Showing posts with label domestics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label domestics. Show all posts

Saturday, October 17, 2020

OOTD...

 


OOTD

Lord and Taylor Cashmere 
It is officially 
"sweater weather"


Stormy
Rain and gusty winds
power outages across the Island and The Gulf Islands
Tress and branches are down...
rain is hitting the windows sideways!


Timberland Boots
Vintage America Jeans

Dressing casually for comfort and warmth during the stormy weather.

I ran a bunch of errands...
had my annual mammogram.

Grocery shopping


Refill for our Method dish soap pump bottle
Joie silicone soft gentle scrubber
Bamboo brush scrubber for tough jobs

I use a vintage porcelain pudding bowl for these items beside our farmhouse sink.
Water drains away from the brushes as the bottom of the bowl has a raised pattern.

Super sponge cloths they last and last 
washable 
up to 300 times!
One towel replaces 15 rolls of paper towels
absorbs 20 times its weight in water
compostable

It surprises me how much better I feel when I get some new cleaning supplies.

Daily domestic chores are a big part of my routine.
Spending so much more time at home 
means that I cannot avoid seeing what needs to be done!


 ~ New Book ~
by Gill Paul 
She wrote a book that I recently read The Secret Wife
which I really enjoyed and highly recommend.


What are you reading?

Have you been watching any good shows on Netflix ?

We discovered The Duchess, a quirky British series which we are enjoying.

Also an older series, After Life written, directed and starring Ricky Gervais.
(Dark subject matter but quite brilliant and funny.) 

Doing it Ourselves, a French castle renovation by a British family is on You Tube.

I welcome your suggestions...


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

September...


The second flush of rose blooms ~ always a welcome sight.
The repeat blooming roses will bloom again after being deadheaded
a job 
while time consuming...
is rewarding!


Yesterday I was super busy dusting, vacuuming, doing laundry.
These domestic chores need to be done regularly...
once accomplished are so satisfying.

I blitzed the bungalow and by noon I was pretty much knackered!
I stopped for a break and decided what I would cook for dinner.
The planning of meals is very much a priority here in The Humble Bungalow.


The view from our laundry room...
the patio plants and garden beyond.

I peek through the French door when I am folding laundry or ironing.
Natural beauty helps keep me grounded and sane.

The Covid upswing in numbers here in BC is rather unsettling.
We will have to keep our bubbles small moving into the cooler weather.

How will we manage to be social when it gets cold?

Sales of outdoor heaters and marquis tents might be in demand.

I plan to walk regularly with a couple of friends.
Thankfully
I have a long down coat which will keep me cozy.


We enjoyed a tasty lunch on our boat last week...
so simple and full of flavour.

Bagels cream cheese, lox, capers and red onion slices.

Have you been busy making meals?
Are you baking bread?

I've been cooking regularly since early March.
The number of times we have been out for a meal on a patio are few.

Happy Hour with friends outside have been our safe social dates.

Our dinner...

Chili and baking powder biscuits.
(I haven't baked biscuits in years)


Martha's recipe from the Goward House Cooking Club.
Sadly we are not able to meet up due to Covid right now.


Harvest this morning.

Fresh tomatoes from the greenhouse.
Yellow beans from the raised bed.


I blanched the beans for 3 minutes then plunged them into ice water until they were cool.
Dried them with kitchen towels
 packed them in Ziploc bags ready for the freezer.


Almost finished Akin by Emma Donoghue...
I am enjoying the story.
Emma is a very creative and gifted writer.
She's Canadian.

What are you reading?

How are you keeping your spirits up while in isolation and staying safe?
Have you been inspired to be creative?
New crafts, projects, redecorating?

Hope that you are being careful and staying safe.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Love the "little things" ~ a recipe for contentment.


Reading home decor books, Instagram and magazines inspire me.
I often get frustrated and wonder how I can make our little bungalow look better.

  I actioned a quick and inexpensive DIY fix.

I purchased 3 black metal hooks 
(Mr. HB installed them for me)

I hung up my French Market basket
 gardening hat 
and
  watering can. 

As conscientious stewards 
of a Heritage home
we are required to honour the historic significance 
we do not stray too far from their original architectural design.

With one exception...
The laundry area is painted white 
the basement is dark with very little light 
with only a few small windows.

The bright white walls 
make it much more enjoyable to work in and it feels far less oppressive!


I like to do my ironing while gazing out to the garden.



Looking out and beyond at the foliage and flowers 
while ironing 
feels like a form of meditation.


A handy rolling cart in the space is used for towels.


I fold the laundry on the top of the counter
and
I have a small ironing board that I use for small jobs 
like our linen tea towels and napkins.

Domestic jobs are a necessity.
To make them a wee bit more enjoyable
I have "fluffed" my downstairs "workplace" adding a few accent pieces.
Vintage enamel tins, ceramics, bird sculptures, and trophies...

