Early morning post...a bit of this and that.

 

Time is flying along and I find the days full and rewarding...

Lately I have been pacing myself.

A wide variety of tasks await here in The Humble Bungalow.

Homekeeping

Baking

Creative pursuits

Reading

There are many choices and I like to mix them up...

a wee bit of work balanced with some knitting or reading

accompanied always with mug full of hot tea.

Tea has been my saviour during these past few weeks...

I've been reducing my food intake to shed a few pounds.

It is a challenge and a much needed focus.

Refining my diet to include protein with every meal...

adding fibre and a colourful array of vegetables.

So far I have lost about 8 pounds...

I cannot really see it but my jeans are looser.

The difficulty seems to be my stamina which is waning due to the chronic hip pain.

I won't go into much detail, suffice to say it is not pleasant.

I am embracing distractions at every turn :-))

This book was brilliant...I will be seeking out more of his many novels.

I've been baking sourdough french baguettes on repeat...

freezing them and giving some away.

The trick to the crust is to bake them above a roasting pan filled with ice.

Mr. HB bought this fabulous baguette pan for me...

it's a game changer.

Graham Thomas roses are putting on their last flush...

I asked Mr. HB to bring them inside so I could appreciate their beauty.

The petals are dropping off as I expected but their fragrance is strong.

~ Small Joys ~

These are especially important to me...

they lift my spirits and I find them soothing.

Those that are free and cost nothing are the BEST.

Perhaps that's what we gardener's enjoy the most?

The foraging habit continues to delight and reward me.

Pine cones, seashells, sea glass, free things on the nearby boulevards.

Books in the many wee free libraries.

So many things on offer.

Oh and this yummy recipe.

I can't remember if I shared this delicious pork 

marinade with you before?

Pork loin rib roast, 

I use the marinade to cook the roast in too.

So good...

easy too and most things are already in the fridge or pantry.

Let me know if you make it...

Our Christmas Cactus is in bloom.

I bought this orange variety last year, we have pink ones too.

Madly love these matte white McCoy planters with the drip tray attached.

Have been on the hunt for more 

Ebay and Etsy

but they seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.

When your cup and coaster match your knitting project...

Alexandra's Airplane Scarf

Churchmouse pattern using Knitting For Olive yarn

from my favourite local shop The Beehive.

So relaxing knitting this pattern...

quiet, meditative and great with a hot mug of tea.

Needs Must :-))

The front Hallway here in The Humble Bungalow.

Baskets galore...

dried hydrangeas and an antique pot.

Sourced locally from an estate sale about 30 years ago.

The woman having the sale showed me around each room filled with treasures.

I would have purchased many things if I had a wallet stuffed with cash.

Back in those days 

We lived within a tight budget,

 so extra expenditures were purchased with a LOT of thought

careful not to over extend ourselves.

The last "room" Mrs. Lettuce (not sure of the spelling) showed me was her garage.

Inside was a jumble of tools, an old car, a canoe, some old machinery...

and a bunch of pots and this antique pot with a chip in the rim.

I bought it for $10 or $20 dollars...

The large palatial home is still standing on the original site on Woodstock Street.

A new house has been built behind the old house...

I can still see Mrs. Lettuce working in her garden...

wearing her tweed skirt and cashmere sweater set.

Her messy bun and those serious black oxford shoes.

She was such a delight to chat with as I pushed the pram past her home all those many years ago..

a real character full of vim and vigour

such a charming gardener

full of knowledge 

and classy

in a genuine "old school" way.

Translation...in case you might like to know = old money.

Reminds me of The Duchess of Devonshire.

Hang in there...

a creepy spider waiting in its web for a tasty meal.

I've been "organizing" my baking stuff...

bought some Classic Anchor Hocking glass jars for the counter.

I got tired pulling out all my supplies from the cupboards.

Even though they take up valuable real estate I find them super handy.

I've been up for about an hour now and I am in desperate need of a frothy Espresso!

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the small joys of the season. 

Take care and thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

October ~ A festival of colour and Gratitude.

 

Magnificent colourful display at The Market Garden in Victoria.

The shop is quite unique and has many wonderful items from around the Globe.

As soon as you enter the front door you are totally transported... 

it feels very European.

The displays are works of art.

I love to shop here and I never EVER leave empty handed!

Mr. HB is busy harvesting his home grown tomatoes...

so sweet and flavourful.

He grows some varieties in his greenhouse,

 the larger ones are grown in big pots outdoors.

These peppers should be yummy...

We've had a bumper crop of cucumbers this summer.

Eating a colourful variety of fruits and veggies is good for our health.

Paying extra attention to my consumption of food these days.

Particularly my food choices.

With osteoarthritis and a future hip replacement

 I am working on eliminating inflammatory foods.

They seem to exacerbate my pain.

I don't like to use aspirin or Tylenol on a regular basis.

Bought a stationary bike as per my surgeon's instructions.

Am riding 30 minutes everyday.

He told me that the fitter I am before the surgery means a faster recovery.

I pop my laptop on the stand and watch while pedalling.

It helps to keep my mind occupied while I am working out!

Lot's going on here with my decluttering too...

free stuff on the boulevard

things to the charity shops and a few better vintage items sold to a local shop.

The limelight hydrangeas are changing their colours for the season.

The rose shade adds interest and depth.

Most of the blooms will stay on the plants to over winter for the pollinators.

I've dried a bunch already and have them on display on the porch.

Most of those are a sepia shade...

Alum is supposed to help the hydrangeas keep their colour and form.

I dipped the stems in the powder and popped them in an inch of water...

fingers crossed.

Orange is a colour that I associate with October...

leaves change their colour

festive pumpkins grow.

There is so much beauty in nature during Autumn...

it is so wonderful to be outdoors breathing the crisp fresh air.

I've been foraging outdoors in our garden.

Need to take a walk to the local cemetery where large Pine and Fir cones are found.

Where the leaves have fallen and generously carpet the paths...

I might hear an Owl or see the local Deer.

Perhaps I will visit the family graves.

Thanksgiving is almost here in Canada...

we'll be celebrating with two dinners.

One with our son, girlfriend, and the grandchildren.

Another with our daughter and her husband.

Feeling grateful for our family.

There is so much to be thankful for...

Well that's it for now...

hopefully you'll stay tuned for another post.

I appreciate you popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~