Quiet Home Days ~ Fluffing and Faffing

 

I've got a big mug of Tea...

the candle is lit

and

I am writing a post.

In the past few weeks I have been focused on health.

I've had a cold of sorts...

it started when we returned from our cruise

with a cough and sore throat.

I've had the darn thing for 3 weeks and it is frustrating me.

I've been taking care of myself...

getting lots of rest

drinking fluids

and 

generally staying home.

I don't really feel bad I just sound stuffed up.

The cough is sporadic...

could it be allergies?

~ Willows Beach ~

 I go out for my walks but I am not in close quarters with people.

This is a great little book...

it is full of good ideas for smaller spaces.

After reading it cover to cover I had a good tidy up.

I took some things that were collecting dust, 

washed them, put some into cupboards and others in different spots.

Nothing like a good home decor book to get me motivated to clean.

 I get carried away and everything looks chaotic before it looks better.

We purchased a new rug for the TV room...to replace the worn out shaggy one.

I was totally embarrassed by the shape of the old one.

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG???

I used up several bottles of cleaners and had to launder ALL my cloths.

I use the Thieves brand cleaner...from Young Living.

Delivered concentrated in a bottle and all you do is add water.

I really like the scent of it.

In the kitchen I swapped out the vintage MCCoy pot 

(utensil holder)

 For a smaller pot 

and 

I donated all the plastic utensils.

Replace a few with silver plated options

 a few beech spoons from France

 via the local shop Surroundings in the Cook Street Village.

I have been meaning to do this for several years...again

WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG????

Tested out Joanna Gaines' After School Banana Bread.

Comforting treat with Tea.

Cleaned and polished my Coach Bags...

they almost look brand new :-))

Dug out the tarnished Sterling Bangles 

from their hide - out in the Blue Velvet Case.

A bit of silver polish was needed and they were glistening like new.

Have been wearing them everyday since...

I don't own a lot of jewellery but what I have all fits in a small drawer.

I seem to go in cycles of what I wear...

I rarely Mix Metals.

GOLD

or

SILVER

or

 PEARLS

I've been wearing a lot of my silk scarves...

they keep my neck warm now that the weather is cooler.

Am knitting this scarf ~ a gift for a friend...

Pattern is on Ravelry

~ Easy Goes It ~

Well that about does it...enough chit chat.

Hope you are well.

I've been neglecting the blog...

I caught up on all the comments earlier today.

Sorry for the delay.

Better Late Than Never.

It's time for me to go for my walk...

My mug of tea is empty 

the clock has just chimed the hour

I can hear the cat snoring on the sofa!

Time flies...

 I'll close this wee post.

Until Next Time

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Early morning post...a bit of this and that.

 

Time is flying along and I find the days full and rewarding...

Lately I have been pacing myself.

A wide variety of tasks await here in The Humble Bungalow.

Homekeeping

Baking

Creative pursuits

Reading

There are many choices and I like to mix them up...

a wee bit of work balanced with some knitting or reading

accompanied always with mug full of hot tea.

Tea has been my saviour during these past few weeks...

I've been reducing my food intake to shed a few pounds.

It is a challenge and a much needed focus.

Refining my diet to include protein with every meal...

adding fibre and a colourful array of vegetables.

So far I have lost about 8 pounds...

I cannot really see it but my jeans are looser.

The difficulty seems to be my stamina which is waning due to the chronic hip pain.

I won't go into much detail, suffice to say it is not pleasant.

I am embracing distractions at every turn :-))

This book was brilliant...I will be seeking out more of his many novels.

I've been baking sourdough french baguettes on repeat...

freezing them and giving some away.

The trick to the crust is to bake them above a roasting pan filled with ice.

Mr. HB bought this fabulous baguette pan for me...

it's a game changer.

Graham Thomas roses are putting on their last flush...

I asked Mr. HB to bring them inside so I could appreciate their beauty.

The petals are dropping off as I expected but their fragrance is strong.

~ Small Joys ~

These are especially important to me...

they lift my spirits and I find them soothing.

Those that are free and cost nothing are the BEST.

Perhaps that's what we gardener's enjoy the most?

The foraging habit continues to delight and reward me.

Pine cones, seashells, sea glass, free things on the nearby boulevards.

Books in the many wee free libraries.

So many things on offer.

Oh and this yummy recipe.

I can't remember if I shared this delicious pork 

marinade with you before?

Pork loin rib roast, 

I use the marinade to cook the roast in too.

So good...

easy too and most things are already in the fridge or pantry.

Let me know if you make it...

Our Christmas Cactus is in bloom.

I bought this orange variety last year, we have pink ones too.

Madly love these matte white McCoy planters with the drip tray attached.

Have been on the hunt for more 

Ebay and Etsy

but they seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.

When your cup and coaster match your knitting project...

Alexandra's Airplane Scarf

Churchmouse pattern using Knitting For Olive yarn

from my favourite local shop The Beehive.

So relaxing knitting this pattern...

quiet, meditative and great with a hot mug of tea.

Needs Must :-))

The front Hallway here in The Humble Bungalow.

Baskets galore...

dried hydrangeas and an antique pot.

Sourced locally from an estate sale about 30 years ago.

The woman having the sale showed me around each room filled with treasures.

I would have purchased many things if I had a wallet stuffed with cash.

Back in those days 

We lived within a tight budget,

 so extra expenditures were purchased with a LOT of thought

careful not to over extend ourselves.

The last "room" Mrs. Lettuce (not sure of the spelling) showed me was her garage.

Inside was a jumble of tools, an old car, a canoe, some old machinery...

and a bunch of pots and this antique pot with a chip in the rim.

I bought it for $10 or $20 dollars...

The large palatial home is still standing on the original site on Woodstock Street.

A new house has been built behind the old house...

I can still see Mrs. Lettuce working in her garden...

wearing her tweed skirt and cashmere sweater set.

Her messy bun and those serious black oxford shoes.

She was such a delight to chat with as I pushed the pram past her home all those many years ago..

a real character full of vim and vigour

such a charming gardener

full of knowledge 

and classy

in a genuine "old school" way.

Translation...in case you might like to know = old money.

Reminds me of The Duchess of Devonshire.

Hang in there...

a creepy spider waiting in its web for a tasty meal.

I've been "organizing" my baking stuff...

bought some Classic Anchor Hocking glass jars for the counter.

I got tired pulling out all my supplies from the cupboards.

Even though they take up valuable real estate I find them super handy.

I've been up for about an hour now and I am in desperate need of a frothy Espresso!

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the small joys of the season. 

Take care and thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~