Fitted jeans...

One item in my wardrobe that I love are a decent fitting pair of jeans.
I have a pair of boot cut NYDJ in the closet as the skinny pair that I owned developed a hole and I have not been able to bring myself to wear ripped jeans...

I have tried but they just don't "feel right" on me.
Do you wear ripped jeans?

I wonder if my Mother's style affects my inability to wear ripped jeans?
She taught me so many things about how we present ourselves to the world...
"her voice" and advice is still very much with me.

My OOTD

Black UP pants and Tilley top

Verve Ami knitted vest

Clark Chelsea boots

The fit is great and I love the ankle length with the slit detail at the bottom.

Can just imagine these with my red ballet flats!

The best part, besides the fit, was the cost, they were SO inexpensive!

Less than $40

A quick bite at Starbucks before heading to the club to play bridge.

We had a new player come and join us yesterday.

Its a fun group of people with varied levels of bridge skills.

We enjoy each others company and are a very congenial group.

We break for tea mid afternoon

the topic of conversation ranges from 

art, travel, current events and local politics.

Besides reading and walking, 

playing bridge and taking classes at the community centre 

are wonderful perks of retirement.

We have grape hyacinths blooming in the garden!

Spring cannot be too far off...

there is snow falling in the higher elevations today.

Its raining here which makes it much easier to get out and about.

A snowy snapshot from the archives.

Daffodils are just so cheerful.

Sunny yellow blooms always put a smile on my face!

Raindrops do not dampen my spirit when there are flowers in the garden.

Hope that you are well and in good spirits.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

I must close for now as I am meeting a friend for a rainy walk and a light lunch.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Checking in...

My time on the computer has dwindled of late...
there are more things keeping me busy that require my attention.

In advance of our trip to Italy 

I enrolled in a class at the local community centre.

Italian for travellers.

The language is beautiful...

it has a very melodic sound

and

spoken with such passion.

Learning a new language at my age is proving to be a challenge!

The teacher, 

who is from Rome,

gives us lots of homework and much of it requires memorization.

I am really enjoying the sessions

 have met many wonderful people 

who are also planning a trip to Italy.

The snow kept me indoors more than I would have liked...

I love to walk every day.

The fresh air clears out any cobwebs and energizes.

I discovered that noticing and savouring the beauty of nature has a positive effect on my mental well being.

So I suffered a bit with cabin fever...

which prompted me to clean out cupboards and drawers.

Many bags are heading off to the charity shop,

The snow is melting!

The roads are clear and only a few patches of snow linger in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Walking has resumed!

I'm reading a great book...

have you read it?

What are you reading?

Do you have any favourite books to share?

My hair is greyer these days...

its longer and some days is curlier than others.

I've stopped washing it every day as grey hair tends to be dry.

My skin has been extra dry...

think it must be the cold weather.

I have been slathering on serums, moisturizers, body lotion and hand cream.

Are you on Instagram?

Have you seen Linda V Wright's account?

She lives in Paris and has an amazing shop called Crimson.

She is a style icon.

I plan to visit her shop when I go to Paris.

Many mature women are reinventing themselves...

the confidence, joy and passion that they share 

is positively invigorating...

Times up! 

Must close the laptop 

 I am meeting friend for a walk.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Snowmageddon!

Our snow event has become known as
"Snow~ mageddon!

The Humble Bungalow Garden

is covered in snow!

Looks like a Winter wonderland.

Iced tea anyone?

That's my husbands' car under that blanket of white!

Our red chairs look quite comfy with their thick white cushions.

I've been spending most of these snow days indoors.

Knitting, reading, sipping tea, and making hot soups and curries.

The front steps are swept clear of snow

 the sidewalk gets shovelled...

we have been keeping the fire in our fireplace going 

as it really takes the chill off.

Our single paned windows let in so much cold air...

sitting next to a window one can feel a chilly draught!

My husband has been busy.

He's kept up with the supply of kindling and wood.

Walking back and forth to and from his office downtown.

Many of the staff are unable to get into town to work.

Schools, UVIC, Camosun College and the Naval base at Esquimalt are all closed.

Buses are delayed or not running...

roads are icy and covered with snow

its pretty to look at but is proving difficult "getting around."

