Food and Fashion ~ Forgotten Post Cruise Post !!

 

~ Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal ~

We opted to stay one night in Vancouver when our cruise was over...

we haven't been to Vancouver for many years.

We chose not to rush back home...

The city is busy and vibrant...

with lots of people walking around downtown

many of them (like us) are tourists.

We think of Vancouver as the "big city."

Lots of shops that Victoria doesn't have...so it's rather fun to browse.

I visited my favourite shop...

Eileen Fisher on South Granville.

When my husband and I were working we used to go to Vancouver regularly...

for weekend getaways.

We'd go to wonderful restaurants and I would usually buy a few things at this location.

I haven't set foot inside EF since before Covid...

so it was a total JOY to actually be inside.

There is something so wonderful 

seeing the clothes in person..feel the fabrics and try on the garments.

The staff are incredibly helpful and very personable.

I tried on (and purchased) this olive green striped top.

Olive Green jacket...also purchased.

On sale at 50% off :-))

I was delighted to see a familiar sign on Robson Street.

BTW their coffee is fabulous!

The last time I was in a Paul Cafe and Bakery was in Paris in 2019.

I don't usually have a treat but the buttery and flaky croissant was too hard to resist!

Later after a walk and a shop

Hubby and I sat out on a patio and had a drink in the sunshine.

We were still technically "on holiday" 

so a glass of beer in the mid-afternoon did not feel amiss.

 

My husband LOVES ramen...

this restaurant was very busy!

We could see it across the street from our hotel.

Obviously quite popular with a long line up,

always a good sign.

We jumped at the chance when there was no line and had a late lunch.

I opted for the "original" small bowl of ramen with mild spice.

Hubby likes his ramen HOTTER so he had the extra spicy version.

SO GOOD!

After a quiet night and a good sleep we packed up the car and headed out.

We drove out to Tsawwassen Mills Mega Mall

located a short distance from The B.C. Ferry Terminal.

Lunch at Milestones was a high protein chicken dish.

(Very tasty)

I'm thinking that my red vintage Coach bag will be a fun pop of colour with the Olive green jacket and striped top.

I might even buy some red socks to wear with the thrifted Sandro loafers.

I'll take my cue from a stuffed Olive :-))

Olives often have red pimentos inside them...

I've been busy decluttering the medicine drawer...

getting rid of outdated over-the-counter medications.

Organizing the contents.

Updating our emergency/Earthquake kit.

Sorting out a few drawers and relocating all my handbags...

they were spilling out of the bedside cupboard.

I have a few (4) vintage Coach bags...

a couple of no name leather bags and a Longchamps Tote.

The black leather Cole Haan backpack is in my bedroom bedside cupboard

 as I swap out my regular handbag for the hands free option 

when we go to Pender and when I go for longer walks.

I need to devote a day to polish all my Coach bags.

They get scuffed with use and they respond very well to Saddle Soap.

I massage the cream into the leather and then let that soak in 

before buffing them with a soft cloth.

Something to add to my rainy day To-Do-List.

The rainy days will be here soon...

those days where I like to stay indoors and cocoon...

make homemade soup, knit and read.

Polish the silver, do some decluttering. 

I have recently discovered Homeworthy England and I love watching the episodes.

What are you up to?

I've got a lot of fresh home grown tomatoes and apples to use. 

I am making applesauce and roasting tomatoes...

I'm going to sign off for now...

until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Alaska Cruise ~ some snapshots and snippets

 

My hair was doing its own thing most of the cruise.

I didn't bring my flat iron and the breezes on the decks 

made any effort to tame my hair go sideways!

I packed very lightly...

glad I packed with versatile layering pieces.

The puffy vest was great as it kept me warm at the Glacier and on shore excursions.

Koningsdam

Holland America Cruise Ship

Very well appointed, cozy room with a verandah.

 Great staff, fun entertainment and overall exceptional service and food.

Beautiful scenery

~ Juneau ~

On the only rainy day

we went to the State museum which was fabulous.

Lots of First Nations Art and Artifacts

and local history displays.

We HAD TO stop at Tracy's Crab Shack.

It did not disappoint.

Sweet and Fresh Crab 10 out of 10

I wore my sleeveless black dress several nights...

the lacy cardigan was a good choice as it kept my arms warm.

Creme Brulee

Lindt Chocolate Mousse atop a wee cake...

YUM

Food in the dining room and onboard in other areas was really delicious.

(I gained 4 pounds on the cruise)

I blame it on dessert...we rarely eat dessert at home.

One of my favourite spots...

overlooking the pool.

~ Skagway Alaska ~

Heritage buildings and a rich gold mining history.

On board "wildlife"

Our favourite night time entertainment was Billboard.

Two incredibly talented young fellows playing two pianos.

Crayton and George were a fun duo...

they engaged the audience and we totally enjoyed their evening sets.

(5 nights we attended)

They played a wide range of hit songs from the 60's to the 90's.

One shelf had books to exchange in the Onboard Library.

Am reading this now...

can't wait to figure out how it ends.

