Wednesday walking, weights and the winning entry...

Thank you for all your entries in the Humble Bungalow Blog Book giveaway.

Book written by Ted Kennedy Watson

It took awhile to write out all the names, fold them and mix them up in the bowl.

Finel Modernist bowl

Suz from Vancouver !

Please send me an email at bungalowhostess@gmail.com

with your name and mailing address and I will pop it in the post.

The weather has been very cold and walking has been a challenge...

but "no excuses!"

Wool hat, scarf, vest, puffer coat, gloves, boots...

I have not met very many people out walking or running.

It feels odd to be out and about in such a scenic place that usually teems with runners and walkers.

My skin and lips have been very dry as a result of the cold temperatures 

so I have been slathering on the lip gloss and face serum.

Drinking lots of tea to hydrate and offer some warmth on the inside!

I am adding some weight training to my regime.

Our bungalow is far too small to install a treadmill or elliptical so free weights are going to be it.

I will do some research online and look for an exercise program.

Do you use weights?

Is there a website that you can recommend?

How is your New Year shaping up so far?

Any big plans?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

New Years Eve and Hostess holiday style and a giveaway!

It is New Years Eve!

We are planning a quiet dinner here in The Humble Bungalow.

I have a few resolutions in my back pocket

and 

am reflecting on all the good things in life 

sadly it was

a year fraught with so many unsettling events on the world stage.

It is my hope that we strive to be better

become more forgiving 

respectful of the differences 

that we share

 while living (hopefully) harmoniously on this planet.

The festive season is almost over and it has been a busy holiday.

I wore mostly black...

it is a matter of frugality 

and 

my conservative nature...

however

even at my age

(almost 62)

 I do like to kick it up a notch.

Mesh tights feel a bit more edgy than sheer hose

short boots feel hipper than pumps

an armful of bangles seems like more fun than a watch...

they are shiny silver and make a bit of noise!

The black slim skirt is a basic style which sits just above the knee...

it is a "work horse" in my closet.

This new skirt is a recent purchase

 made in Canada in a knit and it is lined.

I wore my vintage mink jacket out to dinner on icy Christmas Day.

(Mr. HB is not a fan of fur and I DO have reservations wearing fur)

I posted this on Instagram and many commented on the fact that it is vintage fur and 

I should wear it without guilt.

I wore my St. John black top with a bit of sparkle

black skirt

mesh tights

Chelsea boots

grey pearl drops and diamond studs.

(Thank you to Mr. HB for taking the photos.)

My sister cooked us a fabulous dinner...

tenderloin steaks and assorted veggies.

Truffles and yogurt for dessert.

Mother loved the quiet and smooth drive in our new car.

Our kids came to us this year on Boxing Day and we enjoyed their visit.

I have been eating too much and I know I need to get on top of this situation.

(I will)

Blinders are firmly affixed as I am avoiding the scale.

(until 2017)

My jeans are feeling snug 

(which us never a good sign)

 and 

already exploring local fitness program schedules

 curious about  the new Weight Watchers program 

Beyond The Scale...

I saw an advert on telly with Oprah...

she has lost over 40 pounds.

I think I heard that she owns WW

anyone out there know if this is true?

Chester my trusty assistant 

is trying to squeeze in and get some attention as I type.

He tries to do this when I am my knitting and reading too.

Started reading this book after Christmas...

I am only into it a few chapters so I cannot really comment yet but the story on the jacket cover sounded entertaining.

I'll be posting with the knitted oven mitt pattern, I have not forgotten.

New Years resolutions:

Thinking about a weight loss challenge

 continued thoughts on living a beautiful, relaxed and simple life.

A New Years giveaway...

this lovely Kennedy Watson book

could be yours

just leave me a comment and we will randomly choose a name.

Leave your comment before January 4th at midnight PST.

Watch for the draw and then email me with your mailing address if your name is the one chosen.

Good Luck

Happy New Year!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Weekend snippets and a cookie recipe...

How was your weekend?
Ours was busy and we had the opportunity to go shopping, we enjoyed lunch and brunch out at two of our favourite spots, there was time for my knitting projects, then some baking and Mr. HB mowed the lawn as we heard that snow was in the forecast.

We picked up the newlyweds at the airport.
It feels so good having them back in town
and we look forward to spending Christmas together.

Their honeymoon was spent touring NZ and Australia where Nick grew up.
They had a wonderful time.
Except for the earthquake in Wellington, which sounds like a stressful experience and now that we have more details we can understand better what they went through.

Saturday we wandered through the shops downtown.
I particularly like seeing the shop windows all decked out for the festive season...

