On the menu...a melange!

Baby it's hot outside!
French Homework, gardening, reading and keeping tabs on Mother have kept me busy.
Time to sit, with the shades down, quietly sip some tea and plan a post.
My thoughts are all over the place so this is a bit of a scramble.

You've arrived at The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Today the Hostess is serving up a melange...
(sounds like a dessert doesn't it?)
I'll blame it on the heat...

I am smitten with this brooch...

vintage 1960's perhaps worn with gold sandals, big Jackie O sunnies, white pants and white top 

perhaps Saint Tropez in the summer time?

Can you smell the Bain de Soleil?

Scents can transport you...a gal can dream...

Sophie Conran Heart dish...

I love her simple design and the china can go into the oven so it is very versatile.

Our regular everyday Maxwell Williams is getting ugly grey marks where the knives have sliced into the glaze...

the porcelain must be inferior quality as the set is not more than 4 or 5 years old.

I am really disappointed and am thinking of buying Sophie Conran's set of plates and bowls.

Do any of you own and use her dishes?

Are they better quality than Maxwell Williams?

I hate wasting money so I'd like to be sure before I buy them.

The idea that we live in a throw away society just makes me mad.

(fear not I will donate the scratched plates when I replace them)

I am referring to the lack of quality that has infiltrated our marketplace.

Toasters, kettles, appliances in general wear out,

 and instead of repairing them the companies offer replacements.

Just think of all those bits and pieces filling up our landfill...

  Mother still uses many of the appliances that she received as wedding gifts when she was married in the 1950's.

But let's not get all bent out of shape, 

it's way too hot to be getting our knickers in a twist.

 Let's embrace a little beauty shall we?

May means that one of my favourite flowers is blooming and scenting the garden.

Behold the beautiful Muguet de Bois.

I can pick a handful in a matter of minutes.

Delicate blossoms remind me of baby's bonnets.

Their fragrance is intoxicating...

I love to put a vase of these in our Humble Bungalow bathroom and let the scent waft throughout the house.

I read this novel super fast...

I liked it but I found it not quite as riveting as Louise Penny's books.

This one is next...

I've recently discovered a strong brew that has been tickling my taste buds...

it seems the Scots like their tea to pack a punch (like their single malt Scotch!) 

so I am using less loose tea when I brew a pot.

It's bold and delicious and calorie free.

If you are a vegan or vegetarian look away now...

just for the next two images and skip right to the Asian Slaw!

Julie our friend and caterer, told us about Chef John and I really like going to his site for recipes...

these ribs are wonderfully moist and delicious.

I made them first for Mr. HB before serving them to guests.

They are easy and are baked in the oven.

Janet blog writer at The Gardener's Cottage posted her Asian salad on her blog a few days ago

 I love a pea-nutty dressing so I whipped up a batch of the coleslaw to serve with the ribs.

Oh boy...this one is a winner and a good one to have on hand for summer picnics and barbeque's.

I used red and green cabbage, grated carrots, some onion and almonds as I did not have any peanuts in the house.

Next time I will try adding the dried cranberries as Janet suggests as they would really add to this dish.

Janet has a background as a professional cook/caterer so when she posts a recipe you know it is going to be good!

It has been HOT this week and tea with my friend at Abkhazi Gardens was wonderful.

The weather could not have been better.

(I will work on that post.)

The garden is thirsty and the edges of the lawns need trimming so I must not dawdle any longer...

there are radishes to harvest and flowers to pick.

The birds are chirping and a new day is unfolding...

BTW I really have been enjoying your comments.

They are a breath of fresh air here on the blog...

Hostess

A Gift From the Sea ~ beachy whites.

When I think of beachy whites I think of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book "A Gift From the Sea"
This book has influenced me over the years...the first time I read it I was in the throes of peri-menopause and felt like I was at sea with my emotions, trying desperately to keep myself ship shape and stable in a violent storm.
Her words helped me to take stock and to look for the small things in my daily round that would keep me on an even keel. Those wise words continue to inspire and resonate with me today.

