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 ~

Early morning post...a bit of this and that.

 

Time is flying along and I find the days full and rewarding...

Lately I have been pacing myself.

A wide variety of tasks await here in The Humble Bungalow.

Homekeeping

Baking

Creative pursuits

Reading

There are many choices and I like to mix them up...

a wee bit of work balanced with some knitting or reading

accompanied always with mug full of hot tea.

Tea has been my saviour during these past few weeks...

I've been reducing my food intake to shed a few pounds.

It is a challenge and a much needed focus.

Refining my diet to include protein with every meal...

adding fibre and a colourful array of vegetables.

So far I have lost about 8 pounds...

I cannot really see it but my jeans are looser.

The difficulty seems to be my stamina which is waning due to the chronic hip pain.

I won't go into much detail, suffice to say it is not pleasant.

I am embracing distractions at every turn :-))

This book was brilliant...I will be seeking out more of his many novels.

I've been baking sourdough french baguettes on repeat...

freezing them and giving some away.

The trick to the crust is to bake them above a roasting pan filled with ice.

Mr. HB bought this fabulous baguette pan for me...

it's a game changer.

Graham Thomas roses are putting on their last flush...

I asked Mr. HB to bring them inside so I could appreciate their beauty.

The petals are dropping off as I expected but their fragrance is strong.

~ Small Joys ~

These are especially important to me...

they lift my spirits and I find them soothing.

Those that are free and cost nothing are the BEST.

Perhaps that's what we gardener's enjoy the most?

The foraging habit continues to delight and reward me.

Pine cones, seashells, sea glass, free things on the nearby boulevards.

Books in the many wee free libraries.

So many things on offer.

Oh and this yummy recipe.

I can't remember if I shared this delicious pork 

marinade with you before?

Pork loin rib roast, 

I use the marinade to cook the roast in too.

So good...

easy too and most things are already in the fridge or pantry.

Let me know if you make it...

Our Christmas Cactus is in bloom.

I bought this orange variety last year, we have pink ones too.

Madly love these matte white McCoy planters with the drip tray attached.

Have been on the hunt for more 

Ebay and Etsy

but they seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.

When your cup and coaster match your knitting project...

Alexandra's Airplane Scarf

Churchmouse pattern using Knitting For Olive yarn

from my favourite local shop The Beehive.

So relaxing knitting this pattern...

quiet, meditative and great with a hot mug of tea.

Needs Must :-))

The front Hallway here in The Humble Bungalow.

Baskets galore...

dried hydrangeas and an antique pot.

Sourced locally from an estate sale about 30 years ago.

The woman having the sale showed me around each room filled with treasures.

I would have purchased many things if I had a wallet stuffed with cash.

Back in those days 

We lived within a tight budget,

 so extra expenditures were purchased with a LOT of thought

careful not to over extend ourselves.

The last "room" Mrs. Lettuce (not sure of the spelling) showed me was her garage.

Inside was a jumble of tools, an old car, a canoe, some old machinery...

and a bunch of pots and this antique pot with a chip in the rim.

I bought it for $10 or $20 dollars...

The large palatial home is still standing on the original site on Woodstock Street.

A new house has been built behind the old house...

I can still see Mrs. Lettuce working in her garden...

wearing her tweed skirt and cashmere sweater set.

Her messy bun and those serious black oxford shoes.

She was such a delight to chat with as I pushed the pram past her home all those many years ago..

a real character full of vim and vigour

such a charming gardener

full of knowledge 

and classy

in a genuine "old school" way.

Translation...in case you might like to know = old money.

Reminds me of The Duchess of Devonshire.

Hang in there...

a creepy spider waiting in its web for a tasty meal.

I've been "organizing" my baking stuff...

bought some Classic Anchor Hocking glass jars for the counter.

I got tired pulling out all my supplies from the cupboards.

Even though they take up valuable real estate I find them super handy.

I've been up for about an hour now and I am in desperate need of a frothy Espresso!

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the small joys of the season. 

Take care and thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Faffing in The Humble Bungalow...

 

Foraged Teasel in a vintage vase...

set atop a distressed shabby chic farmhouse cabinet.

The sepia tones have inspired the redecoration of the room.

The mirror was a freebie on the boulevard several years ago.

I love finding useful things for free :-))

~ Sea Glass Collection ~

Collected over the years...stored in Vintage Sealer Jars.

Simple lines and soft neutral shades of paint...

the oak card table is destined to be a "tea station."

I am on the hunt for an interesting tea tray...

maybe antique mahogany with inlay

or 

a marquetry wood tray.

I've even seen toile painted metal trays that look like they would be suitable.

I think I might need a pretty glass jar for some cookies...

why not?

A cozy chair and a soft cuddly blanket.

The table has a few books and a lamp for reading.

