The loot shoot...

As I mentioned in a previous post I have been on a bit of a buying binge.
Shopping that started out so innocently with a French triple milled bar of Verbena soap and then the floodgates opened...and so here's the loot shoot.

You don't need to rub your eyes, this is colour!

It's the pattern of my new dress.

I think Dani the MOP Philosopher blog author might approve as she loves a pretty pattern.

Simple wrap jersey dress by Jones of NY

It is the first dress to make the cut for the carry on for next May's Paris tour.

It will roll and unroll out of the case without a crease...

This top is navy but looks like black in this light.

I plan to wear this with a pair of skinny jeans.

In a packable forgiving jersey knit by Precis.

If it is hot this will be a cool option as it has a slight dolman sleeve and is loose fitting without being too baggy.

Everyone agrees that when one visits Paris one walks miles and miles each and every day.

Sturdy walking shoes were the one thing that most women mentioned when I posed the question of what to pack for my Paris trip.

I didn't want to wear my Lands' End trail shoes so I had to look for a comfortable option.

These baby blue Josef Seibel's ooze comfort and are a sensible walking shoe.

So you might be thinking that I have gone off my rocker 'cuz they are not black.

I admit it...

they are a departure from the usual standard shade but after all I will be walking in Paris, the city of light.

I wanted a sandal to wear with dresses and skirts so I tried on the Ecco Babette.

Very comfy and will not flip and flap about with these straps.

In a neutral shade of mettalic gold.

The bonus of sandals is that I'll get to show off my painted toes...

now I wonder what colour I will wear?

I've got lots of time to plan my minimal travel wardrobe.

So there will be more shopping...

The hydrangeas in the garden are fading as Fall shrouds us in fog and damp.

Perfect weather to spend the day in the kitchen preparing a roast dinner.

Fruit salad was on the menu when Mother came for dinner.

Savouring light fresh fruit for dessert is so refreshing.

Say yes to these power packed Sprouts.

I remember when I was young that they looked like baby cabbages.

Cranberry sauce goes well with a free range organic chicken.

Oh and the standard issue mashed spuds...

so loverly with a nob of butter or a drizzle of gravy...

Green peas and stuffing rounded out the menu.

I love spending a day in the Humble Bungalow kitchen cooking for the family when it's chilly outside.

I snapped this shot despite the fact that tea towels are hanging on the sink, dishes are drying on the mat and the counters are littered with the remnants of my cooking spree.

You can see the cat toy on the floor by the door...it is not a snake!

These limelight hydrangeas are turning red as they wilt...

just waiting to be dead headed

 I will wait until they turn brown as they offer a bright splash of colour at the entrance to out home.

Lovely daughter and I went out for lunch today and a bit of shopping.

 We found a great coat ~ a beige zippered trench type coat by Tahari...

I am going to take it to the seamstress and have the sleeves shortened this week.

Thank goodness for people who are good with a needle and thread.

Well the supper is not going to be cooked by itself so I must get busy.

See you again soon.

Hostess

The Cat and the Mat...OOTD

It could have been the cat

or possibly the mat...

It could have been both...

Can you see the connection?

 OOTD

Thanksgiving dinner

Sympli black jersey tank top

Lisa Campione skirt

Pelican Cove beaded wool sweater

Mee Too black flats

We were invited out for Thanksgiving dinner.

 We celebrated with a large gathering of friends and family.

The food was plentiful and delicious...

such a nice treat to be a guest!

I made a tasty yam dish to take along.

( I doubled the recipe as there were 17 of us for dinner)

Recipe courtesy of my friend and walking partner Ruth.

Ruth's Yam bake

In a pot cook 3-4 peeled chopped apples in 3/4 cup of orange juice.

When soft drain and set aside, reserve juice.

Boil 6-8 peeled yams or sweet potatoes until soft

 ( you can use a combination of the two)

Drain

Depending on the consistency you may want to add in the remaining orange juice.

Pulse in batches together in the food processor and add the following:

2 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp butter

2 cloves garlic minced

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp salt

Place in oven proof dish ready to reheat in the microwave or oven.

Enjoy!

I haven't forgotten that I promised to show you the loot shoot...

the results of my recent spending spree.

It is in the works.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

Thanksgiving....

The "Attitude of Gratitude" is alive and well and thriving here in The Humble Bungalow.

Canadians are "giving thanks" this Thanksgiving Weekend...
families and friends gathered together to share food and celebrate by acknowledging all their blessings.

Some folks are down on their luck, some have mental illness, some have addictions and many more are homeless.
If they are lucky they may receive a handout from the many volunteers who help our marginalized citizens.

There are vans with kind volunteers that drive around town giving out food, warm blankets and supplies.
Turkey dinners for the needy have been full of hungry patrons all week...
the local soup kitchens and shelters are open...
wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone was fed and had a nice warm bed to sleep in?

It's a harsh life out there when you have no one to extend a helping hand.
We need to stick together...

I suppose that is why we "give thanks" every day.

