Sunday, March 13, 2011

Blog Love...a heavy heart and gratitude.

Fellow blogger Jeanne of Collage of Life
recently posted on
Blog Love


            
                                           and passed it on to many, myself included



Thank you Jeanne!

The rules are simple:

1.  Post the image and add a link from the first blog post
2.  Share the Love and pass it on...


                                        
                                                        The Humble Bungalow

I would like to pass Blog Love onto 10 bloggers
please do not feel left out if I haven't linked your blog here
I regularly visit all the blogs on my Blog Roll
which incidentally had disappeared and has been reinstated.

Lisa

Tish

Blighty

Tabitha

Fiona

Annie

Janet

Adrienne

Rosemary

Belinda

I invite you to join in and pass it along if you are so inclined, and if you are not interested
or find yourself particularly busy...so be it.



The news from Japan is shocking...
I am finding words are hard to come by after seeing the horrific devastation following the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami...it is so unbelievably overwhelming...my heart feels very heavy.

I am having difficulty grasping the scope and magnitude of this event
the loss of lives increases with every news update...and the destruction is so widespread...

thank goodness so many countries are rushing equipment, supplies and aid
it is going to take a united and committed community to clean up and rebuild the infrastructure...




Gratitude has been uppermost in my mind these past few days.

The roof over my head, the food in my belly, running water and the warm bed that I lay in...
and the knowledge that my family here is near and safe.

In view of the fact that we live in a zone known for earthquakes we have always taken out a policy for earthquake insurance for our home.
Whenever we have a quake I always wonder if this is going to be the "Big One" that the seismologists have been predicting.
The thought fills me with sheer terror...

I am at a loss as to why I have not put together an emergency kit and stored it out in the garden shed.
I will be assembling one in the next few weeks...


Candles and matches


firewood


 heat 
via fire
outside in a makeshift firepit 
or 
inside in the fireplace


a wind up flashlight
and radio
the radio is downstairs somewhere...
it should be all together in one place

we'll also need 
canned food
bottled water = 2 litres a day per person
cat food !
first aid kit
hand sanitizer
water purifying tablets
 medications
toiletries
warm blankets
TP
cooking pot
and 
dishes, utensils
a manual can opener
whistle
duct tape
garbage bags
tools
work gloves
warm clothing
boots
and it has been suggested 
that cash will come in handy as bank machines and credit cards won't be working

 This information is from the website from 

Be Well
and 
Keep Safe



Thursday, March 10, 2011

Beastly weather...and snippets of Spring

Spring is on the horizon and there are hints if you just take the time to notice.
I ventured out into the garden camera in hand
raindrops sprinkled and wind tossed my hair...

I managed to capture a few images before I was chased back inside by the inclement weather.


Primula
in 
Orange

Did you know that Yellow Primulas have a scent?
sweet and intoxicating
if you don't believe me sniff one after a rainfall!


Crocus almost ready to open


Yellow daffodils 
for me
are the consummate harbinger of Spring.
Yellow against the backdrop of brown or black or perhaps grey
POPS!



Sandstone rock
from a BC Gulf Island
placed in the garden
for 
texture and interest...

It was too stormy to stay outside 
so 
I am showing some details from the lower level of the Humble Bungalow.


Vintage keys
we have a few doors with locks
and the keys at the bottom and left
work in these locks



 crystal "snowflake"
and round suncatcher prism
with 
 clock keys
I find that the old and antique keys have an appeal 
that todays keys seem to be missing...
am I the only one with this thought?


Vintage clock winder keys 
sit atop
 an antique country cupboard

would you wear a key?


Crystals on a tarnished silver tray
tarnished?
just because.


 matte white collection
I have heard it said that elephant ornaments are good luck 
only if their trunks are up in the air...


Fishing float
these are found on beaches on the rugged westcoast
and all the way up into Alaska


blown glass with a pontil on the bottom


Bowl of floats
I planned to have a pond in the garden awhile back 
and 
I thought it would be fun to float these on the surface...
we gave up the idea of a pond
and have put in raised veggie beds.

The price of fresh vegetables has risen so much in the last couple of weeks.
I think it must be the price of gas and that bad weather in Mexico and California.
Have you noticed?

I gasped when I saw zuchini at $3.99 a kilogram
we grew 3 plants last season and had a wonderful crop
I picked them when they were small and tender
and we enjoyed them so much
now 
I wish I had frozen some.


