My search is over...for now.

It has taken me weeks to find a great pair of black knit pants...
who would have thought that this would have been so challenging?

Black pants are such a great basic and one that I wear several times a week...
that's why I was so desperate to replace my favourite pair.

Mine were 2 years old, a wee bit faded and they were looking less than best.

Calvin Klein makes these and they were found at Marshall's at a very good price point.
The fabric has lots of Spandex so I expect that will help retain the shape of the pants.

These knit pants are ankle length so they work great with my short legs!

They are a pull on pant...which sounds frumpy...

they are so comfy and without a zipper and pockets there is a wonderful slimming effect.

Great style to wear with a longer top.

With any luck I'll be wearing these for a few years to come.

Oh and while I was there...

I spent the money that Mother gave me for my birthday.

Linen top white with grey stripes.

Going to love this for summer 

will layer it over a tank top and wear it with my white skinny jeans.

I can see it as a bathing suit "cover up" too.

Bring on the sunshine!

I am already wearing a lighter shade on my paws.

Formula X polish 

"Thrilling"

I have been away for the weekend with lovely daughter on a shopping spree in Vancouver. 

The gale forced winds are hammering our coast and we just made it home across the strait

before the winds really picked up.

Will post soon.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ Not a Birthday Suit!

March 3rd came and went in a flash...
the birthday celebrations started a few days before and are continuing well into the weekend.

~ Tea and nail polish two routines that I now view as rituals. ~

At 61 years of age I have lived long enough to know what I "need" to be happy.

often it is "not doing" 

but resting 

or

 taking "time out" for scenic walks that makes the biggest difference.

Shutting out the "should"  messages and exploring the "could" messages is also incredibly powerful. Freeing up time for personal hobbies and enriching activities makes me feel so much contentment.

Embracing the attitude of gratitude made the most significant change in my life.

It sounds like a little thing because it is relatively easy

and 

 it alters the perception of everything in such a positive way.

I have learned a lot about life during these past decades

my body is not as young or toned as it used to be

there are aches and pains

there is wisdom

inside

outside there are the signs of aging

"laugh lines" sound so much better than "wrinkles"

this arts and crafts oak table shows signs of wear and it is circa 1912

much older than I am 

we are not refinishing it or giving it a "face lift"

this table has a history

it's imperfections are indicative of it's age

I like to think that is true about women as we age...

many stories

history

our faces reflecting life, love, and laughter over time.

My Mother, sister and I walked along the Esplanade at Willows Beach before dining at the Snug in the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

The light was quite luminous after the rain.

Friends joined us for a casual delicious sushi dinner at The Oak Bay Marina.

Three tasty truffles were shared 6 ways!

Mr. HB gave me a silver bangle to add to my collection.

This one is carved by a First Nations artisan, Alex Helin.

He was the youngest carver to work on the totem for The Commonwealth Games.

The carving on the bangle is in the hummingbird pattern which represents healing, joy and love.

Flowers arrived from dear friends who live in Vancouver and the south of France.

My favourite bouquets consist of white  and green flowers with a smattering of greenery.

OOTD

NYDJ skinny jeans

 Chaus printed tunic top

~ The good news is that I can rise my right arm high enough to take this picture ~

(physiotherapy, exercises and massage are paying off)

View from the change room...

I'm looking for new black ponte knit pants.

My current pair are 2 years old and I wear them twice a week at least so they are on their way out.

I tried on 3 pairs but they were not made of thick and sturdy fabric.

I want them to hold their shape and wear well.

The birthday celebrations will continue into the weekend.

What plans have you got for the weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday Jewels...

Welcome to my blog...
I hope that you will continue to pop by and catch up.

Life has been busy and full and I am feeling immense gratitude these days...

The latest posts have been smaller and while I do apologize, my inability to sit and type for very long due to the shoulder issue have necessitated that I keep my time at the computer short.

But let's get on with it and put aside any whining and complaining!
The Spring flowers are working their magic...

This is one stunning Hellebore!

I love the colour and those stamens are like little jewels.

Henry, our grandson, came over last week to spend a morning with Grammy.

We had a fun building with blocks, we coloured in our book, shaped things with Play Doh, ate a healthy snack and read books. 

Next time it will be Isla's turn and I plan to make cookies or cupcakes and we can decorate them together and she can take them with her when she goes home.

One on one time is a lovely way to connect with the grandchildren.

Essie Jag-u-are lasts about a week 

I wear my gloves when doing the house work and washing the dishes.

I bought French's ketchup and learned that Heinz pulled out of Canada and laid off all the employees.

French's stepped up and has started making ketchup as well as their classic mustard.

