Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Snippits and snapshots...


The Humble Bungalow porch 


Arbutus
view looking south


looking northwest

and going inside the Bungalow
there's the age old game of cat and mouse


Pepper's favourite toy
not surprisingly
a mouse


she's very much a hunter



the mouse has been caught
it's a game that she plays everyday



 box from the Sperry boots still kicking around


there's a hole in the box...
mouse is inside




Time for a nap...

I'm taking notes from Pepper
brewing a pot of tea
putting up my feet
 and opening up UK Country Living December.

How is your day going?

Monday, December 20, 2010

Hi Ho Silver.....

I am closer and closer to being ready for the family festivities and the feasting...
just a few last minute details and this is not a daunting task...
I have my radio on,
Twinkle with sponge
and a sink full of soapy hot water.


Bring on the tarnished ones...



it looks like a jumble...
but there is some order.




look a bit like soldiers standing at attention


Silvery Lace is the pattern
it was a wedding gift from Mr. HB's parents 
for our wedding in 1974
from Birks a Canadian retailer 
of jewelry, crystal and silverware.


look at the detail
this spoon is one of a few interlopers that have found their way into the silver chest
gifts from Gran Gran mostly


she gave us these rings too.

Hi Ho Silver 
I'm off and away
to the domestic corner of the Bungalow kitchen.

I wish I had some elves to help me...


my cleaning gal is holidaying in Mexico
she is sipping Tequila...
celebrating
Cheers!

I hope that your holidays are shaping up nicely
I am way overtime for bed.....
sweet dreams!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Pass the Pepper please!


 Harumi Ota bowl
porcelain
and hand painted
sitting atop the dining room table in the Humble Bungalow


Pepper decided to curl up here
 she wasn't the center of attention
we were focused on decorating 
our Charlie Brown tree
and
playing peek a boo and blowing kisses at Isla
major adoration from Grammy
I will do anything for a laugh or a smile from her!

Our traditional annual pizza tree decorating
now includes Thai food
(accommodating all the taste buds)

Lovely Miss Isla
is 6 months old
and she's got red hair!

Mr. HB's family are Scottish and he had red hair when I met him
his cousins and their offspring have the most beautiful red locks
nothing from a bottle of dye can compare
it's divine.


Lovely daughter spotted her curled up and ran for the camera
 Pepper anyone?


Charlie Brown tree
Pepper friendly
no vintage mercury glass garland
no tinsel
set up higher up on a table


 vintage German pines cones


vintage balls and bells



The Humble Bungalow 
embraces lights
of white
and the more the merrier!


Potted paperwhites
and faux candles


garden bouquet of rosemary
scenting the kitchen
I think I'll add some white roses...
but my garden is bare

I have ordered a floral centrepiece for the Bungalow Christmas table
I usually do one myself but I have discovered the most fabulous
floral gallery which has captured my attention
I have been in several times of late 
and their creative mixing of twigs and all things flowery 
the marrying of pots and tureens
with orchids
pine cones and mossyness
woven with twinkly wires
has me lusting
and dreaming...

Wishing you sweet dreams...

Saturday, December 18, 2010

dreaming in cream....

I was woken up early by the sounds of the trees swishing and swirling about in the blustery wind.
It is cold but not snowing...
I have cocooned myself for a bit of extra time lazing in bed snuggled under the down duvet.
There's a mug of coffee on the bedside table, Pepper is asleep in her bed and the house is quiet
except for the furnace which seems to be labouring to keep the temperature steady.


Time spent doing nothing allows me to recharge and visit my thoughts.
It is a chance to stop multi tasking and managing the demands of everyday life...
a chance to breathe deep Yoga breaths
to sigh
to listen
to thoughts that bubble forth
in the stillness
not to solve
not judging
letting them wash over me
in the moments...


my thoughts wander
as I look at the waffle weave of my creamy duvet...

matte creamy white figurines...
I have not found a new one in ages...
I'm not really looking
but if one were to pop into the corner of my eye
I'd be tempted...

speaking of temptation...
creamy winter white is such a calming shade for me...
it reminds me
why I adore pearls
I gravitate towards their luxurious lustrous shade...




Baroque beauties...
creamy dreamy
pearls with imperfections
in shape and size....




Wishing you a delicious and dreamy weekend...

pause every now and then
take time to notice details
reflect
honour and nurture your spirit
invite gratitude

and please
consider performing at least one random act of kindness

Friday, December 17, 2010

a tisket a tasket....a bountiful basket

Look what Mr. HB received from a client!
I am very impressed and delighted with this...


If you look closely you can see Pepper at the top right 
she snuck into the picture 
that will give you and idea of the size of this gift basket 



 happy faced gingerbread man!


The vastness of this gift necessitated that we open it 
 our  Bungalow has storage issues
I have all the contents on the dining room table for now.




The basket was created by...


with a flair for detail


two delicate morsels of decadent chocolate await tasting...


Look at all these wonderful goodies...
very useful
ladyfingers for my Xmas trifle
pastas, sauces, flavoured olive oil, 
marinated eggplant,
figs, chocolates, pannetonne,
marmalade, balsamic vinegar...

Christmas has come early to the Humble Bungalow!