Showing posts with label humblebungalowgarden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humblebungalowgarden. Show all posts

Friday, October 27, 2023

A WEE post ~ in between...stay tuned for the regular post on Sunday!

 


I am so thrilled with the lavender soap that I ordered from French Larkspur.
I love a scented soap and treat myself regularly to a fresh new bar...
I find it difficult not buying fragrant soaps :-))

If I go into a shop that sells gifts I head to the soap section first.
Rarely do I leave without buying a bar or two.

Mom loved her Yardley's English Lavender Soap
she actually kept it in her bedroom so that the rest of the family  didn't use it all up!
I wonder if it was an expensive luxury item back in the day?
She would unwrap bars and scent her lingerie drawer with the bars of soap.


This soap has found a "home" beside the farmhouse kitchen sink.


The wee posy is still looking lovely!
Twas a gift from our lovely neighbours 
In appreciation for all the veggies and apples that we gave them over the summer.


Look at the most recent harvest of the peppers!
My husband has outdone himself growing all the veggies this year.

I am using the peppers in all kinds of dishes...
salads
soups
spaghetti sauce
chili


I love baking sourdough bread, tending to the starter is like feeding a pet.

I make a boule each week 
we enjoy the bread sliced and served with butter or toasted with jam.

The texture is dense, requires a lot of chewing and the crust is crunchy.
Not only is it fun to make it is very economical.
With food prices rising it is nice to know that homemade bread is still affordable.


Chili for dinner tonight!

Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, 
3 stalks of celery and 2 green peppers diced and cooked until soft.
Add 1 pound ground chicken (or turkey or beef)
cook until no longer pink.
Drain and rinse 2 cans of red kidney beans add to pot.
Then add a large can of diced tomatoes (stewed tomatoes work well too)
2 Tbsp. Chili powder, 1 Tbsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt
Simmer for at least an hour, stirring often.

I serve the chili topped with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Bon Appetit


Currently reading this book...
it is rather like a travelogue.
I am enjoying the whimsy and honesty of the author as he retells the story of his trip.


We keep our "heart" lit up 
on behalf of the local hospital workers who work hard.

Covid is making a comeback here in town...
people are back wearing masks in the shops.

We both have just had our 6th vaccination and we took advantage at the pharmacy and had the annual flu shot as well.
I had a reaction to the shot(s) was awake at 2:30 with aches 
stayed awake the rest of the night...
but I managed to go to aquafit and had a great workout.
Feel totally normal now!

I've been so busy in the kitchen that I haven't really had a PLAY DAY.
I promise I will take off my apron.

I plan on taking myself to Marshall's for a WALKABOUT.
STAY TUNED :-))
It is always fun looking at their stock and I rarely leave empty handed.

What's new with you all?
Don't be SHY...leave a comment.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, July 2, 2023

LOTS of new things here in The Humble Bungalow...


Meet the gorgeous bold yellow fragrant climber Graham Thomas.
A stalwart David Austin Rose.

This repeat bloomer grows in the "work area" of The Humble Bungalow Garden.
Every garden needs a work area...
it is a space dedicated to storage of things we use.
Bamboo stakes, empty pots, the wheelbarrow, extra soil, tools and such.

We have it cordoned off by a half lattice fence with a smallish entryway.
It is rather like a linen closet...that holds extra sheets, towels and TP.
So necessary, but not really an inviting space
well except 
that this rose beckons me in...
I regularly deadhead it to encourage more blooms 
pick a few blooms to bring inside
who could resist?

Things are moving along fast here in The Humble Bungalow.

We had an unexpected "oopsie" with the oven...
it died completely last Wednesday.

No warning...


I did some research and the life expectancy of the former stove was 13-15 years.
Ours was 15 years and 1 month...

So we scrambled off to the shop.
A locally owned one 
where we purchased a freezer during Covid.

We were pleased with their staff, service and delivery options.

Thursday morning bright and early we stepped into the showroom
5 minutes later I was paying for the stove.

With a next day delivery and they hauled away the old one.
How fabulous is that?


~ LG STOVE ~

I LOVE the blue interior.
Ceramic stovetop with expandable elements.
Convection and regular baking settings.
It has a built in air fryer, and a proofing setting for bread.

So let the baking begin...
the first order of business will be The Victoria Sponge Cake
followed by the weekly sourdough boule.


I have been trying to get out for some short walks in this glorious weather.
Need to build up some strength...
lots of idle time spent inside resting up and trying to get better.

Stopped for a cuppa at The Willows Tea Room.
Mom and I used to come here when we walked the Esplanade.
Thought of her while I gazed out to the sea.

Good news is that I am not in such terrible pain,
feeling better and sleeping soundly.

I finished the antibiotics and go for some more tests this week.
Another diagnostic CT scan, this time with dye.
Fingers crossed the specialists can figure out what is going on and how to fix it.


Sweet peas are putting on a lovely show in the garden...
picking them insures that more flowers will follow.
If you don't pick the flowers the seed pods set and no more flowers.

