Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Cashmere come to mama...

I knew the warm sunny weather would have to come to an end.
Today we have a grey day with masses of fog draping and weaving their thick blankets in and around our bungalow. You can hardly see outside the windows.
It's frightfully damp and the furnace has come on...

I've gone shopping, from my bed.
Swiftly to Land's End for a warm cashmere sweater in a foggy shade of grey.
"Alpaca Heather."
Perhaps influenced by the weather and the need to be comfortable and cozy, cashmere to the rescue.

You can see my new cardigan details here
 if you are quick you may be able to get that 40% discount like I did!



lands-end-cardigans-womens-regular-long-sleeve-cashmere-cardigan.jpg

I highly recommend Land's Ends for their cashmere. My black cardigan is so cozy and is performing well with minimal pilling and washes like a dream retaining it's shape when laundered in a warm water bath of sudsy Aveda Shampure Shampoo and laying it flat to dry.


I hope you are warm and cozy today...
if you are chilly there is always cashmere to the rescue!



Thanks for popping by...
Hostess

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Thanksgiving thoughts and Flowers...

Thanksgiving was a blur of cooking and company.
Family, food and flowers...

There are leftovers in the fridge, the silverware and china has been washed and put back for another gathering.
So much preparation is required, new recipes tested and then served with love and care.
It always amazes me how fast it's over...
laughter and hugs,
an adorable red headed grand daughter,
an 84 year old Mother who is now also known as Nana
our grown kids
a husband who generously rolls up his shirt sleeves and gets busy in the kitchen after the guests have all left...
we sip wine in between washing and drying
chatting and sharing the joy that family brings to our lives.

Family mean so much.
They are at the very core of my being.
I am sitting here with my mug of coffee, a tear in my eye and a heart full of JOY.
The Bungalow is quiet but I can still hear the sounds of the family if I listen really carefully
it's as if the walls have ears...



Lovely daughter brought these.


These roses are the last flush of Climbing Royal Sunset.

I hope very much that you have much love in your heart.

It's a great day to go out and have yourself some serious fun today.

In gratitude,
your Humble Hostess
XO


Saturday, October 6, 2012

Soup and Shopping

I don't know about you but I find a bowl of soup extremely comforting especially on a cold day.
This is exactly what I was looking for when we went out for lunch.
Nourishment, warmth and comfort during times of stress.


Chicken Penne Soup with dumplings...

After lunch we strolled along the streets lined with people who were darting in and out of the retail shops.
Energy and a real mix of consumers, young and old alike carrying bags with recognizable logo's.
ROOTS, LULU LEMON, GAP, EDDIE BAUER to name a few.

On my list of things to buy this season was a new pair of Yoga pants in black and my first stop was LULU.
(my other Yoga LULU pants, in grey, look brand new and are probably about 8 years old)
The cost is higher than many brands but the value is beyond my humble expectations,
so naturally I went there first.

I ventured into the store leaving Mr.HB sitting on the teak bench outside happy to people watch.
It was a crazy busy scene inside the store and I felt like I could have been in the Robson Street location in Vancouver B.C....
Seriously not at all what I would expect for our quiet little city. (obviously I don't get out much!)
Thankfully they had lots of staff on to help customers and many change booths made for a speedy experience.


Reusable bag


capri length
perfect for a height challenged gal! 


slits at the back


anti slip headband which I also wear in the garden
hair falling in my face bugs me no end


Mr. HB and I think their logo reminds us of Marlo Thomas's hair cut 
from the 1960's and 1970's when she starred in the TV series "That Girl"


I wore these when I watched a light hearted romantic comedy 
Ghost Girlfriends from the Past
with Matthew McConaughey.

I crave comfort when I am feeling weary or ill.
Cocooning at home wearing comfy clothes stretched out on the couch under a cozy blanket
is so soothing.

Just want to say I am prepping the food for our Thanksgiving dinner.
Turkey ~ Veggies ~ Crustless Pumpkin Pie
and more.

I'll be boiling the carcass and making soup as soon as possible.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

MIA or White Wednesday

I have been MIA..
a little longer than originally planned.
We had a bit of a crisis as Mr. HB's 94 year old mother fell and broke her hip.
We have been worried sick and sitting at her bedside in the hospital trying to reassure her. She's' very confused and anxious and even though the surroundings of her private room are modern, clean and calming they are unfamiliar to her.
It's early days and we are not out of the woods just yet...

In the need of a wee diversion I am indulging in a
sneak peek of the newly renovated powder room.
Before the towel racks and all the fluffy stuff is in place.


it's a small room on the lower level of The Humble Bungalow
which will be used mostly by guests and the occasional quick trip in from the garden.


tiny window which needed a privacy treatment for modesty's sake
a custom made blind fits the bill
from Home Depot
at a not the break the bank price


I know what you might be thinking...
not only does the Hostess like to wear black and white she decorates with it too!


It's not the glamourous sunflower shower head like we have upstairs
the smallish acrylic shower stall does not lend itself to luxury
it's rather more like economy!


I will test the shower out when we get the shower rod and curtain installed.


 I realize that I've done a White Wednesday post 
although not a wordless one...
it's completely coincidental i assure you.

See you again when things settle down.
I'm trying to keep Mr. HB and I on an even keel in these stormy times.
So I've been busy in the kitchen turning out nutritious meals
despite the late hour that dinner gets to the table.
It would be so easy to resort to junk or fast food but I cannot abide this habit in times of stress.
I crave warm good food, home made of course.

Be well.


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Humble Bungalow Tour Day!

All the cleaning and gardening has been done and we are ready for the arts and crafts tour from Seattle.
I grabbed my camera and snapped a few images of how we look before the tour bus arrives.


Thankfully there are still some blooms in the garden.


I found some cheery mums at the garden center.
Yellow looks good against almost any backdrop.


Yellow on the front porch
Welcome to our Humble Bungalow!


Hey Jude!
Jude the Obscure has a few flushes of flowers.


wilting autumn crocus and drooping limelight hydrangeas
still they add a bit of interest and some colour


a dear sweet rose whose name I have long forgotten
soft blush pink that fades to white in the sunshine


lime coneflower sits atop the French garden table


not yet completely finished laundry renovation


laundry room clock


cyclamen in a matte green arts and crafts vessel
in the powder room


dining room


close up on the roses
more cheery yellow


This is how our wee Humble Bungalow looked when we first purchased it!


She's come a long way baby...


I think she looks pretty good for 100 years old!

I'll be taking a wee blogging break 
 I think Mr. HB and I deserve to have the rest of the weekend to relax!

Thanks for stopping by...
~ ~ ~

Hostess