Just desserts...

Dessert is not a course that we eat every day here in The Humble Bungalow...
however, when we have company for dinner, it is a given.

Our house guest is not on Weight Watchers but she ate and enjoyed a low point count dessert.

Whether she knew it was a WW friendly choice or not I am not sure.

 I try not to inundate our guests with my eating regime rules or point counts!

Angel food cake and fresh fruit was served with a choice of whipped cream or yogurt.

It was a refreshing seasonal option especially with all the fresh fruits currently available in the grocery shops.

We discussed desserts and dinner party menus and L shared her easy peasy dessert recipe with me.

I think it is a keeper so I am sharing it with you.

Beat 3 egg yolks with 1/4 cup of sugar until blended and set aside.

Whip 1 cup of whipping cream and add 1/4 cup of any liqueur

Fold the egg mixture and the cream together and put into serving size ramekins.

Freeze until just before serving.

I picked some flowers and snuck them inside The Humble Bungalow when the cats were snoozing...

arranged and placed in the main bathroom and guest suite downstairs.

Flowers, Perrier, scents and light reading are stocked and ready for our guests.

The bed is comfy and the room quiet.

The downstairs bathroom has shampoo, cream rinse, razors, Q-Tips, cotton balls, toothpaste, toothbrushes, fresh white towels and a spare bathrobe.

My friend L and I walked each day and chatted while sipping wine before dinner.

We went for massage at Silk Road Spa and followed up the pampering with a healthy lunch at Rebar.

Bliss!

She helped me choose some new frames for prescription sunglasses.

They are Maui Jim sunnies, not the Ray Ban Wayfarer's that I had been considering.

Jacob's Coat rose growing by the back door...

the vintage Parisian table and chair where I sit with a mug of tea or a bottle of water when it is 

 time to relax a bit and soak in the beauty and sounds of the birds and the bees as they go about their business in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I've been busy catching up on domestics.

I washed the wood floor in the kitchen on my hands and knees as that's the only way to really get the job done.

The floor is over 100 years old ~ it's dull, scratched and dented ~ it looks so much better when it's clean!

Janet at The Gardener's Cottage has a clean floor and she shares her recipe so you might want to pop over and check it out, she's lovely.

Hope that you are taking care of you and yours...

until next time when we meet up again here on this blog.

Hostess

Tip toeing back...OOTD

Life events have contributed to unhinge my mood somewhat...
and they have influenced my confidence with regard to writing The Humble Bungalow Blog.

We have had our share of general strife in the past... both financially and in the health department.
Like most families cancer has struck several times...so it is not as if I don't know what it is like to experience stress.
I just don't usually write about it here on the blog.

Day to day things don't get me too ruffled up unless I am sick or tired.
But these past few weeks have been different.
Mother's health has been a concern, she has some medical issues that have cropped up and she has been depressed.

Our grandson has been hospitalized for a post pneumonia respiratory issue and he has been on oxygen.
Our son and wife were at his bedside during his stay.

We were worried, naturally, of course, and I felt so very helpless.
Yet to pace the floor all the time felt odd so I got busy in the kitchen and prepared some food for them. It was the easiest thing that I could do...and it helped me to keep my negative thoughts in check.

Thankfully our grandson is home now and things are settling down...along with my blood pressure.
I really like it when things are calm and I'd take boring and mundane if given the choice.

I took a few days "off" and went up island to visit a girlfriend.
Girlfriends are such a gift...they understand and do not judge.
My friend  L has retired with her husband to a small island that we usually visit when we are on the boat.
More about our visit later in this post...

On the long weekend in May we cruised over to Pender Island and moored at Port Browning Marina.

I took this photo from the back deck of our boat looking west so you cannot see our Sea Ray.

We had three idyllic days in the sunshine and slept comfortably in our bunk.

I came home feeling quite rested...I gained 3 pounds!

The cats came with us...they got their sea legs (paws) right away!

This wind sculpture is at Zanatta Vineyard in the Glenora area of Duncan.

The tasting room and restaurant are located in this farm style house.

The charming covered patio was a perfect place to dine as the weather was warm and sunny.

A "selfie" of my OOTD

taken in the washroom 

I wore a Lands' End scarf (new this season)

white tank top, black Pure Knit sweater and dark wash skinny G21 jeans with my black ballet Mee Too flats.

My friend ordered the roasted beet salad which looked amazing.

I decided on the crab and shrimp cakes which were done to perfection.

We sipped wine, of course...I opted for a glass of Zanatta Ortega.

