White Wednesday ~ a fluffy blanket of Snow.

Welcome to our White Winter Wonderland!

The Christmas lights are illuminating the snow laden climbing rose.

I am so happy that those white lights are still strung on the climbing rose...

they add such a pretty touch to the back porch.

These rustic seats and table are part of the local area known as the common.

The common is a spare lot that will never be developed 

apparently a brick culvert runs beneath the surface...

(too close to the surface and vulnerable)

there was a creek that ran through the property 

the First Nations used to portage along the creek

on their way to the Inner Harbour.

A former resident, who was a gifted woodworker, scavenged the local beach for the materials and built the seats and table.

Neighbours gather here in nicer weather to chat and have picnics or coffee.

Children climb the trees, run around the site and play on the swings.

Our "wee lending library" is situated out front for anyone wanting to borrow a book.

The policy is based on the honour system.

It is suggested that you "take on and leave one."

The turnaround of books is quite amazing...

I took one for Mother yesterday...

The Lake House by Kate Morton.

I plan to read it when she is finished as it has been on my list for quite sometime.

Looking out the back door of The Humble Bungalow at dark.

Thats a lot of snow!

The fluffy white carpet of snow softens sounds

the neighbourhood feels quiet and very hushed.

The trees are laden with snow...

according to the forecast more is on the way.

Chester has found a cozy blanket of his own!

In between their usual cat naps they have been sitting at the windows

watching the snowflakes fall.

Last but not least...

this lovely white heart shaped rock.

This rock has come all the way from Hyeres France,

 a thoughtful gift from a local BC reader.

She spends each Fall season with her husband living on the Cote d'azur

they love Provence

 and 

spend many days exploring the quaint and beautiful villages...

we have met up several times and most recently we had lunch at which time 

 she shared her favourite spots to visit.

Thank you A for your kind and special gift.

XO

Hope you are cozy and warm.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Budget friendly basics...starting with Tops.

Most women I know like to get a bargain,
especially on clothing and
many will only buy at the sales when items are sold at a reduced price.

Thrift and consignment shops are great places to look for items when one is trying to stretch the clothing budget.

Finding decent tops in great condition can be a challenge, particularly in the thrift shops. Tops seem to show wear faster than most pants or sweaters.

I have been on the hunt for some new white Tees,
which I never seem to find second hand,
readers gave me numerous suggestions of their favourite brands
many of which are sold exclusively online.

I am tactile and visual so I prefer to try things on before I buy them.
Returns can be expensive and I am frugal
so I do not like to "pay to try things on."

Last year I had a rather tedious experience when ordering Tees.
The fabric on the Tees was too thin and sheer and the styles were quite shaped which meant that they clung to reveal and focused on my untoned  midsection...

Currently I am working to improve this area at the gym,
but in the meantime, I do not want to advertise my wobbly bits!

Tees and crisp white shirts are two items that I love to have in my wardrobe.
I obviously have high expectations
when currently planning to replace those that are tired and worn out.

Two new white Tees 

by Joe Fresh

which I will be test driving for the next while.

Mr. HB and I drove out to the Western Community on the weekend and we stopped in at Superstore where a line of clothing by the name of Joe Fresh is sold.

It is a low cost line of clothing that Club Monaco founder Joe Mimran sells.

The cotton Tee on the left is lightweight and has some texture to the fabric 

but is not too sheer and was on sale for $7.64

The "performance tee" is made in a heavier weight blend 

 spandex is mixed with the cotton

has body, does not cling 

 sells for $16.00

I really like to try things on as sizing is not standard like men's wear.

Here is an example of the size variations...

Two basic black tank tops which make great layering pieces.

Gap in an XL

Haggar in a Small.

Impressions top in a Large.

Two other tops in blue...

Style and Co. 

Calvin Klein

These 7 basics are my casual every day tops.

I have 2 other active wear tops for working out in at the gym and on my walks.

Keeping a small inventory of clothing is necessary as our closet is really small.