Still enjoy re-reading The Simple Abundance Books by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

They continue to inspire after all these years...

I may bring my journal down here and sit with a cuppa and write at this table.

I've purchased a new~ to ~ me mug and a plate for my tea time.

The mug is white with a shiny gold handle.

 the plate is shiny gold with white accents.

The cat litter is to the right of this cabinet...

(Needs Must)

The main reason that I am "faffing" as this will be "my space" for a few weeks.

I plan to recuperate after my hip surgery downstairs 

(to avoid stairs)

plus there is a comfy bed and a walk in shower.

I just finished reading this great mystery book by Jess Kidd.

She's working on the follow up book and it will be available in February.

Cyclamens to perk up the front porch...

Can you see my black backpack and bag of groceries on the front mat by the door?

Priorities...plant the flowers first!!!

Can you see the reflection of the candles in the photo?

I like to light candles in the Fall and Winter...they add coziness.

Beeswax are my go to for tapers...

I like the Sand and Fog scented candles that I find at Marshalls.

Recently found a Vanilla Sandalwood candle that is lovely!

Bought 3 of their scented candles as the selection is huge right now...

they have all their Christmas stuff for sale.

Was a bit surprised to see it all so soon after Halloween 

but I know people like to shop early.

(Myself included)

I hadn't intended to write a post tonight.

It is a short one ~ hope you'll enjoy reading it.

I feel like I want to stay in touch...

Hope all is well with you...

are you enjoying the Autumn Colours?

Or perhaps it is Spring in your area?

Wherever you live I hope that you are savouring the Small Joys everyday.

 I must close for now as I have a few things to do before we sit down and watch The Bay on Britbox.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

July Joys ~ Roses, ( a surprise recipe) books and time at Quarterdeck Cottage.

 

The Lavender is ready to harvest...

I snipped a few stems off the plant and made some fragrant sachets.

This job takes a while to do...

patience is required to remove the buds and so I brew a big pot of tea

sit myself in a comfy chair on the front porch and get stuck in.

I love the scent of lavender and the sachets are useful in the drawers...

where I store lingerie, sweaters and nightgowns.

I found these wee gauze bags at the local Dollar Store.

I reuse them from year to year.

Yellow rose at the back is Climbing Graham Thomas...

the pink one closest is Strawberry Hill.

These two are out back by the greenhouse and the work area...

both are happy and have oodles of blooms and they are both very fragrant.

Strawberry Hill has deep cups with frilly petals.

Here's a closer look at Graham Thomas...

bold yellow blooms.

I love to look at the cheerful lush display when I am out in the garden working.

It feels like these jobs are so worth it,

a reward for our efforts when we get these rather stunning displays.

This lovely iris bloom is only one of many on the plant...

it is a newer plant in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Another bright colour and the wee yellow stripe in the middle of the petals 

makes for a wonderful bold contrast.

Iced Latte...

a refreshing choice for a hot afternoon by the pool.

I loved this fun and fantastical book by Jess Kidd.

Her books are new to me, and they are a wee bit different than my usual books.

They are FUN and the mystery gets solved in the end...

a wild ride to get to the past page but ever so entertaining.

Mr HB and I play crib at the cottage...

he wins almost ALL THE TIME!

~ Beach walks and Sea Glass ~

The weather was lovely when we were at Quarterdeck Cottage...

sunny and warm, pools were open and water was perfect.

I need a new swimsuit...and I am going to go shopping these next few weeks.

My older black suit is 4 or 5 years old and is definitely needing to be retired!!

Canada Day...July 1st

Beaver Chairs at Roseland Park.

Knitting on the Miriam Sweater 

using the vintage Baycrest Aran Yarn. 

(darling daughter found at a local thrift shop)

Loved Jess Kidd's other book and saw this at the Pender Island Bookshop...

read it in 2 days...such a wild romp and lovely quirky characters.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose 

a bowlful of petals...

Made some rosewater face spray...

easy and a lovely way to use up petals.

Roses are definitely my muse...

love them in the garden, love them in bouquets.

Do you grow roses?

I've had a molar crack and half of it fell apart...

I think I actually ate it :-((

I thought my burger had a crunchy bite, then I realized that my tooth was rough!

So I am booked in to see my dentist...

a crown perhaps?

Oh well at 70 one must expect these things...

We are watching Outrageous on Britbox...

it is about the Mitford sisters.

I read the book years ago and the series is staying very close to the book.

The scenes are lush and the locations and houses are fabulous.

I adore the fashions and am eager to watch each and every episode.

Are you watching a great period drama?

The trailer for Downton Abbey is out...it's a MUST SEE for me.

How about you?

Now to this next book...

another grand story is unfolding and turns out it is a real page turner.

Well that's about it for now...

lots to do here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Playing Catch up after our time away...

Thank you for popping by and checking out my little blog...

until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~