It is still snowing 

we are expected to get another 5 inches today...

more predicted for the rest of the week and into the next one.

Stay safe and cozy.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Snow and soups...

It's COLD!
Not as cold as our neighbours back east or southeast of us...

The temperatures are quickly dipping and the forecast is calling for more snow...
tomorrow and throughout next week!

            When its really cold I like to serve a hearty meal of homemade soup.

I discovered this book at the library while perusing the soup cookbooks...

the authors suggest that drinking bone broth has many health benefits.

I have tried bone broth at restaurants and love the flavour.

So I figured I might try making it at home.

Many of the recipes in this book suggest using a crock pot.

You cook the bones with a mirepoix of veggies, and several quarts of water

 for 12-24 hours on the low setting of the crock pot.

( I used a large slow cooker)

You can use beef, pork, turkey or chicken bones.

(No salt is added during the cooking process)

The bones are removed and cooled

( I picked the meat off the bones and set them aside for my soup)

strain the rest of the ingredients

cool on the countertop

before

putting it into the fridge

the broth can be used in soups or heated up as a drink

it can also be frozen 

in quart mason sealer jars

(fill only 3/4 full)

Ready for the freezer.

Hearty beef and vegetable soup

simmering on the stove.

Smells delicious!

I used the meat from the soup bones, the mirepoix and added a bit of pepper.

When it snows here...

there is very little in the way of snow removal equipment

so if we get a big dump of snow 

getting around town is quite the challenge.

Snow is really beautiful to look at...

so pure

 it muffles any noise 

a white blanket that covers us

kids love it

So much fun

for

making snowmen

snow angels

sledding

I remember 

when I was a child 

 a snowfall was so exciting.

Almost 64 years ago 

I was born on a snowday.

My father had to shovel the driveway, 

which was on a slant, 

before he could get the car out.

My mother was quite worried that she would not make it to the hospital

before giving birth to me.

They made it in time and for many years (in March) 

it snowed on my birthday.

Is it cold where you live?

Do you have snow?

What do you like to cook when the mercury drops?

Do you make a big pot of soup or stew?

Perhaps you bake bread or buns?

Do you have a favourite recipe that you can share?

Stay warm and cozy!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you to Eileen Fisher for creating timeless fashion choices...

Eileen Fisher designs and makes lovely clothes...
her ethical practises of reusing fabrics and recycling ring true.

In addition to her seasonal pieces she offers a "basic group of clothing" in a couple of key colours and styles...
they are mix and match classics that make getting dressed so simple.

Recently I purchased a couple of her pieces...
with my fall travel wardrobe in mind.

I bought slim ponte knit black pants...so smart and comfy.

You may remember that I already own a basic pair in black rayon which are quite dressy. I also have the black tank top which is perfect for layering.

(For summer I have the white linen tank and linen V neck sweater)

Before I found this jacket

I was really frustrated...

For several hours I tried on numerous trench coats

various jackets 

 not one hit it out of the park for me.

I am a curvy short woman 

so I need to be careful of extra details 

and the shape of a coat or jacket must be slimming.

Here's the new EF jacket...

this looked good on 

the colour is a nice change.

This jacket has room for a vest or sweater underneath

which will make it a great choice for travel.

While we are on the subject of layering...

I found a great vest.

Eileen Fisher cozy vest in black.

So my carry on is taking shape...

I have a bamboo dress and a knit skirt.

Will add a couple of tops

a sweater

 one or two scarves

which should round out my minimal travel wardrobe.

Do you like Eileen Fisher clothes?

Perhaps you have a favourite designer?

 Or do you have a company who makes clothes that you love to wear?

The closet is looking much more organized too...

I have sorted and hung things in colour groupings;

blues

blacks

greys

whites

Before 

they were in sections;

pants

skirts

tops

dresses

The colour idea helps me reach for things that pair well together.

Plus with a really small wardrobe i

fewer choices to distract my focus

it simplifies getting dresssed.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Beauty in Gardens and My Stylish French Box...a treat from France

I walked in one of my favourite spots last week...

Abkhazi Gardens.

The temperatures were mild, the skies blue, and the sun was shining.

