Lime Time

Home Sweet Home.

Our girls meet up was filled with laughter and good conversations.
We stayed up late and rose early, played bridge, cribbage, read and walked.
The mosquitoes were terrible!
I have about a dozen bites which are super itchy and have taken an antihistamine.

The washer and dryer are working hard and dinner is in the works but I had to sit down for a few minutes and catch up on my blog reading.
You can read the blogs I follow by scrolling down and checking out their links on the side bar,
they are a very diverse group and I am always searching for more interesting bloggers...
feel free to introduce me to your favourite bloggers.

I love limes...
freshly squeezed in a refreshing glass of sparking water on a hot summer day.

I am particularly fond of chartreuse green.

I recently made a shrimp 

stir fried with pea pods, red pepper slivers, fresh ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil grated rind,

and lime juice for dinner.

I loved the taste of all the flavours together...

A mesh bag full of limes is stored in the crisper section of the fridge.

Mouthwatering, delicious, and who says lemonade is the best summer drink?

I am thinking limeade is the flavour of summer.

A whisper soft French scarf with a smattering of lime.

Picture from the archives

(I am 30 pounds heavier in this image)

A gift from our friends who live part time in Auvillar France.

Lime light Hydrangeas

Our former boat, in the photo, a Mahogany 1957 Classic Chris Craft Constellation...

Lime Le Creuset...

Our Sea Ray looking toward Poets Cove Resort.

Smaller and much more compact and what I now refer to as  "A Go Fast!"

I'm trying to be greener with my food choices.

Organic and local and many grown in our own back yard.

Still on the kale bandwagon...

Wilted steamed baby bok choy...

packed with nutrients.

Try drizzling some balsamic "crema" over top of these and I doubt you will be disappointed.

Euphorbia

These chairs are calling my name and I feel a cool beverage is in the offing.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting The Humble Bungalow.

I have had so much fun with my gal pals....

will be back soon.

Hope you are savouring all the goodness that life has to offer...

"If life gives you limes, make margaritas.”

~  Jimmy Buffett ~

Julie's glorious Friday night Feast...

The weekend so far has been busy, it's a bit of a blur...
a lot has been happening to keep us out of mischief but first let's talk about Friday.
We started off with dinner at Julie's...she is our friend who owns and runs a local catering company.
When she invited us for dinner she mentioned that she was not going to "fuss."
I assumed that meant simple fare that required very little effort...something that I might do myself, although it takes me a lot more effort to make it look effortless!

I picked up a posy of flowers for our hostess from Thorn and Thistle...

Julie and her husband have recently renovated their kitchen and it is a cook's dream!
A 6 burner gas range with a hood overhead and a faucet to fill up the pasta pot right at the back of the stove top.
Three ovens...one is a state of the art steam oven and the other two are more traditional,
although they are all top of the line...exactly what a serious cook would want to use.

Are you ready for a peek?

The counter tops are "leathered granite" in black and they are sumptuous...
I loved all the LED lights with dimmer switches especially the task lighting.
The cabinets are white and the drawers and cupboards have those closers that make it impossible to slam even if your souffle falls!
The open plan makes it easy to have people seated at the table in the dining area and she is able to interact and converse with guests as she prepares the next course....

So are you ready to see the "no fuss" dinner?

We started with prawn filled won ton wrappers drizzled with Miso sauce...atop avocado and garnished with slivers of red cabbage, carrots, chives and thinly sliced radishes.

The wine flowed...

I drank lots of water with the wine.

Ribs drenched in a delicious BBQ sauce topped with roasted tomatoes, grilled asparagus and homemade gnocchi in a Gorgonzola cheese sauce.
Yes dear readers I ate it all....
I put the WW point count completely out of my mind and savoured every tasty morsel!

Chocolate souffle, what a decadent way to cap off the meal!

We had a wonderful time chatting and visiting and talking of her upcoming trip to Paris, Barcelona and Tuscany where she will be taking some cooking lessons.
I drank a few more glasses of wine than I am accustomed to...and just before midnight we hopped in a taxi for the 30 minute ride home and I went straight to bed!

I'll post more soon...hope that you have a delightful day.

Weekend round up...

It was a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow.
We had a great evening with our friends on Friday, sharing a cocktail and a simple dinner.

Now that I am retired I want to focus more on entertaining at home.
I have more time to plan ahead.
Hosting friends and family in our Humble Bungalow is one of my favourite things.

Aren't sunflowers at their most spectacular this time of year?

They make me smile.

Appies and one martini before dinner...

this gin is far and beyond my favourite for a martini.

I set an understated table...

I focus much more on the food preparation.

These pretty vintage napkins were a gift from a friend.

She made them from fabric that she found in her travels...

I love to use them as they are so cheerful.

I finished knitting a hat for Henry...

I hope it fits!

Our family popped over for afternoon tea on Sunday so I made Nigella Lawson's chocolate cake.

Mr. HB harvested the last of the tomatoes and cucumbers.

I am impressed by the rich colours that are produced from such a simple beginning...

The sun came out and surprised us after we heard the dreary weekend forecast.

Pillows galore!

This is my blogging bench...

I sit at this rustic arts and crafts dinette and type my thoughts.

I picked up my copy of Country Living UK...

I will find a quiet moment this week to brew a pot of tea and read it cover to cover.

Hope you are well and enjoying the simple things that life has to offer...