I make a point to read Anne's book every year. You might enjoy reading it.
A small book which can be a quick read, if unlike me, you do not stop after each chapter to reflect and digest the message within...

Anne wrote a lovely account about "finding herself" in a beautiful place where she lived for a short time as she needed to escape from her duties as a wife and mother. Anne lived a very simple and solitary existence listening to the waves and watching the tides roll in and out with the rhythm of the sea.
The beach taught her many of life's lessons.
Taking time to be in a quiet place, seeking solace from her hectic life, she was able to stop, listen to her heart, and it was only then that she found inner strength, her truth and was able to find her voice.
Writing this book has been her gift to many of us who have struggled at some point with the demands of life.

I am so grateful to have stumbled upon her work...and I often ponder what it might be like to own a rustic simple white washed home by the seashore.

I love looking at shabby chic rooms in the magazines and online sites.
This look is very popular, however, it is not in keeping with our dark heritage designated arts and crafts bungalow.

Dreamy, creamy whites are so soothing.
Beachy seaside whites play a big role in our guest room decor.

The all white collection of beach glass sits beside a clam fossil and some coral.

Barnacle and shell in the background.

Shades of white.

Sunshine and shadows.

Can you see Chester's silhouette in the shadow?

Large shells are often sold at flea markets and antique malls.

I bought this one at a local flea market many years ago.

The distressed oar standing up behind the wicker chair was a boulevard freebie.

I stop for boulevard freebies, often quickly!

 If you are following behind me in the car proceed with caution and I do put on my turn indicator.

I abide by the rules of the road.

I am guilty of following rules to the letter and I cannot tell a lie...

perhaps a little teeny tiny white lie

but only if it concerns a wedding or baby shower or a surprise 

never ask me to lie for you, it cannot be done!

I've added a touch of pink...

reminds me of Rachel Ashwell who created the Shabby Chic shop and books.

I loved watching her TV show and would dream of having my own Shabby Chic cottage.

So this guest room satisfies my urge to live in such a cottage...

 if it was on a sandy beach I'd find myself walking barefoot in the sand while the waves wash in and wash out beach combing 

for some pure white sea glass and creamy shells.

"The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choice less as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea."

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh ~

White Wednesday

White Wednesday is often wordless and filled with dreamy whites...
today I have a few images from the archives to pair with the blooming paper whites.
The paper whites are scenting the Humble Bungalow with their intoxicating fragrance.

I feel that there is a purity in white blooms.

Tiny wee blooms that pack a punch of fragrance.

Glowing white against a grey day outside the window pane.

I love to grow soft dreamy roses with a blush of cream.

The Classic white shirt

(every woman should have one in her wardrobe)

~ Say yes to Pearls ~ 

 (of course!)

Soak away stress in a tub of white.

Bath salts or Epsom salts ease tension.

I highly recommend this practise.

(especially after the 10K walk with a friend...my muscles are really sore)

Hydrangeas in a vintage vase.

Basic white crockery lends itself to mixing and matching patterns.

You can add to any other colour if you so desire.

I like to mix vintage with new.

Almond delight...

the most emollient milk for an all over body experience.

Thick Egyptian 100% cotton towels are standard issue here in The Humble Bungalow.

They add a sense of luxury that I am willing to save to buy.

A simple white cotton sateen chemise is cool and feels like silk.

Great for women of a certain age!

This Hostess is planning to spend some time with her grand children and gorgeous DIL.

What's on your agenda for Wednesday?

Simply White, a Wednesday in March...

White Wednesdays have all but disappeared, have you noticed?
Bloggers seems to have moved on to other themes.

I do so love white stoneware, plates and the soft glow of all white rooms.

Filtered light cast shadows on this simple jug.

Atlanta Bartlett's lovely book

At Home With White has some seriously beautiful images

I keep opening this book and dreaming in white.

