Positively Beastly Weather and Comfort Food.

Autumn walks are beyond beautiful.
I find them to be refreshing, exhilarating and energizing.
The air is fresh and crisp and there is a bit of a chill which keeps me moving.
The trees are shedding their leaves with the change of season...
I like to listen to the crunch of the leaves as I walk on their colourful carpeting.

On one of my most recent walks I ventured into the local cemetery. It's a park like space in our neighbourhood which has many heritage trees and a wide assortment of wildlife from birds and squirrels, to raccoons and deer. There are many headstones and a few crypts. My family ancestors have a plot and are buried here.

mushrooms the size of dinner plates!

I gathered a few leaves and cones to add to the wee pumpkins.

Walking in the crisp air made me so hungry!

 A simple salad on such a chilly day would not be enough so I actioned some serious COMFORT food for lunch.

French Toast with a wee drizzle of Canadian Maple Syrup!

Seriously simple to make...

whisk and egg in a shallow dish big enough to accommodate a piece of bread.

Buy the Silver Hills Little Big Bread in the blue bag ~ 2 pieces are only 1 WW point!

Soak bread and then flip over to allow it to absorb the rest of the egg.

Place in a small fry pan with a wee and I do mean "wee" bit of butter.

Cook a few minutes and then flip until done.

Drizzle with Maple Syrup.

I ate a pear after as dessert and sipped a mug of Earl Grey Tea.

~ ~ ~

Today as I read over and edit this post it is blustery outside and I am not too keen going out for my walk.

The wind is howling outside and I am grateful to be snug in a warm Humble Bungalow keeping cozy.

The weather is really beastly out there today...the ferries have been stopped due to the high winds and many people are stranded at the terminal waiting for a break in the storm.

I have been busy in the kitchen all morning making meat pies for my daughter's fellow, who is originally from the Marlborough area of New Zealand. His family own an award winning Olive Grove.

 N has been craving the meat pies that he grew up eating...

apparently they even sell them in McDonald's in NZ!

I googled New Zealand meat pies and found a recipe in a woman's magazine so I am following it to the letter.

The pies are cooked and cooling on the counter, and a pear dessert is baking in the oven.

I plan to cook fish for my daughter and myself...

I will try one bite of the meat pies just to see what they taste like.

What family recipes do you remember loving from your childhood?

Do you still make them?

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."

 ~ Virginia Woolf ~

Hostess

XO

The Humble Bungalow ~ Our Guest Room.

As a Hostess I try to make guests feel welcome when they come to stay.
I think it truly is "the little things" that make a BIG difference in their enjoyment and comfort while they are away from home. I put myself in their position and think about what I like to have when I am staying in someone else's home.

A quiet place to sleep and one that feels cozy enough to retire to for a midday nap. Often we do not sleep as deeply or as long in a strange bed so naps are often needed. This time will also allow the Hostess to prepare appetizers or tidy up a bit before serving the next meal.

I like to have extra blankets, a shawl and robe for guests to use.
Some light reading and a room spray as well as a light pillow spray for setting the tone for slumber.
Bottled water, energy bars or chocolates if I know my guests have a sweet tooth.
Shampoo, cream rinse, soaps and lotions are kept in the bathroom in case they have forgotten to bring their own.
Cotton balls, Kleenex, razors, Q Tips, toothpaste, mouthwash and Tylenol...just a courtesy really but it saves them having to ask.
I realize that I need to buy a blow dryer as my friend did not bring hers along when she last stayed overnight.

A bedside light to read by...

Perrier and pillow spray.

Vintage oak luggage stand at foot of bed

like a butlers tray but lower.

Warm wool blanket just in case.

The duvet on the bed is down filled and usually warm enough but it never hurts to be prepared.

Wicker chair by the window.

A distressed oar adds whimsy.

Thrift shop floral painting.

I used a nautical, beach theme to decorate the guest room.

White beach glass that I collect is stored in a vintage sealer jar.

Shells and coral round out the beach theme.

Light reading...

The bathroom has the basics.

I love fluffy large white towels so naturally I put them in the guest bathroom.

Hotel size samples.

More toiletries reside in this handy shelf unit.

We like to let the guests wake at their own time.

So we get the coffee maker ready the night before and show them how to use it.

With glass fronted cupboards in the kitchen it is easy to see when the mugs are located. 

