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 ~

Wee luxuries...and remembering MOM

Willows Beach in Oak Bay

(a favourite spot of my late mom's and mine)

I took my coffee in a thermos and sat in the stillness

watched the sea, the sun and the clouds

listened to the waves as they met the shore

embraced

the sound of the gulls as they soared overhead.

A few precious moments of peace outdoors in nature to start the day

sets the tone for the hours ahead.

Unwrapped a lovely soap from Fragonard in Paris.

The porcelain soap dish accompanied the soap which was in a recent 

My French Country Home Box.

The scent is soft, subtle and sweet.

Hand washing happens many many times a day here in The Humble Bungalow.

I can still hear my mom's voice

her mantra was

"Soap and Water are Cheap."

Mom always kept a few bars of triple milled soap unwrapped in her lingerie drawer.

I think her favourite was Yardley's English Lavender Soap.

Mom was an avid gardener and worked for many hours outside 

before coming in and soaking in the tub...

a cup of restorative tea on the edge of the bath.

Lavender scents wafted throughout the house.

She'd dress up for my father's arrival home from work.

A dainty apron worn atop of her dress...

mom was a much tidier cook than I.

I remember so many lovely snippets of mom and learned so much from her.

Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.

Mom sipped her tea in a pretty cup and saucer.

She had a fondness for those decorated with flowers.

While I don't ALWAYS choose one of mine for tea.

(several inherited from mom)

I do more often than not.

My face is getting some serious TLC

the recent and ongoing IPL treatments are reducing the rosacea redness 

the broken capillaries are slowly disappearing...

My skin however is dry 

so I purchased a hardworking moisturizer to use in tandem 

with the IS Clinical Pro Health Serum.

Fingers crossed it will perform as was suggested at the clinic.

Healthy lunch at Brown's Social House

Tuna Poke Bowl

loaded with fresh veggies

delicious!

Eating mindfully 

adding lots of veggies with lean protein

 high on my radar.

Choosing healthier alternatives is becoming much easier...

although

the lure of french fries is still very strong.

If my husband orders them I ask to sample a few :-))

The interesting thing about eating tons of veggies and a small amount of protein is that I don't feel "stuffed" after I eat.

It is such a different feeling than when I order a burger and fries.

I actually prefer it and I am not hungry afterwards.

Sale item from Joe Fresh.

A simple basic which will get worn on my walks

and

paired with jeans perhaps layered overtop of a denim shirt.

Love the warm cozy feel..

great texture.

So many thoughts are swimming around in my head today 

as I sit here in The Humble Bungalow kitchen and type.

I am not sure how to wrap up this post...

writing about and remembering mom 

often skews my thought process

with

emotions tugging at my heartstrings...

Auriculas are starting to put on a show!

Perhaps it is time to find or build a theatre to display them?

They are all the rage in the UK.

How are things with you?

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the week.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~