Fast forward to February

 

I find it hard to believe that we are already in the month of February.

January felt like it flipped by so fast...

The crocus are showing us some much needed pops of colour.

Our snowdrops are in bud but not quite ready to fully open.

Many gardens in our area have masses of them 

naturalized in gardens and they look so beautiful.

I am of the opinion that one can never have too many snowdrops or roses!

Chester, our younger cat is 10 years old.

He's been losing weight these past couple of months and we had him to the vet.

She diagnosed him with early onset renal failure.

He's on a specially formulated kibble and we tried the canned food but he's not a fan.

It's better that he eat the canned food that he wants rather than lose more weight so we press on...

I am offering him small portions of canned food at several times each day.

He doesn't seem to have an appetite for the usual portions.

This situation is turning out to be quite stressful.

He is after all a big part of our family.

He's the cat with the biggest "in your face" personality...

We fondly call him...

"Chester the Pester"

and

"The Troublemaker"

Coffee by candlelight and fairy lights...

much appreciated and needed warm twinkle lights to ease the dark early mornings

Soups are currently the "go to" lunches here in The Humble Bungalow.

They are a great way to use up leftovers...

This soup is called chicken pot pie soup!

A store bought rotisserie chicken served us well.

Two nights of chicken and salads...

then soup for two lunches.

Economical, yes, indeed!

 I saved the carcass bones to make the rich broth.

The Boat Pond along the Victoria seafront.

We saw a group of fellows playing with their boats on our walk.

I stopped quickly and snapped this shot.

My husband is waking oodles of kilometres every day...

8 km at least.

I tag along for 5 or 6 km then head back home.

10,000 steps are my current comfort zone.

When I walk much more, my body aches.

It would be wonderful to be able to walk farther and not be in pain...

perhaps I can work up to more or is it my age?

We've been fortunate with our recent weather.

Sunshine and warmer temperatures have been lovely for our walks.

So grateful that the ice and snow have gone.

Today I walked to town and met a friend for lunch.

I spied this lovely clump of crocuses on my way home.

The crocus would add to a future blog post and they were actually what prompted me to sit for a few minutes to write a quick blogpost.

My teatime and knitting await...

my reward for getting in 10,000 steps

so will close for now.

Thank you for popping by the Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Snippets from Quarterdeck Cottage

 

Beautiful view from Medicine Beach

the walks along this rocky beach are breathtaking...

~ A soothing scene helps to unkink the knots of anxiety ~

The seas were so quiet and calm that I could feel my body relaxing.

The views toward Vancouver Island remind me of a Tony Only painting.

The weather here has been a mix of sun and fog.

No wild winds or rain.

Feeling grateful for these gifts...

The glorious sunny afternoon was an invitation to enjoy happy hour on the deck.

Evenings are dark and lighting candles adds ambiance and warmth.

These "Ethel Wood" scented soy candles are lovely.

They are sold at a farmstand on South Otter Bay Road here on Pender.

I purchased some for our home and cottage and they have quickly become my favourite.

These wee fungi remind me of that quote from Mary Engelbreit...

"Bloom Where You are Planted"

I finished The Doocot Sweater that I started knitting before the pandemic!

The project was a steep learning curve for me...

It was quite easy knitting baby blankets, dishcloths, shawls and scarves.

Sweaters are much more complicated... 

as I found out!

I have learned many new techniques and have gained confidence.

You Tube Videos and The Vogue Knitting book 

helped me 

as in person tutorials were few and far between.

Now I am excited to get going with my next project...

a simple sweater, very much like a shrug.

It is knit mostly using garter stitch.

 When we get back I plan to go shopping for the yarn...

I am just not sure what colour to use?

Basic black always calls to me...

I discovered that knitting in a cheerful colour has been such fun! 

especially using the Brooklyn Felted Tweed yarn 

and 

their yarn colours are brights and brilliant.

Seen on my beach walk at Port Browning...

a chain of rusted iron juxtaposed against a weathered log.