Work and chores need not be looked upon as "drudgery."

Attitude is key to making these everyday tasks pleasant.
Taking joy in the results of one's labour and effort is so important.

The feeling of accomplishment is felt...
as I stand back
admiring a stack of freshly laundered 
(scented with lavender soap)
neat and tidy crisply ironed tea towels.

It's the "little things" that make our days richer.

How do you add Joy in your daily duties?
Do you have a secret to share that you use to make your daily round feel richer?

On that note, 
I will close this post...

Thank you for taking the time to stop and visit The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

The Humble Bungalow ~ keeping cool in a heat wave...

We have just returned from our holidays to our beloved home and garden...
the greenhouse is full of fresh home grown tomatoes
ready to be harvested and eaten.


a bounty of tasty tomatoes



I will be making tomato salads, perhaps indulge in some tomato sandwiches,
will also plan to roast some for a pasta dish and may freeze some.


BC is immersed in a heat wave...
the temperatures are rising
and with that, my plans to work outside in the garden are shelved for a cooler day.

The blinds are closed and the windows have been opened a crack
(otherwise the cats escape!)
The overhanging eaves, a typical feature of an arts and crafts bungalow,
help to keep the sunshine out.

So I am staying inside attacking my long "to do list"...
it's only 10:30 and I have done 3 loads of laundry,
the last load of slip covers are spinning in the LG as I type.

The farmhouse sink has been bleached,
the mail opened, bills paid ready to be posted.

I plan a quick manicure
a beach walk
need to return something to the store
stop by a friends' home
start a new book.


My summertime favourites...
Eau Thermale mist by Avene to help refresh the skin
I also keep a cool bottle of water on the counter by the sink 
 take one outside with me when I garden...hydrating from the inside out!

Sunscreen
SPF 50 for my face and exposed arms and legs.
I try to wear a light Tencel long sleeved shirt for extra sun coverage.

Spritz of Roger and Gallet light rose scent to refresh throughout the day.

The new favourite Sally Hansen diamond tough polish which lasted an entire week before showing signs of wear...
the shade is called Love Bug.


I'd better get back to work...
my break is over! 

Thank you for stopping by the Humble Bungalow Blog.

What are you reading and how is your summer going?
Is it hot where you are right now?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Rainy Day Rhythm...


Cheap and cheerful
chrysanthemums
perk me up on a grey rainy day...

The power of flowers can elevate any decor...

a simple jam jar with daisies

a Baccarat crystal vase with roses

a single bloom in a flask

an orchid in a blue and white porcelain planter

depending on your budget

you can get as creative as you like when it comes to floral arrangements.


Vintage Verlys glass satin dish bowl
etched simply with pine cones
sits empty 
beside the window
catching the light


The grandchildren made this colourful Easter Wreath at Michael's.

We were meant to go to the workshop together but I had Vertigo and had to cancel...
it sounds like they had lots of fun.


Our sunsets have been quite stunning 
this week at Quarter Deck Cottage.

I love how sculptural the arbutus trees look set against the yellow skies.

One needn't go far to find beauty 
it is outside just beyond the front door...
all you have to do is open your eyes and look around.

It may surprise you to find that there are ordinary things 
which when studied 
on close inspection
look like works of art.

I never come home from a walk without seeing something quite lovely.

Perhaps that is why I love to walk so much...
not only do I feel restored and re-energized
there are snippets of Nature's handiwork at every turn.

I make it my goal to seek out the delights that Nature has provided...


A juicy red rose hip still clinging to the vine...


Queen Anne's Lace seed head boldly standing tall against the blue sky.


A reclaimed lifeboat
re purposed as a planter at the end of the road.

The Riddle Family plant this boat with seasonal offerings...
The sign says 
"The Point...Of it All!"

A scarecrow and mums were on display for Fall
daffodils and tulips for Spring
 I am already curious what they will plant for Summer.

The rains have arrived after several sunny days so it's a day of domestic chores...
laundry and tidying.

A pot of tea now waits
 I will return to my books and knitting
after I hit the publish button on this post.



The Humble Dishcloth
(a knitting pattern that I return to time and again)

Size 6 or 7 (US) needles
Cotton yarn

Cast on 4 stitches
Row 1 - Knit 4 stitches
Row 2 -  Knit 2 Yarn over knit to end of row
Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches
Row 3 - Knit 1 Knit 2 together, Yarn Over, Knit 2 together knit to end of row
Knit row 3 until you have 4 stitches left on the needles
Bind off.


so soothing to knit
useful to use
soft
makes a great Hostess Gift!

Wishing you all a Very Happy Weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Monday, January 8, 2018

Finding my way...

Thank you so much for your supportive emails and comments on my previous post.
Many of you wrote about your personal tragedies and situations that are much more dire than what our family is going through and upon reflection this past week I have been able to regain my sense of perspective
coming to terms with my feelings of helplessness.

