Men's Italian Shirt...Bellissimo

Daffodils are putting on a great showing here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

We need the cheerful flowers as the skies are a gloomy grey and the weather is cold.

I've been feeling the chill and wearing layers on my walks.

It feels colder with the gusty winds...

I wore my wool hat and gloves then pulled up my hood on my fleece lined coat.

 Should have worn my "Michelin Man" puffer down coat.

Not many people were out and about so I had the beach almost to myself.

A few gulls and crows soaring overhead and were tossed about in the wind.

As soon as I finished my walk 

I got in the car and turned the seat heater and hot air on.

Zipped off home and put the kettle on for a hot cup of tea.

Gosh what would we do without a hot cuppa?

Good for so many things.

In other news I found an Italian mens shirt at the thrift shop.

~ Bellissimo ~

The brand is Bugatchi with details that indicate quality...

Just look...

see what I mean?

I'll wear this at home with my black Yoga pants and perhaps out my white jeans.

The pearls kick it up a notch.

~ Bellissimo ~

Mom would have approved :-))

Picked and Popped a wee posy...

Into this vintage elephant vase was a thrift shop find.

Did you know that elephants' trunks on should always be in the upward position 

or your good luck runs out?

I've heard this from several "collectors" who love elephants.

(Not unlike horse shoes that should be hung with the ends facing upward.)

Do you believe in luck?

Luck might help us when we are thrift shopping.

There are so many items that one needs to weed through...

you need to keep your eyes fully open.

Often there are surprises that you weren't even looking for...

they just pop up.

Like this Italian shirt for example...

I always take a peek in the menswear section 

especially in sweaters 

as cashmere is not just found in the women's section.

I once found an argyle pattern Burberry cashmere sweater that I gave to a friend.

Not sure if he still wears it 

(I have seen him wearing it at his shop.)

Do you peruse the charity and thrift shops?

What are your best finds?

We had a Good Friday dinner here with our son and the three lovely grands.

The menu:

Salmon

Pot Roast 

Wild Rice Broccoli casserole

Cauliflower au Gratin

Brussels Sprouts

Brownies and Strawberries

Easter Eggs for the kids...the adults munched a few too!

Hope you are enjoying a pleasant weekend.

Happy Easter Sunday!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cleaner Greener Cleaners...a new beginning, and they are less expensive!

 

Spring 

a time of new beginnings...

Here in The Humble Bungalow there is a focus on Spring cleaning.

Time to remove the cobwebs of winter, wash floors and do a deeper clean.

Since Covid I have noticed an increase in the cost of all kinds of goods.

The grocery stores have raised prices on most foods due to increased costs in manufacturing, transportation and staffing.

Toilet paper is still being rationed to two packages per customer.

Cleaning products have almost doubled in cost.

So I decided to do some research and look into DIY cleaners.

I have found that many basic household items are perfect cleaners.

Baking soda, olive oil, salt, vegetable glycerine, white vinegar, castile soap.

Essential oils like lemon and "thieves" blends are powerful additions to increase cleaning power.

I ordered glass jars and spray tops and pumps from a local supplier here in Victoria.

I follow two Instagram accounts that are written by bloggers.

Sheri Silver 
and 

Annie Diamond

most_lovely_things

Both women are familiar with DIY cleaners and essential oils.

Sheri is sending me daily texts on Spring cleaning tips and a package of laundry scent booster.

I won a giveaway from Annie which is on its way...

Today Sheri told us about wool dryer balls and a recipe for scented spray.

I went out and purchased the dryer balls and the ingredients for the spray.

Sheri Silver's recipe for dryer ball spray is on her blog.

I'll be making soft scrub, dish soap, and a multi purpose cleaner.

Check out the cleaning DIY recipes on these women's Instagram feeds or do your own research online to find out more.

Let me know if you make any cleaners.

What you think about the ease of use and cost savings?

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

The spring flowers blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden are so cheerful.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Spring weather and Spring cleaning

Nothing like a pop of yellow to brighten our days.

Spring is definitely helping to cheer us on as we move ahead into the warm weather.

More birds have returned and they are singing happy chirpy songs.

I wake to their serenade early in the morning.

It energizes me listening to their melodies.

We spent a few days at the cottage last weekend

 While we were there I picked up 3 used books and one new release at the bookstore.

All the books had been highly recommended by friends who are avid readers....

I do love a good book.

One of the joys of retirement is reading a chapter or two every day.

I have read several of Tana French's books and enjoyed them all.

Only 5 chapters into this book and it is so engaging...

I love how she captures the everyday elements with such an artistic eye.

The phalaenopsis orchids that live above our farmhouse sink 

in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen are back in bloom.

These beauties bloom every March and keep flowering well into summer time.

I water them once a week.

 They seem happy with the humidity of the steamy water that rises washing dishes.

I've started my Spring cleaning...

and am planning to make my own cleaners.

I'll post more on this soon.

In other news, we may be getting our vaccinations in April!

The US sent us a big shipment of Astra Zenica which will help fast track our program.

With all the new variants it is important that everyone get a shot asap.

Hope that you are staying well.

~Be Well and Be Kind ~

New things...

Here we are in Covid-19 Crisis isolation

in week 4, or is it week 5?

