What's this?

Do you know what this might be ?

It looks like a bottle cap

but it's not.

any ideas?

Georg Jensen Designed this gadget

Do you give up yet?

It's a bottle opener...

you use the ridge on the underside of this "bottle cap"

to de-cap-itate the bottle!

How about this gadget...

do you know what it's used for?

I love this one and use it regularly.

Looks like something from a Star Wars movie.

Do you want me to tell you?

It's a cap for champagne or bubbly and keeps the effervescence inside until you want another glass

works for many days.

Honestly!

Last one...

an instrument of torture

or

a strong pair of hands?

This brawny gadget will open any jar...

it's a life saver.

Vintage,

 a wee bit rusty

appearances pale compared to the fact 

that it's so trusty.

I ordered some comfy casuals

to wear while doing domestics around the Bungalow.

Why you might ask?

My cleaning gal is off for 6 weeks as she is resting up after surgery.

When she comes here she wears stretchy exercise gear and "works out" while cleaning.

(The Lessons Learned From Madame Chic mentions this too!)

I bought a French terry tunic in grey

which I layered over a black tank top.

Bought some new capri's in black

with a slight scallop at the hem...

see Land's End for more great casuals.

Look here's a late bloomer...

this bulb was sitting in the planter with the Xmas paper whites and never bloomed

until now.

Better late than never!

Is there something that you really want to do in your life?

Well...

what are you waiting for?

Mr. HB and I have narrowed it down to a few candidates for the giveaway

but there is still time to enter if you want to tell us what makes you feel Chic.

What makes you feel chic? and I've been tagged!

I have almost finished reading Madame Chic.

Please don't forget to tell me what makes you feel chic to enter the giveaway...

details are in the previous post.

materfamilias has tagged me in a meme
and I am rising to the challenge by sharing some things about myself.

11 random things about me are;

Spiders scare me...lovely daughter was bitten by a brown recluse spider and it was a horrific experience, her bite took nearly a year to heal and has left her with a scar on her leg the size of a toonie.

I do not like to fly...I have flown several times but have been anxious the entire flight.

I have never pumped my own gas...and I am not particularly proud of this fact.

Very few family and friends know that I have a blog. It's my secret hobby!

I have considered getting my nose pierced with a very small and sparkly diamond stud.

Several years ago I ate an entire pumpkin pie over the course of an afternoon. Incredibly shameful but true!

Metric measurements still challenge me as I was educated when the Imperial system was in use.

I have a crush on Colin Firth.

Potatoes are my favourite food, I love them mashed, scalloped, baked, fried and even potato salad.
It must be my Irish heritage coming through.

While my house may be dusty on any given day it is usually tidy as I cannot stand to live in chaos as it stresses me no end.

I carry a handbag/purse everywhere I go. I get teased about this quirk!

Now to answer mater's questions...

1. What was your favourite film last year and why?
Midnight in Paris was my favourite film last year. I liked it for the cinematography, the costumes, the sets, and the fact that it was set in Paris, a city I long to visit. I saw Midnight in Paris very soon after reading The Paris Wife, which was about Paris in the 20's and the bohemian lives that so many arty types were living. I love Woody Allen's quirkiness when it comes to film and thought that he chose a fine cast of characters to star in his film. I've viewed it twice.


2. If money were no object, where would you spend your next vacation? and why?
I'd go to Paris and the south of France. I have always wanted to go there...I'd love to spend a year in the south of France as dear friends John and Cheryl rave about the warm and friendly people, the beautiful countryside and the lifestyle.  I'd love going to market days and poking through the brocantes.


3. Describe the earliest meal you can remember enjoying.
Soft boiled eggs and toast fingers (which we called soldiers)
I remember dipping the soldiers into the runny yellow yolks. It was almost like playing with my food and Mother allowed me to do this. I remember feeling very grown-up.


4. If you were dividing domestic chores with a new roommate, which ones would you try to claim?
The cooking and the kitchen...and the decorating!


5. Do you play a musical instrument? If so, which one?
I played the flute in school but I have given it up now.


6. When you're bothered by prolonged muscle or joint soreness that's interfering with your workout plans, do you visit a General Physician, a Chiropractor, a Physiotherapist, or a Massage Therapist?
My G.P. and I love massage so I'd hasten to book a few sessions at the spa.


7. What activities do you hope will sustain you throughout your 80s and 90s?
Walking, Yoga and perhaps swimming.


8. What was the first important car in your life?
My first one! It symbolized my independence...it was a vintage Zephyr. White with black accents fins at the rear, red leather seats inside, quite posh but so retro in the 1970's!


