Sunday ~ November 1, 2026

 

Halloween was busy here in The Humble Bungalow.

We gave treats out to 80 eager costumed treaters!

We don't decorate very much compared to some of our neighbours...

Yards were alive with seasonal accents.

OUR STREET HAD:

 graveyards

skeletons

smoke machines

ghosts

goblins

witches

ghouls

masses of pumpkins

inflatable scary monsters.

We had Danger Tape, a few pumpkins 

and 

a string of pumpkin lights in the front window.

We gave out almost 170 pieces of candy.

( Hubby and I ate a few)

we had to keep our energy up going to the door.

~ Our Christmas Cactus is in Bloom ~

(I am loving the orange shade)

~ Comfort Food ~

Pot Roast Recipe is so easy and really warming on a cold fall day.

3 pound beef "pot roast"

salt/pepper

2 tbsp. oil

1/4 cup wine vinegar

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp. soy sauce ( I use Braggs)

2 tbsp. worchestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. dry mustard powder

GRAVY:

1/2 cup of water whisked together with about 1/4 cup of cornstarch

or double the amounts if you want more gravy!

Rub roast with salt and pepper.

Brown all sides in heavy Dutch Oven with a tight fitting lid

in oil over medium heat.

Cover and add the rest of the ingredients and simmer on low for 2 hours.

Remove roast and let rest for 10 minutes while you make the gravy.

Hope you enjoy this!

It is a Humble Bungalow Winter Staple

I've been looking for a Vintage Baribocraft salad set for several years.

(The company is Canadian)

With no luck in the local thrift and consignment shops I finally decided to look online.

Poshmark had a set that looked great 

 the price was not too much and the seller was in Ontario

so I ordered it and it arrived within a few days.

I am very keen to put this into use as my mother in law had the same set.

  She would serve us salads in this charming bowl.

Great memories...

This stunning scene was captured on Pender when we were at the cottage last week.

The weather was a mix of sunny and rainy days.

I walked along a narrow margin of beach this day as the tide was high...

I met several friendly dogs and their owners out for a walk.

Treated myself to a new lipstick...

L'Oreal British Red.

#350

I was hoping it would go well with the new Levi's red cardigan.

It seems to work and one never can be sure when there are no "testers" in the shops.

Well that's all I have time for as I need to make some lunch.

Hope you have a great week

 Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time 

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing Bold Colour....

 

~ Painted Lady Butterfly ~

This beautiful butterfly spent quite a long time exploring the Verbena Bonariensis

that we have growing in the garden. 

I grabbed my phone and followed it quietly as it flew from flower to flower.

I've since learned that butterflies are attracted to the colour purple.

Purple Buddleia bushes are also known as the Butterfly Bush.

We don't grow many purple plants but I plan on buying more purple varieties of flowers next Spring to grow in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I love the idea of having more butterflies visiting our garden.

Treated myself to Jenny Rose-Innes new book.

I brewed a big pot of tea and sat in the sunny corner of our kitchen

 read the book from cover to cover one recent afternoon.

Oh my goodness!

The photographs are fabulous, 

the interviews of the homeowners are rich in detail

there is so much of nature to bring inside the home.

I continue to be inspired by Nature...

I've been known to add natural features to our bungalow too.

Large foraged twigs, pine cones, sea shells, flowers, and stones.

They are free which make hunting for these items much more adventurous and fun.

 Why go to a store and buy a plastic or manufactured piece when you can get outdoors in the fresh air, explore and find something that you want to bring inside?

Our Boscobel Rose is putting on a spectacular show.

So many big blooms for a rose that is planted in a pot!

Speaking of colour...

I have been wearing the "hippy-dippy" vintage thrifted necklace.

Those juicy looking garnet red beads just add an extra something to basic black.

I dug out this vintage quilted bag that i have had for ages.

It seemed like a good idea to wear it with the beaded necklace.

I don't often switch up my bags mid season...but am trying to change some habits.

Like wearing more pieces of my small jewelry collection on rotation.

It definitely takes more time and effort

 but it keeps my eye fresh seeing these small changes.

Professional pedicure

 (a luxury) 

 one thing that I cannot do well myself anymore.

The pampering is so lovely too...

I used to do in home spa days and they were equally satisfying.

The physical act of bending over 

painting my toes 

which are far away from my vision 

and as a wearer of glasses it makes the job very difficult!

Do you indulge in Spa pedicures?

Seen on my walk.

Beautiful peacock

There are so many peacocks living in Beacon Hill Park 

that they have spread out and are living closer to The Humble Bungalow.

Saw a Mom and her baby foraging close by on another street.

Went to The Beehive Wool Shop and bought some new yarn...

Fall is on the way and I do love a project.

Easy Goes It pattern is on Ravelry...

have made this at least 6 times...

I chose purple as I love the pop of colour.

Do you knit?

What have you been up to these past few weeks?

Anything exciting?

