Detox and a fresh start....

New Years brings with it a fresh start,
a clean slate and anything feels possible.

Holiday chocolates, cheeses and cocktails are over for awhile...

I embrace change at this time of year when a healthy optimism prevails.
It seems like a good time to get serious about ridding one of those bad habits...
a detox is one of the first things I like to do at this time.

I am going green

with Green Apple Greens+

1 1/2 cups water and a scoop of this powder

shake and sip

a healthy detox in a jar

what could be easier?

I am eating lighter 

making and sipping Miso soup

 drinking lots of water 

 a wedge of fresh lemon squeezed into each glass

and I am resting up

going to bed early with my latest novel

"The Distant Hours"

by Kate Morton

Enzymes

for the face

a gentle pick-me-up in a jar

dishes get cleaned the green way too

I am wishing now that my yellow gloves were green.

Hand cream goes on before the gloves

for a mini spa treatment

who says domestics can't be fun?

I picked this magazine up at the market

it looks like I am not the only one thinking about detoxing and refreshing one's life.

Perusing the pages I noticed that there are great ideas for getting healthy by employing common sense ideas...

eating better

exercising

 reducing stress

relaxing

kicking the caffeine habit

going to bed early enough to get a full 8 hours of sleep

spending quality time with people that you love and admire

those you hold dear, those who inspire

letting go of guilt

all great thoughts

I have a few things on my to do list...

make an appointment with my optometrist and have my eyes examined

book a hair appointment for some layers to slightly alter my current style

get my teeth cleaned

schedule a time for a massage

buy some new foundation garments

(translation = lacy lingerie!)

and

go through my junk drawer and toss what's not necessary and tidy up the mess

add all the birthdays that I need to remember and put them in my daybook

toss out and recycle anything in my wardrobe that makes me feel fat or frumpy

polish shoes 

and give handbags a wax and a polish

tend to any garments with loose buttons 

wash wool sweaters

take the non washables to the cleaners

Phew!

 and I make sure to schedule in some "down time"

I do love to cross off these tasks after I complete them

and there is a satisfaction watching the list shrinking as the days go by...

What's on your do list?

Remembering a fellow boater, the OOTD New Years style...

My BFF's husband's father passed away on Christmas Eve...
a massive heart attack....
this event was so unexpected
as he was, by all appearances, a hale and hearty fellow.

We knew him well as we spent many happy summers cruising in our boats and we joined in on many family gatherings.
(we are "adopted family, non related hanger-on-ers" )

Despite their recent loss, our friends decided to host New Years Eve dinner at their home.
My BFF set a lovely table, and I realize now that I forgot to take a photo...
It also happens to be the eve of my BFF's husband's birthday so we rarely miss spending time with them and were grateful that they wanted to be with us.

There were 6 of us who came together to contribute food and bubbly and who sat down to feast on Caesar salad, fresh Dungeness crab and a delicious chocolate torte.
Our Vancouver friends John and Cheryl, who have just returned from Auvilar France joined in the fun.
Spending the evening with friends sharing an intimate meal felt perfect to me.

a little bit of sparkle 

sequin top

diamond studs

and faux CZ drops

leather shoes with a bow on the side...

black ponte knit pants

casual and comfy

in the standard black palette...

Thoughts of life and death

and family and friends are popping up today

as I go through the motions of domestic chores.

Rather than shrug them off I let them flow...

I am feeling emotional, rather close to tears

as I clean the fridge and check the best before dates on the condiments.

The washing machine is whirring loudly

the dryer hums...

I have run vinegar through the coffee maker

wiped the kitchen counters

and here I sit typing

listening to these familiar sounds as they echo through the bungalow walls

outside there is birdsong

the skies are grey

clouds reign 

I am still...

in quiet contemplation

pondering and

remembering a life

well lived...

Flowers...

pretty pure white blooms.

Words, however kind, 

can't mend your heartache: 

but those who care and 

share your loss wish you

comfort and peace of mind. 

May you find strength

in the love of family

and in the warm embrace

of friends.

in 

 Deepest Sympathy

I dedicate this post to my BFF and her family.

Hugs from the Hostess

XO

I was recognized and identified....

Minding my own business
as I stood at the counter of the local shop,
consigning the lime green Franciscan ware set of dishes that I was so tired and bored with....

