Tea Time and a comforting casserole....

This lovely local tea shop Silk Road is currently offering curb side pick up 

if you place an order you just indicate pick up instead of paying for delivery.

If you order $50 or more delivery is free.

The Royal Abkhazi tea is my favourite.

In the Spring and Summer taking tea in the Abkhazi Gardens is a real luxury.

It feels so civilized sitting on the sunny patio above the expansive lush garden

You can opt to take tea inside the tearoom 

 small sandwiches, scones with jam and sweet treats.

I love meeting up with friends 

walking in the garden 

looking at the beautiful flowers and foliage

sitting for a restorative cup of tea served in pretty fine bone china tea cups.

For now

 I will imagine sitting in that magical garden in the sunshine 

dreaming of the days in the future when we can reconvene 

 meet up to savour one of the loveliest places where we can take tea.

The Sour Cherry blend is very refreshing.

I like this tea brewed hot or served over ice on a summer day.

We do not have a dog, but many locals who do,

 take their pet to the off leash park at Dallas Road waterfront.

We spied this wee "stick library" for the dogs...

I love the wee paw print at the top right of the structure.

Thank you to the wonderfully creative and talented crafts person 

who designed and built this dog friendly "library!"

Thank goodness we are still permitted to go out for our daily walks.

Self distancing is a requirement that we take very seriously on the paths.

The fresh air and exercise is such a tonic for us all.

Speaking of tonics...

Cheesy Pantry Pasta 

We craved comfort food so I made a rich cheesy pasta casserole.

We had two small packages of dried macaroni and penne pastas

(about 3 cups)

I used them both and cooked in salted boiling water until al dente.

I made a simple roux with butter, flour and milk

and when it thickened I added about a cup and a half of grated cheese.

I added the cheesy sauce to the cooked drained pasta,

 put it in an ovenproof casserole dish.

Grated a bit of cheese on top covered the dish with foil

popped it in the oven for an hour at 350 degrees.

How are you managing?

Have you found a soothing routine while you are directed to stay at home?

I'm finding that I stay in my nightgown much longer in the morning

as there is no need to hurry and get ready to go out.

I am missing going to the shops...

it is not that I buy a lot I just enjoy perusing the wares

chatting with the shop keepers.

missing the coffee shops

 meeting up with friends

When this pandemic is controlled and we are permitted to go out to the shops

will there be a surge in shopping or will we have re-evaluated our priorities?

I know that we will want to support 

local businesses, coffee shops 

and

restaurants.

In the meantime...

It is a time for us to be patient and wait out this pandemic until it is deemed safe.

Our magnolia out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden is starting to bloom.

Snowdrops are still putting on a showing looking lovely...

taking these small snippets

holding fast 

admiring the bountiful and beautiful Spring flowers

appreciating the small Joys that grace these quiet days

Grateful to wake up each morning...

a symphony of birdsong 

a pot of hot coffee

greeting another day with hope

faith in our medical experts and scientists

who are guiding us gently through this health emergency.

Take care of yourself 

stay cozy as you cocoon in your home.

"Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today."

~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Flowers. thoughts and ramblings from The Humble Bungalow...

Deep indigo grape hyacinths are a welcome pop of colour.

We have quite a few of these in our front garden.

Thankfully the deer do not nibble these sweet flowers.

How are you managing during the "shelter at home" order?

Are you busy or bored?

Do you get "dressed up" or have a PJ Days?

Keeping quite busy with home and gardening tasks.

Baking bread every few days...

to accompany homemade soups and stews.

We were down to a few cups of flour and we hit the jackpot yesterday 

by finding 10kg package of flour

it felt like a lottery win!

(We are not taking anything for granted.)

I'll be able to keep baking bread for the next few months with this supply.

I purchased an antibacterial spray from Nezza Naturals.

I've been wiping the counters, light switches and door handles.

We have a few lilies blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Planted these a few years ago and they pop up early each Spring.

Such a delightful dainty little flower 

which reminds me of The Flying Nun's hat

do you remember Sally Field in this television show?

Love the variegated foliage of the Trillium

When the flower is in bloom it is a dark magenta shade.

I sat on the front porch this past weekend and enjoyed the sunshine and birdsong.

Tapio Wirkkala Ultima modernist mug made in Finland.

Darling daughter has a large collection of Ultima

which I covet!

Timo Sarpeneva Finnish Festivo icy candlesticks.

Baked banana bread and pasta were delivered to our son and the grandchildren.

We waved at each other through the windows and they came out on the front porch while we stood at the bottom of the stairs.

Later we Face-Timed with them

the kids were in fine spirits when they

demonstrated a dance routine that they were working on!

Thank goodness for the internet to help us stay connected.

Loving this Lemongrass Tea Tree soap

the scent is divine and the sudsy soap makes it easy to keep up with the necessary hand washing.

With all this hand washing I need to moisturize my hands.

This cream absorbs quickly and protects my hands in between washes.

I apply and small amount at tea time when I sit to read my book.

Hooray!

Hellebore blooms are not deer food.

 ~ Vintage Enamel ~

Bread tin and colander just part of the small collection in our laundry room.

All is calm...

the ironing has been done

(such a soothing task.)

Clothes are washed and hung to dry.

Counters washed ~ floor swept.

Feeling in control of my own home 

is just one part of how I am keeping my focus positive.

It's time for lunch and I'm making a simple sandwich.

