Showing posts with label orchids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orchids. Show all posts

Sunday, November 26, 2023

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 ~

Friday, March 19, 2021

Spring weather and Spring cleaning


Nothing like a pop of yellow to brighten our days.
Spring is definitely helping to cheer us on as we move ahead into the warm weather.

More birds have returned and they are singing happy chirpy songs.
I wake to their serenade early in the morning.
It energizes me listening to their melodies.


We spent a few days at the cottage last weekend
 While we were there I picked up 3 used books and one new release at the bookstore.
All the books had been highly recommended by friends who are avid readers....
I do love a good book.
One of the joys of retirement is reading a chapter or two every day.


I have read several of Tana French's books and enjoyed them all.
Only 5 chapters into this book and it is so engaging...
I love how she captures the everyday elements with such an artistic eye.


The phalaenopsis orchids that live above our farmhouse sink 
in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen are back in bloom.

These beauties bloom every March and keep flowering well into summer time.

I water them once a week.
 They seem happy with the humidity of the steamy water that rises washing dishes.

I've started my Spring cleaning...
and am planning to make my own cleaners.

I'll post more on this soon.

In other news, we may be getting our vaccinations in April!
The US sent us a big shipment of Astra Zenica which will help fast track our program.

With all the new variants it is important that everyone get a shot asap.

Hope that you are staying well.

~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Tuesday ~ thoughts on light and bright pops of colour....


Good morning from The Humble Bungalow!

Its a gloomy day here in my neighbourhood 
so I am seeking 
comfort and inspiration via colour.

This gorgeous fuchsia pink Lewisia Cotyledon bloom elevates my spirit 
which I find necessary when the sun is not shining.

I don't suffer from SAD but I do crave brights when the skies are grey.

At a bridge lesson yesterday afternoon I felt like I was in way over my head!
It was an introduction to duplicate bridge 
with an emphasis on newer conventions of which there are MANY!

I had fun and plan to return 
it's good to flex my "grey cells!"


I took this photo over the weekend
we enjoyed an hour of bright sunshine before the clouds returned.

This pink orchid was a bargain at the market.
($20)
I love orchids as they bloom for a few months 
then rebloom again and again...

When you consider the cost of a bouquet of flowers
and 
compare that to the price of an orchid 
that will bring you colour many months each year
its a wise choice.


A rainbow of colours
refracted by the crystal
that hangs in our living room window.

"As far as we can discern, 
the sole purpose of human existence 
is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." 

~ Carl Jung ~

I treated myself to this book.
It has been on my want to read list since it was published.


"People are like stained - glass windows. 
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, 
but when the darkness sets in, 
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross ~



We must press on and make our own light...


Glimpse of sunshine through the curtain of clouds.




Hooray for the snowdrops!


My afternoon tea ritual is better 
when sipped by candlelight...
 from a bone china teacup.

Embracing Daily rituals have been important.
 As I spend more time at home since retiring from my job.
These little habits are something that I look forward to...
sitting to knit or to read a book are what I consider "life's little luxuries."
Time is a gift to be honoured and cherished.


"My favorite things in life don't cost any money. 
It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time."

 ~ Steve Jobs ~



Ponder these thoughtful quotes as you move through your days...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, January 26, 2018

Friday Flowers...

Friday Flowers...



I spied these pretty pink blooms on one of my walks this week.
They are just so cheerful
set against the grey cedar fence they seem to glow...


These colourful primulas are perfect for the front porch.
They are a welcome sight with just the right amount of "happy."


There are many different varieties of these plants available.
Did you know that the only ones with a scent are the deep amber yellow variety?
I always purchase some of the yellow ones as their scent is quite lovely.


I've been searching for a vintage silver champagne bucket for quite some time and this week the stars aligned and I found one in a second hand shop for a reasonable price.
I wasted no time and popped into the local flower shop and bought a new orchid where it now sits on our dining room table.

Flowers are such a tonic for the grey gloomy weather...
we have had a few patches of sunshine which raises ones spirits.
At my weekly bridge afternoon many of the women were lamenting about the weather...it seems to be a common complaint.
Some were eager to share their travel plans as they are booked on flights 
off to warmer sunnier climates.

