January Blues...

Are you feeling BLUE?

Blue Boy

designed and made 

by The Hostess

January and February are months that many people experience a slump in attitude or the blues.
Feeling blah in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing.
In order to feel joy one does need to know what sadness feels like.

If you are feeling extremely depressed and have lost interest in things that normally made you happy then it is a more serious condition and you might consider visiting your doctor.

Feeling low happens from time to time.
It can be lack of sleep or vitamin D or not enough exercise...
or a combination of things.
Often it is due to worrying about things that are beyond our control.
(I am guilty of this one!)

Are you eating a variety of healthy nutritious foods?
Have you remembered to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day?

Do you set aside some time to sit and quietly reflect on the positive things in your life?

Have you been keeping in touch with your best friends?
Friends are a very dear breed as they accept us with all our quirks and foibles.

I think of these low ebbs as a time to delve deep and learn strategies I need to employ in order to alleviate and reclaim a happy mindset.

Fortunately I have learned to listen to my body and I am proactive and take steps to ward off the blahs...
but if they do strike despite my best efforts I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Flowers are my go to pick me up...

Narcissus

and

snow dust on the back deck.

"Blues Busters"

Pick fresh flowers from the garden or buy some at the florist.

Call and chat with a friend 

or better yet meet for a walk and a coffee.

Wander through your neighbourhood and greet the people you meet.

Watch a movie

(I prefer romantic comedies)

Soak in a hot tub of scented salts

slather on shea butter when you get out

wear your robe and slippers and cozy up with a good book.

Explore the local galleries and museums.

Take a class in something new and exciting...

many courses are offered throughout the community

photography, bridge lessons, ethnic cuisine, crafts and dancing, 

are just a few ideas.

Volunteer to help in your community.

The local SPCA is a great place to start...think of all those animals needing a little TLC.

Pepper was a rescue kitten.

Pets are wonderful companions

I highly recommend owning one.

Put your favourite music on and play it loud!

Make some comfort food for lunch or dinner.

Get creative...

knit, sew, paint, decorate.

Browse through inspiring and beautiful coffee table style books at the library.

Have one chocolate and savour the flavour.

Go to the cosmetic counter and have a free makeover

take advantage of the freebies they offer you.

Reorganize your closet.

Go thrift shopping for something whimsical that speaks to you.

Give yourself permission to be sad for a set amount of time and then get on with life.

It's OK to be blue

just don't make a habit of it.

If you or someone you know is depressed 

take action

and seek professional help.

Remember to take deep breaths

try to relax

this too shall pass....

What a dump and something rather controversial for the Fashion Police.

We got a surprise when we woke up this morning...
a dump of snow overnight!

The North side of The Humble Bungalow

The east facing covered front porch!

Our resident hummingbird at the feeder

I bumped up the amount of sugar this morning.

We take this in at last light and put it out at first light.

There were two of them buzzing around today.

One sits on a branch very close to the feeder conserving energy and possibly standing guard

marking the territory.

Miso soup a warming concoction was made in a jiffy by a chilly hostess.

Carrots, parsley water and miso paste

oh so easy peasy.

Now for the controversial portion of the post

fasten your seat belts!

Some of the following images may be disturbing

so proceed with caution.

Fashion Police look away!

Sperry Boots

Jules and James Jeans

Lands End cashmere cardigan

Lands End T shirt

Vintage Fur Coat

I have no idea what type of fur this coat is made from...

it's very old.

rolled cuffs

 by Eaton's Fur Salon 

I am guessing sometime in the 1940's

Please do not judge me too harshly...

I thank you on behalf of 

my great aunt Tirzah.

A lady of some style whose many fur coats were bequeathed to various family members

upon her demise.

I have a confession to make...

this is the warmest thing I own for these minus weather conditions.

I do feel like a target for the red paint brigade.

I put on bright red Chanel lipstick just in case there might be a sighting

one does want to be co-ordinated!

So I am interested to know where do you weigh in on vintage furs?

love em?

hate em?

If you were given one would you wear it?

Mr. Snowman...

Greetings!
We have snow and ice, and the roads are treacherous.
Walking is safer than driving but it limits how far one can travel.

Our students had so much fun at recess making snowmen, snow angels and forts.
When I was a child I got so excited when the snow fell.
I have lost some of that enthusiasm...