I have enjoyed their Damasco which is a light summer wine and their Pinot Noir is delicious.

I purchased two bottles of Ortega to take home.

Over the next few days we had nothing but fun.

(exactly what I needed)

We went for walks, watched a movie on Netflix, did some shopping at a consignment shop, had massages, 

drank tea, planted a shade garden on her acreage, cooked together in her ultra modern kitchen, 

researched Paris flights, looked at the map of France, 

 we chatted...

it was a calm and easy time just to be.

(just what I needed)

The wee trip was over after a couple of days and there was a ferry to catch.

Mr. HB said that the cats were "out of sorts" without me...

I got such an enthusiastic greeting from them when I arrived home you'd have thought I had been gone for weeks!

 My friend will be coming here to visit in our Humble Bungalow...

I am already planning our itinerary.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting...

my Humble Bungalow Blog.

I try to be honest and upbeat

 but life is not always a cake walk 

so you might find yourself reading some posts that might surprise you...

you get real life here at The Humble Bungalow.

I have been thrift shopping so fasten your seat belts as a post is in the works...

and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your comments.

They have made me so happy...

I think it feels good to be back!

Hostess

XO

Two gals on the loose in South Granville, shopping and ethnic cuisine.

Cheryl met me at Cafe Artigiano on Robson Street for coffee bright and early Saturday morning.
The skies were blue and the sun was shining. We sipped a couple of coffees...an espresso for her, a decaf Americano pour moi. Their coffee is delicious and we snagged a table in the window a great place to people watch and a fun start our adventure.
Banana Republic across the street was having a big sale and Cheryl scored a few great pieces...black pants embossed with an aubergine floral pattern in what I think was cut velvet and a cozy black V neck angora and wool sweater.
Nothing for me although I did try a few things on...I really don't NEED anything.

We boarded a bus at Granville and crossed the bridge to the fabulous area of serious hostess style shopping...
Have you ever been to South Granville? It's a mecca of small boutiques punctuated with a few chain stores...Williams Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, L'Occitane, Chapters, Pottery Barn...well you get the idea.
Lots of variety and shops that we do not have here in sleepy old Victoria.

Lord's shoes!

It is a shop that has a huge array of fancy and different shoes.

If you ever are looking for shoes encrusted with crystals this is THE place!

Shoes for the girly girl in you.

Clothes, handbags, shoes, boots and accessories.

I looked but I did not find.

Hi there I'm having a bad hair day

(The blow dryer in the hotel was not up to snuff)

but who really cares?

Gosh I hope that I am not THAT self absorbed.

Snapping a "selfie" in the dressing room at Anthropologie.

Love their distressed walls.

Love the store and this could be trouble.

Where is my resolve?

I think the merchandising, displays and floor plan design are so very sexy and sumptuous.

How can they fail to sell us their wares?

I am smitten and wooed by it all ~"pure putty."

The bad news is there are two floors to browse!

Wish I was a better navigator!

I went willy nilly through the store...

So very tactile and with those scented candles and books juxtaposed with the clothes...well Hello Hostess!

 I am definitely in trouble!

Oh I almost forgot...

before we walked into Anthropologie we went into Eileen Fisher.

We do not have one in Victoria.

 I found a crisp white organic linen tank top.

I love it!

It fits so well and looks good.

The price point was a bit of a shock but I knew if I did not buy it I would regret it.

It's a desert island top.

One that I will wear until it is in tatters!

I am able to balance a splurge with those recent thrifty finds.

Mixing luxe with thrift makes total sense to me.

Am I justifying this purchase?

You bet!

Besides une femme recommends Eileen Fisher's clothing regularly and she always looks chic.

Cheryl and I perused the sales racks and tried on many garments.

we kept coming out to show each other how they looked and would give each other feedback and honest opinions.

This Tencel shirt came home with me.

I used to have a denim version of this shirt that I layered over white tank tops.

Wore it out and if memory serves me I had it for about 7 years.

This shirt can be dressed up or down.

I can wear it with pearls or my JCrew Venus Fly Trap necklace.

Shopping like we did until mid afternoon meant that we worked up an appetite.

Vij's restaurant is on my list of favourite spots to dine.

We go there as often as we can but they are not open for lunch so Cheryl and I did the next best thing...

Rangoli is their other restaurant conveniently located right next door.

It has a much more casual vibe and the food is exceptional!

Mosaic wall in Rangoli

Hostess's lunch

Cheryl's lunch

The pond outside with floating candles and apricot roses.

Lovely and unexpected...

thank you Vij!

In the afternoon we went for a refreshing walk along Spanish Banks.

