Almost Easter...

The Erythronium Lilies are in bloom...

Easter is almost here.

Are you celebrating with an Easter dinner with friends or family?

The lily plants have been multiplying since we planted them 

over a decade or so ago...

I love their delicate form and nodding heads.

We have some Native white Fawn lilies but they are slow to multiply.

Dried Annabelle hydrangeas are still hanging out in the dining room.

Picked them last year when they were in full bloom.

They've faded but they still perk up the dark corner here in The Humble Bungalow.

The hallway was bathed in morning sunlight and I had to capture the moment.

A different view of the Hall and Dining Room 

to the right is the small living room.

I've been washing the inside windows...

we hired a local company do the outside a week ago.

I cannot reach the high small panes as my step stool is too low 

 I do not like working on step ladders!

It feels too wobbly and risky to be 5 feet off the ground.

Not sure if we will just live with them slightly hazy?

Perhaps hire that same company to come inside next time, 

in the fall perhaps?

Do you wash all your windows?

Spring cleaning is rewarding once the tasks have been done...

I find now at 70, that I procrastinate.

I do keep the house "tidy" and try to keep "clutter" under control.

How do you feel about housework?

Dust and cat hair are always with us...

with 2 cats and an old home we seem to be constantly vacuuming and dusting.

When we were at the Cottage I treated myself to a bunch of yellow roses...

too bad that greenhouse roses from the florist are not fragrant.

They lasted the entire week...glowed bright and bold such a sunny shade.

I changed the water daily and recut them twice,

 first when I got to the cottage

then again halfway through the week.

On the yellow theme I purchase a new cookbook!

I follow Julius Roberts on Instagram...he is a farmer and a chef.

The picture from his book spoke to me!!!

I knew that this simple recipe would be amazing...

So flavourful...

I learned how to spatchcock a chicken too.

The fragrance from the pan was unbelievably rich.

Served it with mashed potatoes and some steamed fresh asparagus.

We had enough for two meals and then I used the carcass for soup.

Keeping things fresh and interesting is very much on my radar.

A new Ikebana presentation was advertised...

Happily my friend and I attended.

Such a simple idea to find things in nature and make them into beautiful art.

The black container is so interesting...

a curly twiggy branch

 reeds, a pink rhododendron and some feathery foliage.

Leafy branches, red rhododendron blooms and a twiggy branch on the table.

Gerbera daisies, flowing curvy branches and some Pieris in a shallow dish.

The presenter has taken 120 lessons.

 She has learned all the rules and principles of the practise and has graduated to the "freeform" stage of Ikebana.

She suggested that we look for interesting vases and bowls at the local thrift shops.

The Kenzens are available online.

 We are fortunate to have a local shop here in town that sells them...

Gardener's Kit.

I bought 4 small ones and a large round one.

It's fun to learn new things and explore creative pursuits and hobbies.

What are you learning?

A new skill, or a foreign language?

Pottery, Sewing, A Craft?

The weather has been sunny and warm these past few days.

My skin is sensitive and I have rosacea 

so I ordered some Eminence sunscreen from a Canadian website.

They have reformulated their powdered sunscreen...

I like how easy it is to use and it is buildable.

There is a built in brush.

We've got a Federal election here in Canada and we vote soon...

it is a very important election what with new trade war and the tariffs.

I hope we can build a stronger Canada, one that will not result in a recession.

We've got many issues that need fixing...

our medical system needs more doctors and nurses

there are too many people that are homeless

 lots of families are struggling financially.

~ PLEASE VOTE ~

Well I have to get some dinner ready now.

On the menu tonight...

Tossed green salad, gnocchi with cheese and bacon, Maple BBQ chicken thighs.

Thank you for taking time to pop in and read my blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Jumble Sale Table ~ Brooches, Yoga and some easy (Super Bowl) Recipes...

All is calm...

Sparkly Pink Puffer Fish...

Small enough to wear on a hat or beret.

Found at the local Market in a jumble sale table.

Marcasite Brooch

the sparkly "beads" are made from polished hematite

also from the jumble sale table.

Jumble sales are rather like a car boot or garage sale.

They are rather exciting...treasures can be found in these sales.

The items are not curated but heaped together in a jumble!

You may find a treasure.

Yoga is happening...

(albeit a solo practice)

I could benefit from a Zoom session from my instructors.

Our WiFi here is dodgy at best 

with many of the transmissions being pixelated.

So we can never depend on the reliability of the WiFi.

We sit near the window looking out across the Salish Sea 

while we read and where I knit...

many boats pass during the day and are all lit up at night.