Life has it's bumps
some are big and some are small
some can threaten to de-rail you and others are a minor slip.
There is no perfect life
we play the cards that we are dealt
life flows...
it changes
there is no control...

we can only control how we react to any situation.

I try to react with grace and poise...
wisdom and age help guide me
but I still can learn...

I need to remember to breathe...
to pause
to think...

I am still learning about life...

With unrest and turmoil in the world,
the threat of war,
the ebola virus,
thinking of the people who are locked down in their homes in Slocan City, BC
while a shooter is on the loose,
one never knows what might be around the next corner.

So with that in mind...
we must savour the beauty in life
everyday.

Seize the day

I captured a few images.

I wonder as I sip my first cup of tea,
what I might see in my daily round that moves me.

My life is not perfect, but whose is?
I try to make the best of each moment.
Look for beauty
savour the sweet,
hug those I love and be grateful.

Do you embrace joy everyday?

Maybe by complicating our lives we set ourselves up for failure.

For me it's all about the simple things...
at least that's the way I see it, today at this moment in time, and I feel content.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Lovely things...

Have you discovered the functionality and loveliness of linen?
If not, please consider the benefits of this hardy fabric and textile.

It holds a place of honour, that seriously borders on royalty, here in The Humble Bungalow.

Linen tea towels and dish cloths are pretty.

The dish cloths stay fresh and don't carry odors, they are slightly abrasive so they make quick work of washing up.

Love the way that they look and perform.

Call me a snob if you like, even the Mister is not convinced, but they do pass muster...

I "luff them 24/7"

(as per Faux Fuchsia)

Wooden Ships cowl necked sweater...

in a wool blend

found in a thrift shop

perhaps a great piece to take on the plane?

An antidote to "life's tough stuff" 

I'm loving a shot of colour in my daily round.

It's been foggy and damp these past few mornings.

I was walking down town...

when I stopped in my tracks

to capture this image.

Blues can be so bold and beautiful.

A Punch of Pink on a grey day look even brighter against the gloom.

These last rose blooms herald Fall,

as it settles in to shroud us with colder weather.

Lovely mossy mounds in a garden a block from The Humble Bungalow.

I'd like to know more about these as I'd quite like to have some in my front garden.

Anyone have any thoughts as to what type of moss this might be?

We have moss growing on the patio...

I love the five pin bowling balls as they offer up a wee bit of whimsy in the garden.

My sister and I took Mom out to Brentwood Bay for some shopping earlier in the week.

We had dinner on the outdoor patio at the Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa

such a lovely setting!

The food was beautifully presented and delicious.

I opted for the crab cakes and they were huge!

My sister loves quinoa salad and this one looked amazing.

Mother decided on the charcuterie...

it was a wonderful outing for all of us and I am so happy that Mother enjoys these shared mother daughter dates.

I have been on a bit of a buying binge.

It started so innocently with a bar of soap...

which seemed to prime the pump 

 I've got some new things to show off in an upcoming post.

But for now I've got to go...

laundry is waiting, the dishwasher needs emptying and wouldn't you know it's the maid's day off!

OOTD getting my happy on.

The gloomy sky looms above
sipping coffee without cream...
seem to have contributed and clouded my usual cheery morning.

I am sitting at the table, in front of the laptop, still wearing my bath robe...
thinking about today...
my attitude...
how it can make or break the moments
that together link up
to set the tone
as the morning
slowly unfolds...

Agreed, my appearance is rather sloth like, and one that I would be most assuredly be ticketed
by the Fashion Police should they venture this far off the beaten track!

Cheers!

Here's a cocktail sitting on the counter.

Well it is not really a cocktail, it's a trap...

for fruit flies that have descended on the Humble Bungalow Kitchen.

Recipe for fruit fly cocktail

take one tall glass

(preferably encrusted with bees made in France!)

banana peel and lemon lime Gatorade

plastic film

elastic band

poke a few holes in the top and wait...

Reason for the fruit flies...

we recycle all our food scraps

as per the municipality's recycling program.

Standard issue recycling bucket lined with biodegradable liners.

(Hostess approved green top)

What light through yonder window breaks...

Christmas cactus.

White orchids blooming in the living room on the mantle.

a pretty lime tinged center...

Le Creuset pots and pans live here...all lime green.

A wok, two fry pans, a dutch oven and this sweet pot.

I love how pretty they are to look at when I cook with them.

I've decided that I need an infusion of colour today...

My first Hermes scarf purchased while on holiday in San Fransisco.

A reader mentioned recently I should wear more of the lime green shade.

I know it is a serious pop of colour 

but sometimes one just craves the energy one gets when standing out like a peacock.

BTW Lands' End sent me an email this morning...

"trending now the long sweater"

well I am well on my way and who knew it was a trend?

Cheap and cheerful Mossimo long knit cotton sweater drastically discounted from Target.

Hermes scarf

skinny jeans and ballet flats.

I'm off to get dressed now and get on with my day.

Hope you've got your HAPPY on today!

Cheers