I never tire of white rooms

they ooze with elegance

 a breath of calm relaxation.

I love when whites are massed together

the effect is amplified

especially when there are variations of shapes and texture.

Oh be still my beating heart,

 look at this all white kitchen!

Simple, elegant and stunning in it's beauty.

Our heritage Bungalow has dark Douglas Fir wood panelling and wainscoting and beams.

We would not dream of changing this element as that would be tampering with the original architects' design.

Milo S. Farwell worked in Victoria, Seattle and San Francisco.

I wonder how many of his homes still exist.

We are stewards of this home and do our best to keep it as original as possible.

Loving white as I do

 I add it where I can...

~ dishes and crockery ~

~ towels ~

The Meissen platter is a favourite of mine.

I love the grand scale of it and the gentle scalloped edge.

Maxwell Williams china is widely available and is quite reasonably priced.

Open stock makes it easy to pick up more pieces.

When you choose white china it is easy to mix and match different styles and designs 

it all works

trust me!

Say you are hosting a dinner party or a buffet for 20 and you own a set of 12 

you can borrow white china from your friends

and put it all together so it looks fabulous.

Apples even look prettier against the white bowl

this bowl was found at a local thrift shop

I think it was originally a wash basin.

For some inspiration pop on over to Country Living and have a browse...

I'll be back in a few days with some highlights from our Seattle and Vancouver trip.

There was lots of sightseeing and shopping...

and yes there were shoes!

MIA or White Wednesday

I have been MIA..
a little longer than originally planned.
We had a bit of a crisis as Mr. HB's 94 year old mother fell and broke her hip.
We have been worried sick and sitting at her bedside in the hospital trying to reassure her. She's' very confused and anxious and even though the surroundings of her private room are modern, clean and calming they are unfamiliar to her.
It's early days and we are not out of the woods just yet...

In the need of a wee diversion I am indulging in a
sneak peek of the newly renovated powder room.
Before the towel racks and all the fluffy stuff is in place.

it's a small room on the lower level of The Humble Bungalow

which will be used mostly by guests and the occasional quick trip in from the garden.

tiny window which needed a privacy treatment for modesty's sake

a custom made blind fits the bill

from Home Depot

at a not the break the bank price

I know what you might be thinking...

not only does the Hostess like to wear black and white she decorates with it too!

It's not the glamourous sunflower shower head like we have upstairs

the smallish acrylic shower stall does not lend itself to luxury

it's rather more like economy!

I will test the shower out when we get the shower rod and curtain installed.

 I realize that I've done a White Wednesday post 

although not a wordless one...

it's completely coincidental i assure you.

See you again when things settle down.

I'm trying to keep Mr. HB and I on an even keel in these stormy times.

So I've been busy in the kitchen turning out nutritious meals

despite the late hour that dinner gets to the table.

It would be so easy to resort to junk or fast food but I cannot abide this habit in times of stress.

I crave warm good food, home made of course.

Be well.

OOTD the Island Mavins Show

Sunday morning bright and early saw me dressed and ready to be first in line at The Island Mavins Show.
Held in the lovely historic gardens of Point Ellice House
the sale was a riot of vendors selling handmade and vintage wares.
The weather was grey spotted with patches of summer rain and gloomy.

Burberry jacket

grey tank top by bobi

Jules and James skinny jeans, cuffed of course

Mee Too flats 

with the nod to the equestrian via the snaffle

usus Labradorite earrings

I had a fun weaving my way through the vendors outdoor "shops"

I knew a few of the gals as I frequent their retail shops on a regular basis.

Other vintage fairs are planned for late in August up island

I am hoping to drive up and spend the day exploring the wares and have lunch in one of these lovely spots.

new whites have arrived 

and will be competing for shelf space 

here in The Humble Bungalow

a book for some inspiration...

I can see both these vessels filled with flowers.

Bringing some joy just by being there.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

~ Hostess ~