Seeking out and finding something on my daily walks

helps keep me motivated to continue taking steps.

Hope that you are staying healthy and finding inspiration in your daily round.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing small Joys...

 

Cheap and Cheerful Primulas are planted in the front porch planter.

I usually buy an assortment of colours...

this time I decided to go for the full impact with sunny yellow blooms.

Very pleased with these healthy stalwart plants...

they'll be planted in the garden beds early in the summer.

My spices are stored in these Bon Maman Jam Jars.

I also use them to make a "simple vinaigrette."

Oil ~ 1/3 cup

vinegar ~ 1 Tbsp

salt and pepper (to taste)

a couple of tablespoons of honey

Shake well and pour over salad.

We went to a "hidden gem" here in Victoria.

The Market Garden is located on Catherine Street and it is a wonderful shop!

We bought this tin of Italian tomatoes to use in our spaghetti.

I saved the tin because it is so pretty.

Candles have been lit most evenings here to add scent, warm light and ambiance.

Ethel Wood fragrant candle made on Pender Island.

The scent is fabulous!

I 've been consciously using up "stuff" in an effort not to be wasteful.

We tend to stockpile staples that we use regularly here in The Humble Bungalow.

Buying when things are on special...

to save money.

Soap, toothpaste, tinned goods.

Storage is limited so we need to be creative...

Here's a snapshot of our quarter sawn oak arts and crafts shelving

in The Humble Bungalow bathroom.

Walking attire...

OOTD

Cashmere Burberry scarf...at least 10 years old

Wool hat

Black Eileen Fisher wool tunic top

(recent investment piece)

Eddie Bauer Down Puffer coat

Needs Must!

Warmth comes first on my winter walks.

Hope you are staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Baby it's Cold Outside!

Slow mornings...

candlelight and silver

fairy lights

twinkling 

reflecting on the modernist crystal

sipping coffee in the quiet of the bungalow.

embracing gratitude.

Wondering what will the day bring?

New Year has entered softly...

gently

a white snow fell from the sky 

blanketing us with cold Arctic winter weather.

We were able to go for a short walk along the seafront.

Only a few stalwart and dedicated people were out...

Mostly dog owners!

There were lots of children outside building snowmen.

We heard the shouts of glee from the children as they tobogganed 

down the hill at Beacon Hill Park.

I've been cocooning here in The Humble Bungalow.

Staying warm and cozy

(cashmere is currently my best friend)

Drinking lots of hot tea and making soups.

Watching the new series "And Just Like That" on Crave.

The Sex and The City cast has made a return, albeit with an "older" theme.

I am not sure if it's going to hold my attention...

but I do like to be entertained :-))

Reading this gem...

a crime thriller which is a page turner.

Am halfway through and wonder how this is going to end.

I've picked up the needles again and am making progress on The Doocot Sweater.

One sleeve finished and the other one started...

I've made a few mistakes but will attempt a repair...

Who knew?

But

apparently quilters and knitters embrace

"wabi sabi"

a wee mistake is intentionally included in the finished product.

Did you know that?

Once this cold snap has left us I am going to restart my walking regime.

I am feeling fuller through my mid section from all this time spent indoors.

How are you starting the New Year?

Have you exciting new dreams and goals for the next 12 months?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

In the meantime 

we still need to mask up despite having two vaccinations and the booster.

It will be so lovely to put this pandemic well and truly behind us...

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Stay Safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

December Snowfall...and some snippets from the past few weeks.

We have snow!

It's pretty to look at but it is very cold.

I've been wearing my cozy cashmere sweaters and thick wool socks.

Bundling up in my puffy down coat 

(think Michelin man style)

hat

scarf

gloves

Fancy popping by to sit on the front porch with a hot cuppa?

The hummingbird feeders are freezing so we are rotating the two feeders 

in the cold snap of winter

the wee local Anna's hummingbirds rely on us to keep them fed.