It does make it easier to stay within a budget and it means getting dressed is mush faster as there are not too many choices.

I will share some more aspects of my minimal wardrobe in a future post.

Thank you for your suggestions and comments about the Tees

and I hope you have a lovely week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Snow Day, Flowers, Candles, the Gym and I could use your help...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

The past post on women generated numerous comments, emails and there was a wee bit of controversy.

The blog posts here in The Humble Bungalow are varied and focus on 

beauty, joy, cooking, home keeping

are polite 

rest assured

the mood here is peaceful and calm.

This week has been a busy one and I have done a little "fluffing" in our home.

Scented candles and fresh flowers are two of my favourite affordable luxuries.

 Its the little things that make life at home more enjoyable.

Flowers and fragrance

light and warmth.

TEA!

Time for a cup of Tea 

decaf Yorkshire blend is my daily brew.

I enjoy sipping from a pretty mug like this one from Emma Bridgewater.

Snowdrops are dainty, sweet and we have planted then in our garden.

Yes that IS snow...

it was falling most of the day.

The black mondo grass is peeking through the blanket of snow.

You may be surprised to hear

I've taken the plunge and joined a gym.

Dominique, a reader of my blog, 

emailed me and suggested this particular gym

  I am very grateful.

Thank you!

The gym is for the over 55 group and located not too far from The Humble Bungalow.

 A personal trainer is teaching me how to use the equipment and is assessing my levels and recommending how long and at what levels I need to be working.

I have worked out 3 times this week and my muscles are slightly tender.

It feels good to be actively working out to change my shape.

I have come to the gym somewhat reluctantly...

I was hoping not to pay for fitness but I have not had much success recently with my walking.

The weather has kept me indoors more often and I have gained weight.

The weight training should speed up my metabolism and I am hopeful that the scale will reflect all my efforts in due course.

The trainer told me to stay off my scale for the first month...

muscle weighs more than fat and she does not want me to get discouraged.

My goal is to go to the gym 2-3 times a week.

The people are friendly and the staff are knowledgable.

The space is clean and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed.

After my work out I went to the mall and bought a new bra, two magazines and a new mascara.

My mascara had passed its use by date and I thought I would try a less expensive brand but I still want to use one that is free of nasty ingredients.

Physician's Formula makes this one so I will test it out and see if it delivers on the promise of fuller lashes.

My workout has left me feeling weary tonight and I am happy to relax on the sofa and watch some TV with my husband.

I have a question for you...

It is my hope that you can help me find a perfect 

or close to perfect 

basic white Tee shirt.

I want one that is simple and very plain

no logos or writing or pattern on the front

in a cotton that has some weight to it 

so it does not cling.

I have spent so much time trying to find one in the local shops

 so far I have come up empty handed...

it should be easy to find

 I am not sure why I am having such trouble.

So I figured you might have the answer and be able to steer me in the right direction...

Thank you for dropping by and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thoughts on women...

Living in a 1913 heritage home has taught me a lot about acceptance.

The Humble Bungalow is over 100 years old

full of flaws and imperfections 

which 

we could amend and improve 

we have not.

One thing I regret in our efforts to improve the kitchen

 is that the floor re finishers sanded

the dipped worn area in front of the kitchen sink 

this is where several generations of women stood doing dishes...

I specifically asked them to leave it and work around it 

but that afternoon many years ago 

I came home from work only to discover a level freshly sanded floor

and felt sad...

I remember brewing a pot of tea and staring at that spot.

I may have even wept...I cannot say for sure, as it was so long ago.

I had to accept that change but I have never forgotten that worn out spot.

where bone weary women would have stood

looking out the same window

at the mighty oaks 

growing and stately standing 

on the rocks 

above The Humble Bungalow.

Our home has a history of women who were widowed 

were the major bread earners and were responsible 

to tend to the children and keep the home fires burning.

Wearing many hats must have been a challenge back in the 1930's and 40's...

perhaps even in the 1950's 

when many women "stayed at home" 

 life and times were simpler.