This cute little jacket is made for a toddler.

The Tapas Bar in Trounce Alley

where we ate a yummy lunch.

The Beehive Wool shop windows

I purchased more yarn so I could knit up some gifts.

Sunday brunch at 

The Beach House restaurant, 

the seas were calm and the skies were blue.

I love this wee table accent...so simple and festive.

Delicious food and a fabulous view made for a wonderful start to the day.

Avocado on toast with poached eggs and pea shoots.

Speaking of food...

I discovered this delicious cookie recipe on line.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/218878/citrus-shortbread-cookies

The cookies are tasty and you can make the dough one day pop it in the fridge and bake it when you have time.
That works well for those of us who like to pace ourselves
especially important at this time of year!

The Kitchen Aid does most of the work.

I will bake these today.

I am also sending Carol a gift as a token of her kindness.

Carol is giving the cookbook she won in the giveaway to Nadya 

who I hope will read this and send me her address

(bungalowhostess@gmail.com)

The neighbours' cat has settled down for a nap on our front porch in the sunshine.

I must get that oven heated up and bake those cookies so I will close for now...

Hope that you have a wonderful week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Grace in action...hope you are reading this Nadya!

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow
our neighbourhood is getting dressed up for the holidays.

Our bungalow Christmas lights are all white.

The neighbours in our area like to decorate with vibrant colours...

its fun to wander around the neighbourhood at night and see the festive accents.

This is a newer home on our street.

It has grey shingles and white trim and I love the garden with the box hedging.

I had not planned to write so soon after my Friday post 

but I received the most gracious email from Carol 

who was the recipient of the Weight Watchers Slow Cooker cookbook. 

"I have not been able to get Nadya's entry out of my mind since I read it.

Perhaps I remember being so tired with a toddler (or two) to care for.

Perhaps it is because it is my son's goal to become a political science professor.

I suspect she would use the cookbook far more often than I."

~ Carol Woodard ~

Carol you are a gracious woman and your gesture is so very kind.

I hope that Nadya reads this and sends her mailing address so that I can forward the cookbook to her asap.

Nadya my email address is bungalowhostess@gmail.com

Carol please email me your mailing address as I want to send you something too!

Seasons Greetings!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Giveaway recipient...a dilemma for Mr. HB!

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow!

We have been busy of late with many lovely seasonal events and one particularly very special one today...a precious school pageant starring all the pupils of the private school that focuses on the arts as well as the mandated BC curriculum.
Our sweet red headed granddaughter Isla,
sang solo parts of a song by Sarah Brightman "The Music of The Night"
that moved this Grammy to tears....
MR. HB's eyes weren't the driest either!

I have been "under the weather" with a stiff neck this past week

and attribute it to too much knitting or possibly a virus.

 I have been trying to keep warm and cozy by wearing a fleecy jacket and cashmere socks.

But enough about me...

Mr. HB had to choose the recipient of the WW slow cooker recipe cookbook and he found it a tougher job than he signed on for so he narrowed it down to two...

So...dear reader he did what many people do when in doubt...

The Finel mid century bowl was put into action with the two entries inside...

He pulled this one out of the bowl.

Carol Woodard please send me an email with your mailing address

and I will send you the book.

We entered the 50/50 and the wine draw tonight at the pageant...

no wins here but so glad that we can help support a great school and see our sweet grand daughter on stage.

Hope you are having a lovely week.

May I just say that I have had an outpouring of support from readers who were feeling uncomfortable about the rude comments and I would like to take this opportunity to say that you have restored my faith in human nature.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A giveaway and a recipe...

PHEW!
It has been busy here in The Humble Bungalow!
I need to catch my breath...

Living life fully, and being present in the moment comes first,
reporting and recording events here on the blog are second...
I hope you appreciate that fact.

Shopping, knitting, running errands, volunteering at my club, and hanging out with the grand babies...
have been keeping me hopping...and I LOVE it!

Church Mouse bias loop scarf cowl...

Does it look better with the Gala apple?

I ate this as my WW friendly afternoon snack today!

This scarf is keeping my neck so cozy on my walks.

Surprised to see a mauve hydrangea blooming in our front garden...

grateful for these gifts from Mother Nature.

An old recipe but a good one...

Yummy...

serve with rice and a crisp vegetable.

Hope you like it!

Tis the season...

and my gift to one of you is...

Weight Watcher Book...

I would like to give this book to someone who likes to use their slow cooker.

Please leave a comment and tell me why you would like this book

I will ask MR.HB to help me decide on the recipient...

I will keep this open until November 30th.

Good Luck!

Happy Thanksgiving to our American Neighbours...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~