Travel to a sunnier spot is not on my radar...
so I add colour in my daily round and seek out "pops of colour" on my walks.


a lovely blue green mix in this sumptuous yarn...


I have been learning a lot about knitting with my new sock project.
The heel flap, turning the heel and the gusset have been a wee bit challenging but thanks to You Tube knitting tutorials I have been able to work through the pattern.

 Do you challenge yourself by learning new things?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Monday, January 8, 2018

Finding my way...

Thank you so much for your supportive emails and comments on my previous post.
Many of you wrote about your personal tragedies and situations that are much more dire than what our family is going through and upon reflection this past week I have been able to regain my sense of perspective
coming to terms with my feelings of helplessness.

I've put my energies into action 
working on domestic chores
focusing on the jobs at hand.

It is not a cure all but it feels good to accomplish something that needs doing.


I am glad that my kitchen does not look like this one
but it CAN look rather messy if I do not stay on top of the cleaning.


Thank goodness for the auto clean program...
it makes the job so much easier.

I've been chiselling away at my "to do" list...
the feeling of accomplishment 
is a reward
when I am able to cross another job off the list.


Maintaining leather 
Coach bag, shoes and boots pays off as they look better and last longer.


 Fresh Shampoo
for  
my make up brushes once a month...
a simple routine that takes just a few minutes.


This wee orchid was a gift from a friend 
when Mom died on my birthday last March.
It is blooming again!


This orchid has a double row of blooms...
speaking of blooms our Amaryllis is absolutely stunning!


Each stem has four flowers!
There is another stem about to bloom.
We have never ever had an amaryllis like this one.


Low WW point lunch yesterday
after a busy day working in the Humble Bungalow.

Did you watch the Golden Globes last night?
Oprah's speech was so inspiring...
I watched it twice.


A stack of books await...


Speaking of inspiring.

I found this wonderful quote on Pinterest...

Hope that you find some comfort and joy in your week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Sunday flowers...giving up alcohol on the blog today.


Remember these pink foxgloves?
The geraniums are still going strong but many of the garden flowers have faded away...summer is slowly but surely on its way out 
surprisingly the sunshine and warmth have not yet waned.


When we have finished working in the garden we are able to sit on the deck in our comfy chairs and survey all our hard work.


The garden has many plants that love the heat and perform well over the entire summer season...
others fade as soon as their blooms have wilted.
The lady's mantle is looking very straggly and needs to be drastically cut back.


Inside The Humble Bungalow the orchids have taken a beating...
something has crept in...
an unwelcome insect or pest
that has affected several of the older plants...
I had to throw them into the compost.

Fear not, 
I will be on the look out for a sale and find a few replacements.
They do add loads of cheer to the windowsill above the Humble Bungalow farmhouse kitchen sink.


The rose scent hunt for "the one" is still ongoing...
I have eliminated quite a few on the quest to find one or two that I love.
I will report back when I have completed my testing.


Love a pop of colour in the garden...
these chairs are perched on the railing of a porch on Denman Island
placed next to a jumble of blue flowers.


Delphiniums and bees.


Clematis
gardening is a green thumbs' way of painting!


After trying and failing to lose 10 pounds several times
I am back counting my points and have quit drinking all alcohol 
in an effort to get back to my goal weight.

The liver plays a significant role in burning fat so cutting out anything that impedes this progress is worth it.
I've been sipping non-alcoholic wines 
which are 1 or 2 WW points per 8 oz. glass.
After sampling several varieties ~ red, white and bubbly...
I have found a couple that taste great, and I have opted for the 1 point wines.

The plan is to return to weight watchers in September...
in the meantime 
I am back counting my points, making sensible food choices
and walking briskly every day.


Putting my "best foot forward" 
as I did it before
 I CAN do it again.


I have lusted after the red Ferragamo Varina's for many years 
IF I can find a pair this Fall 
providing I get back to my WW goal weight 
that is going to be my reward.

Nothing like a red shoe to make one feel cheerful.


There's a lot to do in the garden so I must hasten away and get busy.

Have you seen The Gardener's Cottage newly designed blog?
Janet has been one of the first bloggers that I discovered and I think she's just delightful and her new blog is wonderful.
Pop over and take a look.

Until next time...
Be well and Be Kind.
XO