9. What was the most significant course you ever took?
Oh I have taken so many courses over the years I really cannot choose just one!
Maybe Lamaze preparing for natural childbirth.


10. If you had the resources, which elementary or high school classmate would you try to track down, and why?
Louise Kahn. She and I enjoyed and played music together. She was very pretty and creative and so interesting. Her father was a professor and they lived in a large arts and crafts home that was furnished eclectically and had vast stacks of books strewn everywhere. They moved to New York when her father was transferred to another university and we lost touch. I have always wondered what happened to her.


11. Which chef would you like to have come to your house to prepare a meal for your guests -- or, alternatively, give you a cooking lesson in that chef's professional kitchen?
Jamie Oliver! I'd like to go to his home to meet his lovely family before sitting in his kitchen, watching him make me a tasty meal.



The rules are:
1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them


Part of my participation requires that I tag a few bloggers who would kindly post and answer the 11 questions that I pose to them. 
I understand that not everyone likes to, or has the time to play along....but if you were to join in here are my 11 questions.


1. What name would you choose for yourself if you could pick your own name?
2. Who would you most like to meet and spend an evening getting to know?
3. What are your pet peeves?
4. If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?
5. If money were no object where would you like to live?
6. How would you describe your fashion style?
7. Who influenced your life the most?
8. What is your favourite book?
9. What have you discovered about yourself that surprised you?
10. What is your favourite blog?
11. What 5 beauty products would you take if you were to go to a desert island?


OK now this is where it gets tricky....
I now need to ask you to if you'll participate...
If you are too busy I will undertsand completely...


Lisa, the author of the privilege blog has just returned to work after spending 2 years as a lady of leisure. She hails from a High Wasp background and has grown up in style. Her blog was the first I discovered and remains one of my all time favourites.


Duchesse has recently moved to Montreal. She has a great sense of style, loves pearls and I'd like to know more about her. She writes the blog passage de perles.


Adrienne lives in wine country and is a volunteer coordinator with a flair for fashion. I hope that she'll share with us some tidbits about herself. You can visit her at the blog A Rich Life on a Budget.  She's very friendly and has impeccable manners.


Today felt like any other day except that I broke my tooth eating a cracker today at lunch...
and I swallowed the part that broke off!
I'll be supping on soft foods and soups until I see my dentist for a crown.

My mouth feels so odd,
thankfully there is no pain...
and I hope there won't be any.

I am not a fan of the dentist, drills and drilling.
On a positive note
my dentist has the most beautiful baby blue eyes...

How's your week going?

"Lessons from Madame Chic" a giveaway!

You don't need to speak French to enjoy Jennifer Scott's new book "Lessons from Madame Chic"
I am immersed in all things French...
so learning more about French Style Chic is exciting.

Jennifer lived in Paris with an aristocratic family in the 16th arrondissement for six months. Her keen observations and attention to details are shared as she highlights the top 20 things she learned from her experience.

Jennifer Scott is a very savvy young woman who has produced many You Tube Tutorials and she is the author of the blog The Daily Connoisseur. She very graciously sent me an autographed copy of Madame Chic in the post all the way from California.
In fact, she sent me TWO copies so that I could host a giveaway!

If you have never visited her blog you are going to be delighted when you pop over and meet her.
Jennifer if you are reading this I sent a note in the post and you should get it any day now.
Merci beaucoup!

I am halfway through the book and I don't want it to end.

Mr. HB snapped the photo and I must say I look quite serious

or

perhaps studious...

 Sitting by the fire reading and keeping cozy

Pepper is asleep on the other chair and Mr. HB is reading a novel.

The house is scented with the aroma of Beef Daube as it cooks in the oven.

I used this French wine in the recipe.

 Herbes de Provence 

c'est marvielleux!

une baguette s'il vous plait

(a must to soak up all the tasty juices)

French Chic soap...

I am saying farewell to that hideous bar that makes me cringe every time I use it.

Jennifer has a chapter in her book that is titled 

"Only use the best things you have"

this made me realize how much negative energy went into that cracked bar of soap

BTW it was French too!

Black and white 

are my kind of colours

this zebra tunic top is going to be top dressing for my black leggings and boots.

If you would like to be entered for the giveaway you must be a follower of my blog

You don't need to advertise my giveaway or tweet about it

I want to keep it simple.

I'd like you to tell me what makes you feel Chic.

Please enter before February 6th, 2012

Mr. HB and I will choose whose description will win the book.

Have fun...

Bon Chance!