I would put mugs and sugar out on a tray in the kitchen otherwise.

The Breakfast I usually serve is:

Yogurt, fruit, scrambled eggs, turkey sausages, toasted English muffins assorted jams.

Coffee, juices and tea.

It's important to make your guests feel welcome.

I think by providing the basics and thinking ahead one can relax and enjoy the company with the minimum of fuss.

~ ~ ~

Have I forgotten anything?

Tell me what you like in a guest room?

Have a wonderful weekend.

I am going to play around with my camera and be back soon.

Hostess

XO

Celebrating....OOTD

I've reached my personal weigh loss goal ~ 25 pounds!
Honestly I cannot believe it 'cuz I still feel like a fat woman.
Probably because I have been overweight for soooo many years.

Weight Watchers guidelines suggest that I lose another 4 pounds.
 If I do, I'll get the "golden key" with it a lifetime membership ~ which means that I can weigh in and attend meetings for free if I stay within 2 pounds of that weight.
Sounds like it is worth it so I will track on and continue on this journey.

I lit a candle and made a pot of Earl Grey Tea.

My OOTD

 Johnston Scottish Cashmere sweater, a gift from Mr. HB.

Years ago (and wearing a size 10) the Christmas that he gave this to me.

Echo black and white scarf.

Dark Denim g21 skinny jeans.

Stuart Weitzman shoes...love these old stalwarts.

You might ask what big changes I have made to shed this weight.

Well besides walking everyday I am eating differently...

small amounts of lean protein and way more greens and fruits and veggies.

I celebrated by treating myself to a few non-food items...

I scored a Joules jacket in a smaller size at The Thrift Shop after my WW weigh in.

At Starbucks when I bought some coffee for Mr. HB they gave me a free coffee.

I found a dressy beaded vintage sweater.

Love the attention to detail in these vintage garments.

While I sat and sipped my tea I perused this fabulous cookbook and made notes of all the low calorie recipes.

What's not to love about a fundraising cookbook?

High Society Hostesses sharing their favourite recipes.

Well this Hostess could learn a thing or two from all these clever cooks.

The celebration menu:

Cocktail

(gin and soda with a wedge of lime)

Kale and vegetable salad with Paul Newman's Light Sesame Thai dressing

Rice

 Wasabi Encrusted Halibut

(Whitewater Cooks)

Bon Apetit!

Scotch Orange Marmalade ~a great Hostess Gift

I love to bring a Hostess gift when we are invited to a dinner party or an Open House.
Frequently I opt for flowers or a plant from the florist and a bottle of wine.

This past week I was seeking to satisfy a creative urge that was washing over me...
and decided to make something home made.

Juicy oranges on the counter were the source of my inspiration.

Mr. HB designed the label

(thank you honey!)

  I will have this printed on card stock and punch a hole in one end making my own rustic label.

 Tie it onto the jar with some twine and perhaps attach a vintage silver jam spoon.

Easy Peasy

The recipe made 9 jars of marmalade...

one which I put into the fridge for Mr. HB and the rest ready for the hot water bath!

I seal these properly so they can be stored in a dark cupboard and will stay fresh for several years...

but they usually don't last that long!

Scotch Marmalade

6 large Navel or Seville oranges

10 c. water

10 c. sugar

1c. Lemon juice

1/2 c. Scotch

1 tbsp. butter

Wash and grate the oranges discard any white bitter pith.

Soak overnight in a large pot.

Bring to a boil and simmer 1 hour.

Cool slightly and add sugar and lemon juice, stir well to dissolve.

Bring back to boil.

Check to see if it has reached the gel stage by using "sheeting" test. 

When poured off the side of the spoon there are no longer two drops, they merge in the middle as one blob!

It may take 1 hour or more.

(90 minutes for this batch)

Skim foam off the top.

When the marmalade has finally reached the gel stage 

Stir in butter and scotch.

Then pour into hot clean jars and seal. 

I use a hot water bath and a canner and process for 10 minutes.

Do you have a favourite Hostess gift?

With the Holiday season in the offing I'm looking for ideas...

Thank you for stopping by and for your comments...they really mean a lot.

Hostess

XO

(Re) Building my wardrobe....slowly ~ one piece at a time.