The BC Ferries look like birthday cakes!

Local Fiadh Academy Aura Rose Quartz scent...

I use this on my wrists and neck.

It offers a calming fragrance which is lovely for my Yoga practice.

There are very few fragrances in my collection...

I've given up using heavy scents as so many people are allergic to them.

I read and enjoyed Geraldine Brooks recent book Horse...

so when I spied her Pulitzer Prize winning novel March I grabbed it.

Started it early this morning and I am already hooked...

I had to put it down for Yoga and then I met up with a friend for coffee.

I did a bit of shopping at Island Girl...

white Bamboo Yoga Top from Blue Sky.

Lovely chat with the new shop assistant...

saw some really cute Bueno white sneaker high tops...

Oh Dear could be trouble!!

If I dream of them tonight I will go back tomorrow...

What are you reading?

Do you enjoy a wee bit of chocolate?

I find these Ritter Sport bars from Germany quite delicious!

I do TRY to keep my habit under control...

BUT

Milk Chocolate and Hazelnuts are my favourite.

What are your favourite chocolates?

Did you watch the Super Bowl?

If you want a quick and easy Spread for crackers...

try this recipe.

Chutney Spread

2 ~ 8 ounce packages of Philly cream Cheese (room temp)

1/2 cup of mango chutney

1/2 cup of toasted chopped almonds

1 tsp. curry powder

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

Mix together in a bowl

 Chill for several hours

Perfect added to a charcuterie board.

Nice with a whole wheat cracker.

We had Spicy Szechuan chicken wings (2 dozen) and an orzo pasta salad for dinner.

Easy Peasy Wings

Put the wings in a bag with about 1/2 cup of all purpose flour and shake.

Place wings on a parchment paper lined sheet pan for an hour at 350 degrees.

Then add a jar of Spicy Szechuan sauce and liberally cover the wings.

Bake at 350 for another 30 minutes until sticky.

Orzo Salad 

Cook about 2 cups of orzo until al dente, drain.

Add a jar of Naam miso sauce, 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, 1 cup frozen green  peas

Mix and chill in fridge.

Bateaux Mouches Scarf/Shawl...

using

Bamboo Rayon 

soft with oodles of drape.

Will be an ongoing project for a few more weeks...

depending on how much time I plan to sit and knit.

The work is meditative, as it is a simple repeating pattern.

Add a pot of tea, a cozy warm seat by the fire and it's my idea of idyllic.

Simple Joys 

There is a lot of stress and crazy things happening in our world.

Fasten your seat belt and find some quiet tasks to keep your hands and mind busy.

Try to breathe, stay calm, eat healthy food, and don't forget to hydrate.

Let me know how you are doing...

 

Actions that you can control help with negative feelings...

Use your energy to do something positive...

pick up litter, do a good deed, pay it forward

Go for a walk, run, meditate, read a good book, call a friend,

eat some chocolate.

Take Care of You :-))

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hostess Gift Recipe and some random snippets...

 

 ~ HOSTESS GIFT ~

I've been making these tasty spiced nuts for several years now...

they are quick and delicious and get rave reviews!

I am not sure if I have shared the recipe before?

I buy the big bags of nuts from Costco.

Did I mention how delicious these nuts taste?

These are from a cookbook that our local school put together many years ago.

SO YUMMY 

I hope you enjoy them :-))

Am really surprised by the quality of Sonsie Skincare!

My rosacea has calmed and the redness has diminished.

The skin drinks up the serum and moisturizing cream.

Not greasy at all as it is absorbed right into the skin.

 

Sonsie reached out and sent me an email with a link that offers a discount with the code.

https://www.sonsieskin.com/LESLIE65651

I don't usually do these things but I am over the moon with the products,

 so thought it might be fun to share the 15% discount 

to those readers who might be interested.

Please let me know if you try the products.

Wore the thrifted Butler bird brooch on my handknit sweater...

it makes quite a bold statement...it is bigger than most of my brooches.

I also wore in on a black boiled wool tunic top with black pants.

Such fun to add a wee bit of vintage BLING :-))

Some of the last garden roses...

the blooms are lovely but the usual fragrance is missing.

They will be sweet smelling again come Spring.

Went to the Church Hall for the Friday Sale...

found a VERY tarnished tea strainer.

(I thought it might even be pewter)

After some silver polish and a few minutes later...

Shiny silver 

Surprise!!!

It is

Sterling Silver 

The sale was well attended and it was a challenge to move about!

I found some nice ribbon for wrapping gifts.

My ribbon supply has almost been used up.

I love to use gross grain and satin ribbons...

but I don't always want to pay high prices for ribbon.