Staying at home was not a "free ride"...

the days were filled with hard work.

Women

mothers, grandmothers, daughters

whose job it was to keep the homes running

the family needed to be fed 

the soiled clothes washed

the house cleaned

 the garden planted and tilled.

Today 

I am thinking about, and honouring,

 these women 

who worked diligently and toiled even when fatigued

the same women who raised and  nurtured the children 

in this home 

over a hundred years before us...

 Women have influenced society 

while tending their homes and nurturing their children

taken a stand against and fought injustices

spoken out 

marched when there were issues that they felt strongly about

wrote letters 

fund raised

baked

got dressed up

put lipstick on

smiled in the face of adversity

and

made our world

a better place.

Any time women come together with a collective intention, it's a powerful thing. Whether it's sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.  

~ Phylicia Rashad ~

In the light of recent political changes

women are rising up again...

we have a voice

let us unite and not be silent

nor complacent

harness the collective power

speak up and if need be, rally

if only for

the future of our children and grandchildren

 consider the possibilities

the risks

assess

and

act.

I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, 

but so that those without a voice can be heard...

we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.

~ Malala Yousafzai ~

I am not sure what will happen next...

We will do whatever needs to be done.

In the year of the rooster...

expect change

Rooster is almost the epitome of fidelity and punctuality. For ancestors who had no alarm clocks, the crowing was significant, as it could awaken people to get up and start to work. In Chinese culture, another symbolic meaning of chicken carries is exorcising evil spirits.

source

As you know my blog is not political...

these are just a few personal thoughts and observations

that have been percolating 

and 

I felt the need to write them down...

Please be kind and respect others...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Update on the weight loss journey and a reunion.

It has been several weeks since I started a health and wellness journal.
Several readers have asked me to elaborate on what I write in it.

The daily habit helps me try and stay accountable
it acts as a motivator...

It is a convenient way to document my thoughts,
to track my Weight Watcher Points and to record my weight.

Its been a busy few days

so writing has been brief and done just before bedtime. 

I like to set the mood before writing by lighting a scented candle

brew a pot of decaf tea

(caffeine later in the day does not contribute to my sleep)

I will sit in the quiet and reflect upon my day.

Here is an excerpt from the journal when I started...

A few snippets

my weight

the meals.

I often add any food temptations

 how I coped or did not cope with them.

The exercise that I did that day.

Thoughts of gratitude, things that made me smile, quotes that inspire...

the journal is very personal and I am free to write a rant if I so desire.

When I write first thing in the morning 

I often write my goals for that particular day.

If I start my day with a positive theme it continues throughout the day.

It also helps me to exercise if I put my fitness gear on right after my shower.

This is a signal for me to get that out of the way before commencing with the rest of my day.

Exercise is on the agenda and I am not going to change into my dressy clothes

until I go for my walk or do my kettle bell workout.

Fruit makes up the bulk of my snacks and is the basis for any dessert.

I track my WW points with the handy counter.

If you are keen to change or influence your health and wellness

I firmly believe that a journal can help.

The support that you get at WW meetings is incredibly helpful 

if you are struggling with your weight I would not hesitate to recommend WW.

My weight is not moving very much and I admit that I am feeling frustrated...

I may be signing up for WW again but plan to up my exercise first.

I try not to obsess about a few extra pounds

 but I do feel much better, 

have more energy 

and like how my clothes fit when I am lighter.

A reader emailed me about a gym in Oak Bay that offers classes for 55 and older 

they have exercise machines and a punch card is available for a modest cost 

so I have made an appointment and will see if it is something that I would enjoy.

A bunch of former alumni got together for a reunion at the home of one of the teachers.

There was a great turn out and it was lovely seeing so many of the staff.

We all worked together at a local community school and it had been quite a few years since we had everyone gathered together.

So much history, so many shared experiences and oodles of memories.

The animated chatter and laughter filled the afternoon to the brim.

