Baby it's cold outside...BUR BUR BURBERRY

The weather is damp and chilly, winds have been gusty and fierce...
the recent snowfall is but a distant memory...now the thermometer reads 2 degrees and everything is covered in a twinkling icy film.
Bur...Bur...Burberry...
come hither...

My love affair with scarves continues...

Hermes, I have been unfaithful...

my head has been turned

can you see why I have strayed?

behold the magnificance...

soft shades of pink and cream with a smattering of blue...

a scarf of another colour

it wraps twice around my neck 

adding a nice insulating layer of warmth...

(2 years young and still going strong)

It looks so much warmer in Southern California

Adrienne's blog

La Vie Quotidienne

shows a lush green garden image taken this week.

 Deja Pseu's beach view

Une femme d'un certain age

sun, sand and swimming.

and check out

Faux Fuchsia's garden

she lives in Australia

and is gifted in all things glamourous.

Enjoy your weekend

and keep warm...

Tiffany, Pepper and some more seasonal recipes...

Pepper helped me choose a tin this afternoon...
I made a batch of whipped shortbread to take to school,
it's report card time and the staff are running low on energy...
I like to surprise them with treats in the staffroom...

Do you perform random acts of kindness?

This shortbread is about as fast and easy as it gets
You will need a reliable mixer, preferably one with a stand...

cool on a rack

these melt in your mouth

line the tin with wax paper

 carefully place one layer of cooled shortbread 

alternate with another layer of the wax paper

until the tin is almost full

gently transport

to avoid breaking the cookies

remember to take a break and pace yourself

you'll feel much more energetic :)

 Lily Lemontree

recently blogged about a great hostess gift

inexpensive and lovely.

Tiffany crystal votive 

While shopping I came across battery operated votive candles

who knew they made these?

Now I will not be concerned that Pepper might burn herself

The company claims they last for 100 hours 

and replacement batteries are available.

I will be relaxed about leaving this "burning" while I am not in the same room.

I plan to have several of these in various locations throughout the Bungalow to add ambiance.

 A post from last year with my mulled wine recipe 

 easy and inexpensive to make

 great for casual gatherings

neighbourhood caroling

 snow sledding 

or ice skating 

you could serve it to the adults 

while the children sip cocoa.

I have been nominated for the Stylish Blogger award

by Janet Ellis from The Skinny on Mini

rules state that I must mention 8 things about myself 

forward this to 15 new bloggers...

those who read my blog know that I have trouble passing on this task

so I am suggesting that if you read The Humble Bungalow and want to participate

add your link in my comment section and we'll all race over and get to know you better!

8 things about me...

1. My middle name is Anne...

mother when annoyed with me linked the two names together "Leslie-Anne"...

when I heard her call I knew I was in some kind of trouble!

2. The new Hawaii 5-0 is my new current favourite show on TV... James Caan's son has a lead role.

3. I was born tonque tied and had to have it "snipped" so I could suckle more efficiently.

4. My favourite Beatle was and is Paul McCartney

5. I was a member of the Barbie fan club and Junior League.

6. I played the flute in the school band.

7. I once ran away from home with nothing but Teen magazines and some cake mix in my suitcase!

(I got as far as the corner)

in my sleepy neighbourhood everyone knew everyone and the woman of the house called my mother to report my whereabouts and to say I was sitting in tall grass reading Teen and dipping my fingers into the cake mix package...

8. I am not good at laundry...we send Mr. HB's shirts out to be washed and pressed.

I hope that you laughed a bit here...

  I did 

when writing some of these obscure tidbits

so how about it

care to share 8 things?

who's game

?

Mom's Christmas shortbread recipe...

Bungalow baking increases exponentially here at this time of year.
I bake for family, friends, events and to give as gifts.

I set aside a day as a "baking day"
I do not try to do much else or I will invite stress into my life...

I get my "head into the right space" and this is done with relative ease...
The apron is instrumental it is the uniform of choice and as important as having all the ingredients at hand.
You do not want to be "rushing out" to buy something that you have forgotten or are short of...
plan ahead, make a list, check it twice :)

Dress in comfortable clothing that is flour friendly (no silks or taffeta)

Pearls are fine !

cozy cashmere sox

Put some great music on...music that inspires and energizes...
sip a beverage to keep hydrated...for me it's usually a mug of tea,
roll up your sleeves and follow the recipe...
joyfully !

this recipe is such a reliable basic

 an original Scottish recipe from several generations ago

I return to it every year

I do not recommend doubling this recipe

make it as it stands 

you can however make several batches 

the results are rich and buttery

do not overbake

they "set up" on a rack quite nicely as they cool

If you try this let me know what you think

and don't forget to sample the product when finished

a good cook never serves or gives anything that doesn't meet his or her standards!

P.S.

Look what arrived in the post!

I recently read Michael Tonello's Bringing Home the Birkin

and 

I loved it...

 he has kindly sent me this signed bookplate

all the way from Barcelona.

I have it on good authority that he is working to a December deadline for his new book

I'll be sending him a proper Thank You note in the post

Michael if you are reading this...

Thanks so much!

Nana's Rum Balls...

Bungalow baking can be easy peasy...
and here's one with lots of flavour.
and this goes out to Tabitha from Bourbon and Pearls...

I use my food processor to grind the wafers and pecans

You'll also need a large bowl and be prepared to get gooey hands.

I have used rye in this but much prefer dark rum.

Keep these in a wax paper lined container in a cool dark cupboard

until ready to put into individual gift tins

or to serve.

Do not consume the day that they are made...the rum needs a few days to soak into the wafers.

I wonder if Tabitha might substitute bourbon for the rum when she makes these :)

and

A sprinkle of Pepper...

at rest

she has had a busy morning playing...

and in her wake

"toys" litter the floor

she's grown so much 

she is still getting into mischief

but you wouldn't know it just looking at her !

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?