Walking in between the Windstorms...

We had a brief respite from the storms that have been pummelling our coast and the sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky.

What a lovely view!

The blue sky was such a gift after so many days of gloomy grey.

I felt so much energy walking along the seafront.

I found myself smiling to myself and to those that I passed by.

This seagull let me get quite close to take a photo.

The sun illuminated these trees and cast an amber glow.

The shoreline was littered with large logs washed ashore from the storms.

They are tossed around like match sticks in the winds and some land on the sidewalk and the road.

The pavement was full of rocks and pebbles that had been thrown up by the cresting waves...

it was a walk where I had to look down often so as not to trip.

It felt wonderful to breathe in the salty air and have the sun beam down and warm my face.

There was not even a hint of a breeze...

on the way back home the sun was setting into the sea

another day done.

Earlier in the week 

on one of those ghastly windy days 

I splurged and had a facial.

I have not had a facial for ages and ages...

it was a lovely experience being pampered.

It was my first visit to Sapphire Day Spa.

The lovely young woman who takes good care of my feet in the spring and summer months moved to this spa which is located downtown.

She used a line of organic skincare products called Eminence.

I love the variety of products that are targeted to individual skin care needs.

I purchased a couple of "Starter kits" with smaller sample sizes.

I will be switching over to this new line as the products are remarkably effective.

While I was out buying a few gifts, I found two new bras 

(which I needed)

 Olga and Triumph bras at bargain basement prices.

Then on the way to the check out I zigzagged to the clothing racks...

Black and Blue with a touch of mustard yellow = leopard

This Chaus top is just what I needed to "perk up" my black and grey wardrobe.

I bought some new skinny jeans with a "higher waist" 

Mom Jeans 

(so much more comfortable now that my mid section is wobbly)

The waist is not tight at all, the spandex in the jeans acts as a tummy tamer!

Hope that you are pacing yourself and enjoying the Christmas preparations at a reasonable speed.

Give yourself permission to reduce any unwanted stress...

take away anything that is not necessary.

Christmas will still happen and everything does not need to be "picture perfect."

Please do not exhaust yourself...stay calm.

Be realistic and choose to celebrate traditions that are most important to you and your family.

Ask for help, delegate some of the jobs or cross them off your list!

"Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life."

~ Marilu Henner ~

Trompe l'oeil...

Since changing my eating habits I have been very aware of how food is served and the relation of it's visual beauty and it's effect on pleasure and taste. Plating and presentation are what good chefs and cooks do best.
Garnishes are so pretty and I rarely take the time to add them to a plate.
I think that garnishes are like a gorgeous colourful Hermes silk scarf tied at the neck.
I doubt that anyone would disagree that they impart colour to perk up a basic outfit.

Spa food always looks so appetizing, and there's a reason. Spa food is incredibly lean and low on calories so to trick the eye and brain, the chef must make it look like a work of art, a worthy gift to a high paying customer.
You feel fuller after savouring a beautifully presented plate of food. Besides the added garnishes are edible, and even though they may be sliced thinly, they are artfully fanned out to make you think that you are getting more...
Trompe l'oeil !

While I've never spent more than a few hours each time I visit a spa, I have read numerous articles while dreaming what it might be like to spend a restorative week as a guest in a luxury spa somewhere exotic.

So I am trying to serve beautifully arranged dishes as I think they make a difference in how we feel about food.
If it is haphazardly cobbled together it's rather boring and why would you take time to savour the flavour if it is a mess?

Bland and basic,

a humble breakfast of banana slices on slices of Silver Hill's Little Big Bread.

Weight Watchers Friendly!

Imagine this with a few fresh red strawberries slices or a green kiwi.

Wouldn't that be lovely?

When making salads which I do with regularity, I now look for the brightest vegetables.

Mixing textures and shapes makes for a more interesting effect.

Food can be beautiful to look at as well as fueling and nourishing the body.

We eat a lot of salads and vegetables in The Humble Bungalow.

Roasted veggies with whole garlic cloves and onion quarters.

This makes a delicious side dish if you are serving meat or poultry for dinner.

Imagine this as a main course sprinkled with feta cheese and balsamic vinegar.

Yum Yum.

A pretty fruit salad, 

great as dessert or served with plain yogurt for breakfast.

Can you "taste the flavours" just looking at this colourful fruit salad?

It looks so appetizing all mixed together...colour, shapes, and texture.

 Humble Homemade buns...

bland to look at but imagine them with a wee drizzle of butter served with a robust soup or stew.

Friend and local caterer Jule makes food look so appetizing.

Perhaps you'll consider inviting her into your home to add some of her magic to your next event.

Primulas are blooming!

Look how they cheer us just by being here on a grayish day in the Pacific Northwest.

I bid you adieu as it's time for a tea break...

and some casual reading.

Make the most of your weekend.

Throw on a bright scarf and seize the day.

Carpe Diem

"You don't get to choose how you're going to die.  

Or when.  

You can only decide how you're going to live.  

