September...and it Feels like Fall

Photo of The Hostess by my friend Laurette.

We had a wee dinner party last weekend at Quarterdeck Cottage.

Two couples joined us...

one couple sailed over in their boat and the other couple bunked in with us at the cottage.

On the menu:

Wontons stuffed with crab (Julie's creation)

Fresh grown heirloom tomatoes with balsamic crema.

Ina Gartens Parmesan Chicken served over a bed of arugula.

Baby new potatoes roasted 

Chocolate Mousse with fresh raspberries.

We had a sad thing happen in our family.

My SIL passed away quite suddenly.

I heard that she was not doing well and that my husband's nephew was driving up from Oregon.

I kept in touch via text and he told me they were getting her to the hospital asap.

As soon as she had a bed I picked a bunch of roses and took them out and had a visit.

We had a great chat, I held her hand and we were laughing...

I thought that she would get the help she needed and be back home soon.

That was Thursday afternoon.

We got a call Saturday night and she had passed away from

Congestive Heart Failure.

We have wonderful friends...

Found a pottery shard on the beach...

it goes with the blue and white ironstone that I have at the cottage.

~ Beach Vibes ~

We had some foggy and rainy days but the rest of the week was sunny.

The air felt cooler and there was a Feel of Fall.

A pair of "new to me" mugs from Good Things in Oak Bay.

I knit a bunch this week...

I found it very therapeutic as I was still trying to process the death.

The shawl is called Easy Goes It...I made it in pink last winter.

To lose a loved one is hard...even when they have lived a good long life.

Thank goodness I got to see her before she passed away...

I will hold that visit close to my heart.

A precious memory and a true life gift.

My Sea Glass necklace designed and made by Charlene Hall is getting lots of wear!

I never tire of searching for Sea Glass...

The sunsets were so beautiful.

The mauve shades were quite spectacular...

I enlarged this photo to see what boat this might be...

I thought at first it might be Holland America.

Turns out it is a different cruise line altogether...

I must be waiting to get some repairs or maintenance at a local shipyard.

Pender has freighters that anchor in the bays but this is a rather unusual sight.

Home today and am tackling the laundry and made Pasta Carbonara for dinner.

Very comforting...

We have a few things to tend to this week.

The painters will be here refreshing the front porch and fascia boards.

I'm going to be making soup for a friend who has cancer and is starting chemotherapy.

Hope that I will be back at the pool.

Aqua Fit classes are up and running and the pool has been refurbished.

Other than that,

 I have some dead heading to do on the roses and the apples look ready to pick. 

My husband will be bringing in a harvest of tomatoes for me to freeze.

What are you up to?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Forced relaxation....Simplified Easter Weekend

Sunny bold yellow chrysanthemums...

cheap and cheerful.

Just what I needed to perk up my spirits.

My ankle injury is slowly on the mend...the swelling has gone down.

Bruises remain and I am now able to move it in a more "normal" way.

I've taken smaller slower beach walks.

My Inner Hippie Vibe was activated when I spied a bamboo cane on the beach...

The bottom of the cane was split so I used duct tape to reinforce it.

I purchased a roll of sisal at the Hardware store.

This DIY project was easy and fun.

My walking Aid is ready for the beach walks.

It really helped my stability as the sand and rocks along the seafront are unpredictable.

I used it for every walk and have it in my car for local beach walks.

We are home now...

came home early as I have a medical appointment for a bone density test.

I have been on the wait list for almost a year!

Our medical system is overloaded...fewer family doctors. 

Many people are waiting to be assigned a doctor.

A nursing shortage, an aging population, long waits for treatments and surgeries.

It is a national crisis.

My Eddie Bauer sun hat must be over 30 years old...

you can see my walking pole.

We collect feathers...not sure why?

 But it is definitely a thing.

Our cottage partners participate too.

I got my husband more involved in meals this week...

we had quite a few BBQ dinners.

Easter Sunday dinner was this big fat burger!!

Boy was it tasty...I had made quick pickled red onions.

 I mixed up some beef patties using ground beef, egg, salt, pepper and Panko crumbs.

We added some cheese, lettuce, tomato slices and condiments.

Dinner was quick and easy.

Just the two of us.

It is OK to keep it simple.

We like to keep things relaxed at the cottage.