I've put my energies into action 
working on domestic chores
focusing on the jobs at hand.

It is not a cure all but it feels good to accomplish something that needs doing.


I am glad that my kitchen does not look like this one
but it CAN look rather messy if I do not stay on top of the cleaning.


Thank goodness for the auto clean program...
it makes the job so much easier.

I've been chiselling away at my "to do" list...
the feeling of accomplishment 
is a reward
when I am able to cross another job off the list.


Maintaining leather 
Coach bag, shoes and boots pays off as they look better and last longer.


 Fresh Shampoo
for  
my make up brushes once a month...
a simple routine that takes just a few minutes.


This wee orchid was a gift from a friend 
when Mom died on my birthday last March.
It is blooming again!


This orchid has a double row of blooms...
speaking of blooms our Amaryllis is absolutely stunning!


Each stem has four flowers!
There is another stem about to bloom.
We have never ever had an amaryllis like this one.


Low WW point lunch yesterday
after a busy day working in the Humble Bungalow.

Did you watch the Golden Globes last night?
Oprah's speech was so inspiring...
I watched it twice.


A stack of books await...


Speaking of inspiring.

I found this wonderful quote on Pinterest...

Hope that you find some comfort and joy in your week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, October 14, 2017

A quiet weekend, focusing on our home....


Autumn brings chilly days 
and it's time to do some work inside the Humble Bungalow.
The garden will have to wait!

Mr. HB and I are "deep cleaning" the storage area and workshop downstairs where the furnace is located in our home...
it is an area that tends to be a catch all and because it is behind "closed doors" 
we do not look at it often...
 extra stuff gathers
  it mounts up 
one can be happy ignoring 
the bits of debris and recycling and cardboard only for so long!

Exhausting work but certainly satisfying...

I needed to take a break late in the day and have a cafe creme 
 now writing this blog post before starting dinner.
My tummy is grumbling!


Sharon Santoni's new book...
she lives in such a pretty home and her garden is beautiful
and how wonderful that she has shared some of her favourite recipes!

Speaking of recipes...


I took this book out of the local library and I love the recipes so much that I have placed an order with the booksellers in Oak Bay.
I have read most of Jane Green's novels and find them very entertaining.


Tonight I am making Jane Green's Maple Glazed Pork Chops 
served with my whipped potato bake
shown here ready to go into the oven...
AH COMFORT FOOD!

I recently shared the recipe...
this time I had no cottage cheese so I substituted some cream cheese.
NEEDS MUST!

Must get on with the rest of the dinner prep so I will close.
How is your weekend going?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, May 1, 2017

OOTD, flowers, "serviettes vs. napkins"...


Surprise delivery of flowers from a friend...
a lovely and thoughtful gesture of kindness.



beautiful blooming buds 
such beauty 


soft delicate blush pink roses


sunlight on the floor
reflections
of the blinds


OOTD:
Northern Reflections crisp white shirt
NYDJ skinny jeans
Ferragamo flats

 Mr. HB took the photo...
it's a silly one

Delete?

Publish?

I am not a professional model and do not take myself too seriously...
so the pictures stay.



What is so funny you may ask?

Mr. HB was snapping photos so fast I could not keep up with him.
Stop now, please...


Crisp Fresh linen from Belgium
an extra large tea towel
that may be used as a tablecloth 
on our small arts and crafts 
kitchen table.


I noticed the pretty native lilies are blooming in the park.


Today I've been busy washing the bedding and catching up on the ironing. 
It is pouring rain outside and there is a chill in the air.


In the previous post 
several comments were made about the inappropriate use of the words 
"serviettes" and "napkins."

I use both...

We use paper "serviettes" as well as linen "napkins."
What about you?

ser·vi·ette
ˌsərvēˈet/Submit
nounBRITISHCANADIAN
plural noun: serviettes
a table napkin


nap·kin
ˈnapkən/
noun
1.
a square piece of cloth or paper used at a meal to wipe the fingers or lips and to protect garments, or to serve food on.
synonyms: table napkin, dinner napkin, cocktail napkin, serviette; More
2.
NORTH AMERICAN
another term for sanitary napkin.



What are your thoughts?


Tea is served in a variety of vessels here in The Humble Bungalow...


Emma Bridgewater mugs...


Fine bone china cups and saucers...

this one is my favourite as it is a wide deep bowl with a bright bold pattern. 

Speaking of favourite things...
My "go to casual fave" outfit.


Jeans, a white shirt or Tee
sterling bangles and pearls.


Chester found the one sunny spot for his nap.

Must close for now as I am making a new recipe for a comforting soup.
It is a curried sweet potato carrot and red lentil soup.
Vegetarian and perfect for a cold day like today.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.
XO