Quinoa a grain of distinction....

Quinoa is an ancient grain that the Inca's used and it packs a powerful nutritional punch.
It has the highest protein content of all grains and is a great source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins B and E.

It cooks up quickly and can be made into many different and delicious recipes.

One that I particularly enjoy is this southwestern style salad.

Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Rinse 1 cup of quinoa in a fine meshed sieve, drain.
Put 1 1/2 cups of water to boil in a medium sized pot.
When the water is boiling add 1/2 tsp. salt and then the rinsed quinoa, return to boiling then lower the heat and cover the pot. Let simmer for 15 minutes, turn off the heat and keep the lid on for another 5 minutes.
Remove lid and stir then set aside to cool.

Saute 2 cups of frozen or fresh corn until just cooked, set aside to cool.

Dice 1 small red onion, 1 red pepper and 1/4 cup cilantro.

Put the cooled quinoa and corn into a large bowl and stir in the onion, red pepper and then add 3 tbsp. lime juice, 3 tbsp. lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir well and put in the fridge for the flavours to meld.

I like it with fresh salmon or on it's own for a quick and healthy lunch on workdays.

I added some grated carrot to this one and I think this recipe is open for experimentation so have some fun with this one.

Speaking of cooking Sue over at The View from the Great Island is always cooking up something fabulous in her kitchen and she takes such lovely photographs of her culinary creations. I hope that you'll pop over and pay her a visit.

Bon appetit!

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

OOTD and a retirement soiree....

One of my former colleagues retired after 30 years of service and a surprise party was planned after work.
We gathered at a local pub listened to a local jazz band where we shared some stories and had a few drinks.
It was such fun meeting up with people that I worked with for 17 years at a former school.
We shared a lot of history working in an inner city school...challenges with the students made us bond together tightly.
Most are now retired leading full and active lives...
Retirement looks good on them, in fact I think they looked younger.
Maybe it's because they are doing what they feel passionate about and the fact that volunteering has become a regular commitment in their weekly round.
No frown lines creased their brows just happy laugh lines and lots of animated faces as they related all their news.
Topics ranged from travel to books and grandchildren, photos were shared.
I have not seen some of these gals for years but it felt like it was just yesterday the way we picked up where we had left off.
Ease, comfort, long lost friendships...
rekindled.

I wore my Moebius shawl 

with an all black ensemble.

black leggings

black long tunic V neck T- shirt 

Me Too snaffle animal print flats 

loose garter stitch 

made this knitting project a breeze

the alpaca yarn is soft and light

but warm and cozy.

I wore my hair up in a half up do

letting a few curly strands fall as they may

pearls seemed appropriate 

and of course my everyday bangles 

I wore some eye liner and wore a taupe eye shadow.

Evening events and smokey eyes seem to go together.

A quick lick of peachy lip gloss and I was good to go.

Dressed up for after 5 at work is not my usual look

because my principal commented on my attire!

Perhaps I should wear eye make up and pearls more often

and pretend there's a party every day!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

What I wore to school...OOTD

Working in a school library requires lots of reaching and bending, it is more active than a desk job.
I dress for comfort and ease of movement.
Work appropriate clothing means washable and dressing in layers helps when I get hot...
which has been happening a lot more often lately...
and I thought I was so over that!

Roberto Vianni ballet flats

Gloria Vanderbilt dark wash denim jeans

Symplii black tank top in a jersey knit

Eddie Bauer jacket

An inexpensive ensemble, perfect for my pedestrian life.

Detailing here means no neck adornments.

everyday diamond studs

(a gift from Mr. HB)

wedding rings

a wavy do for the day

and

I am ready for school.

Sadly my brown cashmere sweater which has given me 6 years of cozy service

emerged from the sealed plastic storage container  

with two small holes 

(which I will mend)

I might need to seek out a suitable replacement,

after 6 years I suppose it's time...

Can anyone recommend a good line of cashmere sweaters?