Snowy scenes here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Abraham Darby a David Austin Rose

blooming 

while wearing a snow hat!

A fabulous book...

by author Alka Joshi.

The good news is she has published a sequel

 and is working on a third!

Lady Gaga was amazing in the film!

We saw it in the theatre...a matinee 

safely viewed with only two other people in attendance!

Lady Gaga is wearing the same pearls that I bought from a local shop.

Mary from Skanda sourced them from Hong Kong!

We discovered a new cocktail...

"Jingle Buck"

1 ounce Vodka

3/4 ounce pure cranberry juice

3/4 ounce lime juice

2 ounces ginger ale

ice

garnish with fresh cranberries

CHEERS!

I've felt at a loss for words on the blog lately...

perhaps it is writer's block?

Covid has worn so many of us down.

I want to rise up in positivity and rejoice 

but the new Omicron variant has us all in a tizzy.

Our numbers are surging and the hospitals are slammed.

We get our booster shots next week and for that I am very grateful.

I have been working on

The Doocot Sweater

I knit the body of the sweater and now I am working on the sleeves.

You'd think I would have this finished by now...

I started it before the pandemic hit!

When I attended the knitting club meeting I discovered that I am not alone in procrastinating with my knitting project.

Some of the women have taken up painting and several others bought bikes and have been meeting up to explore the scenic roads and trails.

I have made a conscious decision to focus on and embrace Simple Joys.

I feel happiest in my kitchen 

whether I am cutting veggies for a soup or baking cookies

or planning a menu to serve to my family

the contentment is hugely rewarding and comforting.

Two items that I purchased during Covid that have been most useful 

are linen aprons.

We have not purchased many things in the past two years...

we don't "need" much other than food.

Clothes shopping has been put on the back burner for the time being...

except for that "wee foray" at Eileen Fisher on South Granville in Vancouver!

I found a cute grey top and a sumptuous boiled wool sweater in a tunic length.

I bought the black one (of course!)

The sweater was, what I consider, an "investment piece."

It has been worn multiple times since I bought it!

I wore it Christmas Day with skinny Eileen Fisher pants.

I added a sparkly Sherman rhinestone pin.

Vintage rhinestone Brooches are such a fun way to add sparkle.

Hope that 2022 has some bright spots and highlights...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD a fabulous dinner and something new...

 

OOTD

I had my hair flat ironed for a festive holiday dinner.

I don't own a flat iron and I am not great at straightening my hair with the blow dryer.

It's fun to play around with hair styles...

wavy, curly, messy up do's and simple pony tails.

Red ballet flats for a pop of colour.

A black dress with capri tights.

Sparkly Sherman rhinestone brooch for a wee bit of festive fun.

With a minimal wardrobe that is mostly black

it's easy to get dressed 

I always add a few accessories to lighten the overall look.

My friend Julie hosted a lovely gathering last evening.

Her home radiates warmth and was bright with very festive accents.

Here is the French Themed menu...

so delicious!

Cozy, charming and elegant.

Julie is multi talented...

she is so incredibly creative!

Julie sews, decorates, gardens, cooks,...

I don't think there is anything that Julie cannot do!

Thank you for the lovely evening.

I might be rushing the season a bit...

when I saw that Charlotte of Vivi et Margot had a sale...

I pounced!

New French Market basket from Vivi et Margot.

Love the long leather straps that make this a hands free option!

Will be a workhorse throughout the year...

toting around an assortment of things and market ready.

I made a double batch of whipped shortbread cookies.

The recipe is "an oldie but a goodie."

It is in The Best of the Best of Bridge Cookbook.

They are quick and easy to make and they melt in your mouth!

I found this wee festive tray at the Pharmasave in Oak Bay.

Thought it would be versatile and I can use it for veggies and dip, nuts and dried fruit or cookies.

Seasons Greetings

from

The Humble Bungalow.

Best wishes for a safe and Happy Holiday.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~