OOTD + Fall Harvest from The Humble Bungalow Garden

 

It's the first day of Fall Today 

So I am getting ready for cooler weather...

Ready to

Welcome Back

My

Black and White Fall and Winter Basics

I have tried wearing bold bright colours in the cooler months

 but I keep going back to black.

Here I am dressed in a super casual OOTD for lunch with my sister and cousins.

I wore things that I have had in my closet for years

Black Yoga pants

Old Navy White Shirt

Eileen Fisher black quilted vest

with

(new this summer)

Tommy Hilfiger Shoes

Black and white is so easy to accessorize...

jewelry, colourful scarves, sweaters.

Think the accessories give this casual OOTD a bit of a lift. 

BIG pearls from Hong Kong and Bold Red Miss Pupa Lipgloss #305

I added my Black Eileen Fisher vest as we were sitting outdoors for our lunch.

We had a yummy lunch at pure Vanilla in Oak Bay.

Food choices are always fresh and there are many healthy options.

There was SO MUCH catching up and chattering 

that it was really HARD to get a word in edgewise!

I hate talking over people so I was rather quiet

I prefer to listen anyways...

My simple style is not fancy, it could not be easier or more basic.

It is honest and works for me.

I own and am attracted to blue denim, chambray and Tencel shirts, dresses and jeans.

Denim played a major role in my teenage wardrobe.

Did it factor into your younger wardrobe too?

If you had told me at 13 that I would still be wearing jeans at 68 

I probably would have laughed, but it is true.

Do you still wear jeans and denim?

I have 3 pairs of jeans, a denim jumper, shirts, a top and a distressed denim jacket.

Keeping a small and simple basic wardrobe makes getting dressed easy.

Too many choices make me dizzy and indecisive.

There are also several LBD's in my closet...

a black and grey tweed skirt 

some black and white tops

sweaters

black dress pants.

Retirement dressing is very casual...

I wear things for comfort and those that are purpose driven.

When I go to the pool for aquafit classes I wear these same Yoga pants.

A cozy warm top and a jacket or sweater depending on the weather.

Marshalls change room!

I seem to gravitate to this store...

SO MANY CHOICES.

Such good value, I like that, as I am on a pension.

I keep track of ALL my wardrobe purchases...new and thrifted.

This quilted barn coat is something that I have wanted for several years.

When I spied it hanging on the rack I grabbed it!

Ralph Lauren is known for their detail on their garments.

I like the snaps and the ability to open the hem.

Might come in handy if I plan to leap any tall buildings :-))

The collar is done in a classic corduroy...

the coat is roomy which I wanted especially for layering in the cold weather.

In case you are wondering...

underneath the coat I am wearing a soft faded light blue Tencel dress and capri tights.

I have just swapped out my summer clothes and put them in the guest room closet.

It is raining here today and boy do we ever need the rain!

This past summer has been riddled with drought conditions and forest fires.

Welcome Fall Weather!

Humble Bungalow Front Porch Fall Decor

dried hydrangeas and mini pumpkins.

The swimsuit that I wear to aqua fit class is starting to stretch out and the seams are looking dodgy.

I have ordered this one from Lands" End and hope that it will fit.

The newer one by Alfred Sung that I purchased early in the season 

is a wrap style with a lower neckline 

so not really suitable for the "bouncing" cardio portion of the class!

It is harvest time here...

Liberty Apples 

first harvest shared with the grandchildren.

Sweet, tasty and small enough for school lunches.

Chehalis green apples

I prefer to cook with these.

(I have an apple pie baking in the oven right now!)

I roasted some of these heirloom Italian Mikado tomatoes for sauces in the Winter.

Roasted Tomatoes

Line a baking tray with parchment paper

Cut Tomatoes into smaller chunks

add pepper and garlic

drizzle with olive oil

bake at 375 for about 40 minutes

Cool

Spoon into Ziploc bags or plastic containers for the freezer.

Hermes scarf and Saint James striped top

worn here under a casual zip jacket.

What clothes are on your radar for Fall? 

(Or Spring depending where you live)

Do you plan to purchase anything new?

I am in the process of cutting and drying some of the hydrangea blooms.

I've been soaking the flower heads in a bucket of cold water for several hours before tying them into bunches for drying.

I hope this works as I tried a bunch without the soaking 

and they shrivelled right up

(see the porch picture)

far too crispy.

Hope you are keeping well and staying safe.

Covid is making a comeback here.

Think I will start wearing my mask again when I go to the grocery store.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday August 27...where did the week go?

 

~ Jude The Obscure Rose ~

I don't know where the week went?

Lots going on here, 

among them...

I've been busy in the kitchen roasting the tomato harvest.

I pop the chopped tomatoes in a roasting pan 

(whole cherry tomatoes in a glass dish)

sprinkle with salt, pepper and drizzle with olive oil

liberally top with crushed garlic.

400 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Cool them then pop into freezer bags.

I add them to tomato sauce in the fall and winter for an extra pop of flavour.

We purchased a Nespresso machine!

I loved the Nespresso coffee in Paris at The Hotel Belloy.

That was in 2015 on my first trip.

I loved their sweet treats and coffee in the lobby after a long day exploring Paris.

Many other guests gathered and we'd chat about what we had seen and done.

There was such an air of excitement in that lobby 

as ideas and insights were exchanged.

I recently enjoyed the coffee in the Ocean Promenade Hotel in White Rock.

My husband wasn't sure it was to his taste but we visited the store in our local mall.