It felt like a gift after a few days of rain.

A lovely display of naturalized Crocus flowers popping up from the soil...

or is it croci ?

Love the way that the light illuminated their petals.

Gnarly trunk and twisted branches above a bed of snowdrops and cyclamen.

This is such a sweet structure on the site...

it was a place where the original owners would take tea and eat their picnic lunches when they were first designing the gardens.

I've been dreaming a lot about garden design

  the beautiful spaces that people have been able over the years to cultivate.

A well designed garden, once established, is a living legacy.

I try to visit many of the local gardens and join in on the various garden tours.

Some of my favourite things to do are to peruse the garden centres

 leaf through gardening books

and

watch TV shows on gardens.

Are you familiar with Sharon Santoni?

Her garden in France is stunning.

She is the founder of My Stylish French Box...

I have subscribed to these boxes and they are a real treat to receive...

the current box theme is focused on a Parisianne woman.

One of the partners is the renowned perfume company of Annick Goutal!

The February Box is almost sold out 

you might be able to order one if you are quick!

Go here to get more information and good luck!

I am excited as Sharon has just launched a new digital magazine.

She has a giveaway on her Instagram page.

As I sit here at the table in my Humble Bungalow Kitchen 

I can hear birds outside singing

the clock chiming

the fridge humming

the keys on my lap top 

tap tapping

a rumbling motorcycle speeds by

the neighbours dog barks

taking time to stop and notice the little things

those moments each day that can easily slip by if one is not present

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Recipe for fabulous pork and beans....

My long time friend Leslie, who grew up and attended the same schools as I did in Oak Bay, shared her classic recipe for pork and beans. Leslie is a wonderful hostess and invites many friends over to her heritage home for dinner and cocktail parties. The food is always delicious, the home that she shares with her husband is warm and inviting, the guests always feel welcome and she is relaxed and makes these events look effortless.

I tried to make her recipe for pork and beans once before but with no success. Now I know why...
I rushed the cooking of the beans and put them in the slow cooker
before they were soft.

This past Christmas my BFF served the bean dish at her Christmas Eve Event where they were a huge hit!
Her brother went back 3 times for more! He raved about them to me.
(I can say this as he doesn't even know that I write a blog!)

One of my New Year goals was to master this recipe.

You'll need a crock pot.

Leslie's Beans

3 cups of dried Navy beans soaked overnight in 6 cups of water

Rinse then drain them and place in a pot with 6 cups of water 

Bring to a boil and then simmer until tender

soft, but not falling apart.

Drain the beans and place them in a slow cooker 

1 1/2 cups ketchup

1 1/2 cups water

1/4 cup molasses

1 large onion chopped

1 Tbsp. dry mustard

1 Tbsp salt

1 cup brown sugar

12 slices uncooked bacon diced

(or sliced salt pork)

Cook on low for 8 -10 hours.

Enjoy!

Bon Appetit!

Hope you enjoy this classic that is a favourite in our circle of friends.

The men in our group absolutely LOVE this dish!

My husband is happy too.

Thank you to Leslie A., 

"a Hostess with the Mostess!"

We are enjoying the leftovers tonight...

they make a lot and can be frozen.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A POP of colour and my favourite IPhone APP.

New in The Humble Bungalow.

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

A friend shared her secret to keeping her Le Creuset pots and pans

looking like new.

(it's Bar Keepers friend!)

I made a paste of this cleanser 

soaked our stained white enamel pot for a few minutes

then rubbed it with a scratch free scrubber and voila

clean as new! 

My current read...

Hooray the hellebores are blooming!

One bloom can make a big statement in a small vase.

Rain or shine 

I'm out every day for a walk.

My goal is to walk 7,000 steps.

The IHealth App on my IPhone makes it easy to keep track.

This Saint James raincoat helps keep me dry.

(a picture from the archives)

Purchased several years ago and still going strong.

I can wear a vest or sweater underneath if the temperatures are dipping.

Another walk would be needed to reach my daily goal...

  it is already 4:00 and I have to start preparing dinner after I publish this post.

Some days are easier to fit in more activities...

Are you motivated by a fitness app?

Do you go to the gym?

Have you worked with a personal trainer?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~