Blogging and thoughts...

Gosh things have gotten busy here!
So many blogs have captured my fancy.
I feel like I am torn now, between reading and writing.
I am searching for a balance and some clarity.

I feel a bit like I have been falling down on the job here on the blog and wonder what I need to do to kick start some improvements.
I have noticed that some followers have opted out and that my traffic is down. Not that I focus on these stats but they do provide feedback.
I have read that some bloggers are returning to work and others have family issues that require their attention so it might be that we are all busy living life and spending less time online. Taking care of family, working and home keeping leaves little time for personal pursuits and fatigue is often a factor.

Pepper enjoying a nap in the sun...

her job is to purr and be petted and pampered

and not much more is expected.

Sounds good to me!

Perhaps it is time for a blog make over?
At almost 500 posts over almost 2 years have I said all that I have to say?
The focus is a bit eclectic...
gardening, shopping, cooking, thrifting,
reading, decorating and de-cluttering
and whatever else might be on my mind.

So dear readers I am asking for your opinion...
Please tell me what you think and don't be shy.

What would you like to see here on The Humble Bungalow Blog?
Would you prefer to have fewer posts?
I welcome your suggestions, comments and critiques.

Fire away!

Sending thoughts of gratitude and thanks to those of you who take the time to stop by and spend a few minutes with me here on The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hugs from the Hostess
XO

What I wore for Thanksgiving dinner

Not donning an apron this Thanksgiving gave me an opportunity to to dress up.
I drove Mother and Mr. HB to my sister's home, we brought a bottle of wine, some flowers and a roasted veggie dish.
Mother made the pumpkin pies as she is well known for her fabulous pastry.
Family and friends gathered together to share a meal and give thanks.

One of my LBD's made an appearance
as did those hardy Stuart Weitzman shoes.
(If they were red I'd be saying "there's no place like home")

These shoes say "party" to me

perhaps because they are patent leather or maybe because they have bows on the toes.

Happy feet!

I wore stockings for the first time this season.

Messy up do

Faux Fuchsia does such a neat bun but I am all thumbs...

sparkles just because...

a little bling looks good in candlelight

and 

I wore eyeliner and shadow in a slightly darker shade

 Chanel lip gloss

and a quick spritz of Hermes scent.

I gave myself a manicure and slicked on a clear glossy glaze 

to disguise my gardener's paws.

After dinner in the kitchen my hands submerged in soapy water 

I wondered if the polish would peel

I should not have worried

 trusty OPI is a warrior among nail varnish.

Today all was back to business

grocery shopping

laundry

a walk on the seafront with my BFF

and the start of a new week...

We had an extra special invite to have dinner 

with our lovely grand daughter Isla 

and her very clever parents

lovely daughter joined in too...

Time spent with family humbles me beyond measure.

I am in awe

often speechless

and 

soak in so many blessings that I feel I might burst.

"As we express our gratitude, 

we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, 

but to live by them." 

- John F. Kennedy

Hope that your week is off to a good start.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend and thoughts naturally run to family...
thoughts of gratitude and blessings.

Fall is in the air and we are putting the Humble Bungalow Garden to bed for the season.

The Swiss Chard is nearly done and the last of the beets have been harvested today.

There are a few green tomatoes left clinging to the vine

which will need to be brought in soon to redden up on the window sill.

Leaves are in full autumnal colours.

There is a chill in the air

it is time to build a fire in the hearth and put on a sweater.

Thanksgiving brings a tinge of sadness...

some of our family will be together for a turkey dinner

and some...

those who have passed on 

will be huge in our hearts

and 

I cannot stir gravy without recalling all those dinners before...

the sounds of laughter

the jokes

the noise and chaos that having a houseful brings.

My father's red vest and white shirt and cufflinks

his tie tied just so...

clever and witty

conversing on current events.

(he subscribed to 3 newspapers and read them everyday!)

My father in law with his quiet presence soaking it all in

and 

his delight watching the grand kids 

as if they might disappear any second.

(meanwhile passing them a wad of crisp dollar bills)

I have gone through the photos of Thanksgivings past...

just to remind me how we all looked gathered around the old oak table 

set with the good china and extra chairs

candles blazing

wine glasses empty

sated and satisfied.

I have seen many bad hair do's and a variety of aprons 

on a red faced smiling Hostess.

Photos snapped without consideration of staging

red eyes

heads cut off

blurry images

 they do help me to remember those years of family gathered together here in 

The Humble Bungalow.

I looked long into the faces of my father and my father in law...

I shiver

it's like yesterday...

we miss them

and yet they are here in spirit

in our hearts

and

 memories.

We will never forget those days.

Love, honour and savour your family...

time is so precious.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hugs from the Hostess

Inspired by....

Inspiration comes from many sources and of late I have directed my attention to Independent Fashion Bloggers.
There are so many creative and clever women out there who are showing us what they are wearing and most post daily.
Artsy, colourful, and edgy mixes of thrifted vintage and designer garments and accessories are popular.  I like the energy and attention to detail that these gals put into their everyday ensembles.

I bought a hat after seeing Claire's post here.

Felt man's hat with a gross grain ribbon band.

Vintage,

thrifted.

Bollman's Hat Co.

the oldest hat company in America.

I wore this hat while I typed this post

and I am loving it!

I'd like to share a few blogs that I have discovered, 

there are many fabulous blogs to follow

 you can read my blog list for more inspiring blogs.

Here's a few that focus on fashion...

Take a look at Sheila...she has fun with fashion.
I really enjoy Fashion and Frank, Claire could be a model. Her clothes are fun and she has a firm grasp on style.
Patti at Not Dead Yet Style has a bright smile that she wears with everything.
My Edit is young and adorable and she looks good in anything!
Vickie from Adventures in Fashion is a classic beauty and boy does she has a great knack with accessories...
Natalie from I Heart This Blog is very dear to my heart...
Deja Pseu of une femme d'un certain age = Parisian chic and knows how to really pack a suitcase, as well as tie a fabulous scarf check out her tutorials.
Lisa from privilege knows how to dress well for any occasion and I love her polyvores.
What I wore 2Day posts everyday and shows us that fashion is in the details...

Keeping up with these blogs takes a bit of time but it's worth it when you see how much fun these gals are having by simply getting dressed. I have paid more attention and am switching up my accessories more as a result... and then there's the new hat!

What fashion blogs do you enjoy?
Have blogs changed the way that you view fashion or have you become more mindful of your appearance as a result?

Hope you enjoy visiting these fashion blogs.

Silver and porcelain...a happy coupling.

Harumi Ota is the clever artist that created this divine bowl.
His work in porcelain makes me swoon.
His use of the traditional blue and white touch on perfection.

This bowl has been used for many salads and pasta dishes.

It sits in the middle of the Humble Bungalow dining room table.

Inside sit a pair of silver salad servers made in Vancouver, BC

by the Acme Company.

They look very simplistic in form and design

but there was something that caught my fancy when I purchased these a few years ago.

 Harumi Ota bowl

this one is shallow and a great vessel for fruit.

It looks lovely with a colourful tomato basil and goat cheese salad too.

Pepper was a kitten about a year ago when she came 

to take up residence in The Humble Bungalow

I remember she could curl up in the larger bowl and have a snooze!

Using lovely things adds so much richness to everyday life.

Do you have something that you love to use everyday?

Does it make you happy each time that you set eyes on it?

(that's why I do not hide the Harumi Ota bowls in a cupboard)