Thoughts on the the festive season...

Christmas in the Humble Bungalow is a treasured and much anticipated time of year.
I have come to terms with my expectations and abilities and do not try to create the "picture perfect Christmas"
I prefer a balance of relaxation and activity with gaps of time for reflection, mugs of tea, book reading, an opportunity to savour and notice the small things that enrich life for me.

I have simplified my life by shopping ahead for gifts. I attempt to find appropriate and useful gifts that the person I am gifting to would appreciate.
I often find thrift shops have lovely glass containers and cookie tins which I can fill with cookies, shortbread and homemade bath salts.

Pretty vintage cookie tins need little more than an ribbon and a simple tag.
I also find tea towels are invaluable as gift wrap.

I do not over decorate...
other than a few touches our tree is the focus and we do not put that up until 2 weeks before Christmas.

Family, friends and entertaining are the focus.
(as well as my sanity!)

I do not "do stress well" so the weeks before Christmas I am purposely enjoying life at a slower pace.

I bake time honoured family recipes for shortbread and rum balls.
I stumbled upon a Christmas cake recipe from Bon Appetit magazine which I have made for the past few years. It is much lighter than my mothers' cake recipe and can be made and served the same day if desired...these make great gifts for my uncle and other elders who no longer take the time to bake for themselves and it marries well with a fortifying glass of sherry!
(Harvey's Bristol Cream is a Humble Bungalow Basic)

Mother's cake recipe is very tasty, it is dark and heavy with fruit plus it makes and enormous amount and needs to be baked and stored for at least a month before serving.
(It also needs to be liberally doused with brandy or rum  every week!)

I have put a few simple things about the Bungalow to get ready for the season...

Mr. HB's mother had this vintage wreath for many years

when she gave it to us 

I was thrilled

it is one of my favourites...

made with

glass balls and Sherman rhinestone brooches !

Mr. HB strings up white mini lights throughout the Bungalow

The Ojibwa duck decoys which reside year round have some "greenery" now!

wire card holder waiting for cards

I send Christmas cards but my list is not as large as it once was...

I have purchased the cards

Mr. HB usually writes the cards

sometimes he adds a newsy letter.

My weekend has seen some busy moments and some quiet time.

I wrapped presents until I got a severe cramp in my hand

that made me cry out in pain.

I had only wrapped a few

and had to stop

I was in pain for 2 days and only now is starting to feel better

I am quite mystified

My son suggested it was something pinched in my neck

he has had this happen

and has had to go for massage to fix the problem.

So it appears that I am in need of a massage

 I have tight shoulders

maybe it was too much typing at work or 

 a build up of tension

I have been stressed about driving during the recent snowfall.

so it's time for some

Yoga in the Bungalow

it usually

works for me!

what are your strategies for a relaxed and joyful festive season?

300 posts and counting...

A year ago I started my blog
and now I have over 300 posts
I have been writing on things that are near and dear to me...
family, home, garden, clothes, cats, cooking and collectibles.

I shared some serious thoughts and others that bordered on sheer folly.
I captured many images of daily life here in and around The Humble Bungalow

I do have a confession...

I have told nary a soul about my blog

my family knows and a few girlfriends but that's it...

I am trying to figure out why I am so shy about this "hobby"

I am not sure if I will be mocked

or

what I expect the reaction to be...

should I come out of the closet?

I am a gal of few words

(of this you might be surprised!)

a regular group of us get together for tea/coffee at a local spot

and when we do

I listen more than talk

my fashion sense doesn't match that of my peer group 

what is up with that and why?

I am far more interested in name brand luxe

and have an insatiable appetite for pearls and diamonds

I am still trying to figure this out...

I can get "lost" in my garden

time seems to be suspended

I am fascinated by flowers

and 

am shocked and amazed by their detail

 whimsical things have a place in my garden

vintage pink flamingoes

bowling balls

roses are my passion

and it was my mission

to grow as many roses as I could

so that my vases would be full of fabulous bouquets

and this continues today

my love of wicker 

and 

black

marry here and will be forever

packaging and presentation

woo me every time

Orange is not reserved for Halloween alone :)

I love ocean travel 

on our boat

 a summer tradition for almost 30 years

 a vintage vessel

2 years younger than myself

and still cruising along :)

sounds hopeful !

