Good News Bad News...

Who knew that Bonne Maman...
apricot is now available with 30% less sugar?

with thoughts of health this is Good News...

  a healthy weight is desirable 

hypothyroid disease

 hampers this goal

making it somewhat elusive

 my metabolism

is sluggish

even with medication

drat!

I have little interest in "working out"

when sweating is involved

my routine must be gentle 

 Yoga, walking and swimming

or

my joints make themselves known

 with searing pains that keep me awake at night

osteo arthritis has set into my hips 

my knees creak and click

but I do not want to complain...

because

here's the Bad News...

CANCER

 has reared it's ugly head

 at work

our upbeat and fit secretary has breast cancer

she will be away while she undergoes post surgical radiation

there is a dark cloud hanging over our school

it's as if we are holding our collective breath

hoping for good news

shocked

frightened

 helpless

sad

in the Bungalow we have been touched by cancer

 in our immediate family 

and that of close friends

some have lost their fight 

others continue their struggle

some are in remission

 a few have passed the 5 year mark have been told they are "cured"

We must do all that we can to ward off and protect ourselves from this insidious disease...

attitude and perspective are important

moderation is essential

schedule regular check ups and annual mammograms

performing monthly breast exams 

taking charge of our health and listening to our gut feelings

being aware of things that might be different or unusual

so working towards improvement:

eating smaller portions

healthier food choices

reducing stress

and worrying less

engaging in physical activity 

that does not exacerbate a pre-exisiting condition

it shouldn't hurt

or damage

what is vulnerable

getting enough rest

being positive

engaging in fun activities

learning something new

dabbling in a hobby

adopting a pet

fostering your social life by

cultivating and nurturing friendships

balancing all activity

with some personal quiet time

meditating 

or

reading 

 excitement ensues!

a new book

about fabulous vintage clothing 

a shop

a Frenchwoman

and romance...

I hope that you have something great to read...

and someone with whom you can share your thoughts and fears.

I sincerely hope that this post which is rather dark 

has not cast a dark cloud your way

 a very good friend of mine used to say...

This too shall pass

Weeding and thinning inside the Humble Bungalow....

I have been rooting through the closets and storage spaces of the Humble Bungalow and looking for things that I can part with and donate to the local charity shop.
January is the month when I get inspired to weed and thin out the bits and bobs that tend to accumulate behind closed doors.
It is very theraputic to look closely and listen to what each item has to offer...is it superfluous, does it still have a purpose, do I love it, can I live without it?

I cannot part with everything...I am a careful collector and exercise due discretion.

I have owned this vintage navy leather handbag for a few years and I have never actually carried it.
When I saw it in a thrift shop it I had to buy it, I love it....the price was low and the quality and details of the bag are gorgeous.
It is a  well crafted piece and shows no signs of wear.

compact and ladylike 

the closure

clip lock at right

clip lock at left

they open up at each end 

and the bag can be opened by pushing the two round disks of the closure together

lined in suede

impeccably crafted

and 

Canadian

I do not know if I will ever carry this bag 

but for some reason I cannot part with it.

This book is another keeper

I have been sorting out my book collection

and have been leafing through my reference books.

 how to accessorize

and the basics one might consider when stocking or tweaking the add ons 

that can elevate and illuminate

creative playtime for grown ups!

staying chic and shopping smart...

helpful hints keep this book on my shelf

on my agenda this month

lingerie shopping

I wash my lingerie by hand and it lasts a long time

I prefer to update these pieces once or twice a year

adding to the collection

I look for matching bras and panties that are lacy and feminine

I shop at a small boutique where the sales staff are trained to fit

they know what works for what body type and bring the stock to you

the prices are varied depending on the brand

 France and Italy supply lingerie

that offer superior quality and sumptuous designs 

I am eager to go shop

but I am in a decluttering and reorganizing phase

making space for some new arrivals.

Do you have a plan of what you will buy?

I look for things that I need first 

before I let myself be swayed into purchasing something that is fun and speaks to me.