Will pop the kettle on and brew a pot of tea.

Hope you are finding ways to amuse yourself while you cocoon at home.

~ Stay Home and Stay Safe ~

Cocooning....

Cocooning in The Humble Bungalow

We have been listening to the daily press conferences on the Covid-19 virus.

People have been asked to take "shelter" in their homes

 work remotely from home if possible.

Schools are closed indefinitely.

Recreations centres, libraries, and shops are closed or only open a few hours.

Grocery stores and pharmacies are open but many shelves are bare.

Restaurants and coffee shops are offering "take out" only.

Who knows how long we will need to cocoon in our homes and practise social distancing?

Our cupboards, closets and drawers have never looked tidier.

I've been baking, cooking and looking through my cookbooks for new recipes.

Tackling tedious jobs that I usually put on the back burner.

Each morning I linger longer over my coffee...

while I catch up on the news and social media.

I've been reading more than usual.

Rosemarie, a dear reader from Vancouver

sent me some sunflower seeds to sow...

she has sent me a packet each year in memory of my Mom.

Rosemarie is a generous, kind and thoughtful woman.

I hope to meet up with her at some point when we get through this pandemic.

The primulas are putting on their annual cheery display.

They bloom from February until May and then I plant them out in the garden.

Geraniums will replace these pretty plants from May through until September.

I've been embracing the opportunity to get out for my daily walk.

It is a chance to enjoy fresh air, absorb some Vitamin D and get some exercise.

With sunny days and natural beauty at every turn it is not a hardship.

Wee pops of colour elevate my daily round.

Cheerful anemone

such a pretty shade of blue

almost purple.

How are you managing during this health crisis?

Are you enjoying slowing down?

Have you been cocooning and creative?

Please chime in and share how you are spending your days.

(Safari does not allow comments so please use Google Chrome.)

Stay safe.

Wash your Hands and avoid touching your face.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Shopping my closet...casual denim for Spring

I have been wearing my go-to cashmere sweaters with jeans but with the sunnier days and Spring flinging our way I've been looking in my closet and thinking about dressing in lighter clothes.

Cailey 22 lightweight denim shirt 

In winter I layer this shirt under my black V neck cashmere sweater.

Gap heavier denim shirt

this works alone or layered over top of a Tee or top.

Gap shirt

Eileen Fisher sleeveless top

Letol French scarf

(was included in a previous delivery of My Stylish French Box)

Gap denim dress

layered over a long sleeve Eileen Fisher top

(I may purchase a pair of white capri tights to pair with these two pieces)

A lovely scarf...

with

cheerful colours

heavier and can also be worn as a shawl.

Works really well with denim and chambray garments.

I am trying not to panic 

after the recent announcement of the world wide Covid-19 pandemic.

Looking at the bright spots in my daily round.

I plan to do some "deeper cleaning" here in The Humble Bungalow.

Bathrooms, surfaces and door knobs will be disinfected.

We have not travelled on a plane or left the country and hope that people who  are ill will stay at home and self isolate.

Nice scented soap

Wash your hands well and avoid touching your face 

to minimize your chance of getting the disease.

Make sure you have 2 weeks of non perishable food on hand 

in case of an emergency.

(just like you would have in your earthquake preparedness kit)

Many people have been panic purchasing toilet paper and hand sanitizers.

According to scientists soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers.

Of course we don't have access to these when we are in our cars 

so maybe keep a bottle handy when you are between the shops and your home.

Planning to avoid large crowds...

Having had pneumonia 3 times in the past and at 65 years of age

 I may be one of the demographic that needs to exercise more care.

Happy Weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Birthday highlights...

Life is speeding by...

now that I have clocked 65 years

looking back

it feels like a bit of a blur.

Japanese Tapa Bar lunch out with my husband and our son

who gave me this beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Flowers are filling many vases here in The Humble Bungalow.

Chester reminds me that we need to stop and smell the flowers!

Love a green and white bouquet.

Birthday lunch out with my girlfriends.

We have a wonderful restaurant nearby called Nourish that features healthy food.

The focus of the menu is mostly vegetables.

This grain bowl had lentils, roasted veggies, kale, radish and carrots

served atop a bed of butternut squash miso.

It was incredibly delicious!

A rather silly impish smile 

as I hold the vast bouquet of flowers that my darling husband bought for me.

We both enjoyed a quiet dinner out at a local hotel.

The place that mom, my sister and I used to go to on Tuesday evenings.

I wore mom's pearl ring and had a glass of mom's favourite white wine.

Remembering her on the anniversary of the day she passed away.

It is with mixed emotions that I celebrate my birthday 

while I remember it is also mom's day of demise.

Thankfully I have a supportive family and friends who cheered me up.

I am so grateful to have had mom in my life for so many years.

I have many special memories and a few of her things 

that continue to remind me of her everyday.

A surprise package arrived in the mail.

From a dear reader of my blog 

Rosemarie

She knows me well and sent me these cute socks.

I am going to wear these a lot.

They are fun and will add some oomph to my basic wardrobe.

Thank you Rosemarie!

XO

The sun is shining and there are signs of Spring 

flowers are coming to life and popping up in the garden.

I feel more energy and enthusiasm when the sun shines.

Do you?

"I enjoy the spring more than the autumn now. 

One does, I think, as one gets older."

~ Virginia Woolf ~

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

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~ Be Well and Be Kind ~