Simple, slow living....

 

~ Candle burning in a thrifted silver dish ~

Watching the flame...

the pool of wax softening

the scent of beeswax wafting in the air.

I've been overwhelmed by all your comments.

Slow living and quiet times seem to resonate with many of you.

I had been thinking of my daily routines as simple and not worthy of recording...

sharing them felt somewhat insignificant 

it even crossed my mind that they were dull.

Not dull to me, because they uplift me, but perhaps readers find them of no interest.

We are living in a fast world full of chaos and change...

my recipe for calm and peace is to embrace the small simple Joys.

Go outside and breathe in the fresh air and simply walk.

I posted these two roses floating in the birdbath on my Instagram page...

can you see the reflection of the arbutus tree limbs?

This vast tree is in our neighbour's garden and it has grown so large 

that it has turned our front yard into a shade garden.

We now grown mostly Hostas and shade loving plants in the beds.

We need to adapt and change...

Having lost weight over the past 9 months means that the bulk of my carefully curated wardrobe no longer fits me.

I lost the weight after my surgeon advised me that my intense hip pain would be reduced if I shed a few pounds.

So I took action and cut many starchy carbs, quit drinking alcohol,

avoided fried foods, chips and salty snacks.

Focused on lots of veggies and lean protein.

25 pounds lost ~ I am culling my wardrobe...

consigning many quality items and donating the rest.

I have SO MANY empty hangers!

I'm carefully buying a few new pieces...

and wearing these basics on repeat.

Reading is one of my favourite hobbies!

Book found in a wee free library...

morning coffee and my candles.

~ Garden roses ~

Gifts from the garden

soft, frilly frothy petals and oh so fragrant.

Thank you for those of you who have expressed an interest 

staying with me on this slow and simple journey.

I'm planning to continue these wee posts...

and 

will be posting when my creative spirit 

is feeling like sharing.

In the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

~ The Humble Bungalow ~

Embracing those Silver Linings ~

 

~ Silver Linings ~

 ~ a consoling or hopeful prospect ~

 ~ a sign of hope, comfort, or a positive advantageous outcome 

that emerges from a difficult, sad or challenging situation ~

Popularized by John Milton in 1634

the phrase refers to the bright silver edge of a dark cloud.

~ Baggu ~

Silver is shiny enough that a crow might want it, bold enough so it is not boring.

I'm embracing the days as I wait for my new hip.

The days seem long and I crave distractions...

the kettle is boiling 24/7 as tea is my tasty elixir.

I have lost 20 pounds...

The new jeans are feeling roomy and I am not wanting to buy more.

There has been a resurgence of chocolate...

slow moments of bliss as the chocolate melts on my tongue.

~ Dressing Room Selfie ~

at Alexa's lovely shop in the Oak Bay Village

a la mode consignment

Can one have too many denim shirts?

(I now have 3)

The 5 year old thrifted Old Navy shirt, the pale Gap shirt new from last year

and now this Eileen denim shirt from Frank & Eileen.

The neckline is lower...the shirt is distressed...

it can be worn as a layer overtop of a camisole for a feminine flair.

Plus it is "pearl friendly!"

Accessories continue to add interest in my wardrobe.

The bird of paradise brooch thrifted from Salt Spring Island.

~ Two  new to me leather belts ~

Ralph Lauren and a British Columbia Big Buckle Belt

Chloe fragrance an relatively new accessory that I am embracing.

Look at those dirty windows!

All the street work and winter wind storms have made a mess of our windows.

Now look at that hyacinth...it's a beauty.

oh and the fragrance...

Speaking of fragrance...

I've bought incense...the same incense that I burned when I was a teenager!

Surprised they still make it after all these years.

Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Bud vase 

(gift from darling daughter)

is in use as my holder until I can find a better option.

Reading The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

it's good so far and I am reading it slowly

my mind is not as focused as it usually is so I am re-reading sections.

