Yummy Carrot Recipe, Sourdough Saga continues...and thoughts on blogging

 

Taking a break 

 a quiet moment with my cup of tea

recalling travel memories...

mulling over the blogs' future.

Think it might be time to close it down...

technical issues and readership engagement 

are prodding me to re-evaluate my hobby.

Vintage Susie Cooper Demitasse Espresso Cups

purchased from Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

Espresso break with a delightful magazine.

This is where I make the bread...

vintage bread tin which is perfect for the sourdough boules.

Freshly baked sourdough loaf...

I prep the dough the day before I bake it.

So much fun and success with the recipes from Alexandra's Kitchen.

Quick and easy sourdough biscuits.

Made these in about 40 minutes including cooking time.

Found the recipe online...

I googled Sourdough biscuits without yeast and found a recipe on

King Arthur Baking

Served these with a stew.

Speaking of recipes...

Roasted carrots

healthy and delicious.

~ Roasted Carrots ~

Slice carrots on the diagonal

place in bowl and toss in balsamic vinegar, honey, thyme, salt and pepper.

Place on a parchment lined sheet pan.

Roast in oven at 450 degrees for 20-25

Top with crumbled feta cheese.

 (easy and yummy)

Great for a buffet or dinner party.

Star Magnolias are in full bloom...

so fragrant and delicate.

Loving my new Iphone camera!

The crispness and focus are so much better than my older phone.

Well as I mentioned this might be my last post.

I will still post on Instagram

It's been a lot of fun and I have met so many amazing people.

Some are here in Victoria and we regularly meet

others are far away.

I have had the pleasure of meeting a few in person...

Jennifer from A Well Styled Life

Dani who wrote Mop Philosopher

Jamie Cat Callan

Joanne Long ~ Madame La Bas

We have met before and last time she was in Victoria 

which was a couple of weeks ago 

we went for a walk and had a coffee together.

She sent these thoughtful gifts to me in the mail.

Merci Beaucoup Joanne.

Today (Saturday) we met up with Adrienne and Bill Shubin.

Adrienne wrote a blog A Rich Life On a Budget from her home in Sonoma County.

Adrienne and her husband have recently embarked on a major lifestyle change.

Bill retired from his job as fire chief and they started a grand adventure!

They sold their home and have been travelling across the USA in their 5th wheel trailer.

They are visiting Canada for several months and stopped here in Victoria.

So we arranged to get together and met for lunch at the Cactus Club.

Such a lovely couple!

Sunday they'll be here in The Humble Bungalow for coffee.

Making friends through blogging has been such a delight.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

March ~ ing onward into Spring.

 

This Andalou cream has been my "go to" night cream for the past few months...

a little goes a long way. You may be able to see that the jar is still half full.

Can you see the grey pearl stud beside the diamond stud that I wear most days?

My husband gave me a pair for my birthday the year Mom passed away. 

I haven't worn these pearls as often since Covid hit

(need to wear masks)

I almost lost an earring taking my mask off.

I already had a pearl fiasco losing that strand at the beach...

must take more care not to lose things!!

My new FUN skirt from a thrift shop.

Knife pleats in a black grey print.

I will dress this up with a black rayon sweater and a camisole.

Dress it down very casual with a tee and my denim jacket.

I am already thinking of fun things to pair it with...

it is made by Zara, the only thing I own from the company.

Finally got a copy from the library...it had been on the Holds for a LONG time.

I read it in two days...another stunning mystery from Louise Penny.

Birthday flowers and vase from a friend.

I have such lovely friends...

so thoughtful 

the range of unexpected gifts was amazing.

Soaps, tea, a beautiful hand knit dishcloth, books, an apron, 

flowers, and some sourdough starter!

Thank you for ALL those kind email messages and birthday greetings 

from the Blog and Instagram... feeling very grateful.

My first attempt at a sourdough boule.

Was delicious with the homemade chicken soup!

Dinner out at Zambri's

Dessert

Brunch and dinner out with the family rounded out the weeklong celebrations.

They spoiled me too :-))

Thank you ALL 

Murchies teas and a gift card at a favourite restaurant.

Vintage silk hand rolled scarf and a Wedgewood clam shaped white porcelain plate.

We zipped off to the garden centre to buy two flats of these cheerful tete a tete's.

On sale half price.

We planted them out in front of the deer fence 

to fill in the gaps from the ones we planted last year.

Such a pretty pop of colour and they bloom earlier than our daffodils.

The Oscars are on TV tonight...are you going to watch them?

I like to see the fashions...and the jewels.

Making a pot roast, potatoes, carrots and a lemon torte for dessert.

Comfort Food for a cold rainy Sunday.