I am in the process of re-building my wardrobe as I have lost almost 25 pounds and have gone from wearing XL and size 14 + to wearing M size 10/12. My weight loss journey is ongoing and I hope to lose another 5 pounds.

 Before Weight Watchers

I am dressed for a summer wedding weighing in at a hefty 160 pounds.

Most of my larger sized garments have been donated or consigned as I do not plan to wear them again.
I have kept a few things and some fortunately were in a smaller size.
I had kept hoping I would slim down and be able to wear at some point...and now I can!

Before hitting the shops I needed to take everything out of the closet and decide what to keep, what to consign and what to donate.

I had forgotten about these cute leather booties!

The things that I kept:
(about 30 pieces)

Outerwear:
Burberry quilted jacket
Lands' End down coat
Eddie Bauer down jacket
Jones of NY metallic grey raincoat
Aunt Tirzah's fur jacket (for the snow!)
Royal Robbins black squall jacket

Sweaters:
Lands' End cashmere sweaters...pink pullover, grey cardigan, black cardigan
Johnston of Elgin black cashmere pullover
grey tweedy knit sweater in a "jacket style"
St. James grey sweater coat
Betty Barclay grey sweater ~ longer style

Tops:
Talbots white shirt ~ which is oversize now but gets worn over a white tank
2 white tank tops
white lace top
Banana Republic Breton striped tee
Carilyn Vaile black SS top
Splendid black sheer top
Black sequined Tee
black white patterned 3/4 sleeve top
Cut Loose quilted vest in chartreuse green
Mondetta white grey patterned workout jacket

Bottoms:

Gelco tweed trousers
(Pants are the most difficult to have tailored and still look decent.)

Dressy wear:
3 LBD's
Precis Petite patterned dress which I bought for a wedding a couple of years ago...see above image.
(I have not tried it on recently but it was expensive so I have kept it and it can be altered.)
Symplii knits in black ~ palazzo pants, tank top, top 3/4 sleeves, jacket
Spanner metallic pewter skirt
Jones of NY multicoloured silk skirt

I have kept all my accessories:
bags, boots, shoes and scarves ~ they always fit!

Everything else is gone!

I started rebuilding by first having a professional bra fitting and purchased some new undergarments.
My next priority was decent looking outfits for walking and fitness ~
(wearing smart workout clothing helps keep me motivated)
2 pairs of  Lands' End performance pants ~ black, grey.
3 Champion white tops and a black pair of capri length workout pants
3 workout/Yoga style hoodies

I am focusing on fall and winter right now and will tackle the out of season clothing in the closet downstairs next Spring and see what I can salvage and what needs to go.

Purchases since September amount to approximately $350.
I am applying my new rules of frugality, minimalism and function before any purchase.

Levi's distressed jeans (thrifted) $15 (they replaced my beloved Vear Wang boyfriend jeans)
Black Ponte knit Bellissimo trousers (thrifted) $12
g 21 skinny jeans, one in black, the other dark wash denim $10 each
Chillox black coat $130
Barbour vest black $125
Merino Tees ~ grey and black $17 each
Eileen Fisher silk tank top ~ a muted mocha shade which is a very versatile shade (thrifted) $15

I have read many books which offer basic wardrobe guidelines.
Two of my favourites are Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer Scott and Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange.
Tish Jett has a new book...Forever Chic: Frenchwomen's Timeless Secrets to Beauty, Style and Substance.
I am eager to read this as she writes one of my favourite blogs.

I am adjusting to my new "retired lifestyle" and am wearing casual workout clothing most days at home.
I really do not "need" too many outfits as most of my activities are quite relaxed.
Weekly lunches out, grocery shopping, errands, dinner out, the occasional house party and theatre.

Weight Watcher Month 5

(almost at my goal weight)

Feeling better, I have more energy and my hips don't ache when I walk now.

WW = Win Win 

Thank you Kristien for posing the question and Congratulations on your weight loss!

If the thrift shops in your area are not to your liking try some consignment shops.
There are lots of great online shops with great return policies and some offer free shipping.
Depending on where you live you might want to take a drive to another city to find some great clothes.
If you have a friend whose opinion you can trust, you could take a weekend away and have a fashion adventure!

I hope this post helps to better answer your question.

I know there are a few readers out there who buy online...I'd love to know where you shop.
Please share your favourite sites in the comments section.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you are having a fabulous weekend!