The clerk made us a coffee and he liked it so much that we purchased a machine.

We've got 3 different varieties of coffee and both of us like the Stormio.

It is smooth and strong, just the way I like it!

I have been reading this fabulous book.

I borrowed it from a friend and WOW it is wonderful!

I have read most of Jennifer Robson's books and loved them and this one is a treat.

Her latest book The Coronation Year will be on my radar next.

Dinner party dessert offering...

(dessert plate a gift from darling daughter!)

One piece left... a few crumbs

I added skinny slices of fresh lemon

 made a batch of whipped cream to top the pieces.

Not sure where I found this recipe?

I have made it before and love the moist texture of the cake.

It is simple to make and easy to transport.

We took it to our friends home as we were invited for dinner.

We had appies on their private back patio

they

 served us a delicious middle eastern themed main course.

I didn't take pictures and probably should have as it was so beautifully presented...

served in rustic earthenware pots and serving dishes.

Yesterday I went to the garden centre to check out the stock.

I was looking for some more hostas for our shady front bed.

Alas there were not many hostas left...

I did buy one.

I decided on a black planter 

for the front walk just by the stairs.

Added a few perennials and voila!

I recently posted this picture on my Instagram and since then I have several enquiries on the shade of the Miss Pupa from Milan lipgloss.

It is number 305

My local Pharmasave used to carry the Miss Pupa line but have discontinued it.

Miss Pupa have a website and you can order all their items easily.

I am going to go and finish reading The Gown so I will close for now.

Thank you for taking the time to pop by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Travel carry on list making...roasted tomatoes and a new book!

Travel planning is part of the fun when embarking on a getaway.

A friend and I will be flying off to Italy and France in the next few weeks...

so

I want to be prepared for a variety of events and weather.

 I am relying heavily on layers to do the job.

This is the list of things that I am mulling over.

Colour theme of basic black, grey and white.

All will fit into my Air France carry on.

I did not add all the scarves to my list 

as I am trying to decide if I can be happy with one or two 

which ones they may be are still to be decided.

This navy cashmere cardigan will go with all my clothes.

The silk scarf is a triangular shape and adds a bit of oomph to the basic items.

The coat I am packing is from Eileen Fisher 

 an olive green khaki shade...

there is some olive green in this scarf 

as well as mustard yellow, blue, white, black and many more shades.

I can tie it to focus on the colours that I want to emphasize.

This long charcoal grey jacket is in a sturdy knit fabric 

which can be also be worn as a coat.

It's from Bryn Walker 

I am leaning to taking it as its very versatile and has two large pockets.

I've been busy roasting the tomatoes that my husband grew in his greenhouse.

The sweet and richness of roasted tomatoes is such a treat.

Very versatile over fish or pasta.

Can be served as a side dish...or on top of a sliced baguette.

I added these to a jar of quality Italian pomodoro sauce

simmered for about an hour before I

served it over pasta.

An absolute gastronomic delight!

Autumnal colourful flowers for the cottage...

I've discovered a new author 

Kate Eberlen.

Am immersed in this lovely story...

it's a romantic story of two young people 

who have a chance meeting in Florence while on holiday 

and it moves back to London where their lives cross paths...

I am starting Part Two and am enjoying the story and writing immensely.

It's so refreshing when you discover a new author and I found out her next book "If Only" is due to come out in April of 2020.

What are you reading?

Have you discovered any new authors?

Do any of you seasoned travellers have advice you care to share when it comes to packing light for 3 weeks using only a carry on?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A beautiful and Bountiful Harvest ~ Recipe included

Mr HB has a greenhouse where he grows tomatoes and cucumbers.

When there is a bountiful harvest

we eat many bunches of small cherry tomatoes fresh as "candy"

I roast a tray of sliced tomatoes seasoned with fresh ground salt and pepper

several chopped garlic cloves

a small sprinkling of red pepper flakes

drizzle with a glug of good quality olive oil 

Roast at 425 until they are soft and squishy.

The Bungalow smells wonderful

very "Italian" in my opinion.

Roasting brings out the intense sweet flavour of the tomatoes.

The pasta and cheese were gifts for Mr. HB 

on his recent birthday...

Pasta

with the roasted tomatoes

topped with a 

 grating of sharp Pecorino.

Served with a bowl of freshly sliced cucumbers 

seasoned with fresh ground pepper

 a little drizzle of olive oil.

Perhaps accompanied by a glass of Italian red wine.

Dinner is ready!

Bon Appetit

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Growing in a greenhouse...

Mr. HB

enjoys pottering about in the greenhouse.

He loves to grow tomatoes

cucumbers and radishes.

He tends the plants daily...

Halls English Greenhouse 

shade cloth is installed to protect the plants from the strong rays of the sun.

Tomatoes

beefsteak and cherry varieties.

Cucumbers growing in a pot.

Fresh tomatoes are SO MUCH tastier than those found in the shops.

We have been eating them in salads, in sandwiches,

 I am roasting some in the oven as I type...

I rinsed the tomatoes before slicing 

popped in a few cloves of garlic

seasoned with salt and pepper

and drizzled with olive oil.

Roast slow at 275 degrees for several hours.

Pop into a container and freeze for future use 

in soups, stews and pasta sauces.

The house smells divine...

Thank you Mr. HB for your bountiful crop of tomatoes

and I look forward to the next harvest!

Do you grow any food crops?

What are your favourite things to grow?

Do you can or preserve or make jam?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~