The fog rolled in and blanketed the city in a cool mist that chilled us to the core.

Mr. HB and I went back to our hotel to get changed for dinner.

La Cigale French Bistro

Wonderful authentic French fare.

John and Cheryl go to France for several months each year so they are in the know!

Cheryl and I opted for French 75's as our aperitif, the men had martini's.

I chose beet salad with shaved Parmesan to start followed by grilled salmon on a bed of white beans.

I shared dessert with Mr. HB...rice pudding with caramel sauce.

(I usually do not like sweets but I loved this and the sauce elevated the simple pudding to gourmet status)

Sancerre wine from Chateau Sancerre rounded out the meal quite nicely.

That about wraps up our excitement and now I need to get serious about cleaning The Humble Bungalow.

There is also some laundry in the hamper and I doubt it will get washed by itself.

Take care and thanks for popping by...

Hostess

OOTD ~ Casual BOHO ~ Hostess Style

Do you ever feel like you want to dress in a carefree hippy dippy way?
Feeling somewhat artsy or a bit Bohemian?

I've observed many women at our local Farmer's Market
dressed in tie dyed maxi dresses,
hair flowing and casual Birkenstock sandals...
Interesting woven baskets spilling over with a colourful array of healthy vegetables.

I think I am too conservative and too advanced in age to get away with this look,
I'd feel a bit of a fraud....like I was trying to reconnect with my youth.

I feel that dressing is a reflection of my personality so I must be genuine about my image.
(Even my dirty gardening clothes show the real me!)

I often get the urge to throw caution to the wind and be a bit more daring...
a bit more of a carefree spirit.

Here is my take on that vibe...

Chalet linen top

Jackpot pants

 H and M tank top

I love the design of this asymmetrical top with the loose front detail

It's from Sunday's Snowflakes in Cordova Bay at Mattick's Farm.

The Jackpot pants are also from their store.

Mattick's Farm a great spot to shop if you haven't already been there...

a green grocer

garden centre

wine shop

card and gift shops

mini golf

and a gallery.

 "Something More" 

a ladies clothing store has recently opened

it's a great addition to the mall

focusing on natural fabrics.

 Adrienne's Tea Garden 

is a perfect place to recoupe after an afternoon of retail therapy!

Abalone shell buttons add a bit of interest

and the bangles are getting another day out!

These earrings were made by my friend Peggy Turmer

at least 15 years ago 

 I still love the design.

Interesting jewelry is a great way to add flair to any outfit.

 I apologize for this shot as it is a wee bit blurry but you get to see the whole outfit.

My hair is overdue for a cut and my hairdresser is on her summer holidays

so it will be a few more days...

When it comes to jumping out of your safety net...how do you dress?

Do you feel a bit like you are pushing the fashion envelope?

Have a great week!

I am going to bed with a good book.....

Hello people...
whoo hoo
the mail brought gifts this week!

Look at this packaging!

Look at the title!

Pinch me please I am not dreaming!

Jamie Cat Callan sent me her advanced readers copy BEFORE it hits the press...
loving all things FRENCH I am swooning as I read the chapters.
I want to meet Jamie someday....
I love her "voice."
I think I might just take a bloggy break while I devour her book...

Mr. HB came home tonight to find me on the couch sipping a cup of tea and very quiet
while I had great difficulty prying my eyes from the pages of Jamie's newest...
to welcome him home.
I was so immersed I hardly noticed...

I do not want to stop reading until I have finished...

It never rains but it pours
Cheryl Fortier, a dear friend who first introduced me to Jamie Cat Callan when she met her in Auvilar France sent me Barbara Kingsolver's latest...
she met up with her at The Virginia Centre of The Arts when she was an artist in residence this past month.

I am keen to get stuck in...

Please send some positive thoughts for Cheryl and her family as her father is in hospital

and not doing well...

My BFF's mother has been in hospital and now is back home with 24 hour care and I am reminded of how precious and precarious life can be...

HUG your loved ones and tell them you care.

Everyday!

Thank you for visiting my Humble Blog.

Beauty upon closer inspection...

Flowers are quite delightful and often we may merely glance at their beauty.
They are flowers so isn't that their job?
To be beautiful and to be admired.
We may take them for granted.

Upon reflection I think that
beauty goes much deeper...

I am thinking of a few of the older women that I know who are, in my opinion and in a word, fabulous.
They know how to dress to make the most of their figures and they have perfected the art of applying make up.
They smile often, have oodles of energy and are a positive influence on those who have the good fortune to be around them. They have something magnetic about their demeanour.

