Showing posts with label soap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soap. Show all posts

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Wee luxuries...and remembering MOM


Willows Beach in Oak Bay

(a favourite spot of my late mom's and mine)

I took my coffee in a thermos and sat in the stillness
watched the sea, the sun and the clouds
listened to the waves as they met the shore
embraced
the sound of the gulls as they soared overhead.

A few precious moments of peace outdoors in nature to start the day
sets the tone for the hours ahead.


Unwrapped a lovely soap from Fragonard in Paris.
The porcelain soap dish accompanied the soap which was in a recent 
My French Country Home Box.

The scent is soft, subtle and sweet.

Hand washing happens many many times a day here in The Humble Bungalow.

I can still hear my mom's voice
her mantra was
"Soap and Water are Cheap."

Mom always kept a few bars of triple milled soap unwrapped in her lingerie drawer.
I think her favourite was Yardley's English Lavender Soap.

Mom was an avid gardener and worked for many hours outside 
before coming in and soaking in the tub...
a cup of restorative tea on the edge of the bath.

Lavender scents wafted throughout the house.

She'd dress up for my father's arrival home from work.

A dainty apron worn atop of her dress...
mom was a much tidier cook than I.

I remember so many lovely snippets of mom and learned so much from her.
Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.


Mom sipped her tea in a pretty cup and saucer.
She had a fondness for those decorated with flowers.

While I don't ALWAYS choose one of mine for tea.
(several inherited from mom)

I do more often than not.


My face is getting some serious TLC
the recent and ongoing IPL treatments are reducing the rosacea redness 
the broken capillaries are slowly disappearing...

My skin however is dry 
so I purchased a hardworking moisturizer to use in tandem 
with the IS Clinical Pro Health Serum.

Fingers crossed it will perform as was suggested at the clinic.


Healthy lunch at Brown's Social House
Tuna Poke Bowl

loaded with fresh veggies
delicious!

Eating mindfully 
adding lots of veggies with lean protein
 high on my radar.

Choosing healthier alternatives is becoming much easier...
although
the lure of french fries is still very strong.

If my husband orders them I ask to sample a few :-))

The interesting thing about eating tons of veggies and a small amount of protein is that I don't feel "stuffed" after I eat.

It is such a different feeling than when I order a burger and fries.
I actually prefer it and I am not hungry afterwards.


Sale item from Joe Fresh.
A simple basic which will get worn on my walks
and
paired with jeans perhaps layered overtop of a denim shirt.


Love the warm cozy feel..
great texture.

So many thoughts are swimming around in my head today 
as I sit here in The Humble Bungalow kitchen and type.

I am not sure how to wrap up this post...

writing about and remembering mom 
often skews my thought process
with
emotions tugging at my heartstrings...


Auriculas are starting to put on a show!
Perhaps it is time to find or build a theatre to display them?
They are all the rage in the UK.

How are things with you?

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the week.
Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, April 25, 2020

April Showers bring May flowers...


Tulips are blooming in the glorious Sunshine.

With so much uncertainty in our world 
we are clinging to the comforting rituals and safety of our homes.


Feeling grateful for so much right now...

Food in the fridge and cupboards
hot water for baths and showers
scented soaps
candles
flowers
books
the cats
family
friends
our small cozy bungalow
fresh air
sunshine
walks outdoors


I loved this new book by Santa Montefiore.
This is the 4th book in The Deverill series and it did not disappoint!


Healthy dinner 
steamed assorted vegetables with a Tasty Bite package of Ancient Grain Mixture.

My digestive system has been really acting up...
major heartburn!
maybe it is caused by stress or just plain old age
it would appear that I have all the signs of a hiatus hernia.

I had a telephone call to my GP and I am on some new medication.
Hope that we have nipped it in the bud as there are not many other options right now with all the closures in place.


I've tidied up the pots on the patio.


Primula



Not sure why Chester was hanging out in the clawfoot tub?
He's so entertaining!


Am looking forward to reading this new book.
I placed an order with my favourite independent local book seller 
Ivy's Bookshop on Oak Bay Avenue.

 I am reading so many books during this pandemic...
it is a wonderful "escape" during these quiet weeks.


We have been washing our hands so many times each day that we are getting low on our favourite lemongrass liquid soap.

So I went online and purchased more soap from Nezza Naturals 
another local small business, we were able to pick up our order just outside their front door.

I do hope that we can help small business owners "stay afloat" until more "normal" business can resume.


What are you reading?

Have you been sewing masks?

How are you occupying your time at home?

Love to hear from you...
(use Google as Safari is not working if you want to leave a comment)

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, March 23, 2020

Flowers. thoughts and ramblings from The Humble Bungalow...


Deep indigo grape hyacinths are a welcome pop of colour.
We have quite a few of these in our front garden.
Thankfully the deer do not nibble these sweet flowers.

How are you managing during the "shelter at home" order?
Are you busy or bored?

Do you get "dressed up" or have a PJ Days?


Keeping quite busy with home and gardening tasks.

Baking bread every few days...
to accompany homemade soups and stews.

We were down to a few cups of flour and we hit the jackpot yesterday 
by finding 10kg package of flour
it felt like a lottery win!

