December greetings from The Humble Bungalow...

 

~ Festive Greetings from The Humble Bungalow ~

We've put up the faux tree with twinkling white fairy lights.

One of our cats still climbs the tree

so we do not add our vintage glass baubles.

One year the cat knocked the tree to the floor 

resulting in a mess of shattered baubles...

sadly several vintage treasures were lost.

 

We keep our decorating simple and have added some silver baubles and stars.

Do you follow Pamela Anderson on Instagram?

She has moved back to the island, renovated her family home,

 planted rose and vegetable gardens and more recently has published a cookbook.

She has totally reinvented herself...written a memoir, appeared in a documentary

starred in a play on Broadway, and is appearing in films.

Pamela is a co-founder of Sonsie skincare products.

My skincare products were getting low and when I heard that she had a rose scented cleanser I thought I might try some.

I purchased the "bundle" cleanser, serum and moisturizing balm.

I would have bought the lip balm but it was sold out.

I have been using the Sonsie products for about a week and already can see an improvement in my skin tone.

Having rosacea and seeing a reduction of redness is VERY exciting!

Hydrangeas are almost done for the season but I managed to salvage a few blooms.

These have dried nicely in a vintage Crown Ducal Vase. 

After 3 years of lusting after this Cocoon wool and cashmere coat from Aritzia

I finally bought it and I am SO GLAD!!!

 ~ SO COZY ~

Cold weather means warmer accessories...

the walks by the sea are very cold.

I had a fall a week ago...

Hurt my hip and knee which are badly bruised.

Sustained a cut above my eye.

My eye lid and area below were really red but now are a limey green shade.

Managed to get to see the doctor who sent me for X Rays.

Fortunately nothing is broken.

However I do have a concussion and have had a CT scan...

results should be forthcoming.

Research on walking assists inspired me to buy walking Poles.

Our local Wellwise store carry the poles.

Hubby bought a pair for his walks too.

I have used them a few times and they make a HUGE difference.

 My confidence, stability and balance are much improved.

Do you use walking poles?

Have you ever had a nasty fall requiring x-rays?

How about a concussion?

Tis the season for candles!

Beeswax and a scented candle on the vintage silver tray add ambiance.

I like to sip my coffee, read my book, or knit with these candles glowing.

Silver baubles...

Harrods George V fluted silverplate Teapot and Creamer

Still on the hunt for the sugar bowl...

It has been a quite a week with my bruises and fuzzy head.

Hubby "cooked" which meant that we ordered Thai food and had White Spot.

Thank you honey it was a nice treat :-))

He was my gallant chauffeur for a few appointments and for that I am thankful.

Feeling much better

I am driving again and have been shopping and running errands.

Lots of Christmas baking to do to fill my cookie tins...

are you getting ready for the holidays?

What are your "go to" traditional festive treats?

This might be my only post for December...

SO

I am wishing you a lovely festive season!

Thank You for reading my Humble Bungalow Blog and for all your comments!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Dinners In and out ~ OOTD...

I bought this simple black Eileen Fisher dress a few years ago...

it has become a real workhorse in my wardrobe.

I have worn it with a white long sleeved top underneath

tights and black Chelsea Boots.

Last night I wore it as it is and added a soft wool Petrusse scarf as a shawl.

This is a surprisingly warm scarf despite it being rather sheer.

I received this in one of the My French Country Boxes from France.

It has had a few years of use and still looks new.

I thought about wearing my Ferragamo shoes 

but in the end I decided I should test drive the new Coach loafers.

I wore sheer black hose for the first time in ages...

fortunately I have a few new packages in my drawer.

I added the vintage rhinestone bracelet and wore my simple princess cut diamond necklace and studs.

It felt strange not wearing my pearls 

I thought that I should keep it simple when adding the BLING.

We had a delicious dinner at Zambri's our favourite Italian restaurant.

I forgot to capture our appetizers, main course but here is dessert!

Passionfruit Panna Cotta

so delicious!

We had a lovely evening out and it was such a treat.

On Friday evening we hosted a small dinner party here in The Humble Bungalow.

The table is set and ready for the guests.

Appetizers ~ cheese plate with Olives, pickles, antipasto and candied salmon with assorted crackers in the living room in front of the fireplace.

The main course ~ Beef Daube, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Dessert ~ large brownies topped with fresh raspberries.

I wanted to host a casual dinner before everyone got busy with the seasonal events.

Have you noticed that people are out in droves buying Christmas presents?

I too am trying to get my shopping done early.

I need time to bake some cookies and the annual Christmas Tourtieres.

Hope that you are all staying healthy...

I have heard that the viruses are making the rounds.

One of my friends has been hospitalized and she's been in for a week and only now starting to feel better.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Garden snapshots, thrift shop finds and scenic views on my walks...

 

Large green bottle in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I saw many of these when I was in Tuscany 

so when I spied one at Kay's Korner in Cook Street Village I snapped it up!