I love to cook

and try new recipes...

Roast Beef Sundays 

 a great way to entertain family

and friends

 food from the garden

fun and flavour

and 

I feel a sense of comfort eating what I have grown

I became a grammy this year and it has been such a gift!
I wish that I could show you my brag book...but I cannot.
Out of respect for my family's privacy I have not posted images of lovely grandbaby Isla.
I would love to show you what a sweetheart she is...
you'll just have to take my word for it!

This pram

has sprung suspension

which affords a smooth ride

and is curb friendly...

I have learned a lot....

about cyberspace and digital photography,
made connections many whom I consider to be friends
and have opened my eyes on a global level...

I am feeling thankful and grateful...

Stickley, our Bungalow cat died of old age this summer

It was a sad and dark time for me...

and comments of support and understanding helped me through this patch of gloom
there are a lot of cat owners who blog :)

 recently we adopted a rescue kitten

Pepper

she has been a breath of fresh air

and enthusiastic comments have encouraged me to post more images of her at rest and at play.

Time flies when you are having fun...

my archival posts remind me what I was doing this past year...
a visual diary.

I need to figure out what I am going to be doing this upcoming year...

stay tuned and life in the Bungalow will evolve as nature intended...

I appreciate your comments and critiques...keep them coming.

I have a mug of tea at hand...

won't you join me?

Make time to indulge in something that makes your heart beat a little faster

and savour...

celebrate the simple

and elevate the everyday to special

Please come back

there's a place for you here in the Humble Bungalow.

 Hostess

Lemon drops....

The First year anniversary of my Blog is drawing near...
and I am wondering what I will do to celebrate...
maybe it's a non event...
in any case I want to share with you Mr. HB's delicious Lemon Drop Martini recipe

 the finest "Frou Frou" drink

 Hostess approved

My advice is to use freshly squeezed lemon juice 

if you are feeling lazy...

use organic lemon juice available in jars.

these are very easy to sip 

I suggest a 2 drink maximum :)

It is still freezing cold here...

our house guest has departed

the house is quiet

Pepper is snoozing in her bed 

I am in tidy up mode...

and feeling grateful...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Horsing around in the snow...Hermes and a Houseguest

The snow has fallen...and it is very cold.
My sister, the Equestrian, took some photos of her horses enjoying themselves in the paddock.
I thought that they were so beautiful...

they didn't want to go back into the warm barn...

Sis is off to a warmer climate herself

to her home in Rancho Mirage for a few weeks of sun and fun...

her partner, the Golfer, will be on the course everyday.

some of us stay home

 keeping the home fires burning...

Mr. HB chopped a lot of kindling 

and hauled some wood up to the front porch

It's supposed to get much colder...

I finished Michael Tonello's book

Bringing Home the Birkin

I

loved it!

If you get a chance and are so inclined

read it...

it's well written and engaged me right from the first page...

an insiders look at all things Hermes

and those who lust after their luxe products.

I must run as I am in hostess mode

and have a houseguest arriving

anytime!

Radio Days...

I have been without a radio for many years.
My first radio was a rocket radio gizmo that was more of a toy...
can you believe this?
A few years later I received a Crosley radio that my clever father managed to paint pink to match my bedroom!
When I turned 13 I had a battery powered transistor by Motorola which I took out to local parks and beaches... I thought I was pretty cool...

I remember listening to the sounds of the late 60's... the San Francisco scene, The Beatles and The Stones....while chewing Double Bubble and sipping Coca Cola.

An early favourite band of mine was Buffalo Springfield...oodles of talent, amazing harmony, singing songs with political messages...

I still listen to CSNY...the concert here in town a few years back still makes me smile!

Springsteen's music speaks to me on many levels and Mr. HB and I attend his concerts whenever he comes to the Pacific Northwest...it's been a few years...where are you Bruce?

 Dad...

I bought a Crosley...

wish you could see it

retro looking like the one you gave me 

way back in the day!

and the best part

it has a superior sound

they call it "Sound Around"

I've had to bring in my Aeonium arborium Valour 

zone Z10

the weather is positively beastly

chilly windy and wild

with

snow flurries

Who are your favourite musicians and bands?