Showing posts with label harvest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label harvest. Show all posts

Saturday, September 23, 2023

OOTD + Fall Harvest from The Humble Bungalow Garden

 

It's the first day of Fall Today 
So I am getting ready for cooler weather...

Ready to
Welcome Back
My
Black and White Fall and Winter Basics


I have tried wearing bold bright colours in the cooler months
 but I keep going back to black.


Here I am dressed in a super casual OOTD for lunch with my sister and cousins.

I wore things that I have had in my closet for years
Black Yoga pants
Old Navy White Shirt
Eileen Fisher black quilted vest
with
(new this summer)
Tommy Hilfiger Shoes

Black and white is so easy to accessorize...
jewelry, colourful scarves, sweaters.

Think the accessories give this casual OOTD a bit of a lift. 

BIG pearls from Hong Kong and Bold Red Miss Pupa Lipgloss #305

I added my Black Eileen Fisher vest as we were sitting outdoors for our lunch.

We had a yummy lunch at pure Vanilla in Oak Bay.
Food choices are always fresh and there are many healthy options.

There was SO MUCH catching up and chattering 
that it was really HARD to get a word in edgewise!
I hate talking over people so I was rather quiet
I prefer to listen anyways...

My simple style is not fancy, it could not be easier or more basic.
It is honest and works for me.

I own and am attracted to blue denim, chambray and Tencel shirts, dresses and jeans.
Denim played a major role in my teenage wardrobe.
Did it factor into your younger wardrobe too?

If you had told me at 13 that I would still be wearing jeans at 68 
I probably would have laughed, but it is true.
Do you still wear jeans and denim?

I have 3 pairs of jeans, a denim jumper, shirts, a top and a distressed denim jacket.

Keeping a small and simple basic wardrobe makes getting dressed easy.
Too many choices make me dizzy and indecisive.

There are also several LBD's in my closet...
a black and grey tweed skirt 
some black and white tops
sweaters
black dress pants.

Retirement dressing is very casual...
I wear things for comfort and those that are purpose driven.

When I go to the pool for aquafit classes I wear these same Yoga pants.
A cozy warm top and a jacket or sweater depending on the weather.


Marshalls change room!
I seem to gravitate to this store...
SO MANY CHOICES.
Such good value, I like that, as I am on a pension.

I keep track of ALL my wardrobe purchases...new and thrifted.

This quilted barn coat is something that I have wanted for several years.
When I spied it hanging on the rack I grabbed it!
Ralph Lauren is known for their detail on their garments.


I like the snaps and the ability to open the hem.
Might come in handy if I plan to leap any tall buildings :-))


The collar is done in a classic corduroy...
the coat is roomy which I wanted especially for layering in the cold weather.

In case you are wondering...
underneath the coat I am wearing a soft faded light blue Tencel dress and capri tights.

I have just swapped out my summer clothes and put them in the guest room closet.
It is raining here today and boy do we ever need the rain!
This past summer has been riddled with drought conditions and forest fires.

Welcome Fall Weather!


Humble Bungalow Front Porch Fall Decor
dried hydrangeas and mini pumpkins.


The swimsuit that I wear to aqua fit class is starting to stretch out and the seams are looking dodgy.
I have ordered this one from Lands" End and hope that it will fit.

The newer one by Alfred Sung that I purchased early in the season 
is a wrap style with a lower neckline 
so not really suitable for the "bouncing" cardio portion of the class!

It is harvest time here...


Liberty Apples 
first harvest shared with the grandchildren.
Sweet, tasty and small enough for school lunches.


Chehalis green apples
I prefer to cook with these.
(I have an apple pie baking in the oven right now!)


I roasted some of these heirloom Italian Mikado tomatoes for sauces in the Winter.

Roasted Tomatoes

Line a baking tray with parchment paper
Cut Tomatoes into smaller chunks
add pepper and garlic
drizzle with olive oil
bake at 375 for about 40 minutes
Cool

Spoon into Ziploc bags or plastic containers for the freezer.


Hermes scarf and Saint James striped top
worn here under a casual zip jacket.

What clothes are on your radar for Fall? 
(Or Spring depending where you live)

Do you plan to purchase anything new?


I am in the process of cutting and drying some of the hydrangea blooms.
I've been soaking the flower heads in a bucket of cold water for several hours before tying them into bunches for drying.

I hope this works as I tried a bunch without the soaking 
and they shrivelled right up
(see the porch picture)
far too crispy.

Hope you are keeping well and staying safe.
Covid is making a comeback here.

Think I will start wearing my mask again when I go to the grocery store.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Summer Hollidays


The Humble Bungalow Garden

We have been away on the boat...and had motor trouble.
Repairs need to happen before we can go out on it again.

Midweek I drove upisland for a few days
with our son and 3 grand children.

Oodles of fun in the sun and a crazy thunder and lightning storm!
Mini Golf, bumper boats, pooltime, crafts...


Fresh veggies from The Humble Bungalow Garden and Greenhouse.


The garden is looking wonderful and we are starting to harvest vegetables.


Limelight Hydrangeas 
and
Himalayan Honeysuckle


I love the combination of colours and textures.


This wee green grasshopper hitched a ride from Victoria all the way to Parksville.


The views from our suite.


Sandy beaches and many lovely homes.


Abraham Darby
a stalwart David Austin Rose
very frilly and frothy 
a beautiful fragrance.


Second flush of sweet peas...
Monty Don said to cut ALL the flowers off and expect a flush of new ones.
I was skeptical but it works.

BTW 
I had an email from a reader 
saying that ads are popping up in the blog side bar 
that are related to the US election and the NRA.

I do not live in the US.

My blog is not political in any way, shape or form.

It is my understanding that any ads that do pop up 
are related to searches by the users of the device.


North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is located in Errington, BC
near Parksville and Qualicum Beach.

The centre rehabilitates animals that are injured and then releases them back into the wild.

There are a few animals that are permanent residents. 
Their injuries were so severe
that they will not be able to fend for themselves.

The centre is clean
the cages are large 
the habitats inside are similar to the wilderness
that the animals call home.


Look at this precious owl.
Farley cannot fly, he was hit by a car in Prince George BC.
He underwent an operation but has never been able to regain the ability to fly.

We are enjoying hosting outdoor "Happy Hours" with friends and family.
It is a wonderful way to stay connected and remain safe.

How is your summer going?
The time seems to be flying by here...

I've got lots of things planned for the next few weeks.
Catching up with friends and a spa date with my baby sister who just turned 60!

Take care and stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, August 26, 2019

A beautiful and Bountiful Harvest ~ Recipe included


Mr HB has a greenhouse where he grows tomatoes and cucumbers.


When there is a bountiful harvest
we eat many bunches of small cherry tomatoes fresh as "candy"

I roast a tray of sliced tomatoes seasoned with fresh ground salt and pepper
several chopped garlic cloves
a small sprinkling of red pepper flakes
drizzle with a glug of good quality olive oil 
Roast at 425 until they are soft and squishy.

The Bungalow smells wonderful
very "Italian" in my opinion.


Roasting brings out the intense sweet flavour of the tomatoes.


The pasta and cheese were gifts for Mr. HB 
on his recent birthday...

Pasta
with the roasted tomatoes
topped with a 
 grating of sharp Pecorino.

Served with a bowl of freshly sliced cucumbers 
seasoned with fresh ground pepper
 a little drizzle of olive oil.

Perhaps accompanied by a glass of Italian red wine.

Dinner is ready!

Bon Appetit

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~