I like the idea of keeping Canadians working and buying local.

(you can read the story here)

My car was in the shop again...

this time not as a result of vandalism but wear and tear.

My 2001 Volvo Estate is a high maintenance gal.

I have to keep her running as I cannot afford a new car right now.

The comfort that this car offers suits me and I do love Volvo's for their safety features.

I have owned 2 Volvo's prior to this one and I would opt for another one in the future.

While the car was being serviced I went shopping...

I bought this beautiful rhinestone brooch for resale at Vanity Fair Antiques.

Darling daughter and I rent a shelf in a case where we sell a few things.

Mostly jewelry and a few other bits and bobs.

Scottish citrine Hallmarked silver pin

Glasgow 1956

If I can figure out how to launch an Etsy shop I might try my hand at selling online.

It is fun to go browsing for treasures and beautiful things.

These Mexican silver earrings are for my personal use.

Since I got my hair cropped I am wearing bigger earrings.

You can see the reflection of me taking this photograph!

I stopped for a healthy lunch at The Grindstone Cafe.

Their salads are tasty and they make a great tortilla soup.

So that's about all for now...

Hope your week is off to a great start.

Be Well and Be Kind.

Adding a wee bit of polish to my days...

The New Year is here and with it comes the opportunity to make some changes.
What changes might those be?
For starters,
getting back on the Weight Watchers Point Program with continued walks is my top priority.
Over the holidays too many sweets and treats have been savoured and despite the walks I am up a few pounds...it is not the end of the world but I do not want to let it get out of control.
I feel better when my clothes have a little bit of "breathing room!"

But I digress...
this post was titled adding a bit of polish.

 My hands and nails have never been given much thought...
I am a no nonsense kind of gal...and have thought of my hands as tools in the domestic arena.

As a result of neglect and my haphazard way of wearing gloves when I wash dishes and clean house
I have had to invest heavily in hand creams and slather them on throughout the day.
(L'Occitane Shea Butter... and I buy the small size to keep in my handbag and the car)

I have been inspired to make a wee change...
at least for now
while the New Year is fresh and new.
(will see how long it lasts!)

For now I am enjoying taking extra care of my hands and my nails.
My gloves are handy right beside the sink
as a reminder to put them on when I am immersed in domestics, which I am on a daily basis.

Purple Playtex Living Gloves

endorsed by This Hostess.

Workhorses in The Humble Bungalow

Base coat, polish and a top coat are applied so that they last longer and resist chipping.

This OPI shade is called Chocolate Moose...

I love how they choose creative names for their polish.

 I think this is a neutral versatile colour.

Looking for some pretty pink shades in the OPI,  Essie or Butter lines to add to my collection.

Perhaps something soft...and light, maybe in a blush pink.

or a deeper fuchsia like this Camellia.

Blues and greens and blacks are popular 

I am not sure that they are suitable for my 60 year old hands...

 though they are fine on my toes in the summer months.

Speaking of trying new things...

Cheryl, my friend from France, taught me how to make duck confit.

We browned the duck legs in a hot Le Creuset pan and then heated them in the oven.

We de-glazed the pan with a bit of Sancerre and added about a half cup of marmalade and let it simmer and reduced it until it was thick.

The wee potatoes were roasted in a bit of the duck fat in a hot oven until they were golden and softened.

The green beans were steamed until they were almost tender...

(I like a bit of resistance when I bite into a green bean)

~ Dessert ~

tasty lemon tarts from the bakery.

You can see why I am up a few pounds as we enjoyed many rich meals 

while our house guests were here in The Humble Bungalow.

So it is salad daze and healthy eating for the foreseeable future.

If you are looking for some inspiration and a fresh way of starting your New Year

Janet at The Gardener's Cottage has a week of healthy menus posted on her blog.

Chat soon

until next time...

~ Be Kind and Take Care ~

Mother's Day Luncheon ~ Flip Flops and Orange Toes!

Mundane maintenance....
goes along with boats, homes, gardens, cars and so much more.

When we own "things" we have a responsibility to keep then in fine working order.
Regular maintenance is vital...it is boring, often costly but it must be done.

I schedule routine appointments with the dentist, hygienist, optometrist, hairdresser, mechanic and more.
If you let these things lapse you are going to run into trouble at some point.

Do you put off scheduling these things?

Our Humble Bungalow was re-roofed last Spring and is in dire need of paint but that is not going to happen for another couple of years so in the mean time I must avert my eyes and try not to cringe when I see the flaking paint on the porch and eaves.

Some things just cannot be put off...

