very economical.

With food prices rising it is nice to know that homemade bread is still affordable.

Chili for dinner tonight!

Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, 

3 stalks of celery and 2 green peppers diced and cooked until soft.

Add 1 pound ground chicken (or turkey or beef)

cook until no longer pink.

Drain and rinse 2 cans of red kidney beans add to pot.

Then add a large can of diced tomatoes (stewed tomatoes work well too)

2 Tbsp. Chili powder, 1 Tbsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt

Simmer for at least an hour, stirring often.

I serve the chili topped with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Bon Appetit

Currently reading this book...

it is rather like a travelogue.

I am enjoying the whimsy and honesty of the author as he retells the story of his trip.

We keep our "heart" lit up 

on behalf of the local hospital workers who work hard.

Covid is making a comeback here in town...

people are back wearing masks in the shops.

We both have just had our 6th vaccination and we took advantage at the pharmacy and had the annual flu shot as well.

I had a reaction to the shot(s) was awake at 2:30 with aches 

stayed awake the rest of the night...

but I managed to go to aquafit and had a great workout.

Feel totally normal now!

I've been so busy in the kitchen that I haven't really had a PLAY DAY.

I promise I will take off my apron.

I plan on taking myself to Marshall's for a WALKABOUT.

STAY TUNED :-))

It is always fun looking at their stock and I rarely leave empty handed.

What's new with you all?

Don't be SHY...leave a comment.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

October ~ Feel the Fullness of Fall

Last weekend we went to The BC Aviation Museum out by the Victoria Airport.

It was a lot bigger and way more interesting than I initially thought 

it would be...

Indoor activities are very much a Fall Favourite.

Keeping warm and dry while visiting museums and galleries.

We went with friends and had a guided tour by a volunteer which was almost 2 hours.

They have a designated area for children with games, flight simulators and small airplanes to ride inside...

there were lots of kids enjoying the space.

Afterwards we went to The Spitfire Grill near the plane refuelling station for lunch.

We were able to watch many planes land.

I ordered a bowl of the hearty mushroom soup as I wanted to warm up.

Soup making is back on the agenda here in The Humble Bungalow.

A big pot is made early in the week 

so we can enjoy soup on the days that I attend Aqua Fit classes.

It warms me up after the drive home.

BOO!

My sister and I had a walk last week in Oak Bay.

We spied many yards decorated in the Halloween theme.

I had NO IDEA how expensive these skeletons cost!!

My guess was about $100 and my sister looked on Amazon only to tell me that I needed to multiply my guess by 10 times!!

WOW

There is a Hallmark Christmas movie being filmed here in Victoria.

We thought we might see them at work on the Esplanade near the Tea Room.

They must have wrapped up that segment of the film as they have now moved on into the heart of Fernwood.

We have minimal seasonal Fall decorations...

for Halloween night, a small string of orange pumpkin lights.

~ Fall Porch Decor ~

I added these 2 wee white pumpkins and a white cyclamen.

The big cones are foraged from the nearby trees at the cemetery.

The dried alliums are from the garden and that grape vine wreath is decades old.

I just finished this book by Phaedra Patrick.

I enjoyed the quirky story and the characters felt very real.

About a year ago I read her other book and really like it too.

~ Pink Fall colour on the Limelight Hydrangeas ~

I am drying more hydrangeas to bring inside our Humble Bungalow.

This week I gave some away to a friend and realized that I needed some for us.

Hope they dry fast before the winds get crazy as they tend to fly around the garden.

A scarf knit on the bias is taking shape...

using a sumptuous yarn.

Japanese Noro which is a blend of silk, mohair and lambswool.

I found the wool at our local shop The Beehive.

Yesterday I went to Murchies and stocked up on their Princess Blend rose tea.

My tea caddy was almost empty...

I like to brew a pot and sip this tea while I am reading or knitting 

perfect for a cool Fall afternoon.

My current book stack...

all were found in the local little free library kiosks.

We are cocooning in front of the TV more this Fall...

Really enjoying the British crime dramas found on Acorn TV.

The Chelsea Detective, Cuffs, Whitstable Pearl, Cannes Confidential

and many more.

This arrangement was hand delivered by the neighbours...

a few minutes ago.

In appreciation for our gifts of harvested fresh grown veggies and apples!

Such a thoughtful gift...

Fall

~ Dinner tonight ~

I am making a "stringy" shredded beef roast in the oven...

4 pound chuck roast seasoned with salt and pepper 

baked in a covered casserole for 4 hours.

You take it out and using two forks you then shred the meat.

I am roasting potatoes, carrots, zucchini and beets in a drizzle of olive oil

sprinkled with salt and pepper to accompany the roast.

I hope it is a tasty meal because this is a super easy dinner!

Hope you are enjoying October.

It is almost Halloween :-))

and

I have a BIG bag full of treats.

Well I am about to put the kettle on and will brew a pot of tea...

now do I knit or start a new book?

Is it Fall where you live?

What are you up to this week?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thanksgiving Weekend at Quarterdeck Cottage

 

We welcomed friends to the cottage for a Thanksgiving Dinner.

The sun shone and the winds abated for their arrival.

The menu was Italian themed and Julie and I cooked in the kitchen while the guys hung out on the deck watching the boats.

I was Julie's sous chef :-))

It is a great day being in the kitchen when Julie cooks 

I Watch and Learn.

Caesar Salad to start...

Julie mixes her dressing (which includes anchovies) directly in the bowl.

Then we added the romaine, croutons and cheese.

Julie also adds bacon which gives it a real zesty flavour!

We made Stanley Tucci's Favourite pasta dish.

On an episode of his series Eating Italy they featured the recipe.

Julie got her recipe from Chef John Pierre who has a You Tube Channel.

The basis of the sauce is deep fried zucchini slices...

it tastes delicious, nutty and thick and you'd never guess it was zucchini!

WOW

I made an apple crisp using our Liberty apples

served it with French Vanilla ice Cream.

The wine we served was Italian from the Tuscany region...

(I had to get Mr. HB to go out to the recycling bin and snap a photo)

We went to the Pender Island Museum...

saw this buck sitting in the sunshine.

Tried to walk at Roseland but the tide was in and so we couldn't get across

the inlet to wander along the scenic trails.

For breakfast the next morning I served a fruit salad and a smoked salmon frittata.

The frittata was simple to make...

Frittata

Sliced small red onion

diced red pepper

sliced 4 large mushrooms

6 ounces smoked salmon cut into small pieces

grated cheeses about 1 1/2 cups

a dozen eggs whisked til frothy

salt pepper and some chopped mint leaves

Bake in a deep dish at 350 for about 40 minutes until eggs are cooked and no longer runny.

Lunch was a charcuterie board...

we call it a "picky plate"

We walked at Hamilton Beach in the rain...

our friends left later in the afternoon before dinner.

I made scallops for dinner...

Chef Jean Pierre's scallop recipe is on his You Tube Channel and online at his website.

Delicious!

Will be reading these books over the next few days...

Am really enjoying The Last Devil to Die!

I love the Thursday Murder Club.

We are fortunate to have a great little boutique on the island.

I always pop in and peruse the stock...

you never know what you'll find!

C'est Moi

White Linen shirt

I found another one in a sleek percale cotton but I couldn't justify buying two...

I love a crisp white shirt to wear with black pants or jeans and my pearls.

Well I suppose that I better get some lunch ready for my husband...

he's out walking in the rain and will be cold and hungry when he returns.

In case you are interested lunch will be bacon and home grown tomato sandwiches on homemade sourdough bread!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~