Hostess

Coffee, daffodils, aprons and meatballs ~ a mish mash!

I fancy a great cup of tea but I rarely comment on a good cup of coffee.
A good night's sleep is very important to me and I am sensitive to caffeine so it is a decaf blend that I opt to buy.
The Drum Roaster Coffee Shop at Cobble Hill, BC is my favourite spot to buy coffee.
 Coffee is roasted on site and the pastries are very delicious if you have a wee bit of a sweet tooth!
Seats are often in short supply as there is a crowd of loyal regulars, they do take out so all is not lost.
It's also a great stop to stretch your legs if you are driving up or down island.

This day has found me reading blogs that I follow and am on my second cup of coffee...
It's such fun reading blogs from around the world, so many great writers out there in the blog-a-sphere.
Inspiring me to try new recipes, revamp my closet, lose weight and travel.

The daffodils are blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I'm excited!

Emma Bridgewater's pottery is such fun.

This mug brings a little bit of spring cheer all year round.

If you look closely you can see the droplets of rain on this bloom

 trying very hard to be a sunny spot in a grey day

the weight of water has almost collapsed this daffodil's petals

still it is a pretty sight 

rain drops are very photogenic don't you think?

~ ~ ~

I'm going to pop on my trusty apron and get into action 

 Lidia Bastianich's classic Italian meatballs are on the menu 

for Mr. HB's supper tonight.

What are you cooking up for supper?

I must look for a new apron as mine is looking rather tattered...

 something with a bib style as I am a very messy cook!

any suggestions?

Hope your weekend had some delights.

Mine was so relaxing...

Take care,

Hostess

My latest crushes...

Teas are probably my favourite beverage of all time...
martini's are a close second!

I wanted to share with you an unusual new tea from the UK that is dazzling my taste buds.

It sounds like it might be hot and spicy but it is extremely well balanced.

The cocoa is the top note and there is no caffeine to keep you awake at night.

I brewed a mug and went to bed early and read a few chapters in my book.

Summer at Tiffany

which I am enjoying as it is a perfect light read to ease into slumber.

In order for me to maintain my sanity I need to go to bed earlier rather than later.

I have always needed lots of sleep.

My greatest luxury is 

waking up in the morning refreshed and rested and taking my time getting out of bed

I am very very fortunate that Mr. HB brings me a cup of tea every morning before I get out of bed.

(thank you honey!)

My dear father did that for my Mother every morning too 

I often think how hard it must be for her 

since he has gone 

to have to get up all by herself and brew her own pot of tea...

she has many more important reasons to miss him 

 it is just that at the start of her day now 

everyday since he passed away 

is the sad reminder that she is a widow.

Last Friday when we went to the Marina for my birthday sushi dinner 

my BFF and I both had a Grey Goose martini

the bartenders there mix a wonderful martini

so good in fact, that we had two!

Mr. HB bought a bottle and I was more than surprised to discover it is made in France of all places!

I had no idea!!

Mr. HB mixed me one on the following Saturday evening which I sipped ever so slowly...

a girl can get into trouble if she isn't careful

do you remember that classic Dorothy Parker quote?

"I like to have a martini,

Two at the very most.

After three I’m under the table,

after four I’m under my host."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Always have some food when imbibing in a martini or they can sneak up on you!

"Men seldom make passes

At girls who wear glasses."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Have some FUN this weekend!

Thank you for stopping by my humble little blog.

I do love all your comments and I read each and every one of them.

Hostess

Fortnum and Mason Teas...

Taking tea is an everyday ritual here in The Humble Bungalow.
It might be a restorative mug sipped while doing domestic chores or it might be served in an elegant cup and saucer and savored with a magazine or a good book. Often I sit and look out the window at the garden beyond and take s few deep breaths and ponder.

Emma Bridgewater's tea tray

Good tea is essential.
Testing and seeking out blends and flavours that please your palate is worth the effort.

On our trip to Vancouver I found two such teas which I think are delicious and I am happy to share with you.

Making great tea is simple.

You must boil the kettle to a full rolling boil

put some of the boiling water in your tea pot to warm it and let it sit for a few minutes

Pour out that water then add your tea

if it is loose tea leaves you'll need

one teaspoon for each cup brewed and "one extra for the pot."

Let it steep at least 5 minutes

then using a tea strainer pour into your cup

drink plain 

or

add milk

a squeeze of lemon

and possibly a bit of sugar

it's a matter of personal taste.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the moments

taking tea is a ritual worth cultivating.

It is of of life's simple luxuries.

Like linen tea towels...

they are the towels of choice here in The Humble Bungalow

many of mine are soft and worn with regular use

I have trouble parting with them when they do get holes from years of wear.

Irish linen is wonderful

My family hails from Ireland

they fled when the potato famine struck and emigrated to the US and found their way to Canada

and settled on the west coast.

I love potatoes and can eat them every day served any way.

If I could eat nothing else for the rest of my days I would be blissfully happy 

passionate even if potatoes were on my plate 3 times a day.

One of my favourite Hostess gifts are a pair of beeswax candles wrapped in an Irish linen tea towel.

Dani Mop Philosopher has been sewing tea towels to give as gifts this Christmas

she's been busy making Scotch marmalade too.

I love to receive home made gifts

they mean so much more.

What are your most coveted Hostess gifts?

To give or to receive?

~ ~ ~