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 ~

Embracing Bold Colour....

 

~ Painted Lady Butterfly ~

This beautiful butterfly spent quite a long time exploring the Verbena Bonariensis

that we have growing in the garden. 

I grabbed my phone and followed it quietly as it flew from flower to flower.

I've since learned that butterflies are attracted to the colour purple.

Purple Buddleia bushes are also known as the Butterfly Bush.

We don't grow many purple plants but I plan on buying more purple varieties of flowers next Spring to grow in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I love the idea of having more butterflies visiting our garden.

Treated myself to Jenny Rose-Innes new book.

I brewed a big pot of tea and sat in the sunny corner of our kitchen

 read the book from cover to cover one recent afternoon.

Oh my goodness!

The photographs are fabulous, 

the interviews of the homeowners are rich in detail

there is so much of nature to bring inside the home.

I continue to be inspired by Nature...

I've been known to add natural features to our bungalow too.

Large foraged twigs, pine cones, sea shells, flowers, and stones.

They are free which make hunting for these items much more adventurous and fun.

 Why go to a store and buy a plastic or manufactured piece when you can get outdoors in the fresh air, explore and find something that you want to bring inside?

Our Boscobel Rose is putting on a spectacular show.

So many big blooms for a rose that is planted in a pot!

Speaking of colour...

I have been wearing the "hippy-dippy" vintage thrifted necklace.

Those juicy looking garnet red beads just add an extra something to basic black.

I dug out this vintage quilted bag that i have had for ages.

It seemed like a good idea to wear it with the beaded necklace.

I don't often switch up my bags mid season...but am trying to change some habits.

Like wearing more pieces of my small jewelry collection on rotation.

It definitely takes more time and effort

 but it keeps my eye fresh seeing these small changes.

Professional pedicure

 (a luxury) 

 one thing that I cannot do well myself anymore.

The pampering is so lovely too...

I used to do in home spa days and they were equally satisfying.

The physical act of bending over 

painting my toes 

which are far away from my vision 

and as a wearer of glasses it makes the job very difficult!

Do you indulge in Spa pedicures?

Seen on my walk.

Beautiful peacock

There are so many peacocks living in Beacon Hill Park 

that they have spread out and are living closer to The Humble Bungalow.

Saw a Mom and her baby foraging close by on another street.

Went to The Beehive Wool Shop and bought some new yarn...

Fall is on the way and I do love a project.

Easy Goes It pattern is on Ravelry...

have made this at least 6 times...

I chose purple as I love the pop of colour.

Do you knit?

What have you been up to these past few weeks?

Anything exciting?

Mauve Cosmos that my husband grew from seed.

We have a few in the yard and this one seems happy growing in a big pot.

One of the newest wee free libraries in our city.

Located across the street from the cruise ship terminal.

I found a hardcover copy of Frayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald.

That book has been on my want-to-read list since it was published...

I am honored to share that I have met Ann-Marie as she is the sister of a dear friend.

Well it's time for me to make some lunch for us.

I've got some errands to run

and once they are done I might go for a walk.

Hope you are taking time to notice all the beauty that surrounds you.

Take Care 

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Yoga and Knitting Retreat ~ Stowell Lake Farm

 

I attended a 5 day Yoga and Knitting Retreat at

Stowell Lake Farm located on Salt Spring Island.

The Farmstand is full of fresh farm grown produce, plants, herbs, fresh soups,

and teas.

I bought some tea and a canvas tote bag.

We had the option to practice 90 minute Yoga sessions twice a day.

There was a 30 minute morning meditation before breakfast.

During the day there were opportunities to walk the property.

  Afternoons had knitting workshops and a knitting circle.

The meals were served buffet style 

with vegetarian dishes using veggies grown on the farm.

It was a wonderful venue and there were comfy cozy rooms.

There were yurts with rooms and a communal bath house.

I stayed in The Village Building just across from the modernized Barn.

Fountain and fire pit with chairs...

reminded me a bit of Provence...

the periwinkle blue chairs and the sound of the water.

The barn is spacious and warmed by a wood burning fireplace.

These tables were where we ate our meals and had our workshops.

There were many cozy couches and chairs...

foot stools and side tables.

Perfect for making connections while knitting

Tea, chats and knitting...all go so well together.

Books, projects, an emotional support chicken...

I had never heard of these emotional support chickens.

Apparently they started during Covid and people are knitting them to give away to people who could use a little bit of comfort.

One of the participants has made over 80 of these chicken and has randomly given them to people she meets.

There were 30 women in attendance as guests.

Several knitting instructors and our Yoga teacher and her assistant.

Two women made the trek from Whitehorse.

Several came from Alberta and the rest of us were from Victoria, Vancouver and the lower mainland.

Lighting was excellent in the evenings.

 Most of us wore our knitting 

neck lights.