~ Glacier Bay ~

Johns Hopkins Glacier

Stunning Scenery

Floating ice

lots of birds

and

harbour seals.

The weather after the rainy day in Juneau was amazing!

Sunshine, blue skies and so warm.

I purchased a new scent in Vancouver before we boarded the ship.

Have never had any Jo Malone fragrances before and I quite like this light cologne.

Salmon Croquette and greens

Cheese Board

~ Ketchikan ~

We went to The Great Lumberjack Show.

Had another crab feed at Ketchikan Crab and Go.

So tasty...

I didn't buy anything except a deck of cards and a ball cap.

Never had a ball cap before and I always wanted one.

Well we had a GREAT WEEK.

It flew by so fast and we enjoyed the cruise SO MUCH.

I highly recommend Holland America if you plan to go on a cruise.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

May Daze...snapshots and snippets

 

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow.

There's not too much news here...

Still in recovery from my hip replacement and have not been away.

Life is moving quite slowly

but I'm feeling positive and content to be a homebody.

There are always things to do here...

mostly home keeping jobs.

The kettle is often boiling and there's fresh tea in the pot.

Good books at the ready and a cat that loves attention.

I've been enjoying watching You Tube Videos.

So many great people out there that are sharing their homes, gardens and hobbies.

Do you have any favourite You Tube Accounts?

~ Japanese Peony ~

Seen on one of my walks...

At Government House in The Rockland area of Victoria.

Gorgeous details and a pristine white bowl of petals.

Government House Gardens are open to the public most of the year.

The gardens are a mix of Garry Oak meadows, large areas of lawn, rocky outcroppings and perennial borders.

Several ponds with ducks, a rose garden and a fountain. 

Quite a few benches are available to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

 Spectacular views of The Olympic Mountains 

across the Strait to Washington, USA.

Native plants and rock and alpine plants have there place here too...

A small museum of vintage clothing is located in the Mews where

there is a charming tea room.

Volunteers help take care of the grounds and there are plant sales during the year.

I like to visit several times each year to see what is blooming.

If you visit Victoria or live closeby this is a great spot for a walk or a picnic.

I snapped a picture of this peony just as I was leaving...

I found this antique platter at Ross Bay Villa's Saturday sale.

I was drawn to the black and white colours and the mottled age of the piece.

I popped this on our arts and crafts wooden shelf in the bathroom.

The sun has been out for a few days and we have been enjoying the warmer weather.

Warm enough for a soft ice cream cone treat!

Chester is loving this warm sunny spot.

He's been finding sunny patches to have a nap in most days...

I'd love to be able to nap like a cat.

I've been bringing out some of my summer clothes...

I love the details on the sleeves of this white linen shirt.

It's a versatile piece...can be worn as a jacket or a simple shirt.

My new denim jacket..by Angels from Marshall's.

I looked at thrift and consignment shops for several weeks but had no luck so I decided to go look at Marshall's and found one for under $40.

The silk scarf is by local artist and crafter Lise Lotte Design.

She has the scarves for sale on her website in 2 sizes...I opted for the smaller one.

It's light and lovely and has a beautiful pattern on it 

she made this using a technique called cyanotype

that harnesses the power of the sun!

Do you watch the Miss Fisher mysteries on TV?

I've seen a few and was delighted when I found a new book.

I love the details, the era that the stories are set in and the opulent fashions.

Am halfway through the book and enjoying the story...

I now can see why the books are so popular.

Have you ever tried to monitor your portions by using a smaller plate or bowl?

This is one of the tricks that I am using to help me from overeating.

My lunch 5 out of 7 days 

is high protein Greek Yogurt, fresh fruit and chopped walnuts.

I vary the fruit so that I am not bored.

I actually feel like I am eating dessert when I eat this lunch...

and it keeps me satisfied until dinner time.

~ Pasta ~

my husbands' favourite food.

To make it satisfying I usually serve it with a salad.

I have 1 cup of noodles and 1 cup of sauce.

The sauce recipe is pretty basic...

1 diced onion

1-2 cloves of garlic minced

2 stalks celery diced

several sliced mushrooms

saute in olive oil on medium heat until soft

stirring often.

Add sliced Italian sausages

(they look like meat balls)

saute until cooked.

Add 1 large large can of minced or chopped tomatoes.

(San Marzano are very flavourful)

salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and dried oregano

(all to your taste)

Simmer for an hour and serve over top of any pasta.

Native Camas is in bloom.

Many Local Victoria Parks have these plants growing...

Beacon Hill, Playfair and Uplands Parks

Lovely spots to walk and enjoy nature at its best.

Wee auricula from the plant sale table at Ross Bay Villa.

Love love love these darling flowers :-))

I am trying to get in as many steps as I can to build my muscles up.

 It is taking a longer time to get my speed back.

As a result I'm feeling stiff and have just purchased a big bag of epsom salts!!

A soak in the tub is on my radar...

Hope that things are going well for you.

Well it's your turn now...

perhaps you can share what you are up to, what you are reading 

or watching on You Tube?

Until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~