It is lovely if you do not need to go out or drive anywhere and can stay warm and cozy by the fire, occasionally stirring the soup as it simmers on the stove.

This fellow greeted me today.

He is a handsome specimen if I do say so myself and I can take no credit other than snapping this image.

The temperatures are dipping again and more snow is on the way...

I may pull out my vintage fur coat as the down puffer coat is not quite as warm.

I wish that I had purchased some serious gloves or mitts as my fingers were frosted and chilled to the bone.

I wore my old boots today as I did not want to risk getting road salt stains on my new leather babies.

Have you met Tabitha at Bourbon and Pearls?

I am swooning over her boots

and whose boots is she wearing ?

you may well ask...

I'll give you a hint

the maker's name starts with the letter 

"H"

she's got the best taste....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

What a difference a day makes...

My IPhone is with me on my walks and I am finding that it is so handy when it comes time to taking photos.
I rarely get a call while I'm out walking, I take it just in case I might need to make a call.
Hopefully there will never be a need to make an emergency call,
but if one was required I'd be prepared.

I never was a Girl Guide.
I was an Explorer, a Discoverer, and was in C.G.I.T.
(Canadian Girls in Training)

Mother always made me take some money in my pocket for the pay phone just in case...
and she impressed upon me to be aware and alert at all times.
(that and her clean underwear rule!)

I can still hear her voice with her reminders as she zipped up my coat
and then wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug.
I know she loved me so much
and still does...

(it's that maternal feeling of protection that never leaves us moms even after our children are grown and fly the nest)

But I digress...

this is not broken glass...

it's a sheet of ice

BRRR!

the air is crisp and cool

the sun is shining

there's a quickness in my step

I can see my breath as I exhale

too chilly to linger

I keep moving forward

generating heat

and keeping my hands in my pockets

my leather gloves are lovely but sadly they are not warm enough

I need to go mitt shopping!

that was yesterday....

                                             we awoke today to find a dusting of snow on the ground

sprinkled snow

looking like icing sugar

it's not too deep

everything looks so pretty in white...

the forecast is saying there's a lot more snow on the way!

I'll be looking out for snowmen and snow angels

stay tuned...

and keep those home fires burning

'cuz baby it's cold outside....

The weekend of an entertaining hostess...

It's been a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow....
I have been wearing my apron again and acting as a Hostess.

\

OOTD

boots

skinny jeans

V neck black jersey knit top

regulation black and white striped apron

I cannot cook without wearing an apron as I am a messy cook.

I have ruined many tops in the past before reconciling the fact that I need to have protection from splatters!

a rather blurry image of the table set for our dinner party

Mr. HB's bar set up 

Bowmore single malt scotch for the men

lemon drop martini's for the women

tray of nibbles

olives

Welsh cheddar cheese

eggplant spread

rice crackers

smoked salmon candy

dried apricots

spinach salad

tomatoes

sunflower shoots

slivered almonds

dried cranberries

with

maple syrup balsamic vinaigrette

(Dressing recipe Whitewater Cooks)

Thai coconut chicken

before cooking

recipe from Whitewater Cooks

served with coconut rice

sauteed green beans 

chocolate cake

(recipe from Whitewater Cooks)

served with raspberry coulis 

fresh raspberries

with 

vanilla soy dream ice cream

Our guests were consulted regarding food preferences and allergies

the meal was lactose and gluten free.

Our friends came bearing gifts!

yellow tulips

 paperwhites

single malt scotch for Mr. HB 

wine 

Prosecco for dinner

olives

and this lovely

chartreuse green baker 

to heat up the black olives

if you have never warmed olives 

run don't walk 

pop some in the oven

you are in for a delicious surprise!

Hope that your weekend has offered up some memorable moments.

The weekend is not quite done...

 The Golden Globes are on TV 

as well as Downton Abbey

 so we'll be glued to the tube tonight.

There's a dusting of snow on the ground

 I plan to get outside and enjoy some frosty loveliness

before donning my apron to make a roast beef Sunday Supper...

but first I must get out of my robe and get showered and greet the day.

I spent most of the morning lazing about in bed reading the latest Town and Country

sipping tea!

(and putting together this post!)