Showing posts with label festive decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label festive decor. Show all posts

Friday, December 22, 2023

Seasons Greetings

 


Our Humble Bungalow is lit up with the fairy lights and the "cat proof" tree.
Chester still climbs the tree.

We were sidelined for a few weeks with a nasty bout of Covid.
Our first experience with it and we were really surprised, as we are so careful.
Mr. HB had it first and I did try to stay away from him as much as possible 
but after all it is a small house...

I ended up with a nasty cough which is lingering even now.
So I am pacing myself, staying hydrated and getting to bed early.

Many tea breaks in between cooking, baking and delivering gifts.

Hope that you are in good health.
Ready to embrace the JOYS of the Festive Season.


My "go to" Hostess Gift
 Chocolate Bark...

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper
Add a couple of packages of Bakers Chocolate (semi sweet)
Melt slowly in the oven at about 170 degrees for 5 or 10 minutes.
Check regularly as it doesn't take long to melt.

Remove and top with the nuts of your choosing.
Chill in the fridge for a few hours.
Break up and add to cellophane bags and tie with twine.

Very tasty and so easy to make
it is easy to see why this is my favourite
~ Hostess Gift ~

I make several batches as they are well received and quite yummy!


While out shopping for gifts I came across these new towels...
I haven't upgraded my towels in AGES!!!

Donated the former set to the Sally Ann and these ones really dress up the space.

I asked myself WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?
They were not expensive and they make a huge difference.

(Perhaps frugality is not always sensible.)


Made a batch of butter tarts last night...
Mr. HB tested them and said they are good.
It is important to have someone on board as the Quality Control Expert!

I have lots of things still to make
for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Brunch
as well as the Boxing Day Turkey Feast.

I will be living (and maybe sleeping) in my linen apron!

Hope you have a wonderful and Festive Holiday.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.


Pearls, a simple white shirt and jeans...
an easy "uniform" for daytime here in The Humble Bungalow.

Be careful out there with all the Covid Germs circulating...
I am wearing a mask to the shops now.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Hostess Gift ~ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in The Humble Bungalow

 


Festive Season is upon us and I am keeping things very simple.
Am wearing some sparkly vintage pins.


(Sherman pin ~ close up)


 Sherman brooches are a favourite of mine.
The newest one seen here is from our darling daughter. 
I popped it on a black boiled wool Eileen Fisher tunic sweater.

Some women avoid black but I gravitate to it for several reasons...
it is easy to wear,
it can be casual, or dressy.
It transitions well to evening...

My basic minimalist wardrobe relies heavily on black basics.
Accessories are the stars in a basic black ensemble.
I prefer pieces with a history...
Vintage jewellery is found in thrift shops, antique malls and online.
The thrill of the hunt excites me.


I found a new Finnish modernist votive holder at the thrift shop...
now I have a pair!
The silver baubles are from my childhood home.
Mom used to put them in a tall vase, I popped them in this silver trophy.

We don't have a lot of decorations...
a simple tree with white fairy lights


I found a pair of Josef Seibel boots 
to replace my tired "almost 8 year old" Chelsea Boots.
I will wear these with tights and skirts as well as my jeans.


A classic vintage handmade wreath made by a friend of my MIL.
Made with baubles, pine cones, rhinestone brooches.
I consider us custodians of this wreath...
it is a family "heirloom!"


Mixed Nuts are one of my go to Hostess Gifts.

Here's the recipe...

Mixed Nuts 

2 egg whites (at room temperature)
4 cups mixed unsalted nuts:
cashews, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cayenne pepper or hot paprika
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Place egg whites in a large bowl and whisk until frothy.
Stir in nuts ~ mix to coat.

Combine in a small bowl: sugar, and spices
Pour over nut mixture.
Mix well.

Place on a parchment lined sheet pan spread out so they are in a single layer.
Bake 20-25 minutes 
stir halfway during the cooking time.
Cool then store in sealed jars.
Wrap in tissue paper add ribbon and a tag.
Ready for gift giving

BTW
They are delicious!!


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

It's a busy time of year, so remember to take some time to stop and breathe, 
sip a cuppa and rest.

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Cold weather, a Thrifty Chicken Veggie Soup Recipe, and knitting at the cottage.

 


We are at the cottage and awoke to snow dusting the stairs...