I was approached by a smiling woman whose face I did not recognize...
she introduced herself
when I heard her name I knew immediately that she was none other than the author of the blog Pondside!

I was busy at the counter so she continued shopping while the clerk finished up the paperwork.
She paid for her merchandise; a lamp and a cheery pillow for her sunny bedroom...
we decided that coffee was in order.

A short drive later, we found ourselves perched upon high stools seated across from each other
sipping steaming lattes.

Pondside has a very interesting job,
she comes from a creative and talented family who are very much in the public eye.

We both have long time marriages, are family oriented, are happy grand mothers,
we both love to read, and are keen walkers.
The topic of conversation ran all over the map...and an hour passed swiftly.

She is lovely...

a genuinely warm and gracious woman.

 She spent her morning walking with her friend along the blustery ocean seafront

and had already enjoyed a coffee with her friend

so I felt honored that she take the time to sit and share a cuppa with me.

Humble Hostess

 not looking my best..

but I am my own worst critic

if you follow me you'll know that I am much more comfortable behind the lens...

We both love to blog

   a "secret hobby" 

only a few of our friends and family know about.

We'll probably bump into each other again sometime soon

and we will be on a first name basis.

We do like walking the same route so it is just a matter of time before our paths cross again.

Thank you Pondside

until we meet again....

Quicker pasta and the menu for New Years Eve.

There's a happy Hostess in the Humble Bungalow these days!
Pasta making just got so much easier...

My first ever Kitchen Aid attachment,

it works like a dream.

It only takes minutes to run it through

and it is so easy

I cannot believe how fast this happens and with very little effort on my part.

I use the food processor to make this pasta

Adrienne from La Vie Quotidienne

gave me the recipe and I love how easy it is to make.

I made a simple sauce

saute onions, garlic and mushrooms in olive oil

add a can of DOP Italian tomatoes

some red pepper flakes, salt and pepper

and simmer for about an hour to allow the flavours to meld.

Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente

fresh pasta takes less time

so check often

sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top

enjoy!

I am getting ready for New Year's Eve dinner

several couples are celebrating at the table

on the menu...

antipasto assortment 

(my BFF calls this a "picky plate")

Caesar Salad

fresh Dungeness crab

served in the shell ready to pick

with

drawn butter, lemons, and ginger mayo dip

dessert

(which my BFF is making)

I haven't thought of any resolutions to make just yet...

self improvement is one that I often consider

giving back to the community is another

and I think there's a new hairstyle in my future

and possibly redesigning

 The Humble Bungalow Blog...

What resolutions are you making?

Cheers!

I hope that you will pop back in 2012.

Best wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year!

White Wednesday and more...

It's White Wednesday today...
and I have not posted on this theme for ages.
While one might expect snow and all it's pure whiteness
we are experiencing a very torrential Wet Wednesday!

Here in The Humble Bungalow we love to give gifts
and at Christmas, especially to our children.
It's a habit that goes way back and one that gives us great joy.

The gifts needn't be expensive nor do they need to be new.

I love finding second hand Mid Century Modern pieces...
this year I was able to source
a Dansk teak tray,
a Festivo tall art glass candlestick,
a set for four vintage linen place mats and napkins in their original unopened package
a matte white Rosenthal embossed vase
a Catherine Holm black and white covered casserole dish.

Our adult children collect, live with, and use mid century furniture and accent pieces.

Look at these shiny sterling babies!

sterling hoops

a

white pashmina

they look like they were made for each other!

I love the elongated form

thank you son and DIL!

My sister gave me this soft and lovely Pashmina,

Mother received one as well

and Sis bought herself one too.

It will be funny when we all show up wearing them together on one of our lunches!

I snapped up this interesting vest in charcoal with black accents.

(like my sister and Mother I usually find one thing for myself)

Lovely daughter knows how much I love Vintage White Ironstone....

a trio of small oval platters

a jug

some hand crafted magnets...

a crown

lovely daughter is on an economy kick right now 

she found the most amazing treasures in her rounds

and those lucky enough to be recipients were thrilled!

I look quite tired here

and I am!

I find that after Christmas day and dinner it takes me a few days to rest up.

I am loving the Chanel Triomphal that I bought for evening

here it is making an appearance in the daylight

in an attempt to add some energy 

and colour.

Lip colour is the one of the quickest ways for me to perk up

besides drinking lots of Perrier.

What your Wednesday White or Wet?