Hope that you are keeping healthy and staying sane with all the crazy stuff that is happening in our world.

Vintage Bread tray

might come in handy?

Crocuses blooming out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

January ~ Busy days and a time tested favourite recipe

The weather has warmed up a wee bit but I am still wearing cozy clothes.

This plush velour zip top by 32 Degrees is very warm 

paired with the felted hand woven wool scarf I was dressed for the windy day.

The scarf was found in a thrift shop on Pender and it was very reasonably priced.

My week has been surprisingly busy!

Two Yoga in person classes at the Studio.

Trivia night at the pub, dinner here after school pick up with the grandchildren.

Errands, cooking and cleaning, 

lunch out for sushi with my husband and another couple

watching Stay Close on Netflix.

Then on Friday I met up with a friend for lunch and a walk.

Then we met two couples for dinner at The Snug at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

My weeks are not usually so full of events...

Fresh Orchid arrangement in the Lobby of the OBBH.

The Snug Pub is getting a new floor

 so we dined in front of the fireplace in the hotel foyer.

Got my steps in...

so much easier and more enjoyable when a friend is on the walk!

I slept late Saturday morning and read a couple of chapters in my current book.

Looking For Jane by Heather Marshall is a page turner...

Set in Canada it weaves a story of three women linked by a common thread.

An important book which I am very glad that I picked up.

Did some grocery shopping and laundry...

took a book to a friend.

Making a pot roast, carrots and roasted potatoes for dinner tonight.

I have shared the recipe before on the blog...

it is SO SIMPLE!

In case you want a comforting meal...

here is the recipe.

I like to make a gravy 

remove the roast to the carving board

Mix 4 tablespoons of Cornstarch with an equal amount of water 

in a jar and shake to mix

 add to the wet ingredients and whisk quickly

you remove the roast to the carving board.

ENJOY!

In other news...

I purchased a new mat and a small bolster for my Yoga practice.

 January is ticking along quite quickly here...

How are things going for you?

Well I better close and get this roast ready for the carver!

I have gravy to make...

I think Sunday might be a day of rest!!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ Butterfly World

 

Pop of colour 

while wearing a cool grey sweater.

I use a gentle touch when it comes to cosmetics...

tinted CC cream, mascara and lipstick or lip gloss for daytime.

The lipstick is by Miss Pupa from Milan

Rossetto #503

New tweed knit pants in ankle length...

Hudson North

available at The Bay.

Versatile with my basic wardrobe in a grey black check.

The reason I went shopping for pants is because I recently culled my clothes.

Leaving only 3 pairs of pants...

Two pairs of jeans 

(Eileen Fisher and Nicole Miller)

and a dressy pair of black pants.

(Eileen Fisher)

Just happened upon a dreamy soft wool and cashmere blend Italian made sweater.

It fits like a Tee top 

perfect for layering under my black Eileen Fisher vest

or my Old Navy distressed denim jacket.

I added a felted woven grey and black scarf...

found at a thrift shop for an unbelievable price :-))

Warm and cozy and adds an interesting textural detail.

Adding interest with accessories when wearing basic neutral coloured garments 

is a good habit to get into.

I like adding accessories so I don't look "mumsy"

being mindful that I exercise a modicum of restraint.

I daren't invite a citation from those sneaky Fashion Police.

Dressing over 65 can be full of pitfalls!!!

Friday Field Trip with the granddaughters...

~ Beautiful Butterfly ~

We took our granddaughters to the attraction 

Butterfly World near Butchart Gardens.

There are some really interesting insect displays in cases...

ants, stick insects, spiders.

Through the double doors there is lush tropical open area 

with

exotic birds, colourful butterflies, carp, flamingoes, frogs, and tortoises. 

There was an open feeding tray with sliced citrus and banana skins.

We saw a few of these butterflies nibbling on the fruits when we entered

 when we were leaving 

each piece of fruits had one of these gorgeous butterflies feeding.

After our visit we drove to The White Spot for lunch...

it was quite busy and by the time our food arrived we were famished!

It doesn't feel like our usual October weather here in Victoria.

The weather has been dry and warmer than usual.

On the News tonight they mentioned that

this warm dry spell is about to change...

Cooler wetter weather is definitely on the horizon

the roses are still blooming but the rest of the garden is fading.

We need some serious rainfall and only a smattering of moisture has fallen so far.

I've been busy knitting the Rowan Toasty Slipover Vest...

a group of us met at a friends' home for a cuppa, chat and to knit.

Our hostess served a delicious Victoria Sponge Cake...

with a pot of incredibly tasty Mariage Freres Rose Royal Tea.

I am craving Rose Tea for my afternoon cuppa here in The Humble Bungalow!