I do allow myself some fun and frivolous fashions but only after the foundation pieces are found.

What have you seen in the shops that has beckoned to you

did you buy 

or did you resist?

Cheryl Fortier, food and friends....

Friend and talented artist Cheryl Fortier gave us this wonderful painting for Christmas...
she has recently returned from Auvilar, France where she and her husband have been staying for the past few months.
The landscape surrounding this charming and quaint village is beautiful and has obviously inspired her to paint these pretty poppies blooming on the hillside.
She used antique linen that she found at a local market in Auvilar for her "canvas"

Poppies in France

Cheryl Fortier 

has given me permission to post these images

now hanging here

in our Humble Home.

Hermes

masquerading as a necklace

my hair has grown

and I have been using a flat iron

I am able to put it in a ponytail

which I love 

especially for Yoga 

and working in the garden and around the bungalow.

the guests have departed

the Christmas tree has been taken down

decorations are stowed

the washing machine is whirling

 the dryer humming

tea is at hand

the house feels empty

(Pepper's asleep!)

 New Years Eve highlights...

Humble Bungalow Lemon Drop

to start...

Perrier-Jouet

paired with 

Spot Prawns

and

Ginger mayonnaise

Table before the New Years Eve Crabfest

 Dungeness Crab

served with melted butter and lemon wedges

 Arugula salad with crumbled bacon, grated Manchego

and a vinagrette made by Cheryl

simple fare

and

great company

a recipe for success

 to finish...

Wine Poached Pears

 served with Coconut Milk Bliss ice cream

Suzanne B

one of our dinner guests brought this yummy dessert.

On the horizon...

walking

healthy food

reading the many books that are on my "to read" shelf

 shopping for lacy unmentionables

bits and bobs 

and other

tidbits...

Hope that your new year is off to a great start!

Ring-ing in the New Year!

Happy New Year!

I want to thank all followers who come by and visit the Humble Bungalow Blog.
You are truly fabulous support for my hobby and I appreciate your comments enormously...
they encourage me to improve and reinvent.

The New Year is like a fresh canvas just waiting for some paint...
I have no idea what colour it will be or how it will turn out in the end...
it will just be....
unfolding slowly as the days continue their passage into the future.

Celebrating new beginnings as I ring in the New Year!

ring

of

old diamonds

newly crafted

and designed

by 

Paul

 jeweler extraordinaire

a little bling

 some sparkle 

a guilty pleasure...

Pepper makes a post Xmas appearance...

pawsitively precocious

and getting into mischief constantly now

seen here in one of her quieter moments!

Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity for the year to come.

Cheers from The Hostess

One great read, Scents from Grasse, and a Meissen...

Post Christmas...

A brisk walk along the seafront invigorated me and then an afternoon spent sitting in front of a roaring fire reading a new book was just what I needed.

The Carrie Diaries is written by Candace Bushnell who also wrote Sex and the City and One Fifth Avenue.

One Fifth Avenue was fabulous...I read it awhile ago and leant it to Mother who also had trouble putting it down.
I think the measure of a great book is one that you want to read instead of doing chores or domestics or pretty much anything else!
Bushnell  has a way of hooking the reader and keeping things moving along at a fast pace. Her characters are real and she makes us care about them and want to know what happens next.

new scent

Moonflower Orchid

from Grasse France

soft an sweet

subtle and clean

Antique carving platter

heavy sturdy and white

turkey friendly!

Meissen

Turkey soup 

a rustic loaf of artisan bread

for dinner. 

I am ready for our guests

the sheets are laundered, bed made

the room has been aired out

A box of chocolates are on the pillow

Perrier on the bedside table

fresh towels

scented Harrods soap

await their arrival

We'll be busy catching up 

on their adventures in the South of France

and lots of pictures

Hope that your post Christmas week is shaping up nicely

and if I get too busy to post...

Best

Wishes for a Wonderful New Year!

Cheers

and 

Hugs from the Hostess

XO