The new mug is a thrift shop find...
I had 30 minutes before my dentist appointment and I was close to the Sally Ann.
So I went in and made the rounds...
I got lucky!


A cute Banana Republic top that I plan to wear with my white jeans.
(and Pearls)


Silver trivet for the teapot
all it needed was a quick polish.

Some days all the stars align and the thrift GODS smile down from above...
feeling grateful.


I've been reading a LOT!

I just finished Bloomsbury Girls this morning...
I really enjoyed it.

The first book was The Jane Austen Society.
I can recommend both these novels by Natalie Jenner.

I will start The Lipstick Bureau later this afternoon...
I have read and enjoyed all of Michelle Gable's books so I am pretty confident that this one will not disappoint.


Been on a spending Spree...

Bought this vase at a yard sale...
not sure that it has any age to speak of but it spoke to me!

I also upgraded our toaster as the old one was not working very well.
Bought a Zwilling long slice toaster in matte black.
It will accommodate the longer sourdough slices.

Also I bought a new All Clad pot and ordered a new All Clad Pasta pot.

Put all the old pots on the boulevard and they went to new homes lickety split!!!

With the stove on the fritz
Hubby took me out to lunch last week...
we went to Faro in The Oak Bay Beach Hotel for pizza.

The oven fired Italian thin crust pizza was delicious.
We ordered an arugula pear salad to go with it and couldn't eat it all!

On our way back to the car we stopped by the Hen House...


I had to stop and say hello to the darling girls.


There were quite a few in the yard and they are very friendly.
I love free range eggs...those amber coloured yolks have so much flavour.

We had to order in a few meals with no cooking facilities available
but that was fun because we seldom order in, it is so easy to make a meal.
Now that I have a new oven there will be no excuse not to cook!!

Since my UTI and kidney infection I have been mindful of drinking more fluids.
A LOT of water with MANY MANY cups of tea have passed through my system.


If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen this post in my stories.

Fortnum and Mason Tea 
a gift from Christine who asked her son to pop into the shop in London and buy some tea for her friends...
fortunately I was one of the lucky friends who were given a tin of tea.

This blend is so amazing! I may need to order some more...
or else I could pop over to London and shop in person?
(HAHA)

That's about all the news I have to share for now.
Will pop in again soon for an update.
Take Care.
XO

In the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, June 22, 2023

I am calling in sick....

 


Love these simple white blooms with the yellow stamens.
A garden filled with all white flowers is stunning and elegant.

Do you have a colour theme in your garden?

Ours is a riot of colour.


My foray into black and white photography continues...


The Royal Oak Pharmasave is an amazing place to shop
they have some great buyers and a wide variety of gift items, clothing and travel accessories.

While perusing the aisles I spied this new cuticle lotion.
I tried the sample tube and walked around the store buying the items on my list.
When I was finished I went back to the display and grabbed a tube.


Made in Vancouver BC


Emollient, rich and it absorbs right into the skin.
using only a pea size amount I think this will be a hand and cuticle 
"game changer."

Am suffering with a nasty kidney infection that stems from those UTI's.
I ended up going to the ER as the pain in my back was so intense I could not sleep a wink.

The doctor decided that I should have a CT scan 
which showed the kidney infection
there is also a kidney stone floating inside the kidney.

First off I had never had a CT scan 
so when the nurse wheeled me off to the imaging unit
I was actually gobsmacked!

It was a huge white space age looking Seimens machine.

I am on some new antibiotics and hope that they kick the bacterial infection.
I'll be back to more tests after I finish the 10 days of pills.

The ER was a CRAZY BUSY place...
the staff was amazing.

The doctor and nurse who were helping me were so professional and calm.
The nurse Sarah was young, very sweet and had a bubbly personality.

The Dr had excellent bedside manner and was very attentive.

It felt to me that they were working under extremely challenging chaotic and stressful circumstances...
yet they both remained calm and treated me like I was the only patient in their care.

I have dropped off a small gift bag for each of them.
Tea, chocolate, and some triple milled French soaps with a card of thanks for each.

I still have a fever, am tired and so I am not doing too much as I recuperate.

Tea and reading every afternoon and perhaps a nap.


Alliums in an antique jug.


I am reading this series at top speed!
When I woke up early this morning I made a pot of coffee and got stuck in...
there are a few chapters left to read but will save them for tomorrow.

Isn't it fun when you find a series that you love to read and the author is still adding more books to the series?

Everyone seems to rave about this Thursday Murder Club Series.
My husband laughs out loud when he read the books!


~ Pink snow ~

Constance Spry 
a fragrant David Austin climbing rose in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

We can see people stop as they walk by and look up...
many remark about the fragrance and other swoon over the blooms.

All the roses are doing their best to knock our socks off right now.
I am barefoot and in awe of their extreme beauty.
Roses ARE my FAVOURITE FLOWER :-))
Perhaps you love them too?

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet.