I think I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I am going to be having major surgery and undergoing anesthetic...

there is the unknown pain factor post op which I am a little unsettled about too.

The strong prescription drugs are foreign to me so that is another issue altogether.

Basically 

trying to avoid these niggling thoughts and using as many distractions as possible 

to pass my days without obsessing about things which are unknown

things that i have no control over.

I need to have faith.

That's all for now...

not sure when I will post again?

I might not have lots to say as I plan to cocoon in February.

Thank you for stopping by...

Hope that you are staying sane

 not stressing too much about stuff that is beyond your control.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Early morning post...a bit of this and that.

 

Time is flying along and I find the days full and rewarding...

Lately I have been pacing myself.

A wide variety of tasks await here in The Humble Bungalow.

Homekeeping

Baking

Creative pursuits

Reading

There are many choices and I like to mix them up...

a wee bit of work balanced with some knitting or reading

accompanied always with mug full of hot tea.

Tea has been my saviour during these past few weeks...

I've been reducing my food intake to shed a few pounds.

It is a challenge and a much needed focus.

Refining my diet to include protein with every meal...

adding fibre and a colourful array of vegetables.

So far I have lost about 8 pounds...

I cannot really see it but my jeans are looser.

The difficulty seems to be my stamina which is waning due to the chronic hip pain.

I won't go into much detail, suffice to say it is not pleasant.

I am embracing distractions at every turn :-))

This book was brilliant...I will be seeking out more of his many novels.

I've been baking sourdough french baguettes on repeat...

freezing them and giving some away.

The trick to the crust is to bake them above a roasting pan filled with ice.

Mr. HB bought this fabulous baguette pan for me...

it's a game changer.

Graham Thomas roses are putting on their last flush...

I asked Mr. HB to bring them inside so I could appreciate their beauty.

The petals are dropping off as I expected but their fragrance is strong.

~ Small Joys ~

These are especially important to me...

they lift my spirits and I find them soothing.

Those that are free and cost nothing are the BEST.

Perhaps that's what we gardener's enjoy the most?

The foraging habit continues to delight and reward me.

Pine cones, seashells, sea glass, free things on the nearby boulevards.

Books in the many wee free libraries.

So many things on offer.

Oh and this yummy recipe.

I can't remember if I shared this delicious pork 

marinade with you before?

Pork loin rib roast, 

I use the marinade to cook the roast in too.

So good...

easy too and most things are already in the fridge or pantry.

Let me know if you make it...

Our Christmas Cactus is in bloom.

I bought this orange variety last year, we have pink ones too.

Madly love these matte white McCoy planters with the drip tray attached.

Have been on the hunt for more 

Ebay and Etsy

but they seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.

When your cup and coaster match your knitting project...

Alexandra's Airplane Scarf

Churchmouse pattern using Knitting For Olive yarn

from my favourite local shop The Beehive.

So relaxing knitting this pattern...

quiet, meditative and great with a hot mug of tea.

Needs Must :-))

The front Hallway here in The Humble Bungalow.

Baskets galore...

dried hydrangeas and an antique pot.

Sourced locally from an estate sale about 30 years ago.

The woman having the sale showed me around each room filled with treasures.

I would have purchased many things if I had a wallet stuffed with cash.

Back in those days 

We lived within a tight budget,

 so extra expenditures were purchased with a LOT of thought

careful not to over extend ourselves.

The last "room" Mrs. Lettuce (not sure of the spelling) showed me was her garage.

Inside was a jumble of tools, an old car, a canoe, some old machinery...

and a bunch of pots and this antique pot with a chip in the rim.

I bought it for $10 or $20 dollars...

The large palatial home is still standing on the original site on Woodstock Street.

A new house has been built behind the old house...

I can still see Mrs. Lettuce working in her garden...

wearing her tweed skirt and cashmere sweater set.

Her messy bun and those serious black oxford shoes.