Thanks honey :-))

My husband likes to take sunset pictures at the cottage and post them on his Instagram Page.

We had some lovely sunny warmer 

weather at the cottage.

What a gift to be able to sit outdoors.

It felt like a luxury.

I am knitting a shawl...

"Easy Goes It" 

Using Rowan's Felted Tweed in Pink Bliss.

The pattern is not difficult but it changes a lot.

I keep track by using a book and make note of where I am in the pattern!

My lipstick matches the colour of the yarn!!!

I was able to keep my mind off of my ankle by knitting and gazing out across the Salish Sea watching the ferries and boats as they floated past the cottage.

We went to the Market...

the new soap company Island Soul Soaps had a variety of interesting soap.

It was a tough choice to choose!

Perhaps I will need to sample many more to discover my favourite!

They have interesting combinations and I love the names that the owner has chosen.

Last night, Wednesday, I snapped this image.

Hubby was taking his photos and copycat me decided I can do that too!!

I didn't notice the birds until after I looked at the photo.

Lots going on this coming week...

things often get super busy and before I know it my daytimer is FULL.

Hope you all had a lovely week.

Do you celebrate Easter?

Did you have a big Easter dinner?

What did you serve?

Thank you to those who have sent me emails 

or commented on my Instagram 

sending positive and encouraging words that help during my time of healing.

I will be back in action very soon.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

December 10th...a catch up post.

 

Time is ticking along at a very fast pace here in The Humble Bungalow.

Between the domestic jobs, baking and cooking I have been absent from my blog.

I continue to post daily on Instagram...

it is so much faster!

I use the tourtiere recipe found online though our local Yam Magazine.

In case you are not familiar with Tourtieres, 

they are a French Canadian tradition to serve during the holidays.

Basically they are a pork pie.

I like to serve ours with a good chutney or a grainy mustard.

They can be part of a dinner buffet or serve them with a simple tossed green salad.

Chester, the smaller of our two cats, finds the coziest spots to nap.

He actually folded the extra pillow downward to make a plump bed.

It looks a bit like a throne...

We have our "cat proof" tree up.

Chester can climb it but there are no fragile antique ornaments to break.

We learned the hard way...one year the tree toppled over and many delicate glass baubles were smashed.

We keep the "fairy lights" on the upper beams up all year.

Have you decorated your home for the festive season?

We are minimalists when it comes to seasonal decor... do you like to go all out?

I started knitting The Sophie Scarf.

Using wool from my Stash...two skeins of Rowan's Felted Tweed Yarn.

This is the yarn that I used in my latest Miriam sweater.

I had to go to You Tube to watch the I-cord pattern set up.
It seems that with each new project I discover and learn new skills!

The sweater turned out lovely and the wool is so soft and cozy.

Our weather has been rainy, foggy, and we had high gusty winds.

Sweater weather has definitely arrived!

Reading Mrs. England right now...

a friend gave this to me.

I picked it up early this morning and am already on page 80

I really like a book that gets and holds my attention within the first few pages.

I've decided that my Christmas baking will be greatly reduced this year.

Last year we ate far too many sweets...

I plan to make shortbread and butter tarts that's about it.

I put together a gift hamper for my cousins every year.

I vary the contents from year to year keeping a very British theme.

They receive a tourtiere, sweets, treats, pickles, tea, and a few other baked goods.

I cannot remember when I started this habit but it has become a fun tradition.

What traditions do you have at Christmas?

Our traditional wreath...

made for my Mother in Law by a friend 

consisting of baubles, pine cones and rhinestone brooches.

Mini lights and the Ojibwa tamarack ducks.

Wrapping is a very simple affair...

I use Kraft paper, twine, dried oranges and tags.

All are recyclable.

Are you feeling festive?

Will you be hosting a large or small dinner this year?

Perhaps you'll be a guest!

There are a lot of opportunities for giving at this time of year...

giving time and giving donations.

We need to think of others...

there are so many people in need out there.

Every little bit helps.

Drop off a bag of food at the local Food Bank or drop a donation in the Salvation Army Kettle.

Well I must close for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday late night post...

~ Antique Porcelain Bowl ~

I have had this antique bowl for many years.

I purchased it from a thrift shop.

I was drawn to its' "staples"

obviously an early repair.

I often wonder where this bowl came from?

Who owned it?

