Vancouver weekend

We recently spent a weekend in Vancouver...
attended the AGM for the cottage strata, shopped, walked, enjoyed lunches and dinners out.
We also met up with friends we knew when my husband attended school over there...
we have kept in touch...over 40 years!

The view from our hotel.

A wee bit of snow on Grouse Mountain.

We did not stop for tea...

We opted for a Chinese dinner at a small restaurant on Robson Street 

after our afternoon walk and shopping.

The food was delicious and obviously a popular spot with the locals 

as there was a steady line up outside the door.

A fresh new candle...

and a few goodies in the bags.

Some loose tea...

A refill for my Hermes fragrance.

Mr. HB bought his Hermes scent as well.

We dined at an Italian restaurant called Cin Cin and the food was amazing!

Grilled lettuce with pancetta...

a WOW moment for this Hostess!

It was actually more like a "Meg Ryan" moment.

(the scene from When Harry Met Sally!)

Mr. HB enjoyed Osso Bucco

and I opted for the lamb chops with lentils.

NOM NOM NOM

A single bloom in the bathroom packed a powerful pop of colour.

We enjoyed our weekend getaway in the big city!

We will be busy getting ready for Christmas here in The Humble Bungalow.

The wreath has been hung on the front door 

inspired by the Country Living Christmas issue there will be more festive touches coming soon.

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My Stylish French Box...unveiling the elegance

My favourite luxurious splurge is my annual subscription to
My Stylish French Box

The November box arrived a couple of weeks ago and I was so thrilled by the contents...
Sharon Santoni and her team do such a fabulous job of finding special items
all are sure to please.

Vintage silver sugar tongs

attention to detail

 the shipping box is beautiful

Chester enjoyed the box too!

I keep the inner boxes and use them for storage.

The booklet that accompanies all the boxes gives us the information and details of the products and the companies and artists that are behind the luxury wares.

Beaded votive sconces...

the beads will reflect all the light from the candles

by Merci Louis

Candle by Secret D'Apothecaire 

ornaments from Merci Louis

a whisper soft wool scarf by Petrusse

( I have been wearing mine everyday!)

Love the soft feel of the wool and its so cozy

in the perfect colours for my basic wardrobe too!

Festive linens...

tea cloths by Serie Limitee Louise

Lovely necklace from Belle Mais Pas Que

set with a stone of Labradorite

If you want to treat yourself or give one as a gift 

here is the link to order.

The next box will be sent out in February 2019...

I read that Sharon is currently adding a few extra boxes from the November 

issue if you are quick you might be able to snap one up!

I would have posted this last week but our Internet was not working and my IPhone was getting used so much that I went over my data and incurred substantial fees so I had to curb my usage!

Hope you have a wonderful week.

 ~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Blooms, books and sprinkles...

One of the many sunflowers that have bloomed...

A thoughtful reader sent me some seeds in memory of my mom.

I sprinkled the seed packet on a walk last spring

 on a street adjacent to where my moms condo was located.

It was a daring guerrilla gardener moment!

Don't think anyone saw me...

a whale tail

created from pieces of driftwood

on the beach where I walk

These books are waiting to be read...

I have been busy 

volunteering, cooking, walking, shopping, polishing the tarnished silver...

A few stalwart roses are still blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

When you forget to buy caramel sauce for the ice cream dessert you are serving after the Sunday family roast beef dinner ...

you need to be creative.

Cookie sprinkles

 in festive Christmas colours 

are hastily used to amp up the plain vanilla ice cream!

NEEDS MUST!

A cheery yellow rose in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

If I had to choose just one colour that I associated with cheer, positivity and joy

it would be yellow.

Hands down it is my favourite colour for a rain slicker or boots...

we get so much precipitation here in the PNW that it can become tedious 

 people (myself included) often feel gloomy.

I do not own a yellow rain slicker or boots...

my Saint James rain coat is beige

and

my boots are rather pedestrian 

as they are black!

The winner of the coveted Scotiabank Giller Prize was recently announced 

 it went to a talented writer who lives here in Victoria!

She won in 2011 for her book Half Blood Blues.

You can read more here.

This book is now on my must read list and I have not read her previous book either so I will look forward to both of those novels.

One of the many perks of retirement 

is being able to make and take time to read.

Hope you are having a great week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Autumn splendour...last cottage visit.

Autumn is such a glorious time of year 

the vibrant colours elevate my energy 

making the time outdoors richer

with

walks that have become saturated in beauty.

a few raindrops do not dampen my spirits

they look like tiny jewels

embellishing the fallen leaves

 Isla and I were exploring at the cottage when we were last there...

we spied some interesting seed pods on this tree.

 Natural "treasures" from our nature walk

perfect "souvenirs" to take home.

Have you read The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady?

It is an illustrated journal and quite lovely.

This vignette reminds me of that book.

I love seeing life through the eyes of an energetic and enthusiastic child.

