Baby it's Cold Outside!

Slow mornings...

candlelight and silver

fairy lights

twinkling 

reflecting on the modernist crystal

sipping coffee in the quiet of the bungalow.

embracing gratitude.

Wondering what will the day bring?

New Year has entered softly...

gently

a white snow fell from the sky 

blanketing us with cold Arctic winter weather.

We were able to go for a short walk along the seafront.

Only a few stalwart and dedicated people were out...

Mostly dog owners!

There were lots of children outside building snowmen.

We heard the shouts of glee from the children as they tobogganed 

down the hill at Beacon Hill Park.

I've been cocooning here in The Humble Bungalow.

Staying warm and cozy

(cashmere is currently my best friend)

Drinking lots of hot tea and making soups.

Watching the new series "And Just Like That" on Crave.

The Sex and The City cast has made a return, albeit with an "older" theme.

I am not sure if it's going to hold my attention...

but I do like to be entertained :-))

Reading this gem...

a crime thriller which is a page turner.

Am halfway through and wonder how this is going to end.

I've picked up the needles again and am making progress on The Doocot Sweater.

One sleeve finished and the other one started...

I've made a few mistakes but will attempt a repair...

Who knew?

But

apparently quilters and knitters embrace

"wabi sabi"

a wee mistake is intentionally included in the finished product.

Did you know that?

Once this cold snap has left us I am going to restart my walking regime.

I am feeling fuller through my mid section from all this time spent indoors.

How are you starting the New Year?

Have you exciting new dreams and goals for the next 12 months?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

In the meantime 

we still need to mask up despite having two vaccinations and the booster.

It will be so lovely to put this pandemic well and truly behind us...

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Stay Safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

December Snowfall...and some snippets from the past few weeks.

We have snow!

It's pretty to look at but it is very cold.

I've been wearing my cozy cashmere sweaters and thick wool socks.

Bundling up in my puffy down coat 

(think Michelin man style)

hat

scarf

gloves

Fancy popping by to sit on the front porch with a hot cuppa?

The hummingbird feeders are freezing so we are rotating the two feeders 

in the cold snap of winter

the wee local Anna's hummingbirds rely on us to keep them fed.

Snowy scenes here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Abraham Darby a David Austin Rose

blooming 

while wearing a snow hat!

A fabulous book...

by author Alka Joshi.

The good news is she has published a sequel

 and is working on a third!

Lady Gaga was amazing in the film!

We saw it in the theatre...a matinee 

safely viewed with only two other people in attendance!

Lady Gaga is wearing the same pearls that I bought from a local shop.

Mary from Skanda sourced them from Hong Kong!

We discovered a new cocktail...

"Jingle Buck"

1 ounce Vodka

3/4 ounce pure cranberry juice

3/4 ounce lime juice

2 ounces ginger ale

ice

garnish with fresh cranberries

CHEERS!

I've felt at a loss for words on the blog lately...

perhaps it is writer's block?

Covid has worn so many of us down.

I want to rise up in positivity and rejoice 

but the new Omicron variant has us all in a tizzy.

Our numbers are surging and the hospitals are slammed.

We get our booster shots next week and for that I am very grateful.

I have been working on

The Doocot Sweater

I knit the body of the sweater and now I am working on the sleeves.

You'd think I would have this finished by now...

I started it before the pandemic hit!

When I attended the knitting club meeting I discovered that I am not alone in procrastinating with my knitting project.

Some of the women have taken up painting and several others bought bikes and have been meeting up to explore the scenic roads and trails.

I have made a conscious decision to focus on and embrace Simple Joys.

I feel happiest in my kitchen 

whether I am cutting veggies for a soup or baking cookies

or planning a menu to serve to my family

the contentment is hugely rewarding and comforting.

Two items that I purchased during Covid that have been most useful 

are linen aprons.

We have not purchased many things in the past two years...

we don't "need" much other than food.

Clothes shopping has been put on the back burner for the time being...

except for that "wee foray" at Eileen Fisher on South Granville in Vancouver!

I found a cute grey top and a sumptuous boiled wool sweater in a tunic length.

I bought the black one (of course!)

The sweater was, what I consider, an "investment piece."

It has been worn multiple times since I bought it!

I wore it Christmas Day with skinny Eileen Fisher pants.