I finished Alexandra's Airplane Scarf on the last evening.

I now need a new project :-))

There was a local pop up shop from Salt String Wool Shop

a guest from the Weavers Guild

and 

a felting workshop.

The cloth is laid atop a foam block and you use fuzzy wool

and a straight needle ~ poke up and down to secure the yarn to the cloth.

It was a new thing for me...my little scene is rather loose

but I got the idea behind the craft.

~ Bowls on display ~ 

Nature focused 

 shells, rocks, dried flowers, antlers.

~ The Farm Stand ~

~ Rock Walls ~

Sunshine was welcomed as most of the weather was rainy.

I took the opportunity to go and explore the farm.

Several families live on the vast acreage...

 The Seven Seasons of Stowell Lake Farm,

a book

which has the history and the story of how the families came to the farm.

It goes into detail of how the farm functions... the animals and the crops they grow.

Recipes from the various seasons are published.

It was published in 2018 and many of the younger children are now adults.

The retreats are offered from March to November

Yoga is a popular retreat as there is a large Yoga studio on site.

This was my first retreat and I plan to attend next year.

The Farm is incredibly peaceful, the food is yummy and the beds are cozy.

Meeting 30 women who share the love of knitting and practise Yoga 

makes for an easy introduction and the formulation of friendship flows.

I am slowly getting back to my routine...

been reading a LOT 

Broken Country is one of the best books I have read in the last few months...

I read a wide variety of books and am always impressed by a page turner.

This story had and held my attention from the first page.

I think it's a winner!!

Works that are resonating with me...

As I breathe deeply

embracing

Gratitude, Peace, Contentment.

A few days away practising Yoga in a warm sun filled studio

has worked it's magic.

I'm ready to start some festive decorating, 

do some baking 

get together with friends and family 

to celebrate The Joys of the Season.

Hope that you are doing well.

Thank you for stopping by to read my Humble Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Calm, Quiet, and Cozy Cocooning...

Am enjoying a very peaceful morning here in The Humble Bungalow...

Hot Coffee, read a few chapters in my new book.

Took a hot shower

 prepped the sourdough bread.

Beeswax melting slowly...pooling and coating the icy candlestick.

Oddly the other beeswax candles are not dripping like this one.

Perhaps there is a story behind this?

I did a quick search and the internet says...

The wick was too short...a tall pillar candle needs a wick that is 1/2 an inch

 ~ OR ~

the candle had not been burned long enough the first time to establish a "memory" which prevents tunnelling.

Who Knew?

(I know now)

I made a batch of my Christmas nuts...

they are a favourite among friends and family.

Very simple to make and they are a great Hostess Gift!

~ Christmas Nuts ~ 

2 cups each ~ almonds, walnuts, pecans

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. allspice

2 tsp.cinnamon

2 tsp. coriander

2 tsp. ginger

2 egg whites

3 tbsp. water

In a large bowl:

Sprinkle nuts with sugar and spices.

Beat egg whites and add water, mix into bowl of nuts.

Spread on a buttered sheet pan.

Bake at 275 degrees for an hour...turn once after 30 minutes.

Add to jars when out of oven, leave lids off until they are cool.

(if you let the nuts cool on the pan they stick!)

Enjoy

Patterns galore....

New to me...

Linen and feather pillow.

~ Above the Farmhouse Sink ~

a wide ledge for an array of "things"

my daily view.

I like to look at at variety of things when I do my dishes.

Candles, flowers, and the occasional seasonal accents frequently appear.

WOW 

what an amazing book.

Sensitive subject matter but so incredible.

A MUST READ

I dried oranges in the oven and wired them to a wreath with greenery.

The oranges are sliced thinly then dabbed with a paper towel

 to soak up some of the juices...

place slices on a parchment lined sheet pan 

Bake at 275 for about 2 hours turning every 30 minutes until dried but not browned.

~ OOTD ~

Ralph Lauren quilted barn coat

MNG jeans

Chelsea Boots by Clarks

Scarf by Petrusse

not shown...

Eileen Fisher long sleeved black top

Rainy day walk at Marshalls :-))

aisle walking and perusing...

checked out the sweaters, only wanted wool or cashmere 

found 2 to try on but neither ticked all the boxes.

Found a Christmas gift for one of the grandchildren...

New book...

Both Mr. HB and I like Richard Osman's books.

Light reading, very engaging and rather fun.

Making progress on my Alexandra's Airplane Scarf 

( a Churchmouse Pattern)

 Knitting For Olive Silk Mohair Yarn

One more skein to knit on and it is a darker shade of blue.

So soft and cozy...

will be a wonderful neck warmer for the winter weather :-))

Hope your week is off to a great start...

I've got an exciting getaway planned for a few days.

Will tell you more in the next post...

until then

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~