Whew!

Not too many words in this post...
I am in awe and bowing to Mr. HB and his expertise.

His firm has been nominated for a  BC Wood award for their latest project at our local university.
It's all good.

Mr. HB has been working his magic with the help of the tradesmen.....
here at home and things are looking good!

the new cabinet

arts and crafts window details

no hardware yet

it's in transit

from Rejuvenation

Quartz countertop

100 pounds and then some

bevelled edges

(bit of a splurge)

installed this morning.

Wide window ledge

ready for some orchids

or Pepper!

My old stackable Frigidare washer and dryer

still swirling, swishing

washing and drying

and it's been eons!

The lacy knickers are at the drying post

they'll enjoy a new steamy machine :)

Looking for that new set

the LG's or Miele's in every flyer that graces our doorstep....

Out of the closet!

Clearing out the closet has been the chore keeping me busy these past few weeks.
Can you say RUTHLESS!
I said farewell to several bags of gently used and unwanted garments.
Clothes that felt like "albatrosses"  items that one hangs onto "just in case"
I feel a fresh new start and have empty hangers waiting...
for a very select new and needed garments.
With Spring just around the corner there will be a few things that I will need to replace, white tank tops and T shirts are always on the list.

I mentioned before how tiny our Arts and Craftsman Bungalow is and that storage is minimal at best.
Prepare yourself....

This is the lower portion of our bedroom closet

Mr. HB has the upper area.

This is my basic winter wardrobe.

Here are the longer winter items.

I have a small wardrobe downstairs which holds dresses and out of season clothes.

I am not kidding when I said that I have pared down...

feeling a bit more like Jennifer Scott's "Madame Chic."

Blogger Mette recently purchased a pair of jeans

 which got me thinking that I could use another pair.

I found a pair of Gap wide legged jeans at the consignment store

where I met and chatted with Sheila from Ephemera.

I'll wear these with heels...

 red shoes would be fun!

Jones of NY

sweater jacket

in shades of grey...

a thrift shop find this week.

Speaking of grey

Pepper's catching some ZZZ's

The weather has been dreary and grey

 so I have imported some lovely scent and colour to The Humble Bungalow

I'll plant these hyacinth bulbs in the garden when they are finished cheering things up inside.

These may look like twigs

but they are so much more...

these cuttings will be abloom with pink and red blossoms in a week or so.

Perusing this coffee table book has inspired me.

The architecturally designed homes featured inside are beautifully decorated 

in a rather rustic Pacific Northwest fashion.

Antiquities, books and massed collectibles add such richness to these amazing abodes.

Rather like those trusted true accessories that add interest to a minimalist basic wardrobe.

Do you have a walk in closet or a teeny space like mine?

Is your wardrobe style more

or less?

Tidbits, minimalism, and reads at the ready.

It's been a busy week and I am gearing down for the weekend.

I've been wearing my minimalist wardrobe

adding different accessories so I don't feel bored or stale.

I have worn these boots 3-4 times every week.

Tunic tops with black slim leggings and boots

is a silhouette that works well for me.

Scarves are my "go to" accessory...

my scarf wardrobe is fairly large.

Long oblongs in cashmere, wool, cottons and blends

patterned prints, plaids and plains.

Silk squares 

always with hand rolled edges 

signed patterns 

from Hermes to Lanvin.

I look for scarves whenever I go into consignment shops.

My budget does not allow for exclusivity of purchasing brand new Hermes.

I've been mixing up earrings

I used to wear the same combination every day and change only for evenings out.

Variety makes my minimalist wardrobe feel fresh.

 I have decided that to simplify dressing 

it cannot be large or be full of splashy prints.

I am sticking to the neutral shades.

The Fashion Police have advised that this will be fine as long as I wear some red gloss

and add a bit of colour elsewhere.

My new Caroline Vaile wrap top

half price at my fave boutique on "The Avenue"

made in the USA

a fabulous weighted knit in jersey

doesn't hug the torso like a girdle and show off any ripples

very flattering 

 a tank or camisole is needed underneath

 I fear that I would look like a woman of ill repute if I neglected an undergarment!

Our son has a birthday this weekend...

he'll be turning 31.

He's a fabulous fellow and Mr. HB and I are so proud of him.

Happy Birthday!

I bought this book after seeing the movie Julie and Julia which I loved.

Hope that it will be as entertaining as the movie.

The UK Country Living magazine arrived...

I savour this with a mug of tea

from the delicious cover to the very last page.

Doing a little research on what the designers are showing for Spring.

Spending will be held to a minimum as the reno is in full swing...

Hope that I can re work my basics from last spring and summer.

I don't really "follow" fashion to the extent that I am a slave to fashion.

Following the latest trends feels strange to me...

There's a fine balance when one hits the other side of 50

not wanting to enter the frump zone

or looking as if one is trying to relive their youth...

I wear what suits my body type, what makes me feel good and what I can afford.

Tidbits...

thoughts...

 sleepy Pepper...

Dreaming of a quiet weekend

sleeping in later

relaxing.....

What are your plans?

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?