All I need to do now is fly off to Paris and buy some...

A gal can dream...

Laundry needs to be done.

Dust bunnies need to be mopped.

Dinner needs to be prepped...

Until next time...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thoughts on living through a pandemic...and coming out a changed person.

Please join me on the porch of The Humble Bungalow.

Not in person, of course, but in the spirit of friendship.

Our porch is a quiet contemplative place to sit outside 

in the sunshine

a place to chat and perhaps sip a beverage

make yourself comfy...

The news over the past few years has been disheartening and grim.

We've suffered a catastrophic worldwide pandemic...

Covid has changed us all and not necessarily for the better.

Many of the early days of Covid were dark and filled with fear...

we couldn't see our friends or family.

We were set adrift from our comfortable and often predictable routines

left alone to endure and weather the storm.

The Nightly News was focused around the serious nature of the disease

the deaths and the spread of the virus.

Things were incredibly bleak.

We were told the scientists were already working on a vaccine.

We waited and waited

often impatiently 

for the promised vaccine.

I had to limit my exposure to the news broadcasts 

to prevent myself from going down a dark rabbit hole...

I embraced the basic simple joys to keep my spirits level...

my moods were not euphoric but the little things in my daily round kept me going.

Getting outside in the garden was a gift...

We were so fortunate that we could dig in the dirt

plant seeds and watch them grow.

I think we grew closer as a couple and relied on each other 

more than ever before in our married life.

Our "BUBBLE" was small...

two humans and two cats.

The roses rewarded us with blooms for our hard work tending to their needs.

We took JOY seeing things bloom and thrive, 

excited to see seeds sprouting.

Cutting a few blooms and bringing them inside was a luxury.

Popping them in a vessel, be it a jam jar or a crystal vase

was a tonic that enriched our days.

Escaping safely to the cottage to cocoon was an absolute godsend.

We were able to self isolate and have a change of scenery.

It helped to temporarily soothe our worried minds...

We've now come through several years living with this virus.

have had our 4 vaccinations and we have changed...

Life as we knew it will never be the same.

I've learned a lot about myself...

Discovered that I am resilient, and can rise to a challenge.

Am able to amuse myself for long periods of time without going stir crazy!

Can make do and mend.

Will laugh at the littlest things...

Found out the small (est) things can and do bring JOY...

sweeping the floor

cooking new recipes

listening to music

washing the dishes

knitting

reading a good book

collecting sea glass on the beach

walking 

the songs of the birds

butterflies

the smell of a scented candle

coffee

fragrant soap

I think expectations I have held onto for years have been drastically altered.

I no longer crave expensive things...

or even "things" if I am being honest...

I desire only the comforts of home, family and friends.

It is a shift in mindset, 

honestly it is the one huge takeaway for me, from these past two years.

 

I also decided to declutter the entire bungalow...

donated most everything that we no longer use.

Gave away a lot to charity.

We do not NEED to KEEP stuff we don't love and use.

The feeling of having less stuff is so uplifting.

I did that to my clothes closet too!

My scarf drawer has been reduced to about a dozen scarves in total...

The cupboards look really organized and some quite bare!

I don't crave designer or name brand things...

a few well made items work and I have not shopped as much as pre Covid.

I did buy two lovely linen aprons which I have happily

worn to cook and clean...

with my pearls :-))

My daily household uniform is simple...

Jeans and a Tee, or top, linen apron and a strand of Akoya pearls.

While I know that pearls might be considered a wee bit "mumsy"

I don't care if they are not "on trend."

I wear what I like and they bring me JOY.

Family and friends are so precious...

we make time to see them whenever possible.

When it wasn't safe we saw people outside from afar...

thankfully now we can see the nearest and dearest close up.

What a huge relief that is!

I drank too much alcohol during Covid...

Possibly I was trying to numb myself from reality.

I've not had a drink for 3 months now 

am sipping a tasty faux beer called Partake these days.

Enjoying a de-alcoholized bubbly from Italy called Bottega.

Surprising

it was not hard to quit drinking, but now I crave chocolate!

I haven't decided if I will drink alcohol again or not?

It is too early to know...

I know that I sleep better without the wine.

Our recycling box is not very full these days :-))

I have a lot more things that I could say about Covid and how it changed me...

 this is a good start or maybe it's enough?

How has Covid changed you?

While I am on the subject...

there is a lot of room for (self) improvement left here too...

for example I could lose at least 15 pounds.

Maybe WW is in my future?

I'll close for now 

hope that you will chime in and share some of your thoughts...

What simple JOYS do you enjoy?

The fresh air walks are one of my favourite ways to banish

any negative thoughts and energy.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~