Oceanviews and cauliflower bisque

Mr. HB and I took a lovely walk along the seafront recently.
The sun was shining and many people had the same idea...
Navigating the crowded paths found us single file in many spots.

We were met by
joggers and walkers
and strollers
in all sizes and ages
frolicking and fraternizing canines
dog owners mingling and chatting
smiling faces...

with a lively bounce in our steps
a crisp invigorating breeze
job stress and troubles melt and wash away...

glorious sun shining before setting into the salty sea

benches dot the paths

long shadows and scrubby trees

split rail fencing keeps people from venturing too close to the cliff

it's quite a steep drop

plus there's  an ongoing problem with erosion

views of the point where we turn around and come back

I love a warm bowl of soup after a chilly walk.

Creamy Cauliflower Bisque

made by the Hostess

This recipe is so easy and quick to make.

I had a huge cauliflower in the fridge just waiting to be cooked...

 I tried to find a recipe for soup that looked interesting and would taste delicious.

I managed to find a few and then I embellished and augmented the recipes I perused online.

Hostess's Cauliflower Bisque

Wash, chop and cook a large cauliflower in a small amount of water until it is soft.

Puree, set aside.

In a large pot

Cube 4 pieces of bacon and a diced medium onion 

saute together until bacon is cooked and onion is golden and slightly caramelized.

add 1 litre of vegetable stock 

pureed cauliflower, stir well to blend

1 -2 Tbsp. Herbs de Provence

salt and pepper to taste

simmer for 45 minutes

gently whisk in 1/2 c. sour cream

serve with grated Asiago cheese and croutons

Enjoy!

It makes enough for several meals and can be frozen.

I am taking it for my lunches this week

Easy Peasy and so tasty!

Have you any exciting plans for the week? 

I'd love to hear what you are getting up to...

Bungalow maintenance and domestics are on my agenda which

will be interspersed with a trip to the market and a few walks.

"Live with intention. 

Walk to the edge. 

Listen hard. 

Practice wellness. 

Play with abandon. 

Laugh. 

Choose with no regret. 

Appreciate your friends. 

Continue to learn. 

Do what you love. 

Live as if this is all there is."

~ 

 Mary Anne Radmacher

Giveaway Winners and The Fashion Police.

Thank you to everyone for participating in the giveaway!
We were very impressed with the great responses to the qualifying giveaway question
"What makes you feel Chic?'...
it was a difficult decision choosing just one so we have chosen two!
With such great answers we could have given out many copies!

One winner will receive the unread copy of Madame Chic and the other, the Hostess's gently read copy.
Both books are autographed by the author Jennifer Scott.

Congratulations to Rebekah and Laura Gail !
Please email your mailing information and I will pop your books in the post pronto!


 I am not guilty...

Stick 'em up!

2 ply cashmere cardigan by A. Giannetti of Italy

chestnut brown

thrifted

for a song.

I think I got a bargain

I didn't steal it

I paid cash

and yet

I 

I rushed out of the shop

feeling a bit like a criminal!

Like that IKEA commercial...

the one where the woman runs out of the store screaming 

"Start the car, start the car!"

I found a wool duffle coat...

under $10.00

by

MAC N' JAC

way too large

 so I

 took it to my seamstress

who altered it to fit

still boxy but much better on the shoulders and the sleeve length.

It is very pedestrian

but in such a soft wool and cashmere blend

I could not resist!

I wore Gloverall Duffle coats in high school

so it's a bit like walking down memory lane...

Mr. HB wore duffle coats.

Many of my classmates wore them. 

There was a uniform of sorts...

an unwritten code of dress.

Speaking of a code of dress...

There is a witty writer who comments on my blog

when I mention The Fashion Police

                                                          he or she is very entertaining....

                                             I'd like to share their latest comment with you.

Dear HHB,

Lt. Blk. Slashacrosstheeyes of the Fashion Police (5th Precinct), here. The Precinct has been snowed under. Mostly due the immense number of infractions and resultant arraignments made at a recently held award function that shall remain nameless for security reasons. (Oh, Sarah Michelle. Really?) Regarding your recent inquiry on the possible correctness, political or otherwise, of the donning of fur outerwear, the short answer is: You wear leather shoes don’t you?
But let’s see what the Code Book says:
Article II of Sec. 56(ii), tells us “Oftentimes an individual is the recipient of a vintage style of outerwear constructed of one or more animal pelts. This windfall can be considered fortuitus and no citations issued if:
a) it fits;
b) it keeps the wearer warm when exterior temperatures have dropped to the point of Freeze Your Patookus Off; and
c) you could never afford anything so luxurius even with your second income as a Street Harpie.
The wearing of the hide is also allowable under any one or a combination of the following circumstance(s):
a) when worn, the wearer is both holding the collar up and close to the cheek whilst making an entrance through any portal [i.e., the Ritz, a corner dive bar, a bedroom] of any room as it is not WHAT you wear but HOW you wear it – this is key;
b) a sultry stride of entitlement is utilized whilst making said entrance; or in the occurance of a bedroom portal, a casual lean against the door jam, one foot in a slightly raised position behind the other in a kittenish manner and sipping a bourbon;
c) you are Elizabeth Taylor.
However, what must be noted here is the additional importance of what the wearer is wearing underneath, or more specifically, not. If the wearer is: 
a) nude or
b) a little Wacoal (very little); or
c) a satin and lace slip; then not only are there no infractions but kudos are awarded. Extra bankable points can be issued as well if perfume is to be found behind ones knees, one’s pearls match her slip and/or You Can Leave Your Hat On (Tom Jones version), or perhaps a little of Bronislau Kaper’s Butterfield 8 sound track is playing mistily in the background on the hi fi.”

So again, it looks like you’re in the clear on any possible infraction. Thanks to your Great Aunt Tirzah. And you know SHE liked her Tom Jones, even if she never said.
Yours,
Lt. B.S.A.
5th Precinct
Universal Fashion Police


I think this is brilliant and witty...
hope that your week is off to a great start!


Thanks again to the Fashion Police.

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!