Dinner at Julie's....a Valentine extravaganza!

Mr. HB and I received an invite to a Valentine's dinner party.

There was a fabulous assortment of guests which consisted of 4 married couples.
Set the stage...
An office manager, gourmet cook as the hostess her husband who semi retired from his job in roofing and construction.
Retired former Opera manager whose parents were leading Canadian Operatic singers who grew up in Paris as her parents sang with the Paris Opera and her husband a finishing carpenter/boat builder who hails from Kent.
The hostess's sister, a director for the Canadian Cancer Society and her husband who owns and runs a local construction and millwork company. I went to school with this couple eons ago!
Mr. HB and myself.

Julie's Valentine's table set in red with orchids and hearts.

Glasses waiting for

 Prosecco, Pinot Noir, and more.

We were served a different wine with each course!

The meal was "over the top" and consisted of 5 courses...

We started with 

seared scallops over avocado cream with jalapeno vinaigrette and orange supremes.

Salad bouquet in a crispy filo vase roast beet and herbed chevre terrine with pistachio vinaigrette.

Fresh pasta ravioli with herbed ricotta tossed in butter parmesan with a roasted tomato.

Roast tenderloin over truffle mashed potatoes with roast vegetables and bordelaisse demi glace.

Chocolate hearts filled with raspberry mousse fresh raspberries and coulis.

The food was above and beyond...

 beautiful to look at and it tasted amazing.

We sat down to dinner around 7:30 and got up from the table around midnight.

The courses were paced comfortably 

with time in between 

to allow the hostess to clear the plates and arrange the next course

interspersed with animated conversations

we were very happy and sated guests by the time we departed.

Julie has a passion for food and a talent for cooking. It's a hobby that she loves and she is now doing some catering.

She has catered weddings and birthdays and is looking for more business.

If you live in town and want her number please email me privately and I'll send you her number!

I am hoping that she is still in business when I turn 60

when I plan to have a splashy event.

Thank you very much Julie!

When you come here for dinner

it will be much simpler fare

but I will make an effort to impress your taste buds!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tick tock, tick tock....a forgotten post.

I found this post that I wrote a few weeks ago and forgot to publish...

Life is quite quiet here today...
the clock sounds tick tock
birdsong is audible through the single paned 100 year old Humble Bungalow windows
sitting here with a hot mug of tea in hand
pondering
dreaming
resting
until it's time to begin making dinner.

The Humble Bungalow living room

as it is today.

Morris arts and crafts chairs

two mica lamps

our reading corner

my chair is smaller 

it's the one with the linen pillow.

the kitchen

I should have moved the linen tea towel that I flung on the counter

oh well 

life in the Bungalow is not perfect or immaculate

nor will it ever be...

Pepper in one of her quieter moments

she has been "in trouble"

she was exploring the skinny plate rail in the family room

she leapt off onto the cabinet 

that held a lovely vintage West German vase 

SMASH

let's just say Pepper is on the de-cluttering bandwagon.

Mother has been feeling poorly for the past month.

I have been back and forth with her on the phone and visiting

took her some tulips and had a cheer up session with her...

she's off to the doctor this week.

These tulips were a gift to lovely daughter

I took some just like these to Mother.

I bought some hyacinths 

and they are sweetly scenting the air.

I'll plant the bulbs outside after the blooms fade.

I am so in love with white flowers.

In the hour before supper this week I had a desperate moment...

what to make for dinner when I don't feel like cooking?

I had some leftover chili which I covered with mashed potatoes

added some salsa and grated mozzarella cheese

baked for 45 minutes and dinner's ready.

It was surprisingly good.

Crisis averted!

What do you serve for supper when you feel uninspired or too lazy to cook?

French Fashion Fancies and a French Apple Cake

Prepare yourself as there's a distinctive French theme running through this post.
My passion for all things French seeps into my everyday living.
It's a curious perseveration...
being so enamored with France.
I do not truly understand it's origin all I know is it's one that I savour and embrace...
and dream about....

This gem of a book is never far from my bedside

I love to re-read the French Fashion Style Guide as it inspires me.

I love this book!

I read it again this afternoon and then spent some time online looking at scenes of Paris.

This comment speaks volumes to me.

"Less Is more"

and one should not overlook the simplest accessory.

They are the humble workhorses in our wardrobes.

 Be they 

expensive and luxe

 unusual and thrifted

better yet 

a gift or inherited!

It's up to you how you add flair

go shopping with an eye for detail

open up to your passionate side and find something that thrills you.

Dare to be different and carry yourself with good posture and confidence.

Keep your skin in tip top condition

and wear a minimum of make up for that French girl "no make up look."

