Thanksgiving...after the gathering.

Today is officially Thanksgiving Day in Canada.

Flowers from our son and DIL.

We had our family feast yesterday
I was busy in the kitchen for two days and had fun preparing the dishes...

a hodgepodge of chairs

a mix of napkins and glasses

Our fairy lights are turned on for special events here in The Humble Bungalow.

Lots of dishes to go with the prime rib of beef.

Carrots served with a mix of grated ginger, melted butter and parsley.

Balsamic glazed roasted Brussel Sprouts

(Barefoot Contessa Cookbook ~ Foolproof)

Tortellini with cheese sauce for the grand children and vegetarians.

Yorkshire pudding

(recipe from Joy of Cooking)

Scalloped Potatoes

Roast Prime rib of Beef

Gravy

Peas

Pumpkin Pie for dessert courtesy of Mother who baked them from scratch...

(she is 89 so I think that is quite impressive)

The window in my laundry room overlooks the back patio and garden.

Ironing done while gazing out the windows of the french door.

 Today I cleaned up the rest of the things, put away the good china, crystal and silverware. Washed and ironed the linens and went for a leisurely walk.

I will post pictures of the glorious walk in the autumn sunshine very soon but for now I am going to put my feet up, brew a pot of Lapsang Souchong Tea and browse through the newest UK Country Living magazine.

Hope that your week is off to a great start!

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving...

The roses are just about finished blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

This summer has been a splendid year for the roses here in our garden.

They have loved the heat and the sunshine and we have managed to keep them hydrated and happy.

Jude The Obscure 

My favourite David Austin Rose

has a few blooms clinging to the bush.

McCartney Rose

a fragrance Hybrid Tea Rose

a few sprays of flowers left but are slowly fading into Fall.

The Hydrangeas are a mix of fresh blooms and dead heads.

I picked a few to bring inside and hope that they will dry slowly so I can keep a bunch in a vase for a few months.

I think I may have already shared this photo with you.

I know I posted it on my Instagram page.

The blue and mauve hydrangeas are cut from the same plant.

Unfortunately these blooms wilted quite quickly after bringing them in the house.

I love this vintage blue and white jug.

It is made by Woods and Sons.

Peppers Market in Cadboro Bay Village 

is hosting a contest.

 $100 gift voucher for guessing the weight of this huge pumpkin.

I have no idea... so I have not entered yet.

Any Thoughts?

These hairy "things" are on hanging on a clematis near our bungalow.

I think they look like Thing One and Thing Two...

perhaps from a Dr. Seuss book.

Speaking of books, I am reading a great little one right now.

Halfway through it and am keen to read more.

 I have a busy day here in The Humble Bungalow as we have all the family coming for the Thanksgiving feast and I need to focus on the menu.

Earlier this week I took my favourite recent thrift shop find, 

a pristine vintage Canadian made leather bag

 out to tea.

I am loving this new bag!

I will try to take a few pictures of our table and dinner if I get a chance later today...

Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

October sunshine...a day in my neighbourhood.

If you are tired of seeing pictures of the seafront where I walk you maybe want to click away now...
The views are the same but the colours and subjects that frequent the area change throughout the day. I never get bored and always find something of interest to capture. I feel very fortunate and grateful to be able to walk in such beauty.

The temperatures were hovering around 13 degrees Celsius this afternoon when I went for my walk. I wore a long sleeved T shirt, jeans and my Barbour vest and I was very warm once I got going...I had to unzip my vest and other walkers were in short sleeves!

There was enough of a breeze to launch the hang gliders off the cliffs.

I've often wondered what the views would be like from a glider.

Can you see the freighter out on the water?

That has been sitting there for weeks as the company that owns it apparently has gone bankrupt. I wonder what will happen to the boat? I would think it could be a hazard to navigation as it is very close to the shipping lanes.

With the foggy mornings of Fall it could be a disaster waiting to happen.

After I came home from my walk I noticed how dirty my windows were...

I started to wash them and dear reader I am absolute RUBBISH when it comes to cleaning windows!

Then I got onto my hands and knees and washed the kitchen floor 

which I am much better equipped to do!

I picked some hydrangeas this week and popped them in one of our arts and crafts vintage vases.

We are hosting Thanksgiving dinner and I am going to be busy preparing the family feast. 

We are looking forward to having everyone here in our small bungalow to help us celebrate.

A friend recommended this book...

it is quite different, 

not sure what is going to happen 

but it all takes place over dinner at a high end restaurant 

two couples and something terrible has happened involving their children

 that is about to be revealed...

Nerine Bowdenii blooming in various beds in Our Humble Bungalow Garden.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Shopping success!

Oh dear me, the "shopping pump" has been primed...
after not buying much I have been finding all kinds of things to tempt me and I need to save for my travel plans to France!!!

Darling daughter and I met up this past week for an afternoon of thrifting...
it was a lucky day for me.

~ a crisp white shirt and a vintage leather bag ~

 ~ a white shirt and pearls are classics ~

the shirt is made of cotton and is not too sheer

it has seams in the back so that it is flattering and not too loose

I think this is going to be a versatile addition to my wardrobe.

Love the colour of this bag...

it reminds me of a fine wine

perhaps a burgundy or a claret.

It is made in Canada.

I could not resist this Imari jug...

I was out for my walk and as I often do I wandered into Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village and lo and behold I spied this sweet vessel.

Currently I have a few pens in it but who knows 

it may have many uses...

a  few flowers would be lovely arranged in this jug.