I added a sparkly Sherman rhinestone pin.

Vintage rhinestone Brooches are such a fun way to add sparkle.

Hope that 2022 has some bright spots and highlights...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

October musings...

Fall is in full flourish...

we are enjoying

 the beautiful palette of Autumnal Shades.

Berries 

Leaves 

a pop of colour

red juxtaposed against grey stones.

Mother Nature's Paintbrush is showing her talent and liberal use of colours this Fall.

Rain and a fierce wild windstorm 

knocked out our power for 17 hours

at Quarterdeck Cottage.

We had to tough it out 

we kept the gas fireplace on and hunkered down with our books.

Unfortunately we had to throw out most of the food that was in the fridge.

I read this book in a couple of days...

set in Cornwall

I enjoyed the story.

The local Pender Island ferries were able to run even during the wind.

Several of our neighbours went home early due to the power outage.

I am back working on The Doocot Sweater pattern.

It has been sitting in my knitting bag for the better part of a year.

Not sure why I left it so long before picking up my knitting needles again?

Do you put aside projects?

The yarn is Rowan Tweed and is soft and easy to work with...

I am absolutely smitten with the colour!

There are a few more inches of ribbing before I can start on the sleeves.

I have learned many new techniques while working on this pattern.

My husband gave me The Vogue Knitting Book and that has been invaluable.

Trying something new without help "in real life" can be daunting 

so books and "You Tube" Knitting Videos have been great!

We will be packing up and back home tomorrow.

Halloween is only a few days away!

We've got the candy treats ready for the Trick or Treaters on Sunday.

Our friends from France will be staying with us for a few days.

How are things going with you?

Thank you for dropping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

What a difference a day makes!

First Snow Day of the New Year

2020

Humble Bungalow

Day 2 

Very heavy snowfall overnight in the garden.

Hydrangeas weighted down by the snow.

The Ilex berries look very pretty in the snow

the red shade just pops against the white.

You can see how deep it is on the deck.

I found this book in the wee little library on our street.

My walks were curtailed due to the icy conditions

so I busied myself in the house

attending to some chores then mixing it up with reading and my knitting project.

Many cups of tea were sipped.

A Doocot Scottish design available on Ravelry.

Are you familiar with Ravelry?

It's an amazing site for knit and crochet patterns and tips a very helpful community of crafters are able to network and share their projects.

Wool sweater in the making...

learning some new techniques and loving this yarn.

This wooden maul is coming in handy as a yarn holder.

Many women in the knitting group that I belong to 

use crafted wooden bowls 

which have a hole in the side for their yarn to slip through...

it helps the skein from getting all tangled up.

Have you started any new projects?

The weather has improved and we are back to our usual rain days.

So I am able to get outdoors again for my walks.

Very grateful to be able to get some fresh air and exercise.

"Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation 

in awe of everything you see around you. 

Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. 

This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe."

~ Wayne Dyer ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Slow start to Sunday morning...

Romneya Coulteri

the paper like petals are so thin and wispy

almost like butterfly wings

they flutter in the gentle breeze

The renovations are still underway...

I am staying at home while the crews are on site.

I am missing my walks and the freedom to come and go as I please.

The painters have finished priming the woodwork.

 The drywall crew will be here on Tuesday.

When we are finished and I have purchased the bedding and we have set it all up I will share the pictures with you but it may be toward the end of August before that happens.

In the meantime,

I am keeping busy by reading, gardening, knitting and cooking.

Cleaning out a drawer here and there, doing laundry, and blogging.

We helped our son move this weekend.

His new house is an older home in good condition with a beautiful garden.

It is on a dead end street with a park at the end.

Families with young children as neighbours.

Hope that our grandchildren will meet some playmates on the street.

The back yard is fenced and very private.

Trees line the perimeter and there are some roses, hostas and day lilies.

A lovely patio is right off the kitchen.

William Shakespeare Rose

by

David Austin

Soft velvety petals set in deep frilly cups.

Fragrant and a hardy repeat bloomer.

One bloom can float in a clear glass bowl and make a bold statement.

I finished reading

Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout.

She has a genuine gift

a keen eye for detail

like a talented artist she paints her story and characters with incredible depth.

This is a haunting novel, about a family who grew up in poverty

in a small rural town in America.