It coated the ground which reminded me of icing sugar...
then I thought of cookies :-))


We purchased a wee tree for the cottage and chose small fairy lights in white.
It looks best when the lights are dimmed or turned off but we felt the need to add some festive cheer, it is December after all.


With this cold I decided to make a chicken veggie soup.
It was full of flavour and was a warm and cozy choice for the cold day.

Thrifty Chicken Soup

I used a roast chicken carcass.
Pick off the bigger chunks of meat and set them aside in the fridge.

In a soup pot I added the carcass and just covered the bones with water.
Boil then simmer for about an hour.
Take out bones and set them aside to cool.
Put the rich stock into a large container.
Pick off any more meat from the bones and add to the stock, discard the bones.

Saute one large diced onion, 2 stalks diced celery in oil until soft.
Add the meat from the fridge and the stock to the pot
2 diced carrots, some sliced greens 
(I used bok choy)
Cook about 45 minutes until carrots are soft
salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

It is very tasty and is so warming on a cold snowy day.


The sun was shining and we bundled up for a cold weather walk.
The air was crisp and so refreshing.
Little birds skitting about pecking for morsels of food...
Gulls soaring in the sky.


Soon the birds will be nibbling these red berries and rose hips...

December is a truly beautiful time to visit the cottage.
It is quite peaceful so we sleep deeply and feel relaxed when we wake up.
We are so fortunate to be able to come and do not take our time here for granted.
It is a precious gift.

We have been reading our books and I've been knitting on my vest 
which is getting very close to being finished.
I needed to buy some new locking stitch markers
 so I went to The Beehive before we left town.
 
Wouldn't you know it! I spied a lovely blue variegated yarn by Berocco.
Wool shops are rather lethal for me...chocolate, tea and book shops are trouble!
I rarely leave with empty hands.



This pattern is my next project.
Are you a knitter?
What do you love to make?

Hope that you are warm and cozy and enjoying the beginning of December.
I think it is going to get busy with baking and shopping and wrapping!
(with time set aside for knitting and reading)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

DIY ~ Festive Wreath and a couple of Hostess Gifts

 


I purchased a basic simple wreath from the floral department at the grocers.
The price was good but I felt like it needed something more.
The DIY spirit in me spurred me on to add something...
but what?

I mulled it over for a few days
 every time I went out and closed the door I knew I had to act.


I had made a bowl full of dried oranges...
to add to Christmas gifts.

I followed the directions that Annie Diamond
at Most Lovely Things had shared in the December issue of BHG.

Basic directions are to cut oranges into 1/4 inch slices 
place on a rack atop a cookie sheet.
Bake at 225 degrees for 3- 4 hours until dried.

I thought they might look good on the wreath.

I used florists wire and tied them onto the fir boughs 
tucking them carefully into the fronds.

I think it looks natural and dresses up and adds interest to the simple wreath.


The theme for this year's wrap is simple and natural.
The local Michaels store had a wide variety of choices for wrap.
I opted for plain and printed kraft paper with a simple twine and tags.


My current favourite scented candle...
Black Fig 
by
~ Sand and Fog ~

The Sand and Fog brand of candles use soy wax and essential oils.
I prefer a "woodsy"scent over "sweet."

The vintage wood box is my "new" recipe box.
I found it at a local consignment shop.

The new box prompted me to go through all my recipes...
what a job!
Mom's recipes as well as mine were organized into categories
some were rewritten, most of mom's recipes are for the holidays.
She was a plain cook but loved baking.

I've been baking quite a bit lately...
cakes mostly, to serve as dessert or an afternoon treat with tea.


Bath salts are a simple hostess gift.
This recipe is inexpensive, quick and easy to make.
(you can double or triple this recipe)
If you look at thrift shops you can find some pretty glass jars.
I like to add a pretty ribbon and a simple tag.

If you are gifting a spa "pampering" basket
think of including:
a soft towel
soap
body lotion
candle
bath salts
chocolate bar
hand lotion


Do you remember those expensive flavoured instant coffee beverages sold in the grocery stores?

I am not sure if they still sell them?

Years ago a friend gave me this recipe and she shared it with many friends.
We all made batch after batch of this drink...

It has stood the test of time and is still a tasty beverage.

Looks pretty in a simple clear glass jar.
Think of a canning jar or a decorative canister.

Make some for yourself while you are wrapping the gifts this season!