Why was it repaired and not just thrown away when it cracked?

If this bowl could tell its' history...

what might it be?

Looking at this bowl got me thinking...

so

I wrote this post on Instagram...

I've been busy this week...

dinner for the family, aqua fit classes, writing lists of things to do before Christmas.

Writing Christmas gift lists, buying cards and stamps.

I started polishing all the silverware.

Trays, candle sticks, the tea service, pedestals, bowls.

I still have a few pieces to do...

the champagne ice buckets, a baby rattle, some trophies.

I use Hagerty silver polish and Twinkle polish.

They both work well.

It is a time consuming job but is immediately rewarding.

The shine is like a smile.

I've been knitting and reading too...

I started this book Run by Anne Patchett.

I really enjoy her books, and after just one chapter I am already hooked!

I'll be sending Christmas cards out soon...

baking some shortbread cookies 

making my favourite spiced nuts which make nice hostess gifts, 

and of course the pork tourtieres.

~ Spiced Nuts ~

2 cups almonds

2 cups walnuts

2 cups 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

Sprinkle nuts with sugar and spices.

Beat egg whites and water.

Mix into nuts and spice mixture and spread on a buttered baking sheet.

Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour stir occasionally.

Cool

Place into glass containers for gifts.

Add a ribbon and some greenery and a dried orange slice.

Hope that you enjoy these nuts!

Well I'll close for now as it is past my bedtime...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

November update...Autumnal colour, halloween, books and more...

 

~ Fall Colour ~

The limelight hydrangeas are turning pink.

I picked a big armful to dry on the porch and placed them in a jardinere on the buffet.

~ Trick or Treat ~

We had a VERY BUSY Halloween night answering the door and giving out treats!

Fortunately I purchased 250 treats...

we started the evening out by handing out 3 each,

then quickly realized the street was abuzz with children!

We had well over 100 children pop by and we ran out by 7:30

so we turned out the lights

coincidentally, our neighbours did the same at that exact time!

Fall colours are putting on a lovely show here at the cottage.

As we walk and drive the rural roads we are very aware of the different foliage on display.

I found this book in a free library on my walk.

I had not heard of Bobbi French or the title but was interested after reading the cover.

I read the book in a couple of days and am giving it to a friend.

It dealt with a difficult subject but was done so with such sensitivity and grace.

I recommend it.

BC Ferries sail by the cottage many times each day...

this one looked like a Cruise Ship all it up.

Our neighbours here refer to them as "birthday cakes!"

We also play a Yachtzee game...

if you see 5 ferries all at once on the sea you call Yachtzee.

I am so thrilled with the vintage ironstone transferware platter.

I found it at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

We don't have a Blue themed decor in The Humble Bungalow but the cottage does!

I think this tray elevates the casual beachy vibe.

Found another great book in the wee free library.

I have read several of Gill Paul's other books and really enjoyed them...

this one has hooked me already and I am enjoying the story.

I found this distressed and tarnished jug at the thrift shop.

I think it was 35 cents...

it has come in handy for casual flower displays.

I bought a silver tea strainer at the thrift shop for $1

I plan to polish it up but need to buy some silver cleaner...

it will be lovely not having to use those gauzy paper slips 

 for my loose teas here at the cottage.

I am drinking a lot of loose teas these days and most of it comes from Murchies.

The Princess blend is a lovely floral rose tea which I drink most afternoons when i sit and read my book or knit.

A scarf knit on the bias.

This will go with lots of my blue denim and my blue down puffer coat.

The yarn is Japanese Noro blend of alpaca, wool and silk.

I found the pattern and yarn at my favourite local wool shop The Beehive.

The "feel of a yarn" while knitting is very important to me...

I spend a long time making a project so I like to enjoy the process.

This lovely wash cloth was knit by my friend Michelle.

It is whisper soft and such an interesting pattern.

I purchased two new soaps when I was at Marshall's the other week.

Love the packaging...

Orange and Cinnamon

Asquith and Somerset

English 

(a generous bath size bar)

Will be savouring this for awhile!

I better close for now and put the kettle on and do some knitting.

It is a grey rainy day here at the cottage and I have soup simmering on the stove.

Feeling Very cozy and the views are wonderful.

Hope that you are enjoying the start of your week.

Have you got anything exciting planned?

Are you reading a good book that you care to share?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~