Blues....

Slim Paley has a beautiful blog and she recently published a post on Delft blues...
she entitled it Feeling Very Delftish!

She reminded me of my small collection of Harumi Ota hand painted porcelain pieces.

I use them for serving up salads and vegetables and when they are not full of food they are in plain sight for my amusement and admiration.

I love blue and white china and porcelain.

The makers of fine porcelain have used this colour combination for hundreds of years.

This is the newest piece which I purchased with money that Mother gave me for Christmas.

I am a firm believer that when one is given money for a gift that it should be spent on something 

that one desires rather than something one needs.

Imagine if you will these bowls filled 

with oranges, lemons or limes...

These tomatoes looks so plump and juicy

I love how they look redder by comparison to the cobalt blues and snowy whites.

Turned upside down

the base is commodious

I could stand a large bees wax candle on top and use it in a centre piece!

Think of the honey scent as it slowly burns and illuminates the area.

This older image is one of Pepper as a kitten.

It's cold and icy here 

 the heated floors in the basement are turning out to be my favourite place to walk barefoot!

It would not surprise me if the cats take to napping on them.

I hope that your week is filled with colour and good times.

Hostess

T.G.I.F.!

This week has been long and tedious and I am so looking forward to the weekend.

I am going to indulge in some good old fashioned bread

maybe buy some flowers and go for a massage.

I may even tackle reorganizing my wardrobe.

A stop at the Thrift store might be in order

to donate and to browse and see what might fill the void created by the purge!

Oh and The Golden Globes are on TV on Sunday...

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are the hosts

I love to see the red carpet fashions.

What plans have you got on your agenda?

Take care

Restocking...yawn my life is in the slow lane!

Restocking a few staples.
YAWN! I know, life is not full of drama or excitement it's slowly ebbing.
I actually like it!

Keeping clutter to a minimum means that I do not stock pile much any more.
I used to keep extra supplies on hand but found that the space needed to store them was a complete shamble...
so now I replace only when needed and several of my regular products ran out at the same time.

Microdermabrasion scrub

I've had several spa microdermabrasion facials where they use a machine to polish and refine the skin and I find this is a great option to spending hundreds of dollars and I use it at least once a week...a little goes a long way.
Use it sparingly and do not rub vigorously, the little particles do all the work.
This lasts me about a year and currently retails for $33.00

In winter I cannot be without a lotion after bathing...
do I sound like I am too high maintenance?
( I hope not)
the forced air furnace and the chilly temperature outside can be so drying.
My skin flakes and looks scaly unless I use something emollient and soothing.
This formula is easy to use and the French Almond milk scent is delicate.
An esthetician friend of mine mentioned that one of the trade secrets was to apply on slightly damp skin.
She can be trusted as this keeps my skin moisturized and hydrated.

I've used up all but a wee bit of both of these Revlon Shea Butter Balms.

They are quite soft in the tube and start to wilt and disappoint when one gets to the bottom of the tube.

They are so great on lips as they truly deliver a surge of moisture and the colours stay on far longer than many I have tried in the past.

Red Velvet and Sugar Plum

at just under $10 each when not on sale they are budget friendly options.

some escape reading has found it's way into my hands....

I need an escape and will be transported 

very soon...

I've been wearing my pearls....

Have you been practicing Random Acts of Kindness?

It seems that is very much the theme of the month.

What have you been up to?

Please tell me everything....

Wednesday...a day to celebrate.

It's Wednesday...
and my BFF's birthday.

Happy Birthday Suzanne!

there's a January rose blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden 

it brightened my day and I hope it will do the same for you my dear friend

surprises and unexpected pleasures

are worth sharing

 having shared so many milestones and memories with you

I feel very honored to have you in my life

~ ~ ~

I hope you know just how special you are to me

more than a sister

a lifelong friend 

who is beside me in spirit when distance and time separate us

~ ~ ~

shares thoughts and tastes

picks me up when I am down

takes me along with her 

as she navigates the rocky road that rises up

~ ~ ~ 

laughter

tears

joys

sorrow

grief

euphoria

we've felt them all

together

~ ~ ~

looking back

looking forward

you have always been there

and I hope you always will be.

Love and Hugs

Happy Birthday my friend!

Hostess

H is for Health...

I need to boost my immune system....
it's been a fall full of ills and I am tired of feeling tired.
Tired of hearing myself complain...
tired of listening to myself cough or sneeze
it's not like ME...
at least the ME I used to be.
I want the old ME back!

Health

Happiness

Hope

~

Happy Hostess

Bring on colour
bring on the organic veggies....
it's a 911 call for wellness
ban the sugar
binge on water
meditate
reduce stress
invite joy
slow down
walk more
take notes...

carrots

vitamins

sweet tasting

please tickle my taste buds

I need to boost my immune system

eat my way to wellness and health

spuds and squash

a sprinkling of pepper

a gentle caress of virgin olive oil

a roasting pan

and some heat

give me some time and there's a roasty toasty tasty meal

after these veggies have softened a bit

toss with some feta cheese and balsamic vinegar

grab a fork or spoon and dinner is done...

chew slowly

 savour the flavours

be mindful

think happy thoughts

invite positivity and wellness to be a part of every day...

I'm on a journey to wellness

will you join me?

"Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."

~ ~ ~ 

Hippocrates 

What do you do to stay healthy?