Those moments of excited spontaniety...

sharing many magical moments at school 

during the course of my career

 in the classroom and the library

with our own children 

and now our delightful grandchildren.

The moss on these rocks proved to be VERY slippery

Grammy had to say that it was "an unsafe place to play."

I didn't want to have an injury "on my watch!"

Peeking outside 

we spied raindrops on the leaves

"liquid sunshine"

inside we were cozy and content.

We were engaged in creative pursuits...

 felts, crayons, paper, 

colouring and activity books

Lego, games and toys.

"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence."

~ Henry David Thoreau ~

"Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." 

~ Buddha ~

Wishing all American readers a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Hope that your week is off to a grand start!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Changing things up while stretching the budget...

I have been a wee bit naughty...spending money!

But I need to explain that I deliberated long and hard about this most recent splurge...it was not an impulse buy.

Autumn blooms in The Humble Bungalow Garden

White hydrangeas wearing their fall colours.

I have been a fan of L'Occitane for many years.

Soaps, lotions, scents...

Their Immortelle Divine Anti-Aging Collection is wonderful.

I've used many jars over the years...

The sales clerk gave me a few samples of the newer line 

"Cream Harmony Divine"

 to try and I was amazed at the difference in just a few weeks.

I started with the Immortelle overnight reset oil in serum...

my skin looks more evenly toned

and it has a healthy glow.

So I have just "invested" in the Divine Harmony Serum and the Cream.

(both products are refillable)

There are patents pending on both these products.

15 years of research has gone into the development of these products.

The two key ingredients are 

the Immortelle Millesimee flower and Jania Rubens, a red sea algae. 

Both are harvested from the island and seas around Corsica.

I share this information 

as I feel that a glowing healthy complexion is important.

In my opinion

it is worth working diligently 

to help keep us feeling good about ourselves as we age.

Heavy make up is not the way to achieve a "youthful look"

especially when we are over 60...

less make up 

applied with a lighter hand is much more flattering.

With a focus on what works and what doesn't work

ways that we can improve the look of our skin.

Starts with 

finding a skincare regime that delivers results 

drinking lots of water to keep us hydrated

maintaining healthy eating habits

and 

getting some fresh air and exercise daily.

I am not an expert nor have I received any remuneration for my post...

the opinions stated here are all mine!

They are simply "Hostess Approved!"

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

Have you been busy?

I took myself out for a quiet bite of lunch and a pot of Earl Grey tea

then I met a friend for a chat 

before we met up for our monthly knitting group.

My days have been particularly busy and seem to be for the forseeable future.

Life does seem to get busier the closer we get to Christmas!

Not too sure if I will be able to post regularly with my calendar so full

but I will try!

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Salt and Pepper...a new sweater!

The Hudson's Bay had a big sale last week.

I went downtown on a mission to buy a new watch strap which I found in a chestnut brown leather...I was hoping to find a red one but there were none that fit my watch.

While in the store I perused the petite section
and spied a soft cozy sweater
in a simple style that works with my wardrobe basic colours
 at a super low price...
what's not to love about that?

Style and Co.

(I think Macy's carry that line in the US)

tweedy knit

the colour of salt and pepper

in a basic style 

that I have already worn with my black swingy short skirt

jeans

black ponte knit dress pants

it is warm and cozy

with bell sleeves

which I thought I might find bothersome but they are quite lovely

I can roll them up if need be...

like when I was making pizza dough 

and dealing cards at bridge.

I wore it under my down jacket beach combing...

We found another heart shaped rock!

I am knitting the Bateaux Mouches scarf that I purchased from Churchmouse Yarns on Bainbridge Island.

The fingering weight of yarn is very fine and is super soft...

 by Drops and is a blend of alpaca and silk.

I have started on the second skein and hope that I will be able to finish it before next Spring!

I bring my knitting to the cottage.

I knit while waiting for the ferry and on the ride over...

then if I feel so inclined I will knit for about an hour each day at the cottage.

It is a basic garter stitch but looks very different on the larger needles.

Are you working on any projects?

It's pouring rain this morning and I will have to put on my wellies when I get out for my walk.

My down jacket and this cozy sweater will keep me warm.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Yummy Gomae Salad

Have you eaten the Japanese spinach salad called Gomae?

Last month I met up with a few friends for lunch at a local sushi restaurant
and my friend ordered it, mentioning that it was fabulous
so I tried it too...

WOW!

My taste buds were doing a happy dance, it is SO delicious!

After tasting it I knew that I wanted to be able to make it at home.

I needed to buy a special Japanese bowl called a suribachi

(almost like a mortar and pestle)

I found one at the local Japanese market.

I decided to use the porcelain bowl designed and made by a local artist

Japanese potter Harumi Ota

Spinach is so good for us.

It's loaded in nutrients and is available all year long.

The salad also keeps for a few days covered in the refrigerator...

but beware

it may not last that long!

It is a tasty snack in between meals.

Here is the link to the recipe that I used.

I hope that you like it!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~