She was such a delight to chat with as I pushed the pram past her home all those many years ago..

a real character full of vim and vigour

such a charming gardener

full of knowledge 

and classy

in a genuine "old school" way.

Translation...in case you might like to know = old money.

Reminds me of The Duchess of Devonshire.

Hang in there...

a creepy spider waiting in its web for a tasty meal.

I've been "organizing" my baking stuff...

bought some Classic Anchor Hocking glass jars for the counter.

I got tired pulling out all my supplies from the cupboards.

Even though they take up valuable real estate I find them super handy.

I've been up for about an hour now and I am in desperate need of a frothy Espresso!

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the small joys of the season. 

Take care and thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Health, Hips, and new things on my radar and in my closet!

 

~ Glorious Fall Colour ~

I went for a walk in the cemetery with my sister and we visited the family plot.

This "avenue" of plain trees is quite magnificent and changes throughout the seasons.

The dappled sun and birdsong lifted my spirits.

We walked by these gentle creatures slowly 

as they gazed up from their meal 

Only stopped for a brief minute to observe us as we passed by...

The cemetery is located a few short blocks from The Humble Bungalow.

 It is a lovely spot for a saunter or a quiet place to sit and savour nature.

I devoured this book in a few days...

it was an entertaining book of short mysteries in the style of Miss Marple.

It left me craving a meatier mystery book.

Mr. HB and I are watching Wire in The Blood on Britbox.

Very intense and so well done.

Val McDermid's writing is well crafted.

I had several weeks of "tummy trouble" and I figured out what was amiss.

It turns out I have developed an intolerance for lactose!

My father had an issue with lactose too so I come by it honestly.

I asked my BFF who also has a lactose intolerance,

 she suggested that I try lactose free Greek yogurt.

Well I am very happy to report that it is delicious and doesn't cause any distress.

I've switched to Natrel, a milk that is lactose free, and am carefully reading labels.

It has surprised me to learn that so many people have this issue!

My surgeon has suggested that I lose a few pounds to reduce the stress on my hips.

So I have been riding my new (to me) stationary bike and modifying my diet.

I have lost 5 pounds so far...

I can't tell by looking so it must be mostly water:-))

Anyhow the battle continues...

Let's move on and away from these pesky health issues, shall we?

Eileen Fisher 

basic top with long sleeves.

Perfect for fall and winter and a great layering piece.

Purchased at a local consignment shop on Estevan.

~ Twice Is Nice ~

It fits in with my minimalist wardrobe...

You can see the colour palette...

denims, black, white and grey.

~ Striped shirts ~

Worn over tee tops, usually with the collars and cuffs up.

(AND MY PEARL NECKLACE)

Why save it only for BEST?

For some reason I have gone a bit MAD for denim!

It has happened gradually but I am totally smitten..

I love the softness of worn denim...found easily in the thrift shops.

The shirt dress is several seasons old from Lands' End, it gets a lot of wear.

Do you love denim too?

A classic white shirt from Old Navy 10 years old and still going strong.

Lipstick is always a great accessory...

a pop of colour on a grey day.

I took a risk with this colour ~ there were no testers available...

It works and the lippy was on sale so a "win win."

This soft scarf will go well with that shade of lipstick!

So cozy for my beach walks here at the cottage...

SeaSalt is a Cornish Brand.

I love their colourful prints and clothing.

Columbia Rain jacket needed for the rainy days..

soft scarf for a warm and cozy neck.

My newest accessory is a necessity to reduce the pressure on my hip.

Things are ramping up in the hip replacement department...

appointments are scheduled and tests have been completed.

Will keep you posted...

Reading this book now...

rather a different subject matter but the writing is excellent.

Dawn French is one of my favourites...

especially her role in The Vicar Of Dibley!

Have you read any of her books?

For now that's pretty much all my news.

Lot's going on and I have to keep my eyes focused on the positives.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~