Take time to incorporate some relaxation

channel a sense of calm

 soak in the tub with some scented salts

it's so much more chic than a quick shower.

Don't you feel more feminine just thinking about this?

I bought this French Market Basket several years ago.

I love the idea of walking to the Market and taking this along.

It sounds so romantic and chic...

I've yet to put this into practice!

I'd also love to be able to wear a beret with French cache

but no matter which way I put it on it looks silly.

It's a pity I know but hats generally do not suit me...

Scarves on the other hand 

are multiplying like rabbits here in The Humble Bungalow!

There's something so sensuous about draping a silk scarf around ones neck....

they are so easy to wear

and they always fit!

Hermes booklets illustrate how to wear their scarves

with images of pretty French Femmes on each page.

I keep them with my scarf collection so I can try a new tie when I am in the mood.

J'adore Hermes!

There is no shortage of great books on French Style.

Reading about Paris and Fashion is definitely a guilty pleasure.

Ines de la Fressange is a fashion icon

she has the look that embodies French Chic Style.

Pearls are the perfect accessory...

Coco Chanel loved to wear hers en masse

I have watched several films about her life

 and have read every Chanel book that I could get my hands on.

Wearing a French scent is part of the equation.

Voyage d' Hermes

(my sister wears it too)

Ballet flats 

are the penultimate shoe for The Hostess.

It's been boot weather this winter and I am looking forward to the Spring 

I will be able to wear flats again.

I have Converse sneakers on my list for Spring

and I am looking for some red ballet flats

so far they have eluded me.

French cuisine is all about using the freshest food available 

that one buys locally and in season.

The French love their food and wine.

 They take time to set the table and eat slowly savouring the tastes.

My French friend Cheryl who lives in the South of France part of the year

is a perfect example of a woman who supports the small farmer and the local market.

It is a pleasure to share a meal in her company as she speaks so fondly about the food...

where it came from

who she purchased it from

how it was grown.

Food preparation, the serving and the dining seen through the eyes of a talented artist like Cheryl 

is an enriching and illuminating experience.

Channeling my Inner French Girl is such fun.

My wardrobe has been pared down to a few basics in grey and black bottoms

with white tank tops and shirts.

I am very prudent with my spending and shop carefully.

No impulse buying any more!

There are numerous LBD's some casual and some dressy.

Finding that French wardrobe continues to be a work in progress.

I have learned many lessons and am still attending to that Parisian voice

in hopes that one day I will find myself in France..

or caught between the pages of a new and fabulous French Style book.

           Last but not least...

                                                       Donna kindly sent me the link to her
                                                                    French Apple Cake.

                                                                          Bon appetit!

Do you have a passion for fashion?

Who are your fashion icons and muses?

      I got a comment from the Fashion Police that went into my spam box 

 I tried to get it to publish and sadly Blogger deleted it

I am shattered....

please try sending it again.

Renovation update...

Many bloggers are participating in Frugal February. 

 I am unable to join in due to the renovations in The Humble Bungalow.

It's so exciting to see the changes as they transform this space.
There is a new back door and window to brighten up what once was a dark and dingy laundry room.

Mr. HB is the main man on the job.
There are dry wallers, plumbers and electricians and soon there will be a tile expert on the job.
What is my role you might ask?

I am the sweeper/cleaner/cook.
I have been catering to Mr. HB's culinary desires to keep him happy and motivated!
(so far it's working)

So looking forward to the painting and decorating stage...
when I will weald a brush and go shopping for towels and trinkets to fluff up the space and add my personal touch.

back door

laundry area

Mr. HB's tool and The Hostess's tool

(a lowly broom)

bathroom

wall detail

hallway wall

looking from the guest room down the hall to the laundry area

left is the door to the bathroom

Mr. HB is working very hard on these improvements.

Thanks honey!

We are using Benjamin Moore "Simply White" on the ceiling and walls.

Flooring in the bathroom will be white subway tile with a black accent,

 charcoal grey tile will be laid in the hall and laundry areas

in floor heating throughout the space.

We have ordered a quartz slab for the laundry room counter top.

(quite a splurge)

Mr. HB is going to construct a cabinet under the window in the laundry room for storage.

In our Bungalow storage is rare as hen's teeth.

There will be a new washer and dryer 

I am thinking of the new steam Maytag series in white.

Anyone care to share their thoughts or experiences with the newer washer and dryers on the market these days?

My current set were the first HE series by Frigidaire and they have performed well and given us great service.

My goodness the weekend's almost here...

we'll be busy here on the homefront

tell me all of your lovely plans.

Hostess

XO

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