XO

How was your weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD and a few snippets from The Humble Bungalow

Blue skies, sunshine and fresh air greeted us this past Monday.

 The weather put me in a happy state and I felt I had a bounce in my step 

with oodles of energy.

The garden is in transition...

bulbs are popping up and things are looking lush and green.

The freesias are still as fresh as the day that I purchased them...

their fragrance is out of this world.

a closer look

offers me the opportunity to

breathe in their intoxicating scent

Flowers from the local merchants are particularly welcome at this time of year.

The garden has not yet emerged from its winter slumber 

 so it is nice to have a few vases filled with blooms in The Humble Bungalow.

I have been busy cleaning out closets, drawers, the pantry cupboard, 

 weeding out my books and cosmetics 

washing and ironing

donating goods to the thrift and charity shop.

Life here is ticking along...

nothing out of the ordinary.

My OOTD today is pedestrian and simple.

I am channelling a matronly vibe...

it is comfortable, cozy and conservative...

well maybe a hint of a rebellious woman wearing leather boots and vest.

I expect there will be critical comments as a result of me putting myself out there...

that happens on the blog these days.

(moderation will weed out the rude and blunt from the constructive and polite)

OOTD

Grey tights

grey boiled wool skirt

white top with lace at the hem

vintage leather vest

chelsea boots

It is a challenge trying to take a decent selfie...

(in the laundry room with the graphite grey LG washing units behind me)

I am still lacking in this area but you get the general idea.

How about this Topsy Turvy image?

The Diptyque Ambre candle is almost finished...

How is your week going?

Any highlights that you care to share?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Dinner in the dining room of The Humble Bungalow...

We are fortunate to have a decent sized dining room in The Humble Bungalow.

In the home where I grew up, we had a sardine can sized dining room where guests were squeezed in around a table, and once you were seated you had to stay until the meal was over.

The white fairy lights are plugged in for special occasions

opting for simple white Sophie Conran china 

and

French Bee glasses.

There is plenty of crystal and Royal Albert china tucked away in the buffet.

Those pieces come out for bigger gatherings like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Fragrant freesias from Thorn and Thistle Flower Merchants,

my favourite spot in town for fresh flowers and plants. 

We gathered together with darling daughter and her husband to watch their honeymoon video.

For starters

a plate of cheese, crackers, fig jam and olives were served.

Beef tenderloin cooked on a bed of mushrooms 

in a black bean Asian fusion sauce. 

Recipe is in Susan Mendelson's cookbook page 135 

 Mama Now Cooks like This!

(I cannot find her recipe online and for copyright reasons I cannot print the page so I hope you can find a copy of the book in your local bookseller or library)

Served with green beans and garlic mashed potatoes.

The garlic mashed potatoes are from The Barefoot Contessa's Paris cookbook 

(recipe here)

Mixed fruit and berry crumble which we topped with coconut ice cream.

I used Ina Gartens's basic recipe from her Paris cookbook 

substituting apples for the plums.

(recipe here)

Late Evening Tea Time

decaf Yorkshire Blend and a scented candle.

Time to reflect on the day

count my blessings 

then write in my journal.

It was a lovely evening...

Today

Mother and I walked the Esplanade this afternoon 

then we went for a coffee.

Our usual cafe was closed for holidays.

The blue skies and sunny weather were a tonic 

I am feeling a bit unsettled and persnickety.

I seem to have developed 

a headache

after purging our filing cabinet 

which took me several hours...

and 

has left me with a stack of shredding

that I need to attend to in the morning.

(UGH!)

We

also need the dishwasher motor to be replaced

we could opt for the whole new machine but I do not think that very green or eco friendly so we will replace the broken bits and hope for the best.

I plan to wake up with a fresh attitude

brew my cafe creme

sit and reflect on the good things.

Then

put on a crisp white shirt, pearls and my NYDJ boyfriend jeans

and seize the day!

Do you ever have a day where you just feel like someone has hijacked your life?

Don't be shy...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~