I have looked at Eric Bompard so far...

White ware and awareness...

Collecting things does not excite me the way it used to...
Over the past 30 years I  have been almost manic about obtaining decorative items for The Humble Bungalow.
It bordered on the ridiculous and I am now aware of how I was driven, in hindsight, it is an eye opener.
I'd seek out that perfect piece, buy in duplicate or triplicates spending money that could have been better used in other areas, never going into debt but using the grocery funds to feed my habit.
(can you say mac n' cheese?)

I feel so much calmer not "needing" to go out and find something...
not even knowing ahead of time what I was seeking....
perhaps instant gratification?

I have disposed of many of my collections and have kept a few.
The Ojibwa tamarack duck decoys are here to stay, they reside on the top of the Humble Bungalow mantle, and they are arranged and rearranged to suit my mood and the season.

One of my favourite collections is vintage matte white pottery.
I am wooed by the odd piece here and there if it crosses my path, but I do not go out intentionally looking.

What is white?

 beauty pure and simple...

and it feels honest.

doves

fluffy white towels 

snow

cotton balls

soft ice cream

paper

"Chicklets gum"

rice

marshmallows

milk

polar bears

"White Out"

porcelain

tissue paper

teeth

"Ivory Snow"

bridal gowns

cold cream

"Iceberg roses"

pearls

sweet peas

and 

subway tiles.

It's good to be free of the desire for more, more, more.

content to live simply with less.

Mette has inspired  this post...

go and see what she has to say...

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. 

 ~Leonardo DaVinci

The Bungalow....

The Bungalow is one of my favourite places to shop.
Offering an amazing selection of quality cards and a wide assortment of wares.
When I need to find a gift I am confident that I will find something suitable.
It's got that small shop charm that begs one to come back again and again.
Often I go just to browse and chat with the owner.

It is located in a tony area of town on a strip dotted with cafes 

a wool shop, pharmacy, and toy store.

Parking on the wide street is of the angle type, 

a style that was quite popular when I was younger.

I know the owners,

they have shared dinner and wine at our table

and we have had the honour of being invited to their lush garden and home 

overlooking the bay.

The garden is a work of art, a true labour of love 

a hobby that rewards

 and 

balances a busy life in the retail business.

When GS bought his cottage a few years ago

 it was situated in a Garry Oak Meadow.

Naturalized with rocky outcroppings and filled with brambles and weeds.

He recognized that the property had "good bones."

He has painstakingly remodeled the space

and created an oasis of beauty.

I do not have any photos of my last foray in the garden.

One does need to look long and soak in all the details

which when viewed through the lens does somewhat diminish the experience.

There are so many areas where he has cultivated the unusual and eccentric plantings.

He is a master plantsman with an artists eye for creating beauty.

He weaves and mixes variegated foliage with attention to colour and texture

and is not afraid of "pushing the growing zones" as his garden has a Mediterranean zone.

We walk about snaking through sections 

along a gravel path as it winds it's way 

from one "room" to another as we climb higher up to the top of the land.

Surprises reveal themselves...

large planters spill forth with foamy flowers

rusted iron sculptures 

bowling balls 

pergolas

bench seats

a studio / guest cottage

and 

wicker chairs

await

where we can sit and gaze over the garden 

to the boats bobbing on the ocean below and beyond.

There's not a breath of wind and all is quiet,

it's a magnificent place

and I feel so lucky to be here

stopped dead in my tracks

humbled

witnessing beauty above and beyond.

Gardens Illustrated and The Canadian Gardener have come through and done photo shoots this past July.

The Korean Olympic Group came through too.

He's not too sure what his garden might have to do with the upcoming Olympics 

because not one of the group spoke any English!

Their film crew snapped photos and took videos for several hours 

I hope they make the cut when the Olympics air.

Keep your eyes peeled for his Garden in these publications 

I am confident that you'll be inspired!

You never know what is around the corner...

 imagine for a second how great life is

when you least expect it!