We've had the boat hauled out for the annual mechanical servicing and bottom paint.

BOAT

have you heard what BOAT stands for?

"Bring On Another Thousand."

We own a small boat...

some might consider it more of a dingy and if you own a large yacht you might agree!

Here she is before the haul out...

she needs a wash, wax and a coat of bottom paint.

While she is getting some TLC I took time out to do the same.

Have you noticed that Orange is a really popular colour this Spring?

I know Radiant Orchid has been dubbed THE colour of the season but for me I keep seeing Orange at every turn.

The orange shade especially pops in the garden...

it seems like a happy tone.

For example this cheery euphorbia in the dappled sun blooming in the The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Or this fragrant and stunning Climbing Royal Sunset rose, our first rose to bloom this Spring.

I went with orange polish which is quite a departure for me...

Animalistic by OPI.

I could have opted for a soft pearly white.

Smilacena Racemosa looks quite frothy wearing this shade.

A fuchsia would have been fun...

an allium about to burst forth in flower.

Mauve might be a good choice as the Pacific Hybrid dwarf Iris shows us beautifully with her delicate petals.

~ ~ ~

We took Mother out for lunch to our favourite lunch spot Pure Vanilla to celebrate an early Mother's Day.

She ate a good lunch and had a cup of tea but she just seems to lack her usual lustre.

She seems tired...

I gave her a book which I think she will enjoy and perhaps she'll escape for a bit while she immerses herself in the story of the author's making.

A great book can be such a good tonic to what ails you...

She expressed her desire to have spaghetti and meatballs several times this past week and my sweet husband said that I make the best spaghetti and meatballs...I use Lydia Bastianich's recipe found online.

I took over a plate to her after lunch and she was so excited!

I am so happy and grateful to be able to spend time with Mother.

I expect that we will see more slowing down and deterioration in her as the days pass.

I hope that she perks up and feels better soon...

she'll be 87 this coming June.

It is Mother's Day this Sunday and many will be honouring their Mother's...

I'd like to think that I love and honour my Mother every single day.

It does not take a special day to remind me of her many gifts and I do not take her for granted.

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. 

Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. 

Let reality be reality. 

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

~ Lao Tzu ~

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Hostess

The Humble Egg, Saturday's roses and body image.

The Humble Bungalow stuffed eggs make the rounds.
It really mystifies me that these retro basics are requested for events and always gobbled up quickly.

They are simple, healthy and easy to prepare.
I've been making these for years and probably could make them with one hand tied behind my back.
Good thing too as I have my hands full with Chester these days.

I mix the hard boiled egg yolks with relish, mayonnaise, worchestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, curry powder, salt and pepper.
Mix well and fill the eggs, top with parsley, chill and serve.

The great thing about these stuffed eggs is that you can customize them to suit your palate.
Be creative and have some fun.

Joy is in tatters

(Ode to Joy)

Mr. HB gave this book to me when we were married

 it is a month short of 38 years old.

I wonder what the designer of this egg dish had in mind for the centre section.

I mix it up and often I place olives or cherry tomatoes in the middle.

Today it's a bed of parsley and a few thin slices of orange pepper.

A jolt of coffee has been brewed 

it's helping me to jump start this cloudy Saturday morning.

Molly Johnson is hosting the CBC radio 2 drive...

she's taking us on a trip down music memory lane.

The coffee is Drum Roaster from Cobble Hill

if you love a smooth tasty brew this is the ticket.

This mug was a gift from the student that I sponsored this year.

She shadowed me for 3 weeks and I wish her every success.

It heartens me when I see young women who are wise, capable, sensible

have patience and have realistic expectations of the special needs students.

In a few years I'll be retiring and it's good to know that our kids will be well looked after.

Saturday Roses

Climbing Royal Sunset

I'm Really Not a Waitress

OPI

I cannot believe that I need to return some Land's End clothes that I ordered...

they are too big.

I will reorder them in a smaller size.

Don't think that I am wasting away because I am a size 10-12

still register as overweight by the online BMI calculator.

I'm just whittling away at the middle section

which was making my clothes feel snug and uncomfortable.

Weight and body image are a mine field for many women...

perceptions, reflections

impressions, misconceptions

acceptance

denial

comfort, confidence

reality 

Life is such an interesting journey

it startles me often when I stop and reflect.

How we women never stop growing

how we are constantly reinventing ourselves

learning to love and be joyful in the now

the everyday simple things that keep ticking along 

whether we are fat or thin

tall or short 

pretty or plain

introverted or extroverted

 weak ~ strong

who will you choose to be?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Embrace the beauty that is within

you are an original....

Hostess

XO