I do love a Bargain :-))

Revlon's Iced Amethyst 625 lipstick

bought to wear with my thrifted Eileen Fisher Velvet top.

I wore it to a dinner party last weekend.

I am still in shock that I found it in a thrift shop!!

~ SALE SHOPPING ~

40% off

Black quilted long vest

Our Humble Bungalow is quite drafty...

single paned windows and limited insulation from 1912

make for cool indoors during the Fall and Winter season.

This vest is warm and will allow for movement...

cooking, cleaning, bread making etc.

In other news ~ the concussion is still with me.

I have some woozy moments and have a mild headache.

Am doing online balancing exercises to see if I can improve my stability.

Walking with the Urban Poling Poles.

Attending Webinars put on by Vancouver Coastal Health

on osteoarthritis and learning a lot about what I can do to reduce pain 

strengthen the muscles that support the hip.

~ Education is Power ~

Beautiful Mount Baker in Washington State seen from our coast.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you have a lovely Festive Holiday Season.

Best wishes

Hostess

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thanksgiving...and catch up from The Humble Bungalow.

 

It has taken me a few weeks to get back to blogging...

Not sure why?

 I am here now and am sharing lots of pictures and snippets.

Make yourself a cuppa and join me.

As you can see...

the Hydrangeas are getting crispy!

Time to make a wreath for the front door.

I have a grapevine wreath that I keep for seasonal use.

I just popped a few hydrangeas into the vine and hung it on the door.

It is simple and I quite like the effect.

No fussing required!

I've been busy lately!

Am back at aqua fit classes now that the pool has re-opened.

My arthritis in my hip flared up last week...

I think it was all the tomatoes that I have been eating...

apparently they are high in uric acid and that is a trigger for arthritic pain.

I took a day off and rested.

Fortunately I had a great book to read and the cats kept me company!

I found this Pulitzer Prize winner a difficult book to read 

 I am so glad that I persevered...

it really is an exceptional book, so well written.

I picked some of the Money Plant from the garden

saved the seeds, them popped them into the mosaic vase.

My mom grew these plants and used to do the same thing.

They are paper thin and I like how they glow in the sunlight.

We are enjoying the sunny Fall Days...

I have swapped out my summer wardrobe for the Fall and Winter clothes.

I found this cozy grey sweater dress at the thrift shop.

It doesn't have much "hanger" appeal here, it is much better on!

It is going to be my "go to" dress to wear on a cold day.

I have black capri tights and will wear them under the dress for added warmth 

paired with my Black Chelsea Boots.

My friend Wendie is loaning me her Ruth Galloway series of mystery books.

I am on book number 4 and am loving the stories.

Like Louise Penny, she has many of the same characters, and they develop over time.

 So you should start at the first book and read them in order.

Elly Griffiths has another series that I am planning to read after I finish this series.

What are you reading? 

Do you like mystery novels?

Iphone photo capturing the intense light at sunset a couple of nights ago.

Many people posted similar pictures on their Instagram Pages.

It felt surreal seeing this bold light...

The roses are fading in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Margaret Merrill is a new rose here in the garden.

I found her at the Demitasse Garden Centre in Oak Bay.

She looks healthy and her subtle fragrance is lovely.

I love comfort food in the Fall and Winter.

I searched on google for cottage pie recipes and found this one 

on the BBC Good Food site.

Was very delicious and made enough for a hungry family.

Lots of ferry and boat traffic at the cottage...

Feeling grateful...

for

Sunshine this Thanksgiving weekend.

Cooking a small turkey with stuffing and oodles of seasonal root veggies.

Gravy and cranberry sauce.

Pumpkin Pie and whipped cream.

Looking forward to turkey sandwiches on soft White Bread :-))

Perhaps I will make soup?

Pasta dinner

I sauteed leftover diced Ham, fresh asparagus, and mushrooms.

Then added a jar of Alfredo sauce.

Served on top of spaghetti with grated parmigana reggiano cheese.

My (new to me) textured charcoal grey tunic top is getting lots of wear.

I am really enjoying the cooler Fall weather and am keeping busy.

What are you up to these days?

Jude The Obscure

Late into the rose season the petals fall when picked...

the fragrance is rich and heady.

The  $2 vintage silver jug looks so much better now that I have polished it!

Seriously colourful sky...

great views over The Salish Sea.

A wee treasure found at the recycle store...

for our darling daughter who collects these Nagel stackable mid century candle holders.

Well I must close for now and get started on the Thanksgiving Feast!

Thank you for your kind messages on the passing of my SIL.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~