It's positively beastly outside
I have made a hearty chili and that will warm us up
and there will be leftovers for tomorrow night too.


I am still very much in love with Le Creuset
this dutch oven cooker
is so versatile 
cooks on top the range 
or stews away inside the oven
It's heavy 
 the way I look at it is
I get in a wee bit of weight/strength training 
toting them about
and they last forever!


Doesn't it look pretty next to Pepper's kitty grass?

She has discovered the grass and nibbled a bit of it
but much prefers tulip bouquets.

I can only wonder what she will do 
in the Summer
when I invite copious amounts of David Austin Roses inside
they are my passion
and 
I adore arranging large billowy bouquets 
and 
placing roses in every room of the Bungalow.


I think Mr. HB and I will be viewing 
a few more episodes tonight
we loved it ages ago
and
guess what
we still love it today!

Dear friends have gone off to the Jolly UK
for 6 weeks
so they have loaned us some of their classic videos.

Wherever you are
I am sending thanks to you
for stopping by 
and spending a few minutes 
visiting the Humble Bungalow.
Hugs from the Hostess
XO

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wisdom comes with age...polishing the bumps and enjoying the blooms.

I used to suffer with a manic condition of collecting things...
vintage collectibles mostly
adornments
fripperies
arts and crafts...

copper was a favourite of mine.

I would attend every local antique fair and some farther afield
I'd get up early on weekend mornings newspaper in one hand, coffee mug in the other
to peruse garage sales with a greedy eye...

not an eye that I am particularly proud of...
greed stinks in all forms

I am distancing myself from greed and manic behaviours...
I am reforming and reinventing this body and mind
there's nothing like turning 56 to give one some well needed clarity.


I used to get very excited at the thrill of the hunt,
sometimes my pulse would even race.
I know I drove rather recklessly through suburban streets looking for sales
and often parked on the wrong side of the street and frequently blocked driveways
I  am the fan of all things safe
and obediently obey and observe rules and who only drives Volvos
those reputable Swedish Safety Stars.

I would be rushing...speeding
hurling myself forward towards the prize...
it might be a lowly trinket or a treasure to behold.

My wallet was halfway open as I approached the vendor...spilling change in my wake with not even a backwards glance...
I'd put on my buyers face...one that would not reveal desperation or excitement
I'd pretend I didn't know the maker or the mark...
I would admit only to be smitten by the piece itself...
and play dumb.

I'd be calm incarnate...blase...impress me if you can!

Whatever was I thinking and why the act?
In hindsight I feel shame.

Curiously I have little to no desire of acquiring more "things"
maybe I have enough stuff now, and I am just over it.

I am moving more mindfully
slower
savouring
and paying attention to what motivates me.

I know in my heart of hearts that stuff does not = happiness
I must have known this forever
but maybe tested the waters....

I am actually trying to pare down...
I am approaching this cautiously and methodically.

The journey to minimalism will take awhile...
not because I don't desire the transformation
simply because I need to reassess and address what I am ridding and why.

I feel that this transformation is necessary
as we advance in age we get closer to death
we rub shoulders with our mortality
and often we experience moments of crystal clarity
the kind that stops you in your tracks...

what I take away with me is what I came into the world with...
and that is humbling in and of itself....


Look at this collection of copper!


Hand hammered
made by a craftsman 
named Peter
a
lovely patina
(original and unpolished)
useful vessels
but why buy 6
shouldn't 1 be sufficient?


I like the interesting detailed work
it feels organic.
This is the first one I bought
before the mania set in!


The copper family of vessels
gathered here are
all a little different...
subtle
and similar 
yet having a
uniqueness of their own.


I've put pines cones, lemons, limes, nuts, trinkets
and all manner of things inside these
and now because I have so many and such a small bungalow
I need to stack them inside each other!

and the sad and sorry truth is 
they hibernate inside the buffet in the dining room 
and rarely see the light of day


I wonder how I will manage to dispose of these...
they are interesting yet somewhat peculiar 
and 
would anyone would want to take them off my hands...
would they?

I'll keep one!

the first acquisition
the one that fueled my fancy
and sparked the mania
as a reminder
of things gone by...

If you collect arts and crafts copper 
you'll know that the original finish is what educated and prudent collectors demand

Polishing devalues the object substantially.

However
when it comes to my personal management
and routine
I employ polish with a fervour...
one day at a time.