On a recent visit to an Avenue Shop that I regularly patronize I spoke with the owner/manager who told me that she was turning 65!
I would have never guessed! I though perhaps that she was closer to my age.
She dresses casually, pays attention to her grooming,  focusing on a flattering hairstyle and she keeps her figure in check by walking daily.
I looked closely at her face as we chatted and for the first time I noticed that she had quite a few wrinkles...
I never really saw them before.
They did not diminish her good looks and obvious well cared for and healthy skin, in fact, they looked natural and quite friendly.
We got into a discussion about bathing suits of all things, as she is off to Maui for 2 weeks.
She is traveling with a long time girlfriend...
who has apparently gained quite a bit of weight.
Who by all accounts says that she is happy with her body and has just invested in a couple of splashy new bathing suits...one of which is a two piece.
Isn't that wonderful?

How refreshing and delightful...
Women who accept themselves and are comfortable in their own skin.
Women who don't take themselves too seriously and have a great sense of humour.
Women who are not afraid of adventure and set an shining example of what we can look forward to as we advance in age.

After our conversation I realized how long it takes some women to come to terms with aging...myself included.
We are not hardwired for acceptance, nor do we dwell on it for long as we generally have far too much going on in our lives to be able to spend hours "gazing at our navels."

Do you listen to and appreciate the wisdom that older women have to offer?
I savour time spent with these remarkable ladies and feel that I breathe easier and have a sense of calm
not unlike that felt after an hour of restorative Yoga.
I am walking behind them trying to catch up
wanting to absorb the lessons that they have learned and are willing to share.


The sun danced in The Humble Bungalow as I was sitting down to type this post a few days ago ~
it is raining cats and dogs here today!
I grabbed my camera and captured some images of the lovely tulip bouquet that I was given by a lovely friend.

Looking though the lens I discovered an intricate beauty that deserved closer inspection...

My hands are as dry as can be despite the lotion that I slather on them.

I blame it on all the domestics that I do without the protection of gloves.

The gloves are handy I just keep forgetting to put them on...

The best lotion I have found is Pure Shea Butter from L'Occitane which is made in France

what do you use to keep your hands in top form?

My hands are those of an older woman, my neck too.

Here's the thing

I am that older woman!

Are you willing to walk with me on my journey to wisdom and acceptance?

One wrinkle at a time...

Wednesday...a day to celebrate.

It's Wednesday...
and my BFF's birthday.

Happy Birthday Suzanne!

there's a January rose blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden 

it brightened my day and I hope it will do the same for you my dear friend

surprises and unexpected pleasures

are worth sharing

 having shared so many milestones and memories with you

I feel very honored to have you in my life

~ ~ ~

I hope you know just how special you are to me

more than a sister

a lifelong friend 

who is beside me in spirit when distance and time separate us

~ ~ ~

shares thoughts and tastes

picks me up when I am down

takes me along with her 

as she navigates the rocky road that rises up

~ ~ ~ 

laughter

tears

joys

sorrow

grief

euphoria

we've felt them all

together

~ ~ ~

looking back

looking forward

you have always been there

and I hope you always will be.

Love and Hugs

Happy Birthday my friend!

Hostess

My BFF's renovation ~ a sneak peek.

One day I plan to do a very large post on my BFF's heritage home and garden...
she has given me permission and believe me when you see her home you will love it.

Today I have decided to show you a sneak peek of the upstairs bathroom which is located off their vast bedroom and sitting area that overlooks Haro Strait.
I'll show you that when they have it decorated and finished.

picture taken by my BFF

the light fixtures, mirrors, cabinets and pictures are still to come

(that's why it's a sneak peek)

Look at all the marble

and the floors are heated!

I can just imagine soaking in the tub

windows wide

watching the boats go by...

I brought over the small float as a bathroom gift.

The shades of green look like they were meant to be together.

Restoration Hardware towels

on an arts and crafts shelf

garden roses

of course!

I love the vintage vase she chose to use

it reminds me of sea glass.

Two sinks are on opposite walls

(if the sink looks familiar we have the same one!)

The glass doors will be up soon...

and we mustn't forget the WC

They have been working hard and co-ordinating the trades exceptionally well.

I hope that you enjoyed the sneak peek.

Thank you to my BFF for allowing me to show off her great space before it was complete.

On the reno front downstairs in The Humble Bungalow

we have the tile lady on the scene this week working in our bathroom.

The woodwork is finished and Mr. HB needs to paint prime and paint it...

I hope to show you some progress before you've completely forgotten that we are having a reno!