December Vibes

 

The Christmas tree and fairy lights

we've added a few festive touches.

Our decorating has happened much sooner than usual.

Spending most of our time in The Humble Bungalow during the pandemic 

has made us much more aware of our surroundings and we need more Cheer!

Snow capped Mount Baker in the background at Willows Beach.

Walking along the sandy beach listening to the sound of the waves 

gulls calling as they fly overhead.

Walking under sunny skies is preferable to the rain...

unfortunately 

there is rain in the forecast for most of the week

so I will don my new red raincoat and grab a brolly...

Needs Must!

Cooking through Covid is helping me stay focused on comfort food.

Why not make a soothing meal each night for dinner?

Ina has hit the ball right out of the park with this timely cookbook.

The Ultimate Beef Stew recipe is full of flavour and makes a big batch.

Leftovers can easily be frozen for a future meal.

While this stew was simmering in the oven our Bungalow 

sumptuous scents wafted out from the dutch oven.

We were extra hungry by the time it was ready to sit down to dinner!

This wonderfully written book is transporting me back to Tuscany.

Its a delight to read...thank goodness for armchair travel!

Mr HB is busy building our deer fence. 

He installed the 3 panels this past weekend.

The tall cedar posts will be cut down and capped.

Hopefully 

Our roses out front should be safer next Spring and Summer.

We listened to Dr. Bonnie Henry's announcement yesterday and learned that the Covid cases here in BC are showing no bend in the curve...

We are not allowed to gather with friends or family inbdoors or outside.

Fines will be issued if we do not obey the rules.

Christmas will be only allowed for the family that live under one roof...

so we will need to be creative 

meet up remotely via Zoom or FaceTime.

In good news the vaccines are on their way!

How are you holding up during the pandemic?

 What are you reading?

Have you decorated earlier than usual for the festive season?

Stay Safe

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Diversions ~ under smokey skies...

 Feeling restless while stuck inside under a poor air quality advisory...so much smoke and particulate in the air...ash falling from the sky.

The fires to the south of us continue to burn...devastation to homes, businesses and wildlife. It is difficult imagining losing eveything one owns. People have had to evacuate and leave behind many treasures and family heirlooms. It is heart breaking to see this in the news.

In the meantime, I am needing a diversion...there is only so much news that i can absorb without going down that rabbit hole! Let's start off with some roses, books, cooking and later some retail therapy!

Jude the Obscure on a sunnier smoke free day in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

HOORAY!

The local library has re-opened.

We are encouraged to put holds on the books that we want to read.

Several stands are placed near the self check out with assorted random books.

I returned a book and grabbed these 3 as I was leaving...

Everybody Rise was a fun read and I have started reading Montauk.

Dinner prepared and served to our son and the 3 grandchildren.

Heirloom Tomatoes

Salmon, heirloom tomatoes, red cabbage slaw, twice baked potatoes.

Rosemarie a long time reader from Vancouver sent me the seeds.

(Thank you!)

 Here is one of the sunflowers.

Standing about 12 feet tall.

Under sunnier skies...

Rudbeckia 

a giant variety 

 from the plant sale at Government House many years ago.

My neighbour is painting rocks during Covid.

She has a "take one leave one" area in her front garden.

I left a plain unpainted rock...

(what a trade)

I think I got the better deal though...

You never know what you might find on the boulevard in our neighbourhood.

Painted it black 

that is the colour of all our outdoor wicker and metal French bistro tables.

The garden is fading as the summer season comes to a close.

There is always something to see on the street.

The deer seem to be very comfortable here.

They saunter along the sidewalk

dine in our gardens.

They sometimes even sleep in our front yard! 

My husband is building a fence...he started with the front gate.

He still needs to install the latch.

Hubby had to reinforce the pergola and straighten it with beams...

he has temporary bracing on the sides as he needs to install two more hefty beams.

While hubby was busy sawing and building 

I took the grandchildren back~to~school shopping.

Grammy got a couple of tops too...

a white shirt to wear with my pearls, black pants and red ballet flats.

Red lippy of course, 

 just not when I am wearing my mask!

The striped top will pair well with my black Yoga pants.

So this short diversion has helped me get out of my afternoon funk.

Not being able to get out and walk in the "fresh" air

has been a frustration, which leads to grumpiness.

(and baking!)

I cannot wait until the smoke dissipates...

hope those wildfires are contained and extinguished.

I'll close with another image of Jude the Obscure.

How are you doing?

What are you reading?

Have you been shopping at all during Covid?

What new purchases have you bought or are considering for Fall?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Fragrance from Paris France ~ Rose

I've recently been introduced to a French fragrance by Roger and Gallet...
The company has been in business since 1862 and is located on the chic Rue Saint-Honore in Paris.

Their Rose fragrance is light, subtle and soft and is based on the Gallica Rose with notes of Rose Damascena. I feel very feminine when I wear it and it is perfect for daytime or anytime for that matter!

The gift set that I purchased consists of 50 ml shower gel, 50 ml body lotion and 100 ml of Rose "Fragrant Well being Water" was surprisingly affordable...
under $50.

Pretty pink packaging...

Do you love roses?

I am absolutely passionate about fragrant roses. 

I'd rather have one bloom that is fragrant over dozens and dozens of non scented roses. 

What scent do you wear?

Do you have a signature scent that you have worn for many years

or

do you like to mix it up and try new ones?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and have time to stop and smell the roses!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~