Now."  

~ Joan Baez ~

High Maintenance on a shoestring.

Keeping up appearances does require some personal effort or money and time spent at the spa.
While I am a fan of the spa and their treatments I cannot justify the expense when I have oodles of time to do my own high maintenance at home. I will indulge from May to September where I will enjoy the pampering pedicures and have my toes polished. The rest of the year I keep my toes buffed and free from polish.

It is sunny but bitterly cold today so I donned my cashmere socks this morning...
but not before giving my feet a little TLC.

($20 for the basics)

My home pedicure starts with a foot bath of warm water and bath salts.

I soak for about 10 minutes and close my eyes and visualize a beautiful place that makes me feel serene.

After toweling off my feet I use a pumice on the heels and rough patches.

Rinse and then slather on Badger Cream...don't let the label fool you it is great all over the foot.

Clip to shape and file the nails then push back the cuticles.

Make sure the nail beds are free from the cream and use the Revlon buffer.

One side smooths any ridges and the other imparts shine that is dazzling.

I love this tool!

I reapply the cream and pop on my socks and my pedicure is complete.

Even though my toes are not "on display" I know they are in good shape.

Looking down at my socks I know I am putting my best foot forward.

In my attempt to warm, this time from the inside out, I am actioning another curry!

Curried Chicken and Mushroom Casserole

My favourite thing to make and take to a potluck supper.

You can make this a vegetarian feast by adding a variety of vegetables and omitting the chicken.

It is really good with white fish or prawns.

I published the recipe BBC Bungalow Basic Curry back in January 31, 2011.

If you want the specifics go to the tag list on the sidebar and look under recipes and you can see step by step instructions.

Bon appetit!

Almond Joy!

I keep coming back to the amazing products made by L'Occitane in Provence France.

This almond milk moisturizes and hydrates my skin like nothing else I have ever used...
plus it smells delicious and a little goes a long way.

Thinking of almonds

I decided to expand my experience and sample the shower gel and hand lotion.

I am pleased to say that they are worth every penny...

I received a small travel size of almond milk in the pack

 which I will come in handy when I meet my girlfriend up island for a Spa treat and a getaway at The Kingfisher.

My first impression of Retirement is that it is Blissful!

I have savoured playing with our gorgeous little Miss Isla.

She is so much fun!

Grammy's in love with her big time...and I think that Grampa is a just a wee bit of envious.

She painted him a picture so that he could get in on the action.

Thank you Isla Grampa loved it.

It's a warm and sunny day and I plan to sit and sip my afternoon tea outside

and browse and savour the latest Country Living magazine.

It's too hot to walk my route just yet...

will need to cool down a tad before I pound the pavement.

What a luxury to have the time to choose when to walk.

I took my time when I was in at the Avenue book sellers...

I browsed the shelves and found a new book to add to my ever growing pile of books beside my bed.

~ ~ ~

Time to do things at a relaxed pace is what I think I will enjoy the most about retirement.

But it is early days yet...

Thank you all for popping by and visiting my Humble Blog.

Be Well 

Remember Random Acts of Kindness never go out of style.

OOTD or what I wore to Sunday brunch...

It's been quite awhile since I've snapped an OOTD shot.
I've been really conscious of how badly I feel about my weight and have not been feeling confident...
it is rather crippling when one gets into this frame of mind.

I really dislike feeling this way because I would just rather sweep these feelings of inadequacy under the carpet and ignore them. I think that's a big part of my issue too is that I avoid mirrors and try to stay out of photos so that  I don't have to face up to reality.

Anyways it's an on going issue that will I will be addressing...
when I can devote more time and energy to that process and have no excuse.

We had a lovely Sunday brunch and sat by the window that looked out across the Harbour.

Darling Miss Isla sat beside me and we had a delightful visit.

She is sweetness and light...

it's always such a delight being in her company.

I've got so many adorable pictures of her on my IPhone

wish that I could share them with you...

but I promised not to!

I chose two poached eggs on toast instead of my usual Eggs Benedict

the Hollandaise is too high in calories.

I did not eat any potatoes and that took serious restraint!

Small changes might add up to big results!

Lands End ponte knit pants

I cut the tag out of the neck of this top as it was irritating my neck

I think it's a Jones...

why do manufacturers use such rough tags?

a lace camisole is required because the neck is rather low!

Mee Too flats

Colour Me Minnie OPI toes

I had a fabulous pedicure at Bliss and my feet feel so much softer now.

This weekend I made a rhubarb pie for Mr. HB

Coconut and rhubarb go great together.

I bought a gift for a friend's first grand child that arrived on Friday...

and we were saddened to hear that our dear friend Cheryl's father passed away...

he was in Hospice and is now at peace.

Wish we could be there to give her support and share a pot of tea or maybe a glass of wine.

~ ~ ~

Hope that your weekend was upbeat and positive.

I'm off to pound the pavement now

walking off brunch and soaking up the glory of Nature.

Hostess

XO

Chilly February OOTD ~ make up and a great book.

