Monday, January 7, 2013

Monday morning...post 754

We've been under the weather since Christmas with the flu...
coughing and sneezing and here I thought it was the "common cold."
The evening news reported that there has been a flu outbreak here in our fair city.
I have never had a flu shot although many of my colleagues swear by them.
It's a scary thought to think we might be having an epidemic.
I am wondering if Mother will manage to keep it at bay. So far she's been staying close to home and I have been unable to visit her for fear of spreading and sharing my germs.
Mr. HB has not been able to see his Mother since Christmas Day as she is in an extended care facility and the residents are elderly and frail. She is 95!

I've been sleeping in the guest room so Mr. HB and I can cough at our own pace without the fear of waking each other. It's very cozy and warm downstairs and there have been quite a lot of lazy lie in's when I have not surfaced until after 9am. What luxury!

When I sat down to type this blog post I did not think it would be on this topic. My plan was to focus on the cats this morning...

The cats have been up to their usual tricks and are very much enjoying the new laundry area.


Pepper is the elder of the two cats and she has the upper hand
and does not take any nonsense from Chester despite his best efforts
she keeps him in line.


He's laying at her feet
rather subservient
waiting for the opportunity to play
she calls the shots so when she wants to play they play.
If he tries to get her to do something that she doesn't want to do he gets a swift and mighty swat with her paw.
Both cats sleep on our bed at night
on my side!


We discussed installing a rod or rack for hanging delicates
and I spied these iron hooks at a local gift and card shop and thought they'd work.
I don't know about you but I have quite a few items of clothing that I like to hang to dry.
They seem to last longer and there is less pilling of the fabric.


I hand wash all my cashmere sweaters.
If you've been reading for awhile you already know that I use Aveda Shampure Shampoo 
to launder all my cashmere.

Look at the spring shades that I have chosen!
These are two new sweaters that I picked up online when Lands End had a sale
free delivery and 40% off.
I've worn them both and to my mind there is nothing more cozy than cashmere next to one's skin...
there's always silk but I do not find it very warm.

I've been on a mending mission
sewing buttons, repairing seams
hemming pants...
nothing like being house bound to make you realize that there are some jobs needing attention
and what better time to get on with the task as there's not much point making yet another lame excuse!

Procrastination is the name of the game when it comes to plying a needle and thread.
I don't know why I have an aversion to mending but I do.
Ironing used to be another chore that I'd avoid but since the laundry room is so lovely
it's not such an onerous task.

~ ~ ~

Are there domestic jobs that you put off?

Has the flu invaded your home?
Take care and have a great week.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Books and Bricks...

I'm passionate about cooking and naturally great cookbooks help to keep me inspired and challenged in the Humble Bungalow kitchen.
Often I am fortunate enough to receive them as gifts...
this Christmas I was given one of the new Barefoot Contessa cookbooks and have been reading, browsing and planning what I'll cook first. Ina has such a wonderful assortment of basic staple recipes and none of them look too challenging, nor do they require exotic spices or ingredients that might make preparations a bit daunting.


She's really quite pretty
I'd love to be able to watch her cooking shows again
but they are not available on our current channels
and we have many!


Do you read the smitten kitchen blog?
Well Deb has a cookbook!
This is a vast volume with an wide array of interesting and tempting recipes
I cannot decide what I'll make 
but I'm thinking I should invite my son, DIL and Isla to dine with us 
when I do decide as they gave me this gift.
Merci!


I found this cookbook while browsing the aisles at Home Sense.
Williams Sonoma Weeknight Fresh and Fast 
which is often what I need on a busy weeknight after work.
Fresh, healthy and tasty meals that don't take hours to put together.


Williams Sonoma has not set up shop in our town
so 
whenever we go anywhere that has one 
Mr. HB knows he'll be exploring their wares with me
and it's difficult harnessing my desire to buy when surrounded with so many great tools.


This book has been out for quite sometime and I was eyeing it at the local book seller 
but I resisted until it went on sale at a price that I could not resist.
Bunny's writing is easy ~ yet pleasant
the pictures are lovely
and the pages are full of great ideas 
 suggestions on what supplies are necessary for entertaining
and home keeping basics that one might need to have on hand.
I'm in my element reading her thoughts.



One of my prized "possessions" is a Sidney Island brick
mostly prized as there are very few whole ones left plus it was discovered on one of my most memorable dates!
Mr. HB and I found it on the beach at Sidney Spit when we were teenagers.
He used to take me over there in his speed boat and we'd hold hands and walk along the sand barefoot.
I'd hazard a guess that we found it about 45 years ago...

There was a brick factory over there for awhile in the early 1900's.
The Empress Hotel was built with these bricks.
Many broken bricks still litter the high tide mark near the public campsites.

There is a bomb shelter there too which is narrow dark and I used to be brave and run through it until I spied several spider webs blocking the entrance.
It's rather silly being afraid of something like spiders but I will avoid them at any cost.

The Marine park is one of my favourite spots to cruise to 
and spend the day beach combing
then if the winds are light stay the night.

The sunsets are beautiful and in the summertime you can glimpse the highest fireworks at Butchart Gardens.

~ ~ ~

Besides books and bricks...
I've been using the IPAD mini quite a bit and was rather concerned that it did not get scratched or walked on by the cats so I found a simple sleeve which also works as a stand made by Hipstreet.


my manicure is holding up rather well
I dressed it with a top coat of fresh colour and am thinking 
 maybe I could try to emulate Faux Fuchsia 
she has the prettiest nails on the blogosphere
and her blog has a bit of something for everyone...
flowers, friends, food, fashion and family.