Bon appetit!

Flowers, brown paper packages and keeping up appearances...

I wrapped a gift with brown paper and string and it reminded me of that song from the Sound of Music.
I viewed the movie no less than 7 times
my grandmother took me to the theatre often
as my grandfather was a projectionist at the Pantages Theatre here in town for years.....
he earned his gold watch.

brown paper package tied up with string...

a package of another kind

I drove up island awhile back and stopped for coffee in Cobble Hill

at the Drumroaster cafe

it turned out to be the best cup of coffee I have had in recent memory.

www.drumroaster.com

these little sweets came in a small brown box nestled on top of spun cotton

dainty pearls

and

deep red garnets

   I will wear them when I want to feel feminine.....

I like taking the extra time to get dressed up to go out

I don't always do this and I should

because I have been "caught" in my Yoga pants and sneakers!

It does seem to me that when I am thoughtlessly dressed I invariably meet up with a well turned out woman friend

who politely ignores my attire

she graciously excuses me when I stammer

 "I have just run out of a key ingredient for something that is simmering on the stove and I really must run."

I make a hasty retreat and vow under my breath, that I will not leave the house in the future 

unless I look decent...

(until next time that I must dash out unexpectedly!)

Sunny Yellow Tulips

fresh flowers in the Bungalow are a staple

considered not to be an extravagance.

In spring and summer the Bungalow garden has plenty of fresh flowers free for the picking.

Roses are plentiful....

Bright blooms are so cheery

 I buy them by the bunch in winter.

My "go to" flower shop is Harry's.

they carry a wide variety of greenery

and berries

as well as the mainstream blooms...

 I do so love the frothy petals on peonies.

Florist roses are not highly scented like the David Austin Roses 

that I tend and grow in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I'll be perusing and choosing some flowers today

after taking Mother and darling daughter out to tea.

"Take care of luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves."

~Dorothy Parker~

Have a fabulous weekend

and treat yourself and others kindly.

Thoughts of motherhood, food and more...

Children are a gift.
Mothering has offered me so many benefits beyond feeding and diapering.
I am eternally grateful that I was able to be a Mom.
It has been such a huge part of my life...

Tears well up when I recall past events or look at their baby pictures.
I turn to mush.

They grow up so fast and when they leave the nest it is painful to see them go...
knowing that my job was done and that time of my life was over and done with was not without sadness...
sure there would be new beginnings and opportunities would present themselves, but it's not quite the same.

In the quiet moments of solitude over a mug of steaming tea I often go back to those busy days,
the house littered with toys
mounds of laundry waiting to be washed and folded
cookies to bake
lunches to be packed
baths to be drawn
bedtime stories
hugs and kisses
the goodnight bed bug song before lights out...

Was it really so long ago?
It seems like yesterday and my heart is full with wonderful memories
and yet sometimes in the space that happens "in between" moments...
I feel an ache that goes very deep
and it startles and humbles me by it's sheer power.

Spending time with my adult children is so precious
I feel honoured to be invited into their homes.
I love how they have turned out.

Last weekend we were invited to our son and lovely DIL's for dinner
which meant there would be playtime
Isla = hours of grammy good times = LOVE
talk about tugging at my heart strings!

I snapped a few pictures and video's which were emailed off to friends near and far.
Who have responded with oohs and ahhs...thanks guys for indulging me my bragging "grammy time."

The other afternoon our darling daughter called and asked if she could come over and watch The Batchelor
(the ritual mother/daughter show)
and cook us a Thai dinner...
well that's a no brainer...
I'll be the sous chef,
bring it on!

Oh it is so delicious

Thai jasmine rice

Le Creuset wok full of Thai tasty goodness...

chicken, peppers, beans, coconut curry...

so amazing that I had seconds.

(sadly it's not low cal)

We enjoyed cooking together and critiquing the Batchelor

there is always so much drama!

I wonder if Ben the winemaker will find a wife?

Downton Abbey was fabulous

I just wonder how that housekeeper sleeps at night!

"Modern Family"

is a relatively new favourite of mine

such a great cast and the episodes always make me laugh.

If you are a mom and your kids have left home...

do you still hear their voices, 

and listen for their footsteps on the stairs?

Sitting here in the glow of the candlelight

I reflect on days gone by....

 while a new life has been born

Welcome to Rose Ashley

lovely DIL's BFF has become a mom!

I feel that great things are on the horizon

sincere congratulations

 the circle expands

we are all in this miracle of birth and life together....

Sleep well mom and babe....

know that you are in our thoughts and hearts tonight...