Birthday gift 
Fresh Body Polish 
a hard working scrub
sloughing workhorse divine
with a delicious scent
just remember to rinse the tub out well after use 
or you'll be slipping and sliding 
and risking injury!

My newest favourite tool
Revlon's Crazy Shine
my nails have a shiny gleam all of their own

 buff and shine
quick as a wink...
instant gratification...for the impatient Hostess.



Beauty 
is a Phalaenopsis Orchid
 putting on an annual fuchsia flourish
these blooms will last for about 3 months before dropping off

I have put this up high away from Pepper or she'd be pulling them off.

I noticed that she'd pulled another tulip bloom from the birthday bouquet
it was lying on the carpet with a few teeth marks on the petals.

Life is never dull here in the Humble Bungalow
and there's always room for improvement
stay tuned for more deep thoughts
I am embracing change
in all forms...

Namaste


Monday, March 7, 2011

Tea and a little creativity...

Lots of domestics are underway...
I am on my 4th load of laundry
and the bed linen has been changed.

I have stopped for a well deserved cup of tea...
and a little foray into creativity.


Tulips with a hint of colour


camera tricks


Weller arts and crafts jardinere
the detailed tooling captures my fancy


subtle and suggestive


sturdy feet help support the weight


I purchased this piece from a thrift shop
and had no idea it was a Weller at the time nor did the dealer
it is a thrifty find which has become a treasure to behold.



I am wearing these to keep my spirits light
while 
actioning brisk tasks in domesticity.


On a bright note...
the Garden issue is here!


Look at these great new garden gloves by Ethel
as seen in Martha Stewart Living
and 


Laying around
on the Humble Bungalow bed 
playing with the Hostess's Pearls...

These Ethel warrior rose gloves were a gift 
from my BFF on the occasion of my recent birthday
just in time for the pruning season!

(I wonder how the glove will feel?)


perhaps a wee bit jealous?

I hosted a belated birthday brunch with the family
here in the Bungalow...
I had a great time playing on the floor with grandaughter Miss Isla
and so nice to have my family gathered 'round.
My mother came as well and she was very quiet
as she took it all in...
emotion can well up and tears can so easily spill
when ones heart is full to bursting.

Mr. HB and lovely daughter poured mimosas
I made fruit salad, 
lamb sausages with mint sauce, 
hash brown potatoes, 
scrambled eggs
smoked salmom lox with dill
and 
these amazing
mouth watering tasty pancakes
topped with a small dollop of creme fraiche
YUM!



Do try these
they are a winner.

Break time is over 
the tea has re-energized me so...
now it's back to the chores.

What strategies do you use to keep your spirits up 
when moving through your domestic chores?

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The trouble with walking is...

 I took a long walk yesterday...
the sun was shining and the birds were chirping
and I feel rather proud that I have seriously started to action healthier eating
and took the time to walk and meditate on life and all it's gifts...
it surprises me how quickly I can get out of the habit of taking a daily walk...
using weather as an excuse to stay indoors.



Tulips
in an Arts and Crafts Weller vase


such cheery blooms
they are an instant mood lifter


Hours of walking
(another great mood elevator)

punctuated with stops in shops...
and chats with sales staff
and I got into some mischief!

I hadn't planned it as I was dressed so casually
in LuLulemon workout gear
Eddie Bauer Down jacket...
my only stab at fashion was the Burberry pink plaid scarf encircling my neck.

Happy to say the Siebel shoes are comfy
my feet are happy despite the mileage.

First I found...


No not a real Sandwich
they make fabulous garments
I love love love them
and could buy many pieces
but I will not be
  I am trying to be a minimalist
and I could be so easily led into temptation!



back detail
with the ability to snug it in
the style is uber boxy
great piece for a body in transition
(hopefully shrinking)
even better it's packable and lightweight 
a great travel coat
it can be stuffed into a tote for the surprise rain showers that often occur.


a heavenly scarf that set my heart all aflutter
my favourite shades all married together
so versatile with my closet contents


Pepper of fashion police fame
is eyeing up the goods



and now for the taste test!


She does have an eye for fashion...
I think the scarf would look nice with her coat too.

She has been trying to eat all my tulips
I am concerned that they are toxic to cats
I have tried clapping my hands loudly 
and 
I even resorted to spraying her with the plant mister!
She is determined to chew on the greenery...
I have some kitty grass in a pot
 and 
I am hoping that she will enjoy munching on something safer.
We all need our greens!