Make a cup of peppermint tea...
wash and moisturize my face 
put my nightie on and lay down
wrap myself in a cozy blanket 
and watch some TV.

Hope that you are all well...

 MY personal PSA 
(heads up)
intense pain is a signal to take action
when it comes to your urinary system don't wait
ACT!

I think I waited too long and things went sideways.
I'll be slowly on the mend 
which sounds like it could be for many weeks.

Take Care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Sunday, March 19, 2023

One of the BEST BOOKS, baking, shopping and wabi sabi.

 


Good morning from The Humble Bungalow...
it is Sunday and I am baking a loaf of sourdough bread.
The bread has become part of my weekly routine...
my husband seems to be enjoying the bread.
I loved it toasted with Bonne Maman raspberry confiture.


Life here has been quite quiet...
Having hurt my back, so for the past few weeks, I have been in a lot of pain.
Am dealing with it by attending therapeutic Yoga classes for the back.
Going for slower, shorter walks and taking Aleve to help me sleep.
I have a huge amount of empathy for people who live with chronic pain.
I am new to pain.

Shorter Walks mean fewer steps...
averaging about 5500
so have gained a few pounds in these past few weeks.


Salads to the rescue...
simple to make and very satisfying.
Lots of chewing and low in WW points.


Here are the tete a tetes planted out front in The Humble Bungalow garden.
Thank goodness that the deer don't eat them.


We filled in some gaps recently when the plants were on sale at the garden centre.
They are so sweet...cheap and cheerful!


Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout is a powerful book...
set in Maine during Covid Lucy Barton shares her everyday experiences.
The emotions and insights are very real...
Perhaps one of Strout's best books.
The story has stayed with me.
I highly recommend it.


Very casual Papillon denim jumper...
found at the shop Suzanne's in the mall.
Seen here in the change room with my jeans on underneath!
Not the way I will wear it when I get home :-))

~ Summer wardrobe staple ~
 White tee and white capri leggings
blue suede sandals
wicker bag.


Great for running errands or a beach walk.
With warmer weather in the forecast 
we should all have a basket or bag to carry market staples and finds.
Which is the perfect segue...
speaking of finds


Or speaking of Papillons...
can you see one here on this antique transferware plate?

The crazing and cracks add to the "charm" of this plate.
It has History...

Am I the only one who is attracted to the imperfections?

Do you embrace the "wabi sabi" in old things?...

Suppose that could stretched to include people too :-))

None of us are perfect...
(now there's a profound thought to contemplate)
Call it homework..

Go forth and look for the imperfect in your week and report back.

On that note I shall close this post...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


The beauty is in the crazing...
can we extend that idea a wee bit and include wrinkles on faces?


Thank you for stopping by...
I appreciate you taking the time to read my wee blog.

Sunday, March 12, 2023

March ~ ing onward into Spring.

 


This Andalou cream has been my "go to" night cream for the past few months...
a little goes a long way. You may be able to see that the jar is still half full.


Can you see the grey pearl stud beside the diamond stud that I wear most days?
My husband gave me a pair for my birthday the year Mom passed away. 

I haven't worn these pearls as often since Covid hit
(need to wear masks)
I almost lost an earring taking my mask off.
I already had a pearl fiasco losing that strand at the beach...
must take more care not to lose things!!


My new FUN skirt from a thrift shop.
Knife pleats in a black grey print.

I will dress this up with a black rayon sweater and a camisole.
Dress it down very casual with a tee and my denim jacket.

I am already thinking of fun things to pair it with...
it is made by Zara, the only thing I own from the company.


Finally got a copy from the library...it had been on the Holds for a LONG time.
I read it in two days...another stunning mystery from Louise Penny.


Birthday flowers and vase from a friend.

I have such lovely friends...
so thoughtful 
the range of unexpected gifts was amazing.

Soaps, tea, a beautiful hand knit dishcloth, books, an apron, 
flowers, and some sourdough starter!


Thank you for ALL those kind email messages and birthday greetings 
from the Blog and Instagram... feeling very grateful.


My first attempt at a sourdough boule.


Was delicious with the homemade chicken soup!


Dinner out at Zambri's


Dessert

Brunch and dinner out with the family rounded out the weeklong celebrations.
They spoiled me too :-))
Thank you ALL 

Murchies teas and a gift card at a favourite restaurant.
Vintage silk hand rolled scarf and a Wedgewood clam shaped white porcelain plate.


We zipped off to the garden centre to buy two flats of these cheerful tete a tete's.
On sale half price.

We planted them out in front of the deer fence 
to fill in the gaps from the ones we planted last year.
Such a pretty pop of colour and they bloom earlier than our daffodils.

The Oscars are on TV tonight...are you going to watch them?
I like to see the fashions...and the jewels.

Making a pot roast, potatoes, carrots and a lemon torte for dessert.
Comfort Food for a cold rainy Sunday.

Hope that you are keeping healthy and staying sane with all the crazy stuff that is happening in our world.


Vintage Bread tray
might come in handy?


Crocuses blooming out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~