I'll be making some of mom's cookies and fruit loaves in a few weeks.
Hope to share some of the recipes here on the blog.


Have you started to get ready for the festive season?
Are you feeling creative?
Will you make some or all of the gifts that you give?

If you are in The US you might be getting ready for Thanksgiving.
Hope that you are able to join with friends and family this year.

Thank you for popping by the blog...

Commenting continues to be a challenge, 
I have reached out to Blogger
but it seems that there is little tech support available.

So far it hasn't stopped me from posting...
it is a fun hobby.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, November 7, 2021

November vibes...


The autumnal light is fading slightly this month...
I've noticed more rainy days, breezy winds and fog.

Wearing layers to chase the chill...
a camisole underneath my cashmere sweater with warm wool socks and scarves.
The down puffer coat has made several appearances and I purchased a wool beret for my walks.


Made by The Canadian Hat Company.


I had my hairdresser chop off about 3 inches of my Covid Coiffure!
It feels so much healthier and the lightness has freed up some of the curls.

What a difference! 
A little pampering goes a LONG way to make one feel better.


There are a few geraniums still blooming on the front porch.
I crave a pop of colour in the Fall and Winter.


Calicarpia aka Beauty Berry


So delicate...


A fall flowering bush brightens up a corner of the Humble Bungalow Garden.

This weekend Mr. HB and I ventured out to the garden centre...
We were looking for a wreath for the front door.

We didn't find a wreath but we did find some Noble Fir boughs and Ilex red berries


A little festive cheer at the foot of the stairs.
A cheerful pop of colour!


I popped the cuttings in the tool box on the front porch table.
(waste not want not!)

We also purchased an Olive tree...
this purchase was inspired by our friend Julie who used some olive leaves to decorate her dining table when she hosted us for dinner.

Julie is a fabulous cook and she has a flair for home decor...
her home is an oasis of calm and she has recently redone it with soft greys and French style furnishings.



A feast for the eyes...


We brought some wine from The Pender Island Sea Star Winery.


Dungeness Crab Cake with Remoulade sauce...
succulent and so flavourful.


Goat cheese deep fried atop cherry tomatoes with pine nuts 
then drizzled with a balsamic reduction.


Salmon served with rice, asparagus and carrots
and a delicious
Beurre butter sauce


Dessert was from the Italian bakery...
fig and apple tarts.

Dinner was incredible...one for the memory book.
Thank you Julie!

We've got a busy couple of weeks planned with all kinds of events.
Looking forward to reclaiming our social life and activities in a safe way.

My knitting group is going to reconvene...
we are going out for dinner with our darling daughter and her husband.
Heading to the Art Gallery for an exhibit, meeting friends for a Happy Hour, coffee with the gals and a tea planned for next month at Butchart Gardens.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
 

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Christmas Traditions

There are many traditions that we embrace over the holidays...


We hang this hand made wreath that was made in the ealy 1960's.
This was made by a friend of my husband's mother.

It has shiny baubles, pine cones, faux holly and vintage rhinestone brooches.

We were fortunate to be given this wreath...
we hang it in The Humble Bungalow dining room every Christmas season.

Christmas is going to be VERY different this year because of the pandemic.
We will be visiting each other via ZOOM and FACE TIME.


Baking and cooking for Christmas occupies a lot of my time
 I am enjoying trying out new recipes.
Sharing Baskets and Food Hampers with family.

We'll be doing driveway drop offs!

With a focus on comfort these days I want to share a super simple pot roast recipe.


Pot Roast with whipped potatoes and peas.

Savoury Pot Roast

3 pound beef blade pot roast
2 Tbsp. oil
1/4 cup wine vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp soy sauce ( I use Braggs)
2 Tbsp worcherstershire sauce
1/2 Tsp minced garlic 
1/2 Tsp dry mustard

3 Tbsp flour
1/4 cup water

In a Dutch oven heat oil and brown roast on all sides.
Sprinkle with salt
Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour into pot.
Simmer covered for 2 hours.

Remove to a carving board and cover with foil to rest for 5 minutes.


Make a slurry of  3 Tbsp flour and 1/4 cup of water and shake in a bottle.
Whisk into the fluid left in the pot and thicken and use as a Gravy.

Enjoy!

How are you celebrating the holidays this year?
Are you able to meet in person?

I'll be busy for the next week or so baking and preparing gifts.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Thank you for dropping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~