Some days when I wake up I am not sure of the day!

Fortunately the birds are singing and the sun is shining

Spring flowers are in bloom and life goes on...

perhaps in a different way 

but nevertheless

we are able to stay snug in our home.

Things have changed...

Hearts in the window in support of our front line workers.

Each evening at 7pm we go out onto the front porch and bang pots and pans.

Our neighbours are participating with gusto.

It gives me goose bumps listening to everyone who joins in to make this racket!

We are a solid community united in spirit.

The daffodils are putting on a magnificent display.

King Alfred Daffodils are sold by the box early in the Fall.

We grabbed a box of 100 and my husband planted them out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

The deer do not eat them so we can enjoy their bright sunny blooms.

We listen to the reports from our BC CDC Health Authority

Dr. Bonnie Henry shares the latest numbers of cases here in BC.

She tells us which community has new cases

how many people are in hospital

 those who are in intensive care

those who have recovered

most people who have the virus 

are at home in quarantine.

Bonnie is the voice of reason and is very calm.

We look to her for leadership at this time.

She reminds us that we need to stay home to stay safe and to stop the spread of the virus.

She encourages us to be social but do so virtually.

Dr, Henry has become a hero and I hope that when this is over the province honours her in some significant way.

Snowflake Snowdrops are quite tall...

we purchased 5 pots of bulbs from a farm stand a few years ago and I have my fingers crossed that they will multiply.

I love the wee chartreuse dots on the frilly petals.

I absolutely LOVED this book!

I read it in two days.

How are you managing during your time at home?

Have you been cooking and baking or getting creative?

What are you reading?

Comments are welcomed and remind you that in order to leave one you need to use a Google Search Engine.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cocooning....

Cocooning in The Humble Bungalow

We have been listening to the daily press conferences on the Covid-19 virus.

People have been asked to take "shelter" in their homes

 work remotely from home if possible.

Schools are closed indefinitely.

Recreations centres, libraries, and shops are closed or only open a few hours.

Grocery stores and pharmacies are open but many shelves are bare.

Restaurants and coffee shops are offering "take out" only.

Who knows how long we will need to cocoon in our homes and practise social distancing?

Our cupboards, closets and drawers have never looked tidier.

I've been baking, cooking and looking through my cookbooks for new recipes.

Tackling tedious jobs that I usually put on the back burner.

Each morning I linger longer over my coffee...

while I catch up on the news and social media.

I've been reading more than usual.

Rosemarie, a dear reader from Vancouver

sent me some sunflower seeds to sow...

she has sent me a packet each year in memory of my Mom.

Rosemarie is a generous, kind and thoughtful woman.

I hope to meet up with her at some point when we get through this pandemic.

The primulas are putting on their annual cheery display.

They bloom from February until May and then I plant them out in the garden.

Geraniums will replace these pretty plants from May through until September.

I've been embracing the opportunity to get out for my daily walk.

It is a chance to enjoy fresh air, absorb some Vitamin D and get some exercise.

With sunny days and natural beauty at every turn it is not a hardship.

Wee pops of colour elevate my daily round.

Cheerful anemone

such a pretty shade of blue

almost purple.

How are you managing during this health crisis?

Are you enjoying slowing down?

Have you been cocooning and creative?

Please chime in and share how you are spending your days.

(Safari does not allow comments so please use Google Chrome.)

Stay safe.

Wash your Hands and avoid touching your face.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~

Birthday highlights...

Life is speeding by...

now that I have clocked 65 years

looking back

it feels like a bit of a blur.

Japanese Tapa Bar lunch out with my husband and our son

who gave me this beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Flowers are filling many vases here in The Humble Bungalow.

Chester reminds me that we need to stop and smell the flowers!

Love a green and white bouquet.

Birthday lunch out with my girlfriends.

We have a wonderful restaurant nearby called Nourish that features healthy food.

The focus of the menu is mostly vegetables.

This grain bowl had lentils, roasted veggies, kale, radish and carrots

served atop a bed of butternut squash miso.

It was incredibly delicious!

A rather silly impish smile 

as I hold the vast bouquet of flowers that my darling husband bought for me.

We both enjoyed a quiet dinner out at a local hotel.

The place that mom, my sister and I used to go to on Tuesday evenings.

I wore mom's pearl ring and had a glass of mom's favourite white wine.

Remembering her on the anniversary of the day she passed away.

It is with mixed emotions that I celebrate my birthday 

while I remember it is also mom's day of demise.

Thankfully I have a supportive family and friends who cheered me up.

I am so grateful to have had mom in my life for so many years.

I have many special memories and a few of her things 

that continue to remind me of her everyday.

A surprise package arrived in the mail.

From a dear reader of my blog 

Rosemarie

She knows me well and sent me these cute socks.

I am going to wear these a lot.

They are fun and will add some oomph to my basic wardrobe.

Thank you Rosemarie!

XO

The sun is shining and there are signs of Spring 

flowers are coming to life and popping up in the garden.

I feel more energy and enthusiasm when the sun shines.

Do you?

"I enjoy the spring more than the autumn now. 

One does, I think, as one gets older."

~ Virginia Woolf ~

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

If you would like to leave a comment and I hope that you will

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~ Be Well and Be Kind ~