OOTD
I dressed simply to accompany Mother our for a brisk walk
before joining her for a warm bowl of soup at a local bistro.
Soup is the perfect lunch for us on a chilly February day...
it warms me to the core and chases all those cold thoughts away.

Lands End black ponte knit trousers

Lands End cashmere sweater

Gelco

faux fur vest 

Jones of NY pewter rain coat 

(not shown)

layered for warmth

pink lipstick looked better than red with this marigold yellow sweater

I'm trying some new make up

and it's very kind to my aging skin

it goes on smoothly and imparts a slight glow

(which I think looks healthy)

it is light and does not offer a lot of coverage but I do not feel good in a heavy make up

you might like to try it

Jane Iredale

Dream Tint

 it is a tinted moisturizer

  I use my regular moisturizer first 

then let it set and apply this product evenly with a sponge.

My skin seems to absorb all the moisture and then some...

your skin may not be so parched and you may find that this product is enough to satiate your complexion.

The reason I am wearing flip flops in February should be obvious...

it's a post pedicure spa requirement!

I am sporting 

Danke Shiny Red

OPI

from their 

German Collection

I'm immersed in The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

my goodness she weaves a great storyline

 she is so young 

we may have another prolific writer like Maeve Binchy was to keep us entertained for years to come.

What are you currently reading?

Would you recommend it?

My bookshelf is thinning and I am looking for some great new titles.

~ ~ ~

Menopause

Menopause has taught me a lot about myself, who I am and what really matters most.
I understand how women can change completely, become radical feminists, channel energies to spearhead causes,
wear wild clothes, get tattooed, and become very outspoken.
I have done none of these, I changed in other ways...

I suppose "empowered" is a term that might be linked with this stage of life.
A sense of self confidence, a healthy dose of self esteem,
and a feeling of calm after the hormonal storm of menopause.

My menopausal years were fraught with hot flashes and mood swings,
that only cold showers and vast amounts of chocolate could quell!
Those turbulent years of uncertainly, weight gain and many sleepless nights are now a thing of the past.
I am grateful that I have emerged relatively unscathed.
I have learned a thing or two...

I started paying closer attention to the food that I was fueling my body with...

and put in a vegetable patch started eating more fruits and vegetables in bright shades of colour.

Always the one taking care of others I used to be "too busy" to take care of myself.
I was the classic woman volunteer that could never say "NO."
Perhaps you've heard the expression "If you want something done ask a busy person"
that was me...
I was on the board of too many committee's.

When fatigue set in I cried for no reason.
I was downright cranky.
I had to figure things out for myself and it took awhile...
Slowly I pulled back from my committee duties and became more selective so that I could maintain a balance.

I discovered Yoga and learned to breathe properly, deeply and mindfully.
Books on the subject were read and I gleaned information and strategies for well being.

I learned that I could not control everything in my life...
I could only control my response to what happened in my life.

After a few years
the fog lifted and I felt well again.

I had energy, and felt a vibrancy that I had forgotten and thought I'd lost.
Clarity and Joy returned.
It was as if a wind had blown the cobwebs away...
I felt truly happy, grateful, excited, and interested in simply living.

I discovered that I needed to be outdoors surrounded by nature.

Walking and gardening are the best ways I know of to get fresh air and some exercise.

Mother Nature is a great healer.

I took up painting

a hobby just for me.

A creative outlet that brings me joy.

My roses are my muse and my Bliss.

They feed my soul.

I developed my personal style.

Less is better and classics suit me.

I have always gravitated to white tops and tees and jeans.

Pearls have multiplied strand by strand.

(the newest ones)

I am smitten with more rather than less.

Things have changed,
my children have grown up and moved out and created lives of their own.
I've become a grandmother and adore the lovely Miss Isla.

There's more time now to rest and recharge, even though I still work outside the home.
I have de-cluttered mentally and domestically and continue to streamline living in The Humble Bungalow.

I found that I love wearing scarves

and once every so often I'll treat myself to a new Hermes Silk Twill

or if luck is on my side I might find a nice scarf at a Thrift or Consignment Shoppe.

I didn't frequent spas until I hit menopause and then something went "click"
I gave myself "permission" to indulge!

Once every few months I'll have a facial or a massage and during sandal season, monthly pedicures.
I'd rather have pretty toes than a haute couture gown or a new designer bag.

There's a Spa tucked away in the tony Cadboro Bay Village area called Bliss.

It's off the beaten path, but in every way exceeds my expectations.

I have been going there for the past few years, 

their great service, good value and reasonable prices keep me coming back.

I do love to be pampered on occasion, especially during times of stress.

A little TLC goes a long way.

Hope that your week is full to the brim of good things.
Don't forget to take the time to enjoy the little things....

What has menopause taught you about yourself?
Have you changed?
What strategies did you use to navigate your way?
If you had any advice to give younger women what might that be?
I'm interested...
perhaps you've got some ideas that can help some of our sisters on their journey.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.
Hostess
XO