(We are not taking anything for granted.)

I'll be able to keep baking bread for the next few months with this supply.


I purchased an antibacterial spray from Nezza Naturals.
I've been wiping the counters, light switches and door handles.


We have a few lilies blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.
Planted these a few years ago and they pop up early each Spring.
Such a delightful dainty little flower 
which reminds me of The Flying Nun's hat
do you remember Sally Field in this television show?


Love the variegated foliage of the Trillium
When the flower is in bloom it is a dark magenta shade.


I sat on the front porch this past weekend and enjoyed the sunshine and birdsong.


Tapio Wirkkala Ultima modernist mug made in Finland.

Darling daughter has a large collection of Ultima
which I covet!


Timo Sarpeneva Finnish Festivo icy candlesticks.


Baked banana bread and pasta were delivered to our son and the grandchildren.
We waved at each other through the windows and they came out on the front porch while we stood at the bottom of the stairs.

Later we Face-Timed with them
the kids were in fine spirits when they
demonstrated a dance routine that they were working on!

Thank goodness for the internet to help us stay connected.


Loving this Lemongrass Tea Tree soap
the scent is divine and the sudsy soap makes it easy to keep up with the necessary hand washing.


With all this hand washing I need to moisturize my hands.
This cream absorbs quickly and protects my hands in between washes.
I apply and small amount at tea time when I sit to read my book.



Hooray!
Hellebore blooms are not deer food.


 ~ Vintage Enamel ~
Bread tin and colander just part of the small collection in our laundry room.


All is calm...
the ironing has been done
(such a soothing task.)

Clothes are washed and hung to dry.
Counters washed ~ floor swept.

Feeling in control of my own home 
is just one part of how I am keeping my focus positive.

It's time for lunch and I'm making a simple sandwich.
Will pop the kettle on and brew a pot of tea.

Hope you are finding ways to amuse yourself while you cocoon at home.

~ Stay Home and Stay Safe ~

Friday, March 13, 2020

Shopping my closet...casual denim for Spring

I have been wearing my go-to cashmere sweaters with jeans but with the sunnier days and Spring flinging our way I've been looking in my closet and thinking about dressing in lighter clothes.


Cailey 22 lightweight denim shirt 
In winter I layer this shirt under my black V neck cashmere sweater.


Gap heavier denim shirt
this works alone or layered over top of a Tee or top.


Gap shirt
Eileen Fisher sleeveless top
Letol French scarf
(was included in a previous delivery of My Stylish French Box)


Gap denim dress
layered over a long sleeve Eileen Fisher top

(I may purchase a pair of white capri tights to pair with these two pieces)


A lovely scarf...
with
cheerful colours
heavier and can also be worn as a shawl.


Works really well with denim and chambray garments.


I am trying not to panic 
after the recent announcement of the world wide Covid-19 pandemic.


Looking at the bright spots in my daily round.


I plan to do some "deeper cleaning" here in The Humble Bungalow.

Bathrooms, surfaces and door knobs will be disinfected.
We have not travelled on a plane or left the country and hope that people who  are ill will stay at home and self isolate.


Nice scented soap


Wash your hands well and avoid touching your face 
to minimize your chance of getting the disease.

Make sure you have 2 weeks of non perishable food on hand 
in case of an emergency.
(just like you would have in your earthquake preparedness kit)

Many people have been panic purchasing toilet paper and hand sanitizers.

According to scientists soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers.

Of course we don't have access to these when we are in our cars 
so maybe keep a bottle handy when you are between the shops and your home.


Planning to avoid large crowds...

Having had pneumonia 3 times in the past and at 65 years of age
 I may be one of the demographic that needs to exercise more care.

Happy Weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Villa in Pelissanne, and soap from Provence

We rented a  3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Villa in Pelissanne Provence
for our week long stay and to use as our "home base."

We knew that we would be driving to other villages during the daytime and wanted a comfy spot where we could make our dinners and sleep in a quiet authentic Provencal village.

For the first two days it was just two of us until my friend Cheryl, who lives in Auvillar France, flew in to Marseille to join us on the adventure.




Very well appointed accommodations...
art and fine furniture
cozy beds.


a harpsicord



a very large kitchen with room for 3 of us to prepare food, cook and clean up!






It had several areas for relaxing and dining.



Narrow streets in the medieval village
meant that cars were not allowed long term parking so
 we dropped off our things and parked in another area close to the Villa.


We had fun buying food at the Local Pelissanne Market Day! 


Roast Chicken with potatoes cooked below the rotisserie...
juicy drippings from the chicken roasted and flavoured the spuds.

A fabulous local grocery shop was well stocked...







Plane Trees are very common in Provence.
We saw many roads lined with them...


They look particularly attractive when their bark peels.

We drove to the village of Salon de Provence which had several soap factories.


Marius Fabre had a museum and a lovely gift shop.




We all purchased quite a few bars of soap!


Next stop was the Soapworks of Rampal Latour



I purchased more soap and a soap "purse" to use in my toiletry bag.



Soaps make great Hostess Gifts!

We'll be looking at some pretty quaint villages in the next few posts.
Hope that you can pop back and see them.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~