Recipes are easy to find online but one never knows how good the recipes are...
I learned this the hard way when I made Boston Baked Beans
that bombed!

Speaking of bricks we had to have our 100 year old chimney rebuilt as the mortar was crumbling
a stainless steel liner was inserted down the chimney to prevent us from getting carbon monoxide poisoning
we have purchased a simple CO2 detector and had no knowledge that this might pose a risk to our health so mention this to heritage home owners just in case you had not heard...

Take care
Hope that your New Year is off to a great start.

If you haven't already heard Downton Abbey starts tomorrow!
Mr. HB and I watched season 3 online thanks to our clever son who showed us how to download it.
Not going to spoil any of the story line...
I'm just saying it's a season not to be missed.

Hostess

Thursday, January 3, 2013

A New Year and a fresh start...

I am not given to make New Years resolutions
but do try to visualize the beginning of the year with fresh eyes and optimism.
Anything is possible!

Life will unfold as it will, as it usually does.
One can never predict what might be, where one may go, what challenges we might face.
We can only control how we react...

Embracing and holding close ~ family and friends.
Good friends are gifts and ones worth tending...
family members need unconditional love and support
(must keep in check my tendency to smother!)

Remember to keep my spirits up and to keep moving, however slow or fast.
Feeding my soul as well as my body.

Finding a time for quiet reflection
an outlet for stress
something of beauty to behold
something meaningful to do
and someone to love.


waterfront walks
go a long way to keeping me focused and fit


living in a neighbourhood
belonging to a group
doing something for others


home keeping
gardening
cocooning in a cozy space
finding joy in the everyday routines


~ it's the little things ~
flowers
accents from nature
whimsy
a juxtaposition 
the unexpected that catch my eye
and hold me close like a whisper
~ ~ ~


pushing the envelope
stretching
taking life less seriously
not conforming
reinventing
taking risks

dressing up for the day 
when staying at home doing domestics
and no one sees me but the cats!


indulging in a little luxury
a scented soap
a hot bath
emollient creams
cashmere sweaters and socks
a soft scarf
designer fragrance


exploring a new shop


tickling ones taste buds


(salad dressing never tasted so good!)


~Adopting an attitude of gratitude~

"it's not the grandeur
it's the simple
that keep me grounded"
Hostess


I'm looking ahead to the New Year
with a spring in my step and hope in my heart.

Your thoughts are most welcome
I hope you'll share some of them with me.

~ ~ ~

"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. 
I do not judge the universe."
Dalai Lama 

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

OOTD New Years Eve...

For those of you who like to see OOTD posts
I apologize because I have been remiss.
Perhaps because my mirror has been out of commission due to construction below decks.
Rather more likely that I have ballooned in girth and am feeling more than a tad bit stodgy!

Personal feelings aside I'll share with you...


Club Monaco earrings


Chanel Rouge Allure 
#517 Triomphal
 OPI 
Peru~B~Ruby


vintage 
eel skin bag


dress by Nygaard
in it's 4th or 5th season of wear



we enjoyed a lovely evening

a martini before dinner
then off to a seafood restaurant for some delicious fare
a glass of Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc from NZ
~ ~ ~
Oysters Rockefeller to start
crab stuffed Sooke trout with potatoes dauphinoise
beets with kale
followed by decaf coffee


Mr.HB had Oysters Rockefeller
followed by a large lobster thermidor 
~ ~ ~
home before midnight

New Years Resolutions are very much on my mind
 organizing the Bungalow linens
walking more
reducing stress
are 
very much on my radar

~ ~ ~
How about you dear reader
have you made any resolutions?

It's going to be a quiet New Years day here in The Humble Bungalow
 Mr.HB and I have come down with colds...


I wonder how long this nail varnish will last...
I rarely paint my nails as my hands take such a beating in the garden and doing dishes.


The Glove can only do so much!

"Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  
Start with a fresh page.  
Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, 
or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past."
~  
~Henry Ward Beecher~



Sunday, December 30, 2012

THe Humble Bungalow makeover...

It's been about a year since we embarked on a major restoration and renovation
of the lower level of The Humble Bungalow.
It's been a labour of love and a long and arduous undertaking.
Time, energy, sub-trades and money...not necessarily in that order.

Mr. HB has the design sense and vision, I had a desire for a more finished space, something that was not a basement as such. A bright light place where I could be comfortable while accomplishing domestic chores like washing and ironing.

There are two other rooms already finished that are functioning as a guest room and a hobby room. (where I dabble in paints)

Please understand that we have not put all the finishing touches on the space just yet.
There will be some more "decorating" or "feathering the nest"items as we find things and are in no rush.
At the moment I am considering painting a few more rose paintings and hanging them
above the washer and dryer.


back entrance
laundry area


washer and dryer set
I am contemplating a shelf or future paintings
for the wall above the LG workhorses.


view at bottom of the stairs
in laundry area

zinc bucket for flowers cut from the garden
basket for leafy greens
colander for rinsing beets and potatoes from the veggie patch
bowl for rinsed produce

all handy waiting for next summer's bounty


hallway to guest room at the end
hobby room on the left at the end
storage area on the right at the end
bathroom on the right


storage area
awaiting organization


I am so delighted with the full length mirror


bathroom


bathroom 


Theme:
black and white
keeping things simple and understated
employing the rough edges
the imperfect 
and 
not trying to be anything but honest.

I hope you've enjoyed our wee tour...
this small home shelters and helps to keep us happy and cozy.

Have a great New Year!
Hugs from The Hostess
XO