(Thanks Karin for saving it for me when I was out of town.)

Floating...

Dappled light

shadows

sunny day

 ~ Abraham Darby ~

A stunning fragrant

David Austin Rose

Fatsia Japonica 

growing

above a bed of ferns.

Dahlia season is upon us...

so many blooms and various varieties.

Which ones to choose?

Annual Tagetes Marigolds

we plan to save the seeds for next year.

Thrift shop teacups...

very cheerful and so pretty.

I don't NEED them but I HAD to buy them!

The de-cluttering binge is still underway...

I took the orchids in their big pots off the shelf above the sink.

The pots were washed and stored away

the orchids were put out on the boulevard for free

they were snapped up quickly!

My goal was to invite more light into the kitchen.

Cleaning off the shelf worked and I am very pleased that I can enjoy the view.

Candle light in The Humble Bungalow Living Room.

My morning routine...

coffee

reading.

Love the soft light and scents...

Most days I find myself 

Walking in Oak Bay...

where I spent my childhood.

Memories flood in...

Salty Air

The call of the Gulls

SeaViews

The sound of the waves

as they crash upon the Shore. 

~ Sunshine ~

Kitty Islet in Oak Bay

I collect sea glass along the rocky shoreline.

The chairs on the point are very popular...

with expansive scenic views towards Trial Island and beyond

it is not surprising that locals and tourists alike stop and gaze across the sea.

Many bring coffee and some bring picnics...

there is also a picnic table which you might spy on the right side of the rocks.

So many things to be grateful for...

had our 4th vaccination.

We hope to stay healthy and enjoy the Fall weather.

I'll be starting a new knitting project soon and am reading a fun book right now.

Rise and Shine Benedict Stone

by 

Phaedra Patrick

soon to be a Hallmark Movie.

That's all for now...

hope you are well.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing small Joys...

 

Cheap and Cheerful Primulas are planted in the front porch planter.

I usually buy an assortment of colours...

this time I decided to go for the full impact with sunny yellow blooms.

Very pleased with these healthy stalwart plants...

they'll be planted in the garden beds early in the summer.

My spices are stored in these Bon Maman Jam Jars.

I also use them to make a "simple vinaigrette."

Oil ~ 1/3 cup

vinegar ~ 1 Tbsp

salt and pepper (to taste)

a couple of tablespoons of honey

Shake well and pour over salad.

We went to a "hidden gem" here in Victoria.

The Market Garden is located on Catherine Street and it is a wonderful shop!

We bought this tin of Italian tomatoes to use in our spaghetti.

I saved the tin because it is so pretty.

Candles have been lit most evenings here to add scent, warm light and ambiance.

Ethel Wood fragrant candle made on Pender Island.

The scent is fabulous!

I 've been consciously using up "stuff" in an effort not to be wasteful.

We tend to stockpile staples that we use regularly here in The Humble Bungalow.

Buying when things are on special...

to save money.

Soap, toothpaste, tinned goods.

Storage is limited so we need to be creative...

Here's a snapshot of our quarter sawn oak arts and crafts shelving

in The Humble Bungalow bathroom.

Walking attire...

OOTD

Cashmere Burberry scarf...at least 10 years old

Wool hat

Black Eileen Fisher wool tunic top

(recent investment piece)

Eddie Bauer Down Puffer coat

Needs Must!

Warmth comes first on my winter walks.

Hope you are staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

New things in The Humble Bungalow ...

It is a lovely morning here in The Humble Bungalow.

Sunshine, blue skies and very little breeze.

I just got back from a walk along the seafront.

The first walk of the day 3.3 km and 5,210 steps.

My daily goal is 10,000 steps which adds up to about 6.2 km

Yesterday I changed the bedding and Pepper was very impatient...

she "assumes the position" on our bed during the daytime.

We updated our coverlet this year with this Laura Ashley printed coverlet and shams.

We also purchased a new wool runner for the hallway.

Staying at home so much has made me aware of lots of things that need attention.

I reorganized the spices using Bonne Maman jam jars.

These jars are a great size and fit well inside the drawer.

3 more jars are waiting to be filled...

I haven't decided which spices I need yet.

Sweet, juicy Tangerines in a vintage ironstone bowl.

We have a larger one of these bowls and it is filled with apples.

Weight Watcher 360 plan assigns ZERO POINTS for fresh fruit

so fresh fruits are my "go to" snacks.

All the walking is helping me feel better.

My muscles are tighter and my legs feel stronger.

I have noticed a change in my shape...

fewer wobbly bits!

Am reading The Which Elm by Tana French.

It is an interesting story and Tana writes such vivid scenes.

I feel like I am inside the rooms and gardens 

beside the characters that are playing their roles.

I must close for now as I have a bunch of laundry that needs my attention.

What are you reading?

Any home projects underway that are keeping you busy?

Please feel free to leave a comment, I love hearing from readers.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~