Mauve Cosmos that my husband grew from seed.

We have a few in the yard and this one seems happy growing in a big pot.

One of the newest wee free libraries in our city.

Located across the street from the cruise ship terminal.

I found a hardcover copy of Frayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald.

That book has been on my want-to-read list since it was published...

I am honored to share that I have met Ann-Marie as she is the sister of a dear friend.

Well it's time for me to make some lunch for us.

I've got some errands to run

and once they are done I might go for a walk.

Hope you are taking time to notice all the beauty that surrounds you.

Take Care 

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

July ~ Holidaze and a few slow living snippets

 

~ Summertime ~

Two weeks at Quarterdeck Cottage flew by in a heartbeat.

Why do holidays seem to pass by so fast?

Is it that we are savouring the moments?

 Trying to pause the clock to cherish these precious memories?

Our weather was truly magnificent, we had glorious sunshine most days.

We ate well, I even had some wine.

While not totally prepared for the effects of alcohol after 10 months of sobriety...

I did enjoy a few gin and tonics and some wine.

I wore my Taos sandals most of the time...

super comfy and yet supportive.

My last minute pedicure was a bit of a timing miracle...

I'd forgotten to make the appointment and the spa fit me in.

So grateful that I had my toes tidied up and polished.

Speaking of the spa

I've switched up my skincare regime...

gentle products to protect my complexion.

SPF is a MUST.

These products are easy to use and so effective.

I don't wear much make up.

I am currently using the Jane Iredale foundation powder.

Need to get some of her mascara soon.

~ The pearls ~

Can you see how I could be tempted by these beautiful organic baubles?

Not perfect, but glowing.

Not unlike the baubles of the sea...

my quest to find sea glass continues and the jar gets fuller.

The quiet walks along the beach...looking for treasure.

Glancing up and looking far out to sea...

listening to the songs of the gulls.

~ Sandstone ~

While at this beach we saw a humpback whale very close to shore.

It was massive...maybe 60 feet long and its tale was HUGE!

My husband and I were excited to watch this gigantic whale...

it dove and surfaced several times as it passed by the small cove.

What a treat to witness this vast creature.

Speaking of creatures

Fawns were feeding below the deck at the cottage...

they seem to grow before our very eyes.

We'd hear the crunch of the arbutus leaves and look down to watch.

Our son, his girlfriend and the 3 grands joined us for our second week.

It was a busy time for this Grammy :-))

Cooking, playing cards, games, stocking up on groceries (daily)

chatting, sidewalk chalk, bubble blowing, 

crazy gift exchange and all the antics that ensued...thrift shopping.

Thrift shop find on the day we departed...

a vintage hippy dippy necklace.

What can I say?

It spoke to me and reminded me of my teen years.

Love the juicy garnet coloured beads.

I can see this worn with a black top or black dress.

I need a LBD as I consigned my favourite LBD by Eileen Fisher.

So I am on the hunt for "the one."

Ultimately I'd like to find it before we go on our cruise...

I would wear it to dinner in the dining room.

So I am on a mission...

for

"THE ONE AND ONLY"

Little Black Dress.

Wish me Luck.

Tall ship...

one of many gorgeous sailboats we saw sailing past the cottage.

~ Gorgeous Sky ~

Next week coming up...

appointments, wash the car, a coffee morning, spa day, and the garden clean up.

Will be slowly tackling these various jobs.

Dead Heading the roses and the red geraniums on the porch.

I'm tempted to go out there in my robe with my coffee and secateurs.

But as soon as I publish this post I am going to light the candle

 and focus on a few words

of gratitude.

Thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

September ~ Mid month musings...

 

Sunny Yellow Dahlias are putting on a bright and bold showing.

We've planted these in a vintage garden wheelbarrow and parked it out front.

The flowers are continuously blooming...

 I suspect they will be around for another month.

I've picked a few on occasion, 

I like to leave most of them on the plant for maximum effect!

There are so many beautiful and different varieties of Dahlias.

 I think I need to find a few more varieties for the Humble Bungalow Garden.

Mom used to grow Dahlias.

Some she called "dinner plate dahlias"

they were the size of a dinner plate...

with spiky petals.

Mom had a bed dedicated just for growing Dahlias...about 6 foot X 20 feet.

A rainbow of colours and a variety of forms...

She would pick bunches and bring them inside our home, 

scattering them in most every room...including the bathroom.

I think she used ALL her vases for these displays.

Recently I had a very lucky day at the thrift shops...

I drove out to Brentwood Bay and Sidney and had a good look.

Circe is a book that I have been meaning to read for many years.

Vintage Linen napkins X 4

Glass Flower Frog

Silver Sugar Bowl that matches my Harrods Teapot and Creamer!

The sugar bowl has been on my radar for several years...

this one has a monogram, unfortunately not our initials.

(I figure it just adds to the charm.)

Do you like to go thrifting?

What is your favourite thrift shop find?

The simple silver tea set...