The children who

endured a childhood filled with fear and disappointment

due partly because of their dysfunctional parents 

are adults now and looking back.

 This book follows the characters from 

My Name is Lucy Barton. 

I am almost finished it and am having difficulty putting it down!

Knitted cotton dish cloths are a quick project.

I can easily make one in a day...

if I wanted to sit more 

I could make two.

Its a beautiful sunny morning here and quite warm.

Think I will go out and hand water the garden before it gets too hot.

Until next time,

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Salt and Pepper...a new sweater!

The Hudson's Bay had a big sale last week.

I went downtown on a mission to buy a new watch strap which I found in a chestnut brown leather...I was hoping to find a red one but there were none that fit my watch.

While in the store I perused the petite section
and spied a soft cozy sweater
in a simple style that works with my wardrobe basic colours
 at a super low price...
what's not to love about that?

Style and Co.

(I think Macy's carry that line in the US)

tweedy knit

the colour of salt and pepper

in a basic style 

that I have already worn with my black swingy short skirt

jeans

black ponte knit dress pants

it is warm and cozy

with bell sleeves

which I thought I might find bothersome but they are quite lovely

I can roll them up if need be...

like when I was making pizza dough 

and dealing cards at bridge.

I wore it under my down jacket beach combing...

We found another heart shaped rock!

I am knitting the Bateaux Mouches scarf that I purchased from Churchmouse Yarns on Bainbridge Island.

The fingering weight of yarn is very fine and is super soft...

 by Drops and is a blend of alpaca and silk.

I have started on the second skein and hope that I will be able to finish it before next Spring!

I bring my knitting to the cottage.

I knit while waiting for the ferry and on the ride over...

then if I feel so inclined I will knit for about an hour each day at the cottage.

It is a basic garter stitch but looks very different on the larger needles.

Are you working on any projects?

It's pouring rain this morning and I will have to put on my wellies when I get out for my walk.

My down jacket and this cozy sweater will keep me warm.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Rainy Day Rhythm...

Cheap and cheerful

chrysanthemums

perk me up on a grey rainy day...

The power of flowers can elevate any decor...

a simple jam jar with daisies

a Baccarat crystal vase with roses

a single bloom in a flask

an orchid in a blue and white porcelain planter

depending on your budget

you can get as creative as you like when it comes to floral arrangements.

Vintage Verlys glass satin dish bowl

etched simply with pine cones

sits empty 

beside the window

catching the light

The grandchildren made this colourful Easter Wreath at Michael's.

We were meant to go to the workshop together but I had Vertigo and had to cancel...

it sounds like they had lots of fun.

Our sunsets have been quite stunning 

this week at Quarter Deck Cottage.

I love how sculptural the arbutus trees look set against the yellow skies.

One needn't go far to find beauty 

it is outside just beyond the front door...

all you have to do is open your eyes and look around.

It may surprise you to find that there are ordinary things 

which when studied 

on close inspection

look like works of art.

I never come home from a walk without seeing something quite lovely.

Perhaps that is why I love to walk so much...

not only do I feel restored and re-energized

there are snippets of Nature's handiwork at every turn.

I make it my goal to seek out the delights that Nature has provided...

A juicy red rose hip still clinging to the vine...

Queen Anne's Lace seed head boldly standing tall against the blue sky.

A reclaimed lifeboat

re purposed as a planter at the end of the road.

The Riddle Family plant this boat with seasonal offerings...

The sign says 

"The Point...Of it All!"

A scarecrow and mums were on display for Fall

daffodils and tulips for Spring

 I am already curious what they will plant for Summer.

The rains have arrived after several sunny days so it's a day of domestic chores...

laundry and tidying.

A pot of tea now waits

 I will return to my books and knitting

after I hit the publish button on this post.

The Humble Dishcloth

(a knitting pattern that I return to time and again)

Size 6 or 7 (US) needles

Cotton yarn

Cast on 4 stitches

Row 1 - Knit 4 stitches

Row 2 -  Knit 2 Yarn over knit to end of row

Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches

Row 3 - Knit 1 Knit 2 together, Yarn Over, Knit 2 together knit to end of row

Knit row 3 until you have 4 stitches left on the needles

Bind off.

so soothing to knit

useful to use

soft

makes a great Hostess Gift!

Wishing you all a Very Happy Weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~