I stopped on the way home from the village to take a photo of this enormous dinner plate sized dahlia.

The weight reduction focus is front and centre 

progress is going VERY VERY slowly despite the continued walking and the sensible eating.

I am almost ready to scream!

(that would be such bad form)

So I am trying hard to keep my eyes on the long term goal.

Story set in Provence...

a lovely book by a writer who is new to me.

I would recommend this book and say after you read it you might just want to join us for a month in Provence!

I have never owned a pair of Jessica Simpson flats.

They are made of soft leather, are comfy and very cute.

Sadly my Sam Edelman flats are scuffed and looking tatty...

"'So needs must!"

The bows on the toes were a selling feature...

just wish that they were available in red!

Please excuse me now for it is time for bed and a few chapters in my book.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Seasonal snippets...

I love how one of our neighbours has decorated the path leading up to her home.

Did you notice the half eaten apple on the left and the glove at the right?

Which leaves me with the thought that perhaps perfection is over rated...

Chestnuts are falling from the trees in our neighbourhood.

Inside this prickly pod there was a small delicate edible chestnut.

These are harvested by many locals who roast them and eat them hot with a sprinkling of salt.

These chestnuts also known as conkers are not edible.

They have a rich "chestnut" colour and a woody appearance.

Mother collects these to bring inside as she says that they keep spiders away.

A few doors down the street these raspberries are growing.

They hang out over the sidewalk and are very tempting...

A few blocks away this tall Hollyhock blooms.

The leaves are turning into their annual autumnal colours.

The sun is setting earlier

 the shadows in the afternoon seem to wane

nights are cooler

I have started wearing socks.

Cauliflowers were on special at the market for an unbelievable price.

 So naturally I bought one and made curried cauliflower soup.

Curried Cauliflower Soup

Saute a large diced onion in a wee bit of oil and cook until soft.

Add a large chopped cauliflower and 6-8 cups of vegetable broth

2 tbsp. of curry powder (or to taste) and simmer until cauliflower is soft.

Use the immersion blender and process until no lumps remain.

The bonus is that this soup is Weight watcher friendly!

I took myself out for a wee bite of brunch after strolling in Oak Bay.

 I finished this book.

Really enjoyed reading Vita Sackville-West

The Edwardians was the first of hers that I read and it was quite a few years ago.

Now I need to get my hands on a book about her lovely home and garden...

Sissinghurst.

The young royal family are leaving today...

It has been a busy time for William and Kate making appearances while touring BC.

 Prince George, Princess Charlotte and their nannies have been out and about.

They have been seen enjoying our local parks.

 The Beacon Hill Petting Zoo has oodles of goats 

George reportedly loved seeing them.

There was a children's tea party on the lawns of Government House

local military families were invited to join in for some fun.

Balloons, bubbles, bunnies and ponies were on site for the celebration.

What a fabulous opportunity to get to meet the family.

Anemone's are still out in full force as are our roses.

It has been a stellar summer for the Humble Bungalow Garden...

but I can see the hydrangeas are fading and many plants are droopy.

The leaves are gathering on the lawn and spider webs are woven in every corner

and hanging onto most of the plants.

Where have the spiders been hiding all summer and why do they suddenly come out at this time of year?

I must close for now and get some things done around The Humble Bungalow.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Enchanted April....Dare I dream?

A few weeks ago I posted a pork tenderloin roast recipe and I have another one in my repertoire...
This one has an asian tangy taste and while I LOVE it Mr. HB is not as enamoured with the flavours...not sure why, but we all have our favourites.

So here it is if you would like to try it...

cook and baste the tenderloin about an hour at 350 degrees.

If you try it and like it please leave me a  comment.

My favourite bridge player Meg at the club has had a serious fall...

she is 94 and she broke both her hip and her arm

her mind is a sharp as a tack and we are missing her so much.

She is in rehab and we are planning to go to the hospital

and play some cards as soon as she is able.

I am hoping that she will recover from her injuries.

Her bidding and advice on bridge is so valuable...

she has been playing bridge since she was a teenager 

she encourages us when we are bidding our hands and nudges us to bid game.

I always wear my wedding rings...

one notices hands when seated at the bridge table.

My hands have been dry of late and so I have made a point to keep the hand lotion by the sink to remind myself to use it.

This vintage art deco diamond does not get as much wear as it should.

I don't own a lot of jewelry...

unlike darling daughter, 

who has oodles and oodles of the stuff!

She works hard to find the most amazing pieces...

AND 

she has a full time job!

I have very few pieces of "costume" jewelry and opt for real gemstones.

Sterling silver bangles, pearls, vintage, ethnic, and modern artisan jewelry.

One need not break the budget when choosing a new piece,

 there are so many gorgeous jewels on Etsy and Ebay and in antique shops.

At my age I wonder if I should acquire more gems or save for holidays abroad?

Recently I met up with a friend for lunch.

 We both LOVE France and have fond memories of our trips to Paris 

we got to talking in between bites of our salads

and mentioned that we should arrange to have our own 

"Enchanted April" 

 perhaps Provence would be our destination...

Can you imagine a group of women sharing a home in Provence?

Savouring the countryside for a month?

I can!

 I am dreaming about this possibility.

So with that in mind I am off to find more local French language classes...

BTW

if you know of anyone who has a home to rent in Provence or has rented one that they enjoyed please email me bungalowhostess@gmail.com

merci beaucoup!

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~