2 thrifted tea strainers...one is sterling, the other is silver plate.

~ Vintage Royal Albert Canterbury China ~

This pattern is for afternoon Teas...

I have some side plates and a couple of cake plates.

Fortunately I found most of these pieces locally in thrift and consignment shops.

This is one of the Birks gold earrings that my husband gave me 45 years ago...

they were a grand gesture gift for Christmas when I was a stay at home mom.

Two babies and we were scraping by 

with not a lot of cash leftover from our expenses...

when to my surprise and delight my husband gave them to me.

A few days ago one fell into the toilet 

as it was flushing and I couldn't grab it in time.

The sadness that followed was profound...there were tears.

I have worn these throughout the years and I felt they were priceless.

Sentimentally I felt like I had lost something really BIG.

After a couple of days, and encouragement from our daughter and my husband...

I went to a local shop Old N Gold and found another pair.

Slightly bigger and the gold on these is twisted...

(Italian earrings)

I traded in the solo earring and walked out of the shop wearing this new pair.

As someone on Instagram said...it's a new chapter.

Have you ever lost a piece of jewellry that meant a lot?

Did you replace the item?

After Yoga I popped into Adventure Clothing on Oak Bay Avenue...

I saw a cute pair of jeans that are wider and cropped.

They were on display with a shirt from the Cornish brand Seasalt.

I tried them on and really liked the fit...

they are by the company French Dressing.

The printed Seasalt Shirt was really pretty but I don't usually wear prints.

Stripes yes, but prints...not so much.

Do they look like Sailor pants?

Pedal Pushers?

Well I LOVE them whatever they are called...

I've been having fun styling them with items that I already have in my wardrobe...

for example:

white linen top and jacket

white Tee and blue and white striped Ralph Lauren oversized shirt

Long sleeve white top with a hand knit Miriam sweater in a teal blue shade.

I am thinking I need some red cowboy boots to wear with these this Fall!

Our dwarf apple trees are full this year and we have a grand harvest...

Chehalis apples (above) are green and slightly tart.

Liberty are a bit sweeter...

Both are great eating apples.

 I also use them for pies and crisps.

Do you have fruit trees?

I picked some hydrangeas in hopes to dry them...

these are different from the Limelight and Annabelle hydrangeas.

We have two plants and one is rose coloured, the other is blue.

They grow side by side and I wonder if the soils PH is different?

My mom used to say that hydrangeas can change their colour

 simply by adding copper pennies...

I am not sure if this is true or an "old wives tale?"

Do you know if it works? 

Have you tried to change the colour of your hydrangeas?

Well that's about all the chit chat news I can think of sharing right now...

hope that your September is off to a great start.

Autumn will be here before we know it in our part of the world.

(Some of you are just heading into Spring!)

Take care and thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my blog..

~ Boscobel Roses ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Mother's Day Post and a wee bit of shopping...

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope that you are having a good one...

Whether you are celebrating with your family

perhaps remembering and honouring your precious memories of your Mom

or sharing this special day with other women...

Cheers to all of the great women in our lives who helped us.

Who mentored us in our careers...

inspired and cheered us on

and 

continue to be beacons of light.

We were at the cottage last week...

the weather was great!

It was a mixed bag of activities and meals were quite simple.

Knitting, reading, beach combing, thrifting, visiting with friends.

I am surprised that we didn't even get in one game of crib!!

Found more sea glass and a vintage boat "block" at the thrift shop.

I like the distressed look of the block with its peeling paint...and a wee bit of rust.

Summer feels like it is on the way.

My trusty vintage Eddie Bauer sunhat...going into its 3rd decade 

(Thank you Patricia !) 

Found feathers add to the age and charm...

Hosted a Happy Hour on the Deck...

We sat outside until the winds picked up and practically blew us indoors!!

I bought a new sweater by the French Company Saint James...

it was on sale locally at W&J Wilson's.

I have a Breton striped top and a Black sweater by the same company.

The quality of their clothing is absolutely top notch.

Periwinkle Blue Cashmere Cardigan...

reminds me of the shutters in Provence.

Will be a workhorse in my wardrobe....

Paired well with my Akoya Pearls and a simple white Tee.

Wore it with my wide legged black rayon pants.

Black Vessi slip on shoes.

In other news :

Won the Mother's Day draw at a la mode Consignment in Oak Bay!!!

Will be picking up my gift when they open on Tuesday.

Thank you Alexa :-))

If you live in Victoria and shop in Oak Bay don't miss this gem of a shop...

We are so fortunate here in Victoria to have a variety of great second hand and consignment shops...so many great ones. I LOVE shopping in this shop!

My other faves are :

Twice is Nice

House of Savoy

Well I have my first cold since Covid hit the planet...

So I am feeling a wee bit foggy in the brain.

Will close for now as

I need to pop the kettle on and make some honey and lemon.

Hope that you are feeling good and keeping your spirits up.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~